The Taste of Seduction

things have already been delivered. Shall we go so

that we can change into something more comfortable?"

"But why am I staying with you? What about Katrina?"

"We are engaged, it would be weird for you to sleep somewhere else. Also I feel more comfortable when you\'re closer. I can protect you this way. Katrina is busy with the preparation for tomorrow." Marcus explained.

"Oh—okay."

Meredith followed him, as he led them to their room. He seemed so familiar with the place and the guards all bowed their heads anytime he passed them.

Also she couldn\'t help thinking about his relationship with the king and whatever that Marcus used to love.

It seems there was more the vampire prince than he was letting out.

Meredith\'s brain whirred over the fact that she had to share a room with Marcus. It\'s not like she didn\'t trust him or anything but the mere fact of her sharing a room with him made her feel uncomfortable.

Suddenly , he stopped in front of a large door, and fished the keys the guard had gave him out of his pocket and unlocked it, opening it wide for her. He extended his arm and murmured, "After you."

Exhaling the breath she was holding, Meredith passed him and entered a massive living area.

The room was filled with sleek and modern furnishings in cool black, grey and white hues.

Meredith heard the door shut behind her and she turned to face Marcus , still unsure how to approach the topic of her not sleeping with him.

Before she could get a word out, he headed toward a flight of curving steel stairs and said, "This way."

They entered an equally large bedroom with dark

grey walls, a contemporary king-sized bed, couches and a large brick fireplace.

"I\'m going to take a shower. I will be back later." He said and disappeared into the bathroom.

Meredith sighed and sat down on the bed unable to relax due to the nerves running through her.

He reappeared a few minutes later, he was completely shirtless.

Nothing but a loose pair of grey joggers hugging his lower body and barely hanging onto his toned hips.

His ash locks were wet, droplets falling from each strand and cascading down onto his shoulders. He held a white, cotton towel within his hands.

Meredith blinked a couple times trying to detach her eyes from the mountain of abs.

Marcus cleared his throat, before he teased. "Never seen a half-naked man before?"

Meredith felt a faint blush tainting her cheeks as she swallowed and avoided his gaze. This man she had to admit was the most handsome man she has ever met.

Stay focused Meredith. You have a boyfriend and you love him. Don\'t get deceived by his looks.

Taking a deep breath, she said what was on her mind. "I want you to know that I\'m not sleeping with you. I still love my boyfriend. We might not be together right now but I would never cheat on him."

Marcus just stared at her for a moment, clearly surprised by her words and then mischievously replied,

"Are you quite certain about that?"

"Yes" Meredith replied and bit her lips.

Marcus stepped forward, leaving but two steps

between them.

"Then why are you breathing so hard?" Marcus

muttered, before unexpectedly leaning in and

brushing his lips against her ear.

"You might be in love with someone else but you can\'t deny your attraction to me," he rasped.

Meredith held her breath all that while. Her heart

was fluttering in her chest.

"W-what attract-ion?" she stuttered.

Heat curled low in her stomach when she saw him staring at her with a lazy, slumberous expression.

Meredith\'s lips parted slightly as their eyes locked..

The tension felt unbearable or whatever it was.. She was afraid to admit it, but it was close to sexual. Meredith bit her lips and avoided his gaze.

"You bite your lip when you\'re anxious," he said,

smirking as he then began to trace his thumb

across her jawline, towards her bottom lip.

The gentle slide of his thumb felt like a kiss,

dangerously escalating her heart rate and sending

her emotions in overdrive.

"I-I-" she failed to find the words. What could she

say? This wasn\'t what she had expected.What was even happening? Was she being seduced?

Meredith was unable to move, react or speak.

"It...drives me crazy" Marcus uttered,

"I want to kiss you so bad, it\'s driving me crazy. But I promised I won\'t teach you without your permission."

Then he smirked as he retreated, before casually grabbing the towel on the bed and drying his hair.

Meredith was stunned. Her words faltered and at

that single moment, she wasn\'t sure if could stand

up anymore.What the hell had happened?

******

After Marcus had finished dressing, he came out of the closet putting a watch on his wrist.

"I have to go. I have a meeting with the King before this evening\'s dinner.

Stay here while I am gone. You need to be careful tonight. Do not leave my side. These men and women are dangerous and cunning.

You may be promised to me but many of them don\'t know you yet and you look quite unique from the people in the outer realm. They might be curious about you. Katrina will come in later to help you prepare for the dinner. For now rest and don\'t go anywhere.

Meredith nodded and replied softly, "Alright." She could see he was tense from the lines in his forehead. Maybe he was afraid something bad would happened tonight.

Marcus smiled softly at her and kissed her on the cheek lightly before walking out the door.

Meredith sighed and glanced around the room with a bored look. Tonight would be a long night she guessed. Also what the fuck was going on with Marcus?