The female demon’s brows furrowed. “What do you mean it died?”
“Her body couldn’t take anymore. Her heart stopped, and I couldn’t bring her back this time.”
Anger twisted the features of Jara’s face, her red eyes pierced Lane’s as she spoke between clenched teeth. “Tell me you discovered why they live so long.”
“I cannot.” Lane put both hands up in surrender. “This fortress is inadequate. I need electricity, not torches and candles to run my experiments. I need proper lab equipment, the kind that runs on current. And I need a proper place to work, Jara. Working here is like trying to be a rocket scientist in the dark ages. I might have been able to keep her alive, if I had had the proper equipment.”
Jara paced the room. Her brother had barely authorized taking the vampire. He would never condone taking another one. “What am I to tell Varrick?”
“Tell him I need another subject and an appropriate place to work. A male this time.”
“A male?” Jara asked, turning to face the scientist.
“A male will last longer,” explained Lane. “It will also give me a chance to see if male vampires respond the same way physically as the female.”
“And you believe a male subject and electricity will make a difference?”
“I have no doubt with the proper equipment and a proper subject for my experiment, I’ll be able to discover the reason for the vampire immunity.”
Jara clasped her hands behind her back and blew out an exasperated breath. If she approached the subject carefully, perhaps she might manipulate Varrick into approving a male subject. Lane had a point about needing electricity, after all, and she knew just the building that would meet his need.
A smile graced her face taking the furrow from her light brows. “I might know of a place that would work. My father had a compound made. It is in the middle of nowhere. There is an industrial generator to power the building. It would be private and allow you to conduct your experiments without interruption.”
A hopeful look took Lane’s effeminate face.
“I’ll go see Varrick. You stay low. I don’t think you’ll want to run into him for a while. He won’t be happy that we need to get a second bloodsucker.”
****
The sound of knuckles rasping on his chamber door drew Varrick’s attention. The shadow on his jaw caught at the stray wisps of Elizabeth’s golden hair when he turned his head toward the sound. His arms slid from around her exhausted body, and he rolled out of the bed. After tucking the sheets around her sleeping form, he wrapped a robe about his body. Cinching the belt, he opened the door to their room and discovered his sister awaited on the other side.
“Can I speak with you, brother?”
“Of course.”
He slipped out into the hallway, closing the door behind him so as not to disturb his sleeping mate.
Jara backed away, giving him room.
“The vampire is dead,” Jara bluntly announced.
Varrick’s eyes narrowed. “What do you mean the vampire is dead? I thought Lane was keeping her alive until he discovered what causes vampiric immunity. Can I assume that since she is dead, he discovered the key to immortality?”
Jara lowered her eyes to the floor and shook her head, sending her wavy locks swaying from side to side.
“I’m afraid Lane didn’t discern the secret to their immortality. He needs another subject and better working conditions.”
Varrick scrubbed a tired hand over his jaw, the sound of rough beard scraped under his fingers. “I do not like that the vampire lost her life, and yet we do not have the answers we seek.”
Jara had the good sense to look somewhat contrite. “I know, brother, but what is the life of one vampire in our noble quest? Given the right working conditions, I’m sure Lane will be able to discover how we can achieve immortality.
“I suggest you allow him to use father’s compound up north. It will afford the needed privacy and has the electricity needed for Lane to do his experiments properly. I can go there with him to supervise his experiments, make sure he does not fail again.”
Varrick noted the hopeful look in his sister’s eyes. “I can see you are more than willing to supervise Lane.” Varrick’s nostrils flared as he breathed in deeply.
Red flooded Jara’s cheeks, matching the color of her eyes. “I will admit, the idea of going with Lane to the compound is not entirely repulsive.”
Varrick crossed his arms against his chest. Jara had been a pain as of late, always interrupting him with his mate. Her jealousy was palpable. It would not be a bad thing to have her some distance away while he continued to work on his relationship with Elizabeth.
