Marcus gave a snort of derision. “Me? How about you? You are putty in her little hands. I’ve never seen you so…sweet and gentle before.”
Stephan’s brows narrowed and he shot Marcus his best you-better-watch-your-step look. “I can still kick your butt.”
Marcus chuckled, and shook his head, raising his hands in surrender. “I know. I know. Didn’t mean to imply you aren’t still a big badass. I just happen to think it is nice that you have a female you care about.”
“Uh-huh.” It was time to change the direction of this conversation. “So about Kat getting this evening off, do you think it can be arranged?”
“Yeah. You know,” Marcus bantered with a smile, “Kat has been taking a lot of time off since meeting you. I think you are a bad influence on her work ethic.”
“Can I help it if she would rather spend time with me, than at your smoky old club?”
“Excuse me, smoky old club?” Marcus feigned insult by placing one hand over his heart. “I’ll have you know Reapers is one of the better clubs on the strip.”
“That may be, but if I have my way, soon Kat will not be working there anymore.”
“What do you mean?” Marcus crossed his arms across his chest, leaning back in the chair.
“I love her, Marcus.” Marcus’ eyes widened in disbelief. “I’m hoping that soon I’ll be able to convince her to come live with me in Germany.”
“I never thought I’d see the day when you would settle down.”
A genuine smile took Stephan’s face. “There is something special about Kat.”
“Is she your heartmate?”
“I don’t know. I haven’t drunk from her.” Marcus started to speak, but Stephan cut him off holding up one hand. “You asked me not to drink from her, remember?” The younger vampire nodded as Stephan continued uninterrupted. “So I haven’t yet. I’m waiting until just the right moment, then I’ll ask her permission.”
And he had to admit he was nervous about that, which wasn’t an emotion the warrior was used to feeling. He decided in that moment that within the week he would ask her to be his evermore, ask her to spend eternity with him as his heartmate. He’d come to believe she must be his mate, the other half of his soul, but he had to make sure by taking a sip of her blood. He would only need a small sip of her sweet blood to know whether or not she was his true heartmate. Surely she could now trust him enough to allow him the pleasure of drawing from her vein.
Wouldn’t she?
****
Excitement and anticipation bubbled in her veins like champagne as the elevator rose. Kat couldn’t wait to discover what Stephan had planned for this evening. When he’d informed her that he’d arranged for her to have the night off and that a special surprise waited, her mind raced with the possibilities.
Nervously, she ran her hands over the blue, sleeveless, A-line gown, brushing imaginary wrinkles from the boat neck and accenting ties at the waist. She glanced at Stephan and could not help but admire how great he looked tonight. Dressed in a dark blue, silk shirt and a suit that matched the gown perfectly, his eyes seemed like deep pools of sapphire blue. His dark hair, pulled back in a leather thong, allowed for an unobstructed view of his handsome face. She’d never seen a more beautiful man. As if reading her mind, he looked at her and winked.
Her stomach did a little flop when the elevator came to a quick stop on the forty-first floor.
Stephan offered his arm and gave her the sexy smile that melted her bones. “Shall we?”
They stepped out into a cavernous room. Filled with tables covered in burgundy linen clothes and padded chairs to match, the room bespoke of elegance. From the crystal chandeliers to the gilded molding, the restaurant glistened and shined. Kat’s eyes swept the room, taking it all in, and she noted the place seemed empty.
Her eyes met Stephan’s gaze. “Are they closed?”
His smile widened. “Not exactly. I rented the place for tonight. We will be the only customers.”
Kat couldn’t begin to imagine how much that must have cost.
A pretty blonde, wearing an evening gown, came up to them. “Good evening, Mr. von Haas.”
“Hello, Missy. I presume our table is ready.”
The hostess blushed and gave Stephan a coy look which made Kat’s blood boil. “Of course. We do aim to please.” She batted her eyes flirtatiously.
The woman led them to a table next to a fireplace, and Stephan held the padded leather chair for Kat while she sat. He pulled a chair from across the small table around next to her and sat down. The hostess quickly moved the elegant place setting in front of him, taking the opportunity to brush up against his arms while she rearranged the dinnerware.
