by A. Vers
He lets go of my hand and pets down my slit with one finger. “I want to see how responsive you are.” He pulls, and the fabric over me tears loudly.
My eyes widen and my spine bows.
“Fucking hell,” he whispers. The darkness of his irises seems to swallow up the white, and the gold devours them both as he stares down at my bare flesh. Slowly, oh so slowly, he teases the inside of my thighs, working ever closer to my heat.
I try to squirm, to force him where I need him. He laughs again. “What’s the matter?”
My breathing saws through me in answer. He swirls and pinches at the small bud between my legs. Blood arcs and zings in my veins, like electricity. “Please, Ruin.”
The sounds that he makes has me dancing in place as it adds to the lust making my vision darken. “I should make you beg for this,” he snarls. But his fingertip finds my entrance and dives inside in a wash of blistering heat. I cry out.
Ruin rises up and slams his mouth over mine. I cry out again, the sound captured in a hungry growl as he devours it between us. He pumps his hand, filling my body over and over. A second digit joins the first, and I ripple.
My hands claw at the armrests. He groans against my mouth and the hard length of him presses into my leg. I try to pull back. To beg. But he turns his fingers upward and the pressure in my groin builds. I whimper.
Oh god.
A pink haze rings my vision and I undulate, riding the heady rhythm of his fingers. “Ruin,” I mumble against his mouth. “Please.”
He growls. “Now, Lilah.”
Like my body needed the command, my core clamps and I bow upward, needing, seeking all that he can give me. I cling to him, riding the waves of a release that makes my toes tingle.
He pulls free of my sensitive flesh. I scramble to keep him in place, thighs clenching and hands grabbing. He stands and backs up. The front of his jeans are tented by his still heavy length. One that makes heat blaze anew.
His dark eyes are unfathomable. Cool. He scrubs his hand on his pants, like he is trying to get rid of something. “Now you know what it’s like to get off with a vampire too.”
I gape. “What?”
He smiles, but there is nothing nice in the motion. “‘Night, Lilah.” He walks off, leaving my legs wide, my flesh in full view, and my mind in confused tatters.
I look around and try to cover myself before rushing up the stairs to go back to my room. No one stops me. No one yells for me to stay. In fact, the house is quiet. Sleeping.
My arms cross over my chest and I shove at the thick doors with my shoulder. But they weigh a ton. I press both palms to the wood and heave with a very un-feminine grunt. They won’t budge. “Fuck!”
“Lilah?” I want to melt into the floor as Raina’s voice floats up to me from the foyer below. Soft steps trail up the stairs. “You okay?”
I huddle in on myself.
Damn.
Gentle hands grip my shoulders, and she turns me around. A towering blond man waits at the base of the stairs. His gold eyes are polite, but uninterested. Raina squeezes my arms, bringing my focus back to her. “Lilah, baby. Answer me.”
There is something so sweet in Raina. Something maternal and protective.
I never got a chance to know my parents. Not in any way that I remember. But there is something about Raina, something that reminds me of that faded memory of long dark hair and pale skin. And her kindness floors me.
My eyes burn. “Yeah. I—” I stop myself. “I’m okay.”
She huffs and looks over at the male with her. “Love. Go ahead and turn in.”
He frowns. “Raina ...” Her name is a rolling lilt of syllables. The accent makes me think of high winds, kilts, and bagpipes on the Moors.
“It’s fine, Markus. Go warm the bed.”
Markus? As in the king?
I glance between them, heart beginning to pound.
Holy shit.
I try to smooth my hair and my disheveled clothes. “My lord ... I mean, her lord—” I stammer, and his strange eyes fix on me in mild amusement.
“Markus is fine, Ms. Marks.”
My body bends in half in what, I hope, is a decent bow. “It’s nice to meet you. Thank you ... For letting me stay here,” I amend. “I want to do anything I can to help catch Vlad. And if Vic can go down with him ... all the better, sir.”
He’s quiet long enough that I risk a glance upward.
