The Taste of Magic

by Gina Rosavin

  He smiled, and her heart thudded against her chest. His other hand came up to stroke her cheek lightly, and he placed a soft kiss on her lips. "What a delight to finally have you in my bed."

  She started to rise, but he held her in place. "Adrian, this isn't what I intended…"

  "Of course it is. And now that I have you, I can't let you go."

  A frisson of alarm skittered along her spine. She stiffened and tried once again to free herself. She wasn't ready for this yet. She still had so many doubts, so many fears, despite the incredible longing that almost overpowered her. How could she resist what she wanted so much? She had to. "I should probably…I mean, you were hurt before, but now you're all right and…"

  She swallowed her next words at the sight before her. Adrian's eyes turned to gold, and he leaned over her. His grip tightened, and she was helpless beneath him.

  "Why do you still run from me? Why won't you trust me?" The menace in his voice made her breath catch.

  "A-Adrian, I-I really don't like the way y-you're…"

  He groaned and released her, rolling to the other side of the bed. Legs trembling, she stood and grabbed her shoes. She was almost to the door when he called out.

  "Don't go."

  She stopped and slowly turned. He was normal again, and there was a hint of regret in his blue eyes. He was beside her in an instant, leaving her stunned at the speed with which he moved.

  "Forgive me. I'm afraid my control is somewhat weakened."

  "Y-You were going to…weren't you?"

  He shook his head, his eyes wide with horror. "Kat, never. I would never hurt you. Believe me."

  "But you were all…your eyes, I mean. I was…"

  "Frightened." He sighed and drew her into his arms. She remained stiff, though the feel of his embrace was a comfort. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have let…never mind. Do you forgive me?"

  His hands stroked up and down her back, soothing her agitation. She savored his strength, and her fear began to fade. He had almost died tonight and the thought of losing him was too great to dwell on. She was willing to risk anything to be here like this. It had taken her several weeks to recognize the strength of her desire. What a fool she'd been. She'd always known what he was, and still she could not resist him. Shouldn't that tell her something?

  "I forgive you. But Adrian, I don't know if I…."

  He placed two fingers on her lips. "Hush. Don't ever worry I will hurt you. I care too deeply for you to let that happen."

  "But you lost control, you as much as admitted it." Fear taunted her again.

  "No. Never to the point I would harm you. Besides, if I wanted to take you by force, I would have done so by now."

  She pondered the truth in his words. Still… "How can I know that? When you get angry…"

  "Never angry. Frustrated perhaps, but not angry." The corners of his mouth lifted in a small rueful smile. "I show my emotions differently than you do. But I control my nature, it does not control me."

  "I want to believe you, but I'm…afraid."

  He drew her near and held her for several moments. "Let me show you. Put your trust in me. I want to make love to you, Kat. But I will stop if you tell me." He set her slightly away. His hand cupped her cheek, his thumb gently caressing her lower lip.

  She pursed her mouth. If she wasn't so hungry for him, she might walk away. But she wanted him, with a startling fierceness. She'd imagined this moment for so long, and even if nothing ever came of it but this night, she would be a fool to let the chance slip away. She didn't want to resist him, or this all-consuming need to be with him.

  His lips replaced his hand and she was lost in the whirlwind of desire that he stirred. Forgotten was her fear of moments ago. His kisses were gentle, coaxing, and when his tongue played upon her lips, she opened for him. Her knees buckled at the intimate caress, and his arms tightened, pressing her tightly against him.

  When he drew away, they were both breathless. Adrian stared into her eyes, darkened by passion to the ebony of the night sky. This hunger he felt was unlike anything else he had ever known. He wanted her with a fierceness which threatened to consume him if he didn't give in to it. But it wasn't her blood, her life, he wanted. It was her body and her soul. And her heart. He drew his thumb across her lower lip. She trembled in his embrace. Knowing she was just as helpless against this consuming desire stoked his flames higher and higher. He had to have her, as if she were the very blood that gave him life.

  He kissed her again, and she sighed and pressed against him. His fingers trailed along her neck, pausing ever so slightly at the pulse at the base. She jerked slightly away, but he held her still, soothing her wariness with soft kisses and caresses, until she was once more pliant in his arms. When his lips reached the spot where his hand lingered, she stiffened again.

  "Adrian, stop."

  He broke away and stepped back. She was magnificent, her dark hair hanging around her shoulders in wild disarray, her eyes filled with longing and passion, her lips swollen from his kisses. His groin tightened further, and he knew he could not wait much longer. But he had given his word.

  "Do not be afraid."

  "I…can't help it. I don't want you to…"

  He shook his head. "I only want to make love to you. Nothing more."

