He’d had no sire to teach him the ways of the vampire, having been turned on a battlefield by an insane general intent on creating an unstoppable army. Frightened, knowing they had been touched by something, not of this world, he and the others the man had turned, had fled into the forest, hiding like that wild animals they’d become.
“Is something wrong?” He started at the sound of her voice and the feel of her warm palm against his arm. It snapped him out of the past.
“No, just some old memories.” He smiled down at her, and she smiled back.
The dishes were finished and now the hardest part of the night was upon them. Him. Usually, he would go for a run, speeding through the forests that surrounded his land, hunting. For he could never forget there was a predator inside him. He would hunt, but he would not kill. He could savor the thought of drawing blood from a human throat, but he had vowed never to do that again either.
“What would you like to do now?” He leaned against the sink, watching as she dried the last plate. She draped the damp towel over the sink, her movements now holding a hint of nervousness. Did she feel the tension inside him? The reckless desire riding him?
“What do you usually do?”
He grimaced. “Accounting.” It was true, he spent more time than he wanted trying to keep his books in order. Not for himself, but the men who worked for him. He needed to make sure they were taken care of.
“Really? What business are you in?”
“I’m a contractor. I build family homes.”
“Wow, that must be a very rewarding job. And challenging.”
“It has its moments. What do you do?”
“I’m a nurse. I work at a children’s hospital.”
He tilted his head, hearing the note of sadness in her voice. “You don’t like it.”
“No, no,” she disagreed quickly. “I love it. It’s just.” Her voice trailed off.
“Some of them die.”
She glanced up at him, her thick lashes lifting to reveal big brown eyes that held a faint sheen of moisture. So soft-hearted, he thought.
“I don’t think I’ll ever get used to it.” Her words were soft, almost a whisper.
“No, you won’t.”
Unable to help himself, he reached out and took her in his arms, pulling her close. He pressed a kiss to her throat, allowing himself a small taste of her, his tongue licking along the soft skin, following the line of her beating pulse. So tempting, so damn tempting.
“I want you,” he whispered against her ear. “Will you let me have you, baby?” His hands fell to her hips, holding her still as he pumped his hard cock against the softness of her belly. He watched her face as she felt his need. “Sage?”
“I, I don’t.” How was she supposed to answer? This was what she wanted, what she’d imagined under the hot water of her shower. A night in this man’s arms. A moment out of time. Dare she? Dare she not? What did people say? It wasn’t what they did that, they regretted most, but what they didn’t do.
As she looked at him, his mouth curved into a devil-may-care grin that had her pussy clenching. How could she say no to this man? She knew, just knew, it would be an experience she would remember for the rest of her life. She also knew fate did not offer up chances like this very often—and that she’d be a fool to say no. So she said yes.
She put her hands on his shoulders for balance and stood on her tiptoes, their gazes locked. With her lips almost touching hers, she whispered, “Yes.”
Marcus’s body had tightened into a hard knot of need as he waited for her answer. He knew instinctively that she was not a woman who gave herself over to a man on a whim. He knew there was more than a fair chance she would turn him down. He was the only one feeling the pull at the moment. She wouldn’t until he bit her, tasted her blood. Mated them.
Without another word, he picked her up and carried her upstairs. He wanted to take it slow, savor his first time with his mate, whether she knew she was his or not. But feeling her curves wrapped around him broke his control. He was, after all, merely a man.
Dropping her onto the bed, he followed her down, covering her body with his. “Damn, Sage, you feel so good.”
“So do you,” she groaned as he pushed her legs apart, nestling against her hot core. She lifted her hips, humping against the heavy swell of his cock.
He wasted no time jerking her sweater over her head. In the blink of an eye, her beautiful breasts were once again on display. For him. For his eyes only. Never would another man see her like this.
His fangs ached to come forth as he bent his head to take one of her nipples into his mouth. They were already puckered and hard. He rubbed against her pussy as he suckled at her breast. “Spread your legs wider, baby.”
Sage’s senses immediately went on overload as Marcus’s mouth closed around her nipple. The feel of him between her legs made her cream. She arched her back, trying to get closer.
“Easy, baby,” he murmured against the wet flesh of her breast. “I’ll give you what you want.” He nuzzled her neck with questing lips, and she closed her eyes. Then he nibbled her ear. Slowly, he bent his head until their lips nearly touched. His curved slightly, that sinfully seductive twist of his lips that would have any woman crawling into his bed. He kissed her then; a sweet, hot, wet kiss that had her need flaring, and her core turning into liquid lava.
“Marcus,” she moaned into his mouth. “I need you.”
“And you’ll have me. But first, we need to get these clothes off.”
He hoisted himself off the bed, standing by the side and removed his shirt. It was the first time at seeing him bare and he was impossibly beautiful, like a statue in his perfection. His body was one big muscle. Her eyes fluttered down, and she licked her lips. Yes, indeed, she thought, one big muscle. Unable to resist her need, Sage slid to the edge of the bed, her hand reaching for him. He stilled as she touched him, her fingers skimming over the hard planes of his chest, stopping to tug at the brown nubs poking through the dark hair that covered his chest. Down, down, down her hands went. His need held his muscles in check, the tautness a delight beneath her fingertips. He wanted her. He wanted her so badly.
