“Great. Looks like there’s more good news every day when we wake up.”
Jolie touched Flynn’s face. “I’m sorry, handsome. I wish you didn’t have to deal with this insanity. Sometimes, I wish my existence was…normal,” she admitted, gently stroking his stubbly face.
He stared into her lavender eyes. “Baby, I’d live in hell for you. This is nothing.”
She was touched. As she tucked one of the black silky strands of his hair behind his ear, their focus was drawn to the opening door.
“Mistress, we were told to come feed you.”
Jolie smiled in welcome, even as Flynn scrambled to get into a pair of boxers.
Heading toward the women, she noticed the older woman was staring at Flynn. “Thank you for your donation,” she said, taking both Mina and Margharite’s hands. She was drained. It was going to be a double feeding for her.
Jolie tried to absorb the energy slowly, but her body was so depleted that she found herself ravenous. It took Flynn’s hands on her silk clad shoulders to pull her from her feeding.
“Thank you,” she murmured.
It was hard to not notice that the older woman was now staring at her disapprovingly.
“Yes, Margharite?” she asked, as she turned to push energy into Flynn’s body.
“Nothing, Mistress,” she said, looking away.
“No, I caught the look. Please, speak your mind.”
Margharite looked chagrined. “It’s just unladylike for a woman to sleep with so many men. I’m told that you bed down with more than one.”
Laughter bubbled uncontrollably from Jolie’s lips. She couldn’t help it. It was the comic relief after standing at the precipice of a horrible disaster.
Flynn grinned, placing a kiss on her forehead.
“I don’t see why this is funny, Mistress,” Margharite stated, putting her hands on her hips.
Jolie knew why it was comical. They had hunters stalking them, a deranged vampyre after Death’s angel, and a demoness on the brink of meltdown, and this lady was worked up over who she slept with?
If Jolie didn't laugh, she might cry. Sharing her bed with two men was the least of all of their concerns.
Instead of being insulted, she smiled. “Thank you, Margharite, for that laugh. I have a feeling that you’ll be a priceless addition to our family.”
The woman prepared to leave the room, but right before, she gave Flynn a look as he ran his lips across Jolie’s throat and shoulder.
He snorted.
“She’s something,” Jolie admitted.
“It looks like Margharite is going to whip this house of ill repute into shape, and fast.”
“She reminds me of my mother. I happen to like her a great deal.”
Flynn didn’t disagree. The woman seemed harmless. “Jolie,” he whispered, as she continued to torment him by rubbing against his body. “You’re baiting me.”
She grinned wickedly. “I’m not teasing you, Flynn. It seems I’m in the mood to roll around with my mates. I wish Jacques was here.”
He looked disappointed.
“Want to get tangled in some sheets with me?” Jolie inquired, running her fingers down his tan flesh.
He laughed.
“What’s so funny?”
“That you even have to ask that. You should know me by now.” Without warning, he pounced, taking them both to the bed.
When his mouth sought hers in a steamy tangle of tongues, Flynn was pretty sure that he was in heaven. Jolie came to life beneath him, calling to the need in his body.
Freeing herself from his mouth, she whispered breathlessly to him, “Let me feed you, Flynn.”
“Who am I to complain?” he replied, continuing his trek down her pale smooth skin.
Her hands found his hair, directing him to her throat. When his lips found the right place, she whimpered.
“Please,” she begged.
How could he say no?
Jolie’s hands were wandering his body, her words were tearing his control to shreds, and the darkness was calling to the predator in him.
The only thing that would make this perfect was if Jacques was there.
‘I agree,’ she whispered into his mind.
As his palms caressed her breasts, cradling them in his rough hands, his tongue swirled across the pulse in Jolie’s throat.
She was squirming beneath him.
He loved how she was wantonly begging for his touch. It made him wild with lust for her.
‘Only me,’ she whispered into his mind after reading his thoughts.
“Yes,” he murmured, feeling his fangs descending into his mouth. The scent and feel of her called to them and always would.
“Flynn,” she purred, wrapping her legs around his sturdy hips. Nothing felt better than the tough, strong man before her.
Well, maybe Jacques’s lean frame.
To her, it was a tie.
With one hand in his hair, the other gliding down his chest, Jolie urged him closer. When her fingers wrapped around his rock hard erection, she was giddy with what was to come.
Flynn moaned. “Jolie,” he whispered against her flesh, trying to prolong the delicious need. It was like an addiction, pulling him under.
“Flynn, feed,” she begged.
He shook.
It was her stroking hand, luring him closer and closer to losing control that made it hard to think. He wanted to go slow and enjoy the way she pleaded, but his will was beginning to unravel.
Fangs scraped against silky skin, causing Jolie to hold her breath. “Now,” she pleaded, and when he obeyed, she was filled with euphoria.
Flynn allowed himself the utmost of erotic pleasures. He opened his mind, heart, and body for her. As his fangs slid effortlessly into her body, he drank everything about her in.
The taste.
The feel.
The pleasure.
Jolie moaned, and it incited him to drink faster. The earthy taste of her blood across his tongue was beyond words. It was home, love, and everything he cherished in life.
