by Ann Lory
“Dimitri?”
He turned to find her staring at him, fear in her eyes from his hostile look. “What are you doing here?” His voice harsh even to his own ears. She sat up straight, her hands gripping the chair arms.
“I wanted to see you, but you didn’t come into the party.”
“You reek of his touch.”
It was clear that she didn’t know what to say, that she was stunned by his words and by the obvious fury she saw in his eyes. “I don’t understand.”
Dimitri stood so abruptly that she fell against the back of the chair, looking up at his towering form.
“You smell of his cologne, his scent; it is all over you.” Dimitri clenched his fists.
“Dimitri, please --”
“Did you like being in his arms?” He could barely control his voice. “Do you tire of me so quickly?” In his anger, his accent was becoming thick.
“Dimitri, stop it!”
“How dare you come into my home with his scent all over you!”
“Dimitri, you’re scaring me.”
He stopped yelling immediately, but Cassie’s heart continued to pound. She couldn’t believe what he was accusing her of or how he knew she’d been with Craig. She felt tears in her eyes and angrily brushed at them. He took a step toward her, but she didn’t want to be near him anymore. Rising, Cassie ran from the room.
He raced after her, catching her just outside the study. “Cassandra, forgive me.”
She whirled around, tears streaming down her face. She pushed against his chest and he released her immediately. “How dare you accuse me of being with another man.” She choked on a sob. “I didn’t betray you. I went to a party and I was asked to dance with a friend, so I did.”
He slowly approached her and placed a finger beneath her chin, forcing her to look at him. “As I have told you, I have been alone for a long time. The thought of another man sharing your company ...” He took a deep breath and brushed a hand through his hair. “I had had such a pleasant evening planned for us and the thought of someone else holding you in his arms ...” His dark gaze met hers. “You have come to mean so much to me. I humbly beg your pardon.”
She crossed her arms and stared at him for a long moment. “Don’t you ever do that again.”
“I promise.”
Hesitating briefly, Cassie went into his arms and rested her cheek against his chest, sighing when he pulled her tight against him. “Craig is just a friend and coworker.” His chin came to rest on the top of her head. She breathed deeply of him and felt her body’s immediate reaction.
“I know,” he whispered. “Forgive me?”
She nodded. “You know I do.” Looking up at him, she gently stroked his strong jaw. How could she stay mad at him when he looked at her with such tenderness?
“What had you planned for tonight?”
He smiled, taking her hand in his. “Come.” He led her to the marble staircase, then up to the next landing. They walked down the opposite direction of the great hall where she had spent most of her last few weeks at work. Huge arched windows lined down one wall and stood from floor to ceiling with bronze drapes drawn back and tied with golden ropes, offering a view of the ocean below. Oak doors punctuated the other side of the hall, interspersed by old paintings of landscapes on the walls; the same small wood tables and golden vases as those near the study were perfectly positioned below each painting.
They came to a stop in front of two large oak doors at the end of the hall. He turned, looking at her with an infectious grin on his face.
“What is it?” Cassie asked, feeling giddy with anticipation.
He pushed open the doors, flicking a switch as he did so. She gasped in awe at the grand ballroom before her. The high ceiling was vaulted, painted with fluttering baby cherubs from heaven. Three enormous chandeliers hung down the length of the ballroom casting a soft low glow onto the tan marble floor. Large green ferns in golden pots decorated the edges of the room, their broad leaves framing white marble Greek statues. Unlit candles were ensconced in curved candelabras. There was a small, stage-like area where musicians could sit and play, and a stereo system sat nearby.
“It’s beautiful.” She moved in a slow circle to take in everything around her.
He gently touched her cheek; her eyes met his dark ones. “You are the one who is beautiful.”
She cupped her small hand around his and kissed his palm, smiling as he sucked in a breath. Slowly, he pulled his hand away and walked to the stage. Cassie watched, appreciating the way his black pants fit snugly around his buttocks and long legs.
Tonight, he’d worn a white shirt with ruffles that billowed out at the cuffs and a long black vest. Tall black boots covered his calves, and she couldn’t help but think how they looked like two people from the past. She smiled at the thought of them being lord and lady of a castle.
He turned on the power to the stereo, selected a CD and placed it in the player, but didn’t turn the music on. Instead, he came back to her, slipping a small remote into his vest pocket. “Do you know any of the dances from the period in which you are dressed, Cassandra?”
“I’m afraid I don’t.”
His gaze was intense, burning into hers. “Will you allow me to teach you?”
Her response was a breathless whisper, as his arm circled her waist pulling her to him. “Yes.” He was solid and large, pressing intimately against her soft curves before he quickly spun her away, positioning himself for the dance.
“Stand, like so.” He showed her, one arm raised above his head and the other feigned holding a skirt. “Not all dances are simple waltzes. Some were performed in groups, others were of couples playing each move off one another. The anticipation of the touch was sometimes the most exciting of all.” His gaze held hers.
She imitated him, grabbing her skirt loosely in her free hand.
“Now, step to the right, then in toward me, and as you do so, bring your raised hand down along the side of my face, barely touching my cheek. I will do the same to you.”
