Pretty Bloody

by K. A Knight

  I love her.

  Deeply, I realise. For her brain, her wit, her humour, and yes, her craziness. There is no one else like her in this world. She’s strong and stubborn, but so kind and caring. She wants to help people, to protect them. She’s a fighter, a warrior with scars I want to map and learn the stories behind.

  Bella, I’m not letting you get away from me.

  I know she hears it, but she chooses to ignore me. That’s okay. She will realise soon enough that we are meant to be and when she does...I almost groan at the thought. I can’t wait to taste my mate again, to prove how good we can be...to make her come apart in my arms like she did. To hear her scream my name and milk my cock.

  I change my thoughts after shifting to rearrange my hard cock. It wouldn’t do well for her to catch me ‘sporting wood,’ as she calls it. She will probably stab me again, she has a tendency to do that, the thought makes me smile. Oh yes, my little mate is crazy, and all mine.

  We drive through the night and into the next day, only stopping the next night because I force her to. My plan depends on her not being able to drive away, stab me, or leave. So I make her pull into an alley between restaurants and get out of the car. She follows me, grumbling to herself about ways to kill me which only makes me smile.

  I grab her keys when she isn’t paying attention and pocket them. She turns with a whirl and a glare, poking her finger into my chest as her red hair flies behind her. “Give them back,” she snarls.

  “No,” I retort, leaning back against the alleyway. “We need to talk and I’m not having you driving off halfway through because you don’t want to. I know you have walls a mile high, but we need to get through them. We need to sort this out before it’s too late, so we are not leaving this alley until we have, get it, Bella?”

  She glares at me and takes two steps away, pressing her back to the wall and crossing her arms. “Like you don’t talk enough?” She huffs. “Fine, talk, I don’t know what you think we need to sort out. You owe me nothing, we find my man and part ways, what more is there?”

  “Oh, Bella.” I shake my head. “You aren’t getting away from me, ever. We are joined, bonded now. It means forever, love, so we need to deal with our issues now, because I’m tired of being kept at arm’s length. I want you and you want me, there is nothing more to do—”

  “Wait a fucking second…Bonded? What the fuck are you talking about?” she yells, pushing off the wall and meeting me in the middle of the alley until we are almost touching.

  I frown then, staring into her eyes and searching them, but all I see is genuine confusion. She doesn’t know. It hits me like her shovel she loves so much, and I understand now. All this time, she thought I was talking about another woman being my mate, she didn’t know I meant her. It makes me smirk and she starts to stroke her blade at her hip when she sees it.

  “Don’t push me, Romeo. What the fuck are you talking about?” she warns, deadly as hell, and I know she will kill me if she’s given the chance. The thought makes me hard and I only smile wider. “I swear to all that is holy, I will rip off your nuts and wear them as a fashion statement,” she snaps.

  “Bella,” I start, trying to control my mirth. “You clearly haven’t been listening to me. All this time I’ve been going on about my mate—”

  “Yeah, yeah, she will be perfect and you will love her, have awesome sex, kids and shit, what the fuck are you talking about bonded?” she repeats, interrupting me.

  “Shut up for once, will you?” I murmur, and she snaps her mouth shut but carries on glaring, and I feel her trusty knife pressed to my balls again in warning. It shouldn’t turn me on as much as it does, especially with such big news to tell her. Nerves race through me, how will she react? Will she give us a chance? I know she wants me, even know she’s leaning towards me unintentionally, her heart beating in time with mine, her mind brushing against me like a lover’s caress.

  “Bella, you are my mate. When I fed from you, our minds reached for each other and bonded. We shared blood, we are mated,” I tell her softly.

  She stares at me for the longest time. “Doesn’t mated mean you need to have sex?” she asks almost coolly, making me smirk at her again.

  “That’s part of it, Bella, a fun part, and if you are offering we could do that right now,” I tease, and then turn serious. “It doesn’t always have to be sex. If the thoughts, the wanting is there, then all it can take is...a moment. There was blood and release and that was enough for the bond. It’s unusual, but not unheard of.”

