Part 19 (1/2)

Marcello frowned. He'd actually had been staring at the pulse in her neck. She smelled so sweet and he knew she'd taste even sweeter. His eyes rimmed with red, but he kept the desires in him back. Slowly, he tilted his head to the door. His words were hard, as he said, ”After you,bella .”

Tatiana turned to lead the way. Cesare came forward, handing Marcello his long black overcoat and top hat. She did not look at the servitor again. Soon they were beyond the front door, into the darker maze of the Paris underground.

Tatiana stumbled to a halt as the door to Marcello's home closed behind her. She'd seen a long tunnel before her, but was now in almost complete darkness.

”Lost already,bella ?” Marcello's amused voice from behind her.

”I can't see, vampire,” she answered dryly. ”My eyes are human, not demon.”

Marcello chuckled. Instantly, torches lit along the underground path. Tatiana gasped, seeing his hand lowering back to his side. She'd never actually seen anyone start or smother the fires in Marcello's home, but she'd never expected he'd done it by will alone.

”How...?” Tatiana began, her eyes turning to him in fascination. ”How did you do that?”

Marcello merely smiled.

”You--”

”Tu sei bellissima,” he broke in quietly.You are very beautiful.

”Thank yo--” Tatiana began. She frowned, looking him over. ”I understood you.”

”Come, we will be late,” Marcello said. He took her arm to glide her over the tunnel.

Tatiana lifted the hem of her gown out of old habit so it wouldn't touch the stone floor. She noticed that, as they walked, the torches behind them sputtered out and the ones before them lit. She said nothing, letting Marcello lead her over the long walkway of smooth stone.

Coming to an incline, they began to climb. Tatiana stumbled in her dress slippers and fell slightly forward. She glanced up in instant apology as she used her hold on Marcello's arm to stop her fall.

”Allow me,bella ,” Marcello murmured. The Count leaned over and swept her up to his chest, fitting his arms beneath the bend of her knees and length of her back.

Tatiana couldn't help but relax into him as he carried her with ease. Her hand strayed lightly to his chest to rest against his heartbeat. It was strong and slow against her fingers. Now, as he did not wait for her to walk with him, he sped faster.

Tatiana s.h.i.+vered as they pa.s.sed a round chamber filled with old bones. The bones were stacked into neat piles, separated by type. Along the tops of them were endless skulls.

”Why would someone display them in such a way?” she asked, eyeing the orderly bones in fear and fascination. She hugged her arms around Marcello's neck, not wanting him to let her go. She felt safe in his arms.

”The Parisian graveyards were overrun with the dead, so they moved them below the city streets to make room for others,”

Marcello answered.

It was still silent as a grave where they walked. Tatiana hugged closer to Marcello's chest and she felt him gripping her body tightly in response. Her wide eyes watched over his shoulder, as the torches faded into unyielding black.

As they came to a narrow row of stairs Marcello set her down. He climbed, lifting his hand above his head to move a block of concrete from above, opening an entryway to the streets of Paris. Almost instantly the sounds of Parisian nightlife wafted down from above. Marcello stepped back down. The orange glow of the torches faded, replaced by the softer light from the streetlamps above.

Marcello stepped aside, offering his hand as he began to lead her up the narrow stairs. Tatiana's gown was tight and she tried to step sideways and keep her balance. Marcello chuckled and wrapped his arm about her waist. She gasped as he pulled her into his strong chest. She felt the hard length of him against her body and s.h.i.+vered in needy response.

”Hold on,” he whispered. Tatiana's gaze moved to his lips, wanting to kiss him, at the perfect angle to do so. Marcello jumped lightly and they flew up, emerging from the catacombs.

Tatiana gasped as her feet hit pavement. The narrow side street was wet and the air smelled like it had just rained. She blinked looking around. The city air wasn't as fresh as the country, but it was better than the stillness of the catacombs.

Realizing she still held onto Marcello, her wide green eyes turned up to him. He was looking down at her, an openly curious expression on his features. His hands stayed around her lower back, kneading her lightly. She became all too aware of his thick erection pressing into her stomach. He was ready for her. With one command, she knew she could have him take her there on the dank city street.

Tatiana pushed back, ashamed by the thought and her brief consideration of it. Marcello let her go, a frown marring his brow as if to say 'very well then,bella mia' . He placed the concrete back over the hole.