21 Shades of Night, page 85
Both of us continued to shake with laughter and I moved to nip her neck again. She pulled her shoulder up, blocking access. I tried the other side and she blocked me again, the game repeating through a half dozen times before I let go of her wrists and settled over her, propping myself up on my elbows.
The laughter wound down and she reached out, sliding her palm over my cheek.
“Thank you.”
“For?”
“For making me laugh,” she said.
I turned my lips to her hand, placing a kiss at the heart of her palm. “I can’t remember the last time I laughed like that,” I said and sighed.
Her smile faded and she stared at me with those beautiful chocolate eyes.
“What’s wrong?”
“Nothing,” she said and offered a ghost of a smile.
I inhaled her sweet scent and then pulled away. “I’m way behind in my studies,” I said and rolled off her and glanced at the clock. “And I only have a few more hours before nightfall, so…”
“So, you’re bailing on me?”
“Yes. If you want something to read, I can show you to my library.”
Her eyebrows rose.
“Either that or you could go exploring. There are quite a few sections of this place you haven’t seen.”
“Really?” she asked and smirked. “And here I thought you were shallow and just had places to screw around.”
I couldn’t help but grin. “I’m sure you’ll find more than enough intriguing places for us to screw around, if that’s what you desire.” With that, I slipped off the bed and headed out of the room.
Chapter 23
Naomi
THE VIEW OF his back was mighty fine and when he shot that twinkling smile back at me before disappearing around the corner, I thought my skin would catch fire. I dropped onto my back and stared at the ceiling.
He was smashing almost every notion I had about vampires, although, I wondered if it was just his innate ability to charm that had me smitten. And I had to admit, I was smitten, maybe more than smitten now that he'd let his guard down and laughed with me.
Rough housing impressed his sense of humor, and that was a rarity in the vampire realm. From what I had heard, vampires were cold with no depth of personality; all they wanted was blood and that trumped being civil. The disease burned out any hint of fun.
Damian was different. He was as full of life as a twenty-five-year-old should be, like turning the sands of time stopped not only his body, but his mind from aging. He was a strange contradiction. His normal persona was so charismatic and bright, but his shadow form, well, frankly, that terrified me.
I wondered if being an Archangel’s lackey had some influence on his demeanor.
Damian stepped back in the doorway.
“I’m not his lackey,” he said, the aggravation making his features hard.
“That’s what you got from my silent ramblings?”
His cheeks transitioned to embarrassed red and his gaze dropped to the floor. When his mouth opened and closed a couple times trying to form a rebuttal, I stifled a chuckle. However, in the end, he just offered me a shy smile.
“Your notion of what a normal vampire is like isn’t that far off. They crave blood more than you and I do, and it turns them into uncontrollable monsters.”
“Why are we different?”
Damian bit his lip and met my gaze with a shrug. “Probably because you and I survived on vampire blood that first day and we’ve both been infused with angel blood.”
My eyes widened. “You bit Michael, too?”
The bitter smile surfaced and he nodded. “He nearly took my head off.”
I thought about how pissed he was when I bit him, and I’m part of his bloodline. “Why didn’t he kill you?”
“He got a mental viewing of what happened to his daughter and knew how hell bent I was on revenge.” Damian leaned on the doorjamb and crossed his arms. “I also think the fact I didn’t divulge where Zoe was held some weight.”
“So it wasn’t just a pity thing,” I said and grinned.
His eyes narrowed and he leveled a glare in my direction before disappearing down the hall. This time, I scrambled after him, catching him halfway across the living room.
“I didn’t mean to offend you,” I said.
He looked up at the ceiling before bringing his gaze to me. “You didn’t offend me. It’s just still a sensitive subject,” he said.
“Even after all these years?”
His lips pressed together and he nodded. For a brief instant, I saw the underlying pain flogging his soul, and I reached out, cupping his cheek with my palm. I wanted to erase every last drop of strife in him and the soft smile that appeared tugged at my heartstrings.
I moved closer and allowed my hand to drop to his chest. His heartbeat tapped a soft rhythm at my proximity.
“Do you know why the connection between us is so…” I trailed off, unsure of the proper way to describe it. Strong wasn’t the right word but it was the only one I could come up with and the thought prompted his smile to gain traction.
“Electric?” he asked, his voice lilting in a pleasant question.
My face heated and I nodded.
“I don’t know,” he said. “But when you get this close, I can’t think straight.”
His admission made me smile. I liked the fact that I pushed him to the edge of control, because he certainly had that effect on me.
“Is this a supernatural side effect to being a vampire?”
He laughed. “No,” he said when the laughter wound down. “You were out with people last night. Did you feel this connection with anyone else?”
I thought about the stroll through the mall and the number of people surrounding us. Not one of them captured my attention and I shook my head.
“I really have studying to do,” he said but instead of moving away, he wrapped his arms around my waist, pulling me close. When his lips touched mine, I swear a bolt of lightning pierced through my soul, searing me to him for all eternity.
