by J. L. McCoy
Archer pulled me sideways onto his lap and I rested my head on his shoulder. “It’s been a long day. Are you ready to go home?” he asked sweetly as he kissed the tip of my nose.
“Yes, please,” I whispered as I wrapped my hand around his neck and ran my fingers through the soft hair there.
“You haven’t seen Jameson by any chance, have you?”
“Yeah,” I sighed. “I ran into him about twenty minutes ago. He was by the blood bar when I left him.”
“Okay,” Archer said standing up and setting me down on the floor. “Let’s go see if he’s staying or coming home with us.”
Archer handed me my half empty bottle of whiskey, interlaced his fingers with mine, and I followed him across the busy club floor in search of Jameson. We found him just where I’d last saw him; he was sitting on the leather couch sipping whiskey and talking to an attractive female.
“Dheartháir,” Archer greeted with a smile and Jameson stood up to hug him again.
“You remember Amani,” Jameson said, nodding his head to the woman on the couch.
Amani, Amani? I silently wondered, my eyes flashing over to her. The girl who left Jameson for the Dark One and broke his heart back in the 40s?
“Of course,” Archer answered tightly, seemingly none too happy to see her, as he squeezed my hand lightly; letting me know he was answering my silent question also.
“Good to see you again, athair,” she bowed her head respectfully. “I just got back into town last night. I thought I’d come by and see old friends.”
Archer’s stern gaze seemed to cut her in two and she flinched slightly. He turned his attention from her and spoke to Jameson. “Skye has had a long day and we’re heading back to the penthouse. Will you be joining us?”
Jameson looked indecisive for a moment as he looked to Amani and then to me. “Uh, yes father. I think that’s a good idea. I’ve had a long day myself.”
Amani frowned unhappily and folded her arms across her chest; the action making her seem as if she was pouting. “Well it was nice to catch up while we could, Jameson,” she smiled over at him. “You have my number. Call if you want to get together before you leave town.”
Jameson turned his back on her and walked over to us. Archer handed Jameson my hand and then turned back to Amani. “I wouldn’t hold your breath,” he growled lowly then followed Jameson and me to the exit.
I wanted to rip my hand out of Jameson’s but didn’t dare in front of Archer. He had told me to make things right with Jameson and I didn’t want him to know that our friendship was irreparable.
When we got to the steel door, we bid a good night to the doorman Charles and Archer ran ahead of us to get the car.
As soon as he was gone, I jerked my hand out of Jameson’s and took a big swig from the bottle of whiskey. “I told you not to touch me,” I growled as I wiped the back of my hand across my lips.
Jameson took the bottle from me and downed half of what was left. “Like I had a choice,” he scoffed.
“Look,” I sighed, unhappily as I jerked the bottle away from him. “Archer told me to fix things between us and that’s what I’d intended to do when I went backstage tonight. Obviously, we both want the same thing and that’s to no longer be friends, but Archer can’t know; at least not yet. He’s really pissed at us for the way we acted at Patty’s earlier. So, until we get back to Austin, we need to act like nothing is amiss. I promised him that we’d fix this shit between us and honestly, he doesn’t need the added drama.”
Jameson looked over at me and frowned but I continued. “We’re going to smile and pretend we can stomach each other for the next forty-eight hours, got it? And if you so much as look at me cross-eyed in front of him, I’ll tell every female I know that you have a baby dick.” Okay, so I wouldn’t ever REALLY do it; that was just too cruel and totally not my style. But what Jameson didn’t know wouldn’t hurt him.
“My dick is not tiny!” he growled, causing me to chuckle.
“You know that, and I know that, but they don’t know that,” I grinned as I shrugged one shoulder nonchalantly.
“You wouldn’t dare,” he said quietly.
“Oh, wouldn’t I? You know I’d do anything to protect those I care about.”
Jameson was silent for a few seconds and then spoke. “Really? Because you didn’t care enough to protect me from you,” he frowned before flashing up the steps to the cellar door.
“Touché,” I sighed heavily and knocked back the rest of the bottle before slowly climbing the stairs at human speed.
