Leilani

by LM DeWalt

“Por aquí,” the vampire who helped me out of the car instructed. Christian and I followed him to the front door as he opened it and flipped on a light.

  The little bungalow took my breath away. It was just one room, with a small bathroom off to the left, but it was cozy, warm, and clean. The fresh scent of orange cleaner filled my lungs. The main living area was decorated in country-style sofas surrounding a round, glass coffee table stacked with magazines. The windows were already opened and the cream and maroon curtains blew gently in the breeze. The stone fireplace was the focal point of the room, and was ready for use. Someone had stacked logs on either side and a box of matches lay on the mantle. A large mirror with an intricately sculpted silver frame hung above the mantle.

  “If you move the table aside, the big sofa pulls out into a bed,” Carlos, the guard who had escorted us in, informed us.

  “Where will you be staying?” I asked, curious as to where the bodyguards were going to stay.

  “There is another bungalow like this one just behind those trees,” he said as he drew the curtains aside and pointed. The setting sun turned the trees to a golden color. “That’s where we’ll bathe and change our clothes. So, what would you like to do first?”

  I looked at Christian and he shrugged. “Well, I don’t know. It was a long ride. I wouldn’t mind going to one of the baths,” I said, hoping they weren’t all going in with us.

  “Don’t worry. We will be outside the water,” Carlos answered my thought with a smile.

  “Great. Can you give us a moment to change please?” I started toward my suitcase that was already on the bench in the corner of the room, neatly placed next to Christian’s. Carlos nodded and left without another word.

  “Are they seriously going to be watching our every move the whole time we’re here?” Christian asked, already pulling his trunks up and tying the drawstring.

  “I sure hope not. I’m sure we can convince them to leave us alone, somehow.” I slipped into my bikini bottom and held the top up to my chest. “Can you help me with this?”

  “Do I really have to fasten it? You look great in just the bottom.” He slipped the hook into the opening anyway, kissing my shoulder before closing the strap across my back.

  “You wouldn’t want them to get an eyeful, would you?” I grabbed the beach towels and threw one to him. He caught it without taking his eyes off me.

  “I guess you’re right. You look absolutely gorgeous in black. It makes your skin look like porcelain.” He grabbed my hand and we walked out the door.

  The spring we would be enjoying tonight was located behind the bungalow. Lush trees and shrubs surrounded the whole property so I was not worried about strangers finding us. As we neared the spring, which was circular in shape and had cement steps leading into it, I saw that the four guards had already positioned themselves, one on each side, facing the tree line. At least they wouldn’t be watching.

  Christian stepped in first, taking my hand to help me down. The steps were slicker than I had anticipated and I was grateful he had a hold of my hand. The temperature of the water made steam float across the surface, moving as if it had a life of its own. My skin tingled and I sighed, finally starting to feel relaxed. I didn’t like the fact that we needed guards surrounding us, but I knew we had no choice at the moment. At least now I knew how Jose Luis felt.

  We made our way into the middle going deeper with each step until the steamy water covered our shoulders. Christian pointed to the bench carved out in the stone interior and we waded over to it and sat down, leaning against the warm rock, our legs floating in front of us. “This is wonderful.”

  “It is. Wouldn’t it be great if we lived here?” Christian asked. “It feels like we’re the only ones here, even with them standing there.” One of the guards chuckled. Which one, I couldn’t tell since I couldn’t see their faces. It was definitely one of the three men.

  “We have plenty more to see yet. We can leave the bungalow tomorrow and explore. I’ve heard there are some thermal baths that are actually inside caves.” I pushed off the bench and dunked my head under water, pushing my hair back as I came up. Christian followed me to the center, standing in front of me and wrapping his arms around my waist.

  “When is the last time I told you that I love you with all my heart and soul?” he asked as he planted nibbling kisses down my wet neck.

  “Just this morning, I think,” I whispered a bit out of breath already. I wrapped my arms around his neck and circled his waist with my legs. “You can say that as many times as you want though. I can never get enough of it.”

