Chapter Seven
Leaving Lucien’s mind, Najha knew she’d fucked up. She’d been worried about their conversation and letting him enter her memories had been the largest mistake she’d ever made. Playing with fire had definitely been the wrong choice. She would eventually suffer the consequences of her people. When he yelled at her to identify herself after she tried to see into his memories, she quickly slammed up the walls.
She paced back and forth in her room, Najha worried if Lucien had somehow discovered who or what she was. How could she continue this farce her parents had practically forced her into? Did her spell hold or did he know she was lycan?
There was only one way to find out, she needed to go to Lucien and find out for sure, but she couldn’t do that…it would be far too dangerous. She knew instantly after trying to put him under a spell to search his mind when it ended too quickly, and he was furious. Damn it! She should have known not to do something so foolish. Trying to fool the most powerful vampire who walked this earth? If I’d gotten caught, I would be fucked!
She would have to forget Lucien and never go back home. Yes, it would be the coward’s way out, and she would have to face the consequences another time. Right now, she had a whole day of helping her brother and Grainger ahead of her.
*****
Five hours later, Najha couldn’t believe how much fun she was having hanging with Jonas and Grainger. They worked side by side to get ready for tonight. Her brother’s partner was all male but human. Something didn’t sit right about him, though. Jonas admitted to her he was afraid to trust him enough to tell him about his wolf. A lycan couldn’t show a human unless they were mates.
Finishing up all the work ahead of schedule, Najha needed to spend a little more time getting ready for the event. Putting the last of her makeup on, she walked out of the guest room and into the living room where she heard the two men talking softly.
She cleared her throat. Interrupting them, she walked down the hall.
“Najha, it’s okay, we’re just waiting on you,” Jonas yelled.
As she walked in, she heard their intake of breath. “Wow, I didn’t know my sister could clean up so well?”
“Jonas, that’s awful.” Grainger hit his arm.
“Ouch, she knows I’m just kidding.”
“Ah-hah. Najha, you are beautiful.” Grainger walked up to her and kissed her cheek.
“Thank you,” she whispered. “You know how to make a girl feel good.” She peered down at the ankle length white and navy blue gown she wore. Her tall black stilettos accented the dress, not taking away from its simple, elegant appearance.
Jonas held up her long black dress coat. “Here, let me help you. It gets a little chilly on windy nights like today.”
“Thank you.”
They walked out to the curb, where the limo waited.
“After you.” Grainger held the door for Najha, then Jonas folded himself in beside her.
Najha enjoyed herself with these two handsome men. “You know I’ll be the talk of the party tonight. On the arm of two such gorgeous men,” she teased.
“Yes, you will. We’ll have to make believe it is true. We wouldn’t want to ruin Jonas’ reputation as a lady’s man, now would we?” Grainger seemed to tease.
However, Najha wasn’t sure if he was teasing, he seemed upset and serious.
“Did I forget to tell you?” Jonas asked.
“Forget to tell me what?” She frowned.
“I’m supposed to be the most sought after available bachelor in Seattle and surrounding area in the State of Washington.”
This statement shocked her. “What!”
Grainger coughed in his hand.
Jonas seemed uncomfortable, shifting in his seat, straightening his tux’s jacket and cuffs. “Najha, you’re here as Grainger’s date. I need to stay a man. I can’t out myself to the public, if Father found out, he’d kill me.” A look of tired sadness passed over his features.
She felt genuinely saddened by her brother’s confession. How could he tell her father something like that? A lycan needed their mate. For a male, it was supposed to be a woman. How were they supposed to breed to pass on the genes, rebuild their race, and conquer the darkness every male lycan carried around with them? These were hard questions she’d tried to answer before when Jonas was a teenager and confessed everything to her. “Does Dante know?” she asked.
Jonas shook his head. “No and I don’t intend to tell him, he is Dad’s pet, you know.”
“No, he isn’t. He’s the VP of the MC, that’s all.”
“How can a gay man compete with that in his father’s favor? He’ll blame my mother for how I turned out, and you know it.” Jonas’ voice rose, his anger spilling over.
Biting her lip, she glanced away. “I’m sorry, Jonas. I’ll be whatever you need me to be as long as I can.”
“Thank you.”
She peeked at the couple from the corner of her eye.
Grainger had taken Jonas’ hand and was squeezing it tight.
