by Various
Diego sipped at flushed skin, sucked gently at her pulse, and she jumped, arching into his chest with a keening cry. He was aching and full. His pajamas were gone with a mental order in a flash. He covered her body, hissed softly at the torture of her taking him, inch by slow inch. Ecstasy flared outward.
He swept his tongue over the erratic beating at her neck. He needed this. “Forgive me now if I am wrong.”
She shook her head. “Feels too right,” she gasped into his mind.
With a final thought to what could be wrong about it, he plunged twice, consuming her heartbeat at the same time he claimed her body.
Lightning struck. Electricity arced wildly over nerves as they sizzled. Stars exploded on the insides of his eyelids. Heaven. He had found his.
Little mewling noises were rising out of her chest. She had flung an arm over his head, pinning him to her, her pleasure as deep, as high as his own.
He swept the wounds closed, watching her closely, but her hips were moving again, urging him in pleasure, and he had to obey.
He almost screamed himself when he felt her lips on his chest, ecstasy all-consuming. He moved above her, in her, and she teased over heated skin, her tongue dancing and tasting until he thought he had lost his mind in passionate bliss.
Diego cradled her in his arms, holding her close, and for just a moment, his heart pounded ferociously when he felt her nipping at his neck.
“Cara,” he groaned, and realized he knew exactly what she had meant. It felt so right. A hand cradled the back of her head, held her as close as he dared without scaring her. “Do it, cara. Please, I am going to incinerate.”
Hot, molten lava raged through him when he felt the scrape of her teeth, testing, searching, analyzing her own hungers and needs.
A deep shout was torn from his throat when he felt the sharp pressure of teeth, the piercing of skin. Everything detonated. His heart, his mind, his body. He went up like a fireball, an eruption of fulfilled desire so bright he had to close his eyes. He could not contain the absolute joy of the moment, his body quaking as aftershocks traveled up and down his body. He moaned when she laved her hot tongue over his skin.
He lifted himself enough to look into her expression. He could touch her thoughts, but he wanted her to say it. Wanted to see it in her eyes.
Her voice was slow, sexy, a drawling sound that raced through his body and struck nerves like flint. Kiss-swollen lips curved, knowing. “I’ll tell you tomorrow night. I can’t move. The sun can wait another day. I’m still trying to figure out how I did that, and why I’m not screaming in shock.”
“I love you, Titania.” Then he kissed the smile from her mouth. A slow, thorough kiss to make her boneless, mindless for him.
“It’s working.” She sighed into his mouth.
“Come outside with me,” he said, lifting from her. “I want to show you everything.”
“I don’t have any clothes.”
“You could go naked. In fact, I think I would prefer it,” he told her with a perfectly straight face.
She smacked a fist into his shoulder, burrowing into him to hide her laughter. “You are so bad.”
“I thought we had already established that.” He found the dip of her shoulder and swept his tongue across it. “Unless you would like to stay here. I could find several enjoyable ways to spend the hours.”
She stretched out, her arms overhead. She looked like a goddess, pale skin warmed with his kisses. “Don’t you have to, you know, eat? I know you’re hungry.” Dark blue eyes searched his.
His voice vibrated. “Very.” Her shocked cry was loud when his mouth traveled the valley between her breasts.
* * * *
Titania was laughing, and Diego could not look away. She radiated joy. She had just learned her first talent—to procure clothing, and she was laughing like a child in a toy shop, or a woman in her favorite boutique.
“This is so cool!” She whirled, showing off the skirt she had envisioned. “I can do this with anything?”
“Nearly. Natural fibers are the easiest, like cotton and silk.”
“No more dry cleaning bills! Yippee!” She spun and laughed again. When she teetered, Diego leaped, catching her out of her dizzy spin. She pressed into him naturally while his arms cradled her closely.
She felt so good in his arms. Like she was supposed to be there. He kissed her simply because he had to, tilting her chin to brush her lips.
“And here I thought you just had a thing for black denim and leather,” she teased him. Her eyes were dancing with mischief when he released her lips.
“Actually, I do. I would have to say I am a little spoiled.” He nodded toward the bed. “I like my comforts.” She blushed when her gaze fell to the satin sheets of his king-sized bed. That was definitely comfortable.
“You know, I just realized. Where’s your coffin?”
“My what?” he asked, laughing.
“Don’t you have a coffin somewhere?”
He laughed harder when she peeked around his arms. “No. I do not have a coffin.”
“Vampires always have a coffin,” she stated.
“Not this one. You have a lot of experience with vampire lifestyles?” he asked, his hands drifting to lock behind her back. He knew she was only teasing, but just the thought of her with another sent his blood coursing hotly.
“Nothing up to date, apparently.” She sniffed. “So where are we, then?”
His grin stretched. “You are in my home. Above us is a standard cabin with human amenities. We are roughly thirty feet below ground.”
“So you don’t have to sleep in a coffin?” She pressed her cheek to his chest. Her tone grew curious, serious. She was bravely trying to work her way into his world. Love stole into his heart again.
“No, cara. And neither do you. However, if it is necessary, we can take refuge in the earth.”
