Something Wicked This Way Comes, Volume 2

Chapter One

He’s back. Matty leaned closer to the window, glanced at the clock across her bedroom and realized he’d barely beaten the sun rising. Her focus returned to the house across the street as the man climbed out of the back of the limousine, his near-white braid trailing down his back to his waist, seeming to glow from the street lamp.

He turned, bent down, talking to someone inside the black vehicle. She could hear his deep chuckle with her window open. His muscular arm braced on the roof of the car, thick biceps displayed in the black tank top he’d chosen, and it stretched across a broad chest.

“Have a good one,” he told his ride home, the brogue as clear as the deep baritone of his voice.

It gave her chills every time she heard it. He pushed the car door closed and glanced at the sky, before striding briskly toward his home.

Matty grinned at seeing the blue plaid kilt he wore. She never thought she’d find a guy wearing a skirt hot but that was before she’d glimpsed “Kilt”. She’d dubbed him that since she didn’t know his real name. She’d raided his mailbox a few times but the only name on the ads had been the old homeowner.

Kilt had moved in three months before and it had become a habit of hers to watch him whenever possible. She hated it when he unlocked his door to disappear inside.

Lights turned on and off as he moved through the house. She knew where he’d go, it was always the same routine. The first two floors of the house went dark. She looked up and sure enough, the vented attic glowed slightly, barely noticeable unless someone was looking for it. He slept there during the day.

I have it bad for a guy who I’m pretty sure is a vampire. The thought made her back away from the window. She normally wouldn’t believe in such things but it made sense. She’d never seen him during the daytime. He didn’t answer his door, only seemed awake at night, and he always made it home before the sun rose. It would account for his weird visitors. Most of them were reject dressers from various time periods.

He could be allergic, one of those rare people sickened by the sun, but she’d noticed the white van making deliveries every Monday and Friday. She’d called in a favor with her friend at the police department to run the plates and it had been registered to a blood bank. It all fit and the facts seemed clear.

She remained seated in her chair, waiting for the sun to rise, and knew she’d go to bed soon. Matty had her own reasons for keeping the hours she did. She’d let her guard down once during the night and now the darkness frightened her. Dawn broke and the sky pinkened with streaks as she watched. She stood, stretched her arms high and twisted her hips a little to alleviate the stiffness from sitting too long.

A black van pulled up to the curb across the street and she frowned. It wasn’t one she’d seen before, could only be visiting her house or Kilt’s, and that wasn’t feasible. No one ever came to see her and anyone who knew him wouldn’t arrive after the sun rose. She stepped back into the shadows, watching as a man climbed from the driver’s side. He opened the slide door and leaned in.

She grabbed her binoculars and could make out the interior of his van. The guy had crosses, two long wooden stakes, and what appeared to be a squirt gun of the gallon-sized variety that kids loved to play with during the summer.

Oh shit. Kilt seemed to have been discovered by someone who obviously intended to do him harm. She bit her lip as the guy wedged the stakes and crosses between his pants and belt, then hoisted up the plastic weapon she suspected held holy water. The van door slammed closed, the stranger studied Kilt’s house and crept toward the side gate.

Matty bit her lip. She shouldn’t interfere but she liked to watch her neighbor. He hadn’t ever bothered her, no one on the block had disappeared, and he wouldn’t have blood delivered if he were a killer. He’d be getting it for free by attacking people.

“Damn,” she muttered, rushing for her nightstand.

She grabbed the gun and the stun gun, not wanting to kill the stranger but ready to if it came down to him or her. The small screwdriver she kept to change the batteries on her remote came with her. She jogged out of her room, down the stairs, and exited the front door. Her bare feet flew across her grass, barely slowed on the pavement, and she reached Kilt’s front door.

The locks were flimsy and he didn’t have an alarm pad. She grimaced. It was stupid not to use technology but maybe he didn’t want responders coming to his home if it were ever triggered. She used the screwdriver to stab into the deadbolt lock and it turned the bolt. She wiggled the tip between the door handle and the wall, closed her eyes, and smiled when it popped open. Simple as pie. Her hand pushed open the front door.

Yeah, I’m definitely going to have a talk with my neighbor about his cheap taste in hardware. She glanced around, closed the door behind her and sprinted for the stairs. The intruder was probably still trying to work his way into the house. He’d have to figure out how to wiggle the back slider until the lock popped or get through a window. She doubted he’d be brave enough to smash glass for fear of drawing attention of other homeowners to his trespassing.

She avoided the bedrooms, sure Kilt wouldn’t be there, and headed for the door at the end of the hallway. She hesitated when her fingers touched the handle. Every vampire movie she’d ever seen flashed through her memory and she drew back. No way would she enter the attic. Her neighbor could attack her. She spun instead, stepped into the laundry area and waited.

The bedrooms all had thick curtains, the doors open, but hardly any light filtered into the second floor. Her ears strained and she heard someone coming up the stairs. The stranger had a heavy tread, breathed loudly as if he’d done something to get a workout, and her hand reached for the gun she’d shoved inside her robe pocket. Fingers curved around metal. The weight comforted her as she slid her other hand into the matching pocket, grabbing the stun gun.

A light clicked on near the stairs, illuminating the hallway. She hesitated before inching forward. She peeked around the wall to watch the stranger disappear into the room and she tiptoed down the hallway. She pressed against the wall next to the room he searched and waited.

The closet jerked open inside the bedroom, the guy obviously looking for Kilt, and he softly cursed. Matty’s hand tightened on the button of the stun gun, her other hand ready to jerk out the gun if needed. The shadow moved on the floor as he stalked closer.

Her heart pounded but she had surprise on her side. She lunged as the shadow grew larger. The guy startled when he faced Matty. His brown eyes widened as he stared at her face, another advantage she had, and her hand shot out. The metal bars touched the guy just as she pushed the button.

The clicking noise seemed to create a beat for the stranger to dance to as his body began to shake, twitch, and she watched him pale. His arm shot out while he jerked around, struck her face, but it didn’t hurt. She pulled away quickly. She didn’t ease up on shocking him until his eyes rolled up and the guy collapsed on the floor unconscious.

She stepped over his body into the bedroom. Her gaze swept the room and landed on the drape ties hanging uselessly from the wall. She retrieved them, returned to the intruder, and used her foot to roll him over. His limp body flopped onto his belly. She braced her knee on his ass and quickly tied his wrists behind his back. She returned to the wall to remove a second set of drape ties. She pulled up each of his ankles, hogtied him tightly, and began disarming him.

She tossed the crosses, his plastic water weapon, and both stakes toward the window. It wasn’t easy but she pushed him onto his side, her hands sliding over his body, and found a knife hidden inside an ankle strap. He also had a pocket knife stashed in the front pocket of his shirt. She tossed those into the pile. Matty let him drop to his stomach and rose to her feet.

A quick study of her handiwork assured her the guy wouldn’t be going anywhere without someone untying him. She backed away and glanced around the room again. The desk beckoned as she approached it.

Kilt didn’t have anything personal inside the drawers, no bills stated his name, and no letterhead on his print paper. Her disappointment rose. She wanted to find out something about her mysterious, hunky neighbor, knowing she’d never get another opportunity to be inside his home. She turned to leave but something blocked the bedroom door to draw her attention.

