by L. E. Wilson
She fought the urge to cover herself as he ran his eyes over every single inch of her, taking his time, pausing hungrily at her breasts and the V between her legs.
Her skin began to burn everywhere they touched, and her blood rushed through her veins in anticipation.
His eyes grew brighter still as he continued to gaze at her, and low growl rumbled in his throat. She caught a glimpse of his fangs as he declared: "MINE."
"What does that mean?" she asked.
But he only smiled, and quickly stripped off the rest of his clothes.
Grace watched him, forgetting her shyness as he unwrapped his body like a gift that had been created just for her.
She'd seen him in nothing but a tee shirt and boxer briefs, but the magnificence of him completely naked was not something she was ever going to forget.
He stood still, allowing her time to look her fill as he had done to her.
Lean, powerful muscle covered latte colored skin from head to toe. His shoulders were just broad enough, his arms and chest powerful. Lean, sculpted abs, marred only with a nasty looking diagonal scar, led down to narrow hips where his manhood jutted out thick and proud from a nest of dark curls.
Her mouth actually began to water just from looking at him. She hadn't had sex in so long...
"Let's get clean, shall we?" he indicated for her to get in first.
She pouted a little but did as he suggested, stepping underneath the cascading water. As the water hit her, she gasped, every drop a caress to her sensitized skin. The shower door closed, and she felt Aiden standing behind her. Turning around to face him, she closed her eyes and tilted her head back. She could feel the heat of his stare on her breasts as she lifted her arms to wet her hair.
"Spin around, luv," he rasped when she lifted her head again.
She did so, and he began to work shampoo through her long hair. Guiding her by the shoulders, he turned her around again to rinse it out.
When that was done, he picked up the body wash. "May I?" he asked.
Grace could only nod. But he didn't pour the soap into a cloth as she expected, he poured it directly into his hand.
Her breath caught, desire pooling between her legs before he even touched her.
Rubbing his hands together, he lathered them up and then reached for her arm.
Disappointment flooded through her, and she thought she saw him smirk right before he dropped his chin to his chest.
As he washed one arm and then the next, she waited breathlessly, anticipation building inside of her as she waited for him to get to the more intimate parts of her.
Running his hands up both arms, he paused only for a second before running them over her shoulders and down around her breasts. He cupped their fullness in each hand, skimming his thumbs across her nipples.
He wasn't playing fair. Grace swayed towards him, unable to deny her longing for him anymore. "Aiden..." she breathed.
"Yes, luv?" he answered quietly.
Looking directly into his eyes, she told him, "I want to be yours."
His hands stilled for a moment, then glided down her stomach and around her hips, where he grasped her hard.
Running her palms up over the ridges of his stomach to his chest, she stepped closer until barely an inch separated them, and wrapped her arms around his neck.
Sliding his arms around her bare back, he pulled her up against him until she was on her toes. His moan joined hers as her soft breasts were crushed against his chest and his hardness pulsed against her belly.
Gripping him tight, she pressed her lips to his collarbone, and then she kissed her way to his neck, biting him gently.
He shuddered in her arms. "Grace, luv," he moaned. "I feel I've waited forever for you."
He ran his hands up her back and into her wet hair. Pulling her head back, he captured her lips with his, kissing her gently, reverently. Leaving her mouth, he pressed hungry kisses down her chin to her throat.
Grace moaned and tried to lift herself higher on her toes so he could reach more of her.
Loosening his tight hold, he stepped back into the water, pulling her with him to rinse her off fully. He ran his hands over her breasts and stomach to help the water while she clutched at his upper arms. When she was clean, he stepped back out of the spray.
Grace went to follow him but he suddenly stopped her with a hand around her arm.
"Wait," he snarled.
The hair at the nape of her neck rose at the tone of his voice. She stopped where she was. "Aiden? What's wrong?"
He glanced down at her, breathing heavily, and a jolt of fear shot straight through to her bones.
Shadows were darkening his eyes.
***
Aiden closed his eyes, fighting the now familiar feeling of his demon attempting to rise.
Not now, you bloody twat. Not now!
It must have heard him, for a moment later it was gone. Surprised, he waited a few more seconds, just to be sure, before he opened his eyes again.
His lovely Grace trembled before him, her face white with terror as she watched him. His heart ached to see her like that.
"It's all right, he's gone," he assured her.
"Are you sure?"
"Yes. Come here. Hurry," he urged.
She did, and he wrapped her up in his arms, groaning aloud at the feel of all of her delicious softness pressed against him. Lowering his mouth to hers, he kissed her over and over, overcome with a sense of urgency in the wake of what had just happened. Gradually, he felt her become pliant in his arms again, and she hugged him to her as her blood rushed through her veins and he again scented her desire.
Turning her until her back was against the wall, he lifted her with one arm under her luscious derriere. "Wrap your legs around me, luv," he ordered against her swollen lips.
As she did, he skimmed along her slick softness and found her entrance. With one quick thrust, he impaled her on his throbbing cock.
She cried out, and he tore his mouth from hers, worried that he had hurt her.
"Don't stop," she breathed urgently.
