“How much?”
“How much of an increase? Threefold.”
“Drinking my blood gives a vampire three times their normal power?” Copper put a hand to her head, light-headed. Impossible. She couldn’t be this thing, this Conduit. Her blood was blood, that was all.
“Yes. Or more.”
How did he know this? He’d tasted her blood once. His reaction had been obvious. He’d almost swooned. “The drop of blood. It wasn’t too much iron. It was because I’m a Conduit. That’s why you reacted like you did.” Oh, god, it was true.
Bastian leaned back on the couch, his hand stroking her arm. “Yes. One drop had me feeling like I’d been newly made a vampire. It was incredible. Haven’t experienced anything like it since I adapted to my powers. And it was only one sip. A feeding has to give a power rush ... well ... I can’t imagine it.”
But you’d like to. Her eyes flickered shut, then opened. “Why? Why my blood?” She pulled her arm out from his wandering fingers.
“No one knows what makes a Conduit’s blood so potent. Sort of like no one knows where the first vampire got their power.”
Too much. Her head swam at the attempt to digest it all. Tears pierced her eyelids, leaking out in small, tunnel tracks. Oh no, Copper didn’t cry when things like this happened. She got mad. “Dammit to hell.” She scrubbed at her eyes. Slammed her hand on the cushion. It should have been something hard so it hurt.
His hands slid over her shoulders, steadying her. “It’s a lot to take in. I know.”
“No! You don’t know. In three days’ time, I’ve found out vampires do exist. My sister had one for a boyfriend. Was taken by a loony one. Now Crimson is a vampire too. And my blood is pretty much a Fort Knox for vampires. They drink it, they become like Arnold Schwarzenegger.”
His hands gentled, sliding over the skin of her arms. Warming her. “It’s not too much for you. You can handle it.” Her skin burned and sang at his touch.
“Bastian, no, I ... can’t deal with all this.” She shook her head back and forth to emphasize what she was saying.
“You will,” he whispered. Then, leaned in to kiss her forehead. “You will. You dealt with your mom. With her sickness and death. And you will come to terms with what you now know.”
She didn’t move away when his lips slid down to capture hers. He slipped in like silk on silk.
So much to deal with and accept. So much hurting, pain. She’d seen a woman die tonight. And watched her sister die and come back. And being with Bastian would take it all away. She tossed aside all her fears. Opened up her mouth for his kiss. Took in his comfort. Needed it to stay sane.
Her head swam. His mouth delved deeper, his tongue exploring every nuance of her lips before slipping in to savor her mouth.
She moaned. Never had she felt so much heat or wanted it inside of her so much. It would warm her from the inside out. Get rid of the cold that had grown and taken her over during the whole sordid night.
She wrapped her arms around him, giving over to the kiss. Stroked along his muscular shoulders, arms, and back.
He broke contact with her mouth. “It’s been a long day. I should let you get some sleep.”
“You should. But you won’t.”
Bastian gulped, his Adam’s apple bobbing up and down. “I won’t?”
She shook her head, her hands going to the hem of her shirt. “You won’t.” She yanked it over her head.
His breath rushed out in one big whoosh.
Copper reached behind herself and undid the straps to her bra, letting it slide off her shoulders.
“Copper ... I ...” He swallowed, eyes not moving from her bared breasts. “Damn, what was I going to say?”
“You weren’t going to say anything. You were going to touch me. Touch these.” She puffed her chest out.
“We shouldn’t do this.”
“I need this.” Her voice dropped to gravelly levels. “I need to be with you. Tonight. Please.”
His hands reached out and cupped her breasts. “So bello. So lovely.” A thumb stroked against her nipple. Like striking a match, it ignited her body into a big ball of flame.
His lips retook hers, straining against them, taking them, tongues thrusting in mimicry of what they were about to do.
Bastian squeezed her breasts, rolling them in his hands. Stretched one out and up. His mouth dipped down, trailing kisses along her neck and upper chest. So many places she wanted his tongue. He took his time, nipping and licking before he reached her breast. It drove her crazy with need.