“Very well. Take what you need to get Lane set up in the compound. I trust you can find a way to secure another vampire?”
“Leave everything to me. You needn’t do a thing. Lane and I will take care of everything.”
“Very well. When will you leave?”
“Soon. Lane has some things to clean up in the lab first.”
“And getting another vampire?” Varrick prompted.
“I’ve got a lead on that as well. It shouldn’t take long to acquire one.”
“Jara,” Varrick said in a low warning tone, crossing his arms over his thick chest. “Make sure this is the last vampire you need. I will not permit a third to be taken.”
Chapter 36
“Are you positive you do not want Alex to come back and help you?” Nicholai’s voice came from deep in his chest cavity, sonorously.
“Yes. I am positive there will be no threat. I just want one last look around to be absolutely sure we did not miss anything.”
“Stephan is very thorough. If he felt comfortable going home, then I am sure there is nothing out there to find.”
“Exactly my point. There is no reason for anyone to come searching with me. I can handle myself.”
Nicholai chuckled. “I know you can, cousin. Thank you for the update.”
“Anytime. How is everything there? Has there been any more trouble?”
“No more accidents, if that is what you mean. But I checked my other vehicles and found some of the lug nuts loosened. I’m afraid Alex was correct. It would appear someone sabotaged my cars. I believe someone may be targeting me.”
“Any idea who would do such a thing or why?”
“I have no idea.”
“How are things with your heartmate?”
“Going well. She is upstairs as we speak baking cookies.”
“How very domestic of her,” Demetri said, the smile evident in his voice.
Nicholai took a deep inhale, taking the scent of chocolate walnut meringue cookies into his lungs. “They smell delicious.”
“I’m sure they will taste as good as they smell. Perhaps I should come over and try some.”
“Sorry, cousin, but they are all for me, an early Christmas present she called them.”
“How very selfish of you. I thought I taught you and Natasha how to share and respect your elders,” Demetri quipped.
“There are some things we males do not share. Heartmates and cookies being two of them.” A wry grin played across Nicholai’s features. “If there is nothing else, I need to go.”
“To be sure. No doubt you can’t wait to sample your heartmate’s…cookies.”
“Goodbye, Demetri.”
“Keep vigilant, cousin. Safe travels.”
Nicholai promptly hung up the phone and took the stairs three at a time, bounding into the kitchen.
Chapter 37
The next day, Julie stared out the beveled panes of the window, watching the snow fall. She dug her fingers into her neck and pressed at the tension there.
Nicholai silently padded up behind her. His strong fingers brushed her hand aside and went to work on the knot. “Allow me.”
“That feels so good.” Juliette rested her forehead on the cool glass.
Quickly conquering the knot, he encircled her waist with both arms and d
rew her back against him. Juliette rested her head against his muscular chest and gave a contented sigh. She wrapped her own arms around his as they watched the snowflakes twirl in the wind.
“It is beautiful, yes? The way the flakes dance?” Nicholai rested his chin on top of Julie’s head.
“Yes. I’ve always loved the snow. It’s so pristine and pure.”
“Like you. Pure, beautiful.”
Juliette gave an inelegant snort. “I’m hardly either of those things.”
“Do not say that. To me you are the most beautiful woman in all the world.”
Nicholai sensed the subtle shift in her body. She suddenly stiffened as if defensive. He gently pushed into her mind, discerning the reason for the change.
Juliette’s chest tightened. She wanted desperately to believe him, but she was afraid to, afraid to allow herself to care, to give him her heart. Afraid to admit her love to either him or herself.
“You are perfect to me. I can never believe otherwise, because you are my heartmate, lastochka.”
Juliette appeared confused. “You mean soul mate?”
She believed his translation was incorrect. How cute.
“No, I mean heartmate. A heartmate is much more than a soul mate, so much more. You are the other half of me, you complete me. You are the light to my darkness. You are my reason for living. I have spent my life looking for you, waited an eternity to find you. And now that I have you, I cannot live without you.”
