Claude's Conquest (Maura's Men Book 2)

by Stella Williams

  “What happened?” He asked forcing her to look at him. It was something Gregory had always done when she had come to him like this. The familiarity of it had her sobbing more. She didn’t want to give him up. She didn’t want this to be the last time she saw her brother.

  “His past caught up with him, and because we were close, I got dragged into it. It wasn’t a snake that bit me. I was attacked and Claude saved me.” She began fidgeting with her turtleneck again. Gregory noticed and grabbed her hand, pulling it and the cloth away to expose her scar.

  “Fucking Hell! Is this why you disappeared?” He yelled, and Gretchen clung to him desperately.

  “Shhh! Parents will hear you. I don’t know if I’m really in danger or not, but I can’t risk it.” Gretchen pleaded through her tears.

  “So who the fuck is this Claude guy?”

  “He was also close to Felix. He came to the estate when he heard Felix went missing, and it was pure luck that he heard me fighting my attacker. He’s been protecting me and teaching me how to protect myself.”

  “I don’t like it. I’m not letting you handle this on your own. I didn’t have a choice the last time, but this time, I can’t let you run away. You are staying here. If they come after you again, we will go to the cops. Fuck it, I’ll protect you,” he said hugging her tightly.

  Gretchen wished it were that simple. She wished that she could stay with her brother and work things out with her parents. Maybe even with Grace as well, but that couldn’t be her decision. She wasn’t human anymore. She forced herself from her brother’s warm embrace which should have been harder than what it had been.

  “You can’t. I’m sorry. If someone does come looking for me here, tell them I died, disappeared, anything that means you have no contact with me.” Gretchen pulled her collar back into place and wiped her eyes. Despite the sharp pain in her chest and the tightness of her lungs, she walked away.

  Her feet felt heavy. Her whole body felt heavy. It was only her determination to keep her family safe that allowed her to smile when she saw her parents laughing with Claude on the porch; to keep smiling as she said goodbye and not crumble or show any sign that something was wrong.

  Gretchen didn’t protest when Claude guided her into the passenger seat of his car. Didn’t bother asking what had happened to hers. She couldn’t allow any emotion right now as her family stood on the front porch smiling and watching them leave.

  “I’m truly sorry for your loss,” Claude said taking her hand in his.

  She snatched her hand away, staring through the window as he pulled the car into the street. Watching as her parents turned away and Gregory stood like a statue. She hadn’t been able to look into his eyes during their final goodbye, and now it was too late. Her older brother, her rock, was gone forever.

  SHaken

  Claude had no idea what had come over him. Gretchen had made it very clear the night she left that she wanted nothing further from him. That was something Claude had tried for the past few months to accept. He shouldn’t have even had to try. Gretchen should have been out of his system after their first intimate encounter, but if anything, it had only made him want more.

  She had managed to wiggle her way into his dead, rotten heart. A heart that many would say he never had to begin with. Claude rubbed his chest where his heart should be, at times he wondered if he had one, but today had been proof enough that he did.

  He had been on his way home from meeting with the blood supplier when he had seen her driving through town. He had only meant to follow her long enough to find out where she was staying. It would put his mind at ease and since she was staying with Molly it would put Shane at ease to know as well. Then she had turned onto the road leading out of town and he’d been afraid she was making a run for it. The last thing he expected was the long drive to what turned out to be Gretchen’s family home.

  Cat’s parents died when she was in college and Molly had been a foster child. They had nothing to lose when they were turned. In all of this time, Claude hadn’t thought about Gretchen having a family. People who would miss her and whom she would miss as well. Claude gave himself a mental kick. He could hurt for her, but that wouldn’t stop her from hurting. Staring at her wasn’t going to help either, so he turned his attention back to the road.

