by Marilyn Lee
Jayvyn bared his incisors and stalked across the room to glare down at Macarik. “Are you saying I’m not welcome here?”
“In a word, yes! Take your jealous-ass home and whine to one of your brothers about her because frankly, Jayvyn, I’m sick to death of hearing about her!” Macarik rose and shoved against his shoulders.
The feeling of rage building in him all night exploded. He grabbed Macarik by the throat and lifted him off his feet.
The other male didn’t make any sound or any effort to pry Jayvyn’s fingers from his neck.
They stared at each other in silence until Jayvyn came to his senses and realized what he’d done. He then They stared at each other in silence until Jayvyn came to his senses and realized what he’d done. He then lowered Macarik to the carpet and released his neck.
Macarik remained still and silent.
Jayvyn sucked in a breath. The look in the other male’s eyes told him all he needed to know. In the space of a few seconds, he’d lost his temper and destroyed a friendship he’d cherished for the last fifteen years.
He’d used his superior strength to manhandle him and he knew Macarik wouldn’t forget or forgive his lapse.
Still, he had to try to repair the damage he’d done. He extended a hand. “I’m sorry, Kristopher. I—”
“So am I—that our friendship means so little to you.”
Jayvyn shook his head. “It means more to me than I can say. I need you to forgive me.”
“Fine. I know you’re upset. I forgive you but I can’t see ever trusting you again.” He fought to control his temper. “In the fifteen years we’ve known each other, I’ve never touched you! Not once! How the hell can you imply you can’t trust me?”
“Let me see. You just choked my ass and lifted me off my damned feet! And for what? Because I told you the truth? How the fuck do you expect me to pretend that didn’t happen? And how the hell am I supposed to know what you’ll do the next time you’re in a pissy mood?”
“I didn’t choke you and I wouldn’t have hurt you. You have to know that.”
“What I now know is that you’re not above using your lack of humanity against me and I find that totally unacceptable.”
“It’s never happened before and I give you my word, it won’t ever happen again, Kristopher.”
“You’re damn right it won’t because I’m no longer interested in knowing you.” Jayvyn swallowed hard, feeling as if someone had sucked the air out of his lungs. He fought back the rising panic he felt. None of the other human males he considered friends would even begin to atone for the loss of Kristopher Macarik’s friendship. He raked both hands through his hair. “Kristopher—”
“I have nothing else to say to you so kindly get the fuck out of my house and my life.” The certainty that he’d damaged their friendship beyond repair rose like bile to choke him. He turned and flashed from the room. Rage and pain ate at him until he felt lost in a fog of misery.
In his car, he got on the highway and headed to Cayenne’s house. Halfway there, he pulled over and called home.
To his surprise, Adrian answered. “Why are you home? I thought you were spending the weekend at the Stoners?”
“We had a change of plans.”
“Is Rayna still with the Stoners?”
“Of course not. We left together, but never mind that, Jay. What’s wrong?” He hesitated and then lapsed into their native tongue.
Adrian didn’t speak until he fell silent. “Where are you? Conner and I will come get you.”
“I’m not a lost child. I don’t want or need either of you know-it-all pricks to come get me!” he snapped. “This is all her fault!”
He heard Adrian swear. “Stay the hell away from her, Jayvyn.”
“Fuck off, Adrian.”
“Fuck off? Don’t you make me track your damned ass down, Minninnewah. Where the fuck are—” He broke the connection and started his engine.
His phone rang ten minutes later when he was five minutes from Cayenne’s house. Conner’s ring. He wasn’t in the mood for a lecture so he didn’t answer. Moments later, Rayna called him. He allowed it to go to voicemail. She hung up without leaving a message. She called again, just as he pulled into Cayenne’s street. Again, he allowed it to go to voicemail.
“Uncle Jay? Please, pick up. Please.”
She sounded frightened and he immediately picked up. “Rayna! Honey, what’s wrong?”
“I’m stranded and I need you to pick me up.”
