Harker's Journey (3 page)

N.J. Walters

It was then she noticed the soreness between her legs and the aching of her leg muscles. Slowly she peeled back the covers and saw a slight smear of blood on the inside of her thighs. The faint smell of sex drifted on the air.

“That was one heck of a dream.” Her voice shook as she spoke aloud in the empty room. Her hand shook as she wrapped the sheet around her naked body. Gingerly, she slid off the bed and made her way to the window. She peered outside the window, looking for signs that the man in her dreams had really been here with her. A cold gust made her shiver and she quickly pulled the window shut and set the latch tight. An echo of male laughter rang in her head.

Something
had happened. Johanna just wasn’t quite sure exactly what. All the physical evidence screamed that last night’s erotic adventure had been more than a dream. It had been all too real.

Goose bumps covered her skin as she peered out the window at the rising sun, desperately trying to mentally organize her scattered thoughts. She grasped the edges of the sheet tighter to her breast, trying to warm her chilled flesh. Logic escaped her, but real-man or dream-man, he was part of her life now. Johanna somehow knew that to be an irrefutable fact, just as she knew the moon would rise this evening. She predicted that she hadn’t seen the last of him. 18

Harker’s Journey

Chapter Three

Her prediction had proven correct, and over the years, he appeared to her faithfully on the night of the full moon. Johanna no longer questioned if her dreams were real. She accepted him as part of her life, wanting, no, needing to share her life with him. As she’d grown older and moved away from home, their trysts had gotten longer and had varied. The sex ran the entire gamut from playful to passionate, slow and easy to hard and fast, and everything in between. Afterwards, he would gather her in his arms and they would talk about their lives.

Johanna shared all her hopes and dreams with her phantom lover. When she’d shyly asked his name during one dream, he had given her a wicked smile and replied,

“Call me Cris.” Over the past twelve years, there was no subject they hadn’t covered. He knew about her estrangement from her family, who thought her weird and slightly crazy. She sometimes talked to herself and knew things she shouldn’t know, and this frightened her mother and father. Like the time she knew her father had been in a minor car accident before he’d called home to tell them. There was also the fact that she could always find misplaced items just by thinking about where they were. She’d never told anybody about her dreams or how, at times of stress or great conflict in her life, she would hear Cris’ calm, soothing voice urging her to a certain path. After the voice had been right several times, she’d always trusted it. In fact, one night it had saved her very life…

Johanna broke off her meandering thoughts as she stopped and surveyed her surroundings. The castle was getting closer and not a moment too soon. The afternoon sun was lowering in the sky and she didn’t want to be on the road by herself after dark. She glanced around, slightly nervous all of a sudden. The woods were dark with shadows, and the locals had warned her that wolves still roamed freely deep within 19

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them. She could only hope that either Mr. Dalakis would be kind enough to drive her home or that he could arrange transportation back to her hotel. At this point, she’d take horse and wagon. Anything that didn’t include having to walk. Picking up her pace, she continued to limp along, her thoughts drifting back to the night she had almost died…

It was during her college days. She’d left the library late one night and had been hurrying back to her small apartment. She’d been lost in thought, thinking about her research project when the voice had shouted at her. “
Run.
” She hadn’t hesitated, but run as if her life depended on it.

The pounding of footsteps behind her pushed her even harder. She didn’t look back, but followed the directions in her head as he told her which way to turn and where to go. The glare of lights and the screech of brakes slamming didn’t slow her down. A loud thump filled the night air, and she knew a passing car had hit whoever had been chasing her.

She kept running until she reached her apartment. Three times she dropped her keys on the floor before she was steady enough to jam it into the keyhole and turn it. Once inside, she slammed the door shut, locked it, and collapsed on the floor as tears poured down her cheeks.

Deep soothing tones broke through her terror and eased her shattered senses. At his urging, she had taken a long hot bath and tucked herself in bed. She drifted off to sleep to the sound of him singing. She didn’t understand the words, but somehow she knew it was a lullaby from his childhood
.
“
I promised you I would protect you
,”
he reminded her. Curling her arm around her pillow, she had slept. She woke once in the middle of the night and could feel his arms wrapped around her. His large body was practically covering hers in a protective embrace. Heat radiated from him and Johanna snuggled closer.

