Free Lured by Ava McKnight Page A

an arm around her waist to help her straighten, his lips grazed her neck again.
    “I want you to belong to me,” he whispered.
    She felt the sharp scrape of his fangs, knew his intent. It was an invitation unlike any she’d ever received. Unlike anything she would ever experience with another man.
    Cass thought of her work and her friend Linda. She’d miss both, but enough to pass on this unique, unexpected opportunity? And what about her mother? Considering their tumultuous relationship, was that reason to stay human?
    “Cass?” Marcus muttered against her throat.
    “Yes,” she answered, this time without hesitation, not feeling a shred of fear or doubt. She knew exactly what she wanted.
    Marcus.
    Forever .
    “Do it,” she insisted. “Make me yours. For all of eternity.”
    His sharp teeth sank into her neck and Cass felt that exquisite pleasure surge through her once more and knew it would never end.

Chapter Four
    Three months later…
     
    “Cass,” her mother said into the static-filled line, “I don’t understand what you’re doing in Italy!”
    “Taking a vacation, Mother,” she replied with practiced patience. She hadn’t told her mother she’d eloped with Marcus. It was a private affair she’d kept to herself, protecting it from anyone tainting the beautiful relationship they had.
    A lengthy sigh ensued, then her mother said, “It just isn’t responsible. Taking a leave of absence from your job to travel Europe. I’m sure I raised you better than this.”
    Cass smiled. Funny how these little nit-picks no longer bothered her. Oddly, when Cass had met Marcus and had became a vampire, she’d found a place for herself in the world. She was suddenly comfortable in her own skin. For the first time in her life.
    She spared a glance in his direction as he lit several candles lining the pony wall of the terrace that overlooked Florence and its dazzling city lights. They were staying in a villa on the outskirts of the city, having spent the past few weeks enjoying the region by night, with all its breathtaking and sultry evening sights. Another two nights here and they’d move on to Milan before heading to Greece for another month.
    Every moment with her new husband was pure bliss.
    “Mother, my boss was perfectly amenable to me finally using the vacation hours I’ve stored up over the years. He doesn’t want to lose me as an employee, so he was more than willing to accommodate the request.”
    Not that she was wholly certain she’d go back to work. Being a vampire meant she had to make some radical changes in her life and be extra careful not to draw attention to the fact she was no longer human. But perhaps she could move into a part-time position, working remotely, so that she could continue the job she loved. Details she’d address when she and Marcus returned from their honeymoon.
    Her mother made a sharp tsking noise at her comment. “That job is the best thing in your life, Cassandra. Without it, what would you be?”
    The cruel statement would have stung the old Cass. But it merely made the new one laugh softly. “Oh, Mother. You know so very little about me.”
    Not only did Cass’ mother not know about her new existence as a vampire or her marital status, she didn’t know a thing about Marcus. Perhaps it was selfish of Cass to want to keep him all to herself. To not mention him to her mother so that the bitter woman couldn’t try to tear him down or make snide remarks about Cass not being able to hold his attention for long.
    Because she did hold Marcus’ attention. All night long … And then some.
    She grinned as he turned away from the candles and caught her staring at him. Such a magnificently built man. So gorgeous and sensual, he stole her breath every time she looked at him. And every time he looked at her? He seemed to devour her with his ice-blue gaze, as though imagining a dozen different ways in which to take her.
    She squirmed in her seat on the sofa as he came through