6. Nic

Chapter 6

My fangs descended as I walked away, and I couldn't glance back, although the weight of Leia's gaze was heavy on my back. I knew what I'd see. She wanted me, but she also felt that she needed to reject me. But if I saw too much of her desire, maybe I wouldn't be strong enough to walk away.

And I meant what I'd told her. I wanted her to beg. Fuck, I wanted her to beg. My dick jerked with awareness as I inhaled a lungful of her scent, still so potent even as the distance grew between us. Goddammit. She was all over my house already.

I threw the doors to my private wing open then secured them behind me, trying to find relief in isolation. Perhaps I just needed to feed and to bathe. Relax.

I heated a bag of blood, although Leia's heartbeat was like a pulse inside me, even with her half the house away. My awareness of her would drive me crazy. And I didn't even fucking drink from humans. Control in all things, that was what drove me through all of these decades. Control and power.

But I'd never wanted anything more than I wanted to claim Leia. I wanted to pierce her fragile skin with my fangs and draw on her, filling my mouth with blood that smelled like honey.

My cock hardened but I ignored it and stepped into my bath, groaning as I submerged my body below the water. My muscles were so tight. I wanted Leia's touch on me to relax them. I wanted Leia's touch fucking everywhere.

I wanted her touch, her surrender, her soft noises of desire. I wanted her body to clench around mine.

But I shook my head. I needed her virginity more.

Fucking humans.

I sent a wave of water over the side of the bath as I moved my arm so I could scrub my palms over my face. None of this was helping me relax. I dried off with angry strokes and strode to my bed, my hard cock bouncing against my abs. Needy fucker.

Images of Leia pounded through my head, and as I settled into bed, my hand drifted down my body. With a groan, I took hold of my cock, wrapping my fingers around the shaft, and for a moment, I waited, teasing myself by staying still. My cock pulsed in my hand, thickening as I imagined Leia's touch in place of mine, her gaze on my body.

I jerked upward, pressing harder into my grip at the memory of her parted lips and the touch of her tongue against mine that first night, and I released a harsh exhale as heat raced through my body before coming to rest at the base of my cock.

A bead of precum slid from the tip, and I smeared it over my skin with the pad of my thumb, gritting my teeth to keep my soft hiss inside my throat when I wanted to bellow my need, when I wanted to run to Leia's room and bury myself inside her to ease the desire that burned through me.

Even here, in my space, her scent clung to me, spiking my heartrate as my hand moved to the rhythm of each beat, pushing increasingly harsh breaths from me as I relieved my arousal with firm, efficient strokes. Control in all things.

Tonight wasn't a time for teasing. I just needed Leia out of my system, and I chased her away with each movement even while I invited her closer with every fantasy of her body pressed to mine, her thighs parted in welcome.

I alone would take her virginity, claiming her wholly as mine, never to belong to anyone else.

Power at those thoughts surged through me and my balls tightened, drawing against me before my cock erupted, splattering hot stickiness over my hand and abs. I fought to control my breaths and closed my eyes against a sudden memory of Leia's tongue. I could almost feel it moving over my skin, tasting me, and I groaned as my dick jerked again, fresh arousal already evident.

Maybe my virgin would be the death of me yet.

I slept badly, my skin still on fire, my dick uncomfortably hard all night. When I woke before the sun, I lay on my back, one arm flung over my eyes as I fought against the urge to relieve myself again.

Leia needed to come to me willingly. I couldn't take her by force or cajole her, but perhaps I could welcome her, provide the finer things in life—the things she undoubtedly deserved but had never been given or taken for herself before.

Nothing would be too much or beyond my reach. More gowns like those I'd already provided, jewels to adorn her and shimmer against her skin. Food such as she'd never sampled before—although Chef had already begun the culinary assault, teasing her tastebuds with a wide array of dishes.

It was up to me to awaken her other hungers, make her realize all the opportunities that could be hers if she just chose to be mine. And that could start today. By the time dawn had brightened the sky, I'd made several calls to staff at the casino and even within the house, and everyone was standing by to carry out my instructions.

I lingered outside the open double doors to the east wing, ridiculous and unfamiliar uncertainty shredding my nerves. The first stirrings of the human female inside reached my ears, and my awareness of her sent my pulse rocketing again. But I clamped down on my fierce arousal. I could control myself.

I could control this seduction. I was seducing her. Not the other way around.

When she appeared from her rooms in a swirl of floral scent and bright-eyed readiness for a new day, she paused as she caught sight of me.

