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.