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"From what I've heard, you are not bound unless you return his bite." Summer slanted Ciara a knowing look. "And yes ... I know full well what it's like living life under a secret." Ciara appeared taken aback for a moment. Obviously she hadn't given Summer much credit for paying attention to the facts surrounding Dunalino. Nonetheless, her setback didn't last long.
"Why would any woman want to bite one of these blooddragons just to become one of them? I am not fond of the taste of blood, let alone setting myself up to be bound by their fate." Ciara leaned forward, her eyes narrowed with suspicion. "So you're not Little Miss Innocent like the guys said. What secret haunts you, Summer?"
"One that is dead and buried."
"You're not going to tell me?"
"My past is nobody's business except mine and Savion's."
"You're a lot tougher than you look." Ciara's freckled face wrinkled into an expression of puzzlement. 160
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"Just because I came from a rich country home doesn't mean I grew up in Disney Land."
"Old skeletons have a way of coming back to haunt ... are you sure Savion knows everything about you?" She looked away from Summer to reach for more fruit. "I ... we, wouldn't want him getting hurt again."
Summer felt the muscles in her face tighten but controlled her rising ire over the accusatory undertone in this woman's voice. She slammed her hand down over Ciara's, knocking the fruit off her fork.
"Worry about your own ghosts. I have mine well under control."
Ciara's eyes flashed with mixed emotion, causing Summer to wonder about her true objectives. They glared at each other in what felt like a battle of the minds.
"Play nice, girls," Page teased upon reentering the kitchen with Kacie. "We don't want the men to get grumpy." Page's return drew a sigh of relief from Summer. Ciara had her feeling slightly stressed. The four women sat around a table snacking on the elaborate fruit tray, dipping the succulent treats into various fruit dips.
Naturally they were curious about Summer and her background. She did her best to field their inquisitions without revealing her dark past or the recent incidents in Los Angeles.
* * * *
In the other room Savion was under scrutiny as well. His friends wanted to know everything about Summer and how they'd met.
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Blaze leaned back, casually resting one foot over his knee.
"Tell us, Savion, wherever did you find that lovely lady?"
"I took out a personal ad." Savion smirked while sipping his drink.
"Why so hush-hush? Everyone knows about Nahtosha and your quest to find the Senhora Do Sangue."
"It doesn't matter where I found Summer. She's had a rough past, and I'd prefer to uphold her respect by keeping personal matters private."
"What?" Blaze persisted with quizzically raised brows.
"Was she sold into slavery as a child? Kept locked in a castle?
We know her blood is pure. There isn't a man on Dunalino that didn't pick up her scent when she walked off the plane this morning. What's the big secret?" Knowing Blaze was fishing for the energy source used to locate Summer, Savion protected his thoughts.
"Maybe you used those auctions to put out a call," Blaze taunted. "We're well aware of your supernatural abilities." Savion stared over the rim of his glass without blinking. He finished his rum and Coke in one gulp. "How about bringing in the ladies? I think they've had enough time to get acquainted."
Reece and Miles had been sitting in quiet observation enjoying their drinks and a bit of smoke. Savion politely declined the stick being passed around. He wanted to maintain control over his mental energy lest someone try to steal into his psyche.
Temporarily daunted, Blaze left the room to call on the women. Savion turned his attention to his other bandmates. 162
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"Any luck in persuading your ladies to take the leap?" he asked them.
Reece shook his head. "Ciara wants no part of that aspect. She's quite agreeable to receiving my bite though. No complaints, mate. She keeps me well fed."
"Kacie claims it's against her faith to drink blood," Miles added, with a perpetual grin from the effects of dope plastered on his face. "I share Reece's sentiment. As long as she lets me feed to maintain my virility, I'm good with that." Savion felt relieved that Reece and Miles were being taken care of by their women. They appeared fully satisfied. He couldn't understand why Blaze needed to have more. The man had girlfriends put up in swanky villas all over the island. Yet his lust for power overshadowed the many blessings he'd been given. He looked up when Blaze swaggered back into the room with an arm draped over Summer and Page, followed by Ciara and Kacie.
"I think Summer would be much more comfortable in cooler clothes. It's bloody hot in here. How about Page takes her upstairs to slip into something a little less ... constricting," Blaze suggested.
Summer shrugged his arm away. "No, really. I'm fine." She went to Savion and snuggled onto his lap. "Experts say to wear white in hot weather. And this little top is very light ... practically like wearing nothing at all." Her comment raised a few eyebrows before she realized how it must've sounded. Heat crept over her face but in the dimly lit room she doubted they saw her blush. 163
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Savion grinned with delight before kissing her neck, tightening his arms around her waist. "See that, Blaze? My baby's just fine."
"Hm." Blaze rubbed his clean-shaven chin thoughtfully.
"How about a bit of fun? Remember the game we used to play a few years back?"
The room became deathly silent.
After a short time of awkward silence, Page spoke. "That's not very nice, Blaze. You know Paula left him because of that silly game."
"Not my fault she didn't want to play. He's got a woman ready and willing now." Blaze shot a glance Summer's way.
