Did she actually see desire in his eyes or was it just a projection of her own want? Jace said he smelled her arousal. He wasn’t wrong, but it wasn’t the carnality of the ménage that sent her over the edge. It was him.
She leaned against the warm tile, her hands skimming her breasts, her palms cupping their full weight. With her thumb, she grazed her nipples, picturing Jace’s hands on her waist, sliding upward to tease and taunt.
For five years, she craved him. Not just his body, but his scent, the feel of his touch, the soft, low rumble of his laughter.
She pictured him standing in front of her, the water sheeting over her back as he knelt between her spread legs, his tongue and fingers working her wet, slick slit and hard nub until she came hard, grinding herself farther into his mouth.
How he would lift her onto his waiting cock, driving her back against the tile, his member hard and deep in her already quivering flesh, pushing her climax higher.
Daisy dropped the soap, plunging her hand between her legs. Eyes closed, she pushed her own fingers into her wetness, working her body in time with the image of Jace behind her lids. She cried out, crouching into herself before she tossed her head back riding the crest of release.
She slid down the wall to the water pooled at the base of the tub, the shower jets pelting her shoulders. God help her. Aimee was right again. She still loved him.
5
“Where are you going?” her father asked in a rough whisper, closing Jenny’s door behind him.
“Out,” Daisy replied, heading down the stairs from the center landing. After their argument the night before and everything else swirling in her mind, she needed open space to think.
“I see that. Where to?”
She shrugged. “Nowhere, really. I just need to get out and clear my head. I might drive up to the north pasture to think.”
Her father came down the steps, motioning for her to wait. “Listen, honey. The last couple of days you’ve been wound tighter than a girdle on a minister’s wife, and I haven’t made it any easier. I guess what I’m trying to say is, about last night—” he began, stopping her at the front door.
Daisy went up on her tiptoes and pecked his cheek, shutting him up. “Apology accepted.”
He looked at her half smirk. “You know your old man too well.”
She met his sideways grin with one of her own. “Like father, like daughter, but why the sudden change of heart? I was set to buck heads with you on Seth, so I’m curious.”
He took off his cowboy hat and ran and hand through his flattened hair. “I did some checking, and it looks like you were right. The boy made inquiries. Not only at the surveyor’s, but at the bank, as well. Seems he told everyone he was as good as my partner since he was fixing to marry you come fall.”
“I’m sorry, Dad. I take no pleasure in being right.”
“I think we both owe a debt to a certain four-year-old. It seems she not only inherited your fire, but your grandmother’s intuition.” He gave her a soft smile, but the small grin was short lived. “Do me and everyone else a favor and stop worrying about the ranch. When it comes time, we’ll figure something out.”
Daisy went up on her toes again. “Thanks for saying we, Dad. It means the world.”
He cleared his throat, setting his hat back on his head. “Don’t be too late, you hear?”
She nodded and closed the door behind her. The gravel crunched under her feet as she got into the pickup and headed toward the north edge of the ranch.
It was a half hour drive, and even with a nearly full moon to light the dark dirt road, Daisy took it slow.
The pale orb hadn’t reached its full zenith in the sky, but its pull skimmed electricity across her skin. Two more days and she’d race the miles of flat stretches across the ranch, chasing birds and deer and whatever else crossed her path.
Complete freedom carried her with nothing but joy in her heart while in wolf form. The only time she could let go and breathe.
Daisy neared the top marker where the cattle grazed in the late spring, and pulled the truck close to the gate. Climbing out, she grabbed a blanket and a thermos of hot coffee and hopped the fence, not caring how unladylike it was to do so in a spring dress.
She headed toward the giant oak where she and Jace had carved their initials as teens. No one knew about their crush back then.
Their families were even more at odds then, and would never have approved. They waited until they both turned eighteen before they made their relationship public.
Headstrong and idealistic, they each swore to throw everything to the wind if the families didn’t let them be. Of course, neither knew it was what everyone secretly hoped. An end to the bad blood.
