Love Bites (12 page)

“That would be me.” Thomas accepted the drink with a charming smile.

“That means these are for you two.” The waitress set the remaining two glasses before Etienne and Rachel.

“What is this?” Etienne asked Thomas as soon as she left.

“Oh, hang on.” Thomas leapt up and hurried after
the waitress, returning a moment later with two straws. He moved to Rachel's side and dropped them in her drink, then picked up the glass and smiled at her. “Okay, open that pretty mouth of yours.”

Rachel hesitated, then opened her mouth, slightly embarrassed to do so because her teeth extended as usual.

“Nothing to be embarrassed about,” Thomas assured her as he affixed the straws to the ends of her teeth. “This should do the trick. Now just relax. Your teeth will do all the work.”

Rachel remained still even after he removed his hands from her mouth and moved back to his own seat. She didn't think anything was happening until Thomas smiled and said, “It's working.”

“So it is,” Etienne commented, drawing Rachel's gaze. He sounded less than happy at the realization, and pounded down half his drink in one agitated gulp.

“You see?” Thomas said with a grin. “I told you there was a way around it. It's amazing how much power those teeth have, hmm?”

Rachel risked tipping her head down to peer into the glass. She managed to do so without dislodging the straws and was amazed to see that it was indeed working; her glass was already half empty. It only took a couple of minutes for her teeth to suck up the last of the drink. The moment it was done, she unhooked the straws and leaned over to give Thomas a hug.
“Thank you, Tom. I've been trying to drink, but the taste is just horrid. Now I won't have to worry.” She sat back in her seat and grinned at Etienne. “Now we can move on to teaching me to control my teeth and stuff.”

“Hmm.” Again, Etienne didn't seem happy, but Rachel couldn't think why. He knocked back the last of his drink, set his glass down, and stood. “Let's dance.”

It wasn't really a request. He took her hand and tugged her to her feet. Rachel nearly had to run to keep up with him as he rushed her onto the dance floor. This time, there was slow music playing. Etienne took her in his arms, held her close, and began to move about. He started by holding her at an almost respectable distance, but with each song he urged her closer and closer until their bodies met everywhere. Rachel went willingly enough, her body melting into his and a little sigh escaping her. She let her head rest on his shoulder. She murmured in pleasure as his hands roamed her body, caressing and pressing her closer at the same time.

Rachel felt incredibly…incredible. Little currents of pleasure coursed through her everywhere Etienne touched, followed by little shivers of excitement. When his hand slid up into her hair to tug gently, she let her head tilt back, her eyes open sleepily watching his lips descend on hers. What started out as a languid kiss soon deepened into an exciting search for pleasure. Before she knew it, they had stopped even pre
tending to dance and were simply standing on the dance floor necking like teenagers.

“I want you,” Etienne growled, breaking the kiss to trail his lips down her throat.

“Thank God,” she breathed with relief. She was sure she would die if he didn't make love to her soon.

“Now.”

“Now?” Her eyes opened to find him peering around in irritation.

“Yes. Now. But not here.” Keeping one arm around her, he ushered her quickly off the dance floor. Rachel thought he would return them to their table at least long enough to make their excuses to Thomas, but it seemed he couldn't wait even for that. Instead, he steered her straight out of the club and to his parked car. He saw her into the passenger seat, hurried around to the driver's side, and climbed in to start the engine. That was as far as he got. The moment the car revved to life, Etienne turned and drew her across the seat and back into his arms.

Rachel went willingly, nearly crawling into his lap, her mouth open and ready when he lowered his head to claim it. She had never felt this excited in her life. Everywhere he touched, every inch of skin his breath brushed was suddenly on fire. Passion lodged itself heavy and wet between her legs.

“I need you,” Rachel gasped when he broke their kiss.

Etienne's answer was something of a grunt. He
tugged at her blouse, freeing it from her jeans. She definitely wasn't the only one experienced at undressing people—Rachel's top suddenly gaped open and he quickly and efficiently unsnapped the front snap of her bra.

