Amanda Ashley - [Children of the Night 02]

by Night's Touch

  Vince reached over and gave her hand a squeeze. “They loved you. And even if they didn’t, I love you, and that’s what counts.”

  Cara laughed softly. “I guess that’s true.”

  Pulling up in front of her house, he draped his arm across the back of her seat. “Cara.”

  “What?”

  “Are you sure this is what you want?”

  “What do you mean? You haven’t changed your mind, have you?”

  “No, I just want to make sure you know what you’re getting into, and that you won’t be sorry later.”

  “What brought this on?” she asked. “Haven’t we been through all this before?”

  “I know, but I watched you tonight with the kids, and…I just don’t want you to be sorry a few years down the road.”

  Taking hold of his hand, she drew his arm down around her shoulders. “I won’t be sorry. I love you as you are, now and for always. I told you before, we can always adopt a baby, and if you’re not comfortable with that, then…”

  “Dammit, Cara, I don’t want you making sacrifices on my account.”

  “Well, get used to it, because I’m not going anywhere.”

  “I’m marrying a tough chick, huh?”

  “Darn right, mister,” she said, punching him in the ribs, “and don’t you forget it!”

  As her father had said, the church was located in a secluded glade well off the main highway. Surrounded by tall trees and shrubs, the building looked like it had been transplanted from some medieval setting. Moonlight danced across the stained-glass windows. The air was filled with the fragrant scent of evergreens; night birds called to each other; crickets played a serenade. An owl hooted softly in the distance.

  As Cara crossed the threshold with her father, she could easily imagine knights and their ladies passing through the carved oak doors.

  The priest was waiting for them in the vestibule, along with Sarah Beth, who had agreed to be Cara’s matron of honor. Vince had asked his oldest brother to stand up with him.

  “Father Lanzoni,” Roshan said, “it’s good to see you again.”

  “And you, my friend,” the priest replied. “And this must be your daughter. She is lovely.”

  Cara felt herself blushing as she murmured, “Thank you, Father.”

  While Roshan and the priest spoke, Cara hugged Sarah Beth, who looked very pretty in a tea-length peach silk dress and matching heels.

  “You look radiant, Cara,” Sarah Beth said. “Are you nervous?”

  “A little.”

  Sarah Beth laughed. “I know, I was, too, but you’ll forget all that when you see Vince. Mary and a couple of the part-time ladies from the library are here.” Sarah Beth glanced around. “This is a beautiful place. However did you find it?”

  “My parents were married here,” Cara said.

  “Oh,” Sarah Beth exclaimed, “that’s so romantic!”

  “Are we ready?” the priest asked. “The groom is waiting.”

  Cara smiled. “Very ready.”

  With a nod, the priest went to take his place at the altar.

  Cara peered through the doors that led into the chapel, noting that the pews and the altar were carved from oak; the carpet was a deep blue. Vince’s family had already arrived. His sister-in-law, Patti Jean, sat at the organ, playing softly. Candlelight filled the chapel with a warm golden glow, lighting the faces of the wooden statues, but Cara had eyes only for Vince. She had always thought him the most handsome of men, but tonight, clad in a tux, his hair neatly combed, he was the most gorgeous thing she had ever seen, as he stood at the altar, waiting for her. The priest stood beside Vince. He was of medium height with wavy black hair going gray at the temples.

  Patti Jean began the wedding march and Sarah Beth started down the aisle. Everyone rose as Cara and her father appeared in the doorway.

  Cara winked at her mother, smiled at Mary and at Sarah Beth’s husband, and then, with butterflies in her stomach, she met Vince’s gaze and felt her heart swell at the love she saw in his beautiful dark eyes.

  “Who giveth this woman to be married to this man?”

  “Her mother and I do,” Roshan said. Lifting Cara’s hand to his lips, he kissed it; then, after placing her hand in Vince’s, he stepped back to sit beside Brenna.