Archer, Jameson, and I all rode back to the penthouse together. But because the Audi was only a two-seater, I had the uncomfortable pleasure of riding back on Jameson’s lap. When we arrived, I went to take a shower and gave the guys a chance to talk and catch up. I was tired of fighting with Jameson and didn’t think I could hold up my end of the ‘we’re friends again’ bargain tonight. After my shower, I blew my hair dry and slipped into the satin sheets, eager for sleep.
Chapter Ten
I awoke with a start, gasping for breath, as I bolted upright in bed; my hands clutching my chest with fear.
“Cion? What is it?” Archer asked groggily as he sat up next to me; his hair rumpled from sleep.
I had just had a nightmare; the first one I’d had in weeks. I tried to slow my breathing as I took in my surroundings. I’m safe. I’m with Archer in Boston, I reminded myself as I ran my hands through my hair in relief.
“Talk to me,” Archer whispered, putting his arms around me and pulling me down to lie on his chest. “What happened? Was it a nightmare?”
I silently nodded my head and swallowed hard. “I was in a coffin or a box of some sort and…and my skin was burning. I-I couldn’t get out and the pain…the pain was unimaginably horrible.”
“It was just a dream, baby,” Archer purred reassuringly as he rubbed my back soothingly. “You’re safe.”
I nodded my head and discreetly reached up to wipe the tears as they fell from my eyes. “What time is it?” I asked thickly.
“It’s a little after seven. Try to go back to sleep, baby. It’s still early,” he whispered against my forehead.
Settling into him, I waited until his breathing evened out and he was asleep again before I carefully slipped out of bed. I walked into the large master bathroom, flipped on the light, and stared at myself in the mirror. My dream had seemed so real that I was expecting to see charred, bubbling flesh staring back at me. To my immense relief, my skin was fine.
Needing to take my mind off it, I got out my only set of workout gear and quickly got dressed. Archer had a huge in-house gym and I was intending to put it to use this morning. I desperately needed to do something physical to distract me from the unsettling dream.
Throwing my hair up, I grabbed a hand towel and my iPod and tiptoed out of Archer’s room. I found the gym with ease, popped my ear buds in as I hopped on the treadmill and lost myself in Audioslave’s first album and the stretching view of Boston before me. With each pounding step I took, I drove my nightmare further and further from me. By the time the album ended, I’d run over thirty miles. There’s something to say for vampire stamina and strength; it sure comes in handy sometimes.
I hit the button on the treadmill to end my session and pulled my ear buds out. To my surprise, I heard the elliptical machine whirring behind me and glanced over my shoulder to see Jameson facing the television mounted in the corner, watching the morning news as he worked out.
“What are you doing here?” I asked as I hung the sound cord around my neck and wiped my face with the hand towel.
“Same as you, I guess,” he answered shortly, never looking at me. I sighed and shook my head as I turned to walk out.
“I couldn’t really sleep,” he said, stopping me in my tracks.
I briefly wondered why he was having trouble sleeping and thought to ask him, but reminded myself that Jameson and I weren’t friends anymore and thus, it wasn’t my business. “Oh,” was al
l I said in return.
“Why are you here?”
I thought about lying to him but knew I couldn’t. “I…uh…I had a nightmare.”
Jameson’s rhythm faltered as he looked over his shoulder at me; his face did not look happy. He stopped the machine and hopped off, his sweats riding low on his hips; his fit, muscular chest bare. “You had another nightmare?”
“Yeah, but it’s no big deal,” I shrugged one shoulder.
“Was Amun in it?” Jameson asked, his eyes flashing angrily. “Is he coming to you again?”
“No,” I shook my head, sighing. “It was just a dream…a regular nightmare I guess.”
He looked thoughtful a moment before he asked, “What was it about?”
I stared up at him, confusion playing at my brow. “What do you care? It’s not like we’re even friends. What I dream about shouldn’t concern you. It’s my problem, not yours,” I said, not unkindly, just factually.
