by Jayha Leigh
“Well, when you put it like that, I guess I can’t,” she sassed. “And since you guys celebrate Christmas and Easter on different days, I get double the stuff,” she teased.
Pulling her into his arms, he vowed. “I’ll treat you like it’s Christmas every day, angel.”
“And I’ll make sure that you do,” she said as she poured out her heart into their kiss.
* * * * *
Ianikut’s brothers watched the byplay with interest. There were things that they knew and chief among them was the fact that there was no force on earth that would make Max give up Aloha. Though they already loved Aloha, the fact that she took the time to research their traditions and attempted to “save” Max from doing something that could ultimately create a divide between him and his Church and him and his family made them love her even more. Aloha was a first-class woman in spite of being an alumnus of Carolina.
Each of his brothers approached her and Ianikut with identical proclamations. Dropping to one knee, Zhenechka, Antosha, Fyodor, Vyacheslav, and Tosya spoke in unison.
“We stand with you, Max. And whatever the decision, the re is no better man to serve as godparent to the children we hope to one day have. There is no better man to stand beside us when we find our destinies and honor them with marriage. And Aloha, there is no better woman for our brother.”
Aloha cried after hearing their words. “Thank you, guys. For a moment, I thought I was getting five additional wedding proposals,” she joked.
“We’re fond of you, little sister, but we’re also fond of living,” Zhenechka tossed over his shoulder as he herded his brothers off to Evil Twins, so the couple could have some privacy.
Had Silana been present for that scene, she would’ve asked what they meant when they said ‘the decision’, but she wasn’t so the question went unasked, and therefore unanswered.
* * * * *
“Is Indy still marrying us?” Ianikut asked sometime after Aloha’s third climax.
“Yeah. Why?”
“She looked mad,” Ianikut replied.
“She wasn’t mad; she was royally pissed. First, she was pissed at me for trying to do the honorable thing, and then, she was pissed at the Church. I was so proud that she didn’t go into Jack mode and beat the cooperation out of the priest.” Aloha sighed. “She has problems with the word ‘no.’”
“But she’s an ordained minister.”
“But first, she’s human, which is why she is putting up such a fight and trying to run from her calling.”
* * * * *
In the wee hours of the morning, Ianikut and his brothers sat around the table wearing solemn looks.
“So, are you going to tell her?” Zhenechka asked. Though they shared everything equally amongst them, they reverted to vampire custom when discussing vampire law, which was synonymous with Aleksandrovich law.
“No,” Ianikut answered without hesitation.
“She has a right to know, Ianikut.”
Ianikut knew the situation was serious, whenever his brothers used his proper name. Though he could appreciate the seriousness of the situation, he knew that he wasn’t about to face the future without his angel. He wasn’t just saying that to say it, he meant it when he said he wasn’t letting her go. The cost of that decision didn’t matter.
“You’ll make a fine king, Zhenechka,” Ianikut affirmed.
“I would if I planned to be a party to this nonsense. You are my brother, Ianikut, and nothing will come between us ‑‑ not religious tradition, not vampire law, not our father’s prejudices, not even the regency.”
“I appreciate your support, brothers, but I cannot ask you to go into exile with me for a decision that I make of my own free will.”
“This we know, just as we know that you would never ask that of us. How will you live Ianikut? More importantly, how will you protect Aloha when you’re separated from your people, cut off from your lineage, banned from the use of your own name and the privileges that come with that?”
“I will protect my zhena, even if it means becoming a pestilence among my own people and laying waste to them,” Ianikut roared. His fangs were fully extended, his eyes were pitch black, and the beast was there for all to see. “I will abdicate my right to the regency, and if need be I will surrender my right to the Aleksandrovich name, but nothing will make me give Aloha up.”
“And that is why we will stand with you, brother. Because one pestilence among our people is impressive, but six males in their prime with veins full of Aleksandrovich blood is a caveat our people cannot ignore. We will face exile together and insure the protection of you and your zhena. We will build our own dynasty here and none will challenge us and live,” Zhenechka vowed. His brothers all nodded their agreement.
