Constantine

by Alicia Sparks

  Like it or not she had opened herself to him that night and many others since then. Her body quivered beneath his touch, her moans caressed his ears. Even now he could remember exactly how soft and silky her pussy had felt that first night when he slid his cock into her. Since then he hadn’t been able to get enough of her. Part of that was from his curse. The rest was because of her. Any human contact caused him to go deep inside the mind of his conquest. He felt their pain, their wishes and their desires. Right now he felt the uncertainty that had washed over her after her meeting with Sebastian. She knew she needed Constantine’s help but she was reluctant to ask for it.

  “I’ll have a glass of red wine,” he said in his best American accent which, unfortunately, was not so American. The bartender nodded and Constantine turned his attention back to Helen and watched from the corner of his eyes as her shaking hand covered her shot glass. “That’s a lot of alcohol for such a small woman,” he mused, not looking at her as he spoke.

  “Trying to warm myself,” she said, her voice uneven, silent rage seeping from her pores.

  “There are much better ways to do that,” he smiled.

  “Creep,” he thought he heard her say before she slid off the barstool and moved to a corner table.

  He motioned to the bartender. “And another of whatever the lady was having.” The bartender slid both drinks across the bar. Constantine placed a ten next to the drinks. “Keep the change.”

  Taking the shot glass in one hand and the wine in the other, he followed her to the table. This was not the first time he’d studied her petite face, which belied her obvious mental strength. The way her jaw was set and the way she casually ignored him spoke volumes about her preoccupation. The rage he had sensed earlier seemed to build with each step she took. She thought he was part of the problem rather than the solution. The truth was he wasn’t sure right now if he posed a threat to her or not. All he knew was that he wanted to touch her again, to wrap his hands in her hair, to taste her soft lips. Taking the steps slowly, he watched as her doe eyes looked up at him in challenge. Rather than sitting next to her he sat across from her, blocking her view of the dance floor. Then he slid the drink across the table. “To warm you,” he said.

  “You mean to get me to tell you my secrets,” she replied, her lips turned down in a sneer.

  “No. I mean to knock off the chill of the November night.” He raised his wineglass in salute and tried not to stare too deeply into her eyes. The ring, he noted, rested around her neck.

  Her hand went to it as if by instinct. “You’re staring.” She flushed a bit before dropping her hand.

  “I apologize. You should have known better than going after him alone.”

  “You were standing right next to me.”

  “I mean earlier tonight. When you killed one of the vampires.”

  She shifted in her seat. “It was easy.” She shook her red hair as she said this, a woman’s trick for keeping men’s attention. He watched as it caressed her shoulders, almost taking his mind from the talisman. Everything about her screamed out to his primal need. He had been so focused on his plans for Licinius. Then he had met Helen, and she had forced him to think beyond Licinius.

  “And Licinius?”

  “Business,” she muttered.

  “I gathered that. But I also know there’s only one piece of business he could have with you.”

  “You underestimate me.”

  “No. You underestimate me. You and I are not known for being honest with one another but you are getting in over your head.”

  “Why are you following me?” She did not give up easily.

  “I came to bring you a drink. I thought you could use another.”

  “So you brought it. Thanks. See you around.”

  She lifted the glass to her lips and swallowed the amber-colored liquid before twisting her lips in a grimace. The glass then made contact with the hard wood table as she slipped from her chair.

  “Don’t do this. Look at me. Talk to me.” He lowered his voice and reached out to touch her hand.

  “I ran into Sebastian earlier and would have killed him if I hadn’t run out of bullets. But I have plenty now.”

  “Then why do you look terrified?”

  “You don’t want to know what I think you look like.” Light danced in her eyes as she fingered the empty shot glass.

  “Humor me.”

  “Go away.”

  “You’re obviously distressed. Let me walk you home.”

  “I’m a big girl. I can take care of myself.” A slight smile turned up the corners of her lips, sending shock waves into his chest and down to his groin.

  “Obviously. But I am a gentleman despite what you may think. You’re in danger.”

  “What else is new?”

  Refusing to let her go alone, he pulled her against him and covered her mouth with his, well aware he would probably earn himself a knee in the groin. To his surprise she melted against him, her mouth opening for him. She trembled against him as if she were finally admitting that she needed him.

  “Let me take care of you,” he whispered.

  “My hero.” She rolled her eyes as she pulled away. “I can manage on my own.”

  “No. You can’t.” She may be assured in her ability to fend off whatever may lurk in the night but because she possessed the ring she would be a target for any number of old souls who happened to pick up on its aura. In addition to that Sebastian already plagued her.

  “What, are you my personal bodyguard now?”

  “I think you and I both know that I am more than a guard when it comes to your body.”

  Helen stared at him, speechless. Any other night Constantine might have been the answer to every prayer and wet dream she had ever had. But tonight her nerves were on edge.

