by Jourdan Lane
Lucien sighed and kissed my temple. "I think it may be time for us to get to know our Simon a lot better than we do now."
I chuckled. "You planning on seducing him?"
"If that's what it takes."
"Oh look, Lilly. They started without us," Silver said from the doorway. "You're not going to make us play along, are you?"
I looked up and saw Silver and Lilly walking into the room. "Only if you want to."
Lilly grinned. "I'm game."
Silver smacked her on the ass and she stumbled before sinking down onto a pile of pillows. He followed her down and got comfortable, pulling her to sit between his legs. "I'll pass, thanks."
"Such a shame," I said, faking an exasperated sigh. "All that man going to waste on a woman."
Lilly threw a pillow at me. "I could fuck you six ways to Sunday and you'd enjoy it just the same."
I shuddered and tossed the pillow back to her. "And there's where I wimp out and pass."
"Pussies," Lilly murmured.
Silver cleared his throat. "So, Peter. How are you feeling?"
"Good," I said. "Still trying to get a handle on this feeding thing, you know?"
"It's still not behaving?"
I shook my head. "Unfortunately. It's like every time I try to fuck and get off I end up trying to feed. I mean, does everyone go through this?"
Lilly nodded. "Was for me."
Silver shook his head. "I don't have the incubus to worry about. Is it possible that the Lycan part of you is interfering with the learning process?"
"Not unless Nikolas or another wolf is around. Then, my wolf wants to eat my vampire after we fuck."
"Talk about a dangerous bed partner, Lucien."
"He really is doing well," Lucien said. "Even if we do end up having a feeding lesson every time we get close. Nikolas has also been working pretty heavily with him and it won't be long until everything clicks into place. In two to three months he'll have complete control over both beasts."
"And I told you how to fix your wolf wanting to eat the vamp," Nikolas said as he walked into the room. "But no… don't listen to me. I don't know what the fuck I'm talking about."
"Oh, not that again," Lucien said with a groan.
Nikolas had sworn that the best way for my wolf to get comfortable with Lucien as a mate – was to fuck him. Lucien figured Nikolas just wanted to watch and I was pretty much in agreement.
Nikolas sank to his knees before me and bared his neck in offering. The need for blood wasn't nearly as strong as it had been, but Nikolas wasn't one to refuse when he offered himself up to be food. If I said no, he'd get all sorts of pissy and pout for days.
My wolf stirred in response to being so close to Nikolas. I sat up, then drew him in a little farther. I licked a line down his neck and then moved to his throat, licking my way up his chin. I didn't kiss him, just licked at the corner of his mouth and over his lips. He closed his eyes and sighed, moving even closer.
"Feed," he growled.
"Pushy, pushy."
I licked my way back down his throat and found the strong pulse beating in his neck. Instead of just sinking my fangs in and drinking from him, I licked over his pulse, teasing him and just enjoying myself. His heart beat faster and faster and my wolf went alert and interested.
But instead of asserting itself, my wolf just sat back and watched, as if curious. I guessed that my wolf was finally attempting to make some sort of peace with my vampire. Hell, if my vampire side was as easy for me to control as my wolf side? I'd be doing damned good.
Finally, I'd teased myself about all I could and set my fangs against the pulse in Nikolas' neck, then bit down. He gasped and tried to push me back so that he could straddle me, but I growled and shoved him back to the floor without breaking my hold on his throat.
"Bastard," he whispered.
My wolf approved of me not letting Nikolas get the upper hand and just sort of retreated back into the shadows. I fed just enough to sate the hunger I'd set aside earlier, licked the wound clean, then looked down at Nikolas.
"Thank you."
"Don't mention it, princess." He pushed at my chest. "Now get off me."
I grinned and slowly moved off him, then went back to Lucien's side and curled up against him. Nikolas lay in front of us, stretching out, resting his head on Lucien's thigh. Lucien smiled down at him and wrapped a hand gently around Nikolas' throat.
I'd once thought that was a show of domination or superiority on Lucien's part, but I'd learned that it was something he did as a show of affection instead. And that even Nikolas, who didn't like much affection at all, enjoyed the touch.
Sabaan materialized in the middle of the room and looked around, clearly confused. "What the hell?"
"Simon's made room for an orgy," Nikolas snorted.
"Oh, joy." Sabaan rolled his eyes. "Would be fine if I hadn't nearly materialized into a vase."
I held my arms open wide for Sabaan. "I'm sure we can make it up to you."
He looked at me and grinned, that wicked gleam coming back into his black eyes as he walked toward us. "I'm quite sure you can."
