by L. L. Ash
“I could smell you across a crowded room, Lily,” he murmured into my neck as he pressed me against the door.
My heart immediately started racing and my breathing hitched as his teeth scraped against the skin behind my ear.
“Your essence is everywhere” He almost groaned as the tip of his tongue traced the shell of my ear.
Next thing I knew the door behind me opened and I would have fallen if he hadn’t had his hands on my waist. He moved me backwards then turned me so I was against the door again, this time in privacy.
“Do you want me, Theá Mou?” he asked in a whisper.
“I want you,” I agreed, shivering at the intensity his attentions caused in my muscles and bones.
The need to stand was quickly a moot point when he boosted me up, back against the stone, my hips pressed into the wall with his. My black velvet dress rode up as my legs curled around him, feeling the pressure of him so close but yet separated by clothes.
His hips pressed forward and I literally groaned at the feeling, my insides aching for him.
“Not yet, Theá Mou.” he said quietly, wrapping his arms around my hips before moving me away from the door and turning, taking a few steps toward his desk.
My butt landed on the cold hard wooden surface as his hand pressed against my chest, pushing me onto my back.
“Be still,” he murmured as he nuzzled his cheek, nose and mouth against one velvet covered breast before trailing down.
My skirt ended up around my waist, his head still moving down. My hands caught into his hair and I fisted it as he tore down my underwear.
“Sweet and fragrant like nectar,” I heard him breathe against the bits ‘down there’, leaving a trail of scorching kisses against the lips.
Quickly the gentle kisses turned to full tongue and making out and I pulled his hair as my back arched in pleasure.
“Oh, Calix,” I gasped, so close.
“You are beautiful,” he said, coming up for air he didn't need. “Your Mouní is beautiful.”
I breathed, barely, but I breathed a moan as the warmth spread all through me, my legs tightening around his shoulders and head, toes curling into his shoulder blades.
“Good girl, Theá Mou. Come for me.”
He pressed his mouth back down and the pain/pleasure was so intense I tried to wiggle away but he continued until I was drowning in the agony of a second orgasm, groaning loudly until the intensity wore off and it was nothing but warm waves.
I laid limply against the desk, looking toward the grey, cold ceiling while my insides felt so warm and vibrant.
His lips moved up, pressing kisses into the tops of my breasts and up my neck before it found mine. His mouth was salty and musky and I met his every movement with eagerness.
Soon it wasn’t enough and I needed his body connected to mine more than just by mouth. I forced my hands between us and fumbled for a button or hook or something to unbutton his pants but all I met was belt.
“Eager my little Theá?”
“Don’t make me beg Calix,” I breathed and could hardly believe that husky voice belonged to me.
“You shall never beg for anything, mate,” he promised, standing and unlatching his belt and slacks.
Moments later I was filled, stretched and I wanted to cry with the sheer bliss of it. His hips moved and I followed, breathing and soaking in the feel of him. His abs and chest gyrated with every thrust and I couldn’t take my eyes off him. He was the epitome of masculine seduction and I absorbed every moment of it.
“Harder,” I breathed out and he complied.
Things were starting to fall off the desk as I was ascending upward again, breaking through another release and tightening around him. He grunted in response and only lasted a couple more thrusts before he was throbbing in me.
My head hit the desk with a gentle thump and I sighed, fulfilled.
BANG-BANG-BANG.
Calix’s head dropped to my breast again, resting there as he breathed heavily.
BANG-BANG-BANG.
“WHAT?” Calix growled angrily toward the door.
I heard nothing, but a moment later he sighed again, almost in disappointment as his head dropped to my breasts again.
Another second passed before he stood straight and backed up, tucking himself back into his slacks.
“Do we have to let them in?” I asked him in a whisper, hoping whoever was at the door didn’t have super hearing.
The hope was naϊve at best.
Calix smiled down at me like I was an adorable child.
“Unfortunately,” was all he said before giving me his hand to help me sit up.
I got back to my feet, now wearing my dress with no underwear as juices dripped down my leg.
“Sit. I’ll bring you back to the room when we are finished.”
I just nodded and found my seat again.
He sat as well, backing the chair a little and at an angle so when he sat, his arm stretched over the arm of his chair and his hand touched mine.
One of his legs propped over the other arm of his chair and he settled down before saying in a deep, annoyed voice, “come.”
The door opened immediately and Petrick came in first, followed by a huge, bulky man with long brown hair and the most vivid green eyes I’d ever seen.
Petrick’s face stayed unwaveringly stoic but the huge man came into the room and immediately broke into a feral grin. A chuckle rolled through his barrel chest as he looked from me to Calix and back again.
“Have you something to say or have you come here to waste my time?” Calix asked him sharply and the smile melted off the man’s face.
“My timing is shit, I understand. And a pup? Congratulations.”
Calix’s face remained impassive.
“Mates, they can have the worst timing.”
“Speak or leave,” Calix growled. “My mate is none of your concern.”
