by Mary Abshire
If I told Drake about Gabe, he would stay in Alaska. As a result, Dani's chances of getting away from the VETOV would lessen. Since I didn't want to worry Drake or change our plans, I thought of the best excuse to explain my accelerated heart rate and heated condition.
"That truck speeding toward me reminded me of the time I fought Alexander. He tried to run me over with his car, but I jumped out of the way at the last minute." True story. I hoped Drake believed the flashback was enough to trigger my present state of disorder.
Drake's dark eyes pierced me as if he were studying me. The weight of his gaze made me feel uncomfortable.
"I'm okay," I said. "Can we go please?"
He let go of my wrist. "Are you sure there is nothing else wrong?"
"Wrong? No. But I'm hot. I'd like to get back to the house and shower." And sitting in his vehicle felt worse than sitting in a sauna. With the windows shut, it wouldn't take long for more sweat to pour out of me.
Drake slipped his glove back on, then drove through the rest of the parking lot, heading for the exit. "Maybe I should delay leaving for Indianapolis."
"I'm okay. Really, I am," I said more firmly. Did he suspect I was hiding something from him?
He waited for an approaching car to pass before turning onto the main road. Then he veered his suspicious gaze my way. "Why is your heart beating faster now?"
Damn it, I needed another excuse. "Donnie and I stayed and chatted with some other new members of the community. They were an odd couple."
His brow rose. "A man and a woman?"
"Yeah, and from the way they talked, they've traveled through every state."
Drake accelerated onto the street. "If they travel that much, they may be running from someone."
"Maybe. I don't know." I hadn't thought about that, but Drake's logic made sense.
"If you think they are odd, then you should be careful around them."
"Don't worry, I was careful." Especially after Leon put his hand on my leg. Something was definitely unusual about them. If I told Drake what Leon had done, he would without a doubt skip going to Indy to get Dani. For the time being, I'd keep it a secret.
"What did you do while I was gone?" I changed the subject.
"I spoke to my friend in Toronto. He said he would leave for Indianapolis in a few hours, then meet me at the airport."
"That's good. And he's a sorcerer?"
"Yes. He will do a little investigating before I arrive. If he suspects anything, he will notify me at once."
"When I call Mark, I'll let him know you won't be alone."
Drake sped through a yellow light. "Is there anything else bothering you?"
I delayed my response as I considered my next words. The vampire must have suspected something, since he continued to ask me. Did I have any other excuses to give? I crossed my arms.
"Well…there is something else. I found out that demons have to go through a ceremony to bond them to the devil. And those who don't go through the ceremony spend eternity serving him. Did you know about this?"
Drake glanced at me. "I had heard about a ceremony, but I was unaware of the details." His brow narrowed above his nose. "Are you considering going through with it?"
I stared out the window. "I don't know what to do."
"You can avoid it," Drake said. "There is another option."
"What's my other option? How can I stop my soul from going to Hell? I'm a fucking demon." Irritation laced my tone.
For a while, I had believed my soul might end up in a better place. I had even thought sending souls to Hell was good and would win me brownie points with God. But the last few days had brought me back to reality. The sick feeling I'd had in the priest's home, his questions about why I sent souls to damnation, and discovering I would spend eternity serving the devil if I didn't go through the ceremony reinforced the truth—I was doomed from birth.
"You can join me," Drake said, his voice soft. "Become a vampire."
Swallowing hard, I twisted in the leather seat and faced his side. "That only keeps my soul in my body until someone hacks off my head. Turning into a vampire won't stop my soul from going to Hell."
He briefly took his attention away from the road and onto me. "I would protect you, always and forever. My love for you will never die."
I believed with all my heart. Yet, it didn't solve the problem. If someone destroyed me, my soul would go straight south.
"I'll think about it." I lowered my head and resumed staring out the window.
We didn't say much the rest of the short drive home. I was thankful that Drake didn't ask me any more questions. I must have satisfied his suspicions. As I gazed out at the night, I went through my growing list of worries. Once Drake returned from Indy with Dani, I'd have one less and could tackle the others with his help.
