by Eve Langlais
Moisture coated her eyes and a piece of him shattered at the thought he’d upset her to the point of tears. She touched his chest. “Good things don’t normally happen to me around the holidays.”
He closed his eyes and tilted his head up, his own emotions threatening to get the better of him. “I know. I didn’t mean to upset you.”
“Cornell,” she whispered, tugging on the front of his shirt.
He met her gaze.
“I like you a lot too,” she confessed and joy took root in him. It wasn’t I love you, but then again, Dani wasn’t exactly the type of woman who went around with sweet prose falling from her full lips. She was the type of woman who was more likely to be found cursing at someone with words and phrases that could make a person blush, than being poetic and declaring love for anyone or anything. He knew what she’d just confessed was huge when taking her personality into consideration.
He couldn’t stop himself as he kissed her again. Their tongues laced and the next he knew, he had lifted her off her feet. He had no intention of taking her home so she could change. He’d not risk her changing her mind about him.
About them.
Instead, he continued to kiss her as he walked her farther down the hall in the direction of the grand staircase. He carried her up the stairs, their mouths still joined. When he reached the master bedroom, he broke the kiss long enough to speak.
“This is where you tell me yes or no,” he said. “And, Dani, I don’t just mean sex. If I take you to my bed, I’m going to claim you.”
She paled. “Claim me? Why would you want to do that? That would mean we’re together forever.”
He couldn’t help but smile. “That is sort of the point.”
“But, Cornell, you can’t claim me. I’m not a vampire. I’m not–”
He kissed her forehead and set her on her feet lightly. If she wanted to go, he’d let her because he loved her and would never force her to accept him. “You are my mate, Dani. I’ve known from the second I laid eyes on you. That’s why I had Finn train you in my place. I was worried I’d lose control and lay claim to you when you were too young to know what you’d be getting yourself into.”
“I’m not a vampire,” she whispered.
“No. You’re not. But not all mates of vampires are vampires themselves,” he reminded her.
“They are for the ruling vampire families,” she protested.
He smiled. “My darling, the last vampires who have mated from the ruling families did so centuries ago. In fact, I believe my parents were the last to mate.”
“You’re my boss.”
He nodded, knowing she was working through each point she believed should keep them apart. He’d done this so many times himself.
“You’re a giant pain in the ass,” she added, making him laugh and her smile.
“I am. Now. I’m going to leave this choice up to you.” He stepped back and motioned to the door and then the hall. “Stay and be my wife, or go and I’ll respect your wishes. I won’t like them, but I’ll respect them.”
“Are you sure you want me?” she asked, sounding raw and emotionally bare.
He knew she’d felt alone and unwanted for a very long time with all that had happened in her past. “Dani, I want you to be mine. I’m tired of trying to resist the pull to you. I’m tired of letting rules and regulations hold me back. You were born for me and I’ve waited too long in my immortal life to let another day go by without you in it fully.”
The tears he’d thought she wouldn’t shed earlier let loose, trailing down her cheeks, breaking his heart. “I’d like that.”
“Then why the tears?”
“This time of the year normally blows,” she said. “My family was–”
“I know all about it,” he returned, bending and kissing her lips chastely. “Dani, I’m the one who made those who hurt your family suffer and pay for their crimes.”
She gasped. “That was you?”
He nodded. “They had caused you and yours so much pain and suffering, and had done so when most are celebrating, that I thought it fitting I return the favor and hunt them for the holidays.”
“My second year of training, the picture with the men who murdered my family, dead but with a bow on them–that was you?”
He nodded.
The next he knew, she was in his arms, thrusting herself up and at him. Her lips met his and her arms went around his neck. She kissed him thoroughly and to the point his cock could take no more. With a growl, he tore his mouth from hers, his fangs on the verge of breaking through his gums. “Dani.”
“Take me to bed, Cornell, and make me your wife.”
He knew better than to question her or make her second–guess her choice. He grabbed her, lifted her, and rushed into his room, kicking the door shut behind him. He took her to his giant four–poster bed within a flash and laid her out, soaking in the sight of her there before him.
Dani smiled and began pulling off her damp clothing, casting it aside in a haphazard manner. The entire time, her gaze was on him as he undid his shirt slowly. He wanted to rush as well, but if he dared give in to the urge, he feared his demon would sneak in and share in the moment. He wanted this to be just between them. Their moment. Not something where he had to fight to keep his demon in check.
Dani had stripped herself down, in record time, to nothing more than a red bra and a matching pair of panties. Cornell cupped the front of his slacks, worried he’d come then and there. She was stunning.
He paused in his desires, his gaze locking on her right side. There was a bruise that looked a lot like a boot print. That stole his control and his demon reared up and surfaced. His fangs exploded in his mouth and he hissed, knowing his eyes were now solid black.
Dani never showed any signs of being afraid of him. Not even with what she’d seen as a child–vampires slaughtering her family.
She lifted her arms to him and shook her head. “I’m not that hurt. I’ll be fine.”
How had she known what had pushed him over the edge?
She propped herself on her elbows, her long blonde hair spilling over her shoulders. She offered a silly grin. “Can you get mad about the jerks who jumped me later and maybe have sex with me now?”
