“I’m fine.” Darcy giggled as she rolled onto the floor. “I’m in love.” She burst into tears.
“Oh, great.” Vanda helped her up. “We’d better get to a safe place before the sun rises.”
“The bedroom.” Darcy lurched toward the room, followed by Vanda and Maggie. They collapsed onto the king-sized bed.
The sun must be breaking the horizon, Darcy thought. She could feel the heavy pull of the death sleep.
“You know, there’s one good thing about being a vampire,” Vanda whispered on Darcy’s right.
“What’s that?” Maggie asked from Darcy’s left.
“No matter how screwed up we are, we’ll never lose a minute’s sleep over it.”
“True.” Darcy reached for their hands. “Thank you for being here.” With good friends, maybe she could survive this. She slipped into oblivion.
Chapter 23
Darcy woke with a monstrous headache. Vanda and Maggie looked equally as miserable as they stumbled back to their rooms on the servants’ floor. As Darcy showered and dressed, she realized she couldn’t face Austin. If she saw him, she might beg him to take her back. So she stopped by the cameramen’s room and asked them to proceed without her.
Maria Consuela was judging the contest tonight. Gregori escorted her to the penthouse library. The rest of the ex-harem, including Darcy, watched from the servants’ parlor.
Cora Lee squealed, pointing at the television where the library could now be seen. “There they are!”
“Not so loud,” Vanda muttered.
Maggie groaned. Darcy rubbed her throbbing temples.
Gregori smiled at a camera. “Welcome to The Sexiest Man on Earth. There are only four contestants left, and two will be eliminated tonight as we test each man’s strength. Our judge tonight is the lovely Maria Consuela of Spain.”
Maria Consuela inclined her head toward the camera in a calm, regal manner. Only her tight grip on her rosary hinted at her nervousness.
“Our first contestant tonight is Roberto from Buenos Aires.” Gregori opened the library door, and Roberto entered the room.
He looked suave, his black hair slicked back from a high forehead. He bowed to Maria Consuela. “At your service, señora.”
“Gracias.” Maria Consuela stood by the fireplace and motioned to a nearby wingback chair. “I believe this chair would look much better in front of the desk.”
“Claro.” Roberto lifted the chair high over his head. He walked to the desk and set the chair down. “Is this better?”
“Why, yes.” Maria Consuela’s dark eyes gleamed with approval. “And that little settee in the corner, I believe it should be here by the fireplace.”
“Of course.” Roberto easily lifted the antique love seat and placed it by the hearth. He straightened, adjusting his cufflinks. He hadn’t even wrinkled his suit.
Maria Consuela beamed. “Gracias, señor. You may go now.”
Roberto bowed. “My pleasure, señora.” He left the room.
Lady Pamela sighed. “He’s most definitely a Vamp.”
“Aye,” Princess Joanna agreed. “We should keep him.”
The ladies turned back to the television when Gregori brought in the next contestant.
Garth of Colorado smiled. “Good evening.”
Darcy held her breath. Garth Manly, aka Garrett the CIA man, needed to be eliminated tonight.
Maria Consuela inclined her head to him. “If you would be so kind, would you please move this settee to the corner?”
“No problem.” Garrett tried to lift the settee, but it proved too long and unwieldy for him. Finally, he lifted one end and pushed it. The legs scraped across the wooden floor.
Maria Consuela huffed. “You are scratching the floor.”
“Sorry.” Garrett gave the settee one final shove.
Maria Consuela narrowed her eyes. “Can you lift the desk?”
Garrett frowned at the huge mahogany desk. “Not by myself. You need at least two people. Maybe more.”
Maria Consuela pursed her lips. “I see. You may go.”
Darcy sighed with relief. Garrett had been found out.
Maria Consuela leaned toward a camera. “I suspect that man is a mortal.”
“Hurray!” Cora Lee clapped. “We found another mortal!”
“Quiet,” Vanda grumbled, rubbing her forehead.
Lady Pamela sniffed. “You are certainly in a foul mood.”
“Shh,” Darcy hushed them when the next contestant entered the room. Austin.
