Only Vampires Cry Blood (16 page)

I hated Harley with a passion that I hadn't felt for a foe in a very long time. The worst part was that I loved Arys, but I desired the ability to hate him as well. This was all my fault. I had let my power hungry nature and lust draw me into bed with Arys without a second thought. This was the price I had to pay for that. Now I was bound to him until one or both of us ceased to exist. The consequences were overwhelming.

I'm not sure how much time passed before I heard a key turn in the front door. I'd locked it behind me so the only person that could come in would have to have a key. Shit.

I wasn't ready to face any of my friends or colleagues. Not like this.

Pulling myself to my feet, I gripped the edge of my desk so tight that the wood cut into my hands. I dug my sharp claws into it, feeling the wood chip away in flakes. Kale's cold vampire energy reached me before he appeared in the open doorway.

My back was to the door, but I knew when he stood there. I didn't turn to face him. I could only imagine what a mess I was.

“Alexa? Can I come in?” Kale asked softly. When I didn't respond, he entered the room and came to a stop a few feet from me. I knew he was surveying the mess I'd made.

“You knew he was there,” I murmured, my voice thick with tears. “You didn't tell me.”

He was quiet for a moment before replying. “I'm sorry. I couldn't.”

He didn't explain further, and I didn't prompt. It wasn't his fault. My tears fell silently, but they didn't stop. I was overcome by the despair that settled deep within me.

Kale's undead energy was comforting in ways that I didn't understand. When he moved to wrap his arms around me from behind, I didn't stop him.

Kale pulled me against him, my back pressed to his chest. I stiffened, uncertain whether I should allow such a bold move or resist. The truth was, I didn't want to resist.

Being in Kale's arms felt like that forbidden fruit. The one you're not supposed to eat but can't help but do so because it tastes so damn good. Wrong … it was so wrong. And, I didn't care, not after seeing Arys tonight.

“God, you feel so good.” His whispered words in my ear sent a warm shiver down my spine. “He doesn't deserve you.”

I wiped my tears, grimacing at the thought of how blood smeared my face must be.

This strange moment with Kale had been coming for some time now. Go figure that Arys had led us to it.

“Kale,” I murmured. “This isn't right.” Despite what I'd said, I made no attempt to pull away. His power reached to touch me on every level, and mine was quick to respond.

“It feels right.”

I swallowed hard, trying not to notice how our power mingled and grew hot. “Which is exactly why it's so wrong. It shouldn't feel like this. If you give in to this temptation, you'll regret it. We both will.”

A wave of heat swept through me, and I trembled. My power wanted him so bad. I could have him, in every way, take all he was giving and use it as my own. Kale slid a hand up my arm to my neck, playing in the loose tendrils of my hair. This wasn't the best day to have worn it up.

When I didn't shove away from him, he grew bold. His lips brushed against my ear as he deeply inhaled my scent. I felt him shift into predator mode, matching the bestial pull within my core. He was feeling it, too. Of the two of us, I was willing to bet his control would slip first. Of course, that was assuming I had any left after the emotional turmoil of the evening.

Kale's warm lips brushed the sensitive skin beneath my ear. A soft gasp came from me as a tingle shot straight to my groin. No, no, no. I could not react to him like this. The desire that filled me was accompanied by guilt.

Push him away! Now, before it's too late.
The voice inside my head screamed with a panicked edge. When had I become so weak willed? If I was as strong as Harley insisted, this kind of thing should not be able to overwhelm me.

I was in serious denial. Harley had imparted much wisdom to me, though whether that had been purposeful or not, I wasn't sure. Through Arys' incubus blood, I was a succubus. My power preyed on people like Kale and even Harley. The promise of blood and power through sex was the driving force. Fighting it was only hurting me, denying the true nature of my power. I didn't want it to be true. It was so shameful.

The moist touch of his tongue on my skin made my knees weak. Kissing and licking my neck, Kale made an animal-like sound low in his throat. Would it be so wrong to take what he was giving? He seemed to need it as badly as I did.

