Darkest Risings

by S. K. Yule

  He closed his eyes for a moment, and when he opened them, the black ink of desire began blotting out the turquoise. She gently brushed her fingers through his dark hair and thunder rumbled low, shaking the house with one long growl.

  He said nothing, just stared at her as the black crept further and further over his eyes. Butterflies danced low in her belly and her nerves began to twitch. Was he going to deny her?

  “It thunders a lot when I’m around you.” A nervous giggle escaped from her lips.

  He reached up and gently tugged her into the bathtub. She squealed when she sprawled over him mostly because she was worried about hurting him, and partly because she was fully clothed.

  “It thunders a lot because you unleash things deep inside me that are hard for me to control.” He tunneled his fingers in her hair and cupped her nape.

  He pulled her slowly toward him, and she carefully placed one palm on his chest. Their lips hovered only an inch apart.

  “Are you telling me that you can make it thunder?” she mocked with one brow up.

  He nodded. The sincerity in his eyes made her mouth fall open.

  “Wilhemina, I’ve never been a man to pass up an opportunity when one is presented, and I’m finding it very hard to”—he flexed his hips so she could feel his hard cock rub against her ass—”do what is right here.”

  “And what is right here?” she whispered.

  “Not taking advantage of you. You have no idea how badly I want to truly make you mine, but I don’t want you to have regrets later.”

  “I won’t regret having the opportunity to love you forever, Aldin. I’ve made up my mind. I won’t change it. Whatever you decide to do with that information is your choice, but the decision stands now and always.”

  He pulled her the rest of the way to his mouth, and his lips came down hungrily on hers. He tasted of forbidden pleasure and promise. She gasped when he broke the kiss, aching from the loss of his touch.

  “I love you, Wilhemina. With all of my heart. You must know that you and you alone hold my soul in your two tiny hands. You are the only one who has the power to hurt me like no other has.”

  “I don’t want to hurt you. I want to love you.” She frowned and looked down at his big, hard body. “And I really don’t want to cause you more pain right now.”

  “It’s getting better.”

  “I don’t think looking like a lobster that’s just been boiled alive is an indication of better. Are you really okay?”

  “Yes. Aiston managed to put the fire out before it kil…um, before it could do permanent damage.”

  The breath whooshed from her lungs. He was going to say killed him. She didn’t realize that he’d been that close to dying. Emotions swamped her and she swayed.

  “Hey, hey. It’s okay, honey. I’m right here.” He pulled her against his chest and wrapped his arms around her.

  “I don’t ever want to lose you,” she said against his chest.

  “You’re not going to lose me. I promised I’d come back to you and I did. I will always come back to you. Now how about if we get out of this tub so I can help you get those wet clothes off?”

  “Are you sure you’re up for it?” she inquired.

  He flexed his hips again, nudging his erection against her. “I’m pretty sure I’m up for it.”

  “You know what I meant.” She smiled.

  “Yes, and the answer is still yes.”

  When he stood and set her on the floor, she barely held back a moan of appreciation. He was beautiful. Even with his red skin—which was looking better with each passing minute—he reminded her of one of those perfectly sculptured statues of a Greek god. She wanted to lick every drop of water sliding over his wet body.

  Without thought, without embarrassment, she reached for the buttons on her top and slowly undid them one by one. Her skin heated as he watched her expose her bra. The black engulfed his eyes now, and her core pulsed in response to his obvious arousal. She’d started to think that she’d never meet a man to settle down with and now knew why.

  Aldin wasn’t someone to settle down with. Instinctively, she was certain nothing would ever settle down between them. Maybe over time they might fall into some type of routine, but the intensity, the fiery passion they shared, would never dull.

  She let the blouse fall from her shoulders and plop to the floor in a wet heap. He clenched his fists at his sides before stepping out of the tub.

  “Unsnap your bra for me. Show me your gorgeous breasts, honey.”

