Thankfully, the reassurance that no one had been hurt came swiftly on the heels of the report. He’d personally kill the son of a bitch who put Janelle in danger right after he took care of his brother. This man, Mateo, wouldn’t have to worry about the Sons of Sangue, not when he had just landed himself as runner-up on Vlad’s hit list.
Her whiskey-warm voice soothed over him, bringing his interest to the small living area and sofas. Janelle held a baby in the crook of her arm, cooing to the tiny tot as though she didn’t have a care in the world and hadn’t just survived a fucking conflagration.
She looked up at his approach and smiled. “Isn’t he precious?”
Vlad’s gaze briefly left hers, long enough to take in the infant with a dark crown of hair. “Yes,” was his curt reply before he leaned down, scooped up the infant and handed him to the woman to her right. “I need to speak with you.”
Janelle’s gaze widened, telling Vlad he was about to get a verbal whiplash. He didn’t give two fucks, not with his anger smoldering deep inside. Christ, he could have lost her. “Outside.”
She did as asked and followed him to the adjoining parking lot. Vlad didn’t bother leaving parting words for his grandsons. He’d see them again soon enough. Leading her to his Aston Martin, he opened the door and indicated that she should get in. Janelle grabbed the door and pushed it closed. Crossing her arms over her chest, she stood defiant.
The rise of her eyebrow told him her opinion on his high-handedness. “What the hell is wrong with you?”
He scratched his nape and grimaced. “Me?”
“I’m not yours to order around.”
“Look—”
“No.” Janelle slapped a palm against his immovable chest. He felt the hit much harder to the softer muscle in his chest, his heart. It hadn’t been his intention to infuriate her, and yet he had. “You want to tell me what this is about?”
“I needed to see you were okay.”
“So you see.” She put her arms out to the side. “I’m going back inside.”
He gripped her forearm. “Give me a moment.”
Her jaw clenched; her gaze narrowed at him. “You have exactly one minute.”
Vlad ran a hand down his bearded jaw. Sucking in a deep breath, he attempted to calm his amped-up emotions. Manhandling a headstrong woman would get him nowhere. And the truth of it was, he wouldn’t have her any other way.
Her narrowed gaze told him he’d need to grovel. Had it been any other woman, Vlad would’ve walked away. He didn’t beg for mercy from anyone and especially not a woman.
“Look” —he raised his hand and brushed a spot of soot from her cheek with his knuckle— “I was worried when I heard about the fire.”
“I’m fine.”
“I’ll have Xander’s ass for this,” he growled more to himself rather than to be heard. “He was to protect you.”
“He did a great job of that. I’m alive with not one hair harmed.”
“He should have anticipated the coming threat.”
“Really?” She chuckled bitterly. “He was a bit busy with the birth of his son, you ass. The way I see it, you should be thanking him. Had it not been for him killing the bastards guarding the guesthouse where we made our escape, we’d be on our way to Mexico, or worse yet … dead.”
Janelle wasn’t helping the fire burning inside him. Her words stoked it back to life. “Fine,” he snapped. “He saved you. I’ll be sure to thank him for that.”
“Vlad…” she warned.
“Get in the car.”
“Excuse me?”
“Please … get in the car. I’ll be right back.” He raised a hand to stop the objection her opened mouth promised. “I will only thank him. You’re right. I owe him that.”
Thankfully, she did as asked before he headed back into the clubhouse. All eyes turned on him as he strode in, boots clomping heavily against the wood flooring. Vlad supposed he had been a bit of an ass upon arrival. Alexander now sat beside his mate and their baby.
Vlad cleared his throat. “I was rude. Please accept my thank you for taking good care of Janelle. And—congratulations on the baby. You did a fantastic job protecting the women, considering the situation.”
A grin quirked up one side of Alexander’s lips. The bastard was enjoying his kowtowing. “You’re quite welcome. Mateo will pay for his actions.”
“I’m sure, just as my brother will once I catch up to the cagey bastard.” Vlad turned to Kane and Kaleb. “I’ll be in touch.”
