by Emily Bex
“What's the matter, mia belleza? Are you worried I won't be able to keep up with you?”
She looked at him lying on the bed, one arm behind his head and his feet crossed at the ankles, his free hand patting the empty space beside him, and he made her weak in the knees. Oh, baby! Two can play this game. She pulled a straight back chair from against the wall and positioned it at the foot of the bed, straddled the chair and slowly unbuttoned her shirt. She gave him a funny sexy face, sticking out her tongue, and then asked him, "I don't know, old man. You sure you can handle all this?"
She made him laugh out loud with her antics and her playful striptease. “You are a handful, si? You may have to take it easy on me, mia belleza, in my advanced state of aging. I may only be able to make love to you for ten or twelve hours before I’d need a break, but I’ll do my best to keep up.”
She made a face of mock surprise, and fanned herself with her hand, making him laugh again.
Shannon spoke to him in an exaggerated Southern accent, giving him her best damsel in distress impression. “Why, sir? Only ten to twelve hours? What's a girl to do with the other twelve hours in the day?”
Luca laughed at her bad acting. “We can always call in reinforcements, mia belleza, until I’m able to revive my strength.”
She stood up from her chair and slid her jeans off, still speaking in her phony accent, and batting her eyelashes at him. “Reinforcements, indeed, sir. I suppose that’s always an option.”
As she kicked her feet free from the jeans, she dove across the foot of the bed at him. She saw the startled expression on his face, as she landed on top of him and they both started laughing uncontrollably, until the laughter dissolved into a playful kiss, which turned into a very passionate kiss.
She broke away from the kiss and placed one finger on his lip. “Shush now, sir, while I undress you. You need to preserve all your strength.”
She unbuttoned his shirt, never breaking her gaze from those hazel eyes, as he gave her that half-smile that made her so crazy for him. She pulled his shirt free from his waistband and then struggled to get the shirt off his arms. “A little help here, sir, would be nice.”
“Si, mia belleza, I was preserving my strength as requested.” He rose up and pulled the shirt off, while she moved to the button on his jeans and proceeded to unzip them. He continued to play her game. “Now you want me to help with that too, I suppose? If you have any hope of removing these jeans, bella, I suggest you take my boots off first.”
“Oh! I’m so inexperienced at this, sir. It’s so good I have you to guide me.” She crawled to the foot of the bed on her hands and knees to remove his boots, leaning down as she untied them, her ass in the air for his full viewing pleasure.
“Cazzo!” She had that beautiful ass facing him, her back arched, and he slid his hands up the backs of her thighs and onto her ass cheeks, running his fingers under the lace edge of her panties which were already wet with her juices. The scent of her sex turned his cock to steel and he felt his fangs punch through. She removed each boot and pulled off his socks, when he sat up to help her pull off his jeans. Her ass was tantalizingly close and he ran his tongue across a tight rounded cheek, before snapping the tiny band of elastic that encircled her hips and tossing the torn panties to the floor. He gripped her hips with both hands, as he slid his tongue across her sex, tasting her sweetness, before plunging his tongue deep inside her. She felt her body tense, as she gripped the bedding and her moans filled this long silent room.
His hands, his tongue, pushed every thought from her head and replaced it with this burning need. She gripped the bedspread in her hands and moaned, as she felt his tongue plunge into her. She felt his fingers replace his tongue, as he teased, probed, pinched, and pulled at her sex until she thought she would scream. He grabbed her hips and pulled her down. His cock slid deep inside her with one smooth motion, and she straddled him with her back to him, as she started to slide herself along the full length of his cock. His grip controlled her rhythm, his hips lifting, thrusting. She tried to push her hips back, sit down on him, taking all of him, but his hands held her tight, not letting her have everything she wanted. Her body strained to feel all of him, yet he continued with this tease, sliding his member half in, half out. The sounds she made were more animal than human as he pushed her closer, but never giving up control of the pace he was setting. “Please...” It was the only word in her head. She whispered it again. “Please...”
