Blood of the Maple mg-1

by Dana Marie Bell

He gulped at the sultry look she shot him. “Bloody hell.”

  “Grab our unwanted guest and put her somewhere safe, then meet me in the backyard.”

  The back… Oh. Oh. Parker whirled past Amara, Terri’s remains in his arms. He barely blinked at the half-naked Renfield lying on Amara’s couch. He put the box of jars on the coffee table.

  “Wha?” Brian, heavy-lidded, an erection tenting his jeans, struggled to sit up.

  “Watch her. I have a mate to claim.”

  Parker dashed out before Brian or Greg could protest, but he made a mental note to let Amara know that now both their couches would require cleaning.

  A vision of bending Amara over the arm of her couch drifted through his mind. Better yet, have Greg and Brian live in my house while I live in Amara’s. Then they could make love on their couch instead of his. Oh yeah. That could… Holy. Shit.

  Parker stopped so abruptly he almost stumbled. Amara knelt naked at the base of her tree, her hands pressed against the trunk, her face lifted to the sky. Her knees were spread, her breasts and pussy marvelously displayed, dappled with moonlight through leaves. She looked so stunning, so ethereal, he was almost afraid to approach her.

  A mysterious smile graced her lips as her eyes opened, the green glittering in the night. Parker took a step forward, drawn by her unearthly sensuality, once more stunned by the fact that he’d been so lucky to win Amara as his sotiei.

  He took his clothes off, his gaze never leaving hers, until he stood naked before her.

  “Come here.”

  Her voice had that low, gravelly tone he’d come to associate with her hamadryad form. Her gaze drifted down to his cock, and she licked her lips. His cock twitched, eager to feel her wrapped around him in whatever way she wished.

  He obeyed her command, stepping closer and closer until his cock nudged her lips open. She took him inside and looked up at him, her body still, her tongue teasing his slit.

  It was only then that Parker realized her hands weren’t on the tree’s trunk; they were in it. She’d partially joined with her tree, binding herself with her will, allowing him to take the lead. It wasn’t submission that had her, kneeling for him that way. He understood that this was the dryad’s way of claiming him, making him hers the way he had made her his in that parking lot. He’d bet that when she was ready, she’d be able to move, sliding her hands through the trunk of her tree like he would glide through water.

  He began a careful, steady rhythm, unwilling to harm his blood wife in any way. Without her hands, she couldn’t control his thrusts, so it was up to him to ensure he didn’t go too deep. This wasn’t about pain or submission or even the need to mate.

  This was about love.

  Amara moaned, the vibrations rocketing through his cock and dancing in his belly. “Take me, Amara. Make me yours.”

  She went wild beneath him, bobbing her head up and down his length. The suction of her mouth had him rock hard in seconds. If he’d been human, he would have been sweating bullets and coming down her throat.

  But he wasn’t human, and he had no intention of coming that easily. He would come only when he was buried balls-deep in her hot pussy, and only after he’d tasted her pleasure at least once.

  He pulled her off his cock with no small amount of regret. Amara’s mouth was a work of art, and his cock was mighty unhappy with him for making it leave. “Stand up. Back against the trunk.”

  She smirked and stood slowly, brushing her body against his wherever possible.

  Parker didn’t waste any time. He took one of her nipples in his mouth and sucked, desperate to hear her moans and sighs. He wasn’t disappointed. It wasn’t long before she was writhing against the rough bark. He was tempted once again to see if he could make her come just by sucking on her nipples, but he was too eager for the taste of sweetness between her legs. He released her nipple with a pop and dropped to his knees. “My turn.”

  He took hold of her thighs and spread them wide. When she was open and ready for him, he dived in, licking as much of her pussy as he could reach. He wanted to taste every part of her, stroke her with his tongue until she was begging him never to stop. Amara’s head landed against the tree with an audible thump as she ground her hips against his face. Above him, the leaves of Amara’s tree rustled. He wondered what, if anything, the tree was experiencing.

  She was moaning, her back arched, her hair tangled in the bark. The sight of his dryad like this would be burned in his memory forever. When she quivered and came, he knew he’d be repeating this as often as she’d let him.

