Vanished Pride (The Seven Sin Sisters 4) (8 page)

Donovan
tugged on the chain between her nipples. Paige’s scream pierced the room. Her
inner muscles squeezed his cock. She wanted to take him over the edge with her.
Paige latched onto Donovan’s neck and sucked at his salty, sweaty skin before
biting down into his life’s vein. Unsure what compelled her but unable to
resist, she began to drink.

“Fuck,”
Donovan roared into the air as he gave one final and mighty thrust into her
core and released. He shook, but continued to hold her as his seed emptied into
her core.

As
he lay over her, he burrowed into her neck and licked at the spot over her
life’s vein. Paige was still drinking from Donovan and floating from her orgasm
when she felt first a few licks of his abrasive tongue, and then one of his
sharp teeth gently pierce her and draw a small droplet of blood. She felt his
moan of pleasure in her core. The scent alone of their combined fluids—blood,
sweat and sex—raised her arousal all over again, but the divine taste was even better.
The life-sustaining blood they were taking from one another bonded them as they
would never be to anyone else.

Since
he hadn’t yet pulled out of her, Paige felt as his shaft grew larger again
inside her channel. She pushed her hips against him as he penetrated her with both
cock and teeth. In just moments, Paige screamed again as she came for a second
time. Her inner walls clamped down on him and drew out every ounce of life it
had to give. No one had told her sex with her mate would be this overwhelming.
Simply knowing this was a complete joining and, together, she and Donovan could
have offspring, felt right. Why had she ever thought otherwise?

As
he released her neck, and she let go of his, they looked into each other’s eyes
and shared their thoughts telepathically. Somewhere in the mix of it all, he’d
unlatched the chain and released her ankles so their feet were now entwined
with one another. It was perfect and Paige wanted to remember this moment forever.
For the rest of their time on earth, she and Donovan would take their
sustenance from one another. Donovan rolled them to the side but remained
inside of her. They held one other and waited for sleep to claim them.

Chapter Five

“We have to talk,”
Paige spoke the words as soon as she saw Donovan’s eyes open. She was afraid if
she didn’t say them right away, she might never get up the nerve. She’d never
had to discuss her plans with another person except to tell them what she was
doing. Paige suspected this would be more of a give and take than that.

“I’ve been wondering
when you’d bring it up.” Donovan stretched and sat up, pulling her back against
him. This would be easier without having to look at him. She dreaded this first
fight, but she was not giving in. She had to go.

“What?”

“Princess, I may have
distracted you a bit these last few days but your goals weren’t just going to
go away. Now tell me what the plan is.”

“What the plan is?”
Suddenly this seemed too easy to be true. Why wasn’t he arguing with her?

“Yes. Go on. If I’ve
come to know you well enough over the past few months, I’m certain you have a
plan for attending the Coupe du Monde de la
Boulangerie
.”
Paige was impressed when Donovan pronounced the name of the international
baking competition with such ease. Still, she had no idea he knew about her
plans to attend despite the mating.

“Well,” Paige stuttered
a bit since she felt a bit off-kilter. Her original intent for this
conversation would no longer work. “I’ve been invited to participate in the
competition. It’s quite an honor. Only twelve representatives compete every
three years.”

“I hear it’s known as
the World Cup of Baking.” Donovan nodded.

“Yes. You’ve heard of
it then?”

“I researched it when I
knew you’d be going.” Paige could feel him nod again.

“So, I’m still able to
go?”

“Of course. Why
wouldn’t…” Paige didn’t give Donovan time to finish his sentence before she
turned and enveloped him in a hug.

“
Mi
Principessa
, if this is the thanks I get, I might agree to more of
these simple things.” Donovan was chuckling at her exuberance.

“I just thought it
would be a battle. I thought you’d not want me to risk the exposure.”

“There will be security
and, of course, I will travel with you. We can even make a stop to see my
family while we’re overseas.”

Paige drew back to look
at him again. He was incredible. She had so underestimated him. Her mate would
give her everything she needed in this life to be fulfilled.

“Thank you.” Paige
kissed Donovan, pouring into him all the tenderness bubbling inside her. He was
already so much a part of her that she was kicking herself for spending so much
time running from him.

“I love this, thank you.
But now, woman, you will cook for me.” Donovan deepened his voice playfully, “Your
mate is hungry. Feed me.”

