Sea Panther (Crimson Storm) (17 page)

A breeze danced across her bare legs and she popped her eyes
wide. “Robert, the door’s open!”

The heavy oak panel slammed shut as if he commanded it. Her
gaze flew to his. He smiled then distracted her with another titillating kiss.

Robert stroked satiny skin, touching every graceful curve.
Her moans came louder with each caress of his fingers as he slid them in and
out of her slick velvet softness. His erection grew iron hard. With his free
hand, he fumbled with the stupid condom they didn’t need. No matter. He would
use it to relieve her worries.

He relentlessly teased Kimberly’s most sensitive knot. When
she spasmed and released a soft scream, he entered her with a powerful thrust.

The vampire wanted blood, but Robert controlled the monster.

He kept the pace slow, each motion calculated to ensure the
rawest tantalizing sensation. Kimberly panted as she met each thrust, driving
him harder. Deeper. Muscles strained. He held back, agonized to give more
pleasure. With each stroke, he lost more of himself to the wonderful woman
who’d stolen his heart.

They orgasmed in unison, driving Robert over a precipice
never before taken. A tear leaked from an eye as Kimberly went limp in his
arms. Joy filled his withered black heart. He’d experienced a wee bit of
heaven.

The panther lurked within the shadows of his consciousness,
the instinctual need to dominate his mate temporarily sated. Robert tightened
the mental tether on the animal, praying it would hold him at bay, and picked
Kimberly up into his arms. Her melted chocolate eyes gazed at him with more
tenderness than he deserved. He was a louse for having messed with her life.

He refused to give her up.

“What are you doing?” she asked.

“Taking you to bed.”

She struggled in his arms. “You can’t carry me through the
house like this. We don’t have any clothes on.”

“I promise no one will see us.” He used his remaining
vampire power to cloak their presence from the household.

She settled in his arms. “You can’t promise that. You have a
house full of guests.”

He ignored her and carried her up the stairs, easing his
hold as if he might drop her, and then tossing her upward, catching her before
he took the next step. She giggled and cried out when he tossed her again. “Are
you not afraid someone will hear you and come running to see what is
happening?”

“No. You promised no one will see us and I trust you.”

She awed him with her faith. A sharp pain stabbed Robert’s
heart. He didn’t deserve her belief in him. When they reached her room, she
unlatched the bolt with the brass door handle, and he kicked the panel open. He
tossed her onto the bed and joined her, but he’d lost the playful mood.
Self-loathing burned in his chest.

They briefly kissed before she fell asleep cuddled to his
side. He remained there for several hours unable to sleep. Finally, he rose and
slipped away. As he padded to his suite, the panther sought control. He wanted
to feed.

Needing space too, Robert allowed the animal its freedom.

* * *

Kimberly woke and reached for Robert. He’d gone. Not for
long though, the sheets still held the warmth of his body. She did her best to
swallow the disappointment. He probably wanted to keep the gossip at a minimum.
It was sweet of him to try to protect her from the censure of the others.

Moonlight spilled into the room through the French doors.
She stretched. Her body tingled from their fierce lovemaking. She buried her
nose in the pillow indented from Robert’s head and inhaled his spicy scent.
They obviously were sexually compatible. When she thought of the blaze of fire
glowing in his cinnamon eyes as he suckled at her breast, she knew he was more
than pleased with her assets.

It had been foolish to worry about Robert and Dr. Knight.

Before meeting her ex-fiancé, Kimberly had been comfortable
with her body. When they first came together as a couple, he’d led her to
believe the sex was great. After a while, he started complaining about her
boy-like figure, demanding she get a breast enlargement. It was hard not to
become self-conscious. Then when she refused, he ran off with his
stacked
administrative assistant. Kimberly had taken on the blame, hating herself for
her lack of endowment.

She’d been foolish. Everyone knew Jason left because of the
failed financial deal. And now the rat bastard had accused her of illegal
dealings. How had she not known a creep lurked beneath his sophisticated
facade?

Robert would never be unfaithful. He’d never abuse her
trust. She had faith in him.

Kimberly reached for the ivory silk robe draped across the
bedside chair. As she donned the cover-up, the whisper-thin fabric teased
sensitized skin, reminding her of all the places Robert had lovingly kissed.

