“Look, I’m sorry I—”
Her words were cut short as she walked right into a kneeling Angel. If not for his arms going around her, she’d be flat on her ass.
He gave a gentle tug, pulling her to her knees in front of him. “Ember Wells…will you do me the honor of becoming my wife, my mate, my forever?”
Tears blurred her vision as she stared into his moss-green eyes. Her voice seemed to have left her and in its place sat a lump that was hard to swallow around.
“You have to say yes. We are bonded now, and I wouldn’t survive without you. You’re the mother of my child and the love of my heart. Please, Ember…marry me.”
Full-blown crocodile tears spilled over to track down her cheeks. She opened her mouth to answer him before another thought occurred to her. “Wait, what? The mother of your child?”
He reached out, covering her abdomen with his hand. “Yes.”
Ember’s heart jumped into her throat as the reality of his words sank in. “How do you- I mean, are you sure?”
“It’s been almost twenty-four hours since your heat began. You would be in a lot of pain had you not conceived. I don’t think you would be out picking oranges.”
“But I haven’t fully changed yet. My body may operate differently than your females’ do.”
“It’s possible, but unlikely. I know this is a lot for you to take in since you’ve had very little time to adjust. The fact is, you’re more vampire than human now, and I’m almost one hundred percent positive you’re pregnant.”
Chapter Two
Ember sat back on her heels in shock. She’d been aware there was a chance she could have conceived, but what is and what-ifs were two totally different realities. “I’d like to pick up a test to be sure.”
“And chance being seen? Not going to happen.”
“What about Laura? She only lives twenty minutes from here. I’m sure she—”
“We can’t risk her being followed.” He interrupted. “And besides, the less people that know about the baby, the better. At least until the Seeker is found and I can take you home where you’ll both be safe.” His fingers flexed over her stomach, emphasizing his words.
“When you say home, are you referring to Bulgaria?”
“That is where I am from, not where I reside. And you haven’t answered my question.” He took hold of her hands. “Will you be my bride?”
Enormous amounts of emotion overtook her heart and soul. She had never, nor would she ever love another with such passion, such all-consuming fire and obsession as she did Angel. There was only one answer she could give. “Yes. A thousand times yes.”
He enfolded her in his arms, holding her against his chest. “You won’t regret it. I’ll be the best husband and father you could ask for. You’ll want for nothing.”
“I thought you didn’t want children,” she mumbled against his shoulder.
He pulled back enough she could see his face. “Why would you think that?”
“Your response when I asked why you’d never had a child of your own.”
“Ah, I see. I believe what I said was, I had never found anyone I wanted to have a child with.” He cupped her face in his big hands. “Until now.”
Tears of happiness filled her eyes as she sat there locked in his warm embrace. She could stay like this forever, never moving until her body turned to ash.
“I love you, Ember Wells.”
Her breath hitched. “What did you just say?”
“I love you with everything that I am or will ever be.”
Ember threw her arms around his neck as the tears ran freely down her cheeks. “I love you too. I have since the day we met in front of my condo door.”
Angel stood, taking her with him. He gently laid her on the bed and slipped off her shoes. “Have I ever told you how sexy I find your feet?”
Dropping to his knees, he lifted her right foot and brought it to his mouth. “They’re perfect. Every toe.” Kissing each digit, he massaged her arch. “So soft.”
Capturing her other foot, he gave it equal amounts of attention until Ember thought she would go mad from sensation overload. She’d never had anyone make love to her feet, but that was exactly what he did.
Every move he made was sexual from the way he handled her feet to the touch of his gaze on every part of her still-clothed body.
He unzipped her jeans, pulled them off, and dropped them on the floor. Her panties and shirt came next. “You’re not wearing a bra,” he breathed, visually eating up her breasts.
Her nipples pebbled beneath his scrutiny, and she shivered under the power of his stare. Long, dark hair hung over his bare shoulders, giving him a predatory appearance, and her body reacted instantly.
Heat started in her chest and swiftly spread to her pussy, leaving a flood of wetness in its wake. “Angel, please.”
“Please what?” he murmured before raking his teeth over her nipple.
Her back arched, pushing the rigid tip toward his tempting mouth. “I ache.”
Angel made another pass across her breast. “Tell me where.” He gently swiped a finger through her wet slit. “Here?”
Ember’s hips bucked off the bed. “Yes. God, yes.”
The deep, masculine rumble that came from his chest brought on more wetness. She could feel the heat building behind her eyes and her fangs descending at a rapid rate. Multiple sensations were scattering through her body at once. “Angel? Something’s happening to me.”
“It’s the change… Let it happen.”
He inserted a finger into her pussy and pressed his thumb against her clit. “Come for me.”
Ember couldn’t look away from his eyes as her orgasm built to a crest of immense pleasure. It started from deep within, climbing, robbing her of breath. He lowered his head, sucked her nipple into his mouth, and Ember screamed with the force of the spasms that exploded within her.
“So beautiful.” He continued the onslaught of his fingers as he moved to the other breast. “I’m right here with you. Feel me, baby. Feel me inside you.”