  Constantine only made it worse. God, he was gorgeous. He looked like an ancient vampire stepping off the cover of an Anne Rice novel. Tall, thin but not emaciated. His high cheekbones and deep tan reminded her of an ancient god. His long fingers, adorned with various rings, made him look like a modern Goth king. Certainly not her type. But his skin was so warm…

  Few men could get away with the Victorian pirate look and make it more appealing than the average rugged man. She could think of two, in fact, who wore pirate as if they breathed the lifestyle. And there was something about him that screamed out pirate and made her think of him as one who stole from the rich and kept for himself.

  His hair was long and dark, sweeping against his waist as he moved and casually acted as if he was not unnerving to her. Everything about him spoke to her wilder side, the side that longed to find a man even for one night. If ever there was a reason this guy was it. There was only one problem. She’d already become intimately familiar with Constantine. It had started a year ago when she was at her weakest. The fact was she was still weak for him. They had fallen into bed numerous times since then and each time she only wanted more.

  “I don’t need your help,” she said as evenly as she could for fear that it would come out as Why don’t you take me home and fuck me ‘til morning?

  “I could be a valuable ally.” His smile was unnerving. There was something about the way he looked at her that made her think he could see right into her soul.

  “I’m sure you could.”

  She swallowed hard.

  Okay, this was too much. Way too much. No Goth god had ever looked at her the way Constantine did. And the idea of taking him home to relieve a little stress fled through her mind again. She deserved it after her fight earlier. Yes, he was exactly what she needed. She already knew how those long thin fingers felt against her skin, how his body had taken control of hers and made her come over and over again in spite of her best efforts not to give in to him. She gave herself a shake.

  “I have to go,” she managed.

  “Please, not alone.” His hand rested on her arm but it was the dark intensity of his eyes that held her spellbound.

  “I’ll manage.”<
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  She didn’t move and was well aware of that fact. Instead she remained captive in his eyes.

  “Please allow me to escort you. I won’t hurt you. You have my word.”

  She bit her bottom lip. He was too good to be true. Or too bad. She couldn’t decide which right now. All she knew was that if she didn’t get out of here soon she would say something she wouldn’t be able to take back. It was her hormones ruling her.

  “Fine. You can wait with me while I call a cab.” He took a deep breath and she found herself standing too close to him. She watched the muscles tense and release beneath his thin white shirt. Sucking in her breath, she tried to push past him without making contact with his body.

  No luck. His hand closed over her arm again. Her short sleeves allowed his fingers touch her skin. When he grabbed her arm, sending heat all the way to her core, he made her throb in places she thought had forgotten how to throb. Why did she have to reach her melting point tonight of all nights as danger loomed around her? And who sent her a knight in velvet and leather?

  She looked up at him and cursed herself as she did. He had the deepest green eyes she had ever seen. They seemed to leap out at her, revealing his soul, showing her he was a man she could trust as they contrasted with his long, black hair and white shirt. The blood-red jacket he wore only highlighted the sensations ripping through her body. Tears welled up in the backs of her eyes. For some reason she wanted him to want her, to need her, to desire her. She had been fighting against real emotional connection for so long. When his tongue darted out to cover his bottom lip for a brief moment it was all she could do not to stand on the tips of her toes and bite it.

  “Helen, I want you tonight. You need me and I need you. Let me take care of you.”

  There were those words again. Each time he said them her defenses melted a little more.

  “Just for tonight,” she managed, somewhat surprised that the words passed her lips.

  “We’ll see about that.”

  Chapter Four

  As she pushed the door open, she flipped on the light in the living room. Scanning the apartment for any sign of intrusion, she was satisfied that no one was there. Isadore, her cat, strolled majestically into the room, another sign that she was alone.

  “Hey girl. You by yourself tonight?” The answer was an affirmative meow. Funny how spending time with an animal made it seem all the more human.

  Closing the door behind her, Helen inhaled sharply as Constantine’s hand brushed against her shoulder.

  “I promise. I will not hurt you.” His words breathed against her skin and she knew she could trust him in that. There were many things she couldn’t trust about him but the physical part of their relationship was one area where she knew he was being honest.

  Turning in his arms, she let herself fall against him as his hands closed over the back of her neck and began rubbing the tension from her body. “Don’t talk. Just touch me.”

  He gave a slight squeeze before lifting her and carrying her to the bedroom. She knew he was familiar with the layout of her apartment. He had been there often enough in the past year but he had never stayed an entire night. He always slipped out before dawn as if he were running from something he might see at sunrise.

  He gave her bedroom door a slight push. The cat meowed from the other room, protesting his presence there. Helen turned her protests off while Constantine laid her down on the bed. She wanted to roll over and have him lie on top of her and cover her with his body, offering protection from the outside world. There was no way she would allow him to protect her though. She was perfectly capable.

  However, looking up at him as he stripped off his shirt, she wanted nothing more than that. He gave a slight smile before leaning into her, his muscles flexing against her hands as she began touching his skin. Before she could think he devoured her mouth in a kiss that would have made her knees go weak had she been standing.

  Hunger and raw need coursed through her. There was no room for thought or protest. Primal need, sexual longing, that’s all she knew. Her chest rose and fell. Constantine was in control now.

