Blood Emerald

by Amber Anthony

  “Oh, the little lady wasn’t included?” Cat ground her heel as she leaned into him.

  Matt shook his head, both hands up in surrender. “They flew straight in from Colombia. The dog needed to be walked and she needed to eat. This is not a conspiracy. But there is one brewing and I need your attention.”

  * * * *

  Veronique rested her chin in her palm as she stared at the alcohol coating the martini glass. She had two to three months to regain her financial footing; her college girl persona was counting on the trendy apartment near Wilshire and Hauser to supply her with a steady flow of UCLA college boy blood. She made her rounds of cut-rate forgers, avoiding the vampire Family of services. Rick Hiatt and Matt Brenner didn’t need to hear about her, yet. She would be Vivian Morrison, a French major from Miami, Florida. A dilute amount of Humanité daily allowed her to navigate daytime hours when she scouted. If she chased the big men on campus they might just enjoy a pajama party with her.

  * * * *

  Helen looked down at Player, it was not yet quite eight in the morning. “You’re a good boy, but Auntie Helen doesn’t have the time or inclination to babysit you every day. So starting today, you’re going to the Beverly Barkshire, the best doggie daycare in town. Won’t that be fun?” Player looked up at her and drooled.

  “Helen?” Brett called from the lobby. “I’ve got Randy from the Beverly Barkshire here to pick up a dog?” Brett sounded nonplussed.

  “Oh, good. I’ll be up in just a sec. I guess Rick didn’t tell you he adopted a dog?”

  “I knew we were on alert, I didn’t think it would come to that.”

  “We wouldn’t send a watchdog to daycare, Brett.” And he’s our guard. “Randy will pick up and deliver daily, so make sure he can get into the penthouse elevator.”

  “Whatever you say.”

  * * * *

  Rick watched the cocoon he presumed was Anna, as the late afternoon light filtered around the edges of the blackout drapes. He lay on his side, his head propped on his palm, searching for more than her pert nose. He touched the tip. It was cold. That can’t be good. He peeled back the covers to reveal fluttering eyelids. He drank in the sight of her copper eyelashes and the delicate dust of freckles over the saddle of her nose. Clearly, half of this bed has to be warmed up for her. How long do I have to stare at her before she wakes up? He blew a chilly breath at her eyes. They fluttered again. He could stare at her all night, but that wouldn’t accomplish anything. He dropped the coverlet back over her eyes, laid back into his pillow, arms folded under his head. “Cupcake, are you awake?”

  “I am now. I guess.” It was an inhuman growl. Rick slid an inch away from her as the cocoon wiggled and unwrapped. Anna sat up, pulling the coverlet close. She frowned. “We have to talk about this mattress. Cupcakes aren’t meant to be stored on ice.”

  “On your little shopping extravaganza with Cat, you can buy a heated mattress pad and an electric blanket for your side of the bed. Meanwhile, I’ll be happy to get your blood flowing.”

  “Do you think you can make that happen?”

  “I have before…”

  Anna frowned. “Tell me about that…”

  Rick smirked at her. “You just want me to tell you what a hot, wild woman you are when I get you going.”

  She hesitated. “You remember our romantic night in Colombia?”

  “I sure do!” Rick rolled over and kissed her cold nose.

  Anna wrapped her arms around him, ignoring the increased chill. “Tell me all about it.”

  Rick cocked his head back to see her expression. “I can show you.” He rolled her under him and leaned on his forearms.

  “Maybe you should tell me first.” She wasn’t meeting his gaze.

  He caught her chin with his index finger. “What’s going on, Cupcake?”

  “I don’t exactly remember that night.”

  “Any of it?”

  “I remember we were on the balcony. And I remember you gave me a little of your blood, and…that’s it.” Devastation oozed from every pore. “Have you ever heard of that happening between a vamp and a mortal?”

  “I know when we fed blood to soldiers on the battlefield, they never talked about their recovery. It never occurred to me they might not remember it.” Rick rolled to his side, considering. “Wow, so our first big night is a blank for you?”

