Caressed by Night (22 page)

“Are you sure?”

“You dare question me?” the beast snarled.

Gabriel brought his hands up, palms out, “Nay, Sire. Ms. Hall, please transfer the call?”

“Yes, sir. Right away.”

The phone clicked over and Gabriel took in a deep breath before greeting Ven, “King of Clan Volkov, to what do I owe this great honor?”

“Cut the shit, Erhard,” Ven snapped, his voice clear over the speaker. “Who do you think you’re dealing with?”

“I’m sorry. I don’t understand the question,” Gabriel replied, his voice dripping with feigned innocence.

Dorian bit the inside of his cheek to stop himself from laughing aloud.

“You orchestrated a raid of my territory. You burned my house and my storehouses in the city. Don’t try to deny it.”
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“Okay, I won’t.”

“You cocky son of a bitch,” Ven growled. “If you’re thinking of moving in on my turf, you’ve got another thing coming.”

“What would I want with Chicago? I’m not a big fan of snow.” A string of curses blasted from the speakerphone and Gabriel chuckled.

“Do you think this is a game? Do you think I’m a fool?”

“I know this is not a game and I think you are many things.”

“You filthy blood-bastard! I think it’s time someone taught you how to respect your superiors. Obviously, Dimitri did not spend much time training you before his demise, but it will be my pleasure to put you in your place.”

Dimitri shot to his feet. Gabriel pushed his chair back in retreat as the old, powerful vampire planted his hands on his desk and leaned over the telephone.

Gabriel’s lips twitched with a smile. “Funny you should mention Dimitri. Did you get a chance to take a look at your backyard?

I arranged for Dimitri’s seal and coat of arms to be burned into the grass. I hope you like it. It took my men awhile shoveling aside all that snow so they could pour the gasoline.”

“You think to threaten me with rumors of Dimitri’s return? It won’t work. Be warned, I have a few of my own scare tactics, I hope you are ready for them.”

“Why do you think I would use Dimitri as a scare tactic? You really underestimate me, you piece of shit.”

“You’re nothing, Outcast. You couldn't stand up against me face-to-face. Why else would you bring that long-dead vampire into this?”

Dimitri lowered his head, his mouth directly above the speaker.

Air hissed past his fangs and he growled low in his throat. His deep, unholy voice was rough as he commanded, “Come to Las Vegas and find out.”

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Kerstyn stepped from the bathroom, a black towel wrapped tightly about her slender frame.

“You look delicious.”

She started at the deep voice. Turning, she found Dimitri’s large frame filling the doorway. He stepped inside, closing the double doors behind him.

“Are you okay? I’ve called your cell and left messages. I was really beginning to worry.”

Dimitri stalked forward, his eyes burning with insatiable desire.

Hunger. He began to slowly circle her like a wolf circling its prey.

“I am perfect,” he drawled. “After our encounter in the museum, I met with Gabriel and my old friend Dorian. We had a lot to discuss. Did you have a pleasant visit with Silvie?”

“Yes,” she said, turning with him. Something told her not to turn her back on him. Lust clouded his eyes, but danger shimmered in their depths. “We went to Circo
at the Bellagio. Had dinner and a few drinks.”

“Sounds nice.”

“It was, though Silvie seemed a bit distant.”

Dimitri shrugged and came to a stop. Bringing his hand up, he traced the edge of the towel, drawing his fingers over the straight line of fabric across her chest.

“I trust you are happy with your new job.”

The pads of his fingers lightly brushed her flesh.

“Ecstatic,” she whispered, her breath tight in her chest. “Did you set me up with that interview? If you did―”

“Would you like to finish what we started in the museum?”
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He stepped closer, her breasts a fraction of an inch from his solid frame. Leaning forward, he tilted her chin up, their eyes meeting.

Her mouth went dry as her mind began to race. Images of them at the museum danced in her head.

“God, yes,” she breathed.

That was all the confirmation he needed.

