Bonds of Fire: The Bellum Sisters 2 (paranormal erotic romance)

by Grey, T. A.

  Draven sent the man an arrogant look. Then he grabbed Lucinda’s hand and the world dissolved around them.

  Chapter 34

  “I said hold on a sec!”

  Jackie tossed back the covers and pulled a robe on as she half-weaved/half-stumbled to the front door. The pounding still didn’t stop. Ready to kill whoever dared to interrupt her sleep, she threw open the door and bared her teeth at her newest victim.

  Thane Vanner did not look impressed with her anger.

  “I need to talk to you,” he said curtly.

  She looked at her wall clock and saw that it was almost three in the morning. “Now?” she said in disbelief.

  He nodded and stepped past her.

  “Um, excuse me. You can’t just saunter in here like you own the place.”

  Ignoring her, he took a seat at her couch. “You said you’d always talk to me if I ever needed it. I’m calling you on that right now.”

  Jackie’s mind struggled to think of when she’d said something so stupid, but then her mind flashed back to the drunken night at the club when he came and got her. And changed her life.

  “Dammit,” she muttered and closed the door. This must be her punishment for trying to get hammered. It wasn’t even something she usually partook in. But of course he’d use that against her. The bastard.

  Instead of taking a seat she stood a good fifteen feet away from him. She’d prefer more distance but her place wasn’t that big.

  “What do you want?”

  He sighed and ran a hand over the back of his neck. He really did look like hell. Dark circles formed shadows under his eyes and he looked haggard from his messy hair to his wrinkled clothes.

  “I can’t sleep. Hell, I feel like I can’t even think straight anymore.”

  With a sigh, Jackie took a seat on the sofa furthest from him. “Why’s that?”

  He pinned her with a glare. His eyes were dark but vibrant. “Because of you.”

  “I can’t fall asleep,” she heard him saying. “And when I do I just dream. Dream, dream, dream. They’re so vivid, so acute that I don’t know if I want to stay asleep or wake up.” He sounded so pained; Jackie had to resist the urge to go to him.

  “Are you having nightmares?”

  He threw back his head and laughed. Frowning, she didn’t think any of this was funny at all. He looked back at her with a sad smile.

  “I dream of you, Jackie.”

  Now it was her turn to laugh though hers held an edge of hysteria to it. She blinked at him, words failing her. She’d never had a man lose sleep over her in her entire life. She’d laugh at the thought that Thane lost sleep over her but deep down she knew...and he knew. The word mate bounced around in her head.

  “Of course, why didn’t I think of that,” she said dryly.

  He ignored her barb. “I’ve dreamt of you for years.”

  Jackie’s eyes shot wide. Her heart fluttered in her chest, started pounding wildly.

  “I used to have these dreams on occasion. Maybe a few times a month. About a redheaded woman coming to me, making love to me. I never really saw her face but it didn’t matter.”

  Jackie snorted and he leveled his piercing gaze on her. It cut her snort short. Jackie wouldn’t know until later that when she lashed out it wasn’t because she was mad, but afraid to see the truth.

  “You only never saw her face because it was unnecessary, Thane. Just another woman in your bed.”

  Anger flared in his eyes, his jaw tightened and it was enough that she looked away from him. In a flash of movement, he was in front of her. He snagged the front of her robe and pulled her up against him. She didn’t struggle, too surprised by his actions.

  “It wasn’t just another woman and you know it. It was you. It’s always been you.”

  She met his hard stare with one of her own. “Liar.”

  His eyes narrowed dangerously, the brown irises darkening to near black. “Don’t push me tonight, Jacquelyn. Don’t make me break my promise.”

  Her stomach tightened with delight—the opposite reaction she wanted to have around him.

  “I didn’t come to you, Thane,” she whispered.

  His hands slid down over her robe, reaching around her back to arch her into him.

