Rafe was not happy with the plan, but knew better than to voice that displeasure. Eduardo had gifted him with a kindness tonight and he was not about to make the penalty for his indiscretion worse by arguing. He was a fair leader, but also not a vampire to be crossed. With a warning glance to Phillipe, he carried Cara outside and placed her sleeping form in his car.
She awoke to the smooth motions of a moving vehicle and tried to orient herself quickly to her surroundings. A wave of dizziness engulfed her as she sat straight up in the seat, her hands gripped the rests in the car tightly.
“You are safe Cara,” he knew she would be angry over his Creator's comments earlier tonight and the abandonment she felt that led to her capture. There was so much she still didn't understand about his world. He had thought to have plenty of time to slowly lead her into this, but he had not counted on the events that were out of his control.
“He could have killed me,” and she still hadn't forgotten about how he allowed Gabe to talk to her. "I didn’t ask for any of this Rafe, you could at least protect me." Was she truly so unimportant to him that he didn't care what happened? Misery filled her heart even as her body fought against the lethargy that moved through her veins.
He said nothing, how could he explain that just the thought of losing her was enough to make him want to destroy every person who dared look at her wrong. Needing to gain some control and the demon in him warred inside, he gripped the steering wheel tightly and his eyes focused on the road, waiting for his anger to calm. He didn't want to raise his voice or frighten her, and he knew he would if he spoke at that moment.
She was so not in the mood for another lesson in his racing skills, she thought. “You pull this car over now, Rafe.” He owed her an explanation, he owed her more than one. She felt her own anger fill her. Did he think he could just ignore this and she'd give in?
He considered ignoring her request but rightfully read the rage in her voice. “Would you allow me to make it back to the waterfall?” gritting his teeth as he spoke, he hoped the words didn't leave as vehemently as he feared they would. He remembered the look in her eyes the last time they were there, and felt he needed that advantage to explain what had happened this evening. His brothers would have laughed at him if they could see how he was allowing a human to lead him, but he refused to take over her mind.
“Fine,” she agreed sullenly. Her head was throbbing, and decided the drive would give her time to rest before laying into him the way she wanted.
“The pain will end soon, you are just feeling the effects of Eduardo’s venom,” he whispered the words quietly, wishing he could take the discomfort away. His control was returning as he allowed her needs to overcome his own anger.
"Great, now I have vampire cooties." she thought to herself, needing to find some humor in this unbelievable situation. It was either that or give in to the overwhelming depression that was knocking on her heart from everything that had happened tonight.
Rafe felt a smile at her thoughts, proud that she was strong enough not to completely fall apart. He wasn't sure that many women would have been able to deal with this as well as his beautiful lover. At least not someone who had been so naive until she found her way into his arms, he thought regretfully.
Laying her head back against the headrest, she closed her eyes and tried to sleep. When she awakened they were back in the familiar area of the forest. She saw Rafe standing outside of the car, leaning back on the hood, seemingly lost in thought. Her eyes roamed over his handsome form, taken for a minute with how his jeans fit his long legs.
It would be so easy to get out of the car and throw herself into his arms, she thought. Her body ached to do just that, but her mind demanded to know just what he truly felt for her. She couldn't allow herself to be with him without knowing he truly cared for her. Tonight gave her serious doubts. Stepping out of the car she walked over in front of him. Crossing her arms over her chest so she wouldn't reach out to him like she wanted, she looked up at him, waiting for some answers.
“Are you feeling better?” His eyes searched her face, seeing the remaining effects of the venom had dissipated. He longed to pull her into his arms and hold her against his chest, but her mind was brimming with questions, and she deserved answers. He wanted her to trust him, it was important that she understood how much she meant to him.
Pulling a strand of hair behind her ear she nodded, not meeting his eyes. "The sleepiness has past, at least." How could she tell him her physical body was fine, but her heart was aching? She didn’t want to fight with him, but felt betrayed. She didn't know much about relationships, but if there was one thing she did know, it was that you had to be honest for them to survive.
“Cara, I know you feel betrayed lover, but I protected you more by not attempting to dissuade Eduardo,” he wanted desperately for her to understand and he used his mind to show her what could have happened had he attempted to stop him.
She gasped as pictures moved through her mind rapidly, showing how Eduardo would have drained her the moment Rafe had tried to pull her away. The scene moved on to Gabe, and he showed her mentally that how the scenario would have ended had he confronted his Creator. Gabe would have taken her body, just to prove his authority because it was the way of their race. He had no ability to control the Elder's or his own Creator.
“Stop!” the cry fell from her lips as she felt a wave of nausea overcome her at the thought of how this night could have ended. She knew from what she had witnessed, that either of the vampires tonight could have destroyed her. She also understood that Rafe would have given his existence to protect her, had the danger been greater to her if he fought them.
He pulled her into his arms, pleasantly shocked that she held on to him tightly. He felt that he failed her tonight, and the fact that she seemed willing to forgive him, was amazing. “I would destroy them all if I had the capacity, and knew it would keep you safe, my love,” he pushed her back enough to grasp her face in each of his large hands so he could stare into her eyes.
