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toyan saw a man wearing a trench coat and a fedora round the corner of the next street. Scowling, he quickly crossed the street to stand where the man had once stood. Turning, he could see that the man had a clear line of sight to Alicia’s front door from this position. Turning again, Stoyan walked quickly to the corner and looked down it. It looked deserted. He tested the air and smelled nothing but the pungent smell of tobacco smoke. He tried to follow the scent and found only the stamped out butt of an imported cigarette. Haus Bergmann. German.
Growling, Stoyan returned to the place across the street that had the clearest view of Alicia’s front door. He kept vigil there for the rest of the night.
Inside, Alicia could barely keep her breath. Every lungful of air escaped in a ravaged pant. They had made it as far as the stairs before Aleksandar had lifted her from her feet. She now sat on the railings, her legs wrapped around Aleksandar’s waist, the majority of her weight supported by his surprising strength. She could feel his hands move, exploring, finding, working strange magic on her, seemingly everywhere at once and where they were not, her skin tingled. It was exquisite torture and threatened to tip her over the edge despite being fully clothed. The gentle movement of his hips sent a powerful palpitation through her entire body. With each one, she pulled herself closer to him, wanting to merge her body with his.
So close was she now to climaxing, she could have screamed. “No,” she managed to gasp as the next palpitation travelled up her spine with a shiver. She was too close. Too ...
“How?” she rasped as the orgasm shook her. She arched her back, pressing herself against him as stars exploded in her vision. The banister creaked as she shuddered.
But Aleksandar was not finished with her; not by a long shot. He finally reached for the ribbon that kept Alicia’s wrap around dress on her body and slowly undid the bow there. Gathering herself somehow, despite her mindlessness, she began to undo the buttons on his shirt. Her shivering made the task twice as difficult as it should have been. Inch by inch, Alicia discovered Aleksandar’s muscled chest, then abdomen. Her dress fell to the ground, a sleeve catching on the banister and hanging there. Aleksandar’s shirt joined it soon after.
They stumbled together up the stairs and then to Alicia’s bedroom. The door swung open violently, crashing hard on the wall behind it, as Aleksandar and Alicia stumbled accidentally through it. They tripped, not expecting the door to give way so easily. Aleksandar’s lightning fast reactions saved Alicia from being winded and also prevented him from crashing with all his weight on top of her.
“Good catch,” Alicia murmured with a grin as she reached up to wrap her hands around Aleksandar’s neck. Returning the grin, Aleksandar bent down and kissed her gently, but the urgency that had heated her blood was still there, and it still had the same effect. She yielded happily as Aleksandar pressed himself against her. After a moment of gentle nuzzling, he pulled away.
“Not yet,” he murmured.
“But...” Alicia’s protests were cut short as Aleksandar bent and gathered her in his arms. Lifting her easily, he walked to the bed and set her down in a seated position. Kneeling on the floor in front of her, Aleksandar smiled at her.
Slightly more lucid after her first orgasm, Alicia allowed herself the pleasure of tracing the lines of his face, lingering along his lips. She bent forward and took them in her own, feeling his body tense with desire. It made her smile.
His hands reached up and, taking them with hers, she wrapped his arms around her waist.
As her lips and fingertips explored Aleksandar’s taught skin, she felt his hands travel up her back, seeking the clasp of her bra. He had it off quickly. Hands, lips, tongue all made their way to the newly exposed skin. Alicia closed her eyes as new sensations flooded through her, bringing with them a new flush of heat. Her hands combed through Aleksandar’s hair, enjoying the feel of his curls as they slid between her fingers.
His lips rose to meet hers again as his hands fell lower. She sighed in anticipation as she felt her underwear slip smoothly down her thighs, over her knees and onto the floor. Following his lead, Alicia let her hands slide down Aleksandar’s muscular torso until they brushed against his belt buckle. Trying to keep herself in check, she moved slowly, unbuckling the belt and unbuttoning his trousers, teasing the growing bulge in his trousers with the occasional soft brush of her fingertips. She felt a swell of satisfaction as he shivered with each brush.
Moving her hands around to the small of his back, she pushed his trousers down. Alicia smiled to herself as her hands moved around again, lightly stroking his penis. The man stopped what he was doing with a grunt and Alicia knew she now had control.
She shifted her weight forward and, her fingertips tracing lazy lines up and down the shaft of his penis, began to kiss Aleksandar’s jaw line, moving up to his ear and then down his neck to his clavicle. She resisted the urge to laugh triumphantly as she felt him grip the blankets near her tightly. She did, however, smile indulgently as he shivered, a small grunt escaping his throat as he did so. His ragged breath now matched hers.
