cheeks.
Deep soothing tones broke through her terror and eased her shattered senses. At his
urging, she had taken a long hot bath and tucked herself in bed. She drifted off to sleep to
the sound of him singing. She didn't understand the words, but somehow she knew it was
a lullaby from his childhood."I promised you I would protect you," he reminded her.
Curling her arm around her pillow, she had slept.
She woke once in the middle of the night and could feel his arms wrapped around her.
His large body was practically covering hers in a protective embrace. Heat radiated from
him and Johanna snuggled closer.
One of his hands flattened against her stomach before slowly inching its way up to her
breasts. Lazily, he circled one breast and then another, kneading the supple skin with his
fingers before placing his palm over one of her distended nipples. She'd been cold when
she'd first awoken, but now she was burning with desire.
She could feel his hot breath on her neck as his lips nibbled the sensitive skin of her
nape. Moaning, she tilted her head forward, giving him better access to her throat. His
low, sexy laugh made goose bumps rise on her flesh, and she shivered. His sharp teeth
closed around the lobe of her ear and he tugged gently on it before tracing the whorls of
her ear with his tongue.
Johanna could feel his cock prodding at her behind, so she pushed her bottom back
against it and was rewarded when he groaned and tugged her even closer to him. "You
are pure temptation," he growled in her ear.
She felt like a temptress. Wild and wanton. After the close escape tonight, she wanted to
reaffirm that she was alive. Her blood was pumping through her veins, thick with desire.
"I want you." Her voice was little more than a seductive whisper.
His hands left her suddenly and she felt bereft without them. Then just as quickly, they
were back on her waist, turning her so that she was flat on her back in the bed with him
looming over her, large and dangerous. His eyes were hard, edged with a need that only
she could fulfill. Johanna arched her back, thrusting her breasts towards him, and was
rewarded when the heat in his eyes grew hotter and his nostrils flared with desire.
His mouth took hers in a searing kiss that set fire to her entire body. Her breasts ached
and she could feel the moisture pooling between her thighs. Clutching his shoulders, she
tried to bring him closer to her. But he was in control now and touched her nowhere but
her mouth. His tongue dueled with hers as he plundered her mouth.
Johanna rubbed her hands across the hard planes of his chest, wanting to stroke him
everywhere. His hard muscles flexed beneath her fingers and his entire body turned to
stone when she brushed his nipples with the tips of her fingers.
Cris sat back between her spread thighs and cupped her breasts, pinching the tips lightly
between his thumb and forefinger. Need built inside her, deep, hard and hot. Her legs
moved restlessly on the sheets as she hooked them over his hips, trying to draw him
closer.
As if sensing her need for more, Cris slid his hands down the curves of her sides,
caressing her hips before coming to rest on her inner thighs. Thrusting her legs wide
apart, he lowered his head to her pussy, nuzzling the damp, slick folds before licking the
heated flesh. Johanna clutched the back of his head, pulling him closer to her.
"More!" she cried as she tugged on his hair.
Cris swirled his tongue around her clit before flicking it softly. At the same time, he
pushed two of his fingers deep inside her empty sex. Her inner muscles clamped down on
his fingers as he moved them in and out in a steady motion. Sensations of pure fire filled
her as her body strained for release.
She was close, so close to coming, when Cris pulled back again and sat between her legs.
He was like a pagan conqueror, darkly beautiful and exciting, as his eyes devoured her.
"Take what you want." His voice was thick with need and touched her deep inside. A
wildness overtook her. A compulsion to claim him as hers.
she would take what she wanted. What she needed. His chest glistened in the moonlight
that shone through the window and she was reminded again just how massive and strong
her dream lover was. Muscles bulged in his thighs, chest, and shoulders as he sat there.
The only movement was the twitching of his cock as she moved closer.
Placing her hands on his rock-hard thighs, she moved them slowly towards his groin. He
didn't move, but she could sense the tenseness in his body. His cock thrust out in front of
him, proud and straining for her touch. She licked her lips as she stared at him, wanting to
taste his masculine flavor. Liquid flowed from her pussy and she could feel it slip down
her inner thighs. She was so hot for him.
Wrapping her hand around his length, she pumped it up and down, loving the feel of him
against her skin. It was hard and soft at the same time, steel covered in velvet. And she
had to taste it. Bending her head, she licked a pearl of liquid off the tip. He groaned and
his hands came up to grip her head, holding her in place.
