Blood Feud

by Heather MacKinnon

  “Millie,” I said again as I sat up and watched her move around the room.

  “I said it’s okay.”

  “Where are you going?” I called as she walked toward the door.

  “I need to feed. I’m going to go see if the front desk has any blood for sale. Or a human to drink from.”

  My stomach turned as I imagined her with someone else. Anyone else. And I knew in that instant that if I wanted her, I needed to go after her. I couldn’t ask her to keep waiting for me. And to be honest, I didn’t want to wait any longer for her either.

  “Wait,” I called. She stopped walking, but she didn’t turn around. “I can feed you.”

  Her shoulders tensed as she froze in place. I’m not even sure she was breathing as she slowly turned to face me. “What?”

  I stood and crossed the room to stand in front of her. “Feed from me.”

  Her hands shook as she twisted them together in front of her. “You don’t want that.”

  “I do.”

  She shook her head. “You don’t. You know what’s going to happen if I feed from you.”

  My insides were so chaotic as my wants warred with my needs.

  I wanted to keep her safe, but I needed to erase that look from her face.

  I wanted to do my job, but I needed to be with her.

  It was like a compulsion. I gravitated toward her. Yearned for her. Even though I’d told her repeatedly I couldn’t sleep with her while I was her guard, I never stopped wanting her so bad it was almost painful.

  And now I was about to go against every bit of good sense I had left.

  I reached out and slid my hand around the back of her neck. Millie looked up at me, and I swear I saw straight into her soul.

  I pulled her head closer to me and bent down so she could reach. “Just drink,” I said.

  Millie breathed softly against my skin as her hands wrapped around the back of my neck. “You’re sure?” she whispered.

  I pulled her closer until my straining dick was pressed between us and every one of her heartbeats pounded in my chest. “Yes.”

  She took a tiny breath in before there was a sharp pain in my neck. Her cool lips met my skin, and I groaned as she took her first sip. Millie’s fingers dug into the back of my head as she pulled me closer and drank deeper.

  With another groan, I lifted her into my arms and walked us back to the bed. I laid her beneath me, her mouth never leaving my skin for a moment. My hands drifted down her body, mapping out her curves and memorizing every part of her.

  When her back arched against me, I filled my hands with her breasts and squeezed. Millie moaned against my neck as I found her hardened nipples beneath her shirt and twisted them between my fingers.

  “Ashton,” she gasped as she pulled away from my neck.

  Her eyes were wide and hazy as she stared at me. I turned my head again. “Keep drinking.”

  She let out another shaky breath before sealing her lips back onto my neck. When she sucked hard, I ground my hips into hers, Millie’s soft moans spurring me on.

  I yanked the neckline of her shirt down to free her breasts and watched as they spilled over the fabric. I licked my thumb and rubbed it around one hardened peak, smiling when she gasped against my neck.

  Millie pulled her mouth away from me again as she pressed her tits harder into my hands. “Ashton,” she whispered, her eyes squeezed shut and her hands grasping at my shirt.

  I pulled it over my head and tossed it aside before relieving her of her top as well. As I knelt next to her on the bed, Millie’s hot gaze found my naked chest and widened. My dick strained against my zipper as she slowly looked me up and down, the appreciation clear on her face.

  “Damn,” she whispered.

  I leaned closer. “What is it?”

  Millie looked up at me. “You’re stunning.”

  My cheeks heated, and I looked away, but she caught my face and turned it back to hers. I had one more moment to stare into her captivating eyes before she pulled my lips to hers and I lost my train of thought.

  My hands had no such problem.

  They were busy removing the rest of our clothes and exploring her in a way I hadn’t been able to last time. I reluctantly pulled my mouth away from hers to see what I’d uncovered.

  Millie was fucking perfect.

  From her pert tits to her flared hips, there wasn’t a single part of her that wasn’t gorgeous. And I was determined to put my hands and my lips on every inch of her.

