Infamous: (A Bad Boy Romantic Suspense) (27 page)

“So like…there are people out there who can turn into…wereturtles? Or werewombats?” I asked, blinking. She laughed.

“Well, I’ve never seen any, but it’s possible. I only know of the wolf, bear, and fox varieties. I suppose I could ask Robert. He’s been around a long time.” She licked her fingers delicately.

“That’s okay, then he’d know I was snooping and you might get in trouble,” I said. She laughed.

“He needs me and he knows it. He’d never sort through all the various responsibilities he has without me.” She started clearing the counter.

“I thought it was just like, live forever, get up when you want, eat some blood, repeat,” I said.

“Robert takes it all very seriously. His estates are all working lands; some have farms, or are museums. And he takes the family name thing seriously. Plus there’s all the vampire politics stuff. Which, believe me, is really boring and tedious most of the time,” she said, rolling her eyes.

“How does he get around people realizing he’s been around for so long? Does he leave the estates to himself or something?” I asked. She looked surprised.

“Actually, yeah, something pretty close to that. It’s one of the reasons a lot of the older vampires wander around a lot and have different places to stay. So they avoid anyone noticing that Lord Ellory the Fourth looks a lot like Lord Ellory the First, and so on. Some of the families don’t care, though. Which makes things sticky sometimes.”

I let her lead me back the way we’d come until she showed me into a sitting room. It was cozy, like her office, with a fireplace and a lot of blankets and reclining sofas in various shades of velvet. I sat and wrapped a gray blanket around myself, feeling dozy and warm.

“So, there is one other thing Lord Ellory wanted me to do before he gets up. He’d like me to invite you to dinner. Just you and him. No Dimitri. He’ll be occupied,” she said, eyeing me from a little table where she had a laptop propped open.

“Sure. So long as I don’t have to dress up. I am over formal wear for a while,” I said, lying back, feeling sleepy again.

“It will be here in the house, in the dining room, at nine p.m. You can find it by just following the hall to the kitchen, then turning left instead of right.” Her voice was soft, soothing. From my droopy eyes I looked over and saw the sunlight flowing over her, making her look a little like she was made of translucent scales. Her eyes sparkled and shifted in color now, and I wondered if that was because of her changeling nature or my imagination.

“I’ll try not to get lost,” I muttered, before drifting off.

At least I’d finally met someone more normal. You know, relatively.

I woke up as a clock struck nine, feeling actually rested. I found a note propped up in front of me. It was from Tina.

It was lovely to meet you, Emma! Don’t forget, it’s a left at the kitchens instead of a right. And don’t let Robert intimidate you, he’s a softy, really. –Tina

I walked down the hall trying to keep track. I made a cautious left and did, indeed, find myself in front of two large doors that looked as though they led to a dining room. Only one way to find out. So I pushed them open.

Dining room, my ample fanny. It was like a ballroom, huge and echoing. The table that extended down the middle could have fit over a hundred people, easily. It was decorated in a kind of faux Greek or Roman style, with white columns and statues of muses or whatever. It didn’t really seem like Robert’s style, too ostentatious.

“Ridiculous, isn’t it? I wouldn’t have chosen this, but one of the other family members insisted at the time. I wish I’d stood my ground.” And there was Robert, next to me, out of nowhere.

“It seems a little over the top for you. You’re more…austere,” I said. He gave me a look, then shrugged.

“I suppose I am a little severe. I have to be. I’m responsible for a lot of people.” He led the way towards one end of the comically long table. Dinner had been set up, complete with shiny silver tureens, platters, and plates.

“Dimitri tells me you’re sort of a vegetarian. So I had some things made specially. The curry soup should be excellent.” He pulled out my chair. I felt like a lady in an old novel, except with the ability to vote and not wear corsets.

Robert sat across from me and ladled out the soup. It really was excellent, with coconut and Thai basil. He sipped from a crystal wine glass with red liquid in it that might or might not have been wine. I didn’t ask.

