by RK Close
“Do you want a war with us, vampire?” Genevieve asks Jacob.
“Do you?” Adam answers. “This can end now if you vow pack protection for Samantha.”
“What?” I demand.
I’m ignored as he and Genevieve stare each other down. She finally turns to look at me.
“Agreed, but she will continue to search for my daughter, and if she divulges our secrets all bets are off. Her life will be forfeit.” Her eyes are cold as she stares at me.
“Agreed,” Adam says.
Genevieve watches Adam. “Done.” She looks at me, but her message is for Adam. “I’m watching you, vampire.” She turns to leave and never looks back.
The wolves back slowly down the path, away from us. Jacob continues watching the others as they follow Genevieve. Adam puts his arm around me and guides me in the opposite direction. Pulling out of his arms, I stop to confront him.
“What just happened back there?” I ask as Jacob catches up to us.
“You are now under the protection of the Luna Pack. They won’t harm you unless you break the agreement or protection is revoked officially and with just cause,” Adam says.
“They won’t harm you or allow anyone else to, if they can prevent it,” Jacob adds. We begin walking down the path again.
“But why did she agree to that? I don’t get it,” I say.
“She knew there was a good chance that we would kill them if it came down to a fight. As a leader, she chose to protect her people and cut her losses. She’s smart,” Adam says. “I believe she knows you are no threat to her pack, and this way she saves face with them, so it was an easy bargain for her.”
“You know where to find me. Have a pleasant evening, and try to stay out of trouble, Sam,” Jacob says. Before I can come back with a retort, he’s gone, and we are alone on the trail. I didn’t even know Jacob was here. I’m so glad Adam thought to include him.
I’m wondering if the pack protection thing covers Colin O’Donnell. Although his words held an underlying threat, I had the feeling he didn’t want to hurt me.
We walk silently along the path until we end up at the boardwalk along Tempe Town Lake. Boats float on the dark water, lit with bright holiday-style lighting. People are milling about or walking the path above the water. It occurs to me how romantic it is, and how suddenly average the evening seems despite earlier events.
One moment my life is in danger, and now this. This little surprise moment when all the crazy in my life slips away, and there’s just us. I’ve been craving a moment like this with Adam ever since we agreed to try dating. Dating, my word, not his.
As if sensing, how I’m feeling, Adam takes my hand in his as we walk along the water. Such an ordinary thing to do, but it feels epic with Adam. After a while, he stops us and faces me near a bridge. When I gaze into his eyes, I want the world to disappear.
Not waiting for him, I pull him down for a long, slow kiss that causes him to groan with pleasure. His lips leave mine and trail soft kisses down my cheek until they find my neck. A fire starts to burn deep in the pit of my stomach as his hands slide down my back and over my butt, where he grabs me and lifts me up to sit on the railing, slipping his body between my legs in the process.
I pull his head back up to taste his lips again. Partly because having his lips on my neck is making me all kinds of crazy. Partly because I can’t get enough of him. Suddenly, I don’t want to be in such a public place.
Pulling back, I ask, “Would now be a good time for you to show me your place?” One of those rare smiles spreads across his face as he sets me back on my feet as if I weigh nothing.
“I’d love nothing more than to take you home,” he says with a gleam in his eye. His words send a shiver through my entire being.
***
As we enter our building, I decide to clarify my intentions. “You didn’t hit the jackpot. I’ve been waiting for you to give me a tour of your place. Our timing has been off and it’s just odd not having seen it. Although, I did get a sneak peek the other night,” I confess.
“I heard that you stopped by. I’m sorry to have missed you.” Adam gives me a sideways look.
“Where were you, anyway?” I feel like a needy girlfriend the minute the words leave my mouth.
Adam glances at me, amusement on his face. “Are you concerned about my comings and goings?” he teases. I don’t respond. “I’ve been searching for vampires in the area. I’m concerned about the flowers you’ve received.”
“And…?” I ask, hopeful.
