by Tina Folsom
“I don’t know what you mean.” It was best to stick with denial for as long as she could. Maybe he would give up.
“I disagree – for my liking you know far too much. So why don’t you and I have a little chat?” He put his hand on her arm again, this time gripping harder. She tried to shake him off, but he pulled her toward him, sniffing again.
A second later she felt herself being ripped away from him by strong hands. She was pressed against a hard chest, one she recognized instantly. While she couldn’t see Amaury behind her, Nina saw the reaction on the face of the vampire in front of her. He was pissed to say the least.
“Luther.” Amaury’s rumble of a voice soothed her nerves more than she’d expected. She let her back relax into him.
“Amaury. Long time no see.”
The two of them knew each other? Figured, both being vampires and all. It was probably a small world. She should have guessed.
“Didn’t know you were back in town.” Amaury’s statement sounded like an accusation.
“What, no welcoming committee for an old friend? At least your little girlfriend here was friendly. And I’m sure she would have gotten even friendlier.” He gave her a suggestive look.
In his dreams!
Instantly Amaury’s arms tightened around her, and his growl rang in her ears. “You touch her again, you won’t be walking away alive.”
She’d never heard such menace in Amaury’s voice.
“Still screwing humans I see. I could smell you on her.”
“Nina, we’re leaving.” He shifted her, pulling her off the barstool and pushed her behind him where she couldn’t see what was going on. The noise in the club prevented her from hearing whether any more niceties were being exchanged.
Seeing Amaury’s enraged face when he turned to her got rid of that uncertainty. Maybe it was better she hadn’t heard what else was said. She didn’t need to add any more choice words to her vocabulary.
Amaury was less than gentle when he pulled her through the sea of people toward the back of the club. If she’d read his face correctly, she was probably in for the spanking he’d promised her. Now that he’d left Luther behind, it seemed he’d transferred his anger onto her. His fingers dug into her wrist as he dragged her behind him, apparently on a mission.
“Where are we going?”
The corridor he hurried her along was dark and led to a flight of stairs. Without answering her question, he motioned her along until they reached a door on the upper level. He pushed it open. She saw the writing on the door, EMPLOYEES ONLY, before he yanked her inside and slammed the door shut behind them.
The room seemed to serve as a locker room for staff. There was an old couch, several chairs and a table. Shelving on the walls held supplies and various items of clothing.
A lock clicked shut.
“What the fuck were you doing out there?” Amaury’s voice could have put any thunder to shame.
“None of your business.” She wasn’t going to cave in. He had no right to tell her what to do, just because she’d let him touch her intimately. Nina lifted her chin and looked at him. His eyes were glaring red. Oh, yeah, he was definitely mad at her.
His nostrils flared, his chest heaved with every breath he took. If she hadn’t seen what gentleness was hidden beneath his rough exterior, she would have truly seen him as a monster. His imposing frame loomed over her, as if he was trying to intimidate her.
“I told you to stay at my place and wait for me.”
“You can’t order me around. I can do as I please.”
“Not if it means you’re putting yourself in danger.”
“I was in no danger.”
He blew out a puff of air, then took a step closer and backed her against the wall. “Oh, no? Then let me tell you something about Luther. They don’t come any more dangerous than him. From now on you will not go out there on your own. Your days of investigating your brother’s death are over.”
“You have no right—”
He pressed his body against hers, pinning her hands against the wall. “You’re listening to me now. I’ll be doing the investigating from now on. I’ll help you, but you’ll no longer put yourself in the path of every damn vampire in this city. Is that clear?”
“Make me.” If he thought he could just intimidate her with a few harsh words, he’d have to do better than that. She wasn’t afraid of him.
“Watch me.”
Amaury ground his cock against her. Damn it—did all vampires constantly have hard-ons, or was this one an anomaly?
“What? That’s your solution to everything, isn’t it? Make the little woman submit.”
He was enormous. Getting angry had obviously aroused him. She wasn’t far behind. The sheer power he had over her made her insides melt. That, and the intoxicating male scent that was purely Amaury, and if bottled would sell for a fortune.
“That’s right.” He inhaled sharply. “And it’s apparently working.”
Did he have to notice that her body was so acutely attuned to him? That all he needed to do was press his taut muscles against her to elicit a purely wanton reaction from her?
He released one of her wrists and dropped his hand to her breast where her nipple had already pebbled at the mere suggestion he was going to touch her.
“I won’t stop what I’m doing. Not for you or anybody else.” Just because her body was crumbling didn’t mean her mind was weak too.
Amaury greeted her defiance with a rakish smile. “I wasn’t expecting anything less from you. But I’m not letting you do it alone anymore. You, chérie, won’t leave my side until this is over.”
“What are you trying to do? Imprison me?” Nina lifted her chin in defiance.
“Sounds like an interesting idea. I could chain you to my bed. As we already know, you’re no stranger to bondage.”
His lewd suggestion sent a twinge of anticipation through her stomach. She felt a trickle of moisture ooze from her core and pool in her panties. He had looked yummy when he’d been all tied up. She licked her dry lips.
“You have to do more than chain me to your bed if you want me to give in.” At least he’d first have to get her to scream with pleasure, before she’d even consider such a thing as surrender.
