by Sophia North
Vlad's body responded immediately to the suggestion. He wanted nothing more than to make love to her. But he couldn't take her for the first time like a rutting stag in the mud. She deserved to be lingered over, worshipped like the goddess she was...his goddess.
Sensing his hesitation, Penny encircled his neck and lowered his head to capture his lips in a long, sensual kiss.
The feel of her lips on his, melted Vlad's resolve. With a ferocity he could not contain, he returned her kisses, no longer caring they were in the middle of a field.
Plunging his tongue into the hot warmth of her mouth, he groaned at the thought of how good it would feel to sink his cock deep inside of her.
Penny's body was on fire. She wanted Vlad inside of her. Now.
She tried to free his thick, hard cock, but his hand stayed her. God, he wanted her. Desperately. But not here, not like this.
Tearing her mouth from his, Penny stared into the stormy depths of his eyes. "Please," she begged him. "I need you..."
The image of the two crumbling towers flanking the castle's main entrance flashed through his mind. Yes, he would make love to her there.
Gathering her in the folds of the velvet cloak, Vlad sped to the foot of the most intact tower of the pair. Ascending the stairs, he brought her to the large open space at the top. It had seen better days, but at least there was a partial roof.
Laying Penny down, he pressed a soft kiss to her lips. "Stay here, love. I'll be right back with something warm..."
Penny grabbed his hand as he was about to leave. "I'd rather be warmed by your kisses." Applying pressure to her grip, she used it to help herself stand.
Vlad drew a sharp breath at the sight of her. Her full breasts were plastered in wet hair, but through the riot of tresses her hardened nipples peaked through, beckoning for his lips, his tongue, his teeth.
His eyes swept lower as a glint of gold caught him by surprise. Encircling her narrow hips, her golden girdle she wore almost brought him to his knees. Amongst the red curls of her womanhood, a large teardrop ruby dangled from a chain suspended down from the V made by the girdle, beckoning him to take what laid beneath it.
Taking the ruby in his fingertips, he fondled it briefly before pressing the gemstone into her red curls. Extending his fingers, so he could rub her wet centre, Vlad's breath caught when Penny's head dropped back, and she emitted a low moan of pleasure. When he entered her with his index finger, she gasped as he used the stone to massage her clit. It's cold surface felt incredible when combined with his tender fingering.
Vlad loved feeling her response, she grew wetter and wetter with every stroke. He needed to taste her. Lowering her to lay atop her drenched cloak, neither of them cared how wet their makeshift bed was. They craved one another too intensely.
Using his tongue to balance the ruby, he licked along her opening until finding her special spot, where he then concentrated his efforts. "Oh my god, Vlad. Don't stop!" she cried out. He didn't.
Rocked by waves of pleasure, Penny moaned loudly. She nestled her hands in his long golden locks to encourage his tongue thrusting. Undulating her hips, he drove his tongue deeper. "Make me yours, forever," she panted.
What she asked came with consequences. But neither of them cared. Tonight they would become one.
Vlad lifted his head to stare into her eyes. Within the depths of their gaze, each wordlessly promised the other to share together whatever life had in store for them.
Moving up her body, Vlad captured her lips in a long deep kiss as he positioned his fully erect manhood at the mouth of her opening. Easing the tip of his penis inside her, he groaned at the feel of her clasping around him. He'd never had sex without protection. Never. His dick throbbed at the sensation of her tight wet pussy's acceptance.
Penny squirmed slightly. His cock was so big, just the tip of him was already stretching her. Damn, it felt heavenly. She wanted more of him. "Please, it feels so good. I want all of you deep inside me. Your fangs too."
Vlad gritted his teeth. Her movements, her pleas, were making him harder. "Fuck, baby. I don't want to hurt you."
"You never could," Penny whispered breathlessly, as she pushed down and took him further inside her hot core. After that, no extra encouragement was required. He drove himself into her to the hilt of his penis and let nature take over.
She moaned in ecstasy at every thrust. Lifting her so they could look at one another as he stroked faster and faster, Penny tilted her head to one side, offering her long neck to him.
