Part 11 (2/2)

Georgia nodded. There was no point in dressing it up. They'd both seen it happen too many times before to think anything else. ”Yes. And now there's this party tonight and everyone will be there and I just-” She broke off, biting her lip. She would not beg. She would not play the craven. He knew what was needed. She didn't have to spell it out. He would either give it to her or he would not. True, it was in his best interest to do so, but ultimately, the decision was his to make. He was the one in control-a state of affairs that did not sit well with her. ”I'm a little worried about it.”

”Right then. Let's get started, shall we?” Christian placed his empty gla.s.s on the bedside table and got to his feet. As he started to unb.u.t.ton his s.h.i.+rt, his gaze traveled over her, lingering intimately. ”You'd best go ahead and take off your pretty dress. Wouldn't want to muss it.”

Georgia felt the heat rise in her cheeks. Her gaze strayed involuntarily toward the bed. ”But can't we just... I mean, we don't have to... ”

”Have s.e.x?” Christian's eyes lit up as he laughed teasingly at her. ”Oh, but darling, we do! You're still revved up, for one thing. I can always tell. It's there in your eyes. The only way I'll be able to handle you tonight is with more than a few endorphins in my system.”

Georgia nodded. ”You're right, of course.” Rising, she began to disrobe, carefully taking off her gown, and setting it aside where it wouldn't get wrinkled. She kept her back to him, for the most part, feeling awkward and uncomfortable. It wasn't always like this between them. But, at times like these, when her need was so great and his reluctance so obvious, it all felt so coldly clinical. They were having s.e.x for one reason only. So that the pleasure he would receive from the act would make the pain she was about to inflict on him more bearable. They were playing one need off the other, trading service for sustenance like two wh.o.r.es, rather than sharing themselves as lovers might.

”There's another reason for it too, you know.” Christian wrapped his arms around her from behind. His hands, sliding across her bare midriff, sent s.h.i.+vers of awareness racing across her skin. ”You're still the most beautiful woman I've ever known and it's been months since I've had you.”

”I know.” It had been months for her too but, even so, she found it hard to believe either of them wanted it like this.

”I want to make love to you.” His voice stole through her, dark and insidious. He slid one hand into her hair and tugged, using enough force her scalp tingled. Her breath caught as a wave of heat and need washed over her. She trembled in his arms, afraid to move, afraid to break the spell he was casting over her. ”I want to make good and certain you know that even here, even in his house, you still belong to me.”

”You know there's nothing between us now.” Her words were a broken plea wrenched from her throat.

He pushed her forward onto the bed and then came down on top of her, whispering in her ear. ”There'd better not be.”

What madness was this, Georgia wondered. What was Christian thinking to make such a demand? Conrad was her sire, and Christian's too by extension. If Conrad wanted her, really wanted her-or if he wanted Christian as well, for that matter-the two of them would be powerless to resist his will. He would have them. And then they would all die.

”I want every last part of you,” Christian continued in between hot, savage kisses that covered her neck, her shoulders, her ear, her cheek, but stayed safely away from her fangs. ”No exceptions. I want to touch you all over, taste your blood, your heat, your juices. You're mine, Georgia, all mine. Do you understand?”

”Yes. Yours. Want you. Now.” She felt her eyes change, felt her fangs extend. She pushed herself up, intent on taking him into her arms, drinking her fill of his blood, but he caught her wrists in his hand before she could get the leverage she needed to unseat him.

”No,” he admonished sharply as he pulled her arms over her head, forcing her flat on the bed once more. ”Don't you dare.” He maneuvered himself above her, keeping his weight centered over her lower back, altering his grip on her wrists so that he had one hand free. ”Don't you do it,” he said as he tapped her bottom lip with his finger. ”Not 'til I say-understood?”

She nodded as best she could, gazing up at him in helpless fascination. There must be a sickness afflicting her soul to make her crave his dominion so.

Heedless to her whimpers, he bent his head to her again, licking, biting, kissing, scoring her flesh with his fangs. Then latching on, drinking deep. She bucked and writhed beneath him, wanting more, wanting to feel his mouth everywhere, wanting the venom and the pain.

Her heart pounded. Her nipples grew taut. Her s.e.x swelled and softened. ”Christian, please.” A shudder ran through him. He stilled for a moment, fangs spasming a little as he forced them to retract. He lifted his head and licked the wound closed.

He spread her legs wide and delved between them. ”You're so wet and ripe for me,” he murmured in blissful tones as he slid two fingers inside of her. ”So ready, aren't you?” He withdrew his hand and thrust his fingers in his mouth, moaning loudly as he did. She watched him over her shoulder as he repeated the sequence several times. ”So very, very ready.”

Georgia was more than ready. She was on the verge of losing her mind. She arched her back, canting her hips in mute invitation, groaning in antic.i.p.ation as she felt him positioning himself behind her. Then finally, finally he entered her. She cried out in relief. His heat branded her inside and out. She wanted to move but his weight on her back kept her largely immobile. Not enough. Still not enough. As he settled into his rhythm, she squirmed beneath him, seeking friction, aching for release even as he pounded into her so forcefully that the heavy four-poster bed seemed in danger of s.h.i.+fting along the floor.

He stopped suddenly, after several minutes, pulled out and flipped her quickly onto her back. They were both breathing hard, chests heaving. She felt the animal stir inside as she stared up at him, mouth watering in antic.i.p.ation.

”Now,” he said, tapping lightly on his breast with his finger. ”Right here.” Her gaze tracked the motion and her mood plummeted.

