by Brenda Trim
Her eyes wild and uncertain, she gulped and nodded her agreement. With her participation, his world began to settle into place. He knew they had a ways to go, but there was once again hope. He ran his hand up her side and paused beside her breast. His hands were shaking. He was touching his Fated Mate! He brought their mouths together again. He kissed her slow and thoroughly.
She was quickly becoming crazed. He fought it and kept his leisurely pace. She bit his lower lip and growled, “Kiss me like you mean it. Don’t let me think.”
His eyes blazed and he capitulated. He didn’t want her thinking. He wanted her wild and uninhibited. He wrapped one hand in her luxurious hair and the other grabbed hold of her breast. He squeezed her nipple through her sweater. She arched her back, pushing her breast further into his hand and ground her pussy against his erection. He felt her heat through their jeans.
He groaned into her mouth and grabbed her ass as he stood with her. He pulled her tight against him and let her feel how much he wanted her. He was going to claim his mate. A breeze told him he was so aroused that the head of his cock was out and ready to play. He began walking to her room. The movement rubbed them together, making her moan. She stiffened in his arms and he wondered if he was pushing for too much.
“Bedroom?” he asked and pulled back to gauge her response.
Her eyes were wide and he realized she had tensed not because he was pushing for too much, but because she wanted him. “Hurry, oh god, don’t you dare stop. I’m so close,” she screeched.
He kept moving and made sure to hold her tightly to him. She whimpered as he settled her on her feet. “Doona worry, I’m only getting started,” he promised.
In seconds, Zander had Elsie naked on her bed. He had to pause and take in his fill. She was simply beautiful with her swollen breasts and panting breaths. When he dipped into her mind, he noted that she had pushed back her objections and refused to allow it to stop them. She wanted him as much as he wanted her.
More surprising was that she was an impatient little thing, and had continued the erotic play. She was squeezing her breasts and pinching her own nipples. Perfect, pert nipples. Her hands began to move lower across her abdomen. Naughty, little thing. He leapt onto the bed and grabbed her hands.
“My turn,” he croaked. His balls had drawn up tight to his body, ready for release at the sight of her. Heaven stared back at him as he looked down between her beautiful legs. She had the most luscious, shaved pussy he had ever seen. The scent of her arousal drew him to her like a bee to honey.
He shifted his body down the bed and laid his torso between her legs. His aching cock was pressed into the mattress. Unable to wait, he dipped his head to taste her sweet nectar. Licking his lips, he tasted her juices and growled as he attacked the engorged nub, begging him for attention.
He ran his hands up her legs, pushing them wider, and saw her clit throbbing, which tempted him to sink his fangs in. He licked and nipped at her intimate flesh. Her soul entwined with his and enhanced his desire and pleasure. Nothing his father had ever told him prepared him for the experience of having sex with his mate. It was explosive and brought him to his knees.
He thrust his tongue into her tight channel and pushed as deep as he could, allowing his fangs to scrape her flesh. He was rewarded with her moan of pleasure. He removed his tongue and lapped at the spot that needed him most. He increased his speed and inserted his finger deep into her core. She threaded her fingers into his hair and grabbed fistfuls. Spasms clenched, indicating she was close. He intended to give her as many orgasms as she could handle, before the night was over. He withdrew his finger taking her slick cream with it.
She whimpered, “Zander, oh, god, don’t stop. I’m…so, close…please.”
“You never have to beg, a ghra. Och, you are so verra tight and wet. My cock aches for you. You are mine.” He would give her whatever she wanted and re-inserted his finger, then another, and then thrust both deep inside as he sucked and licked her clitoris. Her hands released his hair and traveled down to his shoulders, coming dangerously close to his mate mark. Fire exploded across his back, the pain nearly taking his breath. He sucked hard on her core as he tried to gain control over the impulse to bite her flesh and force her to complete the blood exchange, binding them forever.
