by Aubrey Ross
Her head tossed against the carpet, her eyes tightly closed. Tears trailed out from between her lashes, and her legs hooked over his calves. “What was that thing?” Her voice was tense, barely audible.
“I’m not sure. I just sensed it for a second as it left.”
Several hard shudders shook her before she spoke again. “Why won’t it… If it’s gone, why can’t I relax?”
“You’re still aroused?”
“What do you think?” she snapped, opening her eyes to reveal the depth of her need. “This isn’t natural. This isn’t… Gods, I hurt.”
“I’ll assure your privacy, or I can help you ease the ache. It’s entirely your choice.”
Her lips trembled and she turned her face away. “This is so damn humiliating.”
He eased his hold on her arms, rocking back onto his knees. “It’s not your fault.” It was such a feeble consolation while her body trembled with desire.
She took a deep breath and motioned him away. “Give me some time to… pull myself together. Find something to do on the other side of the room.”
Accepting her decision with a stiff nod, he pushed to his feet then helped her up from the floor. How she accomplished the deed was none of his concern. Thinking about it was only going to compound the pressure in his cock.
He moved to the far side of the room, putting the elevator between them. A subtle creaking let him know she’d lain down on one of the couches. His body ached, but his discomfort was inconsequential. Tess had been attacked. He wouldn’t rest until he found the assailant and unraveled their motivation.
What sort of being had this much control over others? Vampires were an obvious choice, but this creature had been completely incorporeal. Vampires retained some element of form, even if it was only mist. A demon?
He tried to remain focused on his anger, to honor his promise to guard her privacy, but geometry conspired against him. Her reflection was clearly revealed in the window in front of her, which was reflected by the window in front of him. His back was turned to the couch on which she sprawled, but he could see everything she was doing.
She reclined against the arm of the couch, her knees bent and angled outward. Her fingers brushed across her clit and she came with a sharp gasp. The frustration on her features made it clear the orgasm had done little to lessen the pressure. She needed more. She needed him!
Victor forced himself to look away. He would not interfere unless --
“I can’t… please, help me.”
With preternatural speed he crossed the room, kneeling on the floor beside her. He didn’t give her time to speak. He slid one arm beneath her neck and kissed her deeply as his other hand moved between her thighs. Her folds were wet and unbearably hot. Ignoring the subtle burn, he pushed two fingers into her cunt and let her body do the rest. She clenched and rippled, tightening again and again until her cream filled his palm.
“Can I use my mouth?” he asked against her lips.
“Do whatever you want, just make it stop.”
He knew she didn’t mean it, or at least she wouldn’t once the compulsion eased, but his mind filled with all the things he’d like to do to her, all the things he’d like her to do to him.
Crawling onto the couch, he pushed her legs wide and lowered his head between her thighs. Her scent stirred his hunger for more than just her cream. He wanted to fuck her and feel her come around his cock while he fed from her throat. He forced down the bloodlust with centuries of discipline and parted the luscious folds of her pussy.
He dragged his tongue from back to front, pausing to circle her clit. Tess cried out softly, pushing up into his kiss. “More?”
“Inside,” she whispered. “I need something inside.”
Her core closed around his fingers as he drove slowly inside. They groaned together. Was this really different than fucking her? She was all but begging for his cock.
There’s a difference and you know it! You’re helping her detoxify. That’s all.
But her cunt was so fucking soft and she arched into each thrust. Tormented by her obvious enjoyment, he bent and gently sucked on her clit. She came again and again, until her cream soaked his hand and the cushion beneath her. When two fingers only made her restless he used three.
He had no idea how long it had taken to bring her down. He only knew it had been one of the most amazing experiences of his life. He regretted the way it began, but he refused to regret the intimacies they shared or the pleasure he gave her.
The pause between each flare lengthened, and her arousal grew more natural. “Why don’t we do each other this time?” she suggested with a siren’s smile.
Lust slammed into his groin and he had to look away. “Are you sure? This isn’t that different from a date rape drug. I won’t take advantage of you.”
She laughed. “You’re not taking advantage of me. I suggested it, remember? I fully intend to investigate who is responsible for our little adventure, but you’ve been amazingly selfless through all this.”
His gaze narrowed on her face. “I don’t need your pity.”
“I don’t fuck for pity. Do you have something against having your cock sucked?”
He was naked from the waist down before she finished the question. “I like being on top.”
“I never would have guessed.” She scooted off the sofa and lay on the floor, crooking her finger with a sexy smile.
His cock had been hard so long, he’d either come with the first swirl of her tongue and make a complete fool of himself, or it would take him hours. Gods, he hoped it was the latter. The snug pull of her warm mouth was one of the delights he’d been imagining all night.
He straddled her head and arched over her body. She guided his cock to her mouth, slowly sucking him inside. He closed his eyes, savoring the blissful heat and the silken swirl of her tongue. She circled his tip and explored the tiny hole, and through it all he remained in control. Convinced he was safe from humiliation, he lowered his head between her thighs.
