Rana moaned at his magical touch, putting her hands on his shoulders to steady herself. When Lucian wrapped his hands around her waist, she opened her eyes and her gaze landed on the ring on her finger, yanking her out of the seductive spell.
"I'm not Elizabeth, Lucian." She said stiffly. Dropping her hands, she backed up and looked away.
He stiffened. "Who told you—?" He paused. "Kraid."
Lucian cupped her face in his hands and turned her head so she had to meet his forceful gaze. "Rana, I know you're not Elizabeth. She may have been the reason I sought you, but you're my true mate."
She heard his words, but unbidden thoughts of the many times he could've told her about the ring and Elizabeth, but didn't, entered her mind. Her stomach churned with nausea, her chest tightened in pain.
"Here, take her ring…" She tried to pull off the ring, but even in the shower, with soapy hands, the ring wouldn't budge.
"Damn it all!" she yelled her frustration.
Lucian's big hand wrapped around hers, closing her hand into a fist. "No," he said angrily and set her back against the shower wall.
Rana gasped at the cold feeling of the tile pressed against her back. She lifted her chin and glared at him.
His infuriated silver gaze locked with hers. "I know the difference, Rana. I admire your courage and your compassion. I love your quick humor and strong sense of self." When she didn't respond, he clasped her arms in his hands and shook her gently, his jaw tight. "Elizabeth wasn't near as stubborn as you are. And I didn't have this all-consuming need to have her like I do you. You are my true mate. Get used to it."
Lucian didn't wait for a response. He pulled her to him, crushing her lips in a bruising, dominating kiss, his tongue invading her mouth. His intemperate desire fueled her own. Rana wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him back, needing his touch, his connection. Her heart sang. His actions, even more than his words, told her he truly cared for her, not a woman from a lifetime ago.
His hand slid between then, cupping her breast, rubbing her nipple before sliding lower, seeking her swollen, throbbing clitoris. Rana moaned and pressed against him when his fingers found their mark. Sliding two fingers inside her, he tested her readiness and groaned against her mouth.
Rana grasped his shoulders and rose on tiptoe to give him easier access. He trailed kisses down her throat, grazing her neck with his teeth. Rana stiffened at the contact and he lifted his head.
"I'm trying to save you." She sighed. When he looked at her strangely, she amended saying, "Don't you need your energy for tonight?"
Lucian shook his head and kissed her jaw. Sliding his tongue down her neck, he ground out, "You're torturing me."
She moaned and wrapped her arms around his neck as he clasped her ass in his hands and lifted her against him. This time the cool tile didn't faze her when Lucian sank his hard shaft into her in one long driving stroke.
"You feel so good," he mumbled against her neck and then withdrew and thrust back in once more. "I will never get enough of you. Ever."
Rana tried to wrap her legs around him, but their bodies were too slippery. Lucian chuckled and accommodated her by grasping the arch of either foot. Cupping her feet in his hands, pinning her bent knees underneath the brawn of his muscular arms, he drove upward and into her again.
She clutched his thick shoulders, arched her back and sucked in her breath at the full penetration the position allowed. Never in her life had she been so completely possessed, felt so utterly filled.
The drag of his erection within her inner walls, the grind of his body against her pubic bone, the friction, the building feverish pitch had her heart thudding in her chest, making her wonder if she just might faint from the erratic breaths she took to keep up with her pounding pulse and spiraling desire. And this connection with Lucian felt so wonderful, so right. She knew. She loved him with every fiber of her being.
Her orgasm slammed through her body in throbbing, pulsing waves of pleasure and she cried out, "Lucian, oh God, Lucian."
Lucian gave a rough groan against her neck, his own climax clearly upon him. "I love you, Rana. You're mine, all mine," he said fiercely before he plunged his teeth into her soft skin, causing her to scream in shuddering ecstasy, drowning out the sound of the shower splattering around them.
Chapter Ten
Lucian shut the shower off and lifted her in his arms. He sat down on a white cushioned chair in the bathroom, cradling her in his arms.
