Pixie Dust (Karli Lane #1) (26 page)

Fuck, he looked pissed. I moved against his advance until I felt my back against the wall. A mixture of anger and hurt was rolling off him in waves.
Damn Erica and her big mouth!

“Why are you moving away from me Karli?” He asked as soon as she was gone.

“I’m not.” I lied. “How long have you been standing there?” He charged me, making me jump. I could feel him deliberately dampening his powers. He was being very careful with me, trying to control his rage. Heat was radiating from his body, so much so, that I was actually starting to perspire. His fists clenched and unclenched while his nostrils flared, and his fangs were fully elongated. 

He caged me in with arms of steel and leaned into me, pressing his body against mine. He bent down to whisper into my ear. “Long enough to know that Vance isn’t the only person you’ve entrusted with your secrets.” His lips traveled down my neck, then back up to nip my earlobe.

My whole body shivered. He had me simultaneously terrified and turned on. I didn’t know if I was supposed to jump his bones or run away screaming. “What are you doing, Leo?” I panted.

He pressed his huge erection against my stomach as he lightly pressed his fangs into my neck. They didn’t penetrate, they were merely threatening to. My knees went weak. He grabbed my hips with his strong hands and held me up against the wall.  “You know Karli, I should have taken you that night you asked me to. Then you wouldn’t be wasting your energy on someone so unworthy.” He pushed into me harder. “One night with me between your legs would make you forget the detective even existed.”

Oh God, I so do not have the strength to do this right now! My adrenaline was pumping hard but I knew I was about to come crashing down at any second. “Leo, please don’t do this.” I begged. “Not now. I can’t---” My head started spinning as I slid down the wall.

He caught me. “You do not look well.” He said as he pulled back. “You should not be here.”

“I’m fine.” I argued. “I’m just a little tired but I’ll get over it.” The tears escaping my lids belied my words.

His angry, lustful expression instantly softened into one of concern. His fangs retracted as he took my hand, kissing the inside of my wrist. Ah, I loved it when he did that and he knew it. His lips lingered for a moment before he withdrew, giving me goose pimples. Okay, that helped ease my anxiety a little bit.

“I insist.” He said. “You should go upstairs and rest a while. If you feel better later, you can come back down.”

“Leo, I appreciate the offer, but---”

“Karli, please do not force my hand.” He said. “I could just use my influence on you but I’m trying to respect your wishes.”

“If anything, I’ll just go back home.” It was my feeble attempt at negotiating.

“No, you won’t. You almost passed out less than a minute ago. I’m not going to let you behind the wheel of a car. If you try, I
will
stop you. Do not doubt that for a second.” 

“Do I have a say in the matter?” I asked.

“Of course you do.” He replied. “You can
choose
to go up to the room alone, or you can
choose
to allow me to accompany you. Which one do you prefer?”

I sighed in acquiescence. “Come on, let’s go.”

Chapter 22

***********************

He guided me upstairs and I collapsed on the couch as soon as we walked in the door.

“Do you want anything to eat?” He asked as he threw a small blanket over me.

I lifted my head slightly. “Yes, but I’m too tired to look at the menu and I don’t think I have the strength to feed myself anyway.”

“What do you feel like?”

 “Anything.” I replied.

He called room service and ordered some grilled chicken penne, an artisan cheese plate, and some red wine. After the server left, he carried the pasta over to me and sat on the floor in front of the couch. With the plate in his lap, he held up the fork so I could take a bite. He continued feeding me like that until everything was gone. Apparently, scary Leo has decided to retire for the evening. I managed to sit up on the couch after getting a little food so he came over to join me. I leaned against his shoulder as he offered me a sip of wine.

“Thank you for helping me Leo. Again.”

He put his arm around my shoulders and held me. “Do you feel like taking a bath?” He asked.

“That sounds great but I really don’t have the strength for it.”

“I will take care of everything for you.” He offered. Being naked in a tub around Leo probably wasn’t the smartest idea. Being around him
at all
wasn’t the smartest idea. Sensing my hesitation he added, “I promise I’ll be on my best behavior. I can add bubbles and step out while you get in the tub.” Remembering how wonderful his tub felt, I reluctantly agreed.

He got the bath ready for me, complete with bubbles and candles and led me into the bathroom.