“Oh.” She moaned as her breasts sprang loose and he caught them in his hands. Rachel sighed another little moan of pleasure-pain as he alternately caressed and suckled her nipples. When she felt his hands at her waist, she reached down to help him, but their bodies were too close, the space too cramped.

Cursing, Etienne set her back in the passenger seat and shifted the car into gear. “Home.” That was all he said and all he had to say.

Rachel bit her lip and grabbed the dashboard as they lurched out of the parking lot. She briefly considered fastening her seat belt, but Etienne was driving so swiftly she felt sure they would arrive before her shaky hands accomplished the task.

They were both out of the car before the engine finished shutting off. Etienne met her at the front of the car, caught her hand, and made a run for his front door. He managed to unlock and open it, drag her in, and slam the door closed before pulling her into his arms again. Rachel was suddenly slammed up against the hallway wall, Etienne's mouth and hands seemingly everywhere at once. They tugged at each other's clothes.

“I can't wait to get you upstairs,” he said apologetically as her slacks slid down her legs.

“Don't,” Rachel said. She didn't have it in her to wait either. She wanted him, needed him right there, right then.

It was all the permission Etienne needed. He ripped her panties off with one quick tug, caught her behind the thighs, lifted her, then settled her back down onto him. He slid into her and they both groaned as he filled her completely. Thanks to those erotic nightly dreams, it seemed like they had been working toward this for weeks.

Etienne paused, then stepped sideways. Suddenly afraid that she was dreaming again, and that the dream would stop now as it usually did, Rachel dug her fingernails into Etienne's shoulders and urged him on.

“More,” she pleaded.

Etienne set her down on something—she thought it must be the hall table—and began to move inside her. Withdrawing, he pounded back into her, only to withdraw again.

Rachel hadn't realized she was a screamer. She'd never been a screamer before. But not only did Rachel scream when she found her pleasure, she screamed, then sank her teeth into Etienne's neck, drawing blood from his body into hers as her body rippled and pulsed around his. It was the best sex of her life.

 

“Hello.”

Rachel blinked sleepily and peered with confusion at the man leaning over her.
Etienne.
She recognized him, of course, but the change in position threw her off. The last thing she recalled was her body exploding and shattering in the most powerful orgasm she'd ever experienced. Now Rachel was somehow on her back on a soft surface—in the bedroom, she realized with confusion. How had they got here?

“You fainted,” Etienne told her gently. “I hope I wasn't too rough.”

“Rough? No,” Rachel reassured him, then blushed as understanding slid through her. “Your mother warned me this might happen.”

Marguerite had also claimed that the pleasure would be twenty times anything Rachel had ever experienced. Rachel wasn't sure it had been twenty times the pleasure, but that had been at least ten times stronger, and she wasn't even fully changed yet.

“You bit me,” Etienne murmured, feathering his fingers over one of her still erect nipples.

“I'm sorry,” Rachel said. Her voice was husky, and she shivered in response to his caress.

“Don't be. I liked it.” He allowed his hand to drift across her belly. “I liked that you were that excited. I like everything about you.”

“Oh, good.” Rachel moaned and closed her eyes. Her body arched as his hand dipped between her
legs. Catching her lower lip with her teeth, she shifted and squirmed restlessly beneath his intimate caress, then popped her eyes back open and reached for him. “I think I need you again.”

“I
know
I need you again,” he growled back. Her hand slid the length of him. Etienne shifted over her and nudged her legs apart only to stop. His expression suddenly went stiff, as if a thought had electrified him. His eyes narrowed. “What were those drinks?”

“Drinks?” Rachel asked in confusion, her legs shifting restlessly beneath him. She didn't want to talk, didn't even want foreplay, only wanted to—

“Yes. The drinks Thomas ordered for us,” he explained.

