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“It is a strong name, mysterious. ” I slid my hands into his hair and gazed fully into his face.

“Perhaps, but do not speak it to your Master or any other vampire. ”

“Why not?”

His smile was dark, but playfully mocking. “You have your secrets as do I. ”

“Ignatius,” I said, testing it on my tongue and lips. Yes, it suited him. His dark hair, his wondrous eyes, his sensual mouth, his long lean muscled body…yes…

I could feel him firm and heavy against my thigh and I felt my own ardor rising.

“Glynis,” he answered my voice. He, too, seemed to be relishing my name.

Pressing a kiss to his lips, I drew him tight against me. My body shifted and he entered me as I once more loved my mysterious vampire.

Ignatius…

How I love you…

We finally rested in the early afternoon. He covered us with the fine coverlets he had gathered to make his bed. Huddled in the serene darkness beneath the heavy bedclothes, we kissed and whispered. I fell asleep with his chest pressed tightly against my bare back and his face buried in my hair.

I was in heaven.

I woke slowly, dimly aware of his presence. I knew instinctively that he was awake, and I turned to gaze up at him. He was resting beside me, slightly raised up on one arm, regarding me. I slid my hand across his cheek and into his hair, drawing him close to me for a kiss. I adored his kisses and I pressed myself tightly against him as our kisses deepened.

Finally, he drew free with a small laugh. “You are rather insatiable, are you not?”

I smiled wickedly at him, kissing his cheek and nuzzling against him.

“Glynis,” he said softly, his tone quite serious.

“Why are you gazing at me so,” I queried as I drew near once more to my new lover.

He gave me the most solemn of smiles while touching my face gently with his hand. “I fear that when you leave tonight I shall not see you again. ”

“Do not speak of such things. Of course you shall see me again. I am merely departing for my own haven. We shall see each other quite often. I am sure of it,” I said quickly, wishing with all my heart that the words I was uttering were true.

Ignatius kissed my mouth softly and whispered, “But you return to your Master. ”

I lowered my gaze, biting my bottom lip. “Yes, but I am quite independent of him in thought and action. He gives me a measure of freedom, so I can most certainly see you again if I so desire. ”

“And you desire it?”’

“Of course,” I said, giving him a fierce pout. “I am not the sort of woman that will allow any man to take her into his bed on a whim. ” I pressed my hand to my breast and looked at him plaintively. “Do you not see? You have taken my heart and I fear I shall never recover it. ”

Sliding to his knees, he took me in his arms and covered my face with kisses. “And you have taken mine, my impetuous one. ”

I clung to him. “I shall come to you again. I swear it. I am not certain of the date or time, but I will come here. There are matters I must attend to and it shall be difficult for me to slip away, but I shall. ”

“Do not come here,” Ignatius answered. “Come to me in one week. There is a small hotel down near the river. It stands in the shadow of the Cathedral. Meet me in the garden at midnight near the fountain. ”

I hesitated, then nodded. “I shall. I will find a way to be there. ”

His hand gently caressed my cheek as he kissed my forehead lightly. “I shall wait for you until dawn. ”

My hands gently stroking his hair, I gazed into his eyes. “I am loath to leave you. ”

“I am loathing letting you leave, yet I know you must. You have stolen my heart quite away from me, dear Glynis. Never in my long life have I felt the passions that you have stirred within me. I fear that when you leave I shall feel quite cold again. ” He spoke softly, but his tone was rich with feeling. I knew deep within myself that he was not lying. His touch against my skin was so exquisitely loving.