“Still yourself, Vampire.” Her eyes had faded again to their usual liquid black, and her voice was once again her own. “I had to call upon some very old magic so that your One may live. Your small amount of pain just might ensure that she will be able to decide whether or not she wants to walk through life with you.” Nic forced himself to remain still as Elena extracted the needle from his neck. He crouched, shaking in reaction, as Elena turned around to Jenna. Placing the needle into her neck much more gently than she’d jabbed it into him, she pushed the plunger down until every last drop was injected into Jenna, whose eyes popped open suddenly as the needle was removed. Her body went into a seizure, bucking up and down again on the bed.
“Hold her, Nico. You must calm her before she injures herself even more.” Elena moved and Nic sat down on the bed next to his One. He clasped Jenna’s shoulders gently and pinned her to the bed. It didn’t work. His Beloved thrashed in his grip, and opened her mouth wide, screaming.
“Hold her,” the healer’s voice was sharp now, obviously not open to argument.
Nic didn’t want to hurt Jenna’s traumatized body even more, but he quickly lay down next to her, laying one heavy thigh over her thrashing legs, and using his arm like a bar, pinning her to the bed.
She began to sob. “No, I won’t go back there. I won’t. You’ll have to kill me first.” Nic pulled her body closer into his. He slid his free hand under her neck, turning her face into the warmth at the crook of his neck. He wanted to cry right along with her.
“Shhh, Beloved, everything is all right now,” he crooned against the top of her head.
“You are home now. Safe. You will never go back there, this I promise you. You will never see that bastard who dares to call himself your father.” He didn’t know how long he whispered assurances into her tangled hair, but at some point he realized that her hands were digging into his shirt, she was holding on for dear life, not trying to escape. Nic shifted to hover over her, his weight braced on elbows and knees to spare her poor body any more pressure or pain. Freed, his hands moved to cup her cheeks.
“Jenna, Beloved, look at me,” he demanded. Her head moved fretfully, her eyes open and darting blindly around the room. “Jenna,” he let his fear sharpen his voice, and her eyes snapped to his, slowly focusing in and losing their haze of confusion. She blinked a few times, tears filling her eyes to spill down her cheeks. Nic leaned forward and caught the tears she was shedding on his tongue, stroking reverently over the velvet of her cheeks.
“Beloved, you are home where you belong. Home with me.” He brushed his cool lips across her temple and rolled back to her side, curling protectively around her now-calm body. Her breathing regulated and as she became heavy in his arms, he knew she was unconscious again.
“She may live yet, Vampire,” Elena chuckled. “She is strong, this one.”
“Thank you,” Nic said quietly. There was no way he could ever repay the healer for the gift she’d given him.
“You are most welcome. She will be a good mate for you. Her spirit is strong.” The healer chuckled again. “She will keep you in your place.” With an impossibly young and joyful smile, Elena broke her protective circle and gathered the items she’d brought to heal Jenna, leaving the two flickering candles on either side of Jenna’s head. “Keep these by her tonight. They will protect her should anyone try to interfere while she heals from her injuries.” Nic nodded gravely, silently vowing to himself that anyone who tried to interfere with his woman again would have a Vampire in Blood Rage to deal with.
On her way out the door Elena stopped in front of Bas. “Watch him tonight, youngling,” she murmured softly to the other Vampire. “Make sure he doesn’t turn from her protector to her vengeance.”
* * * *
Four days. It had been four days since the attack, and still Jenna was not awake. Nic rarely left her side. When he did, she would slide into delirium, screaming out that she would never return, never let Stone control her again. Worse were the times she would weep, seemingly trapped in her hideous memories. The desolation in her cries tore a hole in Nic’s gut every time he heard it. There was little he could do but bathe the sweat from her body and keep her as calm as he could. His voice proved the best sedative when she went wild. Nic spent hours talking to her, telling her stories of his childhood in Italy, reading to her from old books of poetry, anything to help her through the ordeal.
