CHAPTER FOUR

 

 

Darius double-locked the door behind them and took Carolyn into his arms. Gazing deeply into her eyes, he brushed a stray hair behind her ear. “Are you sure about this?”

She nodded, but he swore he saw uncertainty in his Muierimei's eyes.

“We can do this another time. I want you to be sure.”

She gave him a smile and shook her head. “If I’m in as much danger as you say I am, being a vampire can only help. Besides, I want to spend my life with you, and if I remain human, I would only have a few decades. I want more than that. I want this, Darius. I want you.”

Her declaration sent a shudder of desire through him. He pulled her close and kissed her, feeling her love in every stroke of her tongue and caress of her hands.

Carolyn’s palms slid up and around his neck, as their mouths fed on one another. A deep and drugging kiss that showed their feelings better than words could ever express. Seconds extended to minutes. When oxygen became a priority, Darius nipped her lower lip and pressed his forehead to hers.

“I’m told that a blood exchange between soulmates is much more erotic than biting a human for whom I have no feelings. We should do the exchange before we remove our clothing. After experiencing a tiny sample of you, I can hardly keep my hands to myself. A true sharing of blood will push me beyond my control, and if you’re naked, all bets are off.”

“All right.” She ran her tongue across her teeth and frowned. “But how do I bite you without fangs?”

“You'll have a difficult time with dull human teeth, so for this first exchange, I’ll help you by making a small cut on my wrist.”

She pressed her lips together, clearly still a little worried. “Will you have to cut yourself every time?”

“No. You'll have fangs of your own after this exchange. I’ve thought about it, and come to the conclusion that you should take my blood first. Once I bite you, I’m not sure what my reaction will be. I may lose all ability to think straight.”

Darius rolled up his sleeve. His fingernail lengthened and developed a lethal edge. Carefully, he ran it across his wrist.

Carolyn leaned over the welling blood, but paused, and looked up at him again. “Do I have to drink a lot or just a little?”

“Only a little. About a quarter of a cup is all it takes. Suck on the cut three or four times. That should be the right amount.”

He steeled himself as she pressed her lips to the laceration. He’d been told his reaction would be intense. That was an understatement of biblical proportions. As their blood combined, power surged in a wave around them. With each draw, his body hardened more, and the power grew. Trembling more than he had ever in his life, he widened his stance to brace himself.

The moment she drew back Darius licked the wound closed and pulled his Muierimei in for a fierce kiss. Not a slow, sensuous pressing of lips, but a savage, hungry kiss meant to claim her body and soul. Then he growled something in Scottish and pulled her body flush against his.

Darius buried one hand in the softness of Carolyn’s hair and held her tight to his body with the other, reveling in the fact that she was in his arms. He wanted to touch her skin to skin. He wanted his Muierimei beneath him, screaming his name.

He wanted–no needed–like never before.

His breath came fast and hard. Like a mad man, he consumed her mouth. Coming up for air, he pulled gently on her lower lip, and then devoured her again.

Darius’s hold tightened. He eased one leg between hers, wedging his thigh against her core. His arousal, hard and straining, was unmistakable with their bodies pressed so tightly. Carolyn responded, pushing against his thigh and rocking. She moaned a passion filled sound that drove his need higher, as his lips left hers and made their way to her neck.

With more gentleness than he thought he possessed, he tipped her head back and to the side. The exposed flesh and robust, rapid pulse of the love of his life called to him like a siren called sailors to sea. Damn, she smelled sweet. He wondered if her blood was infused with of the patchouli fragrance. The tiny bit he’d taken at the restaurant hadn’t been enough to allow him to truly savor her flavor. Darius nuzzled the warm, soft flesh and gave her neck a tender kiss. Then as gently as possible, his fangs penetrated Carolyn for the second time. Her blood on his tongue hit him like a freight train. His entire body stiffened as he resolved only to take what was needed for a true exchange. The last thing he wanted was to hurt Carolyn by taking more than her human body would withstand. With each pull, he felt their gifts expand and grow.

After four long pulls, he licked the tiny pinpricks he’d made and kissed the spot tenderly. He raised his head and searched her face. Carolyn’s eyes were closed, and her breath came in quick sharp gasps. “Are you all right, leannan?”

Her lids fluttered open, and a wicked smile parted her lips. “That was intense. Would I be too bold if I demanded that you get naked immediately?”

Darius sucked in a breath when her fingers slipped under the edge of his shirt to caress bare skin. “I need you, Muierimei. I’ve never needed a woman the way I need you right now.”

