Blood Heart

by Lexi C. Foss

  Her arms were around his shoulders, holding on for dear life as he wrecked her inside and out. Every thrust pushed her closer to the edge of something intense, and each swipe of his tongue against hers felt like a promise of souls.

  Mine, some part of her proclaimed.

  An irrational response, but one she couldn’t deny in this moment.

  All that mattered was the man mastering her body.

  Her nails scored his back, marking him as he continued to devastate her future. Because no one would ever compare to Jayson and the feelings he evoked inside.

  “You’re so perfect,” he whispered against her lips. “So fucking perfect.” His hand shifted from her hip to the top of her sex where he found her swollen nub. It sent shocks to every inch of her being and created a dark yearning she couldn’t ignore.

  “Put your legs around me,” he urged. She locked her ankles together against his ass and screamed as he slid deeper and harder into her.

  “Oh, Jayson…” Her eyes rolled into the back of her head. That new spot, coupled with his expert touch, obliterated her grasp on reality.

  Sensation and breathing were her only thoughts.

  And pleasure.

  Such intense discomfort, yet rapturous.

  She couldn’t think.

  Couldn’t breathe.

  Couldn’t move.

  Just reveled in the motions and the feel of his body commanding hers.

  “Shatter for me, Lizzie,” he demanded. “Let it all go, and come for me.”

  Her pulse hammered through her thoughts as her body yielded to his command. His thumb pressed down while he slammed into her harder than before, and her world went black, then light, as an explosion went off inside her.

  Sounds she didn’t even know she could make spilled from her mouth as she trembled from the most intense orgasm of her life. It rolled through her over and over and over again.

  Sight failed her.

  She was a puddle of bliss and nothing else.

  Jayson groaned her name as he followed her over the edge after a few fierce thrusts. Warmth spilled inside her, joining her arousal and spiraling them both into a sea of ecstasy.

  Lizzie panted from the onslaught of it all as her heart beat an unhealthy rhythm.

  All her friends complained about their first times, but Lizzie could honestly say she had no regrets. Because that was phenomenal, and as soon as she could speak, she would ask for another round.

  Jayson chuckled against her neck. “Don’t worry, Red. We’ll continue this exploration after we take a dip in the ocean.”

  She tried to respond but couldn’t. It didn’t surprise her at all that he sensed her wishes; he’d more than proven his ability to read her body language.

  He went to his elbows on either side of her head. “How do you feel about swimming naked?”

  20

  Flirtatious Behavior

  Subject is viable for conception. Benefactor searching for suitable candidate for initial testing.

  —Entry Log 118.01.4-7

  Lizzie resembled a mermaid on the beach with her damp red locks hanging alluringly over her blue sundress. She’d taken Jayson up on the skinny-dipping offer, something he thanked her thoroughly for. Twice. And she appeared well pleasured as a result.

  “Why are you staring at me like that?” she asked.

  He grinned. “Your naïveté floors me, Red.” The woman had no idea how sexy it was to watch her twirl her tongue around that straw. He kept envisioning his cock in its place.

  Jayson’s goal to ease Lizzie into their sexual relationship rested on thin ice. He wanted to introduce her slowly to his darker cravings, but if she kept licking her straw like that, he’d have her on her knees in the next five minutes with his dick down her throat. And wouldn’t that be lovely for the waitress to see?

  Lizzie’s cheeks hollowed as she sipped her drink while watching him, and damn if it wasn’t the most innocently erotic thing he’d ever seen.

  “If you keep doing that, we’re not going to make it through the main course.” Because he’d be devouring her instead.

  Her eyes widened as the straw popped out of her mouth. “What do you mean?”

  He curled his finger in a beckoning manner. “Come here, Red.”

  Lizzie glanced around the mostly unpopulated area of the beach. Jayson had requested a private dinner near the water rather than in one of the restaurants. It meant their waitress left them alone for longer periods, and allowed for a more romantic experience, but anyone could walk by.

