The Taste of Magic (41 page)

She shook her head, trying to suppress the shiver that ran through her. "No, I didn't want you to die, I was just…"

"Trying to make a point." He mimicked her earlier words, laced heavily with sarcasm.

"Adrian, I'm sorry. I didn't realize…" She lowered her head.

"You did. And I am proud of you." He lifted her chin.

"You're what?" She gaped at him, certain he hadn't just said that.

"Proud. You've learned what it's like to let the darkness rule you, the pleasure to be had in its power."

She shook her head. "No. I'm not like you."

He smiled, his fingers lightly brushing her cheek. "You are, more than you realize. You enjoyed having me helpless at your hands, didn't you?"

She shook her head again, more violently this time. "No." But her denial rang false to her own ears.

"Yes. Now you see the intensity of the pleasure when you possess someone. The power is…arousing."

She leaned her face against his chest, his embrace soothing and troubling at the same time. "Adrian, I don't want that, I didn't mean to…"

"You did, and don't deny it. And while I am proud of you, that you dared risk my life in such a foolhardy manner will not go unpunished."

Her head snapped up, but before she could speak, he'd pulled the sash from her robe and wrapped it against her wrists. Eyes wide, she jerked back, but he held her close.

"No, my love, we are far from finished. For while you took the first step in taking control, you gave it up much too easily. Before your victim could plead for mercy."

"M-mercy?" Her voice wavered, and she swallowed. Her heart pounded in fear.

"Yes, Kat. It's time to teach you how to make your prey beg." In a flash, she was stretched out on the bed, and Adrian had tied the end of the sash to the headboard. An icy shiver passed through her as she realized how helpless she was. He leaned back and grinned, his eyes flecked with gold. The sight both frightened and aroused her, The sensations deep in her belly were more arousal, and she sighed, knowing he wouldn't truly hurt her. Would he?

He shook his head. "Never. But I will make you scream. And beg." His grin grew. What did he intend?

As his hands pushed aside her robe, she began to understand. And while she was looking forward to what he might do, part of her was still afraid. She tried to focus, could she repel him with her energy? But his hands were now on her bared shoulders, and rational thought was quickly fading.

The first gentle stroke of his finger along her collarbone set her to quivering. He stretched out beside her, his eyes gleaming with mischief.

"Adrian?" Her arousal ebbed, replaced by wariness. How far was he going to take this?

"Do not fear. While having you like this," he ran his palm along her rib cage and up to her now bared breast. He cupped it lightly, his thumb gently passing over her nipple. "Is more than I could hope for, I want you to understand one thing."

She swallowed, unable to ask him what he meant. She sighed, letting her head fall back, her gaze still locked on his.

He leaned lower, his mouth beside her ear. He brushed his lips against her lobe and she shuddered. "Nothing is important except that you are pleased."

Her eyes widened as he drew back. "Wh-what?" Her mind reeled, his fingers still lightly stroking her breast, keeping her just distracted enough not to focus. She shook her head trying to clear it. He was baring his soul, but keeping her too dazed to recognize it.

"Nothing else matters but your happiness. Your pleasure. I would sacrifice everything I have to see you happy. But I promise you will like this."

He knelt up, and straddled her, resting on his knees. He leaned over, his hands beside her head. She arched against her bonds, wanting to touch him. He grinned playfully and shook his head.

"I will not be distracted from my goals." He lowered his mouth to hers in a languid kiss and her bones melted. His fingers gently tangled in her hair, lightly holding her for his teasing lips and tongue. He dragged his mouth along her cheek to her ear, and she shuddered as his tongue traced the outer shell. Already she was on fire. It had been so long, all through her pregnancy, and the weeks afterward, and Adrian had not tried to seduce her at all. Now his teasing torment left her a puddle of quivering nerves. His fingers drew along her outstretched arms, and the zing that passed along her spine left her breathless. When his hands stroked along her shoulders, she tossed her head and arched toward him, urging him on.

His chuckle broke through her dazed senses. "I said you would enjoy it."

She sighed. He was playing with her, but oh, how she loved it. She smiled. "Well, then, what are you waiting for?"

He arched one eyebrow, but the devilish gleam in his eyes alarmed her. She was playing with fire, and she was about to get burned. He moved back to kneel between her legs. His hands were on her thighs, and for several moments, he didn't move, he simply sat there, staring at her.

She opened her mind, and let him feel the riotous emotions flying through her. His eyes widened, and his smile broadened.

Only I can give you this.

She nodded. Only you.

His hands moved then, and she gasped as he found her core, slowly stoking the flames higher. He was as affected as she, the link between them flowing freely. Each time she gasped in delight, she felt an answering jolt in her mind, telling her how she affected him. Even bound as she was, she had power over him. The heady sensation only heightened her ardor, and brought the realization of how much she meant to him. If he cared nothing for her, he wouldn't derive such pleasure from hers.

Each stroke of his fingers was a maddening delight, and he continued to toy with her, sending her to the breathless precipice of completion, only to draw her back down. When he knelt and placed his mouth on her, she cried out, twisting against him in the frantic need he inspired. Then his lips were on hers once more, and she responded with a passion she hadn't known she was capable of. He drew away, a growl of pleasure escaping him. She brought her gaze to his. His eyes had gone to gold, and her heart leapt in response. Still, his fingers worked their magic, on her, driving her higher and higher once more and she couldn't fight the buffeting sensations.

I love you.

