Remy stood frozen in place as he looked at his would-be bride. She was the most beautiful creature he’d seen in over 400 years and he realized in that moment that he loved her more than he ever thought possible. Though he loved his wife with all he had at the time, what he felt for Sabine was stronger. It pained him to look at her, knowing he had to give her up. He regained his composure and tore his gaze away from her.
Bastian put up a hand as if he were telling Remy to stay where he was. Bastian turned to Sabine and spoke. “It is time. Are you ready to begin?”
She took a shallow breath and exhaled. “As ready as I’m ever gonna be.”
His voice grew louder and echoed through the ballroom. “Welcome my brothers and sisters.” Voices hushed and everyone focused on Bastian. “You have all been invited here this evening to witness the union of my progeny to his human companion. Most of you in attendance know by now that I have an arrangement with the inhabitants of Willow Creek. Sabine has been sent to us to fulfill this arrangement. Remy, please come forward.”
Remy stepped forward, taking long strides to meet Bastian and Sabine. His back was perfectly straight, and he seemed somehow taller than normal. As he stood at the bottom of the steps in front of them, he bowed. “My Lord.”
“Remy. Step up, and take Sabine’s hand.” Remy moved to stand beside her, and turned her to face him. He took both of her hands in his, kissing her right hand before lowering them. “Sabine, do you promise to obey Remy no matter what his intention may be so long as he protects you and provides for you?”
She hesitated for just a moment, knowing she had to say yes but worried about making such a harsh vow. “Yes.”
“From the moment of this union, let it be known that no vampire shall ever try to claim Sabine Crowley. No vampire may ever lift a finger to harm Sabine. She belongs wholly to Remington Bludworth. Anyone violating this union will be put to death. It is time, my child. Feed from your mate.”
Remy looked deep into Sabine’s eyes. She saw a hint of something. Sorrow? Fear? She couldn’t quite put her finger on it. He leaned in to kiss her. She expected to feel the euphoria take over her mind and body, but it wasn’t there. His lips explored hers fervently as if it were the last time he’d ever kiss her. After only a few seconds, he pulled away, turning to Bastian.
“I will not feed from her.” He walked several paces away from Sabine as a collective gasp came from the audience.
“What is this?” A hint of anger flashed on Bastian’s face.
“I will not feed on her. I love her, and I wish for her to be free and not tied to me or this fucking town.”
“I suggest you take a moment to collect yourself and rethink this decision.”
“I will not. It is forbidden for you to use your power to force me to do this, and I refuse. Since there are no other free vampires living amongst us in our home, you will be forced to let her go.”
“Need I remind you that I make the rules here? And even if I choose not to force you, there are numerous vampires here who would step in to take your place. Look around you. Do you see the faces that desire her? Do you see those who hunger for her as we speak? You are foolish if you throw this one away. She will not be free.”
Remy stiffened, hands fisting at his sides. This was all happening too fast. The thought of another possessing her royally pissed him off, but he was so stubborn, he wasn’t yet ready to abandon his plan.
Bastian spoke again. “Now, the choice is yours. Feed on her or let her belong to another!”
Bastian’s voice commanded Remy to choose. His body stiffened, and he fought himself with every step he took toward her. He willed his legs to stop moving, but he had no control. His actions were ruled by his desire for her. Bastian had commanded him to make a choice, and his primal need for her made the decision for him.
He turned to her with hunger in his eyes. His fangs were fully extended and a low growl emanated from his throat. He moved closer to her as if he were stalking her. He was a hunter, and she was the prey.
This was not the Remy she knew and loved. Her Remy was hidden away behind the eyes of the beast. In a split second, she made a decision. She put her hands lightly on his chest. He stopped, though she could feel the urge he had to push them away. She spoke softly as she looked him deep in the eyes. Her words were meant only for him, and she didn’t care that almost every pair of ears in the ballroom could probably hear her. “Remy. Look at me. Listen to what I’m saying to you. I want to spend my life with you, and I can’t stand the thought of living one day without you. You’ve shown me the world, and I have no doubt you’ll show it to me again. I love you, Remy.” She brushed the few stray strands of hair away from her neck, and tilted her head to expose her throat to him.
His eyes burned even more with desire for her. His body relaxed as he leaned closer to her. The familiar warmth started to consume her, starting at the point where his teeth gently touched her flesh. The points of his teeth pierced her skin as waves of passion washed over her body. His fangs plunged deep into her neck as he drank her down. The blood was warm and sweet like honey against his tongue. He savored her taste. The flavor of love and its ambrosial lusciousness lingered. His skin warmed as her blood nourished him.
He pulled his fangs out and held her close. A bloody tear ran down his cheek and dripped onto her shoulder. He quickly healed her wounds.
Bastian spoke. “It is done.” He raised his hands into the air as the room erupted in applause. Remy scooped Sabine up and rushed her to their bedroom, laying her softly on the bed.
“Are you okay?”
