by Susan Stec
JoAnn frowned at my mother and turned to me, eyebrows holding each other in conspired conversation.
I ignored her.
It didn't stop her; she walked over, grabbed me by the elbow, and whispered in my ear with frustration, "I think you should get over there and do something before Mom makes a fool of herself and gets us all in trouble. He looks an awful lot like that Steven Segal guy she swoons over."
Jeni motioned for me to join them by the chairs, her eyebrows tucked together, her lips puckered like a tight little butt.
I watched through hooded eyes as my mother's hand slowly ran over his zipper, making its way to his hip. She looked like she was ready to jump into a straddle position.
I glared at Marcus' amused face. Jesus! Great, just great! I blurted silently as I watched my mother wrap her leg over his. In about two seconds she was going to be humping him. You're really blowing this all to hell. Christ, you don't dangle a penis in front of my mother, idiot!
"Mom, are you going to untwine Nanna from that vampire's body or should I?" Resi hissed in my ear. I jumped with a small yelp and glared at her.
My mother started giggling and Marcus let out a loud chuckle.
"He does seem to be attracted to her, though." Resi just wouldn't let up.
I eyed Marcus, wondering why none of the girls seemed to hear the mental conversation we were having. I was about to ask Resi when Marcus pushed me.
You seem to have little faith in me, Susan. I would be truly grateful if you would trust me, my beloved.
"TEN MINUTES BOWLERS. SECOND TEAMS ON THE ALLEY. ALL FOOD AND DRINK BEHIND THE LANES."
Marcus, you don't know my mother.
He gave me a major grin. I tried to ignore it but it really pissed me off when Mom laid a big wet kiss on his chin and he beamed at her.
I wanted to strangle them both.
"Aww, the little vamp is smiling at us," Resi told Jeni. "She's just trying to get on his good side."
It's not his good side she's trying to get it on with. I fumed, trying to figure out my next move.
"So, do you want a little foreplay first or do you want to set up a rendezvous for the real thing?" Mom asked, her eyes taking all of him in.
There you go Mister Trust-Me-I-Know-What-I'm-Doing.
Mister Wonderful shot me a wink and answered my mother. "No, my dear. I am not available to sample your um… very ample charms. You are a lovely woman Concetta, but I am afraid my heart and soul belongs to another. If it were not so, I would take you away to a quiet room and revel in your passion for lust. I bet you would make a very talented bed partner. But I am unable to partake in good faith, for I could not provide you the undivided attention you so much deserve." Marcus flashed her a grin.
Not bad, Fang-Boy. Let's see if she buys it.
Jeni nudged my arm, sliding by me to stand in front of my mother. "Nanna, sweetie, I need to talk to you. We need to go tell the man at the desk that we are forfeiting the game," she interrupted, before we could find out if Marcus could indeed control the feisty little woman.
My mother glared at her with a frown. "Screw 'em. Everyone get your shit and let's move it," she said, looking at Marcus with fluttering eyelashes while Jeni yanked her away.
Ah, now that is a delightfully passionate and independent woman. It is safe to say, my beloved, that you are the spitting image of her.
If there was anything he could have said to piss me off more, I couldn't think of it. I am not like my mother!
His laugh rolled in my head like a tidal wave hitting a moonlit shore.
I growled, ready to pounce. "So what do we do now?" I asked.
"First, we need to get the boat," Jeni said. "I have to give Carl back his keys and I want to go home to pack a few things because I will be joining you."
Dorius strutted into the alley with a big smile for Marcus. "Everything is under control. Time to go."
~~~~
Chapter Twenty-eight
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We stood in the parking lot surrounded by twelve immortals, a wolf and a fairy. Behind us were three Suburban's - four if you counted the one we arrived in.
"So Dorius, how many immortals does it take to change a light bulb?" Resi asked, her eyes jumping from one immortal to the next, a smile on her face.
"I suggest you keep your humor to yourself before I enlighten you as to how many immortals it takes to drain one of you." Dorius held up one finger in her face.
Zaire stepped in front of Resi, eyes stormy, lips curled back. "You evidently feel it takes more than you. You ever get your fangs dirty, prissy-boy?"
