He readjusted himself.
In order to tease him a bit more before I got dressed, I pranced up to him. With a quick nudge, I moved him back just enough to squeeze past him and the door jamb. I tossed the outfit on my bed and made my way to the dresser. Once the top drawer was open, I pulled out a black bra and a black, lacy thong.
“If you keep up the tease show, we won’t be going anywhere.”
“Oh really? What…”
“Now, now. I am not going to tell you a play by play of what I would do, but it does involve bed, cuffs, and you screaming my name.” Maddox’s straight face informed me of his seriousness.
“In the spare bedroom, there is a closet full of Brock’s clothes. Check it out and see if you can find something to wear. I hope you can find something in your size. I think, by looks anyways, you and Brock are about the same size.” My mind visualized his body without the towel. I knew those two weren’t the same in at least one department. Maddox’s cock beat out Brock’s by a couple inches. The man sure knew how to use it as well. My sex throbbed at the thought of having sex with him again. No need to look behind me, for the sound of his footsteps advised of his disappearance.
I slipped on my clothes. One glance in my full-length mirror sent me a boost of confidence.
“Sexy! Seeing you in all black turns me on,” he mumbled in a deep husky voice. “I’m not sure I want to take you to…where are we going again?”
“We need to visit ex-family. Whether you come or not is up to you, but I’m going either way.”
“You’re not going anywhere without me. That wasn’t my point. You’re…you’re stunning. You take my breath away.”
“I’m sorry. Guess I am just on edge with all that…don’t get mad, but that man attacked me at the safe house. To boot, I found an envelope filled with money. A matchbook with the PALE logo on the flap dropped from his pocket when I kneed him in the nuts.”
Maddox cringed at my words.
“PALE is Brock’s family’s bar.”
“What? Do you think his family is behind this? Doesn’t make sense.”
“I know, right? Ambrose, his father placed two cases of Blood-O-Ritas in the cabin so you would survive. Well, both of us. My blood is addictive. Too much of it can hurt you in the long run.”
“Then why do you think he…that son of a bitch.”
“Maddox,” I uttered while walking up to him and placing my hand on his chest. “I don’t think he is involved, yet. Something feels off. To be honest, I want to make sure it isn’t him before I crack open a can of that synthetic can of blood.”
“Have I told you lately, I love you?”
“Moments ago. Are you ready?”
“Do I not look awesome enough to be seen out with you?” Of course, he was sexy enough. Maddox wore tight fitting black jeans and a matching henley. “We look like hunters dressed in all black.”
“Or we’re coming from a redneck funeral.” He chuckled. His hand gripped the back of my neck.
I glanced up to see his lips coming down. Too excited about being with him, I resisted the urge to fight him on the kiss. Our lips touched.
Maddox sucked on my bottom lip.
A slight moan exited my mouth. The little movement of my lips gave him the opportunity to slip his tongue between my lips. After allowing the entry of his tongue, I accepted his offer to play a round of tonsil hockey. The man knew how to play the game well. My body failed me. I was so turned on I almost forgot why we had gotten dressed.
His tongue retreated from my mouth. He stepped back away from me, pivoted around, and left the room. My emotions switched from happy to what the hell in a matter of seconds. The man left me in a heated mess. How could he? A trifling amount of anger built up inside. I stormed off after Maddox.
Bouncing my way down the hallway, I found Maddox in the bathroom washing his face down with cold water. I reach over and turned off the cold knob on the facet.
He stared at me. “Sorry. I had to chill if we are going to the club. We need to get this past us, so we can have a future together.”
“Agreed. So, you want me to be a part of your future?” My heart melted. Tears gathered in my eyes. The trail of tears began when he nodded his head affirmatively. Maddox’s thumb swiped against my cheek to stop them from dripping. “I thought …” Sob. “I thought you didn’t want to be with me.”
“Divana, you’re mine. My witch, my woman, and most of all ma belle. I love you with every beat of my heart, even if it isn’t a human heart.”
“Let’s get out of here before this turns sappy on us.” I pivoted around and walked out of the bathroom. “Psst. I love you,” I bellowed out.
