by Celia Jade
Chapter Six
Dex had felt relief when Stephanie agreed to the transfusions a week earlier, but the anger and the reproach he’d seen in her eyes tore up his insides, nearly choking him. It had eaten him up that night, robbed him of sleep, and still gnawed at him today, a few hours after Ray had received her blood.
She was right to be angry. He could have approached her in a civilized manner and simply talked to her about Ray instead of intimidating her. But he’d been stuck between a damn rock and a hard place. What if she’d refused, especially since her dhampir nature was an issue? Victor hadn’t made any psychic connection with anyone else. She’d been his brother’s only hope.
He wished they’d met under different circumstances. No other woman roused his emotions so intensely. Good and bad. And he felt them everywhere, running like a fierce current through his veins and his flesh. If they’d met under normal circumstances, he would have already left his mark both inside and outside her sweet body. He would have tasted her blood, whose delicious scent had nearly snapped his control when he’d kissed her.
Stephanie was the sort of woman he’d spend the rest of his life with. He’d stuffed this realization in the gray area of his consciousness during the week leading up to Ray’s first transfusion in an attempt to focus on work. He’d also taken this period of time to research her brothers because there was deep-rooted pain in Stephanie that had to do with the fact that her family might not accept her nature. What sort of people would not accept their own flesh and blood, would not accept Stephanie because she was part vampire? Vampire haters. It made total sense, given the family history.
Bounty hunt operations weren’t part of his division, so he’d spent hours going through various reports, comparing the Dubois missions with others. The conclusion he arrived at had turned his stomach in disgust and rage. Their operations had seldom been free of some kind of violence—apparently unjustified—toward the fugitive. He wondered why the hell their superiors hadn’t noticed this. No doubt Stephanie was aware of it, which further explained her attempt to help Kelso.
Not wanting to get the brothers fired for Stephanie’s sake, he’d used his connections with a couple of colleagues in internal affairs, who expedited the Dubois’ transfer to the human bounty hunt division, along with a severe warning.
Dex squeezed lemon juice onto the lightly fried piece of liver, added a generous heap of kidney bean salad to the plate, and walked to the table where Stephanie sat, ignoring the stubborn frown on her lovely face.
“I’m not an invalid. I can feed myself,” she grumbled.
“You recently gave 450 ml of your blood and the doctor’s instructions were specific. Rest for the next three hours, lots of water and iron. Liver and beans contain plenty of iron.” He lowered the plate in front of her.
Her large brown eyes looked up in challenge. “Are you going to watch me eat?”
“No, I’m going to catch a game on TV. Enjoy.”
After the blood transfusion, he wanted to make sure Stephanie was well and insisted on taking her home despite her protests. He was planning on staying the night, too, to ensure that she drank plenty of liquids and didn’t run off to the gym. It was the least he could do. There was one more transfusion scheduled two and half months from today. She was saving his brother’s life.
His heart wrenched again. He longed to pull her into his arms and thank her, but her body language warned him against it. He ached to make love to her for hours because they were a perfect match on so many levels. His instincts were keen enough to recognize this. Physically, their attraction was magnetic, potent. Furthermore, he knew how to satisfy her special urges…and he wanted to fill that lonely part of her soul.
He wasn’t giving up. He’d use a delicate strategy to break through her wall, which she’d erected partly because she feared the attraction that sizzled between them. Her body’s response to him on this very sofa had been natural, hungry. Dex was willing to bet his life’s savings that she avoided intimate relations with vampires because of her family. It was a damn shame, depriving herself that way, but the thought of her being with any other man, human or not, chafed his insides like sandpaper.
He tuned into the sports channel in order to forget that Stephanie was on the other side of the wall. It would be a challenge to get through the evening and the whole night without touching her. Today, she needed rest. After that…
“So, when do you plan on leaving?”
Her question was almost toneless, yet it plucked at his nerve endings. Dex watched her come into the living room with a glass of water in her hand, her slim jeans and snug t-shirt emphasizing her feminine shape. Heat tightened in his cock. She stood a few feet from him, the question hanging between them.
His answer wasn’t going to go over well. Dex cleared his throat. “I think it’s best that I stay the night to make sure you’re well—I’ll sleep on the sofa.”
Her body tensed as her eyes shot a few daggers at him. “I disagree. I feel perfectly fine.”
He considered various angles of approach before replying. “Stephanie, you saved my brother’s life. Ray and I are indebted to you forever and my being here is the very least I can do.”
Surprise flickered in her brown eyes. “I don’t see it that way. I chose to do the transfusions because I want to give Ray a chance to live.” Her gaze held his. “I only asked one thing of you.” The censure was back in her voice.
“No one can trace the pictures to you. I took care of that before the transfusion.”
She gave him a measured look. “You traced them to me.”
“Look, it’s not an issue. No one will ever bother you about it.” His tone was absolute and brooked no further questioning.
She inclined her head. “I see. Well, thank you, I suppose.”
“Stephanie, what I said before about being indebted to you, I mean it. Anything you need, no matter what, I want you to come to me.”
Her gaze faltered as she shrugged. “I’ve never needed anyone’s help.”
