Releasing the suction, she hoisted her body over his again, this time consuming his mouth. He groaned, sucking on her bottom lip, dancing with her tongue. Her taste inflamed his need to savor her below. Reinis pulled her under his body, pressed his shaft against her hips, and ran his hands down her damp body. He examined her breasts, navel, and dipped his face in the junction of her legs, inhaling her scent. Wherever his eyes went, his fingers grazed her skin, light as a feather, heavy with heat, raising goosebumps in his trail.
He shifted his attention back to her face. “I’m not supposed to do this. I could die because of my actions.”
“Reinis—I don’t want you to get hurt.”
“I don’t care anymore. All I want is you.” He lowered his face to her stomach, rasping her with stubble, licking her belly, inching downward. “Let me taste you. Let me touch you.” He whispered in a low, husky voice.
Sliding further down, he savored her inner thighs with his tongue and grunted as he tasted her. He kissed the skin next to her entrance, licking and tormenting her until she reached down and pressed his head forward with her hand. At her urging, he buried his tongue in her folds.
Pulling away, he murmured, “Your scent, your taste, I need it, Sarma.”
He snarled, diving back into her body, lapping, and ravishing her. With each moan, his licks became more fervent. Sarma ground her back into the pillow, her body contorting. She dug her nails into the tops of his shoulders piercing the skin. Flicking her clit with his tongue, he penetrated her with two fingers.
“I want to make you come like this.”
She twisted, her back arching, pelvis lifting off the bed, pressing his face into her sweet spot. He tasted her nub and stroked her upper ridge until wetness spilled over. The imprint’s hum showed him every cell of her body shuddered with release, all tightness liquefied as the orgasm coursed through her. She sagged into the mattress.
The pleasure they had given each other teased like an appetizer. It left them fervent for more. She caught her breath and gasped, “I want you inside me.” Her body quivered.
His muscles flexed as he hauled his body over hers, “And I want to be inside you.”
She inhaled deeply, parting her legs for him.
Her fragrance coated his face, and the taste of her sex lingered in his mouth. Reinis’ entire body primed for Sarma. He eyed her pink folds and was tempted to just take her—and take her hard. With hands on both sides of her hips, he guided them towards his rigid shaft.
“Wait, can I get pregnant?” Sarma asked as she halted.
“No, you’re not ovulating.”
Lifting her head up, she asked, “How do you know?”
“Because I can smell it, and you’re in the safe zone.”
“You’re sure.” She pressed him, settling her head back down, nudging him onward.
“Totally sure.”
Without words, she clutched him and jerked him toward her entrance.
As he plunged in, he savored how she clenched his length with her slick walls. Whimpers escaped from her throat with each thrust. Her sexy mewling propelled him to go deeper and harder. The imprint in his chest pulsed. He imagined he controlled her, but her response dominated him, drove him with an urgency to satisfy her in the deepest way possible.
She dug her nails into his skin again, and purred, “Stay here forever, Reinis. Fill me, caress me, hold me. Don’t leave me.”
“I won’t, Sarma. I need this, I need you.”
Sarma’s euphoria gave life to the blood in his veins, air to his lungs, and flight to his anchored spirit. His only concern was Sarma. Not the coven. Not the elders. Not his mother, nor the punishments that hung over him. If he couldn’t have her like this—joining with her, caring for her every need—he wanted nothing.
Few occasions in life were as black and white as this one, but his choice was clear. Sarma. And his love for her.
Shifting his body upward, he bent her knees up until her heels touched the cheeks of her buttocks, and then holding himself up with his arms, he ground into her again. At this angle, he had a perfect view of her gorgeous face, the round shape of her mouth as she gasped. Her hair splayed around her head was as wild and as tangled as they were.
Pumping, he dropped closer, grazing his lips behind her ear. He nibbled her earlobe, his tongue trailing down her neck. Her pleasure made him harder. Beads of sweat gathered along her hairline. His body was drenched. She pulled him toward her, pressing her breasts against his damp chest, enveloping his mouth. Nothing felt better than the cadence of their bodies moving as one. He slammed into her and pulled her hair simultaneously.
Sarma’s breasts heaved against his chest. He pressed his weight into her body and buried his face in her neck and hair. She ground against him as she pulled her legs around his waist. The imprint in his chest expanded, furling open, extending to all corners of his body. Hers mirrored his.
Her heartbeat echoed in his ears. Their rhythms merged like the first time they had been together. Their souls joined as they did on the beach. The place where he ended and she began blurred. As he filled her to the depths of her body and heart, fire shot through his veins in an intense, erotic wave. Throaty moans tore from her mouth, and her legs trembled as she finished. Aching to climax, his body flooded with ecstasy as he let himself go. She embraced him with her legs as he came. His shaft twitched with his orgasm that tore through him.
~ * ~
Breathing heavily in his ear, Sarma hugged him. He drew her on top of him and covered her with the blanket. Resting her head against his shoulder, she closed her eyes and floated in the afterglow of happiness they shared. He sated her, and she did the same for him.
She grinned at him. “You changed back.”
“Yes, that’s what happens,” he chuckled.
