Big Game (The V V Inn, Book 3)

by C. J. Ellisson

  Rafe slows his pumping and then gradually slips his hand down my thigh, allowing my sensitized flesh a minor respite. He smiles at me, his grin both self-satisfied and hot as hell. “Come on, baby, you must know what I like better…”

  What? He wants a coherent answer while I’m still experiencing the glorious aftereffects of my latest orgasm? My eyes drift lower in hazy contentment. Good God, he’s a great lover.

  Strong hands slip under me, one at my ass and one at my back, shifting me further up on the bed so Rafe can join me on the mattress. He gently tilts me onto my side and grabs a pillow, placing it near my knees. He slides my top leg up, cocking it at the knee to rest on the pillow, while climbing over me to straddle my bottom thigh.

  His heavy cock nudges my wet slit, seeking entrance. “I like fucking your pussy with my cock the best…” A low chuckle sounds in his throat when he looks down at my lazy, soft expression. “But I need to wake you up a bit and get you back in the game, my dear.”

  A loud resounding clap echoes through the room as my husband smacks the flat of his hand across my ass. The jolt of his flesh on mine sends a thrill of adrenaline through my blood and my eyes fly open in surprise. “Hey! I was comfy… enjoying some expert lovin’ from my husband. Can’t fault a girl for that.”

  “Of course not, and if I wanted an unresisting body that’d be fine.” The large head of his cock dips into me, slowly retreating and advancing to coat his length with my multiple releases. “But I don’t. I want you wild and crazy for me, Dria. Just me.” One hand presses my top thigh further up, opening my legs more to his hungry gaze. “Your pussy is so pretty… dark pink and full… practically begging to have my cock buried inside.”

  His slow press and withdrawal have served their purpose of getting me aroused again. Within minutes I’m wiggling as best I can from this position, trying to squirm his cock in deeper. “Put it in, Rafe. Stop your damn teasing.”

  His hips slide closer, driving his girth half way. Rafe’s hand snaps back and the sharp crack of flesh on flesh resounds through the room again. The stinging burn of the smack melts away in a soothing circular rub from the guilty hand. “Settle down there, Dria. No sassing me.” His grin is pure evil as a moistened thumb circles the tight rosebud of my ass. “I’ll be the one who says when the teasing is over.”

  The short strokes of his dick drive me crazy and I circle my hips again, encouraging him to play with the tight pucker. I know ass play will push him over the edge and have him forcing that meaty cock into me, in no time. His thumb edges inside, spiraling needles of pleasure join with the push and pull sensation of his prick inside me.

  Little by little, he eases in back and forth until his length is completely coated with my juices. The entry of his glide is slick, and he pushes deeper on each thrust, matching his thumb in my ass on every plunge. Unable to contain myself, I slide a hand down my stomach to find the swollen folds of flesh pressed against the pillow. The previous attention from my lover has ensured my body is ready for more. The blood-engorged outer lips are open, eager for my touch. The hard bud doesn’t need direct stimulation, so I scissor two fingers to the right and left, stroking back and forth through my own wetness.

  Grunts and moans from Rafe pepper the air as he works my tiny pucker, picking up the rhythm of his battering hips. My fingers rub a frantic tempo as I race to catch up to my husband’s growing pleasure. His twisted facial expression looks almost painful, but his intense feelings aren’t reflective of agony… not by a long shot.

  He tosses his head back and lets out a strangled cry, “Christ! You feel so good.” Rafe draws his thumb from my ass and lowers both hands to the mattress, on either side of my waist. With added leverage, he pummels me with thrusts, driving in his cock deeper and with more urgency. “That’s it, baby. Rub that little clit. Bring yourself off with me.”

  Sweat from his brow drips onto me. The scent of our lovemaking fills the air, forcing out any lingering aromas from the Seat of Darkness. His claiming of me tonight holds a stronger meaning. He wants to remind me of why we’re together, but he needn’t worry.

