“Are you coming from a party or on your way to one?”
“On my way, as a matter of fact Would you like to come with me?” she asked in a deep, sultry voice.
“I don’t think Kadie would like that.”
“Then don’t tell her.”
Saintcrow shook his head. Damn, she was as sexy as hell. An indrawn breath carried the scent of her desire.
“Why did we never make love?” she asked.
“I don’t know,” he said, with a shrug. “I guess the timing was never right.”
“It’s not too late,” she purred, with a come-hither smile.
“I’m afraid it’s no longer an option on my part.”
“You always were an honorable man, Rylan Saintcrow. It’s one of the reasons I’ve always admired you.” Oriana blew out a sigh of regret as she peeled off the fur coat and let it fall to the ground. “Take what you need, old friend.”
The gown was strapless, which gave him easy access to her throat. She smelled of expensive soap and perfume. He bit her as gently as he could, his eyes closing in something near ecstasy as her warm, ancient blood slid smoothly over his tongue and down his throat. He could feel it moving through him, making him feel like himself again. Perhaps, if they couldn’t find a cure for his problem, he could arrange to drink from her regularly. He wondered if the blood of the other ancients would work as well.
With a sigh, he ran his tongue over the twin wounds in her neck. “Thanks.”
“You’re welcome.”
Retrieving her coat, he held it for her.
“Your wife is a lucky woman,” Oriana remarked.
“I’m the lucky one,” he replied. “Have a good time tonight.”
“Oh, I will!” Oriana said as she pulled the fur around her shoulders. And then she paused. “Though it’s hard to believe, I heard someone mention a vampire even older than you are. It was so far-fetched, I’d decided not to mention it. Personally, I’d always thought this mysterious vampire was just a myth, but when I mentioned her to an acquaintance of mine, she insisted she’s real and claimed that she lived in Cleopatra’s time.”
“No shit! What’s this mysterious vampire’s name and how is it that I’ve never heard of her?”
Oriana shrugged. “I have no idea. What always made me doubt the story is that she’s supposed to have lost her powers, regained her humanity, and then had a child. Sometime later, she asked her centuries-old lover to make her a vampire again. It’s said she’s as powerful today as she ever was.”
“Sounds pretty far-fetched,” Saintcrow agreed. “Does your acquaintance know where to find her?”
Oriana shook her head. “I don’t know. I’ll ask if and when I see her again.”
Saintcrow nodded. Blood that old would be powerful indeed. “If you hear any more about this mystery vampire, you’ll let me know?”
“Of course.” And with a wave of her hand, she was gone.
“You can come out now,” Saintcrow said.
Looking chagrined, Kadie materialized at the other end of the bridge.
“Spying on me?” he asked as he walked toward her.
“There doesn’t seem to be any point in denying it, does there?”
“Not much.” Reaching out, he pulled her into his arms. “Kadie, what am I going to do with you?”
“I’m sorry. But you can’t blame me for being jealous, watching you drink from a beautiful woman. Knowing she’s giving you pleasure.”
With a rueful shake of his head, he covered her mouth with his, his tongue teasing her lips, then slipping inside to taste her sweetness. “I love you, Kadie Saintcrow. No one but you. Surely, after all these years, you believe that.”