Part 19 (2/2)
That one's all you. Rafe's amus.e.m.e.nt comes through loud and clear. You're the one who suggested it last night.
Yes, yes, I know. Does that mean I can't regret it and b.i.t.c.h every now and then?
We're face to face now at the bottom of the steps and I stand up on my tiptoes to kiss him gently on the lips. I'd rather be naked in bed with him and he knows it. That's not to say we aren't going to enjoy the next hour, but still, I have my preferences.
Rafe breaks the kiss and takes my hand as we head up to the third floor.
How did things go with Asa? I ask.
Not bad. He's real intense about security and has a lot of great ideas.
Peachy. Sounds like you're on board with the command center idea I had to hear about for forty-five minutes?
We clear the first landing and continue up to the next one. The warmth from his fingers seep into my hand and courses up my arm. I run my other hand along the smooth railing, smelling the wood polish freshly applied to the banister.
We need to get Asa a room, p.r.o.nto, or he's going to camp out in our living room until we catch Ivan, Rafe says.
My head whips around at that. You finally accept that I'm right and that it's Ivan?
I don't doubt what you saw in Sheba's mind. I question the fact it really is him if the scents didn't match up. Some other vamp could have put those images conveniently into Sheba's head.
He sees my face losing the happy calm look I had after our kiss and rushes head on.
But Asa believes you and that's the premise he's working from. If we have a madman loose on the premises, he wants to find him and keep us safe.
We reach the last landing and look around for the guests we're supposed to meet. I try to pull free from his grasp so that I can head toward room sixteen, one of the dungeon rooms.
”Wait.” Rafe holds on to my hand and gives me a gentle tug back. ”Have you tried to reach out and touch Ivan's mind yet?”
I wondered when he'd get around to thinking of that. ”Yes, and no luck.” His face clears and he looks relieved. ”That doesn't mean it isn't him. It means his mind has been altered after the torture of his imprisonment.” I've seen, first-hand, how that can happen. I've been there when the tribunal releases a vampire from imprisonment. Sometimes, death is the kindest option.
By the expression on Rafe's face, I can see my explanation is an idea he's not yet ready to accept. Our guests will be here any moment, and I realize I'm grossly overdressed for the tour. Reaching to remove my turtleneck sweater, I focus back on the here and now. The cashmere slides up and my Merry Widow-covered nipples harden when the air hits them. I toss the sweater at Rafe and reach behind me to unzip my suit skirt. As it s.h.i.+mmies down my hips, I step out of the fabric and spread my boot-covered thighs into a wider stance. ”Ah, much better.”
Impeccable timing being my forte, Liam and Francesca round the corner and head down the hall towards us.
I look back at Rafe and lower my voice. ”We'll talk more later, hon, okay?”
Rafe moves closer to me and reaches out his free hand to run it down my hip, curving around to my backside. ”Oh, that's fine by me. This is going to be fun.” He gives me a playful smack on the rump. ”You can count on it.”
”Liam, Francesca,” I call out in cheerful voice, ”so good to see you again. How was your first night here?”
”The hotel's fantastic. Its reputation is well-earned,” Liam answers.
He looks well rested and content. Good, exactly the right frame of mind to try something new.
”Are we starting here in the north wing or in the east one?” he asks.
I grin. He has no idea he's not going to see any other rooms. ”We'll start in here,” I reply. ”I'm sure there is bound to be something you'll like.”
Liam's eyes take in my outfit in a slow perusal from head to foot. ”This doesn't look like standard inn-keeper attire. Although I have to admit, it looks good on you.”
”Glad you like it. I have something similar in store for Francesca.”
”You mean there are clothes in there I can borrow?” Francesca asks with a high pitch to her voice.
”Oh yes, something for everyone.” I give her a playful wink in return.
Francesca's eyes dilate in excitement. Her breathing comes in and out fast, in short bursts. She looks like she's already turned on. Either Liam was a busy man before they headed up here, or she's antic.i.p.ating the tour so much she has worked herself up to this on her own.
Without further ado, Rafe sweeps his key card down the lock and opens the door. I turn and lead the three of them inside. ”Step into my parlor...”
Rafe finishes for me, ”Said the spider to the fly.”
My boot heels rap sharply on the late tile floor, echoing up and bouncing off the matching tiled walls. There's no fabric in here to cus.h.i.+on and absorb sound so every nuance appears amplified. Twinkling lights from the black ceiling lend an air of mystique. The dancing shadows from the pre-lit candles make the whole s.p.a.ce come alive with movement.
”Fabulous!” cries Francesca. She runs a hand over a wooden rack with silver-lined cuff restraints as she walks by.
Liam's cool demeanor is gone-a spark of equal excitement lights deep in his blue eyes. His rugged face turns up in a small smile while he watches his mate get animated in her pleasure. Francesca lingers over each item, appearing to get caught up in a spell that she alone is weaving.
I nod to Rafe and he walks over to a corner where a large dressing screen stands. He steps behind it and I know he's stas.h.i.+ng my clothes there as well as removing some of his own. In the time it takes for Francesca to discover the silver shackles hanging on the empty back wall, Rafe emerges from behind the screen.
My lover stands still, s.h.i.+rtless and wearing a black leather hood. The sculpted muscles of his chest bunch beneath his taut skin like an animal about to pounce. Rafe's snug jeans ride low on his body. The kissable angles of his hips create a line that points straight to his fly. I look up to see the mask hiding his facial features from view and feel heat pool low in my middle. I want him right now and d.a.m.n the fact that we aren't alone.
Francesca's fascination with the silver restraints on the wall have made her miss Rafe's entrance, but not for long.
I walk over to her and pick up one of the cloth-lined shackles. ”Would you do me the honor?”
Her gaze whips up to meet my eyes. ”Really? You'd let me bind you here?” Her excitement comes off her in palpable waves. Her face flushes and her lips part. I bet her panties are damp at just the thought of tying up a vampire.
”But, of course, I know a guest would never try to harm me,” I rea.s.sure her, but in actuality, I know no such thing.
That's the real reason Rafe is here; he'd never allow me to do this without being close by to protect me. The fact that I could easily control their thoughts doesn't matter to him. In essence, it's a small thing to ease his mind on so I don't argue.
I step up to the wall and raise my arms up for the cuffs dangling from the stone on both sides above my head. Shaking my long hair down my back, I spread my legs and push my a.s.s out on display. Liam comes closer to watch as Francesca binds my left wrist in place.
”You aren't in pain from the silver?” His voice holds honest curiosity.
”No, the cuffs are lined, see?” I angle my bound arm to give him a good look inside the metal circle.
Liam grunts. ”Interesting.”
He reaches out and runs a hand along the silver chain attaching to the cuff to the wall. The soft hiss of searing vampire flesh and the pungent aroma of singed hair wafts up to greet me. He removes his hand quickly and the smell dissipates while the small burn heals. Francesca moves to the other side and repeats the process on my right wrist, securing it as well.
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