by J. K Harper
* * *
As she scrubbed her skin with army soap in the feeble shower spray, she couldn't stop herself grinning like an idiot. Louis made her feel like smiling.
That was super strange, because she didn't smile a lot these days. Healing people's war injuries left her little time for laughter.
And she barely knew this guy. This vampire.
As she finished rinsing herself, she realized she didn't have a towel. Not even a tiny one. Worst of all, she didn't have her clothes.
Dammit. Now what?
She shook herself dry, as best she could. Then she slipped Louis's old-fashioned white shirt back on, hoping it didn't cling too much to her wet skin.
If she moved fast, hopefully nobody would notice.
She sprinted down the corridor back to her room.
Louis was looking out of the tiny window when she walked in. He shot her a look of unabashed desire as she locked the door behind her.
"Oh, belle Isabel. You look good in my shirt."
"And I see you found a spare." The one he was wearing looked exactly the same as the one she'd borrowed.
"I have many shirts."
"Great. You'll need to turn around while I get changed."
As she shook out the folded army clothes, there was a knock at the door.
Before she could stop him, Louis answered it.
A distinctly unimpressed British soldier stood in the doorway. He was holding an automatic weapon, and a radio, and he looked pretty pissed to see Louis.
"Lieutenant Clark didn't give permission for overnight guests, ma'am. How did you get your friend past security on the way in?"
"Oh, he wasn't an overnight guest. He just arrived."
"I've been stationed outside the only entrance to this building since 2300 hours. Nobody arrived after you. Please don't try to deceive us, ma'am. We're just doing our jobs, like you are."
She opened her mouth to question it, but Louis shot her a warning look.
How the hell had he gotten in here then? She couldn't even imagine.
The corporal took a step into the room. "You're entitled to your personal life, ma'am. But we can't have any Tom, Dick or Harry staying on site overnight."
"I'm not any Harry, Tom, or Dick." Louis put a particular emphasis on the word "Dick." Isabel felt like giggling, like a school kid. "I'm the doctor's friend. I help out sometimes."
"Sir, I must warn you that we take a dim view of trespassers. You'll be taken into custody until we can retrieve your identification details. All visitors to this camp need enhanced security clearance, unless they're family or spouses of residents."
Shit. They couldn't take Louis. He wouldn't have any identification documents. Even if he did, they'd be centuries old.
Louis looked calmly at Isabel, one dark eyebrow raised.
Fuck. If they didn't do something, he was going to be incarcerated.
And a cornered vampire would probably not be a good thing for the army to have around. He'd fight his way out the only way he knew how. Biting and killing.
That's what his sort did. Even the ones who resisted it couldn't suppress their true urges. He said as much himself, when he talked about the effects of the full moon.
Louis couldn't change his essential nature, any more than she and her tiger shifter friends could.
For the sake of the army, and anyone else who could get in his way, she needed to fix this.
"My apologies, Corporal," Isabel said. "You're quite right. I'm afraid I haven't been quite honest with you."
Louis did a double-take.
She took a deep breath. "This is Louis. He's ... uh... He's from France."
What else could she say? Who could she explain that he was?
He couldn't be a one-night stand, because that wouldn't be allowed in a military camp. Even a serious boyfriend would be frowned upon, if he arrived unannounced in a combat zone.
She couldn't say he was her medical assistant, even though he was last night, because they'd demand his credentials. He didn't have a résumé. He wouldn't have any recognized qualifications.
And he wouldn't appear on any population database, whether American or international.
The corporal looked impatient.
Oh God. Now what?
If a vampire is trapped, a vampire will kill.
Suddenly, she knew what she had to say.
She took Louis's hand and smiled at his baffled face.
"I should have notified you earlier, and I apologize," she said. "I'll fill out the relevant forms right now. Louis is my fiancé."
Hold
"Prove it."
"Excuse me?"
The corporal jabbed at Louis' arm. Louis looked down at his finger, then glared at him.
Isabel sensed a warning signal flashing in Louis's face, but the soldier was oblivious.
"Yeah, we can prove it," she said. "Easy." She slid Louis's arm around her. "Kiss me, my love."
The corners of his mouth turned up just slightly. "I thought you'd never ask, chérie."
With one hand, he pulled her face close to his. She felt his cool breath on her, and shivered. His other hand roamed behind her, pulling her in by the small of her back, until she was pressed right up to him.
In an instant, his lips were on hers, and she almost gasped.
The shirt was long enough to hide her butt, but she was well aware she had no underwear on.
And she knew that Louis knew too. And it was the hottest thing ever.
Somehow, she didn't even care that the corporal was in the room with them.
She felt Louis's hand slide lower, until he was gripping her bare ass under the shirt. She knew she should object, but something was stopping her.
The corporal cleared his throat. "Good grief. You've made your point."
But they didn't stop. Isabel felt like they almost couldn't stop.
Louis's cool tongue flicked against hers, and the kiss grew even more passionate. He squeezed her ass hard, pulling her ever closer, until he was virtually dry humping her.
