My hands slid around her waist, reveling in the softness of her skin, and glided up her taut stomach to cup each breast in my hand. My cock had already stiffened from the scent of her fear, her blood, and her pussy combined. When I squeezed her nipple between my thumb and index finger, she tried to hold in her sigh of pleasure, but I heard it just the same. I leaned in and put my mouth close to her ear.
“Corinne, relax. Stop worrying. I’ll make you feel so good, you’ll be sorry you didn’t meet me sooner.”
Her perky, round breast was a perfect fit for my hand and was too enticing to let go. As I continued to squeeze it and tease the rigid peak of her nipple, my other hand slid down the center of her body to the tight curls that covered her pussy. “If my fingers were to find their way inside that sweet, tight pussy of yours, would it already be wet? Would I find that you want me as much as I want you?”
With only a soft touch, my fingers lightly grazed back and forth across her several times, barely giving her a sense of what she’d been missing. Within seconds, her body responded as I knew it would, and her head fell back against my shoulder. When her stance widened slightly, I knew she was more than ready. She was practically begging for more, for the release her body demanded.
“Mmm, you do,” I murmured in her ear as my fingers pushed into her pussy. “You’re so wet, but you’re still so tight. You almost take my self-control away completely. It’s all I can do to take it slow and not fuck your little pussy into tomorrow.”
Her head lolled to the side as my fingers continued to pump in and out of her wetness. The temptation was too much to resist. When the first orgasm tore through her body, her pussy clenched around my fingers, and my fangs sank into her skin. Just a small taste of her was all I needed. That’s what I told myself, anyway.
After I laid her down on the bed next to Richelle, Corinne watched spellbound as I shed my clothes and removed Richelle’s shackle. Richelle licked her lips when my cock sprang free, and I agreed she had a brilliant idea. “Take me in your mouth, Corinne.”
She obeyed my command and wrapped her beautiful, pink lips around the head of my cock. Her tongue rolled around it before she took me all the way in, and I felt the back of her throat against the tip of my dick. The warmth and wetness of her soft mouth surrounded me, and my hips moved back and forth without conscious thought. Richelle squirmed next to us, aching to join. I extended one arm and thrust my fingers into Richelle’s eager pussy and kept one on Corinne’s head while she continued to suck my dick.
After I adjusted our positions, Richelle straddled my face while I feasted on her sweetness, and Corinne kept working her talented mouth up and down my shaft. My tongue circled and grazed Richelle’s clit as my fingers plunged deep inside her, curling to hit the spot that made her scream. My hips continued to buck on their own, fucking Corinne’s mouth with each glide of her tongue.
“Climb on top and fuck me, Corinne.”
She straddled my hips, positioned the tip of my cock at her wet entrance, and slid down on me until I disappeared inside her. I felt the small pop inside her, and I knew I was the first to venture into her uncharted territory. She was well under my trance, not feeling any pain, but she would be sore the next morning. For that moment, though, she was erotically mine. Like a professional, she rode me like she owned me, like she’d been created just to satisfy my carnal needs. Her tight little pussy gripped and contracted around me, squeezing me with her velvety inner fingers, extracting every bit of me when she tumbled over her own peak.
“What about me?” Richelle asked with a slight pout.
“There’s plenty left for you, sweetheart,” I assured her and rearranged our bodies once again.
Standing at the side of the bed with Richelle pulled to the very edge, I entered her with one swift thrust and fucked her until I was sure her screams would wake the dead. Their bodies spent and as limp as rag dolls, I crawled into the bed between them, and they curled into my sides and slept with their heads in the crooks of my shoulders, my arms cradling them.
I knew I’d have to leave them soon to go feed. While I was out, I planned to look for more humans to add to my clan. Richelle and Corinne satisfied my needs for the moment, staying my fangs from devouring Alea, but they were only a momentary distraction. That distraction would only last for so long, especially when Alea consumed more and more of my thoughts.
The dark mood began to infiltrate my mind again, regardless of how hard I tried to hold it off. It originated from my inability to have what I craved the most. Alea. The two substitutes in my bed would only work for so long before I snapped. The darkness that shrouded my mind sometimes completely took me over, and I didn’t always remember what I did when I was under its influence.
Even as strong as I was, I knew it was only a matter of time.
What I didn’t know was time was about to be up.
Though I could read minds, I couldn’t see the future.
CHAPTER FIVE
Slade Barnett, July 1790
I have to keep reminding myself how much I love my brother. Over and over, I have to chant that fact in my mind to keep from tracking him down and wringing his neck. Yesterday, a visitor stopped by my office because he hasn’t been able to find Ramses for the last few days, and a crucial meeting is coming up with a major client. A man who has brought more money to us than any other single person.
And Ramses is in the midst of one of his episodes.
Dead bodies have been turning up over the last several weeks. Though he denied he was on the verge of another incident, I have no doubt he’s behind it.
“I should have fucking known. How the fuck did I miss all the signs?” I bellowed to no one in particular, unable to contain my anger. “Fucking Ramses has fucking done it again. If I get my hands on him, I’ll kill him myself!”