Her mouth fell open as Kilt stepped into the room wearing just the blue plaid kilt and with a big, dangerous-looking sword gripped in his hand. His blue eyes were striking as they shifted away from the intruder and met her stare. A frown curved his firm lips but he didn’t speak. His unbraided hair had obviously just been washed, the damp strands flowing down his muscular chest to his waist. Drops of water dotted his tan skin as if he’d just jumped from the shower.

Mute, Matty gawked at the bronzed god who silently watched her. His sword lowered when she met his gaze again. His intense gaze fascinated her. It’s probably not a good idea to stare into them in case movies are right and he can control my mind. She didn’t glance away. He wouldn’t be calmly standing there watching her if he wanted to do harm. He’d have attacked already.

He tilted his head slightly, his gaze roamed down her body, and he took a step closer. “Who are you and what are you doing inside my home?”

She cleared her throat. “Um, I live across the street. I saw that dirtball park in front of your house and realized he meant to break in. I’m kind of the neighborhood watch.” Her ratty robe embarrassed her. He probably thought she was insane. “I’m not with him.”

“You tied him well. Thank you.”

She loved his husky voice and the accent was flat out hot. So was he with his handsome good looks. The danger factor actually made him sexier. A real vampire stood feet away and seemed grateful to her.

A real vampire. She resisted the urge to faint. She’d been half joking but the laugh was on her.

“I’d like to repay you. Name what you want.”

She hadn’t dated in the five years since her attack and it made her lonely. The one thing that came to mind would have been wrong to ask. She shook her head, refusing to ask him to show her what he wore under that kilt despite the curiosity she’d had since she’d laid eyes on him. Totally inappropriate and don’t go there.

“I should be going home now. I’ll leave you to deal with your intruder.”

Chapter Two

Blaron regarded the woman, inhaling the scents inside the room. The hunter on the floor wore a cheap, offensive cologne and was stinking of sweat and fear. It nearly masked the sweeter, tempting feminine fragrances of his neighbor. He hadn’t seen her before but he believed her reason for being there. His gaze traveled down her well-worn robe, her shapely legs peeking from beneath the thigh-length material, and her bare feet. Her face intrigued him.

A scar ran down the side of her jaw, another at her temple, and at her cheek near her ear. They didn’t distract from her delicate, attractive features. Big, blue eyes stared at him with a mixture of awe and wariness. He didn’t pick up fear coming from her but her heart raced. He could hear the fast beat, tormenting him just a little.

He’d showered, oblivious to the happenings inside his home until he’d turned the water off. The noise of someone moving around the floor below had been alarming. The hunter surprised him, he’d been careful to hide his identity, but the female stunned him. He knew humans fought crime by watching their neighbors’ homes but he’d never been aware of her presence. It worried him that his senses had failed him of her surveillance.

She took a hesitant step toward him, her intent to flee, but he didn’t budge from blocking the doorway. He wasn’t allowing her to leave until he assessed the threat she posed to his safety. His study of her switched to the hunter on the floor.

A male lay on his side by the bed, his arms and feet bound at the center of his back, and his terrified gaze watched Blaron. He shifted his gaze, noticed the pile of weapons, and his mouth pressed firmly together. The male had intended to kill him. He glared at his enemy.

“Who are you?”

“I have friends,” the guy whined. “They will come, evil demon.” The guy twisted his head to shoot a murderous glare at the woman. “They’ll kill your minion too.”

Confusion made Blaron frown. “My what?”

The hunter jerked his head at the woman. “Her. Your lover who guards you while you are in your death sleep. Release me, son of Satan. It’s my duty to send you back to hell.”

He hid a wince, glanced at the woman, and knew he couldn’t just allow her to stroll out of his home. She’d seen and heard too much. “Good luck with that, hunter. You’re the one who has been caught.”

“My friends will come and they’ll kill you and that hideous bitch who feeds you. I can see why she’d sink so low as to protect a monster. She’s one too.”

Blaron noticed instantly how the woman’s features paled, she lowered her head to allow some of her curly blonde hair to drop forward to hide the worst of her scars, and her shoulders sagged a little. Anger hit him instantly that the insulting words had made her courageous spirit withdraw. Only a strong female would attack a larger male, to come to a neighbor’s defense, both of which she’d done for a stranger. He admired her for that. She was female, probably sensitive about her flaws, and he moved before he allowed his temper to cool. His bare foot nailed the rude bastard in the side.

The hunter gasped from the pain, the sharp kick knocked him against the bed, and he blacked out. The female raised her head, realized what Blaron done, and she stared at him with a mixture of amusement and finally fear.

“I detest rudeness from a guest, especially an uninvited one.” He paused. “My apologies, lass.”

She held his gaze confidently and licked her lips. The sight of her pink tongue darting out did something to his body that stunned him. His cock twitched, filled with blood, and he lowered his sword in front of him to rest the tip on the floor. The flat metal hid his response by keeping his kilt from lifting in the front.

“Five years ago I awoke to a burglar who decided to try to rape me at knifepoint. I fought, he sliced my face a few times and stabbed me.” She paused, emotional turmoil making her voice tremble. “I fought back. He ended up dying while I survived.” Her eyes glinted with pride. “I’m not so pretty anymore but I’m still breathing. I count that as a win.”

“Why did you try to save me?”

“It sucks being awoken to some jerk intent on causing harm. I’ve had that done to me. You haven’t eaten anyone on the block, I assume you’re bag-fed since you get those nifty deliveries, and we sleep during the same hours.” She hesitated. “I have a live and let live policy. I don’t care what you are as long as you’re not hurting anyone.”

Shock tore through him once again. She knew what he was or at least suspected. He could see it in her wary regard. He wondered if she figured it out after disarming the hunter from the weapons used to kill a vampire according to myth or if she’d guessed long before. She knew about the blood deliveries to his home from what she’d mentioned and had taken note of the fact that he hadn’t fed on anyone on the block. Yet she still came to my aid. It made his cock stir more, the blood he’d drunk before his shower flowing there, and he wondered how vampire-friendly she would be if she guessed how attracted he was to her.

“Even if you aren’t technically alive, the motto still applies.” She took another hesitant step closer. “Could you please move? I’m up past my bedtime and I assume you are too. I’ll leave you to deal with him. As far as I’m concerned I never saw him, this didn’t happen, and you’re just a regular guy.”

“Nay,” he murmured. “You can’t leave yet, lass.”

She backed up, alarm registering on her face, as she crossed her arms over her chest. “Don’t make me regret what I did. I have heard no good deed goes unpunished but it would suck if that’s true.” She grimaced. “Forget the suck part. Bad pun I didn’t intend to make considering the circumstances.”

Blaron really liked her. He managed to stifle a grin. “We’re not safe. My home has been invaded and his friends may be watching it. They tend to travel in groups. You’re a target if you leave. They believe you’re in cahoots with me.”

He didn’t believe it. Group hunters traveled in packs but they also attacked in them. They’d have arrived already if the hunter had friends watching his back. Blaron wasn’t willing to allow the woman to leave yet though. She intrigued him. Spending a little more time around her proved too tempting to resist.

He’d release her when he was ready to. She posed no real threat to him once he abandoned his home. He’d have to move, no longer safe where he lived after one hunter had found him. No one would believe her if she decided to rant about vampires. No one ever did.

“I’ll not harm you.” He wanted to assure her of it, feeling the brute if he frightened the wee bonnie lass after she’d shown such bravery. “I wouldn’t sleep days if I knew you were harmed because of me. I also wish to know why you came to my aid. It was very courageous of you to help knowing you’d be facing me.”

“I actually thought you’d be sleeping.”