She did feel him, everywhere, while remnants of the orgasm still possessed her body. The heat forming behind her eyes grew in intensity and her lids automatically closed.
“Don’t shut your eyes.”
She quickly opened them to find him hovering above her. A vein in his neck pulsed to a beat that called to the vampire in her. She couldn’t look away from it.
“Follow your instincts and come to me. I’m right here waiting for you.”
Ember knew what she had to do. What she wanted to do. She brought her hand to the back of his head and tugged.
“No matter what you feel, do not be afraid. I will be right here with you physically and mentally.”
She could only nod as she dragged her tongue over that beautiful, pulsing vein and sank her fangs deep just as his huge cock slid inside her pussy. The simultaneous moans echoing throughout the room were the sweetest sounds she’d ever heard.
There was no thrusting or dominance in the way Angel moved. With every pull from her mouth came the slide of his hips. It was erotically beautiful, this oneness they had become.
Ember’s skin grew sensitive with an icy sensation that started from her feet and worked its way upward. She gripped Angel tighter, unable to break the suction she had on his neck.
Dust particles suddenly erupted before her eyes like millions of stars on a moonlit night. Sound became amplified and colors grew in sharp contrast, hypnotizing her with their brilliance. Time stood still as her entire body became paralyzed save for the erratic beating of her heart.
She released her hold on Angel’s neck, and his gorgeous face entered her line of vision. “Don’t fight it.”
Ember forced her mind to relax. The feelings that overtook her were indescribably beautiful, yet scary. Her life would forever be altered from this moment forward, she thought in wonder. And she wouldn’t change it for the world.
Chapter Three
Angel stared
in amazement at the woman beneath him. He’d never experienced the transition of a vampire before, and it could only be described as phenomenal.
Her eyes brightened and her temperature increased to a degree he felt would burn him alive. The fever, he knew, would run its course over the next few days with no lasting effects. It was her body’s way of fighting the change. In the meantime, he would enjoy the feel of it scorching his cock.
“I love you, Ember Burns.” He slowly thrust into her waiting heat, pulled back, and gently inched forward once again. Covering her mouth with his, he continued his leisurely pace, stopping occasionally to grind against her clit.
The feeling of being inside her was unparalleled to anything he could have dreamt up. If she never touched him again, he would go to his grave knowing what heaven felt like.
She broke off the kiss and turned her head to the side. “Take me.”
His stomach knotted in temptation. Resisting was one of the hardest things he’d ever done. Her blood called to him as did her body.
He dropped his face against her neck, inhaling her sweet scent. She had to be the most delicious temptation on the face of the earth.
The feel of her pussy tightening around him crossed his eyes. Soft, sexy sounds came from her throat and her feet dug into the mattress.
“Angel?” The desperation in her voice nearly pushed him into a frenzy. It took extreme concentration to remain calm.
Holding her arms above her head, he rocked into her with short, deliberate strokes. “Can you come for me, baby?”
“Yes,” she moaned, locking her legs behind his ass.
Angel gripped her waist in his big hands and rose up on his knees, lifting her lower body off the bed. He pumped into her cautiously, taking care not to cause her pain.
He suddenly found himself on his back with her looming above him. Her eyes were full-on crimson and there was a smear of blood at the corner of her mouth. He’d never thought her sexier than he did in that moment.
Her pussy contracting around his cock stole his ability to hold back. “Ember. Fuck.” Angel felt his seed expel from his body with such power it temporarily stole his sight.
He squeezed his eyes shut and rode out the most extraordinary orgasm he’d ever had without taking blood with it. She shuddered above him for what seemed like an eternity before falling forward onto his chest.
They lay there for several seconds before Angel found his voice. “Baby?” He ran a hand down her back.
“Hmmm?”
“How do you feel?”
She crossed her arms over his chest and rested her chin on her folded hands. “Incredible, like I’m in another person’s body.”
“It’s definitely your body, and a sexy one at that.”
Ember leaned up and kissed his chin. “You don’t have to butter me up; I’m a sure thing now.”
They both chuckled before Ember sobered. “What happens now?”
“Now we bait the trap and wait.”
A small line appeared between her eyes. “What trap?”
“Let’s get dressed and I’ll fill you in.”
* * * *
Ember could hear and smell everything with enhanced abilities. If she thought Angel’s scent was delicious before, well, it was downright mouthwatering now. “What do you shower with?”
He glanced up from the task of putting on his boots with a wink. “It’s a vampire trait. You smell amazing to me too. Especially now.” His gaze slowly skimmed down her body.
Her insides turned to mush. “Stop looking at me like that or we’ll be back in bed until morning.”
“Promises, promises,” he muttered, slipping on his other boot.
She ignored his taunt. “Tell me about this plan.”
Her cell rang before he could reply. She grabbed it off the nightstand and swiped her thumb across the screen. “Ember Wells.”
“Hey, Em, it’s me.”
The relief she felt at hearing her cousin’s voice was short-lived after his next words. “Is Laura with you?”
A sinking feeling gathered in the pit of her stomach. “I haven’t heard from her. Did you check her house?”