  His moist lips moved across my chin, inching their way to my parted lips. As soon as they touched, a chill ran through my body despite warmth of the water. My breath came faster as he parted my lips with his tongue. I closed my eyes but opened them again, looking outside the bath at the four figures surrounding us. I pulled away from Christian’s eager mouth. “Um, guys?”

  “Yes?” Mariana, the only female guard who came on the trip, answered. I think that’s the first time I’d heard her voice. Though she was very beautiful, with long dark hair and an olive complexion that hadn’t changed when she was turned, she was very quiet. She just did as she was told. From what we’d heard, she had been working for Aloysius almost as long as he’d been a vampire.

  “Would you mind moving a few more feet away from us?” I asked. Christian’s eyes beamed.

  “Uh, sure.” All four moved forward toward the trees, never turning to look at us.

  “Now where were we?” I said as I turned back to Christian.

  “Right about here,” he said in a breathless voice as his lips connected to mine again. His hands traveled up my spine, grasping with more roughness than he had ever shown my body. I clung to his body, tightening my legs around him. His mouth left mine and I grabbed the back of his head and pulled him back.

  “Oh, God. It’s been way too long,” I panted as I parted his lips with my tongue this time, tasting the warmth and sweetness of his mouth. His hands made their way up my spine again, this time settling on the back of my neck as he pushed his body against me even harder, making it impossible to think, let alone breathe.

  He pulled away from my mouth, much to my disappointment, at least until I felt his lips on my neck again, his teeth nipping at the tender flesh. His fingers undid the clasps on my top, and he moved his mouth down the front, tossing the top out of sight. I threw my head back and a moan escaped my parted lips. Christian laughed but never took his mouth from my sensitive flesh. “Now. Please, Christian?” I begged in ragged gasps.

  He lifted his face to look into my eyes, starting the frenzy of butterfly wings in my stomach. “What about them?” He motioned with his head toward the guards.

  “Who cares about them? I want you now.” I pushed his head back down. He moaned before continuing to bring me pleasure like only he could.

  FIVE

  Christian carried me, cradled in his arms, from the bath to the bungalow with Mariana, the only female guard, following and carrying my discarded bathing suit. She dropped it at the front door before she signaled for the other guards to follow and position themselves around the building. I was pleased that they had the respect to keep their distance while I was in this state. What we had started in the bath continued in the bungalow. As minutes turned into hours, all the grief and desperation from the past months melted away with each caress, with each kiss, with each moan, and gasp escaping our lips.

  It wasn’t until early afternoon the next day that we emerged fully dressed and ready to explore our surroundings. Neither of us could wipe the smiles of our faces, but the guards pretended not to notice. They nodded to us and continued on their way toward the road. I was feeling more comfortable with their presence, until Mariana appeared alone. “Where to?” she asked. She had braided her long dark hair and dressed in cargo pants and hiking boots. A walkie-talkie hung from her belt, as did her pistol.

  “Where are the others going?” Christian asked, grasping
my hand a little tighter as if protecting me from her narrowed stare.

  “I sent them to survey the area. We need to make sure no one suspicious is in the town. They will meet us where ever you want to go,” she advised, motioning for us to follow her to the edge of the property and toward the dirt road.

  “I thought they were supposed to stay with us.” We walked slowly behind her, looking around for any signs of their return.

  “Aloysius said we should make sure the town is clear first. We didn’t have a chance to do that when we first arrived, so they are going there now. I thought you would be in there longer.” She motioned to the bungalow with her head.

  My eyes dropped to the ground but a smile at the memory of the hours we spent lost in our love spread across my face. “We were just resting,” I lied, not sure why.

  “Oh, ok,” Her face betrayed no emotion. “I will call them when we get there. You still have me to protect you.”

