One, he was hot. With his dark hair, fair skin, silver eyes he looked every bit the brooding vampire hero of a TV series. Add to that his strong jaw and chiseled cheekbones, as well as the muscle that made his shoulders broad and abdomen flat and hard, and he rivaled Dane as the most attractive person she had ever seen.
And there was that tingle in the back of her skull. The same one she felt with Dane, telling her that this could be her happily ever after. She couldn’t deny it. The feeling was so strong that it pulsed in her blood. Only, unlike with Dane, she knew that it would be difficult to get pregnant. That it wasn’t something that could happen despite precautions. With Isaac, she wouldn’t have to be afraid of giving in to her desires, because making love to him didn’t carry the possibility of dying.
“So, what is it?” Isaac cocked his head to one side. “This thought of yours. Do we need to dance naked under the new moon with incense burning and—”
She slapped his arm, even though her cheeks heated. Naked. “If you don’t believe in what I do, why did you bother kidnapping me in the first place?”
“I might not believe it, necessarily,” Isaac informed her with a twinkle to his eye, “but that doesn’t mean that I’m not going to seek out possibilities. I have it from vampires much older and wiser than I am that psychics are real, and you bear all the signs of that reality.”
There was something in there he wasn’t telling her, but that hardly mattered. Everybody kept secrets. His was most likely that he was so desperate to have some hope of escaping his life that he didn’t care if she was real or not.
A tingle slid down her spine, and a tug somewhere beneath her naval had her stepping toward him. Her heartbeat increased as the scent of his pure maleness curled into her nostrils. She knew, at that moment, that everything hinged on what she was going to do next. She could almost see it, two paths stretched before her. One leading to happiness, the other to an unfulfilled life. It all depended on what she did right now.
She held her breath as she launched herself at the vampire. He caught her, though they knocked over the motorbike. Rune didn’t pause to be embarrassed before she was kissing him. He kissed back, as passionately as he had in the cave. His hands grasped onto her, pulling her closer. Sparks exploded in her skin and her fingers curled into his clothing, needing the closeness, needing to ensure he never let her go.
How long they kissed, she didn’t know. When she broke it, for the necessity of breathing, they were clutching each other tightly and a mother was covering her son’s eyes as she hurried him past them. Rune flushed but didn’t release Isaac.
“Is that what we need to do to get clearer answers?” Isaac murmured. His hands were tight on her hips still.
“Yes. And no. I mean…” Rune swallowed, her throat suddenly dry. It had been so long since she did this. Did she even know what the right things to say were anymore? He had been the one to pull away at the cave, and he was the one who was wanting to drop her off here. But he was also the one kissing her back. “The closer two people are, the easier it is to get a read on them. In the past, I had a boyfriend and I saw pretty much his whole future when we… It didn’t include me, but that’s what I saw.”
It had been her last time when she thought she was pregnant. Was it really so long ago? High school. When she was barely more than a kid. She knew teens fooled around and several of her classmates ended up as parents, but gods, looking back she had been so young. Regret threatened to swarm her, but she took a deep breath and continued.
“Being one in body, it helps. And maybe the future is in flux, but if we… were one, then maybe I’d see the possibilities clearer.”
Isaac stared at her for a long moment. Eventually, he turned his head away and spoke gruffly. “Be one? If you can’t say sex, then you’re not ready for sex.”
Heat rushed to her face. “I was trying to be discrete in case of eavesdroppers.”
“Oh.” He ducked his head, his pale skin turning pink. “Well… is that why you asked me about vampire babies? To make sure I wouldn’t knock you up if it came to this?”
“Partly,” she admitted, then took his hand. “And partly because… well, I want to. You’re hot, you’re funny, and I want to do this. Although in all fairness, I’m probably not that good. I only did it a handful of times and that was years ago. So…” She shrugged.
