“Ah, don’t look so worried, my dear girl. Braden won’t drink you dry! He’s generally good about keeping the blood off the carpets as well.” The toad captain laughed. He waved his hand and wandered off into the crowd.
Kira looked at the captain’s retreating back and then to Braden. “Excuse me? I’m not following him. Was that a joke or something? Because I think he just said you were going to drink from me.”
Braden stiffened and he cleared his throat uncomfortably as he glanced around to room. Finally, his blue gaze bore into her. He leaned into her, saying softly, “I tried to tell you, love, but you didn’t want me to speak.”
“Tell me now, love,” Kira demanded, pulling back from his arm. The word love hardly sounded affectionate the way she spat it at him, but she didn’t care. She looked at him coldly, taking in his pale face with a growing sense of alarm.
“I’m supernatural.” His words were light, relaxed.
“What?” Kira shot, trying to fully grasp the situation and failing. “You do silly little magic tricks or something?”
“No, I’m a vamp—”
Braden didn’t get the whole word out before Kira’s body convulsed. She gagged violently, as if she would throw up on him. That’s why the night they met was so fuzzy. That’s why she’d fallen so readily into his arms. He’d mesmerized her, was still trying to mesmerize her. She shook her head, forcing him out of her mind so she could think clearly.
Kira gasped in horror, spitting on the floor in disgust. She’d let that monster touch her, she’d let him inside her. Without stopping to think, she ran to look for Clare. Suddenly, it was she who wanted to jump off the ship and swim for shore—or gladly die trying.
Chapter Four
Kira scrambled up the stairs, only tripping twice in her attempt to distance herself from the vampire she’d allowed inside her. Her body still ached for his touch and her mind raced with the memory of him buried deep within her. She clasped her hand over her mouth and ran to the side of the boat, sure that she was going to be sick. Heat flashed through her body and she suddenly felt very dizzy.
She clutched desperately at the railing, not wanting to fall off the port bow. It would be her luck to foolishly pass out and plummet to her death on a cruise she hadn’t intended to be on. It wasn’t supposed to be a mixed cruise! No supernaturals on board. She’d double-checked with the travel agency before signing for the package deal, afraid of this very thing happening. The woman had assured her that only humans would be onboard this vessel. Kira made a mental note to kick her travel agent’s ass if she ever made it off the ship alive.
“What would make such a beautiful, passionate woman so terrified of the supernatural?” Braden’s deep voice asked from behind her.
Kira sucked in her breath, holding it, hoping beyond hope that she wouldn’t scream or jump overboard in fear. She knew she should have kept running, should have known that he would track her easily. That’s what his kind did. They tracked and hunted humans. They didn’t discriminate. They didn’t care if the human was an innocent or even just a child. No, they killed without pity or remorse.
Shaking her head slightly, she refused to answer him. A delicate whimper sounded in the back of her throat. He didn’t need to know that her parents had been slaughtered by a pack of rogue vampires, or that she’d been the one to find their mutilated bodies. No, that little bit she’d keep to herself.
“So that is what happened. I had wondered. Do not blame me for the actions of others. It is wrong to lump all vampires in with the ones who caused you such pain. It is against our very code to harm the innocent. We prey on criminals and evildoers and have a steady supply of willing donors. Do not think for a moment, Kira, that I would ever harm you as they did your parents. If it is within my power, I will not rest until every last one of the monsters responsible for your family’s death is destroyed. It is my sworn duty to protect you and that is not a responsibly I take lightly.”
How dare he read her? How dare he presume that he could invade her thoughts the way she had allowed him to invade her body? She spun around to yell at him. The dizziness that threatened her senses washed over her, making her knees weaken.
There was no time to even eke out a small cry of protest as Braden’s strong, cool arms wrapped around her. He pulled her up into his chest, enfolding her within a protective embrace. His lips met hers, stopping any protest she might have uttered. His mouth was cool at first, but seemed to warm slowly as he worked against her.
