Counting Midnight Page 9

  Tweedle-dee had arrived and slid his hand to the small of her back. She felt her skin crawl. Tweedle-dum rested his hand on her spine just above his friend’s hand. Nausea almost overwhelmed her. Oh, Vasile. Now is a good time to come back…

  “Knew you couldn’t stay away. How ‘bout a threesome? Maybe you’d like to…” Tweedle-dum’s last word ended on a high squeak.

  Nina turned and saw Vasile moving toward them. The sight of him made her whole body shudder with anticipation. He moved into the room like a stalking predator. Looking at him, the surge of nameless hunger she felt caught her by surprise. With this man so near, she almost forgot the tormentors on either side of her.

  She couldn’t see the look in Vasile’s eyes but both men dropped their hands from her back and began to edge away. All of a sudden, an awful stench filled the air and the two men all but ran away. If I didn’t know better, I’d almost suspect they’d … Naw…

  *

  Vasile was seething with rage. How dare any man put his hands on his woman? He’d heard her thoughts as she’d told him to come back. He had allowed the fools to see the bloodthirsty creature living inside of him, showing them a vision of their own mangled and decomposing corpses. At least one of the vermin had lost control of his bowels.

  “What happened, Vasile?” Nina asked breathlessly.

  “I do not like other men touching you, meu dragoste, perhaps they noticed? Come, forget the unpleasantness,” he purred. “Dance with me now. It has been hours since I have held you in my arms.”

  “It’s been a long time since I’ve tried to dance formally,” she warned him, flushing, as his arms closed around her.

  “Worry not, my Nina,” he said with his mouth against her shell-like ear. “Just relax, press your body to mine and move with me.”

  He burned for her, his body going up in flames as he rested his fingers on her naked back. He could feel her thighs brush against his. She smelled so beautiful and her scent was intoxicating him.

  Just holding her in his arms was as strangely comforting as it was fulfilling. Her slight body felt so fragile against him, he wanted to pull her inside himself and keep her there. It amazed him how moving it was just to hold his woman.

  He wished he knew what was bothering Nina. The other man, her friend Jason, had not touched her intimately, Vasile would have known instantly. Still, he wondered, did it have to do with her lunch date? Was she missing her friend?

  * * * *

  After dinner, Vasile had introduced Nina to a few of his associates and she introduced him to a few of hers. He’d watched proudly as she conversed with the business people and their spouses on an equal level.

  He’d gone out on the terrace for a cheroot with some of his old acquaintances when he lost sight of her. For a time, he’d been able to see her but she’d wandered out of his line of vision. Stubbing out his cigar in a potted plant, he turned and began to search for her.

  “How is it that you’re more beautiful every time I see you?” Vasile heard Jason say to Nina.

  As he approached, he saw the other man take her into his arms. The hated blond man kissed her.

  “You look good enough to make a depressed woman give up chocolate, Mr. Man-candy.” Nina was clearly flirting with the man. Vasile felt his fangs extend into his mouth.

  “If I didn’t know you were taken, Sweetie, I’d start to get jealous.” That was a woman’s voice.

  Finally, Vasile got close enough to speak. “Nina, there you are.” It took all his control not to rip the throat out of the blonde man who still had a hand on Nina.

  “Vasile!” Nina moved over to him with her hand extended. She had a pleased smile on her face. “Please, come and meet my friend, Jason.”

  With difficulty, Vasile forced himself to extend his hand to the man.

  “And this is Helene, Jason’s fiancée.” Nina introduced the lovely blonde woman he hadn’t seen at first.

  Looking at Vasile, the blonde woman reached for Nina’s hand and squeezed, grinning. Nina nodded and squeezed back, grinning and whispering, “I know, I know.”

  It was obviously a communication only women were capable of understanding but was a complete mystery to men. Jason confirmed this by turning to Vasile and rolling his eyes.