  He leaned down and she jerked her head away, her heart racing with fear that he’d kiss her. If he kissed her and then she wouldn’t be able to let him stop. Her resistance had been steadily falling every day. Each touch, each kiss tore at that resistance with the power of a sledgehammer wielded by a giant.

  He didn’t kiss her. His lips touched her ear and said in a voice that brought shivers over her body, “You did in my dream tonight.”

  The heat of his hands warmed her through her thick cotton robe. His caresses were subtle, massaging circles that aroused her better than her own nighttime fantasies.

  “Give us a chance,” he said in that haunting voice that beckoned her to follow him. That said everything would be okay.

  She didn’t try to stop it as her hands ran up the hard expanse of his chest to curl around his hard shoulders. She had to touch him. Had to feel him before she lost all train of thought.

  “I will take care of you. I will love you,” he whispered. He kissed her neck in soft, teasing bites that made her breasts feel heavy and full.

  “It’s not fair.”

  His hands tightened around her, sweeping up and down her back in long comforting motions.

  “I know, baby. I wish I could take things back. I wish I would have been strong enough to chase after you a long, long time ago.”

  Jackie blinked slowly as her mind cleared just a tad from the hazy fog around them.

  “What are you talking about?”

  He nuzzled her shoulder before answering. She hadn’t even realized he’d swept the robe off one shoulder until he did it. He placed a hot, open-mouthed kiss there.

  “You always scared the hell out of me,” he said with a soft chuckle.

  She tried to think. She knew what he was saying was important but his touch kept making her eyes close and her body go lax. Thinking fast, she wrapped her arms around her neck, pulling her in closer to the amazing warmth of his body. She clenched tight to keep her mind focused.

  “What do you mean?”

  Sighing, he trailed his lips across her collarbone to the other side of her neck to give her more of those soft kisses.

  “Strong, confident Jackie. She’d laugh at me if I asked her out. She’d shun me with her eyes before the ‘no’ ever formed from her pretty little lips.”

  Jackie’s heart took a staggering step in her chest. He’d been interested in her this whole time? Her stubbornness was the reason he never...? She quickly tried to deny it, but she couldn’t form the words. They stopped in her throat and a horrible feeling came over her like a dark cloud.

  He was right.

  She wouldn’t have said yes. She’d been too scared...just like she was now.

  Hands tightening in his long, shaggy hair she whispered her fear to him. He squeezed her tight against him with a bone-deep sigh.

  “I know, baby. I know.”

  Then he kissed her, and she didn’t plan on stopping him ever again.

  His mouth took hers with a passion that swept her up and warmed her body down to her toes. Any lingering doubts and fears evaporated like hot water in a snowstorm. She kissed him back just as fiercely. With tongue and lips, they met each other match for match, stroke for stroke. Years of passionate glances, nighttime dreams, and yearning all collided together until they were frantically pulling at each other’s clothes.

  Jackie laughed. They were like two lovers in a race to see who could take off the other’s clothes first. He won. Though, not fair, considering she only wore a robe.

  His hands touched her everywhere, leaving no inch untouched as he molded her to him with husky, satisfied groans.

  “I accept you,” she said.

  His roaming hands stilled against her. His mouth lifted from her br
east; he watched her with a mask of disbelief.

  “You do?” he said in disbelief.

  She nodded and rushed on before she lost all her courage. “You were right. I was always so scared but...I don’t want to be that person anymore, running, hiding from what she wants.”

  Unease flashed across his face. “Even if that means seeing faces of women I...” He stopped, unable to finish the sentence.

  Jackie’s heart seized up at the reminder, but then she relaxed. He was in her home; she was in his arms, and he was her mate. No one could break that bond.

  “Even if,” she said with a small smile. “For someone who prides herself on being strong, I’ve been such a coward.”

  As if unable to help himself, his hands reached down to cup her bare bottom and arch her against him. She had trouble opening her eyes as she grew wet between her legs.

  “Thane, take me. As a mate,” she said huskily.

  He didn’t need any more words.

