The Witch's Vampire (New Adult Paranormal Romance) (Mystery Springs Series) (27 page)

“I can’t imagine you ever being weak.” And she was being truthful with that.

“It was my weakness that got her killed.”

Her? That’s good, he’s keeping us separate in his mind.
“I highly doubt that.”

He sighed heavily. He decided now was a good time to tell her the rest of what happened. Put it all out on the table. That way if she couldn’t forgive him for failing her when she was Beatrice he’d know. He took both of her hands in his. “After my father knocked me out he raped her, and as I was regaining consciousness, he strangled her, taking the life from her before my helpless eyes. I killed him when I was able to function again, but it was too late and she was lost.” Tears fell down his cheeks as he spoke about the tragedy. Pain stabbed his heart and she felt the jab.

Sophie knew his words were true. Memories and feelings began to flood back into her mind. She was overpowered with the tragedy. The physical pain, the sadness knowing that Gio tried to save her but was unable to do so. The love she felt for him was unconditional. She wasn’t upset that he couldn’t help her, she was sad that he’d had to live with the pain of not being able to save her. Sophie’s heart broke for the love they lost all those centuries ago.

It was pain she never intended to feel again. A loss she’d never face again. He was hers, she was his. Time and space didn’t matter. Past pain and heartbreak was just that - in the past. Her soul had waited a long time to be reunited with his and nothing was ever going to keep them apart again.

She reached down and wiped his bloody tears with her fingers, and then kissed him tenderly. Passion exploded between them. “I forgive you.” She said against his mouth. She didn’t need to forgive him, but she knew he needed to hear it. He rained kisses on her face, kissing away the salty tears that were streaming down her cheeks.

In this moment they needed each other more than she needed to breathe. Hands roamed over each other’s bodies. Hers over his hard, cold flesh, and his over her soft, warm skin. His hand cupped her breast and he pulled back. “Sophie?” He needed permission to love her.

“I need you. I want you to make love to me.” She smiled as she leaned into his hand.

Doubt clouded his grey eyes. He was frozen, unable to move. Like a statue, her own personal Adonis.

Sophie let a wicked smile curve her lips. It was at this moment she was thankful she wasn’t timid. She placed her hand on his chest and moved one down slowly toward his jeans. He sucked in a breath as her fingers grazed his stomach. She unsnapped his jeans. “Take me now, Giovanni Mancuso.”

He growled, stood up with her in his arms, and tossed her gently on the bed. Her clothes were torn off her with blinding desire, and before she knew it they were both naked on the bed. He was on top of her, crushing his lips to hers with a need so powerful she thought she was going to explode. Hands were all over each other’s bodies. Just as they were both near bursting with desire he stared into her eyes. “Are you sure?”

“No doubt in my mind.” She reassured him.

He didn’t wait another moment before he plunged deeply inside her. His size was massive, and he filled her to capacity. There was a moment of pain and then he started moving in and out with a rhythm that sent them both over the edge. Never once did either of them lose eye contact, intensifying the passion that rose between them. She let out soft moans as she got closer to her climax.

He felt her tighten with each movement he made. She was so perfect. They fit together like a hand and glove. There was a ferocity in his movements that matched his need. He was carrying them both over the edge when she reached up and pulled his mouth to her neck. “Drink.” She whispered.

He sunk his teeth into her flesh, she felt the slightest pinch when his teeth broke her skin, and then it was replaced with a euphoric feeling as he drank from her neck while carrying them both over the edge into ecstasy. It was like nothing she’d ever felt before. She was literally seeing stars, and the world shook.

Then she tumbled down falling through space back into his loving embrace. She tried to catch her breath, but the aftershocks of passion kept her breathless and desiring more. Gio broke the connection and licked the puncture holes. His saliva sealed the wounds and allowed the healing process to begin quickly. In a matter of hours there’d be no evidence that he bit her at all.

Her blood was warm and far more refreshing than any other he’d ever tasted, even tastier than Marissa’s – another sign she was his true mate. He needed less to rejuvenate him. If the stories were right, and he finished the process, he wouldn’t be able to get sustenance from another person, only her blood would feed him now. She’d live eternity at his side, not a vampire, but a vampire’s mate. She’d be his greatest weakness and his strongest asset. 

Without another word he rolled her over on top of him and their eyes locked as she rested on his chest. Her black hair was feather light on his skin and tickled him in ways that made him chuckle. She was the most exquisite creature he’d ever met and he knew he’d never let anything happen to her.

“What is so funny?” she asked in a breathless tone.

His hand instinctively went to caress her bare back creating goose bumps in its wake. He pulled her tighter against him when she shivered. “Your hair tickles.”  He kissed the top of her head.

“I never knew vampires could be ticklish.” She returned the kiss to his chest. She felt whole now that they sealed the deal. They fit perfectly, it didn’t even scare her when he drank her blood. She couldn’t imagine being anywhere else other than here, right this minute. The problems in the world faded away as she basked in his love.