While Kat noticed the way the blonde shamelessly flirted with him, Stephan, much to his credit, did not respond. His attention wholly focused on Kat. His eyes never left her when he ordered their drinks.
“I hope you don’t mind, but I took the liberty of ordering for you as well. When I booked the restaurant, they wanted to know what we’d like to eat.”
Kat thought back to their first date, remembering how Stephan seemed to know all her favorite dishes. She trusted him to make similar choices tonight. “I’m sure you chose well. How could anything be bad in a place like this?”
Missy arrived posthaste, like she couldn’t stand to be away from Stephan for two minutes. Kat knew the feeling.
“Water for the lady. And for the gentleman, Earl Grey tea.” She placed the drinks in front of them, her eyes never leaving Kat’s date. “Is there anything else you need? Anything at all?”
The insinuation was clear in the tone of her voice, and Kat had had enough. “Yes, you can leave.”
Missy left in a huff, but Kat didn’t care. Her palpable jealousy hung in the air like a thick fog between Stephan and her. When she glanced at her lover, he wore a smug look.
“What?” he asked, shrugging his shoulders and a smile tugged at his lips.
Katrina’s eyes bore into the back of the woman’s head as she sauntered away.
When Kat didn’t reply, he once again asked, “What is it, Kitten? If you don’t talk to me, I can’t fix whatever is wrong.”
Kat took a deep breath and blew it out through her pursed lips. “I can’t believe you let her flirt with you right in front of me.”
Kat felt the sensation of a hand sliding down her face. It came to rest under her chin. Her eyes locked with his, and the twinkle told her he’d created the sensation.
“Schatz, it is you I love.” The sincerity in his eyes was plain to see. “I can’t believe you feel threatened by her.”
Katrina brushed her fingers under her chin as if to push his imaginary hand away. “You have to admit, she made it quite clear she wants you.”
“But I could care less. I only want you.” He took her hand in his. “I would never be unfaithful to you. I love you. You, Kat, no other.”
Kat looked deeply into his eyes and believed him. She saw his love for her reflected in the depth of his deep blues. She wanted to believe him, needed to believe him. She’d fallen deeply in love with the man sitting beside her. He was quickly becoming her whole world. She wanted to be his. His only one.
“You are my one and only, mein schatz,” he assured her, as if he’d somehow gleaned her thoughts.
She softened toward him, her belief in his love replacing her resentfulness and jealousy. She replayed his words in her mind. You are my one and only, mein schatz.
“Wait, what did you call me? Shats, Shots?”
“Schatz,” Stephan supplied. “The literal translation is treasure. Mein schatz translates roughly as my dear or my darling. It’s a term of endearment in German.”
The tension left her shoulders and a genuine smile graced her face. “I’m sorry. I guess I was just a little jealous.”
Stephan chuckled, the sound played over her skin like velvet. She loved when he laughed. Always the serious warrior, she liked when he loosened up.
“The way
you looked at that woman…the saying ‘if looks could kill’ was obviously coined by someone who had seen the look you just gave.” He leaned in, his warm breath flowed over her ear when he whispered, “Though I must admit, I rather like it when you are possessive. It makes me all tingly inside.”
A tremor raced through her body as her mind flooded with images of things they’d done that made her tingly. Stephan was pure sin all wrapped up in a beautiful package. He did things to her body with just a look. Her mind raced with all the things they might do later.
Luckily two waiters arrived with their meal, providing Kat with the distraction she needed. The meal passed quickly, with pleasant conversation and tasty gourmet dishes. By the time dessert arrived, Kat relaxed and forgot all about Missy.
A bucket of chilled champagne and two etched, fluted glasses were brought to their table by a waiter. After filling their stemware, he asked, “Is there anything else I can bring you this evening?”
Stephan waved him off. “We have everything we need. Miss Spencer and I wish to be left alone for now. I’ll let you know if there is anything we require.”
