A Vampire for Christmas(28)

Yes, my girlfriend and me. I’m Trace’s cousin and we’re here for the holidays.” His cousin? The cousin? She swallowed and clutched her coat tighter around the collar. Although she couldn’t remember anything about what she’d seen last Christmas, she definitely didn’t trust this guy.

If you don’t believe me…” He pulled out his wallet and showed her his driver’s license. Sebastian Westfalen-Taft. Yes, he definitely was the cousin. “What do you say? Do you want a ride up to the house or do you want to walk? Your choice.”

She considered her options. A long, cold trek in the snow or a quick five-minute ride.

A woman’s voice called from Sebastian’s vehicle. “Come on, baby. I’m getting cold.”

Okay. He had his girlfriend with him. How dangerous could he be?



TRACE LED CHARLOTTE into his bedroom suite. “You’re staying with me now.”

A delicious thrill skittered along her nerve endings. “What are you talking about?”

In my bed. My cousin isn’t stupid enough to try anything, but now that he’s here, under this roof, you’ll be safer with me.”

Guess she wouldn’t need to force herself on him after all. “I’m surprised you invited him here after what happened last year.”

Believe me, I didn’t. But he’s family, so I can’t throw him out.”

She looked around the room, a mirror image of her own in terms of size and layout, and yet very different. Heavy midnight-blue tapestries, extending from the ornately carved moldings, covered all the walls. Although the room was spacious, it felt intimate because it absorbed the sound so well.

Her heart beat loudly in her head as she stared at the massive Louis XIV bed taking up a huge portion of one side. Its brocade panels were tied back, revealing luxurious pillows of various sizes. She had to imagine that when those panels were shut, it would feel very intimate inside, as well. The tender skin of her inner thighs heated at the thought of lying there with Trace.

She turned to find him staring at her, his eyes dark, his lips parted slightly, as if he were out of breath. God, she wanted him, and she wanted him bad.

Ever since that night at her house when he’d rocked her world, she had wanted more. And now that she knew the truth about him and that she had once loved him, things felt even more natural.

Shutting the door, she reached up on her tiptoes and kissed him roughly. His mouth moved against hers and she slipped her tongue inside.

He chuckled, the sound rumbling against her lips. “My God, Char, what are you doing?”

What does it look like I’m doing?” She pushed him to the bed, where he fell back onto the mattress, pulling her with him.

You are my responsibility now,” he said. “And I’m not one to take responsibilities lightly.”

I’m glad. Neither am I. Now, take off your clothes.”

He laughed. “God, are you always this bossy?”

I can be.”

When they’d pulled up in Sebastian’s SUV, Trace had stormed out of the house and swept her from the vehicle. It had surprised her at first, but then she saw the relief in his face. The way he’d glared at his cousin made him look like he could rip his head off. She found his intense concern for her incredibly attractive.

It took only a moment for their clothes to be piled on the floor. Charlotte leaned over him, caging his body under hers. She held his arms above his head, her nipples brushing his muscular chest.

You know, I’m used to being the one in charge.” His eyes were dark as he looked hungrily at her breasts.

His short hair was bed-head messy, just the way she liked it, the pulse just under his jaw flickering madly. The muscles of his shoulders were bulky, his chest smooth and well-defined. Everything about this powerful man turned her on.

And I like that.” She released his hands, but before he could take control, she slipped down between his legs. His thick erection lay against his belly, a teardrop of liquid glistening at the tip. She flicked it off slowly with her tongue and he groaned. “But are you saying you want me to stop? Because I will if you want me to.”

He said nothing. Just waited. And watched.

His balls were heavy and loose in her hand as she took him into her mouth. He arched his back and hissed loudly.

She was pretty certain that was her answer.



SO TELL ME ABOUT this Council,” Charlotte said, running her hand over his chest. “Who is on it and what do you do?”