by Ginna Moran
Shifting on Bronx’s lap, I look at Mikkalo. “So where will we be staying?”
Everett taps his finger to my leg and motions to the windshield. “Here.”
I gape at the road ahead of us that ends right before the stretch of ocean. I’ve never been so close to such an endless body of water that I can’t take my eyes off the gradient of colors from the gray of the night darkened water to the purpling of the sky.
“Whoa.” I lean forward as if the few inches could give me a better view. “Who lives here?”
At the end of the road and before the ocean towers a building a few stories tall. It’s the only one around that I can see. Dozens of balconies extend from tinted-glass doors. I stare at the glass like I could see through to who’s inside, but it’s pointless. I think curtains cover the doors for additional privacy and protection.
“Technically us,” Everett says. “We have properties all over our region. This one is a bit too far from Crimson Vista, so Zaire always treated it as a getaway spot. It is cared for by the Crescent Coven, allies of ours from before the divisions. They run a nearby city.”
Bronx turns off the autopilot, hooking his hands to the steering wheel while caging me in. I rest my head on his chest, listening to the silence that falls through the car apart from our soft breathing and hearts beating.
Five figures materialize outside a set of glass double doors as Bronx drives the car under the covered drive. None of them approach us, standing tall and expressionless, just watching us. I squirm a bit, my nerves getting the best of me. I don’t think I’ll ever get used to meeting new vampires.
“Relax, Gwen. Try not to punch out any hearts while we’re here. The Crescent Coven might be the most tolerable out of all of our city heads.” Bronx swings the door open and takes me with him.
Everett, Jameson, and Mikkalo take their positions around us, caging me in as a way to protect me. Silence fills the air apart from a strange noise that sounds almost like a hum. I’ve never heard anything like it.
“What is that noise?” I ask my guys, stretching to peer around from Bronx’s arms.
“Lovely, isn’t it?” A soft, almost melodic voice draws my attention to the five guys waiting for us to close the space. “I’ve always found the ocean soothing. It’s a shame Donor Life Corp doesn’t allow us to enjoy it.”
“Huh?” I ask, nearly forgetting that I should most definitely not be engaging in a conversation with a strange vampire.
“Now where did you find this gorgeous little thing, Bronx? She looks delicious.” A man with neatly styled brown hair, expressive brows, and a boxy jaw with a few days growth of stubble steps forward to greet us.
“Smells delicious, too.” Another guy—a fiery auburn-haired vampire with blue eyes and light freckles across his nose—steps forward, flaring his nostrils. I can’t stop my eyes from gawking at him. I’ve never seen freckles on a vampire.
“The best I’ve ever tasted.” Bronx’s words shock the hell out of me, and I bat his shoulder, twisting my mouth. He chuckles and plants his lips to mine, cutting off my complaints. “But don’t tell Zaire. He’d have my head.”
Okay. What. The. Fuck.
“And I’m about to kick you in your balls for not preparing me for this weird-ass introduction,” I say, wiggling in Bronx’s arms. “Now put me down.”
The man howls a laugh. “No wonder you like her.”
Bronx relents and sets me down, and the first man whacks him on the back, sliding his arm around his shoulders. The two of them start walking, not even acknowledging me or anyone else for that matter, and I turn and look to Everett, Jameson, and Mikkalo.
“Later,” Jameson mouths to me.
“So let me guess. The five of you need a place to stay for the day?” The man strolls with Bronx and pushes open the door. The other guys quietly follow behind him, and we finish the line with me safely tucked inside a muscular circle.
Bronx nods. “You bet your ass I wish we didn’t, Ronan. There was an attack on Twilight Peak. Both the Grey and York Covens were massacred. Many others.”
Ronan stiffens. “Another region?”
“Unregistered,” Bronx responds. “The place was a mess, but they left the donors unharmed.”
“They must plan to return then.” Ronan glances at his coven mates. “Do you need any help?”
“A daylight security detail could be beneficial. I’ll give you first priority on transfers.” Bronx keeps his voice even without looking at me.
