I realized he was purposely pushing me away.
"No," he said, voice hard. "Not yet. Not until you're awakened."
"Why?" I asked desperately. I couldn't think of anything except him touching me-and, well, another bite. "Why does it matter? Is there... is there a reason we can't?" Until I'd come here, sex with a Strigoi had never occurred to me...maybe it just wasn't possible.
He leaned toward me, putting his lips near my ear. "No, but it'll be so much better if you're awakened. Let me do it... let me do it, and then we can do anything we want..."
It was a bargaining chip, I realized vaguely. He wanted me-it was written all over him-but he was using the lure of sex to get me to give in. And honestly? I was this close to accepting. My body was overriding my mind-nearly.
"No," I whimpered. "I... I'm scared..."
That dangerous look softened, and while he didn't exactly look like the Dimitri from before, there was something a little less Strigoi about him.
"Rose, do you think I'd do anything that would hurt you?" Somewhere, hadn't there been a discussion about how my options were to turn or die?
The latter seemed like it might hurt, but I didn't mention that just now.
"The bite... the turning would hurt..."
"I told you: It'll be just like what we've already done. You'll enjoy it. It won't hurt, I swear it."
I looked away. Damn it. Why couldn't he still be sinister and scary? It was so much easier to put my foot down and resist. Even in the heat of passion, I was able to resist. But somehow... seeing him like this, calm and reasonable... well, it was too close to the Dimitri I'd loved. And that was hard to turn away from. For the first time, it made turning Strigoi seem... not so bad.
"I don't know," I said lamely.
He released me and sat up, frustration filling his features. It was almost a relief. "Galina's patience is running out. So is mine."
"You said we still have time... I just need to think more..." How long could I use that excuse? The narrowing of his eyes told me not much longer.
"I have to go," he said harshly. There would be no more touching or kissing, I could tell. "I need to deal with some things."
"I'm sorry," I said, both confused and afraid. I didn't know which Dimitri I wanted. The terrifying one, the sensual one, or the almost-but still not quite-gentle one.
He said nothing. Without any other warning, he leaned down and bit into the tender skin of my throat. Whatever feeble escape strategies I had were gone. I closed my eyes, nearly falling over, and only his arm wrapped firmly around me kept me upright. Just like when we kissed, his mouth was warm against my flesh, and the feel of his tongue and teeth sent electricity through me.
And like that, it was over. He pulled away, licking his lips as he still continued to hold onto me. The fog was back. The world was wonderful and happy and I was without any cares. Whatever he'd been worrying about with Nathan and Galina meant nothing to me. The fear I'd felt moments ago... my disappointment over sex... my confusion-I didn't have time to worry about any of that, not when life was so beautiful and I loved Dimitri so much. I smiled up at him and tried to hug him again, but he was already leading me to the couch.
"I'll see you later." In a flash, he was at the door, which saddened me. I wanted him to stay. Stay forever. "Remember, I want you-and I would never let anything bad happen to you. I'll protect you. But... I can't wait much longer."
With that, he left. His words made me smile more broadly. Dimitri wanted me. Vaguely, I recalled asking him outside why he wanted me. Why on earth had I asked? What answer had I wanted? Why did it matter? He wanted me. That was what counted.
That thought and the wonderful endorphin rush enveloped me as I lay on the couch, and I felt drowsiness overtaking me. Walking over to the bed seemed like too much work, so I stayed where I was and just let sleep come.
And, unexpectedly, I found myself in one of Adrian's dreams.
I'd pretty much given up on him. After my first desperate attempts at escape in the suite, I'd finally convinced myself that Adrian wasn't coming back, that I'd sent him away for good. Yet here