When Drake drove the vehicle into the garage, I clicked the seatbelt free. My wet clothes clung to me. If I didn't get a shower soon, I'd run naked in the backyard, in the snow. While Drake enjoyed the warm heat of the car, I sweated. I needed to start wearing short-sleeved shirts.
I met Drake at the door and waited for him to unlock it. Keys jingled in his hands as he twisted the knob. The garage door squealed as it shut.
"Since I don't have to call Mark for a while, I'm going to clean up," I said, slipping past him when he pushed the door open. I stopped at the recliner in the living room, slid my vest jacket off my shoulders, then tossed it over the armrest.
Drake stood a few feet from me. He watched my every move as if he were studying me. I wondered what was going through his mind.
"Is there something bothering you?" I asked.
He shoved the gloves in his pockets, then shed his long leather coat. "If the purpose of the ceremony is to bind you to the devil, why would you want to go through it?"
"I don't. But the alternative is serving him for eternity. Either way, I'm screwed." I chuckled. "Actually, I'm fucked from the get-go. The ceremony involves one big orgy. I have to have sex with the devil or whomever he sends for me."
He draped his coat over the back of the chair. "They force you to have sex?"
I wiped the back of my hand across my forehead. "Yeah. Since I'm adult, that's what happens."
Drake drew close to me. "I hope you are not seriously considering going through with it."
I pinched the top of my shirt and fanned it from my chest. "I don't know what to do anymore and I really don't want to think about it. I'm hot and I have enough on my mind right now."
Heading for the stairs, I lifted my shirt over my head. My flesh felt instant relief once the top came off me. As I reached the stairs, Drake grabbed my arm and backed me up to the wall.
"I know something else is bothering you." He put both hands on my shoulders. His cooling energy caressed my flesh. "Why are you hiding it from me?"
My pulse accelerated. If I told him about Gabe, he wouldn't leave to get Dani. I had to keep my mouth shut. I swallowed my breath and dropped the shirt in my hand.
"I know you, Jessie. I know your scent, your taste, the sounds your body makes, your emotions, everything." He pressed his forehead to mine. "I know you are keeping something. Your body is telling me something troubles you."
Damn my heart. Damn my body for reacting to him. "I just want you to get Dani and hurry back here."
His hands slithered down my chest. "I will not leave unless you tell me what is bothering you." He slid his hands inside my bra, then cupped my breasts. Instantly, my nipples hardened from his electrifying touch.
"Drake—"
He gently touched my lips with his, tickling the very edges. While he rubbed his nose next to mine, he pinched my nipples between his fingers. Damn him for seducing me into talking.
I licked my lips. "Can you just trust me?"
He squeezed my tits, then in one quick move, he nipped my neck with his flat teeth. In a flash, my body awakened with desire. Tingles spread from my neck to my breasts, and lower. He dragged his tongue up my neck, kissed m
y chin, then lightly sucked on it. An inferno flamed within me, excited from his wet kiss that didn't even touch my lips.
"Oh God, Drake."
His mouth traveled up to mine and he claimed my lips in a kiss. My body temp rose fast with each stroke of his tongue and pinch of my nipples. I rubbed my hand along his groin. Oh, he was hard and so very fucking big.
He broke our kiss, then kneeled in front of me. "If you don't talk to me and tell me what's wrong,"—he said as he unfastened my jeans—"I am going to stay here and kiss and lick every inch of your body. All night, and all day long."
His seductive words made me quiver, knowing he meant every word. I needed to get away from him fast or I would give in to him, and my lust. "Let me clean up. We can talk afterwards."
Having unzipped my pants, he gripped the edges and jerked them down, pulling my underwear along with them. "I will clean you up, right here and now." He stripped my pants to my ankles. One at a time, I lifted my feet, freeing myself. Then he tossed the clothes aside.
How could I resist a man wanting to pleasure me, especially one with such a cool touch?
I raked my fingers through his soft brown hair. His dark eyes lifted. Need, desire, longing, stared at me.
"Do you know how much I love you?"
