Key to Conflict

by Talia Gryphon

  Tanis was a powerful, virile, dominant male Vampire. He was a backwater chauvinist, irritating as hell, and as breathtakingly attractive as his brother. The instant antagonism between them could be the basis for something more…interesting, if his character really was as sterling as he was projecting.

  CHAPTER

  6

  “N O, I don’t think you will have to intervene, Aleksei,” Gillian said in a breathy voice while staring into Tanis’s molten eyes that had her kicking herself mentally. What the hell? Marilyn Monroe? For fuck’s sake. She tried again.

  “What I mean is that I’m sure Tanis and I can get along just fine. You don’t have to worry about us killing each other.” There, that was better. That was almost command-grade normal.

  Before Aleksei could respond, Tanis rose, striding forward taking Gillian’s hand and kissing it. Gillian couldn’t have been more shocked if he’d bitten her. She would have pulled back automatically, but he had her wrist too and she couldn’t extract herself from his light grip without appearing obvious.

  Gazing directly into her lovely green eyes, Tanis spoke to his brother. “Would you mind if I walked Dr. Key down the mountain, Aleksei? Surely she is off duty by now.”

  Aleksei’s eyebrows lifted in surprise. “Gillian?”

  She eyed Tanis warily. Tanis couldn’t resist a quip. “Scared, piccola?”

  “Not hardly, Count Rachlav.”

  Smiling but seething inwardly, Gillian reached a delicate but strong hand up and ran a fingertip down the side of Tanis’s face, continuing down his neck and onto his powerful chest. He watched her warily but shivered under her touch as she swayed closer, his eyes alive with hunger that wasn’t about food.

  Without warning, she hooked a booted foot behind his ankle and shoved. Tanis fell rather ungracefully onto his beautiful butt. This time, having learned from the prior situation, she backed up out of range and grinned wickedly. “I have no reason to be afraid of you,” she said, then turned to Aleksei. “I’ll be fine, Aleksei. I’m sure Tanis will take extraordinarily good care of me.”

  Aleksei regarded her and the tall, dark, infinitely dangerous Vampire climbing menacingly to his feet behind her. Their sexually charged horseplay was beginning to wear very thin. If Gillian wanted to provoke his volatile brother, or vice versa, he was staying well out of it.

  “I believe I will let Tanis bring you back down the mountain, Gillian,” he said in a chilly voice. “Perhaps you two need time alone to work out your issues.”

  With that, he turned to leave, then paused, glancing back over his shoulder at the little blonde. “And Gillian? I understand your reason for subterfuge in coming here, though if you had simply asked, I would have offered whatever information Tanis and I had.

  “For future reference, however, since you will be staying with us on our lands, do not lie or attempt to deceive me again. I will not tolerate it.” Aleksei’s black velvet voice lashed across her psyche in gentle reprimand as he vanished into the thick forest, leaving Gillian to deal with Tanis, alone.

  She turned back toward Tanis, a little flustered by Aleksei’s parting shot. Her intention to help him to his feet was stalled as she collided with his very solid chest. Looking up into his handsome angry face, she noticed the split in his lip, barely visible now due to his Preternatural healing ability. She felt a brief stirring of fear, dismissed it, then took a moment and admired him. Goddess, he was extraordinary.

  “Well?” she said finally, cocking her head to one side.

  Tanis gripped her upper arms gently yet firmly. His voice was beautiful, soft and low, but carried a wealth of reprimand. “Playing with fire, piccola, will get your lovely backside warmed again.”

  Gillian yanked her arms out of his grip, backing away from him. He allowed it, then began stalking her with deliberate slowness, male arrogance in every step.

  “I am well aware of your superior physical strength, Tanis. You can drain me, tear me apart or rip out my throat before I could get a knife or gun drawn. Better yet, you could fuck me and leave with absolutely no affect on your conscience.” Her voice was cold and deliberate.

  He raised an eyebrow at the abrupt change in her tone and demeanor, his face achieving a harsh beauty as he regarded her with a chilly glare. Eyes that were alight with golden flame from the beast within him held hers captive. The voice when it came from deep in his chest was low and full of anger.