The sweet scent of honeysuckle wafted through the open
screen. She padded across the thick peach carpet to the balcony doors and
leaned against the frame, gazing into the moonlit garden. From the corner of an
eye, she caught movement, a rustle of foliage. Her breath caught in her lungs.
The hindquarter of a big tawny cat with a long sweep of tail disappeared
through the bushes. Her pulse raced. Could it be an elusive Florida panther?

A
fter several
days of reviewing corporate contracts, Robert rubbed tired eyes and traversed
the trail through the pine trees on his way to the research facility for an
afternoon session with Patrice. Shadows were lengthening. He was late. Soon it
would be sundown.

When he finished with the good doctor, he planned to search
out Kimberly. He missed her. After all these years of living in the dark, being
awake during the day kept him on edge. He needed her soothing touch.

He arrived at Patrice’s office to find the curtains closed
and the lights dimmed. He warily entered. She strutted from behind her desk to
greet him. His hackles rose.

“Do you have the results of Kimberly’s blood tests?” he
asked without preamble.

Patrice’s welcoming smile curved down into a frown, and she
crossed her arms over her chest and leaned against the edge of the desk. “The
lab believes she is the perfect match.”

“What exactly does that mean?” Annoyed by her body language,
he couldn’t keep the bite from his voice.

The doctor’s eyes narrowed. “Her blood has the right DNA
makeup.”

“A transfusion of Kimberly’s blood will cure me?”
Could
it be so easy?

“Dr. Lang told me what happened on
Night Thrill
. I’m
surprised you didn’t see fit to inform me of such extraordinary occurrences.”
Patrice’s lips wrinkled into an irritated pucker.

Robert tensed. He wouldn’t justify his actions.

“No, in answer to your question,” she continued. “A
transfusion won’t make a difference. However, on the basis of the blood match
and my research, I do believe I know how to reverse the effects of the curse.”
She grabbed a notebook from the desk and flipped it open.

The now constant knot in Robert’s stomach tightened. “How?”

“You need to take Kimberly’s blood three times. The last
feeding must take place at the exact spot where the curse occurred and within
the quarter hour. You must force her to feed from you after you take her blood
the last time. I believe that’s when you will be free of the curse.” Patrice
glanced at the notes. “Let’s see. You sampled her blood on the yacht when
Marion…Raven attacked her. That would be number one. So you—”

“What?” Robert cut off the doctor’s words. Panic seized his
belly. He felt like he’d been gut-punched by a world heavy weight.

Patrice leveled her gaze on him unaware of the horror he
experienced. “Your first taste of her blood initiated your possession. When you
feed from her the second time, you will begin the transformation. Then when you
arrive in the Caribbean…”

Dr. Knight continued to speak matter-of-factly, but Robert
didn’t hear the words. If the tiny taste he sampled started the process,
Kimberly’s transformation had already begun the moment he fed from her that
first time they made love on
Night Thrill
. He prayed it wasn’t true. If
it was, he should have sensed a change in her. Wouldn’t he have? No, he’d been
blind with lust, cursed fool that he was. Now, what could he do?

“Robert, you’re not listening to me. This is important. You
must follow the steps precisely.” Patrice’s words sliced though his
self-incrimination.

“What will happen to Kimberly?”

Patrice flung the notebook onto the desk and nailed him with
a green-eyed stare. “I’m afraid you’ll have to choose between her and living
forever a shape shifting vampire. Because as much as you try to deny your
existence, Robert, that is indeed what you are.”

“Is it not possible a simple transfusion would reverse the
effects of the curse?”

“No. You must go back in time to face your demons. You must
take Kimberly’s blood the second time as you return through the time portal.”

“Time portal? Devil’s blood, what the hell are you talking
about?”

“The Bermuda Triangle.”

Robert’s heart stuttered, skipped a beat, and then raced.
She couldn’t be serious. “You are making a jest. Aye?”

“I find little humor in your situation.”

What could Patrice possibly know of the complexity that was
the Bermuda Triangle? He’d sailed through those cursed waters many times during
his immortal life. He encountered all kinds of unexplained phenomenon. Yet not
once had he been sucked through the infamous vortex into the past.

“Are you telling me, you believe in a time gate?”

“Yes.”

