by Elisa Adams
“Later,” she whispered before she took the head of his cock into her mouth.
The unexpected sensation of her moist, warm mouth enveloping his erection hit him hard, making him arch his back off the mattress. He sucked in a sharp breath as she ran her tongue back and forth over the tip, cupping his balls in her free hand. She dropped her hands away so that only her mouth was touching him, and went up on her hands and knees.
Her silky hair draped over his thighs and stomach, tickling him and increasing his arousal. He threaded his hands through her hair and held her tight as she sank her mouth down on him. He groaned long and loud when his cock bumped the back of her throat. She pulled back a little and smiled, her lips stretching tight around him. When she took him deep into her mouth again, his hips lifted of their own volition to urge him further inside. She took as much as she could, licking and stroking with her soft tongue until he felt his balls begin to tighten and the beginnings of orgasm stir in his gut.
She seemed to sense how close he was and wrapped her fingers tightly around the base of his cock, pushing him over the edge. His come spurted into her mouth in gushing waves and she continued to suck, milking him dry. But she didn’t release him like he expected. She worked his nearly flaccid cock with her lips and tongue.
“Hey,” he said softly, brushing her hair from her face. “After that, I’m going to need a while to recover.”
Her eyes took on a decidedly naughty expression and she let him slip from her mouth. “We’ll see,” she said before sucking him back inside the warm depths.
When he felt himself amazingly start to harden again, he sat up. He gently tugged on her hair to lift her off his swelling cock. She looked at him with glazed-over eyes, her cheeks flushed, her mouth open in a wanton way that made him completely hard all over again. The soft whimpering sound she made was nearly enough to drive him over the edge, but he held back. He pulled her up to him and kissed her hard as he rolled her onto her back, slinking down so that his mouth was level with her sex. He put his nose against the folds of her labia and breathed deeply. She smelled of sex, and the utter carnality of it made his blood hum. She smelled of him.
He thrust two fingers inside her cunt and she whimpered. The tiny sound turned into a moan as he sucked her clit into his mouth, scraping his tongue over the small bundle of nerves as he thrust his fingers deeply inside her. He swirled his tongue over her clit, circling the sensitive flesh, before he clamped down gently with his teeth, and he felt her body very nearly come off the sheets. Her cunt muscles contracted hard on his fingers.
Her hands fisted in his hair, and she screamed. He looked up at her, taking in the sight of her in the throes of an explosive orgasm. Her eyes were closed, her mouth open, her entire body flushed pink. She’d arched her back, giving him an incredible view of her breasts. Her legs were bent and drooping almost to the mattress. He’d never seen anything so beautiful in his life.
He crawled up her body slowly, kissing the soft thatch of black hair that covered her mound, the tiny swell of her abdomen, dipping his tongue into her navel and the valley between her breasts. He kissed his way up her throat, along her jaw, to her lush lips. As he kissed her, he settled his cock at the welcoming entrance of her cunt and thrust home, slow and easy this time. Still, she clung to him and moaned as he pushed inside completely. He echoed her sentiment silently in his head, pausing in his movements to memorize the way she felt around him, her slippery inner walls clenching around his cock.
He stroked into her with carefully measured thrusts, slow and even, until she gasped for breath beneath him. “Eric.” She said his name on a whisper of breath that tickled his neck. He looked down at her, and their gazes locked. It was impossible to break away.
“You mean so much to me.” The words slipped out before he could stop them, but he didn’t want to take them back. In just a short time, she’d become such an integral part of his life that he couldn’t imagine going back to the way things were before. Whatever else he accomplished in his lifetime, he would make sure she knew—every day—how special she was to him. She deserved no less than everything he could ever give her. He just hoped he lived up to her expectations.
He pulled back a little and then thrust inside her, simultaneously attempting to push the doubts from his mind. The further he sank into her, the further his mind melded with hers. He’d never dared to open himself up in that way during sex before, but now he found himself tentatively reaching out to her. The connection between them was strong, almost a tangible thing. He felt every emotion that crossed her mind—arousal, tenderness, passion…love. She wouldn’t admit it yet, maybe didn’t even know it, but he felt it there in her mind. It scared him a little to feel an answering emotion within him, equally as strong.