“Promise me something. You won’t ever suck my blood, right?” She brushed the longer part of his hair out of his face.
“No. I wouldn’t do that, Sarma. I already knew you wouldn’t want that.”
“And promise me something else. Don’t feed off any other women because if you get that hot and your fangs drop down, maybe you wouldn’t be able to stop.”
“Believe me. No one has ever made me feel this way, human or vampire. But you don’t have to worry. I won’t get near any females.”
“Reinis?”
“Yes, Sirsniņa.”
“I can't go back to that studio. All alone. Gatis could find me again,” Sarma whispered. The release of physical pleasure and the deepening of their connection opened her heart.
“Don't be sad. Your pain kills me worse than anything.” He smiled at her. “You won’t have to go back.” He kissed her hands, cheeks, and mouth then hugged her tight.
“But promise me something else.” Sarma laughed and laced her fingers through his. “Promise you won’t leave me.”
“So many promises. But you know I could never make too many to you. We are going to find a way, I promise. I’m going to fight for you.” He kissed her fully on the lips to confirm his conviction. Sarma gripped Reinis in a naked hold for the rest of the night. She didn't want to let him go again. It wouldn’t be easy, but he promised.
In the morning, Sarma asked him, “Are you really going to die?” His words from last night finally hit.
“I don't know. I've never faced this situation before. Elders are unforgiving when it comes to broken decrees. And from their track record, I’m sure there will be consequences.”
Not a shred of doubt presented in his voice. “But if I’m going to die, I’ll make it worth it.” He scooped her up against his torso as if she were light as a flower.
Fear of the future escaped her heart. His defiance ignited her hunger for him once again. She wriggled her hips against his.
Entwined with her body and the sheets, he met her eyes. “You’re exquisite.”
He was hard again. He rubbed against her thigh and with reverence, he kissed her, prodded her legs apart, and didn’t wait to fill her folds
.
“Yes, let them find us like this,” she whispered, tilting her head back, moaning loudly.
Trembling inside her, he molded their bodies together, allowing their imprints to embrace.
Sarma found home for the first time. Yet, she’d already lost so much. Doubt scratched at her heart. With all the danger looming over them, she found it hard to believe things could be this good.
Chapter 32
Inside the Majori Manor, Dita glared at Gatis. Outrage seeped from her pores. Despite her bitterness at everything in life, she had always held a fondness for her eldest. Even so, if he wasn’t her last option to defeat Laima’s family, she would slay him now. Long hair graced her shoulders, falling over her black, satin dress. Dita advanced with clear blue eyes dilated, jugular veins protruding from her neck, and fangs extended well below her bottom lip.
“I should have you banished forever for this, Gatis. You are a monumental failure!” Her voice warped with rage. “You'll never make it to be an elder at this rate. You failed me. I should have you put to death.”
Gatis dropped to his knees, his face swollen, black and blue, and blistered from the beating Reinis gave him. He silently pleaded for his life, groveling at her feet.
“Get off the floor. Stop your disgusting pleading.” Tempted to kick him in the ribs, she turned her back on him. As she stomped away, she weighed her options. Banishment was a slow, lonely torture. Very few vampires survived, as total isolation from other vampires was unbearable. Most found a way to die.
“Gatis.” Returning to his side, she cupped his chin in her hand, squeezing, relishing the pain she caused him. “Think of a way to get Sarma, and I might let you live.”
“Māte.” He dropped his eyes down to the floor. “There is one thing.”
“What?” She removed her hand, drawing a shawl around her. Fall was on them, and the temperature dipped.
“Reinis imprinted Sarma.”
“What?” The veins around her eyes blackened. “That’s prohibited. She's a bestower.” Back at his side, Dita examined his face. Did he tell the truth? “How long have you known this?”
“I just found out. I swear. That’s why I came home, to tell you.”
“This might save you.” Dita lifted off the ground and flew through the hall of the manor.
Chapter 33
In the afternoon, Sarma woke blissfully curled up against Reinis. As if he felt her eyes open, he opened his. She had no idea what time it was. Not caring, she sighed.
“Reinis, I'm not going back.” She propped herself up on her side. “But I have nowhere to go.”
He tugged on her and snuggled her in his arms. “I'm not letting you go back there. I have a place for you, but you’ll have to give up your job, for now, to go into hiding. Gatis won’t find you.”
Reinis’ protection felt good. She laid her head down on his bare chest and considered what he said.
“I'll do what I have to. But I don’t understand one thing. You said I’m not ovulating right now, so why did Gatis come for me last night? You know what he intended, right?” Though the path ahead was unknown, returning alone to the apartment scared her even more.
“That’s one advantage my coven has—we know things theirs doesn’t. Their vampire abilities don’t work as well, so he just attacked you randomly out of desperation. But don’t think on it anymore. He can’t get to you now. And of course I want to lie here forever with you, but we need to make a plan.”
Sarma's cell phone rang. She sat up, surprised, since no one ever called her anymore. Marita's picture and name appeared on the screen.
“Marita?” she answered.
She bawled and blubbered a bunch of garble Sarma couldn't make out.
