by Bonnie Vanak
That’s what I’m afraid of, she thought.
Chapter 6
The next day proved torturous for Lucien as he worked with Mara.
She’d slept in his room all night. Resisting the temptation to join her in bed, he sat in the living room watching television. He needed little sleep and fed only once a month, though he could use a little nourishment. Not willing to leave Mara unprotected, he channel surfed, trying to ignore the fragrance of her scent.
Her lush body was sweet and hot, the taste of her mouth had rushed to his head and loins. Lucien had never been aroused so quickly. After two thousand years of existence, few women could stir his jaded soul. But his soul was already stained by the blood of another Darklighter. And he’d vowed he’d never let it happen again.
This is why it’s better to remain alone, he thought. I must tame her, take her dark powers.
But in taking her darkness, was he removing the spirit that made her strong? Sitting on the couch in his suite, Lucien watched her line dominos on the tile floor, a tedious exercise to teach her patience. As she picked up the last tile with a triumphant smile, he toed one and the rest tumbled down.
Anger darkened her face. “That’s not fair. Put them back. You promised I could go swimming if I set all of them up.”
“I did not promise not to knock them over. Patience, Mara.” He regarded her flushed face. “Dennis Jones is still in Miami, by the way. I saw him in an outdoor cafe when I went to the store to buy the dominos.”
Talons emerged from her fingertips. Her eyes turned blood-red, her lips a thin white line. Snarling, she launched herself across the room.
Lucien flicked a hand and Mara crashed downward. She recovered. He allowed her to tackle him, draw a thin crimson line down one cheek. Spitting, she reached out to swipe him again.
Mara paused, confusion furrowing her brow. Her gaze centered on the blood on his cheek. The demonic features vanished.
Her mouth wobbled tremulously. “I hurt you. Lucien, I hurt you and I didn’t mean it. I’m sorry.”
As she spoke, his wound healed.
“Your demon took over. Rage unleashes it and you lose control.” Lucien hated the bleakness shadowing her face.
“I can’t do this. Every time I get angry, I think of Jones wanting to hurt me. What if I can never learn to control this? I feel so alone.”
“You will. Stop thinking of Jones. It only feeds your demon.”
Her anguish cracked his cold rock of a heart. Gods, he knew what it felt like to be alone and isolated. If he did nothing else in his godsforsaken life, he must help her. Even though his soul rebelled at the idea of entangling his life with a dangerous Darklighter.
And his heart rebelled as well.
Yet Mara looked so woebegone and forlorn, Lucien’s protective instincts surged. He took her into his arms, letting her lean against him for support. How had she survived these years alone, being the caretaker of her sisters, working hard to escape attention?
The solid beat of her heart echoed in his ears. He could feel the blood pump in her veins, her confused grief settle into calm. Feel her soft, warm body meld against his.
His fangs lengthened as his groin hardened. Lucien stroked the silkiness of her hair. He wanted her in his bed, but not his life. She could be the death of him.
“What do you do when you’re angry, Lucien?”
“I count to ten backwards in Latin.”
Mara lifted her face, wrinkled her nose. Enchanted, he laughed and touched her cheek, forging a connection between them. Mara gazed at him with a hopeful look.
“If you’re so intent on subduing my demon, can you at least teach my angelic half how to kick some ass?”
Another crack shattered his cold heart. Lucien smiled, melting at the adorable expression on her heart-shaped face. Damn, she was lovely, and sexy and so tempting. Mating her was dangerous because she had the power to unravel his cold restraint. Mara was getting to him.
“I usually bite their neck. I am a vampire,” he teased.
A pulse beat wildly at the side of her long, slender throat. His fangs ached as he longed put his mouth on her, mark her by taking her blood. She’d taste hot and sweet sliding down his throat.
He toyed with a strand of her silky hair, his gaze heavy-lidded as he regarded his charge. He envisioned sinking his fangs into her soft skin as she clung naked to him, screaming as they copulated in lusty, sweaty sex on his feather mattress.
Or the floor.
Or this sofa.
