Gee, thanks. “And now I’ve adjusted to being a vampire…what now?”
“Adjusted?” He managed a smile. “You’ve no idea of what a relief that is. There is still much for you to figure out...you will go through more changes, and it will take time to learn what you want…”
“That’s not what I was talking about, Leke.” He might be a horde leader, but he could be dense sometimes. “I know what I want.” When he raised his eyebrows, “I want you.”
He stared at her for a long moment, his face blank. “You are saying that to get me to feed.”
“Don’t be a damn idiot.” She pulled back the covers and climbed into bed next to him. His arm went around her, and it was enough for her to know that his usual strength was not there. She kissed him on the lips, soft. “I do not only want you, bloodsucker. I love you.” She’d spent enough time trying to deny who she was. From now on, she would be honest about her feelings. When there was a flicker in his eyes, “Don’t worry. I don’t give two hoots about whether you love me back.” Although, if she was to be honest, part of her did. Him caring about her was not enough. She wanted—needed—more.
“Do you mean it, Veronica?” When she nodded, “I love you, too.”
Part of her resisted his admission, because life couldn’t be so perfect, could it? But why not? Two people like them would always have some problem chasing them, but they would face them together, even if they were at each other’s necks at the same time…in more ways than one.
Talking of necks…she lay on top of him and brought hers close to his mouth. “Go on,” she whispered. His hand wound through her hair as he pulled her head back to expose her neck. When his fangs broke her skin, the sweet pain sent waves of pleasure between her thighs. And as he fed, the horde leader came alive. He crushed her tight against his body, panting against her throat. And then he pulled his teeth out of her, running his tongue sensuously over his lips as he pushed her to her back.
“You haven’t taken enough blood,” she murmured.
He shut her protest with a kiss, only pulling away long enough to say, “I’ll drink more later. Now, I am hungry for you.”
VERONICA HAD RETURNED TO him. Not only returned…she loved him.
As he kissed her, he was pulled by a longing…a longing that took him the first moment he saw her in that rundown car park…the need to be with her, to love her…only he hadn’t recognized it for what it was, until now…
She shifted underneath him, grabbing his shirt and pulling until the buttons flew. There was the sound of tearing as she got carried away by the frenzy, driving heat straight to his cock. He matched her desperation with his own, separating from her and pulling her up to shove off her jacket and chuck it aside.
She gasped as he pulled her to him, rough, to kiss her hard, a primal need driving him as his hands roamed over her body. When her grasped her breasts through that tight tee shirt, she whimpered…so he squeezed harder, running his thumbs over her nipples until they hardened and pressed against the thin material. He couldn’t wait to have his naked skin against her. He dragged her tee shirt off her, and as he stood to get out of his cotton trousers and boxers, she pulled off those leather pants, his gaze stuck to her hips as she lifted them and pulled the tight material down over them. Finally, they were both naked.
His breath caught in his throat as he took in the sight of her lying naked on his bed for the first time. He kneeled between her legs, and his hands roamed all over her body, flicking the ring that pierced her nipple and moving down over her belly. She sat, her legs on either side of him as her hands slid around his waist, the heat coming off her making him want to throw her back on the bed and fuck her, hard.
But no…today he would take it slow.
She shivered when he brought his hand lower, between her legs, against her drenched core. “Leke…” she murmured, her eyes glazed with lust and flashes of red bursting through them. When he stroked her clit with his thumb, her hands went to the bed behind her as her head fell back.
“Do you want more?” he whispered into her ear.
Her fangs protruded as she answered. “You know I do…”
“Open your legs wider.”
She did as he said. When his fingers grazed her slit, she bit her lower lip with her fang. Sliding his hand so it covered her mound, he palmed her clit, enjoying the wanton sounds she made as she rubbed her drenched core against his skin, her heat burning through his veins. She moaned as she pressed against him. “Go on, Leke. Please.” Her voice was full of lust…needy.
Fuck, she was beautiful…and how could he resist the command that came from her soft lips? But first he rubbed his fingers across her slit, massaging her sensitive core until she trembled. And then he slipped his finger inside her. She moaned loud as he pumped into her, and as he added another finger, he drew his other arm around her upper body, pulling her close so he could take her lips. She kissed him back, hungry, and when he curled his finger inside her, it made her edge even closer against him.
“Yes, Leke. There…Leke!” Her cry rang out as she pushed against his fingers, taking them deeper. He let go of her mouth and kept pumping inside her as he latched on to her breast. He licked the unpierced nipple and then went to the other, pressing the tip of his fang through the ring and pulling. “Fuck, yes!”
He wanted to please her, more than anything, and when her muscles tightened around his fingers as she rode them hard, it brought him almost as much pleasure as having his cock inside her did.
Keeping his fingers inside her, he gripped her shoulder with his other hand and maneuvered her so she lay back on the bed, and then he kissed his way over her breasts and stomach, down to between her legs. Her hips jolted around his fingers in anticipation.