He puckered his lips upon her nipple, sucking only that into his mouth. He tongued it, feeling each dip and diversion. Nipped it lightly between strong teeth.
Copper gasped with a jerk.
“Hurt?” That satin tongue rasped across her nipple, peaking it more.
“No. Oh, please. Don’t stop. Touch me.”
He positioned himself over her other breast, taking his tongue around and around the nipple, drawing it deeper into his mouth each time.
She clutched at his back and shoulders.
“We should move this to my room.” He sat slightly up, taking her with him, standing up with her cradled in his arms.
Why couldn’t vampires have teleportation?
She took the opportunity of him holding her to lave his neck with her tongue, nipping at the roundness of his chin, exploring his skin. He tasted like cherries and cream. Smelled of sandalwood. Drove her even wilder.
They reached the top of the steps. He slid her down his body, each of their parts touching the other’s.
They both moaned.
“Oh, gods, I shouldn’t have done that.” He rocked against her.
She claimed his mouth again, rubbing her middle against his erection. She dangled one hand down and breached the waistband of his pants.
His hips jerked against her. Tight fit, but she found his cock. No underwear. That had her pussy tightening and slicking. All night, he’d been commando. Probably the whole time they’d been together.
His cock rested hard in her hand. She squeezed it. His whole body lifted up with an “Ahhhhh” coming from his lips.
She located the tip and ran an index finger over it. Moist. Pre-come had leaked. She stroked it around, dipping into the opening.
“Baby, oh, gods.” He backed up a step and dropped his jeans.
She’d been right. Huge-fucking-mungous.
The head of his cock shone, another drop of pre-come escaping to glisten.
She dabbled with the end, ringing it with her fingers like a cock ring sliding up and down along his length. Circled the tip with one finger. He lifted up again to give her more access, trying to shove himself into her hands.
She cupped his balls, stroking the in-between skin with her thumb. “I thought we were going to your room.”
He jumped from a squeeze. His breathing was labored, voice sounded strained. It filled her with satisfaction to see her effect on his body. Because god knows, he affected her like no other. “I. Was. I put you down to ask were you sure again.”
“Guess what? I am sure.”
“Oh, good.” She rolled her palm around his balls. His eyes glazed over. “Room. Now.” Each word came out more guttural.
He disengaged her hands, pulling her closer to him. Her breasts skimmed his chest. He pulled off his shirt, tossing it. Her bare breasts caressed him, teasing with their motion. The crisp feel of his hair, abrasive to her nipples, made Copper gush more moisture.
“Room.” Now her voice came out gravelly.
“I’m going.” He pulled her against him, mouth claiming hers. Both of them were breathless and panting.
“No, you’re not,” she murmured against his lips, but not letting him go to answer. She nipped his upper lip.
His hands slid down her shoulders, along her spine to cup her ass.
Poofing off clothes would be a great ability for vampires to have, too. She had on far too many.
Copper reached down and undid
her pants. Shucked them off, along with her bikini briefs.
“Copper ... we’re ... hallway ...” His eyes looked at the center of her pelvis. A drip of her juices rolled down her thigh. He launched into Italian faster than she could follow any of it. She knew a few words. This went beyond her knowledge.
He buried his hands in her hair, twisting around and backing her up. Against the wall, he pushed her.
“I can’t wait.” His voice hoarse. “Need to be inside you.”
She didn’t want to wait. She kissed him harder, letting him know with her body how much she agreed with that.
He held her up, leaning her back, lifting her legs up to twist around his waist. Perched her up at the right height.
He panted. Slid slowly into her center. Her aching, tender folds sucked him in.
Copper moaned at his entry. Her whole sex quivered around him. He dipped partially into her channel.
Outwards he slid, stopping before he pulled out, and keeping the same pace, went in again.
Gentle. Slow.
