Caressed by Night (10 page)

His eyes dilated, constricted and dilated again before settling back to normal. He shook his head, turned away, and returned to washing.

He knew there were questions burning her tongue, questions he was afraid to answer. He had known this day would come, the day he would have to face his past and he was glad that he would make that journey through his tortured mind with her by his side. He only prayed that she would not reject him or, worse, become frightened of him. So many feared him and he could not bear for her to join their ranks.

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The scent of dust and age hovered in the air. Even the faint aroma of blood still clung to the polished weapons hanging proudly in their display cases.

Kerstyn walked, her hands clasped behind her back as she envisioned Dimitri wearing the sixteenth century armor. He was a large man, broad and tall. Dimitri was already intimidating, but he would surely be a fearsome sight to behold clad as a knight.

“Can you imagine wearing all that armor?” Kerstyn asked as she paused before the shining suit of metal. “I would topple over just trying to lift the breast plate.”

“Good thing they are no longer in use,” Dimitri said.

“Did you ever wear one?”

He smiled and shook his head. “No. I never had a reason to dress as a knight.”

She gave him a disappointed frown and Dimitri had to resist the urge to capture her pouting bottom lip with his teeth.

Kerstyn’s frown vanished as she saw desire spark in Dimitri’s eyes. She turned and slowly walked over to study a tapestry. She could feel his gaze burn her back and she had no doubt those diamond eyes of his lingered on her butt.

She ran her fingers through her hair, pushing the silken strawberry blonde strands over her shoulder, leaving her throat bare.

Kerstyn smiled when Dimitri let out a low growl.

She could not recall ever feeling sexy. She knew she was a pretty girl and men found her attractive, but she had never felt like a bombshell, until now. She had countless admirers and had her share of
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dates. Yet, she had, for one reason or another, continuously failed to make it past the third date. The only time she had come close to a true relationship was in high school and, much to Justin’s dismay, they never made it past second base. With Dimitri she had smacked it out of the park and hauled ass around the bases.

She smiled as she thought of the past night. Her first date with Dimitri had started out great only to trip and tumble into a pool of complete disaster. Instead of a delicious meal, deep conversation, and romantic lighting, they were the targets of a drive-by. Then, not only did she discover Dimitri’s secret, he whipped his Bentley through a drive-thru for her. No, last night was nothing like she expected. And she wouldn’t have it any other way.

Kerstyn pretended to read a placard as she peeked beneath her lashes at Dimitri. Last night had been mind-blowing and their round this morning had been amazing. Though she had no other to compare him to, she knew sex with anyone else would never come close.

I have a feeling once you go vamp you never go back
. She turned her eyes back to the placard, which described the colorful tapestry
. Some girls like tall guys, some girls like guys with tattoos and
piercings. I’m the kind of girl that likes guys with fangs.

“Do you think life was simpler back then?” she asked, studying the medieval scene of court life portrayed in the handwoven tapestry.

“People have always had their own challenges and hardships to face.”

“So, no.”

“I have lived long enough to learn that you should never compare one time with another or one society to another.”

“Has anyone ever told you that you speak like an old, cryptic sage?”

He nodded. “Too many times in too many ways.”

Kerstyn gave a light laugh. Stepping back from the tapestry, she led the way from the European Medieval room to the Ancient Roman exhibit. She circled a glass display case filled with swords, spears, and armor.

“How about this one? Did you ever wear this type of armor?”
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“Again, I must disappoint you. I was never a soldier.”

“Well, it looks lighter and there isn’t as much of it.” She leaned forward. “The designs on the helmet and chest plate are lovely.” With a sigh, Kerstyn straightened and moved on to the intricately decorated and impressively preserved chariot. “Now, this is amazing.” Dimitri watched as she walked circles about the chariot. Her eyes sharply studying the carvings and paintings, she even paused to inspect the wheels. Finally, she came to stand by his side. Crossing her arms over her chest, she gave a small, exasperated huff.

“What?”

“This chariot is on loan from a museum in New York,” she answered.

“Is that a problem?”

“No, of course not. It’s just that I was planning on going to New York before this horrible week happened. Now, instead of using my savings to haul what little I own across the country, it’s going towards my car and a new place to live.”

Dimitri frowned. “You have a place to live. As for your car, only a mechanic could know.”

“Dimitri, I appreciate your help, but I am used to paying my own way. I know that you are trying to cut me a break by not charging me rent and I appreciate it.”

“But?”

“It doesn’t feel right.”

“Which part?”

“All of it.”

Dimitri’s gaze fell to the marble floor and Kerstyn cursed. This was one of those times when a woman wished a man could read her mind. Of course, she would be with a man who could, but wouldn’t.

“I don’t mean ‘us’ or what happened between us, even though last night was
way
out of the ordinary for me.” She cursed again. “If there is an ‘us’ at all. I’ll understand if this…thing between us is a fling. If you don’t want strings…a relationship.” Kerstyn snapped her
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mouth shut and took in a deep breath. She was beginning to ramble as she always did in tight spots like this. “If you can’t tell, I’m a little unsure how or where this…thing is going. I know I like you. A lot.”

“Thing?” Dimitri asked as if tasting the word and finding it offensive to his palate. “No. I do not think what is happening between us is a ‘thing’.”

Kerstyn rolled her eyes. “For lack of a better word.”

“I know a better word. Relationship.”

Kerstyn blinked in surprise.

“That is, if you will have me. Like you, I have never before been in this type of situation. I am not quite sure how to behave.”

“Why me?”

His brow furrowed. “What do you mean?”

She gave an exasperated sigh, “This would be so much easier and less awkward if you would read my mind.”

“Is that what you want?”

