ANGEL'S KISS (A Dark Angel's Novel) (21 page)

“Enjoy, my Qadesh.” His voice was like a soft breeze over my skin. I opened my eyes to find him, but the room was dark and I was face down on the table. I could just make out the tropical flower that was placed in a bowl on the floor for me to see and smell. Damn, he thinks of everything.

Two more hands joined the original two, and working in unison, they made me forget any protest I might have had.

“I can make all your dreams come true. Even the ones you cannot bring yourself to ask for,” he said. His soft velvet voice rubbed against my mind. “I do not seek to harm you. I want only to worship and love you as you deserve.”

A speck of dust hovering in the air created a black spot in my vision. As it grew larger, blocking my view of the flower, the velvety voice grew softer. The hands stopped working on my back. I struggled to look around the spot, desperate to see him and feel his touch again.

No. This is not real. I don’t want to see him. What the hell is wrong with me?

I shook my head and squeezed my eyes, hoping to wake myself. I had to break his hold over me.

“Why do you resist pleasure?” His voice was like the cold edge of a blade. A shiver ran through me.

Pleasure, yes please, I thought. A tug of war began in my brain. No, it’s not real. But this couldn’t be bad if it feels so good, could it?

I fisted my hands and thought about B’s advice. Then I heard Zeke’s low growl. As if just the thought of him brought him to me, the black spot in my vision grew into Zeke.

I didn’t need an interpretation of this dream—Ellasar is screwing with my mind again. I can’t let him control me.

Dammit, he makes me want to offer myself up on a silver platter.

My body is slow to respond, almost disconnected from my intellect, but I managed to strengthen my resolve and push his voice out of my head.

“My Qadesh, I mean you no harm.” His voice was compelling, but at least I didn’t want to rub against him like a cat anymore. “I see you have a new friend. Although I am grateful he was there to help you yesterday, I do not appreciate his interference now.”

I sat up, still touching Zeke’s fur, and looked around. The massage table had been replaced by a big canopied bed. Gauzy curtains surrounded Zeke and me. Zeke’s jowls were pulled back, and he growled menacingly deep in his chest. I put my arms around his big frame.

Then I noticed Ellasar sitting on a thrown-like chair, watching us through the curtains. He was the essence of masculinity, with one leg stretched out, one leg slung over the arm of the chair, and his muscular torso bare. The tattoo around his shoulders seemed darker and more detailed than I remembered, and his dark leather pants were tight in all the right spots. My eye caught the ripple of muscle across his chest and followed a faint line of hair to the loose laces of his pants. My eyes stuck on that small flap of material. It seemed to beg to be peeled apart. My mouth was suddenly dry. I licked my lips and sat up to get a better look.

“I am glad you approve,” he said, motioning down his body as if he were displaying a prize on a game show.

Damn, busted ogling, plus I just noticed I was naked. The combination of shock and embarrassment helped me pry my eyes away. I used Zeke’s body as a shield. Ellasar noticed and waved his hand. I was instantly wearing a white silk gown that hugged my curves.

“That’s better, but I’d prefer something with a little more coverage.”

“This is still my dream too, Qadesh,” he said with a raised eyebrow.

“Gosh, I’m so sorry that my pesky free will has to ruin it for you! And stop calling me that.”

Zeke tensed in my arms, and I noticed that I was naked again. I grabbed the sheet and covered myself with it. It was silk, and—dammit—felt good slipping over my skin, which didn’t help my resolve. Zeke nudged me with his head, and I tried to focus.

“Well, that’s pretty shitty. Why allow me some control, and then just take it away?” I complained.

“Because I CAN.” He stood with silent grace and sauntered to the curtain. Zeke stood, forcing me to come to my knees to keep hold of his neck. Ellasar paced around the bed. I did my best to cover my assets while still holding Zeke.

“Your pet doesn’t like the control I have,” he said thoughtfully. “He is angry that he can do nothing to protect you from me.” Zeke growled in response.

