Dead Awakenings

by Rebekah R. Ganiere

  “Hush.” He wrapped her in his arms again. He kissed her head, her forehead, her nose, her lips. “Come on. Let me take care of you.”

  * * *

  Evaine stood in the middle of her room, her mind playing and replaying the events of the evening. Luca walked into her bathroom, turned on her shower and then returned and sat her down on the desk chair. She let him slip off her sneakers. His hands hovered at her waist and he looked up at her with his bright orange eyes. She nodded mutely and lifted her arms. He tugged her blouse over her head. He pulled her to her feet gently. She stared blankly at the wall as he stripped off her leggings. Her mind couldn’t let go of the images from the arena.

  Luca kissed her forehead and went back into the bathroom. He returned with her towel and wrapped it around her before leading her to the shower. Without thinking she dropped her bra and panties to the floor and stepped into the shower.

  The water ran over her skin, warming her. She let it slide down her limbs, waking her up. A moment later the shower door opened and Luca stepped in. His body was hard and glorious. Her eyes met his, and he smiled at her. He lifted a puff and squirted body wash on it. He moved close to her and gently swirled the puff over her arms. She closed her eyes as he ran it down her breasts and over her stomach. Evaine let her mind drift away from the pain of the night and reveled in the feel of his touch. Sparks lit her skin and heat pooled between her thighs.

  Kneeling he swirled down her legs to her feet. Lifting them one at a time he cleaned her feet and then moved back up her legs. He stood before her, and their eyes locked.

  She wanted him.

  Pushing him against the shower wall she attacked him. She plunged her tongue deep into his mouth, her slick skin sliding against his. The taste of him in her mouth excited her. The scent of human blood and his cologne mingled in her nose setting her on fire. His hands travelled down to her rear, and he pulled her against him. She knew what he wanted, and she wanted it too, and not because of the human feeding. She wanted it because, she loved him.

  He lifted her off the floor and she wrapped her legs around his waist. He pressed her back into the cool tile. The pain of her experience drifted away with ever kiss, every caress. She let herself be consumed by his thoughts and emotions. Their bodies heated like flames.

  “Take me,” she said as he trailed kisses down her throat. “I’m yours.”

  He pulled away and gazed deep into her eyes. “Are you sure?”

  She told him silently what she wanted from him. To love her and pleasure her until everything that had happened was washed away with their passion. She didn’t need to tell him twice. She shuddered as they became one. His shudder came minutes later.

  Evaine awoke the next day completely sore. She stared at the ceiling. Memories of killing Karen and Simone beset her mind. The feeling of holding Simone’s life in her hands and then choosing to end it had poisoned her. She had a feeling she had turned a corner that she could never come back from.

  A soothing presence invaded her, and she smiled. She rolled over to find Luca lying beside her. His eyes were closed, and he looked as if he was still deeply asleep. He was her saving grace. So tender, so loving, she knew she’d made the right decision. He was her one. A piece of paper from the government could never create the kind of bond they shared. She ran her hand across his firm chest, loving the feel of him. He stirred and pulled her close. Their skin brushed against each other, sending sparks of energy between them. Without opening his eyes he kissed her mouth. She smiled as his thoughts invaded her.

  “Morning,” he said sleepily.

  “Morning.”

  He ran his hand down her body and pulled her leg up over him. Her body hummed with desire. His body was alert and awake, and she responded, kissing him again.

  He rolled her over in a flash, pinning her underneath him. He pressed his lips into her skin, roaming his hands over her till she couldn’t think.

  “Stop, stop.” She was breathless.

  “Say, ‘Luca is the king,’” he murmured against her shoulder.

  “Luca is the king.”

  “Say, ‘Luca is the most gorgeous man on Earth.’” He kissed her belly button.

  “Luca is the most gorgeous man on Earth.” She gasped and then moaned.

  “Say, ‘I will never love another man as long as my body lives.’” He looked up at her.

  Evaine looked into his eyes and laid her hand gently on his cheek. “I will never love another man, ever.”

  He kissed her mouth, his need running over her in waves of delight. She gave him a mental shove and flipped him on his back with her on top, her legs straddling him.

  He let out a piqued, “Hey!”

  She smiled at him. “My turn.” She kissed down his stomach, causing him to moan beneath her touch.

