Dangerous Misery (The Harcourte Vampyre Society Book 3)

by Kelley, Morgan

  She thought about it.

  “I can sympathize. I have more skin in the game now. I look at you and worry that I won’t be enough to help you forget. It’s scary for us. You’re the most important person to us.”

  “But you didn’t back away from me. You knew what I needed to get through it.”

  He tried another route.

  “Is he good at what he does?”

  Jolie thought about it. “He’s the best guardian our people have ever had. I don’t have to worry when I go into a fight. Jacques is damn good.”

  “So, it’s instinct for him, right?”

  She nodded. “I guess. Why?”

  “So, here you are, bloody and bruised from one hell of a fight. What’s his first instinct?”

  Jolie knew it was to protect her. “I was right. You’re very smart, Flynn. You just outmaneuvered me.”

  He grinned, leaving a kiss on the tip of her nose. “You can punish me later. I say hard, rough sex should do it. Make me cry.”

  Jolie laughed. “You’re my treasure, Flynn.”

  “You’re lucky. You should marry me and have my kids ASAP,” he teased. “Now, what do you want from him?” he asked.

  “I just want him to hold me, like you did. I want him to tell me it’s going to be okay.”

  “Maybe he couldn’t because as a guardian, he was worried that the violence he’s lived alongside you would remind you of Goethe. You know, the rough sex, the hardness of it all.”

  Jolie sat there silently.

  Damn it, she didn’t think of that.

  “Clearly, you’re smarter than I am.”

  He shook his head. “I’m just thinking clearly. You and Jacques aren’t. I wanted to heal you, so I did. I don’t worry that you’ll see me as violent or weak. I worry that I can’t help you or my other mate fix this.”

  Jolie sighed.

  “He loves you so much that he was just sitting outside this door guarding it.” He paused. “He’s so upset that he thought I was betraying him to get you all to myself.”

  She stared at him. “Oh. Are you two okay?”

  He shook his head. “We won’t be unless you forgive him. He’ll always wonder if I was a backstabbing asshole who stole his babe. Now, you wouldn’t want to saddle me with that for the next million years, now would you?”

  Jolie sighed, knowing he was absolutely right.

  “Does that sound like someone who doesn’t want to touch you or thinks you’re unclean? We’re all hurt by our pasts, baby. We’ve both been in his mind, and we both know his biggest fear is being rejected and sent away like his father did to him.”

  “Damn you, Flynn. I wanted to be angry at him.”

  He winked. “Yeah I know,” he admitted. “Too late for that, isn't it?”

  Jolie loved him.

  “Don’t make him suffer too much. He’s already had to live without you loving him for five hundred years. That’s a long time to suffer.”

  “Flynn?”

  He turned around. “Yeah, baby?”

  “We’re both pretty lucky to have you.”

  Brogan grinned. “Say it with excessive sex and copious amounts of trashy lingerie, baby.”

  “Deal,” she promised.

  Leaving, Flynn saw her smile and knew his work there was done. Now, they’d work it out.

  He had no doubt.

  * * * H a r c o u r t e * * *

  It was hard to move silently toward him. Jolie thought her footsteps sounded like she was charging through the woods. She couldn’t help it.

  She had to find him.

  When Jolie finally reached him, her heart broke. He was down by the pond, tossing stones into the water. While it looked serene from the outside, she knew the truth.

  Her anger was crushing him.

  It was quite possible that she was the worst mate on the face of the earth. She slowly stepped into the clearing and toward him. He must have been so absorbed in his pain because he never heard her come to a stop behind him. When she touched his shoulder, he simply looked up at her, sadness filling his eyes.

  Damn it!

  “Jacques.”

  “Hello, Mistress,” he replied, lowering his gaze. It was only right, since he was no longer her mate, and back to being nothing more than a lowly guardian.

  He’d already lost her.

  Now he had to pay.

  Jolie knew she needed to do something. Her heart was breaking as she placed a blanket on the ground. “Mind if I sit here?” she asked.