  I nodded as we followed her onto the path that wound around the mountain just above the town of Churín. As we descended, Mariana leading and Christian still tightly grasping my hand, we looked around. A valley spread out below, intersected by a river. Houses dotted the river’s shore here and there. Though the scenery was breathtaking, uneasiness settled in the pit of my stomach. I wanted to communicate my feelings to Christian, but Mariana would most likely hear my thoughts. Christian looked at me and nodded. I had no need to tell him how I felt. He knew and he felt it too.

  Once we reached the bottom of the mountain, we followed another path for a short distance into the town. The main road through it was paved but narrow. Small businesses lined both sides of the street and people carried baskets loaded with fresh bread, fruit, and vegetables as they strolled past us. No one seemed to be in a hurry. They looked at us as we passed and some pointed, but I heard no incriminating comments from either lips or minds. Mariana scanned the area as we walked with her now behind us, but her calm face showed no concern.

  “Are you calling the others?” I paused to look at her. She reached for her walkie-talkie but stopped with her hand in midair.

  “No need. Carlos is right there.” She pointed to the vampire walking out of the panadería with a bundle in his arms.

  “What is he doing buying food?” Christian asked.

  “For Tomas, your driver. He’s human.” Mariana answered.

  “Really? How did I not notice that?” I asked, pausing with the rest to wait for Carlos to join us.

  “You have a soundproof barrier in the limo, along with bulletproof windows,” she informed us. She took the bundle from Carlos as he neared then gave him instructions. “Go with them. I have something I have to do. I’ll find you.” Carlos nodded and took his place behind us.

  “Where are the other two?” I asked watching Mariana walk away toward the road leading back up the mountain. I wondered what she could possibly have to do but didn’t voice it. Aloysius must have given her instructions and I had to try not to question them.

  “They are making sure the cave is safe and clear of people. We knew you wanted to go there today.” He pointed to the end of the block. “It’s that way, if you’re ready.”

  We both nodded and walked in the direction he signaled. The afternoon was warm but cloudy. A gentle breeze blew my hair around my face and caressed the bare skin on my legs as gently as the touch of Christian’s fingers. People walked around town shopping, smiling, and deep in conversation. There was no way not to relax in their presence. They all looked happy. It was going to be difficult to feed and I knew we would need to do that soon. Christian had not fed in days and, being a newborn still, he could not go much longer without blood.

  “It’s right through there.” Carlos pointed to a hill with an opening dark enough to look like it was painted in black. A sign that read, “Closed for Cleaning”, hung on a post just next to Mauricio, one of the guards. Vicente, the other guard Aloysius sent, stood on the other side of the opening.

  “We checked it already. It’s safe to enter,” Mauricio announced as we approached.

  “Is that your sign?” I asked, surprised at the simplicity of their evacuation plan. Both vampires nodded with satisfied smiles.

  “Go on in. I will stay out here too,” Carlos said as he walked a few paces away from the opening to face the dirt path. I nodded a thank you and grabbed Christian’s hand, leading him into the cave.

  It was dark, except for the soft orange glow of the wall sconces someone had already lit. Despite the glowing light, the water looked black beneath the ghostly cloud of steam dancing on the surface. Christian didn’t seem to mind and was busy stripping out of his shorts and t-shirt, letting them drop to the floor as I regarded the perfection that was his body. A wave of heat seared my face as his gaze scanned my half-naked body. I let my shorts and panties drop, taking a step away from them.

  Christian stepped into the water and turned around. Without a word, he reached up to take my hands and guided me to sit at the water’s edge with my feet in the warmth. He ran his hands along my thighs, squeezing them as he looked into my eyes. He lowered his lips to my knee, never taking his eyes from mine. As he kissed my knee, his hands parted my legs and then he motioned for me to lie back. Instant heat ran through my body as he awakened every inch of my thighs with his wet mouth. He placed his hands under my bottom and gently pulled me forward. A moan escaped my mouth before his even made contact with what it sought.

  Lost in his kisses and caresses, I didn’t even notice the noises coming from the entrance to the cave until he pulled away from me. “Excuse me,” a deep voice interrupted my pleasure.

  I sat up and jumped into the water, bending my knees enough to hide my bare chest under the steam. “What is it?” I managed to say though I was out of breath.

