Léopold's Wicked Embrace (Immortals of New Orleans) (26 page)

At his demand, the smallest flicker of irritation flashed in her eyes and she lowered her lids quickly, concealing it as she remembered her role. It had only lasted a second. No one gave her a second look, but Léopold had noticed.

“Manners, pet,” he warned, reaching up into the back of her updo. Tugging slightly on her hair, he exposed her neck while pulling her flush against him with his other hand. “Or would you like that spanking I promised you?”

Yes.
Arousal flooded between the juncture of her thighs at the thought of him doing so. As he pulled her against him, Laryssa’s body came to life against his as if they were the only two people in the room. His clean male scent enveloped her as he took control. Her hands fell to her sides, allowing him to guide her to the driving beat of the music. She felt the hard length of him brush against her belly. Involuntarily she released a small moan.

“You are a very dirty girl, aren’t you, ma chérie? My, my, my. You do want me to do that to you, don’t you?”

“Yes, sir,” she breathed into his shoulder. Closing her eyes, she couldn’t look at him, to see his rejection as she confessed her desires. “I want it…I want that and so much more…but only with you.”

“Jesus Christ,” he swore as his cock hardened against his zipper.
Fuck, she’s going to kill us both.
She may have been playing a role, but he was certain she meant every single word she said. They were only supposed to seek the book, get out safely. Instead, her actions were ripping him from the inside out. His teeth ached for her skin, for her blood. Any remaining doubt he held that he’d be able to get her out of his mind and his life disintegrated like he’d taken a sledgehammer to a piece of chalk. Once he took her blood, he suspected he’d create the kind of bond that would ensure his centuries of solitude were truly finished.

With furor, he spun her in his arms, slamming her back into his chest. Like a vise, he held tight to her waist, gliding his other hand over her chest until he’d wrapped it around her throat. But the struggle didn’t come. No she merely fell into his erotic embrace, digging her nails into the side of his thighs.

“Mon amour, we cannot wish for the inconceivable. Be afraid. Fight me. See me for who I am,” he demanded as he ground his erection up into her bottom.

“If it is what you wish, sir,” she replied. Lost in the rhythm, she gave into Léopold’s demand. No longer playing a role, she reveled in his strength. “But it is you who I seek. Be assured, I see only you.”

“Look around you, pet. They all feast upon the sight of your skin, coveting what I have. This, this is my world.”
Goddammit. When will she finally see me for what I am? Can’t she see the grotesque and treacherous world into which I’ve brought her?
Léopold may not have been Martin’s friend, but these vampires walked within the precarious circles of his life.

Laryssa opened her eyes and noticed that no longer were the other guests dancing. If not otherwise engaged in sex or feeding they had stopped to stare, to observe their impassioned dance. Consumed by the moment, she shook it off, unwilling to care what they thought. This was what vampires did, impulsively acting out their deepest desires, exhibiting their lust and anger.

“Let them look,” she challenged, bending at the waist and writhing against his swollen flesh. “Master, I’m here to serve you, not them.”

With a jerk, he’d righted her, against him. Was she insane? The charade had gone too far. Léopold considered taking her out to the limo and fucking her senseless, when she placed her hand over his, urging him to take her breast. He slipped his hand underneath the silky fabric, cupping her soft skin. Teasing her nipple into a taut point, he pinched gently until she sucked a breath. But she didn’t stop him. No, her arousal filled the air, not a soul in the room misunderstood her intentions.

“Yes, sir.”

“How far would you go? Would you let me strip you, fuck you here, in front of everyone?” He couldn’t stop himself from pushing her. When would she realize that she was falling for a lethal vampire, who lived off the blood of humans? When would she wake up and see that no matter how badly he wanted her, a life with him would be fraught with vulnerability and danger?

“I would go as far as you needed me to go. Can’t you see that? None of it matters unless I’m with you.” Laryssa almost lost her composure as she became aware that she’d just professed how she felt about Léopold.

It was not lost on her that others in the room had heard, had been watching. Underneath the cover of her role, she safely revealed her feelings. She’d known that she wasn’t supposed to give the impression that she cared for Léopold. He’d be angry with her, she knew, for putting them at risk. She stopped dancing and slid out of his hands, and bowed her head, attempting a recovery of the situation.

