by Krysta Fox
My eyes fill with tears, but I don't look away. I want to take it all in, to not miss any of the amazing details that make this so memorable. As the last of the meteors streaks across the sky, I brace myself against the table. It feels so close I expect to the feel the impact as it crashes to earth. There's a moment of hesitation, where I can't draw a breath, and then the meteor is gone, the night sky gone calm and peaceful once again.
There's a moment of silence, then applause explodes around me. The dim lights of the dining room come up a fraction and people begin gathering their things to go.
I look down at the food still on my plate. It had been so delicious and yet, I'd completely forgotten about it, transfixed by that amazing display. I draw in a shaky breath, but when I look up, it's to Carver's intense gaze focused on me. He smiles. "It's so wonderful to see someone moved by my work. Thank you."
Heat rushes through me. "You created that?" My voice is a whisper. I'm still shaken by the beauty of what I've seen.
"I did. Inspired by the night sky above Starlight. We can't see it so clearly now that we've grown so big, but it's still there."
"It made me think of home." I tell him the truth, appreciating his work. "I felt like I was back there, walking through the woods when I was a child."
His eyes search mine for a moment before he gives me a small smile. "I'm honored to have given you that tonight."
I want to say more, but a large man in a chef's coat appears beside Carver. "Are you ready for dessert, sir?" His voice is respectful, but I can sense the pride he has in his work. He came out here to see for himself how his creations had been received.
Carver looks me over, then nods. "Yes, please."
The chef leaves us and I notice that the space has emptied out. The only people nearby are employees, cleaning up the restaurant in preparation for its closure.
I flush. "I'm sorry. I didn't realize it was so late."
As I reach for my purse, his warm voice stops me. "You don't have to go." My skin tingles, the hairs on my arm rising in response to the power I sense in those simple words. Heat flares through me and my eyes are drawn to his face. He's watching me, his gaze intent and earnest. My pulse thunders in my ears and my wolf is stirring.
He looks back over his shoulder. "Dessert is on the way. I'd hate for you to miss this. It was prepared especially for you."
"But don't you need to go? Before dawn? I don't want to keep you here if it's safer that you leave."
"I'm sure it's safer for one of us to leave." His response is low, deep and there's a tension in the words that thrills me. "But I don't want safe tonight. Do you?"
The question surprises me and I pause, thinking through my answer. Everything that led me here was the safest choice, the right choice, the responsible choice. What if, right now, I chose what I really wanted? More time with this intriguing man.
I settle back into my seat, locking eyes with him. A slow smile curls his full lips and I want to pull him to me, to press my mouth to his and learn what he tastes like.
"I'll stay. For dessert."
Triumph lights his eyes and he tips his head to me. The chef returns with the promised dessert, sliding my plate in front of me with a proud flourish. The decadent scent of chocolate rises up and my mouth waters in response. He places an identical plate in front of Carver, who gives him an appreciative nod. The chef smiles wide and bows to us before he leaves us alone again.
I spoon up a bite, the chocolate mousse the excellent balance of sweet without being heavy. There are fresh cut strawberries arranged around it and I pick one up, dipping it into the mousse and then swirling it through the dollop of fresh whipped cream. It's all perfectly rich.
"You're beautiful." The words from across the table surprise me. When I catch sight of Carver, the way he's devouring me with his eyes has my core clenching, moisture pooling between my thighs. Undisguised want is written clearly in his expression and I see his nostrils flare as he scents my arousal on the air.
I open my mouth to respond, but my thoughts are jumbled and I'm not sure how to convey the way I feel in this moment. He saves me with a simply complicated request.
"Stay with me. Tonight."
My mind goes immediately to my brother, the promise I've made to leave so he can be happy. And I choose, for one night, to accept the gift I'm being offered.
"I will." The smile that spreads across his face takes my breath away. To reassert some control, I quirk a brow at him. "But I'm finishing this dessert first. It's too good for me to let it go to waste."
