Annie Nicholas - Catch

Rurik shut off the water and undid his shirt.

I sat on the edge and watched.

“Every political faction sent a representative when Tane disappeared as a gesture of support, which translates into someone being inside to keep tabs on everything. The majority appears happy to find him alive and well. There are some who don’t approve of the changes Tane implemented, though.”

Dragging my gaze from Rurik’s well-defined chest, I watched as his shirt fluttered to the floor. “Changes?”

With a flick of his wrist, he opened his fly and slid his pants off. “Zero tolerance for murder.”

“You had those laws already.”

“But Dragos only enforced them when it served his purpose, like in Budapest. Tane rules with an iron fist in comparison. It makes certain factions nervous.”

“Enough to kill him.”

“Maybe.” He tugged at my blanket. “You’re still covered. Come in the water. I promise to warm you.”

I undressed with Rurik’s help and slipped into the hot water. The heat stung, however after a moment it seeped into my muscles and I melted into the tub. Finally, the chattering of my teeth slowed.

Rurik settled behind my back and massaged the knots in my shoulders. “You’re so tense.”

“That tends to happen when someone tries to kill me,” I snapped, and instantly regretted it. “Sorry. I feel terrible.” Drawing my knees to my chest, I leaned my forehead on them. “As I watched Tane get shot all I worried about was myself. I’m a selfish person.”

“When did self-preservation become selfish? Tane’s survived worse.” He placed a light kiss on my shoulder. “I’m pleased with the results.”

I sighed. “He saved me, you know.”

“You sound surprised.” My lover poured hot water over my hair with his cupped hands. “He’s not a cruel person, Connie.”

“I’m starting to understand that.” The water coursed through my curls and I closed my eyes. Tane hinted he and Rurik had been more than friends once. Rurik never gave me the impression he found men attractive. Then again, he always made me feel like the most beautiful person in the room so I wouldn’t have noticed if he liked anyone else.

He stopped pouring the water. Quiet gathered around us like a comfortable blanket.

My thoughts circled around to Tane sitting on the deck pining for my boyfriend. I couldn’t let it go. They’d been friends for a long time, exchanging letters while I traveled with Rurik, and now this. I shifted between Rurik’s legs.

“You’re thinking hard again, I can almost sense your worry through your mental shields. Tane will be fine. If your life was in danger I’d be out there with them.”

Not even close to what I thought. I glanced at him over my shoulder. Water dripped from his hair onto his broad shoulders. “How did you meet Tane?”

My question struck a nerve. Rurik was skilled in hiding his emotions, except we’d been together long enough for me to see through some of the veil. He blinked, an unnecessary action for a vampire. “Why?”

“You claim he’s a good person and you want me to be nicer, but I need something to help change my mind.”

He chuckled. No mirth carried in the sound. “I never said he was good . He is a loyal friend, though, with better intentions than most. Is that better?”

I twisted around to face him. “No.” This time he wouldn’t divert my question. The past made us who we were and I knew so little about Rurik. “When did you first meet Tane?”

Glancing away, Rurik wouldn’t meet my stare. The sculpted line of his jaw twitched.

“I met Tane at the hot springs of Mageurite Island in Budapest.”

Restraining my need to bop him on the head, I took a deep breath. “I didn’t ask where.”

His gaze flicked back to mine. “I was still human.”

The pit of my stomach dropped as I recalled Rurik’s story of how the Romans took the most attractive young men and women in the area to work at the springs. They did more than help bathe the clients and they weren’t given a choice. I didn’t know what to say, so for once I kept my mouth shut.

“Tane discovered me there. I think, at first, he didn’t see me as more than entertainment, but after a few nights things changed. He purchased me then introduced me to my creator, who brought me across as a vampire.”

“Tane didn’t do it?”

Rurik shook his head. “No, Nosferatu can only bring other vampires across into their clan. They can’t make humans vampires.”

“Wow.” How interesting. “So he can never bring me over if I decide to cross?”

“No, that honor would be all mine.” He smiled. “After my change, he assisted with the revenge I brought down on those who tore me from my home.” Even after centuries, a touch of anger still simmered in his voice.

Taken from his home and his family at a young age, I never considered the future he might have had—a wife and children, his own fishing boat like his father, maybe a little cottage. I touched his cheek with the back of my hand.

“Tane brought me to his home in Dragos’s court and I learned new skills.” He slid his hands around my waist, then continued around to caress my behind, as if to show me what skills he’d learned.

“Then you were lovers.” I held my breath.

He nodded.

If his face showed worry or sadness I couldn’t tell. My own worries blinded me.

There’d been small hints so why the shock? Because I’d been hoping it wasn’t true.

Ignorance was bliss and the truth bitch-slapped me upside the head. The sound of Rurik’s voice pulled me from my dread of losing him to Tane.

“Dragos hated me at first sight. He saw me as a representation of a new type of vampire being bred.”

“Handsome and intelligent instead of brutal and predatory,” I whispered His smile warmed at my comment as if pleased by my insight. “Exactly, but he saw me as soft and weak. After the second attempt on my life in Dragos’s court Tane sent me away. The rest is history and should be kept for another night.”

“Why?” My cry echoed in the steam-filled bathroom. What other secrets did he keep? Tane lived down the hall and wanted him back. The king of vampires now, not some courtier, and Rurik did love power. He never needed to tell me that. No one struggled and fought with politics like he did, unless they craved the power it gave.

“You want me to tell you four centuries of my life in one night?”

“Lovers shouldn’t have secrets, we promised each other to stop keeping them.” I punched his shoulder and made a small splash.

“I didn’t think it was a secret.” He quirked an eyebrow at me. “You didn’t think I was a virgin?”

The idea struck me as preposterous and made me laugh. “No. Come on! You,Tane?

It’s bad enough I’m bound to him, but your past makes it ten times worse.”

He pulled me closer, pressing my breasts to his chest. His erect cock sandwiched between us. “How?”

“Because he’s a powerful person.” There. I said it. My concern lay out before him.

“Will you be okay with only me?”

His lips parted as he stared at me wide-eyed.

I traced his mouth with my fingertips. “You should have told me you liked men, too.

I’m not sure how to deal with it.” Even to my own ears, I sounded vulnerable. I hated it.

“If you went back to him, how could I stay? I mean, I’m stuck with this damn bond and—”

He covered my lips with his. This kiss, so passionate and gentle as he consumed my mouth, turned me inside out. Soft and slow, he drew out each motion until it ended as suddenly as it started. “No worries,” he whispered, pressing his forehead to mine. “Over time, the line between genders blur for most vampires. I don’t love someone because of what they are, Connie, but for who they are, and I do love you so very much.”