Escaping The Beast: A Darkhills Romance (The Darkhills Series Book 2)

by Elizabeth Greene

  Lucian’s mouth crashed down upon hers with a fierce hunger that threatened to steal her breath.

  “And what if something were to happen to you? What if I couldn’t protect you and your precious mortal life was snatched from us too soon. I can’t risk losing you like that Katherine,” Lucian grit out with a voice filled with raw desperation.

  “Then you had better make my precious life a little less mortal,” Katherine argued back and jumped up into his arms, wrapping her legs around his waist and kissing him with a strength that she didn’t know she possessed.

  “You can’t want to live in the darkness, Katherine,” Lucian broke away from her kiss, pain, and confusion etched over his face, “why would you choose such an existence?”

  “Because I would have you. Why can’t I finish my degree and forge a career as a vampire?”

  “Because your classes happen during the day, your clients would want to work with you during the day, the law courts sit during the day,” Lucian frowned at her.

  “Classes happen online,” Katherine argued back. The more she thought about it, the more she could see herself making it work. “Who says my clients couldn’t meet with me during the day? I’d just need an office with the same fancy glass windows that you have at the penthouse.”

  “And what happens when you’re required in court?”

  “Not all legal work happens in a courtroom, Lucian. And not all courtrooms have windows,” She glared back at him, and the quiet stretched between them in a silent battle of wills.

  “We are not making this decision in a moment of reconciliation.” Lucian finally replied.

  “But it is worth considering,” Katherine pressed, sensing her victory was within her reach.

  “You would be less of a target and more…resilient as a vampire but that does not mean it is the right course of action for us to take.”

  “Doesn’t mean it's the wrong course of action either.”

  Lucian growled out his frustration.

  “Will our lives always be this way? One argument after the other, you persistently determined to rile me?”

  “Most likely, why? Is that a deal-breaker?” Katherine grinned.

  Lucian suddenly launched her across the room and she landed squarely on the bed with a bounce, the air leaving her in a rush. He was on her in an instant, his lips claiming hers in a punishing kiss. His hands pulled at her robe until she was bared to him, her body squirming under his heated scrutiny. He bent his head and began to hungrily lavish her breasts with hot kisses, pulling each of her nipples into his mouth and teasing them into stiff peaks between his teeth.

  “Will our lives always be this way? Making love to me like this, with you determined to overwhelm me?” She cried out, her voice coming out as breathy and desperate.

  “Always,” Lucian growled back, his mouth making a wicked descent down her body while his hand pulled her legs open, exposing her to his voracious torment. He hovered over her aching core and looked up her body to lock eyes with her. “Why? Is that going to be a deal-breaker?” His hot breath against her sensitive nub, made her tremble in anticipation.

  “I’m willing to endure it if you can meet the rest of my demands,” Katherine replied.

  Lucian cocked a brow and smiled wickedly at her, using his fingers to lightly trace around her sex. Her body practically pulsed with pleasure as he continued to leisurely tease her.

  “Name your terms, Miss. Daxton,” he answered, his voice a low promise as he slowly dipped two fingers into her hot and needy core.

  Katherine gasped as her orgasm started to build. Slowly he worked her with his fingers, in a steady and luxurious rhythm, watching her with taunting amusement as she fought against the urge to let her orgasm sweep over her. Carefully she kept his gaze.

  “I want your love, Lucian. All of it,” she replied, her heart in her chest.

  “Will you agree to the same terms? To give me all of your love? Every. Single. Last. Ounce. Of it?” Lucian asked, each word punctuated with a stronger thrust of his fingers.

  Katherine couldn’t help the keening moan that escaped her as she watched him pleasure her while demanding she give him her heart.

  “Yes,” she gasped. “Yes, I love you, Lucian, for always,” her body was a tight coil ready to snap, so close to the edge it was as though her pleasure hung on the next words that he would say.

  “Then I believe we have a deal,” he grinned wickedly before closing his mouth around her sensitive nub and suckling it hard.

