by I. T. Lucas
Nathalie brought his hand to her lips and kissed it. “God saved you for me, so one day you’d come into my coffee shop and fall in love with me.”
A sniffle sounded from the backseat. “It’s so romantic. I’m tearing up.”
Andrew smiled. “You’re an angel, my Nathalie, but if God wanted to reward you for your good heart and your sacrifices, he should’ve arranged for a more worthy man than me. I sure as hell didn’t do anything to deserve you.”
“Oh stop it, you two. Now you’ll start a pissing contest of who is less deserving and who loves who more.”
Anandur was right. They were sliding into soppy greeting cards territory.
Andrew took a deep breath and put Nathalie’s hand back on the steering wheel. “Safety first, baby, both hands on the wheel.”
“Yes, sir!” She winked.
“Anandur, I wanted to ask you something.” Andrew turned to look at the Guardian.
“What?”
“Can immortals get tattoos?”
The guy shook his head. “Not permanent ones. Our body considers it a wound and heals it. But if you really want one you can get a henna tat, though personally, I think they’re girly and they don’t last long.”
Henna wasn’t going to solve Andrew’s problem. “I’ll pass.”
“That’s what I thought.”
Chapter 5: Nathalie
“It seems we have the place all to ourselves,” Andrew said as he removed the sticky note pasted to the door of Kian and Syssi’s penthouse.
“What does it say?” Nathalie asked.
“It’s from Okidu. He’s gone grocery shopping, and we are to let ourselves in. The door isn’t locked.”
Handing her the note, he pushed the door open and motioned for her to go in, even though he was schlepping several large shopping bags that must’ve weighed a ton.
Always the gentleman, her Andrew.
She waited for him to get in and closed the door behind them. “Let’s put these in the closet. I suggest we leave everything in the bags. Doesn't make sense to take it all out, only to put it back in when we go home tomorrow.”
“Good idea. But I want you to try on the new dress and put on that Angel perfume. I love the smell.”
Nathalie felt her face warm up. Was he hinting at something? Should she take another shower? Probably. She’d sweated a little. Trying to keep up with Andrew and Anandur’s long strides, she’d been running around the mall and not strolling leisurely as she would’ve if she’d been there alone. Shopping with two impatient guys hadn’t been fun. Andrew hadn’t even tried on any of the clothes they’d bought. The sales lady took his measurements and handed him stuff in his size and that was it. At least he’d tried on the shoes, but only after Nathalie threatened not to leave the store until he’d made sure they fit.
“I’m going to grab a quick shower. I don’t want to try on a new dress on a sweaty skin.”
Andrew dropped their shopping bags in the master closet. “But you showered this morning,” he said as he walked out.
“I know, but I had one hell of a workout running after you and Anandur. I feel icky, and I don’t want to stink up a new outfit.”
“You can never stink.” He pulled her into his arms, lifting her easily for a kiss. “You always smell sexy. In fact, I want a better sniff.” Still holding her up, he walked over to the bed and sat down with her on his lap.
Did he mean it? Only one way to find out.
Nathalie relaxed in Andrew’s arms, snuggling up to him. “What exactly did you have in mind?”
He chuckled. “You know what I want, woman.”
She had a clue, but she wanted to hear him say it. “I don’t. Tell me.”
With a wicked smile on his handsome face, he pulled her shirt up over her head and unclasped her bra before she even had a chance to blink. “How about I show you instead?” He started working on her zipper.
Apparently, the man had meant every word. Andrew’s voice was husky with desire, and she knew he wasn’t faking it. He prided himself on being a good liar when needed, but he couldn’t fool her.
Nathalie was so attuned to him, knew him so well, that there was nothing he could hide from her.
“Andrew, this is gross. Let me shower first.”
“No.” Lifting her up a little, he pulled her pants and panties off with one hand. He was so strong now, holding her up on one palm as if she was a small child and not a healthy woman who wasn’t exactly thin. Nevertheless, the size of his muscles didn’t give him the right to boss her around.
