Rajmund Read Free

do that,” she said, and slipped around in front, taking the tie and running it through her elegant fingers.
    He surrendered it willingly, always pleased when she ministered to him, which wasn't often. She was fiercely loyal. She would, and had, killed to defend him and his. But she didn't take to what in his day would have been considered the more womanly chores. He almost laughed out loud at the thought.
    She caught the edge of his smile and scowled up at him. “What are you thinking, vampire?"
    "Only of how much I enjoy having you fix my tie for me."
    She squinted doubtfully. “Uh huh.” She finished knotting the silk and reached up to turn his collar down. She had to stand on tiptoes to reach behind his neck and he put his hands on her hips, steadying her and pulling her closer, enjoying the press of her full breasts against his chest. She raised her face to his, and he indulged himself in a long, slow exploration of her delicious mouth, feeling the soft warmth of her breath against his cheek.
    His body responded to her as it always did, his cock stirring eagerly, as hungry for the taste of her as if they hadn't just made love less than an hour ago. He slid his hands from her hips to the firm curve of her ass, pulling her close and let her feel his arousal. “Trying to ply me with sex, my Cyn?"
    "I don't need to ply you,” she murmured against his mouth. “You're already mine."
    He smiled. “True enough, lubimaya. Why don't you just ask whatever it is?"
    She stiffened in his arms and his smile grew.
    "Whatever what is?” she demanded.
    He laughed out loud, and she drew back enough to slap his chest, immediately smoothing the spot as if afraid she'd hurt him. “Damn vampire."
    "Ah, but I am yours, am I not?"
    She wrapped both arms around his neck. “I was thinking,” she admitted slowly. He gave her a smug smile and she scowled up at him. “I want go to New York this weekend."
    He frowned. “It's snowing there."
    "But it's Manhattan—shopping, clubs, museums. What's a little snow?"
    He raised one eyebrow and she clicked her tongue in disgust. “Fine. You remember my friend Sarah?"
    He hadn't met that many of her friends, but the name . . . “The one in the bar?” he asked, doubtfully.
    "That's the one. Something—or someone—is bothering her. I want to know what. She's in Buffalo,” she said with a grimace of distaste. “As if that's not enough to get someone down, but I don't think that's it. Or not just that, anyway. I'm going to meet her in Manhattan for the weekend."
    "Are you?” She glared up at him and he added, “I cannot let you go to Manhattan alone, my Cyn."
    Her glare turned to a look of interest. “My father has a place there. I'm sure—"
    "I too have a place ,” he chided her gently. “With far more suitable accommodations than your father's. But it is not a simple matter for me or my mate to travel to another's territory.” He drew a long breath, thinking about Cyn's request and how it might serve a purpose of his own. “One weekend, lubimaya, no more."
    She grinned, standing on tiptoe again to kiss him hard on the mouth. “I love you,” she whispered.
    "I know,” he said smugly.
    She slapped his chest again. “Say it."
    "You are my heart, my soul, my life."
    Her lovely green eyes filled with tears and she coughed to cover her emotion. “Should I talk to Duncan?"
    "I will do so. Arrangements will need to be made with Krystof and with Rajmund, who runs the city for him."
    His phone rang and he turned to pick it up from the desk. “Duncan,” he said, answering. “A few moments, thank you.” He hung up. “Do you have plans for the evening?"
    "I'm sparring with Elke later, and maybe Mirabelle, and then I need to check on some Internet searches I've got going and send off a few reports. Nothing major."
    "I will have Duncan coordinate with you then.” She grabbed him when he would have turned away, fisting her fingers in his short hair and pulling his head down for a deep,