Brody’s mouth opened. “You’re really bugging out?”
“I told you Remi was expecting me. Don’t let Veris kill anyone.”
Brody rolled his eyes.
“Especially you,” Taylor added, and jumped again.
Remi was pathetically grateful for Taylor’s arrival. “It is stupid, isn’t it?” he said, with his mild French accent sounding even stronger now the three of them were living in Brittany. “I have had three children as a human and this one is not mine, yet I still feel like a drop of water on a hotplate, fizzing and jumping about.” He grinned. “Neven is the one who looks as though he has waited for the birth of dozens.”
Taylor smiled. “It’s still your baby, no matter who the biological father is,” she assured him. “You’ve every right to be nervous.”
Remi nodded. “Yes, yes, but it is ridiculous for a man of my age to be this way.”
“Consider it a nice reminder of your humanity, Remi. Where are we going today? Present or past?”
The antique rocking chair he brought for London as a nursing chair had been hand carved and assembled by a master craftsman in a tiny village on the outskirts of 1870s Paris. Remi had bought the chair from the craftsman himself, shortly after he had finished it. Jumping back with the chair had been an exercise in logistics.
“Oh, present, please,” Remi said. “I thought, perhaps, we could stop at Guerlain on the Champs-Élysées while we are there. You deserve a thank you for your kindness in catering to my whims.”
“No thanks are necessary,” Taylor told him firmly. “Although I will not say no to a small bottle of Jardins de Bagatelle.”
The shopping trip did help Remi relax. She returned him to Brittany in a calmer mood, checked in on London and Neven, then, with a degree of trepidation, she jumped home once more.
She had been gone for three hours. To keep her jumping simple and not screw up her personal timeline, she jumped back to Martha’s Vineyard three hours after she had left. The calculations and visual framing were almost automatic, these days. Almost, because Veris always hounded everyone about making sure they knew exactly where and when they were jumping to, to avoid unhappy accidents. Taylor couldn’t dispute him about how easily things could go wrong.
She arrived on the north side of the house where the raised beds of sweet peas and marigolds and nasturtiums nodded in the late afternoon sun. She walked into the sunroom and sniffed the mood there.
Veris had lowered his guard. The three new people were not clumped together defensively on one sofa but spread out across the many big comfortable chairs in the room. Sebastian and Winter were drinking a glass of wine each.
Marit and the twins had emerged from the kitchen and had eaten their lunch on their knees in the sunroom, instead of sitting at the dining table. Their bowls, holding the remains of a pasta salad, sat on the tables beside their chairs.
A pot of coffee perched by Marit’s side and a cup of coffee sat beside Winter, too.
Taylor was surprised to see Nial strolling the room. Normally Veris stood while everyone sat. When he did stand, Veris had a habit of parking his elbow on the high mantelshelf which was at the right height for him. Now, though, he was relaxed in one of the big armchairs, an ankle on his knee, listening to Nial.
Nial was giving them the events of their world once more. Brody and Veris must have already caught the three visitors up on major events of this world, which were not nearly as exciting as theirs.
The curse about living in interesting times occurred to Taylor.
She put her shopping tote on the floor behind Veris’ chair, bent and kissed his forehead. He squeezed her hand in return, although most of his attention was on Nial.
“How is London?” he murmured to her.
“Are you asking as a doctor or a friend?”
“You are a doctor, Veris?” Winter asked, lifting her voice.
“For as long as there have been doctors, he has been one,” Taylor told her.
Winter glanced at Nial and Sebastian, then back at Veris. “I thought, from the scars—no offense—I thought you were a fighter.”
“I was,” Veris said. “For centuries. Then I didn’t want to be, anymore. Although, there have been many times when I’ve been both doctor and fighter, at once. It is only in modern times man has had the luxury of not having to defend his family and himself.”
“Not even in modern times,” Nial said. “Not for us.”
