"I suppose everyone who is alone in the world is a little sad at this time of year," she grudgingly confessed. "As I said, it's a time for families. For sharing your life with another."
There was a small silence, his gaze lowering to where their fingers were entangled. "You are not alone now."
She was caught off guard by his strange words. "Being held captive is hardly the same as being home for the holidays."
"Perhaps not." His gaze abruptly lifted to trap hers. "But we are here together, and I would ease your loneliness if you would allow me."
For some odd reason her mouth went dry and her heart lodged somewhere near her throat.
"What do you mean?"
"I feel your sadness, Darcy, but I also feel your passion."
"I don't think ..."
"It stirs a need in me that I'm not sure I'm strong enough to battle." he overrode her soft protest. "A need I don't want to battle."
With a slow, deliberate motion, he lifted her fingers to his mouth.
Feeling oddly bemused, Darcy watched as he nibbled along the length of her thumb.
She gave a choked sound as her entire body shuddered in reaction. Oh, boy. That felt good. Very good.
"Styx," she breathed.
"Where is the gargoyle?" he demanded, his black eyes shimmering with a dangerous glow.
"He ... he said he was going hunting."
"Good."
Without warning, he gave her arm a jerk. Darcy gasped as she found herself tumbling into his lap with his arms wrapping tightly about her.
"What are you doing?"
He gave a soft chuckle as he bent down to press his lips to the curve of her neck.
"It's been a long time, but I can't imagine that I have forgotten that much," he whispered against her skin.
Her free hand gripped the soft cashmere of his sweater as his tongue traced a wet line to the base of her throat. A heat was beginning to pool in the pit of her stomach. She vaguely recalled the sensation as that of raw, glorious lust.
It had been a long time for her as well.
Still, she didn't know enough about vampire sex, or this vampire in particular, to completely relax.
"Are you going to bite me?" Darcy whispered.
She could feel the shudder that rippled through his body. As if the thought of biting her was a potent one.
"Do you want me to?"
"Does it hurt?"
"Quite the contrary." He teasingly scraped the tips of his fangs over her skin. "A vampire's bite brings nothing but pleasure. We are forced to be very careful to ensure our companion does not become addicted."
Her breath caught in her throat as he nuzzled lower, tugging at the loose T-shirt so he could trace the line of her collarbone with his lips.
"Companion or prey?" she demanded.