Eternal Flame

by Valerie Twombly

  Marcus, Lucan is going after the minions. I will continue to follow you. I can’t find Odage, but I know he’s here.

  Thank you, I feel better knowing you are watching over my mate.

  Aidyn chuckled. So now you refer to her as your mate? The date must be going well. She is a beautiful woman, Marcus. Count yourself a lucky man.

  Perhaps you are right.

  I’m always right. Garin has joined me. He will follow you, and I will go help Lucan. Hopefully, I will get some answers from the minions before he kills them. Aidyn flashed behind Lucan.

  “Where did they pick up the women?” Aidyn asked.

  “They left Roxie’s with them then followed Marcus for a bit before veering off. Perhaps that is what his female sensed?”

  “No, Odage is here. I can sense him but where?” He looked around, still no sign of the Draki. “We will follow these two. Perhaps they will lead us to him. In any case, we must protect the females.”

  “Of course, my lord.” Lucan wrapped the darkness around them, and they slipped closer behind the minions undetected.

  Aidyn was thankful to have Lucan with him. There was a side to the vampire that lived in the shadows. His manipulation of the darkness frightened even the gods at times. His loyalty, however, was never in question.

  They followed the minions for several blocks as they headed to the outskirts of town still abandoned by Hurricane Katrina. They entered one of the empty buildings. The acidic scent of panic stung his senses. He knew the women were in trouble.

  “We must make our move now before they hurt the females.”

  “Agreed.”

  The warriors split up, Lucan headed around behind the minions while Aidyn took the straight-on approach. “Let the women go,” he yelled, pulling his favorite blade from his boot.

  One of the minions laughed. “You can’t stop us, vampire.” Then he grabbed the blonde, pressing a knife to her throat.

  Aidyn connected to the woman’s mind. Shhh, don’t panic, I need you to stand perfectly still. Blink if you understand me. The woman trembled but closed both eyes and opened them again. Her gaze never leaving his. Good girl.

  “Where’s Odage?”

  The minion holding the blonde laughed again. “Do I look stupid?”

  Aidyn narrowed his eyes. “No, you look dead.”

  The second minion followed suit and pressed a knife to the other woman’s throat. There were now two hostages. He kept his mind connected to theirs, sending soothing thoughts to help them remain calm.

  “What is Odage doing with these women?” He took a step closer.

  The minion pressed the knife deeper. “Come closer, and she dies.” He saw the blood trickle down the blonde’s throat.

  “Perhaps we can bargain.” Dammit, Lucan, he is going to slit her throat. He hoped to distract the minion while Lucan came in from the rear.

  “What kind of bargain can you offer me?”

  “Protection. Odage will kill you when you fail to bring him the women.”

  The second minion shuffled his foot. “Maybe we should accept his offer.”

  He had what he needed. Lucan, take the one to the left. His mind grabbed the darkness and followed its path until he was inside the minion's head. He squeezed the jelled mass that was once a human brain, bombarded it with pain. The underling shook, the knife dropped to the floor. Aidyn grabbed the woman and pulled her behind him. Screams assaulted his ears, telling him Lucan had the other minion.

  The spawn of hell fell to his knees, palms grasping his head as he shrieked in pain. Aidyn flashed his favorite sword into his right palm and raised his arm. “Fuck you, you piece of shit.” He swung, sliced through bone and knocked the head across the empty room.

  He looked to his left and saw the second minion down, his head also missing. Lucan consoled the female who had been held hostage.

  He walked to the blonde who stood shaking behind him. He ran his thumb down her cheek and wiped away her tears. “What’s your name, sweetheart?”

  “Sara.”

  “It’s all right now, Sara, you’re safe. Lucan will take you and your friend home.” He ran a finger over the thin wound on her neck, knitting the flesh together. There would be no mark left by morning.

  “Lucan, take care of the ladies. I will clean up the mess.” He knew Lucan would plant suggestions of a fun evening in their minds. They would never relive the horrors of this night.

  “Yes, my lord.”

