Alexandria walked along beside him, trying not to feel cherished and protected as he moved alongside her. It was the way he moved—confident, supple, powerful—that made her feel so vulnerable to his possession, yet his fingers were gentle around hers. With every step she took, she became more annoyed that he had access to her personal life.
“I think you’re getting the wrong idea, Aidan, about me. I may not have actual lovers, but that’s only because I haven’t loved anyone yet. I’ve been attracted, though. There’s nothing wrong with me.”
His mouth twitched. Manfully he refrained from smiling, but it was necessary to walk several steps before he could reply in his usual neutral voice. “I never, at any time, thought there was something wrong with you. If you are worried about it, though, I will be happy to demonstrate otherwise.”
She tugged at her hand. He was too close, too vivid and alive. The chemistry between them was explosive. He couldn’t touch her, let alone kiss her. It just wasn’t safe. “I’ll bet you would. But it isn’t going to happen. I have a rule about vampires—I don’t get involved with them.”
His eyebrows shot up. “Good rule. I am pleased you are beginning to show some sense. And you were not attracted to human men.”
“Thomas Ivan is very attractive.”
His amber eyes glittered at her. “You thought he was a shark. And that cheap cologne he used made your head ache.”
“He kind of grows on you,” she protested. “We have a lot in common.” Her blue eyes held defiance. “His cologne is not cheap. And he’s very handsome.”
All at once his large frame was blocking her path, and she ran right into him, her face pressed into the niche of his sternum. One of his hands circled the slender column of her throat. “Not to you, he is not.” His thumb drew a line over her lower lip.
At once her body was throbbing with need. Just like that. He blocked out the cool night air, the very stars, everything but his solid muscles, his heat and strength. Her breasts felt uncomfortably taut; her blood rushed through her body.
She could hear his heart pounding. In his veins, blood was singing, calling to her. Hunger gripped her, acute, biting. She tried to pull away, a small moan escaping her. She had been enjoying herself, actually managing to forget for a time that she needed to feed on another being to exist. But the realization drowned out everything else, so that the beauty surrounding her was at once barren and ugly. Fear for him surged through her. Planting both palms on his chest, she attempted to shove him away. It was like trying to move a wall of concrete.
Aidan simply smiled at her. “Stop fearing what is natural to you. Do you really think you could harm me?” His arms closed tightly around her, and she felt her feet leave the ground. His mouth brushed her ear. “But I do thank you for the concern.”
Clutching his waist, Alexandria peeked beneath his arm to see the ground dropping away. They floated upward, a lazy, casual motion that struck terror into her heart. “Now might be a good time to tell you I’m afraid of heights,” she ventured, her heart thudding loudly in her ears.
“No, you are not, little liar. You are simply afraid of things you do not understand. Have you not always dreamed of flying? High above the earth? Look at our world, piccola. Look at the wondrous things you are capable of doing.” There was tender amusement in his voice. “You can soar free at your will.”
“Dreaming about it and doing it are two different things. And I’m not doing it; you’re the one in control.”
His laughter was low and wicked. “Would you like me to let go of you? It is not as if you are not capable of floating on your own.”
Her fingers twisted convulsively in his shirt. “Don’t even joke about it, Aidan.” But he never once loosened his hold on her, and she felt safe and protected. Taking a deep breath, Alexandria looked around her.