by D McEntire
He was in full hunger mode, not just for the taste of her. He wanted all of her. His hips moved in rhythm with the pulls from her vein in intense pleasure. All thought was gone from his mind. He could only feel at that moment, and he felt her. His.
Tank couldn't catch his breath. The ecstasy of her blood flowing over his tongue, and her soft fingers moving along his erection took control of his body. As he rocked his hips faster, the pressure of her grip increased.
A burst of blinding light exploded behind his closed eyelids as a climax overtook him. He moaned aloud, but fought to keep the roar within his throat. Spasms wracked his body as he spilled himself onto Sonya's hand, his belly and the sheet covering them.
When his shudders subsided, he swirled his tongue over the pulse-point in her wrist to seal the wounds.
Tank went very still. What had he just done? Not only had he forced her into a hand job, he'd lost control and climaxed. What had gotten into him? He could only guess the thoughts going through her head.
"Sonya, I'm sorry. I got carried away..."
"No, Tank. Don't be. I'm not."
She leaned forward until her lips touched his. The kiss, full of passion, threatened to take him over the edge once more. He needed to get ahold of himself before he did something stupid--again.
Sonya settled closer to him. She didn't speak, and neither did he. Instead, he let her snuggle closer, and when she closed her eyes, he did the same, letting the approaching dawn take him into a deep, rejuvenating sleep he desperately needed.
Squeals and giggles met them when Tank and Sonya stepped out of the lift. Commotion filled the room. Sonya wished she could see it, but she didn't need to. Tank bent to her ear and described everything in full detail, telling her Mya held the string of a small wooden train and as she pulled it behind her, Brat followed close behind, looking as though ready to pounce as soon as he got close enough.
Sonya heard the pitter patter of Mya's small, bare feet and the squeak of the toy's wheels pass her. Fast thumps, which she quickly recognized as Brat, joined the parade. "That's music to my ears," she said with smile as Tank escorted her into the room.
When Sonya reached the living room, where she sensed most of the group located, her stomach knotted. She knew she had some major explaining and apologizing to do for worrying them.
"Everyone? I caused a lot of grief, and I'm deeply sorry. I hope you'll forgive me." Before anyone could speak, she continued. "Si?" When he answered her call and placed his hand on her arm, she sank to a crouch to be at face level. Even though she couldn't see him, she wanted him to know how earnest she was in her apology. "Si, I'm sorry to you, especially. I shouldn't have tricked you like that. It was wrong of me, and I hope you'll forgive me."
Si's answer was to fling his arms around her neck and give her a tight squeeze.
"I'm just glad you're okay, and we don't have to worry about that man anymore."
"Me too," she said softly as she kissed his head.
After the embrace, Si left her arms, and she heard the scuffling of his shoes as he ran across the room. Moments later, a buzzing noise caught her attention, and she gave Tank a questioning look.
"It's a race track. He and Kern are on the floor by the television playing."
"He's beaten me three times," Kern said with feigned disgust.
Tank laughed, and she heard others in the room join in. She couldn't help but smile. The place felt light and happy with the presence of Si and Mya. She, herself, felt blessed to not only have met the children, but to have met everyone here, especially Tank.
Another light touch on her arm put a knot in her chest. She knew who stood in front of her, and she waited for her to speak.
"Sonya. We all know why you did what you felt you had to do. Being pulled abruptly out of one life and thrust into another has got to be hard. No one can be expected to drop everything they hold dear and embrace something they hadn't chosen, nor understand. It's going to take time, but just know we're all here for you. Let us help you if you need it, okay?"
Robyn's words brought tears to Sonya's eyes. Since she couldn't find her voice to speak, she took a deep breath and nodded.
With a warm embrace, Sonya knew she now had a close friend. In fact, she had several. She couldn't help but feel this was her family, replacing the one she'd lost.
Someone cleared his throat. Sonya recognized the sound as it was the same she'd heard while Tank kissed her in her bedroom. Suddenly, the room was very quiet, and she wondered what was happening.