  He lifted his mouth from her and smiled. “More?”

  That gorgeous face was relaxed, but her body told a different story. Her nipples were pointed, begging for his mouth. Her hips rocked; she was eager to feel him inside her. “Mmm.”

  “How many hands need to be in that tree?”

  She lifted one out and curled it around his head. She drew him up for a long, lingering kiss. “Well?”

  He smiled. “Wait here.”

  Her jaw dropped. “Um. Parker?”

  He walked away from her, his erection throbbing, to grab a bench he’d seen on his first trip through the garden. It was the perfect height for what he wanted. He’d lay his dryad down on it, one hand in that tree, one hand on him, and take her any way they wanted.

  She took one look at the bench and grinned. “What happened to me spread-eagle, hands pressed against bark, while you took me from behind and fed from me?”

  He put the bench near enough for her to reach the tree easily with either hand. It would be close. Odds were good one of them would have splinters by the time they were finished. But it would be worth it. “Next time.”

  She didn’t deny there would be a next time. She eyed the bench. “Lie down.”

  Well. He hadn’t anticipated that request. “I thought I’d have you lie down.” He ran his hands through her wet curls. His fingers dipped inside her pussy. “I’m not done tasting this yet.”

  She shuddered.

  “Lie down on the bench, Amara.”

  Amara obeyed, her legs on either side of the bench, her hair falling around her. She looked like a goddess, all spread out for him, bathed in moonlight and shadow. He knelt, ready to worship her, pay homage to the beauty he’d treasure for the rest of his life.

  The man’s tongue should have been registered as a lethal weapon, because he was going to kill her with it. He dipped it inside her, swirled around her clit, loved her pussy with long, strong strokes until she thought she’d scream. Or kill him. Scream and kill him unless he made her come. He was taking his time, doing his savoring thing that made her want to howl and take what she wanted.

  He did that swirly thing with his tongue again, and Amara gasped, her body throbbing with need. She thrust her hips at him, hoping he’d take the hint, but he moved his tongue, darting inside her, fucking her endlessly while his thumb barely stroked over her aching clit.

  She would stop him any second now. Drop his ass on the bench and see how he liked being teased and tormented. Then she might… Oh. Oh. “Right there, Parker.” She grabbed his head with her free hand and held him in place. Goddess, she was so close she was whirling. “Don’t stop. Please Goddess, don’t stop.”

  “Never. I’ll never stop loving you.”

  This time Parker took the hint, giving her what she needed, driving her over the edge until she had to bite her lip to keep from screaming his name.

  Above her, her tree shivered, hard.

  She smiled as she came down from the orgasm he’d tormented her into. Maybe torture isn’t so bad after all. “Do that again.”

  His brows rose. “Are you sure? I’d rather not find myself dead, you know.” He ran his fingers along her pussy. “However, if you’re of a mind to throw me down on the bench and have your wicked way with me, far be it from me to object.”

  While she really wanted him inside her, the thought of being licked to death by her vampire had its own merits.

  “Oh shit.
” He’d darted down for another taste. He lingered over her clit, bringing her body back to shuddering life. She grabbed on to his hair once more. “Parker. Please.”

  His eyes bled slowly to red as her vampire began feasting on her once more. It was like he couldn’t get enough of her, and she loved every fucking minute of it.

  It took even longer this time to come, but when she did, the bench moved with the force of her orgasm. She shook, shimmied and damn near ripped her lover’s hair out. If she hadn’t been connected to her tree, she would have been on the verge of passing out, it was so fucking good.

  When she’d caught her breath, she realized Parker was still playing with her pussy. He kept the need alive, touching and stroking, making her eager for one final round.

  No. It’s time.

  Amara sat up, ignoring Parker’s pout. She smiled. “Move the bench.” She showed him how she wanted it, nodding when he had it right. “Now lie down, head toward the tree. It’s my turn.”

