Auctioned for Her Blood: The Vampires' Illuminant Book 1

by Mara Leigh

  Her nails dig into my back as her body thrashes within its tight confines beneath me, increasing my pleasure even further, and then my own climax blinds me, stealing not only my sight but all of my senses. Not to mention any last pretense of control.

  Fuck, fuck, fuck. I pound through my climax as my seed shoots inside her. And still, I go on, through an impossibly long release, and it feels like quarts of spunk erupt from inside me.

  With one last hard thrust, I collapse and my fangs plunge into her throat.

  I acted on instinct, but the moment her blood hits my mouth, regret slams my chest.

  When I bit her, I released too much venom, its release mirroring the force of my ejaculation. Not only will my feeding put her to sleep, for hours, it will also rob her memory of our fucking, possibly our whole evening.

  But that ship has sailed and I can’t take the venom back, and….her blood is delicious, beyond delicious. The slight taste I had from bursting her cherry, was barely an appetizer to the main course. Ember tastes of summer, of sunshine, of flavors I’d long ago forgotten.

  Her legs slip off my shoulders, and I cup her breasts as I feed from her vein, unable to stop myself, drawing long draughts of her blood and relishing not only her taste, but the pleasure it gives me as her blood absorbs into my body, nourishing every cell.

  And to make it even better, Ember moans in ecstasy as I feed. All humans feel pleasure during feedings, even after falling asleep, but her hands…Ember’s hands are still moving over my body, almost as if she’s awake.

  Unconscious, she explores my back and ass, pulling me closer, and her other hand runs over my neck and through my hair.

  “Ryker?” her voice is soft and throaty.

  Licking my bite to close it, I pull back, shocked.

  How the fuck is she still awake?

  Chapter Fifteen

  Ember

  A million fireworks explode inside my body, unconfined bombs detonating to release pleasure, euphoria, and…and something I can only identify as power. I’ve never felt so strong, so alive.

  Moments ago, while Ryker had me literally pinned beneath him as he thrusted, I felt boneless—like I might never walk, might never move again, or at least like I might sleep for a million years before attempting any movement.

  And then, after he ejaculated, I was so out of it I imagined he bit me. But now I’m alert—energized—my blood replaced by caffeine or something much stronger.

  And speaking of blood. Ryker is wide-eyed above me, his lips wet with the dark red evidence that his biting my neck was not my imagination.

  He did bite me—hard enough to break my skin! Is that a normal part of sex? I don’t think so. It must be some kind of kink? If so, that’s okay with me, as unexpected and strange as it was, I enjoyed it.

  “Why?” It’s all I can think to say. The word vampire flashes again but I know he’s a man.

  He leaps back off me. “Shit! What have I done?”

  I reach up to my throat, and my hand comes away dry and I can’t feel any wound. I rub the area, trying to find evidence of his teeth, but it’s like I’ve already healed.

  “You bit me.” I wait for an explanation, because there must be one. I’ve never felt so stunned, so confused by what he did, and even more confused about my body’s reaction. I liked it. The bite, the sex, both have left me wanting Ryker even more than before.

  “Here.” Ryker tosses me the fleece throw from the other end of the sofa and I wrap it around me as he buttons the fly of his pants.

  The deep red blanket feels soft and warm, even though I’m not remotely cold, and I run my hands over its surface, as if I can sense every separate fiber in the fabric.

  Wrapped up, I sit cross-legged at the end of the sofa as Ryker stands at its end, wearing only his leather pants and looking like he’s just witnessed a murder, or a gory scene in a horror movie. Even though it was he who bit me, I’m overwhelmed by the urge to comfort him.

  I pat the cushion beside me. “Talk to me,” I say softly. “Please. Ryker. Tell me what’s going on.”

  “You didn’t fall asleep.” He shakes his head as if in disbelief.

  I tip my head to the side, fighting to comprehend this mysterious man I trusted enough to take my virginity, a man I still want to trust.

  And even if I can’t trust him I want him to take me again.