“I thought we were supposed to act like we don’t hate each other for the duration of the next two days,” he said rubbing the back of his neck, his hair having been pulled back into a low man bun.
I frowned and chewed on my bottom lip thoughtfully. Is he really concerned about me? Nah. No way. Jameson hates me. Is he just practicing being nice to me for when we have to be around Archer? Likely. Either way, telling him about my dream just felt too personal and I couldn’t bear to do it. Not now after everything that’d happened yesterday. “Just forget it…it’s nothing,” I sighed as I turned my back and walked out of the room.
By the time I had finished taking another shower, Archer was awake and in a playful mood. I had just stepped out of the shower and had wrapped up in a towel when he smiled, kissed me good morning, and pulled me back into the large walk in.
The hot cascade of water from dual, wall mounted shower heads fell around us as Archer wrapped my hips around his waist and leaned my back up against the cold stall glass.
“Good morning, cion,” he grinned against my lips.
“Good morning to you too,” I chucked as I wrapped my arms tighter around his neck. “Is there a particular reason why I’m back in the shower again? Did you not find me suitably clean, athair?
“Mmm. Yes, but it wasn’t me that got to wash you,” he grinned wickedly. Archer growled lowly in the back of his throat as he rubbed his hardness against the apex of my thighs. “You weren’t in bed when I awoke,” he frowned, as if just now remembering.
“I needed a work out. Hagan threatened to kick my ass if I got soft on him,” I smiled tightly before lowering my head to his for a kiss.
Archer’s tongue lightly teased mine, barely giving me what I wanted before taking it back again. I growled and fisted his hair as I roughly captured his mouth and took it. He gladly gave it up this time and kissed me with a heat and passion that left my body begging for more.
“I want to taste you,” Archer growled as he bit and sucked on my bottom lip. I moaned my desire and nodded my head.
“Hold on to the top of the shower,” he whispered and I raised my hands back over my head to grip the cold metal of the top of the shower stall. I gasped as Archer lifted my hips up and put my legs over his shoulders; my sex now inches from his mouth.
He smiled deviously up at me as he lowered his face. The first lick he made to my throbbing center had me moaning his name like a prayer. His mouth skillfully made love to me as I panted, begged, and writhed before him. Archer’s growls of enjoyment reverberated throughout my entire body. He was devouring me like I was his last supper.
The way Archer pleasured me had always been phenomenal, but today, his ministrations went above and beyond. I came so explosively that my body shook with tiny aftershocks for the next twenty minutes; of course this made the intercourse all the more better because I was primed and ready to orgasm at a single touch.
Archer slid my legs down his body and had me stand before him. “I love the way you moan my name, cion,” he growled lowly, desire burning in his eyes. “I love the way you taste…so fucking sweet.” He fisted his hands into my hair at the base of my head and pulled my mouth to his. The kiss tasted like me and it drove me wild.
Hitching my leg up, he positioned himself at my opening as he pushed my back up against the glass once more. “I need to be inside of you. I can’t wait a moment longer,” he growled with need as he pushed the length of himself into me.
I moaned at the feel of him stretching me, claiming me. Archer slowly buried himself to the hilt before leisurely sliding back out again. I gasped his name, desperately needing him to fill me; to stake his claim on my body again.
“I know, baby,” he smiled down at me. “I know exactly what you need.”
He slid into me again and I sighed in relief as my legs began to shake. Archer quickened his pace and three strokes into our lovemaking, I was already screaming his name. This sent him wild and he wrapped my legs around his waist as he pounded me mercilessly against the wall. I hadn’t had a chance to come down from the last orgasm before he was giving me another. Some women say multiple orgasms are a myth, but I can attest to their existence. Archer gave me two more multiples in the shower before he slammed into me one last time and came growling my name.
*****
There was a knock at the bedroom door and I yelled out for the person to enter. Tonight was the big night, my Sacred Vow Ceremony and I was a nervous wreck, to say the least. I had done my makeup elegantly, choosing a lighter, natural look and had set my hair with care, donning a sophisticated mass of waves. I felt like a glamorous 20s silent movie actress.
