Chapter 21

HAVEN

~Ashton~. His name echoed in my mind like a broken record. He was a mere human, and he had no business even glancing at what was mine. If he dared to cross the line of friendship with her, I’d tear him apart.

I glanced at Grace, a soft smile playing on her lips as she peered out the car window.

I decided to celebrate her first day by taking her to one of the finest vampire restaurants in town. We’d been to one for her birthday, but this time, we were headed to another one, managed by one of my own.

I pulled up in front of the restaurant, stepping out to open the door for her. She took my hand, carefully maneuvering her way out of the car to avoid giving the valet a show. Not that it would matter—I’d gouge his eyes out if he dared to look at my Grace.

“A restaurant?” Grace asked, her eyes on me as I handed the keys to the valet.

“Yes,” I confirmed, nodding. “We need to celebrate your first day, princess.”

Her smile widened as she linked her arm with mine. The waiter bowed to me, leading us directly to my booth. Being the leader had its perks—I had a reserved booth in every vampire establishment in town.

Grace’s eyes darted around the lavish restaurant. Vampires had a taste for the finer things in life, and we made sure our human mates experienced the best.

I noticed a few of my vampires were present tonight, but they weren’t the only ones. Raja was here too. Probably the most irritating vampire in my kiss. Shit.

She shot me a venomous look as she noticed Grace by my side. I tightened my hold around Grace’s waist, and she looked at me, confusion in her eyes.

“Remember what I told you to call me when we’re around other vampires?” I asked.

“Master,” she replied.

I nodded just as Raja sauntered over to us. Grace immediately lowered her gaze and adopted a submissive demeanor as she noticed the vampire approaching. I was relieved she complied, even though I could sense her resentment towards the other woman.

“My lord,” Raja greeted me. “I heard you’ve taken a human. Is this her?”

“Yes. This is Grace,” I replied, keeping my voice as neutral as possible. Raja was one of my brother’s vampires, so I had to tread carefully around her.

“Have you considered my proposal?” she asked, batting her eyelashes and dismissing Grace as if she was insignificant.

She wanted to be my lady because she was the oldest and most powerful female in town. She repulsed me, but she held enough influence among the others to prevent me from provoking her too much.

I didn’t want to deal with a rebellion within my kiss now that I finally had Grace. I would undoubtedly win, and I had more vampires I sired in my kiss than others, but I didn’t want them to target my soulmate.

“Yes, and I reject it,” I replied. “You’re just a bitten. Know your place.”

She looked shocked, but there was nothing she could argue. She could never bear my children, a necessity for a pure-blood vampire like me.

She could never be my lady, regardless of her strength, and she wasn’t my Grace. Only Grace could truly satisfy me.

“Now move. You’re ruining my evening,” I added coldly.

I guided Grace to continue walking with my hand on her lower back as Raja stepped aside to let us pass. Good, or I would have killed her right there in the restaurant, and no vampire would dare intervene after what I’d just said.

Grace slid into the booth, and I pulled her close to me. I was furious that Raja had the audacity to stake a claim on me in front of Grace. ~That fucking bitch~. I’d deal with her later, and it wouldn’t be pleasant.

“Is she...one of yours?” Grace asked, her eyes searching mine.

“No. She’s one of Silas’s,” I replied.

“What did she want?”

“She wants to be my lady,” I answered, my teeth clenched.

“Oh...,” Grace murmured, and I could hear the hurt in her voice.

I pulled her onto my lap and kissed her forehead. She clung to my shirt as if it was her lifeline. She didn’t like this at all, and she wasn’t alone. I could only proudly display her when I turned her into a vampire.

I wouldn’t repeat the mistake of the Parisian Lord and risk some jerk like my brother killing my lady, but I could mark her. That would alleviate her pain and make her understand how much she meant to me.

I ordered blood for myself and Grace asked for wine. One glass wouldn’t harm her, so I agreed.

“I need to tell you something, angel,” I said.

“What?” she asked, her eyes filled with concern.

I waited for the waiter to deliver our order, and once I was sure no one was eavesdropping, I turned my attention back to Grace. She was growing more anxious by the second.

“You don’t need to worry about others,” I assured her. “I meant it when I said you’re important to me. It’s safer if I don’t flaunt you because I don’t want to put you in danger, but...this might happen again. A lord shouldn’t be single for so long, but...I’ve always been clear that I would only accept my soulmate.”

I watched her as she processed my words, her eyes studying my face. Would she understand? I was too worried about someone overhearing us, so I couldn’t be more explicit here.

Her eyes widened as she seemed to grasp what I was saying, and she buried her face in my neck. I felt a wave of relief wash over me—she shouldn’t be scared anymore.

She kissed my jaw tenderly, trailing soft kisses up to my lips. I kissed her back, parting her lips to taste her tongue.

As we broke apart, her eyes were filled with love. That was the look I wanted to see, and it was all I needed to know that it was time to make her mine. She picked up her glass and clinked it with mine.

“To us, then,” she said before taking a sip.

“Sure thing, darling.”

I took a sip from my glass, but the blood tasted off, especially after having Grace’s earlier today. Same blood type, but it wasn’t Grace’s.

She seemed to notice my reaction, tilting her head to the side, revealing her neck. I smiled, planting a gentle kiss on her neck, causing her breath to hitch.

“Not here, sweetheart,” I murmured. “Do you want me to take you right here in front of everyone?”

“I wouldn’t mind if we weren’t caught,” she whispered back.

I stifled a grunt that was threatening to escape. She was so eager, so delightfully naughty. I couldn’t be more proud.

“The vampires would pick up the scent, and I don’t want them smelling what’s mine,” I growled. “I’ll take you, hard and long, when we get home.”

“Haven...” She sighed.

“You should eat something so you don’t faint. I plan to sink my fangs into your neck and my cock into your tight pussy. I won’t be gentle. You can count on that.” I smirked.

She began to grind her ass against my hard cock, straining against my pants. I had to grip her waist to make her stop. She loved to tease, maybe a bit too much, and I was nearing my limit.

“You’re being naughty,” I warned her, my eyes narrowing. “Do you want to be punished?”

“You’re teasing me, and I want you, Master,” she whimpered.

I slid a hand up her thigh, reaching her panties. They were drenched. She gasped as I withdrew my fingers. Damn, there would be no dining here tonight.

I flagged down a waiter, instructing him to pack our food to go. He complied, and I took Grace’s hand, leading her out of the restaurant.

The valet had my car ready, and I held the door open for Grace. I got into the car so quickly, I was afraid I might break something. I sped through the evening traffic, eager to get home. The garage door seemed to take forever to open, causing me to growl in frustration.

Grace placed her hand on my thigh, slowly moving up until she reached the bulge in my pants. ~Damn. We’re not going to make it to the playroom.~

I unbuckled my seatbelt, pulling her onto my lap. I ripped off her panties, undid my pants, and freed my cock, plunging into her, my hands firmly on her hips.

“Haven,” she moaned as I helped her move on me.

“Damn, Grace! Look what you make me do. I can’t even wait to get inside before I wreck your pussy,” I said, thrusting into her.

“Yes!” she screamed as I hit her sweet spot. “Please, Master. Please let me come.”

I thrust harder, rubbing her clit between us, and I felt her tighten around me. She ground her hips against me, increasing the pressure, and I bit her neck. She came hard, her walls milking me, and I couldn’t resist her taste or her body.

I released inside her with a grunt. I had never made her come so quickly, but I wasn’t done yet. The night was still young.