Tatiana knew she wouldn"t get far. Marcello"s hand gripped her arms as they met the first step leading out of his home. A cry escaped her lips, though his hold was gentle. At the sound, he instantly let her go, as if his touched burned her.
Tatiana pulled back, crying. She saw his unmovable, handsome face and it tore at her heart. She tried to hate him, but she couldn"t.
"Stop crying," Marcello ordered, his voice harsh and gravelly. The sound reverberated in the back of her skull and she cried harder. He grimaced as if uncomfortable by her show of emotion. "I am not going to hurt you,bella mia ."
Tatiana didn"t believe him. She still felt his displeasure in her, his anger. She tried to back away, but her feet hit the stairs and she fell back on them hard, still clutching the linen to her chest.
A loud howl of anger left him and he roared viciously at her. Tatiana gasped, her tears instantly stopping at the sound. Her lips trembled.
His voice was fiery and raw, as he yelled, "What is it you want from me, woman?"
Tatiana thought about that. She didn"t know how to answer. There was no point asking him for something he couldn"t give.
"I don"t know," she whispered, shivering. The fire provided light in the front hall, but little warmth.
His nostrils flared. "You tremble for me,bella ? I would"ve thought you"d be sated by my brother."
Tatiana flinched. He was being deliberately cruel and they both knew it. "I tremble from cold, not for you. And I would"ve thought your littlebaldracca would"ve calmed the foul temper in you. Perhaps you should find her and demand a refund."
"Unfortunately, your little stunt cost me my wh.o.r.e and I have yet to be sated." Marcello reached down for her, pulling her roughly up and straight into his deep kiss. She gasped in surprise. His strong arms wrapped around her, crushing her into his chest so she couldn"t struggle or escape. His tongue delved into her mouth, demanding a response. Her whole body answered the call, singing with instant pa.s.sion for him. His mouth moved roughly against her, slanting his kiss as he sucked the very will of her body into him.
Tatiana was stunned by his heated embrace and escaping him was the last thing on her mind. She wanted to cry at the onslaught of emotion she felt for him, but knew he couldn"t return. Her hands lifted, gripping his shoulders for support. The strength in him left her knees weak until she could only cling to him, desperate and wanting. Her lungs began to burn for breath. She moaned, trying to break free from the pressure of his mouth. Her eyes widened as she tried to inhale against his tight kiss.
Tatiana struck his shoulder, hard. Marcello"s eyes narrowed as he whipped his head back, misunderstanding her refusal. She gasped for breath.
"Name your price then," he whispered, hoa.r.s.e. His features became blank as he stared at her. His dark eyes pierced forward into her, possessive.
"What?" she whimpered, confused.
"Your price," he stated again. His eyes dipped to her mouth, swollen with his kisses. His hands ma.s.saged at her back and he pressed himself intimately into her hips. The length of him scalded her through his breeches and the thin bath linen. She gasped, suddenly not feeling so cold. "How much for the night?"
Tatiana knew that she should"ve been insulted by his question, and a small part of her was, but more of her was thrilled that he wanted her so much he was willing to pay for her company. Not knowing where the answer came from, she whispered, "Free Cesare."
"Done," came his instant answer, no hesitation.
Tatiana hadn"t expected agreement from him. Marcello obviously thought the negotiations were over, for his lips swooped down. His mouth was gentler than before, giving more than taking. She moaned lightly and felt his body tremble in response.
Her hands worked at his jacket, gliding it off his shoulders.
Marcello let her undress him. Her fingers fumbled on the b.u.t.tons of his shirt, his waistcoat. He didn"t hurry her, didn"t help her. Tatiana moaned again and again. The linen dropped from her body, forgotten on the floor.
His hands slid over her skin, pressing tender and firm. She gasped as he explored all of her back. Her fingers moved beneath his shirt, working it and the waistcoat from his shoulders. The clothing landed on the floor.
"I want to feel you," she breathed, unaware that she said the thought out loud until Marcello groaned into her mouth. Her body rubbed against his. He tore his mouth away, biting and licking a soft trail down her neck to her collarbone. Tatiana arched against him, pressing her body into his. Her leg lifted, opening her body up to him.
Marcello let her go long enough to slip the breeches from his hips. She stepped back, panting, eyeing his perfect form. His arousal stood so tall and thick, proudly displayed as he came for her.
Tatiana took a step back, panting heavily. Marcello smiled. His jaw lowered as he came for her. His hand slowly lifted with liquid grace and the candles around the front hall lit up only to mellow to soft glows. Tatiana gasped. It was as if they were surrounded by stars.
Suddenly, she burst forward. Her arms flew around his neck and she kissed him deeply. Her hands delved into his hair before fitting to his shoulders. She braced herself, hopping up to wrap her legs around his trim waist. Pulling back, she kissed deeply along his jaw to his neck. She bit at him.
Without having to be asked, Marcello cut into his flesh with his nail, drawing a river of blood near her lips. Tatiana moaned, wiggling against his waist, searching for him with her hips. He grabbed her firmly about the waist and lifted. With a mighty thrust, he was buried deep inside the warmth of her body. She accepted him, stretching to take him. She moaned, drinking lightly against this neck, liking the forbiddingly wicked taste of his pa.s.sion in her mouth.
