by Mlyn Hurn
Taryn was shaking her head. “I cannot change my mind about this. Time isn’t going to change the basic facts.”
Damon almost growled in frustration. “What facts? What do you think needs to change?”
“You. Me. I am attracted to you, but I refuse to follow in my parents’ and grandparents’ paths. You are a vampire and I am not. I am not willing to let you bite me either. There is no way we can ever be together. I won’t live my life as a Black Swan.”
Damon felt as if she’d slapped him. “You’re a bigot, Ms. Blue.”
“Call me all the names you want if that helps you get by this. I merely ask you to respect my boundaries. I don’t see that this should pose a problem since we’ve managed to occupy this city so far and never encountered one another until now. There is no reason we should not be able to continue.”
Damon shook his head in disbelief. “I could force you,” he added out of frustration.
Taryn met his defiant look with her quiet, unrevealing one. “You could try, but you won’t. I believe you are a gentleman.”
Damon was finding it more and more difficult to hide his frustration. He crossed his arms across his chest as he stared. “You’d probably discover that you like it.” His mouth curved up on one side confidently as he spoke again. “Of course, I don’t have to bite you at all. You can come to my bed freely, and I would promise not to bite. Conversion isn’t required, you know.”
Taryn walked away, sinking to the floor in the middle of the mat in front of the rock garden. She assumed the Lotus position, breathing in deeply. “I know, Damon,” she told him softly.
From this angle, he could see that she’d been crying silently. Closer to the candles, the streaks on her cheeks was revealed to him for the first time. Obviously, she was finding this as painful as he was.
“But basing my decision on family history and past behavior, conversion would seem inevitable. You are completely free, as you are right now. I am not. I answer to the governments of the world, which chose to track vampires, not kill them. Obviously, my family is of mixed blood, and I know many of the traditional hunters resent my cousin and me. With the changes happening, unrest is growing around the world. Anyway, that is only part of my reasoning. Please accept my decision.”
Damon wanted to argue. He wanted to shake some sense into her. His rational side was screaming inside him to pause and listen to logic. Time could make a difference, especially if they continued to “accidentally” run into one another. Retreat for now would be wisest, he decided reluctantly.
Taking a few steps backwards, he spoke to her softly. “I can’t promise to stay away, Taryn. I passed the point of pretending we never met and life goes on. But I will back off for a while.” There were so much more that he wanted to say yet he had probably said more than enough at this point. “Good night, Taryn.”
Quickly, before he blew his good exit, he turned and walked away.
* * * * *
Blue looked around the large suite they had been shown to a few minutes earlier. She had lived in the city all of her life, and traveled to a fair number of interesting places around the world, but she’d never, ever stayed in anything near so grand as this was. She’d had no idea that the count could afford something like this.
Abruptly she stopped in front of the broad windows that overlooked Central Park. Against the black night, the lights of city along the edges of the park looked bright. Slowly she turned and faced the room. Simon answered the door, stepping back for the room service waiter to push a cart into the room. He had ordered in the limo on the way to the hotel as he reserved a room. The cart carried a champagne bucket, long-stemmed goblets and a crystal vase overflowing with roses. The roses were not red, though.
Blue crossed the room, reaching out and easing one of the peach-colored roses from the vase. She sniffed the bloom to inhale the sweet, redolent scent. Only as she inhaled did the memory of the floral wristlet she’d worn in Vienna return.
Behind her, she heard Simon thanking the waiter and then closing the door. She could almost feel his gaze upon her as he crossed the room. When he spoke from just behind her, she didn’t jump. “Do you like them?”
“Thank you for the roses.” Blue paused, as it was hard to speak past the lump in her throat. “They are very pretty.”
Simon gently took the rose from her hand.
She turned to face him and saw that he was snapping off the long stem and placing it in his lapel.
He smiled as he looked back up. “They are more than just pretty flowers, Blue. This is color of the flowers you were wearing that night in Vienna.”
