by Emily Bex
Standing up, her body was screaming for him. His compliments made her high. Leaning in slightly, she slid her long red nail along his jaw. “Daddy always gets what he wants.”
He reached up and gripped her wrist firmly, squeezing to the point of pain, as she winced. “And don't ever forget it, my darling.”
“I never forget that, Alec. So, I think, perhaps I will find him a red-haired beauty, fully endowed with a touch of something in her blood that will scream to him, make him unable to resist his hunger. How wonderfully devious does that sound? I almost feel sorry for Shade...almost.” She laughed softly.
He tipped back the glass of Midnight and emptied the contents into his throat, licking his lips and then locking eyes with her. “We are two of a kind, my darling. Pull this off, and you'll get what you're hungry for.”
Her hunger spiked with his words, and the anticipation of what was to come. She had to rein it in and concentrate on everything he had laid at her feet.
“Have I ever failed you, Alec? Leave this to me. It’s a simple enough plan to accomplish. Everything will fall neatly into place with no sign of either of us being involved. ” Smiling softly, she stood, running her hand down the sides of her thighs. “Is there anything else you wish for tonight?”
“That will be all, my darling. I think it’s enough, don’t you?”
She left the room, with a sway in her hips and could feel his eyes were still on her. He knew he could count on her to implement this plan.
61
Sitting in her home office, Rissa twirled her cell phone around in her hand. The time had come to get this plan in motion. She’d already hired her actor friend, and she’d made the gel capsules filled with white snake root. Now she was ready to find the feeder, and she had one already in her sights. She was just waiting for a few return calls. Running through her phone list, she found Kate’s number and grinned like a Cheshire cat. Your immortal dream is about to come crashing down, you naive little bitch! Dialing Kate’s number, she cleared her throat and prepared to be the most concerned best friend in the world.
Kate had finished dressing and heard her cell phone ring. She made a mad grab for it, so as not to disturb Shade. She rushed out of the bedroom, closing the door behind her, as she read the caller ID and answered the call. “Rissa, I'm so glad you called.”
“Kate, congratulations! Alec told me the news. We’re so happy for you both. I know you must be so excited. And Shade, I can’t imagine how proud he must be to have a child who’ll finally inherit the Medici legacy. How are you feeling, my friend?”
Kate was a little surprised at her response, but welcomed Rissa’s enthusiasm. “Thank you. And thank you for sending your doctor. Shade and I are both appreciative of your support. I know Shade called Alec last night. I guess I need a specialist now?”
“Yes, but don’t worry one moment. Alec and I want the very best for you and Shade. So, I have made some contacts, and I couldn’t get the specialist immediately. Believe it or not, he’s in Switzerland at the moment, treating a royal over there. I told you, only the best for you. He promised me he’d be available next Thursday evening, and I must insist Shade be with you. Now, you just relax, Kate. Alec and I have this taken care of. Let us get you the help you need, and we’ll be at your side for anything that comes up.”
“Of course, next Thursday will work. Shade is asleep now, but I know how important this is to him. He’ll make any changes to his calendar he needs to. You don't need to worry, he won't miss this appointment. Rissa, I can't thank you enough. I had no idea this pregnancy would be so complicated. You know this wasn't planned, right? I have to admit, as excited as I am, it has been very stressful. I don't know what I would have done without your help.”
Rissa grinned to herself at pulling off her charade. “And I’ll make absolutely sure Alec won’t need him next Thursday. The stress will end once you see my specialist and he’ll help you through the pregnancy. I’m always willing to help. I’ll go now and let you get your rest, but keep me informed, sweetie. I want to know everything that happens, so I can be there for you, no matter what. Take care, sweet friend.”
As she hung up, Rissa threw back her head and laughed wickedly. You stupid bitch, this child will disappear, and then you’ll lose your Shade. If you think you’ll win him back, I can make sure you disappear as well.
62
Alec took a deep breath. He had so little quiet time. He’d take advantage of it and maybe get caught up on some reading. He knew Rissa would be back soon and wondered if she’d made any progress on their plan. He poured himself another glass of Midnight and browsed through the Washington Post.
It was late when he heard her walk in the front door. He heard her rush upstairs to change before joining him in the study. He looked up to see her standing in the doorway, dressed in red lingerie.
“And exactly who are you trying to tempt with that outfit, my wicked little demon? Have you had a drink? Come in and fill me in.”
She smiled slyly. “I’m dying for a drink.” She poured herself a glass of Midnight, as she ran her hand along the back of his shoulders.
“Would you like another?” Not waiting for a response, she refilled his empty glass and leaned against the edge of his desk, sipping at the wine.
“I called Kate earlier, she’s so ridiculously happy and in love, it’s sickening. The fake doctor will arrive on Thursday. I made sure Shade would be there, I stressed that, and she assured me he wouldn’t miss it.”
