by Elliot Love
* * * *
"Oh my, Summer ... you are beautiful!" Dori gushed when they met at the airport. "The only pictures I saw of you were taken so long ago."
Summer stared at her sister with mixed emotion. Dori very much resembled their father, which felt eerily disturbing. Yet she sounded just like their mom. After picking up her luggage they made their way through the crowd to a waiting car. Dory climbed into the back seat with her.
"Summer, this is my husband, Nick." He reached back and shook her hand with a big smile. She looked straight into his large, hazel eyes. 45
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"Hello, Summer. Glad to meet you." What a sexy thing you are! I'd like to get you in the sack while you're in town. A chill trickled up her spine upon discovering she could read his thoughts. How can this be?
Pulling her hand away, she slunk back into the seat. Her own sister's husband already thinking improper thoughts. The fact she could read his mind was somewhat freaky. Instinctively her hand went to the sore spot on her neck. She hadn't dreamt of Savion again since the bite. Having heard of spirits appearing to people through all types of mediums, she didn't dismiss her second encounter with Savion. Something significant had happened. Even if she couldn't understand what, the revived hope in her soul since winning those auctions grew stronger each day. Moreover, his spirit had to have been extremely close yesterday, to literally bite her neck. If not for the mark on her skin, she'd have thought his second appearance had been through a dream as well. A peculiar sensation swept over her just thinking about their sensual encounter. Yes! Something odd is definitely going on in my soul.
"Would you like to come back to the house for something to eat?" Dori asked.
Clutching her carryon bag to her body, Summer politely shook her head. "No, thank you. I'd prefer going to my hotel and getting settled, if you don't mind." Nick looked at her in the rearview mirror and smiled. "No problem, doll. The hotel is only minutes from our home. Just call when you are ready to come over." 46
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Dori appeared slightly disappointed. Summer didn't care. What did she expect? They might be sisters in the physical sense. However, Dori had never been a part of her life. Summer wasn't overly receptive to a family reunion with people who'd looked the other way for so long.
"I am curious about one thing," Summer said as the car came to a stop. "Why did Mom keep in touch with you and not me?"
Dori stared back looking somewhat at a loss for words.
"Uh, she didn't want to interfere with your happy life. It seemed that she and Eric had some sort of arrangement. He agreed to support her financially if she stayed away. He didn't want our dysfunctional family to taint his reputation. He did it for you, Summer. Took you away from an ugly past and gave you a great life."
Eric was right about one thing. Mother was indeed weak. Summer bid them farewell then stepped out of the car. She didn't look back before walking into the hotel. Tonight would be the first viewing. Then tomorrow another viewing and a funeral. With Eric in New York until Wednesday she saw no reason to fly back right away. An extra two days in California sounded wonderful! She might never get this chance again. So upon reaching her hotel room the first thing she did was telephone the airline and reschedule her return flight for Wednesday morning.
A warm shower followed by a call down to room service, then Summer plopped into an overstuffed chair in front of a huge projection-screen television. Her seven-room suite lacked nothing, making her feel right at home. Only better—
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no Eric! Flopping back, she let her body sink into the leather with a relaxing sigh. A few minutes later a knock on the door pulled her from the cozy hug of the chair. She quickly smoothed her lacy black half-top over her blue jeans before answering the door.
"Fancy some breakfast, pet?" His silky voice set her blood racing.
"Savion!" She stared in disbelief. He looked amazing in his new outfit. A sleeveless black shirt hung nicely over his broad torso, with a front zipper starting midway down his sexy, tanned chest then coming to a halt just above the bulge in his black leather jeans. The long, curved shirttail dipped behind his hips to hang like a three-quarter-length jacket over the back of his lean thighs. She'd never seen anything like it, but then the very clothes she won had also been custom-designed as well. His charisma infiltrated everything he wore, right down to the black leather boots.
He stood in the doorway holding a tray of food. "May I come in?"
"Yes!" She could barely catch her breath. His alluring scent breezed over her as he walked past and into the suite. Closing the door, Summer followed him as he placed the tray on a coffee table beside a sofa near the window. "Please tell me what is going on. I'm going out of my mind." She took a seat on the edge of a cushion, with her body angled towards his as he sat facing her.
"I didn't mean to cause you upset. It has been a slight challenge coming to you ... but well worth the effort." His voice was soft. Calm. Inviting.
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"How did you find me here?"
He tilted his head with shimmering eyes while letting the back of his hand glide along the curve of her neck.
"I followed your sweet scent."
Delicious tingling trickled over her body. Never had she found a man so alluring.
"Was the first time a dream? I thought perhaps yesterday might have been a dream too. Because when I woke from a strange nap you were gone and I was still wearing your clothes."
He smiled adoringly. "You brought the clothes, didn't you?" Thinking it a strange question, she wrinkled her brow and nodded.
"Just curious, Summer. What made you bring them?"
"I-I never gave it a second thought. Ever since I've won them they are all I can think about. I didn't want to be too far away from my precious wins. I even kept them in my carryon bag." She patted the black leather backpack nestled in the corner of the couch.