They almost got their wish.
Almost.
The tree was still magnificent. Set on a grassy knoll overlooking the lower grazing fields. Daisy spread the blanket on the soft ground and settled in the middle, lying back to look at the stars.
There was nothing like a Texas night. A twinkling sky and a soft breeze to lull the senses.
She inhaled, closing her eyes.
“There’s only one thing missing from this picture, otherwise it’s perfect.”
Daisy sucked in a breath, afraid to lift her lids. Jace uttered those same words years before, the first time they met beneath their tree. It was déjà vu. Down to the same blanket, in the same place.
There’s only one thing missing from this picture, otherwise it’s perfect.
Oh? What’s that?
Me, kissing you.
“Jace,” she whispered, dismissing the memory.
“Look at me, Daisy,” he said. “I’m not going to hurt you.”
She opened her eyes and had to bite the side of her tongue not to cry. “What are you doing here?”
He flashed that same crooked smile she loved. This time it was full of the same warmth and humor she remembered, not the anger she saw that night at The Red Veil.
“We seem to be asking each other that same question a lot these days,” he replied. “May I sit with you?”
“Jace, I don’t think—”
He didn’t let her finish. “Did you tell my folks you saw me?”
She watched the tide of emotion cross his eyes and slowly shook her head. “No. It’s not my story to tell.”
His relief was palpable. “Thank you for that. I don’t want to hurt them any more than I already have.”
“But hurting me over and over again is just fine and dandy, right?” she shot back.
“That’s why I’m here.”
Her forehead creased. “To break my heart again? Sorry, buckaroo. There’s nothing left of the organ for your fangs to get at.”
“Daisy, please—”
She went poker-faced “No. I don’t want to hear it.”
“Goddamn it, Daisy! You’re just as pig-headed and stubborn as always. Four days ago all you wanted was an explanation, and now I’m here and you won’t hear me out. What was it you said? I owe you? Well, now you owe me the same consideration.”
She scrambled to her feet. “Owe you? You left me at the altar. I think that cancels all debt past, present, and future.”
“You don’t understand.”
Five years of hurt and anger bubbled to the surface, tightening her chest making it hard to breath. Jaw clenched, she blinked back the hot tears pricking her eyes and curled her fingers into her palms, squeezing against the pain.
“You bastard!” She flew at him flailing, wild, pummeling his chest with punches and slaps. “How could you? And now you show up and want to make nice! Fuck you, Jace!”
He grabbed her arms, locking her wrists in his, as she struggled. “Daisy, stop! You’ll hurt yourself!”
She bit his hand drawing blood, and the moment the coppery liquid hit her mouth she froze. “Oh God, what have I done?”
She licked the taste from her bottom lip and her breath hitched in her throat. Her shoulders shook and sobs took her.
�
��Damn you, Jace. Damn you to hell.”
He pulled her against his chest, folding her in his arms. “My life is hell, Daisy. I’m already there.” He buried his face in her hair.
His body was warm, not the icy cold she expected, and his breath fragrant, not the grave rot she’d heard in the stories people told.
“I’ve missed you, Daisy. So much.” He kissed her hair, pushing the heavy mass back to kiss her ear and her cheek.
She sucked in a small breath. Everything about him felt the same. “Jace—”
His name was a yielding sigh on her lips and Jace groaned at the surrender, crushing his mouth to hers, kissing her hard and hungrily.
Breathless, she clutched at his shoulders, pressing her body closer. “I’ve missed you, too.”
He slid his hand past her waist to the round curve of her bottom, curling the fabric into his palm. His fingers slipped beneath the lace edge of her panties, trailing over her soft skin. He caressed her full curves, kneaded her flesh in slow circles, his thumb grazing her low cleft.
With a moan, Daisy lifted one leg and wrapped it around his, giving him complete access. Jace slid his hand around to the front and cupped her wet sex, ringing her sensitive bud with his thumb.
