MIDNIGHT CONQUEST: Book 1 of the Bonded By Blood Vampire Chronicles (29 page)

“Davina, when you don’t want to do something, you won’t do it, so my talking you into coming down here with me has nothing to do with you being here. Take care of what you must.” With those final words, Rosselyn left Davina alone to make her decision. Davina stood with her mouth open and watched Rosselyn march to Nicabar’s caravan, rap on the door, and disappear inside.

“Hrmph.”

So, why am I here?
Though not willing to breach the forbidden subjects of mystical signs and Angus, she did want someone to talk to who shared the same losses she had. Davina envied Broderick’s ability to deal with the past hurts. Maybe on that common ground they could delve into deeper subjects.
Aye, that would be a more proper approach.

Feeling somewhat justified and more courageous about speaking to him, she proceeded to the tent and was surprised to find Amice gone. A noise from the wagon told her the old Gypsy must be inside, rumbling around for something. Or that could have been her granddaughter. Davina peeked into the tent, thinking Amice may be in there.

No voices came from the inside. As she leaned to peer in, taking care to be silent lest Broderick had a customer, the thick aroma of incense greeted her nostrils, a smell she had become quite fond of. Davina touched her hand to her hot cheeks at the arousal the scent stirred, but the warmth on her face paled in comparison to the sudden heat rising up from her belly, which spread through the length of her body. Amice was not in the tent, but Broderick sat behind his table, as pleasant as you please, and a rather comely woman sitting on his lap. They seemed absorbed in some kind of conversation for their ears alone—their faces so close and intimate to each other, Broderick’s hands gripping the woman’s arms just above her elbows.

She cleared her throat and stepped into the tent.

Davina almost gasped, but maintained enough control over her astonishment to keep her exasperation private. Amice’s granddaughter sat on Broderick’s lap. Veronique smiled triumphantly at Davina, and gave Broderick a hard kiss on his lips before slipping from his lap and sauntering out of the tent.

Davina bunched her fists and her body became rigid. How dare he pursue her with such determination when he had a willing subject right under his nose! Just one woman couldn’t satisfy him? Or did he have an entire string of women everywhere he went? How many other Gypsy women did he bed?

“Dost thou speak?” he asked in a mocking tone.

“Not to you!” Davina turned to leave and gasped when Broderick caught her up short by a steel grip on her arm.

“Now bide a moment, fair lady.” He stole his arms around her in a tight embrace. Twisting and arching her body, she sought freedom, but he kept her pinned to his massive frame.

Davina’s arms were trapped between them, so she couldn’t flail her fists on him to work out her frustrations. “You ox!”

“What
has
you so riled?” His face held nothing but amusement, encouraging her wrath.

“You are a rogue!” she cursed. “Nothing but a rake! A cad! A beast! A cur!” She stuttered, continuing to struggle.

“Run out of insults, milady?”

“Give me a moment!”

He threw his head back and laughed, the rich sound vibrating through her body. After his bout of laughter, he repeated his question. “Something must vex you so, Davina.”

“Nothing you should know.” Her body began to tire from her constant wrestling.

“Ah, but I would very much like to know.” His mouth descended upon hers, but she at least had enough freedom to dodge him.

She stopped fighting, her breath ragged. “Release me.”

“I sense a bit of jealousy, Davina.”

Heat crept into Davina’s cheeks. “Certainly not!” she denied, even though she knew very well he could divine the truth.

“There is nothing between the lass and myself,” he supplied. “In spite of what you saw.”

Davina remained silent, willing away the torrent of jealousy and humiliation eating through her insides. She avoided his gaze by taking an interest in the oil lamp hanging on an iron frame.

“But why you should even care is beyond me,” he breathed against her ear.

Though very entrancing, she resisted his spell. “I care not.” More heat stole into her face, for even though she knew he could read her thoughts, she remained stoical as her final act of defiance.

Broderick released her, the humor gone from his eyes, and bowed with apparent respect. “Then I’m mistaken, milady, and you’re free to go.” Turning as if he lost interest in the subject, he sat back down at his table and crossed his arms.

Davina stood dumbfounded, not ready for this response. She expected him to continue fighting with her, pursuing her, handling her.

Broderick raised an eyebrow. “Tell me, Davina. Why are you here?”

She stood perplexed at the simple question she had barely been able to answer herself.

“To have your palm read?”

“Nay, I…” Her voice trailed off, all of the energy and reasons leaving her in a rush.

“I don’t make it a habit to read someone’s palm more than once.” His iron gaze belied the casual conversation he attempted.

“Then I shall bother you no more,” she whispered and turned to leave.

“Pray, say something to me, Davina.” A great deal of emotion laced his voice, as if he struggled to maintain control over something lying just beneath the surface.

She faced him. “How do you do it?” Her voice constricted and, to her surprise, she blinked back prickling tears. Clearing her throat, she pushed through her apprehension. “How do you go on after such a great loss?”

“Honestly, I’ve not explored it myself.” He motioned for her to sit across from him.

Davina hesitated, but not wanting to seem disrespectful, now that Broderick made efforts to open up to her with his invitation, she pushed through her fears and sat down.

Broderick sighed. “I know not how much I can help you, Davina. ‘Tis much grief and underlying hate you hold inside. I’ve sensed them; heard fleeting thoughts about them, but you close your mind up like a steel trap.” He leaned forward and held out his hand. “If you let them go, if you allow yourself to feel this pain so I may also feel it, I might be able to give you some answers.”