“Like what?”
I could think of a few positions off hand.
Instead she said, “Make me a promise.”
The spot between his eyebrows twisted into a deep crease.
“I’m not the promise kind of guy, in case you hadn’t noticed.”
Had he truly misunderstood her, or was he yanking her chain?
“Oh, please, don’t even insinuate that I’m interested in you for anything more than a quick fuck,” she said.
Or two, or three.
“I want a promise that you will do anything to clear my brother’s name.”
She looked into his eyes. They were deep blue again, beautiful and sinful.
“Fine. You have my promise. I’ll help you. Under one condition.”
“What condition?” She held her breath. There was something about the smoldering way he looked at her that made her heart skip a beat or two.
“We’ll seal the deal now.”
Eighteen
Amaury looked into Nina’s apprehensive face. She knew what was coming—she was all woman. He wouldn’t disappoint her.
“Every promise needs a token. Here’s mine.” He led her hand to his impatient cock, pressing her open palm against his hard flesh. Even through the fabric of his pants he felt her warmth and softness. Her touch sent his heart racing again.
The woman was driving him insane, and if vampires could have heart attacks, she would surely cause him one. Seeing her in Luther’s hold—no, he had to wipe the image from his mind.
“Is that the only thing you can think of?” Her sweet voice was softer now.
He allowed himself to inhale her feminine scent. Was she using vanilla-scented soap or was this her own unique smell her body produced?
Just a whiff catapulted his senses into overdrive.
“Apparently when I’m with you, that’s what’s on my mind.” And that wasn’t even a lie.
“Can’t you wait until we’re back at your place?”
“Evidently not.” His cock strained against her hand as she tortured him by squeezing. Vixen. Minx. Seductress.
When he’d dragged her into this room, he’d planned on having angry sex with her, but now, he didn’t feel that angry anymore. Well, he could always have angry sex with her some other time, since for sure she’d make him mad about something else soon enough. Her compliance never lasted long.
But as long as Nina purred like the sweet kitten which she surely wasn’t, he would take advantage of taking her without fear of her claws injuring him. Not that his pleasure wouldn’t be heightened by a few scratches. Or a few bites.
“Do you prefer the table or the couch?” He should at least give her a choice of where he’d finally ravish her. After all, he was old-school and French.
She cast a look at the table, then the couch, then back at him. There was a wicked glint in her eyes, sending a shockwave through his loins. God, she was actually contemplating the table, wasn’t she?
“What’ll feel better?”
He couldn’t suppress a grin. “Chérie, no matter how—or where—I take you, it’ll be the best you’ve ever had.” He would make absolutely sure of that.
“Amaury, you’re so full of shit!”
Now he had to prove something. He wasn’t one to back down from a challenge. “Why don’t we settle this little argument when you have all the facts?” Oh yes: he’d drive those facts home inch by inch, stroke by stroke.
Amaury lifted her off the floor and carried her to the couch, swiping a clean table cloth off one of the shelves. Before he dropped her onto the couch, he spread the white cloth over it. He caught her surprised look. Had she thought he was going to fuck her on the filthy couch, subjecting her to God-knows what germs?
“Nina, you have a lot to learn about me.”
“Then let’s start with the lesson right now.” She pulled him down to her, her arms locking behind his neck. Now she spoke his language.
“What would you like to learn?” He brushed his lips against her cheek then nibbled his way along her jaw. Nina was softer than a vampire woman, her fragrance tantalizing, drawing him in. The aroma of her blood drifted into his awareness and drugged him. He remembered the taste of it from when he’d licked her wounds. How he wanted to experience the same moment again, over and over until he would feel drunk on her blood.
“Everything,” she said.
Amaury looked into her eyes, and her rich brown irises sparkled like fire. Nobody had ever looked at him like that, captivating him so easily, stealing his sanity. As he noticed her gaze drop to his mouth, he couldn’t help but lick his lips. He was salivating for a taste of her.
Deliberately slowly he moved his head closer to hers, until his lips all but touched hers. Her breath mingled with his, and he inhaled her scent. Nudging his lips at hers he made contact and felt her sigh. How so light a touch could create such heat in his body. No woman had ever had this effect on him, as if he was burning up just touching her skin.
What would happen when he finally took her, buried himself in her? Would the heat destroy him? Would his blood boil?
Her lips parted underneath his, asking, no, begging for his invasion. There was no need to conquer what was freely given. It didn’t make the victory any less sweet; on the contrary, when he allowed his tongue to dive into her mouth and tangle with hers, he felt the value of it increase tenfold. A kiss so openly given was a gift to cherish. A gift he rarely ever got.
Amaury ran his tongue along her teeth, traced the inside of her cheeks and dueled with her. With long and deep strokes he teased those endearing sounds of pleasure out of her. How he welcomed them, knowing that each was a direct response to his touch, an encouragement to continue, a confirmation of what she wanted.
He gave her no reprieve, but angled his head for a deeper penetration, unable to get enough of her taste. Rarely had he found kissing alone this satisfying. But the little minx had a way of kissing him back that knocked him out of his boots. Kissing had always been only a precursor to sex, but with her it could easily turn into the main event.