  Her knife drops as she stumbles away from me, her face pale and confused. “But you were talking about your mate—and last night, I thought you meant someone else.”

  “I was always talking about you, Bella, I thought you knew that. I was trying to give you time. I know we weren’t expecting this, but I knew when I felt your call. You are what I’ve been waiting for all these years, and you are perfect, Isabella. I know we still have so much to learn about each other, but we can do that. We don’t have to be alone anymore, we have...us,” I offer, stepping closer, my heart racing in my chest at the panic on her face.

  “The memories, the other women—” She starts, as if thinking of reasons to push me away, and that hurts more than I can ever explain, that she would use my past as a weapon, but I understand. She needs to trust me, and that takes time.

  “They are forgettable, but you? You are unforgettable, Bella. I regret my past more than you can ever imagine. If I knew I would find you, I would have waited every day until you walked into my life, but I can’t change the past. I made mistakes, I found oblivion and love in strangers’ bodies, and when it was over I left and I felt emptier every time. Then you came in with your crazy thoughts, your smile, and you brought me back to life. I can’t lose that. I will spend the rest of my days earning your forgiveness and your body and heart,” I declare, laying everything on the line. I usually keep everything close, but for her I will speak the words even if she never can…all it will take is a moment for her accept, but she doesn’t say anything, just stares at me pale faced and panicked.

  “Bella?” I murmur, starting to feel spooked myself...she’s not rejecting me, is she? The thought sends a bolt of fear right to my heart.

  “I—” She shakes her head, still backing away from me. “I can’t be your mate, I just can’t. How—”

  I stumble back, feeling like my heart is being ripped from my chest, our bond cracking. “Bella, please,” I whisper, never having begged for anything in my life, but I will beg for her.

  “I’m sorry,” she whispers, her gaze darting everywhere but at me.

  I can’t stand to look at her, it hurts too much because I want to pull her close and make all the words go away. Wishing I didn’t tell her yet. She wasn’t ready, but I can’t, and she doesn’t want me, so I do the only thing I can.

  Walk away.

  My heart heavy and broken, back bent and slumped, I leave her there in the alley as I hear a sucked in cry let out behind me...but I don’t turn around.

  Bella

  A split second, that’s all it took for me to realise my mistake. Regret fills me as I leave the alley to find him, but I can’t see him. Why didn’t I say something? I couldn’t get the words out to explain, and he thought I was saying no…I wasn’t. I was just scared, something I hate to admit. He was offering me what I didn’t even know I wanted—him, a partnership. Someone to walk through life with, but with that comes the fact that I would have to trust again, to tell him everything, and that terrified me.

  What if he turned away? What if he gave me everything I wanted and when he found out he took it back? I couldn’t live with that, but I can’t live with not knowing more. Without having him, even just a taste. Even if he pushes me away once he knows everything, I can’t keep denying it. He’s what I want.

  And I would be a fool to let him walk away. All this time he was pushing to get closer, to learn my secrets, to share my world as he told me about his. It was his way of getting to know
his mate, and I didn’t even know it, yet I should have. We fit together so well, even if our personalities did clash, but I never thought someone like me, an abomination, would have a mate, let alone one like him.

  So strong, fierce, powerful, and yet kind…but not too serious. He laughs at the world, understands my crazy with his own. Fuck, I made a big mistake. I search the nearly empty streets for him. It’s late, really late. Where would he have gone? To drown his sorrows...to feed on someone else? Fuck them…no, I know he won’t. I was worried I couldn’t trust him, that I would always be worried about other girls, but when faced with losing him I know he won’t. It was on his face, the plain, stark truth, he didn’t want them...he wants me. Always has, continually searching until he found me...and then I pushed him away.

  Fuck, I’m a cold bitch.

  Yes, he could have told me before or spelled it out for me, but I bet he was scared I would do something crazy...like kill him and hide his body in my trunk...which isn’t a bad option if he doesn’t get his sexy ass back here so I can apologise and figure out what the fuck do to with a blood sucking mate.

