by Rowlyn, Rhys
He grins down at me and kisses the tip of my nose. “I would like that.”
“So how do we wake up?” I kick my hip out, propping my hand on it.
“I don’t know, maybe this?” He slaps my ass, and I yelp. I open my eyes, and I’m in our bedroom.
I look over, and Etienne is still asleep. Grinning evilly, I climb onto him and run my hands up his chest. He thrusts his hips upward and moans but doesn’t awaken. Oh, this is going to be fun. He needs a little payback for frustrating the hell out of me and awakening me so suddenly.
I pull his pajama bottoms down, and his cock pops out. Well, this is no dream, and thank heavens it looks the same. I wrap my hand around it and squeeze, then move my hand up and down, earning a moan. I run my tongue along the underside and then bare my fangs.
Etienne sits straight up in the bed, jerking away from me. “Lucy! Merde, what the hell?”
I fall over laughing in the bed. “Oh man, the look on your face.”
He growls, flipping me over onto my back and pinning me down. “Oh, you think that’s funny, do you?” He tickles me on my ribs, and I squirm under him, laughing hysterically.
“Stop, oh my!” I giggle harder and then his hand touches my breast, and we both freeze.
His gaze meets mine, and I nod. He rubs his thumb across my nipple, and I arch my back, moaning. He pulls my tank top over my head, lowers his head to take me into his mouth, and sucks lightly. I run my hands through his hair, holding myself close to him.
Looking up at the ceiling, I’m distracted when a random thought pops into my head. “How did you know what I was about to do if you were asleep?”
He lifts his head and meets my gaze, grinning. “The slap I gave you woke me up too. When I peeked at you and saw the look on your face, I wanted to see what you would do, and you didn’t disappoint.”
“Glad I could be of service.” I giggle but quickly sober when he returns to my breast. “Oh, that feels really good.” My hands are back in his hair, and I’m holding him to me.
Using his tongue, Etienne moves up my chest and neck until he reaches my mouth. He stops just before kissing me. “Are you sure, Lucy? Once we take this step, there is no going back.”
I nod. “Yes, I’m sure. I want you like I’ve never wanted anything.” I lift my hips to brush my center against him, and we moan in unison. “Please, Etienne, please.”
He takes my mouth in a kiss that sears me to my toes with desire, and I grip his shoulders. I know I’m leaving marks, but I like the idea of marking him. He runs his hands down my sides, hooks his fingers through the waistband of my pajama shorts, and pulls them, along with my underwear, down.
Releasing my lips, he leans back on his knees, his heated gaze moving down my body. “Beautiful.” He takes my nipple back into his mouth and runs his finger along my center. My hips jerk forward, seeking his touch. He moves down until he is between my legs, and spreading me with his thumbs, he runs his tongue from top to bottom. I groan, gripping the sheet below me and spreading my thighs wider to give him better access.
“Divine, mon trésor. You taste divine.” He circles my clit and then sucks it into his mouth.
I believe I may lose my mind; his tongue should be bronzed. It is magic. “Oh. My. God.”
He continues to suck on my bundle of nerves while inserting a finger inside me. He adds another and curls them at just the right spot to tip me over the edge. With a scream, I shatter into a million pieces. He continues using his mouth until I’m spent and then he kisses his way up my body.
I feel the tip of his hardness at my entrance, and before I am through riding a wave, he thrusts inside of me, creating another tsunami of pleasure. I gasp at the fullness, and he stills above me, concern in his gaze.
“Mon trésor, how are you?” He leans down and kisses me gently.
“I’m good, oh so good.” Lifting my hips, I bring him deeper into me, and he groans.
He puts his hands under my ass, then lifts me closer and thrusts into me. With each movement, the pleasure builds higher and higher until I’m panting. He takes my hands in his and links our fingers as I come undone. I lean forward and bite his shoulder, and his thrusts become erratic and faster.
With a shout, Etienne empties himself deep within me. He falls forward, catching himself on his forearms. I lick the bite marks on his shoulder and kiss his neck, wrapping my arms around him and holding him to me.