Yes, she wanted to scream in frustration, but she answered,

“No.” It would be much easier if Dimitri would peek into her mind, but she was an intelligent woman and she should be able to voice her thoughts.

He gave her the male version of a deer-caught-in-the-headlights.

“It’s not that I have low self-esteem or anything, but why me?

You’re wealthy and drop-dead sexy, you could have—”

“I am drawn to you,” he said taking a step toward her. “You are the most captivating woman I have ever met.” He took in a deep breath.

“Your blood. It calls to me, beckons me to have a taste.” His diamond eyes glowed with lust and hunger and Kerstyn was unable to resist their lure. She stumbled forward, closing the gap between them.

“And, I like you. A lot.”

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“You’re intense,” she breathed. Her entire body was covered in flames. Her fingers twitched as she thought of running her hands through his hair and down his well-muscled back.

His smile softened his face and his light chuckle brought their lust down from a boil to a simmer as he gently ran a finger down along her cheek and caressed her chin.

“What I say is true.”

Kerstyn could feel her cheeks turn red as joyful warmth settled in her heart. Was this all infatuation or true romance? She did not know and she did not care. She loved the way Dimitri made her feel and she wanted nothing more than to see how this relationship would play out.

“Life and love are a gamble,” she sighed. “Well, we live in Vegas, we might as well go all in, roll the dice, and pray everything works out.”

Dimitri smiled. “From my experience, time sorts everything out, eventually.”

Kerstyn returned his smile as she slowly laced her fingers with his.

He tugged her away from the chariot and over to an armless, marble sculpture of Venus.

“I think I am asking you the wrong questions,” she mused as she thoughtfully scrutinized the statue.

“Wrong questions?”

She glanced up at him, her smile widening because of his confused expression.

“Yes. I’ve been asking you if you’ve worn certain clothing or participated in certain activities.”

He nodded.

“Neither of the questions worked.”

Dimitri chuckled, “Does curiosity run in your veins?”

“You bet. Though, I didn’t inherit it from my stuffy parents.” She waved her free hand dismissively before pointing her index finger
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toward the sculpture. “My new question is, were you around when this type of art was created.”

Dimitri smiled. “I was.”

Kerstyn’s eyes widened as her fingers tightened about his. She had to mentally shake her surprise away. He had said he was older than the Vikings, but this artwork made him ancient.

He looks pretty damn good for being such an old man
, she thought with a smile.

“Do you intend to study me like you have everything else in this museum?”

Kerstyn laughed, the rich sound filling the room and touching Dimitri’s cold heart.

“No,” she said when she finally managed to control her giggles.

“Like you said, I’ve got curiosity coursing through my veins.” His smile dropped and his eyes grew distant. All the warmth in him vanished and Kerstyn shivered from the chill that now hung in the air between them.

Dimitri’s gaze flicked from her face to the pulse beneath the tender flesh of her throat. His eyes began to swirl as the pale, diamond blue slowly faded to white. Shadows settled over his face and she gasped as his fangs dropped. His gaze burned with hunger. She could feel his bloodlust, like a caress against her throat, her heart slammed against her ribs as she took a stumbling step back. Dimitri flinched, his predatory instincts snapping at him to follow her retreat, but he remained still.

Shaking his head and clearing his throat, he dropped his gaze to the black, polished floor. Vein. She had said vein, such a simple, delicious word.

“My apologies.”

“What was that?” she asked, wrapping her arms about herself, defensive, protective. A glimmer of doubt sparkled in her eyes.

“I have always had a tight hold on my power and the demon that exists inside of me, but you…Ever since we met…I will handle this, you need not worry.”

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“Dimitri―”

“What were we discussing?” He paused, then said, “Oh, yes. I do not remember much of my old life or my early years as a vampire.” Swallowing her fear, she dropped her arms and came to his side. He wanted to focus on something other than…whatever had just happened and she was happy to oblige. “Has anything here brought back memories?”

“Is that why you suggested we come here this morning?” he asked with a chuckle.

“No. I love coming here, it relaxes me, and I can use some serious relaxation.”

“You are truly passionate about history,” Dimitri stated.

“I love it,” she said with a bright smile, her joy reaching her sapphire eyes. “It is fascinating.”

“How did you get so involved with the subject?” The glimmer of joy in her eyes dwindled. “My parents,” she answered.

Dimitri could sense the change of topic was making her uncomfortable. Her body became tense, though she maintained her perfect smile. “You may decline to answer. I do not want you to feel―”

“No,” Kerstyn said with a shake of her head. “It’s not so horrible. I was on my own and my dad has quite the collection of books in his study. I would read of far off lands and battles that took place long ago. I was never permitted to read fanciful children’s books. But history was like a storybook to me, complete with kings, queens, princes, princesses, and so on. I would escape into history and, well, that’s how my love affair with this subject began.”

“If this place makes you so happy, why do you not work here?”

“They aren’t hiring at the moment. Besides, I’m not too picky right now. I just need a job.”

“One that will not make you miserable.”

“An income will make me happy.”

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Dimitri took both of her hands, bringing her fingers to his lips and placing soft kisses on their tips before turning them over and gently stroking the back of her hands with his thumbs. Kerstyn’s entire body vibrated.

“You know what, I am glad I didn’t run off last night.”

“As am I.”

She smiled. “Though, I was really tempted.”

Dimitri took in a deep breath, his lungs filling with her rosy scent. He released her hands to run his fingers through her hair and he closed the space between them.

“Do you want me to kiss you?”

Kerstyn could feel her blood rushing through her body; her heart skipped as he cupped her face. Closing her eyes, she took in a deep breath and sighed. He smelled like pure male, dark spices, and sex. Yes, she wanted him to kiss her. Needed him to wrap her in his arms and press his hard body against her.