Part 6 (1/2)
”That's true, all right.” Hannah sighed. ”I am a slave, and there's not a d.a.m.n thing I can do about it-not against creatures like you.”
”Not like me.” He took her face in his hands, his eyes on hers. They searched her, their expression so haunted that her throat constricted with sadness for him.
”We.. .we're going to be late for dinner.” She pulled away, but he held her, kissing her cheek before releasing her.
She reached for a bottle of shampoo, but he tugged it from her grasp and poured some into his hands, motioning for her to turn her back to him. Strong fingers ma.s.saged her scalp gently, and she closed her eyes, loving the sensation. He guided her beneath the faucet and rinsed her long hair.
Reaching for a cake of soap, he washed her, rubbing gentle circles over her forehead, cheeks, and nose. Soapy fingers caressed her lips and chin before moving to her neck. He washed her shoulders and arms, then paid careful attention to her b.r.e.a.s.t.s.
Hannah sighed, her eyes closed. She'd never imagined the simple act of bathing could be so arousing. His hands moved to her b.u.t.tocks, between her legs, and over her thighs and calves. She braced one hand against the tile for balance as he lifted first one foot, then the other. It felt so strange to have a man wash her, and part of her thought she should make him stop while another never wanted the delectable shower to end.
In a smooth motion, he stood, his body sliding up hers until he backed her against the wall. His gorgeous chest was inches from her lips and she couldn't resist kissing it. He slipped the soap back into the tray, grasped her wrists, and used one hand to pin them above her head while the other cupped her b.r.e.a.s.t.s.
”So beautiful, Hannah,” he whispered against her lips before kissing her. ”I'm not,” she said when the kiss ended. ”Really.”
”You can't judge what I see.” His fingers traced the shape of her face. ”You are beautiful, Hannah.”
He released her hands, and she took his face in her hands, knowing she was surrendering to him but lacking the desire to stop herself. It had been too long since she'd felt safe and cherished. Even if she was just another bimbo to him, he made her feel otherwise. ”You are, too. We.. .really need to get ready for dinner.”
”Are you hungry?” he smiled.
”Yes.” ”So am I.”
Together they stepped from the shower and dried off. He finished dressing long before she did and sat on the bed waiting for her, flicking through television channels with the remote control.
When she finished applying her makeup and fixing her hair, she climbed onto the bed and slipped her arms around his neck from behind, gazing at the screen where old comedies played out in black and white.
”If you thought the phone was something, what did you think when you first saw television?” She grinned.
He switched off the T. V. and tugged her onto his lap. Her arms looped around his neck. She was about to kiss him when his eyes suddenly widened and he stood.
”What's wrong? Seraphim?”
”I don't believe it.” His fists clenched. ”He wouldn't!” ”Who wouldn't?”
He seemed to regain his control instantly and kissed her. ”Nothing. Let's go to dinner.”
Seraphim grasped her hand and they left the room. In the dining room, Hannah noticed a new couple had arrived at the mansion. The man was tall and exceptionally well built, though a bit too muscular for Hannah's taste. Still, he carried the bulk well. He wore a trimmed goatee, and his short, curly hair was almost black. Deep set brown eyes beneath heavy brows seemed to notice everything. His companion was so tall that even in her low-heeled shoes, she was at eye level with the man. Long black hair framed a full, beautiful face with green eyes and painted red lips. Her body was curvaceous enough to-as the cliche went-turn saints into sinners.
Immediately, the man's eyes fixed on Seraphim. Hannah glanced up at her lover. Though he remained calm, something told her not all was well between him and this newcomer.
Sir Edward approached, the couple behind him. ”Seraphim! I'd like you to meet Baroness Othman and her husband, Vikenti Valeric This is Seraphim Kellen and one of our loveliest mortals, Hannah.”
”We'll have to discuss changing our to mine .” Seraphim's frigid gaze locked with Sir Edward's.
The host cleared his throat and nervously looked away. ”Uh, of course.”
