Their bodies slid against each other, and Rachel shuddered with pleasure. They were now meeting and touching everywhere. Her br**sts scraped across his chest; her arms closed around his shoulders and she nestled her face in his neck, pressing kisses to the skin there, then nipping at the tender flesh as her excitement grew. Rachel had never been a biter, but she now wanted to sink her teeth deep into him.
She gasped and cried out as he beat her to it. It was a quick bite, probably drawing little blood, but Rachel took it as permission and sank her own teeth into his neck. She used that as an anchor as their passion reached fever pitch and exploded around them. Rachel felt herself grow faint, sensed the world darkening around her, but held on with her teeth and felt the rush of energy and excitement through her. It was like a drug. It was a drug. She felt herself being supercharged, then overwhelmed, and released her hold on his neck with a moan as her body shuddered and quivered around him. Darkness again crowded in.
Chapter Ten
Etienne was up and gone when she woke. Rachel yawned and stretched in bed, smiling happily. She felt great. A little hungry maybe, but otherwise great. She was sure last night had been better than any erotic dream. Sylvia must really have a sad sex life if she thought any dream could beat out reality.
Etienne had made love to her all night long. Their lovemaking had continued on into the morning, and it had been noon before they'd collapsed together, exhausted and finally satisfied.
Rachel grinned at the drapes over the bed, then sat up and tossed the tangled sheets aside. The man was an automaton. He had more energy than anyone she'd ever met, and three hundred years of skill to back it up. Etienne had done things to her that made her shiver and blush to think of. Shivering and blushing, she hurried into the bathroom and straight to the shower.
She probably could have used a cold shower at that point--which was hard to believe after the marathon session of lovemaking--but it was true. She chose a warm one, however, and stood under the shower nozzle, enjoying the pounding of the water on her head and back for several moments before shampooing her hair. Her body was still trembling and sensitive. Rachel wasn't sure if it was the Sweet Ecstasy still affecting her, or simply her memories of the pleasure Etienne had given her, but every scrape of the washcloth over her wet flesh made her shudder and long for him again. The man really was like a drug. A good drug.
Out of the shower, Rachel dried herself off, dressed, and ran a brush through her hair. She paused to make a face at herself in the bathroom mirror, then hurried out of the room in search of Etienne. She had a deep need to see him again, just to be close to him. To maybe cuddle him, maybe more.
Rachel grinned at her wayward thoughts as she jogged downstairs. The silent house didn't surprise or worry her, and she headed directly for the basement knowing she would find Etienne there. He was no doubt working at his computer.
He was in his office, but while he was seated at his desk, the computers were all shut down. He was talking on the phone. Rachel walked up behind him and rested her hands tentatively on his shoulders as he spoke into the handpiece. When he immediately reached up with his free hand to cover one of hers, she smiled and relaxed, realizing only then that she had not been completely sure of his welcome. Etienne had claimed he'd wanted her for days, but that didn't mean much. He might have simply been saying that. He might also have lost interest in her now that their passion was satisfied. It hadn't happened.
"Great! I'll watch for him then," Etienne said and hung up the phone. The moment it clicked into place, he stood and turned to pull her into his arms for a welcoming kiss. He growled, "Good morning, beautiful. How are you feeling?"
Rachel flushed and kissed the tip of his nose. "Famished."
Etienne chuckled. "You're insatiable."
"Yes, I am. But I meant hungry-famished."
"Ah." He released a small sigh and hugged her, then took her hand and led her out of his office. "Yes, so am I. Unfortunately, we're out of blood. I was just asking Bastien to send over some more. It should get here soon, but in the meantime..." He paused as they stepped into the kitchen, his eyes shooting to the window in the back door and searching the darkness outside.
"What is it?" Rachel asked curiously. Stepping to his side, she peered out into the large yard behind the house. She'd looked out at it both in daylight and at night, and it was lovely at both times, with a large fountain, a rock garden, and lots of trees.
"I thought I saw someone out there," he murmured, then gave her hand a squeeze. "Wait here. I just want to take a quick look around."
He was out the door before Rachel could comment. She held the door open so that she could see everything, and watched him walk out into the yard. She had intended on looking around to see if she could see anyone lurking about, but her gaze got caught on his behind and seemed to want to stay there. She decided not to fight it. He had better night vision than she did, anyway. And really it was a nice view. A very nice view. Rachel had never realized how attractive a man's butt could be. She just wanted to grab it and squeeze it and...
"Must be the effects of that drink," she muttered and gave her head a shake. But her gaze returned to his behind again the moment she glanced his way, and Rachel decided she might be best to join him rather than stand with her tongue hanging out. Letting the door slide closed behind her, she walked silently to him.
"Did you see anything?" she asked in a whisper, a tad distracted by his scent. He smelled really good. Yummy. Rachel had noticed that he smelled good the few times she'd had her face in his neck and had inhaled the scent of him, but now she could smell him almost as well just standing next to him. Her senses must be strengthening, she realized, and found herself pleased. Perhaps she would be able to control her teeth soon. And even drink blood. That straw trick Thomas had shown her worked nicely. But she would rather be able to drink it straight out of a glass like the rest of them. Until she did, Rachel would feel like the child drinking tea with half the cup filled with milk.
"No. I might have been mistaken. It could have just been a shadow."
"Hmm." Rachel sniffed the air and stepped closer to him, her gaze slipping to his neck. He really did smell delicious. Good enough to eat, even. For some reason, at the moment he reminded her of a great big porterhouse steak, nice and rare.
Off the hoof. Marguerite's words came into her head, and Rachel's eyes widened in horror.
"What is it? Do you see something?" Etienne asked when she stepped abruptly away.
"No," Rachel said, guilt overwhelming her. "No. We should go inside now, don't you think? It's rather cold out here." It was unseasonably cold, and neither of them was wearing a jacket. Not that she'd noticed the cold until it was a handy excuse.
"Are you cold?"
"No," she admitted, then tilted her head. "Why am I not freezing? I should be freezing. It's a cold night out here, Etienne."
"Your body's more efficient than it used to be. You don't have to worry about cold or frostbite or anything anymore," he explained. "Still, we should go in. You'll use up more blood staying warm and will need to feed that much sooner--and I know you're already hungry"
"Desperately hungry," Rachel agreed. Her gaze found his neck, and she looked away with discomfort.
"Well, the delivery guy should be here soon with breakfast," he said reassuringly. He walked back to the door. "It will probably be Thomas. He often runs errands like that."