He curled his lips while his hands glided up my legs. "I do. And I love you with every bit of my heart and soul."
He slid his cool tongue inside my hot folds. My legs trembled, wanting to give out on me. He delved deeper, stroking my core. I bit down on my lip and tapped the back of my head against the wall. Every flick sent a zing through me, stimulating every nerve and making my nipples ache. My breaths became heavy as the need for release overwhelmed me.
"Yes. Don't stop. Please…"
My heart thumped fast. I was nearing the edge, ready to explode. His tongue felt so good inside of me, so strong, so cool, so fucking arousing.
Then the cool touch that I loved was gone, leaving me lonely and deprived. I looked down as Drake kissed the inside of my thigh. Why had he stopped? I was within seconds of bursting.
His gaze met mine. "Tell me what's bothering you and I will finish. I will make it extra special for you."
Was he fucking kidding me? I hit my head on the wall. Bastard.
He slid his fingers inside me, then rubbed his palm along my clit, stirring my need all over again. Damn him!
"Tell me, Jessie." He withdrew his fingers and teased my sensitive core. My body ached with need, yearning for satisfaction. When he slipped his fingers back into me, all I could think about was his hard cock and how much I wanted it to fill me instead of his fingers. "Tell me."
I lowered my eyes to his. "Fuck me and I'll confess."
His lips curled at the corner. "Promise?"
I gave him a hurried nod. The vamp had me. I couldn't resist. Couldn't!
Drake removed his fingers as he rose to his feet. Gripping his shirt, I lifted it over his head while he unzipped his pants and dropped them. A delightful, rigid gift was ready for me. I smiled at my lover.
"Turn around," he said.
His smooth voice made me want to melt. I twisted and faced the stairs leading up to the door. Drake coiled his arms around me. His hard cock pressed in the crevice of my ass. He burrowed his face into my neck. "I love smelling you. I love tasting you and being inside your hot body."
He moved one of his hands under my bra, then groped a tit. I moaned softly, enjoying his every touch.
He slid his other hand between my legs. "You are so wet."
I was burning up, too. Oh, how I wanted his cooling erection inside of me. I couldn't wait any longer. With the stairs in front of me, I kneeled on a step and flattened my palms on a higher step. Legs spread, I hope he understood my invitation.
Drake gripped my hips, then thrust his elongated cock into me. Pain and pleasure mixed. I tossed my head back and gasped loudly. "Oh fuck!"
Holding onto me, he withdrew slowly and then pumped into me again, sliding deeper. I grunted louder as my insides stretched to accommodate his solid cock. The small amount of pain was nothing compared to the soothing coolness of his erection within my hot loins. He drove into me again, and again. Every bit of my body tingled and buzzed, excited and yearning for more. Zings of ecstasy shot through me. With each deep plunge, a new gasp escaped me.
Drake's desire continued to grow, evident from his hastened thrusts.
"Yes, yes," I said.
My body was ready to explode in a fit of passionate bliss. My nipples begged to be touched. I yearned for greater satisfaction.
"You are so hot, love…" He held my hips firmly as he plunged deep and hard into me. "And all mine."
Sweat trickled down the sides of my face. Hot? I was overcooked.
He wrapped his arm around my torso and kneeled on the step with me. His legs brushed mine as he held me in position. I moved in rhythm with him, savoring every bit of his cool, hard cock. One hand swept away the hair from my shoulder, tossing it to the other side. His lips touched the back of my neck, behind my ear. Anticipation grew, bringing me closer to the release I longed for.
"Harder. Now," I said.
Moaning, he thrust with more vigor. My breathing labored, but I was seconds away from reaching heaven. He slid one of his hands under my bra. With a pinch of my nipple and the graze of sharp points along my neck, my ticking time bomb went off. I screamed with delight.
Drake bit into my neck, sinking his fangs into me. Not even a minute later, a violent throb pulsed inside of me. Mouth wide open and hands still braced on the step in front of me, I breathed in deep breaths while euphoric ripples coursed through me. An eternity of great sex with a vampire seemed like a fucking good idea to me. Oh God, how I loved the feel of his large cock pounding inside of me.