He watched her eyes cloud with passion and felt her tighten around him, her orgasm this time taking her slowly but steadily until she was limp in her arms. Just watching her was all it took. His whole body clenched as he came, not as explosive as the times before but just as powerful. Maybe even more so, given the emotional significance. With the last bit of strength he had he rolled to his back, pulling her on top of him. He looked up at her through the haze of sexual satisfaction, and she smiled.
“I told you that you wouldn’t hurt me.”
“No, but if you keep this up you’re going to hurt me.” He craned his neck to kiss her. “I’m not nearly as young as you. You have got to take it easy with me, woman.”
“Oh, yeah. This is such a hardship for you.” She leaned down and playfully nipped his lip.
If he wasn’t so damned tired, he might have taken that as a sign that she wanted more, but as it was he could barely keep his eyes open. Any more loving would have to wait until morning. “Will you stay tonight?” he asked.
“If you’d like.”
He kissed the top of her head even as his eyes closed and he drifted off to sleep.
Chapter 16
The telephone woke Ellie in the middle of the night. She rolled over in bed, reaching for the phone along the nightstand. It wasn’t there. Bolting upright, she looked around the room. She wasn’t at home. She’d fallen asleep at the hotel. In Eric’s bed. As she woke up a little more, she realized the ringing came from her cell. She leaned over the bed, fumbling along the floor until she found the device. She answered quietly, not wanting to wake Eric after the tiring night they’d had.
“Ellie? It’s Charlotte.”
The terror in her sister’s voice shook her. Nothing scared Charlotte. Ever. For her to sound this frightened was a big cause of concern. “Charlotte? Where are you? Are you okay?”
“No. It’s him. He’s got me.”
“Who has you?”
“Tony.”
Ellie’s blood froze in her veins. Tony. Why hadn’t she forced Charlotte to leave with Becca and Carol? Why hadn’t she stayed home to watch over her sister, instead of selfishly coming to make amends with Eric? “Goddess, Charlotte. Are you okay?”
“I am for now,” she spoke calmly, but Ellie heard the near-hysteria that edged her tone. “He wants you to meet him at the pier in ten minutes. If you don’t, he says he’ll kill me.”
“I’ll be right there.”
She turned to wake Eric, to ask him to help, but he wasn’t there. A chill ran through her as she wondered where he’d gone. Why hadn’t he woken her? She shook her head. She didn’t have time to think about it now. Charlotte needed her more than she needed Eric.
She dressed quickly, borrowing a pair of drawstring shorts and a T-shirt, and went out to her car. She tried to call Eric on her cell phone, but again got no answer. Swearing, she fished through her purse for the emergency number he’d given her. She dialed and pulled out of the parking lot while she waited for an answer.
“Kincaid.”
She blinked at the deep, rough sound of the man’s voice. Eric’s boss. The edginess in his tone chilled her. She fought the urge to hang up, but at this point she’d do anything to help Charlotte. “I’m a f
riend of Eric Malcolm’s. I have an emergency, and I can’t get a hold of him.”
“Is this Ellie?”
“Yes. My sister has been kidnapped.”
“Where are you now?”
“I’m on my way to meet Tony at the pier to get my sister back.”
There was a brief pause. “Didn’t Eric warn you to stay put?”
Her voice was tight when she replied. “I can’t even find him. My sister is going to die if I don’t get there soon. I don’t give a shit what Eric, or anyone else, has to say about it. My sister is a lot more important than hurting Eric’s feelings.”
“Okay. Relax,” he said, his tone urging her to do anything but. “What I want you to do is drive to your house. I’ll meet you there in a little while.”
“Oh, no. I don’t think so.” How could he even suggest such a thing when her sister’s life was at stake? “Where are you? How do you know where I live?”
“We all know,” he answered cryptically. “I’m about five minutes from the pier right now. Eric and I will take care of Tony. Just go home and sit tight, and we’ll be there as soon as we can.”