Ellasar ran his hand along the gauzy curtain. “
Alexandria
, if I’d wanted to hurt you, I would have done so by now. You need not fear me.” He parted the curtain, and Zeke lunged for his hand. Ellasar didn’t flinch, but he stayed on his side of the curtain. Zeke, on the other hand, bounced back from some sort of barrier. He shook his head in confusion.

“I’ll allow you to keep your pet, but he must be taught some manners.” Zeke paced the bed inside the curtains. As soon as my hand lost contact with his thick fur, I felt Ellasar’s influence. His silky voice rubbed against my will, and I had no doubt who’d win.

With the last of my rational thought, I reached out to Zeke. Instantly the silky hands slid away. I could think more clearly. I hugged Zeke tighter, and he let out a tremendous howl. Maybe we gained some strength from each other.

“
Alexandria
, why do you protest? You know you want me. I will fulfill all your deepest dreams, and you will feel nothing but pleasure from my touch. Why do you fight me? I wish to earn your trust and make you my partner.”

“By taking my free will?” I held tight to Zeke as I spoke. He seemed to understand and didn’t move. We needed to stay in contact if I were to keep control.

“I do not take away your will. If you search deeply, you will find that your body yearns for me and what I can provide. I seek only to remove your silly modern human prudishness. Why would you deny yourself the pleasures I can give? This afternoon was only a sample of what I can do for your body and mind.”

“Stay out of my mind! How dare you suppose to know what I want or don’t want? Who the hell do you think you are?” I clutched the silk in one fist while I desperately held onto Zeke with the other. I wanted to slap that smug look from Ellasar’s face, but I was afraid to leave the safety of the enclosed bed and Zeke’s contact.

He was face-to-face with me in the bat of an eye. I kicked my legs to thrust myself away from the curtain and the heat of his body. I felt his spark of power—the same spark I’d felt when our skin touched in our first encounter. I knew that my will would not survive another touch right now. I clung to Zeke and he put himself between me and Ellasar.

Zeke’s howl vibrated through me, and the spark or flare of electricity diminished. When I opened my eyes again, Ellasar was five feet away and the silk sheets had been replaced by a beach towel. The canopied bed was now mosquito netting. The soft sound of the waves continued, but they seemed closer and I could taste the salt in the air.

“My Qadesh, I apologize for causing you discomfort.” Ellasar, now seated in a lounge chair, wore a billowy white linen shirt and tan linen pants. The shirt was unbuttoned to show off his muscled abs to perfection. Yum.

“I sought only to reduce your fear and anxiety this evening. I forget how fragile your human mind is. It has been many lifetimes since I have had to be this delicate.”

I started laughing uncontrollably, I just couldn’t help it. I’d never been a fan of romance novels. I prefer the darker fantasy genre. But it was hard to ignore this obvious romance cover picture. Zeke turned to stare at me and gave me a whimper. I’ll bet he thinks I’m going crazy, or at least fast on my way to being insane. But I couldn’t stop laughing, it was just too absurd. Ellasar looked like Fabio except without hair.

“
Alexandria
, my Qadesh, what do you find humorous?” I could hear the anger in his voice as he looked at his surroundings and attire. Zeke shifted his weight to get a better look into my eyes.

“Do you read romance novels? This scene looks just like a cover shoot for Harlequin Romance.” I doubled over, holding the towel to my chest, which was barely covered with the skimpy triangles of my bikini.

When I finally got my hysteria under control, I brought the towel to my face to wipe my eyes. The towel felt thin, like a soft, worn cotton t-shirt. The laugh died in my throat as I opened my eyes. The thick, terry-cloth beach towel had been replaced by a midnight blue shawl that was as soft as pure cashmere. A warm breeze ruffled my hair, and as I looked down to see the sand, my seat rocked. But there was no sand. I now sat on a wooden floor.

I tightened my grip on Zeke, more for reassurance than anything else. “Zeke?”

He replied with a huff of air next to my ear.

The darkness was thick and heavy with heat. “Ellasar,” I called out.

A spark broke the darkness as Ellasar lit an old oil lamp. The brightness startled me at first and hurt my eyes.

