The Hunter: A Vampire's Obsession: Book 4

by Stephanie Rylai

  They made it out of the restaurant and towards his car.

  “You trust me to drive?” she questioned, playfully trying to reach her hand in his pocket.

  Thomas smirked, watching her dig into his pocket before leaning in and kissing her. Elora was smiling against his lips, kissing him back deeply.

  As her fingers wrapped around the keys in his pocket, his hand quickly wrapped around her wrist, “Not quite,” he admitted to her with a smirk.

  “My motel isn’t far, just a block away.”

  Thomas grabbed her hand and started to pull her down the sidewalk. His arm wrapped around her shoulders, his lips on her neck. A small moan escaped her lips at the sensation. Elora couldn’t believe she was actually going through with it all. She usually only spent all of fifteen minutes with a human outside of the bar—long enough to wind them up enough to where their guard dropped, and she could feed. Yet they had spent an hour in the restaurant, eating and talking, and then it led to making out. Then she was on the way back to his motel room. Some part of her tried to say she wouldn’t go through with it, that she just wanted to be sure he got home safely. But that wasn’t true, and if it were it would stir more questions up than her just wanting to get laid. Why would she care about the wellbeing of a blood-bag?

  They soon reached the door to his motel room. Elora leaned against the door, looking up at him.

  “You sure you want help to bed?” she asked him, an innocent gleam in her eyes.

  “I definitely do,” Thomas grinned to her, putting one hand next to her head as he loomed over her.

  “That is, if you want to.”

  Elora simply leaned up and stole a kiss from his lips. Thomas leaned into her then, kissing her deeply. His tequila flavored tongue ran across her lower lip, her lips parting to let his tongue graze against hers. His hands snaked down to the back of her thighs and then picked her up effortlessly. Pressing her against the door, he used his body to hold her up as he dug into his pocket for his key to the room. Once the door was unlocked, he held her with both hands and kicked the door ajar.

  Thomas managed to keep his balance as he carried her to the bed. He fell forwards with her in his arms onto the mattress, Elora letting out a fit of laughter. He was really fucked up, wasn’t he? It didn’t bother her any, though. His tender lips seemed glued to hers as his hands roamed all over her body before finally moving to take off her shirt. Once he tossed it to the side, Elora rolled him over with ease.

  His eyes were wide as he looked up to her, “Damn, you’re strong for your size…” he muttered to her.

  “That a problem?” she asked, pouting her lower lip a bit.

  Thomas couldn’t help but smirk, “Not at all.”

  Elora then stood from the bed and picked one of his legs up, managing to free his foot from the boot. She proceeded to do the same with the other. Thomas watched her with lust filled, glossy eyes. She then reached and unfastened his belt before unzipping his pants. Even from the light brush, she could feel his erection lurking just beneath the fabric. As soon as she pulled his pants off, Thomas sat up. Tipping towards her, he kissed at her stomach and trailing the wet, soft kisses down to the waist of her shorts. In his stupor, he fumbled a bit but managed to unbutton them. Very slowly, he pulled them down over her bottom and let them drop to the floor. He sat back a bit then and took her in, a drunken grin over his handsome face.

  “Goddamn, you’re a babe,” he breathed.

  Elora gave a bashful smile, even though she knew she was attractive. Perhaps before becoming a vampire she had battled with self-esteem issues, but being a vampire meant being in peak physical condition. No cellulite, no pimples, and no worrying about gaining weight. He pulled her down onto the bed. Thomas pulled his shirt off before laying on top of her. They kissed passionately as their hands roamed each other’s body. She reached down and stroked his bulge, making him groan softly and thrust his hips into her touch. Elora tugged down his boxers, slipping them off his legs. He quickly moved his hands beneath her and unhooked her bra, tossing it clear across the room before finally pulling her panties from her bottom.

