"Who's blood is that?" Lina asked. "Is it yours?"

  "No."

  Lina let out a sigh of relief. Only then did she finally take his hand.

  "I was worried about putting pressure on your body and that your wound wouldbleed more," Lina said after seeing his rigid expression.

  Kaden's features softened. Only a bit. He wrapped his fingers around her hand, then pulled her out of the bed.

  "It'd never be my blood," Kaden told her.

  Unlike a normal Pure-Blood, the thought of drinking the warm liquid repulsed him. He hated warm drinks. It was why he relied solely on the suppressant pills that almost every vampire in the world took. Drinking blood was outlawed a long time ago. Those who were caught with it could be heavily punished.

  "Don't jinx yourself," Lina grumbled.

  Kaden did not respond. But his lips did flicker. Only briefly.

  "Get ready," he told her. "We're going on a date."

  Lina's eyes lit up. A date? With him? She realized she had never been on a date with him before. It would be their first. Her stomach nervously bubbled with anticipation. Holding back her excitement, she nonchalantly nodded her head.

  "What's the theme?" Lina asked.

  "Something comfortable."

  "Where are we going?" Lina added.

  "A restaurant."

  "A fine dining one?" Lina pressed.

  "Yes."

  Lina was supposed to wear something comfortable to fine dining? She didn't believe him. She realized he only said it for her sake. He wanted her to be comfortable, but did not realize her personality. She couldn't be relaxed in a place where she'd stand out like a sore thumb——

  Lina got ready under Kaden's gaze. He sat on the bed, his knees spread in a powerful stance. He watched her like a relaxed King. He took in all of her actions like the hawk he was. Whenever she'd brush her hair or try on different earrings, his attention was on her.

  Lina could feel his stare burning a hole through her skull. Whenever he looked at her, she felt warm inside. When she shifted her eyes to him, her heart skipped. They made contact.

  "Ready?" Kaden asked. His voice was soft and low, like a lullaby.

  Despite that, Lina's heart raced faster. His tone made it sound like he was asking her about a different context from dressing up. Perhaps a context of getting undressed…


  "Yeah," Lina breathed out.

  Kaden's eyes flickered. His brooding stare grew heated. He took in her outfit. She was beautiful.

  Lina was a breathtaking vision in her emerald green dress. It was made of silk, giving her an effortless silhouette. He couldn't wait to take these clothes off of her.

  "I just need to put on this necklace," Lina told him.

  Kaden slowly rose from the bed. Lina's eyes followed his movement, rising as he got to his full height. The golden necklace dangled from her hand, the item forgotten. She was watching him now.

  He closed the distance in three strides.

  "Here, let me," Kaden said.

  Lina shivered at his warm voice that seemed to caress her skin. She stood still, her insides shaking with anticipation. He took the necklace from her. His hand briefly brushed hers. She could feel her face growing warm. This felt like seduction.

  Kaden laid the cold necklace over her skin. She trembled. His long fingers teased her collarbone. Her skin was growing hot. He could feel it. Her breathing grew heavy.

  "This is a lovely piece on you," Kaden murmured.

  Lina could barely focus on his words. Through the vanity mirror, she saw his eyes were on her. His gaze was anything but innocent. Despite being in a short-sleeved dress, she felt naked under his watch. Naked and needy.

  "Will I be taking it off of you?" Kaden asked.

  Lina realized he was talking about the dress.

  "No."

  "No?" Kaden repeated. He clasped the necklace. Then, his hands sensually touched the side of her neck. Her breath hitched. He slid his palms down to her shoulders, clasping them softly.

  Kaden pushed her hair back. Then, he kissed her neck. Her knees grew weak. She clutched onto the vanity. He softly chuckled.

  "M-maybe," Lina mumbled.

  "Maybe?" Kaden echoed.

  Kaden pressed his body close to hers. Just so she could feel it. How hard he was for her. She whimpered, her thighs pressing together. He dropped his hand to the vanity, right next to hers. She was tightly gripping onto the edges, like it'd do anything.

  "Maybe it is," Kaden agreed.

  Kaden wistfully kissed her on the side of the head. She let out a slow breath she was holding in. He could see her eyes trembling. She wanted it as much as he did.

  Kaden gave an open-mouth kiss to her shoulder blades. It was the only part he was touching, but her skin was growing heated already.

  "At this rate, we'll be eating at home," Lina mumbled.

  Kaden smiled on her skin. He shifted his attention to the mirror. Ah. His dear dove couldn't take her eyes off of him.

  "I'd like to eat you instead," Kaden murmured. "Would you allow that, dove?"

  Lina's mouth went dry. She could feel the heat pool below. His voice was like velvet on her skin. Teasing. Soft. Hot.

  "You—"

  "For dessert then?" Kaden teased, his hand sliding to her stomach. Suddenly, he cupped her womanhood through her clothes, causing her to jump. His middle finger rested directly above her most sensitive spot.

  "Kaden—"

  "Or for an appetizer before our dinner," Kaden mused.

  Lina was growing dizzy from his teasing. She had been holding her breath for far too long. He slowly rubbed his middle finger. She bit on her tongue to hold back a moan. She was growing wet. Already.

  This man's teasing was going to kill her.

  "For dessert," Lina managed to say.

  "For dessert," Kaden agreed. His voice was thick and hoarse.

  Kaden dropped his head and kissed the side of her throat again. He let out a low groan. He wished he hadn't teased her. Now, he was incredibly aroused and could only have her later tonight.

  "Come then," Kaden finally said.

  Kaden decided to stop torturing her, even though she did it to him unknowingly all the time. All she had to do was breathe. Or, just simply looking at him with those large eyes. Then, he grabbed her waist and guided her out of the room.

  Lina stumbled. He realized her legs had grown weak. His mouth twisted upwards. If she kept this up, he might just do her in the car. But this would be their first in this lifetime. He wanted her on the bed. Only after he had her on the bed, would he do her in other positions, on other surfaces…… As many as he could find.