Her body suddenly felt hot and heavy. Talia sank to her knees, stripping off his jeans as she knelt on the soft bedroom carpet. His thighs were roped with muscle, the legs of a long-distance runner.
Talia’s stomach gave a flutter of excitement. No wonder Mavritte was pissed she couldn’t have him.
“Talia,” he whispered, his hands weaving into her hair. “I want to make you remember my touch always.”
The words had a vaguely ceremonial sound, as if they were a ritual declaration.
“And I’ll give you something to remember.”
She took him in her mouth, tasting the pungent salt of male. With fangs, it was a delicate operation, and one normally reserved for the most intimate of lovers. That she went straight to the most erotic gift she could give said much about how badly she wanted him.
And here he probably thought this would be ordinary foreplay. A demon might not become chemically addicted to venom, but they would still feel its extreme erotic high.
She cupped the warm heat of his sac, giving it a caress just on the right side of firmness. She heard the hiss of his breath, felt his fingers dig into her hair. Then she braced her other hand on the hard surface of his hip, bringing her mouth to the soft, silky inside of his thigh.
And delicately broke the surface, no more than a deep scratch. Lore’s muscles jumped, but she held him still, using vampire strength. Her venom seeped into his flesh, straight to a male’s most erogenous area. His skin grew suddenly cold beneath her lips, and then flushed with heat. Lore moaned words she didn’t know, but completely understood. A vampire’s bite was painful, but the rush turned you into a single, taut nerve singing with pleasure.
She released him, judging how much sensual overload would be just right. He was still saying something in his own language, his voice low and husky. When they’d begun, he’d been almost ready, but now he was fully engorged, hard and long. Talia felt her eyes growing wide as he pulled her to her feet. His eyes had gone to black, the whites disappeared somewhere in that stare that was more demon than man. Perhaps she’d overdone it?
He grabbed her, crushing her lips under his, a low growl rumbling in his chest like an earthquake. She felt it in her breasts, pulsing where her nipples were pressed against his chest. A thrill of pleasure streaked all the way to her thighs. She fumbled for the fastenings on her own clothes, her fingers clumsy with urgency.
Talia wasn’t going to waste this moment. She was an immortal, but she wasn’t convinced another opportunity like this was going to come along again in her Unlifetime.
She had barely shimmied her jeans and panties over her hips before he jerked them down her legs. As she pulled her sweater off over her head, he was unhooking her bra, his mouth already on her breasts. He bore her down, spreading her before him on the bed, covering her with his big body.
“You’re ready,” he murmured. “I can smell it.”
Talia was quivering, feeling like she’d given herself a venom overdose. She ached from her breasts to her thighs, her whole body begging for him. In her sire’s court, she’d been made to pleasure others, but no one had given themselves to her. It had been so long. “Please.”
He thrust inside, the first push deep and on the edge of painful. She twisted under him, wanting him gone, wanting more of him, and just wanting. He slid partway out, pushed again. This time, her hips rose up to meet him, a thin cry escaping from her lips.
He was breathing hard, sweat trickling down the heavy swell of his arms. Orgasm began to stir in her belly, the first clouds of a gathering storm. Suddenly, the bloodlust swamped her, shredding through her as if those clouds carried electricity. With each of his strokes, she arched against the mattress, the sweetish taste of venom in her mouth as it leaked from her fangs.
And then the storm began to break. Her muscles clenched around Lore, pleasuring him as he stroked into her. He murmured encouragements in his own tongue, but he was too far gone for finesse. His rhythm began to break, growing ragged as he growled again.
The vibration in his body tipped her over the edge. Talia’s mind blanked, a white supernova of sensation as he released. The wet, hot flood of him filled her as he cried out, the hard force of his final thrust pinning her to the bed.
In that moment, she struck, fangs sinking deep into his neck. Blood filled her mouth as his heart sped, the exotic flavor of demon teasing her. A second wave of pleasure rolled over her, hardening her nipples to hypersensitive points. Tiny contractions fluttered through her, milking him in time with his pulse.
