ROMANCE: The Surprise That Rocked Me

by Linda Wright

  Estelle maintained the kiss until Paul was completely relaxed, even more than he had been upon their arrival, releasing him only once he sighed and sagged back against the wall. Good, she thought. It would be easier to converse with Vane if Paul wasn’t plying her with questions. She turned to face her master, spreading her hands.

  “I concur,” Vane admitted. “It has been many years since I witnessed such a response.”

  “Then you understand why I appealed to you. He is a natural trove. We need him to join us.”

  “Estelle…” Vane sighed. “We cannot persuade someone to unite with our group.”

  “I know. He must feel the need.” Estelle dropped her head.

  “So you know what we must do.”

  She groaned, then nodded. “I know.”

  “And to ensure you do not load the dice, Burns will escort the doctor back to his home.”

  “Burns?” Estelle squeaked. Behind Vane, the big man grinned.

  “It’s how it shall be. I insist.”

  “Keys,” Burns growled. He held out a meaty hand.

  “But…” Estelle began, but a stern glance from Vane silenced her. Reluctantly, she dropped the keys into Burns’ palm. He grinned as his fingers closed, effectively stealing Estelle’s ride. His other hand gripped Paul’s shoulder. Estelle watched with dismay in her eyes as the pair disappeared through the door.

  “If you’re right,” Vane said quietly. “You will see him again. If not…” He shrugged.

  “Burns will hurt him.”

  Vane squeezed her shoulder. “Fear not. Burns has nothing but respect for Paul. He has never been bested—until today.”

  “He looked angry.”

  Vane spread his hands. “He always looks angry.”

  ~

  Burns returned an hour later. Estelle was aching to ask what he’d done to Paul, but Vane turned her away, with the instruction to head downstairs and rouse Amari from her deep slumber. As Burns passed, he sneered, turning her heart to lead. What had the brute done? Estelle wanted nothing more than to flee Demeter and head for Paul’s apartment. She had no other way of contacting him.

  But she forced herself to remain calm, squeezing her fists tight as she headed down wooden steps to the next deck. There, in a small room, Amari Ratchek was recuperating from the intense orgy she’d been at the center of. She was naked beneath the cotton sheet, lying on her front. Her rounded buttocks were clearly defined. Estelle sat on the edge of the bed and stroked the doctor’s tousled blond hair.

  Like Paul, Amari had responded well to the letting. Most humans did, but Paul’s reaction had been incredible. He’d gained stamina enough to exhaust the supernatural Estelle, and strength that surpassed that of Burns. She suspected Paul might be a latent warrior, one of a lineage employed by the ancient vampires as guardians of their keeps. Vane would be able to test Paul for latency later—if he returned. But without any charging fluids remaining in his mortal blood, Paul would have been easy to overcome. Burns might have hurt, or even killed him as retribution for his defeat.

  Anger boiled within her at the thought. She couldn’t simply wait to find out—she’d go to Paul once night fell.

  “Hmm?” Amari murmured. She turned her head to face Estelle, who smiled.

  “Welcome back, sleepy.”

  “Ah… where am I?” Self-conscious, she pulled the sheet against her bare chest.

  Estelle kissed her cheek. “Aboard Demeter, sweetheart. You had a lot of fun earlier, and you needed to rest.”

  Amari blinked as she tried to recall her experience. “You were there, weren’t you? You and… Vane?”

  “Amongst others, yes.”

  “Others?” Amari’s cheeks flushed. She hid her embarrassment with the bed sheet.

  “You had a wonderful time.” She stroked Amari’s cheek. “Don’t you remember?”

  “I remember too much, I think. Oh, boy. Where are my clothes?”

  “There’s no need for clothes here.”

  “You’re wearing clothes.”

  “We can fix that.” Estelle peeled off her blouse and unhooked her bra, dropping them both to the bed.

  Amari’s eyes widened. “Look, I’m not that much into women. Please—”

  “Don’t fret,” Estelle said as she pushed down her skirt. “Neither am I.”

  “Then what—”

  “Vane wants to see you.” She stepped out of her panties and kicked them aside. “I’m to take you to him.”

  “Okay. But it might have been easier if I’d dressed, instead of—”

  “Your dress is still upstairs, where you left it.”

