Christian (Vampires in America: The Vampire Wars Book 10) (13 page)

He hung up without bothering to say good-bye. Christian shrugged, more than satisfied with the conversation. Vincent was nearly the same age as he was, old enough to have honed his strength, but young enough to have retained the flexibility of the modern age. He would be a good neighbor and ally once Christian became Lord of the South.

Assuming Vincent could be trusted to mean what he’d said. Unfortunately there was only one way to be sure of that, and by then, it might be too late.

“I NEED TO GO home and change clothes,” Natalie said, as the two vampires prepared to leave for the night, and take her with them. “Anthony pays attention to appearances. He’ll notice if I show up in the same clothes I wore yesterday. Plus, you know . . . ick. You should just drop me at the estate. My car’s there, so I can drive home, change clothes, and come back.”

“No, we’ll stop at your place on the way,” Christian disagreed, as the three of them trooped into the garage. “While you’re there, you should pack enough to see you through a few days. It’s no longer safe for you to be on your own.”

Natalie bristled. “I’ve been on my own for years. I don’t need—”

“Ordinarily, I’d agree with you. But these are hardly ordinary circumstances. Anthony doesn’t strike me as the most even-tempered vampire when he doesn’t get his way, and he won’t like you spending time with me.” He held open the back door of a big, black Suburban for her, while Marc climbed in behind the wheel.

“I’m aware of that,” Natalie snapped, carefully hiking her skirt in order to climb into the back seat without flashing Christian. She didn’t like the way he was moving in and dictating her life. But she disliked Anthony’s newfound attentions more, not to mention what might happen if he discovered that she’d witnessed Noriega’s death. She wasn’t shortsighted enough to forego the protection Christian offered. And then there were those kisses. She wanted more of those, and whatever went with them. But that didn’t mean she had to cave to his every whim. At least not without a fight.

Unfortunately, Christian didn’t fight back. He didn’t get angry, or snap back at her. He simply stood in the SUV’s open door, eyeing her patiently, as if he had all the time in the world to wait for the crazy lady to see reason. Fucker. He wasn’t any fun to argue with.

“Fine,” she told him finally. “I’m not completely self-destructive, you know.”

Christian smiled suddenly, and it was like the sun coming out. “Can you work in Jaclyn’s office today?” he asked, as he climbed in after her.

“Sure, but what will I tell her?” She slid across the leather seat to make room for him. Which took some doing, because Christian was a very big guy.

“You don’t have to tell her anything. She understands more than you think, and she’s not fond of Anthony.”

Natalie nodded. She knew that. It was one of Anthony’s pet peeves that he’d never managed to co-opt Jaclyn. She started to give Marc her address, but he was already punching it into the navigation system. At some point, Christian had checked her out enough to know where she lived. She wasn’t even surprised. Vampires, especially powerful vampires, didn’t respect any boundaries but their own. Christian had wanted the information on her, so he’d gotten it. Something as prosaic as
asking
her
for it had probably never occurred to him. She liked confidence in a man, even arrogance, as long as it was deserved. But if she and Christian were going to have a relationship, he’d have to remember that she wasn’t one of his minions.

She frowned as the thought occurred to her.
If they were going to have a relationship?
Good lord, when had her thoughts taken that particular detour? Okay, yeah, she wanted him, but a
relationship
? She turned and studied him in the dark interior of the SUV—his chiseled profile broken up by the single lock of hair hanging over his forehead, the coiled power of his big body, and his confident posture as he sat with one arm flung across the back of the seat behind her.

Oh, who was she kidding? Hell, yes, she wanted a relationship. One night, or even three, with this beautiful man would never be enough.

He turned suddenly, his mouth curved in a sly smile, and winked at her. Natalie blushed, thankful for the shadows that hid her reaction. Needing to look somewhere else, she glanced out the window, and saw they were nearly at her address. She leaned forward. “It’s on the left,” she told Marc. “The kind of grayish building.”

“Got it,” Marc said. “Do you have a garage?”

“Carport in the back. You can pull in, since my car’s not there. Assuming this beast will fit. I drive a Prius.”

“I didn’t think those were legal in Texas,” Marc joked.

