by S. E. Lund
"I feel terribly guilty that I made you break your vows," I say but I'm lying.
"You made me do nothing." He kisses me and I feel his amusement at this line of discussion.
"Why me?" I say, genuinely curious. "Is it only because I look like her? Like Danielle?"
He sits on his bed and pulls me between his legs.
"You do look like her in a way, with that blonde hair and hazel eyes. But you're also different. Your freckles. Your dimples. They're your own and they're what I love about you. And your mind, of course. You have a mind that keeps me shaking my head."
What he loves about me…
He's used love twice in reference to me, saying earlier that he loved my mind while we were in the park. He said it to Soren in Montana. I reach to him, touching his cheek and when I do I feel a deep sense of warmth from him, and it envelops me like a wave and my own emotions swell in response.
"I have to go," he says and pulls me against his body, his face nuzzling in the crook of my neck, his mouth opening, his tongue over my jugular. He's feeling my pulse, enjoying the sensation of it against his tongue. He loves how close he is to my vein, how easy it would be to just bite, and his teeth do elongate and his blood lust increases, but he bears it, loving the sacrifice he makes to keep me pure. He wants to keep me pure, unbroken, untainted.
"I have to leave," he protests, his voice husky. "I don't have time…" He kisses me. "But when I come back, we'll be together for good, Eve," he says, staring in my eyes.
I want him to stay with me. I'm afraid of this price he will pay and what it will mean, but I don't get anything from him. He pulls out of my arms.
"Now go to bed and sleep as long as you want. Raymond will attend to any of your needs. I've told Ed that you'll be on leave while I'm gone because I don't want you going anywhere without me."
"But the case…"
"Ed and Terri are handling it fine without us. Now don't ask questions or protest, Eve. Obey."
I nod and take in a deep breath.
He pulls me once more into his embrace, lifting my body off the floor as if I'm no more that a feather, and of course, he's so strong, with the strength of ten men, and so I am light.
"Stay safe, ma petite," he whispers, his lips against my neck. "My little one."
And then he's gone without looking back.
During the next four days, I spend part of my time playing the lovely old Steinway, learning the Chopin Nocturne Michel played. I want to learn it because he loves it and I want it to become part of me. The rest of the time I spend studying old atlases and maps of the world, drawn hundreds of years earlier that Michel has in his collection, reading books from his library, watching television, and simply lazing around. It is the first real vacation I've had in several years for each summer I've worked and taken classes. It's a relief to just do nothing.
I don't hear from Michel and it hurts a bit that he doesn't think of contacting me, but I try to bite back my disappointment and accept things I can't change.
When Raymond enters the room to bring me tea, I ask him.
"Have you heard from Michel?"
Raymond shakes his head.
"He said he'd be out of contact for several days – maybe a week."
I feel a bit better. He's not deliberately avoiding me then. This is part of his plan, but I miss him and only now realize how familiar his presence has become and how much I desire him, his company, his touch.
That night, as I'm sleeping, I dream of him and it's a strange dream – like something out of a vampire movie with him entering the open window, coming to the bed, his black wings outstretched. He lies on top of me, kissing me with his cold lips, his wings curving around us. I writhe in pleasure under his touch, aching for him. As I do, he bites my neck, his sharp teeth breaking my skin and the mixture of pleasure and pain makes everything even more potent. The feed is short, just a mouthful or two, and then he's gone and not a word is spoken.
I wake up and the dream felt so real, I reach up to touch my neck, but there's no mark. It was just a dream after all…
That afternoon, I ask Raymond if someone can take me out so I can visit my apartment and feed my cats, then get a cup of my favorite coffee.
"No offense," I say to him, "but I really like the coffee at a shop just below my apartment. Can someone take me there so I can get a cup? I want to buy some coffee and my favorite dark chocolate at a store beside it. I've been in this house for four days straight and I'm starting to go crazy."
Raymond makes a face and then goes to the door.
"I'll arrange it. My Lord left instructions that any outings should be short, and limited to visiting your apartment to feed your cats. I'll have two guards take you. You're only allowed fifteen minutes. Is that understood?"
I nod, and as much as I like the mansion, I'm happy to be out getting the fresh air. It's sunny and I don't want to waste the nice day.
The guard who met us the first day takes me in a long black sedan and I see a second car following behind us. Talk about security precautions. We arrive at my apartment and I quickly refresh the cat food feeder and water dispenser while the guard named Marco stands like a statue in my doorway, and then we head to the coffee shop for a cup of Medium Blend organic and cream. The side patio is open and so I sit in a chair and enjoy the day. Marco is sitting a few chairs over, his dark glasses on, his hand on a cup of coffee, which he doesn't drink.
I get up to go to the washroom and Marco stands when he sees me rise.
"I'm just going to the washroom."
He nods and then goes ahead of me to check the small washroom out. He opens the door, checks the stall and then nods to me, not a word said.
I go in and have a quick pee and then wash up before leaving. Marco isn't there when I come out, nor is he seated at the table where he was previously. I go to the shop next door to pick up some of the chocolate they sell there – it will go well with the pound of organic espresso I've bought. Surely the driver will see me and will keep an eye out for me for the five minutes I'm in the shop. I go into the tiny store and inspect a half-dozen trays of dark chocolate, selecting several that I'll enjoy after my supper. I glance out the window while the clerk rings the order up and see a strange man staring at me as he crosses traffic. He has his eyes peeled on me, a coat over his arm, and I have a sense that under it is a weapon.
"I'm sorry," I say to the clerk when she hands me the bag. "Is there a back entrance?"
She nods and points to the rear of the store and I leave through the small kitchen. I can circle around the block and see if I can find Marco. Then I hear footsteps behind me in the alley and I remember what Michel said – it's better to avoid fighting, even if you can win. I run, not looking back as Michel instructed. I'm a fast runner, but not fast enough to avoid a gun, a small projectile hitting me in the neck.
I fall and strike my head, and then there is only darkness.
END OF BOOK 1
About the Author
S. E. Lund lives in a 110-year old house on a quiet tree-lined street in a small city in Western Canada with her family of humans and pets. Besides writing paranormal romance, urban fantasy and contemporary romance, she dreams of living in a warm climate where snow is just a word in a dictionary.
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Also by S E Lund
Paranormal Romance / Urban Fantasy Romance
THE DOMINION SERIES
Dominion: Book 1 in the Dominion Series
Ascension: Book 2 in the Dominion Series
Retribution: Book 3 in the Dominion Series
Resurrection: Book 4 in the Dominion Series
Redemption: Book 5 in the Dominion Series
Coming in 2017
Prince of the City: The Vampire’s Pet Part One
Contemporary Erotic Romance
THE UNRESTRAINED SERIES
The Agreement: Book 1
The Commitment: Book 2
Unrestrained: Book 3
Unbreakable: Book 4
Forever After: Book 5
Everlasting: Book 6 (Coming September 2017!)
THE DRAKE SERIES (The Unrestrained Series from Drake’s Point of View)
Drake Restrained
Drake Unwound
Drake Unbound
Military Romance / Romantic Suspense
THE BAD BOY SERIES
Bad Boy Saint: Book 1
Bad Boy Sinner: Book 2
Bad Boy Soldier: Book 3
Bad Boy Savior: Book 4