Sweeter than Wine

CHAPTER 5

«You felt it?» Sebastian eyed his old friend.

«I felt…» Matt hesitated, a look of wonder coming over his features. «It was the most beautiful thing I've ever experienced in my life. But…what was it, exactly?»

Sebastian pulled her into his arms and rested against the soft couch. «Christina is my mate. She will be my bride.»

«But I'm already married.» He heard the objection in his mind, joined as they were. They shared thoughts now, as only true mates could.

«Not for long.»

«What does that mean?»

«We'll discuss it later. Right now, we need to deal with Matt.»

«I heard that,» Matt groused, out of breath still and looking dazed. «You two are buzzing at the back of my mind. Almost, but not quite out of earshot. This is weird. What's going on?»

«I fear some of our bond may have extended to you.» Sebastian's mind raced. This was unprecedented. He'd never heard of such a thing happening before, but then, vampire and were rarely shared words, much less a lover between them. This was uncharted territory. «I'm sorry, Matt. It's my fault. I wasn't strong enough to resist.»

«It's not your fault,» Christina stroked his cheek, love shining in her eyes. «I enticed you. I begged you.»

«Never be sorry for that, my dear. I should have been stronger. I should have waited until we were alone.» He turned to his friend. «Matt, I don't know exactly what ramifications this will have.»

«I hear you, buddy. In my ears and in my mind. Is that how your kind joins? You can share thoughts, like telepathy?»

«Not quite telepathy. It's something much deeper. We share minds and souls. Right now, my mind is open to Christina's as hers is open to me. Over time, we will come to know each other as deeply as if we were one person.» Sebastian took a moment to seek outside himself, comparing the amazing connection with Christina to the fainter connection formed between them both and Matt. «The good news is, from what I can see, you've received only a backwash of what we have. It's faint, but it's there, Matt, and for that I apologize. I didn't intend to cause you harm.»

Matt put a hand to his chest and rubbed over his heart, wonder in his eyes. «This doesn't feel like harm, Sebastian. It's…it's…really beautiful. Like nothing I've ever known before. It's amazing, man. I feel the love between you. I feel the glow of discovery, the connection. It's kind of humbling.»

Sebastian felt Christina's heart open up to the other man, but experienced no jealousy. He was in her mind, in her soul, and he knew the kind of affection she held for Matt was quite different from the deep and true feelings that flowed from her heart to his and back again. In that moment they were of one mind. As long as Matt didn't suffer, they would gladly share the echoes of their love with him. It was a joyous thing, meant to be shared with friends, not hidden.

Okay, most friends wouldn't share their new connection on this deep a level, but Matt had always been a special case. He was one of the few were whom Sebastian-and now Christina-thought of as family. They were brothers under the skin and had been close for many years. Oh, Matt was still a youngster compared to Sebastian's three centuries, but the kinship they shared went beyond their differences.

Christina learned all this as Sebastian thought it. He reveled in the close bond they shared and marveled at the compassion and friendship she felt for the werecougar. Sebastian understood the depth of her gratefulness for the gift Matt had bestowed. Sebastian also saw how she liked the idea Matt would learn what love should be by hearing some of their internal discussion. Sebastian took it one step further and thought of the potential uses such a connection could have.

«Can you hear me, Matt?» Sebastian asked.

«Loud and clear. Well, not real loud, but that time was definitely louder than before. It's like you're speaking to me through a door. Weird.»

«This could be useful. I wonder if the connection works both ways. Try thinking something back at me.»

«Your woman has the sweetest pussy I've ever tasted.»

Christina blushed to the roots of her hair and Sebastian laughed out loud. Leave it to Matt to be as audacious as possible.

«I guess you heard that, huh?» Matt winked at her, a broad, unapologetic grin on his face. Christina lobbed a throw pillow at his head, but he ducked.

«Do us a favor and stick around here today, Matt. Unless you have other business.» Sebastian was thinking fast, planning ahead.

«Nothing that can't wait.»

«Good. See if you can figure out what Jeff Kinsey has been up to.»

«Who's Jeff Kinsey?» Matt wanted to know.

Christina stiffened in Sebastian's arms. «My husband.»

«The swine who hurt her. I want to know if he's still in jail. And if he is, I want you to use your contacts on the police force to get someone to notify us the minute he gets out. If he's already out, I want you to call that were private eye and get him on surveillance. He'll do it for you, though I suspect if I asked, he wouldn't give me the time of day. I'll pay, of course.»

«Hastings owes me a favor. If Kinsey is out, he'll be watched by were twenty-four/seven. Count on it. Now,» Matt rose and stood in front of them for a moment, unashamed of his nudity, «I'll leave you two lovebirds alone. I'll be outside prowling the grounds.» He shimmered with magic and a moment later, the man was replaced by a golden cougar with topaz eyes. He padded out the door with a last look over his shoulder and the wink of one feline eye.

Sebastian took Christy back to his room-their room now-the luxurious master suite, built on the interior of the fortress-like house, with no windows and heavy doors.