“I don’t fall to my death sleep when the sun rises as they portray in movies and books.”

Interest sparked in her pretty eyes. “Really?”

“Truly.” He glanced at the water gun. “Holy water is just wet, the spike would’ve hurt something fierce, but I doubt that scrawny wretch would’ve gotten close enough to me to do any damage. I tend to be a light sleeper.”

“I bet.” She shifted her stance. “So what happens now?”

“I need to call some friends. They’ll come get him and us. We need to go somewhere safe.”

Her gaze flickered to the thick drapes covering the windows, sun lighting the edges. “The sun is up.”

“That’s unfortunate but I’m old enough to withstand a little of it before I suffer any real damage.”

He didn’t miss the curiosity in her gaze. He guessed she wanted to ask him his age but refrained.

“I have a gun in my pocket. I’ll be perfectly safe returning home. I just live across the street and I have no qualms about shooting idiots.”

He grinned, unable to resist. She was brave and cute. “Thank you for not pointing it at me.”

“I doubt bullets would hurt you.”

They’d hurt all right but he wasn’t about to admit that. She wouldn’t be able to kill him but if she shot him enough times she’d sure slow him down enough for her to flee outside. He wouldn’t dare pursue her into the sunshine with those injures. He kept that information to himself.

“I’ll make that call.” He backed up for the phone on the table, lifted it, and his body tensed in case she attempted to dart past him. He glanced away to dial but she remained still. The phone rang a few times and someone at the club answered.

“I’ve been compromised,” he stated softly. “A hunter is tied up and I need an evacuation for three immediately.”

“Yes sir.” The male growled. “We’re coming.”

He hung up and moved to keep his kilt from lifting, his weapon pointed down in front of him to do it, and also not to alarm the lass.

“They are coming.”

“Who are they?”

He hesitated. “Friends.”

“Not vampires?”

“No.” He made sure to keep his sword in place even as his body started to cool. He noticed a discoloration forming on her cheek, having missed it before, and realized she’d been harmed. “He hit you?”

She reached up and rubbed the spot, her fingertips brushing tenderly over the area. “It’s okay. He flopped around a bit when I tagged him with the stun gun and he got lucky before he fell down.”

Blaron moved before he considered she might feel threatened as he advanced. Her arm dropped and she backed up instantly. He paused but continued to advance.

“Easy. I’m just going to take a look.”

She bumped into his desk, not having anywhere else to go, and he paused feet in front of her. He noticed her shorter height, realize she really was a wee bit of a lass, and his hand rose to trace her skin. She was soft, warm, and peered up at him with a mixture of fear and curiosity. His body responded to her appealing scent and her lovely eyes.

“I’ll not harm you.” He lowered his voice to a husky tone.

His gaze lowered from her eyes to the mark on her pale skin. It was slightly warmer and he inhaled, picking up a very slight hint of blood scent coming from her. He wanted to groan as his body tensed and his fangs began to ache under the gums where they were hidden, matching the awareness of his equally affected cock.

“He cut the inside of your mouth.”

Her eyebrows shot up with surprise. “How did you know that?”

His fangs grew longer and he muted the groan he nearly uttered. “I can fix it for you.” He traced his tongue over one fang, careful to keep them hidden from her, and lowered his head. “Will you trust me?”

“I don’t know.”

She was too damn cute. “Close your eyes, tilt your head back and open your mouth.”

“No way. I had a boy tell me that once and he tried to kiss me.”

“That’s what I plan to do. I can heal you with my tongue.”

She strained against the desk. “I think that’s a bad idea and I don’t even know you.”

“You came to my aid. I owe you, lass. Allow me to heal what that wretch did. It won’t hurt. I promise I won’t be biting you.”

Chapter Three

Kilt was absolutely the sexiest guy in Matty’s opinion. His eyes stared deeply into hers and she had the urge to allow him to do anything he wanted. She wondered if he had an ability to control someone’s mind but she didn’t feel any different. The inside of her mouth did hurt and the coppery taste of blood wasn’t her favorite. The fact that he promised not to bite or hurt her made her less afraid.

A gorgeous, half naked man wanted to kiss her to fix her boo-boo. He’s a vampire. Don’t forget that, she warned. Too bad I wasn’t hurt in a more interesting place. That thought made her want to wince. The mental image of the tall, muscular vampire dropping to his knees to lay some lip on other parts of her body assured her that she’d spent way too many years dateless without sex.

Matty decided to do something rash. She’d learned how short life could be after she’d nearly lost hers. Regrets were a bitch. She wanted him to kiss her, wanted to feel alive for once, and Kilt was too much of a temptation to resist. You only live once and what do you have to lose? Your life isn’t exactly exciting.

“Okay, but only because you haven’t eaten any of our neighbors and you haven’t even tried to disarm me. I’m willing to trust you.”

He smiled, his lips pressed together, and lowered his head more until their faces were a mere inch apart. His eyes were stunning and something she could stare into for hours without getting bored. She remembered he’d wanted her to close her eyes, which would have totally screwed up that “look into my eyes” movie stuff if he were trying to control her mind.

She closed them, tilted her head back and slightly parted her lips. Her body tensed, waiting to see if she’d just made a horrible mistake or if he was as honest as he seemed. He got credit for not denying what he was.

He wasn’t a butterfly kisser, a man who just tenderly brushed his lips over hers. The vampire was more direct. He dominated with force when he took possession of her mouth by firmly covering hers with his. His tongue invaded, delved inside and explored. He tasted sweet and he knew what he was doing.

Her hands splayed on his chest for something to cling to, another surprise because for a dead guy, he was literally hot. Firm muscles were just under his skin and his arm wrapped around her waist to tug her tightly against his firm body.

She felt something hard press between their bodies but it was shoved to the side and she realized it had been his sword. She barely noticed the sound of it bumping the wood of the desk and the soft thump when it hit the carpet.

The arm around her waist adjusted her a little until her butt shelved on the top of the desk and his hips pressed against her thighs. She spread them slightly, lost in the passion that surged between them, and didn’t care that it should have alarmed her to respond so strongly to a stranger when he deepened the kiss.

His hips nudged against her legs tighter, spreading her wider apart, until her robe parted enough for the soft material of his kilt to brush her inner thighs. That wasn’t the only thing she felt as another hard object pressed against her mound. It wasn’t his sword this time and she knew he was as aroused by their kiss as she was.

His free hand curved around her ribcage and he cupped her breast through the material. She moaned against his tongue and her hands trailed up his chest, loving the feel of him, and wrapped around his neck. Her fingers slid into his platinum tresses until they found his scalp, pulling him even closer. He had silky, wonderful curls that felt right laced around her fingers. His touch on her breast was firm as he squeezed. She moaned louder as a throbbing ache between her thighs made her spread them farther apart, hoping he’d step closer.

She felt his fangs extend while they kissed but it didn’t alarm her. She ran her tongue over the point of one and he growled deep in response, his hips grinding against her pussy, and desire turned into a burning need to have him inside her. Matty couldn’t remember wanting a man more.

His hips moved in a way that mimicked fucking her, the hard press of his cock rubbing her clit, and even through layers of clothing it was enough to make her hotter, needier and insane with wanting him. She didn’t care he was a vampire or that she wasn’t one to end up sitting at the edge of a desk wrapped around a stranger. All that mattered was he didn’t stop.