Shoving his needs aside was difficult, but he managed by focusing on her. “You taste so good,” he groaned. He continued his ministrations and was soon rewarded with her cries of bliss as he felt her shatter, followed by the clenching in her channel. It was all he could do not to replace his fingers with his cock and thrust into her heat. He watched her face as she came and was awed at the beauty of her pleasure. “I love the way you look when you come.”
She was gasping for breath when she reached out for him. She pulled him up to her for a kiss. Soft, silky lips met his. He opened her mouth and slid his tongue along hers, taking advantage. He thought he’d explode the moment she slid her tongue into his mouth, licking his fangs. He moaned as she explored them freely, kissing him passionately.
Her hands roved his back and shoulders. He loved the feel of her hands on his body. Had never experienced anything more erotic. Her touch slid down his torso. She pinched and nipped his nipples as she passed them. He bit his lip to stop his orgasm. It was too soon. He wanted her to explore every inch of his body. He remained as still as possible so she felt free to do whatever she wanted.
When her hand finally encircled what it could of his hard cock, he couldn’t stop the moan that escaped his throat. He brought her mouth back to his and nipped her lips with his fangs and prayed for the strength to stave off his imminent orgasm. How embarrassing would it be for him to come from a mere moment of her touch, but she undid him so completely.
He felt like a young lad who was about to tup for the first time. For him, these sensations were completely new. All of his previous sexual experiences had only been a physical release, and had never been accompanied by such intense emotions. He was overwhelmed by caring for her so deeply, needing this physical connection, and being scared it may end too soon. Nothing had ever felt as good as he did at that moment.
He thrust his hips as she gripped him firmly and pumped up and down his hard shaft. “My god, you’re gorgeous. And, huge! I don’t know if you’ll even fit.”
He smiled at her words and savored her gasp, his fingers working her clitoris, once again. Little did she know, he was made for her, and would fit perfectly.
He felt her slick syrup drip from her core to coat his hand, and had to hold back from sinking into her heat and losing himself. She wasn’t ready yet. He kept expecting her guilt to surface, and was grateful it hadn’t. He prayed to the Goddess that it would never surface again. He couldn’t stand if she regretted their interlude.
She thrust her hips against his hand and increased her grip on his cock in response to his deep, husky moan. She was nearing orgasm again. “That’s it, lass, take what you need. You are hot and dripping wet.”
“Holy crap, oh yes… like that…come on, baby.” She screamed out his name as she came. That was his undoing. He couldn’t hold back anymore. He groaned deeply before thick ropes of his hot seed jetted onto her hand and stomach.
“I canna believe it. It feels so good. So much better than in the dream. Elsie,” he cried out, continuing to stroke her, as his orgasm continued.
They were both gasping for breath and their hearts pounding after their shattering release. “Oh, my Lady E, you are truly incredible,” he murmured as he worshipped her breasts. She arched her back, forcing more of her breast into his mouth. He loved this side of his mate, she was downright wanton.
She began to squirm under his hand. “Stop, it’s too much. How are you still coming? Is that a vampire thing?”
He was afraid of answering because it had not been that long since her rejection of whom and what he was. He took the chance. “Aye, ’tis because of my vampire heritage,” he danced around the mating issue.
She pressed against
his body. “Hey, I’m not complaining. Especially, given that you stay erect to satisfy my every desire. Mmmm,” she reached up, wrapping her arms around his neck and sinking her fingers into his hair. He had never felt closer to any female. He needed to be inside his mate, or he would lose his mind.
“I have been hard and aching for you from the moment I saw you in that restaurant all those months ago. And, a ghra, I will always be able to make love to you and feast on your flesh for hours. That is only one of the benefits of being with a vampire,” he smiled mischievously, revealing his fangs.
“You’re stunning,” she breathed.
