Devil's Kitchen

An Ellora’s Cave Romantica Publication

www.ellorascave.com

Devil’s Kitchen ISBN 9781419920349 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Devil’s Kitchen Copyright © 2009 Calista Fox Edited by Briana St. James. Cover art by Syneca. Electronic book Publication January 2009 With the exception of quotes used in reviews, this book may not be reproduced or used in whole or in part by any means existing without written permission from the publisher, Ellora’s Cave Publishing, Inc.® 1056 Home Avenue, Akron OH 44310-3502. Warning: The unauthorized reproduction or distribution of this copyrighted work is illegal. No part of this book may be scanned, uploaded or distributed via the Internet or any other means, electronic or print, without the publisher’s permission. Criminal copyright infringement, including infringement without monetary gain, is investigated by the FBI and is punishable by up to 5 years in federal prison and a fine of $250,000. (http://www.fbi.gov/ipr/). Please purchase only authorized electronic or print editions and do not participate in or encourage the electronic piracy of copyrighted material. Your support of the author’s rights is appreciated. This book is a work of fiction and any resemblance to persons, living or dead, or places, events or locales is purely coincidental. The characters are productions of the author’s imagination and used fictitiously.

DEVIL’S KITCHEN

Calista Fox

Acknowledgements This story was originally written for inclusion in an anthology featuring two of my favorite Ellora’s Cave authors, Cheyenne McCray and Allyson James. Unfortunately, the volume never made it to print. But Devil’s Kitchen found a great home at EC because of my wonderful editor, Bree. Big thanks to her, and to Chey and Allyson for giving me a reason to write it in the first place!

Trademarks Acknowledgement The author acknowledges the trademarked status and trademark owners of the following wordmarks mentioned in this work of fiction: Hummer: General Motors Corporation Monopoly: Hasbro Neiman Marcus: Neiman-Marcus Group, Inc. New York Times: The New York Times Company Rolex: Rolex Watch U.S.A., Inc.

Devil’s Kitchen

Chapter One Roman D’Angelo watched Kristina Hartland rush down a long, marble-floored corridor of her father’s secluded mansion. Her movements were graceful and sleek, despite the obvious urgency in her step, which put Roman’s ultra-sharp senses on high alert. “Oh hell. What are you up to now?” he muttered. From his vantage point in the large, basement-level room that housed a wall of TV monitors and a slew of high-tech security equipment—along with a vault containing his personal arsenal of state-of-the-art weaponry—Roman had a perfect view of his boss’s feisty daughter. Kristina made a sharp right turn at the end of the wide hallway and headed toward the west wing. Roman frowned, knowing her destination. Max Hartland’s office. Roman suddenly knew the trouble she sought. Kristina intended to confront her father regarding the latest predicament Max had manipulated her into. Following her progress, his gaze shifted from one large plasma screen to another as he debated his course of action. The fire in her pale green eyes told of her steely determination. She had a stubborn streak a mile wide, which Roman admired. To an extent. Sometimes, though, she barreled headfirst into conflict. He had no doubt this was one of those times. The way she stalked down the corridor told him she was pissed to high heaven. And when Kristina’s temper flared, she didn’t always think strategically. As she continued to move along at a brisk clip, Roman considered his own tactical plan. He studied her for a few moments, eyeing the length of her, taking in the workout gear she wore. Black shorts hugged her lean hips and showed off long, tanned legs. Her hot pink sports top revealed her tight abdomen and accentuated her full breasts. She 5

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wore weightlifting gloves and sneakers. The gym was located on the lower level, in the east wing. Obviously, she’d just come from there, given her attire, the beads of perspiration on her forehead and her messy ponytail, from which strands of long, chestnut-colored hair had escaped. His gaze moved up her toned body and returned to her beautiful face, so delicately sculpted it damn near stole his breath every time he looked at her. She could blindside the most dedicated bodyguard with her alluring sexuality and natural beauty. Even one who’d had seven years in which to build up his tolerance level. Despite Roman’s intense desire for her, his job was to protect her. That should mean resisting the temptation she presented—the promise of sexual satisfaction she so often offered him with nothing more than a conspiratorial wink and an inviting smile. But Roman was too enthralled with her to not step over the fine line drawn between bodyguard and client—or client’s daughter, as it were. Hell, most of the time she purposely pushed him over that line, teasing his senses with her soft, erotic whispers and her luscious body. And all of the memories he’d racked up of hot, sexy nights with her lying naked beneath him, those long legs wrapped around his waist as he thrust deeper into her wet pussy while her hands clawed at him and breathy little moans escaped her parted lips. And speaking of those lips… Christ. Roman couldn’t look at them and not think about how incredible it felt to have her mouth on his hard cock, sucking him deep. Letting out a tight groan, he forced his attention back to the problem at hand. Kristina’s quick stride grew more purposeful. Concern flared within him. Now was not the time for her to go off half-cocked. Roman had to do something to help her. He’d do anything to protect her. Not just from bodily harm but from self-destruction. He slipped from his chair, knowing he had a confrontation to divert, and left the Control Room. Taking the elevator two levels up, then moving stealthily along the west wing, he headed in her direction, putting them on a collision course. 6

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He hoped like hell to intercept her before it was too late. Before all hell broke loose. Before he could no longer save her…

***** Kristina marched toward her father’s study, her anger mounting with every step that carried her that much closer to Maxwell Hartland. With her jaw set and her fists clenched at her sides, she stewed over her latest predicament—and how she planned to handle it. No backing down this time. She made the vow to herself, promising she’d finally take a stand. Demand to be treated like a daughter, not a signing bonus in a high-stakes game of real-life Monopoly. She’d insist her father stop using her to amass an even greater fortune—money they didn’t even need! As she thought of the pawn she’d played in his corporate games, the fury built. He’d gone too far this time and she wasn’t going to let him bulldoze her the way he always did. Too much was at stake. Her entire life, to be exact. Her freedom even! Limited though it was… Yet another issue for another day. At the moment, she remained focused on the most detrimental move her father had ever made involving her. His recent declaration that she ought to consider marriage had come just two weeks ago. No problem, Kristina had thought. She was actually amenable to discussing a wedding. In fact, she already had her heart set on a groom, regardless of how much her father would protest her choice. Kristina had dreamed of becoming Mrs. Roman D’Angelo seven years ago when he’d moved into the mansion to protect her. Unfortunately, her fantasy had been shot to shit this morning when she’d perused the New York Times and found a photo of her and 7

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the spineless, witless Seth Corbett III on the society page. It’d been a candid photo taken at a fundraiser they’d both attended, though not together. They’d merely been at the same table at the same time, bidding on a silent auction item. She’d easily talked him out of competing against her, despite his extreme interest in acquiring the item. Just more evidence that her childhood pest was no match—and certainly not man enough— for her. Kristina preferred a stronger constitution, a little backbone. Seth had neither. She didn’t want a push-over. She wanted a man who would engage in witty banter with her, stimulate her mentally as well as physically. And stand up to her when she tried to push the limits. So when she’d seen the photo of them in the paper, her blood pressure had shot right through the roof. When she’d scanned the article and learned she was now engaged to the Witless Wonder—engaged!—her anxiety had quickly morphed into anger. The very thought of marrying her childhood nemesis sent her into a fit of rage she could no longer contain. An arranged marriage. That was what her father had concocted. He’d resurrected a medieval tradition for the sake of saving a flailing business deal. Well, she wasn’t leverage. She wasn’t an alternate stock option. Her father would have to find some other way to pull off his gazillion-dollar merger because Kristina refused to be used in such a way. She’d sucked up to enough of his business associates in the past—hosting dozens of parties and pretending that every CEO or chairman of the board she met was the most fascinating, most brilliant man she’d ever conversed with because it helped to “soften the deal”, as her father put it. Kristina didn’t like being manipulated for the sake of a profit. It was morally unscrupulous. Not to mention demeaning and undignified. She’d let her father get away with this in the past, but she was twenty-five years old now. It was time to stand up for herself. 8

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Granted, it might behoove her to wait until she was less hot-tempered, but her attempt to cool down by taking out her frustration on a circuit of weight-lifting machines, a boxing bag and her jujutsu instructor had proven futile. She’d only grown more agitated because she wasn’t confronting the source of her consternation. Kristina had to deal with her father before he left for New York tonight. Before he sealed the deal with the Corbetts. Before he hammered the last nail into her coffin. No one would stop her this time. No one would talk her out of challenging her father. Not even Roman. Her eyes snapped up when she heard his heavy footsteps farther down the hall, as though she’d conquered him with thoughts alone. He moved stealthily toward her, his stride as determined as her own. “Uh-huh,” she said, shaking her head as she glared at her bodyguard. They split the distance between the entrance to her father’s study—Roman on one side, she on the other. “Don’t even try to stop me.” He narrowed his blue eyes as they locked with hers. “Now’s not the time for this.” “Now’s the perfect time for this.” She quickened her pace and her heart rate sped up too. “Confronting him when you’re this angry won’t solve your problem.” “I’m low on options and patience,” she warned, “so just stay out of this.” Roman’s strong gait was much too wide to match, even in her agitated state. The urge to hit a dead run rose within her, but Roman was so much faster than her. She’d never make it to the door of her father’s study in time. But she wouldn’t give up. Maybe she could duck past him, somehow elude him. It was a ridiculous notion, but that was how desperate she felt. “Don’t try to stop me,” she repeated.

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His jaw clenched. They were almost at the entrance. Kristina rushed toward the door, but before she even had a chance to try to dodge Roman, to somehow skirt him as she went for the doorknob, his powerful arm snaked around her waist and he hoisted her off the ground. While still walking… “Ugh!” she gasped, the wind instantly sapped from her sails. He practically carried her like a football, her backside pressed against his side. The man was built like a brick wall, so it was pointless to struggle or try to free herself. Yet the steel cage that was his arm wouldn’t keep her from arguing with him. She’d made up her mind this morning that she would no longer concede—to anyone—without putting up one hell of a fight. “Let go of me, you heathen.” “Not a chance in hell.” Said heathen continued to march down the corridor, not breaking his stride. “Damn it, Roman. You’re going the wrong way!” she cried out. “Actually, sweetheart, I’m not. In fact, you should be thanking me right about now for saving your tight little ass.” “Thank you? Seriously?” Her fingers clutched his as he kept a firm grip on her waist. Her feet dangled inches above the marble floor, but even stretching as much as she could wouldn’t help her to plant her sneakers on the tile so she could slow Roman down. She suddenly wished she preferred weaklings to men of Roman’s physical stature and mental strength. “You have no idea what you’re doing,” she told him. “You’re only making the situation worse for me, Roman!” “You’re being melodramatic,” he said in a dry tone. “And you know how that annoys me.” “Oh fuck you,” she bit back.

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“Not a bad idea.” Kristina ignored the invitation. As she continued to struggle against that powerful arm that was wrapped around her, she said, “Jesus, Roman. Why not just club me over the head and drag me back to your cave by the hair?” “I would if I could, sweetheart.” Annoyed by his flippancy, she said once again, “You have no idea what you’re doing. I have to see my father before he leaves for New York. It’s extremely important. Please, please put me down!” But he didn’t. Instead, he stepped into the elevator that led to his private quarters on the lower level of her father’s mansion. The entire basement was off limits to everyone but Roman and his team of security guards, who were supposed to be there for hers and her father’s safety. And yet here was Roman, essentially kidnapping her! “I can have you fired for this.” “Yeah, I see that happening.” “This is not what my father had in mind when he hired you.” “Neither was having his pretty little daughter seduce her bodyguard and yet…” “Oh right,” she smirked “Like anyone could seduce you.” He chuckled. “Point taken.” “Really, Roman,” she argued. “I have to see my father before he leaves town.” “And I have to teach you the subtle art of persuasion.” She let out a sharp laugh. “This is subtle persuasion?” The elevator doors slid open and he carried her down the corridor to his apartment and opened the door with his free hand. Entering the room, he kicked the door shut behind him and then set Kristina on her feet. Whirling around, she raised her fists and extended one arm to punch him in the face, thinking he deserved it.

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But, as she knew would be the case, Roman moved quickly. His large hand closed around hers before it even divided the space between them. With a flick of his wrist, he had her spun around, with her arm pinned behind her back. “Damn it,” she said. Even her martial arts expertise wasn’t enough to combat him. “You’re good, sweetheart. But not as good as me.” Roman’s other arm eased around her waist and he held her tightly to him. His head bent to hers and he spoke in a low tone that was meant to placate her and simmer her fiery temper. “Done fighting me?” “You’re seriously asking me that?” He chuckled. “So I need to tie you up?” “I’d like to see you try.” His hard, muscular body all but curled around hers. She felt his erection against her hip and it did a wicked number on her insides, knowing how quickly she aroused him. “I could cuff you to the bed,” he whispered in her ear, his warm breath teasing the shell. “And torture you slowly.” “Yeah, but I’d enjoy every second of it, so what kind of punishment would that be?” His teeth nipped her bare earlobe, sending shivers of excitement down her spine. “You’re right.” He released her. Kristina stepped away from him. She removed her weightlifting gloves from her hands and dropped them on the coffee table. Then she stretched her arms above her head for a few moments before shaking out her wrists. “You could be a bit gentler when you accost me.” “You could stop giving me reasons to accost you.” “Oh that.” She let out a low sigh. Her anger had cooled, to be replaced by entirely different emotions. Roman had that effect on her. It generally took nothing more than a whisper in her ear or a wink of his beautiful blue eyes and she instantly forgot her

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irritation with her father. She forgot the dire situation she’d found herself in with Seth Corbett. Hell, Roman could make her forget her own name when he looked at her the way he was doing now, with a mixture of awareness and invitation flashing in his seductive gaze. Silently reminding her of all the nights they’d spent together and all the sinful things he’d done to her body. She could be pissed at him for interfering with her plan to confront her father, but five seconds alone with Roman D’Angelo had her blood boiling and her nipples tightening. She shook her head over her lack of control or willpower where he was concerned. Her gaze swept through his vast living room and landed on the door to Roman’s bedroom. The idea of a large four-poster bed being concealed within gave her some very interesting thoughts. And he had mentioned handcuffs… The pad of one finger tapped her glossy lips as she considered what Roman’s bedroom might look like. And what it’d be like to finally make love in there—a place that was fully secluded, where they didn’t have to worry about the risk of someone finding them together. Oh the trouble they could get into! A tremor of delight chased up her spine as she contemplated the possibilities. Roman didn’t have a hint of inhibition in his six-foot-two-inch, muscular body. Whatever whim overcame him, sexually, he acted upon. Just thinking about the ways in which he’d pleasured her made Kristina wet. Being alone in his private apartment gave them the best opportunity they’d ever had to explore all their darkest desires… Turning to facing him, she knew a wicked smile played on her lips as she said, “You’re planning on distracting me until my father leaves for his trip, aren’t you? So I can’t talk to him?” “May as well make yourself comfortable, sweetheart. You’re not going anywhere until he’s gone.” Roman strode toward the wet bar. After pouring two glasses of Scotch, 13

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he returned to her and handed Kristina one intricately cut crystal highball. Consulting the Rolex on his left wrist, he said, “Your father’s car doesn’t leave for another twenty minutes.” Kristina took a sip of her cocktail, then eyed Roman over the rim of the glass. He was devilishly handsome. More gorgeous than any man she’d ever known—especially when dressed in an Armani suit, as he was now. He was tall and powerful, with dark brown hair and piercing blue eyes. His chiseled cheekbones and squared jaw told of his determination and virility. The man never took no for an answer. Nor did he ever let anything stand in his way. Roman could not be bribed with money or sex. Even Kristina couldn’t sway him— with words or her body—when he had his mind set on something. Just one of the reasons why he was such an asset to her father. While Roman D’Angelo was in charge of security, it would take one hell of a mastermind to infiltrate Max Hartland’s sanctuary, hidden away in the beautiful red rock canyons of Sedona, Arizona. Admittedly, Kristina had felt infinitely safer over the years because of him. “So,” she said in a coy voice, her irritation over his diversionary tactic vanishing with thoughts of a night alone in the mansion with Roman without having to worry about her father discovering them. “Here I am in your private quarters. Whatever are you going to do with me?” Roman’s gaze swept over her from head to toe. Desire lit his beautiful blue eyes. “I have a few ideas on how to keep you occupied.” “I like the sound of that,” she said as she sank into the black leather sofa. She rested her feet on the glass coffee table in front of her, crossing them at the ankles. “But I bet you want me to tell you why I’m so angry with my father first.” Roman propped a hip against the chair adjacent to her and crossed his arms over his wide chest. “I know you’re engaged.”

