Poisonous Pleasure (18 page)

“It’s two in the morning. He’s probably asleep. Why was Ambrose in your hotel room while you were dressed like…that?” Dominic walked over to the bed picking up her nightgown from next to his pillow.

“I just got home. I changed and was headed to bed when he walked out of my restroom. He heard that I was asking around for him.”

“Oh, where were you?”

“Dominic, really, come on. You know exactly where I was.”

“At two in the morning? Were you out partying?”

“No, not partying, asking questions.”

Marcella walked to the wall looking in at a very angry Ambrose. She made a chair appear next to him but he still stood. Rubbing her eyes sleepily, she turned to Dom. “Will the wall hold if I go back to my room and go to sleep? I don’t think I have the energy to take his soul tonight. I’m about to drop here.”

“I’m not sure. I’ve never seen you do this besides that one day. You can sleep in the bed if you want. I’ll stay awake and watch over him. Just…please don’t leave.”

Perplexed, she looked at his hurt features. “Dominic, I’m not sure that’s such a good idea. I can’t…” Marcella took a deep breath. “I think it’ll make things worse.”

“It won’t. I would never do anything to upset you, but do you know how much I miss you? I’m empty without you here. I’ll never lie to you again, I promise.”

“So Jason keeps telling me. Dom, I trusted you. I
need
to be able to trust you and I’m not sure that I can. What happens if something else tragic occurs? Are you going to keep that from me too just to spare my feelings?”

“No, never again. As long as I can be there to help you through it, I’ll take whatever comes. Please just give me a chance to prove myself to you. After we’re done with Ambrose, stay here with me. You can have this room, I’ll find another. Just let me see your face. Let me hear you laugh.”

“I don’t know.” Marcella changed into a collector and climbed in the bed, fighting to keep her eyes open. “I’ll have to think about it. Tonight, I sleep here just to see if the wall holds. Tomorrow’s a different story.”

“All right.” He placed a chair next to the bed and sat down. “As long as I have you for tonight, I’m okay with that.”

The last of his words echoed into her subconscious while days of deprived sleep took a hold of her fast, pulling her in an abyss of darkness. She welcomed it, giving herself over to it fully. Never had she been happier to be back in the bed she’d become accustomed to.

* * * *

Dominic sat staring at Marcella’s sleeping form. She was beautiful, so much more so than he remembered. Nine days felt longer than all of his days of existing. Leaning in, he took in her unique fragrance, letting it drift through his body. Now that he had her here, sleep was the last thing from his mind. He’d stay awake forever watching her if he could. The half hour he’d spent so far didn’t feel nearly long enough.

“What is it you plan to do with me?” Ambrose asked from the chair he finally rested in.

“That’s none of your concern. Just…be quiet.” Dominic raised his hand trying to stress the point.

Turning back to stare at Marcella, he ignored the master vampire’s sigh. All he wanted was to be left alone in his own little world with just the two of them, but Ambrose kept interrupting his thoughts.

“I don’t see how I can help you trapped behind this thing you have me in. Let me out and I’ll do whatever you wish.”

“I said be quiet. If you wake her you’re going to piss me off and trust me, you
don’t
want to do that.”

“You love her very much. I can tell.”

“Yes, of course I do. She’s my angel. My everything.”

“So why did you lie to her? You did lie, didn’t you? She wouldn’t be staying in a hotel room if you did not. And why is it she is there, and not you? Did you not give her the option to stay in this grand house of yours?”

Dominic watched him extend his arms to show the room. Annoyance stirred inside of him. “Do you ever stop talking?”

“They’re simple questions, no?”

“They’re annoying questions, but if you must know, yes I lied. And no, I didn’t give her the option because she vanished. But if she wouldn’t have, I would have gladly left. Not knowing where she was made me sick to my stomach.”

“What lie could be so bad that she would leave?”

“None of your business. Now go to sleep, or something. Just let me spend these hours with her. It may be the last time I get to see her sleep.”

Silence filled the room and Dominic went back to focusing on Marcella. He wanted to memorize every curve that made up her body, the way her breasts rose slightly and fell deeply while she exhaled. The smallest details about her, he wanted to lock away in his memory, forever.

“Do you think she would like you watching her?”