Kilt released her breast, bowed his back to put room between their stomachs, and his hand slid between them. She felt a tug at her waist when he yanked on her robe belt. It came free and he used his hand to pull it apart to open it up. Her legs wrapped around the back of his thighs, trying to pull him closer, but he stopped rocking against her.

He found the bottom of her nightshirt, jerked it up, and his big hand withdrew. She tried to break the kiss to protest the fact that he wasn’t rubbing up against her clit anymore, a little stunned at how fast things were progressing between them, but his mouth followed hers when she attempted to pull away. She wasn’t trying hard since she had a death grip on the back of his head to keep him tight against her mouth. Her heels rubbed his warm legs that were exposed below his kilt.

Something crashed to the floor near the desk when he knocked things out of the way by clearing the top of it with a sweep of his hand and her back pressed against the hard surface. He came down on top of her, bending over to keep her flat. Her legs rose and wrapped around his hips.

His hand returned to her, wiggling between their bodies, and she felt a tug at her hips. She didn’t care since there was only his kiss and the need to be taken by him. Material bunched between her stomach and his, and strong, sure fingers stroked her clit. His touch drew a moan from her and she gasped into his mouth. They were skin to skin, her panties gone, and the feeling had to be the best thing she’d ever experienced. Her body burned and she used her grip around his hips with her legs to try to make him enter her.

Matty knew she was close to climax. The guy rubbed circles over the swollen bundle of nerves and her body tensed. He leaned closer, his hand withdrew from between them, and the thick crown of his shaft pressed against the slick opening of her pussy. His mouth tore from hers right as he began to enter her with his cock. He was incredibly hard, it felt amazing, and she cried out as her head tilted back. She was coming before he’d even worked his thick shaft all the way inside her.

His mouth brushed a kiss on her neck and a jolt of pain sent her over the edge into a blinding climax as pain turned into sheer pleasure. White hot waves of it slammed her as he began to pound in and out of her body, her vaginal muscles flexing tightly around the thick shaft that penetrated her deeper.

She cried out, a small part of her mind realized he’d bitten into her, fed on her blood, but it felt too good as another climax gripped her. Her fingernails clutched his head tighter against the cradle of her neck and the big, powerful body nearly crushed her. He groaned against her throat and his body shook with enough force the desk under them rattled. His fangs withdrew, a hot tongue swiped the bite, and he cursed softly as he continued to spill his release into her welcoming body. Warmth spread inside her pussy from it, nearly triggering a third climax.

Matty was in a daze, panting, her body going lax as she fought the urge to drift to sleep. Her eyes opened when he raised slightly, his face all she could see, and his incredibly gaze held hers. Passion and satisfaction were two emotions she could understand as he peered at her, because she probably had the same ones on display.

“Ah lass,” he murmured. “I didn’t mean to bite but I couldn’t help it. That was remarkable.”

She licked her lips, tried to think, but the room began to spin as she suffered a moment of lightheadedness. The gaze holding hers seemed to darken in color and flash regret.

“I’ll take care of you. You’re such a wee one and I took much. It was the passion. You’ll be fine. Sleep. I will protect you with my life.”

For some insane reason she trusted him. He’d just taken her blood, had sex with her, and she closed her eyes. A sense of peace filled her before she blacked out.

Blaron shifted his gaze to her neck. He bent, licking at the drops of blood that remained on her healing skin. He hadn’t meant to bite into her but he couldn’t have stopped for anything. The passion that had flared between them had been a force not even a vampire as old as he could resist.

His spine stiffened when he realized there were two added scents inside the room now and two sets of lungs that hadn’t been sucking in air before. He jerked his head around to glare at the two men who stared at the floor just inside the bedroom. Both wore leather from neck to foot, had arrived far too quickly in his opinion, and neither met his angry glare.

“Sorry,” one of them muttered. “We didn’t realize you were having a private moment. We just rushed in, worried about you.”

“Drag the hunter out and give me a minute.”

“Yes sir,” they said in unison, moving to grab the human from the floor, and hauled him off by his limbs.

Blaron cursed as he straightened the lass’s robe. He bent, grabbed his sword, and slid it into the scabbard he’d had sewn on the side of all his kilts. He damned the males for their quick response and himself for losing his mind over a sweet-smelling female who fascinated him.

His hands slid under the lass, he cradled her gently in his arms and walked out of the room with her snug against his bare chest. He glanced around his home for the last time. He couldn’t come back. It would be too dangerous.

Both brothers waited near the front door. One of them stepped forward, his arms lifting. “I’ll take her from you, sir.”

The other one offered a hooded cape. “This should shield you from the worst of it. We parked the van in the driveway. We have a team on motorcycles scouting the area. It will be the last thing the hunters ever do if they try to follow.”

“I have her. No one touches her but me.”

“But the sun wi—”

“Just toss the damn thing over my head and wrap it around me.” Anger stirred. “She’s mine and not to be touched by another.”

Both males backed up instantly, alarmed. The one with the cloak hesitated and approached.

“Apologies. I didn’t know you’d taken a companion.”

Blaron stared down at the scarred yet beautiful face of the woman sleeping peacefully in his arms. “Nor had I until I kissed her. She’s the one.”

Shock still reverberated through him. Every vampire wanted to find the perfect companion but he’d never expected to find his. It had seemed more of a romantic myth but nothing else could explain the way they’d both lost their minds the moment their lips had touched.

“Send in a cleanup crew to remove all trace I was ever here and inhale her scent to track where she came from. She lives across the street but I’m not certain which house belongs to her. Pack her up and make it look good when you do what needs done. She won’t be returning.”

Chapter Four

Matty was slow to wake, a haze of sleep and erotic dreams tempting her to keep her eyes closed. She may have drifted back off but a big, warm hand on her bare hip slid upward to her lower stomach.

“Wake for me, lass,” a husky masculine voice with a sexy accent rasped near her ear. “You need to eat. I’ve been worried about you.”

Alarm jolted her to full wakefulness as her eyes flew open to stare into the handsome face of her neighbor. Kilt was in bed with her, it was dark inside whatever room they were in, and only a few small lamps gave off enough light for her to see by.

“Easy, lass. You’re safe. We’re underground inside a club a friend of mine owns. My home has been compromised and we’ll stay here until we find somewhere else to go.”

She was pinned by his hand on her stomach, one of his bare, muscular thighs was over the top of her naked ones, and a sheet was tangled between them. “What am I doing here? Where are my clothes?” Her hands yanked the sheet up higher on her chest. Her breasts had barely been covered.

“It wasn’t safe for you to go home. Remember the hunter?”

“You bit me.” She remembered that.

“Aye. I did. I’m sorry about that but I was lost to the passion. You’re fine. I’d never harm you but I admit I took a little much. It made you weak and sleepy. Are you ready to eat? I have a fine meal awaiting you.”

More of her senses were waking once she got past the alarm of being naked in an unfamiliar place with a stranger. The room was chilly, she smelled food, and it was unusually quiet. A vampire had sex with her and had bitten into her neck. She blushed and tried to wiggle away from him. He hesitated and moved his leg to release hers while his hand unpinned her. She lunged away, rolled, but kept the sheet fisted in her hands.

The bed was a large four poster and she gasped when she nearly rolled off the edge. It was higher from the floor than any bed she’d ever been on. She stared down at the concrete floor, knew that would have hurt if she’d taken a dive, and an arm hooked around her waist to drag her butt a few inches back from the edge.

“Careful.”

“Where did you say we are?”

