Shanna sat up and peered about the dark bedroom. "Roman? Are you here?"
I'm upstairs. Thank you for letting me inside.
Inside? Inside her head? It must have happened while she was asleep. An icy jab of pain shot from one temple to another.
Shanna, please. Don't push me out. His voice faded till it sounded like an echo coming from the far end of a cave.
She rubbed her aching temples. "Am I doing this?"
You're trying to block me. Why?
"I don't know. When I feel something coming at me, I just push back. It's a reflex."
Relax, sweetness. I won't hurt you.
She took a few deep breaths, and the pain lessened.
That's better. His voice sounded closer. Clearer.
Shanna's heart raced. She wasn't at all sure she wanted Roman in her head. How many of her thoughts could he read?
Why are you worried? Are you keeping secrets from me?
Oh God, he could hear her thoughts. "No big secrets, but there are some things I'd rather keep private." Like how incredibly handsome and sexy he¡ªYou're an ugly old toad!
Sexy?
Darn. She wasn't good at this telepathy stuff. The fact that he could read her mind made her want to produce strange thoughts just to throw him off track.
An air of amusement surrounded her like a warm cocoon. Then don't think so much. Relax.
"How can I relax if you're in my head? You wouldn't make me do something against my will, would you?"
Of course not, sweetness. I won't control your thoughts. I'll only give you the sensations of me making love to you. And as soon as the sun rises, I'll have to go.
She felt something warm and moist against her brow. A kiss. Then, soft fingers caressing her face. They rubbed at her temples till the last vestige of pain slipped away. She closed her eyes and felt the fingers tracing her cheekbones, her jaw, her ears. She wasn't sure how he managed it, but it felt so real. So wonderful.
What are you wearing ?
"Hmm? Does it matter?"
I want you naked when I touch you. I want to feel every lush curve, every deep hollow. I want your breath shuddering in my ear, your muscles tensing with passion, tighter and tighter¡ª
"Enough! You had me on the first sentence." She pulled off her nightgown and dropped it into a silken puddle on the floor. Then she nestled into the warm sheets and waited.
And waited. "Hello?" She gazed at the ceiling overhead, wondering what was happening on the fifth floor. "Hello? Earth to Roman¡ªyour bedmate is naked and ready for launch."
Nothing. Maybe he was so tired, he fell asleep. Great. She'd never been good at holding a man's interest for very long. And Roman¡ªhe could be around forever. How could she be more than a passing fancy to him? Even if their relationship lasted a few years, it would be like a blink of an eye to him. With a groan, Shanna rolled onto her stomach. How could this ever work? They were polar opposites, as in alive and dead. When people said opposites attract, they didn't mean it in such an extreme way.
Shanna?
She raised her head. "You're back? I thought you'd left."
Sorry. Business. His fingers gently kneaded her shoulders.
With a sigh, she lowered her head onto the pillow. Business? "Where are you exactly? You're not at your desk, are you?" The thought that he might be doing paperwork on the side really irked her. The man was so brilliant, he could probably give her a mental orgasm while answering his email.
He chuckled. I'm sitting in bed, having a bedtime snack.
He was drinking blood while he mentally massaged her shoulders? Ugh. How romantic. Not.
I'm naked. Does that help?
Oh Lordy. She visualized his gorgeous body¡ªugly old toad.
He stroked her back with feather-light caresses. She shivered. This was wonderful. He applied pressure with the heel of his hand, burrowing into her with slow, sweet circles. Correction¡ªthis was heaven.
Can you hear other vampires?
"No. One is quite enough, thank you." She felt his presence looming larger, swelling with emotion. Pride. No, fiercer than that. More like.. possessiveness.
You are mine.
Right. Just because she could hear him, it gave him ownership rights? Alive for more than five hundred years, and he still thought like a caveman. Though his hands did feel absolutely delightful.
Thank you. I aim to please. His hands roamed her back, his long fingers seeking out knots of tension. Caveman, huh?
Damn, he could hear too much. She could almost see him smiling. It was a good thing he didn't know she was falling in¡ªugly old toad, ugly old toad.
You're still not comfortable with me in your head.
Bingo. Two points for the mind-controlling demon. She felt a light smack on her rump. "Hey!" She lifted her shoulders, only to be pushed back down. "You're manhandling me." Her voice was muffled by the pillow.
Yes, I am. He had the gall to sound pleased with himself.