Those blue eyes pierced his. “Vampires are supposed to be powerful. I’ve heard stories about Lucien the Ancient, who can kill with a single thought. And no one can kill him.”
“No one is totally invincible.”
“You seem so strong.”
He felt a fragile bond of trust grow between them. “Not when I’m headless,” he attempted to joke. “Or facing fire. Both can kill me. Which is why I keep the dinner knives locked up and many fire extinguishers handy.”
“I’m feeling kinda hot myself. Very hot.”
Mara wrapped her arms around his waist. Startled, he realized she was pulling his shirttails out. Her palms slid up his bare back. Lucien’s body tightened with pleasure as she touched him.
As he sank into the yearning in her blue eyes, he only wanted to hold the moment between them, like a glass snow globe. Mara with her angelic sweetness and her demonic passion.
I could fall in love with you.
Sweet mercy, love? Sex was one thing. Emotions, hell no, he couldn’t afford those. Love was lethal.
It killed.
Panic raced up his spine.
He pulled away, steeling himself against the hurt in her eyes. First he’d teach Mara restraint and patience, and regain his lost composure. No sex until he was firmly in control of his emotions.
This Darklighter would not break him as the other had.
For the next two hours, she tested his sexual restraint. He finally went outside to get fresh air and try to cool off.
When Mara stepped onto the balcony, he bit back a groan. She sighed and gave a luxurious stretch, the move pushing her breasts upward.
His fingers itched to touch them, rub their nipples and then encase his mouth over one, enjoying her little moans as he suckled her.
His trousers seemed too binding. He adjusted himself, watching her inhale the briny air, a smile teasing the corners of her wet, red mouth.
Determined to cool down, he engaged her in an animated conversation about her studies, her hopes, her dreams of obtaining a degree in business administration. When he told her his wealth came from being a silent partner in several investment firms, her blue eyes sparkled.
“I want to be an investment advisor,” she confided, pushing back a lock of hair.
“Makes sense. Your demonic side would blend in well on Wall Street.”
Her gurgling laughter sounded full and rich and unabashed. It was the laugh of a woman unafraid of what others thought. Utterly charmed, he leaned over and kissed her.
Her lips were soft and warm beneath the pressure of his. Lucien cupped her face and drank in her mouth, losing himself in her sweetness. His tongue mated with hers as she sighed into his mouth.
She was heady as the finest wine, the richest taste of blood on his tongue. He pulled away, putting distance between them. Giving the excuse of getting drinks for them both, he saw disappointment shadow her face.
Ice clinked in the glasses as he prepared the beverages. Mara was more dangerous than the Society realized, he thought ruefully. She was a lethal weapon.
Awhile later, Lucien suggested a swim to cool off.
For himself, not her, he noted ruefully.
The hotel pool was crowded with model-thin women in thongs and tanned men in clingy bathing suits. Not a family hotel. Not a child in sight. Just adults looking at each other like starved dieters at an all-you-can-eat buffet.
And Mara, treading water at the pool’s side.
The red-and-white ch
ecked bikini she wore hugged every delicious contour of her lush body. When he’d taken her to the hotel gift shop, the bikini was the only suit that fit. He’d preferred a one-piece fit for a modest, maidenly aunt. From the 18th century.
Lucien drew in a deep breath, fighting for his hard-won control. He wanted to spread her wide and take her on the pool deck. Forget all the people splashing in the water, sunning on the lounges. He wanted to make her moan. Make her scream and writhe. Excitement surged through him as he imagined her sweet mouth, swollen and red from his possessive kisses, all over his body. Blood surged thick in his veins, flooding his cock.
He looked at Mara’s dreamy expression. His smile faded as he touched her mind. A black cloud of evil, invisible to all others, misted the air around her.
Despite his express instructions, Mara was thinking about killing Jones. Slowly.
Time for another lesson.
Never test the vampire.
A shadow fell over her, shattering the daydream as if it were glass. Mara looked up, gazing at two well-shaped feet, the curve of muscled calves dusted with dark hair.