Ronan shifts on his feet. “Nash, get on it.”
“Yes, brother.” The auburn-haired guy disappears without a second glance in our direction.
“Dodson, Conrad, and Malabar, why don’t you meet us in the dining hall while I show the Royales to their rooms.” Ronan looks at Bronx. “I’m assuming the donor will require her own suite?”
“Not a chance,” Jameson says, speaking up. “Don’t think we forgot what happened the last time we stayed. If anything happens to Zaire’s Blood Match, he’ll cast our asses to the shadows.”
Ronan smiles, showing his fangs. He darts his attention to me and back to Jameson. “Perhaps I could offer you a place in my coven.”
“Ugh.” I can’t stop my rebellious mouth from making the sound.
“What, gorgeous? Worried about losing all the attention? I’d let you come too.” Ronan licks his lips. “Been a while since we’ve had any good entertainment.”
My guys don’t even get the chance to growl as I shove past them.
I slap Ronan across the face, sending his head jerking sideways.
It’s me who roars.
Chapter 6
The Crescent Coven
“YOU DO REALIZE THAT I’M going to kick your ass if you ever fail to suppress your bullshit adventures.” I stare at myself in the mirror, using a damp cloth to wipe the blood from my lips.
Laredo hooks his fingers to my hips and rests his chin on my shoulder, pressing into me. I don’t react to the hardness of his excited body, turned on because I just finished sucking the deep bite I left on his shoulder.
“You say that every time, yet here you are, enjoying what I have to offer you.” Laredo eases back and spins me around. Lifting me up, he sets me on the sink and slides between my legs. “You know, you’re not going to be able to resist me forever.”
I bow forward and glide my tongue over his shoulder. “Wanna bet?”
“Mmmhmm. If you see the alternative to the life I’ve presented you—”
I press my index finger to his lips. “But I never will.”
“As long as you’re a good little dhampir.”
“Oh, you mean if you’re a good little vampire,” I tease, giving him a shove back to get to my feet. “You know what will happen if you’re not.”
He smirks at me. “We’d have to sustain each other.”
I roll my eyes. “You act like you’re the only one who can satisfy my...needs. I bet I could saunter into any shadow and find your replacement before you could even blink.”
He play-growls at me. “You’d never.”
“I guess we’ll see.”
Something crashes outside the bathroom door, and Laredo stiffens. He sneaks his hand into my jacket and tugs out my silver stake. Fear buzzes through me, standing my arm hairs on end. I shuffle as quietly as I can to the tub and step into it, pulling the curtain across to hide.
“Little brother, I know you’re here.” I tense at the sharp tone of a man’s voice erupting through the door. “I caught one of the Gallagher boys sneaking into the grove. He confirmed you have the Baron intended.”
Laredo tightens his jaw and flicks his gaze to mine, looking at me through the crack in the curtain. “Get ready to run,” he mouths without a sound.
I swallow, my nerves tightening my chest.
Turning the doorknob, Laredo flings the door open and charges out. Glass shatters, probably the coffee table, and a few growls sound out. Hustling from the bathroom, I dart into the living room without looking. Laredo l
ies beneath a guy with long, light brown hair. He pins him, the stake a few feet away.
“I should kill you for treason,” the guy snaps.
“Come on, Thaxton. You know I haven’t committed treason. The contract was never signed. You can thank Rochester for that fuck up.” Laredo jerks his hand up and locks his fingers around Thaxton’s throat.
Thaxton growls and punches him, sending blood spraying from Laredo’s mouth. “A verbal agreement is good enough. Now, where is Gwen? I don’t want to scare her.”
Anger rushes through me seeing my blood source bleeding. It takes everything in me not to rush the asshole and jump on his back.
“She’s in her room,” Laredo says. “Asleep.”
Thaxton hops to his feet, letting Laredo up. The two of them fix their clothes, assessing each other. The front door to our small house flies open, and I freeze at the sight of Grayson and Porter.
