Knight Edition (8 page)

“Not at all. I need to keep closer rein on your actions. To do so, you will need to share my quarters when you sleep. I thought you might be more comfortable with that idea if we fucked beforehand.”

She shot up from her chair. “That’s about the coldest proposition I’ve ever received. Thanks, but no thanks.” She stalked toward the door.

As she reached for the knob, she felt the air rush against her back a moment before his tall frame pressed into her.

“There would be benefits for both of us,” he drawled into her ear.

Sidney suppressed a shudder at the feel of that wall of muscle blanketing her back. “Maybe, I’m just not that interested,” she said, her voice betraying a telltale quiver of awareness.

“Tell me you haven’t been curious.” His breath trailed the side of her face and down her neck, and he sniffed. “Your body flowers whenever I’m near.”

“Maybe I’m thinking about Moses,” she gritted out.

His hands slid down her sides and gripped her waist hard. “I will tell you I haven’t had another woman in my bed in years—decades, actually. I haven’t had any interest in sharing sex until you arrived on my doorstep. Is that warmer?”

Warmth pooled between her thighs at the slight violence of his grip. She closed her eyes and leaned into him. “Getting there,” she whispered. “We’re both adults. Both have needs.”

“We can help each other and satisfy our appetites—a mutually agreeable arrangement.”

“An arrangement…” she said faintly. This was what she’d imagined. What she’d known with other men—something wild and physical—no commitments. So why did her heart hurt a little at the thought it didn’t mean anything more to him?

“I’ll share the ultimate kiss with you,” he said, then trailed his lips down her neck. “Share a rapture you’ve never experienced.” He nipped her earlobe.

A shiver racked her body. “Is it so special? I’ve wondered.”

“The women I’ve known were willing to risk death for the experience.”

That sounded so conceited, but she knew he was probably right. “Just because I’ll share your bed, doesn’t mean I won’t try to escape again.”

“I’d be disappointed if you didn’t make the attempt,” he murmured. “But do you think you’ll even have the strength when I’m through?”

That did it. She was ready now. She turned in his arms, and her fingers loosened the laces at her neckline. While she stared at him, her heart hammering in her chest, she tugged the sweater over her head and dropped it on the floor.

His arms remained at his sides. Did he intend to watch? She tossed back her hair and slipped off her shoes.

“So eager?” he asked.

“Why wait?”

He tilted his head and gave her a look that was half-amused and half-daring. “Aren’t you afraid we’ll be interrupted here?”

“The three stooges are playing bridge with Lurch in the kitchen. Besides, I don’t really care if they walk in or not.”

“You stopped removing your clothes. Can’t you talk and strip at the same time?”

She liked that little hint of eagerness and opened her jeans, quickly pushing them down her legs. She’d deliberately left off underwear when she’d changed at home after her escape earlier, hoping she’d have an opportunity to shock Navarro. Even while she’d gloated over besting him, she’d known her freedom would be brief. She’d hoped it would come to this moment.

Stepping out of her pants, she stood naked in front of him, wondering what he was thinking and why he hadn’t moved. “Well?” she asked, hating that she felt uncertain and self-conscious of her nudity.

His gaze smoldered, but he returned to his chair and sat. “Come here,” he murmured.

She sauntered toward him on legs that suddenly felt like Jell-O. The closer she came, the more clearly his features were revealed in the firelight. His eyes glittered hot, his mouth was a thin tense line, and his jaw was tight.

He extended his hand, and she laid her palm on his. His fingers closed around hers and pulled her closer still until she stood between his knees. “Climb onto me, Sidney.”

The hint of command in his voice tightened her belly. She slid a naked knee along the outside of his left thigh and leaned forward, a breast near enough to his mouth she felt a breath brush her nipple. Then she slid the other along the outside of his right thigh.

Perched now on the chair, straddling his legs, she felt a trembling begin that weakened her, and she sat on his lap, gasping at the rasp of fabric against her pussy. Her hands settled on his shoulders to steady her.