“Slade, he’s been gone for three weeks now. Clarence has asked multiple times if the upcoming shipping contract has been secured yet. He’s becoming very nervous about Ramses’s absence and my continued excuses for him. How long did you tell him to stay gone?” Thomas asked.
Thomas Vale is our right-hand man and the best employee we’ve ever had. He’s also the only other one of our business staff who knows my true nature since he’s a vampire himself.
“All I told him was to go deep into the forest and fulfill his thirst. The last time we went through one of his insatiable thirst periods, he almost got us both killed. He wasn’t discreet in any way—in the people he chose, in how he disposed of the bodies, in how many he killed. He left a trail that led straight back to us, and we narrowly escaped before the town full of pitchfork-wielding citizens had our heads.”
“If he’s in the forest, we should be safe.”
“I don’t think he’s in the forest. I think he’s doing it again. The dead bodies that have turned up recently, the many people who are missing—I think he’s behind it all. How long before we’re at risk again?”
“Let me do some checking around about him and see what I can find out. In the meantime, you should contact Mr. Dunn just in case you have to finish the last-minute details for Ramses.”
I retrieved the client’s file from Ramses’s office and spent the morning reviewing every detail of the contract and the draft shipping manifest so I could oversee the remaining tasks. Clarence Dunn is one rich man, and he has a lot of influence with the high and mighty crowd. Had Ramses screwed that up, our company’s reputation would’ve never recovered. That fact ignited my fury at him all over again.
“What the hell is this?”
All I’d done since I walked into the office this morning was yell about Ramses and his inability to control himself. But that note? That note took the fucking cake.
“What’s wrong?” Thomas asked, suddenly standing in my doorway.
“Ramses has to attend a ball with them?” I held the letter up and met Thomas’s confused gaze. “He’s honestly expected to be there?”
“Yes. He and I spoke briefly about this. With all
the time he’s spent at their house and at their events, they’d consider it as a slight against them if he didn’t show. If he’s not back in time, you’ll have to go in his place to represent the partnership.”
“Perfect,” I spat out sardonically. “Just fucking perfect.”
“It’s only a couple of weeks away. My advice is to have your formal clothes prepared as soon as possible.”
“Agreed. I don’t expect him to return anytime soon.”
Slade Barnett, August 1790
As expected, Ramses is still nowhere to be found. Neither hide nor hair of him anywhere. As usual, I’ve had to pick up the slack he left behind and carry both my weight and his with the business. Thomas’s assistance has been invaluable, and I’m sorely tempted to kick Ramses’s ass out and give Thomas his half of the partnership. My only hesitation in doing it is Ramses is still my brother, regardless of how pissed off I am.
“Tonight is the ball. I presume you’re prepared to attend?” Thomas asked as he walked into my office.
“I’m as ready as I’ll ever be. You know how I detest dances and masquerade balls and formal affairs. The pretentious elite never fail to show up in droves, anxious for everyone beneath them to kiss their asses.”
“Ah, but the lovely Miss Alea Dunn will be there tonight. She is a beautiful sight to behold. She’ll be eighteen next month, and she’s exactly your type. The talk around town is she plans to quietly dissolve her engagement to her betrothed in England. Now, all the young bucks in their upper-class circles are vying for her hand and will most likely chase her around the ballroom all night.”
“Bucks in rut season, huh?” I chuckled.
“Exactly. But they’re no match for you.”
“Why are you trying to marry me off to some young girl I’ve never even met? As a matter of fact, why are you trying to marry me off at all?”
Thomas shrugged one shoulder, and one side of his mouth lifted in amusement. “You’ve been a bachelor long enough. And you work too much. You need to take some time for fun.”
“Having a wife is not my idea of fun, Thomas. I have plenty of fun after work without having the burden that comes with a wife.”
Thomas walked off, but I didn’t miss how he laughed under his breath. Like he knew something I didn’t.
Turns out, Thomas did know something I didn’t. First, I don’t give his visions of the future nearly enough credit. But the bastard didn’t tell me what he’d seen, or how going to the ball tonight would change my life forever. I owe him an ass-kicking for that—then a brotherly embrace immediately afterward.
So many times before I left my house tonight, I considered sending a note expressing my regret to Clarence because some fake emergency needed my immediate attention. But I didn’t because Thomas’s words reverberated in my mind. The Dunns would view it as a personal slight after all the business they’ve given Ramses, and by extension, me. Reconciled to accept a night of sheer torture, I donned my best formal clothing and took my carriage to the grand ballroom at the Imperial Renaissance Hotel.
The events of the evening are clearer to me now than when I first experienced them, so I’m capturing my memories while they are still fresh. I say that as if I could ever truly forget, when in truth, I keep a detailed account of my thoughts and interactions for more than just my own sake. Should anything happen to me, I’d like to think my experiences will help others of my kind not to make the same mistakes I’ve made. Learn from the things I’ve learned. Even though I’ve been an immortal for decades now, I learned what forever truly means tonight.