“Please forgive me. I have taken advantage of your kindness in training me by letting my physical attraction, my personal lust toward you take priority. I understand if you wish to report me to the agency,” she said in a meek voice.

Léopold stood firm, his feet rooted to the floor. If he could have his way, they’d leave right now, but they had to get the book. Cognizant of their errors, he appreciated her effort to rectify what they’d done. As he looked around, the other guests had once again begun dancing, ignoring them.

“See that it doesn’t happen again. While I intend to make sure you receive the punishment you deserve for calling spectacle to us at this affair, we shall make the best of it, no?”

Léopold went to usher Laryssa off the dance floor when he spotted Martin making a beeline toward them. No doubt he’d been alerted to their sensual tryst on the dance floor. Going on the offensive, Léopold widened his strides, dragging Laryssa by the hand behind him.

“Martin, I must apologize that my training got a tad out of hand on the floor. This one,” Léopold nodded over to Laryssa, whose eyes fell to the floor, “must be reprimanded as soon as possible. She may have difficulty learning to be a donor as it’s apparent she confuses the attention of a master for affection.”

“Dear boy, I do know the issues involved with finding suitable donors. Like you, I prefer a flavor of the week. Variety is the spice of life so they say. Relationships with donors are an inherent pitfall to the process. Don’t worry a minute about the display. My guests,” he gestured around the room to several couples who begun publicly having sex, “they do enjoy a good show. Come now, let’s attend to business before the party goes into full swing.”

Laryssa felt as if the wind had been sucked out of her. Swirling emotions made her feel as if she’d just ridden a roller coaster. But unlike the carnival, there was no respite from the jarring descent. Perhaps she had been confusing her own emotions with the role, but from her head to her toes, her skin burned for his touch.

Breathing deeply, she summoned all her strength, letting the power of the naiad flow through her blood. She forced herself to focus on their mission, the reason why they were at the party. Like a forest animal, she sensed the hunter. Instinctively preparing for the attack, she appeared calm but her storm of energy built. Soon they’d have the book and they could finally leave.

Holding tight to Léopold’s tuxedo sleeve, Laryssa followed him down a long hallway. When they arrived in Martin’s office, she glanced up and caught an eerie gleam in their host’s eyes. She pretended not to notice, hoping he didn’t have a death wish. Léopold, sharp and cunning, hadn’t survived centuries by embracing naivety. Martin knew this. He’d anticipate the great difficulty involved if he planned on trifling with Léopold, but he’d think Laryssa a weak victim. She could tell by the way Martin eyed her, that he secretly planned a coup. He stalked his prey, luring them into his trap.

Tense, Laryssa went on alert. She strode across his office with a subtle grace, ready to spring at the first inkling of danger. She observed how Martin circled Léopold, engaging him in conversation, his eyes darting over to her every now and then, aware of his quarry. Laryssa scanned the room for objects that could be used as weapons. She approached a plaster statue sitting on a pedestal and was running her fingers over the smooth surface, when she heard Léopold say her name.

“Jessica, we’ll be but a minute. Please stand over near the doorway,” Léopold ordered, never taking his eyes off Martin. He wanted Laryssa near the exit, far away from the devious vampire.

“Yes, sir,” she answered on cue.

Léopold retrieved his cell phone from the inside pocket of his jacket and began to tap the surface. Within seconds, he’d transferred the funds into Martin’s account and returned the device. Laryssa’s energy slammed into him, and he realized she was close to snapping. With her back against the wall, she stood submissively with her hands at her sides, yet he knew she was ready to strike. They needed to get out as soon as possible.

“The transaction’s complete. The book?” Léopold inquired. “I’m afraid we have another engagement this evening and must get going.”

“Leaving so soon? How disappointing,” Martin commented as he checked his phone, making sure he’d received the payment. Satisfied, he put it on his desk and slowly made his way toward Laryssa. “The book is there on the shelf behind my desk.”

Léopold observed the vampire’s actions. He spied a single book, which sat next to a crystal vase.

“That one there, with the black spine. I had it rebound. It was a tattered mess.”

“Tell me, Martin. How did you come about the book? You never did say.”

