Claimed by the Prince of Darkness

TheclockstruckmidnightwhenRuelleheardtheechooffootsteps.Shetensed,thefinehairsonthebackofherneckstandingonendinthecoolnightair.“Youshouldn'tbehere,”Ruellewhispered,hervoiceabreathlessmurmur.Thesilhouettefinallycametostandunderthemoonlight,hisdarkredeyeswatchingherandhisinkyblackhairruffling.“Shouldn'tI?”Hisvoicewasadarkcaress,andshestoodtherecaptivatedbythedangerheexudedlikeperfume.“Ihaven’tseenyouforthelasttwodays,”histonelow.Hishandreachedout,fingersbrushingagainstthesilkofhernightgown,tracingthetremblingoutlineofhercollarbone.“Tellme,wereyouavoidingme,orperhaps...entertainingotheroffers?”Ruelle’sheartraced,herbreathsshallow.Shedeclared,“Idon'tbelongtoanyone.”“Aboldclaim,“hemurmured,hisbreathatantalisingchillagainstherskinasheleanedin.”Yethereyouare,pulseracing,yourbodytensedasifinanticipationofmytouch.”Hisfingersgrippedherchin,tiltingherfacetowardshis.Themoonlightcaughthiseyes,revealingaglintofpredatoryintent.“OrmustIremindyouwhosetouchyoutrulycrave?”