Dimitri’s hot lips took hers in a demanding kiss as his arms encircled her, pressing her hard against him. The dampness of the towel seeped into his clothing, but he did not notice. Their mouths moved frantically as a feverish frenzy swept them away.

He trailed his lips over her cheek, her jaw, down the elegant column of her throat. He leaned back, ripping the towel away. Kerstyn gasped as the cool air kissed her flesh. Dimitri’s ravenous eyes devoured her body, taking in every curve, every line of her womanly frame.

Like a hungry wolf, he bent her back over his arm and attacked her breasts with his lips, his tongue. He suckled and nipped at her, his tongue circling and flicking her taut nipples. Kerstyn’s hands clenched in his hair, bringing him closer, urging him on, she wanted more.

Liquid heat flowed through her and pooled between her thighs.

The intoxicating feminine scent of her set alarms off in his head as the beast rattled its cage. He needed to taste her, to feel her most tender and supple flesh on his tongue.

Not yet. He wanted this to last forever, to make the night of their bonding the most memorable of all.

Kissing his way back up her throat, he paused over her pulse, breathing in deep he took in the sweet scent of her blood and arousal.

Bringing his mouth to her ear, he nibbled the lobe, drawing hard moans from her lips.

Her hands slid down his back to his hips, her fingers hooked in the waistband of his pants.

“Take them off.” Her voice was low and rough with pleasure.

Dimitri pulled away, tearing his white shirt from his torso, buttons flying through the air. Next, he slipped out of his polished, black shoes and his pants slid down his hard frame. Kerstyn’s eyes immediately fell to his erection. Long. Hard. Ready. Gorgeous. She
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licked her lips as she imagined how he would feel against her lips, in her mouth.

“Later,” he promised, reading her erotic thoughts.

Taking his hand, she drew him over to the bed. Dimitri’s low growl of excitement made her heart skip. With a sexually charged push from him, she landed flat on her back. Her light laugh overwhelmed his senses and, in a flash, he was above her, his hands caressing her skin.

His thumbs brushed over her hard nipples as his palms massaged her aching breasts. God, she loved his hands, the feel of his flesh against hers.

Needing more, she arched her back, thrusting her breasts towards him and Dimitri accepted her offering. Lowering his head, he paid homage to her with his mouth. Every gentle draw of his lips sent another wave of excruciating heat through her.

His hands roamed her body, gliding down her arms to her sides where he traced her rib cage. Kerstyn could not help but twitch in pleasure from his tickling touch and groan in anticipation as his hands went lower. His strong hands slid quickly over her hips and massaged her inner thighs. Dimitri pressed his palm against her hot, moist core.

She was beyond ready for him, slick with need.

Kerstyn’s nails bit into his shoulders as he slowly inserted one long finger. He withdrew and came back. Her entire body quivered as he teased, his thumb rubbing over her pleasure nub in slow, deliberate circles. Her eyes drifted closed, her lips parted as her breathing became heavy.

Dimitri lifted his head from her breasts to watch as need and hunger played across her beautiful, delicate features. Stretching her, he pushed in with two fingers. Her hips bucked against his hand as he increased the pressure and rhythm. A smile of complete satisfaction curled his sensual lips as he felt her reaching her peak.

Her body wound tighter and tighter, pleasure mounting in intensity and strength. The release washed over her in wave after wave, sweeping her away. Her cry of ecstasy lodged in her throat as his tongue replaced his fingers. His lips pulled at her clit, drawing out her orgasm and beginning another. He greedily fed, her body arching, her heels digging into the mattress as her fingers clenched the sheets. She could feel the hot pressure building again. Fire coursed through her body as another explosive orgasm rocked her.

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Dimitri came to his knees, drawing his fingers over her core, his index finger dipping into her again. He brought his hand to his mouth and Kerstyn watched, her heart pounding, her breathing rough as he licked and sucked her glossy nectar from his fingers.

“The sweetest of honey,” he said, his voice a low rumble.

Leaning forward, he hooked an arm beneath her back and flipped her over so she lay flat against his chest, her breasts burning his chest. With a playful smile, Kerstyn pushed herself back on her knees, her wet hair teasing her breasts.

