by Emily Bex
He pulls her onto his lap as she snuggles close. "bel, I have seen enough of his kind all over the world, not half-breeds, but vampires without covens. That is how we end up with so many rogue vampires, they have no one. No structure and they turn into killing machines, but this one, not so much. He will be lost to the streets forever, probably even killed before long. Perhaps half-breeds are more accepted here in the States, but not so much in Europe, so I need him protected as well as providing a structured environment and the love of his brothers. No fear, Luca and Marcello will take him in hand, especially Luca. Luca is young and well rounded. This one will be fine, once he is removed from the streets and shown a more productive way. Now, where were we?"
Grabbing her up into his arms, he kisses her passionately. The night is still young.
32
As soon as the sun sets, Shade awakes and dresses, heading out in search of Luciano to let him know he has hired Cory, and Cory has two days here in the Stares to get his affairs in order and then Luciano is to get him to Florence. Shade pops in on Cory, tells him he and Kate are leaving to go back to Virginia, but lets the boy know he can contact him on his cell anytime. He gives the fragile boy a hug, welcoming him to the family. He tells Cory to eat whatever he wants, and Luciano will take care of anything he needs.
“And Cory?”
Cory looks up at him, “Yes, master?”
“Lay off the booze. Drink the wine when you must, but with moderation. Understood?”
Cory locks eyes with him. Funny, if anyone else had tried to lecture him, he would have just blown it off. Why does this master’s approval mean so much to him?
“Understood, master.”
Shade ruffles his hand through the boy’s hair as he turns and leaves.
Heading back to their sparsely furnished bedroom, Shade finds Kate is dressed and ready to go. She looks up when he comes in, “Is he okay? Cory?”
“Si, he looks better this morning. I think he spent the night in the kitchen eating.”
They both laugh, but Kate comes to him as her face turns serious. “I’m glad he came to you. And so glad you are finding a place for him. You’ve a soft touch for a vampire.”
“Shhh, don’t ruin my reputation.”
He scoops her up in his arms and teleports them back to Bel Rosso, landing in their Virginia bedroom. Kate has her notebook of ideas for the California house clutched to her chest.
***
The renovations on the Virginia house have been completed, including the renovations to their master bathroom, and knocking out the wall of an adjoining bedroom to convert the space into his and hers walk-in closets for the them both. The modifications to the staff quarters have also been completed. Now, all Kate has to do is furnish the staff quarters, and Bel Rosso, and that huge California house.
Shade has given her contacts for everything; electricians, plumbers, carpenters, painters, flooring specialists, designers, antiquities dealers, and landscapers ̶ pretty much anything and everything she would need to complete the project, and all his contacts are vamps. All she does is mention his name and things get done.
They are both pleased with the results so far, as they take a tour of the house to see what work has been completed while they were in California.
“Lover, everything looks like it is done. The Venetian plaster on the walls, repairs to the original tile flooring, and restoration of the hardwood floors. All the plumbing and electrical have been replaced. The kitchen and baths have all been updated. I’ll start furnishing and decorating now. It shouldn’t take long working with your contacts.”
“Si, mi amore. It looks very authentic. Feels like Tuscany, si?”
“It does! I will complete everything downstairs and do a few bedrooms upstairs. I don’t think I need to furnish all the bedrooms right away. I’ll save our bedroom for last since we at least have something in there. This room with the built-in bookshelves, this will be your office. I like this room with the exposed beams and the one stone wall, very masculine. But this suite of rooms at the end of the hall, it looks like it was an addition to the original building. I think the previous owner was adding a downstairs master suite, but I prefer our space upstairs. What do you think?”
“Oh si, much prefer the upstairs for us, feels more private to me, bel. But I agree, this looks like it was added on to the original structure.”
Kate walks thought the large space, the sitting area has large windows that would let in a lot of light in the day and more built in bookshelves. Whoever lived here before shared her love of books. There are French doors that open onto the patio.
