“I need to be alone.” Katya tore her hand from his, running to the stairs as fast as her Doc Martens would carry her.
Had she seen her last day of sunshine? Would she be forever confined to Rex’s quarters, both of their lives dependent on their relationship?
She couldn’t imagine living that way. She’d be trapped in the world of the undead, a stranger in a strange land.
A few hours ago, she’d been an agent, a competent professional working a case. How had that woman become a combination of sex slave and all you can eat buffet for a vampire?
She wondered if she’d ever see that woman again.
Chapter 8
Rex followed the trail of Katya’s scent up the stairs and through the private exit that led to the back lot of the club where he and the employees parked. It wasn’t hard to find her. He could feel her pulse inside him, leading him forward.
Already, she belonged to him. His swan.
A rush of possession seized him. He knew she didn’t want to be bound to him, that she’d been sickened by the news. It filled him with guilt. How could he be happy about something that made Katya miserable?
But, he thought, seeing her on the opposite side of the back lot, how could he not be?
He hadn’t planned on this. He hadn’t expected to be so attracted to her, much less that they’d share the kind of raw sexual chemistry they’d experienced from the very first kiss.
He hadn’t expected to feel anything more for her than a passing attraction. But this was so much more. He’d lived long enough to know himself better than mortals, limited to a single lifetime as they were. He knew his mind, his body, and his heart.
And he knew they all belonged to Katya.
He walked at normal speed across the lot, already aching from their separation. He knew it could end tomorrow, and that it would be best for Katya if it did. But he hoped and prayed that it would last longer… long enough for him to convince her to stay of her own accord.
“I don’t feel like talking.” She flicked her gaze toward him and looked away, staring up at the dark sky as if it held the answers to all her questions.
“I didn’t come out here to bother you.” He leaned up against a red double cab truck.
“Then don’t,” she snapped.
“I know you’re not happy about this.” He reached for her, hoping to ease the discomfort rising inside him. She flinched as if his hand were a hot poker.
“We’ve got to break this… curse, whatever it is, somehow.” She crossed her arms over her chest and seemed to fold inward on herself. Rex’s hands balled into fists involuntarily. How could he want her so much when she was obviously ready to run screaming from him?
“Look, I know that a vampire isn’t your first choice for a boyfriend,” he began.
“Boyfriend?” She snorted. “You can’t possibly call this mess we’re in a relationship.”
“What would you call it?” He couldn’t keep frustration from filling his tone.
“A nightmare.” She slumped against the back door of a black sedan.
It was his turn to snort. “Yeah, it looked like you were trapped in a real nightmare when you were on your fourth orgasm earlier.”
Even in the dark, he could see the blush filling her cheeks. “I need more than sex before I can call something a relationship.”
He folded his arms over his chest. “Katya, I know you don’t have that much experience, but surely you know that what happened with us was more than just sex.”
She scowled up at him. “OK, you win. It was fantastic sex. Mind-blowing sex. Caligula would die of sex envy.” She scuffed her boots on the gravel. “Happy?”
He forced down a smile. “Not until you’re happy.”
She sighed. “Then you’re in for a long wait.”
He tried reaching for her again. “There’s no reason why we should both suffer, is there?”
She relented, letting him take her hand.
He took a deep breath determined to try a different tack. “You’re right, this isn’t a relationship yet.” She started to interrupt him, but he stopped her with a hand. “But don’t you think it could be?”
She stared at him in the darkness.
“It’s like this,” he went on. “We do like each other, don’t we?”
She broke eye contact to stare at her feet. “Yeah, I guess we do.”
At least she could admit that much. “And the sex is great.”
“No argument here.” She showed the first hint of a smile.
“Then there’s the little fact that we need each other to survive right now.” He tightened his grip on her hand. “If you leave me, I’ll die.” He tugged her closer, partially closing the gap between them. “I know other men have probably said that to you, but I guarantee that none of them have meant it quite the way I do.”
That earned him a laugh. “You’ve got that right.”
He pushed his luck, reaching down to rest his free hand on her backside. God, she felt good. So good, he was positive he’d never get enough of her, even when the strange magic that bound them faded away.
“Can’t we just try to make the best of this?” He snared her gaze. “I don’t see where we have much choice in the matter.”
She shook her head slowly. “We don’t.”
“Then why not enjoy it while it lasts?” He gave her a smile. “Who knows, this could all end in a few days, and you’ll be back home reminiscing about fantastic vampire sex with good old Rex.”
Finally, a real laugh. Rex felt the warmth of it flow through his veins. Earning a laugh from her was like finding the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow.
“I guess I can tolerate your sexy ass for a few more days.” She punched him playfully in the center of his chest. “I’ll have to call Alvin tomorrow evening and explain why I’ll be working nights for the foreseeable future.”
“Alvin?” He maneuvered her into an embrace, and she let him. Victory.
“Regional Captain of the Texas Slayer Squad.” He could feel her relaxing in his arms. “I wonder what he’s going to think of me bringing a master vampire along with me while I work.”
“The same thing my vampires will think of having a slayer living among us.” He laughed. “That we’re the paranormal version of the odd couple.”