Chapter Twenty-one
A week later, Aloha stood blindfolded in a spare room in Silana’s mansion. Tonight, they celebrated the fact that she and Ianikut had finally set a date.
“That poor man doesn’t stand a chance. You know we ought to be ashamed, having our Aloha looking this damn good,” Silana stated while surveying her and Zuri’s work.
“Yeah, the entire male population of the metro Atlanta area will be floored,” Atlanta laughed imagining Imax’s face when he glimpsed how much of Aloha was exposed in that dress.
“I’m not concerned about the entire male population of Atlanta. I’m just concerned with one male in particular,” Aloha stated. “You think Ianikut will like my dress?” She asked nervously since the Posse hadn’t let her see the dress yet. She simply stood like a mannequin while they primped her.
“Honey, that boy’s nose is so open, he would like you if you walked out in full battle gear,” she announced as she turned Aloha toward the mirror and removed her blindfold.
The rest of Silana’s explanation was cut off by Aloha’s cry of outrage. “What in the hell is this?” she asked, pointing to the swatch of fabric that was trying to pass itself off as a dress.
“It’s a dress, Aloha,” Reign commented.
“Where the hell is the rest of it?”
“There is no rest.” Zuri smiled wolfishly, admiring her own good taste.
“This barely covers my…” Aloha said.
“And that’s the point,” Zuri quipped.
“But, Zuri…”
“Aloha, whining does not become you.” Indy sighed.
“Yeah, the dress is perfectly decent as long as you don’t inhale,” Victorious threw in.
“Or exhale,” Atlanta piped up.
“Or sit down,” Jack added, eyeing the indecent slit that ran from the scandalous hemline to damn near the bottom of her panties.
“Or walk with your feet apart,” Victorious added with a wink.
Aloha kept the dress on, regardless of the fact that one wrong move would cause her to catch a charge of indecent exposure. The dress highlighted all that made her woman. And though it wasn’t perfectly decent, it was perfect, which was evidenced by the look on Ianikut’s face. He went completely primal. His face went stark white; his eyes went completely black; the veins in his neck throbbed like Yoruba drums; and his fangs had fully extended. Ianikut was seconds away from a total loss of all control ‑‑ and he didn’t give a damn. The beast wanted his woman and he wanted her now. When he finally recovered his powers of speech and movement, he growled out what could only be translated as a death threat. Ordering every man in the room to close his eyes before he ripped them out, he ran to Aloha and herded her away from the other males. He didn’t have to worry about challenge for he had staked his claim with nothing more than his presence. Though he threw his jacket over Aloha he wasn’t satisfied because some of her skin was still visible. Ripping one of the silken curtains from the grand windows of the dining room, he promptly bundled her up, before she could take the last step into the dining room. When he was finished, Aloha looked like she was getting ready to be mummified and laid in a sarcophagus.
The last thing any inhabitants of the room heard was a warning growl and the screech o
f tires as Imax peeled out of the driveway like the proverbial bat out of hell. Silana was glad that she had kept the wrought iron gates open else she imagined Imax would’ve simply crashed through them in his haste to get his woman home.
As soon as everyone in the room got over their shock, they fell out laughing. Zuri being Zuri, thought the occasion called for a toast. Raising her glass she toasted. “Operation drive Imax mad, successful.” She preened after hearing the chorus of hell yeahs from the rest of the Posse members.
“You should be ashamed of yourselves,” Steele choked out between laughter.
“We would be if Imax wasn’t her man, but since he is, we just can’t be bothered to muster any fake shame.” Zuri smiled.
“Yeah, did you see what Imax did to my window treatment?” Silana chuckled.
“So, do you think that you guys should go and check on those two?” Atlanta asked Imax’s brothers. “You know, just to make sure they arrived home safely and all.”
“I value my life and the lives of my brothers too much to get within ten miles of that house,” Zhenechka commented. “Those growls he emitted weren’t just for show.”