  She licked her lips. “I don’t—”

  “Now.”

  “Uh.” She cleared her throat. “Yeah, okay.”

  She stood, walked around the table meant for four diners, and stopped beside him with an arched eyebrow. “Happy?”

  “Not yet.” He relaxed into his chair and patted his leg. “Have a seat.”

  “You realize I’m not a dog, right?” she muttered as she did as he requested.

  He wrapped an arm around her waist to pull her firmly into his lap, right where he wanted her. His mouth found her ear. “Do you feel that, Lizzie?” He knew she did by the way she froze after settling her ass on his hard cock. “That’s because all I can think about is replacing your straw with my cock.”

  Her lips parted at his vulgar words as two splotches of pink painted her cheeks. “Oh…”

  “Yes, oh,” he murmured as he settled his palm on her exposed thigh and slid upward. “You drive me crazy, Red—in the absolute best way possible—which is why all this ‘going easy on you’ is very hard. Do you understand?”

  He traced the seam of her new panties with his index finger and held her steady when she tried to squirm. No one could see what he was doing, something he ensured by angling her body the way he did, but Lizzie wouldn’t know that.

  “We’ve only begun to scratch the surface of what I intend to do to you, Elizabeth.” He pressed his thumb to her clit and massaged the little nub through the handmade silk while she fought to breathe. “My appetites exceed traditional standards—a result of age and experience.”

  He sucked her earlobe into his mouth as he applied more pressure below. Her arousal seeped through the thin barrier while she tried to shift to close her legs. His palm prevented her thighs from touching, and his arm around her torso tightened in warning.

  “You’re going to come for me,” he whispered. “But you’re going to do it quickly before our dinner arrives.”

  “Jayson, I don’t know…” She trailed off on a whimper as he increased the intensity and pace of his touch. The dampening fabric confirmed her enjoyment even as her mind rebelled against it.

  A crack in her mental barrier was all he needed.

  “Focus on the pleasure, sweetheart. Do you feel how hard I am right now? You’re doing that to me, Red.” He drew a hypnotic pattern with his tongue over her pulse before nibbling gently. Her breathing shallowed as her body tensed, all thought of their surroundings lost, just as he wanted. He hadn’t meant to deliver this lesson over dinner, but he couldn’t ignore the opportunity to play.

  Jayson nuzzled her neck as she started to shake. “That’s it, love. Give in to the sensations.” He slid his palm up from her waist to her breast and pinched her erect nipple. “Let me feel you come, Lizzie. Now, sweetheart.”

  She shuddered and whispered his name as a benediction. He would never tire of that sound or the moan that followed as she crashed headfirst into oblivion and shook uncontrollably on his lap. His dick begged him to bend her over the table and fuck her until she screamed, but he reined in his yearnings and focused on the woman coming apart in his arms.

  So much to teach her…

  He would need years, maybe decades, to fulfill his craving for her.

  I’m so fucked and don’t even care.

  His forehead rested against her shoulder as she came down from her high. He knew when reality returned, because she tensed and tried to scramble off his lap.

  “Do that again, and
I’ll force another orgasm out of you, Red.” He punctuated the point by roughly thumbing her sensitive bud. Her body jolted against his as another of those delicious whimpers left her mouth.

  “What are you doing to me?” she asked breathlessly.

  “Training,” he replied against her neck. “And you’re responding wonderfully to it.” He removed his hand from between her legs and lifted his thumb to trace her lips. “Lick,” he demanded.

  She did with a tremble. “Oh God…”

  “Mmm, I’ll accept that nickname.” He took hold of her chin and tilted her head back for a kiss. “You taste amazing, Lizzie. I think you’ll be my dessert later.”

  Her cheeks darkened to that luscious shade he adored. “O-okay, but only if I get to taste you too.”

  The woman had no idea how fucking hot those words were, especially when spoken so innocently.

