Wicked Nights

by Nina Bangs

  “That is so not fair.” She slipped to her knees in front of him. “I had it all planned. I was going to slide off your briefs—I’d hoped you’d wear the red ones so we’d be color coordinated—exposing all your sexual goodies slowly and deliciously. Now look. No briefs.” She lifted her gaze to meet his. “Guess I go to plan B.”

  Eric stood staring down at her. Emotion flooded him. There were those in his clan who didn’t feel emotion. He felt sorry for them.

  And then she touched him.

  Donna skimmed her fingers over his stomach and inner thighs. He spread his legs to give her better access, and she took full advantage. She cupped his balls in her palms and squeezed gently. He groaned. God, he wanted to tell her how good it felt when she touched him, but he’d regressed to a primitive state where he could only express his feelings in grunts and moans.

  Sitting back on her heels, she lifted his balls and traced a line of fire with her tongue across them. Then she put her mouth over each one, teasing and tormenting them with her tongue. Heat. Pressure. How tight could he get before he exploded? Instinctively he thrust his hips forward. His enhanced senses kicked into high gear.

  As she moved upward to his cock, he ran his fingers through her hair, each silky strand becoming part of the sexual experience. The scent of vanilla on her skin, probably from her shower, made the touch of her tongue on his flesh more intense. And he knew that for the rest of his existence, the scent of vanilla would trigger memories of her mouth on his body.

  He wasn’t going to last much longer. And as soon as he felt the change becoming inevitable, he’d take her into his bed.

  She must’ve sensed his growing urgency, because she stopped tracing the length of his sex with her tongue and simply put her mouth over him. He gasped and welcomed the surge of red that always accompanied sexual excitement. As she tightened her lips around him and then began sliding her mouth up and down, up and down his cock, he gave an inarticulate cry and let the change take him.

  Clasping her beneath her arms, he lifted her onto the bed. She clung to him while whispering all she wanted him to do to her. Consumed by her own arousal, she didn’t seem to notice his eyes, his mouth, his fangs.

  Eric kissed a path along her jaw and neck. And when he reached her breasts, he slid his tongue over each hard nub. Writhing against him, she reached between their bodies to clasp his erection.

  “Now, Eric. Forget all the things I said I wanted you to do. You can do them later.” To add emphasis to her demand, she nipped his shoulder.

  Easing her onto her back, he knelt between her spread legs. She stared up at him with eyes glazed by sexual arousal. Her breaths came in hard pants that lifted her breasts still damp from his tongue. But he couldn’t take her yet. She had to see him as he was.

  “Look at me, Donna. Really look. And then tell me you still want me.” He retreated within himself as her eyes cleared and she gazed at him.

  “I want you in any form, Eric. This first time, with the neck and all, I’ll be tense. But I trust you. I wouldn’t be here if I didn’t.”

  Eric closed his eyes against the wave of emotion. The red of sexual excitement remained, but now it was joined with deep purples shading slowly into all the colors of the spectrum. He’d never seen these colors during sex, but he knew what they meant. He hadn’t needed the colors to tell him what he felt for Donna.

  He opened his eyes. “I’ll join my mind with yours, and we’ll share what happens as one, feel as one.” Forever be one, if he had any say in it. He smiled. “And the bite will only feel like a brief sting. Wouldn’t be much of an erotic experience otherwise.”

  And as he looked down at her, he made a decision. Tonight she had to control what happened. “Mount me, talk-show lady. Ride me hard and put me up wet. No spurs needed.” He grinned at her, and she rewarded him by visibly relaxing.

  “I always wanted to be a cowgirl.” She waited for him to lie on his back, and then she straddled his hips.

  As need and desire took him, he joined his mind to hers. All the sexual hunger and intense pleasure he felt flowed through her also. She threw her head back and moaned. Slowly she lowered herself onto his erection. With him, she swam through the deep red of their building orgasm, heard the deep vibrations of lust, and tasted the rich and spicy blend of sensual joy.