“Well fuckin’ pardon me for being friendly.” He frowned.
“Say what you came to say, Everett. Did you find the information I asked for?”
The huge man, Everett, looked annoyed too, his hairy arms flexing as they crossed over his wide chest.
“I found ‘em. It’s all true. Talked to some of the boys myself.”
“A human. A human female became a werewolf while another still existed, and then turned back?”
“For six days.” He nodded.
“That is impossible,” Calix sounded angry.
“Well don’t bite the messenger.”
His leg dropped off the arm of the chair and he leaned forward, our hands disconnecting.
“And how do you think this is possible?”
“I dunno. You’re the smart sciency one. Fuck if I know what’s going on. I’m as confused as you.”
Calix huffed.
“Fine.”
“No 'thank you'?” Everett asked, looking amused again.
Calix pressed his palms against the desk and growled this big, animalistic sound and Everett grinned a wolfish smile.
“I’ll show myself out,” he commented and turned, leaving.
Petrick followed him, shutting the door behind him.
The room became still and quiet while Calix sat there, a finger to his lips as he seemed to consider the few words they had exchanged.
“What is it?” I ventured, hoping he wouldn’t get mad at me.
“Do you remember the woman I told you about last morning?” he asked, finally turning toward me before reaching back for my hand.
He took it in his and looked at me.
“I remember.” I nodded.
“It is her. The woman who asked for my help. Everett says that her claims of having been a werewolf for six days was true.”
I swallowed hard.
“Is that what he was? Everett?”
“It is.” He nodded, his other hand dragging through his hair.
I pressed my hand over his that held mine and he turned to me again.
“You
’ll know what to do, Calix. Do you know anything else about it?”
“I’m waiting to hear from one of my men about the matter. We won’t know until the end of the week though.”
I nodded and trailed my fingers over the top of his hand.
“You look tired, Lily,” he said eventually after we sat in silence for a couple minutes.
“I could use a nap,” I agreed sheepishly.
“Then let our schooling be done for the day. I’ll walk you back to our bedroom.”
Calix stood, holding my hand as he pulled me up from my chair and led the way to our room. When we got there he gingerly helped me out of the black dress, tossing it over the back of the settee before tucking me into bed.
I pulled up my comforter that Calix never used and cuddled down.
“Do you need to eat?” I asked him as he sat on the mattress.
“No. But I don’t want to leave just yet.”
“Then lay with me,” I invited, lifting the covers.
He laid onto his side, facing me, but he pushed aside the covers and his arms came around me, pulling me into his chest.
I almost froze at the contact. He had never cuddled me before and that he was now seemed like a big step.
His fingers ran through my hair before his gravelly voice flowed through my ears.
“You’re very warm.”
Suddenly I realized it must have been uncomfortable for him.
“Are you ok? Are you hot?” I asked him, trying to sit up but he pushed me back down
“I’m fine for now. I’ll leave when you get to be too warm.”
I wasn’t sure if I should be talking to him or what, but eventually my eyes closed, one hand pressed to my belly and the other against his chest.
Chapter Ten
He was gone when I woke. He never stayed for too long, but that he stayed at all lifted my heart a little. Why it lifted my heart I couldn’t begin to explain, but it did. Somewhere along the way I had lost the anger and hatred I’d had toward him. Now all I thought about was his handsomeness and how powerful and majestic he was.
We spent the early evenings together, me following him around, learning about vampires and about how the castle ran.
A few days later I was sitting in my chair, reading one of the many books he had but only one of the few in English as he did some other work. What I was beginning to think of as the typical BANG-BANG-BANG echoed through the office and I looked up, wondering if Calix was expecting someone.
“Come,” he called as always, and typically, Petrick opened the door, escorting the guest in.
“Prince,” The man said, falling to a knee in front of Calix.
He waved his hand around as if to speed up the groveling and the man stood again.
“Have you come with word?” Calix asked, his typical question.
The man looked from Calix to me.
“Shall we…?”
“What you say to me you may say in front of my mate.”
My jaw almost dropped at the compliment. He was beginning to trust me.
“As you wish, Prince,” he looked back to Calix. “I have been asking around, and I had a conversation with the brothers.”
“And?”
“Her man, the one called Clarence and the scientist, Mason, talk about some kind of conspiracy. The girl supposedly had turned from a daywalker back to a human but I don’t know if they were honest. There's meeting tonight where they'll talk about it”
“And it is still about Jasper?”
“Yes, Prince.”
“You've talked to them, Jared. Do you think they are truthful?”
The man looked hesitant.
“To my eyes, they looked sincere. But they are also old. Mason is four hundred years, Clarence three hundred. They surely know how to lie like masters.”
Calix sighed.
“True. But when I talked to them I saw the desperation in their eyes. And the woman, she is still very young and I still could not detect any lies.”
Jared just stood there looking at him.
“Anything else?”
