Into the Blue (Triad Bite Book 3), page 23
A vampire’s kiss.
I stood up and stretched, closing my eyes and groaning aloud. Peeking with one eye, I saw him at the edge of the bed, sitting there in waiting. Not thoroughly fucked enough.
Yet, I was right there with him.
“Come here, mon cher,” he spoke, low and sultry, my pussy throbbing in response to his nickname for me.
He held out his hand, and I took it, climbing into his lap. Cupping my nape, he stole a deep, feverish kiss.
“Make love to me, Tristan,” I whispered minutes later when we pulled away breathlessly.
Keeping those love-filled eyes on me, he took off the lingerie I wore. The sight was sexy to watch, and it made a tender ache grow within because his burning stare hardly left mine.
His lips were on my breasts, nipping and playing with his strong tongue. As I arched my back, his hands steadied me. I enjoyed how his tongue explored and teased.
While he continued, I took it upon myself to put him inside where I wanted him.
Distracting him, I cradled his face and kissed him gently before placing my arms around him, letting myself stare deeply into a pair of jade eyes, brimming with pleasure.
We locked into a smoldering stare as I moved my hips, and he held me tight. Saying nothing, letting our quiet pants and moans speak for themselves.
It was him and me. My sire. My maker.
Our love was just as valuable as his brother’s. No more, no less.
The only thing missing was them at the same time, something I craved for over a decade.
I always wanted it all. The love. The sex.
Eternity.
I lost myself in him, and I would find myself there too. We broke each other for different reasons, but I knew we could heal those very same cracks. Together, we would meet our destiny of all that our bond could offer.
Chapter 30
Fabien
It was one month after The Society gathering at the Château de Vaux-le-Vicomte. A lot happened during that period.
First and foremost, Karina and Tristan. Out of respect for their healing, I tried to find ways to split up the time between the three of us. Until they were both ready.
I wouldn’t push the issue for all of us being together as it finally felt like everything was settling.
Margo and I were relieved that the scowling, hatefulness, and looks of pain Karina gave Tristan eased up entirely after the gathering in France. We weren’t as on edge, wondering if she’d kill him. I was immensely proud of my girl for all she’s done and overcome. My perfect mate, battle scars and all.
It began to feel like our relationships were better than ever before. With therapy, and our improved family communication, it felt like all those years apart were in another lifetime.
Sort of.
I felt closer and more connected, and we felt the freedom of relief. Relief that people and circumstances, or missions, weren’t coming between all of us. We could heal from the past and work toward an improved future.
Well, until Tristan let it slip about Carmen.
We were hanging out at Patrick’s place for once, and while we were chatting, Tristan opened his mouth. All of us froze at the mention of Carmen’s name in relation to Adrian. Karina stood frozen with drinks in her hand from the kitchen.
“What did you just say, Tristan?”
I heard the crack in her voice, but it was the anger that took over. I could feel it as if it were my own. My own familiar shadows of the past echoed through her.
All of us exchanged awkward glances.
Tristan began to reiterate as she stood near him, not moving yet.
I was across from him with Margo and Patrick nearby.
“You all knew…didn’t you?” She interrupted him before he got any more words out.
All I heard was the hurt then.
Tristan sighed as she looked between all of us, stressed by the knowledge of our silence.
“We did, but it wasn’t to hurt you, Karina,” Tristan said calmly as her eyes watered, and my heart skipped a beat to see her mood change.
She handed us our glasses, walking back to Patrick’s bar nearby. There was an uncomfortable silence that followed. All of us were on alert for possible scenarios of what could happen next.
Karina rubbed her eyes in frustration, gripping the edge of the counter. I stole a glance from my brother, and we shared a look of caution.
I give it five minutes before she walks out. I hadn’t seen her angry in a while, so I hoped I was wrong.
“We were told not to say anything,” Margo said quietly which caused Karina to turn around in a flash.
“What? All of you?”
I could gauge her trying to process her emotions, and it hurt to see, so I stood up slowly.
All of us were on edge and had been since Lucien told us not to mention it until necessary. Adrian’s death was so fresh, we didn’t want to make it worse. Yet, she didn’t bring it up until now.
I didn’t want her to do anything she might regret later, because of the anger.
“Yes,” I spoke softly, and Tristan added, “I did tell you once before that it was Carmen who gave me your location in Oxford… I also kind of threatened her for it when I was searching for you…” He rambled on, rubbing the back of his head with a sigh.
Scowling, Karina spoke angrily–not at him, just over the situation.
“I only heard half of what you said that night in my grief, Tristan. For fucks sake! Why is it, it always comes back to that woman? It doesn’t matter what I do; it’s like she purposely does things to take people away from me by opening her goddamn mouth! Unless there’s money involved, of course. Now that she’s mated and immortal, I’m stuck dealing with her. FOREVER. Then, The Council… Oh, Lucien, you clever man. Fuck!”
I could see her mental wheels turning, putting the pieces together. She leaned down to steady herself on her knees, breathing hard.
