by Paige Tyler
As they were getting ready to leave a little while later, her mother pulled her off to the side while Kaige was talking to her father.
“That boyfriend of yours is a real catch, dear,” her mother said in what she probably thought was a low voice. “Your father and I definitely wouldn’t mind having him for a son-in-law, I can tell you.”
“Mom, we just met.”
Her mother waved her hand. “Nonsense! I saw the way you two looked at each other. Kaige is already head over heels for you.”
Savanna shot Kaige a look, sure he must have heard. But if he had, he gave no indication of it. She turned back to her mother.
“Mom, please.”
But her mother continued as if Savanna hadn’t spoken. “Now, I’m not saying you have to rush into marriage or anything, but there’s no harm in talking about it. I saw the most beautiful gown on the cover of one of the bridal magazines when I was at the grocery store the other day. Why don’t you come over during the week and I’ll show it to you?”
Savanna sighed. She knew her mother meant well, but this was not the time to be having this conversation. “Good night, Mom.”
Giving her mother a hug, Savanna hurried over to where Kaige was standing with her father. She slipped her hand in his. “Ready to go?”
Even though he was, it was another ten minutes before they finally left. Much to Savanna’s chagrin, her mother reminded her about their earlier conversation as she and Kaige stepped out onto the porch.
“Think about what I said, dear,” her mom said in a conspiratorial whisper. “If you don’t grab him, someone else will.”
“Ignore my mother,” Savanna said to Kaige as they walked to the SUV.
Kaige chuckled, slipping his arm around her waist. “I don’t know about that. She said I’m a real catch, so I have to assume she knows what she’s talking about.”
She shot him a look. “You heard that?”
“It was impossible not to. I would have been able to hear what she’d said even if I wasn’t vampire. But don’t worry about it. I think she’s great. So is your father.”
Savanna gave him a smile. “I think they really like you a lot, too.”
Despite how embarrassed she was by her mother sometimes, Savanna was secretly pleased her parents liked Kaige. And while she told herself it was definitely way too early in their relationship to be thinking about marriage, she couldn’t ignore the fluttering in her pulse. He was definitely the kind of man she could imagine spending her life with.
When they got back to Kaige’s condo a little while later, he didn’t close the garage door right away.
“There’s a delivery at the front door,” he said. “I’ll go grab it.”
Rather than wait in the garage, Savanna walked outside with him. As he grabbed the box off the front step, she saw a flash of movement out of the corner of her eye. She turned to look across the street just in time to see a shadowy figure disappear around the corner. She kept watching, but the figure never reappeared. It was probably just a neighbor. But if that were the case, why did she suddenly feel so creeped out? She wrapped her arms around her middle, but it didn’t keep her from shivering.
“Savanna?”
She jumped at the sound of Kaige’s voice. Dragging her gaze away from the houses across the street, she turned to see him regarding her in concern.
“What is it?” he asked.
She shook her head, giving him an embarrassed smile. “Nothing.”
Kaige looked across the street, his eyes searching the shadows, but apparently he must not have been able to see any more than she had because he slipped his arm around her waist and suggested they go inside.
By the time they walked into the kitchen a few minutes later, Savanna had forgotten all about whatever she’d seen outside as she focused her attention on the white, plastic-covered Styrofoam box Kaige was holding.
“What’s in the box?” Savanna asked as he set it down on the counter.
“Blood,” he said as he took off the outer plastic.
Savanna moved closer, frowning at the sender’s name on the shipping label. “Midwest Prime Steak Distributors?”
His mouth quirked. “What’d you think it would say? Pacific Coast Vampire Blood Distribution Center? That might raise a few eyebrows, don’t you think?”
She made a face at him. “You’re teasing me again.”
He chuckled. “Only because it’s so much fun.”
She watched as he took out a cardboard box that had been packed in dry ice. It was labeled with the same name and a warning implying severe consequences if it were opened by anyone other than the addressee. Opening the box, he took out the bags of blood and put them in the refrigerator.
