A Fire in the Blood(53)

Fortunately, as far as he could tell, the corpse in town had been that of a transient and not likely to be missed.

It was after midnight by the time he buried the last body and willed himself to Tessa’s condo.

He hadn’t expected her to still be awake, but she opened the door even before he knocked.

Sighing, he stepped inside and after locking the door behind him, he wrapped her in his arms. He had waited all day for this moment.

Tessa looked up at him, her brow furrowed. “Are you all right?”

“I am now.” After a day of burying Katerina’s victims—most of whom had not died easily—holding Tessa was like a balm to his troubled soul. Katerina could be the poster girl for death and darkness, but Tessa radiated light and life, something that had been sorely missing from his existence until she came along.

Her gaze searched his. “Where were you?”

“Don’t ask.” He inhaled deeply, reveling in the clean sweet smell of her hair and skin. “How are you holding up?”

“I’m okay. We have two more houseguests.” Bailey, Jilly, and Luke were all asleep in the guest room, with Bailey and Jileen sharing the bed and Luke sacked out on the floor.

Andrei nodded. “Oh? Why’s that?”

Tessa explained briefly and he nodded again. He had caught Katerina’s scent when he arrived. Even now, he could feel her mind probing his, seeking to get into his head. He felt her anger as he pushed her out and slammed the door.

“I was just getting ready for bed when I had a feeling you were here,” Tessa remarked.

Andrei stroked her cheek, his eyes going hot as he drew her closer. “Shall I tuck you in?”

All thoughts of Katerina fled Tessa’s mind as his mouth closed over hers. Nothing else mattered when he was holding her, kissing her. Her whole being responded to his touch, every nerve coming alive, every sensation heightened as his tongue found hers. Wanting to be closer, she leaned into him, her arms sliding around his neck as their kisses grew deeper and more intense.

Sweeping her into his arms, he carried her to the sofa, then stretched out on his back, carrying her with him, so that she lay sprawled across him, her legs tangled with his. His hands stroked her back as he rained kisses along the curve of her neck, her eyelids, the soft, sensitive place behind her ears.

She was lost, drowning in an ocean of sensation when, abruptly, he stopped. The next thing she knew, she was sitting on the sofa with him beside her.

A moment later, Bailey entered the room.

Tessa took a deep breath, certain her flaming cheeks would give them away.

Bailey stopped in the doorway, her gaze darting from Andrei to Tessa’s flushed face and back again. “I’m . . . I’m sorry,” she stammered, her own cheeks suddenly red. “I didn’t mean to interrupt. I . . .”

“No harm done,” Andrei said smoothly. “Tessa was just going to pour me a glass of wine.”

Tessa smiled at Bailey. “Can I get you anything?” she asked, rising.

“No, thank you. I . . . Good night.”

“Do you really want a glass of wine?” Tessa asked after Bailey retreated to her bedroom.

“No.” Twining his fingers with hers, he drew her down beside him on the sofa again. “Your kisses are intoxicating enough.”

“Flatterer.”

He cupped her face in his palms. “You doubt me?” He kissed her, his touch as light as a butterfly, the pressure increasing slowly, building inside her like a volcano.

His hand curled around her nape as his tongue ravished her mouth.

Tessa groaned low in her throat as desire flooded her veins.

She gasped his name.

He kissed her until she thought she might go mad with wanting him.

“Tessa?” His voice whispered in her ear, low and husky.

Nodding, she closed her eyes. She moaned softly as the touch of his fangs sent a wave of sensual pleasure sweeping through her, carrying her away in a warm, red haze.

She came back to reality slowly, gradually becoming aware of his arm around her, his breath cool against her cheek, his hand lightly stroking her back.

She blinked at him, thinking nothing in the world could equal what she had just experienced.

“You think not?” he asked, his voice thick with amusement.

“I can’t imagine anything better.”

“Just say the word, dragostea mea. I will be more than happy to show you what you’re missing.”

“Andrei . . .”

“I’m a patient man,” he said, his fingertips caressing her cheek. “Take as long as you need.”

He would have her, he thought, whether he had to wait a day, a week, or a year. Sooner or later, she would be his.

* * *

Tessa sipped her coffee, then glanced at Jilly, who sat across the kitchen table from her, nibbling on a sugar cookie. Earlier, they had gone to church; later, they had ordered pizza, salad, and breadsticks for lunch. Since no one had wanted to go out after dark, they had eaten the leftovers for dinner. Now, Bailey and Luke were in the living room watching Sunday night football.