by Anna Santos
Immortals like to mingle so they can find their soul-mate. I had to attend a lot of those parties, hoping to find my soul-mate. Original vampires were not that many in the world. Thinking about it, having a pureblooded vampire as a mate was a chance in a million. Beth could be human. It didn’t matter to me. I was just dumbfounded since she was living for as long as I was. We were kept apart for more than two centuries.
I was going to make sure that we wouldn’t be separated ever again, and that she stayed with me until the end of times. I couldn’t see my life without her anymore. Beth was the center of my universe and the meaning of my life. She was everything to me, and I wanted to be everything to her.
The time to leave New York approached, and we returned to the plane to go back home. Beth only kept with her in a handbag the jewels, the money, birth certificates, her passport, a driver’s license, and a box with old tapes. The last item intrigued me. When I asked, she explained the tapes were old recordings of her dancing performances around the world.
Her belongings would arrive home in the following week. I was so paranoid that I didn’t even spend a day with her in New York. Her gloomy eyes while looking at the city below our plane made me regretted the fact of leaving so soon. We could have gone for a small tour. The harm was done. I could always try to redeem myself with kisses and a night of movie and ice-cream in the privacy of our bedroom. Another endless session of kisses and evading my advances. Still, I couldn’t deny that we were making signs of progress, and she was trying.
I could be less paranoid and prepare a surprise for us. The idea sounded good.
I browsed through my tablet for events that we could go together in another city. Once I found the perfect date, I got up and headed to the cabin to talk to the pilot. With a new destination, we managed to change our route and divert it to another airport. What was missing was calling the hotel, reserve the tickets, and offer Beth a night to remember.
Beth got up and sat beside me. “Where are we going and why are you on your tablet?”
“It’s a surprise,” I said, browsing through the website of the Chicago Theater.
She folded her arms with frowned brows. “My hearing is pretty keen. I heard them saying that we were re-routed to Chicago. Why? Did something happen, and you have business there?”
“No. I’m just planning a date with you.”
She puckered her lips with a surprised expression. Leaning forward, she questioned, “What are we going to do?”
“It’s a surprise. It would be ruined if I told you.”
Her eyes landed on my tablet, and I hid it against my best. She squinted her eyes with an upset expression. “Not fair.”
Smiling, I leaned closer to her. “Don’t you like surprises?” She nodded. “Then you just have to be patient. Go to your seat and let me take care of this. I’ll join you once I’m done.”
Beth got up, apparently convinced. Then, she stopped and turned her head to look at me. “Do you remember what happened the last time you planned a surprise?”
I chuckled. “I do. I’ve learned my lesson. Promise.”
“Okay, then. I’ll be in my seat, reading a magazine.”
After I made sure that she was far enough not to peek, I looked at the website and browsed through the Ballet Companies performing in the Chicago Theatre. That theater’s design has always been one of my favorites. It was a mix of the Royal Chapel at Versailles and the Paris Opera House, the best of two worlds. In fact, its construction had been influenced by it when the Theater was built in 1921 by their founders. Beth would definitely like the interior in French Baroque, and it would put a wide smile on her face.
***
When we arrived in Chicago, a limo was waiting for us to take us to a hotel. This time I wasn’t going to neglect anything. I was going to do everything right. We were going to watch a ballet show. I knew she liked it, and she hadn’t seen one in a long time. It would be a good choice for a romantic date. However, first, we were going to dress up. I didn’t want her to feel bad as the time I invited her to eat in the fancy French restaurant. No, I had all figured it out, and I wanted to give my mate a night she wouldn’t forget.
Despite promising being patient, Beth kept asking a lot of questions. She hadn’t been to Chicago before which was already a point in my favor.
I had instructed the hotel’s manager to arrange for a hairdresser, a professional makeup artist, and a high-class boutique fashion adviser to take care of Beth’s needs as soon as we arrived at the Presidential Suite. I wanted Beth in a gorgeous gown, feeling pretty and confident. Those events were normally attended by rich and fashionable people. So, I had asked the most beautiful cocktail dresses they had in the store for Beth to try on and choose. I got myself a tuxedo to match her appearance. Being rich had its perks and being one of the owners of the hotel we were staying at was also a plus. Besides, it was a hotel frequented by the supernatural community, so the staff was used to handling these types of requests.
Beth was surprised when she discovered the staff waiting to take care of her. She was also intrigued by it. I soothed her and said that we were going out, and it would be a surprise, so she should dress fancy and let herself be pampered.
After a long kiss, she looked at the dresses with an excited shriek while the fashion adviser talked to her and circled around, dazzled by her good looks.
The complete surprise wasn’t ready yet. While she was getting dressed, I went downstairs to the jewelry shop. I wanted to buy her the most exquisite pair of earrings with yellow diamonds. I had seen some really beautiful ones on the internet, but I didn’t know if the Hotel’s Jewelry Shop had any like those. It would match the color of her eyes.
