*~*Forbidden Lust*~*



*~*Chapter One*~*



Beatrice struggled hard, her nails digging into the vampire's coat. She could feel the life being drained from her, floating into the soul of the night creature latched onto her neck. "You bastard! Let me go! My father will have your head for this!"

He laughed as he withdrew from the girl's throat. "My dear child, do you honestly think I, humble old Andre, would kill you? Oh, principessa, you have me wrong." He looked down at her, his crystal blue eyes shining with sincerity. He bent down slowly, licking the wound in her neck clean. He released her, fluffing the lace at his collar. He kept an eye on her as he walked over to his armoire, retrieving his black cloak from the inside of the door.

Beatrice, who was no older than seventeen years of age, fell back onto the silk sheets. Fighting the urge to sleep, she propped herself onto her elbows and eyed her surroundings carefully. Andre had good taste. The queen-sized sleigh bed was made of solid oak, with roses carved on each corner-post. The candelabras next to the oak armoire glistened, light dancing on the stone walls. What am I going to do? Think, Beatrice, THINK! She eyed Andre as she slowly eased herself up onto the bed. She couldn't help but think how handsome Andre was, even if he was a creature of the night. His black hair fell to his shoulders in a wave of silk. The shocking blue of his eyes was the only colour that matched his pale skin. The violet shirt he wore was snug on him, showing off the generous amount of muscle that hid beneath it. Despite herself, she couldn't help thinking how masculine he looked, even with lace spilling out of the cuffs of his shirt.

"Why do you watch me with such hostility, principessa? I will not harm you anymore. You seem to like my sense of style, am I right?" He grinned at her, throwing his cloak over his shoulder in one fluid motion. He turned, placing his top hat gingerly atop his head, tilting it to one side. From Beatrice's angle, one part of his face was hidden, the rest flickering with the candle's light. The mysterious air about him made her want him. A strange thought overcame her. What if they did end up together, in that bed, or another? What would happen?

"I am no princess! Why do you insist on calling me that?" A slight fever rushed her, causing her to blush. She hoped Andre was not reading her mind. Those thoughts would stir some strange ideas in him. She feared what they might be.

Beatrice had always wondered what a Vampire's love was like. She had seen it once, a human girl walking the night with a Vampire at her side. She wondered what it was like for the girl, not being able to see daylight for the sake of her lover dying. It must have been hard. She looked again at Andre, who was busy in his wardrobe, searching the drawers for something. Finally, he pulled out her beautiful golden-colour gown, and a butterfly mask adorned in pearls. Beatrice stared in awe, as she finally realised how scantily clad she was.

Her silk slip, hemmed with lace, barely hung onto her body. Both sleeves fell lazily over her shoulders, held up only by her generous breasts. She hastened to the sleeves, pulling them up over her collarbone. She stared at the gown and mask, wondering what Andre was thinking as he looked it over. Again, she began to stare at him, taking in every visible detail. She blushed again, quickly turning her head away, as if he could feel the heat radiating from her face.

Andre chuckled. "You blush at the thought of me, Milady. I am flattered. Here, put this on. We do not want you seen like this, now do we?" He handed the dress over to Beatrice, placing the mask back in the drawer. He then sat behind her on the bed, fixing the curls in her hair. He placed each one gingerly in place, replacing the clip that held them securely. Beatrice inhaled, tensing under his touch, but just as quickly, she relaxed. He was warm, inviting almost. She tensed again, hoping he would back off and let her dress. "You do not intend to watch me dress, do you?" She asked, a flutter in her tone.

"As you wish." With that, Andre left the bed and stepped out of the room. When Beatrice had finished, she exited the room and followed Andre up the stairs.



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