His mouth curled up. “Naughty woman, I think you came here to seduce me.”
She had, but with vampire sex in mind. She was getting more than she had bargained for. Her breath caught when he unbuttoned her nightgown with vampire speed.
“I wish we could spend hours on this, but we’re short on time.” He lifted her into a sitting position.
“I understand.” Even so, she felt extremely self-conscious when he slipped her wrapper and nightgown off her shoulders. He was very careful with her wounded arm, but it hardly registered. She could only think that her bare breasts were now exposed to his red and glowing eyes. No one had seen her naked since her late husband two hundred years ago.
And no one had confessed to loving her, either, in all that time. “I-I saw how you felt when our minds were connected.” Would he say the words out loud? She would feel much more at ease if he did.
He said nothing, only pushed her back onto the bed and tugged her clothes down her hips and legs.
She covered her eyes, imagining his glowing eyes examining every inch of her body. What would he do next? Would he invade her without warning, like Max had done? And then after a few uncomfortable thrusts, it would all be over.
For the first time, she wondered if her late husband had been a selfish lover. She’d been completely innocent up to the wedding, so she’d had no one to compare him to. She only knew that in recent years, she’d enjoyed vampire sex more than anything he had done.
“Pam?”
She peeked between her fingers and found Mikhail stretched out beside her, studying her face.
His cheek dimpled. “Why are you hiding? Don’t you know how beautiful you are?”
She lowered her hands. “I feel so exposed.”
“You are.” He brushed her hair back from her brow. “And I love you more than ever.”
Her heart swelled. “Oh, Mikhail.” She touched his face, and blond whiskers tickled her fingertips. “I never knew you felt that way. Why did you keep it a secret?”
“You’re so beautiful, I assumed you were selfish and vain like my late wife.” He grimaced. “You should slap me for being a fool. I lost so much time when I could have been loving you.”
She traced the outline of his strong jaw, then brushed a finger over his beautifully sculpted lips. “We can still have centuries together.”
The red in his eyes darkened. “Good. For once I have claimed you, I will not give you up.”
Her heart felt like it would burst with longing. “Mikhail.” She wrapped her arms around his neck.
He kissed her tenderly and thoroughly till she grew comfortably relaxed with him, warm and pliant. Then his hands began to roam. And his mouth. The comfortable feeling quickly flamed into a fiery passion that sizzled through her veins, making her hot and frantic.
He was true to his word, kissing and tasting her all over. She moaned as he suckled on her breasts, gasped when his fingers discovered the wet heat between her legs.
He did things with his fingers she had never imagined. Soon she was thrashing about and not even caring. And when he burrowed his head between her legs, she cried out in shock. How barbaric! How . . . wonderfully wild. She writhed beneath him till she shattered with the strongest climax she’d ever experienced.
She was still pulsating with aftershocks when she felt the first tug of death-sleep. The sun was rising, and they were running out of time.
“Mikhail,” she panted, reaching for him. He’d spent all their time pleasuring her. How could she not love such a dear man?
“Damn sun.” He ripped off his pants and settled between her legs.
She gasped. He was huge. But even as fierce and powerful as he was, he couldn’t keep the sun from rising. Another tug of death-sleep pulled at her.
He collapsed beside her and pulled her into his arms, his erection pressed against her stomach. “Tomorrow, you will be mine.”
A sharp pain squeezed her chest as death-sleep claimed her. Tomorrow, she thought, as she fell into darkness.
THEY BOTH JOLTED awake at the same time.
Pam stared into his face, only inches away, and the enormity of her actions stole her breath away. She’d given herself to a man she hardly knew. True, the sex had been beyond her wildest imaginings, but she’d done more than have sex. She’d given him her heart.
His mouth curled up as his eyes turned red. “Shall we pick up where we left off?”
With a gasp, she felt his manhood swelling against her belly. “I-I should eat first. I’m quite peckish when I awaken.”
“Then bite me.” He pulled his hair over one shoulder to expose his neck.