  He waited for Lucan to leave with the women before disposing of the bodies. His palms held in front of him, he conjured a ball of fire and tossed it at the bodies. Once they were burned, he swept his hand in front of him, bringing a heavy wind in to blow away the evidence. He didn’t get the answers they needed, but at least, he saved two more women from becoming victims.

  When nothing remained, Aidyn flashed back into town.

  * * * *

  They made it back to Cassie’s house in record time and now relaxed on the couch, sipping a glass of Chardonnay. “Thanks again for a great evening.”

  “I’m glad you had a good time. Does this mean you’ll go out with me again?”

  She grinned. “Absolutely.”

  He stood. “I had probably better get going, it’s late, and I’m sure you’re tired.”

  She glanced at the clock, it was one a.m. But the last thing she wanted to do was sleep. She set her glass down and moved off the couch. “I’m not tired.” She reached for his hand and dug for her courage. She had a feeling he didn’t want to leave. “Kiss me.”

  He pulled her close and ran his fingers down her cheek. He leaned down and brushed his lips against hers. Gently, he nibbled her bottom lip, coaxing her mouth open with his tongue. She parted her lips, he took full advantage, pressed his way deeper into her mouth, held the kiss before he broke away.

  She opened her eyes and let out a sigh. “You’re a good kisser, Marcus.” She leaned into him and pressed her body against his. Wrapping her arms around his neck, she pulled him to her, and their lips came together. Her tongue did a deliberate slow dance across his, making him moan. Her core turned to lava, the heat almost too much to bear.

  He pushed her away. “Cassie. I could stand here and kiss you all night, but I’d better go before I make an ass of myself and you end up hating me.”

  She reached for his hand, knowing what his aim was. “Why do you think I would end up hating you?” She worried it might be the other way around. Would he think her a wanton woman? She tried to cap her desire, but the need to live what happened in her dreams overruled her common sense.

  “I will not lie. I believe in the truth, always. I want you. I want to lie you on the bed and make passionate love to you until neither of us can move.”

  “Then what’s stopping you?” she whispered.

  “Love, did I hear you correctly?” Disbelief was written on his face.

  She gazed into his stormy eyes. “I will admit, I’m not the type who sleeps with a man on the first date.” She looked down at his chest. “Hell, not even the second or third.” Her eyes moved back up to meet his. “I can’t say what it is, this connection I feel. I just know I need you.”

  He pulled her close, his mouth crushing hers. Their tongues glided across each other in a play for dominance. Her nipples hardened and strained against the fabric of her dress. With only the thin layer of material between them, she felt his cock harden.

  She pulled away and gasped for air as she led him to the darkened bedroom. Her courage wavered for a moment. She’d come this far, there would be no stopping now. She didn’t want to stop.

  “Marcus, I don’t know how to explain it. I trust you, and to be honest, your touch sets me on fire. I need you, but if this isn’t what you want, then I’ll understand.” She held her breath and waited for his reaction.

  He traced a finger along her cheek. “There’s no way in hell I’m leaving now, unless of course, you toss me on the street.”

  She reached for his shirt, her fingers trembling
as she loosened the first button. He grabbed her wrists. “If at any time you want to stop, tell me.”

  Her head shook and continued with the buttons until they were completely undone. She pushed the shirt past his shoulders and onto the floor. Breath escaped her lungs when the moonlight filtered in the windows and danced across his chest. He was remarkable, better than her dreams.

  He removed the clip that held her hair. Her chestnut curls spilled around her shoulders. He moaned when his fingers ran through the silky mass. The dress became a second skin, and she was ready to be rid of it, but before she could make a move, he reached behind her neck and untied the halter. The dress fell to her waist, exposing her bare breasts. His eyes became drunk with desire. He tipped his head down and ran his tongue over her nipple, causing it to pebble. God, she had almost come undone right there.

  “You have too many clothes on,” she said, reaching for the button on his pants.

  He moved off her breast, and she cried out from the ache he left behind. “I could say the same for you, love.” He kicked off his boots while she dropped her dress to the floor. She was left standing in a red thong and black heels. There would be no turning back now.

