Brown, Aubrey - Hunger [Sequel to Ravenous] (Siren Publishing Allure)

by Aubrey Brown

  The Trenton town home was dark and void of movement. Even Rose’s window was lacking light of any kind. He waited at her window and saw it was slightly open. Aghast at her recklessness, he wove his power around the space and touched her mind. He met a strong resistance, which felt like misty cloud he could not penetrate. Her father clearly taught her well. He nudged through the mist, and felt intensely better that she finally gave way and spoke to him.

  “Enter, William.”

  He could have entered without her permission, for he had already been invited into the home, but out of courtesy he waited for her permission.

  He floated along the floorboards and materialized in front of her. She was sitting upon her bed, still dressed in her evening frock. It was simple yet attractive.

  She must have been feeling contrite for she responded, “William, I am fairly certain that I am completely safe, for you are the only monster who has permission to enter this home, and you have no improper thoughts toward me. So instead of conducting yet another lecture on proper behavior, would you like to hear the results of the solicitor today or not?”

  He had stopped listening when she stated he had no improper thoughts about her person, for he did. He could not understand why he was still feeling this way, for she was dressed as she normally was at the castle, and he had fed well. However, the lustful feelings were still there tenfold.

  “You are correct. What did the solicitor say?” he asked.

  “He informed me that with a little time and funds, he could get the adoption done. He also promised to use the utmost of discretion. I felt confident in his attributes, and we have another appointment next week to check on his progress.”

  Gabriel was surprised that Rose had confidently taken the matter in hand, and made another appointment.

  “Well done, sunshine.”

  He used the nickname to try to bring normalcy back into their relationship, because at the moment he was ready to strip her naked and throw her upon the bed. Clearly, his earlier feeding was not the answer to his current problem.

  She sent him a vague uncomfortable smile and looked to him to leave. She clearly wanted his presence removed from the room.

  “Thank you, your grace. However, I am tired and I wish to retire. I have a morning horse ride scheduled with Lord Shelton, and I would hate to look as if I did not sleep tonight.”

  Lord Shelton and a horse ride tomorrow morning? Something hot and hard moved through his chest at the thought of her riding a horse in the morning dew with that pup.

  “You are riding with Lord Shelton tomorrow morning? Are you being properly chaperoned?”

  Her spine came up stiffly for she met him at eye level. “Will you desist in this, William? I have explained to you that Lord Windborne is acting in my father’s stead. I am not sure exactly why you are here for the season other than to make sure I ensure Beth’s adoption.”

  He could not possibly tell her he was sent here by Gabriel to watch over her. She would immediately reject him, and worse, leave for Halverson Castle.

  Sighing internally and garnering his willpower. “I am here to make sure you secure, Beth. I apologize for the concern, Rose. However, we are friends and you cannot blame me for wanting to keep an extra eye upon you. This is your first season and trip outside of your father’s estate.”

  She seemed to deflate slightly. “You are right, William. I apologize as well. However, you must consider that I am eighteen years of age, and in my first season, it is expected of me to take calls, and go to parties.”

  William could not argue with her on that point, nor could he reveal his true feelings as to why he was showing concern.

  So he was now stuck in a proverbial corner. He collected himself, and decided it was not her fault that he suddenly saw her as charming and seductive. He needed to control his anger. However, the idea of her going around with that pup Farnsworth made his blood boil.

  He shook his head, and decided it was best if he took his leave. He had come and gained the knowledge he needed.

  “I will inform your father of your progress, and I will check in with you from time to time to see if you have any news.”

  Rose nodded her head. “Very well. Thank you for keeping my parents informed. The next time you visit I may have a few trinkets for Beth. I do not want to send them through the post.”

  William nodded his head in return and went to go back out the window. Rose stopped him with her voice.

  “William, I have wanted to talk to you about the night in the garden before I came here.”

  He stiffened his shoulders, the last thing he wanted to discuss was the fact he broke her heart. “I just wanted to say that you were right. I made a fool of myself and made you uncomfortable.”

  “You were very correct to tell me that any romance between us would be wrong, and that I am just like a niece to you. I am in hopes that Lord Shelton and I will make a match when this business with Beth is completed.”

  At her words, his stomach dropped down, and his anger rose. He was glad he had his back to her, because he felt his eyes burn red, and his fangs extend. The thought of that man touching her intimately brought around the monster within.

  Farnsworth penetrating her innocence, hearing her cry out with first pain, and then the delicious pleasure she would find, as she came in his arms.

  Her words began to penetrate his clouded brain. “…so you see, your way was best for everyone, and I thank you.”

  He composed himself long enough to say, “No need to thank me, Rose. I trust you will make the right decision. Now if you will excuse me, I need to feed before the sun rises.”

  It was a lie, but it was all he could say without taking her into his arms and shaking her as he kissed her and took her blood, branding her his forever. He did not want a wife. He was fine on his own. He had friends and mistresses, and that was all a man needed.

  “Oh, I apologize. You must leave then. I bid you a good night, your grace.”