When he heard her plea, he pulled her hips down hard as he lifted his own, slamming his cock deep inside her, and he heard her groan from deep in her throat, her head thrown back, that thick hair hanging down to her ass, as he released her to ride his penis at her own pace. He watched the rise and fall of her hips, and watched as his cock slid inside her, disappearing each time her ass pounded hard against him. He squeezed her hips hard, waiting for her, as his dick throbbed and begged for release. Her pace quickened, as did the cries from her mouth. He felt her reach her climax, felt the spasms deep inside her as he let his own body respond, filling her with cum, lifting his hips higher, thrusting deep, and holding her there in a vice grip until they both collapsed back on the bed. He pulled her close to him, watched her flushed face with its light sheen, and the rapid rise and fall of her chest as her body slowly returned to normal.
“You like my room, mia belleza?”
“What? Your room?” She was still out of breath and he was asking her about his room? “Of course, babe... great room.”
He slid from his old bed and picked her up, carrying her from the room. “Good. Not counting my parent’s room, there are six bedrooms in this house. That leaves only five more to break in.”
“Oh, god help me.”
Luca laughed at her as he took her into the next bedroom and tossed her on the bed. “Try to keep up with the old man, bella.”
He took her from one room to the next, tossing her on each bed, and making love to her in each room. Luca on top, Luca taking her from behind, Luca sitting on the bed with her straddling him, Luca on the bottom, Luca feeding from her, his fangs deep in her neck, Luca with his face between her legs, making her scream to the heavens, until she begged him to stop.
“Perfect timing, mia belleza, we have run out of bedrooms anyway.” He slapped her ass as he slid from the bed. “Come on, my fair damsel, we need to find our clothes.”
“Seriously... I need to just lie here.”
He grabbed her ankle and dragged her across the bed, nipping at her leg. “Clothes, mia belleza, or I will take you again.”
He picked her up and carried her over his shoulder back to his bedroom and set her down in the room where they’d started. Their clothes tossed haphazardly across the floor.
“Remind me to never bring up that age thing again.” She flipped her hair back out of her face, to see his eyes with a mischievous glint, and that sly half-smile, as he handed her jeans to her.
“I tore your panties.” He picked them up off the floor and held them to his nose, inhaling her, keeping her locked in his gaze. “You'll have to go commando, like me.”
Sweet Mother of God... this man! She slid the jeans over her hips and looked for her bra and blouse. He pulled on his own jeans and put his socks and boots back on. Shannon found his shirt, he found her blouse and they traded, laughing, her eyes glued to his. Her legs were literally shaking they’d had so much sex. As he finished dressing, he stepped to her, pushed her hair back from her face, his lips close to her ear, and she felt his hot breath against her skin. “Are you okay, bella?”
“Aside from not being able to walk, you mean? Other than that minor detail, I’m fine, babe.”
“Keep up, mortal,” he teased her and led her back down the stairs. He wanted to look outside. His father had a lot of property here. The soil was rich for planting, but Luca was sure nothing had been grown here in years. As they went through the kitchen to the back of the house again, there was a bottle of Limoncello on the counter, along with an aperitif gla
ss that hadn’t been there before. Gi again? He stopped and poured her a glass of the sweet and sour liqueur.
“It looks like someone thinks you may need a little refreshment, mia belleza.”
He handed her the glass and she took a few sips, delicious. She remembered the taste. At first sour as the bite of the lemon hit your tongue, followed quickly by the sweetness. Drinking it on an empty stomach sent the alcohol straight to her head. Great, she was already having trouble walking. He watched as she emptied the glass, and she realized it was a taste he’d probably never savored. “Do you know what it tastes like, Luca?”
“I do not, mia belleza.”
“You've never tasted a lemon? Or sugar?” She swirled her finger in the glass and offered it to him, his mouth closing over her finger. She felt the heat from his tongue and her knees buckled. She smiled at the expression on his face, as he registered the initial burst of mouth puckering sourness, followed by the sugary sweetness. She slowly pulled her finger from his mouth, his lips pursed around her finger, applying pressure, holding her there, as they locked eyes again. I swear, those eyes.
