Bound in Darkness

by Nicole Edwards

  They stayed like that for the longest time, her body recharging from the energy she took from him, his maintaining a strong, steady pulse as the erotic pleasure coursed through his veins. And when it was his turn, Kaj repositioned so that he was behind her, his cock finding its way inside her once more. He pierced her vein as he rocked his hips, driving deep. He had no idea how many times either of them climaxed, but he knew it wasn’t nearly enough to sustain him forever.

  He retracted his fangs, sealed her wounds, then rolled over her so that she was beneath him, her beautiful eyes peering up at him. He drove into her again, his hands sliding over hers as he pinned her to the bed and rode her for long minutes, his hips pumping, his heart soaring. This was as close to Heaven as he hoped to ever be. Right here, with this female. She was his heart, his very reason for breathing. She’d brought him back from death and he would never forget her.

  Not even if he lived forever.

  Chapter Twenty-Eight

  “Perhaps you could tell us a little about yourself,” Bijou prompted when she joined the interviewee after Blāz slipped away to place their order.

  “I’m an open book,” Leilana said with a smile that registered all the way to her eyes.

  As far as first impressions went, Bijou found the female to be a bit on the … hesitant side. As though she wasn’t exactly comfortable leaving the safety of her clan to venture out into the human world. Not that she considered that a bad thing, per se, but it was rare to encounter a vampire who wasn’t well-versed in human interactions. However, Leilana’s eyes continued to scan the room as though she was waiting for the older female scanning the cookbooks to do a running dive on top of her.

  Regarding appearances … Leilana was pretty in an understated manner. She was on the petite side, her blond hair pulled back into a sleek ponytail, the end draped over her shoulder. Her eyes were a radiant blue, her lips a soft pink. She had minimal makeup on, and the outfit she wore looked better suited for an elderly human than a one-hundred-forty-five-year-old vampire. Bijou had to wonder if she wore the bulky clothes to cover herself up rather than embrace the lush figure she clearly hid beneath.

  But Bijou wasn’t here to judge her on her fashion sense or to make assumptions on her self-view. This was a job interview and she’d do well to remember that.

  “Tell me about your family,” Bijou said, because it was obvious the female needed a more structured request.

  “I still live at home with my mother and father. In Tennessee. My two younger sisters reside there as well. I have two older brothers, who moved to New York to assist the clans in that region. I’m close with my family, I guess you could say. We have a good relationship.”

  Bijou had to wonder whether Blāz had done background checks on all family members or if he’d kept it restricted to the female before her. Even knowing what little she did about the male, she couldn’t imagine he hadn’t been extremely thorough in his investigations before setting up this meeting.

  Luckily, said male strolled their way carrying one large ceramic mug and a bottle of water. When he passed over the coffee cup, Bijou smiled up at him, offering a thanks. He then cracked the lid on his water and dropped into the chair at her side. He looked bored and more than a little uncomfortable, but Bijou couldn’t imagine why.

  “We were just talking about her family,” Bijou explained.

  He nodded as though he couldn’t care less about that. When he peered back at Leilana, he said, “And your skill set?”

  Way to get right to the point, Blāz.

  He smiled, clearly acknowledging the words she’d projected in his head.

  “I’m proficient in computers,” she said quickly, her eyes not quite meeting Blāz’s.

  Bijou watched the two as Leilana continued to explain how many words per minute she could type, how she’d been trained in shorthand dictation. It wasn’t what the female was saying that had caught Bijou’s attention, however. No, that was reserved for the way Leilana was watching Blāz. Mostly when the male wasn’t looking, as though she was too nervous to meet his gaze head on.

  Not that she blamed Leilana. Blāz was an incredibly attractive male. From the brush-cut black hair, to that enormous, incredibly built body, Blāz definitely drew the eyes of females. Bijou couldn’t help wondering what he thought of Leilana.

  Then, as Blāz began rambling about computer crap, Bijou tried to imagine the pair of them as a mated couple. They would probably have beautiful offspring, she thought. Blāz with his nearly colorless irises—a rarity for vampires—and black hair, combined with Leilana and her bright blue eyes and blond hair. The male’s features would likely eclipse the female’s as far as coloring went.

  Oh, what the hell was she doing? These two were not going to be a couple. They were both employed by the Alpha. Or they might be, as was the case with Leilana. But that was just like Bijou to ferret out their happily ever after. She’d been doing that for as long as she could remember. Didn’t matter who she was with, if they were single, she was constantly trying to pair them up.

  Probably had a lot to do with the fact she’d thought she had found her own happily ever after with Reve. Then, as soon as he found out she was related to the Alpha, the male had turned his back on her, proving exactly how high he held her in his esteem.

  Huh. Bijou realized that was the first time she’d thought about Reve in … weeks? Months? She wasn’t sure, but she didn’t appreciate him bearing down on her conscience right then.

  As she sipped her cappuccino and listened to Leilana and Blāz slip into technical computer terms, she realized for the first time that she had moved on from Reve, from the past she’d left behind when she’d found her father and they’d moved to Darkness. Despite the issues she was having with Oliver, she was, in fact, happy. Mostly. There were still plenty of times she missed her mother so much the ache in her chest took on a life of its own. But she was still able to function, forming relationships with those at the mansion.

