His body moved over hers, her head lifting off the ground, her breath pulsing in short pants. Virgil adjusted to her reactions.
Emmie’s body was throbbing, new sensations flooding every nerve. She gasped and his lips plunged down for her.
A deep quiver began within her. With every movement, it grew and her body became less and less her own. Control left and a new wave of feelings overtook her.
Another gasp dragged through her throat. Virgil's rhythm changed to match her rising intensity. Emmie's eyes locked onto the pure gray of his eyes as her body lifted and an explosion burst through her cells.
Virgil’s mouth opened part way as his body contracted and the two froze together, barely moving as surges of energy ran through them.
It was a few minutes before Emmie remembered the cold around her, her clothes lying chilly beneath her. She turned and curled her body into Virgil’s not ready to give herself up to the reality of the cold that was even now moving in.
Chapter Six
Emmie got no sleep after Virgil dropped her safely at the Ward Ranch. She couldn't stop seeing his gray eyes and feel his hands on her. The prospect of Virgil leaving and her body and mind continuing without him seemed an impossible thing.
The day dragged on. She made her rounds and thought she saw the same pack of coyotes or wolves that she’d seen before, but they were gone before she even remembered her missing rifle.
Every moment was filled with thought and she couldn’t manage to keep her mind focused on any task for more than a few seconds. She wondered where Virgil was, how far away, if he’d made up with Max or if something bad might have happened to him. When she finally crept into bed that night her head was so foggy and her eyes so heavy that she slipped into bed and into a full sleep within only a few minutes.
She was so heavily and deeply asleep that she could not understand what was happening as she woke in the middle of the night. There was a pounding sound, it was dark, and she could barely make sense of it until she looked out her window and saw Virgil’s face.
It was a moment before she could conceive that she wasn’t dreaming and was able to get up and open her window. Her smile disappeared when she saw the serious look on his face.
“What’s wrong?”
“Max, Otis, and Levi are on their way over. I tried to reason with them earlier, we even made it out of town, but Max is stubborn and dangerous.”
Emmie put her hand on Virgil’s arm, “It will be ok. We have another rifle inside, and another in the barn, we’ll be safe here.”
“No,” Virgil’s face went tight and Emmie watched him closely. “There’s something you don’t know about me… about the four of us.”
Emmie felt a sinking feeling creep through the pit of her stomach. The way he said it and the look on his face were telling her that any or all of her worst fears were most certainly true.
“Emeline,” Virgil braced himself on the side of the house. “You know how I told you that the cattle were taken by animals?”
Emmie nodded waiting for further explanation but nothing came.
"That was you? You're telling me that you did steal the McGilligcuddy cattle?”
“Yes, and the other morning too,” Virgil squinted his eyes.
“Other morning?”
“The morning you came out—”
“—No,” Emmie interrupted. “I saw wolves remember?”
“Exactly,” Virgil exhaled the word slowly.
“I don’t understand,” Emmie’s face screwed up. Whatever her worst fears had been they hadn’t revolved around Virgil stealing cattle and for a moment she had felt vaguely relieved.
“Remember you shot one in the leg?” Virgil lifted his brows as if this would be the final clue, but Emmie shook her head without understanding. “You shot Levi.”
“But I didn’t… I shot…” Emmie’s thoughts drifted by as she saw the look in Virgil’s eyes. She was looking at two pieces of a puzzle that made no sense. Unless…
“You are telling me—”
“—Yes, that is exactly what I’m telling you. That is why they are so dangerous, why we need to get you out of here.”
Emmie stared at him for another long moment.
“Emeline, please.” Virgil’s voice was so full of conviction and momentum that she felt she had no choice but to move.
“Ok,” She nodded at him before running to get her boots.
“You should get the extra rifle too,” Virgil turned to look out over the land behind him.
“I can’t leave Silas without one, I’ll get the one in the barn,” Emmie instinctively understood that there was no time for more explanations, no time for changing out of her night dress, no time to think twice.