“Unfortunately, I’ve found nothing of use for my efforts.” He smiles a slight smile. If he only knew what those rare smiles do to me, I’d be in trouble.
We take the elevator up to the penthouse floor. And once again, I’m blown away by how elaborate this lobby is compared to the rest of the building. Once inside, Adam takes my bag and jacket, laying them across a chair in the roomy entry. Trying not to act star-struck, I follow him into the great room. He keeps watching me as I walk around touching books and a handful of antique knickknacks that may cost more than I make in a year.
“It’s really nice here. Who does your decorating, housekeeping, and shopping?” I tease.
And can they come do mine?
Without warning he’s behind me and his warm breath is on my ear. “Would you like to see more of my home?”
Turning in his arms, I gently push him away. “That’s what we’re here for, right?” I roll my eyes at him. “Lead the way.”
“I prefer to follow. The view is much better,” Adam says. I turn my head away so he can’t see my smile.
He points me to an opening that leads to a large gourmet kitchen with granite countertops, shiny stainless-steel appliances, and all the latest fixtures. My mouth is hanging open despite my efforts to stay aloof. I’m not much of a cook, but the kitchen is so inviting that I have the sudden urge to bake something.
“Why do you have this beautiful kitchen when you don’t eat…food?”
From the look on his face, I can tell he’s pleased with my response. “It came like this. And what do you think people would say if we didn’t have one?” he asks, still watching my every move. It’s impossible not to touch all the surfaces in this tactile wonderland. It’s simple luxury. “If you’re done fondling my kitchen, I’ll show you more.”
I sidestep his innuendo as we walk out of the kitchen to a hallway on the opposite end of the penthouse. We stop to peer into a room that resembles a traditional man’s study with overstuffed leather furniture, dark mahogany bookcases, and a desk. Even though I try, I can’t seem to imagine Adam sitting there. It doesn’t fit. But then, maybe it does.
Next, Adam points to a closed door. “These are Jacob’s rooms.” Can’t miss how he says “rooms” in the plural. At the opposite end of the hall are a set of double doors. Adam opens the doors and walks in.
This place looks like a resort suite, with a lounging area complete with sofa, chairs, and a fireplace. Two sets of French doors lead onto a large patio three times the size of my little one.
I’ve been trying to ignore the central focus of this room, which is a huge bed attached to a leather headboard and stacked with plenty of pillows. Various swords and armor decorate the walls in a tasteful fashion. Cream, white, dark browns, and splashes of gold paint the carpet, walls, and furnishings. Other than the bed, I’d say this is a cozy retreat. As for the bed, it’s the elephant in the room for me.
My gaze finds Adam leaning against the fireplace watching me. It’s not hard to tell what he’s thinking. My throat goes dry, and that fire starts to smolder in the pit of my being. He takes off his jacket and lays it on the chair.
Adam moves slowly toward me, hunger in his eyes that frightens and exhilarates me. His muscles move under his shirt as he closes the distance between us. My heart is racing in my chest when Adam pulls me into an embrace and kisses me deeply. When he touches me like this, the world around us becomes an unwanted distraction.
My arms circle his w
aist and pull him closer. His hands are in my hair, holding my head. I’m weightless for a moment and then I’m being lowered onto the bed. He never breaks our kiss. For the time being, I’m just going with this feeling. Warning bells have already started ringing somewhere in my head, but for a while, I ignore them.
Adam’s hand finds the edge of my t-shirt and slides it underneath, finding my skin. He slips it around my back, pulling me closer. I’m on fire everywhere his skin touches mine. One of my legs wraps around him, and he growls, making me crazy with desire.
His body is pressed into my length, and I can feel his need. I’m not ready to give him my heart and soul yet, but my body tells me something different. A thought begins to tug at the back of my mind.
Adam trails warm kisses down my neck and chest. My hands find his head and guide him up to my neck again. His lips on my neck make me groan with pleasure. The word “yes” slips from my mouth.
