Betrayal

Immortal Games: Betrayal Elisa Adams

All rights reserved. Copyright ©2006 Elisa Adams No part of this e-book may be reproduced or shared by any electronic or mechanical means, including but not limited to printing, file sharing, and email, without prior written permission from Changeling Press LLC. ISBN (10) 1-59596-438-X ISBN (13) 978-1-59596-438-0 Formats Available: HTML, Adobe PDF, MobiPocket, Microsoft Reader Publisher: Changeling Press LLC PO Box 1561 Shepherdstown, WV 25443-1561 www.ChangelingPress.com Editor: Connie Alberts Cover Artist: Sahara Kelly

This e-book file contains sexually explicit scenes and adult language which some may find offensive and which is not appropriate for a young audience. Changeling Press E-Books are for sale to adults, only, as defined by the laws of the country in which you made your purchase. Please store your files wisely, where they cannot be accessed by under-aged readers.

Chapter 1

Loneliness had driven him to this -- to a place far beyond the point of no return. Alec watched the woman stumble through the darkness, making her way up the crumbling walkway toward his front door. Something inside him rejoiced at the sight, though at the same time, he cursed himself for inviting her here. Once she learned his secrets, he wouldn’t be able to let her leave. Confessing his secrets to a human had caused disaster once, and he couldn’t let it happen again. He hadn’t intended on bringing her here -- ever -- but events beyond his control had forced his hand. It never should have come to this. He’d made a promise long ago to her father to make sure nothing happened to her, and now he was stuck. All available options would break that promise. In the months he’d been watching her, she’d become his obsession, on his mind every waking minute

and he could barely stand the torture. Humans would find his fascination with her twisted and sick. To his people, it was lust, intense and pure, and this time it meant everything. She was the one woman he shouldn’t have and the only one he wanted. Now that she was here, she’d have to stay. He closed his eyes and for a brief second, let the guilt wash over him. She’d accepted his invitation, but she hadn’t realized she had no choice in the matter. He hadn’t given her one. She was as much a pawn in this as he was. His eyelids drifted open. No sense feeling guilty over something he couldn’t change. She stopped at the bottom of the old stone steps a story below the window where he stood, which gave him a chance to look her over. She was young, had celebrated her twenty-fifth birthday a few months earlier -- just before her father had died. An ankle-length, floral dress draped her thin body. Alabaster skin and long blonde hair completed the picture. He couldn’t see her eyes, but he knew they were blue. Midnight blue, like the ocean on a cold winter day. It was those eyes that had drawn him to her first. The woman had fight, a fiery determination that sparked something deep inside him. “I saw her coming up the walkway. She’s lovely, isn’t she?” He glanced over his shoulder at the sound of Ian’s voice behind him. He tried to ignore the disappointment he caught in Ian’s green eyes. “She is.” And if Ian even thought about touching her, Alec would tear him limb from limb, friend or not. “What’s her name again? Anna?” “Adriana.” Delicate and beautiful, yet laced with strength. It suited her. Living here, in darkness, did not. She walked up the steps and soon disappeared from his view. “Elena will take care of her?” he asked Ian. “You know she will. Who understands your emotions better than Elena?” “No one.” In another lifetime, Elena might have been his soul mate, but not in this one. He wanted Adriana more. Alec stepped away from the window, letting the heavy drapes whoosh closed. The room was once again enveloped in blessed darkness, the only source of light coming from the brass sconces hung on the dark-paneled walls. Would Adriana be able to accept his world of darkness, so different from her own? Ian narrowed his eyes. “You look upset. Do you want me to send her away?” “No.” It didn’t matter now. Elena had let her inside and now she wouldn’t be able to leave. Guilt tightened his gut, but other, deeper emotions pushed it aside. There was no place for guilt now. Loneliness hadn’t been his only reason for having her brought here, nor had the promise he’d made. He had a trade to offer her -- one he hoped she wouldn’t be able to refuse. He wasn’t proud of it, but retribution had played a small part in inviting Adriana to his house. Her father’s betrayal had stabbed him in the back and he’d retaliated without thinking first. Since Frank had

died a few months earlier, just before Alec had found out the truth, Alec had chosen the next best thing. “She has to stay. There isn’t any other choice.” “You’re right. There isn’t. Not now that you’ve gone and done this without exploring other options first.” Alec shoved his hands into his pockets to keep from punching Ian and ruining the face women seemed to love so much. He took a few steps forward, his anger growing with every one. “Would you rather I let her die? Because that was the only other choice. You need to remember something. Frank did this, not me. He brought about this whole problem.” “You’re right. I’m sorry.” Ian let out a harsh breath. “I just wish it hadn’t come to this. What are you going to tell her?” Ian, always the voice of reason. Sometimes Alec wanted to wrap his hands around his oldest friend’s neck and strangle the life out of him, if for no other reason than he made Alec see what an impulsive fool he’d been, yet again. “Right now, all she needs to know is that I can cure her. Anything beyond that will come in time. She won’t take this well. You and I both know that.” “You should go speak to her, at least. She’ll be even more angry if you hide from her.” “I’ll go see her. Soon. First, let Elena feed her. She looks like she hasn’t had a decent meal in weeks.” Or maybe months. It pained him to think of her suffering. Though he hadn’t spoken to her in years, he’d already begun to think of her as his. And shewas his. Had been since she stepped past the rusty iron gate. Maybe even before that, when he’d first entered her mind and she’d accepted him there. When he’d first realized that her feelings for him were as complicated as his were for her. “She’s not starving. It’s her illness that makes her look that way, not a lack of a decent meal.” Alec nodded. He’d known that, and it disturbed him. She’d been a vibrant girl who had grown into a vibrant woman, but her illness had sapped the life right out of her. Soon, he’d see that life return. If she agreed to what he had yet to propose. He’d sent the invitation that had drawn her here. Told her he could cure her of what had been plaguing her, but he’d left out one important detail. Probably the most important of all. Yes, he could save her life. But he’d have to end it first. *** “Would you like something to drink?” Adriana stared at the woman who’d ushered her into the house. There was something about the woman that made a knot form in her stomach, but she couldn’t pinpoint what that elusive thing was. There was nothing threatening about her appearance -- smallish with a curvy figure that bordered on plump, shoulder-length hair the color of black coffee, and a youthful face that seemed to project trust and friendliness. It made no sense to Adriana that she should be wary of the other woman, butnothing in this situation had made sense since she’d opened up the invitation. She’d at first decided to ignore the mysterious and unsettling invitation, but something had compelled her to come. Maybe it was the spark of hope the invitation had ignited in her. Maybe something else, but whatever it was that had driven her to come to this old mansion to meet with Alec, remained elusive. Now she stood in the center of the kitchen feeling like she’d made the biggest mistake of her life. At the same time, a giddy feeling rose in her chest. She’d first met Alec when she was ten. He’d been

her first real crush. He’d come around the house a few times over the years, and by the time she was sixteen, the crush had turned into something more. At eighteen, she’d been head over heels in love with the guy and he’d stopped coming to visit her father. Now seven years had passed. There was no way he could look as good now as he had then. A person could only go without aging for so long. She held in a laugh at the thought of Alec with gray hair and a pot belly. For some reason it didn’t fit. “Excuse me?” the other woman asked. “Are you feeling all right?” The giddiness vanished. How he looked didn’t matter. The only thing that did matter was whether or not he could really help her. Her father had trusted him, but Adriana didn’t trust easily. She’d reserve judgment until she’d spoken with Alec. “I don’t need a drink, thanks.” She tried to force a smile, but couldn’t quite manage it. “I’m fine.” “How about something to eat, then?” She shook her head. “No. I’m not hungry, either. I’m curious about why I’m here, and that’s all.” “Alec will be with you soon, and he’ll explain everything.” The woman’s tone was soothing, her expression tender, and for some reason, that unnerved Adriana even more. “He’ll want to know you’ve eaten something first, though. You need to keep up your strength.” “My strength is fine. I just want to see Alec, please.” “But --” Adriana held up her hand, cutting off the other woman’s sentence. One thing she’d learned in the past few months, since she’d first gotten sick, was that patience was a virtue she no longer had. No one could tell her how much time she had left, so wasted seconds had become a luxury. “Just go get him. I want to see him now, or I’m leaving.” The woman looked like she might argue, but then she relented. “Okay. Wait here. I’ll be right back. But he’s going to be very upset that you aren’t being cooperative. He’s not quick to anger, but trust me, you don’t want to see him mad.” With that, she turned and hurried out of the room.

