Kiss of the Night (3 page)

“Listen…” she began, but then fell silent as they entered the dining area. Turning her head, she gazed around the room and her mood switched from irritation to blossoming pleasure. The mess hall, normally a stark utilitarian space with metal bulkheads, chairs and tables, was transformed. “Wow,” she breathed.

A small table set for one was draped in a multitude of colorful scarves and softly lit by dimmed overhead lights. She inhaled the luscious scent of curried Tolan fowl and her mouth watered.

“Do you like it?”

Looking up at him, she was arrested by his boyish, hopeful smile. Black, silky hair fell across his forehead framing his exotically handsome face with its sensual lips and thickly lashed eyes. She was suddenly aware of the way her right breast was pressed against his chest and how her hip rested against the rippling expanse of his abdomen.

“Oh yeah, I like it.” She wasn’t talking about the food. And he knew it.

“Good.” Alex carried her to her seat and set her down.

“Shouldn’t I change?”

“Unless you’re offering to lose the sheet, the answer is no.”

Holding back a grin at his arrogance, Bree admired the seductive grace with which the vamp took the seat next to her. Dressed in a deep red torso-hugging vest and loose flowing pants, Alexei Night was the epitome of flamboyant male sex appeal.

“Drakish,” he said in answer to her unspoken question about his heritage. “On my mother’s side.” Lifting the lid on the warming pot, he ladled her food into the shallow bowl in front of her before relaxing.

“That explains your coloring. I’ve never seen such beautiful skin on a vampire before. It’s very appealing.”

“Would you like to see more of it?” he asked solicitously, his long fingers reaching for the single button that held the flaps of his vest together.

She gave a breathless laugh. “Behave.”

“Why?” Sprawling loose-limbed in the chair, he reached for the glass in front of him and then draped the arm that held it over the backrest, canting his body toward her. The pose caused one side of his vest to gape open, affording her an unhindered view of his powerful pecs. The air around them was thick and humid with his blatant sexuality. Her mouth watered.

Swallowing hard, Bree forced her gaze away. She had a goal and she was sticking to it, even if her pussy disagreed by throbbing and growing damp. “Curried fowl is my favorite.”

“I know.” The deep tone of his voice swept across her skin and left goose bumps in its wake.

“Did you read that in my mind too?” she asked, reaching for the spoon.

“No, I read it in your bio in the Council database.”

“Really?” She stared at him. “It has such personal stuff in there?”

“Really.” He took a sip and wrinkled his nose. As he righted his goblet, she watched the way the viscous liquid clung to the side of the glass.

She had yet to meet a vamp who didn’t dislike the taste of stored blood. “No groupies?”

Alex chuckled at her irreverent reference to the vamp followers that offered their blood in return for sexual pleasure. Most vamps had one or two with them at all times. Highly sexual beings by nature, vampires relished the opportunity to have fresh blood and easily accessible orgasms. “Not on this trip, no.”

“You’re either a masochist or awfully sure of yourself where I’m concerned.”

“
‘If one believes strongly in a cause, one should dedicate themselves to it fully. By leaving room for failure, you invite it to occur.’
”

Briana stared. She’d given that speech last year at the dedication of the new vampire embassy built adjacent to Council headquarters. “I’ve never had someone quote me to my face before.”

“Does that bother you?” he asked, twirling his goblet by the stem.

She shook her head. “No. Actually, I’m really flattered.” Scooping up some curry, she brought it to her lips. The richly spiced broth exploded with flavor in her mouth and she moaned her appreciation. “You’ve got a great cooking unit. Most can’t get the curry ratio right.”

“I don’t have a cooking unit.”

She frowned. “You don’t?”

“What would I do with one?”

“Oh yeah…”

He must have cooked the meal himself then. After researching her favorite foods. Her stomach fluttered and she set her spoon down. “What do you want from me, captain? Blood? Sex? Both? And why go to all of this trouble?”

Alex studied the contents of his glass with undue attention. “Does my occupation bother you?”

Bree tucked the sheet tighter between her breasts and avoided his question as he’d avoided hers. “Does
my
occupation bother
you
? Considering what I do for a living, does it make you uncomfortable to have me on board?”

