Passion For Hire (Passion #5) (16 page)

“Damien, you don’t need to hold me so tightly, I’m not going to do anything more ok? I’ve calmed down a bit now.”

“I’m not letting you go babe, I want to hold you, so get over it.” Damien lifted his head long enough to grin at her, and I turned from them, suddenly envious of the love I saw shining in his eyes.

“So it would appear that the drama is over now?” Fabian said glancing around. “You however owe everyone in this room an apology Flame but most of all, you will apologise to my son.” He raised his hand when Flame opened her mouth as if to complain. “There will be no arguing with me. You tried to kill my son. You dared to come into my home and attack this man, the fruit of my loins. I am disgusted with you. I would like to see you locked up in the dungeon for a week.”

We all turned when Francesca erupted in peals of laughter, muttering something about ‘fruit of my loins,’ and even Sirene lightly slapped her vampire on his arm.

“Oh Fabian, you sound every one of your six hundred plus years when you come up with that stuffy crap. Flame had no right attacking Adrian or Lucas but I think we all know what it took to conceive our son without you having to use that term, ‘fruit of my loins.”

Fabian gave her a lazy grin, his lids shielding most of his pale eyes as he looked down at her. “Are you making fun of me my beauty? You know what will happen if you do that, don’t you?” He pulled her closer and I watched his lips brush her ear as he said something to her. The look they exchanged at his words was so heated, so sexy; I think I’d have blushed if I was still capable of doing that.

It was a relief that the fighting seemed to be over. I couldn’t believe how quickly it had gone from violent to almost back to normal. Was this typical vampire behaviour? If it was, it was going to be a wild, dizzy ride being a part of this lifestyle.

“So is all the excitement over now?” Francesca asked. “Seriously little Miss Ex Virgin, you sure know how to stir up a crowd and you had to bring him.” She gestured to Lucas.” He’s Mr Sexually Frustrated I presume?”

“Enough Francesca; I think you can leave us now. Your input is not needed from this point.” Fabian dismissed her.

“Oh come on father, you’re always asking me to leave.” She whined.

“That’s because you have a habit of speaking and acting inappropriately.”

“Well can I take him? I’d like to play with him.” She pointed to Lucas who said nothing at her words, merely raised an eyebrow. I was impressed with him. For a vampire who had been locked up like a prisoner for two years, and now suddenly thrust amongst several vampires, one of which was obnoxious and more than a little annoying, he was holding his own surprisingly well.

“I have not finished speaking with Lucas yet Francesca, plus I will not allow you to turn Adrian’s son into an instrument of your amusement.”

“Oh but I just want to fuck him father, not fuck with him. Let me test drive him and see if he’s got what it takes. Plus think of what I’m prepared to do for him. He’s been vampire for two years and hasn’t been able to fuck all that time? Shit, I’ll be doing him a favour. Providing a service if you will. I’ll relieve the poor bastard’s two years of sexual frustration. Wouldn’t you like to fuck me?” She turned her attention to Lucas and I saw him swallow. It was the only outward sign he gave that he was not as cool and calm as he appeared to be. Finally after staring at her for what felt like minutes, he gave the slightest nod and I struggled not to smile. He was interested in her which worked out well given what I’d seen in my visions.

“I think it’s time this whole situation was explained to me.” Flame interrupted.

Fabian turned on her, anger flashing in his eyes. “Oh so now you wish to hear an explanation rather than just attack my son and his son?”

“I’m sure Flame is very sorry for how she behaved, aren’t you babe?” Damien answered before she could.

“I’m sorry Fabian, I’m sorry Adrian and Lucas, but my little sister went out human and returned home vampire. It’s not easy for me to accept, and you know how I felt about becoming vampire myself.”

“You don’t feel like that still do you?” Damien asked, and Flame shook her head.

“Of course not; I have you, I have all of you, and I know I nearly destroyed that but I…the rage was intense and overwhelmed me.” She said in an attempt to excuse her behaviour, but I wasn’t sure there was anything she could say that would be her redemption in Fabian and Sirene’s eyes.

I walked over to my sister and put my arms around her. “You need to control that anger of yours Flame, and you should have let me explain. I’m vampire because this is what I want and without Adrian, I’d be dead now. I begged Lucas to change me, but he’s a young vampire himself and has been locked away for two years, so he tried but he must have taken too much blood, and he couldn’t get me to drink his. Fortunately Adrian turned up and was able to complete the change, he turned me vampire. Don’t hate him, please. Now listen to me, I will explain it all.” As quickly as possible I told her everything from when Adrian accidently turned Lucas, his work to care for his son and Lucas’s mother, right through to when she’d walked into the house and discovered I was vampire. “Please don’t judge him, you don’t know him.” My eyes lifted to hers and I whispered. “I love him.” The words forming on my lips, but without sound so only she could see what I’d just said. Her eyes widened and she started to shake her head.