After a kiss and a few good gropes between Sabaan and me and even Lucien, Sabaan settled in front of Nikolas, leaning back against him. Nikolas pulled him to lie in front of him and proceeded to use him as a makeshift pillow instead. Sabaan ate it up, just enjoying Nikolas' touch, and that made me smile.
A few more people came into the room a short time later. Reid, Logan, Eric, Gino… Nearly everyone in mine and Lucien's little circle of close friends. We made small talk, trying to figure out what exactly Simon had planned. No one was dressed in anything other than comfortable house clothes or pajamas.
The front door closed and the sound of two sets of footsteps echoed down the entry way. I didn't have to look to know who at least one of the footsteps belonged to. But I couldn't stop myself from looking back anyway. The moment my eyes found Xander, my heart skipped a little beat.
God, I missed him.
He and Caleb paused and looked over at us and Caleb's eyes went directly to the floor. Both of them were dressed and wearing shoes. It was clear they hadn't come in planning on joining this little party. The entire room went silent and after a few moments, Lucien cleared his throat.
"Come to me, Caleb."
Caleb grabbed Xander's hand and squeezed, but Xander gave him a kiss to the temple and encouraged him on. Caleb held onto Xander's hand until he couldn't any longer and walked around to stand in front of Lucien. In a matter of seconds, Caleb was on his knees, eyes trained on the floor.
Lucien stared at him for a long while, but remained silent. I could see and feel the fear and nervousness emanating from Caleb, mixed with shame and remorse. If I could feel it, I knew Lucien could. After everything Caleb had done to him, Lucien still loved him.
I hoped that someday the trust could be earned back, too.
Finally, Lucien reached out and smoothed his hand over Caleb's hair, fingers moving through the brown curls. Caleb closed his eyes and leaned into Lucien's touch and the moment was so intense and so heartbreaking that I had to look away or risk tearing up in front of everyone.
"Do you know what I wish?"
"No, Master," Caleb answered.
"That we can gather the strength and courage to put the past behind us," Lucien said. "It won't be easy and it won't be fast…"
Caleb looked up at Lucien, his eyes filled with tears. "I never meant for any of it to happen."
"I know." Lucien held his arms open. "Come here, Caleb."
Caleb didn't hesitate for even a second, throwing himself into Lucien's arms and holding on as if his very life depended on it. "I'm so sorry," he whispered. "So very, very sorry."
I looked back at Xander, who was wiping tears from his eyes, and gestured for him to walk over to me. He hesitated, but came to stand behind me. I smiled up at him. "Get down here and hug me, would you?"
He laughed and went to his knees, then wrapped his arms around me. "M
erry Christmas, huh?"
"I'll say." I snuggled in closer. "Why don't you and Caleb stay? I'm not sure what Simon's got planned for us all, but we'd love to have you here."
"Oh, I don't know," Xander said.
I could feel tension coming off Nikolas in front of me and slid my hand over his hip. He looked back at me with a frown, but some of the tension drained away. It was too soon for Nikolas to offer up any sort of acceptance or forgiveness and I understood that. But, it really didn't have anything to do with him or his relationships with me and Lucien.
Nikolas settled back down and said something to Sabaan and I turned my attention back to Xander. "Please?"
"If it wouldn't be too awkward, I guess it'd be okay."
Caleb looked over at me and smiled meekly. "Hey, Peter."
"Hey yourself." I rose up on my knees a little and kissed his cheek. "You'll stay, huh?"
He nodded. "Thank you."
Lucien pushed him back. "Get your boots off, your clothes off, whatever you like – and you can lounge here with us."
"Yeah?"
Lucien nodded and looked up at everyone else in the room. "We would all love to have you here."
Everyone nodded and enthusiastically agreed, but I think it had more to do with the fact that it was what Lucien wanted rather than something any of them wanted. If Caleb realized it, he didn't let on and moved away from Lucien and started removing his boots. Xander stayed where he was for a long while, chin resting on my shoulder, fingers moving up and down my arm in what had become a familiar show of affection between us.
Simon waltzed in, a small basket in one hand and a platter of snacks and hors d'oeuvres in another. I hadn't shifted in a while, so food would be off-limits to me. It was tempting to shift just so I could sample some of the dips and cheeses. Sabaan and Nikolas were already digging in as soon as Simon set the platter down.
"What's up, Simon?" Lilly asked.
Adam walked in, carrying a tray filled with glasses of red wine. He stopped before Lucien and me and offered us each a glass. I took one and found it nice and warm. Okay. So it wasn't just any ordinary wine. Simon had apparently added some spice and some blood to it to turn it into some delectable drink for us vampires.
One sip had me groaning and Simon grinning like hell.
"Oh, this is good, Simon!"
"Thank Adam," he said with a chuckle. "He was… inspired."