She knew from the memories he now shared with her that this room was his retreat, but he seldom slept here. No, this room had a well-concealed secret doorway which led downward into the sublevels of the house, below ground.

«Why didn't you take me below ground last night? It's got to be safer for us to be away from the sun altogether.»

«Because for most newly turned, it takes some time to get used to the idea of being underground. I didn't want you to feel threatened in any way and showing you my dungeon could have been interpreted as a threat by some people.»

«Dungeon?» The word tripped through her mind as he chuckled.

«Just a small part of the underground complex beneath the house. You'll see it all, eventually. But not tonight. Tonight I only plan to show you the bedroom. We still have a few hours before sunrise. The rest of the night is ours.»

«I can still hear you, you know,» came Matt's voice, more faint than before, through their shared link. «It's not quite as loud, but you're definitely there, buzzing in the back of my mind. Man, this feels weird.»

«No doubt,» Sebastian answered. «I'm hoping distance will dull the connection so you won't be subject to our internal dialog all the time. Is it lessening at all?»

«Yes,» came the reply, fainter than the last as they moved downward into the earth. «I can barely hear you now.»

«Good. Rest well today, my friend. We'll see you tomorrow night.»

«Goodnight, friends.»

That last was the faintest communication yet and Christy knew a moment of relief that Matt wouldn't suffer too much for what had happened. She felt guilty about enticing Sebastian into that threesome, though it had felt wonderful at the time. Still, if anyone was going to be joined with them for all eternity, she supposed Matt was a good choice. He was a steadfast friend, with enormous strength and a good heart. She felt the truth of those thoughts as she saw some of Sebastian's memories of Matt in their shared minds.

They'd been through a lot together, Sebastian and Matt, and had been criticized by each other's races for their close friendship. She saw that Matt had brothers, and two sisters, one now dead at the hands of her mate. Sebastian was friendly with the entire Redstone Clan, which was led by Matt's oldest brother Griffon. They were builders by trade, and Christy remembered seeing the name Redstone Construction and a cougar emblem on the side of more than a few trucks and construction vehicles throughout her travels. Very successful builders, Sebastian's memory soon affirmed.

Apparently were strength was put to good use in such occupations and many of the Redstone employees were no doubt werecreatures of one kind or another. Matt was the youngest of the brothers, but by no means a child. He was a few decades older than Christy herself, though he looked to be in his mid-twenties or early-thirties. Again, those were genetics and corresponding long lifespan played a role in her perception. She had to get used to the idea that these people didn't always look like what they actually were. Sebastian, for one example, was more than two centuries older than her, and some of her friends' new husbands were even older than that.

It was a lot to take in.

«Hiro is coming back tomorrow night and we'll continue your training.» Sebastian broke into her thoughts as he stopped before a door in the secret passageway. There was no need for lights in the dark tunnel. Her vision adjusted to allow her to see in the dark as clearly as if it were day. Another cool thing to get used to.

«What are you training me for, exactly?»

Before the words were even out of her mouth, she saw the truth in his mind.

Jeff. He wanted her to face Jeff.

«No!» Her mind rebelled, but Sebastian was there, his strong arms around her shoulders, guiding her through the door he'd opened. «I won't do it. I don't ever want to see him again!» She lost control of the fear filling her mind. She thought she'd been doing so well, putting her past behind her, but apparently the terror Jeff had taught her would not be denied. She knew Sebastian felt her uncontrollable response and that made it somehow worse. He saw the full extent of her weakness now. She was a coward.

«No, my love,» he crooned, rocking her in his arms. «You're no coward. Jeff is the coward. It's easy to beat up on those weaker than yourself, but not honorable or brave.

I'd like to see him try to hurt you now. You'd show him a thing or two. You'd teach him a lesson he'd never forget.»

«Is that what you really think? Is that why you had Matt give me his super-blood? Because if that's what you're after, I don't think I can do it, Sebastian.» She drew comfort from his embrace, even while her mind objected. «I'm not strong enough.»

Sebastian seemed to consider her words. «Physically, you're much stronger now than any human-especially a weakling like Jeff Kinsey. It's the psychological strength we need to work on, my love. And we will. We have lifetimes ahead of us to work on it, but it starts with you facing your fear of this mortal head-on.»

She would have objected, but he shushed her with a gentle finger on her lips. «Not tonight, not tomorrow night either, but one night soon, you'll be ready to take the first step on your path to recovery. I'll be beside you every step of the way, my love.» Leaning close, he kissed her lips, little butterfly kisses meant to comfort. «I will always be with you now. We are One.»

«Sebastian.» She breathed his name as he lifted her in his arms and carried her to a soft, wide bed draped with blood red silk sheets. It was an antique no doubt, with heavy velvet curtains in the same dark red and black, and wider than any bed she'd ever seen in her life. He deposited her on the cool sheets, and followed her down into the softness of a mattress stuffed with down.