“Oh, look, it’s Adam!” Cora Lee exclaimed. “I like him.”
Darcy wanted to growl, but it would hurt her head too much.
“Hi, how are you?” Austin looked tired. Drawn and tense.
Maria Consuela tapped her chin with her finger. “I believe that chair should go here by the fireplace.”
“Okay.” Austin strode to the desk, lifted the wingback chair, and set it down close to Maria Consuela.
Darcy sat up, her heart stammering. He’d made it look so easy. But then, it was only a chair. Mortal men could probably move chairs all day without straining themselves.
Maria Consuela’s brows lifted. “And the settee in the corner? Could you put it in front of the desk?”
“Sure.” Austin circled behind the settee. He glanced at the camera, his expression harsh with emotion.
Darcy felt alarm bells clanging in her aching head.
Austin leaned over, then straightened with the settee balanced on one hand in the air.
The ladies gasped.
Darcy’s jaw dropped. Vanda and Maggie shot her confused looks. They knew as well as she did that he was mortal.
“It must be some kind of trick,” Darcy whispered as she watched him walk across the room with the settee in the air.
“I knew it.” Princess Joanna nodded with satisfaction. “That man is a vampire.”
Darcy sank into her chair. What was Austin doing? He was supposed to get eliminated. He had told her he would. The truth dawned on her with a startled gasp. He intended to stay. He wanted another night. With her.
Austin lowered the settee to the floor. “Anything else?”
“No.” Maria Consuela smiled. “That was marvelous. Gracias.”
Austin left the room. Dammit. Darcy gritted her teeth. How on earth had he managed such a trick?
“The last contestant,” Gregori announced. “Otto of Düsseldorf.”
Thank God. Darcy sat up, hoping He-Man Otto would twirl the desk on his finger like a basketball. If anyone could beat Austin, it would be him.
“Ya, de Otto is here.” He marched in and posed for one of the cameras. The material on his jacket strained over his back muscles. “Ah, de Otto must take off his coat before it is ripped into tiny pieces by his big bulges.”
He made googly eyes at the camera while he removed his jacket. “Ya, all de ladies love de big bulges.”
“Oh, my.” Maria Consuela collapsed into the wingback chair. “You’re so strong.”
“Ya, you vant to see how strong?” He circled to the back of her chair. “De Otto vill lift you high in de air.”
“Santa Maria.” Maria Consuela clutched the arms of the chair. “Are you sure?”
“Ya. Do not fear. You are light as de feather.” Otto grasped the chair under its arms. He straightened suddenly, causing Maria Consuela to squeal as she rose in the air.
“You see. It is easy.” Otto started to lower the chair when he yelped. “Aagh!” The chair tipped, spilling Maria Consuela onto the floor with a splat. Her scream was cut off when the chair landed on her head.
“Aagh!” Otto doubled over. “I broke a nail. De fingernail bent backvard.”
Gregori rushed forward and pulled the chair off Maria Consuela. “Are you all right?”
“No!” She scrambled to her feet, glaring at Otto. “You clumsy fool! I haven’t been so abused since the Spanish Inquisition!”
“But de Otto is hurt.” Otto stuck his sore finger into his mouth
and sucked.
Darcy’s eye twitched. The unbelievable had happened.
Otto of Düsseldorf had failed the strength test.
Coward. She was avoiding him. Austin stood on the staircase landing, watching the ladies file into the foyer. Darcy was nowhere in sight.
Gregori strode toward the center of the foyer. “Welcome to another orchid ceremony on The Sexiest Man on Earth. Tonight, two men will leave, and two will remain. Those last two men will compete for the title and a whopping five million dollars.”
The cameramen scurried to catch all the excited reactions. Maria Consuela joined Gregori under the chandelier with two black orchids in her hands.
“Are you ready?” Gregori asked. When she nodded, he continued, “Who will be eliminated? We’ll know real soon, but first, a word from our sponsor—Romatech’s Fusion Cuisine.” He paused, then started again with a smile. “We’re back. And Maria Consuela is ready to give out her orchids.”