The bed moved as he sat up and she turned to glance down his body. The sheet had been pulled nearly off him when she’d tried to flee. Only part of it covered his hip but there was no missing the condition of his body since the material tented over his lap. Her gaze flew to his face.

“Underground. There’s a club above us but we’re safe. No one knows where we are or that this place even exists. Would you enjoy a bath before your meal? The club serves to both my kind and yours. I’ve been assured the food is top notch.”

She gaped at him a little. “It’s a vampire club? Seriously? Isn’t that a bit obvious if you’re trying to hide your existence?”

“Aye but we fit better in the setting. It’s too cliché to be believable.” He hesitated. “Don’t feel fear. No one will touch you.” He hesitated. “What’s your name?”

Her cheeks burned. She’d had sex with him, shared a bed afterward even if she hadn’t been aware of it, and they hadn’t even exchanged names. “Matty. And yours?”

“Blaron.”

She stared at Kilt. He was so handsome and his long hair against his tan skin drew her attention. The desire to touch him made her hands clutch the sheet tighter. “I should go home.”

He hesitated. “Why don’t you eat first? I’ll draw you a bath.”

He rolled the other way, leaving the cover of the sheet, and she couldn’t help stare at his perfect, beefy ass. It was paler than the rest of him, obvious he had tan lines, and that confused her as he slid off the bed. He bent, reached for something on the floor, and when he straightened, he pulled up a red kilt. He secured it at his waist and turned to face her.

“I’ll retrieve you a robe from the bath. My friend who owns the club has these guestrooms stocked with spare ones.” He walked into the darkness, out of the reach of the dim light, and bright light came on across the room from the open bathroom door. She glimpsed a large tub and he returned holding a blood-red robe.

“It’s a bit gaudy. I apologize. A nice pale blue would be more fitting for your creamy complexion but beggars can’t be choosers. We’re at the mercy of my friend for a few days.”

“Um…”

He stopped at the edge of the bed feet from her, dropped the robe, and arched a blond eyebrow. “Is there something you wish to ask me?”

“You have tan lines.”

“It was from before. You stay the way you were when you were changed. I was a farmer once and spent a lot of time in the sun.”

“You mean before you became a vampire?” It felt odd even saying that word aloud.

“I went to war with my friend who now owns this club. One night a saucy wench came to comfort some of the injured lads in camp. She chose me and I believed I’d gone to heaven when she lured me out into the darkness.” He paused. “I was flattered she seemed to want me out of all the others she could’ve picked. I was a lad, she was pretty, and I thought she wanted to share her charms. It turns out she was looking for some sturdy warriors to travel with and protect her. She turned me and my friend.”

Matty let that information settle. “Where is she now?”

He hesitated. “She died a long time ago. She had a preference for feeding from large humans such as myself. One night she didn’t distract him enough before she sank her fangs into him.”

“I’m sorry.” She wasn’t sure what else to say. “Did you love her?”

He shook his head. “I detested her, she wasn’t likeable, but she taught us how to survive. We owed her and we did our best to protect her. She never allowed us to go hunting with her though. One night she chose to feed off a male who fought back. He was skilled with a sword.”

She wasn’t sure what to say. They stared at each other. He took a step back.

“Dress in the robe, eat, and take a bath. Don’t leave the room. I need to make some arrangements and will return soon.” He stared at her. “No one will harm you but I can’t promise that if you were to reach the club above us. There are unfamiliar vampires up there who don’t know you are with me. It wouldn’t be safe.”

“Okay.” She wanted to go home but eating and take a bath first sounded good. He couldn’t do anything until the sun went down and she couldn’t have slept all day. She wished there was a clock but a quick sweep of the room with her gaze didn’t show one. “You’ll be right back?”

“Twenty minutes at most. Just stay inside the room and no one will bother you. I stay here occasionally.”

“Can I ask you something?”

“Anything, Matty.”

He said it in a husky, sexy way with that accent of his that she loved to hear. “Why do you always come home in a limo right before dawn? What do you do every night after you leave home? Do you have a job?”

He hesitated.

She had a sinking feeling from the little information she learned that she knew what he did at night. “You hunt for food?”

“No. I’m a bagger now. My hunting for blood from hosts is long over as soon as we were able to bribe blood banks into selling it to us. Not all vampires share that approach but we don’t like harming anyone. My friends and I actually go after vampires who kill humans. It’s too dangerous these days to do it and it’s no longer a necessity to survive. I don’t drive and that’s why my friend who owns this club sends a car for me every evening.”

“Will you be working tonight? Can you drop me off at my house?”

He hesitated. “I’m taking the evening off. We’ll talk when I return. Eat, lass. Enjoy a warm bath.” He glanced around the room. “It may look a bit rough with the concrete but the amenities in the bathroom are very modern.”

He spun on his bare feet and walked to the door. His sword rested against the wall. He grabbed it up as he jerked open the door and disappeared into the darkness. No lights lit the hallway. She shivered at the thought of trying to sneak out. She was in some basement. The smell of food drove her to inch closer to the side of the bed, release the sheet, and slide off the edge. The cold floor made her shiver as she tied the thick, fancy robe around her waist.

“What are you doing?”

Blaron frowned at his friend. “Asking you for the night off and can you have someone find me a good home? I’m not holing up with you for long, Lethal.”

“I’m stunned you brought a human here.”

“She’s special.”

Lethal tilted his head and a grin tugged at the corners of his mouth. “I see. You fed from her, I take it? What happened to your sworn oath of not taking blood even from willing women?”

Anger tensed Blaron’s body. “She’s the one.”

Shock gripped the other vampire’s features. “How did you find her?”

“She found me. It seems she’s a neighbor, saw a hunter sneaking into my home, and came to save me.”

“That little thing you carried in came to your defense?” He chuckled. “What did she do? Scream to warn you?”

“She had hog tied the hunter by the time I reached them. She’s quick and smart.”

“Have you told her that you plan to keep her?”

“I’m getting there.”

“Good luck. I take it she knows what we are?”

“She guessed before she ever met me. She’s a brave lass.”

His friend leaned forward, resting his elbows on his desk he sat behind. “Good luck telling her the truth. She won’t be happy.”

“Maybe she will be.”

Lethal chuckled. “Always the optimist. Let me know how it goes or perhaps I’ll hear the screaming from my office. We’ll go hunting without you tonight. You stay to inform your lass of her future.” He opened a drawer and withdrew handcuffs lined with fur. “Here’s to love. You may need these to convince her to stay.”

Blaron stood. “I won’t be needing those.”

“Take them. It’s best to be prepared.” All humor faded from his features. “She’s a danger to us if you don’t convince her to stay with you. You brought her here and I don’t wish to close the club down.”

“She has no idea where we are.”

“She’s guarded to make sure she doesn’t snoop around or try to leave?”

“No. She won’t flee.”

Lethal stood, glaring. “She is the enemy if she does. Are we clear?”

“Perfectly.” Blaron gripped the handle of his sword. “Don’t threaten her, Lethal. She’s mine and we’ll fight if you try to harm a hair on her precious head.”

Lethal’s stance relaxed. “Make sure we have no reason to come to blows. Friends are hard to keep as the years wear on. I don’t want to lose you.”

They regarded each other and Blaron released his sword. He grabbed the handcuffs off the desk. “I’ll be in my room.”

“Have fun!”

Blaron departed quickly. “Asshole.”

“It takes one to know one.”

