by R. Sullins
His smile turned predatory as his eyes roamed over my face.
“One more thing, Miss Moore, I want you to move in with me.”
Chapter 12
*****
Crispin looked into the beautiful face of the young Hunter. Her sky-blue eyes had a sheen in them that belied the fact that she was close to tears. Her pulse was racing in her slender neck, tendrils of her golden-brown hair were falling from her ponytail and framing her lovely face. Everything about her called to him. She deceptively appeared to be delicate, big blue eyes, soft lips, the bottom one plumper than the top with a crease down the middle. She was exquisite. But what her beauty hid was the core of steel that ran through her. The pride and honor she had by taking care of her only family by herself at such a young age. The pain and despair she had gone through. Those were the things that truly drew her to him.
Over the last few weeks, he had gotten to know her better. The immediate attraction he felt couldn’t compare to how he felt now that he’d gotten to know that strong person inside. He felt his own heart pick up the pace at the thought that she would be his. Not just as the Hunter she would be to him but by his side, and in his bed. He would make it so.
*****
“I can’t move in with you!” My back hit the chair and my jaw about hit the floor. I was in disbelief at the suggestion. My sister, of course, was the first thing that came to mind. She was an impossible burden around my neck. No way could I abandon her to someone else, or, god forbid, a medical facility with indifferent people in charge of her care. She was difficult on a good day with those that cared about her. How would a stranger handle her on one of her difficult days? “My sister…”
“You misunderstand me.” He took one of my trembling hands in his and I made a mental effort to calm myself. “I could provide her with round the clock medical care with the best professionals. I would never ask you to leave your sister behind.” His thumb stroked my palm, calming me further. “You must look at the whole picture, Miss Moore.” His tone was soothing even as I shook my head. “She is not safe now that your blood is calling the revenants.”
He was right, and I knew it. But still… “You don’t understand how she is and how upset she would be. I’ve never talked about any of this with her. She saw me come home with Rhys last night and got so upset, if I were to tell her of any of this, of you, I don’t know how she would react.” I sighed. “She is a very unhappy person and doesn’t like to be reminded of all she has lost.”
He nodded thoughtfully, “And you are a reminder.” It was said as a statement. A true one that went straight to my gut. “And does she make you pay for being the sister that survived without lasting injury?”
He must have seen the look I was trying to conceal. Yes, she made me pay daily. I nodded once. His eyes got hard, the gray turning dark and stormy and flashed to mercury twice before squeezing my hand and forcing me to look back in his eyes. “Are you afraid of her Ivy? Does she hurt you?”
I was so taken aback by his use of my first name that I almost didn’t answer. He squeezed my hand again, demanding that I confess all. “She doesn’t really hurt me. She throws things and tries to lash out, but she is bedbound and can’t move anything below her waist. So, no, she doesn’t hurt me.”
“But she verbally hurts you.” Also said as a statement.
I sighed because it was the truth and there was no reason to lie, he already knew. “Yes. She has never forgiven me for being able to walk. She reminds me daily of what she’s lost. Last night she called me a whore for being with a man.” I gulped at the dangerous look in his eyes, even knowing it wasn’t directed at me. This man was dangerous, and I never wanted to be on his bad side. “So, you see, she is in a very fragile state of mind and I can’t let her know what is happening.”
He reached over and thumbed my cheek lightly. “You mean if she were to find out that you were mine, and in my bed, she would be even more hateful than she already is?”
What could I say? It was the truth. She would never get over the fact that I may have a man when she couldn’t. I was still trying to come to terms that I may even have a man. He had changed the rules in the middle of the game, seducing me and making me wish for more. His touch, the look in his eyes that showed how much he wanted to do a lot more than stroke my cheek, it was overwhelming, and I was having a hard time fighting my reaction to him.
Over and over I had been told that it wasn’t fair to me to withhold myself from sexual relationships because of my sister, that it wasn’t my fault. I heard those words and I understood. But seeing the hurt and pain under the hateful words my sister spewed broke my heart every time. But I wanted this. I would never in my life find another man like this vampire. I knew it to my soul.
“She is still hurting, Crispin. She has never accepted that she is paralyzed. When we were 15 we were both the most popular girls in school. We were cheerleaders and got good grades. But she was never as strong or as fast as me, no matter how hard she tried. I didn’t mean to make her feel bad, but I couldn’t help who I was. I knew she was jealous of me. She doesn’t know that I knew she tried to steal my boyfriends, that she started rumors about me. I never said anything then either because I felt bad I couldn’t control it.”
“I don’t agree with you on any of this. It wasn’t your fault and she shouldn’t have treated you poorly then or now. I think you should move in here where you can relax your guard, knowing you are safe.” He held up his hand before I could continue my protest. “However, I do understand. You have a soft heart for your sister. I will respect that you are choosing to remain with her in your home but require a few things from you. Firstly, I want to install a security system, one that you will be able to have an alert button on hand, so I will know immediately if you are in danger.”
This seemed reasonable to me and I would not want our safety in jeopardy anyway, so I nodded my head in agreement.