“Let me move. I will crush you.” He tries to slide to the side, but I hold him tightly.
“Not yet. I want you right here for a minute.” I nuzzle his neck and am still feeling the aftershocks of my orgasm. It was the most amazing orgasm I’ve ever had.
He cuddles me close, and I feel so safe in his arms. I never thought I would ever feel safe in a man’s arms, but safe is exactly how I feel. He wraps himself around me as if he’s trying to keep the outside world away.
“Lucy, I’m never letting you go. You are my heart.” He kisses my cheek, forehead, and finally, my lips.
A tear slips out of my eye, and damn him if my walls aren’t crumbling. “Please be patient with me. I’m getting there.”
“Ah, sweet Lucy, we have all the time in the world. And knowing you are getting there, as you say, means everything.” He kisses me again and moves to my side. He turns me until my back is against his front and we are spooning.
I settle against him and fall into a dreamless sleep.
Lucy
“I hate we had to wait all day to finally try to find Minerva.” I walk along the deserted sidewalk beside Etienne, scanning the area and hoping to see anything that may lead us to Minerva.
Nyla and Jean Pierre came home before sunrise, having lost her after a chase that had led them throughout the city. She finally somehow vanished, and they couldn’t pick up her scent anywhere. We’re thinking she must have a hiding spot somewhere around here with supplies stashed. Whatever she’s using to mask her scent has to be close to here because there is no way she could have disappeared so easily.
I woke up early this evening on top of the world, until I found out Minerva was still at large and we had to wait a couple more hours before we could continue our search. It has put me in a foul mood.
Etienne wraps an arm around my waist and kisses my neck. “I know, mon trésor. It is annoying we are bothered by the sun.”
“I’m sorry.” I sigh deeply and dip my chin, my cheeks heating. “I sound like a shrew, but I really want to catch her, and the sooner the better. Tonight would be preferable.”
Etienne turns me around to face him and uses his finger to lift my chin until my gaze meets his. “I understand she needs to be captured before she has a chance to harm anyone else. But why is it so important to have it done tonight?”
“Tomorrow is Christmas, and I would like to be able to go see my family. It may be the last Christmas I’m able to spend with my mother.” I bite my lower lip, hoping he understands. He hugs me to his chest and kisses the top of my head.
Nyla and Jean Pierre walk around the corner of the building in time to hear my confession. “Oh, Lucy, I’m so sorry. There has to be something we can do.”
Pushing away from Etienne, I face the couple. “Aside from capturing Minerva, I don’t know what. I won’t take the chance of Minerva hurting my family.”
“I agree, it’s a chance we can’t take.” Nyla gives me a one-armed hug, about cracking my shoulders. She still isn’t quite used to her vampire strength.
André and Fleur join us from down the street. It’s deserted in this part of town, but there are many places to hide.
“This is the building she went into, and we tried to track her once she was inside, but she lost us.” Jean Pierre points at a dilapidated building across the street. It looks as if it’s about to fall down. “I’m hoping we can find a clue as to where she went next.”
“Has anyone gone to the house she kept Jean Pierre and me in?” I glance at the group, and André nods.
“Cassie and Bram have
been keeping watch on it, and the witches set a magical alarm system to go off if anyone enters.”
“Aren’t they working on a deal to buy that house?” Fleur asks.
“Yes, they love the large grounds surrounding the house, which is unheard of in the city,” Nyla says by way of explanation.
“I kind of like having them next door though.” Fleur wrinkles her brow, frowning.
“They’ll only be a few blocks away, amour. The house they’re living in will come in handy. We are fast running out of room.” André takes Fleur’s hand in his and kisses her knuckles.
“Speaking of new additions, who’s watching Rodney tonight?” Nyla grins when she says his name, and I can’t help but laugh.
Giles steps around the corner, causing us all to jump. “Chi volunteered along with the sisters, thank the gods above.”
“Geez, Giles, give a little warning,” Fleur whisper-yells.
“Sorry, love, thought you knew I was there.” Giles grins, winking at Fleur.
