A Taste For Passion

by Patrice Michelle

  She smiled and spread her legs, welcoming his hard shaft as he slid into her. A fleeting thought occurred that they should be using protection, but she dismissed it. Why bother, I'm already dead. I may as well live while I can.

  Rana moaned as her body stretched to accommodate his large size.

  "God, you're so tight and full of hot cream," he bit out, his body tense while he slowly guided himself into her.

  She could tell he was holding back his desire to ram home. Rana smiled. "Then we'd better do something about it." Before he could respond, she wrapped her legs around his waist, lifted her hips upward, and pulled him toward her.

  Lucian flashed a wicked smile at her invitation and drove into her in one swift thrust—a thrust so deep he touched her womb. "Ohmygod," she called out as her body immediately climaxed at the thorough invasion.

  Lucian called her name in a hushed tone. Rana opened her eyes and met his passionate ones as her sheath finished contracting around him. He held himself very still until all her tremors had stopped.

  Giving her a tight smile, Lucian set his jaw and began to move. Using slow methodical thrusts as if he meant to heighten her pleasure, he kept his breathing even and measured. Rana would have none of it. He'd held back his own pleasure too many times for her. She arched her back, lifted her hips and met each of his thrusts with counter ones of her own, upping the stakes, increasing the pace.

  Sensations built, curling within her lower stomach. Her breasts and thighs tingled, her sex begged for more friction, harder pressure. Lucian's lips captured hers, his ravishing kiss matching the fevered rhythmic pace of his hips grinding against hers.

  Rana gloried in their passionate lovemaking. Her breasts brushed his chest, aching and sensitive against the hair-roughed surface. Lucian trailed his lips down her neck, tasting her with his hot tongue.

  Her breathing became erratic as her body hummed and prepared for another climax. Rana strived to get there, but at the same time, she didn't want it to end. She dug her fingers into his shoulders, begging, "Please, Lucian."

  Lucian pistoned into her and clamped his teeth on her throat. Rana arched her back and tilted her head, crying out, "Lucian, yes! Yes!"

  When the first shimmers of her orgasms started, Lucian gave a deep guttural growl of satisfaction and sunk his teeth into her neck, pulling her closer as he took her blood. Rana gasped in pleasure as the intense, erotic act heightened her climax, making the heart-stopping spasms seem to last forever.

  Lucian reveled in Rana's blood—untouched by another—pure and sweet. He drank like a vamp with his first taste of blood. She tasted so good, he had to stop himself before he took more than her body could recoup in a day. Regretfully, he withdrew his fangs and gently licked her neck, closing the wounds.

  Rana's hands moved slowly over his back. She seemed lost in a trance.

  Apprehension gripped him. What if he accidentally took too much of her blood? Lucian grabbed her shoulders and shook her slightly. "Are you okay, Rana love?"

  Her eyes came back into focus and she smiled. "Wonderful. Just tired, that's all. I had no idea love making could be so intense and erotic."

  He cupped her face in his hands. "So, you're okay with me taking your blood during our lovemaking?"

  "Yes, so long as it doesn't happen again…" Rana trailed off with a tired smile, her eyes closing in sheer exhaustion.

  Lucian gathered her sleeping form against his chest and pulled the covers over them. He knew she'd sleep for several hours, since the first time was usually the most exhausting. Her last comment concerned him. She knew it took three encounters before she'd become a vampire. And once she became his mate, the exchange of blood during lovemaking was one of the most sensual aspects of being a vampire. Why would she not want that? Rana said she enjoyed their intimate act. The question plagued him before he finally succumbed to his own fatigue and fell into a deep sleep.

  Chapter Nine

  Rana awoke to the smell of bacon. Her stomach growled in response to the strong aroma. She slid out of bed, careful not to wake Lucian. He needed his sleep more than she did. She took a moment to appreciate the rich royal blue and white tile floor and coordinating blue glass containers that graced the white marble counter top in the bathroom before she hopped in the shower.

  Once she was dressed in casual black slacks, a white tank top and a royal blue cardigan, she quietly made her way downstairs. As she descended the curved staircase, Rana noted it was almost dusk outside. Wow, she had been exhausted. She'd slept almost twenty-four hours. No wonder she was starving.