“What makes you so sure? And if there is a gate, what makes
you think I will find the precise spot and travel to the exact time and place
of my turning?”

“I’ve researched the Triangle for years. I have the
coordinates and you have the need.”

“Ach, well, let us say Kimberly and I can travel through
time and I follow your instructions and take her blood as we travel through the
portal and then again at the site of the curse. What makes you certain I’ll be
cured?”

“A colleague sent me an ancient manuscript referencing the
Séaghdha prophecy.

“What does Séaghdha have to do with me? He is naught but a
legend.”

“I’m positive Zola’s botched curse opened a door to another
dimension and the ancient Celtic vampire entered our world. In the ensuing
chaos, he drank your blood and enthralled Zola’s pet panther to do the same
thus turning you into a vampire shifter like him.”

Robert scraped a hand over his buzz cut and shook his head.

“The text states Séaghdha could shift into a hawk and used
different animals in conversions to create fledgling vampire shifters. When
Zola’s pet Florida panther lunged into the fray, you took on his essence.”

“This is not what I expected to hear from you, Patrice.”

“I’m sure it’s not, but you must face facts. I’m truly sorry
to be the bearer of such uncomfortable news.”

Robert hung his head and curled into himself. How would he
make this right? “I wish you had a better theory.”

“I’ve matched the prophecy information with research I’ve
done on Voodoo curses, time travel, and the Bermuda Triangle. I’m positive
Kimberly’s blood and returning to the time and place of the curse is your
answer.” Hands on hips, she continued, “Robert, I’ve worked hard to solve your
problem. I practically had to sell my soul to get that dusty old manuscript.”

“I’m sure you’ve put in many hours and have been diligent.
But if I believe you...if I go along with this crazy theory of yours and do as
you say, will Kimberly become a vampire? A vampire shifter? Will she die?”

“What does it matter? You’ll be cured.”

The doctor’s smug look provoked Robert’s dark side. He
curled the hands at his sides into fists, wanting to inflict pain. He swallowed
hard and with effort kept the monsters from striking out at the doctor. He
inhaled a calming breath. “It matters verra much to me.”

“You have to face your reality. You’ll have to choose
between the woman you
think
you love and remaining a vampire shifter.”

“Did I hear you right?” He massaged the growing knot at the
base of his skull. “You want me to destroy Kimberly so I can live without her.
What point is there in that?”

“You hired me to find a way to reverse the curse.” Patrice
moistened her painted lips and smiled. “I’m telling you the only way to succeed
is to sacrifice Kimberly.”

“Then I will remain a vampire shifter.” Frustration gnawed
at his churning gut. To learn of a cure only to find the solution too
deplorable to contemplate was more than he could bear.

Dawning lit Patrice’s eyes.” You’ve already started the
transformation. Haven’t you?”

“How do I reverse it?”

“Might be too late.”

“Nae.” Robert refused to believe he already condemned the
love of his life.

“If you’re not willing to try…”

“I will
not
risk Kimberly.”

Patrice shrugged. “Then we’ll have to find another way.”

“Do you have an alternative?” A flicker of hope surfaced as
he took a step closer to her.

“I need more information…perhaps…” Patrice’s voice trailed
off. “If only you’d let us hypnotize you.”

“Fine, do it.”

Patrice waved to the sofa then perched on the desk and
reached behind her. When she turned to face him, she held a metronome. “Since
you don’t want me to bring in a professional, I thought you might allow me to
put you into a hypnotic state.”

Robert sat on the sofa, limbs numb. He didn’t like the idea
of going under hypnosis, but if they could find another way to reverse the
curse, it would be worth it. If there was a way Kimberly could be protected,
this wasn’t the time to construct obstacles.

“Do what you must.”

“Good,” Patrice smiled cheerfully. “Now lie back and relax.”

Robert reclined. He tried to force the tension from his
stiff body. The metronome sounded a clock, clock, clock, at even intervals from
the table beside him.

“Be calm. Concentrate on the sound of my voice,” Patrice
said. “Empty your mind of worry. Think only tranquil thoughts. Permit your body
to relax.”

She spoke in a monotone, voice soft. Robert allowed himself
to let go.

“Send soothing messages to your muscles. Relax your toes,
the soles of your feet, your heels. Loosen the muscles in your ankles, your
calves, your knees.” Patrice’s voice soothed. “Allow your thighs to relax.”

