Caressed by Night (4 page)

“The end of the week.” Kerstyn cursed. Her headache was getting worse and the tension in her neck was spreading down her back.

“Do you really think Mr. Rich would let me rent a room?” Silvie smiled and gave a slow nod. “I’m a hundred percent sure he would.”

Desperate to find a place to live before she and all of her belongings were literally thrown out, Kerstyn was willing to move in with a complete stranger. She only hoped the rent would be low enough that she could afford to fix her car. Her meager savings needed to last until she found another job.

Her plans to move to New York City were ruined now. Kerstyn had felt like her life was finally coming together. She had earned her doctorate degree in Art History, made a few contacts, and was planning on heading out to New York to find her dream job in a museum. Now, everything was falling apart. Her simple, predictably boring life was now exciting for all the wrong reasons.

“Do you know of any places that are hiring? Preferably a place where I can keep my clothes on and make decent cash.”

“The Vail museum at Vamped is going to be hiring soon.

They’re expanding and need more people although I’m not sure which positions they’re looking to fill. I have heard it’s one of the premier
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museums in the country. Look, Kerstyn, I know you wanted to go to New York, but you can still get your dream job here, in Vegas.”

“That’s if I get hired. Besides, I’m not looking for my dream career right now. I’m young and broke. I just need something to pay the bills until I can figure out what I am going to do.”

“Well, when Vail is hiring, you should apply. You will get a job. I know it.”

The homes were enormous with immaculate yards and luxury cars parked out in front reminding Kerstyn of her parents’ suburb in Northern California.

“Looks like he’s home,” Silvie announced, taking notice of the black Bentley parked in the driveway of the largest house on the street.

“I thought for sure there would be a moat,” Kerstyn laughed.

Kerstyn looked up, the soft glow of lights shone from almost every window making the fortress-like house appear inviting. She took in a deep breath and slowly let it out through her nose. She felt calm and relaxed, her stress melting away.

Silvie reached behind her seat and pulled out an envelope before they got out and headed to the front door.

They listened to the sound of the doorbell echo throughout the house before the dark, wood door was opened.

“You,” Kerstyn gasped, not believing her eyes. Her Norse god had just answered the door.

“You know each other?” Silvie asked.

“I hailed her a taxi the other night.” Mr. Tall, Nordic, and Delicious smiled. “This time, I will introduce myself properly,” he took up Kerstyn’s hand, “I am Dimitri Arsov.”

Kerstyn watched with hungry eyes as he placed a soft kiss on the inside of her wrist.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you,” she said, breathlessly, “I’m Kerstyn Ingmar.”

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“Ladies, come in please.” He stepped aside and Silvie was forced to give Kerstyn a gentle shove to get her friend moving.

“Here is the information you requested from my uncle.” Releasing Kerstyn’s hand, Dimitri took the envelope and placed it in the inside pocket of his black, perfectly tailored blazer.

Silvie wrapped an arm about Kerstyn’s shoulders and smiled.

“So, Dimitri, would you be interested in a roommate? You’ve been telling me how quiet this place is and how it is too big for one person.” He nodded, his eyes never leaving Kerstyn’s.

“Good, Kerstyn is currently looking for a place.”

“I would be honored to have you stay with me,” he said, taking her hand in his once again. Kerstyn swayed, his voice sending blissful vibrations throughout her body. “This house really is too large for one person. If you are in search of a new place, I can offer you a room here.

Would you like a tour?”

“A tour would be great,” her heart jumped as he laced his fingers with hers, “I would get lost in such a large house if I were to explore on my own.”

Dimitri laughed before turning to Silvie, standing with her phone out, her fingers skipping over the keypad.

“I need to make a quick call.” She winked at Dimitri and then moved her dark gaze to Kerstyn. “I’ll be here.” She watched the couple disappear, smiled, and, as the other line picked up, said, “Everything is falling into place.

Kerstyn had never thought of a kitchen as being an intimidating place, until now. It was bigger than her current apartment, complete with top-of-the-line stainless steel appliances. The stove looked like it was meant to feed an army. What if she broke something? She groaned as she envisioned dropping a plate. She hadn't seen them yet, but she could guess they were expensive.

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“The master and my study are the only two rooms on the main level,” he said as they came to the landing, which was open to the downstairs.

Kerstyn peeked over the side; she had never been one to enjoy heights. Silvie waved to her from the black leather sofa, her phone glued to her ear.

“There are five rooms to choose from, though only two have their own private bath.”

He opened the first door on their left and stepped back, allowing her to enter first. It was thrilling to meet a man with manners, such a rarity in Las Vegas.

“This is the only room with a balcony,” he said as he crossed the room and pushed the floor length, gossamer curtains aside, opening the French doors.

She stepped out, the sun was beginning to set, its golden rays danced across her hair. She smiled, her sapphire eyes sparkling as they peeked up at him. The soft, winter breeze filled his lungs with her fresh, womanly scent. Roses.

Dimitri forced himself to look away, his eyes dropping to the backyard.

“You are more than welcome to use the swimming pool and spa.”

“This is a gorgeous house.”

