by Grosso, Kym
“I don’t know, Leo. I do believe that there’s something bigger than all of us.” Unconsciously, if not out of comfort, Laryssa noticed she’d touched Léopold.
“The Goddess? Oui. But hell, I believe, also exists, spawning the evil in both men and supernaturals. It won’t have her.”
“Evil? Babies aren’t born evil.”
“That’s not what I mean. I mean that whatever is after her is evil, and it can’t have her. I swore it tried to kill her that night in Yellowstone. With all I’ve seen, it makes no sense. There’s something bothering me about this…the creatures you’ve described.”
“No eyes.”
“If they are real…”
“They are.”
“If they’re real, I’ve never seen anything like them. But then again, I’ve never met anyone like you.” He smiled and captured a lock of her hair in his fingers.
Laryssa took a deep breath, slowing the pace of her heartbeat. She was certain he’d heard her talking to Wynter. She sighed in embarrassment. He was so out of her league.
“You are really good with her.” She changed the subject, turning her gaze to Ava. “Have you always been good with babies?”
“We’ve got to go. It’s getting late and you need to rest before we see Ilsbeth in the morning. You should get something to eat downstairs,” Léopold suggested. Hastily, he strode across the room, away from both Laryssa and the crib and put his hand on the door handle. He didn’t want to discuss his feelings about children with anyone. Foolishly, he’d let his guard down around Laryssa.
“What?” she asked, startled by his change in tone. Is he angry with me?
“I said we need to go,” he responded coldly. Like a vault, he’d successfully closed his heart and mind shut from Laryssa.
Wynter opened the door, surprising them both. “How’s she doing?”
“Ah, Wynter. Thank goodness you’re here. We can’t leave Ava unattended, not even for a minute. Laryssa and I are going to get going. We need to stop at her home to get her things.” Léopold was grateful for the interruption.
“I see you got Ava down. I think I’m gonna take a nap while she’s sleeping. I’ll tell you, you sure seem to have the magic touch with babies, Léopold. Who would’ve thought? Big bad vampire is a softy,” Wynter sang in a baby voice while tucking in the sides of the blanket, making sure Ava was comfortable, and didn’t catch the look of disdain that washed over Léopold’s face. “Well make sure you get some of the jambalaya I made. There’re bowls out on the countertop. Or you can take some with you to go.”
“I’m really not hungry….” Laryssa started to say, upset with Léopold’s apparent shift in mood.
“I’ll make sure she eats something,” Léopold replied and gestured for Laryssa to leave the room. “Come, pet.”
“Not a dog,” Laryssa snapped, walking past him toward the steps.
“Excuse me?” he asked.
“You heard me.”
“I never said you were an animal.” He knew full well why she was angry with him. It was better this way. As much as he wanted her, he could never give her what she needed.
“Yeah, right. Next time, I suppose you’ll blow a whistle. Better go find a breeder if you’re lookin’ for a pet.”
Léopold snorted in response, but didn’t let her see the small smile that he couldn’t keep from curling upward. She was a little spitfire, one he knew was going to give him a few burns before the week was done. Damn, he wished he could keep her in his life, but it’d never work. It was better to keep her angry than aroused. Once this was all over, he could leave her with little fallout.
They’d ridden in virtual silence from Laryssa’s apartment. She continued to bite her tongue as they pulled into the gated driveway of his enormous lakeside mansion. Struggling with her feelings, Laryssa found it difficult to understand how she’d let the charismatic vampire take over her life within the past twenty-four hours. When she looked into his piercing dark eyes, it was as if he’d reached into her chest and stolen every ounce of self-control she’d ever had. He made her want to do things, very naughty things…to him, with him. She’d never responded so viscerally to any man, let alone a supernatural. Instead of remaining cool and collected, controlling her energy and her body’s reactions to him, she’d lost her concentration. She’d let him arouse her, and then anger her, freeing her power, exposing her abilities for the first time.