Thaxton’s too slow to react, and Grayson pulls his gun out and shoots the vampire. I run toward the glass slider and manage to escape unnoticed. More gunfire bursts through the air, but I don’t stop. I can’t.
“I got you, my dhampir,” Laredo says, scooping me off my feet to sling me onto his shoulder. “No one is taking you today.”
“Laredo, my brothers.”
He heaves a breath. “I guess we’ll see how good they really are. Sorry Gwen, only you’re important to me.”
“No!”
My hand hits something solid, sending pain swelling through my fingers. I groan and curl in on myself, cradling my fist. Cool arms wrap around me, and I breathe in Jameson’s familiar scent. Everything comes back to me in a wave of panic. I try to sit up, but Jameson rolls me over to face him, bringing my hand to his lips to kiss.
“You’re okay, Gigi. You were having a nightmare.” Leaning in, he combs my hair from my face and meets me for a sweet kiss. “Are you hungry? Can I feed you?”
My stomach growls at his words. He pulls me closer until my lips caress his sweet skin. I let him settle between my legs and moan at his major morning wood pressing against me through our underwear. I don’t remember what happened, but right now, feeling Jameson’s arms around me feels more important than thinking about the shit show of my life.
Reaching between us, I slip my hand into his boxers and lace my warm fingers around his hard-on. He moans and nips me with his fangs pricking me just enough to get a taste of my blood. I sink my teeth into his shoulder, my body humming with lust and need, and I can’t stop myself from rolling on top of him.
I shift my panties out of the way and guide him to enter me. And fuck, does it feel good. I roll my body, still sucking his shoulder, and ride him so hard that he stretches up to press the headboard to the wall so it doesn’t bang against it.
I ease my lips away and straighten my back, resting my hands slightly behind me on his legs. He sits up a bit to pull my shirt off and grazes his fingers across my naked breasts, his eyes flashing silver as he watches me bounce on him, moaning and panting every time I sink down.
Neither of us says anything, just watching each other. His breathing matches mine, and he curls up and glides his tongue across each of my breasts. He nips my skin, drawing a pinprick of blood to tease him again. Hunger flashes in his eyes. I can tell he wants more of me, all of me.
“It’s okay to bite me,” I whisper, my voice coming out low and sultry, the idea of him doing so in this moment turning me on even more.
He glides his tongue over his lips, drinking me in for a moment. “Are you sure?”
I brush my hair from my shoulder and nod. “Here, sit up.”
Jameson does what I say, resting his back on the headboard. I continue to rock my body to his, resting my hands on each side of his head against the wall for better leverage. He kisses me softly, letting me taste the sweetness of his mouth for a bit longer. Breaking away from my mouth, he trails his lips down my throat while sliding his hands to my ass to pull me harder to him over and over again.
His fangs graze over my skin, sending tingles through me. “Take a breath, Gwen.”
I inhale a small breath, the pressure of his bite fading as quickly as it came. He sucks on my shoulder, the feeling of his tongue leaving tingles blossoming across my skin. Shifting one of his hands, he draws it between us to rub my clit to increase the pleasure cascading through me. I moan against his shoulder, picking up speed, my body now dying to find release from the hot intensity of our passionate lovemaking.
He works me over for a few minutes longer with his fingers. I pant so hard, my body wanting to explode until it finally does. He moans as I climax, feeling my muscles clench. I muffle my loud mouth, sinking my teeth into his shoulder again.
Pushing me back on the bed, he grabs my legs and flips them over my head. He rips my panties off completely and lays on top, thrusting so hard and deep that I can’t stop my voice from yelling out in pleasure. Jameson releases a throaty noise as he cums, his face scrunching with his own ecstasy.
Slowing down, he spreads my legs to nestle between them and holds up his weight with his arms. He kisses me again, sliding his tongue into my mouth like he can’t get enough of me. I savor the weight of him, the feeling of his desire still radiating from him.
“I’ve missed you,” he whispers into my hair, only pulling back from my mouth to gaze into my eyes.
I smile at him. “I’ve missed you too. You always make my nights so perfect.”