The hell she did. “Call Conner or Adrian. They’re both home,” he told her. “And I’m busy.”
“Are you saying you won’t come help me, Uncle Jay?”
The surprised hurt in her voice cut through him. He sucked in a breath. “I know Conner and Adrian put you up to this, Rayna. I’m not falling for your trick.”
to this, Rayna. I’m not falling for your trick.”
“I never thought you’d turn me down when I needed your help, Uncle Jay. I don’t know what’s going on with you but no one put me up to anything. My car broke down and emergency road service won’t be here for at least an hour.”
“Tell me another one.”
“I’ll call Uncle Conner.”
“You do that,” he said and hung up.
He got out of his car and stalked down Cayenne’s street. He came to an abrupt halt. Conner and Adrian stood on either side of her steps.
He heard Conner’s cell phone ring and recognized Rayna’s ring since they all had a special ring for her.
Conner answered and immediately tensed. “Rayna…of course I’ll come. Where are you? I’ll be there in twenty minutes.” Conner ended the call and turned to look at Adrian. “Rayna’s stuck on 95. I’ll leave you to deal with him,” he said and was gone in a flash.
Jayvyn stiffened and stared at Adrian. “Rayna wasn’t with you two when she called?” Adrian stalked across the street to him, clasped a hand on the back of his neck, and walked him into the woods behind Cayenne’s house. Then he rounded on him. “She called you and you didn’t help?” Jayvyn felt as if his world had turned upside down. “She called right after I talked to you. I thought you’d put her up to calling.”
“And you didn’t even bother to check to see if you were right? What if her cell phone battery had died and she couldn’t make another call? What if the tow-driver turned out to be a rapist or a murder?” Without warning, Adrian bared his incisors and backhanded him, knocking him on his ass. Then Adrian grabbed his collar and snatched him to his feet. “I know what you’re going through, but you’d better get a grip, Jayvyn. And you’d better get your ass away from here until you get control of your feelings. You’re in no shape to see her.
“You left Rayna to fend for herself in the middle of the fucking night and God only knows what you planned to do to her friend. Get in your car and take your ass away from here right now, Jayvyn.”
“Or what?”
“Don’t you challenge me, boy!”
He slapped Adrian’s hands away. “I’m a man. Not a boy.”
“Then act like one. Get away from here and give me your word you won’t come back tonight.”
“Or?”
“Or I’ll wipe the floor up with your ass and drag you home.”
“You might not find that so easy to do.”
Adrian laughed and then backhanded him again.
He shot to his feet and grabbed Adrian by the throat.
Adrian pried his fingers loose and shoved him back. “Are you sure you want to do this, Minninnewah?” He sucked in a breath. Rage ate at him until his stomach felt as if it hosted hellfire. But this blind rage had already cost him his most precious friendship. It had led him to leave Rayna in a possibly dangerous situation. It would have allowed him to take Cayenne—with or without her permission. If left unchecked, what would it do to the relationship he’d always cherished with Adrian and Conner?
He allowed his shoulders to slump as he bowed his head.
Adrian put an arm around hi
s shoulders. “I know what you’re going through, Minninnewah. I know the blind rage, the pain, and confusion you feel. I also know how easy it would be to do something she’ll find unforgivable. I nearly made…I did make that mistake with Brandi. But she was gracious enough to forgive me. Don’t run the risk that your blood won’t be able to forgive you.”
He closed his eyes and turned his head against his older brother’s shoulder.
Adrian hugged him. “Let’s go home and map out a game plan to win her that doesn’t include forced seduction or killing him.”
* * *
Jayvyn woke the next afternoon to find Rayna seated on the side of his bed, caressing his cheek.
She smiled. “How are you feeling, Uncle Jay?”
He closed his eyes, buried his face against her lap, and wrapped his arms around her. “I’m so sorry, honey. I didn’t know you were really stuck on the highway.”
“It’s all right, Uncle Jay.”