We ate for a while without saying anything. I watched him in the soft light. He was bigger than Dimitri and his features were bolder, less delicate. His nose in particular was prominent and should have overwhelmed his face. Instead it was balanced by the dark brows, the high cheekbones, and the strong chin. His eyes were really the most incredible dark blue. I wondered again if there were ever any ugly vampires.

“You must be wondering why I asked to dine with you alone,” he said, sitting back and looking at me.

“Well, I know you don’t like Dimitri a lot, so that part doesn’t need explaining. But I guess I was wondering what you wanted with me. You don’t have to get to know me to guard me or whatever. Which I appreciate, by the way.” I was chewing bread, feeling laid back and relaxed-ish.

“Dimitri wasn’t wrong in the car. I’m very…interested in you. You’re very attractive, Emma,” he said. I coughed.

“Uhm, thank you?” Whatever I’d been expecting him to say, it wasn’t that. How did I have two vampires interested in me? What was my life turning into?

“You were very brave in front of the council. A bit cavalier, maybe, but brave. Not many people, alive or undead, would speak to them that way.” He smiled, remembering, I supposed, my asking them not to make me un-alive, amongst other things.

“I wasn’t always this outspoken. Before that night in the alley, I was pretty quiet. Shy, even,” I admitted. Although, was I? I had been content to sit back and let other people be bold and outgoing. But was I truly shy or just pretending? Because that was easier than putting myself out there? Sobering thought.

“I am sorry you experienced that. Those particular vampires are…not my favorite. They skirt the line of our rules, which we’ve developed for reasons. Not least of which being that many of us don’t enjoy hurting people, even though we have to eat. There are other ways to do it. And we’ve worked hard to make rules everyone can abide by.” He had steepled his fingers, which I noticed were long and strong looking. I suddenly wondered what they felt like on bare skin. Mine, specifically. Uh oh.

Robert continued to chat about the rules of vampire society, which included not revealing themselves to humans (obviously), not draining the living, not turning the living without permission, and not interfering in human affairs. The latter interested me.

“So, you mean, no vampires in human politics, that kind of thing?” I said, drinking some wine. It was good, smooth, with notes that I would never be able to identify because I’m not that kind of person.

“Yes. We had some ill-advised experiences with dabbling in things back during the Inquisition. It didn’t end well for anyone,” he said.

“Why is it always the Inquisition? What was it about that time that made it some kind of nexus for weird shit?” I mused.

“Religious fervor. Fear. Heightened emotions. And a lot of people had been poisoned with rye mold,” he said.

“Well, I’m glad it’s been over for several hundred years. It sounds miserable.”

“It was, but those times had their charms as well. There were fewer people. Less industry. More open spaces and places to be discovered. People were more superstitious, of course. Which actually made things more difficult for those of us of a supernatural persuasion. People believed in things like us back then. Nowadays we’re myths and legends people are fond of, but explain away if they happen to encounter us. Usually.” He looked at me pointedly.

“I didn’t really have much choice. It was pretty obvious vampires were real after what I saw, and I’m not really good at pretending things aren’t real that are.” Which sounded convoluted to my ears but there it is. I had seen what I’d seen and it couldn’t be taken back.

“I’ll make sure you’re safe, Emma. Those vampires won’t bother you again.” His voice was intense. It made me shiver.

“I hadn’t realized I was in so much danger from them, really. I thought Dimitri scared them off.” I looked away from his gaze, which seemed to bore into me.

“Normally that would be true. But we’ve had reports. There are houses that are less inclined to listen to the council than others. And they are very nervous about a human who can’t be mind-wiped. And others are less nervous and more…curious. Which is much worse.” He stood up and offered his hand. I gulped and took it.

“Well, then, I extra thank you for the protection. You didn’t have to. You don’t even know me,” I said quietly, feeling small and suddenly afraid. He led me to a balcony that overlooked the grounds. In the night it was hard to make anything out, though there seemed to be gardens and some kind of lake in the distance. The moon was large and round overhead but not very bright. I suddenly thought about werewolves and shivered.