“Yes, well, hopefully your conversation with Kate went more smoothly than mine did with Shade. The ending was rather abrupt, and knowing Shade, I can pretty much guarantee that’s one fucked phone. I'm not concerned about him missing that appointment. He’s such a simpering puppy at her feet. I told him he was pussy-whipped. He’s an old school vampire, how he could allow himself to become ensnared in this mess is beyond me. You know her—this Kate—please explain to me the attraction?”
Lifting the lid of the cigarette box, she pulled one out, lit it, and took a long drag. She smiled as she passed him the cigarette.
“When we travelled together in college, she was always such a romantic. The arts, museums, live theater. She didn’t want to go to clubs, just those sappy romantic things. I always thought she was a bit naïve. Mortals are attracted to that deep, dark, mysterious soul, I suppose. It attracted me to you. Perhaps she thinks she can tame him. I don’t understand his attraction to her myself.”
“Ah...and that’s the problem, Rissa. She has tamed him. At least, she’s tamed him from the Shade I’ve always known. He was a much nastier warrior when he had nothing to lose and was wallowing in his own loneliness. A warrior with a broken soul is a very dangerous warrior, indeed. Now, he’s more cautious, and he worries about her. She’s a distraction. My life was much easier before this mortal nymph came into the picture. You know I hold you partially responsible?”
“How so, my wicked love? I didn’t push either of them into each other’s arms. I can’t be held responsible for where Shade puts his cock. And as I recall, you were the one who insisted Shade attend all those events when he first came here to the States.”
He drew on the cigarette, and slowly exhaled the cloud of smoke before he handed the cigarette back to her, making sure to touch her hand as he did. He could feel her respond immediately to his touch. Don't be too eager, my darling. You know I’ll only prolong your suffering.
“True, and believe me, that’s one cock that has made the rounds, which is another reason this sudden undying loyalty has me scratching my head. I can't wrap my head around a domesticated Shade. Which brings me to my next question, darling. The feeder, I hope you have found someone that can wreak havoc in this little love nest.”
“Everything’s in place, ready for attack. It’s all arranged.” Throwing back her blonde hair as she sat on the edge of his desk, she laughed an evil laugh. “Oh, my wicked love, I’ve found the gem of all gems to tempt your Shade. She’s a redhead. He seems to crave them, app
arently. But her body…” Leaning forward, she was face to face with him. “…voluptuous, built to handle a warrior and his beast. Not skin and bones like that snippet of a mortal. Her breasts are heaving, and she smells delicious beyond belief. She was bred to fire his soul and ride him like a wild bitch in heat. He won’t be able to resist her, of that I’m sure.”
He grinned back at her. “Hmm...this feeder, maybe I should take her for a test drive? I can't remember the last time I rode a redhead. Who better to determine her skills to lure Shade away from that mortal?”
Her eyes locked with his. “Better yet, perhaps she could join both of us?” Her voice had become husky and alluring.
He threw his head back and laughed. “Oh, you are my devious darling, aren't you? But then, that’s what I love about you. Well played, Rissa, well played.”
She smiled at him. “Now, I have some phone calls to catch up on and I’m sure you’re much too busy at the moment to deal with feeders, a domesticated warrior and me.” Pouring him another glass of Midnight and lighting another cigarette, she handed it to him. “I’ll be in my office, taking care of some dirty deeds.”
Spinning on her heels, her hips rocked as she walked to the door and untied her robe, letting it slide down her shoulders as she stopped at the open door. Slipping one arm out of the robe, she let the robe drape to the floor, dragging it behind her.
He watched her grand exit from the room. No one had more confidence than Rissa. No one. She made the game a challenging one, he’d give her that.
63
Kate lay in his arms and reflected on his words. Sleep wouldn’t come because her mind was filled with questions about his world. He wanted them to be in his world. But that was the problem. She wasn’t of his world. She’d fallen in love with an immortal, and he shielded her still from so much of his world. She knew his heart, but not his life. Or did she only think she knew his heart? They lived in a world where he kept her in a bubble, to keep her safe. But the bubble was fragile, and his world seeped in through the cracks. She tried to understand. She wanted to understand. But she was wondering if that was even possible, especially when he sheltered her from so much. She only saw pieces of the puzzle. Protection, he called it. But was it?
They stayed in this cycle of passionate loving, followed by tormented misunderstanding. Would it eventually rip them apart? Would he tire of this drama that constantly played out between them and seek one of his own kind? She was drawn to his darkness, she wanted to dive into that darkness and heal his pain. But she watched his torment, and so much of it seemed to be caused by her, by them, and their cycle of miscommunication, or cryptic non-communication.
And this baby! There was still much left unsaid about this baby. She knew every parent worried about a new baby, but not like this. Not this level of worry and anguish. What secrets do you keep from me still?
She wanted this life with him so desperately, and yet, she couldn’t even define this life because he hid it from her. After everything, did he still fear she’d run? Did she appear that fragile to him that she’d crumble under the truth of his world? I couldn’t love you more if I tried, my savage lover, but you leave me filled with doubt.
