Meeting Destiny; Lachlan’s Story (Annalese and the Immortals) (4 page)

T
he girls spent the entire meal chatting about everything from Sophie’s favorite Versace shoes to loving a Vampire. The men were involved in a very intense conversation, so Sophie decided to grab Annalese and move to the sitting room where they could talk without disturbing her Vampire or Lachlan while they were plotting.

“OK, so tell me,” Sophie started. “Do you love him yet? He’s a good man.”

“Yes, I know. He keeps asking me if I’m going to run? Why would he ask me such a thing?”

“Oh,” was all Sophie said for a few minutes.

“Sophie what does he mean ‘run’?”

“Lese, I think what he means is that because of what he is and the things he’s done, you may not be able to handle it. He’s deeply in love with you already. Anyone could see that. You’re perfect for him. And, oh honey, let’s face it, he’s very easy on the eyes. Just don’t tell Vlad I said that,” Sophie laughed.

“They can be kinda, um, intense can’t they?” Lese laughed herself this time. “But he’s been so sweet. He let me read him. Vlad too.”

“Vlad let you in his head? You are special.”

“I think it was a test to see what I can do. But really Sophie, I think—no wait that’s not true—I know I’m falling in love with Lachlan. He’s incredible. He’s trying so hard to keep a promise to me to be a gentleman. I think the poor guy has had a lot of cold showers. He told me he’s sit naked in the snow to keep his promise. I’m not sure anymore if I really want him to stay gentlemanly. Do you know what I mean?”

“Oh yes, I completely know,” Sophie responded. “Maybe what you need to do is help him not be gentlemanly. Did you bring anything sexy with you? I have an idea!”

The girls spent the better part of the evening working out Sophie’s plan. Lese was shocked at her new-found friend’s plans. She told Lese she’d get Vlad to agree to Augustino’s, Sophie’s favorite restaurant. Vlad would tell Lachlan they were all going and Sophie would help Lese dress for Project Seduce Lachlan. It was masterful how devious this little pixie was, and Annalese knew, no matter what, she and Sophie would always be friends.

Vlad found Sophie in their bed chambers shorting through dresses. He came up behind, wrapping his large arms around her waist.

“Mmm, Vlad I missed you today.”

“Are you match-making, my little pixie?”

“Maybe a little bit. Lachlan needs a push.”

“Sophie….” Vlad started to protest, but she just put up her hands.

“Vladislaw, don’t! I know what I’m doing. Lachlan is trying desperately to be a gentleman. He’s doing it, but see, the thing is, she wants him to be ungentlemanly. Get it? She wants him and all I—we—are going to do is set up the romance. I’m going to loan Annalese the right dress, shoes, and something sexy for later on. The rest is up to Lachlan and Lese. Please, Vlad.”

“Ah, fuck.” Vlad gritted his teeth. He never could refuse his pixie. He’d do whatever she asked. And right now she was asking to help her new-found friend. How could he ever refuse her?

“OK Sophie, we can do this. I’m going to find Lachlan and tell him you want Augustino’s. Where’s Annalese now?”

“I’ll go get her. She was in the kitchen bugging Marcus about his quiche. She fell in love with it.”

“Well, she has good taste,” Vlad said on his way out of his chambers. He found Lachlan in the library going over the plans they’d laid out to trap Percy.

“T, what are ye doing up? It’s almost dawn. I thought ye and yer pixie would have bedded down already.” Lachlan looked back to their plans. “I’m worried about using Lese as bait. She’s my angel, and I donna know what I would do if something happened to her.”

“She’s going to be fine. I’d never let anything happen to her. I swear on our blood bond that I’d die first. I’m not just your sire Lachlan, I’m your friend. The best one I’ve got and I’d never do anything that would harm your mate. Lachlan, I’ve never told you this, but I’ve never sired another. Not before you or after you. You’re very special. I trust you with my life. More so, I trust you with Sophie. So trust me with Annalese.”

