He had to have her, to claim her for his own.
Looking into her sapphire eyes, he ached for more than just sex. He needed love, but a woman like her wouldn’t accept his life.
Besides, would he even be able to trust again after what happened with Elise?
His body tensed and he clenched his fists, overwhelmed with the urge to find that son-of-a-bitch Rosenbaum. His vision narrowed for hunting mode, threatening to black out everything except his prey.
But his target wasn’t there. He couldn’t allow the rage to take over, not with Nikki in the line of fire.
A deep breath of her intoxicating scent soothed him and the room slowly opened up again. The soft contours of her body under his, her warmth and wetness, were all he needed to quiet his inner beast.
She reached and brushed the hair out of his face then cradled his cheek. “As much as I want this, we have to stop. There are cameras recording. I can’t handle the thought of someone seeing this. Besides, we need protection.”
How could he tell her the story about the cameras probably wasn’t true? No way would a vamp have video evidence in case anything went wrong. The Elders wouldn’t allow it. More than likely, it was merely something Kade told his strippers to make them feel secure.
And how could he explain why they didn’t need a condom? Most of his bodily functions—including the production of semen—had been left behind almost a thousand years ago.
But with his cock poised to slide into her wet pussy, could he stop even if he wanted to?
Fuck, he was a vampire, after all. Since when did he worry about mortals? So what if she lost her job for this, or feared she’d become pregnant? He only needed to move slightly to slide deep inside her. To feel her warmth clamp down on him would be—
Her soft fingers skimmed down his shoulder, and her eyes darkened with obvious concern. “What’s wrong? Are you angry with me for not wanting to follow through? I never meant for this to happen. I didn’t mean to lead you on. If we weren’t here, and I wasn’t working…”
Damn, her angelic voice melted his cold heart. “Why don’t we go somewhere else? What time do you get off?”
She laughed. “Well, actually, I almost did a few minutes ago.”
“Yeah, me too.” And he was still rock hard and close to the edge with her lithe body beneath him, her slickness against his cock.
Just another inch.
Why didn’t he take her? It would be easy to bend her will, control her mind, and make her think she’d agreed from the beginning. Or afterward, have her forget it ever happened. If the room was monitored, he’d surely be able to convince Kade he had taken over and not given her a choice.
Then why did he move off her and help her up?
When she stood and looked into his eyes, he had his answer. Just once he wanted someone to look at him as something more than a fuck up and see the man he used to be. The man he wished he could be again.
To consider him worth loving.
Stupid son of a bitch. That would last about a second after she realized vamps did exist and he was one of them. She’d run screaming in terror after that wonderful revelation.
Oh, and by the way, I’m a murderer. Yep, I suck the fucking life right out of people—literally. Not funny? Why?
If he told her, the look in her eyes would morph from innocent affection to disgust and fear. There would be no chance of a real connection between them, and he’d have to go back to his lonely, miserable existence—
A warm hand, a feather-soft touch, trailed along his chest. He shuddered as the throbbing in his cock returned with a vengeance. His heartbeat pounded in his ears, drowning out the music in the background.
Angel.
No other word sufficed. And nothing could stop him from claiming her.
He would have her surrender to him, to give herself over completely, and freely, to his demands. She’d be his by sunrise.
Lifting her delicate hand to his mouth, he nipped and kissed her flesh as she giggled.
“Sorry. It tickled— Oh!” When he pulled her close, Nikki let out a feral moan then breathily murmured, “You said something about…going somewhere else?”
The warmth of her belly against his erection made his body quake with animal lust. The scent of her arousal filled his nostrils. She was his for the taking.
He devoured her mouth, his tongue plunging into steamy wetness. His fangs pierced her plump lips—how he’d love to feel them take in his hard length—and her precious blood oozed. Only a few drops emerged, but it was enough to push him over the edge.
He pulled back from their kiss with a growl. “I need you now. Don’t worry, I can’t get you pregnant, and I’m sure Kade will turn a blind eye to whatever happens here. I promise it’ll be all right.”
