Chapter 18
Suzi had passed the point of stopping, nor did she want to. Foolish as it may seem, she wanted Kaleb more in this moment than she could ever remember in the years following the first time she had given herself fully to him. Now it seemed such a distant past and all the hurt and anger in the years that followed easily melted away. She was here, with him, and that’s all that really mattered. She loved this man, always had, even if at times her hate and anger had overshadowed the feelings she tried desperately to deny.
Her center rested on his muscular, jeans-clad thigh, nothing more than a sheer thong separating her from him. Kaleb anchored her to the wall, and a good thing too, or she’d have slipped down the rough-paneled wood to pool at his feet. Suzi tried to draw a breath as his one hand toyed with her highly sensitive nipples, while the other held her wrists trapped overhead. She couldn’t help but wonder if it were indeed possible to pass out from sheer pleasure. If that were the case, she’d never make it through the foreplay.
In the years following their first joining, Kaleb had become a more attentive lover. That or he had at some point decided pleasuring her was more important than taking his own. Ten years ago she had been barely out of high school when he had carelessly taken her virginity, fucked her and walked away without a backward glance. Now? She sucked in another breath as his fingers skimmed her stomach and headed south. Lord, he had been practicing. Suzi arched into him, wanting more … needing to feel him inside her.
Hell, she wanted the orgasm she teetered on the brink of.
Suzi hadn’t exactly been celibate, but most of her attempts at relationships ended with her comparing them to Kaleb. Even though he hadn’t been an overly considerate lover at the time, no one had compared to her brief coupling with him. Kaleb had become her obsession. Her reason for remaining a donor, befriending Ion, and her last attempt to sleep with Kane over six months ago. All had been aimed at getting Kaleb’s notice.
And now that she had it, he would forever ruin her for any other man. If he walked away after this night, she might as well enter a convent. Two of his fingers smoothed over the sheer material covering her. Suzi moaned, her head tilting into the wall, reveling in the moment. She never wanted it to end.
Kaleb leaned down and suckled one of her nipples through the silk top, pulling on it gently, before using the pad of his tongue to soothe the bud through the material. Arching into him, she urged his fingers forward. Hell, she needed him to rip the material from her, unbutton his pants and shove into her. Nothing short of feeling his cock inside her would do. But just as the thought materialized, he instead slipped two of his fingers past the line of her panties and into her, causing her to cry out.
Much more….
His thumb caressed the tight knot of nerves of her clit as his two fingers worked in and out of her, the friction sending tremors throughout her body. Two seconds, three … and just like that her world shattered as his given named tumbled from her lips. Her orgasm tore through her, shaking her foundation to the core, telling her in that moment that she was most certainly his and always would be. No living person could ever take his place. And unfortunately, if she for once forgot her head and told him her true feelings … she would no doubt lose him forever.
Biting her lower lip, she stilled the voice inside her and instead concentrated on freeing her hands. She needed to touch him, to run her hands over his rigid muscles, to tell him with physical contact what her mouth in no way ever could.
Kaleb relented, released her hands, as he also withdrew his fingers. Suzi looked into his heated gaze, saw herself mirrored in the depths. No way would she allow him to back out now as he looked at her in uncertainty. If he had ruined her for all eternity for any other male, then she meant to make damn sure she left her stamp on him too. By the sound of his ragged breathing, she knew that he still wanted her, warred with the idea of seizing what was already his.
Suzi needed to lighten the mood before he changed his mind. If she were to ever win him over, then she’d need to do so with baby steps. Anything that looked like commitment and Kaleb would no doubt turn tail and run. She had never seen him with one woman for any period of time. He changed women as often as he changed his briefs. If Suzi wanted to be that one woman who outlasted all others, then she needed to convince him he couldn’t live without her.
Right! She had a better chance of tightrope walking across Niagara Falls.
Kaleb leaned forward, his forehead resting on her shoulder as though he warred with his decision of what to do next. Suzi needed to keep him from retreating.
“Wow.” She chuckled, in her attempt to keep it light. “Where did you learn that trick?”
He joined in her humor, his breath teasing the flesh of her shoulder. Score one for her. He wasn’t running yet.
