“If Taylor is ok with it, so am I.” He glanced in Taylor’s direction then back to Liz. “And that would be a yes.”
“Taylor?” Liz looked at her. She could only respond by smiling trying to keep from jumping up and down even though her insides were.
“So Miss Ashley, do you need to do anything special before we head out?”
“Nope, Aunt Liz says I’m toooo gorgeous. I don’t have to worry about anything.” They couldn’t help but chuckle to her response. The things my sister has been teaching them, not just my son, Taylor thought as she turned her attention back to Liz.
“What do you have planned for today?”
“Nothing much, thought I would catch up on some reading. You know the one.” She teased. Oh shit! Immediately Taylor felt it. Damn her, why did she have to do that?
“If I may. I do believe you had a request. Be ready around 7. You have someone coming to pick you up?” Damien explained.
“Oh, wow! That was fast. I guess I have a date as well. Maybe I won’t need that book either.” Winking at Taylor as her mouth curved into a smile. Liz hadn’t looked this excited in a long time. Her face was even flushed.
“Oh boy, it’s gonna take a quadrillion hours to get ready. She has wrinkles.”
“Ashley Paige!” Liz called out holding back her laughter, Damien and Taylor chose to let theirs out. “The things kids say. I better get started. See ya.” She waved to them as she took off, nodding back at Damien as if answering a question.
“Ready!” Zach called out.
“Wow, slow down guys. Give me just a second ok?” She turned to walk toward her room in need of her toothbrush and paste.
“Women.” Zach said causing Taylor to stop in her tracks. She turned only to see Damien, Zach and Ashley talking and laughing. She had never seen another man interact with them the way he was right now. Can I trust him with them? Just as soon as the thought came to her mind she froze. Shit! Damien slowly raised his head and looked over at Liz.
Coldly he stared at her. This Damien frightened her. “Brush your teeth Taylor. You don’t mean that thought.” And he turned his attention back to the twins.
Your right I didn’t. I am so sorry. She stood there for a moment watching as his face softened. She knew that she had just hurt him.
Taylor couldn’t control her brain. After all, she was leaving her kids in the hands of a vampire while she left the room. A vampire that she had only just met. Were they safe? She thought it was a reasonable question.
She finished brushing, slipped off her boots, threw on her nikes and returned. She didn’t see them. She walked to the bedrooms looking, thinking maybe they had taken Damien to one of the rooms to show him. They weren’t there either.
“Ash, Zach!!!” She called out. She didn’t hear anything. She ran for the door jerking it open only to hit a wall of flesh.
“You don’t trust me do you?” His question was blunt. Straight to the point.
She looked around him noting they were riding their bikes. She took a breath of air before turning her eyes back to meet his glare. Black as night eyes burned her. They made a greater level of fear in her raise quickly. She could see he was pissed off and apparently had reason to be.
“I’m sorry. I really am. Just put yourself in my shoes for a minute. I have never left them with anyone, other than my neighbor, just one time and then of course Liz. I don’t have a lot of people to trust with them. I’m sorry.” Please God let that piss poor explanation work.
His eyes softened, allowing his lips to curve slightly. “That piss poor explanation didn’t work, but the prayer to God saying you really meant it did. Come.”
“It’s only 3. What are we going to do?” She asked as the kids parked their bikes and she realized his car was there. How did he drive over so quickly?
“I told you there are many things that I can do and no, I was not sitting there waiting on you to need me either.” He grinned wide before taking her hand in his as he led her to the car.
“I just have to get their booster seats out of my car first.” She loosened her grip in his hand before attempting to walk towards her car.
“Already taken care of. Zach informed me that they have to have them to go anywhere and everyone must wear their seatbelts at all times while the car is started.”
“That’s my Zach. Mr. Protective. You guys ready to have some fun?” She watched as the kids raced to the car getting in and fastened their belts. That was the easiest getting them two ready had been in a long time.
Damien opened the door for her then quickly he was at his side getting in. “So what are we doing today while we wait for the movies?”