Her dizziness—most likely from the blood fleeing her head to gather lower—swept over him as if it were his own. Hell, maybe part of it was.
She bit her lip and her body stiffened. Her nails dug into his back. He couldn’t help but give her a little encouragement by grinding into her, reminding her of what she could have.
After another moan, her gaze locked with his. A slight nod of agreement was all he needed to back her down onto the couch again.
“Nikki, tell me you want me.” He pressed his cock against the moist heat between her thighs and groaned as his shaft slipped downward, toying with her slick opening. If she hesitated another second, he would explode.
Grasping his hair, she pulled him closer. “Call me Nicole. I don’t want you using my performance name.”
He had grown to like her stage persona, Darling Nikki, and the Prince reference, but the fact she wanted him to know her so intimately made him tremble inside. “Nicole, do you want me to make love to you?”
This time, she licked her lips and ran her nails down his back with such a light touch it sent shivers through his body. Accidentally, maybe, he moved slightly and the head of his cock dipped into her. She gasped and leaned up to kiss him, giving him her answer as she wriggled beneath him.
Six
A fleeting lucid thought rolled through Nicole’s mind. How can I do this with a total stranger?
But when Bastian shifted his weight, his muscles flexing under her fingers, and he inched inside her a little more, the thought fled.
As his tongue swept into her mouth again, she lost all sense of reason. His hungry kiss fueled the fire within her. Another small shift of his hips and his shaft slid in a bit farther. He teased her, gently pushing down and deepening the empty ache she needed him to fill.
For too long he simply remained there, torturing her. The warmth of his hardness stretching her made her writhe beneath him. Maybe if she wiggled enough she’d drive him crazy so he would put an end to her agony. Her core pulsed and tingled with his slight movements, and she almost broke away from their kiss to yell at him to fuck her already.
She wrapped her legs around him, attempting to pull him closer, to force him in completely and ease her longing, but he was an immovable mountain.
He continued the relentless onslaught with his tongue. She whimpered. If she could have spoken, she would have begged.
Without warning, he plunged fully into her, filling her more than any man before. She squeezed his shoulders and tensed in response to the pressure. When he began keeping rhythm with the suggestive music pumping in the background, she let out a deep moan.
My god he feels so good.
Within seconds, she adjusted to his size and relaxed, joining in the sensual cadence. He took her slowly at first, drawing out each thrust, sending waves of pleasure through her body. But soon, he growled and pushed into her harder, faster.
She needed oxygen so she pulled away from his demanding lips, sucked in a few rapid breaths, and let out her own primal sounds as he slammed her repeatedly. “Oh, Bastian…”
A wicked grin lit up his face. “You’re so wet and tight. Damn, you feel like heaven.”
He groaned, drove into her farther, and leaned do
wn, taking her nipple into his mouth. He licked and flicked it with his tongue, and then bit down around it, drinking from her for precious seconds.
Somehow the slight burn of her blood being taken heightened her pleasure to an immeasurable level. She dug her nails into his shoulders, knuckles sore from the effort. Arching into him, she whispered his name. Fangs scored the upper curve of her breast as he slowed his pace again—maybe to make the moment last longer.
He feathered kisses along her chest and upward toward her neck. The soft touches almost tickled. Wriggling under him, she tilted her head to the side, needing his bite.
How can I want something so animalistic?
His fangs glided into her flesh, and he drank in her blood. Warmth encompassed her from having him so close, his hard length deep inside her, and his mouth locked onto her.
She clawed at his back. “Harder, Bastian… Yes…”
Once more, he quickened his thrusts, deepened them, giving her what she’d begged for. Time after time, the head of his shaft hit the sensitive spot deep within, sending shockwaves to her toes.
Unable to hold out any longer, she gave herself over to him. Muscles clenching in her core, she quaked in ecstasy, yelling his name. His body shook with hers as he growled against her skin. Rhythmic spasms rolled over her and she lifted her hips even higher to meet his, attempting to wring out every second of her climax.
