by Mary Abshire
Drake carried me into the adjoining bedroom. He closed the door with a kick, then took me to the large bed where he fell on top of me. I chuckled briefly until his cool hands found my thighs and scooted toward my hips. His touch appeased my feverish skin, but intensified the heat inside me. He kissed me again while he groped my ass and rubbed his rigid length against me.
"Do you have any idea how much I've missed you?" he asked, then planted his lips on mine again.
Body on fire with passion, my answer was clear. I tugged on his sweater until I'd raised it to a stopping point. Drake paused our kiss and removed his shirt.
"I need you," I said. "I can't wait another minute, another day—"
"Nor can I," he said as he tossed his shirt. He unbuttoned and unzipped his pants.
I sat up and placed my hands on his solid torso. His cool flesh soothed me and I kissed the area near his unbeating heart. Feeling his hard nipples, I took to licking one. Drake slid his hand into my hair and gently pulled my head back.
"My turn," he said before he covered my lips.
Rolling his tongue along mine, he lowered me to the bed. One hand moved between my legs and the other traveled to a breast where it stayed. Desire strong between us, he squeezed my tit while he rubbed me between my legs. I moaned softly, hungry for more.
"I've missed you so," he said as he slid down my body.
He gripped the edges of my panties, then tugged them over my thighs and knees. When he reached my feet, he removed my shoes before stripping the underwear off me.
Wasting no time, he crawled between my legs and buried his face. I gasped as he drove his tongue between my wet folds. He knew my body, knew where to please me. Finding the sweet spot, he stroked it again and again. Strings of deep yearning spread. My body craved him. I'd starved for years without him. Gripping the covers of the bed, I searched for the release I badly needed. I was close, and each flick of his tongue brought me closer. My breaths were heavy. Sweat trickled from my forehead. Gripping my flesh, he stroked my core with a hunger of his own. When my climax arrived, it pulsed strongly and sent waves of pleasure through me that I'd long missed.
Panting, I laid still while Drake hurried to remove his pants. His cock sprang free and my insides quivered anew. I sat up and quickly removed my dress. While he crawled over the bed, I unfastened my bra. The second my breasts were free, he captured them and pushed me down. He took one in his mouth while he groped the other. He sucked vigorously on the nipple and pinched the other. A sexual need like no other burned within me. I ran my fingers through his hair while I rubbed my pelvis against him.
"Fuck me, Drake. I can't wait anymore."
He lifted his head, then kissed me. Our tongues tangled while we pressed our bodies together. His cool skin met with my heated flesh and it was as if we couldn't get enough of each other. He dragged his erection between my wet folds until he'd found my entrance. Hands free, he threaded his fingers into mine and pressed them against the bed. Slowly, he pushed his cock inside me, then slid out. Again, he slipped in and out with ease. By the third time, he began pumping.
A world of ecstasy engulfed me as he filled me in the way I needed him to. My heart raced. My body hungered. And so did his. Squeezing my hands, he deepened his thrusts. In search of more air, I broke our kiss. He drove into me quicker and I matched his movements. Our passion was undeniable. We needed to feel, to have, to satisfy each other.
"Yes. Please," I pleaded while sweat rolled down my face.
My climax quickly approached as he plunged his thick erection deep inside me again and again. He began to tense. He tightened his grasp of my hands. My famished body yearned for the ultimate release and would settle for nothing less. Each pump brought me closer to my reward and him closer to his. When the anticipation reached as high as it could, my climax broke free and I screamed. Ripples of pleasure spread with each pulse and I relished the bliss. In a matter of seconds, Drake's pupils swelled and his canines lowered. He sank them into my neck, then thrust deep into me. His release arrived with a violent spasm inside me. Together, we rode the waves of ecstasy.
The tension claiming our bodies lessened as tranquility flowed through us. Drake removed his incisors from my neck, then licked the wounds. He separated his hands from mine, then took my face into his grasp.
"We may not have much time left together, but as long as we're here, I want to enjoy every minute in your loving arms," he said, then pressed his forehead to mine.
"I couldn't have said that better." I wrapped my arms around his neck and gave him a gentle kiss. "Now, let's get to work on more loving."
Chapter Twenty-Two
Gentle kisses on my shoulder woke me from my slumber. My head rested on a pillow. Lying sideways, Drake pressed his body against my backside. The feel of his flesh appeased mine. Hand covering one of my breasts, he squeezed it. Near my ass, I felt his rigid cock, and I wanted it inside me.
"I can never get enough of this," I said.
"Mm…" He rubbed his length against me and kissed my neck. "Nor I."
Longing flamed deep within me. I placed my hand over his and held him to my tit. Then I twisted to see his face.
"Kiss me. Love me. Hold me," I said.
He obeyed my first command and sealed his mouth over mine. The cords of passion spread from my breasts to my groin as he pinched my nipple between his fingers. He sucked on my tongue, intensifying my arousal. To accomplish my second directive, he moved his hand from my tit, then took hold of his erection. Finding the spot he needed slick and ready, he pushed his cock into me.