"Take a look at her lovely neck." Page didn't like where he was leading. "I don't think it's a good idea. This is Summer's first party. Back off for heaven's sake."
"We haven't played as a group for years," Ciara piped up.
"Now that Savion has a partner, it'll be fun. Like old times. And it's not silly! After all, if it weren't for that crazy game we'd have never known that our blood gave the men back their potency. I think we'd have a blast enjoying bites from the other men again ... especially since Savion can play now."
"You've become a vampire slut." Page scowled. "You'd let any man bite your neck."
"There's no harm in giving the other men a treat. They enjoy the highs from the love-bites." Ciara wore a smug expression while stirring a pitcher of cocktails. "Reece doesn't mind sharing me ... unlike other men." 164
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Page shot Reece a fiery look, who shrugged with a relaxed smile.
"She's right, Page," he said. "As long as Ciara keeps me fed, I've no objections to her sharing with the other island males. They help out here too. Wouldn't hurt you to let down a bit and share the wealth."
"I'm selective in who gets a taste of me." Page threw back a shot of rum with an unyielding expression on her face. "I may not be able to control Blaze's lusty appetite for variety. But I sure as hell can decide who sinks their teeth into my skin. I share Blaze with other women ... that's fair enough."
"Well," Ciara said haughtily, "at least the island men don't refer to me as an uptight bitch. I like being popular." Summer sat quietly—taking it all in. Ciara's attitude grated her nerves. She silently prayed the loose woman would never change her mind and decide to bite Reece. If Ciara became a blood-dragon, she would most likely convert many males. Summer wondered how something like that might affect the balance on Dunalino.
Nobody seemed overly disturbed by the bickering. So that's what Kacie meant
by accidentally discovering the power in their love-bites. They must have created some sort of neck-biting game as a result of their cravings. Obviously the bizarre cravings Kacie had mentioned involved the all- consuming desire to taste their blood. Ciara's zeal to receive Savion's bite set Summer on edge.
Blaze was shrewdly putting her on the spot again with his idea to play their old game. Only this time his efforts had sunk to a more sinister level. His motives became clear. By 165
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suggesting they play this game, he hoped to win a chance to bite her neck—for that stolen taste of power Savion had spoken of. And somehow Blaze knew that Ciara would force the issue.
He clearly didn't know that Savion's bites had given her telepathic power at times—because though Blaze had his guard up against Savion, his mind was widely open to Summer.
A chill crept up her spine upon knowing Blaze's obsession with control and his determination to steal her from Savion. Instinctively she nestled closer to her man. Despite the fact that she didn't know the details of their twisted sport, Summer gathered it resembled a drinking game only with neck-biting as the prize. Ciara clearly, from Summer's perspective, had interest in Savion and wanted his bite. Perhaps Blaze is using her as a tool in his attempt to steal a taste of my blood and, moreover, Savion's supreme power. Maybe they are even working together to take Savion from me.
"So ... what do ya say, Summer baby? Feeling lucky tonight?" Blaze stared at her with glimmering eyes. His icy green stare felt quite unsettling.
She needed to come up with a reason not to play and fast, without looking like a snob. If Blaze suspects I am clinging to the clothes, it will confirm his already growing suspicion. I need to throw him off course. Summer didn't need to keep them on her body for protection as long as she and Savion kept a close eye on the garments.
He suspects the clothes. She willed her thoughts to Savion. 166
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Savion gently squeezed her waist with one arm. I thought so. We can't play this game. It's a trick. He's done a bloody good job of putting us on the spot.
"You know what, Blaze?" Summer countered his wicked grin with a modest smile. "You're right. It's very hot in here. Perhaps Page does have something cooler I can slip into." She caught Blaze's look. Read his thoughts. A mix of perplexity and disappointment shadowed the hard lines of his face, as he realized she would find a tactful manner of escaping his attempted trap by slipping away with Page. His eyes darted towards Ciara.
Page stood up. "C'mon, Summer. I'm sure something of mine will fit. I wasn't always this skinny. Not that you're overweight or anything. I wish I had your curves." She gave Summer a sheepish grin.
She glanced at Savion. He nodded in approval. Just as Summer began walking across the room Ciara got to her feet still holding the pitcher of drink.
"Wait." Ciara staggered towards her. "You haven't had one of Blaze's special cocktails yet. Let me get you started." Summer feigned a smile while reaching for the glass filled with pink liquid being offered to her. Suddenly Ciara tripped, then lurched forward, sending the entire carafe of liquid splashing straight over Summer's chest.
"Oh shit! I'm so sorry." Ciara's apology sounded anything but sincere. "I've ruined your clothes. Quick, if we get them into the wash right away the stains will come out." Raising her hand in protest, Summer bit her lip to control her fury over this woman's blatant disrespect. Having known 167
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her for less than a full day, she couldn't completely discern Ciara's character. However, so far Summer had been picking up negative vibes from the feisty redhead.
"No ... thank you. I'd rather clean them myself." Summer pushed Ciara's hands away as she made a feeble attempt to dab the clothes with a towel retrieved from the kitchen.