  With a wild cry she impaled herself on him. Then she began the rhythm that would lead to the ultimate physical sensation. Up and down, up and down. Each time harder, with tiny grunts as she tried to take more and more of him. He lifted his hips, knowing that if he drove deep enough, he’d touch her soul.

  Sweat sheened her smooth body and moisture gathered between her full breasts. Bouncing breasts, one of life’s great visuals. She whimpered each time she took him deep inside her, and her whimper found an answering chord within him.

  The need to taste her life force rose on an unstoppable wave. She shared his mind, and he felt her shudder under the force of his hunger. His dark need was a living creature gnawing at him, scratching and clawing to have its way. His body shook with the powerful merging of both hungers. They were now one. He clasped her shoulders and pulled her down on top of him. Still driving into her, he pushed her hair away from her neck.

  And then, for just a moment, he controlled the uncontrollable. He paused with his teeth an inch from her throat, giving Donna a chance to roll off him if she chose.

  “Bite me, vampire. Give me the greatest freakin’ orgasm of my whole life.” Her murmur was hot against his skin.

  He smoothed his tongue over her neck and then bit. The explosive pleasure rocked him as he felt the sexual connection no human could experience. But Donna was joined to his mind, so she felt what he felt.

  She growled her excitement and raked his back with her nails as he drove into her at the same time he shared her essence. His orgasm was an avalanche of sensation obliterating all before it.

  He released her as he climaxed, his shout a guttural cry of triumph. She straightened, grinding herself against him one last time while her orgasm took her. “Yesyesyessss!” No quiet happiness here. She was loud, joyous, and his.

  For a while Donna didn’t move, just breathed in deep shuddering breaths. Finally, she eased off him and lay beside him. He could feel her still shaking.

  “I never knew I could experience anything like that. It was like my body couldn’t hold everything I felt.” Her voice was soft with wonder. “Thank you.” Donna reached up to touch her neck where he’d bitten her. “It’s healed.” She didn’t sound surprised. “Hey, I’ve read plenty of vampire romances. I knew you wouldn’t leave the bite marks.”

  “Let’s hear it for vampire romances.” Now wasn’t the time, but he had to tell her. “I’ve lived for eight hundred years and never felt what I felt with you.”

  She started to say something, but he laid his finger against her lips. “Hear me out, Donna. I love you. And no, it’s not the incredible sex talking. For the first time in my life, I made love with a woman. Stay with me. Forever.” He was doing this all wrong. It was too soon after what they’d just shared. She needed time to recover and think things out. But obviously his mouth was on autopilot tonight.

  Her eyes were shadowed as she gazed at him. “Think about what you’re saying, Eric. You wouldn’t want to watch me die.”

  “No, but I want to watch you live.” He smoothed a strand of hair away from her face. “It was easy for me to say I wasn’t interested in a relationship with a woman, because I didn’t know you.”

  She looked away. “I don’t think I can do that to you.”

  Silence filled with everything he wanted from her and all she felt she couldn’t give him bore down on him. “Stay with me until I rise.”

  She nodded and rolled onto her side, her back to him. He turned out the light, then drew her against him.

  Eric lay awake long after Donna fell asleep. And as dawn approached, and he felt the natural rhythm of his own sleep pulling at him, he tried to push away the fact that she hadn
’t said she loved him.

  And dammit, they still hadn’t used the cherries.

  19

  New York was mad at her. Her boss had done the ranting and raving thing when she’d told him she was using two more weeks of her accumulated vacation time beyond what she’d already taken. Donna had agreed to do weekend broadcasts from the Castle of Dark Dreams for those two weeks to placate the powers that be.

  And her family was ticked at her, too. They were mad because she wasn’t telling them all. But she couldn’t tell them all when she wasn’t sure what all there was to tell. She’d know soon, though.

  Eric Mackenzie had been part of her life for a month now, the chocolate-covered cherries still taunted her from their honored spot on her night table, and she’d finally made a major life decision.