“Good girl.” He grinned at me, making me blush. “Secondly, Jared and Rhys will continue to be your day and night guards. Not because I doubt you can take care of yourself, rather because I want someone who can watch your back while you watch your front. They will be with you when you aren’t with me, understand? I should have had a guard on you at night at the very least since the beginning but that will be rectified immediately.” Again, I nodded my agreement, though this time I did it with a frown. I didn’t know why I should need round the clock guarding, especially since revenants can only come out at night.
“Third, we are to continue to explore our relationship. If you want to hide it from your sister that is your prerogative, but I will not put off claiming you for any other reason than allowing you, yourself to accept that you are mine. I will not budge on this. You need time to become comfortable with me, fine, but I ask that you make an effort to spend time with me and allow me to show you how it can be between us.”
By the time he was done with this latest demand I was holding my breath. I felt his passion last night and I saw the way he looked at me tonight, but I didn’t realize how serious he was. He leaned forward, invading my space and ran his thumb over the crease in my bottom lip. “Breathe.” He whispered softly before placing his lips on mine.
The kiss was slow, soft, gentle, stealing what little breath I had left in my lungs while giving it back. His deliberate seduction of my senses was drugging, making me dizzy with want. He softly nibbled and licked my bottom lip. Before I knew what happened I was in his lap, straddling his legs. I’m not sure if I put myself there or if he had pulled me onto his lap, but I was snug with his arms braced around my back.
I pushed back against his chest suddenly as I thought of one other thing that stood in our way. “Wait, Kate…”
“Never was and never will be anything to me. I fed from her, and I won’t lie, I fucked her a few times, but we were never in a relationship. She was a feeder and, before I met you, a way to pass the time. If she thought she could be something more than that is on her.”
His wor
ds made me feel better and worse all at once. I felt sorry for her that he used her. She was convenient to him, but she allowed herself to be used, right? I shook my head. “But Crispin, I don’t want to hurt her feelings…”
He jerked his head back in shock. “Hurt her feelings? Ivy, I am aware she has been tormenting you, filling your head with nonsense. Yes, I had her but it was only a few times and never in my bed. I never spent time with her outside of the time I needed to feed. She also slept with my men at the same time.” He sighed and rested his forehead on mine. “Miss Moore, some women hope for what they don’t have and convince themselves that they already do. When they see that someone else may be able to have what they want they are very good at getting rid of the competition.”
“Not just women,” I said softly.
He chuckled and rubbed his thumb over my bottom lip, pulling it down before sliding his thumb over my bottom teeth. I swiped my tongue over the tip of his thumb taking in the taste of his skin.
His low growl reverberated through my own chest. “Yes, Miss Moore. Greed and deceit are not limited to women.” Then he captured my lips again for a quick kiss. “Kate is a moot point anyway, I sent her to one of my Regionals.”
“You sent her away?”
He looked into my eyes, “Ivy, I would do anything to keep you happy and safe. Kate was causing trouble and was hurting you. I couldn’t keep her around.” I smiled at him with watery eyes.
“We need to come to an understanding, my Hunter. This here is the start of us. Truthfully, the night we met was the beginning. I have not been able to so much as look at another woman sexually since I saw you. I didn’t know it then but you were already under my skin. You have only become more important to me since then, watching you grow into yourself and gaining confidence in your abilities. This is meant to be. You are meant to be my mate and I yours.”
He looked deep in my eyes. It seemed he was trying to convey the importance of what he was saying. “I know you have been doubting what you have been feeling. You aren’t easily trusting in a great many things. Let me reassure you that this is real. Your abilities as a Hunter are very real. You are going to be an amazing Hunter and an even more amazing mate. I look forward to the years as we grow to know each other better. I will help you with your sister. I ask you not to let her keep you from me.” He leaned forward slowly and brushed his lips against mine waiting for me to come to terms with his words.
The kiss went from soft and gentle to hard and fast in a second’s time. My breathing sped up along with his kiss. He didn’t so much as kiss as devour me whole. I was overwhelmed by his fire as he stroked my tongue with his own, showing me what he wanted to do to my body with his own. With a groan, his mouth left mine and he pushed his nose into my neck breathing deep. I felt myself trembling and tried catching my breath. His erection pressed into my thin yoga pants, increasing the shivers running through my body.
Together we sat quietly for a few moments while we both calmed. The movement of his hand across my back was soothing. I truly didn’t remember ever feeling so content in my entire life. I was amazed that this man was able to bring me to such highs and calm me so easily with the next breath. Yes, I knew I would never be able to find another man that could ever compare. I couldn’t lose this chance.
“Do you agree, my Hunter?” His smooth, deep tone had more shivers running through me.
I nodded shyly. He lifted my chin and met my eyes.
“I wouldn’t have taken no for an answer.” And then he consumed my lips once more. One of his hands wrapped around my ponytail, holding my head still for his attention, the other gripped my butt cheek, pressing our pelvises together. He rubbed my center over his hardness making tingles run through me. Over and over his tongue stroked every inch of my mouth as he rocked my pussy over his hardness. Flashes of hot and cold ran through me, everything felt so much better, stronger than when I touched myself alone at night. One hard rub and I would fracture into a million pieces.