“I wanted to rip their heads off Cara,” his lips found hers and he kissed her possessively, needing her to understand how much she truly meant to him. Pulling away, he gazed into her beautiful face again, “You are mine, and I never want another’s hands to touch you again!” Lifting her into his arms he ran with a speed that defied all natural laws until they stood before the waterfall.
His hands went to her shirt and quickly lifted it over her head. Her bra was next and it was all so quick that she barely had a moment to catch her breath. His head lowered to her breast and he suckled it deeply into his mouth. He needed to possess, brand her his in a way that left no doubt in her mind who she belonged to. His own weakness tonight had left him feeling inferior, and he knew only her love could redeem his soul.
She could only grasp his dark hair and hold him to her as his mouth worked its magic. Waves of pleasure moved from her breast to her abdomen as he continued to pay homage to her breasts. As his fangs grazed the sensitive bud, the pleasure was so overwhelming she felt her knees give way.
“I am going to worship every inch of your body before this night has ended lover,” lifting her leg he removed one shoe then lifted the other, doing the same. He made quick work of her skirt and underwear until she stood before him naked and trembling in the moonlight. He gazed over her beautiful body and growled possessively. His fangs ached with the need to sink into the tender flesh and his sex stood proud needing to slide inside the incredible heat he knew he could make burn with desire. As the thoughts ravished his mind he stripped off his clothes in haste.
She couldn’t breathe as she looked at him. His muscular thighs were so perfectly formed, as were his long legs. He turned his back on her for a moment to lay their clothing over a dry boulder. She groaned softly as his perfect backside filled her vision. Everything about him was beautiful, she thought and a shiver of pleasure moved throughout her body.
He turned back to me with a small smirk on his face reading her mind
, please that she found him pleasant to look upon. “You, my lover, exemplify perfection.” he walked toward her slowly watching as her eyes widened, enjoying the blush on her cheek and the wanton thoughts moving through her mind in such a startling contrast. "He lifted her naked body into his arms, cradling her like a child as he moved into the warm creek that led to the waterfall.
As the cascading water finally fell on their bodies, he slowly lowered her to her feet. His shaft throbbed with the need to feel her silken folds engulfing him, and he fought desperately for a last shred of control. Pulling her against him, he was hard pressed not to lift her again and take her like that beast he was.
Her breath caught as she felt his silken steel against her stomach. The feel of the water flowing over her heated skin and the look of stark need filling his beautiful eyes, filled her with a need that was almost painful.
His hand slid slowly down her trembling flesh until his fingers found the warm heat that he ached to fill. Stroking her with a skill born of hundreds of years, he watched her beautiful face in the throes of ecstasy. The soft whimper escaping her lips was the sweetest music he had ever heard.
The touch of his fingers, as he stroked her sensitive flesh was so overwhelming, she felt her core tense almost painfully. “Please Rafe,” she begged him to hurry, wanting more as his fingers slowly slid into her, moving in a sensuous rhythm that mimicked making love.
As her warm honeyed dew drenched his fingers, he groaned loudly at the need to take her. Sliding his fingers from her clenching folds, he lowered to his knees before her. Determined to fuel her passion even greater, he lifted her leg over his shoulder and his mouth lapped the sweet essence of her. Her soft cry of fueled him on even more. His hands moved to the smooth roundness of her backside, pulling her even closer as his tongue delved in deeply.
“Oh God, Rafe please!” She was coming undone, and knew at any moment she would lose her balance. Tremors of fulfillment moved over her strongly, leaving her breathless. Even as she found paradise, he refused to stop. Whimpering helplessly as he continued his gentle assault, she feared she would die from the pleasure of his kiss.
He loved the taste of her on his lips and it took all of his control to lift his mouth. His body demanded its own release though, and he lifted her into his arms. Moving over to a smooth, flat boulder he was determined to have her. Setting her on her feet laid down on the cool stone, calling her with his mind to join with him. He felt the small hesitation as she understood his desire, and smiled as she allowed passion to take the reins and moved over him.
Her beautiful thighs parted as she straddled him and his hands reached up to guide her head towards him capturing her full lips for a brief moment before pulling away. “Show me the passion that burns inside of you lover,” he ached to feel her silken flesh meshed with his. No restraints did he want when they loved, every feeling she had, he demanded she give over to him.
Biting her lip as his words shook her to the core, she lowered herself slowly onto his steel sword. She wanted to savor every delicious inch of him, and forget the entire world outside of the two them. She couldn’t stop the gasp that escaped as he filled her completely. Her body stretched to accommodate his long, thick length and she moved slightly feeling the incredible friction. Throwing her head back in wanton abandonment, she gave over to sensation and discovered a slow rhythm. Riding him, she felt the crescendo building with every stroke.
His beautiful wanton innocent, he thought as his eyes watched her body give over to passion. His hands reached up, cupping her full breasts knowing this was how he always wanted to see her. Letting her control the lead, he enjoyed every movement of her tight sheath gripping him and releasing.
