Head already pounding as she awoke, Sarah was just thankful that it was warm. Wait a minute. A chill ran down her spine as the events of the previous day came rushing right back. Keeping her eyes closed, she assessed her body. There didn't seem to be any pain aside from the pounding behind her eyes from the growing hangover.

With her physical exam out of the way, thoughts of Lisa emerged, panic twisting her insides. She forced her eyes open and despite her sensitivity to all the light that streamed in, searched for any sign of her friend to no avail.

Sitting up, she did her best to study the room. It was large and decorated in a minimalist, industrial style. She'd been tucked into a king-sized bed with linens in varying shades of grey, placed upon a low, metal platform. To one side were two frosted glass doors.

On the other side was a floor-to-ceiling glass wall, with a sliding door that led out onto a large balcony overlooking the snow capped mountains, peaks glistening from the very sunshine that beamed in and illuminated the room. The balcony too was bare, the cement flooring of the room, extending outwards towards the glass and steel railing.

In the corner at the far end of the room, between the hearth and glass wall, was a small seating area, made up of a coffee table and a pair of modern armchairs.

She winced again at all the light, coaxing her body out of the bed. I need to get out of here. She was relieved to find herself still fully clothed, minus her shoes which sat by the end of the bed. Shielding her eyes, she moved over to the two doors she'd spotted earlier.

One opened up to reveal a bathroom decorated in the same style as the rest of the space, the other leading to a large walk in closet, housing hundreds of clothes that screamed of wealth. No exits.

Her pounding head resisted as she moved to exit the dim closet. The sound of the door stilled her steps just shy of the doorway. Her eyes darted about in search of a weapon, grabbing a nearby belt. "Sarah, step out." Her mind only grew more panicked as some of the tension in her body eased in response to his voice. I have no idea what he's capable of. She heard a mechanical sound as the light at her feet began to dim.

She tentatively stepped out into the darkened room, eyes darting to the glass wall. White blinds had slid over it, completely blocking out the sun. She turned back to look at the large man in the center of the room.

He was dressed in a deep red sweater, jeans and dark boots this morning. Despite it all, the fingers of her free hand still itched to feel him. Her gaze darted to the door behind him, the muscles in her legs coiled to sprint. "I'd catch you before your hand touched the knob." Pushing off, she dismissed any doubts as she sprinted as quickly as she could. As he'd predicted, she wasn't even close to making it.

She screamed as his arms snagged her around the waist, effectively tackling her to the floor. He landed under her, twisting them quickly to pin her legs with his. His eyes flickered red as a half smile curved his lips. She fought to get away, cracking the belt she somehow managed to keep a hold of, across his face. He easily ripped it from her grasp.

She refused to back down, clawing at his eyes. His entire demeanor shifted as he used one hand to pin both her arms over her head. He's enjoying this, she finally realised, not being able to do anything but watch him as his predatory gaze raked over skin.

Every part of her system stood on end for many confusing reasons, as he growled, his free, claw tipped hand moving to grasp her by the chin. God, why did that sound excite me? His crimson gaze studied her face before trailing just a touch lower. He began to lean in, watching for any resistance.

She couldn't deny that she was struggling to put up any, inexplicably relaxing further into his touch. He forced her head back with a firm tug on her hair, leaning in close. She winced, wriggling under his hold. "Ah!"

The tip of his nose grazed the length of her throat, from her ear down, before he pressed his face into the point where her neck joined her shoulder, inhaling deeply. She had no idea what was happening, but didn't dare breathe as he began to move downwards. Just short of her breasts, he turned his attention back to her flushed face.

She strained against his hold, breath quickening. He groaned as she felt her neckline dip a little lower. Kaden's eyes widened imperceptibly, pushing away from her. The moment his weight let up, she instinctively scurried backwards. She noticed his interest pique once more as she retreated. Panicked at the thought of having herself incapacitated once more, Sarah forced herself to a stop. Note: He enjoys the chase. Literally.

The minutes ticked by as they stayed where they were, his predatory gaze almost challenging her to move. The minutes dragged along as they sat there just studying the other's movements. After a few moments, he seemed to have calmed himself from whatever that had been earlier, holding his hands out to her as he stood.

She got to her feet on her own, casting an indifferent look at the help he'd offered. "I don't know how you were raised, but girls do not like being jumped by kidnappers."

He seemed to believe it when he said, "you are a guest."

"'Guest' is not how I would phrase this arragement, considering you-," she held up a finger "a) knocked me out," another finger, "and b) I don't want to be here."

His face was impassive as they met gazes. "With the meltdown you were having, you would have drawn too much attention."