Chapter Five

Matty rose from the warm bath, her hair washed, and tucked a towel around her body. The door in the other room opened. She froze, afraid it might not be Kilt but instead some other vampire. The door closed and she heard a growl.

“Matty? Are you in there?”

“I’ll be right out.”

She knew that Scottish brogue. He’d come back. She dried off quickly, wished for clothing, but only had the robe to put on. The blood red color of it made her feel like a walking advertisement for a vampire meal on legs. Bad pun. Don’t go there. Her hand hesitated at the door but she turned the handle, opening it up.

It surprised her to see that Kilt had showered and changed. His long hair was still damp and the sight of him in loose black pants was enough to make her gawk. He looked like some kind of blond pirate out of a film with his long hair, the breeches, and a sword hung low from a belt secured at his waist. He stared at her with his sexy eyes when she finally stopped noticing his shirtless, muscled chest. The guy had the best body she’d ever seen.

“You ate.” He looked pleased as he smiled. “I take it was enjoyable? The plate is clean.”

“They serve good food. You were right.”

He shrugged, drawing attention to those broad shoulders. “I had heard but I don’t eat food anymore.”

“Ever?”

“I used to but it’s been a long time.”

“So you can eat it though?”

He hesitated. “I don’t need it and I lost the urge to eat with others a good hundred years ago. Blood is what I need.”

She unconsciously reached up and touched her neck. There wasn’t a mark where he’d bitten her, she’d check in the mirror, but the memory remained. Kilt followed her hand with his gaze and licked his lips. The air between them seemed to warm up in the chilly room as both of them were reminded of what they’d done together on his desk.

Matty dropped her hand quickly. “Have you eaten?”

He hesitated. “Are you offering to feed me?”

She took a step back and bumped the doorway of the bathroom, missing the opening, and halted. “No.”

He reached for his waist, unfastened the belt, and turned his back on her to place his sword on the table by the bed. She watched him, leery of what would happen. The guy weighed at least a hundred pounds more than her and was bodybuilder big. Their gazes met when he faced her.

“I fed and showered to give you time to yourself. We need to talk.”

“Yes, we do. I need to go home. I’m sure that I’m safe. That jerk was after you, not me.”

“You haven’t asked what I did to him.”

She hesitated. “I don’t want to know.”

“Fair enough.” He took a hesitant step toward her. “I’m an honorable man. I want you to know that. You’ll learn but we don’t know each other well.” He stopped feet from her, watching her closely. “I’d never cause you harm and I’d give my life to protect yours. Those are things you can always count on from me. I’m honest and I can pledge total loyalty to you. I’m a bag feeder so there won’t be any other women in my arms.”

Mute, Matty listened. It sounded as if he were trying to make something more out of the crazy one-morning stand they’d had. Her heartbeat increased. The idea of dating him wasn’t totally a bad one. She’d never forget him and admitted he’d become a part of her life while she’d watched him from her bedroom window. He said he wouldn’t be returning to his house and that meant she wouldn’t see him again as soon as they said goodbye.

“In the old days a vampire couple would’ve fed off humans. The best way to assure a human could survive without knowing what we were was feeding off them during sex.” His cheeks blushed slightly. “Those days are over and I’d kill anyone who touched you even for feeding purposes.”

“Um…” No words formed.

“I’m saying this wrong. I’m not good with words but the passion between us can’t be denied. I’m attracted to you, the sex was incredible, and sleeping with you wrapped inside my arms, against my body, was heaven on Earth. I’ve never known such rightness as touching you.”

For a guy not good with words, he said the right ones to melt her heart. She still couldn’t talk though. He shocked her more by dropping to his knees before her and stared up at her face with sincerity.

“You bring me to my knees. I pledge my life to yours, Matty. I’ll do whatever it takes to convince you to be my companion.”

She swallowed hard. “What is that? Your girlfriend?”

He hesitated and offered a hand, holding it out to her. She placed her trembling one in his. He brought it to his lips to place a kiss on the back of her hand, turned it in his, kissed her palm. His gaze never left hers.

“It’s a lover, a friend, and you’d use the term wife. It’s a lifetime commitment and we don’t age. I’m going to be honest with you. It’s forever and that could be a long time. I’ve met a vampire over a thousand years old.”

Her knees locked together to keep her on her feet and the wall at her back kept her standing. “You want to turn me? Make me a vampire?”

He nodded, still holding her hand. “I don’t want to lose you to old age or illness. Humans are frail. You’d be much stronger as a vampire.”

She yanked her hand out of his and hugged her waist. “No.”

Pain etched on his features. “Why not? Isn’t that something tempting? You’ll never age and I’ll always protect you. I’m a skilled warrior. Only the sun can kill you or a beheading. No one would ever get close enough to stake you to the ground or touch that pretty head of yours.”

“I…this is insane. You don’t even know me. We had sex once and while I kind of thought you might be a vampire, you’re real. I’m still reeling from the fact they exist and why would you offer that to me? I don’t understand.”

“Kisses don’t lie and nor do our bodies. You’re a perfect fit for me.”

“It was sex one time. That’s crazy to think just because it was good that we should get married. We’re strangers.”

“We’ll have a long time to get to know each other.” He smiled. “I look forward to it.” He paused. “And if you believe that was just good sex I obviously need to take my time the next round.” His gaze lowered to the tie of her belt. “Open it up. I’m on my knees already and just hook a leg over my shoulder.” He brushed his hair back, winked, and licked his lips. “I’ll show you greatness.”

Her jaw dropped open. “You…”

“Plan to do a little worshipping of your bonnie body.” He reached for her.

Matty launched herself against the wall, avoided his hands, and ran for the door. The guy planned to seduce her, bite into her again, and make her a bloodsucking creature of the night. That wasn’t on her “to do” list. He might be hot, have a rocking body, be totally hung, but no guy was worth giving up chocolate forever. Besides that, they were strangers.

She nearly reached the door when an arm snagged her from behind around her waist. Kilt hugged her to his body, wrapped his other arm over her chest, and lifted her right off her feet. She twisted her head to stare at him with fear as he frowned at her, inches from her face.

“Don’t be afraid.”

“Put me down!”

“I won’t hurt you. Are you afraid it’s going to be painful? It won’t.”

“I don’t even know you and I’m not ready to get married. Or whatever you call it.” She struggled but his strong arms refused to release her. She did however feel his body respond when something hard pressed against her ass. She froze and gawked at him.

“Sorry.” He shrugged, turned them both to face the bed, and sighed. “I can’t help it. I want you despite this not being the best time to be sporting a pole.”

“A pole?”

He cleared his throat. “My dick is hard any time I touch you. Is that clearer?”

He gently dropped her on the bed and Matty rolled, sat up, and her gaze lowered to the breeches. He either wasn’t wearing underwear or they were thin because his “pole” was pointing straight out, the material of his pants stretched taut. She raised her eyes to stare at him.

“We’re not having sex and don’t bite me.”

“How about we make love but I don’t bite? I’m prepared this time for how strongly I will react to you.” He grinned. “I need to convince you it’s better than good between us.” He stared at her lap. “Open the robe and I’ll take you to heaven.”

“Um, no. Fangs and that area aren’t meeting. No way. I don’t have any piercings down there and never plan to get any.”

He chuckled. “Do you know what fangs are good for when I’m licking you?” He parted his teeth, revealing they were fully extended. “They fit perfectly on the sides of that pretty little pearl to give my tongue full access. I won’t have to use my hands to keep you spread enough to get to it well. They will be otherwise occupied.”