"Tank? Is everything alright?"
Her anxiety ramped when Tank didn't answer as he led her further into the room. He brought her to a chair, which she sank upon slowly. All sorts of thoughts raced through her head. She was still learning about this vampire stuff. Was there some sort of initiation she had to go through? Did they do hazing? Tank had said they didn't feed from humans so she pushed that possibility out of her mind.
"Sonya, I have something to ask you."
The frantic beating of Sonya's heart skidded to a halt. His voice sounded close, and she felt his breath on her face as if his was directly in front of hers. She nervously shifted in her seat. What was he going to say?
"Okay," she answered cautiously.
"I want you to stay here, with me. I know you're capable of living on your own and the threat of David is gone, but you mean so much to me. I can't think of being without you."
His words stopped for a moment. She could hear the loud beating of a heart, but couldn't tell if it was his or hers.
"Sonya, I love you. Please stay."
Sonya couldn't breathe, couldn't form any words. All she could do was lunge forward and grab him, holding on to him tightly before finding his mouth with hers and kissing him with everything she had.
Their mouths fused together, warm and wet. She kissed him fiercely, then remembered they weren't alone and children were in the room. She broke the kiss, and slowly pulled back.
"Is that a yes?"
Sonya laughed and nodded. "That is a definite yes."
Cheers went up throughout the room. Embarrassed by the attention, she buried her face in his chest and laughed.
Tank stood, pulling her up with him as he did so. The ding of the lift sounded, and the room went eerily quiet once again. After a few moments the silence was broken by the sound of gasps.
The floor vibrated with a rumbling sound filling the room. It was followed by a "Wow!" from Si as he flew past her with a woosh of air.
Finally, the vibration and rumbling stopped. Tank ushered her forward with his hands settled on her waist. After several steps, one hand left her waist, grasped her hand and held it out. Her fingers touched something smooth. She placed both hands on its surface, and her heart skipped a beat. A piano. He had bought her a piano.
"You had this planned didn't you?" Totally astonished. She couldn't believe he'd done this for her.
"Yes, I did."
His tone was most definitely smug, which deserved a good teasing, she thought with a smile. "What if I'd said no?"
Tank laughed. She felt him approach from behind. He slid his hands around her waist and pulled her against his tall, firm body.
"I guess I would've had to return the piano I had hiding downstairs in the gym."
"Why did you wait until after I said yes? Why didn't you use it to bribe me to stay?" Sonya knew Tank would never have done such a thing. She turned her head as if looking over her shoulder and grinned so he knew her question was meant as a tease. He laughed against her back.
"Play me something, my sweet," he crooned in her ear, making her tingle all over. She would never get tired of hearing his low, rumbling voice and bet it would always have that affect on her. Besides, she had a lifetime to find out, a long lifetime.
Sonya blew out an exaggerated sigh. "Oh, I guess I can manage one song." She let Tank guide her to the bench where she sat and got comfortable. After skimming her fingers over the keys to get the feel of them, she began to play. The tune
she chose was one Tank had played in his SUV after taking her to her home to retrieve Brat and some of her things.
Tank turned when the door to the lower level opened, but was glad Sonya didn't stop playing. Her rendition was far better than the one on the classical CD Marie had given him for Christmas.
Rosa and Vane walked through the door. They stopped just inside the doorway and quietly placed their suitcases on the floor. Hand-in-hand, they continued into the living room and joined the others watching Sonya play the piano.
Tank beamed inside, and he knew it showed on the outside because he was unable to contain the joy he felt. Sonya had filled his dreams, and even though they'd been disturbing ones, he thanked the powers that be he'd had them at all. They had been his saving grace.
No, Sonya was his saving grace.
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Chapter Fifteen
Rosa listened intently as Sonya played. Being a singer at a local nightclub, music was much a part of her life as it was Sonya's.
