Forever Black (Nightwalkers 2)

by H. N. Sieverding

  His voice grew louder, the words slipping off his tongue quickly. “Then, what really pissed me off is that the fucker went and told my dad that you were cheating on me with Aiden and said he shouldn’t let his son marry a well-known whore like Victoria Allure. He called you a fucking whore, babe. A whore. I couldn’t let him get by with that. The little fucker just asked me to kill him.”

  “Why didn’t you just tell me that when I asked?"

  "I didn't want you to know he said stuff like that about you."

  "I'm…" She paused before she spoke her next words. She needed release, something to distract her from the jabbing pain of her broken heart. And her mind could only think of one thing—Caleb. "Hungry."

  "I can help with that." His face filled with a giant smirk, naughtiness in his voice. "Do you want to come back to my hotel?"

  Her eyes still gazed distantly out the window. "I do."

  "Robert," Caleb raised his voice. "Take us back to the hotel."

  "Yes, Master Mason."

  Caleb's hotel was about a half an hour's drive away. Caleb had covered his moneymaker face with a pair of sunglasses and pulled up the deep hood on his sweatshirt. This let him slip inside without any fans noticing.

  Ashleigh loved this slick entry. After traveling with his band for a few months, she had grown to hate the admirers. Crowds of screaming people trying claw their way through security to get even a glimpse at him. And the photographers—it all drove her nuts.

  The walk upstairs was quiet. Caleb's arm was slung around her shoulders, his smug smile raising his irresistible dimples. He opened the door for her and let her enter before him.

  Ashleigh sat down on the bed, her bottom making the mattress bounce a little under her weight. "Can you do it like Nathan does?"

  "Huh?" Caleb was taking off his jacket. He regarded her strangely, but his friendly voice didn't falter. "What do you mean?"

  "He bleeds them for me, so I don't have to see them. I like that."

  "Don't you—" Before he started an argument with her, Caleb stopped himself. "Umm…sure…if that's what you want, babe. I can do that." He laughed as he tried to cover up his annoyance. "Anything for you."

  She didn't look at him. Her hand reached up to wipe at her nose as she sniffled back forming tears. Taking off her sunglasses, she let out a deep, quivering breath. When she heard him go to the door, she spoke, "Thanks, Caleb, you know, for coming, I mean. I really needed you today."

  "No prob." He smiled, but it danced on his lips as he tried to keep it there. "I'll be right back."

  "Okay."

  While she waited for Caleb, she took the letter out of her coat pocket. She traced her grandfather's writing with her finger lovingly. This was his final wish, and she'd do anything to make it come true, even if it meant seeing her mother again.

  She tossed her coat to the chair near her. It missed and landed on the floor. The black dress she wore under it was sleeveless. It's cut was more conservative than sexy, and the neckline showed some skin, but not any cleavage.

  After adjusting the pillows, she moved to the center of the mattress. Her heavy head lay back against the headboard as she closed her eyes. She took a few slow, deep breaths and thought about her mother. Her fingers tensed around the envelope in her hand.

  Taking a deep breath, she slid her finger under the seal. She had a feeling what was in here, but she still had to see it. She had to read her father's words—the ones her grandfather would never let her read before.

  "Hey." Caleb slid in next to her. His quick appearance made her jump, and she was torn from her negative thoughts. Caleb was jumpy, twitching his nose and swiping at it a few times. He licked his lips as he handed her a large thermos. "Does this work?"

  "It's perfect." Ashleigh set the letter on the table next to the bed.

  She sent him a tender smile as she drank in his appearance. He was so handsome, even more so than she remembered. His intense, sky blue eyes were framed by his striking dark lashes, and he had a boyish charm to his features that she found absolutely perfect. This was the man she loved, but she couldn't forgive him yet. Her stubbornness was getting the best of her.

  She ripped her gaze from him and twisted open the cap on the thermos. She drank from it, gulping it down like she had been starving. The blood inside was still warm, the smooth, thick taste calming her frazzled nerves.

  "I know it doesn't help much, but…" Caleb seemed nervous as he licked his lips several times. He was watching her with great intensity as he tried to sit still. His mind was moving at a faster rate than hers because he was still riding the high of feeding. "I'm really sorry about what happened to your grandpa. I know how close you were to him."