“I will have to commend Ruin on his work.” My cheeks burn, and, for a moment, I think he means what happened in the alcove. “When I asked him to enlist your help, I expected more resistance.”
My head shakes. “No, sir. I will do anything I need to.”
He watches me. “Then it would me my honor to have you work with us.”
I bow again as my brain falters. “Work?”
He turns to peer at me. “Raina mentioned you were trying to find your feet again. A valiant task, lass. And we pride ourselves on strength here. Being on your own requires a fair bit, does it not?”
I stare at him. “Yes, sir.”
He nods. “Then allow us to give you a guiding hand. Underground, like the manor, is but a temporary situation, as I am sure you have aspirations in this lifetime. But for now ...” His head tilts. “I have been considering a piece of property on Lock Lake. It would need a bit of repair ... But I would like to make a second refuge. A safe haven for supernaturals and humans.”
My eyes widen. “I’ve never been out there, but I would be happy to help in any way I can,” I say. “Anything you need ...”
Markus appraises me, his expression mild. He turns to Raina and nods. It’s like an unspoken signal between them, and her body seems to sag. “Of course. Alas, we could remain awake and speak on things until the sun rose.” I smile slightly. The man’s accent is yummy. Old world. “Find her a bed, love. I will await you.” He starts to walk away then stops.
“And, Ms. Marks?” I peer at him. His topaz eyes are cunning, not quite cruel, but like he can be if you push him too far. “Do not disappoint me.”
His words make me shiver. He walks off, unnoticing or uncaring of my reaction, back the way I came. Raina watches him go for a minute before taking my arm and leading me back down the stairs and deeper into the fortified section of the manor.
“Why can’t I go back to my room?”
She chuckles. “The manor has certain security measures in play. Though most of the newer vamps can live in daylight as well as you, the older ones don’t like it so much. So the main doors seal until sunset, and the exterior of the house has steel shutters.”
I follow her slowly from the main room to a heavy door across the way. She keys in a code and the door swishes open to reveal a tunnel of stone.
The thick cement and steel walls are covered in tapestries and paintings that look older than even Markus. The rolling hills and valiant steeds are reminiscent of a time that no longer exists. Of chivalry, and men that strived to be warriors and protectors. Not only for their country or land. But for their families.
“Do all of these paintings belong to the coven?” I ask.
She peers at me before glancing around. “Most Markus brought when he crossed the sea many years ago,” she says. “They are family pieces, I believe, from the old Keep.”
I nod. “They’re beautiful,” I say. “The colors and textures ... Landscapes like this don’t exist anymore.”
She smiles, but the motion is sad. “They do, baby. Just not here.”
“Have you seen the home country, then?”
Her expression is wistful. “Markus planned on taking me before the Council shunned him for claiming me as his Consort. He is no longer welcome on the Isle of Skye, and by extension, neither are any of the rest of us.”
I frown. “That’s stupid.”
“You’re sweet, but that’s how the supernatural world works. We are governed by a larger force, just as humans are. It’s why they are working so hard to find Vlad. What he is doing ... It can’t be allowe
d to continue.”
I peer at her. “How bad is it?” She presses her lips into a tight line. “Raina? How bad?”
Her sigh is weighted. Heavy. “We buried ten of our own last month, and twice that in civilians.” My eyes widen. So many? “The drug Vlad is using ... It’s deadly to our kind. And dangerous to humans. He has to be stopped, Lilah. At all costs.”
My hand flies out and I catch her arm. “I want to help. How can I help?”
She stops in front of a heavy-iron and oak door. “Anything you know about it ... Be honest with Ruin. He has been after Vlad since the beginning. If anyone can catch him, it’s him.” She offers me a soft smile. “Now, speaking of dark-eyed vamps, what happened with him?”
My face flames. “How did you—”
“Oh honey. I know a morning after walk if I’ve ever seen one.” She pats my hand. “Besides, his scent is all over you.”
I groan. “Not as much as I hoped for,” I say honestly.
She chuckles. “So you do like him?”