  Donna loved Eric. She’d used those extra weeks to examine her emotions from every angle. She definitely loved him. And because she loved him, she couldn’t stand the thought of his suffering as he watched her grow old. Nope, she definitely couldn’t die and leave him behind. Hey, she wanted a forever love in the true sense of the word.

  Donna believed in fighting for what she wanted, and she wanted Eric Mackenzie. The solution? She couldn’t grow old. There was only one way that could happen. And that’s why she was sitting across from Taurin in his room.

  “You want what?” Shock widened Taurin’s eyes.

  “Your blood.” There were a few details she had to work out first. “How much would I need to turn me? Would there be a problem with blood type? Could I inject the blood directly into a vein? You don’t have some silly rule about having to bite me first, do you? Because I think Eric would go ballistic if another vamp bit me. It’s the whole she’s-mine chest-thumping thing that men have going.”

  “I don’t—”

  “You owe me. If it weren’t for me, you’d be searching vacant lots for your head.” He wouldn’t refuse her, would he?

  “Will you let me get a word in here?” He raked his fingers through his dark hair. “Have you told Eric what you’re planning? No way do I want him hunting me because you turned yourself using my blood.”

  Donna drew in a deep calming breath before answering him. “No, I haven’t told him yet. And yes, I’ve done some deep thinking about the consequences of my lifestyle change. I won’t use the blood without telling him. I promise you that.”

  Taurin nodded. “If you’re sure this is what you want, then yeah, I’ll offer my blood. Blood type doesn’t matter, and no, I don’t have to bite you. But in order for my blood to turn you, I have to will your change to vampire as you draw it. My intent does something to the blood. It’s the whole mind-and-body connection. It doesn’t matter how the blood gets into you, so don’t worry about having to feed from my slit wrist.” He smiled as she mouthed a silent “eww.” “Eric will appreciate the irony of the whole thing. Once you have my blood, you’ll be related to Dacian and me.”

  Donna frowned. “One thing, though. There’s nothing to the belief that the vampire who turns you owns you, is there? Eric would get a little cranky if someone hung a Sold sign around my neck. He’d probably start shining up his big old sword if it happened.”

  Taurin laughed. “Relax. My blood will turn you, but you’ll still be your own woman.” His smile faded as he studied her. “I hope Eric understands that you’ll always think for yourself. Vampires are pretty controlling.”

  Donna smiled while her insides went tingly at the thought of Eric. Her love was still new and shiny, but she thought he’d always make her feel that way. “He understands.” Very soon he’d get a sample of exactly how much thinking for herself she did.

  “One last question.” She thought she knew the answer to this, but she wanted to make sure. “The thought of drinking blood is an ick factor for me. Give me steak, potatoes, and apple pie every time.”

  “Nothing to worry about. Once you become vampire, you’ll desire blood and the thought of solid food will make you queasy. And if the thought of feeding from humans bothers you, don’t worry. It’ll feel natural once you’ve changed. Feeding doesn’t harm anyone so long as you choose healthy people and only take what you need. In fact, as you already know, feeding is a very erotic experience for the human. Afterward, you simply erase yourself from the person’s memory. They wake up with a happy buzz.” He reached over to put his hand on her arm. “I messed up my existence for a long time with my hate, but you have Eric and hundreds of years of love and life ahead of you. You won’t regret the change. Anything else you want to know?”

  “No. That’s it.” She’d spent days balancing the positives and negatives of what she intended to do. And every time the thought of spending many lifetimes with Eric carried the day.

  “Okay, let me know when you have everything set up.” He watched her walk toward the door.

  Donna paused with her hand on the doorknob. She’d been so busy thinking about herself that she hadn’t thought about Taurin. “Feeling any better about Dacian?”

  His smile didn’t reach his eyes. “I’m going to look for him. I won’t get any closure until I know why he did it.” Taurin glanced away from her. “But I won’t have to do it alone. Kyla was one of the Mackenzies with Eric that day. You talked to her on the phone. She got my number from Eric and called me last week with an offer to help find Dacian if I decided to search. She didn’t say anything, but I get the feeling there was something between them.” He shrugged. “I didn’t ask. Her reason doesn’t matter as long as she helps me find him.”