  "Me, too." She glanced down. "But right now, I don't want to talk about it." Her next words were soft and quick. It was as if they were trying to make it out before the flood of tears came and washed them away. "So, stop, okay?" She put the thermos to her lips again and drank the remainder of its contents.

  Caleb's cat-like eyes watched a small trickle of blood slip down the side of her mouth. It was teasing, like a bright red target calling him. He licked his own lips at the sight of it. "So, umm…" He watched her pull the thermos from her lips and lick them several times. He could see that heavy look in her eyes, her breaths deepening. "About your mom—"

  "Shut up." Her instruction was sharp and angry. She rose to her knees. She eyed him like prey as her stare gradually made its way to his.

  "Oh…kay." He laughed nervously as he watched her straddle his legs. His tongue made a few passes over his top lip, his breath quickening.

  Reaching forward, she forcefully yanked on the strings of his hoodie and pulled him closer. Caleb's mouth shot open, a small grunt escaping his throat. Her words were a husky whisper, "Fuck me, Caleb." Her nose wrinkled up angrily with her next words. She spoke through tense, gritted teeth, "Fuck me so hard that I can't think about anything else." Her grip tightened, and her light blue eyes filled with an evil light. "And the welts on my ass are the only thing I can feel."

  She always got weird after feeding, something that had surprised Caleb the first time. Her actions weren't like other vampires. It was as if she turned into another person when she consumed blood. But he liked her like this. This powerful vixen that was incredibly sexy.

  In a quick downward stroke, she pulled down the zipper of his hoodie. "Make me feel good, Caleb." She ripped it off him roughly.

  "I can do that." Caleb's response to her wasn't delayed. His hands quickly shot to her back and unzipped her dress. Then, he pulled his shirt off over his head and tossed it to the floor next to him.

  She spoke in a deep, teasing tone, her lips parted to allow her panting breath to escape. "Do it…" She grinned at his bare chest, licking her lips at the thought of taking him. Her eyes drank in his toned frame and the tease of his boxers. She watched him unbuckle his heavy belt then slide the jet black leather through the loops of his jeans. "Ooo…" She giggled as she raised a finger to her mouth, biting down on the nail as she watched him shove down his pants. "Master Mason."

  He yanked on her dress, pulling it down her hips. "Get your fucking clothes off.” His strong hands took hold of her panties as he growled in her ear teasingly.

  She drew in a hissing breath between her teeth. "Ooo…" Ashleigh closed her eyes when she felt him twist the band of her underwear. It dug into her skin, and the more it embedded, the more pleasure she felt. He was rough, his teeth nipping at her neck. She threw her head back as her nails dug into his shoulders. Her next words came out breathless, a slight choke leading in, "Harder…Caleb."

  "Harder?" Caleb cocked his head from side to side slowly. The tips of their noses were joined as he stared her down. He couldn't see her wicked grin, but he could feel the evil that radiated from it. "You like that?"

  His hand swiftly came down on the flesh of her bottom. He laughed when he saw her lips part, the loud slap making her shriek.

  She was panting now, her hungry eyes begging f
or more. "Don't…" Her words were soft, her dilated pupils showing her great arousal. "Stop."

  He planted another firm smack on her ass, but before she screamed out, he covered her mouth with his. He began to kiss her, rough and deep. Her hands reached down to his and motioned for him to keep going. His teeth captured her bottom lip, biting down on it as he swatted her once more. This was the last. It threw her over the edge.

  Shoving hard on his shoulders, she slammed him into the mattress. She let her body drop on his as she kissed him. Her muscles were tense as she aligned their bare flesh. When she captured the hard gift he offered, a deep, quivering breath was released from her lips.

  Her heavy eyes were glued on his as she took him. He could see the hurt that lay within them—that deep pain she was trying to forget. With each quick breath she inhaled, he could hear the air quiver in her throat as she choked it down. Her eyes were glassy, her bottom stinging from his slaps. But he knew that's not what the tears were from. She was hurting. Badly.

  While riding him, she could control her pleasure. Finding that spot she knew would make her go over the edge was easier. She found it quickly, pounding against it angrily. With each hit, she shivered as she got closer and closer to her high.

