Protected by the Vampires

by ERIN BEDFORD

  "Meaning dinner tonight will be the first test." Antoine moved away from the wardrobe and dropped his arms to his sides, his eyes scanning all of us. "Every action you make will be studied. Every word you say will be scrutinized. We made it perfectly clear during Valentine's visit that Piper is ours, so there is no need to hold back our affection. But we must all be in agreement." His eyes settled on each of us, but stopped on Marcus and hardened. "We must show a combined force. They will be less likely to try to take Piper if we show them that they'd have to take us all out to have her."

  I watched the silent exchange between Antoine and Marcus, while Antoine talked to the rest of the room. It was clear that out of the six vampires in the room, Marcus was the weak link in it all. He had made it clear that he didn't want Piper here and didn't agree to having her become a servant. If our master could get to anyone, it would be through him.

  "And the rest of it?" I questioned, stepping closer to Piper and Wynn. "What about the tests? Should we act the way we normally would or pretend we have not conformed to the masses?"

  Antoine stared off into the distance for a second, before closing his eyes briefly. When he opened them, his gaze had the same look in them they had all those years ago, holding a tortured but feral hunger that curled his lips into a cruel smile. "Let us give the master what he wants. And let the rest follow."

  Chapter 7

  Piper

  "You have got to be kidding me." I gaped at the full-length gown Darren had laid out for me to wear to dinner. Gown was being generous. The thing barely had any material to it. The fabric it did have was pale blue tulle, which fell in strips down to the ground and up around the hanger, where I assumed my breasts would go. The only saving grace to the dress was a thicker piece of blue material beneath the skirt that would cover my private bits. The part that worried me most, however, was the strategically placed flower buds that covered the tulle. I figured they were there to cover up the important parts of my breasts, but that still left a whole lot of boob to be seen.

  Darren sighed in exasperation. "We are trying to make a statement here. We need to—"

  "I thought we were trying to make me less appealing?" I interrupted Darren with a scowl. "Not tempt Valentine like a dog with a bone."

  Darren lifted his eyes to the heavens. "You have a great deal to learn about vampires."

  I sighed and slipped my shoes off as I worked on disrobing. I didn't have to worry about the guys, since they'd all scattered to their own rooms to get ready, leaving me with Darren and Antoine. Antoine hid in the bathroom where he was preparing for tonight’s festivities, letting Darren break the news of my clothes. Coward.

  It should bother me to undress in front of Darren, but I didn't see how I was going to get into that thing by myself. I pulled my shirt over my head and groaned. "Is it weird that I miss the slutty maid outfit?"

  Darren's lips ticked up at the edges. "It was quite entertaining."

  When I got down to my bra and panties, I placed my hands on my hips and looked over the dress. I was not going to be able to wear my underwear or my bra with this. Fuck.

  My eyes skipped over to Darren. His dark eyes were locked on to my form, confusing me. If I didn't know any better, I'd say he was checking me out.

  "Darren." His dark eyes jerked up to mine when I said his name, and that neutral mask fell over his face, hiding what he was really thinking. With a slight smile, I turned to him and struck a what I hoped was seductive pose. "Are you checking me out?"

  Not even bothered by my question, Darren adjusted his gloves before clearing his throat and putting his hands behind his back. "I have eyes and you are a very lovely woman."

  I blushed. Pulling my lower lip into my mouth, I peered up at Darren beneath my eyelashes. "Why, Darren, you old charmer you. I didn't know you had eyes for anyone other than Antoine." I cocked my head to the side as I watched his reaction.

  Darren's lips twitched. "My relationship with Master Durand is a complicated one, which has not kept me from enjoying the fairer sex."

  "Fairer sex?" I grinned. "I never understood that phrase. Are we fairer because we are weaker? Or prettier?"

  Darren let out an exasperated sigh. "And once again you ruin it by opening your mouth."

  I stuck my tongue out at him playfully before giggling. "Still, it's nice to know I can draw even your eye."

  Letting out a snort, Darren moved over to the bed where the dress was laid out. "You have five immortal vampires who are more than happy to show you how attractive you are. I certainly don't think you need to add another admirer to the mix."