Chapter 2

“Elena tells me you refuse to eat.” Adriana spun around at the sound of the deep voice behind her. At first, she saw no one, but then he appeared out of the shadows and her breath caught in her throat.Holy shit . How was this possible?

She had to be imagining things. There was no way Alec could look exactly the same now as he had seven years ago. She hadn’t expected an old man to walk into the room, but he looked thirty, at the most, maybe even younger. She’d always assumed he was just about her father’s age, but she must have been wrong. Maybe her illness had started to cause hallucinations, but the more she looked at him the more certain she was he’d found some sort of fountain of youth. In fifteen years he’d managed to avoid wrinkles and, unless he dyed it, didn’t have a single gray hair. He was tall, broad-shouldered and muscular, with dark hair that brushed his collarbone and full, sensual lips. His features were fine, sculpted, and the only things saving him from being pretty were his eyes. Dark eyes, nearly obsidian in color. They were large and almond-shaped, and in their depths she caught a hint of something that made suspicion curl in her gut. Along with something else she recognized, but refused to identify. Lusting after him from afar was one thing, but continuing it here, when he’d practically dragged her to his house, was psychotic. He wouldn’t want her, anyway. He was rich and powerful, though a little eccentric, judging from the almost gothic décor around this place. She was middle class all the way, and dying to boot. He might be odd, but he wasn’t an idiot. “I’m not hungry.” The words came out softer than she’d intended. She took a step back. Coming here had been a mistake. She never would have done something so stupid if she hadn’t been desperate. Alec walked further into the room, his hands in the pockets of his black pants. He probably thought it would seem like a casual pose, but she knew better. This man was a predator, and she had a sinking feeling she was tonight’s prey. Why had she not noticed before how dangerous he was? She nearly snorted. She’d been too much in love with him then to notice much of anything else. “You’ll get sick if you don’t eat.” She narrowed her eyes. If he was trying to make a joke, it wasn’t a very funny one. “I’m already sick, but you know that already, don’t you?” “I do. It’s why I invited you here.” “Your invitation mentioned something about a cure.” He nodded. “How can you cure me if you don’t know what I have?” No one knew. Even the doctors hadn’t been able to figure it out. Her body was slowly shutting down, her organ function decreasing, her immune system weakening, and no one could figure out why. “It doesn’t matter. I can cure you of anything.” He pulled out one of the chairs surrounding the cherry table. “Sit. I’ll make you something to eat. And then, while you have a meal, we can talk.” “No, really. I don’t want a thing to eat or drink. You people act like I can’t take care of myself or something.” “I never thought you couldn’t.” He reached out and cupped her cheek in his palm. Her breath caught in her throat and for a single second, every muscle froze. His touch warmed her from

the inside out, though his palm felt a little cool against her skin. Her body swayed a little and she started to lean into him before she regained enough common sense to stand up straight. “I’ve missed you,” he said softly. His tone was so low and rumbling that it made her knees weak. She’d always been a sucker for dark hair and a deep voice. “How could you have? I was a kid the last time we spoke.” “You were eighteen.” She caught the hidden meaning behind his words and her eyes narrowed. “So what? You’d known me since I was ten. I’m sure I’ll always be a child in your eyes.” “You haven’t been a child to me for years. Why do you think I stopped visiting your father at home?” She shrugged. She could guess, but she wanted to hear him say it. The words would bring her a sense of satisfaction. “He didn’t want me around you anymore.” “You could have told me how you felt. I wouldn’t have objected.” “That, my dear, was a big part of the problem.” He stepped closer and leaned down, brushing a soft kiss across her lips. Just the single touch had her reeling. She closed her eyes as her mind flew back to a particularly memorable fantasy she’d had about Alec, one that had started in a similar manner. “Do you have any clue what you do to me?” Alec asked, his face just inches from hers. She shook her head, but that was a lie. She knew. She could see the evidence in the way the heat flashed in his eyes, in the way his cock bulged against his zipper. Just the sight made her pussy wet and she pressed her legs together to hold back the arousal. She wanted to touch herself, to stroke her fingers along her clit. No, she wanted Alec to do that, but he had yet to touch her beyond a single, tiny kiss. She leaned toward him, but he backed away. “Alec.” A sexy half-smile graced his lips. “How much do you want me?” “A lot. But you already know that.” He stepped closer until his body bumped up against hers. He kept moving until her rear hit the table behind her, and then he grabbed her waist and lifted her off her feet, settling her on the tabletop. “You wear dresses a lot.” “They’re comfortable.” Her voice was soft and breathless, but she didn’t care. Nothing mattered now but getting him inside her. “And convenient.” He fingered the material at the hem before pushing it up her legs.

“How did I know you’d say that?” A spark of humor flashed in his dark eyes. “I must be getting predictable in my old age. Wouldn’t want that to happen. I’ll have to do something about it.” She’d expected him to kiss her, but instead he dropped to his knees in front of her and parted her legs. She closed her eyes and let her head drop back, her pussy muscles contracting as she felt his hot breath on the insides of her thighs. He was wrong. He was anything but predictable. Alec cleared his throat, pulling her from her memory. It had only been in her head, but it had seemed so real. Now, face to face with him after so long, it didn’t feel like a glorified daydream. It felt like… like he’d been inside her head. A sudden panic gripped her, threatening to close her throat. She glanced around the room, but saw no sign of the woman who had let her inside. She was alone in this house with Alec, the woman, and maybe others. She never should have come here. She should have waited. The doctors eventually would have come up with something to help her. Dying slowly isn’t a very pleasant option. She narrowed her eyes at the thought. No, it wasn’t pleasant, but neither was dying at the hands of a serial killer. For all she knew, he could have invited her here just to slice her open and eat her insides. She brushed past him and started for the door. “Thank you anyway, but I’m starting to see this is a huge mistake. I need to go. Now.” She raced down the hallway and reached for the door, but just as she started to pull it open, he slammed his palm against the heavy wood. The door shut with a bang and her heart thudded against her ribcage. Her stomach roiling and her muscles tensed, she turned and glanced up into stormy eyes. She expected him to grab her, to drag her off somewhere into the depths of the old mansion and chain her to a wall, but he barely moved. He only leaned forward until his lips brushed her ear. The contact, though unwanted, sent a shiver through her. “Let me leave. Please, Alec, I just want to go home.” “Is that what you really want? Do you really want to walk away from a chance to save your life?” No. “Yes.” She had to. There was no other way. “Fine. If you think you can leave, go ahead and try.” *** Alec watched the emotions war in Adriana’s eyes. She was scared, but she was also curious. Interested, even. But still, she wanted to go. He’d miscalculated. He should have been more careful. Humans were skittish, and they didn’t trust things they didn’t understand. She wouldn’t understand him or this house, no matter how hard he tried to explain. He’d assumed Frank would have told her at least something about Alec and what he really was, but Frank obviously had kept the secret. That left one more thing for Alec to explain. One more thing to push Adriana even further away. He stepped back and crossed his arms over his chest. None of that mattered anymore. She might want to leave, but she couldn’t. The house wouldn’t let her go. Her father had to have known it would

