Sweeter than Wine

CHAPTER 7

Sebastian was careful to shield Christina from the rest of the meeting while he laid down the law to every man present. He would brook no argument when it came to the safety of his mate. They discussed the very real dangers to her, both from her mortal husband and the potential threats from Altor Custodis and Venifucus.

When everyone else left, Sebastian and Matt headed for the dojo. There they spent a few enjoyable hours sparring, practicing and alternately teaching, testing and teasing Christina. The men had spent many evenings training together, but having Christina there made it more special. She brought life and happiness to the entire room. Even Hiro was lighter of spirit for her presence.

Christina left the dojo first, excused while the men practiced a few things that were beyond her abilities, and would be for some time. There were some limitations after all, to the acceleration the were blood had given her. Not many, but enough to make the moves the men practiced well outside her abilities-at least for a while yet.

By the time they finished, all three men were sweating, but they each wore pleased expressions on their faces. Hiro left first, heading for his home, which wasn't far.

«Are you staying today?» Sebastian asked Matt as he wiped his face with a towel.

Matt nodded, snagging his own towel. «Yeah, I thought I'd stick around, if that's okay.»

«You know you're always welcome here, my friend.»

«Well, I thought – until we're sure what's going on with Kinsey and Steel – I'd keep an eye out.»

«Your vigilance is much appreciated. I'm not comfortable with recent developments.»

«I figured as much. I've got that itchy feeling at the scruff of my neck and it's got me worried.»

Sebastian's eyes were grim. «Yeah, me too.»

The men left the dojo, parting at the door to the guest room that Matt used when he stayed over. He'd probably sleep until daylight, then change form and head out to prowl the grounds. Sebastian couldn't thank him enough for helping protect Christina. Matt's willingness to help went beyond friendship. This was the act of a brother-regardless of the fact they were different species.

By the time Sebastian entered the master suite, Christina was out of the shower, dressed in a lovely silk nightgown. Sebastian was glad to see she'd found the things he'd had delivered for her. She looked so lovely, sitting there, brushing her hair at the small vanity he'd brought into the room, just for her. Sebastian stood in the doorway, staring at her. She was so beautiful, it almost hurt. But it was the best kind of hurt in the world, for she was his. All his.

«Are you going to just stand there all night, or are you coming in?» Christina didn't even look at him, sensing his presence through their link. The same way he sensed her at all times.

Sebastian moved behind her. She sat before the vanity, brushing her hair as she watched her progress in the mirror. It was a fable that bloodletters had no reflection. Only those without souls had no reflection and while some indeed, had relinquished their souls over the centuries, Sebastian had never been acquainted with anyone who'd done so.

He leaned down and nuzzled her neck, holding her in front of him. She smelled so clean and good, he realized he needed a shower himself. Badly. Hiro and Matt had given him a hell of a workout.

Rising, he winked at her in the mirror. «Give me ten minutes. I need to get cleaned up.»

«It'll take me that long to dry my hair. Take your time.»

Sebastian didn't dally in the shower, but did spend a few minutes thinking of all the things he'd do to-and with – his lady love in the hours left before dawn. He grew hard just thinking about it. Luckily, the solution to his problem was waiting for him outside. All he had to do was decide how he would take her.

He wanted to show her something new, something a little bit wild. Perhaps it was time to visit the dungeon.

Minutes later, Sebastian led Christy through a doorway she hadn't noticed the night before inside the secret passageway.

«Where are we going?»

«There are still a few hours before sunrise. I plan to make good use of them.» The look on Sebastian's face was downright wicked.

The passageway branched off to the left. Sebastian led her down the dark corridor to another door, well secured against casual invasion.

«There's a whole network of chambers and passageways down here, isn't there?»

«Very astute, my sweet.» Sebastian unlocked the door and motioned her through, hitting a switch that brought honest-to-goodness torches flickering to life. «I had this place built a century ago with lots of little secret rooms, clever air vents and many ways out so I could never be caught down here without an escape route. The torches are gas powered. Nice effect, don't you think?» He seemed to consider the flickering flames as she noted for the first time the sparse furnishings of the room. «I haven't been down here in years, but I'm especially glad I had this room put in now that I have you.»

«What is this place?» Christy turned in a circle, taking in the strange furniture, eventually coming back to face Sebastian. He had a mischievous glint in his eye as he watched her.

«Why, it's my dungeon, of course.»

«Dungeon?» she repeated. It didn't look scary at all. She gazed at the strange furnishings with new eyes, but the padded table in one corner didn't look like a torture device. Nor did the horse-like bench in another nook. There were other things she didn't understand, and then she noticed the wall display filled with whips and paddles of different kinds. Still, none of them looked as if they could cause serious injury.

«I see you're confused. Have you never been spanked or tied up by a lover? Have you never been driven to the edge of madness by a loving, slightly rough touch, then allowed to catapult over only at the command of your man?»

«With Jeff?» She snorted. «Not likely. The only kind of sex we ever had was plain missionary and when he started getting violent, there was nothing sexy about it.

«Did you never have a lover besides him?»

