Everlasting Hunger (The Hunger Mate Series) (18 page)

             
Jasper turns to look at Ian, who is sitting across from him in the study. 

“Annabelle is bringing Ellie back to the house then they want to go to the club to celebrate.  Why don’t you call Natalie and have her meet us there?  I’m assuming you haven’t called and explained the situation to her yet?”

              Ian shifts in his seat and finishes the scotch in his glass. 

“I called her and told her that there was a family emergency.  I had Miguel escort her into the party, but I have not talked to her since then.  I figured I would do it the next time I saw her at the club.  However, that’s a good idea and it would give the girls a chance to spend some time together.”

              Rising gracefully, Ian walks to the phone and dials Natalie’s number. 

“Natalie, it’s Ian.
”

“Oh.  Hi, Ian.”

“ I apologize for my abrupt departure this evening and wanted to see if you would like to go to the club with us shortly.”

“I don’t think so.  I’m not into playing second fiddle and that’s what I’m doing.  You left me at a strange party, Ian.”

“I know and let me make it up to you.  Come to the club.” 

“If you stand me up again, I will water down your scotch.” Natalie threatens.

Ian chuckles, “It’s a deal. I will see you in an hour.”

             
Hanging up the phone, he turns to Jasper. “She will meet us there.  I believe the girls have just arrived.  Let’s go.”

             
Heading out into the hallway as Annabelle and Ellie come in, Ian is stunned once again at the amazing sensuality of Ellie.  Putting her next to a timeless seductress like Annabelle and what is a man supposed to do.  Striding across the floor, he sweeps Annabelle into his arms for a quick kiss on the lips. 

             
“My darling boy!  I’ve missed you!”  Annabelle giggles as Ian swings her around.  Depositing her lightly, he turns to sweep Ellie into his embrace for a much more passionate kiss.  Standing her upright, he brushes her cheek lightly with his fingertips. “Little one, have you healed correctly?  No lingering pain or discomfort?”

             
Smiling, she replies, “I have pretty much healed, Ian.  I do need to get something to drink to speed up the process though.” 

Pulling her by the hand, Ian heads back to the study where he had left Jasper. 

              “Jasper, do you mind if I give Ellie a drink so she can finish the healing process?” 

Jasper walks toward his mate and places a kiss on her forehead. 

“That’s fine with me, Ian.  I’m going to go let Dudley know that we are heading to the club and then Annabelle and I will head that way.  Just meet us there when you two are done.”

             
Ian looked at Jasper and nodded in gratitude.  Jasper understood that he needed to fix Ellie since he had to recreate her injuries for the officers at the scene. 

“Little one, thank you for allowing me to do this for you, I felt bad that I had to cause you pain but it was necessary.” 

Reaching up and touching his cheek, she says, “Ian, I understood the necessity of what needed to be done and I thank you for compelling Sheila.  I probably would have messed that up and we would’ve all been found out.”

             
Laughing at the rueful expression on her face, he pulls her down into his lap as he settles in on the couch.

“Compulsion is one of the easiest things to master as a vampire, love.  It’s similar to what you have seen in the movies and on television.  You just have to believe what you are saying to the other person.  If you tell them that you are going to kill them, you have to believe that you would do it.  Now, let’s see about getting you fixed up.” 

Brushing the straps of the torn and disheveled dress from her shoulders, Ian leans forward to kiss the bruises left behind by her altercations earlier.  Trailing his fingertips up her arms and down to caress her back, he once again is stunned by the way she responds to him as she curls her arms around his neck.

             
Tenderly kissing her lips and stroking the seam with his tongue, their mouths meld together as passion explodes between the two of them.  Sipping the moans from her lips, Ian quickly tugs off what is left of the dress she wore earlier in the evening and tosses it toward the fireplace.  Smiling at the luscious woman in his arms who is not wearing any panties, he shifts her so that she is straddling his body.  Pulling her breast into his hand, he caresses the perfect orb, watching as her nipples harden in response.  He grins as she undoes his zipper and reaches down to stroke the hard evidence of his arousal.

  “Are you sure, little
one? You may not be able to forgive me for what happened last time we were together.  I can give you a drink without making love to you.”

Ellie’s answer is to sheath her body onto his and Ian groans aloud at the pleasure of being inside her tight warm body once again.  Grasping her hips as she sets a pace that’s comfortable for both of them, Ian leans his head back and watches as the new vampire in his life takes her pleasure from his body.  Ellie rips Ian’s shirt open
, and leans forward to nip lightly at the nipples that are begging for attention.  Trailing her lips up his chest, she lightly kisses him on the lips before licking her way down to the vein in his neck.  She sinks her fangs into Ian as her orgasm hits and feels the world spin. 