“I was going to have some,” Kaige said as he set the empty box on the floor. “Want to join me?”
Savanna chewed on her lower lip thoughtfully as she eyed the bag in his hand. “I’d rather just have some of yours.”
He laughed. “I certainly wouldn’t mind that, but we need to get you used to drinking bagged blood.”
Her brow furrowed. “Why can’t I just drink from you?”
“Okay, time for some more Vampire 101,” he said. “Any blood you get from me has already been slightly depleted. My body is consuming the red blood cells and everything else it needs to survive, which means you’re basically getting what’s left over. That’s okay sometimes, but as a steady diet, it’s not healthy for you. And to tell the truth, it’s probably not healthy for me, either.”
She gave him a pout. “But it’s so much fun drinking from you.”
He leaned forward to kiss her on the lips. “I didn’t say we couldn’t do it. I just said you need to drink bagged blood, too. I’ll let you bite me any time you want to.”
She moaned against his mouth. “You always say the sexiest things.”
Kaige kissed her again, then walked across the kitchen to grab two mugs from the cabinet. Opening the bag, he poured an equal amount of the thick, red liquid into each of them, then handed one to her.
“I drink mine warm, but some vampires prefer it straight from the bag or over ice,” he said. “Try it this way first and see what you think.”
Savanna eyed the mug in her hand. It smelled tasty enough, she supposed. And from the way her fangs slid out, they certainly approved. Hesitantly lifting the mug to her lips, she took a small sip. And promptly made a face.
“Okay, that’s just disgusting,” she said, holding the mug out to him.
Kaige chuckled. “So, you don’t like it cold then. Let me put it in the microwave.”
She watched as he put both mugs in the microwave and turned it on. “What if I don’t like the taste of it warm, either?”
He shrugged. “Then we’ll figure out something else. Like mix it with hot chocolate maybe. I’ve heard that some vampires even put barbecue sauce in it.”
Savanna considered that idea. She loved chocolate, so that might work, but the whole idea of putting barbecue sauce in it was just foul.
When she sipped the warm blood a minute later, she was surprised to discover that it actually tasted pretty good all on its own.
“Well?” Kaige asked as he took a swallow from his own mug.
“Much better,” she said. “Not as delicious as drinking yours, though. It’s sort of like drinking champagne from a plastic cup instead of a champagne flute. Presentation is important, you know.”
He laughed and took another swallow from his own mug.
“So,” he asked after she’d finished and set the empty mug down on the counter a few minutes later. “Do you think you’ll be able to get used to drinking bagged blood?”
Savanna nodded. “Yeah, I think so. But it will never be as much fun as drinking from you.” She reached out to toy with the buttons on his shirt before looking up at him from beneath her long bangs. “I know this is going to sound a little kinky, but I really get turned on when I bite you.” She paused, then added
, “Do you ever get the urge to bite me?”
Kaige’s mouth curved into a smile. “Only about a hundred times a day.”
Her pulse quickened a cartwheel at his confession. “Would it hurt if you did?”
He reached up to gently brush her hair back from her face. “No. Not when it’s done in a loving and gentle way, like you do when you bite me. Done that way, it would be the most exquisite thing you’ve ever felt.”
Her heart started to race. “Does it feel like that when I bite you?”
His eyes smoldered. “Mm-hmm. And I have no doubt you’d love it, too. About the only thing that would make it better would be if I was inside of you when I did it.”
Savanna’s pussy quivered at the imagery. God, she so wanted what he was offering. Without a word, she wrapped her hand around the back of Kaige’s neck and pulled him down for a kiss. He groaned and slid his hand in her hair, tipping her head back. His tongue invaded her mouth, claiming hers, and she sighed with pleasure. Damn, he could make her dizzy just with a simple kiss. If his mouth felt this good now, she could only imagine what it would be like when he bit her.
