Vampires of London: Books 1-3

Chapter Four

Chapter FourWhen the music stopped, Alexander was painfully aware that the longer they stood there, holding each other, the more awkward things might get. And yet, he couldn't bring himself to let Catherine go.

Neither did she seem in any hurry to get out of his embrace. Instead, she looked up at him with those mesmerizing green eyes as though she was trying to tell him something.

In the centuries that he had been walking this earth, he had never really focused on human attraction as a subject of study. He'd preferred more philosophical topics.

Right now, he could have really used some extra knowledge to interpret Catherine's demeanor.

Of course, it wasn't difficult for a vampire to seduce a woman simply by keeping her under his spell. But something about her demanded for him to treat her honorably.

He wanted for this amazing woman to want him back.

So far, so good it seemed.

"The music has stopped," she remarked at last.

Alexander smiled subtly. "I can remedy that."

"No, I think that's enough dancing for one night," she responded.

And yet, she didn't make a move.

He allowed his gaze to rest on her curvaceous lips. She didn't wear much makeup, just a bit of lipstick and perhaps eyeshadow. Either way, she had a natural beauty to her that was more impressive than anything man-made could ever be.

As was her scent, actually.

Her hair was fragrant; it reminded him of that display of summer flowers in the painting they'd admired together only moments earlier. In her eyes he recognized the color of morning dew on a lawn in bright sunlight, something he hadn't seen for a very long time indeed.

At first it had been easy for him to be nocturnal, but as the centuries passed, he had come to miss little things like that. In Catherine, he saw all that and more. He saw life. He saw hope.

She tiptoed slightly, perhaps without even realizing that she had, bringing her face closer to his. Her eyelids fluttered and then shut.

This was his chance.

Alexander stopped thinking about what was happening and proceeded on instinct alone. He kissed her sweet lips, which parted almost instantly, allowing him a taste of her tongue.

Intoxicating.

Excitement overwhelmed him, or was it hunger? He wanted her so badly, it became hard to focus on anything else. His senses worked at a feverish pitch; the floral scent of her skin and hair continued to egg him on. The softness of her skin under his touch invited him in for more tactile explorations. But above all, the sound of her heartbeat as it sped up, the rush of blood running through her veins—it drove him to the edge of insanity.

How could he resist her?

He pulled back and looked down at the elegant curve of her neck. That was where her jugular was, throbbing as her body pumped around what promised to be the best meal of his life.

She opened her eyes, diverting his attention back to her face.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to," she stammered.

Alexander smiled. "Yes, you did. As did I."

She pressed her lips together but didn't avert her gaze.

He would resist the draw of her blood a little while longer. Something told him that once he started, he wouldn't be able to control himself, and the last thing he wanted was to harm her.

"Tell me more about yourself," he whispered, as he led her by the hand to the bed and gestured that she sit with him.

Catherine paused for a moment, then looked down at his hand, which still enclosed hers.

"Not much to tell..."

"What do you do?" Alexander suggested. That was all small talk, though. What he really wanted to know went much deeper than that. Her hopes and dreams, her outlook on the world. Those were the questions playing on his mind whenever he met someone new. Most of the time his talks with humans were research to him. This was something deeper.

"Well, you know where I'm from already. I just came up here to study. Now that that's over, I've been looking for work." She looked up at him, those pale green eyes practically begging for further affections.

Alexander reached out and ran his fingertip across her cheek. Such soft, perfect skin. Was she this pleasing to the touch all over?

"Let me guess, something to do with art?" Alexander said.

Catherine's gaze darted across the room at the painting. "Yes, that's right. I like to be around beautiful things. Art History was an obvious—"

Alexander couldn't resist any longer. He let go of her hand and cupped her face, pressing his lips against hers in an attempt to still his intense desire for her. It was no use, though. All their kisses did was fan the fire within him.

Apparently, she felt the same. Though she started off a bit shy and taken aback, soon her kisses competed with his in intensity and passion. They wrapped their arms around each other and fell back onto the bed to take things to the next level.

Cat still couldn't believe where she was, and who she was with. This simply wasn't the sort of thing that happened to girls like her.

Shelly, sure. She could imagine Shelly in a room like this. With a guy like Alexander.

His hands were all over her now. And it felt so good.

While she'd started off nervous, the passion he showed had quickly encouraged her to let go too. It was all so unlike her, so deliciously naughty. She needed a night like this, perhaps more than she'd ever allow herself to admit.

It had been a while since she'd been on a date. Alexander reminded her how nice it was to feel wanted.