"That's sweet." He paused to glance around the suite. "I don't sense another presence. Have you come alone? Will your husband be arriving?"
"No. Eric is on the other side of the country in New York. I came alone. Is that why you are here?"
"Yes."
"So the first two times I saw you, were they dreams?" She toyed nervously with the ends of her hair, burning for answers to this enigmatic man.
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"Our first meeting was via your dream. I cannot invade another man's aura to take a bound woman. Yet your spirit cried out so strongly to mine that I had to respond and find out why."
Summer looked down at her hands folded on her lap, afraid Savion would uncover her sordid past. His obvious clairvoyant nature would surely find her out. He will think I am weak. Tainted by my dark past.
"I was able to visit you yesterday because the man who laid claim to you was not there. And better still, you chose a room other than where he sleeps to try on my clothes. You were sending out strong signals yesterday." He reached over and took her hand in his. "Do you remember everything?" Her eyes met his. His appearance was breathtaking. She caught her breath to speak. "Yes. It was incredible."
"You received me, Summer ... of your own free will." Savion moved closer, sliding an arm around her waist. "Do you regret your decision?"
Everything inside silently screamed for his touch. The blood racing through her veins felt like fire. Entranced by his charisma, his staggering good looks and intoxicating scent, she began to tremble.
"No," she barely whispered. "I don't understand what's happening. But I don't want it to stop." He leaned forward, brushing his cheek against hers, then whispered in her ear. "Have you always been this brave?" Summer pulled back. Her eyes brimmed with tears. "No. Quite the opposite. I let a man
blackmail me for thirty years. That hardly classifies as bravery."
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"Why, Summer? What does he hold over you? Tell me."
"I see no reason to hide my past from you. Honestly, I'm sick of the lies and innuendos." She met his gaze without flinching, determined to be strong this time. "I killed a man, and Eric is the sole witness. I was only eighteen. Eric needed a wife to satisfy his social status. But he couldn't find a woman who wanted an impotent man."
Ah, that explains why she's a virgin. Savion relished the thought. He would like nothing better than to take this lovely woman away from such a pathetic example of a man. Men in his circle did not force women to be bound against their will.
"So in exchange for his silence ... you agreed to be his wife?"
"Sadly, yes. He said the police would not likely believe self-defense. To be sure that they didn't, he trashed the house to make it look like a robbery. Then he took the gun and locked it away with my prints still on it. He's much older than me and was born of a wealthy, powerful family. I was afraid."
Savion appeared mildly surprised but not deterred.
"However, it was self-defense, wasn't it? Your blood tasted pure ... very pure."
"I caught my father in bed with another woman and tried to get away. He was going to kill me, then my mother. I'll never forget his words of what he promised to do. He had been beating on us for years. I had no doubt he would carry out his evil plan." Her hands began to shake, but she continued. "With him blocking my way out I had no choice. 51
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The gun was in the drawer beside me so I used it. Eric was peeking in the window and saw everything."
"You aren't guilty, Summer. Your father and husband are the guilty ones." He placed his hands over hers and smiled reassuringly. "You're free now."
"But ... Eric has hidden the gun."
"Take me to it."
"Now?" She stared wide-eyed. "How?"
"Close your eyes, love. Focus on the weapon." He tightened his hold on her hands.
"Is this how you travel?"
"When I need to."
"So it wasn't just my sweet scent that helped you find me," she said with a teasing grin.
He buried his face in her hair, then took a deep breath.
"Mm, perhaps not entirely. But your sweet essence definitely made it easier." His voice was sensually soft. "Now close your eyes, my sweet."
Summer did as he requested. A bizarre sensation inundated her. She was flying again! Only not by plane. Savion had her in a secure embrace as they soared through vast darkness unlike anything she'd ever experienced. Before she had much time to think, they were standing in the hallway of her house.
"I feel odd," she murmured, then raced into the bathroom to be sick.
Savion held her hair and dabbed her forehead with a cool cloth. "Sorry about that, babe. You'll get used to the traveling as you get stronger."
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"Ohhh," she groaned, then pulled herself up to rinse her mouth with Listerine. "I'm so embarrassed. Thank you for holding my hair."
Brushing sweat-dampened strands from her face, he smiled sweetly. "No worries. I'll take care of you now." Soft lips brushed her forehead. "Do you have coffee beans in the house?"
"Yes, of course." She thought his request a bit odd. Nevertheless, she retrieved the coffee canister from the cupboard and handed it to him. She watched in complete fascination as he popped a bean into his mouth, then pulled her close. Fluttering sensations whipped through her as he sealed their lips for a hot kiss in which he slipped the bitter bean into her mouth with his tongue. Slowly he pulled back to look at her.
"Now chew up the bean. It will alleviate the travel sickness."
Summer did as he said. She loved coffee and had often eaten chocolate-covered beans, but never a plain one—and never like this! Crunching down a raw coffee bean was a small task compared to everything else she'd been doing.