Her body was healing faster than any human should heal, but it was still going too slowly to suit Nic. The bones in her wrist were mended, the bruising lighter than only four days could account for. Elena called daily to check up on the patient, and when Nic raged over Jenna’s failure to wake, she explained to him over and over that Jenna might be out for several days. She’d been through a traumatic experience that most mortals wouldn’t have survived. Her body needed the rest, but more, so did her spirit, which had been polluted with Stone’s vile hatred and evil.
He didn’t leave the apartment, not even to feed, choosing instead to sustain himself on bagged blood. Bas was the only one he could bear to have in the apartment, the only one he’d allow anywhere near her unconscious, vulnerable body. Perhaps he might have trusted Aidan with her if the Were-Dragon hadn’t come the night after the attack and made his disapproval of her so obvious. He’d accused Nic of bringing trouble from the human community into their midst by keeping the eldest daughter of the man most invested in confining the Night Creatures to Reservations, as white men had done to Native Americans so many generations ago.
According to both Aidan and Bas, Stone hadn’t made Jenna’s absence public. Yet. In fact, he’d been photographed the day after the attack attending the opera with his youngest daughter, the fiery haired Erin. When Nic pointed out that there hadn’t been any trouble, Aidan argued that Stone was just biding his time, waiting to strike when it would be the most damaging.
Aidan thought he was fucking crazy, but his old friend with his hard Dragon heart couldn’t possibly understand what was going through Nic’s mind or his heart, and Nic wasn’t going to waste his time trying to drive his point home with the Dragon.
At some level he understood Aidan’s concerns, even shared them. But his connection to Jenna was too strong. Even before he’d seen her, before he’d known she was his One, he’d loved her.
In the end, he couldn’t force himself to worry about possible species wars. His only concern was lying next to him. Her breathing was slow and easy, her expression serene.
He’d roused her every few hours and coaxed her to take some fluids, but she’d only taken small amounts, never fully awake. He ran the back of his hand across her cheek.
Her skin was creamy and smooth to the touch, and lost the faint trace of fever that worried him.
She must be healing, he mused with a wince, because just this one small touch made him hard, something that hadn’t happened even when he’d seen her beautifully nude, bathing her. Sliding his hand down her neck he felt her pulse, counting each beat, relieved that it was strong.
* * * *
Jenna waited in silence, like she did most nights in her dreams. Tucked away from the real world, here she was safe, protected and cared for. Even if he was only imaginary, her dream lover gave her the comfort she so desired. Nico, she’d screamed his name in pleasure in more than one erotic dream. He came to her nightly, bringing pleasure and comfort and the escape from reality she so desperately needed.
Jenna looked around. Tonight she was in a bedroom that looked like something out of a gothic novel. The walls were made of stone. A fireplace twice her height covered one wall, providing heat and low lighting, and casting eerie shadows on the wall.
Jenna knew this was a dream and would last for only a short time, but these dreams were her saving grace from the evil she witnessed on a daily basis. She closed her eyes, imagining him there with her.
Strong hands gently came down on her shoulders, hot breath whispered along her neck.
“You look ravishing tonight, My Lad
y.”
Jenna leaned her head back. She loved it when he called her his Lady, or his woman.
He was possessive, something Jenna had never experienced before. A plus-sized gal whose father rarely let her out of his sight, her social skills were almost nil. The brief affair she’d had with one of her father’s cronies ending almost before it began. After taking her virginity, the man treated her cruelly, afraid she would tell her father about what they’d done. He certainly hadn’t ever been possessive. Jenna decided that sex was extremely overrated.
His mouth grazed her earlobe. “I have missed you.” His dark-velvet voice caressed her while his cool hands drew circles around her shoulders and down her arms.
“I can tell,” she whispered, smiling at the feel of his cock as it rode the crack of her ass through her elegant dress. Her body ripened with his simple touch. It was hard to find her voice. She sighed as his full lips found her neck, sliding slowly over the sensitive length. His arms came around her, pulling her back against his solid chest. “You smell delicious,” he growled, nipping the delicate skin at her nape.
