After Sundown: Redemption (21 page)

Staring at the door with a grim smile, he wondered the same thing.

The door opened again. Without a word, Alyssa threw a pillow and light blanket at him. He caught it. But before he could thank her, she slammed the door.

No, she was not happy at the moment.

At least they had that in common.

He put the pillow and blanket down on the couch. He wouldn’t be using it. His time to wander the world was at night. He would sleep come dawn.

Instead he looked through Alyssa’s bookshelf. She had several books on therapy and psychology, but also various fiction books. He chose one and sat down to read it. It was a practical guide to Feng Shui. He had very little use for such philosophies, but as he read through the book, then studied her apartment, he realized how much Alyssa followed it.

He had traveled to Asia with Vlad. In fact, he and Vlad had traveled much of the world together before settling in Arizona. He had learned much from his friend, especially about mankind. Vlad not only showed him different countries, he had made sure they immersed themselves in the culture and environment of each one. He claimed that by letting Christian experience humanity all around the world, he would better understand how mortals and vampires needed to find a balance with each other. That they could co-exist, even help each other.

Over twenty years ago, they had visited Arizona and decided to stay. Considering that Phoenix was also called “The Valley of the Sun”, it was ironic that vampires would settle here. Yet there was something that appealed to both Vlad and Christian. At that time there was still a sort of wildness about the place that one couldn’t find anywhere else. Arizonans had their own “wild west” code of behavior that was independent of the rest of the states. Combined with the fact that Arizona was so open and spread out at that time, it was perfect for their kind. Over the years, many vampires as well as other immortal creatures had visited and decided to stay there.

Christian put the book down on the coffee table and strode over to the sliding glass door leading out to the balcony. He opened it and walked outside. The hot evening wind brushed over him. One more reason he liked Arizona. Warm summer nights. Sometimes he would close his eyes on a particularly hot evening and imagine it was a summer day with the sun shining bright. Though it had been hundreds of years, he still remembered what the world looked like during the day. He kept that image locked inside his mind. He could bring it up anytime he wanted to remember.

He looked out into the night. His thoughts grew as dark as the moonless night surrounding him. He thought about the man who had tried to attack Alyssa. He was now in police custody. Christian should have felt relieved, but he wasn’t. Bazhena was still out there. And he needed to find out what she was up to. Tomorrow night he would visit Twice Charmed again to see what else he could learn about her activities.

What was The Light she was looking for? Which legend had she discovered? He still needed to ask Vlad about it. Christian would call him on his mobile phone right now, but knew he was in the middle of his own case. Usually Vlad turned his phone off when he was on the job. He claimed it was a distraction. He had his two-way and beeper, but those were only for emergencies.

It would just have to wait until tomorrow night. He would speak to him then.

His pondering was interrupted when he heard Alyssa’s sharp cry. In an instant he was in her room. She was still in bed, fast asleep. He looked around. Opened all his senses, but felt no threat nearby.

She cried out again. Then started tossing and turning. She must be dreaming. Having a nightmare. He stood over her, waiting for the dream to pass. He tried to send soothing, comforting thoughts to her. At first it seemed to help and Christian turned to walk out of her room.

As he did so, Alyssa shot up in her bed and yelled.

“No! Mom!” Then her yell turned to almost a whisper.

Christian drew closer.

“How could you do this? How could you leave me? I should have done more, I should have done more.”

Alyssa started sobbing. Christian sat down beside her. Her shoulders were shaking from the strength of her sobs. And her eyes were wide open, but unseeing as tears fell down her cheeks.

Christian wrapped his arms around her. He pulled her against his chest. She struggled for a minute and then relaxed. He began running his fingers through her hair. He sent more soothing messages from his mind to hers.

It’s okay, palomita. I’m here with you now.

He continued to hold her as her tears soaked the front of his shirt.

Then he saw it, in his mind. He didn’t ask for it. Alyssa just projected it to him.

A woman—Alyssa’s mother—dead—lying in a pool of blood. Next he saw what he assumed was a bathroom mirror with a much younger looking Alyssa staring wide-eyed and fearful at her own reflection. She opened her mouth and a scream that sounded like a wounded animal filled his head. It went on and on—then the picture was gone.

Alyssa stiffened. She had woken up.

* * * * *

Alyssa’s face was wet. She tasted salt in her mouth. She took a deep shuddering breath and breathed in deeply—spicy, dangerous and sexy. She knew that scent. Would never mistake it with another. Christian. She felt his arms wrapped around her. Her chest pressed against his. She lifted her head up and pulled back slightly. He released her without a word.

What was going on?

The last thing she remembered was slamming her bedroom door and getting ready for bed. She had been irritated, no, frustrated by Christian. She was irritated that she wanted him the way she did. And frustrated that she couldn’t have him. She didn’t like the fact that she seemed to be the only one who was hot and bothered, the needy one. It didn’t sit well with her. Not one little bit.

Luckily the pain medication was strong and she fell right to sleep. The next thing she knew, she was in Christian’s arms. She still felt groggy and more than a little confused.

“Christian?” she asked, scooting away from him. The room was dark. She couldn’t see his face. But she felt his presence like a blinding beacon of light. His emotions were strong right now. Coming at her in waves. She sensed sadness—and an anger he was struggling to control.

“What is it? What happened?”