“No.” He took another drink. “I admire you, Briana. I respect you and the strength of your convictions. Even if you championed a different cause I would still feel the same.” The quiet dignity of his tone told her he was serious.

She bit her lower lip before asking, “What do you transport? Usually.”

“Illegal aliens, contraband goods, Council Reps.”

“Ha ha. Funny. What about drugs? Weapons?”

He was silent for a long time, so long she wondered if he was going to answer. Standing, Alexei drained his glass, set it down and moved to the window. “Would smuggling those items affect your decision to take me to your bed?”

“Yes.”

“Because of your career?”

“I doubt
what
you smuggle would be of any importance to my political enemies, only the fact that I’m consorting with a known criminal would matter.” She released her breath in a rush. “Illegal drugs and weapons serve one purpose—to hurt people for profit. I couldn’t sleep with a man knowing he took part in that, regardless of how much I was tempted to.”

Alex locked his hands behind his back, bringing the muscular beauty of his biceps and shoulders into stark relief.

Heavens, he was gorgeous. A living work of art.

Her fingers toyed with her spoon before she began to eat again. She was so nervous she couldn’t even enjoy the food, but going through the motions gave her something to do.

“I could lie to you, Briana, just to fuck you.” His blunt statement was punctuated by a rapid succession of images in her mind—images of his mouth on her, his hands on her, his tongue licking her nipples and lapping up the cream between her legs. She saw him as he was dressed now and herself as she was dressed now. He clutched her to him and pinned her to the bulkhead. She could feel him, all of him, his cock driving into her aching pussy with such force her feet left the floor.

Sweat broke out on her skin as her spoon clattered into the bowl. “Oh God…” she moaned, her entire body shaking with lust as the pictures came in a torrent so forceful she could scarcely register them all.

“Or I could make you want me so badly that what I do for a living wouldn’t matter to you.” His low voice was accompanied by the feel of talented fingers plucking at her nipples, then moving between her legs.

It was all in her mind, she knew. The scent of his skin…the warmth of his breath…the expertness of his touch…

Briana pushed back from the table so fast she knocked the chair over. Alexei turned to face her in a graceful movement, completely in control.

“Stop it,” she said, in a shaky voice.

With an arch of his brow, the images and sensations disappeared.

Leaning against the table with one hand, she took shuddering breaths, willing her pulse to slow.

“I wanted you to know, Bree, that I have no reason to lie. You’d spread your legs eagerly if I wanted you to. You might hate us both in the morning, but if all I wanted was to fuck or feed, that wouldn’t matter. Vamps have their Calling for a reason—to survive. Subduing prey is nothing to us.”

He moved toward her with predatory grace, the wide legs of his pants swirling around his bare feet. “But your feelings do matter to me, so I’ll tell you the truth. I don’t smuggle drugs or weapons any longer, but I did at one time.”

“Damn you.” She shivered with desire. “You could have just said what you meant and not tortured me first.”

He reached the table and began clearing it, moving the dishes to the sideboard. “But then you couldn’t be certain.”

“How can I be certain now?” Frustrated by his calm in the face of her falling apart, she cast off any illusions of hiding her thoughts. “I want you. I wanted you before, but now it’s unbearable. I’d fuck you on a crate of blasters at this moment and you know it.” Briana straightened and moved away with rapid strides, determined to get to her room and take care of herself.

But Alex moved too quickly. Before she knew what hit her, she was flat on her back on the table. “Damn it!” she snapped, hitting his rock-hard chest ineffectually with her hands. “I wanted you to wait for it. Beg for it!”

As if he would. He could get it from anyone.

“I only want it from you,” he murmured, catching her flailing fists and kissing the knuckles.

“Why?” She stared up in him, startled by the sweet gesture.

“Does there have to be a reason?” Nimble fingers dipped into the valley between her breasts and lifted the two halves of the sheet away. His breath sucked in sharply at the sight of her nakedness. For a moment she was cold and then the heat of his gaze chased the chill away. She watched in stunned, aroused amazement as his fangs descended and then very slowly ascended again.

“What the…?”

Shaking his head, Alex spread his fingers and ran them over the swell of her breasts until he reached the tips. “Not tonight.” He met her gaze. “Not ever, if you don’t want.” He licked his lips and then bent his head, his tongue swirling around one hard, aching nipple with breathtaking skill before moving to the other.