Not what she needed.
She arched against him, trying to speed up his pace.
He fisted a hand in her hair. “Stop it.”
“Faster.”
“When I say so.”
He controlled the pace of thrusting into her. She laved her tongue over a spot on his collarbone. Then sucked the tender skin into her mouth. Made sure he felt the warm, grasping pull. Found his nipple and tugged at it with her teeth.
He groaned, his teeth gritting together.
The pace got faster.
She tweaked the other nipple, pinching it between her fingers.
More speed. Until he pounded into her.
He reached down, pulling back, and one strum on her clit had her screaming his name in release. Each stroke took him deeper until he almost touched her womb.
Bastian rocked up. His tension clenched every part of his body.
She came again, riding the wave of pleasure as his began. He called her name, his body straightening against her, rocking her back one last time. No one but them in the universe. She couldn’t see or touch anything but him.
She had worried they might bring down the house from the way she hit the wall that last time. He certainly had brought down hers.
They both trembled in the aftermath, sweat-soaked. She leaned back against the wall, and he rested his weight on her, letting her legs go back down to the floor.
“Do you think anyone heard us?” Copper cringed, thinking about the other people in the house.
“Luckily, we are the only ones on this floor. But as loud as we were, I don’t know.” He kissed her forehead.
Her cheeks heated. “I’m sorry.” She’d never had sex so publicly before. So urgently. What did he do to her?
“Don’t be. That was incredible.” His sliding out of her caused moisture to rain down her thigh. The loss of contact made her feel empty. Bereft. “I’m sorry. I meant to make it to the bedroom.”
“Don’t be.” She rubbed her cheek on his chest. Both apologizing for such little stuff. She’d never experienced anything like this in a relationship before.
He looked at her swollen breasts, red from his loving. She swallowed, thinking about what they’d shared, causing a jiggle. His cock hardened again. “We better go to the bedroom. Now.”
They had two more “I’m sorry” rounds before they finally made it.
* * * * *
Copper woke up to slight snoring. Bastian stretched out, her leg between his thighs. He had one arm over her.
He looked so boyish in slumber. Long, dark lashes framed his eyes. A sloping nose. High cheek bones. Such a strong chin. She reached and ran her pointer finger down his cheek. The early morning stubble scratched against her fingers. Such a gorgeous male.
He’d sleep a few more hours, the day being his downtime. And with the active events of last night, he would probably sleep longer.
She slid out from under his arms. Her body had the soreness only a night of wild sex could bring.
She swallowed, wanting to run her tongue all over his body. Of course she already had. Numerous times.
Regret seeped through her. No, not regret exactly. She never regretted. What she’d had with him had been incredible. She’d needed him.
Once would have been about comforting her.
But they hadn’t stopped at once.
She rubbed her hands across her face.
What she had was doubts. Heaps of them.
She’d had one-night stands before. Had lovers. But had never been in love with any of them.
Fucking was easy for her. Loving was hard.
And she loved Bastian. She could deny it all she wanted. But since the moment she’d met him, she’d been going under.
Bastian was by far the most incredible man she’d ever met. The attraction had been magnified by things like the way he made her laugh, his strength, the man he was. But that same strength she loved made her wary.
She didn’t want to be consumed by a man. And he could. He already ordered her around. The emotions made a mockery of anything she’d ever felt before. It would be easy to love him. To be with him.
No, she wouldn’t be all incinerated by this passion, this love, and give herself over to Bastian. Not for him. Not for anyone.
Grabbing her clothes, she scurried out of his room to the living room. Needed to be away from him to think.
* * * * *
Evangeline tossed the cell phone across the room, cracking the case. “What do you mean I wouldn’t get out of Missouri?”
Evan shifted back and forth, foot to foot. “Bastian has everything watched. Even more than before. He’s called in Henri’s resources. Including a connection on the police force. We only have the one vehicle.”
“How? How do you know all this? And get me another car. I don’t like that motorcycle.”
