A rush of curiosity of all things vampire filled her mind until she changed subjects so fast, her own head spun. Finally she popped the question she’d been purposely holding onto.
“So, Bix, are you finally ready to tell me what’s up with this mind zing thing that’s going on between us?”
Bix’s head tilted in surprise. His mind ran to catch up with her line of thinking but deep down, he wondered what had taken her so long to ask him about this. Bottom line was he had to have her, but Carin was no pushover. Bracing himself, prepared to make her see his way of things, he plunged right in with plain words and a set expression.
“Carin, we’re mates.” He sat a moment, looking her directly in the eye, almost challenging her to gainsay him. She didn’t say a word. Okay, where was the explosion or at least a bit of resistance at being told she was his mate, rather than asked? The woman was a puzzle. Stubborn and unmovable one minute, compliant and accepting the next. Surely he must be crazy for liking it.
“I’ve heard that word mates tossed around quite a bit since we met. You explained it to me before in San Diego. How ‘bout some more details, handsome?”
Handsome? He’d been told plenty of times he was good looking, but from Carin it carried a little more weight. Okay, a lot more weight.
“Being my bondmate means you call to me on every level. My mind, body, even my blood craves you. Mating and bonding aren’t the same. I could mate with anyone I want, preferably a female vampire, but you’re one of very few human women I can truly mate and bond with.”
“But what forms this bond?”
“Nobody really knows. It’s just something that’s always been part of our heritage, and it’s been developing between us for a little while now. Your natural empathic abilities allow you to feel others’ emotions, but between you and me, it’s more acute because of the bond. It’s also why you can hear my thoughts, but no one else’s. As a vampire my psychic abilities are more developed than yours. With some skill a vamp can pick up just about anyone’s thoughts. With you I not only hear you clearly in my mind, but I feel what you feel, see any image you want to send me, and vice versa. I can teach you to shield your mind from others, either vamp or human. Teach you not to project your thoughts. But none of it will work against me. And only me, Carin.”
Setting her empty cup aside, she burrowed back down into the blankets on her back. Bix joined her, easing her into his arms until her head settled into the crook of his shoulder. He pressed a lemon petit four that tasted like cheesecake against her lips.
She’d been jonesing for sweets since Dr. Lyons gave her permission to eat regular food. He smiled when an emotion that could only be described as ultimate satisfaction hummed along the bond.
“Oh, now that was good.”
“Glad you enjoyed it,” he replied aloud as she chewed, tilted her head back to look up at the sky, and watched a thick fluffy cloud float by. He chuckled—she thought it looked like a fat white rabbit that’d gorged itself on her late grandma’s cooking.
“So, why didn’t you tell me all this before, Bix?”
Offended at her question, he pressed, “Damn it, Carin, I wanted to win you on my own, not pressure you with being my bondmate.”
So that’s what he’d meant the many times he’d told her she was his? He was sort of telling her without coming flat out with the information. Such a typical male. But she couldn’t risk entering into a relationship with anyone, not if he was going to die on her like all her family had. Wait, this wasn’t an issue anymore—Bix wasn’t going to die anytime soon. But if she mated with him would it be an issue for her? Would she still die young? She couldn’t quite pin down, let alone voice, what she felt about any of this just yet, so she kept her mouth shut and her mind quiet.
Bix tensed at her silence. Time to change the subject again. No hard task, she had plenty of questions. “How am I healing so fast? Except for the really deep wounds across my back and stomach, everything else is almost good as new, like it never happened.”
Every bruise and cut on her face was gone, no scars or scabs to be seen. Dr. Lyons had taken all of her stitches out a couple of days ago and the skin was baby soft and brand new in spots. The deeper cuts were still a bit swollen and tender, but other than that, she was almost pain free.
“With both my blood and semen in your body, you’ll notice quite a few changes. The more you have, the quicker the transformation.”
“Okaaay? And that means…?”
“Basically, what you were trying to accomplish with your serum can be accomplished by mating with me. The properties of my blood and semen are regenerative to humans. Over time your DNA will be enhanced. You won’t get sick. Your endurance, strength and senses will all heighten.”