Emmie shimmied out of her window while Virgil gripped her arm, then the two of them made their way down to the dirt and grass below.
As soon as her feet hit the grass she knew something was wrong. When she turned, she saw all three of them before her. She had no weapon, only Virgil and they didn’t stand a chance against three.
Emmie tried to calculate how long it would take her to get to the barn but it was impossibly far.
“You’re becoming rather predictable these days,” Max looked at Virgil.
“You should leave,” Virgil’s voice was strong and Emmie guessed that his voice was showing a strength his mind could not be so sure of.
“I’ll leave when I get what I came here for,” Max walked forward with an arrogance he certainly hadn’t earned from his last fight with Virgil.
A crack came from Emmie’s left. The front door of the house swung open, slamming against the wood behind it. Silas stood in the doorway with a shotgun lifted to his shoulder.
“You should stop right there,” Silas spoke slowly and Emmie watched as Max’s smile grew larger.
“Dad,” Emmie had to warn her father that at any moment a wolf could be attacking him but just as she finished the word Max shifted with a leap into a full-grown wolf. A crack rang out into the night and Emmie began running toward her father.
A shriek came from her other side and she turned her head to see Virgil shift and pounce on Otis. As her head spun back to her father another flash of color moved in front of her and Emmie found herself rolling on the ground, long, sharp teeth snapping at her face.
Emmie put both feet up to the belly of the wolf then pushed with a great effort. It didn’t last long but just long enough for Emmie to see the place where she’d shot him a few days before.
Gathering all her strength Emmie kicked at the back leg of the animal. Her foot made contact and a yelp of pain went up.
She looked up again to see Virgil jump on Levi as Otis lay in an unmoving heap on the grass.
A loud growl issued from the front porch and Emmie turned to see Max as he took notice of his brother’s lifeless body.
Max turned from Otis to Virgil and lunged at him. Just as Max made contact with Virgil, Levi also turned to make it two against one on Virgil. Emmie stood and ran with all her might at the injured wolf. They tumbled over closer to the front porch where Emmie could vaguely see her father’s body laying broken. She looked up as Levi lunged for her.
She saw the movement as if in slow motion, the seconds drawing out, Levi jumped for her and Virgil turned from Max striking out at Levi with such force that the injured wolf flew through the air and thudded unmoving against the house.
Max jumped again but Virgil was ready for him this time. Within a few seconds, it was over. Emmie ran to her father's body trying without success to find a pulse. Her eyes filled over her only parent, now dead.
Emmie turned toward Virgil who had just changed back into himself. His eyes were full of everything she felt.
“He’s gone,” Emmie looked at Virgil pleading for him to contradict her.
Two heavy tears rolled down her cheeks, then without a moment’s thought, Emmie picked up the discarded gun still on the porch, cocked it, and fired. Virgil swung around to see Max sprawled out on the ground
just as he’d been before Emmie had taken her perfect shot.
Chapter Seven
The graveyard in Cool Water Gap was not in the center of town with the church. It was out ways but Emmie had always gone there regularly to visit her mother's gravesite.
Now as she stood over her mother’s grave she looked at her father’s grave too.
“I miss you,” She whispered the words to both her parents who now, after all these years, were together again.
Pushing a tear off her cheek she turned back toward the ranch. Virgil stood with his serious eyes and mouth, his body tense and set, waiting for her, watching over her.
He walked her out past the small makeshift gravestones, some good and some rudimentary. Red was just outside the small enclosure and Emmie swung herself up onto his back in one fluid motion.
The sun was shining down on her skin and she lifted her face up to it, closing her eyes for a moment.
When she opened her eyes again she turned them to Virgil.
"I'll race you home," Before she'd finished saying "race" she'd given Red a signal and begun off toward the ranch. Red was strong beneath her, his hooves thundering along the ground. The wind brushed across Emmie's face and she looked back over her shoulder to see the sleek gray wolf easily keeping pace with her.
