by J. S. Scott
She felt the tears leak from her eyes as she watched his smiling but still concerned face. He had gashes from his waist up that would have anyone screaming in pain, yet his only concern was for her.
He reached up gently and wiped away the tears, but they continued to fall.
“Callie? Baby, what’s the matter. Please don’t cry. I did hurt you. I’m so sorry.” His entire face expressed sorrow and guilt.
“No, Rory. It isn’t that.” She hiccupped as she tried to find words to explain.
“I love you, Rory. I probably have almost since the day we met at the wedding. You’ve been someone special since that day.” It wasn’t what she had meant to say, but it had come from her heart.
He buried his face in the side of her neck, his body trembling. “I love you too, Callie. My mind and heart adored you even though my body couldn’t respond. I was in awe that you were actually my mate.” His voice was completely sincere.
He loved her. The tears flowed harder. This wonderful, sensational man really loved her. “All my life, all I’ve ever wanted was someone who wanted me.”
He growled as he pulled her against him. “I want you, Callie. You’re my mate, and I want you. I always have. You’re everything to me now. I’ll never stop needing you, or loving you. You fill the emptiness inside of me. I feel like someone special because you love me.”
He was all she really needed. All of the lonely, sad days seemed to slip into the past, unable to hurt her anymore. The love of one good man…or one good vampire…was better than the adoration of many. Maybe she had intentionally closed herself off, looking for excuses, waiting for this man.
“Oh, Rory. I don’t understand how you could not know how special you are.” She stroked his hair as she wiped her tears. Her crying days were over.
He pulled back and looked at her. “I’m a twin. The twin of a very powerful healer. I love Liam. I would die for him. But sometimes I’ve felt like I walk in his shadow. I’ve never had a talent of my own that made me stand out. He was always special. I was just…his twin.”
Her heart ached and she suddenly understood that Liam had gotten a lot of attention because he was a powerful healer and Rory was left in the background. Kind, sweet Rory, who brought sunshine to everyone’s day with his smile. The man who liked to make other people happy just because it pleased him. Maybe to him that was nothing special, but Callie knew it was, she knew he was an uncommon man.
She put her arms around his neck and kissed him tenderly. When she finished she looked him in the eye and told him solemnly, “You have your own talents and your own personality, Rory. You have traits that Liam doesn’t. You’re twins…but very different. You’re separate, each having your own strengths. You are very special. I could never have fallen in love with Liam.”
He tightened his grip, pulling her tighter against him as he answered in a possessive tone, “It’s a good thing you didn’t or I would have had to commit fratricide. And I actually would rather keep Liam around.”
She laughed. She couldn’t help it. Rory made her happier than she had ever been in her life. He took away the pain of her past and made her realize that she hadn’t really been rejected. She just hadn’t let herself live a life free of guilt, self-blame and depression. She had closed herself off from the world because she felt rejected.
“It wasn’t you, Callie. It was your parents. I don’t know why they left you, but it was their problem, not yours.” Rory spoke to her as though he had heard her thoughts. Maybe he had.
“I know. Although my life was unstable, it was better than living with drug addicts or worse. I can see that. It could have been worse.” She answered sincerely. She was starting to believe in fate. Some things happened for a reason.
“It could have been a hell of a lot better, too. I’ll make it up to you, Callie. I’ll give you everything you need and more. You are mating with a very rich vampire thanks to Nathan and his hobby of building all of our investments.” He shot her a wicked grin. “I’m loaded. And I’m a vampire. I can buy or make anything that you want.”
She burst into laughter. He might have insecurities at times, but he still had a touch of the Hale arrogance. “You forgot handsome and very well endowed.”
He puffed his chest out. “That too. I have it on very good authority that I’m the best looking of the Hale brothers.”
She couldn’t argue with that. “Yes, you are, Rory. You definitely are,” she told him with laughter still in her voice.
His face changed, becoming serious and intense. He lifted his hand, making a fist and closed his eyes. When he opened them he asked in a hopeful voice, “Does that mean you’ll have me, Callie? Will you mate with me? Will you marry me?”
Her eyes filled with tears again. Damn it. Rory could make her laugh and cry in the same breath. She guessed her crying days weren’t quite over…but at least they were tears of joy. “I wouldn’t have anyone else.”
He opened his fist and in his hand was a beautiful ring. He moved back to slide it onto her finger. It fit perfectly. She knew he had made it for her, visualizing in his mind what he wanted and what she might like. It was gorgeous, everything she would have wanted in a ring given with love. Two tiny hearts entwined, decorated with perfect diamonds. One large stone in the middle bringing the hearts together and other smaller ones around and in the middle of the hearts. It was enchanting.
“It’s beautiful,” she breathed out softly.
“Never as beautiful as the woman wearing it.” He quipped back, smiling broadly.
“If you keep saying those things I’m going to have to make you a banana cream pie.” She told him, smiling up at him, her eyes still glistening with tears.
His smile turned seductive and he breathed into her ear, “I could think of something better than a banana cream pie. Would you like to swap a little blood?”
She shivered as his warm words caressed her ear. She could think of all kinds of things she would like to do for this man. “Absolutely not, Rory. You need to heal.”
