by Tl Reeve
He had a point. She was living by what her grandmother and grandfather wanted for her. She wasn’t mad at them for it. She realized a long time ago, they’d do whatever it took to keep her and her brothers safe. “I feel like I’m a broken record, but you’re right.”
“Of course I am.” Taichi grinned. “Now, how about you try changing everything out? Then we’ll grab a bite to eat.”
“Sure.” Natasha scooted closer. “Can I ask you something?”
“Anything, kawaī.”
She followed each step Taichi gave her when she’d watched him earlier. “Since the demons are part of the night classes here, how is it you and Keiji can go out during the day?”
“We’re like you.” He tapped her on the end of the nose with his finger. “We can be out in the sunlight. Maël can’t since he’s a vampire. Same with the unseelie and the lesser demons. We, I guess, are the lucky ones.”
“Do you wish you were able to join the shifters?”
He sat there for a moment, seeming to contemplate what she said. “No. We don’t fit with them. We’re different. Not in a bad way, mind you. The dark calls to us—our demons, even though I am supposed to be good and Keiji is supposed to be bad. It’s complicated.”
No, she thought she got it. “It freaks me out.”
“Because you’ve never used it,” he replied. “All you have to do is embrace who you are.”
Sure, easy for him to say. “I have my work cut out for me then.”
“Well, we’ll be here to help whenever you need us.” Taichi held his hand out to her. “We have an hour. Let’s grab something to eat.”
Natasha nodded. “Great, because I’m starving. Remind me next time not to drink the punch.”
He laughed. “One of these days, you’ll have to ask Bell about it and her pledge parties.”
Six
The sun had set only an hour ago, and Maël’s skin tingled. His palms itched to touch Natasha. Yesterday, Taichi told him and Keiji of Natasha and Taichi’s experience inside the station. He’d been jealous. He didn't have any reason to be though. If things continued as they were, eventually she would end up with them. He didn’t know exactly when all three of them, Keiji, Taichi and he formed a bond, but as time went by, it tightened until they were in sync with each other. The idea of sharing Natasha relaxed him some, but until he claimed her properly, like he’d desired since the minute he met her, the anxious feeling of being rejected tore through his mind.
Or, perhaps, it had been her scent he couldn’t get out of his head, and it was driving him insane. She made his teeth ache with how sweet she was. Hearing the rush of her blood in her veins was a siren’s call, drawing him closer to her. Only one person could do such to a vampire, a bonded. Of course, he’d never heard of a vampire having a dhampir as a bonded—nor had he thought the person would be attached to Keiji or Taichi, but in the long run, did it matter?
The more he thought about it, the harder it became staying away from her. It’d been why he stood outside the Co-Ed house for the last hour, like a stalker, pacing. He didn’t have a clear plan. He figured with how unsure she’d been during the bonfire, she’d have questions. He could answer them. All he had to do was climb the stairs and knock on the door. One. Foot. In. Front. Of. The. Other.
Maël didn’t move.
Fear played a part in it. He made a phone call two days ago and didn’t tell anyone. While he’d been pacing outside Natasha’s home, her uncle, Yevgeni, waited patiently for them at one of the poshest hotels for others in Colorado, and he expected to see Natasha. The man had been one of the first to search for her when Dimitri returned after his trip to an American nest. Family blood was meant to be preserved and kept safe. Hiding Natasha had broken each of the Nemescu men. Maël hoped bringing her back into the fold would help the healing process for all of them.
“Obsessed much?” Zoe, Bell’s sister, approached him on the way to the small parking area off to the side of the house. “She’s in there studying, you know. Pining after you guys. Getting all lovey-dovey bullshit.”
“Who shit in your cereal?” Zoe’s flippant statements always rubbed Maël the wrong way. She had this attitude of not caring, but the smell of her fear, though subtle, said differently.
Zoe rolled her eyes. “Go in. She’d like to see you. One of you at least—would be better if it was all three.”
Maël grunted. “Thanks.”
“You’re welcome.”
He took the steps two at a time and strode towards the door. Before he could knock, the door opened and Shelly, he thought, stood aside for him. She pushed her large glasses up her nose and gave him a small smile. “She’s in her room. Last door on the right, upstairs.”
