Dark and Beautiful Nights (The Vampire Covenant Series Book 3)

by Betty Shreffler

  The bartender nodded. "Nothing to worry about with me. I'm Connor, by the way."

  "Nice name and skills." She lifted one of the glasses and savored the scent before swallowing. "I'll have to get the recipe from you." She set the empty glass down.

  Connor leaned on his elbows, resting on the counter. "Can't give up my secret recipe. If you have it, you won't have a reason to come back. Then I wouldn't get to see that pretty face anymore."

  The corner of her mouth raised. "You sure do know how to work the tips."

  Connor gave a proud smile. His eyes landed on the approaching patrons. He flipped the bar towel over his shoulder. "Enjoy your night."

  "Thanks."

  She gulped down the second glass and spun her barstool to watch the clientele. Brad caught her attention as he entered the bar. He left his buddies to join her. His enthusiastic expression widened as he neared. He gave her a hug and left his arm to linger around her waist.

  "I'm glad you came. Come over and meet my buddies." He gave her waist a nudge in the direction of his friends.

  She wasn't in the mood for mingling. The potion in the shot had already warmed her, giving rise to its usual numbing pleasure. She didn't want to waste it trying to play human.

  "Maybe later. I'm ready to dance."

  Brad seemed fine with her request. He took her hand and led her to the dance floor. He held her tight as their hips swayed to the music. She leaned her head toward him as the potion eased her body into euphoria. The beat of the music pounded along with the beating hearts around her, slipping her further into bliss—not a care in the world.

  Cass' steel-blue eyes flashed before the werewolf bouncer. He nodded and opened one of the frosted doors. Cass entered Safire—the place Alex assumed Kayci had gone to. With narrowed eyes, he scanned the bar and lounge, then searched the dance floor. His muscles tensed, tightening his skin. Yours—his instinct declared.

  His lip curled as he watched another man, a human, touch his mate intimately. His feet pounding heavily as he crossed the floor, clenching and unclenching his fists. Cool it. No bloodshed.

  He eased a little when the song ended and she split from her dance partner only to have his jealousy explode when the pretty boy placed his hand on the small of her back. He stopped walking and took slow, deep breaths.

  Damn, she has me rattled. He watched intently as they came off the dance floor. Pretty boy seemed to want her to follow him. Thankfully, she didn't. She left him to go back to the dance floor on her own.

  Good girl, Kat.

  He continued to the dance floor, taking the four steps in two. He slipped behind her and leaned against the railing.

  "Nice curls."

  The recognizable tingling sensation whipped up her spine at the sound of his deep voice. She turned to find him standing there against the railing, his mountainous biceps a taste of what the rest of him had to offer. His dark hair fell across his face, framing his dangerous eyes. His shadow of a beard gave him an all-to-sexy rugged look especially with the scar embedded in his chin. Any woman's thighs would quiver at the sight of him. Heat penetrated her body, settling deep within her own core. She licked her lips and swallowed.

  "Why are you here?"

  Cass stared at her enchanting dark gold eyes. The way she looked at him now, so hungrily, had him wanting to take her now in front of everyone and he was pretty sure she'd like it.

  "What do you think I'm doing here?"

  His seductive gaze and the sound of her name escaping his lips nearly crumpled her weak legs. Ugh! Pull it together!

  She crossed her arms and firmed her stance. "Looks like you're here to scold me, spank me, and send me home."

  The corner of his mouth raised, revealing his delicious, arrogant grin. "You got the spanking part right."

  The arousing heat at her core turned to electricity, sparking wildly. "Ugh! Cass, you should go home. You don't belong here. You belong with your clan." She made a direct line for the stairs.

  Cass stepped off the railing, his colossal frame shifting through the mist and dim, blue lighting. His eyes were predatory, captivating her and locking her in place with his fixed stare.

  "I belong with my mate. That means I go wherever you go. I'm not going back home, Kat, so get used to me being around. I'm here for good."

  Her teeth clenched as her body trembled with anticipation beneath his piercing wolf eyes. There'd be no getting rid of him and damn her body for wanting him like it did.

