A tingling sensation swept through her, starting along the back of her neck and intensifying with every passing second. "You're so beautiful," he murmured, his words and that voice seemed to erode her sense of self-preservation.

Sela’s subconscious screamed at herself because her fear was obviously not strong enough to overcome all the other sensations and feelings washing over her as she sat there, right on top of the attractive vampire, and being held so possessively in his arms.

God… she should really stop letting this vampire seduce her. No, she should stop falling for his seduction! She must get off him now before it’s too late!

But as she pushed against his chest, she realized once again that her struggle was futile. Simply because his strength was just insane! Inhuman!

"How stubborn," he murmured, a hint of amusement in his voice. "Did I not tell you to be good for me?"

Sela's breath caught in her throat as the vampire's large hand clamped around the back of her neck.

"If you persist with this behavior, I might believe you do not wish to be good, perhaps preferring to be... contrary. A misbehaved girl." The vampire lifted his hand and pressed his sharp nails against the underside of her chin. "You are aware of the consequences for such behavior, are you not, angel?" She felt her body moving against her will, arching her back to expose her throat to him. "Precisely, my dear. Those who misbehave must face their discipline."

While his words did set off some warning alarms in her head, she also felt something else blossom inside of her, as illogical as that may sound. She had no desire to meet her end or get punished by this vampire. Yet, why, in the name of all that was holy, wasn't she experiencing enough terror to end the unwanted sensations those words of his had triggered? Something insane was really happening to her right now!

When she finally stopped struggling and remained motionless on top of him, he responded with a wicked, devastating smile.

"Will you choose to behave for me now, or..." She quickly nodded, not wanting him to press the issue and risk responding irrationally. She feared that if he asked whether she preferred punishment, her lips might actually betray her and impulsively say "yes."

"Indeed, a good girl," he purred, and Sela's heart raced with conflicting emotions of fear and desire. She couldn't believe how effortlessly this dangerous creature could manipulate her, eliciting feelings that she knew were wrong but couldn't resist. It was maddening how her body responded to him, despite the danger he posed. 

Sela couldn’t help but think now that this must be due to all those steamy romance novels she had devoured, where the book boyfriends would say similar things to her while... oh, god!

While she was being shocked at herself for even thinking such thoughts in the midst of this unbelievable situation, cool breath warmed her skin. 

His lips trace the outer edge of her ear. Another shiver, tinged with both fear and excitement, wracks her spine. She had never thought this was actually possible. How could she feel fear and pleasure at the same time? Her body was betraying her rationality, and she didn't know how to make it stop.

But somehow, despite the breathlessness in her voice, Sela still managed to say something logical. "Please...don't kill me," she pleaded.

Slowly, the vampire shook his head. "Why ever would I do such an act? I will not end your life. I shall merely... devour you," he whispered in a voice so sinful that it turned Sela's head into mush. Her lips trembled as his last line echoed like hypnotic music in her mind. All she could do was suckle her traitorous lip, hoping to hide his effect on her. 

Sela realized that it seemed she was truly a sucker for dangerous bad boys, even in reality. She had honestly believed that her weakness against such males was only valid for fictional men!

But then again... Sela wasn't one hundred percent sure yet that the man holding her right now was actually real! Because seriously... How could this be real?

“Is… isn’t that just the same thing?” Sela asked, unsure of why that was the first thing that came to her mind to say in that moment.

He chuckled briefly. And gods… that sound!

"Not at all. To kill and to devour are not one and the same, angel."

Sela opened her mouth to speak, but her words died on her tongue as he swiped his thumb across her bottom lip. "I shall demonstrate the distinction," he whispered.