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This caught Kristina by surprise. Ripped the rug from underneath her, actually. Her feet slipped from the table. She stared at him, incredulous. “And what? You’re just going to sit back and let my father marry me off?” “What, exactly, do you expect me to do about it, Kristina?” Her mouth gaped. She was taken aback—no, cut to the quick!—by his blasé attitude. Kristina had thought that once he’d heard what her father was up to, Roman would take a stand alongside her. She’d honestly believed he’d be as enraged as she was that her father was orchestrating a wedding—giving her away to another man. Against her will, no less! Never in a million years had she expected Roman to be so cavalier about her precarious predicament. Ignoring the sting of his nonchalance for the moment, she said, “You can talk my father out of this.” “I don’t get involved in his business transactions.” “But it’s okay for him to pull me into them?” Her anger returned in a flash. “He’s using me, Roman. He knows Seth has wanted to marry me since we were kids, and now he sees the perfect opportunity to get what he wants by handing me over to the Corbetts. Seth gets his bride and my father gets his merger. And you’re just going to let it happen?” “Kristina…” He let out a long breath. His jaw tightened, but she couldn’t tell if he was frustrated with the situation or with her—for fighting it. Disappointment, mingling with something dangerously akin to heartbreak, inched through her. “Please don’t tell me you’ll do nothing to stop this,” she said, desperation resonating in her ears. Roman’s dark eyes remained fixed on her. But he didn’t say a word. His silence delivered an answer she didn’t want.

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She set her glass on the coffee table, then stood. Kristina stalked toward the door. Roman moved to block her, but she held up her hand. “Don’t strain yourself. I’m not going to confront my father. I’m going to pack. I still have ten minutes left.” “To do what?” he asked. “To leave with him.” She glanced over her shoulder at Roman and added, “Clearly I have no reason to stay here. At least in New York there’s someone interested in being with me. Someone who actually loves me enough to do anything to have me.” Even if I can’t stand him. She marched to the door, fighting the irrational feelings that welled within her. Roman didn’t care that she was marrying Seth. He didn’t care that she’d never kiss him or make love with him again. They were over. Maybe they’d never started. Maybe it had just been sex between them. The thought wrenched her heart. It had felt like so much more. As her fingers wrapped around the door handle, she silently willed Roman to change their fate. To stop her from leaving. To tell her he was just being his usual stubborn self and that, of course, he’d help her. She prayed he’d tell her he wanted her to stay. To be his. But he said nothing and his indifference tore her apart. She gave the door handle a hard yank, just as the tears crested the rims of her eyes and spilled over. Goddamn it! What a fool she’d been to believe she meant more to him than a casual fuck. And yet…it had never seemed that meaningless between them. That empty. The passionate moments they’d shared were more real to Kristina than anything she’d experienced in her life. 16

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How could Roman not feel the same way? She jerked the door open and stepped under the frame. But before she’d even cleared the threshold, that powerful arm was around her waist once more, and in the next moment, Roman was hauling her up against his hard body again. “Not so fast, slick.” His deep, intimate voice filled her ear. “I never actually said I was giving you up.”

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Chapter Two Roman carted her into his apartment and closed the door behind him. He crowded her so her back was pressed against the wood. Wrapping an arm around her waist, he leaned into her and said, “Okay, you called my bluff.” Kristina stared up at him, her eyes wide and questioning, the fat drops still sliding down her pink-stained cheeks. Roman weakened a bit more. With his free hand, he swiped away a tear. “I can take the tough-chick act, but you know tears do me in.” She sniffled loudly. “You asshole,” she said as she pounded a fist on his chest. Just once. “Don’t ever do that again.” His jaw clenched. Roman knew it would be best to let her walk away. The last thing he needed was to draw suspicion his way. If Hartland ever found out Roman was doing his pretty little daughter—his only child, no less—Roman would be fired on the spot. But there was so much more at stake than that. If anyone—including Hartland or Kristina—ever discovered Roman’s darkest secret, not only would it be the end of the line for him but Kristina would find herself in grave danger. If anyone ever learned that Roman was a vampire—if the coven he’d defected from ever discovered his location—life as he knew it would be over. And there’d be no one capable of protecting Kristina. From her father, from herself, from the outside forces that wanted to hold her for ransom. The threats against her life were plentiful. She’d already been abducted twice in her twenty-five years before he’d come onboard. Hell, her mother had been murdered in broad daylight in a public parking lot. Roman feared what would become of Kristina if he weren’t around to keep an eye on her. To keep her safe.

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And protecting Kristina meant more to him than his own eternity, so he was determined to keep all his secrets under wraps. Keep them from her as well. But letting her slip through his fingers was too unbearable to even consider. Roman knew he had to tread lightly, be careful about their affair. Otherwise… He hated to think of the consequences. “You had me going there.” Her quiet voice penetrated his dark thoughts. “I thought you were going to let me go.” “I should. I want to.” He looked deep into her nearly translucent green eyes and said, “But I can’t.” Her shoulders relaxed visibly and the tears stopped. Roman’s gut unclenched a bit. “Nothing has turned out the way I’d anticipated, Kristina. But one thing is certain. I won’t just hand you over to Seth Corbett.” She swallowed hard. “Does that mean…?” “That means,” he said, forcing a little indifference back into his voice, “that I have a job to do. And I’m going to do it. I don’t think you’ll be safe in New York, so I’m not going to let you go.” The corners of her tempting mouth quivered. She could see right through him. “Oh. I get it. It’s not safe for me there. That’s your concern?” “Yeah.” He cleared his throat. “That’s right.” He tried to step away from her, but her fingers curled around the lapels of his jacket and she tugged heartily, bringing him right back to her. “Don’t screw with me,” she said, giving him that challenging look that always made him proud of how strong she could be—when she needed to. “Clearly, we’ve crossed a line here.” Roman grinned at her, despite the warning signals that still echoed in his head. He’d always liked Kristina’s nerve. Her ballsy attitude. “Either you want me or you don’t,” she added.

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“You already know the answer to that.” Although, quite frankly, they hadn’t crossed the line. And Roman was just controlled and disciplined enough to keep that from happening. Falling in love was taboo, to be sure. Revealing his true nature to her was even more detrimental. Changing the subject, he said, “You’re too hot-headed for your own good sometimes.” She gave a slight nod. “Maybe.” Then she stretched up on her toes and pressed her mouth to his. Roman was a goner. A sane man would carefully extract himself from this dangerous situation, but not Roman. He either thrived on danger or Kristina Hartland was just too damn irresistible. Perhaps it was a little of both that made him respond to her rather than push her away. His arms eased around her small waist and he crushed her lithe body to his, holding her tightly as his tongue slipped past her parted lips and delved deep. Accepting the erotic invitation she issued. Kristina melted in his arms. He felt her go boneless and limp under his kiss. A soft moan lodged in her throat. Her earlier tears had simmered his raging desire for her and had left him feeling a bit off-kilter. A bit tight-chested and tender-hearted. But now that her gorgeous body was pressed against the length of him, Roman grew hard in an instant. He never could keep his cock in line when it came to this woman. Her fingers still clutched his jacket and she worked just a little bit out of his embrace so that she could push the material off his broad shoulders. Roman did not want to relinquish his hold on her, but the prospect of getting naked with Kristina was too enticing to pass up. He released her and let her drag the jacket down his arms. She then went to work on his tie and the long line of buttons on his white dress shirt. When she’d discarded those items, her arms wrapped around his neck and she pressed her firm breasts against his chest. Her tight nipples poked through the material of her sports bra, but that wasn’t enough for Roman. He wanted to feel her skin on his.

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Gripping the hem of her top, he hauled the garment over her head and tossed it behind him. His hands cupped her full, bare breasts. Roman pushed her back against the door and kissed her again as his palms and fingers teased her nipples even tighter. His hunger for her grew. She sparked it so easily, and when he touched her, it intensified to a near-unbearable degree. The demon inside him stirred, wanting desperately to be freed. But as always, Roman held it back. He’d learned long ago how to control his vampire nature and urges, though Kristina tested his restraint more than any other woman ever had in the centuries he’d existed. She was beautiful and strong. And even though her temper got the best of her more often than not, he admired her gusto and her self-respect. She was smart, confident and prideful. Not to mention sexy as hell. She stimulated Roman on every level. Breaking the kiss, he said, “I didn’t mean to make you cry.” “I know,” she said in a voice tinged with desire and the kind of emotion he tried to not think about. Dwell on. Because it was so very, very dangerous to think that Kristina might love him. That he might love her too. His lips slid along her damp skin, tasting the heat and salt from her earlier workout as he kissed the long column of her neck. The steady pulse that beat at the base of her throat called to him like a beacon. But he resisted the urge that rose within him. He would only take what she offered. “I forgive you,” she added, “but only if you promise to never do it again.” His head lifted. He stared deep into her eyes and said, “You know I’d never intentionally hurt you.” “I’ve always trusted you.” Her chest rose and fell with her heavy breathing, her obvious desire for him. But the serious look on her face told him they weren’t through with their conversation. “It’s different this time, Roman. My father has spun a web I don’t know how to get out of. You’re the only one who can help me.” Her hands eased up his arms, over his flexed biceps, then across his bunched shoulders. Sweeping her palms downward, she stroked his flesh, her fingers trailing 21

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over his pectorals, her manicured nails grazing his nipples and making him groan from the fire that roared through his body. She’d always joked that she couldn’t sway him with sex, that she couldn’t convince him to take up one of her plights by seducing him. She was wrong. She was the only woman with the power to make him do things that weren’t necessarily smart or healthy to his career or well-being. But Kristina didn’t know the power she held over him. She didn’t know that the mere thought of her belonging to another man drove him to the brink of insanity. And the thought of Seth touching her…it damn near killed Roman. And made him want to kill Seth. Yet another reason why he ought to maintain his distance. Stay out of this sticky situation. But it was too late for that, wasn’t it? By keeping her here, by reining her in when he should have let her go, he’d sealed his fate. And maybe hers too. Where they’d go from here, though, he couldn’t say. All he knew was that the whole situation had ballooned and he only hoped that balloon wouldn’t burst. Because now that her hands were on him, he couldn’t turn back. He couldn’t push her away. He had to have her. And that meant he’d give in to her bidding. Whatever she wanted. Whatever she asked of him. His eyelids grew heavy as he took in the sight of her, half-dressed. His cock throbbed and pushed against the fly of his dress pants. The urge to bury himself deep inside her gripped him so fiercely, it took his breath away. “Help me,” she whispered as her fingers brushed his abdomen, then toyed with the fastening on his belt.

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Roman knew he was over a barrel. He was breaking all the rules he’d carefully outlined for himself when he’d started this job seven years ago. He was letting her tear down every wall he’d skillfully erected. She was slipping deeper into his heart than he’d ever intended, taking up much more space than was healthy. And yet… The idea of sealing their fate, of saying out loud that he wouldn’t allow her to slip away… It was so appealing, so liberating. He felt overwhelmed with the need to reassure her. To solidify their future together. Her body melded to his again and her warm breath teased his skin as her lips grazed his flesh. Her small tongue flicked his nipple as her fingers worked his belt loose. She lifted her head and stared up at him, her eyes sparkling with life and love. “Save me, Roman.” His hand plunged into her loosely bound hair just seconds before he bent his head and crushed his mouth to hers. Pushing his tongue deep inside, tangling it with hers, he knew he conveyed his deep desire for her. Kristina slid her arms around his waist and held him tightly. He would do as she asked. Roman would use his psi powers to sway Max Hartland. He would invade Hartland’s mind and convince him that marrying off his daughter was a bad idea. Breaking their kiss, he let out a low growl of frustration and need. Then uttered one simple word. “Yes.” Surprise registered on Kristina’s beautiful face for just a moment, before she smiled sweetly at him. “You do care.” Christ, he was digging a huge hole for himself tonight. “Yeah, I do.” And then he kissed her again. Partly to shut them both up before they got in any deeper with each other and partly because he couldn’t stand another minute without being inside her. One hand gripped her thigh and hoisted it up to his waist. His fingers slid down to her shoe, which he pushed off her foot, followed by her sock. Her leg dropped to the 23

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floor. She offered him the other one and he quickly bared her foot. Cupping her ass, he lifted her up until her legs were wrapped around his waist. He carried her to the sofa. When his knee sank into the cushion, he eased her down until she was sprawled before him. Roman’s passion roared within him. His fingers curled around the waistband of her tight shorts and he dragged the sparse material, along with her thong panties, off her body. Lying naked before him was exactly how he wanted her. A low groan lodged in his throat as he settled between her parted legs. His large hands splayed along her inner thighs, opening her legs wider for him. Kristina’s eyes glowed with fire. She caught her lower lip between her teeth and gave him a look of anticipation. Her body trembled as she watched him watch her. His eyes devoured her the way his mouth would in a matter of minutes. His gaze swept over her, from her pretty face to her enticing breasts to her flat belly. Lower still until his eyes feasted on her nearly bare mound and the small pink lips that were already swollen with her desire. Roman’s mouth practically watered. His groin tightened to an almost excruciating degree. One hand moved to Kristina’s hip, the other reached up and cupped her breast. His thumb whisked over the hard nipple, eliciting a small cry from her. Then his palm eased into the valley between her breasts and his fingers dragged along her quivering flesh as he inched downward to the mound awaiting his touch. The plump lips glistened, telling of her arousal. “So pretty and pink and perfect,” he muttered, mesmerized by the sight before him. She grinned. “You’re amusing.” “I’m entranced.” “It’s not like you haven’t seen my pink parts before.” “I know,” he said on a lustful sigh. “Either every inch of you is getting more beautiful as you age or…”