  To fuck me again—right now. Because that was the best feeling of my life and I already want more.

  “Do women usually fall asleep after sex?” I ask. “I mean, I’ve heard that men often do, and I did feel exhausted until…” I straighten my back. “Ryker, why did you bite me? Was that an accident? Did you get carried away?”

  “You can say that again.” He pushes back his hair, raking his thick fingers through his gorgeous long waves.

  “Will you talk to me about it?” He’s clearly upset, and I want to be understanding. I want to get past this before I invite him inside me again, something I want more than air at the moment.

  “I’m not hurt.” I reach up to touch my throat, verifying that there’s no remaining wound, not even a trace. “In fact, I feel oddly fantastic.” I draw a deep breath, tracing the air’s passage through my body, noticing as it delivers its payload of oxygen to every part of me. I’ve never had such vivid awareness of my own body.

  “There’s something I need to tell you.” Ryker looks down. “I meant to tell you before I, before we…”

  “Tell me what?”

  He clears his throat. “What Zuben told you. It’s true.”

  “You’re a pirate?” I laugh.

  “And a vampire.” He doesn’t look like he’s joking.

  My back stiffens. “What?” I search his expression, scour his body language for proof that this is some kind of inappropriately timed prank.

  He sits on the sofa beside me, and his weight shifts my body toward him, so I brace my hand on the back cushions to keep at least some distance between us.

  “I’m a vampire. So is Zuben,” he adds quickly.

  I shake my head. Up until now, tonight was perfect, beyond perfect, but now he’s ruining it. The sex was better than I could have ever expected, especially for my first time, but his ridiculous claim has soured my euphoria.

  My eyes narrow. “Is this your way to get rid of me?” Hurt and anger invade. “Is this how you get rid of all your one night stands?” My voice breaks. “Was this a one night stand?”

  “No.” He reaches to cup my face, but I pull back.

  “No to all of that.” He shakes his head. “And it wasn’t the sex I thought would put you to sleep, it was my bite. Vampire venom does that.”

  “Does what?”

  “Vampire venom relaxes humans—”

  “So they can kill them.” I frown.

  “No.” His head shakes vehemently. “Vampire venom relaxes humans, takes away their pain—and their memories—so they wake with no knowledge that they provided…food for a vampire.”

  “Bullshit.”

  His eyes open wider, and I feel blush bloom on my cheeks. I don’t typically swear and even though we barely know each other, his reaction shows that he knows this about me already.

  “It’s not bullshit.” He looks into my eyes. “It’s very true. Most information circulated amongst humans about vampires is false. And the hate crimes committed against us—”

  “Hate crimes?”

  He frowns. “What else do you call it when innocent vampires are staked on sight?”

  “Innocent? The police stake vampires in self defense, for public safety, to protect us from vampires…” My mind is reeling; I can’t follow Ryker’s logic. I’m not sure I want to.

  “No.” Turning toward me, Ryker rests his arm on the back of the sofa between us.

  My body contracts in fear, but I take deep breaths and remind myself: this is the same man who took me to New York for dinner—in a helicopter—the same man I made love to not long ago. I should at least hear him out.

  “Ryker, wh
at you’re saying makes no sense. Vampires are monsters. They kill.” He is so not a vampire.

  “Listen…” Ryker rakes back his hair again. “Do vampires ever kill humans? Sure. But humans kill each other too. Way more often than vampires do.” His eyes narrow. “When humans commit murder at least there’s a trial. Humans aren’t just slaughtered on sight for being who they are.” Closing his eyes, he draws a long breath, and his expression softens. “I didn’t mean to raise my voice, or get into politics.”

  Looking into his eyes, I nod. His eyes haven’t changed, and they still reveal so much emotion and goodness. Can my instincts be so wrong? Does he have some kind of delusionary mental illness like my mom?

  “Humans and vampires,” he continues, “our species coexisted in peace for millennia.” His eyes narrow. “Most humans thought us a myth. We’ve always been hunted by slayers, but for the past twenty years it’s been open season on my kind—wooden stakes through the heart left and right.”