Lachlan was shocked. He had no idea Vlad had never sired any but him. He felt honored. “T, damn, I had no idea. I guess I never thought about it. Thank you.”

Lachlan embraced Vlad like a brother would to say thanks. Vlad accepted and returned it. “OK, enough man-hugging,” laughed Vlad. “Sophie wants Augustino’s for our meal tonight. She said to tell you to clean up.”

“Damn, I love that place. Yer on. What time should we be ready? I need to tell my angel.”

“No need, Lach. Pretty sure Soph already told her and probably has her salivating over cannoli.”

Lachlan shook his head. “She’s not the only one. I could eat a dozen of those things. I like them verra much.”

About that time Sophie and Lese appeared in the doorway of the library. “Hey boys, sun’s coming up.” Sophie looked at Vlad and he knew what she wanted.

“Five minutes, Pixie. I’ll be up.”

Lachlan followed suit. “Yeah, just five minutes, angel, and I’ll be up too.”

Lese just smiled and headed for the stairs with Sophie. At the top they hugged. “Thank you Sophie. You’re a good person and I’m so glad all this happened. I do understand it’s a crazy world, but one I very much want to be a part of.”

Sophie kissed her cheek. “Thank you for loving Lachlan. And yes, I know you do. He’s a really good man and he deserves a good woman. He deserves you! Now off to bed so you can steal what blankets you want.” Sophie giggled and paddled down the hall.

The more Lese thought about it, the more she knew. Sophie was exactly right. Lachlan was a good man, probably a great one, and there was no way she was letting him slip through her fingers. All she had to do was keep her hands to herself tonight when that gorgeous blue-eyed Vampire lay next to her. Oh boy, this was going to be torture.

H
e had a plan to draw out Lachlan’s girl. He was fairly certain she was something special. Lachlan had never taken to a female like this. He’d known him close to two centuries, and Lachlan had never been close to anyone other than Vlad. Which was odd. Vlad, nephew of the Impaler, didn’t trust anyone. Well, anyone aside from Lachlan.

Percy couldn’t figure out what it was with those two. For a while he’d thought they were lovers. Vampires, being very sexual beings, didn’t always take a lover of the opposite sex. Considering Vlad was now mated, it couldn’t be sex. Whatever it was, Percy had quit caring. He wanted Lachlan torn to pieces in a bad way, and he’d just found the ace in the hole so to speak.

Percy began laughing—a very evil laugh. He just loved it when a plan came together. And it was coming together quite nicely.

S
ophie had fixed Lese’s hair into a chignon knot at the base of her neck, letting a few curls spill around her face. Lese was curvy, much more so than Sophie. Sophie had called her favorite boutique, and the packages had arrived right before the girls started primping.

“How will I ever fit in your clothes, Sophie? You’re so tiny, and I’m not. ”

“Oh Lese, what I wouldn’t do for
those
.” Sophie pointed at her chest. “And a butt like that. You have every man’s dream body, girl. Don’t you know that? And besides, I called the boutique. They sent over exactly what you need.”

Sophie opened the largest box first and pulled out a black silken gown, backless with a split up to… .
Oh boy!
The front fit up around the neck like a choker, and had emerald-colored jewels sewed in. The floor-length dress probably cost as much as Lese earned in an entire year.

“Oh my goodness, Sophie! It’s stunning, but I can’t… I mean, how can I ever pay for
that
?”

“Oh, my new friend, you can and you will. Vlad has more money than God. He said, and I will quote the big guy, ‘OK Sophie, get what you need. I cannot ever refuse you. Now come here and don’t refuse me.’ So, my friend, let’s make you perfect.”

Lese stood in front of Sophie’s full mirror staring at the vision she was seeing. She was beautiful. She had no idea how Sophie had done it, but she had.

“Oops, one last finishing touch.” Sophie handed her emerald-cut emeralds for her ears. The two women looked in the mirror – Lese in black – Sophie in red, which she was told was Vlad’s favorite color.

Well Lese, ready for Project Seduce Lachlan?” Sophie giggled.