  He remained motionless, holding her gaze, sensing the moment her fear dissipated. But he held back, unwilling to frighten her again. Katerina wondered what he thought as he watched her. He said he wouldn't bite her, and she believed him. The longer he remained still, she began to wonder if he'd changed his mind. Didn't he want her as strongly as she wanted him? Why didn't he say something, anything? All she wanted was reassurance he found her attractive. She wanted him to take her back to his bed and love her until sunrise.

  "As you wish."

  "Stop doing that," she scolded, annoyed he had once more intruded on her thoughts.

  "I'm sorry, old habits. Forgive me?"

  He seemed to be asking her forgiveness a lot this evening. In return for his passion, she would forgive him anything.

  He held out a hand to her. "Come."

  She lifted her trembling hand and placed it in his. She had been worried he would try to control her mind, but she knew she had her full faculties about her. She allowed him to pull her close once more. This time she was willing. "I only want you willing, Kat." Before she could respond, he had claimed her mouth, his fingers tugging at her dress zipper. He lowered it off her shoulders and the pink silk whispered to the floor. Standing before him like this, in only her bra and panties, left her feeling helpless and suddenly very vulnerable. She shivered, and fought the urge to cover herself with her arms.

  For several moments, he still said nothing, simply let his gaze wander over her before returning to lock with hers once more. The heat she found there warmed her. Despite the intensity of his gaze, the scorching desire was welcome, and she knew her own eyes reflected the same excitement. She relaxed.

  "You're exquisite." He drew her into his embrace. She sighed in relief and happiness as his mouth claimed hers, and stole her thoughts. She found herself being pressed back against the pillows as he knelt over her, never once taking his lips from hers. His hands were everywhere, stroking her jaw, her neck, her arms. Though his touch was cool, it was masterful and stoked a fire only he could extinguish. She had never felt longing, desire so intense, as if it threatened to consume her. She reached for him, trying to pull him closer, needing more contact, but he resisted, content to simply let his fingers roam lightly over her.

  "Adrian…"

  Her voice was hoarse with passion. Adrian found his usual iron control slipping away. It amazed him she could do this to him. He drew away and gazed down at her. Her heavy-lidded eyes opened, and he had to struggle for control at the dewy passion he read in their inky depths. He had never felt such need before, such intense longing. The heat of her body scorched him, and knowing he had caused the fire only inflamed his senses further.

  "Ah, my littl
e pagan, you have cast a spell over me." His words echoed around them, and his hands slid to her hips, his fingers hooking into her panties and pulling them away, baring her completely before him. He itched to touch her velvety skin, to find her most secret places and make her writhe with ecstasy beneath him, to make her cry out in pleasure. All that mattered was her pleasure, to bring her to the utmost heights of rapture. Thank Lucifer he was immortal; he didn't think he would survive the explosion otherwise.

  The passion controlling him was stronger than he'd ever known. Perhaps she truly had cast a spell on him. That would explain how this desire enveloped him, reaching into his very soul. He claimed her mouth again, fiercely, hungrily, as if he couldn't get enough of her. He would never get enough of her, he knew that now. He let his hands trail higher, slowly cupping her breasts and savoring the way she bowed against him. With his thumbs, he stroked her nipples and she moaned, her tongue mating with his in a fiery dance. Her hands were everywhere, stroking his back, pulling away his shirt, running along his chest.

  When he drew away, he couldn't breathe, couldn't think. All he knew was he had to possess her. Soon. His hand slipped between her legs and stroked her warm, wet depths. She cried out, arching wildly against him as he tormented her, and the sight made the blood in his veins boil. He knelt between her legs, his gaze catching hers as he lowered his head.

  "Oh, gods," she moaned, and her fingers were suddenly tangled in his hair, twisting and tightening on his scalp.

  He lowered his mouth, flicking her with his tongue, tasting of her essence as she bucked around him. She cried out, he thought it was his name, but couldn't be sure. Lost in her sweet scent and taste, he drove her upward. Her head tossed from side to side, still he kept up his steady assault until she was screaming with delight, her body spasming around him as her release overcame her. He rose above her, covering her mouth and swallowing her cries. He held her quivering body tightly against him as she rode the crest, until the violent tremors ceased and she quieted. He could hold her forever. He stiffened, then shook his head as the odd thought floated by. He buried his face in her neck and inhaled deeply. When she stirred and met his gaze, he was dazed by the passion he read in the depths of her eyes. Without words, she communicated what she wanted. Smiling, he rose above her, claiming her mouth at the same moment he claimed her body.

  * * *

  Sophie grimaced as Joshua slammed the door behind them. She refused to meet his accusing gaze as she dropped her purse on the floor. She was about to go into the kitchen when he grabbed her and spun her about.

  "Do you want to tell me what that was about?" he asked.

  "What?" She shrugged free of his grip.

  "You let him go! Damn it, Soph, you had him, it could have been finished once and for all, and you let him go!"

