Of course he chose to only acknowledge the first half of that. "When I imagined you saying those words it was with more passion and while you were on your back, your body beneath mine glistening with sweat."
Things low in my body tightened with his words. "Stop it." My body didn't want him to stop. It wanted to do the things he described. My brain managed to force the words out of my mouth and over traitorous lips that wanted more kissing and less talking.
"I haven't even gotten started yet."
"I can't do this."
"Oh, I think you can. You seemed more than capable a minute ago." He nodded toward the bathroom and my hand instinctively went to my mouth, my lips tingling with the memory of that kiss.
"That's not what I mean and you know it. I can't do this with you." Before he could formulate an argument that would convince me otherwise I kept talking. "I won't bother lying and say I'm not attracted to you. I am. Way more than I should be because I'm still with Aidan." I put heavy emphasis on the last four words. More for my sake than his. "I don't even know you."
"And you know him? Vampires keep secrets, Maurin. It's who they are, they can't help it. You might never truly know him. Ryanne prepared a tray, come sit by the fire." I didn't move. I didn't even look at him or the stupid, romantic fire. "I promise to be the perfect gentleman. You need to eat. Get dressed if it makes you feel better."
I scooped up the clothes on the bed and scurried into the bathroom. The jeans were a little too long and a smidge too tight for my taste, probably Ryanne's. The long sleeve white tee was too small in the chest and thin enough to emphasize the cleavage spilling over the top of the too small bra. Fantastic, Mason's housekeeper was a friggin runway model. "I need to get some clothes before you take me back to Salem. I can't see the Council looking like this." I was only a size six but I looked like someone shoved me into children's clothes. A very tall child.
"I don't see anything wrong with the way you look." His eyes traced my body, stopping on my chest, when I came out of the bathroom. At my pointed stare he raised his hands in mock defeat. "Sorry, perfect gentleman from here out."
I dropped down on the cushions next to him, ignoring the pinch from French Maid Barbie's damn jeans. I shouldn't be such a bitch, it wasn't her fault she was perfect. I blame the pants. My kind hearted spirit was currently hanging out with my stomach over the top of them. He pushed the tray of fruits, cheeses and sweet breads to me before pouring a cup of coffee. I grabbed a scone and thought better of it, thanks to the damn pants, and popped a couple grapes in my mouth instead.
"You need to eat."
"Not much of an appetite. The jeans are doing their best to curb it."
"Then perhaps you should take them off." I jabbed him hard with my elbow. "I was merely thinking of your health. You'll need your strength. Your training begins tonight."
"Why tonight? Why not now? A few hours isn't going to make much difference."
"A few hours and your body will be almost completely healed. And..." He hesitated.
"And?"
"That is when the vampire is scheduled to arrive."
Aidan. Aidan was on his way. He knew it and was working over time to get me in his bed before Aidan showed up. I would have been back in his bed doing more than recuperating if it wasn't for the sweet, saintly Ryanne delivering food and her excruciatingly tight jeans. His chiseled body would be working above mine, caging me with his powerful arms as my legs wrapped around him.
No, no, none of that. Imagining that is not helping. I scooted my cushion closer to the fire and further from him. He pushed the tray closer, chuckling when I popped the button of the jeans so I could fit a couple more grapes in my stomach.
"Perhaps I should see to your wardrobe. You'll need clothes you can actually move in for training." He leaned in, his mouth almost on mine when I slipped a grape filled hand between us. I filled my mouth with the fruit to keep his talented tongue out of it. He took my empty hand, kissing my palm before his tongue caressed my love line. It took all of my will power, not to mention conjuring Aidan's handsome face in my mind, not to give in. "Until later."
I don't know if I could survive the later he eluded to. I seriously doubted I would survive the two of them under the same roof. It was hard enough with Aidan and Cash. Aidan wasn't threatened by the alpha but he definitely would be by the hunter. Forget gym mats and heavy bags, what I really needed training for was my suddenly very crowded love life. Actually, the gym mats and heavy bag might come in handy.