  “Yes, I could take your blood, claim you in every way. I might even kill you, Gillian, or decide merely to put you across my knee again. Is that what you want, piccola? Do you enjoy this continual antagonism between us?

  “We may be in the same proximity for quite a long time. Would you rather I left you strictly alone? Not express my desire for you? Tell me, Gillian. I will respect your wishes but do not play with me.” His volume had increased until he roared the last at her. When she flinched from his tone, he fell silent and waited, aggravated that he had let her provoke him.

  Watching his steady, deliberate movements and really listening to him, she heard then felt the hurt beneath the anger in his voice. Studying his face, which was raw with need and obvious confusion as he approached her, twisted something inside of her.

  Playing? Yeah, playing. When the hell had she become so cruel? Ouch. That stung a bit. Tanis was right; she was playing with him. Self-defense mechanism on overdrive. Why? Why, indeed. He scared her, that’s why. His attraction to her scared her but not because he wanted her in bed. He scared her because she saw things in him that she liked and admired, though she couldn’t put her finger on any of it. He disconcerted her. She didn’t like the feeling.

  Aleksei had harbored the same look in his eyes, so different from Tanis’s in color, so similar in the way they hid nothing from her. Need. Pure, primal need that had nothing and everything to do with sex. If it were Aleksei standing before her now, if he weren’t her patient…Stop it. That was dangerous thinking. She stopped backing up and thought before she answered.

  “I don’t know, Tanis, one minute you’re chastising me, then tanning my butt, then being almost respectful; now you’re looking at me like I’m the main course on your personal sexual buffet table. I’m having a little trouble keeping up.”

  He had to smile slightly as she ticked off her thoughts on her little fingers. At her next words though, he felt his temper galvanize his body.

  “Are you simply being an ass because you are unused to a grown woman who can take care of herself? I’ve commanded men on the battlefield, Tanis. I am not going to suddenly become agreeable and submit to whatever you want to do. I am not going to be one of those wide-eyed Humans who will worship you because you’re a Vampire and lower yourself to have sex with me. If you want a fan club, you’ve got the wrong girl. I need a better reason for going to bed with you than you being bigger and badder than me.” There. That was an adult conversation. Let him deal with that first.

  That made him mad. He snarled and blurred forward, grabbing her before she could breathe. Shaking her a little, he pulled her to him and spoke slowly, emphasizing every word. “Worship? Is that what you think I want? For the love of Isis, Gillian, do you believe myself or even Aleksei to be so Human as to need obsequiousness from anyone?”

  Now fear warred with the naked anger on his face. Fear for her perception of herself, fear that she was afraid he wanted her; fear that she might believe…

  “Lower myself, Gillian? You believe I am settling for some sort of sexual consolation prize by wanting to bed you?” Tanis searched her eyes, her face. Yes, that was exactly what she thought. That she was merely available and that was the reason he was attracted to her.

  “You need to learn a few things, piccola, like why a man might desire you and want to take care of you; or why I might find you attractive in ways that have nothing to do with sexual need. It is not an insult, Gillian, to be under my protection.

  “No matter what your choice here tonight, I will never withdraw that, or the offer of my friendship, if that i
s what you wish.”

  She thought about that for a moment. Like it or not, she needed his protection and Aleksei’s. Dammit. It all just went so completely against her grain. Still, it was not her intent to hurt him or toy with him. Aleksei had said they both were usually alone.

  “I’m sorry, Tanis, I was judging you and Aleksei…by Human standards and that was unfair.” She looked straight into his eyes, not flinching, not giving an inch, just stating a newfound fact that she’d discovered. He looked into her guileless eyes, which stared levelly into his. She meant it and relief flooded him.

  Unexpectedly he folded her into his arms, drawing her close so that she could hear his heart, his breathing, feel the security he was offering. Burying his face in her hair, he pressed her against the full length of him.

  “Piccola, you do not know what it means to me to hear you say that. You have had a lot to handle these last few hours and I am sure that I have been a difficult man to deal with.”

