by Jeanne Rose
While she had managed only to unbutton his shirt. She smoothed her hands over the hard planes of his chest, lightly dusted with hair.
Her legs sprawled about his waist, he leaned forward to take her mouth yet again. But she wanted more, faster. Being intimate with Val drove her to the edge.
She undid his zipper, encircled his heat with her hand, guided him to her.
He growled, joining them with one savage thrust, rocking them in a union that sent her too quickly over the edge.
He was laughing softly when she regained her senses. And still rigid inside her. “Such passion. Though you have a loving heart, you also possess enough selfishness to allow yourself pleasure.”
“I’m selfish?”
She wasn’t sure she liked that. And she wanted to see him lose himself as completely as she had. Arching her back again, touching him intimately, undulating her hips, she was gratified when those golden eyes grew smoky and unfocused, pleased when he stopped speaking.
He pushed her back against the cushions, thrust faster and faster until she writhed beneath him.
“You are mine!” he cried, looming over her as she rose toward the heights yet a second time.
“More!” she begged, wanting that same sharp rapture she’d felt the first time they’d made love.
He’d already found the sweet spot on her throat. Again, the tiny pricks of pain. Again the rush of blood, the sense of floating as she shuddered over and over again in release.
She didn’t hear the sound of his own satisfaction, must have lost consciousness completely, since when she opened her eyes again, they were upstairs in his bed. Now naked as well, Val cradled her against him.
“Are you all right?” he asked, smoothing her hair with great tenderness. “You tempt me into losing control. It has been so long. It could be too much, too soon.”
It had been a long time? She felt deeply complimented, considering what a passionate man he was.
“I wanted to give you as much pleasure as you give me.”
“Believe me, Adriana, you grant me pure ecstasy. Our hearts beat as one. Our souls fly.” He added, “I will always come when you call me.”
HE WOULD COME when she called.
“Val!” Standing on a windswept beach, Adriana gazed up into the sparkling expanse of a beautiful night sky. “Valentin Kadar!”
Then he was suddenly there, alighting beside her, arms drawing her against him. “My lovely Adriana.”
She smiled, gazing into his golden eyes. She was happy, ecstatic, felt as if she were floating off the ground.
Floating.
With only a little surprise, she realized they were floating, rising on an updraft.
“We’re flying!”
“Of course, I thought to take you home the scenic way.”
And they climbed higher and higher into the glow of moonlight and stars.
“Is this not beautiful?” he asked.
She clung to him. “It’s wonderful.”
“I shall show you more.”
His jacket fluttering like wings, he extended an arm and turned in the air. They glided forward, speeding above Lake Michigan. Far below, the water glistened, silver and charcoal and dove gray. Waves kissed the shore.
The diamond-studded skyline of the city approached and Adriana spotted her building facing the outer drive and the beach beyond. “I don’t want to go home, not yet.”
“Then I shall give you a tour.”
They flew on, skimming the tops of tall buildings. The streets spread out, an intricate net of lights. Cars glided down them and tiny figures scurried about, small enough to be dolls.
Val extended his arm again, diving like a hawk. They sped between the highest buildings, viewing crazy angles of glass and steel.
“Oh!” Her hair streaming behind her, she closed her eyes for a moment, dizzy . . .
ADRIANA STILL FELT DIZZY when she struggled into the club for work on Friday night. She hadn’t talked to Val about her incredibly realistic dream of flying, hadn’t so much as seen him since she’d fallen asleep in his arms after making love.
This time, she hadn’t remembered one detail about returning to her home, though she’d awakened in her own bed the next day at sunset with a bruised face, her hair tangled as if by wind . . . and blood spotting her pillow.
In the bar, Adriana eased herself down onto a stool and slid a finger beneath her hair to touch the bandage covering the sore scabby area on her neck. It throbbed and the room spun, making her nauseous. She placed her elbows on the bar, steadying her head in her hands.
“Hey, what’s the matter, Adriana?” said Peter. “You look terrible.”
It couldn’t be the bruise – she’d covered it with thick stage makeup. “I’m okay.”
Peter wasn’t convinced. “You’re real pale. Seen a doctor?” he asked as he moved down the bar to deliver a drink.
“She needs a priest or a minister, not a doctor,” murmured a low, familiar voice at Adriana’s elbow.
“Irina.” She raised her head, the action making her break into a cold sweat. She reached into the pocket of the light coat she’d thrown on tonight, removing a wadded tissue to dab her forehead. “A priest or a minister? Will you stop it already?”
“I’ll stop it when you stop seeing him.” Irina gazed at the sprinkles of herb mixture scattered across the polished surface of the bar. Adriana had forgotten she’d crumpled the stuff into the tissue the night before. The redhead asked, “What is that?”
“Uh, nothing.”
Irina scooped the herbs into an empty ashtray. “Don’t give me the ‘nothing’ business. This has something to do with Valentin Kadar, doesn’t it?”
“They’re only herbs that he takes for his digestion.”
Which was all the private conversation the women could share before Frank Neiman swept down on them. “My God, Adriana, Peter is right. You look like a ghost.” He actually appeared frightened as he felt her forehead. “You’re so cold. You obviously have the chills. Go home, darling. You’re very sick.”