  “I will absolutely be taking you up on that,” he promised. “After we eat dinner.” He helped her stand and fix her dress just as the waitress strolled over with a tray of plates.

  “Excellent timing, Jana,” he said with a boyish grin. “That smells amazing.”

  The petite female beamed at him as she started decorating the table with food. “I hope you enjoy, Mister Jayson.”

  “I’m certain we will,” he murmured with a wink. “Thank you.”

  “Can I get you anything else?” The touch of innuendo in her tone should have intrigued him, but it didn’t. Not in the slightest. In fact, it sort of irritated him considering his obvious date, but some women would see that as a challenge. Still, he couldn’t be rude.

  “Not at the moment,” he replied with another grin he knew women adored. “Thank you, though.”

  “You’ll let me know when you’re ready for dessert?” Another insinuation, one that reminded him of his plans later.

  “I definitely will.” He smiled a little too eagerly as a vision of Lizzie sprawled out naked in their bed graced his thoughts. It would be a very pleasurable night indeed. “Thank you, Jana,” he said in a polite attempt to dismiss her.

  “You are most welcome, Mister Jayson.” She flashed him a promising look before flouncing away with her tray, leaving Jayson to shake his head in amusement. The female was pretty enough, but nothing compared to the beauty across from him.

  He unfolded his napkin and eyed the array of dishes on the table. French cuisine was one of his favorites, but his companion didn’t seem nearly as excited by the fare. Odd—she’d been thrilled about the menu when they ordered.

  “What’s up, Red?” he asked, confused by her furious expression. “Why are you glowering at me?”

  Lizzie’s eyebrows rose. “Seriously?”

  Well, that was a response a man never wanted to hear.

  He sipped his water and waited for her to say more.

  “You’re a jerk,” she finally said, throwing her napkin onto the table. “No, I’m sorry; that’s not the right term. You’re a player. Of course, I already knew that. I’m the idiot for thinking this, us, or whatever…” She shook her head. “You know what? Never mind. I’m not hungry.” She pushed away from the table, but he caught her wrist before she could walk away.

  “Sit. Down.” Two words. Softly spoken. Underlined in demand.

  “Or what?” she countered. “You’ll force an orgasm out of me at the table again and later seek the waitress out for dessert?” Her eyes shone with unshed tears as she looked imploringly at him. “I can’t watch what happens next, Jayson. Just…” She sucked in her bottom lip as it trembled. “Please let me go.” The broken quality in her voice undid him.

  “Lizzie—”

  “Don’t, please. I just…” She sniffled, her eyes closing. “I’m fine.”

  He stood and pulled her into his arms because she was very clearly not fine. She stiffened, which both infuriated and shattered him. How had their dinner gone from pleasurable and promising to this?

  And what the hell was she talking about with dessert? Why the fuck would he want that from the waitress when he had Lizzie?

  “You’re going to have to help me out here,” he admitted. “I just finished telling you what I wanted to do to you after dinner, but you’re implying I want the waitress instead. How did you come to that conclusion?”

  She scoffed and tried to push him away. “You can’t be serious.”

  “I’m very serious,” he growled, irritated by her words and antics. He threaded his fingers through her hair and tugged her head back so he could read her expression as he added, “I’ve been nothing but honest with you from the beginning. Yet you’re acting like I’ve deceived you in some way and are saying unflattering remarks regarding my personality, and I want to understand why.”

  She swallowed as the first signs of uncertainty filled her features. Now they were getting somewhere. “You were flirting with the waitress just like you did with the flight attendant,” she said. “In front of me. Like I’m not here.”

  “Flirting?” he repeated, frowning. “I was being polite.”

  “By hitting on them!” she snapped, her fire returning. “I saw the woman on the plane give you her number, and you just promised the waitress to follow up on her offer for dessert, which I know has nothing to do with food. I might be inexperienced and naïve, but I can recognize sexual innuendo, Jayson.”

  “I see.” He debated which point to tackle first and settled on the waitress. “Do you know what I was thinking about when Jana asked about dessert?”

