Carpathian 03 - Dark Gold

softly, the sound in her mind, not in her ear. It was blatant seduction and wrapped her in heat.
    
    "It's very late, Josh." She turned her attention to her brother to save herself. It was the only sane thing to do. "Time for bed."
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    Aidan leaned even closer, his lips brushing her ear. "Little coward."
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    "Ah, Alex, I don't wanna go to bed. I haven't seen you for days," Joshua wheedled.
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    "It's past midnight, young man. I'll stay with you and read you stories until you fall asleep," she promised.
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    Aidan stirred, a sleek movement of muscles, no more, but she felt the heavy weight of his disapproval. "Not tonight, Alexandria. You need rest, too. Marie can put the boy to bed."
    
    Marie was frantically signaling Aidan. She had already sensed Alexandria's ambivalence toward her and knew most of it stemmed from the impression of her usurping Alexandria's position with Joshua. Aidan was only making it worse with his dictatorial manner. As always, Aidan simply ignored what he didn't want to see. He had no intention of allowing Alexandria to do anything he thought might be harmful to her. Aidan was used to having his way in all things.
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    "I don't think you're going to tell me what I can or can't do with my own brother. I've been putting him to bed for years, and I intend to continue doing so. I'm certain Marie has no objections." She glared a challenge at the older woman.
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    Marie smiled at her. "Of course not."
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    Aidan took Alexandria's fist, gently pried open her fingers, and laced his through hers tightly enough that she knew better than to fight his grip. "I am the one to object, piccola , not Marie."
    His voice was gentle enough to melt a heart of stone. "I am responsible for your health. You are Generated by ABC Amber LIT Conv erter, http://www.processtext.com/abclit.html
    weak yet and need to rest. Tomorrow or the next night will be plenty of time for you to take back your job." He turned to look at Joshua. "You will not mind if Marie puts you to bed tonight, will you?"
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    "I can go to bed all by myself," Joshua bragged. "But I do like Alexandria's stories. She always tells me one after she reads me a book. Her stories are always better than the book."
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    "Not like her cooking?" Aidan asked.
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    Joshua wisely did not reply.
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    "I can cook." Alexandria felt she needed to defend her domestic abilities in front of Marie.
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    "No one microwaves quite like Alexandria," Aidan teased her.
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    "As if you would know," she said scornfully. The aroma from the wine bottle was drifting up to her, beckoning, causing hunger pangs so intense, she was almost unable to control her instinct to reach for it.
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    "Leave her alone, Aidan," Marie admonished. She had never heard him tease before, and it was something she found welcome and astonishing. But they were all on thin ground with the newcomer, and Aidan had to keep Alexandria with him to survive. They all had to tread cautiously, to be careful not to drive her away.
    
    Perversely, Alexandria didn't want Marie to stand up for her. She didn't want to like the older woman. She wasn't going to like any of them. She absolutely would not. And why did she have to be so aware of Aidan's body against hers, the strength in his fingers? She didn't have to be afraid of him any longer. What more could he do to her? She was already the walking dead, wasn't she? She was going to defy him.
    
    He brought her knuckles to his mouth, whispering, "No, you are not. And the silly things you think. 'The walking dead.' Where do you come up with this nonsense?" His mouth brushed her skin, sending darts of fire racing over her nerve endings. "Allow me to guess. Thomas Ivan."
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    "Maybe he does use that term. I don't remember."
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    "Is Mr. Ivan the gentleman who came to see Miss Houton?" Marie inquired cautiously.
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    "Call her Alexandria, Marie. This is not a formal household, and you are no servant. You are my family and friend."
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    "Please do," Alexandria seconded at the pressure on her fingers.
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    "I would like us to be friends," Marie said.
    
    That made Alexandria feel small and petty. After all, this woman she was resenting was the one taking care of Joshua when she was unable to do so. Immediately on the heels of that thought came anguish, as a bit more of the truth slid into her brain. Her breath caught in her throat, and she fought for air, strangling, choking.
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    Aidan pushed her head down toward the floor. "Breathe, cara . It is