Microsoft Word - Blood and Sex from CE.rtf (27 page)

“That’s sweet of you.”

He pulled her, spinning her into his arms the way he’d done so many times since she was a child. She laughed and stopped in front of him, arms in their positions. All of the years in Khalil’s company had taught her the proper way to dance, if nothing else. He loved music and dancing more than anything. It was that softer side of him no one ever saw. Being that soft would be a weakness to most of the vampires under his rule. It was a pathetic thing to think a man couldn’t be strong without having softer emotions, too. But it was their loss.

He started their bodies, swaying in time with the music. “And you love Blane?”

“Yes.”

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“Did you before the bonding?”

“I did, but I don’t think I realized it.”

“I should kill him for doing this to you.”

“I did this.”

He pulled back a little. “You bound him?”

She nodded.

Khalil let out a warm chuckle. “That explains it.”

“What?”

“His confusion.”

“Have you been reading his thoughts?”

He tried to look innocent, and centuries of practice meant it worked extremely well.

“No.”

“You liar.” She laughed.

“He couldn’t figure out how it happened. I was beginning to wonder if something had happened to his superior intelligence.”

She let him lead her through another bit of intricate footwork, then smiled up at him. “I didn’t mean to do it.”

“It’s hard to accidentally create the bond I feel between you. Perhaps both of you didn’t listen to your own feelings?”

“Perhaps.”

“I felt it as soon as you did it. It scared him.”

“I know.” He laid her head on his shoulder. “Do you think Michael will accept me as part of their
cosca
?”

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“He already has. If he didn’t, we would still be in there talking.” He twisted his head and kissed her forehead. “You’ve been in my life for too long. This is going to be harder than I anticipated.”

As the music slowed, she grabbed Khalil into a hug like she’d given him as a child. It was full and strong, and made him laugh softly.

“Perhaps I should have you both move in to my estate?” he asked.

Christiana smiled and leaned back. “You will always be welcome in our home.”

Blane stood just to her right, his mask securely in place. When she glanced in his direction, he smiled. “May I cut in?”

Khalil slid his arm down hers. He lifted her hand to his mouth and gave it a soft kiss before turning to Blane. It was a public gesture for the benefit of all who were watching, but it was also his gift to her. Without his blessing, being bonded to anyone would make her life hell.

He put her hand in Blane’s. “I am giving you my life,” he whispered, so low that only they could hear. “Guard it carefully.”

Blane dipped his head. “I will.”

“Then I will see you soon, daughter.” He smiled. “And son.”

He gave them a small bow, then walked away as the music rose.

Blane slid his arm slowly around her waist and took her hand up with his. He led her through a slow, romantic waltz. Christiana watched him smiling down. The pure adoration radiating from him made her heart swell. It matched her own and multiplied it. The feeling was so much more than she’d ever dreamed.

She blinked, realizing she had stared at him for so long that the song was almost finished.

“What’s wrong?”

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“I’m staring at you like a fool.”

“I can’t stop staring at you either,” Blane leaned closer to her, pulling their bodies tight together. “And I can’t stop thinking about getting you back to our room.”

A shiver ran up her spine. He was as bound by her as she him, but somehow it felt wrong.

“Doesn’t it bother you that I’ve bound us this way?”

“No. I thought it would, but it doesn’t.” He pushed his cheek close to hers and whispered,

“This is what I wanted all along. I just didn’t know it.”

She smiled at that.

“I love you, Christiana.”

She turned her head and pressed her lips to his. They slid slowly across each other until the rest of the ballroom disappeared around them. It was only her and Blane, the sound of their movements and the feel of his love bubbling over. In all her years, not one moment had been more perfect than this.

* * * *

Blane pulled away at Michael’s little telepathic nudge. God, he wanted to keep kissing her, but they did have her reputation to consider. That would have to be on the forefront of their thoughts from now on. At least, when they were in front of the others. She was the daughter of their leader, no matter what, and allowing her to make a mockery of herself in front of everyone was to make a fool of Khalil as well.

She blinked up at him, then a smile spread across her face.

“What?” he asked.

“This is what I wanted all of that time, too.”

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“I told you Internet dating wasn’t the way to go.” He smirked.

Christiana gasped. “What time is it?”

They both glanced up to the big clock on the north wall. It was just after midnight.

“I’m late.”

“Good,” Blane said and pulled her closer.

“No. I can’t stand him up after all this time. I have to go and explain. At least make it easier for him to move on.”

Blane sighed. She really thought that jerk was as infatuated as she was. He was probably just looking for a quick fuck, but it would break her heart to hear that. So he kept his big trap shut.

She started to pull away. “I’ve got to leave.”

“I’m coming with you.”

“I need to do this alone.”

His stomach lurched and the hair on his neck stood on end. He groaned. Being a protective
compagno
was going to be harder than it looked. “I don’t like that. I’m definitely coming with you.”

“Stay here. I’ll be back in a few minutes. It won’t take long.” She stroked his cheek slowly.

“No.”

Her hand dropped to her side. “I’m not asking. I don’t want you to come.” Her feathers moved as she turned and started through the crowd.

He huffed. She was his
compagna
, and the last thing she should be doing was running off to see some Internet asshole who had plans to get his teeth in her. Nope. This wasn’t right at

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all. It felt very, very wrong.

Blane started out of the ballroom behind her.

“Hold up,” Jonas’s voice came from his right as he reached the door that led out to the street.

“Gotta go, J.”

“I’m coming.” Jonas caught up to him quickly. Blane glanced at him long enough to see him pulling off the red half mask off as he moved. “I’ve been ordered.”

Blane caught up. “Why?”

“Khalil told me to.”

“Ho—What?”

Jonas turned and headed down the sidewalk. “Keep up. We’ll have to get there before her car arrives. And we’re going on foot.”

“What the hell is going on?”

“All I know is that Khalil said Christiana was going to meet someone and that you would need my help.”

“Since when is he psychic?”

Jonas laughed. “He has more gifts than any of us. He can probably fly, too.”

He took off, darting into the shadows of the building. Blane huffed, then took off behind him. If Khalil was psychic, how hadn’t he seen their accidental bonding coming? Better yet—

What if he had?

It only took a few minutes to find the square where she was meeting Vincenzo. Blane slowed, but kept walking when Jonas stopped. The man was standing just to the right of center in a goofy-looking wide-brimmed hat and a cliché phantom mask. He wasn’t exceptionally large. In

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fact, he looked sort of silly.

Blane had the urge to just stomp his ass into the ground now and get it over with. He started forward.

Something grabbed the back of his coat and jerked him back ward.

“Get hold of yourself.” Jonas was almost hissing.

“What?”

“You were growling. You’re gonna blow it.”

“Oh.”

He stood close to Jonas and watched as the limo slowed, then stopped. Christiana stepped out, wearing her mask. Maybe it was a security blanket for her. Even from here, he could tell she was nervous. She was walking too stiffly, the way she did when everyone was watching her.