“No?” She lifted a brow.
“You’re clean, baby, and you smell fantastic to me. If you shower, your natural aroma will be replaced by artificial soap smell. I would much rather smell you.”
“Are you sure? Does the smell of soap bother you now?”
He shook his head. “Only if it’s a strong scent.”
“Fine. I’ll rinse myself without using soap, but that’s all I’m willing to compromise on.”
Andrew pinched her butt. “Stubborn woman. Have it your way. I’m coming in with you.”
She could live with that.
Andrew picked her up and carried her into the shower. The thing was the size of a small carwash.
“It’s cold,” she complained as he laid her down on the curved bench.
“It will warm up in a moment.”
While Andrew fiddled with the water temperature dial, Nathalie gathered her long hair in a tight bun, securing it by tucking the ends inside it. As the shower filled with steam, he got rid of his clothes and stepped in.
The man took her breath away; all six feet and three inches of him and his beautifully sculpted lean muscles. Or perhaps it was the steam. Nah, it was the man. Her body warmed up from the inside, and the moisture between her legs had nothing to do with the overhead spray.
Andrew’s nostrils flared. “Oh, baby, spread these lovely legs of yours and let me get a lungful.”
Nathalie’s knees parted of their own accord, and Andrew’s erection sprang to attention. He sat on the bench beside her, and she reached for him, gently rubbing the hard length. Was he bigger than before? She didn’t think so. In fact, she hoped nothing changed in this part of his anatomy. The fit had been perfect before, and thankfully it was still perfect after his transition.
Andrew ran a finger between her folds. “So wet,” he groaned.
The sensation was electrifying, and her hips jerked up. “Put it in,” she whispered.
He did, and the moan that escaped her throat was loud. For a change, there was no need to keep things quiet, and Nathalie loved the freedom of making as much noise as she wanted and saying whatever she wanted. There was no one else in the apartment. “Make love to me, Andrew. I need you inside me.”
He smirked. “I will. But first, I want a taste of that sweet pussy of yours. Spread wide for me, baby.”
Oh. That was so naughty.
Andrew got between her legs and lifted them over his shoulders, exposing her even further, then dipped his head and gave her slit a long lick. “Delicious.”
Nathalie closed her eyes and let pleasure overtake her. It was a bit selfish to lie on her back and let Andrew take care of her, but she had every intention of returning the favor later. For now, she would take everything he offered and enjoy every little bit of pleasure guilt free.
He was going slow, letting her simmer, licking at her folds and lapping at her juices but avoiding her clit. Impatient, Nathalie craved his fingers inside her and his lips on that most sensitive spot, but he was in no rush.
Her breasts heavy and full, her nipples stiff and in need of a good pinch, she ached for Andrew’s hands on them, but unfortunately he had only two and they were busy elsewhere. Unbidden, Jackson’s tentacle porn popped into her mind.
Oh, the possibilities. Nathalie chuckled softly.
In the real world, however, Andrew wasn’t about to sprout extra appendages, but she had her own two hands. Nathalie cupped her breasts, thrumming he
r nipples with her thumbs.
Not the same as Andrew’s rugged hands. Not even close.
Closing her eyes, she imagined Andrew’s long fingers on her achy nipples, pinching, first lightly, than a little harder… “Ouch!” It hurt, and she hadn’t applied much pressure at all.
“What’s the matter, baby?” Andrew lifted his head. “Did I hurt you?”
She shook her head. “No, I did it to myself. My nipples are so damn sensitive.”
“I told you. You’re about to get your period. Your breasts are always tender a couple of days before you’re due.”
“Yeah, you’re right, that must be it. Now go back to what you were doing.” She pointed at the junction of her legs.
Andrew chuckled. “Your wish is my command.”