“I get looks, believe me. There it is, number three,” she said, directing him.

Marc slid the big Suburban right into the tight parking space, slick as could be, though Natalie had to close her eyes, certain they were going to crash into the wall. Next to her, Christian laughed.

“For a woman who works with vampires, you have very little faith in our abilities.”

“I mostly work with numbers,” she said tartly. “Those I have faith in. Which is why I know that
that
was a tight fit.”

She climbed out of the SUV, with her keys in one hand. The Suburban took up so much space that there was only room for them to get out on the driver’s side, so Christian came out right behind her. She’d showered at his house while he’d still slept, and so she only needed to put on fresh clothes and a little makeup. “Give me twenty minutes to change and pack a few things,” she said, sliding her keys into the lock. “The Mr. Coffee’s right over there, if you want something to drink,” she added.

“And the nightmare continues,” Christian muttered.

Natalie laughed as she hurried into her bedroom, stripping off her clothes on the way. She took five minutes for a swipe of mascara and some blush, then stood in her walk-in closet, trying to decide what to wear to the office tonight. Normally, she wore skirts. Anthony liked a businesslike appearance, and skirts and heels made her feel good about herself, pretty and sexy. But tonight, she wanted to be invisible. So she pulled on a cream silk blouse and tank, and some black slacks, finishing off with a pair of spike-heeled ankle boots.

“I like the boots.”

Natalie spun around to find Christian leaning against her open doorway, one foot angled over the other, looking very comfortable and scrumptious, his arms crossed over his muscled chest.

“You startled me,” she said accusingly. “I didn’t hear you come upstairs.”

He freed a hand to point a thumb at his chest. “Vampire. We move quietly.”

She knew that. She might have been able to pretend before that hers was an ordinary job, and that the people she worked with were just as ordinary. But they weren’t. The death she’d witnessed two nights ago had made that perfectly clear.

“I’m almost ready,” she told him, reaching for a jacket.

“You need to pack a bag. And bring your dress for Saturday night.”

“Right,” she muttered, staring at her clothes and considering how much she’d need to pack, and how long she’d be gone. She frowned abruptly, then turned to give him a puzzled look. “Saturday night?”

“The challenge gala,” he explained.

“But I’m not invited to that.”

“You are now. I’m inviting you.”

“I don’t know if I have anything appropriate for . . . What are you doing?”

Christian was digging around in her closet. “This is perfect,” he said, holding up a dress that she’d bought on a whim, but never worn. It was short and sexy. A little too sexy, which was why she’d never worn it. It was a dark emerald green that did wonders for her coloring, with silk layered over satin, and a bodice that scooped low. But it wasn’t the revealing bodice that had kept it hidden in her closet. The back of the dress was a graceful drape of silk that bared her skin almost to the curve of her butt. It looked great—she’d put it on more than once in front of her mirror—but she’d never managed to dig up the courage to wear it in public.

“Oh, I don’t know if—” she started to say, but he cut her off.

“I do; you’ll be the most beautiful woman at the gala.” He grinned. “Don’t worry, I’ll fight off any unwanted suitors.”

“What about wanted ones?” she asked saucily.

His gaze narrowed. “Them, too.”

She chuckled at the success of her jab, then eyed the dress. It was gorgeous. And, really, how could she say “no” when he said she’d look beautiful?

“Okay,” she agreed. “I need to grab the shoes.”

“Don’t forget to pack enough for a few days. It’s too dangerous for you to stay here until the challenge is decided.”

Natalie’s unease at what he was saying overrode her irritation at his tendency to give orders. “Dangerous? Do you really think—?”

“That Anthony would hurt you?” He studied her for a moment, as if trying to decide if he should tell her the truth, as if wondering whether she could handle it.

“Tell me the truth,” she demanded.

His lips tightened briefly, and he said, “Yes.”

“But he’s never done anything like that before.”

“And he’d probably regret it. But in the final analysis, only one person matters to Anthony, and that’s
Anthony
. I don’t believe for a minute that he plans to retire quietly to New Orleans. He has a game in play that will maximize his own power and wealth after the succession. We just don’t know what it is yet. But
whatever
it is, I’ve spoiled it for him, and he’ll do what it takes to get rid of me. He wants you for himself—”

She opened her mouth to protest, but he continued.