  Parker did as he was told, lying on his back; his dark curls brushed the bark, mixing with it perfectly. Amara slid over him, both hands resting on the tree, sinking inside, making that connection that would bind them all together for eternity. “Come inside, Parker.”

  Parker took hold of her hips and guided her until his cock slid inside her, hard and throbbing and all hers.

  “Love you, Parker. Forever.”

  “Forever, love.” He began to move, thrusting into her in staccato bursts that did nothing but tantalize.

  “You’re in the mood to tease me, huh?” Amara swiveled her hips. She rocked over him, her breasts dangling inches from his mouth, and watched his fangs descend. “Want a taste?”

  He licked his lips, his gaze on her nipples.

  “Go ahead. Take what you want. Take me.”

  He buried his face between her breasts and groaned. She felt the sharp sting of his teeth as he bit into the fleshy part of her breast, sinking into her body and soul. He fed from her there, near her heart, and the sensation was more than she could bear. She came on a throaty moan, her head back, her muscles clenching tight around him. He felt so good inside her, so right.

  He licked the wound closed, and she knew he hadn’t gotten enough, that he wasn’t done with her yet. “I told Rock you wouldn’t be in for a few days.”

  “Oh?” Amara clenched her muscles, smiling when Parker flinched, his rhythm momentarily broken. Thank you, Dr. Kegel. “I just went back to work.”

  He toyed with her nipples and licked a drop of blood from his lip. “I don’t think you’ll want to go when you can barely walk.”

  “Planning on draining me dry?”

  He moved his hands to her ass and spread her cheeks wide. “I plan on filling you up.”

  Oh?

  One of his fingers toyed with her anus.

  Oh. “No lube.”

  “No problem.” Something flew through the air, and it was her turn to flinch. He held up the tube of lube. “Guess what else I got at the Sav-A-Lot besides vast quantities of canning jars?”

  She couldn’t help it. She laughed. “I love a man who comes prepared.”

  “How about a man who’s prepared to come?”

  “Even better.”

  “Do you trust me?”

  She didn’t even hesitate. “Yes.”

  He grinned, and the bottle snicked open. He was lubing up his fingers. “Keep fucking me, sweet.”

  She began riding him again, the hot length of him gliding in and out of her. When she felt the press of his fingers in her ass, she opened up to him, letting him inside. She rode his cock and his fingers, feeling doubly full.

  “Come down here, love.” Parker eyed her throat, and she knew it was time, knew they would finish it now. She doubted Parker had any clue what was going to happen next. She’d found the courage to ask one of the town’s bonded dryads what to do, and the woman had given her an earful.

  Above her, leaves rustled, limbs quivered and her tree prepared itself for not one, but two souls.

  She bent over him, offering her neck, her love, her life. He bit down, drinking deep of all she gave him, giving his back to her, filling her with his cock, his seed and a love that would never die.

  The tree struck just as the orgasm ripped through them, using their joined bodies to take Parker in, make him theirs, sharing in their pleasure, their love. It was so intense Amara’s vision turned black.

  They screamed as they came.

  Parker lifted his head off the bench and wasn’t surprised to find Amara draped bonelessly over him. He felt the heartbeat of the tree behind him, slow and steady. “Fuck me.”

  “Too late. Been there, done that, tore through the T-shirt.”

  He snorted. She was barely awake, the words scarcely audible against his skin, but she managed to be a smart-ass. “What the bloody hell was that?”

  “I told you we’d take you, make you ours.”

  He flexed his ass, accidentally jostling her. “Do I have splinters?”

  She sighed.

  “You’ll have to check for me. I can’t picture myself in the bathroom, hand mirror at the ready, checking out my ass. I mean, I’m pretty, but I’m not that pretty.”

  “Parker.”

  “Well, I’ve never been fucked by a tree before.” He sniffed. “I didn’t think the splinters in strange places threat was meant literally.”

  She giggled.

  “And no way in hell am I asking Brian to check it out for me. He might get ideas. Then Greg might get ideas, and where would that leave you?”

  She smacked his chest, hard.

  “Ow.”

  “Would you shut up and let me bask in the afterglow?”