  “I don’t know what to say. Except, I was embarrassed that I gave you a hickey. When I saw that I was mortified.”

  “Well, the transfusion kinda took care of that. Believe me, you have nothing to be embarrassed about. I’m sorry you can’t remember it.” He reached out and meshed his fingers with hers, and then they were forehead to forehead. He whispered. “So this is our first time all over again, isn’t it?”

  “Just for grins, how was I?”

  He smirked boyishly. “Pretty athletic.” He wiggled his brows. “Good times.”

  “What if I can’t do that again?”

  “You just be yourself, and no more vampire blood for you!”

  “How about more of you?” She wiggled her slim, arched brows.

  “There’s no time like the present!” He swooped in to nibble her neck, eliciting giggles and wrestling under him. “You like that?” His flesh, pressed between them, stiffened, and she giggled into a moan.

  His lips found hers in a searing kiss, filled with erotic promise. She’s warming her side of the bed now! She looked into his eyes for a moment, and then smiled when their eyes met. Rick pushed her up slightly and moved his lips to her breasts, kissing first one, then the other. She sighed under his touch and caught her breath as his lips embraced her aching nipple. He worshipped that succulent flesh, licked it, stroked it with his tongue, drew on it like the hungry soul he was. At the same time, his fingers danced along the lively flesh of her thighs.

  “Oh Fitz, do that again!” she whispered, as his hands adored her breasts. “You set me on fire!” His hands left her breasts and stroked her back, raising gooseflesh, and darted daringly into the cleft of her buttocks. Rick’s long, clever fingers enjoyed the silk of her slick sex. Keening, she thrust back into his touch and bucked up to kiss him. How can a mortal be this seductive?

  Rick’s arms treasured her gentle body as he paused to consider her fragility. He flipped her on top of him. “I think this would be the right time for me to lie back and let you take the lead.” He watched as her hair spread out, enclosing the two of them in this moment. “God, Anna, you’re so sexy.”

  “I’ll do my best.” Anna rose up and straddled him, her knees on either side of his waist. Rick masterfully moved his hands back to her breasts and raised his head until he could trace the delicate skin over her breastbone with his lips. With a slight nudge, she positioned his thick cock at her wet cleft, teasing him.

  “Jesus, you’re so ready for me this evening! Do I make you wet? Do you want me to fill you up?” Anna’s head fell back as she continued her assault on his forbearance.

  She’s going for the throat right out of the gate. How much more can I take before I throw her down and fuck her hard? Rick’s hand slipped between them, and with unerring accuracy he circled her clit. Her thighs tightened at his waist and her vibration played the tune of her excitement. “How long are you going to make me wait?”

  “Is this what you want?” She lifted slightly and hovered over his cock. He could feel her heat. “You want in there right now?” He bucked his hips just enough to coat his crown with her dew.

  Even as the thought crossed his mind, he heard her breath catch. His vampire senses read her blood rushing with every touch they shared. “I’m being a very patient man right now.”

  She lowered further, only to rise up again. She slid to his knees and cupped his sack as her tongue laved her juices along his turgid length. He reflexively arched into her mouth, drawn into her heat. “Cupcake, Cupcake, Cupcake! Wait! Wait! Wait!”

  “Yes?” She gave him another lick that flicked the head of his cock. With that sensation, Ri
ck was up and she was under him. “What was that?” Her eyes went wide.

  “That’s what happens when a mortal plucks all those undead sensations in just the right order! You’re going to make me have to bite…”

  “About that bite thing…I can’t wait for that!”

  “Yeah.” His eyelids dropped dramatically and his boyish smile grew knowing and sensual. Her hands held his handsome face as she sought his transformation. He notched into her. “If I get too rough,” he drove his cock deep, “stop me.”

  She bucked up to meet his thrust. “Why would I stop this?”

  It was yin and yang and every other symbiotic move. They danced over the sheets with heated abandon. Sighs and groans melted into each other’s mouths as they rode their consuming passion. Rick tilted her to a well-practiced angle and depth, one he knew would hit her g-spot. His soul opened to the song of her sexual exhilaration. Looking down at her, he watched her face bright with pleasure, and felt her fingers tremble on his nipples.

