Dying Forever (Waking Forever Book 3)

by Heather McVea

  Alison bent over, licking the smooth, cool skin of the vampire’s stomach, as her hands continued their exploration of her back. Unhooking Bryce’s black bra, Alison pulled the straps off her shoulders and her mouth immediately found Bryce’s hardened nipples. She was surprised by the intense need surging through her and couldn’t remember ever wanting a woman as desperately as she wanted the one straddling her right now.

  “God.” Bryce gasped as the warmth of Alison’s mouth covered her nipple, her tongue running back and forth over the erect peak. Reaching around Alison, Bryce unhooked her wine-colored bra and pushed the woman back down onto the sofa. She ran her hands under the loosened, silk bra and squeezed Alison’s firm, round breasts.

  Covering Bryce’s hands with her own, Alison felt the throbbing tension in her abdomen growing. Reaching down, she unbuttoned her jeans. Following her lead, Bryce ran her hands down Alison’s stomach, bringing them to rest briefly on her hips. She leaned back and pulled Alison's jeans and panties down her legs, letting them drop to the floor.

  Naked and straining under Bryce, Alison quickly undid the redhead’s pants and pushed them down over her hips. Bryce lifted herself up and using her legs, pushed her jeans down and off. Hovering above the beautiful blonde, Bryce looked at Alison, her eyes glowing an iridescent green and her incisors jutting out from under her upper lip, a flash of uncertainty crossing her face.

  Reaching for the woman’s shoulders, Alison pulled her down. The coolness and weight of Bryce’s body sent a charge through her as she clung to the woman. Burying her face in Bryce’s neck, Alison bit and sucked at the supple skin. Surprisingly, she found the absence of heat and a pulse intoxicating as she sucked vigorously on the woman’s neck, her senses being inundated with the fragrance of oranges and vanilla.

  A sound akin to a low growl escaped Bryce’s lips as she moved away from Alison’s onslaught, running her tongue along the outline of the blonde’s clavicle and placing kisses down the narrow space between Alison’s breasts, then taking one of Alison’s hardened nipples in her mouth. The blonde gasped when one of Bryce’s incisors scraped the sensitive bud.

  Undeterred, Bryce sucked and licked the sensitive skin, her hands caressing and stroking Alison’s stomach and jutting hip bone. Moving out from under Bryce, Alison sat up, the two women shifting so Alison was straddling Bryce’s hips. Reaching for the vampire’s hand, Alison guided it over her breasts, down her stomach, and shifting her hips up, pressed Bryce’s hand tight against her center.

  Bryce tilted her hand and pushed the tip of her middle finger inside Alison. Her warmth and tightness wrapped itself around her. Alison leaned forward, her hands braced on either side of Bryce’s head on the arm of the sofa. Sliding her hand down between Bryce’s legs, Alison began to slowly rub the woman’s swollen clit. A loud gasp filled the room as Bryce thrust her hips up against Alison’s finger.

  A contented sigh escaped Alison as Bryce slid the full length of her finger inside her. She rocked her hips in unison with Bryce’s slow thrusts, the tension building inside her. Bryce began to gently massage Alison’s breast with her other hand, sending shots of electricity to her groin. Pushing harder against Bryce, Alison moaned when the woman pushed a second finger inside her.

  “Oh, god.” Alison’s rocking increased as she pushed her hips down. Bryce’s gasps were low and throaty. Feeling her own climax nearing, Alison used her middle finger to run quick circles around the woman’s clit.

  Whimpering when Bryce thrust her fingers deeper inside her, Alison began to tighten and quiver around her. Bryce grabbed Alison and pulled her toward her as she climaxed. Seconds later, Alison cried out in a strangled voice as she felt the tension in her body tighten and then explode into her own climax. She collapsed on top of Bryce, the two women clinging to each other.

  After a few minutes, when Alison had managed to catch her breath, she lifted her head from Bryce’s chest to find the woman laying perfectly still with her eyes closed. “I know you don’t sleep.”

  Bryce opened one eye and then the other. “I was resting.”

  Alison grinned and propped herself up on one elbow so she could admire the beautiful woman under her. “That was unexpected.”

