"A two-way bond is a lifelong mate's bond. It massively increases a vampire's possessiveness and libido. The model you purchased already had an extremely high drive. Now that you've formed a two-way bond, he must be soothed by his partner to return to normal."

"What happens if he's not soothed?" I asked.

"He will die of bloodlust. And you, as the other half of the bond, will die with him."

My phone nearly slipped from my grasp.

I finally understood the massive mistake I had made. I had mistaken this hyper-sexual vampire for a simple case of skin hunger.

Adrian was still on top of me, his fangs resting against the side of my neck, his whole body trembling with restraint. "Chloe, can I?"

I closed my eyes, took a deep breath, and undid the top button of my pajamas, exposing a small patch of skin on my neck.

"Go on."

Like a wolf given a command, he lunged, pressing me deep into the soft mattress.

But he didn't actually bite down.

He just gently grazed my skin with his sharp fangs, from my collarbone to my neck, then to the sensitive spot behind my ear, tormenting every inch.

The sensation, somewhere between pain and pleasure, made me tremble.

His hands were cold, sending shivers down my spine.

"I'm sorry," I gasped. "I wasn't ignoring you on purpose. I just… I didn't know you needed this kind of… soothing."

"It's not your fault," he said, lifting his head. The red in his eyes had faded slightly. "It's me… I'm too greedy."

He lowered his head again, continuing to lick my skin. "I've been in agony for days, about to shatter, but I didn't dare touch you without your permission, Chloe."

His voice was full of hurt. "Could you… soothe me a little more?"

"What do you want?" I asked.

He was silent for a few seconds, then whispered, "I want to kiss your lips."

I hesitated. After all, I had only bought him to be a bodyguard and a housekeeper. I never imagined we would get this intimate.

He immediately retracted his fangs and lowered his gaze, his entire posture slumping with dejection.

"You don't want to? It's fine, I won't force you. I can keep holding back, as long as you don't send me away…"

That whole "sad puppy rejected by its master" act was a low blow.

My heart softened. I sighed. "Just for a second."

His eyes lit up instantly. He dove down and captured my lips.

This was not "just for a second."

His kiss was fierce and possessive, one hand cradling the back of my head, the other gripping my waist as his tongue parted my lips and plunged inside.

He kissed me so hard I could barely breathe, my hands clutching his shoulders as I endured the long, deep kiss.

When he finally let me go, my head was spinning, my mind a complete blank.

I could feel the changes in my own body—my heart racing, my temperature rising, and a strange, unnameable longing spreading through me.

Now I was the one who couldn't hold back.

I couldn't stop my hands from moving to his firm, full chest. I gave his pecs a hard squeeze and urged, "Adrian… I want more."

Just as he began to move inside me, pulling me toward the edge, I could have sworn I heard a soft, triumphant laugh—smug and victorious.

I woke up the next morning sore all over.

My body was covered in dark, bruised kisses and the faint bite marks Adrian had left when he couldn't hold back. But he had been careful, never rough. On the contrary, it had felt incredible. He'd even sweetly carried me to the shower to clean me up afterward. I marveled at how attentive his "service" was.

Adrian was already up, standing in the kitchen in his apron, making breakfast. His back was a canvas of the scratches I’d left last night, and the sight made me blush. Sunshine streamed through the window, catching in his dark brown hair, creating a scene of impossible domestic bliss.

"Breakfast is ready," he said, setting a plate on the table before lifting me into a chair.

I forked a piece of egg. "Adrian, I have a question for you."

"What is it?"

"Were you always this… attentive and clingy with the humans who bought you before?"

The words were out before I could stop them. It sounded like I was jealous.

He froze for a second, then shook his head. "No one ever wanted to buy me."

I was shocked. A vampire as handsome and thoughtful as Adrian should have been a rare find. "Why not?"

"Because my desires are too strong," he said, looking down, his voice soft. "They all thought I was defective. A flawed product."

A sharp ache went through my chest.

"And I was injured. I lost my memory," he continued. "I don't remember my family, or my past. All I can remember is the vague shape of a crest."

"What kind of crest?"

He took a pen and paper and drew a complex emblem—a bat with spread wings, its claws clutching a blooming rose, surrounded by ancient script.

"I'll help you find your family," I said, my heart aching as I took his hand.

He gave me a small smile. "Really? You're so good to me, Chloe."

"Of course," I said, leaning in and giving him a light kiss on the lips.

He instantly grabbed the back of my head and deepened the kiss.

The breakfast ended up going completely cold.

For the next few days, Adrian and I were tangled together every night.

And because of the blood bond, I could clearly feel his emotions and desires. When he kissed me, I felt a double dose of pleasure; when he bit me, I experienced his satisfaction and hunger. This connection on a soul-deep level made me more and more dependent on him.

Adrian's possessiveness in bed also grew more blatant.

Almost every night, he would find some excuse to drag me to bed.

"Chloe, I cut my finger doing chores today. Can you comfort me?"

"Chloe, I had a nightmare."

"Chloe, I missed you."

That last one was the most ridiculous. We were together all day, and he still said he missed me.

But every time I saw those pitiful, pleading eyes, my resolve melted.

One afternoon, I was scrolling through my phone in the staff lounge at work.

A news headline popped up: "Major Shakeup at Vandermere Group. Missing Prince Presumed Dead, Stocks Plummet..."

I casually clicked on it. A family crest flashed across the screen.

It looked familiar, a lot like the one Adrian had drawn for me.

A seed of doubt was planted in my mind.

I was about to click on the prince's photo for a closer look when my phone buzzed.