Alexandra Ivy: My Lord Vampire

“I would not dismiss her words so swiftly.”

“I ... surely you do not ask me to believe in curses?” she demanded, but without the bluster she had managed before.

“I ask you to believe that there are mysteries in the world that are not easily explained. Mysteries that defy logic.”

“Mysteries such as you?” she charged.

“Yes.”

He could not prevent the faint smile that suddenly curved his lips, nor the fingers that loosened their hold upon the amulet to softly explore the skin that was driving him to distraction. His breath caught as he skimmed the warm silkiness that he had not felt in two centuries.

Dark passions once again stirred within him, making the air feel as thick as honey. This woman possessed something ... something that he had never before experienced. It threatened to unloosen the lust that smoldered deep within him.

His heart slowed as he watched his fingers travel over the sensuous curve of her breast, a building need to brand her as his own hardening his body.

He reached the edge of the bodice before she at last sucked in a sharp breath and gave a shake of her head.

“No. Please do not do that,” she whispered in uneven tones.

It was the very fact he could feel the desire pulsing through her blood that at last brought him to his senses.

This was not a part of his plan, he reminded himself coldly. And whatever the pleasure it might provide it would only add complications to a very dangerous situation.

Still he could not deny that there was something to be said for encouraging her desire, a renegade voice whispered in the back of his mind.

She was too independent to meekly submit to another’s commands, and too stubborn to accept that he might know what was best for her. Perhaps he could subdue her through her own devilish pride.

He had already witnessed the manner she used her beauty as a weapon over weak-willed men. And how indifferent she was to her ability to arouse their desires. It would not be easy for her to accept she might actually feel passion for a gentleman who was indifferent to her potent charms.

Surely such a woman would do whatever necessary to prove that she was irresistible?

Including putting aside her distrust in an effort to lure him into her web. Which would allow him to remain close enough to protect her.

A logical plan. As long as he kept his own passions locked deep within him.

Glancing into the wide emerald eyes, he lifted one dark brow.

“What is the matter? You do not need to be ashamed of your skin. It is as smooth as heated cream. Quite delectable, in fact.”

“I do not want you to touch me,” she forced herself to mutter.

He gave a low, throaty laugh. “Is that why you shiver beneath my fingers? Why your blood races?”

A sudden flush spread beneath her cheeks as she took an abrupt step backward.

“Why you arrogant ... worm,” she gritted in embarrassment.

He folded his arms over his chest. “There is nothing arrogant in my realization that you desire me.”

She visibly tensed as she regarded him in frustration. It was obvious she was unaccustomed to encountering gentlemen who did not crawl upon their knees to please her.

He allowed his smile to widen.

“I was not the one to pursue you to your home, nor to ... to fondle you,” she spat out.

“I was merely seeking to discover if your skin is as soft as it appears.”

The emerald eyes narrowed in a dangerous manner. “Mere curiosity?”

Thankful that she could not possibly know that his fingers still tingled with pleasure, nor that the demons still raged within him, Gideon offered a faint shrug.

“Yes.”

“And you have no intention of attempting to seduce me?”

“No intention whatsoever,” he assured her softly.

Momentarily caught off guard she frowned at him in confusion. Gideon briefly wondered if anyone had ever sought her out without a selfish motive. She seemed far too cynical for one so young.

“Fah,” she at last breathed. “You are no different than any other man.”

“Oh, I think you will discover I am quite, quite different than most gentlemen,” he retorted, assuring himself that he did not feel a pang of remorse that he was using this maiden as everyone else seemingly did. Such weakness belonged to humans, not vampires. “I am sorry if you are disappointed. Perhaps during another time and in another place I might have satisfied your passions.”

She gasped with sudden fury. “I ...”

He moved so swiftly she was unable to react before he had swooped his head downward and gently pressed his lips to her own. Sparks flared as he briefly drank of her soft temptation, the scent of roses and warm blood clouding his mind before he was pulling back.

A shudder raced through him as he battled to regain control of his own fervor.

He had tested his restraint enough for now, he acknowledged with a pang of unease at the realization. It was time to return to his hunt.

“I have important matters that demand my attention,” he informed her with an elegant bow. “Do not concern yourself, however, I shall soon return.”

Pressing a hand to her lips she remained silent as he turned and crossed the room. It was not until he had at last reached the door that she regained command of herself.

“Despicable cad.”

For the first time since arriving in London, Simone considered ignoring the numerous invitations that lay upon her dressing table and remaining quietly at home.

Even after several hours she was still brewing with anger at Mr. Gideon Ravel.

Never, never had she ever encountered such an aggravating man. Not only thrusting his way into her home, despite her long lecture to Bartson, but then giving her some absurd story of needing to protect her. As if she would need the assistance of an arrogant stranger who was clearly mad.

It was all utterly ridiculous.

Almost as ridiculous as the knowledge that his touch had deeply affected her.

Botheration. She had nearly swooned when his fingers had stroked so lightly over her. And then that kiss ...

The heady sensations that had raced through her had stolen every rational thought and made her behave as foolishly as the most thick-skulled twit. Not even his humiliating declaration that he was not about to seduce her had managed to deaden the heated excitement that swirled through her body.

At least he had not seemed intent upon blackmail as she had first feared, she had tried to reassure herself. That thought had kept her awake long into the night. She could never afford to forget that her entire world could be destroyed in a single moment.

Spending the day pacing the floor of her bedchamber, Simone had at last gathered her courage and attired herself in a glittering yellow gown.

She would not cower in her home because of Mr. Gideon Ravel, or any other man, she had told herself sternly. He might have bested her today, but the battle was far from over. She would teach him that she was no woman to trifle with.

Keeping that thought firmly in mind she had called for her carriage and arrived at the theater where she was to join a small, select party. She did not think to meet Mr. Ravel there, but she hoped that he would at least hear she had been in attendance with her usual serene composure.

Her determination briefly faltered as she entered the theater and was swiftly joined by a tall, gaunt-faced gentleman attired in a formal coat and knee breeches. Simone stiffened with displeasure as he glided close beside her, his long silver hair pulled into a queue at his neck.

She had no reasonable excuse for disliking Mr. Soltern. In truth he had been quite charming on the few occasions that their paths had crossed. But while he was always polite there was something about the gray, lifeless eyes that sent a chill over her skin.