He licked her ear and traveled slowly to her neck. Damn it. She had to toughen her resolve. “Rory, we are not doing this right now.”
“I feel fine, Callie.” His voice was like velvet, sliding over her body and making her shiver.
Yeah…he felt fabulous. She could feel his warm, hard member pressing against her thigh.
She protested.
He seduced.
He won her over to his way of thinking, making her forget all about the banana cream pie.
Chapter 7
One Week Later…
Rory woke from his day sleep, reaching for his mate. He sat up, recognition dawning that this was his mating night. He had taken Callie to the vamp headquarters before returning home and collapsing into his day sleep.
The shudders opened, letting in the smells and sounds of the night.
His and Callie’s time had finally come. They would be joined eternally after tonight.
The last week had been the happiest of his life. He could only imagine what life would be like, spending eternity with Callie. His mate had taken a leave of absence from her job, telling him she would eventually go back part-time. She couldn’t imagine not being a chef at all. They had traveled the world and he had watched her excitement as he showed her places like the Taj Mahal in India and the Pyramids of Egypt. She had shown such childlike delight that he had enjoyed sharing her emotions. It was almost like seeing those things for the first time himself. No…it was even better. He was sharing them with his mate.
His brothers teased him without mercy. Ethan was the worst, paying Rory back twofold for Rory’s needling when he was mating with Brianna. Rory hated anyone touching his mate right now and his brothers knew it. They hugged her, bussed her on the cheek, put an arm around her every chance they could. They smirked when Rory frowned or his face became volatile. Rory had no doubt that they adored Callie as much as they did Brianna, but they also loved to torment him. The bastards!
Rory rolled
out of bed, wanting to reach for Callie, but knowing he should not. Both his friend Adare and Ethan had warned him not to mind-speak. It made his desire to possess her even greater.
As Rory looked down at his rock hard cock he wondered how his desire could be greater. He could have her several times a day and still need her constantly.
They had exchanged blood at least once a day and Callie was strong. Strong enough to get through a rough mating ceremony.
Rory chuckled as he made his way to the shower. Callie still complained about her curvy figure. She thought if she was in top physical condition that she should be more slender. To Rory, she was perfection. He told her that every day and she complained about it less and less.
His need to make her his was getting relentless and he was damn glad they were mating tonight. His animal instincts were strong and nearly overwhelming. He knew he couldn’t wait much longer.
As the hot water of the shower beat over his chest he palmed his cock. Would that make it worse or better? With a groan he pictured his mate, being disrobed for his pleasure, freeing his cock. He wanted to satisfy her every need until she could think of nothing except him.
No longer thinking of the benefits or problems of getting himself off, he stroked his shaft harder. He leaned his head back and closed his eyes, resting himself against the tile of the shower as his hand pumped furiously.
Rory, are you okay? Callie’s voice came to him hesitantly. She was reaching out to him because she was feeling his need.
Shit! He shouldn’t be doing this, but he was helpless to stop. “I’m…trying…to…calm myself. I’m in the shower.” He knew he was groaning his answer, his hand still stroking his cock furiously.
You’re masturbating. I can feel you. Relieve yourself, Rory, before you drive me mad. I can’t because I’m surrounded by women.
“I’m sorry, love,” he groaned, unable to stop jerking his own cock. Her soft voice escalated his need and he needed to come.
Don’t be sorry, Rory. Imagine my lips around you. I love sucking your cock, licking it up and down. You’re so big, so hard.
Oh, Christ! The visualization almost killed him. He pictured her on her knees, wrapping her lips around him, sucking his member like her favorite lollipop.
You taste so good, Rory. Orgasm for me. Release into my mouth. I’m dying to taste you.
Her words sent him over the edge. Between her words, his imagination and the furious strokes to his cock…he exploded. He came with a loud groan as he came with an intensity so strong that his stream hit the tiled wall of the shower.
He leaned back against the wall, his breathing rough.
Okay now, my love?
Her voice came to him and his heart ached. “I love you, Callie.” His voice was raw and coarse.
I love you too. Soon, Rory. I’m almost ready.
“I’m beyond ready.” He answered dryly as he stepped from the shower and dried himself off.
He heard a trail of light laughter as their communication faded.
It better be damned soon! He tossed the towel into the hamper near the shower and clothed himself. Then he transported himself to the vampire headquarters.
*****
Callie met Rory’s fierce eyes as she stood before him naked. Her attendants had departed. Rory’s brothers and Brianna had left. The ceremony was starting.
He had ordered her to him and she had gone willing. She had consented. He would be hers.
His eyes never left hers as his low, rugged voice began reciting the mating vows in his native language. Even though she didn’t understand, the words flowed over her and she felt the force, the power in the vows.
It was as though the entire room was pulsating, powerful magic surrounding them. Callie shivered even though the room was not cold.
Rory’s voice trailed off and he wrapped his arms around her. One around her back and the other along her butt cheek…meeting their identical marks.
