Free Dancing Dragon by Nicola Claire

and violet, no attempt to hide the supernatural response in front of the Norms. I guess his vamps would be glazing then.
    He returned the perusal with equal sensual speed, all languid and slow, devouring every inch of my barely covered body. Despite the miles of fabric surrounding my legs, I felt naked under his heavy gaze, as though he had already undressed me and was tasting every inch of my body with his eyes. I felt heat wash through me at that look and a wetness settle at my core. His lips quirked and then a tongue dashed out to lick them.
    So, not entirely unaffected then. Good.
    I crooked a finger at him, demanding he step closer. I could have sent a silent thought, but this needed to be obvious and public. Amisi's rules, damn her.
    He walked over, not a glide as such, he was still somewhat in control and wasn't pushing it as far as the Norms went and every single person, vampire or human, was watching the scene right now, but his movements weren't far off supernatural. Sleek, predatory, perfect. Then he stopped within two feet of me and thrust his hands in the pockets of his trousers, making his jacket spread wide across his hips. A usual movement for Michel, but on this occasion, I would have bet my silver stake he was doing it to stop himself from reaching for me, whereas normally, it was a sign of his casual ease. A knowing smile spread across my face as I took his stance in and when I lifted my gaze to his I was met by a brief flash of hunger, then his mask. I hated that mask and no more so than right now. I would have him acknowledge what I did to him. Right now, right in front of his line and the Norms of this city.
    He saw the look of challenge in my eyes and raised his eyebrows slowly, cocking his head to the side.
    “I am here, ma douce . What would you have of me?” His voice began caressing my arms, trailing along my bare décolletage, then tracing their way down my back. The surprise evident on his face when he encountered no fabric, then a flash of possessive protectiveness following in its wake as he realised that those vampires standing behind me were copping a good look at my naked flesh.
    Shit Amisi, I thought you said no jealousy? It also hadn't failed to register with me that my shields were down, tattered as it were, but I had no intention of rebuilding them right now. Let him come to me, let him see what he will.
    “You have been remiss, Michel. You have forgotten you are mine.” I said it softly, so only he would hear and the supernatural ears of those Nosferatu in attendance.
    “Have I?” he asked, innocently. “Or have you?”
    I paused slightly, I hadn't meant to. Had I forgotten? Was this all my fault? Had I given him reason to think I no longer cared? Is that why he had moved out and avoided me at all cost?
    No! My inner monologue shouted. No! I grabbed hold of the anger and threw a fraction of it out towards him with the thought, bad, bad vampire , thrown in just for fun.
    He actually laughed, then recovered himself. “I guess not. So, what would you have of me, wife?”
    He had only called me wife once or twice in the past, usually when we were being intimate, usually when he was wanting me to know how very important I was to him, how much he loved me. I blinked at the words now. Was he sending me a signal? I refused to take the steadying breath in that I needed and walked past him towards his quarters, throwing a look over my shoulder when I knew he would finally be seeing my back.
    “I intend to remind you, husband,” I said quietly, proud that my voice didn't shake and then slipped through the opened door, nodding to the vampire who held it ajar and praying Michel was following.
    I didn't stop until I came to the centre of his private chamber, but I could feel him behind me, slowly advancing on my back, his hunger, need and desire flowing out in front of him, wrapping around me, almost making me gasp in shock. He wanted me, he hungered for me, he needed me and he let all of it