He closed his mouth around her clit, and she released a long sigh as she ran her fingers through his hair and held on tight. As he ran firm circles around her clit with his tongue, he added another finger, stretching and pushing. He dragged his tongue against her clit and then sucked the sensitive area, doing whatever it took to bring her even more pleasure, and she rewarded him with her wanton cries and shouts of encouragement. She was soaked, and he lapped her up, unable to get enough of her intoxicating taste. With a scream, she came against his mouth, around his fingers, but he didn’t stop, coaxing every last bit of her orgasm out of her. And then, he penetrated her even deeper with his fingers, until she lay limp and spent.
As he pulled his fingers out of her, she opened her eyes, a lazy smile on her face. “That was…something else, Leke.”
WHEN VERONICA SAT UP, LEKE’S eyes fixed to her breasts. He reached out to finger that nipple ring, but when he brought his mouth to it again, she pushed him on to his back. And now it was her turn to kiss her way down his body. When she reached his groin area, she peeked up at him from under her eyelashes. And then she grabbed its base. “Gods, Veronica…”
She placed a kiss on the head of his cock, lingering. Her tongue shot out to lick the tip and then she enclosed it inside her mouth. As she moved her lips up and down his shaft, she looked up into eyes that glowed with lust. But suddenly, it was as if Leke couldn’t hold on any longer.
He pulled out of her mouth and had her on her back as he edged between her thighs. He pressed against her soaked entrance until she moaned and writhed, despite that delicious orgasm he’d just given her. And then he buried himself inside her with one hard thrust. She dropped her head back, crying out his name as he gave it to her, hard. Fuck, nothing could ever beat this. Making love with the one she was meant to be with.
“Veronica,” he groaned. “I love you.”
“I love you, too, Leke…” Her words faded on a moan, causing him to sink even deeper into her. Damn, she wanted him with a passion that was out of control. A primal need drove them both until they were frantic with desperation.
He lifted his head and brought his lips to hers again, but she tugged at his hair so his neck was exposed. “Fuck. Yes, Veronica!”
She sank her
fangs into him, drinking until it was a damn chore holding back her orgasm. She moaned and whimpered against his neck, greedy with her need to take. He pumped faster, until she came with a cry of pleasure, spasms rocking her body. He shuddered above her, filling her with his seed before he collapsed on top of her. Both of them panted as they clutched each other, as if they couldn’t bear to let go.
When she lay in his arms afterward, she was more content than she’d believed possible.
“I need you, Leke,” she eventually admitted. “I’ve never needed anyone before, and it’s scary, but that’s the way it is.” Her admission made something flutter inside her chest. It was quite something for a badass like her.
“I also need you,” he murmured. “And my horde needs you, too. Will you join us in some missions? There is a lot we can do together. But you don’t have to…it won’t change anything between us—”
“I know.” She smiled up at him. “I would love to join your horde on missions, as long as you realize my loyalty also lies with my own gang.”
He kissed her on the forehead. “I worried about you being alone, but I am glad you have found not one, but two families.”
“I am also glad.” She kissed him on the lips, savoring his taste. “Because I not only found two families…I found you.”
And she might not have been around as long as Leke, but she’d lived long enough to know they both were truly blessed…
IT HAD BEEN WEEKS SINCE Veronica started working with her gang again, and damn it, if she had wanted an adrenaline rush before, now she longed for a moment of peace. Between the horde and contracts from Wilson, she was kept busy.
Leke was of a similar mindset, which was why they spent whatever time they could together in her apartment or in his mansion, shutting the world out as they were together. Right now, they were in Leke’s opulent bedroom, naked in his bed, when the call came through on her phone.
“Wilson,” she mentioned.
When she answered it, the government contact asked, “Is Leke there? He also needs to hear this.”
“Yes.”
She put her device on speaker mode, so Leke could join the call. “It’s an emergency job,” Wilson said. “You reported last week that there’s a large Association meeting planned.”
“Yes,” said Veronica, “It takes place tonight, at a club.”
“We’ve just heard that the mob will be there, too. We’re concerned by the numbers involved…Leke? Can you get someone from your team to intercept their communication, see if you can gather information on what the meeting’s about?”
“Sure, Wilson.”
“We also need you guys to make sure they don’t plan to create havoc in the borough after their little get together. Take a group of supernaturals and humans. If the Association and the mob separate after the meeting and go their own ways, fair enough.”
“And if they don’t?” asked Leke.
“Do what you have to, to keep the situation under control. Warn them off, and if they don’t listen, restrain them.”
“You want us to restrain Association and mob members?” asked Veronica, glancing at Leke. “Have things got that bad?”
“We let Rasmus run around unchecked for years. We don’t want to make the same mistake with others.”
“Makes sense.”
“Just make sure—”
She grinned at Leke. “It won’t be messy, and it won’t come back to you.”