“Do I, now?” She pushed her ass against him and wiggled. His cock pressed even harder against her soft derriere, and she smiled. “You’re a bad boy, Nico,” Jenna was amazed at how good it felt to be carefree. There was little room for such feelings in her real life.
“Say it again.” He licked a hot path down her neck to just under her ear. “Say my name again.”
Jenna put her hands up, winding them around his head pulling his mouth further onto her neck. “Nico.” Her voice faded as he bit lightly into her flesh, nipping, and then soothing with his wicked tongue.
She loved it when he kissed her neck. It sent tingles of electricity straight to her pussy. The first time he’d kissed her there, she’d nearly come from that sensation alone, it was so pleasurable, a new erogenous zone for her.
She threaded her fingers through his hair, pulling his mouth tighter to her neck. He moaned deeply as he took her skin between his teeth and sucked hard.
“Mark me,” she whispered, and was rewarded with his low groan vibrating against her skin. “I want to wear your mark, to show the world I belong to you.”
“Oh Jenna, I need you.” His rough voice tickled her neck.
“You make me feel beautiful,” she said, her hands sliding up the front of his white silk shirt, savoring the ripple of hard muscles under her palms.
He cupped her jaw, tracing the edge with his rough fingertips. “Never doubt that you are indeed beautiful, absolutely the most beautiful woman in the world.” She sighed and blinked up at him. “How can you possibly be this perfect?” She shook her head and laughed bitterly. “Of course you are. This is my dream. It makes total sense that you would be perfect.” she murmured when he’d released her lips. Tall and hard, his thick arms and thighs were roped with muscle. While the strength and sheer size of him was impressive, it was his face that captured Jenna.
Sculpted as if from marble, smooth and flawless, a face like that should never have worked on a man as big as he. Somehow, though, it fit him perfectly.
His nose was straight and strong. Thick black lashes framed a set of the palest blue eyes Jenna had ever seen. They were hypnotizing in their intensity. Those eyes held Jenna enthralled. Looking into their crystalline depths, she could see his very soul if she looked deeply enough.
Nico pulled her close, kissing the top of her head. “Beloved, I love your body. Your curves entice me. Your soft skin satisfies me more than any lover I have known.” He leaned back to meet her eyes and Jenna smiled feebly. “Open your eyes for me Jenna, I am real and waiting for you to open your eyes.”
* * * *
A small sound brought his eyes back to hers. Green-flecked brown eyes stared back at him. “Welcome back.” His smile was wide, he didn’t care that his fangs were showing.
He was too happy to remember she might be afraid when she remembered he was Vampire.
“Am I dead?” she asked, voice hoarse from disuse and a need for hydration.
Nic shook his head. “No, Beloved, you’re not dead.” She opened her mouth to speak again, but Nic quieted her. “Don’t try to talk yet. Let me give you something to drink first.”
He reached over her, retrieving a glass of water. “Let me help you sit. Your body really needs this.” He eased his arm under her shoulders and lifted her into a sitting position. Lifting the glass, he adjusted the plastic straw, bringing it to her lips.
“Drink slowly.”
He was trying to remain calm, but adrenalin flooded him. It was a struggle to keep from pinning her to the bed and plunging into her. She studied him as she sipped, and he wanted to squirm under her green-flecked gaze. She took her time, finishing most of the water before pushing the glass away. Nic took the glass and replaced it on the table. Then he fluffed up some pillows and gently laid her against them.
God, she’s beautiful, he thought, as a pink blush crept up her neck and into her cheeks. He felt the lunge of his cock against his zipper as he imagined that blush stretching along the rest of her soft, pliant body. He turned so that he was facing her, forcing his mind away from his cock. Dammit, she’d just regained consciousness, but he wanted her. Wanted to feel her skin and taste her blood. Wanted to know for sure that she was here, lucid, safe and his.
Crossing his legs, he planted his fists on his thighs to keep himself from touching her.
“How are you feeling?” He prayed that his blood had done the trick and that she was whole again.
She blinked a couple of times, then stretched her arms above her head. The motion caused the t-shirt she was wearing to stretch tight across her breasts. Nic stifled a groan at the sight of her full nipples pressing against the soft fabric. She wiggled her fingers and toes and finally graced him with a smile.