"Feeling better?" he asked a few minutes later.
"Yes! That's amazing. You're a most intriguing man, Savion Gibson."
"We best seek out the gun. Invite me into the master bedroom. My powers are subdued in his domain unless the mistress accepts me there."
Summer took his hand and led him into her bedroom. "Is this better?"
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Strong arms pulled her against him. One glided up her back into the thick of her hair, gently pulling the tresses to one side. His breath on her neck sent shivers over her skin as he lowered his head.
"Receive me again, Summer. In this room ... give yourself to me."
His hard body pressed against her, making her quiver with excitement. An intense ache welled up deep inside—so strong that it brought tears to her eyes. Dear God, I want him so bad!
"Yes, Savion. I will receive you."
"Take off the ring," he whispered in a voice seductively commanding, yet laced with gentleness.
Without hesitation she pulled her wedding band off and tossed it on the bed behind them. Then her arms wound around his strong neck as they meshed against one another.
"Ah, bay-beh." He sighed against her skin. She gasped as his teeth bit down. Pain—then mind-blowing pleasure swept her away into a blissful haze. His hands moved over her in flowing, incredibly sensual caresses as soft lips passionately sucked her neck. Agonizing tightening welled up inside her core, climbing higher and higher until she cried out his name. Her body erupted into a forceful climax as if he'd actually made love to her, taking her completely by surprise.
Previous experiences had been mild as a result of foreplay. But never had she received this type of sexual gratification from Eric. If Savion can do this to me with just his bite ... oh the pleasure he must have to offer as a man!
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She gasped for breath in his arms as the wonderful spasms subsided. He lifted his head to gaze into her eyes. Their lips were within a whisper's breadth apart.
"You certainly did receive me." He gave her a sexy wink.
"If you don't kiss me now," she said breathlessly, "I may lose control and rip your clothes off." Her eyes darted to his naturally pouted lips as she licked her own.
"Mm, I like the sound of that." His mouth covered hers. Summer wrapped one leg around the back of his. Hands in his hair, she couldn't get close enough. Their lips pulled at each other's hungrily—frantically. Strong hands seemed to take in every inch of her body all at once. A flaming passion ignited between them. Desperation flooded their kiss. His tongue filled her mouth. Exploring—tasting—setting her on fire.
When he drew back slightly she saw the haze of desire shimmering in those vivid blue eyes. Will he take me right here? She sensed his hesitation.
"Summer..." His voice was low and thick with passion. "I would like nothing more than to make love to you this very moment. However, I cannot take you here. Please ... let's take care of the weapon and leave this place." Sucking in a few deep breaths to regain her self-control, she nodded in agreement. "Okay."
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Six
Back at the hotel, they sat on the sofa quietly gazing out the bay window at a beautiful late afternoon sky. Savion's power astounded her. She pondered the wild trip back home and the moment of blazing passion they shared. Most amazing was how he had been able to decipher the code to unlock the safe and destroy the evidence that'd held her prisoner for so long. Had she not witnessed it with her own eyes she'd never believe how he crushed the gun with his bare hands. When he'd finished, the .357 Magnum with her prints on it had been transformed into bits of scrap metal which they flushed
down the toilet.
His superhuman strength should've frightened her. Yet she had never felt safer with anyone in all her life—and she barely knew him. For decades he had been a far-away fantasy, and she'd had only a glimpse into his world through magazine articles or interviews for the media. All in all, Savion Gibson was an even bigger enigma now. Summer thought she had been in love with a mortal rock star. Today she realized the charisma surrounding this awesome man went much, much deeper than she initially believed.
Savion draped an arm across her shoulders. "Are you afraid?"
"No." She looked up at him. "Should I be?" He shrugged and gave her an easy smile. "Not really. Most women wouldn't plunge headlong into what you just did. You 56
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haven't yet questioned my motives for biting your neck and following you around."
She let out a little laugh. He's right!
"Everything has happened so fast. Only Wednesday night I won your clothes, and for the past three days my whole life has been crazy. I haven't had time to catch my breath, let alone ask why you bit me." She paused with wrinkled brows.
"And now I am really blown away. Did we really go back to my house? I'm not dreaming all this ... am I?"
"No, love. This is very real now. You have given yourself to me in his most private dwelling. According to immortal law you are no longer married."
"Immortal law? Is that what you are? What about your band? Do they know?"
"Oh yeah." He snuggled her into the curve of his arm. "We are all immortal. The band is our cover now."
"Gives a new twist to 'cover-band.'" She bit her lip to halt a giggle.
"Ah ... you do have a lighter side." He laughed in that easy way of his. Everything about him felt so wonderfully laidback.
"So are you going to tell me how you and your band have become immortal?" The question seemed odd even as the words left her mouth. Immortal? What next? Will he tell me he's some kind of vampire? Maybe this neck-biting thing is part of a modern-day ritual. But I can't deny what I saw. What I felt. There is something mystical about him to be able to do the things he does. What new world have I plunged into?