He most certainly could.
Chapter Six
Vampired–up
Dani couldn’t tear her gaze from Cornell’s torso. Every ounce of him was sculpted, and with his pale skin, he appeared to be made of marble. She bit her inner cheek a little too hard and drew blood. Cornell sniffed the air and then jerked back, and she strongly suspected he was about to leave her in a state of wanting, just to be a gentleman.
That was not going to happen.
Dani snaked forward fast, grabbing him in the loop of his slacks and pulling him forward. His abdomen was suddenly right in front of her face as he stood before her. She kissed just below his navel and he tensed.
“Dani, I can smell your blood,” he said, his voice terse and tight.
She kissed his torso more, her hands moving to his hips. She tugged on his slacks. They were already undone and the slightest bit of pressure moved them down, exposing his long, thick cock, nestled in a thatch of black hair that was well–maintained. Dani’s mouth watered at the sight of Cornell’s cock. The man just kept getting better and better.
Cornell touched the top of her head and stared down at her as she took hold of his velvety smooth shaft. She flicked her tongue over his lower abdomen, dangerously close to his thatch of hair. He hissed, taking hold of her hair, tugging softly in a needy manner.
She brought the head of his cock to her lips and darted her tongue out and over the slit on the tip of his shaft. He moved, his hips making thrusting motions that were controlled–for now.
Stark possessiveness shone in his dark gaze as she stared up at him, her lips moving over the head of his cock, her fingers wrapping around his girth. His cock eased farther into her mouth and she hummed, taking it deeper and deeper. He tasted as goo
d as he smelled, and she felt a little silly wanting to bury her face in his crotch. She’d sucked a man’s cock before. Of course, that man had hardly been worth mentioning as he’d lasted about two minutes and his cock was small in comparison to Cornell’s, which filled her mouth, going into her throat. She sucked harder, increasing the pressure she applied with her hands as well.
Cornell tipped his head back and groaned, his body tensing as he pulled her head to him, pushing his cock in all the way. His ball sac tightened and salty warmth slid down the back of her throat. She swallowed and drew off his cock, wiping her lower lip as she did.
Cornell’s dark gaze flashed with need and he moved up onto the bed and braced himself over her, his slacks around his knees. He reached between them and she felt his nails lengthening against her inner thigh. She didn’t worry. She trusted him fully.
He cut away her panties and then settled against her wet entrance. He apparently needed no time to recover between sex acts. His lips found hers and at the same moment, Cornell thrust in deep and hard, her taut body resisting him at first before easing and allowing him to move in and out of her.
He did, pumping slowly and then increasing his pace. Dani’s legs wrapped around his waist as she arched her back, taking him deeper, stimulating her clit by grinding his lower region against her mound with each thrust. She panted, clinging to him, holding on for dear life.
The man she’d wanted for years was now one with her and it felt perfect–right. She countered his moves, wanting to be fucked long and hard. Cornell smiled against her lips and then slowed his pace to a near crawl.
Whimpering, she broke their kiss and pleaded. “More. Harder.”
He licked her lip. “You taste of blood.”
“Bit my cheek. Now move it, buddy. Harder. Right this second,” she said, slapping his ass cheek playfully.
His body was tense and it took her a moment to realize as much. He did not move and her slayer side kicked in, sensing his demon was close to the surface. It wanted blood. More specifically, her blood. She’d never willingly given her blood to a vampire before.
The thought of doing so for Cornell didn’t repulse her. It turned her on more. Moisture flooded the apex of her thighs as his cock remained buried deep inside her. She ground against him, tipping her head to the side, giving him access to her neck.
Cornell struck the pillow with one hand. “No!”
“Sutton,” she whispered, drawing his attention to her and revealing what she suspected. His face was partially shifted into vampire form. He was scared of losing control, of hurting her. “It’s okay. I want it. I want you.”
He looked confused, but then his tongue came out and over his fangs. He nodded and lowered his head. She wondered how much control it was taking him not to lash out and bite her like a savage. Her guess–a lot.
The moment his fangs broke her skin, pleasure like she’d never known before assailed her, rocking her body from its very core and bringing about an orgasm she thought might knock her out cold. Crying out, she dug her fingernails into his upper chest as her pussy fluttered around his cock.
His mouth remained locked on her throat and the pleasure continued, holding her in its thrall. She couldn’t imagine wanting to be anywhere but beneath the man inside her now. A stirring started deep in her belly and she gasped as it felt like cool energy pushing through her. She lifted her hand from Cornell’s chest and brought her fingertips to her lips. She tasted blood.
How could that be?
I scratched him.
She licked and the cool energy intensified to the point that she cried out in pleasure, words falling free from her as she did. “Mine!”
Cornell’s head snapped up and he licked crimson from his lips. “Mine.”
He drilled into her harder, to the point the headboard slapped the wall, making loud thumps. She cared little if Mimi or Finn could hear what was happening from below. All Dani worried about was the moment–being with Cornell.
He shoved in and held firm. She expected to feel cold, as he was a vampire after all. Warmth filled her as his cock twitched inside her. Her body responded in kind, coming again as well.
