Heart of a Vampire, Book Bundle (Books 1-3)

by Amber Kallyn

  Strong arms wrapped around her. He pulled her against his hard chest, surrounding her with a warmth that battled the coldness inside.

  “I didn’t mean to make you cry,” he told her, his voice thick and tortured.

  She shook her head, trying to stop.

  Tilting her chin up, he brushed his lips over her forehead.

  The warmth inside her exploded into deep, dark flames, and pushed the icy loneliness far away.

  She hadn’t felt such a thing in so long. Something inside her cracked open. A need that was overpowering.

  And she realized she wanted this. This connection to Connor. To dampen the past, to warm her. Yet, the thought of opening to him made her shiver with fear. Memories swamped her, filling her with shame.

  He cupped the back of her head, holding her close, and those memories dimmed, replaced with those of their time together. Carefree. Innocent.

  Perhaps with him she could reach that long ago place, just for a little while. A time before she’d become something she detested.

  He ran his hand over her hair, murmuring words in Gaelic, trying to soothe her. Instead, his very presence, his touch, fanned the flames of need.

  Thinking slowed, driven away by primal desires.

  She could enjoy him, let him override everything that ached deep inside. Let him show her what they’d once had.

  Just for now, for one last time, before she left him for good.

  Take his warmth. Let it melt the loneliness.

  Something to hold on to when he was once more gone.

  Maybe it was selfish, but one last memory to hold on to in the future.

  She pressed her mouth to his, licking his lips lightly. He groaned, his breath sweeping over her cheek. His arms tightened, but he pulled back.

  “I’m not going to have you do anything you’ll regret, Mo grádh,” he whispered. My love, he called her.

  Just as he had in their long ago past.

  It pushed her over the edge. She needed this.

  Needed him.

  She pulled from his arms, pushing him down on the bed. “I want to.”

  Groaning, he traced his fingers down the side of her cheek. “I do too, but now isn’t the time.”

  “Why not?” she replied, tugging his shirt up. Memories tried to rear up. She met his gaze, drowning in the warmth of now, forcing back the past.

  Taking a deep breath, she fell into his steel-gray gaze. She placed light kisses along his abs, drawing in his scent with every breath.

  He tensed, hands waving as if he couldn’t decide to push her away, or pull her closer.

  “Come. Let me take advantage of you.” She bit one of his nipples lightly.

  He bucked beneath her, his eyes darkening with desire and his fangs peeking from between his lips.

  She gently drew one of her fangs over the smooth skin of his chest, leaving a thin trail of welling blood. His hands tangle in her hair as he breathed heavily. She licked his skin clean.

  Already, the wound had healed.

  She met his gaze. “Still want to tell me no?”

  His gaze softened, a bit of blue peeking through the red as he struggled to do just that.

  Before he could, she cupped his stiffness through his pants. He shuddered, his breath exploding from his chest.

  “Tell me yes,” she whispered.

  “I-I...” He shook his head. “I don’t want you to regret—”

  Refusing to let him stop, she swung her leg over his waist and kissed his words away. Beneath her touch, he melted, finally giving in to her.

  “Love me,” she whispered nearly inaudibly against his cheek.

  “Mo grádh, I always have.” He lifted her, rolling them over the bed until she was trapped beneath him.

  She relished the strength of his touch, and the knowledge that with this man, at least, she would be safe. Her heart might not be, but he would never physically hurt her.

  Even now, desire consuming his every thought, she knew she could say no and he would stop.

  He would never force her to do anything she didn’t want. Her heart clenched at the sweetness of that knowledge.

  He ravished her mouth as he ran his hand down her side to rip her shirt away.

  Material gave way and she stared up at the tatters.

  Shoving her bra up, he captured one hard, throbbing nipple between his teeth as he suckled her deep.

  His skin was so hot, it nearly burned. She reached between them, grasping at his belt and unbuckling it, as he kissed her breasts as if worshipping them.

  She found his zipper and jerked it down. He sprang free, rubbing against her naked stomach.