4
CARVER
Everything about this woman excites me. The way she tips her head when she looks at me. The intensity of her warm brown eyes. The way her tongue sneaks out, catching every bit of chocolate mousse on her lips. I shift in my seat, the desire heating my blood giving rise to other things as well. I can feel my fangs aching to drop down, and I want to truly taste her.
The last two employees stop by the table. I look over the paperwork, note the deposit amount for the night and sign off on it all. They clear away our plates and then, we are alone. The click of the door closing as they leave is loud in my ears. Finally.
Her eyes meet mine and there's an anticipation in them that sends a shot of heat to my center. I stand and come around to her side of the table, offer her my hand. When she takes it, her graceful fingers wrapping around mine, the warmth of her spills into me. She walks with me as I lead her to the back of the restaurant and enter the lock code on the door.
"Wait? I thought we were going to your place?"
I smile at her. "This is my place, love."
"But, I thought vampires needed to be in secure places before dawn."
"We do prefer it that way."
She gives a light laugh. "And do we have a secure place for you here?"
I nod. "Indeed we do."
Resting my hand in the small of her back, I guide her along the back hallway of the restaurant until we reach a gleaming black door. I guide her hand to the keypad next to it, pressing the numbers in exact sequence so she'll have the code. When she gives me a questioning look, I whisper, "So you can leave whenever you want."
She smiles and something cold warms within me. The lock releases and the door slides open. As we step inside and the door shuts behind us, she quirks a brow at me.
"Does the same code lock it?"
I shake my head. "No. It's a safety feature. So employees don't accidentally open it when we're sleeping."
Looking around the room, she takes in the lack of windows. The interior lights came on automatically when we opened the door. "Do you sleep here every day?"
I shake my head. "No, I'm usually at Montero House. But you never know when something might happen. Better to have a safe room to spend the day in than risk trying to make it home."
"And how often have you brought a woman in here?" Her question reveals a hint of uncertainty, and maybe even, based on the scent rising in the air, jealousy.
"A woman I want to make love to?" Heat flushes her cheeks in response. "Never before."
Those amazing eyes flash. "Never? Really? I assumed there'd be countless women begging to be with you."
I chuckle. "I'm picky. And human women are... fragile."
Her full lips curve up in an amazing smile that sends delicious chills racing across my skin. "Good thing I'm not human."
She crosses the distance between us, her eyes locked on me, and I can see the predator in her rising up. Her fingers trail over the line of my jaw and then she presses her lips to mine.
5
DEVON
He tastes exactly as I imagined he would. There's a spicy wildness to him that thrills me and calls to my wolf. Her interest surges and she comes padding forward in my mind, scenting this man I plan to claim as my own tonight. I offer a silent plea to her to stay where she is, to let me have tonight. With a hefty sigh, she lays down where she is. The tension of holding her back eases and I can once again focus on the amazing man in fr
ont of me.
His hands chase over the skin of my back, up under my shirt. The narrow skirt I chose for today is restrictive and I want nothing more than to discard it. My fingers fly to the zipper in the back but Carver stops me. The barest edge of his teeth skim the skin of my neck and I shiver as he whispers, "Please let me do that."
I nod, dropping my hands as he circles around behind me. His fingers never leave me, always in contact. He swings my long hair over my shoulder, pressing a kiss to the sensitive skin on the back of my neck. My breath leaves me in a ragged exhale and the victorious chuckle from him vibrates through me. He teases me, his clever hands tracing every curve. My muscles are clenched tight, shaking, as I wait for him to free me from my clothing. The animal part of me doesn't want to wait, wants to take whatever I want, and do it now.
As if he can read my mind, Carver says, "Patience is a virtue. I promise, it will be worth it."
I whimper as his hands skim down to my hips pulling me back against him and I can feel the hard ridge of his desire for me. He finally works the zipper of my skirt down and slides the fabric down my legs. I step free of it and start to turn, but he stops me with a quiet request. "Wait."