She felt incredibly alive, and free from inhibition, continuing to love him without reserve. The feel of his hands on her breasts, the incredible fullness of his body impaling her own, never had she thought it was possible to feel so deeply. Her breath escaped in soft pants as her core tightened. This was paradise, she thought as her own body released the dam of pleasure.
Feeling her come undone, his hands moved to her hips and increased the rhythm. Controlling her body, her brought her down harder and faster until his body erupted forcefully, filling her with his essence. Wrapping his hands into her hair he drew her neck down to his mouth and allowed his fangs to pierce her silken skin quickly.
The sweet taste of her blood causing his shaft to twitch to life again, and he knew he would never be satiated. Her soft moans of pleasure did little to help control the desire to continue sipping of her warm fluids and he fought against his animal nature, removing his fangs. Licking the wound closed, he sat up with her still impaled on him. “You have no idea of the pleasure you bring to me my love,” her trembling flesh clenching him was too much of a temptation and he thrust upward again.
She felt the desire build again as he slowly arched up, and wished that they could continue loving this way for an eternity. His hands lifted her up and slowly brought her down over and over until she felt her body climax again. Tears rolled down her cheeks at the beauty of their joining, and she clung to him tightly as he guided her body until he found his release again. Her body ached deliciously and when he lifted her from his body, she groaned at the slight pain of being used so well.
“Forgive me lover,” he stood and pulled her up to her feet slowly, “I would never wish you pain.” Holding her face in his hands, he kissed her cheeks and jaw tenderly before guiding her back toward the falls. The warm water cascaded over her flesh and he felt his body respond again and fought to gain control. She was already aching, he reminded himself, focusing instead on caressing away their early proof of passion from her body.
His hands moved over her with tenderness, and she found herself wanting to be with him again. Even as her body protested the idea, her mind wanted more. As his hand fell to his sides and he walked away, she wanted to cry out in disappointment. She watched as he found the way to their clothing, and regretfully walked over to join him. She wanted nothing more than to stay here with him forever. He turned back to her, holding out her shirt and she walked into it, allowing him to slide it over her head. It was incredibly erotic having him dress her. She wondered if her every thought would forever be wrapped around him loving her.
“I could only wish it were so my love,” he smiled at her thoughts and dressed himself quickly knowing he would only take her again if they stayed here. “The sun will rise soon,” he wished that the moon were under his control tonight. The thought of being without her even in his sleep of death was unbearable. With superhuman speed, he lifted her into his arms and raced back through the woods to his car. Helping her into the passenger seat he remained quiet as he drove back to his mansion.
“Are you not taking me home?” she was confused as they pulled into the circular driveway. In truth, she didn’t want to leave him, but knew he needed to rest. The thought of being alone in his house with his employees was unsettling.
“I would ask favor of you in that you humor me this night, until we can speak again,” glancing over quickly, he was hoping she would not deny him. He would never rest if he was not fully assured of her safety.
“I would never deny you anything Rafe,” as much as she knew it would be awkward without him by her side, it was impossible for her not to give in to his wishes.
He got out of the car, please by her words, and moved over to her door opening it and offering his hand. She placed her hand in his and he lowered his mouth to kiss the soft skin. “Thank you for allowing me this pleasure lover,” smiling warmly at her, he led them into the house.
Calvin met them at the door and Rafe explained that no one was to enter until he awoke tomorrow. He guided her upstairs and into his bedroom allowing himself one more passionate kiss before pulling away. “Please make yourself at home here my love, and just remember not to open the shades until the sun sets,” undressing quickly he climbed into bed casting one more longing glance her way before his death sleep overcame him.
Stepping out of the shower Cara dried off quickly, then rummaged through his drawers until she found a comb. Working it through the tangles in her hair, she yawned in exhaustion. Glancing back at her reflection in the mirror though, she was shocked at the vibrant woman staring back.
Smiling at her own reflection and then feeling a little silly for doing so, she tip-toed out into the bedroom and found Rafe’s chest of drawers. Finding a large t-shirt, she slid it over her head laughing as it fell to her knees. Trying not to disturb him, she climbed into bed beside him, and fell asleep almost as soon as her head hit the softness of the pillow.
9 Tears of Acceptance
Cara woke up completely disorientated, until she glanced over at Rafe, still sleeping motionlessly. Sliding out of bed carefully, because she honestly didn’t know if he would wake up before sunset, she quietly walked into the bathroom and made use of a spare toothbrush he had still wrapped in cellophane. It took a few moments to comb out her now disheveled hair and she wished there was a rubber band to pull it up in.
For several long minutes she debated walking downstairs dressed in only a t-shirt, but finally hunger won over and she decided that the shirt covered more than most dresses. Calvin met her as she reached the bottom of the stairs, and she couldn’t help the blush that found her cheeks. He was attired so professionally and she felt like some homeless person off the street in retrospect
A Night at Tears of Crimson (Tears of Crimson Vampire Nightclub) Page 13