Ashley was quick to squeal. “We have to go get something to eat first cuz Damey says you haven’t ate yet.” Taylor raised a brow at him. Damey. He shrugged his shoulders at her, smiling as he backed out of the drive.
Chapter Seven
She listened to the kids and Damien, carry on different conversations. She felt relieved that they seemed to be clicking well. Damien moved his hand over to her leg and squeezed it gently as if saying just relax.
It’s hard for me to relax when I haven’t done this in a long time. I need to know they are ok with you as well.
The feeling of his hands on her, took her back to earlier in the morning. When his hands had done wonderfully, pleasant things to her. She felt herself blushing. Looking over at him, the sly grin on his lips caused her to blush even further.
I wish you couldn’t hear me.
“Not me. Wouldn’t trade it for anything in the world. Well maybe a few things if I had no other choice.” Was his only response as he kept his eyes on the road.
He drove them out to the country and pulled into a long gravel drive. An L shaped large ranch style home at the end. Dark stained outside. Pastures on either side of the white rock drive. White fencing lined the pastures leading to the house.
Several very large horses were in the pasture on the right. The pasture on the left was filled with numerous cattle. Taylor had to wonder did he maintain all of this by himself or did he have hired hands?
The grass in the pasture was short and dead from the wintery season and the summer’s drought. A large bur oak tree was in the center of the circle drive. Taylor found herself completely speechless.
“Where are we?” It’s beautiful. This was the kind of home she had only dreamed about being able to give the kids.
“Dameys gonna teach me to ride a horse!” Ashley squealed out in excitement.
“Ashley it was a secret, you weren’t supposed to tell.” Zach slightly scolded her.
“Sorry.” Poor Ashley, never had been any good at keeping secrets.
“It’s ok. We’re here now, so it’s no big deal.” Taylor glanced over at Damien. He put the car into park and while he was opening her door the kids had already torn off exploring.
“Hey you guys, be careful would ya. Zach keep an eye on her please!” Taylor yelled after them as they paid no attention to what she was saying as usual. That would be the Chase in them by the way.
Damien chuckled. “They will be fine. Trust me.” He led her into the house. Her eyes went wild. It was gorgeous. Ranch style for sure.
“Whose house are we at?” She asked looking around totally mesmerized by the beauty.
“Mine. I have this one and rent the one in town, that you have already seen. And miss.” He smiled that devilish little smile, but his eyes were saying so much more to her.
Taylor felt herself flush. “Are you rich? What was it you do for a living again?”
“I don’t work. My family invested early on in oil. I don’t have to worry about anything. Nor does my brother, who is rather excited about finally meeting Liz by the way.”
Wow! Must be nice she thought.
“It will all be yours as well, very soon.” Turning he handed Taylor a glass of ice tea. Was that a proposal? Again she didn’t mean to think it. She hated the fact that she couldn’t have one thought to herself.
>
“Just breathe Taylor. Time to me is different than you.” She sighed in relief.
“So your brother, he likes her?” He better and he better treat her good.
“He feels the same for her as I do for you.” He led the way to the kitchen as she began to wonder where the kids were.
“Ashley and Zach are both playing with Chance and Strawberry. They are fine. You let them play outside at your house without you being there to watch their every movement. Same goes here Sweet. They aren’t going to get hurt.”
Fine. “Ok, two questions. Who are Chance and Strawberry and how do you know?”
“Chance and Strawberry are my Pits. And I only need to touch someone one time to be able to see what they see through their eyes.”
“PITS! AS IN PITBULLS! ARE YOU FUCKING CRAZY!” She screamed out at him and raced to the door. He was in front of her quickly stopping her.
“Pits are misunderstood animals with a bad reputation, much like another species I know and love. Any animal can be brutal when treated badly or taught to be mean. Do you really think I would endanger their lives or have vicious attack dogs?” His grip tightened on her shoulders causing her to wince slightly. Quickly he loosened them.