Shaking himself out of the brief hypnosis of Alicia’s touch, Aleksandar grasped her wrists and lifted her hands away from his aching body. He leant forward and kissed her, continuing to lean until Alicia let herself fall onto her back. For a moment, he lingered above her, raining gentle kisses on her face, before he slowly retreated, leaving a train of kisses down her body.
“No, no, no!” Alicia gasped. “That’s cheating. That’s...”
It was cheating, and Alicia did not mind a bit. She arched her back as Aleksandar’s lips found their target, her wildly throbbing clitoris. Lips and tongue worked in tandem. He drew this out as long as possible, his fingers finding their way inside her. In this, too, he was slow and gentle, drawing out the pre-orgasm ache until it was torture.
The orgasm came so swiftly and so sharply, despite Aleksandar’s slow, gentle attentions, that Alicia cried out as it took her, arching up so hard she felt her back muscles cramp.
When she recovered from it, Aleksandar was above her, inside her. He thrust, gently at first, and Alicia lifted her hips to meet each one. His muscles quivered with restraint and, sensing her chance, Alicia swiftly switched her position. Aleksandar found himself on his back, Alicia sitting upright above him, meeting his thrusts with a small swivel of her hips.
Whatever it was she was doing inside herself, it drove Aleksandar to distraction. He lost his position of control and found himself yielding to the greater power now straddled over him. He let his hands roam her coffee-coloured thighs that sat either side of his hips, and further up, to her strong, slender waist.
He lost himself in the movement of her body as she responded to his. She shifted slightly, quickening the pace. Helpless to do anything but, Aleksandar followed, lifting himself so he could kiss her. He felt her yield slightly as their lips met and took advantage of it to switch position.
Now with his feet tucked under him, he wrapped one arm around her waist and the other hand held the back of the head. Their kisses grew frantic as they lost themselves in each other. Alicia never let up her control entirely and Aleksandar felt himself quickly reaching climax. He tried to slow down, but Alicia wouldn’t let him, her kisses becoming hard, driving his arousal yet higher. It was his turn to quake helplessly against Alicia, and he did, pulling her in so tightly as he did she could barely breathe.
“Got you,” she whispered to him as he collapsed backwards, taking her with him.
Aleksandar laughed and nodded. Then he grinned and turned over, flipping her onto her back.
“Now I have you,” he whispered, kissing her hard.
Alicia felt him harden between her legs again and laughed. “Unbelievable,” she said. It was not a complaint.
Twice more they lost themselves in sensation. The last time, as they collapsed together, Alicia said, panting hard, “No more.”
Aleksandar laughed softly, and, also panting, said, “No more.” He drew Alicia in close. She smiled to herself as Aleksandar’s breathing slowly calmed, becoming slow and shallow. His arms relaxed, but never released her from their hold. She waited a long while, listening to his breathing, before closing her eyes and joining him in sleep.
When he was certain Alicia was asleep, Aleksandar’s eyes opened. He stared up at the ceiling a while, listening to Alicia’s breathing, feeling her pulse against his skin. The thrill of sex had left him, but something familiar lingered. His heart ached with the knowledge of his contentment, of how dangerous that contentment was. He could not fall in love with the woman in his arms. He risked breaking the Covenant and exposing his House.
And yet...
And yet he had yielded to only one other person the way he submitted to Alicia. Theodore Svetoslav, his sire, his prince, his love.
Aleksandar tilted his head down and looked at Alicia. A small smile played across her lips and long lashes drew attention to her eyes even though they were closed. She was as beautiful in sleep as she was in waking life.
Had he been a mortal man, Aleksandar was certain Alicia would be his perfect match. Had he been a mortal man, he did not doubt he would pursue her to the ends of the earth, begging her to be his wife. They might have bought a house, somewhere in the country with lots of space and lots of privacy. They might have had children.
Aleksandar pushed his thoughts away from the scene of country simplicity. It could never be. He, an Opyri prince, would never age. She, a mortal woman, would grow old and die.
If he fell in love with her, her death would drive him to despair, and even if it did not, how long could he keep his secret from her? No, better he hardened his heart, use her as the Shadow Council intended, then cut her loose to live her life, find another lover, get married, have children.
Better he did not fill his head with impossible dreams. Better he did not fall in love.
Aleksandar pulled Alicia closer and rested his cheek against her forehead.
It was too late.
“This is my house,” Alicia said, standing in the doorway, wearing nothing but a towel. Her hair dripped, wet from her shower. “I’m supposed to cook you breakfast.”
Aleksandar looked up with a lopsided smile as the water boiled merrily away. “You should get dressed,” he said. “Or you’ll be late for work.”
“What are you making anyway?”
“You’ll see.”
Narrowing her eyes in suspicion at Aleksandar, who stood at the oven wearing only his trousers and an apron and smiling at her, Alicia turned and walked back upstairs to dress. When she returned, her small dining room table had been set with napkins, cutlery and two large glasses of pink grapefruit juice.