Julie turned in his arms. “I have never heard the term heartmate. Is it Russian?”
Nicholai considered telling her what he was and how his people believed in the concept of heartmates, but decided now was not the time to confess. Julie had just recovered from her life-threatening injuries. Like a new bud of a rose, she appeared fragile and delicate. Soon he would inform her about the breed, but he wanted her to accept her love for him before he shared a revelation that might drive her away. He hoped their love would be strong enough to survive the disclosure.
“It is not exactly Russian,” he confessed.
“Then what?”
“I will tell you another time.”
“Please,” she begged, sticking out her bottom lip in a pout.
“You are too cute, you know that?” He gave the pouty lip a tug between his teeth.
Nicholai had everything he could want right there in that moment. His heartmate in his arms, snow falling softly outside the window, and a fire crackling in the background, warming the room. Whatever would come later, they had their moment right now. Right here.
“What did I ever do to deserve you?” Nicholai pulled her close, tucking her against his thick chest.
His hand cupped her chin and gently tilted her head up to face him. He looked deep into her soul as he spoke. “My love, if I live another thousand years, I will spend every day thanking the heavens for you. You are the most beautiful thing in my life. I wish you could see yourself through my eyes.”
He sent his emotions into her mind, projecting his love and acceptance into her thoughts. “You are truly stunning. I love every curve.” He brushed his hand along the side of her body as he spoke. It rested on her hip and his fingers caressed her as he continued, “I love your hips and your stomach.”
Nicholai slid his hand, splaying it out over her stomach. “I cannot wait until one day your beautiful stomach grows round with our child. As long as you will have me, I will spend every moment of our lives trying to make you happy. Trying to be worthy of your love.”
Juliette covered his hand with her own, giving it a squeeze. Her belief in him flooded his mind. She chose to accept his wanting, no needing, to be a part of something special this holiday.
She moved slightly. Rather than allowing her to leave his embrace, Nicholai shifted with her.
“Normally, the Christmas holidays aren’t something I celebrate. It’s painful trying to rejoice without the ones I love. But this year everything is different because I have you.”
Tears of happiness welled in her eyes, eyes that were alive with the blaze of the fire dancing in the irises.
“Come,” he requested, hoping to take the tears from her eyes.
Nicholai led Juliette by the hand through his home. They proceeded down the hall in companionable silence to the music room where he pushed the door open with a grand sweep of his arm to bid her entrance. The room looked beautiful with its tan walls and decorative molding painted white. The carpet, intricately patterned with reds and beige, crushed beneath their bare feet as they entered. Several chairs in various styles were scattered around the room, each padded with tan velvet fabric. In one corner, stood a baby grand piano with a large flower arrangement on the top.
And in the opposite corner, a huge Scotch pine stood majestically, its pristine branches twinkling with tiny white lights and colorful glass balls, the largest of which were almost the size of her head. The white lights sparkled off the vibrant ornaments, causing a beautiful twinkle effect.
Her emotion struck him. As he gazed down onto her round face, the soft lights of the tree reflected brightly in the depths of her honey eyes.
“Do you like it?” He gave her hand a squeeze.
“It’s gorgeous. When did you have time to do this?” she asked in awe, swallowing thickly. “You’ve been taking care of me for two days.”
Nicholai gave a nonchalant shrug. “It was nothing.”
“Don’t say that. This is amazing.” Julie cradled one of the large orbs on the tree in her hand.
“I am glad you approve. I realize it’s a day late. I hope you don’t mind.”
“It’s perfect. Oh, Nicholai!”
Julie turned and wrapped her arms around his neck in a tight hug. His arms snaked around her back, lifting her to her toes as he took her mouth in a soft kiss.
“It is not quite perfect, Juliette. Something is missing. It needs a star. Would you like to put the star on, lastochka?”
