“Still trying to show me up in front of beautiful women,” Barack said, grinning affectionately down at Cullen.
Cullen’s gaze sought Lisa’s, but she avoided his eyes by hanging her head even as she clung to his hand. “You never seem to appreciate a woman until I point out her good qualities, Barack.”
“Do not seek to get me in trouble with this reminder of my former behavior, Cullen,” Barack said, keeping his tone light despite his worry. Cullen was almost gray. Barack looked anxiously at Syndil.
His lifemate smiled reassuringly at Barack. “It is true, Cullen,” Syndil said. “I have a long memory, and you are the one who made me feel I could live again. You must rest and do as we say.”
“I want Lisa taken care of.” Cullen was looking at Lisa with love in his eyes.
Barack cleared his throat but subsided quickly when Syndil glared at him.
“Lisa, don’t cry,” Cullen said softly. “You’re breaking my heart.”
“He’s right, though – it was my fault. I went to the photo shoot because I didn’t want to believe there was a problem. And now you’re hurt and so is Corinne.”
“Corinne?” Cullen turned his head to look at Barack. “Where is Corinne?”
“She is with Dayan,” Barack said soothingly, bending down to look into Cullen’s pain-filled eyes. “You are to rest and heal, Cullen. Dayan will care for Corinne, and we will see to it that Lisa is safe. You have my word on that.”
“Lisa is under your protection,” Cullen insisted.
Barack sighed softly. “Of course, Cullen, she is under our protection. I give you my word. Now go back to sleep and stop ordering me around in front of Syndil. She likes it too much.”
Cullen closed his eyes obediently in response to the hypnotic suggestion in Barack’s voice, immediately Syndil leaned close to Lisa, looking directly into her eyes. ‘You must have the security guard escort you to the cafeteria while the nurse keeps an eye on the room. It is urgent that you get something to drink immediately.’ Syndil was feeling weak from the exhausting work of repairing the terrible injuries to Cullen. She needed sustenance, and Cullen needed Barack’s ancient blood to complete the healing process. They could not give it to him and then allow the hospital to take a blood sample. Cullen needed to be moved where they could watch over his health properly and protect him.
Lisa leaned over Cullen to brush his forehead with a kiss before she turned in obedience to the hypnotic compulsion Syndil had used on her.
* * *
Chapter 11
Corinne heard the music first. Soft. Sweet. Perfect. It was so wonderful, it brought tears to her eyes. The voice singing the lyrics conveyed a husky blend of male sensuality and outpouring love. She knew who it was and found herself smiling. “Dayan.” She whispered his name softly.
The music continued, but she felt the slight shifting of the bed where she was lying. “Corinne. I thought you might sleep forever. I want you to know you took several hundred years off my life. I cannot afford another scare like that. The next time I send you to sleep, I expect to find you where I left you.”
Her soft mouth curved into a smile, but she didn’t open her eyes. “Listen to you. You sound almost as if you’re attempting to order me around.” She sounded amused, drowsy, incredibly sexy.
Instantly his blood turned to molten lava, a slow burn that consumed his body and wrapped his heart in flames. She was so beautiful to him, lying quietly beneath the blankets, her hair spread out around her face, a dark silky mass he couldn’t stop himself from touching. Dayan placed his guitar carefully beside the bed and leaned over to kiss her irresistibly lush mouth. “I command and you obey. That is the way it is supposed to be.” His voice was a tool of seduction.
“Really?” Her smile widened to reveal her intriguing dimple. “I hadn’t heard that. I’ve always thought it was the other way around.”
“You have been talking to the wrong people.”
Corinne’s long lashes fluttered, and with a small effort she managed to open them. She lifted her hand to his mouth and touched the lines of strain with a gentle fingertip. “You really were afraid for me. I didn’t mean to worry you.”