  His hands took a firm hold of her bottom and sped up that search. He pulled her closer as he thrust his hips upward to meet hers. A small moan escaped her throat when she felt his fingers dig into her skin. Then, she hit it. A great dizziness washed over her, and her whole body erupted into intense tremors.

  She took a few seconds to pause on top of him, but Caleb wasn't willing to wait. He flipped them and took over the lovemaking. His thrusts were hard and fast, each one sliding her farther and farther up the headboard.

  Her hands wrapped around his firm back, her fingers sliding roughly down it. Her hips ached, but the pain made her smile. She loved this—her intense, inhuman lover who never left her unsatisfied.

  Under heavy eyelids, she peeked at his chest as he hovered over her. His sweaty skin stuck to hers, but not as much as the word that was staring back at her. On his chest, he had gotten a new tattoo. Giant wings swept across each peck and ended near the start of his shoulder. Directly in the middle was an elaborate heart containing her name. Her gaze darted over the very ornate tattoo, which was a black and white masterpiece.

  Licking her lips, she tried to study it further, but she couldn't do so for long. Caleb moved closer and dropped his head. His lips rested in the crook of her neck as he kissed her weakly. She took a firm hold and let her fingers slide through his short hair. Each strand was covered in soft gel. He slipped in and out of her grasp with each fluid thrust of his hips. Closing her eyes, a very satisfied grin filled her breathless lips.

  The minutes quickly turned into hours. This long awaited closeness they had both fantasized about since their breakup had ignited a marathon night of rough, satisfying sex.

  When they were finished, Caleb reached over and turned on the light before heading to the bathroom. Ashleigh closed her eyes and started to groan as she covered them. After a few seconds, they adjusted, and she glanced at the open bathroom door.

  Hopping out of bed, she grabbed her bra and panties, slipping them back on. Caleb strolled out of the bathroom, phone in hand, as he typed a text.

  "Hey." He glanced up at her and frowned when he saw her dressing. "What's the rush?" Caleb's slim, runner's frame was littered with tattoos, but his skin was a perfect shade of sun-kissed tan.

  "I…" Biting down on her bottom lip, Ashleigh's breath quickened as her distracted eyes skimmed his gorgeous nakedness. "I'm…" She unhurriedly let her lip roll from under her teeth as she turned away. She tried to focus on re-hooking her bra instead of staring at him. "Cold. Do you have a T-shirt I could borrow?"

  "T-shirt?" He laughed as he pushed her backward. "No." He shook his head as he laid on her. His eyes were filled with happiness, the playful tone in his voice making her smile. "Just stay close to me. I'll keep you warm."

  Making a sour face, she weaseled out from under him. She then took a seat in the middle of the bed. "How do your new girlfriends like that tattoo?"

  "New girlfriends?" His eyes narrowed on her curiously as he sat next to her. He pulled the covers over them. "You’re my—"

  "I'm not your girlfriend." She pulled the sheet up to her shoulders and stared at the blank screen of the television.

  "Why not?" He wrapped one of his arms around her. His voice was soft. "You're fucking me again, so that should make you my girlfriend."

  She opened her mouth, but nothing came out. Her fearful eyes darted over his handsome features. In the light, she could see his face clearly—the face of the man she had thought about every day for the past few months. But even though she loved him, she couldn't find the strength to give in. It was as if she were punishing herself for letting him make her a vampire.

  His words came out quick, a desperateness in them that deepened his breath. "I love you." He grabbed the side of her face and made her look at him. "So much." His nose rubbed against hers as he spoke in a soft whisper, "Please…stay with me. I miss you."

  "I miss you, too." She smiled, but it was coated in fresh tears. Her arms encircled his waist, and she held him tight.

  "You don't have to anymore. I'm not leaving you."

  Instead of responding, she nestled farther into his chest. Her cheek rested against the heart etched onto his chest—the one that belonged to her.

  "So…" Caleb paused. "About your mom." Ashleigh tightened her grip around him. "You've never talked about her. What's she like? I mean…" He let out a small sigh as he leisurely let his fingers dance down the flesh of her arm. "Like, why do you guys fight so much?"

  "I don't want to talk about it."