It was totally wrong, and Isabel couldn't stop it for the world.
At last, they moved apart.
"I trust our obvious physical intimacy is satisfactory for your purposes, Corporal," came Louis' calm tones. He was still gazing into Isabel's eyes.
"That was a quite unnecessary display. I meant you should produce documentation to support your union." He cleared his throat again. "You'll still need to go through the administrative procedures. Fill in the relevant forms by tonight."
The door slammed behind the red-faced corporal, and they were alone again.
He grinned at her, his gray eyes flashing. "You're quick on your feet, tiger."
"I didn't want you to be locked up."
He wound a lock of her blonde hair around his fingers. "Oh, I could've escaped pretty easily. It was good of you to try to help, though."
"Yeah. But by killing them. That's what I wanted to avoid."
He laughed. "No. I wouldn't have had to kill anybody. I have my ways."
"What? You're telling me I lied to the military for nothing?"
With one swift movement, he lifted her in his arms. She wrapped her legs around him automatically.
"I think you enjoyed it." He turned her around and pushed her hard against the wall next to the door.
"Do you?" She could hardly think straight, with his hips between her thighs like that. Her thigh muscles squeezed him hard.
"Yes. I think so." He bent his head and traced her collarbone with light kisses. "I think you liked the idea that we are bound together somehow."
She tipped her head back. Words were too complicated. "Mm?"
"And maybe you even liked the idea of an audience. Is that right?" He thrust the hard swelling of his pants against her bare pussy.
Goddamn it. She was so wet for him already.
No messing around. No foreplay. No light touches and teasing.
She needed him. Now. Inside her.
And if
he didn't make it fast, she might just melt into a puddle at his feet.
His fingers squeezed her ass, and she squirmed.
"Now," she breathed. "Now."
He swung her around and dropped her onto the bed. She yelped in surprise.
"What the fuck?"
Why wasn't he thrusting inside her right this second? Why weren't they naked? Why why why?
She looked up at him and saw his fangs glinting down at her.
Shit. His fangs were out?
Alarm seized her. "Louis? Would you bite me if we...?"
He ran his tongue over the edge of one. "I don't know. I can't risk it."
"But you do want me, don't you?"
He looked incandescent with lust.
With astounding speed, he leaped on her and pushed her back on the bed. "I want you as much as you want me." She whimpered as he grabbed her hands and pinned them down over her head. "And Isabel, I swear I have never wanted anyone more."
She felt warmth rushing through her core. "Then have me. Right here. Right now."
"You know I can't."
"You won't bite me. You wouldn't."
"I can't be sure." His eyes were lidded and lustful as they traveled over her body.
The shirt was bunched up, leaving her bare from the waist down. She shivered as his lips hit her belly button. They felt like cool silk.
"You're so beautiful."
She bit her lip as she watched him, just inches from her yearning pussy. "Then what are you going to do about it?"
Both his hands left hers and moved to her knees. With one firm push, he parted her legs as far as they would go.
Feeling his cool breath against her exposed flesh made her even wetter.
As he kissed her inner thigh, Isabel wriggled. He held her knees firmly so she couldn't move to cover herself.
With tiny kisses, he worked his way all around her, never touching the one place where she needed him most.
She pushed her hips up to meet him. More. She needed more.
He had her locked down. She was helpless.
If he didn't touch her soon, she didn't know what she would do. Explode, probably.
"Tell me how much you ache for me," he growled. His tongue darted once against her slick flesh, and she cried out.
"I do. Oh God, yes."
Without warning, he licked her right down the middle in one strong stroke. She gasped.
"Tell me. Tell me how much you want me right now, ma belle Isabel."
"Oh, God." His tongue was on her again, firm and cool against her burning core. It felt like heaven. "Yes, oh yes. Louis. I need you. I want you so bad. Please." Words began to elude her.
"You want to come. You need me to make you come." He sucked on her hard bud and she squealed again. "You want me to stop talking and eat you right up."
"Yes."
"Tell me how much you want that."
"Oh yes. Yes. I need you to. Do it. Please." She bit her lip. "No more talking. Make me come."
His tongue speared inside her and she instinctively pushed down to receive him. It was so cold against the slick walls of her hot pussy. It was the strangest, most incredible feeling.
"You're so fucking beautiful, Isabel."
"Oh fuck, Louis…"
She was so close now. But he was teasing her. Every time she felt like she was about to go over the edge, he pulled away for a second to speak to her.
"Don't stop," she whispered. "Don't talk."
He stopped again. "Oh, I'll stop whenever I like. You'll wait until I say it's time."
She felt his fingers press inside her pussy and ass simultaneously, while his tongue set back to work on her clit. It felt so incredible. Her body was on fire, and his tongue and fingers were like cool water, drenching her and filling her up.
She bucked and gyrated as he lapped at her. She knew she was being noisy, but she couldn't help herself.
He pulled away suddenly again, withdrawing his fingers. "Tell me once more how much you need to come."
"Please. Please." She thrust her hips up and met nothing but air.
He was so near. But not near enough.
