“So you’re saying you’re addicted to sex?”

“No, that’s different. Sexual addiction is a compulsive disorder whereby people can’t control themselves. They become preoccupied with sex, from reading porn to masturbating a dozen times a day. They turn to lying, even down to endangering themselves or others to get their fix. For vampires, our sex drives are a direct result of our senses being intensified to the nth degree,” Bennett said, eyeing Ruby. “I hope this doesn’t sound too crass, but I’m assuming the orgasms you had last weekend were pleasant—yes?”

Ruby’s cheeks flamed. “To say the least.”

“I’ll take that as a compliment,” Bennett said through a cheeky grin. “Now, for me, imagine multiplying those sensations tenfold.”

“Wow.”

“Yes, wow,” Bennett said, her crow’s feet deepening even further. “Given the fact we become energized when we feed and over-energized when we feed properly, the easiest, least harmful, and far most pleasurable way to release that energy is through sex. I suppose that’s why, in fiction, we’re often described as animals. It is, after all, the most basic of instincts except, like I said, it’s in direct correlation with our heightened senses. The nerve endings throughout my body are, from time to time, like violin strings pulled so taut that the slightest breeze could create music. When you touch me, you feel skin and warmth. When I touch you, if I concentrate, I can feel the pores on your skin and every strand of hair on your arms. You can hear how my breathing increases, yet I can hear every beat of your heart, the tempo telling me all I need to know. And even right now, in this crowded Italian restaurant awash with the aroma of tomatoes, garlic, and sausage, I can still smell the scent of your arousal.”

“Jesus,” Ruby said under her breath, shifting in her chair again. “Bennett?”

“Yes?”

“I think it’s time we go home.”

Bennett smiled and signaled for the check. “I thought you’d never ask.”

***

Finn looked up when the door opened. “Hey, I thought you weren’t flying back until Sunday.”

“I changed my mind,” Lisa said, tossing her coat on a chair. “What are you doing here on a Friday night? Where’s Bennett?”

A boyish simper took over Finn’s face. “If I had to guess, I’d say she’s getting a little sumthin’ sumthin’ with that ginger who showed up at Rapture.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

Finn leaned back in the office chair, and placing his feet on the desk, he linked his fingers behind his head. “Bennett texted me last Sunday and said she wouldn’t be in until Tuesday. When she showed up on Tuesday, with a humongous smile on her face, I might add, she told Gunnar and me she’d decided to take some weekends off.”