Dominic growled lowly shooting his gaze in Ambrose’s direction. “I said be quiet. One more word and I put a gag on you and tie you to the chair. Don’t think I won’t do it. I won’t even have to leave where I’m sitting to make it happen.”

“I believe you, demon. My worry lies for the girl. You’re very unstable. Do you know that?”

“Tell me about it. Now enough.”

Picking up a lock of Marcy’s hair, he slid the silk between his fingers. So many times he weaved his hands through the tresses while making love to her. Never once, did he think he’d miss the feel. The thought, never crossed his mind.

He lifted the loose curl to his nose and took another breath, holding in the fragrance for as long as he could. The change in her breathing made him freeze. The silk fell from his fingers and he quickly pulled back.

“Not so brave now, are you demon?”

The words muted as he watched her turn over toward him in her sleep. Like a child, she curled into a ball. Fascinated, he watched her expressions change. He wasn’t sure what she was dreaming of, but it didn’t look alarming enough to wake her.

“Dom,” she whispered.

A smile appeared on his face as he leaned toward her. “Yes, Marcella,” he whispered back. Her face turned toward the mattress only to move back in front of him.

“Dom,” she said louder.

The smile melted away at the tear that rolled from her closed eyes. Again, she repeated his name, flinging herself to her back. He looked down at the mattress angry at himself for lying to her. Being without her had been pure torture, no doubt she’d felt something similar. All mates went through pain if separation occurred, whether they wanted to be split up or not.

“Dominic!” She flew into a sitting position, repeatedly screaming his name. On impulse, his arms wrapped around her, and pulled her small body to his lap. Seeing her distressed brought tears to his own eyes. Cradling her, he began rocking her gently in his arms.

“I’m so sorry, love.” He wasn’t sure what else to say. Slowly, he looked down and realized she never truly woke up. Not wanting to let her go, and afraid he would truly wake her, he leaned forward and grabbed the blanket, covering her in his arms. The warmth and familiarity soon settled in his body and Dominic‘s eyes heavily fell shut.

* * * *

“So, that’s how you managed to capture, my Ambrose. With the same thing you used against me. Very clever, collector. He would have eaten you alive.”

“I have no doubt.”

Gwendolyn shifted on the bed, lying on her stomach to stare toward the chair Marcella sat in. Her eyes began to grow heavy as dawn quickly made its approach.

“So you know I am not truly master, why are you here?”

“I plan to get to that part soon. There isn’t much left to tell.”

“You’ve had Ambrose for a month. I’m sure there’s plenty to tell.”

Marcella smiled. “You’ll see. Ambrose is very…amusing.”

Gwen yawned, smiling. “Yes, amusing, he is. Now, collector, try to make this fast. I fear I’m not sure how much more I can listen to before I fall asleep.”

“I’ll try.” Looking at her watch Marcella realized she’d been telling the story now for four hours. She, herself, felt ready to pass out. The thought of asking the vampire to scoot over teased her mind, but she pushed herself forward ready to get this over with and face her fate.

Chapter 11

“Well, I can see you two made up. About damn time. If I would have had to go back and forth one more time, I think I would have lost my mind. Wait, who in the hell is this?”

Marcella blinked her eyes, trying to focus her vision on Jason. The familiar background that rested behind him quickly grabbed her attention. Confused, Marcella turned and looked up. Dom’s face not inches from hers caused her to jerk and fall backward from the chair. A scream didn’t even make its way out before she hit the ground.

“You had a bad dream. It’s not what you think. Ask, Ambrose.” Dominic raised his hands in an innocent gesture.

She turned toward the vampire and looked back at her mate. “He’s sleeping. I can’t ask him. Jason, where were you? I tried calling, but you didn’t answer. I needed your help last night.”

“I’m sorry, Marcy. I never heard it ring. How did you find him, anyway?”

“She’s been going out. He heard she was looking for him and he showed up in her room.”

Jason’s eyes quickly shot back to her. “You were going out after I left? Why didn’t you say something? I could have gone with you! What if something bad would have happened? Did you think Dom or I wouldn’t worry?”

“He needed to be found. And I knew you were tired after sitting bored with me in a room all day, so I let you go home and sleep. Plus, I can take care of myself.”