  A young girl, who looked to be about sixteen rolled around on the floor at the bottom of the stairs, wresting with Jet.

  "Hello," Rana said in a friendly voice when she reached the bottom step.

  The girl jerked her head around, her chin length, flaming red hair bobbed with her movement. Her smile disappeared from her face as if she was ashamed to be caught enjoying herself. She eyed Rana up and down and sniffed the air. "You're not one of them, are you?"

  Rana laughed. "No, I'm not a vampire. I'm just here visiting. My name's Rana."

  The girl nodded, looking back at the front door as she rubbed Jet's head. "Yeah, me too. I'm busting out of this looney bin as soon as I'm old enough."

  Rana started to ask the girl her name when Sabryn walked up beside her.

  "Good evening, Trish. Did you sleep well, dear?"

  Trish cast a cutting look at Sabryn. "How can you ask me that? You weirdoes have my body all messed up. Making me sleep during the day, keeping me awake all hours of the night. Bunch of freaks," she muttered under her breath as she turned back to Jet.

  Sabryn ignored her comment and said in an upbeat tone, "I believe Uncle Vlad is setting up the chess board in the study."

  Trish was up and running before Sabryn finished the last word. "See ya later, Rana," she called behind her.

  Rana's heart went with her. She missed her chess games with Jack.

  "Trish's parents were killed in a car accident. Her mother was one quarter vampire and her father was half werewolf." Sabryn explained the girl's behavior, shaking her head. "She doesn't realize how special she is. She hasn't come to the age of awareness yet."

  Rana looked at Sabryn in surprise. "You mean she doesn't know she's from two very distinct races?"

  "Right. Because her parents were neither a full vampire nor werewolf, their lives were very much like humans." She sighed. "We aren't sure what powers Trish will develop, but we don't want a rogue vampire or werewolf trying to take her for his own. So, we brought her here." She gave a brief smile. "For some reason, she's taken to Uncle Vlad."

  Rana laughed. "It's the chess games. My grandfather had me addicted."

  "Good evening, Rana love," Lucian said in her ear from behind her. He placed his warm hands on her shoulders and gently squeezed.

  Rana stiffened at his words but couldn't keep herself from inhaling. He smelled woodsy and clean at the same time, his skin still warm from his shower. Rana turned to look at him as Sabryn stepped into the foyer and addressed her brother with an amused expression.

  "You're looking quite rested this evening, Lucian."

  He grinned and let his hand slip around Rana's waist as he stepped down to the last step beside her. His silver eyes twinkled as he looked at her, but addressed his sister, "Yes, I think a whole day of sleep was just what we needed."

  Rana's embarrassed blush spread all over her body. Okay, now his sister knew they'd slept together. If she could speak in his mind at the moment, she'd tell him off, but good. Instead she excused herself and followed her nose toward the dining room and the wonderful smell of bacon.

  Lucian put his hands on her shoulders and turned her around right before she walked into the dining room. "What's wrong, Rana?"

  "Wrong?" She gave him an incredulous look and surveyed the room to make sure no one was about before she spoke in a lowered voice, "You basically just told your sister that we'd slept together."

  Lucian l
aughed and rubbed her shoulders, giving them a gentle squeeze. "You're my mate, Rana. It's expected."

  The deep baritone of his laughter was easy and pleasant and she would've enjoyed seeing him so happy if she weren't so miserable—by the end of the evening, he'd be Vité and she'd be dead. "Lucian, I told you already. I'm not here to become your mate."

  "You can so easily dismiss last night?" His fingers tightened on her shoulders and the look of hurt in his eyes was almost more than she could bear. She had to be strong. But she couldn't lie to him either.

  "No, Lucian. Last night was spectacular, but becoming a vampire would change my entire life. I'm not ready for that." Okay, scratch the goody-two shoes theory. She could lie—when necessary. Before he could reply, she twisted out of his hold and entered the dining room.

  A woman wearing a maid's uniform came out of the kitchen with a carafe of coffee and set it on the table with a friendly smile. Her short gray hair bushed against her cheeks as she turned and said, "The food's on the sideboard, dear," before returning to the kitchen, leaving her alone.

