Swept Away: The First Bloodline

by Crystal Smith

  "What did you promise her?" Answer me damn you! You can't say something like that and then just leave the girl hanging.

  "Calm down. I'm so not leaving you hanging." He smiled and she knew what he meant and he definitely didn't leave her hanging in the least little bit. "It's not bad entirely."

  "Entirely? Entirely!!! Tell me." Jesus, are you trying to give me a heart attack or just scared the shit out of me over and over tonight?

  "She asked me if I had a brother. I told her yes. So I kind of have to introduce them. But it doesn't really matter because it was only a matter of time anyways."

  That's it she thought. She looked at him puzzled as hell. She didn't understand why he seemed to think of that as a bad thing. "You make it sound like it's a bad thing. Is he a convict, married, gay, ugly, fat,? Come on I could go on forever here." She giggled feeling relief that it was nothing. Everyone had family members that embarrass them but come on. Really, this much anxiety was uncalled for her so she thought.

  "If only you knew you wouldn't think it was uncalled for." His voice fell to a whisper. She watched his reaction. Did I irritate him?

  "I'm not irritated, Sweet."

  "Stop that. I told you, I can handle you reading my mind, I can even handle you controlling my emotions but damn, at least let my thoughts be just that thoughts. Even if you know."

  His smiling was settled to her. "Agreed."

  He rolled off to the side of her pulling her closely to him. She snuggled in to him. But she began to wonder why his body was so chilled when hers was on fire. She felt like she had been just engulfed by flames.

  "If you’re too cold, I can move. I won't be upset."

  "I said let my thoughts be them please." Damn men. Never listen.

  His snicker was atmospheric changing itself. She still had questions, very weird questions but they could wait until morning. Her cheek rested on his chest and she was briefly aware that she couldn't hear his heart beating, but sleep graced her with its heavy presence.

  Chapter Four

  She woke stretching from the night of uninterrupted sleep. Sleep that she hadn't had in all the years since Chase and left her. She took a deep breath and turned over reaching for his pillow.

  The feel of the sheets, the blanket, and the smell reminded her she wasn't at home. Her eyes opened, scanning the view. And then she remembered Damien. Definitely wasn't a dream she thought. She took the sheet under her arms raising up and looking around. The room was dark except for a small amount of light coming through the window.

  She looked at her watch.11:20am. Oh Shit!

  She stood quickly fishing out her cell from her purse and jumping back in bed covering herself the sheet.

  Liz,

  Had an amazing night. Be home shortly. So sorry I didn't call you. I have so much to tell you. I'm sure your inquisitive mind is wanting to know. He's amazing, insatiable, has these amazing gifts that I would love to tell you about but you wouldn't believe me. I could keep going on and on forever but I won't. Both me and my inner Goddess thank you and love you!

  Tay

  "It's okay, I've called her, spoken with Liz and she said I could keep you forever and ever. I think I might have to take her up on that offer."

  She what!

  Liz,

  Furthermore, I am not anyone to keep permanently. Funny ha ha. I can't believe you talked to him before I did this morning.

  Tay

  "Sorry." He laughed. "I couldn't help myself. I wanted to see how long it would take you to text her again. She did however give me her number and I had to call her first thing this morning. I told her you were sleeping. She said to let you sleep as long as you wanted."

  Oh. Your eyes! She looked at him waiting for her answer. He stared back at her. Waiting, mentally urging him to answer her question that she knew he'd heard. Again he only stared back at her.

  "I have to know. Your eyes, they were, were red. Why, how, I don't,,,?"

  "How about we start with coffee and we go from there."

  She breathed out from his relaxing tone. "Okay. Coffee sounds wonderful."

  She didn't do that. She just kept staring at him. She knew he knew what she wanted but he hadn't offered to turn around so she could get up and dressed. She smiled at him. His eyes teased her igniting a fire inside her as he leaned against the door frame crossing his arms and ankles.

