Blood Emerald

by Amber Anthony

  Rick’s soul searched Anna’s. “You could take a little of my blood. It would join us, temporarily.”

  Anna stood, stunned. “Really?”

  “I’ve never done it before,” Rick confessed. “I’m not sure it isn’t an old witch’s tale.” Would sharing his blood give her fleeting ecstasy, or would it lead to disappointment? He knew vampire blood had healing properties, but would it allow her to share his experience? “I wouldn’t force you to do this.”

  “Of course you wouldn’t. But it would be so interesting. What could go wrong?”

  Rick shrugged. “It would either work or it wouldn’t, I guess.”

  “Is it a lot of blood?”

  Rick snorted, thinking of a mid-nineteenth century battlefield when he stepped in with a cup of blood-fortified wine to save a comrade. “Just a couple of drops.”

  He turned his face away from her to hide his transformation. Anna caught his jaw gently and pulled him back to her. “I love you so much,” she whispered. “I want to know all of you.”

  Touched to the core, Rick allowed her to watch him transform. He felt his flesh pale to translucence. His vision sharpened as his eyes became opalescent, and his fangs descended.

  Anna reacted with pure acceptance. “I love you.” She stood on tiptoes, her hands on his shoulders and kissed his jaw, his cheek, his lips. “I love you.” She reiterated softly. Rick basked in her total approval.

  His voice was deep, gruff, animalistic. “I love you, too, Cupcake. I want to share everything with you.” He bit his lip with one razor-sharp canine, and blood pooled immediately.

  * * * *

  Anna felt herself suddenly lifted and drawn against him. His kiss was soft at first. She licked the few drops of blood from his lip and tasted the salty, coppery tang. His hand at her hip drew her closer. Her heart pounded in her ears. His hands tangled in her heavy mass of hair and he pulled gently, deepening the kiss, demanding her surrender, and she gave it.

  Anna was swept into his arms as if she were light as a zephyr. Still kissing her, Rick laid her gently in the center of the bed. The scent of this afternoon’s lovemaking lingered within the bedclothes, titillating her senses. It inspired a fullness between her legs, a tingling that spread up into her abdomen and down into her thighs. Her toes began to curl. She moaned. Rick chuckled. What a delicious fire was igniting within her!

  Rick’s skin, already so smooth and appealing to her, now felt like the most exquisite silk. The ridges and chords of his muscular abdomen sang a siren’s song to her sex. His kiss tasted like the finest bittersweet chocolate.

  She arched hard against him. “Take me! Take me now!”

  “Not yet,” he coaxed. “Have a little patience.”

  “No patience. Patience is dead. Now.”

  “Cupcake…”

  Anna had no restraint. She was consumed by carnality. With one quick motion, she flipped Rick onto his back and straddled him, her knees on either side of his waist. Rick followed her lead and caressed her breasts. He raised his head until he could trace the delicate skin over her breastbone with his tongue.

  “More… Harder…” Anna commanded, her voice husky and low to her own ears. “I need you inside me.” Her thoughts ran wild, sensations were in the driver’s seat. Is this what angels feel, or is it demons?

  Rick gathered her in his arms, drawing her to him in a vice grip. “Take it easy, I’m an old man.” Anna felt his pulsing erection pressed between them. Her heart thundered in her ears. Slick with sweat, Anna ground against her captive lover. She sought the sweet touch of friction.

  Rick growled low in her ear, “I think we need to dial you down a notch.”

  “I’m ravenous for you. Give it to me, Rick.”

  “I want you too, Cupcake.” Rick rumbled. He flipped Anna onto her back, held her, arms outstretched. “We both need a good fucking.” Rick released her wrists and slid down between her thighs. “And I’m the primitive beast inspired to deliver it.”

  Anna caught his thick erection, holding it firmly in her delicate hand. He was hot and hard as heated granite. She stroked him at her cleft, aching to feel him inside her. Her own feverish flesh opening to coat his cock. She pumped him, once, twice, a third time. He growled his desire.

  “Does that make you want me, Fitz?” Anna purred.

  Rick arched into her grip with a strangled guttural moan, “Oh, yeah.”