Ian feels the ripples of her sheath contracting and feels his own release coming on. 
He sinks his own fangs into the curve of her shoulder and explodes into the woman in his arms.  Only drinking enough from her to satisfy his desire, Ian pulls his fangs from her shoulder and licks the wound closed.  He leans back, closes his eyes and allows her to drink her fill.  It’s his fault that she is still in pain and had to suffer after the brutal attack by Adam Thornton.  It’s his responsibility as head of the family to make sure she’s okay.  Snuggling her against his chest as she continues to drink, he caresses her back as she purrs against his throat.  Feeling her slowing down, he waits till she releases the vein and then turns to kiss her gently on the lips.

“Thank you, little one.”

Ellie pushes her hair back from her face. “For what, Ian?” 

Shifting her in his arms, he answers. “For giving me a second chance in your life.  You could have cut me out and it would have been what I deserved.  Instead, you have offered me a place in your life and in your arms.  For that, I’m grateful.” 

“Does it bother you that I have become a mate with Jasper?  I know you thought that it was supposed to be us.” 

“Little one, Jasper is my family, the one person on the planet besides Annabelle that I would happily die for.  You’re now part of that rare number of people I love.  There is nothing that I would deny you, Ellie.  I’m grateful that he was willing and able to save you in time.  I don’t know why I wouldn’t release you.  I can only assume that’s one of the great mysteries of life.  Now, sweetheart, why don’t you grab your suitcase that’s by the door and throw something on so we can go to the club.”

Smirking, she stands and heads to the suitcase.  Bending over to open the case, Ian growls and rewards her with a smack on the bottom. 

“Quit teasing, little one, or we will never make it to the club.”

Ellie pulls out a simple sundress the color of red wine and slips it over her head.  Heading to the bathroom attached to the study, she freshens up and comes out to see Ian holding her sandals in his hand.  Using his shoulder as a support, she slips them on and tosses her hair over her shoulder.  “How do I look, Ian?”

Slipping her arm through the crook of his elbow, Ian turns to head out of the house.

“You are breathtaking as always, Ellie.”  Holding the door open at the front of the house, Ian follows Ellie down to the foot of the steps.  Assisting her into the car and then getting into the driver’s seat, Ian accelerates out of the driveway and down the lane.

“Ellie, I’ve been giving some thought to your job at the hospital.  I’m going to have your office moved to the other end of the corridor near mine.  That way you will have the windows with UV protection so you can continue to work.  I also want you to take your car to my dealership so they can tint the windows for you.  I’m assuming you want to continue working.”

Ellie glances at Ian. “Are you hinting that if I want to become a kept woman you can arrange it?”

Ian rubs his hand up her thigh and squeezes. “I told you that anything you want, I will give you.  However, I don’t think you are ready to give up your career.” 

“Score one for you.” Ellie says with a smile.  Linking her fingers through his, she squeezes them where they lay on her upper leg. 

“I don’t know how I’m going to handle everything now that I’m a vampire but I know my first priority is to find somewhere new to live.  Do you know a company that can clean my house for me so I can put it on the market?”

“I own a company that I’ve already called and they will be out there tomorrow to start cleaning your place.  We aren’t going to sell it though.”

Looking at him with a frown on her face, she asks, “Why?”

“You will be living a long time, Ellie, and real estate is always a good investment for a vampire.  We can look at renting it out and invest the income for you.  Second, talk to Jasper about staying at his place.  If he refuses to let you stay with him, my home is always available to you, little one.”

Leaning over as they pull up to the club, Ellie brushes her lips across Ian’s chin.

“Thank you for looking out for me, Ian.  What would I do without you?”

Ian steps out of the car as Miguel opens the door and walks over to help Ellie out of the vehicle.  Hearing the men and women in line to the club commenting on both of their appearances, Ian whispers to Ellie, “Feeling like giving them a show, lover?”

Ellie grins impishly and says, “I have no problems with that since I’m with you.” 

Ian pushes her up against the car and insinuates his knee between her legs.  Wrapping his hands in her hair, he devours her mouth while the men egg him on and the women groan in dismay.  Ellie runs her hands down and cups his ass to the delight of the women in line.  Dropping one hand from Ellie’s hair and lifting her leg to wrap around his thigh, Ian relishes in having her in his arms again.  Stepping back and taking a breath, Ellie blushes at the sound of the applause from the waiting line.  Wrapping his arm around her waist, Ian escorts her toward Lorenzo at the front of the club. 

Lorenzo smiles broadly, as they approach. 

“Ms. Ellie, welcome to the family!”