“No but, they can turn on you quickly and you don’t have warning. What if they turn? What if they attack?” She explained still panicking trying to get around him to her children.
“Taylor, listen to me. You are standing in a house with a Vampire and you’re worried about a couple of dogs? Trust them like you do me. Just breathe. You’re too tense. I’m going to have to do something about that.”
She felt her anxiety leaving her body as he stared into her eyes. Is my body relaxing or is he using his wonderfully gifted and traitorous gifts on me? Would I even be upset if he were? I know one gift he can use any time he feels obliged to.
“You’re doing it on your own.” His lips curled into that sexy, ‘melt me in my shoes’ smile. Her body responded just as equally as her mind. His eyes darkened. “Close your eyes.” He whispered as he pulled her to his body.
His scent invaded her senses as she turned her face into his chest, taking in his delightfully, addictive, tasteful smell. She immediately began to crave for more of him. More of his touch. More of his smell. More of his explosive giving orgasms. More of her valium.
She no longer was aware of her surroundings, the dogs, and even the twins. It was just her with him. His hands rubbed up and down her back, caressing her gently. She felt her body begin to twitch and ache for him.
Her knees gave out. His arms wrapped around her holding her against him, as an unexpected orgasm rushed through her body straight to her core. She was so caught off guard that she couldn’t breathe, she couldn’t moan, her body had tightened to the max in his arms as the breathtaking wave of pleasure began to leave.
She gasped in the air and her head planted itself into his chest. Her body felt exhausted and wonderfully energized at the same time. She finally gained her bearings again and looked up at his glorious mouth. His eyes were closed as well. Did you feel that to?
His lips opened into a full blown smile. “Every bit of it.” He breathed.
Boom! She tightened again trembling in his arms fighting to breath. Every muscle in her being was tight, excited, torn. Orgasms. Wonderful orgasms. Again she fought to recover from his gifts. This is going to be a very interesting relationship we have isn’t it? He nodded. “So do you just wriggle your nose or something?”
Apparently her question was rather amusing because he belted out into a hard laughter.
Amusing huh? Does this amuse you? She reached out and nipped down on his nipple through his shirt. He groaned and again her inner Goddess was awakened.
“Unless you want the kids to find out about the birds and the bees you better stop and do it now.” His voice was rough, harsh, and aggressive even.
Did I do something wrong? Turnabout is fair play I always thought. I guess not with you. She couldn’t believe it but she found herself pouting because what she thought was innocent fun, pissed him off and had hurt her feelings.
“You misunderstand me.” He reached out and grabbed her hand rubbing her palm over his rock hard ‘ready for me now’ cock. Oh.
“Yeah. Oh! Now that we have that out of the way, shall we grab our lunch and head out onto the patio. You can meet my vicious guard dogs.” He gave her that ‘I’m only joking’ smile then disappeared into the kitchen again. The dogs did make her uncomfortable.
When she reached the kitchen, he had multiple club sandwiches made and on a tray. A pitcher of ice tea. Doritos. She watched as he balanced everything in his hand and on his arms like he had been an experienced waiter at one time or another. She found herself impressed by the odd surprise.
“I’ve never worked a day in my life Taylor. That doesn’t mean I don’t work hard. I work on a ranch that Jarrod and I own together. I run this ranch, that I bought so I could be close to you. Thanks for noticing my awesome skills though, follow me.” He grinned before she began to follow him out onto the patio. The sight before her surprised her. The kids were rolling on the ground with two very large dogs on top of them.
Her heart began beating against her chest at just the sight of it.
“Strawberry, Chance!” He called and as obedient as could be, they were at his feet. “Sit.” He ordered and they did.
“Ok guys, let’s feed Mom shall we? I think she gets a little cranky when she’s hungry.” He teased her. She would have responded but then the kid’s laughter broke her train of thought.
They all sat down while he made each of their plates. He didn’t make one for himself.
Do you not eat any food at all? He shook his head no at her. Do you drink anything?
