“Serenity,” Sebastian said, his tone firm.
Serenity glared at Demitri, but Sebastian wrapped an arm around her and left the building with a burst of speed.
Back on the street, Sebastian took Serenity in his arms. Her arms snaked around his waist, her face pressed against the breadth of his chest. Sebastian buried his face in her hair, breathing in the citrus scent of her shampoo.
“I can’t tell you how much it means to me to have you back,” he said. “I won’t let anything hurt you ever again.”
“You heard what he said. I need your blood now to keep me well.”
“I’d give you every last drop if it means you and I are together.”
“But what about Elizabeth? Do you think he means what he said about wanting Elizabeth?”
Sebastian chewed at his lower lip. “I’ve never known Demitri to not mean what he says, but right now we can’t think about that. He said himself he’ll give us time to say goodbye to her…”
Serenity’s eyes filled with tears. “I don’t want to say goodbye! I’ve already missed two years of her life. I won’t let him come and take her away. We must be able to do something.”
“Shhh,” he rubbed her back. “There will be something we can do. I just need some time to figure out how to stop him, how to make him want something else, or come to some kind of compromise.”
She looked up, her eyes wide and horrified. “There is no compromise! I won’t let him anywhere near Elizabeth. And if you’re actually considering handing her over, then you’re not the man I thought you were.”
“I’m not a man, Serenity.”
She yanked away from him. “You may not be a man, but you are a father.”
“Hey, wait. I love Elizabeth as much as you do. I’ll die before I let Demitri harm her, but we need to think about this rationally and being over-emotional about the situation won’t help us figure things out.”
“I guess it’s easier for you to not be affected by your emotions.”
“I can shut them down if I need to, but never for you or Elizabeth.”
He gently tugged her back to him and this time she let him. “We’ll figure this out. Let’s go home. You’ll feel better with Elizabeth at your side.”
Sebastian glanced at the sky. Though the city’s illumination dulled the brilliance of the stars, his internal clock told him dawn wasn’t far away. Going home right away wasn’t an option.
“We’re not going to make it back tonight,” he said. “We need to find a place to stay.”
“What about Elizabeth? I want to see her.” She paused, her brow furrowing in anxiety. “Who’s taking care of her?”
“Her nanny—a woman named Bridget. She knows all about my kind. Her son was turned several years ago.”
“So Elizabeth is safe?”
“Perfectly.”
Her shoulders relaxed. “So where are we going to stay? What about the sunlight?”
“A hotel will be fine. As long as the room’s got a large closet, I can sleep in there.”
“It’ll be weird to think of you asleep in the closet.”
“You won’t need to think. You’ve been through so much I expect you’ll sleep right through the day.”
Serenity’s hand slipped into his and, they walked away from Demitri’s club and out to the main street. Up ahead, a white sign protruded from a wall of a building, the word ‘HOTEL’ in big, black lettering. They didn’t have time to be fussy.
They entered the small, but tidy lobby and a woman behind the reception desk smiled at them.
Sebastian reached into his jacket pocket and took out his wallet. “We need a room.” He laid a credit card and driver’s license on the reception desk.
“Just for the one night?” the woman inquired.
“Make it two. And we’ve been traveling all night. Can you please ensure we’re not disturbed?”
“Of course, Sir.”
The receptionist handed Sebastian the keycard and pointed them toward the elevator. Hand in hand, they made their way up to the room.
Chapter Fourteen
How had she missed the last two years?
Serenity was struggling to come to terms with the reality that she was missing two years of both her and Elizabeth’s life. Sebastian, of course, still looked as he always had, and she’d yet to see Elizabeth. Her heart broke for both herself and her daughter. How awful for Elizabeth, to have to grow up without her mommy.
As Sebastian led her down the hotel corridor, toward their room, she lifted her free hand to her cheek. Had she aged? Would the years be apparent on her face when she looked in the mirror?
She felt different, but not in a bad way. Her senses were heightened. The soft snores and deep breathing of other guests sleeping behind the bedroom doors filtered to her ears as they passed. A waft of gone-off milk made her turn her face away from the source of the smell, but the carpet had been long cleaned, she’d simply picked up on a slight residue. She was also incredibly aware of Sebastian beside her, of the relation of his body to hers. Despite the insane circumstances, her physical desire for him had not changed—if anything, she wanted him more than ever. She glanced at his profile as they walked—his straight nose, full lips, cut jaw and cheekbones, and fierce eyes. Her heart fluttered, something catching tight in her chest. He’d always been beautiful to her, but right now the urge to immerse herself in him felt like a physical addiction. His familiar scent filled her nostrils and she clamped her jaw together, restraining herself from throwing herself at him right here in the corridor.
They reached their room and barely made it through the door.
“Serenity…” Sebastian started as he closed the door behind them. He turned, his green eyes locking on hers. Her want for him notched up a level—an urgent, desperate need.
“Don’t speak,” she said. “Not yet.” She stepped toward him, closing the gap so only an inch of air remained between them. The tiny space seemed charged and she was almost surprised she couldn’t see electricity dancing between their bodies. Her hands found the buttons of his shirt and his eyes lit when he realized exactly what she had in mind.