“You undo me,” he said against her skin. He prowled up her torso and slid his cock through her nether lips, rubbing it against her clitoris, coating him in her juices. They both moaned as he positioned himself at her entrance. He locked eyes and held her gaze. “Keep your eyes open, I want to look at you as I enter you for the first time.”
Her eyes became dinner plates and he scented her fear. “No, you can’t. You have to stop, this was a mistake,” she choked out. If only that slap of cold water doused his raging cock. No such luck for him.
His mate was going to flog herself over this and it had been the best night of his life.
CHAPTER TWENTY
What had she done? The guilt and betrayal she felt was like a mass of tar in her hair. Warm, sticky, and impossible to remove. The more she fingered it, the more it gunked-up her insides. She needed a scalpel and acid to get rid of it. It was official. She was a terrible wife, not worthy of Dalton’s love. Where was her vaunted sense of integrity now? A few martinis and an undeniable attraction to a vampire, and she had gone against the vows she made to Dalton years ago. She jumped up and grabbed her robe off the door.
She hung her head in her hands, unable to acknowledge what kind of a person this made her. She wouldn’t allow herself to dream, or even think, about Zander, ever again. Yeah right, you will so hit that again, her innersex-fiend rebuked. She cursed that side of her. Tar coated her from head to toe, inside and out. And, she couldn’t look at the hurt she knew she would see in Zander’s eyes.
She had made a mess of everything. It shouldn’t surprise her. They had been heading in this direction for weeks.
She opened her mouth to apologize, but he cut her off. “Doona you dare apologize,” the anger in his tone snapped her head up. His eyes were blazing black and he was lying on her bed, naked and still erect. God, he was gorgeous.
“I told you, you will not berate yourself. You have to move on, Elsie. Dalton died almost two years ago. You are no’ betraying him by moving on. Canna you see that you deserve so much more than you are allowing yourself?”
Tears gathered in her eyes. “You don’t understand. I made a vow to him and I can’t do this. No matter how much I may want to. It goes against who I am,” she cried.
He stood up and reached down for his jeans. Her loins clenched and her core spasmed at the sight of his bared flesh. She couldn’t stop the blush that stained her cheeks as she remembered what they had done. For God’s sake, she had screamed his name. She had never had that kind of an experience before. She loved Dalton, but what she felt with him was no-where near what she did with Zander. Zander made her mindless with lust and desire. Wanting him with abandon like she did made her guilt so much worse.
His gaze darkened even further. “I like the way you scream my name, lass, and I canna wait to make you scream while I’m inside you. Your screams were verra passionate.” Her blush deepened and she cringed in embarrassment.
She had hoped to avoid this conversation forever, but, apparently, he was having none of that. “So, is the ability to read minds one of your vampire powers? You didn’t go into details of what you can do. And, can you please put on some clothes? I find it impossible to have a conversation with so much of you on display.”
He chuckled and stepped into his pants. No, she liked it better when they were off. He’d better not read her mind and take them back off. She wasn’t going there again. She was driving herself bug-fuck crazy.
“Aye, I can read the minds of mortals, and I can communicate telepathically with supernaturals.” She followed him out of the bedroom. He had a gorgeous Celtic cross branded on his back, reminding her of the one on her phone. Something fluttered in her chest as she stared at the beautiful image. That must have been painful.
She sighed when he turned back to face her. “So, you can hear everything I think. I must say, that is disturbing. Can you not do that? There are thoughts I’d like to keep private.” She sat down on the couch, pulling her legs up under her.
He sat on the couch a few feet away from her. “I could stop reading your thoughts, but I doona want to. You are loyal, brave, and compassionate. And, you are no’ the no good, two-timer that you think you are. Dalton is gone and it’s ok to move on. Necessary, even.”
“You’re wrong about me. I’ve cheated on Dalton, and can barely stand to be in my own head, I’m so disgusted with myself. I appreciate that you care for me and want to have some type of a relationship, but I can’t. I can’t go there. I hope you understand.”
