Part 12 (1/2)

She wanted to believe him. There was something in the purity of his voice, in the directness of his steady gaze, that nearly convinced her. More than anything in her life, she wanted to believe him now. ”I can't take the chance,” she said sadly.

”And I refuse to lose you.” He bent down, pried her fingers from the fence, and lifted her easily into his arms. ”Why will you not allow me to help you? I know this is all a shock, but listen to your heart, your mind. Why did you choose to save me if you thought me evil?”

”I don't know. I don't know anything anymore, except that I want Joshua safe.”

”And I want you safe.”

”I can't bear to be close to him and have such strong feelings of hunger like I had. It was awful, thinking of blood, looking at his pulse.” She pressed a hand to her stomach. ”It made me sick. And it scared me, made me so afraid for him.”

His mouth touched her hair in the lightest of caresses. ”Allow me to help you, Alexandria. I am your lifemate. It is my right as well as my responsibility.”

”I don't know what that means.”

He could feel the resistance draining out of her. She looked up at him hopelessly. There was no trust in the depths of her eyes, only a terrible sorrow. She couldn't fight his strength or his implacable resolve.

”Allow me to show you,” he said softly, his voice low and intense, a black velvet seduction.

Chapter Nine

Aidan's arms tightened a fraction as he held Alexandria to him. There was an expression on his face, a look in his eyes she was afraid to name. Possession. Tenderness. A mixture of both. She didn't want to know. It made her feel cherished, treasured. It made her feel s.e.xy and beautiful. The way his gaze moved over her face, touching her lips like a physical kiss, sent her heart racing.

A slow smile curved his sensual mouth. ”I see you are barefoot. I was going to suggest a walk under the stars, but your annoying habit seems to have surfaced again.”

She swallowed hard, making an effort to gain some semblance of control. She did not want to go back to the house. She needed to distance herself from Joshua and sort out what had happened.

”Since I ran here, I don't think walking is going hurt me. Put me down, Aidan. I won't take off.”

His laughter ruffled her hair. ”As if you could get away from me.” Very gently, slowly, savoring the feel of her next to him, Aidan lowered her to her feet.

She glanced up at him. There was something new in their relations.h.i.+p that had not been present before. She was very much aware of him as a man. Tall, strong, handsome, sensual. Her mind pulled away from the thought, and she hastily ducked her head again. She missed Aidan's sudden smile. ”It is a beautiful night, cara mia. Look around you,” he instructed softly.

Because she was so aware of him moving easily beside her, she did what he said, wanting to avoid thinking about him and the strange power he seemed to hold over her. The stars were a brilliant blanket above them. She took a deep breath, inhaling the salt breeze coming off the ocean.

Behind them was the thick grove of trees growing along the hillside, in front of them, the bluff overlooking the ocean. The street wound its way up the hill; the houses dotted here and there along its path were large, yet blended in well with their surroundings. The city lights rivaled the stars, an iridescent pattern that went on for miles. The view was breathtaking.

Aidan moved closer to her, just a s.h.i.+fting of muscles really, but she felt the warmth of his body.

Liquid heat unexpectedly pooled deep in her lower abdomen. Her heart beat faster. Fascination.

He fascinated her. Captivated her. Casually she inched away to put a little s.p.a.ce between them. He glided rather than walked, his golden eyes taking in the landscape surrounding them, a slow sweep of his penetrating gaze that missed nothing, including her retreat.

”If you fed properly, Alexandria, there would be no need for you to ever feel as you did around your brother.” He broached the subject impa.s.sively, his tone carefully neutral. She felt as if he had punched her in the stomach. ”Do we have to talk about it?” To feed. What did that mean, exactly?

Not eat, but feed. Her brain s.h.i.+ed away from the word and all its connotations.

His hand slipped over her silky hair, following the wild ma.s.s down her back to her rounded bottom.

The gesture was unbearably tender. Warmth seeped under her skin, and her mouth went dry. His hand accidentally brushed hers. Their fingers tangled, then his closed around hers so that they were linked. ”It is best, cara. Your fears are so groundless.”

She took a deep breath, trying to force herself to concentrate on the distasteful subject, but Aidan's nearness was turning her world upside down. She could feel electricity arcing and crackling between them. The tip of her tongue darted out to moisten her lips. She was acutely aware of his golden gaze following the simple movement, turning it into something erotic.

”What do you suggest? Should I make Thomas Ivan my food supply?” She proposed it flippantly because her throat was raw with fear. ”I guess I could always seduce him-that's what female vampires do in the movies.”

Aidan knew she said it out of fear; he was in her mind. But the image of her body tangled with the software mogul's was instant and vivid. The warning growl escaped him before he could stop it.

White teeth gleamed-a threat. He pushed his free hand through his long, tawny hair. At that moment he was dangerous, and that shocked him. He had never been a real threat to any human unless he chose sides in a war. Humans were something to feed on, to protect, and he seldom got involved in their squabbles. Like all Carpathians, when their land ran with blood and their countries were torn apart, they had utilized their skills to fight. But this was different. This was personal. And Thomas Ivan would never be completely safe again.

Alexandria sensed the change in Aidan immediately. He was fighting something lethal in himself, a private battle with a demon she had no concept of. Her fingers tightened around his. ”What is it, Aidan?” she asked softly, concerned.

