Wilder, J. C. - Shadow Dweller 6

by Temptation(lit)

  He bent his head and buried his face between her soft thighs. At the first touch of his tongue against her skin, her thighs tightened against his cheeks. She moaned long and loud as he suckled her flesh with single-minded determination. He slid his fingers deep into her damp channel and a cry burst from her throat.

  Within minutes, she writhed beneath his touch. Her head thrown back, her breath came in soft gasps as she begged, nay, pleaded with him to end her torture.

  "Yes...please. There. No, harder. Yes...Oh God. Yes. Yes. Yes!"

  Her final cry came out like a shriek, the sound of which bounced off the kitchen walls and other polished surfaces. Her thighs relaxed and Sinjin nuzzled her inner thigh before rising over her.

  Her skin was flushed, her lips swollen from his kisses as her curls tumbled wildly about her head. She looked thoroughly compromised.

  "You're next." She gave him a soft, sexy smile.

  "Nay, I'm not through with ye yet."

  Vivian shrieked and wrapped her arms around his neck when he swept her off the chair. He staggered as she twined her legs around his waist, pressing her heat against his erection. He could only hope his jeans could contain him for another few minutes lest he embarrass himself.

  As he carried her through the house, she drove him crazy by touching every inch of exposed skin she could reach. His earlobe was the first victim of her attentions when she sucked the tender bit of flesh between her lips.

  He shuddered and his cock strained for freedom. "Ye'd better quit, woman."

  "Or what?" She bit his earlobe.

  "I'll have to spank yer wee bottom."

  "Ooh!" She shimmied as he climbed the steps. "Sounds kinky. Maybe we can do that next time."

  He chuckled and smacked her lightly on the backside before giving her a firm squeeze. "Why not now?"

  "This time I want you to fuck me hard," she whispered in his ear.

  The images her words evoked had him panting as he staggered into his bedroom. Within moments, he had her on her back in the middle of his bed. His mouth took hers as he set out to devour her. Greedy hands ran over skin as clothing was removed and thrown to the floor. Impatient, he was hungry to have her beneath him, desperate to be inside her. Deep inside her.

  His restraint gone, he pressed her thighs apart and entered her with a low groan. Her body opened at his invasion, caressing his cock with her damp, silken flesh. Moving with little finesse and a lot of passion, he pounded into her. Reality faded and he was aware only of the woman beneath him and the sensations she aroused in him.

  Hot, wild and untamed, they possessed each other totally. Their fingers entwined as their bodies strained toward completion. With a wild cry, she reached her release mere seconds before he did. His body tensed as his orgasm ripped through his body. Deep, convulsive shudders wracked him before losing their grip, allowing him to sink into Vivian's warm embrace.

  After a few moments, their breathing slowed and reality reasserted itself. Sinjin rolled, taking Vivian with him to curl against his side. As her hand landed near his heart, he savored the feeling of his lover cuddled against him. Closing his eyes, he experienced a new- found contentment.

  Limbs still entangled, Vivian fell asleep in his arms. The heady scent of their lovemaking lingered on his skin. He loathed having to leave her but he was due at the bar to meet Elena and receive the diary.

  Duty was more important than physical pleasure.

  Slowly, he slipped from her relaxed grip. Pulling a light blanket from the foot of the bed, he covered her. She gave a little sigh as the soft fabric covered her delectable curves.

  With a light kiss on her forehead, he turned away from the woman who was in danger of stealing his heart to ready himself for the upcoming meeting.

  * * *

  Chapter 11

  Elena licked her lips. Her gaze was glued on Sinjin as he stared at the leather book nestled in its bed of blue velvet. She knew well how he felt. The book was singularly unspectacular to look at. Warm brown leather, worn at the edges and the book's spine was bare of any adornment. She knew he'd expected more than this drab little tome. Certainly not bolts of lightning on high or anything like that. But more than just this.