When the car stopped, and the driver announced they were at the restaurant, the two men quickly parted, and Grainger scooted his body over next to her. “You ready, darling, for this great performance?”
She nodded, not too sure how they were going to pull off this ridiculous farce. “Yep, as ready as I can be, thanks for giving me advanced notice.” She scowled.
“Sorry, Jonas thought it better to spring it on you on the way here, rather than let you stew and worry about it beforehand. I’m truly sorry it has to be this way for your brother.”
She tilted her head, staring at his face. “You’re okay with being gay?”
“Yes, perfectly, I don’t have anyone. My family kicked me to the curb a long time ago. They were proper and rich; they couldn’t have a gay son, you know.” Grainger smiled, opening the door and accepting all the flashes from the mob of press and people waiting outside the building.
“Wow, didn’t realize it was so big!” she exclaimed.
“Of course, I’m the famous chef, opening a restaurant in their sleepy little town. Remember, this is all an act,” Grainger whispered in her ear. He led her to the entrance, opening the door and waving her in next to the bouncers standing outside.
“Good evening, Mr. Luzzatto, Ma’am, Mr. Andreiko.”
“Evening.” Grainger nodded his head, then touching Najha’s elbow, he steered her inside.
The entire place was decorated lavishly in gold and silver the tables were set up, and the aroma coming from the kitchen tickled Najha’s nose, causing her stomach to growl from hunger. “It is amazing, Jonas, Grainger, you outdid yourselves. Last night it wasn’t even half of this.”
A few hours later, looking outside, Najha stood by the window. The fog from the Sound rolled in, and the streets along Madison Avenue were busy with pedestrians walking on the boardwalk. She wasn’t surprised when Jonas touched her arm, as she’d known he was there. Her senses were on high alert tonight.
He leaned up against her. “Thank you so much for all you did tonight. How are the feet?”
She peered down. Her feet hurt a bit, but nothing she couldn’t handle. “Good.”
“That’s a relief. I know you mostly run around in tennis shoes or your boots.” He laughed.
“That’s not true.” She smiled.
“I know, I do want to thank you for being here with Grainger and me, he looks happy, don’t you think?” Her brother seemed sad. His frown showed as his eyes drifted off toward Grainger who was charming the customers and speaking to a couple of pretty younger women.
“Is he the one for you, Jonas?” Najha wasn’t sure how it worked for a lycan who preferred males or females. A mate protected the darkness from spreading.
“I don’t know. Have you ever…” With a fist, he touched his heart. “…Been torn apart by want, and not getting what you need just about kills you?”
“Yes.”
Jonas tilted his head, “Really?”
“It’s hard to explain.” Najha looked away not wanting her brother to see the pain she knew was apparent on her face.
The door to the restaurant opened, a man wearing a long black trench coat walked in. With him came a cold damp breeze. She peered over to see who was standing near the entrance.
Lucien—and with him, a beautiful young woman. She was holding onto his arm, clinging to him.
“Lucien, you made it.” Jonas walked over to the vampire and they hugged. “I’m so glad you could make it. Who is this beautiful lady?” her brother asked.
Najha wanted to run and hide, maybe in the back. Instead, her stilettos felt planted to the spot where she stood.
“Are you okay? You look like you’ve seen a ghost?” Grainger had walked up and touched her arm, snapping her out of her worried trance.
She reached down and gripped his hand. Her heart beating hard against her ribs. Trying to calm her body and lungs down, she slowly inhaled and exhaled.
Grainger gripped her hand and squeezed. He scowled as he’d noticed Jonas and Lucien hug. The man was jealous, he did have feelings for her brother.
“It’s been my pleasure to come to one of your business adventures.” Lucien paused and focused his attention on her and Grainger.
“Come, meet my new partner in business, Grainger, and his date, Najha.” Jonas led Lucien to them.
‘Jonas, oh my God, Dad is going to kill us. I can’t let that man know who the hell I am.’
‘Don’t worry, little sis, I’ve got you covered.’ Jonas smiled, as he came to a stand in front of them.
Lucien’s arm seemed to be currently smothered by his date.
“Grainger Luzzatto, Najha Mills, please, I’d like you to meet my friend, Lucien Dazaraski.” Jonas seemed comfortable and relaxed as he turned to her.