Only when his hands found their way beneath the hem of my corset did I forced my brain to work and my lips to move. With Kale's hands on my bare stomach and his lips on my throat, I was beyond blown away. Why did the things that were so wrong always feel so damn good? Fuck!

“Kale,” I squeaked. “Please.”

His chuckle was unexpected and downright sexy. I quivered in his embrace.

“Please, what? Anything you want, name it. Let me give you what Arys never could.”

“And what's that?” I feared his response, but I wanted to hear it anyway.

“Solace.”

I had nothing to say to that. In many ways, he was right. I wanted solace. I found it in Shaz for my human and wolf sides, but the blood hungry side of me had no peace, no quiet moments of serenity. Yet, who was I to feel entitled to solace when I had willingly brought all of this chaos upon myself?

Kale was moving awfully fast, giving in to whatever he'd been holding back over the past few months. That could be potentially dangerous. I didn't trust him to leash his savage side and keep from killing me. Yet, his touch was soft and sensual, loving almost.

On some level, that was more frightening than if it had lacked emotion.

He sucked at the throbbing vein in my neck, plumping it nicely. Oh, I knew what he wanted, and I wanted him to take it. The protesting voice in my head grew quieter, ceasing to hold much sway over me. I could see that image of Arys with his fangs deep in the pale flesh of the victim he shared with Harley, and I let go.

“If you really want me to stop, Alexa, I will. It will be hard, but I'll walk away.” He delicately stroked me as he spoke, daring to caress lower until the top of my skirt stopped him. He paused, waiting for my command. “Tell me to stop.”

It was a clear order; he was waiting for me to say it. I shook my head, the words caught. I didn't want to.

“I can't,” I admitted. My words carried the tone of defeat, but I felt empowered.

It wasn't what Kale had expected to hear. He bit lightly at my neck, causing me to suck in my breath. His hold on me tightened, and I leaned back into him, angling my head to better bare my neck.

“Alexa? Tell me to stop.”

Ever so gently, his fangs grazed the surface of my skin. The promise in that action spoke volumes. I was struck with eager anticipation, wanting him to cross the line and set us both free.

I reached up to wrap an arm around his neck, holding him close. My fingers sank into his silken hair, and I whispered the word, “No.”

If anything, Kale wanted me to stop him because he knew he could never do it on his own. He hungered for my blood and judging by the way he touched me, he wanted more than that. Once that last word was uttered, he quit holding back; the power rushed forth to capture us in its inescapable thrall.

Kale slid his hands over the smooth velvet of my corset and around to the back. With deft fingers, he pulled at the strings that held me tightly bound. The corset loosened just enough to allow him to work it down, beneath my breasts.

It happened so fast. The next thing I knew, Kale's hands were on me, squeezing my breasts with wanton need. He rubbed my nipples into firm points, evoking a moan from me. I wasn't sure I'd be able to hold myself up much longer.

The unmistakable feeling of his erection pressed against my behind had me grinding my ass into him. Kale's energy felt hungry, needful in so many ways. I couldn't help but respond. The high-strung energy practically oozed from him, and I drew it into me hungrily. It filled me somewhere deeper than the physical, stirring my power to life like gasoline on flames.

Our two differing powers danced together, never joining but embracing nonetheless.

Kale's centuries old energy was like the finest aged wine. When his fangs came to rest against my vein again, I welcomed the sting. I ached for his bite.

“I can't stop.” Kale sighed somberly.

He had a desperate inner loneliness dating back far longer than I'd been alive. I couldn't fix it, but I could be a source of comfort. That's what we sought from one another: comfort. Maybe it would never heal the wounds we both carried, but it would give us what we needed for one night.

“Don't.” I looked down my body, taking in the sight of his hands on me. The rush was thrilling. “Don't stop. Just … bite me.”

