Part 2 (1/2)
”Good.” She sighed. ”But I'm afraid your friend is going to really have to love Andrei to hang on through what he might put her through.”
Tatiana sighed. ”He's going to hurt her?”
”As Mikhel would gladly tell you, not everything I see is clear or comes true, but much of it does. And I see her... suffering a lot on his behalf.”
”I suppose she'll hang tough-she does want him and I know that if he gives himself a chance and gets to know her, he'll want her too.”
Katie nodded.
Tat smiled suddenly. ”So, Katie Dumont, tell me about yourself, little matchmaker.”
Katie averted her gaze for several moments. When their eyes met again, Tat saw a glimmer of tears in them. ”I have always wanted a sister... an older sister. Someone I could look up to, someone...I could share things with. Someone just like you.”
Tatiana's own eyes welled with tears. She drew Katie into a gentle embrace. ”And you are the little sister for whom I've always longed. I think you and I will get along just fine, my little Katie.”
Katie drew back, wiping her cheeks. ”I suppose this means you'll want to share Mark.”
The right to make love to a sibling's bloodl.u.s.t was one of the many benefits of being a vampire that Tat had never expected to enjoy. But now that she had a little sister, she intended to get better acquainted with the charming, albeit somewhat shy Mark Lewis.
”Share him? No. Make love to him upon occasion?” She grinned. ”Absolutely.”
Katie gave her a wary look. ”I know it's your right, but do me a favor and promise not to fall in love with him.”
Like Mikhel fell in love with Derri. The unspoken words hung heavy in the air. Mikhel had fallen in love with Serge's bloodl.u.s.t Derri. Tatiana gave Katie an encouraging smile. ”I think I can safely promise that. Your Mark is undoubtedly charming, but my heart and my affections are already engaged elsewhere.”
”Good. l.u.s.t I can deal with, but not love. I don't know how Serge stands knowing Mik is in love with his woman.”
”He stands it because he knows Derri is his...no matter what Mikhel feels for her.” She turned to study Katie's profile. ”You're very young now, but as you grow older, you'll realize more fully just how powerful a force bloodl.u.s.t is. Granted, love is a powerful force as well, but in a vampire's life, love pales in comparison to bloodl.u.s.t.”
”Are you sure about that? Because Mikhel really-”
”Yes, Katie, I am sure about it. He may very well love Derri, but he's in bloodl.u.s.t with Erica, in addition to loving her. Why does his relations.h.i.+p with Derri bother you?”
”Because I'm afraid Mikhel's feelings for Derri will lead to trouble between him and Serge.”
”But the relations.h.i.+p doesn't seem to bother Serge.”
”I know. He's so...he doesn't like to admit it, but he looks up to Mik so much, he can't imagine him doing anything to hurt him.”
”But you can?”
”No!” She frowned. ”Don't misunderstand. I know Mik would never willingly do anything to hurt Serge, but he wants Derri so much... I'm afraid what he'll do to get her.”
”He loves Erica.”
”I know, but he loves Derri too.”
”Maybe, but he's not in bloodl.u.s.t with her.”
”So he says, but sometimes...” She shook her head. ”Sometimes I'm not sure how deep his feelings for her run or where they'll lead him. Sometimes I wish Serge had never met that d.a.m.ned Derri. And the worst part is, I did what I could to help her cause with Serge.”
Tatiana arched a brow. ”But she's his bloodl.u.s.t. How could you wish he'd never met his perfect mate?”
Katie grimaced. ”Put like that, it makes me sound selfish, but-oh, never mind. Maybe Mik is right. I'm probably overreacting.” She shrugged and smiled. ”What about you? Is there a bloodl.u.s.t of yours I'll get to share?”
Tatiana sighed. ”Not yet.”
”Is there anyone on the horizon... anyone interesting?”
”Actually, there are two men. I... ” She shook her head. ”I don't know what's going on with either man yet. I believe you've warned me off one of them.”
Katie blushed. ”I hope you don't think-”
She smiled. ”It's all right. Even before your warning, I had... reservations about one of them. h.e.l.l, I have reservations about them both. Neither one of them is someone the family will embrace.”
”Do you love them?”
She sighed. ”I'm not sure what I feel for either of them. But I'll keep you informed.”
”So? Are they...well endowed?”
”I've had men with bigger d.i.c.ks, but none sweeter.”
”That's what counts. A big c.o.c.k is useless if it doesn't belong to a man who makes your p.u.s.s.y melt. I'll take an average-sized Mark any day over a well-hung man who doesn't turn me on.”
Tatiana nodded. ”As would I.”
Katie licked her lips suggestively. ”So? When can I meet them?”
”Meet them or f.u.c.k them?”
Katie grinned. ”Both.”
Tatiana laughed. ”We'll see, little hussy. Now, can I buy you lunch?”
Katie nodded. ”Yes.”
As they left the park, Tatiana smiled. ”Have you ever considered modeling?”
”Who, me? No! Why?”
”Yes, you. Why? Because you're absolutely gorgeous, little sister. I have yet to meet a supermodel who has anything on you.”
”Yeah? Well, maybe it runs in the family.”
”You mean Mother?” Tatiana nodded. ”She is stunning.”