"Looks like we'll call it an early night." Savion wrapped a protective arm around Summer's shoulders. "We should get these clothes cleaned before that god-awful shade of pink sets in. I have an automatic dry-cleaning unit at my place."
"Ooo, no wonder you always look so chic," Summer remarked.
Page couldn't hide her disappointment over their premature departure as she walked them to the door.
"Sorry your first night turned out so bad," she said, placing a kind hand on Summer's arm. "Ciara can be a nasty wench. I don't know why Reece puts up with her."
"No worries. I've met plenty like her in the past." Summer smiled, then graciously gave Page a cordial hug. "Goodnight."
"Have a good night, you two. See you tomorrow." Page waved as they walked away.
[Back to Table of Contents]
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Nineteen
"Blaze is getting more aggressive," Summer told Savion as they sat on his bed after bathing, waiting for her clothes to go through the dry clean cycle. He had nothing more than a towel covering his most private parts while she wore a light robe loosely secured at the waist.
"He has his thoughts guarded from me. Ever since he realized I could steal into his mind, the only time I'm able to do so is when he's intoxicated. Blaze has been very careful not to indulge in heavy partying since I found you."
"I was able to get inside his head tonight. He doesn't know I have received power from you."
"Tell me what you know, love."
Summer leaned her head against Savion's shoulder and sighed. "His aura is very dark. This telepathy thing is new to me and still a bit murky at times. But Blaze definitely wants to take my blood. Not just for pleasure. He is obsessed with stealing your power and reigning as alpha male."
"I kind of figured that."
"No, you don't understand. Blaze wants you out of the way
... completely. His realm of thinking is sinister ... scary. Does he have a vendetta with you? I was picking up deep-seated anger from him."
Savion considered her words for a moment, then spoke.
"Perhaps. However, I figured he was over that by now. Especially since he has Page and other women on his string. Blaze had a thing for Paula, but she shut him down cold. I 169
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dated her for a long time before we married just to be sure there wasn't anything going on between the two of them. Once I married Paula, Blaze hooked up with Page."
"I think Ciara deliberately dumped that drink on me. And she definitely has the hots for you."
"You think?" Savion sounded mildly surprised. "I've always known she's a bit loose, but she never made a move on me."
"How is it that the men are always unaware of another woman moving in?"
He tilted his head to look into her eyes. "I can't speak for other men. But as for me ... my eyes are on you. So maybe that's why I wouldn't notice another woman's interest unless she came straight on to me."
"I don't know your friends as we've just met. One thing I do know is that Ciara is cold. We almost got into it in the kitchen. She has a very callous attitude."
"I know, love. She's a whore. Nevertheless, as long as Reece wants her around and she doesn't break our violence rule, I won't force her to leave. Reece has been my good friend for over thirty years. He's a good mate and deserves to be happy."
"Oh, I'm not suggesting you do anything of the sort. I can handle her just fine. Perhaps I should keep my female issues to myself."
Tenderly he took her face between his hands. Vivid blue eyes penetrated her soul, making her shiver.
"Baby, you can talk to me about anything. Dunalino can be a wild place. I'll do my best to help you understand our ways."
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She nodded submissively and accepted his kiss. He eased her back onto the soft quilt as his tongue explored her mouth. Smooth. Sensual. His gentle dominance conquered h
er in the most pleasing manner.
" Mon coeur..." he whispered in a sensual purr. His towel fell away as he loosened the tie at her waist.
* * * *
Loud buzzing from the utility room woke them as they lay entwined in a lover's embrace.
"I'll get those," he whispered, reluctantly untangling their bodies. "You just lie here looking beautiful until I return with your clothes."
Rolling onto her stomach, Summer buried her face in his pillow, inhaling the lingering scent of her man. Her first day in Savion's domain—on Dunalino Island. He's right. She smiled with a contented sigh. It certainly can be a wild place to be. The way he made love to her was like beautiful art. Though she'd never known another man intimately, she had no doubt that any could compare to Savion. His skill as a lover mesmerized her—snowed her under with mind-blowing pleasure. Surely she'd become addicted to him in every sense. Every breath she took lured her deeper into his charm. Each time his scent floated over her—whether from a light touch or his just walking by—heightened her need to join with him. Just breathing in the heady, light musk aura from his clothes or bedding aroused her.
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navel. He is so gorgeous! The sudden urge to bite him—to swallow his blood—hit her like an unexpected tidal wave. She licked saliva from her lips, brushing a hand across her forehead to wipe her damp brow. Heat welled up inside, making her ache with an undeniable need, more compelling than she'd ever felt it before. Is it because I'm in his home?
He stopped abruptly upon observing her intense expression and physical indications. Dark blue eyes shimmered with desire. Moist, luscious lips slightly pouted—
ready to suck his blood. Beads of sweat covered her satiny, ivory skin, making her virtually sparkle in the candlelit room. Her body, barely concealed by a satin sheet, trembled with evident hunger. He felt her crushing urge—her need to bite. Their gazes locked for a silent exchange of thought. He laid the clothes carefully at the foot of the bed, then swept her into his arms. Immediately her mouth went to his neck. She nipped and sucked, creating a tingling sensation that permeated his being.