He continued to talk her through the steps, counting as they practiced, sometimes humming out a low tune that was pleasant as they went through the motions. He was a patient teacher and praised all her efforts. When he felt she had mastered the steps, he looked at her, a half smile on his handsome face.
“Are you ready?” She nodded, and he removed the remote from his pocket, hit a button, then returned it to his vest. Motioning to her they both took their starting positions. The music that came on startled her. It was of mandolins, violins, flutes and drums, all playing a sensual tune.
She moved in toward him, bringing her hand down, fingertips gently grazing his cheek, while his cool fingers caressed her face. His touch seemed to sear her skin, and she lifted her gaze dreamily to meet his.
His eyes were intense as he looked at her. She felt as if his black stare were devouring her as he stepped around, bringing her into his embrace, gliding with her around the floor. His hand swept down her arm and caught her hand, then he stepped away. Both their hands were high above their heads as they swayed in and away from each other.
Their fingers lingering, Cassie and Dimitri both turned and met face to face. Their breaths mingled as their lips came mere inches apart. He brought their hands down between them, his gaze never leaving hers.
The music grew louder, the drums pounding an erotic rhythm. As the dance went on, Dimitri and Cassie’s steps became quicker, and though his touches were slight, the flow of his fingers stoked desire, making her burn. Her breasts ached, she felt slick and wet between her legs. She needed him.
His hands glided down her side, barely brushing her breasts, causing her nipples to tighten almost painfully. She moaned.
Dimitri seized her in his arms, unable to stand the torture any longer. Ignoring the music that continued to play, he pulled her against him, his fingers trailing down the column of her neck. Her breaths were deep and heavy, causing her breasts to heave against his chest. He had t
o fight the sudden urge to groan.
His hand moved into her hair, releasing it from its clasp. The chestnut tresses cascaded down her back like a waterfall. Little blue flowers stood out in her hair and fell even as he ran his fingers through her silken strands. Catching a flower on a shiny lock, he brought it to his nose before moving his mouth toward her throat. She arched her head back, whimpering as his tongue burned down the slender curve of her neck.
Her heart beat a wild rhythm in his head, matching the tempo of the drum pounding through the ball room. His lips found the pulse beating at the base of her throat and the pleasing scent of her blood called to him, humming through her veins. He knew it would taste as delightful as its aroma. His fangs descended as they grazed against her ivory flesh.
His cock was hard as granite and he painfully needed release. It has been so long since he’d felt a woman beneath him, the sensation of velvet heat as he drove into her. Cassandra tantalized him to the edge of his self-control. He wanted to take her in every way possible.
She moaned again, her fingers fisting his hair. She pushed herself into him, begging him with wordless sounds to continue his sweet torment, and he couldn’t resist any longer. He brought her to the floor, her skirts billowing around them. “I need you, Cassandra,” he breathed, shielding his incisors from her view.
She answered by arching her hips against his. “Take me. I want you desperately.”
He shoved her sleeves and bodice down her shoulders to her elbows, sucking in a sharp breath at the sight of her breasts. Lily white with pink tips. Unbelievably perfect. He groaned and leaned down, capturing an erect nipple in his mouth.
Her soft cries fueled him; he needed to feel more of her, to taste her all over.
Dimitri brought his free hand down her leg, and slowly inched up her skirt, his fingers sliding over the silk of her hose until they brushed a lacy top. He grunted, pulling away to look at the top of a thigh-high stocking.
If it were possible, his cock strained even harder against his pants. He stroked his hand back up her thigh; his finger prodded the lace of her panties. Cassandra sighed, her head shifting, exposing her throat to him. He lowered himself over her, pushing her further into the floor and caressed her throat with his lips and tongue. Below, he slipped his fingers around silk and met pure satin flesh. She writhed beneath him as he teased and caressed her, then finally pushed his fingers into her heat. She was tight and hot; he knew she’d feel glorious around him when he was finally inside her.
The sensation of her, the scent of her arousal was too much. His lips settled over her pulse, licking, nipping until he sank his teeth into her tender flesh. He felt her jerk in his embrace, heard her slight whimper, then her surrendering sigh of pleasure as he slowly drank of her. She tasted delicious beyond anything he had ever experienced in life and in death. She was sweeter than honey, more intoxicating than the finest wine. He lost himself in her essence, taking in all of her memories, dreams, hurts, fears ... everything that she was.
Cassie ran her hands through his hair, urging him on. His fingers felt wonderful as he moved them within her, gliding in and out, his thumb massaging the swollen flesh. She cried out as his mouth covered her breast one more time, suckling, nipping, then he lavished her throat with his wet kisses. She groaned, then twitched as she felt a white heat at her neck. Everything seemed to fall away and all she could focus on was ecstasy.
She came instantly, clinging to him, weeping as he brought her to another orgasm. She tried to pull away, but he held her tight. She thought she might go mad at the pure delight ripping through her body until she became dizzy. She blinked rapidly, trying to focus. Everything was fuzzy around her.
Something was wrong. She tried to say his name, but she couldn’t form the words. She tried to shove him from her, but her limbs felt heavy. Lethargy settled over her and Cassie found she wanted to let it carry her away into his welcoming embrace.
