Free The Vampire's Bride by Amarinda Jones Page B

Dimwit?” He tapped one finger on the diamond in her engagement ring.
    “Jimmy—and because he’s sweet and gentle and he loves me.”
    Could Alaric feel her trembling? In her mind, she wanted to call it nervous lust that she could easily get over. In her heart, Josephine knew it was so much more than that. But Alaric was not for her. I cannot be second choice in his affections.
    “I love you.”
    The words sounded sincere, and as much as Josephine wanted to believe them, belief was not something she could give in to with Alaric. Sexy vampires, while great lovers, did not make commitments as mortals did. Their lives were lived out over centuries. They evolved differently. Time was not a critical issue to them. Josephine knew Alaric would never settle. He never had to.
    “You say you love me, but I haven’t seen you in eight months.”
    “My life is complicated.” His fingers moved up to her wrist.
    Josephine knew he could feel the uncontrolled beat of her heart.
    “Fighting your cousin over an old, useless house is not important.”
    “Maverick House is not useless. It holds great power. I have to fight for it—it’s my birthright.”
    “As it is your cousin Richard’s.” Both men were vampires.
    Josephine knew neither would give up until one of them had an exclusive hold of the house. How they were going to do that she didn’t know. They had been fighting over Maverick House for centuries. Richard . Josephine could not suppress the thrill of excitement at his name. While Alaric had enslaved her body and soul, Richard had toyed with her in such a delightful way. Two cousins, both vampires and yet each completely different in personality. Alaric took her with passion and hunger. And Richard? He took because he could, and Josephine craved the idea of being taken against her will.
    Not that it ever was. It was just a game she and Richard played. She pretended to fight him, while he controlled her any way he could.

    The Vampire’s Bride
    11
    Although Alaric was jealous, he never stopped their hot little games.
    Alaric understood sex and what she had with his cousin. He knew no one person could truly satisfy another. With Richard, it was all about being fucked. With Alaric, it had been love. She licked her lips and contemplated both men in her mind.
    “Still hung up on my cousin?”
    “Jealous?” That Alaric still was thrilled her. Whoa! Focus, woman. You’re supposed to be getting married, not fucked.
    “No.”
    “Or is it that he has more claims to the house and that annoys you?” Josephine had no idea who had what claim, nor could she care less.
    “I’m older by one hundred years, so it’s my home.” Alaric’s other hand caught at her waist.
    Josephine closed her eyes for a moment and willed herself not to press her body into his. ”I don’t care.” I really don’t want to care, so stop making me try to.
    “You do.”
    Her eyes snapped open. Desire was going to get her nowhere.
    “No, not anymore. I want stability, not some petulant playboy vampire who’s only around when he wants sex.”
    Alaric pressed his body against Josephine. “Remember how it felt when we were together? How you used to wrap your legs around my waist and cry out as I filled you time and time again?”
    Josephine swallowed hard. She was wet with need. His words and his body were igniting dangerous memories. “You left me.” Both cousins disappeared from her life. It had dented Josephine’s pride greatly. Thank God Jimmy is normal—maybe at times boring—but I’ll know what to expect.
    “You should have waited for me.”
    There was a look of reproach in his eyes that surprised her. Alaric was never one to admit weakness. “I did, but then I got sick of 12
    Amarinda Jones
    waiting.” Her ass was suddenly on the bed. Josephine knew what would happen next. If I allow it…and I can’t. I won’t.
    “So, you’re going to marry Dimwit out of spite?” The movement of Alaric’s body gently forced her