"Caveman," she muttered. With a whole harem of women. "You said before this was impersonal. It seems very personal to me."
It is right now, because it's only you and me. I'm thinking only of you. His presence felt heavy around her, heavy and hot with desire. Her skin tingled in response. He skimmed his fingers up her spine to her neck. There he brushed her hair to the side.
She felt something hot and moist on her neck. A kiss. She shivered. It was so weird, getting kissed by an invisible face. His breath warmed her ear. Then something tickled her toes.
She started. "There's something in the bed."
Me.
"But¡ª" It was impossible for him to kiss her ear and reach her toes at the same time. Unless his arms were six feet long. Or he wasn't quite human.
Bingo. Two points for you, sweetness. Roman nuzzled her neck and tweaked her toes. On both feet. And he continued to rub the skin between her shoulder blades.
"Wait a minute. How many hands do you have?"
As many as I want. It's all in my mind. Our mind. His thumbs dug into the arches of her feet. He massaged her back with the heel of his palm, dragging the circles down her spine. And still he continued to kiss her neck.
She sighed dreamily. "Oh, this is nice."
Nice? His hands stopped.
"Yeah. Very nice, very¡ª" Shanna tensed, aware of a simmering irritation inside her head. It was coming from him.
Nice? Sparks sizzled around him.
Oh dear. "I'm enjoying it. Really, I am."
His voice hissed through her head. No more Mr. Nice Guy.
He seized her ankles and pulled her legs apart. More hands curled around her wrists. She wiggled, trying to get loose, but he was too strong, with too many damned hands. She was pinned down and helpless, her legs spread wide open.
Cool air wafted against her most tender flesh. She waited, tense and exposed. Her heart pounded loud in her ears.
She waited. The room was quiet, except for the labored sound of her breathing. Her nerves coiled, sensing an imminent attack. Where would he strike first? There was no way to tell. He wasn't visible to the eye. This was terrible. This was.. exciting.
She waited. Four hands still gripped her wrists and ankles. But he had an infinite number of hands and fingers, as many as he could imagine. Her heart raced faster. The muscles in her buttocks contracted in an attempt to squeeze her legs together. She was so exposed. So open to him. Her skin began to tingle. He was doing this to her. Making her wait. Making her ache with anticipation. Longing. Desire.
And then he was gone.
Shanna raised her head. "Hello? Roman?" Where did he go? She sat up and glanced at the clock radio beside the bed. It would be just her luck if the sun was rising and he was officially dead for the day. But it was too early for sunrise. Had he just run out on her in the middle of a date? Minutes ticked by.
She rose onto her knees. "Dammit, Roman, you can't leave me like this." She considered throwing something at the ceiling.
Suddenly she felt hands encircle her waist. She gasped. "Roman? That better be you." She reached behind her where she thought he should be, but felt nothing but air.
It's me. He skimmed his hands over her ribs, then cupped her breasts. His mouth nibbled at her shoulder.
"Where¡ªwhere were you?" It was hard to carry on a conversation while he was stroking her with his thumbs.
I'm sorry. It won't happen again. He played with her nipples, gently tweaking the hardened buds between his thumb and forefinger. Each tug seemed to pull at an invisible cord connected to her soul.
She crumpled onto the bed and stared at the ceiling. "Oh, Roman, please." She wished she could see him. Or touch him.
Shanna, sweet Shanna. His voice whispered in her head. How can I tell you what you mean to me? When I saw you at the ball, it was as if my heart started beating again. You lit up the room, bright in an ocean of black and white. And I thought¡ªmy life has been nothing but a dark, endless night. Then, you came like a rainbow and filled my black soul with color.
"Oh, Roman. Don't make me cry." She rolled onto her stomach and wiped her moist eyes with the sheet.
I'll make you cry with pleasure. His hands trailed slowly up her legs, while two more of his imaginary hands skimmed down her back. He reached her thighs and the small of her back. Soon, soon all hands would converge on her sex. Her buttock muscles tensed. Moisture pooled between her legs. The hunger grew sweeter, hotter, more desperate.
She felt his mouth on her bottom, kissing her. The tip of his tongue slipped across one cheek, dipped into the crevice, and continued across the other cheek.
"You're driving me crazy, Roman. I can't stand it."
Is this what you want? His fingers brushed against the curly hair guarding her sex.
She jolted. "Yes."
How wet are you?