“Marita, Marita. I can't understand a thing you're saying. Are you okay?” She was half naked, and goosebumps were raised on her skin. Reinis covered her with the blanket.
“Noooooo!” Followed by more blubbering.
“Take a deep breath, and tell me where you are.”
“Penngrove.” Muttering. “Your house.”
“My house? I don’t live there anymore. Shit. Is Derek there?”
“No, the place is empty.”
“I'll be there in a few minutes. But if he shows up, you’ve got to let me know before I get there.” Marita must have used her key to get in.
“I will,” Marita sobbed.
Sarma hung up. “She sounds terrible. Is it right to go see her? She's ditched me so many times.”
“Gatis probably left her,” Reinis replied. “I don't know about all the other times, but I know Gatis. ‘Choose them, use them, and lose them,’ that’s his motto. He probably broke her into a million pieces.” He slipped on his slacks and belted them.
Sarma eyed his body, mourning its disappearance as he dressed. His dark stubble filled in making him even more attractive. She wished they could make love one more time. “I’ll go back to the house this one last time. Only because this situation wasn't her fault . . . this time. First, I need a shower. We smell like sex.” She laughed.
He kissed her and grabbed her bare ass, squeezing it. “I love your scent.” He nuzzled her neck.
“Stop!” Giggling, she put her hand up. “I need a shower!
~ * ~
Sarma drove up to the place that used to be her home. Relieved Derek's car wasn't there, she hopped out and ran up the porch stairs. Marita was doubled over on one of their wicker chairs. As she glanced up at Sarma, she revealed a vacant and distant stare in her eyes. Sarma's frustration melted away at Marita’s desperate state.
“Gatis left!” Marita wailed. She pulled herself out of the chair, hurried to Sarma, and collapsed into her arms.
Wanting to get the hell out of there, Sarma guided Marita down the stairs, all the while thanking the universe the bastard left. Marita would recover, but if Gatis stayed, she might have died. She helped Marita into the back seat, and they drove back to the hotel. Sarma laid her down on the bed. A shell of a person, Marita convulsed with tears. She whimpered about the breakup—he did it with a text, and he was cruel. She never felt so used. The elixir left her broken.
Sarma wished she had a tranquilizer to knock her out but instead, rocked Marita. Reinis came beside Sarma and hushed Marita to sleep.
“This is bad. I can't leave her like this, Reinis. We need to go, but I can't abandon her.” Sarma covered her with the blanket. She shivered in her sleep like an addict withdrawing from drugs.
“He used the same elixir that he forced on you. And worse, he's been drinking her blood to weaken her. Knowing Gatis, he’s wiped her memory clean. But don’t mention it. Most humans break down if they find out.” Reinis smoothed his fingers over Marita’s neck. “He closed the wounds so an untrained eye would miss the marks, although the texture of her skin wasn’t right. If Marita were a vampire, I would give her blood and make her rest on the earth.”
Sarma caressed her hair and contemplated his words with curiosity. “Will she be ok? I was mad at her for leaving me when I was sick.” Beneath her anger, she was afraid of losing her friend.
“We can control human minds. Combined with the elixir, she had no chance. She’s in a serious state. If he hadn't left, you would have lost your friend forever.”
“So what’s our next move?” Sarma asked with Marita still in her arms.
~ * ~
Reinis instructed Sarma to pack. Gatis was gone, but others were already on their way. Besides, the coven’s elders would destroy him when they discovered the truth. Finding out was inevitable. The best recourse? Hide to buy time.
The best spot for them both was a safe cabin buried in the redwoods outside of Arcata, much farther north in California. They could rent it until the drug drained from Marita's blood, and her body recuperated from the blood loss. Reinis placed his mother’s bag in the car, glad for the herbs and some basic knowledge to help Marita. Reinis picked Marita up and headed for the Jeep. Sarma didn’t look back as they drove away and he hoped Marita wasn’t to
o far gone.
Chapter 34
Tucked away in the cabin, Sarma sat next to Marita, her friend wiped her puffy, red eyes for the hundredth time. Sarma preferred this to non-responsive.
“My head hurts. Like migraine level.” Marita covered her eyes to block the sun shining through the side of the curtain. “Where are we?”
“Somewhere safe. Gatis is dangerous, and we can't risk him finding us.” Sarma sat next to her on the bed, holding her hand. “I finally found a place, but it’s not safe.”
“You moved out? Where have I been?” She mashed her face into her palms.
“We'll talk about that later. Right now, I just want you better.”
“Sarma, I fell in love with him. The prick swept me off my feet, made me feel things I never felt before.” She hid her face again. Her voice wavered as though her physical strength had not returned.
Sarma peered out the window at Reinis. He was building a small altar outside for his Gods Māra and Dievs. He did this everywhere they went. The elixir brainwashed Marita, but she could reveal little. Marita wasn't the same as Sarma and would be unable to handle the truth. Last night, Reinis had massaged her legs, arms, and back, while she slept. He also made teas to calm her and replenish the blood when she woke. Marita drank them greedily.
Forbidden Darkness (Immortal Desire Series Book 1) Page 19
