Keep It In The Blood: A Vampire Romance For Adults

by Samantha Snow

  “Yeah? But you were assigned to me when I was ten,” she reminded him.

  “Admittedly, the knowledge didn’t happen for another seven years,” he conceded. “But what can I say? At the time, I never hoped to fulfill my dream.”

  “What dream?” she asked suspiciously.

  “To be in your arms and having this conversation?” he answered mildly. “Among other things.”

  “What other things?”

  “Vivian, has it occurred to you that Zach is going to be gone for hours?” he teased, running one of his hands over the inside of her thigh.

  “Oh, you mean those other things,” she chuckled. “Well, why not? Those men had me all worked up earlier, but I suppose if you wanted to, we could still imbibe.”

  “You have no idea how hot I am, thinking of you and Zach sexing up another guy,” he admitted. “I’m jealous too, of course, but in the end, I really don’t mind.”

  “I’ll make it up to you then,” said Vivian, leaning forward to kiss him. “It’s the least I can do, considering I want to fulfill your dreams as much as you long to fulfill mine.”

  *

  Heat swirled through Vivian’s belly as Donovan deepened her kiss. She’d always suspected that he might be holding back a little when he kissed her in front of Zach, and now she realized with a stirring of delight just how much. A sweet ache grew between her legs as he let every feeling he’d been holding in check flow.

  “Don!” she gasped softly, feeling her whole body begin to glow.

  “I love you, Vivian,” he whispered softly. “How I’ve longed to tell you so.”

  Their hands gripped each other in understanding as their eyes met and held. “You know that I love Zach, Donnie,” she reminded him. “But I also love you, too.”

  “Let me taste you,” he pleaded softly, his lips running down the column of her neck until they reached her pulse.

  “Yes,” she whispered with longing. “Please do!”

  His fangs plunged deep, and they leaned against the wall together, wrapped into their moment alone, their hearts pounding in unison as Donovan drank freely.

  “Don’t overdo it, Donovan,” she reminded him. “You must learn to know when you’ve taken enough.”

  “Have I harmed you?” he asked urgently. “Do you need a blood provider?”

  “Of course not, silly,” she grumbled. “I’m not in the mood for food. I may not be allowed to drink much blood from you, my third, but I think another fluid will do just as well.”

  “So, you didn’t get enough sucking in yet?” he teased her.

  “Well, I am a vampire,” she pointed out. “Go figure.”

  Donovan chuckled. “Yeah, for all of a few weeks now. Go on, then, knock yourself out.”

  Vivian’s fingers traced an eager path over Donovan’s sleeveless t-shirt, tugging it free of his jeans with great urgency. She pulled it free of his body and discarded it, then attacked the button of his fly with an impatience that made him chuckle.

  “Would you like me to get that for you?” he inquired, smoothing his hands over her own and unbuttoning the thing easily.

  “Show-off,” she practically purred, but mostly because she was already easing down the zipper, and she would soon get to have her prize.

  “You do know that somebody could open the closet door at any moment, do you not?” Donovan felt the need to remind her. “This isn’t the greatest of hiding spots.”

  “Who is going to want anything out of here in the middle of the night?” Vivian scoffed. “The only people in the dorm right now are virgins and ghouls. And they are mostly fast asleep.”

  With that said, Vivian moved down onto her knees so she could reach the man more easily. The whole time she’d been with Alonzo earlier, it had been his cock she was needing. She wondered if it was because it had been a while since she had made him, and they’d never had much chance to indulge in one another alone. It must be similar in nature to her need for time alone with Zach—something much more potent than mere hormones.

  “Damn, Vivian, you’re really going to town,” he teased, threading his fingers into her auburn locks as he leaned back and enjoyed. “I didn’t know you missed me quite that much.”

  Vivian giggled. “Donovan, will you take me?” she asked.

  “Take you—where?” he pointed out, shrugging as she moved away from him. “We can’t go at it in the dorm, and I think the hallway is right out.”