  “Bijou?”

  She jerked her head toward Blāz. “Hmm?”

  “Is there anything else you’d like to ask Leilana?”

  Setting her cup down, she considered the female as she gathered her thoughts.

  “Say you learned of a threat against the Alpha,” Bijou prompted. “What would you do with that information?”

  Those bright blue eyes widened. “I would promptly bring it to the attention of the Alpha or his guards.”

  “And if the threat came from one of your family members?” she asked, playing devil’s advocate.

  “It would matter not,” the female said resolutely. “A threat, no matter who it might come from, cannot be ignored.”

  Good answer, though Bijou wasn’t convinced the female would betray her family in that way. She got the feeling Leilana would want to do right by her Alpha, but she wasn’t so sure she would.

  “Do you have an issue being in the presence of a large number of males at one time?”

  “It’s not something I’m accustomed to, no. However, I would not have an issue with it.”

  “Are you capable of defending yourself?”

  “In what manner?”

  “Against a threat. Should someone corner you, do you have the abilities to defend yourself?”

  “If you’re asking whether I’ve been trained for combat, then no.”

  “Are you opposed to learning basic self-defense?”

  “Absolutely not. I believe it would be of benefit to me.”

  Another good answer.

  Bijou nodded at Blāz, then reached for her cup. “That’s all I’ve got.”

  Blāz picked up the conversational baton and gave Leilana the opportunity to ask questions. The female only had a few: should she be selected for the position, would she have the ability to keep in contact with her family? Would she need to acquire a vehicle to perform her duties? And last but not least, would she be able to bring her personal possessions with her if she was hired and asked to move into the residence of the
Alpha?

  Yes, no, and of course were Blāz’s easy responses.

  While they concluded with pleasantries, Bijou finished her coffee and longingly looked at the counter, wondering if she should get another to go. Probably not, she thought. She knew the repercussions of too much caffeine.

  However, she was curious as to whether the heurosp would be open to installing an espresso machine at Angel Central. Or better yet, at the Lair.

  Yes. The latter because no matter what her father said, Bijou still wanted to move in there. For some reason, she felt as though she was meant to be amongst her own kind. It wasn’t that she was capable of predicting the future, but she got the strange feeling something big was coming.

  Something that was going to rock the foundation of her very existence.

  She just didn’t know what or when, but Bijou expected it would be sooner rather than later.

  After leaving the training facility, Kaj brought Acadia to the Lair. He couldn’t recall her visiting since they’d moved in and he was eager for her to get acclimated to it. If he had a say in the matter, she would be residing there with him in the near future.

  “This is my office,” he told her as they stepped into the room.

  It looked exactly the same as it had earlier except no Blāz behind the desk working at the laptop.

  “This is lovely,” she said, releasing his hand as she began moving about the space. “We used this as an entertainment space when we resided here.”

  “Seems more suited for it,” he told her. “Considering the size.”

  “I think this works nicely as an office for you. Plenty of space for you to relax if you do not wish to work, plus it’s private.”

  She paused before the fireplace, and Kaj had an image of her laid out on a blanket before the flames, her body covered in nothing but his flesh, moving beneath him as he brought them both to climax.

  He cleared his throat.

  Kaj wasn’t sure what had come over him, but he’d been hard and aching ever since he’d left her bed. Didn’t seem to matter that he’d had her that evening, he still wanted her now, and he feared his need for her was going to interfere with his good intentions. He wanted nothing more than to court her appropriately, to take her on dates and share small talk. But the more he thought about her, the more he wanted to feel her bare skin against his palms, her sex gliding over his.

  The door at his back closed on its own. Kaj peered at it, then over to Acadia.

  She had turned to face him, the flames flickering behind her in the hearth, the glow backlighting her.

  “I don’t have to read your mind to know what you’re thinking, Kaj.”

  Smiling, he moved toward her. “And what am I thinking?”

  “The same thing I am.”

  “Elaborate, balisra.”

  “That we would both feel better if we were skin to skin right now.”

  “You have not fed yet tonight.”

  “I have not,” she concurred.

  “I would like to avail myself to you now.”

  He saw the flash of desire in her eyes, felt the answering call within him. His cock was already thick and hard behind his zipper, eager to feel her in any capacity. Of course, his mind drifted to their encounter in the theater, to the way she had been on her knees before him, his cock tunneling into the blessed warmth of her mouth.

  “Let me look at you, balisra. Take off your gown.”

  Without hesitation, she began unhooking the ties at her back, her breasts straining as her arms were pulled back. When the bodice loosened, he followed the path of the silk as it slid down her curves to pool at her feet.

  “Have I mentioned how much I love that you’re naked beneath your gowns?”

  “You have not.”

  “I think about it endlessly.” He took another step closer, stopping when there were a few feet between them. “I think about hefting those heavy skirts up and sliding into you from behind. Or pulling you onto my lap so you can ride me while everyone else has their evening meal, oblivious to the fact that I’m moving inside you.”