  Their mouths came together in a passionate mating. Wet lips fused together then swept open for dueling tongues. She pulled down the zipper of his pants and the soft rustling of fabric as they fell was music to her ears.

  She grasped hold of his cock and moaned at the feel of him. He was thick, hot, and so hard in her hand. She couldn’t keep herself from stroking him up and down the rigid staff, just as she’d seen him do in the shower.

  His lips tore away from hers to suck her breast into his mouth. When her back hit the front door, she sighed, her hands eagerly running over the strong bunch of muscles in his back and shoulders.

  “Thane.” Her whisper was like a silken caress to his ears.

  He grunted against her breast then released it. He gave her one last searing look before his eyes traced over her naked body, lingering on her high, full breasts, stomach, and firm thighs before landing on the thin line of hair leading to her sex. His eyes took on a darker light then; his cock bobbed, eager for her.

  “More beautiful than I imagined.” His sweet words brought a flush of pleasure to her cheeks.

  When he grabbed her bottom and lifted her against the door, she went willingly, her legs wrapping around his tight waist. She had only a moment’s hesitation. Should she tell him?

  But then his tongue was working in and out of her mouth again and the hard round tip of him was sliding along her sex. Their moans filled the room as the scent of sex and sweat coated their skin.

  Cock wet with her cream he slid the tip to her entrance and pushed in the barest of inches. Jackie’s eyes flew wide and she wrapped her arms tight around him. He took that as an invitation and buried his head in her neck, giving her sharp bites meant to show her his dominance. It only made her wetter.

  He drove inside her a little more and she felt her channel spreading in a good but strange way. She’d only ever done it with her own fingers, but he was much thicker and hotter. The sensation was erotic and delicious as he pulled back out then worked back in again until he hit a barrier.

  Startled, he pulled back to stare. “Jackie?”

  She blushed crimson. He saw it and smiled softly. The kiss he gave her was sweet and gentle. When he pulled away the vice she held around him loosened some around his shaft.

  “I’ll never forget this gift, Jackie.”

  Then his soft expression transformed into a mask of erotic pain. He closed his eyes hard, gripped her hips in his hands and said, “Hold on baby. I hope this doesn’t hurt much.”

  Then he thrust inside.

  Jackie felt like she was torn apart. Her channel, even slick with need, stretched to a nearly unbearable level, burning and stinging at the intrusion.

  “Thane, Thane, Thane,” she whispered, her head shaking side to side.

  “I’m so sorry, honey.” His hand reached between them to caress her swollen bud in tight, quick circles.

  Jackie gasped as her body tightened with an onslaught that would surely kill her. The burning sensation lessened until it was only a minor ache and so she relaxed her leg’s death grip around his hips. His shoulders sagged with relief and then he was pulling out of her so slowly, dragging through her wet, soft channel.

  He groaned then couldn’t stop kissing her and tasting her as he slowly worked his way back in. And he never stopped working his magic on her clitoris, moving faster and faster. Jackie’s heart raced in her ears, blood pumping so hard. She wanted him to move faster but couldn’t speak as her throat was dry and tight.

  Her fingers curled hard into his back, nails piercing. As if unable to contain himself, he groaned and thrust in a little bit harder. Jackie let out a cry as that thrust curled her toes and hardened her nipples into hard, painful peaks.

  His eyes took everything in and then he was moving harder between her thighs. His thrusts were slow, measured but landed against her with a slapping of flesh.

  Jackie lasted only a few more of those delicious thrusts because then she was blinded by piercing, wonderful pleasure. She shouted, her body tightening everywhere, eyes going blind, and she shuddered around him. Milking, shaking, and crying out as her body burst with hot pleasure.

  Somehow she managed to stay with him and for that she was grateful, because she got to see him lose control. His hands left her sex to grip her ass in a hard grip, then he was thrusting inside her in fast, hard strokes.

  He slid even easier inside her as her fresh cream coated him. Breathing heavy and erratic, he leaned back over her neck and bit her once.

