by Lia Davis
She hadn't gone through the humiliating process of being sold at a vampire auction to be bought and dumped. Tired of being alone, afraid and hungry caused her to make a desperate choice. She had struggled far too long. She'd dreamed and wished for a loving family her whole life, but that never happened. By the time she had left foster care, she had been placed so many times that she’d lost count. She'd spent the last few years changing jobs, renting one crappy room after another. This was her way out. She'd wanted the life Andrea had and she was going to get it. No one was going to push her aside ever again.
“I'm going home with you.” She stared into Grant's haunting blue eyes. They were the iciest shade she'd ever seen, but she detected the warmth in them. He lured her in. Instinct warned her to look away, but she couldn’t. His soft voice soothed her, and for some bizarre reason she had the urge to crawl into his lap and snuggle against his broad chest. “That's what I agreed to. I was told if I went to the auction, I'd have a place to go home to when it was over. I was given all the rules and I did everything I was supposed to.”
“That's correct,” Maxim said in a short tone.
When Cassie stared into his dark gray eyes she didn’t have the urge to cuddle against him. His eyes were a stark contrast to Grant’s. They were almost black. His voice was louder and more abrupt too. He frightened her, but in a mysterious way. With him her urges were different… darker.
“You don't owe us anything, Cassie,” Grant said in a tranquil tone. One that erased the anxiety of a few moments ago. “We don't know how you ended up at the auction, but there has to be another way for you.”
This was just her luck. She'd find a vampire with a moral compass. She was sick of being thrown away as if she didn’t matter. She'd been unwanted her entire life. Not today. This time she would take control of her destiny. She'd hit the jackpot. The auction gods had sent her two strong, sexy and capable vampires. She wasn't going to allow them to toss her aside.
“You owe me,” she said. “You took me off that block and probably paid a lot of money for me. I was promised a home.”
“She has a point,” Maxim said. “She did cost a pretty penny.”
“Max!” Grant raised his voice. “Don’t encourage her.”
“If you weren't willing to hold up your end of the bargain then why would you buy me?” she asked. “Why didn’t you leave me for someone else?”
“We didn’t buy you,” Grant said. “I thought I was helping you.”
Maxim glanced out the window. “Look, we're home now. Perhaps a hot meal will do you some good and then we can decide what to do next.”
“You have food in your house?” She hadn’t eaten in hours. Dinner sounded like a good plan. “I didn’t think you ate human food.”
Grant snickered as Maxim rolled his eyes. She had a feeling they were communicating on another level. One she didn’t understand, but fascinated her.
“We can eat an occasional meal in social settings to blend in, but we do have human staff,” Grant explained. “Lea, our housekeeper, can get you something to eat.”
“Then what?” She needed to know what to expect as the car pulled up in front of a large historical home that Savannah had been known for.
“I don’t know.” Grant looked at her as if she was the only woman he'd ever set eyes on. She liked being the object of his desire. It made her feel warm and wanted. “I didn’t expect for this to happen.”
“Why would you come to an auction?” she asked. “You knew what would be expected of you.”
It was obvious these two were more than friends. She could tell by the subtle glances and touches. She suspected they had been together a long time. There was something very compelling about these men, and she wanted to learn more about them. In a matter of a ten minute car ride she knew she needed to be part of what they had.
“I'm the keeper of this area,” Maxim said. “It's my job to make sure everything runs smoothly. I was there for an inspection.”
“Vampires have inspections? Do you have unions too?”
When Grant laughed she liked the way it sounded. Melodic and comforting.
“We have rules, and I expect my vampires to follow them.” Maxim stepped out of the car once the driver opened the door.
“After you.” Grant motioned for her to follow Max.
“Thank you.” She lingered for a few seconds, taking in his dimples when he smiled at her. Her heart pounded hard inside her chest as she lost herself in his gaze.
“Are you two coming?” Maxim interrupted their moment.
“Of course,” Grant responded as he quickly ushered her out of the car, stopping to stand by Maxim’s side.
Grant nodded as he looked into the stern vampire’s eyes. Neither verbalized their thoughts. They didn’t have to because they were communicating without speaking again. When Maxim reached out and stroked Grant’s cheek, something inside Cassie ignited. For the first time in her life there was a sense of belonging that hadn’t been before.
Chapter 2
Max sensed his life was about to change, but he couldn’t decide if it was for the better. Grant was his entire world. Just a few hours ago he could never have imagined a human girl coming between them. But now as he glanced over at the kitchen table he saw the desire in his lover’s eyes, and for the first time in a century it wasn’t directed at him.
“Lea,” Grant said to their loyal housekeeper. “Thank you for putting together this meal so quickly.”
“Everything is delicious.” Cassie devoured her food. “I didn’t realize how hungry I was until I started to eat.”
It was pleasing to watch the human enjoy her meal. Her appetite was bigger than Max would have anticipated for such a thin girl. She probably didn’t have the luxury of home cooked meals often. Max would research her and find out as much as he could about her past. If she was going to stay he wanted to be prepared. He needed to know who she associated with and where she came from.
