Vampire Dreams Revamped (A Sons of Navarus Prequel) Read Online Free Page B

see him, but by nine o’clock he was still absent and when
the rest of the household retired to their rooms in the servants’
quarters, she reluctantly climbed the stairs to her bedroom. Unsure
if she was expected to know of his peculiar schedule, she remained
awake until ten o’clock, but found herself too sleepy by then and
retired for the evening also.
    Wearing a borrowed nightgown from Mrs.
Jandry's niece, Arden looked around her new quarters. The room was
small, but it was cozy. Alongside the bed was a small night table,
and in the corner was a dressing table very much like the one she'd
had before her father's death had caused her to lose their
home.
    She stared at the table, letting her mind
travel back in time to when her parents still lived and cared for
her. The pain of losing them, still fresh in her mind, bit at her
heart, and she pushed it away, angry with herself that she let the
thought in at all. They were gone, and there was nothing she could
do about it.
    Extinguishing the gaslight, she lay back on
her bed and relaxed in the darkness. The comfort of her new bed,
unlike anything she’d had for weeks, felt so wonderful beneath her
tired body. Closing her eyes, she let the reality of her new
situation settle into her brain. She was no longer homeless, a
street urchin scorned by all who passed by and forced to sleep on
the hard ground. She was what she'd been before her father's
passing—a young woman who although she had no fortune was still
honorable. Comforted by this, she let her mind stray to Brandon
Ridley and his unusual living habits. As she drifted off to sleep,
she wondered if her new job of being maid to a man who never stayed
home was too good to be true.
    ***
    Brandon knew by midnight all in the house
would be asleep, including Arden. He remained at his desk in his
study, waiting patiently as the minutes ticked away. Anxious, he
tapped his knuckle on the edge of the desktop and jumped when the
grandfather clock in the parlor announced midnight. The time had
come. Resolved to his choice, he left his study and taking each
step with care, he quietly ascended the stairs to her bedroom.
    Once inside her room, he stood with his back
pressed to the door watching her. How beautiful she was in sleep!
As beautiful as during waking hours. As the glow of the moon
streamed in and bathed her in its soft light, he was reminded of
the vision of her the night before and told himself she was a
natural child of the night.
    She remained asleep, and as he watched,
aroused by her peacefulness, his passions created a storm in him he
struggled to control.
    So innocent, yet so desirable.
    He’d purposefully avoided her since waking,
sure his need for her would be met by the response of a proper
lady. No, he’d have her this way and wait for her to come to
him.
    Almost timidly, as if what he might find may
cause him to lose control of his desire, he peeled back the blanket
and sheet to reveal her body covered only by a thin white
nightgown. Mere fabric was all that stood between his desires and
sweet satisfaction.
    He stopped a moment as she unconsciously
recognized the change in her sleep, and when she stilled, he sat
silently on the bed to study her. Her face was like that of a
porcelain doll's. He stared at her skin like creamy silk and lips
so perfect they resembled those of the cherubs he'd seen in
paintings. Her body...whatever innocence her face possessed, her
body betrayed it with the seductive curves of a woman. But she was
so delicate—how would she respond to his touch?
    Struggling to restrain himself, he gently
touched the soft collar of her nightgown and tugged on the white
silk ribbon at her neck. Opened, it revealed a tease of what was to
come. One by one, he moved down her body as he untied the ribbons
that held the fabric closed, until he’d revealed her beautiful
breasts and womanly figure.
    How he wanted her! That it must be like this
for now he accepted, but he eagerly awaited the time when