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“Considering I’m only twenty-five, I don’t think it’s age that’s improving the visual.” She wagged a brow at him suggestively. “Yeah, you’re probably right.” Which meant Roman was falling in love with her. But that was a sentiment best kept to himself. His fingers grazed her dewy flesh and toyed with her swollen clit until her eyes closed and a soft sigh escaped her lips. Then one long finger penetrated the small opening and eased into her tight pussy. Kristina’s hands went to her breasts and she squeezed them gently and teased the nipples as he pumped his finger in and out of her. “Oh yes,” she whispered. Her back arched and she writhed on the leather couch, responding to his touch. The hand on her hip moved so that Roman could cover her mound and rub her clit with his thumb while he used two fingers now to plunge deep inside her. Kristina’s hips lifted off the sofa and gyrated in rhythm with his hands. “Roman,” she said on a sharp breath. Her head thrashed from side to side on the pillow and her hands continued to caress her breasts and pluck at the nipples as he drove her closer and closer to completion. When her body began to tense and then quiver, he knew she’d come soon. Watching her creep toward the pinnacle of pleasure heightened Roman’s arousal. He’d done this to her last night and the night before that. And yet every time with Kristina was like the first time. No matter what he did to her, no matter how many times he did it, she responded so vehemently, so passionately, to his touch. Her breath came in soft little pants that echoed in his ears and mingled with the sound of her thundering heart, which seemed to beat inside him as strongly as it did her. Roman’s acute senses made it possible for him to feel the vibrations deep within Kristina. He could practically feel the blood pumping through her veins and the nerve endings dancing and sizzling. She let out a deep moan as he pushed her to the edge. When he bent his head to her and his tongue replaced his thumb on her clit, she cried out. Roman’s cock swelled, 25

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causing pain to rocket through every inch of him. He paid it no mind. Pleasuring Kristina was all he could think about right now. All that mattered to him. “Oh God,” she groaned. The fingers of one hand slid through his hair, twisting in the strands, holding his head in place. “I’m so close, Roman. But…not yet.” She was breathless and clinging to the erotic sensations Roman incited, obviously unwilling to give them up. He didn’t mind her hanging on. Roman wanted her hotter, wetter. More aroused. He drew her swollen clit into his mouth, sucking hard on it. “Oh yes!” He felt her entire being shudder violently. She cried out as her orgasm rocked her body. Roman did not back off. He continued to stroke her pussy as she came, prolonging her climax. Her fingers tightened in his hair and she mumbled incoherently. But even as the quivering sensations began to ebb, Roman stayed where he was. His fingers stopped pumping in and out of her. Instead, he just filled her with them, pushing a bit deeper as his tongue flattened against her clit, the tip occasionally teasing the sensitive spot. His movements were slow and languid. Within seconds, he felt the shattering inside her again, deep in her core. “Roman. Oh God, that’s so good. So unbelievably good.” She moaned deep in her throat as her inner walls clenched his fingers It took all the willpower Roman possessed not to unzip his pants and slide his hard cock into her. She was tight and wet. And he ached for her. “Don’t stop,” she whispered. “Dear God, please don’t stop.” Her body continued to tremble and he lazily swirled his tongue over and around her clit. “So good,” she repeated on a sharp breath. Her grip on him loosened and her eyes opened. She crooked a finger at him. “The only thing better than this is to have you inside me.”

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“Now we’re talking.” He reached for the button on the waist of his pants. Kristina sat up and her fingers deftly finished the job, sliding the zipper down its track and then pushing his pants and briefs over his hips. Roman held his grin in check. There was something very sexy and alluring about her impatience. He eased off the sofa just long enough to discard his clothes and boots. Then he was between her legs again, exactly where he longed to be. Kristina reached for him, pulling him to her. Her legs wrapped around his hips. It was an intimate embrace. A familiar one. He settled against her, his body pressing to hers. The feel of her warm, silky skin made him groan. But it was her slick folds against his erect shaft that made him shudder with pleasure. The tip of his cock pressed against her opening for just a moment before he thrust inside, burying himself in her warm, wet depths. “Christ,” he groaned. Being inside Kristina was more incredible than anything he’d ever known. Even the experience of drinking human blood straight from the source—something he hadn’t done in over a century—couldn’t compare to this. She was more arousing, more intoxicating than anything he’d ever known. All the more reason to keep his wits about him. Yet that seemed impossible. A passion-induced fog filled his head. He felt drugged, lightheaded. In need of blood, but he wouldn’t feed off her. He refused to without her consent. Which would never come, because he would never reveal his true self to her. “Roman,” she whispered as her hips lifted so she could grind against him. “Fuck me.” He let out a primal growl. His hands clasped hers and he raised her arms over her head. His fingers twined with hers and he said, “Hold on, baby.” His cock pumped in and out of her, over and over again.

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Kristina met him thrust for thrust. Her sharp, breathy moans told of her heightened arousal. Her legs pressed against his hips, holding him in place, and her inner walls clutched him tightly, revealing all that he needed to know. She liked it hard and fast. “That’s it,” he whispered. “Squeeze me tight, sweetheart.” His head dipped and he took one taut nipple in his mouth. She ground her hips against him, clenching his cock deep inside her slick pussy. “Harder,” she demanded. Roman pushed farther into her, burying himself to the hilt and making Kristina moan and writhe beneath him. “Oh God, yes,” she whispered. “Just like that.” He pumped in and out of her, his pace quick and relentless. Her response to him, her erotic words of encouragement, spurred him on. His lips slid along her throat, tasting her skin. His fangs threatened to protrude, so desperately did he want to sink his teeth into her neck. To fill himself with her very essence. But he held himself in check, difficult though it was. Kristina drove him absolutely wild. “You feel incredible,” she said on a sharp breath. Her fingers, still laced with his above her head, tensed as she squeezed his hands. Roman could feel the quivering inside her, the start of her orgasm. “You want more, don’t you, baby?” “Oh hell yes.” When Roman plunged deep, Kristina cried out. Her inner walls contracted around his cock, squeezing him even tighter, and nearly sending Roman over the edge with her. As he rocked against her, stroking her wet depths with short, quick movements, her body continued to tremble all around him. “You are so amazing,” she said in a breathless voice.

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When the trembling turned back to slight quivers, Roman continued to fuck her. His hands released hers so he could touch her. He cupped her breast, then whisked the pad of his thumb over the hard nipple, making her gasp. “God, Roman. You are so good.” Her lips grazed his temple as her fingers dug into his biceps. Roman closed his eyes and gave himself over to the sensations intensifying within him with every thrust of his cock. “Come with me, Roman. Come inside me. I want all of you.” Her acceptance of him was bittersweet and yet he clung to it. Maybe she didn’t know the real Roman D’Angelo, didn’t know that her lover was a vampire. But he could feel her love for him. She’d never said the words, but he sensed her emotions, saw the intense feelings in her pale green eyes. “Roman,” she urged. Her body tensed beneath him and he knew she was damn close. He plunged deeper into her and she screamed in ecstasy, which triggered Roman’s climax. His body vibrated and convulsed as he emptied himself into her. He growled low and deep, fighting the overwhelming desire to bite her. What this woman did to him was mind-blowing. He savored every moment of the explosive sensations that consumed him, reveled in the way she clung to him, her tight pussy milking him as she came with him. Endless minutes slid by. Neither of them moved. Her soft pants filled his ears and he could feel her heart pound in her chest. It was a beautiful sensation, knowing how alive and vital she was. Knowing that for now, for this moment, she belonged to him.

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Chapter Three Kristina’s arms slipped around his neck and she held him close to her. She loved the feel of Roman’s smooth skin and hard muscles pressed against her. She loved having his weight on her. Her legs remained wrapped around his waist as she kept him in her tight, intimate embrace. “Every time with you is better than the last,” she said, a hint of wonderment ringing in her ears. “I keep thinking it can’t get any better and then it does.” This was bliss. This was heaven on earth. Being this close to Roman, being loved by him—even if it was only in the physical sense—was the most amazing thing she’d ever experienced. He filled her heart with joy, even if he did push her to the edge of sanity more often than not. She knew he was only looking out for her best interests. Protecting her. Not just because it was his job, but because he cared about her. Smiling at him, she said in a teasing voice, “You’re one hell of a fuck.” Roman laughed. The sound was deep and rich and it seeped inside her, warming her heart further. “You inspire me.” Little pinpricks of excitement danced along her skin. “I’ll be sure to keep that up.” Before Roman could respond, the phone rang. One long arm shot out and swiped the cordless receiver from the corner of the coffee table. “Yeah?” he said in a lazy tone, obviously still in an afterglow haze. Kristina’s fingers whisked through his silky hair as he listened to whoever was on the other end of the line. Moments later, he hit the off button on the phone and tossed it back onto the table.

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“Your father’s plane just took off. Mitchell and O’Dell are with him. They’ll make sure he arrives safely in New York.” Roman disentangled himself from her and shifted on the sofa. She let out a little whimper of protest when his cock withdrew from her, but he situated himself on the opposite end of the couch and pulled her toward him until she was on top of him, snuggled close. Her head rested on his hard chest, her fingers absently toying with one nipple. “I’m glad he has such efficient security,” she said. As irritated as she was with him, Kristina loved her father. He was the only family she had left and she was therefore concerned about his well-being. She just didn’t understand—nor could she relate to—the overbearing, greedy man he’d become. She missed the man he used to be. She missed the father he’d once been. “He’s got a lot at risk,” Roman said in a low voice. Her head lifted and she stared up at him. “I don’t understand his insatiable desire to conquer the world. When will it ever be enough? He’s got more money than God— more than he’d ever need in ten lifetimes. Yet…he wants more.” Roman shook his head. “I can’t answer that, sweetheart.” Her head dropped back to his chest, her cheek pressing against his warm skin. “When my mother was murdered sixteen years ago, he buried himself in his work. I can understand his need to focus on something other than his heartbreak and loss, but damn it. He’s so hell-bent on sealing the next big deal that he doesn’t give a second thought to who he hurts in the process. Or what kind of damage he leaves in his wake.” Roman’s arm draped over her shoulders and his fingers grazed her bare arm, stroking it tenderly. “I know it’s bad between the two of you right now. But you’ve got to approach the situation more strategically, Kristina. Going off half-cocked isn’t going to help your plight.”

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“I know, it’s just… Things are getting worse, Roman. And if I don’t do something about it soon, I’m going to end up married to Seth Corbett.” His muscles tensed all around her. “Over my dead body.” “Well,” she said, trying to keep the hint of triumph from her voice. “It sure took me holding a gun to your head to admit it.” “It’s not smart for me to get involved. You know that.” “It’s not smart for you to be screwing me either, yet…” He chuckled. “Consider it a compliment. You’re damn irresistible.” She dropped a kiss on his chest for his honesty. “So what am I supposed to do? Sit around and let him manipulate me as he plots my future?” Kristina sat up as her frustration sparked once again. Straddling Roman’s lap, she asked, “Do you know how smart I am?” He grinned. “Yeah, I do. Your father made it a point of sharing your aptitude tests with me when he hired me. According to those scores, you’re fucking brilliant.” “And wasting my big, fat brain by being stuck in this house. I should be out in the world doing something responsible. Something that contributes to society. Something that matters. I’m twenty-five years old, for God’s sake.” Her voice hitched up a notch. “I should have my own house, my own career, my own life. There should be more to my existence than planning Daddy’s extravagant events and attending fifteen-hundreddollar-a-plate galas and having my whole life pre-arranged by him.” She shook her head in frustration. “I should be doing something that helps people, Roman.” “You’re forgetting one very critical issue, sweetheart.” Her shoulders slumped, the wind instantly sapped from her sails. “Yeah, I know. People want my money.” “Which makes all of the aforementioned desires impractical for you.” Kristina sighed. “It’s not fair. I never asked for this huge fortune. Worse, I can’t stand being a prisoner in my own life.”

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“It wouldn’t be like this if you hadn’t been kidnapped and held for ransom when you were a child. Twice, no less. And then there’s your mother…” “I know.” The writing was on the wall. It’d always been there, in fact. Indelible proof of what sealed her fate. Her father would never let her live a normal life because he was afraid of losing her the way he’d lost his wife. Kristina’s mother had been the victim of a drive-by shooting. A supposedly random act of violence, but investigators had eventually unearthed enough evidence to prove that what really killed her was vengeance. Kristina’s father had backed out of an extremely lucrative deal for all parties involved when he’d realized he was in business with an organization connected to the Mafia. Two weeks later, the shooting had occurred. A week after that, Kristina had been kidnapped. Her father had promptly paid the ransom, but her captors had not been caught. Less than a month later, the terrifying incident had happened again. Max suspected it was the same group that had kidnapped her both times—the same men who had murdered her mother. And after that…things had changed. Life as she’d known it had changed. To this day, Kristina still lived with the fear of what horrifying fate might await her every time she stepped outside, but she was too resilient to let her past pains squelch her future. Unfortunately, she had yet to find a way around her father and the bodyguards that protected her 24/7. Even Roman, who was at least sympathetic to her plight of having a life of her own, couldn’t help her. Wouldn’t help her, if it meant her safety might be compromised. “So what do I do?” she repeated as her hands slid slowly up his bare torso, his gorgeous, naked body too tempting to ignore. To enjoy again. Roman’s hands clasped her hips and he guided her down on his hard cock. Kristina was already wet and wanting him as he eased into her tight pussy. She sighed contently. Thoughts of her father fell to the wayside, but Roman had one parting sentiment on the subject. 33

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“I told you I’d help you. Let me deal with this. We’ll go from there.” Her eyelids fluttered closed as he began to move inside her. Rocking her hips in time with his slow, easy thrusts, she rode him in a sensuous rhythm that had them both breathing heavy within seconds. Roman’s fingers pressed into her flesh as he gripped her tightly, holding her in place. Kristina’s hand slid down her stomach and the pad of one finger rubbed her sensitive clit. She opened her eyes to find Roman watching her, enthralled. “God, you’re so beautiful. So sexy.” “And smart,” she whispered. The corners of his mouth twitched. “Yeah, that too.” His heated gaze remained on her body as they both pushed her closer to climax. Her head dropped back on her shoulders, all the loose strands from her now nearly non-existent ponytail cascading down her back. Roman’s strokes came quicker and steadier as he fucked her. She felt the erotic sensations build inside her, expanding until they consumed her. Her orgasm was explosive and she called out Roman’s name as she came, then held fast to the wonderful feelings that spread through her, seeping into her veins, making her body thrum and her skin tingle. Roman’s hands moved from her hips to her ass. He cupped her cheeks as she lifted just slightly off him so that he could move more freely beneath her. The pistoning motion he quickly took up drove her wild. He hammered in and out of her as she braced herself above him, her hands splayed across his wide chest. Kristina’s gaze locked with Roman’s. She saw the lust and longing burning in his brilliant blue irises, the rims of which glowed with a beautiful silver tinge she’d not noticed before. A flash of something indescribable garnered her attention. As he edged toward what would surely be a powerful orgasm, his muscles tightened, his jaw clenched. His eyes remained glued to hers and she saw a glint of something raw and

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passionate in his gaze…something she’d never seen before. It excited her, made her pulse race. Made her hotter, wetter. Kristina felt entranced, mesmerized. Caught up in something more significant than anything she’d ever experienced. Roman’s passion called to hers and she felt a strong, innate connection form. A bond she suddenly realized couldn’t be broken. “Roman,” she gasped as love and lust swelled within her. Both emotions were incredibly overwhelming. They gripped her fiercely, made her feel things more acutely—Roman’s thick cock thrusting into her, his hands holding her to him, his eyes boring into her, as though searching out the secrets of her soul. It was the most sensual, erotic sensation she’d ever known. As though hers and Roman’s hearts—no, their very souls—had just been joined. Tears suddenly stung her eyes. Her mouth quivered and her breath came in shallow pulls. And then she climaxed. The sharp, fiery feelings exploded deep within her and sent a flurry of sparks shooting through every inch of her. Roman’s hands at her waist gripped her even tighter as he continued to fuck her. When he came inside her, the heat that filled her body sizzled more intensely, making her feel singed to the core. Yet it was an exquisite feeling. Both sexual and emotional in nature. Arousing and stirring. As though she’d just been branded by Roman. Her lover. Her protector. Her eyes closed as she savored every delicious sensation coursing through her from head to toe. When she felt all the intense feelings culminate in her chest, where her heart seemed to expand with emotion, she heard Roman’s voice inside her head. You belong to me. She came again. Fast and powerful and totally unexpected.