  He exited the window as if the fire of hell was nipping at his heels. He cursed Rose for becoming his obsession, and he cursed Farnsworth for his interest in her.

  What was he to do about Rose and his rising hunger for her delicious flesh and the intoxicating blood he knew he could find within her?

  His mind was so preoccupied with questions he did not notice the figure lurking in the shadows, behind the large oak tree.

  Chapter Seven

  As the weeks passed, Rose saw very little of William, which led her to believe that he had all the information he needed.

  On the two occasions he did visit her, it was after her appointments with the solicitor. That matter was slower going than she initially anticipated. He explained to her that to use the utmost discretion, he had to go through unconventional channels. This was expected.

  Rose had spent some time in the company of Lord Shelton. He was an amiable man, except he could not make her heart flutter. He had kissed her gloved hand, and she felt nothing. It was discouraging. She wanted to marry for a grand love like her parents had. It would seem she had not found it yet, or she had yet to spend enough time with Nigel. The countess had explained to her that love sometimes came with time and companionship. She seemed to be pleased that the marquis was interested in her houseguest. And Nigel seemed overly attentive, leading Rose to believe he must be in love with her and setting plans to move within Christina’s notice.

  It was the night of William’s birthday, and she had sent a missive to his townhome asking him to visit her before he went to her parents’. She had dinner with the couple and explained she was tired and in need of sleep. Concerned that she was sick, she was sent to bed without a qualm. She asked her maid not to bother her, for she wanted to sleep.

  As the sun set, she sat with her present in her lap to wait for William.

  * * * *

  His grace Edington’s town home

  William was moving from his sleeping chambers to the upper level when he was stopped by his butler.

&n
bsp; “I have a missive for you, your grace.”

  He handed the card to him and took a bow to leave. Left alone on the stairway, he immediately recognized the script. It was Rose’s handwriting. Feeling his pulse race, he ripped open the envelope.

  His birthday was today and she must have sent her felicitations.

  It was becoming increasingly difficult to be in her presence. He recognized what the feeling was, and so he moved out of the way of temptation.

  Your grace,

  I ask that you please come to Lord Windborne’s town home, before you leave for my father’s estate.

  Rose

  It was indeed a missive to come and see Rose.

  William weighed his options, and not seeing her this evening wore more heavily upon his heart than not acquiescing to her request.

  Materializing his best evening wear upon his flesh, he left his home to go to Rose.

  It was a very quick journey to her window. He did not ask to come in, for he could see that she was waiting seated upon her bed, with a small package in her lap. Feeling his heart about to burst, he materialized in front of her and had to catch his breath.

  She looked sinfully delicious. Rose was dressed in a deep-blue evening gown that was made of pleasant silks and laces. Her cleavage and shoulders were bare, but that was not exactly what caught his eye. She was wearing his brooch, in between her breasts. It drew his eye to her chest and then to her waist that was engagingly tiny. The blue matched her eye coloring, seeming to make her sparkle.

  As she looked up and saw him enter she immediately smiled and whispered, “Happy birthday, your grace,” and presented him with a gift wrapped in paper.

  He took the gift with shaking fingers. “Thank you, Rose.”

  He peeled the paper back and came to a small note. He moved the note and noticed the handkerchiefs. They were made of the finest cloth with lace lining. In the corner, his initials were embroidered in gold. It was a very…thoughtful present.

  With eyes creasing, he opened the missive and read, “Happy Birthday, Uncle William.” Uncle William?

  He looked up and saw Rose smiling, with hope in her eyes that he liked the gift. Feeling his blood boil, and his good humor go, he barely kept his rage.

  “What seems to be amiss, your grace, do you not like my gift?” she asked with concern. “Uncle William?” he hissed.

  She backed away until her knees hit her bed.

  “Yes. You are like an uncle to me, William. I do not understand, you have told me that you care only for me as a niece, and now you ask why?”

  She looked genuinely confused. However, the monster within him did not care. He wanted the confrontation. He wanted to possess her.

  He floated slowly over to her, and grasped her bare shoulders. She shuddered under his touch. He knew he was out of control, and his eyes were as red as Hell’s fire, but he was beyond coherent thought.

  He tried to think of Gabriel, and the possible consequences of his current actions. However, her gift and note tonight awoke a blaze inside of him that could not be vanquished.

  She looked deeply into his red eyes and whispered, “William?”

  His breathing became heavy as she began to quiver under his hands.

  Before he thought better of his actions, he set his lips firmly upon hers. He groaned at the flavor he found within her mouth. She tasted of wine and honey. She reminded him of joy and peace.

  The shaking of her shoulders desisted, and she moaned in return. Her small arms wound their way up to his shoulders and into his thick hair. His mouth slanted over hers as his teeth nipped at her lips to open for his tongue.

  She did and his cock hardened to the feel of her warm, wet tongue. He moved inside her mouth in a charge and retreat motion. Her shy tongue followed him in rhythm, and he ended up searching her back with his hands.

  It was madness, sheer madness. He was kissing Rose, and he enjoyed it. She was the most delicious, intoxicating woman he had ever held in his arms, and she was a woman whom he had watched grow. However, somehow she was not.