  I flushed. "Yeah. Well, they might want to screw me, but physical attraction can only get your so far..." I trailed off, my eyes going to the dress as my fingers played with the tulle skirt. "Especially when you have forever."

  Darren was quiet for a moment, and then he placed a hand on my shoulder. My eyes drifted up to meet his gaze. "How are you? With the changes and everything?"

  I sighed and looked at the dress once more. Lifting it up, I searched for a zipper or some way into the scrap of material. "It's strange, I guess. I don't know how to describe it. It's like...it's like..."

  "Every nerve ending has been hyped up to a million?" Darren offered with a small smile. "It ties around the neck."

  "Huh?" My mouth fell open as I stared at him in confusion. Then I realized he was talking about the dress. Giving him a sheepish grin, I turned the dress around and stepped into the solid piece of the skirt. I wiggled into it, not removing my underwear or bra just yet. No need to give Darren more of a show than he was getting. "Could you?" I turned and lifted my hair so he could tie the top around my neck.

  The soft material of Darren's gloves brushed my neck where Antoine's scar sat, and I shivered. A hot flash of need raced through me and I swallowed it down. Pull it together for Christ's sake. This was Darren we're talking about. Anal. Clean freak. No fun. Darren.

  "Don't worry," Darren murmured, as he finished tying the top. "The sensitivity will wane...a bit."

  I gave a harsh laugh. "That's encouraging. Good to know that I won't be horny all the time." A voice cleared. My head jerked up and I locked eyes with the pale blue orbs of Antoine. My face heated to a million degrees as I realized what I'd just said in front of him.

  "Antoine, uh, hey, Darren and I were just talking about, uh, you know, side effects." I shifted from foot to foot, feeling pretty ridiculous wearing this piece of nothing on top of my bra, while Antoine was dressed in a spanking new suit that made him look even more the dashing vampire lover than before. Plus, the unbuttoned shirt and loose tie around his neck was definitely doing things to my panties.

  Antoine hummed as his eyes scanned over my form.

  Before he could make a comment about it, I reached back and unsnapped my bra. "I was just finishing up when you..." I grunted, struggling to get the straps of my bra off and out from beneath the sheer fabric, and not flash Antoine my boobs. Darren saw me struggling and reached out to help, but I smacked his hands away. "I've got it." I scowled and turned my back on them to get it out from beneath, before readjusting my tits into the right position. Happy that all the parts that were supposed to be covered were covered, I turned back around. "There. All done."

  Antoine's lips ticked up on one side before turning his attention to Darren. "Marcus was looking particularly unhappy with the plan. Have Wynn go speak with him."

  I couldn't tell if he was asking or telling, but either way, Darren inclined his head and gave me one final look before heading out the door, leaving me alone with Antoine. Great.

  "Uh, so..." I trailed off, clucking my tongue and snapping my fingers, trying to quell the nerves inside of me that came from being so near him. I didn't know how I was going to sleep tonight. "Darren said something about not knowing anything about vampires. That this," I gestured at the skimpy dress, "wouldn't be taunting Valentine into, you know, biting me."

  Antoine strolled around the bed to where I stood, his eyes moving up and dow
n my form. God, I wished the bond went the other way around so I could feel what he was feeling. I was sure he knew how rattled my nerves were. He stopped before me and reached a single, long fingered hand out to trace the line of the tulle at my neck, then down between my chest where the material split, before meeting the fabric at my waistline. Wherever his finger touched me burned, and I didn't know if I wanted him to stop or keep going.

  "It's not a taunt," he finally answered, snapping me out of the trance I was in.

  "What?"

  "The dress. It's not a taunt." Antoine dropped his hand and met my eyes. "It's a declaration."

  "Of what? ‘Cause it sure feels like you guys just like to see what you can get me to dress up in." My eyes narrowed into slits. "Do you guys take bets? See who can get me to wear the most outrageous thing? ‘Cause I'm telling you, if that's the case, someone's going to—"

  "It's not." Antoine cut me off with a small smile that made my insides all gooey. "Think of it as a big fuck you to Valentine."