“No Faith, no, you could do so much better. Not him.”

“It’s my destiny.” I whispered and pulled away from her.

“How can you say that? He’s never given you any encouragement, and the bastard took your virginity for fuck sakes. He took something precious to you, and once he’d fucked you he walked away.”

“He took my virginity because I would not leave him alone until he did, and he left me because he had to go to work so he could continue to support Lucas and his mother.” I explained.

“He walked from your arms, from your bed into the arms and bed of not just one other woman but numerous other women Faith. Don’t make excuses for him. Ok, I get what he did and why he did it, but he fucks women for money.”

“Your sister is right. I am no good for you sweetheart. I am not worthy of someone like you. You are beautiful and sweet and kind and I am...I am...” He paused for a moment. “I am no good…no good for you or anyone.” He turned tortured eyes on me before spinning around and rapidly walking from the room.

“Adrian, don’t go.” Sirene called but other than hesitating briefly, he kept walking. “Fabian, this would be the time for you to do your overbearing, lording it over everyone bullshit and go after your son.”

“No my beauty, let him go. There will be plenty of time to speak more with him. He needs a break from this right now. It has been a very stressful, tense evening and I personally would like to get some rest now. Are you coming?”

“But someone should go after him, make sure he’s ok. He’s very hard on himself Fabian. Our son…” She trailed off. “I’m worried about him.”

“I’ll go and speak with him.” I stepped forward. “I’d better hurry in case he leaves.”

“No Faith, don’t go after him. He’s no good for you, even he said that.” Flame reached out to grab my arm.

I shook her off suddenly angry with my sister’s constant interference when it came to my feelings towards Adrian. “Leave me alone.” I snapped. “Stay the hell out of my life.”

“But…” She started to say until Damien took her arm and pulled her away from me.

“No babe let her go. This is not the time.” He warned her, and after shooting him a grateful look, I hurried from the room, breaking into a run as I headed down the hallway towards the front door.

Once outside his father’s home Adrian paused, unsure of what to do next. He wanted to climb into his car and drive away; maybe go to his own home, but Katherine was there and if he went there, she’d ask questions he didn’t feel like answering.

A part of him knew it was wrong to walk out. All hell had broken loose inside tonight because of him, and now Flame’s relationship with his father had been severely tested and might never be the same again. He’d left Lucas alone with his family, vampires who were strangers to him, although it seemed he was going to have his first opportunity to relieve some sexual tension if Francesca got her way. Reluctantly Adrian smiled to himself. His sister could be such a bitch and he wasn’t exactly sure what her motives were for wanting to fuck Lucas. He could only hope she was gentle with him and made allowances for not only his lack of experience, but his lack of exposure to anyone, human or vampire for the last couple of years. Of course when he thought of that, the blinding reality of the situation hit him. The only reason his son could be vulnerable to being treated like an experiment or played like a toy by Francesca, was because of him. He had done this to his son by keeping him hidden away like his dirty little secret.

Then there was Faith, the one who had brought everything to a head by coming here tonight and revealing all to his family. He wanted to hate her for that. She’d blown his lifestyle right out of the water. Ok, he hadn’t entirely been happy, carrying his guilt around with him every single day. Yet he’d become used to what he was; what he’d had to do to survive and keep his secret. All that had transpired tonight could have been avoided if Faith hadn’t been so hell bent on ‘saving’ him. She’d been so convinced that the truth would free him; that everything would be just fine, but it hadn’t quite worked out like that. His parents were disappointed with him. Ok, they’d tried to shoulder the blame instead, but it was him that had turned Lucas, and it was him that had kept what he’d done a secret for two damn years.

Lucas was probably disappointed in him, and Flame hated him. She’d tried to kill him after all. Perhaps it would have been better for everyone if she’d been successful. Yeah, Faith had opened the gates of hell by coming here with Lucas, but despite the trouble she’d caused him, he still couldn’t hate her. She had such blind faith in him, such an all-consuming, total conviction that she was meant to be with him. Nothing had changed though. His secret might be out but he would need to find someone to care for Katherine. Her health was only going to continue to slowly decline. That would cost money. He needed to work but it wasn’t just the money, it was the regular blood and sex his work provided. Faith would never understand that. He couldn’t give it up because he couldn’t just go out and hunt like his family did. He didn’t know how to hunt. He was afraid of what might happen if he tried. He was used to getting his blood supply from willing women who were basking in their euphoric glow from the multiple orgasms he’d given them. The last time he’d gone and hunted for blood, he’d killed him and sentenced him to two years imprisonment until one annoying, persistent, beautiful, sexy, sweet, kind, stunningly frustrating woman had entered his life and turned it upside down.