  Grabbing the waistband of his pants, she yanked them to the floor, and his erection sprung free. Her tongue traced her lips, desperate to savor him. He was much bigger than she had experienced, but that only heightened her arousal. She dropped to her knees and ran her tongue over the tip of his shaft. He tasted of salt and seduction. He wrapped a fist in her hair and groaned. She sucked him in, taking every inch. Drunk by the pleasure she gave him.

  He threw his head back. “Oh gods, Cassie, you feel so good. Don’t stop.”

  As if she could. No, she was a woman possessed, determined to take him over the edge. At this moment, she wanted nothing more than to make him scream her name.

  Chapter Ten

  Sweat beaded on his forehead. Close, so very close. He never expected this, had dreamed about it but never imagined it. He wanted to beg her to stop, but the words caught in his throat when he yelled out her name. Gods, he was falling, his body burning in a black hole when the flames erupted and he spilled his seed. He thought it would never stop, and when it finally did, he still wasn’t sated. He wanted all of her.

  When she pulled back, he scooped her up and laid her on the bed. “Gods. Cassie, you’re the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen,” he whispered in her ear. He lapped the valley between her breasts then licked his way to her pink bud and wrapped his mouth around it, suckling until she cried out. His hand cupped her other breast and rolled her nipple between his thumb and finger. She arched her back and moaned.

  He licked his way down her taut belly. Her body more than he could have ever believed. His desire to please her, to give her more than she had just given him drove him to near madness. He had never felt this way about any woman. Ever. His desire might be his undoing, but he was unable to stop. To hell with the consequences, he’d deal with those later.

  His tongue found her soft folds and began to lick her wetness. He inserted two fingers and began to thrust them in and out, slow at first then his pace quickened. Her breaths came in frantic gasps. She was teetering on the edge.

  “Don’t stop.”

  Her core tightened around him, sucking his fingers in deeper. She burned like an inferno, and his fangs lengthen. Scraping along her nub, he was unable to hold them back any longer.

  “Oh Marcus,” she screamed. Her body convulsed while he continued to swirl his tongue between her folds. He pumped his fingers and nibbled her clit, determined to bring her over the edge again. His free hand reached up and rolled her nipple between his fingers, and she blessed him again with her screams of pleasure.

  “Marcus, please,” she begged. “I need you inside me.” Her breasts heaved up and down with each frantic breath.

  He groaned. That was precisely where he wanted to be. “Don’t worry, love, I’m not finished bringing you pleasure.”

  On his elbows, he poised over her for a moment, rubbing the tip of his shaft along her slickness then thrust hard until he was seated deep inside. He quivered there for a moment and enjoyed her soft wetness wrapped around him. He was where he belonged. He and his mate were joined. From this day forward, he’d kill any man who looked at his woman.

  She bucked wildly. Her heat engulfed him, sent fire throughout his body. She was both heaven and hell, and the beast who hid deep inside him emerged, pinning her arms above her head. His pace quickened. The need to drink from his mate overwhelmed him, but he fought it. He sensed her closing in on another orgasm, so he stopped with only the tip of his cock still inside her. The animal in him wanted…no, needed her to beg him. He ran his tongue along her neck, causing her body to quiver.

  “Marcus, don’t stop.”

  * * * *

  He stopped, oh why the hell did he stop? She shifted, but he had pinned her down. Damn him. He pushed the right buttons. Three orgasms already, but still she wanted more. Greedy bitch. Yes!

  “Marcus.”

  Damn it, he licked her neck. Her thoughts moved back to her dreams of when he bit her. God, she wanted him to bite her now. She almost wished he had fangs. I’m mental. Her mind wouldn’t stop torturing her.

  “Marcus, please. I need you.” She wasn’t beyond begging at this point. It must have worked because he thrust into her, filled her, stretched her and took her to unimaginable heights. He was a perfect fit. She moved her hips, and he started to thrust. His pace hard and fast. God, she couldn’t get enough. More, more more! He moved his tongue from her neck to her nipple. Her body burned like she’d been dipped in melted wax. She was on the edge, ready to leap to the other side.

