Page 67 of The Doctor and the Devil
“Yes,” he almost sobbed. “I had to. I couldn’t—I didn’t want to hurt you.”
“Hm,” I replied, curiosity peaked. I released him and straddled his hips, positioning my ready heat above him. His gaze flew to mine, his fangs glinting in the candlelight. I’d seen him in the throes of passion before, but never like this—he was a wild animal straining at the end of a tether. It would only take one word to set him free.
“Don’t,” I said, surprised at the tone of command in my voice. “Don’t hold back this time.”
The leash snapped—the beast was free. He grabbed my hips, sliding his thumbs forward to gently part my sex and dip his fingers in the wetness between my legs. He slipped one finger to the apex of my pleasure. I tilted my head back and moaned in satisfaction, and the sound made him feral.
He thrust up into me, filling me, fitting like something that had been missing for a long time. We stilled for a moment, and then he began moving, slowly at first, then faster and harder as he lost himself in the primal pleasure of it. As the heat at my core spun out through my body, Rafael pushed me back down on the bed, rolling me to my side. His hands found my breasts, and he pinched my nipples, then snaked one hand back down to rub tight circles on the bud of pleasure that threatened to ignite my entire body. Faster his fingers worked, harder and harder he thrust, until all the years of longing and need and hope and love condensed into one perfect moment of absolute, earth-shattering joy, and I came apart around him. He was quick to follow me over the precipice, growling an animal“Mine!”as he sank his fangs into my neck and shuddered with release.
I collapsed back against him, then turned around to offer him a satisfied kiss. The curious expression on his face made me pause.
“Mina, your eyes,” he whispered. “They’re silver.”
“What?”
He reached toward the nightstand and pulled a small mirror from the drawer. Just as his eyes filled with black and red, mine appeared filled with silver, with glowing moonstone-colored pupils in the center.
“Interesting,” I murmured. “I’ve never seen a transformation like this before.”
“Nor I,” he said. “They’re beautiful, darling. They suit you.”
“You haven’t? Doesn’t that worry you?” I asked, unease threading through me.
His dark chuckle vibrated through me as he pulled me against his naked body.
“No. Hours ago, my only worry was confronting eternity without you. Given what we know about Charlotte and Antoine’s turning—how the plague changed with them—it does not surprise me that it would change again in you. You are the strongest person I know. Laszlo’s blood is the most powerful supernatural blood on earth. You died with a Judas silver bullet in your heart. All these factors could explain why you are…different.”
“I shall have to perform some experiments,” I said, feeling apprehensive.
Rafael kissed my forehead and felt a wave of love pulse from him.
Hm, I could get used to this.Well, I supposed I’d have to. I nuzzled against Rafael’s strong chest and wrapped my limbs around his body. A vague awareness of another presence alerted me of the incoming intrusion just before the knock sounded on the door.
“Why is it every time I get you in bed, the world outside beckons insistently?” he complained.
“Probably because the only time we make love is when we’re facing mortal or earthly peril,” I said wryly. “Perhaps you should work on the timing of your romantic overtures.”
I stood somewhat unsteadily, my legs unused to their new strength and speed. I wobbled over to the chair where the blue silk dressing gown had been placed and shrugged it on. When I turned around, Rafael was already dressed in his customary crimson banyan with gold dragon embroidery.
“It’s like watching a little fawn find its legs for the first time,” he smirked. “Adorable.”
I narrowed my eyes and stuck my tongue out at him like a petulant child.
He rushed to me with supernatural speed, pinning me against the wall. Caged between his arms, lust ignited in me again.
“Be careful with that tongue, goddess,” he growled through lengthening fangs. “I have plans for it later.”
I laughed and pushed past him, making my way to the door. I felt the tug of a ghostly thread of connection and knew exactly who was standing on the other side of the door.
“Laszlo,” I greeted, offering him a small smile.
He looked much recovered after being kept in the Order’s dungeon. He had obviously found rest, nourishment, and a bath—his hollow cheeks had filled in some, and his lips had a touch of color. His long black hair hung down his back in a thick braid and he wore a bright green banyan with a gold dragon, similar to Rafael’s. Now that he was free from the horror and filth of his dim cell, it was easy to see the similarities between the brothers. They shared the same aquiline nose, the same faintly almond-shaped eyes, and the same shaped lips. But where Rafael’s eyes were almost black, Laszlo’s were a warmer brown with delicate rings of green in his irises.
He bowed formally, and I waved the gesture away. I opened the door and waited for him to enter. Rafael frowned and sat in a plush chair next to the fireplace.
“Come in. I know we have much to discuss,” I said.
His gaze flicked to Rafael.