The very second I walked into the ballroom, a force unlike anything I’d ever experienced hit me with the full strength of a hurricane. Feelings I’d never experienced swirled all around me, simultaneously confounding me and providing vivid clarity. A heavy weight settled in my chest around my dead heart. Had I not known better, I would’ve sworn it started beating again, thumping against my ribcage like a strong man swinging a sledgehammer. My lungs burned for oxygen, forcing me to inhale deeply, though I don’t need it to survive.
I didn’t ask anyone where to find the Dunns’ table. My feet carried me straight to the source of my sudden and intense obsession. The instant our eyes met, the connection between us was sealed. Our separate destinies were fused into a singular conclusion. Fate had brought us together against all odds in the vastness of time and chance. Though we hadn’t met, names hadn’t been exchanged, and our numerous questions hadn’t been asked, the impossible became possible.
The other half of me, my immortal love, sat directly in front of me. The depths of her soft brown eyes sparkled with interest. Her long blond hair lay across her bare shoulders in loose curls. The shimmer of her black silk formal gown paled in comparison to her radiance. I tried to speak, to introduce myself, to save myself from the awkward situation I’d created, but my voice was mute.
“Are you Slade Barnett, Ramses’s brother?”
The voice came from a man at the table, but it took considerable effort to untether my eyes from hers. She had them physically restrained by just being.
“Yes, I am. Ramses sends his apologies for missing such a delightful event, but pressing matters require his presence elsewhere. You have my full attention and commitment,” I replied.
The man stood and extended his hand. “Clarence Dunn. It’s very nice to finally meet you in person. You’ve worked with several close friends of mine, and they’ve done nothing but sing your high praises. I have no doubts whatsoever of your abilities to effectively manage my shipping contracts. But we’ll save that for next week. We’re here strictly to enjoy each other’s company. We’ve saved you a seat at our table. Dinner will be served soon.”
Had another man been seated beside the young lady who had me under her spell, I would’ve insisted he move at that point. But further confirming fate indeed had her hand on us, the empty chair was beside my as-yet-unnamed love. She watched me intently and held her breath as I approached, only releasing it when I took my place at her side.
“Slade, this is my wife, Frances,” he gestured to the lovely lady to his right. “And seated beside you is our daughter, Alea.”
He continued around the table, introducing me to other men and women in his elite circle. Though I heard every word and memorized every name, my focus never strayed from the striking beauty beside me. The chatter around the table started back up. Several of the ladies were involved in one conversation, while the men carried on a different one.
Alea and I remained in our own distinct world.
“I hope you don’t think this is too forward of me, but you are absolutely stunning. I’ve never seen a more beautiful lady in my life.”
“Thank you. That’s very kind of you to say.” Her cheeks became a rosy red, her pulse spiked, but she kept her eyes locked on mine despite her shy nature.
The music paused as the band prepared to change to a hauntingly beautiful slow song. On impulse, I stood and extended my hand to her. “Would you do me the honor of sharing this dance with me?”
When she put her soft hand in mine, time stood still.
“Alea?” Her mother’s questioning eyes alternated between Alea, me, and our entwined hands.
“Slade and I are going to dance to this song. We’ll return to the table well in time to enjoy the meal,” Alea replied as she stood.
Clarence leaned back in his chair, studied us for a moment, and the corner of his mouth lifted slightly. The pride that showed through his eyes was solely intended for Alea. Frances jerked her head to look at him, undoubtedly for him to object, but he gave us his nod of approval instead.
“Frances, my love, you know I’ve always had an uncanny ability to quickly determine a man’s intentions. I have an exceptionally good feeling about Slade.”
I smiled and nodded my appreciation to him. “Thank you, sir. That means a great deal to me.”
Before anything else could be said, I led Alea to the dance floor. With one hand on her waist and the other holding
her hand close to our faces, I began to sway with her in time with the melodic music. She felt so good, so right, in my arms, it was almost overwhelming. Add to that the sweet scent of her skin plus the warmth of her touch, and it’s a miracle I didn’t whisk her away from the party in that moment.
“At the risk of sounding like a lunatic,” I started. “You feel it too. Don’t you?”
Her eyes flew open wide for a split second before understanding dawned and her expression softened. “I felt it before I ever saw your face. It was as if my soul suddenly felt a part of itself enter the room and began desperately calling out. When you first stepped into the doorway, I knew you were the one my soul needed to feel whole again. I knew you were the one my soul recognized as part of itself.”
“Exactly,” I whispered, astonished she so perfectly captured my feelings. “You are my immortal love, Alea. You don’t understand the full meaning of that right now. You probably also question how I can claim love when we barely know each other’s name. But you can believe me when I say this. You will understand it all. Very soon.”
“I believe you.”
With everything I needed to say and wanted to ask, none of it seemed as important as just holding her and enjoying every second of it. We moved with flawless and effortless precision around the floor without conversation for the rest of the song. We shared all of our thoughts and feelings through longing gazes and gentle touches. It was more than enough, especially since we were both trying to wrap our heads around what was happening.
When the song ended, we rejoined the group at the table, and I was pleased to see smiles on her parents’ faces as we took our seats.
“That was amazing!” Frances exclaimed before anyone could speak.
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