Even picking up her speed and attempting to ditch her stalker, Lizzy’s mind wandered and she failed. It was starting to annoy her now. Both her failure, and figuring out who would be audacious enough to follow this long, and not show themselves? What was their plan exactly? To see where Lizzy was sneaking off to, and then what? Inform everyone else?
Heck! That was probably exactly what was going on.
And instantly, Lizzy guessed the name of her Stalker.
There was only one witch who deemed it her personal responsibility to keep her nose in everyone else’s business. Especially Lisbeth’s.
Charlotte Howard.
These last few months anyway. Since the night of the conflict where Mathew had died and she’d cracked under the pressure or something. She and Lisbeth ignored each other whenever possible, and even the entire village was privy to some secret conflict between them. To what end or what cause was only conjecture. Charlotte threw away anything, or anyone, who held her back and somehow, Lisbeth made that cut.
But why make the spying so obvious?
Probably to make me think it someone else.
The last thing Lisbeth needed was Charlotte stirring up trouble. Especially of the vampire variety. What a precarious edge she was straddling. Two worlds never before combined. And possibly never to be. And if Charlotte was the one to reveal her secret lover she might just get kicked off the island before having a chance to explain. Or prove Grayson’s trustworthiness.
Lisbeth needed to get rid of her stalker before that happened. She did not wish to use magic. It would make her look guilty of something and only one other idea came to mind.
“Grayson,” she whispered so softly no human would ever hear. But she was close enough for a vampire to hear. “I’m being followed.”
Lisbeth grinned coolly, no magic would be required. He’d understand her meaning and exactly how to… she gasped, a blur of movement swooshing her away so fast Charlotte would never see a thing.
Lisbeth would suddenly be… gone.
The trail would end with no prize at the finish.
The plan worked, but not quite like Lisbeth hoped.
She did make a clean getaway, however, back at where she’d just been standing a woman scrambled out from behind a tree trunk. It wasn’t the first time Charlotte had followed Lisbeth, but it was the first time she’d allowed herself to get caught doing so. The plan, to draw out Lisbeth’s new lover. And it had worked, splendidly.
“Vampire…” the woman confirmed in an excited rush. Here on the Isle. She’d guessed this fact, months ago, as her ex-friend had been sneaking off every night she did not have magic practice of some kind. And at last, Lisbeth’s secret was revealed. Charlotte Howard’s lips spread thin in a tight mouthed grin. This was the answer she’d been searching for. The solution to a problem she’d been researching for months. A vampire… who had his eyes set on another woman.
“Not for long…” she promised. That vampire was just the ticket she was looking for. The perfect conduit for a spell. One she’d found in an old book. An ancient book of magic long forgotten. A magic long ago forbidden, and she understood why. The bearer of such power would be unstoppable. Oh, the wicked things she’d learned. And had planned.
In time, this island, and the entire world, would know the name of the greatest and most powerful witch of all time.
Charlotte. Howard.
CHAPTER 12
A long time ago on an island not so far away… continued.
Lisbeth came to an abrupt stop, her heart, blood, and breath needing a moment to catch up with her body. You’d think she’d get used to the vampire’s swift movements by now.
The muscular arms that whisked her away carried her as if she weighed nothing, cradling her, unwilling to lose the close contact. So attentive her lover was. So focused. So enthralling to look at. To be looked at by.
“You came back,” Grayson greeted with a luring grin.
“Of course I did.”
“It always surprises me.”
“Why? It’s been months.”
“Because I keep thinking you’re going to come to your senses and see that a vampire is no good for you.”
“But you are good. Look at how far you’ve come. No human blood in months now.”
“All for you, My Lisbeth.”
“Am I truly worth so much to you?”
“For you, I would suffer an eternity.”
He perched himself on a rock and cradled her into his cool, hardened body. Her fingers traced his jaw. He let out a low rumble of a snarl… a vampire equivalent to purring.
“I’d also be happy doing this for an eternity. A much better fate. Although still suffering.” Of the pleasurable kind.
“You needn’t suffer,” she returned, giving him a soft, enticing kiss. And then pulled away and sighed, because they did not have an eternity. A discussion they’d been having recently. Grayson would outlive her by many a moon. But she was determined to live one, good life. As a witch.
If she was turned into a vampire she’d lose that power. And she helped the Howard Witches protect The Demon Isle. It was her duty to remain human. Although it did make her sad that she’d age and Grayson would not. Would he even still want her in another twenty, thirty, or forty years when she was older? And had wrinkles. And gray, brittle hair. And wobbled on weak human legs.
“You protect the Isle from monsters like me…” Lizzy stiffened. Apparently she’d spoken some of her thoughts aloud. That or he was getting far too good at guessing.
“You’re not a monster, Grayson Moone. Can we make this the final time we speak of it?”
“When we first met you called me a monster.”
“Because I did not know you. Or that it was possible for a vampire to control its bloodlust. Or have a conscience.” She grabbed the sides of his face, his icy skin almost making steam out of the fiery warmth of her palms. “You are good, Grayson.”
“It wasn’t long ago you would not have said such things.”
