"Yes."
"Good. Now get undressed."
She sat up and pulled the soft sweater over her head before unhooking her bra. One day, she would get to wear one of her new night gowns, she vowed. Laying back on the bed, she lifted her hips to pull her leggings down and she heard him curse. Pausing, she asked, "You can see?"
"Call it a benefit," his voice was low, but she could feel the desire that touched it.
She grinned before lifting both legs, sliding the fabric, ever so slowly, up her thighs. She had never felt the urge to be an exhibitionist, but here, now, undressing for him, knowing he wanted her, well, she discovered something new about herself.
Bending her knees, she continued the ever-so-slow removal of clothing. She lowered her legs, before lifting one, toying with the sock before sending it flying.
"I'm going to punish you." His tone was conversational, but there was a delicious danger in it that thrilled her.
"I'm doing what you told me." She repeated the action with the other leg.
"So you are."
She lay on the bed, waiting for him. "Where are you?" she asked.
She reached out in the dark, trying to feel him. Warm fingers held her hand and soft breath touched her skin before his lips. Chills covered her.
"I'm here," he said, letting her go.
She was in so much trouble. She could see that now.
"Gideon." He took her other hand and pressed his lips to her wrist, softly nipping at the sensitive skin.
A glide of fingers across her thigh sent shivers through her. A mouth on her breast made her gasp. A breath in her ear. All things combined to set her on fire. Without sight, her sense of touch magnified. The smallest stroke, nibble, kiss, lick had her gasping, moaning, groaning.
"Gideon, please," she hissed as his thumb delved into her folds.
"I will." The promise in his voice wove through her veins.
Then, she was on her stomach, hips in the air. There was a light smack on her bottom, the tiny sting giving way to a surge of desire and she clenched the blanket in her fists. "Jesus," she groaned as he smacked her again, rubbing his hand over the sting. Another slap, a bit harder this time, and she couldn't hold back the shudder that tore through her. This was something new. Something thrilling and while she didn't know she liked the mix of pain and pleasure before, she sure as hell did now. Another slap and she bit the blanket, attempting to smother the cry of pleasure. Another slap on the opposite side. Her back curved as she tossed her head back, moaning at the ache that threatened to swallow her.
"I don't believe I have ever seen a more beautiful sight," Gideon's voice was hoarse, rough with desire.
Another smack, harder still, hot palm smoothing the sting. Her hips rocked back, searching for him, needing him to fill her, to quench the inferno her body had become.
She gasped as his fingers found her core, but it wasn't enough. Nowhere near enough.
"Gideon. Please. Fuck me."
There was no answer as her hips were gripped and before she could take a breath, he filled her completely in one smooth thrust. His groan matched hers and he started moving within her. Slowly at first, but she needed more. She rocked back, pulling a curse from him.
He could accommodate her. His fingers tightened and he quickened his pace, pulling her across his aching cock as hard as he thrust into her. Never had he wanted a woman as much as this one. She threw her head back, showering them with her hair and he grabbed it, pulling softly, slowly until she was on her knees. Wrapping his arm around her waist, he slid his fingers through her folds, finding that one spot that brought women so much pleasure. He stroked her in time with his thrusts and her nails scored his arm. His other hand cupped a breast, rolling the hard nipple lightly between his fingers.
The sounds coming from her could only be called animistic and they added fuel to the fire already raging through him.
"Gideon!" she cried out and he could feel her body tensing. Keeping his fingers moving over the nub of flesh, he pushed her forward, back on her hands. He shifted slightly, gripping her shoulder as he plunged over and over into her trembling body.
She buried her face as he continued his brutal pace and there it was. She shouted her orgasm into the blanket as her world fractured before exploding into thousands of little pieces.
"Turn over."
His voice was rough with need, harsh with desire, and despite her climax, she found herself responding to his demand, her own hunger flaring bright once again. His hands were tight on her skin as he spread her thighs and once again, he filled her in a single, violent thrust.
She sucked in a breath and Gideon grinned at the surprise in her eyes. "You're going to come again, and I want to see it on your face.
He surged back into her and her back arched beneath him, eyes closing. He could see her pulse pounding in her throat as she pressed her head back into the mattress.
"Open your eyes, Eve."
Another thrust and she forced her them open.
"That's it, beautiful."
He sped up and she cried out, the pleasure building rapidly after her last orgasm. She gripped his shoulders, anchoring herself to the world. He tilted her hips, driving into her body, harder and faster and her nails dug deep into his skin.
"Gideon!" Her legs hooked his as her body went stiff.
Growling, he kept his intense pace, plunging into the woman in his arms as her body gripped his, clenching rhythmically and he found his own release. Dropping to his elbows, his face inches from hers, her pants were the sweetest of caresses against his skin "Eve," he whispered before pressing his lips to hers.
After he convinced himself to move, he sat up, cradling her against his chest. "Close your eyes, beautiful." He didn't want her too. The dazed look in them made him happy for some reason, but he didn't want to blind her when he turned on the light.
She did as she was told, and he leaned forward and hit the switch.