As this second orgasm crested, her venom released fully. Lore moaned as it flooded his blood, hardening him once more. He started to rear up, but she held him tight. She sucked, taking her fill, the heat of him bringing a false flush to her skin.
Their hips began to rock together as she fed. Pressure began to build again, this time gentler, more gradual. The sound of flesh on flesh, lips on flesh, the mixing sigh of breath filled the lamp-lit room. Like all demons, Lore healed quickly, the flow of life stopping just shy of satisfaction.
Talia rolled him over, still impaled on his shaft, and began to rock. His eyes were pools that held nothing but sensation. He reached for her breasts, cupping them, rolling the nipples with his thumbs. She was wet with needing him, but he was big enough to still be tight as she stroked him. She felt full—bursting with his blood and seed, but greedy for more. A contraction lanced through her, making her shudder.
“Come for me,” Lore whispered. “Come for me, and let me finish you.”
She rocked again, so sensitive that the stroke seemed to reach all the way to her throat.
He thrust up, and that ended it. She cried out, her sharp nails scoring deep into the flesh of his shoulders. With a snarl, he pulled her under him, driving into her again and again, until in a final push he came one last time, filling Talia until she felt she could hold nothing more.
He rolled his weight off her, and she rolled with him. Draped over Lore’s chest, Talia fell into an abyss of weightless afterglow. He was panting slightly, one arm curled protectively over her back. She could hear his heartbeat, strong and quick. She turned her head so she could see his face. He was watching her, his eyes hooded.
“So is hellhound tasty?” he asked, his tone dry but gentle at the same time.
“An acquired taste, I think.”
“As the Alpha, I have prophetic gifts.”
“And what do you prophesize?”
“That you will never be left behind again.”
“You going to handcuff me in a safe place?”
His lips curled in a very male smile. “Would you like that?”
Talia felt her energy flicker, like a short in her personal power line. She raised her head, looking toward the window. No, not yet!
Lore rose up on one elbow, lifting her up along with him. “What’s wrong?”
She sat up, feeling suddenly naked instead of seductively nude. “Dawn. You should go.”
He touched her hair, running his thumb along her cheekbone. “Why?”
Anger and shame stabbed through her. She pulled away from his touch. “Because I fall into a coma and make like a dead person.”
Lore seemed to be digesting this, his eyebrows drawn together. “You were in my apartment for several days. I know what happens.”
But they hadn’t made love then. Now they had something to lose. “Turning into a corpse is a deal-ender for so many relationships. I don’t want that.”
Strength was draining from her like a bath with no plug in the drain. Talia was starting to shake, her muscles too starved for energy to sit up. She lowered herself onto the pillow, tears of frustration filling her eyes. Why couldn’t we have had a few more minutes before the night had to end?
Wordlessly, Lore lay down beside her, cradling her against him. Gently, he kissed away the wetness that had leaked from beneath her lashes.
Talia’s heart hurt, strained with too much emotion. Ecstasy. Attraction. Sadness. Anger. It wasn’t fair. She’
d been so strong, a sex goddess, an equal to Lore just minutes ago. Now she was an invalid, withering away in his arms. An object of pity.
Why doesn’t he just go?
“Do you hurt?” he asked, his voice soft with concern. He was warm, a walking furnace. He felt so good.
“No. I go numb. It’s like dying every morning.” If only she could hide, keep him thinking she was the Talia of an hour ago . . . but she could barely move.
“Sh.” He brushed a hair from her face. “Once, the hounds guarded souls on their journey to worlds beyond this one. When you are with one of us, when you are with me, you can sleep soundly.”
Despite herself, Talia managed a smile. “You’ll be my guard dog.”
He touched her nose with the tip of his finger. “Absolutely. You’ll not be alone. Not one step of the way.”
She could feel the darkness rushing toward her. “I’m always afraid I’ll never wake up.”
