Sean: The Sons of Crosby: Vampire Paranormal Romance

by Kathi S. Barton

  “I was afraid of puking on him.” Sean laughed. “I wish I was more like them in some things. Especially Jewel. She’ll just tell you what she thinks even if you didn’t ask her.”

  “You’re more subtle than she is about that. All the women are dangerously outspoken. However, you are more of a just-putting-it-out-there what you think is going to happen, then walking away, kind of woman. They stick around to see the fear they’ve put into their victims.” She asked him if they were victims. “That’s what I think of myself when they’re giving me a hard time. I’m an ancient vampire, and I’m scared shitless of all six of you. And Becky, too, for that matter.”

  They were still laughing when they exited the studio. He wasn’t sure how serious she was about sex, but he was there for her when she was ready. Laughing to himself, he was thinking about what she’d say to him if he told her that several times a day, he needed to take a cold shower. And that his sleep was interrupted by dreams of her in bed with him.

  Sean didn’t care, not really. He was loving getting to know Rachel and the rest of his family. Not to say he wouldn’t jump at the chance to make love to her, but he was all right for now. At least until he went to bed or had a thought about her warm skin. The way her nipples might look. Or even how she would look riding his cock. Yeah, he thought, he was so not in a hurry.

  As soon as he entered the bedroom he was using until they were a couple, Sean wanted to sob. He wanted his mate so badly he was nearly to the point of begging her to touch him. Sean was in trouble here. Trouble enough that if he were to see just a hint of her flesh, he was going to come all over himself. Shaking his head, he dressed himself in a nice dark suit and decided he would work on seducing her. Tonight.

  Chapter 4

  She wasn’t sure this was going to work, or even if he’d just tell her to get dressed. But Rachel stood next to the bed with nothing on but a smile. Not only did she feel ridiculous, but she was sure he was going to laugh in her face. When he came out of the bathroom, he just stared at her.

  “Well? Say something.” He nodded, then shook his head. “I knew this was a terrible idea. I thought I could seduce you, and then—” He was suddenly touching her. “I just wanted to show you that I could be pretty.”

  “You failed.” Her heart hurt so badly she felt she couldn’t go on. “You’re well beyond pretty, my heart. You are the most beautiful creature I’ve ever seen. Now that I’ve seen you in all your glorious loveliness, I can’t believe how long you made me wait to touch such a study in magnificence.”

  “I was terrified of disappointing you.” He smiled and told her it wasn’t possible. “You’ve been around for so long. You must have seen such lovely women in—”

  “No. No, Rachel. I might well have seen lovely women before you coming into my heart. However, none of them were as beautiful as you are to me. You not only own my heart and soul, but I shall never look at another woman in all my life.” Emotions like she’d never experienced poured over her. “I love you, Rachel.”

  “And I you, Sean.” Sean picked her up. It was then she noticed that he, too, was naked. His body was chilled, making her shiver a little to be so close to him. “You’re freezing. Are you ill?”

  “No. I’ve not...there is no delicate way to put this, love, but I’m hungry. Not completely mad with hunger, but enough that I need what only you can give me.” He nudged at her throat; she felt her pulse pound harder in her veins. “You’re making me wild to have you, Rachel. To be inside of you is all I can think about.”

  “Take me. I offer myself freely to you.” The bite wasn’t painful, but it was a little scary. Almost as soon as that thought entered her head, she came twice as he drew on the wound he’d made. Even as he touched her body with his hand and fingers, digging deeply into her muscles, she felt his body warm, his heart pounding beneath her hand. “Please, Sean, take me.”

  He licked the wound at her neck and slid down her body. Each place he nipped at her skin, the more she wanted from him. The way he touched her skin was like he was afraid she’d break. Her flesh warmed considerably as he bit then kissed at her breast. Nothing could have prepared her for the meticulousness of what his touches did to her.

  Her pussy was wet—Rachel could feel her juices as they ran over her legs to the bed. When he was settled between her thighs after pulling them apart for himself, she looked down at him and saw his cock.

  Never had she seen one so full or so long as his. The vein that ran down the length of it was dark with blood. The tip of his cock was dripping cum as he shifted his hand up and down himself. Licking her lips, wanting to taste what he was doing to himself, Rachel looked up to this face to beg him for a taste.

  His face was tight as if he was in great pain. The way his head was thrown back, it not only made the muscles in his chest expand, but the cords of muscles around his throat look sexy. If she could paint, or better yet carve in stone, this was what she would make. This man would be a carving that everyone all around the world would study.

  He looked at her then. The eyes that stared back at her were red with their need for her. Sean’s fangs were long and sharp. The thought of them sinking into her body again had her moaning loudly. Nothing in the world did she want more than for him to bite her again and again.

  When he leaned into her pussy, she could only babble what she wanted from him—him to be inside of her one second, then for him to feed from her in the next. Fangs slid over her clit, making her come once again. Before she could catch her breath, she felt him do just want she wanted. He bit down on her clit, and she screamed with a release that made stars dance behind her eyelids, her throat raw with the scream.