“Call us when you’re ready to resume the hunt,” said Kaleb.
Vlad nodded then left the clubhouse, thankful to find Janelle had done as requested, though she now sat in the driver’s seat of his Aston. Wisely, he opened the passenger seat and sat down, securing the belt.
“May I ask why you’re driving?”
She giggled. “I’ve been dying to drive your car. Where to?”
Vlad smiled his humor. “My penthouse. I believe we have unfinished business.”
The rising scent of her desire tickled his nose. “Glad you hadn’t forgotten.”
The car slid into reverse. She backed up before circling the parking lot and pulling out onto the paved road. Hitting the gas, the Aston Martin lurched forward.
He glanced over at her, his cock hardening and making the belt crossing his lap uncomfortable. “Forgot? Not a chance.”
Janelle’s smile held a promise that left him hot for an entirely different reason. “Too bad I’m driving or I’d make the trip a bit more enjoyable.”
“Christ,” he mumbled. “The pedal to the floor, you little minx.”
* * *
Vlad’s fingers fumbled on the lock of the secured door to his rented penthouse. It was as if he were a bumbling schoolboy all over again and not a seasoned vampire who had bedded numerous women over the past few centuries. Shoving the door open, he entered with Janelle. The unlocked panel banged off the interior wall and rattled the cheap art hanging beside it.
Gripping Janelle by the shoulders, he pushed her against the entry, his mouth slanting over hers.
Janelle fisted his shirt and pulled him forward, sliding her tongue over the seal of his lips. Her boldness spiked his hunger. Releasing his grip, Vlad slipped his fingers into her silky hair and cupped her skull, then opened to her and deepened the kiss. His erection bumped against the softness of her abdomen as he leaned into her, anchoring her against the cool steel door.
Fuck, he wanted her clothes gone so he could feel every smooth inch of her. Reaching for the hem of her sweater, he broke the kiss long enough to push the white knit up and over her head, tossing it to the marble entryway. He covered her mouth again, shoving his tongue past her lips, eliciting a moan. Vlad had waited far too long to take it easy.
He wanted a fast, hard fuck.
Pulling down the cups of her smoke-colored lace bra, he palmed her breasts. Her nipples pebbled against his large, callused hands, telling him she was just as eager, nearly snapping his carefully tethered control. Never had he felt so frenzied with longing … not until Janelle. Vlad broke the kiss again before dipping his head to lave one of the pink, pert nipples with the flat of his tongue. Scraping the tender flesh with his fangs, he fought the urge to sink them gum-deep.
Christ, he craved another taste of her honeyed blood.
Drinking from her before had been reckless and irresponsible. Vlad knew the rules, knew the reasons why humans were kept in the dark. Hell, he had made the rules. And yet, she had broken his iron will. Vlad had caved and tasted the aphrodisiac, making him thirst for more. Only a fucking miracle would keep him from doing so again.
Thankfully, no other room opened onto the penthouse floor because he had no intention of stopping long enough to close the door she leaned against. No, he intended on fucking her right where they stood. He had waited long enough.
Vlad’s thick fingers seemed nearly worthless as he attempted to undo the small button on her jeans. No woman had ever affected him to the point of in
adequacy. Vlad prided himself on his dexterity and ability to please women. His talents were legendary if one listened to the tales of those he had fucked in the past. But Janelle was different. Not since his late wife had he felt the emotional attachment that came with making love. That damn useless organ in his chest felt near to bursting.
Unacceptable.
Janelle wasn’t his to have. He was a vampire, for chrissake. Love had no business entering into whatever this was between them. Too fucking late. When she left, she’d rip his heart out of his chest, though he’d die before ever telling her as much. Janelle had a place in this world. He couldn’t ask her to leave that to enter his.
