Bastian grinned. “I’m stealthy.”
She sat back down. Did he own anything besides leather pants? Not that she was complaining, but damn, the things should be against the law for what they did to his butt and legs. And his hard-on bulged against the material. He’d had one every time she’d seen him. Made sense, as she was impersonating his girlfriend. Only, why did he never act on it? Hush, you don’t want him to act on it. A lie. Even to herself. She was a horrid person. But it made her speculate about what he wore under the pants, too. Boxers? Bikinis? Commando? Surely he needed something to support himself. She would gladly offer her hands in support ... She shifted with a loud gulp. A horrid, horrid person.
“Apparently.” And he looked even cuter when his lips curled into a grin or a smile. Weak-in-the-knees cute.
“Bas?” Tad approached. His shirt had now been unbuttoned. If only Bastian’s had been, too. With her teeth. “I think Pope and I are gonna go get some z’s. You OK?”
“Yeah. You go to bed.”
Copper didn’t think they’d be doing any sleeping. But she kept that to herself. Pope’s unbuttoned jeans influenced her thinking.
“What are you still doing up?” He settled himself on the sofa beside the wingtip chair she perched on.
“Watching Tad flirt, mostly. And I couldn’t sleep. Did you just get home? Late night for you.”
He shrugged. “Not too bad. I’m used to it.”
“Ahhh.”
They sat in silence a moment. And Copper started having “What would Crimson do ...” thoughts. She wouldn’t sit here with her boyfriend mere inches away and do nothing. That was for sure. And truth was, if Bastian was her boyfriend, she’d be over there on the couch with him playing check the tonsils. Copper had never been shy when it came to making out or sex. If only this man wasn’t her sister’s boyfriend.
“Want to come over here?” His voice had lowered more than his usual baritone. She shivered. His voice pulsed along her nerve endings.
“OK.” What are you doing? Go to bed, Copper. Don’t play this game. But over to the couch she went. To the other side of it. Her feet touched his leg. She wanted to run her feet all over his body. Wanted to clutch her legs around him while he drove himself in to the hilt. God, she had it bad. When touching a man with your feet turned you on, you had a problem.
“Want to watch TV?”
“Sure.” Her voice squeaked. Oh yes, so attractive. What was it about Bastian that brought out her inner teenager? She’d never been this nerve-wracked around a man.
He grabbed a remote from the end table and flicked one of its buttons. The huge, flatscreen TV came on. She had noticed it before but seeing it on made it seem larger. She caught herself right before her exclamation of surprise.
Bastian hit a few buttons. Buffy the Vampire Slayer flashed across the screen. He stopped with a snort.
“Don’t like Buffy?”
Those cool eyes of his shifted to her. “Not a big fan. Are you?”
She nodded. “I like it. Not too much a Buffite though.” As much as it pained her to say, it had to be said. “I do love Buffy the Vampire Layer.” A porn movie. Her sister had loved it back when they had lived together. Crimson had shared it with every guy she’d dated. More than likely, that hadn’t changed.
His chuckle reverberated through her. She licked her lips. What would it feel like from underneath him? His face shifted down. His eyes focused on her mouth. The heat from his eyes set her aflame, like a match to the tinder.
His growl made her shudder. He moved fast, sitting up, grasping her and claiming her mouth with a ferocity that took over all her senses. All she could see: him. Smell. Taste. Feel. All him.
She moaned under his questing lips. They gentled, tasting, slipping over her mouth. Their tongues dueled. His overpowered hers and took control. He took over the whole embrace, not asking her but telling her how to react. And she gladly complied.
His mouth ate at hers like she was a piece of candy and he wanted to find the center. One hand played in her hair, tangling and letting it fall through his fingers. The other made motions up and down her back.
A gasp fell into his mouth. She shifted closer. Wished her clothes away. No barriers between them. The ache in her pussy pulsed. She needed him in the worst way to fill her. To take her. She rubbed her breasts against him. Her hands clasped at his shoulders.
He pulled away. They panted in time with each other. His hand continued to massage her back, lightly.