“I-I’m sorry. I didn’t know you weren’t dressed,” Jameson said and I turned to see him walking back to the bedroom door.
“Wait,” I called out. “Please don’t go. I could really use your help with my dress. Archer was supposed to come back and zip me up, but I guess he got busy.”
Jameson slowly turned around as his eyes drank me in. I was wearing a black lace bustier, a matching thong, garters, and silk stockings. He had seen me naked before so I didn’t understand why he was looking at me like that. I was at least half dressed.
“He’s uh…getting the itinerary from Beverly,” he said in a faint whisper.
“Would you mind helping me?” I asked as I beckoned him with my hand toward the walk in closet. “Please? I don’t want to be late and I can’t do this by myself.”
Jameson followed and I pulled the evening gown Archer had purchased for me from its garment bag. The strapless dress was a beautiful shade of red. It had an empire waist, was fitted to mid-thigh, and the bottom had a subtle bell to it that ended with a short, elegant train. The dress was absolutely gorgeous and I commended Archer on a beautiful choice.
Once I stepped into the dressed and shimmied it up my body, I held the strapless sweetheart neckline to my breast and offered my back to Jameson. He stood there for a quiet moment before he closed the distance and slowly slid the zipper up for me.
The dress fit like a glove but there was a slight problem. My breasts were spilling out the top and I looked down at them dubiously. Oh goodness. I readjusted my chest in a desperate attempt for a bit more modesty, but it was no use; these girls weren’t going anywhere.
Turning to Jameson, I grimaced and asked his opinion. “Is this too revealing?”
“Yes,” he said immediately, swallowing thickly, before shaking his head. His eyes were glued to my chest. “I mean no. No, you’re fine.”
I sighed and silently cursed the generous bounty God had bestowed upon me. “Oh, shoes!” I’d almost forgotten. Grabbing the gold, six inch Highness Stauss jeweled Louboutins, I balanced on one foot to put them on and nearly toppled over in my haste. Jameson immediately grabbed my arm and steadied me as I slipped into the stylish shoes.
“Thanks,” I mumbled, suddenly aware of him. Jameson dropped my hand and rubbed the back of his neck. I took that moment to really look at him. He was wearing a sharp, black tuxedo complete with bow tie, and his hair had been slicked b
ack into a low man bun. I smiled genuinely and met his eyes. “You look really handsome tonight.”
Jameson smiled briefly before it melted into a frown again. “Uh, Archer sent me in here to see if you were ready.”
“Almost,” I said as I scooted past him and walked back into the bedroom. I dug around in my messenger bag and brought out the black velvet box that contained my necklace from the family. “Can I ask one last favor?” Jameson nodded and I continued. “Could you fasten this for me?”
I opened the box, took out the diamond and ruby necklace, and held it out for him. Jameson whistled lowly as he took it. “Nice. Who got you this?”
“It was a present from the family. They thought I could use something spectacular to wear for the ceremony,” I answered as I turned my back to him. “Everyone pitched in…even Hagan, can you believe it?”
Jameson’s arm came around as he rested the necklace against my throat. It felt heavy on my skin and definitely worth a house or two. After he secured the clasp, his fingers lightly trailed down my bare shoulder. I stiffened at his unexpected touch and slowly turned around.
I looked up at him questioningly, my eyes surprised. Jameson gazed down at me with a mixture of emotions, and not a single one of them I could pinpoint before it changed to another. He closed his eyes, his brow furrowed, and sighed before turning around and walking out of the room.
I swallowed thickly and let out a breath I hadn’t realized I’d been holding. What in the world was that? I wondered fleetingly as I packed my red lipstick in my jeweled clutch and exited the room.
Archer was standing by the floor-to-ceiling window talking with Beverly. As soon as he heard the swish of my dress, he glanced up at me and stilled. “My God, you’re beautiful,” Archer whispered in awe as he drank me in. He set whatever papers he was looking at down on the table and came over to me. He stared down into my eyes as the back of his knuckles softly brushed my cheek.