  Rana noticed Lucian enter the dining room, but she ignored him as she filled her plate with bacon, eggs and hash browns. He sat across from her as she set her plate down. Man, was she hungry. She'd taken several bites when Lucian said quietly, "Now that I've found you, I can't imagine my life without you, Rana."

  Rana paused the fork midway to her mouth at his words. She met his steely gaze. "Lucian…" she began.

  His eyes burned with intensity as he continued in a husky voice, "I want to fall asleep with you in my arms every morning for the rest of our lives."

  Her heart ached at his words. He was saying all the right things. God, make him stop, please—"Stop."

  Rana felt a set of hands lay heavily on her shoulders. She immediately turned, but no one stood behind her. She shifted her gaze back to Lucian and narrowed her eyes.

  He spoke in her mind instead. I want to taste your sweet flavor again, feel your body wrap around mine, hear you screaming in pleasure.

  The hands slid past her arms to touch the sides of her breasts before skimming down her waist and hips. Slowly his fingers slid across the crease of her legs before they touched the juncture between her thighs. Tiny shivers started in her chest and shot down to her stomach before settling in her sex. Rana dropped the fork and jumped up, slamming her hands on the table between them, rattling the plate and silverware. "Stop it, Lucian!"

  Lucian stood and leaned across the table, his hands bracketing hers in, the lines in his face taut with fury, his silver eyes sparkling in anger. "I will not! You are my mate, Rana."

  That commanding presence was back. The dominance he exuded shot down to her stomach and sizzled right back up her spine, leaving her weak and breathless, making her want to punch him square in the nose and kiss him senseless at the same time.

  "Well, you're just going to have to…"

  "Lucian…" Sabryn interrupted her as she entered the dining room. His sister let her gaze dart back and forth between them and said, "I'm sorry to interrupt, but the clan leaders want to meet with you to discuss Kraid before the ceremony."

  "Now?" Lucian sounded frustrated.

  "Yes, they're gathered in the library." She turned to walk out, but glanced back, eyeing them. "I'll tell them you'll be a minute."

  Lucian's gaze returned to hers. "Finish eating, Rana. I want you to come, too."

  Rana looked at him in surprise. "Why do I need to be there? It sounds like a private matter."

  He straightened and rubbed his hands on his neck, saying, "You're my mate, Rana. You go where I go."

  When she opened her mouth to object, he continued, "Plus, I need you to tell them what Kraid did to Dwayne and tried to do to you. Do you think you'll be up to it?"

  She straightened her shoulders, nodded, and sat down to finish her meal.

  * * * * *

  After she'd told her story about Kraid, Rana sat in a cushioned chair next to the door, listening to the clan leaders talk. She felt out of place among them, being the only woman. Well, Sabryn was there, but she was a vampire and the sister to the man about to become Vité, so she had her own station of importance.

  At least she knew the names of the clans now. Lotta good it'll do her, Rana thought wryly. But she let her gaze follow the men around the table nonetheless. There were: the Kantrue's led by Lucian, the Bruens led by Kraid, which Ian represented tonight, the Norradors, the Arryns, and the strangest, the Sythe. Their leader was bald with squinty eyes and pointy, yes pointy, ears.

  The leaders argued among themselves as to how to punish Kraid—whether or not to make an example of him before they killed him. The vampire law, she learned, was not like humans'. They took care of their own rogue vamps. The court system and due process was happening in this room right now. The argument had turned so heated, Sabryn stepped in to calm the men down. Rune moved over to sit beside her, leaning against her leg. Rana reached out and rubbed his head.

  Suddenly, the wolf's entire body tensed. He looked at her as a low growl escaped, but then the sound changed to a whimper.

  Are you ready for me, Rana? A voice entered her mind. Kraid.

  Her entire body tensed and she looked at Lucian who was debating with the Arryn clan leader.

  What, no answer? That must mean Lucian hasn't made you a vampire yet. Maybe he's having second thoughts, since you don't look anything like his fiancée, Elizabeth.

  Lucian's eyes met hers for a brief second, but she looked away before he could see the pain and confusion Kraid's words brought.

  Kraid made a tsking sound. So tragic, Elizabeth's demise. Lucian mourned her death for months until he decided to foolishly believe in reincarnation. His harsh laugh grated on her nerves. What cockamamie bullshit! Can you believe he thought that ring would bring her back to him—that he thinks you're Elizabeth reincarnated?