  Either come back to bed with me now, or turn around so I can get dressed. What will it be Buster?

  She couldn't help but tease him back. Although, if he wanted to come back to bed, she would've been more than happy to turn her words in to action.

  "I do love a woman who speaks what’s on her mind." He laughed loudly as he turned around. His back to her, but she could strangely feel his eyes on her while she dressed.

  "Okay, ready."

  He turned back towards her and slowly walking closed the gap between them. Her breath caught as he lowered his mouth to her, kissing her gently, brushing his lips across hers ever so slowly. "Good morning Sweet." He whispered and gripped her hand, leading her into the kitchen.

  Beautiful. Dark-colored, blended marble countertops, went perfectly with the stainless steel appliances. An island in the center of the room that angled on each end back. The smell of coffee lingered in the air.

  "How do you like it?" And before she could answer he was putting sugar and cream in it and she wondered how he knew because she hadn't even had a chance to think it.

  "You did and didn't. All the questions and answers can be heard before you hear them. They are all there within that sexy head of yours."

  "How long of you have these,,," Her mind jolted to something more serious. Is this more than a one nighter?

  "Yes?" He grinned. She raised an eyebrow at him as she sipped the coffee he just handed her. Delicious, hot, steamy, creamy and sweet. Just like their sex she thought.

  "Sweet, with thoughts like that, you'll never get out of here." His voice deepened and she knew that he thought the same.

  "I wouldn't complain." She was serious. How would that be such a bad thing? Mind blowing orgasms with a flick of his gift. No complaints would be heard from her.

  "One, your kids would miss you. You would miss them. Taylor, there are things that I'm going to tell you that you're gonna find hard to believe. Are you sure you want to ask these questions? Here? Today?"

  "Yes. I can handle it. I know last night appeared like it, but it just caught me off guard. I was expecting it." Come on spill the beans already.

  "You're not going to expect the answers to your questions either."

  "Try me. One question first. You love or hate?"

  His face relaxed from a hard line, to smooth, easy, and flawless. "Love. I only love Taylor."

  "Good. So, your eyes, they were red. One minute they are the darkest brown that I've ever seen, then green, then black, and then red. How do you do that?"

  "They change with my mood."

  Okay. You can hear what people think. Feel what people feel. Control their emotions. Give oh my God orgasms. And now your eyes change to reflect what mood you’re in.

  "Well, they are dark most of the time. Turning when I'm upset or worried. Greener when I'm excited about something. Red when I am full of feelings. Those can be anger, rage, and you seen last night, the most wonderful feeling when I orgasm. It’s intense."

  Taylor blushed. She couldn't believe she was having this conversation. "Okay, how long have you been able to do these gifts?" She was interrupted by the sound of her cell alerting her to the text. "Excuse me."

  Tay,

  You so owe me big time. I knew it would be an awesome night for you. As a matter of fact I knew he would be awesome. If he is attractive everywhere else? Do tell when you get home. Take your time. Me and the kids are watching cartoons having a ball. I told them you had to go and work today. I didn't think you wanted me to tell them that you are out, getting laid. LOL! Don't worry about anything. I got this. Love you and your inner Goddess back. ROTFLMAO! />
  P. S. You should really name your Goddess something else. I did. Mine's Georgia. As in Georgia peach, sweet as pie. LOL

  Liz

  Liz

  I'm sitting here having a strange conversation with Damien. I will get back with you later. I may not owe you anything after all. TTYL. Still love you not sure of the Georgia peach idea. We'll get back to you on that one. Maybe.

  Tay

  "How long?" She asked.

  "For a very, very long time." He smiled moving away from her and looking out the window.

  "Does it bother you to answer my questions?" She didn't want to cause any pain. Lord knew she didn't and still didn't want to talk about losing Chase.

  "No, not with you. I fear the truth will scare and push you away. I have only finally found you."

