Angelica laughed. “He is an asshole who is as insane as you are. You want him — be my guest and take him.”
Zena narrowed her eyes and stalked around the female before her. “You don’t care for him?”
“Why the hell should I?” Good question. “He kidnapped me! When he gets back — if he comes back — I’m going to rip his eyes out!”
Angelica startled herself with the vicious hatred she suddenly felt toward this woman who she didn’t even know. “How the hell did you get in here?”
“Have you slept with him?”
What? She narrowed her eyes and spit on the floor at the woman’s feet.
“The both of you are sick in the head.” Angelica hadn’t been aware she had that kind of fire in her. “Pah-lease! Like I’d sleep with the likes of him!”
She turned. “It doesn’t matter, anyway. Like I said, I’m here to offer you a deal. I have implanted a homing beacon in your body. I want you to latch onto him and scream my name.”
Angelica stepped back as the woman came forward, her eerie eyes glittering with menace. “I’ll give you immortality for your assistance.”
Angelica huffed and made her feet dig into the floor. “What? Turn me into a vampire? No thank you, psycho. Afraid I’ll have to pass on that.” She ran her tongue over her teeth. “I don’t have anything in my wardrobe that would look good with fangs.”
With a little prayer in the back of her mind, Angelica jumped at Zena, the knife in her hand. The knife embedded in her shoulder and Angelica staggered back expecting Zena to scream or fall. Instead of crying out in pain, Zena threw her head back and laughed. Angelica swallowed hard and took another step back. Zena pulled the knife out, brought it to her lips, and licked the blood off before throwing it to the floor.
“We shall see what you will do when Varick tires of playing with you and takes you to his bed. We shall see if you can suffer the beast that lies under his skin.” Zena grabbed her chin and drug Angelica closer. “We shall see if you decide to take me up on the offer when he turns on you. I wonder if he’ll force himself on you or put you under a spell before he drinks from your veins.”
She released Angelica and stepped back. “Think about this very carefully, human. He is a vampire with a healthy appetite, and he will eventually sink his fangs into your flesh.” Misting, she added, “My name is Zena. You only have to say my name, and I will free you from him.”
Angelica sank to the floor as the woman vanished just like Varick had. Vampires. Freaking vampires. She laughed, tears spilling down both of her cheeks as she rocked back and forth. She was going to kill him. This was all his fault.
More than anything, she wanted to see her brother. Eli would make things better. He was all the family she had, and she needed him.
“Oh, for the love of the ocean, get up and stop sniveling!” Angelica looked up at the sound of the voice, accompanied by a stamping foot. “At least act like you have a backbone!”
Shimmering light illuminated an almost transparent woman wearing a black leather dress. Shades of gray and sparkles of gold cast shadows everywhere about the room.
Hysterical laughter bubbled up from Angelica’s throat. “And who are you, my fairy godmother?”
The woman raised one eyebrow and replied, “No, I’m your great grandmother.”
Angelica shook her head and tried to process what she was seeing. “No, I’m nuts. I’m certifiably crazy as hell, and I need a large dose of tranquilizers and a straight jacket, purple if you would.”
“Get up or I will kick you in your backside and then bend you over my knee and give you twenty lashes.” The woman crossed her arms over her chest. “I’m the goddess Amay, and you are my descendant. My blood runs through your veins.”
“Am I supposed to be proud?” On shaky legs, Angelica stood and dried her eyes. “Gods and goddesses do not exist. I know I have to be nuts — there’s no other explanation. First Varick thinks he’s a vampire — hell, at this point I believe it. And then Miss Black-As-Death shows up and says she wants him, which makes perfect sense because, hey, she’s a vampire too.”
“Who wants him?”
Amay stepped forward. Angelica jerked back and put a chair between them, completely ignoring her question. “And now this. What’s next, a werewolf somewhere in my genetics?”
Amay made a twisted face and then laughed. “No werewolves. Necromancers, but no werewolves.” She shimmered to Angelica’s side. “Who wants Varick?”