“But Friday is one of our busiest nights.”
Frank’s gaze remained sympathetic behind his wire-framed glasses. “Don’t worry, we’ll get along. I booked a good band this week and the radio program can simply be cancelled for once.”
“You’re suggesting I take tomorrow night off, too?”
“Unless your health changes drastically.” He urged, “Go see a doctor. Put yourself to bed. You may have walking pneumonia or mono and not be aware of it.”
“I don’t think it’s that serious.” Feeling oddly about the wound on her throat, Adriana didn’t want to see a doctor. Though she had to admit slipping into bed sounded awfully good. “I can call you tomorrow.”
“If you wish, though I’ll be more than understanding if you need time off. I won’t so much as dock your pay – you’ve never missed a shift since you started working here.” Frank leaned toward her as if to kiss her on the cheek, then stiffened. “Oops, perhaps I shouldn’t do that, just in case whatever you have is catching.”
“Frank shouldn’t be concerned – I don’t think he would appeal to Mr. Kadar,” Irina muttered under her breath.
Only Adriana scowled at her friend.
But that didn’t stop Irina from accompanying her to the door. “I really wish you’d get off this vampire business.”
The redhead paid no attention, looking anxious. “Do you want me to come and stay with you? I could take a good crack at keeping that devil away.”
“No.” Adriana fought irritation. “I’ll be okay.” Then she lied, “Besides, I told you we broke up.”
“Sure.” Irina didn’t sound like she believed that at all. “And even if you weren’t going out, he could come to you while you slept.”
“Not likely. We have a doorman.”
“You think a doorman can stop a vampire?”
“That’s enough!” Despite her desire to avoid friction, Adriana couldn’t help feeling angry. She turned befor
e heading out to the street to flag down a taxi. “I’m safe, okay? I don’t want to hear any more of this heebie-jeebie vampire stuff. Get off it!”
Unused to such a display of aggression from Adriana, Irina shrank back. While Adriana ran, head pounding, breath coming short, only pausing to check the I.D. of the taxi she flagged down to make sure that the driver was who he was supposed to be.
As the vehicle pulled away, she saw Stone run out of the club and hurry directly for her, a strange expression on his face.
“Get lost,” she muttered, giving him a scornful wave.
At least she wouldn’t have to listen to any nonsense from her ex-boyfriend tonight. She had much more interesting things to think about.
CHAPTER ELEVEN
VAL COULDN’T STOP thinking about Adriana. Their connection was stronger than ever. He was obsessed with her, could barely go about his usual activities without imagining what she was doing at that moment, how she looked, how she felt.
She is the one.
This truth echoed over and over through his mind.
But the truth was dangerous and could mean pain for them both.
Adriana was a good person. Sullying such a lovely creature was a crime against nature. That’s why he’d offered her a choice at every step of their relationship.
Yet if she rejected him in the end, condemned him to exist alone in eternal darkness, heartbreak could hardly describe what he would feel upon parting.
Sometimes he wished his existence was simpler. He wished he were still the sort of man who went after what he wanted and took it ruthlessly. But time and wisdom had softened him. Then again, if he were the same man he was years ago, he might not have been able to appreciate Adriana at all. She was too complex, refined and subtle for someone who had not developed keener sensibilities.
But enough. He had his duty to perform, Val reminded himself. For his family’s sake, he needed to concentrate on catching Rakosi.
Strolling down a winding street that lay above the Chicago River, Val passed a woman using a pay phone. He stopped near a railing that kept pedestrians from falling into the green-brown water. Below and some yards down was the brick warehouse where the craps game had been held the night before.
The cavernous space was empty now. Rakosi’s boat had been moved, as well.
If only Val hadn’t been called away, if he’d been able to maintain careful vigilance, he knew he might actually have found the chance to confront his enemy.
But he could never allow danger to threaten Adriana. Enraged that someone would even try, he’d had to call on all his self-control to keep from ripping the head off the lowlife who had dared try to abduct her.
She was his. He could not help feeling so to his very depths. A rich and intoxicating blend of sweetness and spice, Adriana Thorn set his heart aflame.
Which brought up memories of making love – her dark hair fanning about her beautiful face as she’d arched beneath him, the intense cries of pleasure she’d made, her smooth skin . . .
And, whether he liked it or not, once again Val became immersed in obsessive thoughts of Adriana. He knew she was safe. He would have sensed otherwise. But he wanted to be closer, to touch her sweet flesh and reassure himself anyway.
Closing his eyes, he let his consciousness drift . . . and felt Adriana tossing restlessly, her limbs languorous.
She wasn’t at the club, he realized. She was at home in bed, her heart and body filled with intense longing for him.
Longing . . . damnation!
No more searching for Rakosi tonight. Val couldn’t resist the siren call.
But he would at least try to keep the lovely, vulnerable Adriana at a distance, he thought as he headed back for the pay phone.
ADRIANA HAD GONE home and to bed, but she hadn’t been able to sleep. Exhausted, yet strangely alert, she lay against the cool sheets, daydreaming about Val and listening to Phantom purr as the night passed by. The condo was quiet, Jennifer out for a Friday dinner and an overnight with Todd.
