Part 20 (1/2)

Long, slow thrusts edged both of them towards o.r.g.a.s.m, providing exquisite waves of pleasure while keeping the end at bay. Vincent felt Trixie's teeth slip into his shoulder, and he resisted the urge to come. Instead he continued the frustratingly slow movements, speeding up to drive her to climax, then slowing again, pumping her towards another. He played for as long as he could endure before his own fangs pierced her throat and his hips pounded into her as he came hard. The sensations subsided and were replaced by others, ones that wound their way into his heart and made him realize that no matter what, he needed this woman.

The words ”I love you” were on his tongue and thoughts, but he bit back one and shut out the other. Love. Vincent Dilorenzo in love? He'd known for a while, but he had to figure out the best time to come out and say it.

Trixie stirred beneath him, her fingers stroking his back. ”That was really nice.”

”I'll say.” He lifted his head and kissed her, brus.h.i.+ng wisps of hair from her forehead. ”I'll leave in the morning to prepare a special surprise for our wedding anniversary.”

For a moment Trixie appeared confused. Then she realized he was making up their excuse for leaving to report to the Network about their findings as well as appear at Seraphim's questioning by the Jury.

”I'll stick around for one more day,” she said. ”I want to talk with Hannah and there's something she and I need to do.”

”What?” He wasn't sure he liked the look in her eyes. She smiled and kissed his lips. ”Girl stuff. Nothing you'd be interested in.” ”Just don't do anything stupid. We're close, baby. Real close.” ”Darling, I'm a professional,” she whispered.

Not that it matters much what we do. Sir Edward's on to us, Vincent thought. But at least if we leave now and make it look like we're reporting to the Network about the Flower, he'll really think he's thrown us off the case. What's really going to f.u.c.k him up is when Brett and Mercedes get here.

Brett and Mercedes?

Adam a.s.signed them here to investigate Edward's ”entertainment,” and make sure there's no more extortion going on like with Hannah.

Trixie grinned. That will really f.u.c.k him up. He'll have blatant Network representatives walking around as well as the ones he suspects of snooping.

One way or the other the little p.r.i.c.k will get what he deserves. That's for sure.

Again Vincent wondered about the look in Trixie's eyes, but before he could grill her, she straddled him, her black hair sweeping his chest as she guided his c.o.c.k into the warmth of her c.u.n.t.

Chapter Eleven.

Hannah awoke to soft tapping on her door. She rubbed her eyes and shoved her disheveled hair over her shoulder.

She'd been dreaming of Seraphim and wasn't ready to face reality. Their mental bond of the day before had left her with the most wonderful feelings, yet it had disturbed her as well. She'd sensed something was troubling him, yet she couldn't decide what. She'd also been sleeping better since the Baroness' husband, Vikenti, had arrived and reported her family was safe and would be accompanying two of Seraphim's friends to LA. In less than two days-if these vampires had actually told her the truth-she would be reunited with her mother and sisters again. Part of her had a bad feeling these vampires who had supposedly rescued her family had done something terrible. Where was Seraphim? Did he really have business? Was he toying with her? Had he truly kept his word? Of course he had. She'd felt his affection for her when their thoughts had mingled.

The tapping sounded again, breaking Hannah's thoughts, and she approached the door. ”Who is it?”

”Katrina, darling.” The Baroness. Hannah opened the door to the Baroness' smile. ”I thought we could spend more time together during your last days here. And besides, I miss Vikenti. He didn't want me to go to the city with him since he's planning some kind of surprise for our anniversary.”

Hannah nodded, skeptical thoughts still running in her mind. The previous evening when the Baroness had invited her to dinner with her and Vikenti in their room, she'd been certain all her fears were coming true again. However, the couple had treated her as a friend and again a.s.sured her of her family's safety. Still, she felt skeptical.

”What's wrong?” The Baroness' smile faded.

”I just can't believe everything is really working out.”

”It is.” The Baroness touched Hannah's chin with her fingertip. ”You have a loyal companion in Seraphim. Most of us aren't so lucky.”

Hannah nodded, her thoughts drifting to several days ago when the Baroness had returned without Seraphim or her husband. Even more shocking, was when the Baroness had asked to speak with Hannah in private and told her she knew all about Sir Edward blackmailing her. Hannah's first thought had been pure rage and terror that Seraphim could have broken her trust at the cost of her family's life. Then Katrina told her of the steps Seraphim had taken to ensure her family's safety. He had powerful friends and had called upon them to remedy Hannah's problem. Less than two days later, her family had supposedly been rescued and Hannah would soon be free. It was like a dream come true-almost like everything else since meeting Seraphim. The man wasn't just a fire angel, but her guardian angel. Now if she could convince him to make her a vampire so she would no longer need protecting.

”Would you like to talk about it?” the Baroness asked.

”I don't know.. .Yes. I would.” Hannah had spent too long afraid to communicate. She was sick and tired of being fearful of everyone and everything. The Baroness swept into the room and Hannah closed the door. She sat on the bed with her back against the headboard while the Baroness kicked off her shoes and lounged at the foot of the bed.

”I've heard it's difficult to make a human into a vampire?”

The Baroness lifted a groomed black eyebrow. ”It can be.”

”Have you ever done it?”

”Such personal questions, darling.” The Baroness gazed at her through her lashes.

”Is it? I'm sorry, I didn't know. It's not something I've heard many vampires discuss, so I wasn't sure.”

”It's all right. I have made children by bite, though they are few.” ”I wonder what it feels like?”

”They told me there was some initial discomfort, but most of them preferred their vampiric const.i.tution over their human one. There are many benefits, but I'm sure you know that.” The Baroness offered a slow smile. ”You would like to be changed?”

”Yes. I think I would.”

”No, no, darling. You must be sure. There is no think. Once the decision is made, it is almost impossible to revert. You actually have to die to become human again. Before you change, you must be sure.”

”I envy your strength, your power. If I had been able to fight Sir Edward and his men, my family wouldn't have been in danger in the first place.”

”Becoming a vampire can't ensure safety. Hannah, there's always a stronger force out there. Though most of us wish to live in harmony, there are many vicious strains among us.”

”I know that all too well. I still would have had a better chance than with the body I have now.”

”Fear and vengeance shouldn't be the only reason you want to change. Don't you have any good reasons?”

”Those are good to me. How could I expect you to understand. You're an Immaculate and you're a great fighter. I've seen you in the gym practicing with Vikenti. Anyone would be a fool to threaten you.”

”Then there have been many fools in this world,” the Baroness murmured. ”If you want to learn to fight, I would be glad to teach you.”

”All right. At least that's something.”

”Doesn't anything else appeal to you about vampirism besides our physical strength?”

Hannah smiled, imagining making love with Seraphim. She knew how much he restrained himself for her sake. She wondered what it would be like to accept the full brunt of his pa.s.sion? The idea of spending centuries with him was also a plus.

”Seraphim might be another reason,” she whispered.

”Might be?”

”All right, he is one of the best reasons.”

”Ahh!” The Baroness grinned. ”Love is one of the best reasons to make the change.”

”Would he want me to change? When I brought it up, he didn't want to discuss it.”

”Seraphim has a great deal of business on his mind right now. Give him time. I know he cares for you very deeply.”