Dying to Love Her

by Dana Lorraine

  Jennifer parted from Ian and ran her fingers over her lips but stayed by his side. “Melanie, I’d like you to meet my other husband, Ian Morgan.”

  “It’s a pleasure to meet you.” She scooted off the stool and before she even had her hand raised to shake his, he wrapped her in a hug.

  “Gotta tell you, I never thought I’d see Rook mated in my lifetime.” Ian stepped back. His huge smile accentuated his square jaw. “You’re costing me a few hefty bets if you agree to be his lifemate but don’t let that stop you. It’ll be the happiest I’ve ever been parting with money.”

  Jennifer swatted at his arm. “Ian, stop talking right now.”

  “No, it’s okay,” Melanie giggled. Rook knew his way around a woman for sure. She didn’t doubt he’d been a very prolific bachelor. Lucky for her she could reap the benefits. “Ian, Jennifer told me how much work you put into the kitchen and it shows. It’s beautiful.”

  “I can’t take all the credit. Marc did start the fire. He’s really the one who got the ball rolling.”

  “A fire? Was anybody hurt?”

  “No, most of the damage was contained to the stove, hood and cabinets above it.” Ian leaned against the counter of the island. His expression tightened in mock seriousness. “Let me warn you now—if Alec is anything like his brother, keep him out if the kitchen.”

  “Oh, by the way.” Jennifer grabbed the bottle of champagne. “Ian sweetie, can you open this for me?”

  “What, the bottle we polished off last night wasn’t enough for you?” he smirked.

  “It’s for the mimosas. Now just open it please and then be on your way. I want to talk to Melanie for a few more minutes and then I’ll serve brunch.”

  Ian ripped the foil, popped the cork with an expert touch and poured some into the glasses already filled with juice. He handed one to his wife, one to her and then filled an empty flute for himself. As he walked out of the kitchen, he raised his champagne. “Something tells me we’re going to have a reason to toast later.”

  Melanie tapped her glass against Jennifer’s and took a sip of the bubbly drink. “You have two wonderful husbands. I think it’s safe to say you have no regrets.”

  “They are that but there is one thing—although it would never make me want to change the best decision I made years ago.” Jennifer rested her glass on the countertop and sighed. “I would have liked to have grandchildren.”

  “You have three sons. Why wouldn’t you have grandkids?”

  “Vampires are sow-their-oats kinds of creatures. Many of them don’t look for their lifemate until they’ve lived for decades past a human’s age span. I’m healthy, but I don’t think I have another hundred years in me to see my boys settle down.”

  “Oh, I see.”

  Jennifer looked up from under her long lashes. She nervously fidgeted with one of the two sliver cuff bracelets hugging her wrists. “This might be presumptuous of me, but if you do become Alec and Rook’s lifemate I thought maybe I could be like a grandma to your little dumplings if you three did decide to have kids.”

  Tears welled in her eyes. Jennifer, a perfectly coiffed version of her mother and sister all rolled into one, was that little something extra that made finding Alec and Rook that much sweeter. “I’d really like that.”

  “And the baby showers. I want to throw those too.”

  Melanie laughed while her stomach did its best impression of a tumbling routine. This is really happening. Her life would never be the same once she walked out of this kitchen and into Alec’s arms.

  Maybe she should run.

  Chapter Eight

  Alec abandoned his kitchen guard duty and fished his phone out of his pocket. Where the hell was he? He fired off another text. All his patience was reserved for Melanie. He didn’t have any left for Rook.

  Ian returned from the kitchen with a glass raised in his hand. “You and Rook are going to be very happy men. Should I offer my congratulations now?”

  He looked up, his brow tense, and shoved his phone back into his front pocket. “Thanks but I think it’s premature.”

  “You’ve met our wife Jennifer, haven’t you?” Marc wiped crumbs from his shirt,,destroying evidence of the contraband muffin Ian had snuck him. “By now she’s probably got Melanie picking out china patterns.”

  Jennifer was a force to be reckoned with but Melanie was no pushover. Alec didn’t see her being talked into anything unless she wanted to do it. “Just because you and Ian can’t say no to her persuasive ways doesn’t mean everybody else is powerless against your wife’s charms.”

