"You're going back, aren't you?"
She could see the disappointment and concern in his eyes.
"I have to. It's my fault he's in that coffin. I owe it to him to get him out of it."
Cass placed his hand on her thigh, rubbing it affectionately. "I'll go with you."
Kayci lowered her head, swallowed the lump in her throat, then raised it to meet his troubled eyes. "I need to do this alone."
Cass stopped rubbing her leg and looked off, his expression stark.
"You're worried I won't come back to you."
He glanced at her. "I'm worried about how long it would be before you'd speak to me again if I kill him."
Her eyes widened. "Why would you say that?"
He ran his hand through his hair as he stood and turned to her. "Damn it, Kat. You're my mate, mine, and you want to go back to Naples to dig up your ex, who doesn't yet know he's your ex. He's going to wake up and expect the both of you to go back to the way things were. The thought of him touching you doesn't make me jealous. It enrages me."
Kayci stood up, her temper rising. "Are you afraid I'll want to stay with him?"
His instinct awakened, its voice slamming into his head. Calm her before you lose her.
His posture relaxed and he stepped toward her, placing his arms around her. His instinct purred with relief when she didn't pull away. "We haven't had much time to strengthen our bond. After looking forward to having that time together, it's hard to accept you'll be leaving to go back to your ex."
His hand caressed along her jaw and his thumb rubbed across her lips. Her gold eyes softened.
"I love you, Kat. I don't want to lose you. I can't lose you."
She gazed up at his piercing blue wolf eyes. She could see the worry jumbled with intense love.
She brought her hand up to his face, caressing his scar before kissing him.
"You have me, Cass. I'm yours."
He pulled her into him, holding her head against him, hugging her. He kissed her head before he leaned back, admiring her with his intense eyes.
"I want you to remember what you're coming back to." He ran his hands over her backside, lifting her up and sliding her legs around his waist. He carried her into his bedroom and laid her beneath him.
His lips covered hers, kissing her until her lips swelled. She pushed herself against his erection. He growled into her mouth. "Clothes off," he said between kisses.
She couldn't get them off fast enough. He pulled at her jeans, helping her remove them. He tossed them to the floor and spread her legs, opening them for him. He kissed just inside her thigh and gently blew the heat from his mouth over her thighs and underwear. Warmth coursed through her body, settling just beneath his tantalizing lips.
"Your jeans," she told him.
He stood up, his wolfish grin appearing as his suggestive eyes stared down at her. He unzipped them and let them roll off his hips. She nodded to the briefs.
"Those too."
Cass nodded and obliged her request.
"Anything else?" His eyes sparked with intrigue.
"Take mine off."
He stepped onto the bed, lifting her shirt over her head, then unfastened her bra, bringing his lips tenderly across her collarbone as he leaned back from her. The simple caress sent an arousing shiver over her body.
"Those too?" he asked playfully, pointing at her underwear.
"Yes," she replied, grinning.
He slipped his fingers under the straps on her hips, pulling them off her.
"What now?" he asked, eyeing her with curiosity.
"Lie down."
He grinned and moved across the bed, placing his hands comfortably behind his back.
"I thought I was reminding you what you were coming back to."
A lascivious smile spread across her face. "You are."
She straddled him, lowering herself to his chest. She kissed the center of his chest before adjusting herself to kiss lower. She kissed along the indentations of his abs, then lowered herself again. His eyes brightened, seeing her intent. His fingers wound through the few loose strands of her braid as she kissed his abdomen then the dusting of hair leading to his erection. She slid down further, taking the length of it in her hand, licking him from base to tip, before filling her mouth with it, bringing him in and out and sucking hard.
"Kat," he murmured between pleasured growls. "You're too damn good."
He grabbed her braid, giving it a tug. "Come here, now."
She grinned, raised herself and straddled him. She eased onto him and as soon as he filled her, he turned them, flipping her onto her back. She wrapped her legs around his hips as he dug deep, thrusting into her, filling her completely. He held her legs up, raising her bottom half off the bed, staring down at her with his possessive eyes as he drove their desire to its breaking point.