eventually come to this. He had to have seen that his plan would eventually drive his daughter right into Alec’s arms. He’d been intuitive for a human, and Alec didn’t believe in coincidences. “What are you waiting for? You’re free to go anytime you choose.” “I will, then.” Her chin went up and her gaze turned cold and determined. He nearly laughed, but he fought to hold it back. At the same time, his cock hardened against his zipper. She had no idea how much this little game turned him on. It turned her on, too, though she probably didn’t realize it yet. The scent of her arousal hung in the air between them and it was all he could do not to lift her off her feet, press her against the wall, and drive into her. He’d touched her so many times, but only in his mind and hers. Now he wanted to touch her for real, to run his hands all over her naked body, to stroke his cock inside her until they both came. He nearly groaned. Soon. Very soon. For now, she had a few things to learn about life here and how she would fit into it. “You won’t get another chance. Once you leave, you’ll never find your way back here.” “What do you mean?” “This place has secrets. So many things hide here. You can only get past the gates with permission and I only give that once.” “Yeah, right.” She laced the words with sarcasm, but he caught the doubt in her eyes. She might not want to admit it, but he knew she could feel that there was something different here. Something she’d never encountered in her human world. She’d been suspicious since he walked into the kitchen. She was a smart girl. It wouldn’t be long before she put it all together. Frank had sheltered his daughter, sometimes a little too much. If she’d known what Alec was, and what he could do for her, she might have come to him as soon as she found out she was sick. “Leave, then. Go ahead and try.” The words weren’t much above a whisper, but he’d found that soft speech often had more effect than raising one’s voice. Adriana did as he expected, opening the door once again and stepping out onto the stairs. A thick layer of gray mist surrounded the house, making it impossible to see more than a few feet past the door. Impossible for her, at least. He had no problems seeing through the mist and the darkness. “Are you leaving?” he continued, fighting the smile threatening to curl his lips. She thought she could walk away. She didn’t know how wrong that line of thinking was. Stubborn woman that she was, she’d have to learn firsthand rather than take his word for it. He could continue to shelter her, to watch over her and pretend nothing in her safe little world had changed, but he wouldn’t perpetuate that fantasy any longer. Things had changed, and she had no choice but to accept that. “Yes, I am,” she said, but she didn’t move from the top step. “All right. If that’s what you feel you need to do, I won’t stop you.” “Gee, thanks. I’mso glad you’re not going to stand in my way.” She let out a breath and shook her head. “You wouldn’t want to point me in the direction of my car, would you?” “Straight ahead. A few hundred feet down the path. Though be careful where you walk. Sometimes the

ground can be… unforgiving. There are many dangers out there after the sun goes down.” None of that was a lie. His kind had to take extra measures to protect their existence. Over the years, they’d learned a few tricks that would curl a human’s toes. “I’ve walked around in the dark before. I think I can manage.” She walked down the stairs then, and made it as far as the bottom step before she let out a cry and rushed back up, her eyes wide and her shoulders shaking. “Something grabbed my ankle. What’s out there?” Nothing but illusions. Though, at times, even illusions could be deadly. “A few safeguards. I told you, no one gets in here without my permission.” She glared at him for a few seconds before she spoke. “Just as no one apparently leaves without it, too.” The woman was a quick learner. Perhaps she wouldn’t take as much convincing as he’d first thought. “Are you ready to come back inside now?” She shook her head, a panicked look on her delicate face. “No. Please, let me leave. I just want to go home.” “I can’t do that. You have to be here. But understand this, Adriana. I won’t ever hurt you. Ever. You’ve already been through enough. I just want to make the pain go away.” Her narrowed eyes and pursed lips, as well as the fists she made of her hands, told him she wasn’t reassured. *** Adriana paced the length of the room, her arms crossed over her chest. Every so often, she stopped to glare at Alec, who sat unmoving in an armchair in the corner of the dimly-lit library. He hadn’t said a word to her since he’d led her back into the kitchen, poured her a glass of wine and watched to make sure she drank every last drop. And then, he’d brought her in here about ten minutes ago, plunked himself in that black chair and just stared at her as if waiting for her to say something. Well, he’d be waiting a long time. She wasn’t the one who needed to explain her behavior. He was playing some kind of twisted game, and she didn’t like it. But yet, she hadn’t been able to leave. It wasn’t just the slimy, cold thing that grabbed her ankle, either, though that was bad enough. When she’d reached the bottom step, she’d hit an invisible wall and hadn’t been able to go on. Her feet had frozen to the ground and her breath had been sucked from her lungs. As fantastical as it seemed, he must have put some kind of a… a spell on this place to keep people from leaving. She should have noticed sooner that something wasn’t quite right about Alec. Her parents’ friends were often a little bit unusual -- in the less-than-human sense. What alovely evening this had turned out to be. She’d gone into it hoping against hope that he had some kind of cure for her illness, and she’d ended up in the clutches of a psychopath who might or might not be human. She should have turned the invitation down -- but she hadn’t been able to. A chill ran down her spine when she realized he must have done something to that, too. Something that had made her come to him despite her reservations. She’d been brought here against her will and she wouldn’t stand for it. She stopped in front of him. “What are you going to do to me?”

“Cure you.” It couldn’t be that simple. “You’re lying.” “No. I invited you here for what I promised.” “And?” He frowned. “And what?” “Exactly. I should have seen this sooner, but I guess I was too busy worrying about what torturous way you planned to kill me if I didn’t escape. You want something from me in return, don’t you?” A small smile tipped his lips. “You could say that.” Visions of sick, depraved things filled her head, but she pushed them away. No sense worrying until she knew what it was he wanted. This was a man who’d been a trusted friend to her father. How bad could it really be? “Are you going to keep me in suspense all night, or do you plan on telling me what it is you want?” “I’ll make a trade with you.” He crossed one ankle over the opposite knee and folded his hands in his lap, the picture of innocence when she knew he was anything but. “In exchange for a cure, you’ll have to stay here.” That was all? “For how long?” “Indefinitely. And not in a guest room, either.” She gulped. Okay, now she could start worrying.

