My Wicked Vampire (12 page)

“If you don’t fill me right now, vampire, my sexual frustration will blow out the walls of this greenhouse. Then you’ll have to pay Sparkle for it.”

She’d called him vampire. Her gift touched him. She accepted him as vampire and still wanted him.

Nothing could stop him now. With a shout, he sheathed himself in her, feeling her muscles clench around his cock. And then he withdrew, only to plunge into her again. Deeper, harder, driven by her cries and the rake of her nails over his back.

Everything became a blur, a desperate drive to orgasm. At some level he knew he was taking her with him. With each thrust, she rose to meet him.

And when the moment came, when the massive spasm hit him, he fought his nature with every ounce of his strength. She lay writhing beneath him, her throat exposed. All he had to do was lean forward and drink from her. It was a part of his orgasm, never before denied. He’d never
wanted
to deny it. This time he did.

Then it was too late. His orgasm carried him beyond the moment and her cry assured him that she came with him. The pleasure shook him, made him weak with its power, and made him wonder how it could be so intense without the feeding. He decided not to think about it, just to let the overwhelming joy of the moment flood him. Right now, Stephan didn’t matter; all Dacian’s regrets over his long lifespan didn’t matter. All that mattered was this moment and this woman.

Finally, it was over and he managed to roll to his side and tuck her into him. Making love on a table took practice.

There were things to talk about, but he enjoyed the silence right now. Too bad it didn’t last long.

“Hey.” The door of the greenhouse rattled under the force of Wade’s blows. “I brought something for you, my little bass queen.”

Dacian guessed Wade wasn’t talking to him.

Cinn groaned as she moved away from Dacian and swung her feet to the floor. “I can’t believe this. What happened to your suggestion that everyone stay away?”

“I guess it doesn’t work with lovesick demons.” He wanted to unscrew Wade’s head like a lid from a jar.
He and Cinn needed some coming-back-to-earth time.

More pounding convinced Dacian that Wade wasn’t about to give up. Resigned, he rose and pulled on his clothes. Once Cinn was dressed, he went to let the pain in the ass in.

Cinn moved in slow motion while her brain broke all kinds of speed limits. Any minute now the brain police would pull her over and ticket her. At least that was how it felt. She watched Dacian open the door, but all she could think about was the sensation of him sliding into her, filling her, and driving her to a screaming climax. Wow. Just wow.

Wade stepped into the greenhouse. He carried something. She wasn’t interested. All she wanted was to revisit the feel of Dacian’s muscles flexing and bunching beneath her fingers, his mouth on her breasts, between her thighs.

“You won’t believe what I brought for you, Cinn.”

Unfortunately, she would. She tried to concentrate. “You need to stop doing things for me, Wade.” She smiled, but she was sure it lacked a certain authenticity.

“Nothing’s too good for my new favorite fishing buddy.”

Cinn allowed herself a silent groan. A quick glance at Dacian showed him torn between a scowl and laughter.

“I’ll get seasick before the boat even leaves the dock. And I’ve never fished in my life. I won’t make much of a fishing buddy.” Not that she thought her argument would discourage him.

“I’ll teach you. It’ll be fun.”

Cinn had her doubts. She desperately tried to dive back into her most recent memories of Dacian’s bare body sliding across hers, the way her nipples had grown
so sensitive that his touch was almost a pleasure-pain thing. She’d never thought she’d enjoy that.

“Here, let me show you what I bought for you so you could get started.”

No. She didn’t want to look. But she didn’t have it in her to be rude, so she moved closer to see what he had.

“This is a G. Loomis tackle box.” He waited for her reaction.

She made appropriate noises of awe before trying to refuse his gift in a way that wouldn’t hurt his feelings. “Look, I appreciate your thoughtfulness, Wade, but I really can’t accept this. I mean, we just met, and I don’t want you spending your money on stuff for me. We can be friends without you…” Her words died as she watched his expression change.

Eyes all red and glowing. Lips drawn back from surprisingly sharp teeth. Total effect? Seriously upset demon.

Cinn rethought her response and came down on the side of nonviolence. “But hey, if I ever want to go fishing, I’ll need a tackle box.” She hated herself for encouraging him, but it seemed the lesser of two evils. She didn’t need someone else mad at her, especially if that someone was a demon.

Wade’s expression cleared. He grinned at her. “And look what’s inside.” He opened the box and stepped back.

She peered inside. “Thanks a bunch, Wade. Umm, since I don’t fish, a little info would help.”

He reached inside. “This is a pair of titanium pliers to pull the hooks from your catch.”

Ouch. Bet that hurt. “Titanium?”

“Yep, only the best. Cost about three hundred bucks.”

Cinn looked at the pliers with new respect.

“And this is your bait.”

“Fishing lures?” At least she knew that much.

“Most tournaments don’t allow live bait.” He pointed at a few of the lures. “Top Dog Jr., Catch 2000, and these are Bleeding Bait Hooks.”

“They’re red.” She thought about that. “Oh, right. Red. Blood. Got it.”