She curled into him, the feel of his arms as they cradled her, and she could only hope he remembered his promise. Don't break my heart, lover. Please don't break my heart. Eventually, she drifted into a troubled sleep.
Shade was startled awake and felt her in his arms, asleep. What the hell? He lay still, watching her sleep. As he stared at her face, there was a slight frown, a subtle shake of her head, and he felt something was bothering her. It would be easy for him to enter her dreams, wipe away whatever troubled her. Before he lifted his hand to her forehead to enter her dreams, she moaned softly, and nuzzled into his neck, as if she were trying to feed. She hadn’t fed from him since she first felt ill. The baby was hungry, gnawing at her in her sleep. He could feel her hunger, and her need for his blood. Gently moving from under her as she lay with her head on his shoulder, he held still, making sure he didn’t wake her. Sliding down her body and between her legs, he began kissing her with soft wet kisses on the inside of her beautiful soft thighs.
He could feel her awaken to his touch, but he knew she was still in dream-land. His tongue caressed her sex, and he inhaled the scent of her sweet honey, as he flicked his tongue inside her, tasting her as she wiggled her hips. Increasing her sexual desire would heighten her hunger and she’d feed deeply, which is what he needed her to do. He’d held back making love to her since they learned of the pregnancy. He felt unsure, but his need for her is great. Sliding his hands up her inner thighs, he buried his face between her legs, sliding his tongue softly up and down her sex, flicking and sucking her clit, she was so wet and sweet it was driving him wild. This woman took him to levels of need he’d never felt, and he was never letting her go.
From deep in her sleep, she felt herself in the midst of an erotic dream. Her hands gripped the sheets beneath her, as a moan escaped her lips. She felt herself rising slowly from sleep, but the delicious sensations were becoming more intense, not less. As she surfaced into wakefulness and realized it was Shade who lay between her legs, very much alive and in the flesh. Not a dream.
She reached down and ran her fingers through his tangled curls as she felt his tongue probing. The heat, the ache, the desire to have him overwhelmed her. “Lover,” she whispered to him. He’d not been with her for days, and she knew his worry, but her body screamed out for him. “Lover, please.”
“I wish to please, si? What is it you wish for?”
“To feel you deep inside me. To have you cum inside me while I cling to you, legs wrapped around you. That is what I wish for.”
Sliding up on his knees, he ran his hands up both sides of her body, as he slowly pushed his cock inside her, and felt her hips lift to take him deeper.
He kissed her hard and passionately, and moving his hips slowly, bringing pleasure to them both. Cupping the back of her head, he pulled her to his neck and whispered to her.
“Give it up to me and feed.”
His mouth covered hers, and she inhaled him. She’d missed him so. She hadn’t fed from him in more than a week, and her body had been calling out for his blood for days, but they’d been at such odds.
Feeling his neck against her lips brought a desire that was beyond any resistance, and she bit into his skin, and drew hard, pulling his blood into her mouth. As soon as his blood touched her tongue, she felt that explosion of heat between her legs as she locked her legs around him, pulling him to her. She moaned into his neck as she felt his body respond, felt his cock throbbing inside of her. Her hips thrust at him, her sex pulled at him. More, more blood, and she felt the orgasm wash over her, like a forest fire burning out of control. Despite her desire to drink more, her lips broke away from him and her head was thrown back as she cried out with the intensity of the pleasure his body brought to hers.
His mouth covered hers once again as she felt him explode inside her, and his own cries of pleasure drowned out hers. She buried her face in his neck once again, and drank slowly now, as her heartbeat returned to normal, and his ragged breathing slowed.
He gently pulled away from her and rolled to his back, drawing her to his chest. He hands trailing down her back, comforting her.
“Bel, are you all right? The bambino?”
“Of course I’m all right. You worry far too much. Pregnant women have sex all the time. In fact, I think I read they’re even hornier, so you better get used to it.” She giggled at him.
“You are making that up.” He chuckled softly.
Rolling her over on her back, he lay on top of her, keeping his weight on his elbows, taking her face in his hands, he looked in her eyes. “Ti amo, mi amore. Tell me we’re going to be okay, all of us.”
“Of course we’ll be okay. We’ll all be okay.”
Kissing her gently, his hands slide into her hair, as he intensified the kiss, rolling his tongue inside her warm mouth.
He wants her blood. This will kill him, surely. He wanted all of her, not just some of her and he didn’t know how long he could handle feeding from Luca, when all he wanted was her. Clearing his mind of those thoughts, he moaned against her lips. He could kiss her forever, and still, it would never be enough. “Did I happen to mention that I love you?”
“I think you may have mentioned it, once or twice, but tell me again. Tell me every day, because I never get tired of hearing it, si?”
He smiled at her. “You know I love when you mimic me. And you, my minx, I never get tired of that mouth. It brings me such pleasure.” Laughing wickedly, he kissed her again. “We must get up soon. I do have some things to attend to. What are your plans?”