Black bathing trunks hugged his lean hips. All six-foot-four inches of yummy vampire hovered over her. Thoughts of Jones gave way to a sharp bolt of desire. Mara closed her eyes against it.
Lucien only wanted to strip away her powers, leave her defenseless and reliant on him. She hadn’t depended on anyone since the day her parents died.
Droplets splashed over her as Lucien executed a perfect dive into the water. She heard several feminine sighs of appreciation as he swam to her side.
More water sailed into her face as he playfully shook his head. Inky black hair plastered to his skull. Then suddenly he pounced. Lucien ducked her under water. With one hand, he held her down.
Another game. Fine. She’d show him. Mara kicked upward. But when he showed no signs of releasing her, panic began. Bubbles expelled as she released a breath. But there was no more air. Only water.
He was drowning her? Here in the hotel pool?
Air, she must have air. Mara struggled, but his superior vampire strength kept her submerged. The darkness rose up, demanding to live. The water began to churn and boil, heating by several degrees. Still, he hung on. Mara’s vision grew grayish. Her lungs screamed for air as her demon struggled to break free.
Let go, a voice whispered.
The white light, edging away the darkness. Prodding her to stop fighting. Every instinct fought against it. The urge to surrender grew stronger. Mara relaxed and let go.
White light poured out of her body, cooling the water instantly and strengthening her body. In a burst of renewed energy, she broke free of his grip. Mara surfaced, gasping and coughing, gulping down wonderful, blessed air.
Her fingers grasped the pool’s edge. When her heart stopped racing, she stared at Lucien.
Bathers had fled the pool, complaining it was too hot. Some returned now, dipping a toe into the water. Lucien looked calm and cool.
“Your demon has kept you alive all this time, Mara? I think not.”
“Bastard,” she choked out, spitting out water. “You tried to drown me.”
“If I wanted you dead, you would be dead,” he said quietly. “It was to prove a point. Your white light killed the flames in the furnace. It gave you strength to break free just now. Your angelic half is your protector, Mara. It’s stronger than your demon, if you will give it a chance.”
Gulping down a shaky breath, she shook her head. He leaned against the edge, his gaze very steady. “You can control your dark side. It can serve a purpose.”
“You don’t think so. All you’ve done is point out the badness.”
“Because you’re using it for evil. Not the other, more pleasurable aspects.” He drew close enough for her to see the swirling darkness in his eyes, droplets of water glittering on his long, black lashes. Lucien touched her wet lips with a fingertip. He traced a line along the plump lower lip.
“Passion. The releasing of inhibition,” he murmured.
Mara gasped as his hand submerged, found the edge of her bikini bottom. He slid inside the tiny triangle of fabric, stroked a finger across her curls. The cleft between her legs suddenly ached. The bikini felt too tight, too restrictive.
“Here, in public?” she managed to choke out.
“You forget my powers. No one can see us. I’ve cast a glamour and can do whatever I wish. And what I wish is…”
Deftly, he pulled her top down. Cool air washed over her cresting nipples. Freed of restrictive cloth, they felt achingly sensitive. Lucien palmed her breasts, rubbing his thumbs over her nipples.
Fighting the pleasure, Mara whipped her head around. No shocked gasps, no avid protests. People swam by, continued sunning as if Lucien gave her nothing more than a friendly peck on the cheek.
Except two lean, wiry men sitting in lounge chairs. In jeans and baseball shirts, they stared with avid interest. Nostrils flared, they sniffed the air as if scenting her arousal. Gooseflesh sprang on her arms as she recognized them.
“Lucien, those men, they’re the same werewolf hunters from the street,” she whispered. “They act as if they can see what you’re doing.”
“They can.” He rubbed circles on her nipples, making the flesh between her legs grow wet and taut. “Hunters are impervious to my glamour.”
“But they can see us!”
“Yes. And the more they see, the better they’ll understand that you’re mine. You’re under my protection, Mara, and no damn hunter will dare approach while I’m with you. Let them watch.”