Chapter 3

Adriana took a few steps back and shook her head. “No way in hell is that ever going to happen. Are you really so arrogant that you believe I’ll move in here just because you told me to?Please .” Alec only smiled. He admired her fight, her determination. Even in the face of an unknown illness, she didn’t back down. He’d been right. She was the perfect woman for him, in all ways. “You want to be here,” he said softly. “You want me.” “No.” He could make her want him, could even have her at his feet, begging him to take her, but he didn’t want

her that way. Not this one. He wanted her to come to him without his interference in her mind. He pushed up from the chair and walked over to her, stopping inches in front of her. Her chin shot higher up into the air and she glared at him through narrowed eyes. “I don’t want you,” she spat out, her tone venomous. “Yes, you do.” “Um,no , I don’t think so. Unlike the other women you must know, I don’t get off on being dragged here and kept prisoner.” “Actually, I have a feeling that’s a lie.” Her expression bordered on petulant, and it made him laugh. She was cute rather than stunning, but it was her inner fire that had drawn him to her in the first place. Alec took her hand and brought it to his lips, brushing a kiss across her knuckles. She gasped and pulled her hand away, but something sparked in her eyes. “Don’t ever do that again.” “You never told me no before.” Adriana stilled, her lips parting. She blinked a few times and her throat worked as she swallowed. “I don’t know what you’re talking about. Up until tonight, I hadn’t seen you for, like, ten years. I barely even know you.” “Seven years. And you know me well.” He touched his hand to her head. “You know me here.” He touched her heart. “You know me here, too. And other places.” She grabbed his wrist and yanked his hand away from her body. “If you touch any of those other places, I’ll break all of your fingers.” “I’d like to see you try.” “Please. Give me a break, okay?” She dropped his wrist, spun and marched across the room toward the door, but she didn’t leave. She stood in the doorway, one hand against the doorframe and one foot over the threshold. “Why are you doing this?” The easy answer was that he was bored and lonely, and had needed something to liven up his life, but he couldn’t tell her that. Nor could he tell her that he’d been watching her for years, protecting her while at the same time wanting her with every fiber of his being -- or that her father had been the catalyst in this whole mess, the cause of every bad thing that had happened to her in recent months. So he settled for something short and simple, something that would irritate her even more. He loved a woman with spunk. “Because I can see right through you. I know what you want, even if you refuse to admit it.” “You’re a jerk, do you know that?” She kept her back to him and her shoulders hunched. He’d been called worse. Much worse. He caught a faint whiff of her arousal from across the room and he smiled. A few long steps brought him to her and he brushed her hair off the side of her neck. She jumped, but didn’t move away.

“What do you think you’re doing?” He should tell her the truth first, explain her illness and how he could reverse the damage, but he couldn’t help himself. He’d been waiting so long, and he needed to touch her. The need was slowly driving him mad. Explanations would have to wait until he could clear his mind. “You’ve been thinking about me. You know how I can make you feel, and you want me. You want it all.” “No. There’s a difference between fantasy and reality. Fantasy is a product of one’s imagination.” She paused and he felt her shoulders stiffen a little under his touch. Her voice was soft when she spoke again. “How did you know?” “Because I feel it, too.” “There’s nothing to feel. None of this is even real. It’s all some nightmare and soon I’m going to wake up in my own bed.” “It’s very real. I’ve touched you with my mind, many times, but for too long, I’ve been waiting to touch you with my hands. My lips.” Alec leaned in and brushed a kiss along the skin just below her ear. She shivered and leaned back just a little. Her small reaction was all it took to make his cock go completely hard. His fangs elongated from his gums even though he’d tried to hold them back. This soon, the sight of them would scare her, but tonight control was a hard thing to come by. He’d waited too long to have any semblance of willpower. He needed to take the edge off. Soon. “Relax, Adriana. Take tonight for what it is. A chance to live out the fantasies we’ve had and a chance for your life to be saved. Neither of us can lose in this situation.” He touched the spot where his lips had been with his tongue. This time, a small whimper escaped from her and she leaned back further until her spine rested against his chest. “This is crazy. Do you even realize how nuts you sound?” He laughed. To a human, his directness might be disconcerting. His people appreciated honesty above all else. They didn’t play games. At least not with each other. They’d found long ago that humans made interesting playthings. He didn’t want to toy with Adriana. Not much, anyway. He had other plans for her. “Crazy to you, maybe, but not to me. I believe in being honest.” “So do I.” “Then why are you lying, to me and to yourself, about wanting to be here?” She pulled away from him and spun around. “I’m not lying.” “You don’t want to be here?” “Look, Alec, there’s something very wrong about this situation. I’m interested in getting well. I’m not interested in games.” He took her hand and brought it to his mouth, placing a kiss in the center of her palm. “This isn’t a

game,” he whispered against her palm. Not anymore, though he supposed it might have started out that way. He’d been reluctant to protect her, when Frank had first asked him. Hadn’t wanted the kind of responsibility that came along with it. But then Frank had been killed and Alec had been left without a choice. Breaking into her mind, bending and shaping her fantasies, had been a way to pass the time, but it had turned into so much more. At least that was what he’d always told himself. In truth, it had been so much more than a game for so long. He glanced at her and caught a flash of lust in her eyes, but a healthy dose of wariness accompanied it. How could he explain to her what he’d been feeling inside, the hopelessness that had settled over him over a year ago and had been gnawing at his gut ever since? It had been so long since he’d had a woman in his life for more than a night, so long since he’d had someone to share his deepest secrets with. Ian and Elena would always listen, but there wasn’t the same level of intimacy he’d have with a lover, a partner. “What are you doing to me?” she whispered. “I’m saving your life.”And my own . *** This is crazy. It’s wrong on so many levels. The words echoed in Adriana’s head, but it didn’t feel wrong. He still stood close, too close. His presence muddied her thoughts and screwed with her common sense. He had her nerves humming and her blood boiling and all the moisture in her body traveling south at an alarming rate. Or maybe it wasn’t so much his presence, but the wine he’d given her. She was starting to feel a little lightheaded. She rarely drank, for good reason. She couldn’t hold her alcohol worth a damn. She sucked in an unsteady breath and tried to quell a little of the arousal, but it was no use. He was right, damn it. She wanted him, but she wanted answers first. “How can you heal me? And I want specifics, none of this evasive crap you keep throwing at me. If I agree, and I’m not saying I’m going to, I need to know what I’m agreeing to.” “Your body is shutting down.” “Tell me something I don’t know.” “It isn’t going to stop.” Yet again, she’d heard it all before, from people with actual medical degrees. “Aren’t you the master of the obvious?” She sighed. Did he even have a cure at all? And if he did, would it actually work? “What, exactly, can you do for me? And you’d better make it good.” A small smile touched his lips. “I can make you live forever.” She blinked. Okay, that was definitely good.

Chapter 4

“Huh?” The word left Adriana’s lips before she could pull it back. She hadn’t meant to sound so dumbfounded, but what did Alec expect? He’d just told her he could make her live forever. That had to be some kind of exaggeration. He stepped closer until he had her backed up against the doorframe, his big body crowding hers and setting off all kinds of riots in her nerves. She swallowed hard, trying to wet her suddenly dry throat. His erection pressed against her through the layers of their clothes and she bit back a whimper. Her panties went damp and her nipples pebbled. All those times she’d dreamed about him touching her and they didn’t even compare to the real thing. Of course, this could all be a product of the wine, too. It tended to completely erase her inhibitions. “Would you like that, Adriana?” Alec asked softly, his voice deep and mesmerizing. “Would you like to live forever?” “You’re speaking figuratively, right?” “No. I’m speaking quite literally. I can give you the gift of eternal life. All you have to do is say the word.” She frowned up at him, ready to tell him to take his crazy notions and shove them, but then she caught a glimpse of something that made her realize he wasn’t as crazy as she’d thought. She swallowed hard.Oh, shit . The guy had fangs. Sure, she’d heard stories growing up about vampires, werewolves and other assorted beasties. Her father and mother had believed, but Adriana had been a little more skeptical. Until now. She pushed him away and rushed out the door, her head spinning and her stomach threatening to heave. Vampires drank blood. Human blood. And as far as she could tell, there weren’t any other humans in the vicinity -- unless she counted the odd woman who had let her in, but Adriana now had doubts about that one’s humanity. “I think I really need to go now.” “You’re not leaving.” The words were barely above a whisper, but they hauled her to a stop as effectively as if she’d backed up against a brick wall. She sucked in a breath and pushed her hair off her face. “Are you planning on keeping me prisoner here?” “No.” He moved toward her until he had her up against the hallway wall. “I won’t have to.”

