by Candi Fox
He was stunningly gorgeous. Almost pretty, but he was too masculine to be called pretty. His long blonde hair fell beyond his shoulders. She couldn’t tell how long it was since he was seated. His eyes were blue, the color of a cloudless sky. They were nearly luminescent in the semi-darkness.
His chin was chiseled and had just the right amount of stubble on it. He had the most sensuous set of lips, she had ever seen.
She had the nearly uncontrollable urge to kiss them. His wide shoulders were clothed in a black velvet jacket. Harley noticed for the first time the chairs around the fire were also black velvet.
He seemed to be studying her as much as she was studying him. The silence stretched on as each looked the other one over.
He had a white shirt underneath the velvet jacket that was unbuttoned showing a light covering of chest hair. His skin wasn’t as pale as she thought it would have been. Perhaps he was old enough, or powerful enough to be a day walker.
He finally spoke. His voice was smooth, warm, it sent shivers down her spine.
“Release her. Let her sit.” He motioned for Harley to sit in the seat beside him.
“Please tell me your reason for trespassing on my property and for killing one of my gargoyles.”
“I’m part of the region's paranormal response team. I’m the witch that goes with them on their biggest cases. I cover from Tulsa to Dallas and everything in between.”
“A group of college students reported a gargoyle sighting. As part of the response team, I came to investigate.”
“We found the college students murdered in the circle that your underlings found me in. The gargoyle had torn them to shreds.”
“I had to kill the gargoyle to not only save myself but to save the rest of the paranormal response team.”
He studied her while she talked. She had the sense he knew she was telling the truth.
“I thought your energy tasted witch like. I’d say you are from a very powerful and old blood line.”
He turned to the jester. “Aiden, go get something to bandage our guest's arm. I wouldn’t want anyone to be tempted by all that delicious smelling blood.”
“Now, why don’t you tell me your name? I do believe you will be spending the night, while my associates verify your identity. One can’t be too careful after all.”
Harley found herself nearly smiling. “My name is Harley. Harlowe Kelly if you need to look me up. You can find my agency information easy enough.”
“Hmm. Harlowe Kelly. I may have heard of you. Tell me, Miss Kelly, how did you kill my gargoyle?”
“I used a sword. I’d also like to know whose hospitality I will be enjoying this evening.”
He nodded his head in mock formality. His words were succinct, sending energy through her body with each one. “I’m Luciano. Zoe, please escort our guest up to a room. Allow her to freshen up, and rest.”
While Harley didn’t like the idea of staying here, if she was at least semi-safe, it would be the easiest thing to do. She was out of other ideas.
CHAPTER FIVE
The three vampires escorted Harley to a rather comfortable looking bedroom. The room was decorated in deep purple Victorian Goth.
She would have loved this room under other circumstances. She heard a distinct click when Zoe and her two cohorts left and knew she was locked inside the room.
Though she was told by her host, Luciano, she was a guest, she knew she was really a prisoner at his mercy. He had taken her cell phone. For that matter, her boots were still back in the circle.
Her feet were cut, bruised and raw. The wound on her arm still bled and had begun to throb with the beat of her heart. Harley felt feverish and was certain a magical infection had set in. Her ribs hurt like a mother fucker.
She hadn’t seen the jester since Luciano had sent him to get bandages. Hopefully, he hadn’t forgotten. She could use a little first aid, TLC.
She could also use a hot bath and a good meal. Harley wondered if Lieutenant Meyers had come back for her. Surely someone would miss her.
She tensed as she heard a key in the lock. The door opened to reveal the jester carrying a large tray with what looked like an assortment of items on it.
He smiled at her, and she realized his eyes were nearly the same green color as his hair.
“Sorry, it took me so long. I wanted to get you some food.” He said, smiling.
Harley wasn’t sure whether to recoil or be grateful. Jesters were usually hired hitmen. Their laugh had proven to be fatal to more than one person. They also usually only worked for dark fae or dark vampire lords.
She wondered what purpose this one served in Luciano’s household.
He sat the tray down on the chaise lounge and motioned for her to sit beside it.
“I’m Aiden. Please sit down and let me look at your wound.”
Harley limped over to the lounge and sat down.
“Did you injure your leg as well?”
She shook her head. “No, I didn’t have any shoes on. It was a long walk.”
“Sorry, I don’t think any of us realized that.”
He was being too nice. She wondered what was up. She was clearly brought here as a prisoner, but Luciano seemed to want to treat her with kindness. That kindness extended to his underlings.
She sat down next to him on the chaise lounge and surveyed the tray. It had a variety of first aid supplies, a glass of ice, two cans of coke, fruit, cheese and a sandwich.
Aiden gingerly took her arm into both of his hands and began to look at the wound.
“It looks fairly deep. You may need stitches. I’ll let Luc know after we are done.”
“Luc?”
“Luciano. We call him Luc for short.”
“Have you been in his employ long?”
Aiden smiled at her. “Let’s talk business later. Let me do something with this wound.”
Harley put a smile on her face, however she was wondering why he wanted to avoid a simple question.
