by Celia Jade
His name floated out on a breathless gasp. When his finger slid down to her clit, she broke into a million pieces. Tears trickled down her cheeks, but she sighed with bliss. She wouldn’t ask anything more of this beautiful vampire.
* * * *
Adrian’s blood roared in his veins as it mingled with Lydia’s. Vibrant and sweet. It shocked his system at first. Then he realized it was her rare hunter’s blood. He’d been with other hunters, but Lydia’s gift was special. Tremors still danced over her as he drank her warm essence, enjoyed her raw gasps. Few humans had given him such intense pleasure. He thrust into her slick heat a few more times before he succumbed to his release. It tore through him hot and hard and he dragged his mouth away from her wrist to avoid damaging it.
Her flesh contracted around his cock, milked the last ounce from his body. She fell back against him. He pressed his mouth to her soft, dark hair and closed his eyes for a long moment. Once his heart returned to a normal rhythm, he slid out of her and carried her to the bed where he pushed down the covers. With her long hair fanning out over the pillow, she was achingly lovely. She gave him a dreamy smile, hazel eyes glowing with awe. But his chest tightened when he noticed the semi-dried tears on her face. He brushed his fingers over her skin and frowned.
“I hurt you too much.”
She gripped his hand. “No…it was amazing.”
He gave a sombre shake of his head and fought the wave of guilt. He removed some gauze from the bedside table and wrapped her wrist. He’d apply salve to it later. There was no risk of poisoning from him, but he wanted to make sure his bite wouldn’t scar her.
He pulled the bed cover over their bodies as she curled up against him, her face nuzzled into his throat. He slid a hand to her back and pressed her to him with a possessiveness that unsettled him. He listened to her breathing deepen, felt her muscles go slack. No doubt he’d worn her out. He ceased his thoughts until she was asleep.
The intensity of their mating had been fierce. He couldn’t recall the last time he’d wanted a woman as much, wanted to leave his mark on her body. Brand her so no other man would touch her. He didn’t like these feelings one bit. The urge to keep her here for much longer almost tore up his insides. Lydia was not a plaything. She could fulfill the role of a permanent mate. But he couldn’t go through the hell of losing another woman he loved. The complex, gentler part of his essence already loved her. Her soul was pure and strong.
His fingers stroked her creamy skin and he cursed inwardly when his cock twitched. Damn. Quietly, he got out of bed and walked naked into the kitchen where he opened a packet of cow’s blood, emptied the liquid into a whiskey glass and downed it. The blood was a temporary distraction to his system, would quell his sexual hunger for a while. He went into the living room and gazed out the window at the swimming pool, its surface glowing silver-blue from the in ground spotlights.
Lydia’s choice to have a very short fling with him was wise. She, too, recognized the danger in being with him longer. She’d admitted that her attraction to him was disturbing. Disturbing not only because he was a vampire, but because the attraction was potent, uncontrollable. Emotions would develop and when they’d reach that inevitable point, everything would crash and burn. Like it had with Natalie. They would part ways and Lydia would find her true mate. A deserving man. A human to grow old with.
Adrian clenched his jaw and stared outside until the ache in his chest passed, until his muscles relaxed. He hoped he’d raised the bar for her in choosing the right man. She was passionate, deserved a man who would please her on every level. He allowed himself a smile. In the meantime, she was his. His blood quickened as he thought of the pleasures he would introduce her to tomorrow. The shower with the massage jets that would drive her wild when used on her pussy and her breasts. The hot tub slippery with scented oil, the blindfold…but no more biting. No. He would lose all reason and control if he tasted her alluring blood again.
He returned to the bedroom and found her curled on her other side. He slid an arm around her and cupped the fullness of her breast. His eyes drifted shut. He rarely slept more than four hours, but he would let Lydia sleep until morning. What he had in mind required rest and…lots of energy. A smile tugged the corner of his mouth as he drifted off into his dreamless sleep.
About the Author
Celia Jade has been in love with writing and reading ever since she can remember. As a teenager, she wrote poetry and tons of short stories, many of which ended up in the garbage bin because she didn’t think they were good enough. Soon after acquiring a BA in English, she traveled to Europe where she taught English in private schools. A couple of proofreading jobs followed and somewhere along the way, she decided to pursue writing professionally. Her efforts paid off and she broke into the eBook market with her very first erotic romance.
She currently lives in her hometown, Montreal, a city whose rich culture and vibrant energy has inspired many of her stories. Celia also devotes her time to her family and her friends, and enjoys tranquil moments in the garden as well as spontaneous adventures. She’s a gym-addict and a foodie who often gives in to chocolate cravings.
