She soon got her answer—both. The hairs on the back of her neck stood up and she stopped walking. A feeling of déjà vu came over her. Addison looked up at the limbs and trees covering the sky and she knew exactly where she was. This was where she had “met” Gabe, her attacker, but later Luke, her Turner.
All of a sudden, a huge gust of wind blew past her. She instinctively checked her arms for blood. There was none. She then looked around, trying to see movement. Again, another blast of air whooshed past her, but not quite as close as before.
“Hello?” Her voice had just a pinch of anxiety.
Addison spun around, searching, and then froze. There he was. He was standing about forty feet away, but she could feel him, smell him like he was mere inches from her. Something was just a bit different, though. What?
“Luke?”
First, Addison blinked, and he was gone, but in the next split second, his arms wrapped around her waist from behind. She gasped at the sudden sensation, but that morphed into a quiet moan as she felt his face against her neck. His hot breath ran down from her ear to her cleavage as her eyes fluttered shut.
Addison’s body didn’t need permission to move. She leaned back into the man’s chest and relaxed. One of his masculine hands moved up from her waist and lightly traveled over her breasts. He didn’t grab them, but he did move dangerously slow over each tit. The hand continued to her neck, lightly grasping it.
“He turned you. I can smell him in you.”
Addison’s whole body jerked to attention. Her eyes flew open and she had the desire to bust from his grasp and run. Something stopped her, though. Maybe it was his smell, identical to his brother’s. Maybe it was his voice, silky and familiar.
“I bet that didn’t make Brooklyn happy.” Gabe snorted and tightened his hold on her. “My brother was always a softy...and stupid.”
Gabe’s tone sounded threatening, but also filled with sexual tension. It had Addison’s hips squirming, against her better judgment. As she started to rub her thighs together, the fact that she had left her panties in Joe’s car hit home. Why did that make her pussy juices increase even further?
“Let go.” Addison’s words sounded stronger than her might.
Gabe acted like she had said nothing. The hand that gripped her neck stayed put, but his other hand started to wander up her shirt. When it reached the bottom of her boobs, he rubbed his hand over them, back and forth.
“It was my decision to make, not his. You were my toy first.”
The possessiveness in his voice stole Addison’s breath and increased the heat in between her legs. Before she could recover, her Revenant attacker released her, but just as quickly spun Addison around to face him. Those heavenly blue eyes almost hurt to look at. His dark, slightly unkempt hair moved in the breeze over his forehead.
Addison started to take a step back, but Gabe’s arms came up quickly. One hand held her lower back while the other held the back of her neck. She could feel his energy entering her through his touch. It felt just shy of evil. He might look like Luke, but they were very different, she had no doubt.
“Although, maybe Luke made the right choice. What do you think?” Gabe’s gorgeous lips curled into a confident smile. “You know I’ve tasted you. I know things about you that no one knows. Not you or even dearest brother.”
Addison watched those silver streaks float across the piercing blue of his eyes. Her brain stopped working for a few seconds and then his words hit her. Know things about me? Addison was sure that that statement was something to be very worried about. The way his eyes flashed and how his grin had now increased told her that he wasn’t lying. And the secret didn’t seem good.
“What do you mean?” Addison tensed and tried to pull away. It was no use.
Gabe’s smile faded some, but it was replaced with a mischievous, intense stare. “If Luke would have tasted that blood of yours, it would have made his decision harder.”
“His decision of saving me?” Addison could feel some fear fall off while anger started to build. This asshole tried to kill me and now he’s bad-mouthing his brother for saving me. For not letting me lay here in the woods and bleed to death.
Gabe didn’t answer her with words. He did with action. Without warning, the Revenant pulled her head forward and took her lips in a hard, firm kiss. Addison’s eyes widened and she started to push her arms against his chest. A muffled cry for help came from her but was quickly stifled by his mouth moving over hers.