“More,” she begged, as his body began rubbing against hers. The hardness met softness as he tried to bury himself in her.
Jolie struggled to stay in focus, but it was so damn hard. Flynn, while human, had learned the fine art of feeding. There was nothing but eroticism and heat. It was hard not to drown in it.
Her body tingled, and she knew it was all the blood she could share. “Flynn,” she whispered, getting through the haze of lust to the man beneath.
His fangs released her, even as his mouth stayed on her skin. Now, the feeding was a beautiful glide of lips on flesh.
“I love you,” he whispered, so satiated with the taste of her that he was pretty sure life couldn’t get any better than that moment.
Her heart skipped. “I love you too,” she vowed.
Then she rolled, placing him on the bottom. Jolie wanted to make love to her mate while watching his eyes. They were the window to their shared soul, and Jolie craved seeing inside the real man.
He let her perch across his hips. “Baby.”
Jolie never looked away. Instead, she sheathed him deep within her body.
Flynn moaned.
It was deep, low, and called to the predator in her. “I need to take my mate for a ride,” she whispered, right before she began moving.
He couldn’t speak.
Why would he?
There was a beautiful woman worshipping his body. A part of Flynn still believed this was some dream.
‘It’s not. This, my love, is reality.’
His heart quaked.
Jolie placed her hands on his chest and began the easy glide up and down his erection. She kept the pace slow to torture them both. All the while, she reveled in the man below her. The sexy tan skin, the sparkling blue eyes, and the wildly wispy hair drove her to madness.
He was all hers.
‘I am.’
When Flynn’s hands found her hips, Jolie was already clos
e. It felt like ages since she’d mated with the man beneath her. “Flynn,” she whispered breathlessly, as he watched her bouncing on his body.
“Jolie, baby, taste me.”
It was an offer she couldn’t refuse.
As she kept moving, Jolie brought them right to the precipice. As she was about to fall into the exquisite feeling of them exploding together, she made her move.
Razor sharp fangs pierced the flesh above his artery, and the heady, delicious taste of mate filled her mouth.
Jolie exploded in orgasm.
Flynn had no choice but to follow.
The fall was filled with colors, lights, and so much bliss, that it was nearly mind numbing.
Together, they tumbled.
After a few minutes, Flynn was free from her mouth, but he didn't move because he didn't want to let her go. There was something so relaxing about having her on him.
“That was really amazing,” she whispered, leaving a trail of kisses across his collarbones.
He laughed. “Yeah, let’s do it again and again until we kill each other.”
Jolie stroked his cheek. “It would be the best way to die.”
Flynn’s heart flipped.
So, this was true love.
He was a lucky, lucky man.
CHAPTER eighteen
As he waited for the master and mistress to answer the door, Jacques had this wave of uneasiness. Was he doing the right thing? Something didn't feel right. Not only did it take them forever to come to the door, but he could feel their eyes peeking out from windows on the second floor.
Being careful was one thing, but he got the impression they were hiding from him.
It was odd.
When the door finally opened, he had this weird sense of déjà vu. The man before him looked familiar. Then Jacques figured it out.
It was all about the eyes.
“Can we help you?” asked the man, looking intently into Jacques’s face.
There was that unusual color staring back at him. In his many centuries of life, he’d only seen it once or twice. While genetics had stolen a great deal of pigment from their bodies, their eyes were almost always vibrant.
This man’s eyes stood out.
He’d stared into them every day for over six hundred years. “Yes, I need to speak with you, if that’s possible. My name is Jacques Degaul. I believe you know my family.”
The woman nodded in acknowledgement, but didn’t move. She remained behind the male, almost like he was acting as her shield against a potential danger.
Jacques found that curious.
“I can’t imagine why you’re here bothering us,” she finally said.
“Mistress Arian, it’s important that I speak to you and your mate.” He was getting impatient. Leaving his mates alone for long periods of time never sat well with him.
“Regarding?” she replied.
Jacques gestured to the amulet around her neck. “It’s regarding the family history of your necklace, and the woman who owned it prior to you.”
Both looked confused, but they stepped back to welcome him into their home.
It was a start.
Leading them into a formal sitting room, Jacques settled into a chair across from the couple. He watched as the woman nervously played with the amulet. The way she clutched it in her hand, he knew that she was going to be the big obstacle to overcome.
“Now, what’s this about the amulet, and its previous owner?” she asked, dropping it beneath her shirt.
“I’m the previous owner’s mate.”
“That’s not possible, Jacques,” began the man. “You see, it was my mother’s, and when she was killed, my sister had it in her possession until her death. Then it was given to me as I left to go to another society.”
He stared at the vampyre. Oh, he was about to shock the man big time.
“Then it was indeed my mate’s amulet,” he stated again, for certain now that this vampyre was Jolie’s brother.
“I don’t understand,” the blonde woman whined, holding tightly to the necklace beneath her shirt.
The male looked confused, but then finally got it.
“Jolie was your mate?”
He corrected him. “Jolie is my mate. She saw Arian at the Halloween ball and recognized the amulet. We were under the impression that the family who kept her had the amulet this entire time.”
The man leaned forward. “Wait! My sister’s alive?” he asked.