  “We are gathered here this evening to join Cara Aideen DeLongpre and Vincent Cordova in the bonds of holy wedlock, an honorable institution ordained of God for the blessing of His children. There is no secret to a happy marriage,” the priest said, glancing from Cara to Vince. “You have only to remember to put your loved one first and yourself second, to treat your spouse as you wish to be treated, and to remember how much you love one another on this day. Remember these things, and you will have a life of peace and happiness for as long as God grants you breath.

  “I will say the words that bind you together, but the true marriage between the two of you must take place within your hearts.

  “Cara, do you promise to love and cherish Vincent, here present, for as long as you shall live?”

  Cara squeezed Vince’s hand. “I do.”

  “Vincent, do you promise to love and cherish Cara, here present, for as long as you both shall live?”

  Vince took a deep breath. “I do.”

  “Then, by the power vested in me, I pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss your bride.”

  Vince lifted Cara’s veil. For a moment, he simply looked at her, wanting to remember how she looked on this night, the glow in her eyes, the rapid beating of her heart as she waited for his first kiss as her husband. Murmuring, “I love you,” he drew her into his arms and kissed her.

  He might have kissed her for an hour or two if he hadn’t become aware of the quiet cheers and chuckles of his family.

  Cara’s cheeks were flushed when he released her.

  “And now, at last,” the priest said, a smile in his voice, “I give you Mr. and Mrs. Vincent Cordova.”

  Cara turned to face Vince’s family, relieved to see that everyone was smiling. A faint movement at the back of the chapel drew her eye; she felt her insides turn cold as two gray-clad women slipped out the door.

  Cara tugged on Vince’s arm as he walked her down the aisle. “Did you see them?”

  “See who, darlin’?”

  “Two women in gray robes. They just went out the door.”

  “I didn’t notice. Are they friends of yours?”

  “No. I don’t know who they are.”

  Vince escorted Cara to the limo waiting outside the church, helped her inside, and drew her into his arms. “Why did seeing those women upset you so? Maybe they were nuns.”

  Cara shook her head. “No. I’ve seen others dressed like that. The first time was in Serafina’s bookstore, and then again the other night, when I was at the mall, and now here.” She clutched Vince’s hand. “I don’t like this.”

  Vince wrapped his arms around her. “Take it easy, darlin’, no one’s ever going to hurt you again.”

  “I’m frightened.” She glanced out the rear window. “Anton is still out there somewhere.”

  “Don’t think about that now.” He kissed her cheek, wondering if he should find her another bodyguard.

  Cara shook off her fears as they turned off the highway. This was her wedding night and she wasn’t going to let Anton or anyone else ruin it for her.

  A short time later, they arrived at her parents’ house, where cake and champagne were waiting.

  Cara was overwhelmed by the love she felt from Vince’s family, from Sarah Beth and Mary, and from her own parents, of course. Because Vince’s family lived so far away, Cara decided to open their wedding presents that night. She sat on the floor, her gown spread around her, while Vince handed her their gifts. They were the usual gifts friends and family give to newlyweds: a toaster, pots and pans, a set of silverware, linens for the bed and for the table, a cookie jar, bath towels and kitchen towels, glassware, and a set of dishes. Later, her father took her and Vince aside
and gave them a check for a hundred thousand dollars “to buy whatever else the two of you might need,” he said, “or to put a down payment on a little house of your own.”

  “Dad, this is way too much,” Cara said.

  “I told you I was a rich man,” her father reminded her.

  “I know, but…” She looked at Vince.

  “She’s right,” Vince said. “It’s way too much.”

  Roshan grunted softly. “What else am I going to do with my money? If I were a mortal man, I’d leave it in my will, but since I’m hoping to hang around for a good long while, I want Cara to have it now.”

  Cara threw her arms around her father. “Thank you, Dad!”

  Vince added his thanks to Cara’s, then the two of them went to mingle with their guests. Later, they cut the cake. Vince offered Cara a bite, choked back a gag when she fed him a small piece, which he didn’t swallow. When no one was looking, he spit it into his handkerchief.

  While the caterer served the cake, Vince and Cara enjoyed their first dance as man and wife.

