"It was my fault," she hurried to say, drawing Tremayne's attention to her.
"You two could never keep your hands off each other." Tremayne shook his head, but his lips curved and she relaxed. "It was destined I suppose that you would run into each other again. Make it quick," he said to Sloane. "And keep the foreplay to a minimum, will you? This isn't a hotel and we have an audience down below. Cassandra can only keep Wade and Axel busy for so long." He didn't wait for them to comment, but flitted away, finally leaving them alone once more.
"Now where were we?" Derek turned her in his arms and his all too sexy mouth slid into a wicked smile. "You asked me if I had a girlfriend? Right?"
She stiffened, not sure she wanted to know.
"Well, I do," he said. "She's in my arms."
She chuckled and shook her head. "I'm your girlfriend? Just like that?"
He kissed the tip of her nose, her cheeks, and then her lips. "Yeah, just like that. You got something to say about it?"
"Yep, I do." Her gaze shifted over his features. She dreamt about this moment, had hoped it would one day be a possibility… "What took you so long?" Her mouth covered his. Her fangs throbbed to release and sink into his flesh, but longing to have so much more with this man kept her primal instincts in check. He didn't hold back as he took, becoming the aggressor. She gladly surrendered to his caress.
He gave her another quick kiss. "You better go," he told her, his voice raw with emotion.
She knew she should, but she didn't want to…not yet. She trailed her finger over his lips and he pressed her closer, making it painfully obvious how much he wanted her. She closed her eyes with a groan.
"To be continued." He kissed her again. "I'll wait for you. No matter how long it takes."
"That's a grand gesture." Especially when she had forever on her side, but his gaze did not waver. He really meant his pledge.
"What are you doing up there," Axel called up to Derek. Thank goodness they stood far enough back and couldn't be seen from where Axel stood below them.
Derek pulled away from Sloane and covered her lips with his forefinger.
"I'm on my way down," he called.
"Make it quick. Our wayward sister is here and we're off to have a drink with her."
"Well, tell her the first round's on her," he shouted back.
Axel chuckled. "Already did."
Derek returned his attention back to Sloane. "You better go." He still hadn't released her.
Her lips curved, loving his arms around her. She'd missed this. "When you're through with family time, I'm staying at the Comfort Inn." She slipped him her key card. "Room 311."
She grabbed her weapon and flitted away before she had time to rationalize what she'd done. Tremayne would probably want to stake her, but too bad. She loved Derek and she would sooner walk out into the sun than harm him. Besides, she wasn't stupid. She would feed before he arrived tonight. Tremayne had proven a great teacher and it was about time he realized the student should graduate.
Chapter Thirty-Two
Derek debated a million times why he shouldn't go to the hotel, but on the millionth and one time, he decided what the hell. He would be careful not to let anyone follow him, and if Tremayne caught him in Sloane's room… Well he'd deal with the matter then.
He slipped the card into the key slot and pushed the handle. The door opened with a resound click. He stood in the threshold and just stared and tried very hard not to let his mouth hit the floor.
Sloane was waiting for him, dressed in something a little more casual than her dark leather gear and a lot more revealing with lots of pink lace.
"I'd hoped you wouldn't disappoint me." Sloane's sultry voice drew his attention to her eyes and he concentrated on her beautiful face though her lips were becoming a distraction, too.
He cleared his throat and forced himself to remember why he decided this was a wise choice. "I would never want to disappoint you. You know…being your boyfriend and all." He grinned back. "I brought you a gift."
Before she could ask what, he dragged his surprise to the forefront.
Her seductive stance shifted to one of girlish delight. "Lad!" She clapped her hands together.
He let go of the leash and the dog flew forward to greet her. She crouched down and Lad immediately lathered her face with doggie kisses. She laughed, a pure laugh of joy. She glanced at him through teary eyes. "You're the best boyfriend a girl could ever have."
He quietly closed the door behind him. "That's the plan."
She stood slowly and met his gaze with a tilt of her head. "What exactly does this plan entail? Are there other details I should be aware of?"