“Will you be okay getting undressed?” He asked.

 Probably not.  “Yes.”

Leo stepped out of the bathroom while I struggled to undress. I climbed into the tub and sank back to absorb the luxury it provided. “You can come back in.” I called.

He walked back into the room and his fangs lengthened in response to seeing me in the tub. He composed himself quickly though as he started removing his shirt and watch. When I looked at him quizzically he explained, “I don’t want them to get wet.”

God, I’m too tired to even appreciate the sight of this beautiful shirtless man taking care of me. He grabbed a washcloth and came over to sit on the edge of the tub. I felt too exposed so I held my knees into my chest. He dipped the cloth into the water before wringing some down over my head and back. He massaged my back while I softly moaned in pleasure. My body was melting into his capable hands. He grabbed some shampoo and started lathering my hair, massaging my scalp like an expert. He turned on the spray head to rinse. “Does this feel okay?” He asked as he was delicately washing the suds away.

“Mmmm. Yes, definitely.”
Way better than okay
.

I leaned my head back, resting it on the edge of the tub. I tried focusing on reading his emotions. I could sense his desire, but his concern for me was much stronger. Wow, I can’t believe how easy that was!

He placed his hand on my cheek as I leaned into him. I had to resist the urge to kiss his palm. “You’re so beautiful, my love.” He whispered. “Do you have any idea what you do to me? I could look at your face for an eternity.”

“Leo, I---”

“Shh” He said. “I’m not looking for a response. I just needed to tell you that.”

Closing my eyes, I relaxed back into the tub. He caressed my face and neck, spending extra time tracing his fingers over the large artery that exposed my rapid pulse. I could sense his desire building and it was having a similar effect on me. I had to get out of this tub before I acted on our mutual feelings.

“Um, Leo?”

“Yes my dear?”

“I’m ready to get out.” I said, trying to sound sure of myself.

He hesitated, probably because he sensed my feelings too, but then he grabbed a towel and robe, and placed them next to the tub. “I’ll be in the other room if you need me.” He said over his shoulder with a wistful expression.

As soon as he closed the door, I dried off and pulled the robe over my shoulders, tying the belt securely. I walked into the bedroom and found Leo sitting on the edge of the bed, looking lost in his thoughts. He stood up and guided me over to the bed, pulling the covers down and helping me in. When I was settled, he scooted in behind me. He began combing through my wet hair
w
hile I sighed in contentment; my lids were becoming very heavy. Before I succumbed to sleep I whispered, “Leo?”

“Hmm?” He said.

“Thank you.”

“Anything for you my dear.” I felt him kiss the back of my neck before I drifted off to dreamland.

***************

I woke up the next morning feeling better than I have in days. I had renewed energy and a voracious appetite. I was a little disappointed to find that Leo was not in bed. I went to the bathroom and splashed some water on my face. I stepped out into the living room and found him sitting at the table with a buffet full of food waiting for me.

Nodding towards the food he said, “I saw you stirring so I took the liberty of ordering something. I wasn’t sure what you’d want so I got a variety.”

“Thank you.” I smiled and sat down at the table, taking a bite of an omelet.

“How are you feeling?” He asked.

“Surprisingly, pretty good.” I said. “I’m really hungry again, but not tired.”

“Uh oh, should I hide the extra chairs?” 

“Funny Leo.”

I took a bite of some pancakes.  “So, I have some more questions for you.”

“Why do I feel like a Professor of Vampire 101 whenever you’re around?” He teased.

“Wow, you’re being a smarty pants this morning aren’t you?”

“I try.”

“I’m serious. Do you mind answering more questions?” I asked.

“You should never have to ask that, my pet.”

“Can you father children?”

“Why? Are you looking to make babies?”

“Leo.” I scolded.

He laughed. “Not in the traditional sense. When a vampire becomes a Sire, they sometimes to refer to the fledgling as their child.

“Have you ever sired another?” I took a bite of my eggs.

“Yes.” He replied.

“How many?” Do I really want to know the answer to this question?

“I have sired dozens of vampires throughout my existence, but never against their will.”

“Were they your lovers, like your maker was?”

“Yes.” He smiled.

“When was the last time you did it?” I asked.

“Sired someone?”

“Yes.” I replied, finding myself awfully curious about the answer.

“Close to thirty years ago.”