Midnight Magic, page 135
“I’m… I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have attacked you like that.”
He grinned. “If that was you attacking, I welcome the assault every day.”
She pressed her lips together to keep from laughing, but it spilled over as a snort.
Dash laughed along with her, then pulled her to his body. He embraced Brandi in a hug she had not expected, but also didn’t want to let go of.
“You surprise me, Brandi Holmes. And I love it.”
She grinned as she held onto her vampire.
Her vampire.
Was he hers?
Did she want to be his?
Theirs?
If every day was like this, then the answer was yes.
But what about Bishop and Malik?
Would they feel the same?
CHAPTER 9
A week had passed since she spent time with Dash in Brazil. She couldn’t help the flutter that took shape in her belly every time she thought of their closeness, their kiss, and the way he held her as if she were the most precious possession.
Maybe in a way, she was.
The thought still plagued her, though, the one of Malik and Bishop.
Would they feel the same way about her as she did of Dash?
She hoped as much. She had become a princess overnight and she knew, now, she couldn’t give up what she had gained: a home, life, friends, and if she were lucky enough, a family of her own.
She stared out her bedroom window as she cinched a charm around her neck. It was a pear shaped diamond. Simply, yet, elegant. Dash surprised her with it the morning they returned from Brazil.
Each time they met in the home, outside, anywhere, the flutter took flight once more. The smile on his face led her to believe he felt the same.
Did vampires experience that butterfly sensation?
Who knew?
Shifting her gaze toward the pool grounds, she stared at the pool for a long moment. It had been ages since she swam and even though it was winter in New Orleans, she had a longing to plunge into the deep end.
In a way, she’d done just that with her life. Jumped feet first into the shark-infested waters. She prayed she would only be devoured in the most delicious of ways… by a sensual vampire… or vampires.
Stepping away from the window, she made her way over to the dresser. Opening the drawer with the swimwear, she pulled out a bikini. The top was a hot pink with dark blue palm trees. The bottoms were the same shade of blue, solid.
She quickly changed and once the bathing suit was on, she grabbed her feathery robe and tied it around her. Not wanting to fuss with shoes, she left her bedroom and headed toward the backside of the mansion.
Brandi saw no one, didn’t hear a peep, not even a creek in the walls as they settled. It was completely quiet. Almost too quiet.
Were they spying on her and wanted to watch?
Were they stalking her like she was the prey to the predator?
A part of her felt thrilled to be in the chase, but at the same time, it was frightening. These were vampires. They could tear her apart in a matter of seconds, yet, could also bring her to a level of euphoria she’d never experienced before.
Ever.
Even with a vibrator or her fingers.
Opening the back door, she looked over her shoulder once more and found no one watching. She opened it further and the wind chill caught her, sending a shiver through her body.
She stepped outside and closed the door behind her. She shuddered more, almost in a quake, from the cold. Quickly disrobing, she ran toward the deep end of the pool, held her nose, and jumped in like a cannon ball.
Warmth immediately enveloped her and it was amazing. It was like being hugged by a warm blanket, but with water. Swimming to the surface, she inhaled and gasped as Bishop stood over her.
He smiled and lifted a brow. “Nice day for a swim, eh?”
She grinned. “Well, not really, but it looked so inviting.” She paused for a moment as she tread water. “Is it okay that I’m in here?”
“Of course,” he answered. “Mind if I join you?”
Her mouth dropped open, then she closed it. “Umm, no, not at all. When did you make it out here? I was inside and I swear it was like no one was home.”
He chuckled as he pulled his shirt over his head, tossing it to a nearby chair. “The home is quite large. It can appear eerily silent when we’re all about and not together.”
She stared at up at the man’s chiseled chest and abs. Holy all things GQ, he was cut and sexier than anything she’d ever seen or read in a magazine.
He pulled the band holding his blond hair back and it fell around his face and shoulders. He then made good with getting rid of his pants, socks, and shoes, leaving him only in his boxer briefs. His legs were well defined and when he turned to set his clothes with his top, she took the opportunity to check out his backside.
His back rippled with muscles as he moved, and his ass, my Gods, she could bounce a quarter off his cheeks.
Bishop turned toward the pool and dove in, barely making a splash. She felt her face flush as she watched him, his form, everything. She wanted to see what might be hiding behind his boxer briefs, if there was a large bulge.
Brandi watched as he moved under the water, his figure distorted by the movement of the pool. He swam closer to her and crested the water just in front of where she waded.
He wiped the hair from his face. “I love the suit on you. It’s nice.”
“Thank you,” she whispered. Staring into his blue eyes, she noticed specs of silver and hazel. His lashes were thick and his lips slightly full. He was beautiful and she felt completely out of her league.
The nagging suspicion she should put space between them urged her to paddle backwards.
“Where are you going?” he asked.
“Umm,” she started when he slipped an arm around her waist. His body rubbed against hers and she bit down on her cheek to keep herself from moaning. The touch of his body, the feel of him, it was more than she had expected.
“If this makes you uncomfortable, let me know, all right?”