He hoped there would be hot sex, but he would settle for just being with her. "How about we start with a kiss and go from there."
She sauntered over to him, her hips sashaying in a seductive manner that made his mouth suddenly go dry. He liked where this plan was going. "I didn't wear my new getup just to hold your hand," she said and her lips slid into a grin. She leaned against him and ran a hand through his hair.
That was his undoing. His mouth found hers and his hands gripped her hips, lifting her so she could wrap her legs around his waist. "I'm taking you to bed," he told her, giving her one last chance to stop him.
"It's over there." She pointed to the room to the right of them. Her hotel room was an elegant suite with a living room, kitchenette and a bedroom.
Lad whined and wagged his tail.
"Sorry big guy," he said. "You get the couch tonight." He headed to the bedroom and closed the door with his foot. He then tumbled them onto the bed, making her giggle.
"I've dreamt about this?" she said, holding his face in her hands and kissing him soundly on the lips.
He glanced at her before he removed a lacy strap from her shoulder and showered her flesh with tender kisses. "Which part?"
"Hmm… this and…oh, yes…that, too." She sighed in pleasure.
Her outfit looked lovely on her, but he wanted it gone. His hands slipped beneath the silk and she sat up so he could remove the camisole. He made short work of his clothing, too and threw them next to hers on the floor. When she was in his arms once more, he was the one to sigh. "Now this is what I've dreamt about—holding you in my arms again."
She kissed the side of his neck. "This is wonderful, but I hope your dreams involved a little more than cuddling."
He rolled her onto her back and she squealed in delight. "Let me show you," he told her.
* * * * *
Much later, after hours of lovemaking, Derek stretched out on the bed with his hands behind his head and the sheet haphazardly covering his hips. Sloane leaned up on one elbow as she ran her fingers over his chest, outlining old scars then kissing each one. "You've been fighting a long time." She pressed another kiss to the scar near his collarbone.
"As soon as I could hold a dagger."
Her administrations stopped and her eyes found his. "That's terrible."
He took her hand and gave it a squeeze. "It wasn't so bad." He didn't want her to feel sorry for him. He hadn't felt deprived as a child. He had his siblings and they worked together as a family. Hunted… They had hunted as a family, he corrected. "I never said my family life wasn't a bit screwy, but it was all I knew. We had each other's backs. You know?"
"How did high school fit around this family time, where daggers were a part of your Sunday best?"
He let out a long sigh. "I was a teen and wanted to rebel against my parents' wishes. Forcing them to send me to a traditional high school was my way of acting out."
She shook her head. "Just to let you know most teens want to skip high school, not run toward it."
He chuckled. "I never said I was a normal teen. Just a rebel in my screwed-up family."
She rested her chin on his chest, her blue eyes darkening with passion. "I'm glad your rebellion took you to Remington High."
He kissed her forehead. "Me, too."
She rolled away from him suddenly, g
rabbing for her robe.
"Where are you going?" He lifted his head to stare at her, already missing her.
"To start the shower. Do you want to join me?" Sloane asked, while tying the belt around her waist. "You can stay a while longer, can't you?"
He had a feeling he'd need a shower after the shower, but why not? He had nothing pressing to do for the next few days. "I'll be right there. I need to hydrate first. Do you want…" He stopped himself from finishing that sentence. She wouldn't get thirsty now, not for water anyway.
Her lips curved. "I'm good." She leaned down and kissed him before heading for the bathroom. "Can you give Lad some water, too?"
"Already on it." Later, he'd have to pick up some dog food and take him out for a walk, but he was confident he'd be all right for the next few hours.
As he padded barefoot into the living room quarters, he heard the pipes from the bathroom protest and then the sound of running water.
Earlier he'd spotted the refrigerator in the kitchenette and would bet it was full of drinks. He couldn't remember the last time he stayed at a hotel in style. Usually going hunting meant sleeping in the car or paying to stay in a hovel. Lad joined him, wagging his tail. "Hey, boy. You thirsty?"