  Without any hesitation, he pushed inside of her. Thomas groaned loudly at the sensation, moving his hips in slow, deliberate drags. Elora wrapped her legs around his lower ribs, her breathing becoming shallow from the arousal of it all. His hips constantly moved as he dipped his head and covered her breasts with kisses. When his mouth neared her rosy nipples, he took it in his mouth and sucked lightly on the sensitive skin. Elora bit her lip, her fingers going into his hair as his tongue flicked and swirled over the tip of her nipple. He pulled away, kissing his way to the other and repeated it.

  Unwrapping her legs from him, she turned herself on her side and placed one leg over the other. He groaned at the new sensation, gripping her then exposed bottom. Thomas pumped into her without mercy, Elora embracing how rough he was. It wasn’t like he was going to break her, and each time she did hook up with someone they acted like she was made of porcelain. It was almost as if he knew she wouldn’t break, wanted to test her limits as he made his movements quicker and slammed into her. Moans erupted from her, going to turn herself all the way around when he grabbed her hip and stopped her. Elora looked back to him as he rolled himself over, pulling her on top of him. Turning to face him, she locked eyes with him as she began to bounce against his hips. Thomas groaned loudly, his hands holding to her waist.

  Her small frame slid up and down his member, bringing herself all the way to his tip before slamming back down to his hilt. His head craned back, his muscles locking up underneath his touch.

  “You’re driving me crazy,” he said in a breathless voice.

  Elora could only grin, laying her torso over his then and pressed her chest to his. Her mouth went to his ear, pulling at his ear playfully with her teeth. She then kissed down his neck, her hips still moving against his. When she reached the base of his neck, the smell of iron was far too potent for her to contain herself with her throat raw with thirst. Without a second of hesitation, her fangs extended and she latched to his neck. For just a moment, his whole body flinched and his hands went to the back of her head as if to force her away. But then, mountainous moans escaped from him. His iron rich blood filled her mouth, Elora swallowing it by the mouthful to satisfy her thirst. The primal need to quench her ravenous thirst was soon replaced with immeasurable pleasure. It made her blood boil, her sex becoming slicker and tightening around him.

  The arousal fueled him to buck his hips into hers, their pelvises grinding together in a rough, rhythmic motions. Her tongue dragged against his neck, licking the little droplets of blood that lingered behind. She let her tongue travel all the way to his cheek. The ecstasy of bloodletting raced through their veins, bringing them to a simultaneous climax. Each of them groaned heavily, panting as their hips still moved with one another’s as they came down from the orgasms. Soon, she moved from him, laying next to him. He was smirking like a fool.

  Elora laid there relaxing as he sat up. He kicked his legs over the bed and went to stand. She was lost from it all, unable to help but think to herself that it had been the best encounter she had probably ever had. It was strange for her to think that she had a weird sort of connection with him. She wasn’t thinking anything on a spiritual level, but at least with personality. They just clicked, conversation feeling natural with him. As he stood, she watched as he wiped at the blood on his neck and moved towards the bathroom. It was a slow realization, but as the bathroom door closed, she jolted up in the bed.

  Why didn’t he freak out from her drinking his blood? It didn’t make sense to her… Shouldn’t have anyone else wiped the blood and immediately turned to her and demanded an explanation? Elora’s mind was swarmed with conflicting thoughts and confusion. Trying to shake them, she moved about the room in a blur and collected her articles of clothing, slipping them on before darting to the door. No matter what was happening, she wasn’t going to stick around to hear the explanation. Anyway she thou
ght about it, it didn’t end well for her. She closed the door behind her and hurried down the block, having to walk all the way back to the warehouse. She didn’t mind it though, having to think through it all. Elora started to pick apart the entire evening mentally, feeling naïve and foolish and confused. Why didn’t he freak out? Why didn’t he comment on her cold skin? Why did he have to be so alluring and charming? Never in her days had a man haunted her thoughts, but Thomas had worked his way in there with minimal effort.

  CHAPTER THREE

  Elora didn’t sleep well that morning, her mind bogged down with thoughts of the mysterious Thomas. There was no logical explanation as to why he wouldn’t freak out unless he was a vampire, or at least had encountered one before. He definitely hadn’t been a vampire with his warm and tan skin, and iron rich blood; vampire blood was incredibly sweet. And what were the chances of him having been involved with another vampire before her? It just didn’t add up.