Gabe thrust his tongue deep into Addison’s mouth and another cry came from her. Not from pain or fear, but from shock. She had the quick idea of biting his tongue, but that faded rapidly. Gabe moved his hand from the small of her back down to her ass and squeezed roughly.
Addison gasped and Gabe intensified the kiss. His lips and tongue were devouring her. She wasn’t sure just what emotions were flowing from this dangerous man. She couldn’t pinpoint any of them. She just knew that there were many and most were conflicting, like a child with a guilty conscience but who didn’t totally care.
Addison finally gave in to the kiss. She stopped pushing on his chest and stopped trying to pull her head away. His lips reminded her so much of Luke’s, it almost made her sick. Almost. Obviously, Gabe felt her body relax and stop fighting. This was his invitation.
The hand that had held her head in place now ran down her thin neck. It left a trail of heat as it continued down her chest and found a breast. His thumb rubbed back and forth over her hardened nipple. A small moan came from her as he then lightly pinched it through her shirt.
Gabe halted the kiss and pulled back just enough to speak against her lips. “We are the same. You will learn that if you haven’t already.”
A cold shiver ran through her entire body but quickly changed into a tingle moving into her pussy. On its own, her body then started to grind slowly against Gabe’s body. She could feel his erection stiffly pushing against his pants. When he took her lips again, she could feel the cocky smile on his face. He was enjoying this, she knew.
Chapter Twenty-Two
Just when Addison feared that she might totally lose herself in Gabe’s kiss, a loud noise brought her out of it. She pulled back from his puffy lips as a second loud crash sounded in the distance. Her eyes popped open and she looked for Gabe’s reaction.
His eyes were just slowly and casually opening while his lips were relaxing into a smirk. He knows too much.
“Aww, dear brother.” Gabe paused and shook his head, letting go of Addison. “That is my cue, dear. But don’t fret. You will see me sooner than you might want to.”
Addison was extremely confused. Brother? Cue? Her face wore an expression of stunned confusion as she watched Gabe step back from her, still smirking. He then winked while pointing straight at her. Her response was to furrow her eyebrows together even further while cocking her head to the side.
Then, before any other words were spoken, he was gone. It wasn’t like he ran off in the blink of an eye, it was almost like he just vanished. Addison was left there alone with her mouth agape. What the hell noise was that? Obviously, that was what had made Gabe leave. Was that noise from Luke?
Just thinking his name made butterflies rise up in her stomach. Was he near? Addison started to spin around, searching her surroundings for any sign of Luke, Gabe, anyone. She saw nothing for several minutes. Maybe it was the spinning around, maybe it was leftover emotions from her kiss with her once-attacker, maybe it was the fact that she hadn’t really eaten in a long while. Whatever the reason, Addison was struck with an intense ill feeling.
She stopped spinning, but that did nothing to stop her vision from being unclear. She closed her eyes for several seconds, but that actually made her dizziness worse. When she opened her eyes again, the forest seemed to be moving. The trees and limbs had tracers that looked almost alive.
Addison bent over and braced her hands on her knees, breathing harshly. She felt bile reaching the back of her throat and this time her body was telli
ng her that she was in trouble. Her vision started becoming hazy as she stared at the dry leaves on the ground. Slowly, the edges of her view started to turn black.
She had then just decided that she better start walking again. Addison didn’t want to pass out here, alone. Or worse than that, pass out where Gabe knew she was. She forced all the energy she could manage into her legs and stood up straight. Addison was able to take a few steps before she tripped on a dead branch that had fallen to the forest floor.
She landed on her hands and knees, hard. Her rough breathing had evened out, but Addison could read her body. That wasn’t a sign she was getting better. Quite the opposite was happening. She now desperately wanted to see Luke. Just when she thought she might give up, just lay down, her eyes locked on something, a figure was emerging from behind a large tree trunk.
