by Ginna Moran
“You guys,” I murmur, licking my lips.
Bronx hovers his bleeding arm above my mouth. “Open up, dandelion. Let us make you feel better. Your eyes are starting to flash.”
I link my fingers to his wrist and pull his arm to latch my lips around his bite. Bronx releases a soft moan the harder I suck. My body tingles with lust, and I can’t stop my body from squirming. Everett slides his hand between my legs, distracting me with his touch before I lose control with Bronx. I gasp and release Bronx’s arm to bring Everett’s offering to my mouth next.
“So good,” I say, kissing Everett’s puncture wounds, using my lips to staunch the bleeding.
“Need more?” Bronx slides his arm around me to prop me up.
I snuggle to him, listening to the sound of his heart beating. “Nope. I’m pretty perfect. The only things that could make this night better are—”
Bronx and Everett’s com devices beep, the noise cutting through the air to silence my thought. I sneak my hand into Bronx’s pocket and pull it out before he can stop me. It blinks on under my fingerprint, displaying the silliest picture of me and Jameson sticking our tongues out at the camera.
I can’t stop from smiling as Jameson’s face pops into view. “Miss me already, Jamie?”
“Always, Gigi.” Jameson forces his mouth to smirk with the words, but his eyes don’t light up like usual. Something must’ve happened in the short time since I saw him in the gym. “And I’ll come bring you lunch in a bit, but first, can I talk to Bronx?”
“I’m here,” Bronx says, pressing his cheek to mine.
Jameson tightens his jaw, his eyes flashing silver. Everett scoops me onto his lap, letting Bronx get to his feet. Bronx disappears into the bathroom and shuts the door. I scrunch my brows and meet Everett’s expressionless gaze.
“Seriously?” I ask, staring at the closed door.
Everett touches my chin, getting me to look at him. “You know Bronx will tell us once he has a chance to process whatever news Jameson has to share. He likes to have complete control over how stuff gets delivered, especially if it’s in regards to you.”
I purse my lips. “I know, but I can handle whatever it is.”
Leaning in, Everett brushes his lips to mine. “We know that, but can you blame us for wanting to protect you?”
I shrug and puff out my lip more. “Yeah, yeah. I’m such a damsel in distress.”
Everett mirrors my dramatic pout and then fake-glares at me. I close my eyes, trying to listen to Bronx’s conversation with Jameson, but I can only make out an occasional growl and the thunk of his head hitting the door in frustration.
I nearly make it to my feet to rush to where I can listen. Everett flips me off his lap and onto the couch, caging my head in with his elbows. His eyes flash silver as he leans in, looking so determined to distract me from the curiosity that wants me to dash to the bathroom door to press my ear to it.
“What do you think you’re doing?” I ask, hooking my fingers to his shoulders. “Distracting me isn’t going to work. We don’t have nearly enough time.”
He bites his bottom lip, drawing my gaze to his mouth. “Wanna bet?”
“Mmmhmm.” I dare him even to try with my eyes.
“If I manage to prove it, you have to wear a dress every night for a week,” he says, running his finger across my jaw to sweep strands of my blond hair away to see my throat better.
“You have until Bronx hangs up,” I say, arching into him to feel his weight against me. “And if he catches you, then I’m wearing pants during your time for the next month.”
Everett doesn’t even hesitate and says, “It’s on.”
I don’t get the chance to react before he rips the strap of my tank top with his teeth and kisses my shoulder, grazing his fangs over my collarbone and down to my chest. I stretch my back, sinking my head into the couch cushion, enjoying the sensation of his tongue gliding between my breasts.
I comb my fingers through his hair, my breathing picking up pace as he shifts my bra away from my boob so that he can suck my nipple into his mouth. A moan escapes my lips, and Everett breaks away to smile up at me.
“I wish I could continue,” he says, sneaking his hand between my legs to tug my workout shorts out of his way to tease me a little. “But Bronx just hung up, and I have to meet Jameson and Mikkalo.”
I narrow my eyes at him. “You’re lucky you did distract me.”