“I feel wonderful. Are you sure I’m not dead? I shouldn’t feel this good. And you’re here with me! I can’t believe you’re real, Nico.”
“Say it again, Jenna,” the words tore free without his permission. “Say my name.” Nic held his breath.
“I can’t believe you’re real, Nico,” she repeated more softly, her lips caressing his name. His name on her lips was more than he could take. The air whooshed out of her as he crawled over her, crowding her into the pillows as he straddled her, hovering over her.
“I promise I am very, very real, Jenna. And we have much to talk about, Beloved, but not now. Right now I have to taste you, just a little. I need to feel you,” he rested his forehead briefly against hers and exhaled. “Perhaps I need proof that you are real.” He leaned down, not trusting himself to touch anything more than her mouth. His lips grazed hers. Electric, like one of Aidan’s lightening bolts, was the only description Nic could come up with. He dipped back down and sipped from her mouth. Her taste was so sweet and unique, like peaches and cream. It called to him in such a primal way. His dick never gotten so hard, so fast and with such urgency.
He wanted to go slow, to give her time to adjust, to make sure she was healed, but he couldn’t do it. He needed to touch more of her, now. He raised his hand to her cheek, cupping her face to raise her chin, and dove back down to lick her full bottom lip.
Angling his head slightly, he slipped his tongue deftly between the crease of her lips.
She opened to him willingly, allowing him full access to her mouth. With her surrender there was no holding back. An animal growl ripped from Nic's throat as he deepened the kiss even further.
He demanded that she respond to his mouth, and she didn’t disappoint. Her silky tongue tangled with his, filling him with her flavor and brushing him with satin fire. His breath came faster now as he pulled back to skim her face with his lips. He sprinkled feather-light kisses across her forehead, the bridge of her nose and the dimple in her cheek. He nuzzled her jawline, following it to the side of her neck. Jenna’s body softened and her body heat rose.
Nic inhaled her scent and knew she wanted him, instinctively knew she was ready f
or him. His head was telling him to wait, but his body took control. He was too selfish, too needy to stop now. Watching her come so close to death before they’d ever even touched was his undoing. He needed to reassure himself that she was healthy and alive and finally his.
*
Jenna put her hands to Nico’s chest and pushed. What was she doing? She couldn’t quite wrap her brain around the fact the he was real. The man from her dreams, the lover who made her tremble with sexual thirst, was real and sharing the same bed.
“Wait, wait, please,” she begged, hoping like hell he would understand. He froze; his handsome face drew into a frown of concern. Drawing a deep breath, he gave a tight nod and pushed himself up, shifting to the side. Grabbing her hand, he brought it to his lips.
“I am sorry, Beloved,” he said against her fingers. “I did not mean to go so fast, or to overwhelm you.” He sighed again and pressed her fingers to his lips, letting his tongue sneak out to tease the sensitive tips. “Just days ago I thought I was witnessing your death, and now you’re awake and so fucking beautiful that I just needed to feel you.” Jenna hid her smile, but not the blush that flamed her cheeks. No one ever thought she was beautiful. Nic turned to lie on his side, propped on his elbow with his head in his hand. He rubbed her palm over his cheek and she felt the liquid heat rushing between her thighs. Just like in the dreams, only multiplied a thousand times over.
“What happened to me? The last thing I remember is Sal punching me.” Jenna shuddered at the memory, and then gasped as Nic’s brilliant blue eyes turned a paler shade, tiny blue flames dancing in their depths.
The glow died as quickly as it came, and Nic caressed her arm as he told her the story of how he, Aidan and Bas found her in the alley. He’d killed Harv and Sal himself.
He was unapologetic for their deaths, and that served to remind Jenna that he was no ordinary man, that he was a predator. But somehow she wasn’t afraid of him. Instead, Jenna was humbled by the rage he felt on her behalf. This man recognized her from their shared dream, saved her life, avenged her pain, and nursed her back to health. She wasn’t about to question fate for bringing them together.
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