She looked up at him in a daze. “Your last name is Bludworth. You’re a vampire and your name is Bludworth.” She laughed hysterically. “No wonder you never told me what it was.”
“Yes, Sabine. My name is Bludworth. You’re the first one in over four centuries to ever point that out. You are so clever. How did I ever manage to get along without your wit before now?”
She stopped laughing. “I love you.” Two tears formed and dripped from her eyes.
“And…I love you.” He bent down and gently kissed her lips. He pulled her upright and positioned himself behind her. He yanked and worked the ribbons lacing up her back until she was free. She took a deep breath, the first since she’d gotten into the garment. He raised her arms above her head and slid the corset up over her body. Taking her hands in his, he lowered them and kissed the back of her neck. His hands moved over her shoulders, down her back and around her ribs, finally settling on her bare breasts. He licked and sucked at the spot he’d bitten only a few minutes before.
“Do it again. Drink from me,” she whispered breathlessly.
“There’s another spot I’d rather taste. One I’ve been fantasizing about for the last year…”
“Go for it, then.” She angled her head to brush her cheek against him.
“Why rush? The payoff is far greater when you have to work for it.”
His thumbs teased her nipples, coaxing them to harden and stand erect. He grasped her left breast firmly while he tweaked the bud of the other. He turned her around and pulled her onto his lap. She hiked up her skirt as far as it would go before straddling him. His heart began to beat faster as his shaft swelled beneath her. Her hands caressed his chest. She gasped as she felt the drum of his heart.
“I thought your heart didn’t beat.”
“I lied, love.”
He kissed her breasts, and flicked his tongue hungrily at her nipples. She sucked in air through her teeth.
His fingers gripped her sides and gently rocked her against himself. He pushed her away from him to help her stand beside the bed. He turned her around and unzipped her skirt, slipping it down over her hips. He sat back and gazed at her perfect ass before reaching over and pushing her panties down to her feet. His fingers dug into her hips as he yanked her back to his lap. She kicked her shoes off and turned to wrap her arms around his neck. She placed her legs on either side of him and settled on top of his erection.
She grinded against him. The friction of their bodies rubbing together consumed her as she became slick with desire. She unbuttoned his coat, sliding it off his shoulders and arms. Her hands searched his chest and down to his waist before finding the bottom of the shirt. She pushed it up over his head, tossing it to the floor. Her fingers slipped just inside of the waistband of his breeches as she lifted herself off him. He raised his hips so she could pull them off. His cock stood erect and exposed as the material slid down his body.
Her hand enveloped him, sliding up and down the length of his manhood. He kissed her again. His tongue explored her mouth, licking at her lips. He gripped her back as he rolled them over. He settled himself between her legs as his fingers explored her body. He trailed kisses down her belly and over to her thigh. Pushing her thighs far apart, he found the artery running up the length of her leg he had so longed to drink from. The thump of her heart beat filled his ears. He reached out with his power and caressed her mind, preparing her for the bite. His fangs extended and his mouth watered thinking about how she would taste. His teeth sunk into her warm flesh. She cried out as his touch enraptured her. He pulled his teeth free and swallowed the last bit of blood in his mouth before healing the two tiny puncture wounds.
Her scent made him ache with desire to taste the soft flesh of her sex. His finger circled and swirled around her throbbing nub. He parted her and licked gently. His tongue worked her enthusiastically as he applied more pressure. One finger slipped inside and eased in and out. Darts of pleasure jolted her body at the touch of his tongue and fingers. She exploded against his mouth in orgasmic bliss.
“Please. I need you inside me, Remy. Please? I can’t take it anymore.” He moved up to look into her eyes.
“Maybe I should make you wait a bit. Wouldn’t that be fun?”
“I’ve waited long enough.” She nipped at his chin.
He positioned the head of his cock at her dewy entrance. He slid himself slowly inside of her, watching her face as her body adjusted to him before pulling out again. He rocked his hips rhythmically, slowly at first, gaining speed with time. He bent down and kissed her breast, tongue flicking at her nipple.
Her legs hugged his hips as he pounded into her. She frantically grabbed at the flesh on his back, urging him closer. His lips grazed her throat as he blew cool air onto her skin. He took one of her hands and kissed her palm before pinning it against the pillow. The love she felt for him invaded his body and pierced his heart. He had no doubt that they were meant for one another. In that moment, they were of one flesh and body. Their minds opened to one another as love washed over them. He made love to her and fucked her at once. She’d never been fucked so good in her life, or felt the emotions he emitted for her in that moment.
He continued to pump his cock into her, reaching down to stroke her so she would come again. After she moaned loudly over her climax, the palm of his hand slammed into the head board and cracked it as he tried to restrain himself from devouring every last drop of blood in her body.
He ran his tongue along her neck as his teeth elongated once again. He sucked gently at her skin before plunging his fangs into her once more. She was so high on him that he didn’t need to use any power to keep her from feeling pain. He drank her sweet blood as he thrust harder and faster. He found his release while his fangs lingered in her flesh.