She laughed again, and Rex imbibed it. She fed him, aroused him, completed him in ways he’d forgotten were possible.
He had to find a way to make her want to stay with him.
* * *
“Wow.” Katya did a full three-sixty, taking in every detail of the room Rex had ushered her into. It looked like a cross between a Roman emperor’s private quarters and a Turkish opium den.
“You like?” Rex flopped down on the massive round bed with its crushed red velvet spread, crossing his legs at the ankle and leaning against the piles of pillows encased in the most luxurious raw silk she’d ever seen.
“I think like is the wrong word.” She looked at the plush carpet, the mirrors in gilt frames covering the walls, and the hot house flowers spilling out of crystal vases on every surface. “It’s… overwhelming.”
“You thought I slept in a coffin, didn’t you?” He took off his black Stetson and put it on the nightstand.
“The thought may have crossed my mind.” She bent down to unlace her boots.
“I actually do have one.” He sat up and peeled his T-shirt off, tossing it carelessly onto the floor. Normally she was enough of a neat freak to find that sort of thing annoying, but she was too momentarily mesmerized by his body to notice. “It’s in a reinforced room on the second level of the basement.” He lay back down, stretching and giving her a perfect view of his chest. “But I prefer to sleep in here.”
Katya laid her boots aside and padded barefoot to join him on the bed. As she sat down on its velvet covered edge, she noticed the mirror stationed on the ceiling above.
Good lord, had she accidentally wandered into Belle Watling’s sporting house?
�
��This room doesn’t look like it was designed with sleeping in mind.” She tested the mattress, bouncing up and down on it a few times. “What is this, your private orgy hideaway?” The discomfort made itself known, like the faintest pangs of hunger that soon turn into the gnawing agony of starvation. She’d gone too long without touching him… and how could she manage to touch him in a bed without it leading to hot, sweaty, and naked within minutes?
How, indeed.
Rex, seemingly unperturbed, flashed her a grin. “Don’t you wish you knew?”
She removed her holster and placed it on the bedside table, then took her silver necklace from her pocket and laid it carefully down beside the gun. After placing her cell phone on the bedside table, she put her feet up on the bed. “Actually…” She made herself comfortable, wrapping her leg over his, “the only thing I wish for is sleep.”
“Sounds good to me.” He turned the dimmer switch located on his side of the bed until darkness filled the room. “In a few minutes, I won’t have any choice but to sleep.”
She’d forgotten about that. He would fall to the dawn, most likely bringing her along for the ride, negating any possibility of sex.
Which should’ve given her a huge feeling of relief… except it didn’t. She firmly stamped out the feeling of vague disappointment and tried to shift her mental focus. “What’s it like?” She lowered her voice. The darkness made her want to whisper. “Falling to the dawn, I mean.”
She felt his arm steal behind her head, cradling her shoulders. “It’s hard to describe.” He paused. “It’s like giving yourself over to the blackest night, letting it have its way with you.”
She waited, pondering his words.
“There’s no worry, no fear, only this blissful sensation of floating in a cool, dark sea.” His eyes sought hers, glowing ice blue in the dimness. “Are you afraid?”
“A little,” she admitted. “Mostly curious, I guess.”
“Don’t worry.” He moved closer, enveloping her. “I’ll be here beside you until night falls. Nothing can happen to you while I’m here.” His lips brushed her cheek in a soft kiss. “Nothing.”
And then, before she could say another word, before she could thank him for his kindness or return his kiss, the blackness descended upon her, and she was lost in a sleep like death.
Chapter 9
A warm body lay heavy against hers… a sensation Katya hadn’t experienced in far too long.
She opened drowsy eyes, fully prepared to see her ex-boyfriend looking down at her. Instead, she met the frosty blue gaze of Rex Fontainebleau.
“What the hell?” She sat up ramrod straight, blinking her eyes in confusion, taking in the unfamiliar room in a single sweeping glance.
It all came rushing back to her. The collision. Mother Rachel.
The sex. Good lord, the sex.
She was Rex’s ruby swan.
“Good evenin’, Tiger.” One corner of his mouth turned up. “You’re awake. And none the worse for the wear, I see.”
“I’m hungry.” She scrubbed her eyes with the back of her hand. “Got anything to drink in this place besides fake blood?”
“Ah, your usual charming self rears her cranky head.” Rex disentangled himself from her, planted his feet on the floor and stood. “Would orange juice do?”
She stretched, letting out a jaw-cracking yawn. “You actually have some?”
He walked a few feet away and opened one of the doors to his massive armoire, revealing a mini fridge. “It’s not fresh squeezed.” He held up a bottle. “But it is organic.”
“I’ll take it.” She caught it deftly when he tossed it to her.
“Nothing like starting the night with a healthy drink.” He took a bottle of Vlad’s Breakfast Blend from his fridge, and opened another door, this one concealing a small microwave.
Katya watched him put the bottle in the microwave and set the timer. “I’m so thirsty.” She twisted the cap off the bottle and took a long, deep sip of the juice. It was ice cold and just the right blend of tart and sweet. After taking another drink, she sighed with appreciation. Damn if it wasn’t some of the best orange juice she’d ever had. “Good stuff. Even better than fresh squeezed, if that’s possible.”