  “Oh.”

  “Come on.” She beckoned by curling all her fingers upward at once. “Chop, chop. Up you get.”

  Still blushing, Amari pulled the sheet against her body and rose to her feet. Estelle collected another sheet from a closet and pulled it around herself. Together, the pair ascended the stairs to meet Vane.

  ~

  He was waiting for them in the corner of the darkened room, furthest from the doorway. To Estelle’s relief, Burns was nowhere to be seen.

  “Come in, come in,” Vane insisted. Estelle’s gentle fingers on Amari’s bare shoulders urged her forward. “I trust you slept well,” he continued.

  “I guess.” Amari shrugged. “I don’t remember much. Once my head hit the pillow, I was out.”

  “The sleep of the exhausted.” Vane grinned in the darkness, barely visible to Amari’s mortal eyes. “Estelle?”

  “Yes, Master?”

  “I would like to sample the delights of Doctor Ratchek once more. Would you please prepare her?”

  “I…” Estelle had hoped she would be free to leave once she’d brought Amari before Vane, but it seemed he still had need of her. When she hesitated, he grew impatient.

  “Now, if you please.”

  “Yes, Master.” Estelle leaned close to Amari’s ear and whispered soft words to her, words the doctor was unable to distinguish, but which nonetheless sent warm shivers down her back. Amari clutched the sheet to her chest as her cheeks warmed, her heart quickened and her head spun. Soft lips pressed against her neck, her earlobe and her shoulder; hot breath bathed her shoulder. Estelle’s personal scent stirred memories of forbidden pleasure and unending ecstasy.

  “Come to me, Amari. Cast aside the sheet and allow me to admire your perfect, mortal figure.”

  “I…” Amari hesitated, glancing around the darkened room. She saw only Estelle and Vane. Before, she had been surrounded by naked figures, and had felt no shame. And yet, she was strangely reluctant to divest herself of her makeshift clothing when only two people were around to witness her nudity.

  “Estelle, I think you ought to make more of an effort with our guest.”

  “Yes, Master.”

  “Put the other mortal from your mind, and concentrate!”

  “I’m worried about him, Master.”

  “And I assure you he is unharmed. If he is a trove, as you believe, he will return to us very soon.”

  “Yes, Master.”

  “Now, I would like to enjoy Amari once again, if you’d be so kind.”

  “Yes, Master. I’m sorry.” Estelle dropped her sheet, slipped her arms around Amari and pulled her close. Her quiet murmuring into Amari’s ear intensified, although it grew no louder. Amari sighed. Her sheet slipped a little. Estelle’s breasts were warm against her back. Soft kisses warmed her neck. She tilted her head to allow Estelle more room. Heat flushed her chest and her loins.

  “You are naked,” Estelle whispered. “You are free to love whomever you choose. Give yourself to us, Amari. Give yourself freely and enjoy the pleasures of the flesh without regret.”

  “Mmm…” The sheet slipped further, exposing her nipples, then leaving her breasts bare. Still she held the sheet against her belly, protecting her intimacy, even though a dozen mouths had already tasted her.

  “My master is ready for you. He is aroused and prepared to slide into you, offeri
ng you unending pleasure.”

  “Oh my god, I feel so horny…”

  “Go to him, Amari. Taste him. Take him into your body and thrill to the sensation.”

  “Only if you come with me,” Amari whispered.

  “What was that?” Estelle asked.

  “What was that?” Vane echoed.

  “I need you with me, Estelle. I need your hands on me, and your kisses on my back, and my neck.” She peered over her shoulder at the dark-haired woman. “Be with me when I make love to our master.”

  “As she wishes,” Vane said with a smile. “Come to me, both of you.”

  Amari moved forward, her trembling hands releasing the sheet. Estelle remained close, her breasts pressing into Amari’s back. And when Amari sank to her knees and took Vane into her mouth, Estelle stroked Amari’s soft skin, letting her hands roam over the mortal woman’s buttocks, up her back and onto her shoulders. Amari shuffled her bottom from side to side, consenting to Estelle’s touch as her head slid up and down. Soft, contented moans rose from Amari’s throat as Estelle squeezed her cheeks, skirting dangerously close to Amari’s shining and swollen lips.