Why did she feel so tired? Somebody slap me and wake me up, damnit! But try as she might to rouse herself, her body was just too lethargic. Rana snuggled against his neck and succumbed to his gentle strokes with the soft towel against her skin and hair.
Lucian laid her on the bed, moved over to the wall, and turned a knob to dim the bright lights to a nice evening glow. Rana rolled over to face him when he climbed into bed and propped himself up on his elbow. She felt so languid and secure in his bed, the silk sheets wrapping her in their warmth. Sliding a hand underneath her cheek on the pillow, she made a sigh of contentment and smiled at his handsome face.
Lucian reached over and gently tucked a strand of her hair behind her ear, his gaze lingering on her cheek, following the path his fingers had taken.
"Do you want to tell me about her?" Rana asked softly.
He met her gaze for the briefest of seconds before resuming his exploration of her skin. His fingers skimmed her shoulders and down her arm, creating currents of desire across her sensitive flesh. "Elizabeth was also human. I met her at the opera. Our relationship was very different. My desire for her built over time."
"Did you love her?" She hated to ask, but in some ways she felt connected to this woman because of Lucian.
He stopped his movements and regarded her for a long moment before he answered, "Yes, I did. She was a good person. My love for her is stronger now than ever."
Rana's heart contracted at his revelation. She dropped her gaze to his neck so he wouldn't see the hurt his words elicited.
Lucian touched her cheek and then cupped her jaw in his hand, lifting her chin so her gaze met his once more. "Because if it weren't for Elizabeth, I never would have found you."
Rana blinked back the tears and swallowed to push away the lump that had formed in her throat at his endearing words.
He smiled. "But I don't want to talk about Elizabeth. I want to talk about us."
Us? Us! Oh, Lucian, there can be no us. Her heart broke at the loving look in his eyes, the desire banked behind those pools of mercury staring back at her.
At her silence, Lucian grasped her hand and lifted her palm to his lips. "I love you, Rana. I want you to be my wife, my vampire mate."
Stall for time. Come on, think, Rana. "Lucian, I just don't know if I'm ready. I mean, the thought of drinking someone else's blood makes me nauseous." That was pretty good and I didn't even have to lie. The idea does make me want to yark my guts up. Hey, Gatekeeper, you listening out there? I'm being a good girl down here.
I'd like to know your definition of good girl, Rana, Jack said with a laugh. Riding that fine line, aren't you?
Rana snorted inwardly. Jack, which way did you go? Up or down? Because I know you aren't being holier-than-thou with me, oh smoozmeister of all women.
Lucian chuckled against her hand, making her think he'd read her thoughts until he laced his fingers with hers and said, "Rana, love, you'll get your sustenance from me and no other."
That got her attention. Rana sat up on her elbow as excitement coursed through her. The idea of sucking on his neck had an entirely different connotation. But wait? Something didn't compute. "Wait a minute. Though I don't find the idea of dining on you near as unappealing, where are you going to get your food?"
He shrugged. "The same way I always have, from humans."
She arched her eyebrow. "Women?"
Lucian grinned at her.
"I don't think so, Luc." She pushed him over on his back and sprawled across his chest. "Men only. G
ot it."
He laughed outright at her decree and then sobered. "Say it again, Rana. I like the way my name sounds on your lips."
"Luc." Rana smiled and curled into him, snuggling her back against his chest.
Lucian pulled her hair back and kissed her neck while his hand traced down her side as if memorizing every curve of her body. Rana sighed at his magical touch. Her nipples tingled and her sex throbbed to life as his hand moved upward to cup her breast. He twisted the pebbled tip between his fingers before pinching it lightly. Rana gasped and arched against him, reveling in the rigid flesh that brushed insistently against her backside. Never had she been so in tune with another person. Nor had anyone made her feel as cherished and desired as Lucian did. When he pressed against her more intently as if he wanted to imprint himself on her, her desire for him only intensified.