She nodded and her body was tense. She wasn’t uncomfortable; it was completely the opposite. She wanted to wrap her arms and legs around the man. Then a tinge of guilt bit at her as she thought of Dash.
“What’s on your mind? You seem to be elsewhere.”
She sighed and tried to force herself to relax. Slowly, she rested her hands on his shoulders. “I feel weird. I was just with Dash and now I’m out here with you. I feel like I’m cheating, in a way.”
“Are you cheating?” he asked with a grin.
“I don’t think so. He’s not mine and I’m not his.”
“Then you’re definitely not cheating,” he said with a wink.
“I’m not sure how to do this, Bishop. I’ve never really been in a relationship prior to this. I’m sorry if I’m awkward,” she said as she lowered her gaze. She couldn’t help but stare at his chest and watched her fingers as she lazily traced circles on his shoulders.
He touched her chin and lifted it until their eyes met. “Let me tell you about being awkward. I’m that guy that can trip standing still.”
She giggled.
“I’m serious,” he insisted. “I’ll call your awkward and raise you a weirdo.”
She laughed harder and felt herself relax a little more. He was trying, and that’s what mattered to her. If he could be honest with her about tripping over his own two feet, then she could let him in a little more.
Like she did with Dash.
She could do this.
“Thank you,” she whispered.
“For what?”
“For letting me be awkward.”
He smiled and brushed a few wet hairs from her forehead. Her dark tresses floated near his blond and the mix seemed obscure, but also perfect. “You’re welcome.”
They were quiet for a moment and Brandi decided it was okay to be closer to him. She slipped her arms around his neck and being bold, snaked her legs around his waist.
“That’s much better,” he whispered. “You’re a beautiful woman, Brandi.”
“Thank you, Bishop.”
She closed her eyes when he rested his forehead to hers. The two remained silent for a moment and it was almost as if the moment was needed. He wasn’t pushing or rushing her. He was just being there for her when she was ready.
“So,” she started and pulled back to look into his eyes, wanting to know more about him. “Where are you from exactly?”
“As you’re aware, I’m from Canada. Victoria to be precise.” He paused as if in thought. “The story of how I became a vampire?” She nodded and he returned it. “Right. I was playing a game of poker in a whore house.”
“Umm, okay?” she offered, almost put off that he would be in a place like that.
He chuckled. “It was a long time ago. Don’t judge.”
She laughed. “Who am I to judge?” As she said that, she kind of did pass judgment. “I’m sorry if it came across that way.”
He waved it off. “No bother, it’s fine. So, I was playing a game of poker. I won hand after hand. It was a lucky night, what can I say? Well, one of the guys I was playing against didn’t like that I was winning and taking all his money. He accused me of cheating. I challenged him to prove it. Well, he didn’t exactly challenge me.”
“What happened?” She had a feeling she knew exactly what was coming but waited for him to answer.
“He stood from his chair and shot me right in the chest.” He laid one of his hands in the center of his chest and moved his fingers over the faint scar. She wouldn’t have noticed it unless he pointed it out.
If she were licking him, maybe she would see it.
Maybe.
She blinked and shook herself from the delicious daydream. “What happened next?”
“Well, I fell back in the chair and was knocked unconscious. I wasn’t sure how I ended up in the bed I was in, but when I woke, I was a vampire. I had a blood lust that felt unquenchable. I shot up from the bed and pinned the woman in my room to the wall. I ripped into her throat before I knew what I was doing.”
“Oh fuck,” she whispered.
He nodded. “Not exactly one of my best moments. Never fear, though, the woman was a vampire and knocked me on my ass. A second later, the man who changed me came into the room. He offered me a woman who, unfortunately, was screaming in his grasp. She was a blood demon.” He closed his eyes.
“I say was because I ended up killing her. It wasn’t intentional, but I couldn’t control the blood lust.” He looked at Brandi once more and she saw the sorrow, the concern in his eyes. “It wasn’t enough, though. I needed more. In time, my thirst began to subside to the point I could control it. By that time, he and the woman I attacked had left on their own way.” He paused.
“I traveled all over Canada and the United States, never settling down, and had conquests everywhere I ventured. I was a vampire bachelor and left zero fucks everywhere I went. Not exactly one of my better moments.” He sucked in a breath.
“In time, I found my way to Texas. I had set up residence there for a while on a ranch. It was nice and isolated. During the time of Mardi Gras one year, I decided to head over to New Orleans. That’s when I met Malik and Dash. Malik and I hit it off immediately. The Covenant was expanding and a new position had opened he needed to fill. The offer was extended and I accepted. A few months later, I had sold my ranch and moved to New Orleans. And the rest, as they say, is history.”
“Wow, that’s quite a story. From poker player to rancher. So,” she drew out her word, then continued, “You left broken hearts over North America?”
He chuckled. “Something like that. I never settled down with anyone. I’ve never had a concubine of my own. I’ve only fed from donors or had affairs with blood demons who were not ready to be a concubine themselves.”
“If I may ask, what’s changed your mind, now?”
His lips slowly curled into a sly, devious grin. Her pussy quivered and her legs twitched as they tightened around his waist.