  Nothing could have equipped her for the exquisite sensations he aroused. His hips rocked his hard cock in her soft hand, his motions slow and deliberate. She would break that iron control, she determined. She would drive him as wild as he had driven her. Even as the thought crossed her mind, the carnal excitement aroused by her virtual vampire senses drove her higher. She teased him, goading him to rut with her, mindless as a stallion and his mare.

  Her strokes sped on his cock, inviting his delirium. Rick fell forward, hungrily consuming her kisses. “Cupcake, I’m gonna fuck you.” It was an inhuman growl. Pulling back from her plump lips, he thrust hard into her, gripping the firm curves of her ass in his hands. She moaned into his mouth as he clutched her. Anna’s legs reflexively rose around Rick’s waist, pulling his broad cock deeper. Rick followed the motion of her hips, "Talk to me," he commanded, their gazes intent on each other.

  “Fuck me like an animal, make me scream.” Anna gritted. Her body strained against him, the hot, pink flush creeping from her chest to her face and throughout her body with every untamed stroke. “Your cock, oh God, your cock feels so good!”

  Looking up at him, she caught his feral intensity. He thrust into her powerfully, his jaw tight in concentration. Somehow, without asking, he knew what she wanted.

  “I want you to come with me.” Rick snarled. His eyes had already silvered. She felt his tremendous length increase.

  His fingers pinched her nipples, and she gasped. “Yes! Yes! Make me come!” She pleaded. Her inner muscles rippled to draw him deeper.

  Above her, Rick’s hands and tongue and fangs drew sensations from her she thought impossible. His pressure on her nipple increased, a welcome torture alongside the divine relief of his cool mouth as he suckled her other needy peak. His fangs rode the slope, ending with a teasing nip that sent fire shooting down to her pussy.

  Rick tilted her hips up to him with a jerk, allowing him to sink deeper still. The perfectly pleasing curve of his cock hit every erogenous nerve within. Her greedy cunt fisted his heavy dick. Her clit ground against his root until a climax swept her like a torrent, rolling and sustained. She glowed with a fine sheen of sweat. Her pussy rippled with her release and her breasts heaved as she shrieked his name.

  She watched Rick labor above her, his face hard and dark with passion. His fierce strokes fed their still escalating fire. His fangs elongated, piercing his lip again. Unconsciously, he licked the drops away. Just the act of sucking those crimson drops reminded her of his tongue between her legs. The vision drove her into another orgasm, higher and brighter than the one before.

  * * * *

  Anna writhed beneath him, arching up, baring her throat, begging for Rick’s bite. He focused on the ravishing woman beneath him, so eager to meet him passion for passion and stroke for stroke. It boggled his mind that a few drops of his blood permitted his little bonbon to overpower his six-foot two muscular frame. The revelation washed over him. His blood had fostered her endurance and erased her inhibitions, yet Anna’s lustful abandon was purely her own. The hunger wants what the hunger wants.

  A few hundred years of being either a Dom or a sub had taught him the protocols of the dungeon. Rick had the discipline to play the roles, and that was all there was. Wasn’t it? He now realized how wrong he’d been, and little Anna Cupcake taught him. Being in this bed, her total attention on their lovemaking, was the only thing on Anna’s mind—not rules, not games. She challenged him to forget all artifice and plunge into pure emotion. They were in a duel for their hearts, and it was no contest. He’d concede the field of honor right now. She won. Hi
s heart was hers.

  The root of Rick’s spine tingled, his toes curled and his balls drew up tight against him. He needed the bite; he was desperate to bite her. With swift determination, Rick’s fangs sank into the sweet spot of her neck. Light exploded from behind his eyes and his ears rang with the percussion of her heart. He felt the muscles of his cock twitch and spasm, flooding her walls with his cum as she held him in her intimate embrace. He welcomed the undulating pressure of her sex as she came again. They panted together as they melted into bliss.

  Chapter 13

  Silence… or so it seemed to be. Consciousness trickled back to Anna, and her eyes opened slowly. She felt compelled to stretch muscles she didn’t remember having. A pleasant ache subsided as she curled into Rick’s warm body, kept warm under the fluffy comforter. She fit perfectly into the hollow of his arm stretched across her pillow. Her sleep-heavy eyes savored the sight of his face in peaceful rest.