Ellie accepts his hug graciously. 

“Thank you, Lorenzo.  I’m honored to be considered part of your family.”  Lorenzo holds open the velvet rope, they walk passed him and into the club.

Natalie sits in the corner of the bar waiting for Ian to arrive.  She should’ve told him that she never wanted to see him again but if he really did have a family emergency, who was she to be mad at him over it.  Taking a sip of the martini that she was drinking, she startles when a man’s lips touch the back of her neck. 

“Hello, kitten.  How are you doing this evening?”

              Smiling at Jasper as he sits down at the table, she replies, “It would’ve been better if my date had shown up at the ball.” 

Jasper leans forward and takes her hand in his. 

“Thank you, Natalie for not being too upset.  Ian assisted me with a problem tonight, involving my girlfriend.  It was unavoidable.” 

             
Feeling horrible since there really was an emergency, Natalie asks quietly, “Is she okay?  I had heard that she, well, joined the family.” 

Jasper chuckles. “She’s okay.  Ellie was kidnapped by her ex-boyfriend and brutalized.  She was able to rescue herself, and she’ll be here shortly.  Ian was helping her heal before they came to the club.”

              “You don’t have to worry about Ellie, Natalie.  She will not mind if you are here with me or if you are with Ian.  Sighing deeply, she tells him in a low voice, “I know that you say that, but Ellie hasn’t been a vampire long and still has the emotions of a human.”

             
“Kitten, could I ask for a drink?  I’m parched and I believe you need to see how desirable I find you and that it’s not a concern for any of us,” asks Jasper with a smile.

             
Natalie is hesitant to start something with Jasper but her desire for the attractive vampire currently nibbling on her earlobe is something that she just can’t fight.  Tilting her head to the side to give him better access, she shivers as he slides his hand up her leg. 

A gentle caress along her thigh causes moisture to pool between her legs.  Jasper nips along her chin and captures her mouth with his.  A blatantly carnal kiss has her whimpering against his lips as his tongue thrusts in and out of her mouth.  Jasper slips the straps of her dress down her arms until it’s barely covering her breasts.  Leaning her back against the table, he kisses his way down her chest and tugs one of her exquisite breasts free of the dress.  Closing his lips around the flavorful tip, he licks and sucks as Natalie writhes in his lap and clutches his head to her body. 

              “Natalie, do you want to make love to me here in the club or in the lounge?”                Shaking her head from the fog that has been generated by this man’s seductive caress, she replies honestly, “Take me to the lounge, Jasper.  I want a little more privacy then this.” 

Picking her up in his arms, Jasper strides through the club and into the owners’ private lounge.  Slamming the door shut with his foot, he lets Natalie slide down his body until she is standing in front of him. 

“I want you to want this as well, kitten.  If you are having doubts, now is the time to say something.”

             
Wrapping her arms around his neck, she asks one thing, “Will you protect me from her if she does get upset?” 

             
“Yes, kitten.  If my Ellie gets upset with us I will make sure that you are well protected.  However, since I left her at my place with Ian, I don’t think she is going to be too upset with us,” he says as he tugs the dress off her and throws it in the corner. 

Pushing her panties down her legs, he lifts her and she wraps her legs around his waist feeling the steel of his erection nestled between her thighs.   Relishing the friction generated as Jasper walks them toward the daybed in the corner of the room, Natalie kisses him as he fondles the globes of her bottom that are resting in his hands. 

              Laughing as he lightly drops them to the bed, Natalie tilts her chin giving Jasper better access to the sensitive skin of her neck.  Sighing at the sensation of his teeth along the curve of her neck, she arches up into his hand as it closes around one of her breasts. 

             
Using his thumb and forefinger, he plucks the nipple begging for attention on the beautiful woman in his arms.  Trailing bites down her chest, he closes the ripe nipple in his mouth. She sighs and clutches his head to her breast.  Sucking the mound deep into his mouth, he trails his hand up her inner thigh to the essence of her core.  Brushing teasing strokes along the seam with his fingertips, he thrusts two of her fingers into her body as she spreads her legs and whispers his name. 

             
“Jasper, I want you inside of me now.  Please,” Natalie begs in a voice that’s barely recognizable to her. 

Jasper pulls his fingers out of her body and positioning himself at her entrance, he thrusts completely into her body.  Natalie cries out at the fullness of Jasper buried inside of her. 

              “Natalie, love.  Are you okay?”

In response, Natalie pushes upward encouraging Jasper to move deeper.  Pulling out to the tip, Jasper thrusts back into her body and begins a deep penetrating rhythm.  Feeling Natalie’s warmth wrapped around him, Jasper moves faster and faster until he can hear the catch in her moans signaling the beginning of her climax.  Sinking his fangs into her breasts, he drinks deeply as Natalie screams out his name. 