Lese reached out to hug her. “Thank you Sophie. I have no other words besides thank you.”

Sophie smiled. “None needed. Just remember, Vampires have extremely good hearing, so be loud enough so Vlad can give me all the sordid details.”

They both laughed.

“Oh, one more tidbit of info. Vampires are extremely, uh, well–endowed. And I do mean extremely!”

“Yeah, I felt it when he was holding me. I have no clue how it’s going to fit.”

“Oh, it will. You two were created for each other. Your bodies will fit together perfectly. I know first-hand. When I first saw Vlad naked, I was terrified he’d hurt me. It’s kinda crazy how big it is, but I know Lachlan, and he will take it slow. He loves you and he won’t hurt you. Okay?”

“Let’s do this.”

They left the room arm-in-arm. When they started descending the grand staircase, the men looked up. Vlad grinned. Lachlan, however, almost fell over. He was sure his heart had stopped. She looked beautiful—like an angel wrapped in sin. Oh, goddess help him. He was going to lose it. That dress hugged every curve she had, and she was smiling at him. He was so hard it hurt. How could he keep his hands off her when she looked like that, and looked at him like that?

They arrived at Augustino’s at 9:30 and were immediately greeted by the owner, Augustino Romano.

“Vlad, Sophie, wonderful to see you. Mr. Lachlan, it’s been too long. I should have made more cannoli for you, say two dozen.”

Lach laughed. “Ye might as well, I do love those bloody things.”

Dinner was just as wonderful as Sophie had said it would be. Lese was so full, but she heard cannoli, and damn, if they weren’t a favorite of hers, too.

There were a few couples dancing to the band that was playing, and Lese thought it was time.

“Lachlan,” she whispered.

“Aye, lass.”

“Dance with me.”

Oh shit
, he thought. Her in that dress held tight against him….He’d be lucky if he had enough resolve not to take her on the dance floor. But she’d asked, and he couldn’t tell her no. Instead, he took her hand and led her to the wooden floor. He had her in his arms. God, she felt like every fantasy he’d ever had. She smelled like jasmine. It must be his imagination. He hadn’t smelled anything so sweet since his young days in Scotland.

Lachlan swore he saw Sophie grin. About the same time, he felt Lese kiss the scar on his check, not just once either, and then her lips were at his ear.

“Lachlan, look at me.”

He did.

“I have been thinking a lot.”

“Aye, thinkin’ about what, lass?”

“Mating with you.”

They stopped dancing and he stared into her eyes.

“What, lass?” He asked, loud enough for several heads to turn. Grabbing her hand, he said, “Come with me.” He led her to a balcony used in good weather for dining, but since it was the end of November, it was unoccupied.

“OK, lass. Say again.”

“Lachlan, I said, I’ve been thinking about this mating thing a lot. Sophie explained a lot of things to me. Things I never thought to ask you.”

Lachlan couldn’t breathe. What was happening? Was this the end? It had to be. She was gonna run, and there wasn’t a damn thing he could do about it.

She was touching his face, his scar in particular. “Lachlan, I’ve known you for five days, but it seems like years. You know all my secrets, and I know a lot of yours. Every time you leave my side, I ache. I feel cold and very empty, like I’m missing a piece of myself. I had no idea why. Sophie told me why, and you know something?”

“Lass?” Lachlan squeaked out, still trying to breathe, his eyes full of tears.

“She’s right. Lachlan Michael McCain, I love you into the deepest parts of my soul. I love you. I would very much, if that offer is still open that is, like to spend eternity with you as your mate.”

He stood in front of her, tears falling, chest so tight he expected it to explode. He was trying to speak, but no words would form, so he just wrapped his arms around her and cried. After a few moments he got himself under control and pulled back so he could see her face. Gods-damn, she was so beautiful.

“Oh Angel, gods be damned, I never thought I’d hear those words from ye. Are ye sure, lass? There’s no going back once it’s done.”