“I’m trying to resist the urge to fly to Paris and strangle the lot of them… I can’t even be angry at you all… We were just reunited, and shit was already tough. I can’t put all the blame on you. I’m hurt and disappointed, yes, but I’m trying to process another piece of the puzzle I missed in my grief… Is there anything else I need to know?”
“Nothing extreme, we promise,” Margo commented as Karina looked at each of us once more.
“Very well. I need some air and space to think.” She moved, grabbing her coat.
“I’ll come with you,” I said moving toward her then quickly added before she could reject, “I won’t speak or hover while you’re doing what you need to process, but please take one of us with you.”
I grabbed my coat while she huffed.
“Fine.” Her sound of defeat made a dull ache rise within me.
She walked out, and I told them over my shoulder I’d be in touch. I quickly followed her to catch up.
“Is your car nearby? Will you drive us to the closest beach?”
I almost ran into her when she stopped and turned her head to the side.
“Yes,” I said quietly, leading her to where I parked.
She followed close behind me and got into my sports car.
“Drive,” she voiced in a low commanding tone.
I sighed, pulling us onto the road. “Yes ma’am.”
Within half an hour, I brought us to where she requested. She got out immediately once I parked. I lightly tapped the steering wheel before I got out and followed her path.
It took me longer than I cared to admit to find her. I found her shoes and her jacket laid together further into the sand. I picked them up, letting my eyes adjust quickly in the full moonlight.
I didn’t see anyone else at the time, but as I walked closer to the crashing waves, I saw her standing in the water looking out into the vast darkness of the sea.
Karina looked so bitterly beautiful.
I felt terrible for disappointing her and for her finding out again that Carmen indirectly aided in Adrian’s death. Whether Tristan threw guilt around and threatened her was beside the point. In Karina’s eyes, she would see the affiliation and connection. First, her shadiness back in Vegas, then New York and her best friend, and now, this.
I wasn’t sure why she wanted to be at a beach of all places, but I wouldn’t question it if it helped her sort things out. The water had to be freezing.
“Let me know if there’s anything I can do, Ri. For what it’s worth, I’m sorry for not telling you at the start. I’m here for you, take whatever time you need,” my voice carried with the breeze as I placed her things down and sat beside them.
“Thank you,” was all she said back as she waded further in.
Part of me wanted to go in with her, but the other rational part of me said to give her space and keep her company in silence.
I gazed at the moon debating for a few minutes until I looked back toward where she was, and she was nowhere to be seen.
Fear erupted within.
Standing up quickly, I realized she was floating on her back. What a relief.
I waited a few more minutes, arguing internally with myself, and decided to join her, after all. I stripped relatively quickly, shivering when the breeze caressed my bare skin. When the water hit me, it stole the breath from my lungs.
Karina still floated unbothered by the temperature or the waves crashing all around her. She looked like a peaceful angel with her eyes closed and arms spread out.
The owner of my soul, always.
Can’t forget my body either. All of it would be hers forever, if she’d have me.
Bonds or not, it will always be her choice.
The water pushed her closer to me and she opened her eyes as her hand brushed up against my thigh. She was perfectly breathtaking as she adjusted to stand before me.
“How am I supposed to function when my beautiful mate is naked in the moonlight before me?”
She seemed calmer, playful even.
I lifted her chin, gazing into her moonlit eyes.
“Are you okay?” I asked her gently, and her arms went around me, rubbing my back in slow, soothing motions that made me close my eyes.
“No, but I will be. Thank you for giving me space earlier but for also being here.”
I kissed her forehead and held her. “Of course, whatever you need of me.”
The hard part about being there for others is not making it about you. At least not completely.
She squeezed me tightly for a moment before releasing her hold.
“There are a couple of things…I need from you if you’ll indulge me?”
I raised my brow, intrigued. “Oh, more than one? Let’s hear it.”
She tilted her chin up more without my help, leaning into me.
“Yes… The first one being, I want you to come with me to Paris while I confront Carmen. Of course, don’t tell Lucien or Ticia we’re coming, although I’m sure they’ll figure it out soon enough. I’m going to visit her soon. I have a lot I need to say to her. I have a feeling my anger will get the best of me, and I’ll become emotional, so I’d like you to come with me in the event I can’t control myself. Maybe waiting outside, nearby. Feed so you have a heightened sense of hearing too.”
I stroked her wet hair, twirling a piece around my fingers.
“Tell me when, and I’ll go with you. Why not bring any of the others?” I asked carefully just to see where her mind was at.
“I don’t think it would be a good idea to bring Tristan, considering he threatened the information out of Carmen. Margo and Patrick will be better at keeping him occupied. I need you with me. I’ll go into her place alone. I don’t want you to get hurt if they think I’m trying to hurt her.”
“Are you planning to?” I dared to ask, not judging her either way.
“No promises, but it isn’t my intention to go over there and kill her either. A smack wouldn’t hurt…”
Smirking at the thought, “At least you’re honest, Rin… I’ll be there. I also agree, Trist and Margo won’t help matters any if you brought them… What else do you require of me, my love?”