"Which one of you boccalones' is going to take us to get our boat?" Mom interrupted.
Dorius didn't take his eyes off Zaire. "None of you are going anywhere near that boat and those weapons. Camillio, drive Paul to the cabin and pick up the boat. Leave the cabin key on a counter. Jeni can call her friend and tell him it's there. We'll meet you at the house when you've finished. Warren, you and David can stop by the Micro Motel and bring us a change of clothes."
"Yeah, and then you can burn the ones he has on," Zaire hissed. "Because it'll be a cold day in hell before I put them back on my ass."
Dorius sounded like a caged animal.
Mom pointed her finger at his face. "I'm really getting sick and tired of you walking around like some fare il grandee. I'd like to see if you act so big without your fanged warriors to back you."
"Mother! That's enough," JoAnn huffed. "I just want to go on record as saying I am not stooping to a fist fight. I happen to be a lady."
I started giggling and got a frown from Marcus. Susan, my love, get the women in the SUV's before we get into a tussle out here in the parking lot. One you will not win.
I snapped right back with tight lips and hooded eyes. Gimmie a break, they're just letting off a little steam. Your brother may be an idiot, but my family is not.
"I'm sure you feel we're all beneath you, Dorius," Resi hissed. "But I assure you; I will never be beneath you."
Marcus rumbled a warning in my head. I smiled at him, thinking I'd just let this play out.
Mom was working that hip, baby, and I was lovin' it. The cute little ruffles on her short skirt bounced around her thighs. All she needed was some gum.
"Maybe the less you say the better," Mom suggested, rolling her eyes at Dorius.
"When we get this all settled, shit-for-brains, I want at least five minutes alone with you. Just five. I'll wipe the friggin' floor with your ass." Zaire hissed.
"Oh, I'd just love for you to try." With cold eyes, Dorius pointed to a clear spot behind the Suburban. "You want to step over there for about one minute? That's all it will take."
Zaire let out a war-whoop, leapt at him, wrapped her hands around his throat and they flew ten feet into the Suburban behind them.
Everyone sucked in a whopping breath.
Dorius' fangs slid from his mouth and he bit Zaire on the shoulder. She sank her fangs into his neck, he yanked her by the hair, she yelped and dug her fingernails into the skin on his jaw.
Resi buzzed by me, jumped on Dorius' back and grabbed him by the hair right before the three of them went through the passenger window. Glass shards rained down them and three sets of legs hung half out the window. Growling noises permeated the air.
All eleven immortals dropped their fangs and closed in on the rest of us.
Marcus stepped in front of me. "That's enough! Everyone stand down this minute!"
I looked back at the bowling alley. Not a soul in site.
Dorius let out a growl that would put a full grown lion to shame and Zaire and Resi shot from the window, landing in a heap on the pavement in front of us. The other immortals, fangs extended, circled them.
Marcus started shoving me toward a vehicle. With a sneer on my lips I shook my head. He let go of my arm.
Zaire pulled Resi on top of her. Both had huge grins on their bloody faces.
"That went well," Mom said, shaking her head at Dorius, who was sti
ll stuffed half in and half out of the SUV. "Everybody still undead?"
Dorius removed himself from the window. "Scrape them off the ground, load them up, and let's get the hell out of here before someone walks out of the bowling alley." He brushed glass from his shoulder. "Once again, you've endangered our existence, ladies."
"Dorius, I believe you assisted in that little endeavor," Marcus snapped. I wanted to kiss him.
Zaire jumped up, pulled Resi with her and they both glared at Dorius. "We can walk ourselves to the car," Zaire hissed. "Don't push your luck, shithead."
Dorius wiped blood off his mouth and shot Zaire a raised eyebrow. "It's a little after two. By the time we get the boat and store the guns, it will be too late to start for Miami. We'll leave at sundown tomorrow. Marcus and I will stay at the house and guard the women. The rest of you will stay at the hotel."
"Can't we just leave tonight? Surely you can see the value of getting on with this," Jeni surveyed the broken window.