He flashes his fangs with a smile. “Don’t forget to pick out the dress. There’s no way I can wait another four days to ravish you. The next time we’re alone—”
The door to the bathroom swings open, stopping Everett from whispering his words. Bronx rubs the back of his neck, drawing his gaze to the two of us on the couch. A strange expression crosses his face, but it’s not because of me or Everett. I can’t stop a blip of fear from igniting in my heart.
Bronx clears his throat. “Be ready in an hour, Everett. We’ll meet in the lobby.”
I blink a few times, letting Everett help me to my feet. “You’re leaving?”
He nods. “All of us.”
Everett kisses my cheek and motions to Bronx. Leaning in, he whispers, “Looks like he could use a little distracting.”
Vanishing, Everett leaves me standing near the couch. Bronx closes the space to me and hugs me, lifting me a bit off my feet in the process. He doesn’t say anything right away, making my nerves even worse.
“Why would you need distracting?” I ask, tilting my head up to meet his gaze.
He presses his lips into a line. “It seems that the Barons weren’t joking about trying to seize the region.”
“Fuck,” I say. “What do we do?”
Snuggling his chin into the crook of my neck, he breathes in the scent of my hair. “We need to face them head on.”
I was afraid he was going to say that.
“Tonight?”
“Yeah, the sooner the better. For everyone’s sake.”
I straighten my shoulders and ease away from him to meet his gaze. “Their hearts are mine.”
“They won’t even know what hit them.”
Chapter 2
Unexpected Visitor
“RELAX,” I WHISPER, MASSAGING MY fingers into Bronx’s taut shoulders.
There was no way I was just tossing on clothes after my workout, so I insisted Bronx join me in the lavish glass, tile, and metal shower. His handsome, brooding face can’t seem to soften as he runs strategies through his mind.
I should be more worried about leaving the safety of the Blood Match Center and our high-security suite, but it’s been a month since we’ve arrived and days since I’ve gotten fresh air since Jameson’s the only one to take me to the roof. I kind of look forward to seeing something else, even for only a bit.
Bronx turns around to face me, shower steam glistening across his chest. “I’m sorry, dandelion. I didn’t mean to get lost in my thoughts.”
I smirk and run my fingers across his slippery chest. “Maybe I should do a better job at reminding you that I’m here, feeling super hot...and still a little hungry.”
Bronx closes the space, pushing my naked body against the shower wall. I love how easy it is to steal his attention to focus on me. Everett was right about Bronx needing some distracting. Standing on my tiptoes, I meet my lips to his, slipping my tongue into his mouth. He reacts with fervent passion, sliding his hands to my ass to pull my hips to his. I shift my body, allowing his erection to rest between my legs, but I don’t go any further. Instead, I break from his lips and kiss his neck, sucking my way down the planes of his chest.
“I do owe you a bite, don’t I?” Bronx murmurs, shifting my sopping hair from my shoulder to watch me work my way down.
I peek up at him. “I’m saving that for later. I’m not hungry for your blood. I’m starving for just you.”
He hums in his throat. “Is that so?”
I lick my lips. “Can I show you how much?”
Bronx lets me push him back unt
il I get him to sit on the shower seat to enjoy the heat of the steam wafting through the air. He watches me with a hot intensity as I ease to my knees to kneel in front of him. He’s always so focused on assuring my pleasure that I want nothing more than to reciprocate.
I spread his legs to get between them and suck my bottom lip between my teeth. Lacing my fingers around his prominent shaft, I stroke his erection a few times, feeling it flex in my hand. Bronx releases a soft breath and digs his fingers into my shoulders. I start slow, kissing his thigh and trailing my tongue all the way to his balls to lick them softly.
“Gwen,” he whispers, my name sounding like a sexy plea from his lips. His body relaxes, and he links his fingers through one of my hands.
I work my mouth over him, listening to his heart beating and his breath turning into quick pants as I glide my tongue up the length of his shaft and suck his tip into my mouth, massaging my tongue over it. He moans, tightening his fingers through mine, and shifts to lean his back on the shower wall.