She shook her head wishing that for once she and Red stood more of a chance to win. When Emmie pulled up to the ranch first she shook her head at Virgil.
“What?” He raised his hands. “You won. You must be happy with that.”
Emmie pushed her lips together and studied him, “No. You let me win. That’s not the same thing.”
Virgil feigned ignorance of his rigged race and Emmie walked past him into the house to set the table for dinner.
They slept with the windows open as the summer came on and their bodies intertwined as the easy summer breeze flowed over them both.
As the sun began to break, Emmie woke. She walked free and naked to the window, standing in awe at the beauty of something that happens every morning. She leaned her head against the windowsill and breathed in the fresh air of a new day.
Emmie turned to watch the man sleeping soundly in her bed. His body was strong and lithe, his face perfect in the grip of a deep and dreamless sleep.
She felt an overwhelming sense of love flood her senses as she watched him. She walked to the edge of the bed and looked down into his face, wishing she could see his gray eyes once again.
“I love you,” Emmie whispered down to the sleeping man.
She crawled back into bed and pulled herself close to his body.
Emmie’s mouth found Virgil’s and they fit together perfectly.
“Good morning,” Virgil smiled a sleepy smile as his hands slid over Emmie’s warm skin.
“It is a good morning,” Emmie smiled back. She rolled herself on top of him, her thighs fitting around him as if they’d been made for just that purpose.
Emmie bent down but before her lips could touch his, Virgil lifted a finger to them.
“What?” Emmie stopped, her eyes locking with his.
“Just wanted to say,” He whispered close to her face, “that I love you too.” Virgil released his finger and lifted his head, no longer willing to hold himself away.
*****
THE END
Paranormal Menage Romance: Her Two Dragon Princes
Description
Human mates were the easiest to find – or so they thought.
Sizzling hot stepbrothers Lloyd and Foster, dragon princes, didn’t want to lose the throne to their sister, Silvia. Especially when all they needed to ensure the crown was a mate. Confident in their abilities, the two brothers set up a bet. The first one to find a mate would become Dragon King. No questions asked. But, all bets are off once they meet Emily, the strong and independent nightclub owner whose perfect smile and sexy curves cast a spell on the two dragons that even they cannot break.
Emily, as independent as she is, soon learns that she cannot survive alone. Still, even with her resources dwindling day by day, she continues to run the nightclub by herself, hoping things would turn up. She just never expected that two handsome individuals would offer her a loan and a partnership she couldn’t deny. Soon, their money is replaced by a sex appeal that makes her mind swim. In a way, they seem almost too good to be true. Where did these men get their money and why did they want to help her, of all people?
As their partnership develops, Emily notices something peculiar. The men never stay past sunrise. And their eyes… Maybe Foster and Lloyd weren’t the men she thought they were. But Emily is too far deep now. If she runs, she faces mysterious councils, whelps, and maybe worse of all – death.
Chapter One
“You?” A loud, grizzly laugh echoed through the cavernous space.
“Yes. Me. I have just as much charm as you do. Girls would be swooning over me before you can even say a word to them.”
“Do you really believe that?” Lloyd Whitfield straightened himself out, peering at his step-brother, Foster.
“I’m willing to bet on it.” Foster grinned, showing off his dazzling smile. He ran his fingers through his soft brown hair, only messing it up further. He dropped his fingers to his smooth-shaven chin, rubbing it for a moment. Even in the gloom, his dark eyes sparkled with mischief. His sharp, straight nose pointed at his brother before his smirk deepened, his pink lips pressing together into a devilish smirk. “I’ve got you beat. Give up before you humiliate yourself.”
“You forget who the true heir to the throne is.” Lloyd’s voice became deep and threatening. With his face now dangerously close to his step-brother, his usually dark eyes turned green, his pupils turning into thin, malicious slits.