Once I got home, I could create a set with a pair of earrings, a necklace, a bracelet, and a ring just for her. It was one of my hobbies, creating things. It wouldn’t be the first time that I worked with jewelry. I hadn’t finished drawing her wedding ring. I would offer it to her when I had the perfect design. I wanted it to be original and personal. Something only hers. Understanding her personality and tastes helped me in crafting her wedding ring. She liked simple and romantic designs, which also matched my personality. I couldn’t believe how lucky I was. She was everything and lot more of what I had envisioned my mate to be.
I couldn’t have made her more perfect, even if I had drawn her and carved her from ivory as Pygmalion had done. She was my own Galatea made and brought to life by the gods.
Chapter THIRTY-ONE
Elizabeth
Eric had planned a romantic date that included watching a ballet performance at the Chicago Theater. It was a delightful surprise, and I couldn’t stop smiling throughout the night. It had been a while since I saw such a beautiful choreography and entered a theater. I had missed more than I had thought—the lights, the moves, people clapping, and the curtains closing with the final ovation. It made the hair on my arms to stand up.
Once the show was over, we returned to the hotel. My feet hurt, and I couldn’t wait to strip my dress and remove my shoes. Still, Eric had other plans. He took me to the balcony where he had arranged for the stage to display a table with champagne, strawberries, and chocolate fondue. He really went through an extra mile to make this night unforgettable and romantic.
Seated at the table, we joyfully ate strawberries covered with chocolate and drank the bubbly liquid while talking about the show. However, Eric looked tense.
“Did you do all this to set the mood?” I asked after sipping the liquid in my glass.
“What do you mean?”
I smirked. “You seem nervous as if you are going to propose or something.”
He choked on his drink and tapped his chest as he coughed.
I chuckled. “I’m kidding.” Then, I frowned. “You aren’t proposing, are you?”
He shook his head. “Not like this. I would be more original than this.”
“Oh, you have set my hopes high now. You must be careful with what you say.”
He laughed and then gave me a lopsided grin as he gazed at me with passionate eyes. “I’m not going to propose tonight. I just want you to have a great time with me.”
“I’m glad we are here. It’s different from our usual activities. I had no idea I missed going to see a show so much. You made me extremely happy, today.”
“I’m glad. Now, come here so I can feed you.” He raised his hand with a strawberry covered in chocolate, and I opened my mouth to take a bite. “You are so pretty. I can’t stop looking at you.”
Touching my hairstyle, I grinned. “I feel pretty with this dress and jewels. I really appreciate you arranging for me to dress appropriately for this event.”
“It was my pleasure.”
“You look handsome too. I love seeing you in that tuxedo. You look so elegant.”
He took another sip of his drink. “Are you tired?”
“A bit.”
“Do you want to go to bed?”
I bit my lower lip. “Do you want to join me in bed?” I giggled at his adorable smile and soft gaze. Then I sighed.
“What’s wrong?”
“This feels so formal. I want us to be less stern and … more impulsive with another.”
“Impulsive?”
“You’ve thought about every single detail of this date, didn’t you? Meticulously planning so nothing would go wrong?”
He nodded.
“Even our sex night?”
He averted his eyes. “I wasn’t bold enough to assume that we would be having a sex night.”
I giggled. “You are too cute.”
He frowned at me. “Is the champagne making you say all those things?”
“Are you asking if I’m drunk?”
“Not drunk, maybe just tipsy.”
I grabbed a strawberry. “Not drunk, only bold.” I take a bit of the red fruit and swallow after chewing.
“We are used to sleeping together. Nothing will happen that you don’t want to.”
“I know.” I got up from my seat and fixed my dress. “That’s why I’m going to take a shower, put a sexy nightgown, and go to bed.”
He got up with a confused expression. “Don’t you want more strawberries?”
I shook my head before dipping my finger in the melted chocolate. “But you can bring the chocolate inside, so we can play with it.”
His expression changed from confusion to surprise. Before he could ask anything else, I exited the balcony and headed to the bathroom to shower and walk barefoot on the marble floor. I could be bold and carefree if I wanted. Being surrounded by my past memories in my loft reminded me of how I was before the kidnapping. I wanted to be that woman again.
***
I was trying to remove my dress when I felt Eric’s hand on my shoulder. “What are you doing here?”
“You said you wanted me to be bolder.”
Biting my lower lip, I looked back at his handsome face. His bow tie was undone. He was barefoot, and he had removed his jacket. My heart raced as his hands unzipped my dress, and he exposed my naked shoulder.
His lips brushed my neck. “I want to undress you. I want you to undress me. There’s no rush and you will just remove what you feel comfortable with. I’ll run us a bath. There’s a huge bathtub here, and we should take advantage of that.”
Pursing my lips, I looked at the round bathtub in the bathroom and nodded.
Eric smirked and kissed my lips before going to turn on the water. He sat on the border and rolled his sleeves up. “Today I want us to try something new.”
I tilted my head to watch him but didn’t dare to move as if my feet were glued to the floor. My skin shivered with the notion that my back and shoulders were exposed.
“Lately, it has been about me touching you. Today, it’s going to be about you touching me.”
I frowned. “What do you mean?”
“You can remove my clothes. You can touch, kiss, and look anywhere you want. I’ll control my urges and let you take the lead.”
I sucked a breath with widened eyes. “What if I can’t.”