Dorius turned to her with a smirk. "Surely you see the value of not taking them out during the day when traffic is at its peak." He dramatically waved his hand toward the rest of my family. "No, we will not be driving anywhere during the day."
"Can you all just shut up so we can go home? I have to pee and I'm not going back in that alley." JoAnn pushed Mom toward one of the SUV's.
"Let's get this over with. I'll drive in whatever car he's not in," I said, pointing at Marcus.
And hour later, Marcus stood in my living room with a grin so adorable I wanted to kiss it. I also wanted to wake up from this nightmare and go back to sleep to dream another dream. It had been a long night and all I wanted was for it to end. The boat was moored, the guns in the safe, and everyone had just finished a bag of blood.
Mom and JoAnn headed upstairs. Jeni hung back, staring at Paul.
"The sun will be up soon," one of Dorius' men said. "I think we'll head back to the hotel, Marcus. I'll order more blood as soon as we get there. It should be here sometime today before we leave." He headed for the front door, taking the other six immortals with him.
"I'll be back in a few hours, Jeni," Paul said. "I just need to get a few things from home. Will you ride with me to the compound later?" He paused at the door.
"That sounds lovely. I'm sure it will be a much more pleasant drive without having to witness everyone trying to tear each other's eyes out." Jeni gave him a smile, walking toward the stairs. Paul smiled back and walked out the front door.
Gibbie flew off the table to the sliding glass doors leading to the lake. "I'll see all of you this evening. I'm going to catch a few before we leave."
I turned away from Marcus' smiling face and stopped Resi in mid-step. "Resi, I need a word, please?"
"Okay," Resi said with curious eyes. "How about you walk Zaire and me downstairs?"
When she closed the bedroom door, I stared at them, chewing on my cheek. I sucked in a long breath and blurted, "Marcus says I'm his mate. He's been talking to me in my head and none of you seemed to notice. He also blocked JoAnn from pushing her thoughts at me. He knows everything I'm thinking and it's annoying as hell. How do I get him to leave me alone?"
"Why the hell would you want to do that? Do you know how hard it is to find a mate? God Mom, he's the oldest friggin' vampire in the world. Christ, this is great!"
"Well, at least it isn't Dorius," Zaire said, tossing her soiled shirt on a pile of clothes in the corner of the room.
"I don't want this. I feel… violated. I hate him knowing what I'm going to say even before I say it. How do I get out of it?"
"You can't, and I bet you feel drawn to him," Resi studied her face in a mirror attached to the bedroom door. "And once you mate, you're done for."
"You mean sex?"
"Not just sex. Didn't you read the same books I did? You need to drink from each other."
"No problem, because that isn't going to happen," I grabbed the doorknob.
"Wanna bet?" Resi grinned. "Did I tell you Zaire and I are mates? It's so damn cool. I know what she's doing at all times. I know what she thinks, feels, everything."
Zaire smiled at Resi. "Yeah, and that can be a real pain in the ass, but at least JoAnn doesn't rant in our heads."
"Well it isn't going to happen with me. I sure as hell am not sucking on anything of his, never mind having sex while I do it!" I didn't believe myself for one moment, but it sounded real good. Just the thought of Marcus up close and personal sent tingly sensations up and down my spine.
"Like I said, wanna bet?" Resi snickered.
I walked out the door and Marcus was standing in the kitchen waiting for me. I didn't give him time to say anything. He looked too damn cute. "I'm tired, Marcus. I'm going to bed. Alone. You can bunk on the couch."
"As you wish, my love." He flashed way too many teeth as he stepped back with a gracious wave of his hand, gesturing at the stairs up to my room.
I walked into my bedroom more drained than I had ever been as a mortal, with thoughts of the evening's events running around in my head. All I wanted to do was slide under my covers and sleep for a couple of days. No, what I really wanted to do was go downstairs, drag that immortal with his kissable grin and penetrating eyes up here to my bed, and find every part of his body with my lips. I headed for the shower instead.
I turned on the hot water and got undressed, staring at my reflection in the mirror as it began to fog. "You will not sleep with that immortal. Do you hear me?" I didn't look at all convinced.