Marcella quickly changed her gown for a pair of jeans and a t-shirt. Walking to the invisible wall, she placed her hand along the energy force. Concentrating, she made sure she blocked the sound from entering. Ambrose didn’t need to hear what she was going to say. “I’m going to go in there with him. If anything happens, whatever you do, don’t remove that wall.
No matter what
.” She stressed the words making sure they understood.

“Absolutely not!” Jason walked forward. “You don’t know what he’s capable of. He might hurt you.”

“But he can’t kill me, can he? I need to talk to him, explain what it is I’m meant to do. Maybe he’ll comply, if not, we’ll have to do it forcefully.”

“No one will willingly hand over their soul, Marcy. I’m telling you it’s crazy. Don’t do it. We’ll just figure out a way to hold him down while you take it.”

Dom came forward. “Jason, you have to let her try. I don’t like her plan either, but I’m willing to let her give it a shot.”

Marcella looked toward her mate and quickly turned away. The pain was still too fresh, and for him to display his trust, hurt. “Thank you.” Closing her eyes, she let herself break through the wall. The ripple of the energy shut behind her and caused her ears to pop. She looked down at the sleeping vampire, admiring his beauty. Something about him tugged at her memory.

“Ambrose, wake up. We need to talk.”

The paleness of his form didn’t move. Leaning down she gripped his shoulder, shaking it gently. “Ambrose.”

The feel of her hair wrapped around her face as she was suddenly spun around and slammed into the floor. Panicked, she raised her hand toward the guys. “Don’t break the wall!” Fangs sunk into her neck making her eyes close. Pleasure exploded throughout her as Ambrose’s body covered hers.

Dominic stalked toward them but paused just outside. “Don’t,” Marcella whispered. Fire infested her body while a hand wrapped around her hip and the other around the back of her neck. The master vampire moaned against her throat, gripping tighter with his fingers.

Unrecognizable flashes covered Marcy’s vision, flickering so fast she couldn’t decipher what they meant. Paralyzed, she stared blindly at the ceiling watching the light hallowing from behind the projection, eventually dying out with the pictures. Her world turned black while her mind fought to break the vampire’s hold. Hollow voices registered in the background, but the words were muffled making it impossible to decipher what they were saying. Trying her hardest to listen, she was surprised when a clear laugh broke through.

“Marcella, you really didn’t think Ambrose would be so easy now did you?”

“Samael? Where are you? I can’t see anything? What in the hell happened? Wasn’t he just feeding?”

“Of course you would think that. You’re in-between right now, sort of dead in a way, but not quite. I’ve taken the job of being your angel since I figured you needed one. Are you ready to give up your so called life with your men? I can end this now, and you can be happy here with me.”

Marcella internally groaned, surprised she could hear it against the open expanse. “No that’s okay. I’d rather stay with Dom and Jason, thank you.”

“Are you sure? You feel so miserable inside.”

“Send me back!”

“Okay, but I’ll be seeing you, again. Have fun.”

Air pushed into Marcella’s lungs causing her chest to ache. Jason and Dominic looked enraged as their hands rested along the wall. Ambrose stood staring at them, blood dripping from his mouth. No one noticed her laying there with her eyes open. Every inch of her body began burning with heat. Angry, she tapped on the energy, catching everyone’s attention.

“Thank God! I thought he killed you for sure,” Jason said, angry tears coming to his eyes. Ambrose stared down at her amazed.

“What in the hell did you do to me? This shit burns. You better hope it stops soon or else it’s not looking so good for you.”

“You’re not dead?” The vampire took a step back, clearly not sure how to take the news.

“Not even close. You see, I can’t die. Do you know what I am?”

“You’re a collector. I heard you say it, but it can’t be true.” He collapsed to the chair and rested his head in his hands.

“Then you know what I need from you.”

“I will not give you my soul. It’s the only thing I have remotely left of my humanity. You can’t have it.”

Marcella sighed. “Look. I understand why you wouldn’t want to part with it. Hell, no one knows better than me. But I do have to have it. Tell me, you drank my blood, what did you see?”

“You lost your family not long ago. You’re a good person. This…thing, that’s happened to you. It’s another personality, another form of you, but we both know your collector doesn’t define who you are.”