  “Come for me, my love,” he whispered.

  Body and mind were flung into a bright light. Pleasure gripped her and squeezed until tears rolled down her cheeks. It was never-ending, wave after wave of mind-numbing ecstasy. She walked a fine line between pleasure and pain. When it ebbed and her senses became her own again, Marcus yelled.

  “Cassie!” His face twisted with pleasure, and she swore to the heavens he had fangs. There was no time to care, he filled her with hot seed and took her over the edge with him.

  They both lay panting, their bodies slick with sweat when he pulled her into his arms and kissed her. Warm and tender, unlike a few minutes ago when he had been an animal. She decided she liked both sides of this man. They faced each other, on their sides, still connected. He caressed her cheek.

  “Are you alright, love? I didn’t hurt you, did I?”

  She broke into a smile. “No, as a matter of fact, I have never been better.” She moved a wisp of hair from his eyes and felt a sudden pang. Without a doubt, she could fall in love with this man. It seemed silly to her. She hardly knew him, yet there was a connection. Stop or you’ll get hurt. End it before he breaks your heart.

  “You seem sad. Did I do something wrong?”

  “No, everything is perfect.” She curled into him and closed her eyes, letting the darkness overtake her.

  * * * *

  Strong arms wrapped around Cassie. A smile crossed her lips at the slow, methodical breathing behind her. Muscles ached in all the right places, and her mind reeled from the explosive orgasms of the night before. Christ, the dreams in no way compared to the real thing. It was so much more.

  She pulled out her emotions and examined them, but was still left perplexed. Fear drove her to end this, but need said what if? What if unfounded fears ruined a chance at happiness? Take it one day at a time. Live in the moment, mother always said. I miss you, mom. Mother would have understood her apprehension.

  She rolled over and gazed at the handsome man who slept beside her. Desire stirred. In the light of the morning, the black ink on his left bicep came into view. A symbol, with a pair of wings spread out behind it. Her head tilted, fingers reached to caress the mark.

  “Good morning, sunshine,” he whispered.

  Flinching, she pulled away. “I’m sorry.
I didn’t mean to wake you.”

  He grabbed her hand and brought it to his lips, planting a soft kiss on her knuckles. “Never fear touching me, I belong to you.”

  Not sure what the words meant, she went back to caressing his tattoo. “What does your tattoo mean?”

  His steely gaze never left hers. “It’s an Ankh, the Egyptian symbol meaning life or living.”

  “Of course. I recognize it now.” Her forehead creased. “What do the wings mean?”

  “They represent the guardian angel.”

  “Oh. A living guardian angel. Right?”

  “Right.” Spoken against her lips.

  A moan escaped. “Care to join me in the shower?”

  “I’ll race you,” he said.

  He threw back the covers to reveal a fully erect cock. Her tongue glided across pink lips. She jumped from the bed and raced to the attached bathroom, grateful there was a large, walk-in shower. He slid in behind her and reached for the knob, turning on the dual heads.

  The glass door slid shut, and steam rose to the ceiling. She stood under the water and let it roll over sore muscles. His head dipped and kissed her neck. She moaned. He reached for the soap, lathered his hands and ran the suds over sensitive breasts.

  “Marcus.” She reached for him. Her thumb rubbed over the tip of his cock, causing it to jump.

  He leaned in, his tongue forcing her lips apart. Their teeth collided as he pressed her against the wall. She teased him with slow strokes while her body ached to take him in. His tongue flicked across her nipple, causing her back to arch.

  “God, Marcus, I want you. I need you to fuck me senseless.” Christ, tell me those words did not just come out of my mouth. She didn’t recognize the woman she’d become in the last twenty-four hours. Not even John had brought out the wench in her.

  He nipped her earlobe. “I never disobey.” He turned her, grabbed her arms and placed her palms on the shower wall. “Don’t move.” His knee came between her legs, spreading them apart. Fingers slid through slick folds, sending fire to her clit before he entered from behind.