What an arrogant jerk he was. At least in her fantasies she could make him a little less alpha. As if she’d really stay here just because he told her she would. She wanted to stay, had dreamed about being with him for years, but he didn’t need to know that. “Um, yeah, I think you will. I want to go on record now as saying, I have no interest in hanging around this place for another second.” “You’re lying.” No. But she didn’t say the word. It would have been a lie. She’d always known there was something different about Alec, something otherworldly, but had passed it off as her imagination. He’d fascinated her right from the start, but lately fantasies of him had started to take over her life. Dark, lurid fantasies that kept her up at night. She’d blamed it on her sickness, but what if he’d had something to do with it? “Can you read my mind?” she asked, wincing in preparation for an answer she didn’t really want. “No, not really. I can’t read your thoughts.” “But you can somehow plant suggestions in my head.” “They’re much more than suggestions. We have a connection. What happened between us is just as real to me as it is to you. I know you screamed my name on more than one occasion.” She opened her mouth to deny it, but couldn’t. Her face flamed and she glanced toward the floor. “You couldn’t have known that.” “Then explain how I did.” She closed her eyes and shook her head. This had to be the most twisted situation she’d ever found herself in, but at the same time it was exhilarating. Seeing the fangs explained a lot. “I don’t know. Do you have video cameras all over my apartment or something?” “I don’t need cameras.” “So you’re what, fucking my mind?” A little jolt of pleasure rushed through her at the thought. It was wrong, and that was half the reason it felt so right. He laughed. “I guess that’s one way of putting it. But, I have to admit, there are other things I’d rather be fucking.” Her panties dampened even more. Another few words out of his mouth and her pussy would be drenched. She opened her eyes. She wanted him. He obviously wanted her. What had she objected to again? There was his attitude, for one thing. The whole high and mighty act didn’t usually do anything for her, but she could look past it just this once. Then there was his insistence that they make a trade. It was an odd way to talk her into bed, but as far as pickup lines went, she’d heard worse. Not much worse, but there’d been a few. “Why didn’t you tell me? All these weeks and you never tried to contact me before the invitation you

sent yesterday.” “I thought you’d send me away.” “You thought wrong.” She shook her head. Men could be so thick sometimes. “I’ve wanted you forever. If I’d known…” She raised her hand and placed her palm on his chest. “You’re warm.” “What did you expect?” “You’re a vampire. I thought you’d be cold. You know, dead.” “As you can see, I’m neither.” His hand came up to cover hers and she shivered. The heat of his cock reached her through their clothes. “I’m very much aware of that.” She stood on tiptoe and kissed his lips gently before settling back on her feet. His lips were warm, too, and soft. She felt the breath catch in his chest and his hand tightened over hers. She smiled. The control freak that he apparently was, he thought he had it all worked out. He thought everything would go the way he’d planned it. He really didn’t know her as well as he thought. She skimmed the fingernails of her free hand over one of his nipples, dragging a groan from him. His reaction urged her to do it again, with the same results. Alec dropped his hand from hers and cupped her chin in his palm. “Don’t tease.” “I’m not.” She fully intended to carry through, but she did plan to take a while getting there. He deserved it for breaking into her mind and not telling her the truth about it, though she could forgive him that -eventually -- since he’d made it worth her while every single time. Adriana glanced down so he didn’t see her smile. She might not know much about him, but she knew he was a man used to having complete control over everything. The way he’d brought her here and told her she was staying showed her that. How would he feel if he knew she was anything but compliant? A wave of dizziness washed over her and she dug her fingers into his shoulders to keep herself upright. The wave passed within seconds, leaving her stronger than before. “Remind me never to drink again. No matter how much you insist. My body just can’t handle it.” He frowned. “What’s the matter?” “Nothing. I got dizzy for a second, but I’m fine now.” More than fine. She rubbed up against him and licked her lips. “Should we maybe move this somewhere more private? Someone could walk by. And who’s that woman who was here earlier, anyway? Please don’t tell me you’re married or something.” “She’s no one important. And no, I’m not married.” He said the word as if it left a bad taste in his mouth, and she nearly laughed. But her humor soon

evaporated. Alec grabbed her wrists and pressed her arms against the wall over her head. She pushed against his touch, but he was too strong and though she felt stronger tonight than she had in a while, her illness left her weak. So she let her head drop back and she stared up at him, into dark eyes filled with heat and passion and a mix of emotions she couldn’t identify. He held her wrists in place with one hand and used the other hand to tilt her chin up. Then he leaned down and his lips skimmed her neck. She thought for a second about pushing against his hold, but the thought was gone almost as soon as it entered her head. It felt so good to finally feel his weight against her, his lips and tongue trailing a path from her chin to her collarbone. She wouldn’t deny herself the pleasure, not when she’d been wanting it for so long. Alec’s teeth nipped at her collarbone and he started gathering her dress in his hand. The material rose up her legs, but apparently not fast enough for him, since he dropped her wrists to free his other hand up to tug at the fabric. She lifted his chin and tried to kiss him, but he shook his head. “Why won’t you kiss me?” she asked, aching for his lips on hers. A tiny brush didn’t count as a real kiss, and no way was she letting this go any further if he didn’t at least give her that. He glanced down at her with a worried expression. “I don’t want to hurt you.” “I really don’t care if you do.” Where had that thought come from? Must have been the wine. The excuse was getting tired, but at the moment it was the only one she had to explain her behavior. He didn’t give her much of a chance to think about it. In the next second, his lips crushed down over hers, his tongue delving into her mouth when she opened it in surprise. Her hands rested on his shoulders and she started pulling his shirt up his back, suddenly desperate to feel his skin against hers. “If you don’t want an audience, you might want to move into your bedroom.” Adriana gasped against Alec’s mouth at the sound of the masculine voice. Alec broke the kiss and turned his head toward the man who’d spoken. “What do you want, Ian?” Ian. She’d heard her father mention that name before, always in conjunction with Alec’s. “I just came to warn you. If you don’t go somewhere private, I’m sure you’ll have company soon.” “Thanks. I appreciate it.” As soon as the words were out of Alec’s mouth, he was grabbing for Adriana’s hand and leading her toward a door at the opposite end of the hall. He opened the door, ushered her inside and slammed it closed behind them. She gaped up at him, still confused at the speed in which he seemed to move. Not lightning-fast, but enough to make her blink. “What was that all about?” “Wouldn’t want company right now, would you?” He spoke the words against her neck, pulling her to him and spinning her around so her back faced the large bed she’d spied against the far wall. “No. Definitely no company.” “Good.”