“I’m sure Lachlan, so very sure.”

“Then I’ll call Mehmet.”

Lese asked, “Um, who’s Mehmet?”

“Aye, he will do the ceremony. He’s the oldest living Vampire. I think he’s close to a millennia now.”

“Holy shit,” Lese laughed. “I thought Vlad was on old man.”

They started back to the table, when he stopped her. “Annalese.” He took her cheek in his hand and kissed her, a toe-curling, fire-lighting kiss. Then just like that, they rejoined their friends for cannoli.

After two dozen cannoli, Lachlan was on sugar overload, and loving every minute of it.

The girls excused themselves for a bathroom break. So Vlad figured it was time.

“So McCain, should we call Mehmet?” He was grinning so big his fangs were showing. Lachlan returned the grin.

“Aye, call Mehmet. She’s agreed to be my mate. She loves me, canna ye believe that, she really loves me.”

“Of course I can.” Vlad’s phone chimed. “Ah, Mehmet says he’s on his way. Do you two want this tonight or tomorrow night? I’m going to see if Mehmet will stick around. We may need him. Teleporting is the only skill I’ve yet to master, and he’s the king.”

“I suppose I should ask Annalese. She may want a human ceremony too, where she takes my name. Gods, how I would love that. Damn, what these females can do to a grown Vampire.”

Vlad nodded. “Oh I agree whole heartedly on that. Sophie never asked, but I would have given it to her if she had.”

“Aye, I know. Ah, they’re coming. I’ll ask her now. Should I take her back to the patio?” Lachlan wasn’t sure if this should be private.

Vlad nodded, sliding a box across the table. “I came prepared.”

Lachlan cracked the top to see the most perfect emerald-cut ruby he’d ever seen. It had to be five carats. In the center, barely visible, was the Tepes crest: two intertwined dragons.

“We are family, Lachlan. She should wear my crest, so should you—on your chest like I have.”

Lachlan smiled and nodded. Vlad had a very intricate tattoo of the crest on his chest. Lachlan knew soon he would too.

The men stood as the girls reached the table.

“Come with me, lass.” Lachlan took her hand and led her away.

“Vlad, what did you do?” Sophie looked concerned.

“Not a thing, my pixie. I believe he just wanted a bit of privacy. I believe he’s going to ask her to share his name. And I gave him my mother’s ruby for the occasion.”

“Oh, Vlad.” Sophie threw her arms around her Vampire. “God, sometimes you can be so sweet.”

“He’s family, Sophie. Now, so is she. Mehmet is coming. Lachlan will bear my crest as I do. It’s only right.”

Sophie agreed with Vlad completely. They were family. She loved this man so much, and now she was getting a sister to love too.

“Lachlan, what are we doing back out here? Won’t Vlad and Sophie think us rude running off again?”

“Nay, lass, I just wanna bit of privacy.” He dropped down to one knee, and Annalese gasped.

“Lass, never in all my days, did I ever expect to be so blessed, but I’d like it to be complete for you, for children we may have. I would verra much like if you would take my name. Be mine, both in my world and yours. Willa marry me, Annalese?”

Both had tears flowing. Lachlan opened the box Vlad had given him. That was the moment he realized Vlad had given him his mother’s ring to give to Annalese. Holy Shit! Vlad never ceased to surprise Lachlan.

“Well lass, it’s kind of chilly on an old vampire’s knees. So you think you could say yes, so I could get up soon?”

“Oh my God, Lachlan. Yes!”

He stood, carefully took the ring from the box, and slid it on her finger. It was a perfect fit. Well, of course it was. Vlad was never wrong. Then he planted the most passionate kiss as of yet on her lips. When they broke, he just held her tight. He had so much more to say, but that damn part of his anatomy was at full attention again. He pulled away. “Sorry lass, I canna control it, but I’m tryin’, Gods help me, I am.”

She giggled.

Great, now his hard-on was funny. Somehow this wasn’t working out how he wanted.