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Kristina’s eyes snapped open as she gasped for air. It took several moments for her fuzzy mind to clear and her voice to return to her. She stared down at Roman. “What the hell just happened?”

***** Roman didn’t answer her. Or, rather, he couldn’t answer her. Kristina’s first climax had sparked his own as her inner walls contracted around his hard cock, clutching him tight. She held him still, making it impossible for him to think straight. In truth, Roman wasn’t exactly sure what had just happened. It was as though he’d just tapped into a unique power he hadn’t even known existed within him. He’d felt the most peculiar, overwhelming sense of connection—something he’d never experienced in the two hundred and sixteen years he’d been a vampire. The realization of what had transpired between him and Kristina, the sheer magnitude of it, left him reeling. The sensation was even more powerful than when Roman had taken blood from humans a century ago. Back then, he’d felt a sense of connection with the mortal beings. He could feel their pulse and their heartbeats. They would rage inside him, reminding him of the basic human functions that no longer worked in his own body. Precisely why he’d stopped drinking from the source. Becoming a vampire had not been Roman’s wish or intent. And when the full knowledge of what he’d become—what had happened to the body he’d once known— had finally penetrated his rage and disbelief, Roman had loathed the demon within him. How on earth could he not? His heart had ceased to beat. The majority of his internal organs had stopped functioning because he no longer needed them to survive. Blood was all it took to sustain his existence. Which had creeped the hell out of him that first decade or so.

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But the worst thing had been the torture he’d felt over experiencing human sensations—the vitality of their existence—that no longer existed within him. For two centuries he’d agonized over this. And then he’d met Kristina. So fresh and exciting and full of energy. Sure, she had a temper that rivaled the Irish, but that was just a part of her spirit. She stood up for herself and he respected that. She was full of passion and hope and strength. She merely needed to channel it correctly. What existed in Kristina were all the sensations that had vanished within him once he’d been infected with the vampire virus. He’d become something neither living nor dead. But Kristina… She was so full of life it sometimes overwhelmed him, though in a good way. She reminded him of what life had once been for him. And she helped him to remain focused on the good he could do as a vampire, rather than the fact that he was now a demon by nature. He wouldn’t lose sight of the purpose he served as long as he had Kristina to protect. “Roman,” she said on a labored breath. “Did you feel that?” He groaned. What was he supposed to say? Yeah, baby, I just claimed you as my own, though I didn’t say it out loud? Because that was precisely what had just happened. Maybe he hadn’t put the sentiment out there in the universe, but he’d made the declaration within himself—had projected it into her subconscious mind—and that was what mattered. He shifted beneath her, forcing her to sit up, though she still straddled him. He sat up as well and brushed strands of hair from her pretty face. “It’s always so damn good between us, isn’t it?” She smiled at him. A soft, flirty grin that kept his insides blazing. “I’ll say. But you didn’t answer my question. Something happened. I felt…” She shook her head as her voice trailed off. “Hell, I’m not exactly sure what I felt. But it was so strong. So…real.”

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Roman wanted to tell her what was brewing in his unbeating heart. He wanted to tell her how much he cherished her. But this was risky business. They shouldn’t be involved like this and he shouldn’t be falling for her. Making love to her every chance he got was a huge taboo as it was. To allow himself to develop such intense feelings for her… Shit. He was balancing on a tightrope here. And the slightest misstep would send him over the edge. “Roman,” she said. “I—” “Shh.” He placed a finger over her plump lips. Lips he fantasized about all the damn time—being pressed against his or wrapped around his cock. “Don’t say anything, sweetheart.” He wasn’t so sure he could handle hearing the L word from her. It would change so much between them. “Just because I don’t say it,” she said, speaking around his finger until he removed it, “doesn’t mean I don’t feel it.” Roman may not have a beating heart, but he felt emotions all the same. And the ones running rampant within him were enough to make him nearly jump out of his skin. Kristina loved him. Knowing that intensified the feelings he had for her. Hearing her actually say the words out loud was something he suddenly longed for above all else. But that was impossible. It was too dangerous. Too detrimental to both their lives. Frustration and anguish mingled together, making Roman agitated. He wanted her so much. But he couldn’t have her. At least, not beyond the secret affair they were having. She was his forbidden pleasure. They could never be more than that. Easing her away from him forced her to slip from his lap. She got to her feet. The perplexed look on her face nearly did him in. He stood too and scooped her up in his arms. It was the wrong thing to do, but Roman carried her into the bedroom nonetheless. He couldn’t find the good sense to stop himself. He placed her gently on the bed, then settled next to her. “You want me to stay?” she asked, clearly surprised.

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He pulled her to him so they were snuggled close together, their naked bodies touching from head to toe. “Yes.” Kristina let out a soft sigh of contentment. It was a sweet sound that caressed Roman’s ears. “You’re not the hard-ass you pretend to be,” she whispered. “Go to sleep.” Telling himself that one full night with Kristina was all he needed didn’t assuage his guilt or his fear that he just might be making things worse for both of him. But her father was on his way to New York and no one would come to Roman’s apartment. No one would know they were together. Tonight he would do what he’d longed to do since that first time, a year ago, when his defenses had weakened and he’d given into her. He’d hold her close to him and allow emotional intimacy to be a part of what they shared. For tonight, anyway.

***** “It’s finally happened.” Marcos D’Angelo stepped from behind his massive antique desk and crossed his vast study to the tall fireplace against the far wall. “What’s finally happened, my lord?” asked Pietro, Marcos’ assistant. He shifted in his seat so he could see Marcos. “I’ve found my brother.” Pietro’s eyes grew wide. “After all this time? How? Where is he? Should I send some men to get him?” Marcos turned his back on the small, wiry vampire who’d served as his right hand for nearly two centuries. “I can feel him,” Marcos said. “He’s finally emitted a signal strong enough for me to home in on. Some intense emotion has drawn him out. He’s but a beacon now and I intend to bring him back into the fold.” “Finally!” Pietro exclaimed. 39

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Marcos scowled, ignoring his assistant. “But I can’t just force him back by capturing him. I must do better than that.” He fell into contemplative silence and then shook his head. Suddenly, Marcos’ hands clasped together. He spun on the heels of his new Italian leather boots. His gaze landed on Pietro, though he didn’t really see the man, so lost in thought was he. “If I merely send men to overpower him and bring him back, he’ll be enraged and capable of fighting me. He may slip through my fingers. I need him too much to lose him again. Instead,” Marcos said as inspiration crept up on him, “I must give him a reason to stay with the coven. I must use him to my benefit from the onset.” “How do you intend to make him do your bidding? Blackmail?” Pietro offered excitedly. Marcos immediately dismissed the idea. “I have something even better in mind.” Only one thing could have happened to Roman that would make him release such an intense emotion that his maker and brother, Marcos himself, could sense it. Roman must be in love. A grin tipped Marcos’ lips. “Ransom.” Pietro’s blond eyebrows shot up. “Oh yes, my lord. That’s much better.” “I shall find him tonight and discover who the woman is who holds his heart. And then I shall use her to bring Roman back to us.” It was time his younger brother returned to his rightful place. Marcos had not turned him so that he could take his power elsewhere, use it for purposes other than what Marcos had had in mind two hundred and sixteen years ago when he’d slaughtered their politically connected family and then “turned” Roman. Marcos had bided his time for two centuries, tracking his younger brother but never quite homing in sharply enough to be able to capture him. Roman would not elude him this time. Marcos needed him too badly. Another demon with growing power that just might vanquish Marcos and his legion of vampires threatened his coven. He could not allow them to fall prey to this demon.

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But the only way he could fight the growing threat against him and continue to reign supreme amongst the creatures of the night was to bring Roman back into the mix. Too, Roman had vision and foresight. He was the key to Marcos’ future. Roman would plot the course for the coven, elevating them from nocturnal predators to a force to be reckoned with—not only in the world of shapeshifters and demons but within the human realm as well. Roman was the one he needed by his side to rule for the rest of eternity. And Marcos would stop at nothing to get what he needed…what he wanted…what he so desperately desired…

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Chapter Four Roman woke with a warm, soft body pressed against his. Her skin was like silk and her feminine curves brought his cock to life. His arms tightened around Kristina. His body was curled around hers, holding her in a safe, protective cocoon. She slept soundly, her breathing steady and deep. Until she felt his desire for her pressed against her hip. Kristina stirred, then shifted in his embrace. She let out a soft, sleepy giggle. “You are insatiable.” “So are you.” “True.” She yawned, then added, “But I can’t possibly go one more round without some food. I’m starving.” He groaned, disappointed because there was no quick fix to this situation. “I don’t have anything in the kitchen.” “I’m not surprised,” she said. “I doubt very seriously that you have time to cook. Between watching me and fucking me, you barely have time to sleep.” Roman grinned. “You should watch your mouth.” “I should do a lot of things. But you know me better than that.” Indeed he did. “Oh to hell with food,” she said as her lips pressed to his. She kissed him passionately, sparking his lust. And a deep-seated territorial, possessive feeling. He didn’t want her to leave his bed. Ever. As he let her lead their kiss, deepening it and stirring his arousal further, he realized bringing her here and letting her stay the night in his apartment had been a huge mistake. How could he ever give her up? How could he lie here night after night

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without her, remembering exactly how it felt to hold her close, to watch her sleep, to wake with her and make love to her? It felt so right, so natural to have her here. She belonged in his bed. She belonged with him. He knew it and yet… This was such a dangerous game they played. When her lips left his, Roman’s head spun. Lust seemed like such an understatement now because what really burned within him was love. True and meaningful. It mingled with his passion, his intense desire and made him want Kristina like never before. His hands roamed her naked body, the feel of her soft skin heightening his pleasure. His cock swelled and throbbed with the need to be buried deep within her. As Kristina’s fingers twined in his hair, his head dipped and Roman’s tongue curled around her tight nipple. She moaned. He was hooked. For better or for worse, Roman really had sealed their fate last night. And this morning, a new mission crystallized in his head. While his hands stroked her body and his tongue teased first one nipple, then the other, Roman knew he wasn’t going to let her go. Ever. His fingers skimmed down her belly and between her legs. He rubbed her slick labia, then went to work on her clit, using the slow, circular motion he knew she liked. When her fingers curled around strands of his hair and her breath came in heavier pulls, he increased the pressure, quickened the pace. “Oh yes,” she whispered in his ear. “Just like that…” Roman used two fingers to bring her even more pleasure. Her back arched and her bare breasts pressed to his chest. His lips grazed her neck, tasting her heat as he inhaled her sweet scent. “Now, Roman,” she said on a low moan. “Please.” His fingers moved from her clit and slid deep into her wet pussy. “Oh God!” she cried out.

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Roman’s fingers pumped quickly in and out of her as she writhed against him, making him just as hot, just as crazed with desire as she seemed to be. He pressed his thumb against her clit and Kristina’s body tensed. “Don’t stop!” she said as her body bowed farther off the bed and her inner walls clutched his fingers. Roman pushed a little deeper and felt the tremors that racked her body. “Oh yes,” she whispered over and over again. He continued to stroke her slick pussy as she came. Her eyes were closed and she held him to her. Roman’s own need and desire escalated. He desperately wanted to be inside her. Slowly withdrawing his fingers, he shifted a little on the bed and slid his hard cock into her. “Roman,” she said as her legs lifted and wrapped around his waist. “Make love to me.” He did. Slowly. Sensuously. Fighting his urge to thrust into her hard and fast. This morning she wanted him to make love to her. And damn it all to hell, this morning Roman knew that he would do whatever she asked of him. He was under her spell and whatever she wanted, he would give her. When he came inside her, sparking another climax for Kristina, he didn’t think of what ill effects might come of his actions. He didn’t know if he could get her pregnant. But he did know that the thought was not an unpleasant one. In fact, Roman actually found that he liked the idea of having a family with this woman. Of protecting her and their children. Of spending an eternity with Kristina, if that was her wish. “Are you smiling or gloating?” “Both,” he said. His eyes closed and his head nestled in the crook of her neck, his lips grazing her warm skin. Kristina laughed softly. “I suppose you have the right to gloat.”

