Vampire in the Trash Bin

Chapter Four

Eva frowned, sensing his gaze. She forced a smile under his intense scrutiny. "Excuse me, where is your trash bin?" She'd been too focused; he probably thought she was casing the place. Little did he know his expensive decor held zero interest. Only his bin mattered.

"What?" His brow furrowed again. "What do you want a bin for?"

Eva's eyes lit up. "Can I borrow it?" More accurately, "Can I borrow it to rummage through?" But she wasn't stupid enough to say that outright. A polite request stood a better chance.

"Just drop trash on the floor. My maid will clean it," he replied, completely missing her intent. A strange light flickered in his silver eyes as he moved silently closer.

"But..." Eva hesitated, unsure whether to confess her trash-digging mission.

Suddenly, his arm snaked around her slender waist, pulling her firmly against him. Eva gasped, stunned, then met his uncanny, mesmerizing silver gaze. "Wh-what are you doing?"

"I've given you enough time to adjust. Now it's time for business," he stated flatly, his mouth descending on hers. It was as sweet as he'd imagined. She smelled of cedar and something else... an intoxicating, unfamiliar scent. He didn't recognize the fierce tug in his chest it provoked, a dangerous allure that made his gums ache with the sharp pang of thirst.

"Hey! Hey!" Eva realized she was frozen, but this man was assaulting her! She pushed against his solid arms, turning her face away. "You—"

He simply kissed her ear instead. The tender skin of her neck pulsed with life, radiating a maddeningly rich fragrance. The thrum of her blood echoed his own, the intoxication overwhelming. He breathed in her hair, her scent, her softness, the vital energy in her breath... For the first time in centuries, he felt utterly powerless against a woman. "Don't fight it," he murmured sensually against her ear. "You won't feel bad."

"I feel bad *now*," Eva trembled. His lips trailed her neck, cool yet igniting heat within her. Her legs felt weak. She'd been kissed before, but... she didn't even know this man! He couldn't do this! And she couldn't...

"Ah!"

He stopped kissing her. His eyes now glowed with pure, predatory silver, threaded with crimson and gold. He frowned at her resistance, then immediately succumbed again, kissing her cheeks. "Why stop me? Are you afraid?" Deep inside, a sliver of fear warred with desire. He'd never wanted to possess a woman so completely. Kissing her wasn't enough. Instinct screamed she shouldn't be released after this. She should become his companion, bound to him until the world's end.

"Stop..." Eva felt faint, too weak to push him away. She felt his hand slide under her T-shirt, moving with hypnotic slowness over her waist, making her muscles clench involuntarily. What was happening? She'd just come to rummage through trash! How had it come to this? If her dizzy head didn't clear soon, she was going to lose her virginity!

He nuzzled her hair, still baffled by that unique scent. He had no time to ponder it. That unfamiliar fragrance... He *did* recognize it. It was...

He shoved her away as abruptly as he'd kissed her. Eva stumbled back several steps before collapsing onto the floor. She stared at him, shocked, as he pressed a hand over his mouth. The red light still burned in his silver eyes, but now it held a cold, dangerous shadow. He tasted blood as his fangs threatened to erupt. He clamped a hand over his mouth, glaring icily at Eva. "How are you a *virgin*?"

Had he guessed right? Was he really her first "client"? That unfamiliar, irresistible scent was the "scent of virginity." If he hadn't been alert, he would have killed her.

"You... how did you know I'm a virgin?" Eva's jaw hit her chest, her face flushing crimson. How? Was he better than her at detecting virginity without even needing trash? How could he tell? Her waist? He'd only touched her waist!

His brows knitted together fiercely. "Is it worth sacrificing your purity to a client?" How was this possible? Finding a virgin p********e? He was certain she hadn't had reconstructive surgery; that wouldn't restore the virgin's scent.

"Cl... client?" Eva was utterly confused. When the word sank in, her mind reeled. "Client"? I'm not... You've got it wrong! I'm not a p********e!" Her cheeks burned. So he'd been waiting for... She'd come at the wrong time!

"I just wanted to borrow your trash bin."

"Borrow a trash bin?" He'd definitely misunderstood. But coming to the twelfth floor to borrow a bin? That lie was pathetic! Her building had bins; the sidewalk had bins! He fought the urge to lunge for her blood, striding quickly to the door and flinging it open. "Get out."

"Huh?" Why the sudden shift in attitude? She'd only clarified she wasn't a p********e but a trash-bin borrower. Why did he look so terrifying?

"I said get out!" His fangs had pierced his gums. He had to get her away while he still had control. The consequences otherwise were unthinkable.

Eva blinked. "But your trash bin..." He wouldn't let her rummage? After she'd nearly sacrificed her virginity for it? How could she give up now?

"Out! Now! Or I'll kill you!" he roared, his voice thick with ragged breaths. Beads of sweat formed on his forehead. The effort of self-restraint was immense. He meant it. If she didn't leave, this innocent girl wouldn't see tomorrow. He didn't want to kill, but his bloodthirsty nature wouldn't be denied. With the last shred of his will, he used the hypnotic red light still lingering in his eyes.

"I..." Eva tried to speak, but in an instant, she saw his eyes flood with crimson, overwhelming the silver. A massive chill seized her heart, screaming at her to flee. But ordinary people didn't have red eyes! Before she could process it, her legs moved automatically, obeying his command, walking her out of the apartment.

Once outside, part of her mind cleared. She turned, staring at the closed door, remembering the strange trance. Utterly baffled, she pressed the doorbell again. But no matter how many times she pressed, the man wouldn't answer. Finally, the bell stopped ringing. She glared at it, wondering if she'd broken it or if he'd cut the wires.

Eva pressed her lips together and knocked. She knocked until her knuckles hurt. He seemed determined not to open. She stared at the door, as hateful as its owner. Hmph! Such strange occurrences meant there was definitely a problem. Especially with that bizarre man!

No matter. She had time. Sooner or later, she *would* uncover his secrets!