  Taking him in hand, she squeezed. His groan filled her with a heady power.

  * * *

  Connor knew, deep inside, he should put a stop to this. Ashlyn would regret it in the morning. Talk hadn’t resolved anything, and this wouldn’t either.

  But after empty dreams for so long, the taste of her strawberry lips, the satiny softness of her bountiful breasts in his hands, was more than he could say no to.

  He wanted her so badly he throbbed with an urgent need. Struggling for the last shreds of self control, he nuzzled her neck. “Are you certain you want to do this?”

  Her nails scraped over his skin as her whispered plea, “Aye,” shattered his control.

  “Then let me taste you,” he replied. He tipped her chin up and sucked on her neck, sinking his fangs deep.

  She cried out with pleasure as he drank in her essence. Her hands moved over him frantically and he shuddered.

  Rearing back, he stared down into her stunning green eyes flushed with red. His dreams were coming true.

  He kissed along the slope of one breast, moved to her belly. His chest ached, but the pain was as pleasurable as the taste of her skin.

  Easing lower, he tugged the waist of her skirt, watching the emotion spreading over her face as he slipped it down her thighs, calves, then over her feet.

  She lay before him, naked but for a scrap of black lacy underwear.

  “Damn, woman. You’re as lovely as I remember.” He traced up her leg, then dipped behind her knee. She jerked back.

  “Still ticklish, I see.”

  She grinned, but the misery remained in her eyes. He wanted... needed to push that away. To see it disappear, replaced by anything else.

  Love, perhaps.

  He nibbled up her inner thigh. Her hands gripped his short hair, tugging him higher.

  He obliged.

  Hooking a finger beneath on thin strap of her panties, he ripping them away.

  “Guess I’ll need new clothes soon.” Her voice was husky with desire.

  He traced his tongue over her, holding her hips still when it made her buck.

  Letting his fangs slide along her skin, he moved lower. Her taste drove him to the edge of need, but he would control himself, pleasuring her until she forgot everything making her draw away from him.

  She shuddered beneath his mouth and he smiled to himself. He would remind her how good it was between them. Make sure she never forgot.

  * * *

  Ashlyn whimpered. His mouth... She’d forgotten how even his simplest touch could drive her insane.

  Delicious sensations spiraled inside and over her skin as he lapped between her thighs. She arched her back, pressing against his mouth, pulling at his hair to guide him over her sensitive flesh.

  He groaned against her, and the vibrations nearly sent her over the edge. She mewled, soft cries of pleasure.

  She couldn’t think of anything but what he was doing. And she didn’t care. She didn’t want to think.

  Only wanted to be taken to this place where only the two of them existed, no past, no present. No future without him.

  Just the now, and the way he played her body like a heavenly instrument, knowing how to take her beyond reality.

  Her breathing became heavier and her cries louder as he continued to love her. The spiraling pleasure sucked her under as she cl
imaxed. Her body shook, rocking back and forth against his mouth.

  Then he rose above her, a warrior ready to battle. Not for war or dominance, but for shared pleasure.

  She opened her arms, welcoming him home.

  Groaning, he drove into her, his breath hot and heavy on her ear. He whispered words of love and hope in their native Gaelic.

  Something inside her melted and the warmth of lust and desire subtly changed. She ignored it. Now was for pleasure.

  Lifting her hips high, she met his movements. How she’d missed this.

  Missed him.

  No. No thinking.

  Grabbing his hair, she turned his head, baring his neck.

  “Yes,” he cried as she sank her fangs into his skin.

  Hot, sweet blood filled her mouth. She sipped, sucking harder with each pounding of their flesh. It was beyond anything she could have dreamed, imagined.

  Not just sex.

  She felt something snap between them, a connection on an entirely different level. Stunned, she drew away from his throat and met his gaze.

  His eyes were unfocused with pleasure.

  Warmth spread through her, not just the heat of the orgasm nipping at the edge of her consciousness, but something so very much deeper, sweeter.

