At least she’d get an orgasm out of it. Or four.
“No more talking,” she said, tugging his suit jacket down his arms. “I haven’t decided if I believe anything you say.”
“Then I’ll have to prove myself with actions.” True to his word he gripped his shirt and tugged. Buttons flew everywhere as his shirt parted like a costume on the set of The Hulk.
“I missed this,” she murmured as her palms smoothed along his chest. She traced her fingers over his contoured muscles before ducking her head to run her tongue over the bronzed skin. He tasted like cinnamon and gold flecks. She nearly purred as she pulled one nipple into her mouth.
Tarian hissed under her caresses. Gripping her around the waist, he tossed her onto the bed.
She bounced once before his hands encircled her ankles and pulled her to the edge of the mattress.
“Someone’s feeling a tad aggressive,” she said.
“Impatient,” he corrected.
“You’re the one that left,” she said, falling back onto the bedding. Twining her arms over her head, she arched her back. “We could have spent all week like this.”
Daring a glance at Tarian, she saw molten lust in his eyes.
“I didn’t have a choice,” he said, crawling over her. “Doesn’t mean I didn’t miss you every minute. Is that what you wanted to hear?”
“Yes,” she breathed, reaching one hand up to touch his cheek. “Tell me you’re sorry.”
“I haven’t apologized to anyone in decades.”
“If you want to get laid, you’ll get over that rule,” she said, reaching around her body to the clasp of her bra.
“Coercion,” he argued as she stripped the straps down her arms.
“I have no idea what you mean.” She let the bra drop over the side of the bed.
A grin flashed over his face as he ran his hands down her bare arms. “I’m sorry. I wish things had played out differently.”
“That’s much better,” Melissa said, arching up to him.
“Vixen.” His lips came down to claim hers in a fiery kiss.
Melissa closed her eyes and gave herself up to his touch. His lips teased hers, tasting, intoxicating. She wanted more, yet every time she parted her lips to deepen the kiss, he pulled back.
She moaned in frustration, her nails digging into his biceps.
“Did you miss me?” he whispered against her mouth.
Melissa groaned, falling back onto the comforter. “Turning the tables, hmm? My feelings for a decent kiss?”
“Yes,” he said, tracing his mouth over hers.
Shivers ran down her spine as she returned the simple touch.
“I missed you,” she acknowledged. “And dreamed of you. Every damned night.”
His mouth pressed down on her in a dominating touch. Wrapping her arms around his back, she gave herself up to his expert touch. If Tarian was ready to get serious in their game, who was she to protest?
She clung to him as he drugged her body with endless kisses.
His hands wandered over her skin, pausing to caress and tease. Tarian pressed one thigh between hers and rubbed the rough material of his trousers against the sensitive silk covering her slit. She bit her lip as her thighs wrapped around his. Rocking her pelvis, she pressed her body against the enticing hardness.
“I need more than PG-13 touches,” she said, undulating under him.
“Your wish,” he murmured, undoing the zip of his slacks. “My command.”
Melissa watched as he kicked free of his pants and tossed his boxers over her head in a triumphant show.
“One last thing,” he said, hooking a finger around the edge of her black panties.
Melissa lifted her hips as he pulled them down her legs. The silk dropped from her ankle, but Tarian wasn’t done. His burning hands pressed against her legs, tracing the smooth lines from ankle to knee.
“So beautiful,” he breathed, leaning down to press his lips to the inside of her knee. He kissed his way up one thigh as his hand glided along the other.
Melissa threw back her head as she tried to hold her body still and wait until he reached the good parts. When his hot breath glided along her inner thigh she nearly arched from the bed.
“Tarian,” she protested.
“I’m a man of my word,” he said, one hand finding a home on each thigh. Rolling his eyes up to meet hers, he pushed her legs apart.
The first lap of his tongue along her slit sent pleasure shooting through her extremities. As sensitive as she was right then, the slightest touch built her desire. His name rang inside her head as his mouth continued its sensual torture. He made a study of every fold of her anatomy before centering his attention on the small, tight nub of her clit.
“Tarian,” she cried when he pulled the bulb into his mouth. Her hands cast out for purchase as she fought the need to drive her hands into his hair and push him closer. Instead she fought for control as he teased her with calculated touches. Every lap of his tongue sent her higher. Her body wound tight like a drum, waiting for the final touch that would release her.
“So close,” she panted as he worked between her thighs. “Tarian, I want you.”
She tried to pull him up, tried to communicate that she was on the edge, but he ignored every word. Instead, his grip tightened on her thighs and held her open as he plundered the most intimate parts of her.
“Yes,” she breathed as her orgasm built. Just a little more. Another touch. Another lick.
His teeth scraped across her clit, and she screamed as her climax crashed down on her.
Pleasure swept her away. She bit her lip as her body spasmed. Every nerve ending exploded as she rode the sensations streaming through her body.
When the waves finally subsided, she fell back against the bed, satiated.
“Wow,” she said.
“One,” he replied. He pushed her legs open and nestled between them.
“You’ve got to give me a minute here,” she said. “Mind blowing pleasure requires a moment of—”
He thrust into her.