“Sage.” He growled as she slowly unfastened his jeans and lowered the zipper. She gasped as his cock was revealed. As she bent forward, eager to take him in her mouth and taste him, a hard hand on her shoulder stopped her. “Oh, no, baby. Not tonight.”
Her disappointment at not being able to taste him almost made her miss the promise of his words. Would they have another night together? His hand pushed gently, forcing her to lay back on the bed. His hands made short work of the rest of her clothing, and before she knew it, he was kneeling between her spread legs, his mouth closing over her slit.
Her body bucked at the first unexpected touch. One large hand spread over her stomach holding her in place. His tongue licked her pussy, starting at her center and ending on the swollen nub at the edge of her mound. Again and again, he tasted her, drawing in her juices. She felt hot and cold at the same time. As if her body burned and thawed in turns. She didn’t know what she’d expected, but this possession wasn’t it. Or was it? She’d known being in this man’s arms would be like nothing else.
That talented mouth played over her, caressing, making her flesh tingle, and she wanted to weep with longing as her hands fisted in the cover at her sides. “Marcus, please,” she begged.
He kissed the inside of her thigh and rose above her. With caring hands and a strength she still found fascinating, he moved her further up on the bed, covering her length with his. There was no doubt now of the silver in his eyes, and she wondered briefly if he was a supernatural. The slightly cool temperature of his body made her think that he could be a vampire.
She opened her mouth to ask him but forgot everything as he kissed her, her taste lingering on his lips. His hands played over her body as they kissed. Kneading her breasts, cupping her buttocks.
His fingers found her wet core, and he pressed into her
from behind. “You’re so hot and wet. Is that all for me, baby?”
“Yes. Yes, it is.” She ran her hand down the corded strength of him, down over his flexed abdomen “It’s all for you,” she breathed into his mouth as her fingers closed around his thick cock. “Is this all for me?”
“Oh, yeah.” He shifted his weight forcing her legs further apart. “Put me inside you.”
Sage’s breath caught in her chest as she rubbed his length against her slit. He was right, she was really, really wet for him. Wetter than she’d ever been. And from the length and width of the cock she held in her hand, she needed to be. She passed the head over her clit, making herself shiver. It felt so good she did it again.
“Enough,” he growled his hand closing over hers and moving his length to where he wanted to be. At her entrance. “I need inside. Now.” He thrust his hips forward, his cock sliding through their entangled fingers until he found her center. Her hot, wet center.
He had to grit his teeth to keep from spilling as he thrust, only inches inside her. “Fuck, Sage. Fuck.” He buried himself completely inside her, taking her, possessing her. His thoughts were spinning, the darkness inside him trying to force him to drink. Trying to force him to turn her, keep her with them forever. He fought back, focusing on the sweet scent of her desire, the steady and true beat of his heart. She was human. He could have her, taste and touch her as long as he wanted. There was no need to—
She arched her back, the move forcing her head against the pillows, exposing the soft skin of her neck. His body burned as he fought for control. He had to close his eyes to block out the sight. Instead, he concentrated on the things he could have. The wet, hot core of her body pulsing around him, the taste of her breasts, the rounded fullness of her hips.
He pounded into her, driving them both to the edge. “Come for me, Sage. Let me feel that pussy convulse around me.”
As if his words had set her free, he felt her orgasm, the clenching of her muscles. He felt his own release rising inside, replacing the hunger gnawing at his gut. In seconds, his release washed over him, and he followed her over the edge.
Chapter 4
By the next morning, the storm had moved out of the area. Most mornings, Marcus was up before the sun. Even though he could withstand the sun now that he was older, he still remembered the decades after he was first turned and he was forced to avoid the light. During that time, he found he held an affinity for the darkness. He walked into the kitchen, sleep slowly falling away. By rote, he got a pot of coffee going, and started thinking about the day ahead. He would need to call and get Sage’s car towed into town. Hopefully, the rental place could give her another. Then, he’d take her to her grandmother’s house before going on to the job site. They were almost finished with the house they were working on. Another week and it would be done. He took pride in his work but sometimes he felt rudderless, simply floating along in life.
He supposed that was a result of living for so long. Or, he thought, hearing Sage getting out of bed, living alone. But not anymore. He realized he had one more thing to do today. Start courting his mate.
The morning was a repeat of last night. By the time she got out of the shower, he had something ready for them to eat. Bacon, eggs, toast, and dark, rich coffee.
“Good morning.”
She gave him a shy look, and he had to tighten his hand around his cup to keep from reaching for her as she walked in the kitchen. This morning her hair was pulled into a ponytail high on her head. He frowned, knowing the thick weight would give her a headache if she wore it that way too long. She continued to walk towards him, stopping only when she was about a foot away. Fuck, she smelled good. She must have used her own shampoo. It smelled of sunshine and rain if that were possible.
She smiled up at him. “Is there enough coffee for me?”
He sat down his cup, turning to reach into the cabinet to get her one. “Sure. If you like it strong.”