  He had no idea how to comfort her as she sat silently in the seat next to him. His one attempt had been quickly brushed off and he couldn’t exactly blame her. He’d heard everything that had been said between her and her brother. Felt the waves of despair pouring from her even as she did her best to hide it. The silence was killing him so he turned on the radio. Switching through the stations he flicked glances at her to see if she responded to any of the choices, but she didn’t. He didn’t really care for modern music so he finally settled on a jazz station.

  The woman beside him was not the woman he had come to know. His Gretchen had been strong and independent, quick to put Claude in his place. Her eyes had always been full of fire and determination. Now she looked so pale and fragile, curled into the fetal position in the sleek black leather seats of his sports car. Her mood was so dreary that despite using the heater Claude still felt a chill.

  Her eyes were dead as they stared out the window, unfocused and unmoving. She was merely a shell and it was entirely his fault. Somewhere along the drive she had fallen asleep and not knowing where she was now living he had no choice, but to bring her back to the mansion. Claude hoped everyone would still be sleeping when he got there with Gretchen, but no such luck.

  “What happened?” Xander greeted them at the door.

  “She just needs to rest.” Claude shifted Gretchen’s weight in his arms. He pushed passed Alexander and took Gretchen to her old room.

  He carefully placed her on the bed and tucked the covers around her body. It was all he could do not to lay on the bed next to her, to hold her in his arms as she slept. Instead, he placed a gentle kiss on her forehead.

  “Everything will be okay,” he whispered before leaving the room.

  He so desperately wanted to stay with her, but he knew he couldn’t. The most he could do was make sure she was cared for until she was well enough to leave again. Gretchen would leave again, and this time Claude wouldn’t fight. It was the least he could do for her.

  “Is she okay?” Cat asked as soon as Claude joined them for breakfast.

  “I don’t know. She went to say goodbye to her family.” He said staring blankly at his mug.

  Cat wasn’t used to seeing Claude so morose. That was more Shane’s thing.

  “She had family?” Xander looked to Cat for confirmation.

  This was news to Cat as well. Even though she had been the closest to Gretchen, it had never occurred to her to ask if she had a family. They had mostly talked about Cat and Xander’s wedding and vampire lore.

  “I never asked. She was pretty closed off about herself,” Cat said with a shrug. She took a sip from her mug and studied Claude further.

  There was a sense of defeat about him that scared her. It was similar to the funk Shane had been in when they had all thought Molly was dead. This definitely didn’t bode well for the shadows matchmaking plans.

  “I’m okay,” Claude said meeting her eyes.

  “You are not okay. Gretchen is obviously not okay.” Cat began, but stopped herself. Being harsh wasn’t the best way to go about things. “Just don’t give up on her. She needs you now more than ever.”

  There was a flicker of hope in Claude’s eyes, but it was fleeting.

  “I’m the last thing she needs.” Claude left the table.

  “Right now isn’t the time to play matchmaker,” Xander scolded Cat.

  “Like that stopped Claude playing matchmaker for us. It sucks that Gretchen had to sever ties with her family, but you know what that means? We are her family now and we have to take care of her no matter what. They are destined to be together just like we were and they will get over this. Even if I have to lock them in a room for a couple ye
ars.”

  Xander rolled his eyes at her. “Let’s just focus on getting Gretchen functioning first,” he replied, “also, call Molly and let her know what’s going on.”

  “Yes, sir!” Cat saluted him with her middle finger before going to make the call.

  Molly checked her watch again. It was getting late and Gretchen was still nowhere to be found. She couldn’t blame the girl for wanting to spend a bit more time with her family, but Molly hadn’t pegged her for the irresponsible type. Gretchen would have called by now. Molly dug in her purse for her phone. It was normally stored in the convenient side pocket, but the last time she’d been using it she’d tossed it in a hurry.

  Molly smiled to herself as she recalled Brody’s eagerness to please. Despite bringing a different vampire home almost every night, Molly had a strict no penetration rule that included biting. She found that was an easy way to avoid the dreaded mating issue. Molly belonged to no one, but herself. She wasn’t going to give any arrogant young vamp the opportunity to claim otherwise.