Kira pressed her lips tightly together and pulled back, refusing to open her mouth to him. He fitted his full length against her body, as hard as steel. The firm line of his erection seemed almost to pulse along her stomach. All too well, her body remembered its length, its texture, its intoxicating power. She looked into his captivating blue eyes, watching as they filled with what looked like pain a second before they began to swirl. She beat hard against his chest, trying to hurt him. “No! No, let go of me. This can’t be happening. You’re dead! A walking corpse! I don’t want to be with you. I don’t want to be touched by you ever again. Just let me go!”
Braden tightened his hold on her and held her with his gaze. He trapped her to him, forcing her back to the rail so she couldn’t escape. Something tugged on her insides, pulling her body into a state of arousal. She knew enough about vampires to know that Braden tried to seduce her mind, to mesmerize her to his will. She couldn’t allow him to do that. She’d fight him and then she’d get off this godforsaken bloodsuckers’ cruise if it was the last thing she did.
“You’re not going anywhere, not until we talk about this in a reasonable way,” Braden said, his lips brushing hers as he spoke, causing her lids to grow heavy. Almost instantly, her panic melted and she had an odd sense of safety. “You had no problems with me prior to finding out what I was. As I recall, you rather enjoyed fucking the ‘cabin boy’.”
“Stop it! You…undead…walking mummy! Get away from me!” Kira just knew he was using his mind tricks on her and tried to shake him off. “You’re probably some poor vampire con artist who tries to pick up women and then kills them when you get their cash!”
Braden chuckled. “Are you always this dramatic?”
“I’m not dramatic!” Kira pressed her lips tightly together, daring him to disagree.
“Hum,” he drawled, disbelievingly. “I would think that you would be pleased to find out that I am no cabin boy. I am certainly no con artist searching for a meal ticket. In fact, I do not doubt that I could purchase several of these cruise ships for you this very evening and it would not make a dent in my bank account.”
“I don’t care, I—”
Braden rocked his hard cock against her, sending a shockwave of desire over her treacherous flesh and shutting her up.
Kira huffed and struggled to free herself from his strong grip. “I’d never have been with you if I’d known what you are. You did something to me, something that made me want you like that. I wouldn’t have let you touch me if I’d have known you were truly a monster!”
“You knew, Kira. Some part of you knew that I wasn’t human and liked it. I only took away your apprehension so you could act on instinct. I didn’t take away your choice. You chose me, Kira.” His gaze darkened in torment. “Besides, it is I who should be disgusted. I do not come from a line that condones mating with mortals.”
She couldn’t believe the nerve of him—making her out to be the repulsive one when he had a liquid diet and was in some bizarre state of perma-preservation. Braden snickered and she knew he listened in on her thoughts again. She focused on blocking him out. In her mind, she pictured a wall and hoped that the visual aid would help her block his mental intrusions.
Braden ran his tongue along the edge of her bottom lip, causing her lids to flutter lazily over her eyes. Kira responded with a weak moan. Her tongue found his. It was the first real kiss they’d shared. She’d needed sex so bad in the cabin that she hadn’t bothered with a kiss. She hadn’t even bothered with a n
ame. No, she’d gone straight for the grand prize.
Braden moved his hands to the top of her leather dress. He slid one of the straps down, pulled his lips back from hers and planted a tiny kiss on her shoulder. Her feet no longer touched the deck. Braden held her as if she weighed nothing, keeping her body tight against him. Her total lack of control over the situation was terrifying. She looked around for help, for anyone, but found nothing.
“Ah, my sweet,” he murmured between soft kisses to her skin, “the others will feast upon the willing donors until dawn. We are very much alone. You have nothing to fear. I will always protect you.”
Braden’s accented words ran through to her core. Kira fought hard to regain her thoughts. She was so confused and she didn’t like it. He made her want him. He had to be using his vampire tricks to induce seduction and she was falling for it. He chuckled as he licked her collarbone.
“You are a stubborn one, aren’t you? On my word,” he murmured. “I am not using any of my powers on you, not any more. I only did that to help you, Kira. I wanted you to see how perfect we could be together, how we were meant to be. I swear I didn’t take away your free will. I don’t wish to control you. What you are feeling for me now is normal for a mate to feel, or at least that is what I have been told. You see, you are the first, the only mate for me.”