Isaac stared past her shoulder. A dozen emotions flitted over his face and she felt the echo with each beat of her heart. He was warring with himself, and she wasn’t certain how that was going to end. Even the universe seemed to be holding its breath. Eventually, his gaze focused on her again, and he let out a shuddering sigh.
“Okay. Let’s get a hotel room. As long as you’re certain…”
“I am.” Excitement and nerves built in Rune’s stomach as Isaac righted the bike again. “You can bet your ass on it, I’m certain.”
***
The hotel room was light with a golden glow through the thin white curtains. They could have drawn the thicker set, but Isaac didn’t want it so dark in here. He liked being able to see his lover, liked being able to feel the warmth from the sunlight filtering through. They just needed to make sure that nobody was going to be able to spy on them.
The two of them lay on the bed, the blankets folded down to the foot of the bed, so they lay on the crisp white sheets. Rune’s hands ran over his abdomen, up his side, down his arm. Her fingers tangled in his hair and flicked open the buttons on his shirt. So soft and gentle, so lazy and languid.
Isaac couldn’t calm the beating of his heart. It was faster than normal, out of nerves and excitement. He wanted Rune, he couldn’t deny that. The tightening of his skin was almost too much to bear, and his pants seemed to be shrinking on his midsection. It had been a while since he’d had a woman, though. Long enough that when she admitted she wasn’t particularly practiced, and it had been a long time for her as well, he became concerned that he wasn’t going to be able to give her full pleasure.
But as he flicked his tongue over her lower lip, and she opened her mouth in response, he had to repress a moan. That was the thing about her. She was so receptive. Every touch he gave her, she touched him in return. When he stroked her breasts through the fabric of her t-shirt, she moaned lightly and leaned into his touch.
When he kissed her neck and let his fangs scrape her throat, though, she stiffened. Isaac paused and withdrew. Women didn’t always like that sharp reminder of how different the two of them were.
“Are you okay?” he asked her.
“Yes. But I…” Her face reddened as she toyed with the loose edges of his shirt. “I was just wondering… when was the last time you fed fresh from the vein?”
Isaac smirked at her. “You offering?”
Rune’s eyes widened and she quickly looked away. “I don’t know about that. Maybe later. I just… I wanted to make sure that I wasn’t going to get pregnant.”
“Ah. Well, it’s been about a week since I fed fresh from the vein, and if you were going to get pregnant, I’d have to feed from you. More than a couple mouthfuls. So, you don’t have to worry about that.” Isaac grinned at her, though he felt a lurch inside of himself.
For perhaps the first time in his life, he considered what it would be like to have a woman in his arms and know that she was going to be the mother of his child. He’d always wanted children, in a vague, someday in the future sort of way. Not right now. But, like everything else he wanted from life, he had given up hope that it would come to him.
He shook the thoughts from his head. “You won’t get pregnant,” he repeated firmly.
Rune relaxed again. She wrapped her arms once more around his neck and drew him in closer. Her tongue plundered his mouth, her whole body pressing flush with his. Whatever hesitancies Isaac was feeling, everything that was holding him back disappeared in an instant. He rolled over her, pressing her to her back while caging her with his body. The pressure in his pants was almost too much already, and he reached down, undoing h
is fly so he could be free.
Rune tried to say something between their kisses but gave up as he kissed her more feverishly. His hands moved under her shirt, lifting it off, and he cupped her breasts in his hands. She wore a plain blue bra, and Isaac found himself wanting to tear it right off her. He growled under his breath as he ripped across the seam holding one side on; it looked like it had been sewn back together several times, the garment faded and old anyway.
“I know,” Rune blurted, embarrassment shading her voice. “I need a new one. Things have been slow—”
Isaac didn’t want to hear her say things like that, be embarrassed because she wasn’t decked out in Victoria’s Secret. He caught her mouth with his, moving the cup from the broken strap down to curve the bottom of her breast. It plumped higher, the nipple small and pink against her fair skin. He moved down, sucking it into his mouth; it hardened, becoming puffy as his tongue flicked over it. Rune let out a shuddering breath and tugged on his open shirt, pulling it off his shoulders. Once it was out of the way, Isaac helped her sit up, loving the creamy texture of her skin, and rid her of the shirt and bra.