  I snort laughed, my hand going up to my mouth to hide it. "Oh, is that right? So, you're pretty much doing the nana, nana, nana thing, huh?"

  Antoine made a sound in the back of his throat. "Basically."

  I hummed and laced my fingers in front of me, glancing down at the ground as awkwardness set in. This was the longest conversation we'd had since Antoine and I had sex. I was surprised he hadn't run away the moment he stepped out of the bathroom. But for once, Antoine wasn't leaving. He was standing there across from me looking as scrumptious and arrogant as ever, and I had nothing to say to him.

  "You know," I began, finally finding my voice, clearing it as he met my gaze with those captivating icy blue orbs. "I should be mad at you. I still am," I added, as his lips twitched. "But in light of everything else going on, I guess I can put my anger on the back burner." Antoine started to say something, but I kept going. "For now."

  Antoine watched me for a moment before taking a step closer to me. "I don't blame you, Piper, for being vexed with me." His eyes searched my face and trailed down my neck, lingering where he bit me. The nerves pulsed there as if craving his bite once more.

  I resisted the urge to cover the bite mark with my hand.

  "I am trying to do what's right," Antoine continued, his voice low as he seemed remarkably closer than before. My chest brushed against his jacket making my nipples pebble beneath the thin fabric.

  "And leaving me to feel like a used piece of garbage was your go-to action?" I snapped, trying to cover my growing need with anger. "Because if that was your goal, you achieved it."

  Antoine sighed and lowered his head slightly. "I cannot apologize more for my actions. I thought by pushing you away I was helping you. Helping the household. But..." He paused and lifted his head, his nose inches from mine. "Certain parties have made me aware of my bad judgment."

  "You mean Darren ripped you a new one," I countered with a haughty glare that did nothing to cover up the quickening of my breath.

  Those gorgeous lips twitched again. "Yes, well, I give as good as I get." Those words sounded far naughtier than they were probably supposed to, but it didn't keep my body from responding to them.

  Antoine inhaled deeply and I flushed, knowing he could smell my reaction to him. Neither of us moved, our eyes locked in a never-ending stare off. I wasn't sure which one of us moved— and at the moment I didn't very well care—I just knew that Antoine's hands were on me and he tasted even better than when we first kissed. I chalked it up to my enhanced senses and wondered gleefully what else would be even more intense.

  My thighs hit the mattress in a matter of seconds. A low stuttering gasp escaped from my throat as Antoine's mouth covered my nipple through the sheer fabric. Suddenly, I was thankful for the obscenity of the dress and hoped Antoine would rip it to shreds any second.

  Shifting on top of me, Antoine settled between my thighs, pushing the strips of fabric away so that the tiny skirt rode up my legs, exposing my damp panties to the air. Long fingers found my folds beneath my panties and they thrust into me at the same pace as his tongue captured my mouth. My fingers curled into his hair, tugging him closer, and my legs wrapped around his waist, not able to get enough of him. Never being close enough. I grunted and gasped against his mouth with every move of his fingers and begged for more.

  Tired of the foreplay, I reached down between us and grabbed the hardened length beneath his slack. Antoine released my mouth with a growl, his head arching back as he thrust into my hand. When I finally released him from his pants, and he was hot and heavy in my grasp, Antoine barred his fangs at me.

  A small surprised cry came from my mouth, but he didn't try to bite me. Instead, he reached between us and guided himself to my opening. Our eyes locked as he slid home. Holding one of my legs up higher on his waist, he went deeper and harder than before. My eyes closed on their own as I gasped and writhed. I found myself going higher and higher as every nerve ending shot off in a sporadic symphony. When I was close to the edge, Antoine angled my head to the side. My eyes snapped open and there was a question in Antoine's gaze. One that only took me a fraction of a second to answer before I was tilting my head further for him.