  “Harder!” she cried, her eyes were intent on his.

  Well, I think I will.

  While their bodies clung to each other, his desperately hard cock drilled in more deliberate strokes. She held him tight-fisted, deep within her. Her legs around his hips rising to his strokes, answering his deep rumble with sighs and cries, begging for more. It was a horizontal tango, brewed from their need.

  Anna cried out. “So close! Don’t stop!”

  “Fuck, no!” Rick flipped her over on top of him.

  * * * *

  Anna leaned into the curve of his hard cock. She drove toward her orgasm. Below her, Rick’s hands, tongue and lips danced on her skin, awakening sensations in her flesh she had thought impossible. He was back at her breasts, now, working her rosy nipples. His free hand pinched the other nipple, and she gasped. Her inner muscles clamped down on him. She caught his shoulders in her hands and fought for the last bit of friction as she drove herself home. Her moan vibrated and she collapsed onto his chest.

  * * * *

  Rick shared a brief kiss and sought the florid flesh of her neck. He felt his length increase, and the fire burgeoning in his balls. Her flesh was fresh and sweet as his lips found home, his fangs dropped with sensual ferocity and he bit. He drew her bliss with his bite, whipping her fading orgasm back to life. He tasted her love singing from her veins. Rick felt the muscles of his cock twitch in her velvet grip, and he released, pumping into her. Her blood and his cum were their climatic exchange.

  * * * *

  Anna continued her gentle rise and fall against him, savoring their electric union. His upward thrusts continued to meet hers as they returned to earth. Tears of joy shimmered on her cheeks.

  “You gave me my heart,” he said softly, as they lay entwined in the aftermath of their coupling. Her head lay on his shoulder, and his hand lazily stroked her hair and back, bringing her to a shudder of sensual pleasure.

  “You gave me mine,” she replied. He kissed the top of her head. “You can read minds?” she asked.

  “What? Oh…” he thought, dimpling as he remembered his response to her passion. “I can read people in ways mortals can’t, if their emotions are clear and their minds are open.”

  Rick knew from their first evening together, Anna’s heart was wide open. Kissing her nipple, his cool tongue stroked the rising pink flesh. Receptively, she rolled onto her side and placed a warm, gentle hand on his cool, muscled thigh.

  “Cupcake,” he said and laughed softly. “You are unlike any delight I’ve ever tasted.”

  “Why that nickname?” Anna asked and snickered, hand rising to cuddle his cock.

  Rick nodded. “Sweet, creamy, flavorful.” His fingertip traced down the bridge of her nose to glance off her plump lips and the dimple in her chin. Rick’s brow rose. “Little did I know you have a voracious sexual appetite.”

  “You bring that out in me…” Anna blushed. “When that hunger emerges inside me…” she trailed off and shifted dreamily, nipples peaking with arousal, unashamedly sensual. “It’s as if you drew me out of a deep sleep.”

  “I have totally relished that awakening.”

  “Me…too…we’re so unequally matched, what you are… That night in the garage, you could have taken me without asking, without respecting me, you could have killed me.”

  Rick closed his eyes as his lips thinned. “It was in my initial interest to thrall you and turn you away.”

  Anna ran her fingertips through Rick’s hair, combing it to one side, then the other. “What changed your mind?”

  Rick caught her hand and kissed her palm before placing it over his heart. “You want me to tell you all my secrets?”

  She drew lazy heart shapes in his chest hair. “Just the ones that concern me.”

  “Don’t you have to get a shower before your shopping date?” Rick slid toward his side of the bed.

  “No. I want to feel this way until I get home and we do this again.” She pursued him to his side of the bed.

  “You know Cat will smell everything we’ve done.” Rick made an ‘ick’ face at her.

  Anna shook her head. “I don’t care.”

  “Yeah, but Matt is coming up with her, and his sense of smell is far more honed than Cat’s.”

  Anna grimaced and reluctantly pulled away from him. “I think I need a shower and I’ll probably even wash my hair.”

