“Can I get you something to drink? Beer, whiskey, coffee?”
“Do you have tea?” she asked.
Anton shook his head and smiled. “I’m the cliché bachelor.”
Kimber’s return smile had him envisioning those plump lips wrapped around his cock, sucking him deep into her mouth. She’d no doubt slap his face if she had any inkling of his present thoughts. “I’ll take a coffee. Black with a bit of sugar.”
Anton slipped from the room, returning moments later with a steaming cup of java. He handed it to Kimber, before sitting across the room from her, not trusting himself any closer.
“You aren’t going to join me?” she asked.
“Join you?”
Hell, he wanted nothing more at the moment. He wanted to fuck her so hard she wouldn’t be able to stand, let alone walk the short trek back to her little house down the road.
She held up the mug in her hand. “Coffee.”
He’d much prefer joining with her. “Not thirsty.”
“It’s quite good. What brand is this?”
“I doubt you came by to ask me my choice of coffee beans, Kimber.” He hated himself already for being a shit. His erection not getting any appeasement was starting to make him surly. No wonder Grayson had become such an ass. “What brings you by?”
She looked to the floor. “I came to retrieve my pie basket.”
“Try again.” Anton raised a brow. “Your parting words the other day was to keep it. What really brings you by?”
She blew out a steady breath before raising her gaze to meet his. “I wanted to see for myself that you were okay.”
“Why would you think otherwise?”
“Tamera stopped by to see me.”
“What the fuck?” The idea Tamera would involve Kimber raised his dander even further. “Why the hell would she visit you?”
Kimber’s tongue swept her lower lip. His balls ached with the urge to bridge the gap and show her exactly what she could do with that tongue. “Please don’t be mad at her, Anton. She stopped by to apologize for treating me poorly. She asked me to keep an eye out for you. She thought you might need a friend.”
“And since we’re just friends, you came by to check on me. As you can see, I’m doing fine.” Anton gritted his teeth. He already hated himself for treating her as only an ass would. “Why not take your cute fanny back down the road. I’m not in the need of more friends. But if you’re up for fucking, I’d be happy to oblige.”
Her gaze widened. She quickly jumped to her feet. “I guess my mistake.”
“Wait a sec.” Anton left the room to retrieve her basket, not wanting to give her another reason to return. Reentering the living room, he handed it to her. “You might need this should you find another man to share your wares with.”
Her cheeks reddened. Anton bet she had caught his double entendre. She had already been more than generous once in the sack. If her reaction to his crudeness was any indication, he’d bet it was his one and only shot. Definitely, his loss.
She took the basket. “No reason for you to be so vulgar. I’m sorry I listened to Tamera. You certainly don’t need a friend. You could, however, use some lessons in manners.”
He followed her to the door where she stopped, her attention landing on his Devils’ cut draped across the high-back chair near the entrance.
“Yours?”
“It is.”
Her gaze narrowed. “You belong to a gang?”
“Does it bother you?”
“I’ve read about the Devils from California. They’re bad men. How could you be okay with that? You break the laws, you beat people up, you sell drugs, you … you murder people.”
Anton chuckled. “It’s a motorcycle club, Kimber, not organized crime.”
“You said you were a motorcycle mechanic.”
“I am, and I’m damn good at it. But at night, I ride with my brothers.”
Kimber’s cold stare held his, damn near freezing him where he stood. Frankly, Anton found her censure kind of hot. He wouldn’t have minded a little angry sex with her.
She squared her shoulders. “I thought you were a nice, hardworking man. I guess was wrong.”
“Apparently, you were.” He winked at her. “I’m running out of patience, Kimber. We can either go upstairs and fuck, or you can get the hell out of my house.”
Her mouth rounded, reminding him what he was certainly going to miss out on. “You really think a woman would be so enamored with your good looks, that she would overlook the fact you’re a complete ass?”
One side of Anton’s lips quirked up. He couldn’t help reminding her. “It wasn’t that long ago you did.”