I suck a bit harder and inhale a deep breath as I draw him into my mouth. I take my time licking and sucking and kissing, using his moans to let me know what he likes the most. His fingers comb through my wet hair, playing with the strands. He never takes his eyes off me though I don’t look up at him. I can just feel his gaze devour every second as I please him in a way that turns me on, knowing how much he enjoys it.
Bronx moans again, his hands trailing from my head to my shoulders. I pick up speed, sucking and licking until his body tenses and flexes with his oncoming orgasm. He bows forward, releasing a sexy cross between a growl and a purr, the sound reverberating through me as he cums, the sweet, sugary flavor not unlike his blood.
“You’re so amazing, Gwen,” Bronx says, massaging his fingers into my back as I kiss my way up until I climb onto him to straddle his lap. “Have I told you that enough lately?”
“You don’t have to say the words. The looks you give me speak volumes. Your kisses. Your embraces. Even wrestling with me. You make me feel so incredible all the time.” I adjust myself on his lap, his body already aroused again and ready for more.
He graces me with a gorgeous smile that lights his eyes and makes me smile just as wide. Wrapping his arms around me, he hugs me close, kissing my collarbone, just enjoying the taste of my skin.
I moan at the sensation of his mouth caressing my nipples. Bronx eases my body onto his until pressure builds between my legs. I sink down on him and gasp, tingles bursting through me. He grazes his fangs to my shoulder and moves his hands to my hips to help guide my body up and down.
Everything about this moment feels so amazing, so hot and sexy. My body slides against his as I rock, our passionate lovemaking the thing we both needed after the news we got tonight. I roll my body against Bronx’s, clinging onto him as he stands up and presses my back to the shower wall. He thrusts so deep that I can’t stop my loud-ass mouth from shouting just how good Bronx’s motions feel. Our lovemaking turns into something wild and untamed, something deep-seated and delicious that every inch of my body hums with desire.
Tingles burst through me, his body hitting me just right, getting me off from the constant friction he creates. He shifts my weight to one arm and uses his hand to rub my clit, his fingers stroking just hard enough to make me orgasm. I gasp through the intensity of my muscles tightening and then rest my head to his shoulder, holding on to enjoy our bodies as close as our souls.
Bronx kisses my throat and nips my skin, using the hand not holding me to protect my head from banging into the wall. I give up on suppressing the volume of my moans, my voice coming in quick bursts with each of his deep penetrating thrusts. He finishes with the sexiest noise that vibrates across my skin. Slowing down, he pants and hugs me, just listening to the water and our hearts racing. He kisses me softly, resting his head to my shoulder, and doesn’t let me down for a minute while we both catch our breaths. My legs tremble a bit as I find my footing, and I reach up and hook my fingers around his neck, pulling him in for another kiss.
“Tonight’s going to be fine, you know,” I say, standing still as he runs the bath sponge across my skin to help me clean off. “I’ll not only protect you, but I’ll also make sure everything goes to plan.”
He releases a soft chuckle. “Do you know how hard it is for me even to consider leaving this shower? I want more of you. I can’t ever get enough. You’re so—you’re everything to me.”
“I hope it’s torture,” I tease, trailing my fingers over his bulging muscles.
He groans and turns off the water. “The worst. I had big plans for us tonight.”
“Big plans, huh?” I ask, grinning. I drink in his naked body and reach out to play with his building erection. “If we hurry, we might have enough time for you to give me the strip tease you promised.”
He chuckles. “And feed you in bed. My brothers don’t have to join us for dinner since we’ll be hanging out with them.”
“Whatever you want.”
Bronx opens the shower door and grabs a towel to wrap around me. We stroll together into our suite where we’re surprised by Mikkalo, Everett, and Jameson. They were supposed to meet us in the lobby. The only time they’d dare come in without an invitation on each other’s nights would be because something happened.