              Flushed from exertion, Natalie untangles herself from Jasper and sits up.  Looking around to find her clothes she snatches them up and rushes into the bathroom.  Leaning back against the door she is amazed that she just slept with Jasper. 

What in the world was I thinking?

              “Natalie?  Are you okay?” 

             
Natalie hurriedly gets dressed and fixing her hair, she opens the door and steps out.

“I’m fine, Jasper.  Let’s head back out to the club to see if Ellie and Ian are here yet.”

              He walks back into the bar, and notices Ian in the corner with Ellie in his lap.  Grabbing Natalie’s hand, he heads in that direction.  Pulling out the chair for Natalie to have a seat, he leans over to drop a kiss on the top of Ellie’s head.  She is currently drinking from Ian and he smiles at Jasper.  “She’s doing a lot better, Jasper.  Most of the bruises are gone and the broken ribs should be healed by tomorrow.”

             
Ellie retracts her fangs and licks the wound closed on Ian’s neck.  Turning to Jasper, she smiles serenely. 

“Hey, handsome.  Who’s your friend?” 

Natalie blushes and extents her hand across the table. “My name is Natalie, Ms. Dawson.  Please to meet you.”

             
Ellie bursts out in delighted laughter.  “Jasper, I’m assuming that Natalie is blushing because she just made love to you in the VIP lounge and is afraid that I’m going to come across the table for her throat?” 

             
“Pretty much, gorgeous.  I told her that it was not a concern for you but she thinks you may have some residual human emotions.” 

             
Ellie flashes her fangs at Natalie. “I do have human emotions still, Natalie, just not jealousy when it comes to my boys.  Not really necessary when they are both more than happy to share and spend time with me.”

             
Natalie seems amazed at this concept. “I have to admit that I thought you would be mad.  I’m sorry that you missed the ball tonight.” 

Ellie shrugs as she snuggles into Ian’s embrace.  “It happens.  So, I understand that you work here as a drink.  How do you like that?”

              Natalie leans forward and pours a shot of the scotch that’s sitting on the table. 

“I really am enjoying myself.  My brother, Simon, is a vampire and a mate so I wanted to learn more about the lifestyle.  This allows me that opportunity.”

Ellie nods in understanding.  “If you ever want to try your hand at something else, I would be interested in interviewing you for a personal assistant position at the hospital.  That is, if you are interested.” 

             
Natalie looks at Ellie in surprise.  “How do you know I’m capable of doing something like that?”

             
Laughing at the young woman, Ellie answers, “You wanted to learn about your brother’s lifestyle so you found a job in that area.  That shows dedication and loyalty.  I value those qualities.  What do you think, Ian?”

             
Stroking a hand up her arm, Ian nuzzles her neck. “I think she needs to come in for an interview when you get back from vacation, little one.”

             
“Enough talk about work. Natalie, thank you for not being upset that the boys couldn’t be at the ball with you tonight.  I was detained by a former boyfriend and he got a little out of hand.”

             
“It wasn’t a problem at all.  I managed to snag a few autographs and spilled wine on my shoes.  I call that a successful party.” She laughs. 

Ellie smiles and replies, “Well, your tolerance for being stood up is appreciated.  I almost didn’t make it back to my boys.”  Ellie’s eyes flash to Jasper with all the love she is feeling and she kisses Ian on the cheek.  “I’ll always fight to come back to these two.”

Mackenzie grits her teeth at the audacity that Natalie has. 

“I brought her into this club and she has already made an attachment to both of the owners?  Really?” 

She watches as Jasper tugs Ellie into his lap and Ian picks up Natalie and sits her in his.  Taking her phone out of the top of her thigh high boots, she dials the first number in the speed dial.

             
“Master, Jasper and Ian have embraced Natalie instead of me as their new drink.  What would you like me to do?”

             
A deep, husky voice on the other end answers, “I want you to watch and report everything to me as you have been.  It doesn’t matter which one of you is the bait.  Did Jasper mate with Ellie?”

             
“Yes, Master.  They seem comfortable and the bond is growing stronger between them all.”

             
Chuckling softly, the voice responds in a way that sends a tremor down Mackenzie’s back.  “Perfect.  Everything is falling into place.  I knew that she would be perfect for what I have in mind for the boys.”

Mackenzie hears him mumble, “Children need to learn who the boss is and respect their elders.” 

Not understanding this part of the conversation, she clears her throat.  “I’ll be in touch if anything new develops or if not, I will call next week, Master.”