“In short, I’ll be stronger, faster. We can rebuild her. We have the technology to build the world’s first bionic woman.”
He nudged her in the side and she was more than glad she was healed enough to giggle while taking a bit of playful touching. He continued, “But the bond isn’t complete until I take some of your blood, just a little bit. From that point on, your life will be tied to my life, but only if we’ve agreed in our hearts to be mated and bonded.”
Carin blinked. “Huh?”
“Think about it. It’s not like I’ve never taken blood from a woman, or given my blood to a female vamp. But there was no urgent or innate need to bond with any of them. They didn’t call to me like you do. The bond didn’t form.”
“Sounds like some kind of paranormal biological instinct?”
“I guess you could say that. Since I’m long-lived, the psychic and blood bond between us will make you long-lived, too. You won’t turn or need blood like I do, but you won’t age like a normal human either. And, baby, sharing blood between mates is beyond anything you’ve ever experienced. Think our lovemaking was good before? Wait until I take your blood while we’re stroking.” He waggled his eyebrows with a lascivious grin and she giggled again. An instant later, he sobered. “But I won’t take your blood unless you ask me. Ever.”
Well, she’d get around to it, but not today. Her questions about whether she’d die of cancer or some other funky disease were answered. She would live a good long time…if she accepted the bond. And there were a few other things she wanted to think through, like did he love her? Besides, the idea of being courted was appealing. To have a big, strong, do-what-I-say real man’s man like Bix chasing her? Hmm. The thought had merit. Yep, let him pursue her for a while. As crazy as she was about the man, she wasn’t sure why she felt like playing hard to get. She snuggled closer, her head on his chest as they lay under the gem blue sky.
His heat seeped through his clothes, warming her from the inside out as a deep awareness of his wants and needs meshed with her and sank underneath her skin. Within minutes her body wasn’t satisfied with snuggling and started to thrum just from having him close. She tried to resist…for about ten seconds, then climbed up on his chest and stretched to reach his oh-so-tempting mouth. The kiss was gentle and sweet but it got old quick. Soon she panted against his lips with the typical response he evoked in her—wild, savage hunger. But he pulled back, keeping the kiss just on the surface as if he were afraid to let her taste him deeply.
“Bix, kiss me damn it.”
“You’re still healing. Let’s take it easy, baby. I don’t want to hurt you.”
“I’m hurting right now. Right here,” she said in a clipped voice as she took his hand, slid it boldly between her legs and watched his eyes cross when her hips rolled and humped his palm.
He tucked her underneath his body and pulled the blankets up to her chin. Before she could protest, his head disappeared under the blankets.
She tensed then relaxed when she felt her sweatshirt journey up her chest and bunch up above her breasts. She hadn’t bothered with a bra this morning. Boy was she glad about it now. Bix’s large hands closed over one of the sensitive peaks while his hot mouth closed over the other. She lifted the covers just eno
ugh to breathe in the scent of his hair and skin that wafted out from underneath. Gasping from a pleasure so acute and overwhelming, she couldn’t form a word, a moan, or even a thought. Her breath froze in her throat, and not because of the frigid winter air.
Her skin felt singed, as if she were too close to the fire. Bix’s mouth worked magic over her stiff nipples and her breasts swelled until she was sure the skin would burst wide open on a flood of pleasure. Liquid need snaked down her body and pooled between her thighs in a rush of moisture.
Suddenly, Carin wanted nothing more than to be naked out here under the sky, surrounded by trees and snow like some sort of wood elf.
“Naked you want, naked you get,” came a quiet, hungry thought. Ooh, Bix.
He kept her completely covered while carefully removing her sweatshirt. His warm, wet tongue traced over the healing scars across her stomach, then followed her sweatpants down and off. The new skin was ultra sensitive, his kisses alone were almost enough to make her come. He knew she liked that little nibbling thing he did in the center of her navel and in no time flat she quivered like a bowl of somebody’s jam. Correction, his jam.