  As the two couples stood chatting, Vasile kept his eyes on Nina. He tried to discern her thoughts but they still seemed jumbled and chaotic. He could tell that she felt genuine affection for both the man and the woman.

  He thought he understood some things a little better when the baby pictures came out. Nina told him of her visit that afternoon and enumerated the child’s many virtues while the two couples talked.

  * * * *

  When at last they left the party, Nina seemed grateful. She still said little as they rode the elevator up to their suite. Before he could pull her against him, she walked out to the balcony.

  He joined her, unsure how to proceed. The way she kept looking at him from under her lashes, he wondered if she was unsure as well.

  “Did you like Jason and Helene?” she asked him finally.

  “They seemed nice,” he responded. “I was certain that I would hate Jason.”

  “Why?” she gasped.

  “You described him as the closest thing you have had to a boyfriend.” Vasile leaned on the stone railing and lit a cheroot. “You said that you might have married him.”

  “I also said I didn’t love him and would end up bitter if I had. I’m so glad that I like Helene.” she glanced at him. “I didn’t know you smoked, Vasile.”

  “Not often.” he allowed.

  “Their baby is very cute.” She seemed to be leading up to something. Did Nina want a baby?

  “Babies are, as a rule, exceedingly cute.” He waited.

  “Jason is quite the proud papa,” she smiled. “Do you hope to have kids someday, Vasile?” she asked. “Perhaps you already do?” That almost sounded hopeful.

  “No, Nina, I have no children.” She sighed.

  Once again, he tried to ferret out what was on her mind but her thoughts were all over the place. He couldn’t isolate a single one. Finally, after long minutes of silence, she seemed to have come to some sort of resolution.

  “Vasile?”

  “Yes, Nina?”

  “I need to tell you some things. Please don’t say anything until I’m finished. Okay?”

  He shrugged. “As you wish.”

  *

  Nina took a deep breath. She wasn’t sure how to do this and she wasn’t sure if she even should. Finally, she decided that she needed to be up front with Vasile even if it seemed presumptuous. If what she had to say caused an end to her relationship with him, well… so be it.

  “Vasile, I can’t have children.”

  He looked at her, surprised. When he would have spoken, he seemed to think better of it and closed his mouth.

  “I don’t want you to think that I automatically assume this is a serious relationship for you.”

  At that Vasile obviously struggled to keep from saying anything. He took a long drag on his cigar and began to choke. Nina decided against patting his back.

  “Don’t get me wrong, this is a very serious relationship to me.” He began to choke again.

  “Oh, Vasile, I’m doing this so badly, aren’t I?” she took a deep breath. “You’re going to be so mad at me. You’ll probably hate me and never want to see me again.” She turned and looked out over the city lights visible from their balcony.

  “I feel so bad. I don’t want to put you on the spot.” She took another deep breath.

  “Okay, here’s the deal,” she said in a rush. “It doesn’t matter if I’m able to bear children because I’m going to die soon anyway. I’m sorry if I led you on in any way.”

  Resolutely, Nina turned to walk back into the suite. She didn’t get very far. One minute she was reaching for the door and the next she was plastered against a very hard body being kissed within an inch of her life. When he finally lifted his head from hers, she
felt distinctly lightheaded.

  “May I speak now?” Vasile growled.

  “Uh huh.” she squeaked, nodding. I wonder which thing I said made him mad…

  “I do not care about children,” he gave her a little shake. “You are the air that I breathe and the blood in my body. There is nothing more important to me than your life and our relationship. Do you understand me?” Nina nodded mutely.

  Maybe he had too much to drink tonight…

  Vasile let out a frustrated roar. Nina was so taken aback that she began to struggle in his arms. He swung her up against his chest and stalked into his bedroom with her. He bent over the bed, laying her down and coming down on top of her at the same time.