Fear trickles through me, stealing the warmth from my skin, making me shiver and tighten my towel around me. Their intense gazes rove over me and drink me in despite the fact that I’m sure I’m seconds away from hearing Bronx lose his shit.
“Nice shower?” Jameson asks like this is all sorts of normal. “Sounded fun.”
I narrow my eyes. “What’s wrong? I know you guys didn’t come here to ask to join in,” I say, beating Bronx to the question.
That makes all of them look at each other, making me blush. “You know nothing, Gigi,” Jameson says. “I’m nearly certain the whole city wants to take a shower with you.”
Bronx releases a growl, shutting Jameson up. “Get to it, brother.”
“We have an unexpected visitor,” Mikkalo says before Jameson can answer, tugging his com device from his pocket to hold it out to Bronx.
I lean forward to glimpse the video feed of what I think is the security post that monitors the select few vampires able to come and go as they please during the quarantine that traps both donors and shadow dwellers in Crimson Vista for the unforeseeable future.
“Who are they?” I ask, staring at three gorgeous female vampires waiting in their vehicle for the guards to motion them through.
No one answers my question while the five of us stare at the screen.
The red-haired driver flicks her gaze right at the security camera. I nearly duck out of the way, feeling suddenly nervous as all get-out like the woman could actually see me, even though she can’t. Bronx slides his arm around my back, pulling me closer to him. Jameson closes the space on my other side, draping his arm over my shoulders to sandwich me to Bronx in the best way possible.
“Did Viorica announce her arrival?” Bronx asks, lowering his voice.
Mikkalo taps the screen and pulls up a list of notifications. “Not with me. All alerts from Zaire’s private line have been forwarded to you.”
Bronx groans and crosses the room to his bed, leaving me with his brothers. Everett motions for me to go with him to the wardrobe, and Jameson follows along, keeping his arm around me. Mikkalo joins Bronx to look over his com device. No one has to say anything for me to know that they’re trying to stay calm. Whoever the hell these women are have them on edge. It’s worse than when Corona comes around or even thinking about the Baron Coven.
“Put her in a gown,” Bronx calls from outside the wardrobe. “High heels, jewelry, perfume. Arm her too. And fast. We have about fifteen minutes.”
I stand in surprise as Jameson lifts my arms while Everett slips a white gown over my head. The strapless dress hugs my curves, leaving me very minimal range to move my legs. I watch in the mirror as the two of them complete my look
with ruby jewelry to add to the single bracelet Jameson gave me with a tracking device that I never take off.
Spinning me around, Jameson meets my gaze, scrunching his nose. He swipes a glass bottle from a small built-in vanity and spritzes my throat with a floral perfume that nearly overwhelms my senses. Everett hikes up my gown and hides a thigh holster with a dagger and then helps me step into glittery stilettos pointy enough to impale someone.
“Makeup or no?” Jameson asks Everett, looking at the collection of products I haven’t touched.
“That’s up to Gwen.” Everett shifts to stand behind me and combs a brush through my hair. He fastens a few pieces out of my face with a ruby clip.
I raise my eyebrows. “Can someone please tell me why you’re dressing me up like a doll?”
Jameson picks up a lipstick. “The Vaduvas are coming.” The way he says it makes it sound like a war heads to our doorstep.
Holding still, I let Jameson apply the lipstick but bat his hand away before he tries anything else. “The Vaduvas? Why does that coven sound familiar?”
“Viorica is the head of Donor Life Corp’s board.” Everett’s voice remains even as he stands next to Jameson to drink me in. They nod at each other in silent approval. Usually, I’d laugh this weird experience off, especially because of how effortlessly they put my look together, but something about their eyes pushes me on the edge of losing my shit with nerves. How can they not be freaked out? The head of the whole territory is here, and Zaire is dead. She will surely ask about him.
I grimace. “Fuck.”
Jameson tightens his jaw, his green eyes darkening. “Don’t panic. If you panic, they’ll think something is up. We shouldn’t have anything to worry about in front of Viorica. Unless Everett crossed one of her daughters in the last few months.”