Crispin kissed across my cheek to my ear and whispered, “Come for me, my Hunter..” And I exploded, throwing my head back in a silent scream, my center pulsing rhythmically against his throbbing shaft. When it was finally over I slumped bonelessly against his hard body, my breath fanning across his neck. I felt his occasional shiver and the hardness that was still cradled against me and smiled. He was totally affected by me. It made me feel strong and powerful, and a bit amused if I were being honest with myself, that I could make this male want me so much that he could tremble for me.
We sat there for a while, just enjoying the feel of each other. Finally, I eased up to look at his beautiful face. I stroked his stubbled cheek, my hand looking so small against his strong jaw. “Thank you, Crispin, for everything you’ve done for me and for the promises you’ve made. I won’t let you down, I want you to know that I am committed to you.” His eyes warmed at my words. “I want, more than anything, to have a relationship with you. Please, just give me some time to help my sister ease into things. I am not sure how I will explain what’s going on, but I will somehow get through to her. If things become too dangerous to stay in town I will move myself and her here but, right now, there doesn’t seem to be any danger, so I think it’s best to leave things as they are.”
I pressed a light kiss to his lips, lingering for a moment before leaning back again.
“I will give you time, but not too much. You belong here, with me, where I know you are safe.”
“You mean where you can touch me when you want,” I said, raising one eyebrow in mock challenge.
“Perhaps, that might be a relevant reason.” He replied with a nonchalant shrug. I wanted to laugh at his show of playfulness. He had always seemed so uptight and serious all the time it was good to see him acting as close to human as he was ever capable of getting. “Now, we should have a short amount of time to begin your lessons on weapons tonight before Jared takes you home.”
I climbed off his lap, straightened my ponytail, and placed my hands on my hips, ready for business. “Well, it’s a good thing I came ready to learn then, right?”
Chapter 13
*****
Crispin admired the way his Hunter looked with the sword in her hand. It was obvious that she was born to wield one. It took very little time for her to become comfortable with the weight and handle of the sword he had chosen for her 2 weeks ago. It was a perfect style for her petite frame, not overwhelming for her size and she wielded it as if it were an extension of her arm.
Over and over, every command he gave she completed efficiently, fluidly. Watching her move was almost like magic. Her legacy was clear, and she was born to it, to be a Hunter. And to be his. He would never give her up. As someone that had lived nearly 2 millennia, he knew what it was to want, to yearn, to lose, to win, to appreciate. Now, he made sure he only won. He got what he wanted. But more than that, he knew what was important enough to fight for and when to let go. His Hunter was worth fighting for. Perhaps the most important thing in his entire existence.
*****
I knew I had a giant, ridiculous smile on my face right now. I felt on top of the world. The sexiest man I’d ever seen in my life wanted me, and I found my true calling the moment I held the sword that man had made for me. As soon as I gripped the handle I felt whole. It was a similar feeling to when Crispin held me in his lap and kissed me senseless. Different feelings but a strong feeling of being home all the same.
I was on my way back home with Rhys behind the wheel. Apparently, Crispin had Rhys set for my nighttime bodyguard since he was a vampire and Jared as my daytime guard since he was human.
“I’ve never seen him like this, you know.” Rhys was tapping his fingers on the steering wheel and glancing back at her through the rearview mirror.
“Crispin?” Though I was sure that was what he meant. He didn’t have to tell me, it was obvious that Crispin had been emotionally stunted for a very long time.
“I have known Crispin for, ohhh, I don’t know, about
450 years give or take and he’s never asked me to guard anyone before. You’re obviously special.” He shrugged his shoulders. “If you ask me, it’s about time. Crispin has been alone for longer than anyone should have to.”
“Did Crispin Turn you? Into a vampire I mean.”
“I knew what you meant. No, Crispin has never turned anyone.”
I’m sure I looked less than dignified with my mouth hanging open. “Why? Is he afraid that he won’t be powerful enough to make a vampire without it devolving?”
Rhys laughed loudly. “Crispin is the most powerful vampire I’ve ever known. No, any vampire he would decide to turn would be sure to be strong and healthy.”
“I thought there was no telling though, that revenants can happen no matter what?”
“That’s true as a general rule but it’s also true that the most powerful vampires of us all will always make strong vamps. Crispin just happens to be the most powerful in existence, second to Kane, of course.”
“Yes, I remember him telling me that. But why would he never Turn anyone?”
“Honestly, it’s a discussion you should probably have with him. I don’t even know the whole story.” He shrugged his shoulder.
Another thought occurred to me. “Why is he the ruler of such a small area instead of over all vampires if he is so powerful?”
“Crispin has no desire to rule. He is like Kane in that way, he would rather not be involved in politics, but he doesn’t have the luxury of ignoring the duty to vampire kind. There have to be strong leaders to prevent problems and uprisings. Kane, though, he tends to stay isolated, with just a few loyal to him.”