  "So many people have died for the knowledge in this book." Sinjin spoke as he ran his fingers over the cover. He pulled his hand away and she wondered if he'd felt the same chill she had when she'd first touched it. There was an unholiness that rested between its covers and she felt it every time she picked it up.

  "It has little to do with the knowledge and everything to do with the greed of man." She heard the bitterness in her tone and winced.

  He lifted his head and his blue gaze impaled hers. She fought the urge to step away from him. "Vivian almost died for this book last night."

  "How is that?"

  "She was accosted less than a block from here when she left. She told me what they said to her and it sounded like Miles." His expression grew guarded. "I will ask ye again, how did ye come by the book?"

  She crossed her arms over her chest and turned away. "I prefer not to disclose that information."

  "I dinna give a damn what ye prefer, Elena. An innocent woman almost died because she resembled ye. Someone is obviously after ye and they know ye have the diary. Is it Miles?"

  She shrugged. "I haven't had any problems. No one's hassled me over the book."

  "Was it Miles ye stole the book from?"

  "She's very lucky, your woman." Elena drifted to the window, her gaze falling on the boisterous crowds that milled along the street. "I smell her on your skin. She's invaded every inch of your being, but you haven't realized it yet." Loneliness resonated in her soul. Right now she wanted to be anywhere but here, in this city, this office, her own skin. The weight of the book and her past betrayal weighed heavily on her soul. All she wanted to do was lay down and weep, but that wasn't an option. For her it never had been.

  "I stole the book from Miles while he slept." She smiled at the memory. "Or, at least I thought he was asleep. When he woke I knocked him out." She turned. "Needless to say, he's not pleased with me."

  "And he's come for it."

  "Probably."

  "Any idea who could be with him?"

  She shook her head. "Man or woman?"

  "Man."

  "That's an interesting development. He usually travels alone unless it's a female companion."

  Sinjin sat back, his expression contemplative. "Which tells me someone else is behind this."

  "And who wants the diary more than anyone else?"

  "Mikhail."

  They were silent, both staring at one another as they realized the implications of the vampire's involvement.

  "Do you think Miles ever intended to take the book to him?"

  Sinjin shrugged. "Whatever he intended, ye mucked that up. I have no doubt Miles is after the book and, consequently, after ye. The question is whether or not Mikhail is behind him as well or is it another interested party."

  "Is there anything you need assistance with?" she asked.

  "Nay. Right now, I just need several weeks to begin studying the diary. We can only hope time is on our side."

  "I'll keep my ears open and inform you if anything that pertains to this arises."

  "Will ye be okay?"

  Elena forced a smile to her lips. She was used to taking care of herself. She was always careful to on her feet and she would this time as well. "Yes. I'll call you in a few weeks."

  "Please do." Before she could leave, he rose from his chair and held out his hand. Elena stared at it for a second before she caught it and gave it one quick shake.

  "Thank ye, Elena Vasquez. Ye've done the entire preternatural world a huge favor by recovering this book and turning it o'er to me."

  She released him; her skin burning where he'd touched her. Didn't he know that she was undeserving of his gratitude? Her possession of the diary had had nothing to do with saving any other life than her own. "You're welcome. Now if you'll excuse me, I
have another appointment to keep."

  She took the steps at a quick jog. The restaurant was almost empty when she passed through. Only the redheaded vampire waitress stood behind the bar, talking to a man with a scar on his face. His ice-blue gaze met hers and a shiver ran down Elena's spine, alerting her to possible danger. Her eyes narrowed as she passed, barely managing to not growl at him.

  Keeping her senses on alert, she slipped out the door to blend with the crowd and fade into the New Orleans night in pursuit of her next destination and the job that awaited her.

  Dawn was still several hours away when Sinjin entered his house. He'd spent the last three hours photocopying the diary, page by excruciating page. The copy was now secreted in his personal safe at the Chat while the original was tucked into the bag he carried.

  After locking the door, he headed for the stairs, wondering if Vivian was still asleep in his bed where he'd left her. His pulse quickened at the thought of her waiting for him. He stopped to lock the diary in the library safe before heading into the bedroom.

