"If you're with me I can do it," Nick said, his shy smile still firmly in place. His hand gripped my chin. "You aren't alone this time."
He was remembering my story of my own scandal nine years prior, anticipating that my mind would go there. Seeing his confident resolve and reassuring words made a rush of strength flood over me. "I can do it too. We'll do it...together."
He nodded, his dark hair rumpled against the pillow. "Together, love."
His lips met mine, and his body covered mine protectively. No more conversation was needed.
Chapter 13
Resolution
"Want to talk about it, love?" He asked as he leaned in the bathroom doorway. His eyes were soft and curious, a perceptive look on his handsome face.
I took a deep breath and shrugged at the same time. "Just thinking about everything. The bomb threat in London. My house. Whoever was in there, it was intentional." I said simply, frowning at him. "Who would want to do anything to me?" My voice trailed off because I didn't quite know how to put it. My discomfort wasn't completely about the break-in. It was the personal facet to it that bothered me.
Rubbing my forehead, I was dragged back in the memory of the last few days. In the end, we’d been forced to cancel the London venue as well. This one hadn’t been our fault. An anonymous caller had phoned in a bomb threat just moments before the concert was ready to begin. The stadium had been evacuated and no bomb was found, but it was apparent that this was personal and whoever was doing it was only getting started.
We’d packed up and flown back to Los Angeles a day early. As much as I wanted to stay hidden away in London, we had things to finish here. Maybe I could talk Nick into going back for an extended visit.
One private flight later, we’d arrived back in Los Angeles. Staring across the car at Nick, everything seemed surreal. So much had changed since I left here a week ago.
“Do you want me to go in with you?” Nick asked, lowering his sunglasses down his nose.
Smiling, I nodded. “You might as well. I need to grab my mail and pack a few things. I’ll hire someone to pack up the rest of my condo in the next week.”
Nick hopped from the car and bounded around to open my door. He extended his hand to me. “C’mon. The sooner we get you packed, the sooner I can get you home.
Shaking my head, I followed along behind him and jingled my keys in my hand. The moment I stepped on the front porch I realized keys wouldn’t be necessary. The front door had been kicked open, the door splintered. Nick pushed the door open and stepped inside. I couldn’t move. It was if my feet were riveted in place.
“Holy fuck. Savannah!”
Even though my feet felt like they were encased in concrete blocks, I stumbled in after him. Every personal picture was smashed, my furniture slashed. Mirrors had been broken, paintings ruined. It looked as if a bomb had exploded in my house.
Or someone very angry that had a point to prove.
But that wasn’t what had caused Nick’s outburst. Spray painted across the living room walls in red were the words ‘Soon. It is only the beginning.’
“Nick? Who would do this?”
He turned around in a circle, his heavy boots crushing glass under his feet. I could hear the shards scraping the wood floor. “I don’t know.” He pulled his phone from his pocket and dialed quickly. He didn’t offer any pleasantries. “I need you at Savannah’s house. Now.”
He was silent for a moment and answered a question I couldn’t hear. “No, to track.”
He tucked the phone away and walked to my side, wrapping his arm around my waist. “Jesus, Savannah. Let’s keep looking around.”
We’d gone from room to room, seeing more of the same. Not one space was left intact. Whoever had broken in had made it their mission to be thorough.
And they had my complete attention.
A deep growl sounded behind me. A large chestnut wolf stood among the carnage of my house. Gasping loudly, I let out s shrill scream and Nick tightened his hold on me. He leaned over, his lips at my ear. “It’s Ian, love. I thought he might be able to track the scent in this form better. He can move faster as well.”
Breaking away from Nick, I took a tentative step towards the wolf. I recognized his eyes. The familiar amber stare met my gaze. “Ian?”
He bobbed his head and stepped closer until we met in the middle of the hallway. He lowered his head and let out a soft yap. I turned back to Nick. “Can he track whoever did this?”
Nick shrugged his shoulders. “I can’t promise you that. But he’ll do his best.”