“—I can see it in the way he looks at you. He covets you, as if you’re already his. He may even have convinced himself he loves you, or that you love him. But if he gets angry enough, he’ll hurt you. Either to claim you for himself, or to get to me.” He stepped closer in the confined space, cupping her cheek in his big hand. “You matter to me. Anthony knows that.”

Natalie looked up at him, unable to stop herself from leaning in until her breasts nearly touched him. Her chest felt constricted, her heart too big for the space, pounding in her ears until it was all she could hear. Christian tightened the fingers of his other hand around her hip, pulling her in until there was no space between them, and the tips of her breasts scraped the thick muscles of his chest. His gaze traveled over her face, lingering on her lips, and she knew he was going to kiss her.

When his mouth met hers, her lips were already open in welcome. She expected to be ravished, but was enticed instead, his lips caressing hers with delicate, sliding kisses, his tongue quick and teasing, until she went up on her toes, and pressed her mouth to his to demand more. She felt his smile against her lips, felt him shift the angle of her head as he sank deeper into her, as his tongue swept forcefully into her mouth, stroking, tasting. Natalie wrapped her arms around his neck with a pleasured sigh. She couldn’t remember wanting
anyone
the way she did Christian. She was
hungry
for him. Every inch of her longed for him, from the ache between her thighs to the swell of her breasts, and everything above and below.

But he was being so careful
with her. As if she were something fragile, as if he had to hold himself back. She wasn’t terribly experienced. Hell, she’d
never
experienced a man like Christian. But she wasn’t going to break, either. And she didn’t want him to hold back.

She boldly closed her teeth over his lower lip, stopping just short of drawing blood, shivering as his growled response rolled down her throat, trembling deep between her thighs, and knotting her nipples into hard peaks. His arm tightened around her back as he jerked her even closer.

“Careful,
ma chére,
or you’ll get what you ask for.”

“Good,” she whispered fiercely. Or at least, she meant it to be fierce.

Christian twisted his fingers in her hair and tugged her head back, forcing her to look at him as he searched her face. And then he stepped away.

“We both need to get to the estate,” he said.

Natalie scowled at the sudden shift in mood, and would have snapped at him, but he wasn’t finished.

“This isn’t the time,” he said patiently, trailing his fingers down her cheek and over her lips. “The first time I make love to you will not be up against a wall with my lieutenant waiting only a few feet away.”

Her face heated with embarrassment. She’d forgotten about Marc and his vampire hearing. What had she been thinking? That he’d throw her on the bed right then and there?

“I’m sorry,” she whispered, and tried to step away from him, but he didn’t let her go.

“Don’t be sorry,” he said, taking her hand and pressing it against his very hard erection. “I want you, Natalie. But not here, not now. Tonight . . . in my bed, where you belong.”

Natalie’s heart was pounding so hard, it felt like her entire body was shaking with it. He released her and stepped back. “Finish packing. You’re staying with us for now.”

“How come you’re in charge?” she muttered, mostly for form, and to prove to herself that she could still speak despite the desire rocking her bones. But Christian didn’t see it that way. She sucked in a breath as he hooked an arm around her neck, and placed his lips against her ear.

“I am always in charge, Natalie. Remember that in a few hours, when you’re screaming my name.”

NATALIE WAS STILL shivering at the memory of that seductive whisper as they drove the several miles back to Anthony’s estate. Christian hadn’t said anything else, but his eyes gleamed as he stretched an arm over the seat behind her, his fingers playing in her hair, and dropping teasing strokes against her neck.

“So, tell me more about Alon and his dojo,” he said after several silent miles.

It took Natalie a moment to concentrate enough to parse the meaning of his words.

“Natalie?” Christian said.

“Right. Alon. I started there initially because he offers late night and early morning classes. The timing works really well with my schedule.”

“What’s his discipline?”

“A little of everything, I think. But he’s
rokudan
in judo.”

“
Rokudan. S
ixth level, black belt,” Christian commented. “And
your
ranking?”