Johanna smiled. Asif she'd stop now. She'd only just begun to explore. Swirling her
tongue around the bulbous head, she lapped at it, loving the way he tasted. Closing her
lips over the top, she sucked hard, moaning with delight as even more liquid seeped from
the tip.
Taking as much of him into her mouth as she could, she pumped her hand in a steady
rhythm as she moved them both up and down his cock. Cris used his grip on her head to
guide her to the motion that he wanted. Johanna could feel him straining against her, and
slipped her other hand down, cupping the sac hanging between his legs. As she massaged
his balls, she could feel them tighten against his body.
With every stroke, she took him deeper. Using her tongue, she traced the dark blue vein
that ran the length of his cock, enjoying his groan of pleasure. His fingers tightened their
grip on her hair until it was almost painful, making her feel powerful and wanton.
Plunging her mouth down over him, she sucked his erection deeper into her moist depths
until she could feel him touching the back of her throat, purring with pleasure as she did
so. The vibration surrounded his swollen cock, causing it to twitch within her mouth.
His hips jerked towards her, thrusting his length as hard and deep as she could take him.
She stroked the spot just below his testicles with her fingers as she continued to suck hard
on him. Her entire body was thrumming with desire and his arousal was feeding her own
into frenzy.
The next time she reached the tip, he popped his cock out of her mouth. In one motion,
he yanked her up and impaled her on his length. Her pussy clenched around him as he
pushed her down on top of him, her arousal coating his cock and easing the way.
With his hands cupping her bottom, he thrust her up and down his cock. His fingers dug
into the flesh of her ass, squeezing and massaging it. Johanna threw back her head,
wrapped her hands around his neck and rode him.
Her whole body was vibrating now and she knew she was close. When her orgasm
exploded within her, she heard him growl and then she felt his mouth on her throat. His
teeth pierced the skin and she could feel him feeding off her blood as her body milked his
cock to completion.
She felt the moment he came deep within her still-pulsing flesh. His orgasm caused
spasms deep within her once again. Her body trembled as pleasure continued to course
through her veins until he finally pulled his fangs from her neck and ran his tongue over
the small wound to heal it. Johanna slumped against Cris, totally exhausted and replete.
He held her in his arms for a long time with his cock still buried deep. She rested against
his chest, feeling totally safe and cherished. Finally, he sighed and lifted her off of his lap
and tucked her under the covers.
"Don't leave me yet," she pleaded when he tugged the sheets over her.
"I'll always be with you," he promised as he wrapped her in his strong embrace.
Contented, Johanna drifted off into a deep, healing sleep.
When she awoke the next morning, she was alone in her bed. The local news was
focused on the capture of a man who was wanted for the rape and assault of several
college girls. The police had apprehended him the night before when he'd been struck by
a car. Witnesses reported seeing a girl fleeing from the man. Johanna had known she was
in trouble the night before, but it was at that moment she really understood what Cris had
saved her from.
Focusing her attention back to the present, she realized that while she'd been
daydreaming, she'd finally reached the end of the dirt road. Approaching the tall,
forbidding castle, Johanna only hoped that her phantom lover was with her now. His
voice had been strangely silent since she'd landed inTransylvania, and tonight was the
full moon. She felt a little lost and bereft without it, as if a part of her was missing, and
she couldn't begin to imagine a night of the full moon without him.
Chapter Four
The courtyard in front of her was deserted as she hurried across the cobblestone path.
The sun was setting behind the mountains and she could hear an animal howling in the
distance. She told herself that it was probably just a dog, but she wasn't about to take any
chances.
Halting in front of a large wooden door that was easily seven feet high, Johanna
unhooked the briefcase strap from around her neck and shoulder. Dropping the briefcase,
she straightened her clothing the best she could. Her pantyhose were torn from her fall
and looked terrible. Hesitating for a moment, she looked around to make sure she was
alone before slipping off her shoes, bending over and peeling the hose down her legs.
Crumpling them up, she stuffed them in her jacket pocket. Slipping what remained of her
beautiful Italian leather shoes back on her feet, she took one final swipe at her skirt to rid
it of as much dust as possible.
Satisfied that she'd done all that she could, she took a deep breath and slowly released it.
Picking up her bag, she got a good grip on it before she raised the large brass knocker in
the middle of the door and let it fall. She waited and waited and waited.
Deciding they probably hadn't heard her, she banged on the door with her fist. Five
minutes later, she was still banging, but now she was yelling as well. "Anyone home?"
The sun had just set completely as the clicking of a set of locks being turned got her
attention. "It's about time," she muttered.