  She went into the kitchen. She didn't want to discuss how she failed to destroy du Lac when she had the chance. She didn't want to tell him how she just couldn't do it, just couldn't place that stake over his heart and hammer it in, ending the vampire's existence forever. She definitely did not want to tell him why. Not when she'd denied it for so long, only admitting her feeling to herself for the first time tonight. She barely had time to assimilate everything in her own head, how could he expect her to explain it?

  "Soph? Are you going to tell me what the hell is going on here?"

  She finally turned to face him, her gaze meeting his. The anger and suspicion there made her flinch, but she didn't look away. "There wasn't time. du Lac summoned Vining before I could do anything."

  Joshua shook his head. "No way, you had plenty of time. There's more to this, isn't there?"

  "I don't know what you mean." This time, she did turn away.

  But he was right there, gripping her arms and pulling her close, so close their noses brushed.

  "Yes you do. You don't want to kill him, do you Sophie?"

  Her eyes widened. "Of course I do. How can you ask me…"

  He shook his head slowly as he answered. "There's something you're not telling me, but I don't need you to. It's been right in front of me all along, even when I thought, when I hoped…Soph, you want him, don't you?"

  She shook her head, denying what she had just so recently accepted. "No, I don't. I can't!"

  "I know all the reasons you shouldn't, but you still do. You always have, even when we were teenagers. I didn't see it then, but I do now. Clearly."

  Resignation filled his voice as he let her go. The sadness in his eyes tore at her. Because he wanted her, always had, but she wanted another. No wonder Joshua hated du Lac so much.

  "Josh, I…"

  "Don't. I think I always knew, but I had hoped you and I could have a future. Do you understand how much I love you, Sophie?' Tears blurred her vision and she wrapped her arms around herself, as if to ward off a chill. Then he was there, his arms encircling her, pulling her near.

  His warmth was so nice, so comforting. But the fire she longed to feel wasn't there. She remained silent in his embrace.

  Chapter Nine

  Adrian smiled as he closed the folder in front of him. The intercom buzzed. He pressed the button.

  "Yes?"

  "Adam Baines is on line two."

  His smile broadened as he reached for the phone. "I've been waiting for your call. Have you been able to change Herr Schneider's mind?"

  "Yes. He signed the formal approval just moments ago. I'm setting up a press conference with the board for tomorrow morning."

  A surge of triumph flared within him. The takeover of KNT had very nearly fallen apart, thanks to Niccolo's underhanded dealings. Wilhelm Schneider had almost been persuaded not to approve the takeover. With the merger completed, he had prevailed. KNT was finally his.

  "Excellent. I know the last weeks have been difficult, especially since our confidentiality was nearly compromised. When everything's finalized, I have a new assignment for you. You've proven yourself quite adept at handling such delicate matters."

  Adam was very appreciative. "Thank you, Mr. du Lac. I'm glad to have the opportunity."

  "You're sure nothing of this has leaked to anyone, not even the employees?"

  "As of my last conversation with the board, not a soul is aware of what's been going on. The announcement will take everyone by surprise."

  Adrian chuckled. In less than one day, he would be sitting atop the European business world. It would be his name and company they would read about in the papers.

  "Good. One more thing. Don't let Schneider out of your sight. He must be present tomorrow. Keep your eyes open for anything or anyone suspicious. And have the paperwork messengered over."

  "Immediately, sir. I will see to it Schneider is protected. Who will be your spokesperson tomorrow?"

  "I'll be speaking for myself at this conference. I think the time has come." Adrian returned the phone to its cradle and paged Greta. Her voice came over the intercom.

  "Get Lucas Bayer in here. Immediately."

  He stood and walked to the window. The view was magnificent. And his plans proceeded perfectly. Now that he owned one of the most powerful communications company in Europe, he controlled all of the cable, telephone and digital wireless communications in the area. Plans were already underway for similar takeovers in neighboring countries, until he controlled the communications of the entire continent. Eurocom would be his, and he would be unstoppable. Once the first phase was complete, he would increase his already growing American presence.

  There was much work to do before he could expand into the U.S. It was time to restructure his staff there in preparation. His plans called for du Lac Enterprises to be the global company within five years.

  Getting a strong foothold in the semiconductor industry was crucial to his success. With that accomplished, his next target, the worldwide computer market, would fall easily. He would be poised to strike. And the world would be his.

  The door opened and Adrian turned to face Lucas Bayer. The Swedish born scientist had become important to
his success these last few months. His work on a latex imitation skin had progressed nicely and would offer Adrian endless possibilities. It was all he needed to convince the world of his humanity.

  "Good afternoon Lucas. I'd like an update on your progress. I need this project complete and ready to go." Adrian resumed his seat.

  Lucas nodded and seated himself. "We're almost ready, Mr. du Lac. A few final photographic and video tests are left, just to confirm our results one more time. I am sure we've created the right formula for the imitation skin. It will solve all of your remaining…problems. We've even created a liquid formula that can be used to treat hair, clothing, and other articles, as well."