The Vampire's Kiss by Cynthia Eden

if she was at the house. “If you’re still here, then you’ll be mine. Forever.” The words whispered through his mind.
    Savannah dropped a small duffel bag onto the floor. Then she rubbed her hands down the front of her jeans.
    William’s gaze followed her nervous movement.
    “I’ve chosen,” she said softly.
    The husky timbre of her voice sent desire shooting through him. He wanted to go to her, to take her into his arms and crush her against him. Instead, he waited, barely moving, desperately needing her to say the words that would bind them together.
    “You have to transform me, and you have to help me get justice for my brother and his wife.” She licked her lips and took a quick breath. “In return, I’ll be your companion, forever.”
    His companion. His body tightened. “Forever is a long time, Savannah. How do I know that you won’t change your mind?” That she wouldn’t leave him one day, leave him as his brother had left him centuries ago? Could he trust her? He hadn’t trusted another person since his transformation.
    Her chin lifted. “I give you my word. I’ll stay with you.”
    “As my mate?” he pressed, a muscle clenching along his jaw.
    She flushed. “Yes . . .”
    He walked toward her, taking his time, studying the emotions that flashed across her face. Anger. Fear. He stopped barely an inch away from her. His hands lifted, curling around her and pulling her against him. “A kiss,” he whispered, “to seal the bargain.”
    Her lips trembled, then parted. He lowered his head and locked his mouth upon hers.
    She was as sweet as he remembered. The taste of her was so pure, so rich. His tongue slid past her lips, sliding gently into the warmth of her mouth. She met him eagerly, leaning forward into his touch, his kiss.
    He swirled his tongue against hers and tasted her, lightly, softly, as if she were a fine wine. And, like a wine, he knew that he could all too easily get drunk from the taste of her.
    His arms wrapped around her, pulling her tightly against him. She felt so good. So soft and yielding.
    He slid his hands under the edge of her shirt. Her back was smooth, incredibly soft. His fingers caressed her spine, moving lightly up the edge of her back. She felt so delicate, so fragile. Yet she met his kiss with a passionate force that stunned him.
    His hand slipped around the edge of her shirt, moving to rest just below the curve of her breast. He wanted to cup her in his hand, to feel her nipple tighten against his fingers. He wanted to take her into his mouth. To suck her. To lick her.
    His fingers traced a light pattern on the top of her lacy bra. Her nipple tightened in response. He growled.
    Savannah wrenched herself away from him. She took a step back, breathing heavily.
    His jaw clenched. He could feel his teeth, burning sharply against his gums. The beast had been roused. “Backing out of our bargain already?” His voice was guttural.
    Savannah’s eyes were wide, deep pools of mystery. She swallowed once and shook her head. “Before we go any further, I have to know . . .”
    “What?” What did she need to know? Didn’t she already know all of his secrets? What more could she possibly want? Must he lay bare before her? Anger burned through him. He grabbed her arm and pulled her body back against his, forcing her to feel the lust that burned him. “Our bargain is set, sweet fairy. There is no going back now.”
    “I know,” she said, her voice low, almost sad. Her gaze met his. “I don’t want to go back.”
    He held onto his control, refusing to give the beast within his freedom. William took a deep, shuddering breath. He would have Savannah. Soon.
    He studied her carefully, searching her face. “What is it that you want to know?”
    She held her hand up, her palm facing him. Two thin red scratches ran the length of her hand. William stiffened at the sight.
    “What happened to me today? It wasn’t a dream.” Her hand clenched. “Dreams don’t hurt