Chapter 6: Andrew
Andrew would never admit it to Nathalie or anyone else, but he liked it when she got all bossy with him. Other than Bridget, his ex-girlfriends had been guarded around him. He’d known he’d intimidated them, not intentionally, but between the scars and the secrets and his less than cheerful demeanor, women had trodden carefully around him.
It had been fine for the short-lived relationships he’d had—the distance hadn’t bothered him. In fact, it had had its advantages. Fewer questions asked, fewer demands on his time, fewer opportunities for friction.
Nathalie was possessive, jealous, and bossy. If anyone had told him that he would love it, Andrew would’ve laughed in their faces.
The thing was, Nathalie was possessive and jealous because she loved him as much as he loved her. And the bossy part? It meant that she was comfortable with him and that he didn’t intimidate her.
“Come on, Andrew, stop teasing, I’m so close.” She rubbed her core against his mouth.
He lifted his head. “Do you want me to make you come? Or do you want me to take you to bed?”
She smiled with hooded eyes. “Take me to bed, big guy, and fuck me long and hard.”
Damn, Nathalie talking dirty was hot. They really needed to get their own place so she could always let go like she was doing now.
“Give me ten seconds.” Andrew jumped up and turned the water off, then grabbed one of the big towels stacked inside a big niche by the tub. He lifted Nathalie off the bench and wrapped her in the towel, all in one smooth move, then carried her to the bedroom.
“I love it that you carry me all the time,” she said into his chest.
“Only when I want sex. It’s a bribe.” He deposited her on the bed and used the towel she’d been wrapped in to dry himself off. The thing was still wet, but it was good enough. Going back for another one would’ve taken too long.
Nathalie lifted up on her elbows. “Do I look like a woman who needs to be bribed?”
Andrew got on top of her and nuzzled her neck. “You don’t, baby. It just makes me feel manly. Admit it; it’s a turn-on.”
Nathalie wrapped her arms around his neck. “Yes, it is. But everything about you turns me on. You’re a very sexy man.” She narrowed her eyes. “My sexy guy.”
“Only yours. And you are mine. Only mine.” For some reason, the statement carried a different meaning for him now. Before, it was a declaration of love; now, it was possession, and he felt it with every molecule of his new body.
It seemed that these immortal genes were advanced in some ways and primitive in others. On the one hand, the longevity and mental abilities were light years ahead of human evolution, but the urges and instincts were almost animalistic in nature. Not to mention the intensity. Compared to this, on a scale of one to ten—with what he was feeling now being ten—his pre-immortal human urges were at a two.
Nathalie was his mate, she belonged to him, and he knew without a shadow of a doubt that he would kill anyone who threatened to take her away from him. Tear the perpetrator to pieces with his bare hands…
Andrew shook his head. It was insanity. He had to control those animalistic urges before he became a mindless savage. How the hell did the other immortal males handle the intensity of their emotions? Was he having trouble because he was new to this?
After all, he hadn’t grown up among them. The severe punishments imposed on the young immortals for breaching the clan’s code of conduct made sense to him now. As their powers emerged following their transition, and puberty hit them full force with its avalanche of hormones, there was no other way to keep them in check.
Human teenage boys were hard enough to control; young immortals, who were just getting into their powers, were probably a nightmare. Between the insatiable sex drive and the predatory instincts, they could easily turn into monsters.
Jackson and Vlad seemed like well-adjusted, reasonable guys, but then restraint had been drilled into their heads for years, and the threat of a whipping was a formidable deterrent.
Maybe sating his sexual need would calm the other urges. He needed to be inside his woman. “Are you ready for me, baby?” He kissed her neck, fighting the urge to sink his teeth into the softness.
“Why don’t you check for yourself?”
She was soaking, but he made himself go slow, prepping her with his fingers first. It had been a tight fit even before his transition, and if his cock had indeed grown bigger, he might hurt her.
When all three fingers slid in and out of her with ease, he deemed her ready and poised his shaft at her entrance.