“Please.” One word moaned by her. Not even sure what she asked for. Only a kiss. And nothing had ever affected her like this.
Her breath caught. What was she doing?
His eyes widened, and behind the flame, she saw a dose ... of fear? What was he afraid of? Her?
“Go to bed, Crimson.”
“But ...”
“Now.” His voice bit out the word.
She leaped off the couch and dashed for Crimson’s room.
* * * * *
Bastian pictured the grossest things he could, trying to relieve some of the pressure in his cock. No dice. It hurt, he was so hard. A mere kiss had him ready to shoot into his pants.
He’d never wanted a woman more than he wanted Copper. She’d taken the whole damn frustrating night and somehow made it better. By being there. Not only the clinch. He’d enjoyed settling on the couch, starting to watch TV. Wanted to pull her into his arms and rest her head on his chest. He’d wanted to cuddle with her awhile and forget the world.
Buffy the Vampire Layer. Her little joke had ignited his libido. So many thoughts on how that could play out with him and Copper. Only he’d do the staking and use his big stick quite masterfully. And often.
He groaned. Stop thinking like this. But he couldn’t.
He slowly pushed to his feet and headed for his room. Her scent permeated his house. It clung to him from their all too brief embrace. Shower. Now. If you want any sleep. He wouldn’t be able to take lying there, smelling her and knowing she lay a few doors down.
Bastian stepped into the bathroom off his room, stopping in front of the counter-to-ceiling mirror hanging over the two sinks. He dropped his clothes onto one of the red bathmats lying on the black and white tiled floor. Stepped over to the two-person shower across from a huge jetted tub in the other corner.
Women liked huge tubs for baths. He could take Copper there. It had enough room.
Shaking his head, he turned on the water. She would fit in the seat in the one-piece shower surround. Tall for a woman, she’d be about right for his height. He could set her there, wrap her legs around him, and drive home.
His cock jerked. He picked up the soap, sudsing up his hands. Lowering them to his member, he arched his hips at the touch. His balls tightened, drawing up into his body.
He imagined small, soft hands clutching him, taking him over to her warm, wet, wanting mouth. It would close around him, suckling him in. He lay his head back, imagining watching her take as much of him as she could get. Treating him like a sucker. Heaven.
It only took a half dozen pulls and thrusts of his hip before he ejaculated onto the floor of the shower, his come washed away by the pulsing water jets. He leaned his head against the cooler plastic door.
It would glisten on her lips, making them shine. She’d swallow. His cock jerked back to life, hardening.
He groaned, banging his head lightly. It had helped to ease some, but hadn’t fully taken away his lust.
It was going to be a long night.
* * * * *
Copper sat down at the kitchen table. Her frustration grew. She didn’t feel she was any closer to finding Crimson than she had been before she’d come to St. Louis. Her only lead, a man who kissed like sinfully delicious Bissinger’s chocolate.
“You look tired.” Tad turned his chair around and sat down across from her.
She yawned. “I guess I am.” She narrowed her eyes at him. He’d been almost nice today. No cutting comments. He couldn’t know, could he? N
ah, no way he could. “How long have you been with Bastian? I know I’ve never asked you before.”
“A year and a half.”
“Less than Lucy.”
“Everyone has been here less time than Lucy.”
Interesting. Had Tad been rescued like the rest? Lucy glided into the kitchen before she could ask. “Hello, Tad. Crim.”
Tad waltzed over and kissed her. “How are you doing, baby?”
“I’m good.” Her sweet smile morphed into a glower at Copper. “Until now.”
Tad chuckled. “Play nice.”
Tad talked to her at dinner. Copper tried not to frown at his change. Lucy made faces and grimaced, especially at Tad. Perhaps talking to Crimson was considered off limits by Lucy. So Copper engaged Tad in conversation every chance she got. Lucy’s face pinched up more and more with every word she said to Tad. And when he laughed at something she said, Lucy looked like she might slap him, the way her hand came up.
Copper took her last bite of pork chop. “Great cooking, Lucy.”
“She does know her way around the kitchen.” Tad patted his belly.