Chapter 24
Damian
THE TASTE OF a summer rainstorm washed over me and I couldn’t help myself. The kiss transitioned into the flash over zone and before I knew it, I had her pressed against the wall. My hormones went into overdrive and all I wanted was to hear her cry my name with her throaty, sex-laden voice.
The reality of our connection sucked the air from my lungs and I pulled away, meeting her gaze.
“I really have to study,” I mumbled, trying to convince myself more than her.
She giggled, and the sound made my muscles tingle.
“You’ve said that three times already,” Naomi whispered and licked her lips. That simple act may have been done in innocence, but it erased all thought from my brain, reducing me to the base animalistic tendencies so pronounced in my blood.
I think I growled, but I can’t be sure. All I knew is the night was coming and I could feel the pulse of it in my mouth and my cock, both begging for satiation. Cloth tore and I blinked, staring down at her wide eyes, my body poised over her now naked form laid out on the hard floor, ready to take her without consideration.
My muscles tensed and I exhaled. “I’m sorry,” I whispered and went to pull away.
Naomi grabbed a handful of my hair and yanked my head back. When her teeth closed on my throat I moaned her name, but she didn’t break the skin, instead her tongue danced over my carotid, the flutter as pronounced as my pulse. It took every ounce of self-restraint not to bury myself inside her.
For every swipe of her tongue, a little piece of my control chipped away and the burning need to have her stripped my skin of hesitation.
“Ah, fuck, Naomi, you have got to stop that,” I said.
“Why?” she asked against my neck just before her teeth punctured my skin.
Her gentle sucking crashed through me and I dipped my mouth to the line of her throat, piercing her skin at the same moment I thrust my hips. Her sharp gasp slapped my mind back in place and my teeth retracted, breaking contact with her skin. The feel of her tight around my throbbing member nearly sent me over the edge and I closed my eyes, relishing the all-consuming heat.
“Damian,” her voice cut through my stupor, the moment bringing with it a sharp clarity at what I had done.
I raised my head, meeting her gaze and then looked down at our coupled bodies. I’m sure my eyes were just as wide as hers, but I made no move to pull out, instead, I circled my hips slowly and my eyes rolled at the sheer bliss. I leaned down and licked the blood from her neck before bringing my lips to hers.
“I’m sorry, baby,” I whispered and punctuated it with another swirl of my hips, bringing a gasp from her, but this time there was an underlying hint of pleasure and her body responded, moving with me.
Her fingers dug into the back of my head, pressing my mouth to hers, our tongues mingling, drenching my senses with blood and summer mist, our bodies sinuous and languid in our rhythm. Not one encounter in my entire existence prepared me for this moment, even the memories of my time with Athena paled in comparison to this exquisite creature.
We rolled and I let her take over the pace, whispering her name accented with my ancient Greek, forming long-forgotten words of affection. Her features transitioned, saturating with ecstasy and her throaty breath with my name on it led me right into oblivion.
I opened my eyes to the ceiling, blinking before lowering my gaze to her body draped over me. Her knees still tightly hugged my sides and both her arms curled around my shoulders. Her chest heaved with exertion and her dark hair tickled my neck.
My first coherent thought sent a shock wave spinning through my body. What the fuck have I done?
I licked my lips, afraid to speak. I knew I’d have to eventually, so I bit the bullet. “Naomi?”
She lifted her head a fraction, but didn’t look at me, instead, she used her luxurious mane to hide her features and when I went to move her hair from her face, she stopped me with one word.
“Don’t.”
“I…” I started, but she whipped her hair away from her face and the glare that pierced me shut off any further attempt at an apology.
She lay her head back down on my chest and fear channeled into my cells. My fingers found her hair and I combed them slowly through her locks. My mind shifted to the feel of the silky strands and the warmth of her stretched out on me. I wasn’t sure I’d ever get the chance to feel her this way again, so I took the time to burn it to memory.
When she finally lifted her head and propped her chin on her fist, I met her gaze.
“This doesn’t mean you own me,” she said, her voice still carrying a hint of anger.
“I know. It means you own me.” I traced her lips and met her gaze.
Naomi’s features softened and she sighed, allowing a small smile to form. “I guess Lucifer can’t shatter my innocence anymore,” she said and offered an eye roll.
I smiled, unwilling to speak, unwilling to tell her that Lucifer could now shatter my world. And if he ever got his hands on her, that’s exactly what would happen. Making love to Naomi had sealed my fate. My life was now devoted to keeping her safe. Michael would have to enlist someone else to keep tabs on the rest of his bloodline, because this beauty in my arms was my future.
“I could stay like this forever,” I whispered.
Chapter 25
Naomi
A STORM OF emotions swept through me and my gaze remained locked on his bright blue eyes. I found myself grinning at the irony. It took two days with a vampire for me to open my legs and welcome him inside me, an action that Mark had been unable to get me to do in over two years.
I had heard horror stories of the first time from my girlfriends and now I wondered if it was just an elaborate lie. One that I bought into enough to cling to my virginity into my twenties and I’m sure it probably saved me the same un-enchanted fate as my friends.