  Parker chuckled and closed his eyes. He ran his hands down her soft skin. Nothing, not even his lame jokes, could take her away from him. “Love you.”

  “Love you too.” A kiss brushed his nipple.

  Parker opened his eyes and smiled up into the branches of Amara’s tree. He felt the tree’s approval, knew it had shared in their love for each other. Strangely enough, he wasn’t freaked by this. Maybe if he’d met Amara before the curse, he would have been less open to the possibility. He’d never know, and he wouldn’t change a thing.

  His gaze drifted over Amara’s—soon to be their—house. He scowled. “Shit.”

  “What?”

  “Brian and Greg.”

  “What about them?”

  “They broke out the popcorn.”

  It took her a second to realize what he meant, but all of a sudden he found himself alone, naked under a tree, sans his warm and cuddly dryad. From inside the house, the sounds of screeching and thrown crockery told their own story. He hoped his Renfield survived Amara’s naked wrath.

  He returned his gaze to the branches of the tree, letting the feeling return to his legs before he attempted to go back to the house. “So. Looks like it’s just you and me. You come here often?”

  He felt the tree’s laughter, heard it in the creaking of its branches.

  It was good to be home.

  Epilogue

  Parker watched Amara glide across the dance floor in the arms of another man and smiled. Greer was one of the best dancers Parker had ever seen. He moved gracefully around the room in a waltz that left most of those around the pair in their dust. The fact that the blond dryad couldn’t take his eyes off Mollie, draped in a shimmering red-and-gold goddess gown, let Parker’s beast know the man wasn’t a threat to his relationship with Amara. Despite bonding with Amara’s tree in the deepest sense possible without drilling holes and inviting splinters in sensitive places, Parker was still a possessive man when it came to his love. Almost everyone else who’d approached his blood wife to ask for a dance had met with a very pointed smile and a shake of his head before the question could even be asked. Only Dragos, Greer, Brian and Ash had been allowed to take his sotiei’s hand and lead her onto the dance floor. Call him old-fashioned, but he had no desire to lose his wife, and once upon a time steal
ing mates had been a sport among the bloody-fanged set. Amara, amused by the whole thing, had complied with his wishes and restricted her dance partners.

  She was having the time of her life at Dragos’s party. So far most of the town members had made a point of approaching her. The reunion with the Madison family had been particularly intense. Amara hadn’t wanted an apology; she’d wanted her friends back. Parker figured with a bit of time she’d get her wish, and they’d all be able to mourn Ken together. His Amara was generous with her heart, despite everything she’d been through. By the time she was done, the Madisons wouldn’t know what hit them.

  If some of the townsfolk approached Amara warily, they had good reason. She was amazing, powerful and beautiful and deadly beyond compare. And she was all his.

  And much to Greg’s utter disgust, he wasn’t getting tired of saying it. His his his. He grinned like a kid with a fistful of free candy.

  His.

  He had to resist the urge to pinch himself. The time of terror was over. No longer would Terri haunt him, in or out of his nightmares. The witch was dead, her ashes scattered, the lingering traces of her wiped away from the Throne through fire and magic. Mina, weakened but whole, had been returned to her tree by Dragos, who refused to discuss what had occurred between them. Apparently things hadn’t gone quite the way Dragos had planned, because the mayor had been growling and sullen for weeks.

  At least Kate was conspicuous in her absence. The whispers of relief when she hadn’t appeared on Dragos’s arm at the start of the party had been proof positive no one, not even the other witches, liked Kate. They liked her even less when she was with Dragos.

  Ash stalked by Parker’s hiding spot, arguing fiercely with Selena. She was shaking her head, denying him a dance, and Ash was getting more and more agitated. He figured at some point Ash would lift the woman onto his shoulder and haul her onto the dance floor.

  He wondered what Selena would do if he dared.

  “Mr. Hollis.”

  Parker, brave predator that he was, let out a squawk. How had she sneaked up on him? Now he had an idea of how Amara felt. “Mollie.” He answered her slow smile. “It’s good to see you looking well again. You had us all worried.”