«I've wanted you since the moment I first saw you, Christina. You'll never know how hard it was for me to let you leave your friend's wedding with Jeff. I knew something was wrong with your relationship, but I didn't know the extent until Jena called Kelly from the hospital. Thank heavens I was at Marc's that night. Otherwise I would have heard too late.» His voice cracked with emotion as he drew her close, cuddling her under his chin. «I comfort myself that your friends would have saved your life anyway, but another would have been your maker. I knew the moment I saw you, I wanted that responsibility-that honor-for myself. I wanted to teach you and coach you, and stand back and marvel while you blossomed into the woman you always should have been. The woman you would have been without Jeff in your life.»

«I'm glad you were there. I can't imagine sharing this with anybody else.» She began undoing his buttons one by one.

«I know I surprised you with Matt. I'm sorry for that, but I had my reasons.»

Christy paused, spreading one hand over his warm, hard chest. «I understand, Sebastian. It startled me at first, but last night and earlier tonight were some of the most amazing moments of my life.»

«It's just the beginning, my love.» He lifted her hand to his lips and kissed her knuckles with teasing nibbles. «Our lives are joined now and things will only get better from here. I promise.»

«Sebastian, I want to make love to you.» She couldn't control her wayward emotions. She'd wanted this man for a long time but hadn't dared dream he could be hers in any way. Now here she was, with Sebastian in his secret lair, alone at last. She wanted to join her body to his once more as they were now joined in mind. «Just you. Only you.»

There wasn't time for words as Sebastian rid them both of their clothing. Within moments they were skin to skin on Sebastian's luxurious bed. The silk of the sheets felt cool and soothing against her overheated skin while Sebastian's masculine fingers trailed down her body with an expert's precision. He knew just how to touch her to stimulate every last nerve ending and erogenous zone.

But if she wanted to change her life, she was going to start now. No longer would she play only a passive role. Jeff hadn't wanted her to take much initiative in the bedroom. She'd been a virgin when they'd married and let him take charge. That had been enough when they were newlyweds, but over the course of their marriage, she'd often felt she wanted more. Jeff wasn't inclined to let a woman take the initiative, but it had taken her years to realize how insecure Jeff really was. She knew Sebastian was quite different though. He wanted her to spread her wings and experiment. She saw that in his mind and in his heart.

Reaching up, she drew his head down so she could kiss him. When they broke apart after long moments, both of them were breathing hard.

«I love what you do to me, Sebastian.»

«You'll not get an argument from me, my love. You're more than I ever could have dreamed of having for myself and I will cherish you the rest of our nights.» He clasped both of her hands, kissing her lips, her cheeks, her eyes and then moving downward over her collar bones, pausing at her breasts to nibble and suck while she writhed in ecstasy beneath him.

«Sebastian!» His name was torn from her lips as her fever rose. All Sebastian had to do was look at her a certain way and her body responded with overwhelming passion. «I need you now.»

He rose over her and smiled. «I need you always, my Christina.»

«Then come to me now, lover. Make me yours alone.» Christy felt sexier than she ever had and knew Sebastian was with her. He wanted her. Her! And he felt the same way about her as she did about him.

It was fantastic. In less time than she could have believed, the bonding they'd undergone made them closer than any mortal could understand or hope to achieve. The magic that was Sebastian lived in her heart and soul, never to be displaced.

Sebastian rose over her, gazing down at her with love and longing as he slid between her thighs. With tender motions, he joined them, sliding into the place that welcomed him now, and would for eternity. When he was seated fully, he rested there, holding her gaze.

«I wish I could stay joined to you like this all the time.» His sexy, low voice fired her senses, while his masculine scent drove her wild.

«Mmm. Me too. But right now…» she whimpered as he moved by small degrees, setting off shockwaves within her core, «…I really need you to move, Sebastian. I need you to make love to me. I need you to make me come.»

Sebastian's eyes glowed as he thrust. His motions were slow and deliberate at first, then increased in urgency as their passion expanded. He moved like a wild man, but she wanted it all. She wanted him, any way he chose to come to her and she knew he felt the same. It was a novel experience, feeling your partner's thoughts, but the more time she spent joined to him, the more natural it felt.

«Come with me now, my love. Come for me.»

«Sebastian!» She crested the highest wave yet. She'd never felt such an explosion of pleasure, never known a person could fly so high. «Sebastian!» She shouted as her orgasm rocked her world to its core. She felt him convulsing inside her, joining her in the greatest bliss she'd ever known.

«I love you, Sebastian.» Her voice was weak with strain, her mind barely functioning as she drifted down, her body still quaking with aftershocks as he cradled her close. «I love you so much.»

He kissed her face with soft touches, stroking her hair with one large hand. «I love you too, my lady, and I want you to be my bride.» When she would have objected, he soothed her with gentle motions. «Let's not think of the difficulties right now. It's enough to know that as soon as you're free, you'll consent to join your life to mine in the eyes of man. Will you marry me, Christina?»

A soft smile hovered around her lips as she drifted. «Yes, Sebastian. Nothing would make me happier.»

He brushed her lips with his as he shifted them to lie side by side on the large bed. He didn't release her. He held her close, stroking her skin as sleep claimed her, his proposal and her answer foremost in her mind.

She slept with a smile on her face the rest of the night and all the next day, as did Sebastian.