He caressed her curves, while she explored his toned, muscular body through his clothes. Everything felt like it had fallen into place. There was just one catch: she wasn't quite certain what her mysterious lover looked like.

And she couldn't contain her curiosity any longer.

Cat reached out for his mask and carefully lifted it off. For a moment, she was mesmerized by his symmetrical features, his high cheek bones and almost ivory skin. He was beautiful. Just like...

Oh my God.

Cat pulled back in a panic. He looked identical to the man in the painting she'd found herself staring at earlier. The hunting scene hanging by the staircase.

The work of art that was so eerily realistic, she'd found it impossible to ignore.

And as she'd passed it by on the way up here, she'd seen it up close. From the patina and subtle cracks in the paint to the style of frame, she'd been certain it had to be hundreds of years old.

How could a painting that old depict a man who was right here and now? It was impossible.

She forgot to breathe and tried to scramble away from him.

He was trouble.

He was dangerous.

She could feel it so keenly now. The nerves she'd felt before were trying to tell her that something was wrong. And she'd brushed those feelings away because she loved the attention.

All of this, it had been too good to be true. This man wasn't of this world. This wasn't possible.

Cat's heart raced now. Her chest felt tight, like she was about to asphyxiate.

All the while, Alexander seemed oblivious to the change in her. While she tried to get away from him, he followed and tried to kiss her again.

She pressed her lips together tightly and evaded his grasp, stumbling off the bed, landing right in between her shoes. Her bag was waiting on the dresser. She grabbed all her things and didn't look back once as she fled the room.

"What happened?" she heard Alexander's voice behind her. "Catherine?"

She didn't owe him an explanation. Her heart beat so fast she could feel it in her throat and temple. All she needed to do right now was get away.

And so she sprinted down the stairs, her shoes still in her hand. A few heads turned in her direction as she made it back to the entrance hall, but she didn't care. Where was Shelly?

Cat scanned her surroundings and spied her talking to some guy in a pirate costume just inside the reception room. Thank God.

"Shelly," Cat said. "Shelly!"

Shelly frowned as she turned to face her and noticed the state she was in: messed up hair, bare feet. "What's going on?"

"We've got to go," Cat said.

Shelly glanced at the man she had been in conversation with before, then back at Cat. "Why? What happened?"

"I don't have time to explain right now. Please. Just trust me. Let's go."

Shelly turned to her companion. "Excuse us for a moment, all right?" Then she took Cat's arm and led her into a slightly quieter corner of the room.

"Did some guy attack you? Where is he? I'll sort him out!" Shelly demanded.

Cat just shook her head. "No, I agreed to go up there. That's not... Look, it's a long story. Can we please just go now?"

"So you weren't attacked?"

"No." Not yet, anyway.

"You're not hurt, are you? Are you okay?" Shelly asked.

Cat took a deep breath and looked down at her bare feet. This must look pretty weird.

In fact, people were already starting to stare at her. And now that she wasn't with Alexander anymore, the big realization she had about him seemed ludicrous. A man who was several hundred years old. That was stupid. Nobody would believe her, not even Shelly.

"I'm fine. I just want to go," Cat mumbled.

"I don't get you. You're fine—everything's fine, but you want to leave. The costume competition hasn't even started yet and I think I have a decent chance here." Shelly squinted and c****d her head to the side. "You never really wanted to come to this party anyway. Is that it?"

Meanwhile, the man she'd been talking to earlier approached them and rested his hand on Shelly's shoulder. "I'm going to get something to drink. Can I get you ladies anything?" he asked.

Cat stared at him blankly. What was he thinking, interrupting them like that?

From Shelly's expression it was obvious that she didn't share Cat's outrage. Instead, she smiled and nodded. "Champagne would be lovely. Anything for you?" Shelly asked.

Cat shook her head. Whatever.

She had nothing. No explanation. No way to convince Shelly to go. If that was how it was going to go, fine!

"I'm going home. I'll see you whenever," Cat grumbled.

"Oh come on, don't be like that! Stay a little longer! It's only just getting started in here." Shelly pouted. "And the competition starts in a few minutes..."

"Whatever. I'm out." Cat put on her shoes and adjusted her hair before marching out of the room, as well as the house. Although she'd tried to make herself somewhat presentable, she could feel the stares of the other guests burning into her back.

If there ever was a walk of shame, this must have been what it felt like.

As the doors opened, a gust of cold air stung her skin, giving her goosebumps all over. Luckily, on the drive outside, several cabs waited. She got into the first one and breathed a sigh of relief as she shut the double door behind her.

"Shepherd's Bush, please."