“Of course. I’ve looked everywhere that I thought she might be and left several voicemails on her phone. Something’s wrong. I feel it.”
“How soon can you get over here?”
“Give me directions.”
After giving him the address, Ember hung up and tucked her cell into her jeans pocket. “Laura is missing.”
“What? Are you sure?”
“Yes. Shon can’t find her. She’s not home or at work, and she’s not answering her phone.” She turned away, resuming her earlier pacing. “Oh, God, if something has happened to her, I’ll just die. She wouldn’t be in danger if not for me.”
He grabbed hold of her shoulders, stopping her in her tracks. “Nothing is going to happen to her, and don’t you dare blame yourself for any of this. The fault here rests solely on the Seeker.”
“Shon’s on his way here now. The safest thing we can do is stay together. Please call your parents and make sure they arrived at their destination.”
“They ditched their phones. Remember?”
“Shit. I forgot. How are we supposed to know if they made it okay?”
“My dad will contact us as soon as it’s safe to do so.”
The surety in Angel’s eyes eased some of her fear. “I pray you are right.”
He relaxed his grip on her skin. “Vlad may not be the most loved elder of my kind, but he’s certainly the most powerful. No harm will come to them in his care.”
“Why would he help my parents?” She hated the insecurity in her voice, but Dracula scared her as much as the Seeker did, but in a completely different way.
“Because I carry his blood, and you belong to me. Also, any children we have will be his heirs…beginning with this one.” He indicated her stomach with a tilt of his hand.
“But he doesn’t know about the baby. What if he doesn’t like the fact that my parents are mostly human, and decides to have them for dinner?”
“We do not destroy our own kind, Ember. It’s one of our strictest laws.”
“Vampires have laws?”
“Not many. But the ones we have are to us as the Ten Commandments are to Christians.”
Ember let that sink in. “The human world is full of sinners, Angel, and they break every commandment we have.”
“Unfortunately, it’s the same in every realm,” he softly replied.
Fear crawled under her skin once again. Every scenario she could imagine ran through her mind from Dracula dining on her parents to Gina killing them outright for sport. Either way, it terrified her.
It was as if Angel could read her thoughts. “They will suffer no injury, Ember. My people fear Vlad too much. Stop worrying; you’re going to make yourself sick.”
Chapter Four
Angel hated the fear he sensed in Ember. Not that he blamed her, really. He’d be afraid also if he were human and had just learned that Dracula in fact did exist. He didn’t tell her that most of the stories she’d heard were probably true, and no doubt sugarcoated out of ignorance. If she had any idea what Vlad was actually capable of, she would be in hysterics by now.
“Your cousin is here,” he announced seconds before the doorbell rang.
“How do you do that?”
“You are capable of it also. It just takes some learning.” He waved toward the door. “After you.”
Angel followed Ember through the living room and into the foyer without taking his gaze from her rear. She had the finest ass he’d ever seen, and he couldn’t seem to get enough of it.
“I know you’re looking at my butt.” She opened the door without waiting on his reply.
“He has Laura,” Shon growled, stepping over the threshold. He nodded at Angel before kissing Ember on the cheek.
Ember paled. “Are you sure?”
Angel locked the door behind him.
“I’m po
sitive.” Shon threw his hands out to his sides. “She wouldn’t up and disappear without telling one of us. Not with the Seeker on the loose.”
“We have to do something before he kills her.” Ember’s soft voice wavered, telling Angel she was on the verge of tears.
“He won’t kill her, baby.”
“He’s taken far too many lives for me to believe that he won’t harm her, Angel. How can you think otherwise?”
“Because she’s bait,” both men responded simultaneously.
“I don’t understand,” she remarked, taking a seat on the edge of the sofa.
Angel knelt in front of her and took hold of her hands. “I was fairly sure it was me he wanted in the beginning, but I’m not so sure anymore.”
“Go on,” Ember prompted, her face growing paler by the minute.
Brushing a kiss across her knuckles, he continued. “I’m pretty sure he knows who I am by now. And he’s probably guessed we’ve blood bonded, which was why he attacked you in the park.”
“And why he took Laura,” she finished.
“Yes,” Shon remarked, plopping down in a chair that faced them. “He knows how you feel about her, Em. He’s counting on you doing what it takes to get her back, even if it means giving your life for hers.”
“What do we do now?” Ember asked in a small voice, ignoring Angel’s growl.
Angel sat on the ottoman where he could see them both. “We wait.”
* * * *
A constant throbbing inside her head slowly dragged Laura from the darkness. Her eyes hurt and her lids were too heavy to lift. She attempted to lick her lips, but her tongue had no moisture.
“Hello?” she croaked in barely a whisper. Nausea rolled, threatening to empty her stomach. Pain sliced through her hands as she attempted to roll over. It took her a second to realize something sharp held her wrists immobile. “Help.”
“Call out all you want. No one will hear you.”
Laura struggled to open her eyes. The room was dark save for a dim light coming from the hallway. She blinked a few times, allowing her vision to adjust as memory came flooding back with a vengeance. “Why are you doing this?”
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