The Seven: Four tales of passion, danger and love (13 page)

She felt his erection throb inside her and a moment later the feel of his mouth against her neck. Soft lips parted against her skin and then came the sting. It lasted but a moment and then she was catapulted into a world of pleasure that overrode all else.

When at last the wave had passed, he lowered himself down, rolling over with his arms locked around her so that she lay against his side. With her head on his chest, she closed her eyes, listening to the rapid pound of his heart and feeling her own breath trying to stabilize.

For a long time he held her, then drew back and looked into her eyes.

“What?” she asked.

“Just curious. Why ask me to bite you?”

"It's … it make everything so much more intense. I like it."

"It will make you weak if we continue."

"I'll be fine."

"No, Layla, you won't. You'll crave it and be willing to give more so you can feel more."

"No, I won't."

"Yes, you will. So this will be the last time."

"No." She was surprised to hear herself arguing for it since at first she so feared it, but she didn't want it to stop. "There has to be a way. Supplements or something."

"There's only one way."

"What?"

He raised one wrist to his mouth, punctured the flesh on the inner side, and placed it against her lips. "You take from me."

"I—" She turned her head away, swiping at the blood on her lips.

"It's this way or no way."

Perhaps she should have considered longer, but at that moment all that mattered was that their lovemaking would continue to be the most sublime pleasure imaginable. She grabbed his wrist, jammed it against her opened mouth, and drank.

When he gently pulled away, she was a bit embarrassed at her eagerness. Funny how it didn't gross her out or make her feel ill. In fact, every time she took from him she felt better. Stronger, more…alive.

Yeah, and what does that tell you girlie? You're a blood junkie?

"No, you're not." His voice had her eyes darting to his.

"You're sure?"

"Yes, sweetheart, I'm sure. I wouldn't allow you to do anything that would harm you."

"Then why does it make me feel this way?"

He'd just opened his mouth to answer when there was a tap at the door. "We'll be landing shortly sir." The attendant's voice filtered in through the closed door

"Thank you." Augustus gave Layla a kiss on the tip of her nose. "We have just enough time to shower and change."

She didn't argue but followed him to the bathroom.

Twenty minutes later, they were both dressed and seated in the main cabin as the jet descended.

Layla started getting excited as they touched down. It would be so good to see Ellie again. Then she thought about the things they had to reveal to Ellie and her excitement waned a bit.

"Trust in your friend, Layla that she will understand you bring her information for her own welfare."

Layla nodded. She hoped Ellie saw it that way and guessed it wouldn't be long before she'd find out.

*****

Ellie repositioned a cushion on the sofa and turned at the chuckle that came from behind her.

"I know, I know, but I want it to look perfect. I can't wait to see her and for her to see our new home."

"I'm glad you're excited." Cam gathered her in his arms and held her close. "And that you like the new house."

"Like it? I love it. It's perfect. Everything's perfect." She pulled back far enough to look up at him. "Because of you. I love you so much."

"And I love you." He put one hand on the roundness of her belly. "Both of you."

Ellie smiled up at him. "Back when Layla and I were in Charlotte and both of us were struggling, I never dreamed life could be this good."

"Me either and – is that a car?"

Ellie hurried to the door and stepped outside just in time to see a long black limo pull up in front of the house. When it stopped, the driver got out and opened the rear door.

A tall man with raven black hair stepped out and extended his hand inside the car. Ellie was off the porch, down the steps and hurrying to the car by the time Layla climbed out.

"You're here!" Ellie grabbed Layla and hugged her. Layla returned the hug, both of them chattering at the same time.

"You look so good."

"Me? Look at you. You're glowing."

"I can't believe you're here, you're really here."

"Girl you won't believe what I had to do to find you."

"Oh my god, you're a big famous author."

"This is your place? Wow! Talk about a change. And is that—oh my god, you're pregnant?"

"Mine if I cut in?"

Ellie giggled and put her hand to her mouth at Cam's question. "Sorry. Cam, this is my friend Layla and …" She looked at Augustus.

"Augustus Octavius Thurinus." Augustus extended his hand to Cam.

"Cam Marsh. Pleasure to meet you."

"The honor is mine. This is a lovely place."

"Thanks." Ellie beamed at everyone. "We just finished it a few weeks ago and I'm still not sure I have everything the way I want it but Cam's putting up with me rearranging every few days."

"Whatever makes you happy, sugar."

She gave his hand a squeeze then looked at Layla and Augustus. "Please, come in."

They started for the house but Ellie looked back. "Is that driver just going to sit there? You don't have to rush away quick do you? I was hoping you could stay the night. We have plenty of room and it's been so long."

Layla looked at Augustus. "Do you mind?"

"Not at all. I'll fetch our things and dispatch the driver."

"You sure?"

"That I am. Please. I will be in shortly."

"Thanks." Layla planted a quick kiss on his cheek and took Ellie's hand. "Now show me your new home."

Cam stepped aside for them to pass. "I'll help Mr. Thurinus."

"Okay, thanks." Ellie grinned at him over her shoulder.

Augustus spoke with the driver then returned to where Cam stood as the driver got out and went to the rear of the car.

"As I understand it, you're a rancher, Mr. Marsh."

"Yeah and it's Cam. We run cattle and my brother's wife, Lily is a horse breeder."

"What's her specialty?"