  Gillian fought him for a moment, totally confused by his abrupt turn of behavior, struggling against the steel bands of his arms, then relaxed, feeling no direct threat from him.

  “You’ve been a royal pain in the ass, Tanis.” Her voice was muffled against his broad chest. They were highly attracted to each other despite their initial animosity, there was no getting around that fact. Hell with it. She put her arms around his slender waist and hugged him back lightly.

  Totally unrepentant, she was. He had to laugh. She jumped as the laughter rolled from deep within him and he reached around her to gently slap her bottom. “In so many ways, as well.” His voice full of male amusement.

  Shoving him back, her eyes blazed green. “In very many ways,” she snarled.

  Still laughing, he moved closer and put an arm over her shoulder, pulling her beneath the safety of his. “I apologize for spanking you, piccola. I truly do. It is not like me to lose control like that, but you needed it.”

  She turned and glared up at him. “Oh, really? I suppose it escaped your notice that I’m an adult. If I’d had a gun, I’d have shot you for pulling that shit.”

  “I will make sure you are not heavily armed the next time I take you over my knee.”

  He grabbed her fist as she swung it at him and kissed her knuckles, laughing. Tanis was amazed at the intensity of his attraction to her. He’d been furious with her only awhile ago, now all he wanted to do was kiss her, hold her, make sure she didn’t get killed in the coming melee.

  He picked her up and held her above him, bringing her down into the warmth of his embrace. His mouth claimed hers hungrily and his arms were unbreakable bands around her back. Gillian surprised herself by returning his kiss. Vampire attraction and sex too? Real attraction? Too early to tell, so she’d just enjoy the moment. Despite their rocky meeting, there were definite sparks igniting between them. She was an adult. If this was a temporary fling, she could handle it.

  Sliding down his body as he lowered her, she felt the thick length of him, hardening in response to her. He slid a hand down her back before her feet touched the ground and pulled her groin into his tightly. When he pressed his hand onto her rear, she flinched. Instantly, he broke off the kiss and stood her in front of him.

  “I have hurt you?”

  “Look, it’s nothing. I’ve had worse.”

  “It is not nothing, Gillian. You will let me examine any bruises.” He took her shoulder and started to turn her, when she knocked his hand away.

  “Oh no, I will not! I am not dropping trou out here in the middle of nowhere! What is wrong with you?” she yelled, incredulous that he would ask such a thing.

  Tanis’s anger boiled close to the surface again, but remembering their earlier conversation, he also thought before he spoke.

  “All right, piccola, I won’t look at your lovely backside. You’re right, it is unreasonable of me to ask at this point. However, I would mention that I have seen the female form before.”

  He ruffled her hair for emphasis, chuckling at her irritation with him.

  Exasperated, she turned and stomped off downhill. In a flash, Tanis was at her side, capturing her hand and bringing it to his lips. He slowed his long stride to match hers and was encouraged when she didn’t immediately pull away.

  Watching her walk beside him, he was amazed by the smallest details about her. The way her hair shimmered in the moonlight, the memory of the flash in her beautiful eyes in her rage toward him, the strength and courage she had to challenge an ancient Vampire.

  Her walk was electric. Muscles flexed beneath the cargo pants she wore. She walked like a woman, but there was the promise of deadly violence in her. He’d never met anyone like her.

  Totally secure and unafraid, she had relied upon herself in the worst of situations as a combat veteran. It could be a definite problem, that kind of confidence here, in his world. He wanted to say something to her, something about how impressed he was with her, but he settled for holding her hand and matching her stride as they walked through the moonlight together.

  The slope started to slant sharply and Gillian shook free of his hand to balance herself. Tanis was in front of her instantly to catch her should she start to slide.

  “Oh, for Hell’s sake, Tanis, I won’t break.” Her head was down, watching her footing, so she didn’t see him stop and ran into him again.

  He caught her easily and kissed her nose. “Dammit, Tanis, stop going immobile in front of me. I’m going to break my nose on your chest, you grabastic snotwad!”