  Rick laid back and stretched. He hadn’t used some of these muscles in a few days. He supposed it was wiser not to mention this building crawled with vamps, and a shower would actually disguise nothing. She’s marked with my scent and every intercourse will amp up the pheromones of my possession. If our initial coupling was wild, and “athletic” and today was uninhibited, will we ever get to the point of a slow, comfortable screw? And what did happen in Colombia? Who do I know that’s knowledgeable about sharing blood with mortals? Does it always come with a period of amnesia?

  Rick wandered to the kitchen au natural, seeking a quick juice glass of bagged A positive. He checked the messages on his phone and flipped on the evening news. The hairdryer droned from her dressing room. Before the night began, a shower was in order. He needed to check on Veronique’s whereabouts. The responders needed to be sent over to Sterling’s house. There were checks to authorize, and charges to dispute. There were self-defense classes to be scheduled, and then a memo about the mandatory meetings. The Tokyo market had been open for two hours, he was behind…

  * * * *

  Anna, dressed and ready to shop, thought she’d better grab a quick smoothie in the kitchen before Cat arrived. Los Angeles was an open-minded town, but it was still hard to find a vamp/mortal bistro outside this building. She pulled out the blender and began dumping in the fruit, yogurt and almond milk with a cup of shaved ice. Wow, this blender is loud. She pulsed the mixture to a creamy texture. She stood, bobbing her head and humming along to her iPod as the blender whirred.

  * * * *

  Matt stepped from the elevator and followed the sound of the blender. He hesitated and read the room. Rick was probably the one in the shower, and Anna would be in the kitchen. Head down, he stepped into the room. Her back was to him as she jauntily moved to the tune she hummed. Hands on hips, he watched her amber earrings sway to her beat. Her luscious red hair was wound up and held by an ornate comb. She wore a silk scarf wrapped twice around her neck, undoubtedly hiding the evidence of Rick’s orgasm. Matt fought the inclination to read her. She was dressed in jewel tones rather than pastels. Her perfume was an exotic blend of lush florals and rich spices, definitely not the sweet girlish fragrance she used to wear. She tapped a booted foot as her hips swayed. Her hand reached out to the cabinet for a sports bottle and her nails were painted a vivid coral. Sometime between the day he’d cast her out and this evening, Anna Curley had grown from a girl to a woman.

  He watched as she poured the smoothie into the sports bottle and capped it. Then the show began. She bent her knees, ground her hips, and growled out the lyrics into h
er sports bottle ‘microphone.’ “I must admit I can’t explain any of these thoughts racing through my brain. It’s true. Baby I’m howling for you.” Matt silently moonwalked backward into the hallway. He looked around for something to brush into, and finally decided on calling out, “Anna? Rick? Are you two decent?”

  “I’m in the kitchen.” Her tone was the soul of innocence as she leaned back against the counter, sucking on the sports bottle.

  If the back view was telling, her face cemented his impression. Her vivid green eyes were smoky dark, and she wore a flush of excitement. Her well-kissed, swollen lips sucked breakfast through a fat straw. Although Matt fought the inclination to read her, he didn’t have to. This is in my face. She is a new and confident Anna, and the difference is Rick.

  “Hi, Matt. Where’s Cat?” She stood draining the bottle.

  Matt shifted, watching her cheeks hollow. “She…uh…said she had to measure something before she came up. Where’s Rick?”

  Anna shrugged. “Shower, I guess. I’m really going to enjoy getting to know Cat.”

  “Oh, yeah?” Matt looked at his shoe, and then, belatedly, “ah…that’s good.”

  Anna tilted her head at him. “Are you okay?”

  “Sure, why wouldn’t I be?”

  Rick walked into the kitchen. A towel slung around his hips. “Because this is awkward?”

  “Awkward? I dunno.” Matt’s nose twitched, he raised an eyebrow at Rick who smiled smugly.

  Anna looked back and forth between the two men and shook her head. “I’m gonna get my purse. Should I get my keys? Who’s driving?” She disappeared down the hall.

  Both Rick and Matt piped up. “You have a driver.”