Chapter Ten

 

Vlad felt his mind crashing, trying to remember which side she was hurt, trying to keep his hand from pulling her against him too solidly and losing himself in the teasing of her tongue against his.

She could barely catch her breath as he moved in to kiss her again.

She let his lips touch her and jerked at the electric feeling it caused between throughout her body, then moved back in to kiss him again. Her tongue came out and lapped across his lips before she melded her mouth to his in a deep, sensuously passionate kiss.

Vlad could feel the purr of approval in her throat.

Daphne felt herself slide against him, allowing him to reposition her to the side slightly, careful of her side. She could feel his heart beating against her chest, beneath her fingers where they lay pressed against his shirt before slowly moving higher to stroke over his shoulder to his throat. Slim fingers spread out, tips touching the edge of his jaw, feeling the coarse shadow on his face.

“I don’t hear any words,” Daphne whispered against his lips, her tongue tracing a delicate line around the curve of his lips when he smiled.

“Not making my credibility look good, huh?” He felt the warmth spreading throughout his body even as he laid his head against the cushion.

“I think your reputation is safe with me, Vlad. I…I don’t understand how you…I felt safe with you…that day on the horse…and I know,” she leaned back in his arm, gazing the few inches to his eyes. “I know they only released him because you told them it was alright.”

“How did you…”

“Because they both looked to you when I told them to let him go,” she said softly. “You’re the eldest of them and they look up to you. Thank you for that. I think I needed it…”

“I don’t like the nightmares he’s caused you,” Vlad told her honestly, his mouth returning to the side of her throat. Flowers and spices and heat raced through him as he inhaled deeply. “But I do understand why you had to face him, Daphne.”

“I think that was the first day I felt…I thought maybe part of you understood,” she admitted slowly. “That you were different than others. You didn’t like it, but you let me handle it.”

“Have you practiced long?”

“Since I was little. Mostly now for discipline and exercise. I’m not crazy about the bruises I used to get,” she said with a chuckle that melted into a soft groan, his teeth running sharply around her ear. “Vlad…we have to…you should realize…oh, god, that feels so nice…”

“I’m listening, Daphne,” he whispered hotly against her throat, tilting her mouth back and covering her lips with his, teasing her tongue out to play.

“We have to stop…” she felt him raise his head, her eyes opening slowly. Daphne pulled her lip between her teeth for a quiet minute. “I’m not on birth control, Vlad. And I don’t want a child…right now…” She watched the meaning of her words register in his mind, saw a bright light of fire at the fringe of his dark eyes.

“I’m feeling like a kid at the moment,” Vlad said, pushing a deep breath between his lips.

“It’s very easy to get…caught up in the moment,” Daphne admitted quietly, easing herself over the arm of the chair and standing up. “I think it was probably my last rational thought, if that helps. Good night, Vlad.”

“I’ll take care of it, Daphne,” he assured her, not moving for a long couple minutes after the light went out in her bedroom.

 

****

 

Daphne shoved the thoughts from her mind as she poured juice in the morning, perched on a kitchen stool. Fingers tapped on the counter. The tapping stopped when her eyes caught on the man striding from the hall, his hands up and absently knotting a silver and blue tie. She wasn’t aware of the small puckered frown, her gaze going from the floor to his head.

“I don’t think I’ve ever seen you…formal…before…” she commented with a little nod.

“Meetings, interviews and yelling at contractors works better in suits,” he said with a crooked grin, giving in and tipping her chin up for a kiss. “Take it easy, okay? I’ll see you later tonight.”

“Very easy…that’s me,” she promised, absently weaving the long hair into a braid after watching him drive off. She dressed quickly, making sure she had new, dry bandages before sliding behind the wheel of her car and heading to the resort.

“You…are not supposed to be here,” Eve waggled a finger at her from her position behind the desk for early morning check-ins.

“I…will work on paperwork and work desk duty,” Daphne swore, one finger up and making a cross over her heart. “No kid wrangling for me for a few days, I promise. I’m fine…well…except for the stitches part, I’m fine.”

 

An hour later, both of them looked up from the large check in desk.

“They could be for you,” Daphne said, lips pulled into a taut bow.

“Uh-huh…yeah…they could,” Eve agreed with a smile. “Except Zach is more inclined to send me food, than flowers.”