Robert gently turned me to face him, looking at my face in the dim light.

“You’re very unique, Emma. Not because we can’t control you or influence you, but just you. You’re very…honest. And real. You’re not playing any games. It’s refreshing to me.” His hand touched my cheek and stroked. It was a kind, soothing gesture and I turned my face into it.

I looked up into his eyes, then down to his mouth. It was softer now, almost full looking. I reached up on tiptoes and gently brushed his lips with mine. I could taste the wine on him. Then I remembered Dimitri and stepped back, feeling awkward and stupid.

“Emma,” he said, then swept me into his arms. The kiss this time was deeper, more insistent, but not hard or pushy. There was passion in it but also control. His lips were slanted against mine until I opened them and let in his tongue.

He picked me up easily, like I weighed nothing, to press me against him. I put my hands on his shoulders, then his face. His hands swept down to the small of my back. He smelled good, a bit like wood smoke and citrus.

Before I knew it, we were back in the dining room and he was sitting me on the table. He broke the kiss and pulled back a little, resting his forehead against mine.

“It’s been a while since I was with anyone, Emma. I don’t dally the way Dimitri does,” he said softly.

Dimitri. Damn. I was sort of with him and hadn’t talked to him in maybe a day, and now here I was making out with another vampire. One he hated, in fact. What kind of girl was I turning into?

“It’s okay, Emma. You aren’t cheating on him or anything. Dimitri doesn’t do exclusive,” Robert said, nuzzling at my neck. He had a point. Dimitri had made it really clear we were casual and that monogamy was not his thing. Still, it seemed like getting involved with his archenemy might be more than even his freewheeling ways could take.

“I don’t want to hurt anyone,” I said. That seemed to be it, really. Because I also knew that if Robert wanted to sleep with me now, I was going to do it. I’d already decided, probably even before dinner. I wanted him and I was going to get the things I wanted while I still could.

“Should we go to your bedroom or…?” I said, and he smiled. He took off his jacket and threw it aside. Then he pulled me to the edge of the table and cupped me through my pants.

“Too far.”

“Good point.” His hand moved to the waistband, then dipped inside and traveled lower. I closed my eyes as he found my slick bud, long fingers moving deftly over the skin. I groaned.

“It has definitely been too long,” he said gruffly, then had my pants off in a swift move. I wasn’t wearing underwear and was naked from the waist down. I spread my legs while keeping eye contact. He smiled and I gulped with anticipation. His face looked hungry, not for blood, but something not far off.

He kneeled in front of me and looked up, raising an eyebrow. I nodded and he pressed his face to me. His tongue was sure and fast, darting in, circling, claiming. He didn’t try to tease, he simply took. And I was ready to be taken.

His tongue was pressed firmly to my clit, quickly finding the right spot and rhythm. I rushed towards orgasm, hot and hard, swept up in sensation. It broke over me and I yelled.

He was inside me in a quick, thick thrust, holding me up against him and going deep. I didn’t want to compare, but he and Dimitri seemed to be about the same size. Which was to say: considerable. I felt very full and shuddered. He took his time, not going fast or slow, but simply working my hips against him in a steady, hot rhythm that I could feel everywhere.

“Emma, you are beautiful. I can’t take it. It’s been too long and I can’t…” We looked at each other, locking eyes, feeling each other connect.

When his fingers found me again, I yelled, coming sharply, convulsing and arching against him. He came soon after, with a soft sigh in my ear.

I peeled myself away from him, panting. My head felt light and my body felt warm and good, deep down. It had been quick but special. A different kind of connection than I had with Dimitri. I might be in love with Dimitri, or just a very deep like, but there was something here with Robert, too. Some kind of connection I hadn’t expected. Could you fall in love with two men at once?

I guess I was going to find out.