The scent of her blood and her desire wafted in the air, and he threw his head back with a hiss as he began to move within her. He ached to sink his fangs through her supple flesh, but knew if he did, there would be no going back for them.
But gods, she felt so good. He'd never been so wound up by a female.
Bracing his legs apart, he gripped her hips and lifted her up, then slid her back down hard. He did it again, and again, until she was clutching at his shoulders, begging him for relief. With a growl, he maneuvered one arm behind her back and palmed the back of her head to protect it. The other he wrapped around her bottom.
"Hang on to me, luv," he ordered, then began to thrust into her hard and fast.
She fit around him like a glove, tight and wet, and he felt her start to tremble as he moved within her.
"Aiden!" she cried, throwing her head back against his hand.
He hissed again at the sight of her exposed throat, crazy with thirst and desire for her. Slowing his thrusts, he growled, "I want to taste you, Grace."
Her eyes opened and saw where he was looking, saw his elongated fangs. "Do it," she groaned, tilting her head away again. "Aiden, please..."
Aiden began to shake as he fought the blood lust. The power of it was all consuming and very nearly overwhelming. Her artery pulsed before him, but he couldn't bring himself to do it. He was overcome with an unusual sense of decency. He couldn't bring her into his world without her understanding what she was getting into.
With a roar of frustration, he quickened his thrusts, losing himself in her body until his sexual hunger pushed back the thirst.
Pressing his forehead to hers, he tried to hold back to extend the pleasure. But when she cried out and began to convulse in his arms, squeezing every inch of him with each pulse of her orgasm, he lost his control.
Slamming into her over and over, he exploded with a roar.
"MINE!"
>
The power of his orgasm shook him to his core.
He held her close, moving slowly in and out of her as they caught their breath.
"I think we need another shower," she said when their hearts had both calmed and their breathing had returned to normal.
With a roguish grin, he agreed enthusiastically, and grabbed the body wash.
Chapter Thirty-Four
Brock checked the address Luukas had written down for him and lifted his hand to knock on the door. It swung open before his fist had the chance to connect.
The male in front of him was about his height, with eyes such an icy blue they were nearly white. His long, dark hair was pulled back and clasped at the nape of his neck, accentuating the harsh angles of his face.
He was also the alpha of the pack. Brock would've known from his aura, even if he hadn't already known. As a sign of respect, he fell to his knees in front of him and tilted his head to the side, exposing his throat in a sign of submission.
"Och. Get up, ye wee pup. There isna any need for that." Stepping back, he opened the door wide in invitation.
Unsure of what to expect, Brock stood and sidestepped past the alpha, keeping his eyes averted.
"My name is Cedric Kincaid, 'n' I can see ye ken that I'm the alpha 'o' this territory." He stuck his hand out.
Brock took the proffered hand and shook it firmly. "Brock Hume."
"Aye. I ken who ye are." Closing the door, Cedric led the way into his home and offered Brock a seat at the kitchen table.
After offering his guest a drink, Cedric got straight to the crux of the matter. "Luukas tells me that ye helped Grace, Aiden's lass, 'n' her friend. That ye saved their lives."
Brock nodded. "I guess you could say that."
"Whit were ye doin' there in China?"
Annnnd, here goes the hard part. He'd been trying to think of a good way to explain his situation the entire way over here, but in the end, he figured the truth would be his best chance of surviving. At least what they needed to know. "I was traveling around a bit, when I came across Dalian and I noticed something strange about the city."
Cedric hefted a brow, waiting expectantly.
Brock glanced up at him. "It has a large population of possessed vampires."
"And what do ye ken aboot that?"
"Not much," he lied. "Except that they're up to no good, and they were killing humans left and right with no regard for staying under the radar. So, I began to hunt them."
"Ye hunted them? No shite? And yer still alive?"
Brock laughed. "I am."
Cedric narrowed his eyes and studied him. "Whit are ye hopin' to gain by coming here, wee pup?"
His direct question took Brock slightly by surprise. "Um, well, I really hadn't thought beyond getting the girls to safety." One girl in particular kept weaseling her way into his thoughts, much as he tried to keep her out. Surprising himself, he said, "However, now that I'm here, I'd like to respectfully ask your permission to stay for a while."
"How long is 'a while'?"
"Until I can win over the girl, at the very least." Brock grinned.
"The friend?" Cedric asked.
"Yes, Heather Knight is her name."
The alpha leaned back in his chair and crossed his arms over his massive chest. "Ye 'ave my permission tae stay. On one condition."
Brock's "thank you" stuck in his throat. "What condition is that?"
Leaning forward in his chair, Cedric speared him with those eerie eyes of his. "Ye see, I ken that yer no' telling me the entire truth. There's more tae yer story, wee pup. But I'm willin' to let ye get more comfortable here 'n' with me. I ken it's hard to trust when ye 'ave been on yer own for awhile."
"Aye, I ken that yer without pack," Cedric answered his look of surprise. "And until I ken more aboot ye, I'm no' inclined to bring ye into mine. Ye ken?"
"Sure. I understand. And thank you, for letting me stay."
"Och. Aye. Now git yer arse out of here before the other lads show up and give ye a hard time. They will nae harm ye. Ye 'ave my word."