He opened the refrigerator and light flooded the dark room. His thoughts had been preoccupied with Sloane and what he wanted to do with her once they were in the shower. So it took him a second to realize someone else was in the room. He figured he wasn't dead yet, which meant whoever lurked in the shadows wished to at least chat before taking him down, and besides Lad didn't seem concerned.
He reached for the water bottle on the top shelf next to the sodas, and noticed the bottles containing blood and wine were on the bottom shelf. Did the hotel supply those too? He turned and leaned against the counter. "Are you going to say something?" he asked the intruder as he twisted the cap of the water bottle and took a swig before pouring some into a throwaway cup. He offered it to Lad, who gladly lapped up the liquid.
A second later the light beside the sofa flipped on, revealing Tremayne lounging comfortably upon the cushions.
"What the hell are you doing here?" he asked with annoyance, wondering how long the vamp had been waiting for Sloane or him to emerge from the bedroom.
"I believe that's my line," Tremayne said narrowing his eyes as he sat forward and rested his elbows on his knees.
In the next beat of his heart, Sloane appeared in the archway with her fangs showing, and battle ready. She gripped a blade in each hand. She looked damn sexy in her robe and armed to the teeth. Once she realized who was paying them a social call, she lowered her hands, but she didn't put the weapons away.
"You didn't have to check up on me," she said to Tremayne, and lifted her chin in defiance.
Tremayne eyed her closely, his features unreadable.
Derek strode over to Sloane and drew her close, hopefully making the statement clear: He wasn't letting her go.
"You're not ready to be on your own, Sloane," Tremayne reminded her.
"She won't be," Derek shot back.
Tremayne lifted a brow. "Do you plan on relocating? Because she's my responsibility until I say she's ready."
He felt her stiffen and she wouldn't look at him. Relocate? His life was here in Los Angeles. He had a home, family…work, but he wanted more. "I can hunt anywhere," he didn't hesitate to say. He no way would let Sloane go now that he had her back in his life.
Tremayne's lips curved. "We just so happen to have an opening for a hunter… and a historian. Sloane's informed me about your interest in updating the hunters' manuals, and documenting preternatural attributes—the good and the bad qualities. A much needed overhaul in my opinion. Legends can really muck up what's true and what's not."
Derek glanced at Sloane, hoping he hadn't overstepped his claim to her, but he relaxed when she smiled and gave him an encouraging nod. She wanted him at her side, too. "I'm in," he said to Tremayne, but he didn't take his eyes off her.
"I will draw up the paperwork then for the WFTL," Tremayne said. "They're home office is actually here in California. Nephilim started the organization, but it seems the Fallen are open to include hunters, and the vampire septs that want to keep the peace. I'm sure Cassandra will be thrilled to have you onboard, also. She's anxious—" His words halted abruptly and his gaze riveted to Sloane. His eyebrows arched high on his forehead, but then his lips twitched.
"Dammit, Tremayne," she swore. "Stay out of my head."
"Then don't broadcast so loudly," Tremayne said and stood to his full height. "It appears you two need to work out a few more details and your shower grows cold."
Before Derek could comment, Tremayne was gone. He flitted away without so much as a goodbye, which was fine by him.
Sloane handed him her weapons and he placed them on the end table. "I'll be right back," she said and flitted to the bathroom to turn off the water.
Upon her return, he pulled her into his arms. "So Tremayne was privy to your thoughts. Want to share? I would love to know what made you blush."
She rolled her eyes. "You'd think being a vampire would have eliminated that annoying attribute."
He chuckled. "I think it's cute." He kissed her pursed lips, teasing her into a grin. "How about you read my thoughts?"
Her arms went around his neck. "Hmm… Good Lord, Derek, you have a dirty mind."
His brows shot up. "You can really read my mind?"
She threw her head back and laughed. "No, but now I have a good idea of what you were thinking."