She brushed his hands aside and slipped the button free from the hole, then drew down the zipper with a soft rasp. Vlad pushed the denim past her hips, taking the gray lacy panties with it. Janelle toed off her flats before stepping out of the cotton and lace. Her bra followed, leaving her gloriously naked. Fuck, she was more stunning than anything he had seen in all his centuries. She had soft curves in some places and muscles honed from training in others. The perfect combination. Her long lean legs were perfect for wrapping his waist. She seemed fitted for his larger frame, not some waif he feared he’d break.
“Is everything okay, big guy?” Janelle chuckled. “Or do I need to get dressed? It’s a bit chilly—”
“Hell, no.” His deep voice echoed about the white sterile room. The cleaning staff was quite efficient. “I was taking in the view. I’m in awe of your beauty.”
Janelle looked to her toes.
Using the pad of his thumb, he brought her gaze up. “Christ, you take my fucking breath away.”
Her ocean-blue eyes twinkled. “I’m pretty sure I’ve not heard those words from anyone to describe me before.”
“Then they were fucking idiots.”
Vlad clasped the base of her skull and brought his mouth back to hers. Renewed hunger blazed inside him like molten lava streaming through his veins. Her naked form melded against his still-clothed one and it was one hell of a turn-on. He swore because of her he could live his life without ever desiring or fucking another. Unfortunately, he might just have to, because he’d never allow Janelle to sacrifice her career and live a life damned with him.
Reaching down, he gripped her leg behind the knee and wrapped his waist with it. His cock lay trapped between them, pulsing against her wet center. Vlad ground against her, desiring to feel her gripping him. The patience to remove even a single article of clothing escaped him. He wanted to fuck her like the beast he was.
Reaching between them, he flipped the button of his pants and pulled down the zipper. Wearing no underwear, he easily freed his erection. The pert-pink tongue that darted out to wet her lips as she looked down upon him in hunger undid him. Vlad caught her about the hips, picked her up, and wrapped his waist with both of her long legs. Anchoring her to the door, he parted her folds and slicked his erection. Resting the tip at her center, he held her gaze just before sliding into her and seating himself to the hilt.
He didn’t want to move, not when she fisted his cock like a glove. Nothing had ever felt so close to nirvana. Had someone ended his life at this moment, he’d die a happy, though not entirely satisfied man. Ecstasy was but a few thrusts away and he wasn’t about to deny himself. If he had only a short time with Janelle, he planned to enjoy every fucking second of being inside her.
Her red lips parted, sucking in oxygen as he began to move. He couldn’t remain still a moment longer, not with his climax gripping his balls like a vise. Every muscle tightened as he increased his pace, thrust for thrust, sending her back sliding up the steel door behind her. She was his every fucking fantasy come to life. Vlad wouldn’t last long, not when her inner walls clutched him, damn near milking him. His climax built, heating his balls and throbbing at the base of his cock. Vlad wanted to hold out. He gritted his teeth, tilted his head to the ceiling, and cried out in anguish. Janelle Ferrari had broken him. There would never be another woman for him. Not now, not in a hundred more centuries.
Vlad dipped his head, slanted his mouth over hers, and sealed his fate to centuries of loneliness, pining away for the one woman he could never have. His immortality and existence had finally come full circle and damned him. Jesus, he’d wish for death knowing she was out of his league.
His muscles stiffened with his oncoming climax. Vlad hastened his thrusts, reaching for the edging apex. Breaking the kiss, he looked into her passion-filled gaze and lost his feeble tether. His orgasm began to pulse through him, sending him spiraling over the precipice.
Janelle cried out, reaching her own peak. She tilted her head to the ceiling, exposing her slender neck to him. Dear Lord, it was the most beautiful and tempting thing in the world; the one he’d deny himself. Vlad wasn’t about to leave her with regrets, like him having tapped her artery yet again. She might not think it now, but down the road, she’d look back upon their union in revulsion. After all, he was a fucking vampire. This stunning woman would never know that she had captured the beast’s heart, and he’d do his damnedest to keep it that way.
