Total pages in book: 51
Estimated words: 47359 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 237(@200wpm)___ 189(@250wpm)___ 158(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 47359 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 237(@200wpm)___ 189(@250wpm)___ 158(@300wpm)
Her chilled toes reminded how long she had been standing half naked, so she was relieved to find her thick pink and white polka dot socks wrapped in her flannel bottoms. She hurriedly pulled them on, ran her comb through her partially damp hair and with trepidation and an ounce of anticipation she returned to the bedroom.
She froze only a few feet into the room. Michael was staring at her with such intense fervor that she thought he would pounce on her at any moment, and she wondered if she would stop him.
“Is there anything you wear that doesn’t make you appear ravishingly sexy?”
Lara gave herself a quick glance, then pointing at herself asked, “This is sexy?”
“It hugs you in all the right places and best of all I can dispose of both pieces in no time, leaving you in those adorable polka dot socks. This way your feet can stay warm while we make love.”
The image of her in nothing but her socks while he drove in and out of her sent her entire body crying out to him.
Michael grew rigid and his eyes snapped shut for a moment. “Careful, Lara, I can resist your body’s cravings for only so long.”
Lara reacted, reaching out and grabbing the long purple robe draped over the chaise and slipping into it, tying the belt snugly at her waist.
Michael laughed. “Not much of a defense, sweetheart.” He handed her a glass of red wine and nodded at the chaise. “Sit and we’ll talk.”
“Here in the bedroom?” she asked, taking the glass, though making sure not to let their fingers touch as she did.
“Bedroom, living room, library, kitchen, I intend to make love to you in as many rooms as possible before our time together is done.”
Our time together is done. The consequences...have a sex fest with a vampire, enjoy it beyond belief and never see him again? Or become like him? Or find yourself caring for him more than you thought possible? She quickly shifted her thoughts, not wanting him privy to her musings.
“As I have told you, though perhaps you’ve already surmised...vampires have ravenous sexual appetites. But then your body tells me that you do as well.”
Only with you. The thought hit her like a dousing of ice-cold water.
“Oh hell,” Lara said and deposited herself on the chaise and downed more than a sip of wine. “What’s the point of fighting it when you can hear my thoughts as clearly as my words? So, tell me why my libido is constantly on overdrive around you. Do you manipulate me and make me want you with such intensity that I think I’ll go mad if I don’t have you?” Holy crap, where had that come from?
Michael took the chair that sat next to the chest of drawers and positioned it opposite the chaise and sat. “It came from you as do your feelings, your desires. I do not manipulate you.”
“Before you left this room, I felt as if I was wrapped in a loving embrace. Did I imagine that or was that you?”
“It was me. I could feel you needed comforting, but I also sensed your reluctance. I, however, could not resist giving you what you needed. As I’ve told you, I will always satisfy you, whether sexually or emotionally.”
“It’s not possible to always satisfy another and not fair to expect someone to do so.”
“Perhaps not for a human, but you forget I’m a vampire.”
“Tell me more about vampires,” she said still finding it difficult to accept that such creatures truly existed and wondering if she would wake up and find that none of this was real.
“Our sexual appetites?” he asked with a grin.
“I think I have a pretty good idea about that.”
“Oh, darling, you haven’t even touched the surface of it yet.”
Damn if her clitoris didn’t quiver, her body ran hot, and an aching need settle uncomfortably between her legs.
“I can smell your need for me, almost taste it.” He licked his lips slowly, his eyes drifting closed for a moment. “I love the taste of you, and I quite fear I will never get enough of it.”
Think of something else, Lara, think of something else, she silently warned herself.
“Yes, Lara, it would be wise to think of something else.”
“Tell me of your grandfather and the curse.”
Michael nodded, then smiled. “My grandfather claims I am much more like him than my father, but my grandmother and mother insist that all Valaine men are alike—stubborn. My grandfather refers to it as determined. Whatever way you look at it, it is the reason my grandfather was cursed.”
CHAPTER 8
“My grandfather lived when there was great turmoil in the area that is now known today as Romania. As he often told me, it wasn’t a pleasant era. Wars raged, people were persecuted for their beliefs, and survival was difficult, but it didn’t stop him from falling in love. Unfortunately, he fell in love with the wrong young woman. She was a gypsy and one of the free ones, since most gypsies, at that time, were slaves. Her family or troupe had managed to remain free, and they intended to keep it that way. Outsiders were forbidden.”