I skimmed my gaze over her, approval flaring inside me at her choice of clothing from the closet I'd stocked. The jeans fit her as I'd expected, and the T-shirt clung in all the right places. I glanced away, deliberately disinterested, even as I regulated my words and tone. "Is that what you're planning to wear?"

Defiance flashed in her eyes as she tensed her jaw, the movement drawing my gaze to the pulse that beat in her neck, and I curled my hands into tight fists like that alone would prevent me walking to her and kissing my way from her ear to her collarbone.

"For just hanging around your library? I think so." She started to walk past me, but I stopped her with my hand on her forearm, and we both inhaled sharply at the unexpected contact.

I hadn't intended to touch her, and I drew way, clasping my hands behind my back as I spoke. "Chef has prepared a meal to break your fast, and then you'll accompany me to La Petite Mort."

She shivered briefly and cut her gaze quickly to me then away again. "I don't think accompanying you there—" she spat the word "—was part of our deal."

I grinned. Negotiations, using words and desires to pin people where I wanted them, was part of my business. This was a familiar area to me, and I loved it.

"Ahh, but Miss Boucher," I said, the words sleek and soft as they left my mouth. "This is the very essence of my deal. I believe I told you I am in need of a companion to accompany me to some forthcoming events with my family and my business associates. You preferred the term arm candy."

I allowed my lip to curl derisively for a moment, but her eyes widened, and I could see the exact moment she recalled our initial conversation.

But then Leia straightened her shoulders. "Well, if it's only the casino, this outfit's okay."

I shrugged. As long as she didn't parade there nude, I really had no preference to what she wore, and I was used to the dance of giving away small wins for inconsequential battles while I kept my sights on the outcome of the war.

"As you wish. Now, Chef will wonder where you are." I turned and led her down the stairs, aware the whole way of her gaze, it's heat laser-like as she aimed it at the back of my head.

I led her to the family dining room, where the table almost groaned under breakfast food. Chef had arranged fresh baked rolls—still steaming—alongside honey-butter, cheese grits, buttermilk pancakes, scrambled eggs, sausage links, crispy fried bacon and delicate beignets alongside a coffee pot and a pitcher of fresh orange juice.

Baldwin observed us from a corner, and as he offered me a small bow, I nodded my acknowledgement.

"Who else is coming for breakfast?" Leia whirled to face me as she spoke.

"No one." I almost laughed at the idea I might invite humans into my home to sit around a table and eat. I didn't invite them here for any reason.

Well.

Until now.

One human, and she was decidedly my human.

"Miss Boucher, if I may explain?" Baldwin spoke, and Leia glanced at him, her face immediately softening.

My muscles tensed. Something about my butler had acquired my human's trust. Unexpected jealousy at the way Leia relaxed with him burst through my chest, but I tightened my control over my movements as I lowered myself into a chair to watch their exchange.

Baldwin immediately hurried forward and drew out a chair for Leia at the only place setting. "Chef wanted you to try a variety of dishes so you might request your preferences going forward."

Leia nodded. "But there will be so much waste."

I shrugged a lazy shoulder. "I can afford it."

But her gaze cooled as her eyes met mine. That had clearly been the wrong thing to say.

"To ensure your comfort in my home," I finished. I wanted to impress her with all I could provide, not anger her.

"Just sample the things that tempt you, and I can let Chef know what you wish to eat tomorrow," Baldwin said as he reached for the coffee pot and splashed the brown liquid into her mug.

Lea immediately closed her eyes and inhaled deeply. "Gallons of coffee. That's the first thing I'll want." Then she smiled, but her expression soon soured as she looked at me again. She gestured at the food. "What do you recommend?"

I shrugged once more. "All of it will be to Chef's impeccable standard."

"Aren't you eating?" Her question was almost an accusation, but I shook my head.

"I ate earlier. My hunger has been…satisfied." Lie. But there were various types of hunger.

Leia blew out a sigh then proceeded to try a little from each plate, and I watched her lips the whole time, imagining them against mine, on my skin, wrapped around my cock. The moan she made when she bit into a beignet sent a direct charge to my cock, and I shifted to rearrange the sudden tent in my pants.

"She'll have the beignets tomorrow," I murmured to Baldwin, and I'd be there to watch every mouthful and the way her tongue caught the remnants of powdered sugar from her lips.

Leia glared at me but didn't disagree.

"Are you sated? Or do you desire anything further?" I watched her closely as I asked the question, and her pupils dilated as she looked at me, but she shook her head.

Then she stood and left her napkin neatly by her plate. "No, let's get this take your hostage to work day over with."