“Are you sure?” he said. “So soon?”
“It doesn’t feel soon for me.”
His fingers laced in the back of her hair and he drew her mouth to his. The sensation of his soft, cool lips made her moan. She stood on tiptoe, pressing herself into him as he kissed her, long and slow and deep.
Sebastian broke the kiss, looking into her face. “I’ve thought of this every night since Jackson took you. It’s been as though a piece of my heart was missing.”
His words brought tears to her eyes but she placed her fingertips against his lips. “No talking. Not yet.”
Their lips met again, hungry and passionate. With fervor, she popped the buttons of his shirt apart and tugged the material from his broad frame. Her palms sought the smooth curves of his chest, skirting over his skin. Sebastian pulled her t-shirt over her head, his lips finding her throat… her collarbone… her shoulder.
They matched each other’s urgency, stroke for stroke, kiss for kiss, lick for lick. Within moments, their remaining clothes had been cast to the floor, leaving them naked in each other’s embrace. She was stronger now and she could take his ferocity. Sebastian lifted her and slammed her against the door, the sound ricocheting down the corridor behind. He reached between her thighs and stroked her open, and with a nudge of his hips, filled her.
Serenity lifted her head and they locked eyes as he moved inside her. Had she ever experienced such a connection to another being before—a total sense of oneness?
They maintained eye contact even as their motions grew more frantic, almost challenging each other. Pleasure built deep at her center and she could look at him no more. She cried out and buried her face against the cool skin of his neck. Her fingers clawed into the hard muscles of his back, her thighs locked around his hips, drawing him deeper.
They were regaining each other again, each one clai
ming the other.
Even as her climax spilled over her, her only thoughts were, ‘I love you, I love you, I love you.’ She didn’t need to say them out loud; with their blood connection, he’d heard them anyway.
Afterward, they lay in bed, Sebastian on his back, Serenity curled against him, her head on his chest.
Sebastian kissed the top of her head. “It’s almost morning.”
“Is it too early to call the house?” she asked, anxiety in her voice. “I want to speak to Elizabeth, but I don’t want to wake her.”
He gave a small laugh. “She probably already knows you’re about to call. I expect she’s sitting by the phone.”
She picked up the phone, sitting on the nightstand, and handed the receiver to Sebastian, nerves suddenly jangling in her stomach. “You call. Just in case the other woman—Bridget—picks up.”
He nodded. “Sure.”
Serenity picked at the skin around her nails as he dialed the number. Someone picked up on the first ring and Serenity leaned in close to hear who answered.
“Mommy?” Elizabeth’s small voice echoed through the handset and Serenity snatched the phone from Sebastian’s fingers.
“Elizabeth, honey? I’m here. It’s Mommy!”
“Mommy! You’re all better again.”
“Yes, sweetheart. Your daddy made me well.”
“So you remember us? Just like you used to?”
“Yes, and I’ll never forget you again. Your daddy told me you went and got big without me.” Tears flooded her eyes and her voice broke as she struggled to speak past the hard, painful lump clogging her throat.”
“I did, Mommy! I got real big. I’m six years old already.”
Her hand clamped over her mouth, trying to stop the sob threatening to burst from her mouth. She didn’t want Elizabeth to hear.
“I’ve missed you so much, Mommy. I can’t wait for you to come home.”
“Me too, baby. I’ll be there real soon, okay. I’ll be with you tonight, I promise.”
“Okay, Mommy. See you tonight. I love you.”
“I love you too, baby. So, so much.”
Serenity hung up the phone and burst into tears. “She sounds so grown up.”
Sebastian pulled her against his chest and she clung to him as she cried.
“I can’t believe Jackson stole two years of her life from me. Out of everything he did, I think that’s the worst.”
“He’s dead now, Serenity. Dead and gone for good. I tore out his heart and watched as he turned to dust and blew into the wind. There is no coming back from that.”
“Thank you,” she said, kissing him. “And thank you for never giving up on me.”
“Never.” He glanced at the drape covered window.
“You need to sleep now?”
He nodded. “Yeah. And you should get some rest too.”
The closet was more than long enough for him to lie down on its floor. He grabbed a pillow and kissed her again, his strong hand brushing through her hair. “Everything will be all right again. One more day, and we’ll all be back together.”
She nodded. “I love you.”
He kissed her. “I love you.”
Then he was gone, the closet door closed.
Serenity woke early the next evening, ravenous and anxious to get home to Elizabeth. The thought of seeing her daughter again made her nervous. Would Elizabeth still look like the same girl? Would Elizabeth even still remember her as her mother, or had the other woman—Bridget—taken her place?
A flash of jealousy clutched at her heart. To think another woman had replaced her in the lives of the people she cared most about in this world hurt deep down. She wondered what the woman was like and again jealously blazed through her, hot and bright. Serenity shook herself, trying to dislodge the pain and uncertainty. It was normal for her to have concerns. After all, she’d been missing for two years and that was a long time, even if she couldn’t remember the time passing.