Lore watched as her face went slack, her lips parting slightly. At the last second, he had seen her fear. An unexpected sadness ached in his throat as she faded from life to wherever the vampires slept.
He hadn’t expected to feel so alone.
Chapter 24
Friday, December 31, 4:00 p.m.
Empire Hotel
Talia woke. When her mind finally organized itself, remembered where she was and what had happened, she found herself staring at Lore’s naked back, her gaze following the roll of muscle as he shifted his weight. He was sitting at the end of the bed, typing into his cell phone.
He’d stayed through the day. I’m not alone. When was the last time she had awakened with someone? Years. Long before Belenos had taken her. It was with Tom.
She held that thought at arm’s length, not wanting to acknowledge it. Guilt had kept her solitary for years, but last night something fundamental had changed.
She’d told him who the real Talia was, and he hadn’t rejected her.
I’m not alone, she thought again, this time feeling the wonder of it. After all that’s happened to me. After all the things I’ve done, whether I meant to or not. Cautious joy crept in, not sure how long it would be welcome. She wasn’t used to being happy.
Lore thumbed off the phone and twisted around so that he could see her. The gesture was fluid, not at all human. For a moment, she wondered how much of him was pure camouflage. Really, what did it matter? Human? Hellhound? Lore was Lore. Since when were you the poster child for interspecies tolerance?
Since she had six and a half feet of über-gorgeous male giving her a wake-up smile. I had sex. Oh, golly, I had sex! She did her best to keep the jubilation off her face.
“Good morning,” he said.
“Hey.” She rolled onto her side to face him as he set the phone down and bent to kiss her. He tasted just as good as she remembered. “What’s going on in the world outside?”
“The humans are going to start celebrating New Year’s Eve in a few hours.”
“I bet Joe’s looking forward to a busy night. How’s the snow?”
“I hear cars. They must have cleared more of the roads.”
I bet I could get out of town now. Only now Talia didn’t want to leave. But if she stayed, where could she go? She had to get the money from Michelle’s condo and consider her options.
“I was just talking to Bevan, my Beta. The police are watching the condo building. Baines is looking for both of us now. He knows I’m hiding you.”
Obviously, he’d guessed her thoughts. She rose up on her elbow. “I’m so sorry you got dragged into this.”
“It’s my job.” He stroked her hair with his palm. “We’ll figure this out. For now, we can stay with the pack.”
“Doesn’t that put them in danger?”
“From Detective Baines? I don’t think so. The human police never venture into Spookytown after dark.”
“Maybe they met Mavritte.”
He gave a dry chuckle. “She has a way of making visitors uncomfortable.”
Talia pulled the blanket closer around her. “That includes me.”
He gave a small shake of his head. “I won’t allow her to bother you. I’ve given her a long leash, but it ends there. You’re my guest. Everyone will know you’re to be protected.”
She pulled her arm out from under the covers, looking at her tattoo. “I guess I shouldn’t say anything about this.”
He gave her a considering look. “Not yet. Let the hounds get to know you first. They’re good people, but the Hunter legends go back long before our time in the Castle. Fireside tales to scare the pups.”
Talia felt herself flushing. “I guess I am your walk on the wild side.”
“And what a lovely view it is from here.”
“Thank you,” she said, because that was all she could think of to say. Her mind was spinning, curious and terrified at the notion of meeting an entire pack of hellhounds. Lore was an impressive enough presence that he filled a room just by being in it. It was hard to imagine him times dozens more. No wonder the police kept their distance.
Lucky for her. It was ironic that she’d spent so long hunting monsters, only to end up relying on them for protection.
“Don’t look so worried.” He traced his fingertips down her shoulder, leaving her skin tingling with anticipation.
Talia didn’t reply. She was too mesmerized by the obvious strength in his chest and arms. She’d felt that strength last night, the memory of it sending fresh explosions of need through her core.
Lore took hold of the edge of the blanket and gave it a firm tug, pulling it loose from her fingers. “We don’t have to leave right away.”