”Pleased to meet you.” The Baroness extended her hand to Seraphim who took it and bowed over it like some romantic lord from the past.
”The pleasure is mine, Baroness.”
”Seraphim, it's good to see you again.” Vikenti offered his hand, his voice smooth, rich, and the model of impeccable breeding.
Seraphim smiled. ”No, again, the pleasure is mine, Vikenti.” ”You know each other?” The Baroness looked surprised.
”We met ages ago.” Seraphim dropped Vikenti's hand and the two stepped back from one another.
”But it's been a long time,” Vikenti said.
”Shall we sit?” Sir Edward suggested. ”Dinner is about to be served.”
As they followed the others to the table, Hannah reached for Seraphim's hand and thought she felt it tremble. The sensation pa.s.sed so quickly she realized she might have been mistaken. Still, something told her Vikenti's presence had affected him. In what way, she was not yet sure.
Chapter Four.
Trixie glanced at Vincent-Vikenti-from the corner of her eye, scarcely believing how well the boor was playing his part. As soon as they'd stepped into the mansion, he'd transformed before her eyes. He exuded the aloof att.i.tude of one born to power. His phrasing-normally crude-became cultured, his manners perfect.
Even Matthew couldn't have trained him that well in so short a time. Perhaps Vincent hadn't been lying about his exalted bloodline after all.
Trixie doubted anything could have surprised her more than Vincent's performance, until Seraphim Kellen had stepped into the room. Though they both had been told Seraphim was the agent already on the a.s.signment, Vincent had never let on they'd had history. Though both men had appeared casual and concealed even their inner-most thoughts, Trixie knew Vincent well enough to sense something about Seraphim bothered him. Peculiar in a man who seemed to be affected by nothing.
Vincent offered her his arm as they followed Sir Edward-an arrogant little p.r.i.c.k whom Trixie hated on sight-to the table. She sat across from Vincent, beside Seraphim. The little mortal, Hannah, took the seat near Vincent, and Trixie thought she appeared even more fragile next to Vincent's hulking form. At least she'd never need to worry about Vincent preferring a mortal to her. One of those delicate creatures would be crushed beneath the force of his insatiable Immaculate body. No, he needed one of his own kind for true satisfaction.
She glanced at Seraphim, wondering what he was doing with a mortal. Though he wasn't as thickly built as Vincent, he exuded strength. He must have possessed incredible restraint to enjoy the company of a human woman-without killing her, that was. Her eyes swept Seraphim and suddenly he turned to her. Quite against her will, she was dragged into pale green depths that spoke of more years than she could imagine-even after her own centuries of living. The man was definitely not her type- far too thin-yet there was something incredibly attractive about him. She glanced at his hand curved around the stem of a crystal gla.s.s. Large hands , she thought. Lots of strength.
Across the table, Vincent cleared his throat loudly. Trixie stared at him.
What the h.e.l.l are you looking at him like that for? Her lover's voice-the one she was accustomed to-sounded in her head.
Just familiarizing myself with our contact, she replied.
Yeah, right. Vm surprised you don't drop your fork on the floor just so you can lean over and get a good look at his c.o.c.k.
This is not appropriate, Vikenti. We wouldn't want other guests overhearing.
Vm trying - really trying - not to growl out loud. Don't look at him in that way. Don't tell me what I can and can't do!
”Is this your first time at the mansion?” A slim, sleazy looking woman who had been introduced as a Princess of somewhere or other fixed her eyes on Vincent.
”Yes, but we've heard so much about this place we had to visit. Isn't that right, my love?” His deep brown eyes held Trixie's and her stomach quivered. d.a.m.n, the man could turn her to jelly with a single look!
”Yes, darling. And so far, it's even more beautiful than we'd heard.”
”I'm sure you'll have a wonderful time,” another guest told them. ”The perfect place to relax.”
”It's been said you have the finest supply of beverages in the country, perhaps the world,” Vincent said.