  “No, I’ll find someplace else to be. I’ll leave you alone,” he stated, starting back up the path.

  She had to save him, like he’d done so many times for her.

  “Please, Jacques, don’t leave me. The idea that you’ll never love me the same again kills my heart.” She gave him the truth, despite what it cost her.

  He stopped and stood completely still.

  Could this be happening?

  If so, he owed Flynn one hell of an apology.

  Jolie went to him, doing the only thing she could. She wrapped her arms around his waist as she pressed herself into his back.

  He tensed just like he had in their kitchen, only this time she refused to retreat. “I’m so sorry, Jacques.”

  He still didn’t move, unsure what he should do.

  “Will you ever forgive me for my anger?”

  That finally got his attention. Turning, he stared down into her lavender eyes. “You did nothing wrong,” he admitted. “Please, don’t apologize to me for being upset when I clearly hurt you.”

  “I love you, Jacques,” she said, holding on to him. “I shouldn’t have told you to leave. If you did, I’d be miserable.”

  Jacques stood to stare at her. He couldn’t believe his good fortune. First things first, he owed his mate a thank you.

  ‘Flynn, whatever you’ve done to change her heart, granting me another chance with her, thank you.’

  ‘You would have done the same for me, my friend. I told you that I wouldn’t betray you. I love you, Jacques.’

  ‘I don’t have the words to thank you enough, mon ami. I love you too, Flynn. I’m sorry for all the horrible things I said to you. I should have known you wouldn’t betray me.’

  He let it go. Family forgave, and he was doing the same.

  ‘Anything for you both,’ answered Flynn. ‘Now, here’s where you kiss and make up. It’s your turn to make love to the girl.’

  Jacques finally had peace.

  “Are you okay?” she asked, staring into his face. “Did you leave me?”

  He grinned. “I had to thank our human mate. It seems he’s a miracle worker.”

  Jolie agreed. “He is. I was so wrong to hurt you, Jacques. Please forgive me.”

  At that moment, he wanted to weep for joy.

  “I brought a blanket and wine. Want to share?” she asked. Hopefully this worked. If not, she was in trouble.

  “That would be wonderful,” he said, as he uncorked the bottle. “No glasses?”

  “Nope. It looks like we’ll have to be unrefined like we once were.”

  Jacques laughed. It was the first one for the night. “I can do that,” he stated. He tentatively reached for her hand, and when she didn’t pull away, he felt hope.

  They sat in an uncomfortable silence, neither knowing what to say.

  Finally, she couldn’t take any more.

  Pushing him to his back, Jolie placed herself over his body to stare down into his face.

  She noticed he looked startled.

  “Jacques, I love you.” It was said with so much emotion.

  “Mon Dieu, Jolie! I thought that I’d lost you,” he whispered, watching a tear slide down Jolie’s face. “I didn’t want to go on without you.”

  “Oh, Jacques, I was an idiot. I’m so sorry.”

  “I didn't mean to hurt you, mon amour. I can’t bear the fact that I let you think I didn't want to touch you. I want to spend eternity holding you, Jolie.”

  To prove it, h
e wrapped his arms around her body.

  Jolie took his face in her hands. To heal him, she began leaving little kisses across his skin.

  The sensation was warm and so comforting that he closed his eyes and let her continue. He couldn’t pull away. It was delicious. “Jolie,” he whispered, feeling his entire body come back to life. She was more intoxicating than the wine they were drinking.

  “Let me show you, Jacques,” she whispered against his mouth.

  “Yes, my love, please show me.”

  Jolie slid her hands under his shirt, brushing against sensitive flesh. It pulled a low growl from his throat and made her want more and more.

  She moved to his mouth and kissed him with all she had. It was a hot, wet mating of tongues with the light teasing of teeth. When Jacques’s fangs broke into his mouth, she knew they were on the way to healing.

  Here was her other mate.

  They could overcome this.

  “Jolie,” he murmured as her hands wandered.