***
Cornell licked the bite marks on Dani’s neck, her blood running down his throat, his cock nestled in her lush body. She was his now. She had claimed him first. He’d not expected that, but shouldn’t have been surprised. Dani was the type of woman who did as she pleased–proper order be damned. The deed was done.
He never wanted to pull out of her body. She was nirvana. His private utopia, and he had no desire to leave such a state. He kissed her lips gently.
She touched his cheek. “I scratched you.”
“I bit you,” he countered with a waggle of his brows.
She smiled. “Yes. You did.” Then her smile faded. “You’re rather chipper now, aren’t you? No offense, but normally you’re kind of a fuddy–duddy.”
“A what?”
“Stick–in–the–mud.”
He shrugged. “Feeling less stickish now that I’ve had you.”
“So I’ve noticed. Can I ask what brought this on?”
“I decided to vampire–up.”
She lifted a brow.
“Dani, just to be clear, since you are not a vampire after all. You know that we’re now mated, correct?”
She smiled wider. “No. Missed that part in the handbook.”
He grinned. “You, always with the sarcasm.”
“Hey, you mated me,” she said before kissing him. Reluctantly, he withdrew from her, but only long enough to pull his wife up and kiss her more, before he stood to fully remove his slacks.
He stroked his cock, his gaze sliding over the goddess on his bed. She was his. Forever. And now that she was bonded to him, her already longer–than–normal lifespan as a slayer would match his–she was immortal now. They would have eternity to explore one another and share in the joy of being one.
She went to her knees, her breasts bouncing, teasing him. “I should get dressed and go downstairs. I left Mimi there with Finn.”
Cornell smiled. “They are at your home now. They left shortly after we entered the bedroom.”
“Oh, I forgot you can hear everything,” she said, and then blew a stray strand of her long blonde hair from her face.
Cornell could resist her no longer. He moved forward quickly and turned her, putting her on her hands and knees before him on the bed. She squealed with laughter and then put a hand back on her bottom.
“What do you have planned?” she asked.
He grinned. “I’m going to stuff your stocking.”
She laughed harder and he bent, kissing her ass cheek before trailing a line of kisses lower. Cornell parted her cheeks and then bent more, licking a line along her soaked slit. He pushed a finger into her wet, tight pussy and his cock throbbed, wanting more of her. It would never get enough.
Neither would he.
Crawling onto the bed, he grinned, aligning himself with his mate’s body. He positioned his cock and then drove home, holding Dani’s hips as he went deep. Now that they were a bonded couple, he could sense her feelings, her desire, her pleasure, her happiness. He knew she could sense his as well.
Chapter Seven
Hunting for the holidays
Dani rolled onto her stomach and smiled as Cornell’s scent enveloped her. He’d marked her, claimed her as his own, and she couldn’t be happier. When the day had started, she’d assumed her biggest decision would be whether or not to let Mimi keep decorating. Dani had no idea she’d end up with a husband.
A mate.
She couldn’t stop smiling. It was to the point her cheeks ached. She sat up slowly, his dress shirt buttoned haphazardly over her breasts. Her attention went to his room, and for the first time she actually looked around it, soaking in the sight of it all. Her husband was a fancy pants.
Husband.
The word made her smile.
He liked fine art, as proven by the amount of it hanging
around his room. As Dani’s gaze slid to the floor–to–ceiling windows, she froze. It was nighttime. The curtains were not pulled. The lights in the room were on. That meant they’d put on a show for anyone in the neighborhood who happened to glance in from the street. Dani called upon her slayer speed and went for the light switch, flicking it off, bathing the room in darkness. She eased in the direction of the window and peered out, hoping with the late hour that most neighbors were in their homes. She was already “that” neighbor. She didn’t need to add to it.
Looking out, she spotted the head of the HOA standing across the street, holding a leash with his tiny dog attached. The man gazed up at the window, his mouth agape. The small dog moved up against its owner and then lifted its leg, peeing on its owner’s foot. The man never blinked or acknowledged his dog had just marked him. He was that swept up in the view.
Cringing, Dani thought about what he’d tell everyone in the neighborhood. About how he’d twist the events into something ugly. Hell, he’d probably have the rumor going nonstop that Cornell–the big bad vampire–had attacked the slayer girl and forced himself upon her. And how everyone should now hide their wives, and possibly children, because who knew what the vampire’s next step would be.
He was that kind of a slimeball, and he was filled with that much hate and ignorance. She wouldn’t put it past him.
Dick.
Arms eased around Dani’s midriff and she leaned back, happy Cornell had returned. With a mere touch, he made her heart flutter. Too bad the lightened mood and feeling of bliss had to be spoiled by the creeper who was still staring up at them. She pointed in the direction of the HOA president. “I think he got an eyeful.”
Cornell laughed and ground against her, his erection evident through the silk pajama bottoms he wore. “We could give him more of one.”
“He already hates me,” she said, her body responding to her mate’s, but her mind thinking over the show they’d already put on.
“He hates everyone who isn’t just as he is–blond, blue–eyed, and human. I believe there are words for his type,” said Cornell.