Niccolo looked amused as he strolled past her toward a pile of neatly folded black clothes on the foot of her bed. She tried not to stare at his ass. It was rock hard and perfect. His skin, although slightly pale, had a light golden hue, like he'd been dusted with cinnamon.
Eyes twinkling, he turned, giving her a clear view of his front.
Her breath whooshed from her mouth again.
The smirk on his face said it all. He was giving her a show and enjoying the reaction.
Well, why wouldn't he flaunt it? Every inch of him was built to please a woman all night long, she thought.
He cleared his throat.
She blinked and looked away from his male anatomy. "Just observing in the name of … science?" She focused her eyes on the hieroglyphics streaming down his arm instead.
"The tattoo was given to me during my lengthy slumber," he said in a slow, deep voice. "I've been able to decipher only half... ‘True to the gods, you shall enter. I brake … ' that's as far as I got. But I believe it is a spell of some sort." He shrugged. "I'm here because you are here. I brought you home after you passed out last night. I glamoured Jess-she thinks she had the best night of her life, but really my men took her home. The sun severely weakens vampires, but does not kill us unless we're already injured or out too long." He slipped on his black pants and pulled on his sweater. "And, sì. My manhood was created to give you pleasure all night long."
She gasped and covered her mouth. "I said that out loud?"
He nodded.
Oh great. Internal dialog leakage. Again.
"Buon. Any more questions? Wait." He held out his hands. "Hold that thought. We can talk after the plane."
"Plane?"
Niccolo gave a playful smile and crossed his arms over his broad chest. "Sì. That large flying machine you humans invented while I was sleeping for three fun-filled centuries."
It was then that Helena caught a mental whiff of something off, some undercurrent of anxiousness and stress.
Must be me. "You're funny," Helena chirped. "I know what a plane-"
"Good. Because they're quite handy for traveling long distances. Which is what you'll be doing since the home I just purchased for you is in Manhattan, mio cuore."
Whoa. What? Yesterday she'd seriously been thinking about being with him-if he ever showed. Now, she felt like she was being bullied. She hated that.
"Don't you think you should ask me what I want? Shouldn't we get to know each other before living together? How come you sound … different?"
Like a modern guy, but with a hint of "Hi. I'm not from around these parts" and a sprinkle of Italian.
"More questions?" He raised one dark brow. "Fine. Then I shall answer. What you want is obvious: me. Just as I want you. And, no. We should not get to know each other before we live together. Because I plan on slowly savoring that task, learning every inch of you-inside and out-over the course of many long nights for years to come. And like any good vampire, I have spent my time assimilating this new world. I must blend in. Now, if you're satisfied, I've been deprived for far too long of this … "
Niccolo closed the distance between them with one stride and looked down at her with his dark, delicious eyes before he pushed his lips against hers.
His smell filled her lungs, and his touch made her feel exaggeratedly pliable. Silly-Girl Putty.
His tongue slipped past her teeth and stroked the inside of her mouth. Helena leaned into him, her knees undermining her vertical position. She completely forgot about her split lip as her mind drifted into the bliss of his embrace. Once again, being with him made her feel safe yet vivid and alive-three dimensional instead of two.
But there was something about him undulating just beneath the surface. Something mesmerizing she couldn't begin to articulate. Like gravity. She could feel his invisible pull as he enveloped her with his entire body. From this day forward, she would do anything to avoid being separated from him ever again. She needed him. She craved him.
What was happening to her?
Her mind was a jumbled mess of fear, lust, anticipation, and other varies of irrational emotions that radiated from some unknown place in her mind.
Just as she fully gave into the kiss, he pulled away. His warmth was replaced with raw determination. "Helena, you are my mate. You must come with me now. I've taken care of everything so you will be safe."
Helena snapped back to planet Earth. She found herself feeling angry and resentful over what was happening to her. Her life was the world of science where everything had a reason or an explanation. This situation did not.
"Excuse me? Listen, Fred Flintstone you may have upgraded your syntax and brushed up on modern technology, but you obviously missed one major milestone in social evolution: women are no longer chattel. We make our own decisions and take care of ourselves. Which leads me to my next point-closely related to the ‘taking care of myself' topic-I don't know you, and up until three weeks ago, I didn't even know vampires existed. Now you just expect me to believe I'm your mate, whatever the hell that is, leave my life, and run off with you because you tell me to?"
Niccolo appeared to be forcing a polite smile on his face. Perhaps he wasn't used to people not following his orders. Then, without warning, he pulled her body into his once again, making sure she was well aware of his hard flesh. She shuddered.
"No," he said in a low, rumbling voice. "I expect you to come with me because we belong together. Because you will never be content with any other male. And because I am your one true mate. Finally, you will come with me because you are clearly an educated, independent woman who goes after what she wants regardless of the opinion of others." He looked deeply into her eyes. "Now, I believe I've answered your questions and have provided adequate avenues for you to save face. You must now come and do as you're told."
What? She wanted to tell him to take a hike, but the words danced away. There was that crazy pull again. She couldn't think straight.
His voice smooth and deep, he said, "You see, mio cuore. You feel the truth. This is why you will come to our home in New York, where you will be treated like a queen. I then plan to marry you and make you mine forever."
Forever? There was that dang word again. This was so confusing. Did he really believe she was his "mate?" He really wanted her? Out of every female on the planet?
Illogical. They were too different.
He was indescribably gorgeous and strong. He was also apparently very wealthy and wasn't lacking in the intelligence department. Or the ego department. Did she mention gorgeous? How about really strong?
She, on the other hand, was an outdoorsy bookworm who actually liked playing with worms. Science, life, understanding how it had all evolved-putting order to it-nothing made her feel more at home.
Helena, you idiot, he said he wants you. Why fight it? Not like you have a chance in hell of forgetting about him. The attraction was undeniable. Like hunger. Like thirst. She felt like she might simply burst into flames if she didn't go with him. Her need to understand this attraction, the "why," was even greater.
But he was a vampire.
"How do I know you won't kill me?" she whispered, instantly regretting the stupidity of her question. Who would admit to being untrustworthy and murderous? A vampire might.
Niccolo frowned. Clearly he didn't appreciate having his honor questioned. Helena felt that odd sensation once again. Anxiety. Stress.
"As you heard from my conversation with Reyna, I slay Obscuros who prey on innocent humans," he admitted freely. "And as you've witnessed, I kill evil men who do the same. However, before you judge, I urge you to recall how my willingness to do so saved your life. Twice. Not to mention your friends."
"Okay. Good point." He's very honest. I should ask how he is in bed. She slapped her hands over her mouth. "I didn't just say that out loud again, did I?"
He shook his head "no." "But I would appreciate your answer."
"I don't recall you actually asking me anything. It sounded more like a command."
His face turned an angry shade of red. "Buon. Will you come with me?"
She wanted to believe in this fairytale type of love. So what if the guy wasn't human? Nobody's perfect. Truth was, he was too tempting to resist-a mysterious, strong, sexy creature. And although she couldn't explain what was occurring between them, she knew resisting was useless. She craved to be by his side.
Simply fascinating. Yes, she would go with Niccolo. She would learn everything she could about him, his kind, and this … primal fixation. There had to be some sort of scientific explanation, like pheromones.
She'd kick herself forever if she didn't find out. Curiosity killed the evolutionary biologist.
"Yes."
Chapter 5
Ten Miles South of Tucson.
Niccolo's dark eyes studied the state-of-the-art GPS inside the sleek black stretch-van filled with eight of the queen's finest warriors.
I must buy one of these fascinating "car" machines, he thought to himself. Just as soon as I learn how to drive.