I knelt down and rubbed Ian’s head. “Good. Find the bastard that did this, Ian.”
His head bobbed again and he turned, his nose to the floor as he disappeared from sight.
“We should call the police,” I muttered as I stood and wiped my hands on my jeans.
“No police, Savannah. I don’t think this is a normal break in.” Nick looked around in shock at the carnage. “I’ll get everything replaced, Savannah.”
His cool fingers down my cheek jerked me back to the present. “Savannah? Have you come back to me?”
“I just got lost for a moment. I’m fine.” I picked up my hairbrush and slapped it against the sink a few times. “Everything is gone…my pictures. Everything.”
He pushed away from the doorframe and took my brush from me. "Turn around," he ordered gently. He began to brush through my hair, picking up pieces and starting with the ends. His fingers swept over my scalp in a soothing touch. "I’ll do everything I can to fix this, love. Ian couldn’t pick up a trail, so it could be random. We've been in the media lately. Rumors are swirling and fans can get territorial. On the other hand, people know your face. They know your name. Now you're back in the spotlight after a long hiatus. It could be a fan of yours."
“Or it could be a vampire,” I murmured, watching him in the mirror. His eyes were focused onto the task at hand. His bare shoulders, biceps, and forearms all flexed with his movements, but his brow furrowed tersely.
"Yes, it could. My life is crazy," he sighed, meeting my gaze in the mirror before moving on to the next section of my hair. "And I'm talking about my public persona. Factor in my private life...let's just say I'm amazed you're still here."
"Where's the cocky man that said he'd never give up? Remember him? It doesn't matter, I made it to the airport and I was ready to turn around when you found me," I said in a small voice, feeling a gentle kiss to the back of my head as I gazed down at my hands. "I'm just upset and angry and that will pass. Why is it I only feel safe with you? Part of me hates that, you know?"
Nick smiled knowingly. "Yes, love. I know. You're the strongest woman I've encountered in over 140 years. My mother had the same spark.”
140 years. I suppose as an immortal, that was a drop in the bucket. It was hard for me to wrap my brain around.
"I'm overreacting, aren't I?" I locked gazes with him once again. I didn’t wait for his answer. "I'm just glad you were with me."
Nick turned me around and set me on the bathroom vanity, dropping the brush down beside my leg. He used his fingers to sweep through my hair, finally cupping my face. His face was solemn, but not upset. He leaned into kiss the tip of my nose.
"No, you're not overreacting. I'm glad I was there too. I'm sorry it happened, even though you're here with me now. And the thought that one of my fans could have done this pisses me off."
I moved my face up to kiss his lips, my fingers tunneling through his short black hair. "It's not your fault."
A long, low rumble vibrated up out of his chest as his eyes darkened instantly. He'd most likely caught a glimpse of the lace underneath my robe. I used a single finger to push him back one step and slipped down from the vanity. Letting the robe hit the floor, I tilted my head up at him.
"Just because it's not my fault doesn't mean I have to like it," he argued weakly. His eyes were drinking in black lace, as well as the plentiful cleavage I'd put on display.
"Tell me, what d
o you do like?" I countered with a grin, starting to walk around him.
He had no idea how much it turned me on to watch his eyes visually caress every inch of my skin.
His demeanor completely changed with my question. An eyebrow rose and he couldn't decide whether to watch me in the mirror or watch the real life version playing out next to him as I trailed a finger across down his bicep. I pressed my lips to the hard curve of his shoulder, continuing my way to his back.
I placed another kiss to his spine right between his shoulder blades, only to take a step back. Sighing longingly, I wasn't sure I’d ever see more perfection in my life. His back was beautiful, strong, with wide shoulders, narrowing down to his hips. My fingers traced over the tattoo on his shoulder and the other high on his bicep, the one that explained who Nick Hart truly was.
His towel was now so low that I could see the two dimples just above where his ass was covered. The dark black towel was draped loosely around his narrow waist, giving me a wonderful view of extremely toned legs.