“Or for one of the other many staff members we have working here…”

“Yep…very true,” Eve said with a nod.

“I mean, seriously…what are the odds…” Daphne winced when the young man carrying the large vase of flowers stopped at the front desk.

“Daphne Mircea?”

“Damn it…oh…sorry…thank you.” She swore and lifted the card, turning it over and over a few times before opening it.

“So? Who’s it from?” Eve moved to her office door.

“Have a nice day…and his cell number…and name,” Daphne said with a sigh. “He’s got spies everywhere…” but she took out her phone and programmed his name into it. “And he wrote it out himself…”

She stared at the little keyboard, tapping out her message carefully. ‘Thank you for the beautiful flowers. I’m on desk duty. No running. No chasing. Daphne.’

Her frown deepened when she received his response. ‘I know.’

Daphne knew she was still growling at lunch time, stabbing at the salad when her friend tapped her on the head as she was leaving.

“It’s because he’s in love with you, you goof,” Rose Maddock shook her head, chuckling as she went off to the health center.

 

She stood in the drug store considering her choices at the same time wondering why this man made it through her defenses. And realizing that she didn’t mind him being there at all.

She was still puzzling over how a guy gets inside your head and heart as she fixed dinner. A little uncertain on the duties of a wife, she was working on the pasta dish when the sound of the sliding door registered in her mind.

Daphne looked around the opening, a greeting on her lips that remained inside. His tie was pulled free, the top buttons of his shirt open and the jacket slung over one shoulder.

“Should I ask?” Daphne said carefully, returning to stir the pasta and vegetable mixture.

“Best not to right now. Can I get ten minutes to shower?” Vlad asked with a heavy sigh.

“Easy…it’s not quite done yet,” she told him, watching him toss a briefcase to the sofa before heading to the back.

Throughout dinner, she found out just how much dust and old machinery was left in the building they were renovating. They laughed through a couple games of backgammon, lying on the floor like kids with the fire warming the room around them. She wasn’t quite sure how she ended up in bed alone shortly after ten, the house quiet as the rain made itself known outside.

 

****

 

She was reaching for one of the cookbooks on a high shelf the next morning when she felt the hands on her waist and his mouth next to her ear.

“Do you want to pull the stitches out?” Vlad asked quietly, following the long arm and slender fingers, he brought the book down to her. He met the wide eyes, the fresh scent of Daphne racing through him as he lowered his mouth to hers, tasting his way over the full bow of her lips before settling down with a low, husky groan.

Daphne kept her fingers tightly around the edge of the cookbook, even as her mouth softened and returned his kiss. Nurturing their friendship was a very nice thing, but she was fast coming to the conclusion that taking it another step forward would go beyond nice.

“Vlad…”

“I know…I’m gonna be late…not good for the boss…” He murmured against her mouth, sweeping in for one more kiss before backing up, shaking his head. His hands moved to the open tie, working the ends together as she opened the book and flipped through pages. “Can you make that?” He asked, pointing to one of the colorful selections.

“I’ve made it lots before…sometimes with chicken, sometimes with Italian sausage,” she told him, meeting his look with a grin. “I can cook lots of things…if I know what you like.”

“I’ll let Anca know…she always spreads herself thin and loves the dish,” Vlad brought his hands up, framing her face. “I have to go…and I know you’re not far behind me…be careful out there, Daphne.”

“I checked with the police yesterday,” she said, walking with him to the patio doors. “He’s still in custody on the other side of the mountains, Vlad. But I’ll watch out…see you tonight.”

She stood at the doors for a long few minutes, staring into the dappled sky trying to decide on sunshine or clouds. She took the cookbook with her to work, marking things and making a list during her lunch hour.

Lost in her thoughts, Daphne didn’t notice the time when she pulled behind her apartment, humming to herself as she lifted the bags from inside and carried them to the porch.

It wasn’t until the doors slid wide that she noticed Vlad’s SUV next to the house, a dark scowl greeting her before she could speak. She watched him tip up his wrist before reaching to remove the bags from her arms. Her mouth opened until she saw him slightly shake his head and stride into the house.

“Vlad…I…have some adjustments to make,” Daphne began carefully, watching him set the bags on the counter and turn to face her. He leaned against the counter, his arms up and crossed over his chest. Pale lashes narrowed, one finger raised thoughtfully. “Do I apologize for not calling?”

