My Lady Vampire by Sahara Kelly Page A

man--could consume her with a blaze the likes of which was beyond her imaginings.
    She lifted her hand to her neck, recalling the incredible sensation that had streaked through her like lightning when he’d broken her skin and fed on her blood.
    Where the devil had that come from? Was she creating monsters in her mind that were feeding on her fears and insecurities?  It was surprising enough that she had indulged in the most wanton sexual fantasy, but when she added in the final culmination--her willing surrender of her body’s fluids--Katherine all but lost her breath.
    He’d seemed so real. So familiar. A man who she barely knew, one who she could probably dislike most strongly thanks to his arrogance, and she’d bared herself before him, called upon him to ravish her body and spread her legs wide for his taking.
    And felt a rush of need, of desire, that had astounded her even while it heated her flesh. Involuntarily her thighs parted beneath the sheets and she blushed. Really, this man had opened something within her she’d not suspected was there. She was wet with her own liquids, slick and sticky moisture coating her skin.
    It was time to move, to do something about this situation. To make some serious decisions about where and what she was going to do, and most probably to get far away from St. Chesswell and a man with disturbing eyes.
    Katherine sighed and moved from the bed, swaying a little as a slight dizziness swept over her. Not surprising given the time she’d spent recuperating. It wasn’t like her to malinger lazily in her boudoir.
    She stroked her neck idly and straightened her shoulders. Perhaps there was something she could use as a robe to cover the froth of insubstantial lace. If she was going adventuring she needed to be covered.
    Her eye fell on a thick blanket. That would do for the time being. And it was warm, offering snug protection from the damp chill she’d probably find outside her room. She reached for it and froze.
    Slowly, she turned her hand to the light. The hand that had touched her neck.
    There was something glistening on the palm--something red and shiny. She stared closely, unable to accept what she was seeing.
    Katherine blinked in horror. It was blood. Her blood.
    It was coming from her neck where her dream man had bitten her.
    It wasno dream …

 
     
     
     
     
    Chapter Nine
     
    “You’ve fed .”
    Sidney stared at Adrian, amazed at the energy blazing from his eyes, the flush of heat coloring his cheek and the lithe stride with which he paced the floor.
    “Of course not. I just woke up.” Adrian dismissed his father’s statement with a shake of his head.
    “There’s no ‘ of course not ’ about it. Look at yourself.” Sidney reached out and grasped the other man’s hand, turning it upwards and showing Adrian the pinkness that characterized his normally white skin.
    Adrian wrenched his hand free. “I have not fed, Father. I would not do such a thing. I merely dreamed…” He rubbed his hand over his face. “I dreamed a dream the likes of which stunned me.”
    Sidney shook his head. “A dream like that, to produce such physical symptoms? I’m not sure, Adrian…”
    Adrian drifted to the window and stared into the darkness. The clouds were lifting, scudding out to sea, clearing the way for the full moon to rise within the hour, and he was clearly silhouetted against the brightening of the night sky.
    “It’s her isn’t it?” Sidney leaned back in his chair. “Our guest.”
    Adrian didn’t acknowledge the question for a few moments, then he sighed. “Yes. It’s her.”
    Sidney nodded. “Tell me?”
    A snort sounded from the window. “A gentleman really shouldn’t discuss those kinds of dreams. Not even with his father.”
    “Ahh.” Sidney pursed his lips. “Then let me ask this. How real did it seem to you?”
    The broad shoulders tensed beneath the well-cut jacket as Adrian’s body moved uncomfortably. “Too real.”
    “Was Thérèse