“It won’t happen again.”
“Don’t let the door hit you on your cute little ass on the way out, Kimber.”
She steeled her jaw, her beautiful chocolate gaze holding him in contempt. “Fuck you, Anton.”
“You already did, Kimber. And I should warn you, dirty mouths are a huge turn on.”
She stomped her foot and let out a harrumph. “Too bad. I really thought you might be one of the good guys.”
“Grow up, Kimber. Perfect men don’t exist. And if they did, they wouldn’t be any fun in the sack. Now you’ve used up my hospitality. Get the hell out.”
Kimber’s brown gaze filled with moisture. He doubted by the looks of things, she’d be waiting in the wings for him once he managed to crawl out of the shit his life had become. This good-bye had forever written all over it.
“Have a nice life, Kimber.”
She turned and stormed down the steps, not once looking back. He’d bet he just got kicked from the just friends list too.
The saucy sway of her ass mocked him all the way down the drive, leaving him cursing beneath his breath as his cock reminded him exactly what he wouldn’t be getting. He slammed the door and headed up the stairs for a much needed and very cold shower.
* * *
Grayson couldn’t think of a better way to wake up than to have Tamera tucked against his side, her soft breath tickling the fine dusting of hair on his chest. Her soft snores filled the room. He couldn’t remember the last time he had awoke with a large, silly smile pasted upon his face. He supposed if one of his brothers chose to walk in at this very moment, he’d be razzed about looking like some love-sick fool. He shook his head. Truth be told, that’s exactly how he felt. Head over heels in love with the one person he had tried so damn hard to hate. Thank goodness she hadn’t given up on his insulting irritable ass and instead wore him down.
Tamera was his equal in bed in every way. Hell, he hadn’t once thought about inviting another woman to their bed. He supposed if he tried, Tamera might just dare to take their head. He was under the opinion she wasn’t about to share what she considered hers. And he was hers. He couldn’t be happier that Vlad had allowed his petition to take Tamera back as his mate.
His mate.
He liked the idea of spending eternity showing her how deep his feelings for her truly were. Had he not been such an ass, he might not have lost nine months of time wallowing in self-pity. Tamera definitely knew how to trip all his triggers and then some. Had it not been the need for sustenance, he wouldn’t feel the need to leave the bed at all. Her slow, even breathing told him she continued to sleep. Hell, he had been far too keyed up to slumber.
A shiver shook her shoulders as he ran his fingers down the soft flesh along her spine, feeling the bump of each vertebra. Soon darkness would fall and they would need to head for the Rave to find a couple of donors. He doubted Tamera would be thrilled to watch as he suckled from another woman’s neck. He’d have to be careful, not to give the donor cause to piss off his mate. The thought made him smile.
“What’s got you grinning so?”
Grayson laughed, not realizing she had awakened. “Thinking about the need to feed.”
“Can’t you find some male’s neck to suck on? Why do you have to feed from a woman?”
“Because there are n
o male donors.” His brows met over the bridge of his nose. “Besides, unless you are into that kind of thing, it would feel wrong.”
Tamera raised her head and rested her chin on her intertwined fingers upon his chest. “We feed from the women. So why would feeding from a man be so different?”
“Because, it’s the way it’s always been done.”
“Then I believe I need to have a conversation with Draven about this.”
Grayson crossed his arms behind his head, his smile faltering. “About what?”
“Getting us females some male donors.”
“You can’t be serious?”
“If you’re allowed to suck on some pretty woman’s neck, then I should be allowed to suck on a hot guy’s neck.” Her smile widened. “It’s only fair.”
“Absolutely not.” He frowned. “I’d drain the first guy who even thought to offer you his artery.”
Tamera chuckled. “Such a double standard. I need to take it to a vote with Suzi and Cara on the issue.”
“Why the hell would you rock the boat? They have been getting along fine, feeding from the female donors. I’m betting Viper and Hawk would go ballistic if they even thought to feed from a male’s neck.”