“Oh.” She sighed, wondering why it mattered. “Umm, Sweet Tooths? No, that's the drink Marguerite likes. It was Sweet something, Sweet…Sweet…”

“Sweet Ecstasies?”

“That's it! Yes. Sweet Ecstasies.” Rachel smiled, hoping he'd get back to business. But much to her dismay, instead of doing that, Etienne groaned and lowered himself against her. “What? What is it? Was there something wrong with those drinks?”

“Wrong? Not exactly. Think vampire Viagra or the mythical spanish fly.”

“Really?” Rachel asked curiously. The idea didn't upset her too much. She had been suffering so much sexual tension over the past few days, a little more hardly seemed worth getting upset about. Besides, it
had moved them to release their sexual tension. She just wished he'd do a little more releasing.

Etienne was three hundred years old, however, and apparently had loads more control. He seemed to be in a chatty mood now too.

“Yes, really,” he answered. “Only worse. Those drinks were chock full of oxytocin, dopamine, nor-epinephrine, phenylethylamine and God knows what else.”

Rachel was impressed that he could even say those names, let alone remember them. She recognized them all. Most were hormones involved in sexual excitement, although Oxytocin was called the cuddle chemical and was released by mothers to help bond with babies. There was some supposition it was released between couples as well, but that had yet to be proven. Still, she was very impressed. She'd be more impressed if the erection cuddled against her were inside her, but she was impressed nonetheless.

“How long does it last?” Rachel asked, wondering if it was wearing off him already.

“Hours,” Etienne groaned. “I'm sorry. I'll beat Thomas silly the next time I see him. I should have checked on the drinks before we drank. He's always been the prankster in the family, and—”

“Etienne,” Rachel interrupted.

“Yes?” He looked rather wary, as if he might be worried she was going to blast him for what his cousin had done.

Rachel removed the fingers she had clawed into his back and caressed his cheek. “If you don't want me, I'll understand. I'll probably die, but I'll understand. I—”

“Of course I want you,” he interrupted quickly. “I've wanted you for days.”

“Good.” She smiled brilliantly as relief coursed through her. “I really want you too—chemicals or no chemicals. So, why not stop blathering on about Thomas and just—” It was as far as she got. Etienne silenced her with a kiss and thrust into her.

Rachel would have sighed with relief, but she was too busy groaning with pleasure. She was on fire with a need that only he could answer, and he was most definitely finally answering it. Yet it still wasn't enough. She wanted to feel…Her thoughts died as he suddenly shifted, moving onto his knees between her legs while they were still joined and scooping her up into a sitting position on his lap. Her legs wrapped naturally around his hips.

Their bodies slid against each other, and Rachel shuddered with pleasure. They were now meeting and touching everywhere. Her breasts scraped across his chest; her arms closed around his shoulders and she nestled her face in his neck, pressing kisses to the skin there, then nipping at the tender flesh as her excitement grew. Rachel had never been a biter, but she now wanted to sink her teeth deep into him.

She gasped and cried out as he beat her to it. It was
a quick bite, probably drawing little blood, but Rachel took it as permission and sank her own teeth into his neck. She used that as an anchor as their passion reached fever pitch and exploded around them. Rachel felt herself grow faint, sensed the world darkening around her, but held on with her teeth and felt the rush of energy and excitement through her. It was like a drug. It
was
a drug. She felt herself being super-charged, then overwhelmed, and released her hold on his neck with a moan as her body shuddered and quivered around him.

Darkness again crowded in.

Etienne was up and gone when she woke. Rachel yawned and stretched in bed, smiling happily. She felt great. A little hungry maybe, but otherwise great. She was sure last night had been better than any erotic dream. Sylvia must really have a sad sex life if she thought any dream could beat out reality.

Etienne had made love to her all night long. Their lovemaking had continued on into the morning, and it had been noon before they'd collapsed together, exhausted and finally satisfied.

