Gregori had survived for centuries because, like Mikhail, he was meticulous with his plans, never forgetting the minutest detail. His first mistake in hundreds of years had been in failing to keep himself alert to the possible presence of other Carpathians or undead in the stadium parking lot at the magic show. Moments ago he had done the same. All because he was distracted by needing Savannah too much and waiting for her for far too long.
He reentered his house and padded downstairs on bare feet. Once inside the bed chamber, he lit candles and ran a hot bath in the huge sunken marble tub. Then he gave the command for Savannah to wake. His body felt heavy, uncomfortable with his urgent need, but his gluttonous feeding had helped to take the edge from his bloodlust. He watched her face as her heart began to beat and her lungs began to expand with air. He knew the precise moment that she mentally scanned her surroundings and sensed the threat to herself, sensed immediate danger. Sensed his presence.
Savannah surprised him by sitting up slowly, shoving at the silken hair tumbling around her face. Her eyes fastened on his, enormous, beautiful. Her tongue darted out, touching her lips in apprehension.
If it was possible, Gregori’s body tightened even more.
He looked powerful, intimidating, his face harshly sensual, Savannah noted in trepidation. His eyes burned with hunger, touched her, devoured her. And in spite of her resolve, in spite of her fears, she could feel her body taking on a life of its own. Heat spread slowly throughout her, bringing a torturous ache and a raging hunger. She could smell his masculine scent. The wild forest clung to him, giving up secrets. Her eyes flashed, sparkling stars in the midst of violet. “How dare you come to me with another woman’s perfume clinging to you?”
A faint smile touched his mouth, easing the harshness in his face. “I merely fed, ma petite.” Savannah was the most beautiful, sensual woman he had ever met. She might think she was in terror of him, but she certainly had no qualms about reprimanding him.
She glared at him, her long hair wild, her small fists clenched. “You call it whatever you like, Gregori, but you stay away from me smelling like her.” She was furious with him. He insisted she was his lifemate, tried to force her into an eternity of hell with him, and he dared to come to her smelling of another woman? “Get out and leave me in peace.” For some unexplained reason she felt close to tears at the thought of him betraying her.
His silver eyes warmed to caressing mercury and moved possessively over her slender figure. A frown touched his face. “You are weak, Savannah. I can feel it when our minds merge.”
“Stay out of my mind. You certainly weren’t invited.” Her hands went to her hips. “And just for the record, your mind needs to be washed out with soap! Half the things you think we’re going to do are never going to happen. I could never look at you again.”
He laughed. Aloud. An actual, real laugh. It welled up unexpectedly and emerged low and husky, with genuine amusement. Gregori nearly leapt the distance between them and dragged her into his arms, grateful beyond imagining.
She flung a pillow at his head. “Go ahead and laugh, you arrogant jerk.” She wished she had a two-by-four handy.
His eyebrows shot up. Another new experience. He had been called many things, but jerk was not one of them. His concern for her well-being overrode his intrigue, however. It even overrode the crouching beast within him so ready to possess her. “Why are you so weak, ma petite? This is not acceptable.”
She waved his concern aside. “Is it acceptable for you to play around with other women?” She didn’t stop to think why it infuriated her, but it did. “I’ve been taking care of myself for five years, Gregori, without your assistance. I don’t need you, and I don’t want you. And if I do have to have you around, a few rules are going to be followed.”