“I guess you just need to be bolder tonight.” He smirked, and I tried not to roll my eyes at his teasing remark.
With his index finger, he motioned at me to come to him. “Do you find me sexy, Beth? Do you want to kiss me?”
My feet obeyed to his command as my insides melted with his husky voice. Bolder. I halted mid-way to slide the dress down my body and expose my white lace chemise, which matched my thong. Looking up, I noticed his eyes flicker from blue to purple and his Adam apple move up and down as he gulped. The anxiety dissipated a tiny bit with his reactions. I had no idea why I would even doubt about my effect on him since he had plenty of occasions to prove how much he wanted me and desired me as a woman. Not just that, Eric was willing to give up control, so I could feel safer.
I halted in front of him. “Do I have to undress to enter the bathtub or can I keep my lingerie on?”
“However you feel more comfortable about this.”
The sound of the water filling the tub made me lean down so that he could hear me better. “You can keep your boxers on, too.”
He smirked. “That’s kind of you. Are you going to undress me now?”
“I might.”
“What do I have to do to make that happen?”
I straightened up and placed my index under his chin. He got up with my instruction, and I circled his neck with my arms as I tilted my head back to look at him. “You are so handsome that I fall in love every time you look at me like that.”
“You are so pretty that I think I’m dreaming every time I look at you.”
I smirked but then my expression changed to worry. “Whatever we do tonight, no biting, Eric.”
He frowned. “Why not?”
“Just promise me that you won’t try to mark me, and I’ll feel a lot safer about us doing this.”
Eric stared at me for a while before his finger caressed a strand of hair behind my ear. “Okay, if that’s your wish. No marking.”
I cupped his face. “Kiss me then.”
His lips crashed against mine, and his hands pushed me against his torso. I moaned in ecstasy. Every time we touched, it felt as if my body would explode into tiny particles, and that breathing was absolutely unnecessary until the desire was entirely consummated.
Bolder. I will be bolder.
As his tongue brushed against mine, I unbuttoned his shirt. Kiss after kiss, I removed his clothes until his pants fell on the floor, and he moved his feet to push them aside.
I stepped back to look at his naked torso.
Gasping with his plump, pink lips slightly opened, he asked, “What now?”
I trailed my eyes down his body. He was hard. I had felt it against me, and now I was looking how hard he was for me. I had to respect his self-control more than anything.
Looking back at the bathtub, I stepped forward and tested the water. “We need foam to make this more romantic.”
“Your wish is my command, milady.”
He turned around, grabbed a vial with the hotel logo on it, and poured half the content of the mini bottle into the water. Then he turned on the jacuzzi and the bubbles began to be formed.
I was about to step inside, but a glimpse of a bad memory clouded my mind. Brushing it aside, I clenched my teeth and soaked into the bathtub. “Leave your boxers on and join me.”
Eric obeyed and sat in front of me while the hot water shot from the sides and relaxed my body. He didn’t try to move closer, and I enjoyed watching him.
After a moment, I decided to move forward and kiss his lips. He didn’t move his body, only his lips replied and matched my actions. The contact of our mouths made me happy.
“No need to rush,” I exhaled against his mouth. “I love to kiss you so much. I feel hot and cold when our lips touch and it ticklish my shoulders. Is that normal?”
“Everybody reacts differently to love.”
“When you are this close to me, and we are touchi
ng, sometimes, I feel as if my soul abandons my body, and I have mental orgasms.”
“A mental orgasm?”
“Yes, my eyelids flutter and I feel a pressure on the top of my head, pushing me up. Then, there’s a moment that it feels as if I lost consciousness and there’s something pressuring against my chest and freezing my stomach.”
His lips stretched into a smile against mine. “I have those too. I just didn’t know how to call them.”
Moving closer, I giggled but stopped abruptly and whispered, “You are always so nice to me, Eric.”
A rogue tear rolled down my cheek but was caught by my mate’s thumb. “Why are you sad, then?”
I opened my eyes to look at him. “I’m not. I’m just emotional about this.”
Floating back, I pushed my chemise up my head and threw it on the floor. Then I stripped off my bra and exposed my breasts to him.
His eyes were trapped in my figure, and he gulped when he trailed down his eyes to my breasts. Desire got stuck up in my throat when I moved forward and searched for his eyes.
“I’ll tell you when you can have me. Just be gentle, okay?”
Widening his eyes, he nodded and watched as I snaked my arms around his neck and wrapped my legs around his torso.
I spoke closer to his mouth. “I’m going to shut up now.”
He hugged me and kissed me.
We continued to kiss, lost in each other’s arms. His lips were tender and passionate. His hands caressed and touched all the parts of me that needed to be touched and the ones I had no idea that would shiver with his contact. His lips sucked and nipped at my breasts. His fingers kneaded the inside of my thighs until they found their way to my core and pushed at the fabric of my thong. It got hard to breathe, and my hips swayed to the rhythm of his movements.
The kissing didn’t stop. Turning me around, he rubbed my nipples and spread kisses down my back. His length accommodated between my legs and pressed against my folds. The heat became unbearable and there was a moment we couldn’t do anything else but to press our bodies together.
