“My father would take quite the exception to that characterization of my mother,” I chastised her using the same tone I used when scolding my niece and nephews.
Again, she became a blur, but this time, I delivered an uppercut that drove a stake up through her ribs, straight into her heart. A cry of fury had barely escaped her mouth when she burst into flames and disintegrated into ash.
Glancing down, I cursed as I was yet again covered in cremated nightwalker. “Athan is going to have my head on a platter,” I grumbled as I teleported to my front door. The angel was a few steps away, and when I appeared, she screamed as she came to a grinding halt.
“What? How did you? But you’re the same—”
I shook my head and hurried to her side, grasping her arm to keep her stumble from turning into a fall. “Don’t compare me to them, angel,” I demanded, though I deliberately kept my tone soft. “You are very special, and my kind are here to protect you. Even if it wasn’t my job, I would never hurt you.”
She blinked a few times, then wiggled her head as if she was shaking away some clutter. “Why do I trust you?” she blurted.
I grinned. “What is your name, angel?”
“Bronwyn,” she mumbled. A beautiful name, befitting of my—this angel. “Stephan,” I introduced myself. “Well, Bronwyn, I’d like to say it’s because I’m so damn charming, but the truth is that it’s an instinct for consorts to trust daywalkers as you are meant to be one of us.”
Her arm jerked hard as she tried to pull it from my grip, but I didn’t let her go. I silently called myself ten different kinds of a moron for blurting that out. I’d been doing this job for centuries, and I knew how to handle an uneducated consort. But for some reason, I was royally fucking this up. Thinking strange thoughts and speaking without considering my words first.
“You said you trust me,” I reminded her in a cajoling tone. “Come with me, and I’ll answer all your questions while we find you transportation to safety.”
My hand slid down her arm to take hold of her small one so I could guide her into the house. The second our skin touched, my entire world upended. Except...it didn’t turn upside down. It righted itself as though it had always been inverted, and I’d never noticed. Electric shocks sparked and traveled over my skin, several going straight to my cock. The flaccid appendage was suddenly stiff and swollen, pulsing with every beat of my heart and already dripping with the desire to be inside our consort’s virgin pussy. The need to claim her welled up inside me and nearly knocked me on my ass. My canines fully descended, and my throat dried up, parched, and thirsty for her blood.
“What?” Bronwyn’s eyes had widened to round saucers, and they jumped back and forth between our joined hands and my face. “I don’t understand what is happening.” Her pretty lips turned down, and her brown eyes filled with sadness, squeezing my heart. “You’re sending me away?”
“No,” I growled, unable to conceal the raw, animalistic feelings consuming me. “You’re never leaving.”
3
Bronwyn
The ordeal I had just gone through must have affected me more than I realized. My fear over the possibility of Stephan sending me away was more about wanting to stay close to him than having to go back out into the dark night by myself again. I should have been scared about another attack instead of worrying about leaving a man I didn’t even know. But no woman alive would blame me for wanting to stick close to Stephan. Not only had he rescued me, but he was also the most handsome man I’d ever met. Tall, dark, and dangerous with bright blue eyes and pale skin was apparently the perfect type of guy to kick-start my dormant libido.
At a completely inappropriate time, too. I’d just learned vampires were real, and the man I was lusting over was one of them. My heart was racing faster from being next to him than it had been when I was running from the bad vampires who had been chasing me. “Something has to be seriously wrong with me,” I mumbled under my breath.
“What? Are you injured?” Stephan’s eyes lit with fury as he scanned my body for any outward sign I’d been hurt. “Did one of those bloodsuckers get to you before you bumped into me?”
“No, I’m fine.” I shook my head and tried to clear the mental fog. My wits were scattered, and it took me longer than it should have to put everything together. His bright blue eyes and name could only mean one thing. “You’re Kieran and Athan’s brother?”
“You know my family?” He scrutinized my borrowed outfit before asking, “Fuck, please tell me you didn’t get attacked after leaving the party Athan and Selene threw tonight.”