Rachel grinned at the drapes over the bed, then sat up and tossed the tangled sheets aside. The man was an automaton. He had more energy than anyone she'd ever met, and three hundred years of skill to back it up. Etienne had done things to her that made
her shiver and blush to think of. Shivering and blushing, she hurried into the bathroom and straight to the shower.

She probably could have used a cold shower at that point—which was hard to believe after the marathon session of lovemaking—but it was true. She chose a warm one, however, and stood under the shower nozzle, enjoying the pounding of the water on her head and back for several moments before shampooing her hair. Her body was still trembling and sensitive. Rachel wasn't sure if it was the Sweet Ecstasy still affecting her, or simply her memories of the pleasure Etienne had given her, but every scrape of the wash-cloth over her wet flesh made her shudder and long for him again. The man really was like a drug. A good drug.

Out of the shower, Rachel dried herself off, dressed, and ran a brush through her hair. She paused to make a face at herself in the bathroom mirror, then hurried out of the room in search of Etienne. She had a deep need to see him again, just to be close to him. To maybe cuddle him, maybe more.

Rachel grinned at her wayward thoughts as she jogged downstairs. The silent house didn't surprise or worry her, and she headed directly for the basement knowing she would find Etienne there. He was no doubt working at his computer.

He was in his office, but while he was seated at his desk, the computers were all shut down. He was talk
ing on the phone. Rachel walked up behind him and rested her hands tentatively on his shoulders as he spoke into the handpiece. When he immediately reached up with his free hand to cover one of hers, she smiled and relaxed, realizing only then that she had not been completely sure of his welcome. Etienne had claimed he'd wanted her for days, but that didn't mean much. He might have simply been saying that. He might also have lost interest in her now that their passion was satisfied. It hadn't happened.

“Great! I'll watch for him then,” Etienne said and hung up the phone. The moment it clicked into place, he stood and turned to pull her into his arms for a welcoming kiss. He growled, “Good morning, beautiful. How are you feeling?”

Rachel flushed and kissed the tip of his nose. “Famished.”

Etienne chuckled. “You're insatiable.”

“Yes, I am. But I meant hungry-famished.”

“Ah.” He released a small sigh and hugged her, then took her hand and led her out of his office. “Yes, so am I. Unfortunately, we're out of blood. I was just asking Bastien to send over some more. It should get here soon, but in the meantime…” He paused as they stepped into the kitchen, his eyes shooting to the window in the back door and searching the darkness outside.

“What is it?” Rachel asked curiously. Stepping to his side, she peered out into the large yard behind the
house. She'd looked out at it both in daylight and at night, and it was lovely at both times, with a large fountain, a rock garden, and lots of trees.

“I thought I saw someone out there,” he murmured, then gave her hand a squeeze. “Wait here. I just want to take a quick look around.”

He was out the door before Rachel could comment. She held the door open so that she could see everything, and watched him walk out into the yard. She had intended on looking around to see if she could see anyone lurking about, but her gaze got caught on his behind and seemed to want to stay there. She decided not to fight it. He had better night vision than she did, anyway. And really it was a nice view. A very nice view. Rachel had never realized how attractive a man's butt could be. She just wanted to grab it and squeeze it and…

“Must be the effects of that drink,” she muttered and gave her head a shake. But her gaze returned to his behind again the moment she glanced his way, and Rachel decided she might be best to join him rather than stand with her tongue hanging out. Letting the door slide closed behind her, she walked silently to him.

“Did you see anything?” she asked in a whisper, a tad distracted by his scent. He smelled really good. Yummy. Rachel had noticed that he smelled good the few times she'd had her face in his neck and had inhaled the scent of him, but now she could smell him
almost as well just standing next to him. Her senses must be strengthening, she realized, and found herself pleased. Perhaps she would be able to control her teeth soon. And even drink blood. That straw trick Thomas had shown her worked nicely. But she would rather be able to drink it straight out of a glass like the rest of them. Until she did, Rachel would feel like the child drinking tea with half the cup filled with milk.