Daisy cried out and he pushed his palm against her mound. “Do you want me, Daisy? Do you want this?” With his other hand, he pressed hers to the full hard length bulging behind his fly.
She nodded, not trusting her voice.
Jace unzipped the back of her dress, letting it puddle to the ground. Her breasts spilled free, unbound and he lifted a hand to caress the full flesh before stepping back to drag his shirt from his shoulders and toss it to the grass.
Unbuttoning his fly, his eyes devoured Daisy’s body, watching as she slipped her panties over her legs, kicking them to the side.
She stepped closer and rested her hands on his chest the way she had itched to do, letting her palms slide downward to his open waistband.
The tips of her fingers trailed over the dark nest of hair peeking from the tease of open denim, and a private smile crossed her lips at the fact he was commando.
Jace took her hands in his and together they pushed his jeans over his hips, freeing the corded length of his cock. Daisy’s fingers brushed the silken flesh and his member jerked as she wrapped her fingers around the thick shaft.
“It’s been so long, Dais. I want to see you. Lock the sight of you in my memory.”
Daisy stepped back and he pushed his jeans the rest of the way down, toeing them to the edge of the blanket with his shirt. His eyes never left Daisy as she stood in the moonlight.
He took in the fullness of her body, the gentle curves and the faint silvery striations along the soft swell of her lower belly.
His eyes found hers, questioning.
Daisy nodded. “They’re exactly what they look like, Jace. Stretchmarks from pregnancy.”
Stunned, his gaze held. He opened his mouth to speak, but then closed it.
“It’s okay.” She gave him a soft smile. “Ask me. If anyone has a right to, it’s you.”
The cryptic comment left him staring at her even more intently. “Are you saying what I think you’re saying?”
She nodded. “I had our child, Jace. A girl. Her name is Jenny. She’s four years old.”
They both stood in the soft Texas breeze, neither saying a word, but neither looking away, either. It was as if time stood still until Jace took a step forward and cupped Daisy’s cheeks in his hands, kissing her.
“I’m sorry you found out like this,” she said against his mouth.
He broke their kiss and pulled back to look at her. “Sorry you told me you’re the mother of my child? Something I thought I’d never have considering my hopeless existence? Sorry you told me when I want you so badly, I can’t see straight?”
He laughed, kissing her again, hard, sliding his hand over her chest to cup her breast, grazing her nipple with his thumb.
There was a new urgency now, a frenzy of passion almost as though sealing their entwined fates with entwined bodies.
Daisy slipped to her knees, gliding her palms over his chest to his muscled pelvis and the sexy v-shaped cut above his sex. Her fingers splayed across his skin as her tongue teased its way to his thick, corded member.
She held his base, lifting the hard length to her mouth. Daisy’s tongue ringed the hard ridge before sucking the full length of him into her throat.
Jace threw his head back and groaned. Muscles taut as she worked his cock with her tongue and her hand. He pumped his hips, pulling back from her mouth and then watching her take every inch, sucking him deep again.
“Daisy—” he ground out. “Stop or I’m going to cum.”
She eased her mouth from his head and then leaned back on the blanket, knees bent and legs spread. Jace licked his lips, a hint of fang visible. His vampiric eyes shined muted red in the moonlight, but there was still a definite trace of Were about his scent, and the combination made Daisy’s clit throb.
Propped on her elbows, she reached between her legs and spread her pussy lips, running a finger through the glistening wetness.
Jace groaned and climbed between her legs. He lapped at her juice, tonguing her clit before sliding his fingers deep, curling them to hit her spot.
“Jace!” Daisy arched, pushing her hips up and farther into his hand.
He ripped his face from her, turning away.
“What happened? What’s the matter?” Her pulse pounded in her ears, demanding he finish.
He turned back and her eyes widened at his fully descended fangs. “I tried to keep them retracted, but I can’t.” His voice was rough and slightly uncertain. “Blood is part of sex for me now.”