I came up to his other side, brushing his hand away that had been holding the towel, and kissed his other shoulder. This time, I dragged my teeth gently along his skin. I smiled against his flesh when he purred low and deep.
"Between you and your teeth, you're tempting me. It's hard..."
"Shhh. I know this is hard for you. But I know you want it. Just try. Please." I begged him with a glance to the mirror. One of his trembling hands gripped the edge of the sink and gave a quick nod. I tugged on his towel and it fell with an almost silent swoosh right next to my robe. His other hand clenched tightly into a fist, his knuckles white.
He was silent, stoically holding on. He was giving me the moment, the control I needed to regain.
"I don't know if I can," he whispered, his eyes swirling black as he watched me stalk around him.
"Try."
"Savannah…" his voice tapered off, but I cut him off by locking gazes with him in the bathroom mirror. He'd given in that quickly.
Backing away just a little, I couldn’t stop myself from licking my lips at the sight of his cock already standing tall and throbbing against his stomach. I took in the complete picture, purring at the sight of his now bare but perfect ass, amazingly strong thighs, and the sensual flexing of his arms as his hands gripped the vanity harder.
"What did I do to make you love me?” I questioned gently. My body ached as I stared at him in the mirror.
"That’s the question I keep asking myself,” he replied, shaking his head. "You’re something I never thought I’d find.”
I grinned widely and stood on my tiptoes. "So we belong together.”
"Yes."
"You're beautiful. You know that, right? Inside and out," I teased, smirking at him as I stepped up to his back again.
He chuckled bitterly. "I'm glad you think so. There are hundreds of people that would disagree if they could."
Finally, I gave into my need to just touch him. With open hands, exploring fingers, and open-mouthed kisses, I covered every inch of his back and shoulders. Gliding my hands up his sides, I reveled in his contracting muscles and low growls of contentment. Every time we made love, he worshiped me from head to toe. He made me feel beautifully perfect and desirable. This was new, touching and doing the same for him. It was difficult for him to not be in control, so I was taking advantage of this moment.
His arm flinched once, but he stopped himself. Moving to his side, I kissed his flexing tattooed bicep, staring at his beautiful reflection staring back at me.
"You're killing me," he said, barely making a sound. "I need…fuck!
My lips curled up into a smile because I knew what he wanted ...or at least what I wanted to see him do.
"Do it." I ordered softly.
I wasn't sure there was a sexier sight than watching Nick's long fingers wrapping around his cock, his muscled forearm flexing as he pleasured himself.
"Nick..." I mumbled, but his growl drew my eyes from the mirror to the reality in front of me. Clenching abs, a heated gaze, and slow, deliberate movements made my thighs slick with my own juices.
"What do you think about when you touch yourself, Nick?" I murmured. Heat and desire had electrified every nerve in my body. I was trembling as I watched him, literally shaking in need.
He was quiet, brooding. He said nothing, but he never stopped. His hand and arm moved up and down. A squeeze, a twist of his wrist… his thumb would swirl over his leaking tip, only to repeat the entire erotic process.
"Since I have you, this is something I don’t normally do," he growled cockily, giving me a confident grin.
"Touché," I said with a laugh, transfixed at watching him in the mirror. "What if you were desperate for release...and I wasn’t around?"
"You. I’d think of you. The way your breasts fit in my hands, the feel of your silky skin, and your legs wrapped around me. And then, I’d think of your pussy. I’d think about how tight and wet you are."
He’d think of me, I thought to myself proudly. I made another circle around him. I came to stand in front of him. When I leaned in to kiss his chest, his hand faltered.
"Don't stop, Nick... " I advised him. My mouth was hot against the coolness of his throat and across his sharp, clenching jaw line.
I nipped at the side of his throat with my teeth.
"You mentioned my breasts? Do you think about fucking them?" I asked, allowing my chest to brush against his. I swallowed the groan as I felt the movement of his hand between us. "Or is it my pussy you think of the most?"
