“Take your bag?” a familiar male voice echoed from behind us. “Are you going somewhere, Bronwyn?”
I glanced over my shoulder and spotted my landlord barreling toward us from the other end of the hall. Stephan stepped in front of me, swiveling my suitcases to line them up against the wall. “What business is it of yours where my Bronwyn goes?”
“Your Bronwyn? What do you mean by that?” My landlord puffed out his chest in a misguided attempt to look tougher than he was as he tried to get past Stephan to get to me. “I don’t know who this guy thinks he is, but you don’t need to leave with him. You belong here, Bronwyn.”
Quicker than I could react, Stephan had his fists in the guy’s shirt, lifting him off his feet and pressing him against the wall. “Bronwyn most definitely does not belong here. The only place my woman will ever be is by my side. Do you understand me?”
My landlord’s face was turning red as he sputtered, “I-I-”
I hurried over and tugged on Stephan’s arm. “I don’t think he can breathe.”
“I don’t think I care.” He raised his arm another inch, and my landlord’s feet started to kick.
“But I do,” I insisted.
“Fine.” He released the material in his fist and let the guy drop to the floor. Bending low, he growled, “You’re going to forget Bronwyn exists, or I’m going to be forced to come back here and finish what I started.”
“Yes, whatever you want. Please don’t come back,” the guy cried, curled up in a ball.
Stephan nodded and got to his feet, holding an arm out to me. “C’mon.”
I placed my hand in the crook of his elbow and let him lead me over to my bags and then down the stairs. When we left the house and the door shut behind us, I whispered, “For a minute there, I thought you might kill him.”
“He’s lucky I didn’t do worse. I already wanted to wring his neck because of his lack of concern for your safety.” His grip on the handles of my bags tightened to the point that his knuckles turned white. “His attempt at laying claim to you only worsened my urge to see him dead.”
Stephan’s display of jealousy didn’t scare me. It did the opposite instead. “Can you teleport with my bags and me? The faster we get home, the sooner you can finish claiming me as your consort.”
10
Stephan
Adrenaline pumped through my veins, feeding my driving need to claim Bronwyn. I held on to her bags with one hand and slipped my other arm around her waist before teleporting home.
After tossing the luggage into the closet, I guided my consort back to our bed. With a single thought, the sheets were replaced with black silk and our clothes had disappeared. Clouds covered the moon again, making it the blackest night. So lit candles appeared spread throughout the room, their flames flickering and illuminating the space with a soft glow. I positioned her to stand in front of me, and my eyes raked over her naked body. “You are so incredibly beautiful,” I rasped, my throat suddenly dry.
Soft pink tinged her cheeks, and she licked her lips, making my groin tighten painfully. “You make me feel that way,” she informed me sweetly.
I threaded the fingers of one hand through hers and gently tugged her closer until she was flush against me. “Are you ready?” I wouldn’t proceed until she was one hundred percent sure, even if it killed me. And it just might.
“I want to be yours, Stephan. More than anything.”
Cupping her cheek, I stared deep into her eyes and asked, “Bronwyn O’Brien, do you accept my claim on you?”
“Yes, I accept your claim on me with all of my heart and soul, Stephan Bancroft.” She smiled up into my face, her brown eyes shining with happiness. “Without a single doubt.”
The sincerity in her expression and tone caused my heart to stutter for a second, and though it wasn’t tradition at this stage, I bent my head and captured her lips in a deep, possessive kiss. I was anxious to complete the ritual and cement our ties to each other, so I pulled back quicker than I wanted. Her little mewl of protest had me smirking, and I winked at her, causing her to grin and shake her head.
“You’re prepared to be mine from now until the end of time?” I asked.
Bronwyn’s hands slid up my chest to my face, and she placed one on each cheek before whispering, “And beyond.”
I hadn’t thought it was possible to want her more but hearing her say those words was like throwing gasoline on the fire raging inside me. My cock was pulsing with every thumping beat of my heart.
