Once the doctor had gone, Junaid asked, “How is she?”
“She’ll be fine.”
Hari took a swig of beer. “Take a few days off. Spend them with her.”
“There’s a lot to do. The club expansion—”
“Fuck the club expansion,” said Leke. “You’ve done more than enough over the last few years. You deserve some time off, and she deserves to have you with her.”
“Thanks.” He’d gone from spending nights in his villa alone to having a woman and his friends filling it. But it felt good. It brought comfort. He glanced at Leke. Any news on James?”
Leke’s vampires were trained in espionage skills, and one of them had intercepted the message that the mob boss sent, inviting his friends to that party…no, he couldn’t think of it. It sent shudders through him when images of Alyssa tied down flashed through his head…if they’d been too late…but we weren’t. Alyssa is safe. And right now, members of Leke’s horde were monitoring James’ mansion.
“The party ended about an hour ago. A couple of James’ guys turned up and took him away in a vehicle.” The vampire’s eyes glinted. “We can keep an eye on him.”
“No need. Let him piss off and climb down some hole.” Leke’s horde had plenty of their own work to be dealing with. His friends had done more than enough, and Blade couldn’t expect more. As it was, there would be some fallout from this attack on James’ mansion…from human organizations and the government.
“I reckon we should track him down and end it.” True to his nature, the vampire did not want to leave loose ends.
“He’s received his punishment.” If it was only Blade who would be affected, he might consider going after the mob boss and finishing him with his own hands. But whatever action he took would have repercussions for his friends, because he’d pulled them into this situation. They’d carried out the mission to save another human, which might grant them some understanding, but killing an influential person would piss off certain powerful human organizations. In any case, James did not deserve a quick, clean death. “Better to let him suffer in his wretched body, living with painful memories, the way he’s forced so many women to.”
Hari raised her glass to that. “I say that’s the perfect punishment for the bastard. I’d love to be a fly on the wall when he wakes up screaming because of nightmares.”
Nightmares…it suddenly hit him. When Alyssa slept after they returned, her sleep wasn’t disturbed. He knew, because after taking a shower, he’d sat in the bedroom watching over her for hours as his friends chilled in here. Not even a murmur had left her lips. In fact, she only awakened after the doctor came.
Some tension unknotted inside his chest, relief taking its place. She really was going to be all right…
Shaun stepped away from the wall. “We’ll all get going now…let you both get some rest.”
“I don’t know what to say,” said Blade. Thank you was inadequate for what they’d done for him today.
“You don’t have to say anything.” Sonia stood to give him a hug, avoiding his injury. “We know you’d do the same for us.”
They walked out one by one, and after they’d gone, he stood by the doors for a few moments, smiling like an idiot at the pool. Why, he did not know…
THE FEAR HAD GONE.
It had lived with her for as long as she remembered, attacking her mind even during the moments when her body was safe. Prodding and reminding her that it would not be long before someone hurt her.
But now, in its place, there was…peace.
She lay back on the bed, no longer afraid to close her eyes. James could not hurt her anymore. She knew it when she tied that last bind around his waist as he lay on the platform. For the first time, she’d seen fear in his eyes. For the first time, she’d had power over him. That moment ended the hold he had over her.
I love you, Alyssa.
She’d spent over an hour in that horrible cement chamber, tied to the platform, until her mind split from her body. Every sound had heralded danger, until she couldn’t distinguish between her would-be attackers and Blade. When he touched her, she thought that the torture had begun. But eventually, his voice cut through the panic, helping her to break through the terror that had taken her senses. He’d told her he loved her. Wanted her as his mate…wanted to be with her always. She’d fought her way back…to be with him.
It would take time, but the pain would lessen. She was alive and grateful, so much so that part of her wondered if such happiness was possible. She was free to do what she desired. I can go to college and get a job. All she had to do was decide what she wanted. Excitement bubbled inside her as, for the first time, the world opened up before her and she looked forward to the future…
When there was the sound of footsteps, she opened her eyes. Blade…
He stood at the doorway, in cotton pants and a tee shirt, staring at her. As she sat up, her eyes went to the bandage on his arm. There were also abrasions on his knuckles, but thankfully, he hadn’t suffered any other wounds during his mission to save her. His expression was soft as he came to her and sat on the bed. “How are you feeling, Alyssa?” He pressed a loose lock of her hair behind her ear before trailing his fingers across her jawline.
“Great.” She’d often tried to imagine how it would feel to be free, but never thought it might be so…wonderful. She couldn’t think of any other way to describe it. “What happened to James?”
His mouth tightened. “News is that after the party was over, he left the mansion. But he won’t be troubling you again, Alyssa. Promise.”