16
I had been escorted to a room off the back of the house outfitted for training by Saint Ryanne, as she will forever be called. At least by me. She blushed when we met outside Mason's bedroom, obviously still embarrassed by walking in on us. She didn't say anything about it so I didn't bother to thank her for saving me from potentially making a huge mistake. It was probably better for all parties if we never spoke of it.
The wooden shutters had been opened letting in the cool evening air. It felt like rain but it was Ireland, didn't it always? I dreamed of seeing this country. It was number one on my bucket list but these weren't really the circumstances I had imagined. I pictured kissing the Blarney Stone, stumbling from one pub to the next in Dublin, having an Irish breakfast in a bed and breakfast, standing on the edge of the cliffs watching the ocean crash against the jagged rocks below.
Instead I was holed up in a, albeit amazing, stone farm house with sheep and all, honing my fighting skills to kill two vampires and avoid getting into a jealousy induced argument with a third. Not really my idea of a dream vacation.
I rubbed my palms along my leather clad thighs. They weren't quite as absorbent as the yoga pants I typically practiced in. Despite the cool breeze on my exposed shoulders, thanks to the tank top, my palms were a little clammy. When Mason said he was going to get me comfortable clothes to train in I had something else in mind. Primarily cotton. At least the black biker boots didn't have heels. I did a couple deep lunges, surprised by the mobility in the pants.
"They'll give you more protection than the clothes you normally wear."
I spun around to find Mason leaning against the door frame wearing similar clothes. The short sleeves of his black shirt strained against his biceps. He really should be on a calendar. I picked up a sword from the rack on the wall, trying to ignore the pull I felt every time he was around. I let the sword fall under its own weight before swinging it back around. The whoosh of the blade as it sliced the air breaking the awkward silence.
He stepped in behind me. "Who's been teaching you? Your stance is off." He slid a knee between my legs, nudging until they were a distance apart that he was happy with. "So is your grip." His hands wrapped around mine, sliding them along the hilt into proper position.
"I hope I'm not interrupting." Aidan wasn't interrupting anything but his accusation and the way Mason had molded his body to mine, his arms around me holding the sword, it felt like he walked in on us fucking.
He stepped into the room, his long duster brushing the tops of his black combat boots when he moved, his jeans peeking out. The hood of his long sleeve shirt was up, very Assassins Creed and for the first time I saw who he really was- every bit the hunter Mason was. He stalked into the room, his jealousy and anger coming off him in waves.
I broke away from Mason and walked over to him, letting him engulf me in a hug feeling the tension leave his body as soon as he touched me. My stomach churned with guilt over what I had almost done with Mason. I needed to tell him. Not now. Later tonight, when we were alone. Or after training, when we got back to Salem. Or after I killed Caligula and Bathory but I would definitely come clean. I would.
I wrapped my arms around him, breathing in the scent that was uniquely Aidan. He pulled back enough to kiss me, his fangs nicking my bottom lip. I gasped as he licked the tiny beads of blood and tightened his grip on me. This was more passion than I was used to getting from Aidan in front of other people.
Oh he had no problem telling people I was wi
th him, he touched me, kissed me but it was with the comfort of a familiar lover not the uncontrollable passion, the need to touch and be touched like new lovers had. That was always kept behind closed doors. His desire for me washed away the metallic taste of my blood on his tongue. And that had me pulling back. I looked up from our kiss to see his eyes focused on the hunter. I didn't appreciate the fact that this PDA was for Mason's sake.
I pulled him closer and he leaned down into my embrace. I was on tip toes, my mouth on his neck. I should have let him have his moment. It would have been the least I could do after my make out session with Mason but my mouth moved before my conscience could stop it.
"When you kiss me like that you better fucking mean it." I was careful to keep my voice soft enough that my words were only for Aidan.
"And the next time you kiss another man you should brush your teeth or gargle with whiskey at the very least. I can practically taste him in your mouth." His voice was louder than mine and I knew Mason could hear him.