“It’s a beautiful space. I’m just not sure what to do with it. So, I’m going to leave it for now. Maybe I’ll just get a bed in here, and I’ll figure it out later.”
Shade smacks her ass as she walks past him, “Whatever makes you happy.”
Kate grabs his hand and drags him from the rooms, back into the hall. She opens the door that leads downstairs into a below ground basement that was converted into a wine cellar. Shade follows her, never having explored this section of the house before.
“Where are you taking me, bel?”
She laughs as she looks back over her shoulder at him, “The dungeon, lover, where else?”
She sees an expression of concern wash over his face as he momentarily slows his step, or did she only imagine that? As they reach the bottom of the stairs, she opens the heavy oak door, pushing hard against the hinges as they creak in protest. She flips on the light switch to a room that is dusty and covered in cobwebs.
Shade steps around her to look at the wine cellar. Kate is coughing from the dust already, but follows him in.
“It doesn’t look like anyone has been down here in… well… forever! I discovered it earlier this week. It will need a lot of work down here, but it will be perfect, don’t you think? Especially as the vineyards are completely restored? I mean, I know you have the large cellar over in the vineyards, but wouldn’t you want one here in the house?”
“No, this is perfect! Please add this to your project list. Definitely want this room restored.”
Shade walks to the far end of the cellar, and another heavy oak door. “Where does this door lead?”
“I don’t know. That door was locked, and I didn’t see a key anywhere. I just assumed it was part of the wine cellar.”
Shade picks up the heavy black padlock in his hand and wills it open. Kate’s face registers her surprise.
“Well, that’s a handy trick to have.”
He smiles at her as he pushes against the door, opening into a very large, rectangular room that is completely empty. He wills on the lights as he enters, and she follows behind him. Kate looks around the empty space.
“This is a disappointment. I was hoping for hidden treasure.”
Shade takes in the space and turns to look at her. “It is hidden treasure, bel. Well hidden.”
“I don’t understand, lover.”
“Perfect for me, bel. Weapons bunker. I will take care of this room. And once done, you will stay out, si?”
Kate looks confused. Weapons bunker? We need a weapons bunker? “Uh, no problem.”
He takes her hand and leads her from the room, pulling the heavy door closed behind him.
“Now I have a surprise for you, since you are looking for hidden treasures.”
“And where might I find this hidden treasure?”
***
He sweeps her up in his arms and carries her up the stairs to the main floor, and up the stairs again to the second floor. “Why, in our bedroom, my sweet bel.”
She laughs, “Why does that not surprise me?”
He dumps her down on the bed and instructs her to close her eyes while he gets her gifts. Kate rolls over on her back and throws her arms over her eyes as she hears him leave the room only to return shortly. He sets two wrapped boxes down on the chair and tells her she can now open her eyes.
“What’s this? Is there an occasion I missed?�
�
“No occasion, bel. Other than you have worked hard on the house, and I love giving you beautiful things.”
***
Kate slides off the bed and on her way to the gift-filled chair, stops to kiss his mouth, and run her hand through his dark curls. She picks up the note, reading it as a smile crosses her lips, ‘You are my Forever.’
She looks up from the note to see his eyes locked on hers. “And you are mine.”
She opens the larger box first to discover a bright red corset, with soft satin petals covering the bust.
“Lover! This corset! It looks delicious... like a cake frosted in roses. Oh, you spoil me. I can't wait to wear this for you.”
She looks over at him watching her as she holds the corset up against her body, his blue eyes sparkle. She rips into the second box to find a pair of matte black heels trimmed in red, with the trademark red soles.
“And these shoes... Louboutin? I love heels... I mean I really love heels... have you seen my closet? Oh, I can't wait to wear these!”
She slips her feet into the black heels and walks around the bedroom. “I may never take these off, except to wear red boots, that is. Come to me. Gifts this extravagant deserve a kiss.”
***
He loves how her happiness floods through him and her love for him overflows. As she struts around in her new heels, he chuckles out loud at her joyous dance. Her eyes never leave the shoes as she prances around the bedroom.