“I’m not scared of him anymore.” The control that the mob boss had over her broke the moment she’d seen fear on his face. Like any human, once his power was gone, he was vulnerable. But she didn’t want to think about him now. She would put him behind her, along with her father and all those abusive clients. Today and the future was all she would think about. And Blade…
When he pulled back the duvet and got into bed next to her, she lay back and settled against his chest. She touched the bandage around his bicep, and when he saw her expression, he said, “Don’t worry. It will heal fast. I’m a supernatural, remember?” He used his other arm to pull her close to him. “Alyssa?”
“Mmm?” When he didn’t respond, “What is it?”
“James…he didn’t hurt you, did he?”
“Not this time.”
He released his breath. “I’m sorry I wasn’t there, Alyssa…all the times he hurt you before.”
“You’re here now, and that’s what matters.”
She lifted her face to stare down at him, their gazes locking. After a moment, he took his hand to her jawline and brought her face closer to give her a kiss. He then shifted so he could stare into her eyes as his thumb stroked her cheek. His fingers trailed through her hair as he brought her mouth to his again. This time, the kiss lasted longer, his lips gentle as they moved over hers. She lost herself in the feeling of them both together…but he broke the contact, even though the red that flared in his eyes told her he wanted to go on. His gaze now flitted between her eyes and lips, and he pressed her head down so their mouths met again. She kissed him back with urgency, wanting him to know that she also wanted this.
“You’re not too tired?” he breathed against her lips.
“I’ve just had the best sleep ever. Now I want you.” He responded to her words by deepening the kiss. They’d been together before, but she’d always known that after joining with him, someone else would buy her body. But now, as he kissed her…this was the way it should be. As his tongue entered her mouth, he shifted so she lay back on the bed, and he was above her. When he winced, her eyes shot to his injury. “Blade…your arm—”
“Don’t worry about it.” He leaned on his uninjured arm as she moved her fingers to the back of his head, trailing them through his soft hair as they kissed. “Alyssa…I need you…” He didn’t need to tell her that, not anymore. He left her lips to kneel on the bed, and when he tried t
o remove his tee shirt, she helped. He held his injured arm to the side and the other above his head as she pulled the tee shirt off him, her mouth working his hard chest at the same time.
He stood, and as he pulled off his trousers and boxers with one hand, she removed her pajamas. When he returned to the bed, naked, she gently pushed his shoulders so he lay on his back. She glanced at the bandage on his arm, and he raised his eyebrows as if in apology, his lips curled up. He kept his injured bicep out of the way as she straddled him, his other hand going to her hip. She hovered above his erection as they stared into each other’s eyes. “Alyssa,” he breathed, his eyes flaring. “Now…”
She eased onto his shaft, moving inch by inch, the red ring that surrounded the black iris of his eyes brightening. His face tightened as he filled her, and he took his hand to her shoulder, pressing her down. “Blade!”
Every part of her was on fire as she moved along his length. His hand left her shoulder and moved to her breast, palming the flesh before his thumb stroked her nipple.
She rode him faster, with all of her being, her soul…the times they were together before, it had never been like this…knowing that he cared about her, loved her…it changed everything.
His fingers trailed over her stomach and down to her clit. As she took him deeper, his thumb worked her clit, making her gasp and pant. When she moved faster, his breathing became even heavier, and he clenched his jaw as his head tilted back, his eyes closed.
“Alyssa…yes!” He shifted his hand to her hip, pressing her down harder. She increased the pressure as she slid along his shaft, until he opened his eyes to stare at her, the black iris of his eyes expanding to fill the white. And then something changed in his expression. As he gripped her waist, his face tightened. His arm went around her, and keeping them joined, he flipped her so she was on her back. As he leaned over her on one elbow, her eyes went to his injured arm again. “I’ll manage,” he growled against her ear as he pushed into her. “And believe me; any pain will be worth it.”
“But—”
When his mouth closed over hers, shutting off her protest, she couldn’t help but respond as he moved between her legs with strong thrusts. She drew her arms around his shoulders, taking care to avoid his injury. His naked chest pressed down on her as his kiss hardened, as if he couldn’t get enough of her.
As they moved in harmony, a glow began deep inside her belly and spread through her body, dispersing some of the pain she’d carried for years…
MY ALYSSA.
The yearning for her shot through Blade, driving him. Even as he was inside her, he needed more. He took her with a desperation enhanced by the knowledge that he’d nearly lost her…
As her legs wrapped around him, pulling him in further, he lifted his face to look at her. Her eyes were closed and lips parted, soft moans escaping them. “Alyssa,” he whispered. “Look at me.”
When she opened her eyes, they were bright, brimming with emotion. He thrust harder as his gaze connected with hers. They were together…and he never had to let her go again. This…it wasn’t just right…it was meant to be. He felt it with his soul.
Pain shot through his arm, but he pushed it away as he adjusted his weight, focusing on…making love to her. Because that was what this was. He’d shut himself away for years, but the idea of letting someone in no longer scared him. Not when that someone was Alyssa.