  Kayci let out an exasperated breath of air before turning away from him. His hand gripped hers, stopping her.

  "Kat—" Her name rolled off his lips with an exceptional level of ardor and authority. Her body responded viscerally. She stopped in her tracks.

  In his periphery, Cass observed the pretty boy climbing the stairs, his expression pensive. Cass placed his hand on Katerina's waist, instinctively bringing her closer to his own body. His predatory wolf instinct jittered with anticipative excitement at the potential opportunity for a fight, especially a fight for his mate.

  Lock it down. He's human. You'd rip him to shreds.

  "Whatever you're about to say or do, don't," Cass stated between gritted teeth.

  Kayci watched as Brad and Cass sized each other up. Brad was a big guy—a college ball player in his day—but he still didn't compare to Cass' colossal frame. He seemed to recognize an alpha male even if he wasn't a werewolf. He nodded to Kayci.

  "See ya around."

  Kayci turned on Cass.

  His brow raised. "Got yourself a play toy while I was away?"

  "Jealous?"

  "Yes," he stated matter-of-factly.

  His admission gave her a jolt of excitement.

  She gently tugged her hand from his. "I'm not heading home anytime soon, so if that was your plan, coming here and dragging me out, then it was a wasted trip. I'm enjoying myself and I won't be ordered around."

  Was she setting rules already?

  "I didn't say you had to leave, but there won't be any man touching you other than me." He had his own rules too.

  Kayci's eyes narrowed, challenging him. "You don't get to have a say in that matter."

  Cass smirked, pleased with the return of her usual defiance. He reached out, gripping her waist once again and grinned as desirous need filled her eyes. "How about you remove the scowl off that beautiful face and dance with me?"

  She glared at him, debating whether or not to walk away, but instead, her shoulders lowered. Her body tingled with anticipation of his touch. His warm body and earthy scent taunted her vampire senses. She moved into him and he slipped his hand around hers, turned her slowly, pulling her hips intimately against his. His thumb kneaded her waist before resting on her hip, gripping it with veiled desire. A couple fingers eased over her waist, slipping into her jeans, sending bolts of fire between her thighs. A couple inches farther and she'd take him, here and now, on the dance floor in front of everyone.

  His right hand slid over hers, gently caressing her arm as he raised it and tucked it around his neck. He leaned down, bringing his face close to hers; his hot anticipative breath warmed her skin, enticing her further. His teeth tugged ever-so-gently over her ear, flicking his tongue across it and slipping it through his lips. Her eyes closed and her breath escaped her parted lips as she melted into him. She let herself go, let his irresistible scent fill her nostrils as their hips swayed to the music.

  Chapter 4

  At the bar, Cass swigged his beer, listening intently to all that had happened while he was away. He could sense her tension easing, giving him and his wolf instinct relief.

  "You should have let me stay."

  Kayci sighed and looked away. "I needed the time alone to research, to try to find a way to break the spell."

  "Logan and I did some research of our own, asked around. Unfortunately, the witches we contacted didn't have any concrete ideas of how to break the spell."

  "You looked into breaking the spell on Adrian?"

  Cass nodded
, setting his beer on the counter. "I'd prefer to have the spell broken so you can be free of him."

  Kayci swallowed. Why did the words—be free of him, give her so much turmoil?

  She picked up her shot glass.

  Cass took the glass from her hand and sniffed it. "What is it?"

  Kayci shrugged. "The bartender is a witch. He makes it. It's blood with some kind of potion in it. It makes me feel amazing."

  Cass studied the contents. His eyes drifted over the glass to her. "That's my job." He saw the arousal sweep over her face and it awakened his instinct. Yes. Your mate. Yours.

  Kayci took the glass back from his hand and gulped it down.

  Cass leaned on his arm. "Tell me, Kat. How'd you end up with pretty boy?" He motioned to Brad, sitting with his buddies, scowling at him.

  Kayci rolled her eyes. "I met him a couple months ago, when I first starting using dark magic. I fed from him then. I ran into him again last night."

  "You sleep with him?" Cass asked, avoiding eye contact with her. He chugged more beer as the rising jealousy tightened his gut.

