by Grosso, Kym
“Luca, are you feeling all right?” She reached over and put her hand on his arm.
Luca flinched at her touch, but Kat held firm. “I never thought I’d see the day when a vampire was jumpy. Too much coffee, dear?” she teased.
Hearing the term of endearment, Samantha’s eyes flashed up and held Luca’s gaze. Her tight-lined mouth and intense stare told Luca all he needed to know about what Samantha thought of Kat.
Pulling his arm away from Kat, Luca unbuckled his seatbelt and stood up. “I’m fine. Just have a lot on my mind. I’m going back to the office to make a few calls. I want to make sure Marcel is ready for you and that Kade and Sydney are aware of our ETA,” he responded. He made his way toward the back of the plane and shut the office door.
Kat looked over at Samantha, who gazed out the window into the darkness of night. “Okay, I know witches don’t have night vision, so what could possibly be so interesting out there? You’ve been boring a hole into the window ever since we left.”
“Huh? Yeah, well, it’s better than staring at you all. I feel caged up in this tiny excuse for a plane,” Samantha replied tersely. She hadn’t meant to sound so rude, but she was losing patience with the situation.
“You can put your claws back in, kitty-cat. What’s everyone’s problem around here, anyway?” Kat was taken off guard by Samantha’s snarky attitude.
“Sorry, Kat. I just need to get this over with and done. I guess I’m just nervous,” she lied. “So, what’s with you and Luca? I was supposed to stay in his guest room when we get there, but I can go to the coven if that’d make you all more comfortable.” She silently cursed herself for asking, but she couldn’t take not knowing what was going on between the two of them. Were they lovers? Engaged?
“No need, I’m going to my brother’s house. Marcel. He’s the Alpha in New Orleans. I…I’ve been having a bit of guy trouble lately,” she continued, looking out the window and then back to Samantha. “There’s this Alpha in New York. He wants me as his mate. Tristan and I have both told him it’s so not happening, but wolves don’t always play fair. I’m worried he might try to take me. So, I figured I’d go see my other brother, and have him talk with my persistent suitor. Two brothers are better than one. Plus, I’ll get to go wolf for a while down there, run with the pack in the bayou. I miss it.”
Samantha studied Kat’s face, confused by why she needed to escape to New Orleans and why Luca wouldn’t just help her if they were together. It didn’t make sense.
“But what about Luca? Why can’t you just tell the New York Alpha you’re with him?” she asked.
“Samantha, I’m not sure what you think you saw at Eden, but Luca and I are not mated, nor will we ever be. We’re just very good friends who enjoy a good roll in the hay every now and then. Don’t get me wrong, the man is yummy, but I should not have to lie about my relationship in order to rebuff an overly assertive Alpha who doesn’t know the meaning of respect.” Kat was starting to put two and two together. Samantha’s cold demeanor; Luca’s distant emotions combined with his lack of desire upstairs at Eden; his evident angst. Luca and Samantha were involved. It was all starting to make sense.
Samantha’s eyes pricked with tears hearing Kat practically admit they’d had sex. She wanted to tear off her seatbelt and parachute out of the plane, so she could be anywhere but near the two of them. She managed to get control and took a deep swallow.
“It’s none of my business, Kat. I’m glad you could get a ride with Luca so you’d be safe on your way to your brother’s.” Samantha tried to sound gracious, but in reality, she wanted to vomit. Part of her liked Kat, which made it all the worse knowing her and Luca had slept together.
“Hey, Samantha. I just…” Kat searched for the right words. “I just want you to know that Luca and I did not have sex today. I mean, I did come, but that was all. Oh God, that didn’t come out right. Geez. Okay, it’s like this. The man has got to eat. And I offered. And sure, I was hoping to get my freak on with him a little. I am single, after all. I mean, I had no idea you were together or anything. If I’d known, I would have never…”
“We are not together,” Samantha spat out.