In a flash, her vision cleared. Her breathing stopped. Addison felt something enter her and fill her whole body. She instantly knew what or who it was. Luke. He had found her. A small amount of her energy returned to her as she sat back on her heels. Her savior—it seemed, more than once—was walking toward her.
“Thank you,” she spoke silently in her mind and his.
He didn’t speak as he neared. When he finally reached her, Luke knelt down in front of her. Instant relaxation ran through Addison’s body, causing her to slump forward. She inhaled once, deeply, then again her chest stilled. She didn’t need to question which brother it was. She could feel her connection with Luke. She even heard his voice in her head. “Ssshhh.”
Addison didn’t know if his presence allowed her to let go or if it was just her body reaching its limit, but she couldn’t stop it now. She lay on her side and went limp. Her mind and body felt numb and then there was nothing. Her eyes shut and nothingness took control.
* * * *
Luke gently picked up his unconscious sweet. In the places where their skin touched, he felt a strange burning sensation. It wasn’t comfortable, but not really painful. He had the odd sense that it was his body getting over a bad case of being “homesick.” Strange.
The burning slowly faded into a pins-and-needles thing as he walked, carrying Addison. Her face was now relaxed, but he knew she was hurting. He knew that she hadn’t eaten since she ran away. How could she? Addison had no skills to be on her own yet. A grin lifted one side of Luke’s lips. Why did that thought comfort him some? She will need me, for at least a little while.
Luke was trying to walk at a brisk pace but also trying not to jar Addison around too much. He needed to get her home and fed. Again, that smile returned as he thought of the word “home” and Addison. He couldn’t deny he loved taking care of her. He had never felt this strongly about caring for someone before. Not his brother, not Brooklyn.
That last thought had him shaking his head. Another fucked-up situation that would have to be dealt with, sooner or later. He hoped later. And his brother was a whole other story. He knew Gabe would keep his distance, for now, but probably not forever.
Luke had sensed Addison nearby just a short time ago. It had gotten so strong that he knew he had to run and find her. Luke had also felt her anger, pain, excitement. He wasn’t entirely sure what all had happened to her out here, but he had walked up on her and Gabe in their embrace. Luke was quite sure it was his brother’s game.
As Luke came out of the woods into a small clearing, he could see his house. He knew that he and Addison had some very long conversations ahead of them. But first, just feed her.
Chapter Twenty-Three
Addison slowly opened her eyes to find a familiar sight. Déjà vu again, she thought as she slowly looked around the small bedroom. This time, however, she was in a lot less pain. She still felt sick, though. Addison flicked off the light blanket that was over her legs and started to sit up. She instantly regretted it. The spinning in her head surged, as did the vomiting feeling in her stomach.
“No, lay down.” Luke’s tone was filled with authority as he entered the room.
Addison didn’t even try to fight him. She carefully started to lay back. Luke got to her quickly and adjusted the pillows before she lay completely flat. He propped her up and then pulled the blanket back up over her bare legs.
“Here, and I don’t want any arguments or complaining.” His expression was serious, but Addison could see a little humor glinting in his bright eyes.
Addison took the glass that he was holding out to her. Her arms felt weak and heavy, but she managed to not drop the drink as Luke let go. She closed her eyes as she brought it up to her face. She still didn’t want to see the color.
With both her hands shaking slightly, Addison started to drink. It surprised her a little that when the taste first hit her tongue, she didn’t winch or even think about gagging. The liquid felt cool in her mouth and when it started running down her throat. She had to coach herself not to start gulping, but she never stopped swallowing once she started.
With her eyes still closed, she pulled the now-empty glass away from her lips and started to lick them clean. She heard herself moan quietly as she did. Obviously, Luke had heard it and was amused. Addison’s eyes opened when she heard him let out a lighthearted chuckle from where he was now sitting.
He then leaned forward and took the glass from her. Their fingers touched and he didn’t pull his hand back right away. Addison could feel that there was a two-way street between them. She could also tell that she was capable of closing it at will. She wasn’t sure Luke could do the same. The control of their connection seemed a bit lop-sided, in her favor.