She laid back on his pillow, her bite on his neck already healing. He turned toward her.
"That wasn't what I had planned, but it was better."
He raised her leg over his, stroking her softly along the outside of her thigh.
"What did you have planned?"
He brought his hand to her face and caressed it, before slipping his hand along the nape of her neck, pulling her in for a kiss.
"Slower…more intimate."
He reached down, gently pulling her hip toward him.
"I think I should experience that side of your lovemaking before I go."
"I think you should, too."
Holding her against him, he rolled over on top of her. He reached down, gently caressing her as his soft kisses covered her mouth. His tongue ventured in and out, taking his kisses slowly as his fingers worked inside of her.
He removed his hand and adjusted himself above her. Slowly, he eased inside of her. One hand cupped the back of her neck as he kissed her. His other arm wrapped around her, holding her close to him as he settled into a slower rhythm against her hips.
Breathy moans escaped her parted lips. Looking down at her, his eyes were full of love, for her and only her.
"I love you," she breathed.
As his intimate rhythm took her over the edge, her head arched back. He nipped her chin and kissed along her neck.
"I want you to remember this, Kat. Remember how much I love you."
His rhythmic thrusts went deeper. His kisses traveled over her collarbone, sending sparks of pleasure from every spot his lips touched.
As he swelled inside her, reaching his orgasm, her fangs extracted, dipping into his shoulder. Her release came as did his. Her euphoria faded as she removed her fangs. She kissed him gently where'd she'd bitten him.
Feather kisses were placed on her forehead, eyelids, her cheeks, lips, then chin. She giggled beneath his wet, playful kisses.
He eased off her, laying on his back. His possessive grip pulled her in close to him. She nuzzled into his chest, breathing in his delicious scent. Her eyelids grew heavy and sleep filled the corners of her mind.
Cass stroked her back, rubbing her to sleep. As she snuggled into him, his instinct purred. Mine.
Chapter 18
Kayci packed her suitcase, avoiding the pained look in Cass' eyes. He stood in the doorway with his arms crossed over his bare chest. He had nothing but a pair of jeans on and his messy hair to remind her of their incredible night together. Warmth spread to her thighs and she tried to control her desire for him by shoving her clothes into her bag with more force.
Cass left the door frame, coming up behind her and wrapping his arms around her. He nuzzled into her neck. "Stay with me."
Her eyes closed as she tried to hold onto what little strength she had. His words left a painful fight going on inside her heart and mind. She wanted to stay, but had to do this. She owed Adrian so much for all he had done for her and she had to find Deirdre while she had the chance. This couldn't wait.
"Cass—"
"At least let me drive you to the airport."
She turned in his arms. His sad ey
es broke her to pieces. "It will only make it harder to leave."
He swallowed. His emotions were dangling just beneath the surface. "When you're done, you can find me at the McCabe homestead. I might as well keep myself busy while you're gone."
She nodded. A horn honked outside and her jittery nerves caused her to jump.
Cass rubbed along her arms, instantly soothing her. He put her hair behind her ear and caressed along her cheek.
"I love you."
She leaned into him, taking those fire-filled lips and burned them into her memory.
"I know you do, because it's as much as I love you."
***
She stepped off the plane in the private Naples airport. The humidity instantly clung to her skin, warming her cool, vampire body. She rolled her suitcase behind her to the waiting taxi.
"1205 Orchid Avenue," she told the cabby.
He nodded, pulling the car out of the airport and taking her home, or to a house she owned. The moment she'd left Cass, it felt like she'd left home.
Twenty minutes later, the taxi pulled up to her house. She grabbed her duffel bag as the driver got her suitcase out of the trunk. She tipped him generously and thanked him. With her suitcase in hand, she trudged up the porch to the door. She turned the key and stepped in. Her bags hit the floor as shock slapped her in the face. Wow. Wasn't expecting that. Alex and Elise sat up from the couch, smoothing their clothes. They looked like two deer caught in a trucker's headlights.