After a minute, she was able to see. And what she saw was Gideon looking at her with such tenderness, it stole her breath. Silently, she traced his lip, blinking back stupid tears. Why tears? Oh yeah, she just discovered paradise. He twisted around and pulled the blankets down. She was sweaty now, but after her blood cooled, she would probably be chilled. His thoughtfulness only increased the moisture in her eyes.
When he looked back at her, he frowned. "Did I hurt you? I—."
She put her finger over is lips and just shook her head. She couldn't talk past the lump in her throat. And besides, how does one explain perfection?
Standing with her in his arms, he turned and eased her down before laying down beside her. She immediately lay her head on his chest and the knot of worry that formed with her tears dissolved.
He pulled the blanket over them. She pressed a kiss to his chest and closed her eyes.
With a smile, he followed her into sleep.
#
“Eve, wake up.”
She didn’t want to. Wanted to stay in the softness of her dreams. “Mmm,” she mumbled, rolling onto her stomach and pushing her face into a pillow. A hand trailed the curve of her spine and she wriggled.
“Eve,” Gideon’s voiced pulled at her, dragging her from sleep.
“You’re mean,” she groaned then yelped as he slapped her still sensitive bottom. “I’m awake!”
“Good.” She smiled at his laughter before lifting her head. He pushed the mass of hair out of her eyes while holding out her phone. “Your mother’s been calling.”
“Thank you,” she said before swiping the screen. Getting to her number was easy, as she was the only person she called. Holding the phone to her ear, she dropped her head back into the pillow.
The bed dipped beside her as her mom answered.
“Hello?”
“Mom, hey, sorry I missed your calls. I was asleep.”
Fingers traced complicated patterns on her skin, and she turned her head, trying to glare at him through her hair. That didn’t work so she tried to s
quirm away, but a hand pressed down on the small of her back, pinning her effortlessly to the bed.
“Asleep?” Her mom asked.
“I was taking a nap,” she lied.
“I have my pilot ready. Where am I flying?”
Warm breath trailed her skin as Gideon ran his teeth over her shoulder. Flying. Good question. Focus Eve!
“Missoula,” Gideon whispered in her ear before nibbling the lobe.
“Missoula, Mom. The airport there.” Chills broke the surface of her skin and she shivered.
“Okay. Where do I go after that?”
“I’ll be there to pick you up.”
“I’m leaving in a couple of hours. Getting packed right now. I’ll call you again before the flight.”
“Please do. And be careful.” She swallowed hard as Gideon’s hand gripped the flesh of her bottom, squeezing softly before letting go. “It’s a long flight, Mom, try to get some sleep.”
“Listen to you giving me advice now.” Her mom’s laughter was soft, and Eve smiled before biting off a curse as Gideon pulled her leg, opening her for more exploration. “Are you okay?”
Eve flushed before lying once more. “Yes, just stubbed my toe.”
“Put some ice on it.”
Eve nodded, unable to say anything as Gideon stroked her. She swallowed. “Okay. Again, please be careful. Call me when you take off and land. I’ll have my phone on me.”
“I will, baby girl. I love you.”
“I love you too, Mom.”
She hit the end button on the phone, then closed her eyes with a sigh as Gideon nibbled the flesh of her ass. “You are a monster.” Letting go of the phone, she gripped the pillow, letting the flames burn through her as he trailed his tongue over the skin he just nipped at.
“And you are so responsive,” he said, gripping her hips, flipping her over.
This was what she couldn’t see the night before. The lust, desire for her, burning in his eyes.
He stood by the edge of the bed and she moved, getting to her hands and knees, crawling to him. His eyes darkened and as she reached him, she rose on her knees, wrapped her arm around his neck and pulled him down, sealing her lips to his.
Her hands made themselves busy, touching, squeezing, stroking him.
“Put your hands by your sides. Don’t touch me,” she whispered against his lips.
He arched an eyebrow and she pulled away, letting him see how serious she was. “You won’t regret it. I promise.”
“Careful with promises, Eve.”
She left his lips, trailing her mouth down the flesh of his throat. Wrapping her fingers around his length, she gently pulled, and his groan vibrated against her tongue. Slowly, she moved down his chest, grazing his nipples with her teeth and she could see his struggle to keep still. Still further down, licking and nibbling down defined abs
His hands fisted at his sides and she laughed, thrilling in her control of him.
After an eternity, she reached her goal. Glancing up at him, she ran her tongue up the length of his cock. His curse was music to her. Opening her lips, she took him inside. His hips jerked, but he didn’t touch her. Another quick glance and she couldn’t look away from the red-touched hazel.
It could have been frightening, but there was only the feel of his need that whipped at hers.
Softly, slowly, she moved over him, drinking in every groan, every growl. Taking him in as far as she could, her name broke from his lips and he lost control.
She found herself on her back as he shoved into her, no pretense of gentleness, just pure want. Pure lust. All the sinful words that described the flames, the heat. Seeing him out of control snapped her own. She lifted her legs around him, pulling against him as frantically as he pumped into her. So much beautiful friction pushed her, pulled her, twisted her as she rose higher into the expanding bubble of pure sensation.
She dragged her nailed down his back, trying to anchor herself and he buried his face in her neck.