  She stood in the shower in the employee locker room of the warehouse, letting the water pelt down over her tired muscles. It was driving her crazy not to be able to shake what happened from her thoughts. The entire evening just replayed again and again in her head, images flashing behind her eyes. Elora finally cut the water off and dried off. She pulled on her clothes, wearing ripped stockings, short shorts, and a camisole top. Sometimes she caught herself wondering what she would be doing if she was actually her age. At forty-one, Elora would probably already have kids, and they would probably all be just about grown. She definitely wouldn’t be dressing as she did then, that was for sure. As her thoughts spiraled from that thought, Elora found herself wondering what Thomas would look like at forty-one. He already appeared to be near thirty, probably just a little younger.

  Her head was preoccupied with the thought as she walked from the locker room. “Hey,” a voice sounded from next to the door just as she crossed the threshold. Elora’s eyes drifted up to see Lance hovering just above her. Her eyes rolled themselves as she pushed by him, wanting to just finish getting ready for the night.

  “Where were you last night?” he asked her.

  “Is that any of your business?” Elora questioned, no humor at all in her tone or expression.

  She was tired of him always trying to get into her business and assert himself into her life. Lance was a part of her life only because he was in the nest as well. She wanted nothing to do with him romantically, and she just didn’ think he would ever get the picture.

  Lance grabbed her arm, tugging her back towards him.

  “It’s my business because I’m the nest leader—”

  “For now,” Elora interjected.

  “I’m the nest leader,” he repeated, using a more stern tone that time, “And I need to know where all the members are at all times, to keep everyone in check.”

  “Is that what you tell yourself?” she snorted at him.

  “Sounds like a sorry excuse to be in everyone’s business. I don’t recall a time where Gabriel kept tabs on me.”

  “He didn’t have to personally because he asked me to. And this isn’t his nest anymore, this is my nest. And I want to know where you were last night.”

  Elora reached and patted his cheek, “I’m not playing your games, Lance. You know I’m not the type to rebel or drain humans. So there’s no need to keep track of me. What other reason would there be?”

  She gave him an inquisitive look before turning and walking away from him.

  As she returned to her hammock, Abigail was starting to stir in the hammock next to her, “Are you riding with me?” she asked, her voice still croaky from just waking up.

  As Elora shifted through her bag, she contemplated Abigail’s question. She should say yes and ride with her, only go to the bar and feed, then return home for the night.

  But, without being able to shake Thomas from her thoughts, Elora replied, “Nah, I’m going to take mine tonight too.”

  Abigail peered over the edge of her hammock, smirking at her friend, “To see that handsome man again?”

  Elora didn’t dare look to her friend, knowing the embarrassment would be too much to bear.

  “Perhaps,” was the only thing she could muster to say.

  She sat on the floor as she pulled on her biker boots as Abigail climbed out of her pile of blankets and pillows.

  “Perhaps?” she questioned, smirking down at her friend.

  “It must have been good then. You didn’t feed from him, did you?”

  At that, Elora paused. She was then at a crossroad—either she could tell her dear friend that she had in fact fed on the human but intended on seeing him again, and Abigail go into a frenzy, or she could lie and say she hadn’t and nothing would come of it. Elora hated lying to the one true friend she had, but she didn’t see a choice in the matter.

  “No, I didn’t,” she mumbled as she sat on the hardwood floor, carefully applying her makeup.

  “Well then, have fun,” Abigail winked at her before walking off to get ready for the evening.

  As soon as Elora was ready, she scrambled to her feet and threw on her leather jacket before grabbing her keys and cards. She then hurried towards the door, slipping outside before the others were ready. Getting to her motorcycle, Elora straddled the seat and put on her helmet. In all honesty, she didn’t know what she was doing. The only thoughts in her mind right then was Thomas and getting away from the nest before they figured out what she was doing. As soon as the bike roared to life, she sped out of the gravel parking lot and to the street. On the drive to town, Elora figured the best place to start would be his motel. What she would do once she got to his room, she had no idea. She was just winging it for the time being. Elora didn’t know what to do but knew she needed to do something.