Her face was even now with his, and she waited for his response. She’d taken the first step. What would be her reward?

A hand rose from the arm of his chair, and he slipped his fingers between her legs to delve into her cleft.

Although she wanted more than anything to squeeze herself around his fingers, she held still, wondering at his slow pace—chafing because she was naked again, and she had yet to see his body.

He pulled out his fingers and rubbed them with his thumb, and then brought them to his nose and inhaled.

“It wouldn’t take a vamp or a bloodhound to tell I’m horny as hell, vampire,” she said, impatience making her irritable. “Why are you playing with me?”

He licked his fingertips. “I’m not testing whether you’re ready. I’m learning your scents and taste. You’ve been aroused since your interview last night.”

Sidney couldn’t halt the flooding excitement that wet the crotch of his pants. “Again, I’m not shocked you know that. What I want to know is whether you’re going to do something about it.”

The corners of his mouth lifted in a mirthless smile. “Do you know anything about a vampire’s lovemaking?”

“I know you like to drink blood when you fuck, and that the women enjoy it—a lot.”

“And that’s all?”

His stall tactics were only making her more desperate for his touch. She nodded and leaned toward him, rubbing her tightening nipples on his shirt. “Why don’t you dispense with the anthropology lecture and get straight to the lab? I learn best by doing.”

His hand rose and slipped behind her head. He threaded his fingers in her hair and tugged back her head. “Sex with a vampire is a risky thing. Aren’t you the least bit afraid of the drinking part?”

Her breath caught at the small pain. “I give to the Red Cross every couple of months.” She swallowed hard. “Will it hurt?” she asked, licking her lips.

His gaze dropped to her mouth. “A little—at first. I’ll go easy with you.”

“And if I don’t want easy?” She shifted on his lap, letting her open cunt drag over his clothed cock.

He pulled her hair. “Be careful what you wish for.”

Sidney had had enough of waiting. Ignoring the bite of his hand fisted in her hair, she leaned forward and kissed his mouth.

His lips remained closed, so she caressed them, opening her mouth to suck on his lips, then licking along the seam to tempt him. All the while, her eyes remained open, staring into his.

He didn’t blink, didn’t breathe. His expression betrayed no hint of passion. Even the cock beneath her remained furled against his leg.

Confused, she leaned away. “Don’t you want this?”

“I want you to obey me in all things.”

Sidney raised her eyebrows. “Say again?”

His hands moved, closing around her waist. He lifted her off his cock—only an inch.

She could still feel his heat rising to her open pussy.

“I will have your obedience.”

Her hands shoved against his chest, but he held her fast. “I don’t follow any man’s lead. This is a mutual thing—what we do.”

“Not with me, my dear,” he said, his voice almost hard. “You will follow me. You’ve already made a nice start undressing when I commanded.”

“I got naked first, because I wanted it. Not because you commanded it.”

He shrugged. “However you want to paint this. You will obey me because it pleases you.”

She shoved again and tried to slide her knees from the chair. “I’ve changed my mind. Let me go.”

“Don’t you want to know my kiss?”

“Not anymore—especially if you think you’re going to fuck my mind.”

“I’ll do that too.” He lifted her higher. “First, a little hint of the pleasure to come, hmmm?”

Before she could utter a protest, he grasped her nipple with his mouth and sucked.

Sidney pressed against his shoulders, wriggling in his arms, truly afraid now. The sensations he stirred inside her were too strong, too sharp.

His tongue rasped over the tip, and he mouthed her, suckling harder.

Her breath caught on a ragged sob. She knew what was coming next, and she didn’t want it—not like this—not with him fully clothed and her helpless in his arms. “Stop it!” She grabbed his hair in her fists and tried to pull his mouth away.

His teeth bit into her flesh—stinging, sharp. Pain pierced the sensual haze for a moment, shocking her into stillness. Then he drew, bringing her blood from all points to her breast in a rush of pure heat.