She nodded. “The first one goes to Garth from Colorado.”
“That figures,” Garrett mumbled. He descended the stairs to receive his orchid. Then, he climbed back to the landing to stand near Austin. “I guess you’re next,” he whispered.
Austin held his breath.
“The second orchid goes to Otto of Düsseldorf.” Maria Consuela glared at the German vampire as he lumbered down the stairs.
Otto trudged back up the stairs. He examined Roberto and Austin, and his massive shoulders slumped. “Dis is terrible. De Otto has been crushed by two girly-men.”
“Let’s go.” Austin walked back to the east wing with Garrett. While Garrett retrieved his bags, Austin went to his room to watch the surveillance camera in the portrait room.
The ladies sighed when the black light revealed Otto as a vampire. Then they cheered when they learned Garrett was mortal.
“We’ve done it!” one of the ladies exclaimed. “We’ve rid ourselves of the last mortal!”
Austin winced. Darcy was probably furious. He’d have to convince her that no harm was done. He could still lose to Roberto in the final round.
He accompanied Garrett downstairs and helped him load his luggage into the Hummer limo. Otto was already inside, grumbling to himself. The limo drove away, and Austin went straight to the roof and the pool house. He knocked. No answer. He tried the door. It wasn’t locked, so he let himself in.
“Darcy? Are you here?” The main room was empty. Bedroom, too. He headed back to the kitchen and filled a glass with ice water. Then, he wandered to the sitting area and set his glass on the coffee table. There were three empty glasses there and an almost empty bottle. He lifted the bottle and sniffed. Whoa! He eyed the rocking chair knocked over on its back. So, Darcy had gotten soused after rejecting him. He slowly smiled.
The front door creaked open, and he turned.
Darcy’s mouth fell open.
“Hi, sweetheart.” He lifted the bottle in his hand. “Did you want to get drunk again?”
Her gaze flicked to the bottle. “I had enough last night.”
“Strange.” He clunked the bottle down. “I didn’t.”
She winced, then quietly shut the door.
He sat on the wicker love seat. “Did it work?”
She approached him warily. “Did what work?”
“Did getting soused make you forget that you love me?”
Her eyes reflected pain as she sat on the end of the wicker chaise lounge. “Nothing could make me forget that.” Her expression hardened. “I also remember that you agreed to get yourself eliminated from the show.”
“I couldn’t leave. Not without talking to you.”
“Then send me a telegram.” Her eyes flashed with anger. “Are you trying to get me fired? That’s what’ll happen if you win.”
“I won’t win. I’ll be obnoxious and rude tomorrow night.”
“There’s no taping for the next two days. The second show airs tomorrow night. You won’t see me again ’til Friday. That’s the final night of taping. And you had better lose.”
“I will. Trust me.”
“Trust? Don’t make me laugh, Adam.”
“I have never lied to you about how I feel.”
Her eyes narrowed. “How did you do it? How did you lift a settee with one hand?”
He focused on the overturned rocker. Slowly it rose in the air, then landed in an upright position.
Darcy gaped at it, then at Austin, then back at the chair. “How?”
“Telekinesis.”
“Good God, how powerful are you?”
He shrugged. “I feel pretty damned helpless where you’re concerned. I want to spend the rest of my life with you, and you’re brushing me off like it’s nothing.”
“You think it’s easy for me?” She rubbed her forehead. “I have a monster headache.”
“Looks like you have two choices. You can either marry me or spend eternity in a drunken stupor.”
She glared at him as she massaged her temples. “Oh, thanks. That’s about the loveliest proposal a girl could hope for.”
He perched on the end of the chaise beside her. “Allow me.” He pressed his fingers into her scalp and rubbed small circles.
She closed her eyes. “I shouldn’t let you touch me.”
“Why not?”
“Because my resistance melts away.”
“Good.” He moved his hands to her neck and massaged her there. “You hate being cold, sweetheart. Stop fighting this, and melt with me.”
She moaned, her eyes still closed. “I want you to be happy, Austin. How can you be happy with me?”