“Whatever you say, but I want you to know the truth. Luca, he didn’t. We didn’t. He just fed. Sure, I came but that’s just a side effect of his bite. I’m sorry,” Kat apologized. She came over to where Samantha was sitting and sat crosslegged in front of her on the floor. She placed her hands on Samantha’s knees.
“Samantha, Tristan told me all about you, ya know. I thought we could be friends, because I know what it’s like…what happened to you. Well, a very long time ago, it happened to me too. God, it seems hard to talk about even now.” She rubbed her eyes and raked her fingers through her hair. “Simone. She took me too. And others. Tristan went to Kade for help. He and Luca found me. Luca dragged me out of that hell hole and brought me back to Marcel. We share a special bond because of that, he and I. And now, you and I. All I’m saying is that it gets better over time.”
Samantha felt like a jerk for being so jealous and mean-spirited towards her. Maybe not Luca, because he damn well knew how she’d felt at the cabin.
“Kat,” Samantha put her hands out to Kat’s. “Thanks. No one else could possibly know what it’s been like for me, and it helps to know there’s someone else on God’s green earth who understands what happened to me. It’s been difficult.” She blew out a breath and continued. “As for Luca, I wasn’t lying. We really aren’t together. We just shared a moment, and I thought it meant more than it did. But I appreciate you telling me what’s going on with you two. As much as it pains me to admit it, I felt…I felt upset.” It was the best Samantha could do at the moment.
“Hey, don’t worry ‘bout it. Whatever’s goin’ on with Luca, I suspect it wasn’t ‘just a moment’ as you put it. I mean, he seems wound tighter than a two dollar watch. And for that man to turn down sex with moi,” she laughed, “he’d have to either be a damn fool or starting to fall for someone else. And I’m guessin’ the latter, girl.”
Samantha smiled, feeling like a weight had been lifted off her. She might not know where she really stood with Luca, but it felt good to bond with another woman.
“Thanks, Kat. The only thing I’m sure of right now is that I’ve got to stay safe and help find whoever wants me dead. Piece of cake, right?” she joked, just as Luca came through the door.
He raised a questioning eyebrow at Kat as she buckled herself back into her seat. “Everything okay here?” he asked.
“Fine,” both women answered at once. They both laughed and looked out the window.
The air in the plane felt lighter, but he wasn’t sure what’d just transpired between the two very special supernatural ladies. He’d been on the earth for over two hundred years and still couldn’t say he understood women. He did understand enough, though, to know he’d be having a very long conversation with Samantha when they got home.
Kat hugged Samantha tightly, before getting into the waiting limo. They had exchanged email and phone numbers so they could stay in touch. Luca waited until Samantha was done before embracing Kat. He was worried about the situation with the New York Alpha, but knew she’d be safe with Marcel.
“Listen, Kat. Call me if you need anything. I talked to Marcel, and he’s going to help straighten out this mess.” He kissed the top of her forehead. “Now, get going little wolf. Make sure those gators don’t get your tail in the bayou,” he teased as she ducked into the limo and shut the door.
Samantha and Luca got into the back of the other limo, and she purposefully put space between them by sitting on the side which faced the trunk. She was still irritated with him and questioned his intentions, but at the same time, she couldn’t help noticing how great he looked tonight in his loose fit blue jeans and black t-shirt. His biceps were exquisitely carved, and she noticed he had a black tribal tattoo on the right one. She remembered the strength of his arms holding her up in the water, and wondered what it would be l
ike if he bit her. Would she offer herself?
Her thoughts were broken when Luca shifted and sat beside her. She felt his jeans brush her bare leg, and struggled to act nonchalant.
“What are you doing?” she asked.
“What does it look like I’m doing? I’m sitting next to you,” he smiled at her.
She shot him a look of annoyance. Moving closer to the window, she tried not to let her bare leg touch him again.
“So little witch, I think you and I need to have a bit of a talk,” he said.
“Don’t call me that,” she insisted.
“You are testy, aren’t you?” He took a deep breath. She wasn’t going to make this easy. “I’m sorry for what happened at Eden.”