  Her nipples hardened into pretty points.

  “Let your hair down.”

  Acadia raised her hands to free the clips holding her hair atop her head, and he admired the way her breasts lifted with the movement.

  His gaze cut to the desk. More accurately, the leather chair behind it.

  Holding out his hand for her, he waited until she closed the distance between them, then twined their fingers and led the way over.

  Kaj turned the chair to the side, then pivoted to face Acadia.

  “Take my cock out, balisra.”

  Their eyes remained locked as she worked open his jeans, freeing his erection from the denim, her smooth fingers trailing over his sensitive flesh.

  “Have I mentioned I’m quite fond of your bossiness?” Acadia teased.

  “Is that so?”

  “Yes.”

  With his jeans shackling his ankles, Kaj eased into the chair, then motioned for her to turn around. Acadia rotated toward the fireplace and he gripped her hips, pulling her down into his lap.

  “No, not yet,” he whispered when she went to adjust his cock between her legs. “I want to touch you first.”

  Acadia leaned back against him when he positioned her knees over the arms of the chair, spreading her wide.

  Perhaps it was an afterthought, but he had the sense to lock the door with his mind, ensuring no one walked in on them. As much as he fantasized about taking her in public places, Kaj wanted Acadia all to himself. The thought of anyone seeing her like this was enough to have a growl rumbling in his chest.

  He slid his arms around her hips, then tucked his hand between her thighs, teasing the folds of her sex with his fingers.

  “I love touching you like this,” he mumbled as he slowly stroked her. “Having you naked like this. I could spend the rest of eternity with you in my arms.”

  She moaned softly when he pushed one finger inside her, her sex clutching him tightly.

  Kaj kissed her shoulder, her neck, fingering her flesh until her juices were coating his fingers.

  “I crave you,” he whispered. “Doesn’t matter when or where, I never stop wanting you.”

  Her soft moan spurred him on.

  “Do you want to feel me inside you?” He nipped her earlobe.

  “More than anything.”

  It was a testament to his impatience that he couldn’t refrain from taking her right then and there. The fact that she encouraged him by grinding her ass against his groin was almost too much for him.

  He hated that he had to remove his hands from her soft flesh, but it was necessary. He lifted her up and pulled her back so his cock was between her thighs. He could not see down her torso, but he didn’t need to. Her fingers curled around his shaft as she guided him inside her. When the head was pressed firmly to her entrance, he lowered her onto him, inhaling sharply as her body clutched him snuggly.

  Once she was seated atop him, Kaj offered her his hands. She linked their fingers, which worked twofold. It gave her the ability to lift and lower herself on him while at the same time she absorbed his energy. Relaxing into the plush leather, he opened himself up to her, giving her every part of himself, unleashing his full power so he could fuel the female he loved.

  As it did so often when they were like this, time stood still as she rode him, milking his sex with her own as she drew the energy from his body. It was an exquisite sensation to be used like this, to know that he was giving her what she needed while at the same time they were as close as two beings could possibly be.

  Her movements were unhurried as she worked herself over him. Up, down, up, down.

  “Tell me when you need more,” he urged, gritting his teeth as his orgasm built within him.

  “I always need more,” she whimpered. “Kaj … please … I want you to take me.”

  A guttural sound erupted from him as he shifted forward. Acadia got her balance as he wrapped an
arm around her middle, their fingers still clasped. He remained lodged fully inside her as he stood, urging her to lean over the desk. When she did, she released his hands.

  “Hold on, balisra.”

  He growled low in his throat, driving his hips forward, filling her. He was rougher than he’d intended because he was desperate. Those few minutes in the chair had been a tease, and his inner beast was eager to dominate her.

  Gripping her hips firmly, he held her in place as he impaled her, his eyes locked on her shoulders, the way her long hair fell down around her face as she rocked forward and back, taking him deep within her. Her sex squeezed him tightly seconds before she cried out his name. That was the first of several orgasms he forced upon her, holding back for as long as he could.

  When he came, it was with her name on his lips, the release ripped from him, shattering his body and mind at the same time.

  But it wasn’t enough.

  He pulled out, grabbed her hand, and tugged her toward the sofa. He had the mind to assist her onto the cushions before he mounted her like the animal he was. No sooner had her back relaxed against the leather than he leaned over her, slamming his hips forward, impaling her on his cock.

  “Feed from me,” he demanded.

  Acadia’s palms went to his chest. When she began siphoning from him once more, his back bowed and a growl escaped. His hips took on a life of their own as he pushed deep, retreated. Faster, harder, deeper. His need for her was its own entity and he couldn’t seem to stop. He came several more times, his release answering the call of hers. It wasn’t until she pulled her palms from his chest that he took a deep breath and became the single-minded beast. He couldn’t claim her yet, though he wanted it more than he wanted air. So for now, this would have to do. He would take her as often as he could and be satisfied with that.

  “Mine,” he growled low in his throat, meeting her amethyst gaze. “You are mine, Acadia.”

  “Yours,” she rasped, her hands sliding up his arms as he braced himself over her, slamming in deep again and again as though it might help in some way.