Luke finally pulled his hand away from hers and set the glass on the nightstand. He looked down at his lap and Addison could feel him wrestling with himself. She decided to step in.
“Where’s Brooklyn?” When Luke lifted his face, she regretted the question.
Pain and relief played on his face as he took a pause to stare into Addison’s eyes. “Gone.”
“Like for the moment or...gone, gone?”
“Gone, probably for good.” Luke started ringing his hands in his lap.
Addison could see the guilt he held onto. He was a man that felt responsible for everyone around him. That seemed like a great and horrible trait at the same time. Addison adjusted herself in bed, sitting up straighter. The meal was starting to work its magic. She felt her body filling with power and strength.
“It’s my fault.” Her words were a whisper.
“Addison, don’t worry about her.” Luke reached out a hand to take one of hers. He mindlessly massaged it as he spoke. “It’s true that she wasn’t happy about me saving or turning you, but that was just the tip of the iceberg. Our problems ran much deeper than you being here.”
“I’m sorry.” Addison took her free hand and placed it on top of his. She started to push good, peaceful vibes into him.
“Don’t be. Even if she doesn’t see it now, it is for the best.”
Addison tried to hide the fact that she was more than a little happy about this new development. She wasn’t entirely sure what it meant for her future, but she was pretty sure it could only be positive. Would she stay here with Luke? Could they act on the clear connection they had? Addison was anxious to answer these questions.
“What makes a vamp—a Revenant evil?” She knew the question came out wrong, but she also knew that Luke understood her.
He released her hand and sat back in his chair. Luke huffed out a deep breath as he raked a hand through his dark hair. His eyes closed for a minute and then he looked at Addison.
“That answer is long and complicated. But what you need to know is that most Revenants aren’t evil. Most feed on animals, and only when they have to. There are others, which you know, like my brother, who are less worried about being good.”
Luke smirked just a bit on that last part. Addison could see that there was so much history she was unaware of, history of the group, but also history between the twins.
“Do they just decide to feed on humans, or is there a difference
in...us?” Whoa, saying that word feels disgusting. I’m one of them.
“Again, loaded question.” Addison could see he was getting a little frustrated now. “It isn’t entirely a choice, but it is almost always determined by their power. All Revenants can soothe humans. I’m not sure if you’ve experienced that yet.”
Addison nodded yes, but didn’t speak.
“Well, some from our group can cause instant pain to them as well. Not many Revenants can, but if they do have that power, they are almost always a Feeder. Evil.”
The violent mental movie of her time in the car with Joe flooded her mind. She could feel that a small portion had popped into Luke’s mind before she could stop it. Luke’s eyes widened and he reached for her hand again. Addison knew that he hadn’t seen everything, though. He didn’t know. Evil? Now what should I do?
Chapter Twenty-Four
A memory of Gabe’s voice floated through her mind. “We are the same.” Addison recoiled in horror and pushed herself away from Luke’s side of the bed. She put a wall into place around her thoughts and feelings. Addison never wanted Luke to see her in that light. To see her as the same as Gabe.
She watched Luke’s face move from shock to concern. She knew that he felt that wall slam into place, slicing the connection in half. Addison couldn’t worry about his hurt feelings at the moment, however. Sparing him the pain from knowing she was evil, a Feeder, was all that mattered.
As she swung her legs off the side of the bed, she whispered without meaning to. “Gabe.”
Luke stood from his chair and quickly made his way around the foot of the bed. As he reached for Addison, she turned away from him. A slow tear slid down her cheek as all of her breathing stopped.
“Yes, Gabe. He’s a Feeder. Did he hurt you in the forest? I mean more than the biting. Did he use his power of pure pain on you?”
Once Bitten, Twice Seduced [Revenants 1] (Siren Publishing Allure) Page 8