Knowing that he remembered, and the color wasn’t an accident, only made her realize that she must keep the barriers up around her heart, for protection. It would be so much easier to resist him if he didn’t recall such tender, heart-wrenching things. Little details from the past were always secret keys to a woman’s heart. She took a deep breath. “I didn’t remember at first—”
“It’s all right, my sweet. I’ve never forgotten. When you were three years old, you came to Fauster’s loft with some flowers. You gave one to your dad, Hunter, Fauster and lastly to me. Something happened when I took that flower from your hand. I don’t know what it was, Blue, but it was as if for the first time since Fauster had sired me, I was feeling again.”
“I don’t remember a lot except that Lamenta used to practice spells with me, and maybe she did a little magic to the flowers. It wouldn’t be the first time she did some things that could be called butting in by even the most generous of mind.”
Simon took her hand and led her over to sit on one of the sofas. “I have not led the most exemplary of lives, Blue. The last seventy-odd years have been much better, since my sons were born.”
“What are you saying, Simon?” His words had caused her stomach to flip-flop. She knew that what she’d done so far was wrong. To continue down this path could mean that she would face the decision of choosing Simon or her family. The attraction she felt for him was strong—almost like a drug and she doubted that she could do without it, once she’d sampled the heady and potent power it held over her.
“I love you, Blue.” Almost as if he anticipated her protest, his fingers pressed against her lips quickly. “Don’t say anything just yet, my darling. I brought you here so we could be on an even playing field, so to speak. This hotel is neutral ground, and for a few hours I’d like to forget the outside world. I know it will intrude before long, but I want to have a few hours with you, alone. I want to tell you over and over how much I do love you. I’ve waited for you to grow up.”
“The letter?” Blue forced the words past her lips, needing to know more, in spite of Simon’s pleading.
“The first time tore my heart out, my love, to write those hurtful words. You were but a child in comparison. I felt the beginning strong emotions inside you, yet I knew that it was too soon. I wanted to reveal my true feelings many times after I replied to your tender letter. I feared our passion might rage too fiercely for you to handle it. I didn’t want to screw it up because I was impatient and you were still just a young girl. I am sorry for hurting you.”
Blue held her breath at Simon’s words. If she spoke from her heart, then he would truly know the depth of her feelings. There could no longer be any hiding behind shuttered looks and banal smiles. Reveal her emotions to Simon and she could never joke or shrug away from the truth. Once she exposed her deepest feelings, just a glance into her eyes and he could read her soul. Still, she had to know. “What about the second time?”
“It didn’t feel right, Blue. I knew how vulnerable you would be… how your whole family had to be feeling. If I expressed my emotions, my intentions, I knew we’d have a fight on our hands with your father. I feel more deeply for you, Blue, than I have for anyone during my entire existence, except for my sons. The emotions I feel when I am with you are completely different from those for my children, but they are equally deep, and true. Test me, if you wish. I’ve wait
ed a very long time for us to come together at just the right time. I know this is the right time for us.”
Shaking her head, she felt the need to put space between them for a moment. She stood and walked over to the windows, which looked out over the city. The darkness outside seemed to echo what was inside of her. Of course, there was also a small flame of love and desire that was ferociously fighting to grow bigger and brighter with each passing second.
“The timing, Simon—” Blue murmured as she felt him come to stand behind her. She noted that only her body was reflected, and that only confirmed her fears about any kind of future they might have.
Simon’s lips pressed to the side of her neck, kissing gently while his hands moved her hair out of the way. “Perhaps this was meant to be. Fate has drawn us together… for this.”
Blue sighed and let the heat from his body seep into hers, leaning back against his strength. Slowly, she let his body and arms take over some of the effort to continue standing. His lips, tongue and mouth continued to kiss and suck the side of her face, her earlobe and down her neck onto her shoulder. The feelings were so sensual that she closed her eyes and let it invade her senses.
