by Beverly Rae
“Oh, no. It didn’t work.”
“I think you ought to test that theory before you jump to any conclusions.”
Aunt Matilda followed her suggestion with a smile while Meg joined Hilly at her side, their faces sporting a variety of emotions.
“How?” Although her voice had grown stronger, her brain wasn’t clear of the torment she’d suffered.
“Kiss him, little sister.” Meg jerked a thumb at Tom. “Lay one on him and see how it makes you feel.”
“I think you’d better listen to your sister.” He ran a finger over her lips, sending a shiver into her, reawakening her. “Unless you’re not up to it.”
She had to know. Had to find out if she and Tom could stay together. Sliding her hand around his neck, she pulled him closer.
The kiss was soft, a tentative caress, yet the burn it sparked inside her flashed to a boiling point. Heat raced from her core outward, traveling into her stomach, her back, her breasts, then into her legs and arms. Energy flowed through her, thrilling her at how strong she felt. Her pussy tightened, ready for him, ready to take from him. She wanted him and she didn’t care where they were or who was watching.
Her lust drove her on, and she thrust her tongue inside his mouth, tasting him, drawing from him. Clutching the front of his shirt, she kept him there, holding him as her prisoner. She wanted him to fondle her breasts, to move his hand lower. And once he opened that path, she would wrap her legs around him, guiding him into her.
No! Allie wrenched away from Tom, panting at the strength it had taken to break free. “Oh, God, no. I was right. It didn’t work.”
The heartbreak was worse than the agony of the transformation. Everything she’d hoped for, all the dreams she’d had of a life with Tom shattered, leaving her struggling against the unbearable misery.
Hilly, her eyes filled with tears, pressed her lips to the back of Allie’s hand. “It’s okay. All that matters is that you survived. Don’t worry about anything else right now.”
“But I can’t… We can’t…” With Tom’s help, she sat up, then scooted away from him, fearful of the longing she still coursing through her. A sob racked her and she shook her head, refusing his outstretched arms. “Don’t touch me. Don’t ever come near me again. For your sake, Tom, please do as I say.”
“Allison Tristan, knock off the hysterics.”
Aunt Matilda stood, feet apart, a scowl plastered on her face as she shook a finger at Allie.
How could she be so cruel? Couldn’t her aunt see that her heart was breaking?
“I don’t blame you, Auntie. But, please, don’t. Not now.”
“Listen to me.” Her aunt’s voice dropped lower, became softer. “I’m not trying to be mean, sweetie, but you’re wrong. I know you are.”
“How can I be? I know what I’m feeling.” She glanced at Tom and saw her own anguish echoed in him. “I want him. I want to take him and have sex with him until I get everything I need.”
“And is that all?”
What could she mean? Wasn’t that enough? “I don’t understand. What more proof could you want that it didn’t work?”
Aunt Matilda offered her hand and Allie took it, needing the extra support to stand. “Now listen, sweetie, and do as I say. First, I want you to take his hand.”
“No. If I do—”
“Hush and obey your old auntie. Tom, take her hand and don’t let go no matter what. Trust me, both of you.”
She swallowed another sob and did as her aunt commanded, hesitantly placing her hand in his. The heat that had flowed through her at his kiss swept into her again. Yet, when she tried to yank her hand away, he held on, then took her other hand as well.
“Tom, let me go.”
“No. I’m going to do what your aunt wants and you should, too.” His green eyes darkened and she could see the challenge in them. “If there’s still a chance, I won’t let you throw it away.” He turned to Aunt Matilda. “Unless this puts her in danger again?”
“No, it won’t, Tom. The worst has passed.”
Allie stared at their joined hands. She wanted nothing more than to touch him, to hold him. But how could she when she knew what would happen? The sweet spot between her legs ached, calling for him. She lifted her gaze to his and held it, fighting the surge of love that nearly buckled her legs.
“Allie, what are you feeling?”
