Tall, Dark & Hungry
Page 30
“You wore a skirt again,” he breathed against her breast, then licked at the erect nipple in his face. He ran one hand lightly up her stockinged thigh. “But these will get in the way.”
“No, they won’t,” she assured him. Terri took his hand and guided it up under her skirt to her hip.
Bastien’s eyes widened. Those weren’t panty hose, but true stockings. And she wasn’t wearing any panties. He groaned against her breast, then caught her nipple in his mouth and slid his hands over her bare bottom, wondering how soon would be too soon to enter her.
Terri answered that question by shifting and reaching between them to undo his pants. “I need you now, Bastien.”
“Thank God,” he muttered, sliding one hand between her legs to caress her. He found that she was indeed warm and wet and ready for him.
The moment Terri freed him from his trousers, she brushed his hand away from between her legs and moved, repositioning herself so that she could guide herself onto him.
“Terri…” Bastien groaned as she sank slowly down to take him into her. Her wet heat closed around him.
“Yes,” she breathed, lifting herself off and sliding back down.
“Damn.” His mouth fastened on her neck and he sucked urgently; then he felt his teeth try to slip out to bite her. He forced them back and turned his mouth to her lips instead. Terri kissed back just as hungrily, her body sliding against his as she raised and lowered herself. Her languid rhythm was driving him crazy. He needed fast and hard after so long without her.
Pushing her skirt farther upward and out of the way, he fastened his hands on her hips and urged her on.
Astride him, Terri broke the kiss on a gasp and caught her hand at the back of Bastien’s head, urging his mouth against her skin. The tension inside her was building to unbearable levels.
“Bastien, please!” she gasped, begging for release. He almost had her there. Then she felt his teeth sink into her, and she stiffened in surprise.
Terri stopped moving, her body gone taut as she trembled on the knife edge of excitement, but he continued to pump into her as he sucked at her neck. Suddenly, pleasure exploded through her. Wondrous, ecstatic pleasure. Terri cried out, her arms clenching around his neck and shoulders, and her whole body jerking in his arms. Wave after wave of release rode her until Terri didn’t think she could stand it anymore, then darkness crowded in.
“You fainted.”
Terri blinked her eyes open at those words and stared up at Bastien, then glanced around. He’d moved her to the couch. She was lying on it, her clothing in disarray, while he sat on the edge brushing the hair back from her face with his gentle fingers.
“You bit me,” she said with disbelief.
He grimaced. “I’m sorry, I tried not to, but you forced my head back to your neck and I—”
“It’s okay,” she said quickly to stop his apology. Then she sighed. “Jeez. Kate said it was something, but that was an understatement.”
“Are you all right?” he asked with concern.
Terri nodded slowly. She felt all right. She felt better than all right. She felt excellent. Her eyes sought his. “I love you, Bastien. I’m sorry for the last three weeks, but I needed time to accept. It was all so easy, so natural from the start. Like some sort of fairy-tale romance.”
“Then it turned into a horror,” he said.
“No. Not a horror,” Terri said, then admitted, “Well, okay, maybe a little horrorish, but that was only because your explanation—”
“I’m sorry,” he interrupted. He gave a slight laugh and ran one hand through his hair. “Can you believe I had to explain it to Rachel for Etienne, because he was flubbing it? Then I turned around and flubbed it with you. I guess it’s harder to be smart when it really matters. And it did—does—matter to me.”
“I know. I understand,” Terri assured him. She eased up into a sitting position. She was surprisingly light-headed.
“In my excitement, I got a little carried away,” Bastien told her apologetically. “It won’t happen again.”
“Are you kidding?” she cried. “I sincerely hope it does. That was…” Terri shook her head. It was mind-blowing.
Bastien smiled slightly, but said, “Terri, I do love you. But I’m not perfect, and I’ve made mistakes, and will make lots more over the years. I’m sorry I—”
“Shh.” She hushed him and took his face between her hands. “No one’s perfect, I’m not perfect, and you’re not perfect, Bastien. But you’re perfect for me.”
They kissed gently, and Bastien pulled back and eyed her. “So, what are you doing for the next forty to fifty years?”
“Hmm.” Terri smiled. “Actually, I don’t have any plans at the moment. I just quit my job and sold my cottage, so I’m rather at loose ends.”
“Yeah?” He grinned. “Would you care to spend them with me?”
“I thought you’d never ask,” Terri said with a smile.
“Hmm.” His expression turned solemn, telling her what was coming was important to him. Bastien brushed one finger down her cheek, then asked, “Would you care to make it four to five hundred years or more? There’s a lot to do in this world, and it would be nice to do it all together.”