“The stronger, the better.” Another smile, so bright and sweet it made his teeth ache—along with other parts of his body. Last night had been one of the longest of his life, knowing she was just a breath away. Her warm, enticing blood, just a bite away. He barely controlled the shiver that raced through his body at that thought.
Trying to distract himself, he poured her coffee. “There’s milk in the fridge and sugar on the table.”
“No thanks.” She took the cup and lifted it to her lips. He realized he should have made sure it was cool enough to drink before he handed it to her. The thought of her burning her luscious mouth made him frown again.
What was happening to him? First, he was worried about her hair style giving her a headache and next, thinking her a child that couldn’t tell if a cup of coffee was too hot to drink. Was this how it was with a mate? Worry constantly riding you?
“We better eat and get going.” He took the plates of food he’d been keeping warm on the stove and walked to the breakfast bar.
“Right. I’m really sorry to cause you so much trouble.” She dug into her food.
“It’s no trouble, Sage.” He quickly ate his breakfast, pouring himself a second cup of coffee as she ate hers. He’d already had a couple of bags of blood so he should be set for the rest of the day. He sat at the counter, just breathing in her presence.
Sage didn’t know if she should be disappointed or relieved that Marcus was taking their night together in stride. She had little experience when it came to morning-afters. She’d gotten what she wanted, a night in this man’s arms. She was happy, she told herself. Not disappointed that he was showing her no sign of affection.
Soon they were on their way to Rosman, the small town in Transylvania County where her grandmother’s house was located. As they traversed the mountain road leading to the town, a wave of sadness, along with another stab of pain behind her eyes, washed over her when she remembered why she was coming here today.
She gave Marcus directions, not at all surprised he knew how to get there. He parked his truck on the street in front of the two-story house that, she realized with a frown, she hardly remembered. “Well, here we are.” She was reluctant to say goodbye. Going to bed with him had only strengthened the unexpected attraction she felt for this man.
He didn’t reply. He got out of the truck and walked around to open her door. By the time he got there, she had it opened and was about to jump down from the high cab. Before she could, he lifted her free. She might have blamed her weight on the fact that her body fell against his, but, she knew he was strong enough to keep—or put—her exactly where he wanted her. And against his hard chest was apparently where he wanted her.
They stared into each other’s eyes as her body slid down his. Chest to chest, thigh to thigh. And all those delicious parts in between.
After holding her close for a moment more, he stepped to the side, opening the back door to retrieve her things. She turned away, walking up the porch steps to the front door. Reaching up, she ran her fingers along the top of the door to retrieve the key. The attorney had told her where she could find it. Her fingers touched the cool metal just as Marcus came up behind her with her suitcase. She put the key in the lock but didn’t open the door. Instead, she turned to him with a smile. “I don’t know how to thank you for everything you’ve done for me. You’ve been very kind.”
She blushed when she read the expression in his dark eyes. She was pretty sure he had a couple of outrageous ways she could show her appreciation. But, he didn’t return her smile.
“It was a pleasure to meet you, Sage.”
“Likewise, Marcus.”
And then, without another word, he turned and walked away.
Sage sighed in appreciation as she watched the clench and release of his ass. He was such a fine specimen of manhood, she thought as she opened the front door—and promptly screamed.
Marcus’s fangs dropped when he heard Sage scream. Immediately, he turned around and raced to her with supernatural speed. Adrenaline rushed through his ve
ins. It was a myth that vampires were cold, heartless beings. They were just different. Their heart still beat in their chest, just very, very slowly, lowering their body temperature, mimicking death.
“Sage!” He slammed open the door and found her standing just inside the doorway, completely unharmed. As she turned to face him, he urged his body back under control, and his fangs receded. His eyes took in the chaos in front of her. Someone had ransacked her grandmother’s house. “Come here, Sage,” he ordered quietly.
When she did, he took her face in his hands, bending his knees so he could look directly into her eyes. “Are you alright?”
“Yes.” The word was ragged. She cleared her throat. “Yes, I’m fine. Just startled.” She gave him a shaky smile.
“Good.” He wanted to kiss her, erase the scent of fear still emanating from her. “You stay here, let me make sure no one else is in the house, okay?”
“Okay.”
“Now go wait out in the truck and lock the doors.” He handed her the keys.
She frowned but did as she was told. He waited until she was safely locked inside the cab of the truck before he searched the house. He hadn’t sensed anyone else in the house, but he needed to make sure. It took him less than five minutes. Once he was certain no one was lurking about, he hurried back outside, his protective instincts not allowing him to leave her alone for very long. “There’s no one here.”
“Well, that’s good.” She climbed out the truck with his assistance and walked back up the stairs. Once at the top, Sage turned to him. “You don’t need to stay, Marcus. I know you have to get to work, and you’ve done so much for me already.”
Marcus didn’t know whether to be disappointment or relieved. He could walk away right now, forget he’d ever met this woman and—
Taming the Vampire: Over 25 All New Paranormal Alpha Male Tales of Contemporary, Military, Shifters, Billionaires, Werewolves, Magic, Fae, Witches, Dragons, Demons & More Page 84