A Touch Too Much by Chris Lange Page A

dead.”
    ‘Hopefully’ meant that he had no clue as to Rogan’s whereabouts. Her saviour must be alive somewhere, biding his time to rescue her, surely drawing a cunning scheme to free her.
    “Why do you hate him so much? What has he done to you?”
    “None of your business. Here, wear this!”
    Raskhan threw a light bundle at her. She caught it with one hand, recognising at once a similar black robe to the ones the vampires wore. Was she supposed to blend in the landscape? As if that would happen with bloodsuckers wary of her every movement.
    “Why?”
    “You’re to stand before the council.”
    Liv swallowed, a knot of fear obstructing her throat. Whatever they wanted with her, it couldn’t be good.
    “And if I don’t want to?”
    “I think we’ve already covered that.”
    His mischievous smile reminded her of their first encounter. The way Raskhan had pounded her body until she exploded with passion, the way she had betrayed Rogan. But she didn’t have the will and the energy to dwell on that now. Too painful. Too confusing.
    “What if you can’t force me? What if I’m stronger than you?”
    He regarded her as if she had just lost her marbles. Great. On top of stupid she had just managed to pass for a whacko. As he took a step towards her, she tensed but stood her ground.
    “What if I’m a vampire?”
    He burst out laughing. Captive of his merriment, his features softened. Dear God, he was so attractive!
    “You aren’t a vampire. Where did you get this foolish idea?”
    This time, his assertion surprised her. Sure, she had been able to withstand the full power of the sun today, but for how long? Her transformation had to come at some point.
    “Because Rogan bit me, and he said I was a vampire now.”
    “Well, Rogan was wrong, wasn’t he?”
    As soon as the question left his lips, his mood changed. Not teasing anymore, his gaze showed irritation.
    “And is that all you can think of? I’m sick and tired of hearing Rogan’s praise. I don’t think I can stand you whining about him one more minute. The man is gone, deal with it!”
    His eyes darker than a midnight storm, he had never looked so powerful.
    Dumbfounded, she stared at him. “Are you jealous?”
    He licked his lips, his sensual gesture calling to mind a male wolf dominating his female.
    “No reason to be. You’re mine now.”
    Despite her precarious situation in this unknown world, the simple words stabbed her and a deep coldness suddenly iced her veins.
    “You may well be able to satisfy my body, but don’t be mistaken, you will never touch my heart. Never.”
    She didn’t see him move. Yet he was behind her, his marble chest pressed against her back, his hands on her breasts. She gasped. She dropped the black robe. The coldness departed in a flash, immediately replaced by a wave of heat as his palms found her nipples through the cotton halter top. His face on her neck, he passed his lips over her already healed bite mark. Slow and grazing, he licked her ear.
    “Who said I wanted to touch your heart?”
    He grasped her sensitive teats, and his grand palace seemed to rock beneath her. He twirled the erect flesh, and the vibe writhed in her stomach. Cheeks hot, pulse in tatters from his unexpected move, she pushed the words out of her mouth.
    “You’ve made your point. Let go of me.”
    Although she couldn’t see him, she knew the sly smile was back on his face. He lowered his hands to her belly, soon sliding them down to her crotch. Then he whispered in her ear.
    “That’s my girl!”
    Before she could react, he had whizzed around her again. Holding out the robe, he shook his head and emitted a ‘tsk, tsk’ sound.
    “Such a pity we don’t have time right now!”
    By now Liv knew better than to try to change his mind. She removed her clothes, keeping her underwear on. He watched each of her movements. As she lifted the robe over her head, her gaze fell on his groin. His jeans were bulging, and his hands had balled into