He grunted softly. The corridor was crowded with vampires and humans.
Hand in hand, Kaitlyn and Zack checked the music room, the library, and the art gallery, but all the rooms were occupied. Zack suggested the dining room, but it was filled with teenagers chatting, listening to music, and playing with the latest electronic gadgets.
“Maybe the council chamber,” Kaitlyn said. But when they opened the door, they saw a number of vampires engaged in a chess match.
“The ballroom?” Zack suggested.
“It’s probably crowded, too,” Kaitlyn said, “but I can’t think of anywhere else.”
Zack was thinking that, if necessary, he would physically eject anyone he found inside, but this time, luck was on his side and the place was empty. Empty and dark, save for the silvery moonlight that filtered through the windows.
“Ah, perfect,” he murmured. Taking Katy into his arms, he kissed her. “I’ve been wanting to do that all night long.”
“And I’ve been wanting you to.” She glanced around, wishing there was a sofa or a love seat. The only seat for two was the piano bench, or one of the window seats that looked out over the valley. Tugging on Zack’s hand, she moved toward the window at the far end of the room.
She sat down on the velvet cushion. Zack sat beside her, his arm going around her shoulders to draw her close.
“Pretty view, isn’t it?” she murmured. “Especially at night.”
“Very.”
“You’re not even looking.”
“Yeah, well, you look at the view you like and I’ll look at the one I like.” His hand cupped the back of her head, drawing her closer. He kissed her gently, as if she might break at his touch. Gradually, his kisses grew deeper, longer, hotter. His tongue teased her lips, dipped inside to duel with hers while his hand slid slowly, seductively, up and down her back.
Kaitlyn slipped one hand under his shirt, her fingernails raking lightly over his back, while her other hand slid up into his hair.
Time lost all meaning as their kisses grew more intense, their touches more intimate. She didn’t protest when he lifted her onto his lap, merely wrapped her arms around him and kissed him again. And again. The evidence of his desire sparked her own until she felt as though she was melting inside.
With desire came the urge to taste him. She bit his ear lightly. “Zack?”
He drew back, a knowing look in his eyes. “Yes, love?”
“Is it all right?”
“You don’t have to ask, Katy darlin’.”
With a moan that was very near a growl, she gave in to the urge to taste him. And when she’d had enough, she drew his head to her neck, reveling in his bite, in the sensual pleasure of it. She had never been intimate with a man, but she couldn’t imagine anything being more wonderful than this.
Reluctantly, Zack lifted his head. His whole body throbbed with need. It was time to call it a night, time to go downstairs before he did something foolish—like make love to her there, on the floor, in the moonlight.
Kaitlyn looked up at him, her eyes wide, and he knew her thoughts were running parallel with his.
“Come on, darlin’,” he said, pulling her to her feet, “let’s get out of here before we get into real trouble.”
“Not yet.”
“Katy, I’m not made of steel. Besides, we’re no longer alone.”
He had barely finished speaking when the lights went on.
Zack glanced over Kaitlyn’s shoulder. Her father stood in the doorway, his displeasure evident in his expression.
“Kaitlyn,” Drake said sternly, “your mother is looking for you. She is waiting in your room.”
“We’re coming, Dad. We were just . . . uh . . . looking at the stars.”
“Indeed. I will wait for you downstairs.”
“Is he going to follow us everywhere we go?” Zack asked.
“I hope not,” Kaitlyn muttered. “Good thing you’ve got so much willpower.”
“Yeah. I don’t even want to think about what he’d say if I’d let you seduce me.”
“Very funny,” Kaitlyn retorted.
“I thought so,” he said with a mischievous grin. “Be a good girl, and I’ll let you walk me home.”
She batted her eyelashes at him. “Oh, Zackary,” she said with a fake, sugary-sweet Southern accent, “ya’ll are so good to me.”
“Okay, Scarlett,” he muttered, taking her hand in his. Side by side, they walked down the stairs, stopping to kiss on each landing until they reached the main floor. Drake was waiting for them.
“Hi, Daddy,” Kaitlyn drawled. “Don’t wait up.”
Drake scowled at her.
“Well done,” Zack said, grinning.
When they reached Zack’s room, he muttered, “I guess I should have seduced you when I had the chance.”
“I guess so. Good night, Zack.”
“What? No kiss?” He glanced down the hallway to where Drake stood, arms folded over his chest, watching their every move.
Zack grunted softly. What the hell. If her old man wanted to watch, he’d give him something to see. Drawing Kaitlyn into his arms, Zack kissed her slowly, his tongue teasing hers, his arm holding her body tightly against his.
She went up on her tiptoes, her arms twining around his neck as she kissed him back.
The enthusiasm of Kaitlyn’s response, the heat of her nubile body, made him forget that her father was watching. Until Drake cleared his throat.
Stifling a grin, Zack released her. “See you tomorrow night, Katy.”
Chapter 28
Kaitlyn was surprised to see her mother in the dining room in the morning. Usually, her mom and dad kept the same hours.
“Hi, Mom. What are you doing up so early?”
“Don’t you know what day it is?”
Kaitlyn looked at her mother blankly.
Elena shook her head. “Have you forgotten today is your birthday?”
“It is? It is! Oh my gosh, I can’t believe I forgot that!”
“Zack Ravenscroft must really have your head in the clouds.” Grinning, Elena hugged her daughter. “Ah, young love, it’s a wonderful thing. Happy birthday, sweetie.”
“Thanks, Mom.”
“Your dad and I are planning a party for you later tonight, but I wanted to spend today with you, just the two of us, like we used to. What would you like for breakfast?”
“Blueberry pancakes, bacon, and toast.” It had been her favorite breakfast ever since she was a little girl.