The huge door opened slowly, creaking as it went. Squinting slightly, Johanna could
make out the stone walls and an old wooden bench just inside the entryway, but she still
didn't see anyone.
Enough was enough. She walked over the threshold, reciting her favorite lines from
Stoker's book. "`Enter freely and of your own will! Come freely. Go safely, and leave
something of the happiness you bring!'"
She thought she was alone until a voice came out of the darkness. "Surely it's not as bad
as that. This is not Dracula's castle, but Dalakis Castle. We are much more civilized
here."
Feeling the heat creeping up her cheeks, Johanna decided that her only option was to
brazen it out. Tilting her chin up, she summoned her most professional voice. "Johanna
Harker from the Baxter Corporation to see Mr. Dalakis."
Inwardly, she was thankful that it was only the butler, or whatever his title was, who had
heard her. Hopefully, she'd have her papers signed and be out of here before Mr. Dalakis
heard about her little opening speech.
"It is a pleasure to meet you. I am Cristofor Dalakis." A tall, dark shadow moved from
behind the door and started towards her.
Johanna wished the floor would open up and swallow her whole. Shifting her briefcase
to her left hand, she stuck out her right one. "I'm sorry, Mr. Dalakis..." she began, but he
interrupted her.
"Call me Cris." The rich tone of his voice sent her senses reeling before his words
registered in her brain. Her head snapped up and she watched in horror as the man from
her dreams coalesced in the light of the full moon flooding the entrance.
Her briefcase fell from her nerveless finger, hitting the floor with a thud. Shaking her
head, she tried to deny the evidence in front of her. It had to be a trick of the light. Her
head was spinning as she watched him getting closer and closer to her. Blinking, she tried
to clear her fading vision, but it was no use. He was real. It was her last thought before
she felt darkness overtake her.
Cris moved quickly to catch her before she hit the stone floor, grateful for his
preternatural speed. He winced at the thought of her beautiful body being bruised, or
worse, seriously hurt. And it would have been his fault. In his eagerness to have her here,
he had taken her off guard and frightened her. Lifting her easily in his arms, he stopped
long enough to snag her briefcase off the floor before carrying her down the long stone
corridor and into the study.
A deep contentment filled him as he held her in his arms. Nothing would have pleased
him more than to keep her locked in his embrace all night long. But that was not possible.
He knew she would be frightened if she awoke that way, so he laid her on a long, plush
velvet sofa that sat in front of a roaring fire, and placed her leather bag next to her. It took
all the considerable willpower he possessed, but he forced himself to release her.
Waving his hand in the air, various candles around the room sprang to life. She didn't
stir, so he took his time and examined her thoroughly. He threaded his fingers through
her short brown hair. It was soft and silky and slid easily through his fingers in a cascade
of chocolate, coffee, and a touch of auburn. Even though her eyes were closed, he knew
they were a golden brown. Her slightly pointed nose and high cheekbones gave her an
inquisitive air. Her complexion was flawless to him, even though he knew she despised
the few freckles that scattered across her nose. They were hidden from view under a
carefully applied layer of makeup, but he knew they were there. Her lips were parted
slightly as she breathed easily. Unable to resist, he bent over her still form and kissed her
soft, waiting lips.
Johanna moaned and turned towards him, returning his kiss for a moment before her
eyes fluttered open. Stepping away from her, he retreated to the shadows by the fireplace
and watched her awaken. Like a little owl, she blinked several times, trying to get her
bearings.
Pulling herself upright, she ran a shaky hand through her hair and looked around the
room. Her eyes came to rest on him and she took a deep breath. "What happened?"
"You fainted." Johanna shivered slightly and ran her hands up and down her arms as if to
warm herself even though a roaring fire heated the room.
"I don't remember what happened." She frowned as she looked towards him. "I've never
fainted before in my life. I'm really not sure what happened, but I do apologize."
"You owe me no apology. It is I who owe you one." Slowly, he left the shadows and
walked towards her. "I'm afraid I startled you."
She stared at him as he approached, her look a combination of disbelief and amazement,
as she took an unsteady breath to calm herself. "This is impossible." Her voice was little
more than a strained whisper.
Cris hunkered down in front of her and her hand rose to touch him. It shook so badly that
he wrapped his own hand around hers and held it to his cheek.
"You're real." Her fingers lovingly traced the features of his face. As he watched, he
could see all her memories tumbling over themselves. She pulled her hand away and
scrambled backward towards the corner of the sofa.
"You're my dream man, but that's impossible." Johanna wrapped her arms around her
chest as if trying to ground herself in a world gone mad. "I don't understand how this is