  Rana looked down at the ring on her hand. God, now it all made sense. Elizabeth's grave was the one Lucian was visiting that day in the cemetery. He'd told her he was saying good-bye. Now she knew why. That was the day he saw her.

  She closed her eyes as the hurt and betrayal washed over her. So what if she'd be dead before sunrise. The knowledge didn't stop the anguish that tightened her chest. Rana covered her mouth with a trembling hand to stifle her cry as she bolted from the room. Lucian called to her, but she ignored him and headed straight for the front door. She had to get away. She thought she was strong, but she wasn't strong enough to handle this.

  Rana didn't make it past the water fountain before something knocked her roughly to the ground. The cement scrapped her side through her clothes as she skidded across the unforgiving surface.

  Kraid was on her before she could move. He pinned her to the ground and grabbed a fistful of her hair, yanking her head back, exposing her throat for his impending bite. She knew he intended to tear her to shreds. His bright red eyes blazing, his fangs extended, he hissed out, "You're the reason I'm not being voted Vité tonight."

  "Me?" she managed to strangle out the word.

  "Lucian had no interest in the Vité position until you showed up. He wouldn't have challenged me." Kraid lowered his head closer to her neck.

  As scared as she was, Kraid's arrogance and cowardice infuriated her. Rana drew on the knowledge she was already dead to give her the strength to fight Kraid the only way she could. By pissing him off. Letting her anger take over, she kept her voice calm and taunted, "You're not the sharpest fangs in the clan, are you?"

  At her sarcastic words, Kraid jerked his head up and met her gaze with a questioning look.

  "You may kill me, but Lucian will hunt you down. He won't let my death go unavenged."

  "No, he wouldn't." Lucian's cold voice sounded above them right before he yanked Kraid off of her. He swiped a clawed hand across Kraid's chest, ripping tendons and flesh, before sending his body flying twenty-five feet across the yard.

  Rana scrambled to her feet and realized she was wet. She looked down. Her cl
othes and body were spattered with Kraid's blood. She glanced up in time to see Lucian leap across the distance between he and Kraid, landing hard on top of the vamp. But Kraid wasn't done. He slashed at Lucian's chest, shredding his clothes and skin. Lucian roared in anger and shoved his hand through Kraid's chest. Rana almost fainted at the sight and the sound of Kraid's screams of pain. Then nothing but eerie silence greeted her.

  Rana looked down at her clothes, the blood. She could smell its metallic scent. She touched the sticky, warm moisture and her stomach turned when she realized she wondered what it tasted like.

  No! she screamed in her mind. She fled back into the house, up the stairs and into her room. Tearing at the offending clothes, she couldn't get them off fast enough. She shivered as she stood beside the shower, waiting for the water to turn warm. Blood caked her hands and neck.

  Rana stepped into the shower and grabbed the soap. Her hands trembling, her heart pounding, she rubbed the lather vigorously over her body. Off, off. She wanted the red stain off. The smell of death and now the appealing smell of life assailing her nostrils frightened her beyond measure.

  Lucian materialized in the shower next to her. Reaching over, he grasped her wrists, staying her frantic movements. Rana met his unwavering pale silver gaze as the steam curled around them, wrapping them in a blanket of moist warmth.

  Droplets of water glistened on his pitch-black hair as he took the soap from her hand and began bathing her body. Rana initially stiffened, but then closed her eyes and gave in to his ministrations. His gentle touch along her neck, shoulders and breasts worked to soothe her frazzled nerves.

  She opened her eyes and ran her soapy hand over his chest, careful to avoid his wounds. She touched his neck and shoulders, covering all the firm planes of his body, appreciating his sculpted form. Never again to see him like this, to feel the hard, raw power underneath her hands. The thought tore at her heart. She committed his body to memory. Did one get to keep memories in heaven?

  The warm water sluiced over her skin, washing away the blood and soap. Rana reveled in Lucian's fingers sliding over her. His large hands touched the curve of her hip, the indentation of her waist and trailed upward to her breasts, lifting them so he could kiss the pink tips one at a time. She gasped, closing her eyes when he sucked one of her taut nipples into his mouth, nipped at the tip, and then did the same to the other.