“What’s your normal return from work time, Daphne?” Vlad asked quietly, working to contain the anxiety within him. He had spent fifteen minutes on the phone with the police making certain the stalker was still safely contained before he let himself breathe easier.

“Four-thirty,” she answered softly, taking a step forward and touching his face with one palm. “You were worried about me. Oh, Vlad, I am so sorry…I wanted some things from the store and…”

“You have your phone turned off?”

“I’m not used to anyone…” She swallowed and nodded with a little wince. “I turn it off during work and check messages before I leave for home. Vlad, I really am sorry.”

“Can we establish a few changes? So I can maintain a little sanity and dignity,” Vlad moved forward, a palm on each of her shoulders. “I can not promise stability when I’m concerned that some lunatic escaped who believes you belong to him, Daphne.”

“Vlad…I wanted…I’m not used to…” she stopped, her head back and eyes closed. “I am sorry. Yes…changes…I will leave my phone on always. I will tell you when I’m stopping off to shop…I wanted to fix something nice for dinner and needed a few things and…”

Daphne gasped, and shivered. His eyes were hard and focused. Slowly Vlad lowered his face to her neck. He breathed in once, amazed at the scent of arousal on her, and kissed gently at the hollow between her collarbones. Daphne whimpered, and he lifted his head to make eye-contact with her again, silently asking if she wanted him to stop.

Her fingers had been curled around the edge of his shirt and opened slowly, caressing over his shoulder to touch his cheek. She touched her mouth to his, gently stroking her tongue over his lower lip, teasing him into her game. She whimpered again, sucking in a breath, and opening her mouth enough for his tongue to venture inside.

She stood there staring at him when he broke the kiss. Staring at his lips. He lowered his head again, and lapped at her bottom lip, before moving to fit his mouth over hers in long, deep kiss that traced a teasing pattern over her lips. She pushed her hands inside his jacket, shoving it to the edges of his shoulders until he released her just enough to let it fall to the floor.

Somehow they made it to the bedroom, clothing dropped along the way until they tumbled breathless onto the bed. Daphne wasn’t sure how her fingers became locked against the back of his head, a gasp and shudder racing through her when his mouth trailed over her throat to the edge of her bra seconds before she felt the snap opened. Straps were slid down her arms, the bit of lace and nylon dropped off the bed to the floor.

Daphne was burning hot. And the clenching? That was still happening. In her nipples...In her stomach...And lower... If she wasn't careful, she was pretty sure she was going to forget to breathe. She had seen a need deep in his eyes, felt the urgent, almost frantic sensation inside him when he couldn’t put the feelings into words. She’d seen anger and fury and anxiety in the mirrored expressive dark eyes. She wasn’t protesting the urgency or the need, knowing instinctively that this burst of passion was necessary to reassure him she was alright.

His reaction to her heated need had been instantaneous and he wanted nothing more than to sink himself deep inside her hot moistness. With a determined urgency, he shut off the part of his brain that could make no sense of this urgency. The need was all that mattered. And she obviously understood it…accepted it and shared it.

Vlad's heart pounded inside his chest, blood rushed through his veins. It'd been so long since he'd had a woman. Daphne wasn’t just any woman, he heard inside his head. She was his wife and she was soft and warm in his arms. And willing. He cupped the back of her head and gentled his kiss. He desperately sought reason, to will his body to control itself.

He groaned, closing his eyes in pleasurable agony when she let her hands roam over his chest, caressing downward until she took his erection into her small hands. He was going to explode. Her soft touch was enough to unravel him.

His nostrils flared as he eyed her possessively. Her breasts, full and pink-tipped filled his palms, her nipples straining against his calloused hands. There was a light dip where her bellybutton was, and his gaze caught the triangle of soft hair. She was beautiful and his heart tightened as he touched her.

Daphne's lips tugged into a smile as she felt his mouth tickle her neck. He took his time now, warming her skin with his mouth and hands. She in turn touched him, her hands molding over the muscles that made up his shoulders and arms, alternating between kneading and running her fingers lightly over his chest and stomach until he was panting.

