(Click the title to go back to Chapter One)
by Brenda Williamson
(A Free Read ~ A Work in Progress)
Copyright 2011
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Chapter Thirty Five
Nathan held tight to the back of Valentina’s head. Something wicked had coiled around him before her teeth pierced his skin. Her icy cold lips pressed around the punctures and she sucked hard. The pain hovered in the background of all else he felt. He didn’t try reasoning with his senses while having his pulse driven wild at the jugular.
When Valentina tried pulling away, he forced to stay. Having no cognizance of the implications of what could happen, he wanted her there. His blood raced, making him hot, making him numb. The vigorous kiss seemed hell bound on draining him of energy—of life. Still, what was death to him if he didn’t live for pleasure?
"No!" Valentina sudden shriek deafened him.
She tore herself out of his grasp at the same time the pain that had hung back, shot to the forefront of his thoughts. He slapped his hand on his neck, cringing from the searing pain. How had he not noticed its intensity? Before he could react, refuse Valentina’s help, she fell back down on him. She grasped his wrist and yanked his hand away from his wound. Then, she lapped at the tender area of his neck with her tongue. Sealing her lips over the punctured flesh, she massaged the piercing sting with cooling licks that healed the hurt. However, his wariness had yet to wane and he pushed her up.
She stared down with those wickedly wonderful dark eyes. Whenever he saw them shaded in that smoldering state, he thought of her seizing hold of his soul. Bewildered by what transpired, he turned his gaze to her mouth. Her crimson lips dripped of blood, even after she swished her tongue over them. Drops fell to his chest.
A handful of emotions roiled through him, outrage, anger, bewilderment. Yet, topping them, a strange, primitive lust building a strengthening urge to drag her back down and feel her bite him in a thousand other places.
Then she blinked and broke the spell possessing his mind.
“I shouldn’t have bitten you.” Valentina’s words jerked his senses fully to the surface.
While it wasn’t the first time a woman bit him, it was the first time one drew so much blood.
Nathan loosened his hold on Valentina. She twisted away, out of his reach and leapt off the bed. He followed to comfort her, not sure why he felt at fault.
Valentina hurried to the washstand. "Please, don’t look at me.” She grabbed a towel from the shelf.
His interest fell on his reflection in the mirror. He moved closer, examining his neck. The two small puncture marks didn’t look as if they should have supplied the amount of blood he had seen on Valentina’s mouth.
The mild cuts deflated his anger. "No harm done. See, just a small scratch.”
He looked at her reflection. The power in her gaze had faded, leaving an unusual glimmer of fear. Yet, when she glanced over her shoulder, the fear had vanished and a hint of surprise appeared in her glistening eyes.
He took the cloth from her hand and dipped it in the basin of water. Mesmerized by her quietness, he dabbed the rag over her mouth, her chin and proceeded to the specks on her chest.
Her bite was not an ordinarily lover’s kiss for a mark of passion. However, he didn’t know how to explain her actions, nor was he ready to question her about them. Something was off about the girl and he hoped to be around if she decided to trust him with her secrets.
"You are a fascinating creature, Valentina and a strange occurrence to humanity." He tossed the rag away and pulled her against him. "Nevertheless, you can trust I’ll keep your confidences and protect you."
“Thank you.” She hugged him. "I should like to leave now.”
Of all things to do, leaving never entered his thoughts. But he nodded in agreement and went to his clothes. He felt her watching him as he pulled on his trousers and donned his shirt.
“Maybe someone will be up this early to get us a bit of food before we go,” he commented.
“I’m not hungry,” Valentina replied, fastening her gown. “But of course, you are welcome to have breakfast.”
The silence between them thickened after that. Nathan made sure they had all that they had come with and ushered Valentina out of the room. They found the dining room open and several customers already occupying several tables. One patron closest to them ate vigorously, enjoying a plate of eggs and ham. The man paused, nodded a hello and resumed eating.
Nathan glanced at the window and noticed the glimmer of daylight. The hour was later than he thought. The closed drapes over the window in their room had kept him in the dark about the time.
They sat at a table more out in the open instead of the corner. During his meal, he studied Valentina. She had ordered a cup of tea and mindlessly stirred, the spoon clinking against the china. She had yet to take a drink.
When the door of the inn opened, it distracted him from Valentina. Outside the fog hung like a low cloud making a dreary morning setting. A man and woman entered. The young lady gained most of his attention. Her long coppery hair hung in large curls, free from any binds or hat. As they got closer, the banter between the couple suggested they were relatives, not spouses.
"Do you know her?" Valentina asked, breaking into his thoughts.
"No," he answered, realizing he had stared far too long.
He looked down at his plate. However, when the lady laughed, he couldn’t resist the nearness of her. He near women like her, uninhibited, loose, accommodating when it suited them.
"I don’t mean to be a bother, but do you know where I might find the powder room?" She stopped at his table.
Her long lashes fluttered flirtatiously.
"No, I don’t.” He rose from his seat. “However, I would be happy to find out for you." He took her elbow. “Please, excuse me for a moment, Valentina."
"That’s so nice of you," the lady said. "My brother is seeing about someone to shoe his horse and I thought I could find the room on my own. Silly me, I didn’t think to ask the woman at the desk."
"I believe we might find it back this way." He took a guess, based on his visits to many inns.
"My name is Sara Parker."
"Nathan Hawks. It’s a pleasure to meet you.” He opened the door under the staircase and looked inside. “I believe this is what you’re searching for."
“It’s a bit dark in there? Do you think you could find the light for me?” She ran her hand down his back.
He smiled at the feel of her touch sliding as far as the seat of his trousers. “Just a moment.” He went inside and felt around for the candleholder. His hand hit the tray of matchsticks first and he lit one.
As he used the light of the flame to guide him to the candlewick, Miss Parker shut the door, closing them inside.
“I’m a bit shy when it comes to being in public,” she explained. “I did not want people wondering what we were up to back here,” she explained.
“And what are we up to, Miss Parker?” he asked.
Her clumsy seduction pegged her as not well experienced in her newfound profession.
“I think you know exactly what I had in mind.” She ran her hand down the front of his jacket, flicking buttons as she went. With one hand, she rubbed his chest, while her other hand caressed the front of his trousers.
For a brief moment, he turned his attention from the pretty, Miss Parker. What would she think of his absence? She had to have seen him and Miss Parker go into the powder room.
..............Read more in Chapter 36 on Jan 17th
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