* * * *
Rome, Italy
The Westin Excelsior
“Did you really have to book the best suite in the hotel?” Ariana managed to ask before her surroundings took her voice.
She’d never even heard of the Villa La Cupola, and when Joaquin didn’t bat an eye at the $40,000 plus per night room fee, she’d almost fainted. Not all vampires lived this extravagantly, but she never expected anything different from Joaquin. But this was definitely beyond the norm even for him.
Wealth whispered around every corner, hung from every chandelier, and beckoned with the glistening promise of perfection. With over 11,000 square feet of living space— in case they decided to stay a while as Joaquin explained—the suite boasted everything from a private spa to a cinema.
Ariana walked from room to room, inspecting her surroundings. With each step, she could feel Joaquin’s eyes on her spine. He followed her, remaining silent, giving her time to come to terms with the turn her life had taken.
Slowly, she climbed the marble staircase, one hand on the banister. As Joaquin ascended behind her, she finally broke the silence. “This place is magnificent, but why did you bring me here? We could just as easily have gone back to my home or a hotel in Paris.”
He stayed one step below her, but it still didn’t give her the height advantage. “This is your world now, my love.”
Ariana threw a look over her shoulder as she reached the top. “I’m not so sure I belong in this one.”
Joaquin placed his hand at the small of her spine and guided her down the opulent hallway. “You belong with me.” He walked ahead of her and opened a door at the far end of the hallway.
The master suite boasted a large, red-canopied four poster with a sitting area, plush carpeting reminiscent of the Orient, and enough space for twelve people. A tiered gold chandelier illuminated the Roman art decorating the walls, and heavy brocade drapes hung beside translucent panels that gave her a glimpse of the balcony.
Her throat tight, Ariana walked to the bed and sat on the edge. Did she really belong in this world? With him? Looking around, she wasn’t so sure.
Joaquin approached her, coming to stand next to her knees. He began to stroke her upper thigh. “What are you thinking?”
“So many things. About tonight. Tomorrow. The future.”
His fingers continued the light touches, inching further up her denim-covered leg. “Why don’t we just focus on tonight? We’ll just take it one day at a time.”
Ariana closed her eyes as sensations swamped her. Just the slightest touch of his fingers curled her stomach into knots. She shook her head in an attempt to focus. “I’m not sure sex is the answer.”
Joaquin’s fingers slipped between her thighs. “I wasn’t aware there was a question.”
Her skin began to burn. “But this isn’t getting us anywhere.”
He sat down beside her, lifted her hair away from her neck, and blew softly. “I didn’t know we had anywhere to be. Now, let me show you one of best perks of your new life.”
Ariana knew she should protest. Hot sex would get them nowhere, but as Joaquin said, they didn’t have anywhere to be. And right now, hot sex sounded pretty damned good.
Her lashes fluttered. It only took a look to make her come alive, but a touch could make her implode. For Joaquin was a master at touch. And taste. He was especially good at tasting.
“Lie back,” he instructed, wrapping Ariana in a fantasy of silken limbs and scented candles. Standing over her, Joaquin snapped his fingers and blew fire from his fingertips. One by one, as if reading her most intimate thoughts, he lit the candles lining the walls, creating a soft, golden glow.
As Ariana’s shoulders made contact with the mattress, Joaquin unzipped her jeans and slid them down her legs, tossing them aside.
Joaquin knelt, and electricity sizzled from the top of Ariana’s head to the soles of her feet. Anticipation became a gnawing ache in the centre of her stomach as she waited, eyes squeezed shut.
She heard the whisper of his clothing as it fell away from his body then the warmth of his body covered hers, and she sighed with pleasure. Tomorrow could take care of itself. Tonight was all theirs.
He rose up over her, his eyes dark and challenging. For a long moment, he just stared into her eyes, until Ariana slid one hand up the wall of his chest. “Joaquin?”
“Shhhh. I want to watch you as I make love to you, to know that this time is just the beginning. We have forever.”
* * * *
Ariana woke at dusk, her body deliciously tired and tucked next to Joaquin’s. Late into the night he’d shown her the nocturnal activities of vampires, and now her muscles ached. But she could definitely grow accustomed to this manner of living...as long as it was with Joaquin.
Slipping off the mattress, she padded to the window on bare feet. Drawing the curtain aside, she watched the night come alive. Stars began to appear against a backdrop of black, and a sliver of moonlight drenched the city below. She pressed her palm against the cool glass pane.
“I don’t know what to do now,” she whispered.
“You’ll stay with me.” Joaquin spoke from behind her, his voice husky from sleep.
She didn’t turn around. “I’m not sure I can.” The blankets rustled and his feet thumped against the carpet. Seconds later, his hands settled on her shoulders.
“Why not?”