“Glad you’re enjoying it.” The microwave dinged, and he retrieved his bottle from it before joining her on the bed. “Here’s to unexpected guests.” He held his bottle up.
She tipped hers against his, easing in closer to him so that their shoulders touched. “Spending the daylight hours here… it wasn’t so bad.” She shot him a cautious glance over the edge of her bottle.
His eyes sparkled with suppressed laughter. “I’m glad that sharing my bed proved to be a relatively painless experience.”
“Jackass.” She punched him on the shoulder. “You know what I meant.”
“I don’t know, maybe we should do something in the bed besides just sleep.” He licked a drop of synthetic blood from his bottom lip. “What do you think?”
Her body thought yes, yes, yes! Her mind had other ideas. Sort of.
“You know we’re going to get around to it eventually.” She finished her juice and set the empty bottle on the nightstand. “But I’d really like to have a shower and a change of clothes, then I need to call Alvin and check in.”
“Mr. Charles has arranged for a boutique to send you a selection of clothes on approval.” Rex glanced at the gilt framed clock on the bureau. “Should be here in an hour or so.” His eyes met hers, and a laser-sharp blast of sexual energy hit her. “As for the shower… that can be arranged.”
God, she shouldn’t do this. They could keep the energy depletion at bay with simple physical contact. But the invitation in his eyes wouldn’t let her walk away without at least trying to RSVP. “Define… arranged.”
Without another word, he swept her up in his arms. “How about I show you instead?” He crossed the room with vampiric speed, reaching a door with an ornate brass knob in seconds.
“We’ll both be able to feed if we…” She trailed off.
“Fuck like wild beasts?” He turned the knob and kicked the door open. “Yes.”
“So it’s really for our health, right?” Her voice was already thick with desire.
“It’s for our own good.” He carried her into the most decadent bathroom she’d ever seen. “We’re just going to have to suffer through it.”
She noted the marble floor, the gold fixtures, the plush red rugs and towels as he carried her to a shower stall with frosted glass doors.
He set her on her feet. “Strip.”
Normally such an order would have her ten kinds of pissed off. But with Rex, it was a form of foreplay. Watching as he slid open the shower door and turned on several faucets, she shimmied out of her pants, shirt, and what was left of her tiger print bra.
He had his jeans off in seconds, letting his already erect cock spring forward. “Come on.” He steered her by the elbow into a shower stall that could’ve held half of the customers of Crimson Hungers on a slow night.
Four shower heads flowed with pulsing streams of hot water. She stepped beneath one, letting it massage her back like a million eager fingers.
“You look even better wet.” Rex grabbed a bottle of shower gel from the small shelf built into the marble wall of the stall. “Let’s see how you look soapy.” He filled his hands with the peach colored gel and rubbed them together, creating a mountain of frothy lather.
When his hands met her skin, she gasped. They slid over her breasts, teasing her nipples to hard peaks.
“Hands over your head,” he ordered. She complied, closing her eyes and letting the sensations take her.
He used the slippery gel to his advantage, rubbing her breasts until they ached with the heaviness of arousal. Then his hands roamed lower, over her belly, gliding down her hips, between her thighs.
He nudged her legs apart with a foot. “Time to rinse off.”
She opened her eyes, watching as he unwound the cord of a hand s
hower from its niche in the wall. “Rex…”
“Yes?” He depressed the button on the handle, aiming a stream of water at one nipple.
She threw her head back and let out a broken cry as the water pummeled the already hardened bud. He moved the hand shower slightly, teasing her nipple.
Liquid heat pooled at the juncture of her thighs, and her clit pulsed with need. The sensations were intense, so intense… almost too much so. But then he switched the pounding stream to her other nipple, repeating the torture.
“You were going to say something?” He looked at her with a wicked expression.
“Fuck you, Rex.”
“Oh, you will.” He aimed the stream lower, guiding it down her belly, making her muscles tremble as he teased them. “And you’ll like it, too.”
A caustic response hovered on the tip of her tongue, but then he pointed the stream between her legs, effectively snuffing out any hope she had of rational thought.
The hot jet stroked her clit, stimulating it the way no man’s tongue could hope to do. It hammered the sensitive nub, dialing up her level of need to the boiling point.
He shifted the device, letting the stream of water flick her clit. It was better than being stroked with the world’s most powerful vibrator.
It was better than anything she’d ever felt.
Tension coiled tightly inside her, pushing closer to the surface with every undulation of the water against her hardened clitoris. Rex hit the button on the device again, and a sudden increase in pressure sent her over the edge, into an orgasm so powerful that it was almost painful.
He kept the hand shower trained on her, letting her ride out the final spasms of her climax, then smiled up at her. “I don’t think I have to ask if it was good for you.”
She leaned against the wall, her legs weak from the strength of her release. “But you didn’t…”
“Turn around.” He replaced the hand shower. “Hands against the wall, feet apart.”
She did as he asked, her breath coming in short gasps.
He grabbed her hips in his hands. “Hold on tight.”
Crimson Hungers Page 5
