“I know everything about you. I am in your mind, your thoughts. I can feel your emotions. The hunger you experienced was natural. You cannot neglect the demands of your body. But Alexandria, you could not harm a child. Any child, let alone Joshua. It is not in your nature.”
“I wish I could believe you.”
She sounded so forlorn, it nearly broke his heart. He hated this, the terrible burden of confusion and misinformation she carried. She had mixed the myths and legends of vampires, her horrifying encounter with the real thing, and his powers all together.
His fingers were gentle beneath her chin. He tilted her head up so that her eyes were held captive by his. “I cannot lie to you, cara, for you can touch my thoughts at will. Merge your mind fully with mine, and know I speak the truth. There is no danger to Joshua. I am part wild animal, a hunter, a very efficient killing machine, I believe were your thoughts. And that is true of me at times. But that is not the case with you. A male Carpathian is responsible for the protection, the health, and the happiness of his lifemate. I am the darkness to your light. You have compassion and goodness in you. You are Carpathian now, but as with all Carpathian women, your true nature is one of gentleness. There is no danger to Joshua.”
She wanted to believe him. There was something in the purity of his voice, in the directness of his steady gaze, that nearly convinced her. More than anything in her life, she wanted to believe him now. “I can’t take the chance,” she said sadly.
“And I refuse to lose you.” He bent down, pried her fingers from the fence, and lifted her easily into his arms. “Why will you not allow me to help you? I know this is all a shock, but listen to your heart, your mind. Why did you choose to save me if you thought me evil?”
“I don’t know. I don’t know anything anymore, except that I want Joshua safe.”
“And I want you safe.”
“I can’t bear to be close to him and have such strong feelings of hunger like I had. It was awful, thinking of blood, looking at his pulse.” She pressed a hand to her stomach. “It made me sick. And it scared me, made me so afraid for him.”
His mouth touched her hair in the lightest of caresses. “Allow me to help you, Alexandria. I am your lifemate. It is my right as well as my responsibility.”
“I don’t know what that means.”
He could feel the resistance draining out of her. She looked up at him hopelessly. There was no trust in the depths of her eyes, only a terrible sorrow. She couldn’t fight his strength or his implacable resolve.
“Allow me to show you,” he said softly, his voice low and intense, a black velvet seduction.
Chapter Nine
Aidan’s arms tightened a fraction as he held Alexandria to him. There was an expression on his face, a look in his eyes she was afraid to name. Possession. Tenderness. A mixture of both. She didn’t want to know. It made her feel cherished, treasured. It made her feel sexy and beautiful. The way his gaze moved over her face, touching her lips like a physical kiss, sent her heart racing.
A slow smile curved his sensual mouth. “I see you are barefoot. I was going to suggest a walk under the stars, but your annoying habit seems to have surfaced again.”
She swallowed hard, making an effort to gain some semblance of control. She did not want to go back to the house. She needed to distance herself from Joshua and sort out what had happened. “Since I ran here, I don’t think walking is going hurt me. Put me down, Aidan. I won’t take off.”
His laughter ruffled her hair. “As if you could get away from me.” Very gently, slowly, savoring the feel of her next to him, Aidan lowered her to her feet.
She glanced up at him. There was something new in their relationship that had not been present before. She was very much aware of him as a man. Tall, strong, handsome, sensual. Her mind pulled away from the thought, and she hastily ducked her head again. She missed Aidan’s sudden smile. “It is a beautiful night, cara mia. Look around you,” he instructed softly.
Because she was so aware of him moving easily beside her, she did what he said, wanting to avoid thinking about him and the strange power he seemed to hold over her. The stars were a brilliant blanket above them. She took a deep breath, inhaling the salt breeze coming off the ocean.
Behind them was the thick grove of trees growing along the hillside, in front of them, the bluff overlooking the ocean. The street wound its way up the hill; the houses dotted here and there along its path were large, yet blended in well with their surroundings. The city lights rivaled the stars, an iridescent pattern that went on for miles. The view was breathtaking.
Aidan moved closer to her, just a shifting of muscles really, but she felt the warmth of his body. Liquid heat unexpectedly pooled deep in her lower abdomen. Her heart beat faster. Fascination. He fascinated her. Captivated her. Casually she inched away to put a little space between them. He glided rather than walked, his golden eyes taking in the landscape surrounding them, a slow sweep of his penetrating gaze that missed nothing, including her retreat.
“If you fed properly, Alexandria, there would be no need for you to ever feel as you did around your brother.” He broached the subject impassively, his tone carefully neutral. She felt as if he had punched her in the stomach. “Do we have to talk about it?” To feed. What did that mean, exactly? Not eat, but feed. Her brain shied away from the word and all its connotations.
His hand slipped over her silky hair, following the wild mass down her back to her rounded bottom. The gesture was unbearably tender. Warmth seeped under her skin, and her mouth went dry. His hand accidentally brushed hers. Their fingers tangled, then his closed around hers so that they were linked. “It is best, cara. Your fears are so groundless.”
She took a deep breath, trying to force herself to concentrate on the distasteful subject, but Aidan’s nearness was turning her world upside down. She could feel electricity arcing and crackling between them. The tip of her tongue darted out to moisten her lips. She was acutely aware of his golden gaze following the simple movement, turning it into something erotic.
“What do you suggest? Should I make Thomas Ivan my food supply?” She proposed it flippantly because her throat was raw with fear. “I guess I could always seduce him—that’s what female vampires do in the movies.”
Aidan knew she said it out of fear; he was in her mind. But the image of her body tangled with the software mogul’s was instant and vivid. The warning growl escaped him before he could stop it. White teeth gleamed—a threat. He pushed his free hand through his long, tawny hair. At that moment he was dangerous, and that shocked him. He had never been a real threat to any human unless he chose sides in a war. Humans were something to feed on, to protect, and he seldom got involved in their squabbles. Like all Carpathians, when their land ran with blood and their countries were torn apart, they had utilized their skills to fight. But this was different. This was personal. And Thomas Ivan would never be completely safe again.
Alexandria sensed the change in Aidan immediately. He was fighting something lethal in himself, a private battle with a demon she had no concept of. Her fingers tightened around his. “What is it, Aidan?” she asked softly, concerned.
“Do not even make a joke of such a thing. I doubt Ivan would survive if you seduced him.” He said it starkly, without softening the blow. His voice was velvet soft but dripped menace, far worse than a shout. He brought her knuckles to the warmth of his mouth, lingering over her satin skin. “Ivan does not need to tempt fate by touching you.”