  The low rumble of his words sent streaks of pleasure through her. She reached for the fastening on her bra, flicked it open, and slowly removed it. Her eyes locked on his thick, hard cock as it twitched, and she licked her lips, remembering how he’d tasted.

  “Not this time. This time it’s my turn to love you with my mouth.”

  She slowly moved her gaze up over his ripped abs to his wide chest and finally to his eyes. The desire that burned in the black depths was enough to steal the breath from her lungs.

  “Take off the skirt now.”

  His fists clenched and unclenched, and she smiled, knowing that he was as aroused as she was. Feeling bold and beautiful under his stare, she let the inner vixen out to play. She slowly turned her back to him, unfastened her skirt, and shimmied her hips as she began to slowly work the wet fabric over her legs. She let it pool around her feet then stepped out of it and looked over her shoulder at him.

  He sucked in a sharp breath. “Now the panties.”

  She hooked her fingers under the sides of her panties and bent over—farther than necessary—to slide them off. When she suddenly found herself plastered against the wall with Aldin’s hard, damp body pressed against her from behind, all playfulness was gone, replaced by red-hot lust.

  He nipped her lobe then licked along the outline of her ear. “You get me so fucking hot.” His warm breath sent shivers through her body.

  One hand slid along her arm, over her hip, around to her stomach then down to rest on her mound. He slipped a finger over her clit and along her labia. Her body responded to his touch as it always did. Wetness rushed between her legs and he groaned when his finger encountered the dewy dampness. She moaned and pushed her hips back, thankful that the coolness of the wall against her chest that kept her from going up in flames. He flexed his hips in response, which brought his cock up hard against her lower back, it’s length taunting, promising…dominating.

  Her body clenched in anticipation as a buzzing started in her ears, a signal that every cell, every nerve ending sang a siren’s song for his possession.

  “Aldin!” she cried when he bumped his cock against her again.

  He spun her around, and she let out a squeak of alarm when he effortlessly picked her up and draped her legs over his shoulders. Her heels dug into his back, and his strong hands clamped over her thighs as his wicked tongue eased along her labia then settled over her clit.

  She gripped the tops of his hands covering her thighs to balance herself, although it was more a reaction than necessity as he was doing a fine job of holding her secure and steady as he ate at her. His dark hair glistened with water, and the shock of being neatly set on his shoulders with his face buried against her mound was but a fleeting moment in the wind once his tongue began a sensual dance against her clit. She was mesmerized by the way he dipped the strong, glistening appendage inside her over and over before swirling it around the bundle of nerves that sent pleasure pulsing through her.

  Pressure built inside her, and she fought the urge to let the swirling tide of release overtake her. When she came, she wanted him inside her where he belonged, where she longed for him to be. She hadn’t noticed that they’d been moving the entire time he’d been tonguing her, and clawed at him in alarm when he began to tilt her backwards.

  When she fell onto his soft bed, she barely had time to recover before his face was buried against her once again. She bent her knees and tugged frantically at his hair. “Aldin! Please.”


  “Come for me, Wilhemina,” he said against her.

  The vibrations of his words nearly sent her soaring over the edge, but she managed to hang on…by a single thread. A fine sheen of sweat broke on her skin, and she panted. “Need. You. Inside. Me,” she said through gritted teeth as the building pleasure threatened to swallow her.

  She cried out when he abruptly sat up on his knees and nudged her thighs wide. He stared down at her with such intensity, as if he could peer into her very soul. She fought the urge to squirm, and gasped when he slowly reached down and ran one long finger over her breast, then nipple. His touch was almost too much on her already over-sensitized skin. And when his finger continued downward over her abdomen, around her navel, then settled on her clit, she couldn’t help but cry out as the explosion of pleasure threatened to overtake her once again.

  She stared up at him, waiting while the silk sheets caressed her back with every shiver that ran through her spine.

  “This is mine.” He applied more pressure on her clit and she gasped. “Only mine.” His black eyes swallowed her whole.

