Page 16 of Rescued By the Vampire Rogue

With the ease of centuries-old vampire strength, I lifted her, cradling her against my chest. She was too exhausted to even wrap her legs around my hips. When she tried, her walls spasmed around my cock, keeping me firmly rooted where I belonged. She squirmed slightly in my arms, and I relished the sensation. Ignoring her feeble attempts at freedom, I situated the shower then strode into the cascading warmth of the shower.

"Kael, I need to—" she started again, the words dying on her lips as water enveloped us both.

"Relax," I commanded, silencing further protest. My hands roamed over her, gentle despite the hold on her that kept her pressed to me. I bathed her skin with the meticulous care of an artist attending to their masterpiece, feeling her slowly yield to the soothing touch.

"Can't keep this up forever," she murmured, the flush of embarrassment coloring her cheeks as the water ran in rivulets down her body.

A chuckle rumbled deep within my chest. "Oh, little mouse, you underestimate my stamina… and your own responsiveness."

Ivy's blush deepened, a delightful shade that I intended to inspire many more times. Her eyes flitted open, lucidity returning as she spoke her mind. "I didn't exactly agree to... getting pregnant."

"Consent?" I scoffed lightly. "You threw caution to the wind the moment you stepped into my world. Besides, you weren't on birth control. I didn't hear you protesting either." I teased her, shifting just enough to remind her that I was still nestled deep inside of her. "In fact, I remember you begging, practically demanding, that I breed you."

The water ceased its cascade with a flick of my wrist on the handle. I enveloped her in the plush towel with a tenderness that belied my reputation. She perched on the counter, the cool marble beneath held her up. Neither of us trusted her legs to hold her weight. Besides, I was still nestled deep in her cunt in this position while I cared for her. My fingers worked a comb through her hair, detangling it with methodical care as she watched me.

"Let's make a deal," she ventured, the tremor in her voice betraying her feigned confidence. "I'll stay. No attempts to flee. But only if you include me in your plan against Lucien."

Silence stretched between us, punctuated only by the sound of the comb gliding through her hair. She wasn't in any position to negotiate terms, yet there was something about her audacity that amused me.

Finally, I spoke. "You're not exactly in a position to be making demands," I pointed out, my tone even but laced with authority.

Without waiting for her rebuttal, I lifted her and carried her back to the sanctuary of the bed. Her body melted into mine as I cradled her against my chest while leaning against the abused headboard. Her heartbeat slowly evened out as she dozed. I sent a quick text to the house staff with an order.

A mechanical chime announced the arrival of her meal. Whether or not she was pregnant after my attempts, she still needed a meal to maintain her strength. I reached into the recess that revealed the pneumatic delivery system and extracted the sealed container. I'd had the system installed for various reasons, but having human food delivered hadn't been one of my considerations.

"Here," I said, offering her a tender morsel. "Eat." There was a warmth in the act of feeding her. Thankfully she was too tired to argue. Instead, she gave into my need to care and provide for her. As she nibbled from my hand, I revisited her proposal. "I've considered your offer. I will compromise. You will wait until you are with child, or for a week's time. Whichever comes first. Then I will let you participate with limitations."

Her touch was light as it traced the contours of my chest. "Alright," she acquiesced, her voice softer now. It was settled then. We had a temporary accord and I had a week to ensure she was pregnant with my child.

CHAPTER 9

IVY

Iawoke to the sight of Kael pacing back and forth, clearly distressed by the date. We'd agreed to one week. Over the last 7 days, he'd lost his shit. From demanding that I use pregnancy tests on an almost hourly basis despite explaining that's not how they worked to trying to go back on his word to let me be bait for Lucien. Kael couldn't seem to reconcile or cope with the terms of our agreement.

I watched as he meticulously reviewed the plan one last time with his closest allies, including Brayden and Maeve, over the video wall. Even they looked agitated by his obsessive need to perfect the plan. Through this entire process, I sensed his growing unease.

"Everything will be alright," I murmured softly, trying to soothe him. But Kael didn't seem to hear me. His focus remained on the screen, his jaw clenched like a vice.

As the morning progressed, I noticed Kael's behavior grew stranger. He was unusually silent and tense, his eyes constantly darting toward me with a mix of worry and determination. I tried to engage him in conversation, but he always acted like he was too caught up in something else to notice me. The palpable tension made me uneasy, sensing that something significant was troubling him. Frankly, the cold treatment was starting to piss me off.

"Kael, talk to me," I pleaded, reaching out to touch his arm. He flinched, pulling away before our skin could connect. His gaze fixed on some distant point, avoiding my eyes.

"Everything is under control," he reassured me, his voice cold and emotionless. "You need not concern yourself with the details."

But I couldn't shake the feeling that there was more to his behavior than just nerves. And as much as I wanted to trust him, his refusal to confide in me only served to deepen the chasm growing between us today.

"Please, Kael," I whispered, my voice cracking with emotion. "I can't help you if you don't let me in."

He hesitated for a moment, his eyes finally meeting mine. And in that brief instant, I saw the pain etched across his features, the fierce desire to protect me warring with the need to maintain control.

"Trust me," he murmured, his voice barely audible. "I will keep you safe."

I nodded, swallowing back the lump in my throat. "I do trust you."

Time crept past until it was the moment of truth. I stood with him, stepping toward the door.

"Wait," he said, grasping my arm just before I reached for the doorknob. His grip was gentle but unforgiving. "Ivy, you can't participate in the trap. It's too dangerous."

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