"You're back early," Alex managed to get out.
Kayci laughed and shook her head, smiling. "I can't even wrap my head around this right now. I have work to do. Take it upstairs."
"You're not mad?" Elise asked, her usually chipper voice sounding concerned.
"No, I'm not mad. You're both adults. I don't care if you're seeing each other. Either of you could have told me about it. That," she pointed to them on the couch, "was an awkward way to find out."
Elise's expression softened. "It's good to see you, Kayc. We haven't talked in a long time."
Kayci shoved her bags aside with her foot, closing the door behind her. "I know. I'm sorry. I went through nearly two months of depression and dark magic over what happened to Adrian."
"Alex has been keeping me in the loop. I wish you would have talked to me about it."
The corner of Kayci's mouth raised. "Ditto."
Elise's cheeks turned a shade brighter. "It sounds like Cass really helped you out of your depression."
She glanced at Alex and frowned. "He literally told you everything, didn't he?"
Elise squeezed her lips together and nodded. Alex blushed.
"Well, I guess that saves me a lot of explaining. How up to date are you?" she asked, walking around the coffee table and taking a seat on her armchair.
"The fight at the McCabe homestead, you getting hexed and taking four days to heal at Cass' secret house. That you're Cass' mate."
"Wow, okay. How long have you two been dating?" she asked, wanting to change the subject.
Alex glanced at Elise and then back at Kayci. "About a month."
Kayci smiled and shook her head.
"Why are you back so early? Just yesterday, you said it would be a few days."
"Sorry to put a damper on your dating life, but I've figured out how to free Adrian."
"What? How?" Alex asked, surprised.
"Cass and I were talking about his brother, Logan. The Council wants him to take a dose of the serum. He already has children so they see him as a good candidate. After taking some time to think about it, he's decided to it. Cass and I were talking about how the injection should go well, because it went well for Cass and he and Logan have similar DNA. Then, I was thinking about what to do with Deirdre. I was thinking about how her hex could have killed me if Cass or any of you couldn't get some of her blood, because the only way to remove a hex fro—"
"Is with their blood," Alex finished, the comprehension filling his eyes. "You're going to use Deirdre to lift Drima's hex."
"Yes. It may not work, but I have to try."
"You came back to do a locator spell so you could find her and bring her here to remove the hex?"
Kayci nodded.
"I'll do everything I can to help you."
"Thank you."
"How did Cass take it?"
"Not well. I wouldn't let him come. I need to face Adrian on my own."
"I bet that conversation went real well."
Kayci sighed, sitting back in the armchair. "As good as you can expect with a passionate alpha werewolf."
Elise chimed in, "So, you and Cass are together, together?" She squeezed her index and middle finger together, indicating some sort of union.
"Yes, and I suppose I owe you some sort of punishment for making out with him."
Elise's cheeks burned red.
Kayci laughed. "You didn't tell Alex about that, did you?"
Elise shook her head as Alex frowned, clearly unhappy with that bit of news.
Kayci put her arm behind her head, finally relaxing. "It's good to be with you two. I like that you're together. And Alex, don't make a big stink about her having made out with Cass."
Alex shrugged. "Eh, it's not a big deal, but I am interested in the back story."
"I had just broken up with an ex and was on the rebound. I ran into Cass at a bar while working on a story for the magazine. I made out with him, then got sick from alcohol poisoning. I never thought I'd be happy to have gone through alcohol poisoning, but I never thought my bestie would be a vampire sorceress and that I'd be dating a witch, so you know," she threw her hands in the air, "life is full of surprises."
Alex and Kayci smiled at her. "Isn't she adorable, Alex?"
"Yes," Alex responded, giving Elise a kiss on the cheek.