“For what?” she feigned ignorance.
“Let’s not play games,” he countered.
“Games? Games? I don’t know what you are even talking about, Luca.” Samantha’s normally soft voice was growing louder and louder.
“Yes, games. I know you’re mad at me, and I know why. I just want to talk about it, so we can…”
“So we can what, Luca? What? I mean, this morning at the cabin we kissed; that was all. You don’t owe me any explanations. Besides, Kat told me everything,” she interrupted.
“Did she now?” he chuckled. Women. “I told you when I went to Eden I needed to feed. I prefer to have live donors. You see, when vampires feed…” He stopped himself from explaining any further as she looked straight at him and held up her hand to him.
“Just stop. I don’t want to know,” she stated.
“Okay, well here’s the bottom line. Kat and I are friends who’ve known each other a very long time. I’m not going to lie to you, Samantha. In the past, we’ve been lovers, but we have never been a couple. And today, I just…I just needed to feed. And as much as I would love to taste your sweet blood, and believe me, I would, Kat was there.”
“And you were going to make love to her?” Samantha asked.
“Yes,” Luca answered quietly and truthfully. “But Samantha, I didn’t.” He reached over to run his fingers along the side of her face, and she brushed his hand away.
“But you wanted her?” Samantha challenged.
“No, Samantha, that’s the thing. I wanted you,” he whispered. He moved back to sit across from her as the car pulled into the driveway. Samantha’s eyes widened in disbelief, and he wasn’t sure what else he should say in the few minutes they’d have in the car. He decided to wait until they got settled before continuing the conversation.
Samantha didn’t know how to respond. She was confused. Why would he take Kat instead of her if he did indeed want her like he said? She tried to think of how she would have reacted if Luca had asked her to let him feed from her. Would she have said yes or have gone running in the other direction? As much as she liked him, she couldn’t honestly say that she would have said yes. She felt so raw from her abduction that she just wasn’t sure she could trust someone to bite her, to risk putting herself in danger, to risk pain.
As they pulled into the Issacson compound, she gaped at the huge southern Victorian mansion. She didn’t remember leaving there, but could still remember the luxurious prison cell accommodations located in the lower level of the home. She couldn’t help but wonder what the rest of the place looked like.
The car circled around the front of the mansion and took a small, almost hidden road that was lined with breathtaking, majestic live oak trees. The private road went on for about one hundred feet until they reached a secondary Greek revival styled mansion, which was equally impressive, with its white columned entrance greeting its guests.
As the limo stopped, Luca got out of the car and offered his hand to Samantha. She stepped out of the car, and silently followed him to his home. At the front door, he flipped open a security panel, typed in a code and placed his face and palm into the box. Within seconds, the lock clicked open.
Samantha was impressed. “Biometric facial recognition, iris security and palm identification?”
Luca smiled. She was sexy and smart. “Yeah, well, you can’t be too careful. Unlike Kade, I don’t have any security personnel working in my home. What you can’t see is the instantaneous DNA detection in the palm identifier. Look.” He pointed to a black panel with a neon green outline of a hand on it. “It’s hard to see, but there’s a microscopic needle that extends into the thumb of the user. Facial recognition is great, and while this software is essentially hack-proof, there’s still a small percentage of failure.”
“Yeah, I read hackers have been trying to demonstrate failure. Even though it’s a small percentage, I could see how if you were to invest in such a system you’d want redundancy,” she commented.
As they walked into the foyer, Samantha was amazed to see Luca’s finely decorated home, adorned with antiques and paintings. “Wow, Luca, your home is beautiful. It looks like a museum in here,” she gasped.
“Thanks. I don’t use the upper levels, though. It’s pretty much for show. If I entertain, I use this first floor area for guests. But I don’t live up here. Come on, follow me.” Luca walked down a short hallway, punched another security code into the wall, and a door with an antiqued face opened. “This is it. Ladies first.” He held out his hand to usher her down.
