Midnight Angel (Stokehurst #1)(103)

Luke couldn't keep a scowl of dislike from his face. “Angelovsky,” he muttered. “I would appreciate it if you refrained from bestowing any further ‘gifts’ on my family. You've done quite enough for the Stokehursts.”

Nikolas's smile didn't falter. “I had no choice but to bring the kitten to my cousin Emma, the patroness of injured animals.”

Luke glanced at his daughter, who was crouched over the wobbly bundle of stripes like a worried mother. Angelovsky had chosen his gift well. No other gesture could have so effectively softened Emma's heart. “Look at him, Papa,” Emma said, while the cub made contented gurgling and puffing noises in between slurps of milk. “He's very small…He won't take up much room at all!”

“He'll grow,” Luke replied ominously. “Eventually to forty stone or more.”

“Really?” Emma gave the cub a dubious glance. “That much?”

“There is no way in hell we're going to keep a tiger!” Luke divided his glare between Nikolas and his wife. “Someone had better think of a way to dispose of it, or I will.”

Tasia interceded with gentle diplomacy, hurrying to him with a swish of silken skirts, laying a light hand on his arm. “Luke,” she murmured, “I would have a word with you in private.” Glancing at Nikolas, she added, “I'm certain you need more rest, Nikolas. You wouldn't want to ruin your recuperation by overtaxing yourself.”

“Perhaps I should leave,” Nikolas agreed, rising from the settee.

“I'll see you out,” Emma said, draping the tiger cub over her shoulder, where he lay in limp contentment.

After the pair left the room, Tasia stood on her toes to whisper in Luke's ear. “Please…it would make her so happy to keep him.”

“We're talking about a tiger, for God's sake.” Luke pulled his head back and frowned at her. “I don't like to come home in the afternoon and find the likes of Angelovsky sitting in my parlor.”

“It was a complete surprise,” Tasia said contritely. “I certainly couldn't turn Nikolas away at the doorstep.”

“I won't allow him to worm his way into our lives.”

“Of course not,” Tasia said, walking with him into the hallway. “This visit was just Nikolas's way of making peace. I don't believe he means to harm any of us.”

“I don't have your forgiving nature,” Luke muttered. “As far as I'm concerned, he's not welcome here.”

Tasia was about to argue when she happened to glance at the entrance hall. Emma was standing with Nikolas, looking up at him as she cuddled the tiger against her shoulder. Nikolas reached to stroke the cub's round head. As he did so, his fingers gently rubbed a lock of Emma's shining red hair. The gesture was brief, almost unnoticeable, but it sent a chill of warning down Tasia's spine. She had a sudden premonition of Nikolas with an older Emma…staring at her with a seductive smile, leading her step by step into a fathomless shadow…until they had both disappeared from the light.

Did it mean that Emma might someday be in danger from Nikolas? Tasia's brow wrinkled, and she wondered if she should tell Luke of her vision. No, she didn't want to worry him unnecessarily. Together they would take care of Emma and protect her. Nothing would threaten them now that they were a family.

“Perhaps you're right,” she said to Luke, squeezing his arm. “I'll find a way to make Nikolas understand that he mustn't visit often.”

“Good,” he said in satisfaction. “Now about that cub—”

“Come with me,” she coaxed, urging him to the dimly lit space beneath the grand staircase. Together they drew into the private corner.

Luke began again. “About the tiger—”

“Come closer.” She pulled his cool hand to the velvet-covered slope of her breast. Automatically his fingers slid over the plump mound, finding the downy warmth of her cle**age. Tasia sighed with pleasure. She pressed her body, lush with pregnancy, against the length of his. “You left before I work this morning,” she murmured. “I missed you.”

“Tasia—”

She pulled his head down and nipped his neck with her teeth. Blindly Luke turned and found her mouth. The kiss deepened, and he felt the warmth of it spread through his body. As always, he was aroused by her nearness, his blood stirring rapidly at the feel and taste of her. Tasia's small hand covered his, and she pressed it inside her bodice, underneath the velvet, until his palm fitted over her peaked nipple. He kissed her once more, and Tasia responded with avid pleasure, molding herself against him. “You smell like winter,” she whispered.

Luke shivered as he felt her lips brush against the side of his neck. “It's cold outside.”

“Take me upstairs and I'll warm you.”

“But about the tiger…”

“Later,” she said, loosening the knot of his cravat. “For now, take me to bed.”

Luke raised his head and gave her a sardonic glance. “I know when I'm being manipulated.”

“You're not being manipulated,” she assured him. She pulled his cravat free and dropped it to the floor. “You're being seduced. Stop trying to resist.”

The prospect of being in bed with her, holding her body against his, was too much for Luke. As long as he lived, there would be no temptation, no pleasure, no passion more intense than what he felt with her. Carefully he lifted her in his arms. “Who's resisting?” he muttered, and carried her up to bed.