She knew it would hurt. She was prepared for the burning sensation of the joined marks. Both Brianna and Kristin had warned her. What she wasn’t ready for was the erotic heat. She threw her head back as she felt their souls unfurl, Rory’s breaking free of her protection. As their souls separated and reconnected her entire body was set aflame. She felt Rory’s recreated soul pass from her and slip into his body through their touching mating marks.
He jerked as his soul entered his body. Hers settled back into place. She looked up and saw his haunted, glowing eyes as his soul fought for purchase in his body. It was unsettled and it would be that way until he joined with his mate.
“Mine!” His voice was ragged. His glowing eyes revealed the hunger of a predator.
Callie quivered as he took her mouth, his arms like steel around her body. She could feel his need to possess, to take her. He brought his hand roughly behind her head, controlling the embrace, demanding her submission. He grunted as he pulled his mouth from hers.
“Free my cock.” His demanding voice set her on fire. Their needs were combined; there was no way of knowing which were hers and which were his. She only knew that she needed him. She reached down and felt for the strings that would liberate his member. Her fingers brushed over his swollen cock, hard and demanding to be free from its confinement.
As she tossed away the cloth he scooped her up and brought her to the silken bed, decorated in a black and white leopard pattern.
Rory pushed a button on the headboard and she saw something lowering from the high ceiling. He set her on her feet beside the bed and brought her arms up above her head. She felt the restraints tighten around her wrists and groaned. He had her on her feet and secured with restraints from above.
“Mine.” His scarlet eyes blazed, surveying her in her vulnerable position.
Callie yanked on the restraints. They were metal poles except for the wrist fastenings and they had very little give. They were tight and she was his prisoner. Her already moist pussy flooded.
His hands roamed her body possessively. She gasped as his hands pinched at her erect nipples, the sensation rocketing straight between her thighs.
“Rory…I need you to fuck me.” Her body burned to feel his cock slamming into her.
He ignored her. His mouth joined his fingers in tormenting her breasts, his tongue laving and nipping. His hand found its way between her legs, gliding into her moist center where she was already slick and wet.
“Wet. Hot. Have to taste you.” Rory grunted as he moved down her body. “Spread your legs. Now”
She opened her legs, but he pulled them further apart still. He attacked her mound with his mouth, teeth and lips, sending her into a spiral of need and desire. She pulled against the restraints, wanting to pull his head into her aching pussy. “Rory, please. Make me come.” Her every thought was focused on relieving this agony from her fiery body.
His masterful tongue slipped along her lower lips. His thumbs separated her and plundered her sensitive clit, making her body quake. She had to climax. She couldn’t stand it anymore. With a tortured moan she tried to grind against his mouth, needing more so she could climax.
His hand came down on her ass with a smack. It was firm and sent a jolt to her core. He slapped the other cheek and she whimpered, completely out of control. Over the edge, his domination is driving her insane, feeding her erotic need.
He lifted one of her legs to the bed, opening her completely. He grabbed her ass and buried his face between her legs, eating her like a man famished. His tongue flicked roughly over her clit. Faster. Then faster still. And she could feel her climax building.
Unconsciously, she shoved her hips toward his devouring mouth. He smacked her ass again several times, sending her into a powerful orgasm. She threw her head back and screamed his name, unable to control herself while she was in the grip of his powerful possession. She rode the waves of her orgasm while Rory stretched it out with his merciless tongue.
She wasn’t yet recovered before she felt the restraint poles lowering. Rory rose an
d pushed her to her knees. She went willingly, her legs weak.
“Suck me.” His voice was harsh and feral.
She knew he was completely consumed by the mating instincts and so was she. She was starving for the taste of his cock. Although she had just climaxed, her need…or was it his?...pounded her.
Her hands still confined above her head, she opened her mouth and caught his rock hard cock in her mouth, swirling her tongue around the head.
Rory grabbed her head from both sides, impaling her mouth with his rod. He demanded, “Hard. Fast.” His hands gripped her head and he fucked her mouth furiously. Her eyes watered as she tried to swallow his massive cock. She could hear his tortured moans as he slipped in and out of her mouth. She wanted to make him come. His need? Her need? She didn’t care. She needed to make him orgasm.
His hips jerked hard as she tightened her lips and flattened her tongue snug against his cock. He held her face tightly against him as he found his release, shooting hot fluid down her throat. She swallowed him eagerly, loving the warm release on her tongue.
He released her hands and pulled her up, only to drop her in the middle of the bed, coming down on top of her. His body covered hers. “Mine, Callie. Mine. Need to fuck you.”
Oh, God, yes. Her channel was clenching at the thought of his huge cock filling her. She needed him. “Yes, Rory. Fuck me. Please,” she pleaded.
He pinned her with his body, holding her hands to the side of her face. “Don’t move your hands,” he barked. She looked at his ravaged face, his eyes still glinting. He was so fierce. And she wanted his savage need quenched and her feral desire satisfied. Her wanting body was begging for his tempestuous mating.
He spread her legs wide and claimed her channel in one hard stroke. She clenched the silk at the side of her head, needing to touch him, but also needing to obey his commands. She gripped it hard as Rory started to fuck her. He pushed deep and the two of them groaned together as he started a demanding pace.