by Lia Davis
He stepped behind her so quickly she didn’t have time to react. Draping the jacket over her shoulders, he pushed her hair to the side. A tremble rolled through her when he trailed his fingers down her neck.
“What are you doing out here?” His cool breath swept along her flesh, making the chilly night colder.
“I like it out here.” She inhaled sharply when he closed the gap between them. How could she think with his chest pressed to her back? “The view is wonderful.” Why is he so close?
“It’s one of my favorite aspects of the house. You should see it just before dawn when the city is still. It’s tranquil and uninterrupted. I make it a point to take it in just before I sleep.”
“I’ll bet it’s breathtaking.” She turned to face him, forcing herself to look deep into his gray gaze. She liked the influence he had over her when she was bold enough to engage him.
“You’re extremely brave.” When he spoke she saw a hint of his fangs. As terrified as she was she couldn’t budge.
“Am I?” She tried to control her quivering hand as she reached up and ran her fingers over his lips. She couldn’t seem to resist the urge to touch him.
He nodded but allowed her to continue her exploration of his chiseled jawline.
“I’m sorry.” She retreated. “I don’t know why I touched you.”
“You wanted to,” he said.
This was the first time she’d been alone with him. “Where’s Grant?”
“Feeding.”
“In the basement?” She’d been uneasy for the last hour. That was why she had come outside. She couldn’t explain it but something was missing. “He’s not here, is he?”
“He needed to go out and feed. The reserve can only sustain us for so long. We need to nourish from a warm body.” He pushed a stray hair from her face. “I thought it was best if he went out tonight.”
“Without you?”
“He didn’t want you left here alone. The only way I could get him to leave was if I stayed.”
“But he doesn’t like being away from you.” Grant had been confiding in her much over the last few nights.
“It’s my job to take care of him. If I tell him he has to go it’s for his own good.”
“You like telling people what to do, don’t you?”
“I suppose.”
“Will you tell him to make me go away?”
“Is that why you’re afraid of me?”
He held all the power when it came to Grant. The longer she stayed with them the more comfortable she became. Max could stop it all and Grant would obey. He had no choice. It was grained in him. He belonged to Max as much as she belonged to Grant.
“What if your hold over him is stronger than what he feels toward me?”
“Perhaps we should talk.” He took her by the hand and led her over to the bench, taking a seat he guided her to sit next to him.
She hesitated but he waited patiently. She wanted to be close to him and have him accept her, but she wondered if he saw her as nothing more than an intrusion in his life.
“Please sit with me.” He gazed into her eyes, willing her to do as he asked. She did as he requested, knowing part of her actions were not all her own. He could manipulate her just as Grant could. “That’s better.”
“You didn’t give me much of a choice.”
“You’ll always have a choice when it comes to Grant and myself.” He stroked her hair, tucking it behind her ear. “The fact that you allow us to influence you so easily tells me a great deal.”
“I want to be here.”
“I know that.”
“You didn’t answer my question.” If she was going to be homeless again she wanted to know sooner rather than later.
“I could no more tell Grant to send you away any more than Grant could ask you to leave.”
“You’re uncomfortable with me here.”
“I’m getting used to you.” He stretched out his long legs, crossing them at the ankles. “I’m old and very set in my ways. I don’t adapt easily, but I’m often forced to do so. When you’ve been around as long as I have you have to accept change. My one constant is Grant.”
“I don’t want to take him from you.” She slid her arms into his jacket, inhaling his scent that surrounded her. “I didn’t expect to become attached. I learned not to do that a long time ago. It’s different here.”
“He won’t abandon you,” he assured her. “I would never ask him to.”
“Grant told me about your creator. How he left you.”
“It was very painful.” His expression was distant and alone. Cassie could almost sense his tragic past. “It took me years to recover. It’s not a memory I think about often. It wasn’t until I found Grant did I learn there is a plan for everything.”
“Do you think I’m part of your plan?”
“Perhaps.” His smile was sincere but he never gave much away. “I may be stubborn and Grant knows exactly how to handle me, but I’d like to put your mind at ease. I won’t ask him to send you away. I would never do that to him.”
“Thank you.” She looked down at her hands, a pang of disappointment flowed through her because she wanted to mean something to him too.
“I want you here too, Cassie.” He cupped her chin, dropping his gaze to her lips. “More than I thought possible.”
“You do?” Was he able to read her thoughts, sense her emotions the way Grant could?
“Yes.” He lowered his mouth to hers. “May I kiss you?”
“Are vampires always so polite?” She inched closer to him.
“Gentlemen are a dying breed.” He continued to focus on her mouth. “Answer my question.”
“Yes.” As if he had to ask her permission. For anything...
Taking her face between his hands, she shivered as he ran his lips along hers. “I’m sorry I’m so cold.”
“I happen to think you’re really hot.” She shrugged. “For such an old guy.”
“You’re quite charming.” He laughed just before pressing his mouth to hers, quickly deepening their connection. His lips were soft and tender as he moved his hands from her face and tangled them into her hair. Her heart beat quickened, and despite the cool evening, her flesh heated. She hadn’t anticipated him to be so gentle.
