DeLeina, Maya - Veil of Seduction [Ambrose Heights Vampires 2] (Siren Publishing Classic) (40 page)

Steffan glided his tongue over the entry points, sealing the wounds, immediately stopping the flow of blood.

He stood back up.

Anya tensed. “Steffan?” Her voice shook.

Steffan reached for her and held her close to him, cradling her head. He realized what he probably looked like to Anya. He could see the fear in her eyes. Her blood was still smeared across his chin and jaw. His eyes burned, knowingly still in red.

His heart sank.

He must’ve looked like a monster.

“I know, love, it’s still me.” Steffan quickly wiped down his face and willed himself to calm his burning need for more blood. “Don’t be frightened. It’s because I just drank from your femoral artery. It’s setting off all of these primal triggers in me to drink you completely dry. But I’m in control, Anya. I love you. I would never hurt you. It will subside.”

After a moment of stillness, Steffan released Anya and pushed back to look at her.

“It’s you!” Anya smiled and sighed in relief. Her speech was slurred.

“It’s me. It’s always been me,” Steffan said as he stroked himself. “You are never in danger with me. But, Anya…”

“Yes, Steffan.”

“I need you to know. I need it dirty. Do as I say.”

Steffan undid the material wrapped around Anya’s thighs. He grabbed her waist and lifted her so her crotch would be aligned with his in the standing position.

“Grab the silk, baby,” Steffan instructed as he wrapped the silk around her waist and thighs to hold her in place.

Then, he thrust the length of his hardness into Anya.

A droplet of blood fell from his mouth as he parted his lips and moaned. He tore at the body stocking wildly to fully release her breasts. He pounded into her hard, delighting in the way her breasts responded in their vicious waves with his thrusts. Anya leaned her head all the way back, arching her back below her, and whimpered in pleasure. Steffan released one of her hands from the material and laced his fingers through hers. He steadied himself as he ground into her, his pace faster, his rhythm deeper. His moans were short and grew more intense and louder with every movement.

“What do you want, Anya?”

“I want you to come. I want to see you. I want to hear what I am doing to you.” Anya’s eyes were heavy lidded. Her lips were pouty and raw.

“Baby. Do you want to taste me, drink me?” Steffan whimpered.

“Oh yes! Come in my mouth!” Anya exclaimed.

“Oh, Anya, baby! You are so beautiful. You’re so damn good.”

Steffan pulled out of Anya and moved behind her.

Anya arched her back, her hands gliding effortlessly down the silk as she angled her head back.

“Jesus, you’re flexible,” Steffan said with a ragged breath as he stroked his cock above her

Anya opened her mouth wide.

“Anya, I’m coming! Drink me!” He moaned in pure ecstasy as he pumped his hot release into her mouth over and over again until she was filled.

Anya looked up at Steffan with her exotic, almond-shaped eyes. Sweat glistened off of her forehead. Her long, black hair was wild and wet. She closed her mouth and swallowed all of Steffan, ending with a swirl of her tongue on her lips.

Steffan closed his eyes and began to tear.

This phase of the ritual was complete and Anya was still alive. His love for his mate triumphed over innate instincts to drink her dry.

Only one phase remained.

Anya would soon become a vampire.

* * * *

The doorbell rang.

“Michelle!” Steffan said joyfully as he reached down to hug her. “Thank you for coming over, especially in this weather. Anya will be so happy to see you!”

Steffan kissed her cheek, and Michelle blushed at the momentary thrill she got from his embrace.

“Sorry, I would’ve been over sooner, but it has been crazy. I finally found a reliable replacement for Anya at the shop and my ex has Chloe for the weekend,” Michelle said as she placed her purse and raincoat in the coat closet near the entry. “How’s my girl doing?”

Steffan closed the door.

“I completed the second phase with her two weeks ago. I fear I may have taken too much from her. Her recovery took longer because of this, but she’s doing well now.” Steffan shook his head and slipped his hands into the pockets of his jeans. “I’ve been sick to my stomach about what I’ve done. She keeps telling me not to feel guilty, but how could I not?”

“From what I remember Dominic telling me, wasn’t this the ultimate test before completing the claim?”

Steffan nodded. “Yes. A femoral drink is the most intimate of exchanges between a human and vampire. And the most dangerous as the vampire’s willpower is tested against their most innate and primal instincts to kill.”

“Steffan, she’s alive. You passed. You’ve shown that the strength of your love for her could overcome all other powerful forces. Don’t do this to yourself.” Michelle looked down and said softly, “I wonder if I’d said yes, would I have lived past the second phase with Dominic?”

Steffan hugged Michelle closely. “Take your own advice and don’t continue to beat yourself up about Dominic. It’s been over a year. Release yourself. You’re not to blame for his reaction. You don’t have to feel guilty about saying no. The connection between fated mates is just the first step of the claim. Acceptance of this life is what secures the connection. They have to go hand in hand. This existence is not for everyone. You had to do what was right for you. Let it go, Michelle. Live your life.”

Michelle wiped back tears as Steffan released her. “You’re right, it’s not like I have an eternity to do things like you and Anya!” she joked to lighten the mood.