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“You suppose?” He lifted his head and stared down at her. “How many times have you come in the past seven or eight hours?” Smiling at him, she said, “I’ve lost count. Shall we start again?” Roman kissed her. Then he said, “After you eat.” He disentangled himself from her, despite the fact that he instantly missed her warmth and softness. When she slipped from his bed, he admired every inch of her naked body. “Goddamn, you’re beautiful,” he said for what had to be the millionth time since he’d given in to his attraction to her. “And smart,” she added. “Yeah, that too.” It was their standard diatribe, which made the emotion well within him again. He’d never expected to fall for her. But damn if she hadn’t worked her way into his unbeating heart and stirred every emotion within him. “How about I run to the main kitchen and whip up something for breakfast?” Before he could even answer, she turned on her heels and sashayed out of the room. He heard her voice in the hall as she said, “I’ve got to get dressed first, but I shouldn’t be long.” Roman rolled onto his back and settled beneath the sheets and the down comforter. Yeah, this was dangerous and unhealthy and completely insane. But he was fully committed now. Five or ten minutes slid by as his mind wandered with thoughts of Kristina. Then he dragged his weary body from the bed and headed to his own kitchen. The fridge wasn’t stocked, but the freezer had a few precious packets tucked away. He grabbed one and popped it in the microwave to thaw and warm the blood. He needed a good dose of sustenance following his marathon lovemaking session with Kristina. Damn, the woman made him want to stay naked in bed with her for a month. She was passionate, hot, sexy, engaging. All the things he’d looked for in a woman. But Roman had given up on love a long time ago. Really, it was a ridiculous notion. A

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vampire in love? Yet he felt the strong emotional stirrings inside him when he was with Kristina. And when she was away from him? He longed for her like nothing he’d ever known. Even longing for his human form and the life that had been stolen from him didn’t compare to this. He wanted her so much. Every minute of the day. The ding of the microwave drew his attention to an early morning breakfast. He consulted the clock on the appliance and found it was only two a.m. Seven hours of making love to Kristina had worn him out. But his day was still early. Though Roman preferred the graveyard shift because it was more conducive to his nocturnal existence, he did pull several all-day shifts during the week. He just made it a point to stay inside the mansion at those times. He had Mitchell, O’Dell and a few others to work outside when the sun shone. And Paul Conner, a curious old bird who’d once pulled presidential detail, worked his Control Room. Roman downed the warm blood and discreetly discarded the package, just in case Kristina snooped in his kitchen. He took a quick shower and dressed in jeans and a black sweater. Kristina had been gone long enough that she should be heading back his way in five or ten minutes. That gave him time to visit the Control Room down the hall, which was where all the security monitoring computers were housed. He pushed open the heavy metal door and slipped into a chair next to Conner, a silver-haired Clint Eastwood-type whom Roman not only respected and trusted but whom he considered a friend. “Any news?” “Mitchell and O’Dell arrived in New York with Hartland. Everything’s fine. They’re at the Waldorf now.” Roman nodded. “Pull up the kitchen.” Conner’s fingers skated across the keyboard in front of him. On the monitoring screens, two of the plasmas at the end of the wall switched from outside the kitchen

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area to inside. Kristina busied herself at the counter, loading food onto a tray. When she was finished, she turned toward the camera mounted in the corner and blew it a kiss. Roman resisted the urge to smile. She knew he’d be watching her. “She wants me,” Conner joked. Roman quirked a brow in his direction. “What?” Conner asked in an innocent tone. “She knows I’m watching the house. That kiss was for me.” Roman grinned in amusement. “Too bad she’s off limits to you then.” “Yeah. Wanda would kick my ass if I left her for a younger woman.” Conner was in top physical shape for his fifty-plus years, but he was married to a former Hollywood stuntwoman. Definitely not the kind of wife you wanted to piss off. Then again, Roman knew him well enough to know Conner would never stray. He was as loyal as they came. “Anything else to report?” Roman inquired. “Not a damn thing. Been quiet. Except…” Conner shook his head. “Yeah?” “Goddamn it. You know I hate to be a squealer, but Jackson has another girl in the security booth.” Roman’s arm shot out and he punched a series of buttons on the keyboard sitting on the desk before him. The ten large screens mounted on the wall surveyed the key entry points to the estate. He targeted the small outbuilding at the road, adjacent to a wide wrought iron gate that stood twelve feet tall. On screen, they could see inside the small security booth. Jackson’s back, which was pressed to the glass door, filled their immediate view. “Hummer,” Conner muttered. “When is he ever gonna learn?” “Well, this will be the last time he makes this mistake,” Roman said. “Call him in. As of now, he’s no longer on the payroll and—” 47

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“Holy shit!” Conner shouted as they watched Jackson shift on screen, suddenly thrashing wildly about. Then blurred movements drew their attention, followed by the flash of red as blood splattered against the glass pane. “What the fuck?” Only Roman saw the vampire that flew out of the booth and disappeared from the screen. The vampire’s movements were too quick for the human eye to catch. But Roman knew exactly what had just happened. His gut twisted. “Pull up the hallway outside the kitchen,” Roman demanded. “What the fuck just happened?” Conner shouted, panic in his voice. Diversionary tactic. “What the hell is going on?” Conner continued as he worked the keyboard. “Hurry,” Roman shouted. “Now!” Despite his distress, Conner’s hands were steady. Precisely the reason why he was Roman’s number one guy. Conner may get rattled, but he never dropped the ball. He’d never miss a shot when it mattered most. The hallway outside the kitchen was empty. “East wing,” Roman snapped. “Corridor one. Give me all the angles.” Conner did as asked. Roman quickly scanned all monitors and swore under his breath. “Corridor two.” The images on screen shifted, but he got the same result. Empty. Kristina had vanished. Roman let out a string of expletives when his gaze focused on the tray that lay in the middle of one of the long, marble hallways. Food and broken dishes were scattered about, but Kristina was nowhere to be found. “Fuck!” he repeated as he slammed his fist on the desk. Roman knew exactly what had happened to her. His past had finally caught up to him. His brother’s coven had come for him. But instead of forcing him back into the group, they’d taken Kristina as leverage. “All entry points,” Roman ground out.

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Conner was fast to do his boss’s bidding. Roman quickly searched all the areas where the vamps could escape via vehicle, but there was no movement. Nothing to help him determine where the hell Kristina had gone. “Sector C,” he demanded. The back part of the property bordered a heavily wooded area. It was possible the vamp—or vamps—that had snatched Kristina had fled into the forest. As Roman continued his search for her, two of his men burst through the door of the Control Room. “We’ve got trouble,” Kensington said in a hurried voice. “They were fast and they knew exactly what they were doing.” “We tracked them on property,” Dawson added. “But they were too damn quick. Even for us.” “How many?” Roman asked between clenched teeth. “At least four. Maybe six,” Kensington said. “Hard to tell when they’re all blurred together.” “Jackson is dead,” Conner told his comrades. “Not a surprise,” Dawson muttered. “It’s a point of entry.” His gaze shifted back to Roman. “So they know where you are.” “And they’ve got Kristina,” Roman added in a tight voice.

***** Kristina’s head throbbed from where she’d been clobbered, but that was nothing compared to the fear that gripped her. When she came to, she found herself sprawled across the backseat of a fast-moving car. Her wrists were bound in front of her with duct tape. Another strip covered her mouth. Goddamn it, she thought. She’d been kidnapped again! Forcing some calm into her panic-ridden mind, she reminded herself that Roman would find her. He wouldn’t let anything happen to her. She believed, with all her heart, that she would be home soon, safe and sound. 49

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Of course, if there was some way to help Roman find her, she would do her best to assist him. When the vehicle screeched to a jarring stop, she bolted upright, despite the searing pain that lanced through her body from head to toe. Her fingers fumbled with the handle on the door, unlatching it. Shoving a shoulder against the door, she was out of the car in a heartbeat. She stumbled at first, then gained her footing and hit a dead run. Unfortunately, the car had pulled alongside one of the many embankments running through Sedona and her feet slipped in the fresh mud, causing Kristina to lose her balance. With a muffled scream, she pitched over the ledge and tumbled down the grassy slope that led to the creek running through the rural town. Before she hit the water, though, her shoulder slammed into a large boulder. Kristina’s pain-induced cry was smothered by the tape over her mouth. She couldn’t move. Damp leaves and mud covered her workout clothes and exposed skin. Every inch of her felt the sharp stabs of pain that originated in her left shoulder and pulsed throughout her entire body. She fought to retain consciousness, but the pain was just too great. Roman! Her desperate cry echoed in her head, but it was a pointless plea. Within seconds, darkness consumed her.

***** “Why are we sitting here?” Conner demanded, the direness of the situation resonating throughout the room. “We need to find Kristina!” Roman turned to the two men standing just inside the doorway. With Mitchell and O’Dell across the country, he was low on reinforcements. “Peterson and Hall are likely dead by now,” he said. They were the only two bodyguards on the property not accounted for and Roman knew they wouldn’t have escaped a vampire fight. “That leaves the three of us,” he concluded, knowing he

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couldn’t bring anyone but Dawson and Kensington into this battle. “Against maybe…two hundred.” “They wouldn’t all be here, would they?” Dawson asked. Roman didn’t know. “They tracked me to Sedona. Marcos wants me back. He may have brought ten, he may have brought the entire coven.” “The coven?” Conner interjected, confused. Then something seemed to occur to him. “And what the hell do you mean by ‘that leaves the three of us’? There are four by my count.” Roman shook his head. “Much as I trust you, Paul, this isn’t up your alley.” “Fuck you,” Conner said, indignant. “If something’s happened to Kristina, you can be damn certain I’m in on the rescue mission.” “It’s not really about her,” Roman said. “And what we’re dealing with…” He shook his head. “Let’s just say this is something way out of your area of expertise.” “I’m ex-CIA and Homeland Security, for fuck’s sake. What the hell do you mean it’s out of my area of expertise?” Roman didn’t have time to explain the situation. The phone rang and all eyes shifted to the receiver on the corner of Conner’s desk. “Trace the origin,” Roman said, “But don’t record the conversation.” “What? Are you out of your mind? We always record. How the hell else are we going to—” “I said don’t record.” The phone continued to ring and Roman snatched it up. “Where is she?” “You don’t miss a thing, do you, brother?” Roman had not spoken with Marcos in over two hundred years. Yet his voice had not changed a bit. And it was obvious nothing else about him had changed either. “I want her back. Now.”

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“Of course you do. And I’m more than happy to give her to you. But I want something in exchange.” Not only did Roman’s anger ignite, but dread seized him as well. “I’ll kill you, you know that, don’t you?” “And my vamps will kill her.” Roman’s grip on the phone tightened. “This involves no one but us. I want her back, Marcos. Without a single scratch on her.” “It’s a little late for that,” his brother said. “Goddamn it!” Roman roared. “I really will kill you!” “You can’t blame me for this, brother,” Marcos said in a calm voice. “Seems your lady friend is a hellcat. Not only did she try to escape, but even after she’d tumbled down an embankment and dislocated her shoulder, she tried to take on two of my men when she came to. Of course, we had to restrain her…” Roman’s jaw clenched tight. “Fix whatever’s wrong with her.” “I don’t have a physician on call, Roman. What need would I have for that? Besides,” he said as he let out what sounded to be a long-suffering sigh, “she’s much easier to manage when she’s in pain. I have to say, you’ve trained her well. She’s not afraid to fight for herself.” It took all the composure Roman could muster to keep his tone on an even keel. If only he could reach through the phone and strangle Marcos. He’d make him suffer though. Eventually. When Kristina was home, safe and sound, Roman would search the ends of the earth for Marcos. And there’d be no mercy when he found him. “Tell me what you want,” he finally said, hating those words more than just about anything else. Except losing Kristina. But in order to get her back, he just might have to play by Marcos’ rules.

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Conner eyed him with a mixture of concern and suspicion. Roman ignored him for the moment. “You already know the answer to that,” Marcos said. “I want you.” Roman’s temper simmered. “Against my will? You really want me back in the coven knowing I’m plotting your death?” Marcos chuckled low and deep. “You may plot, my brother. But you’ll never execute.” “What makes you so sure? Someday, she’ll die. Then you’ll have nothing to hold over my head. You’ll experience my wrath, Marcos. Mark my words.” “Unless…” With that one word—that one veiled threat—his tone turned diabolical. “Don’t even think it,” Roman warned. “Goddamn it. If you turn her—” “You know,” Marcos interjected, “you’re not really in the position for threats, brother. Nor are you in the position to negotiate. So let’s discuss my terms.” Roman’s fist clenched at his side. “I’m not discussing anything until I know she’s alive. And if you want me, then you’ll return her now and forget you know anything about her.” “You really are in love,” Marcos said in an astonished tone. Then added, “I always feared you were too compassionate to be a vampire. But never mind that. I need your connections, your brain and your brawn, brother. I have a coven of vicious vampires to compensate for your weaknesses. Although—” “How do I get her back?” Marcos made a low tsking sound. “She’ll be your downfall. I swear it.” The line was silent a moment. Roman fought to keep his composure. Finally, Marcos said, “I’ve inched closer and closer to you over the decades…the centuries. I tracked you to Sedona, but that was as close to you as I could get. I couldn’t pinpoint your exact location. You’ve done an excellent job covering your tracks, remaining anonymous and secluding yourself. But you and I are connected on a level you don’t quite understand.”

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Ignoring this, Roman said, “Put her on. I want to know she’s alive.” “I found you because of her,” Marcos said in an exasperated tone, as though it pained him to have a brother who’d fallen in love. “I don’t give a damn how you found me. If you want me back, you’ll put Kristina on the phone. Otherwise, I’m hanging up.” “And let us keep her?” “I might not have any control over that, so what have I got to lose?” It was a bluff, of course. But it worked. “Fine. But remember, I didn’t touch her. Her injuries are her own doing.” Roman steeled himself for his reaction to hearing Kristina in pain. He waited impatiently for several seemingly endless moments. When she came on the line, his gut wrenched. “Roman.” Her voice was weak and raspy. Raw. As though she’d done a hell of a lot of screaming. He was fairly certain she had. “Baby, don’t say anything,” he said in a low tone, doing his damnedest to not sound as on edge as he felt. “Just listen to me. They’re going to let you go. Do everything they tell you to, and then when we come to get you, get in the car and don’t look back. Do you hear me?” “But I—” “Kristina,” he said on a sharp growl. He cleared his throat, tried to bring his anxiety down a notch or two. “Sweetheart. Just do what I’m asking of you. We’ve talked about kidnapping negotiations before. Don’t try to fight them. You can’t hurt them. Do you understand me? I know you’re tough, but you can’t hurt them.” He could hear her labored breath over the phone and it tore him apart. Eventually, she asked, “What are they?”

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Christ. So she’d gotten a glimpse of something inconceivable and terrifying. It was his worst nightmare come to life. She was going to find out that Roman was a vampire. One of those unholy creatures—those demons—that had captured her. Hurt her. Held her captive. She’d never be able to separate him from them. She’d loathe him. Fear him. But he couldn’t think about that right now. At the moment, all that mattered was getting her back. Protecting her as he’d sworn he’d do. As he longed to do. “We’ll talk later,” he told her, though he was pretty certain that was one promise he wouldn’t be able to keep. “Just do what I told you. And remember…” He drew in a long breath, let it out slowly to calm his nerves. “I love you.” “You do?” He could hear the smile in her voice. No matter what pain she might be in, no matter how scared she might be, Roman clung to the belief that she had derived at least a small measure of relief and security from hearing him say those words. “Yeah, I do.” She was quiet a moment, then said, “I’ll do what you want me to. I promise.” “Good girl. Now hand the phone back to Marcos.” He could still hear her shallow breathing. He wanted, with every fiber of his being, to keep talking to her, to comfort her. But he had to get down to business. “Now, Kristina.” She did as he asked. Marcos’ deep tone suddenly filled the line. “You’re too sentimental for your own good. That’s always been your trouble, Roman.” “I’m through discussing this. Where do I find you for the exchange?” “The Devil’s Kitchen,” Marcos said. Roman knew to what he referred. “How apropos,” he said in a droll tone. “I thought it sounded…devilish.” The Devil’s Kitchen was a scenic canyon in Soldier’s Pass. Actually, it was a sinkhole where red rocks rose high in an ornately sculpted fashion. The area was popular with locals and tourists alike, but no one would be there at three in the morning to observe a vampire-heiress ransom exchange.