“It’s all right, Uncle Jay.”
“No. It’s not. Adrian was pissed off and rightly so. He knocked me on my ass. Forgive me.”
“For anything.”
“I fucked up and I’m so sorry.” He sat up and looked at her. “I’d willingly walk through the hottest hellfire to keep you safe—even if I knew doing so was certain doom for me.”
“I know that, Uncle Jay.” She smiled and cupped her hands over his face. “I’ve always known that and it’s always made me feel very lucky to have been loved and raised by the three of you.”
“I shudder when I think what could have happened to you.”
“Hey, I was raised by three somewhat overprotective vamps. I can take care of myself. Uncle Conner was there in a flash and as you can see I’m none the worse for wear. Besides, Uncles Adrian and Conner were so upset, they insisted I had to have a more reliable vehicle. Uncle Conner and I spent several hours looking at vehicles this morning. I am now the proud owner of a brand new SUV.”
“The least I can do is pay for it.”
“They already paid for it. It’s parked outside. Come for a spin with me later?” He nodded and then sighed. “Honey, you know I love you. Don’t you?”
“Of course I do, Uncle Jay.”
“You know you’re the only woman I’ll ever say that to again.”
“Am I?”
They stared at each other in silence for several long moments before he replied. “I don’t love her.”
“Are you sure?”
“I’m positive. You know we’re not capable of romantic love anymore.” She touched his cheek. “I know you say you’re not capable of feeling it anymore. I don’t think I believe that.
No one is going to convince me that Uncle Adrian doesn’t love Brandi or that Sin-Bad isn’t madly in love with his Chandra. Hell, for that manner, Sebastian’s probably in love with her too.” He frowned. Had he detected a hint of regret in her voice at her certainty that Sebastian Stoner might be in love with his sister-in-law? “Are you okay with that, Rayna?”
“Are you asking if I’m romantically interested in Seb?”
“Yes. Are you?”
She shrugged. “He’s romantic, handsome, and charming, but I can’t say I’ve spent any time worrying about who he might or might not love.”
“You’re sure?”
“Yes. I’m sure I don’t waste time worrying about who he loves. Now let’s get back to you and Cayenne. Are you in blood with her?”
“She’s a silly bitch,” he spoke in a cold voice, hoping not to waste anymore time discussing her.
“Maybe, but she’s also worth loving.”
“We don’t do romantic love, Rayna.”
‘Let’s leave that for the moment. How are you?”
Recalling the events of the previous evening, he shook his head. “I’ve fucked up everything I possibly could.”
“You didn’t hurt her.”
“Only because Adrian stopped me.”
“I’m positive that you wouldn’t have hurt her—even without his intervention.”
“I’m not.”
“I am. So what else is bothering you, Uncle Jay?”
“There was no one to stop me from destroying my friendship with Macarik.” Her eyes widened and she bit her lip. “What do you mean by destroy? What happened?” He told her.
She sighed in relief. “Is that all?”
“He didn’t view it as all.”
She waved a hand in dismissal. “I’m sure he’s hurt and probably disillusioned, but I also know he values your friendship. He’s not going to want to lose your friendship anymore than you want to lose his.”
“You’re being too optimistic.”
“No. I’m not. Leave Kristopher to me. He’ll just need to be left alone for a bit.”
“No. I’m not. Leave Kristopher to me. He’ll just need to be left alone for a bit.”
“God, I hope you’re right. I hate the thought of not having his friendship.”
“I know but right now we need to discuss Cayenne.”
He shook his head. “She’s the last person I want to discuss. Do you know she considers us bloodsucking parasites?”
“She grew up watching horror movies where vampires were parasitic bloodsuckers. If she knew you were one, I know she’d feel differently.”
“Fuck her and her opinion!”
“She called me this morning.”
“So?”
“She was afraid you felt she’d insulted your masculinity. Did she?”
“If that’s an invitation to discuss my penis size, forget it, Rayna.” She grimaced. “I have zero interest in that subject.”