As each second passed, she trembled for more. When he twisted his fingers into her locks, holding her firm against his face, she moaned. Releasing her, he whispered, “Grant.”
“Huh?” She opened her eyes, dazed from their brief encounter.
Max looked over her shoulder. “I wondered when you would get here.”
“Grant?” She turned around to find him standing behind her. “I... we... it’s not...” What could she say? Would he be upset that she kissed Max? This whole situation was very odd.
“Relax.” Max took Cassie’s hand, still mesmerized by their kiss. He had no idea it could be that good. No wonder Grant spent so much time with her. “I summoned him here.”
When Max experienced the connection between himself and Cassie a few minutes ago, he had to kiss her. He also knew he had to have Grant with him.
“What took you so long?” Max glanced at his watch.
“Long?” Grant advanced toward them, kissing Max gently on his lips, tasting her, no doubt. “I got here in less than five minutes. I was across town. I think I beat some kind of record.”
“You summoned him?” Cassie’s confusion was clear. “What does that mean?”
“When Max calls to me.” Grant took a seat on the other side of her. “I come. I sense when he needs me.”
“And I can hear Grant when he calls to me,” Max added. “We get to one another as fast as we can.”
“You’re not mad we kissed?” she asked.
“Mad?” Grant slowly kissed her, igniting a fire in Max’s core. Perhaps it was time to invite her into their bed. “I was hoping if I left him alone with you he’d come to that conclusion.”
“That’s why you left without a fight.” Max shook
his head. “You never give in that easily.”
“I had hoped her beauty, the moon and Halloween would inspire you.” Grant twirled Cassie’s hair around his fingers. “I’m glad it did. She inspires me on a daily basis.”
“You don’t look as pale as usual.” She ran her delicate fingers along Grant’s cheekbone. “Your eyes are more vibrant than they have been in the past few days. They look more like they did the first day we met.”
“You’re a very observant woman.” Grant kissed her again, making Max’s urge to touch her more prominent. “Feeding from a human nourishes me.”
“Where did you go?” She rested her head on Grant’s shoulder. “I missed you.”
“There’s a place where humans are willing to help our kind.” Grant stroked her hair. “Some are past companions grateful for what the vampire community has done for them. Others are there to be compensated.”
“It’s a much safer way for the human then going to that horrific alley.” Max still had to figure out a way to shut that cesspool down completely. “I’m very happy nothing happened to you that night.”
“Something did happen that night.” She held onto Grant. “My life changed for the better.”
Grant kissed the top of her head before gazing into Max’s eyes. He didn’t have to speak the words, Max knew what he was thinking because he had fallen for the human too.
“Cassie’s right.” Max traced his fingers along Grant’s lips. “You look nourished. Healthy. I’m glad you listened to me.”
“I told them you’d be in tonight as well.” Grant kissed Max’s fingers. “Please don’t argue. I want you to go. You need to go.”
“I’m fine.” Max didn’t want to leave them. “I can make it one more night.”
“And go out tomorrow night with all the crazies?” Grant arched a brow. “I don’t think so.”
“Crazies?” Cassie asked.
“Tomorrow is Halloween,” Grant said. “Many people seek out vampires for a unique time. Max and I make it a point never to go out on the last day of October especially with a full moon.”
“A unique time?” Cassie giggled. “What does that mean?”
“Maybe we’ll show you.” Grant lifted her chin and kissed her. “We could have our very own Halloween celebration.”
Max enjoyed the interaction between Grant and Cassie. The last few days had been riddled with tension and uncertainty, but tonight Max didn’t feel so isolated. Cassie seemed more relaxed and Grant was finally being himself.
“She’s growing on you,” Grant spoke to Max. “I told you she’d fit in here.”
“I never doubted you. It just took me a little longer to see it.”
“You two are communicating without me,” Cassie said. “What are you saying?”
“Sorry.” Grant brushed his lips along hers. “We’ll have to work on speaking with our voices. It’s a hard habit to break. We’re used to it just being the two of us and we don’t always speak out loud.”
“I’m going to go to the reserve.” Max’s thirst had taken over and if he wanted to continue the evening with the two of them he needed to feed.
“Max?” Grant wasn’t pleased. “As much as I don’t want you to leave you have to go out, you have to take care of yourself the same way you insist that I take care of myself.”
“I’ll be fine.” Max comforted his worried partner.
“You don’t have to go out,” Cassie said. “You have me.”
Max looked at Grant. The idea was intriguing but not if Grant wanted to be the first of them to taste her. Max didn’t have to speak because Grant knew what he was thinking.
“She’s not just mine,” Grant reminded him. “I’ve believed from the beginning she was meant for both of us.”
“You’ve both done so much for me already,” Cassie continued. “Isn’t that what a companion does? Aren’t you supposed to feed from me?”
“There are no rules,” Max said. “We would never ask you to do anything you’re not comfortable with.”
“You didn’t ask me.” She looked at Grant. “I can do this. I want to do it.”
Grant gently kissed her before gazing into Max’s eyes. “You’ve been searching for reassurance since we brought her home. Bond with her.” Grant nodded. “Once you do there will be no more uncertainty. We can move forward.”