Our lips parted, but our bodies were joined. He filled me well again and again, pumping into me with a strong hunger. He pressed his hand between my legs and slipped his fingers between my wet folds. Stroking my core, the strings of desire danced through me. I grasped the covers as he plunged deep inside me and drove me insane with need—for him and for my release.
Heated blood rushed through me while anticipation grew and tightened. The caress of my clit and the fullness of him between my legs propelled me toward another orgasm. I gasped as he thrust into me harder over and over again. My climax burst free, but he continued on his mission. And rightly so. Desperate to claim his release, he quickened his pace. With a deep and final plunge, he fulfilled his need. Bliss flowed through me while my muscles squeezed his pulsing erection. Drake moved his hand back up to one of my breasts, then relaxed against me. He officially completed my second and third demands.
Well satisfied, we laid together with our bodies connected. The time we'd shared had been wonderful, beyond anything I could've dreamed under the circumstances we were in. I didn't want our happy moment to end.
He kissed my ear. "I will always love you."
With my hand on top of his, I held it tight, pressed to my body. "And I'll always love you."
I twisted my head to look at him. He had the happiest grin on his face. He leaned in to kiss me, then stopped. Two seconds later, he withdrew his erection and shifted his attention behind us, toward the door.
"What?" I asked softly.
He leaped from the bed, then gathered his clothes. As he shoved his legs into his jeans, a chilling breeze brushed over me. I sat upright while Drake zipped his pants. Clacks on the hardwood floor confirmed another person in the guest room. Drake gripped the covers of the bed, then threw them over me.
"Who is it?" I asked in a near whisper.
Shirtless, he quickly collected my clothes, then tossed them on the bed. The door creaked, then the answer to my question walked in. She wore a high heels and sleek blue dress that accentuated her breasts and legs. Long brown hair flowed gracefully over her shoulders. The tall vampire flaunted her sex appeal.
"Well, hello, Jessie," Sophia said.
I held the blanket up so it covered my naked body. "Sophia," was all I said.
Drake picked up his shirt, then slid it over his head.
"No need to dress for me," she said as she eyed his torso.
Ire heated my b
lood. "What brings you here?"
She walked around the bed. The slit on the side of her gown revealed too much, as did the long neckline. Her nipples hardened as she came to a halt near me. "Your presence and Drake's are requested."
"Now?" I asked.
"Yes." She grinned. "Now."
I looked at Drake and sighed. Our wonderful time together had ended far too soon.
"Can you give us a minute?" Drake asked.
Sophia sat next to my legs on the bed, then leaned back slightly. One of her breasts threatened to spill out from the thin strap covering it. "Please, don't let me interrupt you."
Her hungry gaze increased my anger. I gathered my underwear, then tossed the cover aside. Her dark eyes stayed on me while I rose and hurried to dress. Part of me wanted to shower and scrub myself from the lusty look she directed toward me. But I preferred the idea of gouging her eyes out and ripping her head off.
Drake stepped around the bed. He stopped near me and faced her, blocking her view. "Why are we being summoned?"
"Now that you're well again, we feel it's time to resolve several matters," she said.
I finished sliding my dress down my body. "I'm ready. I just need to put my shoes on," I said, then walked past the two. I found my sneakers and quickly slid them on.
"I hope you two enjoyed your time together," Sophia said as she stood.
She walked toward me, grinning and swaying her hips ever so gently. Blood boiling, I was tempted to punch her face. I had to look away to avoid acting on my desire.
Drake and I followed her out of the guest room. Outside, a mist fell and clouds hid the night sky. The air smelled of rain and a soft rumble above indicated a storm was rolling in. I'd checked the clock on the nightstand before we'd left. I estimated we had a few hours before sunrise, but I doubted anyone would see the sun for a while.
"I had hoped you wouldn't come back here," Drake said, walking at my side and holding my hand.
"I'd waited so long for you. I couldn't hide alone forever."
"They won't let you leave."
"I know."
He tugged on my hand, bringing me to a halt. "Then why did you come?"
I stepped closer to him. "Because I love you and you gave everything up for me. Now, it's my turn to do the same for you."
He brushed the tips of his fingers along the side of my face, tickling me. Compassion and love swelled in his eyes and in my heart. He was unlike any vampire I'd met, and I doubted there was another like him. We were both unique.
"Come along," Sophia said from several feet ahead of us.
Hands still clasped, we continued along the path.
"How did you know I was here?" Drake asked.
I delayed my response. There was so much to say and not enough time to do it. At some point, I needed to tell him about my deal with Jeremy. But I debated if it was worth mentioning at all since he might not have recovered.
"I ran into a vampire and he told me where you were," I finally said. It was the truth, a varied version of it.
Sophia led us to the usual building were they had their meetings. Grief and fear sparked within me every time I walked inside. I loathed everything that happened within the walls. I welcomed the day someone could burn it and every vampire inside, minus Drake.
By the time we reached the basement, I was shivering and in need of a jacket. Drake moved behind me, then glided his hands along my arms. Although I appreciated his touch, it did nothing to help.