“I love you. Of course, I’ll be happy with you.” He focused on his glass of water. It slid across the table to within his reach. He fished out an ice cube, then drew a line with it down Darcy’s neck.
She stiffened, her eyes flying open. “That’s so cold.”
“Yes, but I’m here to heat you up.” He nuzzled her neck, licking away the cold trail of water left behind by the ice.
She shuddered. “Do you realize what you’re doing?”
“Seducing you?” He skimmed the ice cube along her collarbone, then down between her breasts.
Her skin pebbled with goosebumps. “I can’t leave the vampire world. I’m stuck here. You would be forced to share it with me.”
“I know.” With the ice, he drew two circles on her T-shirt, outlining her breasts. “I just have one question for you.”
She shivered. “What is it?”
He rubbed the ice over her nipples, soaking her T-shirt and bra. “Will you still love me when I’m old and gray? Or bald?”
“Of course.”
“Then it’s settled.” He tossed the ice cube onto the table.
“You make it sound so easy.” She shuddered. “Shame on you. You know how I hate the cold.”
“But you love it when I warm you up.” He pulled her shirt over her head. Then, he reached behind her to unhook her bra.
“God help me, I love you.” She wrapped her arms around his neck.
Yes! A surge of victory swept through him as he pushed her down onto the chaise lounge. She did love him. She did want him. He made love to her breasts, then unzipped her jeans and tugged them down her legs. They snagged on her sneakers, so he jerked off her shoes and jeans all at once. She lounged on the floral cushions, wearing nothing but red lace underwear.
“You look incredible.” He perched on the lounge next to her.
“Thank you.” She reached for him.
“Just a minute.” He plucked another piece of ice from his glass and studied her panties. “Hmm.”
Her eyes widened. “Don’t you dare.”
“But I promise to warm you up.”
She scrambled off the chaise, but he caught the waistband and popped the ice cube onto her bottom. “Aagh!” She wiggled out of the underwear.
“Wow.” He rose to his feet, grinning. “I’ve never seen a lady drop her pants so fast.”
“You rascal.” She planted her hand
s on her hips and looked him over. “We have a serious problem.”
“What?”
Her eyes twinkled with mischief. “I’m completely naked, but here you are, still in a suit and tie.”
“Oh. No problem.” He started to take off his coat, but she stopped him.
“I think I like this.” She circled him slowly, skimming a hand across his chest, over his arm, and across his back. “It makes me feel…wild and wanton.”
He inhaled sharply when her breasts brushed against his arm. His groin tightened. “I have to admit I like the view.”
“So do I.” She lifted the end of his tie and ran the tip down her neck and between her breasts.
He grabbed her hips and pulled her against his erection. “Are you ready to be warmed up?”
“Is that a heating iron or are you just happy to see me?” She wiggled out of his arms. “Come.” She tugged on his tie, leading him like a dog on a leash.
And he went. Gladly. Hell, he felt like howling. After all, the woman he loved was leading him to the bedroom. And watching her swaying rump from behind was an added bonus.
She stopped when she reached the bed. She turned slowly. “Let me undress you.” But he already had his coat and shoes off. Her eyes widened. “You’re certainly in a hurry.”
“Sweetheart, I’m about to explode.”
“Really?” She hooked a leg around him and rubbed her inner thigh against his pants. “Are you suffering?”
“Vixen,” he muttered as he loosened his tie and pulled it over his head.
She began to unbutton his shirt with irritatingly slow patience. With a growl, he unhooked his belt, unzipped his pants, dropped them, and kicked them aside. His underwear followed suit, and she was still unbuttoning his shirt.
“Enough.” He yanked his shirt and undershirt over his head at the same time. He focused on the door, and it swung shut.
“Wow,” she breathed.
With his mind, he pulled the comforter down the bed. Clean white sheets and pillows were revealed. “Climb in, sweetheart.”
She snorted. “Well, that’s a neat trick, but if you really want to impress me, you’ll know how to make the bed, too.”
He grabbed her around the waist and plopped her on the mattress.
“And do the laundry. Not to mention the dirty dishes.”