“I didn’t, did I? Not much to tell. A bird put a bug in my ear at a party once. Told me about rare books and mentioned that the ones written in Greek are quite the fetch. I discovered it in this little antique store on Royal, buried with dozens of other old books. I couldn’t be sure it was real, of course, but nevertheless I snatched it up for pennies. Stole it, really, considering the profit I just made.” Creeping closer to Laryssa, he stopped to lean on the back of a leather chair.

“Lady Luck was with you.” Léopold slowly rounded the desk.

“And you as well. This donor you’ve brought. I beg you to let me show her our unadulterated ways.” In a flash, he stood before Laryssa, gripping her chin in his hands. A man of short stature, he buried his nose up into her hair. “Her skin is radiant, like a virgin. Smells pure. Tell me, are you?”

“Am I what?” she asked, her voice filled with feigned tranquility. Laryssa fumbled with her bracelet. Her finger found the nub and tugged at the hidden wire.

“Do not touch her!” Léopold demanded, reaching for the book.

“She’s special to you, Devereoux? You’ve gone soft, I see. After all these years, I wouldn’t have believed it. You may fool the others, but not me. Tell you what…I’ll keep your secret…in exchange for a taste of the virgin.” Martin hooked his fingers around one of Laryssa’s spaghetti straps and yanked it downward, exposing her bare breast. With a hiss, his fangs descended and he lowered his head to his prize.

Laryssa screamed as Martin attacked. She’d been certain he would bite her, but instantly, Léopold had leapt to her rescue. He wrapped his arm around Martin’s neck in a stranglehold. Enraged that Martin had touched Laryssa, Léopold growled and tightened his grip. But Martin held strong, refusing to let go of her shoulders. Sliding the silver chain taut, Laryssa managed to bend her arms and jammed the chain upward into his throat, scoring his skin. The smell of burnt flesh filled the room and Martin howled in response, allowing her enough time to kick his shin. With a grunt, he released her and Laryssa slipped aside.

“Let this be a lesson to others. Never, ever touch what is mine.” Léopold seethed, and sunk his razor-sharp fangs deep into Martin’s shoulder.

Léopold held tight as Martin flailed, unsuccessfully trying to dislodge him. He extended his fingernails into claws and pierced them into the soft flesh surrounding Martin’s spine. Léopold bore down on his grip, tearing away at the tendons and muscle until Martin’s head rolled onto the floor. Within seconds, the vampire’s body disintegrated into ashes, leaving nothing but silence in his wake.

The door flew open and one of Martin’s guards ran into the room. Laryssa reached her hand toward the statue. Calling on her power, she flung it across the room, catching him in the head. As he fell to the carpet, she slammed the door shut. Léopold, in his furor, realized he’d gone feral in front of Laryssa. He’d revealed the beast. Now, she’d finally see him for what he was…a savage animal. The loss of her in his life would break him, but he’d executed Martin with no remorse. Unable to stomach the taste of him in his mouth, Léopold spat on the floor. As he swiped his forearm across his mouth to clear the blood, he forced his blazing red eyes back to black. The truth of what he was had come to light, and he found it impossible to look into Laryssa’s eyes.

“The book? Where’d it go?” Irritated, Léopold focused on the business at hand.

“There.” She pointed. In the melee, it had fallen under the desk. Her heart pounded in her chest, expecting that any minute a deluge of vampires would break down the door, seeking revenge for what they’d done.

“Let’s get out of here,” Léopold calmly said, picking it up off the floor. He slid it under his coat and looked down, disappointedly, to his bloodstained shirt. “Ready?”

“But Leo? What about the others? What if they…”
Kill us
.

“They won’t touch me. Or you. Don’t be afraid.” Not after he’d just killed Martin. Every single vampire on the premises had heard his words:
Never touch what is mine.
They didn’t have to see what had happened behind closed doors to know Martin had been killed. But Léopold would not be held at fault. Martin should have known better, did know better. He’d knowingly challenged Léopold and lost. “We’re going to walk out of here right now. Our business is finished. Take my arm.”

Laryssa wrapped her hand around Léopold, confused as to why she felt no sadness over the death of another human being. But Martin hadn’t been human.
Vampire.
If Léopold hadn’t stopped him, he’d have bitten her, drained her. As her foot brushed through his dust, she silently wished him good riddance.