She shook her head. «I was a virgin when I met him. Actually, I stayed a virgin until we were married.»

«Ah, an old-fashioned girl. I like that.» Sebastian moved closer to her. «It just so happens, I'm an old-fashioned man.» He tickled her waist with teasing fingers, lightening the mood. «Did the unimaginative clod never tie you up for pleasure?»

She shook her head, titillated by the idea.

Sebastian grinned like a pirate.

«I think we'll start with that. I know he struck you, my love. I don't ever want you to be afraid of what you and I do together. I've never beaten a woman and I never will. But I have been known to spank, even tease with the lash, but never to hurt. Only to tantalize. Still, I don't think you're ready for that yet. Perhaps you never will be.» His gentle expression reassured her. «And that's all right with me. I want only your pleasure.»

«You think tying me up will bring me pleasure?»

«Don't tell me you've never thought about it. Before you met your boring husband, perhaps? Didn't you ever wonder what it would be like to be at the mercy of your lover, tied up for his convenience?»

She had to admit, there'd been times she'd wondered about it when she was younger. Sebastian saw the truth in her mind and grinned like the Cheshire cat.

«There is one big difference now though.» Sebastian led her to the padded bench in one torch-lit corner. «With your new strength, there's little in this world that can hold you if you do not wish to be held. The bindings are merely decorative. You'll submit to me by choice, not because you're unable to do other than what I ask. You have free will in this, my love, and you always will.» He helped her sit on the high table and kept his hands at her waist as they gazed into each other's eyes. «Will you submit to me? Will you at least try?»

Licking her lips, she gathered her courage. «I want to try, Sebastian. I want to do whatever you want. If I can.»

He leaned in and kissed her. «That's all I can ask of you, my love.» He settled her so she lay flat against the soft padding. Tugging the gown off her shoulders and down her arms, he pushed it downward until it was off her body, leaving her bare to his gaze. The soft silk slid over her skin, tantalizing each and every nerve ending on its way down.

He grasped her wrists and raised her arms above her head, positioning them at the corners of the table. Padded, mechanical restraints popped up from the edges of the table to encircle her wrists when he hit a lever with his foot. He checked the fit by slipping one large finger between her skin and the padded cuff. She had room to move without chafing her skin and he seemed satisfied. Skimming his big hands down her bare body, he repeated the process with her ankles, binding her to the devilish table, smiling all the while.

«Comfy?» he asked. She nodded, then gasped as the lower part of the table began to separate, drawing her legs apart. When they were spread wide, Sebastian stood between her legs. «Now the fun begins.» He moved his foot on the levers near the floor. A motor activated, lifting the table until her hips canted toward Sebastian, her legs bent and spread as wide as they'd go.

It was decadent. It was heady. It was incredibly erotic to be displayed before him in such a way.

She was confident enough in her new strength and abilities to know she could easily escape the slender cuffs and table contraption if she wanted. She also knew Sebastian would let her up the moment she asked. But she wanted to stay. She wanted to see where his little game would lead, where his passion would take them. She trusted him and she wanted to please him, and in so doing, please herself.

Spread before him, her pussy grew damp. It was an amazing feeling to have the circulating air of the dungeon wafting against her most sensitive folds. She also felt the impact of Sebastian's gaze like a soft caress. His fingers stroked over her folds and into her core, testing her, measuring her readiness for what he planned next.

«You know,» he spoke almost conversationally as he explored her most private place at his leisure, «back in my day, some medical men made a specialty of bringing women to orgasm. I've heard some of them employed special machines to excite the woman in question, or some of them would use their fingers.» He leaned closer and she felt his hot breath whisper over her exposed folds. «We could pretend you're a society wife with a feeble husband who can't see to your needs. They often called these doctors in for nervous disorders. Tell me, my lady, are you of a nervous disposition?»

Christy gasped as he filled her with two fingers, stroking deep.

«What was that, my lady? I didn't quite hear you?» Sebastian chuckled as he pumped into her. «I asked if you were of a nervous disposition. Given to swoons and jitters, are you?» Christy nodded, unable to speak as she neared a peak of pleasure. «Ah, well, I have a solution for that, my lady. My, how much moisture you have here. That's a very good sign.» He winked at her as she writhed on the table, his fingers pulsing in her core. Sebastian brought his other hand up to tease her clit and she went over the edge without once looking back.

«That's it, my dear. You come beautifully for me.» His hands rode her throughout the climax, pulling out only when she'd quieted, to pet her damp curls. He placed a soft kiss on the top of her mound and moved away while she recovered, her eyes closed in pleasure.

Drifting in bliss, Christy felt a teasing sensation on her arm. Her eyes flew open to find Sebastian smiling down at her, a large, fluffy ostrich feather in one hand, a strip of black cloth in the other. It was the feather that had brushed her arm, she realized, raising gooseflesh with its tingling touch.

«Ready for more, my lady?» he asked, moving closer. He laid the feather aside, using both hands to show her the strip of cloth. «I'm going to blindfold you, sweetheart. Is that all right?»