Alec wasted no time tearing at her clothing, tugging the dress up and throwing it over her head. She didn’t notice where it landed, didn’t care. All she could think about was getting him naked so she could finally see in person what she’d been seeing in her head all these years. After he stripped off the rest of her clothes, he went to work on his own and soon he stood in front of her, his gaze so hot she was afraid it might scorch her skin. He was as beautiful as she remembered from her fantasies. Tall and strong, his muscles sculpted and his cock jutting out from a nest of dark hair. She sat back on the bed and licked her lips. He smiled. “You’re beautiful.” “I’m a stick. I have no body at all, thanks to this disease.” A disease that she hadn’t felt the effects of since she’d stepped through his door. She felt like she had before she’d gotten sick -- healthy and strong. Alive. “Don’t say things like that.” The anger in his tone took her by surprise. She swallowed hard, nervous but unsure why. “I was only telling the truth.” He advanced on her, stopping when he stood a foot away. And then he dropped to his knees. “The truth as you see it, not as others do. You have no idea what I see when I look at you.” He really thought she was beautiful, skinny body and sallow skin and all. She saw the truth in his eyes and she would have cried, had she allowed herself the luxury of tears. Instead, she touched his cheek with her palm and leaned down to kiss him. She barely knew him, yet she felt like he’d been in her life forever. When she broke the kiss, he settled her back against the mattress. His hands moved to her knees and nudged her legs apart. He brought his mouth to her pussy and stroked his tongue along her folds. She cried out, her hips arching toward him to increase the contact. It had been months since she’d let a man touch her -- far too long --but she hadn’t felt up to sex. Now everything had changed. It was a strange combination, the wine, the man, the house… she didn’t know what made her feel different. Maybe it was everything. Whatever it was, she didn’t want it to stop. Feeling alive again was the most amazing feeling in the world. The pleasure built inside her with each stroke of his tongue, driving her closer and closer to the breaking point. She tangled one hand in his thick hair, the other in the silky comforter under her, and held on tight. He spread her lips with his fingers and thrust his tongue into her pussy. At the same time, he pressed down on her clit with the pad of his thumb. That was all it took to push her over the edge. She tightened her fingers in his hair, her hips arching off the bed, as she rode the waves of the climax. Her eyes squeezed shut. Her breath sawed in her lungs, the tremors racing through her, and yet, he didn’t let up. When he finally broke the contact cool air rushed over her and she cried out, but he didn’t give her a chance to complain. With urgent movements, Alec untangled her fingers from his hair, scooted her up the mattress and knelt between her thighs. His smile as he looked down at her made her shiver and squirm. Her juices glistened on his chin in the flickering candlelight that filled the room. Time seemed to slow to a crawl while she waited, her body

heating under his scrutiny. His gaze roamed her body, seeming to take in every inch of her, before he settled his hands at her waist. “I have to be honest with you,” he said softly. “I don’t think I can last very long tonight.” “My body can’t handle too much, anyway.” She ran her tongue along her bottom lip. “So it’s fine.” “Are you too tired now?” “No.” “Adriana.” His tone held a warning and his gaze searched her face, probably looking to see if she was lying. She wasn’t. She hadn’t felt so exhilarated in months. “I’m fine, Alec. Really. Please, just touch me.” He gave her a short nod of acceptance before lifting her hips and thrusting his cock into her, setting off another round of tiny explosions in her nerves. Her pussy quivered around his length and she arched her back. His hands skimmed her body, past her ribcage, until he cupped her breasts in his palms. His thumbs brushed her peaked nipples, dragging a harsh groan from her. When he started to move his hands away, she grabbed his wrists to hold him in place. “Don’t stop. Don’t stop any of it, okay?” “Okay.” He leaned over her, his hair brushing his face. She raised her hips to meet each of his thrusts, the stirrings of another climax building low in her belly. It didn’t take more than a few strokes for her to topple over the edge, and this time she took Alec with her. When the tremors had stopped and her body had stilled, Alec pulled out and collapsed next to her on the bed. He glanced at her, his eyes glazed over, and gave her a smile that on anyone else she would have described as sweet. It didn’t fit him, but it was endearing anyway and she smiled back. In the morning, she was sure she’d have regrets, but right now, she couldn’t think of one.

Chapter 5

Alec leaned against the headboard, his arm resting on his bent knee, watching the even rise and fall of Adriana’s chest as she slept. He let out a breath. She looked so peaceful, and yet so pale at the same time. She wasn’t so much sleeping as recovering, and it would be a while before she woke. The drink he’d given her had worn off, and last night had taken a lot out of her. Maybe too much. He’d robbed her of her strength and he had to do something to make it right. There was a permanent fix for what ailed her, but for now he’d have to stick with the temporary solution. He took a knife from the top drawer of his bedside table and made a one-inch cut in the pad of his hand.

He brought his hand to her slightly parted lips, praying that instinct would kick in. It did, and she swallowed in her sleep. He let out a sigh of relief, and, after a few moments, pulled his hand away. A few drops of his blood would strengthen her, for now, but it wouldn’t heal her. Only turning her could do that, and he couldn’t force that on her. But he wouldn’t sit back and watch her die, either. He didn’t go back on his promises. “If I didn’t know you better, I’d swear there was tenderness on your face right now. But that can’t be right. You don’t have a tender bone in your body. At least you pretend you don’t.” Alec’s gaze snapped up and snagged with Elena’s. She stood in the doorway, a mug in one hand and the morning paper in the other. A silk robe draped her body. So bright red in color, he almost felt the need to shield his eyes. She stepped into the room, tossed the paper on the foot of the bed and set the mug on the bedside table. “I thought your friend might want some coffee when she wakes.” “That’s a nice gesture.” He lifted the mug to his nose and sniffed the contents. “Though I suspect an ulterior motive. What did you put in it?” Elena shrugged one shoulder. “Cream and sugar. Isn’t that how most humans drink the vile beverage?” “What else did you put into it?” “Nothing. Really.” She glanced toward Adriana and sighed. “I didn’t do anything to her coffee, unlike the wine you gave her last night.” “You know why I had to do that.” “Sure. Can’t tell her the truth now, can you?” She smiled before turning her attention back to Adriana. “How is she? Will she wake up soon?” Alec rolled his eyes. He should have seen this coming. Elena had a thing for the wounded, the frail. In fact, he had a feeling Adriana would fascinate most of the people around here. An illness like hers would have that sort of effect on his kind. “What do you want?” Elena glanced back at him, a spark in her eyes. “Can I play with her?” Though he’d expected her question, something fierce rose in him -- a beast clamoring to get out of a cage deep in the recesses of his mind. He narrowed his eyes and growled, moving closer to Adriana. “No.Hell, no . She’s not yours.” She pouted. “She’s not yours, either.” “Actually, she is. And you know why.” “Don’t I have something to say about that?” His gaze dropped and he found Adriana looking up at him, fire sparking in her eyes. When she saw Elena sitting on the bed, she yanked the sheet up to her chin and squealed. “What is she doing here? In yourbed , of all places?”

It wasn’t any place Elena hadn’t been before, but Adriana didn’t need to know that. “She was just leaving.” Elena flopped down on the mattress and smiled at Adriana. “How are you feeling today?” Adriana scooted closer to him and pulled her knees up to her chest. “Fine, thanks. Am I the only person here who thinks this is a little strange?” Elena’s smile only widened. “What’s strange about it? You don’t have anything I haven’t seen before. Come to think of it, neither does he.” She let out a giggle that fueled Alec’s anger even more. He had to get her out of there before she revealed some even more embarrassing information. “Elena, why don’t you go see about making breakfast for our guest?” Anything to get her out of the way. Elena pouted, but she climbed off the bed and walked to the doorway. Right before she walked out of the room, she glanced over her shoulder. “You never had a problem sharing with me before, Alec. In fact, there were quite a few times you seemed to enjoy it.” He groaned. Adriana poked his shoulder, but he refused to look at her. He was sure his face was a very unbecoming shade of red. “Goodbye, Elena.” She let out a dramatic sigh and walked out of sight. “What thehell was that all about?” Adriana pinched his arm and he winced. “She asked if she couldplay with me, and I have to tell you, that really gives me the creeps.” “Don’t be offended. Elena likes to play with anything that has two legs and a pulse. Beyond that, she’s not very picky.” Not very pickywas a complete understatement. The woman needed to be tamed -- for her own good as much as those around her. But he wouldn’t be the one to do it. He’d taken care of her for too long. Now she needed to learn to look out for herself. “That reassures me a whole lot.” Adriana edged off the bed, grabbed the sheet and yanked until it came loose. She wrapped it around her body and turned to face him, one hand holding the sheet in place over her breasts and the other planted on her hip. “And, let me tell you, it’s such an amazing feeling knowing the guy I slept with last night keeps his ex-girlfriend around. Why were you so insistent about wanting my pathetic, sickly body when you have someone like her walking into your bedroom in a skimpy little robe?” “Adriana --” She held up her hand. “Just point me in the direction of the nearest bathroom, okay?” “Right across the hall.” “Great. Be right back. And you’d better be here, mister. I have a feeling we really need to have a talk.”