I reeled back, shocked and ashamed. I didn't look back at Mason. I knew he wouldn't be wearing the same guilty expression as me. Triumphant would be a better description for how he probably looked. Aidan pulled me back to him and I whispered my apologies into his chest. His hand was under my chin, forcing me to look him in the eyes. "If it was under any other circumstances I might not be so forgiving. When someone comes so close to death it's natural for them to want to feel alive. I should have expected Hunter to take advantage of that."
"I guess that explains why vampires drink blood every time the sun sets. They've been mostly dead all day."
That garnered Mason a look from me, one that should have shriveled his tongue in his mouth preventing further outbursts that would start a fight Aidan itched to finish.
He had the last word, except this time it was a whisper in my mind. One word, wrapped in a velvet caress of the between, it was enough to send heat pooling between my legs. Mine. I held back the moan as he used our ability to mentally connect with the between against me. My body suddenly felt full to the point of bursting with energy and I needed a release. If Mason or Aidan had their way I would be spending that energy on one of them. I intended to, just not the way they'd like.
"Let's get to work." If I wanted to survive the next few days stuck in this house with the two of them I'd have to spend every second of it training.
I moved to the center of the mat and motioned for Aidan to come and get me. Dropping his carry on and shrugging out of his black duster he joined me on the mat. He dropped the hood and I couldn't help but smile. He was gorgeous and his eyes held a look I hadn't earned and most certainly didn't deserve. And then he pounced.
He rushed me in a flurry of punches and kicks. I barely got my guard up in time, blocking blows with forearms and shins. He continued to press forward, backing me up to the edge of the mat. He moved to sweep my legs out from under me and I jumped in time to avoid being knocked on my ass. Aidan didn't wait for me to land. His palm shot out, connecting with my chest. I stumbled back once my feet were on the mat again, barely keeping my balance. He wasn't taking it easy on me and I got the impression he wasn't quite as forgiving as he said he was.
I couldn't let my emotions or my injuries get the best of me. That shot to the chest really hurt, his palm landing just shy of where I had been impaled. I fought the urge to rub it, knowing full well if this was Bathory she would use my weaknesses against me.
I was always a better counter puncher, finding my openings as my opponents worked offense but Aidan wasn't providing any. He continued to press forward. His arms moving at full vampire speed. There was no way I could strike. It took everything I had to block his blows.
He continued to work us back to the wall. His short inside jabs to the body got through my guard now that I had less room to maneuver. I came down hard on his right foot with two foot stomps. He couldn't really feel them through the steel toe boots but his foot lifted instinctively the next time I moved mine.
I swept to my right, knocking his left leg out from under him. He was quick to recover but not quick enough to stop my knee from connecting with his face on the way down. He backed up an inch and I sent my knee up again, hoping to get inside his guard and catch him in the ribs. He blocked with a downward thrusting palm. Finally giving me an opening.
I came straight up the middle with a short but coiled upper cut. It connected with his chin, snapping his head back. I smirked at the blood dripping on his lip where a fang pierced through. He wiped the blood with the back of his hand and then licked it off. His smirk matched mine, well except for the fangs. I swung with a wide left, hoping to box his ear and throw off his equilibrium. His hand shot out, painfully gripping my forearm as he pulled it to his mouth and fully extended fangs.
So the fangs were out. Two could play that game. No quarter would be given in our first physical fight. He wanted to prove I wasn't strong enough and I wanted to prove I could kick his ass. This was Rocky and the Russian. He may have had me against the ropes but I was about to make a comeback that would make Balboa proud. I spindled enough of the between to jump behind him. Eye of the Tiger blared in my mind as I phased. Before I could land at Aidan's back I was hit with something from the side knocking me flat on the mat.
Mason, who had been content to watch from the sidelines with Conry curled up at his feet until then, hit me with a small ball of his own bundled energy.
"What the hell, Mace? I had him."
His eyebrows quirked in amusement at the nickname I gave him. I rolled my eyes at his wink, knowing he saw it as a term of endearment. I don't know what the hell it was, it just sort of came out. Aidan, however, wasn't smiling. He jerked me up off the mat, my body sliding up against his and then back down as he set me on my feet. He looked at Mason and then back to me, the anger at Hunter softening when our eyes met.