Remembering her desire to find out if the years had marked her own face, Serenity wrapped the bed sheet around her nakedness and stood. She crossed to the dresser with its mirror hung above. With a thumping heart, she leaned in, studying herself. She breathed a sigh of relief. Sebastian’s blood had affected more than just her memory and senses. Her skin was smooth and clear, her dark eyes bright, her lips full. No crow’s lines marked her eyes, no cracks above her upper-lip. Her forehead was as line-free as it had been in her early twenties. Curious, she opened the sheet and looked down at her body. The faint silvery stretch marks left from her pregnancy had all but vanished, only the widest ones still left the faintest trace on her skin. Her breasts were full and high, like those of a twenty-year old, her stomach perfectly flat.
Serenity smiled and tugged the sheet back around her body. No wonder Sebastian’s body was always so perfect—clearly vampire blood was good for the physique.
The thought of Sebastian made her squeeze her thighs together, pleasure racing through her at the memory of their time together earlier. She glanced at the closet. How strange to think he was behind those doors. She got no sense of a presence, no sounds normally associated with a sleeping man.
She made her way over to the window and pulled back the drape enough so she could peer out. The light had grown dim. Traffic raced below, some of the headlights of the cars illuminating the road. Street lights started to flicker to life. It wouldn’t be long before Sebastian would awaken.
Arms encircled her waist and Serenity jumped. She twisted around to find Sebastian fully dressed. “I was just thinking you’d be awake soon.”
“The sun already set. Did you sleep?”
She grinned. “Like the dead. I want to get home though. What Demitri said worries me.”
“I know. Me too. We’ll go right away.”
“Give me a minute.” She stood on tiptoe and planted a quick kiss on his mouth before disappearing inside the bathroom. She used the toilet and washed, using the toiletries the hotel provided to brush her teeth and comb her hair. She reemerged feeling less like a tramp.
“Are you ready to travel with me? Do you remember what it was like? It can be quite a strain on you, physically, over such a huge distance.”
“I remember and I’ll be fine. I’m stronger than I’ve ever been.”
“That would be the vampire blood.”
“I could do with something to eat though,” she added, almost apologetically.
“Of course. I forget you need to eat.”
They left the hotel room and headed down through the lobby and out onto the street. Sebastian had paid for two days in advance so they simply left the key in the room and walked away.
Out on the street, the world carried on, unaware of the secrets that walked among them.
Serenity’s stomach grumbled and Sebastian grinned down at her, his sensitive hearing easily picking up on the sound.
She flushed. “Sorry.”
“Don’t be silly. You’re still human, remember. You need to eat.”
A bagel shop made up the corner spot of the street and they headed inside. Serenity ordered a cream cheese bagel and a large coffee. They took a seat near the window while she ate with urgent bites and slurped down the drink, despite it still being too hot.
She glanced up at him, suddenly self-conscious about her gluttony. “I feel bad sitting here when we should be getting back to Elizabeth, especially considering what Demitri threatened.”
“Well don’t. You need your strength. We’ve got to cross thousands of miles. Demitri won’t go anywhere near her. First he’d need to find out where we live and then he’d still have to make the same journey.”
“I’m just scared.”
He reached out and took her hand. “We might not see Demitri again for years. Maybe even not at all. He might lose interest and find something else to provide his ‘entertainment’. But whatever happens, we’ll find some way to hide Elizabeth from him, even if it means traveling to the other side of the world and starting
over somewhere new.”
“I don’t care where I am, as long as I have both of you.”
“I feel the same way.”
He looked down at the bagel wrapper, now containing only crumbs, and the empty cup. “Ready?”
Serenity nodded, and they stood and left the shop. Night had now completely fallen. Headlights of cars swept across the road before them. Streetlamps shone like spotlights onto the sidewalk. People walked with their heads down, hands shoved in pockets or talking on cell phones. Everyone rushed by and no one noticed when the striking man picked up the woman with the long, dark hair and then seemed to vanish into the night.
Chapter Fifteen
Serenity stood outside Sebastian’s front door, her heart hammering. Perhaps she was crazy for being so nervous about facing her own daughter but she couldn’t change the way she felt. Seeing Elizabeth would be the first real confirmation that she’d completely lost the last two years; Sebastian didn’t change, and ingesting those few drops of his blood had wiped out the past ten years on her face—never mind two.
Beside her, Sebastian reached down, his cool fingers lacing through her own. He squeezed her hand in reassurance. “There’s a little girl behind that door who is dying to see you.”
She took a deep breath. “I’m desperate to see her too. I’m just scared it’ll be weird, like I won’t know who she is anymore.”
“She’s exactly the same—only taller.”
Serenity turned her face up to his and kissed him. His lips pressed firm against hers. His mouth was soft and moist, and she forced herself to break away.
“Thank you,” she said.
She climbed the steps, turned the handle and pushed open the front door. Immediately, the sound of feet rushed toward them and Elizabeth rounded the corner, her dark hair flying and her eyes bright.
“Mommy, Mommy, Mommy!” She slammed into Serenity’s legs and Serenity lifted her up, squeezing her tight. Elizabeth’s small arms wound around Serenity’s neck, and her soft cheek pressed against hers. “I missed you so much, Mommy.”
The Serenity Series: Box Set: Books 1-3 Page 55