"You're the one who's always bringing it up -"

His lips covered hers and she looped her arms around his neck. When they parted, she turned her back to him and said, "Unzip me, will you?"

He slid the down the zipper and slipped the dress off her shoulders. She shimmied out of it, allowing it to pool at her feet.

Vincent grasped her, dragging her bra-and-panty clad body to the hard length of his. "I just don't want you messin' with Seraphim, that's all. You're mine ."

"Oh am I?"

"We're married, right?"

She stared into his eyes, feeling both thrilled and a bit apprehensive at the possessiveness she saw there. "It's all right. He's too old for me. I don't think I want an actual cave man."

Vincent made a disbelieving sound and stepped away, unzipping his fly and tugging off his trousers. "That's a lot of bulls.h.i.t. He didn't come out of no cave."

"How do you know?"

"Trust me. He just thinks it sounds cool."

"He didn't strike me as the kind of guy who's interested in sounding cool. He's one of those mysterious, brooding vamps. The kind those mortals in Hollywood go nuts over."

Vincent snorted. "See what I mean? He knows what's cool without seeming like he knows what's cool. That's dangerous."

Trixie laughed. "You are jealous of him!"

"What the h.e.l.l for? See these pecs?" Vincent tore off his shirt and flexed his chest then held up his arm and made a fist, his muscle bulging, "and these 'ceps? Trust me. I've got nothing to be jealous about."

Inside Trixie screamed with laughter. Never had she imagined seeing Vincent Dilorenzo affected by anyone as much as by Kellen. The two must have had some rivalry in the past. "He's on the lean side, but he looks strong. He's got the Alpha scent, the dominant att.i.tude. Looks like he'd put up a h.e.l.l of a fight to me."

"He can fight all right," Vincent muttered.

"I knew it! You two had it out before." She clutched his shoulders. "What happened?"

Vincent grasped her wrists and shoved her onto the bed. "I don't want to talk about it."

"Why?" "Because I don't!"

Trixie stared at him, the smile fading from her lips. The expression in his eyes disturbed her. This was no longer a joke or petty jealousy. Whatever happened between Vincent and Seraphim must have been serious.

"Hey." She stood and wrapped her arms around him from behind, resting her cheek against his shoulder. "I'm sorry."

Taking her in his arms, he kissed her mouth and forehead. "It's not your fault. Kellen and I-let's just say our past is complicated. There's a lot of bad memories for both of us."

"It's all right. I don't know why I pushed. The past is a mortal obsession."

"I don't know." He shrugged. "Most of us are pretty interested in the Originals, and that's just about as far in the past as we can go."

"That's different."

"I guess."

"Still, if you ever want to talk about you and him..."

"Thanks, baby." He nuzzled her throat. "But right now I'm in the mood for action."

"Then let's get to it." She removed her panties and bra and sprawled on the bed, arms stretched above her head, her legs spread.

Vincent crawled on his hands and knees toward her from the foot of the bed. Trixie trembled with antic.i.p.ation as he paused between her legs, placed a hand on the bed on either side of her waist, and began lapping her c.l.i.t. She entangled her fingers in his hair and moaned with pleasure.

d.a.m.n, Dilorenzo, how can you think Yd rather have another guy? I don't know, baby. Must have been temporary insanity.

His tongue explored the delicate folds of her flesh while the tips of his fangs thrilled her to a quivering o.r.g.a.s.m.

Covering her body with his, he licked and nipped her earlobe, growling deep in his chest.

"Oh, Vi-"

"Vikenti!" he reminded her.

"Whatever!" She grasped his face and covered his mouth with hers, plunging her tongue inside while their fangs locked.

He rammed into her body in a single smooth thrust. Trixie clung to him, her fingers biting his shoulders. Her fangs slipped from their sheaths and simultaneously they bit each other's shoulders.

Trixie squeezed her eyes shut, simply feeling the intense pleasure of o.r.g.a.s.m and savoring the rich taste of Vincent's blood. Her hands roamed over his broad back, her fingertips pressing hard muscle.

She lost count of how many times she attained perfection. The taste of blood and sweat mingled, salty and bitter sweet, until he rolled off her and dragged her to his heaving chest.

"I have to get ready to go." He squeezed her, pressing his mouth to hers, the tips of his fangs indulging in one last taste. "Meeting Seraphim."

"Should I come?"

He shook his head and stood. "It's better if I talk to him alone this time."

"You're not going to hold out on me, are you, Dilorenzo?"

"No, baby." He turned his deep brown eyes to her, wearing his most sincere expression.

"I'll pick your brain if I think you're keeping something from me." "Whatever you need to know, I won't hold back." "I'm not sure I like the sound of that."

"Sorry." He shrugged. "I swear I won't let anything personal between me and him get in the way of what we've got to do."

"I believe you, but what about him ?"

Vincent's face twisted into a pained expression. "Tough to say. He holds one h.e.l.luva grudge."

"Grudge?" She sat up on her knees, brushing hair from her face. "I'm dying to find out what went on with you two. Come on, Vikenti!"

He dragged on his clothes, his eyes fixed on hers. "It's a long story. I haven't got time to tell it right now. Later."

"I'll hold you to that."

"Sure. I'm meeting him in the gym downstairs. I can use a workout anyway."

"Just make sure you keep your temper." Trixie stood and wrapped her arms around his neck, kissing him. Remember, we're all supposed to be on the same side.

Vincent chuckled. "As long as he knows it. The guy can be one of those loose cannons."