Once in the living room, I grabbed up the cloak and flung it around my shoulders. Just as I was about to tie it on, Maddox yanked it off. “You aren’t going to wear this nasty smelling poncho.”
“It’s not a poncho. It’s a shawl or what I call a cloak. It has werewolf serum, so my witch’s aroma isn’t sniffed out.”
“Do you want to be with a dog? Because I don’t.”
“Maddox, you don’t understand.”
“You are with me. Go as yourself. Be my lover not a scared dog in heat. Anyways, we have the hunter down stairs getting his sex on with Brina.”
“Fine. Come here and wrap your arms around my waist.”
“Huh?”
“Just trust me.”
“You’re a witch. I’m a vampire. Supernatural creatures. Trust went out the window hours ago.”
“If you want me in your life forever, trust is an issue. Can’t trust me, fine, but I am going to orb with or without you attached to me. T minus ten.”
Maddox raced over to me. He lifted me up and whispered in my ear, “Go, before I change my mind.”
The scenery changed from my house to stars to the brick wall in the alley a block away from the club. Since the bounty had been placed on my head, I found it easier to enter the city from here where no one saw me just appear. Once my feet were secure, I glanced up to see a relieved Maddox. “Wasn’t that bad, was it?”
“No, quite cool as a matter of fact. Do you do that all the time?” He observed our surroundings. “Why are we in an alley?”
“Less likely to be seen.” A man exited one of the back doors to a restaurant. I rose up and placed my lips on Maddox’s, his attraction for me was apparent when his cock jumped in his pants. He pressed his tongue against my mouth. Happily, I parted my lips and let him enter.
“Lovers, get the fuck out of here. This is no place to fornicate. We have kids near, you know,” the angry employee yelled.
I broke the kiss. “Sorry,” I said while turning toward him and flashing a huge smile.
“Dude. I’m sorry. I see why you couldn’t keep your hands and lips off her. Don’t be stupid and let this one go. But seriously, this alley is dangerous.” The man disappeared behind the gray metal door.
“Let’s go.” Maddox pulled me out of the alley. His hands slipped down. He laced his fingers with mine. We walked with the flow of foot traffic in the direction of PALE. “A dog is near.”
“That’s strange.”
“Why?”
“This is vampire territory. Wolves aren’t allowed here. Some kind of an agreement from way back. Childish bullshit. Witches have been hunted. Immortal beings are helping the humans weed out the supernatural.”
A young man grabbed my ass, but quickly ran off when I tried to get a look at him. “He’s a horny, teen human. He received a thrill by grabbing an attractive woman’s ass,” Maddox explained. “To be honest, I want to cup that ass again.”
“Your chance will come later.”
“Score,” Maddox exclaimed with a fist pump. “While I slip inside you and bite your neck. Sweet nectar dripping onto my cum-spewing cock while our bodies quiver from our climaxes.”
“Holy schnitzel, that sounded hot.”
“Thanks. Count on a fuck session tonight.”
“Promises, promises.” The line to get into PA
LE wrapped around the corner. I glanced around the line to see who guarded the door. A bouncer by the name of Griffen stood checking IDs. Nervousness caused me to bite the corner of my mouth. Griffen expressed interest in me several times before and after Brock’s death.
Maddox must have sensed my uneasiness because he wrapped his arms around me, pulled me against his chest, and kissed my forehead.
“I hope this line moves fast once the doors are open.”
“When do they open?”
“About twenty minutes. I thought we were here early. Guess, I was wrong.”
“I don’t mind spooning with you until we get inside. No one needs to see your body but me anyways.” Maddox’s claim on me had me thinking he thought I was some kind of possession of his. It irritated me. Griffen started walking in our direction. My insides shook due to nervousness. The huge ex-marine checked IDs.
“Divana, is that really you?” Griffen asked.
“Yes. How are you, Griffen?”
“Just Rif now. I’m excellent. C’mere and give me a hug.” I slithered out of Maddox’s arms long enough to give a hug to the man who helped during my down time; even though, he hit on me each step of the way. “Who is your man here?”