She gulped. She’d never bitten a vampire before. Not even her late husband. And Mikhail was six hundred years old. No doubt his blood would be extremely rich and powerful. It was shocking that he’d even offer it to her.
What a sweet and generous man he was. No wonder she’d fallen for him so quickly. Still, it was frightening to think how vulnerable she was now. “Don’t—don’t you have some bottles in your fridge?”
“Yes.” He tickled her breasts with the tail end of his hair. “But I want to keep you in bed all night.”
“Don’t we have a mission to go on?”
“We’ll take the night off.” He kissed her mouth, then trailed kisses down her neck to her breasts.
She shivered when he drew a nipple into his mouth. How could she resist such a man? But if he claimed her, he would never let her go. He’d said so himself.
A frisson of panic skittered through her. Was she ready for this? Mikhail might have waited two hundred years for this, but for her, it had only been a few nights. “I-I should go home to . . . freshen up.”
“It’s still daylight there.” He shifted to the other breast.
Oh, bother. He was right. It would be a few hours before she could teleport to London. “I should have brought my costume with me.”
“It’s missing a sleeve.” He nibbled a path to her belly button.
She shivered. “I have a spare.”
He lifted his head. “A what?”
“A spare costume. And another box of ninja stars.” She gasped as a hunger pain cramped her stomach.
“Here.” He offered his wrist.
“No.” She shook her head. “I don’t want to weaken you before our mission.”
“There is no mission.”
“You mean you finished destroying the human-trafficking ring last night?”
“No, I mean you won’t be doing any more missions.”
“What?” Another hunger pain seized her, doubling her over.
“Wait.” He jumped out of bed, and returned a few seconds later with a bottle of Blardonnay and two glasses. He filled a glass and handed it to her.
She guzzled it down fast.
“Better?” He refilled her glass.
She nodded and drank some more. As the pain subsided, she let her gaze wander over him. She’d been too overwhelmed with passion the night before to get a good look at him. He was beautiful, golden and muscular. He drank from his glass, his head tilted back, his long hair loose down his back.
She stroked a hand down his hair, and a wave of desire swept over her. It would be so easy, so tempting to fall back against the pillows and let him make love to her.
But he’d said she wouldn’t be going on any more missions.
He set his empty glass on the bedside table, then reached for her. “Where were we?”
“I’m afraid we were about to quarrel.”
His mouth twitched. “I thought we were going to make love.” He leaned toward her to kiss her.
She stopped him with a palm against his chest. “You said I couldn’t go on any more missions.”
“Pam.” He brushed her hair over her shoulders. “You’re not trained well enough for battle.”
“I disagree. I studied at the premier fencing academy in London. And I took classes three nights every week at a martial-arts—”
“You’re not ready. You w
ere wounded last night.” His hand skimmed over her bandage. “There’s no need for you to risk yourself.”
She scooted back. “There is a need. I explained it to you before. I thought you understood.”
“I do understand. You wanted to prove that you wouldn’t abandon your friends. You did that. You showed us how brave you are.”
“Once isn’t enough! I don’t intend to scurry back to my parlor and embroider handkerchiefs for another hundred years. This is the new me—VampWoman!”
His jaw shifted. “The new you will end up getting killed.”
“I will not. The other women fight evil, so I can, too. Jack lets Lara help out. Olivia assists Robby. And Emma does things, too.”
“Lara was a police officer; Olivia was with the FBI; and Emma was with the CIA. They have years of training. If you want to go about this safely, you will join MacKay S and I and get the training you need. But even then, if you’re not ready for battle, you will not be allowed to fight. I know for a fact that Lara and Olivia do not engage in vampire battles. They work more in the area of investigation.”
With a sigh, Pam reached for her wrapper. “I did apply at MacKay S and I. Six months ago. They turned me down.”
Mikhail sat back. “I didn’t know.”