"Stay out of the between. I don't want you in it, not even for the five seconds it would have taken you to come up behind him. Again." Mason was a drill sergeant. There were no breaks while he was in charge of my training.
"Let her catch her breath."
"There won't be any neutral corners with Bathory. She needs to work on her endurance if she's going against a vampire."
"I'm sure you've been testing her endurance as well as her resolve since the moment you brought her here. Give her a minute, she may be immortal but she's not invincible. She almost died, she hasn't fully recovered." Aidan stepped menacingly closer to Mason.
"So you keep reminding everyone. Pissed we wouldn't let you finish the job? Turn her into a bloodsucker, something dark, akin to the Unseelie beasts living in the shadow realms?"
"What?" I moved between them, forcing Aidan to look at me instead of Mason. I shoved him hard in the chest when he didn't answer. He didn't budge but I wasn't trying to get his feet to move, just his mouth.
"You were dying. Even after I pulled the iron bar out of your chest, you weren't healing fast enough. There was too much henbane, too much iron in your blood. I could have pulled all the toxins from your blood."
"I had already lost so much blood, Aidan. That would have killed me."
"You were dying already. I was going to bring you back, give you my blood."
"I don't want to be turned, Aidan. Never, do you understand me? Never."
"You can die, Maurin. You can be killed. You expect me to let that happen if it's within my power to stop it?"
"Yes, I do if it means turning me into something I wasn't meant to be. Vampires can be killed as easily as you seem to believe I can. In the end it wouldn't change anything but my feelings for you."
"A world where you live to hate me is better than a world where you don't live at all."
"Giving up what I am to become something else isn't living."
"I didn't realize this was how you really felt about vampires. I don't know how you tolerated my hands, my mouth, especially my fangs, on your body for so long." He moved around me, ready to go after Mason. "Satisfied," he bell
owed. "I suppose I should be thanking you for exposing her true feelings to the both of us but I won't."
Aidan swung a hand out, gesturing to me as part of the “us” he referred to, not realizing I had moved beside him. When he accidentally backhanded me, Mason pushed off the wall and stepped forward.
Content to watch us beat each other senseless in a sparring session, physical contact outside of that would not be tolerated. He'd have to get through me first. My hand came away bloodied from my nose and lip for the first time since we stepped on the mat and my switch was officially flipped.
Didn't matter that it was an accident. He was being an asshole and that was reason enough. I lunged, my fist connecting with his nose from a bone crunching superman punch. I knew he hadn't hit me in anger or even intentionally but I couldn't stop myself. I punched and kicked until I had him flat on his back and still I didn't stop. I dropped a knee on his chest, about where he had pulled the iron from mine. Breath he didn't need came out as my weight came down. I rained elbows on his face as I screamed incoherently.
The blows slowed down as the past week finally caught up to me again. "How dare you? I've never done anything but care about you. How can you stand there and say those things to me?"
"He's not standing or talking any more, Maurin. You may have just beaten a vampire to death. I'm impressed."
"Shut up, Mason. You've caused enough trouble for one night. Besides, he's not dead. Are you, Aidan? Just an asshole!" I kicked him in the ribs. He was down for the count and it was a dirty shot but I didn't really give a shit, I was too pissed off to care. "You constantly go around making decisions for me. You never discuss anything with me. You impose your will and I make excuses because we care about each other. Or at least I thought we did.
“But if you honestly think I don't want you to turn me because I hate vampires, that I think so little of myself I would give my body and heart to someone I loathe then go fuck yourself because I certainly won't be doing it anymore. I decide how I live and if I die. Not you or anyone else!" I shot Mason a look to let him know he was included in that declaration as well. I stormed out, shouting over my shoulder "I'm going out to get drunk. Alone. That means stay the fuck away from me."
Blood Bath, A Paranormal/Urban Fantasy (The Maurin Kincaide Series Book 4) Page 15