Her pulse leapt at the idea. Moisture flooded her pussy. She couldn't believe how quickly Sebastian had her ready for more. All with just a few words.

«Yes, Sebastian.» She raised up a little so he could put the blindfold in place. «Whatever you like.»

«Oh, I like the sound of that.» He kissed her, just once, as he lowered her back to the padded table. She felt movement at her side and knew he'd picked up the feather once more. A shiver coursed down her spine just thinking about the soft brush of that feather down her body, but Sebastian made her wait.

«You know,» even his tone teased her, «anticipation can be something of an aphrodisiac. For example, here you lie, ready and waiting for me to touch you, anticipating where I will stroke first. Will my touch be light or hard? Firm or soft? Feather or fingers…or something else entirely?» She was aware of him moving around to her side, but still he didn't touch her. «Tell me, do you want my touch, my love?»

«Yes!» Her voice was whisper soft, but she knew he heard. She could feel the satisfaction in his mind as he teased her. Knowing that he drew pleasure from her excitement only made the yearning rise higher.

«Where do you wish me to touch you? Here?» He didn't wait for an answer, stroking the feather over her waist, down one side and up to her arm. «Or do you prefer here?» He drew the feather down the outside of her arm, raising gooseflesh in the path of the soft tormentor. «Do you like that?»

«Yes, Sebastian. Yes.»

«Or how about here?» Suddenly the feather was at her ankle, rising up the inside of one thigh, sliding upward and leaving a wave of longing in its wake. He stopped just shy of the apex.

«Sebastian.» She panted as her stomach clenched. The feather followed the ripples of her abdominal muscles as the need rose and thrummed through her being. «Please, Sebastian.» The whispered plea moved him, she could tell from a hitch in his breathing. She felt the eager satisfaction race through his mind a moment before he stepped between her thighs and used the mechanism to lower the table, positioning her legs to his satisfaction.

A moment later, his cock filled her. He took her by storm, shoving home in one swift move. Then he stilled.

«Is that what you wanted, my lady?»

«Oh, yes.» She moaned as he filled her. He was hot and hard, long and perfectly formed. She loved the feel of him inside her, but she needed more. She needed him to move. «Sebastian, please!»

He withdrew and rocked home again. She could feel how close he was to losing all control. It would take very little to drive him over the edge. She needed to drive him to that point, but she was blindfolded and restrained, unable to move. Still, there was one set of muscles sure to drive him insane.

She clenched around him, pleased when he groaned deep in his throat. She released, then did it again, with even better results.

«Christina! Lord, what you do to me!» Sebastian exclaimed as he started to move faster and she knew he was ready to burst. So was she. All it would take would be a few hard thrusts and she'd be over the moon. Tightening on him as he thrust deep, she matched his rhythm somewhat, unable to concentrate at the last as sensation swamped her.

She cried out as the wave hit her, sweeping Sebastian along for the ride as he climaxed within her. He gripped her hips in his large hands, riding her deep and hard, pulsing hot in her depths as he came in spurts of creamy satisfaction.

Both of them were breathing hard as they crested the peak and started the lazy spiral back to earth. Sebastian stood over her, the wicked table cradling her still. Only then did she realize he hadn't fed.

In the aftermath, she thought through some of the things she'd seen in his mind. The knowledge he shared was plentiful, but she could only process a bit at a time and he had the ability to close off certain areas of this thoughts, which she considered a good thing. She followed his example and walled off the memories of violence at Jeff's hands.

She suspected Sebastian limited her access to things that he'd prefer to keep private. Past lovers, indiscretions, moments of violence, and the like. She didn't mind at all. She knew the measure of this man and she wouldn't change her mind about him no matter what he'd done in the distant past. She loved him for who he was now.

But the idea of other lovers still rolled through her mind.

«Sebastian,» she asked as they both came back to earth, «will you still need to feed from other people now that we're…um…together?»

Sebastian pulled free from her body and began to undo the restraints on her feet. «Not anymore. From what I understand, the passion and blood we share between us will be enough to sustain us both.»

«So I won't have to bite anyone but you?»

«Not if you don't want to. Now that we know for certain that we're mates, our love and the mingling of our blood will be enough to feed our souls and our bodies for the rest of our lives, barring some unforeseen circumstance.» He removed the bindings from her wrists, hitting the controls to move her into a more comfortable position on the naughty table. «The only time I can foresee a need, possibly, to feed from another would be in case of emergency.» He removed the blindfold and smiled down at her, leaning in for a languid kiss. The satisfaction in his eyes melted her heart.

The relief she felt at his words calmed her fears. She didn't want him biting other women any more than she suspected he wanted her to bite other men. What she'd learned of vampire feeding was both physical and psychic. At the moment of orgasm, energy flooded her system, renewing her life force with amazing power. The blood did the same, but in a different, more earthy way. With the psycho-sexual energy they generated between them and Sebastian's reassuring words – Christy believed they could sustain each other for all eternity.

He led her from the dungeon room back to their bedroom and they made love again, and fed from each other, just before the sun rose. They slept the day away locked in each other's arms.