He released her neck and pushed himself upward. A moment later, he slowed again, easing in and out, sating the leftover aching desire. God, her body had never experienced anything so intense.
Finally he stilled, and after a few seconds of heavy breathing, moved to the side, resting some of his weight on the couch. He gently brushed a stray hair out of her face. “I don’t want this to end here. Can I see you again?”
She let out a contented sigh and nodded. “I’d like that.”
He cradled her cheek and leaned in for a kiss. His tongue lingered inside her mouth, his fangs teasing her tender lips.
Trailing her fingertips over his bicep, she melted into his embrace.
She needed a man like Bastian. Someone to take charge, be forceful, protect her in this crazy city, but still treat her with respect and give her a loving touch.
Am I fooling myself? She didn’t want to know right now. She’d rather enjoy her exhausted bliss and the feel of his cushion-soft lips.
Seven
Bastian had just finished tucking in his T-shirt when someone knocked. He inhaled, recognizing Kade’s spicy cologne. Only a small whiff earlier had been enough to burn the pungent odor into his memory. Something about Kade’s Prince-of-Darkness attitude rubbed him the wrong way.
Still, he remained civil when he opened the door for the club’s owner. “Any sooner and you would have spoiled my fun.”
Kade glanced at the couch where Nicole lay recovering, and then shifted his gaze back to Bastian, crinkling his nose. “You smell of sex. That is not part of our services. I run a respectable business.” His brows furrowed. “You should be ashamed of yourself for taking advantage of poor little Nikki.”
Fists clenched, Bastian bit back anger. “What makes you think I took advantage of her?”
Releasing a seemingly mocking half laugh, Kade dragged his condescending glare up and down Bastian’s body. “Look at you. You’re not exactly the kind of man who makes women swoon. And don’t forget, I know about your past escapades. You can’t expect me to think you’ve started playing by the rules all of the sudden. Donovan may believe your sorry ass, but men like you never change. Why don’t you do everyone a favor and go back to whatever hole you crawled out of?”
If it weren’t for the sexual euphoria pumping through his veins, Bastian would have torn Kade’s head off. Well, that and the fact Nicole slept only feet away. He couldn’t bear the thought of her seeing that side of him.
Maybe her blood had calmed him, too, because he’d never held his temper so easily in the past. Although visions of beating the fuck out of the arrogant bastard flitted across his mind, there was no urge to act.
Nothing could spoil this night for him, not even Kade. He curled one corner of his lips upward and grunted.
Kade raised a dark brow. “What the hell are you grinning about?”
Without any thought, Bastian smacked him on the arm. “Nothing you need to worry your black heart over.” He glanced at the angel on the couch before leaving the room.
As he made his way to his brother’s table, he couldn’t help but marvel at his new-found restraint. What kind of magic had Darling Nikki worked on him?
He’d barely had a chance to sit before Kade strode over.
Kade scowled at Bastian, and then turned to Donovan. “I think it would be best if you didn’t bring him here again, and if he left. Now.”
Donovan shot Bastian a scrutinizing glance. “What did he do this time?”
Though ready to defend himself, Bastian paused, his mind drifting to Nicole. He leaned back, waiting to see how this would play out.
Kade took a seat next to Donovan. “Look at the conceited prick. I should wipe that smugness off his face. He comes in here and defiles one of my dancers then has the audacity to pretend he didn’t force her to have sex with him. Huh. As if a woman pure as Nikki would want anything to do with a fuck up like him.”
Donovan sat quietly for a moment, his baby face impossible to read.
Bastian peeked at the stage but was too sated—in every way—to enjoy the view. Hell, I’d never thought that possible. The jiggling boobs, most of which were obviously fake, and tight asses so close he could almost reach out and touch them, barely registered. His cock lay lifeless, and he quickly refocused on his brother.