She was miserable. That familiar battle was raging and this vampire was pushing her for more than she could give him. Allowing this relationship that he wanted would only lead to heartache and loss. The worst part was she could not muster the appropriate regret for her wanton behavior. No, she wanted more.
“I have waited over seven hundred years to find you. I am no’ a verra patient male, but I will wait another millennia for you, if I must.”
She opened her mouth to respond, impersonating a fish out of water, instead. She had no idea how to respond to that.
“‘Tis getting close to dawn, lass, and I doona want to be caught in the sun. I will see you soon.” He leaned down and kissed her lips, softly. She was a deer caught in headlights, paralyzed by glowing, blue passion.
“Verra soon,” he breathed into her ear.
*****
Graduation day. Finally. It had been a long, extremely difficult road for Elsie. It was a bitter-sweet day for her. She had started this journey with Dalton four years earlier, but he would never see her finish it. She was a phoenix rising from the ashes of her grief. A new life awaited her, one that she hadn’t imagined, with new and exciting friends.
For weeks she had said that this new life would not include the love affair she knew Zander wanted with her. Yet, she had let down her guard, given into the demand that had been riding her and had ended up in bed with the vampire. Since their encounter, she had avoided him like the plague. She was ashamed of her behavior, and was weak where he was concerned. The vampire king had been in her thoughts more over the past week than Dalton had been, much to her chagrin.
Elsie refocused on her surroundings as they headed to Zeum to celebrate the end to her college career. She needed to close her jaw as Orlando drove through the iron gates to their compound. She craned her neck this way and that, taking in the twenty foot stone walls. They weren’t as garish as they could’ve been with the deciduous trees and shrubs surrounding everything. And, it was all perfectly manicured. They had to have several full-time gardeners. She couldn’t fathom having that kind of money.
When the enormous home came into view, it reminded her of the English countryside. It was a giant castle. The house was grey stone and stucco with enormous columns flanking the entrance and countless windows. She spotted several other buildings on the property. Each of which looked bigger than most houses. It was all so overwhelming. These people had more money than God. She guessed if you’d been alive for over seven hundred years, you’d have time to accumulate that kind of wealth.
“Why do you guys call this place Zeum?”
“Breslin battered us until we finally gave in and she named it after her favorite carousel in San Francisco,” Orlando replied and smiled as he met her gaze in the rear view mirror.
“This place is unreal and it goes on forever. You would never know this was back here.”
They were greeted by what Orlando called their majordomo, who opened her door. She climbed out as the handsome, young-looking man, dressed in a tailored suit, bowed deeply. “Angus at your service, lass. Anything you need doona hesitate to ring me.” His black hair shone in the overhead lights and his pale-green eyes sparkled with humor. She liked him immediately.
Elsie wasn’t sure what etiquette dictated in this situation. “Thank you,” she muttered with a slight bow of her head. She felt like she was at a five-star hotel and was in way over her head. She was slightly overwhelmed as Orlando led her through the door. She glanced back and saw that Santiago was leading a shocked Cailyn into the house. Their eyes met and she knew that Cailyn agreed that they were two ducks out of water here. The wealth these guys had was simply beyond her comprehension.
“This place is unreal,” Elsie murmured to Cailyn as they entered the home. The luxury was breath-taking with the brown, marble flooring in the entryway and rich wood covering the walls.
“Look at that crystal chandelier, Cai. I feel like I’m inside Buckingham Palace.”
Cailyn turned in circles, taking it all in and replied, “I know, right.” Elsie found that Zeum was warm and inviting, despite its opulence and grandeur.
She scanned everything around her and snagged on the gorgeous creature with his hand on the rich, mahogany balusters of the main staircase. Zander was scrumptious in his sweaty, white, tank top and navy-blue, track pants. She noticed he had a tattoo on his right forearm that matched the one she had seen on Orlando and Santiago. How had she missed that before? Probably because she spent all her time lusting after him.