  One button at a time, Jolie followed her fingers down his chest. As flesh would appear, she made love to it with her lips.

  When his shirt was completely open, Jolie teased his nipples, flicking her tongue wickedly over them.

  “Please, Jolie,” he begged, as he tried to touch her.

  Jolie let him pull her shirt from her body. When he swallowed, seeing the racy red lingerie waiting for him, she was thrilled.

  Delicately, he ran his fingers over it. It enthralled him.

  As if reading his mind, she shared what she knew, “It’s spun silk.”

  “It is extraordinary,” he admitted, teasing the nipple that now threatened to poke through.

  Suddenly filled with need, Jolie stood, stripping from the rest of her clothing. When Jacques’s eyes darkened, it brought her so much pleasure.

  He did still want her.

  “Jolie, you look like a siren standing in the moonlight. I won’t ever forget this moment for as long as I live.”

  She didn't speak. Instead, she lowered her body to his. They were so close, but not quite touching.

  For now, something stood in her way.

  When her fingers found the zipper of his pants, he held his breath.

  “I want you,” he admitted.

  Jolie set him free, tugging them down his legs. A hiss filled the air as her nails lightly scored flesh.

  “I want you too, Jacques,” she admitted.

  As she leaned down, light kisses were laid across his thighs and his erection. The overwhelming need to taste him filled her, and she didn't hold back.

  He was in heaven.

  “Do you like that Jacques?” she asked over his moans.

  “Oui,” he said, arching to offer himself back to her warm mouth.

  Again, she gave him all she had. The torment continued, until he pulled her up his body. Once there, he began nibbling at her throat.

  “Jolie,” whispered Jacques, as he held her to him. “Mon amour, I need you.”

  She felt the same. Moving out of his arms, she found him hard and ready. When she slid her hand down his erection, he struggled to stay in control.

  The woman above him had what he wanted.

  Jacques needed to get lost in her body.

  When she slid him deep into her moist heat, he whispered in French. He spoke of everything she meant to him and of all the love he had for his mate.

  Jolie braced her hands on Jacques’s shoulders to begin a long slow ride. As she slid him in and out of her body, drawing out his pleasure and hers, Jolie couldn’t help but be euphoric.

  She had him back.

  From the way he was watching her, there was no pity, sadness, or fear. There was only love.

  Jacques couldn’t take anymore. He sat up to be closer to the scent and warmth of his mate. As she rubbed against the front of his chest, her breasts teased him to madness. Butterfly light fingers pulled his hair from his neck, and he couldn’t help but shiver at her touch.

  “Please,” he begged, wanting to feel her mouth move over his flesh in the intimate call of mate to mate.

  Jolie didn't hold back. When her fangs were buried in his body, she continued her slow ride.

  “Oh God!” he moaned, lost in the need. So much pleasure flooded through him as it surrounded them.

  Jolie continued drinking, unable to get enough of him. If sensing the need in her, Jacques began pulling her down harder and faster, stealing pleasure from her body.

  It was time.

  The orgasm came so fast and out of nowhere that her mouth was forced from his body as a scream was ripped from her throat. His body hardened beneath her, and Jolie knew that he was preparing to follow her into the bliss.

  There was one more pull down, and he broke apart.

  “Jolie!” he shouted hoarsely, pouring into her in wave after wave of heat.

  She needed more.

  “Feed, Jacques,” she whispered, as he bit down into the soft swell of her breast, drinking in his mate. Jolie held his mouth to her as he sipped lazily.

  “So good,” she murmured.

  Satiated and finally at peace, Jacques fell back to the blanket, pulling Jolie with him. “Je t’aime,” he whispered into her hair, glad she was back in his arms and life.

  Jolie smiled against his chest and laid a delicate kiss against his flesh. “I never want to not have you in my life, Jacques. You and Flynn are my everything.”

  Caressing her cheek, he finally found the words. “I will never love anyone but you, Jolie.” He meant it. “We’re very fortunate and owe everything that happened tonight to Flynn. He worked his magic and said the words that got you to forgive me.”