Bix spread her wide, settling between her legs with her bottom in his hands as he dove headlong into her pussy. She marveled at how hungry he was for her but could totally relate to the swirl of hot emotion emanating from him. He ate her like a starving man, tracing the folds of her creaming slit with urgent, sure strokes of his tongue, humming his pleasure against her clit. God, it felt so good. All of her senses seemed to home in on the points of pleasure where hot mouth met even hotter cunt. The scent of her sex floated up into the morning air. Her skin was so sensitive the slightest change in the pressure of his tongue and fingers seemed magnified. Even the silky softness of his raven black hair seemed more acute as her fingers tightened in it, holding on for dear life.
Carin’s tongue began to numb where she bit down, trying to keep from screaming out her pleasure. A single, long finger slipped into her tight pussy and stroked her from the inside while Bix’s tongue stroked her from without. His deep moans quivered up through her wet flesh, streaked along her nerve endings until her very scalp tingled.
“Oh Lord. Oh God,” she wailed.
“Quiet, woman. We’re outside, not in the privacy of our apartments.”
Her spine jerked spasmodically when he sucked her clit into his mouth, pulling it almost all the way out of its little hood and swirling his tongue around the sensitive tip in torturous circles.
Close your mouth, she told herself on a loud moan. Anyone could walk up or hear you…
His incisors nipped the throbbing bud.
Aw hell, screw it.
Her orgasm slammed through her and, on a chest full of air, Carin yelled at the top of her lungs.
Chapter Thirteen
After enjoying the morning with Bix outdoors, Carin felt wonderful. Before he left to meet with the Council, he settled her into a plush suede recliner, and adamantly explained that his concern for her health and well-being came before anything and anyone else, including the Council’s wishes. Dr. Lyons had given her permission to do whatever she liked, but after Bix’s long speech about her health, she’d promised to rest one more day. The Council wanted to speak to her, but since he wasn’t letting her get up, they would just have to come to her.
Her dozing was interrupted by a knock on the apartment door. How did Bix ever get any sleep? It seemed like someone was always banging on his door needing one thing or another. Well, they could just bang away because she didn’t feel like getting up.
She yelled, “Come in,” and closed her eyes again.
Bix strolled in followed by all ten Elders with their mates and bondmates. The party silently filled up the living room. Carin was thankful her man had a huge apartment.
A tall, extremely good-looking older gentleman with salt-and-pepper hair stepped forward and offered his hand.
“Dr. Carinian Derrickson, I’m Jarred, Elder of Clan Vanett. Thank you and your mate for seeing us. How are you feeling?” His voice was smooth and friendly. He’d also identified himself as a Vanett. That was Bix’s clan. His father, maybe?
“No, my uncle,” Bix answered, his hand resting gently on her shoulder as he stood behind her reclining chair.
“I’m much better, thank you for asking, Elder Vanett,” Carin replied politely.
“Bix has informed us you intend to help us understand and eliminate the rogue, Sidheon. Is this true?” This question came from Alaana. She already knew the answer but was currently wearing her political, formal Elder hat. Carin understood the need to publicly affirm what she’d already promised the woman in private.
“I do intend to help. Actually, I think I know what Sidheon is doing but without a decent lab I can’t prove it.”
“Do you know how he plans to use whatever weapon he’s developing?” This from a redheaded older vamp. Actually, all the vampire Elders appeared just a bit older than everyone else she’d met so far. Must be the same in every society—Elders rule.
“I don’t know how he plans to use his research, at least not for sure. I’d be willing to take a pretty good guess, but I do need to run some tests,” Carin assured.
“Are you sure you want to help us, human? Your kind are typically weak-kneed, hardly steadfast enough for a task like this.”
Carin’s neck cocked a hard left at the insolent tone in this particular vamp’s voice, but he sure as hell looked like he had every right to use any tone he wished. His eyes were such a pale blue they were almost white with hair to match. A beautiful mass of uniform white locs hung past his shoulders. Would Bix get mad if she asked to play in them? Probably. Perfectly proportioned body, ruggedly handsome and much younger than the other Elders. And he had no mate with him. Interesting.