“Maddox, meet Rif. Rif, this is Maddox.”
“I see you finally gotten over the death of Brock. Love suits you well. You look amazing.”
“Thank you. He is my everything.”
“Did you hear the great news?”
“No what?”
“I am going to be a daddy.”
“Congrats, Rif. Guess, I’ve been out of the loop for too long.”
“Yeah. Well, Brae’s a little fruit loopy again. She’s done gone and lost her marbles on a new guy. Tonight was supposed to be my last night, but she fired the dude for messing up Charlotte’s specialty items. Get my drift?” he asked with a raised eyebrow.
“I’m sorry you all are getting a taste of the real Braelynn.” The fact she acted as if she was off her rocker didn’t surprise me one bit. She lost her mind the night Brock stepped in front of the wooden, stake-tipped bullet to save me and our little one. Deep in my soul, I knew she helped cause my miscarriage. “Ambrose going to be in tonight?”
“Yes, we are going to be slammed. Tonight is the big debut of the band, Dripping Fangs from Bitten Records.”
“Who’s that?” I asked.
“Honey Sucker? Red, Red Syrup? Addicted to Blood? Do any of those songs ring a bell?”
I shook my head no.
Maddox shrugged his shoulders. “How about Wanted: Bloody and Alive? It hit number one last week on the Top Notes of Today Chart.”
“Nope. Guess, I been cooped up too long in the woods.”
“You need to get out more,” he said before checking the IDs of the ladies behind us. “You’ll enjoy it. Got to get back to work. I’ll sneak in and get a drink with you later.”
“Okay. See ya, then.”
“I hope not, Divana. He has the hots for you. I think it would be better if you and him stayed apart,” Maddox said.
“Damn it, Maddox. I am yours and only yours. Stop being a jealous pussy.”
“I am what I eat.”
“Wouldn’t know. You haven’t…”
“Not yet, but soon. Let’s go, the doors are opening.” Maddox left me standing on the sidewalk. All the sweet gestures from before faded. I needed to straighten up or I’d lose the man I loved. Shaking out all the crazy thoughts in my head, I marched through the double doors.
Once inside, my chest tightened. My legs locked up. I became a concrete statue. Nothing much had changed except the outfits the waitresses wore. Cleavage showing bimbos walked around carrying trays filled with bottles of alcohol. Behind the bar stood an older version of Brock. Ambrose cleaned the bar top. A group of Neanderthals shoved me out of their way. I scanned the room for Maddox. He was gone. Disappeared. My heart raced and blood boiled. Just as I turned to run, Maddox grabbed ahold of me.
“I’ve got you, Ma Belle.”
“Thank goodness. I…I…I thought…I thought I lost you.”
“Divana, you will never lose me. Is that the Ambrose you were talking about?”
“Yes,” I replied. “He reminds me so much of Brock. No denying that boy. Let’s make our way to the bar. We need to talk to him and sitting at the bar drinking will be the best way to communicate without looking suspicious.”
“Something feels odd. We need to be careful.”
“Maddox, we are safe here. I promise.” I pried myself from his arms and waltzed toward the bar.
A hand grabbed ahold of my arm and turned me around. “You’re not welcome here,” Braelynn declared.
“Enough, Braelynn Nicole. Divana is always welcome here.” Ambrose’s stern voice reminded me of a father scorning his young child. Problem was, Braelynn wasn’t just any child, she was the only daughter of Ambrose. “Aren’t you supposed to be helping with the band, Dripping Fungi…”
“Dripping Fangs, dad. Just know I haven’t forgot what you did,” she spouted.
“What did I do? Get pregnant with your niece or nephew in order to make a bigger family?” I knew I let her get the best of me. To be honest, I was tired of getting all the flack for him stepping in front of a wooden-tipped bullet aimed at my body. The grimace on her face told me I got under her skin also. “You’re just jealous you can’t find a good man to stick around.”