“You don’t think this is wrong, Simon? Aren’t we on opposite sides? Shouldn’t I be trying to—” Blue stopped abruptly, unable to even speak the words.
“I am not your enemy. I was never Fauster’s enemy either, even though his paranoia refused to see it at times. We lived in different worlds. Once my sons were born, I found it harder to communicate with him. I’d lost touch with your father. I could have confided in him… instead, I sought my own way.”
Blue turned in his arms. “What do you want from me, Simon? Is this just to fuck until it is out of your system? Maybe I’m not what you thought and exposure to me will cure you very quickly of any foolish thoughts you once had.”
Simon shook his head, laughing quietly. His hands curled around her upper arms, pulling her close to his body.
She felt his hard cock pressing eagerly against his zipper. She swallowed hard as she looked into his dark eyes.
“I am not a shallow man, my sweet. I don’t rush through good things, and I know how to treat precious objects. I want to promise you my heart… what is left of it, yet I fear it might not be enough for you.”
Blue caught her breath at his confession. “The heart grows stronger when you treat it kindly and feed it with love.”
“I want you Blue, and my feelings for you… God! It has to be love that I feel for you… it hurts so damned much!”
Blue met his mouth with hers, kissing him deeply. She pulled him close, feeling like she needed to be even closer. Their tongues dueled for a moment, and then Simon lifted her into his arms.
“Simon! I’m too heavy. Put me down!” Blue squealed as he carried her into the bedroom. She laughed out loud even as she felt tears on her cheeks. Rose petals were scattered across the large bed. He was so romantic!
“You weigh no more than a feather, and I want you to know that my age shouldn’t be an issue between us.”
Blue felt the bed bounce beneath her and she watched as Simon almost tore off his clothing. “I don’t have a problem with your age, Simon. I never did.” She let her eyes move down over his muscular torso, to his groin where his cock was already hard and rising to meet the demand. Lifting one hand, she pressed it flat against his skin, stroking it downwards. Deliberately, she moved her gaze to meet his at the same time her hand found his manhood, curling around it. Holding his gaze, she slid her hand up and down several times, in a firm, provocative caress.
Simon’s groan came from deep inside.
Blue felt the shudder of emotion rack his body in response to her touch.
His smile was tight as he spoke a moment later. “Keep that up for much longer, my love, and I won’t be able to account for my reactions.”
Blue giggled at the giddy thought of this powerful man-vampire being at her mercy. Thinking she might be able to affect him as he did her was a heady experience. Of course, it wouldn’t be as much. She had no doubts as to her sexual talents. Sure she was strong and had little doubt she could manage just about any position in the whole damned Kama Sutra. The trouble was that her lack of experience made her feel vulnerable and insecure.
Reaching out and taking his manhood in hand had been an act of bravado. She wasn’t sure she could follow it up decisively. With love, she had no doubt. But was emotion and eagerness enough to satisfy a man as sophisticated as Simon? This was a question she’d asked herself countless times since she’d first realized her attraction to him and understood the adult responsibilities such a love might entail.
“Blue?”
She blinked and met his gaze again. “What?” she answered softly.
Simon lowered his body closer to hers, kissing her lips lightly, in complete contrast to her intimate gesture. “You looked so far away from me in your thoughts. And you looked sad, my sweet. I want to please you and make you happy.”
“I am happy, Simon. Happier than I can remember being for too many years.” Blue reassured him quickly.
“Then please release me… God! I can’t believe I’m saying that! Let me undress you slowly, and spend a few hours pleasuring you.”
Blue relaxed her hand, sliding it slowly back up his chest. “Just a few hours?” she asked with a teasing smile.
“We still need to check out a few of those places on our list tonight. I figured we can do the rest tomorrow night.” Simon’s hands were cleverly shifting her clothes up, down or even just out of the way. Blue guessed that his passion was just as hot as hers. The likelihood that she was going to get everything off before he was inside her was doubtful.