“You think I’m the reason for the perfect start of our day? No. That’s all you. I mean, so insatiable. I love everything about it. You didn’t even waste time to undress.” He kisses me again.
I giggle and slide my hands to his ass, squeezing it. His boxers remain halfway down his hips. “I couldn’t help myself.”
“Good. Maybe you won’t be able to help yourself again.”
He flexes his erection between my legs, and I moan and pull him to me by his hips. Voices trickle over the subtle music humming in through the door, drawing my attention away from Jameson. He gently pinches my chin, turning my face to look back at him, kissing me so that I can’t focus on anything else.
“Let’s relocate to the bathroom,” he murmurs into my mouth. “It’ll buy us at least thirty more minutes.”
I grin and nod my head. “Hurry, they’re getting closer.”
Jameson eases away and holds his arms open for me. I jump from the bed, letting him catch me, and he kisses the laughter from my mouth, strolling with me to the bathroom. He kicks the door closed at the soft knock and covers my mouth with his hand, making me laugh harder at his determination.
With one hand, he flicks the water on, closing us in the opaque glass shower. Steam fills the air, and he presses my back to the cold wall. I screech in surprise, the tile like ice on my hot skin.
I land on my feet in the stream of hot water, sighing at how incredible it feels cascading over the two of us.
Jameson drops to his knees and attempts to lift one of my legs on his shoulder. My hands slip on his wet skin, and we both laugh. Without somewhere to sit, there’s no way my body’s going to cooperate through standing. I pull him back to his feet instead and cut off his soft plea to let him try anyway with my index finger.
I drag down his bottom lip and trace my finger over his chest and along the line of his bone-hard abs until I get to my knees and smile up at him. I lick my lips, and he inhales a soft breath with silver flashing eyes.
“Can I find out if you taste as good as your blood?” I ask, stroking my fingers over the length of his cock.
“Gwen,” he says, releasing a soft moan.
I smile again and lick the underside of his shaft, working my way to his tip. He gently cups my head in his hands when I suck him into my mouth, moaning with pleasure. I enjoy the hell out of his reaction and peek up to catch him staring at me. He looks so sexy with his damp hair sticking up all over the place and the shower steam glistening on his chest.
I hum under my breath, digging my fingers into his hips as I find the motion
that gets the most noise out of him. He combs my wet hair with one hand, holding onto my shoulder with the other. I suck a bit harder, bobbing my head, and slide my fingers from his hip to massage over his balls.
“Gwen...”
I love the way he says my name with such desperation. He moans again, shifting on his feet.
“I’m going to cum,” he whispers, releasing a soft, husky breath.
Anticipation courses through me. I’ve never tasted him like this before, and a part of me is a little nervous. What if—
A sweet, fruity flavor floods my mouth, and I automatically swallow. Jameson draws his finger along my cheek, getting me to look at him. Lust darkens his gorgeous green eyes, and I purposely lick my lips and hum softly under my breath.
“Was that okay?” he asks me, helping me to my feet. He engulfs me in a hug, snuggling me close.
“It was as sweet as your blood,” I say. “Unexpected.”
“And you’re mouthwatering,” he murmurs, touching me between the legs.
“If you keep talking to me like this, we’re never leaving this shower.” I graze my teeth to his throat. “You’re going to beg me for a break.”
He chuckles. “I highly doubt that. I’m sure to keep begging you for more.”
“Is that so?”
A soft tap on the door interrupts our flirtation, and Jameson glares at the opaque glass. Light from the bedroom shines into the bathroom, and Jameson scoops me off my feet and spins me away. I hook my legs around him with a laugh, knowing that he wants nothing more than to ignore his brothers. I can spot their blurry figures through the glass, though I think they train their gazes to the floor.
“You two need to hurry up,” Bronx says, keeping his voice even. “We have to meet the Crescents for breakfast. The humans of Twilight Peak have been captured and are being held for interrogation. We need to file for immediate transfers. We’re giving the Greys’ town to the Crescents as not to raise suspicions. Claim treason.”
