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“Mare usually takes the guest suite at the other end of the house.”
    “He’s not going to try anything funny with Adrienne, is he?”
    Ramael’s eyes glinted with good humor. “Only if she asks him to.”
    “And what about me? And you?”
    He unlocked the door and opened it before answering. “Enter my lair, and you just might find out.” He winked and stepped inside.
    Melinda’s heart tripped before racing double-time. This man – this demon – had killed people just an hour or so before. And now he was inviting her for, what?
    You know what.
    She knew indeed. Ramael had always made his desire crystal clear. She knew she should run. She knew she was playing with fire, perhaps literally. From downstairs, she heard Adrienne laugh. And she knew, despite appearances and legends and lore, she knew that she’d made her decision long ago. So she stepped forward, and again, and crossed the threshold into Ramael’s suite. And then she shut the door behind her.
    #
    The room was gorgeous. Decadent, actually. Certainly a place well-suited for relaxation. Or seduction, depending on the mood of its host. As she took in the lush amenities, Ramael poured red liquid from a crystal decanter and handed the glass to her.
    She accepted it with a half-smile. “Blood sacrifice?”
    He chuckled. “Just wine, I’m afraid.”
    She took a sip. Whatever it was, it tasted delicious. Fruit and flowers burst over her tongue, finishing crisp and clean when she swallowed. No wonder wine snobs were so snobby. “Mmm,” was the best response she could come up with.
    Ramael sipped at a glass of his own, then cleared his throat. “I want you to know that you are safe here. It’s been a traumatic evening, and I don’t want you to feel uncomfortable in the slightest.”
    “So you’re not trying to lower my inhibitions and take advantage of me?”
    “Er, no, actually. I just wanted to calm your nerves. Wine always helps me with that.”
    “So you’re calming my nerves to lower my inhibitions and take advantage of me?” She couldn’t keep the smile out of her voice.
    For the first time since she’d met him, Ramael appeared to be speechless.
    Melinda laughed and reached up to touch his face. “It’s okay. You don’t have to worry about me.”
    He set his wineglass down and returned the gesture. “And are you worried about me?”
    “Maybe just a little. Though I’m sure it will take more than me to rattle your nerves.”
    “Oh, I don’t know about that. You’ve got a pretty wicked uppercut, as I recall.”
    She laughed and rested her head against his chest. “You kind of deserved that.”
    He gently plucked the glass from her fingers and set it next to his own. That allowed him to wrap her fully in his arms. “You’re right of course. I’m just not sure that I deserve anything more from you.”
    “You could try kissing me again and find out.”
    He pulled back just enough to tilt her face up, and did exactly as she asked.
    Just like the last time he kissed her, Melinda’s breath was taken away. Ramael may have masked his appearance, but that kiss was a perfect match. Even his tongue, forked and hot, caressed hers in a dance that felt familiar and entirely too delightful. She moaned in appreciation and clutched him harder, winding her arms around his back and clawing in.
    Ramael chuckled against her mouth. “Quite the temptress.”
    “Just trying to keep up.”
    She kissed him again, reveling in the warmth and flavor of his mouth. He tasted like wine and cinnamon, a potent combination. Her body buzzed with need, suddenly feeling constricted, aching to be released and explored. Ramael seemed to sense her need, skimming his hands up and down her back, pressing as close against her as their clothes would allow. Then he scooped her up into his arms, causing her to yelp in surprise.
    “Running away with me?”
    “Only as far as the bed.”
    She nuzzled his neck. “Sounds divine. Dangerous, but divine.”
    He laid her gently