Suddenly, Adam’s weight is no longer on me. Confused, I open my eyes to find him sitting on the edge of the bed, breathing hard. He doesn’t look at me.
“What’s wrong?” I ask breathlessly as I move to sit next to him.
“You’re not ready for this. Your body wants me, but your heart has questions,” Adam says.
“How do you…?”
“Your emotions play at the edges of my mind, Samantha. There is a passion in you that tempts me to madness.” He burns me with his intense gaze. “I’ll wait for you, rather than risk your regret.”
All I can do is stare at him in wonder. Adam, the enigma. He’s more human at this moment than any other time I’ve been with him.
He watches me warily as I carefully crawl onto his lap. His eyes glow as I wrap my arms around his neck and stare into his eyes.
Moving my lips to his ear, I whisper, “Will you bite me?”
24
Ignite The City
Adam hasn’t moved a muscle. He could be made of stone he’s so still. I pull away to look into his eyes.
“I want you to bite me,” I say.
“You don’t know what you’re asking.” He looks conflicted.
I’m completely thrown by his response. “Haven’t you wanted to bite me since we met? Because I’m sure you’ve mentioned it multiple times. I believe your exact words were, ‘I won’t bite you until you ask me to.’” I crawl off his lap and stand there with my hands on my hips, feeling deflated. After finally making the decision to move us to the next level, I’m rejected outright. “Didn’t I just ask you to bite me? That was an invitation. You, big, idiot.” Feeling stupid, I turn on my heels and head for the door.
Adam is suddenly before me, barring my exit. I attempt to go around him, but he grabs my arms and stares at me until I make eye contact with him.
“What now?” I fume.
“Samantha, I’m not rejecting you. I’m trying to be the man you need me to be. Believe me when I tell you that I want what you offer freely.”
“Then what’s the problem? It’s not sex. I know I’m not ready for that,” I say.
My heart wants to acknowledge his gentlemanly notion, especially because it’s for me, but my ego is still bruised by his unexpected response.
“It’s an intensely physical act, even without sex. I don’t wish for you to have any regrets with me.”
When did he start to care about my feelings toward him?
As for the act, itself, he doesn’t have to tell me what it’s like. I still hold the memory of Zac’s bite and the feelings of euphoria that came with it. He doesn’t know that I encouraged Zac to taste me so that I could distract and kill him. Adam most likely believes that Zac had to force himself on me, that it was a horrific experience.
I wish that were true.
“I know. You’ve told me, and I know what I’m asking. I really want you to do it.” He still looks uncertain. “Do you know that I get jealous when I know that you’re feeding off some random woman?”
That was the ticket. Adam’s eyes register the moment he changes his mind. A new passion shines in his gaze now, a passion for me—a passion for blood. He searches my eyes one last moment before claiming my lips with his. His kiss is deep and full of need.
My kiss matches his and time moves in slow motion as he trails kisses down my cheek, my ear, and then along the curve of my neck. My pulse beats out a fast rhythm I know he feels and may hear. His lips move back up to my ear where he whispers, “Don’t be afraid.”
His breath moves over my neck as his mouth returns to the fluttering pulse at my throat. I feel his teeth on the soft skin, and I try not to tense. He lingers there briefly before a jolt of pain does cause me to tense in his arms and suck in a sharp breath. Almost as quickly as it started, it begins to dim and in its place, comes a slow and gradual building of exquisite pressure, radiating from my very core. Delicious currents of pleasure slide through my body and mind like a gentle stream, turning to a roaring river.
Somewhere beyond my thoughts I hear Adam moan, and the sound sends a new wave of sensation rippling through my being. Each surge builds intensity until unrelenting pleasure rocks me like waves crashing against a shore, each stronger than the last. My hand finds Adam’s hair, and I try to pull him closer, desperate for more. My other hand desperately claws at his shirt.
Adam responds to my unspoken desire by tightening his grip on me. Our surrounding long forgotten, as my body explodes into a million tiny pieces again and again.