  I didn’t choose him for what his body does to mine, but for what his heart makes me feel. As he pushes into me, calling my name, I am reminded the he and I are truly one. My third release ripples over me, eclipsing the previous two with its intensity and length. Stars blind my eyes, my fingers working back and forth in my slick folds. The inner shield I hold so tightly about me cracks, and for a brief moment, my love and power are equal in the brightness they exude, cascading into the room like an electric burst, raising the hair on my lover’s arms.

  Tiny shudders wrack my body while I spiral down from the pinnacle. I gather in my power and lock it tight, unconcerned with the slip. I’m sure I won’t be the only old vampire on the premises tonight getting it so good their control slips.

  Rafe places a light kiss on my shoulder and brushes his stubbled chin back and forth in a soft gesture, tingling my skin with the rasp of the short hairs. “Whew,” he whispers, “that was a big one.”

  I stretch lazily as he slides behind me, pulling my ass to snuggle against his hips. In a moment his cock stirs and begins to harden again. “Ready for number four?”

  I circle my hips, content to lie here for a bit. “What do you have in mind?”

  My lover places small kisses up and down my neck, similar to how we started the session. “Did you pack that little bag of anal plugs? I’m thinking it’s time to work this tight ass of yours and give it a good stroking tonight.” He bites down on my neck, pulling my vampiric lust to the surface with the hint of pain.

  “You want to work in that thick prick?” The heady thought fills me once again with desire.

  Rafe rolls my shoulder back and leans over me. “I want to love you all night… any way you’ll let me.”

  A soft smile curls my mouth as I reach up and touch his cheek with one hand. “Feeling high from my blood, aren’t you?”

  His bright blue eyes take on a manic gleam, like he didn’t just fill me with his seed two minutes ago. “Oh yes, that’s part of it.”

  I laugh, full and deep. The sound bubbles up and erases every care I have in the world. God, how I love this man and needed this connection tonight. I reach to pull him toward me in a kiss, but he has other ideas.

  Rafe grabs both my wrists and pins them over my head. “I told you earlier—before we stop for the night I’m going to have you screaming my name.” He lowers his lips to mine, slipping his tongue inside to taunt and entice. He uses just enough pressure in his kiss to show me he’s got plenty of energy to keep going for hours. I can hardly wait.

  The hot bath water has longed since cooled, so I decide to rise and take a short nap next to Rafe. There’s nothing quite like a soothing soak in a bubble bath with a good book when you’re too keyed up to sleep. Sure, the hours of carnal pleasure dulled the edge, but when my husband drifted off, the anxiety I first felt upon arriving returned. What is that trickle of unease I feel whenever I’m at rest?

  I grab a fluffy white towel and begin to dry myself.

  Could the apprehension be a trick of the mind from dodging the vicious Coraline and her lackeys all evening or is it something more? My blood starts to boil, when I think of the incident at the craps table. The audacity of the woman to think I’d wager with my husband. If we weren’t surrounded by hundreds of vampires I might have been tempted to challenge the bitch, once and for all, and put an end to her jealous meddling.

  I could take her in a fair fight. But who says the conniving wench would fight fair? I smirk at the vision of blowing up her head. Then again, who said I’d fight fair, either? Although, yes, I could explode her brain without exerting too much energy, but to do so would be stupid and point a big ole arrow right at the person who hates her the most—me.

  Could Lucas be working with her? And what about Jonah, the lover to the second pedophilic Ancient I killed over four centuries ago? Then there was the suave Asian guy showing too much interest at t
he craps table. Come to think of it, I haven’t seen my old lover Daniel for years, could he be here for different purpose, too?

  I sigh while hanging the towel. There really are too many people here who could suspect my unique traits.

  My fellow ex-enforcers think I hunted alone on the difficult cases out of my own arrogance. Reality was I trusted my secrets with no one. I’ve never met another manipulator and have often wondered—are they in hiding or do none exist? After slipping on a pair of shortie cotton pajamas, I go through my skin care routine and prepare for sleep.

  Due to the recent blood I had from Jon before we left Alaska and my topping off from Rafe an hour ago, I’m not exactly tired. But it certainly won’t hurt to lie down and turn my mind off for a little while, too. I rinse and dry my hands then turn to wander back into the adjoining suite. A rush of anxiety hits me, freezing me in my tracks.