Suddenly eager to find out, she pulled away and reached around to find the zipper at the back of her dress. Sliding it down, she slipped the straps from her shoulders, letting the garment fall to the floor around her feet. Since the dress wasn’t particularly underwear friendly, she hadn’t bothered to wear a bra, and she heard Kaige’s sharp intake of breath as her bare breasts came into view.
He gazed down at her for a long moment. Then, as if she weighed nothing, he put his hands on her waist and lifted her up onto the center island. Sliding his hand into her hair again, he covered her mouth in another intoxicating kiss. Gently cupping her breasts in his hands, he kissed his way along the curve of her jaw and down her neck. As his fangs glided over her skin, Savanna caught her breath, wondering if he’d give her neck just a little nibble as foreplay, but Kaige continued on his way without so much as pricking her skin. He was such a tease.
When he took one of her nipples into his mouth and suckled on it, she decided she could wait a little longer to feel those fangs of his. What he was doing now felt so damn good that she didn’t want to rush him. She arched her back, thrusting her breasts higher, encouraging him to continue.
Kaige took his time making love to her breasts. He held one in his palm, teasing the nipple with his thumb and forefinger while he paid attention to the other with his tongue and fangs. The combination of his soft tongue and hard fangs was almost enough to drive her crazy just by itself.
When Kaige finally lifted his head from her breasts, it was to kiss her again. This time, though, he gently urged her back so she was lying down. She gazed up at him through lowered lashes, impatiently waiting for him to take off his clothes and join her.
But Kaige didn’t undress. Instead, he gently lifted her leg until it was straight up in the air. Then he slowly began to kiss his way along the curve of her calf and up the inside of her thigh to tease her pussy through her silky panties.
Savanna caught her lower lip between her teeth, waiting to see if he’d use his fangs to tear off her panties like he had the other night. But instead he hooked his fingers in the waistband and slowly wiggled them over her hips and down her legs. A moment later, his tongue was on her pussy.
As he licked her, Savanna threaded one hand in his dark hair and gripped the edge of the countertop with the other. God, he was so good at that. It was like he knew exactly what pleased her without her ever having to say it. Maybe vampires really could read minds.
Kaige teased the orgasm out of her slowly. Yet when it came, it was as powerful as anything she’d ever felt in her life and she didn’t even try to hold back her cries of pleasure. She felt hoarse by the time he finally pulled his tongue away.
Afterward, Savanna lie there, her breathing ragged as she watched Kaige take off his clothes. Graceful and sleek as an animal, he climbed up on the island and settled himself between her legs.
Bracing himself on his powerful arms, he slid his cock deep inside her pussy in one smooth thrust. She wrapped her legs tightly around him, her arms going around his neck. He kissed and nibbled her neck, his fangs grazing her skin as his cock seemed to plunder her very soul. If he didn’t bite her soon, she was going to go crazy.
She couldn’t wait another second. With a moan, she tightened her grip on his hair and pulled him in tight to her neck.
“Kaige, please,” she begged, the words a desperate whisper. “Bite me.”
Savanna had spoken so softly that she wasn’t even sure if he’d heard her, but then she felt a pricking sensation as his fangs sank into her neck.
It felt like a bolt of lightning shot through her. She pulled him in tighter with her arms and legs, crying out as the incredible sensation raced all over her. It was like her entire body was having one huge orgasm. She screamed out again, writhing beneath him, sure that she would shatter into a million pieces. It was absolutely perfect. It felt like she and Kaige were completely connected—like their very souls were one.
Even though his mouth was still on her neck, he let out a deep groan as he came. Savanna clung to him fiercely. As impossible as it seemed, it felt like she was experiencing his orgasm along with her own, and it made her climax even more intense.
Only after Kaige slowly withdrew his fangs did her orgasm begin to subside. It had been the longest and most beautiful orgasm she’d ever had. He ran his tongue over the marks his teeth had made, and then lifted his head to look down at her.