Her grip on his shoulders tightened, her moans becoming louder, making his movements frantic. He drove into her with a frenzy, their cries of pleasure mingling until they both came together in an explosion of ecstasy. She closed her eyes as her breathing became steady. He rested his forehead on the pillow, his mouth next to her ear. “I love you, Alyssa.” And by the Gods, he’d do what it took to keep her safe.
“I love you, Blade,” she whispered. So low, that human hearing wouldn’t have picked it up, but he did. And the joy lit him up inside. He pulled out of her and took a few moments to stare down at her…so damn precious. He then went to his back and she came into his arms, where she belonged. When she still avoided his injury, it made him smile.
He kissed the top of her head. “I’m sorry, Alyssa. I’m sorry I let him take you.”
“It wasn’t your fault. I went to him.”
He growled against her hair. “Promise you’ll never do anything so stupid again.”
She looked up at him, eyebrows raised. “I can’t guarantee that, Blade. When I’m around you, I seem to do stupid things.”
“Ditto.” She had turned his life upside down, hadn’t she?
After a silence, she murmured, “Blade? Can we go to the pool?”
“You don’t have to ask permission. You can go where you like.”
They pulled on their clothes and then she placed her arm around his waist, and they walked to the living room with their bodies pressed to each other. He let go of her after they stepped outside the glass doors. There was a small smile on her face as she walked to the other side of the pool. When she sat at its edge, he drew a sharp breath. It was the exact spot where he’d first seen her.
He went to the bar to grab a bottle of champagne and two glasses before he sat next to her. She laughed loud as he popped open the champagne and made the cork fly. He held the bottle so the spray flew into the pool before filling the glasses and giving one to her. If ever there was a time to celebrate, it was tonight.
But as she took a sip of champagne, her eyes brimmed with tears.
“Alyssa? What’s wrong?”
She shook her head. “Everything is so perfect. I’d never believed this was possible”—she brought her hand to his face, trailing it from his forehead, over his nose and down to his lips, as if wanting to make sure he was real. “I’m scared of losing you.”
“You won’t lose me. From now on, we stay together.” He added, “If that’s what you want.”
Her voice caught. “It’s what I want, more than anything.”
But his heart still thumped at the thought of James and others who had hurt her, and he wondered how long it would be before he was comfortable letting her out of his sight. “I intend to keep you safe, Alyssa. From now on, you can stay in the villa. I’ll have someone here to take care of you when I’m not around—”
“Sssh.” She leaned in against his chest. “I’ve spent a lot of time hiding, and believe me, I’ve had enough of it. I want to live.”
He wanted her to have everything she wanted, but he couldn’t risk losing her again. “But what about your safety?”
“I somehow don’t think James will come for me again after that lesson.” She lifted her head to stare up at him. “I don’t want to waste the chance I’ve been given, Blade. I’m going to do what I dreamed of…study and work…make something of myself.”
“And you will.” He gave her a kiss. “Whatever you choose to do, we’ll handle it together.” She’d survived experiences that would have broken others, and she deserved all the opportunities that came her way.
“What about the other girls?”
“Now that James is out of the way, any of them who need help can come to us.” That was one of the first things he’d agreed with the others when they got back. “But you don’t need to worry about anything right now.”
A comfortable silence descended around them as she snuggled against him. Above them, the moon shone bright, bathing them in its light. They were shut away in their own little world, together. Damn, he sighed with content. “You came for me, Blade. You broke the truce with James.”
“Yes. Because I love you.”
“You said that to me when I was tied down.” The memory made her shiver, and he tightened his arm around her. “You told me you cared about me, couldn’t be without me…you said I was your mate.” He’d been so struck with fear for her that he didn’t know what came out of his mouth…but it was true…she brought him alive in the way only a mate could. “Your words brought me back, Blade.” A small smile played on her lips. “I love you, too, demon.”
When she looked up at him with green eyes that were no longer afraid, he was grateful that she’d come to him…banished his isolation with her love. And when she kissed him, her soft breath mingled with his, filling his soul with joy…
###
Thank you for reading my book. If you enjoyed it, please could you take a moment to leave a review at your favorite retailer site.
Thank you.
Natalie Aejaz, Author
BITTEN AND TWISTED
Natalie Aejaz
Copyright 2019 Natalie Aejaz
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This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events, locales and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.
CHAPTER ONE
* * *
THE PAIN HAD HACKED AWAY at her for days, and now it took over her body, biting and twisting. Eventually, she longed for death. But by that point, Veronica couldn’t get up from the bed to end it. She took her hands to her throat, pressing until she retched. Nothing. She buried her face in the pillow, but came up gasping for air. She clawed at skin soaked with sweat, leaving behind scratches but no serious damage.
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