  What the hell? I felt this when I left the limo earlier tonight, but it’s stronger now. I’m not the anxious type, but all of a sudden my vision tunnels and my head feels light. Holy shit! Is that a spell?

  Before I have a chance to reason through the panic, a whoosh of air blows my hair forward. A hood shoves over my head, a cinch tightening it closed around my neck. Strong hands grab and pin my wrists behind my back. I jerk my arms forward while slamming my head back, hoping to bash my attacker. The harsh bite of silver stops my arms and the lash of my skull fails to land on a target.

  Not to be easily taken down, I lash out with a leg, connecting with someone’s midsection. An expulsion of air follows the blow and then something heavy crashes against my skull, pitching me to the cold tile.

  “Bitch is quick. I’ll give her that.” The male voice sounds familiar, but muffled by the ringing in my head from the blow. Before I have a chance to launch myself in the direction it came from, a booted foot lands in my midsection, knocking me back to the floor.

  A scuffle sounds in the next room, and for the first time in decades, my heart squeezes with real panic. How many attackers are there? Do they have Rafe subdued already?

  I reach out with my mind to find I’m blocked. Well and truly blocked—the kind resulting from silver on my head. Whoever is here knows exactly what I am and what I’m capable of.

  I try to slow my ragged breathing as I pick myself up from the floor, movements hindered by the silver bindings around my wrists.

  “What do you want?” I ask in an even tone, keeping the rage out as best I can.

  Cora’s voice comes from the next room, where the smash of a lamp against the wall indicates the struggle with Rafe still thrives. “Come now, my dear. Surely you couldn’t have thought you fooled us all?”

  Hands grasp the hood on the side of my face as another set of hands latch onto my upper arms from behind. The hood is adjusted and Coraline’s angry features appear through two eye slits in the silver-lined cloth covering. “There, that’s better.” She grins—her full hatred of me no longer hidden by the sheen of civility. “Wouldn’t want you to miss the best part.”

  I’m dragged into the suite and my head is twisted to face the bed I shared with my spouse earlier. Three vampires struggle to restrain Rafe, only one I recognize—Lucas. He holds a huge knife to my husband’s throat, a gleeful look on the bastard’s face.

  The vampire on Rafe’s left looks like he lost one too many boxing matches before he was turned, his nose appears flattened and his features look rough and muted. The one on his right has stringy black hair and an almost pasty-golden hue to his skin, bespeaking of a distant Asian relative. I’ve never seen either one before, but they’ll be dead the second I see them again.

  Cora’s voice grates in my ear. “You will tell us what we want to know about the other manipulators, Alexandria,” she says in a singsong manner. “Or he’ll be the first in a long line of deaths we lay at your feet.”

  Frantic to get to Rafe, I struggle against the vampire holding me. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

  Lucas draws the blade slowly across Rafe’s flesh. A thin line of crimson runs down my lover’s neck. “Try again, bitch,” the vampire says, “or I’ll cut your toy right through to the bone.”

  Rafe stares at me, our eyes lock through the slitted hood. “If you kill him, I’ll tell you nothing,” I say.

  Held as a hostage doesn’t sit well with Rafe, and he shakes his head once. I stand straighter, testing the hands holding me to see if I can break the grip when needed.

  Once again, a blow to the head knocks me to my knees. Whatever they’re hitting me with, it sure as hell hurts. Stars cloud my vision as I watch Rafe struggling with his captors again, desperation on his face when he sees what they hit me with. I try to look back over my shoulder, but the slits don’t allow much of a view.

  Coraline’s heavy breathing punctuates the air, and I catch a glimpse of a thick wooden shaft with a fist-sized studded metal ball on the end. Bitch looks like she’d gladly bash my head in if I move. She raises her arm again, preparing to bring the mace crashing down.