  A small fire crackled in the fireplace, painting the room with a soft golden glow. The room was warm, almost too warm, and he hastened to open the window. Outside the night air lay thick and heavy, almost as if it were waiting for something. Even the usual night sounds were muted as if the creatures themselves were afraid of attracting undue attention.

  A gentle snore sounded behind him, bringing a grin to his face. So, she wasn't exactly waiting up, but she was still here. That was something. He unbuttoned his shirt as he walked to where Vivian slept, dropping it on the carpet as he moved. She lay on her stomach, as bare as the day she was born. She'd kicked off her covers and they were half wadded beneath her torso, canting her backside upward, one knee bent toward her waist.

  She made a restless sound and turned her face away as he sat beside her. Firelight kissed her exposed skin and he eyed her curves appreciatively. She had the most beautiful bottom he'd ever seen. He ran his hand over the soft globe, stroking and squeezing her flesh with a gentle touch. Beneath his hand, her breathing hitched and she stirred ever so slightly.

  He stopped, waiting for her breath to resume its normal rhythm before moving around between her thighs. He kissed the base of her spine then let his tongue follow the curve of one plump cheek. Already aroused, his cock strained the fly of his jeans, bringing him just short of the point of pain. Seeing her here, naked, her beautiful body his for the taking, brought forth a powerful rush of lust that threatened to bend him double. He wanted to take her from behind, to feel the slap of her soft bottom against his stomach as he brought her to fulfillment.

  But first he had something else to do.

  He stretched forward, bracing his arm near her waist as he kissed his way up her spine. "Wake up, sleepyhead," he purred.

  Vivian shifted as he nipped the indentation of her waistline before nibbling a path over the curve of her butt. He lightly bit the tender flesh between her buttock and thigh.

  "Mmm..." She moved, her thighs opening further.

  "More, love."

  She moved again and Sinjin slid his hand between her thighs, parting her flesh to expose her glistening dusky pink core with his fingers. She sighed as his finger brushed the nubbin still hidden by soft curls.

  "So beautiful," he whispered. "And so wet."

  He parted her further, exposing her clitoris. He slid his fingers deep into her slippery channel as his thumb caressed her bundle of nerves. Her hips lifted as she gave a loud moan before pressing her face deeper into the pillows. Her hands knotted the sheets as he continued his sensual assault on her body. Her hips rose with each stroke.

  "Sinjin?"

  Her voice was faint, strained.

  "Aye?"

  "Make me come."

  "Oh, aye."

  Sinjin bent his head and applied his tongue to her flesh. Suckling her hot inner core, she cried out as his fingers increased their gentle assault, stroking and teasing. He wanted to make her cry out in ecstasy. No, he wanted her to scream and he would accept nothing less.

  "Sinjin!"

  Vivian reached for his free hand and their fingers twined as she twisted against his mouth. She cried, a long and hoarse sob of release as she tightened around his fingers.

  He removed his jeans then stroked the soft skin of her lower back as she slowly quieted. Her body fell limp against the sheets, her skin damp with sweat. With their fingers entwined, he stretched out over her, nudging her thighs wider with his knees, then slid into her from behind in one smooth movement.

  "Mmm..." Vivian arched her back, taking him deeper. "Just lovely," she sighed.

  He raised her arms so that her hands were near her head and he could balance his weight on his elbows. He brushed his lips over her cheek, her hair tickling his skin as he nuzzled her ear. Buried deep within her with her soft buttocks cushioning his belly was the closest a man could get to heaven and not be forced to don a pair of wings.

  He fought the urge to simply drive himself mindlessly into her body. His movements were slow, sensual, keeping them both aroused, but doing nothing to bring them to release. But her soft wiggling motions and the rhythmic clenching of her flesh frayed what little self control he possessed. He clenched his teeth as he felt her shatter beneath him. Hearing her low cries of completion destroyed what little restraint he had left. Her body bracing his, he drove into her, hard, deep. Once, twice, three times...his head came up and he shouted as he came.

