Mmm, and it’s so delicious, too, she murmured softly, losing herself in the sheer pleasure of his dominating mouth.
Gary was just on the other side of the arbor, the screen of honeysuckle and trumpet vines heavy between them. Gregori took command of the situation, reluctantly lifting his head, a dark promise in his glittering eyes, a soft groan escaping his throat.
Gary had thought himself completely alone. He looked around the courtyard carefully, his fingers tightening around the coffee mug. He could hear Savannah’s soft laughter. Sexy. Tempting. He shook his head. The woman was a menace. He would hate it if she were his. Only a man very strong and able to do without any male friends could have a siren like her. She was more than a handful; she was a disaster waiting to happen.
Are you reading the human’s thoughts, ma petite femme? Gregori’s satisfied voice whispered in her mind. Even one such as he knows you are wild like the winds. With great reluctance he loosened his hold on her. Go inside the house.
Her eyes widened in mock surprise. You mean he might think we were making love? We would have been if he hadn’t wandered out and interrupted us.
Push me further, chérie, and I may do something you will not like.
She laughed out loud, totally unafraid as she sashayed through the courtyard. As she passed Gary, she leaned over and blew warm air into his ear.
Savannah! Gregori roared her name, a distinct threat.
I’m going, I’m going, she said, completely unrepentant.
Gregori waited until she was safe within the confines of the walls before he emerged from the shadows. Gary’s heart was a loud thunder in Gregori’s ears. He smiled, that gleam of a predator’s smile. “For all our time together so far, I do not think we have yet been properly introduced. I am Gregori, lifemate to Savannah.”
“Gary, Gary Jansen. Your—um, wife, Savannah, said I could wander around.”
“Savannah is my wife,” Gregori confirmed, sounding stern and menacing in spite of the fact that his voice was velvet-soft.
“So,” said Gary, so nervous he was beginning to sweat.
“Come back into the house, and we will decide what to do.” Gregori was already gliding past him in that silent way he had.
Gary followed. Savannah was by the fireplace. Once again her skin had a healthy glow. Something burned in the depths of her violet eyes as they rested on Gregori’s impassive face. Gary saw those silver eyes flicker over Savannah’s face. No longer bleak and cold, they warmed to molten mercury, tender and fiercely protective. When Gregori looked like that, it was impossible to fear him.
“I have considered several alternatives to our problem, Gary,” Gregori said softly. “I will lay them out before you, and you will choose which of them you are the most comfortable with.”
Gary relaxed visibly. “Yeah, that sounds good.”
“You are going to be hunted by vampires and those humans involved in the society alike,” Gregori told him. “Any place you usually frequent you must therefore avoid. That includes your family, your home, and your job. Those are the places they will be waiting for you.”
“I have to work, Gregori. I don’t exactly have a huge savings account.”
“You can work for me. I have many businesses and could use someone I trust. Arrangements can be made to move you to any of the cities here in the United States where I have offices, or—and it might be a safer alternative—in Europe. The offer stands whether you decide to keep your memories of us or whether you ask that they be removed.”
Savannah leaned against the wall, shocked at Gregori’s proposal. Feather-light, she touched his mind. Instantly, Gregori’s attention shifted to her. Be silent, Savannah. It was a clear command. Although his face was as impassive as ever, she could feel the imperative smoldering in his mind, and for once she fell silent, watching him closely.
“I don’t want you to erase my memories,” Gary said. “I’ve told you that. Besides, I think I have the right to help you with this mess instead of being shipped off to some foreign country like a child.”