Bix moved from behind her chair and stood in front of Carin, fangs bared at the encroacher. “I’ll peel the scalp from your pasty head if you continue to disrespect my woman.”
“Prime male Jon Bixler and prime male Shale Krulm, you will cease this nonsense immediately.” The order from Alaana caused both men to snap their mouths shut.
Carin’s eyebrows rose in admiration. She’d never seen Alaana pissed off, but the little woman could be a veritable dragon when she wanted to. And right now, she wanted to. Marvelous example of womanhood, Alaana. Then her mate spoke up. This was Ralen Serati, Alaan’s father? Wow, was there any such thing as an ugly vampire? If so, she had yet to see one. Dayum!
“Krulm, you represent your clan until your Elders arrive. I suggest you rein in your poor manners so we may give them a good report.” Ralen sighed each word with an exasperated drawl. Obviously this ground had been covered before. He turned to Carin with a friendly smile. “Now, Carinian…”
“Carin, sir.”
“Of course, Carin. How can we help you with your research?”
“One moment.” She motioned Bix to lean down so she could whisper in his ear. He threw back his head and laughed heartily. After a loud wet smack on her mouth, he disappeared into the bedroom, grinning like a loon. He returned with the same black duffel she’d packed the night of her attack.
Bix laid the heavy bag across her legs. Clothes and underwear went flying as she tossed them over her shoulder to the floor behind the recliner. Finally, she pulled out an inflatable cube with a little battery pack attached. Inside were several samples of blood, skin and various viscous liquids, all still cold. Her documentation, notebooks and tests, along with everything she’d nicked from Sidheon, were in the very bottom of the duffel.
“Now,” she said, smiling broadly, “all I need is a decent lab and we can get started.”
Pandemonium broke out as everyone started speaking at once. What was in the vials? Could she get started right away? Amazing how it had been right under Sidheon’s nose when he’d attacked her. And on it went. Never one to bask in the limelight, Carin finally raised her voice above the racket.
“Get me into a decent lab and I can start workin
g tomorrow. On one condition.” When she had everyone’s attention, she voiced her request.
“I want to join the team that hunts Sidheon.”
“No,” Bix roared. Damn, that shout seemed to come from every corner of the room at once.
“What do you mean, no? That son of a bitch tried to kill me, Bix.”
“Sweetheart, I…”
“Don’t you sweetheart me, damn it. That bastard’s ass is mine and don’t you dare start in on the I-don’t-want-you-to-get-hurt crap, either. I’ve already been hurt.” She wanted to bite off her tongue when Bix flinched as if he’d been struck. When he threw up his hands and headed for the door, she felt like a total heel.
“Bix, it wasn’t your fault he attacked me. You saved my life, and I want to repay you by taking that asshole out, that’s all.”
He turned around, his fingers flexing convulsively. The man was mad as hell, but what could he say? She wasn’t going to take no for an answer. Alaana’s husband wore a sympathetic look, but said nothing. After all, the Clan Serati women were known as ferocious fighters, but not because their males wanted them to be.
“Carinian Derrickson, we of the Council agree that you have the blood right to assist in the hunt for Sidheon. However,” Alaana continued kindly, “that does not mean you must physically fight the rogue. You can defeat him by helping us on the scientific front. Leave the muscle work to the Seekers, hmm?”
“I understand, Matriarch,” Carin spoke firmly, bowing her head in respect. “But if I can’t go on the hunt, then I ask something else.” Her gaze moved from one vampire to another, silently daring them to gainsay her next words. “I want to learn how to fight, vampire style.”
Nobody seemed to think it was a strange request, so she continued, “I want to fight dirty. No holds barred.”
Alaana spoke up again. “Bix, you are the Seeker’s expert in hand-to-hand tactics. Even if this woman were not your mate, you are the best one to teach her what she wishes to learn.”
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