She knew Wade was waiting, so she sucked it in and tried to look enthusiastic. “I’m so excited. I never expected all this. I bet it’ll be loads of fun.” Heaving over the side of the boat, smelling of dead fish, embedding a fishhook somewhere in her body. Yep, she couldn’t wait.

Wade seemed satisfied with her show of enthusiasm. “I’ll just sit here and keep you company while you visit with your plants. I can tell you about some of the big ones I’ve caught.”

“No.” Dacian finally injected himself into the conversation. “I’m officially in charge of guarding Cinn at night.”

Wade’s expression turned hostile. “What if you go crazy again? What then?”

Cinn winced. Wade didn’t do subtle.

“
Then
you can guard the greenhouse.”

She noticed that Dacian didn’t mention Wade guarding
her.

“Well, I can still stick around.” Wade didn’t give up easily.

Time for her to end this. “I’d love to talk to you, Wade, but I’ve got a killer headache. I won’t make good company.”

Wade mulled that over. “Okay, I guess you need to rest. Make sure you take something for it.” He frowned. “Demons don’t get headaches, so I don’t really know what they feel like.”

“Trust me, they hurt.” She controlled the urge to toss in a moan of pain.

Wade started to leave, but paused at the kitchen door. “I wanted to warn you about Bain while he wasn’t around. He’s not just any demon. He’s a prince of hell.”

“A what?” She did
not
want to talk about Bain. She was still furious at him for telling all those lies about her plants.

“An arch demon. If he’s here, it’s not to help manage the Castle of Dark Dreams. He’s one of the really evil ones, a
Titanic
kind of bad. He’s that powerful.”

“The
Titanic
sank.” Dacian looked amused.

Wade wasn’t amused. He ignored Dacian and focused on Cinn. “Do some research. He might be playing an ordinary guy, but he’d rip out your soul and laugh while he did it.” Wade stepped from the greenhouse, and dinner smells drifted through the open door. “But I guess he fits in here. Edge deals in death, too. Watch out for both of them.” His pointed glance at Dacian included him in the triumvirate of death. “Always remember what they are.” Then he was gone.

“Nice guy.” Dacian sounded vicious. “Maybe I’ll send him back to hell. I bet he can find a nice fishing hole there.”

Cinn couldn’t let that pass. “Are Bain and Edge really that bad?”

Dacian shrugged. “Probably.” He stared at her. “I have a lot in common with them.” He didn’t say anything more.

He intended to allow her to decide whether friendship—okay, making love with him—was worth the risk. But she’d already decided that, hadn’t she?

Cinn sighed. Time to change the subject. And there were plenty of subjects to explore. “Wade’s obsession
with me came on right after I touched one of my miniature rosebush’s flowers and then touched Wade’s hand. I have a theory.”

Dacian groaned. “Don’t tell me the rosebush made him your love slave.”

She frowned. “Well, that’s sort of extreme. But, yeah, that’s what I think happened. I have to test my theory.”

“I’d let you test it on me, but how would you know if it worked? I could give Wade a run for his money right now without any help from your plants.” He smiled.

That smile, rare and something to be treasured, took her breath away as it always did. And the thought of him as her love slave triggered an instant response—heat buildup along with a heavy feeling low in her belly. Against her express orders, her mind shot off a whole bunch of images, all involving Dacian naked and doing things to her body with his hands and mouth that…
Distraction alert.
Now wasn’t the time. Maybe later while she was drifting off to sleep she’d pull out those images and enhance them a little.

“No, I’ll need another test subject, someone who owes me.” She knew her smile was evil enough to put her in the same class as Bain. “I think Asima would be perfect. As far as I can see, she doesn’t have anything special to do. And Eva wouldn’t affect
Asima
, just whoever the cat touched.” Cinn turned the idea over in her mind. “And I have the perfect recipient, someone who deserves an obsession.”

“Uh-huh. And who’s the lucky guy?”

“Holgarth.”

“Why?” He waved his question away. “Never mind. I get it. Everyone in the castle will high-five your choice.”

“It won’t really hurt him. In fact, a little bit of love
and lust will do him good. Make him more human. Maybe.” She pulled out her cell and called Holgarth. After enduring his usual sarcastic comments, Cinn finally got the wizard to agree to tell Asima her presence was requested in the greenhouse.

“Now we wait.” Cinn plopped back down onto the cot. “After I do my test, I’ll have to get someone who isn’t named Wade to guard the plants. I need to shower, eat, and bang my head against a wall for a while.” She wasn’t stupid enough to suggest that Dacian stay in the greenhouse while she ate and showered. No way was she going to let Airmid catch her alone again. And what
was
she going to do about the goddess and her righteous wrath?

“
I understand I’m needed here. I hope this is important. I was dining when Holgarth interrupted me to deliver your message. And dining well
,
I might add. Sparkle would like me to catch mice for my dinner
,
but sautéed mouse is too bland for my palate. Beluga caviar is much tastier.
” Asima moved with the natural lithe grace of her species. She wrapped her body around Dacian’s leg and pointedly ignored Cinn.