While I had felt that initial stab of pain everyone described, Damian had bit me at the same time, consuming all other sensations. The shock of it was as overwhelming as the flow of his blood had been, and every movement after had been sweet bliss.
My god, it was amazing, he was amazing.
I dropped my head back to his chest, listening to the dull drum of his heart. Resting on his chest felt natural, like we were an extension of each other. His arms wrapped around me and his lips pressed to the top of my head.
“I still have to study,” he whispered.
Lifting my head, I stared at him, dumbfounded. “Really?’
He grinned. “Yeah,” he said and pushed my hair away from my face. He planted a kiss and sat up, keeping his arms wrapped around me. “If I don’t, I won’t have time for anything else tomorrow and I think my boss will go ballistic if I don’t check in.”
“Your boss?” The notion of Damian holding down a job made me laugh.
“Yes. I freelance. Computer programming, website design, stuff like that.”
The more I found out about this man, the more I was intrigued.
“How do you think I maintain my properties?” he asked and pulled me off his lap. The sudden disengagement of our bodies made me whine and I saw the same wince from him. Our detachment left me empty in more than one respect.
Damian stood, helping me to my feet while he surveyed the clothing carnage scattered across the room. He gestured toward my shredded bra. “It looks like we’ll have to make another trip to Victoria’s Secret tonight.”
My mind was still stuck on the fact he had a job and I stared at him for a moment before glancing around the room. “Looks that way,” I muttered and began picking up my clothing, assessing the damage. Nothing was salvageable and I turned toward him, holding the pile out to him. “You destroyed everything.”
He shrugged, pulling his shorts on and leveled a shy smile in my direction. “Sorry,” he said and he smirked, turning and disappearing into the office.
I turned and headed back to the bedroom, dropping the ripped clothing in the chair by the door before getting dressed. A quick glance at the clock told me we didn’t have much longer cooped up in this underground establishment, and instead of donning jeans and a t-shirt, I opted for a sexier look.
When I walked in the office, Damian’s quick glance froze and his eyes widened in appreciation. I saw the spark ignite and he leaned back in the chair as I crossed and took the seat on the opposite side of the desk.
“You really know how to distract a man.” His appraisal of me continued and I shifted under his blatant study.
“I want to see if Mark sent another email,” I said, changing the subject.
He nodded and I stood, walking around to his side of the desk. Instead of relinquishing the chair to me, Damian pulled me onto his lap and then closed the course menu he had up, leaving the browser open for me.
He pushed my hair to the side and ran his tongue from my exposed shoulder to the curve of my neck. I tried to shrug him off, but I couldn’t ignore the heat. My fingers slipped on the keyboard, and it took me three tries to type in the correct URL and he chuckled in my ear.
“It looks like my homework will have to wait,” he whispered.
I stared at the latest note from Mark, my blood running cold despite Damian’s attempts at seduction. His hands stopped on my waist and the low growl that formed in his throat told me he was reading the same thing I was.
The words sank in and I tried to stand but Damian clamped down on my waist.
“It’s a bluff,” he growled at the screen.
My heart had already started that panicked pulse and my mouth ran dry. “He’s got my grandfather, Damian.” I turned, meeting his gaze.
Damian’s jaw tightened and his glance flicked back to the screen. “What’s your grandfather’s name and phone number?” he asked, reaching for the phone.
“Nathan Hawk,” I said and rattled off the number.
He pressed a few numbers and then dialed my grandfather’s line and put his finger on my lip, his eyes carrying the warning to be quiet.
“Hello, is Nathan Hawk available?” he asked. “Oh, okay, can you tell me when he will be home?” He paused and listened. “This is Connecticut Light and Power calling regarding his electric bill.” Another pause. “I’ll try back then, thank you.” He disconnected the call and put the phone on the desk before meeting my gaze.
“My grandfather lives alone,” I said and my skin flushed against the chill settling into my bones.
“It’s an ambush, Naomi. A set up to draw you out.”
“I can’t let them torture my grandfather,” I pointed at the screen and the promise of the things that would happen to my grandfather if I ignored the email.
“Would your grandfather want you to sacrifice yourself for him?”
The sharp tone in Damian’s question along with his stern piercing stare clamped my lips closed. I glanced at the screen and shook my head, although it didn’t settle well in my stomach. “I can’t let him die in my place,” I finally said.
He shook his head. “I’m not letting you go there.”
“You don’t have a say,” I snapped.
“The hell I don’t,” he growled, his grip on me tightened. “It is a set up.”
“I’m well aware it’s a set up, but I can’t let him take the fall.” I struggled out of his grip and spun toward him. “I told you, you don’t own me.”
He shot to his feet, his eyes blazing and his fists clenched. The muscles in his arms twitched and he just glared at me. His chest rose and fell with aggravation. “If I have to lock you up for the next two weeks, I will.”
“Bullshit!” I stepped toe-to-toe with him, my fists clenching hard enough for my nails to dig into my palms.