His fingers undid the tie of her robe and he slipped his arms around her waist, but before he could become too friendly, her eyes clouded with concern. "What about your family?" she asked. "They won't be happy that you're with me. I know for sure Wade won't be."
He sighed, knowing she was probably right. "Let me worry about them. You're my family now." His declaration surprised him, but it was true. He loved her and he wanted her in his life. "For Always…"
"Derek?" Her voice was tinged with concern.
He gripped her arms and placed a quick kiss on her nose. "Marry me."
"What?" She pushed away from him, clutching her robe closed.
His heart faltered. Maybe she didn't care for him in the same way. He should have thought this through, given her some time to get used to him being around. He should have— "What did you say?"
"Yes," she was good enough to repeat her glorious answer. She launched herself into his arms, knocking him back where they both landed on the floor with her on top. She looked horrified. "Sorry. Gotta work on that," she murmured. "I forget how strong I am."
He chuckled. "I don't mind. You can jump me any time." She playfully smacked him. Lad decided he'd join in on the fun and padded over to them. He gave Sloane a big slobbery kiss before he gave Derek one, making them both laugh all over again.
"Looks like Lad approves of our engagement," Sloane said between giggles. "But wait until Tremayne finds out."
He groaned and rolled, bringing Sloane beneath him. "Let's not tell the big guy with the pointy teeth right away. Let him get used to the idea I'm in your life. He's like an overprotective father."
"I have confidence in you. You can win him over." Her arms went around his neck. "You charmed me when I was all but sixteen, Derek Hayes."
"And now?" He stared down at her with smoldering intensity.
"You've captured my heart, you dear sweet man." Her beautiful eyes clouded for a fraction of a second and her easy smile slipped.
"What's wrong?"
"I want to be with you, Derek. I do. But what about tomorrow when reality sets in? I'm a vampire and you're a hunter."
He lowered his head, kissing her, not caring her fangs nipped his lip, not caring she was a vampire. "I love you." He smoothed her hair away from her face. "I love who you are, all of you. Fangs and all." She was Sloane and she was his. "Can you deal with me being human?"
She rolled her eyes, but then she must have realized he wasn't joking. "I l
ove all of you, too. Your humanity and all," she added. Her lips twitched and a mischievous glint entered her eyes right before she used her vampire skills and flipped him onto his back once more. "How about I show you how much."
"I'm yours."
"Yes, you are," she growled and kissed him, pouring all her emotions into the caress. His heart picked up a beat and so did hers, though slower, but he knew her heart beat only for him.
The End
About the Author
Karen Michelle Nutt resides in California with her husband, three fascinating children, and houseful of demanding pets. Jack, her Chorkie, is her writing buddy and sits long hours with her at the computer.
When she's not time traveling, fighting outlaws, or Otherworldly creatures, she creates pre-made book covers to order at Gillian's Book Covers, "Judge Your Book By Its Cover". You can also check out her published cover art designs at Western Trail Blazer and Rebecca J. Vickery Publishing.
Whether your reading fancy is paranormal, historical or time travel, all her stories capture the rich array of emotions that accompany the most fabulous human phenomena—falling in love.
Visit the author at: http://www.kmnbooks.com
Stop by her blog for Monday interviews, chats and contests at http://kmnbooks.blogspot.com
Gillian's Book Covers ~ Judge Your Book By Its Cover ~ http://judgeyourbookbyitscover.blogspot.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/authorkarenmichellenutt
Twitter: https://twitter.com/KMNbooks
Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/karenmnutt/
Amazon Author Page ~ http://www.amazon.com/Karen-Michelle-Nutt/e/B002BLLBPE
You can find Karen's stories in these Victory Tales Press collections:
2012 Christmas Collection: Mistletoes, Stakes and Yuletide Cheer (vampire/hunter)
2012 Fall/Paranormal Collection: Shattered Illusions (ghost story)
A Christmas Collection: Wanted (western)
Western Saga: Storm Riders (steampunk/western)
A Historical Collection: The Devil's Wolf (historical)
Flowers and Fangs (Stake and Dust series, Book II) Page 19