  “Such a pleasure,” Vane murmured. “My two favorite women, sharing my bed.”

  “Thank you, Master,” Estelle murmured.

  “Mm-hmm,” Amari concurred.

  “Help her, Estelle. Share her pleasuring.”

  Amari smiled as Estelle’s face appeared beside hers. She paused her gentle sucking and licking, passing Vane’s erection over so her new friend could also enjoy taking him into her mouth. Vane sighed happily as the women took turns with their tongues and soft lips. The sensation was heavenly, but even so, it was only a short time before the urgent need to bury his erection deeper into Amari’s body overwhelmed him. When he beckoned, she straddled him, smiling as Estelle guided his firm flesh between her legs to where she needed it most. Vane groaned and Amari sighed as she sank down, drawing him into her until their bodies were pressed together. Vane kissed Amari’s wrist, sucking gently until she moaned softly. Her head spun with a mixture of excitement and intoxication.

  Estelle caressed Amari’s arms and shoulders as she Johne him gently, rocking her hips back and forth. Her hands even drifted down to the doctor’s soft breasts, teasing the hard nipples. But her mind was elsewhere, fretting over the fate of her trove, fearing Burns’ heavy hand and quick temper. Slowly, she eased back from the coupling, remaining physically close for Amari’s sake, but detaching her mind until the sighs and groans faded into the background.

  Even when Vane spilled his seed, then insisted on taking Estelle from behind, she remained distant, offering pleasurable groans and cries, but willing Paul to return to her as soon as possible.

  “Are you okay?” Amari asked. She cupped Estelle’s cheeks and peered deep into her troubled eyes. Estelle was surprised to note that Vane was gone. How much time had passed? How had she had sex, and been so far gone from the event?

  She lowered her pelvis to the bed and sighed “I need to leave.”

  “Is something worrying you?” Amari asked. Their foreheads touched, and Estelle smiled.

  “It’s nothing you can help with—not really.” Despite her words, her imagination entertained the idea of sending Amari to summon Paul on her behalf. But Vane would immediately see through such a scheme. Perhaps Amari would be prepared to check on Paul’s wellbeing. Even if he was injured, but alive, it would calm the fear in her chest. No, she thought. It would be better if she undertook the task herself. She rolled off the bed and hurried away to find clothes, leaving a confused Amari behind. When she returned, fully dressed, Amari followed her onto the deck, once again clutching the bed sheet to her chest.

  “Will you be gone for long?”

  “Why are you so concerned?” Estelle found Amari’s clingy mood baffling.

  “Because you make me feel safe.”

  “You don’t feel safe here?” She thought everyone felt safe aboard Demeter.

  “Safe is probably the wrong word. Comfortable would be a better way to describe it. Yes, I feel much more comfortable when you’re aboard. When you go away to see…” she frowned. “Whoever you go to see, I get anxious.”

  Estelle pulled Amari into a hug. “That is so sweet. I shouldn’t be long. I need to check on somebody, and then I’ll be right back, okay?”

  “Okay.” Amari murmured into Estelle’s shoulder.

  “Remain strong, sister. And enjoy yourself, if you like.”

  “I enjoy it more when you’re in the same room.”

  “Then I’ll be back before Vane calls for you again.” She kissed Amari’s cheek, then scampered down the stairs toward the gang plank. Amari watched her go with a heavy heart.

  But Demeter refused to let her leave. The gang plank remained raised, despite Estelle standing on the very end. She eyed the six-foot drop, which was an easy jump, but her mind was tugged, causing her to shuffle backward until she stood upon the deck once again. She recognized the ship’s influence immediately. It had only happened to her once before, but the sensation was unmistakable. She’d been ordered to stay.

  Amari appeared beside her and clutched her hand.

  “I might need your help after all,” Estelle said quietly.

  “Anything.”

  “Would you go see a friend for me?”

  “Of course. Who is he?”

  “Paaaa….” Her mouth froze. She shook her head and tried again, but the name wouldn’t form. Once again, Demeter was preventing her from interfering with Vane’s wishes.

  “Estelle…”

  “Never mind. It’s okay. I’ll wait here for him instead. You go get some sleep.”