“It’s my pleasure,” Lea said. “I’ll get the guest room in order for Cassie. Is there anything special you’d like brought in? I can pick up whatever you need in the morning.”
Lea had been with them for over twenty years. She had started out her life as a companion to a vampire when she was in her early twenties. Her vampire was a nomad and couldn’t commit to a monogamous relationship so he released Lea from her contract. Through the years she stayed loyal to the vampire community, helping them with their everyday needs. She came highly recommended when Max and Grant arrived in the United States, and had been with them ever since.
“Lea, I would appreciate it if you could take Cassie shopping. Get her whatever she needs.” It was clear the girl had nothing.
“That’s not necessary.” Cassie looked up at him. “You don’t have to buy me anything.”
“You need clothes,” Max said. “I couldn’t help but notice you didn’t come with much.”
“I don’t have much.” She placed her fork on her plate. “The auction house gave me this dress.”
“It’s very pretty.” Grant perused her body before returning his attention to her face. “You look lovely.”
“Thank you.” Her cheeks held a deep red hue when Grant complimented her. She was just as taken by him as he was with her. They continued to gaze into one another’s eyes as if they were the only two in the room.
Lea glanced at Max, but he didn’t confirm anything to her. He wasn’t sure what was happening himself and that made him uneasy.
“Then it’s settled.” Max cleared his throat, noting that she did look rather enticing in that silk dress. “Lea will accompany you on a shopping trip tomorrow while Grant and I sleep. She’ll make sure all of your needs are met.”
“I’m staying?” When she spoke he detected a sense of hope in her eyes. She really wanted to stay. Her pull toward Grant was unavoidable.
“Is that what you want?” Grant asked. “I know you didn’t think you had another choice when you ended up at the auction house.”
/> “She probably didn’t,” Lea interjected. “Most times a person has no other options when they end up there.”
“I want you to know you do have a choice,” Grant continued. “Just because you’re here doesn’t mean you have to stay. Max and I can help you.” He nodded toward Max. “Right?”
All Max had to do was request that the girl leave and his troubles would be over. Grant would never betray him, but something nagged at him to keep her with them.
“Of course,” Max agreed, but he had no intentions of letting her leave. It was his duty to make Grant happy and this girl made him happy. “We won’t hold you to the contract you signed when I bid on you. You’re not obligated to stay here, but we won’t put you on the street either. You’re welcome to stay here for as long as you need.”
Max saw the relief in Grant’s expression. Strangely, Maxim hoped the girl agreed to stay with them too. Grant wasn’t the only one taken by her beauty. Her sweet scent overpowered Max, but it was the innocence in her eyes that drove him wild. If she stayed, would she share their bed? Was that something his relationship with Grant could survive? Only time would tell.
Max’s offer to give Cassie an open invitation to stay in their home surprised Grant. That wasn’t something either of them had ever discussed. They had brought in men and women to heat things up in their bedroom before, but it was never with a woman like Cassie. Their past romps were one night stands designed to intensify their arousal for one another. Grant was too quick to assume that was what Max had wanted with Cassie. He was probably just being polite, considering they were responsible for spoiling her plans of becoming a companion to a vampire. If not for the two of them, she’d already be in her new home, serving her new master. Grant couldn’t bear the thought of another touching her.
“Lea, why don’t you take our guest upstairs and get her settled?” Max took control of the situation as he often did.
“Sure.” Lea’s voice was comforting. “Follow me. I’ll help you with whatever you need.”
Cassie stood and smiled at Grant. He tried hard not to hold her gaze for too long because he didn’t want to manipulate her feelings. He was failing miserably. All he wanted to do was look into her soulful eyes. Command her to touch him, to kiss him, to...
“Lea.” Max’s voice redirected Grant’s thoughts. “We’re going to feed. We won’t be long tonight.”
“I’ll see to it that Cassie is comfortable before I turn in.” Lea motioned toward the back staircase. “We can go up this way.”
“Thank you.” Cassie locked her gaze with Grant’s again. “Will I see you tonight?”
“I’ll check in on you when I get back.” He glanced at Max. “We both can.”
“Okay.” She nodded before breaking their connection and looking in Max’s direction. He glanced down at the floor until Cassie followed Lea up the stairs.
Max sat across from Grant, but didn’t say anything. He didn’t have to. Grant could sense the distress in his expression.
“You’re the one who asked her to stay,” Grant reminded him.
“I didn’t say anything.”
“It’s what you aren’t saying that bothers me.” Grant reached across the table and took his partner’s hand. “Tell me what’s troubling you.”
“She’s not like the others.”
“No, she isn’t.” Grant thought about the times they were with others. It was always pleasurable, but it was never anything more than sex. “Do you want her in our bed?”
“Do you?” Max tapped his long fingers on the wood table.
“I asked first.” Grant smiled because he knew it would soften Max’s mood. “I know the answer. It’s nothing new. We may not have done it in a few years, but it’s not an unusual concept to us.”
“No, it isn’t, but this is different and you know it. You didn’t really have to ask if I was thinking about her in that capacity. You just knew.”
“That’s not a new concept for us either,” Grant told him. “We’ve been together a long time. We’re connected by blood, your blood. We often know what the other is thinking.”