My eyes narrow and I glare at her. “Raina.”
“He’s a hot one, even I will admit that. Just don’t tell Markus I said so.” My lips curve. “Considering how ornery Ruin has been, he wants you bad, Lilah.”
“I don’t know. Every time I think so, he pulls away.”
“Trust me. I know Ruin. He’s been Markus’ Second for years. The man is hard headed. Stubborn. Whatever is holding him back, it will keep him away. You need to find out what it is and break past it.”
I look at her as we reach a door near the end of the hall. “How do I do that?”
She shrugs. “I don’t know. But you’ll figure it out. You’re under his skin already. You just have to get under him in bed.” I blush furiously, and she brushes my hair back behind my ear with another grin. “You ready for tomorrow?”
My head bobs.
“Good. I want you there early, so you’ll ride with me.”
Ruin’s words about being under his protection spring back to me. “Are you sure?”
Her smile is brilliant. “Course.” She turns me to the door and pats me on the rear. I gasp and let out a girly giggle. “Now... This room will keep you from being interrupted by even the staff. And the closet should have something a bit more comfortable to wear to sleep in. So turn in, babe. We got work tomorrow.” She winks and walks back the way we came.
Shaking my head, I go inside the room with another laugh.
Heavy looking masculine furniture takes up the immediate sitting area. Thick, dark wood and black leather spread over a short sofa and loveseat. A well-worn recliner is perched to one side, bookcase laden with westerns and a few older crime novels. Oddly, I cannot picture Markus reading any of them.
I pad through the room and push open the sliding door to a massive four-poster bed covered in black silk sheets and a midnight bedspread. Spicy scented candles burn along the top of the dresser, adding just enough light to see. Fluffy pillows seem to beckon from the nest of black over the bed, but I slip past them to the bathroom just visible. And hopefully a closet.
The shower is almost as big as the bed and enclosed in all glass. The rainforest head juts over the stall, catching light from antique style sconces on the walls. My fingers trail over the marble counters. A single toothbrush already rests in the dish and soaps line the shower.
I huff. “These guys live like royalty,” I murmur, eyes wide and tracking over everything.
Walking into the closet to one side, I flip on the light. A few hangers wait, simple button-ups and a few pairs of older boots are damn near the only thing inside the dove-grey room.
Amidst the collared shirts, a few tag-less tees wait. I flip through them and pull down a threadbare black one with an obscene skull design. Shucking the strip of my skirt and the remnants of my destroyed underwear, I pull the fabric over my head. It bags to my knees, covering me, but the spicy scent from the candles seems to lace the collar. I inhale in long pulls and head to bed.
The mattress is soft, but not too soft, and the sheets are nice and cool. I lay back among the pillows, that same spicy fragrance filling my head in a cloud. It lulls over my senses, adding to the exhaustion and heaviness of the alcove with Ruin.
If he doesn’t want me, I could deal with it. Let it go. But his body said otherwise, and he can’t deny it.
I have no idea how to get him to admit it or how to cross that line. But I want him. Even if it’s only once. I want the power and fire he can give me.
And Raina is right. I just have to convince him he wants it too.
25
Ruin
I CLOSE MY DOOR AND stumble through the dark room. My eyes burn and every muscle aches. Every rep, every punch, given and received, screamed Lilah’s scent. Her heat. It was all I could do not to go find her. To finish what I started.
My body hardens all over again. No amount of weight lifting, fighting, or Black-Dream has taken away the need she sparked.
A need I thoroughly deserve after what I did.
I don’t know if it was the joint or just her, but there was no way to resist that almost languid cast to her features. How soft she looked in the chair, exactly where I left her. Her willingness to follow my command set me on fire. A fire that grew hotter as I stood above her. In slumber, she’s even more innocent. Beautiful.
My plan was to wake her gently. To guide her to a guest room, kiss her once, and leave. Before I did something stupid.
But that ship has damn sure fucking sailed.
I should’ve stopped at touching her cheek. Should’ve never pulled those thick thighs apart. Her panties were almost see through, giving me tantalizing peeks of what I now crave like an addict.