“Yes”—my answer seemed to make him furious again—“although I have nobody but myself to blame for being out there by myself. Athan, Selene, and Thana tried to talk me into accepting a ride home, but I thought I’d be fine since I didn’t have far to go and I was looking forward to getting some fresh, night air.”
Opening the door and gesturing me inside ahead of him, Stephan grumbled, “That’s what I get for dragging my feet tonight.”
I didn’t understand what he was talking about, so I asked, “What do you mean?”
“I could’ve met you there, and then you wouldn’t have gone through all of this,” he explained as he led me through the elegant entryway and into a sitting room off to the side. “You almost paid a steep price for me wanting to spend as little time at their event as possible so I wouldn’t be disappointed when all of their attempts at matchmaking failed.”
It was a good thing there was a couch nearby because my knees went weak at his answer. I dropped down onto one of the brown leather cushions, my head shaking in disbelief. My voice wavered when I asked, “Athan and Selene hosted the party to try to match you up with someone?”
Stephan must have caught that I was hurt by the idea, even though I had no right to be. He sat down next to me and took my hands in his, giving them a little squeeze. “Not just anyone, though. For daywalkers, there’s only one woman for whom we will feel that spark of love and desire, and it often takes us many centuries to find our match.”
“Whoa.” There was a lot to take in from what he said. I wasn’t sure where to start, so I decided to go with the easiest question first. “What exactly is a daywalker?”
His explanation about the existence of two kinds of vampires and how he and his brothers had been born as daywalkers made me realize that none of the things I needed to ask were going to have simple answers. But I couldn’t bury my head in the sand and pretend tonight hadn’t happened. My eyes had been opened to a world I hadn’t known existed, and there was no going back now. Thinking about his reference to some daywalkers waiting centuries to find their perfect match, I dove into the next subject. “How old are you?”
“I’m six hundred and thirty-four.”
I pressed my head against the couch’s back cushions and stared up at the chandelier hanging from the ceiling. After I did a little mental math, I gasped, “You’re thirty-two times older than me.”
Stephan’s deep chuckle sent a shiver down my spine as he stretched out next to me and scooted close enough that our bodies were touching from my shoulder all the way down to my knee. I tensed up, trying to stop my reaction from turning into a full-on shudder as he teased, “Age is just a number, angel.”
I rolled my eyes at his playful banter, but the endearment he’d attached to his sentence sent a thrill through my body. “That’s probably easier for you to say since you’re more than six hundred years older than me.”
“True,” he conceded, gripping my chin between his thumb and index finger to turn my head in his direction. When our gazes met, he added, “But we’re on a level playing field where it matters most. When it comes to love, I’m as much a novice as you are.”
I bit my bottom lip, my eyes going wide at his confession. “So, when you said that there was only one woman for a daywalker, you meant—”
I let my question trail off because I wasn’t sure how to word what I was trying to get at. My cheeks were already warm just a
t the thought of Stephan and sex. If I’d had to give voice to what was in my head, I might have spontaneously combusted. Luckily, he stepped in to save me again. “Yes, you took what I said exactly how I intended. Daywalkers don’t feel passion for anyone other than their fated consort.”
“Oh.” My shoulders slumped because it really sucked that my libido roared to life for a guy who couldn’t return my interest. Hoping to cover up my disappointment by distracting Stephan, I murmured, “There isn’t any way to make finding your consort easier? I can’t imagine what it would be like to spend your life knowing you could walk right past the only person you were meant to be with and never realize you missed out on meeting them.”
Stephan trailed his fingertips over the birthmark that was hidden beneath the white material of my blouse. “Potential mates are born with a mark right here. It’s shaped like—”
“Two brownish red spots?” I gasped, interrupting him.
“Yes.”
“I have that mark.” I wrapped my fingers around his hand and pressed his palm against my shoulder. “Right here.”
His lips curved up in a pleased smile. “I know, Bronwyn.”
