Page 16 of The Doctor and the Devil
His mouth descended to mine, and the moment our lips met, twenty years of betrayal, pain, loneliness, regret, and longing surged forth. Before I could access the logical part of my brain and know enough to stop this foolishness, I clung to him, sliding my hands to the nape of his neck to pull him closer.
When we’d been young together—oryounger—our kisses had been tentative, exploratory, sweet. He always touched me as if he was afraid to break me, despite having the years of practice learning the value of his own supernatural strength.
That innocent hesitation was gone now. In its place was sheer power, monstrous hunger, and desperate need. His soft lips moved over mine while his tongue sought entry—plundering as if he wanted to consume my very soul. When I sucked at his roving tongue, I felt his deep growl of pleasure more than I heard it, vibrating from his chest as he pressed his body into mine. His arousal hardened against my stomach, unleashing a storm of desire.
I wanted him. I needed him.
I hated him.
6
RAFAEL
April 16, 1768
Château du Diable
Gods above and demons below,she tasted perfect. She was every ray of sunshine I’d missed in my life of darkness. She was everything I loved about humans—promise and curiosity and hope. If I’d been born with a heart, it would have beaten only for her. She was my world, my past, my future…my redemption.
I pushed her harder into the wall, loving the way her body felt beneath mine. Her thin chemise was so threadbare it might not have existed as a layer between us, and the thought drove me almost feral with lust, so great was my need to claim her.
Mina. My Mina.
Her tongue swept mine, lightly grazing my fangs. The feeling was like a bolt of lightning, making my hard cock ache. The pain of my need was almost too much to bear, but I would take this torture over anything—everything—in the world.
My hands seemed to move of their own will, sliding down her shoulders to caress her breasts through the soft fabric of the chemise. When my thumb found the peaked, pebbled nipple of her left breast, she whimpered, and the delicate sound of pleasure nearly unmanned me.
She arched against me like a bow being pulled taut. My hand drifted down, seeking the hem of her chemise. When I pulled it up and slid one cool palm up the heated skin of her thigh and round hip, her eyes flew open. Despite the lust in her gaze and the scent of her arousal, I sensed her sudden shock and regret.
The ache of my unspent desire was chased by the acute agony of shame, remorse, and despair from the thought that for her, this was a mistake. It was not surprising then, when she put her hands to my chest and pushed me away—gently but firmly.
“No, Rafael,” she huffed, but I was already across the room. “We cannot do this. I will not do this. I am not yours—not anymore.”
Anger flared, white hot.You will always be mine,I wanted to say. Instead, I bowed my head.
“As you wish, Doctor. Forgive me for…taking liberties. I will not touch you again until you ask.”
“I shall not ask,” she grumbled, allowing the last of her lust to dissipate like fog chased by the sunlight of her anger. “I’m not here to be some kind of royal consort while you wreak havoc on all of Europe, only to go back to your throne and sire some selfish, monstrous heir.”
Sadness bloomed in my chest, but I likely deserved her anger.
“I will send a maid in shortly,” I said, barely keeping the bitterness from my tone. “She will help you bathe and dress and break your fast. You are still recovering from the drug, but unfortunately, the Order’s actions have forced my timeline and we have much to discuss.”
Her eyebrows arched.
“I can take care of myself,” she protested. “I know how to manage the sickness from opium. I do not need you, or your maid, or your hospitality. I should like to return home.”
I sighed in irritation. “While you are not a prisoner here, you would require my help to leave this fortress and daylight is upon us. I must rest. After that, I will say my peace and then the decision will be yours.”
“Decision?” she echoed, her curiosity piqued.
“For now, we are safe here,” I said, ignoring her question. “My servants are at your disposal. They will attend to your needs if you simply name them.”
Something like guilt flashed across her face.
“Rafael, I…” she swallowed. “I’m sorry for…” she gestured vaguely toward the wall. “—forparticipating.”
I smirked. “Do not apologize to the devil for indulging in sin.”
