Chapter 6

Richard knocked modestly—absurd, given what he had just done to her—and opened the door. She was staring at the ceiling and didn’t look at him when he came in. He nibbled his lower lip and tried to distract himself from the sight of the lovely Janet, spread-eagled on his bed. It was amazing—he’d just spent over an hour with her, but he could have taken her right this minute. And again. And then again.

He was carrying a tray full of savories. She smelled it and sat up as much as her bonds would allow. “Feeding time at the zoo,” Jane said moodily. The spot on her thigh where he’d fed from her was purpling. He stifled an urge to kiss it and beg her forgiveness. She lied, he reminded himself. And you’re the monster.

“Oh, hush. No one in a zoo eats so well. See? Lobster bisque, biscuits, a steak, and milk. And if you eat everything, chocolate ice cream.”

“That’s a ridiculous amount of food,” she said, staring at the tray.

“I’ve seen you eat, my love. I’m going to let you out of your bonds, but before you hit me over the head with the tray and flee for the hills, I should explain that there are no fewer than three bolted doors—all English oak—between you and the street. You’d never get through them all before being caught. And you must be starving. Surely it’s more prudent to eat and plot revenge, right?”

She drummed her fingers on the bedspread and stared up at him. Her eyes went narrow and flinty, but at last she said, “I’m starving.”

“Eat, and then a hot bath…sound good?”

“And then what?”

“And then agree to be my wife.”

“Don’t,” she practically snarled, “start with that again, dick-lick.”

“Ah, a blushingly modest bride, how refreshing. I can see you’re contemplating homicide—try not to spill the soup.”

He set the tray down on the table and unsnapped her ankle bonds. Then he seized the footboard and tugged the bed away from the wall. She could have done the same thing herself, but she couldn’t help but be impressed—not bad for an undead monkey. He walked to the headboard, reached behind it, and in a few seconds had her wrists freed. She was off the bed in a bound, pulled off the shreds of her clothes and let them flutter to the floor, and then made a beeline for the tray.

“I brought you a robe—”

“Who cares?” she said with a mouthful of biscuit. “You’ve already seen me naked.”

“Uh—” You’re gorgeous. You’re distracting. If you prance around in that sweet little body you’ll have your hands full. You have soup on your chin. “As you wish.”