  My teeth scrape my lower lip as I consider his words. I still can’t believe what he’s saying is true. He’s making it sound like humans are the predators, not vampires.

  And even if what he’s saying is true, Ryker can’t be a vampire. And certainly not Zuben. The idea is laughable.

  “But you’re alive,” I reason with him. “Not dead, or undead. You’re warm blooded. Very.” I touch his leg and his eyelids flutter. He’s as responsive to my touch as I am to his.

  And I realize that my hips are swiveling, my rising arousal driving the motion beyond my conscious control.

  My insides contract, and I suck in a ragged breath. Only minutes have passed since Ryker’s hardness was pumping inside me, but my body already wants him again.

  And as crazy as his claim is, my need for him is not only overwhelmingly powerful, it’s more than just physical.

  I want more sex, but I also want Ryker, I want to believe him and trust him, even if he needs psychological help or…

  What if he is a vampire?

  I close my eyes. I’m not thinking straight because I’m starting to believe him. And I’m more turned on now than before the sex. Did his venom, as he called it, also affect my libido?

  “Have you put me….under your spell?” I ask softly.

  “I hope so.” Smiling, his expression darkens with desire, but then he blinks and shakes his head. “No. Not a spell. Not in the way you mean. Vampires have no such powers.”

  “But your venom… You said…”

  “The venom makes feedings easier. It makes humans forget that it happened. But with you…” His shoulders rise as he inhales, and he slowly shakes his head.

  “So…vampires can’t control minds, or make women want you…” I’m too embarrassed, too unsure, to tell him how badly I crave him. “You can’t control minds or cast spells?”

  He shakes his head. “Afraid not, my little dove. Magic remains the sole domain of witches.”

  I suck in a sharp breath.

  “What?” His hand falls to my shoulder, and I lean into its warmth. “What did I say?” His eyes are full of worry and curiosity.

  I shake my head. “Nothing. It’s just…this night…it’s been so confusing.” My hips circle, pressing my clit down against the sofa with each pass, my need rising so high now, I’m close to another orgasm. “Tonight’s been confusing—and wonderful—but your mention of magic and witches…” I draw a long breath. “It brought back childhood memories.”

  His eyes widen. “What kind of memories?”

  I smile. “Of reading the Harry Potter books.”

  Grinning, he nods, but I’m not sure he believes my explanation.

  But no way am I offering more right now. I’m not sure that I trust my memories of childhood—of my mother’s abilities, the way she disappeared—and even if I did trust my own mind, I’m not ready to share any of that with Ryker, with anyone. Secrecy was something mother pounded into me as hard as my fear of the dark. I’ve already told both Ryker and Zuben too much.

  “How can I convince you?” Ryker asks.

  I draw a thready breath. “Convince me to do what?” Does he have some crazy sex act in mind? “I’ll try anything.”

  He smiles and his tongue flicks out. “Convince you that I’m a vampire.”

  “Oh, right.” I lick my lips. I’m finding it hard to focus on anything beyond having him inside me again. What is wrong with me?

  “It doesn’t matter,” I say, hoping to get the topic back to sex. “And anyway, since you claim everything I know about vampires is fake news, how can you prove to me that you are one?”

  His eyes brighten. “I have an idea.”

  I blink and he’s gone. Or did I even blink?

  “Where did…?” I glance around the room, trying to figure out where he went, and then he reappears beside me.

  “How…?”

  “Vampires can move very quickly.” He grins. “Faster than the human eye can detect.”

  He’s holding a knife!

  I press away from him, scrambling back.

  He leaps away, landing across the room.

  “Ember!” He lifts both arms in surrender, dropping the knife to the floor. “I mean you no harm. I promise.”

  My heart is pounding so fast and hard I can barely hear, barely breathe. “Why?” I point toward the knife.

  One hand still up in surrender, Ryker slowly crouches, maintaining eye contact with me as he picks up the knife. “I’m going to show you my vampiric ability to heal.”