His hand slid lower until he drew his finger between her damp curls, skimming past her swollen nub and delving inside her heated center. Rana arched wantonly against him, anticipation curling in her belly, her need so great to have him inside her, she slipped her hand between her legs and guided him home.
Lucian groaned in her ear as he thrust to the hilt. "You're a slice of heaven every time, Rana. God, every single time."
She smiled and was surprised when Lucian rolled onto his back and pulled her fully on top of him. But she didn't have time to ponder the new position as his hands roamed over her body while he drew in and out of her sheath with deliberate, measured movements.
Rana's breathing turned ragged when he slid a hand between her legs and rubbed her moisture around her clitoris, pressing against it while his fingers tweaked and twirled a taut nipple. Her body gave way to the sensual onslaught and Rana keened in pleasure as her climax washed over her.
Lucian kissed her neck and laid his hand over her beating heart for a long moment. Rana wasn't sure how he did it, but he stayed inside her as he sat them both up, slid off the bed, reached for her hands, and wrapped her fingers around the thick bedpost.
His entire body bracketed her in, for he kept his hands over hers on the post as he whispered in her ear, "I love you with all my heart."
She wanted to tell him she loved him back, but she just couldn't. Not when she'd be breaking his heart all over again before the dawn broke the sky. Instead, she silently spread her legs to accommodate him. Lucian traced his hands down her arms to her hips where he wrapped those long fingers and broad palms around her hips, holding her in place for his first, forceful thrust. Rana gasped in delight, her heart hammering as she gripped the post tighter, arching into his driving thrusts with counter ones of her own. She smiled when she received a growl of satisfaction from Lucian for her efforts.
"I won't take your blood until you wish it, Rana. I promise." Lucian rasped against her neck. With one hand covering hers on the post, Lucian took her other hand and lowered it to the nest of curls between her legs, causing her to moan her approval. His fingers guided hers, moving her hand over her clitoris as he drove into her again and again until their bodies glistened with their exertions.
When he came, Rana met his groans of exaltation with ones of her own until the only thing she heard was their mingled labored breathing and the fervent beating of her own heart against her chest. As her breathing slowed, she had to admit she missed that last little rush she got when he sank his teeth into her neck.
Lucian gathered her close for a few minutes, holding her tight before he withdrew and lifted her in his arms. He kissed her on the temple and laid her in the bed. Climbing in beside her, he pulled her back against his chest. Rana never remembered feeling so safe and secure in her life.
They dozed together for a while and Rana awoke with a start, looking at the clock. It was two in the morning. She turned to see Lucian laying there staring at her.
"Have you been watching me sleep?" she asked.
"Yes."
She pointed to the clock. "Lucian, get up and get dressed, you have to be at the meeting in half an hour."
He casually lay back on the bed and clasped his hands behind his head. "I'm not going."
"What!" Panic seized her. She sat up and looked at him. "What do you mean you aren't going?"
Lucian turned to her, his expression calm. "I will only take the Vité position with you by my side as my mate, my anima."
"Anima?" she asked, confused.
"Yes, my anima. My soul. Rana, you complete me." His silver eyes regarded her while he awaited her reaction.
What! Unfortunately someone else had beaten him to the punch. Her soul wasn't up for grabs. Now what was she going to do? "Lucian, that's crazy. The vampires need their leader, one who will keep order and discipline among the clans."
He smiled. "That's exactly right. I want them to have the best leader possible." He laced his fingers through hers and rubbed his thumb along her palm. His smoky gaze met hers as he continued, "I've waited too long for you. You're my number one priority, because without you I won't make a great leader."
Rana closed her eyes. Here's hoping I won't tip the 'purity' scale with this big fat lie I'm about to tell. I just hope Lucian can forgive me.
"Okay."
Lucian sat up, flashing a brilliant smile.
She held up her hand. "I'll become your mate, your anima, but only after the ceremony."