“Oh si, I have seen that closet bel rosso. All I can say is, good thing we each have our own, there would be no room for me in yours.”
He sits down on the bed, leaning his back against the headboard and slides his hands through his mop of curls, never taking his eyes off her.
“Before I get kisses, you must walk across the floor and model the shoes for me.” He crosses his legs at the ankles, his arms over his chest, waiting for her to model the shoes.
“Just the shoes? You only want me to model the shoes? Let me model both for you. Hold on while I make a quick change.”
***
She steps into her closet where he can’t see her change and quickly pulls off her jeans and sweater, drops her bra and slips on a red thong. She puts on the beautiful confection of a corset. Balanced on the high heels of the shoes, she steps out of the closet door, and holding the doorjamb like a stripper pole, she does a slow, hip grinding squat to the floor, where she tosses her hair and then begins the slow crawl back to a standing position.
“Is this what you had in mind?”
***
As she steps out of the closet, his eyes immediately turn red, bathing her skin in a tone that matches the corset. The thong catches his eye as it slides between those ass cheeks. Cazzo, what I could do to that gorgeous ass. Then she slowly squats, and grinds and he doesn’t even feel the growl that emerges. Fuck, she makes me lose my mind!
Her eyes have that sultry ‘come fuck me’ look and he climbs out of bed and drops to all fours, crawling slowly across the floor to her, his fangs bared and his growls coming louder. Reaching her, he grabs her ankles and nips them one at a time, slowly leaving a trail of kisses up her calves. He licks behind each knee and feels her tremble with anticipation. As he kisses her thighs, he smells her sex and he rises up and slides his tongue over the soft fabric of the thong, teasing her, and then pulling the thong with his teeth, sucking her juices from the silky material.
***
She didn't anticipate the intensity of his response. She thought he would sit and admire her from the bed. Finding him nipping at her ankles, and kissing the full length of her legs, she is grasping the doorjamb for a completely different reason now. It is the only thing holding her upright. As his mouth reaches her sex, she feels her knees go weak, and on cue, he reaches out to steady her. She can feel his mouth tug at the thong and can hear him sucking at the fabric, and she is lost. The soft moan escapes her lips.
“Lover... the things you do to me.”
***
He moans as she speaks to him, her honey is so damn sweet, and that alone makes his cock harder. Ripping the thong from her body with his fangs, he flings it across the room. He buries his face between her legs and into those beautiful tight curls, moist with her honey and the scent of her desire. He softly runs his tongue through them, dragging his fangs up and over her tight tummy, letting his sharp teeth graze her skin. Fuck, she is so damn sexy!
Reaching out, he grabs her hand, and slides it inside his as he guides her hand between her legs. He moves their joined hands over her clit, and then licks their fingers. Moving her hand further down, he inserts her fingers, along with his, inside her sweet wet sex, slowly sliding in and out of her. He removes her hand, and sucks her fingers, feeling her body completely melt.
“Lean against me, my bel, just lean into me and I will take you to heaven.”
***
His fangs are exposed, and she loves that, she loves when his passion is so raw he is almost more beast than man. He has ripped the thong from her body in a single swift movement, and she can feel his mouth on her. She grips the doorjamb and leans into him in an attempt to remain upright. He reaches for her hand, and Oh God... He is pulling her hand between her legs, he wants her to touch herself as he pushes and nudges her hand with his own, and she can feel her fingers entwined with his, covered in her own juices, as he moves their fingers slowly in and out. He pulls her hand free and she feels his hot, wet mouth around her fingers as he licks them clean. She is leaning all her weight into him, as she grabs him with her one free hand to steady herself on his shoulder, but even with this, it is difficult to remain standing. Her knees are like jelly, and she is bent over him, hair falling forward. If he were to step away from her, she would fall like a rag doll to the floor. She loves to tease him, but oh, the sweet retribution.