“Later.” He silently mouthed at her.
She continued with her meal. When she didn’t think she could hold anymore she pushed her plate aside.
“Gosh Mom, eaten lately?” Taylor looked over at Zach, then around the table and all of them were staring at her.
“Sorry guys, guess I was hungry.”
“Can we go play with Strawberry and Chance now Damey?” Ashley put her tiny hands in front of her begging for a yes. Taylor had to admit just how damn cute she was when she would pull out the hard to refuse cards, she so frequently had learned to play.
“It’s fine with me. You better ask your Mom though. I think they scare her a bit.”
“Mom, can we?” Ashley pleaded.
“Come on Mom. Killers aren’t they? They will lick our faces off.” Zach sarcastically put in his two cents.
“Sarcasm will not get you a Hottie Zach. And yes you may go now.” That’s all it took. Chairs flew back and they were running calling for the dogs. The dogs remained where they were until Damien gave them their cue. They shot after the kids. Taylor watched, her heart surprised with feeling and overcome with emotion.
Staring at them, watching them closely was nerve easing for her. Although they were large, full of muscle dogs, they were very tender and gentle with them. They had both wanted a dog for so long but Taylor couldn’t see adding another being into their screwed up chaotic life.
“It’s a beautiful thing just sitting back and watching with no worries in the world isn’t it. You know you don’t have to worry about anything while you’re with me. You safe, your kids are safe. Only pleasure if you allow it.”
She turned looking at him expecting him to be looking back at her but instead he watched the twins. He stood making his way over to them. Grabbing Ashley’s hands he began to spin her in circles, until both of them fell to the ground, with her landing on top of him breaking the fall. The sound of her high pitched laugh filled the air around them.
Zach raced over with his hands out and making it very well known it was now his turn. Damien jumped up, spinning him the same as he had Ashley, with the same result. Their laughter echoed in the air. Emotion overtook her in ways she had never known before.
She wanted to cry, laugh, and join i
n at the same time. She chose to sit back and watch as Damien played. She needed to know that they would be ok with Damien in their lives. She needed to see that Damien was ok with them in his life.
How he was going to play a part, was the question of the day. How was this going to happen? A vampire living with humans. Will he age? Will he die one day? If the movies and books are incorrect what do I know about him really?
Her mind came to a halting stop as Ashley pulled at her sleeve. “Mommy, Damey said he has a swimming pool and we can go swimming. Come on Mommy lets go. We want to swim.”
Taylor hesitated. “We can’t go swimming it is too cold out Silly.” Ashley looked at Damien. He didn’t say a word just held his hand out to her smiling. Her hand looked so small, fragile in his as he guided her. Taylor stood following them from a distance. So many times had she been out and seen this very same picture and longed to see it with her kids. It was finally happening.
Into the house, through several doors, into a wide open room, surrounded by glass, they went. The largest swimming Taylor had ever laid her eyes on, centered in the room. On one end it was shallow enough she could see the bottom. On the other end the water was a deep blue, with no bottom in sight.
“They don’t know how to swim good Damien. They can only doggy paddle.” I’m trying not to ruin this for them but the depth of the water frightens me terribly.
“Ashley you take Momma in this room and Zach and I, will go in this one. Pick you out something to wear ok and can you help Mommy find something to?”
“Oh yeah. I got this Damey.” He chuckled as she ran to grab Taylor’s hand pulling her towards the door. Taylor took note of the ceiling. Glass, vaulted, very high.
“Ok, Ok, short stack, I’m coming.” She pulled as forceful as her little body would let her, towards the door Damien had pointed to.
“Come on Mommy.” She pulled, jerking Taylor’s arm. They entered the room and found swimsuits laid out on the benches. Taylor wondered if he had planned this all along. Ashley reached for her suits. “Look, three of em Mommy.” Her eyes were lit up like the Fourth of July. She picked out the pink Dora two piece and started changing quickly.
Swept Away: The First Bloodline Page 8