Dark Carousel (Dark #30) - Christine Feehan Page 0,52

killers as well.

They believe in vampires.

“Are you paying attention, Charlie? Because we have to discuss this,” Genevieve persisted.

Carrying on two conversations was a bit disorienting, but what Tariq said made sense. The three men from the club staked their victims while they were alive, as if that was the only method of killing them. She shuddered and wrapped her arms around her middle. She should introduce them to Fridrick. He had admitted he’d killed Genevieve’s grandmother and the others in Paris in a bizarre blood-taking fashion and then gone to the United States to kill Charlotte’s brother. What is going on? How could she remove Lourdes from Tariq’s home when it was the only place she’d been so far where she felt safe at all?

“Charlie,” Genevieve snapped. “I’m telling you, he’s a player. That’s straight. I didn’t want to say it like this but you won’t listen. He’s going to find another woman tonight, or some other night, and bring her home and make her feel like she’s the only one. You can’t invest in him like this.”

He hadn’t brought another woman into his home. Her sense of smell was heightened, very acute. There was no way he could have removed a woman’s presence completely—especially her scent. He had said he had never brought a woman there and she believed him absolutely. Still . . . Genevieve was not wrong that she was investing too much in him too soon.

“I’m listening to you, Vi, I am,” Charlotte said. “But it’s already too late. I’m so far gone on him there’s no turning back. My heart is already involved. I don’t know why or how this happened so fast, but I’m going to ride it out and see what happens. I would like to have you close for support no matter which way it goes.”

Genevieve sighed and then looked up to watch Tariq, now helping the girls on the slide. “He is gorgeous, Charlie, I’ll give you that. If you’re going to be slutty and sleep with someone within a couple of hours of meeting them, he’s definitely the one to do it with. He’s sort of . . . delicious.”

Charlotte burst out laughing. “You can’t go to extremes. Don’t be drooling over my man.”

“He’s definitely drool-worthy. I could do a lot of perving on him.”

“Well don’t.” Charlotte faked a stern look. “You’ll have to find someone else for your pervy ways.”

It wouldn’t be difficult for Genevieve. She was a man magnet. It had surprised her that Tariq hadn’t even glanced at her friend when every other man focused on Genevieve first. Always. Until last night and Tariq. That pleased her when she realized it, because it only made Tariq’s attention more real. From the very beginning, he had looked at Charlotte with the look a man gives to a woman who appeals to him.

Sielamet.

His voice. Gentle. Male amusement. A caress. He could do so many things with that one word spoken in his language.

There is no other woman. There will be no other woman. It is you. Only you. Always you. You are in my care and under my protection. I will cherish you for all time.

Charlotte frowned. She’d heard those words before. Whispered to her, first in his language and then in hers. The memory was hazy, but beautiful. She felt the slide of his hair against her bare skin. Felt his mouth moving over her. Kissing her. Following the curve of her breast. She touched the mark he’d left behind, only the thin camisole covering her skin. The brand pulsed there. Throbbed. Needed. Suddenly the taste of him was in her mouth and she craved him.

When she looked up, he was watching her with hooded eyes. His handsome face was very serious. He seemed wholly focused on her.

What is it, Charlotte?

I can’t remember everything about last night. Just pieces of it. Pieces of perfection. His body moving in hers. The feel of his mouth on her skin. Between her legs. His taste. The memories sent heat spiraling through her.

You were exhausted, sielamet. I should have taken greater care, but I couldn’t seem to resist you.

I didn’t want you to resist me. That was the truth and maybe it wasn’t such a good idea to give him that, but she couldn’t help herself.

Lourdes turned around and looked at her. She tugged at her hand until Tariq let her go and then she flung her arms wide and ran to Charlotte. “Auntie, I love it here. And I love Bella.