First Thirst (Craving 1)

I did, however, dip lower again and gather more bubbles around my exposed breasts.

He laughed. “Why in the world, lass, would ye wish to cover up such beauty? Och aye, but ye are perfection.”

“Stop!” I told him.

I knew I was safe at that moment from falling under his charms because he was in another realm. However, it took all the willpower I had to keep from getting out of the tub while he was watching. I wanted to. It was brazen and wanton and every inch of me was moved to do it. But that cautious girl inside of me stopped me.

So, with supreme resolve, I pushed away all thoughts of teasing him, of wanting him, and rem

inded myself the hunk was a vampire.

“Stop? Nae, lass. I cannae do as ye ask for I find m’self drawn to yer beauty, to yer smile, to the light in yer violet eyes—such eyes. If I were on yer side of this damned wall, I’d be crushing ye in m’arms, I would.”

“Don’t talk like that. We are from two different worlds. You are a vampire…and, well...never mind all that. What I wanted to tell you was my idea about Brently.”

“Nae, ye cannae go there. Get it out of yer head. Ye would be at her mercy there. It is where all her powers are always renewed. Forget it.” His face had turned stony, his eyes, those blue eyes clouded over with a dark storm and in their depths, those eyes of his glowed red with fury. “I forbid it, Bobbie Skye. Ye would be putting yerself in danger. Do ye hear me?”

“What danger? I’ll go during the daylight…a bright sunny day…”

“Don’t ye think Jeremy has already tried that? It nearly cost him his life. The windows are all covered so nae light gets inside the manor, and when he went inside, he was met with a pair of vampires resting during the daylight. Allora buys allegiance with favors. The two vamps heard him and attacked. It took all his magic and the tearing down of a few drapes for him to get out. And it was all for nothing. Allora wouldna leave anything there for someone to find and use against her.”

“A man has a different way of looking at things. As a woman, I might see what Jeremy couldn’t. First chance I get…going there,” I told him. I was convinced she had a very special secret, something that, if known, could help defeat her once and for all.

“Nae,” he shouted. “I cannae in good conscience allow it. ‘Tis m’fault ye are here. ‘Tis m’fault ye have been drawn into this ugly deed. I cannae let ye go to Brently. Promise me, lass, ye won’t go there, because if ye dinnae promise this, I shall have Jeremy send ye packing and ye will nae be allowed at MacLeod again.”

I raised a brow. I don’t take orders and I don’t like threats. However, he was my boss…in a way. I also was not about to distress him if I didn’t have to. A long sigh slipped out before I made up my mind and said, “We’ll see. I’ll drop the idea for now.” I turned on the jets and pushed into two at my back. The pleasure of the water pressure drew a groan as I closed my eyes.

“Would that it was I making ye groan like that, beauty,” he said on a low note that sent shivers through me.

I opened my eyes with a snap. His words filled me with desire and need. I couldn’t allow that to happen. I told him, “Turn around. I want to get out and dry off.”

“Do ye really want me to turn around? I’m thinking ye have the look of a woman who wants something else.”

“Oh, do you?” He was all too right. I wanted him. He was a vampire in another world and I was hot for him. “And even if I did…” What was I doing? “You are there, and I am here!” I said with resignation.

“Och aye, there is that, but I’m counting on ye to remedy that situation.” He grinned like a boy and for a moment, just a moment, I melted like a fool.

I bitch-slapped myself.

I called on my brain to start functioning and sternly said, “Turn around, My Lord, and give me the privacy you promised would be mine.”

Without a word, he turned and started to walk away. I was aware of a sinking feeling of absurd disappointment.

“I’ll be back and watch over ye when ye are sleeping,” he said.

I didn’t answer, but damn, I felt like a stupid school girl crushing over someone quite out of reach!

~ Twelve ~

IT WAS EARLY MORNING and I was deep in my Shama when I heard a whisper. Roberta…deeper, Roberta.

My mom was the only one that called me Roberta. Was it her voice? It sounded so much like my mom, but the tone was hushed and distant, and it had been so long since I had heard my mom’s voice.

On the chance that it was her voice, something she may have installed in my memory banks for a day when she wouldn’t be with me, I asked, Mom…is that you?

Yes, love. You need to open the door, the one with our family emblem. Everything you need to know is behind that door.

Mom…Mom…how is this possible? How am I speaking with you?