"He seems calculating to me."

"That too. Problem is, you never can tell which he's going to be." Vincent slapped Trixie's b.u.t.tocks. "See you in a while, baby. Don't have too much fun without me."

"Maybe I'll look up that red-headed hybrid."

Vincent paused, his hand on the doork.n.o.b, and fired an irritated look over his shoulder.

She winked. "Just kidding. I need to play with st.u.r.dier toys than that." "Don't I know it," Vincent said as he left the room.

Trixie sighed, folding her arms across her chest. Why the h.e.l.l did she like him so much? More important, what was going on between him and Seraphim Kellen?

Trixie showered and dressed in a blue silk pants suit, the low neckline exposing a good deal of cleavage. A sapphire dangled from an illusion necklace, the perfect length to call even more attention to her b.r.e.a.s.t.s. If she was going to play the part, why not go all the way? She braided her hair, applied light makeup-except for the blood red lipstick-and slipped her feet into leather pumps. Holding her hand out in front of her, she admired Vincent's engagement ring for the millionth time. Funny how just glancing at it made her belly quiver.

Don't be stupid, Trixie. You haven't acted like a fool over a guy since the Civil War, and you know how that ended. Getting h.o.r.n.y after a man who was madly in love with his own wife. Still, there had been something about that General Custer...

As she made her way down the hall, she noticed a half open door. A glance inside revealed Hannah running a comb through her dark blond hair. Trixie hesitated a moment, then knocked on the door. Perhaps the mortal could help her learn more about Seraphim-at least more than Vincent had told her.

The mortal turned startled eyes to the door, and Trixie heard her heartbeat quicken. She couldn't exactly blame her. Though Trixie had never taken pleasure in terrorizing mortals, she knew lots of vamps had a sick sense of humor and reveled in frightening creatures weaker than themselves. They reminded her of vicious mortal teens torturing cats for the h.e.l.l of it.

"h.e.l.lo." Trixie smiled. "Vikenti told me he and Seraphim were meeting for a workout. If you're not busy, perhaps we could talk?"

"Talk?" the woman looked skeptical.

"Don't worry. I like hybrid males for blood and Immaculates for s.e.x. I was thinking along the lines of some girl talk."

"You know I'm not a guest."

"I know, but Seraphim seems to treat you as such, and I'd like to learn more about my husband's old acquaintance."

"I'm afraid I won't be much help." Hannah approached the door. She wore an ankle-length red dress and a red lace choker around her neck. While the mortal was no beauty, she exuded sweetness and charm rare in a woman of her profession. "I haven't known him very long."

"How long have you worked for Sir Edward?" "A couple of months."

"What made you decide to come here?" Trixie asked as Hannah stepped out of the room and they made their way down the stairs.

"It has to do with my family."

"Children?"

Hannah shook her head. "A mother and sisters."

"Do you enjoy the work?"

"Not before a couple of days ago. Do we really have to talk about this?"

Trixie shrugged. "Not if you don't want to. So tell me about Seraphim. Is he a good tipper?"

Hannah appeared uncomfortable, even irritated. Still, she knew better than to say too much to a guest at Sir Edward's. She didn't seem like a wh.o.r.e at all, and Trixie started to wonder if she hadn't accidentally gotten in too deep. Mortals lucky enough to discover vampires' existence often got so enthralled by the species that they sought out the wrong kind of lover and ended up with more trouble than they could handle. Something told Trixie Hannah didn't really belong at Sir Edward's playground.

"Let's have a drink and take a walk," Trixie suggested. "Unless you're on duty or something?"

Hannah shook her head. "Seraphim's arranged to have me for...you know, I'm not sure how long."

"Really?" Trixie lifted an eyebrow. The man was either ultra hot after this mortal, or else she had some connection to the a.s.signment. Either way made Hannah interesting. "You must be a very special mortal."

"I don't think so." "Seraphim does."

"He's..." A dreamy smile touched Hannah's lips, erasing the sadness haunting her face. "He's very nice, especially for this place."

Trixie lifted an eyebrow and smirked.

"I'm sorry." Hannah's heartbeat quickened. "I didn't mean to offend you."

"Honey, it would take more than that to offend me. I admit what this place is. Maybe some of the guests like to pretend it's just an average resort, but everyone knows better."

"You're not like the others either, are you, Baroness?" Hannah's brow furrowed as she stared up at Trixie.

"I certainly hope not."

As Trixie and Hannah entered the room, both garnered appreciative looks from the male guests. The women approached the bar, ordered drinks, and walked back to the corridor.

"I've heard about Sir Edward's indoor garden. Can we see it?" Trixie took a sip of her drink. She allowed the liquid to roll around her tongue before swallowing. It was definitely rich and tasty, but unlike other blood she'd had. Was this the nectar of the Flower? Would Sir Edward be foolish and arrogant enough to serve it in his own private bar?

"This way." Hannah turned left and guided Trixie down a long, dim corridor opening to an enormous garden filled with exotic plants and trees.

"My goodness," Trixie murmured, staring at the stadium-high ceiling. "It's beautiful."

"Yes. It is. There are so many beautiful things in this house, it's hard to believe terrible things happen here."

"What kind of terrible things?"

"I shouldn't be talking."

"I won't tell."

Hannah smiled, though her eyes said, Sorry, but Vve heard that story before.

"Have you and Mr. Valerio been married long?"

"Not very. Have you ever been married?"