“I need you, now,” I grunted as I grasped her waist and lifted her onto the bed.
“Make me yours,” Bronwyn demanded softly.
“Only mine. Your heart, your body, your soul, they are mine,” I responded as I climbed between her legs, pushing them out as far as they would go. “So fucking gorgeous,” I groaned. Pearls of come leaked from my slit and fell onto her already glistening folds. “You’re pink and swollen. Your pussy is soaked, angel. The idea of me owning it gets you hot, doesn’t it?”
She mewled and squirmed, her breaths coming out in pants, making her breasts jiggle enticingly. My mouth and cock were at war, both wanting a taste of our delicious consort. My mouth watered at the thought of all that nectar in her juicy pussy. Lowering myself to my stomach, I licked up her slit, and my mind snapped. I ate her voraciously, drinking down every drop of her arousal. “Tilt your pussy, angel. Give me more of your sweet pussy,” I commanded, and when she lifted her hips, I grunted in approval. “Good girl.” With two fingers in her channel, I pushed her over the edge quickly, knowing I wasn’t going to last much longer.
Her hands clenched my shoulders as she pressed her head back into the pillow and screamed my name. I finally retreated and rose onto all fours, wiping my face with my hand before licking it clean.
Slowly, I crawled up her body, my eyes glued to her bouncing breasts and their hard little peaks. Once I was in the right position, I sucked a nipple into my mouth as I carefully sank my cock into her tight hole. Her walls clamped down on me, and I tore my mouth away, shouting, “Fuck, yes!” It was taking some effort to push my way in, so I kissed my way up her chest and neck to nibble on her earlobe. “You’re doing amazing, angel. Relax and take me all the way. Fuck, yeah. Just like that! Fuck!” I latched onto her other nipple and she seemed to open up a little, just enough for me to bottom out. Leaning back again, I watched my cock sink into her drenched pussy.
“Stephan,” she moaned. “You feel so good.”
Her fingers dug into my flesh, but while it was sexy as hell, I needed more control. I needed to take her. Make her mine. Claim her. Possession had been riding me hard, but now it completely took over.
I gently pried her hands away and lifted them above her head. Silk ties appeared, wrapped around her wrists, and anchored on the headboard. Then I grabbed her thighs and pushed her legs back, bending her knees so they were pressed against her chest. I urged her to open up even more, baring her center to me completely. “Mine,” I growled. The sight of my cock coming out all shiny from her arousal was more than I could handle. I leaned over her, my torso holding her legs back as I slammed into her pussy. Her scream of pleasure had my balls tingling, ready to blow, but I wasn’t done yet.
Pumping my hips, I pounded in and out of her fast and hard. “Mine. Fuck! Squeeze me, angel. That’s it. Fuck!”
Bronwyn’s back arched, and her head ground into the pillow as she tried to meet my thrusts. I cupped her big, round breasts and flicked my thumbs over her taut nipples a few times until she screamed in ecstasy as her orgasm crashed over her.
Her walls rippled around my dick, and the tingling turned to bolts of pleasure as my climax slammed into me with the force of a freight train. I roared her name as I emptied myself inside her. My gums burned, and my fangs slid out, begging for their treat.
My brothers had told me about what would happen, and I knew my bite would cause Bronwyn as much pain as it would pleasure. They’d suggested doing it on the heels of an orgasm, but I decided
to strike right then, while she was still in the throes of her climax.
Planting myself as deep as possible, I bent over her and swept her hair away from her neck. Hunger like I’d never felt consumed me at the sight of those two little spots. Without warning, I descended all the way and sank my fangs into her silky flesh.
Bronwyn screamed, and her body shook violently while her molecules rearranged, making her immortal. I was tossed over the edge again, drinking greedily as I came, her blood the most delicious thing I’d ever tasted.