Blackness closed in around her, starting at the edges of her vision and closing in, so that all she could see was darkness. She passed out.
A fear he had never felt before clutched Dimitri’s heart. He pulled away immediately and looked down at her. Her head rolled listlessly to the side and her eyes were closed. He shook her gently.
“Cassandra, open your eyes!” He brought his arms from around her, grasping her shoulders. “God, please forgive me. What have I done?”
She slowly blinked her eyes open, looking up at him, confusion lurking in her gaze.
“I don’t feel so good,” she whispered, then closed her eyes again.
He breathed a sigh of relief, then cursed himself for a fiend. Tearing his shirt open, he cut across his chest, then lifted her against him. “Cassandra, you must drink.” She tried to push him away. “Cassandra, I command you to drink!” His voice was stern, and she obeyed, her delicate lips touching against his chest, drinking his accursed blood.
When he thought she had had enough, he pulled her away, closed his shirt and vest, then gathered her small body and held her, rocking her still form in his arms. How could I have done this to her? The only light in his dark existence and he had almost extinguished it. He knew he had to send her away, but he was weak where she was concerned.
He rose from the floor and carried her away from the ballroom to one of the guest bedrooms down the hall. The door opened with a nod of his head and he walked across the room to the canopied bed, then tenderly laid her on it.
Cassie blinked and touched her head; it was clear that she ached and felt dizzy. Her eyes tried to focus on Dimitri. “What happened?”
He shifted her slightly to the side and loosened the buttons that went down the back of her gown. “You are not feeling well, probably from some spiked punch you drank this evening. You will stay the night here.”
“The punch wasn’t spiked,” she said, puzzled.
He came down on his knees in front of her, his fingers touching the column of her throat, and his gaze caught hers. “Sometimes it is difficult to tell when someone has spiked the punch.”
She touched her head again. “I guess you’re right.”
He helped her out of the dress and sucked in his breath at the renewed sight of her strapless black bra, matching black panties that rode low on her hips and black thigh-highs with a lacy pattern. She was so lovely; his manhood strained harder against his pants.
Dimitri forced himself to look away as he removed her shoes and pulled down the bedcovers. Picking her up, he laid her on the sheets, then yanked the covers up to her chin. He kissed her forehead.
Her fingers glided over his parted lips. “Thank you for tonight,” she whispered. “I have never felt this way about anybody.” She paused, searching his dark gaze. “Dimitri ... I think I’m falling in love with you.”
Then she slept.
Dimitri couldn’t have been more surprised at her confession than if she had struck him; he already knew he had fallen for her.
He walked out into the hall, quietly shutting the bedroom door behind him, then turned and rested his forehead against it, the sound of her heart pulsing in his head.
“I’m sorry, Cassandra.”
Chapter Six
The ballroom was crowded with men and women dressed in eighteenth-century garb. The women wore lavish jewelry, their dresses truly magnificent. The men were clothed in long-tailed jackets of different colors paired with matching pants. Their white shirts were ruffled at collar and sleeves.
Cassie walked through the maze of people who were laughing and talking boisterously. When she passed, all turned and bowed. “My lady,” they said. She nodded, and proceeded.
She came to a mirror and looked at her reflection. She wore the same dark blue satin dress with black lace over a billowing skirt that she had worn to the party with Kelly -- but now there were diamonds around her neck and diamond ear bobs in her earlobes. She looked every bit the high aristocratic lady.
A hand touched her shoulder; she knew it was Dimitri, but his reflection wasn’t sho
wing in the mirror. She spun around to face him, her heart pounding.
“Dance, my lady?” he whispered. He cocked his head, his dark gaze traveling over her. “You look beautiful.”
“Thank you,” she replied breathlessly, forcing her fear to recede. He swung her into his arms as the music began, and she was soon caught up in the swirl of the dancers. He waltzed her around the dance floor, his steps quick and sure. She focused on him, only him.
She was certain that he was the most handsome man there. His black hair hung long and straight to his shoulders; his black coat and pants fit snugly over his sinewy form. His dark gaze was sensual as it swept over her face. Was that longing in his eyes? Surely there was in hers. She knew she wanted to share eternity with this man.
“As you wish,” he said.
His lips parted, and she could see fangs descend. She gasped and tried to scramble away from him, but his arm was locked around her waist, imprisoning her against him. She looked around wildly for help, but everyone continued to dance around them, oblivious to the two of them as they danced faster and faster, until everyone was a twirling blur. She attempted to call out, but her voice was trapped in her throat.
She watched him lower his head to her neck and felt him kiss its base, the touch scorching her skin. Then there was a brief moment of pain as his fangs pierced her flesh. Visions of blood, so much blood, filled her as he drank. Distantly she heard pleas for mercy, cries of distress.
Cassie felt herself falling into darkness ... and screamed ...
Cassie shot up in bed, shrieking, heart racing in her chest. Her hand went to her throat, but the skin was smooth, unbroken. She fought for control. It was just a dream, she told herself over and over, and gulped rapidly until at last she was able to take in long, slow, deep breaths.