“How do you take your coffee?” Aleksandar called from the kitchen.
“To go,” Alicia called back. “Usually.”
Aleksandar appeared in the doorway with a tray of coffee in a press, two mugs, cream and sugar. He set it down on the table.
“I didn’t even know I had a coffee press,” Alicia murmured.
“I found it in the back of the bottom left cupboard. It was a little dusty,” Aleksandar replied. “Sit,” he said. “Breakfast is almost ready.”
“Again, my house. I should be doing all of this.”
Aleksandar flashed a brilliant smile. “But how else am I supposed to impress you?”
“You managed that just fine last night,” Alicia noted, stepping up to him. She kissed him. “You look ridiculous in that apron.”
Wrapping his arms around her, Aleksandar returned her kisses and asked, “Shall I take it off then?”
Taking time to think it over, Alicia reluctantly shook her head. “Then I’d be very late for work.”
Aleksandar scoffed, released Alicia and returned to the kitchen. She took her seat at her beautifully set table and waited. She didn’t have to wait long. Aleksandar reappeared with two large plates, with two poached eggs atop thickly buttered bread, with avocados and some sort of chutney on top.
“What on earth?” Alicia demanded as Aleksandar placed the plate in front of her.
“Try it,” Aleksandar said. “It’s a favourite of mine. Pepper?”
Alicia reached out and took the pepper grinder from Aleksandar and liberally sprinkled her plate with the pepper. Aleksandar waited, watching her as she took her first bite.
“Oh my God,” Alicia said, her mouth full of food. “This is amazing!”
Aleksandar smiled, relaxing back into his seat, and picked up his cutlery.
“Wait. What is this stuff? I don’t have sweet pepper chutney in my fridge.”
“I may have sent Stoyan on some errands this morning,” Aleksandar admitted.
“Stoyan? Where is he now?”
“Waiting in the car outside.”
“What? Why? We should invite him in for breakfast.”
“I already did. He prefers to be outside at the moment. Something about professionalism.”
Alicia looked doubtfully at Aleksandar.
“I’m serious,” Aleksandar said. “Sometimes he takes his job a little too much to heart.”
Still doubtful, but not wishing to insult Aleksandar by openly disbelieving him, Alicia returned to the meal in front of her. Hungry after last night’s exertions, she devoured it quickly and relaxed back in her chair to watch Aleksandar eat.
“Where did you learn to cook?” she demanded.
Aleksandar shrugged. “Television, mostly,” he admitted. “Trial and error. A few excellent books.”
Alicia stared incredulously at him.
“I like it,” he admitted. “I find it very relaxing.”
“If you say so,” Alicia murmured. She eyed Aleksandar over the top of her coffee mug. Having long ago sobered up, she found her attraction to him no more dimmed. This fact alone was suspect. It was a rare man who kept her attention after they slept together.
“You better hurry up,” Alicia said at last. “Or you’ll make me late for work.”
Aleksandar checked his watch and nodded, finishing his plate quickly. The minute he put his fork down, Alicia stood to and collected the plate.
“I was...” Aleksandar protested.
“You were going to go upstairs and dress. I can take care of this.”
Sighing, Aleksandar rose. He pecked Alicia on the cheek before heading upstairs to dress himself. He was down shortly after, his shirt on and his jacket folded over one arm.
“Have everything?” Alicia asked as Aleksandar slipped on his shoes. He nodded silently.
“Come on then,” Alicia said. “Time to go.” Opening the door, Alicia stepped out into the bright sunshine. Putting on his glasses, Aleksandar followed, walking forward several steps to find shade. He stopped and waited for Alicia to lock the door. She joined him moments later.
“I would like to see you again tonight,” Aleksandar said.
Alicia smiled. “If you can promise me a repeat of last night, you can see me as often as you like.”
Aleksandar laughed. “So, seven p.m. then?”
“I’d like that,” Alicia said.
“Good.”
They kissed, Aleksandar drawing it out as much as possible.
Alicia groaned. “Nope,” she said, almost to herself. “I have to get to work.” She looked up at Aleksandar. “See you at seven.”
Reluctantly withdrawing from Aleksandar, Alicia went to her car and got in. She drove away, sparing a quick wave to Aleksandar and Stoyan, who now stood by his employer. Stoyan waved back, grinning from ear to ear. Aleksandar offered only the barest of smiles.
He was deep in thought by the time Alicia’s car was out of sight and he was clambering into the back of the luxury sedan waiting for him. So deep in thought was he that he did not protest when Stoyan closed the door for him.
“A good night, my lord?” Stoyan asked as he slipped into the driver’s seat.
“Yes,” Aleksandar said distantly. “A very good night.”