“No. I might have been mistaken. It could have just been a shadow.”

“Hmm.” Rachel sniffed the air and stepped closer to him, her gaze slipping to his neck. He really did smell delicious. Good enough to eat, even. For some reason, at the moment he reminded her of a great big porterhouse steak, nice and rare.

Off the hoof.
Marguerite's words came into her head, and Rachel's eyes widened in horror.

“What is it? Do you see something?” Etienne asked when she stepped abruptly away.

“No,” Rachel said, guilt overwhelming her. “No. We should go inside now, don't you think? It's rather cold out here.” It
was
unseasonably cold, and neither of them was wearing a jacket. Not that she'd noticed the cold until it was a handy excuse.

“Are you cold?”

“No,” she admitted, then tilted her head. “Why am I not freezing? I should be freezing. It's a cold night out here, Etienne.”

“Your body's more efficient than it used to be. You
don't have to worry about cold or frostbite or anything anymore,” he explained. “Still, we should go in. You'll use up more blood staying warm and will need to feed that much sooner—and I know you're already hungry.”

“Desperately hungry,” Rachel agreed. Her gaze found his neck, and she looked away with discomfort.

“Well, the delivery guy should be here soon with breakfast,” he said reassuringly. He walked back to the door. “It will probably be Thomas. He often runs errands like that.”

“Oh. That's nice of him,” Rachel commented. She paused as Etienne grabbed the door handle and turned it, then turned it back. “What is it?”

“Uh…Rachel, did you unlock the door or just let it close?”

“
You
unlocked the door. I just let it close behind me. Why? What's wrong?”

Etienne grimaced. “The door locks automatically unless you flip the lever thing. We're locked out.”

“What?” She stepped up to his side and turned the door handle, but to her horror the door stayed closed. “We can't be locked out, Etienne.”

“I'm afraid we are.” He sounded more amused than upset.

Rachel wasn't amused. She was already famished to the point that he was looking like a tasty treat, and if the cold made her need blood more urgently…
Turning a stern look on him, she ordered, “Climb in a window.”

He shook his head. “Sorry. High-tech security system. It'll go off if I try anything like that.”

“Well, can't you bypass it or something?”

“Sure I could, but why wreck my system to save myself a couple of minutes in the cold? Whoever delivers the blood will have a cell phone. I can call Bastien and have him bring my extra set of house keys. We'll only be out here a couple of minutes, I promise. And it's a nice clear night. I can show you my garden up close. You've only seen it from the house till now. I have some lovely night-blooming—”

“Etienne,” Rachel began with irritation, then held her tongue. She was suddenly reluctant to admit that he was looking like breakfast. Her previous revulsion at biting people had been eased quite a bit by their love bites. Now was as good a time as any to find out whether she could control herself. She didn't want to bite one of her co-workers one night when she was feeling peckish.

“What is it?” Etienne prompted when she remained silent.

“Nothing,” she said at last. “Show me your garden.”

Smiling, Etienne took her hand. He led her back out into the yard and around the fountain to the main garden. It was a huge backyard. Rachel could only think that he obviously lived on the outskirts of Toronto. She couldn't be sure, however, since the yard
was surrounded by a huge privacy fence that made it impossible to see out. Reminding herself to ask him later, she followed through the garden as he pointed out and named various plants.

It was a lovely garden, obviously made to be viewed at night, which she supposed made sense. There were lights here and there that she supposed were for highlighting, but none of them were on. Their path was lit only by moonlight. Rachel didn't have any trouble seeing, however. She guessed that meant her eyesight was improving, as Marguerite had said it would. She might have been more excited, but she was too hungry. Her body was actually beginning to cramp with her need to feed. Since Etienne didn't appear to be suffering the same, Rachel supposed she was still needing more blood due to the change.