  Her orgasm broke with a cry of pure ecstasy. The force of it was so powerful that her back bowed and her nails found purchase in his shoulders as she clung to him like he were her only lifeline.

  Before she had a moment to fully come down from her pleasure, Lucian pulled up and positioned himself at her entrance. She wrapped her legs around his hips as he drove himself to the hilt inside of her. The sting of the tight friction burned for a moment while she became accustomed to the thick and deep intrusion. But when he began to move, her whole body welcomed each delicious thrust with gripping waves of needy ownership.

  This man was hers and she wasn’t going to let anyone take him from her, not even her own self-doubts.

  Their bodies found a rolling and slick rhythm as they fought the same battle, each of them fighting for the other and seeking mutual victory. All the while, Katherine was held steady by the perfect darkness and unrelenting promise in Lucian’s eyes. He would love her always and would forever cherish, protect and support her.

  “Katherine,” Lucian husked, the deep gravel of his voice betraying just how close to the edge he was. “I love you.”

  “I love you,” her reply was swift and unguarded. She turned her neck in silent invitation and felt the soft brush of his lips against the tender skin right before the hot needles of his fangs pierced her. She cried out as the instant pain eased into thick and drugging pleasure. Her orgasm flowed through her entire body in blinding waves, the masculine groan of ecstasy in her ear, fueled her climax with another rolling surge.

  Lucian’s head pulled back, his mouth red with her blood and his eyes wide with euphoria. He brought his wrist to his mouth and punctured the vein there before offering it to Katherine. She pulled it to her own mouth and wrapped her lips around the wound, the metallic yet enticingly spicy, sweet taste hit her tongue and she suckled gently for more.

  Lucian’s head threw back and he continued to pump his thick length into her. Her mouth popped open so she could gasp at the intense feeling. It was as though she could feel every inch of his thick manhood massaging against her, coaxing and teasing her to new heights of dizzying joy.

  Lucian withdrew his wrist and bracketed his hands on either side of her as he began to thrust into her with wild abandon. Each punishing pump of his hips pushing her higher and higher until she could take no more and she screamed his name as her climax shattered, turning her entire being into blinding, perfect light. Lucian roared out his orgasm, filling her with thick, hot waves of his release.

  Steadily, the pulsing pleasure slowed and eased. Lucian rolled to the side, taking Katherine with him so she lay sprawled across his chest, her body limp and sated.

  His heartbeat against her ear was the most beautiful sound and his fingers played with her hair in soft languid strokes. She had never felt more cherished and whole.

  “Will I become a vampire now?” She managed to whisper to him, as sleep valiantly tried to pull her away from him.

  “No, darling,” Lucian replied, slightly panting, “but you’ll heal from my bite and from our love-making quicker. Your body will start to become accustomed to my blood, it makes it easier for your transformation when the time comes,” he explained.

  “So you agree that you should make me a vampire?” Katherine smiled mischievously into his chest.

  “I didn’t say that.”

  “Oh, but it was implied,” she continued, knowing she was provoking him.

  “It was not. I was merely trying to explain to you
a little about-”

  “You said ‘when the time come comes’, not ‘if’,” she said smugly.

  “Katherine, do you really wish to continue this debate now after we just-”

  Her snort of barely contained laughter cut him short.

  “Oh my beautiful darling, I suppose you think it amusing to rile me,” Lucian’s fingers danced down her spine.

  “It’s becoming one of my favourite pastimes,” she tilted her head up and beamed mischievously at him, glowing in the feeling of being held in his arms.

  “I see,” Lucian gently rubbed his hand in soft circles over her exposed behind, “and were you aware that reprimanding wayward and testing young women, such as yourself, is one of my favourite pastimes?” He cocked a brow and raised his hand from her backside.

  “Young women ‘such as myself’?” Katherine growled at him, “only myself,” she corrected, eliciting a rumble of laughter from him before he swatted her behind playfully.

  “You have my word,” he chuckled.

