The Vampire Julian

by Ann B. Morris

He rolled off her and took her with him, holding her close against his chest. “I won’t lie to you, Simone. Michael has tried several times to follow her scent, and some of the others have used different means to try to find her, all to no avail.”

  “Does that mean . . .” Her voice caught, and when she spoke, it was tight with tears. “You think she’s dead, don’t you?”

  “I honestly don’t know. But I think it’s about time you faced that possibility. It’s been weeks and . . .”

  “Will you keep looking a little while longer? At least until I’m better?”

  “We’ll keep looking, I promise. But for now, taking care of you is our number one priority. It’ll be a while before you’re back to your old self.”

  She took a long, deep sigh that vibrated against him, sending waves of longing through him. In spite of himself, he started thinking of things that were highly inappropriate in this situation. He redirected his thoughts to ones that would help her heal.

  Finally, she asked the question he’d been expecting, “What exactly was wrong with me?” She fingered the necklace he’d given her. “I thought this was supposed to protect me.”

  “First things first. The necklace cannot protect you against yourself, Simone. Going out alone after I warned you of the danger was not the smartest thing to do.” He ran his hand tenderly along her cheek then put a finger beneath her chin to keep her face turned toward him.

  “As to what was wrong with you—” He pressed a soft kiss to her lips. “When we made love, I got carried away. I’m sorry about that. I didn’t think I cut your skin deep enough to really hurt you, but evidently I did.” He paused for her reaction.

  “I don’t understand.” Looking confused, she put her hand to the necklace again.

  “Sometimes the first bite of a Whitcombe vampire can be serious . . . even fatal, but you needn’t worry about contracting the virus again because you’re immune now.”

  “Good,” she said, “because I’m hungry. Very hungry.”

  “Not a problem,” he told her as he rolled to his side and reached for his cell phone which lay next to the lamp. “Simone’s looking for food,” he said when Michael came on the line.

  Shortly, Simone was devouring chicken soup, crackers and bottled water. “How’s do you feel now?” he asked when she put the empty bowl and glass on the bedside table.

  “Pretty good,” she answered, propping a pillow behind her back, “but I’d feel a heck of a lot better if I didn’t have to keep looking at that.” She pointed to the dark wood coffin across the room.

  “Then don’t look,” he joked. “Turn around and look at me.”

  Simone moved closer to him, closer than was safe for either of them, but he liked it. He liked it too much.

  “I love looking at you,” Simone told him candidly, taking his chin between her fingers and turning his face toward her. “I also like being in the same bed with you, which reminds me that the last time we were in bed together you made me a promise. Remember?”

  Yes, he remembered his promise to her all too well. He’d remembered it every second he’d watched over her these past several days. And he’d hated himself every time he thought of sex with her while she was holding hands with Death.

  He also remembered Michael had told him that a survivor of the Whitcombe virus often came out of it with a heightened sex drive.

  If this was the case with Simone, it could be either a blessing or a curse, depending on how well he was able to keep The Need under control. Since he’d had sex with her, his daily dose of HerediPlas had become less and less appealing. He was hungering more and more for the real thing.

  SIMONE COULDN’T believe she’d just all but propositioned Julian. She had almost died, her energy level was so low it was almost on the floor, and here she was craving sex. Vampire sex, no less.

  Maybe Mike had put something in her soup. Even as the thought came to her, she knew better. She’d been lusting after Julian almost from the moment she met him, and now that she’d had him once she wanted him even more. If her brush with death had left her with anything besides a heightened sex drive, it was a determination to enjoy the moment.

  She had a twinge of guilt when she thought about Dottie, but she reminded herself that there was nothing she could do about her sister at this moment. She was still too weak to venture out on her own. Besides, she was certain that Julian and Mike would take extra precautions to ensure she didn’t slip out again.

  She was still cradling Julian’s face in her hand, so it was easy to angle it until their lips were so close there was nothing else to do but kiss him. His lips were warm and pliant on hers, and their tongues were dueling for dominance when he suddenly pulled away.

  “It’s too soon for this, Simone,” he said, breathing hard. “You’re still weak.”

  She had slipped her hands around his neck while they kissed and she kept his face close to hers. “Don’t you think I should be the judge of that?”

  She made a move for Julian’s mouth again before he had time to answer. He was just as quick as she was, however, and had her hands unwound from behind his neck before the second kiss had time to kick in.

  “I think the only thing you should be concerned about now is getting your full strength back. You need rest, food—” The remainder of Julian’s words were cut short by a knock on the door.

  “Speaking of food, there’s Michael with dessert,” Julian said, sliding off the bed. She could hear the two of them whispering after Julian opened the door. When he came back to the bed he had a small silver tray in his hand.

  “Crème brûlée from a nearby hotel,” Julian said, whipping the white napkin cover from a custard cup, “and fresh fruit,” he added, holding up a small saucer of grapes and strawberries.

  She moved a little closer to the delights and murmured, “Mmmm, looks good. Will you have some with me?”