Elise's cheeks flushed as her eyes brightened. "If the three of us are having open conversations now, then I need to know. Have you and Cass gone through the mating thing Alex told me about?"
"Seriously, Alex? Is no part of my life private?" Kayci asked, partially serious, partially teasing.
Alex put his hands out in front of himself, asking for mercy. "What do you expect? She's a journalist. She interrogates me. You know what it's like. She's your best friend."
Kayci laughed, feeling sorry for him. She did know what it was like. Keeping secrets from Elise was impossible.
She gave Elise a pointed look. "You should behave yourself. He hasn't had years to learn your sneaky ways of getting information."
Elise gave her the same pointed look. "You didn't answer the question."
Kayci let out a small laugh. "Yes. We've been intimate. He marked me as his mate and it is far better than any description I could give you." Her cheeks warmed from the feeding she snuck in at the airport.
"Oh, my gosh! Kayci! Do you love him?"
Kayci bit her lip and nodded. "I do, Elise. I miss him already."
Elise gave a sympathetic pout. "But you came back to free Adrian. Do you still love him?"
Kayci nodded. "But it's not the same. I love Adrian for the incredible vampire he is. I love him for all that he's done for me. I love him for the intimacy and love he gave me. I'm scared to see him. I'm scared to tell him the truth."
"But you still will. I know you, Kayc. You always tell the truth and you always face your fears."
"If I'm right and using Deirdre's blood works, then facing Adrian will be the hardest thing I've ever had to do."
Kayci set her phone down on the coffee table, joining Alex and Elise in the living room again. Several herbs, a candle, and a bowl sat on the floor around them.
"I spoke with Vladimir. I told him my plans. He's coming over. He wants to help. It'll also give him time to think about what he wants to do with Natalia once I remove the hex from Adrian."
Kayci's phone buzzed. A text from Cass. Anticipation danced in her belly as she clicked the message icon.
Home safe? Missing me yet? Because I'm going bat shit crazy without you.
Elise snatched her phone from her hand, reading the text. "Oh, my goodness! How adorable! He even put a little wolf emoticon at the end."
Kayci rolled her eyes, laughing at Elise. She took her phone back and texted.
Barely had time to breathe. Came home to Alex and Elise about to screw on my couch. Alex and I are working on the locator spell to find Deirdre. And yes, I miss you. Bat shit crazy miss you.
Good. Want to know what I'm thinking right now?
I'm sure I can guess. ;)
I'm thinking about the night I had you against your bedroom wall. How much I wanted you.
The memory of his words filled her mind. He wanted her thinking about that, remembering the desire she felt when he had her pinned, thrusting himself against her. Warmth spread between her thighs. She tried to shake the memories. Oh, how good of a job he'd done permanently implanting them there. Sly wolf.
You're a clever wolf. I'll have to stay on top of my game.
:) Alex and Elise? You okay with that?
Absolutely. They're cute together.
You know what else is cute?
Are you really going to go there?
:) The dimples on your lower back. Those dimples were made just for me to kiss.
Her heart fluttered as soon as she read his text. She smiled, her cheeks hurting from how much she'd been smiling.
Elise nudged her side. "Hello? Earth to Kayci? The spell?"
Keep those deliciously sexy thoughts til I get to see you. I have to go. Spell time. ♥
Disappointment seized her stomach when she didn't get a text back. She kept glancing at her phone, hoping for one.
A knock came at her door. Vladimir had arrived sooner than expected.
Elise jumped to get the door for her. Kayci organized the herbs she'd need for the locator spell while Elise let Vladimir in. Kayci heard Elise let out a squeak. She looked up to see the cause.
Damn. Cass stood in her doorway, a duffel bag over his shoulder. He wore a fitted pair of jeans, a brown leather belt, and a red flannel that contrasted perfectly against his hazel eyes. His face was clean-shaven and his hair fell perfectly in his eyes. Her mouth watered at the sight of him.
Dark and Beautiful Nights (The Vampire Covenant Series Book 3) Page 14