Exposing her clit with one hand, he squeezed the puffy bud with his lips and lashed it with his tongue. She was incredibly sensitive here. At times he’d had to avoid direct stimulation until her nerve endings desensitized. The hood flushed and swelled, protecting the delicate stem. He passed his tongue over the hood instead, feeling her tense with each swipe.
Her tongue began to mirror his movements. She sucked when he sucked and licked when he licked. He pushed into her core, curious to see how she’d mimic the motion. Her lips slid down his shaft so far his tip bumped the back of her throat. It felt so good he shivered with delight. This act was nothing new, but it felt different with Tess. More intense, more intimate.
Soon muffled cries and wet slurps filled the air. He tucked her legs under his arms and rolled her hips up off the carpet as he rocked into her mouth. It was a far more dominant position than he’d meant to use. He was assisting her, not topping her, yet she submitted beautifully, instinctively.
She cried out around his cock, and he felt her inner muscles ripple around his tongue. Another deep thrust sent his cum spurting down her throat as pleasure burst within his mind and rained down upon his heated body. She licked and sucked until his entire shaft was clean, while he tenderly savored her luscious pussy. He avoided her clit and kept each stroke slow and soothing.
Breathless and bathed in her scent, he turned around and pulled her into his arms. They kissed deeply, mixing the taste of their passion, forming the first layer of a soul bond. Did she realize the significance of this moment? He needed to explain what they’d begun.
“You’ve got the most interesting mark on your ass cheek,” he whispered against her lips. “Is it a tattoo or a --”
“It’s sort of genetic. Everyone in my family ends up with one.”
He wanted to explore it with his tongue, memorize the shape and texture. “Do you think we can make it to your room before the fire hits again?” She tensed and he cursed his careless question.
“
I need to think. I… thank you.”
He pulled on his pants as she gathered her clothes, feeling her emotional retreat with each second that passed. “I’ll give you time to think, but we need to talk.”
“I know.”
He remained by the windows as she dressed, sensing her need for space. Tonight was so convoluted. He couldn’t decide if it was a win or a loss.
Her taste lingered on his tongue and her scent drifted all around him, exhilarating yet soothing him. This was a beginning. There was no doubt of that. But Tess hadn’t begun to accept it. They were still worlds apart.
“You don’t need a code to go down,” she muttered. “Just push the button.”
He didn’t realize the significance of her statement until she escaped into the elevator.
Chapter Three
“Sir, there’s a vampire here to see you.”
Let Act Two begin. Excitement surged through Cadin as Seth turned off the television and looked at his valet. The contrast amused Cadin. The regal elegance emanating from Seth belonged in a palace, not a hotel room.
After hours of searching for the elusive prince, and exhausting herself with mental scans, Cadin had been ready to report back to Emit with the frustrating news that Seth had slipped back through the veil. Then she overheard two bellhops gossiping about “Mr. Vasco’s special guest” and how their boss was bending over backward to impress him.
The hotel owner likely had many special guests, but something in their tone made her investigate further. Rather than retreating to his home realm, Seth was comfortably ensconced in one of the Twilight Jewel’s luxury suites.
“A vampire?” Seth pushed to his feet and Cadin was struck again by his ethereal beauty. “Is he hotel staff? What does he want?” He was in no way effeminate, but no other adjective adequately described him. Ordinary jeans hugged his lean hips, and his dark green shirt hung open, revealing a highly defined chest and washboard abs. Why would Tess hesitate to mate with this creature? He was spectacular.
His sleek hair defied description: one moment it appeared silver, then pale green, then purest white. In all her travels Cadin had never seen anything like it. And his eyes were just as unique. A bright mixture of silver, gray, and green, his irises appeared almost crystalline. If everyone in Protina looked like Seth, she would definitely need to check it out.
“His name is Victor Zoltan and he would only say that this has to do with Miss Bronstein.”
Seth’s gaze narrowed at the mention of Tess. “Allow him in.”
The sun had barely set. Victor was certainly anxious to confront his rival.
After a quick introduction silence fell over the room. The men stared at each other, Victor openly hostile, while Seth’s expression was far harder to read. They made a stunning pair, light and darkness, brutality and elegance.
“Tess is in trouble and we need to figure out why,” Victor broke the silence.
Seth appeared as confused by the statement as Cadin felt. Then suspicion lanced through her being and she shrank back from the scene. Had Victor sensed her? Creating Tess’s sexual frenzy had depleted her strength. Had her shields failed as she fled?
“Who are you and how dare you speak of my betrothed with such familiarity?” Seth’s chin came up and his shoulders straightened.
Uncertainty made Cadin restless. If her shields slipped again, they might combine forces and trap her, or worse. This dimension was proving more perilous than most. What could she learn by staying that she didn’t already know? Sometimes it made more sense to retreat, regroup, and attack another day. Balancing her frustration with the knowledge that this was far from over, she slipped away into the night.
“Your servant told you my name, and Tess’s safety is far more important than your pride.”
Seth fought back a smile. If the danger to Tess were real, he’d do everything in his power to protect her, but vampires could be so melodramatic. This one was less brooding than most, if a bit more brutish. “What is threatening her safety?”
