| 6th Page of BOUND. She hesitated only a moment, then retrieved her bag and took a step forward. He held a door open for her and followed her into a narrow corridor, letting the door close behind them. Moving from the relatively open space of the tiny street to the shadows of such an... intimate area suddenly made her acutely aware that she was quite alone with Hannibal Lecter. This was both exciting and a bit unsettling. �Doctor,� she began, �where exactly...� He sighed and pulled her closer with a quick jerk of the cuffs. His free arm curled around her waist. �I do wish you�d dispense with the formalities, Clarice. This is hardly the time.� His eyes flashed as he brought his mouth down to claim hers. That mouth again. Was there anything she wouldn�t do to feel that mouth on her? �Whatever you want,� she murmured against his lips, �... Hannibal.� He pulled back from the kiss after another long moment and smiled at her. �What a delightful invitation, My Dear.� His eyes roamed over her, a wicked grin curling his lips in response to whatever mental image he had conjured. He let the silence stretch out, no doubt wanting to keep her off-balance. She didn�t care to acknowledge how easily he could do just that. �What do you want, Doc...� She caught herself. �... Hannibal?� �Mmm.� He took her hand and almost reluctantly let his arm slip from around her waist as he turned to lead her along the corridor, the fingers of their bound hands laced together. �All good things to those who wait,� she muttered under her breath. His chuckle was a deep, rich sound that brought her an unexpected rush of pleasure. You�re playing a dangerous game, Starling! That damn voice again. But he�s such a delightful playmate! The thought had come unbidden, surprising her utterly. They emerged from the corridor into a relatively small (by Florentine standards) cathedral that was quite deserted. �I don�t believe I�ve seen an empty church since I got here,� she remarked. �Nor would this be any exception. Fortunately for us, this particular sanctuary is closed to the public at the moment.� He glanced over at the scaffolding extending the length of a wall. �Refurbishment is a local constant, Clarice, the only variant being the location from one week to the next.� The workmen had obviously gone for the afternoon. She was struck by how very quiet it was. �We�re completely alone?� she whispered, noting the amusement in his dark eyes. �Completely,� he agreed. He circled her, slowly moving behind her and wrapping his arm around her waist, her own curled back over her torso under his. �Does that please you, Clarice?� A pause. �Or does it frighten you?� His voice was a soft purr in her ear, the tone playful, inviting. She felt herself tremble as his free hand trailed along her bare arm. He was waiting for her answer. �It excites me,� she said finally, a slight strain in her voice from her efforts at control. He chuckled quietly and nuzzled her hair aside as his lips brushed over the nape of her neck. Her breath caught in her throat when she felt his teeth on her skin and her eyes fluttered closed, her body tensing for only the briefest moment before relaxing into his. �This is what you came for, isn�t it, Clarice?� �Yes.� Turn page to next part of fic.... |