  “In here, of course,” she told him, rolling her eyes. “Right against this wall.”

  Donovan laughed. “Yes, well, I suppose if we are quiet about it, we might not get found out. Are you sure? It’s likely the prince will assign rooms for us soon.”

  “Yeah, true, but then it won’t be just you and me,” she reminded him. “I love to be with both my men when we come together that way, but don’t you ever want to have just you and me?”

  “Of course I do, Vivian,” he admitted, smiling softly. “There is more than one kind of intimacy. I’m glad to know you want to share that with me.”

  “Don’t get me wrong,” she said. “I want that same kind of time with Zach sometimes too.”

  “I know that you do,” he said, tugging her up onto her feet. “So, right here, huh? Right against this very fine wall? I believe it might work best if I approached things from behind you.”

  “Be-behind me,” she stammered breathlessly. Donovan flipped her around and pressed her into the wall experimentally. Then, he tugged at her hips until her arms leaned on the wall, and her hips were flush against his erection, which still poked out through his open jeans. He smacked her ass, hard.

  “Yeah, baby, right about here,” he replied huskily. “Only trouble is, we need to get these pants down. His hands came around to undo her fly, and then he tugged downward, bringing the waistband down around her knees.

  “Mercy,” she breathed as he captured the sides of her hips and tugged her into a position to his liking, then slammed into her in one swift stroke.

  “This was your idea,” he reminded her, backing out till only the tip remained, then slamming into her again. “Now, I’m going to show you what alone time with me really means.”

  Vivian had to hold her arms stiffly to keep her head from banging into the wall as Donovan set to work, slamming into her again and again. She bit at her bottom lip so hard that it began to bleed, and she simply sucked the liquid in so she wouldn’t make a mess. Donovan kept letting out little whooshes of air to keep from calling out as well.

  The tension between them began to build, and Vivian knew instinctively that when she came, she was going to come hard. She had no idea how she was going to keep her mouth shut once she was overcome by the waves. And then, they were on her, racking her body with bliss. Donovan didn’t let a little thing like her ecstatic shivering interrupt him, though. He kept right on going for at least another minute, and when he came inside of her, Vivian’s orgasm amplified tenfold. She squeezed out one soft, muffled little moan.

  When he had finished with her, Donovan chuckled softly. “Well, I don’t think we woke up the household. But if we tried again, I’m pretty sure there wouldn’t be one set of closed eyes, eh?”

  Vivian grinned wryly as she straightened out her clothes. “I think you’re right, Donnie. We’d best rejoin the rest of the world.”

  *****

  It took another four hours or so before Zach and Will showed up with all the other Arimathean kinsman and servants in tow. The stronghold was amply large enough to house them all, but the prince himself had to come down and help to sort everyone out. Of course, all the virgins were sent into one section of the place which had obviously once served as a harem, hinting that whoever had occupied the castle had probably originated from someplace other than Mexico. It seemed much more likely that the structure had been built by someone from Egypt or North Africa.

  Zach ran a finger along the new scar Vivian had acquired on her neck and chuckled. “Seems like you and Donovan found some way to pass the tim
e,” he teased.

  “Yes,” she agreed. “Most enjoyably.”

  “And did you put on a show with him as well? I’m sure the virgins would have been shocked by such activities, to be sure.”

  “Of course not, my lord,” she chuckled. “We managed to find a place on our own.”

  “Hmm, then maybe you’ll have to share that place with me,” he chuckled. “I haven’t gotten you alone since we were forced to leave the stronghold.”

  “Come on, Zach, that wasn’t even a day ago.”

  “What can I say? I’ve been very generous as of late,” he shrugged. “I feel the need to reaffirm that you are my own.”

  Grinning wryly, Vivian replied, “You are my fate, Zach. As much as I enjoy the play, you know that I am yours.”

  “Mine and Donovan’s,” he added with a little wink.

  Vivian laughed. “Is that what this is about, my lord? You’re worried that I was playing favorites.”