“Good.”
By the time they finally made it out of the Empire, Talia had lost count of the favors she owed Joe, including the use of his washer and dryer to get the tunnel mud out of her jeans. Lore led her down the mostly shoveled sidewalks. Icicles clung to the rooflines, showing the temperature had risen during the day, but it was bitterly cold now.
Thankfully, their walk was short. She hadn’t been down these streets before, but the air of hard work and not enough money reminded her a bit of her old neighborhood. A group of young people, neither teens nor fully adults, stood in a tight cluster by the entrance of a convenience store. At least a few were vampires. A werebear—he had to be by the size—was lifting his truck out of a snowbank. A movie theater was having a midnight showing of Rocky Horror. Talia wondered what the monsters made of that.
Lore turned south, and Talia knew at once they were in his pack’s territory. A pair of colossal black hounds sat at the entrance to the street. They stood as Lore passed, dipping their huge heads. Lore acknowledged them with a nod and slipped his arm around Talia.
The gesture was as much territorial as affectionate. Her independent streak objected, but Talia understood the necessity on werebeast lands. She was a guest, not an invader, as long as Lore gave her his protection. Without it, she was vulnerable.
He kept his arm circled around her until they reached his destination, a green door in a row of old, two-story houses. Before he could knock, the door was opened by a woman Talia guessed to be around seventy. She wore what looked like traditional dress, hand dyed and embroidered, along with sneakers and an acrylic cardigan. It was the kind of mix Talia had seen before in ethnic communities. In another generation, little trace of the traditional would remain.
The old woman said something in the hellhound language, giving Talia a sharp look. She tensed, feeling very much like she Did Not Belong.
“This is Talia,” Lore replied in English. “She is a friend who needs to stay for a night or two.”
“Come in. Our bread and meat are yours.” The woman spoke slowly, with a thick accent. The words sounded ritualized but also routine, much like someone would offer a cup of coffee.
“Thank you, ma’am,” Talia replied. The welcome relieved her. She didn’t want to get Lore into trouble with his pack.
“This is Osan Mina,” Lore said. “She is one of
our Elders.”
He put his mouth close to her ear. “ ‘Osan’ is like grandmother, ‘Obar’ like grandfather. Anyone who is an Elder is called ‘Osan’ or ‘Obar.’ They are terms of respect.”
“Got it.”
“Thank you.” He sounded relieved in his turn. Apparently one did not slight the Elders and get away with it. Talia understood; her own grandmother had been the sweetest woman she’d ever met, until somebody ticked her off.
“I’m honored to meet you.” Talia gave a slight bow to Osan Mina, as she’d seen Lore do. It must have struck the right chord, because the woman stepped back, gesturing them inside. As they took off their coats and boots, Talia looked around with interest. Everything was done in colors so bright and varied the air seemed to vibrate.
“Is Helver at home?” Lore asked, following Mina into the kitchen. Talia trailed after him.
Mina replied, still in English. “He helps Obar Ranik get snow off roof.”
“I need to go see him. I’ve let him stew long enough.”
As Talia and Lore sat at the table, Mina filled an enamel kettle and set it on the stove. “You have tea first. You go out, everyone want to talk. You not come back to Mina and Talia.”
Lore gave one of his trademark grins. He might treasure his private apartment a few streets away, Talia thought, but on some level he must have enjoyed being at the middle of everything. He was the go-to guy.
There was a small stack of books at the end of the table. Talia saw a child’s reader on top. “Do you have grandchildren, Osan Mina?”
“I have grandson, Helver.”
“That’s his,” Lore said, nodding at the stack of books. “He’s a young man, though, not a child. Most of the hellhounds are just learning to read English.”
The teacher in her perked up. “Do you have classes?”
He shook his head. “Nothing formal. Volunteers come when they can.”
That made Talia’s head spin. Reading was as natural to her as breathing. “I saw the stack of books by your bed. How did you learn to read?”
Frostbound tdf-4 Page 21