The two wolves stood and shook hands again.
"Thank you again. I really appreciate it," Brock told him again at the door.
"Take this just in case I need ye." He handed Brock a cell phone. " Now, go get yer lass," Cedric answered.
Back on the streets of downtown Seattle, Brock couldn't suppress a surge of excitement. He couldn't wait to get back up to Nikulas and Emma's place and start winning over the woman who hadn't left his thoughts since she'd first opened her door to him. He realized he'd have his work cut out for him, now that she knew what he was, but he was confident he'd be able to win her over.
He picked up his stride when he saw the building just ahead. He was so anxious to get back there that he almost missed it.
Almost.
Just two buildings away, he caught an intriguing scent, a scent that he knew well. What was Heather doing out here? Following the path she'd taken, he discovered that she was heading towards the bus tunnels under Nordstrom's.
She was running? From a werewolf?
His smile widened.
And the hunt was on.
Chapter Thirty-Five
Grace propped herself up on one elbow. Following several "showers", Aiden had finally deemed her clean enough and after a quick snack for her, they'd retired to his bed.
"Aiden?"
"Yes, poppet?"
"What exactly do you mean when you refer to me as being 'MINE' in that way you do?"
Rolling over, he traced his fingers lightly over her exposed nipple, plucking at the hard pebble when it strained towards him.
She shivered, a now familiar ache settling low in her belly. Slapping his hand away, she scolded him. "Stop trying to distract me, and tell me."
"Why ever would you think it means anything?"
She arched a delicate eyebrow. He was stalling again. The question was, why? What was he trying to hide from her?
When she didn't answer him, he tore his gaze from her breast to peek up at her. Upon seeing her mulish expression, he sighed in surrender and mimicked her pose so they were eye to eye.
"Do you want the long story, or do you want me to get straight to it?"
"Straight to it, for now. Long story maybe later."
"All right." He took a deep breath. "I say that you're 'mine' because you are. Literally."
She wrinkled her forehead in confusion. "Like a girlfriend?"
"Like my fated mate for life."
"I don't understand," she said.
Sitting up and leaning back against the headboard, he pulled her up with him, lifting her leg around until she was straddling his lap.
Grace felt him hardening beneath her bottom and her eyes widened in surprise. Again? Seriously? Dating a vampire sure did have its perks. But she was digressing.
Grabbing his wandering hands and holding them flat on her thighs, she ordered, "Explain."
He finally gave in. "I'm just going to lay it on you, all right?"
"All right."
"As I believe you know, I'm a vampire."
She nodded.
"And there are times when vampires run across a human that the gods have deemed to be their perfect match and they decide to make that person their fated mate. And no matter how he fights it, he's destined to be with that person for the rest of their unnatural lives."
"But, how does that work? A vampire lives much longer than a human, right?"
"Correct. But the vampire would feed their human some of their magic vampire blood, and that person will stay young and healthy until death do they part. The vampire's death, usually."
"And what happens to the human after the vampire dies?"
"The human will no longer have access to the magic blood and they will begin to age again as they naturally would."
"And how does a vampire know who their mate is?"
"The vampire knows as soon as they taste their humans blood." He cocked his head at her.
&nb
sp; Grace's mind was spinning. "So, you won't know that I am, in fact, your fated mate until you drink from me."
"Technically, yes," he said.
"And my blood will tell you that I am 'yours'?"
"Yes, well, that will just confirm it actually. I was relatively certain the moment I met you."
"So, why didn't you take me up on my offer when I told you to go ahead and do it?"
He lifted a lock of her hair from where it lay on her breast and rubbed it between his fingers. "I didn't feel right doing that to you without you knowing what all it would entail between us."
She was Aiden's fated mate? That was why she'd been so attracted to him?
At first she'd just assumed it was because there weren't many other guys around that measured up to him. But being here, around all of these other beautiful vampires, had disproven that theory. Even meeting Brock, the single, hot, but annoyingly single-minded werewolf, hadn't rocked her boat.
Only Aiden did it for her since he'd scared the hell out of her that day and almost made her lose her Mojo. Even having a demon inside of him didn't deter her attraction, though if she had any sense at all, she would've ran for the hills the first chance she'd gotten.
"There's one other thing," he said.
"What?" she asked curiously.
"Once I've had your blood, I'll be unable to drink from anyone else."
Her mouth dropped open. "Ever?"
"Not ever," he confirmed.
"What would happen to you?" she wondered aloud. "If you didn't have access to me?"
"I would weaken day by day until I died the true death."
Grace stared at him in disbelief.
"But if you never drink from me, that can be avoided?"
But he just shook his head. "It will happen, eventually. There's no sense at all in fighting it. I watched Nikulas try. It nearly drove him mad." He shrugged. "Our paths are fated, luv."
"So, there's no way to get out of this?"
"Not that I'm aware of, no."
How could he be so calm about all of this?
"You're telling me that your very life is all in my hands now?"
"Once I've had your blood, yes."
"Your LIFE?" She pushed herself off of his lap and his bed and started yanking open drawers, searching for something to cover herself with. She couldn't have this conversation naked. She just couldn't.