“It was time to find someone for our own. It’s time we had our own blood demon, synthetic or not. And… believe it or not, I feel I’m ready to find my soul mate.”
She returned his smile and felt her heart speed up in her chest. “And how’s the quest been so far?”
“Not fruitful, until we met you.”
She pressed her lips together to keep herself from giggling. “That’s the nicest thing anyone has ever said to me.”
He leaned in and whispered in her ear. “I’d love to give you everything you’ve never had, and I don’t mean in material possessions.”
“Oh shit,” she whispered and he chuckled. “Oh shit, I said that out loud?”
He grinned and looked into her eyes. “Fuck, yes, you did,” he winked. “Would you like to come to Canada with me sometime to see where I’m from?”
She nodded. “I would love to.”
“Then we’ll make it happen. Until then, what I would love to do is kiss you. May I?”
A soft giggle escaped her when she nodded. He grinned and brushed a hand down the back of her head, then cradled it. His other hand cupped the side of her cheek and his thumb lightly moved over her skin.
When he leaned in, his lips were mouthwatering and she wanted to devour him there in the pool. He lightly pressed his mouth to hers and the beard on his face tickled her skin. He released her and rested his forehead to hers.
Her breaths came in pants and before she realized what she was doing, she began to tangle her fingers in his hair. She pulled herself closer and tilted her head, slipping her lips across his.
When his tongue slid across her mouth, she opened for him. His tongue explored hers gently, yet possessively, while he held her close to his body.
Pressed against her, she felt the bulge move against her and it didn’t leave much to the imagination. He was large, if the feel of him was any indication. She gasped when the wall of the pool brushed her back and Bishop leaned into her, deepening their kiss.
She tightened her legs and her hips bucked against him as he thrust his hips. “Bishop,” she whispered.
“Yes?” he asked and peppered his lips across her cheek to her neck, then nibbled on her ear.
She wanted him, holy fuck, did she want him, but she knew she wasn’t ready by the voice in her head screaming to stop. It wasn’t out of fear, but hesitation, being new to this concubine placement. And being new to them.
“I’m… I’m not ready… to do this.”
Bishop immediately stopped kissing on her neck and earlobe, then rested his forehead on her shoulder. “It’s not a problem,” he whispered.
“I’m sorry. I don’t want to feel like I led you on.”
He pulled back and smiled. “Please, no, you didn’t, at all. As much as I would love to ravish you here in the pool, I would much rather have you in my bed.”
Her mouth formed an ‘oh’ and he continued.
“I would give anything to taste you right now, feel you on my tongue, devour everything your body could give me. But we will definitely wait until you’re ready.”
“And when you say shit like that, you make me want to drop my panties and sit on your face.”
He laughed, his voice carrying across the yard. As he recovered, he ran his thumb under her bottom lip. “Feisty. I love it.” He let go a long sigh, then offered a gentle smile. “We will wait until you’re ready for all three of us. And trust me, you will want this. You’ll be begging for us, Brandi.”
She bit on her bottom lip and her face heated with desire. “I would be lying if I said I didn’t want you now.”
He smirked. “I can tell.”
She tilted her head. “How’s that?”
“Your legs haven’t released their grip on my waist.”
She felt her eyes widen and her face heat for a different reason. “Ohmigod, I’m so sorry.” She immediately released him and the absence of him felt foreign. She wanted him back between her legs, but also knew she needed to cool her own jets.
These men, these vampires, were more than she had bargained for. Between Dash and Bishop, she would combust from the sexiness between them, but add in Malik? She would be their play doll to do whatever they wanted. She would give herself to them any way they wanted.
And she believed Bishop when he said she would be begging them to take her.
“Don’t be sorry, Brandi. I’m just happy to see I have the same effect on you as you do on me.”
“Oh, you definitely have an effect on me,” she told him. “You and Dash both.”
“How about we sit in front of the fire? I’ll have something whipped up for you to munch on while we warm by the flames.”
She smiled. “That sounds perfect.”
He leaned in, pressed his lips to her forehead, and lingered there for a moment. Releasing her, he put space between them. “Then, I’ll see you inside.” He winked and released his hold on her.
She missed him already, but also enjoyed the view as he climbed from the pool.
His boxer briefs did nothing to hide his erection. His skin glistened from the water and his hair dripped down his back. He glanced over at her and grinned, then grabbed his clothes and headed toward the door.
She groaned as soon as the door closed behind him. “How the fuck am I supposed to do this with all three of them? I wanted Dash desperately, but now, I want Bishop, too. How can I want more than one man? How is that possible?”
She thought back to Tawne and Olivia. They were doing it and living their best lives. If they could do it, so could she.
Swimming to the ladder, she climbed out and immediately shivered. She grabbed her robe and ran toward the house, getting inside. She dripped on the floor mat and her body shook from the cold.
“I had a feeling you’d need a towel,” Bishop told her and wrapped an oversized black towel around her body. And it was heated.
She leaned into his embrace around her and closed her eyes. “Th-Th-Thank you,” she said through chattering teeth.
