Courting the Darkness (26 page)

He brought his lips to hers in a searing kiss, stroking his tongue with hers. She moaned, snuggling closer to him. He reached his hand under her butt, lifting her from the floor; he carried her to the bed. Placing her gently on the mattress, he eased in next to her. Running his fingers over her body, he eased his fingers between her legs, finding her wet and ready. She caught her breath. “You are so beautiful,” he whispered. “I want to lose myself in you.”

Her eyes, dark with passion and yearning, searched his. She wrapped her fingers around his erection again, rubbing him gently, but with urgency. “Save the slow stuff for later. I want you now.”

“You’re so aggressive. Stay that way. I like it.” She smiled. He lifted her leg and entered her tight, wet sheath in one quick thrust, generating a gasp of surprise from her. He closed his eyes, luxuriating in the tight feel of her.

She laughed and he opened his eyes to look into hers. “You surprised me,” she whispered, and he smiled. “Now, my vampire warrior, my lover, make me burn for you.” She ground her pelvis to his.

He needed no more urging than that. His hips pumped, slapping against hers with each deliberate, silken stroke.

Her hips met his hungrily, stroke for stroke. She opened her legs wider, allowing him deeper access, until he buried himself as deep as he could go with each stroke, filling and stretching her with glorious sensations.

He rolled over on his back, bringing her with him, impaled on his shaft, as he continued to pump. Bracing her knees around his hips, she pushed herself up, arching her back, and rocking her hips in rhythm to his. Gripping her hips with his hands, he thrust deeper until they both shuddered from the sensation of it. She fell forward, sprawling her naked body on his chest. His semi-hard shaft still impaled her.

She smiled, wriggling her hips. “I’ll never tire of you. I love you, Mica,” she whispered, yawning.

“You may not tire of me, but you are tired. Sleep in my arms where you are safe.” He kissed the top of her head. “I love you too, Desiree.”

CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO

There was rapid knocking at Desiree’s door. She sat up straight in bed, looking at Mica, she shrugged. “Who is it?” she called out.

Mica stopped, raising an eyebrow at her statement. “I don’t think that will be necessary. We just need to make an appearance.” He raked his eyes over her. “These clothes suit you better.”

They hurried from her chamber to the front of the warehouse. The entire clan barred the door from their enemy. Mica and Desiree pushed their way through with Mica taking his place beside Drake. Desiree stood beside him.

The leader of the other clan spotted Desiree, baring his fangs. Mica snarled back at him in challenge.

“Mica, this is Duncan, the leader of the Tennessee clan,” Drake remarked blandly in introduction.

Mica loomed a head taller than the other vampire. He crossed his arms over his chest and glared. “We’ve met, although not by name.”

Drake crossed his arms over his chest, holding his ground. “These two are under my protection. Go home and we will forget this ever happened.”

“Our laws are clear,” Duncan barked again.

“These two were in your territory because of that witch hunter you listened to. They would not have been there if Hargrove hadn’t kidnapped Desiree in the first place. I sent Mica to bring her back to me. He serves me, so he doesn’t meet the normal definition of a rogue.”

Duncan raised his chin. “If you protect them, then you die too!” Vampires from both sides crouched in attack position. Mica pushed Desiree behind him. “Desiree, go back inside.”

“But Mica…”

“Don’t argue with me, just go!”

Desiree fled back into the warehouse, and all hell broke loose. “Go after her!” Duncan shouted. Desiree spun around just in time to see Mica take a vampire down by the throat right before he could reach her.

“Hide,” Mica shouted to her. She did not argue this time, running deeper into the warehouse and behind one of the large couches. She crouched down on all fours, peering around the corner of the couch to watch.

Caleb stripped out of his clothes, morphing into a panther. He crouched down in front of her, guarding her, waiting to pounce.

The fighting had progressed into the front sitting area. The vampires fought fiercely. Their eyes glowed red with white fangs flashing with ferocious precision and speed. Desiree had to watch closely to comprehend it at all. One second someone would be fine and then blood would be everywhere with limbs missing and throats ripped out. One by one, the enemy clan fell. She inched forward on her hands and knees, trying to see better and to catch sight of Mica. An enemy vampire caught sight of her and ran in her direction. Caleb sprang for his throat, knocking him onto his back. His mighty jaws clamped down and the vampire ceased to struggle.

Desiree’s eyes frantically searched the room for Mica. The fighting had now been contained to just two fighters. The rest of the enemy was dead. Desiree could see a crowd of vampires circling the two in the middle. She looked frantically around the room, and still could not find Mica. She sprang from behind the couch, running up to the group. That was when her eyes found him. He crouched in attack position, squaring off against the enemy leader Duncan. She caught her breath, throwing both hands up over her mouth. Her heart screamed where her mouth dared not.

“Give it up, Duncan,” Drake shouted. “You’re grossly outnumbered and my buddy Mica here is lethal. He has more reason than anyone here to see you dead, especially since you are threatening to kill is mate.”

“Vampires don’t take humans for mates,” Duncan hissed.

“This one did”—Mica lowered himself to attack position—“and I’m going to kill you to protect her.”

Desiree sucked in her breath, and Duncan locked eyes with her. She cringed away from his glare. He turned to spring at her and Mica went for his throat. Duncan fell; he was dead before he hit the floor. His blood pooled around him.

The crowd of vampires broke formation, picking up the bodies and cleaning up the mess. Desiree ran for Mica, launching herself into his arms, still trembling from head to toe. He held her tightly to him. “It’s over.”

