Alexandria’s face lit up when she saw him, and Thomas sent a triumphant grin Savage’s way. He entered the house quickly, pushed past the detectives, and clasped both of Alexandria’s hands in his.
Something deep within Aidan coiled dangerously at the sight of her hands in Thomas Ivan’s. His breath stopped. His heart ceased to beat. The demon within stirred and roared for release, fangs exploded into his mouth, and the red haze of the beast flamed in his eyes. As Thomas leaned in close, intending to kiss her cheek, Aidan fought for control so that he could casually wave a hand, directing a flurry of dust spores to whirl and dance beneath Ivan’s nose. As Ivan inhaled, he began to sneeze violently, the spasms wracking his entire body.
Alexandria stepped away from him and raised an inquiring eyebrow at Aidan. When he looked far too innocent for her liking, she glared at him. It was hard enough for her to deal with the two bewitched policemen. They seemed oddly mesmerized by her voice, her eyes, her every movement. They had been so solicitous of her, so careful of what they said, so worried about her health, that she was beginning to suspect that, along with the exchange of blood, Aidan had somehow shared his sex appeal with her. And she definitely didn’t want it.
Aidan showed the detectives out the door, exercising great restraint not to throw them out bodily. He had not anticipated their human reaction to Alexandria’s haunting beauty. He certainly had not anticipated his own reaction to their wanting her. He could smell their arousal, read their thoughts, and he wanted them out of his sight before he did something unforgivable.
Something stirred in his mind like the brush of butterfly wings. Aidan? Startled, he glanced at Alexandria. She was frowning at him. Stop being so mean to Thomas.
Joy surged through him. She had voluntarily merged her mind with his and was communicating in the way of a lifemate. He smiled, completely unrepentant. Stopholding his hands.
You’re being childish. I am not holding his hands.
And stop letting him kiss you.
He didn’t get to kiss me. Aidan, stop. I mean it.
He raised a hand, and the dust dispersed. Embarrassed, Thomas turned away from Alexandria, wondering what had happened. He never had sneezing fits. Never. Why would he suddenly have one now? Was it somehow this house and those damned unblinking amber eyes?
Alexandria was smiling at him with her lush mouth and inviting dimples. “Please come and sit down, Thomas. I’m sorry you were inconvenienced by my illness.” Her voice whispered over his skin, and he felt a shaft of desire pierce him. She was dressed simply in torn, faded jeans and a pearl-buttoned cardigan. She was barefoot. Yet she looked incredibly sexy. Thomas had always preferred sophisticated, high-fashion women, yet he couldn’t tear his gaze from Alexandria’s unpolished beauty.
The housekeeper entered carrying a tray with warm croissants and cream puffs and a silver coffeepot. Unexpectedly, she smiled a welcome to Thomas. “Mr. Ivan, your flowers have certainly brightened up our home.”
He settled on the couch complacently. He was winning over the housekeeper. Feeling particularly charming, he bestowed a slight nod and a brief smile in her general direction.
Aidan caught Alexandria by one slender arm and guided her firmly to a high-backed chair facing Thomas. After seating her, he remained behind the chair, his hands resting lightly on her shoulders. “Alexandria must rest soon, Mr. Ivan. She is still quite weak. The interview with the detectives was longer than we expected, and quite hard on her stamina.” It was a reprimand, a reminder that it was Thomas Ivan who had forced Alexandria, as fragile as she was, into talking with the police.
“Yes, of course. I’ll be brief. I merely wanted to see that she was all right and to discuss our working arrangements.” Thomas accepted the cup of coffee Marie handed him, then gazed up at the man standing so protectively behind Alexandria’s chair. “Once I lay out my expectations for this project, it’s really Alexandria’s genius that has to take over. The story line is unique and very frightening, we have top actors willing to read the roles for us, and we intend to create a product unrivaled in today’s market. Everything is in place, but I need the perfect artwork.”
“That’s so exciting, Thomas,” Alexandria said, acutely aware of Aidan’s hands on her shoulders. His thumb was stroking slowly, sensually over her clavicle.
You are using that syrupy voice,Aidan pointed out wickedly, his voice brushing her mind like the stroke of his thumb. The teasing note in it set her heart to melting. “You mean you need Alexandria’s artwork.”
Mind your own business. I’m deliberately flirting a little. You have heard of the concept, haven’t you? In fact, I think you wrote the book on it.
We will have none of that nonsense,his voice whispered in her mind, his laughter soft and inviting.
Alexandria glanced up at his face. It was a mask, his golden eyes still on Thomas. Yet she had the sensation of such intense intimacy, it was almost as if they had made love. Her feelings for Aidan were strong and growing more so with every conversational exchange, with every blood exchange, with every merging of their minds. At the realization, fear welled up in her, sharp and ugly.
Breathe,piccola. You always forget to breathe. Aidan sounded amused, mockingly male.
Alexandria chose to ignore the taunt, instead sending Thomas a high-powered smile that jerked his head up and set his body tightening with urges and demands.
Thomas was intensely aware of Savage standing like some Greek god behind Alexandria’s chair, with that damned unblinking stare and his hands on her shoulders as if he owned her. That deadly stare, never once moving from Ivan’s face, was completely unnerving. Thomas had the feeling Aidan could read his lustful thoughts, his every intention. He took a sip of coffee to calm himself.
“Perhaps we could go out for breakfast, Alexandria,” he suggested silkily, deliberately challenging Aidan’s hold on her, “and discuss the details.”
That stare never wavered. “Alexandria is unable to leave at this time. The doctors were very specific as to her resting hours, were they not, Alexandria? Perhaps that should be taken into consideration when you are deciding if Alexandria can do the work you need.” Aidan sounded the same—quiet, mild, almost expressionless, as if none of this meant a thing to him and Thomas was no threat of any consequence.
Yet Alexandria stiffened at his words and would have interrupted had Savage’s hands not tightened, holding her still.
Thomas noticed with satisfaction the rise in tension between them. The chemistry, the intensity between the two, was unmistakable, and he detested it, knowing that it threatened his relationship with her. But Alexandria wasn’t happy with it, and that was good. Ivan smiled his easy, charming smile and leaned forward.
“Alexandria has the job no matter what the restrictions on her hours. I have the contract with me and am prepared to meet any price.” Take that, Savage, he thought. Don’t think you can push me aside so easily.
Shark attack! Look out,cara, he is swimming toward you. Aidan deliberately lightened the mood between Alexandria and himself.
Alexandria glanced back at Aidan and saw his calm mask. The golden eyes never wavered from Thomas’s face, but in her mind she could hear the echo of his soft laughter. In spite of her annoyance, she wanted to laugh with him.