  Rafe lurches against the vampires restraining him, pulling an arm free. They scuffle for a moment and it looks like Rafe may overpower the one on his right. A low guttural growl of anger spills from my husband as he clenches the throat of the vampire. In a flash, the second man punches my husband across the jaw.

  It takes all three of them to subdue him again and the tension in the room runs sky high. A bellow of frustration comes from Cora and she screams, spittle flying from her mouth in her rage. “He’s not worth the trouble. Finish him!”

  I whip around to see Lucas’ arm slice across Rafe’s neck, a fountain of blood shooting into the air. “Nooo….” rips from my throat as I lunge to my feet and barrel across the room with every ounce of strength I possess.

  The heavy mace knocks me in the shoulder. A sickening crunch of bones precedes an acute shooting pain radiating out from my left side. The force of the blow propels me to the rug, where I struggle to rise. As I gain my feet, the two vampires holding my husband toss him to the wood floor where a large pool of red starts to spreads around him.

  The blackness I keep so tightly leashed rages to the surface—the animal instinct to kill sprints to the forefront of my mind. I flex my arms and pull with all my might. The bonds weaken and my wrists move a few inches apart. I will get out, and I will rip them apart with my bare hands. There’s still time to save Rafe if I can close his wound and give him more of my blood.

  “Hit her again!” screams the same muffled male voice from the bathroom. “She’s stretching the silver!”

  I reach my husband’s side as the mace connects with my skull, a resounding crack echoes through the room. Pain explodes through my head and wetness runs down my face inside the hood. I fall to the floor next to Rafe, watching the room fade to black. No! I scream in my mind, battling to retain consciousness. As the darkness encroaches, I lose control of my limbs.

  The final words from Lucas seem to come from miles away. “Take his body and throw it out back with the rest of the trash.”

  Chapter Eighteen

  Jonathan

  My eyes spring open in the darkened living room. The time on the tiny DVD player near the television reads not quite six a.m. Hmmm… after staying up late into the night talking to Candy, I can’t imagine why I’d jolt awake after the drama of yesterday’s shootings. God, what a mess we’ve got on our hands.

  Despite the horrors we have waiting for us my mind feels curiously light. Something seems off… no, wait… different might be a better term for it. Like a burden I wasn’t aware of has been lifted.

  I lie still for a moment, getting my bearings and try not to disturb the young woman sleeping next to me on the couch. My eyes close and I sink into the cushion, reviewing what I did yesterday and what could make my mind feel like this. Concentrating on my connection with Vivian I realize it’s not there—that’s what seems off. She’s not there for the first time in over seven years. Is it the physical distance between us or has she deliberatel
y muted it more to give me space? She promised to not cut me off, so maybe it’s the distance.

  Should I call her with one of the charged satellite phones? We spoke yesterday, and it’s not like we said we’d talk every day. I get the feeling she’s pulling away for my own good, but I don’t like it. I run a hand over my face, determined not to obsess over the ancient vampire—especially after discovering who Spike really is. Vivian has told me enough times that she and Rafe can handle everything without me, so I might as well take the hint.

  The simple joy of last night’s one kiss floods through me. I wanted the moment to go on and on almost as much as I wanted to press my advantage and try for more, but the timing was off. It would have been shitty to make a move on her when she’d earlier witnessed her packmate jerking me off.

  Last night, here in the dark, I opened to the shifter like I haven’t with anyone in years. I told her about how I came to be Vivian’s servant and she shared her tumultuous late teen years living on her own, which lead to masquerading as a man to stay safe.

  We’ve both been through the ringer and talking to her felt like one of those moments with someone when you first connect and realize you have a lot in common. It was kind of freeing, actually.

  I glance over at the stunning young woman. A lock of soft hair is brushed behind an ear while she sleeps on the pillow next to my hip. Her delicate heart-shaped face and cute button nose look even more sensual when she sleeps. Damn, I’ve got it bad.

  Long after midnight, she stretched out on the sofa cushions and I stayed propped up on the connecting chaise. I’d wanted to scoot over and hold her in my arms but didn’t because the raw feelings and desires scared me. That and the whole “grows a dick” thing still had me feeling a little off my game.