Najha knew inside, her brother was coiled like a cobra ready to strike. He would defend her to Lucien if need be. But for now, she would pretend to be only there for Grainger. “It’s a pleasure. I’ve heard good things about you, Lucien. I also understand you have also put up financial support for the restaurant.”
Grainger shook Lucien’s offered hand. “For that, I would like to thank you personally, for taking a chance on me.”
Lucien stared at her with those piercing eyes of his, but spoke to the men, “I saw a great investment, why the hell not put money into it? Now, if you’ll show me to a table, I’d like to sample the food?”
“Sure, follow me.” Jonas led Lucien and his date away from Najha.
Lucien didn’t look at her. Instead, he said, “Jonas, you’ve outdone yourself this time. I’ve heard it is a five-star goodness.” He pulled out the chair. “Camilla, love.”
With Najha’s lycan hearing, she heard Lucien. She was furious. The jealousy Najha felt seemed to be smothering her heart. Wanting to kill the other woman, she felt Grainger’s hand clench down on her arm.
“Najha, you need to control your emotions. Everyone can see you’re upset.”
Najha didn’t want to hear Lucien’s conversation, but it was hard to block out her wolf’s hearing. It became so loud it was as if she’d joined Lucien at his table. She turned away from the sight of her worst nightmare and faced Grainger. “Take me away from here, please?”
“After you, my dear.” Grainger led her toward the outside.
“What a beautiful island you live on, Jonas.” Najha heard the woman’s voice echo in her ears as she stepped closer to Grainger.
Turning toward her new friend, she muttered, “Oh God, what is wrong with me?”
“You’re in love with that man?” he asked.
She slowly shook her head, then nodded. “No, it can’t be. There’s no way.” Najha squeezed the hand still holding on to hers. “Grainger, I need another glass of wine?”
“Sure, anything for you.” He leaned down and kissed her on the lips.
A hiss then a warning growl startled Najha. She pulled on Grainger forcing him forward to the bar. “Stop that, he’ll kill you,” she warned.
Jonas frowned at her. ‘Najha, what the hell are you doing? What is wrong with Lucien?’
‘How should I know, maybe it’s the hussy with him?’ Najha was livid, she didn’t know what was wrong with her. ‘And, by the way, I did nothing. Tell your boyfriend to stop kissing on me.’ She pretended to show an avid interest in Grainger’s words. She didn’t think either of them felt comfortable in their role of dating.
“Are you okay Najha? What is with you and Lucien?” Grainger leaned up against the bar where he’d already ordered their drinks.
“He’s from my hometown, Shades Run. Big time old money, Jonas and he go way back, that’s all I know.” She glared in Lucien’s direction.
The vampire smiled, raising his glass of wine in a toast to her.
With her cheeks heating up, she slammed down her liquor and almost choked on the red wine that wasn’t meant to be consumed so quickly.
Grainger patted her on the back. “Hey, you okay?”
“Yeah, went down the wrong tube. Sorry, must have drunk too fast.” She wiped up the mess on the front of her gown. “Grainger…I need to go to the lady’s room and clean up this gown. I’ll be back.” Najha didn’t wait for a response as she made her way toward the lady’s room. Shutting herself in, she leaned up against the door for a moment to gather her thoughts.
‘You okay, beautiful?’
The whisper of Lucien’s voice told her he’d connected with her immediately. She’d already weaved her spell, just in case Jonas had a lycan come or now, a vampire. Why didn’t Jonas prepare her? She would have to beat it out of her brother later. ‘I’m fine, can you please go away and leave me alone?’
‘No, I won’t.’ Lucien’s voice held a note of humor.
‘Well, why don’t you go back to your whore?’
‘Excuse me?’ Lucien questioned her. His tone broached no argument, he sounded pissed.
She pushed him out of her mind, Najha made her way to the sink. Gazing in the mirror at her face, she looked tired. Her makeup was beautifully done, her hair long and straightened framing her face. The gown, a dark blue and white, glittered back at her in the mirror. The wine staining the front of it. She rinsed a cloth napkin from her clutch with cold water, dabbing at it trying to clean it as best she could with what she had. Some of it came out. Instead, she decided to use a little spell, and within seconds, the stain was gone, and her gown looked clean.
Reinforcing her covering spell, Najha once again felt she could go out among the people and be safe from Lucien. He’d only known her as human. Why did she worry about this asshole so much? she asked herself time and again.
