Read Online Rare Vintage by Bianca D'Arc - Free Book Online Page A

affection for him. And he’d done little to earn it.
    “I’ll keep your words in mind, but Atticus, you have to know
I cannot ignore this any longer. I’ve tried—” He pounded one fist into his
other hand in frustration. “I’ve tried to stay away from her…to no avail.
Better to settle the question, I think, before the impulse to take her becomes
completely uncontainable.”
    Atticus looked at him with grave eyes. “Just remember the
vision, Marc. I won’t be listening at the door, but I will be attentive.”
    “Thanks for that, at least.” Marc grimaced at his friend. “I
mean only to make love to her, not harm her emotionally or physically. That
vision will not come to fruition this night. That I can promise you.”
    Atticus regarded him for a long moment before nodding. “All
right then. I’ll keep Lissa occupied so she doesn’t worry. Enjoy your evening,
Master LaTour.” Atticus winked, bowed slightly and left Marc shaking his head
at his friend’s temerity.
     

Chapter Nine
    Minutes before midnight, Kelly sat in front of her vanity
mirror, staring almost blankly at her pale reflection. She was downright scared
of what the next hours would bring. Could she go through with it? Could she
find the courage to meet the devastatingly handsome—not to mention
persuasive—Master vampire in the burgundy bedroom? She wasn’t sure, even after
bathing, primping and perfuming herself for him.
    She wanted him. That wasn’t the problem. She wanted to know
the feel of him, the length and breadth of his possession. More than that, she
wanted to know the man inside. The man who had roamed the Earth for more years
than she could grasp. She wanted to let the wild side of herself free to glory
in his carnality. Every time she looked at him, her temperature spiked with
desire, but she did her best to repress those responses. She feared the
heartbreak he could deal her so easily.
    Just this once, she wanted to tempt fate, to play with fire,
to dare enter the dragon’s lair and steal one small moment to treasure. One
night.
    Steeling herself, she rose and headed down the hall from her
room to the burgundy guest room. This wing of the house was uninhabited except
for her. It had been set up for the few mortal guests Atticus and Lissa
sometimes entertained. Ostensibly the couple had the master suite in another
wing of the mansion. In reality, they spent little time there. It had been
sun-proofed just in case they found themselves above ground when dawn came, but
they preferred the hidden, subterranean love nest Lissa had confided they’d
created in one of the extensive cellars.
    Lissa told her how Atticus and the other vampires felt
safest when they knew they could sleep safe from the sun—preferably below
ground in a cellar or cave during the day. That Marc would choose one of the
sun-proofed guest rooms for their assignation was proof of his desire. It was a
significant gesture that he put himself at considerable risk to be with her. It
was also a silent vote of trust. That alone was a staggering thought.
    She paused for a moment before the massive doors to the
opulent guest room. Grasping the knob, she turned it lightly. Before she knew
it, she stood on the other side of the solid door, holding the handle behind
her back as the door clicked shut. She leaned against it. Marc was already
there.
    He stood by the huge bed, lifting a decanter of the deep red
wine he favored, pouring out two glasses. He smiled with a light of fierce
satisfaction in his ancient eyes as he moved closer, holding one fragile stem
out to her. She took it and sipped automatically, barely noticing the fine
vintage as Marc stared at her over the rim of his own sparkling crystal glass.
    “I’m glad you came.” He toasted her before taking another
long sip.
    “I don’t know what I’m doing here,” Kelly admitted
nervously, “but I want this. I want you. For tonight.”
    Marc growled low in his throat as he took her glass and
placed it with