A memory caught her, and she turned to Vane. "Sonya played this tune in the hotel lobby the night of the fireworks festival."
Vane frowned as if searching his own memories. Recognition lit his face. He smiled and nodded. "Yeah. You're right."
Rosa took Vane's hand and settled them both in a corner out of the way. She motioned to Vane to get his attention, then turned her gaze to Tank in a silent gesture as to what she wanted her mate to see.
Tank, standing still as a statue, stared at Sonya so intently he didn't blink. His eyes glowed with hunger, and something else. Rosa's gaze met Vane's knowingly. They saw the same look in each other's eyes every day. One shared between mates.
"Yep," Vane whispered in her ear. "The man's got it bad."
Rosa stifled a giggle and playfully slapped Vane on the chest.
Without warning, Sonya stopped, her hands frozen on the keys. The sudden move made Rosa jump. She worried their conversation had disturbed her concentration.
Sonya lifted her head, and Rosa could swear the woman's white eyes stared directly at Tank as if seeing him.
Sensing something major was about to happen, she scooted to the edge of her seat, anxious to find out what it was.
When Sonya finally spoke, Rosa noticed the woman's eyes slowly become shimmering pools of liquid.
"Tank. It was you I felt at the hotel the night I was hired to play for the guests during the fireworks festival, wasn't it?"
Tank stepped forward until he stood by Sonya's side. Rosa could feel the warmth in the room and couldn't help but feel moved by the scene. They were obviously in love, she thought, happy at witnessing the breakthrough. And when he took one of Sonya's hands in his, turned it and kissed the palm, she thought she'd cry.
"Yes, it was me. When I first saw you, I was captivated, and since then I haven't been able to get you out of my head."
Sonya reached out and touched Tank's face. The gesture so loving, Rosa fought back tears.
"You were also the man in my dreams when I was sick. I felt you with me, and I clung to that feeling. I dreamed you came to save me...and you did."
As Tank pulled Sonya into his arms and settled his cheek on the top of her head, Rosa couldn't hold back the waterworks. She sniffled and wiped at her eyes until Vane pulled her into his arms and held her tight.
"So beautiful," she said on a hiccup. Her heart filled to bursting with joy of the fact Tank was now able to experience the joy, the completion that she and Vane, Robyn and Trigg and Marie and Kern felt every day.
When Robyn cleared her throat and spoke, Rosa felt the spell in the room pop like a pin to a balloon. "Okay, kiddos. It's getting late, or should I say early for little vampires. Time for bed."
Sonya heard a few ahhs and mutters from Si. Just then, a thump sounded in front of her. Meow. At that moment she realized the cause of the noise--Brat landing on the piano. He traipsed across the keys, making a horrible racket of tuneless notes resound through the room.
"Kitty!"
A high-pitched squeal of laughter followed the sudden outburst of the word, and the room suddenly became quiet.
Mya had spoken. She'd actually spoken. Sonya's heart sang with joy. The little girl hadn't spoken a word since they'd found her and Si in the old sanatorium. And according to Si, she'd stopped talking after their parents had died.
"Oh, sweetie, you talked. I'm so proud of you."
The others chimed in, voicing agreement of Robyn's statement and adding praises of their own until the conversations died down enough for her to hear Robyn escort the children up the stairs. Sonya used Mya's relentless repetition of the word as her personal GPS.
Sounds of shuffling and footsteps told her the group was leaving the room, and the creak of weight on the stairs she figured meant they were also turning in. She had the feeling they were purposely leaving her and Tank alone, and she was thankful. They had much to talk about, and she preferred to do it in private.
"Tank, shall we take this conversation to your room?"
Oh boy, Tank's mind muttered with excitement. The question was music to his ears. He was dying to get Sonya alone. "I think that's a wonderful idea."
Tank held her hand in his as he escorted her to the stairs and up to his room. Once inside, he released her hand, then had to clutch his own at his sides to keep from scooping her up and tossing her onto his bed, right where he wanted her.