Kat took a sip. It tickled going down, and she giggled. When a small bit of champagne escaped, Stephan took her chin gently in his hand, tipped her head up, and captured her lips. His lips brushed against hers in tender kiss. Once. Twice. The kiss became more insistent; her tongue explored the heat of his mouth. His kiss tasted of champagne and spice, a heady mix. Her world tilted on its axes as he lifted her into his arms without breaking their kiss and placed her on his lap.
His fingers threaded in her updo, pulled the strands free from the clip. A clinking sound vaguely registered, and she realized the barrette had fallen to his plate. She paid it little attention when her mouth captured his moan. Their tongues waltzed between their lips in perfect synchronicity.
She broke the kiss, nibbled along his chiseled jaw, to his ear. His arms tightened around her when she bit the lobe, then soothed it with a swipe of her tongue. Her breath glided over his flesh, eliciting another moan. His breathing increased in time with hers. Her heart raced, belly tightened. She reveled in the knowledge she did this to him. Made him hunger for her as she did for him. Made him love her.
“Katrina,” his voice sounded low, heavy with lust, “as much as I love this, I think we should stop. If you keep doing that, I’m liable to lay you across this table and take you here and now.”
She nipped his neck, then laid a kiss over the slight mark. “And that would be bad because…”
He growled, actually growled and it was the sexiest sound she’d ever heard. Her core clenched, moist heat rushed low.
When next he spoke, it was between clenched teeth. “Because, as much as I want you, there is still one surprise I have yet to show you this evening.”
Her head snapped up, eyes wide when she looked at Stephan. “What is it?” she asked, barely containing her excitement.
He chuckled. “Always ready for a surprise, aren’t you?”
“You know I am.” Kat laughed. “Now tell me.”
“Do you remember I mentioned that I own several art galleries?”
“Yes.”
“Well, I arranged for a private showing, just for us.”
“Really? Where?”
“In the gallery downstairs. Shall we go?”
Kat warred with the decision. To see the showing, she’d have to leave his lap, and she happened to be very comfortable and content right where she sat.
“There is something special, just for you waiting down there,” Stephan teased with a sly grin.
“What is it?”
“You’ll have to go down to find out.”
Kat rolled her eyes, weighing her decision. Stephan’s surprises were always wonderful. What in the world could be waiting for her downstairs? She decided to find out.
Kat jumped off his lap and took him by the hand. “Come on. What are we waiting for?”
The ride down in the elevator seemed to take forever, and Kat was determined to pass the time by finding out more about Stephan.
“Stephan, you mentioned that you not only own a gallery in New York, but also one in Germany. Just how many galleries do you own?”
“Several,” Stephan answered nonchalantly. “In addition to those two, I also own one in France, another in England, and three or four in other countries around the world.”
That must be where he gets his money. “Is art profitable?”
“The galleries hold their own. But I have other investments as well. I own some real estate and have been fortunate in the stock market. Living over six hundred years lets a man learn a few tricks and pick up some tips along the way, and I’m not just talking about making money.” Stephan winked and cupped her bottom, giving it a quick squeeze.
Kat supposed after six hundred years a man would learn quite a lot of tricks, and she had enjoyed every one of the tricks he shared so far with her.
When the doors opened, the soft strains of classical music filled the air. Moving into the gallery, Kat found it spacious, made more so by the fact that once again they were the only two in the room. A large, open design, the pieces were arranged along the walls with white up lighting that gave the faces in the portraits an ethereal glow. Kat stood awestruck, impressed by the artistic compositions.
Stephan slipped silently behind her and circled one arm around her waist. “What do you think, Kitten?” He raised his glass of champagne toward the canvas in front of them.
“It’s perfect.” Kat smiled.
“I’m so glad you like it.”
“You arranged this for me?”
“I happen to know the artist.”
“They are beautiful. They seem so real, but yet too real, too beautiful. There is something different I just can’t place my finger on.”
Stephan smiled and bent his head. He lips brushed her ear when he whispered. “It’s the fangs.”