There was so much loneliness in that statement it practically punched a hole in his heart. Worse, she’d clearly grown accustomed to it. He’d leave her in her comfort zone for a little longer.
When she raised her eyes to his, they were shuttered. “I’m going to take a nap. There’s a spare bedroom just down the hall on the right. Sheets are clean.” With that, she left the room.
That evening, Dex checked in on Stephanie and saw that she was still asleep, her back facing him. The soft curve of her bare shoulder tempted him, as did the glossy curtain of her long hair, but he stayed where he was. She was obviously exhausted. It had been a long day. He watched the rise and fall of her breathing for another minute before heading for the spare bedroom where he removed all his clothes except his boxers, and stretched out on the bed. He tucked an arm under his head, closed his eyes, and grinded his teeth. The need for Stephanie pummeled inside him with angry force. To attempt a restful night would be pointless.
Dex’s body gave up on the restless sleep and jerked him awake. He blinked into the darkness and gave a tired grunt. The glow of the digital clock by the bed caught his gaze: 5:00 AM. He got out of bed and went to the washroom to relieve himself and rinse the sleep from his face. He could make some coffee, quietly, so he wouldn’t wake Stephanie.
On his way to the kitchen, he was surprised to see the light coming through the edges of her bedroom door. With a stab of concern, he crossed the distance and knocked.
“Stephanie…you okay?”
A few seconds of silence followed before she replied, “Yes, I’m reading a book.”
“Can I come in?”
“No.”
“Don’t be childish. Do you have water in there?”
Another pause. “Yes.”
“I’m coming in.”
“Don’t! I’m naked.”
He couldn’t help the chuckle as he pushed the door open.
Stephanie scowled at him as she tugged the sheets up to her neck.
“You have some nerve. I told you I was naked.”
“I knew you weren’t.”
She rolled her eyes, but they strayed to his body with surprise and then with female appreciation she couldn’t hide. It gave his manly ego a good stroke.
He grinned as he picked up her empty glass. “You’re not the type who sleeps naked.” He ignored her vexed look and returned soon after with a new glass of water, which he handed to her.
She snapped the book shut and put it on the night table, then took a couple of long sips before putting the glass next to the book. She glowered up at him. “There. Happy?”
She looked like a cat ready to pounce or take flight and that angry pout of her bottom lip made the heat coil in his cock. He sat down on the edge of the bed.
Stephanie bent her knees and said, “What are you doing?”
“I’m not a bad guy, Stephanie. My approach to this was wrong and I apologize, but I was desperate to save Ray. Plus, I bent the rules and cleared you of possible incrimination.”
“I already thanked you for that.”
He hid the smile that her mulish response triggered. “There’s something I want to tell you about your brothers.”
Her shoulders tensed but her gaze held his as he told her about their transfer in a certain amount of detail. “I’m surprised no one had noticed all this time,” he added.
She glanced away as tears welled in her eyes and Dex repressed the urge to pull her into his arms. Her reaction wasn’t a sign of sorrow exactly. More like shame for her brothers.
She blinked the moisture from her eyes and looked at him. “They’re going to be pissed about that,” she said in a matter-of-fact tone.
“Too bad. And if they don’t clean up their act, they’ll be out of law enforcement.”
Stephanie gave a nod and her body relaxed a fraction, but her eyes were uneasy as they moved over his shoulders.
Time for a change of subject…and mood. Dex cupped her knee. “What is it, Stephanie?” She tried to lean away from him. “Do you want me to leave?”
“Yes.” Her response was quick, laced with faint panic.
“Do you hate me?” he pressed on.
Her teeth sank into her lip. She didn’t respond.
“That’s a strong word, isn’t it?” he said. “Do you dislike me?”
“Yes,” she muttered.
“Show me how much, sweetheart.” He slipped his hand under the lower edge of the covers and stroked her bare leg.
“Leave my room, Dex.”
He curved his palm toward the inner side of her leg and as she pressed her limbs together, he yanked the sheets from her grip.
“Hey!” She tried grasping them, but they were out of her reach.
Taking advantage of her outstretched hands, he caught them and eased her back onto the pillow, pinning her hands above her head while sliding one leg between hers. “Show me,” he dared.
She lifted her head and nipped his jaw with an angry little growl.
His pulse jumped. “Ahh…nice. I know how badly you want to bite me.”
Stephanie dropped her head onto the pillow with an exasperated sigh. “I won’t play your games, Dex.”
He clasped both her wrists in one hand and let his gaze travel over her body, taking in her yellow camisole and the small matching briefs, the hard tips of her nipples poking against the fabric. His cock swelled fast and hard. He brushed her full lips with his thumb and traced a path over the fluttering pulse in her throat, forcing back the need to taste that delicate spot. He continued down to her breasts where he circled her taut nipples with his fingers and watched as she tried to control her squirming.
“Stop it.”
“Your body’s giving me a different message.” He caressed the soft swell of her belly, the curve of her hip. “I want to give you the sort of pleasure you need.”
“It’s just physical.”
He stilled and met her stormy gaze. “You know it’s not, but let’s not go there now.” Her hands twisted in his grip. “I’ll let go, but if you bite me, I’ll bite back…for real.”
