You’re dead, Lucia. I swear this time I’m going to rip your fucking heart out and bury a stake in it. I’ll take pleasure watching you become ash.
Let’s not quarrel, my love. I’d much rather fuck than fight.
My love? Are you kidding me? Hate is the only emotion I have for you.
He traced outside and saw Lucia standing in the snow.
“Love and hate walk a fine line. Wow, Dane, you truly are an amazing lover.” Lucia chuckled, lust clearly present in her words.
“You must have a death wish, showing up here.” He ignored her comment.
“True, but an opportunity to fuck you again was well worth the effort. Did you enjoy being with a real woman instead of that waste of a girl you call your mate? She’s not worthy of a male like you. I enjoyed the way your body responded to me. It was too bad she realized I had entered her mind and taken over. Normally I take complete control but I guess she wasn’t quite asleep. It made me sad to see it end so quickly.” She laughed.
“Don’t flatter yourself. My focus wasn’t on you.”
“Are you sure?”
“You want my attention, you’ve got it, bitch.” He traced to her but she moved out of his reach without much effort.
“Oh Dane, please, you insult me. I have been at this game much longer than even you. If you want my death, it’s not going to be that easy.”
The mournful howl of several wolves filled the air and dozens of yellow eyes glowed in the darkness. Lucia spun around and realized she was surrounded by Dmitri’s pack.
“No one is invincible, Lucia. Not even you. If I were you, I’d go before my friends here tear you apart. You say you’re fast. Well, my friends here are faster.”
A wolf latched on to Lucia’s wrist. She screamed when he tore her flesh. She tried to wrench free as another snout seized her forearm. She screamed when her arm was nearly torn off. She staggered back as blood poured from the wound and then she quickly vanished.
Dmitri changed forms. “I almost had her but I lost my grip on her.” He spat her blood from his mouth.
“She’s not stupid. There probably won’t be a next time.”
“That’s good then.”
“Thank you.” Dane shook his friend’s hand. He knew it wasn’t over but at least Lucia wouldn’t come near the cabin again. Not with the pack watching.
“You are like a brother to me, Dane, you know this.”
“The feeling is mutual.”
“I heard what she said. That vampire is a vicious creature. You need to teach your mate to fight back so she doesn’t come between you two again.”
“Not possible at the moment. Jenny’s really upset with me right now. She won’t let me near her.” Dane’s heart was heavy. He hoped time would heal things between them.
“Ivanna will talk to her. Go get cleaned up. My pack will take shifts patrolling to make sure no more Rogues come near the den.”
Dane nodded. He closed his eyes and opened his senses, shivering at the electricity in the air. Lucia’s rage was evident.
I will find a way to stop you and your brother.
There was no response. She was gone.
He traced inside to take a shower.
* * * * *
“What happened tonight between you and Dane? Why were you two quarreling?” Ivanna asked as she led Jenny to the couch in the living room.
“Something bad happened to me tonight while I slept. A vampire from Dane’s past invaded my mind and took control of me. I could see what was happening but only as an observer. She pushed me out and I was forced to watch her make love to Dane with my body.”
“Lucia is the one you spoke of earlier. Dane told us a little bit about what happened to him. Go on.” Her expression was grave.
“She literally took over my body and pushed me aside mentally. Part of me wanted to disappear but I was so mad at what she was doing with Dane, I continued to resist. She finally released her mental hold. But not until she finished fucking him.”
“I’m sorry for what you went through, that must’ve been awful. How did Dane respond when he found out what happened?” She touched Jenny’s shoulder and gave it a gentle squeeze.
“He was surprised. Swore he didn’t know. But how could he not realize something was amiss?”
“Honestly, how could he have known?”
“I never would’ve considered biting him…well, down there. That’s why.” Jenny’s cheeks reddened.
“I see. May I be honest with you about something?” Ivanna raised her eyebrows.
“Sure.” Any advice was welcome because she seriously didn’t know how to deal with what had happened.
“I’m a bit surprised that you’re angry at Dane as if this is somehow his fault. He’s as much a victim of her treachery as you.”
“I don’t expect you to understand.”
Great, she’s on his side.
“Rubbish, girl. Your insecurity allowed her to take control of you because you doubt he loves you.”
“So this is my fault?”
Those are her words of wisdom?
Wow, she hadn’t been expecting that one.
“In this new life, you must be strong both mentally and physically to survive. Lucia took advantage of your vulnerability and it seems like it’s working quite well, in my opinion.”
“She made love to Dane. How am I supposed to forget that?” Tears spilled down her cheeks.
“I can’t even begin to imagine how painful it must’ve been to watch. I would tear a female apart if she touched my Dmitri.”
“He enjoyed it. I sensed his pleasure.”
“There you go again, doubting what you mean to him. Dane loves you. He had no idea your mind had been invaded by another.”
“He made me feel interchangeable.” She knew her reaction wasn’t reasonable.
“How can you draw such a conclusion? Lucia tricked him. I’m sure Dane is probably disgusted and outraged by what’s happened to the both of you. Do you honestly believe he would purposely betray you? I don’t. He hates Lucia.”
“I should go talk to him or maybe it’s better to wait?” She’d been too outraged to consider his emotions in this equation. Now she was nervous to face him.
“Nonsense. Don’t let this vile female create a wedge between you two. Go talk to him.”
She’s right. I’m making excuses. I need to face him.
“I’ll go talk to him now.” She got up.
“Assure him he’s not the one you blame, all right? And when you sleep, do it without fear.” Ivanna stood and gave Jenny a hug.