Could this be possible?
Before Jacques could reply, Arian leaned forward. “Alexzandre, we don’t know if this is true,” she said, eyeing Jacques suspiciously. “This necklace is ours. It’s been mine for so many years.”
He glanced over at her. “I’m aware, Arian.”
Jacques continued, “She has the same eyes and hair as you do, Alexzandre. I can also tell you that Jolie has a wicked temper, sense of humor, and is the most compassionate woman I’ve ever met in my centuries.”
“My God!” He sat back, looking at his hands. “She was at the ball? My own beloved sister was there, and I didn't even notice her? How is that possible?” he asked out loud.
“Yes, she was indeed there. You may have seen her. Jolie was dressed as the Goddess Aphrodite.”
The man thought about it.
Then Jacques knew when he recalled her.
“Oh, she was the spectacle dancing with all those men,” said Arian huffily.
“By all those men, you’re referring to three. That’s hardly a brothel of males. In fact, all were part of our family.” He didn't go into more details.
“I can’t believe this,” Alexzandre stated. “Jolie is alive? She’s here? I don’t know if this is some dream or a reality that’s too good to be true.”
“It’s fact.”
Arian snorted. “It’s funny how she wants my necklace, not her brother.”
Jacques leaned forward menacingly. “Don’t worry, Arian, she doesn’t want that trinket back. She didn't covet it. It was just a piece of her past. In the end, it means nothing to her.”
The woman opened her mouth.
“My mate doesn’t even know I’m here. I didn't come to shop for gaudy jewelry. I came to find her brother. That’s something that can never be purchased.”
Arian flinched if slapped. She genuinely appeared to be insulted.
Alexzandre ignored the banter. He was still stuck on the fact that Jolie was alive.
“I recall seeing her at the ball. I couldn’t stop staring. She looked familiar, but I couldn’t place it. How could I? Jolie has been dead for seven centuries. I didn't expect her to walk back into my life.”
“She believed the same of you.”
“Oh, my precious, beautiful sister. I’ve missed her so much,” he stated, staring up at Jacques. “Every day for all these years, I’ve mourned her. Losing Jolie was something I never got over.”
Yeah, well, Jacques suspected that when he found out how she was hidden from him, he wouldn’t be getting over that easily either.
A wave of wariness washed over him.
“I have to see my sister. I need this.” He glanced over at his mate when she made some strangled sound of displeasure.
“No,” said Arian, getting panicky. “You’re mated to a primus. This woman, your sister or not, is below our status. Remember where you came from, Alexzandre. She was owned, and so were you. I’ve worked hard to elevate our status. You won’t drag us back down by poor decisions.”
He looked surprised at her words. “You elevated our status? I supposed I did nothing to help, hmm?”
She crossed her arms. “You know what I meant.”
Jacques leaned forward menacingly. “Let me make this easier for you, Arian. Jolie is also a primus, and to the Harcourte society. You should research it. I can guarantee that she could buy your family, and then some.”
The woman gasped at his rudeness.
“In fact, not only is wealth not an issue, but she happens to be tracking the hunters who
are stalking your families,” added Jacques. “She isn’t anyone’s property. What happened then isn’t what’s going on now. Her past doesn’t define her.”
The woman went to object, but was cut off.
“I will see my sister, Arian. I won’t debate this with you. I’m your mate, not your underling. I helped build this family at your side. You didn't do it alone. While you’re off playing debutant at the balls, I work hard to fill our coffers to give you status. So get off your high horse. She’s my blood. That’s all that matters.”
Jacques relaxed. He genuinely liked the man. Alexzandre was a great deal like his sister. Loyalty mattered.
Again, she opened her mouth.
“I won’t debate this.” He glanced over at Jacques. “When can I see Jolie?”
“I’ve yet to tell Jolie about you. I’d like to surprise her. We’re only here on holiday, and my other mate and I would like to give her a memory that she’ll never forget.”
He nodded. “Okay, and?”
“Can you meet us at the Eiffel Tower at eight this evening?”
“I would meet you anywhere you want. I just want to see my sister.”
Jacques offered him his hand. “Thank you.”
“How do we know that you’re not a hunter trying to lure us to our death?” Arian added at the last minute.
Jacques had enough of the plump, pompous woman sitting in front of him. His eyes bled black, and he bared his fangs. “If I wanted you dead, you would’ve been gone when I first stepped into your house.” He watched her pale. “Make no mistake, Arian. I’m definitely a killer, just not regarding this issue,” he stated quietly.
She sputtered, “How undignified!”
Jacques turned back to Alexzandre. “I’ll see you tonight at the top of the tower. Maybe you should leave your mate at home, since she’s so worried about getting hurt. I wouldn’t want to have to push her over the side if she upsets my Jolie.”
She gasped. “Alex! Are you going to let him talk to me that way?”
“Quiet, Arian.”
With that, Jacques stood to leave.
His work there was done.
Now, he needed to go home, tell Flynn of their ‘present’, and get Jolie to go out with them. The plan was unfolding.
He couldn’t wait to see her face.
Dangerous Misery (The Harcourte Vampyre Society Book 3) Page 31