“What does Muierimei mean?”

“It’s a vampire word we use for our other half. It has several meanings. I was calling you my wife, spouse, heart, life, and soul. That’s what you are to me.”

Carolyn smiled and tipped her head thoughtfully. “Is there a vampire word for husband?”

“Férjé.”

Her eyes heated as she cupped his cheek. “I need you, Férjé. Make love to me.”

With a growl, he swept her up and carried her to the bed. He stopped a step away from the edge of the mattress and lowered her feet to the floor. “I have to kiss you again.”

She rose up on tiptoes as his head lowered. Both fought for breath after the long, passionate kiss. Darius put a sliver of space between their bodies and reached one hand behind his neck to tear his shirt over his head.

Anxious to feel him, she ran her hand down his belly to the front of his jeans. The straining bulge behind the zipper swelled impossibly larger beneath her palm. As if reaching for Carolyn’s touch, his sex flexed. She flattened her hand against the straining length and gripped him through the fabric.

Darius’s fingers, skimming over her ribs, suddenly gripped her tightly. His ragged breath hitched, and a moan ripped from his lips. He reclaimed her mouth, in another greedy kiss as he worked the shirt up her body. Their lips parted again for Darius to pull it over her head. He took a moment to look his fill. Licking his lips, he reached behind and in one smooth move freed the clasp and tossed the bra aside. Just as quickly, he popped the button of her jeans and stripped her bare.

Slowly he took in his Muierimei's from head to toe. “My God, you’re beautiful,” he whispered, his voice rumbling with lust. The words were spoken on an exhale, but she heard them nonetheless. Panting with desire, and power flaring, Carolyn’s chest rose and fell.

The sway of her breasts drew his attention. Lust raged in his eyes turning them pure gold. A fine tremor was visible in Darius’s hands as he reached to caress her face. “I need to taste your desire. Now.”

Her fingers tangled in his hair as he drew a taut nipple into his mouth. Moaning loudly, Carolyn arched her back when he raked a fang across the peak. He had to sample every inch. He suckled the other peak before pulling back to lift her into his arms and lay her in the center of the bed.

Darius quickly stripped his jeans away and lowered himself over her, trailing kisses down her body.

Their blood combined in an unbridled conflagration. His pulse hammered, thunderous and demanding. He hardened until he thought he’d burst. Her heartbeat raced under each touch of his lips and tongue. Her body shook as pleasure shivered through like a low roll of thunder before a tremendous storm.

He spread her legs wider and settled between them, then raised his eyes to hers and held Carolyn’s gaze. “You’re mine, leannan.”

He kissed her inner thigh and nipped lightly. “Say it, Muierimei. Tell me you’re mine.” His eyes closed and a groan rumbled in his chest. The sweet perfume of her arousal was driving him mad.

Carolyn whimpered and pressed her weeping core closer to his mouth.

He lowered his head and took one long lick. “You’re sweet, like sugar cookies warm from the oven. I’m going to eat you up. Swallow every delicious drop until you scream my name.”

Oh, God. She gripped the sheet and pressed her head deeper into the pillow as he buried his face between her parted legs. He teased with tiny nips and licks, tormented with soft strokes as he gently spread the slick petals of her core with his tongue.

“So good,” he murmured, penetrating her slowly with one finger as he suckled her clit. His Muierimei quivered and bucked with each lap of his tongue and stroke of his finger.

She moaned. Her right hand abandoned the sheet to grip his hair. Carolyn’s blood rushed, flushing her body a rosy pink, pounding loudly in her ears. Every nerve ending was ultra-sensitive and responding to Darius’s touch.

“God, leannan...you’re extraordinary. So damn beautiful.”

Darius was a relentless, thorough lover. His whispered words of encouragement and love drove her higher. His fingers and mouth were skillfully clever, and merciless. And don’t get her started on what he could do with his tongue. “So, good,” she moaned.

She clutched his hair tighter, as her pleasure soared. “Darius,” she gasped. “You have to stop...I’m going to set the bed on fire.”

“Come for me, leannan.”

He added a second finger and curled them to stroke a sensitive bundle of nerves she had no idea existed. Her thighs quivered as the orgasm rushed through her. “Darius!”

“You’re mine, Muierimei. Tell me you’re mine.”

There were no rules for how soon he could do the second exchange. The profound need to hear his Muierimei comply drove him to bite Carolyn again. “Mine!” He growled and sank his fangs into the pulse point of her inner thigh.