  Julian lifted his eyebrows and pretended to pout. “I’m afraid my food intake is limited to Michael’s special drink.”

  “Awww, that’s a shame,” she teased, taking a spoonful of the custard into her mouth. Then, after licking her lips, she leaned over to kiss him. “You can tolerate a wet, custardy kiss, can’t you?”

  Julian’s body went rigid. She could feel him fight for control. He wanted her, but he also wanted her safe. He really believed she was too weak to have sex, but she knew she was strong enough. And she wanted him so badly she could barely stand it.

  She ran her fingers through his long, golden hair, twirling a length of curls around her finger. “Do you think I’m too forward?” She threaded his hair through her fingers while looking directly into those extraordinary blue and gray eyes.

  He held her gaze. “No, I love the fact that you feel free enough to tell me you want me. But aside from your health, there’s another reason we shouldn’t do this right now.”

  She didn’t like the sound of that one bit. But after what she’d just been through, what more could there be for her to face?

  If Julian’s expression was anything to go by, a lot more.

  Chapter Seventeen

  JULIAN SET THE food tray Michael had brought for Simone on the night table and slid back into bed next to her.

  “Come here,” he said, opening his arms to her. She moved into his embrace eagerly, and he drew her close. “I’m not like any other man you’ve ever known, and we both know that.” He sounded clichéd even to himself. “You think you know what I am, but believe me when I tell you that you haven’t seen all of me. You haven’t seen the dark side.”

  “If you’re trying to frighten me, it’s not working,” Simone told him, burrowing closer so that her head rested against his chest.

  He shifted so that he could look down and see her face. “I’m just trying to warn you. You’re a bit naïve at times.”

  She pulled back
and he could tell from her scowl that she was peeved. “I am not naïve,” she said, gesturing to include the breadth of his bedroom. “How can you possibly call me naïve when I’m sitting in the midst of this?”

  Despite her protest to the contrary, he knew she was naïve. She was spunky though, and that was a big turn-on for him. On the other hand, if he intended to make it through the night without ravaging her, he’d better find some way to keep things impersonal without offending her. He reached for the small saucer of fruit.

  “How about one of these?” He dangled a large, ripe strawberry in front of her. “They’re not Louisiana grown, which we both know are the best in the world, but nevertheless they look delicious.”

  Simone opened her mouth obediently and took a bite from the ripe berry, rolling her eyes in delight. After licking her lips, she dipped her head and took what was left of the strawberry into her mouth, leaving Julian with nothing but the bright green stem.

  He was caught off guard by the sexual jolt to his system. He’d never known that watching someone eat could be so sensual. Or that participating in the ritual could be downright erotic.

  “More,” she said, flicking her tongue over her lips to catch a drop of juice that had escaped.

  Needing to back off a little so his blood could cool, he held out the saucer of fruit. She shook her head and gave him a coy look. “No, you choose one for me, like you did before.”

  Had he gotten himself in deeper than he’d planned? It looked that way. He hesitated for only a second, though, before searching for the plumpest, ripest berry left on the plate. When he found it, he held it in front of her as it were the proverbial forbidden fruit.

  Simone passed her tongue over her lips as if she already tasted the fruit’s sweetness. Unable to stop himself, he brought the strawberry close to her mouth. She took a delicate bite and smiled at him.

  “It’s juicy,” she confirmed. “And big,” she added, swirling her tongue around the plump berry and rolling her eyes in ecstasy. She took another diminutive bite. “There’s only one other thing I can think of that tastes better.”

  There was no mistaking the allusion to his cock, and his iron will bent more than a little when he felt himself grow instantly hard.

  This time when some of the juice missed her mouth and settled on the edge of her bottom lip, he gave in to temptation, leaned close and caught the drop of liquid with his tongue. Big, big, mistake. He would have to have her now, weak or not. He could already feel The Need like a hungry lion opening its jaws for the kill.

  “I thought you couldn’t eat,” she taunted.

  “That was not eating. It was more like drinking.”

  She laughed. He liked the sound of her laughter and the fact that he had caused it. He leaned in and sucked at her lip until there was no liquid left, not even her own natural moisture. And he grew even larger. And harder.

  “Crème brûlée,” she whispered against his mouth.

  He reached behind him, put the dish of berries down and picked up the custard without removing his lips from hers. He quickly realized he’d left the spoon on the table and an idea came to him. Dipping his finger into the soft, creamy mixture, he scooped some up and slipped his finger into her mouth while their lips still touched. Simone let the custard dissolve in her mouth and swallowed before she offered him her tongue. He took her offering gladly and suckled her tongue as he had her lips.

  Cinnamon. He recognized it immediately, although it had been almost a century and a quarter since he’d last tasted it. It was strong with memories of his youth—his mother at the stove, his father just in from the fields, himself, Jerome, and Jonah bidding for his parents’ attention. The longing for family was almost as strong as The Need inside him which was building second by second as he sipped from Simone’s mouth.

  Who’s Jerome? And . . . Jonah?

  So, she was picking up on his thoughts easily now. Great progress in such a short time, probably helped along by the virus.