  Sean used his hands and his fingers to make her come over and over. One moment she’d be up, knowing she was going to fall. The next moment she’d be tumbling over a great vista; she knew only Sean could let her see. Feeling him feeding off her, drinking from her, she wanted him to fill her, give her more than she knew he’d given her thus far.

  “Sean. Fill me. I need to feel you inside of me.” He growled low, the vibration setting off an avalanche of several mind blowing releases that had her limp but needing more. “Please. I’m going to die if you don’t help me.”

  He moved up her body as he had when working his way down. Little life threatening climaxes took her breath away. Sure that he was trying his best to kill her, Rachel grabbed a handful of his hair and told him to hurry. His soft chuckle should have prepared her for what he did next. Even as he slammed forward inside of her, she let go of everything within her until she had nothing left to give. Rachel slipped away.

  She must have only blacked out for a few seconds, just long enough to worry Sean. When she smiled at him, he smiled back, then kissed her. The moment he moved inside of her, bringing his body as close as he could, she pulled him closer for a kiss that she hoped conveyed all the love she had for him.

  “I love you.” Sean looked at her. “I love you with all my heart and more. I love you so much I can’t think of a word that would tell you that. I want you to marry me. I want to have a full long life with you. I want to spend the rest of my life showing you every single day just how much you’ve come to mean to me.”

  “I love you as well, Rachel. And I would gladly make you my wife. Today if possible.”

  She held him to her as he made love to her. Soft and sweet, he touched parts of her that no one had ever touched before. When he lifted his head and looked down at her, she watched his face as he came, bringing her along with him as the world shook around them.

  When she woke up this time, she was alone in the big bed. His side of the bed was cold. Really, it occurred to her that she had no idea which side he slept on. She was right in the middle of the bed when she sat up and stretched. That was when she discovered she was slightly sore from last night.

  Entering the bathroom to take a shower, she found the note on the counter. “Jon needed a
ride to school this morning because he has a project due. Did you know he needs a computer of his own? We need to get them outfitted with that sort of thing.” He told her he loved her. Then wrote something else. “You should know that I’m sore today. Like some woman met me at the door naked sore. I don’t think I’ll ever be the same.”

  Finishing up with her shower, she dressed herself as Sean had undressed himself last night. Going to the kitchen, she was greeted with a hearty hello and a large glass of orange juice. Not caring for the drink, she asked the cook if she could have anything else. The juice turned to tea even as she was asking Millie about it.

  “The mister said for you to drink a great deal today. Also, he told me to let you know that the kitchen is magical. Anything you ever desire is in here. All right?” Millie smiled at her. “You’re sure pretty. I know you know that, but the color of your eyes just makes me want to find your sire and hug him up.”

  “My father, he had the same color eyes. One blue, the other green. Jon also has them. Becky’s eyes are green, with just a hint of blue in them.” Millie said she’d noticed the girl’s eyes this morning when they were having breakfast. “The kids are enjoying having you here in the morning. Jon told me that you give them both a hug when they’re ready to be picked up by the bus.”

  “That boy, he sure does seem like he’s starved for a hug in the morning. I tell you, whoever hurt them should be hunted down.” Rachel told Millie she knew just where she was. “Oh, that’s right—their momma. I’m sure glad you and his lordship are taking them in. Nobody needs to be that hungry for someone to love them.”

  “I agree.”

  Finishing up her breakfast, Rachel drank down another two glasses of tea before she left the house. She had so much to do today that she wasn’t sure where to start. Just as she was getting into the car, Jewel and the other women pulled into the drive.

  “You guys look like you’re ready to take on the world.”

  “We decided that you’re going Christmas shopping with us. I know you’d want to go with Sean for the major stuff, but we thought that having a day for ourselves, we can get things for our husbands they won’t know about.” Rachel thought about all the work she had to do, and it was Emerald that told her to just get into the car. “Tell Sean, you’re with us. And I’ve already contacted the pack about the kids. They’ll be there when we get back.”

  I was told to let you know that the women have kidnapped me to go shopping. Sean laughed and said he wished he’d thought of that. Yes, me too. I don’t mind shopping, but I don’t know anyone well enough to get them anything for the holidays—just you, perhaps, and the kids.

  You know much about computers? She said enough that she could turn one on, then asked him about Jon needing one. He has a laptop; both of them do. But he said it doesn’t do as much as he wants it to. After talking to my brothers, I know he’s right. I was only thinking of him looking things up. But with the two of them going to the pack school and the program they’re in, they will need more than just a small laptop.

  I’ll leave that to you and your brothers then. Unless one of these ladies know a thing or two about them. He said they more than likely did, especially Jewel. I would guess that she’d be a little more savvy than the rest. What with her having her business running on programs to make the bags she’s making.

  Jewel made gift bags that could be recycled into flowers once they were planted in the ground. It was a wonderful way to go green. Rachel wanted to do something like that while she waited on jobs from the FBI.

  She realized it was quiet in the car and looked around.

  “Where did you go?” Rachel told Mel she was thinking of something she could start working on. “I might have a project or two that you can help with. As you know, I can see ghosts. So does Ryan, but not like I can. There are times when I can’t understand them because of a language barrier. I was wondering if you could do that for me.”

