The Red Lily (Vampire Blood #2)(6)

She laughed and disappeared behind the dressing screen. A sweet sound.

"And don't forget Willow."

"Ah, yes. How is Arabelle's old mare?" He set to pulling off his boots.

"She's healing well from her fall, but the poor thing still limps." The sound of her boots hit the floor. "And I don't dare ride her. Not yet," she called out.

Fabric brushed together then her arms raised over the dressing screen as she pulled off her dress. Nikolai could only imagine the heavenly picture being revealed behind the screen as each layer was removed from her exquisite form. After he'd heard the corset fall to the floor, he gritted his teeth on the vision of her in only her thin chemise as she climbed into bed and blew out the tableside candle.

"Good night, lieutenant," she said hesitantly into the dark.

He stood and blew out the candle still lit on her dining table, then settled on the sofa. He lay back and shifted his painful erection, wondering how in all the heavens he would be able to focus on this mission when the woman he swore to protect scrambled his brains into mush. He was sure she was an innocent maid. He'd only ever had experienced women in his bed, and for only one night at a time at that. Emotional ties were dangerous for a lieutenant in the Legionnaires who needed to keep his focus sharp. It was even more dangerous now as a loyalist to the Black Lily and traitor to the crown. It was wise to keep his liaisons short and impersonal. Still, the thought of Sienna sent his blood pumping hot and furious through his veins. So much so that he couldn't stay away, jumping at the chance to serve on this mission. Anything to be near her.

He sighed, then whispered, "Good night." This was what he wanted-to be near her, to protect her.

Punching his pillow, he rolled to face the fire, now dying to orange embers, and knew damn well he would dream of a red-haired witch he craved more than breath itself.





Chapter Three

Nikolai had been silent since they woke this morning. Of course, so had she. She could hardly look at him after having the most erotic dream she'd ever had about the man sleeping only feet from her.

Dawn peeked through the elm trees as they reached the farther end of Larkin Wood. The narrow path intersected with a wider road. Sienna turned left, but Nikolai reached out and grabbed her hand. "This way." He tugged her a moment before glancing at his hand around hers. He swiftly dropped it.

Sienna found herself wishing he'd held it longer. Then chastised herself for wanting such a thing. Her dreams were nothing more than fantasies. And yet, a slow burn flickered in her belly when she remembered last night's. It was summer and he'd laid her down in the tall grass. She'd been completely naked, and he'd been fully dressed. He'd used his mouth and tongue in wonderfully wicked ways. Not to mention his long tapered fingers which had teased into her cleft. The heat of the sun beamed down on her naked breasts as she arched into his touch, and he'd pushed his fingers-



       
         
       
        

"Are you all right?" he asked. "Your heart is beating alarmingly fast."

What an idiot. How could she forget his heightened senses?

"I'm fine." She smiled awkwardly, turning the subject quickly. "The entrance to the Tower is that way, through Sylus. Why are we going in the opposite direction?"

"There is a path over here that will bring us to the southeast gate," he said, strolling ahead. "There is usually a single guard on duty. It's more discreet to deal with him than the front gate."

She followed behind him, admiring the view of his tall, lean form taking lengthy strides along the path. So what if she was attracted to a vampire. A beautiful, fierce, warrior vampire. That was only natural. Any warm-blooded woman would be. It did her no harm to have fantasies, did it? Or a few naughty dreams. That's what she told herself anyway, pushing any and all grandmotherly warnings far to the back of her mind.

A brook gurgled on the left side of the road, winding in and out of the woods like a slithering snake.

She caught up to him. "I didn't know there was another entrance to the south of the palace grounds."

"Few do. When we get there, you'll go to the gate and simply ask to speak with Riker. They won't bring you to him, they'll bring him to you. They'll be hesitant to bring any stranger on to the palace grounds."

"I can handle that."

He stopped at the edge. The roadway was particularly steep and the ravine rocky with jutting shards of stone where a deep pool coalesced. "Here's where we cross."

"What?" Sienna gaped. "I can't climb down there."