She gazed up at me where I could see the heat that lay within those clear eyes, and I exhaled deeply while her hand stroked my left side, moving lower.
My cock jerked to attention.
“Take me, B.”
Goddamn, the sultry temptress.
I felt her fingers move, wrapping her hand around the base of me.
Fuck, I was hard as a rock.
“Right here?” I asked in a tone that matched hers, tilting her chin up to look at me.
I could see my naughty girl’s eyes dancing with lust under the moonlight.
I’d give her all she needed and more.
“Yes,” she breathed out as I smirked before moving my hand to hold the back of her head.
I brought her lips to me, taking what was mine.
“I’ll be happy to oblige the first request, but especially the second,” I whispered between kisses as her arms went around me.
I picked her up, feeling her legs wrapped tightly around me. A growl of approval left me when I realized she wore nothing under her soaked dress.
Kissing her fervently, she gasped when I entered her. Right where my cock belonged.
“Warm me up, Fa-bi,” she got out between grunts and gasps.
Luring me in with those sweet kisses full of passion and lust. She drove me as wild as the waves around us.
As the waves crashed, so did we.
I would love her there in that endless sea.
I would give her nothing less than all of me.
Chapter 31
Carmen
I was home alone one evening at my residence in Paris, and I had just gotten out of the shower, braided my hair, then put on a satin slip with my lace robe.
My mates were supposed to be back later, so I went to the fridge to grab a packet of blood when I heard a knock at the door.
Hmm? Wonder who it could be?
Questioning the time on the black clock in the kitchen, I set down the packet and walked through the house to open the front door.
I opened it to reveal someone I wasn’t expecting, and part of me worried why she showed up without a word.
She knew.
“Hello, Karina, it’s always good to see you, please come in,” I said politely as she stepped inside, and I shut the door behind her.
My eyes lingered after her trying to predict her mood.
Has she come here to kill me?
I knew it was risky keeping my Parisian house, but I couldn’t help myself. It was sentimental for me and Lucien.
I managed to move most of the business outside of Paris and kept it in Germany, however, I let those who worked for me know that it was more than okay to safely travel, if they chose. Sometimes services called for it, and I never turned down a good opportunity. Never.
“Is everything okay? I was just about to enjoy a glass of blood; would you like one too?”
“Sure,” she responded flatly, and I walked back into the kitchen.
As I prepared our glasses, I couldn’t shake the feeling that she knew. Fear lingered in the back of my mind.
She didn’t immediately attack me and seemed relatively calm. However, something settled in her eyes when I glanced into them briefly, I couldn’t pinpoint it.
I always loved her beautiful haunting eyes.
“Here you go,” I said politely, handing her the glass a minute later.
She took it with an attempt at a smile while I sat near her on the tufted couch.
“You seem troubled, is there anything I can help with? Even if it’s just listening, I can do that too…”
I was nervous with her so close and swore I could feel her inner rage emanating from her.
She took a long drink, saying nothing at first.
“I’m still trying to figure it out. I needed to see you and speak with you about something… It’s something only you can answer and help me with.” She became quiet as I considered her carefully.
That’s…ominous?
My heart picked up its pace, and I slowly drank from my glass.
“Of course, anything you need,” I spoke gently, and she finished her glass quickly.
She set the emptied glass down on the side table and stood up, beginning to pace, and wrapping her arms around herself.
I noticed her thoughts were consuming her as I gulped the rest of the blood down. The tension was bothering me on a level I wasn’t comfortable with, nor was her continued silence.
“What is it, Karina? You’re worrying me.”
“Is it that guilty conscience of yours, I wonder? Did you even feel any amount of guilt or remorse after telling Tristan where I was? Did it ever dawn on you to fucking protect me? Or Adrian? Had he not found us, he would still be alive. Do you care, at all? Do you live to torture me and betray me? You say you love me, but why do you continuously disappoint me? Do you like hurting me? Please make me understand, Eldora.”
Her back was turned, and my heart sank.
I knew it.
Karina only used my maiden name when she was upset or defiant. It didn’t bother me as much as it used to.
Eldora died a long time ago when she herself escaped. Like Karina, I worked hard to save myself and survive. Not that I didn’t make mistakes along the way. I raised her as a caregiver, sent her to school, and then one day she asked me about what I did for a living, and I told her. I never forced her into the life, she wanted to do it. So, I took her into other roles.
Realizing how far we had come as people just to lead us back to the familiar start of over twelve years ago, I sighed heavily.
Dread of what would happen next scoured my veins.
“Of course, I did. Tristan swore to me he wouldn’t hurt you; it didn’t even dawn on me that he would hurt Adrian. I don’t think you realize how threatening that mate of yours can be. Even when he searched for you in Vegas, he wasn’t ever like that. We had our disagreements, yes, but I’ve never seen him so unhinged as he was. I never meant for Adrian to get hurt, I mean it. All of us liked him, and you remember, we were thinking of having him join The Council. He offered a different perspective, a kinder one.”