The way he commanded the others within the Alpha’s home left her in awe. They’d both feared and respected him. But it was how he revealed his gentility with Ava that stole her heart. She wasn’t stupid. She suspected that he’d killed over the centuries. An immortal didn’t live as long as he had without doing so. Yet he fed and rocked the baby as naturally if he was her father. The simple act divulged more about Léopold than anything else he’d said or done. Beneath his hardened exterior, goodness resided. The anger he’d expressed when she’d asked him about having children was preceded by a brief flicker of grief in his eyes. He may not have intentionally shown it, but the fact he couldn’t look at her told her that he was hiding something, something that was so painful that he’d reacted like a hurt animal. What Léopold didn’t know about her was that she wouldn’t accept his refusal. Perhaps she wasn’t thinking with her head, but she was determined to get to know her beautiful vampire.
Like it or not, Léopold Devereoux would learn to open up to her, to trust her. There was no other way she could justify revealing her true nature to another soul. She needed to know that Léopold was worthy of her secret, not just seeking to protect Ava. If he was simply after her powers, she’d still help him, but she couldn’t risk becoming intimate with him. It would be nearly impossible to resist his charms, she knew, but she sought more than just a roll in the hay. If she gave him her body, she’d have a difficult time protecting her heart.
Laryssa’s thoughts were interrupted when Léopold opened the car door for her. A perfect gentleman, she thought. So many years on this Earth had certainly taught him about the finer things in life. She ran her fingers over the soft leather seat one more time before exiting. As she reached for her overnight bag behind the seat, Léopold’s hands brushed over hers.
“Allow me,” Léopold told her, easily lifting it.
“I can carry my bag,” she protested.
“Well of course you can, but I insist. You’re my guest. This way.” Without arguing further, he walked up to the front door and flipped open a biometric security pad. “I usually park in the garage, but since you’re here with me…”
He didn’t finish his sentence as he twisted the doorknob, gesturing for her to go ahead of him. “I don’t have many people over, but you’ll be comfortable.”
“It’s lovely,” Laryssa responded, trying to act nonchalant as she entered his home.
It wasn’t as if she hadn’t toured a Garden District mansion, but Léopold’s home was spectacular. A large foyer with a circular staircase led directly into a great room. Spacious and contemporary, cathedral ceilings gave way to a wall of floor to ceiling windows. The kitchen, with its white cabinets and white marbled countertops, separated the area with a large breakfast bar. Modern cream-colored leather sofas offset the dark cherry floors. A two-story white stone fireplace climbed the far wall.
Laryssa couldn’t help but think how ironic it was that Léopold’s home was so airy and open yet he himself was quite the opposite, mysterious and enigmatic. She wondered if this was how he saw himself or perhaps it was how he wanted to be. Reflecting on his caring behavior with the child, she knew there was more to him than his role as protector and leader. As she entered the great room, she supposed that although the décor was understated, it presented a flair for the dramatic. As she took in the room, she noticed, however, that it also appeared impersonal. Unlike her tiny apartment which was decorated with pictures she’d taken on vacation and places she loved, aside from a few pieces of art, there was nothing to indicate who lived here or what they did. His home was like a floor
model, modern and inviting, but still not quite finished.
As she approached the windows, she couldn’t help but press her hands against the glass. Water. Its call was undeniable. Before she had a chance to ask about the lake, lights flickered outside, revealing a large rectangular Olympic-sized swimming pool with a semicircular wading pool with fountain. Multicolored lights sparkled within the azure water, appearing to dance in the night. Magnificent as it was, it was the prize lying beyond the pool, waiting for her, that captured her attention.
As she tried to contain her excitement, exhaustion washed over her. She felt drained, in need of its healing. If she didn’t tell Léopold soon, she’d have to sneak out into the night air to find the restorative liquid. Like air, she needed the lake’s water to survive.
“You like to swim? You’re welcome to use the pool while you’re here,” Léopold commented, watching her out of the corner of his eye.
“Swim?”