“Take a deep breath. Inhale through your nose. Fill your
lungs with air. Hold it…now release your breath through your mouth. Push all
the breath from your lungs.” Patrice paused for a moment. “Again. Breathe
deeply.”

Robert inhaled, filling his breathing cavity with oxygen.
Then he drove the air from his lungs.

“Again,” Patrice coaxed.

He repeated the process.

“Loosen your fingers, your hands, your wrists. Relax your
forearms, your elbows, your upper arms. Allow your shoulders to sag.”

Robert concentrated on relaxing each part of his body upon
Patrice’s suggestion.

“Slacken your stomach muscles, your chest, and your neck.
Soften your mouth. Allow your face to relax. Your scalp.”

A weightless, floating sensation infused Robert’s body.

“You’re going down…down…down. There is nothing to fear. You
will always be in control. If you wish to wake at anytime, count from one to
three. On three, you will awake, feeling refreshed with a sense of wellbeing.”

“Go down…down…down. Deeper. Deeper. Deeper.”

He drifted in a haze of comfort. His mind roamed free within
a place with no pain. A bright light hovered before him in the distance. Drawn
to the brilliance, he floated toward the source of the glow.

Then something interfered with his comfort. His body came
alive. Hot. Hard. Pulsating. He wanted something just out of reach.

“Tell me how you feel.” The doctor’s husky voice intruded
from a distance.

“I am as randy as…” His calm shattered, replaced by flaming
tension that drew his balls tight. It felt wrong.
One
.
Two
.
Three
.
He jerked open his eyes.

“Bloody hell!” Patrice had undone the buttons on his jeans
and straddled his thighs. Inside the silk boxers, her fingers manipulated his
sac, pumped a traitorous erection.

He grabbed her wrists and tugged the hands free. “How dare
you.”

Her skirt bunched around her waist and the bitch wasn’t
wearing panties. The dark V of naturally colored brown hair pointed to her sex.
She laughed, throwing bleached hair back from her face. Her blouse hung open,
the front clasp of the red bra undone, her breasts spilled free, inviting
attention.

“You’ve been enjoying my tender loving care.” She tried to
yank the hands from his grip. “I want to ride you to paradise.”

He refused to release the hold on her, fearing she’d return
to milking him. “Dr. Knight, this is highly unprofessional.”

“Consider it research.” She shimmied a bare bottom forward.
His painfully stiff cock jerked, reaching for her moist opening.

“Nae. How the hell is taking advantage of me a way to find a
cure?” He pushed her off and scrambled from the sofa. “We need to rethink our
arrangement.” Hands shaking with anger, he tried to fasten the bottom button of
the fly over his engorged cock. A strangled feminine cry caused him to turn
toward the door. A pallid Kimberly ran from the office.

“Satan’s balls.” He bolted after her while continuing to
secure his jeans.

* * *

Kimberly ran blindly through the corridors of the research
facility. She blinked away tears, refusing to shed them. The tread of Robert’s
feet echoed from behind. Darting around a corner, she found a closed door. She
twisted the handle and slipped inside. Closing the door, she leaned her
forehead against the cool metal. Thankfully, the sound of Robert’s footfalls
faded into silence.

Y…oo…www…llll
.

Holy shit!
Kimberly spun around, her heart pounding
her ribs. The greenish-amber eyes of a large tawny cat stared at her from
within an almost room-sized cage mere feet away.

Her shocked scream caught in a tight throat, and she raised
a shaky hand to her mouth. This must be the panther containment area. The
panther staring at her looked so much like the big cat from the nightmares she
could almost imagine it was the same beast.

Calm down, Kimberly
.
Breathe
.

It couldn’t be the same big cat. She’d never seen a Florida
panther before visiting the compound. It’s nothing more than a coincidence.

The cat released another ear-splitting caterwaul.

Kimberly reached behind her for the door handle. Facing
Robert would be better than remaining here with her worst nightmare. She
stepped into the corridor and came face to face with Dr. Knight.

“What are you doing here? This area is off-limits to
everyone accept facility personnel.”

Kimberly grasped hold of her courage. She refused to allow
Robert’s lover to intimidate her. “I took a wrong turn and ended up here by
mistake.”