She slipped on the wrapper. “That’s when I decided to be a free agent and take care of my own training. I suppose if you won’t let me fight with you, I’ll have to go solo.”
“What?” He grabbed her arm. “Are you suicidal?”
“I’m determined.”
His grip tightened. “I won’t allow it.”
She pulled away from him. “You don’t own me!”
“No, I don’t.” He gritted his teeth. “But I cannot bear for you to be injured. The last time I lost someone I love, it nearly killed me.”
Tears blurred her vision. “I’m really sorry about your daughter, but I can’t give up my dream and do nothing for the rest of my life. I thought you understood how important this is to me.”
“I thought you understood how important you are to me. You have my heart.”
“I didn’t ask for it!” She winced. Oh God, she shouldn’t have blurted that out. He had instantly flinched and let go of her.
He climbed out of bed, his face harsh and his eyes cold. “My apologies for burdening you with something you do not want.”
He stalked off to the bathroom and shut the door.
Her chest seized with a sudden pain. What had she done? She hadn’t meant to hurt him. She only wanted go on missions with him. She wanted to prove herself strong and brave. What was so wrong with that?
Instead, she’d proven herself a terrible fool.
Tears ran down her cheeks. What should she do? Apologize and tell him she loved him? Did she?
Oh, God, yes. She must love him for this to hurt so horribly.
She slipped out of bed, ready to dash to the bathroom and confess her love. But what then? Would she be expected to give up her plans?
She wandered to the bathroom and knocked on the door.
No answer.
“Mikhail?” She knocked again. “Can we . . . talk?”
No answer.
She opened the door, and the room was empty. He must have thrown on some clothes and teleported away. He was probably at Zoltan’s, getting ready for the next mission.
She was tempted to follow, but how could she show up there, wearing nothing but a thin wrapper? Besides, she didn’t know what to say. He wasn’t likely to back down, and she didn’t want to give up her dream. They were at an impasse, and she didn’t know how to fix it.
All she knew was that she loved him. She wanted an eternity with him.
But she might have discovered it too late.
Chapter Seven
A week later. . .
“HAVE A SEAT.” Angus MacKay motioned to an armchair in the parlor of his London townhouse.
“Thank you.” Pamela sat and wedged her small handbag into the chair next to her. After receiving a brief phone call and invitation from Angus’s wife twenty minutes earlier, she’d quickly dressed in a modern, professional-looking suit designed by Jean-Luc Echarpe. She wasn’t sure what Angus and Emma wanted, but since they were the owners of MacKay Security and Investigation, and he was Coven Master of the British Isles, she wanted to look her best.
Angus paced across the parlor, his blue-and-green-plaid kilt swishing about his knees. “I hear ye’ve been busy of late, helping the lads in Albania.”
“Yes.” So this was the purpose for her sudden invitation. The men must have complained about her interference with their mission, and Angus was going to berate her over it.
She gripped her hands together. Was Mikhail behind this? Was this how he intended to keep her safe at home and hopelessly bored for the next few centuries?
Angus stopped pacing and frowned at her. “I heard ye were injured in battle. Are ye all right now?”
“I’m fine. Thank you.” Pamela shifted in her chair. “How are you and Emma?”
“We’re very well.” Emma strode into the room, carrying a tray. “Would you like a cup of hot Chocolood?”
Pamela nodded. “That would be lovely. Thank you.”
While Emma poured two cups from a teapot, Angus helped himself to a glass of Blissky at the sidebar.
“Here you are.” Emma passed her a cup, then sat near her on the settee. “I’m sure you’re wondering why we invited you here.”
“Yes.” Pamela sipped some Chocolood, then set her cup down before her trembling hands could betray her.
Angus plunked his glass of Blissky on the coffee table, then sat next to his wife. “We received a detailed report on your recent activities.” He arched a brow. “VampWoman, ye call yerself?”
“Yes.” Heat invaded her cheeks. She’d thought her idea excellent for the past six months, but now she feared others would see it as an irresponsible prank. She steeled herself for the berating soon to begin.