“Thank you, unicorn,” he said, hurrying for the stairs.
Her small gasp made him smile. There wasn’t a “night creature” or “Unseelie” who hadn’t wanted a sampling of unicorn blood. He’d had a little taste of it once. Fucking blew his mind. They were highly addictive and protected. They were few and far between now. The days of drinking from the tap were gone. Unicorns didn’t share, and anyone caught forcing the subject was put to death then and there. There was no forgiveness anymore where unicorns were concerned.
Maël followed the girl’s instructions and came to a stop in front of the last door on the right. He held his fist up, ready to knock on the door. Again, a pang of self-doubt filled him. What if this backfired in his face? He’d never been nervous around girls—women. Never. He squared his shoulders and announced his arrival. “Natasha?”
The soft pad of footsteps grew near before the door opened. Natasha greeted him. Her long multi-colored hair, now sporting red streaks like Taichi suggested, had been pulled up into pigtails. Her ear phones were wrapped around her neck as if she might have been listening to music. I wonder what kind she likes. She wore a cute pair of pajamas too, though he wasn’t sure why he thought flannel was cute, but it was on her. Her ribbed t-shirt molded her petite frame and cupped her breasts perfectly. The flannel pants were baggy, with puppies and kittens dotting the material, the total antithesis for a demon or in her case other residing within her.
She pulled off the glasses—she didn’t really need—totally confusing him. “Hi. What are you doing here, don’t you have class?” She leaned against the doorway.
“Not tonight,” he replied. “I thought if you were up for it, we could go to the demon battle.”
She smacked her forehead. “Duh. Sorry.” She stepped aside, allowing him to enter. “Come on in.”
“Thank you.”
“I totally spaced on the demon battle.” She placed her glasses on her desk. “Between classes and working and ... things, I’ve been a scatter brained as of late.”
He grinned. “Don’t worry. Get dressed. We’ll go. I’m sure Taichi and Keiji would enjoy seeing you at the event.”
She stilled. A wave of uneasiness rolled off of her. “Uh, about them.”
“You made out with both of them,” he answered. “I have been told.”
Natasha turned to face him. “And you’re here still?”
“Sure, why not.”
“Because you don’t like sloppy seconds, or you have standards or—”
He gathered her in his arms, unable to stand another minute of not being able to taste the forbidden fruit standing before him. His lips brushed over hers, and a wild groan filled his throat. Lust and need pounded through his veins as he coaxed her lips apart for a kiss.
Natasha stiffened momentarily then went pliant in his arms. She opened to him, allowing him to take what he needed. He tensed, swamped by the ever-present demand he claim her for all to see. His dick throbbed, his balls ached. It would be so easy for him to strip her bare and take what he yearned for, but he withdrew from the kiss. He hated it, however he also wouldn’t be an asshole about it. He could spend years in her arms and never want to be out of her sight.
“Does that answer your question?” He cocked a brow, holding himself in check so
not to pounce on her.
“Wow.” Natasha cleared her throat. “Yeah, I guess so.” Her hand trembled as she opened her closet door. “I need to change.”
“I’ll be right outside.”
When she finally stepped out into the hall, Natasha surprised him. “Okay, what did you do with the cute girl with big glasses and flannel pajamas?”
She rolled her eyes. “Whatever.” She spun in a slow circle. “Too much?”
Fuck. No. His gaze lingered on her tits and ass when she turned, giving him a three-hundred and sixty-degree view of her outfit. Maël never had a thing for school-girl skirts or knee high socks, but on Natasha ... He swallowed hard. She wore a cropped, off-the-shoulder TSU sweatshirt. The red hue in her eyes popped with the crimson and gold college initials. On her feet were a pair of black Doc Martins.
His gaze lifted to gap between her top and her plaid skirt. His mouth watered. His fangs popped through his gums. The glimpse of smooth, creamy skin drove him insane. He’d have to keep his shit in check. No way he’d make it through the night without taking a bit of advantage of their situation. Maël held his hand out to her. Her fingers slipped into his palm, warming his cooled flesh.
