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horrible wound, merely a slight cut that seconds later vanished before her eyes.
I think I m going to faint, Malika said. Both Diego and Arias grasped her and
Clara dragged a chair toward her. Malika dropped into it and said, This can t be
happening. Vampires do not exist.
I didn t think so either until Diego bit me while making love, Clara said,
gazing at him with an adoring smile. It was so romantic.
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How can this be happening?
If we leave you alone to talk, do you promise no more drama? Diego asked
Arias.
Just give us some privacy, Arias said with a hint of annoyance.
Once again Clara and Diego left.
Malika wasn t sure if she wanted to hit Arias or kiss him. She d been so afraid
he d hurt himself. Even though she d thought him crazy, she couldn t seem to help
loving him.
Squatting in front of her chair, he gathered her into his arms and she clung to
him tightly, burying her face against his neck and not even caring that his blood stained
her clothes.
I should have told you sooner. I wanted to, he said. It s complicated.
The sarcophagus. You really did come all the way from Spain in it? she said,
finally regaining control of herself. Then a startling realization struck her. Pulling back
slightly, she gazed into his eyes. Good lord. You re not a descendant of Arias Del Rio.
You are Arias Del Rio, the explorer.
He bowed his head. Yes.
This was almost too much to comprehend.
What do you want with me? she asked.
Malika, we were destined for each other. Long ago, I performed a magical ritual
taught to me by Xiang, the one who made me a vampire. This ritual helps souls that are
meant to be joined find each other. The marks on your breasts are called mate marks.
What?
They re the exact fit to my fangs.
A quirky smile played around her lips. You ve got to be kidding me.
I swear it.
Lust and a hint of apprehension shot through her. She unbuttoned her blouse
and tugged down her bra cup, revealing her birthmarks.
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Arias gaze fixed on her breast, and his lips parted. The desire in his eyes aroused
her so much that her nipples stiffened.
Prove it, she said softly.
What?
Prove that your fangs are a match for my birthmarks.
Are you asking me to&
Bite me, she ordered, her gaze fixed on his.
A faint yet incredibly sexy smile flirted with his lips before he parted them and
arched his head back. Gleaming fangs extended from his upper gums and Malika s
heart raced. For a moment she almost changed her mind, but when Arias looked at her
it was with familiar tenderness and affection. She knew in her heart he would not hurt
her.
She lifted her breast, offering it to him and he bent, taking it in his hand and
caressing it lightly. His thumb brushed across her stiff nipple and he licked the top of
her breast. She felt the sharp prick of his fangs, then the most overwhelming pleasure
washed over her.
Malika clutched his head as he lapped and sucked. Waves of orgasmic sensations
overtook her and for several moments all she could do was moan and pant while he
sipped from her.
This was the most amazing experience of her life. She was the destined mate of
Arias Del Rio. Explorer. Vampire.
Chapter Eight
Malika had never imagined her museum having an Arias Del Rio display. Even
more, she had never imagined the man himself would be here to see it.
It was strange knowing Arias, a guy she had fallen in love with and thought
completely insane, had turned out to be the historical figure she d been mysteriously
drawn to all her life. Now it wasn t so mysterious. They were meant to be together.
Though she d discovered some pretty crazy things since meeting him, she felt
more comfortable with him than she ever had with anyone. She was also relieved that
her daydreams had been induced by the mate mark ritual. At least now when she
thought about the episode on the balance beams, she could enjoy the memory without
thinking she d lost her mind.
The night of the official Del Rio display opening party, Arias escorted her to the
museum. He looked so casually elegant in black pants and a silky black shirt open at
the throat, just enough to expose an enticing hint of his gorgeous chest. For the past
hour, it had been all Malika could do to keep her hands off him. She noticed lots of
female guests admiring him as well, but he didn t leave her side all night.
Diego and Clara were also inseparable. Julie, the new employee, had agreed to
help out. Even Michael stopped by after his shift ended. She was glad to see her brother,
since she knew he d much rather be working out at the local gym than hanging around
the museum. So far, the party was a wonderful success and everyone seemed to enjoy
the newest displays.
She and Arias paused in front of his suit of armor. His brow furrowed and he
looked both questioning and sorrowful.
I m sorry about asking you to try it on, she said. If I had known how you felt
about your past -- I mean --
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It wasn t your fault. You didn t know who I was. Besides, regardless of whether
or not I wear the armor, I still took part in many things I m ashamed of.
He had explained how his father had been killed during the Inquisition when
Arias was nine years old. To help support his mother, he had gone to work aboard a
ship. She d died when he was twelve. By then he was tall and strong for his age and
had no trouble continuing to find work at sea. Having lived in squalor, his main
purpose in life was to succeed. As a young man he had become a soldier and gone on
many voyages of exploration. When he met Cortes, they shared the same drive and
desires. It was only in Mexico, when they had conquered the Aztecs, that Arias decided
he could no longer live a life of selfishness and violence. He had been dying of battle
wounds while fighting on the side of the Aztecs, but been saved by a vampire who had
been lived in hiding not far from the village. After that, he left Mexico with his Creator
and though he continued to travel and earn a living as a merchant, he never pursued
wealth with the single-minded greed as he had in his mortal life.
You re not that man anymore, Malika said, squeezing his hand.
He met her gaze and smiled. I love you.
His words took her completely off guard, but in a wonderful way.
I love you too, she replied.
Clara approached and said, Malika, Mr. Anderson is here and he d like to talk
to you for a moment.
Glancing at Arias, she said, He s one of our biggest supporters. Excuse me for a
minute?
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