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“Be there in twenty minutes,” Marcos said. And then the line went dead.

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Chapter Five Roman unlocked the double doors set against the far wall of the Control Room and slid them open. Concealed behind the opening was a vault. He worked the combination and pulled on the metal lever to release the lock. Yanking open the heavy door, he stepped inside, grabbed two black duffle bags and a high-tech crossbow. He returned to Conner’s desk and piled the weapons on top of it. Eyeing the wares, Conner asked, “What the fuck is this?” Roman no longer had time to worry about what Conner did or didn’t know about him. “The best way to kill a vampire.” The older man stared at him, an incredulous look on his face. “Never knew you had a flair for the dramatic, Roman.” “I wish I were exaggerating. But I’m not. Are you still in?” “Hell yes.” Kensington and Dawson gathered more crossbows from the vault and then busied themselves loading up the weapons and ammunition—silver-tipped vials that contained a glowing yellowish liquid. Roman took but a moment to demonstrate how the crossbow worked, then he explained the vials to Conner. “This liquid will freeze a vampire in its tracks, no matter where the point of entry is. But if you can hit the heart, that’ll kill him.” Conner nodded as he took the weapon and inspected it carefully. “How long does the freezing agent last?” “Depends on the strength of the vampire,” Dawson added. “Generally five to six seconds. Enough time to take another shot and hopefully not miss the heart the next time.”

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“I won’t miss,” Conner said with conviction. His gaze shifted to Roman. “How do you know these…vampires?” Without a blink, Roman said, “I’m one of them.” Conner’s dark eyes clouded for a moment. Then he lifted his chin toward Kensington and Dawson. “And them?” Roman grinned despite the dire situation. “Vampire slayers.” Conner chuckled. “Fucking figures. A vampire who’d surround himself with slayers. Only you, Roman.” Roman’s hand clutched Conner’s shoulder. “This will be ugly. There are few second chances when it comes to dealing with a vampire. They’re fast and they’re ferocious. Are you sure you want to do this?” Not a hint of reluctance or hesitation flashed in Conner’s dark eyes. “You bet your ass I do. They’ve got Kristina. It’s our job to get her back. No matter what.” For the first time since she’d been taken, Roman thought they just might have a chance at rescuing her.

***** She was doing her damnedest to stay calm and not be freaked to high heaven, but it was no easy feat. Kristina was lying on a leather couch in a dimly lit room, her shoulder immobile because it was dislocated, her head throbbing and bleeding. There was something seriously wrong with all of this. With the men who had abducted her. They definitely weren’t the same group that had kidnapped her in her youth. These guys were infinitely scarier. Sure, she’d been terrified as a child as she’d waited for the ransom exchange to take place. But she’d never felt this out of sorts, this…disgusted. Her skin nearly crawled with the eeriness that consumed her. What she’d witnessed so far was the militant organization of a group of twenty or so men. Not so out of the ordinary except… These guys were like none she’d ever encountered before. They had fangs and long, pointy fingernails. They moved with 58

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lightning-quick speed and agility. And the hard glint in their eyes sent terror skittering through her. She’d attempted to take on two of them down by the creek. Driven by a serious adrenaline rush and anger over being snatched yet again, she’d let loose on the two guys who’d come after her when she’d bailed from the car. Her kicks had been deadon—she’d felt her foot connect with jaws and midsections. Yet her onslaught hadn’t fazed either man in the least. She’d delivered blow after blow and…nothing. She hadn’t slowed them down at all. In fact, if she wasn’t mistaken, she’d done nothing more than mildly irritate them. Yes, there was definitely something not right with this scenario. She could feel it in her bones. Whoever had kidnapped her was not a normal human being. This Marcos guy who’d been on the phone with Roman seemed downright evil. He gave Kristina the creeps. No, it was worse than that. In all honesty, she was terrified of him. And she was scared to death that something sinister was about to happen to Roman. The thought pierced her heart as though she’d just been stabbed. The pain stole her breath and tears stung her eyes. If anything happened to Roman… She squeezed her eyes shut and fought for composure. But the very idea of Roman dying because of her made her stomach tumble violently. Dear God let him be okay. Please… She choked back a sob. This was so much worse than anything she’d ever experienced. Except for when her mother had been murdered. Kristina remembered the horror of that day. Her mother had been gunned down in broad daylight. Kristina had been with her in the parking lot of Neiman Marcus. To this day, she could still picture her mother, with such vivid clarity, lying on the asphalt. A pool of blood had formed around her head, staining her long, beautiful pale blonde hair. The bullet had 59

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penetrated her forehead and she’d died instantly. That was the only consolation Kristina could cling to when it came to that day and the impact the tragedy had had on her life. Her mother’s death had not been her fault…but if Roman died this morning, how could she not blame herself? He was coming to rescue her. She’d heard the conversation between Marcos and Roman and she knew Marcos wanted Roman in exchange for her. Why, she had no idea. But the fact was, Roman was to take her place. Yet she knew Roman well enough to know that he’d try to save them both. He’d rescue her first and make sure she was safe before he did whatever else he had to do to ensure he too escaped. But what kind of a chance did Roman have with these men? Sure, Roman was strong and powerful and clever. She didn’t doubt his ability to save her or take on several of these thugs. But even if he brought Conner and a few others with him, how were they going to fight twenty-plus men who were…not really men? She shook her head. What was she thinking? Of course they were men. Made of flesh and blood. She’d seen—felt—both when she’d attacked the two at the creek. Yet Kristina knew there was more to them than that. She sensed it. Something was different about them. Something almost…non-human. “Shit,” she whispered. Her eyelids fluttered open. She had no idea how to escape, how to help Roman rescue her. How to help him stay alive. She was all but incapacitated by her injuries. She was useless. As the hopelessness crept up on her, so too did fatigue. She closed her eyes again, unable to fight the pain and exhaustion that consumed her. As she lingered in that groggy state between consciousness and sleep, thoughts of Roman consumed her mind. Her memories provided much-needed comfort, made her feel less alone, less terrified, less hopeless. So she clung to them, let them envelop her with their warmth and security, guarding her like a protective shield. Kristina gave into her subconscious thoughts, her idyllic fantasies of the knight-in-shining-armor she

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always dreamed Roman would be. The man who would go to the ends of the earth to find her. To save her. To love her… Forever.

***** “What’s the plan?” Dawson asked as the Hummer crept along the rough trail, crawling over large red rocks and mowing down catclaw acacia bushes, the thin branches of which scraped against the sides of the vehicle. Roman’s grip tightened on the steering wheel. He didn’t bother with the headlights because his vampire vision was acute and his senses were on high alert. His jaw clenched and the muscles of his shoulders bunched, but it wasn’t nerves that had him so tense. It was the fact that Kristina was injured, in pain and probably scared to death. He wanted her back. More than he’d ever wanted anything in his two hundred and sixteen years of existence. More than he wanted to be human again. Will Marcos really give her up? The thought had raced through his mind too many times since Kristina had been snatched. He feared the worst, but he would do his damnedest to rescue her. No matter what the cost. He would swear allegiance to Marcos for all of eternity if it ensured Kristina’s safety. He’d spend the rest of his existence in hell, but she’d be safe. That was all that mattered. “Roman?” Dawson’s voice penetrated his dark thoughts. “Plan?” “I don’t have one.” “Oh,” Dawson said in a droll tone. “Isn’t that helpful.” Obviously trying to be more reasonable, Kensington asked, “What’s our goal here, besides getting Kristina back?” “Kill anyone who isn’t in this car or Kristina.” 61

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“So we’re taking on the coven?” Dawson said, suddenly perking up. He sat next to Roman in the passenger seat. “Now we’re talking.” Both Dawson and Kensington were world-renowned slayers. Roman had sought them out when he’d taken the job as head of security for Max Hartland. Sure, it had taken a hell of an effort on his part to convince the slayers to not kill him on the spot, but somehow he’d managed to assure them he wasn’t evil. He wasn’t a killer. He didn’t prey on humans. He still wanted to be a part of human society. He still clung to the memory of the life he’d once lived and the person he’d once been. But Roman had made a pact with the slayers. He knew that someday Marcos would find him. And when that day came, the slayers were free to eliminate as many vampires as possible—and Roman would help them. The second part of the pact was more personal though. If, at any time, Roman lost faith or his connection with humanity, the slayers were to kill him. No questions asked, no hesitation or regret because they’d become friends. A stake through the heart—no looking back. Unfortunately, Roman was beginning to feel his days were numbered. If anything happened to Kristina, he knew the day would finally come when he lost touch with the good inside of him. If she was murdered this morning, it would be impossible for him to not let loose the demon he held at bay. What other reason would he have to go on? Without her, there was nothing but darkness. He plowed over more shrubs and eased the Hummer into the shallow canyon of The Devil’s Kitchen. His gut twisted in knots and his emotions ran rampant. But as the long black limo in front of him came into view, along with two black SUVs, he found the steel resolve to focus his full attention on what needed to be done this morning. “I still don’t get why you didn’t drop off two of us a mile back,” Conner finally spoke up. “We could’ve taken cover in the rocks and foliage, taken aim from above the sinkhole.”

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Roman shook his head. “They’d know you were there. Your scent would give you away. And some of these vampires have…gifts. The ability to read or sway thoughts. The ability to fly or—” “Fly?” Conner asked, incredulous. “Are you fucking serious?” “Unfortunately, yes.” Roman eased the Hummer into a clearing that offered a decent escape route, unobstructed by sprouting Palo Verdes and smooth boulders. Rising along the right side was the red sandstone of The Devil’s Kitchen and a rock formation in the shape of a piano. The locale certainly fit Marcos’ eclectic style. Roman shifted into park but left the vehicle running. His gaze remained on the car before him. Six vampires surrounded the limo. Likely, there were another six inside. Maybe more. And how many in the SUVs? Four or five? That would put the count around twenty-two. Not the best of odds for him and his crew. Closing his eyes and drawing in a full breath, Roman focused all his energy on determining whether or not Kristina was in the car. Several tense moments slid by until, finally, he sensed her. Marcos had brought her here. That meant one of two things. Either Roman’s brother was willing to make a clean exchange or… He intended to kill Kristina in front of Roman to make him pay for his disloyalty and defection. The thought made Roman’s blood boil. But he had to be prepared for any possibility. He had no idea what Marcos’ intentions were, but one thing was certain. His brother was sinister and he’d derive immense pleasure out of torturing Roman for his perceived disobedience. Opening his eyes, Roman said, “Kensington, you drive. You can take aim out the window if you need to. I want Kristina in the back. Conner, keep her on the floor— cover her and don’t let her move. I don’t want her to see anything nor do I want her in the line of fire. Is that clear?” “Crystal,” Conner said. “What about you?”

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Roman shook his head. “Don’t worry about me. If this goes down without a hitch, then this is the last you’ll see of me. You get Kristina the hell out of here and back to the estate. She’ll be safe there. They won’t come after her if they have me.” “And if this isn’t a clean exchange?” Dawson inquired. “Then we’re back to my original plan. Kill anything except her and the four of us.” Dawson reached over and gripped Roman’s forearm. “We’re on your side the whole way. We’ve got your back.” “It’s not me I’m worried about.” “You know we’ll protect her with our lives,” Kensington said. “We agreed to that when we signed up for the opportunity to annihilate the coven.” Roman nodded. “She lives. No matter what. Is that understood?” “Perfectly,” Conner added. Drawing in another cleansing breath, Roman prepared himself for what was sure to be the fight of his life.

***** Inside the limo, Kristina was propped between Marcos and another man. The pain in her shoulder was almost unbearable, but her mind worked in overdrive, keeping her focused on everything going on around her, rather than the constant sharp stabs that targeted her left side and her head. Although someone at the house where she’d been held captive had cleaned her up a bit and unbound her wrists, blood still seeped from the cut above her right temple. It seemed to draw the attention of the man next to her. He sniffed her, snarled, then looked away. What that was all about was beyond her. All she could say was that this was one group of demented individuals she couldn’t wait to be rid of. And now that Roman had arrived, she was certain she’d be out of this nightmare and back home in short order.

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The back door of the limo opened and the sniffer got out. He latched onto Kristina’s right arm and dragged her out of the backseat without a shred of concern for her injuries. “You could ease up on the he-man power play,” she grunted as new pinpricks of pain shot through her. He merely smirked at her. “I see you failed Ransom Etiquette One-Oh-One.” Her sarcastic remark was answered with a tighter grip around her arm. She bit back a cry of pain, not willing to give Sniffer the satisfaction of knowing how much he’d hurt her. The door to the Hummer opened and Roman stepped out on the driver’s side. He rounded the vehicle and stood in front of it. Though the headlights were off, shimmering golden rays from the moon broke through the mass of dark clouds overhead and illuminated the immediate area and cast shadows over the rock formations. She couldn’t make out the expression on Roman’s face, but she could tell by his stance that he was prepared for anything to happen. He would expect her to be prepared as well. And come hell or high water, she wouldn’t let him down. She eyed the man who held a death grip on her upper arm. He was tall and lanky. Strong, yes. But one kick to the side of his knee would put him out of commission. It was a move Roman had taught her. It didn’t matter the size, weight or strength of an assailant. If you blew out his knee, you had him at enough of a disadvantage to run or beat the crap out of him. Much as Kristina wanted to do the latter, to expel her pent-up anger and fear, she decided running would be the best bet. If she got the opportunity to crack Sniffer’s knee, that was. As she waited for someone to make the first move, she surveyed her surroundings. The craggy rock formations to the left were of no help to her. The boulders to the right were smooth and rounded, but she wasn’t in any condition to scale rocks. The best she could hope to do was to get to the Hummer. Although hoofing it through the brush and 65

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soft dirt that had turned to a thick claylike substance from the recent rain would prove difficult with her injuries. While she contemplated how best to help Roman rescue her if all hell broke loose, Marcos stepped out of the limo. “I’ll keep up my end of the bargain,” he called out to Roman. “Start walking.” Roman moved away from the vehicle. Sniffer yanked Kristina forward and then released her. “Get in the Hummer, Kristina,” Roman said in a tight voice. She walked unsteadily toward him. As they passed each other, he whispered, “I love you.” Kristina’s heart wrenched. She choked back yet another sob that suddenly welled inside her. “I love you too.” And then he was gone. She didn’t look back. He’d told her not to, hadn’t he? And damn it, as much as she wanted to get one last look at him, she would refrain from doing so. She would do what he asked of her. She was too smart not to. Tears slid down her cheeks. What these men wanted with Roman, she didn’t know. But it couldn’t be good. And whether or not she’d ever see him again seemed debatable. When she reached the Hummer, Conner ushered her into the back and then said, “On the floor, sweetheart. Stay down. No matter what.” She eased onto the floorboard, wincing at the pain that continued to lance through her. She squeezed her eyes shut and started to pray. Not just for herself and everyone in the Hummer, but for Roman. Especially for Roman.