She shivered. “I don’t like worms. And did I mention I absolutely detest spiders?”
He chuckled, hugging her close. “Do not worry, cara. You should not have to face that this evening.” He dropped another kiss to her cheek. “Come with me.”
He twined delicate fingers through his, leading her with a tender hold. He opened the doorway to the outside stairs, waving a hand through the air.
“What was that?” She neared on a step behind him.
“An alarm. One of those things you can never forget. You are vulnerable during the day.”
“Diego, I will never remember all of this,” she said, tugging on her bottom lip. Her steps following him were hesitant. “I don’t think I can do this.”
He twisted to cup her chin. “Cara. I do not expect you to. I have had centuries to learn. I will protect you.” Turmoil was found easily in her thoughts. Fear, uncertainty. He stroked a thumb to her soft skin. His heart pinched when he discovered her next worry.
He purposely cradled her lovely face in his palms, bringing her gaze to meet his. “Cara, you could never be a failure either. You are young of years and young in this life. If you choose, I give you myself. Completely. I swore myself to you. No other. And I could never want for another either. Why would I when I have perfection?”
Tears glistened in her eyes. “Diego.” Her lips trembled and he kissed them, then he kissed each lid, sipping at tears.
“Give yourself a chance. I was terrified when the change took my life. I had no guidance. I learned even though I was injured many, many times for my ignorance. Brakka was only a few days changed himself when he attacked me. Give yourself into my keeping for eternity.”
Lashes covered her eyes, and a melancholy weight bore down on him.
“I can promise you tonight, Diego. I just don’t know if I can do this.” Her tone changed, an insecure, frightened whisper. “I don’t know if I can do what I did to another person.”
Revulsion poured from her, and he caged her into his embrace. “I understand, cara.” He released her slowly, then began to walk back up the stairs, Titania only a pace behi
nd him.
He found the locking mechanism, ordering the command to remove the ward before releasing the dead bolt. It snapped out of place and the door swung open, exposing the hallway. He scanned quickly for any signs of intrusion and found nothing had disturbed the house during the day. There were protections throughout the house and beyond. Diego had learned well over the years to keep his senses alert.
The air was clear and crisp when they stepped out to the porch. “Take a deep breath and hold it.” She did and he felt her amazement, her curiosity beginning to take over.
“Wow!” she gasped. “There is so much out here. And it smells so fresh. No fake pine here.”
“None. What else do you find?”
Her eyes drifted closed. “There’re flowers, and deer.” She blinked abruptly. “How did I know that?”
“You scented the animal and deduced it to be deer. If you listen, you can hear even more. Everything will be brighter, smells will be more defined, and all of your senses are more acute now. You can learn to use that to your advantage.”
“Is that why I can see so well? It’s like it’s not even nighttime, everything is so sharp, like a full moon’s light, only it’s not even up yet.”
“It is.” He clasped her hand, drawing her to his side as he strode down the steps.
“Is that also why I know you need to, um, feed?”
“Yes, cara. You feel it in me as I do in you. There are towns in three directions from here.”
“Then shouldn’t you go?” She glanced up at him, but swiftly dropped her gaze to hide beneath her lashes.
“I will not leave you unprotected. One night is unimportant.”
She stopped in her tracks. “That is not true! Do not try lying to me. I know you need to eat.”
“And you will come with me?” He phrased it as a dare. One step closer to her accepting. He did not want her to face the dawn. He did not want only one night, or even two. He wanted eternity.
She tilted her chin, an action he had seen many times. “There you go again, not taking care of yourself. Obviously you need me to make sure you do.” She swung her head, and her braid whipped around in exclamation. “All right. How do we get there? Fly?”
He smiled inside, hearing her try to be brave, but avoided letting it show on his expression. Diego knew well that this kitten had claws. “Harley.”
Her eyebrows popped up. “Who is Harley?”
He couldn’t restrain it after all and began to laugh gently. “Not a who.” Curling her under his arm, they walked around the side of the house to an enclosed garage. He unlocked the door and slipped inside, then pulled the protective cover from his bike. He half-folded it to wait on a side shelf.
“Let me introduce you. This is Harley.”
“A bike?” she squeaked.
“One of several I have owned.”
He saw her search the entire garage. “Can’t we take the car?”
He began to reach for the side door. “You are right. We should fly.”
“No!” She swallowed. “All right. Harley it is.”
He opened the automatic door and pushed the bike out. “Come on, honey. Your bad boy wants to play.”
“Just what the hell have I gotten into this time,” she muttered.
Chapter Sixteen
Titania asked herself that same question every few seconds for what felt like hours, but she knew it couldn’t have been more than twenty minutes as Diego drove them to town.
The bike was as intimidating as he was. She’d never been on one, and she held on for dear life. The litany of the question kept her from being too frightened of moving so fast with asphalt inches from her feet.
“Relax, cara. I would not allow anything to happen. I would smite even an insect for daring to threaten you.”
She frowned at his back. “Stop it! Now you’re just making fun of me.” Rich laughter flooded her thoughts, and she pictured sticking her tongue out at him. She felt that unrestrained laughter deepen beneath her clutched grasp and smiled, shaking her head at him. She snuggled herself closer to the breadth of his body.