  She watched his eyelashes for any sign of movement. Although he lay utterly still, he was perfection to her. If a Greek god walked this earth, he would be Richard Hiatt. Forget the fabulous muscles and slender physique. Forget the handsome, chiseled features and long-lashed whiskey eyes.

  She sighed pensively, toying with the thought of waking him. Looking over his chest to the French doors, she vaguely recalled their talk on the balcony and Rick suggesting she take a few drops of his blood. Then, a total body rush and…nothing. Just looking at the extra bed pillows cast pell-mell across the room told her it must have been a wild night. The bath towels hadn’t been scattered on the floor when she went out on the balcony, and there had been no empty champagne flutes next to the bed.

  She was in such a delicious state of satisfaction—um, they had certainly enjoyed each other—so why couldn’t she remember any of it? She couldn’t see a clock as she lay still listening for cues from the traffic. Is it three in the morning or is traffic building for rush hour? Anna licked at her dry lips. Rick was still resting deeply. Obviously, he needed it. I’ll just close my eyes for a few more minutes…

  * * * *

  The next time Anna awoke, she felt a warm presence along her back. Had Fitz changed sides? When she heard gentle snoring, her brows knitted together and she flipped over. It wasn’t the bedmate she’d expected. Player lay happily asleep next to her, stretched out with his large square head centered on a pillow. Fitz must have let him in early this morning. Rising up on her elbows, she surveyed the dim room. Sunlight hid behind closed balcony doors and drawn drapes. The clock’s face glowed brightly 8:51.

  Player’s head inched its way under her armpit, nudging her to get out of bed. “You probably need a walk.” Anna groaned. “I don’t want a walk.” She picked up the phone to dial the Concierge. “Good morning. This is Mr. Hiatt’s suite. Will you send someone up to walk our dog, please?” While the concierge arranged Player’s morning, Anna noticed the note leaning against the bedside lamp.

  Dear Cupcake,

  Last night was unbelievable! You know how to hold up your side of the bed! Forgive me, I’m poorly practiced at pillow talk. I count the moments until this insanity with Sterling is over, and we can retreat back to our lover’s bed. Yesterday was physically draining for both of us, I’m sure. Please excuse my need for some slab time before we have to deal with that fool-born lout, Sterling. I’ve scheduled a wake-up call for you at ten. Feel free to wake me once you’re up and about.

  You are my sweetest Cupcake!

  Love, your Fitz.

  Self-conscious about what the maid might see, Anna pondered what must have happened. Where am I going to start? Empty champagne flutes sat next to the bottle, turned upside down in the chiller. A path of damp bath towels trailed across to the credenza where the flat screen TV was pushed off center. Her memory did not budge when straightening the lampshades. The large oil painting over the credenza hung crookedly. If the room looked like this…Anna cautiously opened the French doors and sucked in a breath. The balcony chairs were pushed into a jumble and the tiny table toppled over. Their robes lay in puddles on the tile. She slammed the doors closed and turned, leaning against them, hoping the room would talk to her.

  Anna rubbed at her temples, head in her hands, wishing she could blame last night’s oblivion on the Magnum of Dom Pérignon White Gold. But no, physically she felt wonderful. Why then, was a chapter of her night missing? Anna prayed that restoring everything to order would download her memory.

  Starting with the towel in front of the credenza, she bent and picked them up one by one, making her way to the bathroom. They were still damp, meaning they must have been used late into the night. She held them close to her, hoping for a revelation. They smelled invitingly of grapefruit bergamot. A flash of memory assaulted her—Rick, deliciously naked in the doorway holding a bath sponge and a bar of soap.

  “You’ve been a dirty girl. You need a bath.” What did I do?

  Anna startled at the sight of the tub full of bathwater gone icy, Fitz’s sponge floating aimlessly. Well, it is a huge tub…

  Balanced on the edge of the tub, a plate held bitten strawberry tops and a pared apple core. The knife on the plate seemed as old as Fitz’s dagger. The blade tapered to a pinpoint. Two brandy snifters and a bottle of Grand Marnier shared the ledge behind the tub. Remnants of the liquor dried, and one snifter held a markedly deeper color haze. Anna stared at the pinprick on her left index finger. Had she flavored Rick’s drink with her blood?