Nathalie panted in anticipation. “Now, Andrew…”
He surged into her.
“Yes…” she groaned.
Andrew pulled out and pushed back again. “Like that?”
“Aha…don’t stop.” Her arms wrapped around him, holding him tight, Nathalie closed her eyes and let the pleasure take her.
God, he loved this woman. Loved the way she trusted him completely.
Love, he realized, that soft, tender feeling was the antidote to the madness. It allowed him to slow down and take his time pleasuring his sweet Nathalie.
Problem was, in no time at all lust overpowered love, and the savage need returned full force.
Nathalie took it all, meeting his pounding thrusts and spiraling out of control along with him. Her climax erupted, detonating his seed, together with an overwhelming urge to bite—a primitive need to mark her as his own.
Clinging desperately to his sanity, to his humanity, Andrew forced his teeth away from Nathalie’s neck, licking and sucking the spot he’d nipped until his cock finally stopped shooting into Nathalie’s spasming sheath.
It felt like he’d emptied a gallon of his essence into her. Good that she was on the pill. Otherwise, he would’ve gotten her pregnant for sure.
Except, right now, still surrounded by her welcoming heat, connected to her body and soul, he wished he could’ve put a child inside her.
Given their respective ages, there was no reason to wait.
I’m an idiot.
Of course there was reason to wait. Nathalie hadn’t transitioned yet, and giving birth was dangerous even in today’s world. He would not risk her life for anything.
Andrew lifted his head and winced. He’d made a mess. Teeth marks marred Nathalie’s neck, clearly visible under the purple bruise of the hickey he’d left.
“I’m sorry, baby.” He smoothed his finger over the bruise. “Does it hurt?”
Nathalie’s expression was one of bliss, not pain, but it might have been the post orgasmic endorphins numbing the pain.
“Nah, just a little and it was worth it.” She smiled. “And to think I was so afraid of the bite. It’s really not so bad, it adds to the excitement.”
Should he tell her the truth? Yeah, he should.
“I don’t want to scare you, but this was more of a nip than a bite. My fangs didn’t come out yet, and my glands are not producing venom, but the urge to bite is strong. I tried to be as gentle as I could because I can’t give you pleasure this way. Not until I produce venom. The bite on its own is no fun.”
“Well, I liked it. It was kinky.”
Andrew felt his cock swell
up again. Being immortal had its advantages, but he had to remember that Nathalie was still human. He didn’t want her to get sore. Gently, he started to withdraw.
Nathalie grabbed his ass. “Where are you going?”
“Back to the shower?”
“Nah-ah. We are not done here.”
“We aren’t?”
“Nope.”
Chapter 7: Robert
It was humiliating.
Just like the other illegal workers standing next to him on the corner of a building supplies warehouse and baking in the Las Vegas heat, Robert waited for some random jackass with a pickup truck to stop and offer him a job for the day.
A day’s worth of manual labor; that was all he could hope for. That was his future. That was what he’d abandoned the Brotherhood and the only home he’d ever known for.
It would’ve been all worth it for the right female, but he was coming to the sad realization that Carol wasn’t the one.
He’d betrayed his brothers for a slut.
She’d fooled him with her big innocent eyes and her soft blond curls and her beautiful, angelic face. He’d made a bad bargain and was getting no more and no less than he’d asked for.
Carol’s slutty predisposition didn’t mean she was without honor, though. She was going to stick to the deal she’d made with him, giving him the three months he’d asked for but not a day more.
After that, he would have absolutely nothing to show for his sacrifice.
A brief gust of hot desert wind ruffled his shirt, providing a little relief by drying some of the sweat dripping down his back.
Robert glanced at the group of men standing a few feet away from him. They kept their distance, sensing that he was different, dangerous, and not only because he topped the tallest of them by a full head.
The men knew he didn’t belong with them. Except, his situation was the same as theirs—short on money and desperate for work.