Blood Vengeance Page 7

  He made a small noise as he moved.

  The vampire lifted his head and beckoned him closer with a smile. Stephen shook his head at the unspoken invitation and bolted, leaving the two to their games.

  Once he recovered, he headed back to the house.

  Over the next days while Kayla lay in bed, struggling to recover, he met up with and spoke to the vampires around the estate. He learned that they were in all areas of employment from teachers to bankers and all jobs in between.

  He also found that they considered Kayla very special because of her pregnancy, which, throughout vampire history, had only happened a few times. So many of them wanted children, and quite a few had adopted, giving homes to children that needed them. They remained human until they were adults and able to make their own decisions. He was surprised to learn most stayed human, for they wanted their own families.

  The vampires were hopeful that Kayla's pregnancy could lead to a breakthrough for them. A few female vampires were openly envious, asking Stephen if he might come and help them try and get pregnant.

  He discovered that they weren't monsters; they were different and lived different lives, but they weren't the vile, fearful creatures he'd been taught by books and movies. They laughed, cried, got angry, and loved. Their emotions were no different from his, he realized, as he witnessed a spat between the couple that had been making love in the garden.

  He also arrived at the conclusion that killing Givanni had been the same as her killing the man that had threatened him when he was vulnerable. He knew if he hadn't had the gun, he would have used whatever he had on hand. She was able to use herself as a weapon, while he used a handgun.

  The house, he discovered, was a refuge for vampires. A spa where they could be without fear of discovery. There were other humans here, too, but they were devoted to their partners. When he spoke to them about being with a vampire and the difficulties of living with them, they laughed and said it was a normal relationship. They had fights, and they made up. Sometimes it worked out, and sometimes it didn't. They all said the sex was fantastic and, when they took blood, it was unbelievable.

  He found out most of the human partners didn't wish to become vampires themselves. They liked that their partners came to them and only them for feeding. Sometimes they changed their minds, but most were happy to grow old and die. Most vampires avoided entanglements with humans because of the loss they would suffer, but they never turned anyone who didn't wish to be a vampire.

  He knew he didn't want to be without Kayla. He wanted the love he'd seen others have. The love Kayla and their child would give him. Perhaps they could try to make more babies, if she was interested. But he didn't want to be a vampire.

  He sat on the edge of her bed, his decision made.

  He took a knife, cut his wrist so the blood welled, and then held it to her lips.

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  Chapter Twelve

  First there was the warmth of the blood, and then came the heat. The heat Kayla had only experienced with Stephen. She didn't want to lose any of it and clamped her mouth over the source as she sucked. Her hands came up, and she felt his wrist, and she held onto him, holding him to her mouth.

  The heat coursed through her veins, burning, and when it came to the wound that had refused to close, heat sealed and healed it.

  She heard a deep moan, and she opened her eyes. Stephen sat with his eyes close, his breathing heavy. She released him, fearing she'd hurt him, but when he looked at her, all she saw in his eyes was desire.

  He leaned forward, and she licked her lips, making sure none of his precious gift to her had escaped. His gaze followed her tongue, and then he closed the gap between them and planted a kiss on her lips. He gathered her close and held her, deepening the kiss.

  She pulled back. “What happened?"

  "I nearly lost you, and I couldn't bear the thought. I want to be here for you and the baby."

  "What about Givanni?"

  "He's dead. I shot him and burned the place down like you told me to. We're going to have to go in and let them know we're alive, though."

  Her brow furrowed into a frown. “Is that a good idea? We may be hunted down."

  "I doubt that. He's dead, and there're already rumors that someone else is taking over his turf. Someone claimed it was them who had made the hit, and another mob—not to be outdone—said it was them. The news doesn't seem to mention anything else. We'll come out of hiding and say that we feared for your life. But now he's dead..."

  She sat up. “How long have I been here?"

  "Eleven days."

  She nodded and hopped up. “Way too long."

  She went to the door and locked it, then turned around and dropped the hospital gown she'd been wearing. She walked up to him and pushed him down on the bed and straddled him, grinning because of the amazement she saw on his face.

  "You have a lot to learn about vampires, dear,” she said, running her tongue lightly around the lobe of his ear. “You've given me your blood of your own free will; you're now bound to me."

  She ran her fingers down his chest, grabbed the bottom of his shirt, and yanked it out of his slacks, then slowly undid the buttons. He stroked her while she rubbed herself against him.

  "Now that you've bonded to me, making love will be even better. I have your blood coursing through me. I know you. I know what you like."

  She arched her back as he pinched her nipples between his fingers. “Oh, yes,” she moaned.

  Her hands came up to his and held them briefly, then she dropped them between her legs and stroked herself, enjoying the sensation.

  She pulled back from him, undid his trousers, and then pulled them off along with his underpants. His dick stood at attention, and she slid her body back up over him. She glided her mouth along the shaft and head, and then dragged it between her breasts.

  He throbbed against her flesh; his heat against her cool.

  She licked his nipples and found them salty. The flat discs became little nubs, and he jerked as she lightly nipped him while his hands found her breasts again. A sheen of sweat glistened over his skin as his desperation for her grew, but she refused to let him take control.

  She licked his neck and nipped it, kissed his lips, and sucked on his tongue. With one hand busy stroking his cock, every so often she would dip the head of his penis into her pussy and use it to lubricate him so she could continue to play.

  With desperation in his voice, he cried, “For Christ's sake, Kayla. I need you."

  She rose up, adjusted her position, and sighed as she sank down over him. The tip of his cock hit her cervix. He grabbed her hips, thrusting into her, and she moved her hips to and fro, increasing the friction.

  She tightened, and he tensed as his strokes became harder, faster. As she felt him tip over the edge, she leaned over and bit his neck. His blood slipped into her mouth, sending her over the top with his heat coursing through her.

  Stephen called out her name on a moan, and she knew he was experiencing an orgasm that didn't know where to stop. He shuddered and held onto her even as she came down, and still he thrust into her. She kissed him until he calmed.

  When he caught his breath and opened his eyes, all he seemed able to say was, “Wow."

  She laughed. “'It was the best’ just doesn't seem to cover it, does it?"

  He shook his head.

  She gave him a wicked smile. “Just think—it gets better over time."

  She lay down next to him and winced.

  Stephen's brow furrowed in a look of concern. “What's the matter? Are you still sore?"

  "Nope,” she said with a cheeky smile. “Next time you get the wet spot."

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  Epilogue

  Stephen watched Kayla as she approach him, her belly heavy with their second child. They were truly blessed. He was still a detective, but she no longer worked; not while she devoted her time to their kids. Not that she had to stay home, though. Jo
rdan, their daughter, was doted on by the community and would never lack for caretakers. But because Kayla lost her family at such a young age, she didn't want to miss out on a thing.

  It was time.

  "Nervous?” she asked as she touched his hand and searched his face.

  "Not at all.” He lay down on the bed, and she leaned over him, kissing him softly.

  "I'm glad you changed your mind. I don't ever want to be without you."

  He nodded, knowing exactly how she felt. “I love you."

  She smiled gently. “I love you, too."

  He looked into her green eyes and, as her sharp teeth pierced his neck, he exultantly thought, So this is life, as it ebbed away, enveloping him in blackness.

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  Author Bio

  Bronwyn lives in a village in Queensland, Australia with her daughters, her ever-patient partner, and a multitude of animals.

  She's been writing for as long as she can remember and finally decided to try and do something with all the ideas scrambling in her head.

  She enjoys reading, craft, and jewellery making.

  Please visit her at her blog: Bronwynmlee.blogspot.com. She'd love to hear from you.

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