“I have in the past, but it’s been a while since the last time I’ve touched a board,” Vail replied when Victoria asked if he had played chess before. “I can’t say I’ve kept in practice lately.” It was the way most of his hobbies went. He often spent a few years at a time mastering this or that, only to move on to something else when his interest eventually faded. The only habits he had kept up with over most of his life were reading, since authors were always coming up with new and interesting books, and dancing, which also adapted with the times. It was difficult to get bored of either when he always seemed to learn something new whenever he practiced. He enjoyed the challenge and mental stimulation of being surprised.

“I see,” he looked her over again when she spoke of the tea. “Then I’m grateful… Although I don’t believe your blood needs much enhancement.” He hadn’t had any trouble drawing up a steady flow when he bit her the last two times, and there had been nothing wrong with the taste either. Still, part of him was curious to find out if her persistence in staying hydrated would affect her blood at all. If it did, he might enjoy feeding on it even more than he already did, though it was hard for him to imagine liking it even more. If there was ever a chance for him to avoid getting addicted to the drug in her veins, it had long since passed.

As Victoria said she was accommodating, Vail had to agree. He didn’t bother to hide his staring this time as she leaned forward, exposing the skin of her smooth shoulders to him. The scent of her blood still lingered faintly from the last time he had bitten her, mingling pleasantly with her perfume and tempting him with its sweetness. Combined with the bare flesh he could see, practically snowy in its fairness, he couldn’t wait any longer. He’d done his part by chatting with her. Now, he wanted to take what he’d come for.

At her mention that she could wear even less if he preferred it, he looked up again to meet her gaze, slightly surprised by the flippant way by which she suggested it. In the world they lived in, they were already crossing lines that most women wouldn’t dare to touch. He wondered again if she was challenging him. Even when she had asked him to hide the wounds he inflicted, he had been courteous enough to only lift her shirt where he wanted to bite her. It sounded like she didn’t much care for respect though. He studied her with intrigue. If she was willing to open that door, then he would gladly step through it.

“I just might,” he whispered to her, a feral grin crossing his features just before he rose from the lounge.

Stepping over to the table, he put out the lantern that had been glowing and silently circled back to where Victoria was seated. Though the gesture was partly for her sake—he doubted she would enjoy watching him pierce and bleed her delicate body—he honestly enjoyed the power that came with the darkness. Her human eyes couldn’t make out what he was doing until they adjusted, giving him a few minutes to have complete control over the encounter. It was an exciting sensation.

Kneeling on the edge of the chaise lounge, Vail rested his hands on the Lady’s shoulders and pushed her down onto her back so that he was hovering over her like he had the last time. Now that she had essentially given him a pass to prey on her in whichever way he pleased, he intended to have a little fun with it. She [i]was[/i] a beautiful woman, after all. No sense in pretending like he wasn’t seduced by her physical charms.

He leaned down so his face was close to her neck, breathing in her stimulating pheromones as he trailed his fingers over her curvaceous figure. After a minute, he located the slit on the front of her dress, hidden within the fabric frills. It was easy enough to loosen, and he pulled it open to expose her soft flesh underneath, which he continued to explore as he searched for a tender spot to bite.

Though he was the predator and she was his prey, he found the heat of the moment exhilarating. He hadn’t been so close to a Lady in a long time. The feel of her skin and the aroma of her essence intoxicated him. He even felt slightly lightheaded, his heart was racing so quickly in his chest.

The prelude was exciting, but the prospect of tasting her blood was even more so. Shifting lower against her, Vail traced his tongue over the right side of her bare midriff, where he had decided he would feed from her this time. The left side had been a decent enough place to draw up a flow before, so he saw no reason to change it just yet. He took her by the wrists as he sank his fangs into her tender flesh, losing himself in the rich flavor of the blood that pooled against his teeth.