He stepped to her, wrapping his arm around her middle. “You look edible.” He bent his head and gave her a half smile, exposing a bit of fang. “I can’t wait to see the expressions on Keiji and Taichi’s face when they see you.”
She tucked her bottom lip between her teeth. “Really?”
He eased the abused flesh from where she’d bit into it. “Oh, yes.” He kissed her again, walking her backwards into her room. He closed the door with the heal of his foot.
“Maël?” She swallowed hard. A hint of arousal and tinge of fear wafted from her.
“I thought I could wait.” He advanced on her. “I thought the first time I had you would be with Keiji and Taichi.” Maël pulled his shirt off. In her bedroom, he sought out his restraint. Tried to leash the beast within him, but it didn’t work. He needed his bonded.
Natasha glanced up at him through the fall of her thick lashes. “You’re serious about this?”
He nodded. “Don’t you feel it?” He placed her hand over his heart. “Right here.” The warmth of her palm on his chilled flesh, caused goosebumps to spread along his chest and up to his shoulder. His nipple puckered, and his gut clenched. “I’ve felt it since the first time I met you.”
She gasped, staring up at him. The red flecks in her eyes intensified. “I don’t know what I feel. It’s like a magnet, pulling me towards all of you. I can’t fight it—not that I’m trying very hard or anything.”
“We feel it too.” He gathered her in his arms. “Let me show you what it’s like to be with a vampire.”
She grinned, wrapping her arms around his neck. “Cheesy line.”
He gave a little shrug. “Perhaps.”
*
Maël slipped his hands beneath the off-the-shoulder sweatshirt. The cool kiss of fingertips brought a chill to her skin. When he showed up, she hadn’t expected this particular turn of events. Sure, she could admit she daydreamed about it. All three of the men wanting her. Practicality invalidated those hopes, reminding her not to be selfish or set lofty goals where men were concerned. Like before, she’d been a great fuck buddy, but none of the shifters she knew wanted to keep her as a mate.
Maybe you were looking in all the wrong places. Perhaps she had been.
He lowered his face to hers and brushed his lips across hers. “Did you know...” he pressed another kiss to her lips while guiding her to where he wanted her. “Sex with a vampire can be quite...arousing.”
It already appeared to be so, judging by the long, thick appendage, rubbing across her lower belly. “Oh?”
“When you’ve fully come into your abilities, we will feed off of each other.” Maël’s thumb ran across her nipple. “Cum together.” He palmed her ass. “It’ll feel so good, it’ll hurt. You’ll crave me, and I’ll crave you.”
She licked her bottom lip. “What about Keiji and Taichi.”
A predatory gleam filled his eyes when he pinned her to the wall. Her back hit the drywall with a thud. “They’ll join us. All four of us will be connected.”
Her heart pounded so hard, she heard the whoosh of her blood in her ears. Her gaze had been stuck on his, the swirl of color mesmerized her. Beckoned her to fall into him. To give over without care. How does he do that? He slipped his thigh between her legs, startling her out of her stupor. Were they really going to do this?
The answer was yes. She didn’t want to fight it. She didn’t want to ignore whatever had been growing among all four of them. She had no desire to deny it either. Natasha arched to him, rubbing against his jean clad thigh. So fucking hot. When she’d climbed on top of Taichi in the station, it had released some part of her. One she couldn’t tuck away as she’d done previously.
She whimpered into Maël’s mouth. The intensity of the situation growing to a palpable pitch. She sucked on his tongue, mimicking the way she’d one day suck his dick. He ripped his lips from hers. A snarl filled with lust passed his lips. His irises were blown. His cheeks were flushed with arousal.
“Tell me, princess,” he murmured. “Can you be quiet?”
She nodded without hesitation. “Yes.”
“Good.” He reached under her skirt and ripped away her panties. After dropping them to the floor, he ran his finger through her slit, collecting the juices there. He groaned before licking the digits clean. “We don’t need anyone interrupting us, after all.” No, they didn’t. Maël placed her hands on the tab of his pants. “Pull me out. I want to feel your warm hands on my dick.”