  “That’s better,” She preened smugly before nestling back into his chest.

  “Whatever shall I do with you?” Lucian said indulgently as he continued to stroke up and down her spine.

  “We already discussed this,” Katherine murmured, happy to let sleep take her this time, “love me forever.”

  “And I shall Katherine, for the rest of time.”

  With a soft sigh, Katherine drifted off into a safe and contented sleep, knowing that when she awoke Lucian would be there by her side.

  Epilogue

  Lucian

  Lucian put his phone down on the kitchen counter and rubbed at his temples.

  “What’s wrong?” Katherine spoke up from where she sat perched on one of the bar stools, licking syrup from her fingers.

  They’d slept snuggly in each other's arms until hunger had woken Katherine and he had insisted she eat before they continue with their amorous reconciliation. She had pouted and tried to persuade him otherwise until he offered to make her pancakes. He had never seen a human move as fast as she had jumping out of bed and pulling on one of his shirts.

  He glanced up from the kitchen counter to take her in. She was glorious; a mussed-haired, sticky-fingered, flushed-faced image of perfection. He loved seeing her in his shirts. If he had his way, she would dress like that all the time while relaxing at home with him, if clothes were necessary at all.

  Despite the reservations and concerns he had, he couldn’t deny the sheer joy that overwhelmed him at having her by his side. A partner that would be with him for always, to love and to challenge and tantalize. She gave as good as she got and he loved it. He loved her. It was as simple and perfect as that.

  He stood upright and strolled around to where she sat watching him. He thought about dismissing what was on his mind but thought better of it. He had someone to share these things with now, and he had promised her honesty.

  “I need to make arrangements for the medical care for my man.”

  “Mr. Jones? Is he alright?” Katherine’s eyes widened with concern.

  Lucian’s heart warmed even further. His beautiful darling had formed an odd attachment to the old man, one that he found endearing and charming. Whether his manservant knew it or not, Katherine had decided the two of them were going to be friends, and that was that.

  “No, darling; Mr. Jones is perfectly well,” he reassured her, bringing her fingertips to his lips and sucking on the sweetness that still lingered there, “I mean Mr. Benson Pines. He was tasked with shadowing your father to ensure he kept his side of the deal. Your father knew he was being watched and arranged for him to be attacked by some associates of his.”

  “Oh my God,” Katherine drew back her hand and covered her mouth, “is he alright?”

  “He is a bear shifter, very robust. I believe your father’s associates came out of the altercation in a worse state. That being said, Mr. Pines has requested a term of leave from his contract to attend to some family business. He is checking into a nearby hospital upon my orders.”

  Katherine frowned, “I mean, I’m sure it’s best that he get checked out, but can you really order him to go to the hospital?”

  “There were strict terms within his contract that demand he seeks immediate medical attention should be injured while in my employment,” Lucian shrugged, “he wants to get paid, so he’ll see a doctor.”

  “You write in health and safety conditions into all your contracts, Lord Nightingale?” Katherine raised a teasing brow.

  “I do indeed, any decent employer would.”

  Katherine wrapped her arms around his waist and rested her head on his chest.

  “Aww, my dark and deadly vampire cares.”

  Lucian chuckled.

  “Don’t tell anyone. I’ve got a reputation to uphold.”

  Katherine giggled and lifted her head to look up at him. She seemed to glow all over, happiness radiating out from her eyes. It was an infectious and weightless feeling that shone a light into every dark recess of his soul, making the shadows flee. Just as he bent to kiss her, his phone began buzzing on the kitchen counter.

  Katherine smirked when Lucian rolled his eyes and then had the audacity to place a finger on his lips, halting him from taking her mouth regardless of the interruption.

  She peered over his shoulder at the phone, her smile dropping from her face. She wriggled out of his hold and snatched up the phone to answer it.

  “Lucian we need to talk. I’m on my way-” the commanding and urgent voice of the Darkhills Alpha immediately came down the line.