  “I’m far too wide awake to sleep.” She scratched absently at her wrist. Estelle frowned, trying to remember if she’d fed from Amari.

  “Then go have some fun.”

  Amari slipped her arm around Estelle’s waist. “While you stand here and worry? I couldn’t possibly.”

  ~

  Darkness fell, and Estelle remained by the gang plank. Amari stayed with her in shifts, leaving only to dress, to use the bathroom, or to fetch hot drinks for them both. After seven hours of standing, her eyes fixed upon the security gate, Estelle settled herself onto the deck, leaning against the wall. Amari brought out some cushions and a blanket. Estelle needed neither, but she appreciated the gesture.

  “Vane’s looking for you,” Amari said much later as she handed Estelle a mug of coffee. Early dawn light colored the sky, streaking it with pastel shades.

  “I don’t care,” Estelle murmured, pulling the blanket around her shoulders. “If he wants me, he can come get me.”

  “What if he sends Burns?”

  Estelle snorted. “I can put Burns down without any problem. I’ve been with Vane for over a century. We picked Burns up in a dock in Boston only thirty years ago.”

  “So the longer you’ve been with Vane, the stronger you get?”

  “And the stronger our bond.”

  “So even if you wanted to, you couldn’t leave?” Amari stared.

  “I’ve never wanted to leave him—until yesterday.” Estelle dropped her head and screwed up her eyes. “Something about Paaaa… Something about Doctor Ssss…”

  “Are you talking about Paul Siddig?”

  “Yes!” Tears stung Estelle’s eyes. “Yes, yes, yes!”

  “He’s the one you’re waiting for?”

  Estelle tried to answer, but her throat tightened painfully. Her face crumpled and tears spilled down her cheeks. She managed to nod, and Amari pulled her into a tight hug.

  “Let me call him,” Amari said. She maintained the hug for another moment, then rose to her feet. Estelle wiped away her tears as her friend hurried away to find her cell phone. Finally, she thought. The ache within her chest had become unbearable, although she still had no real idea why. She was bound to Vane, promised to him forever by her own words. She ought to love her master and no-one else.

  But Paul had changed every
thing. Somehow, a mortal had broken all the rules of vampirism to represent a stronger draw than her own master. Perhaps he was a latent. She’d heard of such things, mortals who had yet to become full vampires, demonstrating hints of their undiscovered talents. If Paul was such a creature, his powers might be tremendous, even overshadowing Vane’s. Had she made a mistake bringing him to Demeter? Did Vane see Paul as a potential threat?

  “Oh my god…” Estelle pressed her hands to her mouth. What if Vane had ordered Burns to kill Paul, in order to eliminate any future rivalry? Cold fear washed through her, followed by anger. If Burns had harmed Paul in any way, she’d tear him to pieces, after first breaking every bone in his body. She pushed herself upright, ready to confront the big man, fully prepared to rip out his throat if his answers didn’t satisfy her.

  A peculiar calm warmed her chest, immediately driving away the anger. A soft voice drifted through her mind, soothing her, much as she’d soothed and seduced the reluctant Amari. Her glare softened, her teeth unclenched and she smiled. Demeter assured her Paul was unharmed, that she would see him again, and hold him once more.

  And when Amari appeared, scowling at her cell phone, Estelle remained calm.

  “I can’t get a damn signal.”

  “It’s fine, it’s fine.” Estelle patted the doctor’s hand, and Demeter chuckled mischievously in her mind. Minds were easy to manipulate; electronic signals were even simpler.

  “I could go to his apartment,” Amari suggested. “I could talk to him, tell him you’re waiting.”

  “It’s okay. He’ll come to me.” Estelle knew Amari would forget her mission before her feet touched the dock. Demeter would never allow a mortal to remember what took place here, just as Paul had no inking how desperately Estelle needed him, or even who she was.

  “If you’re certain.” Amari sank to the deck and crossed her legs. She scratched absently at her arm. Estelle settled beside her, still watching the gate. She was startled when Amari offered her wrist. When she turned to look into the doctor’s eyes, she half-expected to see them glazed, for Amari’s face to be compliant. But Demeter wasn’t manipulating the mortal woman.