"Miss Boucher." My words offered no hint that she needed to employ caution in her words. Only amusement at what she'd said. "Please. You're not my hostage. You're my sub-clause."

She glared at me again but looked away as her lips twitched.

I threw open the door to La Petite Mort, ready to impress Leia with this part of my empire. I controlled this world. These people were in my house and the house always won. Leia was a guest of my home, and I intended to win there, too.

Valérie, my assistant, stepped forward. "Nicolas," she greeted me as she pressed a kiss to each of my cheeks.

I raised an eyebrow as I stepped away. That was a more effusive greeting than usual.

"Miss Boucher, this is my assistant, Valérie. If you need anything at all during your time here, just let her know." I gestured to Valérie as I smiled at Leia. For some reason, I wanted her to know that Valérie and I only had a professional relationship.

"I can sit you in the same seat your father favors, if you like?" Valérie offered an eyebrow raised in challenge, and Leia gasped. "Other than that, I'm pretty busy."

"Valérie." I'd never had to pitch my voice this low to warn her of anything.

She flipped her hair in response and half-turned away from Leia as she faced me. "I have too much to do today to meet the needs of your pet human."

"Valérie." This time I cracked out her name like I'd fired a bullet, and it echoed from the ceiling and walls. "You will show respect to me in my own business, and you will show respect to whomever I choose to bring in as a personal guest. It is not your job to second-guess my decisions, question my motivations, or to cast aspersions on those I choose to spend my time with. Do you understand?"

As two bright red spots appeared in the center of Valérie's cheeks, she inhaled deeply, and her mouth formed a cruel smile.

"Oh, I think I understand perfectly now, Nic." She leaned closer to me, her palm resting on the front of my suit jacket. "She smells divine."

I jerked back, away from her uninvited touch. "Get out of my sight." I ground out each word. Then I turned to Leia. "I have some work to do, but first may I show you around?"

Leia's lip curled like she might refuse with one of the cutting remarks I was becoming used to, but then she darted a glance at Valérie and paled before nodding and taking the arm I offered. It wasn't exactly coming to me willingly—her fear of my assistant was clearly stronger than her desire not to associate with me—but I'd take it.

What I wouldn't accept, however, was Valérie's disrespect, and from the way her glare looked like it might singe Leia, her attitude could very definitely become a problem. One I would have to keep an eye on.

I showed Leia around, then she sat in my office while I completed some paperwork. Something about her presence soothed me, and I snuck looks at her when she was busy observing the casino floor from a large one-way mirror like the one in the meeting room. I wanted to be able to see the humans trying their luck from wherever I was working in the building.

"I can't believe you just used to let my Dad sit down there and give you all his money."

I shrugged and opened my mouth to reply, but her next whispered words stopped me.

"All my money."

That much was true, and her raw pain drew a thread of guilt through me. The first ounce of guilt I'd felt in a very long time. Usually, I felt little but contempt for those who threw more and more money into my bank account. I could smell their desperation on it. My fortune stemmed from the deadly sins of humans, and it amused me that they didn't have more discipline.

But it hadn't been Leia down there, spending her money. I couldn't make her father's past mistakes better for Leia, and the fact I had her money tainted my account books.

"I won't take any more," I murmured as I shuffled my papers, trying to look distracted, like her sorrowful words and desperate tone hadn't affected me.

She was silent so long that I glanced up, meeting her gaze as she watched me.

"I mean it. He won't be welcome here." Vehemence underscored my words, and I shocked myself that I'd finally found one human I wouldn't take money from.

All because I'd found one human I was starting to tolerate.

She nodded. "I appreciate that."

If she didn't stop looking at me, her eyes full of gratitude and tenderness, I'd press her to the window and claim her as mine as she watched the people gamble below us. My cock jerked at the thought of her soft skin against mine.

I cleared my throat and stood. "I've arranged for us to have a private lunch on the rooftop terrace."

A lopsided grin graced Leia's lips. "Are you actually going to eat this time?"

I stepped a little closer to her, my shoulder brushing hers as I leaned to open the door. "Oh, I assure you, I'm very hungry right now."

Her eyes flared as they met mine, but she averted her gaze and hurried past me into the corridor. Once on the roof, a table with booth seats awaited us under the freestanding awning, and ceiling fans kept us cool in the Louisiana heat.

"The view is amazing. How far can I see?" Leia's enthusiasm was infectious as she stood by the wall and looked out over the city.

I laughed. "Well, we're not the tallest building around, but if you squint, you might be able to make out the glint of the Mississippi just over there. I have another casino I'm fitting into a riverboat." I rested an arm over her shoulder as I angled her in the right direction and pointed toward the river. Being so close to her was like a form of torture, and I had to stop myself from nuzzling her hair, holding my breath so I wouldn't lose control and take more than she would happily give me.