***
He feels her body go limp with desire, he loves that she feels nothing but the pleasure he can give her. He slides his hands up under her ass and cradles her, lifting her up as he guides her legs over his shoulders. She crosses her legs around his back. Sliding his hands up her back, he supports her weight as he feels her relax and lets herself free fall backwards, her hair cascading down to the floor, and he knows she understands exactly what he loves, no inhibitions, her sex exposed to him to see, to taste.
“You are so beautiful like this!”
Bowing his head, he drives his tongue deep, and curls it inside her, scooping every drop of her nectar, sucking it deep and hard, as he holds her like a feather in his hands, her heels digging into his back as she arches and moans and pushes into him harder. Fucking her hard and sweet with his tongue, he pulls out quickly and slides his tongue over her clit and feels her body quiver as she nears her orgasm and he drives his tongue deep inside her again, her sweet honey exploding on his tongue as she rides the waves of pleasure washing over her.
***
She screams his name. Her hands claw at his strong arms as they support her, and she is begging, begging, and then the explosion of pleasure hits her, wave after wave as he continues to lap at her, not allowing the orgasm to subside, but pushing her, over and over. Her nails draw blood from his arms as her head is thrown back, and she is gasping for air. Too much... too much. She feels him lick away the juices that run freely from her as her hands fall free from his arms and she lies limp in his embrace.
***
Not stopping after the first orgasm, he brings her another, letting her know he will push her to the limits more and more every time they make love. Feeling her go limp in his arms, he knows he has taken her over the edge and he grins, her juices dripping from his stubbled chin. Pulling her into him, shrugging her legs from his shoulders, he shakes his head in amusement. Damn wild cat shredded my arms. Cazzo, I love her to the ends of time!
He cradles her in his arms as she lays her head on his shoulder. She is completely spent and sated, and he loves that. He loves that he has the power and ability to give her pleasure beyond her body’s limits. No fucking
mortal man will ever come close to what he can do to her. He kisses her neck softly, his lips at her ear.
“Mi amore, come back to your savage lover, we have things to do this night.”
In the softest whisper, she answers him, “The things you do to me. What else could you possibly have planned for me tonight?”
Running his hand through her hair, he nuzzles into her neck as he sets her down on the floor.
“Come join me in our bed, bel. The night has just begun.”
“Maybe you would like to join me in the shower first?”
She turns and walks toward the bathroom, wearing only the black heels and the red corset which bares her ass and pushes her breasts up and out. She looks back at him over her shoulder and laughs.
“A forest fire out of control, lover.... We are a fire out of control.”
33
Since getting back from California, Shade is trying to get Alec’s warriors back on a schedule. He would teleport into the Dead House most evenings, shortly after sunset, meeting up with Alec’s makeshift crew. He is trying to establish some routine and discipline within these ranks, so he tries to keep their schedule basically the same. They begin every night huddled together in the command center, surrounded by maps and grids of downtown D.C. and Georgetown, along with his plans for whipping these misfits into something that resembles warriors. Alec wants his territory protected, and anything that threatens his rise in the mortal world needs to disappear, without a trace of it ever being here. Alec’s greatest fear is being exposed to the mortal world as a vampire. He could never step foot in the U.S. again and it would leave their entire vampire community at risk. Most mortals accept vampires as myth, and the vamps want to keep it that way.
As he puts the warriors through their paces, he is trying to assess their skill levels. Each of these mercenaries seem to have one specific talent or weapon they are good at, as opposed to his Medici warriors, who are equally skilled in all methods of fighting. These limited fighting skills aren’t going to be good enough on the streets if they ever encounter any real opposition. A true warrior needs to excel in the use of any weapon. In addition, he must be skilled in hand-to-hand, mixed martial arts combat, with the goal of slicing and dicing and bringing home the head of his enemy. This rag-tag group, one way or another, needs to be prepared in all areas. Tonight, Shade has decided he will teach them the art of fighting with shurikens and show them what a shuriken can do to an errant rogue. And in addition, they need to learn how to play defense when some rogue sends a shuriken flying right for their throat.