We’re back at the hotel, and I motion for her to wait as I quickly step into the gift shop and purchase a basic pair of navy swim trunks. I’m headed for the register when my eyes fall on a display of gold jewelry.

Pins in the shape of hummingbirds with mother of pearl inlays are arranged next to large watches. A wide, golden cuff sits next to a large pair of hoop earrings. It’s flashy, but my eye is caught by one small necklace. In a pale pink box, a thin gold chain holds a delicate floating heart. Without hesitation, I pick it up.

She’s looking through the glass windows at the elaborate carousel bar when I return. A round bar is painted in shining gold, the top arched and lit up with carnival lights exactly like a carousel. Faces are carved in panels at the top, and staring at it, it truly looks as if it should spin.

The bar stools are brightly colored with lions or horses or elephants painted on the seat backs. It’s quite a spectacle. When I reach her, I can’t resist sliding my palm down her lovely back once more. I imagine sitting in a chair and drawing her onto my lap, taking her under those bright lights.

“I love this dress,” I say softly.

Her shoulder rises as she looks up at me. A sexy grin is on her lips. “I hoped you would.”

“I can’t seem to stop touching you.”

Another shiver runs through her and her voice is thick when she speaks. “We left our food at the restaurant.”

I realize she’s right and almost laugh. We packed it all up, and we were so distracted by each other, we walked right out and left it on the table.

“You’re right.” I say. “I only got a few bites.”

“Are you hungry?”

“Not for food.” Her cheeks flush, and I glance at the glowing display of the bar. “Do you want a drink?”

“I’d rather go to the roof.”

Her tone tells me she shares my hunger. Taking her hand, I lead her to the elevator. “We can change in one of the cabanas.”

“Or not,” she whispers, and damn if I don’t have to adjust my fly.

The elevator ride only increases the tension. We share the trip up with individuals getting on and off, but once we’re at the roof, a quick glance around the shimmering blue pool tells us we’re alone.

I lead her into one of the white-curtained cabanas and quickly lower the straps of her dress. She’s not wearing a bra, and her dark nipples are peaked and straining for my touch. I don’t make her wait.

“Oh!” she gasps as I cup one roughly before leaning down to pull a taut bud into my mouth. I give it a quick pull and a gentle bite. I want to devour them both.

She gasps and a little noise comes from her throat. It taunts my impatience. Her dress is off in a sweep, and I lift her onto the bed, pushing her thighs apart so I can taste her. She slides back, moaning and clutching her breasts as I grip her hips in my arms, sliding my tongue up, down, deep into her clenching pussy.

A brief suck, a little dip, and her cries make it harder for me to wait. Standing, I discard my coat and lose my sweater. Reaching up, I draw the beige curtains around us. It’s a visual buffer, but if someone wanders up here, it will be impossible to hide what we’re doing.

My slacks are gone, and I kneel on the bed, wrapping Melissa’s legs around my waist. Her beautiful body glows silvery-white in the moonlight, and it only takes a moment to get myself in position and thrust deep into her slippery core.

“God,” I say through clenched teeth. The sensation of being inside her warm, wet body is almost too much. “So tight,” I groan.

Her back arches as I thrust deeper. One hand fumbles between her legs, and I watch as her slim fingers circle frantically over her clit. Her mouth begins to change. The sight of her teeth growing, knowing it’s because she’s about to come burns my desire hotter in my stomach.

I thrust harder, gripping the soft flesh of her ass and grinding her against my pelvis. She exhales little cries, and her small breasts bounce as I sit back on my heels moving faster. Her hand flies over that sensitive place, and she starts to clench around my dick, pulling and milking me.

“Oh, yeah,” I groan low, rising up on my knees so I can push deeper into her.

My eyes squeeze shut, and her hips begin to jerk. I know she’s coming, and I grip her tighter, moving with her orgasm. Our skin slaps loudly until she breaks into a full-body shudder.

“Oh, god! Derek!” she cries, and it sends me over the edge.

My ass tightens as the world tilts, and a low groan scrapes through my lungs. I’m shooting through space, and my only anchor is this beautiful woman calling my name.

For a moment, I hold on, eyes closed, pulsing with pleasure. Then I notice she’s moving—slowly climbing my torso with me still inside. Her breath comes in little pants, and she presses her open mouth against my flesh, touching my skin with her tongue, licking the sweat from my muscles in the heat of the New Orleans night.

I feel the scratch of her razor teeth on my chest, and my stomach muscles quiver. I know what’s coming. I’ve felt this experience twice, and it’s like riding lightning.

“You taste so good,” she whispers, flickering her tongue over my collarbone catlike. My dick surges to life.

“Yes,” I groan. I want this. I want it bad. I don’t care how twisted that makes me.

“I want to taste all of you. I want to drink you.” Her voice is animalistic, and I’m full-on rock-hard inside her.

Tilting my head to the side, I don’t have to give her permission. I only notice the slightest pinch as her teeth enter me. Pain disappears as pleasure explodes through my pelvis.

“Fuck!” My blood races into her mouth, and I immediately come again.

Her bite is in the same place as before, at my hairline, and her hot breath whispers across the skin of my neck. It’s fucking erogenous as shit, and I’m pulsing, filling her. I shudder, overwhelmed by a full-body orgasm.

If I thought I was in space before, I’m fucking two galaxies over now. She’s drinking more—more than the first time, more than the last time, and I’m paralyzed by the sensation.

Only one of us can stop this, and it isn’t me. I’m gripping her ass, my head against her shoulder, my dick throbbing in her core. She can have all of me at this point. She can kill me if she wants, and I’ll die the most blissed-out junkie on the planet.

Finally, a deep noise of frustration moves through her, and she manages to pull out. Her teeth withdraw from my skin, and emptiness passes through my stomach at the loss. Nothing compares to that exchange. I don’t know if it’s like that with every vampire bite or if it’s something special we share, but it’s a high more powerful than any narcotic.

We’re facing each other, and she’s breathing hard, shuddering and squeezing my arms. I’m holding her hips, flexing and relaxing my fingers against the soft skin of her ass.

“Oh, Derek,” she pants. “Oh my god.”

My thoughts exactly. I have no idea where to even begin to recover from that. “It’s more intense every time.”

“We’ve got to stop.” Her voice trembles as she shakes her head. “I almost couldn’t stop.”

Her cheeks are the most gorgeous rosy shade. Her eyes gleam like they have actual light inside them. I’m entranced by her beauty, and I seem to have lost track of where I am. For a few moments, I can only stare at her, stunned by her.

“Are you okay?” She whispers, and I realize she’s afraid. “Did I hurt you?”

“Shit,” I mutter, shaking my head and trying to find my equilibrium. “I’ve never been susceptible to vampire glamour.”

“I wasn’t using glamour on you.” She watches me nervously.

I pull her naked body against my chest and hold her close. Her head is at my throat and her slim arms go around my waist, clinging to me as if I’m an anchor in raging waters. She has no idea how mutual the feeling is.

We hold each other until our breathing settles, and I feel like I can stand. “Let’s go back to the room,” I say. All thoughts of swimming are gone. Honestly, I’m afraid I might drown. “I need to rest.”