Hands resting on my shoulders, she asked, “How did you and Gina meet?”

“Through Will. She’s one of his vampires.”

“And?”

“And we were together for a while.”

Impatience flashed across her face. “Typical of you to be so vague,” she grumbled. “How long were you together?”

I traced her collarbone with one finger. “A year, maybe. I don’t know.”

She blinked. “A year? Then it must have been serious.”

“It was the opposite of serious, which was why we were together for that long.” Ava waved her hand, encouraging me to elaborate. “We were both very work-focused, and neither of us wanted ‘serious’. I guess you could say we were together out of convenience.”

“Why did you break up?”

“Because I came here.”

“And she was fine with that?”

Recalling the tantrum Gina had thrown, I snorted. “No. She has a very high opinion of herself. For me to even think about leaving her was not only a shock, but the ultimate insult.”

“So the relationship ended badly?”

I nodded, combing my fingers through hair that looked like liquid chocolate. “She was pissed that I planned to go to the try-outs. She went running to Will and Blythe, who were just as pissed at me. Will said that if I walked out, he’d no longer consider me part of his nest.”

“Harsh.”

“I don’t think he really expected me to pass the try-outs. I don’t think any of them did.”

“What’s her gift?”

“She’s able to release sexual pheromones; it’s known as ‘the sex call’.”

Ava froze. “In other words, she can make people want her? Desire her?”

I cupped her face, pinning her gaze with mine. “It won’t work on me, Ava. Physically, it might have an effect – that’s not something I can control. But she can’t get into my head, she can’t control me mentally. It’s a case of mind over matter.”

I could see that she was doubtful, but she nodded. “Did you love her?” The question was quiet, hesitant; hinted of insecurity. She had absolutely no idea of the hold she had on me. I’d have to work on changing that.

Slowly, I slid my hands up Ava’s thighs, snaking under her dress; loving the velvety feel of her ivory skin. “No.”

Her breathing stuttered as my thumbs traced the edges of her silk panties. “You’re sure?”

“Positive. Now enough about her. She’s not important. Is she?” I wanted Ava to say it, to believe it.

“No.”

I bit her earlobe. “No, what?”

Ava shuddered. “No, she’s not important.”

Rewardingly, I cupped her hard, wrenching a soft moan from her. “Who is important to me? Who?”

Her eyelids fluttered shut as I slipped my thumb under her panties and flicked her clit. “Me.”

“That’s right. You don’t have any reason at all to be insecure. I want you more than I’ve ever wanted anyone. Say it.” Snapping off the scrap of silk, I slid my finger through her folds, finding her slick. I groaned. “Say it, Ava.” It was a clear warning: if she didn’t repeat it, I’d torment every inch of her.

Pupils dilated, face flushed, she licked her bottom lip. “You want me more than you’ve wanted anyone.”

“Good. Now don’t forget it.” I plunged my finger inside her. So fucking tight. “Ride it, Ava. That’s it. Get yourself ready for me.” Wanting more of her skin, I whipped off her dress. No bra. Just a perfect set of perky breasts that made my mouth water. She moaned and bucked as I palmed and squeezed one breast, thumbing the nipple. Fuck, I wanted a taste.

“Up. I want you on your knees.” That put my mouth level with her breasts. I latched on to one taut bud just as I drove another finger inside her. I groaned at the feel of her – so wet and hot and mine. She tried to ride my fingers, but I held her still, scissoring them inside her, preparing her for what was soon to come.

She squirmed. “Don’t tease.”

I fucked her hard with my fingers. Every moan and gasp she made seemed to stroke my cock; it was thick and aching, ready to take her. When I knew she was about to come, I withdrew my fingers. In a blur of movement, I had her spread out on the bed with my head between her thighs. Parting her wet folds, I blew out a long breath, making her shudder. Then I finally took a long lick. Christ, she tasted good. Over and over, I lapped at her, occasionally pausing to torment her clit.

She writhed and jerked, moaning. “Salem, don’t stop this time.”

I couldn’t stop. Not when I finally had her where I wanted her. She couldn’t imagine the amount of times I’d thought about feasting on her like this; stabbing my tongue inside her, swirling it around, and then moving to suckle on her clit. Soon enough, she exploded.

As I gave her a minute to recover, I stripped off my clothes. Looking down at her delicate body as I fisted my cock, I knew there was no way I could avoid hurting her. I was thick and long and painfully hard, and she was so small. Not that she seemed concerned at all – she eyed my cock with greed and curiosity.

When she reached out to touch me, I pinned her hands to the bed. “No.”

She pouted. “I want to play.”

If that happened, I’d come there and then. “Next time.” I stood at the end of the bed and gripped her thighs, dragging her toward me until her ass was hanging off the edge. Tilting her hips, I positioned her to take me. “Look at me, Ava.” As her gaze locked with mine, I began to slowly sink inside her. So tight. When a hint of pain flickered in her eyes, I paused.

“I’m okay,” she panted.

Taking her at her word, I fed her another few inches.

Her eyes flashed impatiently when I stopped again. “I’m not going to break.”

“No, but you are going to get so ruthlessly fucked that there’s a good chance you won’t remember your name. I want to be sure that every moan that comes out of your mouth is of pleasure, not pain. So we’re going to take it easy for a minute.” Still slow, I smoothly sank inside her to the hilt. Her back arched and a gasp flew out of her as her inner muscles clamped around my cock. “Ava?”

“I’m okay, really. It’s just that no one’s been this deep before.”