  She raked her nails down his back, over his ass. His groan filled the room as his movements quickened.

  He slowed, lifting his head to look into her eyes. “Remember this next we speak of the future,” he growled.

  A cry was ripped from her chest as the tumulus waves of pleasure crashed into her. He kissed her with all the love and passion shining from his eyes as she was swept into the abyss of release.

  Shudders raced through her body as her skin tingled down to her very toes. He captured her cry with his kiss. Then he groaned against her lips, filling her with his hot seed.

  He stilled, resting his forehead on hers. Staring into her eyes, he kissed her lightly, then slid to her side. As the shivers raced through her body, he turned her, drawing her back to his chest and wrapping her in the safety, the comfort, of his arms.

  She felt almost dreamy, still high on the pleasure he’d given them.

  It had been better than she remembered.

  Sweeter.

  Perhaps because they were older, with so much living behind them. What they’d shared, the emotions swirling inside her, were so much more than physical pleasure.

  They were precious.

  She breathed deeply as the sadness tried to reach up and claw at her once more. Pushing it away, she was determined to enjoy Connor this night. To have no regrets.

  As her heartbeat began to slow, she turned in his arms, facing him. “I have a nice, large shower right over there.”

  He grinned, eyes shining with such happiness she thought it might break her heart.

  “We have all night,” he replied. “Let’s see how long the water heater will last.”

  She matched his smile, and led him from the bed to the bathroom.

  Chapter Thirteen

  Ashlyn woke as the sun was descending, painting her room with oranges and reds of the sunset outside the windows. She began to stretch, her body deliciously relaxed. The hard male body at her back made her freeze.

  Her thoughts spun as she remembered everything they’d done. And Connor’s insistence of what they could have once again.

  She blinked slowly, trying hard to keep their lovemaking in the perspective it should be.

  A night of fun.

  No promises.

  No regrets.

  With a sigh, she eased out of the bed. Connor caught her hand and tugged on it until she glanced at him.

  “Good morning, Mo grádh.” His voice sent sensuous thrills shooting down her spine.

  It was all she could do to resist climbing back in bed and having a repeat of last night. Instead, she forced down her emotions and said, “We need to get ready.”

  Hurt flashed through his eyes at her abrupt tone, but she bit her lip to keep her mouth shut on the apology trying to squeak out as she purposely strode from the bedroom and into the bathroom.

  After a long shower, emotions in turmoil hard to contain, she went to get dressed.

  Her bedroom was empty.

  The only sign he’d even been there was his spicy scent lingering in the room like a ghost of the past. She swallowed against the tightness in her throat, trying to pretend there was no ache in her chest.

  After dressing, she knocked on Sean’s door, but there was no answer. When she peeked inside, it was as empty as her own bedroom had been, but without the lingering depression of loneliness.

  She headed downstairs for some blood and food. Dalia was in the kitchen, bustling about.

  She grinned when she spotted Ashlyn. “How was your night?”

  Heat rose over her neck and face, and she knew she was blushing. “Fine. Thanks.”

  “Mmm, hmm.” Dalia grabbed a mug and pressed it into Ashlyn’s hands. “You’re glowing just like Connor was when I saw him.”

  Staring at the shorter woman, her blonde and pink striped hair a bit distracting, Ashlyn replied, “Hmm.”

  “That’s what I thought.” Dalia winked, then continued bustling around the room.

  “Have you seen Sean?”

  “Sure. He’s following Jordan around, asking all sorts of questions. Your boy finally managed to get more than grunts out of him.”

  This woman, a vampire for such a short time, calling her son a boy was amusing.

  Dalia laid a plate on the end of the island counter. “Eat.”

  She slid onto the chair, but could only pick at the food.

  With another plate piled high, Dalia sat next to Ashlyn. “I’m a good listener.”

  “Perhaps, but there are quite a few things that shouldn’t be spoken of.”