  Her hand finally clasped the slim metal case around her phone when it began to vibrate. “It’s about time.” Molly let out a sigh of relief, only to frown when she realized it was Cat and not Gretchen calling.

  “Why the hell haven’t you been answering your phone?” Cat’s annoyed voice screeched from the speakers.

  “I’m a busy girl. What is it?” Molly was actually glad to hear from her friend, but she hadn’t appreciated Cat’s tone.

  “Gretchen is here at the mansion. We will be keeping her for a few days. She didn’t take well to saying goodbye.”

  Molly sighed and shifted the phone to her other ear. “I’m sure she will be fine here with me. I’ll come get her tonight.”

  “Mol, I know you two desperately want your independence, but right now it is better if Gretchen stays here. I promise this isn’t some matchmaking scheme for her and Claude. You can come see for yourself, but I can’t let you take her right now.”

  Molly desperately wanted to protest, but Cat had always been the protective type. If she said Gretchen was in bad shape, there was no reason for Molly to question it. However, there was one variable that just didn’t add up. “Wait, how did she even get to the mansion?”

  “Come by tonight and I’ll explain everything.” Cat didn’t wait for Molly’s reply she just hung up.

  Molly glared at her phone for a moment before tossing it back in her bag. The club could go without a manager for tonight, but Molly had to see what she was dealing with. If Gretchen was going to be out longer than a week, she would be forced to find a replacement.

  “Are you feeling better?” Cat stood in the open doorway of Gretchen’s room.

  Gretchen sat up and sighed heavily. “I’m fine.”

  Cat frowned at her and entered the room, taking a seat on the edge of Gretchen’s bed. The woman pulled Gretchen into a big hug. Gretchen wished it made her feel better, but she was completely numb. It was a feeling she hadn’t felt since she first woke up as a vampire.

  “You are not fine. I’m so sorry things turned out for you this way. I know how it feels to be turned without your knowledge, but I didn’t have as much tying me to the human world as you did. I feel like such a bad person for not even asking about it.” Cat brushed at a tear that had fallen from her almond shaped eyes.

  Gretchen was suddenly angry. Her heart beat furiously in her chest, and she felt heat rising in her cheeks. She threw back the blanket that was covering her and jumped out of the bed. “I need to get out of here.” She was down the stairs in a minute and almost made it to the front door when she was blocked by a solid wall of male vampire.

  “I’m leaving.” She ground out, but it was to no avail. Xander stood his ground glaring down at her as if she had lost her mind.

  “Not just yet. I can’t in good conscience let you leave in your present state.”

  “My present state?” She repeated incredulously.

  Xander snorted and pointed to the giant mirror hanging on the wall behind her. “No offense, but at the moment you are worse off than Shane.”

  Gretchen spun around to face her reflection and what she saw gave her more than a little pause. Her curly hair tangled and slightly matted, listed to one side, her face was almost ashen, and her eyes were red and puffy from the hours of crying she had done. She also realized she wasn’t wearing any clothing. Suddenly feeling the cool air against her bare skin, her hands came up to cover her breasts. Her whole body blushed and she ran back up the stairs.

  Cat was waiting with a robe in her hands and a smug smile on her face.

  “Take all the time you need. It’s been pretty lonely being the only girl in the house again.” She closed the door behind her as she left.

  Gretchen could hear Cat’s muffled laughter as her footsteps moved away towards the stairs.

  Surrender

  Gretchen pulled the covers tight around her shivering frame. Her room was too cold or rather she was too cold. The mansion was usually kept at a nice 70 degrees Fahrenheit, so it had to be her. After her freak out, no one else had bothered to check on her. In fact, the whole mansion had been dead silent, not even her advanced hearing had been able to detect much more than a little movement around the grand abode. She didn’t know what she hated more, the fact that she hadn’t been able to remain aloof in this situation or the fact that everyone was tiptoeing around her.