Motion detector lights illuminated the circular oak staircase which deposited them into a great room, which appeared more as Samantha had expected Luca’s style to be; an ultra-modern bachelor’s dream: sleek with minimal décor. A single chrome wall ran the length of the area; it was decorated with black and white still-life photos. The other three whitewashed brick walls complemented the cherry hardwood floors. A large overstuffed black leather sectional sofa directly faced a ninety-inch flat screen TV. Across from the living area, a half-moon, black granite bar swept around a small kitchen area. Royal-blue, spiral-shaped lights hung down from the ceiling from fine silver chains; the delicate illumination danced and reflected across the chrome walls.
His home screamed masculinity, refinement, and wealth. Yet as he tossed his phone on the bar, and pulled open the refrigerator, he seemed casual, relaxed and very much at home.
“So, this is where I spend most of my time. You can stay upstairs in the guest room, but I’d prefer it if you stay down here with me. I don’t sleep much, so you can stay in the master bedroom, and I’ll take the couch.” He pulled out two bottles of water and set them on the counter.
Samantha ran her hand across the bar and sat down on one of the black and chrome stools. “Are you sure, Luca? It’s bad enough that I agreed to stay with you. I feel badly putting you out of your bed.” Luca. Bed. As she said the two words in a sentence she realized she’d much rather be saying a different sentence with those two words. Luca, take me to bed. She blushed, grabbed the water, opened it and drank it slowly, while looking up at Luca.
He could sense what she was thinking, and he needed to take this opportunity to set things straight with her. She was in his home now; his domain. He had control, and she was his. He walked around the bar, put his hands on her shoulders and began to rub her neck. Inhaling her feminine scent, he instantly hardened.
“What I said in the car, I meant. It’s important we’re clear.” He continued massaging her as she released a tiny moan of pleasure.
“Today at the lake, I did not forget what had happened between us. How could I forget? But you must understand. For over two hundred years, there has been no one for me. Lovers, yes. But human lovers have been far and few between. I don’t do relationships. And now, there is you.” He shook his head, but she couldn’t see because she held her head downward as he caressed her muscles. “Today at Eden when I saw you in the hallway, I felt guilty. I know that isn’t what a woman wants to hear, but I could not ask you to let me feed from you. And I know Kat, and well…she was there. And if I’m being honest, I was trying to forget you.”
Samantha slowly raised her head but just stared forward, afraid to look at him. “Why forget me?”
L
uca stilled his hands and his breath hitched. He slowly swiveled her stool around so she was facing him. She instinctively reached out and placed her hands on his hips, but kept her head down.
“Because, my dear Samantha,” he cupped her face, tilting her head upward to meet his gaze. “I want you more than I’ve ever wanted any woman in my life, and it scares the living hell out of me.”
Luca took Samantha’s hands, gently lifting her onto her feet. Reaching around the nape of her neck, he ran his fingers into her hair and pulled her towards him. Luca kissed her slowly, hungrily, wanting to savor her intoxicating essence. She was everything he remembered from the lake and more. So soft and pliant; he couldn’t wait to sink himself deep within her.
A thousand butterflies danced in Samantha’s tummy in anticipation of making love to Luca. She opened her lips as his mouth engulfed hers. He wanted to be with her. No, there would be no other women, just her. She’d decided in that moment to give herself to him, body, soul and blood.
Their tongues intertwined with one another as the kiss deepened, and Samantha rose on her toes, pressing herself tightly against his muscular torso. She could feel the hardness of his arousal against her belly and the growing ache between her legs.
Swiftly, Luca picked Samantha up, one arm behind her back and one under her knees. For a brief second, they stopped their kiss to gaze into each other’s eyes. Samantha saw the fire burn within his eyes as they quickly flashed from green to red. This was who she wanted: her vampire. She reached up, cupped his cheek and let her pointer finger slide down into his mouth. He roared in erotic lust as his fangs elongated, and she stroked one of them.
“Samantha, are you sure?” he asked in a breathy, rugged tone. He was close to losing control, finally giving into his desire for his witch.