She stared at the way they glistened in the silver white light. Repulsed—it’s what she should have felt, but she didn’t. Instead, the glint of fang made her pussy drip with want, a dark fantasy come to life.
She spread her legs wider and took his hand, guiding his fingers over her wetness toward the pulse in her femoral artery. “Just don’t kill me, okay? Our daughter needs her mama.”
His eyes held hers as he dropped his mouth to her sex, licking and sucking. He moaned, tweaking her clit hard enough to force a breath from her mouth.
“That’s it, babe. I want you soaked and dripping, begging for my cock.” Working her pussy he plunged three fingers deep into her slick entrance, and drew her hard nub between his teeth and into his mouth.
“You taste as luscious as I remember, Dais, and your scent is even sweeter.”
She came hard, drunk on the feel of him. Her walls clenched and convulsed, her muscles tense and tight as waves took her, unyielding until she slumped light-headed from the force of her climax.
“Always, ladies first,” Jace teased, stroking her again.
Daisy closed her eyes, the night air raising goose bumps on her sweat-sheened skin. He stroked her again, and sucked in a breath, her lower belly jolting in aftershock.
Her body craved more. Craved him. Jace held her gaze, circling his thumb over her already sensitive nub. Swollen and ready, she neared climax again and as she crested his fangs pierced her flesh.
Pain and pleasure mingled and eddied as he drew from her vein. She was hungry for him, all of him. Her head dropped back between her shoulder, and she tensed, afraid to move.
Jace curled his fingers deep pushing hard at her spot, drawing deeply from her vein and Daisy’s breath locked, her body ready for release, but she stayed on verge.
“Jace! Please!”
He groaned at her plea and let go, sealing the wound with his tongue. His eyes were dark and unfathomable, as he knelt between her legs. Jace lifted her hips and drove his cock deep with a single thrust.
Daisy hooked her legs around his back and he rode her hard, plunging his dick balls deep, filling her over and over until every muscled tensed and he threw his head back and howled, emptying himself inside her.
Panting he held her close as he finished,
finally rolling with her to one side, their bodies still entwined in the aftershocks.
“Are you okay,” he asked, feeling her shiver.
“I’m fine. Good, actually. Just a little cold.”
Jace laid her back and then stretched out next her, lifting either side of the blanket over them burrito-style.
“We used to call this our hot pocket.” He chuckled, tucking one edge over her back. “Remember?”
She nodded, giving him a small smile that didn’t quite reach her eyes.
“I know I have a lot to account for, Daisy, and I’m sorry. In my defense, much of what happened wasn’t brought on by me. If you’re willing to listen, I’d like to explain.”
Her eyes dipped to the top of his chest and she nodded. “Considering I’m a captive audience right now, I suppose so.”
“I didn’t show for our wedding not because I didn’t want to, and certainly not because I didn’t love you. Our wedding night was the night I woke to darkness.”
“We didn’t have a wedding night, Jace.”
He exhaled, scrubbing his face with one hand. “I know, Daisy. It’s haunted me for five years, but I wish you’d stop going on about it and let me finish. I’m trying to tell I was already undead. It happened after the bachelor party.”
She stared at him, slowly shaking her head. “All this time and you never thought to get word to me somehow? We had the police and the FBI looking for you for over a year. The only trace we found was your old pickup. Your dad still drives it, you know. It’s rusted and ready for the junkyard, but he won’t let anyone scrap it.”
He exhaled. “I couldn’t let you know. The first year or so was terrible. All I wanted was blood. I didn’t care from where or whom. I would have killed you and half the town and not blinked twice.”
“And now?” she asked.
The question was a slap in the face and she regretted asking the minute the words left her mouth. They had just made love and Jace took her blood, and she didn’t think twice about letting him.
“Oh, God, Jace. I’m sorry.”
He shrugged. “Don’t be. It’s an honest question. I am what I am. There’s no going back, but the one thing I learned I can change is how I cope with my thirst.
The Red Veil Diaries (Volumes 1-4) Page 29
