I can’t regret it and bitch every now and then?
We’re face to face now at the bottom of the steps and I stand up on my tiptoes to kiss him gently on the lips. I’d rather be naked in bed with him and he knows it. That’s not to say we aren’t going to enjoy the next hour, but still, I have my preferences.
Rafe breaks the kiss and takes my hand as we head up to the third floor.
How did things go with Asa? I ask.
Not bad. He’s real intense about security and has a lot of great ideas.
Peachy. Sounds like you’re on board with the command center idea I had to hear about for forty-five minutes?
We clear the first landing and continue up to the next one. The warmth from his fingers seep into my hand and courses up my arm. I run my other hand along the smooth railing, smelling the wood polish freshly applied to the banister.
We need to get Asa a room, pronto, or he’s going to camp out in our living room until we catch Ivan, Rafe says.
My head whips around at that. You finally accept that I’m right and that it’s Ivan?
I don’t doubt what you saw in Sheba’s mind. I question the fact it really is him if the scents didn’t match up. Some other vamp could have put those images conveniently into Sheba’s head.
He sees my face losing the happy calm look I had after our kiss and rushes head on.
But Asa believes you and that’s the premise he’s working from. If we have a madman loose on the premises, he wants to find him and keep us safe.
We reach the last landing and look around for the guests we’re supposed to meet. I try to pull free from his grasp so that I can head toward room sixteen, one of the dungeon rooms.
“Wait.” Rafe holds on to my hand and gives me a gentle tug back. “Have you tried to reach out and touch Ivan’s mind yet?”
I wondered when he’d get around to thinking of that. “Yes, and no luck.” His face clears and he looks relieved. “That doesn’t mean it isn’t him. It means his mind has been altered after the torture of his imprisonment.” I’ve seen, first-hand, how that can happen. I’ve been there when the tribunal releases a vampire from imprisonment. Sometimes, death is the kindest option.
By the expression on Rafe’s face, I can see my explanation is an idea he’s not yet ready to accept. Our guests will be here any moment, and I realize I’m grossly overdressed for the tour. Reaching to remove my turtleneck sweater, I focus back on the here and now. The cashmere slides up and my Merry Widow-covered nipples harden when the air hits them. I toss the sweater at Rafe and reach behind me to unzip my suit skirt. As it shimmies down my hips, I step out of the fabric and spread my boot-covered thighs into a wider stance. “Ah, much better.”
Impeccable timing being my forte, Liam and Francesca round the corner and head down the hall towards us.
I look back at Rafe and lower my voice. “We’ll talk more later, hon, okay?”
Rafe moves closer to me and reaches out his free hand to run it down my hip, curving around to my backside. “Oh, that’s fine by me. This is going to be fun.” He gives me a playful smack on the rump. “You can count on it.”
“Liam, Francesca,” I call out in cheerful voice, “so good to see you again. How was your first night here?”
“The hotel’s fantastic. Its reputation is well-earned,” Liam answers.
He looks well rested and content. Good, exactly the right frame of mind to try something new.
“Are we starting here in the north wing or in the east one?” he asks.
I grin. He has no idea he’s not going to see any other rooms. “We’ll start in here,” I reply. “I’m sure there is bound to be something you’ll like.”
Liam’s eyes take in my outfit in a slow perusal from head to foot. “This doesn’t look like standard inn-keeper attire. Although I have to admit, it looks good on you.”
“Glad you like it. I have something similar in store for Francesca.”
“You mean there are clothes in there I can borrow?” Francesca asks with a high pitch to her voice.
“Oh yes, something for everyone.” I give her a playful wink in return.
Francesca’s eyes dilate in excitement. Her breathing comes in and out fast, in short bursts.