  “Well, considering your reaction while we were with the prince,” he said, leaving the rest to hang in the air between them.

  “I did wonder about that,” she agreed. “It’s because of the bond, isn’t it?”

  “Only partially,” he said. “The rest of it is something very deep. But I don’t mind, love. I knew when you came to me that Donovan was also your fate. It is just our way. Now, about that hiding place?”

  “You men are simply insatiable,” Vivian teased.

  “Only when confronted with a red-headed beauty the likes of which this world has seldom seen,” Zach teased. The two of them grasped hands, and Vivian gave Donovan a little wink as she led Zach away, though she did not take him to the same place. There were plenty of other cubby holes to choose from, after all.

  “My lord, I fear I need to feed before you can partake,” she explained as they stepped into an empty bedroom and closed the door. “Our fledgling still has need of lessons when it comes to his drink.”

  “We shall deal with that issue first thing,” Zach agreed as he pulled her over to the bed. The two fell onto it together, their arms encircling one another comfortably. Zach planted fiery kisses all over her lips, her tongue, and her face. Vivian sighed contentedly, knowing that however much she may care for Donovan, she cared for Zach a whole lot more.

  CHAPTER 18

  Hours later, when it clearly had to be the middle of the next day, the pair were still lying in the bed together, thoroughly sated. Vivian was convinced that she could not possibly desire one more sexual innuendo for at least a week—well, maybe a day. Well, maybe—damn, her mate looked good naked and dozing, didn’t he?”

  Her fingers began to dance over his flesh, enjoying him. When her hand skated down to smooth a finger over his flaccid cock, Zach’s hand caught it with his own.

  “You can’t seriously be ready for more,” he grumbled with a tired sigh. “I think that thing may be out of service, Vivian.”

  She giggled. “Really? Not even once more?”

  “Woman, why are you even awake?” he wanted to know.

  “Now that, I really couldn’t tell you,” she chuckled. Zach let go of her hand.

  “I don’t think I’ll be waking up for a year,” he informed her.

  “Well, it’s a good thing I have two sex partners then.”

  “You’re insatiable!” said Zach, sighing. “Fine, Vivian, I’ll give you what you’re looking for.”

  Zach grasped Vivian by her shoulders and flipped them over on the bed. She grinned up at him as he fitted his pelvis to hers and began to rub against her. She moaned softly, wrapping her legs around his hips. It didn’t take long before he was hard as a rock and ready to please her.

  “That feels so good, Zach,” said Vivian. “It would feel even better if you were inside of me.”

  Chuckling wickedly, Zach obviously couldn’t agree more. In one smooth, swift stroke, he entered her, making Vivian call out his name. Despite his complaints before, he set to his task with bravado, quickly bringing them both quite close to the edge.

  “Yes, Zach! Just like that!”

  “I’m going to make you come so hard, you won’t be able to walk for a week,” Zach told her then. Vivian gasped, tightening her core all around him, and when he looked up in surprise, she grinned sweetly.

  “Baby, you’re not going to be walking either,” she replied.

  It was good—too good. Vivian knew she wouldn’t be able to hold off her orgasm, especially when Zach slipped his questing finger between then and began to play with her clit. What an evil, evil man!

  Her voice rang out in ecstasy, and Zach’s voice rang out right along with it. They fell together onto the bed, completely spent for sure this time.

  They both groaned when they heard a knock on the door.

  “What is it?” Zach wanted to know.

  “We’ve been waiting all day for you two to get out of our bedroom,” said a decidedly feminine voice. “We could really use some sleep now, considering the dorm is uncomfortable and cold.

  “Sorry, Jasmine,” said Vivian contritely. “We’ll be right out.”

  When they were clothed again, Vivian and Zach stepped out into the hall, only to discover that ‘we’ apparently meant three of the virgins. The beds were large enough to be easily accommodating, so neither of them raised an eyebrow as the women began to file into the room.