Dimitri knew he had to hand control over to her. He was on the edge of oblivion. Watching her face as pleasure claimed her had triggered the beast. He swallowed her orgasm. Now, the vampire demanded he bury himself deep within her, hard and fast, over and over again forcing orgasm after orgasm from her. His fangs extended as his eyes flickered between their natural color and the demon’s lightning-hot white. Reaching back, he gripped the thick, wooden headboard, stretching himself out before her, leaving himself vulnerable. This way she could both appease the vampire and keep him in check. He would be her plaything and allow her to toy with him for however long she wanted.

Kerstyn was not surprised to see Dimitri’s eyes change color.

She could feel the shift within him. She could feel the wildness and hunger within him.

“I made you a promise,” he hissed past his fangs.

Her eyes sparkled with mischief and excitement as she traced the muscles of his abdomen, slowly, meticulously logging every hard inch into memory. He was absolutely scrumptious—sin, danger, and sex all in one—a lethal combination. Running the tips of her fingers down his waist, over his slim hips, she circled the head of his penis.

Dimitri jerked in pleasure. Kerstyn bit her lip as she closed her hand around his hard length. She pumped him slow at first, her thumb gliding over his tip as a tiny bead formed beneath the pad of her finger.

Her eyes held his for a brief moment before they moved down his body.

He cursed. Her gaze burned as she shifted above him, moving lower. She settled over his legs, her wetness brushing over his knee.

Her warm breath swept over his swollen, aching flesh as her mouth hovered above him. Her eyes flickered back up to him and Dimitri’s
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grip on the headboard tightened. She flashed him a sexy half-smile, then took him into her mouth.

Dimitri’s breath slammed out of his chest as she sucked on him. Her tongue swirled around his thickness, drawing playful designs as her lips drew on the head. Sliding him further into her mouth, she found a rhythm. Her head bobbed up and down as she tried to take all of him in although his size would not allow it. Her fingers caressed his sack, kneading and massaging.

His muscles strained as he fought to keep still. His heart came to life in a way it never had before as strong, heavy beats forced blood through his body and air into his lungs. Never had the need for sex been so great. He closed his eyes against the delicious pain and allowed Kerstyn to continue when all he wanted was to toss her on her back and claim her.

Her velvet mouth devoured him, drawing him closer and closer to the pinnacle. She felt his sack tighten in her hand. She began to move faster, wanting him to come, needing to taste him.

Kerstyn’s small cry of bereavement was more than satisfying as he drew her up his body. He could not wait any longer. He needed to be buried to the hilt inside her.

“Ride me,” he demanded.

Her eyes widened with excitement. Placing her palms flat on his chest, she pushed him back against the pillows and slowly lowered her fiercely aroused body onto him.

Dimitri groaned. His jaw clenched as her tight muscles took him inside her. Her body, slick and wet, coiled around his hard, thick length. Rocking, she pumped him, wild, lost in the pleasure, the need, and the hunger. Dimitri wanted her like this, mindless in the ecstasy, completely uninhibited. She was glorious. Her breasts quivered with every movement. Tossing her head back, droplets of water cascaded over them both. Moan after moan kissed his ears as her muscles grew tighter and tighter about him. She was on the edge of release.

Circling his fingers around her wrist, he brought it to his mouth. His lips pressed hard against her frantic pulse. Now was the time. He would bite her, take her blood into his body and begin the bonding. As long as he was careful lest he lose control. The beast would take over then and he was certain the vampire would kill her. He had to remain focused.

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Tonight, he would bind her to his life force and, on the next full moon, she would transition into an immortal. This was the only way to protect her, to keep her with him. Forever.

His mouth opened over her wrist and his teeth sank in deep.

She cried out, shock and pleasure lacing her blood. The sweet, addictive taste of fear and female ecstasy filled his mouth. Her body gripped him as she careened over the edge. His name was torn from her throat as aftershocks made her quiver.