“But you’ve proven me wrong every time. And I’m fully willing to admit defeat when it’s due.” She smiled, letting go of his face planting another quick kiss on him. She leaned back a little, biting her lip. It was something she did without realizing and it was a downright contemptable form of torture because he wanted to do the nibbling himself. Instead, he caught the mischievous wave of her heart flutter followed by a twinkle in her eye.
“Lisbeth?” he growled in dark question.
She released her lip and smiled. “I’m too easy to read.”
“Only to me, now out with it. What naughty thing have you planned now?”
“I was thinking…” she let out a determined exhale. “It’s time for you to meet my father. And friends… the other witches.” Only a few were really friends. Most just people she knew, and respected, but none were close. Not like Mathew had been. And not like Grayson was.
“Is this because you were followed today? Are you worried what people will think if you’re not the one to tell them about me?”
“It’s not because of being followed. That was just Charlotte.” She waved it off, annoyed by the incident, and far more irritated that she hadn’t kept her mind out of the gutter long enough to shake Charlotte herself.
“I have to admit I’m not looking forward to meeting this witch, she sounds… most unwelcoming.”
“Well, it’s not her I’m worried about. Not that I’m worried, it’s just, I think it’s time. We can’t keep this a secret forever. It’s going to be discovered, by Charlotte, or someone else. And like it or not, the reality is that going public is a risk, but you’re the one who will suffer much more so than I.”
“I would not bet on that, Lisbeth. If we go public and this doesn’t work, you might be banished from the place you love.”
“I’m prepared for that, Grayson.”
His eyebrow lifted in skepticism. “This place is the reason you wish to remain human.”
She squirmed a little. “I
do not believe it will go badly. These witches are bound to goodness and once they see it in you, they’ll have to accept you. Even crazy Charlotte and whatever stick’s gotten up her ass lately.”
“You’re asking a lot of people not so easily trusting of strangers. Especially of the fanged variety.”
“You won me over…” she smirked, then smiled.
“True. Utterly so. Your belief in me is too much. I’m not sure what I did to deserve you, Lisbeth Deane.”
“Or I you,” she replied without hesitation. “But here we are.”
Grayson’s icy blood quivered, a moment of flight response wanting to kick his legs into gear and flee the Isle. Lisbeth had much more faith in their relationship than him, at least in the eyes of other witches: ones not so acquainted with a vampire who no longer drank from humans. An oddity in his world. Or theirs. But something he’d gladly do if it meant spending even one human life with this feisty woman adorning his lap.
But these other witches were not Lisbeth. He guessed they were much more like this Charlotte Howard. Who tormented Lisbeth whenever possible.
“Grayson?” Her voice slid out like silk, bringing him back to her.
Living in the human world was not easy for his kind. For so many reasons. But God help him, he could not make himself leave this woman. Lisbeth had captured his dead heart the moment she’d popped out of nowhere in the woods with that damned werewolf.
“I’m sorry, Lisbeth. I do want to. I am… I’m not…” so many times this woman got him all tongue tied. So unusual for his kind. So very… human.
“It’s okay, take your time. Well, not too long, I want you to kiss me soon. A real kiss.”
He groaned. She was not making this easy. “I will do whatever you wish, My Lisbeth. It has been months since I’ve drank any human blood, and although I trust myself to be this close to you, I’m not certain about so many others. Especially since they will not be so easily accepting of me. My instinct is to survive…” his tone reminded gently. “I may have drank only from killers, but now human blood of any kind will be so much more tempting because of my lack of it. They will fear me. It’s not in a human’s nature not to.” Except for her. The exception to everything for him.
“I would not ask you to do anything I did not think you were ready for. And you’re well aware I put duty first. I’d never take chances regarding those I love. Or innocent lives.”
“You have too much faith in me, Love.”
“Only what you deserve. And earned. And speaking of deserving…” She wriggled across his grasp and wrapped her legs around his waist, her dress pulling up the sides of her thighs.
“I like where your mind is,” he growled.
“Make love to me, Grayson.”
The vampire tensed. Another flood of panic.
So many times he wanted to give in to this request. And give his beautiful human all of himself. But so dangerous a request. To love so freely, without fear of consequence. Without fear of permanently striking out the precious life he held so dearly.
He’d imagined Lisbeth splayed out in front of him so many times. Every luscious part of her on display. His lips kissing every inch of her. Tongue bathing in her. His name shouted over and over as he brought her to levels of pleasure they’d never yet been to. But this meant fangs, and blood… her blood.
He tensed again.
This is why giving in was out of the question. It was too much temptation. She was trusting him too much. He’d never been with a woman, human or vampire, without indulging in a taste. His one weakness outside of draining human killers. He never went too far, and never killed. But it was a primal urge to fuck, and feed.
“How about we talk for a while. Ask me anything.” His hand trailed across her thigh with an unspoken compromise. “Or there is the option for me to use my magic hands to please you.” She reached down and grabbed both of his hands in her own, stopping him.
“Not with your hands tonight. I want all of you. I need all of you, Grayson. I trust you.”