“Only if you find a mate.” Foster chuckled, his grin deepening as he reclined into his chair, easing into the soft leather. His fingers tightened around the armrests as he looked around. The small cavern was cloaked in darkness, but Foster could still see just as well if the room had been illuminated. The walls of the cavern were slick. There was a powerful smell of wet dirt that hung in the air. The furnishings were bare and simple.
“And like I said, I can find one faster than you.”
“And like I said, I’m willing to bet that you can’t.” Foster challenged as he got up, uncurling his tall, lithe 6’3 figure. He rolled his shoulders and cracked his neck. “Of course, if you’re scared of losing, I understand.”
Lloyd’s derisive laugh reemerged. It reverberated off the cave walls until small pieces of debris crumbled to the ground. “Me? Afraid of you? In your dreams!” Lloyd got up, towering over his step-brother. His stood at a wide stance, hoping to intimidate Foster with his muscular physique. “So, if it’s a bet you want, a bet is what you’ll get. What are the terms?” He asked, looking down at the smaller man.
“First one to find a mate becomes the new Dragon King.”
“Is that all? I thought you’d make things a little more interesting.” Lloyd smirked, thinking he had already won the gamble.
“I’m open to suggestions.” Foster’s smooth, honey-like voice faded off into the darkness as he started to walk towards the entrance of the cave.
“Loser has to live in the human world for good.”
“Are you implying banishment?” Foster turned, cocking an eyebrow in his step-brother’s direction. “And what if you lose? Are you going to keep your word?”
“I’m not going to lose.” Lloyd’s smirk deepened as he crossed the cave with long, powerful strides. He was beside Foster in a moment, his large hand wrapped around the back of his neck. “But I’m sure you’ll have fun with the humans.” He teased.
“Oh, I don’t know about that. I’m sure I would have a lot more fun on the throne.”
Lloyd just scoffed at the comment as they continued to walk along the maze of corridors that traveled through the cave. As they walked, they passed others of their kind. Workers who were mining away at the deeper recesses of the den. Women holding small childre
n in their arms. Old men visiting family. Teenagers who clung to the walls, snickering among themselves as they made lewd jokes.
Finally, they emerged from their den. Outside, the sky was a deep shade of azure. There wasn’t a cloud in sight. The trees crowns were full of bright verdant leaves. Their trunks twisted and gnarled as they shot up toward the sky. Ripe fruit dangled from the branches, begging to be picked.
In a flash, Lloyd’s large white wings emerged from his back, nearly clipping Foster across the face. With a single beat, he shot up into the tree, snatching the juicy fruit. He hurled himself back to the ground with a loud thud before sinking his fangs into the fruit’s flesh, letting the juice drip down his chin.
“Must you always be such a brute?” Foster asked, stepping away from his step-brother as he devoured the round, multicolored sphere.
In response, Lloyd spat out some of the seeds onto the ground and grinned. “If you don’t like it, you’ll just have to win the bet and keep me in the human world.”
“You know, there aren’t any Kanas in the human world.”
Lloyd’s eyes grew huge. “What the hell do people eat when they want something sweet?”
“I hear they have something called candy.”
There was a confused look on Lloyd’s face that made Foster snicker. “Maybe you should try reading sometime.”
“Reading is a waste of time. Now, let’s go so I can beat you at your little game. You know, you’re going to be sorry when I have all the girls swooning over me once we get to the human world.”
“Please. You don’t know the first thing about human women. They don’t like brutes like you, they prefer gentleman like me.” He straightened his posture and fixed his gray vest until it was perfectly aligned.
“Right,” Lloyd answered sarcastically.
Foster rolled his eyes before his wings started to slowly unfurl from his shoulder blades. His dark wings weren’t as long as Lloyd’s, but they were sharp and aerodynamic. Their edges were lined with ruby-red scales. “Shall we?”
A Secret Baby for the Vampire Page 68