  She closed her eyes and listened again, this time picking up on the sound of someone showering nearby. Judging by the closeness of it, it had to be Claude. An image of his naked body flashed through her mind, and she gasped as warmth spread across her body and concentrated at her core. Thankful for the brief respite, she conjured up his image again. Imagining him standing under the spray of his shower, water cascading over his shoulders and down his back, veering inward at the V just above his firm muscular backside.

  Gretchen tossed the covers away from her and slid her hand down her now overheated body to her aching wet center. She rolled her clit with her thumb as her pointer and middle finger delved inside her. She stroked herself until she was thrashing about on the verge of climax, but it just wouldn’t come. She needed more. Without thinking, she got out of bed and marched over to Claude’s room. She pushed open his door and marched straight for the bathroom.

  Claude met her half way, still naked and partially wet. She pounced on him. Their lips met in a hungry kiss, tongues dueling as he turned to press her against the wall. No words passed between them as he positioned his engorged flesh at her entrance and pushed in, stretching her, filling her. Gretchen wrapped her legs tight around his waist, and he drove into her with wild abandon. His hips slamming into hers, her back burning with the friction of their movements against the wall, but she didn’t care. She needed this. She needed to feel, something, anything, everything.

  Claude was surely going to hell, but for this moment with Gretchen, it was all worth it. The feel of her hot and wet surrounding him, her muscles tightening and releasing, stroking him into oblivion. He was in his own personal heaven. He’d spent the entire day outside of the mansion, trying to give her the space she needed, but when he’d heard her come into his room, all thoughts of chivalry died instantly.

  His need for her was too great. Her legs gripped him tighter around his waist, forcing him to change his pace and rhythm. Instead of punishing thrusts, he was pressed deep inside of her, the tip of him brushing the furthest reaches of her depths.

  Her hips settled into a slow grind as her eyes locked with his. The raw look of passion in those gray orbs was nearly his undoing. They watched each other as her movements brought them both over the edge. Her inner muscles clamped down on him like a vice before her whole body shook in orgasm.

  He could no longer restrain the inevitable and gave himself over to his own release. Fully spent, but not quite flaccid he continued to slide in and out of her until her body relaxed, and she slumped forward. Her breathing shallow and even, she had fallen asleep.

&n
bsp; Careful not to wake her, Claude tightened his grip around her waist and moved away from the wall. He carried her over to his bed and placed her under the covers. He went to the bathroom and wet a washcloth before returning to where she lay and gently ran the cloth over her body. She stirred slightly as he washed her female parts. She had been very tight, indicating that he had been her first in a long while. It made his chest swell with pride and a little bit of possessiveness. He moved the washcloth away only for her hand to grab his.

  “More,” she whispered.

  Gretchen was awake, her eyes still full of passion and yearning. A small smile tugged his lips as he tossed the washcloth aside.

  “More of what?” The predatory growl of his voice wasn’t something he was used to, but the way her body flushed in response made him forget to ponder the significance of it.

  She reached up and cupped his face before brazenly guiding his head down to where his hand had just been.

  “More pleasure!” Her words came out in a deep moan as Claude wasted no time giving her what she wanted.

  If her mouth tasted like sour apple, her arousal was the caramel sauce. She was sweet and musky, and he didn’t even mind tasting himself there. In fact, it made it even better, knowing that he had left his mark. Her hands fisted in his hair tugging and pulling him closer as her hips bucked against his mouth. He swirled his tongue around her clit, delighting in her sharp intake of breath.

  He suckled her, and her knees pressed into his temples as her body shook with impending orgasm. He’d never wanted anything as badly as he now wanted to taste her cum mixed with her blood. He used his tongue to mimic the movements of his dick in her vagina and as soon as he felt the first spasm of her orgasm he sank his teeth into the flesh around her clit. Her fluids flooded his mouth as he greedily took all she had to offer. Claude was completely unprepared for his body’s reaction to the heady mix.