“I’m very glad to hear that,” he said. “But I don’t want to talk about her.”
“I know, but I think we need to—for both your sakes.”
“I don’t care about her sake.”
“Are you sure? She’s really upset because she thinks she hurt your pride.”
“It’ll take more than a shallow bitch like her to do that.”
She sighed. “Are you going to see her again?”
“No.”
“No? You’re going to abandon her to his not so tender mercy?” He met her gaze. Sometimes it was difficult to remember that she wasn’t a fem. She had a way of looking at him that made nonsense of his attempts to dissemble with her. “That’s what she wants.”
“It’s what she thinks she wants. Or thought she wanted—before she met you, Uncle Jay.” He sighed, shaking her head. “She’s given me no reason to think she’s changed her mind.”
“She just needs a little time to accept that she has.”
“I don’t have anymore time to waste on that silly bitch.”
Instead of the gentle rebuke he expected, she stroked her fingers through his hair. “Give it a week or so before you make that decision. She’s agreed to come to the next adult dance in a week. Prepare a few special love songs for her.”
“If she’s coming, I have no interest in being here.”
“Oh, Uncle Jay. I know this is a difficult time for you, but it’s hard for her too. Please try to bear with her for a little longer.”
When he didn’t respond, she sighed and rose. “I’m going now. Toni and a few of her friends are waiting downstairs.”
“Toni? Here?”
She nodded. “I called her because I know what you need and she and the fems with her are willing to give it to you. Work out as much of your aggression and lust as possible with them so you don’t frighten Cayenne when you see her again.” She turned and walked out without giving him time to respond.
Moments later, Toni and two fems walked into his bedroom. All three were beautiful but left him cold. He glanced at each of their necks and felt his cock stir. He rose and quickly stripped. By the time he had, Toni pressed her nude body against his. Two naked bodies pressed against each of his sides. They fell onto the bed in a tangle of legs and he thrust his cock deep into Toni’s ass and his incisors into her neck. When he felt a pair of cool lips nibbling at
his nape, he lifted his head and buried his incisors in the other woman’s neck.
He closed his eyes and allowed his thoughts to dwell on Cayenne. By the time he and the three fems surfaced again, she would be a distant memory. She had already cost him his best friend. Damn if he’d allow her to cost him anything else.
* * *
Cayenne woke several times during the night replaying her last conversation with Jayvyn in her mind. Knowing that he couldn’t match Michael for size, her brutal honesty was unacceptable. From the moment they met, he’d gone out of his way to make her feel sexy and attractive. And she’d repaid him by needlessly wounding his masculine pride.
pride.
After tossing and turning for what felt like hours she sought comfort in the certainty that she would find a bouquet or two of roses from him when she woke on Sunday morning. But he made no contact with her that day and she spent another restless night trying to sleep.
On Monday morning, she overslept. After a quick shower, she rushed into the office, eager to talk to Rayna.
But when she met her on the lobby, Rayna rushed passed her.
“Can’t talk right now. I have an early meeting in the conference room. Let’s have lunch.” Great. Now she’d have to spend the hours struggling to keep her mind on work until she could talk to Rayna about Jayvyn. Halfway through the morning, Michael called and asked her to come to his office.
Conscious that her co-workers would eagerly devour any personal information she disclosed, she resisted the temptation to ask him why he wanted to see her. “All right. I’ll be there in fifteen minutes.”
“Can’t wait to see you, sexy,” he whispered.
She nodded and hung up the phone. After she finished her coffee, she went to the ladies’ room to check her make-up. The eyes of the face that stared back at her from the mirror held no excited spark. They should have. He only called her sexy when he wanted intimacy. She had a feeling they’d be sharing the night together.
She thought of his big, warm hands sliding over her naked flesh. An ember ignited in her belly. The smile forming on her face vanished as her thoughts turned to cooler hands with slightly roughened palms holding her ass while a skillful tongue and mouth played havoc with her senses.