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One of his hands flattened against her stomach before slowly inching its way up to her breasts. Lazily, he circled one breast and then another, kneading the supple skin with his fingers before placing his palm over one of her distended nipples. She’d been cold when she’d first awoken, but now she was burning with desire. She could feel his hot breath on her neck as his lips nibbled the sensitive skin of her nape. Moaning, she tilted her head forward, giving him better access to her throat. His low, sexy laugh made goose bumps rise on her flesh, and she shivered. His sharp teeth closed around the lobe of her ear and he tugged gently on it before tracing the whorls of her ear with his tongue.

Johanna could feel his cock prodding at her behind, so she pushed her bottom back against it and was rewarded when he groaned and tugged her even closer to him. “You are pure temptation,” he growled in her ear.

She felt like a temptress. Wild and wanton. After the close escape tonight, she wanted to reaffirm that she was alive. Her blood was pumping through her veins, thick with desire. “I want you.” Her voice was little more than a seductive whisper. His hands left her suddenly and she felt bereft without them. Then just as quickly, they were back on her waist, turning her so that she was flat on her back in the bed with him looming over her, large and dangerous. His eyes were hard, edged with a need that only she could fulfill. Johanna arched her back, thrusting her breasts towards him, and was rewarded when the heat in his eyes grew hotter and his nostrils flared with desire. His mouth took hers in a searing kiss that set fire to her entire body. Her breasts ached and she could feel the moisture pooling between her thighs. Clutching his shoulders, she tried to bring him closer to her. But he was in control now and touched her nowhere but her mouth. His tongue dueled with hers as he plundered her mouth. Johanna rubbed her hands across the hard planes of his chest, wanting to stroke him everywhere. His hard muscles flexed beneath her fingers and his entire body turned to stone when she brushed his nipples with the tips of her fingers. 21

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Cris sat back between her spread thighs and cupped her breasts, pinching the tips lightly between his thumb and forefinger. Need built inside her, deep, hard and hot. Her legs moved restlessly on the sheets as she hooked them over his hips, trying to draw him closer.

As if sensing her need for more, Cris slid his hands down the curves of her sides, caressing her hips before coming to rest on her inner thighs. Thrusting her legs wide apart, he lowered his head to her pussy, nuzzling the damp, slick folds before licking the heated flesh. Johanna clutched the back of his head, pulling him closer to her.

“More!” she cried as she tugged on his hair.

Cris swirled his tongue around her clit before flicking it softly. At the same time, he pushed two of his fingers deep inside her empty sex. Her inner muscles clamped down on his fingers as he moved them in and out in a steady motion. Sensations of pure fire filled her as her body strained for release.

She was close, so close to coming, when Cris pulled back again and sat between her legs. He was like a pagan conqueror, darkly beautiful and exciting, as his eyes devoured her. “Take what you want.” His voice was thick with need and touched her deep inside. A wildness overtook her. A compulsion to claim him as hers. Coming up on her hands and knees, she crawled towards him. He had challenged her and she would take what she wanted. What she needed. His chest glistened in the moonlight that shone through the window and she was reminded again just how massive and strong her dream lover was. Muscles bulged in his thighs, chest, and shoulders as he sat there. The only movement was the twitching of his cock as she moved closer.

Placing her hands on his rock-hard thighs, she moved them slowly towards his groin. He didn’t move, but she could sense the tenseness in his body. His cock thrust out in front of him, proud and straining for her touch. She licked her lips as she stared at him, wanting to taste his masculine flavor. Liquid flowed from her pussy and she could feel it slip down her inner thighs. She was so hot for him. 22

Harker’s Journey

Wrapping her hand around his length, she pumped it up and down, loving the feel of him against her skin. It was hard and soft at the same time, steel covered in velvet. And she had to taste it. Bending her head, she licked a pearl of liquid off the tip. He groaned and his hands came up to grip her head, holding her in place. Johanna smiled. As
if
she’d stop now. She’d only just begun to explore. Swirling her tongue around the bulbous head, she lapped at it, loving the way he tasted. Closing her lips over the top, she sucked hard, moaning with delight as even more liquid seeped from the tip.

