Eric bent his head to her neck, nose brushing her skin, and breathed her in. "I'm your natural predator," he told her, although now it sounded more like a promise. He looked up into her face, staying close, fingers brushing her hair. "Where do you want me to bite you, Lucrezia?"

A deal was a deal, and the edge of fear to her would only make it better. It was always better when they were afraid.