  Her motorcycle carried her through the winding roads of the countryside and to the small town where she had met Thomas. It wasn’t exactly hard to find his motel, especially since she remembered the streets signs from walking home the night before. When she arrived, she parked and looked immediately to his door. Taking a deep breath, she stepped away from her motorcycle and walked towards the door. Swallowing the lump in her throat, Elora raised her fist and knocked lightly.

  She paused for about a minute, but when there was no answer, she knocked again. When Elora was met by more silence, her eyes then scanned the parking lot. His car wasn’t there. Instantly, Elora felt defeated. Was he already out of town? Thomas had said he was just blowing through town. The woman sulked back to her motorcycle. When she sat down on it, she leaned her elbows against the handlebars and cheeks on her knuckles. Why had she let a man she hardly knew get under her skin like that? Why did a human cost her sleep and time? She felt like she was going crazy.

  Elora sat there for a few minutes, trying to rationalize it all but truly didn’t have an answer. However, she knew she needed to snap out of it and get on with her life. Starting her motorcycle, Elora left the motel parking lot and headed to the bar. She parked, put her helmet away, and straightened her hair before heading inside. The entire ride over she had told herself just to get over the whole ordeal and go about her night. When she walked into the bar, however, her eyes immediately fell on a scene that made her freeze in midstride. Thomas was there, sitting at the same table he had been the night before. And in a chair pressed against his, was the vampire, Bethany. Her hand was on his upper thigh, and his arm was around her waist.

  It was like an unknown force filled Elora with an unbearable rage. Acting almost against herself, she marched over to the two of them. Her eyes didn’t even hesitate on Bethany, her gaze locked on Thomas. As she stood over them, Thomas looked up and nearly flinched at the sight of her.

  “Can I speak to you outside?”

  Elora asked him as she already reached for one of his hands and pulled him to his feet with ease.

  The man looked at her with a confused expression but didn’t speak a word as she pulled him through the bar and out the door. As soon as they stepped to the side, Elora shov
ed him back against the brick wall of the building.

  “Who do you think you are? You’re really going to flirt with another girl, who you clearly know is with my group, in front of me? The nerve you must have. And yeah I get it, I was probably just a one night stand kind of deal and have no right to act out of jealousy—but do you not find it the least bit disrespectful to sleep with one girl and flirt with the next in a place you knew I was very likely to be? And the next night? You know, I genuinely thought that there was something different about you, but you’re just like all the other guys. You use and then move on to the next thing. And without any closure at all, or even the decency to explain yourself at all. Don’t you think you at least owe me some answers for the way you just sat there while I drank your blood and then went to clean up like it was no big deal? You—”

  “Don’t you think you owe me some answers after drinking my blood in the middle of having sex, and then just disappearing into thin air?” Thomas interrupted.

  Elora opened her mouth to retort but realized she had nothing to defend herself with. She had foolishly faced the same human she had drank from the night before, rather than letting him just move on. One of the only rules their nest had, she had broken without even a single thought. Her entire being had been overtaken with a burning jealousy when she saw him flirting with Bethany. In a panic, Elora turned on a heel and went to head towards her bike. Thomas caught her wrist, though, and pulled her back to him. She thought he was going to demand answers, ask what she was, maybe even hurt her—but he didn’t. His lips crashed into hers, devouring her lips tenderly yet with a certain sense of urgency. It completely shocked Elora at first, unable to move from the sheer surprise of it.

  Just as she kissed him back, Thomas pulled away from the kiss but tugged her closer into him. His fingers tucked a lock of her chocolate hair behind her hair as they stared into one another’s eyes for what seemed like ages. After not being able to sleep because of him, convincing herself to just move on after thinking he wasn’t in town anymore, and then being livid at him for flirting with Bethany, it was like she suddenly had clarity because of his kiss. There really was something between them, and maybe he just didn’t understand it either.