  “Are you having a good time?” he asked.

  “Yes! This is the happiest night of my life.”

  “Mine, too.” Pulling her close, he rained kisses on her cheeks, her eyelids, and the tip of her nose. “I love you, wife.”

  “And I love you, husband.”

  His hands slid slowly up and down her back, drawing her body closer to his, letting her feel how much he loved her, wanted her, needed her.

  Cara blew out a long shuddering sigh as her body responded to his. “Later,” she whispered.

  “Not too much later,” he said with a growl.

  As much as he wanted to spend what time he could with his family, he wanted to be alone with Cara more, so after they listened to toasts from their parents and Vince’s brothers, Vince took Cara by the hand and they slipped out the back door when no one was looking, then ran around to the front of the house where the limo waited.

  Vince opened the back door for Cara, then climbed in beside her. As soon as he closed the door, he drew her into his arms. “Hey, Mrs. Cordova.”

  “Hey, yourself, Mr. Cordova.” She glanced out the window as the limo pulled away from the house. “Does the driver know where to go?”

  “Yeah, I told him before we left the church.”

  With a little sigh of contentment, Cara snuggled against her husband. Husband. The word made her smile.

  “Did I tell you how beautiful you look tonight?” Vince asked.

  “No. Do you like my dress?”

  “It’s beautiful, too, and you make it more so.” Indeed, he had never seen her looking lovelier than she had when walking down the aisle. Her gown was long and simple, with a round neck, long, fitted sleeves, and a slim skirt that showed off her figure perfectly, but it was the look of love in her eyes, the shy smile that was just for him, that had gone straight to his heart.

  “We never talked about going anywhere for a honeymoon,” he said. “Is there anywhere you want to go?”

  “Just to bed,” she murmured, lifting her face for his kiss. “With you.”

  Chapter 40

  When they reached Cara’s house, Vince paid the limo driver, then lifted his bride into his arms and carried her up the walkway. The door opened at his command and a fire sprang to life in the hearth.

  Cara’s breath whispered against his neck as she murmured, “Oh, my.”

  “Better than witchcraft,” Vince said, smiling down at her.

  She nodded. “It’s a little scary, finding out all the supernatural things you can do.”

  “There’s nothing for you to be afraid of,” he murmured. “Nothing at all.”

  He carried her into the bedroom and eased her to the floor. Someone, Brenna he supposed, had been to the house earlier. The new sheets Cara had bought were on the bed, the covers already turned down. A bottle of red wine and two glasses waited for them on the bedside table. A crystal vase held a bouquet of long-stemmed white roses; a basket of fruit sat on the dresser.

  He saw it all in a glance, but it was Cara who held his gaze. How was it possible for her to grow more lovely every time he looked at her? He removed her veil and tossed it over a chair, then drew her into his arms, one hand reaching behind her to unfasten her gown. She stepped out of it and he tossed it aside as well, then he took a step back so he could look at her.

  Cara blushed beneath his heated gaze. True, they had made love before, but he had never looked at her quite like this, and they hadn’t been married at the time. For some reason, it made her suddenly shy to stand there wearing nothing but her bra, panty hose, and heels.

  Vince whistled softly. “You’re the prettiest, sexiest thing I’ve ever seen.”

  “And you,” she said, “are overdressed.”

  “Well, if you don’t like it, you know what to do.”

  He didn’t have to tell her twice. In minutes, his coat, cummerbund, tie, shirt, and trousers were on the floor, leaving him attired in a T-shirt, briefs, and his shoes and socks.

  Vince looked down at himself and grimaced. “I look pretty silly.”

  “Well, the shoes have to go,” she said.

  “Right.” Sitting on the edge of the bed, he removed his shoes and socks. “Come here.”

  She moved toward him and he removed her heels, then slowly peeled off her panty hose. Her bra came next, then his T-shirt.

  Cara watched him, her body trembling with anticipation as he tossed his briefs aside, then drew her down on the bed beside him, their bodies fitting together perfectly, like two halves of a whole.