He kissed the crook of her neck, then whispered, “You haven’t seen anything yet, piccolo diavolo.” His breath fanned feather-light across her flesh. A shiver passed down her spine.
“Then what the hell are you waiting on, vampire? I could die of old age waiting on you to give me a proper orgasm.”
Kaleb leaned back, his smile wide as his fangs flashed in the low lighting. “You sure about that, sweetheart? Oh … I am so up for that challenge.”
Not allowing her to catch a breath, he gripped her about the waist and easily lifted her off the floor, sitting her on the bar top and ripping her panties from her. Palming the inside of her thighs, he gently spread them, his obsidian gaze taking her in. Jesus, her heart pummeled her sternum. Had it not been for the hold on her thighs, she would have closed them, feeling incredibly exposed and suddenly self-conscious. Kaleb’s nostrils flared just before leaning in and touching the tip of his tongue on her moist flesh. Suzi sucked her lower lip between her teeth and bit it to keep from crying out. Fisting the dark curls of his head, holding his mouth flush to her, she watched as he sucked her fevered flesh between his teeth. As he gazed up for just the briefest of moments, Suzi thought she detected a deeper emotion in the depths of his eyes … one she feared could only be a product of her longing.
His mouth damn near brought her to another blinding orgasm, but just before she reached the pinnacle, she yanked on his curls and pulled him away. “Kaleb Tepes, if you don’t fuck me now, I swear I’ll make you pay.”
The corners of his eyes turned up as an impish grin split his face. “What are you saying, piccolo diavolo? That I was right? Never say never?”
“Get over yourself already, Hawk.” She smacked his shoulder. “Take what I’m offering while I’m still willing to eat crow.”
Slowly backing from her reach, he slid a hand to the front of his jeans, running his palm over the ridge that rested beneath. Oh damn!
“This what you want, sweetheart?”
Suzi had the insane urge to cross her legs to assuage the ache Kaleb started there. If he so much as stroked himself she might just climax seated on the bar without any help from him. Her gaze centered on his hand leisurely moving over the fabric, his answering chuckle telling her he enjoyed torturing her.
Thanks to all things holy, his fingers finally traveled to his fly and slipped the button from its mooring. Suzi licked her parched lips as he deliberately took his time pulling down the zipper. His hand disappeared behind the fabric, stroking what her eyes could not yet see. If Kaleb didn’t do something soon, Suzi might just join him in the self-gratification department.
“Kaleb Tepes,” she warned.
His response was a wink before he pulled his large cock from his pants. Her breath stuck in her chest as he fisted his erection and slowly ran his hand from balls to tip and back with practiced precision. “You see something you want, sweetheart?”
Suzi jumped from the bar, strode toward him and pushed his teasing, sorry ass over the arm of the sofa and onto the cushions, earning her another chuckle. “You’re damn right I do.”
Without so much as another word, she walked around the sofa and straddled his lean hips, using her hand to guide him. She paused, allowing herself to adjust to the size of him, before slowly sinking onto his cock. Damn, she didn’t remember him being so big their first time. He stretched and filled her completely as if nothing ever felt more right in her life. Suzi undulated her hips, slowly rocking on his shaft, reveling in the feel of his hard, hot silky flesh within her.
“Ah, Jesus,” he blasphemed. “Mother in heaven … so fucking good.”
She wouldn’t last long, already on the edge of another mind-blowing orgasm. The walls surrounding her heart collapsed, taking Kaleb in, where he took up ownership. She’d be damned before she’d allow him to walk away from her again.
If any woman even thought to touch her man, she’d personally see they regretted their actions. Suzi meant to let it be known that she had just staked her claim on Kaleb Tepes around the Rave. She had officially taken him off the market. Now she needed to prove to him that no one could take her place in his heart … if he indeed had one.
Just as she was about to reach release, Kaleb flipped their position, his arms now bracing on either side of her head as he pumped into her, fast and hard. The cords of his neck stood out, tightened in his exertion. His black gaze held hers hostage. Her breath quickened as the love in her chest blossomed and tears sprang to her eyes.
“Kaleb … oh … god—”
“That’s it, sweetheart.” He growled. “Let go for me.”