  This time, when Antoine's fangs pierced my skin, there was hardly any pain. There was a sharpness that only made the feel of him inside me even more sweet and I arched into it, wanting it harder, deeper. Antoine growled against my neck, his throat constricting under my hand where my fingers tangled on his nape. Each suck of my blood matched the movement of his hips, and that cliff I'd been dangling on dropped me like a sack of potatoes. My orgasm hit me hard and someone was screaming. It wasn't until I finally remembered how to breathe again that I realized the person screaming was me.

  Chapter 8

  Piper

  The dining room was much like the one back at the house. The table filling the middle of the room was longer than ours and held more people, but it was not any less creepy. There were no utensils or plates on the table, which made me more nervous than I already was.

  Marcus sat to the right of Boris with one empty seat between them. Wynn was next to Marcus, looking lazily about the room. Rayne pouted where he sat by Wynn, with Allister taking up the furthermost seat at the end. On the other side, next to Allister, sat his brother and then Theresa, followed by Valentine with one empty seat between him and Boris.

  Everyone knew. If it wasn't written all over my face, then the scent of what Antoine and I just did was still on both of us. It was clear from the way the occupants of the dining room stiffened and sniffed the air. There was a mixture of feelings that came along with it. Amusement, arousal, and anger. And that was just from my masters.

  Theresa didn't seem bothered one way or the other, and was too busy giving Wynn moon eyes to care about me. Boris, who sat at the head of the table but who had stood for my arrival, had a delighted smirk on his lips. I wasn't sure what that was about, but I didn't care for it either. Anything that made that monster happy was something I wanted nothing to do with.

  Then there was Valentine.

  It was stupid of me to think he wouldn't show up. That perhaps he would be off gallivanting and terrorizing someone else while I was here. But there he was, sitting to the right of Boris with one seat between them. A look around the table gave me a bad feeling about that spot. The only other one was on the left side of Boris, and I had a nagging notion that it wasn't for me.

  Surprisingly, the only person not at the table was Darren.

  As if reading my mind, Antoine murmured, "Darren will be dining with the staff tonight."

  My mouth puckered into an ‘O’ shape and I stopped walking, forcing Antoine to halt as well or drag me. "Well, then, I should join him. I wouldn't want him to get lonely."

  "Nonsense," Boris called out with a wave of his hand. "A lovely creature such as yourself should never dine with the rabble. Besides, you got all dressed up and I wouldn't want you to waste such a lovely dress. Our Antoine seems to have already enjoyed it. I
t wouldn't be fair to rob the rest of us the chance to gaze upon your beauty."

  I'd have blushed had the words not come from a grotesque monstrous being, whose only interest in me was torturing his underlings. Forcing a demure expression on my face, I gave a slight nod of my head. "Thank you for your compliments."

  "Well," Boris chuckled, a sound that made my skin crawl, "they aren't free." My head jerked up at the words. "Please, come sit with me." He gestured to the chair between him and Valentine. Bile rose in my throat as Antoine squeezed my arm in warning.

  With a tight nod, I let Antoine guide me around the dining table and to the seat Valentine had hurried to pull back for me. I tried to ignore him, but he was insistent, taking my hand in his as he pressed his lips to my knuckles.

  "You are as beautiful as I remembered, Miss Billings," Valentine purred, stroking my hand with his fingers as I took my seat.

  Antoine took my hand from Valentine's grasp with a vicious flash of fangs. "Durand. Piper is now a Durand and you will treat her as such."

  Not wanting to question Antoine's words in front of our enemies, I watched their exchange with bated breath. Valentine's brows shot up to his hairline and a small smile curled over his lips. But he didn't seem enraged, as I had thought he'd be. If anything, he seemed...pleased.

  "My mistake. I had heard you had gained another human servant, but I hadn't been sure if it was true or if it was the same one I had tried to buy off of you recently." There was a bite to Valentine's words that made me want to be far, far away from him. When those brown eyes locked on my form, I couldn't repress a shiver. "If I'd known, I'd have offered more."

  "She's not property you can just buy, you scum sucking, bottom feeder." Rayne shoved his seat back and slammed his hands on the table, only seconds away from crawling across it to attack Valentine.