Like that was going to happen. “I don’t even know you. I’m not going to trust you with my sister’s life. I’m going to meet him like he wanted.”
“There’s nothing I can say to make you turn around and go home, is there?”
“No.” She pulled her car into a parking spot and got out, not even bothering to bring her purse. “I’m here now. I’ve got to go.”
“Okay, fine. Have it your way. I’ll get in touch with Eric, and we’ll meet you. Try to hold the guy off until we get there, okay?”
How was he supposed to reach Eric when she couldn’t? “Fine, whatever.”
“Do you want me to stay on the line?”
She thought about saying yes, but ultimately declined. “I can handle it better without worrying about updating a stranger via my cell. Thanks anyway.”
“Be careful. Eric will kill me if anything happens to you.”
She scoffed at that and disconnected the call, slipping the small phone into the pocket of Eric’s shorts. The wind, cool in the late night, wrapped around her legs and whipped her hair over her face. She shoved it behind her ears and walked around the small outbuildings to the boat dock. The smell of salt in the air seemed stronger tonight, sinister almost. She listened for some sign of her sister, but only the cries of the seagulls overhead filled the air.
“Ellie.” The voice reached her out of the darkness. She strained to see through the moonlight. Tony was standing by the wrought iron fence that edged the sidewalk next to the water, his arm around Charlotte’s neck.
“Okay, I’m here. Let go of my sister.”
“Come closer.” His voice was deep, alien. The knot of fear that had settled in her stomach when Charlotte had called tightened, making it nearly impossible to breathe. She stepped closer, slowly, feeling surreal. Surely this had to be some kind of terrible dream. When she stopped in front of him, he let Charlotte go and grabbed Ellie. Charlotte stood there, not sure of what to do. He laughed, the sound tinged with fear and bitterness. “Run, sweetheart. You’ve been spared, and that doesn’t happen often. Get out of here before Aiala changes her mind.”
Aiala? “Go, Charlotte. I’ll be fine.” Ellie assured her. “He won’t hurt me.”
Charlotte shook her head vigorously as she dug in her heels. “I’m not leaving you.”
“She’ll die if you don’t,” Tony said. “Go home now. Leave before it’s too late.”
Charlotte threw Ellie an uncertain look before she took off across the sidewalk and disappeared from view around the corner of an outbuilding. Ellie hoped she listened and left like she was told, but knowing Charlotte she’d gone only far enough to be out of sight.
Refusing to think about it until she was safe at home, she turned her attention back to Tony. “What do you want with me?”
“This isn’t about what I want.” Desperation filled his voice. “It’s about what she wants. It always has been. Don’t even try to run, because she’ll stop you. She’s here, even though she hasn’t shown herself yet.”
“What are you talking about?” she asked, the dread turning into a lump of ice inside her. “Who are you talking about?”
“Aiala. My Master. You’re going to be a warning to your friends. I’m sorry. I can’t disobey her.”
He didn’t give her time to react. He grabbed her hair and yanked her head up, sinking his fangs into her neck. It was the worst pain she’d felt in her life. He tore into her skin, ripping at her flesh. A scream caught in her throat as everything around her faded. She felt her heartbeat slow and her mind grow fuzzy. It was then that she knew, irrevocably, that she was going to die.
* * * * *
Eric’s heart stopped at the sight that greeted him—Ellie lying on the sidewalk, her body still and lifeless. He ran to her and rolled her gently to her back, checking the pulse in her wrist. Weak. Thready. Fading even as he tried to decide what to do. Antonio hadn’t drained her completely, but the gashes he’d made in her neck would insure she’d bleed out fully within minutes. He hadn’t left her with enough to live, but with just enough to suffer before she died. Taking her to the hospital was out—the closest hospital was a good fifteen minutes away. She’d never last that long.