  Slowly, a photo developed in her mind. Fitz’s head thrown back against the edge of the marble tub, his face a mask of ecstasy. Somewhere in her faulty memory she knew she had been the impetus for his rapture, but how? What had she done, and most importantly, could she do it again? She clenched her teeth in frustration, a moan of pure defeat escaping her lips. She stared into the mirror over the tub and saw only her befuddled self. Anna dropped the towels on the mosaic floor and darted to the balcony for fresh air.

  The sun was gloriously risen, as if to taunt her hazy start to the day. Anna took several calming breaths as she reached for their robes. Belatedly realizing she was naked, she wrapped herself in the first. It was Fitz’s. His cologne was like a beacon. Wrapped in the robe’s velour embrace, her back stiffened as memory assailed her.

  She stepped toward the railing, her hands reflexively outstretched to grasp the wrought iron. In her mind, Anna felt the chuff of his breath at her neck, the pressure of his fine form smack against her, his rhythm fierce and unrelenting as he drove balls deep into her. Flash, and the pixels exploded to nothingness.

  She hadn’t been drunk—she wasn’t hungover. Anna cursed her elusive memory. The last thing she vividly remembered was his kiss. What if this was the result of their unequal vamp/mortal life energies colliding? Are all mortals this disadvantaged? Would it always be like this?

  There was a discreet knock on the hall door, and Player came running in, stubby tail wagging, body shaking, drawing Anna from her reverie. The here and now called to her more urgently, and she went into the kitchen to prepare Player’s breakfast and focus on their upcoming meeting with Sterling. Fitz still hadn’t explained the threat the dagger held over him, but he certainly seemed eager to have it back. Since she was the one who’d allowed it to be taken, she felt it was her duty to reclaim it.

  * * * *

  By ten, Anna was showered, dressed, and appropriately made up to greet Sterling. The front desk rang with the wake-up call she’d forgotten to cancel, and she could hear Rick pick it up behind his closed door.

  He emerged from his bedroom, wrapped in a light silk robe, hair tousled from the night before and an unmistakable hickey on his neck. Anna was mortified! She’d never given a hickey in her life, nor could she remember giving this one.

  “Hey, wild woman!” Rick caught her up for a robust hug and morning kiss. “You look no worse for wear.” He smoothed her hair back. “How do you feel?”

  “Fine.” Anna forced a bright smile. “Great. Never better.” She returned his kiss enthusiasticall
y. He touched her differently, she noticed. Somehow, more familiarly. “Ah…” she ventured. “Was there maybe an earthquake last night? I…”

  Rick laughed. “An earthquake? Not that I’m aware of. Why do you ask?”

  “Oh, it’s just that furniture was moved, the pictures were tilted on the walls…”

  He laughed uproariously and squeezed her in his embrace. “Well, the earth moved, but I don’t think it was a natural disaster, just our own personal quake.” He nuzzled and nipped at neck.

  “Oh…yeah…” Another bright smile. She resolved not to mention her unfortunate memory lapse, at least not now. There would be time after this threat from Sterling was resolved to talk about what happened last night.

  * * * *

  Anna opened the door to Sterling, every sense on alert. She didn’t trust the slimy weasel one bit. She would do her best to follow the plan they laid out an hour ago. She knew she was safe. Rick was watching them from a camera discreetly hidden in the wall clock. He’d burst through the door at any sign of trouble. She hoped Sterling wouldn’t have a gun. It was hard to outrun a bullet.

  “Please come in, Carl.” She stood aside, wanting to avoid any show of affection. He entered the suite to Player’s growl.

  Sterling looked at the suspicious dog. “I can’t believe you brought the dog. You can have him if you want. I inherited him from my Dad. I should have sent him to the pound.” Player’s growl became marginally more aggressive. If she didn’t know better, Anna would believe the dog understood every word.

  “I would love to take him,” she acquiesced quietly. “I hope you like chicken. I ordered Sudado de Pollo.”

  Sterling shrugged. “Sure, whatever.”