Sweat beaded on her forehead as she cried out in pleasure, but he wasn’t done. No, he had to make her come again. He would never be satisfied that he’d made her come enough times. His hand felt for the mound of pleasure, and he went to work stroking her until she came hard and fast one more time.
She screamed his name as her back arched. She breathed heavily, breasts heaving. He collapsed beside her and pulled her onto his chest and into his arms. He’d given his heart wholly to her, and he would never let her go.
Epilogue
“Are we ever leaving this bed or this bedroom? We haven’t been on the other side of that door or out of our little sanctuary here for over a week.”
“No.” He kissed her passionately. “Do you have something better to do, wife?”
“No, husband.” Her arms wrapped around his neck and pulled him closer.
He kissed her nose and looked down at her. “Are you hungry?”
“A little. You?” She smiled up at him and cocked her head to the side, exposing her neck.
“I’m always hungry for you, love. If you’re offering, I’m biting, but we need to get you some food first so you don’t lose your strength. You haven’t eaten since yesterday. Shall I ring the kitchen and have something brought to you, or do you want to leave our quarters?”
“Just call down. Nothing fancy, though. Maybe a BLT or something easy like that.”
He smirked at her as he sat up and reached for his phone. “I never would have thought you’d be so eager to stay cooped up here with me in this place; after all that whining you did.”
She tossed a pillow at his head. “Quiet, you. If I seem to recall, you weren’t exactly thrilled about it all either, so shut your trap.”
Remy sat the phone down and turned to playfully tackle Sabine when a shiver as cold as ice ran down his spine. “Bugger! Bastian has called me. I should’ve known he’d interrupt our fun sooner or later. Call down and get something to eat. I’ll be back shortly.”
He was at Bastian’s side momentarily. “Are you enjoying your honeymoon, my boy?”
“Yes, of course. I’d like to get back to it, actually. Why did you summon me?”
“I had not seen you in a week, though I have heard you more than I cared to. By the sounds of it, I thought maybe you had killed the poor girl at one point with all the whimpering and moaning from her and the growling from you.”
“She lives, I assure you.”
“Excellent. I am glad this has been a successful pairing and that you made the right choice. Now, I have some things I will need your assistance with. I hear there is a large pack not far from here, maybe 20 miles or so. I need you to come with me to scout out the situation. I must find out if they mean us harm, or are just passing by.”
“Bastian, I beg you, please take someone else. You know you are going to kill them. You always do. So why pretend you might leave them be? I’m in the mood for love right now, not death.”
“Do not forget your role here. I am happy you have found love in your blood mate, but your personal relationship with her does not supersede your duties to me. The fact remains, she is here merely for sustenance no matter what you feel for her. Now, get dressed and return to me quickly.”
Remy nodded and returned to Sabine. “I must go, love. Apparently it’s imperative I accompany Bastian to slaughter a group outside of town that may or may not be a threat.”
“How long will you be gone?”
“Not long. Go ahead and enjoy your meal when it arrives. I should be back by the time you’re finished.”
“Question. Why kill them if they’re not a threat? I mean, I know they’re vampires, and death to them all,” she smirked at him as he narrowed his eyes at her, “but what’s the point?”
“I don’t believe it’s vampires this time, and honestly…I don’t know. I’ve never understood Bastian’s need to kill those who sniff around and I can’t fathom why anyone would be drawn to this place.”
“Not vampires? Then what?”
“Don’t worry about it, love. The less you know, the better.”
“You’re scaring me.”
“No need for that. I’m not worried, and you shouldn’t be either.” He slipped on a shirt and bent down to kiss her gently on the forehead.
“If you say so.”
“Just to be safe, stay here. I know you must be eager to visit your friends and family, and now would be a good time since we’re being forced out of bed, but please wait until I return.”
“I’ll wait. I do want to see them, but I’d be just as happy to spend the next month with you in bed.”
He arched an eyebrow and flashed he
r a sexy grin. “I must go now before Bastian has my head for defying him. We’ll have plenty of fun when I get back, but I think it’s time I look into the secrets of Willow Creek.” He walked swiftly toward the door and left Sabine hungering for him.
The End… for now.
About Stephanie Summers
Stephanie Summers is a wife and mother of two. She recently graduated from West Virginia University with a degree in accounting, though writing is her true passion. Stephanie seemed to always have a story or two or ten running around in her mind. At the ripe old age of 30, she finally decided it was time to put aside the thought that she didn’t have what it took to write a novel and began writing her first story.
Craving is the first installment in the Willow Creek Series. Her short story, Love Forgotten, was chosen to be published in Stardust: A Futuristic Romance Collection. Her contemporary rock star romance, Take Me On, is due out later this year. Haunting, the second installment in the Willow Creek Series is scheduled to be released July 29, 2014.
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Craving: The Willow Creek Vampires Series Page 18