  He ran his fingers along her arms before pulling her shirt over her head. She was thankful she had worn a lacy bra today and he seemed to appreciate it, based on his smile. Slipping his fingers underneath her bra straps, he pulled the straps down her arms, exposing her breasts.

  “You are so incredible.”

  “Don’t talk,” she managed, arching her back so her breasts brushed against his hands. Her nipples hardened. She became aware of the ring pulsing at her neck as it lay against her naked flesh. If he noticed he didn’t comment. In fact he wasn’t even looking at the ring. His eyes were focused on her.

  She spread her legs, inviting him to move closer to her. He moved away, removed his shoes and pants then joined her on the bed. With one hand he pushed her back against the covers and reached for her jeans. Within seconds she lay naked in front of him. She ordinarily would have fought against the impulse to cover her naked body but with Constantine she reveled in her nakedness.

  Starting at her neck, he dragged his hand across her body, moving down her chest and to her navel. He slid down the bed, placing his face painfully close to her wet pussy. They had done this before but each time he touched her it seemed as if something new was taking place inside her.

  Wordlessly he slipped his hands onto her inner thighs, reaching down to tease her pussy lips. His fingers flicked back and forth across her tender flesh. She arched against him, letting out a moan, not holding back as the moan became a slight scream. She wanted to feel him inside her, wanted him to take her, to thrust into her, to make her his.

  She needed him. God, he was right. She needed him desperately.

  His thumb grazed against her clit before moving lower to slide into her pussy. Just feeling his finger inside her was enough to make her come. She shook and quaked around him, tears stinging her eyes as she realized just how much she needed this release.

  “Shh. It’s okay, baby. Just let it out,” he murmured before removing his thumb and replacing it with his tongue.

  Her orgasm continued to wash over her as his tongue gently licked her inner walls. His fingers massaged her lips, brushing her clit with each movement. Inside her a fire was burning and he was the only person who could put it out.

  Raking her nails against the back of his neck, she took a handful of hair and tried to pry him away from her pussy. She wanted to feel his cock in her body. He refused to relent, continuing to move his tongue in and out of her cunt. She released his hair and dug her nails into his neck as he pressed his face against her pussy. He moaned against her, sending her over the edge one more time.

  The orgasm ripped through her. In one motion he moved, entering her while she came. His cock slid into her easily, breaking through the waves that washed over her. He smelled like her when he leaned forward and kissed her on the cheek.

  His breath brushed against her ear as he began to thrust into her. The sounds of his low moans vibrated in her ear, making her want to melt into him to give him everything she could.

  His hands covered her breasts and he trailed kisses down her neck as he continued to push his cock deeper into her. She wrapped her fingers around the iron cutouts of her headboard. Raising her hips up, she met each thrust, her moans again turning to small screams as his cock pounded inside her.

  “Oh, God!” she cried out as she felt another orgasm build. She’d had lovers before but Constantine was unlike anyone she had ever known. His ability to make her come was beyond belief.

  “You are amazing,” he breathed against her before pulling his still-hard cock from her body.

  “I’m not through,” she protested breathlessly.

  “Neither am I.”

  In one movement he flipped her over onto her stomach. She raised her ass to meet him. They had done this before but when he pressed his cock against her tender opening she protested slightly. It wasn’t that anal sex hurt but he was so large she w
as afraid she wouldn’t be able to take him. Each time she had the same fear and each time he managed to soothe that fear.

  Rubbing her pussy juices against her asshole, he slid a finger in, lubricating her so she would be ready for his cock. Finally he pressed his cock against her again, this time moving very slowly as he slid into her. She didn’t breathe for a second. Then he reached down and slipped a finger into her pussy, filling her completely. She began rocking back against his cock and his finger, aware of each movement.

  “Come for me, love,” he whispered as he placed a kiss on the back of her neck.

  His cock continued to slide in and out of her ass while his finger moved in and out of her pussy. She reached down and began caressing her clit. Her fingers sought out the nub and teased it, circling around before finally settling on it and rubbing fiercely.

  Constantine’s thrusts became faster. He slid two fingers into her pussy, alternating his movements. His cock slid into her ass then pulled out while his fingers slid into her pussy.

  Her pussy clenched around him, sending her riding another wave of orgasmic bliss. She felt him stiffen behind her. He reached around with his free hand and grabbed one of her nipples. Giving a slight squeeze, he thrust into her one last time as her fingers continued to rub against her clit.

  In one loud moan, one earthquaking moment, they came together. It took a few seconds to recover before she moved her hand from her clit. He slid from her body and collapsed next to her.

  “Feel better now?” His words tangled with his breath.

  “Can’t talk,” she managed as she rolled over.

  He reached out to brush a stray hair out of her face. “You are beautiful.”

  She didn’t respond. Instead she lay next to him, snuggling in the afterglow.

  He finally slid from the bed and she expected him to pull on his clothes and leave. Every other time that’s what he had done. This time he made his way to her bathroom. She heard the shower turn on.