Aran broke the silence which followed his observation. “I can’t even imagine it,” he breathed. “I mean, Far and Athair are teaching me—all of us—to fight so we can defend ourselves if something goes wrong with a jump. I can’t imagine using that stuff because…what? Someone is trying to break into your house and steal things?” He looked at Nial.
Nial shook his head. “They broke into our houses to eat us.”
Aran licked his lips. Alannah’s big gray eyes grew even larger.
Taylor didn’t mind them being made uncomfortable or even frightened. The caution it would instill would serve them well when they were jumping. Being exposed to the strangeness of other worlds was just as valuable a lesson.
The gathering broke up shortly after. Winter stirred and glanced at her watch and frowned. “Of course, it’s not past midnight here, only…”
Nial nodded. “Winter and Sebastian have metabolisms of a sort and must sleep.”
Of a sort? Taylor took mental note of that.
Winter carried her wine glass and coffee cup into the kitchen. Taylor hurried after her. “You don’t have to do that,” she said. “You must be exhausted, with it being so late for you, and all this excitement, too.”
Winter put the cup and glass on the counter by the sink and ran her hands down her jeans. “This was not the way I planned to spend my evening at all,” she admitted, then smiled. “I should apologize, Taylor. We’ve taken over your house and your life today.”
Taylor shook her head. “It will do my children good to hear about life elsewhere.”
Winter’s smile grew warmer. “I was referring to Nial. He tends to own whatever room he walks into and I think Veris is that way, too. Two in the same room…I’m surprised the rest of us can draw breath.”
Taylor leaned her hip against the counter. “Veris reined himself in. A lot. He’s cautious around strangers.”
“The old Northman instincts, I imagine. Strangers were always enemies in those times.” Winter shrugged. “Nial is charismatic even when he isn’t trying. When he’s working at it, he can be overpowering and it is impossible to resist his charm.” She laughed. “And Nial is trying very hard today.”
“I must disagree. Nial is a pleasant man, but I am personally immune to his charm.”
Winter’s smile grew. “Because you have Veris.”
“And Brody,” Taylor added. “Brody is a power house in his own way. Most people underestimate him because Veris takes all the attention.”
“Ah, I did figure that out,” Winter said. “I knew there must be more to Brody than he reveals, for Veris has stayed with him for centuries. It says a lot, such longevity.”
Taylor couldn’t help smiling back. She liked Winter, who was a small power source of her own. “Come on. We need to get you back to your bed.”
The jump to take the three visitors back to their world became a lot easier with so many jumpers in the house. Aran offered to take one or two and ended up with Winter and Nial.
Sebastian glanced at Aran as he arranged Nial and Winter to his satisfaction. “Your children are refreshingly unobnoxious. You’re lucky to have them,” he told Taylor.
“I know it,” she assured him. “Don’t envy me, though. The price for their existence was a large piece of my heart. Both times.”
Sebastian’s expression sobered. “Perhaps you will tell me those stories, one day?”
“One day, perhaps, yes,” Taylor said and jumped.
Everyone seemed to feel a repeat visit would be good, especially Nial, who held onto Taylor’s ha
nd for a moment as she said goodbye in their apartment. “I’m not a fatalist, yet I can’t help feeling there was a reason this happened. We should explore that. We can’t come to you, Taylor, although you are welcome to return whenever you wish.”
“We’ll keep the corner by the window clear for you,” Winter added, pointing to where the two walls of glass met. “So you can jump at any time.”
Aran was staring at the late night view of New York through the window. “Look, Mom,” he said, his voice low. “The twin towers are there.”
The other three looked startled.
“Another story for another time,” Taylor told them and pulled Aran into her side. “You go dead,” she said. “I’ll steer.”
He rolled his eyes. “Yes, Mom.”
Winter caught her hands together, drawing in a tight breath, her gaze moving from Aran to Taylor.
Taylor steeled her heart against feeling sorry for Winter. Winter needed no one’s pity.
Taylor jumped.
It was a relief to see the sun setting through the windows of the sunroom. The day had held unexpected and extraordinary stresses she wanted to think about.
