Free Lured by Ava McKnight Page B

the opened floor-to-ceiling patio doors. Her cunt clenched tight and anticipation shot through her as thoughts of how he’d make love to her tonight flitted through her mind.
    He mouthed the words hang up , and Cass had to stifle another laugh. Into the receiver of the phone, she said, “Mother, I have to go.”
    “But, Cassandra. This is the first time you’ve answered my calls in nearly a month! We’ve only just begun to talk this evening and I have so much to say about—”
    “Mother,” Cass cut her off. Something she’d never done before. It felt surprisingly good to hear a huff on the other end of the line. “I really have to go.”
    “Well! I’m not very pleased with you, Cassan—”
    “I’ll phone you in a week or so. Goodbye, Mother.” She disconnected the call and tossed the cell onto the cushion beside her.
    Marcus said, “I could hear her all the way out on the terrace.”
    “She likes to make her presence known.”
    “Hmm.” He rolled his eyes. “You won’t take offense if I tell you I have no qualms over never meeting my mother-in-law.”
    Cass grinned again. She loved any and all references to her new marital status. Being Mrs. Marcus Ionescu was Cass’ very own fairy tale come to life.
    “Lucky for you,” she said as she stood and crossed the living room, “I have no intention of subjecting you to her Supreme Bitchiness. I intend to keep a safe distance myself.”
    He pulled her into his strong embrace. “For that, I am eternally grateful.”
    “It’s the least I can do,” she murmured as she snuggled close to him, her body melding to his, her lips brushing over his neck. “After all you’ve given me.”
    He made a funny sound. “Turning you into a demon?”
    “I hardly think of myself that way. You’ve taught me how to exist without human blood.” He’d gotten her hooked, instead, on animal blood. More than a few chicken coops had suffered along the way, until Marcus had helped her to learn to control her thirst and hunt larger game that sated her and sustained her for much longer periods of time than the chickens had. Curiously, though, she still enjoyed eating human food. She didn’t need the sustenance, but she still had taste buds and a few leftover human cravings.
    “You also gave me a wedding night that lasted an entire week,” she reminded him. “Followed by this incredible honeymoon.”
    She sighed contentedly as she wrapped her arms around his neck. Her tongue flicked his earlobe before she nipped playfully at it. He groaned in response. His arms tightened around her and he all but crushed her to him. Her body was nearly as strong as his, so he didn’t hurt her. When they unleashed their passion, there was no physical danger now that she was a vampire.
    As his erection pressed against her belly, she said, “I also love all the stories you’ve told me of your travels. I’m so glad we get to experience them, along with our new travels together.”
    “It’s more exciting the second time around. Now that I can share all of this with my eternal mate.”
    “And here you wanted to tuck me into a cab and send me off when we first met,” she teased him.
    Marcus said, “I wanted you safe. Even if it meant I’d never see you again.”
    “But it all worked out. Because we were destined to be together.”
    He nodded as his beautiful eyes glowed in the soft candlelight from the terrace. Then his lips slid over hers. A whisper of a touch that made her moan from the pleasure he sparked.
    She tightened her arms around his neck and pressed her lips to his. Their mouths opened at the same time and his tongue slid inside to tangle with hers. He kissed her deeply, passionately. Conveying his love for her and confirming they truly were destined for each other. She hadn’t doubted it once since their first kiss. He had proven, in every way possible, that he wanted her. Desired her. Loved her. His acceptance of her had changed Cass in ways she’d never dreamed possible.