Amelia had never heard her distressed. “Byron, untie me,” she said firmly.

The tie was taken off and Amelia turned around quickly to find Byron breathing hard and looking so worried.

“I didn’t bite—I just nipped again,” Byron said.

Amelia could now feel a slight discomfort, like a scratch, where Byron had bitten her slightly before. This was obviously something Byron did unconsciously when she lost herself in passion. Amelia fixed her dress. She attempted to cup Byron’s cheek, but she pulled back. Amelia would swear that she looked frightened, and that was not a word that she associated with Byron Debrek.

“Byron? Don’t run. Everything is all right.” This time Byron let her cup her cheek, without flinching.

“I’m sorry, I don’t mean to bite, it’s just something—” Byron struggled for the words.

“You get lost in our passion. It’s all right, sweetheart. You don’t hurt me.”

“I could,” Byron said with anger in her voice.

Byron pulled up her trousers, and began to frantically fix her shirt and tie, but her hands didn’t seem to be working.

Amelia placed her hands on Byron’s chest. “Stop and listen to me.”

Byron’s hands dropped to her sides, and Amelia started to fix her tie for her slowly. “You’re not doing anything wrong or bad. I think we both like sex a little rough sometimes. I know I like it when you lose control of your passion. It’s exciting and exhilarating to have you show me that much desire.”

Byron sighed, and dropped her gaze to the floor. Amelia obviously wasn’t getting through to her. She put her fingers under Byron’s chin and lifted her head.

“Look at me,” Amelia said, but Byron wouldn’t. “Byron? Look at me now.” This time she said it more forcefully, and Byron did indeed look her directly in the eyes.

Amelia cupped both Byron’s cheeks tenderly. “I want you to understand and believe me, so there can be no misunderstandings. There is nothing you could do or want that could hurt me. I love everything you want to give me.”

Byron’s eyes were awash with confusion and uncertainty. “You don’t know that.”

Amelia took Byron’s hand and placed it on her own chest. “I know that in my heart. Can you feel it?”

Byron nodded. “I can feel it.”

“Then believe me, sweetheart. I will always be everything you need, if you let me.”

Byron surprised her by kissing her passionately, and then she pulled back, and leaned her forehead against Amelia’s. “Thank you. I don’t deserve you, my shining girl.”

“You do. Why don’t we take a shower and enjoy a nice lunch, like you planned?”

“Yes. I’d like that.”

Chapter Nine

After sharing a shower together and getting ready all over again, they made their way down to the beach for lunch. This afternoon, Byron was taking her to meet the other woman in her life.

Byron was content for the moment. She hadn’t tasted her lover’s blood, but she had just made love with Amelia, and she had accepted Byron’s passionate side unequivocally. But would she if she knew what Byron truly wanted from her?