At this point, Angelica was getting used to people just popping in and out of thin air. “I can’t say her name.”
“Why not?”
Shoulders slumping, she replied grudgingly, “If I say her name, she said I would be transported somewhere. She said she would grant me immortality if I grabbed him before I said her name.” She laughed and swiped at the fresh tears. “She has another thing coming if she thinks I’ll willingly become a vampire like her.”
“You’re the descendant of a goddess. You are entering the Burning. If you survive, you will be immortal.” The goddess huffed, her black eyes glowing with eerie, blue-green light. “If that bitch thinks she can use you, use someone of my blood, to get to him, then she shall regret the mistake dearly.”
Angelica pointed at her. “You’re a figment of my deranged mind.”
Amay rolled her eyes. “You’re beginning to get on my nerves.”
“Well, you aren’t exactly on my A list right at the moment, either, so we’re even on that score.”
Angelica grabbed the chair as her mother’s diary appeared in the woman’s hand. “Does this look like a figment of your imagination?”
After careful consideration, Angelica slid around the chair and sat down. “I … you … I can’t believe this. I’m not even sure I believe in God.” She looked up at Amay, studied her face, and frowned. “You remind me of someone. Someone I just recently met.” Pausing, she took a deep breath. “Alexander.”
Amay closed her eyes. She stood there in silence for a few seconds before she opened her eyes and pointed her finger at Angelica. “You have a problem. You’ve entered the Burning and you need a Destroyer to take you through it. Varick is the best choice for a lot of reasons. I suggest you jump his bones as soon as possible.”
Chapter 26
Varick materialized inside his chambers and set the brown sacks down on the night stand, which was oddly out of place. Giving it little thought, he took a deep breath and let her scent wash over him. Ocean storms and musk.
Slowly, Varick turned and met her gaze. Not an ounce of terror lay in their depths, but something darker and far more potent was inked into those glittering pools. Feral instincts were written all over her, submerged in her stance, and glistening in the tight line her lips held. She was pissed. The knife in her hand should have been his first clue.
But his gaze lingered on her lips before dropping to the rest of her. Her nipples were hard enough to slice his icy heart, and she was wearing his favorite black T-shirt. He groaned in silent appreciation. She should have been born a goddess.
She was leaning against the bedpost, his jogging pants slipping down her hips, showing tanned skin and a glorious curve. His Smith & Wesson 952 was in her other hand, hanging by her side. And she was not wearing her underwear.
His throat went dry, his tongue suddenly needing moisture, her moisture. Damn, she was smoking hot in his clothes holding weapons he had used to kill.
He took a step toward her, his gaze full of all the exciting and delicious things he wanted to do to her. She raised the 952 and snarled. He stopped, a mischievous grin lifting his lips.
“If you so much as come one step closer, I’ll blow your head off.”
He pointed to the brown sacks on the night stand. “Eat.”
She stood unblinking and still as he pulled the black shirt from his chest
. He heard her sudden intake of air and gave her a smug grin as he unbuttoned Alexander’s leather pants. She swallowed as her eyes went to his hands. As he peeled the pants down to his ankles, she groaned.
“I … ” She groaned again as he turned and gave her a full view of his backside. “I will not be a willing captive.”
“Eat.” He walked toward the bathroom, all too aware that her hands were shaking, her breathing was labored, and the scent of her arousal was heavy and erotic. “I’m taking a shower, and I fully expect the food to be gone when I return.” Her mouthwatering, typhoon scent rained havoc on his growing appetite.
• • •
Angelica wilted onto the bed as the door closed off her view. All she had to do to gain her freedom was say her name. Just one word, one little bitty word that started with Z and ended with A. It was simple … but not.
Her options, at best, were either to have probably mind-blowing sex with a … She was not going to say that word — with a whatever the hell he was, or take Miss-I-Want-Him’s offer. She stared at the ceiling and cursed. Or she could believe Amay and literally jump his bones, have mind-blowing sex, and gain immortality.