When the door to the lady’s room opened, she assumed it was another woman, until a dark shadow came across the bathroom floor—a silhouette of a man. His aroma of musk and vanilla tickled her nose and made her heart pick up its beat. “Lucien, what are you doing?”
“You kicked me out of your mind, why?” He came up beside her, silently as a vampire would do.
When he attempted to put her in a trance with his eyes, Najha almost faked it but decided to tell him the truth. “Um, Lucien, sorry but I’m from the gypsy, your trances won’t work on me.”
He threw back his head and laughed. “You got me, who and what are you, woman?”
“I’m Najha Mills, that’s what I am. Otherwise, my life is none of your business.” She tried to sidestep around him.
He was too fast, as he grabbed her around the middle and pulled her body to his.
When their skin touched, Najha’s body seemed to feel as if it had gone up in flames. The sparks between them shot through her, right into her most private areas on her body.
“Woman, what are you doing to me?” he whispered, his eyes turned a bright blue, then darkened. His head lowered as he joined her lips to his.
Najha couldn’t seem to fight Lucien. Her knees were weakened by the quivering of her limbs, her legs buckled.
Lucien grabbed her ass and pulled her against his hard body.
A sense of urgency drove her to wrap her arms around his neck. She was powerless to resist him, even though she knew it was wrong to be with him this way. She craved him, their closeness felt like a drug, lulling her to euphoria.
When he drew back releasing her lips, he leaned in just enough to look her in the eyes. “You have no idea what you’re doing to me,” he whispered.
Oh yes, she knew what she was doing. She could feel his hard cock pressed against her abdomen. Excited to know that he wanted her as much as she wanted him, her heart raced and matched his beat for beat. The sweet intoxicating musk of his body amped her senses to a height only Lucien could take her. A flood of passion raced through her body, her undies drenched with her wetness. ‘What is happening to me?’
‘You are mine!’
His growls sent a warning to her, but it sure didn’t register on her smart meter. She tried to ignore the strange aching in her body, his words partially sending her mind spinning out-of-control and toward danger. She ignored all the signs. Her lightness joined to his darkness, evil disappearing to be replaced by courage, love, and compassion. It felt like floating above the earth wrapping them in a cocoon. Not enough to alarm her or tell her to pull away. She knew she should run away as fast as she could. Instead, she needed more.
The tension building between them was a solid wall, like a dam holding in a flood of water which could take out a large city.
Lucien brushed a gentle kiss across her neck, ear, and cheek, then reclaiming her lips, he crushed her to him.
The kiss was like the smoldering heat that joined metal, welding their hearts and molding their bodies together—joining their souls forever. Oh, God! I am in so much trouble.
*****
Lucien fondled one small globe, its dark nipple marble hardening. The gown Najha wore was no barrier at all for his roaming hands. She wore no bra to restrict him. Her breasts were nearly bare to his touch.
He explored her mouth with his tongue, searching for something and unable to define it. As he roused her passion, his own grew stronger, deeper, and more earth-shattering. His darkness slipped away, letting her brightness engulf him. His hand sought to find more flesh, roaming across her silken belly. His lips left hers to follow its own path to her neck, continuing on exploring her soft, dark flesh to her shoulder, teasing a taut dusky brown nipple, sucking it gently into his mouth. Her gown was no longer on her shoulders but surrounding her waist. His tongue left her breast making a path down her ribs to her stomach.
Her whimpers tore through his thoughts. Lucien couldn’t believe he was in a restroom tearing this beautiful, loving, but very mysterious woman’s clothes off. It wasn’t in him to commit such a sin. Their women were precious and to be loved softly and slowly, not forcing her to submit to him this way in a filthy public restroom.
Lucien was out-of-his fricken’ mind doing this. Her gowned body, her deep exotic looks had put him in a trance or under a spell. Forgetting his manners, he would have fucked her like a common whore.
“I need you, now,” he growled.
“Okay.” Her whimper was barely heard over their loud heartbeats in his ears.
Pulling away her thong, he unzipped his pants and slid his hardened cock out and positioned himself near her opening. She pushed back against his chest and whispered, “I’ve never been with anyone before.”
Joy, pure, unaltered pleasure seeped into his body at her admittance. He was pleased she’d never been with anyone before him. “I’ll slow down a bit.”