“Is he getting any better?” I’m glad someone is looking over poor Rodney. I hate he was changed without his permission.
“He still turns green at the sight of blood, but he’s finally accepted the fact he has to drink it and that he really is a vampire.” Giles rolls his eyes, letting out a deep breath.
“Is anyone getting a scent?” Etienne brings our focus back to our search.
“No. She must be using something to disguise herself.” I walk to the entrance of the alley and sniff the air. “Hey, wait, I smell the girl we took to the hospital.”
Etienne comes up behind me, and I shiver when he speaks near my ear. “You checked on her before we went out and she was still there, right?”
“Yeah, she was still there. I wonder if she has something of the girl’s. The scent is faint but there.” Maybe we’ll finally catch a break and get a lead.
“I smell it now. It goes into that building.” Nyla points at the building beside the one Minerva disappeared into the night before.
Something moves across a window on the second story, and Nyla and Jean Pierre move to the door in front. The rest of us split up to run around opposite sides of the building.
Etienne and I are creeping around the far side when something jumps across the alley. He looks up and then back at me. I know I can’t make that jump but feel he can.
“Go! I’ll find the others, but don’t lose her,” I urge and run toward the back of the building to join the others.
I round the corner and come face-to-face with my nemesis. I stop in my tracks and tense, ready to fight her.
“Well, well, well, if it isn’t the dinner I had planned for Jean Pierre. I can’t believe they turned you. We’re not supposed to turn humans unless we’re compelled, so why did they change you? I know that group, and they don’t break the rules.” Minerva cocks her head to the side, crossing her arms over her chest and tapping her finger against her chin.
I stay in my fighting stance, ready for anything, but shrug. “I guess they were compelled.”
“Too bad I’m going to have to kill you. I love good mysteries, and you are proving to be an interesting one. First, your sweet-smelling blood, and now you’ve been turned into a vampire. Ah, well, I guess this is one I will have to learn to live with.” Minerva rushes toward me, and right before she sinks her claws into my neck, I duck and dive out of the way. Her forward momentum drives her into the wall.
She lets out a vicious hiss, her eyes wild and fangs bared. She pushes off the wall, turning to come at me again. My eyes widen because I see how deranged she truly is. I back away and wonder where everyone is. She lunges for me but is snatched away by a large dog.
She screams, jerking her arm out of the animal’s jaws. With a growl, she leaps onto the rooftop of the building beside us. “This isn’t over!” she screeches and disappears.
I turn to my savior with wide eyes, wondering if I’m next on the menu. It turns at my gasp, and I swear it whimpers, jumping behind a dumpster. What is going on, and what the hell is that?
“Lucy?!” I hear my brother’s voice from behind the dumpster, but that’s impossible.
“Kane?!” I run toward the dumpster only to stop at his yell.
“Stop! I’m naked.”
I come to a screeching halt, totally not wanting to see my brother’s naked ass. “You’re naked? What’s going on? Where’s the big dog?”
“That was a wolf, and I’ll explain everything.” He peeks out from behind the metal wall. “Look, I know it’s crazy, but my truck is parked on the street. Do you think you could go get me some pants? They’re in a bag on the seat. I don’t want to have this conversation naked.”
“Yeah, give me a sec.” I run to his truck and grab his bag but stop, looking back at the alley. Why is Kane here, and why in the hell is he naked behind a dumpster?
Etienne runs around the building as I’m closing the truck door. “Lucy, oh thank God. Where were you?”
“I was going to join the others and ran into Minerva in the alley.” I try to walk past him, but he’s having none of it.
He grabs my upper arms and examines me from top to bottom, looking for injuries. “What?! Are you all right? You’re not hurt, are you?”
“No, I’m fine. Look, I have to bring these clothes to my brother.” I shove past him, walking toward the alley.
“Your brother? What is your brother doing here?” He runs to catch up and jumps in front of me.
I give him an exasperated look, going around him. “I don’t know, but I’m about to find out.”
We walk into the alley and I turn my head, holding out the bag for Kane to take.