Terri raised a hand to caress his cheek in return, and nodded. “I think I’d like that.”
Bastien let his breath out on a sigh and hugged her tight. “Damn, woman. I love you.”
Terri laughed as tears pooled in her eyes. “And I love you.”
“Come on.” Jumping up, he tugged her to her feet and began straightening her clothes.
“Where are we going?” Terri asked as he pulled her out of his office.
“To the penthouse,” he explained, pausing at the elevator to push the button. The doors opened at once and he tugged her inside. “There’s champagne and the Jacuzzi, and…I want to turn you now and start our lives together.”
He pushed the button for the penthouse, then leaned back against the wall and pulled her into his arms. The doors closed, sealing them in. “I can’t wait. I suspect that, with you, life is going to be one hell of an adventure.”
Bastien bent to kiss her, and Terri sighed into his mouth. She somehow knew he was right. There would be good times and bad, but life together would always be an adventure.
And speaking of adventures; now she and Bastien had a wedding to plan.
So you like vampires? You’re not alone.
Don’t miss the part steampunk Victorian historical, part futuristic thriller
CRIMSON & STEAM
by
LIZ MAVERICK
Coming January 2010
…He found her on a stretch of Santa Monica Boulevard, just inside an alcove. She stood frozen, silent, her face obscured by shadow. He grabbed her by the shoulders and spun her toward some dull light oozing from a nearby store’s half-broken bulb.
“Coward,” she spat. “Do I have to make it really easy for you, so you can’t refuse? Should I just rip my clothes off and beg?” She pulled the tie holding together her wrap blouse, and the fabric cascaded away. “Do it. Here in this alley, Marius. Please.”
“Jillian, don’t!” Marius’s blood raced. Exposed neck, pale shoulders, pink-tipped breasts—all delicate flesh and the black lace of her transparent bra. He’d never seen Jill this way. He’d only dreamed of it.
“I will. I’ll beg,” she continued. “I’ll do whatever you need to make this okay. I’m not afraid of what we have. Why the hell are you?”
She pulled the hem of her skirt up and leaned back against the brick wall. Marius tried to wrench her skirt down, but she was pulling out all the stops and rudely pressed her palm against his groin. “Don’t try to tell me no,” she murmured. “I know what you want. I know what I feel.”
“Stop, Jillian. Stop!” Marius begged. He forced himself to ignore the pulsing of his erection in her hand and grabbed the ends of her shirt, tying them together as best he could. Without thought, he closed his eyes and pressed his mouth to
the crown of her head. “Please,” he whispered. “I never meant to hurt you, and—”
“‘Hurt me…,’” Jillian echoed.
She reached into her pocket and pulled out a switchblade. Flicking it expertly open she said, “Hayden gave this to me. Hayden, your worst enemy. At the time I thought it was a really shitty birthday present, but it always seems to come in handy.” Transfixing Marius with her stare, she held the knife to her neck. “Could you resist me if I made myself bleed for you? I know what it’s like when you smell blood. That means my blood will make you insane, if you feel half of what I think you do for me. You won’t be able to stop yourself, and it won’t be your fault.” She swallowed hard. “I’m not afraid.”
“Enough!” Marius roared, baring his fangs. The switchblade clattered to the pavement. “Enough.” He took her face in his hands. “This isn’t you. This is not who you are.”
Jillian slowly pulled free and backed up, collecting her weapon.
“Do you think this helps?” Marius continued, unable to contain himself any longer. “Do you think I feel no pain? I watch you run around with Hayden Wilks, and you think it doesn’t kill me? He gets to have you in every way that I cannot. It makes no difference that I understand why you’re with him, that I know you don’t love him. It doesn’t matter, because…yes.” His hands dug into Jill’s shoulders as he struggled to stay in control. “I can feel you. Do you understand? I can sense you. I know when he’s with you, when he’s touching you, when…” He had to look away. “Knowing I could make you feel so much more, that my feelings for you go so much deeper, that you’ve given yourself to someone who doesn’t deserve you because I’m not allowed to have the life I want to live…It makes me feel like dying sometimes. You must understand how much I care about you. But—”
“But not enough,” she interrupted. Then, with a hitch in her voice she added, “Soul mates aren’t supposed to end like this.”
Marius dropped his hands. “I’m sorry.”
CRIMSON & STEAM
by
LIZ MAVERICK
About the Author
Lynsay Sands is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of the Argeneau vampire series, as well as numerous historical novels and anthologies known for their humorous edge. Visit her official website at www.lynsaysands.net.
