by Dawn Gray
“Thank you, Robert,” Jean said graciously as the young man handed him a folded piece of parchment. Jean broke the wax seal and read over the contents quickly before looking up at Robert and nodding. “This is most intriguing.”
Robert bowed, turning and walking away without another word. Jean scanned the faces of his three companions.
“It seems we have a meeting to attend this evening.”
“I was hoping to go home and have dessert,” Jared said, rolling his eyes, which garnered a gentle jab of Lily’s elbow to his gut as Kylie laughed.
“It’s not until midnight,” Jean replied absentmindedly, as if he didn’t get Jared’s reference, or just didn’t care to comment. Both girls burst out laughing. “Either way, it shouldn’t matter whether the three of you come or not. Actually, I would prefer if you didn’t. Lily doesn’t need to be exposed to the sort of people involved.”
A hand slid over Lily’s leg, distracting her from the spot on her burger that she was staring at, and she glanced over at Jared’s silver eyes. She reached down, placed her hand on his, and squeezed tightly. They finished their meal with laughter and cheesecake and decided to take a walk along the street so the girls might have a chance to get t-shirts and beads for their children.
Lily looked back at Jared and Jean as she and Kylie stepped into The Jazz Funeral, while the boys guarded the door. He stood with his arms crossed, smiling and laughing with his oldest friend.
“What’s the matter, Lil?” Kylie questioned.
Lily groaned. “It comes down to that whole thing of I’m not sure I can leave him when it’s time to go home.”
“I know, hun, but you can’t just pack up and move down here. Especially when the whole thing of whether or not the moonrise will happen again threatens your life.” Kylie held up a shirt that had a little girl with devil horns on it and Lily smiled. “You never know what will happen, your relationship just started.”
“Kylie there is something that I haven’t told you yet.” This made Kylie stop in her search for the perfect beads for her son and look up at her longtime friend. “Jared and I are … well, I’m not sure what it would translate to in reality, but I guess you could say that we’re sort of engaged.”
Kylie dropped the handful of beads on the floor and looked over at her in shock, her brown eyes large with wonder as she stepped forward. Lily froze, wondering if the girl was going to slap her or just knock her to the floor, but Kylie wrapped her arms around Lily and hugged her tightly.
“I was hoping that you would have something great come out of this trip. I just hope he doesn’t break your heart,” she whispered in Lily’s ear.
Lily sighed and nodded. “So do I. I just want to make it through the next few nights so I can really concentrate on the future.”
The two of them paid for what they had gathered and moved back into the crowd, Jared and Jean right behind them, like bodyguards holding off the mob of fans.
“What are you going to tell your children, or your family?” Kylie questioned and Lily shrugged.
“I have no idea yet. The ‘engagement’ kind of struck me from behind. I never saw it coming, but once it happened it felt like everything in the world had connected. As if this was where I was supposed to be. With him,” Lily replied, glancing over her shoulder at the blue-eyed man, who tilted his hat and winked at her, smiling.
Jared watched as Lily turned back around and the two girls began whispering in the way that women do, and it made him smile.
“You look happy, my friend.” Jean laughed as he looked over at Jared.
“I want to go home with her,” Jared stated in a quiet voice, as if he was waiting for Jean’s disapproval. Luckily, the other man just slapped him on the back.
“Well, it’s about time.” He laughed watching the girls. “Did you tell her this?”
“Not yet, I want to wait until after the moonrise.”
“She has children, Jared, something you have never dealt with before. How will you adjust to a houseful of children right off the bat, especially when you aren’t sure that they will adjust to you?”
“I’ve thought about that, and I’ll just find a place to live close by her and we’ll let them slowly get used to me. I couldn’t be away from her for long, and the thought of her going back to Massachusetts without me frightens me beyond anything I have known.” He sighed and stuffed his hands into the pockets of his jeans. “Is it selfish of me to put this on her so quickly? Do you know what happened last night, before Damon took her away from me?”