Taking as much of him into her mouth as she could, she pumped her hand in a steady rhythm as she moved them both up and down his cock. Cris used his grip on her head to guide her to the motion that he wanted. Johanna could feel him straining against her, and slipped her other hand down, cupping the sac hanging between his legs. As she massaged his balls, she could feel them tighten against his body. With every stroke, she took him deeper. Using her tongue, she traced the dark blue vein that ran the length of his cock, enjoying his groan of pleasure. His fingers tightened their grip on her hair until it was almost painful, making her feel powerful and wanton. Plunging her mouth down over him, she sucked his erection deeper into her moist depths until she could feel him touching the back of her throat, purring with pleasure as she did so. The vibration surrounded his swollen cock, causing it to twitch within her mouth.

His hips jerked towards her, thrusting his length as hard and deep as she could take him. She stroked the spot just below his testicles with her fingers as she continued to suck hard on him. Her entire body was thrumming with desire and his arousal was feeding her own into frenzy.

The next time she reached the tip, he popped his cock out of her mouth. In one motion, he yanked her up and impaled her on his length. Her pussy clenched around him as he pushed her down on top of him, her arousal coating his cock and easing the way.

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With his hands cupping her bottom, he thrust her up and down his cock. His fingers dug into the flesh of her ass, squeezing and massaging it. Johanna threw back her head, wrapped her hands around his neck and rode him. Her whole body was vibrating now and she knew she was close. When her orgasm exploded within her, she heard him growl and then she felt his mouth on her throat. His teeth pierced the skin and she could feel him feeding off her blood as her body milked his cock to completion.

She felt the moment he came deep within her still-pulsing flesh. His orgasm caused spasms deep within her once again. Her body trembled as pleasure continued to course through her veins until he finally pulled his fangs from her neck and ran his tongue over the small wound to heal it. Johanna slumped against Cris, totally exhausted and replete.

He held her in his arms for a long time with his cock still buried deep. She rested against his chest, feeling totally safe and cherished. Finally, he sighed and lifted her off of his lap and tucked her under the covers.

“Don’t leave me yet,” she pleaded when he tugged the sheets over her.

“I’ll always be with you,” he promised as he wrapped her in his strong embrace. Contented, Johanna drifted off into a deep, healing sleep. When she awoke the next morning, she was alone in her bed. The local news was focused on the capture of a man who was wanted for the rape and assault of several college girls. The police had apprehended him the night before when he’d been struck by a car. Witnesses reported seeing a girl fleeing from the man. Johanna had known she was in trouble the night before, but it was at that moment she really understood what Cris had saved her from.

Focusing her attention back to the present, she realized that while she’d been daydreaming, she’d finally reached the end of the dirt road. Approaching the tall, forbidding castle, Johanna only hoped that her phantom lover was with her now. His 24

Harker’s Journey

voice had been strangely silent since she’d landed in Transylvania, and tonight was the full moon. She felt a little lost and bereft without it, as if a part of her was missing, and she couldn’t begin to imagine a night of the full moon without him. 25

N.J. Walters

Chapter Four

The courtyard in front of her was deserted as she hurried across the cobblestone path. The sun was setting behind the mountains and she could hear an animal howling in the distance. She told herself that it was probably just a dog, but she wasn’t about to take any chances.

Halting in front of a large wooden door that was easily seven feet high, Johanna unhooked the briefcase strap from around her neck and shoulder. Dropping the briefcase, she straightened her clothing the best she could. Her pantyhose were torn from her fall and looked terrible. Hesitating for a moment, she looked around to make sure she was alone before slipping off her shoes, bending over and peeling the hose down her legs. Crumpling them up, she stuffed them in her jacket pocket. Slipping what remained of her beautiful Italian leather shoes back on her feet, she took one final swipe at her skirt to rid it of as much dust as possible. Satisfied that she’d done all that she could, she took a deep breath and slowly released it. Picking up her bag, she got a good grip on it before she raised the large brass knocker in the middle of the door and let it fall. She waited and waited and waited.