  Other than finally fuck him, because I can, and let’s face it, we have both wanted to since day one. If the council is about to find out about me and execute me, at least I can die after I’ve had orgasms...but first, I have to find him.

  I head down the street, searching before I stop. Fuck it. I look inside, to the connection he says we have, and try to find him that way. I can feel it now that I’m not so blind and intent on pushing him away, a thread between us, filled with memories, emotions, and what could be. It’s so strong it takes my breath away. I follow it, turning around to another alley right next to me where it seems to be calling me into the dark there.

  I spin, looking into the dark, and see his smile there. It’s mocking and cold, waiting for me like prey. Are all vampires such dramatic bitches? There’s only room for one dramatic bitch in this relationship and that’s me. “Come to dig the knife in deeper, love?”

  Love, not Bella. Oh, he’s pissed, nothing a good vagina banging can’t fix though. “Stop trying to be all Dracula-like. I came to say sorry,” I mutter.

  I yelp as he drags me into the alley and pushes me against the wall. I pull my knife out and hold it against his throat in an instant, not that he cares. He ignores it and pushes closer, his eyes guarded and hard, not like my usual teasing vampire.

  “What was that, love?” he whispers, the sound wrapping around me seductively and making me pant as my thighs clench together. He’s not playing fair.

  “Cut the love shit, we both know it’s Bella,” I snap, and he smirks as he rubs himself against my knife, cutting himself on the edge. Blood drips down his throat and draws my gaze. “I sai—” I suck in a breath, hating the words coming from my mouth. “I’m sorry.”

  He raises an eyebrow, waiting for more, not saying anything. Fucker is going to make me spell it out, isn’t he?

  “I was scared, okay?” I snarl, detesting having to admit this. “I didn’t know what to say, but I wasn’t saying no...I just—”

  “Panicked? Acted like a wimp?” he offers, and I narrow my eyes, pressing my knife deeper, which only makes him grin.

  “Stupid. I’m sorry, okay? So can we stop the whole creepy cold vampire crap? I don’t know how to be a mate or even what it means, but I guess it’s not a bad idea, we can give it a shot.”

  “Wow, such poetic words,” he mutters.

  “Shut the fuck up, and take it or leave it,” I almost yell.

  “Fine, Bella, I’ll take it, but you are going to have to try harder than that, this is a relationship after all,” he teases, his eyes lighting up like the air is coming back to his body, which makes me slump.

  “Fucking hell, don’t get all cocky or I’ll stab you and leave you here, mate or no mate,” I grumble, and he laughs, leaning closer.

  “No you won’t, Bella, you want me too much,” he murmurs, and I have to move the knife before I cut his throat open and kill him, or really hurt him…that wouldn’t be a good way to start off this...mating.

  “Whatever you say, vamp, now can we go? I’m starving.” I moan softly, uncomfortable with the way he’s staring at me. I wiggle in his grasp, but he pushes me back against the wall and unless I want to kill him to get free, I have no choice but to stand here.

  “I am too, Bella, but not for food,” he purrs.

  “Oh, real original,” I mock, even as my pussy pulses, remembering the way his fangs felt. He grins, flashing them at me as if he can hear my thoughts.

  I can, Bella, or did you forget we are bonded now?

  Fuck you.

  That’s the plan, love, unless you have any objections?

  My mind stops at his words and he presses closer, kicking open my legs as he presses a knee against my wet pussy through my jeans, keeping pressure right where I need it. “Not so mouthy now, are we?” he whispers, slanting his head so his lips nearly brush mine. “But I won’t give you what you want until you ask nicely.”

  “Fuck you,” I spit.

  “Nope, try again, Bella,” he teases, his lips moving against mine with his words, taunting me with what I want but can’t have. That rat bastard, I knew I should have brought my shovel. “Come on, Bella, tell me what you want and you can have it.”

  “Either fuck me or get off me,” I demand, and he laughs against me.

  “Close enough,” he mutters before kissing me.