  She’d picked up a few original phrases in the Marines and that was one Tanis had never heard. He doubled over in laughter, and she shoved him. Problem was, he was backward on a steep slope, one leg hooked over a fallen tree. He toppled over, rolling partway down the embankment. Gillian bolted after him in horror, afraid he’d bash his stupid head open on a rock. Aleksei would fire her for sure if she broke his brother.

  He stopped rolling and she skidded to a halt, tangling her foot in a root and falling partly across his lap. Tanis caught her so her face didn’t hit the ground. She turned and braced herself up on an elbow, glaring at him.

  “What is it with you? Every other minute you’re either trying to fondle me or you’ve got me over your lap.” She grinned at the perplexed look on his face.

  Tanis lightly popped her on the butt, then started running his hand over the shapely curve. “It’s karma, piccola. The universe knows you need a guiding hand.”

  Gillian raised up with a murderous look, then found his arms around her again, this time cradling her back on his lap and pulling her against him. His mouth was hot and demanding on hers, his hand sliding over her butt, lightly rubbing her, sliding over her hip and dipping down between her thighs to urge her legs apart, pressing his palm to her feminine heat.

  A four-hundred-year-old sensual Vampire gains a lot of experience kissing, stimulating, tantalizing; Tanis wasn’t holding back. He wanted her; he wanted her to want him with the same ferocity. Gillian was responding to his ministrations with her own level of skill, leaning her breasts against him, lightly rubbing her nipples over the hardness of his chest.

  She could feel the length and width of his straining erection under her hip. He swung around so that his legs faced downhill, pulling Gillian up with him. She straddled him and pressed herself against his hard need. No stranger to lovemaking herself, she knew his mood mirrored her own.

  All the fire and fury between them was erupting in that kiss. Their tongues dueled as Tanis ran his hand up her chest to cup a firm, full breast, rubbing his thumb over her nipple. He moaned softly as she ground her warmth over him and ran his arm around her hips to pull her in tighter. Her natural sensuality tightened his body into a painful ache. He could smell her hot, damp warmth and feel her responding to him.

  Small, delicate hands ran up his chest and over his shoulders, one continuing down his back and over his hip, down his thigh to massage him through his pants. He shuddered with repressed desire. Right now, he wanted to be deep insi
de her; to feel her quaking with pleasure, pulling him in and riding him to heaven.

  Gently, he slid his hand under her tunic and snapped open her bra, letting her full breasts free for his examination, kissing down her jawline to her neck. His large hand cupped her, kneading gently, her nipple hardening against his palm.

  Gill arched into his touch, enjoying the velvet luxury of his soft, warm mouth against her neck. The scrape of his fangs along her fragile skin was soothed by his silky tongue as he fought not to bite her. Empathy flared as she pulled back, breathing hard. He wanted sex, but his body wanted blood too.

  Her eyes were dilated, dark emerald with desire, her lips full and swollen from his kiss. Not stopping his investigation of her breast, Tanis brought his free hand up to caress her face.

  “What is wrong, cara? Am I going too fast for you?”

  She stared hard at him to see if he was joking, but there was only tenderness, respect and need in his eyes. It was a look she would never have expected to find in Tanis’s eyes while she was sitting against his hardened shaft, only their clothing separating them.

  “Okay, Tanis, if we do this, there is to be no teeth, no blood. You understand? I mean it. One canine shows itself and we’re done.”

  She held her hand against his chest, holding him back from kissing her again. The other hand came up to her own mouth. “And don’t nick me when we’re kissing either. I’m not used to French kissing a Vampire.” She smiled.

  “Are you sure this is what you want to do, cara mia? I am trying very hard to play the Human suitor, but I am not sure what the rules are.” Tanis’s voice was thick with sex, but her sense told her he was confused with the dark needs he felt for her.

  “Tanis,” she sighed, leaning her forehead to his. “I am a grown woman. If I want to have sex with you, or any other available male, I’m capable of making my own decisions. This isn’t rape, you know. In fact, I’m practically raping you.”