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Chapter Six Roman reached the limo and let one of Marcos’ vamps do a quick pat down. He had a small metal spike lodged in his boot, but the vamp was too hasty in his work to detect it. Roman stepped forward to confront his brother. “You may have gotten me back, but I’ll never do your bidding. I won’t kill for you.” “We’ll see about that.” Roman heard the Hummer pull away and he glanced over his shoulder to watch its retreat. No one made an attempt to stop the vehicle and Roman breathed a sigh of relief for that. But then a dark chill snaked down his spine when Marcos issued a simple order. “Now.” Suddenly, a blast illuminated the dark night. The explosion jolted the right side of the Hummer, lifting it off the ground and flipping the heavy vehicle onto its side. “Kristina!” Roman let out a loud roar. Without a second thought, he had Marcos in a chokehold. His powerful arm wrapped around his brother’s neck and squeezed tight. Marcos fought him, but rage tore through Roman, ruling his actions and intensifying his strength tenfold. A flurry of activity instantly broke out. Vamps swarmed him, but suddenly they began to drop like flies. Yellow neon gel lit the night and the flash of silver whizzed past Roman as the drug-laced spikes his team used flew through the air and connected with their targets. Roman’s head whipped around in the direction of the Hummer. Dawson and Kensington knelt alongside the vehicle, taking aim. When the stunned vampires came to their senses, they advanced on the slayers, who moved stealthily away from the Hummer, keeping the vamps away from Kristina. Unfortunately, Roman had no idea if she was even more badly injured. Or worse… 67

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Fury consumed him. The sounds of battle filled the quiet night. Bones cracked, vampires growled, slayers grunted. Demon dust filled the air as vampire after vampire disintegrated. But there were still so many of them left to fight. Roman caught a glimpse of two vampires closing in on him from the sides and in a swift move, he released Marcos, bent at the waist and grabbed the spike concealed in his right boot. He only had a moment to react, so he stabbed Marcos in the leg, injecting the freezing agent. Roman’s brother was rendered incapacitated. It took exactly six seconds for Roman to snap the neck of first one, then the other vampire that attempted to pounce on him. His fangs had protruded, as had his nails. He felt the demon within him threaten to take over, to let loose its rage and take down his enemies. But in the distance, Roman saw Conner drag Kristina from the overturned Hummer. And when she glanced up and her gaze connected with his, he knew he had to find another way to win this battle.

Kristina blinked once, twice, three times. She shook her head, trying to clear her muddled thoughts. All around her, men fought each other, either with their hands or with weapons the likes of which she’d never seen. But the men who’d come with Marcos weren’t men at all. This time she was convinced of it. As she watched one literally soar through the air to attack Dawson, she let out a small cry of shock and alarm. Fangs flashed in the moonlight and faces contorted in the evilest ways, sending a chill racing through her. The pain she’d felt earlier seemed to diminish, to be replaced by fear. Terror. Hopelessness. There was no way out of this. Worse, something was wrong with Roman. Why did he look like Marcos’ men? Why did he look like a…a… “Vampires?” she managed to choke out. “They won’t hurt you,” Conner said, kneeling beside her, weapon in hand. “I’ll make sure of that.”

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He took aim. Something yellowish and glowing shot from the weapon that looked half-crossbow, half-shotgun. Kristina watched in astonishment as Conner hit his target. A second later the man…vampire…whatever…that flew toward them suddenly disappeared into thin air. Kristina’s jaw dropped, but she recovered quickly. “What the fuck?” “My sentiments exactly.” She slumped back against the side of the Hummer, stunned. “I don’t understand any of this.” “Join the club.” He extracted something resembling a silver-tipped spike from his pocket and handed it to her. “Aim for the heart. If you can’t reach it, pierce the skin wherever you can. That’ll give you about six seconds.” “To do what?” she asked, amazed she could even speak. He handed over another spike. “To penetrate the heart with this one.” Before she could respond, two vampires advanced on them. Conner took aim. They were fast creatures, whatever the hell they were. One dodged Conner’s spike. The other swooped in on Kristina. From the depths of her soul, she found the strength to focus and take aim. Maybe it was Roman’s tutelage, maybe it was her desperate need to get the hell out of this terrorfest. Whatever the reason or motivation, she somehow managed to spear the vampire that dared to attack her. As dust rained down on her and she coughed and sputtered, she realized her life would never be the same.

Roman watched first in horror and then in relief as Kristina killed the vampire that attempted to prey on her. He had Marcos back in his clutches and he knew there was no way he could get to her in time. But she’d been prepared. She’d retained her focus and done what needed to be done. Yet now she looked paralyzed with fear. He was afraid she wouldn’t be so lucky next time, so Roman needed to make sure there wasn’t a next time.

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By his count, there were still eight vampires left. And Dawson and Kensington were looking worse for the wear. Dawson was bleeding from the midsection and the three vampires circling him resembled vultures in a feeding frenzy. Kensington had his hands full with two more. Another turned his attention on Conner and Kristina and the remaining two were eyeing Roman with a predatory look. Goddamn it. He and his team had made a valiant effort to save Kristina and free Roman. But they were outnumbered and underpowered. Even the slayers couldn’t keep this up much longer. “Call them off,” Roman said in a strained tone. His grip around Marcos’ neck loosened. “Call them off and I’ll release you.” Marcos let out an evil laugh. “And lose the best opportunity I’ve had in years to eliminate these traitorous vampires? Never.” It took Roman but a moment to understand what the hell had just happened. He’d been set up. “You son-of-a-bitch!” Marcos’ laugh bounced off the red sandstone walls and echoed in the shallow canyon. Roman’s chokehold tightened. “Call it off!” “Finish the job!” Marcos countered. “She may live if you fight. Rid me of the remainder of this pathetic lot and I’ll let her go free.” Roman’s rage spiked again. He’d been duped! This wasn’t a ransom exchange. Marcos had set him up as a hired assassin and he was using Kristina’s life as payment. And if that wasn’t bad enough, he’d turned Roman into the one thing he’d never wanted to be—a demon who slayed mercilessly. He’d never wanted to fight Marcos’ battles and yet here he was, doing just that. “You’ll pay for this,” Roman swore. “I should kill you now.” “While she’s watching?”

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Roman’s head snapped up. Once again, he found Kristina staring at him. So many emotions played on her beautiful face. But the overpowering sentiment was terror. He’d filled her with terror. This life of his, this existence of his, terrified her. He terrified her. Roman could see it in her eyes. And if he murdered Marcos in front of her, she would forever have that vision engrained in her brain. But if he didn’t kill his brother, this fight would end in tragedy. “You’ve got to stop letting your feelings sway you, brother.” Marcos’ tone was low and mocking. “How utterly foolish of you.” Roman didn’t have time to think about that. The slayers wouldn’t win their fights. Conner wouldn’t be able to protect himself and Kristina from the two vamps closing in on them, stalking them slowly as though to heighten their fear. If Roman didn’t do something, fast, the four people he cared the most about would die. They needed him to save them. So Roman did the only thing he could. Knowing Kristina would never look at him the same, knowing she would never be able to love him after this. With lightning speed, he spun Marcos around and bent his head. His fangs made contact with his brother’s cool flesh and Roman bit down on his neck. Tearing the skin away, he ripped his brother’s throat out. Blood and flesh, muscle and cartilage filled his mouth, but he promptly spat it all out. His actions seemed to create an instant freeze effect. Everyone—vampires included—turned their attention to him, stunned. Dawson was the first to react. Being the closest to Roman, he hefted a spike from his back pocket and tossed it at Roman, who caught the weapon and drove it deep into Marcos’ heart. Within seconds, his brother ceased to exist.

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advantage of the lapse in action and made their moves, eliminating vampire after vampire. Conner took aim again. Roman jumped into the battle and fought like nothing she’d ever seen. When the last of the vampires advanced on Kristina, it was Roman who pounced on him and killed him. Right at her feet. She backed away from him, as much as possible, at any rate. She was pressed up against the side of the Hummer when Roman’s head lifted and his gaze met hers. His fangs dripped blood. He was covered in dust and sweat. She ignored all of that. The look in his eyes was the only thing that garnered her attention. She heard his voice in her head, as clear and sharp as the look in his eyes. I’m sorry.

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Chapter Seven Two weeks passed. Kristina’s body was on the mend, but her heart, she was sure, would never heal. It would never be the same. She’d fallen in love with a vampire. A killer. A vicious, ferocious killer. No. That wasn’t Roman at all. Not the Roman she knew, at any rate. Staring out the tall glass panes in her bedroom, she watched the rain fall on the red rocks in the distance. She’d curled up on the window seat an hour or so ago, but was no closer to reconciling her emotions—or what she’d witnessed that night at The Devil’s Kitchen. Damn it. The conflicting emotions inside her were maddening. He’d saved her life. He’d saved Dawson and Kensington and Conner. He’d saved them all. The only ones he’d killed were the bad vampires and his evil brother. That didn’t make him a demon. And yet… That’s exactly what he was. Roman was a vampire. She stared out the window of her bedroom, watching the rain fall on the red rocks in the distance. She lived in one of the most beautiful places she’d ever seen and yet…she saw nothing but gloom and doom. The thick, gray cumulus clouds that hovered over the canyons since that fateful night when she’d discovered Roman’s true nature seemed to mock her. Telling her she was destined for darkness. Kristina let out a long sigh. This was all so complicated. Her father had returned immediately from New York following the “kidnapping”. Of course, he had no idea

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what had really happened that night at The Devil’s Kitchen. No one on Roman’s staff had uttered a word about vampires. And Kristina had been too traumatized to say anything at all. The most her father knew was that a ransom attempt had failed. She was home. Injured, but safe. Of course, he wanted security doubled. But Roman was nowhere to be found. This stunned and confused her father, but still Kristina didn’t say a word. How was she supposed to move forward? How did she go on from here? Kristina wanted desperately to still believe in Roman. Thinking back to the very first night he’d made love to her reminded her of how fiercely passionate he could be. And yet he’d also been gentle with her. Loving. He’s not a killer. She wanted to believe that. Kristina closed her eyes and clung to her memories of Roman, not what had happened at The Devil’s Kitchen. Instead, she recalled that first magical night together. Somewhere in her memory, there had to be some shred of hope she could cling to. Something that would convince her of Roman’s humanity. Letting the remembrance of their passion-filled nights consume her, she tried to find an answer to the question that practically burned a hole in her brain. Is Roman evil?

***** “You shouldn’t be here,” he’d said. “I know. But I told Dawson you gave me clearance.” Roman stared at her, the hard, flat look of his dark blue eyes telling her—warning her—that she shouldn’t have lied to one of his staff. The bodyguards who were there to protect her. Yet the slightest lift of the corners of his mouth told her he welcomed her uninvited intrusion. Her unexpected invasion of his “turf”. It was the first time Kristina had visited the Control Room. The first time she’d used her authority as “the boss’s daughter” to gain access to a world she shouldn’t know 74

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anything about—a world she shouldn’t be a part of. Roman had been her bodyguard for six years. With him, as with her father, she had respected his boundaries, had let him place parameters around her. Until one blustery winter night when she thought she just might freeze to death—figuratively, of course—if she didn’t break out of her shell. Didn’t seek the kind of heat and passion she knew Roman could ignite. “I don’t want you here,” he told her. She smiled. “Sure you do. I’m more fun than your stoic security guards. Prettier too.” She’d meant to be flip, flirtatious. Hell, she’d half-expected Roman to get Dawson on the intercom and have him personally toss her out. Luckily, she’d locked the door behind her, so Dawson wasn’t getting in. But Roman didn’t seek reinforcements. Instead, he reached for the keyboard in front of him and his fingers moved deftly over the keys. He glanced at her and said, “I just erased the footage of you entering the Control Room.” Excitement shot through her. “So this…encounter…never existed?” She lifted an eyebrow suggestively. Sure, no “encounter” had happened thus far, but… She was certain she’d just given him the green light to keep whatever might happen next a secret between the two of them. “I don’t like distractions,” Roman said. “Especially when it puts your life in danger.” “I don’t think you should be distracted from your duty either. But what better way to guard my body than with a more hands-on approach?” The heat that lit his beautiful blue irises told her he got the point. “I don’t sleep with my clients’ daughters.” “Good to know.” She sank into a chair and rolled it closer to his, grateful they were alone in the security room. “Less competition for me.” “There is no competition for you,” he said. His deep, intimate tone and the way he stared so intently at her conveyed his meaning. His interest. His lust.

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Butterflies took to flight in her stomach and seemed to move lower as though their wings fluttered over her sensitive clit, teasing the erogenous zone and heightening her arousal. Making her pussy pulse with desire and need. She crossed her legs to stave off the overwhelming sensation. The man could thaw a glacial epoch with the raw intensity he exuded. The heat that flashed in his eyes. The sexiness that oozed from every pore of his being. Excitement skittered through her. Kristina was playing with fire and knew it was dangerous. Yet from the moment Roman D’Angelo had set foot on the grounds of her father’s estate, she’d wanted him. But she’d only been eighteen when he’d first come to work for the Hartlands. She’d had girlish fantasies about him that had morphed, over the years, into womanly desires. And on the eve of her twenty-fourth birthday, she’d decided she was old enough for him. Mature enough for him. Desirable enough for him… Leaning in close, knowing Roman would get an eyeful of cleavage from her tight black, low-cut dress, she boldly rested a hand on his thigh and said, “I have just one wish for my birthday.” “I don’t believe in wishes,” he countered. Kristina smiled. “You’re much too practical, Roman. But I do believe in wishes. Want to hear mine?” He worked down what appeared to be a hard swallow. But his eyes never left her face. The war he waged became clear to her. He wanted her. It was there in his eyes. But he had a duty to protect her. A responsibility to his employer. A commitment to make sure she remained safe. She knew all this. “No one can hurt me when I’m with you,” she said. Giving him a compelling look, she added, “Right?” Roman nodded. They stared at each other for endless moments. Then he spoke.

