Free Blood Curse by Sharon Page

truth. “Good heavens, what sort of experts would tell you how to take an evil power from a woman through . . . through those sorts of things?”
    His lips lifted in a gentle smile. “You are adorable, Lady Ophelia. You have to trust me. I just saved your life, did I not? I am trying to protect you, exactly as I promised I would. Would you not want to be free of the power to take human lives just by touch?”
    Of course she would! It was what she dreamed of . . . that one day she would wake up and discover she no longer hurt people. Then she could leave Mrs. Darkwell, and she could have a life like other women. But there was one problem . . .
    “I can’t make love with you.” Ophelia put her hands over her face. “How could I do such a thing? It is what husbands and wives do. I am not
married
to you.”
    “You are astoundingly innocent.” He sighed. “You do not believe me, do you?”
    “I don’t know. It sounds . . . impossible. You saved my life and everything you warned me about seems to be true, so I do trust you. But this sounds utterly insane.”
    “Isn’t your power impossible? How could you destroy people just by touching them? But you do. Ophelia, you have to believe I want to free you. If you require marriage to come to my bed, then I am willing to do it.”
    “Heavens, you can’t mean you would marry me?”
    “Yes. If necessary, I would.”
    He must be joking, yet Ravenhunt’s level, steady gaze showed no hint of amusement. He looked completely serious. “No! I would never marry you.”
    “Then let me pleasure you.”
    Abruptly, he pulled her forward again so her tummy bumped against his mouth. She could hear deep, harsh breaths. He put his lips against the juncture of her thighs, through her shift. He kissed her there.
    Her eyes were so wide with shock, it hurt. “Stop that!”
    “I can’t,” he growled. “I have to do this. I have to take your power from you, to free you.”
    “Why? Why must you?” She jerked away from him, her heart pounding. She managed to drag herself free. Her crumpled skirts fell down to cover her legs.
    Ravenhunt looked . . . wild. His eyes were narrowed and seemed to be burning fiercely. His mouth was a slash of agony. He raked his hands through his hair, turning it into tangled waves that fell to his shoulders.
    “I need to because—” He frowned and ran his hand through his hair again. “It doesn’t matter. If I take it, Lady Ophelia, you’ll be free. I’m going to free you from this power, whether you like it or not. So, tonight, we are going into town. There are people who will prove to you that what I am saying is true.” His dark brow lifted. “By the time I am finished with you tonight, Lady Ophelia, you will be begging me to make love to you.”
     
    He’d gone too far with those last words, damn it.
    By making such a bold statement, he had scared her away. Even now, in the hackney carriage, Lady Ophelia was huddled in the shadowy corner, as far from him as she could possibly sit.
    Raven wanted to kick himself.
    But he hadn’t been thinking. He’d been driven by hunger and lust. Right now, he was fighting like Wellington to avoid the scent of her blood. Sweet, enticing, it promised delicious warmth on his tongue—and a rich flavor that would stay with him for days.
    When he’d been on his knees in front of her, he’d scented her blood and the musky aroma of her cunny. He’d almost lost control.
    Jade had been right. The smell of Ophelia’s blood was the most intoxicating scent he’d ever known.
    He wanted it. Even just a drop—just one incredible drop.
    He knew damn well he would not stop at one drop.
    “I apologize for my crude words earlier,” he said softly. He had to seduce her. She had to be a very willing partner in this, or he could not get her power.
    “Harumph,” she muttered. “I would not marry you.”
    “Remember the prize at the end of this. You would be free of your power.”
    “And married to
you
.”
    “You don’t