  He kissed her—everywhere, from the tip of her nose, to the tip of her toes, unfastening and removing her dress, her stockings, panties and shoes as he went. His own clothes seemed to melt away as he removed hers. He made love to her slowly, thoroughly, stroking her abdomen and thighs lovingly, kissing her shoulders, arms, elbows, fingers, licking her wrists, nibbling her hips.

  When the need to have him inside of her became too great for her to endure, he surprised her by rolling onto his back and pulling her on top of him. Lifting her above him, he slowly lowered her onto his shaft until he was buried deeply inside of her.

  Although he kept his hands on her hips, she realized that he was letting her set the rhythm. She raised herself upright, rotating her hips and rising to her knees, easing herself down and up again.

  Soon, as Nina tried to move faster to assuage her body’s tension, Vasile grabbed her hips harder, holding them still. She braced her hands on his shoulders as he thrust upward and into her, hard, deep, piston-like, until she felt herself come apart.

  His savage thrusts continued until the pleasure took him, too, plunging him over the edge of his climax. He poured himself into her, groaning, breathing raggedly as his orgasm played itself out.

  She lay collapsed on his chest with their bodies still joined when he spoke again.

  “Now, my Nina, I have your complete attention?” He tugged her hair gently until she tilted her head to look into his face.

  “Umm, yes, Vasile. Complete attention.” He certainly knows how to captivate an audience…

  “I care only for you. I do not care about children who are not yet born or who will never be. First, we will correct your health problem. I am a wealthy man with unlimited resources. You will not be permitted to die while I yet live.” He separated their bodies and pulled her on to his lap, sitting against the headboard. “Do you doubt me, Nina?”

  Unable to speak, she looked at him, wide-eyed, and shook her head from side to side.

  “After we care for your health concerns, we can once again visit the topic of children.” He looked at her intently again until she nodded.

  “You will continue to work with me and join me for leisure and social activities until we both feel most comfortable together, yes?” She nodded again, equally divided between incredulity and amusement. She was struggling to keep her face free of all expression. His eyes narrowed. “We will talk of this more in the future. Now I will make love with you again.”

  His hard mouth came down on hers and he rolled her onto her back, covering her body with his. She gasped, parting her lips beneath his, welcoming his invading tongue. After that, Nina could not remember what they were talking about or why she thought they were supposed to talk in the first place.

  Nothing more was said about children, health problems or anything at all until the next afternoon. Talk in the car during the hour drive was companionable and Nina went home alone to prepare for work the next morning.

  Chapter 17

  As he and Nina worked and socialized together, Vasile enjoyed how in tune with him she seemed to be. She didn’t need his mind reading skills to know what he was thinking. Time and again she anticipated his thoughts.

  More and more he’d learned to listen and pay attention in business when she made recommendations. It had been a scant month ago that she’d proposed a four year plan to expand into the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Slovakia, Slovenia and the southern half of Cyprus.

  Several members of his staff had argued that this area was only a paltry two percent of the entire output of the EU. They contended that these new European neighbors were not really worth the bother. Vasile decided to give Nina a chance.

  Nina had cited sources supporting her belief that those areas would soon be worth quite a bit more in revenues. She argued that, in less than five years, the Central and Eastern European economies were projected to grow quite a bit.

  Most of the Eastern Europe banks were well managed and the conservative practices in those areas made the banks a very good investment over time. He allowed Nina to purchase controlling shares in a number of banks there.

  He not only had an infinite number of years to realize the recovery of his money, he had what amounted to an unlimited reserve from which to draw. Even so, Vasile was pleased and proud when, in the space of only a month, he was seeing a respectable return on these investments. Every dime would be reinvested back into the area for now, of course.

  In celebration, he decided he’d take Nina and the team that had worked on the project with her to a tropical island. He knew that she loved the ocean and he was determined to spend some playtime with her. They’d take this trip in the next week.

  It was liberating to speak to her and enjoy her company. Now that he understood all that he’d denied himself he intended to make up for lost time. Next weekend he would enjoy Nina’s company on a beautiful, tropical island.