She reached out and touched his shoulder.

He immediately covered her hand with his. The silence stretched out. Then Christian finally spoke.

“You were having a bad dream. I came in to comfort you. Nothing more.”

His voice sounded tense and tight. He was holding something back. Alyssa wanted to know.

“What’s really going on, Christian?”

She felt him stiffen under her hand.

“Nothing. Try to go back to sleep. You need your rest after the evening you’ve had.”

He started to rise, but Alyssa stopped him.

She scooted closer and grasped his arm. The muscles rippled and tensed beneath her fingers. The feel of it caused a little flutter in her stomach that embarrassed her. Since when did muscles turn her on so much? This man was leaving her too unbalanced, too unsure. Her next words came out a little gruffer than she meant them to.

“You’re not going anywhere. I know something is bothering you. Quit being the strong, silent type for a minute and tell me about it.”

Christian settled back down on the bed.

“The strong silent type?” Amusement laced his voice.

Alyssa knew that if the lights were on, she would see that satisfied smirk on his face that irritated her to no end. Exasperated, she tried to hold onto her patience.

“Yes. You know what I mean, lots of inner turmoil, but calm on the outside. Never revealing a thing.”

“Is that the therapist talking or the woman?”

“What do you mean?” It was Alyssa’s turn to feel uncomfortable.

This time Christian was the one to slide close to her. Alyssa pressed back against the bed’s headboard to put some distance between them. He moved closer.

“I think you know what I mean, Alyssa. What are you really asking me?”

As he spoke, he reached around her and turned on the bedside lamp. Alyssa’s eyes narrowed. It took her a minute to adjust to the light. But once she did, she wanted to be in the dark again.

All her grogginess disappeared as Christian’s hot gaze burned her up. She felt the need to squirm under his intense stare. She fought it. Struggled to maintain a calm she didn’t feel. He focused his attention on her lips.

She couldn’t speak at that moment if her life depended on it.

Placing his thumb on her bottom lip, he began rubbing it lightly back and forth. Her mouth parted in a gasp of pleasure. He took the opportunity to delve inside, wetting his thumb. Then he rubbed the moisture on her bottom lip, then the top.

Her lips swelled from his touch.

“Your lush lips are calling to me. I crave to taste them. I need you.”

Abruptly, he pulled his hand away.

“No. What I need is to get out of your bedroom. You must rest.”

Alyssa closed her eyes. She felt dizzy from desire. His seductive voice added to the pleasure. Then he took it away.

Her eyes flew open.

Christian started to stand up. She grasped his arm again.

“Don’t go.”

She began running her fingers up and down his arm, caressing the contours of his muscles.

Christian sat back down. He tensed under her touch. He stared down at where her hand stroked him. Then he raised his head and their gazes met.

Alyssa watched the myriad of emotions cross his face, like restless clouds gliding across a stormy sky, anger, sadness, frustration and then desire. They were all fervent, but the last singed her with its intensity. His jaw clenched and unclenched. He looked as if he was fighting some sort of inner battle.

“Stay with me.” As she spoke, she took her hand off of his arm and placed it on his knee. Then she began sliding her fingers up and down his muscled thigh. The feel of him left her dizzy.

Alyssa knew the second he lost the battle. Intense satisfaction coursed through her. A sense of feminine power like she had never known filled her. She had won. Christian would be hers. He turned to her, grasped her waist and dragged her close to him. Growling low in his throat, Christian lowered his face towards hers. Almost, but not quite touching her lips with his. She could feel his breath as he whispered.

“I’m going to kiss you now. I have to. I need to touch you, just as I crave your touch. I don’t want to wait any longer. Does that tell you what you need to know,
palomita
? Is that what you wanted to hear?”

Alyssa couldn’t answer. She trembled with need. Each word he spoke brushed across her wet lips and stoked the fire of desire building up inside her.

“This is my one and only warning. If you don’t want this, tell me now because I may not be able to stop once we start.”

Alyssa’s heart leapt at his words. He wanted her, craved her, just as she hungered for him.

She closed the small distance between them. She pressed her lips to his and was lost.

Christian was lost. The feel of her soft lips, moving hungrily over his was incredible. He had wanted to stop. Wanted to let her rest after her injury. But his will became hers when she touched him. He could feel her desire and need pushing at him, surrounding him and immersing him in her sensual heat. It was too much.

He hardened to the point of pain. Gently grasping her shoulders, he laid her back on the bed. He followed her down, leaning his body over hers. Her lips clung to his, needy and bold. Her desire inflamed him. Lust engulfed him. He plunged his tongue into her mouth, demanding a response. She met each thrust with her own. Their tongues entwined and danced, until they both were moaning with need.

Tearing his lips from hers, he moved down to her chin. Such a pert chin, he gave it a nip and was rewarded by Alyssa’s gasp. Raining kisses down her throat, he soon found the neckline of her tank top. The images of her wearing nothing more than the little top and the scrap of silk barely covering her womanhood were driving him crazy.

He slid his lips over the fabric until he found a hardened nipple. He flicked it with his tongue and then covered it with his mouth. Alyssa’s moans grew louder as he sucked deeply and then rolled her nipple in his mouth. Christian worshipped the other breast in the same way until she squirmed under him. Thinking something was wrong he lifted his head.