“I can only imagine that the two of you have made a commitment to each other.” Jean smiled. “You can see the difference in her, and the fact that her scent has changed.”
“It has?” Jared questioned, stopping as they walked. “I’ve noticed nothing different about her.”
“That’s because she is your mate, her scent to you would only get stronger.” Jean laughed at him and shook his head. “Are you aware of the night, Jared? You must leave her tonight. You must not be around her at the changing. It could be deadly for you both.”
“I admit, I forgot what tonight was, since we’re so wrapped up in this bullshit with the moonrise, but I won’t put her in harms way.” He shook his head, looking after the girls as they walked. His eyes scanned Lily’s view from the back and he sighed. “I’m going to take her home. I want to make sure that she understands what I have to do tonight. I want to spend what time I do have in her arms.”
“Ah, the wild wolf is finally tamed.” Jean laughed as Jared punched him on the arm. “Come, Kylie and I will walk you home and then take our leave.”
“I want to stop some place first.” Jared smiled as he looked up at the fences of Jackson Square, then over across the street to the Café Du Monde. Jean laughed once more; his amusement with his friend’s smitten attitude seemed to be growing with each passing moment. “Ladies,” he hollered ahead, “we’re making a detour.”
Lily looked up at Jared as they walked side by side along the cobblestone walk from Decatur to Chartres. Her eyes were glistening with wonder at the small bag of beignets in his hand. He smiled down at her, trying to keep the devilish look out of his eyes.
“You’re bringing home dessert?” He casually shrugged, a smirk crossing his face. “If you really wanted them that bad, we could have eaten there.”
“No, we couldn’t.” He grinned and watched her cock her head at him, a questioning look in her eyes. “You’re so nosy, why don’t you just wait and see what happens.”
“I’m an inquisitive person, and I don’t like surprises,” she replied as they turned around the corner onto Chartres. Jared suddenly had her pinned against the wall, his body blocking hers from the view of the street, in a small, dimly lit alcove that they disappeared into. “What are you doing, Claverack?”
“Surprising you,” he whispered as his arms wrapped around her. He brought his lips down upon hers.
Lily stiffened at his first advance, taken back by the sudden attack of his mouth. As the kiss wore on, as the fire burned between them and the want pooled within her, she wrapped her arms around his neck and surrendered to his lead.
His tongue teased her lips, gently swirling against the softness of her skin until she opened up to him and took him within her. They slipped about, tasting one another to the fullest, letting the passion between them take over. Jared moved from her mouth to kiss along her cheek and down to her neck.
“I need you,” he moaned, his warm breath caressing her ear and his full arousal pressed against her. Lily laughed quietly against his dark head of hair as his lips seared a line of fire down her skin. She grasped a handful of the silky strands, pulling gently on him to make him look up, the desire glowing in his silver eyes.
“Then take me home and stop wasting time out here in a dark corner,” she ordered. He bared his teeth at her; the canine’s blunted ends were evident as he felt her dominance.
“I want to take
you right now, in this dark corner, and to hell with the rest of the world.” They stared, eyes locked on to one another, and she felt him rip at the buttons of her jeans. Lily shook her head as he slipped in between her panties, caressing the tiny essence, her legs shaking in response. “I want to be inside of you.”
“Not here, Jared,” she begged as his fingers slipped into her molten core, her wetness sliding over him. Lily struggled to keep her eyes open, locked on to his as he brought her to the edge of ecstasy.
She wouldn’t let him take over. This was a game of dominance and she was about to win. She placed her hands on his neck and pulled him close, her mouth taking over his with a fervor that stopped those roaming fingers deep within her. Jared lost his battle, closing his eyes against his will as she moved down to his neck, nipping gently but hard enough to cause little jolts of pain. His hand moved, sliding out from her warmth and with both strong hands, he gripped her hips, a quiet moan escaping his lips.
“Take me home,” she demanded and felt him nod, placing one of the hands on her hips against her bottom. He squeezed, feeling her press against the throbbing steel of his body.
