"Sorry about that. Didn't really want to do that." Adrian released Angelique and she immediately backed up into a corner. "Oh, I see how it is. I save you from being protected for the rest of your natural life. Well, you're welcome anyway!" He collapsed on the bed, annoyed with his situation. Here was the hottest chick on the planet sitting in his hotel room and she was afraid to get near him. "You could at least inform me as to why you're so afraid of me. I would like us to be on good terms when it comes time to be wed."

"You want to take over Hell again, don't you?" She managed to make her voice sound more confident than she felt. "That's the only reason you would want to marry me, so you can take your father's throne whether he likes it or not. I won't help you do it. You can't make me."

Great. Another righteous good-doer. "I can make you do it, Angelique, if I have to, but I would hope I won't have to. Please, just come over here, sit next to me, and we'll just talk."

"Nothing else?"

Adrian smiled. "I promise, nothing more than a nice chat between the two of us."

Angelique thought it over. It wouldn't hurt for her to just sit and talk with him, would it? Slowly she rose and, even though she was still slightly shaking in fear, she walked over and sat on the edge of the bed, trying not to look at the Prince of Darkness.

"See? That wasn't very painful at all." Adrian looked her over, still unable to believe she was created to be his mate and future ruler of Hell. She was absolutely dazzling. "I heard about what happened to you when you were a child. I'm sorry."

She sighed a little, her voice still shaky. "Don't be. It's not your fault I'm not perfect."

Adrian sat up instantly. "What in the hell do you mean? You're absolutely gorgeous and you care for other people. If I didn't know better, I'd swear you were an angel."

Angelique blinked. "I'm not that beautiful, Adrian."

"Yes, you are."

"No, I'm . . ." Angelique was stifled as Adrian pressed his lips against hers, tasting her for the first time. Adrian moaned as the taste of her lips were both sour and sweet, building the desire he felt for the woman. He gently ran his fingertips over her soft skin, making her shiver.

Angelique was surprised at first, but soon she was lost in a wave of desire and . . . some other emotion she had never felt before. She felt a chill run up her spine as Adrian pulled her close, gently cradling her head and neck with his left gloved hand as he ran his tongue over her bottom lip. She gasped at the sensation, giving Adrian entry, which he willingly took the opportunity and explored every crevice of her welcoming mouth.

He tasted a bit of cinnamon on her tongue, the flavor spicing up the intense kiss. Angelique slowly followed his lead, exploring his mouth with the tip of her tongue. She was greeted with a strong mix of peppermint, alcohol, and pizza, which seemed to taste good in his mouth. Adrian moaned at the feel of her tongue mating with his own, of her body pressed tightly against his. He had never felt like this with any of the other women he'd screwed, of that he was certain.

Afraid of frightening her by moving in too soon, he gently pulled back. "I would never have kissed you like that if you weren't perfect," he whispered gently into her ear.

Angelique had no idea of how to respond to Adrian. She, too, felt as though he were the perfect man for her life, yet she knew that if he knew that too soon, he would use that in his plans to take over Hell. "Either that or you have terrible taste in women." Adrian's surprise gave her the chance to get off his lap and move to the farthest side of the bed from him. "I would put my money on the second option, seeing as how all you want to do is rule over Hell and Earth. Plus, all you see me as is 'another righteous do-gooder'."

"I never said that." But I thought it, Adrian admitted to himself.

Angelique cocked her head to the side, completely intrigued. It seemed as though she was able to 'sense' what he was thinking. "You thought it to yourself, though. Didn't you, Adrian?"

He was silent for a few moments. "Yes."

"I think I can hear your thoughts, Adrian."

Adrian blinked in slight surprise. "What makes you think that, Angelique?"

"You know what I mean, Adrian. I knew what you thought about me when I said I didn't want to help you take over Hell or Earth. You thought to yourself about how you had thought of how I was 'another righteous good-doer'. Right now, you're thinking about how right I am and how creepy it is that I can read your thoughts." She paused and blushed slightly. "And you keep thinking about how great a kisser I am and if I would be any better in bed."

He smiled and shrugged his shoulders. "I'm the son of Satan; having dirty thoughts just comes with the territory." He leaned closer so Angelique was within arm's reach and gently placed a hand on hers. "I did mean that, though, that you are a great kisser."

"Thanks . . . I think." She studied him for a moment. "I really wish I couldn't hear your thoughts right now."

His smile grew even wider as he imagined which thought she had heard. Deciding to play a small prank, Adrian projected every image he imagined of her in his bed, which included any and every position possible. "I'm sure you do."

Angelique's face grew bright red and she turned away from him, trying to block out the crude images he was purposely sending her. "Please, Adrian . . . please, stop."

"I'll stop." Adrian crawled over the bed to her as he saw the tears spilling down her cheeks. "I didn't mean to hurt you by doing that. Don't cry." Unsure of what else to do, he gently wrapped his arms around her and pulled her close, rocking her gently as he hummed a strange tune he had once heard his father sing to him when he was a little tot. "Everything will be alright, Angelique," he promised her, kissing the top of her head. "I'll protect you . . . no more pain.