"She just moved into Gypsy Vanners but primarily stock for ranching and some rodeo, mostly roping."

"I might be interested in speaking with her."

"Oh? I'm sorry, I didn't know you were interested in rodeoing."

"Oh, I'm not. I have a spread in Texas and am always looking for good cattle horses. I don't have my own breeding program although I'd be interested in perhaps trying my hand at it."

"You're a rancher?"

"Not born and bred, I admit."

Cam's eyebrows shot up a bit. "Okay, where did that accent come from?"

"A hundred or so years of living in Texas?"

Augustus chuckled at the surprise on Cam's face. "I figured it was better to go ahead and acknowledge that five hundred pound gorilla on the porch as I'm sure you've already heard something about me."

"Yeah, I have. Gotta admit you're not what I expected."

"You expected someone who sparkled and was consumed with angst perhaps?"

Cam laughed heartily at that. "Shit on a stick. Ellie made me sit through one of those silly movies and what part I didn't sleep through I laughed at. So no, I didn't expect you to sparkle but to be honest I didn't know what to expect. It's not every day a man meets a Vampire.

"And damn I have to say that even speaking those words feels strange as hell. But then not so long ago I would called someone crazy if they'd told me they could control fire, or that Fae weren't just fairytale creatures, so these days I guess I shouldn't be much surprised at anything."

Augustus was impressed with Cam's grounded view of life. "I dare say there are quite a few people who do not share your open-minded view of life."

"There are always people with closed minds. Some are just built that way. Doesn't mean we have to be."

"Indeed."

"That sounds nothing like Texas, brother, so tell me, where exactly are you from. Originally I mean?"

"Rome."

"Rome, as in Italy."

"Yes."

"And I'm guessing you're a sight older than you look?"

"Correct."

"So, if you don't mind. What did you do back when you lived in Rome?"

"Ruled."

Cam's eyes widened and then he threw back his head and laughed. "Well cut me off and call me shorty. You're—you're
the
Augustus? Adopted son of Gaius Cesar and Emperor of Rome?"

Augustus inclined his head. "At your service."

"No shit? Well hang on bro because I just might have a thousand or two questions."

"Fire away."

Just as they were entering the house, Layla's phone rang. "I'm sorry," she said to Ellie. "I need to take this."

"Hi, Sheila, what's up?"

"Where are you?"

"At my friend Ellie's house in Florida. I told you about it. Why?"

"I was hoping to get some time with you to talk about the publicity for your wedding."

"I don't want any more publicity than we're already getting."

"I know, but honey if – I don't know, say some group opposed to Augustus and his kind were to stage a protest or pull some stunt? Your book would go into the freaking stratosphere."

Layla's back went ramrod straight. She and Augustus had agreed that they did not want their wedding to be a media circus. At least no more than Asha already had planned.

"Look we already discussed this and the answer is no."

"Layla, just think about—"

"I said no. Bye Sheila."

She ended the call and stepped over to the window beside Ellie. Cam and Augustus had moved to the front porch and were both sitting on the top step, talking away.

"Wow." Ellie let the vertical blind swing back into place and looked at Layla. "Who would've thought? I mean, seriously. Vampires are real."

"Tell me about it." Layla took a seat on the couch. "I love your house, Ellie."

"Thanks, me too."

"And you seem so happy."

"I am." Ellie took a seat on the couch as well. "I never thought I could be this happy. But what about you? Has becoming famous and getting involved with Mr. Thurinus made you happy, Layla?"

"Yes, I think it has. It's all been pretty surreal to be honest. Girl, I searched high and low for you when the book hit, but your cell phone had been disconnected and I didn't know where in Florida you'd gone."

"I'm sorry. It was all pretty surreal for me too when I got here."

"You mean finding out that your father and mother were Fae?"

Ellie's surprise was clear on her face and Layla reached over to take her hand. "August was the one that found you for me. Or more correctly, his people were. And yes, they did look into your life and the people you're with. He can't always trust that he'll be accepted and his people are trying hard to integrate."

"But how could anyone have found out about my parents?"

"Beats me, but it might have something do with who was looking. August has a close friend who's Fae. Maybe they can vibe in on those things?"

"I guess. But yeah, you're right. Finding out about my father and then…"

"Then what?"

"I, uh, I don't know …"

"Ellie, what's wrong? It's me. You know you can trust me."

"Yes, but—but it affects more than just me."

"Cam?"

"Yes, Cam, but his brother and sister and their families and—and other people. I mean, you understand, right? Can you tell me all about Augustus and his people?"

Layla squeezed her hand. "I understand. That's not my tale to tell."

"Thank you. If the others are okay with me sharing I will, but I have to talk to them first."

"Talk to who about what?"

Layla and Ellie looked in the direction of the door at the same time to see Cam and Augustus.

Ellie cut her eyes to Cam. "Talk to family about – about revealing family stuff."

"Oh. Well, then why don't we ask the family?"

"Now?"

"Sure, why not. Seeing as how August has been straight up about who he is, I don't see why we shouldn't return the favor."

"Really?" Ellie felt a weight lift from her. She wanted to be honest with Layla but she couldn't make that decision alone. Having Cam's support made her feel a lot better. At least now she felt she could ask the others where they stood on things.

"Sure. Why don't we have everyone over for a cookout?"