“They...they also said she cannot be lured. I don’t know if it’s true—”
“Find out,” he growled at Jared. “And find out how close he is to a cure.”
“Yes my Prince.”
With another bow, Jared left the room, but Calix pointed to Petrick and motioned him to come forward. The door closed again and Petrick settled in the chair across from Calix.
“It’s impossible,” Petrick was the first to speak. “The girl can’t possibly be as is said. It must be a hoax. No one can turn from vampire to human. No one.”
“I’m in agreement, but my gut tells me otherwise.”
Petrick sighed.
“We need more information.” Calix sighed as well.
His companion nodded silently.
Calix tapped his finger on the desk a few times before speaking again.
“Make me a reservation at Gorigios.”
Petrick looked surprised.
“For two?” he emphasised.
“Yes, for two.” Calix gave him a deadpan look. “And sooner than later.”
Petrick was up and out the door in moments.
“What’s Gorigios?” I asked him hesitantly, hoping beyond hope that the reservation was for him and me.
“It’s a restaurant downtown. They serve vampire and human alike.”
He looked over his shoulder at me and the look there was almost vulnerable.
“Can I assume you mean for us?”
He smiled.
“I have no interest in bringing any other human with me to dinner.”
I smiled back and we just stared at each other for a second. But Calix eventually cleared his throat and moved a couple papers around on his desk, not actually doing anything.
“Calix,” I called quietly but he didn’t turn. “Have things… changed?”
“Changed how, Agápi Mou?”
“Between us. Do you still...Are you still mad at me?”
“Not this again, Lily...”
He sounded exasperated.
“I just… I just want to know where I stand with you. Something changed the first day I went with you to meet the other vampires. I don’t know what, but something changed.”
He chewed the inside of his cheek.
“You wish to know what changed?” he asked, standing and perching on the edge of his desk so he could look at me. “While we stood there, you became aroused.”
“What?” I squeaked.
“At first I was upset, wondering which man I would have to kill for catching your favor. But then, when I looked at you, you were looking at me. The arousal I smelled and the wild look in your eyes… It was for me.”
I was stunned.
“You can smell my—”
Oh God… Mortified isn’t even the word for how embarrassed I was.
“Every vampire can.” He stared into my eyes, as if waiting to see what I would do.
I swallowed my mortification down and looked him in the eye.
“It was for you. I don’t know what changed but I only want you. I don’t know if it’s the stupid mate thing or what, but my body only breathes for you.”
Standing, I took a tentative step toward him until we were only inches apart.
“I...I’m sorry, for what I did, Calix. I’m sorry I hurt you. You were acting like a pig, but so was I. So I’m sorry.”
He didn’t say anything. All he did was slip his fingers into the hair behind my head and bring my head to his. His kiss was soft and gentle, not ravaging as it normally was.
“I never did apologize for what happened the day you left,” he told me in a deep whisper. “I am truly sorry for how I treated you. You are a strong woman and a woman with scruples. You are a rare breed and I’m not used to it. I have not yet forgiven, but I do understand why you did it. I can’t say I blame you either. You had no reason to respect me and obey me other than because of my power, of which you did
n’t understand the extent.”
He ran his thumb over my bottom lip for a second before meeting my eyes with calm intensity.
“I don’t want you to be scared of me, Lily. I want you to trust me and know that I would never hurt you unless it was the best thing for you. I...” He shook his head. “It’s not important. Needless to say, I want us to be able to work as a team and I understand there are provisions to be made, and I must make exceptions for you.”
I wasn’t sure if I should be insulted or flattered.
“Sure, ok.” I nodded at him.
His thumb moved and brushed over my cheek.
“But I...enjoy our time together.”
“I do too,” I agreed. “I’m glad you let me hang out with you. I’ve gotten to know you a lot better. And it helps me understand you.”
“Good. That was the entire purpose.”
We looked at each other, nose to nose for a while before he removed his hand from my hair.
“We’ll leave at sundown. I suggest you get ready. I’ll send in a girl to help you.”
I managed to remove myself from the strange, magnetic energy between us and turned, heading for the door.
“And Lily,” Calix called after me.
I paused and turned, and he just strode up to me, taking my lips as if he owned them. Which he did.
“That is all,” he grinned, breathless from the kiss.
“You’re ridiculous,” I told him, my lungs airless as well.
“Only around you,” he smirked, kissing me again before he turned and went back to his desk.
I grinned, the words warming my heart.
Arriving at the bedroom, I undressed and got in the shower, enjoying the feeling of Calix’s approval and acceptance as the hot water ran down my body. When I got out, I saw a familiar person waiting in the room.
“Janie!” I grinned and ran to her.
“Lily!” She hugged me back “Lord I’ve been worrying about you! It’s been weeks!”
“I know. Calix got angry about the last time. He sends different girls up now for meals.”
“Bastard...” She frowned.
“He’s not really. He’s not what he seems to be.”
She looked sceptical.