  Kayci chuckled at his apparent discomfort with the subject. "No, not that it's any of your business if I did."

  Cass set the beer on the counter and turned himself to face her. He rotated her stool toward him, putting her legs between his. "It is my business. You're my mate. If you need a man's touch, you come to me. Understand?"

  Ohh! Why did his possessiveness irritate her and arouse her all at once? She narrowed her eyes. "I'll do as I please, Cass. I'm not your mate."

  "I thought we'd already resolved this? You are my mate and I'm here to stay."

  She let out a frustrated breath of air. "You're incredibly pushy."

  Cass grinned before placing his hands under her ass and scooting her closer to him. "I know."

  The blood and potion warmed her body, causing the usual euphoric sensation. As his provocative gaze met hers, her body ignited. The warming sensation turned to a harmonizing pulse and her body itched to have his hands caressing her, his lips passionately claiming hers. She gazed up at him, mesmerized by his beautiful wolf eyes and full lips. She reached up, unable to stop herself from running her finger along them. He bit her finger, gave it a flick of his tongue, and then claimed it with his mouth. Heat warmed her below, sending quick exuberant shocks of electricity from her belly, down and back. She grinned, fangs visible and eyes glazed with desire.

  Cass saw the hunger in her eyes, causing his body to respond. Pressure extended his jeans and he kneaded her thighs in response. "I like what that drink does to you." He winked.

  Kayci bit her lip as desperate longing slammed against her, begging for release.

  Cass' eyes lowered, fixed on her lips. "You know what that does to me, don't you?"

  Kayci nodded, grinning, her mouth nearly salivating for a taste of him.

  "Keep it up and I'll bend you over this bar and take you in front of everyone," he murmured breathlessly.

  "You would, wouldn't you?" she teased.

  "Don't challenge me, Kat. I'm barely restraining myself as it is."

  Kayci slid her fangs over her bottom lip and released it, just to watch the hunger grow vehemently in his eyes. "Why do you make me feel this way?" The ardency in her own voice startled her.

  "I don't know how to make it any clearer for you, you're my mate, and once you accept it, we can get on with giving each other unrestrained pleasure." The connotation of his promised desire dripped off his lips.

  Unrestrained pleasure? How can I resist?

  "And if I am your mate, what then?"

  Cass took a strand of her hair in his hand and gave it a tantalizing tug before placing it behind her ear. When her body shivered with arousal, his instinct purred with satisfaction. "I claim you as mine, mark you…" He caressed her cheek. Her eyes closed as her breath quickened. "We'll be tied forever. As my mate, I'll love you, ensure you're happy, protected, satisfied—always."

  She could hear the promise in his earnest voice. She opened her eyes to see the fire burning in his.

  And what woman wouldn't want all of that?

  "What do you mean by mark me?" The idea of him biting her stirred her already yearning desire.

  The excitement in her voice worsened the pressure on his jeans. He glanced around at their current location, returning to her fiery, lust-filled gaze. "This isn't the best place for that conversation."

  She stared at him expectantly, licking her lips, bringing his fixed stare to them.

  "Just remember—you asked."

  He tucked his massive hands under her thighs and gave her ass a tug, bringing her as close to him as she could get while still sitting on the stool, barely. He leaned closer, lowering his voice for her to hear his private share.

  "When I make love to you, I want all of you. I want to ravage your body, take you beneath me, sink my teeth into you, claim you as mine. It will be the most passionate and erotic experience you've ever had and I know you'll enjoy it and I'll enjoy watching the pleasured moans escape those luscious lips."

  The heat of his breath on her ear and his strong, solid hand kneading the inside of her upper thigh had her trembling with need. His sensuous touch sparked heat and fire—ravenous fire. It gurgled in her belly, awakening after a long period of dormancy.

  She bit her lip—hard. He leaned back to see her reaction. His eyes glimmered with satisfaction.

  His captivating wolf eyes remained on her, stabbing right through her, to the deepest part of her.

  "The funny thing about you, Kat, is your words always reject me, but your body begs me to satisfy it."