Adrian sighed and walked towards the stairs leading down to the garage. He would drive somewhere. He wasn’t sure where, just somewhere that wasn’t here. He was lucky that his family had had the good sense to leave him alone with his thoughts. He couldn’t deal with them any more tonight. It would be daylight in another hour or so, and he would need to find somewhere to sleep. Not here though, not his home. He would book himself into a motel for the day to get some sleep before he figured out what the hell he was going to do next.

He was halfway down the stairs when he heard the front door open and he tensed, bracing himself to do battle with his parents or maybe even one, still really pissed off Flame.

Adrian didn’t bother turning to see who it was, he simply continued on down the stairs before heading towards his gleaming black Trans Am. He’d just made it to the driver’s door when she called him and he paused, reluctant to turn around. His hand reached for the car’s door handle, ready to open it and climb inside. If he hurried, he could get in the car and drive off before she reached him.

“Adrian, please don’t go or if you do go, take me with you.” Her soft melodic voice called to him.

“Faith, go back inside will you. I need to be alone for a little while.”

“I’m not leaving you alone. I’m coming with you and I’ll just be quiet so you feel like you’re alone.”

Adrian couldn’t stop the chuckle that escaped his lips at her words. “Sweetheart, you couldn’t be quiet if the world was dependent on your silence to save them all. They’d be doomed.”

She slapped him lightly on the arm, a reluctant smile curving her lips. “I’m coming with you Adrian. I told your parents I’d stay with you. Take your pick, it’s either me or one of them will come with you.”

That was enough to seal the deal for him. “Get in the car.” He told her and climbed in too. Once Faith was seated, he started up the Trans Am and felt that usual burst of pleasure at the throaty sounding rumble of the V8 engine before he backed out the driveway and headed off down the road.

Faith

“So are we just going to drive aimlessly around for the remainder of the night?” I asked noticing that the first hint of daylight was lightening the night sky. “Just we don’t know if I can handle the daylight at all yet, and if we’re going to test that shortly, when the sun’s coming up, you might want to allow for what will happen if it ends badly. Flame nearly killed you once already; do you want to put yourself at risk of her wrath again? Not to mention I know how much you love this car, and a burned interior is probably not something you’d want either.” I grinned at him, trying to lighten his mood a little.

“Don’t worry Faith. I will not let you burn. We’re here.” He said as he pulled into the driveway of a motel. A fairly expensive looking motel from what I could see from my limited view of it. He parked near reception and climbed out of the car, telling me to wait.

He was only gone a few minutes and he returned with keys before driving the car under an archway with the motel’s name across it. We passed by numerous rooms until Adrian finally pulled up in front of the very last one in the line. I couldn’t help but feel a small burst of relief that we were away from the rest of the guests, so more privacy. There were only a handful of cars parked outside rooms and the closest car was about five rooms away. I wanted private time with Adrian so I could try and seduce him. We were alone so the perfect opportunity. I knew he wanted me; I just had to convince him that I was the only one for him.

I followed him into the room and stood for a moment looking around. It wasn’t quite a five star motel but it was still comfortable. It was decorated in cream and deep green. The thick carpet felt so plush under my feet that I kicked off my shoes so I could curl my toes into it. It was hard to look at anything else in the room other than the huge bed which dominated it, and when my eyes finally met Adrian’s, he was watching me intently.

“Do you need to feed sweetheart? I don’t want you hungry and maybe doing something impulsive.”

“I’m ok, if I want something, I’ll drink from you. You can relax Adrian; I’m not like full blood vampires. I don’t have that desperate thirst for the blood and I can eat from the mini bar.” I walked over to it. “See? Apart from the alcohol, there’s nuts. I’ll be ok for the time we’re here.” I smiled reassuringly at him.

“As soon as it’s a bit lighter, we will test your response to sunlight. I need to know if you are like my son. He is going to have to be tattooed since he can still burn, just not as fast as the rest of us.”

“Ok, now you’re going to tell me what’s going on with you. Tonight was intense, emotional and stressful. Do you hate me for what I did, for revealing your secret to your family?” I asked, bracing myself for his response.

Adrian closed his eyes, a fleeting glimpse of pain passing across his face. He opened them again, meeting my concerned gaze. “Everything is fucked now. I understand why you did what you did, but I have to wonder if you knew it would turn into the disaster it did? You know, I hated you for what you did.” He closed his eyes again.