Now that you’re here
. “It’s home.” Turning from the view and the beautiful woman, he said, “Perhaps we should discuss the particulars.”

Kerstyn was not at all surprised by Dimitri’s regal tone and choice of words. He seemed every bit like royalty, his movements were graceful to a fault, his speech was impeccable, with a slight accent, and she had to admit that there was an unmistakable air of authority about him.
I really need to stop watching
The Tudor
reruns,
she thought with a smile.

“I would not feel right asking you for rent, so I won’t.”
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“Excuse me?” She blinked, had the idea of living here for free just crossed his lips? He couldn’t possibly have said he wasn’t going to charge her rent.

“I believe you heard correctly. I own this house, therefore I do not need help with the mortgage.”

Kerstyn was dumbfounded. This was just too good to be true. If she didn’t have to pay rent, then she could stretch her savings even further while she searched for a job. There was only one problem, her car.

“I don’t suppose there are any bus stops nearby.” Dimitri’s brow furrowed. “No.”

“You see, my car decided to die on me earlier today. I had it towed to a shop. They said from the looks of it, the thing might not be worth fixing.” She rubbed her temples. She could feel another stress headache coming. “Without a car, I will need to live closer to the city.

I’ll have to use public transportation.”

“I understand and you are welcome to use one of my vehicles until yours is repaired.”

“I couldn’t use your car or live here without paying rent,” Kerstyn shook her head. “It’s okay, I’m sure Silvie will let me stay with her for a few days until I can find another place.” She crossed the bedroom and headed for the hall.
I just don’t know what I will do with
all of my stuff. Silvie’s studio apartment can barely hold all of her
belongings.

“Kerstyn.”

She paused in the hall and slowly turned back to Dimitri.

Silhouetted by the setting sun, his hair shimmered like gold, his diamond eyes glowed with blue flames, and Kerstyn couldn’t breathe.

He looked like a creature from Viking mythology, a glorious god.

“Are you real?” she asked, her voice a faint whisper.

“I am very real.”

He slowly closed the space between them, took her small hands in his, then turned them so her palms faced up, and raised them to his mouth pressing his lips to each in turn. Her skin was so soft and he wanted to explore every inch with his hands, his mouth, his tongue—

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Dimitri swallowed hard and took a step back, releasing Kerstyn’s hands. Never had a woman affected him like this. Her presence put him on edge. He knew she would be different, he knew she would evoke feelings within him that he had never experienced, but he had no idea these emotions would be so fierce, so entirely consuming.

“Will you reconsider and accept my offer?”

Mesmerizing. Captivating. His eyes beckoned to her, luring her closer. He wet his lips and a lightning bolt of lust struck her. She watched his lips move as he spoke. His deep voice hummed through her body, creating delicious vibrations.

Kerstyn shook herself mentally and, without thinking, she said,

“Yes.”

“Good. When will you be moving in?”

“T–Tonight.”

“Excellent,” he declared with a charming smile. “Would you like me to help you fetch your belongings?”

“Silvie will give me a ride and I’ll take a cab back. I don’t have much to move.”

Dimitri nodded and Kerstyn followed him down the stairs. She was ashamed to admit that her eyes never left his butt as he escorted her to the first floor. This man was perfection.

Silvie slipped her phone back in her pocket as the couple descended the stairs.

“So, what do you think of the place?” she asked, coming to her feet.

“It’s phenomenal and I’m moving in tonight.”

Silvie smiled, her eyes flickering to Dimitri. “Congratulations.”

“I feel like I can breathe now that I have a place to stay.”
And,
hopefully, I won’t experience anymore of these damn stress headaches.

Doubt it. I still have my car to deal with and a job to find.
“Do you have some Tylenol? My head is throbbing.”

“In my car,” Silvie answered, leading the way out the door.

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Dimitri stood on the front steps as the girls walked down the driveway.

Thank you for bringing her to me, Silvie
.

Fate has brought her to you, vampire, not I,
she corrected, tossing him a smile before she closed the driver-side door.

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As she climbed the stairs up to Denise’s apartment, Kerstyn was glad she had packed most of her belongings the night before when her anger had made sleep impossible. She’d had to do something. She had craved action. And after she had violently thrown her clothes, shoes, books, and DVDs into bags, she climbed into bed physically and emotionally exhausted. The scrumptious man she had met and feared she would never see again had haunted her dreams. When her annoying alarm clock went off, she had not wanted to get out of bed and leave behind her dreams of lying in his arms.

Entering the apartment, Kerstyn paused at the sight of Bobby sitting on the sofa, his legs stretched out, his dirty shoes resting on the coffee table. Kerstyn said nothing to him as she passed behind the couch and went straight to her room. She stuffed her remaining clothes into more of the large, black trash bags, while Denise stood in the doorway watching her. Kerstyn never once acknowledged her presence.

When she was finished, she dialed a cab and pushed past Denise. She would haul all her bags and boxes downstairs and wait out on the street for her ride. There was no way in hell she would stay in the apartment a second longer than was absolutely necessary. She could not stand to breathe the same air as Bobby. She had never in her life hated someone as much as she hated him, not even her father, and they had never gotten along.