Where had he gone? She had to have him back right now. Nothing else mattered but feeling his tongue on her again.
"Say it. Tell me how much you need to come."
She bit her hand, tortured by how close she was. "I need to come, Louis."
He flicked his tongue just once across her aching clit. "Not loud enough."
"Louis. Please." Her voice was urgent. "Make me come. Please."
His lips skated against her wetness so lightly, she couldn't stand it.
"You taste so good, Isabel. You should see how hard I am right now."
The thought that his cock was desperate for her too ... it was just too much.
"Louis. Please, oh God please. Make me come. I need you. I need this. Now." She jiggled around beneath him, half sitting up so she could watch what he was doing to her.
His handsome face looked even better between her thighs.
Winding one hand into his soft dark hair, she tried to push him back toward her. "For fuck's sake, Louis, now. Please."
At last, his lips were back on her. Strong fingers pushed inside her, harder and rougher than before. The flash of pain was over in a second, leaving behind pure, unrivaled pleasure.
She shoved back against him as he delved deeper inside her, lashing her throbbing bud with his tongue as he did so.
Holding on to a clump of his hair for dear life, she felt her climax approaching. The intensity of feeling was already at fever pitch.
Within seconds, she felt the burst of heat radiating out from inside her
"Louis ... oh my God, yes... YES."
She came loudly and violently, like it was the first time, or the only time. A shower of hot pleasure flooded every nerve fiber in her body.
It was a miracle she didn't shift, because she was sure out of control of her emotions.
He held one of her legs tightly as she thrashed beneath him.
Yes.
Yes.
Oh God, YES.
He never let go of her for a moment.
When the shaking stopped at last, she released his hair and collapsed back onto the bed, panting.
He sat on the edge of the bed, smoothing her own tangled hair as she caught her breath. His fangs were long gone.
So good. So fucking good.
And still not enough.
She reached for the fastening of his pants. He gently moved her hand away.
"It's still too close to the full moon. It wouldn't be safe."
"But..." She looked longingly at the thick bulge pressed against the dark fabric. "Can't I even touch you?"
He stared down at her, his breath ragged. "No."
"No?"
She could hardly believe she was being denied access to his cock. Right then, it was all she wanted in the world.
"You are so beautiful, Isabel. And you have no idea how much I want to ravish every inch of that exquisite body."
Isabel felt a pulse of warmth stir inside her. Yeah, she was good to go again.
"Let me just touch you. Just for a minute."
"I'm a killer. A monster. Remember?"
"You won't hurt me."
"I can't take that chance."
Isabel squirmed as her own wetness began to slip onto her inner thigh.
"I thought you said the shifter side of me would resist you?"
He gazed at her bare skin hungrily. "Not now. Now I know you want me. You'd let me in, in every way. And I could lose control."
"But I'm strong. You said that yourself. I'd stop you before you lost control."
His eyes locked with hers. "No, you wouldn't."
She felt a jolt in her chest.
Fuck. He was right.
If he filled her up with his hard cock, she'd let him do just about anything.
Even bite her?
She couldn't rule it out. She burned for him so badly, it was li
ke she was possessed.
He stroked her face and smoothed the borrowed shirt down over her hips.
"So why aren't I scared of you?" she said.
He smiled sadly. "It is I that should be scared of you. You have great power over me."
"Huh? Because I'm a tiger? You just said I wasn't strong enough to stop you biting me."
"No. I don't mean like that."
"Then how? What power do I have over you?"
Storm clouds seemed to pass across his face.
"I'm falling for you, Isabel. Falling hard and fast, with no way back. God help me."
She swallowed. Her heart hammered against her ribs.
Is that what she was feeling too?
Did this feel like the stupid insta-love that shifter parents told their kids to watch out for?
Is there any chance in hell that her fated mate could be a vampire?
Holy shit. She was in uncharted water right now.
He took her face in both his hands.
"When I'm with you, I feel something I haven't felt in centuries. Hope."
Reveal
Twenty minutes later, they hurried across to the medical tent. Isabel was now even later for her shift. This was the first time that had ever happened in her entire career.
Since when did she prioritize getting laid over saving lives? She was ashamed of herself.
It was lucky the medical tent was just minutes away toward the main camp entrance.
Louis held Isabel's hand firmly as they walked.
"Think we can keep this fake engagement going?" she said, looking around. She couldn't tell if anyone was watching or not.
"Of course." He squeezed her hand. "And we need to get our story straight too. We know nothing about each other so far. That will trip us up, if we let it."
"True."
"Although I do know what you look like when you come. If anyone asks."
Isabel flushed. "Unlikely." She stole a glance at him. "Okay, what do I look like?"
"A goddess."
"Good answer."
Before long, they reached the supplies building where they met. Isabel reflected on the fact that it felt like a lot more than twenty-four hours since they'd first laid eyes on one another.
How batshit crazy all this was.
"Here we are again, then. Back to our romantic meeting spot."
"Yeah. Back to the scene of the crime." Isabel lowered her voice to a whisper. "We're going to need to make up a new life story for you too, huh?"