With my teeth gritted, I turned away and walked to the booth under the awning, barely looking up when she sat herself at the other end of the booth. Distance was good. Necessary. I needed to take this slow. Controlled.

"Chef has—" I started, but she held up a hand.

"Please don't say prepared a range of dishes. If your chef keeps cooking so much food, I might explode."

I laughed. "Not this time. I was going to say he's sent a traditional Cajun gumbo."

"Mmm." She moaned in appreciation before even seeing the food, and I was perfectly happy to keep feeding her in hopes of hearing that sound repeated.

Baldwin moved silently onto the roof and began serving our lunch, and as Leia took her fork in her hand, I asked my first question. I didn't need to eat—it was something I only did for show, and not something I enjoyed very much—so I tried to keep myself busy with conversation while eating the occasional mouthful so no one noticed anything amiss.

"Did you grow up in Baton Rouge?" I knew the answer, of course, but I was curious to see how much she'd tell me.

Leia's reply was a harsh laugh. "Born here, never even left the city limits." She laughed harshly again. "Most likely I'll die here. Maybe even in this casino if that look on your assistant's face earlier was anything to go by."

I looked down to hide my grimace. I'd hoped Valérie's attitude had passed her by, but maybe a little instinctive wariness was a good thing. It would help keep her safe around my family, who definitely didn't share my philosophy on freely donated blood rather than feeding directly from the vein.

"Have you never traveled?" I kept the conversation moving rather than dwelling on Valérie.

Leia shrugged, a little defensive. "Haven't had much opportunity. Mom died, Dad went downhill, and I haven't even had time for friends or…" She stopped, and a pink blush flared across her cheeks. "Friends. So I don't really know how to be around people. Sorry if that interferes with your plans for arm candy. I'm more likely to be arm brambles, I suspect."

"That sounds…positively exciting. Do your thorns cause the good type of pain?" I murmured, and pleasure coursed through me as her blush deepened.

Her dynamic with Jean made a lot of sense now. As did her virginal status. She had no time for friends, let alone anything deeper, and she was obviously quite self-conscious about it. I moved the conversation away from anything that might embarrass her, spearing mouthfuls of crawfish and andouille between exchanging anecdotes and telling jokes just for the purpose of hearing her laugh.

"Do you mean it?" she asked after a while. Her eyes softened as she gazed up at me.

"Mean what?" I feigned ignorance.

She laughed and nudged my ribs gently. "You know what."

I shook my head. "Nope." I could still feel where she'd aimed that small nudge, like she'd seared it on me. I almost wanted to press my hand there and capture the touch forever.

She scoffed and shook her head. "You know what I mean."

I turned my gaze to her, looking deep into her beautiful eyes. "Yeah." My voice came out soft, deep. "Yeah, I do. And yeah, you are like your mother."

A lock of her hair fluttered around her face, and I lifted my hand to tuck it behind her ear before I froze. She watched me, her pupils dilating slightly, and I lowered my hand back to my lap.

She was quickly becoming the most tolerable human I'd ever met. And more than that, I wanted her in my bed for more than the power she'd grant me. Desire for her coursed through me, heating my blood.

As we talked more about her mother and Leia relaxed, she gradually moved toward me. Or I moved toward her. Suddenly, we sat very close together, our thighs touching, and I savored her body heat, not daring to move in case she realized we were so close.

The sunlight hit her hair and gave the deep brown a red glow, and something about her skin made me want to touch it. Stroke it. Lick it.

Pierce it.

My control was slowly slipping away.

I needed to taste her again. That kiss outside the store hadn't been enough. It had started a thundering desire inside me that couldn't be assuaged, and now my awareness of Leia consumed me in every beat of my heart, every breath I took.

At first, I tried to ignore it, but need rose inside me until I leaned toward her, close enough that my lips pressed against hers. So soft, so perfect, but she just sat there, and I waited. Then she pushed back against me, increasing the pressure of our mouths, and she sighed as she laid a palm against my chest, underneath my jacket but over my shirt. I groaned at the soft touch and slid my tongue carefully over her closed lips, willing her to open for me.

When she did, I explored the soft inside of her mouth, triumph like bubbles in my bloodstream. She'd welcomed me. This was willing.

Her tongue met mine with unexpected passion, and her rapid breaths increased my desire. I knew how she'd sound beneath me now, and it only made me want that even more. She moved her hand to wrap her arms around my neck, and her breasts pressed to my chest as she leaned in closer, eliminating the gaps between our bodies. We fit together perfectly.