The question alone elicited another warm gush of liquid. "I'm dripping. Soaked. See for yourself." She rolled onto her back, expecting to see him. It was disconcerting to lie there, her legs open to welcome him, and no one was there. "Roman?"
I want to kiss you. His breath wandered over her breast, then he sucked the nipple into his mouth. His tongue swirled around, then flicked the hard tip.
She reached for him, but there was nothing there.
He moved to her other breast.
"I want to touch you, too. I want to hold you." She jolted when he cupped her between the legs.
His fingers began to explore. You're drenched. You're beautiful.
"Roman." She reached for him again, but found nothing to hold. This was more than disconcerting. It was downright aggravating. With nothing to hold, she clenched the sheet in her fists.
He skimmed along the slick folds, then gently parted them. He dipped a finger inside and stroked the inner walls. Do you like that? Or do you prefer this? He circled her clitoris, then teased the tip.
She cried out. She twisted the sheet in her hands. She longed to hold him, run her hands through his hair, feel the muscles on his back and buttocks. This was so one-sided. But so damned good.
He inserted two fingers inside her. At least, she thought it was two fingers. Maybe three. Oh God, he was torturing her from the inside out. His fingers circled and stroked, plunged and withdrew. She had no idea how many thousands of nerve endings she possessed down there, but he seemed determined to set each one on fire. He rubbed the hard, swollen nub of her sex faster and faster. She dug her heels into the mattress, tensing her legs and pressing her hips into the air. More. More.
He gave her more.
She panted, gasping for air. Tension mounted, sweet and strained. She burned with need. Harder. Harder. She pushed her sex into his hands, writhing against him. He grabbed her buttocks and took her with his mouth.
One flick of his tongue and she shattered. Her inner muscles clenched his fingers. She cried out. Spasms throbbed from her inner core, shooting ripples of sheer pleasure to her fingers and toes. With each wave of release, her breath caught in her throat, her fingers twitched at the sheets. The tremors went on and on. She pulled her legs up, pressing her thighs together, reveling in the glorious aftershocks.
You were beautiful. He kissed her brow.
"You were fantastic." She pressed a hand against her chest. Her heart was still beating rapidly, her skin still hot.
I must go now, sweetness. Sleep well.
"What? You can't leave now."
I must. Sleep well, my love.
"You can't just leave. I want to hold you." A jab of cold pain pinched the bridge of her nose, then disappeared. "Roman?"
Silence.
She searched for his presence within her. He was gone.
"Hey, caveman!" she yelled at the ceiling. "You can't just love me and leave!"
No answer. She struggled to sit up. The bedside clock glowed with the time. Six-ten. Oh, that was it. She collapsed onto her back. The sun was rising. Time for all good little vampires to go sleepy-bye. That certainly sounded nicer than the truth. For the next twelve hours, Roman was dead to the world.
Shit. For a corpse, he made one hell of a lover. With a moan, she covered her eyes. What was she doing, having sex with a vampire? It wasn't like there was any future in this. He was stuck forever at the age of thirty. Condemned to be young, sexy, and gorgeous for all eternity, while she would grow old.
Shanna groaned. Their relationship was doomed from the start. He would stay the beautiful, young prince.
And she would be the ugly old toad.
Early in the afternoon, Shanna woke and had lunch with Howard Barr and a few of the daytime guards. Although trained in security, the guys were also paid to clean house during the day. After all, the sound of vacuum cleaners wasn't going to disturb the dead. Shanna spent a boring afternoon washing her new clothes and watching television. The Digital Vampire Network was on, but most everything was in French or Italian. It was nighttime in Europe. The slogans still appeared in English. On 24/7 because it's always nighttime somewhere. DVN¡ªif you're not digital, you can't be seen. Now the words made a lot more sense.
She took a hot shower before sunset, eager to look her best for Roman. Back in the kitchen, she ate supper and witnessed the changing of the guard. The Highlanders arrived. Each one gave her a smile before heading to the refrigerator for a bottle of blood. They waited their turn at the microwave, while they smiled at her and exchanged knowing looks.
Did she have a piece of lettuce stuck in her teeth? Finally the Scotsmen left to take up their posts for the evening. Connor remained behind, rinsing out bottles in the sink. She recalled seeing him do that before, but at the time, the significance hadn't registered.
"Why is everyone so happy?" Shanna asked from her seat at the kitchen table. "After the bombing last night, I thought a war was about to break out."