He kissed her neck, then shoulder before pushing down the straps on her dress as he reached her breast. Suckling a nipple into his mouth, he gave her pleasure over and beyond. With her purring into his ear, he knew this without a doubt.
Pushing his cock against her opening once again, he could feel the heat of her wet pussy pushing back against him. She wanted him just as much as he wanted her. No matter what happened to them tonight, he knew without a doubt he had to have her.
Not one to fuck a female without protection he knew this one was different. He could feel their souls joining. Her soul was human, but something else became apparent to him before he continued, he needed the answer. “What are you?”
“I’m Najha. That’s all you need to know.”
“I need you more now than ever before,” he whispered.
“Take me to heaven and back,” she whimpered.
He pushed into her and when he felt her hymen break, he knew she was his now and forever. They stopped for a moment to let her body adjust to him. He continued to push inside her, and she grabbed his ass and pushed him all the way inside her.
Her pussy clenched down, and he couldn’t stop himself from fucking her. He pounded balls deep within her over and over until he knew she was nearing her own release. The heat in her was so hot he didn’t know why or how but there was no way he was going to stop this mating. His pleasure built up until his seed poured deeply inside her.
“Oh my God!” she screamed as her pussy clenched and milked every last drop out of him.
He stepped back. “What the hell?” He quickly pulled up her dress and groaned. “Najha, you’re a siren, please, cover yourself.” Nothing from her gave him the peace he so desired. All she did was enflame him and make him lose control.
Ripping himself from her arms caused her to lose her balance and almost fall off the vanity he’d so carelessly plopped her on.
Catching her around her waist, he gently lowered her down the length of his body until her feet touched the ground. “Please accept my apologies?” he begged.
The glazed look in her eyes cleared as she now glared at him. “You, seriously didn’t just say sorry? Get away from me. Now!” she growled as she pushed the material back up over her shoulders and fixed her gown. Her stilettos under the sink seemed to suddenly catch her attention. She leaned down picking up the black shoes by their straps. “Good day to you, sir.” Najha practically ran from the bathroom.
Lucien waited a few moments to catch his breath.
Calming his body down, he couldn’t believe what this woman did to him. Forgetting all manners wasn’t something he was proud of. She deserved better than a quick lay and a thank you. He couldn’t believe the thoughts he had before, to just fuck her and get it over with so he could be free. Why had he done such a thing? Fixing his clothes, he pulled the door open, looked both ways, and strode back out.
Camilla was sitting at their table, visiting with Jonas. She looked up at him and smiled. “There you are. Where did to you run off to?”
“The bathroom.” Lucien was done with his visit and this damn dinner. He didn’t want to chitchat and pretend everything was going to be okay. Camilla was a beautiful young vampire, who he adored as a daughter. She wasn’t his mate, and her purity had to be protected for the man intended to be her mate. He was thankful for her volunteering to come here with him, but now he regretted bringing her and stirring something fierce in Najha that resembled jealousy. “Camilla, I’m sorry, but we should probably get home. It’s not too much longer and the sun will rise.”
“Oh, Lucien, I’m not ready to leave! Jonas here has been kind enough to keep me company, and I’m having a nice visit.” Camilla pouted as her bottom lip stuck out. She reached over and touched Jonas’ hand.
Lucien smiled, and Jonas nodded. The young lycan knew what he was thinking. It wasn’t appropriate for the young vampire to talk to their leader like she had. He would forgive her, but she would have to be talked to later.
Jonas stood, reached over and patted Lucien’s shoulder then nodded to Camilla. “If you’ll excuse me, I must be getting back to the rest of our guests.”
“Oh, do you have to leave?” Camilla whined.
“Yes, I must. Please, dinner is on the house. Thank you for your support, Lucien. If you have any questions, feel free to call me.”
Lucien nodded. He only wanted one thing.
Najha.
He thought for sure she was his mate. After touching, kissing, and fucking her, the darkness seemed to be lifting, but when he’d let her walk away, the evil returned with a vengeance. Something was seriously off about her, and he intended to find out as soon as he got home. He was going to go to Thorn and find out why a young lady from Shades Run was associating with a lycan. She’d been Grainger’s date, but Lucien already knew Jonas was gay and that had to be his partner.
He would start with Jayden, Thorn’s wife, and Eric, her father. He’d always been able to trust the man with his life. Lucien definitely needed to have the facts now, since everything had gotten so confusing and dangerous for him.