Adam blushed a little. "I'm glad you like it, sir."
"It's very, very good."
"Thank you," he replied sheepishly.
He moved on around the room, passing out drinks to everyone else. I watched and sipped at my drink, savoring it. Lucien leaned over and kissed Xander's cheek and smiled at me.
"I have a feeling this night is about to get a lot more interesting."
"Yeah? Why's that?"
He gestured toward the entrance from the hall and my breath caught in my throat. Dressed in a simple pair of dark blue pajama bottoms and a button-down pajama shirt that had been left open, Rhys stood in the doorway, watching Simon's every moment like a hawk. One hand was behind his back and there was a determined look set on his face.
"Oh, boy."
I looked to Simon and realized he wasn't aware of Rhys' presence. I started to clear my throat to alert him, but Rhys shook his head and winked. Simon stood at the head of the circle where everyone was seated, his back to Rhys.
"What is it that you have planned, Simon?" Lucien asked.
"We're going to have a little white elephant party."
"A white what?" Nikolas asked. "What the hell you been drinking, angel boy?"
Simon glared down at Nikolas, but there was humor behind it. "Everyone takes a number from the basket and will choose a gift from beneath the tree in numerical order. Whoever has number one gets to choose a gift and unwrap it first, but number two – and numbers after that – have the choice of choosing a gift from beneath the tree, or stealing one that's already been opened by someone before them."
Silver snorted. "So we get a gift, but we don't get to keep it?"
"Not until the game's declared over," Simon said with a smile. "And whatever you have in your hands then? Is yours."
"Oh, this sounds fun," Lilly said.
"Let's draw numbers!" Logan laughed and stuck out his hand. "Come on, man, let's get cracking."
"Wait, wait!" There was something I just had to know first. "I'd like to know what the lube and towels under the pillows are for."
Simon winked. "If you have to ask, then I'm guessing you won't be old enough to participate."
Everyone started looking under their pillows and whoops and shouts of laughter filled the room. "Oh. My. God," Sabaan laughed. "I know what's in the gifts, now! We're all getting dildos!"
Simon picked up a pillow and chunked it at Sabaan's head. "Only you, Sabaan."
Rhys finally cleared his throat. "Mind if I play along, too?"
Simon froze, eyes closing. "Of course."
Before Simon could turn around, Rhys moved into the room. He walked over to Simon and stood close at his back. "I have something for you first."
"Oh?"
"Turn around, Simon," Rhys said softly.
It took so long for him to do it, that I was afraid he wouldn't turn around at all. When he did, Rhys held a sprig of mistletoe above Simon's head. Simon looked up at it, looked at Rhys, then his gaze darted around the room.
"Rhys – "
Rhys pressed a finger beneath Simon's chin and tilted his head back, then kissed him. Simon froze, every muscle in his body going tense. But then, slowly, Simon gave in to the kiss and melted against Rhys' chest. Rhys growled in approval and wrapped his arms around Simon, holding him close.
I nudged Lucien and whispered, "He may get laid after all."
"Looks like," Lucien agreed.
About that time, Simon pulled away a little and Rhys smiled, then bent to pick up a bundle of fresh flowers that he'd apparently dropped in favor of the mistletoe. When he rose again, he presented the flowers to Simon.
"Merry Christmas, Simon."
Simon took the flowers and smelled them, glancing up at Rhys. "Thank you."
"Can we talk later? Just you and me?"
Simon started to answer, but paused as if he changed his mind. Finally, he nodded. "Sure."
Rhys kissed him again and smiled before finding a place to sit. Simon held the flowers close for a moment, then turned to face everyone. "Ready to get started?"
"Yes!" Eric said, and Gino reached over and gave him a playful smack. "Either that or we watch you get naked."
It seemed everyone had a grin on their face and when we all gave the approval to get started, Simon got a little flushed when he realized he couldn't find where he'd dropped his basket. He found it and scooped up the little slips of paper that had spilled out.
"Okay. Who goes first?"
As Simon started passing out numbers, Lucien leaned over and took my hand, lacing our fingers together. His expression was pure joy and I couldn't help but smile in return.
"What is it, babe?"
Lucien looked around the room, at our loved ones, then back at me. "Merry Christmas, lover."
A Coven Christmas
Copyright © 2007 by Jourdan Lane
All rights reserved. No part of this eBook may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission except in case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles or reviews. For information address Torquere Press, Inc., PO Box 2545, Round Rock, TX 78680
Printed in the United States of America.
Torquere Press, Inc.: Sips electronic edition / December 2007
Torquere Press eBooks are published by Torquere Press, Inc., PO Box 2545, Round Rock, TX 78680
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