  She nodded because she wasn’t sure if she could speak at the moment.

  “Say it,” he grated.

  “Only yours,” she managed in a choked whisper.

  He circled her clit, and as the waves rose to claim her, he shifted and slid his cock home. He thrust hard through her clenching channel, sending another wave of unadulterated euphoria bursting through her. She tried to scream, but no sound came from her throat. Her mouth gaped open along with her eyes as she dug her fingers into his shoulders and her heels into his ass as he continued to ride her. He gave no mercy, and she wanted none.

  He stared down at her as he thrust into her again and again, and just when she thought the pleasure was too much, his mouth opened and she watched his fangs slide down. A part of her brain told her she should be scared, but she found that the fact he was showing her a side of him he likely didn’t share often excited her that much more. He slowly dipped his head toward her, and she urged him forward with her hands.

  “I love you, Wilhemina.”

  His teeth popped through her skin at the top of her left breast and another orgasm barreled down on her like an unexpected avalanche. This time, her scream of pleasure rang out through the room, and he thrust hard in response. He grunted and came in her with hot pulses, the sensation sending electricity zinging through her system until she thought she might black out since no one could possibly survive this kind of euphoria. The buzzing was starting in her ears again, and she wondered if anyone had ever died from the intensity of love-making.

  He gently pulled his fangs from her and rolled over onto his back, bringing her with him without breaking the connection of their bodies. She sprawled over his chest, and he put his wrist to his mouth. He never took his eyes from her as he bit through the flesh then slowly extended his arm to her. The dark blood from his bite was surprisingly tempting. He held perfectly still, waiting, putting the decision fully in her hands.

  “No regrets, Wilhemina. If you do this, be sure. There is no going back. I won’t be able to live with myself if you later feel you’ve made a mistake. If you ever grow to despise me…” He squeezed his eyes shut.

  She reached out and linked her fingers with his to draw him to her mouth. His black eyes opened, and she watched him, making sure he could see that she knew exactly what she was about to do, that she knew the profound effect the decision she’d made would have on her life. She wanted him to understand that she would never have regrets about loving him, accepted him for who and what he was, and wanted to be with him always.

  “Never will I have regrets,” she said before giving his wrist a long, slow lick. “Never will I despise you.” The coppery tang of his blood hit her taste buds, wrenching a tortured moan of bliss from her throat. As she took his life force into her body, it was as if every cell vibrated with anticipation of something that was just out of reach. He brought up his other hand and tangled his fingers in her hair.

  Her stomach clenched, and she began to greedily feed from him. His essence flowed through her veins, becoming a part of her—he became a part of her—forever. She was certain that even when the time came to draw her last breath, he would remain a part of her for eternity.

  He tugged her up and kissed her before settling her against his side. His fingers remained idly sifting through her hair, the sensation sending soothing pulses of pleasure undulating through her.

  As sleep began to claim her, she snuggled against him tighter.

  “Will it hurt?” she murmured.

  “No.”

  “Your skin is almost back to its normal color. Are you better?”

  “Yes. I’m always better when you’re here.”

  “I’m sleepy.”

  “I know. I’ll be here when you wake. I won’t leave you.”

  She nodded, and the last thing she felt before sleep claimed her was his warm lips and breath on her cheek.

  Chapter Thirty

  The peace Aldin felt with Wilhemina pressed up against him snoring softly was akin to the peace he thought the trees must feel as they bent and swayed in a gentle breeze on a warm day. The slight weight of her arm draped low on his belly was something he could get used to fast. He’d never made a habit out of spending the night with any other woman. They had been for his amusement, his outlet. He had been for their pleasure.

  But with Wilhemina? Amusement was the furthest thing from his mind. She brought him a depth of euphoria he’d only dreamed of experiencing. When he was inside her warm wetness—the place that wept only for him—the rest of the world ceased to exist. She consumed him when he possessed her. Not only did their bodies meld when he made love to her, but their souls and hearts blended together, making them one…making him whole.