“I knew I could count on you. Good luck.”
Leke lay back on the bed. “There goes our night in.”
“Sorry, babe—”
He drew her to him, burying his nose in her hair. “We have responsibilities. And this can’t wait.”
She turned around, keeping her back pressed against him as she sent Enzo a message. Get your ass to the mansion and bring a few others. We’ve got a job.
Leke had been right. There was a buzz to be had from keeping order and helping others…and whacking randoms was its own brand of fun. Leke got out of bed and pulled on faded jeans, hiding that marvelous form. His eyes remained stuck to her body as she also stood and pulled on her clothes.
“I was not sure about your gang in the beginning,” he mentioned, “But they are pretty cool.”
She squeezed into her leather jacket. “They think the same about you.”
As he also pulled a leather jacket over his tight tee shirt, the combination made her want to get him back on that damn bed again. His eyes glinted as he put his arms around her waist to draw her close. “You’ve earned the respect of my horde, and even that government official admits you’re something.”
She grinned up at him. “Enough of the mutual fan club. We’ve got a job to do.”
She opened the door to the small chamber in the corner of his bedroom, where a collection of weapons was stored. Before they entered it, she leaned over and gave him a kiss. “Thank you, Leke. For not letting me die that night.”
His brow furrowed as he looked down at her for a moment, his glowing gaze traveling over her face. “You’re not pissed at me anymore? For turning you?”
“Are you kidding? What’s not to love about this life? A job I can’t get enough of, and the male I love at my side.”
He kissed her, deep. “Thank you, too. For coming to me. For loving me.”
He’d been right. Human or supernatural, everyone needed to belong somewhere…and Leke and she belonged with each other.
###
Thank you for reading my book. If you enjoyed it, please could you take a moment to leave a review at your favorite retailer site.
Thank you.
Natalie Aejaz, Author
LION’S HEART
Natalie Aejaz
Copyright 2019 Natalie Aejaz
This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient.
No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the author, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other noncommercial uses permitted by copyright law.
Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events, locales and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.
CHAPTER ONE
* * *
MERINGUE. THAT’S WHAT CAME TO mind as Ivy stood before the shop window, staring at the wedding dress. A fitted bodice covered in beads and gems, with a full net skirt that expanded underneath it and took over most of the display area in the window.
She’d spent the best part of an afternoon wandering around the luxury multi-story shopping mall, packed with boutique shops and designer accessories. Not for the first time, she wondered why brides got so excited over their wedding days—shopping for her big day with mother was such a special form of torture that she was ready to jump off this upper mall level to the ground below.
“It is perfect,” her mother Pearl said, her eyes bright as they fixed on the dress. “And it’s white, too.” As if Ivy needed reminding that despite approaching her mid-twenties, she was still a virgin. “It will please Michael.”
“There’s still time to choose, mother.”
“The ceremony takes place in just over two months—”
It wouldn’t take long to order a wedding gown, not with their money and position, because any tailor in Manhattan would work day and night to prepare a dress for the occasion. In fact, mother had already received several calls from designers clamoring for the chance to dress the bride at a prestigious Association wedding.
But it was best to pick out th
e dress today, and this one would do. Not because the marriage ceremony was less than three months away, but because Ivy could not go through any more of this. How long had they been wandering around the hall? Four—five hours? They’d explored the expensive mall nonstop, and mother still hadn’t had her fill of wedding invitations, cakes and jewelry. Ivy let her have her moment. When Pearl married, she had little money, and it was as if she was now experiencing all she’d never had the chance to then.
“So we’re decided then?” said mother. “A white dress for the religious ceremony.” Even though they’d decided nothing of the sort.
“Yes, mother.” Am I really going for the meringue? “Or perhaps something a little understated…” Umm aah went her mother. “What is it?”
“We have to make an impression on our associates. You’re to be the bride of the future leader of the Manhattan Association branch, and your father had a reputation as well. People will expect a lot from you.”
A lot had been expected of Ivy for as long as she could remember. She was a member of the Association, the world’s largest religious organization, and from the time she was a child, it had been clear that nothing short of perfection would do. She’d excelled at school and stayed away from boys, and the only time she’d put her foot down was when she decided to go to a university of her choice—but she had studied a course that would benefit the Association. And when it came to the wedding, at every step of the preparations, she’d upheld the organization’s expectations.
It seemed that everything about the wedding mattered, apart from how Michael and she felt about each other.
Her late father had been good friends with John, Michael’s father and the leader of the Manhattan branch of the Association. The organization, a protector of all religions and created by the founder Allias, had gained prominence over the past few decades. It unified various doctrines, giving spiritual shelter to followers of different beliefs. But it became truly strong after supernaturals were exposed as living among them and fear spread among humans throughout the globe. The Association claimed those abominations were the outcome of mortal sins and promised salvation through its spiritual practices. Its membership increased across the world overnight and never stopped growing.
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