  I cupped her breasts again in both hands, loving the feel of their weight in my palms. She moaned, and I squeezed harder. When that wasn’t enough, I pulled a nipple into my mouth and sucked hard.

  I was rewarded by a gasp and smiled against her skin as my hands traveled lower. They skated down her chest and over her stomach before I found her wet center and slowed. Millie moved her hips against my hand, but I kept my touch light.

  “Ashton,” she groaned.

  I covered her breasts in kisses as I slowly rubbed her slit. “Yes?”

  She leaned up on her elbows, her eyes bright. “I want you.”

  How the fuck was I supposed to say no to that?

  I pressed two fingers inside her, my cock aching at how wet she was. Millie fell back on the bed again and moaned as I slowly fucked her with my hand.

  “You look so fucking beautiful like this,” I whispered against her wet nipple. “I can’t wait to watch you come again.”

  She shook her head back and forth as I pumped harder into her and sucked her nipple between my lips again. Millie’s hands dug into my short hair as I slid down her body, trailing wet kisses along her skin.

  “Are you ready to come?” I breathed against her wet folds.

  “Yes!” she whispered.

  My fingers slid in and out of her quicker as I leaned down to suck her clit into my mouth. The moment I did, she screamed beneath me, her body arching and her hands clenched around my head.

  While she was still in the throes of her monstrous orgasm, I crawled up her body and eased my cock inside her. Millie’s head whipped in my direction, her eyes wide as she whispered, “Yes,” again.

  That was all the encouragement I needed.

  I pulled her thighs up around my waist before planting my hands next to her head. Millie tightened her legs around me as I ground my hips against hers. I was so deep inside her, she’d never get me out of her system.

  Millie’s nails dug into my back, and I knew she was close again. I leaned down and bit her nipple hard as she gasped and shuddered beneath me.

  “Come on, beautiful,” I groaned. “Let me see you come on my cock. Let me watch you fall apart. Come with me this time,” I demanded as I slammed into her once more and she screamed again.

  I held her tight against me as I came seconds later, my face buried in her neck. When I could move again, I laid her back down, but kept our chests pressed together. Our lungs worked in sync as our hearts pounded, and I knew I wouldn’t ever be able to let her go again.

  Chapter 15

  Millie

  “McGraw.”

  Ashton had ignored the first three calls before getting up to answer this one. I missed his warm arms around me instantly. Now that they were gone, they left a coldness I wasn’t prepared for.

  What just happened between us?

  Was it going to change our dynamic?

  How?

  Was I supposed to treat him differently now?

  Were we dating?

  The questions spun and spun around my head, and I had answers for none of them.

  I heard Alexander’s voice through the phone and knew they were talking about what happened earlier, but I tuned them out. I didn’t want to think about that, so I rolled over and fished my phone out of my pants. It was almost dead, but had enough life left for me to see the multitude of messages and calls I’d missed.

  Most of them were from Allie, and I really didn’t have time to talk to her right now. I sent a quick text saying I was okay, a
nd I’d fill her in later, just so she wouldn’t worry. When I was done, I turned to see Ashton had pulled on pants, but was still shirtless as he sat on the edge of the bed.

  My eyes ate up all the smooth golden skin of his back before I ripped my gaze away. Despite what we’d just done, I didn’t want to get caught staring.

  I slid out of bed and pulled on my old, dirty clothes. They smelled like smoke and it turned my stomach. There was no doubt my whole apartment smelled like this now too.

  If I even still had an apartment.

  My pulse started racing at that thought, and I had to squeeze my eyes closed and focus on my breaths before I had a full-blown panic attack.

  With a shake of my head, I crossed the room and picked up the hotel phone. I’d never been here, but I’d heard enough about it from all the times Allie had. I knew the concierge could get you anything you wanted, and I was about to take advantage of that.

  “Hi, yes, I’m in room one-eleven. I need some clothes.”

  “Of course, ma’am,” the pleasant voice on the other end of the line said. “What can I get you and what sizes would you like?”