“I’m afraid we made a mistake not hiring you before,” Emma said with an apologetic smile. “We didn’t realize how determined you are.”
Pamela blinked. She wasn’t in trouble?
Angus leaned forward, his elbows resting on his knees. “We’d like to hire you now if ye’re still interested.”
Her mouth dropped open.
“Of course, we doona think ye’re properly trained for battle,” Angus continued.
“But we will train you,” Emma added. “Vigorously. Are you up to that?”
Pamela snapped her mouth shut and nodded. Her pulse quickened. She was going to work for MacKay S and I!
Emma took a sip from her cup of Chocolood. “You worked as a bartender at Vanda’s club in New York, correct?”
“Yes.”
“How do ye feel about spying?” Angus asked.
Pamela’s heart skipped a beat, but she sat up straighter. “How soon can I start?”
Angus chuckled. “Let me explain the plan first. The Malcontents are in disarray, with Casimir and Corky gone. No clear leader has surfaced, and information is scarce. We know of a nightclub in Moscow they like to frequent, so there’s a good chance we could gain valuable information there.”
Pamela nodded. Good heavens! Did they expect her to work in Moscow?
“It’s a tragic place.” Emma grimaced. “The mortals who go there are enthralled to the point that they enjoy being fed on. Eventually, they run out of blood and are cast aside like empty milk jugs. And regrettably, there are more mortals ready to take their place. You would have to witness that but do nothing to help them, or your cover would be blown. Then you would be in serious trouble.”
Pamela swallowed hard. “I understand.”
“Ye would work at the bar, serving the puir mortals, and listening in on the Malcontents,” Angus said.
Pamela slumped. This wasn’t going to work. “I’m afraid I can’t help you. I don’t know any Russian.”
“That’s why you’re perfect for the job.” Emma gave her a
n encouraging smile. “The Malcontents will feel free to discuss their affairs in front of you.”
“They will most likely test you to make sure ye doona understand them,” Angus warned her. “They might say some verra nasty things to you to see if ye react.”
“Just ignore them and go about your job, serving the mortals,” Emma said. “You’ll be wired, so their conversations will be heard by our Russian operative.”
Pamela’s heart lurched. “You mean . . . Mikhail?”
“Aye,” Angus replied. “He’ll be yer partner.”
She shook her head. “He’ll never agree to it. He doesn’t want me doing anything dangerous.”
“Dear.” Emma reached over and touched her arm. “This was Mikhail’s idea. He’s the one who convinced us to hire you.”
Pamela sat back, stunned. Mikhail was behind this?
“He’ll be listening in while you’re at work,” Emma added. “If there’s an emergency situation, he can teleport to you instantly.”
Angus stood. “What do ye say, lass? Do ye want the job?”
“I . . .” Her heart thundered in her ears. A job with Mikhail? Night after night?
“Perhaps you would like to discuss the matter with him first?” Emma asked.
“Mikhail!” Angus shouted.
Pamela gasped. He was here? She glanced at the entrance to the parlor just as his large frame filled the open doorway.
Her heart clenched with longing. How many tears had she shed the past week, believing she’d lost him forever? Even now, her eyes filled with tears, and she squeezed them shut. This was not the time to fall apart. She needed to show Angus and Emma how strong she could be.
Taking a deep breath, she opened her eyes and eased to her feet. Mikhail strode into the room, his eyes focused on her with an intensity that made her skin prickle with gooseflesh.
Emma grabbed her husband’s arm and pulled him toward the entrance. “We should give them some privacy.”
“They’re staring at each other something fierce,” Angus whispered.
“Shh.” Emma herded him through the door and shut it.
Pamela drew in a shaky breath. Over the past week, she’d envisioned meeting Mikhail many times. Sometimes, she imagined herself fussing at him and taking a tough stance. Other times, she would confess her love and throw herself into his arms. But far too often, she had burst into tears for fear he would never want to see her again.