Carpathian 03 - Dark Gold

melt. "I'm big, Alex, not a baby. I want to take care of you. That's my job."
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    She raised her eyebrows. "I thought I was the one in charge."
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    "Aidan says you only think you're in charge but that we have to let you think that because women like to think they're in control, but men have to protect them."
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    Her blue eyes met golden ones over the blond curls. "He said all that, did he? That's a lot of thinks , Joshua. I am in charge, not Aidan."
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    Joshua smiled conspiratorially at Aidan. Aidan mouthed, "I told you so." Both looked at her in complete innocence, their expressions so similar, it unexpectedly turned her heart over.
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    Joshua moved closer to Alexandria, playing with the braid hanging over her shoulder. She could hear his heart beat, hear the blood pounding and surging through his young body. All at once she was aware of the pulse beating in his neck. Every stroke, every beat. Horrified, she thrust him away from her and jumped to her feet, searching for a way out. She had to run as far and as fast as she could, away from Joshua. She was a monster!
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    Aidan moved so swiftly, she didn't even see him coming, yet he was there with her, his arms Generated by ABC Amber LIT Conv erter, http://www.processtext.com/abclit.html
    surrounding her, holding her captive and still. "It is nothing, cara , only your heightened senses."
    His voice was barely discernible, yet she heard him clearly. The tone was soft and gentle and calm. "Do not be alarmed."
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    "I can't risk being near him. What if you're wrong? What if I still have the vampire's blood in me?
    I couldn't bear it if I harmed Joshua. I can't be here with him."
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    She kept her voice low, muffled against his chest, a whisper of sound that tugged at Aidan's heart. He pulled her closer into the shelter of his arms, felt her relax instinctively against him. She didn't trust him, didn't know him, but her body did. "You could never harm the child, Alexandria, never. I know you feel hunger, that you are unusually weak. Your body has been through a tremendous ordeal, your mind has suffered a trauma, but nothing could ever induce you to harm Joshua. I know it absolutely." His voice was soothing black velvet seeping into her mind, a balm.
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    She allowed him to hold her, to calm her, as she rested her head against his hard frame. She could hear his heart beating the same rhythm as her own. He was so calm, so gentle, his voice never rising, always so certain, so confident. A solid rock to lean on. Of their own volition, her lungs slowed to match his breathing pattern.
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    Aidan stroked her hair, massaging the nape of her neck as he drank in the scent of her. "Better now?"
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    She nodded and stepped away from him just as an older couple approached. Alexandria recognized the woman carrying a tray with two long-stemmed cut crystal wineglasses and three English bone china mugs. The man behind her carried a tray with a bottle of red wine and a pitcher of something steaming.
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    Marie flashed Alexandria a tentative smile. "It's good to see you up and around. Are you feeling better now?"
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    Aidan's hand on Alexandria's neck tightened perceptibly. His thumb stroked across her pulse, once, twice, a gesture meant to soothe even as it served notice that he was in control.
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    Alexandria's chin lifted. "I'm fine, Marie, thank you. It was good of you to try to help me while Aidan was gone." She sounded sweet and polite, wishing the entire time that she could detect a hint of corruption in any of these people. She was determined not to like them, not to be drawn into their circle. She didn't want to be lured into a trap by the silken web of this fantasy home, this place of beauty. The older couple seemed warm and giving, looking into each other's eyes with love, looking at Aidan and Joshua—her Joshua—with great affection. She wanted to see none of it.
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    The trays were placed on the coffee table, and Aidan reached with lazy contentment for the bottle of wine. Marie poured hot cocoa from the steaming silver pitcher into three mugs. "Joshua loves his hot chocolate before bedtime, don't you, honey?"
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    The boy eagerly accepted the mug and grinned mischievously up at Marie. "Not as much as you and Stefan do."
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    Alexandria's stomach was rebelling at the sight and smell of the chocolate. Aidan handed her a wineglass and filled it with the ruby-colored liquid. Even as she shook her head, he was pushing it toward her lips, his golden eyes