A punch was thrown. My cheek took the hit. Pain shot out. I took a few steps backward until I hit a human brick wall. Looking over my shoulder, I realized it was Maddox. Questions formed in my mind. Why isn’t he defending my honor? Why in the hell isn’t he making sure I am okay? Who am I really pissed off at? Maddox? Braelynn? Or myself for allowing my mouth to get the best of the situation?
“When are you two going to learn? How many times do I have to explain the situation? Brock died protecting his family, just as I would.” Ambrose walked in between the two of us; even though, there was several feet of open space. “Braelynn, your mother died protecting you. Brock knew Divana carried his child. Any real man would have protected his queen and especially his offspring.”
“Braelynn, if Amber was in trouble, I’d protect her and my unborn child.” Griffen strolled up from behind the crowd gathering. “Not so long ago you thought you were pregnant. I took two punches from two older female vampires. All in order to protect your unborn child. It is what men do.”
My bottom jaw dropped.
“We will talk about this later, Braelynn. For now, business as usual. Get the band all set up. You two, follow me.” Ambrose pointed his finger at me and Maddox.
Without hesitation, I zig zagged my way down a path to a table in the back.
“Two house specials and one Cackling Brew?”
“Yes,” I answered.
“I’ll be right back.” Ambrose took off in the direction of the bar. I slid into the seat against the wall. Maddox plopped down beside me.
“What’s the bitch’s problem?”
“Braelynn is Brock’s sister. Since the day we met, she had an attitude towards me.”
“She reminds me of a walking, talking, ticking time bomb. One wrong tug on a wire and she’s going to blow.”
I laughed.
Maddox turned his head and stared at me with a serious look on his face. “Seriously, she needs to be fucked hard in order to get an explosion of epic proportions just to keep from hurting someone. Even then, I am not sure the man fucking her won’t get harmed by hot flying lava from her vagina.”
I choked on my salvia. A coughing fit I thought everyone in the bar heard over the mumbles and whispers. The room went silent. Had Maddox really said those words to me?
Braelynn walked onto the stage, followed by a group of guys I assumed was the band members. Thank goodness, my coughing fit subsided.
“PALE would like to welcome you and the band, Dripping Fangs.” The crowd roared. “We hope you enjoy,” she screamed over the noise.
A brunette w
ith bleach-blonde highlights stepped up to the microphone. Beats from the drums and an acoustic riff played just before the leader began singing. “Red, Red Syrup. You make me feel so good. One sip and I’m hooked. Red, Red Syrup.”
“Pretty good.” Maddox turned his attention back to me.
“I guess. They just started singing so the jury is still out on that one.”
“Are you saying the lead singer isn’t sexy?”
“Maddox, son don’t ask a woman a question like that if you aren’t up to the true response.” Ambrose placed two red drinks down and handed me the smoking green purple drink.
“What’s that Pepe la Pew drink?” Maddox asked while wrinkling his nose.
“A specialty. I only make it for her. She is my sweet angel.”
“Oh daddy, please I’m your only angel,” touted Braelynn.
“Enough. Divana is family as well. I refuse to listen to your critical bullshit of her tonight.”
Braelynn stomped off moments after Ambrose’s words sent lovey tingles up my spine. My soul felt the embrace from his even if he no longer had one. “Now, Divana. You must tell me why you braved the dangers to come here and speak.”
“Ambrose,” I started. I dropped my head. “While at the cabin.” This hurt me as much as it was going to hurt him.
“Go ahead, dear. Did you get the cases of Blood-O-Ritas?”
“Yes, but that’s not why I am here.” A lump formed in my throat.
Maddox placed his hands on my thigh giving it a gentle squeeze. “While at the cabin, a man, a hunter barged in. He was there to kill me. The only reason he didn’t was…”
Ambrose balled up his fist and asked, “Did he hurt you?”
“No. He didn’t know it was me. I changed my looks just for the trip. I got the best of him. But…”
“Thank God,” Ambrose blurted out.
“Yes, well possibly. The man knew where I lived and how to get there fast. He beat me home after I crunched his balls up into his intestines.”
Both Maddox and Ambrose cringed.
“The hunter knew about me. Where I lived. How to get into my house. Shit most people don’t know.”
Sweet Nectar Page 10