Tilting her head back, she cried out as every muscle in Kaleb tightened and he joined her in their mutual release. Several seconds went by before he collapsed on top of her, giving her just enough room to move and breathe, his head resting in the crook of her neck.
“Did you just refer me as a supreme being?” He chuckled against her neck, his breath spanning the soft skin. “Damn. That good?”
Suzi tasted his salty flesh with her tongue, then nipped at his shoulder, drawing the smallest amount of blood to the surface.
Before she could taste the sanguine fluid, he pulled out of her and sat back, his gaze pinning her, nearly scaring her in their intensity. “What the fuck?”
“What’s the matter?”
Kaleb jumped from the couch, pulled his pants up from about his knees and tucked himself inside. Suzi quickly followed suit, attempting to right her own mussed clothing. She must look a fright. He ran a hand through his long curls, brushing the hair from his face and looked back at her.
“Don’t ever do that again, sweetheart.”
“What?” Her brow furrowed. “Make love to you?”
Suzi was rewarded with a small grin, making her feel a tiny bit better about what just happened. Hell, she thought Kaleb was already regretting what had taken place. She never would. In fact….
“No, please—that I’d like a repeat performance of.” His smile grew. “And I plan to continue in that big empty bed of mine in a matter of minutes. But, what I was referring to,” his face sobered, “is drawing my blood. You can never drink from me … not even a taste. Is that clear?”
“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean anything by it.”
Kaleb approached the sofa where she sat, kneeling in front of her and framing her face between his palms. “To do so would mean your damnation. By drinking of my blood, your DNA would begin to change and you would become a monster like me.”
Suzi placed her hands over his. “You not a monster, Kaleb. I don’t see you that way.”
He took a deep breath. “Suzi, it’s forbidden. I cannot allow you to become like me.”
“Cara—”
“Kane did so to save her life and he had to pay the penance for it. I’m the president of the Sons, sweetheart. I cannot go about breaking the rules. Promise me you’ll keep those teeth to yourself.” He paused, a devilish gleam twinkling in his gaze. “At least don’t use them to draw blood. Agreed?”
Suzi nodded, not trusting herself to speak should she break down into tears. Not taking his blood, also meant not mating with him. She refused to allow Kaleb to see the hurt his words had caused.
“Now,” one of his brows rose heavenward, “you have someplace else you need to be?”
She shook her head.
“Good.” He chuckled, stood and tossed her across his shoulder as he headed for the rear of the clubhouse, slapping one bare ass cheek. “Because I have someplace I need you to be … in my bed and beneath me.”
* * *
“Rosalee.”
The voice on the other end of the line caught her off guard and kicked up her heartbeat a notch. She hated it when he used that tone with her. She knew whatever was about to come next she wasn’t going to like. She’d best tread lightly, for she had no idea if the old vampire even knew she’d left Italy. Due to the untimely call, she’d bet he at least suspected.
“Yes, Stepfather?”
“I’m surprised you finally decided to answer your phone.”
The exasperation in his voice told her he was extremely annoyed with her. The ass no doubt knew by now she had skipped the country and was on a one-woman mission to no good, at least not for Kane and Kaleb Tepes. But nothing he said would change her mind. Kaleb would soon lose his head, an eye for an eye.
“Where have you taken yourself off to?” The old man had actually tsk, tsked her. “And don’t think to lie to me, Stepchild.”
So much for the false truth she was looking to save her ass from his wrath. Mircea knew damn well where Rosalee stood, or he wouldn’t have bothered himself to call her.
“If I find out you withheld the truth, I will see you punished for going against my wishes.” He paused, no doubt more for dramatic effect than to catch his breath. The old bastard was healthy as a horse. “Even your mother won’t be allowed to speak on your behalf this time. Do I make myself clear?”
Rosalee sighed. “All right. It’s not as if you don’t already know. I’m in the States.”
She heard his deep sigh through the speaker of the phone. She could very well imagine the disapproval on his face. “For what purpose?”
Rosalee grit her teeth. Her ire skyrocketed. The man was such a politician at times. He should have taken care of this six months ago. If he had, she would still be in Italy, being coddled by his staff and drinking the finest of wines. Instead she was running around the back woods of Oregon, chasing down a vampire that refused to die.