Broderick offered his hand.

Chapter Ten

He could hear some of her internal struggle, but at this moment, panic dominated the battle raging inside her, and almost drowned out any other thoughts. He could sense she feared opening up to him, but he also sensed a fear
of
him and some confusion over what Broderick was—flashes of the silver glow in his eyes peeking through the cacophony of emotions. He cringed and tried to maintain an inviting and encouraging presence.

“Let me help you, Davina,” he whispered.

Davina implored him with her eyes. She darted her attention from his hand to his face and back again. Finally, she stretched out her trembling hand, and Broderick released his breath at last.

He closed his eyes. Flashes of the night Broderick pursued her on horseback rushed through his mind as soon as he touched her skin. Images of his dark figure chasing her through the forest assaulted him, and a gripping terror coursed through his arms, followed by his own remorse. “I’m sorry to have frightened you so that night,” he offered, his voice raspier than he expected. Visions of a menacing man invaded his mind. He recognized this man as the one he envisioned when he tasted Davina’s blood from her dagger. “Who is this man? Is this who you thought of when I pursued you?”

When she tried to answer, he understood she had trouble speaking over her emotions.

Just answer me by thinking, Davina,
he communicated, implanting his thoughts into her mind.

Her brows raised in surprise. After a moment, the tension eased from her body.
Thank you
. She inhaled deeply.
Aye, he’s the man I thought of when you chased me, but the thought was irrational.

Why is that?

Because he’s dead.

Broderick tried to soothe Davina by rubbing her palm, massaging her flesh with the warm oil on the table, confident relaxing her would be the key to getting the information about Angus. However, that proved to illicit provocative images. Davina’s thoughts went to their romantic struggle after he’d pulled her from her horse. Just as Broderick opened his mouth to warn her of straying to an erotic subject, a tremor vibrated through his body as Davina relived the sensation of his fingers touching the wet folds between her legs.

A tortured moan escaped him and Broderick swept around the table, pulling Davina into his arms. She stood breathless before him, clinging to him, with pleading eyes and full lips quivering and tempting. He came close to claiming her lips, but hesitated, trying to gain control of his urges. “Davina,” he breathed against her mouth. “If you share such thoughts with me, I cannot be responsible for my actions.”

Her cheeks colored and she stammered as he gazed into her eyes. He swooned from the intoxicating effect of her swirling emotions on his senses—desire, excitement, fear.

She opened her mouth to speak, but no words came forth.
I am so very sorry. I—

Sitting down, his own legs almost too weak to stand, he set her upon his lap. He composed himself enough to ask with amusement in his voice, “Are you going to behave?”

Davina cleared her throat and tried to stand, but he wouldn’t let her. This lighter subject at least allowed her to find her voice. “How can I behave, sir, if you won’t let me up from such a provocative position?”

Her loitering in the jesting mood encouraged him to carry on their intimate game, and he still refused to release her.

“Broderick, must our encounters always turn amorous?” she teased.

He chuckled. “I must confess, dear lady, I can think of naught else when I hold you.” What was it about this woman’s voice that undulated through his body and had his cock leaping to attention? Even now, as she strained to get up, her bottom rubbed against the sensitive head. “Need I remind you—you started this with those explicit images.”

She tried to rise for a second time, but couldn’t yield against his strength, and giggled. “Please, I promise to behave.”

Just as he was about to let her up, a deep grumble filled the tent as someone cleared their throat with a great, loud effort. Davina gasped and pushed away from Broderick, wanting to leap out of his embrace. But, Broderick made that a difficult task with his arms around her, holding her tight against his lap.

Broderick smiled at their visitor. “‘Tis good to see you again, sir, but as you can see, I have another client.”

Davina gasped. “Mr. Samuels! What a…” She seemed to flounder for the right words in this awkward situation. “Pleasant surprise.” Davina put her hands to her flushed face at seeing one of the townsfolk from Strathbogie.

An uncomfortable Mr. Samuels wrung his hat with his hairy-knuckled hands. “Mistress Davina.” He also seemed at a loss for words. “‘Tis good to see you, milady. I’m begging your pardon, Broderick. I heard nothin’ inside and I saw no one outside of the tent, so I ventured in.”

Without appearing to struggle, Broderick felt Davina continue to push against his arms, but he still held her tight. “This session will conclude in just a moment, sir,” Broderick said calmly, and as if nothing unusual were happening. “Would you like to bide by the fire until I call for you?”
Please take my suggestion and leave!
His distress grew as Davina continued to struggle in his lap, rubbing her delightful bottom against his arousal.

“Nay, sir! I won’t trouble you. I just wanted to tell you everything you said last week is comin’ true, and I came to thank you.” Mr. Samuels tried very hard to avoid eye contact with Davina. Embarrassment colored his cheeks, matching his thoughts about the awkwardness of catching them in this intimate encounter.

“You found the woman you’re to marry? So soon, Mr. Samuels?”

“Oh, Clyde, please. And aye, the perfect woman, sir! We met eight years ago and then lost touch for a couple of seasons. She just came back into my life. ‘Tis amazing how the perfect woman was right under me nose, a friend and someone dear to me family. I was blind not to see it until now. We wish to be wed in the spring and plan on havin’ a few wee bairn!” Caught up in the news of his new family, he seemed to relinquish the awkward situation.

“Glad to hear it, Clyde! Congratulations!” Broderick did not stand to shake his hand.