“Thanks to you I’m only half a vampire now.” He continued to caress her back and she propped herself up on her hands.

“What do you mean?” Sophie couldn’t believe the sensations were still racking her body and his tender touch was only building up more desire for him. If she could have her way they’d remain like this forever.

“Let’s not spoil this moment with vampire talk.”

Sophie sat up. Her position left her only one option as she straddled his waist. Instinct took over and Gio cupped her bountiful breasts in his hands. His thumb flicked her nipple and she let a moan escape her lips. She felt his body ready for another glorious assault and when he entered her she lost all thoughts about vampires and witches as passion took over.

They rocked back and forth to their own rhythm. Both focused on the other’s passion. Sophie reveled in the way his face changed to determination as one hand claimed her breast and the other moved down her torso to her center. When his finger worked its magic below, she lost control as he sent her tumbling over the edge once again.

He quickened his thrusts and joined her only moments later. They both fell into the void of passion - their breathing, shallow. As she came down, she locked her lips with his. Their tongues greedily exploring each other’s mouths. She felt the sharpness of his incisors scrape against her tongue and reveled at how he was able to function with teeth so sharp.

“You are going to be the death of me, woman.” He growled as he rolled her over onto her back and rested against her soft chest. He was still inside her and she wondered if there was any way for them to stay this way forever. It was nonsensical, but so was loving a vampire prince who was once her lover in a past life. Everything about her life was different now, and she wouldn’t change a thing. Her mother was wrong to keep her blind to this world that she so obviously belonged in.

“We need to save my mother, Gio.” Her voice came out softer than she intended. “I don’t know what they can do to ghosts or spirits or whatever she is, but she risked her life to save me, gave her life to protect me all these years. We need to find a way to release her spirit so she can continue on her journey.”

His tongue circled around her breast while his hand stopped caressing her body at her belly. Her pulse quickened as the actions sent desire through her once again. Dear Gods! He wanted her again!

“You’re right. We need to talk to Thanatos and find out if he can help.” He reluctantly pulled away from her breast. “I’d love to stay here in bed for the rest of eternity, but we have a lot of work to be done.” He rolled off the bed and put his jeans back on.

Sophie couldn’t take her eyes off how sexy he looked after making love. His long, dark hair was sticking up in every direction, his stormy eyes were glazed over with passion. His body glistened with sweat. It took everything she had not to reach over and pull him back into bed. But there were far more important things at stake at the moment.

Instead, she started to dress also. The silence between them stretched uncomfortably, and reality set back into place. It wasn’t her intent to fall in bed with him the moment she saw him. She only came up here to get him so they could make a plan to save her mother. She wasn’t the kind of girl to just jump into bed with a man. She hadn’t even gone out on a date with him.

As if by reading her thoughts, he said “We need to get things back to normal so we can go on that dinner date.” He grinned and kissed her quickly on the lips.

That simple act had her heart soaring. He really was interested in more than a fling with her. He didn’t use lines like ‘true-mate’ or ‘past life lovers’ to win her over. They both put on their shirts, and Sophie asked, “So what does a true-mate have to do?”

Gio was putting on his shoes and her question made him stop. “Well, I’m not sure of the whole process, I’ll need to do a little research on it. There is a ritual that needs to be done similar to the kind of ritual humans do when promising themselves to each other. But there are also downfalls to mating which we need to discuss.”

“Like what?”

Gio shook his head. “I want to have all the facts before we sit down to discuss them. True-mates are so few and far between that I’m not even sure how it works. And then there is the issue of Gregor.”

Sophie’s heart quickened. Was he going to dump her before they even began?

“But I’d give up my title and my family if that was the sacrifice I’d have to make to keep you in my life. There is nothing in the heavens or on earth that will keep me from making you mine.” He pulled her up into his arms and held her close. “I only hope you feel the same.” He whispered against her ear.

His words made her shudder and he pulled her tighter. When she looked in his grey eyes she saw hope, sadness, and fear of losing her?  “I’m in this thing for the long haul, sexy man. You better buckle up because I’m sure it’s going to be a bumpy ride.” She giggled nervously at her metaphor and the emotions that were welling up inside her. When the silence continued, she added, “There is nothing that will keep me from being at your side.”

He crushed his lips to hers and they sealed their promises with a kiss that left them both breathless. “Good, then let’s get to work. We need to save your mother’s soul and our town.” He released her after giving her tush a playful swat, and they finished getting ready in silence.

Chapter T
wenty

Thanatos was waiting for Sophie and Giovanni in his friend’s office. He looked up with a knowing grin on his face when they entered
holding hands. “I see you had a little chat?”

Giovanni nodded. “She knows everything I know.” Thanatos was sitting in Gio’s chair so he remained standing, arms crossed over his chest while Sophie sat in one of the comfortable leather seats on the other side of the cherry wood desk. She was impressed with Giovanni’s rich taste in furnishings. She also took note of the full book case that covered two walls of the office. She was definitely going to have to spend some time reading in here.

“I think there was another attack last night.” Thanatos said with a more serious tone.