  Bryce frowned. “Do you wish we hadn’t-”

  Before she could finish, Alison leaned forward and kissed her. Pulling back slightly, a huge smile on her face, Alison ran her index finger over Bryce’s bottom lip. “Are we clear?”

  Cupping Alison’s cheek with her hand, the redhead nodded. “Perfectly.” Wrapping her arms around Alison, Bryce pulled the woman to her. They laid like that until she could tell from the blonde’s heartbeat and breathing that she was asleep. Reaching for the red colored throw over the back of the couch, Bryce covered Alison.

  She had minimized her breathing since she entered the house nearly two hours ago. She was fearful if she took too deep a breath, Alison’s intoxicating scent would overwhelm her. Bryce loathed the amount of willpower she had to exercise to be with Alison, but the alternative seemed even more overwhelming.

  She wasn’t sure how or why, but somewhere between her initial attraction to the human at the museum and her determination not to kill her as they both cowered next to that dark lake, Bryce had developed feelings beyond the physical for the beautiful woman.

  In spite of a dedicated and diabolical beginning, Bryce realized she was turning out to be a terrible vampire. Having accepted her human death, Bryce had valued life so little over the centuries. Now, the affinity she felt for Alison reminded her of living. More than reminding her, it made her long for it.

  ***

  “You should have woke me.” A groggy Alison made her way into the kitchen dressed in a pair of black cotton shorts and a green t-shirt that read Keep Calm I Have Girl Scout Cookies. At some point during the night, Bryce had carried her into the bedroom and tucked her into bed. To her surprise, she had managed to sleep until nearly nine o’clock in the morning, though her internal alarm clock almost always had her up by seven.

  Bryce was sitting at Alison’s kitchenette table with a copy of the New York Times in front of her. She was wearing her clothes from the previous night and still managed to look pulled together. “You were snoring, so I thought you must need the sleep.”

  Alison blushed as she sat in the chair next to Bryce. “I’m sexy.”

  Bryce smiled. “It’s not a problem. Would you like some coffee?” The woman got up and stopped when Alison grabbed her hand. Without hesitation, Bryce bent down and kissed Alison, the warmth of the woman’s lips rippling through her.

  A silly grin spread across Alison’s lips. “Good morning.”

  Bryce pulled her to her feet and wrapped her arms around her waist. “You might think differently when you taste my coffee.”

  Alison leaned back. “That could be a deal breaker.”

  Bryce shook her head and ran the tip of her finger along the blonde’s jaw. “Not the whole vampire thing?”

  Taking a step back, Alison struggled to focus on the banter given Bryce’s proximity. “Nope. I’ve worked through that whole - business. But if you can’t make a good cup of coffee - that would be really tragic.”

  Bryce’s eyes narrowed as she took a step back from Alison and started walking toward the front door. Alison quickly followed after her. “Ah, where are you going?”

  “There’s clearly more at stake here than I realized, so I’m going to Starbucks. I'll be back in fifteen minutes.” The woman pulled her car keys out of her jean pocket.

  Alison laughed and grabbed Bryce’s shoulders from behind. “I was kidding.” She turned the reluctant woman around and framed her cool face with her hands. “I can teach you how to make a great cup of coffee.”

  Bryce leaned toward Alison and kissed her where her neck and shoulder met. A soft sigh escaped her as she pulled Alison closer. “Your efforts would be lost on me.” Bryce scrunched her nose in disgust. “I can’t stand the smell of the stuff, much less the taste.”

  Alison fr
owned. “I used to feel that way until college - the infamous all-nighter.”

  Shaking her head, Bryce smirked. “I wouldn’t really have a need for that.”

  “Good point.” Alison took Bryce’s hand and pulled her back toward the kitchen. “How about tea? You like tea.”

  Bryce shrugged. “Back in the day I did.”

  Alison stopped and turned toward Bryce. “'The day' being plus or minus two centuries?”

  Bryce’s eyes widened and she hesitated before answering. “That’s about right.” Watching Alison closely, the vampire took a step forward, narrowing the space between them. “Does that - well, bother you?”

  Alison didn’t feel bothered. She felt humbled and impressed by the vast stores of experiences and knowledge the beautiful woman in front of her had. She couldn’t imagine even a fraction of her life, but hoped they could be a part of each other’s lives now.