  Lizzie paled. “I don’t want to know.”

  “No?” He arched a brow. “That’s too bad because it was quite the picture in my head and starred you—very naked—in our bed.”

  Her eyes widened. “What?”

  “And as for Rebekah,” he continued, ignoring her confusion. “She gave me her number to pass along to Balthazar, because their preferences in the bedroom are well-suited.” He considered whether or not to add this next part but decided holding back would only harm them at this point.

  “She propositioned us on the plane, Red. It seems threesomes with handsome couples are her thing. I politely turned her down and suggested she reach out to B the next time she’s in Greece.”

  Pink splotches decorated Lizzie’s cheeks as her mouth popped open in surprise. “A threesome?” she whispered, scandalized.

  “Yes, it’s not uncommon. But as I told Rebekah on the plane, I have no intention of sharing you with anyone. Ever.” The words came out with more conviction than he anticipated, but it felt good to admit it out loud. “I won’t even share you with Balthazar.” Those words were for himself more than for her and sent a shock to his heart.

  Jayson never denied Balthazar when he wanted to bed a woman.

  But Lizzie?

  Oh, he would be fucking denying that.

  Jayson’s blood boiled at the thought of B touching his redhead.

  Well, that’s new.

  He always shared.

  Not her.

  “You’re hurting me,” Lizzie said, voice strained.

  Jayson relaxed his arm around her back, as well as the hand in her hair. “Sorry, Red.” He hadn’t meant to squeeze her—or even realized he’d done it. “My mind wandered to something unpleasant.”

  She swallowed and nodded, her brow creasing. “So, um, you didn’t plan to see the flight attendant in Rome?”

  “Of course not. I expected the CRF to find us, though I hoped they wouldn’t. At no point did I intend to see her again, nor do I have any interest in our waitress.”

  “But you agreed to dessert?”

  “Yes, with you,” he murmured, grinning. “If you heard desire in my response, it was not directed toward her, Red. Only you.”

  She pursed her lips, and he could tell she wanted to say something but kept second-guessing herself. When she shook her head and forced a smile, he knew this conversation was far from finished.

  “Say what you need to, Lizzie. Don’t dance around it or hide. I expect honesty between us and will accept nothing le
ss. That’s the only way we’ll ever work.”

  She blinked. “You talk about us like we have a future.”

  “Don’t we?” He searched her beautiful eyes for answers but only saw more questions. “You need to help me out here, Red. I thought you wanted something long-term. Am I wrong?” He had better be right because short-term wasn’t going to work for him. Not with her.

  “What’s long-term to a man of three thousand years?” she asked. “I mean, from what I gathered from your friends, you enjoy bedding multiple women at a time and eating breakfast as a giant group after a night of sexcapades. Oh, and Tristan insinuated that you usually share. So, as the man with all the experience, you tell me—what should I expect?”

  “I don’t know,” he admitted as he combed his fingers through her damp hair. “All my relationships have been ones of an open nature. Eternity is a long time to promise yourself to one person—something all my former long-term lovers understood. They usually took other partners to keep things interesting but came to me when they wanted something familiar, and vice versa.”

  She scrunched her nose and pinched her lips to the side. “Okay, so an open relationship where I sleep with whomever I want and you do too?”

  His stomach twisted at the thought of another man touching Lizzie. “Absolutely not.”

  Her eyes rounded. “But that’s what you just described.”

  “No. I mean, yes, I did, but that wasn’t in reference to us.” He dropped his arm from her waist to palm the back of his neck.

  Why was this so difficult? Jayson understood women, adored them, bedded them all the time, and yet this one had him tongue-tied and irrational. She’d just thrown up the alternative to bed her for as long as he wanted with the option of remaining open, and he’d turned it down without hesitation.

  He needed his head examined.

  Jayson did not do jealousy. He was a free spirit, and her description fit him perfectly—except when it came to her.