Next, he undid her jeans and slowly tugged them down. Rune’s breathing was faster as she hooked her fingers into her underwear, her eyes wide and dark with desire. She swallowed hard as she gazed between their bodies. Isaac realized she was looking at his cock. He cleared his throat as he removed his own pants and tossed them aside.
“I like going commando,” he said gruffly.
Rune giggled and pressed a hand to her mouth to smother it. “That’s not it. It’s just been a long time and I… I suddenly couldn’t remember how to give a blowjob. I know it’s stupid but—”
“Shh.” Isaac pressed a finger to her lips, and when she parted her lips, he slipped it between them. With his other hand, he pressed against her underwear. They were already damp from their kisses and he felt a little tension leave his shoulders. “I don’t particularly like blowjobs, anyway. I prefer hands.”
“Hands.” She nodded breathlessly. “Got it.”
Isaac let his hands run down her body. He kissed one breast then the other. Then, keeping his gaze on Rune’s eyes, on the desire he saw building in them, he slowly pulled her underwear down. The smell of her arousal made him moan as his hands coasted over the smooth skin of her legs. He tossed the underwear aside and brushed his fingers up her thigh.
“Do you like being eaten out?” he asked her. He pressed a kiss to her inner thigh and worked his way up.
“Um… I don’t know.”
Isaac paused. He looked up, surprised at the admission. “Haven’t you had it before?”
Rune shook her head.
“Why?”
“Um… My boyfriend thought it was gross.”
Isaac growled under his breath. “Then he was an idiot. He still wanted you to give him blowjobs but refused to pleasure you with his mouth?”
Rune shrugged, looking away from him. “I don’t want to talk about him. I want your mouth on me. I want this to be you and me. So… so play with my clit with your tongue.”
Her face reddened as she gave the order, but Isaac only smiled at her and obeyed. Her clit was already swollen, and when he licked his tongue across it, she gave a full jump and let out a surprised cry. Isaac wrapped his arms around her legs, holding her down as he continued. She gripped the bed beneath her, eyes wide as she stared up at the ceiling. Her breath came in pants soon enough, and Isaac felt the trembling of her legs under his touch. The pressure in his own body became even stronger.
“Isaac,” Rune begged. “Isaac!”
Her smell and taste were driving him insane. Isaac let out a soft growl, unable to hold himself back any longer. He quickly knelt, kissing up her body until he reached her mouth again. With one hand on her breast and the other on her hip, he plunged into her. Rune’s fingers tightened on his shoulders, her nails digging into him.
He started to thrust immediately. Sweat pooled on his brow as he ground his teeth against his arousal, trying to hold himself back. Beneath him, Rune's eyes were wide, her mouth open as a flush rose up her neck. Her breasts bounced with the force of his thrusts and Isaac had to bend over, taking one into his mouth again. His fang nipped against her creamy skin, leaving a thin welt behind.
Her legs clenched around his hips. One of her hands stretched out, pressing against his stomach. He slowed, and with a moan of frustration, Rune started thrusting her hips up.
“Don’t stop,” she begged.
Isaac grinned down at her and resumed. The pressure was so much that his whole body felt like it was about to explode. He grabbed one of her legs, pressing her knee to his chest as he continued to thrust, hard and deep. Her back bent, her hair fell all about her.
When she clamped down on him, it was all over. With a cry, he finished, spurting hot jets into her. She writhed, letting out another cry as her fingers clawed at him. A wave of black passed over him and he fell over her, kissing her mouth and neck in rapid succession, not sure which one he wanted more of.
He kept thrusting until he couldn’t move anymore. Then he rocked his hips, the suction between their bodies so strong it felt like they were, in fact, one. His head rested on her breasts as her fingers stroked through his hair.
“Drink from me.”