His agonized groan told me more than any words could have. His touch grew aggressive and the wolf in me loved it. A steady throb started between my legs. I was ready for him to spill my blood. I wanted it.

Kale didn't have to be told twice. My encouragement was all he needed to unleash the true vampire that dwelled inside him. After how much time he spent holding back, I could only imagine how good it felt to let loose.

I gave a small cry when his fangs easily broke through the surface of my skin, deep into my flesh. The combination of pleasure and pain was dizzying. My knees buckled, and I slumped against Kale who held my weight effortlessly.

The sensation of Kale's teeth buried inside me was more potent and far more intimate than if it had been the hard on he pressed against my rear. The blood rushed from the wounds, and he drank it in along with my heady power. His energy was hot and strong with desire and something more, total abandon.

My breath came fast, and I nearly gasped for air. My heart thundered in my ears as he sucked the living nectar from me. It was both pain and pleasure. I moaned, extremely aroused by the demand in his bite. Kale had been waiting for this moment, but had he really known it would come? I never would have assumed so myself.

Blood spilled down my neck and chest, warm and beautifully scarlet. I needed more of him. It wasn't enough. Kale's tongue played along the punctures, encouraging the blood to keep flowing. His fingers continued their loving tribute to my nipples while kneading the creamy expanse of my breasts. I couldn't hold back anymore. I needed all of him.

Kale's soft moan in my ear drove me over the edge. Before I realized what I was doing, I was hiking my skirt up, inviting him to take me in every way. Releasing my hold on his dark locks, I reached down to free him from the confines of his pants.

Then, we heard the front door open. The sound of Jez chatting away on her cell phone was all it took to break the spell. Kale released me immediately, and I all but leaped away from him.

Oh, this was just great. Of all places for this to have happened, this had to be among the worst. I was consumed with guilt. I had to force myself to meet Kale's eyes.

My blood coated his teeth and lips. He licked it away with a few swipes of his tongue. The moment had been shattered, yet I still longed to kiss him as I once had, to taste the blood in his mouth.

We stood there staring at one another, listening as Jez went about flipping on lights in the hall and kitchen. Our cars were outside. She knew we were here. It was only a matter of moments until she made her way further into the building and discovered us standing here like guilty children in the cookie jar.

I tugged my corset back into place with a hot blush coloring my cheeks, but I couldn’t hide the fresh and very obvious vampire bite on my neck. Jez wouldn’t believe any lie in the world on this one. I'd be a moron to try.

“Lex?” She called, the sound of her footsteps growing closer. “What's up? I didn't expect anyone to be here.”

She rounded the corner to my office and stopped dead. As she surveyed the mess, taking in the holes in the wall and finally the two of us, her green eyes grew wide. I could only imagine how we looked from her point of view.

“Why not?” I asked. “Were you planning to have a party or something?” I spoke too quickly in my attempt to strike up normal conversation. I ignored the way her lips curled in a slight smile. Of course, she would find this amusing.

“Looks like the party started without me.” She laughed, looking back and forth between Kale and me. Rubbing her arms, she shivered slightly in response to the power we'd called. “I just stopped in to grab the jacket I left in my office. I'd ask what you two are doing here, but I think I'll just walk away now.”

Giving me a pointed look that clearly stated she expected details later, she smirked and sauntered off down the hall. Could this possibly get any more uncomfortable?

I was torn between several impulses and urges. I simply couldn't give in to most of them. Not now. The strongest urge I had was to flee the situation entirely. That wouldn't be fair to Kale, but what was I supposed to do?

I was sure we wore matching expressions of shame and wonder. My hand drifted to my bleeding neck. It came away stained with fresh blood though the flow had significantly decreased. I stared at my bloody fingers, fumbling for the right words.

Kale beat me to it. He shook his head, horror evident in his eyes. “I'm sorry, Alexa. I want to feel bad. I know I should feel bad, but I don't. The only thing I regret is Jez' shitty timing.”