She didn’t want to say. Didn’t want to give voice to the emotions, the sensations making her tremble. Yet she knew she had to. “I want him.”
“More. Say it all. How much do you want him?”
Why was her aunt doing this to her? She cried out, tried again to jerk away from him and failed. “Please, Auntie.”
“Answer her, Allie.” Tom grabbed her, startling her in the way he shoved his body against hers.
She couldn’t help it. She had to answer truthfully. “I want him more than I ever have. I want every part of him.”
“Then take him.”
She gaped at her aunt, saw the determination in her face. “No, I won’t hurt him.”
“Do it, Allie.” He cupped the back of her neck and forced her to meet his gaze again. “Kiss me.”
“Kiss him, Allie. Try to draw his energy. Trust me and kiss him.”
Her sisters’ protests were drowned out by the force of his kiss. Unlike the earlier kiss, this one was powerful, possessing her, daring her to take from him. The need to have him raced through her, and she slid her arms around him and jumped, wrapping her legs around his waist. He groaned and moved his hands to grip her buttocks, holding her to him.
“Suck on him, Allie. Take his life force.”
She did as her aunt told her. He was hers and she would have him. And this time no one would stop her.
The kiss grew deeper, their tongues mingling together. Hands fondled her, caressed her, encouraged her.
“Tom, listen to me. Put her down now.”
She wanted to scream at her aunt, but couldn’t, wouldn’t, break the kiss. Tom growled, the sound reverberating in his throat and into his lips. Another louder growl tore out of him as he dropped her, pushing her hands off him. He staggered backward, putting several feet between them. Allie reached out for support and her sisters came to her side.
“Look at him, Allie.”
Bewildered, she studied him, trying to understand what her aunt wanted her to see. “I don’t get it. What happened?”
Tom nodded, then smiled at her aunt.
“He’s all right, isn’t he? He looks just fine. Look at him, Allie. Does he look like you took his energy?”
Incredulous, she studied him. He stood, straight and tall, and full of life. She gasped, almost too afraid to hope. “I didn’t drain anything from him?”
“Not one tiny bit.” Aunt Matilda clapped her hands together. “Sweetie, you’re transformed.”
“But I felt it. I felt myself wanting to take from him.” She had to be certain before she could really believe.
“I’m sure you did. But what else did you feel?”
“I don’t know.” Allie thought harder at her aunt’s skeptical look. “I guess… I guess this time was different.” The flutter in her heart picked up speed, renewing the dream she’d longed for. “I didn’t sense a darkness lying underneath the hunger or a fear of going too far. This was about love and nothing else.” The tears she’d shed before were replaced by fresh tears. But this time the pain was gone. “I changed. I really changed.”
“You sure did. What you’re experiencing when you’re with Tom now is good old love. Nothing more, but most assuredly nothing less.”
Tom came to her, lifting her into the air to spin her around, laughing as her sisters and Aunt Matilda laughed with them. “You did it, Allie.”
“We can stay together now. I’m changed. I’m not a succubus any longer.” Allie laid her head back, tears of joy streaming down her cheeks as she laughed.
Tom set her on the ground and grinned at her, his dimples teasing her as his eyes
sparkled. “And you’re all mine.”
“You’ve got that right. I’m yours and you’re mine.” She giggled as he lifted her to spin her around again.
Epilogue
“Tom, we don’t have time for this. My sisters will be here soon and we have to get dressed.” Allie squealed as he picked her up and threw her on the bed.
“We always have time for this. Besides, you can’t walk around in the buff and not expect me to get all hot and bothered. In fact, I think that’s what you wanted all along. If I don’t have you right now, I think I’ll die.”
She took his face in her hands and frowned at him. “Don’t ever say that again.”
“What? That I’m horny?”
“You know what I’m talking about. Don’t talk about dying. Especially not about dying and sex at the same time.”
“I’m sorry. All I want is a little lovin’.”
“Then lovin’ you’ll have.”