“To do what you neglected to, Mircea.”
If her stepfather had had any balls at all, Kaleb would have been tried, found guilty for his actions, and been beheaded long ago. Kane would have lost the one thing more precious to him than that damn detective he thinks to call mate … his twin. And Rosalee would have had her revenge, even if it cost her to be exiled from Italy for all eternity. Sometimes she really hated her stepfather. He could be such a pompous ass. But had it not been for him, she and her mother wouldn’t have had the chance at eternity. So for that alone she was indebted to him.
“You allowed Kane and Kaleb Tepes to make you look weak. Someone needs to rectify that.”
“So you make yourself judge and jury, thereby thinking to take Kaleb Tepes’ head as his penance?”
“Yes.”
She bit back the not-so-nice names she reserved for her stepfather. At the moment, her anger would gain her nothing. Now that Mircea knew where she was and her plan to kill Kaleb, she needed to assure the fact he didn’t send someone after her and try to stop her from seeking her revenge.
“And if I order you back to Italy … to stop this foolhardy mission you’re on?”
“I won’t return home, Mircea … until it’s finished,” Rosalee said. “You would be wasting your breath, old man.”
“You know that I cannot give you my blessing. Kane already suspects that it’s you who’s behind these attempts at his brother’s life.”
“Think I care?”
“If you kill Kaleb,” Mircea’s tone rose, “Kane won’t stop until he finds and kills you.”
Rosalee laughed, not feeling the humor. “You wouldn’t allow that.”
“And what reason would I have to stop him.” Again he paused. “Or care for that matter?”
“It’s written that to take a primordial’s life, is to bring certain death unto yourself.” Her jaw ached. The bastard had a way with bringing the worst out in her. She’d never understand what her mother saw in the pompous ass. “Have you forgotten your one cardinal rule? You put it into place so that you of all people could live out eternity without threat. If you allow Alec’s death to go unanswered, then what’s to say someday, someone might decide to end your existence?”
Mircea stayed silent for so long, that at first she thought he might not answer her, then he said, “Alec acted on your behalf, not mine. He was on a fool’s mission, and as such, got what he deserved.”
“So what are you saying, Stepfather?”
“That if you decide to follow through with this asinine plan, then you will have to suffer the consequences should Kane decide to take your head as restitution for his brother’s. In truth, my wayward stepdaughter, he would’ve been in his right to do so following your son’s death. And yet, he returned you to me unharmed.”
“His mistake,” she growled in response. “Are you sending someone to stop me?”
“No.”
“You realize then, that is as much giving me the okay.”
“I’m telling you, dear stepdaughter, that should you accomplish your goal, I will not come to your rescue, neither will I allow your mother to. You’re acting on your own, and as such, you will face the consequences alone. I will not get involved in your petty revenge against my brother’s great grandchildren.” He paused. “Should Vlad ever surface and know that I sentenced his offspring to death, it would be an all-out war.”
“He’s not shown himself in well over four centuries.”
“His tomb was found empty.”
Rosalee rolled her eyes. “If his ego is anything like yours, dear Stepfather, then he most certainly is dead. No way could the arrogant ruler not show his face in over four hundred and seventy years.”
“If you do this, Rosalee,” she could hear the warning in his tone, “you will no longer be allowed to return to Italy.”
“Then so be it.” Her smile grew. “Kaleb Tepes will die. I cannot allow Kane a moment of peace.”
“Then be prepared to start a war with the Sons, of which I cannot be part of.”
A true leader would stand with her. “You’re a coward, Mircea.”
“Wise, my dear, never a coward. You’re a fool to think you can best a Tepes. You forget Vlad was my little brother, and he was feared for good reason. His offspring should not be underestimated.”
“Duly noted, old man,” she said and hit the END on her cell.
Rosalee smiled, knowing now that she would get no interference from her stepfather. The coward would never leave Italy to raise a hand against his brother’s offspring, for fear of retaliation from the feared ruler. She laughed. Vlad Tepes hadn’t surfaced or been heard from in centuries. The Impaler had died in 1476 at the tender age of thirty-five. He wasn’t about to just show up in Oregon to save his great grandson, far removed, from being beheaded.