  She would awake soon, and he wondered if she would regret her decision to let him change her. She’d assured him she never would, but how could she, the most beautiful flower, be drawn to him, the darkness? He’d always doubted his nourishing abilities where women were concerned, but he’d try his damndest to give her what she needed—whatever that may be—to keep her content and happy. He could offer her protection and pleasure with ease. Those things were in his nature. But the tenderness, the romantic gestures? Those would be hard for him to get the hang of. For her? He’d never stop trying until the day his heart gave its last beat.

  She stirred against him, and his breath caught in his lungs when her long hair slid off her skin, exposing the creamy swell of one breast that was hidden beneath. His fingers itched, wanting to touch, but the last thing she needed was him pawing her on her first morning of waking as a vampire.

  “Aldin, we need to have a meeting.”

  Ashe’s voice slipped through his mind as easily as his own thoughts.

  “I can’t come yet, brother.”

  “This is serious.”

  “I understand, but I will not leave Wilhemina until she awakes.”

  For some reason, he hesitated telling Ashe that the bond between them had been sealed. It wasn’t that he didn’t trust his brother, because he trusted Ashe with his life without hesitation. It was more that he was selfish and didn’t want to share the moment with anyone. Not yet anyway.

  “I understand, Aldin. We will meet in an hour, and I will see you as soon as you are able. I hope that you have good news to share. We are in need of something good.”

  “I’ll see you.”

  Ashe’s response told him that he’d guessed the reason for his refusal to leave Wilhemina. And he’d been right when he said that they could all use some good news. But had Ashe meant they needed it because of what had already happened or because of something else? A slither of dread snaked down his spine as he wondered about Ragnor’s condition.

  Wilhemina stretched beside him like a contented cat. Her nipples brushed against his side, the innocent touch sending fire straight to his groin. When her gray eyes opened and she smiled at him, his heart nearly stopped at
the sheer, blind radiance of that grin.

  “Good morning,” she said in a voice made husky by sleep.

  He pulled her up until she was draped over his chest, and her mouth was a scant, tantalizing inch from his. Her breath warmed his skin.

  “Good morning, beautiful.” He cupped her nape and drew her in for a lazy, thorough kiss.

  Her natural sweet taste rushed him like floodwaters, and he felt more alive than he had in years.

  “Mmm. You taste even better than I remember.” She sighed deeply.

  He smiled, wondering if she realized that was because all of her senses were now heightened. She would feel, taste, smell, hear, and see everything in more detail, with more awareness. Things that were once undetectable to her—whispers from across a crowded room, the subtle aroma of freshly blooming flowers in a light breeze, an owl perched high in a tree in the blackness of night—would now be detectable with ease.

  And sex. He squeezed his eyes shut as her fingers toyed with one of his nipples, teasing it into a tiny, tight bud. He wondered if she had any clue what she did to him, how she could turn him inside out with a brush of her lips or a passing caress of her hand.

  She began kissing his chest, and he slipped his fingers into the mass of thick, red hair, encouraging her progress. But even he hadn’t been prepared when she climbed on top of him and impaled herself on his throbbing cock. She’d moved so quick he hadn’t had time to prepare himself for the gripping muscles of her warm, wet sheath. She smiled down at him and stilled when a tortured growl slipped from his throat.

  He raised a brow at her in question.

  In answer, she bucked her hips, which buried him to the hilt. He cupped the globes of her ass and sat up. She wrapped her arms around his neck and began riding him. The rise and fall of her hips mesmerizing, the gentle bounce of her full breasts intoxicating.

  Soon small mewls of pleasure poured from her full lips, and her eyes fixed on his. His body notched up another degree in heat, nearing the exploding point when blackness crept over her gray eyes, giving him undisputed proof of the pleasure she felt as she rose on her knees then fell on to him over and over. She threw her head back and the throb of her pulse in the long jugular running down her slim throat called to him.