Sonya made her way unerringly to his bed and sat, patting the space beside her in invitation. He reacted immediately.
Unable to hold himself in check any longer, he captured her mouth with his. All he felt for Sonya released in that kiss--hunger, elation, love.
Bringing up his arms, he encircled her, needing her close to him. He'd protect her with his last breath. He wanted to claim her as his and have her know just that. No one would take her from him, and God help anyone who thought to try.
Soft hands touched his face, then rested on each side of his neck.
"Sonya," he breathed against her lips. "Tell me you want me as much as I want you."
"Yes, Tank. I want you," She answered breathlessly.
The words sang in his ears and his heart raced. The heat of passion surged through him, making his blood pulse wildly in his veins.
Her hands slid from his neck. Probing fingers moved over his stomach, following the ridges of his muscles until they reached the waistband of his jeans, then tugged the shirt free.
The T-shirt was pushed up and over his head before her fingers skimmed his shoulders. Lips caressed his skin, trailing warm, wet kisses over his collarbone and down his chest. He closed his eyes, relishing the sensations her touch gave him.
Her tongue swirled around his nipple, and he jumped in surprise. When his nipple became taut, she lightly bit it, and he hissed in pleasure. She was driving him insane.
Sonya's hands grasped the fly of his jeans and tugged the button free. Her fingers disappeared behind the waistband of his boxer briefs and released his erection from its confines.
Tank groaned and hated to stop her ministrations, stop the feel of her fingers encircling him, but if he didn't, he wouldn't be able to do to her all the things he wanted.
Easing off the bed, he chuckled softly at the frown she gave.
After he shucked his pants and underwear, he pulled Sonya from the bed and kissed her once more.
His hands found the hem of her shirt and let it fall from his hands and onto the floor after he'd pulled it over her head. Working loose the clasp of her bra, he let it drop as well.
Palms sliding slowly down her torso, he brushed them lightly against the sides of her breasts, until he reached her pants. Freeing the button, he pushed them down her thighs, sending her lacey panties along to pool at her feet.
Tank took a step back looked at her. "You're beautiful, Sonya."
Sonya heard the shake in Tank's voice as if he were exerting control to keep himself in check after undressing her. She smiled and put her hand out for his. When he graspe
d hers, she pulled him along with her until the backs of her knees hit the mattress. She lay down and settled upon the soft comforter as his body covered hers.
"Tank, I want you to know I'm not just staying because you saved me from the sanatorium, took care of me and risked your life for me. I want to be with you, always. I know we've only known each other for two days, well, actually less than that since I was sick and out of it when you'd found me. I can't explain it, but I'm drawn to you. When you aren't around, I feel as though a part of me is missing. Does that sound crazy?"
"No, that doesn't sound crazy. I feel it too. That's why I asked you to stay with me. I truly don't know what I'd do without you."
His reply, though what she hoped to hear, she couldn't believe this was actually happening to her.
Fingers trailed along her jaw line, then down her chest before brushing over one of her nipples. His thumb circled lazily until the sensation of his warm, wet mouth taking over made her gasp.
Sonya arched into the feel of Tank's mouth on her breast, sending little electric charges throughout her body. Every nerve ending stood at attention, begging to be touched.
When he released the nipple and took the other into his mouth, she sank her fingers into his hair and pulled him closer.
Tank moved his hand once more. She trembled as it slid down her stomach, past her belly button and cupped her mound. Heat immediately gathered beneath his touch, and inside she prayed for more.
Fingers separated the folds of her inner lips, answering her prayer and giving her what she wanted as they skimmed along the sensitive flesh there.
Sonya moaned and opened her thighs wider, wanting even more of his touch. A finger slipped inside, then withdrew slowly and circled her clit with the moisture that had coated his finger.
A second finger probed her entry and joined the first one driving her insane.
Bending her knees, she flattened her feet on the bed and relished the back and forth motion of his fingers as the digits spread warm friction and moisture along her most sensitive parts.