“He is your brother?” Etienne looks from Kane to me, frowning.
“Yes, I know he’s much taller than me, but we do look alike. We both favor our mother.” I face Etienne with my back toward Kane. I hear him putting on his clothes.
“That’s not the issue. He’s a werewolf,” Etienne says, pointing at my brother. “And I know for a fact you were not.”
“What?” I whip around just as Kane’s buttoning his jeans. “He’s a werewolf?” I laugh, shaking my head. “Nah, come on, there’s no way that’s true.”
“Lucy, scent the air. Do you smell it?” Etienne grips my upper arms, dipping down and meeting my gaze.
I smell something musky and wild, and I look at Kane. “How is this possible?”
“My dad was a wolf, and Mom was his true mate.” Kane pulls a T-shirt out of his bag and puts it on.
“Oh wow, how long have you known?” If there was somewhere to sit other than on the nasty sidewalk, I would plop down. I’m in total shock. I can’t believe my brother has had this enormous secret. I never had a clue.
“Since I was five or so. Thank goodness a local alpha picked up on the fact I was about to change and helped me out. He also taught me how to keep it a secret. Mom has no clue. But what about you?” Kane grabs me in a tight hug, squeezing me to his chest. “I’ve been looking everywhere for you, and now you show up about to be taken out by a vampire.” He holds me out from him but quickly brings me back to his chest. “And you are a vampire.”
“Yeah, we have a lot to talk about, but first, how’s Mom?” I mumble into his chest.
“She’s not good and worried sick about you.” He finally releases me, and I stumble back.
Etienne puts his hands on my shoulders, steadying me.
“Where have you been?” Kane asks.
“That vampire, who was trying to kill me, kidnapped me. I was rescued by some local vampires and have been staying with them.” I rub his arm when he lets out a vicious growl. “I couldn’t come home because we were scared I would lead Minerva to y’all.”
“And why are you now a vampire?” Kane narrows his eyes, glaring over my shoulder at Etienne.
“Kane, this is Etienne. He’s my mate.” I put my hands on Kane’s chest when he lurches forward.
“Mate? What the hell?” He growls, trying to push against me, but I refu
se to allow my brother to attack my mate.
“Yeah, a lot has happened the last few weeks, and you’re a werewolf, so I think we’re even!” I yell at him.
His shoulders drop when he stops trying to get to Etienne.
Fleur grins when she sees my brother as if they’re old friends. “Hi, Kane, what are you doing here?”
“Fleur, you know my brother?” I look from Kane to Fleur, shocked.
“Your brother? Wow, just wow.” Fleur’s mouth drops open, and her eyes widen. “Yeah, he sometimes works at the club for Giselle.”
I narrow my eyes at Kane, slowly shaking my head. “So many things to talk about, so many things.”
Etienne
Today, Lucy is going to see her mother. The witches surprised her with a charm to mask her scent, but I can’t go because they only created one, and we worry I may lead Minerva to Lucy’s family. I want to be there more than I can say. I know this visit isn’t going to be easy.
Kane and Lucy talked until almost sunrise about everything that’s happened over the last few weeks. He told her all about his secret life as a werewolf, and I believe he was relieved to finally have it out in the open. I know I’m happy because now my mate doesn’t have to give up her brother. I know it was weighing on her, even though she never said anything.
Kane picked her up an hour ago, and I’ve finally decided to use the phone everyone keeps harping at me about. I have to know how things are going. We went over texting before she left, so I’m giving it a go.
Me: How are things?
Lucy: Good, I’ve kept to our story of being in witness protection but wanted to take a chance and see her on Christmas. She really liked the gift.”
I had a necklace with a small, jeweled flower that I offered to Lucy to give to her mother. She was in a panic over not having enough time to shop for a gift and hated going empty-handed.
Me: Good, I’m glad. How is she feeling?
Lucy: Not so great. She is getting tired but trying to stay awake so she can see me. I hate seeing her this way.
Me: Wish I was there. Know my arms are wrapped around you.