  "You know, I can't stand my dad most of the time, and all we do is fight. He threatens to disown me all the time." He let out a small huff of air through his nose as he laughed. "Fuck, he's even told me I'm not his son. But you know what?" He squeezed her a few times in jest. "He still loves me. No matter how much we fight, he still loves me."

  "My mom doesn't love me," Ashleigh mumbled.

  "I don't believe that. All parents love their kids…just some more than others."

  "She abandoned me, Caleb." Ashleigh's next words were choppy, as if she were about to cry, "She doesn't care about me, and I don't care about her, either."

  "You care enough to hate her. That's just as bad. You know what?"

  "What?"

  "It's bad to have enemies, you know, sure, it's okay to hate people. I get that. But you’re the one who suffers from that shit. Not sayin' you have to forgive her or nothin', I'm just saying, you need to face this. Get over it. Don't let petty shit like this make you bitter. You're in control of your own happiness." He waited for her to speak, but she didn't. "I'm sure there's lots of stuff you and your mom need to work out. Just like we do."

  "There's nothing for us to work out. I don't hate you."

  Caleb laughed. "So, that wasn't revenge sex?"

  "No…" She let out an annoyed huff of air through her nostrils. "Just…"

  "Just what?"

  "Just forget it." She sniffled, her voice wet and thick. "Caleb?"

  "Yeah?" He ran his hand roughly down her hair in quick, steady strokes.

  "Will you sing to me?" She lifted her head and gazed into his sparkling eyes. "It always makes me feel better."

  "Sure." He reached under the bed and pulled out a black guitar. It was the same one he’d had for years, and each day, it seemed to gain more scratches. He adjusted his position so that he could hold her in his arms as he played.

  When he began to sing, Ashleigh's expression melted. She gazed up at him and that love-struck look was reflected in her eyes once more.

  Chapter Two

  Putting a finger to his lips, Aiden watched the man in the chair squirm. The soft gray of Aiden's suit matched his light blue dress shirt perfectly. He leaned up against the desk and casually hid his hand in his pocket.
>
  The man in front of him couldn’t move. He wasn't bound, but ties weren't needed when Aiden was there—his magic was all he required to subdue the old man.

  “Ready to sign it?” Aiden took a pen from of his pocket and held it out. “Sign.” Aiden grinned when Mr. Castle took the writing utensil. He could see the great strain on Mr. Castle’s face. His grip on the pen was tight, as if he wanted to crush it. His hand involuntary signed the contract.

  “Good.” Aiden ripped the paper from Mr. Castle’s hand and passed it to a large man standing next to him. “Sign this as the witness.” The large man quickly scribbled his name. “Hmm…” Aiden glanced around the room, a very satisfied expression on his face. “I wish I would’ve thought of this before. What an idiot I am.”

  Unlike his bodyguard, Aiden seemed very approachable. He was handsome and wore a naughty grin that made women swoon. Not only was he a powerful vampire, he was also a great businessman. He could usually talk his way into getting anything he wanted. And he wanted New Castle Publishing.

  But unfortunately, Mr. Castle didn't want to play nice, and this was the only way to get him to. Even if it was against the rules to use his magic this way, Aiden wasn't worried about retaliation from the Council.

  Aiden leaned close to Mr. Castle’s ear and whispered, “When you wake, you will be happy and will remember signing over your company to me. Nothing more. You sold this to me of your own free will, and you will believe it was a wonderful idea. You will not feel cheated, and you will speak of me as a great man and tell your employees how excited you are that I am the new owner.”

  He laughed as he pulled away, staring into Mr. Castle’s blank expression. “Understand?” Mr. Castle slowly nodded, his eyes gazing distantly ahead. “Good.” Slamming his open palm into the Mr. Castle’s forehead, Aiden shoved him backward in the chair. He then walked around to the front of the desk and sat down. “Now wake.”

  Shaking his head as if he had just dozed off, Mr. Castle licked his lips nervously. He then turned to Aiden as he blinked several times. “Take care of my company, Mr. Bristol.” He stood and extended a hand to Aiden. “I never thought I’d sell it, but…" Looking very confused, Mr. Castle's expression was stressed. “I’m glad it was to you."