The vivid picture he painted made her breath freeze inside her lungs and her body responded. She inched back, scooting away from him. “I think I should go home.”

“Damn. I was afraid of this.” He frowned. “You’re scared. I won’t force you to turn but you’ve got to at least give us a chance before you say no.”

“You want to date me?” She paused, considering that. They could get to know each other. It wasn’t as if she had a social life. The idea of it wasn’t scary. Of course they wouldn’t be going out to dinner since he admitted not eating food. Maybe they could see movies together. “We could try that.”

He turned and reached for his sword. Fear gripped her. Would he kill her for refusing to become a vampire? He discarded it and fiddled with the belt he’d removed. He turned, holding up fur-lined handcuffs, and her fear eased. The relief was short-lived when he lunged at her.

Blaron hated to do it but he needed to convince Matty they belonged together. She cried out when he grabbed her, he was careful not to hurt her, but she put up a hell of a fight when he stripped her of her robe. He was careful not to bruise her creamy skin as he gripped her wrists, tugged her up the bed as her feet kicked at him, and secured her wrists through the bars of the headboard.

“Asshole!” She tried to kick him in the face.

He dodged her foot, barely, and grunted when it impacted his shoulder instead. The lass had fire and he loved her a little more for it. His Matty was a fighter. He wouldn’t bite her, he would refrain from tasting her blood. She struggled when he released her, her hips rising from the bed, her feet flat on the mattress, and his cock hurt from the sight as she twisted and wiggled.

He backed away and reached for the waist of his borrowed breeches. He hated the feel of them, the constricting material rubbing the crown of his straining cock, and sighed with relief as he tugged them down. He sat, yanking the damn things off his legs and tossed them to the floor. He was a kilt man. He moved on his hands and knees, watching her wear herself out, and grinned at the curses she muttered. His lass had a mouth of a sailor when her temper was riled. He found it adorable.

She’d learn he’d never take her by force. He’d never be a brute to her but this was for her own good. Lethal would try to harm her if she attempted to run away, and her old life was gone. Guilt ate at him a little bit over that but he’d been in shock after finding her.

Chapter Six

“Now, Matty,” he sighed. “Calm down.”

She glared at him. “Let me go. This is your idea of convincing me you’re honorable? Stripping me and handcuffing me to a bed?”

“It’s not perfect but it will do.”

“Jerk. Asshole. Creep!”

He grinned. “I just heard you use more colorful terms.”

“You’re amused?” She’d fought the restraints until she grew tired. “This isn’t funny.”

“It’s not.” His gaze lowered down her body. “Open those pretty thighs for me and I’ll improve your mood. I won’t bite you this time and I won’t turn you during the heat of passion. You have my word as a gentleman.”

She snorted. “You’re a vampire.”

“I’m one who wants to pleasure you.”

“You want my blood. You admitted to using sex to get women to allow you to feed off them.”

He looked hurt at her words. They stared at each other and he sighed.

“You’re more than that to me.”

“Let me go, Blaron.”

“Give us a chance first. I will convince you or give your life back.”

She wanted to believe him. Why does it feel as though I’m making a deal with the devil? A hot, sexy one, who keeps staring at my thighs as if I’m a big kid’s meal he’s starving for. She hated how her nipples hardened, knowing it didn’t have a thing to do with the room temperature but more for what would happen if she gave him access to her pussy.

“You’re saying if we have sex again, you’ll let me go it doesn’t convince me to marry you? You know that’s screwed up, right?”

He smiled again. “I do love that term. Up. Down. Hard. Fast. Slow.” His eyes seemed to glow. “Any way that will please you and make you scream out my name while I’m inside that tight, wonderful sheath of yours.”

Her body wanted him, tingled from his words, and it pissed her off. “Fine. Your word, Blaron.” She glared at him. “Do your worst but I’m going home.” She took a deep breath. “No biting.”

“No biting. I love a challenge, lass.”

His hands reached for her and she spread her thighs at his urging. She dropped her head on the pillow and closed her eyes. No matter how good he might be at oral sex, she had a life to get back to. She probably had nothing to worry about. Men had gone down on her before but it hadn’t been great. They sure hadn’t made her scream their names.

She relaxed when the bed moved and he spread her thighs apart. She glanced down, saw him sprawled out on his belly, his face inches from her pussy, and he raised his arms. They braced over her legs to hold them down. His gaze met hers and he gave her a cocky grin that showed his fangs.

“They won’t cut you and I’ll show you how you’re going to love them.”

Fear and excitement fought for dominance. She’d kill him when he let her go if he bit her tender skin. He breathed on her clit, making her more aware of the vulnerable position she was in, and she pulled on the handcuffs that refused to release her wrists. The sensation of being tied and pinned to the bed had a certain amount of sexual appeal.

He lowered his head and growled softly, a masculine sound that turned her on. He nuzzled his mouth against her folds, she tensed when she felt two fangs brush her clit, and they pressed tight against her skin on either side of it. It seemed to push the bundle of nerves closer to the tongue that teased her with a slow trace of the tip of it. Matty squeezed her eyes closed and her fingers wrapped around the chains of the handcuffs.

He tortured her with flicks of his tongue over her clit until it throbbed. When he applied pressure, pushed the flat of his tongue against it to rub, she tried to buck her hips but the weight of his arms kept her down. She jerked though when he reached up and both of his hands found her straining nipples. He pinched them between his thumbs and forefingers, rolling the taut nipples, and her body tensed.

Moans broke from her lips. His forearms pinned her but his fingers drove her crazy. “Faster. Please?” She hated begging but she wanted to come so bad it hurt.

He refused to quicken the pace. Instead he kept the slow gliding of his tongue until she cried out, the orgasm ripping through her body. His tongue paused until she stopped trembling and the pleasure eased. His hands stopped pinching and instead massaged her breasts, kneading them gently. She gasped when he began again, his tongue fixating on her clit.

“I can’t,” she panted. “Too sensitive.”

He ignored her and she cried out when he began sucking on her instead. Strong tugs of his mouth with the occasional swipe of his tongue made her writhe and moan. She came again, his name bursting from her lips.

“Blaron!”

He mouth pulled away. “Will you marry me?”

“No.”

“I’m not done.”

“You can’t mean to keep doing that until I say yes.” She had a sinking feeling he did. And damn him, he was good at it. She wouldn’t survive hours of him licking her.

“Aye, lass. I do.”

“Bastard!”

He chuckled. “But I’m all yours.”

She gasped when he nuzzled his mouth against her pussy again, his fangs fitting around her clit, and his tongue licked her slowly. Her toes curled, feeling the side of his ribs, and hoped she at least tickled him. Her breathing grew faster as she panted and he refused to let up until she came again. She screamed his name that time. Her body bucked from the intensity of it. He pulled away.

“Matty?” His voice was a little rough sounding. “What say you?”

“Fuck you.”

He growled. “That’s next.”

She gasped when he sat back on his haunches. He gripped her thighs, crawled in closer until they were spread over him, and his cock pressed against the opening of her pussy. She stared at him, a little afraid of the dark, dangerous look on his handsome face.

“I won’t hurt you but I have to have you. Say yes.”

She nodded, wanting him. She hurt inside, needing to be filled. The orgasms had been great but they’d felt a little empty. He entered her, her body stretching around his thick cock, and both of them moaned.