Brody was standing by the doors, watching the sun, his arms crossed. Veris was by the mantelshelf once more. Marit and Alannah had disappeared.
Aran, who was no slouch at picking up moods, cleared his throat. “Gotta go,” he said and ran upstairs.
Taylor turned to Veris. “So?” she asked.
Veris propped his elbow on the shelf and rubbed his temple. “I won’t start on the risks you took with this stunt, because even I can see how intriguing it must have been to find out their story.”
“They urged us to come back,” Taylor said.
Brody smiled. “We will.”
Veris shook his head. “You two can, if you must and I can see that you will. Only…” He scowled and brushed dust from the shelf with a flicker of his fingers. “I don’t think I like him very much.”
Taylor and Brody both burst out laughing.
Chapter Three
Veris sulked about their laughter by stalking upstairs to take a shower.
While Taylor and Brody closed up the house for the night, to keep out the mosquitos—which were not picky about feasting on vampires or humans—she said; “Back in the hotel, when Nial was confronting us…you gave in so fast, Brody. You can’t cave like that—it makes you vulnerable.”
Brody smiled. “We were already vulnerable, my love. He had us, and he knew it.” He shrugged.
“It turned out well this time,” Taylor admitted. “Only, Brody, what if someone challenges us next time, you blurt out we’re not from their world and they don’t like it? Most people are not as curious and open-minded as Nial and Sebastian and Winter.”
Brody caught her arm, halting her. He tugged her up against him. His gaze was calm. “He was threatening you. You think I would risk a single hair of your head?”
“He threatened both of us if we tried to run,” she pointed out. “And I’m invulnerable, these days.”
“No, you’re not,” Brody said instantly, his voice harsh. “There’s less that can harm you, but you’re not invulnerable. You’re not even truly immortal, Taylor. Haven’t you learned that about us by now? You’ve seen both of us go through shit I never want to deal with again in my life. So yeah, I caved. I already had a bead on the guy and figured he wasn’t a true enemy. I took the risk.”
Taylor sighed. “You’ve survived centuries using your judgment. I’m wrong to second guess your decisions.”
He shook his head. “You can and should challenge us. We’re not flawless, either of us.”
Taylor almost giggled. She held her humor down to a smirk. “Veris just demonstrated it, didn’t he?”
They both glanced at the stairs up to the second floor. Brody’s laugh was subterranean. “Nial threatens him. He’s as old, as wise and as strong. Veris hasn’t had to compete in that way for a very long time.”
“Compete?”
“Top dog in the room.” Brody’s grin broadened.
Taylor rolled her eyes. “God, you guys don’t stop being typical guys, ever, do you? The biggest, the largest, the strongest…”
“Always,” Brody agreed without resentment. “It’s a survival thing.”
Taylor put her arms around his neck. “I couldn’t help noticing how much you like Nial.”
“I do,” Brody said. “That surprises you? He’s very much like Veris, which probably proves there’s only room in each world for one of them.”
“You’re going to go back and visit, aren’t you?”
“Yes.” He linked his hands behind her back. “Coming with me?”
Taylor considered it. “I don’t know. I don’t want to get between you and your new bromance.”
Brody laughed, his black eyes dancing. His arms tightened. “Didn’t you say something about ‘later’, in front of the elevators, over there?” His hand slid up under her top to capture her breast and Taylor gasped.
“It’s later,” he breathed, his lips against her neck.
She shuddered at the knowing touch of his hand. “The kids…” she whispered before all sense deserted her.
Brody let her go and picked up her hand. His expression was brooding, his body tight and Taylor shivered at the promise in his eyes. He led her up the stairs to their large master suite.
The shower was still running in the en suite and the door was closed, a clear signal that Veris wanted to be left alone.
Brody kicked the outer door to the suite shut with one heel, her hand still captive in his. He pulled her to him, his back to the door, and kissed her. It was a kiss with heated intention and Taylor’s body responded with a strength which always surprised her. It was as if she had never become accustomed to the pull Brody and Veris had upon her. She had never taken it for granted. It was too sweet a pleasure.