  “Um,” I stalled. I didn’t know Ashton’s sizes, and I couldn’t remember the last time I bought clothes for a man. Guess he was getting scrubs too. “Can I have a set of extra-large men’s scrubs, and a medium set of women’s scrubs. Color doesn’t matter.”

  “Yes, absolutely. Do you need anything else?”

  I wracked my brain before I came up with something else we needed. “Um, food? Could you get a burger and fries or something?” I knew Ashton preferred to cook, but there were of course no kitchens in a vampire hotel. Fast food would have to do for now.

  He assured me the food and clothes would be here within the hour, and I hung up the phone.

  “What do you need scrubs for?”

  My heart leapt to my throat as I whirled around to face Ashton. “What?” I gasped, my hand over my chest.

  “What do you need scrubs for?” he asked again.

  His voice very clearly said he had a suspicion, but he was hoping it wasn’t right. Well, too bad for him.

  “All my clothes are going to smell, and I need to be at work soon.”

  He shook his head. “You’re not going to work.”

  I raised my brows at him and his tone of voice. “Yes, I am.”

  “Millie, you can’t be serious.”

  I rolled my eyes. “What? Do you think they’re going to follow me into the hospital?”

  “Maybe!” he yelled as he threw his hands in the air.

  I shook my head and pushed past him. “This isn’t up for discussion. I don’t miss work for anything and I’m not missing it today.”

  “Millie, we don’t know who is after you or how many of them there are. We need to stay somewhere safe and secure until Hausle and his men can take care of this.”

  I turned around to look at him again. “Ashton, I’m going to work. The floor I’ll be on is secure. No one’s going to get to me there.”

  He shook his head. “Not good enough. Not after yesterday. We’re not taking any chances anymore.”

  I shrugged. “Fine. Then come with me.”

  He jerked backward. “Come with you to the hospital? How? I don’t even know what the fuck you do there.”

  His shoulders were tense, hands clenched, and I knew it was out of concern for me. I crossed the room and placed my palm on his bare chest. “I know you’re worried, but I’ll be okay there. And if you’re still worried, you can come with me. They’re always looking for more volunteers.”

  He looked down at me and grunted. “You aren’t even getting paid for this job and you won’t miss one day?”

  I shook my head. “No. My job is too important.”

  He blew out a deep breath and wrapped his arms around my shoulders. Ashton pulled me to his chest and my heart raced out of control. “Okay,” he sighed into the top of my head. “But we’re doing this my way and we’re doing it safely. Got it?”

  I nodded and closed my eyes, reveling in the warmth of his skin against mine. As a vampire, I ran cooler and hardly noticed temperatures. But Ashton was so hot it felt like he’d burn right through me in the best way.

  With a sigh, I pulled out of his arms and looked up into his eyes. “I should get in the shower.”

  His gaze heated as his lips curled into a smile. “I could join you.”

  My eyes widened, my mouth falling open with a gasp. “I’ve… never showered with someone else before.”

  His smile grew as he bent down to scoop me into his arms. “Then let me enlighten you.”

  Ashton spent a long time in that shower teaching me about how fun it could be to share. After that, I didn’t know how I was supposed to shower alone anymore.

  We’d just stepped out, our skin pink from the hot water and our smiles wide when there was a knock on the door.

  Ashton wrapped a towel around his waist. “I’ll get it.”

  I used my speed to beat him to the door and block it. “You’re not going anywhere like that.”

  He rolled his eyes as he picked me up and moved me out of his way. I was a vampire and so much stronger, but I was also much smaller, which meant I didn’t pose much of an obstacle for him.

  “I’m just grabbing our things and I’ll be right back.”

  I ripped a bathrobe off a hook and threw it at the back of his head. “At least put that on.”

  He shook out the terrycloth and slung it over his shoulders, his eyes bright with humor as he watched me. “I think I like how jealousy looks on you.”

  I narrowed my eyes at him. “Just go before I change my mind.”

