Deceived Read online

  “Good. You shouldn’t feel any of those things. It wasn’t your fault,” Dark said firmly.

  She shook her head. “I don’t understand. Did you have something to do with that? How did you do it?”

  “Sorry—I can’t reveal the secrets of my programming,” he said dryly. “But I’m glad you’re feeling better.”

  “So much better—it’s wonderful.” Anna sat up straight and stretched, feeling as though an invisible burden had been lifted off her shoulders. The memory of what Lazlo had done to her was still there, but it no longer had the power to make her cringe with shame. Her desire for love and intimacy had been natural—normal. It was just that she’d made a poor choice in whom to seek it from.

  “I’m glad.” Dark sank down on the bed with a soft groan and lay sprawled on the mattress, breathing heavily, one arm thrown over his eyes.

  “Hey—are you all right?” Anna had the worried feeling that he had somehow drawn the poison of her past out of her and taken it into himself instead. That shouldn’t be possible, but it was a feeling that wouldn’t go away.

  “I’m fine—or I will be in a minute.” He took a deep breath, his broad chest expanding like a bellows. “Sorry—it’s been a long day,” he added.

  “I know you’ve got a lot on your plate with the whole Trollox banquet thing,” Anna said apologetically. “You’re probably really tired. Do you want to just call it a night and leave?”

  “Not unless you want me to leave.” He propped himself up on his elbows and looked up at her. “I’d rather stay here with you, if you don’t mind.”

  “I don’t mind.” Now that the shame and fear and guilt had somehow been leached out of her, Anna was beginning to feel the same desire she’d had for him earlier when he’d kissed her in the kitchen. “I…I’d like you to stay,” she told him softly. “Could you…would you hold me some more?”

  “I’d like that. Come here, baby.” He motioned for her and Anna found herself laying down on the big bed beside him and cuddling close to his side. Dark made a soft sound of contentment and pulled her even closer until her cheek was pillowed on his broad chest and his arms were wrapped securely around her.

  “Mmm, this is so nice,” Anna breathed. She loved his warm, masculine spice and the feeling of his big body against hers in the darkness. She dared to put one hand possessively on his chest and run her fingers lightly through the small patch of curly black hair there. It felt coarse and ticklish under her hand and his skin felt soft and warm and deliciously firm.

  “Very nice,” Dark agreed. “I like your little hand on me, baby. That feels good.”

  “Can Replicants feel good—that way, I mean?” Anna asked, curiously.

  “This one can,” Dark murmured. “I love the feel of your curves against me and the sound of your soft little voice in my ear.”

  “Will you kiss me again?” Anna asked, unable to help herself.

  “Why don’t you kiss me?” He gave her a lazy smile. “Why don’t you take charge and do what feels right for you?”

  Anna wanted to, but something made her hesitate.

  “I want to but…” She bit her lip.

  “But what, baby?” Dark murmured. God, she loved it when he called her that sweet nickname in his low, growling, possessive voice!

  “But I don’t want to make you feel bad,” Anna said. “I know you said your last owner—the Mistress—she did things to you. She—”

  “She wasn’t you,” Dark said firmly. “She never asked—never hesitated. She just took what she wanted. You’re not like that.”

  “So it won’t make you feel bad if I…touch you? If I kiss you?” Anna asked hesitantly.

  He shook his head. “Go ahead, baby—give yourself pleasure with my body—I don’t mind.”

  His open invitation and the way he was lying there, waiting for her to make the first move, seemed to fire something inside Anna.

  Scooting up, she leaned over him and kissed him tentatively on the mouth. Dark made a soft sound of pleasure and opened his lips to her, inviting her in, just as he had before.

  As before, Anna found herself taking him up on his invitation. His mouth was hot and sweet, as though he’d been eating cinnamon candy before he came to her, and he let her stroke his fangs with her tongue, which felt dangerous and safe at the same time—dangerous because she sensed this part of him could be a deadly weapon if he was angry—and safe because she knew he wouldn’t hurt her with them. It was like being able to walk right into the cage at the zoo and stroke a tiger, she thought to herself as she tasted and explored him. Like being close to a creature who was deadly to everyone but you.

  She didn’t know how long she kissed him but she became aware that his big, warm hands were moving over her body, stroking lightly up and down her sides and the curves of her hips. Because she had no bra on under the thin black robes she wore, she could feel the curves of her breasts pressing against his broad chest. When he shifted against her, she felt a pleasurable twist of friction between his big body and her tight peaks. Even the spreader inside her didn’t seem quite so cold and un-giving. Her body seemed to be warmer and wetter there, between her legs, and the hard thing invading her didn’t hurt as much as it had.

  “Mmm, baby, you taste so good,” Dark breathed, when they parted at last, both panting from the intensity of the long kiss. “Wish I could kiss you everywhere.”

  “Everywhere? Like…like where?” Anna felt her breath catch in her throat at the warm innuendo in his deep voice.

  “Well…here to start with.” One long fingertip traced the side of her neck and down her shoulder.

  “You can do that…you can kiss me there. If you want,” Anna told him softly.

  “Come here then, baby.” His voice was a deep, hungry growl as he drew her down to him.

  Anna bit back a moan as she leaned over and felt his hot mouth against the sensitive side of her neck. Dark licked her gently at first, running his warm, wet tongue from the base of her neck all the way up to her sensitive earlobe, which he nibbled and sucked lightly, sending sparks of desire through her.

  “Oh, Dark,” she moaned as he continued to lick and suck the side of her neck. She’d had no idea how many nerve endings were in her neck, or how incredibly erotic it would be to feel him kissing her there. “Let me feel your fangs,” she whispered, hardly knowing what she was saying. “I don’t mean bite me but just…let me feel them.”

  She felt his mouth open wider, as though he really was intending to sink those long, sharp fangs into the side of her throat. Her heart jumped and skittered in her chest but then she felt only the tiniest pricking feeling as the tips of his fangs skated lightly along her tender flesh. The sensation seemed to drive her wild.

  “Oh!” she moaned and pressed against him harder.

  “Careful, baby.” He drew back, his voice a soft, hungry growl. “If you press like that, I won’t be able to help biting you.”

  “What would happen if you bit me?” Anna asked, still feeling hot and needy. “The same thing that would happen if a real Blood Kindred bit me?”

  He nodded. “I’d inject my essence into your bloodstream. It would heal any injuries you might have but it would also make me want to claim you—make you mine completely.”

  “But…how could you? Since you don’t have, you know, the right equipment?” Anna objected.

  “I just said it would make me want to, not that I would,” Dark told her. “So it’s better if I don’t bite you. Not now, anyway.” He stroked her cheek gently. “I would like to kiss you someplace else though, if you don’t mind.”

  “Where?” Anna was propped over him, leaning on her elbows as she looked into his eyes.

  “Here…” His big hand slid over her shoulder and down her side. “And here.” Warm fingers brushed lightly against the side curve of her breast, making Anna shiver with pleasure and need.

  “Oh…there?” she whispered uncertainly.

  “Only if you want me to,” Dark assured her. “If it