She fearlessly spread her legs when she felt him touch her there. She moaned when she felt his finger slip into her wet folds. He angled his head to kiss her deeply and slowly added another finger with the first. Her inner muscles clenched around him. With the palm of his hand, he rubbed against her clit. Daphne trembled in his arms. She was so wet for him. Vlad concentrated on her pleasure, felt her press closely against him. With three fingers in her now, he quickened his pace.

"Does this feel good?"

“Yes,” she moaned. “Oh!” His thumb pressed lightly on her clit and he felt her fingers dig into his arms.

“Spread your legs.” His husky voice was like a spell over her. She did as he said and he lifted her until her legs wrapped around him. He positioned her above his cock and rubbed the swollen head along her slit. Their eyes locked together when he separated from her long enough to sheath himself, returning with a low groan of need.

“Guide me into you,” He whispered against her lips. Without breaking their gaze, Daphne held his erection as he slid into her. She gasped in wonderment. She'd never felt so stretched before and the heat of him inside of her made her moan.

He breathed her name and kissed her hard as he slid all the way to the hilt, muffling her cry. He pulled out until only the head of him remained inside of her and she braced herself, but felt no more pain as he pushed back in. Daphne began to move her hips with him, trusting her instincts.

“Daphne,” he closed his eyes briefly as her inner muscles tightened heavenly around his cock. “God,” He wrapped his arm around her, lifting her over him as he began to move faster. “That's it, ah, you feel so good, Daphne.”

Daphne arched her back so she could take him deeper. Their mouths met in hot kisses, breathing in each other's moans as he worked his cock deep within her hot, wet sheath. Then she felt the first spasms. It slowly built into a crescendo and then, out of nowhere, she cried out and dug her nails into his back.

Vlad watched as her climax darkened her eyes, her gaze never breaking from his. Seeing her excitement in her eyes and the rippling of her inner muscles caused him to swell and he let go. He cried out her name as he shuddered, each explosive reaction more powerful than the last. He grunted, feeling her body grow lax in his arms.

“Daphne...” His mind was numb. Nothing mattered but this very moment, their bodies slicked with sweat, their hearts pounding. Never had he felt an orgasm as intense as this one. He settled them both on the bed, still holding her tightly. He allowed his eyes to close, feeling the exhaustion seep into his body.

Here, in this moment with Daphne in his arms, he was content. There were no shadows haunting them, no dark memories. Only Daphne mattered, her breathing now growing steady and quiet, the smell of her enticing and rich as he separated them, his chuckle low when she protested.

Warm and feeling incredible, Daphne watched him move in the shadows, his body lean and strong as he slid beneath the blankets at her side. He leaned on his elbow, gazing down into the bright circles. His palm rose, brushing the damp tendrils of gold from the side of her face before his lips lowered to kiss her, marveling at how very easy it was to lose himself in her.

“Daphne…” her name whispered off his lips, raising his head and meeting the inquisitive gaze. “I…”

“I’m alright,” she said in answer to the unasked concern. “Very alright, Vlad…I am sorry I worried you…I never…”

He sighed thickly, struggling to unravel the words in his mind.

“I’ve never felt the urge to strike something as strongly as I did when you were in the barn with that lunatic, Daphne,” Vlad liked the soft feel of her skin beneath his palm, his thumb stroking over her lower lip as he spoke. “And before you launch into the improbabilities of it all…” he couldn’t stop the smile that matched hers, even as she lowered her eyes to keep her humor hidden. “I don’t know how I went from being perfectly content, on a path I had wanted for a long time and suddenly every other thought inside my head is about you. I don’t know why. I don’t know how to explain it. What I do know is it feels right and very, very empty without you there.”

“You’re very good with those words,” she whispered, raising her hand and pulling his head down to meet her kiss. “I think I’ve begun to understand.”

“I’ve talked to Anca,” he couldn’t stop staring into the heart shaped face. “She would love the vegetable casserole I told her you knew how to make. But I should warn you…she has two very large roasting pans that must be filled,” he smiled at the soft laughter from her. “And I told her we would probably spend weekends at the ranch…because my wife wants to build a garden of her own.”

“I’ve noticed that you’re very fond of that word, Vlad,” Daphne teased, yawning and snuggling against him, purring softly.

“I’m very fond of my wife,” he admitted, his head resting against hers in the darkness. The anxiety and fears had been eased for the moment, he realized as he drifted off to sleep.