He buried his face between her breasts, his breath warming her as much as his love did.
“Tom?”
“Hmm?”
“Are you happy?”
He lifted his head to look at her, bemused. “Of course I am. Can’t you tell?”
She playfully slapped him. “No, seriously. Are you happy with me?”
He feathered kisses along her shoulder. “Most definitely. Why do you ask? Aren’t you happy with me?”
“Happier than I ever thought possible.”
“Then what’s the problem?”
“Well, we’ve been together for almost a year now and I was thinking…”
“Allie, are you about to pop the question?” He wiggled his eyebrows and tilted his head in question.
“Well…” His tongue sliding over her nipple almost derailed her train of thought. Almost. “Will you please stop that and pay attention?”
Grumbling, he propped his head on his hand and gave her what she wanted. “That’s asking a lot from me, but go ahead. Fire away.”
What was she so afraid of? They’d talked about marriage before and had agreed that they’d get married someday. So why not just ask? “What would you think about getting married?”
He recovered quickly from his surprise. “Well, sure. I mean we’ve already talked about it. That is where we’re headed, right?”
“Then what do you think? And what about kids? Do you want children?”
“Whoa. We fast-tracked through the marriage part, then the baby and straight into children. As in more than one.”
Had she pushed too fast? She bit her lip and tried to backpedal. “No, no. Later. I mean, if you’re not ready…” The discussion wasn’t going the way she’d hoped, but what choice did she have except to continue? “Tom, I need to ask you something.”
Yet before she could, he rolled over and opened his nightstand drawer. When he turned back, he had a small black box in his hand. A jewelry box.
“Oh, my God.” Allie sat up at the same time Tom did, her gaze locked on the box. “What is that?”
“I’ve had this for a while. I was planning on taking you to that restaurant you like so much and doing one of those sappy romantic moves like the ring in the dessert, but since you sort of brought up the subject…” He took her hand and squeezed. “Allie Tristan, there’s only one thing that could make me happier than I am.”
She giggled and asked coquettishly, “Really? Tell me so I can make sure you get it.”
“Would you marry me?”
“Oh, my God.” Her breath caught in her throat as he opened the box. A huge round ruby, circled by smaller diamonds sparkled against the black velvet.
“Did I do okay? I figured you’d want a ring that was different and since rubies are your favorite stone…”
“Oh, my God.”
“Allie, can you please say something besides ‘oh, my God’? I’m getting a bit worried. Are you saying yes or no?”
She held out her left hand and grinned. “Yes. Definitely yes.”
Tom slid the ring onto her finger, then leaned forward to kiss her. His lips lingered on hers, soft yet hungry, and she returned his kiss with eager fervor.
She wiggled the ring back and forth, getting used to the weight of it on her finger. He loved her. Of that she had no doubt. “I am the luckiest girl in the world.”
“And I’m the luckiest guy in the world.”
“No kidding.” She gave him a quick kiss before a giggle broke free. Could her life get any better than how it was right now? She doubted it, but if anything could make it better, marrying Tom could.
She pulled him in for another kiss. The lust she’d felt the day she’d gone through the transformation ripped through her again, but now she welcomed it. Now she recognized it as not only wanting to take from him, but to give him all that she was. Now she recognized it as love.
His tongue skimmed past her lips to meet hers. They savored each other, teasing each other, loving the taste of each other. Allie concentrated on the way his tongue moved, the texture of his mouth, the nip of pleasure when he caught her lower lip between his teeth. She sighed and pressed into the kiss as he gripped her hips.
His hands slid downward until he fondled her butt cheeks. Exploring the curve of her bottom, his tongue moved to explore her neck. She laid back her head and closed her eyes. Pressing against him, she flattened her breasts against his hard chest, then arched to increase the friction between them.
Tom moved his fingers into the crevice between her butt cheeks and skimmed his tongue along her shoulder. She slipped her palms along his shoulders, reveling in the rugged terrain of his back. He was more than she’d ever hoped for, and at times she still wondered how she’d gotten so lucky.