Pain speared through me. He hated me? “You hate me?” I whispered.

His eyes shot open again and he groaned when he looked at me. “Dammit Faith; no, no I don’t hate you. I did for a brief moment but I know the truth had to come out sooner or later. Inside myself I always knew that, but I was scared, scared of what would happen.” I could hear the pain in his voice as he turned his back to me.

A burst of my new found love for Adrian surged through me as I stared at his beautiful back, from his wide shoulders to his narrow waist. I could see the slump in his posture, and realised what a toll this was taking on him. He’d had to be strong for so long, living with his secret. It was easy to look at him and see the gorgeous, incredibly sexy man that he was, but the reality was, he had been a child before Sirene had sped up his growth to adulthood and turned him vampire. He looked and sounded like an adult and he was one, but I strongly suspected that deep inside there was still a lot of the child left in him. That would be enough to affect the way he did some things, and that was probably what made him panic and think he could cover up his mistake forever.

I stepped up behind him and placed a hand on his shoulder, feeling him tense under my touch. Still he made no effort to turn towards me so I walked around him, keeping my hand on him, allowing my palm to slide over his muscles, feeling the power in him. When I stood before him, I placed my other hand over his chest, my fingers curling slightly into his pectorals.

When I raised my eyes to his, he was watching me, pain still shadowing his handsome face. Gently, as if afraid I might startle him, I lifted one hand to his cheek, feeling the roughness of his permanent stubble. I continued up, sliding my fingers into his hair, brushing his scalp until I reached the band holding the hair back in the pony tail he wore when he was working. I pulled it out, watching as the silky black and blonde strands fell forward, framing his face.

Carefully I raised myself on my toes, my focus shifting to his lips, those perfect shaped lips, and I leaned forward so I could touch mine to them. Before I reached my destination though, Adrian pulled back. “No Faith, no, we can’t do this.”

“I want this Adrian, I want you. Don’t reject me, please.”

He groaned softly, raking his hands through his hair, still not touching me and now not looking at me. “I’m no good for you Faith. You seem to have trouble understanding that. You think we are destined to be together but we aren’t. We can’t for so many reasons, we just can’t.”

“I don’t believe you. I want you; I will always want you no matter what you say, no matter how many times you push me away. Believe what you want, but just give me this time that we’re in this motel together. I want you even if all you can give me is this night.” I traced my fingers over his full lower lip. “Please Adrian. Don’t make me beg, for just a few hours, pretend that you care, please.”

His hand shot out to cup the back of my head, and he dragged me closer, his expression unreadable as he stared down at me. “I do care but nothing’s changed. I can’t be what you want, not the way you want. If that can be enough for you then ok, I’ll give you this night.” He glanced towards the windows. “Well, this day.”

“It’s enough.” I said softly, reassuringly but inside I knew that was the last thing I wanted. I didn’t want a night, I wanted eternity. Obviously he was going to be stubborn though, and determined to maintain his stupid belief that we could never be together. I was going to make him see what I saw in my visions, but not tonight. I was here, alone with him and I wasn’t going to risk spoiling this time, and have him possibly run off.

He reached for me again and I could tell his intention was to start removing my clothing but I pulled away. This time I was going to be in control and he would have to follow my lead. Something of what I was feeling must have showed in my eyes because after a few seconds of studying my face, he let his arms drop to his sides and I could tell he was giving me the ok to take over.

Slowly, one by one, I unbuttoned his shirt and slipped it off his shoulders, where it fell to the floor behind him. With his broad muscled chest before me, I bent forward and touched my lips to the skin above his silent heart, licking my way over him until I found one of his flat little nipples.

As I sucked gently on it, I felt it harden against my tongue and a soft sound worked its way up Adrian’s throat. It wasn’t really a groan but it was more than a sigh and it made me smile all the same as I shifted my attention over to his other nipple. My lips on him were the only contact I made with him as I sucked and teased him.

The smell of his skin was driving me crazy, making me want him, making me impatient for him but I fought not to rush what might be my only time with him.

Needing more, I released him and with a quick glance up into his face, I dropped to my knees before him and reached out to unbuckle his pants. I carefully lowered the zipper and slipped my hand inside. He was already hard, and just the feel of his soft satiny skin over his steely length sent a rush of moisture to my panties.

I hooked my fingers in the waistband of his pants and slipped them down, right down his legs until they were bunched up around his ankles. I indicated he needed to remove his shoes which he did, not saying a word to me as he kicked the leather pants free, and finally he stood naked before me.