Chapter Twenty-two
Aloha didn’t say a word as Ianikut took her from the house in a rage. The fact that she was wrapped in a curtain said enough. She remained quiet until they reached home safely. The speedometer didn’t dip below seventy. It was a good thing that neither Silana’s nor Ianikut’s homes were in Atlanta proper.
“Okay, where’s the fire?” Aloha asked breathily as Ianikut practically ran into the house.
“Maybe it’s with the rest of your dress. You have to be cold since you’re practically naked.”
“You’re not my mother, Ianikut.”
Ignoring the warning note in her voice, he simply held her tighter.
“You’re right. I’m your man.”
“Only as long as I allow it,” she sassed.
“Ask any man that was present at Silana’s house. You’re mine, Aloha, and I will kill anyone who challenges that.”
Ianikut finally set her on her feet once they reached the bedroom. After freeing her from the remains of Silana’s window treatment and his dinner jacket, he stood back and perused her. Aloha was a bit dizzy, but after gaining her equilibrium she chanced a peek at Ianikut and knew without a doubt, that lust and jealousy were riding him hard. The Zuri in her preened at Ianikut’s blatant desire. Rather than make an offhand remark, she struck a pose that violated every rule of wearing that dress and remaining almost covered. Then she gave Ianikut a smile that challenged him to come and get her. She didn’t even have time to loosen her hair from its intricate knot before he was all over her.
Ianikut knew that dress was trouble the moment he glimpsed her in it. He was only glad that he had gotten her to the privacy of their bedroom, before she revealed all of the dress’s secrets. When she struck that enticing pose that simultaneously revealed glimpses of her breasts, copious thigh, the top of her ass, and a hint of panty, he lost the little bit of composure that he had held in reserve. The man took a second to admire how mouth-watering good she looked, but the beast would no longer be held at bay and answered her challenge.
Ianikut was on her in an instant. Crushing her to him he kissed her breathless and continued until she slumped in his embrace. Giving her no quarter, he continued until her ragged breathing turned to choppy keening and she surrendered complete control of her body to him. When she silently offered him her throat, he struck. Grabbing the back of her head, he loosed her hair until it was swinging around her shoulders, forgetting all about her caveats regarding black women’s hair. He indulged in her taste and reveled in her surrender…and then he ripped the dress from her body.
“I will never allow you to prance around half-naked for anyone other than me! You belong to me, angel and I’ll kill anyone who tries to take you from me!”
“I only want you, Ianikut,” Aloha promised. “Only you,” she reiterated with a moan.
The beast was riding him hard, and though he heard her declaration, he wanted more. “Mine!” He proclaimed. “Mine!”
“Yours,” she agreed. “Yours,” she said as she threaded her fingers into his hair and offered herself to him.
Ianikut growled once more and turned her to the wall. He ground himself into her, nipping a trail across her neck and shoulder. “Tell me how you want me,” he demanded.
“Every way,” she answered. “Take me, Ianikut,” she purred.
And Ianikut took her. He wasn’t gentle, but then, he sensed that his woman didn’t want him to be. Ianikut left no inch of her skin untouched. He kissed, nipped, and caressed. Taking a deep breath, he took his time priming her for his lovemaking. Drinking from her until his mouth overflowed with her essence, he stroked her until she lost her voice screaming out his name. When she whispered threats, he simply turned her onto her stomach and kissed his way down her spine and across her ass, taking gentle nips along the way.
Lifting her hips, he finally ended her torture and drove into her. Aloha gasped at the intrusion and then, gave herself up to the pleasure that Ianikut’s possession evoked. “Oh, Ianikut, please,” she cried as pleasure consumed her. Aloha clenched him so tightly and moved against him so provocatively that he came on the first stroke. He shuddered at the sensation of being lost in her body, crying out her name before collapsing against her back. “Aloha!”