  I feel like we have both been waiting for this. Fireworks go off as I close my eyes, our bond yanking us together until I’m groaning into his mouth and rocking against his thigh. With one kiss everything else, everyone else, is gone. It’s just him and me.

  He tastes like sin and sex and I want more. I run my tongue along his teeth before caressing his fangs, making him shiver against me and grab me harder, his hands grasping my hips and hoisting me into the air. Holding on to him, I wrap my legs around his waist, and we both groan at the contact.

  Everything feels so much more. Each touch, each brush of skin sends a zing of electricity and lust straight to my pussy. Each kiss is desperate and filled with a need so strong it takes my breath away. It’s never been like this before, never felt so right...so perfect and fucking raw.

  Because we are meant to be, Bella.

  I ignore his voice in my head as I grab his hair and mess it up like I’ve wanted to since first seeing him, making him chuckle as he pulls away. “Do you want this, Bella? Tell me now before I lose myself in you.”

  Panting, I look into his eyes and tell him the only thing I can. “Yes.”

  No more games exist between us, just need. I’m tired of fighting our attraction and I don’t have to anymore…as long as he doesn’t find out. Nope, I blanket that, pushing it back and focusing on the moment. Refusing to let my doubts and fears sour it, especially when I might die soon.

  “No dying. Afraid you don’t get to leave me even that way, Bella. I would bring you back,” he murmurs, as he runs his lips across my cheeks and down my neck, but I don’t want his soft, gentle touch, I want his wild, strong vampire side. I want his fangs in my neck and his cock in my pussy.

  He sucks in a breath. “Yes, Bella, whatever you want, I’m yours, you are mine.”

  He drops me to the ground, and I frown as my boots hit the pavement, but then he moves so fucking fast I don’t even have time to brace as he rips down my jeans. With my pants dangling from one foot, he hoists me back up. I keep my gloves on, not wanting to see anything else that could ruin this moment, and he flinches for a moment, but carries on with whatever dirty scheme he has in mind.

  My panties are ripped away, disappearing into his pocket with my other pair, then my shirt is yanked up to expose my lace-covered breasts. He tears down the cups, exposing me to his gaze. He analyses every dip and curve, every scar and imperfection, reflecting it back on me with a need so strong I shiver.

  “You are breathtaking, Bella, so beautiful, even more than I could have imagined,” he whispers
reverently, stroking his hands up my stomach and cupping my breasts, tweaking my nipples until I moan his name, my legs gripping him tighter and pulling him closer.

  “No teasing.”

  “Never, Bella,” he whispers. “Never.”

  Leaning down, he sucks my nipple into his mouth as I reach between us and unzip his pants, freeing his cock and stroking his hard length. It’s so soft and hard, long and thick, that my pussy clenches with the thought of him inside me.

  My head falls back as I stroke him and he nips and licks at my nipples, my own wetness coating my thighs since I need him so much. I feel the sharp edge of his fangs against my nipple, and the idea of him biting me there as he fucks me has me bucking against him.

  “Ciar,” I beg, and he groans, his hand covering my fist on his cock, replacing it. I grip him tighter, lifting myself up the wall as he drags his length across my wet pussy, nudging my clit and making me moan again and again until I’m on the verge of exploding just from that touch alone.

  “This what you want, Bella?” he purrs, teasing me. “So fucking wet for me, even when you tried not to be.”

  “Shut the fuck up and fuck me before I stab you and get myself off,” I growl at him, and he laughs, ignoring my crazy mouth. “Come on, you vampire bastard, I swear if you don—ahh!” I end my tirade on a scream as he thrusts, spearing my pussy with his length, forcing me to accept it.

  My heels kick against his ass, urging him on, wanting more, wanting him to fuck me as hard as he can and feel all that raw power unleashed on me. I can take it and I want it.

  He does as I desire for a change, pulling out and slamming back in. Each thrust is harder than before as he blurs between my thighs with the force and speed and I take it. I moan and cry out his name, loving the pain that comes with the pleasure, the touch of his body against mine. His cock takes me higher and higher with each thrust, dragging along my nerves, making me buck and kick against him, going wild.