Thank goodness her sister had left early, hadn’t been around to see her stumbling out of bed. Adriana knew Jennifer would have insisted on taking her to a hospital.
But Adriana didn’t believe she was really sick. A little tired she could admit to, along with flustered, dazed and disturbed. But then, who wouldn’t be reeling after falling head over heels for a mysterious man like Val . . . not to mention finding oneself embroiled in a macabre murder mystery.
When the phone rang, she nearly jumped out of her skin. And the cat squalled, leaping off the bed.
Who on earth? Irina? Stone? Not wanting to talk to either friend or antagonist, Adriana let her answering machine pick up. She turned the volume higher to monitor the message.
“Adriana?” The voice was low, throbbing.
With a thrill, a catch of breath, she pounced on the receiver. “Val. You’re actually calling me, and you without a phone.”
”You were thinking about me. I felt compelled to answer. Why are you home?”
And how did he know she was? “Frank thought I was too sick to work.”
“Are you ill?” he asked, concern edging his voice.
“I was a little dizzy when I woke up, but I’m better now.”
“You probably need something to eat. Meat would improve your energy.”
“I told you I was a vegetarian.”
“Vegetables do not provide the same sustenance. I will meet you at your apartment building and take you to eat.”
“When?”
“Five minutes.”
“I have to get dressed. Fifteen would be better.”
“I shall be waiting outside.”
She flung aside the covers and sprang to her feet, surprised she actually didn’t feel dizzy anymore. As she quickly pulled on boots, jeans and a red silk blouse, she wondered why Val hadn’t asked to come up to her door.
He’d delivered her there before.
But then, perhaps he thought Jennifer would be hanging around. He wasn’t exactly a gregarious person.
As she came out onto the sidewalk to greet him a few minutes later the intensity of his eyes deepened. Blood rushing, heart pounding, she looked him over with equal enthusiasm. He was stylish as usual in a dark Armani suit with a silky pale scarf about his neck. The light kiss they shared as a greeting was hardly enough.
“What kind of cuisine would you like?” he asked, taking hold of her shoulders. “Is there a restaurant you prefer near here?”
“I don’t want anything fancy.” She was hard put to care about food at all with him touching her as he was. “A sandwich and some soup will do.” Just being with Val seemed to feed something deep inside her.
He offered his arm. “Lead the way.”
Though she’d rather hold hands, she took his arm, pleased by Val’s old-fashioned, old-world charm. Happy to share his company, she ambled toward Michigan Avenue in the direction of a casual restaurant she liked.
A little more than an hour later, around ten o’clock they’d finished their meal and were back on the streets. Val had insisted she eat meat and, to her surprise, Adriana had managed to down a medium-rare hamburger.
“I can’t believe it,” she remarked. “That beef actually tasted good. And I’m not feeling sick. People say that red meat sits In your stomach like a lump when you’re not used to it.”
“You needed something with blood.”
She wrinkled her nose. “I hate to think of it that way.”
Nevertheless, she was experiencing a burst of energy. But she also attributed the extra vigor to being with Val. He made her pulse rush.
“So where to now?”
Val suggested, “The Night Gallery is open until 2:00 a.m. Some of my photographs are being shown there.”
“Why didn’t you say so?”
“I had other things on my mind.”
The way he was looking at her made her think she had been on his mind. She thought about asking him to return to the condo with her, but decided sh
e wanted to see the photographs first.
The gallery was located only a little west and north of After Dark, so the distance was quite walkable. On the way, threading among other pedestrians, traffic, and the horse-drawn carriages that came out on weekends, Adriana asked Val about his methods of developing photos.
“I have a darkroom – the door beside the stairway.”
“Really? I wondered where that led.” She thought about the dark Victorian house. “But then, there are plenty of rooms in your place that I haven’t seen. Are most of them empty?”
“I fear so.”
“You’re going to work on the grounds first, then?”
He raised his brows. “The grounds?”
“You have all that dirt for landscaping,” she reminded him, thinking of the boxes in the dining room.
“Ah, true.” He nodded. “But I fear I have not started on the grounds, either.”
“Are you going to plant flowers? It might be a little difficult with your allergy to the sun. You’ll have to dig around at night. Would you like me to help you?”
“You are very kind, Adriana.”
He smiled as they stopped at a streetlight. A carriage and a large white horse turned the comer. Lost in Val’s gaze, Adriana didn’t realize what was happening until she heard the squeals and snorting, the carriage driver’s shouts.
Both she and Val backed away as the horse reared on its back legs, flailing its huge hooves.
“Down, hey, get down, Silver!” yelled the driver.
Other pedestrians also stepped back as the horse refused to settle. Squealing more loudly, It thrashed in its harness as if it wanted to bolt. The driver had his feet anchored and was pulling on the reins for all he was worth.
“Good heavens, the poor animal,” said Adriana.
Eyes rolling, mouth frothing, the white horse reared again.
Val took hold of her, saying, “Let us go and quickly.”
They fled, Adriana glancing over her shoulder when they were halfway down the block. The driver finally seemed to have calmed the animal.