Aloha enjoyed the feel of Ianikut against her back. She felt dominated, protected, and loved. The diva in her enjoyed making Ianikut lose all control knowing that regardless of how far gone he was he would never hurt her. Rolling over, she settled herself atop him and returned the favor and kissed and nipped a path to his cock. Engulfing him in her mouth, his gasps were the sweetest sonatas. When he regained his full erectness, she straddled him and rode him to yet another mind-blowing orgasm.
Ianikut had never felt so damn good. His angel spurred him on with taunts and he answered each one. Her moans placated the beast, but it was the way she opened herself to him that soothed his soul. Ianikut had never been a jealous man. Sure, he had been a selfish man, but never a jealous man ‑‑ until Aloha. He knew without a doubt that if any male, including her father, her brother, or her physician attempted to touch her in that moment, that he would kill them, without a second thought and without remorse. He could lose himself in this woman; the love he felt for her frightened him, humbled him, and strengthened him. Growling, he recalled Iain’s earlier declaration regarding the things that Victorious could push him into doing things he never thought he’d do, and he too was humbled because in that moment, he knew that Aloha completely owned him.
He spent the night demonstrating to her just how much he desired, wanted, and loved her. And she spent the night alternately moaning and screaming out her appreciation and making him shout out his appreciation for her skills. They fell into an exhausted sleep and didn’t rise until well past noon.
Aloha woke crushed against Ianikut. Though he held her tightly, she basked in the possessiveness of his hold. She snuggled deeper into his embrace and listened to him wake. “Good morning, angel,” he rumbled.
“Good morning to you,” she whispered since she had yet to regain her voice.
“Sore?”
“No more so than you should be,” she countered.
“I love you,” he declared as he embraced her tightly.
“I kind of got that from your display of dominance,” she joked. The look in his eyes startled her. She had never seen that particular look in a man’s eyes. It was total devotion. Humbled, she kissed him softly. “I love you, Ianikut.”
“I kind of guessed that,” he joked as he embraced her.
“I’m not going anywhere, you know,” she assured him.
“I wouldn’t let you, if you tried.”
“You sound jealous.”
“I am jealous, angel. You must never forget that.”
They enjoyed a leisurely bubble bath, which led to Aloha washing his hair, which le
d to them making slow and gentle love. It was damn near two hours, before they left the confines of Ianikut’s luxurious bathroom. Aloha gasped when she saw her reflection. She wore love marks from her neck to her ankles. “Oh my goodness!” She exclaimed.
She caught the smirk on Ianikut’s visage. “This is not funny,” she huffed. “I look like I’ve been attacked by something.”
Ianikut chuckled and embraced her from behind. “Angel, it’s not funny. You do look like you’ve been attacked by something and that something is me. Those love bites are testaments of how much I love and need you. I’ve never felt the need to mark another woman. I’ve never loved another woman. I’ve never been so completely conquered by another being.”
Chapter Twenty-three
The wedding was held at her grandmother’s grand home. In two weeks, they would fly to Russia and if things went well they’d have a wedding feast. He couldn’t wait to see her face when she realized that wedding feasts lasted for as long as there was food and liquor. If things went wrong, well they’d still have a feast ‑‑ right after he and his brothers beat the insolence out of anyone foolish enough to insult his bride.
It was a beautiful day for a wedding: the skies were clear blue, the sun was shining, and the flora was lush around them ‑‑ even though it was January. Such was the luck of those who lived in the state of Florida. Even the participants and guests looked beautiful and as far as he could tell, Jack was unarmed. Well-wishers packed the church. All was well, except that his bride still hadn’t made an appearance. He knew that she was on the premises because he’d had his brothers shadow her to insure her presence.
After fifteen minutes of waiting, he’d had enough. He knew Aloha didn’t have cold feet; she was probably in that room playing a game. Nodding to the rest of the Posse, who’d settled themselves in the sunroom, while the wait staff pampered them, he followed the sound of her laughter. Coming to a stop outside of her room, he knocked briefly and entered. Yep, she was in there playing a video game. Ianikut knew that he couldn’t yell at his bride on their wedding day, so he yelled at Atlanta instead.
