Darkness Revealed. Alexandra Ivy

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      Anna didn’t have to look at Conde Cezar to know that he was aware of her every movement. He might be speaking to the gorgeous man who looked remarkably like an Aztec chief, but her entire body shivered with the sense of his unwavering attention.

      It was time to put her plan into motion.

      Her hastily thrown together, fly-by-the-seat-of-her-pants, stupidest-plan-ever plan.

      Anna swallowed a hysterical laugh.

      So, it wasn’t the best plan. It was more a click-your-heels-twice-and-pray-things-didn’t-go-to-hell sort of deal, but it was all that she had for the moment. And the alternative was allowing Conde Cezar to disappear for another two centuries, leaving her plagued with questions.

      She couldn’t stand it.

      Nearly reaching the alcove that led to a bank of elevators, Anna was halted by an arm suddenly encircling her waist and hauling her back against a steely male body.

      “You haven’t changed a bit, querida. Still as beautiful as the night I first caught sight of you.” His fingers trailed a path of seduction along the bare line of her shoulder. “Although there is a great deal more on display.”

      An explosion of sensations rocked through Anna’s body at his touch. Sensations that she hadn’t felt in a long, long time.

      “You obviously haven’t changed either, Conde. You still don’t know how to keep your hands to yourself.”

      “Life is barely worth living when I’m keeping my hands to myself.” The cool skin of his cheek brushed hers as he whispered in her ear. “Trust me, I know.”

      Anna rolled her eyes. “Yeah, right.”

      The long, slender fingers briefly tightened on her waist before he slowly turned her to meet his dark, disturbing gaze.

      “It’s been a long time, Anna Randal.”

      “One hundred and ninety-five years.” Her hand absently lifted to rub the skin that still tingled from his touch. “Not that I’m counting.”

      The full, sensuous lips twitched. “No, of course not.”

      Her chin tilted. Jackass. “Where have you been?”

      “Did you miss me?”

      “Don’t flatter yourself.”

      “Still a little liar,” he taunted. With a deliberate motion his gaze skimmed over her stiff body, lingering on the silver gauze draped over the swell of her breasts. “Would it make it easier if I confess that I’ve missed you? Even after one hundred and ninety-five years, I remember the precise scent of your skin, the feel of your slender body, the taste of your…”

      “Blood?” she hissed, refusing to acknowledge the heat that stirred low in her stomach.

      No, no, no. Not this time.

      “But of course.” There wasn’t a hint of remorse on his beautiful face. “I remember that most of all. So sweet, so deliciously innocent.”

      “Keep your voice down,” she commanded.

      “Don’t worry.” He stepped even closer. So close that the fabric of his slacks brushed her bare legs. “The mortals can’t hear me, and the fey know better than to interfere with a vampire on the hunt.”

      Anna gasped, her eyes wide. “Vampire. I knew it. I…” She pressed her hands to her heaving stomach as she glanced around the crowded room. She couldn’t forget her plan. “I want to talk to you, but not here. I have a room in the hotel.”

      “Why, Miss Randal, are you inviting me to your room?” The dark eyes held a mocking amusement. “What sort of demon do you think I am?”

      “I want to talk, nothing else.”

      “Of course.” He smiled. That smile that made a woman’s toes curl in her spike heels.

      “I mean it. I…” She cut off her words and gave a shake of her head. “Never mind. Will you come with me?”

      The dark eyes narrowed. Almost as if he sensed she was attempting to lead him away from the crowd.

      “I haven’t decided. You haven’t given me much incentive to leave a room filled with beautiful women who are interested in sharing a lot more than conversation.”

      Her brows lifted. She wasn’t the easy mark he remembered. She was a woman—hear her roar.

      Especially if he had even a random thought of ditching her for someone else.

      “I doubt they’d be so interested if they knew you are hiding a monster beneath all that handsome elegance. Push me far enough and I’ll tell them.”

      His fingers lightly skimmed up the length of her arms. “Half the guests are monsters themselves and the other half would never believe you.”

      A shiver shook her entire body. How could a touch so cold send such heat through her blood?

      “There are other vampires here?”

      “One or two. The others are fey.”

      She briefly recalled his mention of fey before. “Fey?”

      “Fairies, imps, a few sprites.”

      “This is insanity,” she breathed, shaking her head as she was forced to accept one more crazy thing in her crazy existence. “And it’s all your fault.”

      “My fault?” He lifted a brow. “I didn’t create the fey and I certainly didn’t invite them to this party. For all their beauty they’re treacherous and cunning with a nasty sense of humor. Of course, their blood does have a certain sparkle to it. Like champagne.”

      She СКАЧАТЬ