She pulled back and tried to move on him. Marcello walked her to the stairs, laying her down on the hard stone. She gasped to feel the coldness on her back, but as the position gave him leverage to begin his shallow strokes, she didn"t mind.
Tatiana pa.s.sed her wrist by his mouth, watching his eyes. They swirled with an inner fire that drove her to distraction. She watched them light with a possessive, needing heat as he licked her pulse. His hips still rocked into her, thrusting slow and deep. She writhed against him.
Marcello"s mouth hesitated as he looked deep into her eyes. He swallowed hard, tormented that he couldn"t just take her like a man without the thought of devouring her soul, her blood. But, then, she smiled up at him and pressed her wrist more firmly to his mouth. Her jade eyes glowed softly and he knew in the moment that she accepted his need for her blood and was giving it over willingly. He couldn"t resist and bit into her. The flavor of her burned into his very soul.
Tatiana moaned in excitement. She felt them connecting and couldn"t explain or fight it. Her feet braced as she met his thrust with her own. Her hand smoothed over his chest to his hip, liking the feel of his moving body. Marcello tore his mouth away.
At the urging of her moans and whimpers he gave her what she craved. His pace quickened. Tremors racked Tatiana"s body and she cried out.
Marcello held back, riding her hard and fast until her body tensed and exploded in straining perfection. Her eyes closed. Her fingers gripped into the length of his hair, pulling slightly as she was brought to full release. Only when he knew she"d given him everything, did he allow his body to explode within her. Marcello groaned loudly, letting her take everything from him.
He didn"t care anymore. She may not want it or realize it, but she owned his soul--whatever dark fragment was left of it.
Leandro looked over the city of Paris from his perch high on a rooftop. He liked the height, able to look down at the helpless wandering humans, watching them, studying or ignoring them at will, choosing his next meal from amongst them. Small lights danced over the distance, but his gaze stared at the strange contraption hitting the sky. Feeling a presence behind him, he muttered, "I will never understand why Monsieur Gustave Eiffel was allowed to build such a monstrosity. They call it a monument commemorating the centenary of their Revolution. You must visit Rome with me, Broderick, or even Greece and the Cyclades. There you will see monuments built with skill and precision. And they are of beautiful marble, not this revolting steel."
Leandro stood from were he crouched. His hair was pulled back, tied at the nape so the long waves of brown were kept off his face. He turned his dark eyes to his friend and smiled. His look was charming, but Broderick wasn"t fooled. They had been friends too long for him not to know the pain the look hid.
"I have told you countless times for countless decades. I wouldn"t go so near Delos. The Vampire Council wouldn"t take kindly to me stepping so close to their grounds." Broderick"s voice was as smooth as silk edged with the beginning tenor of a growl. It was a sound that caused mortal and immortal women alike to swoon. "The last time I was there it nearly cost me my life and almost started a clan war."
Leandro took one last look around Paris before tilting his head for Broderick to follow. He jumped down to the street below, falling from his great height and landing on the pavement. He turned to watch Broderick, his brown hair ruffled as he jumped down. He too landed neatly. They began to walk down the silent, abandoned street.
"I tasted my brother"s witch," Leandro said. "Her blood is strong, intoxicating."
"Ah, then you have made amends with you brother?" Broderick asked, though his words did not have much hope in them.
"No, but he was most aggrieved to discover her naked in my arms this eve," Leandro chuckled, though it was a humorless sound.
"My sources believe she is truly descendent of theAddien line," Broderick stated. Both men knew his involvement in this scheme was only duty, just as Leandro"s was personal. "I don"t doubt it myself. I have seen the jade of her eyes. I don"t wish to be involved in your feud. However, do you think that Marcello will turn the girl over to us willingly?"
"Not a chance," Leandro stated honestly. "She is too powerful, her blood too addictive. Even now I yearn for another small taste of it."
"Very well," Broderick said, frowning. "Then we will take her from him. I have my orders. I will do it during the day so we can"t be tracked. It has been decided that we will test her sanity and her capabilities. I will help her to center her power if I can. If not, she"ll have to be killed."
"It would be a shame to kill her," Leandro mused softly.
"A shame indeed, for if her power can be focused, she"ll be a great ally to all immortals. Her powers of prediction would calm the fear of this new millennium we are upon."
"I just want my revenge," Leandro stated. "I will help you in your cause, old friend, but I am in this solely for the revenge."
"I will take your help and gladly," Broderick said. He bowed his head. "No matter the reason it is given."
"I can be ready to leave Paris in three days," Leandro said, nodding in return.
"Perfect. I will make sure all is ready for her. We cannot hesitate or her powers could kill us all." Broderick jumped high into the air and disappeared.
Leandro sighed. All masks of amus.e.m.e.nt and charm faded from his pale, hard features now that he was alone. He knew it was most likely that Tatiana would die. He"d read the truth of it well in Broderick"s voice. The old vampire didn"t care. She suited his purpose more in death anyway.