“Let Anya know, Michelle. She’ll understand and talking about it will be your first step in releasing what you’ve harbored in you all this time. It would also help alleviate some worries in Anya. She’s been rehearsing how she was going to break the news to you today that I am a vampire and that she agreed to become one, too. In fact, I think this is why she was so eager to have you have over these past few days.”

“Okay. I will.”

“Come inside.” Steffan put his arm around Michelle as they walked to the great room. “Anya should be down from her shower any minute.”

The floor-to-ceiling windows put the rugged mountain terrain in perfect view. “Wow! This looks eerie!” Michelle said as she stepped to the windows.

Fog blanketed the mountain vista and the valley below, obstructing the views of the city. A light rain fell. The wind was strong, howling through the valley, making the canopy of trees that pierced through the thick fog to sway with intensity.

Michelle sat down on the daybed.

“Michelle!” Anya smiled as she entered the room and ran over to hug her friend. Anya had a glow about her. All of Steffan’s talk about Anya’s recovery and health issues held no merit. She looked radiant and beautiful as ever.

Anya traced over the wooden floors, barefoot. She dressed all in white, a delicate shimmering noise suspending around her as she moved. She wore her signature attire, a long flowing skirt, and an embellished tank top. This time, she’d added a long-sleeved shrug to the ensemble, the sleeves, a fine netting material, allowing her brown flesh to peek through suggestively in the design. Each sleeve ended in a triangular shape, a little loop hooking around her middle finger, securing it in place. A belly dance belt laced with golden coins sat around her waist. She looked enchanting and magical, like a beautiful gypsy queen.

“My love! You look absolutely stunning!” Steffan exclaimed.

He grabbed Anya by the waist and leaned in to a deep kiss. Anya moaned responsively into his mouth.

Michelle looked away, trying to give them a little piece of privacy.

“Sorry, Michelle. You’ll have to excuse us. We’re still learning how to control ourselves,” Anya said as she patted Steffan’s behind.

“Yup. I can see how that can be a problem,” Michelle responded.

Steffan smirked as he began to walk across the room.

The women watched him intently. Steffan disappeared through the doorway that led to the kitchen.

“He’s right. You look wonderful. You have a glow about you. And damn girl…” Michelle paused and lifted Anya’s arms, scanning her outfit up and down. “You make weird look sexy!”

Anya chuckled. “I have a glow? You know what, I think it’s him. He makes me feel sexy, no matter what I look like on the outside. Like, I was sick last week. I didn’t put a stitch of makeup on. I didn’t do my hair. Hell, there is one day I didn’t even take a bath. But he looked at me with the same eyes, showing me the same amount of affection.”

Steffan returned in the room with a tray of freshly baked brownies and cups of hot cocoa.

“What is all this?” Anya asked.

“Watching you cook inspired me to try out the kitchen as well. I baked something for the two of you. Well, it was from a box, but it was something of a triumph for me.” Steffan placed the tray on the daybed in between Michelle and Anya.

“Oh my god. Dark chocolate brownies, Anya! This man’s a keeper for sure!” Michelle laughed, knowing Anya’s weakness for dark chocolate.

“Ladies, I’ll be with Eilian if you need me,” Steffan said as he excused himself to allow the friends to spend time alone.

As they did before, they silently watched Steffan walk across the room.

Anya sighed. “I hate to see him go, but it is so delicious to watch him leave.”

The two women looked at each other and then burst out in laughter like school girls.

“A man whose stunningly gorgeous, rich, has an obvious insatiable appetite for sex, worships the very ground you walk on and bakes? I’ll take one for myself, please,” Michelle said as Anya laughed.

“He is something. When I was young, I would dream of the type of man I would want to marry. You know, make a mental list of all of the physical attributes and personality qualities I wanted. I knew he would never exist. There is no perfect man out there. There are always flaws or things you settle for because the good outweighs the not so good.”

Honey, I know exactly where you’re leading to.

She let Anya finish saying what she needed to say.

“It’s like someone found that list of mine, floating out there, and said,
Here he is, everything you asked for and a little something you didn’t.
”

Michelle took a bite of her brownie and casually blurted, “So being a vampire didn’t make the list, obviously.”

“What!” screamed Anya. “What did you say?”

“I said, being a vamp—”

Anya interrupted. “I heard you fine the first time. I don’t get it. H–how did you know? How long have you known? You don’t see a problem with this? Put down the brownie, Michelle, and talk to me!”

“Patience. Let me enjoy this brownie.” Michelle wanted to burst into laughter. She was purposely dragging this out on Anya.

“We will get to your first two questions. But first, do I see a problem with this? No, Anya. I want whatever makes you happy. I know what will happen to you and all I ask is that you make sure you remember that I was your best friend after your turning. Promise you won’t forget who I am.”

“Michelle? Are you a vampire?”

“Anya. I have laugh lines and crow’s-feet that can give the Grand Canyon a run for its money. And my boobs are hitting the ground. Tell me, have you ever seen a vampire woman in that bad of a body shape before?”