  He laughed but did as I asked. I grabbed the hairdryer and turned back to the mirror, hoping to do something with all this hair.

  Ashton stuck his head in the door a few minutes later and I took a stack of light blue scrubs from him. He wouldn’t release them until I gave him a kiss though, and the butterflies flapped so hard in my stomach it almost hurt.

  When I was dressed, I left the bathroom to find him halfway through his meal.

  “Thanks for this. I haven’t eaten all day.”

  My stomach pinched painfully. “Why didn’t you call for something before now?”

  He shrugged as he chewed a massive bite. “Didn’t think a vamp hotel would have food.”

  I shook my head as I crossed the room to pick up my phone, but it had finally died. “What time is it?”

  Ashton wiped his lips with a napkin before picking up his cell. “A little after six.”

  “We have to get going.”

  He nodded as he gathered his trash and stood. “I’m ready.”

  I opened my mouth to answer him, but shut it as an idea popped into my head. And now that it was there, I couldn’t get rid of it.

  “Hey, could we stop by my place first?”

  Ashton turned to me with a frown. “I don’t know if that’s a good idea, Millie.”

  I dug the toe of my sneaker into the plush carpet. “I just need to see it,” I said quietly.

  He sighed and walked over to wrap his hands around my arms. “It’s not safe.”

  I looked up at him. “But you’ll be with me.”

  He laughed, but it wasn’t a happy sound. “I’m not infallible, Millie. And I’m only one guy.”

  I leaned into him. “I trust you.”

  Ashton blew out a deep breath as he wrapped his arms around my back. “I can call Hausle,” he finally said. “Maybe he can send a few men to meet us over there.”

  “Okay,” I said against his chest.

  He sighed again and kissed the top of my head. “Then let’s go. I’ll call him on the way.”

  I grabbed my dead phone and followed him out of the room. We loaded into my car with Ashton driving again and took off for my apartment.

  “Have you heard from anyone in your building?” he asked after a few minutes of silence.

  “Yeah,” I said with a sigh. “The super’s been trying to ge
t in touch with me, but I don’t really want to deal with that right now. He knows what to do. He can handle it for now.”

  He was quiet for a while before he picked up my hand and threaded his fingers through mine. “I’m here too, you know.”

  I squeezed him back and closed my eyes, focusing on the feel of his warm skin and not the nightmare my life had become.

  When the car slowed, I opened my eyes again and looked around. When I caught sight of my building, my stomach cramped deep inside me.

  There was yellow police tape blocking the entrance but, thankfully, no officers or firefighters. There were however a couple of vampires, and I assumed they were Alexander’s men.

  Ashton parked on the street and helped me out before walking over to talk to the guards. I ducked under the plastic meant to keep others out and stepped into my building. There was soot tracked through the lobby, but that seemed to be the only difference so far.

  “We need to take the stairs,” Ashton said from behind me.

  I nodded and headed for the stairwell. We climbed in silence, my tongue stuck in my mouth and my stomach in knots. When we made it to my floor, Ashton hurried ahead to open the door, and I stepped through, my eyes going wide.

  The ceiling was scorched, the carpet soaking wet beneath my feet. It squelched loudly with every step as I slowly walked to my apartment.

  The front door was wide open, the walls and ceiling black from the fire. I carefully stepped over debris as I made my way inside.

  I stood in the middle of my living room, Ashton’s heart beating right behind me, and looked around.

  “It’s ruined,” I said quietly.

  My apartment was destroyed. Furniture charred, glass broken, puddles on the floor. The longer I looked, the more I found.

  Ashton’s arm wrapped around my shoulders before he tugged me into his side. “It’s okay. You can rebuild all this.”

  I shook my head. “This was my home, Ashton.”

  “I know,” he said softly. “I’m so sorry.”

  I sniffed the tears back as I looked around, seeing my personal possessions, things I’d bought and loved, ruined.

  It was humbling.

  It was upsetting.