Vlad's fangs sprang out.
"Take me inside you," she demanded, taking control of their wild ride.
He complied and sank his fangs into her beautiful pale throat.
As he drank, Penny felt her climax building. She rode him harder, seeking it desperately.
Vlad retracted his fangs, threw his head back and roared as they both found release.
It was the most fucking amazing feeling either one had ever experienced. And the gods and goddesses must have agreed. At the exact moment of their mutual climax, the skies flashed with multiple shards of lightning and a huge clap of thunder boomed.
The Dragon had risen.
Chapter Thirty-Two
PENNY STRETCHED AND rolled over. Damn, she felt good. Nestling into sweet smelling crisp sheets, she let herself slowly drift back to sleep.
A short time later, one eye popped open.
Bright sunlight streamed through gigantic floor-to-ceiling sash windows.
This was no ruined Tower. Where the hell was she? Where was Vlad?
Scrambling upright, Penny found herself in the middle of a massive four poster bed, surrounded by what could only be described as the lap of luxury. She clearly wasn't in Scotland anymore.
Easing to the side of the bed, Penny tentatively stuck a foot out from underneath the sheet she'd wrapped around herself. Still in one piece, she mused. Glancing down, she noticed she was dressed in nothing but a t-shirt. Vlad's black Led Zeppelin IV one.
Well, at least she wasn't naked. And if she was wearing one of Vlad's favourite bands ever, he couldn't be too far away either.
Feeling completely out of place in her luxurious surroundings in nothing but a cotton t-shirt, even if they were rock legends, Penny slid from the bed. The feel of the thick plush carpeting beneath her feet made her toes curl in delight. Wherever the hell she was, she definitely appreciated its decadent touches.
About to investigate her mysterious location further, a soft rap on the door nearly caused panic. Heart pounding, she stared at the large mahogany door on the other side of the expansive room.
Making her way closer, the sheet she was wrapped in snaked behind her. A few feet from the door, she stopped. "Who's there?" she called out, trying to hide the apprehension in her voice.
"Mistress Penny, 'tis I. Alfred."
Thank the goddess. A familiar face. Rushing to open the door, she froze when her hand touched the engraved handle. Would it really be appropriate to greet Alfred dressed in a nothing but a t-shirt and sheet?
"Alfred, do you mind telling me where I am?" she asked, deciding not to give the manservant an unnecessary eyeful.
"Home, mistress," he replied in a matter of fact tone.
"Who's home?"
Alfred stayed silent for a moment. "Why, yours, Mistress. Wentmore Towers belongs to you," he answered, sounding slightly confused. "Surely, Master Vlad..." His explanation trailed off. Alfred was having severe second thoughts about how much he should be telling her. It really wasn't his place to say anything about Vlad's intentions.
Wentmore Towers. Belonged to her. What the goddess was Alfred on about?
"There are clothes for you in the dressing room," Alfred prattled on, hoping to distract her from his earlier faux pas. "When you are ready, I shall serve dinner on the terrace. It is a beautiful Spring evening. Warm and full of promise."
"Where is Vlad?" she asked sharply, confused by what Alfred revealed.
"Master Vlad is on-site and will
join you at sunset. I shall go start dinner preparations." And with that, he left.
Dazed by the idea this house somehow belonged to her, Penny wandered around, noting the individual touches of the room. There were fine porcelain vases, marble statues of goddesses and a most beautiful tortoise-shell hair brush and hand mirror set, placed lovingly on a large kidney shaped vanity.
The elaborate chintz wallpaper was definitely from the Georgian period. But rather than being too gaudy, as was the usual Georgian tastes, this room highlighted the period’s best traits by exercising simplicity to off-set it.
Entering the dressing room, she gasped in delight. The wardrobes were filled with fashionable designer clothes for every occasion. But the real prize in her eyes were the neatly folded tank tops and pyjama bottoms available. She loved to be comfortable at home. And the clothing showed how much Vlad paid attention to who she really was.