He roared, grabbing her hand as he stepped away. Trying to ease the raging beast within him, he leaned down and kissed the back of her hand softly, while looking up at her with silver eyes. Jared licked his lips then ran the tip of his tongue over the sharp points of his teeth.
“I’m sorry,” he said, putting his forehead against hers.
“There isn’t a reason for an apology, Jared.” She smiled, moving him back out of the corner. He stepped down on the sidewalk and looked around, finding they were completely alone. “Come on, before your testosterone level gets way out of control.”
“Yeah, and when that happens you won’t be able to walk for a week,” he teased as he kissed her head. The two of them walked, side by side, in silence down Chartres towards the end that meet Esplanade Avenue. Jared unlocked the door to the courtyard and then helped her up the stairs. Just before he opened the door to the apartment, he held her silent, listening carefully to the sounds within. “They’re not here.”
“I don’t think we have to worry about them. Jean has Kylie well protected.” She touched his face lightly with her fingers, soothing the worry from his eyes.
Jared leaned down slowly and kissed her gently on the lips. Desire burned through her as he wrapped an arm tightly around her waist. With the other arm, he flung open the door and brought her into the darkness.
Their kisses grew more passionate with each touch, with each brush of skin, and Jared picked her up to sit her on top of the island in the middle of the kitchen. He looked up at her as he grabbed the end of her shirt and tugged it up over her head, smiling as she giggled softly. His fingers glided along the top of the lacy bra that held her so captive and then slowly reached behind and unsnapped it with practiced ease.
“I always thought these looked better on the floor anyway.” He grinned as he tossed it over his shoulder. Grasping her hips, he pulled her towards him.
His warm lips brushed over her skin gently, teasing her nipples into rampant peaks before he took them each into his mouth, suckling and nipping until he could hear the pleasure in her moans. He wrapped his arms around her waist and picked her up, moving her to the kitchen table where he cleared it with one swoop of his arm.
Lily held his hair as he moved her, never releasing her breasts from his branding mouth, she was suddenly sitting with bare skin against the hardwood of the kitchen table. With a glance down at Jared’s eyes, she could see the need to possess her in their silvery depths. She closed her eyes, letting her head fall back as he ran his skillful tongue down her stomach and into the hot velvet of her sex.
Lily breathed in deeply, feeling the waves of erotic pleasure sweep over her when suddenly he was up against her again; claiming her mouth with his and his tip was at her opening. Her eyes opened wide as he thrust into her casing, the friction growing with every touch.
Jared’s mouth parted, and his eyes opened wide to look into hers. His breathing grew heavy as he pumped against her, filling her with every inch of his intentions, and he could feel her tightening around him as she stared back. Her moans became screams of pleasure as her head fell back, wrapping her arms around his neck. Jared, who couldn’t fight the inner beast this close to the full moon, bared his fangs.
“I don’t want to hurt you,” he growled as he drove harder into her with every thrust.
“You won’t,” she told him; her voice hoarse, but full of life and seduction. She raised her head, looking at him with sexual eyes, and she smiled. “Do it, Jared, I want you to.”
“I can’t,” he answered, shaking his head as his canines bit into the skin of his mouth. “I won’t.”
“Please, Jared,” Lily pleaded softly, her eyes filling with want as another wave of rapture flowed through her body and she shook in his arms.
He could no longer deny himself what he wanted, and she had asked him to do what he needed to, but as he bent down and captured the delicate skin between his teeth, the thought of hurting her held him back. He suckled the skin instead of biting her. Even that was enough for Lily, whose body skyrocketed into a frenzy while waves of delight sent her shivering in his arms. Jared could no longer hold out and he cried out as he spilled his warmth inside her body.
With a deep breath, Jared stood up straight. Looking down at Lily, whose naked body lay sprawled on his kitchen table like a buffet waiting just for him, he languidly rubbed his hand gently over her flat stomach. He watched her with a smile as she rubbed her hands over her face and then rested them on her chest.
“I can’t feel my nose, it’s all tingly.” She giggled, which made Jared lean down and kiss her on it gently.