Bree arched upward helplessly. She wanted him to wrap his mouth around her and suck. She wanted his fingers on her skin and inside her body. She wanted him to fulfill those images he’d shown her earlier. Damn it, she
wanted
. Badly.

“Uh-uh,” he said softly. “Not tonight. You’re too worked up, too hot for it. You’re not thinking clearly and you’ll need to be in order to make up your mind. I don’t want any regrets between us.”

She pressed her breasts into his hands. “You want me to beg.”

“No, sweetness. I’ve got no problem doing the begging. In fact, I’m looking forward to it.” Alexei leaned over, resting his cheek on her bare stomach, his talented hands kneading her flesh. His tongue snaked out and dipped in her navel. “When you’re ready and not a minute sooner.”

“I’m ready.” And she was. She believed him completely and she trusted him. How could she not? He’d stood between her and a blaster shot after she’d already paid him. He’d had nothing to gain. His concern today had been genuine.

“No, you’re horny,” he argued with a low chuckle. “That’s not the same thing.”

She shifted her fingers through his dark silky hair and sensed the lust he held tightly restrained. There were depths to this man she hadn’t considered, because she hadn’t known about them. She’d been captivated by his physical beauty, but there was so much more to learn, like the glimpse of tarnished honor that surprised and pleased her. He could fuck her now, but he held himself in check. For her.

Alex straightened and removed his vest, arresting her attention with the rippling muscles of his torso. As he lowered himself over her, Briana spread her legs to make room for his body, absolutely and completely unconcerned that she was laid out for him like a feast. The hard, clenched planes of his stomach made contact with the damp flesh between her thighs and she groaned, the fever in her blood rising until her skin was covered with sweat.

Alex’s hips undulated, sliding his ridged abdomen along the folds of her pussy and she gasped as another wave of heat swept through her.

“Could I make you come like this?” he wondered aloud. Resting his elbows on the table, he reached for her nipples and shimmied again. “Just our bodies touching, nothing more?”

“I don’t know,” she said breathlessly. “Could you?”

When he arched a brow, she explained. “Unlike you, I’m not easy. It takes a lot of work to make me orgasm. Most men get frustrated and give up.”

The smile that curved his lips took her breath away. “I won’t give up.” He rolled her nipples between his fingertips, his grin widening as her eyes half closed on a pleasured moan. “I have forever, sweetness, but it won’t take nearly that long.”

“It’s not my fault.” Bree sighed. “I love sex and I love to orgasm. I just can’t seem to do both at the same time.”

He chuckled. “That’s the problem with you humans. You’re always in a hurry. Some things take time and an attention to detail.”

Time
. She always wished she had more of it. Especially now. Alexei Night was a luxury to be savored.

Her hands moved from his nape to stroke his spine, loving the way he arched into her touch. She’d heard vamps were very responsive and sensual creatures. She’d like to test that theory by tying Alex to his decadent bed and having her way with him for hours.

“I’d like that too,” he whispered.

“No fair.” Her lower lip stuck out in a pout. “I don’t have the ability to know what you’re thinking.”

He licked her lip and then began to move, stroking his torso along her clit, inciting a riot of sensations that tightened her womb and made her breasts swell in his hands. His taste—dark, exotic and richly intoxicating—flavored her mouth. Bree wanted him to kiss her and let her taste him more deeply, but he wouldn’t give her what she wanted. And he was doing it on purpose, she knew.

“I’m thinking patience isn’t one of your virtues,” he teased. “I’m thinking you like hard, quick fucks, but you don’t get enough foreplay beforehand to orgasm from them. I think your skin feels like satin and smells delicious.”

Bree groaned. She was dying here and he was far too collected for her tastes. Hoping to goad him out of his rigid control, she moved sinuously beneath him, her nails raking his back, her legs wrapping around his lean waist. She lifted her head and bit his earlobe. “You feel so good,” she breathed.

The tightening of his muscles was the only indication that she’d moved him at all.

She rubbed her aching nipples against his chest, torturing herself in her attempt to torment him. “I’ve dreamed of you, Alexei.”