His wet mouth encased one nipple. Lucien wrapped an arm around her, anchoring her to him. The sharp contrast between the cool air and his warm lips sent heat blasting through her. She fisted her hands in his damp hair, biting back a moan.
He looked up, fierce intent glittering in his gaze. “Go ahead, Mara, scream. No one will hear you but them.”
Lucien climbed out the pool and hoisted her out with one arm. He ripped the bikini bottom free, hoisted her out and laid her on the deck. Naked and vulnerable, she watched him. With a hard look of determination, he pushed her thighs open. She protested with a squeak.
“I told you, release your inhibitions. Relax, Mara,” he murmured.
With his fingers, he spread her wide, staring at her wet core. Warmth coursed through her veins, shuttling away fear.
“You’re so beautiful down here. So wet for me. I want to taste you, Mara, will you let me taste you?”
A moan escaped her as he rubbed a finger over her throbbing clit. She swallowed hard. Nodded. Nothing mattered, the people languidly swimming, hot sun burning down upon them, the wanton openness of being naked and spread open.
Nothing mattered but the man ready to drag his tongue over her center.
A waiter in shorts and a tropical shirt approached. Mara stiffened, but he seemed oblivious to her nudity.
“Would you care for anything to eat or drink?” Pen and pad in hand, the waiter squatted down with eyeshot of one bare breast.
Amusement danced over Lucien’s face. He glanced down at her wet, pink flesh, stroked gently with a finger as if considering. Mara bit back a moan.
“I already have something delicious to dine upon. But I will take a shot of tequila, lime and salt.”
Lucien teased and stroked her wet flesh, making her moan. When his order arrived, Lucien rubbed salt over her nipple. The crusty granules scraped her flesh, making the mounds rise eagerly. Slowly, his tongue lapped it off. Doing the same to the other nipple he dragged his tongue over the salt, swirling it in long, teasing licks.
Her hips pumped upward in nameless want. He took the tequila and drizzled it over her groin.
Mara’s hands fists as she arched back, the warm liquor trickling over her clit, coursing down her parted cleft. When Lucien began to tongue her, she threw her head back, hot sun beaming on her face, her opened mouth.
Inhibitions. Lose them. Surrendering to sensation, she let go.
When
he took her clit between his teeth and clamped down gently, she arched back with a shocked scream. He licked harder, faster, the pressure between her legs building higher and higher.
Wailing his name, she climaxed hard and fast. Shuddering, she gulped for air, her lungs bellowing as she drowned all over again, this time awash in a wave of pure pleasure. Lucien kept licking her until the shivers passed.
A wicked gleam lit his eyes as he looked up, wiped his mouth with the back of one hand. The lime went into his hand.
He gave it a slow lick, winking at her. “I do adore a good shot of Patron.”
The vein at his throat jumped wildly. She opened her senses to him and realized his heart pounded hard. This time he wasn’t cool and unaffected.
Desire swirled in his black irises. Drowning in it, she felt the last inhibition slide away, replaced with a burning need. The space between her legs felt empty, aching to have him inside her. Joined fully.
He set down the lime, his big body tense and waiting.
“Mara,” he said thickly. “Upstairs.”
If she went with him, her capitulation would be complete. Mara hesitated.
Lucien stood, pulling her naked body against his. The ridge of his erection rubbed against her belly. His eyes narrowed, glittering with hard determination.
“Now.”
Chapter 7
In his suite, Lucien tugged her toward the bedroom. He flung his wet trunks aside and paced toward her, his naked body glistening with droplets, water beading in the dark hairs of his groin. On his erection.
Mara looked down. His penis was veined, jutting out from his body. She’d taken her first lover when she was sixteen, and sex had been a hasty session in the backseat of his car, painful and filled with regrets. She had not taken another man into her body since.
Lucien would not be hasty.
His kiss was a brush of wet lips as he cupped her face in his strong hands. Moisture from his body mingled with hers as they touched, the droplets joining together and cascading in rivulets down her naked belly. His tongue glided over her lips, licking away moisture.