I stepped under the tepid water, wishing Marcus was there to join me and hated myself for thinking it. Damn, but I felt lonely without him chiding me. I closed my eyes, saw his handsome face and immediately opened them again. Goddamn it.
I swore I heard him chuckle. I shook my head and grabbed for my shampoo, lathering my hair. The smell of lavender filled the shower stall, soothing me. I inhaled deeply trying to get the intoxicating need of having his body wrapped around me out of my mind. I rinsed my hair and grabbed the big brush from the rack on the wall. I poured a generous amount of rose scented soap on it and tried to scrub Marcus off my body and out of my mind.
A half an hour later I was toweled dry, under my covers, dressed in my little red silk pajamas, ignoring the fact that I hadn't wore them in years.
It was still dark out. I couldn't see the sun rising from this side of the house leaving it darker a bit longer. I tried to relax, taking deep breaths. A soft breeze blew in through the screen of my sliding door, mingling with the flow of air from my ceiling fan, playing with my curtains. I smelled lavender, lake water, roses, and Marcus. Damn it.
I punched my pillow into submission, squeezing my eyes closed. I listened to the water on the beach hit the cypress trees and finally drifted off to sleep.
I was dreaming of my fantasy immortal, watching as he jumped over the balcony rail outside my sliding door. He stood for a moment, silhouetted in the early morning darkness. I heard him laugh softly as he stepped under the curtains. They slid from his beautiful body and glided across the floor at his feet as he approached the bed. I let out a long sigh knowing what was coming next. He would slowly pull the covers from my body and watch me sleep.
The covers caressed my arms as they slid from my body and the cool air from the ceiling fan played over my exposed flesh.
Then he would touch my hair, trailing a hot flame of heat down my neck and shoulder as his hand moved to my back.
I felt a trail of hot flames follow his fingertips as they pulled my hair back from my face and neck, lightly grazing over my cheek. His fingers lingered in their descent, softly playing over the skin at the nape of my neck. I felt another trail of warmth as his other hand slid under my silk top following it up my spine.
Shivering with desire, I knew that he would soon kiss my neck and graze his incisors across my flesh.
I felt his hand slide further down my back and over my bottom caressing my thighs, making my breath come in short, panting gasps. I heard a soft chuckle as he nib
bled at my neck. Then he bit me as his hand slid between my legs, teasing me.
Wait a minute… Something pulsed in and out of my mind and vanished as quickly as it arrived.
I felt a soft sucking on the side of my neck. I was on fire, every fiber in my body responding to his touch as I wiggled myself over his fingers.
I heard him growl, taking his teeth from my throat for a minute, making me wish he hadn't. "I want you, Susabellaluna," my immortal dream lover whispered in my ear. He slid his teeth back in my neck and began to suckle again.
I blinked. What the hell? Did he just call me Susabellaluna? My dream immortal never called me that.
I turned over yanking his hand and teeth from inside me as I sat up in bed, now wide awake, to find Marcus over me with blood dripping from his mouth.
"Did you bite me? Did you fucking bite me? And you called me that infernal nickname, didn't you? Where in the hell did you hear that name? Did my mother tell you to call me that?"
"Susan, my beloved, I only answered your call. You invited me to your bed, my darling, and I did as you directed me to do."
"Oh, no you didn't. I did not call you, Fang-Boy. I was sleeping, for Christ sake, and you know it. Where the hell did you get that name? Is this how it's going to be?"
"I'm sorry, my love. I found the name tucked away deep in your mind. It's endearing. And you wanted me just as much as I wanted you." He frowned at me, reaching out to touch my hair.
"Oh, now that's rich. I suppose since you bit me, I have no choice in this matter! You marked me, damn it. Why didn't you wait? I wanted to talk. Just talk. I wanted to know what the hell this was about and make a rational decision. I didn't want you making it for me by seducing me with the most erotic moment I have ever had in my life. You played my dream immortal, damn you. But this was no dream. This was you seducing me—using me. I did not want to belong to you. But you just made that decision for me, you controlling son-of-a-bitch!" I glared into his eyes, wishing he'd kiss me and, at the same time, I wanted to slap the insufferable bastard.