Just when I think I might die from the intense sensations, the storm eases, and the passion slowly wanes. I feel drunk, as my eyes flutter open and I become aware of Adam gently licking my neck.
My body is completely spent, and my limbs are weak. I only realize this as my legs unwrap from around Adam’s torso, and my head falls against his chest. I’ve no memory of how I ended up here. If not for his strong arms supporting me, I’d fall to the floor in a blissful heap.
Adam scoops me into his arms and carries me toward the spacious bathroom and directly into a shower the size of a large closet. He releases me with one hand so that my feet touch the floor, but continues holding me tightly with the other. After turning on the water, he guides us both under the stream. I gasp loudly as icy water begins soaking us, clothes and all.
“What are you doing? I didn’t need a cold shower,” I gasp.
“I did. And I wasn’t ready to leave you looking like that.”
He looks incredible as the water drenches his dark hair, causing his clothes to cling to his body. I feel a warm flush thinking about what we just shared. This moment just blew away all thoughts of Zac’s bite from the dark corners of my mind.
Adam holds my face with his hands and stares into my eyes.
What’s going on inside that head of his?
“Thank you,” he says. He kisses me gently on the forehead, his lips lingering there for a moment.
He leads me out of the shower and playfully drapes a towel on my head. Handing me a soft gray bathrobe, he leaves me alone to change.
It takes several minutes to get out of my wet clothes, but I manage. I’m thankful when he doesn’t return to catch me in the middle of trying to peel off wet skinny jeans. When I slip on the soft robe, I know it’s been worn by Adam. It smells like him. Between the luxurious feel of the robe and his intoxicating scent, I’m tempted to steal it from him. My reflection in the mirror shows that my skin is undamaged from the bite. My finger grazes the spot and a jolt of sensation runs through me. Will it always be so sensitive; I wonder? I don’t remember that happening with Zac’s bite.
After towel-drying my hair, I emerge from the bathroom and find Adam sitting by a crackling fire. He’s in loose-fitting sweat pants and no shirt; his hair still wet. Soft classical music is coming from hidden speakers that I can’t find. It’s a romantic mood. Avoiding his gaze, I make my way to the opposite chair and busy myself watching the flames dance in the fireplace.
I’m aware of him looking at me and steal a glance at him. What I find takes me by surprise. There’s a n
ew look in his eyes tonight, unguarded and raw. If I didn’t know any better, I’d say he was falling in love with me. But Adam’s a five-hundred-year-old vampire, and I’m not sure he remembers what that is anymore.
Before I can stop myself or reconsider, I ask, “Do you love me?”
Fighting the urge to slap my hands over my mouth, I watch him with a steady gaze and wait for his answer.
Apparently I’m throwing it all on the table tonight. Suddenly, I realize why I’m so anxious. I’m afraid of Adam’s answer.
Do I want to know that he can’t give me the love that I need?
“What would you say, if I asked you the same question?” he asks.
Typical evasive move there. “I’d say you’re avoiding my question.”
“What is love to you, Samantha? Would you do anything for love? Would you fight for it, defend it, kill for love? Would you die for someone you love? Stay by their side through all their years? Would you be faithful to them and them alone? What is love to you?” he asks. His eyes reflect the flames of the fire and his gaze never leaves mine.
I sit staring into his eyes. They’re as mesmerizing as the fire.
Yes. I nod, but I can’t speak. Visions of my parents’ love come to mind, and I fight back tears.
“Yes, I believe love is all those things and more, but why are you answering with a question?” I ask.
Adam looks at me so intently that I feel I may melt into the chair at any moment.
“Because I would do all of those things for you.”
He could ignite the entire city with those words.
25
Daydreams and Nightmares
Saying the words “I love you” can mean everything or nothing at all. I’m pondering what love is to me. Whatever it is, my parents had it. And I’ve always wanted their kind of love—waited for it, held my breath for it, longed for it.