Page 38 of Seduction in Blood
Devon swiveled around to face her, surprised by her admission.
She clutched her purse in her lap, but she didn't drop her gaze, meeting his stare head-on. Not aggressive or complacent—just confident. The only thing giving away her true feelings was the tight grip on her purse. "I shouldn't have taken the pages. I risked your plans, even though no one noticed me." Her chin raised an inch. "I'm good at my job." She didn't hold the boldness for long, probably realizing it was wiser to stay on her conciliatory track. She dropped her chin and slumped in the chair. "I'm not used to waiting for someone else to make decisions for me. And when I heard Gruber talking, well, it seemed worth the risk."
He turned his gaze to the pages he'd straightened and laid on the desk. He pulled them over, tapping a finger on the corner of the first page. It had only taken a second for him to see his family's name in the recognizable handwriting. Though he hadn't read the pages, he knew Cressa had done him a great service. Possibly lifesaving.
"The one thing I've learned this evening is that you require weapons training."
When she opened her mouth, most assuredly to object, he waved her off. "Don't bother. You are now required to master, in the five days remaining, one weapon of your choosing. That is, one weapon from the options I present you." He glanced at Sergi. His good friend wasn't going to like this.
"Your time with Anna will be cut in half, and you'll finish your morning with Sergi. He will be your weapons trainer."
Sergi and Cressa stared at each other before returning their gazes to Devon.
"You need your rest." He flicked a hand at her. "Go to bed, Cressa."
The emotions racing across her face enthralled him and left him curious as to which one she'd leave with. If he'd been a betting man, he wouldn't know which emotion to place his money on—contrite, irritated, arrogant? Demure hadn't been on his radar and didn't fit her, which led him to believe she was probably planning revenge for his flippant statement. He'd be disappointed if she wasn't.
After Cressa left, Sergi poured drinks and handed one to Devon. "Why weapons and why me?"
Devon tapped the aged paper lying on his desk. "I don't know how recovering these plays into our plans, but these pages have proven one thing."
Sergi's brow lifted, but he remained silent.
"Gruber is not our ally."
Sergi grunted. "He always was squirrelly. It was only a matter of time before he showed his greedy nature."
"We need to use more of Cressa's talents. But if we're going to use her for the main event, we need her alive. Her martial arts skills are improving, but against a vampire, she'll need something more."
Devon drained his glass and stood. "As far as why you? I'm surprised you even asked." He stopped long enough to squeeze his friend's shoulder. "I need the very best to keep her alive."
* * *
The dewy grasswas cool on my bare feet as I raced through the garden, my peals of laughter floating around me. I ducked under an arch of crimson roses, the scent heady, urging me on.
The rattle of leaves told me he was closing in, and instead of fear in the dark undergrowth, tingles of anticipation shot through me. A slow ache, deep in my core, grew as I rushed ahead, leading us farther into the garden. I recognized the grotto as soon as it came into view, but I'd barely reached the secluded spot before an arm grabbed me by my waist and swung me around.
He wrapped me in his embrace, his head lowering to meet my waiting lips, his eyes glowing silvery blue. The heat of his touch fired small eruptions of joy. It had been days since I'd seen him, worried over him, and when his tongue met mine, the empty days fell away, leaving only Devon and me. The two of us alone in our special place.
He trailed kisses down my neck, his tongue sweet rapture on my skin. How could one man fill me with such content that only a few days without him felt like weeks? His fangs scraped a heated path to my collarbone, and I arched into him, wanting his hands on me, his skin on mine. I opened my eyes, and with my head thrown back, all I saw was the full moon. The velvet sky wrapped around the silver orb as if lovers. I ran my fingers through his hair, pulling him to me, daring him to bite.
For long days wandering the property, I fretted over the not knowing. No one had any word as to his whereabouts. It had been the plan, but I hadn't been the only one suffering in his absence. And now he was here. Safe.
I ran my hands over his muscled shoulders, ripped with tension as he held me close. I breathed in his heady scent and licked the sweet spot at the dip in his collarbone. He shivered, and I felt a nip on my ear. Smiling at his hungry response, I plucked at the buttons of his shirt, needing to feel his skin on mine.
He pushed my nightgown down until he freed a breast, his fangs teasing the nipple before his hot lips suckled and pulled. The erotic sensation scattered my thoughts to nothingness. The buttons no longer within reach, I ran my fingers through the soft waves of his hair. I gripped the locks tighter when his hand reached under my nightgown and found the wetness between my legs.
I opened to him, wanting more, unable to wait. The heat of his lips on my breasts drove me to a fevered pitch.
Cool air brushed my breast before he replaced my nightgown and stepped back, pulling me with him. A single brow rose in his silent invitation, or more likely a dare. His wicked smile revealed the tips of fangs. He knew I'd play.
He led me to the edge of the lake. Across the pond, a large party was in full swing. His entire family milled under a large canopy, the figures dancing and playing under lit torches and colorful lanterns.
Music drifted to us, and Devon slid an arm around my waist while taking my right hand. He swung me around, and we swayed to the slow and sultry rhythm. I felt his hardness pressing into me, but we were content in this moment. We held each other, and no one could hurt us. I laid my head against his chest, and he rested his cheek against my hair. We moved as one. There was still danger outside our refuge, but for now, for this one night, it was only the two of us, breathing in each other's essence. I wanted to remember our time together, when no one else intruded, in case it never came again.
When the song ended, he stepped back, pulling me with him as he led me down a dirt path to a grassy knoll under an oak tree. A blanket lay on the grass, facing a quieter portion of the lake and lit only by the moon. Before stepping farther, he leaned to reach behind me. I heard a soft snap. He offered me a crimson rose. The petals were a deep, blood red, and without a single blemish. The rose's heady scent filled the space between us, and the glow in his eyes darkened with desire. The longing between my legs returned.
"Let me see all of you, Cressa. It's been so long." He pulled me to the edge of the blanket.