"Ooh, that doesn't sound kindnap-y at all!" Her tone turned cold, finding it was much easier to focus when they weren't touching. "You do realise that people will be looking for me?"

"I'm aware." He said matter-of-factly. "Arrangements have been made, though they won't be able to find you here even if they wanted to."

A tilt of her head. "And where is here exactly?"

Kaden raised a brow. "We're still relatively in the area if that's what you're getting at."

Her eyes roamed the room as she began to walk about. "And this is your house?"

Sarah could feel his gaze studying her every move as he trailed closely behind her. "One of them."

Flashing him a look over her shoulder, she returned to the walk-in. Clothing in varying, predominantly darker, hues lined the racks against the walls. "So obviously, you have money."

His tone was odd when he asked, "Does that please you?"

She shrugged before turning to face him. "A cage is a cage, doesn't matter if it's wood or gold."

Moving past him, she walked towards the door to the rest of the house. He didn't resist as she walked out into a sitting area, complete with another balcony, decorated in the same style as the bedroom with neutral tone furniture and metal finishings. A spiral staircase rose from a gap in the floor in the far corner, extending both ways. Beyond it was one other door, which she assumed led to another bedroom.

She took the grated spiral staircase down. The ground floor was designed with an open concept, glass walls and a partial sun roof above the sunken living room, undoubtedly helping to make the space feel larger.

Beyond the simple yet expertly designed dining room, was an open kitchen separated from the rest of the space by the island-cum-breakfast bar. Another staircase extended down from the floor facing the front door.

The entire house was designed in that same minimalistic, industrial style, all exposed stone, glass and concrete with wood or metal finishings, giving it a clean yet distinctly masculine touch.

Sarah hesitantly eyed the exit, trying for nonchalance as she forced her gaze to roam elsewhere. "Mystically protected."

She put on her best, doe-eyed expression. "Pardon?"

His lips quirked up at one corner, moving closer than was safe for her self control. "The house." He directed her over to a glass panel, expertly side-stepping the slivers of sunlight that still managed to creep in between the blinds.

A short of heat travelled the length of her body as he gripped her wrist, resting her palm against the glass. A shock of what seemed like electricity rippled against her skin. "Slam into this and you'll be thrown back quite a bit."

The threat held much less significance with his skin against hers. You're a prisoner here, don't get it twisted. She cleared her throat, prying her arm from his grip. He wordlessly released his hold. "Exactly how long do you intend to keep me here?"

He crossed his muscular arms. "It won't be forever, just until we can find a way to ensure you won't be a security risk."

She raised a brow. "So?"

"A month? Maybe more?"

Her eyes widened. "Wait, do you have my friend here as well?!"

He shook his head. "She was under a sort of thrall so to speak, so she has no memory of us. We left her at the club and suggested that her brother go check up on her."

Sarah's brows furrowed. "How did you know she had a brother?"

He shrugged drawing attention to his muscular arms as he crossed them, leaning againts a wall. "Immediate relatives share similarities in their scents."

Locking that away for later. "That thrall, can't you just do that to me?"

"It's much simpler when we can implant a thought before you see anything. Have you 'check out' mentally like we did her, as opposed to removing memories after the fact."

"My friends will still be wondering where I've disappeared to for the entire trip."

"As I've said, arrangements have been made so strip the thought from your mind. Your companions won't be coming for you."

Her alarm spiked, every word dripping malice as she rushed forward. "If you did something to hurt them, I swear to God, I'll find some way to make you suffer."

He seemed drawn by the threat, eyes flickering red for an instant as a corner of his lips curved upwards. "Go on."

She took a quick step back. "You're depraved."

He approached her with the grace of a panther, coiled to pounce. I'd bet I look like a juicy, baby gazelle to him. "Perhaps."

-

She continued to retreat, not realising that she was inching towards the living room. He hadn't thought it possible, but she stood more beautiful in the day, even with her lipstick smudged and her hair wild from slumber. Her petite frame was a vision in that flimsy dress she wore, the thin straps one flick of a claw away from pooling on the ground.

Kaden was hard at just the mere thought of discovering the skin beneath. Even now, the shadow at the hem would shift at intervals to reveal a sliver more of her thighs. I'll explore every inch with my lips.

As predicted, the back of the couch caught her leg as she continued to retreat from him. His instincts savoured the chase like one would the sweetest nectar, itching to dominate this most coveted prey. As her back hit the cushions, he trapped her body with his own, thirst and lust warring within him.

She lifted her chin, meeting his gaze despite tensing beneath him. He readily drank in that defiance, taking over his senses so completely, there wasn't a moment for calculated thought as his head dipped to her throat.

