murmured, "I wish you would kiss me now."
"Ah, cara," he said fervently, "your wish is my command."
She closed her eyes as his head dipped toward hers, sighed as their lips met. She had yearned for this, hungered for this. Why had she fought it for so long?
Without taking his lips from hers, he turned her in his lap so that she was facing him, her legs circling his waist, her breasts crushed against his chest. His hands roamed over her back and shoulders, down her arms, along her thighs, tantalizing her with his touch, arousing her until she ached with needing him.
He burned with the same desire. She could feel it in every quivering muscle, hear it in the ragged edge of his breathing, in the rasp of his voice when he whispered her name.
She was breathless when he took his mouth from hers. "Grigori... have you always had this power over women?"
His knuckles brushed her cheek. "What power is that, cara?"
"You know very well what I mean. One kiss and I'm on fire."
"It isn't power, mi amore."
"Magic, then?"
He smiled at her, his expression tender. "More like a miracle."
"A miracle?" She traced his lips with her fingertip, and then cupped his face in her hands.
"That you could love me."
"I do love you," she said, "but - "
He placed his hand over her mouth. "Let us not worry about the future tonight," he said. "Just let me hold you until the dawn."
She licked his palm, and he groaned low in his throat. "I can't believe you're here."
"You wanted me here, did you not?"
She nodded and snuggled into his arms, her head resting on his shoulder. "I think this is the best Christmas I've ever had."
His arms tightened around her. "For me, as well," he said, his breath warming her neck. "For me, as well."
They sat there for hours, content to hold each other close and watch the flames dance in the hearth. Grigori told her of his childhood in Italy, of his father who was a cobbler, of his older brother who became a priest. He told her of faraway places he had explored in centuries past, and she could see it all in her mind, the house where he had been born, Grigori as a young boy, tall and dark and handsome, even then. She saw the world through his eyes, the pyramids of Egypt and the canals of Italy, the great cathedrals of Europe, the jungles of Africa. How wonderful, to have lived so long and seen so much.
After a time, he grew silent, and she knew that dawn was drawing near. She stared at the hearth, only then realizing that, though they had never added more wood to the fire, it had burned all through the night.
"I must go." He pressed a kiss to her cheek. "When will you be home?"
"Sunday night. I wish you didn't have to leave."
He shrugged. "It cannot be helped. I will see you when you return, yes?"
"Yes."
He held her close, breathing in her scent, silently vowing that he would grant her every wish, fulfill her every desire, as long as she would let him stay by her side.
He stood up in a fluid motion, carrying her with him. "I'm afraid I've robbed you of your sleep."
She locked her arms around his neck and smiled at him. "I don't mind. I can sleep late tomorrow."
"Dream about me?"
She grinned. "I always do."
He kissed her again, long and hard, and then, ever so gently, set her on her feet. "Until Sunday night, cara mia."
"One more kiss?"
He swept her into his arms and kissed her until she was breathless, and then, in a swirl of black silk, he was gone.
Head whirling, heart filled with a dozen conflicting emotions, she made her way up the stairs and fell into bed.
She was in love.
With a vampire.
And it was the most exciting thing in the world.
It was a little after eight when the plane landed. Holding her purse and a small carry-on bag, she followed the other passengers up the ramp. It had been fun spending the last three days with her family, but she was glad to be home again. She couldn't wait to see Grigori.
The airport was crowded with people returning home. Taking a deep breath, she told herself to be patient. She wasn't the only one in a hurry.
She was making her way toward the luggage carousel when she saw Grigori.
She smiled as he walked toward her.
"Welcome home, cara mia," he said, and, taking her