by Buff, Annie
“My dear, I’ve been expecting this. It is not any fault of yours. I am the only one to blame. I destroyed my mating, all on my own. I was emotionally unavailable. I tend to shut down. But the funny part is, with you, I open up. I tell you things, let you in to places in my soul I never even let Sophie into. You’ve taken my cold black heart and warmed it, Annalese. I know I will carry this feeling to the world beyond this one.”
“Oh fuck, Vlad!” She never used that much profanity. “You are not thinking!”
He put up his hand. “No, dear Annalese, I am not going to leave this world, at least I have no plans myself. I just wanted you to understand the depths of my feelings for you.”
She gave a relieved sigh. Then she punched him in the arm. “God Vlad, you scared me. You’re such an asshole! Don’t ever do that again! Vlad.” She moved her hands to his chest. “Feed me.”
Ah fuck, she was asking for something he wasn’t sure he could do and not take it further.
“Please Vlad. I need it, from you—please.”
Ah Christ, he couldn’t say no, but he needed to be clear. “Annalese, you need to understand what could happen if I feed you. You should go to your mate for this.”
She shook her head. “No, I want your blood. Please Vlad.” Fuck, she was trying to kill him.
“Annalese, I may not be able to control my urges if you take from me. Do you understand what I am saying?”
Again with the nod. “I understand perfectly. Maybe I should be more clear. Vladislaw, I want to feed from you, kiss every beautiful inch of your body, touch you everywhere, and I want you to feed from me” she quieted just a bit, “Buried balls deep in me. Am I clear now?”
He was instantly erect. “Yes…crystal! I am only going to ask once. Does your mate know where you are?”
She nodded. “He knows exactly where I am, and I will see him at breakfast. Do you want me, Vlad?”
“Fuck yes, you know how badly too. Give me a moment. I need to hear from Lach, if taking you with me is OK.”
She smiled. “You do that. I’ll be in your chambers waiting.” And with that, she left and went upstairs to Vlad’s sleeping chambers. Within five minutes, he stood before her.
“Gods-damn, I love you Annalese.” He removed his shirt and she stopped him.
“No, Vlad, not like this.”
He wasn’t following.
“Make love to me. Feed me during, while I feed you. Touch me.” She slipped the straps off her shoulders and let the dress fall. All that was left were blood red lace panties.
Vlad thought he was going to come undone before he even touched her. He bent his head and captured her lips, lifted her up, and took her to his bed. He worshiped every inch of her. He had started to move down her body again when she pressed him down on his back.
“My turn. You’re magnificent, and I want….” She trailed her fingers up his thigh, just missing what begged to be touched the most. He made a groaning sound. His eyes wide open watching her explore him. He thought the sensation of feeding her was the best feeling he’d ever had. But when she wrapped her lips around his engorged shaft, he knew he was wrong.
“Holy fuck, Annalese, I, you, oh fuck.” Vlad was tearing the sheets to shreds. It took everything he had not to thrust into her mouth. He lay as still as he could, spitting out prayers and cursing in Romanian until he could take no more. “Annalese, you must stop. I can’t take much more before I completely lose my mind and control of things that want to let loose.”
She just smiled and crawled up his body. She was poised right over his erection when she leaned down and bit his nipple. His moan was so loud, she knew the staff would have heard. But no one would dare mention it.
“Oh gods, my dear, beautiful Annalese.”
She gently lowered herself onto him. He was bigger than Lachlan, so she had to go very slowly so she could adapt to his size. Once fully seated, their bodies just began to move together. It was a perfect unison.
She felt so good, so tight. Heavenly. Vlad knew he’d go to hell for this, but it mattered not. She was in his arms. He pulled her down to him and rolled them over, keeping their bodies joined.
“Annalese, gods, nothing has ever felt so right,” Vlad choked out.
“Vlad,” Lese breathed. “Plant your seed. I love you Vlad. I want to give you a baby.” She could barely breathe he felt so good.
Vlad stopped moving and stared into her eyes. “Do you have any idea what you just said to me?” He was breathing in gasps.
Looking directly into his perfect violet eyes, she gave him the answer he wanted. “Yes, Vlad. I know exactly what I said, and something else, but that can wait. Give me a baby, Vlad. Yours!”
And he moved again. This time with eyes full of tears. They climbed together until they went over the other side—together.
Vlad gathered her in his arms and held on like if he let go she’d be gone. “You were serious. I’m pretty sure I cannot give you what you asked. But the gesture got to me. What was the other thing you wanted to ask me about, my beautiful?”
“Lachlan wants to stand with you at the council. He said it’s only right. And I want you, when it’s done, to move out of this room. You need to pick another. Start new. Close the door on the old.”
He nodded and snuggled her close. Vlad was asleep in minutes
They spent the next few days finishing all the last minute things for Yule. Marcus had planned an extraordinary menu. The only thing they catered in were Lachlan’s cannoli from Augustino’s. A dozen to make sure not only Lachlan got his sugar fix, but that everyone else could have a couple.
Yule morning found Vlad tucking the little prince into bed. “Now you know, little prince, Papa says you must sleep now, as the Holly King may not bless you with boxes under the tree. Can you do that for Papa?”