“Why are you looking at me like I'm a big roast pig with an apple in its mouth?”

Rachel dragged her eyes away from his luscious neck and forced a smile. “Because you look so delicious,” she said lightly. Without thinking, she moved closer and ran her hands up his chest, catching them around his neck to urge him down to kiss her.

Etienne came easily, lowering his lips with eager passion. Rachel sighed into his mouth with relief that it was so easy, then broke the kiss and began to trail her lips over his cheek to his ear. She nibbled lightly and teased, “You smell good enough to eat.”

Etienne chuckled at her words, but his laughter
died quickly and he stiffened in her arms. She'd begun to nibble along his neck. “Er, Rachel honey? I think you might be confusing bloodlust with lust. Its not a good idea for you to—aaah!”

His warning died as she found him through his jeans and squeezed. His breath immediately picked up and he was almost panting in her ear as she fondled him. “Well, maybe a little nibble wouldn't hurt.”

Rachel laughed huskily and licked his neck. She really didn't have any idea what she was doing, was just following her instincts—and she instinctually wanted to lick his neck. Actually, Rachel wanted to lick everywhere. Etienne was like a big lollipop, or perhaps a Tootsie Pop. She wanted to know how many licks it took to get to the center of this Tootsie Pop, but knew she would bite long before she ever found out.

Rachel licked his neck again, her tongue running over the vein, sensing it with a natural ability that startled her. She wanted so badly to bite him. She was starving, cramping with hunger. She supposed it wasn't unlike a drug addict jonesing for a fix. She needed it bad, but it seemed rude to just bite him, and she couldn't quite bring herself to do it. She had bitten him several times last night, but always in the throes of passion. Rachel was feeling pretty passionate about him right then, but not enough to make it right. She had to fix that.

Releasing her hold on him, she slid her hands up
over his chest, grasped his collar, and tugged his shirt open. Etienne just grinned as the buttons snapped off. Rachel was a little less sangfroid. She hadn't expected that, thought perhaps one button might pop and then she'd have to undo the others manually, but it appeared she was gaining some of the strength that was to be hers.

Her surprise only slowed her down for a moment. With his chest suddenly revealed, glowing almost silver in the moonlight, she heard an almost animal growl purr from her throat and let her hands slide over that exposed flesh. His skin was cool and smooth, soft as velvet but with the hardness of steel. Sighing in pleasure, she leaned forward to press her lips to the skin over his heart. The beat beneath was strong. He was vital and strong, and she wanted him.

Tipping her head back, Rachel slid a hand into his hair and drew down his face. She covered his lips with hers, rubbing them softly at first, then opening her mouth to catch and nip at his bottom lip with her teeth. She drew on it until it slipped from her teeth with a small plop that made them both chuckle. Then that was apparently enough play for Etienne. Gathering her in his arms, he covered her lips with his. There was no gentle rubbing, no teasing kiss. He covered her mouth, then opened his and thrust his tongue out to separate her lips. Rachel opened to him without hesitation and slid her own tongue forward to meet
his, a moan half-smothered as their tongues tangled and slid against each other.

An answering moan from Etienne made Rachel smile, breaking the kiss somewhat. She let her lips drift away over his chin and down along his throat, inhaling the scent of him, but not stopping to be tempted by the promise of his jugular. She coasted her lips down his chest, pausing at first one nipple to nip and suckle and flick at it with her tongue, then to the other to do the same. Her nails ran firmly over his back as she did, so that he definitely felt it, but she drew no blood.

When Etienne groaned and arched and caught at her arms to attempt to draw her back, presumably to kiss her, Rachel laughed teasingly and simply dropped into a crouch. It put her at waist level. Tipping her head back, she smiled up at him wickedly and reached for the snap of his jeans. Etienne sucked in a startled breath as she undid them, then seemed to hold it as she drew down the zipper.