As her finger left his lips, he licked them, savoring this strange flavor she’d shared with him.
“I think I prefer the taste of you, bella.” He gave her a quick kiss as he led her from the kitchen, before they consecrated yet another room. She followed him out the door and onto the open patio that overlooked the land. The sun told him it was late afternoon, as they walked across the courtyard.
As they cleared the courtyard, he saw large terra cotta pots filled with small lemon trees. The smell of the lemons and the sweet blossoms filled the air. It was only a small number compared to the groves that used to be here, but it made him smile to see it, to remember his father tending the fields, overseeing his crops. Even to maintain the lemon trees in pots required attention. Clearly, there was staff here, and not temporary staff. The house and the land were in too good condition for that. Shade had had people here caring for this house, this land, as if someone still lived here every day. It humbled him. He was his master. Luca’s life was his to direct. Shade owed him nothing, and yet, gave him everything.
She watched him again as they walked outside, he stopped and stared at the lemon trees planted near the house. A flood of emotions could be read on his face, and she squeezed his hand.
He felt her light squeeze, her acknowledgment, her silence, as she stood beside him allowing him this time to absorb it all.
“Come, walk with me.” He led her down the path to where the lemon groves used to grow, and he couldn’t believe his eyes. They were still there. More than a hundred years, and they were still there. The lemon groves that supported their family had been restored to their full glory. The bottle of Limoncello in the kitchen was a message to him. This property still produced tons of lemons, sold on the market, producing a substantial income, an income that was now his. He squeezed his eyes shut to block his tears. Shade had done everything to secure his future. His love and generosity had no boundaries. Luca knew, if he were to ask for his independence, to move here, to live here with Shannon, to have his own babies here, he’d grant it. But Luca would never ask it. His loyalty to Shade was now more secure than ever. He looked at Shannon and wondered if she’d ever understand this, the bond Luca had with him. His love for her was never-ending, as was his loyalty to Shade, and he’d find a way to have them both in his life.
“Come, mia belleza. The sun is setting. Let's head back to Castello. We never know what night my king and queen will emerge from the chamber, and I want to be there.”
96
Alec was working late in his home office, again. Rissa had had a good day. She had gone out again today with Jacks, with apparently less drama, but she was behind in her business as well. She had retreated to her own office upstairs, trying to get caught up. Santos came to the door, tapping lightly.
“Sorry to interrupt, master, but I have a hand-delivered letter for you.”
Alec gave him a questioning look and Santos shook his head, indicating he didn’t know the sender. Santos brought him the letter and then left the room. Alec slid his fingers under the seal of the heavy ivory colored envelope and pulled out the elaborately hand-written invitation.
High Master Alec Canton and Mate Larissa Benneteau
are cordially invited to the
Coronation of Queen Katherine of Medici.
Mated with Great Honor to King and High Master Shade Medici.
The Coronation will take place at Castello Medici
Florence, Italy
May 24 at Midnight.
RSVP
He flipped the stiff ivory stationary over in his hand. And so it was done. The mortal was now immortal. Well, at least the event was over a weekend, as if not attending was even an option, very bad vampire protocol.
“Rissa! Can you come downstairs, please?”
Rissa heard Alec call to her from downstairs. Rushing out of her room and down the stairs, she found him in his office, walked in and sat across from him. “Alec, I swear I was good today. What’s going on? Your voice was booming.”
“Was it booming, my darling? Didn't notice.” He handed her the invitation. “It seems we have plans for the weekend. We'll leave on Friday, take the private jet. Be there for the coronation on Saturday, then fly home on Sunday. You can have a little time during the day on Saturday to shop if you like. Nothing is open in Italy on Sunday, and I mean nothing, except cathedrals.”
As he handed her the elegant linen card, she noticed it was handwritten in beautiful calligraphy. She heard him babbling on and on about what? A coronation? Is he kidding me?