  Ian took another swig from his glass and let out an appreciative sigh. “You’ve got that wrong. She might think she wears the pants in this family but that’s just because we like the way her ass looks in them. We can say no to Jennifer all day long—”

  “But why the hell would we want to?” Marc chimed in. “When Jenn’s happy, we’re all happy.”

  Alec braced his hands on his hips. Judging by the self-satisfied smirks on their faces, she’d been getting her way for years. He hoped to be sporting a similar grin soon.

  Three hard knocks on the front door pulled him out of the conversation and across the room. About damn time. “I’ll get that. I told Rook to meet us here.”

  Alec jerked open the door, huffing. “Any reason you couldn’t take a few seconds and text me back?”

  Rook smiled like Alec had just welcomed him with open arms. “You told me where to be and when.” He walked around him, shrugged off his overcoat and laid it across the banister. “I didn’t think you needed a reply.”

  Nothing riled Alec more than Rook’s cool composure. It was ironclad. He always ended up looking like a dick compared to him.

  “Aww, will you look at that,” Marc said teasingly. “It’s already like they’re an old married couple. How sweet.”

  “You two girls would know,” Rook shot back. He crossed the room, pushing up the sleeves of his crisply pressed oxford shirt, and shook first Marc’s then Ian’s hand.

  Alec shut the door and caught a glimpse of Melanie and Jennifer at the edge of the kitchen, arms affectionately linked as they entered the hall. The pounding in his chest hammered in his ears as loudly as Rook’s knocks on the door had a moment ago.

  He could watch her like this—when she didn’t know he was looking—all day long. He devoured her effortless beauty from head to toe with a greedy, lingering gaze.

  Melanie turned her head, laughing at something Jennifer said, and it brought her face into full view. What he saw rooted him to the floor. Her vibrant eyes, the bounce in her step, the heart-stopping way her smile bloomed when she finally caught him staring…Melanie looked like a woman with a glorious yes waiting to fall from her lips.

  “Where’s Melanie?” Rook asked.

  She tore her gaze from Alec’s and stepped out of the hallway. “Right here.”

  Rook spun around and whisked her into his embrace, kissing away her gasp of surprise.

  Alec went to her, moving faster when he heard his name escape the passionate kiss as a breathy sigh. She extended her hand from Rook’s hold and reached for him. He turned her palm upward, ignored the throb of his unreleased fangs and kissed the soft flesh of her hand. Desperate, he tasted his way up her wrist and forearm until Rook released her, stepping aside so Alec could take her mouth.

  The liquid slip of her tongue seeking his ignited the embers of his lust. Heat shot through him in a violent burst and he fisted his fingers in her shirt, wishing he could rip the fabric off her body. Wanting more than the moment could give, Alec pulled away to momentarily quell his need before it consumed him. Not here and not now but soon he wouldn’t have to stop.

  He, Rook and Melanie stood their catching their collective breath while their entertained audience seemed to be holding theirs. Ian cleared his throat and waved his glass. “I wish I hadn’t finished my champagne because that kiss deserves a toast.”

  “Or a round of applause,” Marc murmured.

 
“What, no shouts for an encore?” Rook tucked Melanie under his arm and kissed her on the top of her head. “I’d be happy to oblige.”

  “Me too.” Alec slipped his arm around the other side of her only to be pushed away by a teary-eyed Jennifer eager to give Melanie a hug.

  “That’s a resounding yes if I’ve ever seen one. Call me if you need help later this week, Melanie. Dealing with transitioning vampires is not the kind of honeymoon women dream of.” Jennifer relinquished her hold on Melanie, rolled her eyes and smirked. “Men are such big babies. It’s enough to make you wish they’d turn back.”

  “Really?” Melanie turned and glowered at them. Her skin still ablaze from their kisses, she arched her eyebrow and he knew they were in for it. “Were you two going to mention my nursing duties to me?”

  An image of Melanie leaning over with her breasts spilling out of a naughty nursing uniform had him wanting to milk his change back to human for all it was worth. He shrugged his shoulders and grabbed her hand. “It’s a week or two tops. And the transition is different for every vampire.”