Her nostrils flared as she stared up at him, her feral beauty sending a bolt of desire through his veins. He wouldn’t bite her, but he had to scare her into submission so he could pleasure her. When he released her hands, she made no move to attack.
Dex shifted lower and pressed his mouth to one inner thigh, then the other. Her muscles were lean and supple. He glided his mouth along her creamy skin, feeling the involuntary release of tension in her body. Her legs fell farther apart. As he neared her sex, he raised his head and cupped her. Her response was little more than a rasp as her luscious mouth parted.
Heat radiated from her flesh. He held her gaze as he caressed her with gentle strokes, heard the quick shift in her breathing. “Beautiful, baby.”
He pressed into the crease of her folds, moisture seeping through to his fingers. A groan of pleasure rose to his throat. He reached under her buttocks and pulled the underwear from her body. She made a sharp sound of protest and tried to bring her legs back together, but he held them apart. The scent of her arousal fired his blood. He didn’t touch her yet, taking a moment to enjoy her rosy lips, swollen and wet with arousal. Her skin was baby-smooth, which would enhance the contact.
He pushed her thighs wide and met her gaze, the latter hot with contradicting emotions. He knew she was fighting a battle with herself. Still holding her gaze, he flicked his tongue across the seam of her pussy. A raw sound broke in her throat as she arched her hips. Pleased with her reaction, Dex focused on her lovely flesh. She tasted of berries and an unusual sweetness that spiked his arousal. He pleasured her with languid strokes, beginning with her outer lips before moving toward her center. He used every skill he knew, teasing with light flicks before increasing the pressure, though careful not to scrape her soft flesh with his incisors. He moved up to her clit and freed it from its sheath.
She emitted a tiny cry as he circled over the swollen bud, alternating between quick lashes and suction. Her hips jerked as her fingers dove into his hair, pressing him closer. He eased one finger into her wet heat, then another, and pumped. So wet. So tight. Her uninhibited sounds of pleasure increased and he kept a steady rhythm, sensing the contractions both inside her body and under her clit.
A strong tremor went through her as she climaxed, rasping something unintelligible. He continued until she caught another wave of pleasure. As it subsided, he raised himself and looked down at her limp body, her head turned to the side, chest rising and falling unevenly.
His cock throbbed in painful frustration. He longed to glide into her, feel her slick heat wrap around his flesh and milk him, but he shouldn’t tire her.
She stirred and met his gaze, dark brown eyes hazy with sexual gratification. A flush marked each of her high cheekbones and her long hair fanned across the pillow. Her beauty wrenched something deep in his chest.
She rose into a sitting position and placed her palm against his cheek. His breath hitched. Slowly, she glided it down his throat and across his left shoulder, making his skin erupt in a warm frisson. She continued her exploration, moving over his chest and his abdomen, dark eyes wide with erotic wonder. Dex’s control was close to snapping. His muscles clenched as she lingered an inch above his erection. Her tongue flicked across her bottom lip, making him bite back a groan.
When her hand inched toward the throbbing bulge in his underwear he grasped it before she touched him. He raised it to his mouth, kissing her palm, then her wrist.
“It’s a little too soon, sweetheart.” What he had in mind to do required energy she didn’t have after the transfusion.
There was a flash of disappointment in her eyes, which disappeared as she drew in a shaky breath. Her expression sobered and she slid her hand out of his. “I think you should go, Dex.”
He hesitated, unsure how to take the thread of irritation in her voice. Was she upset because he didn’t go further or was it because she’d let him pleasure her? A part of
him wished she would pull him over her body, give in to the wild need that flared between them. But he had to get out of here.
“I’m going to make you a hearty breakfast and I’ll see you tonight.”
“I’ve got plans with friends.”
Were they male friends? Damn, he wasn’t the jealous type. He nodded. “I’ll call you later to see if you need anything.”
He got up, his stubborn erection making him wince. The woman would be his undoing.
Chapter Seven
Stephanie didn’t have plans with her friends. She just needed to stay away from Dex Mason, at least for a day, which would give her enough time to come to her senses. If his goal had been to take her this morning, she would have let him…hell…welcomed him eagerly into her body. There was something about the man that called to her most primitive nature. She’d been in lust with other men, but they never fired up her blood with one touch. Worse, she’d lost a significant defensive barrier—she didn’t dislike him anymore. She had no clue how this had happened. But her decision to date humans only was absolute.
The long walk in City Park had helped clear her mind and had given her the time to reflect on the kindest thing she’d ever done—the blood transfusion for Ray. His doctor was confident that a second transfusion would destroy the illness. The glow of hope in Ray’s eyes had filled her with an emotion so special she knew she’d carry it inside her for the rest of her life. Regardless of the circumstances, she’d never regret doing this.
As she came within several yards of her apartment building, she froze. Kyle was standing at the entrance. Oh, shit. She knew that call from him was bad news, but she’d forgotten about it. Stephanie hesitated, her warning system urging her to slip into the side street. But with a resigned sigh, she continued walking, figuring she might as well get it over with.