Lucy smiled at him.
“Yep, you are a good cook,” said Copper.
Lucy’s face turned stony, like Mount Rushmore. “Cooking isn’t all I do. I’m good at many things.”
Copper bit her tongue, keeping down many retorts. “I’m sure you are.” She repeated Crimson’s name in her mind. The only reason she kept quiet.
“What’s that supposed to mean?” Lucy’s snap rang through the air.
“That you’re good at many things?” Copper kept her face neutral and serene.
“Look here ...”
Tad put a hand on Lucy’s arm. “She was complimenting you.”
“It was an underhanded dig at me. Not a compliment.”
“Was not.” Copper leaned back in her seat.
“Was too.” Lucy folded her arms in front of her body.
“I was not making an underhanded dig at you.” Copper folded her hands primly on the table. Maybe she’d get a halo out of this. Or at least a medal.
“You were too. And what’s with taking her side? You’re supposed to be on my side. Remember? We hate her?”
Copper rolled her eyes. “What are you, twelve? This isn’t some junior high school clique.”
“Lucy, I ... she’s ...” Tad tossed down his napkin. “Oh hell.”
“We’ll see how well you like it when ...” Lucy broke off, sounding smug.
“When what?” Copper slid down in the seat. It creaked under her butt.
“When Bastian’s mine. You might snow him and even Tad for a little while. But eventually, they’ll see you for the bitch you are.”
“When the devil gets frostbite in his tail. That’s when you’ll take Bastian away from me.” Copper’s ire rose. She clenched the table. Wanted to claim offense for her sister’s sake. But the truth remained. He and Lucy. It soured her gut, rolling her stomach. Jealousy. Over a man she had no rights to be jealous over.
“We’ll see. I’ll be laughing at you in the end.”
“You know? When I make a dig at you, you’ll know. I don’t do underhanded.”
“You were talking about me being a whore. I know that. I could tell.”
“Was not.” Copper didn’t want to regress into a childish game of back and forth. She hadn’t been calling Lucy a whore. Sad Lucy was so quick to see that about herself.
“Was too.” Lucy folded her arms over her chest, fists clenched tightly. “I’d know how to satisfy him better than you. I am good at everything I do.”
“I suppose you are.”
The slap rocked her head back. Copper hadn’t expected Lucy to strike her. Hadn’t seen her get to her feet to do it. Her teeth contacted the inside lip, puncturing a small hole. She tasted the metallic tang of blood.
“Oh no, you didn’t ... you ...mealy-mouthed bitch.” Copper stood up. Word games were one thing. Slapping was something else.
Before she could lash out, Tad grabbed Lucy and put her behind him. “Stop.”
Arms grabbed her from behind. “You take Lucy to her room. Keep her there until further notice.”
Bastian picked Copper up with ease, carrying her into the living room. She weighed more than a feather but that’s what he acted like he carried. He sat her down on the couch and kneeled before her. Her skin tingled where he’d touched. “Are you all right?” His voice was laced with concern. He turned her head to face him so he could see the small wound where she’d bitten her lip. “I should get some ice.”
“I’m fine.”
“Lucy hit you.” He cupped her chin tenderly in his strong hand. She liked the dark hairs that wound their way up his wrist.
“It’s nothing.” She shrugged, her anger changing into something less tangible as she looked into his blue eyes. Damn, but she could get lost there.
“You’re bleeding.” His eyes darkened. “A little.” His voice sounded strangled. He looked down at her lips, his eyes no longer meeting hers, seemingly drawn to her lips. Oh, yes, kiss me.
“I’m OK, Bastian.” His hands drifted down to her arms. But they clutched. Tightly. Almost too tightly. His breath came in pants. She struggled against his arms. Too strong. A shiver ran through her.
He leaned down. His tongue swiped across her lips, dipping down to obviously touch the wound, hurting it as the tip of his tongue drove in. Then made a pass before he pressed his lips to hers, capturing her mouth, deepening the kiss, exploring her.
He had licked her wound.