When a vampire created another they were linked for eternity. Connected by a bond stronger than any other. They could communicate on another level, without speaking. A creator could feel the emotions of his or her creation and vice versa.
“We’ve invited her into our home on a permanent basis,” Max said. “It’s always been the two of us. I don’t know if I can share you.”
“Do you think after knowing this woman for an hour I would abandon you?” Grant interlocked their fingers. “You know I never would.” He leaned closer to Max’s face. “I never could.”
When Max brought their joined hands to his mouth and caressed Grant’s fingers with his lips a jolt of desire filled him. “I can already see how deeply taken you are with her. It was immediate and it gets stronger every time she looks into your eyes. I can’t dismiss that.”
“I have to be honest with you. I feel something, but it’s not the same as it is with you.” Grant’s heart belonged to Max. He pledged his soul to him decades ago. Nothing could ever make him betray the bond they shared.
“I know exactly what you feel when you look into her eyes.”
“You feel it too?” Perhaps it was a sign. Maybe Cassie was meant to be there with them.
Max shook his head.
“Then what?” Grant needed to know what had his lover so distressed.
“I feel it every day. It started that first night all those years ago when you walked into my lecture hall. You were my human. I knew it instantly. You were mine.”
“I still am.”
“I don’t doubt that.” Max brushed his lips along Grant’s mouth. “You’re everything to me. I would do anything for you.”
“I know that.”
“If she’s who you need I’ll let you pursue her.” Max took Grant’s face between his strong hands. “I won’t stand in your way. The call of a human can become overwhelming. I remember it well.”
“You’re who I need.” Grant tilted his head. “Kiss me.”
When Max’s lips connected with Grant’s nothing else mattered. Grant lost himself in his creator’s strong grasp. Grant reached up and twisted his fingers through Max’s thick, dark hair as they deepened the kiss. Max growled when Grant nipped at his bottom lip. The older vampire stood so abruptly he knocked over the chair, cracking it in half from the speed as it hit the floor.
“Come.” He extended his hand for Grant, ignoring the destruction. “It’s time to feed.”
Grant took his hand and followed Maxim to the basement.
“We’ll feed from the reserve tonight.”
A few nights a week they went to Coven Hollow, a place to feed and mingle with others of their kind. A location where humans offered their precious blood in exchange for money. Like the auction houses, feeding clubs were a benefit for all involved. Max and Grant had a supply of blood in the basement for evenings when they wanted to stay in.
“Are we doing more than feeding?” Grant asked as Max led him to the basement.
“Don’t we always?” Max pulled Grant to his chest, gripping his biceps. “I’m feeling quite dominant this evening. I’m in a relentless mood.”
“I’ll submit to your every desire.”
“I’ll fulfill all of yours,” Max promised as he shut the door behind them.
Cassie followed Lea up the massive staircase and down a long, dimly lit hallway. The heavy curtains were pulled shut, and Cassie imagined that no sunlight ever flowed through the ornate windows that she had observed from the outside.
“Have you been with them long?” Cassie asked.
“Over twenty years.” Lea motioned to the double set of doors at the end of the hall. “That’s their room.”
“So, they’re together then?” A sense of dread came over her. She suspected that Max and Grant were a couple, but Grant seemed so intrigued with her. Now that Lea confirmed they shared a room what did that mean for Cas
sie?
“Of course.” Lea stopped in front of a small staircase. “Max created Grant many years ago and they’ve been inseparable ever since. I was quite surprised to learn that they were bringing you home.”
“Why?” Cassie asked the attractive older woman. Her dark hair was cropped into an adorable pixie cut and her skin was a flawless porcelain color.
“The houses are set up for companionship. They don’t need that. They have one another.”
“Oh.” More dread.
Andrea had said her sole purpose was to be a companion to Jonathan. He adored and appreciated her. How could Cassie expect to have that with men who were already committed to one another?
“They must have sensed something very special in you, Cassie.” Lea led her up the steps. “For as long as I’ve known them they’ve always been very private and for the most part keep to themselves. They’re very content with one another, so you’re very lucky to have both of them.”
“Something special?” Cassie shook her head because no one had ever made her feel special. “I don’t think so.”
“Maybe being here is exactly what you need.” Lea opened the door to a large suite equipped with a fireplace, flat screen television, a desk, and a sitting area. “This is the guest room?”
“It is.” Lea moved into the warm and inviting room. It smelled crisp and clean. Something Cassie wasn’t used to. “No one ever uses it, but Max likes everything perfect and finished.”
“It’s fantastic.” Cassie ran her hand along the plush couch. “That’s more comfortable than any bed I’ve slept in.”
“You won’t have to sleep on the couch.” Lea pointed beyond the sitting area. “There’s a bedroom and en suite back here.”
“You’re kidding?” Cassie stood in the impressive archway that led to the bedroom. “It’s huge.”
“This room is the length of the entire house, so it’s very spacious.” Lea opened a door upon entering the sleeping area. “I love this closet.”
“That’s bigger than my last apartment.” Cassie peered inside the empty space. “I don’t have anything to fill that up.”