From femme fatale to lazy Sunday afternoon apparel, he'd thought of everything. What woman wouldn't be touched by such a show of devotion?
Penny chose her outfit for the evening with care and went to get ready. She was actually quite hungry and looked forward to testing out Alfred's culinary skills.
She abandoned her exploration of Wentmore after an hour. There were too many rooms and by then she was far too hungry to take it all in. It took some finding but she eventually located a row of French doors that led out onto the large stone terrace that faced the formal gardens.
Alfred had been correct about the warm Spring weather. Temperatures had reached twenty-two degrees that day, a balmy seventy-one for those who still operate in Fahrenheit. Not at all the usual weather for Britain at this time of the year. Yet, as the night drew in, the temperature dropped significantly.
In the fading light, Penny sat at a table, surrounded by four heating torches, eating a delicious meal of lamb cutlets and fresh spring greens. The vintage claret she sipped proved to be the perfect accompaniment to dinner.
From the far reaches of the gardens, a figure appeared at the end of a long avenue of hedges. The sun had finally set.
The movement caught Penny's eye. She instantly rose to her feet. Her long, scarlet dress trailed behind as she ran from the terrace towards Vlad. The race was over pretty quick. Scooping her into his arms, Vlad was showering her with kisses before she'd covered hardly any distance whatsoever.
The stars twinkled to life above the embracing pair. Destiny had finally come full circle.
Penny stood happily in his arms, her cheek pressed to his hard chest, as he rested his chin on top of her head. "I've missed you too, my love," he finally said. "Welcome home."
Leaning back, she stared up at him. "I'm so glad you've mentioned that. What exactly does home mean?"
"Wentmore Towers is my gift to you. I put the deed in your name."
"Are you serious? When...why?"
Kissing her between each sentence, he replied, "The night after Simone and Dante's wedding...because I love you more than anything."
With her hands flat against his solid chest, Penny leaned back from his embrace to stare at him with confused eyes. "You barely spoke a word to me for months after their wedding. I couldn't understand why. All I did was kiss you back that night."
Vlad drew her to him and delicately nuzzled her neck. Pressing little kisses up to her ear, he whispered, "Exactly."
Penny laughed and dodged away from him. "My kiss moved you so much that you gave me a mansion?"
He pulled her into his arms to kiss her once again. "I gave you more than that, love," he murmured into her thick unbound hair. "It was that night I knew in my heart there would never be anyone else in this world I wanted to share my home with - my true home."
Penny took his face in her hands. "I love you more than anything," she whispered. "But...I cannot afford such extravagance," she teased. "I am terrible with money, as you well know."
"Then it is a good thing I also bestowed a fortune on you for its upkeep. I hope you'll make a good Landlady," he joked back.
"What? Simone said an Elder has no money or other worldly possessions. I saw how simple your chambers were in Lowerton."
"Penny, love. I was a vampyre long before becoming a statesman. And through the centuries I've been rather adept at making money. Enough to keep the heating and electricity on in this place for many lifetimes."
"I never knew...thank you. It is beautiful. Like you."
Vlad chuckled warmly, hugging her more tightly. "That's my line, sweetheart."
"You are beautiful. Inside and out. Not at all the lummox I once thought you were."
Tossing her over his shoulder, he quipped, "Perhaps I am a bit of a bounder, but lummox? Such abuse deserves punishment. Whatever will I do with you?"
Penny squirmed, excited by the prospect. "Whatever it is, I hope it goes on all night," she said suggestively. "I've been very naughty."
Vlad reached the doors to the house in record time, but stopped short of entering.
Confused, Penny questioned him. "Why have you stopped? Is something wrong?"
"You have to invite me in," he explained, as he set her down.
"To your own house?" she asked, perplexed by his answer. Then it dawned on her. He'd put the deed in her name, which meant only she could invite a vampyre in.
This could be fun. Penny opened the door, to goddess knows what room, and stepped inside. "Oh dear, Vlad. Whatever will I do with you?"