Donovan’s huge smile surprised him, but his words shocked him. “You know what, Kade, I believe him for once. Come on, you’ve got to admit he would have bitten into your throat by now if he hadn’t changed. I mean look at him. That’s not smugness, that’s serenity. I might finally have my little brother back.”
The chair almost fell backward as Kade stood. “Fine, believe whatever you want, but don’t come to me for consolation when you have to incinerate his drained carcass after he gets in trouble again.”
As Kade strutted away, Donovan stared at Bastian. “If he’s right, if you’re still up to no good, this will be the last chance I ever give you.”
Though he understood his brother’s distrust, Bastian’s gut tightened and his heart ached, but only for a moment. He had other concerns now. Nicole would be through with her shift soon, and he didn’t want anything to stop him from seeing her. Maybe he could take her to Nocturnal Surrender, buy her a drink, and get to know her better…before he fucked her again. Revealing his secret had to wait. Give her a chance to see him as a man first, maybe even love him, and then he would tell her he was a vampire.
I hope to hell she doesn’t turn her back on me like the others—
Donovan’s voice snapped him out of his daydream. “Hey, I mean it. For this to work, you’ve got a lot to prove. I’m still responsible for you. It’s my neck on the line here, too. If you want to stay in Lansford, you’re going to do it on my terms.”
Without much effort, Bastian kept his voice level. “What terms did you have in mind?”
Donovan spelled them out, palm thudding against the table. “First, you will work for me so I can keep an eye on you. I need another bartender. Second, after we leave here, don’t come back again, not even for her. If you must meet her, do it at my nightclub or somewhere else.”
“Agreed…on both.” Bastian liked the idea of being close to Donovan on a regular basis, and he had no intention of frequenting Club Delacroix.
He reached out to seal the deal, but Donovan shook his head. “That’s not all, little brother. Third, and most important, remember, Christof is one of my best friends—and a loyal customer—so you will let go of this petty grudge of yours and treat him with respect when he comes into Surrender. Understood?”
Bastian’s skin crawled. Petty grud
ge? Christof Rosenbaum had killed Elise.
No. He wouldn’t let it go, but he could play the part until the right opportunity presented itself.
One day Rosenbaum will care about someone like I did Elise. Then I’ll have my vengeance, even if it takes centuries.
When a splintering sound echoed over the music, he realized he held the end of the table in a death grip. Releasing it, he nodded, and through gritted teeth, conceded. “Agreed.”
Another hour and a few drinks later, Club Delacroix closed and Bastian waited at the back door for Nicole. Luckily, Nocturnal Surrender would be open for a few more hours, skirting dawn by mere minutes.
Eight
Nicole almost jumped out of her skin when someone grabbed her arm as she stepped out the door to the employee parking lot. Heartbeat pounding, she looked up at Bastian’s vampiric features and slapped his broad chest. “You scared the life out of me.”
He caressed her cheek then slid his hand around her head and moved in for a kiss, nearly bruising her already-sore lips. She melted in his arms. Something about him made her stomach quiver like she was a teenager staring at the star of the wrestling team.
With all the will she could muster, she pulled away—mostly to catch her breath. He’d said he wanted to see her again, and he had asked when she finished work, but she never expected him to wait for her.
Her body tensed with the same inexplicable apprehension she’d had in the private room. She clenched her jaw and eased backward, hoping he would let her go, which he thankfully did.
Was he stalking her? Should she run? Scream for help? The logical part of her wanted to get the hell out of there while she could, but an irresistible longing tugged at her heart. For some reason, she ached for him. Not from her own desires, though. More like she was staring at a puppy who’d been beaten one too many times and needed someone to show him love.
Grizzly or teddy bear? God, she hoped he was a teddy bear.
If eyes covered by silver contacts were capable of projecting warmth, his did. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to frighten you. I only wanted to surprise you and invite you to my brother’s nightclub so we can get to know each other properly.”
Nocturnal Surrender (The Nocturnal Surrender Series) Page 3