Carpathian 18 - Dark Possesion

is a favorite resting place of mine, and we rarely allow anyone to know where we sleep."
    There was something in his voice, in his mind, she caught. A sadness. Wariness. She stilled, leaning back into him. "You're afraid Luiz won't make it."
    He wrapped his arms around her. "I find that having emotions, particularly fear, can be disturbing. I am worried about the possibility. I like the man. I thought I had converted him solely because you asked me to, but now I am not so certain."
    She turned in his arms, her hand sliding under his hair to curl around the nape of his neck. "If he doesn't, Manolito, it isn't your fault. You've given him every chance, more than he ever would have gotten. And thank you—whether you did it solely for me, for him, or because he is a friend—thank you."
    He kissed the tip of her nose. "You are very welcome." He framed her face with his hands. "I have to check for myself that the vampire didn't leave anything behind that could harm you. I need a minute."
    "Riordan did a good job healing me. I'm a little achy, but other than that, the shoulder and my stomach feel fine."
    He didn't argue, merely let his physical body drop away and his spirit enter hers, taking his time to make certain not a single parasite had hidden from Riordan. When he came back to himself, she was tapping her foot.
    "Are you satisfied?"
    "Yes. For now. Later I intend to inspect every inch of your skin."
    "Fine. I'm doing the same to you."
    He grinned at her. "Come, let me show you this place." He waved casually toward the entrance, and the crack in the boulders groaned and creaked so that she gasped and nearly climbed up his shoulders.
    "What the hell was that?" She literally crawled up his body. "I think this cave is coming down on top of us, Manolito."
    He tried not to laugh. She clawed for a purchase on his shoulders, her head swiveling left and right, her eyes enormous. He couldn't help it—the laughter spilled out to become a full-blown roar. "I am closing the door."
    "Oh no, you're not." She had her arms around his head, practically blinding him. "And stop laughing. This isn't funny. I'm not getting trapped in a cave, not even for you. Gorgeous can only take you so far."
    The two sides of the boulder ground together with a horrendous jarring, eliciting a screech of fear from her.
    The torches flickered and danced as if they might go out. She buried both fists in his hair and yanked. "Get us out of here."
    Manolito wrapped his arm around her and pulled her back down so her feet were once again on solid ground.
    "We do not want light shining through the falls. The idea is to be safe here. We have air. I'll take care of bugs. Trust me, MaryAnn, this is better than a five-star hotel."
    She stared up into his face. A woman could drown in the absolute love in his eyes. She let out her breath and found calm. "Well I want room service then."

    "I intend to give you anything you want."
    The velvet caress in his voice sent a shiver running through her body. "I don't know how you managed to get around all my defenses, Manolito, but you have."
    His slow smile made her heart nearly stop.
    "I cheated. I will probably go to hell if there is such a place, because I fear I do not have the necessary remorse in me for my actions. I stole you, MaryAnn, right out from under the noses of our best hunters."
    She laughed. "You sound like you're boasting."
    He kissed the corner of her mouth. "Maybe just a little. After all, you have to know your caveman can bring home the dinosaur."
    She looked around suspiciously. "You'd better be joking."
    He tucked her hand in his back pocket to lead her down the long, winding tunnel. Torches lined the way, burning brightly and showing her he was keeping his promise—there wasn't a single bug in sight.
    "I've been thinking a lot about this Carpathian-wolf thing we have going," she said, trying not to keep staring at his butt. He had a nice ass.
    His laughter was soft. "I was just thinking the same thing about you."
    "What?" She tried to sound innocent.
    "Ass. Butt. However you want to describe that particular portion of your anatomy. Yours is quite nice. I was just thinking how you looked in those red heels. You take my breath away, woman." She did a whole lot more than that. His body hardened and thickened with every step he took. With her mind firmly merged with his, knowing she was thinking along the same lines as he was only heightened the ache.
    He wanted to get her out of her clothes and