  “Great,” said the last of them, casting Zach an irritated stare. “Now it smells like you. I don’t know how I’ll be able to sleep with man-scent all over my pillow.”

  The other sisters tittered. Jasmine said, “Don’t worry, Celeste; the scent of male is supposed to make it much easier to sleep. Besides, with the two of us in here with you, the Zach-smell will fade soon enough.”

  “Wow,” he chuckled. “Why do I feel so demoralized?”

  “I would imagine that is Vivian’s fault,” said the third sister, Amber, with a hearty chuckle.

  “Amber!” Vivian gasped, blushing.

  “Oh, so this is Amber?” asked Zach, grinning. “Remind me to thank you sometime.”

  “Thank me?” she asked. “What for?”

  “I believe you will know precisely why once you are thanking Vivian,” he replied. “She told a handsome prince you’re the one for him. Have a pleasant sleep, you three.”

  *****

  Prince Alonzo held a banquet the following night, and had Zach, Will, and Alex arranged to either side along with their mates and thirds. At a table of their own sat all thirty of the Arimathean virgins—most of them the progeny of Joseph himself, but a few of them sired by either the crown prince or his younger brother as well. Among the group, they all considered themselves to be sisters, regardless of the progenitor.

  At another large group of tables, removed as far away from that of the ladies as possible, sat a gathering of Alonzo’s loyal followers freely intermingled among the vampires of the Arimath. Since the Arimatheans only outnumbered the Carpathians by about fifty people, and they were roughly two hundred strong, this amounted to nearly four hundred bodies collectively.

  They seemed to be getting along rather well, so that ribald laughter and a steady hum of conversation among them echoed throughout the great hall. This sound muffled the arrival of the last guests who had been invited to attend, all six of which had places reserved at the table on the dais.

  However, when the six lords governing the families within the Manchenso Clan entered, they all stopped short when they realized who they were meant to be dining with.

  “What is the meaning of this?” one of them bellowed hotly, while the other five backed up a step so that he stood at the fore.

  “Caduceus, how good of you to come on time for once,” said Alonzo dryly. “I believe you know my honored guests. All of you, come and sit. There is much to discuss, now that I am about to form an alliance with the Arimathean. I expect each of you will fully support this?”

  The vampire growled fiercely, and showed a bit of fang, but still he dutifully stepped forward and took his
seat as expected, holding his tongue for the moment until he could fully discover which way the wind blew. A wise choice.

  The other lords, glaring the whole way as well, followed his example, as was expected of them. Not one of them was willing to risk an altercation in a room filled with so many people who would turn on them in an instant, and so they were compelled to listen to what the Renegade had to say.

  “Perhaps you have not heard, my prince, that William Knight has slain our brother?” Caduceus tried meekly. “It is not meet that we should break bread with him.”

  “I have been informed of the situation concerning Vittorio,” said Alonzo in an offhanded manner. “It would seem he attempted to kill Will and Irene, and the subsequent death was only in self-defense. So that vendetta is now at an end. You must order your brethren to cease all hostilities. It is imperative that you do this so that I may select my future bride and seal the pact I have made.”

  “Why ally yourself with our enemies?” snarled one of the other men. “If you were any kind of a man, you would wrest the throne back for yourself!”

  “Nardo? I would hate to find it necessary to kill yet another Manchenso,” Alonzo replied. “Do not test my patience further. You all have your orders. Now, let us enjoy the meal.”

  “Yes, sire,” he answered contritely, though he was unable to wipe off the frown.

  The meal passed in relative silence with the bulk of the noise coming from the blended group to one side and the giggles of young women on the other. Although there were children among the Arimathean group at large, they were never served among the adults but rather housed in a private courtyard. However, since this was the first night in the new place, Alonzo had ordered that the older children be brought in after they’d eaten so that they might meet the man in charge.

  “Have you all eaten well?” he asked the group at large. “Are you settled in and prepared to keep the younger kids in line?”

  “Yes, sire,” they said collectively.