A Vampire for Christmas(46)

Then why did you jump in the first place? For this to work you have to sink in all the way.

I don’t want to…die. Or end up a vampire. Could you imagine the media frenzy over that?”

Not going to happen.” He licked a trail along her jaw and to the lobe of her ear. “I wouldn’t make another monster if I was forced. And despite my former nickname of Killer when I was an investor on Wall Street, I’m not a real killer.”

She believed him. The conviction in his tone spoke of integrity and honor. Wall Street? Everything about Daniel felt right, and not at all monstrous.

Or maybe she was already lost in the fantasy of surrendering to this man’s dark and dangerous allure. It was a delicious fall, and she deserved the plunge.

She pulled open his shirt and melded her body against his, fitting her breasts to his warmth and measuring the steely tension in his abs with an inhale.

Man, that feels so wrong in all the right ways,” he murmured.

His hands slid around her back and down to cup her derriere through the body-clinging red silk. The hardness of him crushed against her hip, pleading her surrender, and she tilted her head, allowing him to kiss from her neck down to her breasts.

In the kitchen the teapot whistled.

Tea’s ready,” he whispered on a gasp.

Screw the tea. I need to feel your body against mine, skin to skin.”

You don’t have to tell me twice. But first.” Daniel rushed into the kitchen and turned off the burner below the whistling teakettle.

She crooked a finger and led him into her bedroom where the almost-full moon glowed through the sheers and fashioned the purple-and-white room more glamorously than a Hollywood movie set.

Daniel walked in, noticed the stereo on the vanity and flicked it on. “Let’s find some mood music.” He played with the controls until a soft Rat Pack beat crooned into the room. “Ah, Michael Bublé. I like this one.” He tugged the shirt over his head. Hard muscles strapped his body like steel. His outstretched hand pleaded to Olivia. “Come sway with me, Olivia.”

She took his hand and he did a few steps, hips shifting in the subtle cha-cha rhythm she was familiar with, having incorporated it into one of her songs last year.

You dance,” she said. “That’s impressive.”

I do have a few moves that I intend to unleash upon your unsuspecting soul tonight.”

Sounds exciting.”

It could be. Ready for this?”

She nodded and he spun and then dipped her, bringing her up smoothly. The rush of the elegant move chattered out in a gleeful laugh. Olivia spread her arms over his bare shoulders and matched his moves. They managed a pretty respectable cha-cha in the aisle between the bed and the vanity.

I’ve never danced with a guy before. You’re spoiling me, Daniel. And look, you’ve freckles on your shoulder. That’s so sexy.”

I’ve noticed you tend to chatter when you’re nervous. Are you nervous?”

No. Yes. No.” She nuzzled against his cheek and let out another giggle. “Yes.”

He whispered the words next to her ear, “Sway me more.”

And Olivia fell hard. He could sway her all he liked.

The song segued into another smooth dance number from the past, and Daniel caught her about the waist and found the zipper down the center back of her gown. Both still swaying to the music, his fingers moved down her spine, and she loosened in his embrace and snuggled her revealed breasts against the rough texture of his shirt and the hot hardness of his chest.

Still nervous?”

Aren’t you?”

A little,” he whispered against her mouth, and then kissed her. “Makes touch more exciting, don’t you think? Being unsure, tentative, but eager.”

Very.” The gown dropped at her feet. Olivia stood in tiny red panties and a matching strapless bra. She slid up a foot and crooked it along his leg. When she unzipped his jeans, he sucked in a gasp.

Mercy.” He slipped his fingers through her hair. “You’re moving fast, Olivia. Let me catch up.”

Shrugging down his jeans revealed he believed in going commando. His erection sprang up proudly. The man was fashioned of sin and dark danger. The idea of him standing in her humble little apartment, getting naked before her, was almost too much to fathom. For once, she was not the one being admired or draped across an arm as an accessory. It felt great to be on the adoring end. Powerful.

He lifted her in a sweep and laid her on the bed and crawled over her legs. “I love these sweet little nothings you’re wearing.” Dancing kisses along the inside of her knee, one, then the other, shimmered delicious chills up her body and peaked her nipples tightly. His tongue traced a love letter along her thigh.