A Whisper of Eternity - By Amanda Ashley Page 0,45
rising."
"Dominic..."
He pressed one finger to her lips, silencing her."Be mine, my best beloved one. Let us be together in life and death, as we were meant to be."
"But I don't want to be a vampire, Dominic."
"I know." He blew out a sigh that seemed to come from the very depths of his soul. "I know." He had tried to persuade her to join him countless times. Always, she refused, choosing mortal death over sharing his life with him.
Taking her by the hand, he started walking again. "You might enjoy being a vampire," he remarked. "You would see colors and textures as never before. You could paint for hours and never grow weary. Music becomes more than mere sound, sight more than mere vision. You would see the world as never before, experience life as never before. There are so many things I long to show you, to share with you."
He stopped suddenly, his gaze moving over her, lingering at the pulse throbbing slow and steady in the hollow of her throat. "Tracy..."
She stared up at him, at the hunger glowing in his eyes. Fear made her heart beat harder, faster.
His hand tightened on hers. He took a step toward her, his gaze fastened on her throat.
"Dominic."
He looked up, his eyes burning into hers. "Tracy, in all the times I have known you, I have never tasted you. Let me now," he pleaded softly."Just one taste."
"I'm afraid."
"One small taste, my best beloved one.There is nothing to fear."
"Will it... will it hurt?"
"No, I swear it."
She stared up at him, torn by doubt and yet wanting to ease the awful pain she saw in his eyes. How could she refuse him again? How could she not? She put her worst fear into words. "Will it make me what you are?"
"No."
"And you'll only take a little, you promise?"
"I promise."
She lifted a hand to her throat, touched the pulse beating there. To her amazement, she found that her curiosity was stronger than her fear.
"All right, but remember, only a little," she murmured, and wondered if he was as surprised by her answer as she was.
" Querida!"He pulled her into his arms and kissed her tenderly.
She pressed herself against him, everything else forgotten in the wonder of his kiss, the pleasure of his touch as his hands moved over her body.
He rained feather-light kisses over her cheeks and brow, kissed the tip of her nose before he claimed her lips once more.
Drowning in waves of pure delight, it took her a moment to realize that he was dropping kisses along her neck, just below her ear. She knew a moment of sharp, primal fear when she felt the touch of his teeth at her throat but it was quickly swallowed up in what came after. As he had promised, there was no pain, only a deep sensual pleasure unlike anything she had ever known.
A soft moan escaped her lips.
At the sound, Dominic lifted his head. He stared down at her, his brow furrowed.
"Are you all right?"
"Oh, yes," she murmured."Better than all right."
His gaze moved over her face, his expression worried.
She tried to smile reassuringly, but it required too much effort. She was suddenly tired, so tired...
"Tracy!"
He scooped her up into his arms and carried her into the house. Placing her on the sofa, he went into the kitchen and filled a glass with orange juice, which he insisted she drink.
It revived her immediately and she blinked up at him, confused. "What happened?"
His eyes filled with remorse. "Forgive me, my best belovedone, I am afraid one taste was not enough."
Her eyes widened. "Will I become a vampire now?"
He grinned indulgently as he gathered her into his arms. "Did you learn nothing from all those books you read? One does not become a vampire by giving blood, only by drinking from one who is already vampire."
"So, I'd have to..."
"Yes, you would have to drink my blood.An exchange, as it were . I would take your blood, a great deal of it, and then give it back to you."
She shuddered. "It sounds... gruesome. Don't you ever miss eating real food?"
He grunted softly. "After so many years, I hardly remember what it was like, except..." He kissed her again, his tongue sliding over her lips."Except when I kiss you. You had ham and cheese and tomatoes for dinner." He closed his eyes. "And bread. And tea sweetened with honey." He opened his eyes again, his gaze moving to her lips. "The flavors linger ever so sweetly on your tongue."