Read NocC 002 - The Ancients 01 - Bonnie Vanak - Bitten by the Vampire - Harlequin 2011-10 for Free Online Page B

at Mara’s dreamy expression. His smile faded as he touched her mind. A black cloud of evil, invisible to all others, misted the air around her.
    Despite his express instructions, Mara was thinking about killing Jones. Slowly.
    Time for another lesson.
    Never test the vampire.
    A shadow fell over her, shattering the daydream as if it were glass. Mara looked up, gazing at two well-shaped feet, the curve of muscled calves dusted with dark hair.
    Black bathing trunks hugged his lean hips. All six-foot-four inches of yummy vampire hovered over her. Thoughts of Jones gave way to a sharp bolt of desire. Mara closed her eyes against it.
    Lucien only wanted to strip away her powers, leave her defenseless and reliant on him. She hadn’t depended on anyone since the day her parents died.
    Droplets splashed over her as Lucien executed a perfect dive into the water. She heard several feminine sighs of appreciation as he swam to her side.
    More water sailed into her face as he playfully shook his head. Inky black hair plastered to his skull. Then suddenly he pounced. Lucien ducked her under water. With one hand, he held her down.
    Another game. Fine. She’d show him. Mara kicked upward. But when he showed no signs of releasing her, panic began. Bubbles expelled as she released a breath. But there was no more air. Only water.
    He was drowning her? Here in the hotel pool?
    Air, she must have air. Mara struggled, but his superior vampire strength kept her submerged. The darkness rose up, demanding to live. The water began to churn and boil, heating by several degrees. Still, he hung on. Mara’s vision grew grayish. Her lungs screamed for air as her demon struggled to break free.
    Let go , a voice whispered.
    The white light, edging away the darkness. Prodding her to stop fighting. Every instinct fought against it. The urge to surrender grew stronger. Mara relaxed and let go.
    White light poured out of her body, cooling the water instantly and strengthening her body. In a burst of renewed energy, she broke free of his grip. Mara surfaced, gasping and coughing, gulping down wonderful, blessed air.
    Her fingers grasped the pool’s edge. When her heart stopped racing, she stared at Lucien.
    Bathers had fled the pool, complaining it was too hot. Some returned now, dipping a toe into the water. Lucien looked calm and cool.
    “Your demon has kept you alive all this time, Mara? I think not.”
    “Bastard,” she choked out, spitting out water. “You tried to drown me.”
    “If I wanted you dead, you would be dead,” he said quietly. “It was to prove a point. Your white light killed the flames in the furnace. It gave you strength to break free just now. Your angelic half is your protector, Mara. It’s stronger than your demon, if you will give it a chance.”
    Gulping down a shaky breath, she shook her head. He leaned against the edge, his gaze very steady. “You can control your dark side. It can serve a purpose.”
    “You don’t think so. All you’ve done is point out the badness.”
    “Because you’re using it for evil. Not the other, more pleasurable aspects.” He drew close enough for her to see the swirling darkness in his eyes, droplets of water glittering on his long, black lashes. Lucien touched her wet lips with a fingertip. He traced a line along the plump lower lip.
    “Passion. The releasing of inhibition,” he murmured.
    Mara gasped as his hand submerged, found the edge of her bikini bottom. He slid inside the tiny triangle of fabric, stroked a finger across her curls. The cleft between her legs suddenly ached. The bikini felt too tight, too restrictive.
    “Here, in public?” she managed to choke out.
    “You forget my powers. No one can see us. I’ve cast a glamour and can do whatever I wish. And what I wish is…”
    Deftly, he pulled her top down. Cool air washed over her cresting nipples. Freed of restrictive cloth, they felt achingly sensitive. Lucien palmed her breasts, rubbing his thumbs over her