Brody removed her clothes with dexterous speed. His, too. His lips barely left her as he shifted and stripped and brought her back up against him once more. His cock throbbed between them and his body was heated—actually heated, now, for he had let his heart beat freely. He would be human hot, soon.
So would Taylor.
She drew him to the big bed they rarely used and never for sleeping, and pulled him onto the covers with her. “Something about a hotel tryst…” she whispered and arched as Brody’s lips closed around her nipple and tugged and Taylor hammered lightly at his shoulder. She fell apart when either of them teased her breasts. It was a short path to making her come. Her clit pulsed hard and the autonomic responses which remained with a vampire let her pussy grow slick and heated…and empty.
She could feel Brody smiling around her nipple. He knew exactly how sensitive her breasts were and the best way to tease them. So did Veris. They seemed to enjoy driving her crazy. Veris loved to make her squirm, as much as she denied she did such a thing.
When she was panting and shifting helplessly on the bed, Brody lifted her knee, so he could slide into her. His cock separated her flesh and drove inside and Taylor moaned at the possession.
Brody paused, breathing hard, to meet her eyes. “Good,” he said hoarsely.
“Always,” she whispered.
“Now, there’s a sight to stop one’s heart,” Veris growled. He came around the side of the bed, watching them. He was naked, his flesh still damp. His cock was already stiff, jutting from his thighs in anticipation.
Brody glanced over his shoulder. “Do you mind? I’m concentrating.”
“Don’t let me stop you,” Veris told him. He opened the nightstand drawer and took out the pot of lubricant and scooped up a handful.
Taylor’s heart leapt even higher. She loved being taken by Brody, although both of them was always more than twice the pleasure.
Brody thrust heavily, impaling her with heated pleasure, as Veris stroked his cock, spreading the lubricant. Taylor couldn’t tear her gaze away from the motions of his hand, the glistening length of his cock, as Brody’s drove
the breath from her and made her pleasure spiral upward.
Veris moved onto the bed and settled himself over both of them, his arm flexing as he propped himself up.
Brody sucked in a quick breath, growing still.
“No, don’t stop!” Taylor begged, even though she knew exactly why he had become motionless.
Brody swallowed. His eyes shut slowly as Veris worked himself inside Brody. Then he moaned. “I think I could come just from that,” he breathed. “Both of you at once…”
Veris gripped his shoulder, to hold Brody steady as he thrust into him. “Don’t neglect Taylor,” he growled.
Brody’s cock was shifting inside her, anyway, as Veris’ heavy thrusts moved Brody around. Taylor’s muscles clenched around him in response and Brody hammered at the cover beside her head. “Harder,” he breathed. “Make me yours, both of you…”
Taylor had strength to spare now she was one of the blood. It wasn’t difficult to squeeze herself around Brody, for it brought more of her flesh into contact with him, which increased her own pleasure. She ground her clit against him, her own climax gathering as she watched Brody writhe between them. He was falling apart, helpless under the swelling power of his climax, driven by the overwhelming stimulus.
Taylor had often been the pawn between the two of them and understood how powerful it was to be helpless and driven by their ministrations.
Brody seemed to explode. He shuddered and groaned, every tendon in his long body growing taut, as his climax tore through him.
Veris’ fingers clamped tighter on his shoulder as Veris came, too. His powerful body shuddered.
Taylor couldn’t hold back the pleasure any longer. She cried out as the orgasm shattered her nerves and stole her vision. It rippled along her spine in a sensuous wave.
When she opened her eyes once more and paid attention to the outside world, Brody was still braced over her, his cock inside her, breathing hard.
Veris threw himself on the bed beside them, blowing out his breath. “I should have skipped the shower. That was what I needed.”
“You always need it,” Brody said, with a snort. He settled between them on the bed, picked up Veris’ hand and kissed it. “You old bear, you.”
Kiss Across Tomorrow (Kiss Across Time Book 8) Page 3