Sophia entered the room first. She claimed the empty seat next to Constantine on the left. Ramon, Nassar, Elissa, and Quon sat in the middle. Viktor and Isabel were on the right. They were all dressed nice with the women in dresses and the men wearing expensive suits. Two chairs waited in the center of the room for Drake and me. The silence in the room as we entered and took our seats gave rise to my fears. What were the evil fucks planning now?
"I trust you enjoyed your time together," Viktor said with a sneer.
"It wasn't even half a day," Nassar said. "They shared mere hours together."
"They shouldn't have been allowed to see each other," Isabel said.
"But it proved a point. You cannot deny that," Nassar said strongly.
I looked at Drake and drew my brows together. What was going on? I didn't understand why they were arguing with each other.
Viktor slammed his hand on the table and I jumped. "There was no point to prove. We can get what we want with or without her willingness," he said.
Drake leaned closer to me and took hold of one of my hands. "Let me handle this," he whispered.
"He's right," Isabel said.
"If you want her to live longer to study her, you will need her cooperation," Nassar said sternly.
Drake looked from Nassar to the other vampires. He studied each one as if he were prying into their minds.
"It matters none to us how long she lives," Isabel said.
"No," Drake said softly.
All eyes turned to us. I stared at Drake, wondering what he'd learned, what he was thinking.
"He wasn't informed," Constantine said.
"We should bring him up to speed," Ramon said with his Spanish accent.
"Jessie agreed to cooperate with Viktor's doctors if we suspended your sentence. Some believed you would be of value and could serve as a motivating factor for Jessie. Others"—Constantine shifted his gaze to the right side of the room—"believe they will get what they want regardless of her cooperation."
"Her willingness would extend her life and lengthen the research the doctors seek," Ramon added.
Drake looked at the two on the right. "You're insane. She's human. You can't possibly think…"
Quon leaned closer to the table. "Do you or do you not agree to work with the doctors, Jessie?"
"Free Drake and you can study me as much as you want," I said.
"No!" Drake snapped, and squeezed my hand. "You don't know what they want to do to you."
"He destroyed Dimitry. He cannot possibly be freed. He deserves to rot in that cell," the Russian grumbled.
Quon looked at Nassar. "He destroyed one of our own. He cannot walk free."
Several others nodded in agreement.
"Have you forgotten he destroyed Dimitry for me?" I shot up from my seat. "The bastard threatened to kill everyone dear to me if I didn't fuck him and give him my blood. What kind of ethical vampire would allow that? What kind of moral vampire pays a demon for sex and blood?" I glared at Sophia, then Elissa.
Heads turned, but no one spoke.
"You believe you are virtuous men and women, but you are all far from the truth. Honorable people don't kill other humans in an effort to capture me. Honorable people don't threaten me to get what they want," I said.
"You misunderstand us," Quon said. "We monitor others of our kind. If there is vampire who has been killing needlessly and who can bring attention to us, then we must investigate and decide how to handle the vampire. Let me reiterate, we are concerned with matters of our kind."
"So you don't give a fuck about human matters. Am I right?" I asked.
"We care if matters threaten our exposure," Quon said.
I shook my head. "We're basically here for you to fuck and feed from. I see." I sat back down.
"Not everyone is," Isabel said. "You're special."
The way she spoke gave me a chill. When the others, except for Nassar and Constantine, shook their heads, I knew what my fate was going to be. Drake held his head low. I wondered if he was finally seeing the VETOV for what they really were—evil fuckers with no regard for human life.
"We still must decide what to do with Drake," Sophia said. "There is no question about Jessie's willingness with Drake around. I believe her life will be extended as long as his sentence is suspended. You'll have your opportunities to study her as long as he continues to walk."
"He will be a problem," Quon said. "Read his thoughts. He'll fight for her."
"He already has destroyed one of us," Ramon said.
They glanced at each other.
Drake gripped my hand. "Who was the second one?"
"Anton."
Drake looked around the room as if he was searching for the vampire.
"Tell us, Jessie," Viktor said as he crossed his arms. "What did you do with his soul?"
Drake jerked my hand. "Don't."
I met the Russian's diabolical gaze and said, "I took great pleasure in sending him to Hell."
"She should die now," Elissa finally spoke. "Why bother studying her? She's destroyed two of us. Kill her and return Drake to fulfill his sentence."
"We should study her. Let's slice her open and see what she looks like from the inside. Maybe we can stop souls from going to Hell," Isabel said with a hint of excitement in her tone.
"The longer she lives, the more we risk another one of us being sent to Hell," the Spanish vampire said. "I agree with Elissa."
"We deserve retribution for Anton," Quon said. "End her life and we are done here. We can move forward."
Drake shot from his chair and released my hand. "Sentence me for Anton. Let me take the punishment."
"No!" I yelled, and rose.
Silence filled the room while they studied each other.
I stepped forward. "I am to blame. I sent his soul to Hell. Do not harm Drake for my actions."
Viktor glared at Drake. "Execution is the only fitting sentence."
"No!" I hollered.
"Agree," Isabel said.
Quon, Elissa, and Ramon vocalized their support, one after the other.
"He'll be a problem for us if he lives," the Asian vampire added. "Let him pay the price for his lover's actions. We can still get what we need from her without her cooperation."