Shit. Those words shouldn’t have turned her on like they did. He also shouldn’t be able to purr either, since he was a vampire, but he did anyway. Maybe it was his fangs. Or maybe it’d been the rough rumble to his voice that caused the sound, all Natasha cared about as she did as he asked, was the fact her pussy dripped for him. She didn’t have to touch herself to know it to be true. The ache of being empty and the throb of her clit told her everything she needed to know.
She glanced down at the engorged flesh between his legs and moaned. Magnificent. He’d been uncut. The tip of his cock peeked out from his foreskin. A drop of precum pearled at his slit then dribbled down his shaft. Fascinated, she stroked him, gathering up the slick, sticky liquid and brought it to her mouth for a taste.
Her eyes went wide, and her gums throb. His dangerous flavor exploded on her taste buds, causing a chain reaction she didn’t understand. She ran her tongue along her teeth and winced when she cut herself. Son of a bitch. Maël growled, dipping his head. He sniffed her once before lifting her lip.
“Oh dear,” he whispered. “Things are about to get interesting.”
Before she could respond, he had her facing the wall. He kicked her legs apart, allowing him access to her. His chest splayed against her back. He hissed at the contact while cupping her breasts. He pinched and teased the nipples, drawing them into hard points. Natasha couldn’t breathe for all the sensations bombarding her. She whimpered his name, trying to hold on to some piece of her sanity.
“I’ve got you, princess. I swear on my life, I will never let you go.” Maël positioned himself at her entrance. “Tell me I can have you.”
The broad crest of his erection stretched her open. She shuddered. “Yes. Please.”
He filled her in one stroke, stretching her past the point she’d been accustomed to. The thick edges rubbed spots she didn’t know could feel good. She went to her tip-toes sucking in a breath to keep from screaming at the intensity of the moment. For several seconds, he didn’t move. She relished the way she rippled and adjusted to him. The overfull sensation morphed into something more. Something demanding.
Natasha wiggled her hips, allowing him to rub across her sweet spot. Her mouth fell open and her eyes fluttered shut. She promised not to make a sound, but who the hell had she been kidding. She wanted to cry with the way
Maël fit her. It was perfect.
He groaned her name, retreating from her then filling her once more. The pace he set was docile. She’d expected a hard pounding. Something that would take minutes to complete. Instead, he took his time. The soft grunts vibrating in his chest sent tendrils of pleasure through her body and shot straight to her clit. As if sensing what she needed, he lowered his hand to her sex and found the swollen nub that was begging for attention.
He circled her clit with his forefinger, teasing the bliss from her. She shuddered in his arms. Natasha dug her nails into his thigh. A strangely pleasant sensation spread through her. Her heart slowed to a chug. Her eyesight became acute. The light of her room became blinding. She whimpered, wincing at the brightness.
“Shh,” Maël whispered. “It’s okay.”
“I don’t ... I don’t understand.”
Maël nibbled on her neck. “Your senses are becoming more intense, aren’t they?”
She nodded, unable to speak.
He groaned, grinding his hips against hers. “Your hearing too?” This time his words were soft, and she wondered if she heard him at all.
“Yes.”
“Don’t fight who you are.” He withdrew from her and spun her to face him. “This is the beginning of your new life. You’re both human and vampire. You walk between both worlds and are valuable.” He lifted her into his arms and filled her once more. “You should feed tonight.”
“Ew,” she squeaked. “Not sure about the whole blood thing.”
He smirked, exposing the sharp point of his canine. “You will.” He ran his tongue along the point then kissed her. An intoxicating sweetness spilled across her taste buds. She sucked at his tongue, wanting more of the sugary goodness. When Maël broke the lip lock, he rolled her hips over him and groaned. “Told you.” He cocked his head to the side, exposing the long line of his neck and the throbbing pulse at his throat. “Take.”
An awareness consumed her. She swore she saw his blood flow through his veins. Heard the whoosh of his heart, pumping the nectar through the rest of his body. Her gums throbbed again before her teeth elongated. Her mouth watered, and a crazed sensation took root in her center. Those hungry tendrils spread through her body until all she could focus on was his dick in her pussy and the all-consuming need to bite the man who fucked her into such a heady situation.