Eventually, I felt full and sated, my orgasm receding, and my consort’s shudders began to ease. I retracted my teeth and licked over the wound, sealing it closed. Then I pulled back and stared into Bronwyn’s face as she ran her tongue over her brand-new fangs. Her expression held wonder, but as her eyes dropped, resting on the place where my pulse beat hard against my chest, they were swirling with need. I eased her legs down and released her wrists before cupping the back of her head and guiding her mouth to my heart. “Drink, angel. Take my blood inside you and seal our bond forever.”
After only a moment’s hesitation, she sank her canines into me and took deep pulls, sucking my blood into her body. I’d had no idea how erotic that would be, and though I’d just come twice, a small orgasm raced over me, and my shaft spurted more come into my consort’s womb. It had already occurred to me that we weren’t using protection, and I couldn’t help being satisfied that I’d filled her up with so much of my seed in the past twenty-four hours.
Finally, she’d had enough, and her fangs retreated back into her gums. She looked as exhausted as I felt, and I fell to her side before shifting her to lie on top of me and wrapping her up in my arms.
“I love you so fucking much,” I murmured.
Bronwyn gasped, and her head flew up, her eyes searching my face. “You love me?” she whispered after a few beats.
I smiled and gently hugged her. “You are everything I could ever want in an eternal companion. My very own angel. I fell for you the moment we met.”
Her cheeks turned pink, but her smile was blinding when she replied, “I love you, too.”
“Forever,” I rasped before sealing our mouths together in a promise of love for an eternity.
Epilogue
Bronwyn
Standing in the ballroom of the home I shared with Stephan, I couldn’t believe how much my life had changed over the past six months—like the fact that I owned a house with a ballroom. But the upgrade in my living conditions had nothing on the true bounty of what Stephan had given me. Neither did my bank account, which had so many zeroes that I still couldn’t quite wrap my brain around how much money was in there. Luckily, I had as many years as I needed to get used to all the wonderful ways Stephan had changed my life since I was immortal. But it had taken me no time at all to adjust to the best gift he’d given me.
I twirled around to take in each of the Bancrofts who were present, the skirt of my gown billowing out around me. Stephan’s family had done more than take me under their wing. They’d accepted me as one of their own. After spending so many years on my own, it had been a welcome change to be surrounded by people who wanted nothing more than to show me how much they cared. Stephan’s parents showered me with affection. Both of his brothers treated me like the little sister they adored. Their wives were my best friends. Their children were my beloved nieces and nephews.
I was a part of a big family with whom I could take down my walls because they were never going anywhere. Daywalkers lived forever, unlike my parents.
Strong male arms wrapped around me from behind, pulling my back against a familiar muscular chest. Warm lips trailed down my neck, making me shiver. “You look happy.”
I leaned into Stephan’s hold and tilted my head back to grin up at him. “Since I met you, I’m always happy.”
His bright blue eyes gleamed with satisfaction as his lips curved up in an answering smile. “Excellent point, my angel. I suppose I should correct myself—you look happier than usual.”
Daywalkers had excellent hearing, but I spoke a little louder to make sure I had everyone’s attention. I’d wanted to make this announcement while surrounded by our family, and tonight was the perfect opportunity. I’d had such a hard time keeping my secret for the past few days, especially since the bond between Stephan and I was wide open. I couldn’t count the number of times I’d forced myself to sing a random song so I wasn’t thinking about the one thing I didn’t want him to know until I was ready to share. “I have an excellent reason to be happier than usual.”
“You do?” He cocked his head to the side, a wrinkle popping up in the middle of his forehead.
“Yup.” My grin widened, and I bit my bottom lip to hold back a giggle. “One so good that happy doesn’t even begin to explain how I’m feeling.”
He pressed down on my lip with his thumb to free it from my grip. “I’m the only one who gets to bite you, angel. And mine is the only skin your teeth ever sink into. That pleasure is all mine.”
My cheeks filled with heat as Kieran chuckled behind me. “I think you’re missing the point, brother.”
“Yeah, stop distracting Bronwyn with all the sexy stuff so she can share her news,” Thana agreed, earning her a growl from her husband over the use of the word “sexy” while describing his brother, however innocently—and accurately.