“I have a spy, and I’ve tapped into their phones. And it’s not that easy. Bastian found a way to freeze our assets. Or more than likely, Henri did.”
“That little, pesky Frenchman. I thought he’d stay out of this. Let his little protégé handle it on his own.” She refrained from stamping her foot. But barely.
“He didn’t.” Evan shook his head.
“I know that, Evan,” she snarled, taking a step toward him. He flinched and ducked his head down.
Gerald sauntered back into the small hotel room carrying something large on his massive shoulders. “I picked up Italian.” The mass breathed. But not by much.
Evangeline waved a hand. “Even Italian won’t cheer me up tonight. Unless it’s Bastian’s head surrounded by rice pilaf and baby carrots.”
How had everything gone so wrong? She’d been this close. So near to getting her revenge. Then the double had shown up, and it all went wonky.
She picked up a vase and slapped it down on the table. It broke into several dozen pieces. Both Gerald and Evan turned their heads to face her.
“I lived in the middle of a cow field for months. Bided my time. Spied on Bastian forever and a day. Kept anyone who met me out of his mind’s range. Saw an opportunity and took it. Now I sit in a dingy trashcan for a hotel room. And you’re telling me I’m stuck here? That you two intellectuals can’t get me out?”
Evan sighed. “From everything I can tell, Bastian is watching everything. So is Henri. They are looking for you.”
“Who’s your spy?”
When he didn’t answer quickly enough, she ransacked his mind. “A low-on-the-totem-pole house cleaner? That’s where you’ve been getting information?”
“She hacks with the best of them.” He shrugged, still bounding from foot to foot.
Evangeline flopped onto the bed, holding a hand to her head.
“Mistress, eating would make you feel better. It always does me.” Gerald grinned lopsidedly. He laid the prize down next to her.
“I can tell.” She eyed his growing blood belly. If he didn’t find a sit-up soon, it would outgrow his height
.
Evan tittered around the bed. Dropped to sit and put one hand on her back. “Maybe we could smuggle you out. Most of your group ... was lost in the unfortunate incid--”
“Don’t even speak of it.” She growled, baring fangs at him. Stroked up the arm of the dark-haired woman Gerald had laid on the bed. Why couldn’t it be red? She closed her eyes. She still obsessed too much over that pale-faced twit. “I don’t want to be smuggled out. I want my revenge. And I will have it.”
Chapter Thirteen
Copper dressed quickly, intending to slip upstairs and check on her sister. The vampire. That would require some getting used to.
Yet another mark in the negative Bastian column. He was a vampire too. He’d never age. She would. And die eventually.
She pulled up her pants and stopped midway. From this moment on, Crimson would never age either. Copper would grow old and die. Crimson would live on. Forever.
Unless you are made a vampire too.
She shivered. It hadn’t occurred to her before. She could be made into a vampire. Bastian could do it. Or Crimson, once Crimson got on her feet.
She ran her hands through her hair
But then she’d have to drink blood. Right now, an ewwww concept for her.
She sank down into the couch, putting her head on the back of it.
To further complicate things, her blood acted like a steroid to vampires. Made them stronger. Lots stronger.
If others found out, she’d be dinner du jour for the lot of them. A plus mark in the becoming a vampire column. She didn’t think vampires could feed on other vampires.
Bastian could only want you for the power he’d get.
No. He appeared genuine. But how could she be sure? Even if she wanted to be with him, she’d never be certain he wanted her and not the power she contained.
Footsteps behind her made her look up. Sarah paused in the doorway between the living room and kitchen.
“I thought I heard someone up. Good morning, Copper.”
She smiled. “Hi, Sarah. Did you sleep well? Nick too?”
“We did. He’s still out. Vampire hours.” Sarah shook her head.
“Yeah. Yeah, I guess he is.” Nick and Sarah were lovers. How did Sarah deal with all the facets of Nick’s life?
Blood Lines: Conduit Page 15