  Rook cocked his chin. “I’m sure Marc and Ian were a handful but Alec and I—we’re badasses.”

  “You’ve got the asses part right,” Ian snickered.

  Marc scoffed. “Just wait until your aches and pains have aches and pains of their own. The only thing that got me through was Jennifer’s homemade chicken soup and her special sponge baths.”

  Alec let go of her hand, ran his fingers through her hair and cradled her soft cheek in his palm. “Don’t worry.” The corners of his mouth burned as he held back a smile. “Canned soup is fine but the sponge baths—they’re non-negotiable.”

  “Watch it.” She settled her hands on her hips and challenged him with a fiery look. “Or Rook will be the only one getting them.”

  “Keep saying stupid stuff, Alec. I like the way this is playing out,” Rook chuckled.

  He couldn’t get enough of this spirited side of Melanie. Like a newly smitten schoolboy he gave in to the urge to tease. “You don’t mean that. I know you can’t resist me.”

  Melanie swallowed down hard. Her eyes were as bright as the crystal chandelier that hung above them. “Is that so?” She patted Rook on the chest. “And here I thought Rook for obvious reasons was the cockier of you two.” She lowered her eyes to Alec’s crotch. “I stand corrected.”

  Alec could practically taste his desire to bend her over the entryway table, rip her pants down around her ankles and playfully spank her until she begged to give him a sponge bath. If it weren’t for the roomful of family he’d have given in.

  “What, no comeback?” Melanie taunted him, a satisfied grin on her face. The stubborn set of her shoulders and the jut of her hip excited him. His tight-fitting jockey shorts were keeping his dick from pitching a tent in his jeans.

  “Oh it’s coming, I promise.” Alec slid his finger under her chin and tipped her face up. “I just didn’t think you’d want to end up naked on the floor in front of your future family.”

  She dragged in a shaky breath. “How thoughtful of you.”

  “Don’t get us confused, I’m the thoughtful one.” Rook dragged Melanie against him and stole a quick kiss.

  Alec had wanted that kiss for himself. He licked his lips, preparing to take one the minute she was in kissing distance again.

  “It would take a lot more than you three naked on the floor to surprise us.” Jennifer waved her hand dismissively. “We’ve hosted newly bonded lifemates in our home before.”

  Marc groaned and bumped his shoulder against Jennifer’s. “Remember Vincent, Edmund and Alexi when they first brought over Eliza?”

  She shook her head and cradled her forehead in her hand. “How could I forget?”

  “I really liked that couch,” Ian said with regret. “I wish you hadn’t made us replace it.”

  Melanie scrunched up her nose. “I don’t think I want to know.”

  Her comment garnered more than one chuckle, including one from him. With all eyes on her, Melanie crossed her arms and shrugged her shoulders. “Do you think we could have a few moments alone? I’d like to talk to Alec and Rook and I promise there’ll be no need to remodel the foyer when we’re done.”

  Alec looked over at Rook, who was sporting a grin that suggested they were thinking the same thing. She had an awful lot of faith in them to make such promises. Hadn’t she felt the same explosion of desire as they had? Sparks surely had flown.

  “Sure, we’ll be in the kitchen putting out brunch.” Jennifer was chipper. Her eyes shone as bright as her smile. “You’ve got ten minutes and then I’m checking on you. I’m fond of that Persian rug you’re standing on and I’d hate to have to get rid of it.” Jennifer grabbed Marc’s hand and with Ian following behind, they didn’t waste a minute getting out of there.

  “Are you getting us alone so you can finally have your way with us?” Rook teased and ran his fingers along her arm.

  Melanie shrugged his hand away and huffed out an exasperated breath. “You two have to stop touching me and you definitely have to stop kissing me,” she scolded. “I don’t want Jennifer to be reminding me someday of how she came in here and found us swinging from the chandelier.”

  “Are you crazy?” Rook blustered, pointing up. “How would we get up there?”

  She groaned and rolled her eyes at him. “You know that’s a saying, right?”