That was just fine with Cinn. “I need you to help me with an experiment.”

“
What kind of experiment?
” Asima was no dummy. She sounded suspicious.

“Well, I know you want to redeem yourself after what almost happened to Vince.” Cinn would try the sweet approach.

Asima blinked. “
Why would I want to do that? I was only following the orders of my goddess. That’s what I’m supposed to do. In fact
,
Bast is furious with me for ruining Airmid’s plans.
”

Okay, sweet wasn’t working. She’d appeal to Asima’s
ego. “I need someone with a strong will, someone who won’t allow herself to become distracted by another’s obsession.”

“
I never obsess over anything.
” The cat paused to consider her words. “
Although I do admit to being very fond of certain operas. I suppose that is a kind of obsession.
”

“Yes, well, I need someone who can touch one of my plants and remain unaffected by the touch.”

“
And what is the expected reaction?
” Asima wasn’t walking into anything blind.

Dacian had heard enough. “Let’s stop beating around the bush.” He grinned. “Literally. Cinn thinks that when someone touches her little rosebush and then touches someone else, the touchee becomes fixated on the toucher. Sort of like a love-slave type thing.”

“
That is ridiculous.
”

Cinn could see the interest in her eyes, though.

“
But I’m willing to participate in the name of scientific advancement.
”

“In other words, you’re curious.” Cinn wasn’t fooled.

Asima twitched her whiskers. “
Perhaps.
”

Cinn figured she’d better get this over with before the cat reconsidered. “Eva’s over here.” She led Asima to the rosebush. “Jump up on the counter. Put your paw or something on one of the open blooms. My theory is that Eva’s pollen causes the reaction.”

“
An intriguing theory but highly unlikely.
” Asima reached out with one elegant paw to bat at a flower and then switched paws for another bat at a different one. Finally, she stuck her nose into a flower.

“Easy. Don’t knock off the blooms.”

“
Now what?
”

“Go up to the great hall and touch Holgarth with whatever part of you still has some pollen on it. Make sure you touch skin. There
has
to be a pollen transfer.”

“
Holgarth?
” Asima sounded surprised, but then a sly gleam appeared in her eyes. “
Holgarth. Yes
,
I could enjoy spurning his pitiful advances.
” She brightened. “
This will be fun.
”

Cinn didn’t know if she trusted the cat’s obvious glee. But it was too late now.

“
I’ll go right now.
” Asima bounded along the counter, pausing for a moment to bat playfully at Vince’s leaves.

“Jeez, be careful, Asima. You could knock off some leaves. Oh, and whatever you do, never go near those plants in the corner. Those are my weed warriors. They’re off limits.”

“Uh-oh.” Dacian winced. “You said the wrong thing to Asima. A cat is curiosity with claws.”

Cinn saw the cat’s intention in her eyes a second before she acted.

With one leap Asima reached the off-limits plants. And before anyone could stop her, she batted at a prickly cactus.

Cinn’s shouted warning came too late. “Nooo! Don’t touch Teddy.”

Asima forgot to be careful. As she turned away from the cactus, one of the spines hooked in her side. And that fast, the plant had her. A whole section of one arm broke off at a joint and stuck to her.

Asima didn’t suffer in silence. She bounded away, the section of cactus clinging to her like a drunken rodeo rider. Her yowls filled the greenhouse and probably set off car alarms in the parking lot.

“Son of a bitch.” Dacian snatched a heavy burlap sack from the table. Then he leaped at Asima and wrapped the sack around her. He wasn’t taking any chances with a pollen transfer.

She squirmed and screeched as he grabbed the pliers Wade had left out. Holding the cat as still as he could,
he used the pliers to yank out the spines. Finally silence filled the greenhouse.

“That went well.” Dacian dropped the piece of cactus into the trash. “Explain.”

Cinn cast a nervous look at Asima, who was handling the trauma by methodically grooming herself. The cat didn’t return Cinn’s gaze.

“Teddy is my cholla, commonly known as a jumping cactus. No, he can’t actually jump, but he has all these cylindrical joints. So when someone touches one of his spines, the whole joint breaks off and sticks to the victim. His spines are amazing. They can penetrate the toughest hide and are barbed like fishhooks. He’s quite a guy.”

“
Hmmph. That was an unprovoked attack. He should be behind bars.
” Asima had found her voice.

“He didn’t attack you. You brushed up against him and he stuck to you. It’s what a cholla does.” Cinn knew she sounded as weary as she felt.

“Why is he in the corner with your weed warriors?” Dacian looked as though he didn’t believe she’d given them the whole story.

She hadn’t.

“Umm, no real reason. I just didn’t want anyone to touch him and get hurt.” Cinn felt righteous indignation. This was all Asima’s fault. But maybe she should apologize to the cat. She turned toward Asima… just in time to see her licking her paws. “No. You’ll wash all the pollen off.”