She stomped out of the room and he let his head drop back against the wall. There was so much to explain to her that he didn’t even know where to begin. *** Adriana stood in front of the sink and splashed cold water on her face. A quick glance out the window after she’d taken care of her business let her know why she felt so out of sorts. It was night. And notstill night, either. Something told her it was nightagain . She’d slept through a whole day. That must mean the illness was getting worse. Though her apparent fatigue might have had something to do with Alec. He’d woken her up more than once. She bit back a giggle at the thought. So she’d slept with him. So what? It wasn’t going to happen again. He obviously had different values and beliefs than hersimple human ones of trust and monogamy. He probably wouldn’t want her again, anyway. Not after she’d freaked out and ran out of the room. Her anger might have been a tad bit misplaced -- he hadn’t made her any promises beyond healing her and she didn’t want them anyway. She grabbed a fluffy beige hand towel from the towel bar next to the mirror and swiped it across her face. Funny, but she didn’t feel worn out like she normally did in the morning. She felt wide awake. “I guess that’s what a good night’s -- and day’s -- sleep does for a girl.” It felt like she was walking around in a dream. A vampire who said he could heal her mysterious illness… what, other than a dream, could this whole thing be? A reality she’d never known existed. That’s what it was. Every time she thought about it, her stomach ached, so she pushed it aside. She could deal with it later, after she dealt with Alec. She turned to walk out of the room, but her reflection in the mirror above the sink snagged her attention. The dark hollows under her eyes were gone. Not only that, but her skin was a little less pale and her hair less limp. Her cheeks weren’t quite as gaunt as they’d been the day before. A good night’s sleep and good sex could make the hollows under her eyes go away and maybe lessen her pallor a little, but how could she explain the rest? She rushed out of the bathroom and back into Alec’s bedroom, slamming the door behind her. His head snapped up and he glanced at her. “Is something wrong?” “What did you do to me last night?” A wicked smile spread across his lips. “If you don’t know, I’d be glad to show you again.” “I’m serious, Alec. I look different than I did before I left my apartment to come here.” The smile dropped from his face and his expression turned solemn. He just looked at her for a few seconds before he answered. “Do you feel different?” She started to shake her head, but telling him she didn’t would be a lie. She did feel different. Stronger. Healthier. Whole in a way she couldn’t begin to explain. She slumped against the wall. She swallowed hard and tasted a faint coppery tang in her mouth. “What did you do to me, Alec?” “Nothing more than what was needed to help you heal.”

Thatwas his cure? He could take it and shove it. She wanted no part of drinking blood, even if it would help her get well. “There had to be another solution. Something that didn’t involve making me drink your blood.” Sadness passed across his features, but it was gone within seconds. He stood and started pulling on his jeans. “It was the only thing that would work. Trust me when I say that.” “How can you know that with such certainty?” His hands stilled in the act of buttoning his jeans. “Do you really want the truth?” She swallowed hard. Something in his tone told her she didn’t. “Of course.” “My blood can heal you, because it was my blood that made you sick in the first place.”

Chapter 6

Adriana was going to kill him. Alec saw the fire sparking in her eyes and the way her hand tightened around the sheet as she walked over to him, and he was glad he’d at least managed to put on pants. The heavy fabric would, hopefully, protect his cock from whatever she intended. She stopped in front of him and narrowed her eyes. Her hand came up to his shoulder and she gave him a push. “Explain that last comment before you lose something very near and dear to you.” “My blood is what made you sick,” he repeated. “Or rather, the lack of it.” She blinked, but said nothing. Her hand stayed in front of her, clenched in a fist, and he figured he had another minute before she hit him. He would have laughed, but he’d made her mad enough already. “Your father had been giving it to you in small doses for years. When he died, that obviously stopped.” “That’s not possible.” She moved over to the bed and sat, pulling her knees up to her chest. A desolate look had settled in her eyes, and it made his gut ache. “Why would he do that? And how did he get your blood? Please, please tell me you didn’t consent to this and leave me sick for months. I would never, ever be able to forgive you if that’s what you did.” “Of course I wouldn’t do that. I just found out what had happened a few days ago, when I got the letter he used as a confession.” Alec sneered at the last few words. Frank had been a good friend, but what he’d done had been a cutting betrayal. Alec understood Frank’s reasoning -- after losing his wife to cancer, he wanted to make sure his daughter wouldn’t suffer the same fate. But Frank hadn’t given a thought to the terrible side effects. “As for why, the only answer I can think of is that he wanted to protect you after the way your mother died.” She shook her head. “That’s crazy.”

“Yes, I know it is. But he only wanted to keep you safe.” “And when he died, he wasn’t around to give me your blood anymore, and that’s why I got sick.” Alec nodded. “How did he get your blood in the first place? What did he do, tie you down and stick a needle in your arm?” He let out a bitter laugh. She wasn’t very far off. “Let’s take a walk. I want to show you the grounds. You should really get to know things around here.” A panicked look crossed her face and she shook her head. “No, I don’t think so. I don’t want to be eaten by whatever you have out there. I need some time to think. Alone. Okay?” “Okay,” he said, but he didn’t like it. *** Alec sat in the library, his head back and his eyes closed. He’d left Adriana alone three hours ago. Morning would be here soon. He needed to get to bed, and she had yet to venture out of his bedroom. She had every reason to be angry, and so many things to work through, but he wished she’d hurry up and get on with it. Fatigue was starting to take over and he had no plans to spend the entire day in this chair. “Alec?” At first he thought it was just his overtaxed mind playing tricks on him, but then he opened his eyes and saw Adriana standing in the doorway. He sat up a little straighter when he noticed she wore his black robe. Unbelted. She held it closed at the waist, but it gaped open and bared a generous amount of skin above her hand. He swallowed hard. “Are you feeling better now?” She nodded. “I talked to your friend, Ian, and he explained a few things to me. You didn’t have much choice in this. It’ll take me a while to get used to it all, but thanks. I think.” “I’m sorry.” “Don’t be.” A smile tugged at the corners of her lips. “I’ve been wondering for years what it would take to get you to notice me.” His eyes narrowed. It didn’t feel right for her to be making jokes about what Frank had done to her. The man had ruined her life. “That isn’t funny.” “We all deal with our anger in different ways.” She laughed and walked closer. “Me, I prefer to laugh it off. Of course, there are other ways to deal with it, too. Ones you’d probably appreciate more than laughter.” Damned if he didn’t like the sound of that. He reached for her. “What changed your mind?”