-

He pulled them up into a sitting position, settling into the seat with her across his lap. He sucked in a breath as he slipped one strap of her dress off of her shoulder, pressing hungry kisses to her collarbone. He moved to the other side to do the same. She gasped as the cold air hit her skin, the dress falling to her waist.

Instinctively her hands flew to ensure her strapless bra remained plastered to her chest, the only thing left covering her top half. Eyes widening, her heart raced with excitement as his tongue tasted the skin of her neck.

She gripped his shoulder as a point of a fang grazed her skin, so swift she barely felt the wound. Her hand began to shove him back as she felt blood welling. He clamped a possessive hand over the other side of her nape, tugging her closer, a growl low in his throat. "Unless you're trying to tempt me further, it's best you relax."

Her eyebrows drew together as she stared down at his arrogant face. "Like a good little pet?"

He smirked. "If that's how you want to see it. I only insist as it will be much more enjoyable for you if you do give in." She opened her mouth to argue, but his head shot forwards, lips closing over the gash as all coherent thought left her system.

Sarah gripped his shoulders for support, figuring that she'd probably be a heap on the ground if he didn't have his arm around her waist. He drew deep, one of her hands moving to grasp the back of his head as he continued to drink. She barely surpressed the moan clawing it's way up her throat as his lips moved down to her shoulder, lapping at the blood that had spilled.

Like this, she could barely keep a hold on her earlier reservations, feeling her body relaxing completely against his, legs moving to straddle his waist. Her body waged a war with her mind. He licked at her neck once more before leaning back, studying her reactions with an air of satisfaction that bristled, as though he had proven a point. You're going to pay for this.

His fingers grasped her chin, red eyes trained on her lips as he tugged their faces closer. The tempation to kiss him was near overpowering, as his mouth became all she could focus on. They were barely an inch apart when she noticed the smudge of blood at the corner of his lips, forcing the reality of this arrangment back to the forefront of her mind.

She snapped her head out of his grasp, pushing herself away with a hand over his throat. "No." Was that throaty voice, mine? Fighting the perplexing need to kiss him back, she met his crimson eyes, tightening her grip.

-

So full of surprises. Kaden was eager to see what she would do these next couple of weeks. To study this female. Her grip tightened, and he somehow got harder, wondering if she was willfully ignoring his growing erection or was too preoccupied to notice. I could change that, he thought, raising a brow. "Is that so?"

His control teetered on the edge as her display of defiance continued to stoke his need to claim, all while her slinky dress barely clung to her hips. Her ample breasts almost put him in a trance with how they moved with every breath, right in front of his aching fangs, razor sharp since his first taste of her blood. Gods, she was too fine.

Her shapely bottom inched ever closer to his lap as she began to relax at his lack of movement. "Yes." Even her voice called to his more primal nature. Want her.

"Well that's unfortunate." He gripped her hips, directing her to settle against him fully. Her luminous eyes widened. "I was just getting started." A delicious blush creeped it's way to her high cheekbones, colouring across her face up to her ears. Coaxing these reactions from her is almost as enjoyable as the thought of bedding her. Almost.

-

Of course the vampire was huge. She ignored the urge to grind closer, barely keeping her resolve as his entire being seemed to call to some part of her she didn't recognise. This new part of her was aggressive and more sexual that she'd ever dared to consider, attentions fixated on the man beneath her. Whatever it was, she knew this revelation would be nothing but trouble. I need distance.

She moved to grasp his hands, pulling them away. "I want a shower."

"That can be arranged." He allowed her to move away, standing after her as she righted her clothing, cheeks heating once more as it hit her that she'd been half naked this entire time. She forced her gaze to remain at his head as he turned to walk back upstairs.

They moved to the other door she'd spotted earlier, which indeed led to another bedroom, similar in style to his, balcony and all. Except, this one had been decorated in the lighter tones of the overall colour scheme, white and grey. "This will be your room."

She threw a look over her shoulder as she walked in. "Wow, I get privacy?"

"You're welcome to my bed if you wish." The way he was currently looking at her implied his invitation didn't only extend to rest. "I know what I'd prefer."

"Oh, after what happened downstairs, we both know what you've got your mind on." She tried her best at a displeased expression, all while her mind wandered to thoughts of what he was hiding behind that zipper. Get your shit. "Not happening."

Her response barely fazed him. "We still have a couple weeks ahead of us."

She scoffed, though her throat seized with a burgeoning panic. It's been two days, how am I meant to handle weeks?! She held hope that this interest would fizzle out over time. I just need to get used to him, hopefully. "Go ahead and tell yourself that. Whatever gets you to sleep in your own bed, at night."

He chuckled, demeanor promising trouble as he eyed the length of her body. "Let's make a wager then."

Despite herself, he'd piqued her curiosity. "What type of wager?"