“Nope, still there.” He laughed and slowly slid out of her heat. Lily moaned as he did so, which made Jared sigh. “Woman, you are going to be the death of me. Any more noises like that and I swear neither of us is going to live to see tomorrow’s moonrise.”
“Can you help me off the table? Because I don’t think my legs are going to work. I also don’t want Jean and Ky coming in and seeing me like this.” She smiled as he leaned over and scooped her up, bringing her and the bag of beignets into the bedroom. Once there, he dropped them both on the bed before moving into the bathroom.
“Where are you going?” she teased.
“I stink, so I’m going to take a shower. Then I’m going to bring you in and you can take a shower so I can have my dessert,” he answered pointedly and smiled at her, before disappearing into the growing steam.
Lily curled up naked in the center of the bed as she listened to the sounds of the shower in the next room. Her eyes closed slowly and she gave into the sated feeling that being with Jared gave her. Her body had never felt more alive, yet it was also tired and in need of some good rest. Unfortunately, it seemed her dreams would let her have none of that.
Damon’s face filled her vision, as he lay trapped in the ground. She turned to look at him, both of their bodies covered up to their necks in dirt. Lily could feel the creatures that lived beneath the damp earth slithering around her. His eyes were blood red, his face taut from lack of blood, and his fangs protruded from his mouth as if his lips had drawn back from the gums.
What are you doing here? he questioned mentally, but Lily just shook her head.
I fell asleep, she replied and looked around. Why is it that they didn’t bury your head?
I really don’t care to know. The fact that I can still see what’s going on above me is a blessing for me, he replied honestly. They’re preparing to take you by force if necessary.
Let them come; I’m not going to leave Jared without a fight. Lily sighed. And what should I do with you, should I survive the night? Should I come find you?
I’ve lived to see much of things that I would wish not to know of, but I’m not sure I’m ready for the stake yet. Whatever you decide my fate to be is up to you. Damon smiled at he
r the best he could and shook his head. Your mate is near, I can feel him. He knows you are with me, that we communicate, do you think that angers him?
No, Jared and I are secure. His concern would be what happens to me if you should die. Lily shook her head and closed her eyes. I will get you out, Damon, one way or the other.
I don’t doubt your abilities in the least, my lady. But you must go now, for the others approach and your mate is getting anxious. Damon let her mind slip from him and the vision in the dirt seemed to fade from her subconscious. Slowly she faded into the darkness and opened her eyes.
Chapter Seven
“Are you okay, Lil?” Jared whispered as he lay down beside her on the bed. Lily nodded, as he reached out to push her hair behind her ear. “Was it Damon again?”
“How did you know?” she asked quietly. Jared smiled.
“You bring his scent back with you,” he replied and watched her smile fade. “I’m not angry about it, Lil. I wish you would understand that. I’m not jealous, I’m not mad, and I’m not going to go ballistic on you.”
“I know. I just dealt with that for a long time, so it’s hard to get used to someone who isn’t like that.” She tucked her arm under her head.
“Tell me about them,” Jared whispered. “Your children, are they as stubborn as you?”
Lily laughed. “Derek is. He’s the oldest, ten this year. He’s pig-headed, knows everything, and hates himself because he’s not a man yet. He doesn’t feel like he can be a kid, because he’s dead set on helping me with the other two. Sean is the middle one, he’s off the wall hyperactive, and I think it’s more because he wants attention than anything else. His dad kind of brushes him away or pulls him close, but he can’t figure out why it’s a back and forth thing. Dana, she’s the baby, is a four-year-old going on forty because she thinks she has to be so grown up.
“Sometimes it makes me think that I’m raising them wrong, but other times it makes me think that I’m doing all I can and it’s not what I’m doing that screwing them up. As much as I would like the help sometimes, I know I made the right choice leaving him. It wouldn’t have been good for the kids if we had stayed together. It just wasn’t working.” Lily glanced over at Jared and sighed. “Does that make sense?”