It was Kira’s turn to laugh. She wasn’t buying his story. There was no way that someone as hot as he had been a virgin prior to meeting her.
Placing his hand in her hair, he pulled gently on it, forcing her head back more. She looked into his blue eyes and saw the faintest hint of amusement still lingered. “I did not say I was a virgin, Kira. In fact, I am far from it. You do not live as long as I have and remain celibate. Sex is one thing. Passion is another completely. I said that I had never mated before.”
“You’re not mated now,” she said, though a part of her knew his words were true.
“You belong to me now, Kira, or at least you will very soon. And I belong to you, for all eternity. We are mated.”
“I’m no man’s property and I certainly am no vampire’s.” Kira’s voice was stern. “I didn’t ask for you. I don’t want you. And I hate to poke holes in your logic, but humans don’t live for an eternity. You best go find someone else to fulfill your cozy little fantasy with. I don’t feel like playing house—well, crypt—with a dead guy. My life is too short, vamp boy. I’m going to go live it up—without your help. There has to be a male human aboard this vessel that wants nothing more than to have a good time.”
Braden yanked her dress down more, freeing her breasts from their confines. Kira gasped. The cool night air struck them and her nipples instantly puckered. Lifting her hands, she tried to cover herself. The challenge in his eyes stopped her. She dropped her hand to her sides and met his gaze.
Braden licked his lips, grabbing onto the rail with one hand to keep her trapped. He moved his fingers to her breast, but did not touch it. He hovered around it, teasing it with his power. Every nerve in her chest pulled to him as if he caressed her deeply. Blood rushed to his call, engorging her, making the soft globes swollen and tender. Kira moaned as cream built between her thighs.
“N-no,” she murmured, very unconvincingly. Her mouth fell open as she gasped raggedly for breath.
“Say you didn’t mean those words,” he demanded. “Tell me I’m the only one for you.”
“No!” She groaned, and wiggled her body restlessly toward him.
Braden slid his finger over her nipple and tweaked it slightly. Still, she held back from him, fighting the passion that threatened to consume her body. He bit playfully at her jaw line, then her neck. His sharp teeth scraped lightly over her tender skin.
Visions of her horrible past came flooding back to her. She cried out in fear and tried to push him off her. “Stop! Just stop it!”
“Why? I can tell it excites you. Inside, you’re screaming for me to bite into you.” He held tight, never hurting her, only kissing her, pleasing her, making her body crave the feeling of him in it again. “I can smell your longing for me. Its sweet fragrance is in your blood, in the wet juices of your body. Why are you resisting?”
“Ah!” Kira cried out as Braden worked his fingers up her skirt, pulling it until she was fully exposed. “Please, Braden.”
“No panties, what a naughty girl. I like that.” Braden reached forward, forcefully pressing his long fingers into the trim thatch of hair between her thighs. He delved boldly into her wet folds, parting her. A groan escaped his lips. “Just like silk. Spread your legs for me so I can feel deeper. I think that I’ll need to have my cock in you very soon. Now, do as I tell you to.”
Kira didn’t take kindly to being ordered, but her legs obeyed. He thrust two fingers up into her, causing her to quake with pleasure. Her body released a torrent of cream, flooding his hand. He circled her clit with his thumb, rubbing deeply at the sensitive bud of pleasure as he worked his fingers deep and fast. The power in his hand made her tingle as he claimed her. He devoured her neck with his kisses, licking and sucking at her as he leaned to capture a nipple between his teeth. A bead of blood drew from the round globe and the suction of his mouth intensified, as he drank from her, taking all he could of her breast into his mouth. When he groaned, the pleasure of the sound reverberated throughout her whole being.
“Please,” Kira whimpered softy, unsure what she was begging for exactly. Part of her wanted Braden to slam her legs apart and drive his cock deep within her; another part wanted to run from him. She felt him everywhere—in her mind and body. He connected to her, controlled her, seduced her and she didn’t want any of it to stop.