He growled, pinning her hands behind her back. “You don’t understand what you ask of me, Lisbeth.” To prove his point, unwillingly, his fangs lowered in a slow descend. “To pleasure you with my hands is… safer. With my entire body bearing down over yours you would have no escape from me. Never forget I live in a body designed to overpower my prey, this instinct drives all else.”
A dark thrill drilled through her, a mixture of fright and exhilaration. This was a fact he reminded her of often.
“If I hurt you, my life would be over. There is only death for me should something ever happen to you.” When it happens, he added silently. There was no life after Lisbeth. No ability to live without her on this earth. And she was adamant she didn’t want to give up her short human life as she wished to remain a witch.
Lisbeth squirmed. Considering him with as much seriousness as possible with the hormones making her crazy to fool around and test his limits.
Which would win out? Hormones, or not wanting to push the man she was falling so desperately in love with, too far. He was only a few months’ human blood free. Perhaps she was asking too much of him, too fast.
He took her chin and brought it in, kissing her, gently. He stopped quickly though, a confident grin on his lips.
“There is other magic I can do. Something I’m sure no man has ever done to you before. It might, test me, but I think it’s one my need for blood can withstand.”
“So a compromise?”
He smiled in wicked promise. “A most pleasurable compromise.” His tone held a thrilling vow.
“Will you let me touch you?” she changed the subject, hoping for a compromise of her own.
He shuddered at the thought of her soft, warm, blood-filled hands stroking him.
“Grayson… you always pleasure, you never let me return the favor. And I’m dying to touch you.” Everywhere… with my tongue, her gaze taunted.
“Lisbeth…” he growled. Just thoughts of these carnal acts pushed his control to its limits. “With me in charge of the pleasuring, I can keep control. I must keep control. I do not trust for your safety enough to have your hands wandering all over me.” Just the idea of it had his cold blood pumping hard, creating something almost heat-like inside his forever frozen veins.
“Let’s take a swim,” suggested Lisbeth. Her tone indicated she wasn’t giving in, just delaying. “After, you can show me this new magic meant to drive me mad.”
He let her up, a dip in the freezing cold of the Atlantic Ocean the perfect cool off. A manageable compromise, so he thought. However, Lisbeth had other intentions when it came to testing his limits. She started toward the water’s edge, untying a sash from her empire dress.
He should have seen it coming when she was straddling his lap and his hands found bare skin underneath. As the dress slid off her shoulders, slinking down her body, there was only skin. Bare. Vulnerable. Pulsing with life. She hadn’t worn her usual undergarments. She meant to swim in that luscious suit of skin, warmth, and life.
The moment the dress hit the sand Grayson’s control snapped. A cold hard body slammed up behind Lizzy. Seeing her in the flesh was too much. He had to touch her. Now. The woman was too much fire and melted his icy fortitude. One of these days she was going to push her luck and tempt him too far.
Lisbeth gasped as cold hands gripped her, pulling her out of the water and onto the sandy beach. In a flash she was on her back, her vampire on his knees with glossy eyes, heavy breaths, and fangs ready to eat. There she was, all spread out in front of him. Searing heat between her thighs. Breasts heaving raggedly.
So many places to kiss, lick, suck on, and drive her mad.
So few he dared do for fear of losing himself completely.
A moment of panic flitted visibly across her eyes. She’d done it, pushed too far.
“You look like you’re going to eat me.” She attempted a light tone, but her voice shook some.
His eyes lifted to hers with a deadly simp
er. “Only now do you understand me. The monster. And I do intend to eat you.”
She caught her breath, holding out her hand to stop him. “Grayson Moone, you will cease right this very… oh…” she let out a gasp. Her hands fell to the sand to steady herself. Oh, wait, already on the ground. Nowhere else to fall.
Grayson’s version of eating was not at all what she expected.
He did not sink his fangs into her skin and draw blood. In a swift movement his head landed between her thighs, his tongue doing the most extraordinary thing against the most delicate part of her.
She had to see him. See what magic this was. Surely it had to be some kind of magic. He lifted his head meeting her stunned gaze, eyes half-lidded with a drunken smile on his face.
“I have wanted to taste you from the first moment I smelled you in the woods.”
“I thought you meant my blood.”
“Mmm, that too, but this…” he leaned down and kissed her center.
Her breath caught.
His firm grip slid across her thighs pinning her wide open to him and that magical tongue lapped at her. Her head fell back into the sand, her hips bucking underneath him. This was so… up close and personal. And she liked it.
“This is… so… incredible…”
He released his mouth savoring the taste of her.
“Please,” she begged. “Don’t stop.”
Her words pulled a snarl out of his throat and drove him deeper. Lips tasting, nipping, sucking, and taunting her body into an arch and a cry; but there was no escape, even when her need for more turned frantically into, “Oh my God, too much. Too much!”
He refused any gentleness, sucking in the taste of her. Wildflowers soaked in whiskey. Untamed stubbornness stroked with love and adoration. He soaked up every gasp, cry, and buck she hit him with until her body seized, tightened, and released such exquisite ecstasy his lust acted of its own accord, fangs pinching into the delicate flesh on her thigh.
Hexed and Dangerous (The Wicked Witch of Future Past) (A Wicked Good Witches Paranormal Romance Book 9) Page 13
