Immortal Sins

When the groceries were loaded and Ana was settled in the backseat, he plucked the keys from Karinna’s hand and slid behind the wheel.

Kari couldn’t keep from staring at him as he drove home, thinking how amazing it was that she knew a vampire and that he was nothing like the creatures she had read about in books or the emaciated, bloodthirsty monsters depicted in so many movies, or eluded to in myth and legend.

When they reached home, Ana Luisa went into the living room to watch TV. Ever the gentleman, Rourke carried the groceries into the house, then went to talk to the wizard’s daughter.

Kari had just finished putting the groceries away when she realized she was no longer alone. She didn’t have to turn around to know that Rourke was standing behind her.

"It bothers you," he said, "having her stay here."

Kari turned around to face him, her heart pounding a little faster at his nearness. "Not really, well, yes, maybe a little," she admitted with a shrug. "It’s just that I’m used to living alone."

"Does that mean you want me to leave, as well?"

"No." Her cheeks warmed under his regard. "I like having you here."

"No more than I like being here." He took a step toward her, his presence seeming to fill the room.

"I found a coven not far from here. I e-mailed them and…" She gazed into his eyes and forgot what she was going to say next.

"Karinna?"

She shivered with delight at the sound of her name on his lips. "Where is Ana Luisa?"

"She is watching something called Bewitched."

"Oh." In spite of Rourke’s nearness, Kari had to smile at the thought of a real live witch watching Samantha’s silly antics on TV. "What kind of magic does Ana do?" Kari asked, thinking she’d never seen the girl do anything remotely supernatural.

"Let us not think about her now."

A thrill of excitement shot through Kari’s whole body when he reached for her, his arms sliding around her waist to draw her into his embrace. She went willingly, every fiber of her being yearning to be close to him, to feel his hands sliding over her skin, his mouth branding hers.

"I cannot be near you and not hold you." His voice caressed her; the look in his eyes made her stomach flutter with anticipation. "Or touch you." He cupped her cheek in one hand. "Or kiss you."

His gaze held hers as he slowly lowered his head and claimed her lips yet again.

With a sigh, she closed her eyes, giving herself over to the incomparable pleasure of his touch, the incredible sense of belonging that overwhelmed her whenever she was in his arms. She swayed against him, wanting to be closer, swallowed a gasp when she felt the evidence of his desire, although it wasn’t completely unexpected. Still, she was glad her own desire was less obvious.

She lost track of time as he kissed her again and yet again, might have suggested they go to bed and be comfortable, if someone hadn’t coughed softly to get their attention.

Peering around Rourke, Kari saw Ana Luisa standing inside the open doorway, her eyes shooting sparks of anger and jealousy.

Kari stared at the wizard’s daughter uncertainly. She recalled Rourke telling her that he had seduced Ana Luisa. Did the girl have feelings for him in spite of what he had done? Rourke had also said Ana Luisa had flirted shamelessly with him. She couldn’t help thinking that, although Rourke seemed to have no deep feelings for Ana Luisa, the wizard’s daughter, being young and impressionable, had read more into their relationship than was there.

She hated the fact that she felt guilty when there was no reason for it.

"Did you want something, Ana?" Rourke asked, his arms still holding Karinna close.

Ana Luisa stared at Rourke, her hurt a palpable thing, and then, with a harsh cry, she turned and ran out of the room.

Rourke swore softly, but he didn’t let go of Karinna.

"Maybe you should go after her," Kari suggested.

"I would rather be here, with you."

His words pleased her more than they should have. She didn’t want him to go, didn’t want him looking after another woman, but Ana Luisa was very young. Not only that, but it was obvious she was in love with Rourke, or thought she was.

"You should go after her," Kari said again. "She’s young and in a strange place, and you’re the only person she knows." Kari took a deep breath before adding, "She needs you."

Rourke’s gaze burned into hers. "What about your needs?"

Kari slipped out of his embrace and gave him a little push toward the living room. "I can wait. She needs you now."

Cupping her chin in his palm, Rourke kissed her gently, then left the room.

Feeling dazed by his kisses and confused by their relationship, Kari stared after him. She was sorely afraid she had fallen in love with him, and equally afraid it would only end in misery. After all, what kind of life could a mortal and a vampire have together? She was a day person; he lived by night. She would age and die; he had already lived for 767 years, with no end in sight. She liked eating food and getting a tan in the summer and taking early morning walks, none of which they could enjoy doing together.

With a sigh, she went into her office and booted up her computer, determined to get a little work done. Work, she thought. How was she going to go back to work on Monday and leave Ana Luisa in the house alone? Maybe she should take another week off. She stared at the blinking cursor, but it wasn’t work on her mind. Instead, she found herself wondering what Rourke was saying to the wizard’s daughter.

Chapter 17

Rourke found Ana Luisa sitting on the sofa in the living room. To his dismay, she was crying softly. Feeling like the worst kind of cad, he sat beside her and gathered her into his arms. She didn’t protest, merely laid her cheek against his chest and sobbed all the harder. Karinna was right. Ana was young, so young. He couldn’t turn his back on her now when she had no one else to turn to, no where else to go.

"Ana Luisa…"

"I thought you loved me."

"I never said that."

"But I thought…we made love."

"It was wrong. I took advantage of you, and I am sorry."

She sniffed. "If you do not love me, why did you come after me? Why did you bring me here?"

"Would you rather I had left you where you were?"

"No." Moving out of his arms, she wiped her tears away with her fingertips.

"I know how you’re feeling," Rourke said gently. "Everything is strange here, but I promise you that, in time, you will come to like it."

"I do not know anyone but you." She made a vague gesture with one hand. "And Karinna."