He's kneeling on the ground behind me and he works his way back up my body, warm kisses and nips to the heated flesh that make me want to cry out. He circles around me again and there's a shine to his eyes in the limited light. Vampire senses have their uses. As do those of a shifter. He takes exquisite care unbuttoning my blouse and then slips the silky shirt over my shoulders, letting it fall to the floor. I stand in front of him, in the black lace bra and panties I'd put on when the day began, no idea of where I'd end up.
A ragged breath leaves him as he drags his eyes up my body to meet mine. "You are... amazingly beautiful."
He reaches across the space between us, so fast and fluid I almost wouldn't see him if my wolf wasn't on the alert. His hands slide around me, his fingers twining in my hair as he claims my mouth with his. His tongue teases along the seam of my lips and I open to him. This kiss is an exploration and I give in to the feelings that rise up in me. Surrendering to him, letting his arms hold me up as my body goes boneless in response.
He guides me backwards to the large, sumptuous bed tucked into the corner. When the back of my legs touch the mattress, I sit, my eyes level with his belt and I reach for it, sliding it free and popping open the button on his pants. His fingers grip mine, stilling me.
"I told you." He grins at me, the tips of his fangs visible. "Patience."
He presses me back into the pillowy softness of the bed and kisses his way from my neck down to my breasts. He tugs the lace down and his mouth seals around my nipple, drawing a gasp from me. His fangs tease across the pebbled tip and I arch up as heat shoots into my core. I want this man badly. So badly, I might even be tempted to beg for it.
Carver turns his attention to my other nipple as he traces his fingers down over the soft curve of my belly and under the waistband of my panties. My hips rise up of their own accord, begging for his caress, and he flicks his nails over the hard nub of my clit. Sensation races through me and I cry out. I can feel his lips curve in a smile as his mouth follows the path down to my core. My heart pounds and I can hardly catch a breath as he slips the panties down over my hips, then licks my very center. I wrap my fingers in the strands of his hair and hold him close. He chuckles, the sound vibrating into me, adding another layer of sensation.
He sucks my clit into his mouth as he slides a long finger deep inside me. My eyes close as I relish how good it feels to be under his control in this moment, my pleasure his only focus. Another finger joins the first, stretching me slowly as he strokes that most sensitive spot deep inside me. I can feel the pressure building in my core, the firing of neglected nerve endings spiking in response to his thoroughness.
Speeding up the rhythm of his strokes, he takes me over the edge and I break apart beneath him. He presses a kiss to the inside of my thigh, drawing a gasp from me as the sensation is almost too much. The grin on his face as he crawls up my body shows how much he enjoyed what just happened.
"You taste divine. Like passion in a bottle."
The words are so sweet and unexpected that my breath catches. I have to offer him something in return. Pressing up on my elbows, I kiss him, the flavor of me on his lips. I want more of him.
I tap the top button of his shirt. "You're wearing far too many clothes for what I want to do next."
He quirks a brow at me. "Am I, now? Well, let's fix that problem immediately."
Carver peels his shirt off and then stands up, pulling his pants down those long, muscular legs in one graceful, fluid move. I sit up, drinking in the beautiful image of him without his clothes at last. The light glints on his chest. I reach up and cup the compass rose that hangs around his neck. It's intricately made. Exquisite care was clearly taken when this piece when it was crafted. I examine it, leaning in, my eyes wolf sharp in the dim light.
"This is amazing work."
Carver covers my hand with his. "It's been with me for as long as I can remember."
The way he says the words makes my hear twist and I understand immediately. "From before? When you were still human?"
He swallows and gives me a nod. "This is all I have left from the man I used to be. It’s always reminded me that I’ll find my way home."
His vulnerability in this moment makes my breath catch and a lump forms in my throat. I hold him to me, his fingers sliding soothingly through my hair. The slight chill of his skin is a counterpoint to the natural height radiating from me. We are so different, but in this moment, we are both in the same place. Our past behind us, our futures unknown. All we have is right now.