  Her breath escaped. Damn, he's good. Her fangs stabbed her bottom lip as her body pulsed with desire. The potion's affect helped his cause, betraying her. It was supposed to give her numbing pleasure not add to the aching need she had for him.

  She closed her eyes and gave her head a shake. She scooted back on the stool before she clawed at the clothes covering him. She opened her eyes to see him grinning at her. That usual arrogant smile that said, he knew exactly what was going on inside her mind and body.

  She stepped off the stool. Must have cold shower.

  Cass' hand grabbed a hold of her hip as she swayed, giving it a firm squeeze. She fell against his arms that he used to pull her closer, bringing her inches from his lips. He stared down at her, his wolf eyes studying her eyes, her expression.

  He could see the struggle in her eyes—the longing, the confusion, and frustration. He would make things clear for her.

  "It's about time I start pissing you off."

  He brought his lips down on hers, claiming them with his own. The fire roiled in her belly, exploding like a volcano. She sunk into his lips, letting the sensation take her.

  He dipped his tongue into her mouth, coaxing her further, tasting more of her, wanting more of her. Satisfaction filled him when she didn't pull away. He held the nape of her neck and drove their kiss further. His hand squeezed her backside as he pulled her body against his. He needed her, needed her to give in. He couldn't take her denial much longer. It was driving him wild. He needed to touch her, caress every part of her.

  When their lips parted, she swayed at the dizziness that swam through her head and the extraordinary arousal throbbing between her thighs.

  "Cass…"

  "Yes, Kat?" He could hear the desire in her voice. He longed to satisfy it and to satisfy her. He brushed one of her curls behind her ear.

  "I—"

  "Want this as much as I do, don't you beautiful?"

  She did, she wanted to pounce on him like a panther on its prey and devour him one succulent sample at a time.

  "How about I take you home?" he asked, never easing his affectionate hold on her.

  "Yes," is all she could sputter.

  ***

  Cass stepped through the doorframe of Katerina's home. He heard a rustle from the kitchen and grinned when Alex entered the living room with a bag of chips in hand.

  "Goo
d. You found her."

  Kayci frowned at him. "Betrayed me already? I thought you were my family."

  Alex laughed. "You'll thank me later."

  Cass came up behind Kayci as she slipped her shoes off. He scooped her up in his arms and threw her over his shoulder like a feathered pillow.

  Kayci gasped at the sudden sensation of being flipped through the air.

  "What are you doing?"

  Cass grinned at Alex as she wiggled in his concrete grip.

  "First door on the right," Alex told him.

  "Seriously? You're working together?"

  Cass sprung up the steps, carrying her with ease. He opened her bedroom door, walked to the light oak wooden bed with its silky turquoise cover, and tossed her onto it.

  She couldn't help the laughter that escaped. She stopped laughing, pretending to be serious. "Get out."

  Cass grinned as he slowly crawled over her and laid next to her. He eyed the button on her shirt. One flick of his finger and he could see the succulent breasts beneath. His cock stiffened at the thought. His eyes drifted to her smokey blues specked with vampire gold.

  "I don't think you really want me to leave, do you?"

  She raised her head and rested it in her hand, facing him. "If you think we're having sex, you couldn't be more wrong."

  His eyes brightened, a wolfish grin spreading over his face. "I have no problem working for it. You know I enjoy a good challenge."

  She caught his eyes drift to her button once more. The hungry expression smearing his face escalated the sensation teasing her thighs.

  Kayci's eyes narrowed. "Is that all I am, a challenge?"

  Cass' eyes remained fixed on the button. He reached up, giving it a flick with his finger. It loosened beneath the pressure. Her blouse flopped open, revealing a hint of cream flesh underneath. He grinned when she didn't pull it closed. His fervid gaze met hers. "Yes. You are a challenge and I enjoy it, but you're so much more. You're stubborn, strong, compassionate, kind, beautiful and I want all of it. I want all of you."

  Passion roiled inside her. Her body tingled with need—need for his touch, his lip on hers. She swallowed, hesitancy filling her. Her mind combated her body.