”Do not even make a joke of such a thing. I doubt Ivan would survive if you seduced him.” He said it starkly, without softening the blow. His voice was velvet soft but dripped menace, far worse than a shout. He brought her knuckles to the warmth of his mouth, lingering over her satin skin. ”Ivan does not need to tempt fate by touching you.”

She pulled her hand away, disturbed by the heat in her body, the ache that was becoming an urgent demand. Absently she wiped her palm on her denim-clad thigh to try to erase the sensation of his lips on her skin. ”You know, Aidan, half the time I can't understand a thing you say. Why would Thomas be tempting fate? Are you saying I would kill him?” She tried not to hold her breath, waiting for the answer.

His body was against hers again as they matched steps like tango dancers. ”Not at all, cara mia. I would kill him. I doubt very much if I could stop myself. I would not even want to stop myself.”

Her sapphire eyes grew wide as she stared up at his face. ”You really mean it, don't you? Why would you do that?”

He hesitated a moment, the silence lengthening while he carefully chose his answer. ”I'm responsible for your protection. That man is after more than your beautiful drawings, Alexandria, and, innocent that you are, you cannot see it.”

Her chin tilted. ”For all you know, Mr. Savage, I might have had a dozen lovers. If I choose to seduce Thomas Ivan, you won't need to worry about me. I can take care of myself.”

Her silky hair was suddenly bunched in his hand, and she came to an abrupt halt. He stepped so close, her slender body was bent backward. His golden eyes molten, alive with pa.s.sion, with possession, stared directly into hers. ”You are my lifemate. You have never been touched by another man. I have been in your mind and have access to your memories. Do not try to tell me there have been a dozen men in your life.”

She remained pa.s.sive, still. His body was aggressive against hers, yet there was no pain, no sense that she was in danger. There was only his terrible intensity, as if his inner demons were riding him hard. Her blue eyes flashed right back at him. ”On top of everything else, you have to be a male chauvinist. Like I'm supposed to believe there have never been women in your life. And another thing-get out of my head. You don't have a right to my private life. Whatever this lifemate thing is, I don't want any part of it.” She tried to sound defiant, but it was difficult when his perfect mouth was only inches from hers. It was embarra.s.sing, the things his mouth made her think.

She couldn't take her eyes from his. She saw their gold became heated, the purpose clear in their depths. His hard mouth softened, and very slowly, with infinite patience, he touched his lips to hers, a brief, feather-light stroke that sent a shaft of desire curling painfully through her body.

”Just so you remember, seducing men is out,” he murmured almost absently against her mouth.

She could taste the words. Taste his breath. His mouth was hot and enticing. His body stirred, and she could feel him pressing against her, hard with need. His hand framed the curve of her cheek, his thumb sliding in a caress across her pulse. The wind blew the silken ma.s.s of her hair across his hand and arm, binding him to her almost by design.She could smell his scent calling to her, wild and abandoned, like an animal calling to its mate.

Her entire being responded, against all intellect, all reason, against all sanity. Alexandria had never felt such s.e.xual attraction toward any man, and the intensity of her response to him was beyond her comprehension. This was strong and compelling, hot and steamy, a driving need as elemental as time. She wanted him right there in the night, wild in her arms, needing her.

She jerked away from him. ”Stop it, Aidan. Just stop.” She held up a hand to pacify him. ”I'm not ready for this.” He was so intense, so much the domineering male, he would sweep her away until she couldn't exist without him. Until she didn't exist without him. ”You're not going to take over my life,” she whispered to him.

He stroked the pad of his thumb across her lower lip. ”I barely touched you, cara mia, and you run from me like a rabbit.”

”Anyone in her right mind would run from you, Aidan. You're talking crazy. It shouldn't matter to you how many lovers I've had-or have. That's my private business. I didn't ask you about your love life, did I?” Suddenly she thought about his arms around another woman, and the idea made her sick. ”You're such a hypocrite. In all the centuries you claimed to nave been alive, there's probably been more women than I care to know about. Hundreds.” She thought about it. ”Thousands. You're a dog, Savage. A hound dog.” He couldn't help laughing. Reaching out, he took possession of her hand again and began to walk slowly back toward his home. Her hand was small and fragile in his, her skin soft and inviting. The wind, determined to have its way, playfully touched her hair, blowing it across his arm, weaving them together with a hundred silken strands.

Alexandria walked along beside him, trying not to feel cherished and protected as he moved alongside her. It was the way he moved-confident, supple, powerful-that made her feel so vulnerable to his possession, yet his fingers were gentle around hers. With every step she took, she became more annoyed that he had access to her personal life.

”I think you're getting the wrong idea, Aidan, about me. I may not have actual lovers, but that's only because I haven't loved anyone yet. I've been attracted, though. There's nothing wrong with me.”

His mouth twitched. Manfully he refrained from smiling, but it was necessary to walk several steps before he could reply in his usual neutral voice. ”I never, at any time, thought there was something wrong with you. If you are worried about it, though, I will be happy to demonstrate otherwise.”

She tugged at her hand. He was too close, too vivid and alive. The chemistry between them was explosive. He couldn't touch her, let alone kiss her. It just wasn't safe. ”I'll bet you would. But it isn't going to happen. I have a rule about vampires-I don't get involved with them.”