His hands slid down her thighs, cupped her ass and adjusted her a little higher on his lap. He rocked them, fucking her deep and fast. His thumb moved to press over her clit and Matty went wild. The sensation of him inside her and touching her clit, his powerful body taking hers, too much ecstasy to handle with the ability to think. She screamed out as she came and opened her eyes in time to watch Blaron throw back his head, his body tensed, and he shouted out her name as he came inside her. He shivered, his muscular, sweaty body the sexiest sight ever, and his chin lowered and their gazes met.

“What say you, Matty?”

She couldn’t form words. She was too blown away by what he’d just done to her and too out of breath. His eyebrow arched as he smiled.

“Again? Okay, Matty. I can go all night and day for you.” He adjusted his hold on her, running his fingers over her lower stomach. “We’ll both learn new limits of how much we can survive.”

He began to move inside her, still hard, this time in slow, long drives, nearly withdrawing from her pussy, only to drive back in deep. He paused there, staring into her eyes, and withdrew. Her fingers clamped around the chains and her back arched. Blaron smiled.

“I’ve had hundreds of years to learn how to please a woman but none mattered as much as you. Think of doing this every night.”

She moaned in response when he brushed a thumb over her swollen clit. Her vaginal muscles clenched, and Blaron groaned.

“Matty, my love, say yes to me.”

She nodded, wanting to come again. His hand released her ass and he bent over her, bracing his arm on the bed next to her ribcage. His mouth took hers in a kiss that was so tender, so passionate, that she wished she could cling to him. Her wrists strained against the handcuffs and she whimpered in protest.

More of his weight came down on her and his fingers brushed hers and she felt a hard jerk on the chain. Her arms lowered when he snapped the restraints. Her fingers delved into his hair, holding his mouth closer while she kissed him back. His hips rocked them into another shared orgasm and he broke the kiss when they both cried out.

“Love me, Matty. Allow me to love you, darlin’.”

She opened her eyes to stare into his. “This is totally not fair.”

He smiled. “Love isn’t fair but it sure feels amazing, doesn’t it? We’re right for each other. I’ll keep convincing you.”

“I’m never going to win an argument with you, am I?”

He chuckled. “I’ll let you win sometimes. I like the idea of you restraining me to a bed and convincing me you’re right.”

The idea of him tied down at her mercy excited her. He smiled. “I hear your heart racing. Like that, do you? I’d allow you to do anything to me you want. I’d welcome it. We’ll be happy together.”

Her life flashed inside her mind. She’d become a recluse, no life outside of her home, and she’d been lonely. Blaron was offering her a life with him. She trailed her hands down to his cheeks, staring into his eyes, and knew she didn’t want to lose him. It might be scary to face an unknown future but at least it was one. He gave her such a look of longing and hope that she believed he wanted to be with her.

“Will it hurt?”

“I’ll love you always and make you happy. There’ll never be pain in my arms.”

“I mean turning.”

He grinned. “No. I will let you drink from me while I drink from you. It’s not the way you’ve seen in movies. We’ll sleep after, both of us tired, and when you wake you’ll feel the same. You’ll just need to drink blood from a bag.”

She grimaced.

He chuckled. “For you I’ll drink from the bags and you can drink from me. Way more pleasurable and it’s what a good man does for his woman.”

“It sounds gross.”

“You know how it feels when I lick your little pussy? The fangs feel almost as good when you sink them into my skin and drink from me. It’s sexual and I’ll fuck you while you do it. I promise you’re going to love it. I just may have to quit my job since we won’t want to climb out of bed for a few hundred years.”

She took a deep breath. “Okay.”

He kissed her again, the passion between them igniting, and he slowly began to fuck her. Matty moaned when he pulled his mouth away. Their gazes met.

“Drink from me, love.” He brought his wrist to his mouth, bit down, and pressed it against her parted lips.

She thought she’d gag but he began to fuck her hard and deep as his fangs sank into her neck. Pleasure and pain blurred as she drank. The taste of blood barely registered. It was just Blaron, the bliss his body gave hers, and the taste of him. She grew lightheaded as she came. The climax made her pull her mouth away from his wrist when she cried out his name.

Blaron’s fangs left her skin and he licked her wound. He turned his head, met her gaze and smiled while he licked his wrist closed.

“That’s it, love. Sleep. I’ll clean us and we’ll cuddle until we wake. I’m with you.”

Matty closed her eyes, too tired to even speak.

Epilogue

Matty woke when two strong arms lifted her. She was confused until she met Blaron’s gorgeous eyes. The blue of them seemed more brilliant, more breathtaking, and he’d put her on his lap straddling him as he sat naked against the headboard on their bed. Memory returned and she stared at him as her hands gripped his bare shoulders.

“I survived? Am I dead?” She flushed at her words. “I mean, am I the living dead now?”

He grinned. “You are alive but you’re a vampire.”

She hesitated, trying to see if she felt any different. She didn’t. Disappointment hit. “I don’t think it worked. I’m still just me.”

“Are you sure?”

“Yes.”

“Mmmm.” He grinned. “This is going to feel really good. Just go with instincts.”

“What are you talking about?”

He released her hip and reached over to the side of the bed. She saw the small dagger in his hand and tensed. He grinned wider and pressed the tip against his neck.

“The things I’m willing to do for love but you need to learn how to get your fangs out. The scent of blood will do it. Just don’t fight or think about what you’re doing.”

She watched in horrified fascination as he cut his skin. Blood welled and he tossed away the dagger, grabbing her hip again. The smell of it filled her nose, her eyes widened, and her gums tingled, nearly seemed to throb, and she opened her mouth to ask him what was happening to her.

“Whath—” She paused, her voice sounding funny and touched her mouth. Something sharp made her cry out and stare at her fingertip. Blood welled.

“Easy.” He laughed. “They are sharp. Careful or one of us will need to lick whatever you cut with them.” He tilted his head. “Look at my neck, Matty love. I fed before I woke you. It’s your turn.”

Her gaze tore from her finger to his neck. Hunger rose and she inched closer.

“Go with it, love.”

She couldn’t stop. She licked at the blood, the taste made her moan, and she bit into him. The feel of her fangs piercing his skin created a jolt to rush throughout her body and pure pleasure struck. She clutched at Blaron, moaning, pressing her breasts tightly against his skin, frantically rubbing against him, needing to come so badly it hurt.

“Yes,” he groaned, his hands gliding down her sides to cup her ass. “Ride me.”

Desire burned through Matty. She wanted him to fuck her. She pulled her mouth away, remembered to lick at his skin, and stared into his eyes. Her hips lifted and she wiggled until his cock aligned perfectly with her pussy. She sank down on him, her body sleek with need already, and cried out as she came just from the feel of him stretching her. Her body quaked and Blaron groaned.

Their gazes met. “Bite me again and it will make us both come.”

She hesitated. “I love you.”

He smiled. “I love you too.”

“This is kind of crazy. We barely know each other.”

His hands caressed her skin. “We have forever together to learn and what is between us is strong.”

She moved on his shaft, moaning. “You’re irresistible, in my defense.”

“I can be persuasive when I’m after the thing I want most in the world and that’s you.” He turned his head, offering her his neck. “Take me, my brave, beautiful Matty. I’m yours.”

The sincerity of his words made happy tears fill her eyes. He meant it. He didn’t see her scars. He loved her and had given her an entirely new life to share with him. She was sexy, desirable and beautiful to him. Something inside her knew as she brushed her lips over his neck that they’d be happy together. They had forever to get it right and any arguments with him in the future promised to be very pleasurable.