Her head fell forward to rest against the window. “This is all so new to me, Joaquin, and I have a lot to learn. I have to rediscover my entire identity.”
“And you can’t do it alone.” Massaging her muscles, he pressed a kiss against the back of her neck. “We can have a good life together, Ariana. Let me show you.”
“You live life waiting for the next attack.” Her skin warmed as his arms crept around her waist.
“And you used to live for the next kill. Ariana...” The way he said her name sent shivers down her spine. “...I know this is hard for you. Finding out that you are the enemy can’t be easy, but you can’t deny what you are.” He turned her in his arms. “You have to face this, accept it, and learn to live the life you were really meant to live.”
She gave a bitter laugh. “Those words sound strange coming from a vampire.”
He bumped his forehead against hers. “I was speaking metaphorically, of course.”
“I’m scared.”
Joaquin raised his head and cupped her cheek. “You’re not alone. I promise. Now, come back to bed. There’s still so much more I want to show you.”
She tipped her head back with a suspicious look. “More?”
White teeth flashed in a devious grin. “You haven’t forgotten that I’ve been around for long, long time, have you? I’ve learned a lot in my lifetime.”
Ariana eyed the bed. “Lucky me.” She allowed him to guide her back across the room. Perhaps thinking about a life with Joaquin wasn’t such a bad thing, but she didn’t have to decide anything right now.
At present, she only had to live moment to moment...especially this one. As Joaquin pushed her lightly against the mattress, the familiar tingle began. “So do vampires have any other nocturnal activities besides sex?”
Joaquin stood over her, his face thoughtful. After a long pause, Ariana prompted him. “Well?”
“I’m thinking.”
She laughed. “I have a feeling life with you is never going to be boring, Mr. Shepherd.”
He wiggled his eyebrows at her. “Lady, you don’t know the half of it.”
Acknowledgements
For all her help and guidance, I want to thank my friend, Lisa Renee Jones. A talented author, she has dedicated herself to teaching other authors and helping them succeed. She’s made this journey so much easier. If you want some great reads, visit her website at www.lisareneejones.com.
I’m also extremely grateful for my beta-reader, Denise Vance Fluhr. She stands between me and horrendous mistakes that would have readers returning the books in droves. This is the third
book of mine she has read, and she always helps me plug the holes.
Author Notes
Vampire Betrayed is set mainly in Charleston, South Carolina, a city full of history and charm. http://www.charlestoncvb.com/visitors
To learn more about Villa La Cupola, the fabulous suite featured in Vampire Betrayed, visit http://www.westinrome.com/en/rooms/villacupola_en. The rates really are that expensive, but you’ll see why.
Vampires Destined Series
Three vampires. Separate destinies. All desiring a woman to love them for who they are not what they are.
Book I
Vampire Cursed
Buy your copy today at Amazon.
http://www.amazon.com/Vampire-Cursed-Vampires-Destined-ebook/dp/B0080H5W1M/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1336705620&sr=8-1
Cursed to live alone. Existing as cold, soulless vampire. His life is no longer his own.
Nathaniel, Duke of Lehr, has been waiting for someone to love, a woman to break the witch’s curse that holds him captive within the walls of his own home. For only unfettered, unconditional love will sever the ties binding him to a reality he abhors.
Abby’s been drawn to Castle Lehr for a long time. She wants an interview with the elusive owner, a chance for a big break in journalism. But the story isn’t one she can write about in the newspaper.
One moment, one connection, is all it takes for Nathaniel to realize his heart will be forever bound to Abby’s, but could she ever trust a vampire much less love one?
Book II
Vampire Forgotten
Available now from Amazon.
http://www.amazon.com/Vampire-Forgotten-Vampires-Destined-ebook/dp/B0087B78W2/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1338606553&sr=8-1
Forgotten in the mountains of Romania. Forced to live a life he didn’t choose. Suffering the daily pain of loneliness. Spending an eternity without the touch of a woman’s hand.
Though damned as a vampire, Rhad Valentine has been given what some might call the gift of psychic sight. He sees it as a constant reminder of real life going on without him—a life he cannot live.
Mischa Bonovich is on a desperate mission to find her missing sister, Rianna. Led to the mountains of her homeland by the faint call of Rianna’s voice, Mischa needs Rhad’s gift and his strength.
Wild hunger, both foreign and welcome, drives Rhad to his knees. He’d never held a woman so soft. Kissed one so responsive. And in spite of his inner protests, he’ll do anything to help her. Anything to feel just one more touch of her hand.
In the dark forests of Romania, Rhad’s desire won’t be quenched until he tastes what only Mischa can offer, but first, he must save her from a man who has nothing to lose. A man who holds a deadly secret that could tear Mischa from Rhad’s arms before love can happen.
Table of Contents
Copyright 2012 Rachel Carrington
Vampire Betrayed (Vampires Destined) Page 10