She stood as the sound of the shower invaded her thoughts. Before she knew where she was going, she was at the door and leaning her forehead against it. Oh, she could just see him in all his naked, well-hung glory. His hands were soaping his ripped chest, his strong, well-toned arms, his long, delicious backside, his tapered, sinewy legs, and that wonderfully chiseled butt.
She whimpered; she so wanted to be that bar of soap! Damn him and his long white hair that she wanted to wrap around her fingers and never let go. And those amazing eyes that seemed to reach deep into her soul were utterly breathtaking in their beauty.
For the life of her, she couldn’t figure it out. What was it about this man that made her internal temperature reach critical meltdown? Well, other than the fact that he held first, second, and third-place titles in perfection. And he strutted about with enough raw sexual magnetism that it was a wonder women didn’t fall at his feet or swoon just looking at him.
Lost in hot fantasies of his flesh wrapping around hers, she gasped as the door swung open and she fell into his arms. Instantly, every carnal piece of knowledge she possessed swam straight to the forefront of her brain, and she latched onto his shoulders and sealed her fate with a heated kiss. Fingers tangling in his hair, she kissed him like she was possessed with the god of lust.
Never in her entire life had she wanted a man like this; never in all her thirty years had she done such a thing. But damn, it was good — hot and good, like honey in tea, like powdered sugar on donuts. He tasted like heaven, like hell, like every sinful fantasy she had ever had, and she wanted more.
His tongue met hers and she melted against him. His hand drifted down her back, slid under the loose jogging pants, and stilled over her bottom. His touch was electrifying, a glorious narcotic to her blood.
When his head lifted and his lips made a blazing trail to her ear, she slid her hands down his shoulders, relaxing into the tight hardness of his big body. She gasped as he nipped her earlobe, laved a path down her neck, and suckled her skin. His rumble of a groan speared her chest and tightened her stomach muscles, and a wet heat drenched her core.
She had no doubt he was going to eat her alive, and damn if she didn’t want him to. “Heaven help me.”
His short bark of laughter sizzled in her ears. “Will you come for me, Angelica?”
Oh, hell yes, and if she didn’t know any better, she already had. Her mind was screaming out every possible warning, blaring sirens were going off in her ears, but she wanted this, her body demanded this.
Sweeping her off her feet and into his arms, he carried her to the bed and slowly deposited her in the middle. He grabbed the waistband of her jogging pants and tugged as she lifted her hips and groaned. She bit her bottom lip as she watched him throw them over his shoulder and rip the towel from his hips. The sight of him opened every floodgate in her body, and she arched instinctively as he slid over her and settled his knee between her aching thighs.
She arched as his erection rubbed against the inside of her thigh. His mouth trailed along her throat, and he planted his hands on each side of her head.
“Forgive me,” he said as his erection penetrated her.
She screamed out in bliss as he slammed deep inside her.
“Look at me, Angelica,” he whispered.
Angelica slowly opened her eyes and stared at his mouth. Her eyes widened as she saw the pointed fangs hanging down against his lower lip. She twisted and tried to squirm away.
“Twelve hours, and you’re free to go!” His eyes darkened, regret heavy in his heart. “But I must warn you what lies ahead.”
Angelica arched under him. She didn’t want to talk, she wanted him to finish. “Warn me?”
“I’m going to bite you more than once. And I am going to make love to you more than once. I’m sorry if at any time I hurt you.” His words were softly spoken, a hint of pain in his rough timbre.
“Get off me!” She was whimpering, but she didn’t care. Her body betrayed her words and she arched under him sending his erection even deeper.
He tried to hide his grin, but it slid across his lips as he kissed her nose. “Oh, no, I haven’t even gotten started yet. I was merely” — he paused as he nipped at her lips — “giving you time to adjust to my size.”
He moved slightly, rocking slowly against her, and groaned as she gasped, “Varick!”