"Yes," he growled so low against my mouth that my lips throbbed. “I think about both.”
"What else, Nick? Do you want me? In the bedroom...or right here in this bathroom?" I asked, inhaling the musky smell of his skin and trying my best to ignore just how wet I was.
His head dropped against mine as he nodded vehemently. His eyes gazed at me passionately through his long eyelashes, but his hand hesitated. "Love, please," he begged, his free hand slipping into my hair at the nape of my neck.
I pulled away just far enough to watch him, my lower back meeting the vanity's edge. Bending my arms behind me, I unhooked my bra and let it fall from my breasts. I slipped my panties down and stepped out of them.
"Don't stop, Nick,” I whispered as I sat on the bathroom counter. His dark eyes lost focus and they dropped down between my legs. "I want you, Nick. I'm always wet for you. You don't even need to wonder."
"Show me," he snarled low through gritted teeth. When I spread my legs, he shook his head, his brow furrowing. "Wider, Savannah. I want to see it all."
Placing my heels on the edge of the vanity, I spread my legs as wide as I could. His teeth sank into his bottom lip while his hand continued to stroke his hard cock.
Nick moved quickly, letting go and stepping forward. He grasped my ankles, only to spread my legs farther apart before he stepped between them. The expression on his face was wild, sexy, and absolutely stunning.
Reaching between us, I guided him to me and my eyes never broke away from his. With a slow push of his hips, he buried himself inside of me, causing a marvelous sound to explode from both of us. It was the gratification of becoming one, it was a cry for more, and it was a low roar of possession.
"Mine," I whispered, more to myself than to him. Nick nodded, a wicked smile twitching at the corner of his lips.
"And you're mine," he muttered. I could feel the desire rolling off of him, his mouth curling into a smirk as one of my hands dug into his ass to pull him in deeper.
My other hand wound around to the back of his neck. "Don't move. You feel so good..."
Nick held perfectly still, buried completely inside of me. He nodded again, my soft smile on his lips. "Baby, you're my nirvana."
His words from our first kiss hit me knocked the air from my lungs. We didn't move for almost a solid minute, letting the need build and intensify until I thought I'd go wild. I wanted to kiss him, eat him alive. Did he know those four words would effect me so
strongly?
"I meant it then and I mean them now," he mumbled out in a rush, as if he’d read my mind.
The strangled sob that fell from my lips was all it took to break the tension that had been building. Nick grinned briefly before his head turned slightly. His lips met mine and at the same time he pulled slowly back, only to slam back in. Our kiss muffled the sounds we made.
He braced his hands on the vanity, hooking his arms under my knees to keep me spread wide for him. He expertly swiveled his hips, thrusting deeper than he had before. Words were lost. Gone. The only thing I could manage was soft grunts, long sighs and the echo of our skin meeting. Our breathing was ragged, our kisses sloppy and wet. Our rhythm was perfectly in sync, moving as one being.
Suddenly, his hands were on my ass, and my back met the wall. His lips broke away from mine, only to travel to my ear.
"Now…” he begged. His fingers squeezed my ass tightly as he willed me to come around him.
Gripping his hair tightly with one hand and letting the other slither between us, my fingers rubbed my swollen clit. My mouth fell open as my climax built and when his fangs met the sensitive skin of my neck, white lights shot behind my eyes.
Nick swallowed deep, greedy gulps of my blood. He buried his face into my neck as he thrust two more times before coming hard, his whole body shuddering with the force of his orgasm. He breathed heavily against my neck and I felt the cool sensation of his tongue as it laved over the tiny puncture marks.
Pulling his face back so that I could look at him, I felt a single tear trickle down my face. "I love you everything about you."
"Love, you have no idea how my heart aches for you," he whispered, closing his eyes. Emotion flashed across his face like lightning, sharp and surprising. When they reopened, they were liquid with unshed tears. "I thought I was incapable of love. What I feel for you is immeasurable. Love isn't strong enough to describe what I feel."
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