  He was about to walk into his outer office when he heard Beverly tell Nina on the phone that she’d call her office when the boss got back. Vasile was very happy that she wanted to see him. He turned and headed for her office before Beverly had the chance to speak to him.

  Music could be heard through Nina’s closed office door and he opened it stepping inside. As he watched, Nina’s body swayed as she danced to the sultry sounds of a Caribbean crooner.

  She sashayed in front of him with her eyes closed and he looped an arm around her waist, moving in sync with her. Her eyes flew open, surprised, and he smiled down at her, still dancing. He placed a hand at her back and pressed her against him while he lowered his lips to her forehead.

  “You must practice the Samba, as well. I intend that you will spend much time in my arms each night… dancing,” he purred.

  He hadn’t made love with her since the party, but he wanted her, desperately. He touched her mind and knew that she wanted him, too, just as much.

  Vasile pressed his cheek to hers and laughed as he dipped her backward. She had seemed taken aback at first by his boldness but now she laughed with him. Neither heard her door open until the sounds of applause were heard from the doorway.

  Without missing a beat, Nina swayed and glided over to her CD player and turned down the volume.

  “I hope everyone has their tropical clothes and excited spouses ready to go,” she laughed at the men from the team. The moment was past. Vasile was unaccountably disappointed.

  After a brief discussion with the two men who’d arrived and with Nina, he returned to his own office.

  * * * *

  The executive Lear Jet that she, Vasile and the three other couples boarded fascinated Nina. She was enjoying the new experience until the plane began to leave the runway.

  Suddenly, images of her accident returned to her even though she hadn’t been injured in a plane crash but a train accident. Instantly, panic took over and Nina clutched at her seat and struggled for breath. Vasile was at her side immediately, breaking away from the group he’d been speaking with. He unbuckled her seat belt and pulled her to his lap, murmuring to her in Romanian.

  “’Chavaia!” Stop! She cried out against his chest. Automatically, she spoke in Romani, the language of her grandparents. “Vasile, mandi trashd!” I am afraid!

  She struggled for control bu
t fear overwhelmed her. Crying and struggling, she struck out at him and tried to escape his restraining hold and the terrifying sensations.

  “You are safe, meu dragoste,” he told her, speaking in Romanian. “I am here to protect you.” he crooned in the same language, rocking her.

  The other couples on the plane were in awe of his quick response to her panic. He ordered her a tumbler of whiskey and soothed her in Romanian until she managed to calm down somewhat.

  “Forgive me,” she said to him still speaking in Romani. The others remained riveted as they watched the two interact.

  “Please, meu inimã, there is nothing to forgive.” he reassured her. “You were afraid. We will overcome those fears together.”

  She’d forgotten the others on the plane for that minute and relaxed against him.

  “We will rest a minute and then join our friends,” he told her.

  When she would have bolted upright in his lap, he restrained her. “It is a long trip, Nina, rest or I will kiss you soundly right here in front of everyone!” he had a wicked gleam in his black magic eyes.

  She stared into those mesmerizing eyes and melted. He murmured words she couldn’t quite catch and her eyelids became heavy. She couldn’t fight the fatigue pulling at her. Against her will, she began to doze.

  *

  Nina’s fear had surged through Vasile like an electric current when the plane took off. He was so joined with her that any swell in emotion would draw him to her. Sharing her unpleasant memories was almost as important to him as saving her from further harm.

  He noticed that when her fear was greatest she reverted to the tongue of her biological parents. He wondered if hearing it while she had been in the coma and during her recovery had embedded it into her. He wondered what else was embedded into her mind.

  Vasile didn’t have to wonder what his administrative staff thought about the exchange between himself and Nina. He listened as the couples chatted.

  “Told ya, Bill!” crowed one of the International Banking department heads. “I knew Drac was doin’ her!” before Vasile could feel ire over that description, a ringing slap could be heard.