  "What do you mean by that? You have only found me."

  "My mate. What you call soul mates. We can have relationships of many kinds. But we can only feel the one person that we are drawn to. Imprinted with."

  Imprinted? Your kind? Can I ask that?

  "Yes. You can ask that. You can ask me anything as long as you keep an open mind and forget anything that you have seen in the movies or read in books. All of that is false and true but it's different."

  She could see the struggle inside him. As if he was searching for the right words or if he was searching for the strength to tell her something he didn't really want to.

  "Your kind? What is you were kind?" She was scared out of her mind right now but she had to know. And why was her brain craving such answers when she should be running for the hills by now? She thought as she waited for his answer.

  He walked towards her taking the coffee out of her hand and setting it down the counter that she stood by. He held both of her hands, against his chest now. She searched his face for the answer but it was blank.

  "Vampire." She watched his eyes turn incredibly dark.

  Why? Really? Whatever. This is a joke. She saw him roll his eyes.

  "Think about it Taylor. I can read your mind. I can control your emotions. I move quicker than you can see. My oh so magical touch in your favor, of course. There's so many things I can do. I want to show you. I need to know that you are okay with this though."

  "Vampire. Okay Mr. Vamp! Do you want to suck my blood?" She said it with the best Dracula accent she could give while laughing. But the look on his face was almost painful and her laughter stopped

  "Taylor, you know the answer to that question. Do I want to suck your blood? Yes. Very much so. But I won't. I don't suck the blood from life. That is not how I choose or have chosen to live if you will."

  He pushed her hands to his chest. "Feel me. I'm cold. I have no heartbeat. Come on Tay, your nurse you can put two and two together." He let go of her hands and walked away, back to the window.

  "Sunlight. You're standing in sunlight. I thought…"

  "What did you think? I would burn up in the flames or something? No that's just a myth. I very much enjoy the sunlight. As much of the movies and books have displayed me, I don't appear to be diamond made, I won't burn, I'm not going to turn into a pile of ash. I am just the same as you in that aspect."

  "If you don't suck blood from the living how do you eat?" She still wasn't buying this, but she could play along for now. There had to be an explanation for the cold skin, no heartbeat, well she couldn't feel it through his chest anyway and his abilities. A lot of people have abilities and that didn't make them a vampire she thought.

  Bing. Again she is interrupted by text.

  Tay,

  What kind of conversation would be so bad to make you not thankful for you having incredible sex? It was incredible wasn’t it? Let me know something. Do I need to make a fake emergency phone call? Love you always!

  P. S. How about destiny? As then it is our destiny to come as many times as we possibly can. LMAO

  Liz

  Georgia/Liz,

  No emergency phone call needed at this time thank you. Will let you know all about it when I get home. Maybe a little longer than expected. TTYL love you back always

  Tay/?

  "Sorry. Where were we? Oh, yes vampire."

  "This isn’t a game to play Taylor. I live off of animals, or blood banks. There are a few gracious donors." His voice was startling now.

  "Donors as in people who let you suck the blood from them? Why in the hell would they let you do that? Is it painful?" And just as her ‘dumb me up’ drink wore off, she now understood what he meant in the alley involving his supper.

  "Yes people volunteer willingly to be donors. It's their way of being somewhat in world we live. A thrill for them if you will. I have in the past used a donor, and again I don't choose to live like that. And, I wanted to get a scent of what smelled appetizing to me. You know like Italian, French, or American." He chuckled softly and she couldn't help but smile at his use of metaphors in his choice of meals. Then she couldn't believe that she had just referred to her race as the choice of meals.

  "So you have fangs then? Well show them to me?" If you want me to bite, you're gonna have to prove this one and show me your bait.

  "Only if you will start to take this conversation seriously. I mean I know it's a lot to take in. But trust me, I'm telling you the truth and don't fear me."

  "Okay, I will and won't." Get your vampties out of a wad. She smiled sweetly at him as he arched an eyebrow before turning his stare back out the window.