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“Tell me,” he said in a low tone, as sensuous as if his fingertips had skimmed over guitar chords, playing them softly, expertly. “About your wish.” She moved closer to him, filling the wide V his opened legs created. As her hand moved higher, brushing over the powerful thigh that was covered with the soft material of his dress pants, she said, “I wish for you to see me as the woman I am today. Not the girl you met six years ago.” His jaw tightened. Roman’s eyes left her face and eased down her neck to her chest. She pulled in a deep breath, feeling the intensity of his heated gaze. Desire flooded her veins. Her nipples tightened behind the lacy cups of her bra. Her clit tingled with the need for his touch. Kristina’s entire body prickled with her mounting arousal. “I won’t deny that you get more beautiful every day,” he told her. “Nor have I ever doubted that you are all woman.” She took this as a good sign. Her hand moved farther up his leg. But Roman was quick to counter her, his own hand covering hers, stopping her in her tracks. His eyes locked with hers as he added, “But you’re off limits.” “No,” she whispered. “I’m not.” Roman tore his gaze from hers and rubbed the back of his neck with his other hand. “Damn it, Kristina. You don’t know… You don’t understand. This is im—” “No,” she insisted as she wrested her hand free. “It’s not impossible.” Kristina moved from her chair and eased into his lap, catching him off guard. Her arms slid around his neck and she said in his ear, “I’ve seen the way you look at me. I know you want me. And I’ve wanted you. For so long, Roman.” He groaned, whether from desire or frustration, she didn’t know. All Kristina really knew was that he could send her away. He could stand up, set her on her feet and demand she leave the room. He could tell her that whatever she thought there was between them didn’t really exist. But he didn’t. And although he didn’t touch her, didn’t reciprocate the embrace, he didn’t push her away either. Whether he knew it or not, his silence spoke volumes. 77

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Her lips grazed his warm skin as she said, “I’m surrounded by men, Roman. Bodyguards, my father’s business associates, potential suitors. None of them matter to me. None of them make me feel the way you do.” Her mouth skimmed over his clenched jaw, but still he didn’t push her away. “I only want you. I’ve only ever wanted you.” When her lips touched his, she felt the shift in him. Like a jolt of electricity that rocked his body, she felt the physical response. She felt the desire and lust she sparked in him. And it excited her like nothing she’d ever known before. His lips parted and Kristina did not waste the opportunity. She kissed him, her tongue boldly slipping into his mouth to tangle with his. Roman’s arms finally tightened around her waist, holding her close to him. Sensations she’d never experienced before, had only dreamed of one day feeling, ignited deep within her and spread through her veins like a raging fire. Kristina instantly felt hot and restless. In desperate need of Roman, who returned her kiss with equal fervor. When he finally tore his mouth from hers, she said in a breathless tone, “Touch me, Roman. Everywhere. I want to feel your hands on my body.” He let out a low growl that heightened her arousal. It was so primal. So carnal. And the desire that flashed in his beautiful blue eyes made her pulse race. Wrenching his hand from her hip, she moved it to her bare thigh, just below the hem of her short skirt. Roman’s fingers pressed into her skin, telling her of the internal debate he continued to have. But as his gaze dropped to her lips, she knew she would win this war. His head dipped and he kissed her, this time taking the lead. He was demanding and passionate, overwhelming her senses with his intensity. Kristina’s arms wrapped around his neck again and she held on for dear life as he deepened the kiss, all the while his hand inched farther up her thigh, under the hem of her skirt. As his fingers grazed her hip, then slid around the backside to cup a cheek—bare from the thong 78

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panties she wore—Kristina thought she’d jump right out of her skin. His touch was electrifying. So sensual, yet so damn hot. And the way he kissed her… Like he’d been dying to kiss her for years and years and now that he had the chance, he unleashed all of his passion. She felt scorched to the core of her being from his sizzling-hot kiss and blistering touch. The powerful feelings that welled within her frightened Kristina a little, because she’d never felt this way. What Roman did to her was so foreign to her. Yet it felt so right. So necessary in her life. She’d waited so long for this moment. Had prayed that when she made her move—because she knew Roman would never be the instigator— he would respond. That he would want her as much as she wanted him. And if his kiss served as a barometer, she’d have to say he was in as deep as she was. But Kristina wanted so much more from him than just a kiss. Her fingers moved to the tie at his throat and she worked the knot loose. Dragging her mouth from his, she said, “This is what I want. Don’t ever doubt that.” Because she didn’t want him to think she didn’t know what she was doing. Didn’t know what she was getting herself into. He was older and more experienced, there was no denying that. But when she set her mind on something, she made sure she knew what she was getting herself into. She also had a loyal heart. And it had belonged to Roman since she was eighteen years old. He let her work the buttons free on his shirt and then he moved swiftly, with her in his arms. He stood and deposited her on the glass-top desk. Roman moved between her parted thighs, forcing them farther apart to accommodate him. Kristina’s skirt inched farther up as her legs wrapped around Roman’s waist. He leaned forward, his hard cock pressing against her lace-covered mound. Erotic sensations shot through her body, making her moan. “Christ,” he said in a strained voice. “You make me so hard, sweetheart.” 79

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Her legs tightened around his waist. Her fingers tangled in his hair. Roman’s lips brushed over her neck, moving downward to her collarbone, then lower still until he kissed the top of one breast, revealed by the low neckline of her dress. All the while, his hard cock rubbed the very spot that ached the most for him. Her clit throbbed and her pussy clenched tight. She needed his hands on her, needed to feel him inside her. He cupped her breasts and squeezed them before his thumbs worked her already hard nipples. Kristina thought she’d go into sensory overload—or self-combust from the heat that seared her insides. “Roman,” she said his name in a breathy voice. “Fuck me.” Her fingertips pressed into his rock-hard biceps as he shifted. His hand pulled at the material at the front of her dress and then his fingers curled around the cup of her bra, exposing her. His mouth was on her nipple before she even had time to prepare herself for how incredible it would feel to have him touch her so intimately. She realized there was no way she could have prepared herself. When Roman’s tongue curled around her nipple, she cried out from the erotic pleasure. It felt so good! Yet, at the same time, heat lanced through her body, making her squirm in his embrace. “Roman,” she said again. “Please.” Her fingers twisted in his hair for a few brief seconds. And then the restlessness and desire consumed her and she clawed at his shirt, shoving the material over his broad shoulders. He got the point. Accepted the green light. His hands shot up underneath the hem of her skirt and his fingers twisted around the thin waistband of her panties. He yanked them down just as she pressed her hands against the glass and lifted her bottom. Then she reached for the belt at his waist, followed by the button and zipper on his pants. Roman pushed the black material and his briefs over his hips and then he was suddenly between her legs again, his cock thrusting into her as she enveloped him in her arms once more. “Kristina,” he whispered her name on a sharp breath. “Oh Christ, sweetheart.”

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He pushed deep into her and she felt a ripple of excitement, the first traces of what she knew would be a powerful orgasm. When Roman’s mouth sealed with hers, she gave herself over to the emotions he evoked, the incredible sensations that flooded her body. She met him thrust for thrust as he fucked her, practically clawing at him in her need to touch him, feel his hard muscles, his smooth skin. And when he pushed just a little bit deeper, she came. Kristina ripped her mouth from his and sucked in a gulp of air. As the beautiful, hot, erotic sensations consumed her, Roman’s intimate voice filled her ear. “I’ve always wanted you. I always will.”

***** Kristina continued to stare out the window, not really seeing the beautiful scenery because her eyes had turned misty. Her heart wrenched at the memories she’d forced herself to succumb to. All she could think was that Roman had never mistreated her. He’d never lied to her. He’d never let her down. And from the first time she’d met him, she’d loved him. That had to mean something, right? “He won’t ever contact you.” The voice that filled her room drew her attention. Dawson leaned against the doorframe at the entry of her room, watching her. “Maybe that’s for the best.” “Do you really believe that?” Kristina shook her head. “I don’t know. I don’t know what to believe.” Dawson moved farther into the room. “That’s not what I asked. I don’t want to know what you think you should believe. I want to know what you really believe. In your heart.” “He’s a vampire.” Dawson nodded. “Yes. But he’s not what you think.”

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“I never would have believed it,” Kristina said, “never would have believed they existed. If I hadn’t seen it with my own eyes.” She stared at him, her gaze unwavering. “But I did see it, didn’t I?” Settling himself on the window seat next to her, Dawson said, “I’m not going to lie about what he is. But you and I both know who he is. Isn’t that what counts?” Kristina let out a low snort of sarcasm that was mixed with a small cry of pain. Tears stung her eyes. “Goddamn it,” she whispered. “I can’t be in love with a vampire.” Dawson crossed his arms over his chest. “I imagine he said the same thing when he fell in love with an heiress. The daughter of his employer. Too complicated a situation. Detrimental to his future—his very existence. Yet from what I saw at the exchange, he didn’t let anything stand in his way when it came to you.” “I don’t understand any of this,” she said in a strained voice. “What’s to understand? His brother turned him centuries ago. He didn’t want to be a killer, so he defected. His brother had been hunting him ever since. What happened at The Devil’s Kitchen was a setup. Marcos had a small legion of vampires plotting against him, attempting to take over the coven. Marcos got wind of it and brought them to the exchange, knowing Roman and the rest of us would kill them.” “You did his dirty work for him?” “They needed to be stopped.” “And what about Roman? Why didn’t you kill him?” Dawson shook his head. “You’re mistaking him for the other vampires you saw. Roman isn’t like that. He wants to be human. He’s still attached to our society. He may be a vampire by circumstance, but he’s still one of us.” Another tear slid down her flushed cheek. “I don’t believe that.” “Really?” Dawson’s gaze locked with hers. “Why did he kill his own kind—his brother—in order to save the four of us? To save you?”

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“I don’t know.” She turned away. Staring out at the funnel of gray in the distance, where the rain fell in hard, steady streams, she searched her heart and soul for an answer. “I’ve never doubted him for a second,” Dawson said as he stood up. “And I’ve been a slayer for forty-two years.” And then he was gone.

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Chapter Eight The ocean was a nice change of scenery, though Roman only saw it at night, with the moonlight streaming over it. He’d been holed up in his hotel room for four weeks now and he’d spend the next four decades here if he had to. He hadn’t bothered clearing out his stuff—his clothes and weapons, actually—from the Hartland estate. The day after the exchange, he’d sought refuge in an abandoned cabin along Oak Creek. When night fell, he’d procured a motorcycle and hit the highway. Mexico had sounded like the place for him. A little self-induced exile might do him some good. He’d crossed the border just minutes before it closed at midnight and then he’d ridden all the way down to the ocean at Puerto Penasco. He needed to put everything behind him. The setup. Marcos’ death, which didn’t really bother him except that he’d viciously murdered his brother in front of Kristina. And speaking of… He couldn’t stop thinking of her. It drove him insane to know he’d never see her again. To know he’d never touch her again. Make love to her. Make her smile. God, that in itself was the worst kind of living hell. How he was going to survive the rest of his eternity was beyond him. Maybe, if he was really lucky, he’d find a distraction. He needed to work. That would help take his mind off her. He contemplated what he should do. There were plenty of affluent businessmen in Mexico he could work security for. That was what he needed to concentrate on. As he considered his options, a knock on the door drew his attention. He’d ordered a bottle of tequila from room service. He was in need of a little self-medicating.

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Yanking on a pair of jeans because he’d just stepped from the shower, he buttoned the fly, then raked a hand through his damp hair. He twisted the knob on the door and pulled it open. Roman’s jaw fell slack. “Clearly you weren’t expecting me.” He shook his head, trying to clear it. Kristina stood before him, wearing a curvehugging dress in a vibrant floral print and sexy strappy sandals. Her long chestnut hair fell over one shoulder in a sleek curtain. She was the most beautiful creature he’d ever known and his heart wrenched at the sight of her. “What are you doing here?” How he managed to speak was beyond him, but thank God he’d found his voice. “I needed to see you.” “How’d you find me?” Her peridot eyes twinkled under the soft glow of the entryway light. “I’m a smart cookie, remember?” Emotion welled inside him as he thought of the dozens of times she’d reminded him of how smart she was. Nodding his head, he said, “Yeah, I remember.” “Look,” she said, the sparkle never leaving her eyes. “I won’t lie and say that everything that happened at The Devil’s Kitchen didn’t freak the hell out of me. But…after running it all through my mind a hundred times over and after thinking about everything you’ve ever said to me and the way you’ve devoted yourself to protecting me—and making me stronger so I could protect myself—I realized…” She shook her head and a lone tear suddenly built in her eye and crested the rim. It slid down her cheek, but she seemed to pay it no mind. “It took some time for me to reconcile everything, Roman. I won’t say it all came easily to me. But I swear, one morning I woke up and suddenly… I just knew. I knew what I’d lost. And I can’t live with that.” He opened his mouth to speak, but she raised a hand to stop him.

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“It’s more than that. I can’t live without you.” She left him speechless. Roman didn’t know what the hell to say. What to do. Here was his dream come to life, standing on the threshold of his oceanfront bungalow. He didn’t want to say anything to ruin this moment. While he searched his mind for something sane to latch onto, she moved past him and stepped into his room. He closed the door behind her, still stunned to see her. “Nice place,” she said as she swiped at the tear on her cheek. She snooped around for a few moments, checking out the accommodations and the view, which was actually very nice at night because of the moonlight. Then she consulted her watch. “We’ll want to keep an eye out for the bellman. He’ll be by in a half hour or so with my luggage.” “Your luggage?” “Yeah,” she said with a smile. “I mean, you are my bodyguard, right? Kind of defeats the purpose of the function if you’re here and I’m in Arizona. So I thought that in order for you to best protect me, especially from Seth Corbett, I’d better come down here.” Roman couldn’t stop the grin that tipped his lips. “You’re here so I can protect you?” “Yeah. Well, aside from the Witless Wonder who wants to marry me—though really, I can’t stand the twit—I have this Nazi-like jujutsu instructor stalking me. He wants to drag me off to the gym every other day and I am just so not into—” “Oh I see,” Roman interjected with a low chuckle. “You want me to protect you from a vigorous workout?” “No,” she said as she slipped the straps of her dress from her slender shoulders, causing the bodice of her dress to drop to her waist, baring her breasts. “I want you to give me a vigorous workout.”

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Roman’s cock sprang to life. His desire for her grew, as did his love. But he had to make sure she knew what she was getting herself into. He said, “I’m a vampire, sweetheart.” “Yeah, I know.” Her hand lifted to his face and her fingers grazed his cheek. “And from what I hear, that means you and I will live a very long life together.” She stepped into his embrace and whispered in his ear, “If that’s what you want.” “It’s exactly what I want.” Roman’s arms tightened around her as he kissed her deeply. When he pulled away, she said, “So we’ve got an eternity ahead of us. Let’s make it a happy one.”

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About the Author Calista Fox in a multi-published, award-winning author of contemporary, suspense and paranormal erotic romances. She began her professional fiction-writing career in 2004, following a successful career in PR, where she specialized in writing speeches and Congressional testimonies. Her books have received rave reviews and she is also the recipient of a Reviewers Choice Award for Best Erotic Sci-Fi Novella. Calista is a member of Romance Writers of America and two of its Phoenix Chapters, Desert Rose and Valley of the Sun Romance Writers. She has served on the Board of Directors, been the newsletter director and chaired the annual Golden Quill Contest for the Desert Rose Chapter. She is also a member of Passionate Ink, RWA’s erotic romance chapter. In addition, Calista gives presentations and workshops on writing novellas. Calista attended college on a Journalism scholarship and has worked on newspapers as an editor and reporter. She holds degrees in General Studies and Communications. Calista lives in Arizona, but travels frequently to places like Mexico, Europe, San Diego and Washington DC. She has traveled the country by Lear Jet, always with her laptop in tow, and is a spa aficionado! The author welcomes comments from readers. You can find her website and email address on her author bio page at www.ellorascave.com.

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