Goddess she was scalding. Like wet fucking silk around my fingers. She responded in ways I did not expect. That I never hoped for. I clench my nails into my palms to keep from groaning. I wanted things from her ... things she can’t possibly want too. Not really.
And especially not from one of my kind.
Wincing, I toe off my boots and slip my shirt over my head. My jeans follow. As much as I hate leaving the mess, my big bed is calling. I need the oblivion of sleep. A dreamless void free of Lilah-fucking-Marks.
I pull back the blanket and climb between the cool sheets. A sigh leaves me. I settle down on the pillows, heart slowing to match the one beside me.
The ... one ... beside ... me?
Adrenaline courses through my body and I dive out of the bed, snaring my Glock from its holster before flipping the light switch to the bathroom.
A half-covered dark head is barely visible on the other side of the mattress. Gun pointed, I stalk around the thick frame and grab the blanket. I jerk it down.
Lilah grumbles in her sleep, one soft arm casting about for the bedspread. One of my old rock tees, from my rebellious years, is hiked up around her waist, leaving the curve of her thigh and bare ass visible. My mouth waters and my fangs drop.
Fuck.
She rolls, body curving in on herself. Like she’s cold.
I reach for her, already tucking my gun behind my back. “Lilah? Lilah! Why are you in my bed?”
“Hmmm...” Her eyes flutter open. She bolts upright, grabbing for the blanket. “Ruin? What the fuck are you doing in here?”
I stand up, gun pressed against the lower half of my spine. “What the fuck are you doing in here?” I ask, voice hard. “You’re in my bed.”
Heat flows up over her neck and into her cheeks, and the last ounce of sleep fades from her eyes. “Oh my god ... Oh my god.” She scoots all the way to the other side of the bed and climbs from the blankets to stand across from me. Her little hands tug at the hem of my shirt. “Raina told me to sleep in here.”
I stare at her. “What?”
She pulls at the hem again, holding it down over the full swell of her thighs. Her expression is worried and almost crestfallen. “I’m sorry, Ruin. I didn’t know.” She moves to go towards the closet. “Let me grab my stuff...” Her feet tangle in my
discarded clothes, and she stumbles.
I flit around to her.
Her body is warm as I haul her up against me, one arm going around her waist. She slowly turns, cerulean eyes wide and her heart thrumming in my ears. Lilac blossoms into the air in a heady cloud. I step back, grinding my gun into my palm to clear my head.
“It’s fine,” I say. “I just didn’t know you were here. It’s been a long night, okay?” She shifts in place. “Look ... Take the bed. I can sleep on the couch.”
She laughs, but there is little humor in the sound. “No, you can’t.” One hand motions at my still mostly undressed body as her blush makes a glorious return. “You’re too tall.”
I blink. “No worries.” I snag my jeans and tug them on before tucking my gun into my waistband. “Get back in bed.”
She stands there. “Are we going to talk about earlier if I do?”
My eyes roll, and I try to shut down the heat building in my gut. It works as well as ignoring her fucking scent or those thick thighs that I now crave around me.
I walk closer and lift her in my arms. She squeaks. I press her into my side of the bed. She stares up at me, eyes wide and the heavy beat of her heart filling her throat until my fangs press into my mouth.
Yep. Time to fucking go.
“Sleep now. Talk later.” I cover her with the sheet and the blanket. She continues to watch me, too much white rimming those amazing irises. “Sleep,” I order.
“What about you?” Her voice is quiet, meek.
I try to smile, but it comes out more as an unintentional baring of teeth. “Tanner and Gage share a suite. I can bunk with them tonight.” She still lays there, little hands fisted in the bedspread until her knuckles are white. “Really. It’s fine.”
“I don’t know—”
“Lilah,” I growl.
Goddess, she is stubborn.
She turns on her side, pillowing her cheek on her hand with a yawn. “Only until the doors open. Tomorrow I’ll go back to my room.” Her eyes flutter.