She pulled back from the kiss, pushing against him. Even as it heated her, she had to get away. “Did you lick the blood?” She broke free, putting her hand to her mouth
He swallowed. Staggered back. His eyes flew to hers. “What are you?”
“Now, wait a damn minute. I’m asking the questions here. Did you lick the blood?” His tongue had concentrated on her wound. Had to be for the blood. All the pieces of conversation about blood, and Tad suggesting she cut her wrists, zipped into her mind. Bastian had never eaten anything in front of her.
He shook his head, swaying on his feet. “What the hell did you do to me?’
Had he been drinking? “Me? I didn’t do anything to you! You ... you ... you’re nuts. You are one of those vampire wannabes, aren’t you? Well, guess what, I am not Buffy the Vampire Layer. Get that through your sick, demented mind right now.”
Bastian stretched his arms out. “I’ve never felt like this. Except when I became. Everything is amplified ... My gods.” His eyes flew up to meet hers. She saw the surprise. “You’re a Conduit.”
“A what?”
“I thought they were a myth. Your blood.” He touched his mouth.
“What the hell are you talking about?” She folded her arms around herself. Of all the beautiful people to go nuts, why him? Copper backed up a step. Blood? “Oh, no, I am not being some sacrifice. Forget that.”
Bastian breathed slow and easy as though he attempted to calm himself down. “Don’t freak out on me, Copper.”
“I am not freaking out.” What he said sank into her panic-stricken mind. She sucked in a breath, panting to get air. He knew. “Who?” Her heart pounded. Feet itched to take off, to run, to get away.
“I know who you are. I know you’re Copper, not Crimson. You’re her twin.”
“How long ... have you known?” She pressed a hand to her mouth. It came away clean. No more blood, though her mouth had swelled where her teeth had clicked.
“Since you arrived.” He rubbed his face with his hand. “I thought it was best to keep you where I could keep an eye on you. You have no idea what’s going on.”
“Where’s my sister? You sick bastard. Have you done something to her?” Copper advanced on him. He stood his ground -- didn’t back up a space -- and met her eyes head-on while speaking. “You tell me where she is right now. I know you were there that night. I recognized your voice!” Copper gritted her teeth. She didn’t know what to think, if
he’d had anything to do with her sister’s disappearance. But he’d acted nutty a few minutes ago. Was he a vampire wannabe? If he tried to bite her, she’d stick a clove of garlic down his throat. But first she wanted the information on Crimson. Information only he had.
“I don’t know where your sister is. I’ve done nothing to her, Copper. I swear to you.” He didn’t move closer but didn’t give her any more space, either. His eyes searched hers.
She didn’t know what to believe. But he needed to talk. Now. “You tell me everything you know. Everything. Don’t leave anything out.”
* * * * *
Bastian steadied his breathing. He’d never experienced anything like this. Correction, he had when he’d first been made a vampire. His heart pounded and noises came loud to his ears. Everything looked bright, clear. He could smell her arousal, faint but there. His already heightened senses kicked into overdrive. He could feel them humming. Only a drop of her blood had done this. A drop. What would a full feeding do?
He rocked back on his heels. Drunk. Hyped up on one drop of a human’s blood.
Not a human.
A Conduit.
Myths. Legends told by his kind the same as humans told stories of cities paved with gold. In his thousand years, he’d yet to encounter one. Now he had. The tales were true.
Power.
The liquid running through her veins. Golden. And could get her killed.
A Conduit’s blood would make any vampire more than thrice powerful. Until they bonded with their mate. Then the properties would exist solely for their mate. Even after they were made a vamp.
Vampires could feed from each other as long as one fed from human blood. Mated pairs developed all the time. And only mated pairs fed from one another. But no ritual existed to truly bind them. Except in the case of a Conduit. Copper would be anyone’s meat if anyone found out before she mated. And some would drain her completely, taking the temporary power rather than let her be mated to one of their kind. Her mate would enjoy permanent power lifts. Until one of them died. And when one died? The other went with them.
Of course, it might all be myth and legend. Except the myth of the Conduit stood before him right now. So the rest might be true.
Blood Lines: Conduit Page 7