I trace my fingers over the hard line of him, the only barrier between us the thin fabric of his boxer shorts. Now it's his breath that catches,. the feel of him getting larger and more rigid with each graze of my nails. His grip in my hair tightens, ramping up my excitement. I slip my fingers into his waistband, freeing the length of his cock and take a moment to admire it before slipping my lips over the large head.
He draws in a heavy breath and pulls me close, encouraging me to take him deeper. The salty taste of him fills my mouth and I gently graze the edge of him with my teeth. He groans and my sex clenches in automatic response. I suck a little harder, cupping his balls and rolling them through my fingers, learning the weight and feel of them. I love the way his muscles shake as I work him, drawing out his pleasure. He whispers my name and I speed up my natural rhythm, sliding up and down his thick shaft. I hold him close, my fingers digging into his tight glutes and he cries out just before the hot rush of fluid fills my mouth. I swallow it down and when I'm sure he's done, I release him and lean back, looking up at his face.
His eyes are pleasure glazed as he strokes my cheek. I lean into the caress. My wolf is suddenly there, just beneath my skin, enjoying the feel of his touch as much as I am. "Mine," she declares. "Mate."
This isn't the first man I've been with, but this is the first time she's been this involved, this interested in a partner. I try to push her back, down into the deep part of me where she normally waits, but she resists. Her claws hold fast in my spirit, her insistence clear. She wants this man as much as I do.
Her presence has snagged my attention and while I'm distracted, Carver discards his boxer shorts and is suddenly pressing me back, his bare flesh to mine. His coolness eases the furnace of heat burning in my core. He kisses me, his talented tongue working its magic on me again. He holds himself above me, a small, satisfied smile on his face.
"What?" I ask, surprised at how breathless I am.
"Do you have any idea how fast vampires can recover when they're making love?"
I shake my head, trying to understand what he's saying. His next words steal all thoughts from me.
"Let me show you."
He slides easily into me, a perfect fit, and I'm lost in a swirling sensation of pleasure that steals the air around me as he
begins to move.
6
CARVER
Inside her, I realize exactly how difficult it's going to be to hold on to my control. She feels better than I even imagined. Her inner muscles clench me tight as I begin to move, and she gives a pleasured moan that enflames the passion rushing through me even further. Her hips shift, taking me even deeper with every thrust, and it's not long before I can feel the pressure building in me all over again. I speed up, hitting the end of her with each stroke as she holds me tight, the tips of her nails digging into the skin of my back. That small pain adds to the pleasure and I can no longer hold back. She cries out my name as I empty myself into her, and we both come apart together.
I hold myself carefully in place as wave after wave of feeling shivers through us both. When she opens her eyes to meet mine, I can see the change in them. They've shifted enough that I can see the wolf watching me through them. They are beyond beautiful, the whiskey color brighter and more brilliant with the amber spiraling through them. I kiss her slowly, wanting to stretch out this moment, this time we have.
I roll to the right and pull her tight against me. The heat radiating from her is soothing. I stroke her skin, loving the silky feel of it. "I hope you have some idea of exactly how amazing you are, Devon."
She laughs and the sound of her happiness makes me relax even more. She squirms against me and I follow her direction, rolling onto my back. She rests her head on my chest and we lay there together, silent and content, for a few minutes, before I want to show her something.
I drop a quick kiss to her forehead and then said, "Watch this." I reach my free hand to the bedside table and hit the switch hidden under the trim. It takes one second before the ceiling comes alive, the sky scene she saw in the main area of the restaurant the introduction to something even more dazzling. She is transfixed beside me, watching in delight as the stars fall around us. And her gasp of excitement when two meteors collide and sparks fly out into the night sky makes me smile, a pure joy I haven't felt in a long time settling deep into me. I hold her gently as we watch the display together.