Carolyn arched off the bed and cried out, “Yours. I’m yours.”

Her words rushed through him like wildfire. His heart rejoiced. She’d said yes! Carolyn was his for all time. He drew on her vein with long deep pulls, relishing the sweetness. Once he’d taken enough, he closed the wound and kissed a trail to her lips.

Darius exposed his neck and tapped his vein. “Your turn.”

Carolyn gasped when fangs erupted from her gums. Instinctively, the scent of his blood drew her. She pressed her nose to his flesh and breathed deeply. Then to her shock, she bit him. “Mmmm,” she murmured with her lips pressed to his throat.

When she continued to drink after taking enough for an exchange, he slipped a finger between her lips to break the seal. “Lick the wound to close it,” he instructed with a shaky voice.

She licked the blood trickling down his neck and watched the tiny holes she’d made close. “That’s freaky.”

Darius chuckled. “I suppose it is.” As he spoke, his hands never stopped moving. Stroking. Caressing. Questing fingers roamed until he cupped one rounded breast and gently kneaded.

Carolyn felt things that weren’t part of her normal reality, but she couldn’t deny that her new normal felt…right. Her body shuddered with need. “I feel linked to you. Connected in a way I’ve never felt before. Is this what living my destiny feels like?”

“Aye, it is. We’re soulmates.” With drawn-out consideration, he ran a fingertip just under her nipple. Trembling with frustrated need, she was about to demand that he do something when he took the swollen nub between his thumb and index finger and lightly rolled the aching bud. Holding her gaze, he leaned over and twirled his tongue around the tip. “Our vampire bond intensifies that rare connection soulmates enjoy.”

Carolyn’s body hummed with Darius’s blood coursing through her veins. She needed him to make love to her, or she’d die. Arching her back, she thrust a breast toward his mouth, offering herself to him. “Darius, please.”

“Oh, I intend to,” he drawled in a thick sexy Scottish brogue. He took her gift in his mouth and flicked his tongue over the rosy bud. A tingle of their combined power sizzled the moment he touched her nipple. He laved the tormented bud, then blew on it until she moaned. He took it again, pulled gently with his teeth, and eased the sting with his tongue. The tingles became little sparks. All the while, he cupped the other, caressing and lightly pinching. He was driving her crazy.

He kissed the tip one last time and teased his way down her body, with gentle nips and licks. He sampled every inch of her bare flesh. “I’ve waited so long for you.”

She groaned with pleasure, lost to his touch as he wrought havoc on her senses with his sinful mouth.

“You feel like silk under my fingertips.” He breathed against her kiss-dampened skin, raising goose bumps. “I can’t get enough of you.”

Darius was desperate to be inside her, but he needed another taste. He wriggled his shoulders between her thighs for a second time and penetrated deep with his tongue. Carolyn shrieked as a bolt of magic leapt from his questing mouth straight to her sex. He added two fingers, and she cried out again.

She clutched his hair and chanted, “Please. Please.”

Hell yes, He’d please. No way was he stopping.

“I need to be inside you,” he panted, positioned at her entrance but waiting. He wanted Carolyn fully aware and watching as their bodies joined. He wanted her bright shining eyes gazing into his. He needed to see that he brought his Muierimei pleasure when he buried himself in her heat.

“Please,” she panted. “Darius, please…”

He leaned forward, covered her with his body, pressing Carolyn deeper into the mattress with his weight as he melted into the cradle of her legs. His sex throbbed, hard and weeping. He slipped his length between her slick folds, teasing his leannan with the feel of him. He nuzzled her neck and rocked seductively. Darius nipped an earlobe and whispered, “Do you want me?” Propped on forearms, he awaited her response.

Still gasping for breath, she opened her eyes and marveled at the golden amber glow of his desire. “Yes. Yes, I want you.”

Her eyes burned with passion, and the sound of her sweet declaration was all he needed. “I love you, Muierimei,” he rasped against her lips breathlessly, his voice deep and heavily accented.

“I love you, too,” Carolyn whispered shyly. “I’m on the pill, so we’re safe.” Then she wrapped her legs around Darius's waist and wiggled—seeking to ease her aching need.

Darius nudged her entrance and slipped in an inch, savoring the feel of her. He knew he wouldn’t last long, which was a damn shame. He was a well-schooled lover, and she wouldn’t know it until round two. And there would be a round two.

So wet and hot. A shudder of magic ran through her and jumped to him sparking between them. The shocking stimulation pushed him to his limit. He fought to hold back his release, determined to pleasure her.