“Ian told me you’ve been obsessing about me. I’ve been obsessing about you, too, but you probably already know that since you’ve been breaking into my fantasies.” She stopped in front of him and leaned forward until her lips nearly touched his. “But you think you can just order me around, and I’m not going to stand for it. After last night, I’m feeling the need for a little payback.” He gulped, but at the same time, his cock went completely hard. “What do you have in mind?” “Put your hands on the arms of the chair, and don’t take them off until I tell you to.” He opened his mouth to argue, but then snapped it closed again. If he argued, she might change her mind about whatever she had planned, and he’d never sleep if he went to bed in this state. He settled his hands on the arms of the chair and waited for her next move. She let the robe drop from her shoulders. It pooled on the floor at her feet, and Alec started to glance down, but she lifted his chin with her hand. “Just sit. Put your head back the way it was when I walked in here. Don’t move.” He let his head drop back and glanced at her. She just smiled, and it set him on edge. It sounded like she’d been talking to Elena as well as Ian. Adriana bent and kissed him hard and fast on the lips. His gut tightened. She really had no idea how strongly she affected him. For too long he’d been waiting to have her. They had a lot of catching up to do. The more time he let her play, the less time he would have for more serious matters. Matters that would bring them both pleasure. Morning would be there soon and getting her under him in bed had just taken top priority. Even sleep could wait a little while. He started to lift his fingers from the chair to pull her close, but she pushed his hands back down. “Stay. I mean it.” He narrowed his eyes. “I’m not an animal.” “No?” She dropped to her knees in front of him. “That wasn’t the impression I got last night.” He let his eyes drift closed. He’d be sleeping right now if she didn’t have him so turned on. He felt her hands at his waistband and soon she had his jeans unzipped. Her hot breath hit his cock. He arched his hips toward her and she rewarded him with a kiss on the head of his cock. A groan rumbled in his chest. His fingers tightened on the chair. She was going to kill him, and he had a feeling she’d enjoy every second. “It’s getting late,” he warned her. “It’s early.” She frowned. “But I guess it’s late for you. What’s the matter? Are you tired or something?” “Yes. I should get to bed.” Even though he said the words, he had no plans to walk out. Not now. If he did, he’d never get any sleep. “Why don’t you come with me?” “I plan to come with you, but not in bed. Here will do just fine.” He blew out a harsh breath. The feather-light strokes of her hands on his skin had him squirming in the

chair. He had to dig his fingers into the chair arms to keep from reaching for her again and prolonging the torture. He opened his eyes just in time to see her pull the belt off his robe. He swallowed hard. “What do you think you’re doing?” Her burst of laughter filled the room. She held the strip of material up in front of him and shook it in her hand. “I haven’t decided yet. Maybe I’ll blindfold you with it. Or tie your hands behind your back to punish you for not holding still.” Either option sounded incredible. He groaned and arched his hips toward her. Whatever Adriana wanted to do would be fine, as long as she didsomething . Soon. “Or maybe I’ll save those ideas for another time.” She winked and brought the tie over to him, dragging the soft fabric across his legs. “I have a better idea for now.” She trailed the tie up to his cock, wrapped it around his length and stroked. Alec hissed out a breath and tightened his grip on the chair even more. Any more of this and he might tear chunks out of the material. “Do you like that?” she asked. Her tone told him she knew he did. He swallowed hard and stared down at her. “You know I do.” Adriana only smiled. Her fingers teased his cock as she continued to stroke him. The tie between her hand and his skin added a delicious friction that had him pumping his hips and begging for more. Too soon, her strokes stopped. He nearly let go of the chair and pulled her on top of him, but she must have seen his intentions in his eyes. She shook her head and unwound the tie. He thought she’d drop it to the ground, but she didn’t. Instead, she looped it around the base of his cock and tightened enough to create a slight pressure. Then she took his cock into her mouth and sucked him deep. He watched as she bobbed her head up and down the length of his cock, her tongue swirling and stroking and driving him mad. The sensations were almost too much to take. He lifted his hand and started to bring it to her head, but her warning glance had him putting it right back on the arm of the chair. The wet heat of her enveloped him, pushed him toward the edge until his balls drew up against his body and his breathing was nothing more than ragged gasps. Her fingers, resting on his thighs, dug into the muscles as she continued to work him with her mouth. Too soon, she released him. If she thought she’d get away with teasing him for hours without providing him some sort of relief, she’d thought wrong. There was only so much he could take and he’d about reached his threshold. No longer caring about keeping his hands on the chair, he grabbed her wrist and pulled her toward him. Before she could protest, he had her on his lap, straddling him. Alec expected an argument, but she just smiled. “What’s the matter? Can’t wait?”

“No. I can’t.” The taunting look in her eyes told him she wasn’t through with him yet. He dropped his head back and groaned. What had he gotten himself into? “You have to.” She rubbed her pussy along the length of his cock. The feel of her wet folds against him without being inside her nearly made him snap. He dipped his head to take a peaked nipple into his mouth, suckling her until she arched against him and moaned. Her fingers threaded through his hair and she ground her pussy harder against him. It felt so good that it took him a second to figure out what she was doing. Once he knew, he pulled his head back and narrowed his eyes. He growled, but still she didn’t stop. Her eyes had closed and her lips were parted, her whole body flushed. No way was he letting this happen. “Stop. Don’t come yet.” “Why not? You’re so much fun to tease and this feels so damned amazing.” He would have laughed, if he’d been able to manage much more than a ragged groan. It did feel amazing, but it would feel even better once he was inside her. “Teasing time is over.” He gripped her hips, lifted his own and impaled her on his cock. The relief was almost immediate, but it was short lived. Soon she started to move and he was caught up in the sensations all over again. She slammed down on him over and over, tiny cries escaping from her lips. Her nails dug into his shoulders and she leaned forward, raking her teeth across his neck. The act was so unexpected that it dragged a moan from him. He couldn’t wait to turn her. Then he’d be able to feel her fangs on his neck. In his neck. Just the idea of it sent a shudder through him. He grasped her hips to hold her closer while he hammered his cock into her. He couldn’t last much longer, but he refused to let go just yet. She was close. She dropped her head back, her lips parted and her eyes closed. Only when he felt her pussy muscles convulsed around him did he let himself give in to his release. He squeezed his eyes shut and held onto Adriana. What felt like an eternity later, but could only have been a matter of minutes, Adriana stirred against him. He stroked her hair and kissed the top of her head. “How are you feeling?” “I have to say I’ve been better.” She let out a laugh, but it was weak. “You really take a lot out of me.” “Remind me to be angry with you later for exerting yourself too much. Now, I think we both need sleep.” She nodded against his shoulder. “Are you going to let me turn you now? If I do, you won’t ever have to feel like this again.” And he wouldn’t have to feel the bone-deep pain seeing her like this brought him.

Adriana sighed. “I still need time, Alec. Just a little longer, okay?” He gritted his teeth, fighting against the urge to take the decision out of her hands. A few centuries ago he would have been well within his rights to do so. “You’ll stay here, at least.” “Yes. I can do that. You’ll just have to learn to live with it for now.” He smiled. He’d take what he could get. For now. It wouldn’t stop him from trying to convince her. The End

Coming Soon Immortal Games: Wicked

Elena has always been wild, but lately her actions border on dangerous. She needs to be tamed, but Ian isn’t the man to do it. He has no interest in a hellcat who eats men for breakfast -- though it kills him to see her with a different man every night. Elena has noticed Ian watching her. She’s been watching him back. He thinks she’s not his type, but she knows differently. He’s stiff and unyielding on the surface -- but she knows underneath his hard exterior, he’s a man begging to be set free. All she has to do is get him to give up his rigid control, and she can take him places he’s never been. It won’t be easy, but she’s willing to do whatever she has to in order to make him hers.

Elisa Adams

Born in Gloucester, Massachusetts, Elisa Adams has lived most of her life on the East Coast. Formerly a nursing assistant and phlebotomist, writing has been a longtime hobby. Now a full time writer, she lives on the New Hampshire border with her three children. Visit Elisa’s website at http://www.elisaadams.com.