She’d called Sam, which meant she’d tried to reach him before coming out here all alone. He gave her credit for being brave, but she’d been walking into a trap. This was a setup, planned down to the last detail, and she’d fallen for it. He hated to admit it, but so had he. He’d left her alone because Antonio had contacted him, said he’d wanted to meet with him. He should have known it was a trap—would have if he hadn’t been so tired and sated from his lovemaking with Ellie. But he’d been stupid and he’d left her.
His choice had cost his woman her life.
“Eric.”
The cold feminine voice behind him made him turn. “Aiala.”
“I warned you years ago not to mess with me. You didn’t listen, and now your pathetic little human is going to die.” Her laugh grated like fingernails on a chalkboard. “The world will be a better place with one less mortal to pollute it.”
“I’m not going to let you get away with this.” He stood and started to her, but Aiala held him off with a wave of her hand.
“Actually, I think I will. She’s getting closer and closer to her last breath. If you chase me, she’ll die alone.” Even as she spoke the words, Eric felt Ellie’s life draining from her body. The connection between them was severing, and his entire being ached. He’d only just found her. How was he supposed to live without her?
“It’s too late,” Aiala said, her tone harshly amused. “There’s nothing you can do for her, Eric. Nothing. It’s too late.”
“No, it isn’t.” Sam stepped out of the shadows of the buildings and walked toward Eric. “There’s still something that can be done.”
“You can’t save her,” Aiala’s voice held real fear for the first time. “I won’t let you.”
“You don’t have a choice.” Sam raised his hand toward Aiala and made a pushing motion. She flew back into the fence, the air whooshing out of her lungs as she sagged to the ground.
“How dare you!” she yelled as she started for Sam. He didn’t give her a chance to attack. When she got within a foot of him, he lifted his hand, palm out, and shot a ball of fire at her. It hit her in the face and a pained scream tore through the night. Her body disappeared into the air with a pop and a wisp of smoke. She’d be back, but at least Sam had bought them a few days while she recovered from the damage.
“What do you want me to do?” Sam asked Eric as he leaned over Ellie’s body.
“What can you do?” Eric asked the question, even though he already knew the answer.
“I can make her one of us.” Sam looked up at him, awaiting his answer. “Just say the word.”
“No.” Eric was adamant. “She’d hate me forever.”
> Sam shrugged. “Your decision. The lady’s not up to making it herself.”
“If you let her die, Eric, I’ll never forgive you.” Charlotte walked toward them, her hands on her hips. “I don’t know what’s going on around here, but I don’t really care right now. If either of you is capable of saving my sister’s life I suggest you do it, or heads are going to roll.”
Eric felt Ellie’s wrist for a pulse. Nothing. He closed his eyes and fought the grief that welled inside him. “It’s too late now. It’s over.”
Sam looked from Eric to Charlotte, then back down at Ellie again. “I can still help, if you’ll let me.”
“I told you to do it,” Charlotte insisted.
“It’s not your decision. I need Eric’s consent. Ellie is his mate.” Sam sighed before he faced Eric. “It’s not her time to die. I can save her, but you’ve got to understand it would be a sacrifice. She might very well hate you when she wakes, and she could try to hurt you if it doesn’t go well.”
“But if I don’t agree, I’ll lose her forever.”
“Yes.” Sam paused. “You might lose her still. I can’t make any guarantees. Could you live with the fact that she might not want you after this?”
She’d want him. She’d have to. They’d formed a bond, and this could only make it stronger. At least that’s what he kept telling himself. He really had no idea if any of it were true, but he had to take the chance, for Ellie’s sake. She was so young, so beautiful, and he couldn’t let her die because of his stupid mistake. “Knowing she’s alive would be better than losing her for good.”
“Thank you,” Charlotte breathed, putting her hand on Eric’s shoulder. He looked up at her and saw her fighting back tears.
“Fine.” Sam knelt down, taking Ellie’s lifeless body into the cradle of his arms. “I’ll do this for you. If you go and try to find Antonio. He couldn’t have gotten very far by now.”
“But—”
“No, you can’t stay and watch. You wouldn’t want to see what I need to do.” Sam turned his attention to Ellie. “Go, Malcolm, before I change my mind. And take your mate’s sister with you.”