“How could you possibly know?” My head reared back in shock as a possibility occurred to me. “Can you see through my clothing?”
“No.” Humor shone from his bright blue orbs as he chuckled and shook his head.
“Hey, it’s not as if I know all the powers vampires have.” I poked him in the chest, marveling over how firm his lean muscles were. “It didn’t seem as though it was a big leap in logic since you appeared out of thin air on your front step earlier.”
“That’s fair,” he conceded as he lifted my hand and brushed a kiss across my knuckles. “But I know about your birthmark because my body’s reaction to you can only mean that you’re my consort.”
Butterflies took flight in my belly at the discovery that my attraction wasn’t one-sided. “I’m yours?”
“Yes, fate finally favored me.” He slid his arm around my shoulder and pulled me against his chest. “The second our skin touched, I knew you were meant to be mine. I just hate that it took you running from those damn bloodsuckers in the blackest of nights for me to find you.”
I was still absorbing the knowledge that I was born to be Stephan’s consort—and what that might mean to me—as I muttered, “Why were they chasing me? I don’t understand why they targeted me when I’d never seen them before.”
Stephan gave me a comforting squeeze before explaining, “Nightwalkers hunt consorts because daywalkers can kill them. They don’t want any more of us to be born.”
“Wow. Okay.” I blinked a few times as my heart began to race again. “I guess I hadn’t put one and one together to get two yet. But I guess if daywalkers are born, and they can only feel desire for their consorts, then it only stands to reason that they’re made the, um...traditional way.”
He flashed me a smile of pure male satisfaction as need flared in his bright blue eyes. “Oh, yes, my dear Bronwyn. We will most definitely create our babies the old-fashioned way, and I’m quite enthusiastic to get started on trying.”
Sweet heavens, I was almost certain my ovaries just exploded, and he hadn’t even kissed me yet.
4
Stephan
I pulled Bronwyn onto my lap and placed my lips over her birthmark before inhaling her scent deep into my lungs. Her skin smelled like freshly picked apples, but the aroma of her blood made my mouth water and my cock so hard I nearly gasped in pain.
“You want that too, don’t you, angel? To let me claim you, have our babies, and be mine forever?” Her body trembled, and she swallowed hard. My fangs elongated, and I couldn’t stop myself from making a tiny nick and lapping up the droplets of blood that beaded on the surface. I groaned, and my hands clamped onto her hips, shifting her to straddle me until her pussy was pressed against the bulge in my pants.
Bronwyn’s eyes widened, and her mouth opened in a silent O. I took advantage of the situation and sealed my lips over hers. I let out a satisfied grunt when she immediately melted into me and twined her arms around my neck. I hadn’t given her the chance to answer me, but her body clearly knew that she was made for me. My tongue delved in to explore and taste, tangling with hers.
Desire saturated my blood, burning me from the inside out as it traveled through my veins and straight to my dick. The need to fuck my consort was nearly overwhelming. My brothers had tried to explain the fierceness of the hunger I would feel for my woman when we finally met, especially in the beginning. I’d thought I understood, but nothing compared to this.
Bronwyn moaned and pressed closer, pillowing her breasts against my chest. Her hard nipples poked through the fabric of her shirt and bra and my mouth watered at the thought of wrapping my lips around them. I finally released her mouth and kissed the corner before working my way down her neck. She gasped for air and dropped her head back, giving me more access to the delicate skin.
“Stephan,” she moaned as her hands threaded through my hair and clenched the strands while her hips moved restlessly against me. “What is happening to me?”
“Don’t be afraid, angel,” I soothed. “Just let it happen.” Her blouse had tiny buttons running from the top of her collar all the way down. I hoped she didn’t have a sentimental attachment to the article of clothing because I had no patience for the barrier in my way. I palmed her plump, round breasts and gently squeezed them as I gathered the fabric in my fists. Yanking hard, I tore the shirt open, and the little buttons flew off and scattered all about. Bronwyn gasped, and her hands moved to cover her chest, but I practically growled at her as I pushed them away and yanked down her nude silk bra.