Michael sat up to hug Vlad. “Yes, Papa. I sleep now. Love you.”
And with that and a night light, the house was quiet. Lachlan was attempting to wrap gifts in the ballroom. Lese had gone to soak in the tub.
Vlad stood in the doorway of the ballroom and laughed. “You, my friend, are a dumb fucker. You do realize you can pay someone to do that.”
Lach swore under his breath. “Aye, but where’s the fun in that? Ye should get yer sadistic arse down here and help me.”
With that, Vlad settled himself on the floor next to Lachlan and started. “You know, Lach, I really think I’m losing my mind. A year ago I would have taken the utmost pleasure in slowly skinning someone, anyone. Now I’ve been reduced to sitting on my floor trying like hell to wrap these fucking boxes properly. I think I’ve lost my touch. Do people know? That I’ve become soft? Gods-damn I hope not.”
Lach thought for a minute. “T., yer not soft. Ye still scare the shit outta me. When we are here, home, ye can be as soft as ye like. Lese loves that about ye. But I can assure ye my friend, ye are still the sadistic bastard ye always were. Of that, ye need not doubt.”
Vlad nodded. “Thank you. Maybe I just need to stake someone. That used to always make me feel better. Could be time to pillage.” He laughed his, oh-so-evil Vlad laugh.
“So T., did ye get Annalese her gift? What ye were lookin fer?”
“Ah, yes, I found exactly what I was looking for. It will be delivered just before sundown. And speaking of the sun, I think I will retire. I could use a few hours.” And he left seeking his sleep.
Vlad had only been sleeping for a couple hours when he felt a shift in the bed. He cracked one eye to see the little prince climbing in.
“Papa,” was all he said as he snuggled in close to Vlad. He wrapped his arm around Michael and kissed the top of his head, and drifted back to his dreams.
Yule was upon them and keeping the little prince occupied long enough for the adults to eat was proving to be quite a challenge. Lachlan was fast losing patience, and Lese was in fits of laughter watching him try to reason with the tiny tornado.
“Aye just fuck it!” Lachlan finally caved. “Let’s go let him o
pen so I canna finish me breakfast. Vlad shook his head “no I will handle this. You two finish.” Vlad had Michael in a split second. Now little prince, you are going to let your mother and father finish eating. Papa thinks it might be time to show you the dungeon!”
Michael squealed. “No, Papa! No!” He was trying to escape, but Vlad had an iron-clad hold on him. So instead, he put his mouth on Vlad’s hand and started to bite.
“That, my young prince, is not a good idea. Two can play that game and mine are much bigger.” Vlad smiled, fangs showing.
Michael screamed.
“OK, boys.” It was Lese who decided it was time. “Let’s go see what the King left for you.”
By the time they were done, wrapping paper was everywhere. Finally Michael sat playing with everything he had received.
Lachlan had given Lese pink teardrop-shaped diamond earrings and a necklace to match. It had to be eight carats total. He also gave her several things from her favorite boutique. She matched him and Vlad both with boots and leather coats from Versace.
“Annalese, my dear, I would like to give you something.” Vlad stood. “Oh yes, we must go to the door. I chose not to remodel the castle to accommodate. Come, my dear.” He held out his hand, Lese took it, and all went to the door. “Now, before I open this, know it took me weeks to pick this out. I do hope you like it.” And with that, Vlad opened the door.
Lese gasped. “Oh, holy shit Vlad!” She jumped into his arms.
“Ah, I take it you approve then?”
There, with a giant golden ribbon was a brand new Land Rover Discovery HSE Luxury. And it was cherry red.
“How did you know?”
Lachlan wasn’t sure which one was smiling more. ’Twas good to see him happy.
“Oh, go check the front seat. There is one more small thing for you, my dear.”
Lese ran! She flung open the door to find a small box wrapped in gold and red paper. “Vlad?” She was asking if she should open it. He nodded. She opened the box and just stared. She knew what it was, whose it was. “Vlad, I can’t,” was all she could get out.
“Oh my dear, you can. More so you will. My mother wore that emerald for two hundred years. I want you to have it. I told you Annalese. Eternal. Please.”
“Lese, angel. Do it. Ye know he wouldna give it to ye if he didna think ye should wear it.”
She stared a little longer and then handed Vlad the box. He looked to her like she was declining his gift.
“My dear Annalese, I really want you—”
She held up her hand. “Stop, Vlad. Tell me something. What was this ring to your mother?” She thought she knew the answer.
“It was her wedding ring, symbolizing her mating to my father. I’m not sure why you are asking.” He was a bit confused by the strawberry beauty.
“And why are you giving it to me? No riddles, just tell me, Vlad.”
“Because Annalese, I love you. You are my sole reason for existing. I know you love Lach, that you’re mated to him. However, I cannot help what I feel. I want you to have it. To know every time you look at it, you own my heart and my soul. I am quite certain the goddess will send me to Hades for this. And I will probably deserve it. But for now, until I am ash, I will love you with every beat of my black Vampire heart.”