  “I don’t know.” Dalia took a bite, not looking at Ashlyn, but paying full attention none-the-less. “Talking usually helps, even if the subject is painful.”

  “Some people aren’t used to talking to others.”

  “True. But they can always give it a try.”

  Ashlyn chewed on a small piece of ham. Even though Dalia wasn’t staring at her, she still felt scrutinized.

  She didn’t even know this woman, yet the urge to talk to her was strong. Rather than doing so, she asked, “Everything ready for tonight?”

  “Yup,” Dalia replied.

  “Good.” Her stomach was queasy from all her thoughts she couldn’t control. “I need to speak with Sean before we go.”

  Dalia finally met her gaze. The woman’s blue-green eyes shone with sympathy, and understanding. “He and Jordan are probably in the study. I can take you.”

  “That’s all right. I’ll find it.” She practically raced from the room and Dalia’s comforting presence, which made her want to sit and chat, forget all her worries.

  The woman was dangerous to one’s peace of mind.

  Minutes later, she found the room. Jordan’s voice boomed, and Sean shouted. Her heart skipped a beat and her stomach flipped faster.

  She burst through the door, splintering the wood near the door knob, then stopped short.

  Jordan and Sean wore white outfits, with metal guards on their heads. They faced each other, holding long, thin rapiers.

  “What is going on?” she demanded.

  Jordan chuckled. “Good morrow, cousin. Your son is sorely lacking in fencing skills.”

  She looked at them, shaking her head. “Boys.”

  A shadow moved on the couch to the right and her breath stuttered. She hadn’t noticed Connor, her senses overpowered by fear.

  Sean lifted the mask from his face.

  His eyes shone with delight and his smile widened. “I already beat Connor, two out of three. Jordan’s really good though.”

  She barely heard his words as her heart thundered in her ears. Forcing a smile, she glanced at Sean. “Good job. When you’re done, we need to talk, all right?”

  He nodded, and she le
ft the room, glad to have gotten away without a confrontation.

  She didn’t get five steps when Connor’s scent wrapped around her. He grabbed her arm, spinning her and backing her against the wall.

  His eyes were angry, but his voice light, as he said, “Good morning, Mo grádh.” He bent closer and kissed her sweetly.

  Stunned, she couldn’t react.

  “I’ll meet you in the receiving chamber in a half-hour. We’ll all be ready to go by then.” His lips gently caressed hers, and she nearly melted against him.

  Then he straightened and strode away, whistling softly.

  She couldn’t move, couldn’t look away from his tall form until he turned a corner.

  Then she blinked, dazed at what had just happened. Not that she understood it at all.

  * * *

  Connor fisted his hands as he strode aimlessly through the castle halls. The woman was turning him upside down and sideways. First, she demanded he bed her, then she woke cold as ice.

  He didn’t get it.

  A few minutes later, Jordan caught up. The man stayed silent, just walked alongside him.

  Finally, Connor asked, “Do you understand Dalia?”

  “Nay. Not much.”

  “But you guys don’t fight,” he stated.

  “We talk, discuss, and occasionally argue. But that’s love.”

  “What do you do if she won’t talk to you?”

  “Take her to bed and have my wicked way with her until she’s no longer mad.”

  “Tried it. Didn’t work.”

  Jordan raised a brow. “Perhaps your ways weren’t wicked enough.”

  Connor laughed, amused and partly amazed they were even having this conversation. “Aye. They were.”

  “Then try again.”

  “I damn well will, if she lets me. She’s so... distant today.”

  Jordan stopped, waiting until Connor faced him. “I’ve not seen you look to the future in a millennia.”

  “What was there to look towards?” Connor replied.

  “Hmm. Give her time. Ashlyn still has the past on her mind, and the present threats to deal with.”

  Connor shrugged. “They wouldn’t seem so bad if she’d share them with me.”

  Jordan chuckled. “A woman who’s been on her own, trying to protect her son, for so long. You want her to just up and depend on you? You’ll be lucky if that ever happens the way you want. She’s not the same girl you knew.”