“Cruel,” she breathed as he sank into the deepest parts of her.
“We only have an hour,” he replied. “And I need to make good on my promise.”
Her eyes nearly crossed as she caught his meaning.
“I’m not sure that’s possible.”
His warm chuckle filled her ears. “Sweetheart, I promise you it is.”
Gripping her hips, he slowly pulled out of her.
Melissa bit her lip as her sensitive nerve endings protested the renewed activity. She was almost ready to object when he sank back into her.
“Oh,” she sighed, welcoming his long length. It was ridiculous how right everything felt when he was lodged within her.
Her teeth grazed against his shoulder as he increased his pace. She held on, raising her pelvis to every thrust. Together they writhed, racing toward a mutual satisfaction.
Tarian drove into her again and again. She closed her eyes and matched the movement of his body. True to his word, she felt the pressure building again within her. Melissa rocked to the rhythm, trying to satisfy that inner craving.
“Please,” she panted.
“A little more,” he breathed into her ear.
Closing her eyes, she gave herself up to the sensations he inspired. Pleasure rolled through her, inching her ever closer to another shattering climax.
She clutched onto Tarian and tried to hold herself back as he stroked into her, but with every movement it became a harder task.
“Soon,” she whispered.
She never knew if he heard her. His cock drove deep, and she tightened her inner muscles, not wanting him to leave her again.
Tarian’s guttural groan echoed in her ears.
As much as she enjoyed wringing such a sound from him, she couldn’t last much longer.
He stroked back into her and Melissa released her death grip on her control.
Her orgasm crashed over her, more sweepi
ng than the first. She felt Tarian pound into her, heard his heartfelt roar of release as he came within her.
Melissa barely paid any heed to the extra weight collapsing on top of her as her body gave in to the sensation racing through it. Pleasure coursed through her veins. She couldn’t even form words to describe the experience.
When the aftermath subsided, she relaxed back into his arms.
“Two,” he said.
She laughed. “Listen, Tarian, I appreciate the effort but consider the make up bill paid in full.”
He wrapped his arms around her waist and rolled them so she straddled him.
“I don’t think so,” he replied. “I promised four and I never stop anything halfway through.”
“Well,” she breathed, looking down at him. “I’ve always enjoyed a challenge.”
As he pulled her down for a kiss, Melissa wondered if she’d ever been as happy as she was that moment. And what did it mean that Tarian made her happier than anyone else in a hundred years?
“How much time do we have left?” Tarian asked.
Melissa couldn’t even manage to turn her head to the clock. Her entire body was completely sated. Her lover had stayed true to his word and then some.
“Melissa?”
She groaned. “I’m betting not much.”
“We should get ready.”
“Says you. I’m not sure my legs still work.”
Tarian rolled over her, propping himself up with his arms on either side of her head. She looked up into his face and marveled at the happy light in his eyes. She’d never seen him look so relaxed and carefree.
“What happens next?” she whispered, cupping his face.
“We brave your father,” he replied with a roll of his eyes.
“No. I mean after. Say this plan of yours goes off without a hitch and Dominic is out of our lives forever. What happens then?”
Some of the joy in his eyes slid away. “What do you want to happen?”
She traced her fingers along the length of his jaw, avoiding his gaze. “I don’t want this to be the last time I get to hold you.”
“Then it won’t be.” He leaned down to press his lips to hers. Melissa closed her eyes and enjoyed the simple touch, meant to comfort, not arouse.
“Promise?” she whispered.
“I’ve been thinking I’m going to suspend my Fated Match membership,” he replied.
Her eyes snapped opened. “Why?”
“Because I met this woman, you see. And right now, I want to concentrate on her and not on securing a new date every week.”
“I thought you were looking for your mate,” she said. “Fated Match is the best way to do that.”
“True,” he agreed. “And in seven hundred plus years, joining that agency is still the best decision I’ve ever made.”
“Oh?” She arched a brow.
“Because it introduced me to this incredible vampire. One I can imagine falling for so very easily.”
Her heart clenched. She met his gaze and saw the sincerity in his eyes. “Me, too,” she confessed. Those three little words were on the tip of her tongue, but she bit them back. It was too soon. They needed more time to get to know each other. Time away from the drama of disapproving parents and devious grandparents.
“Once this is over, we can figure out where we go next,” he told her. “But for the record, I don’t care where we end up, as long as you’re in my arms every night.”
“That sounds about right,” she agreed, sliding her hands over his shoulders. Melissa pulled his mouth back down to hers and smiled against his lips. The next few hours would be some of the hardest of her life, but Tarian would be waiting for her at the end of it. They could figure out what they were to each other and, hopefully, spend days in bed.
Then she could see if the niggling suspicion in her brain was warranted. Despite the odds, Tarian might very well be her mate, and if that was the case, no power on heaven or earth would separate them again.
Chapter Sixteen
The pounding on her door had Melissa sprinting to her entry wall.
“Ready?” she asked Tarian.
He shrugged. “As we’ll ever be.”
With a flip of the lock she pulled the door open.
Lucian barreled in like a storm. “Where is he?”