  “And you know that if the only way we could make love to you today was to get you up there on that chandelier,” Rook countered, licking his lips and edging closer to her, “Alec would be running to get a ladder as we speak.”

  “Hell no. If it comes to that, you’re getting the ladder, not me.”

  “Forget the ladder, forget the chandelier. I’m being serious.” She whipped around.

  He followed the sway of her hips as she put some distance between them. She didn’t even have to try to be seductive. Her body was just built that way.

  “Tempt me enough right now and I might do anything you suggest.” She turned and shoved her hands through her hair. “I think that’s a problem.”

  Alec’s gut tensed low. He had suggestions in droves. All of them involved Melanie losing her clothes.

  “I think your definition of a problem is considerably different from ours.” Rook’s grin waned in direct proportion to Melanie’s bristling stare. Thankfully for him, her eyes actually couldn’t inflict physical damage. Otherwise he’d be hurting.

  Rook clamped his hand over his mouth, dragged it down his chin. “I’m an idiot, I know. You don’t have to tell me.”

  “Does that mean I can’t tell you?” Alec’s smug smile got Rook’s glare in return.

  He went to Melanie. “I know you said no touching, but can I hold your hand?”

  Melanie invitingly nipped at her bottom lip. “Okay.”

  Alec took her fist in his hand and coaxed her fingers out from her palm. Back and forth he rubbed his thumb across the ridges of her knuckles. There would not be one part of her body he didn’t have memorized soon.

  “I should be embarrassed carrying on in front of your family like this…but I’m not, at least as not as much as I should be,” she admitted.

  “They understand.” Alec tried to soothe her with his voice. “They’ll also understand if we slip out that front door.”

  “Do you think they’ll mind? I don’t want to be rude.”

  “I think Marc and Ian will be more than happy to have Jennifer all to themselves again. And I promise as soon as we get into that elevator I’ll text our apologies.” Alec needed to be doing something with his hands, otherwise they’d be all over her.

  “The three of us do need to talk. Make sure you explain that in the text.”

  “Should I leave out Rook’s and my plans to feast on your lush curves?”

  Alec hadn’t thought his harmless tease was all that bad but Melanie’s expression went flat and then her eyes widened.

  She pulled her hand away. “I just realized. T
his will be the last time either of you takes my blood. Right?”

  Still vampire for one more day, he couldn’t wait to gorge himself on a sweet, thick mouthful of her satisfying blood. He fixed his eyes on her delicate neck. Suddenly his throat closed. Alec imagined Melanie locked between him and Rook as their fangs pierced her flesh one last time.

  Fuck, it was going to be amazing.

  Marc had assured him the desire for her blood would cease the minute the transition began. He licked his lips, finding that hard to believe.

  With his typical swagger in full force, Rook walked toward them. “You’re going to miss those instantaneous orgasms, aren’t you? I promise Alec and I will do our best to replicate them.”

  “You don’t get it.” Melanie pointed aggressively at herself. “No more miracle weight loss for me. I’m going to be stuck like this, all lumpy and bumpy.”

  “If you don’t realize by now that we are fond of all those lumps and bumps, we haven’t been doing something right.” Alec looked her up and down, giving in to his baser instincts. If she couldn’t see how his body responded to hers she was blind. Maybe if she felt what she did to him she’d understand better?

  Alec closed in on her until his feet flanked hers. He grabbed her irresistible ass and pulled her flush against him, trapping his growing erection between them. Melanie’s hands were perfectly placed on his chest to push away, but instead, she pressed her hips forward. He clenched his teeth, biting back the urge to thrust and curse. “You’re perfect just the way you are.”

  “I agree. She’s perfect.” Rook stepped beside him and took Melanie’s hand, guiding her into his arms. “I know this isn’t just about weight for you. You want to be healthier. You’re going to have to do it the old-fashioned way, though. Lots of heavy sweating will be involved. Fortunately, Alec and I excel at sweat-inducing activities.”

  “Which of course will require long, steamy showers afterwards?” Alec added.

  Melanie’s posture relaxed and she burrowed in closer to Rook, looking at Alec as she spoke. “You’re not saying that I’m perfect because you’re both stuck with me on account of my blood?”