Grant was right. If Cassie was meant to be both of theirs, Max would know when he fed from her. They would be connected once her blood coursed through his system. When Max reached for Cassie, she withdrew, holding onto Grant.
“Maybe this isn’t such a good idea.” As much as Max longed to drink from her, it was too fast. She needed time to process what was happening. “Grant, why don’t you take her inside and get her settled for bed?”
“No,” she insisted. “Just tell me what to expect.”
“Have you ever donated blood?” Grant asked.
“A few times,” Cassie answered. “They give you free juice and snacks.”
How many times had she donated blood in exchange to eat? She would never be hungry again. Max vowed that to himself. Grant shot him a small smile of appreciation. They were more in tune this evening then they had been in days.
“It’s sort of like that,” Grant said. “It won’t hurt after the initial bite and Max will only take as much as he needs. It won’t be enough to affect you too much, but you’ll probably be tired after.”
“I won’t turn into a vampire?” she asked.
“No.” Max realized she’d only been with them for a week. She had much to learn about their world. “That would require one of us to drain you and just before your heart stops you’d have to drink from one of us.”
“Oh?” She bit her bottom lip, looking a bit leery.
Who could blame her?
“Don’t worry.” Grant kissed her knuckles. “We have plenty of time to discuss that. We can be very patient.”
Max remembered all the reasons why he loved his creation.
“You won’t leave?” Cassie asked him.
“I would never,” Grant promised. “I could never.”
“Then I’m ready.” She turned to Max, her eyes full of certainty. “I want to do this for you.”
“Let her.” Grant slipped Max’s jacket from her shoulders and placed it on his lap.
Max swiped her hair from her neck, assessing the vein that would be his source of nourishment. Her pulse quickened with each passing second. Her erratic breathing triggered his instinct, but he’d been immortal for many years and had become controlled. Some might even say domesticated. There were others of his kind who were careless with humans. Max respected his food origin and taught many vampires in his territory to be civilized.
“I’ve been a bit stubborn since you arrived.” Max circled his finger around her vein. “It isn’t anything you’ve done. You’re a wonderful addition here. Grant adores you. I see how much you’ve bonded with him.”
“I want that with you too,” she said.
“That means a lot to me.” He traced his fingers over her lips, fighting the urge to kiss her. He would lose. “You’re here for a reason. I’m done fighting it. I’m ready to embrace it.”
“Thank you,” Grant whispered.
When Max’s lips touched hers, a shock ran through him, alerting every dead nerve ending in his cold body. The sensation was old but familiar. There was no more denying it. He had the same reaction to Cassie as he had to Grant all those years ago. But how? Grant was his true companion.
She trailed her hands up his chest, gripping his shirt as he deepened the connection. Excitement filled him when he realized kissing would never be enough. He swiped his lips along her jaw as Grant gently placed his fingers against her chin, tilting her head, and exposing her neck to Max.
“I won’t take long,” Max said. “Are you ready?”
She nodded as Grant wrapped his free hand around her waist, keeping her close to him.
Max gazed at Grant, seeking one last approval before he pie
rced her smooth flesh. She tensed and then gasped as he sunk his fangs into her. Clasping her fingers in his, he drank. He started slow, making sure not to take too much too fast, but as her blood coated his throat he couldn’t get enough. She squirmed but Grant held her still.
“It’s okay, sweetheart.” Grant held her close, whispering into her hair as she thrashed against him.
The more she moved the faster her blood flowed. Max had to wrap this up before she passed out. He feed, savoring the moment, appreciating her offering to help sustain him. This was her first time and he didn’t want to take too much. Humans who allowed vampires to feed from them on a daily basis could go longer. She’d have to learn to stay calm.
“Max.” Grant let go of Cassie’s chin and placed his hand on Max’s cheek. “She’s trembling.”
Max took a bit more because he couldn’t help himself. He wasn’t sure he’d be able to feed from another human now that he’d had this sweet woman. Withdrawing his fangs, he licked the excess blood before it could trickle down. He didn’t want to waste one drop. Pressing his tongue against the puncture wounds, he coated the holes with his saliva.
Grant retrieved a handkerchief from his inside pocket and handed it to him. A well-mannered vampire always carried one to tend to their human after feeding. As Max applied pressure on her neck, Grant moved closer to his face.
“Kiss me,” Grant said. “It’s only fair.” Grant licked Max’s lips before sucking his bottom lip into his mouth, tasting Cassie. “Amazing.”
“I taste good?” Cassie’s eyes were closed and she appeared paler than usual.
“Delicious.” Max kissed her jaw. “Thank you for doing that for me.”
“Anytime.” She nodded but didn’t open her eyes. “How old are you?”
“Old.” He laughed. “I don’t keep track anymore.”
“Then tell me how old you are in human years.”
“Thirty-three.” He shook his head. “Does that work for you?”
“I like older men.” She opened her eyes and smiled at Grant. “What about you?”
“Twenty-four.” He kissed her cheek. “Technically I’m not that much older then you but if you count vampire years I’m old.”