Her big, full globes spilled out, and I zeroed in on one cherry bud, sucking it into my mouth and running my tongue over the sensitive tip.
Bronwyn cried out and thrust her chest forward as she moved even more frantically on my lap. Grasping her ass, I helped her work herself over my cock, pushing her toward a climax. I wanted nothing more at that moment than to see my angel come. “Let go, Bronwyn,” I demanded as I switched to her other breast. Pumping my hips up, I met her thrusts and used every bit of my strength to keep from spilling in my pants.
She writhed on top of me, panting and moaning with pleasure as her body began to shake. I raised my face and put it next to her ear to whisper, “It’s alright. I’ve got you.”
My words seemed to be what Bronwyn needed because she shuddered and cried out as she splintered apart. I leaned back against the sofa and watched as I continued to move her over my shaft, drawing out her climax as long as possible. “Fuck,” I groaned. “You’re gorgeous. I can’t wait to see you in the throes of ecstasy when my cock is buried in your tight, virgin pussy.”
It was tempting to whip my dick out and shove it inside her right that moment, but I managed to keep ahold of myself. Bronwyn deserved more than a quick fuck our first time together.
Eventually, she calmed and collapsed against my chest, her body replete and pliant. With a firm hold on her bottom, I pushed to my feet, then wrapped her legs around my waist before striding out of the front room to the grand staircase in the foyer. I took the steps two at a time, anxious to have Bronwyn in our bed.
“Stephan?” Her voice was muted as she hesitantly said my name.
“Yes, angel?”
“Isn’t this...um...moving a little fast?”
We reached our bedroom just as she finished her question, and I didn’t answer her until I’d set her on the bed and crouched in front of her. Cupping her cheeks, I stared into her beautiful eyes as I confessed, “I’ve waited over half a millennium for you, Bronwyn. Now that I’ve found you, this can’t happen fast enough for me.” I took a deep breath and closed my eyes for a few beats, then locked our gazes once more. “But I know this is all new to you and more than likely, a little overwhelming. I’m not going to push you into anything. We don’t have to do anything until you’re comfortable. We’ll take this at your pace.�
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Her expression turned soft, and the corners of her plush lips tilted up. “That’s so sweet. I—you’re making it very hard to resist you.”
I winked and grinned roguishly. “Then I’m doing my job right.”
Bronwyn giggled and blushed adorably. Then her expression sobered and filled with worry as she tucked her breasts back into her bra. I frowned but refrained from saying anything in an effort to keep from freaking her out even more. “Are you sure you really want me? What if it’s just because we’re fated for each other? What if the desire wears off and you get tired of me?” She glanced away, and my heart squeezed at the sorrow and pain I saw on her face. “I don’t want to let myself care for you and then be heartbroken when you wake up one day and realize I’m not what you want and leave.”
“Angel, look at me.”
She slowly raised her wary eyes to meet mine.
“Desire and need are a huge part of what draws fated mates together. But that doesn’t mean we don’t recognize when our hearts feel a connection as well. I knew before we even touched that you were special to me. I just didn’t understand its depth until I felt the hunger burst to life at our touch. I have no doubt in my heart, mind, and body that you are my perfect match in every way.”
Bronwyn’s mouth opened and closed a few times as she absorbed my response. Then she leaned forward and pressed her lips to mine. Never losing the connection, I stood and lifted her to set her in the center of the bed before coming down over her. The kiss started out sweet, but it quickly escalated as our bodies heated and passion exploded between us.
“I want to be yours,” Bronwyn admitted sweetly after disengaging her mouth from mine. “As long as you promise to be mine.”
“Forever, angel,” I vowed.
With a steady gaze, she took a deep breath and popped the front clasp of her bra. Her breasts spilled out, and I licked my lips in anticipation of tasting her sensitive nubs again. I got to my knees and helped her out of her blouse and bra before shucking my jacket and shirt.
The Love Bitten Series: Volume 1 Page 15