“The pool. You’re a diver. One can only assume you like the water if you dive on a regular basis,” Léopold said, taking the takeout container he’d brought from Logan’s. He walked into the kitchen, setting it into the microwave. Léopold worked in the kitchen, all the while aware of her every move.
Laryssa’s reticence hadn’t surprised him during the drive. He’d driven her to it after she’d asked about him having children. His response had been meant to silence her, and now that he’d done what he’d set out to do, he found he missed the sound of her voice. He’d turned on the outside lighting, thinking she’d caught a glimpse of the pool area. But she seemed preoccupied with something else altogether. This woman, this creature, what was she?
She was clearly lost in her thoughts; he observed how she was bent toward the window, her hands spread against it. Her pert bottom peeked at him through the pair of skin-tight jeans she’d changed into at her apartment. Léopold shifted his legs as his dick hardened at the sight of her well-rounded ass. He inwardly groaned, picturing himself peeling them off then driving into her from behind while her firm breasts pressed onto the cold glass.
Merde, I shouldn’t have brought her here. Léopold shook his head in disgust with his lack of discipline. True, he needed to get laid, but not with her. His instincts told him that there was something about Laryssa that would shake his carefully constructed world, and that simply could not happen. He wouldn’t let himself fall any deeper into her spell. Pulling out his cell phone, he tapped out a text to Arnaud. Food and a fuck would solve his problem. If he didn’t sate his hunger, it wouldn’t be long before he had Laryssa stripped bare, with his cock buried deep inside her.
The microwave beeped, thankfully distracting him from the tempting thought. He reached in and pulled out the bowl, setting it on the counter.
“Sit.”
Laryssa turned her head toward him and glared.
“Sit please,” he replied with a sarcastic tone. “Come pet, you need to eat. See? It’s Wynter’s jambalaya. Smells delicious.”
“Are you always this bossy?” Laryssa asked, irritated that he continued to give her orders. She considered telling him to go to hell but her stomach rumbled, reminding her that she truly was hungry “Can’t you just say, ‘your dinner is ready?’ No, I get, ‘sit.’ Listen, Leo, if you plan on keeping me here, I’ll repeat it once more…contrary to your belief that I’m some kind of a dog or servant, I’m neither.”
“I can see quite clearly that you aren’t. As for being ‘bossy’ as you put it, I am the boss, no? It is what it is. You cannot change the moon or the stars, nor can you change the man.” Léopold sighed. Oui, maybe I am an arrogant prick. Little rabbit better get used to it, though, because I’m not changing for a woman, especially one who won’t be in my life very long.
“Why am I not surprised that you’d compare yourself to the universe?” she huffed and sat down at the breakfast bar. She looked down and saw that not only had he heated her food, he’d given her a neatly folded cloth napkin, utensils and bottle of water. She closed her eyes and tried to quell the pang of guilt for calling him bossy. Despite his cavalier attitude, he was trying. “Thank you. It smells great.”
“Would you like wine?” Léopold selected one of his favorite reds from a wrought iron rack on the wall.
“No thank you,” she answered, picking up her spoon.
“Oui, I do think you need some wine. This is a lovely Pinot Noir I picked up in New Zealand a few months ago.” Léopold proceeded to retrieve a couple of glasses from the cabinet and opened the bottle. After pouring a generous portion, he slid the glass in front of her and smiled.
Laryssa watched as he completely ignored her answer. Did he not just hear me say ‘no’? But of course he did. Despite his actions, there was no denying how incredibly sexy she found his confidence. Acquiescing to his suggestion, she shook her head and picked the glass up, taking a sip. As the dark fruity flavors coated her tongue, she closed her eyes, enjoying its excellent pairing with her meal. It had been a God awful day, and she relaxed as the delicious nectar began to take the edge off. Her eyes snapped open and she silently swore. Damn him. Did he have to be right about everything? The soft rumble of his laughter filled the room and she knew she’d been caught.
“Good, no?”