His hand gripped her hip, fingers clenching her flesh so tight it hurt, but that only added to the pleasure. He kept pounding into her, shoving her off the precipice and for a moment, she floated. His grip tightened and that was it. The bubble exploded and she yelled out her pleasure, leaving evidence in bloody streaks down his back. Her skin muffled his shout as he followed her into oblivion.
Harsh breathing filled her ears and it took a moment to realize it was hers. She was back on earth, with Gideon still over her.
He wasn’t breathing, but his heart thudded against her chest.
“I cut you,” she said, looking at her bloodied fingers. He nodded, face still buried in the crook of her neck, then shrugged. She laughed, body still twitching in the aftermath of whatever one wanted to call that.
“Gideon?”
He shook his head, the fingers on her shoulder tightening for a moment. “Not yet.”
She stroked his hair. He was hot. She was sweating.
“You’re baking me,” she laughed.
“I can’t look at you yet. My teeth…” He trailed off.
What about his… oh!
“It’s okay,” she said softly.
He shook his head again. “Can’t scare you.”
“You won’t.”
He tensed and she knew he was thinking.
“Gideon,” she said, reaching to cup his face. “This is who you are. I’m not afraid. Not of you.” He let her lift his head and she stroked his cheek. The red that had crept into his eyes was gone. “I trust you.”
He closed his eyes. “Thank you.”
She caught just the barest glimpse of a fang and she knew he could feel the little shiver that ran through her because his body went rigid. “It’s okay,” she said. “Like I told Sebastian, there are things that are going to unsettle me but it’s because I’m new to the world of ‘other’.”
Slowly, he relaxed.
“Now, roll off me before I melt into a puddle,” she said with a grin.
He laughed, shaking his head, before he did what she asked.
“You don’t sweat?”
“No, we’re predators. Sweat could give us away.”
“And you don’t breathe.”
“Newer vampires have to, but as the body ages, the need for oxygen lessens. So, Alex still has to breath and Micah does to, only to a lesser degree.”
“But you’re heart beats.” She ran her fingers over his chest.
“That feels… nice,” he said, glancing down into her green eyes. The woman that just took control and tied him in knots. “And yes, our hearts beat, but it’s to supply blood throughout our bodies, not oxygen.”
She sat up and looked down at him. “I don’t know how you came to be this, but I’m glad you’re here.”
He was silent as she got up and went to his bathroom, the words she said turning in his head. She was glad. Which meant that maybe she accepted them. The best of the outcomes he saw happened. A warmth filled his heart, a feeling that he hadn’t felt since he was a human. He was content. Happy.
Because of her.
#
Eve laughed when she came out and found Gideon exactly as she left him. “You can’t go to sleep on me. I’m wide awake.”
He gave a chuckle as he sat up. “The sun’s down. I’m as awake as you are.”
“Are you as old as Sebastian?” she asked, curiosity getting the better of her.
“No, he has me beat by a couple hundred years,” he said, watching her reaction.
She simply smiled. “I still don’t think you two would qualify for senior discounts anywhere.”
Shaking his head, he stood and stepped toward her before wrapping her in his arms. “Thank you,” he said before letting her go.
“For what?”
“Maybe I’ll tell you one day.” He winked at her before turning away. “Shower?”
She laughed. Despite what they just did, if she were to get wet with him, they would be doing it again, aching body be damned. And she needed to
be dressed before her next phone call.
“Mmm, I think I’ll pass on it. Wouldn’t want to use up all your hot water.”
“Coward.” He laughed and she nodded.
“When it comes to you, I’m terrified.” She winked. “But I know the drill. I’ll wait while you scrub up, then you babysit me.”
He must have heard something in her voice, because the look in his eyes softened. “We will have this figured out soon. And you think your mother knows something. It’s possible she can help.”
“Well, it’s not like it’s a massive burden being looked after by you five.”
“Six. You haven’t met Gabe yet,” he said over his shoulder.
The bathroom door closed, and she sank onto the bed, pulling the blankets over her nudity. No. There couldn’t be another one. She was already going to have to fight her desire for Alex and Micah.
And Fallon.
But it wasn’t like he returned that need. He could barely stand the sight of her. That helped. She wasn’t going throw herself on him and he almost pushed her down when she tried to touch him. Yeah, he kissed her, but that was a curiosity. His words.
She couldn’t deal with another one. Praying to a higher power, she hoped that it wasn’t lust at first sight with the mysterious Gabe.
Gideon’s face filled her vision. “Eve?”
How long had she sat there staring at the wall, chastising herself? She finally blinked.
“Breathe.”
She let out a long exhale, not realizing she had been holding it in.
“Gideon…” How could she tell him that she was afraid? And not of the weirdness of the situation. No, it was her she was afraid of.
“It’s okay.”
She shook her head. “How can it be?”
“Why do you think it’s not?”
There was a knock on the door before she could reply. Gideon smiled and uncurled her balled fists. Micah’s rune was glowing brightly.
“Come in,” he called out.
Her horrified eyes met his as the door slowly opened.
“Are you okay?” Micah’s voice was soft, and she closed her eyes.
“She’s panicking about Gabe.”
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