“When we were together last night --”
Crossing the floor with blurring speed, Seth grasped the vampire by the throat. Victor snarled, baring his fangs as he aimed a punch for Seth’s nose. Seth dodged the blow without releasing his grasp on Victor’s throat.
Victor retaliated with a surge of strength that caught Seth by surprise. The vampire forced him back against the nearest wall and slapped his arm aside, easily breaking his hold.
“This is about Tess,” Victor snapped, his fangs still visible. “We can beat the shit out of each other once we figure out who we’re up against.”
Seth remained against the wall, more intrigued than angry. “Why do you believe she’s in danger?”
“She was attacked by an incorporeal being last night. It drastically affected her behavior.”
“Is she all right? How did it change her behavior?”
“According to my man she seems fine today. She’s back at work and trying to find ways around your obstacles. Still, we need to know what the hell that thing was and why it targeted her.”
His obvious familiarity with Tess sent possessive anger spiraling through Seth. “What is the nature of your relationship with my wife?”
“She’s not your wife yet.”
He forced down his emotions and focused on the reason the vampire was here. “How did it change her behavior?”
“That’s irrelevant. I’m pretty damn sure it can do whatever it wants once it latches on to someone. I only sensed it for an instant, but this thing is powerful.”
He pushed off the wall and ambled toward his hostile guest. “Is someone with her now or should I dispatch one of my guards?”
“I thought she’d take it better if she didn’t realize she was being guarded, but she hasn’t been alone since I left her last night.”
Seth nodded. He should be the one protecting her, but ultimately her safety was what mattered. He’d make other arrangements as soon as the vampire left. “Did Tess have any idea what might have motivated the attack?”
Victor glanced away and when his gaze returned it was shuttered, inscrutable. “She was pretty disorientated by the incident. Neither of us has ever encountered a being like this. It’s possible it was just some sort of energy leech. The bizarre behavior might have been a distraction or a side effect. I honestly don’t understand the specifics. I’ve made inquiries, but I’ve yet to hear back from most of my contacts.”
“I’ll begin an investigation as well.” Victor’s only response was a stiff nod. “So we’re back to my earlier question. What is your relationship with my fiancée?”
“According to Tess, she’s not even that, and our relationship is none of your business.”
“I can have you executed for touching her.” He took a menacing step forward.
“This isn’t Protina, asshole.” The vampire held his ground. “Tess deserves a choice.”
“And you believe she’ll choose you?”
“I intend to do everything I can to see that she does.” The heated flash in his blue eyes added credence to the claim.
“I can insist she honor the contract.”
“That’s a coward’s way out.” Victor advanced. Standing toe to toe the vampire had the advantage. He was taller and broader than Seth, and obviously just as determined. “Are you a coward?”
“I suggest a compromise.” Seth reluctantly took a step back. “We combine our efforts to find this entity, while we each do our best to persuade Tess to accept our suit.”
“An amicable rivalry?”
“As you said earlier, her safety must come before our romantic aspirations.”
Victor stared at him for a moment, his features expressionless. “I’m at a disadvantage and you know it.”
“Your solar trance?”
“Exactly.” The vampire was obviously uncomfortable admitting any weakness. “I suggest we agree to boundaries.”
Seth chuckled. “Let me guess. You have exclusive access to her duri
ng the night and I rule the day?”
“This will also ensure her protection around the clock.”
The concept appealed to his competitive nature more than he cared to admit, but Tess wasn’t a prize to be won. He fully intended to spend the rest of his life with her, regardless of what this vampire wanted.
“Why should I agree to any of this?” Seth asked. “Tess is my betrothed. We’re practically married. I gain nothing by granting you twelve hours to confuse her emotions.”
“You have more control over your sleep patterns than I do, but you still need sleep. I want to be certain of my mate’s affections. Don’t you?”
Another challenge. Damn. This vampire was smart and perceptive. “And how long do we continue this amicable rivalry?”
“Until Tess makes her choice.”
That shouldn’t take long. He had far more to offer any woman than a creature of the night. “I agree to everything with one condition.”
“Which is?”
“You began without my knowledge. I want tonight alone with Tess to assess the damage you’ve done.”
The bastard dared to grin. “Don’t you mean the progress I’ve made?”
“Do you agree?”
“I agree.”
* * *
Tess heard the main entrance to X2 swing open and turned to see who had entered the club. Half expecting Victor, her heart gave an odd leap as she saw Seth striding toward her. Dressed in jeans and a casual shirt, with his entourage conspicuously absent, he appeared far less imposing, if no less attractive. His features were sculpted with high cheekbones and full lips. A firm jaw and the arrogant tilt of his head saved him from being pretty, and his otherworldly hair had been confined at the nape of his neck. One of his pointed ears poked through the silky strands, and she couldn’t help but smile.
“Where are your bodyguards?” He might be able to disguise the fact that he was royalty, but only glamour could make him look human.
“In the corridor.” He sounded oddly subdued. What was going on? “I wished to speak with you alone.”
“That shouldn’t be a problem.” She put her hands on her hips, gathering anger around her to ward off his appeal. “I seem to spend all my time alone thanks to you. I just rolled back the opening and --”