Chapter 20
Janelle rolled over, tucking into Vlad’s side as he lay on his back, glossy-black hair fanning across his pillow. He stretched one muscular arm around her back and pulled her in tight. Sex-snuggling wasn’t something she normally did and she’d bet it wasn’t Vlad’s MO either. And yet, he didn’t look even remotely ready to kick her out. After the hot-as-hell sex against the door, Vlad had closed it, then carried her to his large bed where he had finally removed his clothing, making love to her twice more before she had fallen into an easy slumber.
Something in his demeanor had changed from the entryway. Once they entered the suite’s bedroom and he had laid her upon the duvet, he no longer seemed impulsive or hurried. If she hadn’t known better, she’d swear emotions had gotten as tangled up as the sheets. Vlad treated her as if she were precious, maybe even loved.
Crazy.
With all the women Vlad had no doubt slept with in his past, it was insane to think she would be the one to win the king of vampires. He probably had his own harem waiting for him when the mission to find and kill his brother ended.
She trailed her fingers lazily over the light dusting of hair on his chest. Her emotions were the ones getting tied up and no doubt messing with her. In all probability, any affection Vlad had for her would end once he tired of the sex.
Besides, the man was centuries old. Janelle wasn’t cut out for his world, even if the idea of blood-drinking no longer repulsed her. Her stupid heart, though, had to get on the same page as her brain. It had gone and fallen in love with him, impossible complications and all. Janelle would be a fool, though, to ever admit as much. When this battle he fought ended, he’d go back to his home, leaving her and her world behind. Vlad didn’t strike her as the forever kind, even if Janelle thought it might be remotely possible to continue seeing each other.
“Something has you fidgeting?”
She smiled against his chest. “It’s all good.”
“Good?” He chuckled, the deep sound rumbling against her ear. “Do I need to be offended? Or maybe I need to show you again just how great it is.”
“That’s not what I meant.” Janelle tugged on his chest hair and looked up at his dark gaze. “It was much better than good. I meant lying here with you, it feels good.”
He tightened his hold, his lips curving. “I wish I didn’t have places to be or I’d suggest not leaving this bed for days.”
“Your brother?” A nod was her answer. “You want to talk about him?”
Vlad shifted beneath her. “There’s nothing to talk about. I find him, I’ll kill him. No mercy this time.”
Janelle placed her palm against his whiskered cheek. “You’re tormented. I can tell something is eating at you, Vlad. You don’t want to end his life, do you?”
Vlad’s gaze darkened, unable to hide his affliction. “It doesn’t matter, iubi. I’ll do what I should have done
months ago.”
“Talk to me, Vlad.” He tried to look away, but she brought back his gaze. “Talk to me.”
His chest shuddered from his indrawn breath. “Christ, iubi, it kills me inside to know I have to take his life, but I’ve given Mircea one too many chances. He’s proven that he’s not redeemable.”
“Have you told anyone else how you feel?”
Vlad shook his head, the movement rustling the pillowcase beneath his head. “I have to be strong… No, I am strong enough to see this through. Me” —he tapped his chest— “not anyone else.”
“Why?”
“Because I have to be the one. He’s my brother. I can’t lay that on anyone else’s doorstep. What if I’d wind up resenting them? No, this is on me and I’ll do what needs to be done.”
She licked her lips. “Then you’ll come back here?”
He nodded. And her heart ached for him and what he had to do. No one should have to kill their sibling, even if their deeds were worthy of the sentence.
“When do you need to leave?”
“Probably hours ago.” His arm tightened around her. “As soon as I get someone over here to watch you.”
Janelle pushed off his chest, holding the sheet to her naked breasts. “You aren’t responsible for me. Besides, your brother doesn’t have the slightest idea where to find me even if his threat could be taken seriously.”
“Oh, he’s serious, iubi. Don’t doubt that.” He traced her lower lip with his thumb. “I won’t allow him to hurt you.”
“I know you won’t. You’ll get to him first. I have faith in you.” Janelle took in a deep breath before hedging over the elephant in the room. “Once you catch him, then what?”
Vlad (Sons of Sangue Book 8) Page 17