"Oh, aye, it will," Connor answered. "But when ye live as long as we have, ye lose a sense of urgency about it. We'll take care of Petrovsky soon enough. 'Tis a shame we didn't kill him in the Great War."
Shanna leaned forward. "There was a Great Vampire War?"
"Aye, in 1710." Connor closed the dishwasher, then leaned against the counter. His eyes grew hazy with memories. "I was there. So was Petrovsky, though not on the same side, ye ken."
"How did it happen?"
"Roman dinna tell you?"
"No. Was he involved?"
Connor snorted. "He started it."
Was that what Roman meant when he said he'd committed terrible crimes? "Will you tell me about it?"
"I suppose there's no harm in it." Connor wandered toward the kitchen table and took a seat. "The vampire who changed Roman was a verra nasty character named Casimir. He had a pack of vampires at his command, and together they were destroying whole villages, raping and murdering, torturing for the pleasure of it. Petrovsky was one of Casimir's favorite minions."
Shanna winced. Roman had been a gentle monk, dedicated to healing the poor. It was appalling to think of him thrust into the midst of such evil. "What happened to Roman?"
"Casimir was fascinated with him. He wanted to wrench every bit of goodness out of Roman, and turn him into pure evil. He.. he did cruel things to Roman. Gave him terrible choices." Connor shook his head in disgust. "One time, Casimir captured two children and threatened to kill them both. He said Roman could save one of them if he would only kill the other one himself."
"Oh God." A wave of nausea swept through Shanna. No wonder Roman thought God had abandoned him.
"When Roman refused to partake in such perversity, Casimir flew into a rage. He and his pack of devils descended on Roman's monastery and murdered all the monks. Then they destroyed the buildings."
"Oh, no! All the monks? Even Roman's adopted father?" Shanna's heart ached at the thought.
"Aye. Ye ken, it wasna Roman's fault, but he still felt responsible."
No wonder Roman suffered so much from self-loathing. It wasn't his fault, but she could see why he would feel guilty. Karen's death hadn't been her fault, but she still blamed herself. "The ruined monastery¡ªthat's the painting on the fifth floor, isn't it?"
"Aye. Roman keeps it there to remind himself¡ª"
"You mean torture himself." Shanna's eyes misted with tears. For how many centuries did he intend to whip himself over this?
"Aye." Connor nodded sadly. "It was the sight of the monastery and his dead brothers that instilled in Roman a purpose for his new and awful existence. He made a vow then to destroy Casimir and his evil followers. But he knew he couldna do it alone. So he sneaked away, traveling to the west, seeking out battlefields where the wounded lay dying in the dark. In 1513 he found Jean-Luc at the Battle of the Spurs in France and Angus at Flodden Field in Scotland. He transformed them, and they became his first allies."
"When did they find you?"
"At the battle of Solway Moss." Connor sighed. "There was never peace for long in my bonnie Scotland. It made a prime hunting ground for dying warriors. I had crawled under a tree to die. Roman found me and asked if I was willing to fight again for a noble cause. I was in so much pain, I doona remember much. I must have said yes, for Roman transformed me that night."
Shanna swallowed hard. "Do you resent what happened to you?"
Connor looked surprised. "Nay, lass. I was dying. Roman gave me a reason to exist. Angus was there, too. He changed over Ian. By 1710, Roman had acquired a large army of vampires. Angus was his general. I was a captain." Connor smiled proudly.
"And then you marched on Casimir?"
"Aye, it was a bloody war and raged on for three nights. Those who were wounded and too weak to move would fry when the sun rose. On the third night, shortly before sunrise, Casimir fell. His followers fled."
"And Petrovsky was one of them?"
"Aye. But we'll be getting him soon. Doona worry about that." Connor stood and stretched. "I'd best get to my rounds."
"I suppose Roman is up by now."
Connor grinned. "Aye. I'm sure he is." He strode from the kitchen, his red and green kilt swinging about his knees.
Shanna heaved a big sigh. So Roman had told the truth about his crimes. He had killed and transformed mortals into vampires. But he had transformed those who were already dying, and his purpose had been a noble one. He defeated Casimir, the evil vampire who enjoyed torturing innocent people.
It was a violent past Roman had, but it was one that she could accept. In spite of Casimir's attempts to vilify him, Roman had remained a good man. He'd always sought to protect the innocent and save mortals. Yet he was so filled with remorse, he believed God had abandoned him. She needed to get through to him somehow and ease his pain. Their personal relationship might be doomed, but she still cared about Roman, and she couldn't stand for him to suffer anymore. She wandered into the hall and headed for the stairs.