Drake crossed his arms over his chest, staring at them. “I need to see you two in my quarters. I’ve made my decision.”

She locked eyes with Mica. “Come on,” he encouraged softly, “we’ll deal with whatever he has to say.” She nodded and they followed Drake.

Drake opened the door, holding it open for them to come inside. “Have a seat.” He turned, closing the door.

They each took a chair.

Drake walked past them to his chair, and cleared his throat with a nod. “As I said a minute ago, I’ve made my decision. First, I still believe Desiree is too big of a commodity for me to release. I have word that we’re soon to be at war. I’m not talking about small clans like Duncan’s. I’m referring to large ones like Texas that want to overthrow us.” Desiree’s mouth dropped open to protest and Drake held up his hand to silence her. “I know that your powers are limited when it comes to us. However, your illusions are strong enough to convince the enemy that what they see is real. You and I know that it’s not. That will give us a strong advantage in this coming war. I have no problems with fair fights, but the Texas clan is four times the size of ours. We’re outnumbered four to one. I think you could help even those odds a little.” Mica narrowed his eyes at his friend and opened his mouth. Drake held up his hand to him. “Let me finish. Second, I’ve decided to let her leave with you, Mica.”

Mica tilted his head in question. “Okay, I don’t understand. You just contradicted yourself.”

Drake laughed. “I decided to let her leave with you on a condition,” he stated while staring Mica down.

Desiree apprehensively bit her lip, waiting on Drake to spell out his condition. Mica was not that patient. He bellowed, “Okay, Drake, what’s the condition?”

“It’s actually the same condition you’re under, Mica. She can go off and be with you as long as you both agree that she has to come back and serve me when I need her magical services.” Mica started to open his mouth and Drake held up his hand for him to be silent. “Before you speak, understand that this is the only way I will allow her to leave with you. Otherwise, she stays here and you are free to visit, or stay with her here, as you choose.”

Desiree placed her hand on Mica’s, shaking her head to halt his objections. “I’ll do it.”

“But Desiree…”

“No, Mica. I’ll do it,” she remarked forcefully. He opened his mouth to object again and she shook her head stubbornly. “I would walk over hot coals barefoot to be with you.” She shrugged. “This little stipulation is nothing. You can even come with me when I have to come back. It’s worth it to me to see you happy. You wouldn’t be happy living here.” She looked back at Drake. “I’ll do it.”

Drake’s laughter rumbled deep from his chest. “Excellent!” he boomed boisterously. “We have an accord. Mica, I congratulate you, my friend. You managed to find a woman just as stubborn as you are. I never thought that would be possible.” Mica glared at him and he laughed louder. “You two are free to leave whenever you wish. You will both be hearing from me soon, I’m sure.”

“No doubt,” Mica remarked dryly. Desiree elbowed him in the ribs, catching him off guard. He grunted in surprise, looking down at her. She raised an eyebrow, giving him a chastising look, and he laughed. “I guess that look means I should apologize for being rude.” He cut her a side-glance, shaking his head. “Thank you, Drake. We’ll be leaving now before you change your mind.”

CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE

Mica and Desiree hurried out of Drake’s chambers. “Caleb, Denise, we’re out of here,” Mica remarked urgently. “Gather your things. We’re leaving before Drake changes his mind.” Mica hurried into Desiree’s chambers, gathering her still packed bags. Meeting out in the hall, he closed the door behind him. “Are you ready to go, lover?”

They all four walked out of the alleyway, rounding the corner onto the street. The sun’s rays were just cresting over the horizon. The rays shone on three Harley Davidson motorcycles. Mica and Caleb knocked fists with each other, laughing. Desiree’s mouth dropped open as she studied the bike with a look of doubt. “Mica, I’ve never driven a motorcycle before.”

“I didn’t figure you had. You’re riding on the back with me. Caleb and Denise have their own. All we have left to do is tie our stuff onto the back and we’ll be on our way.”

“Don’t worry, it’s not so bad,” Denise remarked. “It’s actually kind of fun. I think you’ll like it.”

Mica and Caleb tied the bags on the back of the motorcycles. Mica stuck his hand out to Caleb. “Well, buddy, thanks for tagging along. I can’t say it was all fun, but I appreciate your help. We’ll see ya in a few days.”

Caleb grabbed Mica’s hand, shaking it. “I’m sorry about the way I acted.” He glanced over at Desiree. “That apology extends to you too, Dez.” He laughed. “We’ll all have to go out and party sometime.” He mounted his bike. “Denise, I’m going to your house.”

She had already mounted her bike. “I told you to stay away from me and my house, fur ball,” Denise remarked to Caleb irritably. She smiled, waving at Mica and Desiree. “I’m sorry for listening to fur ball over here and causing so many problems. I’ll see y’all around.” She kick started her bike, taking off.

“Hey! Wait for me!” Caleb shouted, taking off after her.

Mica and Desiree laughed as they watched them race up the street. He put his arm around her, kissing the top of her head. “Are you ready to go home?”

She smiled up at him. “More than ready.”

He mounted the bike, holding it steady for her to climb on. “Hold on to me tight.” He kick started the bike, and then he revved the motor a few times. Kicking it into gear, they took off in the direction of his home.

Desiree had never felt anything like it. The raw adrenaline, the wind rushing through her hair, left her feeling exhilarated. She hugged him tighter and sighed contentedly.

He pulled the bike to a stop in front of a large, beige, two-story stucco mansion. She looked around in awe. The lawns and gardens were perfectly manicured. She caught her breath. “Mica, is this your home?”