Sidney’s head fell back, and she whimpered while her body went limp. She never wanted the sensation to end. Her belly clenched and trembled. Deep inside, her vagina spasmed—clasping, releasing. Her hips pulsed in the air, her whole body spiraling tighter while his mouth drew her closer and closer to explosion.

Suddenly, a cry broke from her throat, and she was shuddering inside his arms. Darkness closed around her for a long moment as she orgasmed.

He let go of her breast and nuzzled the twin wounds with his tongue, closing them. Then he tucked her head close against his shoulder and held her while the trembling eased.

Sidney sniffed and blinked away unexpected tears. “Why do you want me weak?”

“To protect you.”

“You think you’ll hurt me if you let loose?”

“I’m afraid I’ll kill you.”

Sidney’s first thought was that might be the sexiest thing a man had ever said to her. Her second was she must be one sick puppy to feel that way. She lifted her head and stared into his eyes. “What if I’m willing to take the chance?”

His expression remained shuttered. “I’m not.”

She lifted her chin to show him she wasn’t cowed. “I’m no scared little virgin. You think I’ll lose every skirmish?”

“It’s inevitable.” His eyes stared into hers, frightening her with their directness and dispassion. “I’m more experienced, and I offer something you’ve never had.”

She snorted. “I thought I just did—have it, that is.”

His hand smoothed back her hair from her face. “That was just an appetizer, my dear.”

Her body flushed hotly, already ripening in anticipation of his next “lesson”. “You have too many clothes on,” she said, sounding sulky to her own ears.

His lips curved. “I’ll decide when I take you.”

She tossed back her hair. “Maybe it’s been so long you’ve forgotten how.”

“You won’t dare me into rushing things.”

She shifted on his lap, rubbing her pussy over his groin. “If I didn’t know you plan to take me, I’d think you might be gay.”

“Because I can control my own response?”

“Because you can resist me.”

“You think you’re so irresistible?”

She leaned toward him and licked her lips. “Ask Moses,” she whispered against his mouth.

His eyes narrowed. He could be needled. But was that jealousy or just irritation? “Don’t mention him when you’re with me,” he said, his tone biting.

“Give me a reason not to think about him. He has
enormous
appeal to a woman,” she drawled.

“Size matters to you?”

She slid him a glance from beneath her eyelashes. “Don’t worry, I won’t throw you back if you don’t measure up.”

Suddenly, Navarro rose, moving so fast Sidney’s vision blurred. She was left gasping as he laid her over his desk.

Navarro leaned over her, his mouth an inch above hers.

“Another vamp talent?” she asked, her voice thin and trembling, not daring to raise her legs to grasp his waist the way she wanted.

“Some of us are more skilled than others.” His breath gusted on her face, and his loins pressed against her naked pussy, turning her insides to mush. “Our talents increase over time.”

She swallowed. “You must be one helluva fuck.”

“You’ll never know if you keep testing my resolve,” he said, his gaze dropping to her lips.

She licked them. “Who’s testing anything? Can’t you tell I’m dying for it?”

“But you aren’t, my dear. Not yet.”

‡

H
er pussy grew
wet at the hard tone of his voice. Sidney couldn’t hold back the faint moan that broke from her throat. “Navarro, please.”

“I will. Eventually.” His mouth took hers then, lips sliding in a drugging kiss.

Spearing her fingers into his thick hair, she tugged to extend the kiss. She thrust her tongue inside his mouth, and he nipped it, but that didn’t deter her. She caressed his tongue, tasting copper—knowing he tasted it too. Fire licked her pussy, heat curling deep inside her belly. Slowly, she lifted her legs to clasp his hips, and she rubbed her sex against him while her mouth suctioned his.

Navarro broke the kiss and leaned back, shaking his head until she released his hair.

Panting beneath him, she begged him silently with her gaze to take her.