  Jolie picked up the bottle and put it to her lips, “I say we finish this wine, find Flynn, and thank him together.”

  “Yes, I’d like that.”

  He heard them coming, but who wouldn’t?

  They were trying to creep into the room and for graceful creatures, they were failing miserably. It was obvious what the problem was.

  They were both drunk.

  It did his heart good.

  As they approached the bed, Flynn faked sleep. Holding perfectly still as Jolie slid under the covers to spoon him wasn’t easy. Her hands were cold, and he didn't doubt that they had been naked outside.

  He struggled to ‘play dead’, but he desperately wanted to laugh. Jolie was definitely drunk and more so than Jacques.

  “Shhhh… I think he’s sleeping,” she whispered. When her hand found its way into his boxers, she giggled. “Well, part of him is very awake.”

  Jacques laughed. “Should we wake him or let him rest?”

  Jolie kept stroking him, and Flynn was dying. He wanted to roll with her and bury himself in her body.

  “Wait! I think he’s awake.”

  “How do you know, mon amour?” Jacques asked.

  “He’s breathing,” she answered solemnly.

  It was all Flynn could do not to burst into laughter as he smiled into the darkness. It never ceased to amaze him how much he loved them both.

  Jacques took the information in and contemplated it for a few seconds. “Jolie, he always breathes. He’s human and doesn’t go to death.”

  “Oh,” she said. Leaning down, Jolie teased his earlobe with her teeth. “I wish he was awake. I wanted to gratuitously thank him for what he did for us.”

  Flynn was tempted, but he was throwing his mate a bone. The other man had just ‘reacquainted’ himself with Jolie. Tonight was Jacques’s moment with the girl.

  Suddenly, Jacques cursed in French, right before landing on his ass with a soft thud.

  Flynn deserved an Academy Award.

  “So tired,” Jolie admitted once Jacques was back in their bed.

  “Go to death, my love. We’ll thank him tomorrow,” Jacques suggested.

  “I love you,” Jolie said, taking a deep breath before letting death have her. “I love you, Flynn,” she whispered, and then was gone.

  “I love you too, Jol
ie,” he finally answered.

  Jacques grinned, “She was correct, I see.”

  “Hey, that wasn’t easy. You try playing dead while she’s jerking you off with cold hands.”

  He laughed. “Why were you playing possum?” he asked.

  “I wanted you to have tonight. You two made up, so you deserved to have this as your time together.”

  Jacques went up on his elbow to stare over Jolie’s prone body. “I’m so sorry for what I said to you earlier. You’re a good man, Flynn. I don’t deserve you or what you did for me tonight. I let my anger hurt her, and it could have damaged us too.”

  He didn't mind. All was forgiven.

  “Well, you owe me one.”

  He was surprised. “Okay. Name it.”

  Flynn realized how that must have sounded. “Wait! Not for fixing this mess. I’m going to get her drunk and let her feel you up with cold hands for my entertainment. After all, fair is fair.”

  Jacques laughed. “Yes, I suppose it is. Goodnight, my friend.”

  When he was gone, Flynn spoke, “Brother. You’re more like my brother, Jacques. I hope one day you see that. I’d do anything for you too.”

  CHAPTER Twelve

  Somewhere in Paris

  All she could think about was controlling death. From the second Jolie Harcourte had appeared at the council meeting, she knew that her gift had to be hers. One way or another, she would find a way to control it once more. This was destined to be her greatest gift in life.

  Like ages ago, it would come to her, and she would be all powerful. Fate was on her side.

  No, make that Death.

  After a very exuberant bout of sweaty sex, she should be thinking about her mate, Morden. Instead of enjoying the afterglow, Belladonna was focused on the new mistress in their midst.

  Jolie smelled like death, and she had no doubt that the vampyre could call and control the darkness at her whim, much like she once could.

  With such power in her arsenal once again, there would be few vampyres who could defeat her. Death would bring her riches and power, and all it would take would be some pitiful human sacrifice.