  “Not at all.” Smiling, Alison walked toward the kitchen. “Let’s see how twenty-first century Earl Grey holds up.”

  Bryce grinned and followed Alison. She sat in a comfortable silence while Alison made them both tea. Taking the steaming cup of Earl Grey, Bryce looked intently at the blonde. “You’re beautiful.”

  Alison paused and looked at Bryce, a faint smile forming on her lips. “Thank you.” She felt the intimacy of the moment enveloping her in a warm, secure blanket and she wanted desperately for it not to end. Given the events of the past few days, though, she knew that was an impossibility.

  “What is it?” Bryce’s brow furrowed as she watched the smile fade from Alison’s face.

  Taking a deep breath, Alison sat down at the table next to the vampire. “The women who kidnapped you - we should talk about that.” Alison huffed. “The fact we haven’t is kinda crazy.”

  Bryce took Alison’s hand in hers. “We were busy.”

  Alison blushed as the memories of their night together raced through her mind. “That’s an understatement.”

  Releasing Alison’s hand, and taking a tentative sip of her tea, Bryce considered Alison for several seconds before speaking. “The witch from my story - Abitha - she and her coven kidnapped me. They have a natural aversion to vampires and a justified hate for me in particular.”

  Alison felt the air forced out of her lungs as she remembered the dark lake. Almost immediately, she felt the room began to spin. “I’m still trying to wrap my head around it.”

  Bryce grabbed Alison’s forearm and gently stroked the warm skin in an effort to reassure the clearly shaken woman. “A lot of the myths and legends are true. Witches exist. Their bloodlines go back nearly as far as vampires. They have powers I don’t understand, that unlike my kind don’t seem rooted in any sort of science or physiology.”

  Alison blinked several times as her mind stretched to accept even more unimagined truths. “What - what sort of powers?”

  Bryce leaned back in the chair. “Too numerous to go into now. But they are a real threat.” The redhead looked down at the table, picking nervously at the edge of the wooden surface. “We’ll need to do something today - together.”

  Alison frowned; Bryce’s foreboding tone turning her stomach sour. “What?”

  “We need to go seek counsel from one of the oldest vampires in existence.”

  “How old?” Alison managed to ask.

  Bryce took the woman’s hand. “She would tell you old enough, but in literal terms -” Attempting to lighten the mood, Bryce began counting on her fingers. “Just shy of four thousand years.” Alison gasped, and Bryce couldn’t help but laugh. “Don’t be too impressed. For all her worldliness, she’s as dysfunctional as any of us.”

  ***

  “What a sad little parade you all are.” Rayven smirked as she stood in the doorway of Coleen’s house, clad in a pair of dark Levis jeans and a slim fitted navy blue Polo shirt.

  “Very classy, Rayven.” Ash rolled her eyes.

  Rayven cocked her head to the side. “You should talk, shifter.”

  Emma stepped forward and, taking Ash’s hand, tried her best to not sound annoyed. “Can we please dispense with the pleasantries and come in, Rayven?”

  “Who’s she?” Rayven looked past Emma and Ash to the blonde human standing next to Bryce. “She smells yummy.” Flicking her tongue across a now extended incisor, Rayven’s onyx colored eyes swirled and took on a light gray color that nearly glowed in the dim light of the entryway.

  Bryce stepped in front of Alison. “This is Alison, and she’s with me.”

  Rayven continued to devour Alison with her eyes. “Maybe she doesn’t know any better.”

  Alison had been relieved when Bryce told her Emma and Ash were meeting them at Coleen’s. She needed as many familiar people in her life right now as possible, though at the moment it was doing very little to alleviate the awkwardness of having a beautiful vampire looking at her like a high price cut of filet mignon. She knew the remainder of this visit would be unbearable if she assumed the role of hapless human; she needed to stand up for herself now.

  Alison took several decisive steps toward Rayven with her hand extended. “Hi, Rayven. It’s nice to meet you.” The vampire looked perplexed at the upbeat woman and slowly extended her hand. “Rest assured, your reputation precedes you and I most certainly do know better.” Releasing Rayven’s hand, Alison stepped back and wrapped her arm around Bryce’s waist, a confident smile spread across her lips.

  “She’s awesome.” Ash muttered to an amused Emma.