“Alec,” holding up her hand, “Hold up a moment, did you say coronation? Italy?”
“Yes, a coronation, for your friend. What's her name? Kate? Shade is a king, my darling. His family is royalty. Bloodline goes back for centuries. I’m sure you’ve heard of the Medici’s... the mortal ones. They practically built the city of Florence, financed Michelangelo, Da Vinci, Galileo, among others. Once Shade finally turns her, officially mating her, she becomes queen. I think his coven covers all of Tuscany, some in France and Greece, and if my instincts are right, soon in the U.S. She’ll rule with him over every Medici coven.”
His words didn’t register right away, then it dawned on her, and she rolled her eyes to him in absolute astonishment and jealousy.
“You mean the warrior is royalty? I... wait... Kate? Meek little Kate? Kate is a queen? There has to be some mistake! The Medici's?”
She stood up and covered her mouth in disbelief. She paced around the room, trying to comprehend how the hell that bitch landed a king. Spinning on her heels, she looked Alec dead in the eyes. “You never told me he was a king!”
“Yes, well, meek little Kate took out the meanest fucking mercenary vamp when she was still mortal. I mean, she killed the vamp that scares other vamps. So, I've had to rethink my whole impression of her. And Shade... he’s a master warrior by profession. It’s what he does. He doesn't really flaunt that king title, doesn't need to. Every vamp knows who he is. Excuse me, my darling, I thought I’d mentioned he was royal blood. Every vamp that was born vamp knows who he is. I've been in that fucking castle many times before, though. You should enjoy that. That place is protected like a fortress, and it’s not often other vamps not of the Medici coven would ever see inside.”
She stood staring at him like she was in some bad dream, make that a nightmare! A castle? She closed her mouth quickly as she discovered it hanging wide open the longer he talked. She was shaking her head back and forth.
“No! I don’t believe this.” Walking over to him, she bent down and looked him in the eye. “Are you playing a trick on me?”
He laughed out loud, swallowing down the rest of the Midnight. “Darling, I feel the trick is on me. I spent millions in property value to have Shade provide protection, try to work with my warriors, get them in shape, and when that didn't work, had him bring his own warriors here from Floren
ce. And after all that money, who kills Angel? Some scrawny little mortal red-head. And to add insult to injury, I have to pay the bounty we agreed to from the beginning. Whoever brings the head of my enemy can claim their reward, and what does he want for Kate? That fucking building in Paris sits right on the Champs Elysees. No, my darling. I assure you, it’s no trick.”
All she heard was Champs Elysees and her eyes went wide and she growled, with gritted teeth, her chest heaving in and out.
“You gave her the house in Paris? I wanted that house. Damn it, Alec!”
She spun around and walked to the other side of the room, kicking the elegant solid cherry bookcase as she went by and heard it shatter and splinter. “You didn’t think it was important to tell me about him? Then you... Fuck, I can’t believe this! The Paris house. It’s worth a fortune! I had plans for that. That bitch!”
“Hold on, wildcat. As far as I know, she had nothing to do with that transaction. Shade wanted to surprise her with it, and I had tenants in there that needed notice to move out, so I don't think he has even told her yet. And for the record, my darling, my property that I gained through the centuries is mine to bargain with as I see fit. I don't need to discuss with you any of my business decisions, so be careful where you tread. I gave him the deeds to the Virginia property and the California property. They brought no value to me, but to him, with the vineyards, it was like gold. Besides, that Virginia property is sitting right in the middle of Max's coven. I have no quarrel with Max. We’ve been allies in the past. But it’s never a good idea to own property within another master's coven. Good riddance, as far as I'm concerned. And now Shade will have to deal with Max, and I don't think that will take very long since I hear rumors Shade is building his own warrior camp out there now. I can’t imagine Max not seeing that as a direct threat.”
She stopped dead in her tracks, her back to him. Max! She felt her heart beat rapidly, her blood racing. She swallowed hard and took a deep breath and felt the room spinning. She found her hand suddenly at her throat and she closed her eyes, turning slowly to face him.