  Evaine sat up and pushed her hair down on her head, trying to flatten the tangles. Luca lay next to her watching. He pulled her close and hugged her, nuzzling her neck.

  “I think we need to decide where we are going to live,” he said.

  She pushed away from him. “What do you mean? You don’t want to move to one of the other Haven Houses do you?”

  “No, no.” He laughed. “I mean, we can’t just live with you in this room and me next door.”

  “Why not?” She produced a wry smile. “I like my space.”

  “Well, as much as I like your small bed, I’m afraid we need somewhere bigger to…uhm…love each other.”

  “What about your room?”

  “It isn’t really female friendly.”

  “Then what do you suggest?”

  “There are a few larger rooms at the end of the hall. They’re about twice the size of this one. We could decorate it anyway you want. That would free up these two rooms for the new Feeders. Or should I say, the new family members.”

  Evaine shivered.

  “They’ll take some getting used to. I know it’s hard, but it’s our way. To allow anyone to have a place to go.”

  “It’s the way they stare at me. Like I am a box of chocolates that slipped out of their fingers.”

  “Well if they look at you like that, give them a mental push and they’ll back away. And try to remember how they’ve been living for the last several years, possibly even more than several. When Cami got here, she was worse than they are now. We have to give them a chance.”

  Images of Simone and Karen bombarded her again. She took a deep breath trying to clear her thoughts. “I think that maybe a bigger room would be better. It would be nice to have more room for the both of us.”

  “Great. I already had a bed put in the room.”

  “You what?”

  “I knew that sooner or later you would say yes, so I took the lead on this one.”

  Evaine mentally pushed a pillow and it hit him in the face. Luca laughed.

  “Oh, really?”

  He picked it up and threw it back before jumping on top of her. She flipped him off with a mental shove. He lost his balance and fell to the floor, dragging her down with him. They laughed as they rolled on the ground.

  “You are so beautiful.” He leaned in to kiss her again.

  She pressed on his chest with her hand, stopping him. “Nope. I want to see this new room of ours. That room needs to be christened too.”

  He laughed and got to his feet, pulling her up with him. “Well, by all means, my lady. Let us christen another room.” A large smile spread over his face. It was the most beautiful thing Evaine had ever seen.

  The note arrived two weeks later. Evaine recognized Tristan’s writing immediately. When she opened it up, her stomach lurched.

  Dearest Evaine,

  I am sorry about how we left things. I would like to wish you the best in your new life, and hopefully someday I can be a part of it again, forever.

  I want you to know that I am continuing to look for my father and my sister. A lead may have presented itself. I’m looking into it now. If I hear anything, I’ll let you know. Please rememb
er I’m here for you if you need me and that you are ever in my heart.

  Love always,

  Tristan

  She sat frozen, staring at the card. Luca rushed in from their bathroom, drawn by her emotional turmoil.

  “What it is? What’s wrong?” His hair dripped from his shower, a towel clutched hastily around his waist. He knelt beside her and pulled her into his arms.

  She turned the envelope over and looked at the postmark. “They’re in London.”

  ~ About the Author ~

  Rebekah R. Ganiere has loved stories since she was young. In college she studied theater and went on to perform in community theater before starting a family. A member of Romance Writers of America, Rebekah spends her time reading and writing, when she isn't chasing around her four children or rounding up the two bearded dragons, three tortoises, dog, and rabbit. The snake still has yet to be found.

  Discover more about Rebekah R. Ganiere here

  Website: http://www.RebekahGaniere.com

  Facebook: http://www.Facebook.com/VampiresWerewolvesZombies

  Twitter: http://www.Twitter.com/VampWereZombie

  Linked In: Rebekah Ganiere

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  Table of Contents

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Chapter Twelve

  Chapter Thirteen

  Chapter Fourteen

  Chapter Fifteen

  Chapter Sixteen

  Chapter Seventeen

  Chapter Eighteen

  Chapter Nineteen

  Chapter Twenty

  Chapter Twenty-One

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  Chapter Twenty-Four

  Chapter Twenty-Five

  Chapter Twenty-Six

  Chapter Twenty-Seven

  Chapter Twenty-Eight

  Chapter Twenty-Nine