He cleaned and bandaged the wound on her arm before cleaning up her feet. Harley fought back tears at the pain as he cleaned up her feet. He loosely bandaged them before offering her some food.
“Why don’t you eat, then try to rest. I will be back later.”
Without waiting for a response, he left the room.
Harley used simple magic to make sure the food wasn’t poisoned or drugged. She ate what she could and then hobbled over to the bed.
There was nothing for her to change into so she decided to sleep in her clothes. She hated to sleep in dirty clothes on such a fine bed, nevertheless, she had little choice.
CHAPTER SIX
Luciano had dismissed Zoe and the others. He was patiently waiting for Aiden’s return. He was interested to see what the mindset of their new guest was.
He had used her phone to call the Lieutenant and let him know that Harley was safe and under his care. At least that’s what he convinced the Lieutenant to believe.
He wasn’t sure whether Harlowe Kelly was safe or not. He hadn’t decided her fate. She intrigued him. Her power intrigued him. He could sense she had a great deal more power than even she knew about.
With careful cultivation, she would make a strong ally or perhaps something more.
“Ahh, Aiden. Tell me how our guest fairs.”
“She seems calm enough. I’m sure it’s partly a front. At least, I wouldn’t be comfortable being a guest under such questionable means.”
Luciano pondered his statement. “I believe you are correct. I don’t think she is a meek little lamb. I’m sure the fight with the gargoyle took a lot out of her. Tomorrow we shall see more of her true qualities I believe.”
“Sir, I believe she should see a healer of some sort. The gargoyle wounded her deep enough that she needs stitches. The wound smelled like infection, as well. It’s also still bleeding.”
“Thank you, Aiden. I will attend to it personally later. I’m going to try and convince our guest to stay a day or two.
&nb
sp; “More importantly Aiden, I need you to get close to her.”
“Why would you want me to get close to a witch? Especially one that clearly works with the law?”
Luciano smiled. It wasn’t a friendly smile, it was rather cold and calculating.
“Let’s just say she fits some certain criteria I have been looking for. I have been looking for years for a witch of a certain blood line. An ancient bloodline, which I thought was long gone.
“Since the shift, there is a whole new pool of paranormal beings to consider. There is a slim possibility that Harlowe Kelley is exactly the witch I need.
“That’s where you come in. The research into her bloodlines will take some time. During that time, I need Miss Kelly to be cooperative. I also need her close, but can’t risk doing that myself. I have too many enemies.
“You, on the other hand, work for me. You have a low enough profile that you don’t yet have a target painted on your back.”
“You can fly under the radar of the other factions and keep the witch close while I find out what I need to know.”
“How do you know Miss Kelley will want to keep me around? Jester’s don’t exactly have good reputations.”
“Don’t worry. I’ll take care of that little tidbit.”
“You just tamp down that crazy side of yours. Keep it to a bare minimum in front of her.”
“Is this an order?”
“Yes.”
CHAPTER SEVEN
Harley was exhausted when she crawled into bed. She had little energy left after she cast a few minor spells. She’d set up an alarm on the door and the bed. She also used a minor protection spell hoping to save her life long enough to become fully awakened should she come under attack.
She fell asleep quickly and almost immediately began to dream. She was walking alone in the forest. The moon was full and shone bright enough to light her way.
She followed an unknown path. The sounds of crickets, owls, and even wolves surrounded her. None of the sounds frightened her. In fact, it was quite the opposite. The sounds were soothing.
The evening air was cool, but not cold. There were so many stars. She must be far from light pollution. She could see thousands upon thousands of stars.
Fireflies danced around her as she walked down the dimly lit path. She felt safe, happy. The sounds of music caught her attention. She changed direction and followed it.
Harley followed the hauntingly beautiful music to find a small clearing. The clearing was lit with hundreds of candles and off to one side, Luciano sat playing a cello.
He looked up at her and smiled, but continued to play. She walked closer, watching him. His jacket was off. The white poet style shirt was mostly unbuttoned so she could see more of his chest. His long hair unbound fell to his waist. He wore old-fashioned knee breeches and what looked like riding boots.
His eyes beckoned her forward. She stepped into a beam of moonlight that was only a few inches away, watching his nimble fingers glide over the strings of the cello.
He finished the song and rose to meet her. He took her hand in his, brushing his lips against the back of her hand.
Looking deep into her eyes, he kissed the back of her hand again, his lips grazing each knuckle of her hand, sending shivers of delight over her.
Returning his gaze, she saw desire there. Raw, unbridled passion. He removed his lips from the back of her hand and leaned down to kiss her.
His lips barely brushed hers. It was as soft as butterfly wings fluttering against her skin. One of his hands had slipped down to her back, which Harley realized was bare. When he pulled back slightly, she glanced down.
A deep, red silk gown, clung to every curve. It was backless and had a slit going up either leg to her hip. Wispy straps barely held the dress up over her large breasts. Her feet and legs were bare and she wasn’t wearing anything underneath it.
The silk felt good on her skin. So, did the warmth of his hand in the curve of her back. Pulling her closer, he placed kisses on the bridge her nose, her cheeks and then down one side of her neck.