  Skin broke, blood poured out, and then he was mating with her. Jackie never knew, never expected...the incredible amount of pleasure that came with his bite. The heat inside her came back in full force as if this was all leading to one big build up and her previous release was just a tiny scratch on the surface. For a moment, her heart pounded with fear. Could she even survive this?

  But she had no time to think about that question because he pulled back with a husky grunt and said, “Your turn.”

  In the true ritual of shapeshifters mating, Jackie kissed his neck then used the beast’s strength inside her to break his skin. He tasted like he smelled—earthy and rich. She took all that she needed and pulled away as her body tore apart.

  Screams pulled from her throat, deep within her chest as she came and came. He drove into her with a shout, and somehow he rode her through the waves crashing inside her body. He landed deep and jetted hot and thick inside her.

  They were one.

  Jackie had never felt better than she did in that moment. She let him carry her to bed because she couldn’t move. She settled across his bare chest with a sigh and fell asleep in her mate’s arms.

  Chapter 35

  When the world reappeared, they were back in her room at Tyrian’s castle. She spun around taking in her antique chests, canopy bed, and lace draperies hanging from the window.

  She turned to him. “What are you doing?”

  Draven disappeared and returned a minute later with her luggage.

  “Master—I mean, Draven, my lord, please tell me what’s going on. Why am I back here? I never said I’d go with you,” she rushed to add.

  He cut her a sharp look. A look passed over his face like a shield and guilt nagged at her. Had she just hurt his feelings?

  “You are my frimar. You will do what I say.” He looked away. When he looked back at her, his eyes were dark with something she didn’t recognize but it made her heart flutter like a pack of trapped birds in a net.

  “You left me.”

  She retreated before she was aware of what she was doing. Her legs hit the mattress of her bed. She held her hands out before her, pleading.

  “Please, Draven. I truly did not want to leave you. I—”

  He laughed, the sound hard. “But that’s exactly what you did, Lucinda.” Her name was a silken caress from his lips. He took a step toward her, backing her against the bed.

  “I care for you, truly. You must know that after so many years.”

  He gave her a hard look that silenced her. Another ste
p forward and his body brushed along hers.

  “You left me,” he said darkly.

  Helpless she shook her head. “I merely wanted some freedom. I care for you but I need—”

  He silenced her with his mouth.

  Hot hands, passionate mouth touched her, tasted her everywhere.

  He didn’t let her up for air until dawn crept in. Only when her body was a languid mesh. She attempted to talk but the only thing that came out was a yawn. He rolled against her, cradling her back to his front...and she fell asleep.

  When she woke, he was gone.

  * * *

  “I refuse to be treated like this,” Lucinda said softly.

  She sat in a high-back, antique chair facing the fireplace. Even without seeing her eyes, he knew she was sad, angry even.

  He ran a frustrated hand through his hair. Rarely in his life did he not know what to do. He didn’t always make the right choices, but at least he’d made one. But now? He had no idea what to do. He’d stolen her from her escape and kept her locked in her room ever since. It didn’t sit right in his gut at all, but damn if he couldn’t think of anything else he could do.

  If he let her go, she’d run. He knew with absolute certainty that that wasn’t a possibility for him. In a short period of time, she’d managed to get under his skin and take up a permanent living there. If he let her go now...he might never be able to deal.

  She was so unlike his previous frimar. When Charlotte betrayed him, he hadn’t known what to do. A dark part of him had wanted to kill her but had been unable to go through with the deed. So he’d sent her to Tyrian to be disposed of. He hadn’t wanted to know where she’d gone, but he couldn’t deny his curiosity. It was only three weeks before he’d gone to Tyrian to ask about her. He’d said he sent her to a remote vampire clan in the far east of Europe to live. He’d warned them of her knack for attempted murder.

  Draven hadn’t felt better about it. A sick, twisted part of him had still missed her. After all, just because the crazy woman had tried to end his life didn’t stop him from caring about her.

  Because you are a fool!