  Trembling, he collapsed over her. Replete, he had absolutely no desire to move away from her. He nuzzled her neck and the soft curve of her shoulder. Her curls tickled his nose as he nibbled the back of her neck.

  "That was fabulous," Vivian purred.

  "Aye, it was." He closed his eyes, savoring the warmth of the woman beneath him. His body and soul were replete.

  She gave a throaty chuckle. "I heard the funniest thing today."

  "What is that?"

  "Brent said you were a-" a yawn broke off her words. "Vampire. Can you believe that?"

  Sinjin froze, the warm afterglow of their lovemaking dashed like an incoming tide upon the rocks. Beneath him, Vivian drifted into sleep as the dawn continued its inevitable arrival. He slipped from her body to begin preparing for his dark sleep. And for the first time in centuries, he cursed the way of life that would separate them in the daylight hours.

  * * *

  Chapter 12

  What a twenty-four hours it had been.

  Vivian took a sip of her strong coffee, enjoying the kick of the bitter liquid as it flowed over her tongue. The sun was bright overhead and, even though it was barely noon, the air was growing dense with humidity.

  Across the garden, Maeve was up to her elbows in dirt as she planted rose bushes. Dressed in tattered jeans and a faded Cleveland Browns jersey, she looked as happy as anyone could be in a pile of mud.

  Vivian grinned. Almost as happy as she could be after a long night of good sex. She couldn't wipe the smile off her face as she set her mug down on the table. Sinjin had been everything she'd imagined and more. Uninhibited, passionate and tender, he was everything she needed in a lover.

  How about a husband?

  She snorted. That wasn't likely. He desired and respected her, but she was pretty sure he wasn't in love with her. If he was, why had she woken alone in his bed with only sunlight as her companion? She picked up the mug again and grinned. Maybe he really was a vampire.

  The rattle of the gate brought her attention to the far end of the courtyard. Maeve leapt from the ground and darted to stand between Vivian and the newcomer.

  Brent Draven approached and Vivian's smile grew wider. "Welcome, Detective Draven. May I introduce my friend, Maeve Leigh?"

  He nodded at the other woman. "Ms. Leigh."

  Maeve gave him a curt nod. "Detective Draven."

  Vivian was surprised Brent didn't offer his hand to shake as she'd expect him to do. Had they met before?

  "How are you feeling, Vivian?" Brent asked.
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  "I'm well, thank you for asking."

  Maeve gave her a measured look. "Will you be okay alone?"

  "Yes, thank you."

  The woman gave Brent a cool look, almost as if she were warning him to be on his best behavior. "I'll be over in the rose bed. Just call if you need me."

  Brent sat in the chair Vivian indicated and shot Maeve's retreating back an amused look. "She's very diligent."

  "She's been a good friend." Vivian reached for the pot of coffee. "Coffee?"

  "No, thank you." Brent settled into his chair, his big rangy body comfortable in his own skin. But he possessed a leashed sense of power and she knew that, no matter how relaxed he looked, he'd be ready to spring into the fray should it be necessary.

  "We could all use a good friend from time to time," he said.

  She nodded, thinking of all the times she'd needed the support of her friends. "Indeed we do."

  "Am I your friend, Vivian?"

  She laughed. "I barely know you."

  He nodded. "True enough." He reached into a pocket and withdrew a slim notebook. "If you don't mind, I have a few questions."

  "Sure, shoot."

  He pulled a photo from the notebook. "Do you know this woman?"

  Vivian looked at the paper he slid across the table. It was a color photo of the leather-chick she'd seen on several occasions at the Chat with Sinjin.

  "I don't know her but I've seen her before." She looked up. "Who is she?"

  "Her name is Elena Vasquez." He picked up the photo and tucked it away. "Do you happen to know where she might be found?"

  Vivian shook her head. "I've never spoken to her. She's come into the Chat from time to time to see Sinjin. He might have some idea of where to find her." She cocked her head to the side. "Is she a criminal?"