Nick wanted to speak to Natalie-- badly. He wanted to see what LaCroix had done to her. Maybe if LaCroix had hypnotized her, he could bring her back to her senses? Nat might be a Resistor to Nick alone, but perhaps since LaCroix had already tampered with her thoughts, it would be malleable enough for him to fix whatever damage had been done. The question remained, however: what *had* LaCroix done exactly? LaCroix had said that she went to him of her own free will. He'd said Nick had been blind to her needs and changes. Although Nick was certain his master had done something to influence Natalie, deep within his heart he still felt doubt. He realized that he had indeed been blind. He never saw that she had been suffering. He had been living in his own little dream world--creating a fantasy life with a fantasy Natalie.
Now, as he sat on a rooftop watching her door--waiting for her to leave for the Raven--he wondered if he could face her. He'd been stupid--blindly stupid--and now she hated him. Could he bear to look at her and see the hurt in her eyes? Hurt he had caused her?
The door opened and Natalie stepped outside on LaCroix's arm She was all laughter and light as he led her to his car. When he held open the door, she stopped to kiss him before sliding into the black Jaguar.
When their lips met, Nick felt a
stab of pain and jealousy race through his heart. LaCroix... he thought,
allowing the thought to vibrate down their vampiric link. ...I will repay...
he added as LaCroix looked up and met his eyes with an even, challenging
stare. Then he flew away.
For her part, Natalie was enjoying her time with LaCroix. He had gone back to courting her. He took her to the opera, the ballet, fancy restaurants, dancing, and their customary long walks. He was as gentlemanly and as courteous as he always had been. The only change in their relationship was in the intimacy department. When they kissed, it was with an urgency and a desire which both disturbed and excited her. These kisses seemed to end much too soon, however, and if she asked him to stay the night, he would refuse. Each refusal came with a similar excuse: "I don't trust myself" or "you're not ready yet."
Nat wished she could do something to make
herself "ready" sooner. She wanted him to hold her and make love to her
all night long. Some nights, she would dream about him, reliving the love
affair between Natasha and Lucien. She would awaken, warm and tingly, remembering
the feel of his lips against various parts of her body. All this made her
ache for him.
Seated beside him in the Jaguar, Nat reached over and touched his hand, squeezing gently. "I love you," she said suddenly.
LaCroix glanced at her as he stopped at a red light. He smiled. "And I you, my dear."
"Lucien... I've been thinking," she began.
"Have you? Of what?" he asked as the light turned green.
"We've been spending a lot of time together lately, and I thought... well, maybe we could... I'm hardly at home anymore," she stammered.
"I've noticed that," LaCroix commented, trying to catch her eyes as he drove. He wondered what she was getting at.
"I thought maybe things would be easier if we moved in together," she said at last. "And maybe if we did, I could get over this fear you say I have."
Now she was grinning at him. He stopped the car just outside the Raven and stared at her in open wonder. He wouldn't have expected *that* from her in a million years.
"Well?" She asked, her grin turning into Natasha's impish smile. "May I move in, or what?"
"You surprise me, my dearest Natalie. I don't know what to say."
" 'Yes' would be nice..." The grin was fading from her face, replaced by a look of worry. Sometimes when Natalie let Natasha's impulsive ways take over, she often found herself wondering if she had overstepped her bounds.
LaCroix recognized the look that had suddenly come to Natalie's face. It was the same scolded-child expression Natasha had had on her face when she thought he was angry with her. Her lower lip stuck out, trembling slightly. He wasn't angry with her. Far from it. Surprised, yes, but pleasantly so.
He took her in his arms, kissing her deeply until her head swam and her heart was racing. "I am honored that you wish to join me, my dear. However, my apartment is not quite fit for extra people right now." He paused when he saw the rejection in her eyes. He kissed it away. "Give me a few short weeks to make room for you, Natalie. I promise you, my feelings will not change in that time."
They kissed again before finally
entering the Raven.