”Oh, Christian,” she sighed, reaching up to lightly touch the thick scars. How he must hate me. It was hardly the worst damage she'd ever viewed. It wasn't even the worst damage she'd ever caused in her long lifetime. But to see it so plain on flesh she held dear, and to know she was powerless to stop herself from inflicting more; that was almost unbearable. The animal growled impatiently. It cared nothing about pain. It cared only about survival-hers, its own, his, a little, but only because the rest depended on it.

”Come on,” Christian urged. Scowling now, he pulled her hips to his, roughly, and slammed inside her again. ”Quit stalling, wench. Do as I b.l.o.o.d.y fekkin' tell you.”

She gasped in surprise. How dare he? She was n.o.body's wench, least of all his. Snarling in anger, Georgia reached up and dragged him down to her. A hoa.r.s.e cry left his lips as she sank her teeth into his chest and he let loose with a single sob. Then his own fangs were out. He lowered his head, dug his teeth into her shoulder, and f.u.c.ked her faster and more and more fiercely until he stiffened and groaned and spent inside her.

Georgia, her hunger unleashed, kept on drinking. It barely registered in her mind when he collapsed on top of her. Even his first weak cries of, ”That's enough now, Georgie, stop it please,” failed to penetrate. He shuddered and clawed at her arms as he tried to wrench himself away; only then did she come to her senses.

”Oh, my G.o.d.” She shoved him aside and covered her mouth with a trembling hand as tears obscured her vision. ”I'm sorry.”

He didn't answer her. His breathing was rough and uneven as he dabbed at the still-bleeding wounds on his chest with a corner of the bed-sheet. Georgia collapsed in a heap and gave in to despair. How much longer could they go on like this?

”Now, now, none of that,” Christian said after a moment. Sighing angrily, he pulled her into his lap. ”Come along, be a good girl. Close it up right.”

She was almost too embarra.s.sed to touch him, but what else could she do? The tears continued to flow as she licked at his wounds, healing the damage as best she could. Finally satisfied she had done all she could, she pulled back timidly, biting her lip. When he tugged her back against him, and cuddled her close, her control deserted her. She dissolved in tears.

”Why're you crying?” he asked after a moment. His tone was gentle, but he sounded weary and frustrated. ”You can't tell me all these tears are for me?”

Georgia shook her head. ”No. Not all.” It was mostly him, but it was everything else as well. Sorrow. Exhaustion. Reaction. Grief.

”Ah. I get it.” His accent grew thick, his very voice mocking her. ”You're missing the rest of your boys again, aren't you? Is that the way of it, Mum?”

Her boys. Frank and Nigel, Tony, Hal and James. Her heart ached at the thought. ”I've asked you not to call me that,” she answered, her voice gruff. ”Or to speak of them that way. Besides, why should tonight be different from any other night?” She pushed away from him and got up. This time he let her go.

”There's no need for that tone, you know,” he said, eyeing her moodily. ”You're not the only one with regrets. We've all got those. There's no escaping them, is there?”

”We should hurry and get dressed,” she said in answer. ”The party should be starting any time now and Conrad won't appreciate it if we're late.” Catching a glimpse of her reflection, she shook her head. The blotchy, tear-streaked look was still fading from her face and her makeup would have to be re-done. Still, despite the damage, she knew she looked years younger and infinitely healthier than she had only a few minutes earlier. Breathing a sigh of relief, she seated herself in front of her mirror and began to reapply her makeup. It would do. For now, at least, they were safe.

”I don't suppose you've given any thought to what I should wear?” Christian asked, coming up behind her. ”In my haste to respond to your summons I'm afraid I didn't think to pack any formal clothes.”

Georgia met his gaze in the mirror and quirked one brow. ”When have I ever neglected your needs, love? You'll find a tuxedo and shoes in the closet and anything else you need should be in those drawers over there. I daresay you'll wish to visit a tailor while you're here, but for tonight it should all fit well enough.”

”Ah, you're a wonder, you are.” He bent to kiss the top of her head, then headed toward the closet to get dressed. ”You think of everything. But, still, it's been a long time since I attended anything so grand. Is there anything I should keep in mind?”

Georgia considered the question. ”Just don't do anything to anger Conrad,” she said at last. ”That's the most important thing-as always. He's been in an odd mood lately. He's more relaxed in some ways than usual, but I don't trust it and I certainly don't want to press our luck. And do try and steer clear of Damian. He's quite as annoying as ever, I'm afraid. I'm sure he'll be only too happy to start a fuss about something if you give him even half a chance.”

”Very well. Anyone else I need worry about?”

”Actually...” She spun around to face him. ”Yes, now that you mention it. I think you should try and get to know the twins.”

Christian's eyes widened. ”Are they actual twins then? That's somewhat unusual isn't it?”

Georgia sighed. ”Everything about them is unusual, as I'm sure you'll soon discover. I've had some dealings with the boy. He's been very troublesome. Hopefully you'll have better luck with the sister.”

”I'll do my best. Now, if you're done with your face, do you want me to do up your dress for you?”

”Yes, thank you. That would be most helpful.” Georgia got to her feet and slipped the gown over her head. She'd managed just fine on her own when she first put it on, earlier in the evening, but it was nice to be fussed over every once in a while.

Christian zipped up the dress. His fingers lingered on her skin, tracing over her spine. Georgia s.h.i.+vered when she felt his lips brush against the tattoo on her upper back. ”Did you choose the dress specifically to put his crest on display?” he asked.

Georgia's heart sank. She bowed her head. ”Is it that obvious?” For that had been exactly what she'd thought to do.

”Only to me,” Christian answered in soothing tones. ”And only because I know you so very well. Don't fret. I'm not upset about it, you know. In fact, I think it a very smart move. He made you a promise, after all. The least you should be able to expect is that he honor it. Why you would not take every opportunity to remind him of that fact-especially now-is a mystery.”

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