“I’ll try. Thank you.” Emotions swirled inside her, bringing tears to her eyes. Ivanna had become a true friend in such a short period of time. She didn’t waste time coddling her. It reminded her a little of how Marley would’ve handled it. That made her smile.
“My pleasure. We’ll talk in the morning.” She patted Jenny’s back.
“You’re a good friend.” Jenny gave her a squeeze.
“My sentiment toward you is a mutual one.”
“Wish me luck.”
Jenny traced into her and Dane’s room and the sound of the shower drew her attention. She entered the bathroom and saw him standing under the steamy flow with both palms resting against the stone wall. His head hung between his shoulders as warm water cascaded down his magnificently sculpted shoulders and back. She sensed his tension and the sadness radiating outward. It was strong. She was shit for not considering his side.
He must’ve been consumed by his own thoughts because he hadn’t noticed her presence. She slipped out of her clothes and traced into the shower.
“Hi.” She kissed his back and wrapped her arms around his waist.
He quickly twisted around. “Jenny?” There was a rush of relief in his voice.
“I’m really sorry about how I acted earlier. I don’t blame you. I was really upset by it all and didn’t stop to consider your side of it. I love you and I’m not about to let her come between us.” She met his penetrating gaze.
“I love you too. I’m sorry. I didn’t mean…” He cupped her cheeks.
“Shh…she tricked us both. Kiss me.”
Dane bent forward and captured her lips with a groan, lifting her in his arms. She immediately wrapped her legs around his waist. Her mouth opened to let his tongue plunder every inch. The wet planes of his muscled chest rubbed against her aching nipples, creating a lovely friction. Soon she was gasping for air as he broke the kiss.
“There will never be another, only you.” He pinned her to the wall, rubbing his erection against her core.
“Oh god…make me forget.”
He surged forward, filling her. Mindlessly, she writhed, gripping his buttocks.
“Deeper.” She cried out from the intense pleasure of being stretched by his swollen cock. Her nerve endings twitched and fluttered. In and out, he penetrated her. It was pleasure in its purest form.
In answer, he took her mouth hungrily as he ground into her. She craved more. Why she’d doubted him lost all weight. It was obvious his desire was to please her and no other.
“You and me, trust in that.” He kissed her again as she clung to his shoulders, meeting his thrusts.
Raw need overpowered her. A slight prick on her neck caused her inner walls to clutch him, drenching him with her slick release. He continued to move inside her as he fed. Each greedy tug shot straight to her clit. She gasped while heated spasms continued to seize her core, one right after another. They were skin to skin. He released her neck and with one last thrust, he was coming inside her, shouting her name.
“My turn.” She wasn’t done with him. Not yet.
“Not here.” He traced them to the bed.
“But we’re soaking wet,” she said as he laid her on top the comforter.
“Just the way I like you.” He lowered his head to claim her mouth once again.
She could sense his relief that she didn’t hold what had happened against him. When he let her up for her air, she made a decision.
“Lie on your back for me.”
“What for?” He lifted up onto his elbows.
“Humor me.”
“All right.” He flipped over on his back. Jenny climbed on top of him and straddled his waist. He laced his fingers behind his neck. “Do you want to ride me?”
“I want to try something.” She regarded him nervously, afraid to ask.
“I’m listening. What?”
“Will you trust me to do what she did to you earlier?”
“You mean bite me down there?” He peered into her eyes, searching to make sure she was okay, she assumed.
“I want to try. She took that from me and brought you pleasure in a very intimate way that was meant for me, not her. Will you allow me to experience that with you?”
He sat up and cupped her cheeks. “You don’t have to prove anything to me.”
“Please.” It scared her a little but she wasn’t about to back away from it now. Hurting him was her only concern.
He kissed her lips and she felt his cock twitch in response. “Do what you want with me, babe.” He winked. His faith in her made her smile.
“Show me where to bite so I don’t hurt you.”
“It’s no different than what you’ve done before but make sure to pierce here.” He pointed to the base of his shaft.
“I’m nervous.” She wrapped her fingers around the base.
“I trust you.”
Great, but did she trust herself? “Okay.”
She kissed him passionately, trailing her lips down his body as she scooted back. A low rumble escaped his chest when she fisted his cock and licked the crown, covering it with her mouth. She sucked him deep down her throat and rubbed her tongue along the shaft. She cupped his balls, sucking him from base to tip and back again. He slowly moved his hips in time with her steady suction. She moved faster.
“Jenny,” he cried out.
Her fangs extended as she licked the side of his cock. Before she could second-guess it, she sank her fangs in the side of his erection where he’d told her to. His blood flowed down her throat and she swallowed every drop. With each swallow she became more and more aroused.
She sucked harder and his release shot into the air. When he stilled, he caressed her cheek and she reluctantly released him.
“That was nice.” He kissed her cheeks, her nose and her lips. His blood was on her tongue as his mouth invaded hers.
“It was.” She kissed him back as their hearts pounded together. She clutched him closer.
There was no more fear or hesitation. They made love several more times until they were both finally sated. When her lids began to grow heavy, she knew it was time to let go and sleep.
“Hold me.” She yawned.
“You’re not afraid to sleep, are you?”
“Not anymore.” And she meant it.
“That’s my beautiful girl.” He drew her into his arms and snuggled her against him. He gave her the sweetest good-night kiss.
Ivanna had been right. If she hadn’t made love to him tonight, resentment might have built between them. Not on his part, but hers. She wasn’t going to let her insecurities from the past affect the present. She loved him and wanted to get to know everything about him and share her past with him. The good, the bad and everything in between, so nothing could come between them again.