  My brothers.

  He relinquished her tongue and took her mouth in a heated kiss, while his hand drifted down to cup her breast. She was wearing an old T-shirt Michael had found in her room, and at his touch her nipple peaked under the soft cotton. She sucked in a breath.

  Where are your brothers?

  Here and there.

  The last thing he wanted to do was talk about his brothers—or anything else for that matter. He needed to concentrate on how he was going to give Simone what she wanted—what they both wanted—without injuring her. His gums were already tingling. In a few seconds they would begin throbbing and burning and his fangs would drop. It would be too late then to put on the brakes.

  Your thoughts are confusing me.

  Simone’s comment startled him. The mental shield he’d thrown up just moments ago was obviously not strong enough. He’d have to do better than that, but for now his confusion might buy him the time he needed. Maybe if he appealed to her sense of reason . . .

  “Michael’s afraid that if we have sex too soon I could injure you. I’m even more afraid than he is, but my body doesn’t seem to have gotten either message. So I guess it’s up to you to stop me before things go too far.”

  “But I told you I’m feeling fine. I don’t want you to stop.”

  He still had enough presence of mind left to try to discourage her, but when her hand crept under the sheet, found him and closed securely around his aching cock, he knew he was lost.

  The thin, silky briefs he’d grown accustomed to wearing while he slept were no help at all against the heat of Simone’s hand, and The Need sped through him greedily, demanding to be fed. His heart pounded fiercely in an attempt to keep up with the surge of blood racing through his body. He squeezed his eyes shut and tried to smother The Need. But it was too late. He was doomed. They both might be.

  He eased Simone back, studying her face as he lowered her head to the pillow. Her color had improved dramatically since she’d eaten. And the grasp she had on him was anything but weak. Perhaps she was strong enough for him to take her.

  “Please, pretty please,” she purred in his ear, running her hand sensuously up his shaft, then sliding it down the inside of his thigh and back up to again cradle all of him in her hand.

  He tightened his jaws and clamped his teeth together, trying to keep his fangs in check. It was impossible; The Need was now in charge.

  She must have felt his struggle. “Don’t hold back, Julian. Please,” she pleaded, her breath caressing his ear, her tongue traveling along its rim, and her hand closing tighter around him.

  The last of his control snapped. She would have her wish.

  Throwing back his head, he opened his mouth, baring a full set of teeth with his fangs fully descended.

  Simone flinched and pulled in a quick breath, her body bucking against his, but she didn’t release him. She stroked him harder, faster.

  He rolled on top of her, covered her with the full length of his body, and went for her neck.

  SIMONE WAITED, both fearful and excited, for the first sting of Julian’s fangs, but it didn’t come. Instead, the velvety brush of his tongue caressed the same spot on her neck that he’d injured before.

  Her body responded in a wave of heat. The lust that had kept her hot since she and Julian had first slept together burst into flames and licked at every nerve and cell in her body.

  She was still stroking Julian through his silky underwear, but it no longer satisfied her. She wanted to feel his hard, hot flesh against her skin. With both hands she pushed his briefs down his hips.

  How he managed to rid himself first of his briefs and then her of her shirt by working it down over her arms was a mystery to her. And she didn’t really care. She was too focused on his tongue that hadn’t missed a stroke while he’d undressed them both.

  “I want to make thi
s time the best ever for you,” Julian whispered against her neck while his fingers trailed over her hip and settled on the inside of her thigh.

  “You said this time would be something special for both of us,” she reminded him, squirming under his hand as it moved up between her legs, his fingers eagerly searching for the opening between her folds.

  “I want to drink from you,” he said, flicking his tongue down her neck and along her shoulder. “I want to taste the sweetness of your blood on my tongue while I’m inside you.”

  The image his words conjured up should have repulsed her and had her heart pounding from fear. Instead, it unfurled a ribbon of heat low in her belly. Her heart rate and her breathing picked up, and she began panting as if she’d run a mile. And when Julian slid a finger inside her, then followed it with another to stretch her wide, she caught her breath in a gasp.

  “You’re wet for me,” Julian said, his mouth worrying her shoulder in short, seductive nips.

  She was so consumed with desire that she labored for breath as she asked him, “Are you biting me?” Her mind sought to comprehend the experience of being pierced and fondled by this creature of the night she had come to lust after more than any man before him.

  Julian again rushed his mouth along her shoulder to the hollow of her neck as his fingers probed deeper inside her. “No, I have not bitten you yet, dear Simone,” he said in answer to her question. “I will warn you before I do so that the shock will not frighten you.”

  Was that yet another finger wedged inside her? She rocked back and forth against his hand, but the ecstasy was too deep to bear for more than a second. She forced herself to lay motionless while she struggled to make sense of what was happening to her body.

  Julian’s breathing became as labored as hers, and in the middle of one hard breath he said, “I want to take your breast into my mouth, to suck your nipple until it hardens against my tongue.” His mouth was already moving down her chest, the fingers of his right hand going deeper, his left hand compressing the fullness of her breast between his fingers.