“You’re so beautiful — truly an angel.” He groaned as she grabbed his shoulders and arched under him. “My perfect angel, my raven-haired beauty.”
She looked up and gasped as his fangs gleamed. He was devastating, but good grief; he had fangs, for crying out loud. She just couldn’t get past the damn fangs.
She smiled as he groaned and his head sagged forward. She ran her hands down his back and then traveled up his arms. His skin was hot and hard, and she wanted to touch him everywhere. Fangs or not, she wanted him.
He rocked against her slowly and held his breath as her hands roamed his body. His strokes became faster and faster. She arched higher, and he slammed harder into her. She met each thrust with sheer ecstasy and screamed his name. He bared his teeth, and she pulled his head to her neck.
Angelica didn’t know what the hell she was doing, but somehow she knew he needed her neck. She smiled as his tongue touched her skin, and then he sucked hard. Her eyes flew open as he growled and bit into her. She winced but was lost as he rocked faster inside her and took her to the brink of insanity.
He collapsed on top of her, licked the bite marks, and rose up on one elbow. She simply stared at him; the expression on his face was utter satisfaction, like he had won some great battle. Her heart was thundering in her ears.
“Are you hurt?”
Angelica stared into his eyes, and a tear escaped her eye. He quickly wiped it away as he asked again, “Are you hurt?”
She slowly shook her head but winced when he ran his hand down her stomach and between her legs. He frowned and rolled to his side. She raised her hand to her neck and grimaced as she ran her fingers across the puncture wounds. He rubbed her arm and pulled her to his chest.
“I’m sorry I hurt you.”
Angelica tensed. Her thighs pounded, and her skin burned as if it had been rubbed raw. She looked up, and tried to smile as her fingers ran across the bite marks again.
“I’m a fucking bastard! Go ahead and curse me, hit me, or whatever the hell you want to do to me. Fuck, I’ll hit myself if it will make you feel any better.” He took a ragged breath. “I’m a sick bastard. I’ll give you my dagger, and you can cut me into tiny pieces.”
Angelica smiled and forced her laughter down. “I don’t want to do any of those things. It’s just that you have fangs. I can
’t get past the fangs.”
Softly, he asked, “Does it terrify you that I’m part vampire?”
“No, not really.” She sat up and ran her hand down his arm. “Not now. I’m kind of getting used to that part. It’s the fangs, yeah definitely the fangs.”
Varick groaned and lay back against the pillows. “I should have been careful with you.”
Angelica twisted away and swung her legs off the bed. “I don’t think I would have wanted careful.”
Varick grinned and raised an eyebrow. He was hot, sexy hot, and she wanted more.
“Is it hot in here?” Angelica took a deep breath. Sweat beaded her upper lip. “I think I’m having a heat flash.”
Angelica stood, grabbed the chair, and fell to one knee as a blast of internal heat took her breath. Sweat beaded her forehead, dripped into her eyes. Before she could pull herself up, Varick was hovering over her and pulling her to her feet.
“I need to go to the bathroom.” She leaned into him and groaned as pain raced up her back. “I think I’ve had too much excitement for one day.”
He lifted her into his arms and carried her to bathroom’s entrance. He set her down in front of the sink and stepped back.
She gritted her teeth and turned to the tub. “I’m just going to take a bath. I’m sure I’ll feel better after.”
Varick turned and grabbed a towel from the little linen closet and then reached for the faucet. She grunted and jerked the towel out of his hand.
“I can do it by myself. I’m not dead. I’m just a little sore and overheated!”
Varick jerked upright and grinned. “Call me if you need anything.”
“Just get the hell out of here.”
• • •
Varick turned and left Angelica filling the tub, needing to escape for a private moment so he could think. But he couldn’t help but feel like he’d won some great prize. His grin turned into a full-blown smile as she slammed the door in his face. She was by far the most passionate woman he had ever bedded. And he couldn’t wait to go at it a second time.
Embrace the Fire Page 17