He kissed her again, plundering her mouth. Carolyn kissed him just as fervently as she rocked her hips wanting more. He inhaled sharply, as he slipped in another inch. The sensations were pure bliss.

“My God, you feel good,” he gasped mingling their breath.

Their magic arced across their skin. They both gasped as it surged and drove them on to complete the claiming. He had to move. Had to feel her loving him. Like long time lovers, they moved in perfect synchronization, kissing and tasting. Relishing the intimate connection of their bodies and souls.

Their gazes locked. “Keep your eyes on me, Muierimei.” He lifted her hips off the mattress, and thrust forward, plunging deep.

“Sweet mother of God!” Carolyn gasped, clutching his shoulders. “Give me a second to catch my breath. I knew you were blessed, but I didn’t realize you were that darn big.”

“Did I hurt you?” Worry colored his tone. Without moving, he stayed buried to the hilt. He fought to remain still as magic sparked along the length of his cock.

She shook her head. “Not really. You just stretched me a bit more than I expected. Okay. I’m good.”

Very carefully, he pulled back and slowly thrust his pelvis forward.

“More. I need more.” Her breath was hot and desperate on his face as he slowly eased himself from her core.

“Are you sure?” he asked through gritted teeth.

Carolyn thrust her hips and snarled, “Move, damn it.”

Darius took his Muierimei at her word and surged forward. He slowly withdrew and pushed forward again, quivering like a newborn colt. Their powers combined in a crackle of electricity over their skin and swelled around them until it filled the room. Carolyn’s moan of pleasure mixed with his. Her hips rolled and rocked in time with his loving. He tried to control his hips. Honestly, he did. But his lower half took over.

“I can’t hold back, leannan.” His hips bucked with urgent strokes, in and out, deeper and then deeper still. Darius’s length pistoned so deeply, he nudged her womb. His pelvis slammed forward and met hers, again and again. With each stroke, their pleasure was pushed higher by the magic they shared.

“Oh, God!” Carolyn chanted over and over.

Thrust after thrust, she took all of him, from tip to base, until he was lost at sea, afloat on a wave of pleasure.

With shoulders strained tight and buttocks flexing, his tempo increased to a frenzied pace. Then he felt her fingers curl and nails score his back. He pulled her ankles to his shoulders and hit a sweet spot that made her gasp. His muscles bunched and knotted as he pursued her climax with everything he had. With every pound of flesh against flesh, his balls smacked her ass. Within moments he caught it.

Carolyn broke apart, screaming his name. Her orgasm seemed never ending as he rode the waves of ecstasy and power that engulfed him. The magic had taken hold, intensifying their pleasure exponentially, and there was no stopping it.

She clung to him, aftershocks one on top of the other, quaking her body. Darius’s breath sawed from his lungs. His hips jerked erratically as he swelled further within the depths of her heat. With one last powerful surge, he plunged to the hilt and held there, buried balls deep. His thighs trembled, and he roared her name as the hot rush of his seed coated the greedy walls of her feminine core. His head dropped back on his shoulders. His lips peeled back in a snarl, eyes squeezed shut, flashing fangs as every muscle in his body tensed.

After a long minute, he released a shaky breath, his body as limp as an overcooked noodle draped on top of her. With every tiny movement she made, his hips jerked, and he moaned again.

Finally, He heaved himself up on his arms and began to ease his weight from her.

Carolyn frowned and wrapped her arms around him. “Where are you going?”

“Weigh… too much. Going… to squish… you.” His breath hissed out as he pulled a few inches free of her body.

“Hogwash. I want you right where you are.”

“Compromise.” He rolled with her until she was on top, their bodies still joined.

Carolyn listened to Darius’s heart thundering in his chest. Slowly. Ever so slowly, it returned to a normal rhythm. She opened her eyes, watching him through heavy lids as his muscles bunched and flexed beneath her. He was all hard-sculpted male, and he was hers.

The emptiness in her chest that she’d lived with for so long was gone. This man was what she had been missing—his love, this connection. She’d found her destiny in his arms. She believed him when he proclaimed that he would protect her. Most of all, she knew he loved her. She felt his deep emotions through their bond.

She tried to push her weight from him only to have his arms tighten.

“Shh, lass, be still,” he said, kissing the top of her head. She didn’t argue. Instead, she snuggled against him and sighed. “That’s it. Sleep now. Tomorrow will be a big day. I’ll show you how to live with your new gifts.”

They lay there, basking in the afterglow, exhausted, and totally blissed out. Finally, sleep came.