Reaching behind, she undid the zipper of her red dress. "Perhaps, I could start by doing this..." She slid one strap of her gown to uncover a breast. "And then...this." The other strap fell down her arm, revealing both of them.
Vlad gripped the doorframe, desperate to come inside. "Penny..." he growled.
She tugged the top of the dress over her hips. Naked, but for the golden girdle, she crossed her arms and assumed the pose of the famous Venus de Milo rising from the sea. "And finish...like this."
Vlad's erection was so hard he nearly exploded.
"Do you like what you see?" she taunted. "Hmm, maybe not." She turned on her heel, to pretend to go, but stopped dead in her tracks when she saw them. Her paintings. Hundreds of them covered every inch of the walls.
At the far end of the long dance floor was her portrait. The one she believed had been stolen. And on either side of it, set on easels, were her Mystery paintings.
"You stole my work!" she exclaimed.
"Stealing is a harsh term to ascribe it, my sweet. I do believe I paid full price for them...and then some. As for the portrait, it was already mine. I just picked it up a tad earlier than expected."
She didn't know whether to be furious with him or not. As she gazed around at the room filled with her life's work, she realised, like the house, Vlad's collection of her paintings was tantamount to a love letter. Written just for her as a demonstration of his love and devotion. The thoughtfulness behind it was breathtaking.
Turning back to him, her eyes shimmered with tears. "You stole the paintings for me, so Reginald Reilly couldn't have them."
"Yes."
"Vlad?"
“Yes.”
"Please come in."
In his arms within seconds, Vlad made love to her on the ballroom floor, in front of the portrait he had to possess above all the others. His warrior Queen. His Dragon. His love.
Laying sprawled atop of him in the aftermath of their passion, Penny had never felt so content. Vlad toyed with a long tress of her red hair and sighed, equally happy.
"We should move. Surely this ballroom floor cannot be comfortable for you," she eventually murmured.
"You'd be surprised by how much I can withstand as long as I have you lying on top of me," he answered. "But it has to be said. The thought of making love to you in a four poster bed is a rather appealing notion...once we christen the rest of the main floor rooms."
Penny propped her chin on her knuckles to grin at him cheekily. "And how many rooms are there?"
"At least forty. We shall be rather busy, shan't
we?"
Wiggling her hips suggestively, she whispered, "Then we best get started."
"Minx! Don't tempt me quite yet. First, we need to talk."
Penny put her cheek back down to his chest. "Talk? We've been doing that for months. I'd rather stay with the action side of the equation a little while longer."
From their position on the floor, Penny noticed her Mystery paintings in a completely new perspective. Mainly because of the way they had been arranged. It was first time she'd seen them all together.
"I like the way you've grouped my paintings," she commented. "I'd have never thought to do it in such a manner. It's as if they are telling a story."
Vlad manoeuvred them both into a sitting position, but was sure to keep Penny firmly on his lap by the time he'd finished. He couldn't bear the thought of not touching her. He needed her cradled against his chest, against his heart that now beat only for her.
Ornate standing candelabras placed between each piece cast the paintings in a warm glow. He soon found himself studying the paintings along with her.
"I'd like to take credit, but other than arranging their 'procurement' and delivery, I had nothing to do with their installation here at Wentmore. The portrait, however, is exactly where I requested it to be."
Penny admired the ingenuity of his placement. The painting was suspended from the ceiling on two thick gilded chains to hang three feet from the floor, creating a perfect eye-line for viewing.
"You have excellent taste in art, by the way," she remarked teasingly. Surrounded by only her work, she had to admit it was a tad overwhelming, but incredibly flattering. There were some pieces in his collection she hadn't seen for years. And they were all ones she'd been sad to part with at the time of their purchase. Each had marked moments when her style of painting had either evolved or reached its zenith.
"However did you manage to purchase so many of my older works?"
"Lionel Smitherman's expertise."
"Then I would say you have made Lionel a very wealthy man."
Vlad traced the links of Penny's girdle and decided it was time to get down to the more intricate details of the past few days. "The craftsmanship of this is incredible," he said as his leading statement.