Isaac lifted his head. He stared questioningly at her, and she moaned lightly as she stretched her neck out in an invitation to him.
“You can’t get me pregnant drinking from me after, right? So, drink from me.”
Isaac opened his mouth but could think of no reason not to do as she wanted. Still inside of her, he straightened his spine and kissed Rune’s neck. Her lids fluttered as his teeth scraped against her throat. He found her pulse, beating strong and steady. He licked it, and she squirmed, making things happen to their joined bodies. He moaned as he sank his fangs into her skin.
The taste of her blood swept through him, heady and strong. He sealed his lips over the wound, sucking greedily as the taste of fresh blood sent his body to tightening again. He was pleased with the reaction, and the way Rune’s legs started to tremble again. It was rare for a human to react this way to being drunk from. As the tightness started again, he began to rock his hips—
And then Rune was screaming. Isaac jerked back, startled. He gripped her shoulders and lifted her quickly from the bed, moving them so she was on top. Her hands pressed against his chest as she panted, shudders moving through her body.
“Did I hurt you?” He looked anxiously at the bite. It oozed blood, two small pinpricks.
“What?” Rune lifted her head, gasping.
“Did I hurt you?”
“No… No, I saw a vision.” Rune pressed her fingers to the light holes in her neck, then gazed at the smear of blood left on her fingertips. She wiped it off on her stomach absently and returned her gaze to him. “It wasn’t clear, but I did see…”
Isaac’s heart pounded, even faster than when they were in the throes of making love. “What did you see?”
“There was a figure. I don’t know if it was a man, but I think so. He was wearing a crown.”
Gregory. His breath caught in his chest.
“He was laughing. It was a triumphant laugh.” Rune let out a shudder, wrapping her arms around herself.
Isaac grabbed a tissue and pressed it to her neck before she could bleed on the white sheets. “Triumphant?”
“Yes. He’d gotten something he wanted.”
Isaac closed his eyes briefly. Terror and disappointment coursed through him. Well, he had his answer now. A chill closed around his heart and he clung to Rune, wishing he could just run away, far, far away, where he would never have to face the truth of what she had just said.
King Gregory was going to win. He was going to take over the world. And Isaac was going to be a part of it.
Chapter Five
Rune splashed a little cold water on her face as she stood in the bathroom, wearing only a robe. It had been a couple of hours now since Isa
ac had drunk from her and she had seen her vision. A shiver ran down her spine again as she recalled that horrible scene. The ringing laughter that was like claws against her ears. She wasn’t certain how to take it; the sight had filled her with dread, as though it was something she was going to see herself, and within the not-too-distant future. In the pit of her stomach, she could feel that it had something to do with Isaac, too… but what, she couldn’t say.
Taking a shuddering breath, she looked up at herself. A trickle of dried blood ran over the collarbone, but the small wound had stopped bleeding. As she wet a cloth to clean it up, she became aware of the small aches and pains throughout her body, centered mostly between her legs. It had been a long time she since had experienced this, after all.
Isaac was still on the bed, out of sight around the corner of the bathroom, but Rune still shut the door before opening her robe. She wasn’t certain why she was feeling so shy about being nude in front of him. He’d gotten to know her pretty intimately over the last few hours, after all. Maybe it was more because she was looking at her own body.
What she found both pleased and flustered her. There were several pink to red scrapes on her chest, shoulders, and neck from Isaac’s fangs. It seemed strange to have these marks, plain for anybody to see. Well, she could cover most of them, but they were still vivid against her pale skin. The slight sting of pain she had felt while he had kissed over her body made sense now. She had liked it—something she hadn’t thought she would. And the orgasms that had taken her… they were more powerful than she had anticipated. Especially when he drank from her. That had taken her from zero to sixty as soon as his fangs pierced her skin, far quicker than when they had been making love fully.
If it wasn’t for her stupid vision, she could only imagine how explosive that could have been.
Between Good and Evil Page 5