The Raven (The Florentine #1)(107)

“This is all subterfuge. What’s the true reason you won’t go to bed with me?”

“I went to see Bruno,” she blurted out.

“I know. And?”

“He didn’t remember me.”

“I warned you about that. Vampyre blood can cause memory loss.”

Raven looked over at her cane, which was resting against the sofa.

“We went out. We had dinner and laughed. He kissed me. Today, he was completely indifferent. He barely looked at me.” She gave William a tremulous look. “I’m tired of being invisible.”

His expression softened. “Come here.”

“No.”

He extended his hand in her direction. “You aren’t invisible to me. I think I’ve made that clear.”

Raven turned to stare at the empty movie screen. “What happens when you really see me?”

“I don’t understand.”

“You wouldn’t,” she mumbled. “You’re beautiful.”

“You seem to be forgetting that I want you.” He gestured to what stirred behind his trousers. “Badly.”

She met his eyes and gave him a long look. “Tonight I don’t need a lover. I need a friend. Can you give me that?”

“Vampyres don’t have friends.” William retreated a step.

He was about to deny her; she saw the resolve in his gaze.

Abruptly, his face changed.

“If that’s what you desire,” he said primly, gesturing to the couch.

She sat down, and this time he positioned himself a few feet away. He placed the popcorn bowl between them and handed her the drink.

“Thank you.”

He didn’t answer, his posture stiff, his face glowering.

She pressed play on the remote control.

William was so engrossed in the film he didn’t notice Raven set the popcorn bowl aside. Nor did he notice when she moved toward him.

During the scene when Michael comes to his first wife on their wedding night, she rested her head on William’s upper arm. Without thinking, he shifted so that his arm went around her shoulders.

She burrowed against him.

“Is it dangerous?” she asked.

“Is what dangerous?” He looked down at her profile.

“Having sex with a vampyre.”

His gaze returned to the screen. “It can be.”

“For my body or my heart?”

He leaned over and pressed his lips to her forehead.

“I thought your heart was part of your body.”

She met his eyes and the smile faded from his lips.

“I can’t answer that, Cassita,” he whispered.

Raven tried to focus on the film, pretending his words didn’t trouble her.

In the middle of the night, Raven awoke in William’s arms. They were in his bed.

William was on his back, shirtless, stroking the skin of her shoulders, while she curled into his side.

The room was dark. The curtains had been drawn across the balcony doors. A small shaft of light shone from under the door that led to the hall.

She blinked up at him, trying to make out his features.

He smiled. “Hello, pretty girl.”

The shadows made her bolder, as she forgot that he could see in the dark. She lifted her hand to his face and pressed against him. Her green eyes darkened with an unexpressed emotion.

Somehow, her feelings transferred themselves to her lips. She kissed him purposefully, nibbling his lower lip before taking it into her mouth.

William touched her neck, angling so he could deepen the kiss. As soon as their tongues touched, sparks flew.

Raven moved her leg over and between his, shifting so she was half on his chest. She rested her hands on his shoulders, enjoying the feel of the muscles under her fingers.

His tongue entered her mouth and retreated, enticing her to follow, while his palms brushed the length of her back to rest on the curves of her bottom. By all accounts, he liked what he felt, squeezing and kneading the flesh with his hands.

She licked at the seam of his lips before dipping inside. Back and forth and in and out.

William’s pace was focused but unhurried, as if he were determined to enjoy every point of contact, every sensation.

He traced the hills and valleys of her spine before grabbing her oldfashioned nightgown and lifting it to her thighs.

“William,” she murmured, pressing their lower bodies together.

He rolled her to her back and whispered fine kisses along her jaw and down to her neck.

She drew in a sharp breath.

“Please don’t feed from me. Not our first time.”

He lifted his head, conflict visible in his eyes.

He blinked slowly, like a cat.

“If that’s what you desire.”

He nuzzled her cleavage before slipping her nightgown from her shoulders, baring her expansive breasts.

“These are exquisite.” He brought her breasts to his lips, eagerly licking and sucking.

His mouth, like his tongue, was cool. Raven enjoyed when he laved her nipples, before pressing them against the roof his mouth.

She wound her fingers in his hair, massaging his scalp.

“I could spend days right here. You truly are a work of art.” He rested his chin below her breasts and gave her a wide, enchanting smile.