Nina pressed her body against his, her hands clamped together behind his neck, forcing him closer. Was she afraid he’d stop, when he would find it impossible to let go of her silken tongue and her smooth lips? Silly little kitten. Like Cyrano would let go of Roxanne. When lips fit so perfectly together, tongues danced in perfect harmony, and breaths mixed to become the most intoxicating French perfume, complementing each other, there was no letting go of that.
Amaury let himself drop flat back onto the couch and took her with him, bringing her on top. His hands went to her back, then slipped lower, resting on the swells of her enticing derrière. Squeezing her firm ass in his hands, he elicited a loud moan from her. How he liked a woman who responded so freely.
His hands roamed, and he found the zipper of her short skirt and lowered it. Sliding underneath the fabric, he shoved the skirt over her hips and down her legs, baring her ass to his hands. Her tiny panties provided barely a barrier to his touch, but nevertheless, they had to go. It was skin he wanted. Naked, smooth skin. Delicate softness and warmth greeted his needy palms and welcomed his probing fingers.
His attention was diverted from the task at hand when he felt her hands unbuttoning his shirt, her movements hurried, impatient.
Nina sat up, straddling him. “Take it off.” Her voice was husky, her eyes appeared glazed, her pupils widened under her half-lowered lids. He rid himself of his shirt in one brisk move.
“You too.” Employing vampire speed, he threw her shirt to join his on the floor seconds later. Her twin globes shone like beacons in the dim light of the room. Surely a taste was in order. It had been far too many hours since he’d licked those responsive nipples.
He loved burying his head in between her breasts, being sheltered by the softness of them, taking in the scent of her skin. What man, vampire or not, could resist such perfect roundness?
His lips found her nipple and suckled greedily, first on one, then on the other. Neither would be neglected. He felt like a hungry babe who couldn’t quite get enough of the generous meal offered. Such full breasts needed more than a few cursory licks and laps from his tongue.
With his fingers, he tugged at the little buds, making her cry out. She threw her head back and arched her back, offering her breasts for him to continue his sensual assault. He palmed her weight in both hands, then again descended on one of her nipples, his tongue forging ahead, his own deep moan providing the battle cry.
The contact with her hard, erect bud sent more blood surging into his already rock-hard cock. Heat seared through him. Then he closed his lips around her and sucked. His erection added another inch and thanked him for not wearing any underwear to constrict its expansion.
Suddenly he sensed her gaze on him and looked up.
“You’re still wearing too many clothes.”
Amaury made a liar out of her ten seconds later, having rid himself of his pants, lying underneath her, naked now. His impressive shaft stood erect where she straddled him, close enough to feel the tickle of her nest of blonde curls. Untamed and natural.
He caught her look as she perused his erection. Fascinated or frightened? He couldn’t tell. Was he too big for her?
A tentative finger brushed over the head of his shaft, where moisture had already collected. Kissing her had done that, as if he was some inexperienced young kid.
“You’re big.”
“Chérie, we’ll move at your pace. You’ll take me inside when you’re ready, one inch at a time.” That was why he wanted her on top. If she was underneath him, he would never be able to restrain himself from plunging into her. Too fast, without giving her a chance to adjust to his size.
He pulled her head to him an
d took her lips for a kiss. As she bent over him, his cock rubbed against her stomach, and the little vixen teased him even more by moving up and down along him, rubbing her sex against his length.
The scent of Nina’s arousal filled the room and drugged him. Not sure how long he could stand it, he palmed her ass and stroked her bare skin. Slipping one hand along her crack, he found her moist center. She stilled her movements instantly and tilted toward his hand, offering her inviting womanly folds to his touch.
Amaury ran his finger along her warm slit, before he slipped it inside. Her tightness was intoxicating. How she would squeeze his cock to completion with her muscles. He could hardly wait. A deep moan dislodged from his chest. She would be his, soon.
When he felt her pull away from him, he didn’t want to let her go, but she sat up. She lifted herself onto her knees, and his hands automatically went to her hips to support her. With painstaking slowness, she centered herself over his shaft. Nina eased herself lower until the tip of his cock touched her moist sex. His heartbeat doubled. How he wanted to drive her down onto him! He clenched his jaw to restrain himself.
“So wet for me.”
Another half inch, and his bulbous head nudged at her entrance, forcing her nether lips apart to accommodate him. Her breath came in heavy pants, her beautiful breasts moving in unison every time she inhaled and exhaled. Her channel widened slightly, and she inched lower.
Her interior muscles squeezed him, and he ground his teeth together. The sensation was too delicious, almost painful, knowing he had to stay still and not move, when all he wanted was to thrust his hips toward heaven and fill her.
Amaury watched her face for any signs of discomfort when she closed her eyes and suddenly bore down on him, submerging his nine inches of marble-hard cock into her tight body.
Fuck, she was killing him!
He was right at the edge, seconds from spilling, like some green kid. Some juvenile who’d never felt a woman’s body before.
His loud grunt was echoed by Nina’s guttural moan. When he felt her move, he instantly locked his hands onto her hips and held her in place.