"Oh, Shanna!" Maggie stood at the opening to the parlor.
The double doors were open, and Shanna could see the harem inside. Aw, jeez. She really didn't want to see these women.
"Shanna, come on." Maggie grabbed her by the arm and tugged her toward the parlor. "Look, everybody! It's Shanna."
The harem girls all gave her glowing smiles.
What the hell were they up to? Shanna didn't trust their newfound friendliness one bit.
Vanda came forward with an apologetic smile. "I'm so sorry I was rude to you." She touched a lock of Shanna's hair. "This color suits you."
"Thank you." Shanna took a step back.
"Don't go." Maggie grabbed her arm. "Come in and join us."
"Yes," Vanda agreed. "We'd like to welcome you to the harem."
Shanna gasped. "Excuse me? I'm not joining your harem."
"But you and Roman¡ªyou are lovers now, non?" Simone curled up in the corner of the couch.
"I¡ªI really don't think it's any of your business." How on earth did they know what had happened?
"Don't be so touchy," Vanda said. "We all like Roman."
"Oh." Simone sipped from a wineglass. "I have come all ze way from Paris to be wiz him."
Anger sizzled in Shanna. Anger at Roman and these ladies, but mostly anger at herself. She shouldn't have gotten so involved with him while he still had all these women on the side. "What happens between Roman and myself is private."
Maggie shook her head. "It's very hard to be private amongst vampires. I overheard Roman when he asked to make love to you."
"What?" Shanna's heart lurched toward her throat.
"Maggie's very good at picking up thoughts," Vanda explained. "When she heard Roman, she alerted the rest of us, and we all asked Roman to let us join in on the fun."
"What? " Sparks of fire shot off in Shanna's head.
"Relax." Darcy gave her a worried look. "He didn't let them in."
"He was so h-rude!" Simone huffed.
"It was awful." Maggie crossed her arms, frowning. "We've waited so long for Roman to take an interest in sex again. And then, when he finally does, he wouldn't let us play."
"It was terrible." Vanda sighed. "We're his harem. We have a right to share vampire sex with him, but he blocked us out."
Shanna stared at them, agape, with her heart pounding in her chest.
"I do declare," the Southern belle said, "I have never felt so rejected in all my life."
"You¡ª" Shanna struggled to breathe. "All of you tried to join us?"
Vanda shrugged. "Once someone initiates vampire sex, anyone can join in."
"That's how it's supposed to be," Maggie agreed. "We asked twice to participate, but Roman kept blocking us out."
"He even fussed at us." Simone pouted on the couch.
"There was so much arguing and mental shouting going on," Maggie continued, "that even the Highlanders got into the fight and told us to leave Roman alone."
Shanna groaned inwardly. No wonder the Scotsmen had been smiling at her. Did everyone in the house know what she and Roman had been doing? Her face heated up.
"You will have sex again tonight, non?" Simone asked.
"That's why we want you to join the harem," Maggie said with a friendly smile.
"Yes." Vanda smiled, too. "Then, Roman can make love to all of us."
"No, no." Shanna shook her head and backed away. "Never!" She ran before the harem could see any tears on her face. Damn! Now she knew why Roman had disappeared twice last night. He'd put her on hold in order to answer the deluge of mental calls from his harem. The whole time he'd been making psychic love to her, he'd been forced to expend mental energy to block the harem out. It was like they were making love with a bunch of peeping Toms trying to see in the window.
She ran up the stairs to the first floor. Shock turned to horror, then to raw pain. How could she have gotten herself into such a horrid mess?
By the time she reached the second floor, tears were streaming down her face. How could she have been so stupid? She should have never let Roman into her head. Or into her bed. And certainly not into her heart. When she reached the third floor, the pain morphed into anger. That damned harem! And damned Roman. How dare he keep a harem while claiming to care about her? On the fourth floor, she headed to her room, then stopped. The anger was burning at full blaze, too hot to be controlled. She stormed up to the fifth floor.
The guard there gave her a knowing smile.
She wanted to slap that smile off his face. She gritted her teeth. "I'd like to see Roman."
"Aye, lass." The Highlander opened Roman's office door.
She strode inside and shut the door. Roman might have survived the Great Vampire War of 1710, but he was about to face an even worse terror.
A mortal female in full rage.