Nicholai released his mate and strolled behind the tree. He emerged with a stepladder in one hand and a burgundy star in the other. Outlined in gold glitter, it sparkled, reflecting the lights from the tree.
Setting the ladder in front of the tree, he handed Julie up the rungs. After assuring her foothold, he gave her the star to place on the tree.
Leaning forward against the ladder, Julie reached high and slipped the fragile star into place.
“Beautiful!” Nicholai’s warm hand traced its way up her calf, caressed the outside of her thigh. “And I am not talking about the tree.
“Be careful,” his whiskey voice called from below. “We don’t want you to get distracted and fall into my waiting arms.”
The sinuous hand found her inner thigh and rose slowly. His fingers slipped beneath her skirt and discovered silk panties. Her breath quickened. The digits slid beneath the soft material and over her most delicate folds. She didn’t suppress the moan that rose from her throat when he slipped a finger between to find her moist with need.
He needed to taste her honey on his tongue. Reaching up, he took her waist in both hands and helped her from the ladder. He found her lips as she descended and thrust his tongue between them. Without breaking their kiss, Nicholai swung Julie into his arms and carried her through the home to his bedchamber.
Nicholai kicked open the door and crossed the room with quick strides. He pulled away from their kiss and placed her gently on the bed. He contemplated her beauty, her lips swollen from his kiss, her cheeks flushed with desire for him. Never had he seen a more beautiful sight.
With sure fingers, he deftly undid the button on the waist of her skirt. After sliding the zipper down the side, he pulled the fabric over her legs. Next, he hooked her sweater with both hands and removed it from her delectable body.
Her hair pooled on the bed as she lay before him, clothed only in her bra and matching panties. Their deep red color reminded him of a Christmas present. One he wanted to open and play with evermore.
He knelt on the floor before her, taking t
he panties down her thighs as he lowered to his knees. Julie shuddered in anticipation when the cool air touched her heated core. She closed her eyes awaiting what would come.
Nicholai stood and removed his clothes. As they pooled on the floor, he leaned over her, blanketing her mostly naked body with his. Flesh against flesh, Julie’s temperature rose. Her breath quickened when she opened her eyes and found him staring down lovingly into her face. She ran her hand along his cheek and temple to capture the shaggy bangs over his forehead. Taking the bangs away from his eyes, her hand continued its way over the top of his head and fisted in his hair.
She lifted her head and captured his lips in a searing kiss. Her fingers slid through his strands as she clasped his neck, holding his lips to hers.
When he made his way down her body to her delectable breasts, his thick, raven bangs tickled her. He tucked the satin material of the bra under one globe and took the creamy flesh in hand. He kneaded the large mound while he exposed the other one with his free hand. Both nipples puckered against the cool air.
His lips kissed the valley between her breasts and trailed over to attend to the other mound. His tongue circled her nipple, the sensation arching her back. A low rumble of approval vibrated against her sensitive flesh. Next his quick fingers snapped the clasp of her bra, and the material pulled sensuously across her breasts as Nicholai bared her satin skin to his appreciative gaze.
Nicholai’s mouth scorched a trail of kisses down her stomach, his mouth hot and demanding. She relaxed under his attention. Her heart fluttered like a hummingbird’s wings. Nicholai groaned, the sound boiling up from the deepest regions of his body.
He cupped Julie’s rounded bottom in both hands, then pulled her to the edge of the bed. He knelt before her, brought both legs over his shoulders. His tongue found her velvet folds and licked a long path to her most sensitive nub. Nicholai’s teeth scraped the spot, alternating with his tongue. Each pass made her body clench. His heartmate arched in pleasure.
He sucked the tiny nub into the heat of his mouth. The pressure sent her over the precipice. Her fingers fisted in the covers when her climax took her. She flung her head from side to side, as if attempting to relieve the pressure building once more, while Nicholai’s mouth moved lower.
Alpha Lover Page 24