Closing her eyes, she let the amazing sensations overtake her consciousness, and stopped thinking. The feel of his mouth sucking on first one, and then the other nipple was arousing. When his hand slid between her thighs, caressing her wet pussy lips, her hips lifted to ease his entry. Soon, his fingertip had set up a rhythm that rocked her world and sent her spiraling wildly.
Blue tried to pull Simon over her, but he resisted until he had used his fingers once again to tease her body into a wildly unrestrained and out of control orgasm. Seconds later he thrust inside her pussy, even as her muscles quivered and squeezed down tightly around the intruder. Blue cried out to pull him tighter as she felt her pussy suck and tug on his cock. With her thighs lifting to encircle his hips, she pulled him firmly to her deepest internal point. Moments later, she felt his cock spasm and jerk as it flooded her inner being with his seed.
From somewhere buried deep inside her, Blue had a thought come full-blown into her head—Simon’s child. She wanted to give birth to a child of his. Call it full circle, karma, kismet… who the hell cared? Her womanhood cried out to bear his baby within her womb, the only act more intimate than sex… combining your essences to make a new life.
In that moment, she felt her body, deep inside, shift. But then she lost herself in her orgasm, and watching Simon’s face as he experienced his release that she quickly forgot the distraction. Afterwards, she continued to lay beneath him for several minutes, his cock slowly slipping from her tight sheath.
Simon pulled reluctantly from Blue’s relaxed embrace. Watching her sleepy face, he removed her remaining clothes. Trying not to dwell too long on admiring her long, strong thighs, her flat stomach nor the magnificent bosom that graced her strong body, he pulled up the covers and draped them over their naked bodies.
He had every intention of holding her, and letting her sleep. But looking at the way her nipples insisted on poking up so eagerly from each rounded tit, making little tents of the thin sheet covering them, he couldn’t resist the temptation. He scooted down in the bed beside her. As if he had all the time in the world, he began to idly cup, stroke and squeeze each boob.
Keeping his voice down, he spoke to her quietly. “Lovely bosom, my sweet darling. Pretty round breasts with luscious pink nipples that cry out to be sucked.” His mouth lowered
while he pushed her right breast upwards. Licking around the areola, he worked his way to the peak. With flicks of his tongue, he teased the tight, hard bud until she cried out softly. Her back bowed, pushing up her breast. Simon didn’t delay. He took her flesh inside his mouth, sucking and pulling until Blue’s moans became continuous music to his ears.
“I want you, my love. I want us to be together—” Simon whispered roughly, knowing that he could easily lose himself in this woman.
“Oh, God! Simon… I—”
A trilling noise interrupted her a second later. Irritatingly it continued, until Blue couldn’t ignore it. “I have to answer that, Simon, I’m sorry. I… have to.”
Simon moved away from her reluctantly. “I understand, sweetheart. Where is the phone, I’ll get it.”
Blue sat up in bed, pushing her hair back from her face. “It’s in the pocket of my jean shorts.”
Simon picked up the clothing and retrieved the small cellular phone and handed it to Blue.
She flipped the top up as it rang once more. “It’s Blue. What is going on, Jordan?”
Simon watched as Blue spoke to her younger brother. Many years had passed since he’d seen the young man and he wondered how he was doing. The last time he’d seen Jordan was only a few years after the accident. Looking at Blue, he remembered the pain in her face every time her brother had to endure a painful procedure. He shook his head and refocused his attention to hear what Blue was saying.
“No, Jordan, it’s all right. I’ll be home as soon as I can… less than an hour. Uhm, can you call—”
Simon watched as Blue rubbed her forehead, just above the bridge of her nose. He realized that Blue saw herself as the sole caregiver for her brother. That Jordan was her responsibility, and she obviously hesitated to ask anyone for help. Instinctively, he reached out to caress his fingers down the side of her face.