The beats of pleasure slowed, but stayed strong. His arm remained fastened around me, hand cupping my breast and fingers pinching my nipple. My heart calmed, along with my breathing. Heaven on Earth existed until Drake jerked his head away from my neck. He stiffened, holding me still in his arms.
I twisted my head to look at him. A drop of blood fell and landed on the step. "What's wrong?"
"A vehicle pulled into the driveway. The engine is now silent." He rolled his tongue along the tender flesh of my neck, sealing the punctures. The gentleness of his lick sent a shiver through me, arousing me. His concrete shaft vibrated again inside me. Damn, I wanted more. Drake lifted his head. "Two people are coming."
A rush of anxiety rolled through me. I jerked my head up to the door. Who would show up so late at night? The timing couldn't have been worse. On the other hand, our surprise visitors delayed me from telling Drake about Gabe. But who could it be? Could Gabe have followed us home? Uh-oh.
Chapter Ten
Dripping wet, I stepped from the shower and reached for a towel. One of my feet squeaked as it skidded on the cold tile floor. I grabbed hold of the shower door, catching myself before falling. Damn, that was close. I snatched the towel from the nearby rack, then wrapped it around me. With careful steps, I headed toward the bedroom.
I dashed to the dresser, then hurried as I donned a bra and clean underwear. Drake had said the two guests upstairs were human and for me to take my time cleaning up. Considering I had stunk of sweat and sex, I agreed to leave him. But curiosity nagged me. I wanted to know who had come for a visit at such a late hour, and why. Every minute that ticked by, I missed finding my answer.
I passed through the bathroom and strolled into the closet. Whoever came for a late visit probably wouldn’t mind if I showed up in pajamas, but I preferred to look halfway decent. After I slipped my legs into a pair of jeans, I threw a plain purple T-shirt over my head. I stopped at the mirror and combed my wet hair. My dark locks with highlights were a tangled mess and I grimaced when my brush snagged. Once I detangled my hair, I headed for the stairs.
My feet patted on the floor as I reached the top of the steps. The aroma of coffee filled the air like a thick perfume. I breathed in the d
elicious scent, then a wave of nausea stirred within me. In a matter of seconds, my body heated like an oven. I doubted it was the coffee making me feel sick.
I proceeded toward the sound of male voices. Bright light from the kitchen illuminated half the house. Anthony and another man, whose face I couldn't see, sat on stools at the center island. Both men wore black and their white socks stuck out from under their slacks. I guessed they had left their boots by the door. As I drew near, Anthony turned.
"Hello, Jessie. Are you feeling better?" he asked, then lifted a mug to his lips.
"I am." Well, better than the last time we met. "Thanks for asking."
My stomach grumbled as I stepped into the kitchen, but bile remained where it belonged. The ill feeling wasn't as strong as the last time I'd met the retired priest. Drake's house hadn't been blessed, nor did it have religious objects everywhere. My weakened nausea had to be from the presence of the priest. Still, in case my body decided to revolt, I headed for the sink.
Drake was leaning against the refrigerator. He smiled and, just that fast, I forgot about the queasiness in my gut. I opened my mouth to say something to him when a loud clank near Anthony captured our attention. Drake grabbed the dishtowel on the counter and rushed by.
"Sorry," said the young man sitting next to Anthony. He picked up his cup and held it while Drake wiped up the dark puddle on the counter. A portion of white stuck out in the center of his dark collar. Apparently, he was a priest too.
Shaking my head, I snatched another towel from the drawer. As I wet the cloth under the faucet, questions flooded my mind. Why was another priest here? Why would Anthony bring a fellow clergyman to Drake's home? Did he find any information about the murders? Had he learned any theories about the souls I'd sent to Hell? Was I creating an army for the devil? I wrung out the excess water from the towel, then brought it to Drake.
Mr. Blue Eyes priest gazed at me. He had short dark hair and a young look with a wrinkle-free face. Light beige blemishes dotted his cheeks—scars from acne, if I were to guess.