  “What?” My eyes flit back and forth between the flash of the knife’s blade as it picks up the light, and the rise and fall of his six pack of abs, maybe eight. How did I not notice them before? Clearly I had the wrong angle when he was driving inside me.

  My insides pulse, ignoring my fear, or maybe because of it.

  He steps back further, and I marvel at his abs’ definition, how the muscles change shape as he moves. Then the blade moves.

  He slashes his forearm.

  A gash opens, so deep I see bone.

  Blood flows from the wound, and shock traps a scream in my throat.

  Dropping the knife, he holds his arm toward me, and his skin knits together, his wound closing like a film screened in reverse. He picks his discarded shirt off the floor and wipes his arm, then holds it toward me. There’s no evidence of the knife’s work.

  “See?” he says. “See how quickly I heal? Can a human do that?”

  I stare at his arm, at his whole gorgeously, powerful body, and my mouth is dry all the way down my throat. Is it true?

  My mind’s racing, but through fog I can’t begin to form any words.

  “Sorry about the blood.” He disappears again, returning before I can blink, with towels from my linen closet, and he wipes the blood off the hardwood floor. “At least I missed the carpet.” He smiles softly as he looks into my eyes.

  The blanket slips from my shoulder, and I adjust it. The fabric grazes my nipple, and I gasp as a shudder of desire rakes through me. My hips pulse, mimicking the way they moved when Ryker was inside me.

  My gaze drifts from his face to his massive chest, broad and dusted with just enough dark hair to be manly, and then down again to those abs. My tongue flicks out as I imagine tracing it through those hard ridges, wondering what his reaction would be if I did that, and then my gaze drops even lower.

  His arousal is pushing against the flap of leather, not fully buttoned, the shape of him seeming impossibly large to fit inside a woman’s body, even though I know that it somehow fit inside me.

  I draw a ragged breath at the sense memory of how full I felt with him buried deep inside me, of how some of his early drives hurt, but then felt impossibly good, at how my body yielded, molded around him as if we were meant to fit together.

  And how I want to feel that again.

  But Ryker is a vampire.

  I have to believe him—at least for the moment, at least until I talk him into taking me again, because I need him to do that so badly that
nothing else matters. Any second I’m going to leap off the sofa and jump straight onto his…his cock.

  I can think of no better way to say it and understand why people use the word.

  Earlier in the evening, I was turned on, but this now…this is so much more.

  My gaze rises to find him studying me intently, the slight curve of a smile kissing his lips.

  “Your venom.” I have to suck moisture from my cheeks to continue. “Does it make women…want you?” I let the blanket slip off my shoulders, and cupping my breast, I slide my thumb over my tight nipple, sucking in a sharp breath at the self-induced pleasure.

  “Looks like it might.” He steps forward slowly, his thick, heavy cock bouncing against the loose leather. “Venom typically puts humans to sleep, so I guess I’ve never had the opportunity to ask about other effects.”

  His cock slips fully out from between the fold of his pants. He grabs onto it and gasps, hissing as his fingers slide down to its base.

  “Why do you ask?” His eyes are full of desire, and it throws fuel on my own.

  “Because, even though we just…did it, I want you to…to fuck me again.” I use the word, even though it’s not normally in my vocabulary. “I need to feel you inside me.”

  His eyes widen, his expression heats and turns mischievious, as he continues to look into my eyes. “Where do you want this?” He strokes his cock. “Tell me.”

  “In my…my vagina.”

  “In your cunt.”

  I gasp at the word.

  “I know it’s sometimes used as a slur these days, but in all my years it’s the best word for the female genitalia.”

  I nod, unsure I could ever say that.

  “Say it,” he says, deeply. “Tell me where you want my cock.”

  My hand slips between my legs and my finger grazes my overly-sensitive clit. I cry out. Panting as I rub myself, I try to gather enough air to speak.

  “I want you, your cock in my…my cunt.” My fingers slip through my throbbing wetness. “Now. Please!”

  In a nanosecond, he’s beside me, holding my face in his hands and kissing me with even more passion than before, stealing my breath and my sanity.