  “I would love to. However, I don’t think that is going to take up much of my time.” Mel laughed and told her she’d be surprised. “I’m good with numbers too. Not like an accountant, but I can work around most issues. But I was actually thinking of teaching foreign languages at the school when the next school year starts up.”

  “That’s a great idea. I thought of that as a job too, but can you imagine when a ghost pops in and has some questions for me? They’d all think I was off my rocker.” Mel asked her if she’d spoken to Sean. “He’s a wonderful person. I love him to pieces too. Like a younger brother.”

  “I don’t.” Rachel felt her face heat up when she realized what that implied. Of course, Mel laughed. “He’s been so good to the kids. I think Jon would call him Dad right now. I know that they both think of him like that. And Becky goes to him with everything. Not that they ignore me, but I think just having a male around, one that isn’t going to hurt them, has been good for all of us.”

  The two of them got out of the car and followed the others that were already hitting stores. She didn’t know what she was going to get, but she supposed that didn’t really matter. Rachel had few girlfriends, and she loved all these women. Not just because they were so unlike her, but they also seemed to be able to stand up for themselves without any problems.

  Rachel was looking at the display of computers when something felt wrong, making her hair dance on the back of her neck. Turning slowly, she looked around for the source of her tingling feeling. Emerald and Mel came to stand next to her.

  “Did you feel that?” Emerald said she had not but felt her concern. “I’m glad you didn’t say fear. I’m not afraid, not yet, but I am a little freaked out by this. What do you suppose it is?”

  Emerald looked around when she did. It occurred to her that the cashier, a teenager she’d seen when they came in, was missing. Going to the cash register, Rachel put her hand on the counter to see if she was behind it when she saw what was going on.

  “Mel, come with me.” Emerald did as well, but it was Mel that she knew carried a gun. As soon as they were in the back storage room in the place, Rachel went to the closed office door and slammed her body up against it, breaking it open. “He’s in the back near the safe. Call the police.”

  The young woman, her name was Holly, was lying on the floor. There wasn’t any doubt she was dead—her throat had been slit from ear to ear.

  Careful not to step in the blood, Rachel made her way to the back where the safe and the back door were. Not waiting for backup, Rachel put out both her hands and shoved them at the man. It took her several seconds to realize she was holding him about three feet off the floor. He was covered in blood. His face was masked, so she didn’t know who he might be. However, she thought perhaps she might have an idea who he was.

  “Christ. What are you doing?” Emerald was laughing. “So much for you not being like any of us. You hold him there. If you get tired, let me know, and I’ll take him from you.”

  “I don’t know how I’m doing this. Or, for that matter, how I knew I could.” Emerald told her welcome to the family as she spoke to the police on the office phone. “Where is Mel? She should be doing this, not me.”

  “You just hang onto him, Rachel. Once the police get here, you can lower him to the floor, and we’ll hold him the old fashioned way. But I do want to ask you, how did you know what he was up to?” She told him about the flash of the man killing the young woman and being in the safe. “By touching the counter, correct?”

  “Yes. Is that weird?” Emerald said it wasn’t, and it was, but they’d talk about it later. “All right. I can feel Sean trying to talk to me. I’m so stressed out right now I’m afraid to speak to him. Can you please tell him I’m all right?”

  “I can. But he’ll still need to talk to you, just so he can be reassured that you are indeed fine.”

  She nodded, and Emerald walked away. Mel pulled out her gun and aimed it at the man. Emerald yelled back to them that t
he police were there, not to move.

  ~*~

  Sean had to wait until the police were done questioning the women before he could go to Rachel. Emerald had told him she was all right but stressed. Not that he didn’t believe her, but not being able to break through to speak to her had scared him shitless. His brothers were with him now. Dad and Brandy were on their way in too.

  As soon as he could touch her, his entire body seemed to go limp. If not for the chair behind him, he would surely have fallen with her in his arms. Sean looked her over when he had his strength back. She was fine, as she’d told him several times, just stressed.

  “I’m confused about the girl.” Her whispered question to him had him doing the same to her. “She was dead, Sean. I think she was dead even before the man moved back to the back room.”

  “Emerald brought her back. She said that no one should have to bury their seventeen-year-old daughter three weeks before Christmas. Holly was born on Christmas Eve, I was told, and her death just didn’t sit well with Emerald.” Rachel nodded. “I heard what happened. It’s a little difficult to understand, as you’ve never shown that sort of magic before, have you?”

  “Hannah thinks it was there all along. My mind just needed to be stronger, thanks to you exchanging blood with me, to be able to cope with the extra magic. I don’t know. You’d think I’d realize something like that was lurking in my head. Don’t you think?” Rachel shook her head as she continued. “Emerald keeps looking at me and laughing. Apparently, she heard me say I wanted to be like them. She might also be upset because she can’t do this thing I can do.”

  “Yes. That sounds like her.” Rachel asked him if they knew who the man was. “Not so far. They’ve not brought him out yet, so we’re just waiting too. Whoever he is, the police are going to throw the book at him. They’ll get him on attempted murder, robbery, as well as some other things I wasn’t paying attention to enough to remember. Are you really all right?”