Savanna reached up to brush his hair back. “That was better than exquisite. That was absolute heaven.”
Kaige’s mouth curved into a smile. “It was for me, too.”
“So, when can we do it again?” she asked.
He chuckled. “Just as soon as you’re ready.”
Savanna kissed him on the mouth, her tongue grazing the tips of his fangs. “In that case, I’ll be ready by the time you take me upstairs. But this time, I want to be on top.”
Chapter Eight
Savanna wasn’t sure what woke her, but when she opened her eyes, she saw Kaige braced up on one elbow beside her in bed, his head cocked to the side as if listening for something. She opened her mouth to ask him what he’d heard, but he held his finger to his lips, warning her to keep silent.
She tensed, but did as he commanded. In the silence, her breathing sounded loud and ragged in the big bedroom. A moment later, a noise came from downstairs. She shot Kaige a look, her eyes wide.
“What was that?” she whispered.
“There’s someone in the house,” he said softly. “Stay here.”
Savanna was so stunned that someone had broken into the house that she couldn’t do anything but sit there as Kaige grabbed a pair of pajama bottoms and quickly put them on. She snapped out of her daze when she saw him head for the door, though. Abruptly realizing that he intended to go downstairs and check it out, she pushed back the blanket and started to follow.
Kaige saw her out of the corner of his eye, and motioned with his hand for her to stay put.
Right. Savanna waited until he walked out of the room, then jumped out of bed. Grabbing her short robe on the way to the door, she slipped it on and tied the sash, then stepped out into the hallway.
Kaige must have heard her because he stopped in mid-step to give her a cross look over his shoulder. Savanna returned the look with an apologetic one of her own. She was just motioning that she’d stay by the bedroom door when a blur of movement on the stairs behind him caught her eye. She opened her mouth to warn Kaige, but it was too late. The intruder was already slamming Kaige back against the wall.
Savanna screamed. At the sound, the man pinning Kaige against the wall turned to hiss at her, his elongated fangs flashing white in the darkness. Her eyes went wide. He was a vampire?
Kaige and his attacker were struggling with each other viciously when suddenly another vampire sailed over the balustrade to c
ome down on the landing with a thud. Savanna blinked in astonishment. Had he just leaped all the way up to the second floor from the entryway below? She hadn’t even known that was possible.
She watched in horror as the second vampire went after Kaige as well, fangs flashing. Despite the fact that he was outnumbered, Kaige shoved the two vamps across the landing and up against the balustrade. Savanna thought he’d be able to push them over, but at the last second, they latched onto him and all three of them went crashing through it to the tiled floor below.
Savanna let out another scream. She tried to move, but for some reason her feet seemed stuck. All she could think about was how far it was to the hard floor below. Kaige couldn’t be hurt; he just couldn’t be. Forcing herself forward, she darted over to the part of the balustrade that was still intact. She looked down hesitantly, fearing the worst. Below her, Kaige had already gotten back on his feet and was squaring off with his two attackers.
Indecision warred within her. Should she go down and help Kaige fight them off? Or should she call the cops? She shook her head. What the hell was she thinking? They were vampires. She couldn’t call the cops.
Swearing under her breath, Savanna raced down the steps. By the time she got to the bottom, Kaige and the two vampires were lashing out at each other so fast that she could barely see them move. Suddenly, all three hit the floor in a tumble. Kaige ended up trapped beneath them. His two attackers punched at him savagely and it was all Kaige could do to protect himself.
Savanna ran over and kicked at one of the vampires as hard as she could. She wasn’t sure what kind of damage she could do since her feet were bare, but there was no way she was going to let Kaige fight them alone. Most of her kicks went wide of their mark, but she was finally able to connect with one really solid blow. There was a satisfying sounding crunch and a howl of pain from the vampire. That had done some damage.
Unfortunately, it also pissed off the vampire. Letting out a hiss, he leaped to his feet and came after her.