“Where are we?” I demanded. The anger that leaked out of my voice shocked even me. I seemed to be rounding the bend on every emotion in record time tonight. I wondered what emotion would take me next.

“Yes, my Qadesh.” His tone was patronizing, which fueled my anger.

“Where—are—we?” I asked again. “And stop calling me that.” The seat rocked again, knocking me into Zeke. I hugged him tighter, and as my eyes adjusted to the glow of the lamp, I could see his dark shape.

“I decided that since you were not enjoying any of your memories, I would bring us to one of mine. We are on the river
Nile
, in the stifling heat of summer. I always enjoyed the water and the breeze that pushed the river.”

I realized that Ellasar sat on the same seat or bed whatever the hell this was—with us. As I tried to move farther away, Zeke lunged forward, taking me with him. We were both jerked to a stop inches from Ellasar. A loud metal clanking rang in my ears and within seconds Zeke erupted in a growl. I tightened my hold on Zeke’s neck and my hands rubbed against his collar, which was pulled tight by a large chain that glistened in the dim light. I tried but couldn’t find the clasp to release him. I knew his collar had a buckle; I’d opened it the other night when he was trapped in the roses. My hands shook as I searched.

“You will find no buckle,
Alexandria
,” Ellasar said with confidence.

“What have you done?”

“I told you that your pet needed to be taught some manners.” He studied his fingernails.

“How dare you chain Zeke!” Zeke growled his agreement.

“Either he is chained or I could send him away, if you prefer.”

“NO!” I held on tighter to Zeke, burying my hands in the extra skin on his neck.

“I thought not. Forget the dog. Can you smell the fertile water? This river is the lifeblood of so many creatures. One could live on her banks for years, never to run out of food or water. She sustains life.”

Now that my eyes had adjusted to the low lighting, I could see the deep darkness of the water. Plus, I realized that I could smell the lush land far in the distance. We really could be on the
Nile
.

The boat seemed to be made of wood, the railings shiny from wear. The image of a god—gold encrusted and studded with gems—sat at the head of the vessel. The back end where we sat was elongated, with a huge carving stretching up into an arc above the deck. It reminded me of pictures I’ve seen of ancient Viking boats.

I was suddenly hot and pushed off my coverings. I was clothed in a beautiful gown of deep purple or black—the night was too dark to see it clearly. However, the light was perfect to see the gold embroidery that was woven into the thin overlay fabric. I let go of Zeke with one hand to move the overlay and admire the second layer of fabric, which was heavy with the weight of embedded gemstones.

“I am thrilled to see you admire the gown. I fashioned it after one that my mother had worn.” He seemed happy that I liked the dress. I, on the other hand, felt deflated and tired. I closed my eyes and leaned against Zeke, making myself as small as possible. The spinning of my head, the rocking of the boat, and the heat combed to make me feel sick. My stomach soured and saliva started to pool in my mouth.

“Why are you doing this? Do you want me to go nuts?” I asked through tightly closed eyes. “If I go crazy they’ll drug me and I’ll be no good to anyone.”

“I do not seek to harm you,
Alexandria
.” I heard exhaustion in his voice too.

“Please take me and Zeke back to my bedroom.” I didn’t have much hope that he would, though.

“Your body has never left your room. Reach your hand out and feel your bed.” His voice was soft again, almost parental. With my face still buried in Zeke’s fur, I reached out and rubbed the platform on which we sat. The fabric took on a more familiar texture and was cool to my touch. I reached out farther and felt the rough warmth of Alan’s hand. I wrapped my fingers around his and he grasped them sleepily. A tear slipped down my cheek.

“Qadesh, I do not seek to break you. I only wish to give you pleasure. You are unlike any before you. None have opposed my lavish visions as you do.”

With one hand in Alan’s as if he were an anchor and one wrapped around Zeke, I opened my eyes. My breath caught. This time I was at Tony’s on the patio bar overlooking the Gulf. A small crowd surrounded us, probably having after dinner drinks. Most people were caught up in conversations, chatting about their day and their dreams, people they love and people they love to hate. I heard the words of their conversations, but I was unable to care about their topics.