I shook off my sensual fog and blurted, “I’m pregnant.”
Delighted gasps echoed off the walls surrounding us before I was lifted off my feet in a crushing embrace. Then I was promptly set back down, ever so gently. “Shit, I need to be more careful.”
I pressed Stephan’s hand against my belly and laughed. “It’s early days yet, but our little miracle is safe and sound.”
“You don’t need to treat her like spun glass,” Aria chided after rushing across the room to give me a hug. Then she turned to wag her finger at her son. “She’s a daywalker, after all.”
Everybody else got in on the hugging until Stephan pulled me back into his arms when Ronan almost knocked me over in his excitement over getting another cousin. “She’s still mine to protect, same as our child.”
I twisted in his hold and smiled up at him. “You’re going to be such a great father.”
“Damn straight, just like you’ll be an amazing mother.” Cupping my face in his palms, he brushed a kiss against my lips. “Thank you for giving me everything I’ve ever dreamed of and more, angel.”
Epilogue
Stephan
Ten Years Later
“It’s Christmas Eve,” I sighed into the phone as I impatiently drummed my fingers on my desktop.
“Your point being?” my cousin drawled.
I frowned and glared at the wall. “Don’t be a bastard, Liam. There are at least twenty Bancroft relatives here for the celebration, including your parents and brothers. They miss you.”
Bronwyn and I wanted our children to have the sort of Christmases that I’d had growing up. My wife was especially adamant about it since she’d never had this sort of experience until she became a Bancroft. Thana and Selene were every bit as enthusiastic about it since neither of them had enjoyed most of their Christmases growing up, either.
Every year, we invited any relative who wanted to come to celebrate the season with us. Most of the time, we hosted a modest number of people, but there had been a few times when it had ended up being a reunion so large we took up most of the hotels in the area.
Liam had done his best to avoid the festivities, and I wasn’t without understanding of his reasons. He’d grown up with the girl next door as his best friend, and as they got older, despite the nature of our kind and his inability to feel any sort of physical reaction to her, he’d believed himself in love with her. He spent years assuming that when she came of age, she would be revealed as his mate.
When she finally turned eighteen, Liam told her everything. But when he reached out to touch her, she’d recoiled, afraid of what he was. Then she ran as fast and as
far as she could go to get away from him. Without being able to awake the connection through touch, Liam was still convinced that this woman was his fated mate, and when he received word that she’d died of cancer at age thirty, he believed he was doomed to spend eternity alone.
Personally, I’d never thought she was good enough for my cousin. In fact, I’d been almost certain she wasn’t a virgin, which would have ruled her out, but when I brought it up to Liam, he refused to believe it. I was of the opinion that his consort was still out there somewhere, waiting for him to find her.
Again, I wasn’t without sympathy for his situation. However, it had all happened half a millennium ago, and this year, he needed to buck up and get his ass to Kieran’s house for dinner. Liam’s family had been disappointed not to see him very often during their visit, and I wasn’t going to allow him to ruin their Christmas dinner because he wanted to brood in solitude, getting wasted on his own whiskey.
“And the kids miss their uncle Liam,” I added, pouring the guilt on nice and thick.
“It’s just family?” Liam queried suspiciously.
I smiled in triumph. He was cracking.
“Absolutely,” I replied. It was the truth, although I was omitting a few facts. There were a handful of unmated consorts at the party, but each one was related to someone there. Even if it was by marriage. It was unlikely that we would pull a needle out of the haystack and find Liam’s mate among them, but it couldn’t hurt to try. After all, my consort, as well as my brothers’, had literally come running to us. Perhaps fate was on the side of the Bancrofts.
“Bronwyn cried when she found out you weren’t coming.” Not a lie, but neither was it entirely truthful. My mate had cried, but she’d been cooking and accidentally wiped her eyes with something that burned. Also, she was pregnant again and cried at pretty much everything these days.
The Blackest Night Page 6