“Why is it we must watch you feed from another female’s neck? You and I both know she’s going to get all hot and bothered.”
Grayson chuckled. “What’s it matter if she does? You reap the benefits.”
“Which means that if I drink from a male’s neck, you would be the one to reap the benefits,” she repeated.
He cursed beneath his breath. No way in hell would he ever allow his woman to feed from a male. It just wasn’t done. He would be livid to see another man sporting a hard-on for his mate.
“Not happening, il mio dolce rossa. Over my dead body would I watch you drink from another man’s artery.”
Tamera laughed. “I love it when you go all caveman. Fine. We’ll table this conversation for a later date.”
Grayson unlaced his hands and smoothed one down her back. When he reached her soft flesh ass, he gave it a light swat. “I won’t change my opinion no matter when you bring it up.”
“Then I have a request of my own.”
“Name it.”
“You never feed from a donor without me present.”
He chuckled. “That’s my girl. Smart. No donor would be stupid enough to lay a hand inappropriately on me while you were present. How about in the case of a twosome?”
“I’m not sharing, Gypsy. You may have had your fun in the past, but if you even think to bring another woman to our bed, I swear I’ll find another male to join us as well.”
Grayson growled his displeasure.
Tamera nipped his chest with her teeth. “I thought that might be your answer. Now, I’m going to shower before we make our way to the Rave. I’m famished. Care to join me?”
Grayson palmed the sides of her head and kissed her deeply, then said, “Go warm the water, I’ll be in to join you shortly.”
“I’m picking out your donor, Gypsy,” Tamera said as she headed for the door, with a sexy sway of her bare ass. Thankfully the clubhouse was currently unoccupied. The others had already headed for the nightclub. Suzi had taken Stefan, and would use Draven’s office to feed so she could keep a close eye on the child. “She will be the homeliest one I can find.”
His laugh followed her from the room. Damn, he was going to enjoy bantering with her for all eternity. The shower started and he could hear Tamera stepping under the spray. Grayson sat and swung his legs over the side of the bed, his cock already hard at the thought of joining her. Just as he stood, he heard the muffled sound of a beep, like the alert of a text message.
Grayson’s gaze swept the nightstands and dresser, not seeing a cell. He walked to the dresser where Tamera had placed most of her clothes the night before when the beep sounded a second time. He pulled out the first drawer, his hand searching for the hard object, coming up empty-handed. The second drawer produced much the same, nothing but her clothing. The third drawer, he ran his hand around the edge, finding the small flip phone buried beneath a pile of her jeans.
“You going to make me shower alone, Gypsy?”
“I’ll be right there, il mio dolce rossa. Give me a sec.”
Grayson flipped open the cover and the face lit up with the recently arrived text. His heart stopped dead in his chest.
About time you live up to your usefulness.
Grayson stared at the words, wondering who the hell had sent it to Tamera and why she had felt the need to hide the cell from him. The cell beeped again as another text came in.
Your job now is to report back to me. Don’t do as I say, and your little mate will find out about your deception.
He clenched his jaw. What fucking deception? Just as he meant to head to the bathroom to ask Tamera who the hell was on the other end of the texts, it beeped again. Heat traveled up his spine. He’d kill the fucking bitch.
You have a mate because I gave you the idea of biting him. You got your immortality. Now you owe me. First order of business is getting rid of that bitch Cara.
Grayson saw red. Who else would want to be rid of Cara but Rosalee?
Fail me and baby Stefan dies. That will be on you.
Grayson damn near crushed the phone in his grip. His jaw ached. He should return her text … tell her where she could stick her plans. Not to mention, let her know he’d be sending her little spy to join her, wherever the fuck she was. Anger and hatred traveled through him like molten lava. Tamera had duped him, played him for a fucking fool. Not to mention put Kaleb’s son in danger. The little bitch had gotten her way. They were now mated for all eternity. Grayson would be damned if he’d now allow her to live under his roof, though. No one would begrudge him of the decision to send her ass packing.