  She felt like purring as his callused hands moved over her willing flesh, stroking, teasing, arousing her until she thought she’d go mad with wanting him. She slid her hands over his shoulders and down his arms, loving the way his muscles quivered at her touch. It was a heady sensation, knowing that her touch aroused him as much as his aroused her.

  Raking her nails down his back, she murmured, “Now, Vince!” She sighed with pleasure as he rose over her, his body melding with hers, easing into a slow, steady rhythm that made her cry out, her hands clutching his shoulders, her body arching beneath him, until that one beautiful moment when she couldn’t tell where he ended and she began. It was like flying through a rainbow, drowning in waves of ecstasy…

  As from far away, she heard Vince’s voice, filled with soft entreaty. “Let me taste you.”

  For a moment, she didn’t know what he meant, and then she felt his tongue lave the side of her neck.

  “Please?” His voice was rough, filled with longing.

  “I’m afraid.”

  “I won’t hurt you, I swear it.”

  She loved him with all her heart, how could she refuse him anything? How could she agree?

  “Never mind,” he said quietly.

  Guilt washed over her. “It’s all right.”

  “Are you sure, darlin’?” His breath was warm against her neck. She could feel the tension in his body, hear the need in his voice.

  “I’m sure,” she said, and closed her eyes.

  He kissed her, long and slow, his hand gliding up and down her thigh, gentling her, she thought. She stilled as his tongue warmed the skin below her ear, felt a tiny prick as his fangs pierced her flesh. She had expected to feel horror and revulsion; instead, she felt only a kind of sensual pleasure that was over too soon.

  “Did I hurt you?” he asked.

  Cara’s eyelids fluttered open. “No,” she murmured. “It felt wonderful. Can we do it again?”

  Clad in a pair of jeans, Vince sat on the porch stairs, gazing up at the stars. He had left his bride asleep in her bed after making love to her one more time. Never in his life had he felt so at peace. Cara was his for as long as she lived. Perhaps, in time, he would be able to convince her to accept the Dark Gift. He could think of nothing better than spending the rest of his existence, however long that might be, with her at his side. He would spend this night here, with his bride, though it made him uneasy. He did
n’t like being vulnerable while he slept and there was no way to secure her house against intruders. Starting next week, he would take his rest at the garage until they found a house of their own, and then he would take the necessary precautions to protect his new lair.

  A stir in the air brought his senses to immediate alert. A moment later, Mara materialized at his side. Moonlight haloed her long black hair; her full-length gown, also black, outlined every curve. Once, he had thought her the most beautiful woman he had ever seen, but that had been before Cara entered his life.

  “Good evening,” she murmured.

  “Hey.”

  “Lovely night for a hunt, don’t you think?”

  “Not tonight.”

  “No?”

  Vince shook his head.

  “Why is that?” Sitting down, Mara spread her skirts around her, like the petals of an ebony rose. “Your little mortal is asleep. She won’t even know you’re gone.”

  “It’s my wedding night,” Vince said with a smile. “How would it look if I went off with another woman?”

  “You married her?” Mara exclaimed.

  “Yep.”

  “Unless you bring her across, she’ll just die and leave you.”

  “Is that why you never married?” Vince asked. “Because he’d leave you?”

  She sighed softly. “I lied to you before. I did marry once, many years ago. I knew I would regret it, but I loved him and he refused to bed me without the blessing of the church.” She laughed softly. “Truly, a man unique among men.”

  “Were you happy together?”

  “Yes, for many years, until he began to grow old and I did not, until he began to hate me. The older he got, the stronger his hatred became, until it soured everything between us.”

  “What happened to him?”

  “One night, as I held him in my arms, he drove a knife into my heart. Had it been a silver blade, I wouldn’t be here now. When he realized he hadn’t killed me, he ran out of the house. A passing carriage struck him and killed him instantly.”

  “I’m sorry, Mara.”

  “As I said, it was a long time ago.” She looked at him, her eyes filled with pain. “You’d think it would have stopped hurting by now.”