“Okay, yes, the wine is wonderful. And even though I said no, and you ignored me, you were right about it. What about you? Aren’t you eating?” Laryssa could’ve smacked herself right after she asked such a fatuous question. Food for vampires? As in blood. It wasn’t as if she was volunteering, but as she watched his mouth break into a broad smile, she couldn’t refute that she desired his lips on her skin.
“Brave one, mon petit lapin.” He held his glass up to the light and swirled it. “I do love the finer culinary delights of humanity but I’m afraid only sang will keep me alive. The wine is delectable, but it doesn’t suffice.”
“And the food…real food?”
“Real food?” Léopold laughed and placed his drink on the counter before catching Laryssa’s eyes. “It’s all a matter of perspective. Blood…warm blood from a living human is what I require…crave.”
“You don’t scare me,” Laryssa said, willing her hands not to shake.
“It’s not my intention. You asked. I’m answering. A simple conversation. Besides,” he returned to his wine. “I don’t kill to eat. I do, however, prefer live donors. I can afford it, so why not?”
“As in people?”
“It’s who I am. There’s no denying my nature.” Léopold circled around the bar until he was behind Laryssa. He set his glass next to hers and slid his fingers down through her hair.
“But why not just get bagged blood or whatever that stuff is they have at Mordez?” Laryssa asked but didn’t really care. The second he touched her, she lost her concentration, falling back into his hands, but stopped short of purring like a kitten.
“Why should I when I can have what I really want? When I want. How I want it,” he whispered into her ear. His hands fell to her shoulders. “If you could have what you want, wouldn’t you take it? Relish the experience. Just be who you are. No living in fear or shame.”
Laryssa could feel her muscles melt as he massaged her neck. Oh dear God, I’m never going to be able to deny him. What was he saying? Did he ask what I wanted? That’s an easy answer; I want him. Ah, but it was that small detail about telling him who she was that was going to be a bit of an issue.
“I don’t know what that’s like,” she managed to say. Losing herself in his touch, she moaned. “I want to be free, but I can’t.”
“Tell me what you are, ma chérie. Free yourself.”
“Quid pro quo. Tell me why you got upset with me. I asked if you’d always been good with children and you shut me down.”
Léopold released her and walked across the room, gazing out the windows. Laryssa jumped up from her seat, following him.
“Oh no you don’t. Not again,” she scolded. “You expect me to tell you everything about me, but I ask a simple question,
and you get angry. Well, I’ve got news for you. I’m not laying it all on the line unless you do the same. You want me to trust you with something that is really important to me, but you won’t even tell me why you’re so good with a baby that I’d think you actually had one.”
Léopold had a family? A child? Laryssa knew instantly the minute she’d pressed the issue, and he’d gone as stiff as a board. But why hide it? Were they missing? No, they were dead.
Léopold said nothing as her words fell through the air, tearing open old wounds. The woman made him crazy. He should have just left her in that damn antique shop. She hadn’t given him any reason to think she could really help him protect Ava. He’d never needed anyone, yet he was acting like he needed her. He contemplated grabbing his car keys and driving her right back to the French Quarter where she belonged. He was about to walk over to the door when he felt her hands on his back.
“I’m sorry,” she whispered.
“There’s nothing to be sorry for.”
“Really, I’m sorry. If you’d just told me…”
“Like you’ve told me what you are and how you got that way?” he snapped, turning to face her.
“That’s different. You don’t understand. I don’t tell anyone. There’s been no one. Don’t you get how badly I want to trust you? You don’t even know, do you?” Laryssa countered. She looked to the floor, wringing her hands. “I can’t just tell you what you want to know. I want to tell you but we need to have trust. Bossing me around isn’t trust, Leo. I need more.”
“More? I’ve brought you to my home. There are things about me you don’t know, Laryssa. I’ve lived a long time.”
“Yes, but when two people are building a friendship, a relationship…” Laryssa cringed at the use of the ‘r’ word but whether it was romantic or not, it was what she required in order to tell him the truth.