She reflexively reached for him, putting one hand on his shoulder while the other explored a bare expanse of his chest.
His skin was warmer to the touch than she thought it would be. She’d heard that a vampire’s skin was cool to the touch. She reveled in the feel of the light smattering of hair that covered his chest. It reminded her a little of Tom Selleck, or at least how she imagined his chest would feel.
Luciano continued to place kisses on her neck, moving down now to her collar bone. She swayed against him as heat began to play along her skin, where he touched her.
She couldn’t believe this exquisite looking man was seducing her. His lips played awhile at the hollow of her neck before he continued down her shoulder.
Using his free hand, he caressed the side of her face with the back of his hand before cupping her chin and pulling her into a deeper kiss.
His lips pressing firmly against hers. His hands pulling her closer. She was pressed against the length of him and could feel his hardness. Her excitement began to grow as his tongue began to explore her lips. He traced her lips with the tip of his tongue, exploring, tasting, and letting her know he wanted so much more.
She opened her mouth to him. Her tongue met his. He tasted like honey, with just a bit of spice. Her senses prickling at the energy that began to engulf the two of them.
The energy was taking on a life of its own. It beckoned them to delve deeper into their desires.
Luciano lifted her off her feet, without breaking the kiss and carried her further into the clearing. To her surprise, he laid her on a soft bedding like object.
She hadn’t seen a bed there earlier. Then again, she really wasn’t paying that much attention to anything other than Luciano. She was too mesmerized by his cello playing.
He continued kissing her. Taking his lips away from her mouth and kissing the cheek he had neglected before. His mouth creating a hot trail of desire as his lips, once again, touched her throat.
Pausing at the base of her neck, he licked her pulse. She held her breath. Her heart beat faster. Would he bite her?
His teeth did gently graze the pulse of her throat. She sucked in air, gasping at the erotic pleasure of the action.
His lips continued down until they reached the swell of her breasts. She moaned when he took the first nipple into his mouth. He hadn’t bothered to pull the gown down. The silk becoming as wet as she was, as he tongued her nipple into hardness.
Harley moaned with pleasure as he bit and teased the nipple through the silk fabric. After several loud moans, Luciano’s attention focused on the other nipple. This one he did set free of its silken prison.
Harley arched her back, her nails finding the back of his shirt, digging in through the linen. His hands were playing the skin of her body like the cello she had seen him play earlier.
She felt like a symphony as he continued to explore her skin with his hands and mouth. His tongue leaving traces of wetness on bare and silk covered skin alike.
Luciano pulled away, Harley wrenched open her eyes to see what was going on. He’d stood up and was taking off his boots and if she was not mistaken, hose.
He unbuttoned his shirt and let it fall to the ground before laying back down beside her.
Harley’s lips hungrily found his. Her hands roaming over every inch of his bare skin. His body was well developed, he didn’t have the modern-day six-pack, but his muscles were well defined.
His hard body against her soft curves was quite thrilling. She kissed down the side of his neck this time. Stopping at the hollow in his throat and giving it a gentle nip.
For the first time, she heard him moan. Harley grazed her nails down his side, hard enough to leave a trail, but not mark him.
She wiggled out from underneath him so she could continue her onslaught of his bare skin. She kissed and nipped her way down his throat, across his chest, and to his navel.
He had a marvelous trea
sure trail, and she really wanted to see what was hiding beneath those old-fashioned trousers. Looking up into his eyes she undid the buttons on his pants.
She wasn’t really surprised that he wasn’t wearing any underwear. His big thick cock sprang from his pants and she greedily pounced on it. Wrapping her full lips around the head.
She expertly flicked her tongue around the head and shaft of his cock, eliciting more groans from him. He was looking down at her.
She kept his gaze while she worked on sliding the entire length of him down her throat. He was big, so it took her awhile, but she managed it and was rewarded with his loudest moan yet.
Harley spent several minutes worshiping his cock and balls with her mouth, using her hands to massage his balls and inner thighs, while she licked and sucked.
He suddenly growled, reached down, grabbed her and turned her on her back. He pushed the red silk off her thighs and bit down hard, yet not hard enough to draw blood. Harley moaned in response. He buried his face in between her thighs and began to lap at her wetness.
His tongue swirled around her clit, while one long finger entered her finding her g-spot. He curled the finger inside her, hitting her spot at the same time he gently bit and sucked on her clit.
Harley lifted her thighs off the bedding and reached down to grab one of his hands at the same time. Her other hand grabbing the blanket beneath her, twisting it to keep from screaming out in pleasure.
The harder she twisted the sheet, the more determined he seemed to make her cry out in pleasure.
Finally, a moan that sounded like a scream escaped Harley’s lips as the first orgasm rocked her body. Luciano was relentless after that, and coaxed three more orgasms from her before he lifted his face.
Not having to breathe definitely had its benefits. He lifted her gently off the bedding and stripped the gown up over her head, before taking his pants the rest of the way off.
He looked at her face for consent before he entered her. He was so thick, it took time for him to get all the way inside her. Once he was buried to the hilt he began to move in long slow strokes.