  “Mariana called. She says we need to return to the bungalow right away.”

  “Is there a problem?” Christian asked as he pulled me against him, my back against his wet chest, his hands still groping at my body. I sighed, not caring if our guard heard.

  “I am not sure. She didn’t say but she sounded like she was struggling. I am sorry but we should go. Dress quickly, please.” He left the cave.

  “Lovely, just lovely! Couldn’t it wait just another few minutes?” I complained as I pushed my body against Christian.

  “I guess not but we will continue this later. That’s a promise.” He kissed my neck before separating from me and leading the way out of the water.

  As we followed one guard, with the other two bringing up the rear, we kept conversation to a minimum. I was trying not to take my frustration out on them. It wasn’t their fault any of this was happening and their only objective was to protect us. That is exactly what they were trying to do; at least, that is what I was trying to convince myself of, though something tugged at my gut.

  When we reached the bungalow, the front door stood wide open, just like all the doors on the limousine. It was quiet except for our footsteps. “Mariana, are you here?” I called. One of the guards raised his hand, motioning for Christian and me to stay outside. I nodded and he entered without hesitation. A few seconds later, he reappeared alone.

  “No one in there.”

  “What do you mean no one in there? She just called us.” I pushed him aside and stepped into the front room, Christian close behind. The table was overturned, the maps and papers scattered about. One chair lay upside down in the entrance to the bathroom and another lay against the wall by the window. Somehow, they had missed breaking anything. “What the hell happened here?”

  “It looks like there was some kind of struggle. Try Mariana on your radio,” Christian said turning to the guard. He nodded and stepped out onto the porch.

  “Do you think Melinda found us already?” I asked as I straightened the chair closest to me. Melinda, in her need to avenge the death of her sister Ryanne’s mate, Fergus, had taken it upon herself to create nothing but havoc when we arrived in Lima for our honeymoon. She also managed to use Maia again
st us. It hurt to even think of Maia, not because of her, but because of Aaron and Kalia. They considered Maia their daughter, and for a short while, they considered me their daughter, until Maia messed with their heads and turned them against me.

  “Lily, please don’t do this to yourself. I told you, give them some time and they will realize their mistake. Maia can’t keep up the good-girl charade forever,” Christian reassured me.

  “Excuse me,” Carlos started as he entered. “Mariana is not answering. I tried the driver, Tomas, and neither is he. Should I contact Aloysius?”

  I shook my head. “Not yet. Let’s give it a little time. Maybe it was just a robbery attempt and Mariana went after them.” That didn’t explain Tomas’s absence or the fact that the limo doors were left open but I wanted to keep Aloysius out of it as long as possible. He had done enough. Besides, when we inspected the limo, we found nothing out of the ordinary, except that the keys were left in the ignition.

  “I am going to call Mauricio back from his break. He can stay here and wait while Vicente and I stay with you. My orders were to make sure you have a good time and that is what we are going to do for now.” Carlos’s voice was so full of authority that Christian and I just nodded, as much as I wanted to argue.

  “So, what’s next on the itinerary?” Christian asked.

  “Why don’t you go change and we can go to town, do some shopping, maybe go to a peña later,” Carlos suggested.

  “That actually sounds wonderful. What’s a peña?” Christian asked as we started getting out of our clothes.

  “You’ll see when we get there,” I teased.

  “Does it involve dancing?”

  “Of course it does.” I laughed at the shock in his eyes. He didn’t consider himself a good salsa dancer but I didn’t mind at all. It wouldn’t matter to me if he just stood there as long as he was close. His smile and the squeeze of his fingers around mine let me know he heard my thought.

  As we browsed the little shops in the center of town, it was difficult not to think of Kalia and Aaron. I saw many things I thought Kalia would love to display in her beautiful house. Tears welled in my eyes as I held a hand carved wooden container that would have been perfect to hold her paint brushes. Carlos looked at me with pity in his eyes. I smiled at him to reassure him though I knew he could also read my mind.