His eyes widened as she clearly thought the words. She felt his joy, his exuberance over her declaration. He leaned over her.

"And I love you." Hearing him say it aloud, not in their thoughts, brought tears to her eyes. She tugged at her hands once more, and he reached up and loosened the sash. She wrapped her arms around him and pulled him atop her.

"What the hell took you so long?" she demanded, before taking his mouth in a passionate kiss.

He pulled away and laughed, the hand between her legs moving slightly and making her gasp. "What can I say? Better late than never?"

He lowered his mouth to hers, his tongue parting her lips and sweeping inside to steal her senses. His fingers once more teased, the moan which escaped her full of frustration.

"Is there something you want?" he whispered.

"You. I want you."

He smiled, dipping into her heat and making her groan. "Is there something else?"

She recalled his earlier words. Damn him, he was still playing games! He stroked her again, and she tossed her head. He let his tongue play along the column of her neck, and she bucked against him.

"Adrian, please…"

"That's the magic word." Then he was over her, his golden eyes filled with heat and promise. As he filled her, nothing had ever felt so right. She kissed him hard, the tip of his fangs pricking her lips.

She drew away, and silently answered his unasked question. He nodded, a slow smile revealing the white pointed eyeteeth. He took her higher and higher, his hands and lips bringing her as much ecstasy as his body. Finally, as she sailed through euphoric clouds, the familiar twinge in her neck sent her flying over the first crest. As his mouth drew sensuously, she flew even higher, each peak surpassing the last, until finally, he pulled away.

"Mine," he gasped, as he exploded within her. "All mine."

She drew him close, stroking his back as she slowly came to her senses. A cool breeze along her back startled her. She lifted her gaze.

Adrian shook his head and grinned. "This is not my doing."

'The shock in her eyes was almost as enjoyable as knowing her desire and love had been so great, they had manifested themselves this way.

He held tightly to her as she peered underneath to see just how far off the bed they were levitating. Her arms tightened around his neck.

"Is something wrong?" he asked.

She shook her head and they were slowly lowered back to the bed. Adrian rolled to his back and settled her across him. He lifted her hair with his fingers, letting it slide between his fingers. Nothing had ever been more right than this moment.

"I didn't have any control while we were making love. Stefan was right." Adrian's mood immediately darkened at the mention of the wizard.

"Why are you thinking of that traitor in our bed?"

"Because he said if I didn't control my emotions, my powers would act accordingly."

"Kat, I don't think it matters if it happens while we are here. In fact, I rather enjoyed it."

She rested her chin on her hands folded upon his chest. "What if I get into a situation where I can't control my emotions? I can't afford for my powers to be unstable."

She was right, but he didn't want to dwell on outside forces now. He wanted to savor this new bond. He had admitted his love for her tonight, and it changed everything.

"Don't worry about that now. This is all you should be concerned with." He drew her close and claimed her in a heated kiss, pressing her against the pillows as he rose above her.

* * *

Machiavelli paced, his annoyance at the wizard growing. "Why didn't you tell me this when we first made our deal?"

"I had no idea you would want her dead. If I'd known, believe me, I wouldn't have helped you."

Machiavelli grabbed the wizard's throat. "I could just kill you now."

Stefan vanished from Machiavelli's grip. The vampire growled. "You could try," Stefan said. "But you still need me. All I want is your promise to leave Katerina unharmed."

Machiavelli lunged at the wizard once more, but found himself stumbling against the empty air. Spinning about, his fury grew when he spotted Stefan sitting leisurely in a chair. He stalked toward him, but Stefan held up his hand.

"We shouldn't waste any more time this way. Bring her here, he'll come for her."

"I wanted the child. The witch can help him."

Stefan shook his head and stood, slowly reaching the vampire. "No, I can freeze her powers. She'll be useless to him, and when he's gone, I'll take her with me."

Machiavelli pondered the wizard's words. Finally, he nodded. "All right. I'll tell Sophie to bring them both."

Chapter Twenty-Eight

Katerina stirred. Adrian's fingers moving lightly over her back brought her more fully awake, and she snuggled against him, resting her head on his cool chest.

"Sleep well?" he murmured against her ear. A swift arc of desire spread through her.

"Mmm. The best in days." She pressed against him, and lifted her head for his kiss, but the sound of Victoria's cry made her stiffen. Adrian tried once more to kiss her, but she pulled away.

"I have to go to her."

He sighed as she stood and wrapped her robe about herself. He ran a hand along his face. This was one reason he didn't like children. He hated the attention it took from him.

But when Katerina returned with his infant daughter in her arms, his resentment fled. His heart pounded, as it always did at the sight of the baby. Katerina got into the bed beside him, and he peered at the tiny baby, who watched him with bright blue eyes so like his own.

"She's hungry," said Katerina. She pulled aside her robe, and brought Victoria up to her breast. Adrian's envy raised its head again.

"That was mine a few moments ago."

She smiled, and lifted a hand to his cheek. He covered it with his own and pressed a kiss to her palm.

"Don't be jealous. She'll go back to sleep soon."

"When will she start sleeping for longer than 2 hours?" He loved his daughter, but the constant crying for meals was starting to grate on him.

"Soon, I think. But she's growing fast, and she needs to be checked out."

Adrian pondered her words. The child would need adequate medical supervision. "What does Vining say?"

"Well, here's the problem. Vining's not a pediatrician. He said I should bring her to a regular pediatrician."