“Please what?” Braden’s words were feverish as he left her pulsing groin and tightly grabbed hold of her ass. Lifting her up, he set her on the top rail. The ocean churned dangerously behind her but she didn’t care. She was thrilled with the danger of it, of him.
“Make love to me.” Kira roughly wrapped her legs around him, her decision made. “Ah, just fuck me now!”
Braden slid one hand behind her back and the other between her legs. Positioning his tall body between her thighs, he spread them even further, causing her dress to move up and over her hips. Once more, there was nothing between them. Braden dipped a cool finger into her soaked channel, able to push deeper now that she allowed him access. A wide grin settled on his pale, handsome features.
Kira gasped as he plunged two fingers deep within her, hitting that spot in her body that felt so painfully right. He forced himself in and out of her, causing her to moan as he finger-fucked her. It was as if he could read her body, knowing just where to stroke, how hard to push. He undulated his hand faster and harder against her, the thumb pushing at her clit. She clung to the rails for fear of falling overboard. Her hips couldn’t move, only take what he gave her.
Braden increased the pressure on her back and brought his lips within a hairsbreadth of hers. “Trust me, Kira. I will let no harm come to you. I will always protect you—always. You are mine now. Forever.”
Kira did trust him. She wasn’t sure why, but she did. Braden’s penetrating blue gaze begged her to believe him. She wanted him like she’d wanted no other before him. She nodded her head slightly and he pulled his fingers from her wet pussy. He brought them to her lips and his gaze glittered with raw need.
Kira took his fingers into her mouth, boldly meeting his gaze his as she sucked the taste of her own cream from him, lapping it up with her darting tongue. Tiny animal noises released from her throat. He wore an approving look as he watched her.
“I want to taste,” he growled, ripping his fingers from her soft lips and crushing his mouth to hers. He licked her lips, sampling the cream from them. He sucked against her mouth, groaning like a wild beast. She bucked against him, eager for him to join with her.
Braden jerked his head back and, for a moment, Kira thought she would fall over the edge. He smiled and glanced down at his black dress pants. Her gaze drew to the bulge of his cock.<
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“I must let you go, only long enough to free myself. My body burns to be in you, every part of you. I have the taste of you upon my lips and I need to merge with you now. Tell me that you want this,” he said, sliding his pants down, freeing his long, hard shaft. He gripped it with one hand and pumped. Each pass of his strong fingers over the mushroom head sent chills throughout Kira’s body. She didn’t think it possible, but he grew larger with each firm stroke.
She shook her head no but every part of her wanted to scream yes. She wanted to yell at him to fuck her until she couldn’t walk, to take her anyway he could get inside her, but she didn’t. She sat, half-naked on the railing, clutching to Braden’s strong arms for fear of falling. “I don’t understand this, Braden. I need time to think.”
“Do not lie to me, Kira. I can sense lies and they disgust me. We both know that you want me,” he said, stroking his cock harder and faster, “buried deep in you. Don’t you, love?”
“Not out here, someone will see us.” She was convinced that they would be the sideshow on the cruise from hell if they continued on their current path, and she didn’t feel like being the porn star in a vampire production. Already she felt too exposed.
“Where did my adventurous little vixen go?” He chuckled lightly. “I have already told you that the other guests will be snacking until dawn. Besides, the ship is mystical and if it wants us to have alone time, then we shall have alone time.”
Kira wrinkled her nose a bit. Her gaze kept drifting over him to where his hand rested on his hard shaft. “What do you mean mystical?”
Braden sighed. “Do we have to discuss this now? I would much rather make love to you,” he said, moving the head of his cock near her opening. She knew that her pussy glistened with moisture, wanting him to enter it, to fuck it—fuck her.
Even though her body ached to have him in her, she needed to hear why they’d been brought together. She needed to understand why her attraction for a man she’d only met a few times was unlike any she’d ever known before. It wasn’t like she lacked in experience. And it definitely wasn’t like she’d never fallen head over heels in lust with a man before, but Braden was different.
Pleasure Cruise Page 8