The Perfect Mate (11 page)

“You know how I got my scars, Mother,” I said softly.

“I know how you got them. You couldn’t keep your slutty hands off my husband and you got what you deserved. Then you ran off and told tall tales to get him arrested and now he’s DEAD!” She yelled the last word.

I couldn’t take any more. I hung up the phone while she continued her raving. Why did I give her my phone number? Oh right, I had hoped my mother would take my side and love me. Just love me. Why was it so hard to love me? What’s wrong with me? I dropped my head in my hands and cried. Tears poured down my face onto my hands as I tried to figure out the answers to my questions.

I felt the air stir slightly and then a hand stroking the back of my head in comfort. I jumped up off the bed to face the intruder and was startled to find my Master sitting on the bed next to where I just was. I raised a hand to my chest and patted near my heart. “God, Master, you startled me. Is everything alright?”

He bowed his head slightly then looked back at me with his intense blue eyes that seemed to see right through me at that moment. “I am truly sorry to have startled you Jessica. And, yes, everything seems to be alright.”

“Oh, well, do you need anything?” I wiped away my tears with my hand then grabbed a tissue off the bedside table to finish the job. He probably needed to feed, although he usually didn’t come to my room. He would send a guard to find me or he would use the phone. I wondered why he hadn’t fed from Gretchen.

“Come here Jessica. Let me hold you while you cry.” I gaped at him in shock. “It’s ok...,” I started to say.

“I said come here,” My master demanded.

I hesitantly went to him and he pulled me onto his lap. I put my arms around his neck and rested my head against his chest. When he wrapped his arms around my waist, I sighed in comfort. I was taken aback by his compassion. I’d seen him be sympathetic to his staff and he’d always been gentle with me, but his actions tonight had astonished me.

After he reached up and started running his fingers through my hair I began to think about my mother’s words. Why couldn’t I have had what others had in a mother; love, not disgust and hate? Why couldn’t she just support me instead of all those accusations of sleeping with her husband? Why couldn’t she be there for me when I needed her most; after her husband, my stepfather, brutally attacked me?

I realized then that I was crying again, sobbing into Lucas’ chest, clinging tightly to his silk shirt. One of his hands continued to stroke my hair softly while the other held my waist tight against his body. I heard whispered words and realized with a start that they came from Lucas. He was comforting me. The thought brought an end to my sobs and I looked up at him so thankful for his tenderness. “Thank you, Master,” I said as I wiped the tears from my face again. I tried to stand up but Lucas held me tight. When I looked up at him in question there was an unreadable look on his face, almost anger, but he wasn’t angry with me, I was sure.

“What did she want?” He knew my mother called to ask for money sometimes, but that was all the details I’d given him. Should I tell him? Maybe not all of it, but he did comfort me. He deserved the truth. He’d smell a lie anyway.

Lucas was silent so long I thought he was waiting for me to say more or maybe he was angry about the lie. Finally he said in a gentle voice, “If you need to leave, I understand. I don’t want to come between you and your mother.”

“NO! I mean, no that’s alright. She doesn’t have a very high opinion of me normally and my living arrangement here just gives her more ammunition. I think it’s time to change my number so she won’t call anymore.” And I meant that. My number would change soon. I just didn’t want to talk to her anymore. It wasn’t worth the headache.

“Why doesn’t she have a very high opinion of you? You are a good person, Jessica. You are beautiful, inside and out. She should be proud of the woman you have become.” My heart did that flip flop thing again. I didn’t know what to say, I had never received a compliment like that before.

“Thank you,” I said blushing. “I really don’t know why she feels the way she does.” I really wanted to end this subject. “Did you need to feed?” I asked knowing the turn of conversation was abrupt but not caring.

“Yes, if you are well, then I would like to feed.” He said, letting me change the subject.

I swallowed hard and moved toward him. I always enjoyed being near him and you couldn’t get much closer than when he fed. “Yes, I’m well. Where would you like me to be?”

He reached out his hand toward me and I went to him. He spread his knees and pulled me between them. Putting his hands on my waist, he stared at me a moment before he reached up and slid my hair off one shoulder, exposing my neck. I leaned forward tilting my head to the side giving him better access. He wrapped one arm around my waist, putting his hand on the small of my back while the other hand held my head. He leaned in and took a deep breath at the bend of my neck and shoulder, rubbing his cheek against mine. I shivered, but not from the cold. It was actually quite warm in the room. In fact, it had started to get really hot.

When he licked my pulse point I couldn’t contain my gasp. Then he struck. When his fangs penetrated my neck there was a small pain almost like a pin prick but then pleasure replaced the pain. It was a tranquil feeling, almost like floating. Then something changed from the normal routine. The soft, relaxing pleasure turned to something more, deeper, sharper than before. My breath started coming faster and faster as a pressure built inside me. I’d never felt anything like this before. I was tingling all over. I wanted it to continue and stop at the same time. The pressure had to go somewhere didn’t it?

Lucas tightened his hold on me as he drew my blood into his mouth. His fingers in my hair were almost painfully clinched and I moaned my approval. The arm at my waist pressed me against his hard body as close as he could get. The pleasure overwhelmed me and I reached up to hold on to his shoulders. I needed something, but I just didn’t know what. My legs started to shake barely holding me up. It felt so good. Then his hand at my back moved to my buttocks and caressed me, squeezing slightly and I lost it. The pressure erupted and I never wanted it to stop. I screamed out my pleasure gripping, Lucas tightly, digging my nails into his shoulders.

I fell against Lucas in a boneless heap trembling. I tried to catch my breath while he held me, rubbing my back in soothing circles. I felt him lick my neck, cleaning and healing the wound. I shivered again and his arms tighten around me. Then one hand found the hem of my pajama top. He slid his hand under the shirt to stroke the skin on my back. I closed my eyes and hummed with sated bliss. He moved his hand to my waist and I froze. So did he. He caressed up to my rib cage and I stumbled back looking away. I did not want to see the disgust for my body on his face.

Then what just happened hit me like a ton of bricks. That was not professional. I didn’t know what that was but embarrassing heat flooded my face as I looked back at the vampire. I couldn’t bring myself to look him in the eye so I stared straight at his chest. That wasn’t much better. All I could think about was the feel of his shoulders under my hands. I wanted to touch him again. I shook the thought away. “I am so sorry Master. I don’t know what happened. I... I….” I was at a loss for words. Then I swayed, feeling light headed as black spots danced in my vision. “Oh,” I said putting a hand to my head.

Lucas stood and gripped my arm to steady me. “I think I took too much blood, I’m sorry. Lay down and the dizziness should pass shortly.”

He led me to the bed and helped me lie down, pulling the quilt over me. I closed my eyes not just because of the light headedness, but also in humiliation. Did all that noise come from me? Whatever it was, was so intense I couldn’t help myself. I was suddenly so tired that after only two strokes of his hand in my hair I was falling into a blissful, nightmare free sleep. The last thing I heard was Lucas’s soft voice. “Sleep my love.” At least that’s what I thought he said. Maybe just wishful thinking, I thought before drifting off.

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