Visit www.AuthorTracker.com for exclusive information on your favorite HarperCollins author.
PRAISE FOR NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLING AUTHOR LYNSAY SANDS!
THE ARGENEAU SERIES
SINGLE WHITE VAMPIRE
“A cheeky, madcap tale…vampire lovers will find themselves laughing throughout.”
—Publishers Weekly
“Single White Vampire is a wonderfully funny, fast-moving story that’s an absolute delight to read…. Fans of humorous romance won’t want to miss this one, even if vampires aren’t their cup of tea.”
—RT Book Reviews
LOVE BITES
“Readers will be highly amused, very satisfied, and eager for the next Argeneau tale.”
—Booklist
“With its whip-smart dialogue and sassy characters, Love Bites…is a great romantic comedy worth tasting!”
—Romance Reviews Today
TALL, DARK & HUNGRY
“Delightful and full of interesting characters and romance.”
—RT Book Reviews
“Tall, Dark & Hungry takes us on a heartwarming journey of healing hearts and sizzling attraction as Bastien and Terri race through New York and around the world in search of love.”
—A Romance Review
MORE PRAISE FOR AWARD WINNER LYNSAY SANDS!
THE BRAT
“With its lively plot, well-defined characters, and emotional romance, The Brat is a title I highly recommend.”
—Romance Reviews Today
LOVE IS BLIND
“Sands’s sexy historical romances always give good value, dealing with social issues as well as detailing lusty encounters, and her latest will be received eagerly by her loyal fans and will undoubtedly win her new readers who enjoy Regency settings.”
—Booklist
THE PERFECT WIFE
“You’ll laugh out loud…Sands touches just the right chords with her quirky sense of humor and lively storytelling.”
—RT Book Reviews
THE CHASE
“Lynsay Sands has penned an engaging and sizzling romantic medieval story that historical fans are sure to appreciate and enjoy.”
—Romance Reviews Today
THE LOVING DAYLIGHTS
“This madcap escapade [is] comic and campy.”
—Publishers Weekly
WHAT SHE WANTS
“Ms. Sands gives romance readers what they want. [What She Wants] is charming, funny, and has very human characters.”
—The Romance Reader
THE RELUCTANT REFORMER
“Lynsay Sands is a skilled writer. The Reluctant Reformer [is] a charming, entertaining read.”
—All About Romance
Other Books by Lynsay Sands:
A HISTORICAL CHRISTMAS PRESENT (Anthology)
THE BRAT
LOVE IS BLIND
THE PERFECT WIFE
THE CHASE
LOVE BITES
SINGLE WHITE VAMPIRE
THE LOVING DAYLIGHTS
WHAT SHE WANTS
A MOTHER’S WAY (Anthology)
THE RELUCTANT REFORMER
WISH LIST (Anthology)
BLISS
LADY PIRATE
MISTLETOE & MAGIC (Anthology)
ALWAYS
SWEET REVENGE
THE SWITCH
THE KEY
THE DEED
Copyright
TALL, DARK & HUNGRY. Copyright © 2004 by Lynsay Sands. All rights reserved under International and Pan-American Copyright Conventions. By payment of the required fees, you have been granted the non-exclusive, non-transferable right to access and read the text of this e-book on-screen. No part of this text may be reproduced, transmitted, down-loaded, decompiled, reverse engineered, or stored in or introduced into any information storage and retrieval system, in any form or by any means, whether electronic or mechanical, now known or hereinafter invented, without the express written permission of HarperCollins e-books.
EPub Edition © April 2010 ISBN: 978-0-06-201370-5
10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
About the Publisher
Australia
HarperCollins Publishers (Australia) Pty. Ltd.
25 Ryde Road (PO Box 321)
Pymble, NSW 2073, Australia
http://www.harpercollinsebooks.com.au
Canada
HarperCollins Publishers Ltd.
55 Avenue Road, Suite 2900
Toronto, ON, M5R, 3L2, Canada
http://www.harpercollinsebooks.ca
New Zealand
HarperCollinsPublishers (New Zealand) Limited
P.O. Box 1
Auckland, New Zealand
http://www.harpercollins.co.nz
United Kingdom
HarperCollins Publishers Ltd.
77-85 Fulham Palace Road
London, W6 8JB, UK
http://www.harpercollinsebooks.co.uk
United States
HarperCollins Publishers Inc.
10 East 53rd Street
New York, NY 10022
http://www.harpercollinsebooks.com