  “Cayden, I’m so sorry,” Katherine cut in over him.

  There was a pause on the line.

  “Katherine, you OK? Is Lucian alright? What the Hell happened?”

  “I’m fine, Lucian is fine. We’re more than fine,” Katherine explained with a blush of embarrassment, “I’m so, so sorry for tricking Rose and taking her car. Is she there, can I talk to her?”

  Lucian raised an amused brow. His beautiful, tenacious darling had managed to sneak out on the Alpha and had stolen the Luna’s car in order to get to him.

  “She’s not with me, she’s back at home,” Cayden huffed out, “you two can make amends soon enough. Be warned she has plans to put you on wedding prep duty.”

  “Oh,” Katherine’s mouth popped open in surprise. Her eyes filled with some unknown emotion. “I... I would actually really like that.”

  “You say that now, you wait until you’ve folded your two hundredth napkin,” Cayden huffed, “is Lucian there? I need to speak to him.”

  Katherine immediately handed the phone over to him and Lucian placed a small chaste kiss on the corner of her mouth.

  “How did you stop Rose from coming with you?” Lucian asked.

  “I tied her to the bed,” Cayden grumbled. “It was the only way I could get her to stay put. She is going to be pissed with me.”

  Lucian hid his smirk from Katherine.

  “I’m sure you will find some way to make it up to her.”

  A growl sounded down the line and Lucian chuckled. He knew the wolf was extraordinarily possessive of his mate and would be riled by the suggestion, but he found he enjoyed poking the testosterone-fueled male too much to resist.

  “She’s pissed with you too,” he growled.

  “Oh? What have I done? You’re the one who tied her to the bed and then left her there,” Lucian said, winking at Katherine as she stared opened mouthed at him.

  “You upset her new friend,” Cayden explained, “she says you’ve got some serious making up to do or she will, and I quote; ‘tear a chunk out of your suited and booted ass.’”

  Lucian smiled warmly at that. He had no doubt the Luna would make good on that threat if given the opportunity, and he was almost tempted to let her just so Katherine would see how fiercely others would cherish and protect her. But he already fully intended on spending the rest of his life making up for the way he had treated his darling.

  “Pl
ease offer Rose my apologies and assure her that I have made it my life’s ambition to make up for the hurt I have caused to my true love.”

  Cayden grumbled something under his breath that sounded suspiciously like ‘I told you so’.

  “Good. Fine. Can I go back to bed now? Or do you need my help getting rid of any unwanted guests? Rose said Katherine’s father was heading up your way with a journalist.”

  “It’s all taken care of, but thank you Cayden for coming to my aide,” Lucian paused for a moment before shoving aside his hesitation, “you are a good friend.”

  An awkward silence hung on the line between them.

  Lucian cleared his throat as Katherine beamed at him from across the kitchen counter.

  “Now, get back home and untie your mate. Or don’t, that’s your call.”

  Another low growl rumbled down the phone and Lucian laughed loudly in response.

  “I’ll see you at the mating ceremony,” came the wolf’s testy response.

  “You most certainly will, Goodnight, Cayden,” Lucian ended the call and opened his arms for Katherine to snuggle in once more.

  Nothing had ever felt more right than having her with him. He had meant what he had said to the wolf. He would spend the rest of their lives together, showing Katherine just how much he loved and adored her. Starting with placing her on his throne in the grand hall and worshipping her like the queen she was.

  She tilted her head up again from where she was nestled in tightly against his chest. Her golden-brown eyes twinkling with mischief.

  “So,”

  “So?”

  “We’re going to a wedding.”

  “We are.”

  “Would’ve been nice if you had actually asked me, rather than just sending an RSVP on my behalf,” Katherine said, her eyes taking on a familiar challenging glint.

  “Yes, I suppose that would’ve been nice,” Lucian replied before dipping his head and whispering against the shell of her ear, “but you don’t really want me to be ‘nice’, do you?”

  Katherine’s throat worked as she swallowed hard. She softly nodded her head.