But I'd known that already. She belonged to me, and we fit. As she shifted closer again, I took hold of her thigh and helped her swing her leg over me, breathing in deeply as the change in position released the scent of her arousal.

I couldn't think. I could only feel and move as she ground over my hard cock, rubbing the ridge of her jeans over it as she gasped out her breaths, and I kissed her in a frantic way I hadn't kissed anyone in more years than I could remember.

This woman stole my control as I ran my hands over her body, tugging her T-shirt free of her waistband so I could touch that soft skin. I drew circles on her back with my thumbs, and she moved faster against me like she was searching for something.

I wanted to give her everything, and I lifted toward her as she arched her back and her soft breasts pushed against me.

Her hands were in my hair, tangling, playing, tugging, and she murmured my name against my lips. Nicolas.

I inhaled sharply at the sound. She'd never said it before, and I wanted her to scream it as she came, for her to know she was truly mine.

I lost myself in her kiss, taking all she gave me, giving her everything she wanted.

But a shrill noise interrupted our moment, and Leia spoke against my mouth.

"I think that's your phone."

I sucked her lower lip into my mouth then nibbled on it, careful to control my fangs so they didn't descend, although my gums ached. "Ignore it." My words were a low command. "Whoever it is, they'll go away."

As if on cue, the noise stopped, but so had Leia. Her kisses were lighter, less passionate. She was withdrawing, and when my phone rang again, I growled but answered it.

I didn't even look at the caller display as I blew out an irritated sigh. "Yeah."

Then I helped Leia from my lap, my movements jerky and ungraceful before I walked out from under the awning like I just wanted a better view of the cityscape.

"Leave whatever it is you're doing," my uncle barked down the phoneline, and I tensed automatically at his tone. "You've picked up a spy. Someone from New Orleans is interested in your business."

"Fuck. I'll sort it," I snapped back, caught between ending the call and just tossing my phone over the building.

I hated bad news, and I especially hated bad news that interrupted a kiss like that. My body was still on fire from it as I shoved my phone in my pocket and strode back over to the table. My dick didn't know whether it was coming or going…well, really not coming. But it wasn't happy.

"We should get back downstairs." I tried to pitch my tone casual, but Leia's eyes widened and she ran her fingers through her mussed hair.

When she spoke, I couldn't tear my gaze from her swollen lips. "Are you okay?"

I nodded sharply. It was nothing she needed to worry about.

Once downstairs, I sought out Jason. "Something came up," I muttered, and Jason's eyes widened. "I need you to look after Leia. Spend some time with her in the casino, gamble a little if you can get her to do that. Tell her I'll be back for dinner with her."

I couldn't even look at Leia. If I did, there would be nothing to stop me pressing her against the nearest wall and testing for her arousal with my fingers, all of the people around us be damned. Even Jason wouldn't have been able to pull me off, and I trusted Leia's safety with him most of all. He wouldn't betray me by trying to claim her for himself.

Our human clientele was vaguely aware we had offices—security, camera room, my office, and the meeting room, and most of them didn't give two shits about those. The real action was on the casino floor for them. But for me, the real action happened underground, in the part of La Petite Mort humans wouldn't even dream about.

Fucking hell. I beat my hand against the wall as I walked, but there was no rhythm in it. Just fury. One of my subjects had been selling secrets to the New Orleans royal family, meaning they now knew information about the Baton Rouge royals that they could use against us.

Specifically about the virgin mate who would help me secure my rule. And that heated my blood and loosened my control for a whole other reason. No one endangered my mate and lived to tell about it.

No one.

And who the hell even knew? Who couldn't I trust? I'd find the fucker and deal with them, but not yet.

No, right now, I had something else I needed to take care of.

I thumped the wall so hard the plaster cracked and chips flaked away to land on the floor beneath me. I wanted to shout my rage, but that would just alert Percival that I was coming for him. My uncle had ensured Percival had already been brought in for me to talk to, but I had no idea why he thought he was here.

I shook my head. Fuck it all to hell. Now the New Orleans vamps would be all over Baton Rouge, trying to kill Leia or take her for themselves to secure their own future. It looked like my one-month timeline had just shortened.

My stream of curses grew in volume as I stopped caring whether Percival could hear me. His day of reckoning had arrived, and maybe he deserved to know that. And before I delivered his final punishment, I was going to tell him exactly why.

"Percival." I greeted him as I threw open the heavy wooden door to smack into the damp stone wall of his cell.

He took one look at my face and screamed.