“He’s just very happy, Lachlan. It’s okay. I’m getting to where I like it. Makes me feel good I have that effect on you.”

“Aye, ye have no idea. But I’m supposed to ask ye when you wanna have the ceremony. Mehmet is coming now, but he will stay a bit, so ye decide. I’m fine with whatever it is, angel.”

“Why do you call me that, Lachlan? I’m definitely no angel.” Lese was sure he was delusional.

“Aye, lass. Because no one but an angel could ever love this bastard of a Vampire. I’ve waited for you all me life, and I canna believe you’re real some days. Then you touch me,” he glanced down, “and that happens. Reminds me I’m still alive. And reminds me how real ye are. I was sure when we came out here, you were gonna tell me you were leaving.”

“Why Lachlan, why would I leave? You’re not making sense.”

Lachlan drew deep for this one, to the darkest parts of his soul. “Well lass, I’m a Vampire. It can be kinda a deal breaker. We can be demanding, violent, and a touch intense. I’ve done some pretty horrific things that are biting me in the arse right about now, and fuck, if I didna drag ye into it. You didna deserve that. Ye deserve so much better, much better than the bastard I’ve been, that I am.”

He let go of the breath he was holding and waited for her to speak.

“Lachlan.” It came out almost as a sob. “You are not a bastard by any means. I know some of the things you’ve done. Someday you’ll tell me all of them, but until then, I really don’t care. Look at me, really look at me, Lachlan McCain, and listen very carefully.”

He looked straight into her beautiful emerald eyes.

“You are
not
a bastard, Lachlan. Maybe a bit intense, but you are far from a bastard. And don’t tell me I deserve better than you, because there is nothing, and I do mean nothing, in this world or beyond that’s better than you.”

He didn’t think he could have been more shocked when she agreed to marry him; he was wrong.

“Oh, Christ on toast.” And he grabbed her and just held her.

They made their way, hand in hand, back to the table. Vlad spoke first.

“So, kids,” he smiled. “When are we doing this?”

“Aye, shite, didna we get to that, Lese? Fuck, I got distracted. So, angel, it’s up to you.”

“Well, it’s Monday. And I need a couple days to get something proper to wear, right? Does Wednesday work?”

Sophie squealed, “Oh, that’s so not enough time, but we can make it work starting now.” She babbled about guests and food and decorations the entire ride back to the castle.

They split ways at the top of the stairs. Lachlan and Lese went to their suite; Vlad and Sophie headed in the opposite direction. Sophie was still babbling about the ceremony.

“Gods, lass.” Lachlan continued the grin he’d sported most of the evening. “Yer so beautiful, I’ve got no idea how I managed this, but by the gods of the heavens, and the demons of hades, I love ye.”

Lese said nothing. She just reached behind her neck and unclasped the dress. Silk pooled at her feet. Lachlan’s jaw dropped to the floor. She stood before him in nothing but some small scraps of black lace.

“Holy shite, Annalese. Are ye trying to kill me? I canna be a gentleman if ye do that.” He pointed to the dress on the floor.

“Good.” She smiled. “Time to stop being such a gentleman and show me, Lachlan, how you feel. Not with words. With your hands and mouth and that.” She pointed at his crotch. “It looks like it needs to be set free.”

Her hands moved to the button on his trousers, and
Oh, god
. He grabbed her hands to stop her.

“Annalese please, just give me a moment. It’s been a verra long time. I just need a minute.” He was trying desperately not to spill in his pants before he even got them off.

“How long, Lachlan?” She wasn’t sure she should ask. “You don’t have to tell me.”

“Aye, 1907.”

She was doing the math.
Holy shit.
“Lachlan,” was the only word she could form.

“Aye. It just seemed proper to not defile myself with women I didna love. I figured when I met the right woman, it would happen. Didna think it would be one hundred and eight years though. And I’m a touch afraid. I doona want to do something wrong or hurt ye because I want ye so badly. If ye touch me know, I’ll spill all over myself. And I want it to be perfect for ye.”