At his scowl, she crossed her arms over her naked breasts and held her ground. "Those are my terms."
He didn't look thrilled, but Rana pushed him out of the bed. "Hurry up and get some clothes on. We need to be downstairs in ten minutes."
He leapt from the bed and got dressed so fast he stood in front of her grinning triumphantly before she even made it to the bathroom.
"Oh, good grief, you show off," she grumbled, pushing past him. Lucian chuckled as she shut the door behind her.
* * * * *
Rana sat in a chair along a sidewall in the solarium conference room. Even though Lucian had insisted she sit next to him, she'd refused, explaining she wasn't his mate yet and would sit next to him when that time came. It hurt her too much to consider taking a position at the table when she'd so thoroughly lied to him.
She surveyed the cream colored walls and high ceiling with the beautifully etched glass skylight all along the center of the ceiling. The skylight surprised her considering the fact vampires couldn't abide the sun. The glass is heavily tinted, love. So even during the day, only light shines through, not the sun's rays, Lucian spoke in her mind.
Rana met Lucian's gaze and smiled. Somehow she knew he had designed this room. He might be a creature of the night, but he loved the light and lots of it.
Her gaze drifted to the men at the rich mahogany conference table. All the leaders were in attendance with the exception of Kraid, of course. Ian sat in as the Bruens' leader. Sabryn flanked Lucian's left side at the head of the table. His Uncle Vlad sat on the right.
Sabryn glanced around the table. "The first order of business is to officially cast your vote for Lucian as Vité. As our bylaws state, the vote must be unanimous. Please turn your crests to show your vote."
Rana watched as each clan leader set his MP3 sized crest encrusted disk on the table one at a time. Lucian had explained the process to her on the way to the meeting. Colored crest side up meant a yes vote, gold side up meant a no vote.
Yes. She smiled.
Yes. Her heart thumped in her chest.
Yes. She loved him.
Yes. I wish I could be your wife, Lucian, with all my heart.
It was Ian's turn to set down the Bruens disk. He started to lower it to the table when a loud crashing sound above their heads made all the leaders jump back, all except Lucian. He didn't move as if he'd expected the intrusion.
A man landed with a thud on top of the table, shards of glass from the skylight streaming down with him. He had pitch-black hair, a cruel mouth, and eyes so dark they looked black. He turned to face Lucian.
"Don't I get to vote on behalf of the Bruens, now that you've killed Kraid?"
he sneered.
Lucian met his gaze with an unperturbed one. "You forfeited that right when you helped your brother kill the human, Drace. Kraid has already paid the price."
Drace's body shook with anger. "I refuse to be judged for killing a vampire hunter."
Lucian's voice remained calm, but forceful. "You aren't being judged for killing a vampire hunter, Drace. You're being judged for how you killed him. Killing in self-defense is one thing, but killing for the pure pleasure of it, I won't allow. You tortured the man."
Drace snorted. "It's no less than he would've done to me." He turned to the other clan leaders, pointing to Lucian. "Do you hear what this human-loving vampire is saying? How can you vote for someone that sides with an inferior race every chance he gets?"
The Arryn leader spoke, "Lucian, Drace does have a point. We can't embrace humans with open arms. They fear us. And when some fear, they attack."
Lucian slowly stood and addressed the leaders. "I'm not asking you to embrace humans with open arms. All I ask is that we learn to live in harmony with them." He looked pointedly at each clan leader. "I know many of you have human friends."
"Yeah, but what would they say if they knew you were vampires?" Drace cut in, addressing the other vampires.
Lucian continued in a smooth tone as if he hadn't been interrupted. "There will be those that condemn us, yes, but I know we each have examples of human friends who are aware of our vampire status and can see past our differences to the real person within." The men nodded their agreement with his statement. Lucian let his gaze land on Rana briefly. I love you, he whispered in her mind and planted an invisible kiss on her lips before he turned to Ian.
Rana's heart broke at his words.
A Taste For Passion Page 12