“Gypsy?”
He yanked the shower curtain open. Tamera jumped. Her eyes rounded.
“What’s wrong?”
Grayson held the phone in his outstretched palm. “It was Rosalee’s idea? You drank from me under her suggestion? This has been all about you gaining immortality?” His voice rose in fury. When she said nothing to defend herself, he continued, “Get dressed, il mio dolce rossa. I want you gone.”
Her gaze filled with tears. “Let me explain.”
“Who told you to bite me? Was it Rosalee?”
She nodded.
“Was it her idea for you to mate with me?”
She shook her head. “I wanted you, from the time I laid eyes on you.”
“Get your fucking clothes and get the hell out of my sight.”
“You can’t be serious? We’re mated.”
“Why not call someone who gives a damn? I’m sure Rosalee would love to put you up.”
“She’ll take my head.”
He steeled his jaw. “Then she’ll save me from doing the honors.”
Grayson gripped her forearm and pulled her from the running water. He shoved a towel at her. “Cover yourself. I want you dressed and gone in five minutes time. You take any longer and I’ll take your head myself.”
Her lower lip trembled. “Damn it, Gypsy, hear me out. I’m in love with you.”
“You should’ve thought of the consequences when you got into bed with that bitch.”
“You told me you loved me.” She held the white towel to her breasts. “Why won’t you listen?”
“You are a liar, Tamera Cantrell. Nothing you have to say will make up for the fact that you’re doing Rosalee’s bidding. Get your shit and get the fuck out.”
Tamera ran for the bedroom.
“When you see her,” he called after her, “tell her she touches one hair of Stefan’s head and I’ll see she burns in hell.”
His heart felt as if it were being ripped from his chest. Drawers opened and closed as he heard the stuffing of her clothes into bags. A lump lodged in his throat. Part of him wanted to go after her, hear her out, then throw her on the bed and fuck away all thoughts of Rosale
e and her betrayal. The other part wanted to wrap his fingers around her throat and squeeze until she took her very last breath.
He hung his head, listening to her rummaging through the dressers, hearing her sobs further tearing him apart. Grayson had thought to text Rosalee, to let her know he was onto her and her little spy, but he couldn’t bring himself to be the nail in Tamera’s coffin. If Rosalee decided to take Tamera’s head, then it would be of her own doing.
Moments later her soft footfalls approached as he continued to stand rooted to the bathroom floor. Tears filled his eyes. Hell, he couldn’t bring himself to even look at her. She had crushed the very spirit from him. Where moments ago he thought he could die a happy man, now he knew nothing but sorrow and pain. Never had he shed a tear over a woman. He didn’t intend to now.
“Gypsy?” she whispered.
He steeled his jaw and raised his chin. Glancing at the phone still in his hand, he held it out to her. “Call Rosalee, Tamera. She’s probably the only person to give a fuck about you right now.”
Tamera stared at the phone but did not take it, her answering sob gripping his heart. She turned and headed for the front of the clubhouse. He waited to hear the opening and closing of the door before he walked from the bathroom. He stared at the back of the closed door, half expecting her to walk back through. And truthfully, he didn’t know if he had the strength to send her away a second time, knowing it might very well mean her death. Rosalee would be livid to know Tamera had failed her.
A tear slipped from his lashes and down his cheek. Grayson tipped his head and swallowed the ache gripping his chest. Never again. He sank slowly to his knees, a mighty roar rattling the glass panes of the windows.
Fuck his life.
Chapter 26
Tamera pounded furiously on the metal door, praying she’d be heard over the loud music. She had nowhere to go, no one else to turn to. Her limbs trembled in fear. It was only a matter of time before Rosalee caught up to her. No one crossed the primordial. Her life was now limited to days, maybe even mere hours. For as soon as Rosalee learned of Grayson throwing her to the streets, she’d come for Tamera.
Gypsy: Sons of Sangue Page 28