“Over here,” Tarian said, lounging on her sofa. “Though let’s all remember what happened last time you tried to attack me.”
Her father bared his teeth. “Why are you still in the city?”
“The fact that you didn’t know I was here tells me you have rather inept spies.”
Abbey pushed into the room, forcing Lucian out of the doorway. “Hello, Melissa,” she greeted. “We’ve got to stop meeting like this.”
“Tarian has a plan to ensure that,” she said, closing the door behind the pair. “Come on in.”
“Who took my daughter and what are they doing in New York?” Lucian demanded, his eyes not leaving Tarian.
Her lover leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees. “There is a small group of necromancers stirring the pot, and it’s bad for all of us. They happen to be here in the city and it’s our chance to catch them.”
“You’re doing this out of a desire to increase public safety and nothing more, I’m sure,” Lucian drawled.
“No. I want equal rights for my people.”
“Not happening.”
“Then good luck finding this group.” He leaned back on the sofa, utterly calm.
Abbey slid her hand up Lucian’s arm. “What happens if we don’t get this group?” she whispered into his ear. “More people will be in danger and this time, they might not have a guardian angel looking out for them.”
“I’ve watched necromancers slaughter my people for generations.”
“Lately?” Tarian asked. “Because we haven’t even been allowed around your kind in a century.”
“Listen to what he has to say,” Melissa said. “It’s not an unreasonable request.”
Lucian’s angry eyes turned to her. “I believe I ordered you to stay away from him.”
“Going to ground me?” she replied, tapping her foot in impatience.
“Come on, honey,” Abbey said, pulling Lucian into the living room. She guided him into an armchair and perched on the arm next to him. “Tarian, what are your terms?”
“I want necromancers allowed in all major cities. We will, of course, be held to the same standards as all other races. No violence or threatening our cover with the humans. We just want the chance to live normal lives.”
“Fair,” Abbey said before Lucian could jump in. “And in return for this, you will give us the kidnappers.”
“Yes.”
“Who are they?” Lucian growled.
“Their leader is Dominic Salverg, my grandfather.”
“Apple doesn’t fall far from the tree,” Lucian muttered.
Abbey whacked him over the head.
“You need a necromancer working with you to get close,” Melissa said, moving next to Tarian. “Dominic will be on the lookout for vampires.”
“I can set up the exchange. Tell him I have Melissa and will trade her for my sister. When I have the location, I’ll relay it to you, and you can have your people standing by. I can handle my grandfather and you can corral the rest of his minions.”
“Melissa is not getting anywhere near this.”
Anger churned within her. She opened her mouth to defend her abilities, but Tarian beat her to it.
“Agreed,” he said. “Besides, it’s not necessary. We just need him to think an exchange is happening so he’ll give us a location to trap him in.”
She glared at her lover. While she appreciated the people she cared about trying to keep her safe, she wanted to contribute.
“It would help if you could call in the other elders,” Abbey said, turning to Lucian. “Having backup that can’t fall under a necromancer’s spell would be helpful.”
Lucian rubbed a hand do
wn his face, but he didn’t reject the plan out of hand. “The council is staying out of it,” he replied slowly. “Without a formal declaration of war, they won’t intercede.”
“I have a few werewolf girlfriends I can call,” Melissa offered. “Or Chloe at Fated Match might help.”
“They’d get in trouble for going against their elders,” Abbey said with a shake of her head. “Looks like we’re on our own. How do we fight people who can stop us the moment they see us?”
Silence reigned.
There’s got to be a way, she thought. If we can’t find a solution, Eilin will be in danger and Tarian will risk anything to save her. Even if he succeeds, he’ll have to leave forever.
And she was not willing to let him go. Not again.
“What if they can’t see us?” she said.
Three sets of eyes turned to her.
“Dominic will want a location that is contained and private. If it’s lit by electric lights, we can cut the power.”
“Without our death magic we’re practically human,” Tarian said. “We’re stronger and a bit faster, but we can’t see in the dark the way vampires can. They’d never see their targets and without a visual link, their magic will be useless.”
“Not a bad plan,” Lucian said, “except that it will take time to hack into the electrical system. Will we know the location before Tarian arrives?”
Tarian shook his head. “Dominic will be careful. I probably won’t know where he wants to meet until I’m about to walk into it. We won’t have much forewarning.”
“Which means we need time to tap into the system,” Abbey murmured.
“We have to stall,” Melissa said. “Keep Dominic occupied long enough for Lucian’s guards to get in place and for the lights to die.”
“He’s going to know something isn’t right as soon as I show up alone,” Tarian said, running his hand through his hair.
“So you don’t.”
Again Melissa found herself the center of attention, and she lifted her chin. “If I go with you, Dominic will have no reason to believe you’ve switched sides. It will be the exchange he is expecting.”
“No,” Tarian said.
“Over my dead body,” Lucian agreed.
She clenched her fists. “I’m all for the loving sentiments, but this is about more than one woman,” she said. “Tarian has seen first hand that I’m not a helpless damsel in distress, and Lucian, you’ve taught me everything I know. I’m more than qualified to do this.”
Dying to Date Page 17