  His hands began an exploration at the small of her back, to the sides of her ribs and then dangerously close to her breasts. As his lips made love to her mouth, the call to feed from her grew strongly.

  He ripped his lips away from her long enough to say, “Rose, sweeting, let me feed from you.”

  She must have been out of her mind with lust, for she nodded her head and tipped her neck. Shaking his head, he tried to comprehend his actions, but her veins pulsed with blood, and he was hungry for her.

  Kissing her throat and then licking her skin, she shivered and said, “William.”

  Rose moaned and rotated her hips in rhythm with his feeding. William wanted to bring her pleasure, so his vampire kiss gave her a spark of satisfaction, which was intensified by his massaging of her right breast. She was plump and perfect, and her blood flowed over his tongue like the finest wine.

  Within moments, she started to shake. Come for me, Rose. His mind spoke to her.

  And she finally did, with his name upon her lips.

  As she shivered and shook through her cries, he sealed her neck with his tongue, and looked upon her face as she smiled and fell into a light doze.

  William had just given her her first orgasm, and he could not find it within himself to feel shame or anguish. She was exactly too perfect for that. For the first time in a long time, William felt at peace. However, his cock was rigid, and he was in pain. Grimacing, he decided to put her to bed.

  He picked up her limp body, spent pleasure, and carried her to the bed. He then stripped the sheets down and laid her upon it. With a thought, he melted her clothes from her body and replaced her bare skin with a night rail. He looked at his sleeping Rose and knew things had changed.

  He left the house, for he did not want to disturb her rest, and he did not want to get caught in her room late at night. Feeling her warm blood course through his veins, he realized he could not possibly go to Gabriel’s home this evening. Not when he practically made love to his daughter, and his still-hardened cock would not likely go away for at least a fortnight.

  He was once again so distracted by his erection and thoughts of Rose. He missed the lone figure behind the large oak tree.

  * * * *

  The next morning, sun shone bright into Rose’s eyes. She squinted and felt more tired than she had when she’d fallen asleep last night. Why was she so tired? And then the memory came flooding back to her in embarrassing waves, the way she let William take her into his arms, the way he kissed her, how she let him feed from her.

  “Oh, no,” she groaned.

  She had let him in when she firmly intended to keep him at arm’s length.

  Wait for a moment, why did he bring her to an orgasm? Or that is what she assumed she had done. Women of the ton spoke quietly at parties, and she knew the goings-on in the bedroom or the simple part of it, at any rate.

  She thought through her mind’s haze to understand why William had made love to her the previous night, and a notion came to her. He must have been severely hungry. Perhaps he had not fed before he came. However, that would not account for him becoming angry when she called him uncle. That was when yet another contemplation occurred to her, her father had told her, when she was young, that a vampire during extreme hunger lets the beast within out, and the rational part cannot stop him.

  The thought made her feel instantly better. That must have been the reason. She did not want her feelings to reanimate for William, for she wanted marriage and children, and he made his feelings perfectly clear on the matter.

  Rose had just come to mend her heart and wanted a friendship with the duke. She did not want her hopes and her heart to be dashed again. Nigel was what she needed. He was calm, and he was nice, and he would make a lovely husband. She just wished being in the marquis’s company set her heart to beat as fast as it did when William’s red eyes looked upon her as if she were a pleasing morsel of chocolate.

  So that settled
in her mind, she would not bring up the previous night’s indiscretion. For she was certain William was even more so embarrassed of his actions. For it was not the true him feeding from her last night and begging her to come for him, it was his beast within.

  Still groggy, she rolled over to go to her wash basin just as her maid entered the room to help her mistress get ready for her horse ride in Hyde Park with Lord Shelton.

  * * * *

  Hyde Park

  As she rode through the morning air, she looked over to the handsome marquis that was riding abreast to her. In a carriage just behind her, the countess and viscount were quietly chaperoning them. However, if truth be told, Christina would look the other way if his lordship asked her to. She was so smitten by the idea that her current houseguest’s making a match of it with Nigel.

  Nigel interrupted her thoughts. “It is a beautiful morning is it not?”

  “Aye it is wonderful morning for a horse ride. I thank you for inviting me, Nigel.”

  “It is I who should be thanking you, Rose. For your company is all that I need.”

  Smiling tightly, she reminded herself she needed to try with his lordship. He was kind and considerate and chose her out of the many young ladies in society. She should feel elated, and she would, eventually.

  After her horse ride was done, Nigel asked her chaperones to ride with them back to the stables. With the countess seemingly pleased, he rode until they came to the stables.

  Rose looked over to the phaeton and realized the couple was in a deep discussion and not looking their way. He helped her dismount the beast and held onto her waist.

  “I must do this. I hope you don’t think me too forward,” he whispered.

  Before she could stop him or make a complaint, he set his mouth to hers and gave her a firm kiss that was pleasant, but lacked the intensity of William’s.

  Before she could respond to his lips, he moved himself away slightly and whispered, “I look forward to seeing you at the ball tonight.”