“That is better, cara. We will be there soon.”
“Where are we going?”
“There are several nightclubs in town. It will be busy enough for what we need.”
She refrained from saying anything about that. There was no way she’d be able to think about it and not start screaming.
The night wind gripped at her clothes, the edge of her skirt riding high in the wind. Should’ve worn jeans. She blinked and found the skirt gone, replaced by her favorite style of jeans. She pressed her cheek into the leather of his coat. “Thank you.”
“You are very welcome. I told you, I would provide for you.”
She closed her eyes and let the rumble of the bike soothe her instead of being rattled by it. She believed he would protect her, would provide for her. But she wasn’t sure she could make it as a vampire. Or was it vampiress? Could she suck on a strange person’s neck? The question gave her chills, and not the good kind.
She pressed her forehead into his back, rocking from side to side. What was she going to do? Her tour was cancelled, which meant the band had been split and the crew sent home. Houston would make sure everyone was paid. She needed to call home and let her parents know there had been a sudden cancellation.
She snapped up. “Oh no!” she cried.
“What is it, cara?”
Diego’s body tensed as his head lifted from his driving, searching above and around them.
“I just realized, I have absolutely no idea what I’m going to tell my parents. Mom is going to go insane with worry. They follow the headlines of my concerts religiously. They have to know something has happened by now.” She held tighter to his frame, needing his comforting presence.
“It is likely,” he replied.
“I can’t let them worry. What time is it? I have to call them.”
“I imagine close to midnight.”
Tani groaned. “I’ll call tomorrow, I guess. It’s too late now.”
“Where do your parents live?”
“Texas.”
“A Texas woman. I should have known,” he teased her. She smiled, sensing his only desire was to lessen her worries. Her hands clutched once more, though not out of fear, and she sighed, pressed into his spine for the rest of the ride.
Entering into the clubbing district of town, the city streets were busy, crowds waiting to get in to various bars and dance clubs, the throb of music vibrating through open doorways to lure them in. Neon lights flashed with street lights, giving a spotlight effect. Different odors assaulted her as Diego coasted down the street to stop in front of one that appeared to be more than a drunken dive. The overpowering stench of humanity was unbelievable. Perfumes, sweat, alcohol. She could find each and every distinct smell.
Titania shook her head. “This will take some getting used to,” she mumbled.
Instantly, his hand cradled her jaw, a thumb moving with comforting ease over skin. “Thank you for trying.”
She covered his hand with hers. “I’ll be fine. Let’s get you taken care of.”
He supported her with a hand, and she slid from the bike to stand at his side. Her heart was racing, as though shocked into life. She hadn’t felt anything like it since leaving Diego’s hidden cabin. With a frightened jolt, she realized she could hear other hearts, other people breathing. Could find the scent of blood the closer she got to the front door.
She dragged her feet the closer they got, her vision blurring with fear. Diego leaned to talk to the doorman of a darkened entrance, softer music coming from inside, a distinct difference from the other doorways. He rubbed a soothing hand down her arm.
“It will be all right, cara.”
She doubted it would ever be all right again. When she walked by the doorman, the heavy scent of blood assaulted her, rocked her equilibrium, and she slapped a hand over her mouth.
She felt her teeth drop! She implored Diego with her
eyes, but he continued moving. Everywhere she turned, people were clinging to each other, swaying on the dance floor. Hearts were beating, blood was rushing. Hunger began to eat at her stomach. She crowded closer to him, unable to dissect the menagerie of impulses.
He swept her up, gathering her in his embrace. She almost crawled up his larger frame to escape the pressures. “Breathe, cara. It will pass.”
“Every time you say that, something horrendous happens.” But she burrowed gratefully into his arms regardless. Nothing could hurt her there. Nothing of this new, terrifying life could reach her when she was in his arms. “I can’t do this,” she whimpered.
“I am not asking you to. Just dance with me, cara. You promised me tonight.”
“I know.” He tucked her closer, apparently in no hurry to do more, and she began to relax. The motions were easy, the song known, the actions natural. Feeling safer, tension seeped from every muscle. She listened around her absently, the muted words of whispered conversations, soft laughter, gentle persuasion. Gradually, the burn in her stomach receded to a manageable ache. Even the constant roar of pulsating blood became controllable, a distant hum. The hunger was there, but she could think now.
“It will become easier to manage with time.” The warmth of his lips caressed her ear.
“Diego,” she moaned, leaning to find his gaze. “I am trying, but this is so crazy.”
He touched his mouth to hers, and desire sparked. “I love you more for even trying, cara. I know you are scared.” His touch was warm, his mouth too sinful. She reached up and kissed him in return.
She swayed in tandem as he moved them around the dance floor. She noticed his focus was constantly moving, investigating the environment. She slipped into his thoughts and found what he was doing. Marking prey and checking for threats.
She tapped his shoulder. “I don’t want to sound petty, and I know I don’t own you, but could you not go to any women?”
“Feeling proprietary?” His mouth twitched, as though fighting to not smile.
“Unbelievably, yes. I think I could even be jealous about this.” It was a rather irksome realization at that.