Kat leaned closer for a better look. She could see the tips of two fangs just peeking out from the upper lip of the person in the portrait. “Ahhh, you’re right.” Quickly her eyes darted to the next portrait and the one beside that, realizing that each had a small set of fangs showing.
“So the artist paints vampires?” Kat whispered, not sure if they could be overheard. Surely there had to be some staff for such a large gallery.
“No need to be quiet. We are quite alone,” Stephan assured her, straightening. “Most of his subjects are actually humans. He just adds the fangs. Appropriate to debut his work just before Halloween, don’t you think?”
“Very clever.”
Stephan maneuvered her around the room, pointing out the composition and contrasts in the paintings. Kat had an appreciative eye but did not know much about art. Stephan made the perfect teacher—patient and enlightening. He never caused her to feel uninformed for asking questions about the pieces, and she appreciated that.
“Now this next one is my absolute favorite.” Stephan moved her to the next portrait. Kat covered her mouth with one hand.
“It’s me.” She reached toward the picture with her other hand. Her heart beat hard in her chest from excitement.
Stephan grabbed her extended hand, enveloping it in his much larger one. “Yes, it is you. I hope you don’t mind, but I sent Lars your picture and commissioned the portrait for you.”
Joy spread warmth through her body. “It’s beautiful, almost unearthly.”
Stephan nodded. “It is a beautiful painting, but it’s nothing compared to the real you. You are so much more than that portrait.” He gave her a quick kiss. “Tell me, do you really like it?”
“Oh yes,” she all but squealed. “I love it!”
“Good.” A small smile took Stephan’s face as he nodded his approval. “Lars will be happy to hear you admire his interpretation of your likeness.”
“Admire? I more than admire it. I am bewitched. I can’t take my eyes off of it.”
Kat plucked his glass from his hand and took a sip, her eyes
never leaving the portrait. It mesmerized her, seemed to stare into her soul. She could lose herself in the painting if not for the handsome man standing next to her who anchored her to the world.
Her heart, full and heavy with love and adoration, sang for him. Stephan was everything she’d ever wanted. Smart. Strong. Sexy. She knew she could rely on him to keep her safe. She heard the love in his voice when he spoke to her, knew she could trust him with her heart. If only that trust didn’t come with a set of fangs.
Thanks to Marcus, Kat knew enough about vampires to know Stephan would eventually want to drink from her. Since the attack, she’d had a real phobia about anyone taking from her vein. A full blown, heart stopping, sick to your stomach phobia. In seven years, Marcus had never taken her blood, and she wasn’t sure she’d ever be able to allow Stephan to do so. As the night wore on, she silently hoped that wouldn’t be a problem.
Chapter 22
Stephan and Kat entered the Penthouse, weary from their long night. Kat was tucked under one of his arms, her portrait under the other. He happily bore the brunt of her weight as she sagged against him, making him feel every bit the strong protector. Marcus rushed to greet them when they entered.
“Stephan I must speak with you,” Marcus said, ignoring Kat completely.
“Well, hello to you too,” Kat quipped.
“Oh yeah. Hi Kat… Hi…Um, yeah.” Marcus spared her an anxious glance before turning his full attention back on Stephan. “So, Stephan, we need to talk, now.”
After Stephan settled Kat onto the couch in the living room and placed her portrait against a bare wall in the room, he and Marcus retired to the library, closing the door behind them.
Stephan took a deep breath and let out a loud, weary sigh as he settled into the claw footed chair across from Marcus. “Talk to me, Marcus. What did you find out?”
Marcus took a deep breath before beginning to relay the information he heard earlier that evening. “I was monitoring the transmission from one of the listening devices and overheard Lucio speaking with one of his guards, a male named Trace. They discussed two humans Trace had brought to the home. Apparently Gage was pleased by the two women. Lucio made comments on how attractive the women were and the guard mentioned he’d had an opportunity to sample their goods, noting that he had been careful not to do any lasting damage. It was sickening.”
Alpha Mine (The Alpha Council Chronicles) Page 15