She gently caressed his cheek, then wound her fingers through his shoulder-length black hair. "I don't want to go. I must go. I hope you understand." "I understand." The words came easily to him, but the emotions behind them did not. He wanted her to stay. For the first time in a millennium Vladimir Drakul felt close to a woman to this woman. He felt more than just the hunger to satisfy his physical needs and...nutritional requirements. His brain had been engaged by Sofia's sophistication and depth of knowledge, his heart engaged by her unselfish giving and receiving in matters of love. Yes, even loners like the Kindred desired intimacy with others at times. The object of affection did not have to be of their kind in fact sometimes it was better when it came to expressing their sexuality fully. Many of his kind had simply forgotten they possessed genitalia and the soul-stirring sensations that could be engendered there. Vlad was glad he was not one of them. "We'll still have this weekend together, won't we?" he said, raising an eyebrow. She looked him straight in the eyes, slowly lowering the sheet to reveal her glorious form to him. "Yes, we do. Let's make the most of it, shall we?"

"
...