Tom ran his hands over the curves of her breasts. Green eyes met hers, telling her everything she wanted to know.
“I love you.” His tender tone meant as much to her as his words did.
His hot gaze ran the length of her, heating her body and exciting her. She’d never tire of that look. “I love you, too.”
“From the first moment I saw you, I wanted you here, in our bed, forever.”
She inhaled as though she could take in him in and touched his lips with her fingertips. “I know,” she quipped.
His laugh flowed over her, adding to her arousal. His tongue sneaked out to tickle her breast. Slowly, he walked his fingers over her breasts, then tenderly circled each nipple. She pushed her breasts at him, wanting to make him move faster, but he wouldn’t be rushed. Tracing his fingers around her taut buds one last time, he took her nipple in his mouth and rubbed the other one with his thumb. The muscles between her legs tightened in anticipation.
Could she ever have believed she could love someone this much? His touch excited her, not only in a physical way, but mentally, emotionally. She closed her eyes, using her other senses to remember the way he felt, the way he moved, the way he made her feel. Her body reacted to his, already releasing the first orgasm. She breathed in deeply, relaxing, yet excited. Still, time wasn’t on their side.
“Tom?” They needed to hurry. Her sisters were coming soon.
“Yeah?”
The desire in his eyes, however, made her forget everything and everyone else. “Never mind.”
Pushing her breasts together, he pulled first one nipple then the other into his mouth. He tugged at her hardened bud and the tug echoed in her abdomen. She reached out to run her hand through this hair and let the softness flow through her fingers.
He ravished her nipples, giving them his full attention. She moaned, reveling in the sensation of his tongue on her skin, the strength of his hands holding her breasts.
“I love you, Allie.”
No matter how many times he said those same words, they never failed to send heat rushing from one end of her body to the other. He was her love and her life.
Without warning, he slipped lower, running his tongue between her breasts, down the middle of her stomach where he paused to kiss and nibble her belly button. She rested her
hands on his shoulders, content to let his muscles ripple under her palms.
When he slid even lower, she gasped both at the path his tongue took and the way his fingers dug into her buttocks to lift her to him. He swiped his tongue over her mound, around it, but never too close to her folds.
“Tom, please.” She didn’t care that she begged. Hell, she’d beg more if she thought it would entice him. Instead, he looked up at her, the love in his eyes taking hold of her heart. They paused, perhaps waiting to see if the other would speak.
At last, he dipped his head and pulled her apart with his fingers. She jerked as his tongue slid over her, then down and around her clit. A whirlwind of lust barreled from her core into her abdomen to circle and spin her desire outward. He sucked on her, making her cry out and buck. The fire he spread every time he stroked her burst into a blaze only this one man could ever put out. Nipping, sucking, he took her to the edge until she didn’t think she could stand another moment of the sweet torture.
“Tom, oh, Tom.”
The climax shook her, sending shockwaves outward until they washed away her breath. She gasped and reached for him, but he ignored her. Instead, he lashed out at her, licking, drinking, pushing her up and over the orgasmic cliff time and time again.
“Wow. Please. Oh, wow.”
Keeping his gaze on hers, he repositioned her legs around his hips and, with a grin she wanted to kiss, slid into her.
She cried out, not in pain, but in ecstasy. Her body exhilarated with the feel of his shaft. Her vaginal walls clenched in the timeless effort to hold him, to keep him with her. His hands found her breasts and held on to them like a rider clinging to a wild horse.
“Allie, my Allie.”
Rocking into her, he held on, bringing her back when his powerful thrusts pushed her toward the headboard. He was fire and she was water, but they mixed, forming something different, something better. She clutched his hands that covered her breasts, pressing his hands harder against her.
“Look at me, baby.” She did as he told her, seeking the love she knew she would find in his eyes. “I want to watch your eyes as you come.”