  Hmm. Interesting. Donna wondered about Kyla and Dacian as she left. Once back in her room, she made plans for Eric and herself.

  Her last night at the Castle of Dark Dreams, and Donna had never felt so jittery in her whole life. She’d asked Eric to come to her room as soon as he finished with his last fantasy. Everything was set. Donna had hired a nurse to teach her what she needed to know. She was ready.

  He didn’t knock. Her door swung open, and he strode into her room. Eric always oozed confident male, but there’d been a lot less oozing going on over the last few weeks. He hadn’t nagged her, but he’d watched her with those amazing blue eyes that gave nothing away, but told her everything. He didn’t want her to see his emotions, didn’t want her to accuse him of trying to influence her decision.

  Eric glanced around. “Not packed?” He frowned as he noticed for the first time that the room was lit only by candlelight. His gaze wandered to the box of chocolate-covered cherries open beside her bed and then returned to her. He didn’t comment on the small insulated box resting beside the chocolate box.

  His gaze stripped her soul bare. “Hmm. Bustier, boots, whip? Nice outfit. Looking for some last-minute fantasy fulfillment?” He nodded toward the chocolates. “I was wondering if we’d ever get to those.”

  If she didn’t sense the agony beneath his seeming indifference, she’d sock him right in his big fat arrogant male . . . whatever. “We have important things to talk about, vampire.”

  Something flickered in his eyes. “And?”

  “Get naked first. Oh, and do it fast. As Sparkle would say, ‘You bring the heat.’ I don’t want the chocolate-covered cherries to melt before we’re ready.

  A smile tugged at the corners of his woman-pleasing mouth. “Anyone ever call you on that attitude of yours?”

  “Get naked and we’ll discuss my attitude over melted chocolate.” Sitting on the edge of the bed, she tossed the whip, took off her boots and bustier, and stripped off the fishnet stockings. “We can do the Dominatrix Donna thing afterward—if you have the strength.” She laid down on the black silk sheets she’d bought—sure, they were a little slippery, but they looked and felt cool. And cool was good if Eric and she generated the fire she hoped for. “Come to me.” Her voice was a sultry growl. Hey, she could get off on playing the seductive vampire. Arching her back, she watched his gaze follow the thrust of her breasts and felt his interest as a slide of shimmering energy touching her nipples.

  Eric’s smile w
idened, but his eyes were blue heat as he rid himself of his clothes and joined her on the bed. She started to reach for a chocolate, but he put his hand over hers. “Me first.”

  Her breathing quickened and her heart pounded—maybe the last time she’d experience those sensations. No, her human reactions were too much a part of her now, and even if there were no panting and pounding going on, she’d feel them.

  Reaching into the box, Eric chose a chocolate and placed it carefully in her navel. Then he picked up the candle from the night table and slowly passed it over her stomach.

  Donna clicked her inner camera, recording forever the muscular flow of his bared body turned golden in the candle’s glow. The flickering flame cast shadows across the familiar lines of his face, hiding his expression. Maybe that was best.

  The heat reached deep into her, touching the fear that he’d reject her, melting the fear away and giving her courage. Melting was going on elsewhere as well. She felt the chocolate warming and turning liquid as the candle’s flame heated her body.

  And then, with a strangled groan, he put the candle down and leaned over her. The slide of his tongue reaching into her and scooping the rich chocolate into his mouth was so erotic it brought tears to her eyes. Don’t cry. She had to be strong now.

  He licked the last drop of chocolate from her and then closed his lips over the fruit. Taking her into his arms, he offered her the cherry.

  Savoring the taste of chocolate, cherry, and aroused male on his lips, Donna closed her teeth over the cherry. He watched her eat it, his mouth a breath away from her lips, his eyes suddenly filled with all he felt for her.

  Then before he could move away, she gently tugged on his deliciously sensual bottom lip and slid her tongue across it, leaving it temptingly damp and chocolate-free.