  Bryce leaned in and kissed Alison on the cheek. “Well played.”

  Alison took a deep breath, hoping the entire group couldn’t hear the pounding of her heart. “Thanks. You owe me a very large tumbler of Jameson after this.”

  Bryce grinned as they walked into the house and passed an entertained, albeit more subdued, Rayven. “Deal.”

  “Emma!” A tall, dark haired man with nearly clear blue eyes, dressed in a black pair of Hugo Boss slacks, a gun metal gray dress shirt, and a slim fit black Kenneth Cole blazer greeted the group as they entered the foyer of the house.

  “Lewis?” Emma’s eyes lit up as she rushed toward the handsome man. The two embraced and Emma leaned back, taking the vampire’s face in her hands. “It’s been decades. I can’t believe you’re here.”

  Leaning in, Lewis placed a firm kiss on Emma’s cheek and then, glancing over his shoulder, grinned. “I was summoned by you know who.”

  Emma hugged her maker, the surprise and joy of seeing him bringing a broad smile to her face. “And you actually came?”

  Laughing, Lewis shook his head as he looked at Emma. “I’m loyal to a fault.”

  Emma nodded. “You really are.” Stepping back, she reached for Ash who stood behind her. “Lewis, this is my partner, Ashley Haines.” Feeling the warmth of Ash’s hand in hers, Emma pulled the woman toward her. “Ash, this is Lewis Thomas. My maker.”

  The utter joy radiating from Emma at seeing her maker again made Ash want to hug the man. Not knowing his preference, she settled for a handshake. “I’ve heard a lot about you. It’s good to finally meet you.”

  Lewis’ smile waned as he looked at Emma, then back to Ash. “Ash, forgive my forwardness, but are you -”

  “A shifter? Yes, she is, Lewis.” Coleen appeared from one of the many hallways jutting off from the main entrance. “And whatever that might imply.”

  Emma frowned at Coleen. “Coleen has never been keen on details. Ash was turned about a year ago.” Narrowing her eyes at Coleen, Emma continued. “We had known each other prior.”

  Nodding, Lewis’ smile returned as he released Ash’s hand. “I see. It’s good to meet you.”

  “Why is that a thing?” Alison whispered to Bryce.

  Bryce leaned toward Alison and squeezed her hand gently. “The relationship between a shifter and a vampire is considered by some to be taboo.”

  “As is one between a human and vampire, Bryce.” Coleen interjected.

  Bryce straightened up. “It couldn’t be helped.�
��

  Coleen looked Alison up and down. “No, I suppose it couldn’t. She is lovely.”

  In spite of the compliment, or maybe because of it, Alison felt squeamish and uncomfortable. Ash turned to her friend. “Ignore her. She’s a broken record when it comes to this. Consider it an initiation of sorts.”

  Coleen tisked. “You forget yourself, Ash.”

  Ash chuckled. “No, I just know you, Coleen.”

  Turning her back on Ash, Coleen walked toward a large archway, leading to an open communal area adorned with overstuffed leather chairs and couches. In the far corner was a large mahogany bar stocked with every imaginable liquor.

  “You’ve all bothered to come, so I suppose I should offer you drinks.” Coleen’s lack of enthusiasm was evident in her tone as the group followed her into the room.

  Lewis stood back. He stepped in front of Bryce and Alison, a warm smile on his face as he extended his hand to the professor. “Lewis Thomas, ma’am. Very nice to meet you.”

  The man was beyond attractive. His jaw was well defined, accenting his perfectly formed lips. His piercing blue eyes were framed by long, thick, black lashes, and he exuded a confidence and charm Alison immediately associated with the Antebellum South.

  “It’s nice to meet you.” Alison smiled as the man took her hand between both of his.

  Lewis glanced at Bryce. “It’s been a long time.”

  Bryce winced. “I didn’t make the best first impression. Sorry.”

  Lewis released Alison’s hand and put his hand on Bryce’s shoulder, squeezing it gently. “We all have a past.”

  He looked at Alison and nodded. “Ma’am.” The vampire then turned and joined the others.

  Looping her arm through Alison’s, Bryce sighed. “That went better than I would have thought.”

  “How do you know him?” Alison was mesmerized by the various stories, overlays, and back and forths going on amongst the group.