  Reaching up he grasped the dark blue curtains and closed them, turning the room now pitch black. Swift movement and the light was turned on, she turned looking behind her and there he was by the light switch. She blinked and of course again there he was standing in front of her. She took a step back but his hands were quickly on her arms pulling her back to him.

  "I'm sorry. You startled me." She admitted it. After all she had no choice.

  "It's okay Sweet. Are you absolutely, one hundred percent, positively ready for this?"

  She took a breath and half expected nothing, yet somehow knowing she was about to see the truth. "Yes." She let out the air that she had just taken in, lowering her eyes to his mouth.

  He opened his mouth and slowly his eye teeth began to grow. They pressed into his lower lip causing just a small indention. She inhaled air deeply. She couldn't help but want to touch them. Her mouth open slightly, partly in disbelief and the other part arousal. Something about this was sexy as hell for her.

  Her fingers moved up slowly and she could see his eyes close as her fingertips brushed over his fang. The tip was very sharp needle sharp. She was careful as she ran her finger over it. They were slender but strong. She couldn't believe what she was seeing. It was real. Very real. And that meant if he was then there were others.

  Her heart was pounding and now she was terrified. But not of him. Were the others like him? Or were they like in the movies?

  "No Taylor, they are not all like me. My family is. For the most part we all are. But there are a few that choose to live off human life. They choose to live in complete darkness. Like any species, there's good and bad. There's nothing that we can do about the ones that choose to act as they do. And you're not afraid of me because you know you don't need be."

  "Why did you tell me this? And why last night?"

  "Because you are my mate. I know this is difficult to believe. But it is true. I loved you before you were born. There's always been a connection from you to me. I just had to wait. I couldn't come to you before because it was too dangerous. Then when I thought it was safe, you were marrying Chase, happy. So I had no choice but to wait again."

  "Wait? For what?" And then she realized what he meant. Chase was why he waited. If he could feel what she was feeling, hear what she heard, then he knew about Chase and he could've warned them. He could've helped her. He could've taken it all away and instead he left her to suffer. On her own. For six God unblessed years! She had been living that day over and over again and he could've taken it away.

  Tears raided h
er eyes. Her breathing grew heavy. Her chest once again tight. Her heart pounded uncontrollably. She even felt faint. Quickly she sat on the floor with her knees pulled tight into her chest. Her head tucked in low.

  His hands were on her shoulders immediately. "Are you okay? Taylor I think this is been enough for one day. Let me give you some water." And then she was in his arms and by the table. She stared into his eyes at his blurred face. She blinked repeatedly trying to clear the tears so she could see him clearly.

  Slowly he sat her down into the chair. "I'll be right back." And all she seen again was a blur and he was by the sink holding a glass filling it with water. Then was back in front of her kneeling so that his face was face-to-face with hers, giving her the water.

  I have so many questions. I need some answers. I don't know where to begin. Why? Why didn’t you do something? Why couldn’t you help me? Why didn’t you do anything?

  "So when you said you just had to wait, you mean you had to wait for Chase to die? Then you had to wait for me to be ready to meet again. Or something. You could've taken it all away for me. If you felt the way I felt, heard what I heard, did you hear me scream and cry, hurting, dying? Did you feel that?" Her anger was building waiting for his answer as she choked up the words in the scream.

  "No. Not for Chase to die. You to be ready for me. When I found out you had married, I accepted the fact that I would forever be alone. You loved him and he loved you. You were happy. I could live with that because that is what you wanted. I didn't know Chase would die. I didn't know he was sick.

  "I learned of his sickness the same time you did. Not a second sooner. There was nothing I could do about that. As far as the pain you went through, I couldn’t interfere with that either. I know you don't understand, and you're mad. Hell, I’m mad because your mad. You’re gonna have to believe me when I say, it wasn't exactly easy for me either.