Paige scampered off the
bed to put on her robe. She caught sight of her sparkling diamond and emeralds
on her finger and sighed at the memory of him giving her this gift. It may have
not been a traditional engagement, but it was perfect for her.

Paige freshened up in
the bathroom as Donovan yelled in, “your sisters will be here in an hour to
help unpack your things. I’ll need to run up to the office then anyway just to
check in.”

* * * *

“So…details, my sister,
details,” Sadie said as she carried the final box into the kitchen. Most of
Paige’s boxes ended up in this room. Besides her clothing, she didn’t own much
else.

“There’s really nothing
to tell,” Paige lied.

“You hold out for
months because you’re determined to compete in this international baking game.
Then suddenly you give in. Something happened,” Amelia demanded. Her anger was
evident to Paige.

“Something happened and
we want details.” Gracie sat perched on the bar stool ogling Paige’s engagement
ring.

Paige just shrugged and
returned to the task of emptying her box. “We had a heart-to-heart. I realized
I’d been wrong to make him wait.”

“Oh no, you don’t. Your
pride would never allow you to admit you were wrong,” Amelia insisted. “And
stop moving so I can get a good look at that chunk on your finger.”

“You wouldn’t have lost
your pride until…well, you know,” Gracie blushed furiously.

“Details, Paige, now,”
encouraged Sadie.

“Maybe it was the ring
that did it,” Amelia suggested.

“I’m not shallow,
Amelia. He gave me the ring afterwards.”

“After what exactly?”
Sadie would push until she got some information, so Paige decided to bargain
with her nosy sisters.

“Okay. Look, if I give
you some details, will you back off?” Paige knew she was blushing as badly as Gracie
was.

“Fine.” Amelia seemed
willing to accept this, though Paige suspected her sisters would question her
again later.

“He…” Paige’s
revelation was cut off when Layla entered the room with Stefan in tow.

“Are they badgering you
for information on your mating? No way, sisters. You’ll understand when you go
through it. It’s personal.” Layla walked over to Paige to hug her. It was
something they didn’t do often, but Paige liked it. “However, if
you
need to talk through anything, I’m
here for you.” Layla winked.

“Let’s talk about my
recipes for the competition,” Paige suggested.

“Or we could discuss
your Pronouncement.” Layla looked suspiciously like she was up to something.

“Why do we need to
discuss that? I’m planning for that to take place after I return from Paris.”

“Well, as I was
leaving, I might’ve heard Donovan and Madden discussing the timing of things.
Your bond is stronger after the Pronouncement so it would be safer if…” Layla’s
voice wandered off as she noticed Paige growing pale. “Sit, Paige. Come, sit
down.”

“Whatever is wrong now?
One second ago you were on top of the world.” Amelia seemed put out as she
often was by extreme emotions.

Paige dropped her head
into her hands and worked to hold back her tears. “I knew this would happen. I
knew it would interfere. I’m not going to be able to focus on what I need to
do.”

“No, Paige. That’s what
I was trying to tell you. I’m going to help. Eloise and Gemma are flying in.
Mother will be too. We’re all gathering to pull it together so you can continue
to focus on getting your recipes perfected before the competition,” Layla tried
to explain, to comfort Paige, but she was just too stuck in the belief that
something would go wrong.

“I’ve had enough
unpacking for today. I’m going to take a bath now and try to relax. I really
wanted to go back to the café tomorrow.” Paige got up and away from her sisters
before she lost her control and cried in front of them. She needed to be alone.

* * * *

Paige sat on the edge
of the tub. Donovan ached to reach out and touch her naked body, but the
sadness emanating from her was nearly unbearable. He could feel it; the
intensity was what drove him home. Stefan had informed him she’d talked with
her sisters while they unpacked the kitchen and then she had retreated. Her
sisters cleaned up a bit and were on their way out when Donovan arrived. He
couldn’t help scowl at them. He’d left a perfectly happy mate and after being
with them, she was sad.

Donovan drew on his
healing powers, specifically the energy he radiated to calm those he healed.
Slowly he felt her ease, her muscles relax, as she sat looking out the window
over the large bathing tub. When she was calmer, he quietly walked to her, took
her hand in his palm and kissed it. It was just a whisper to let her know he
could feel her pain.

“Allow me to bathe you,
Princess.” He wanted only to soothe her. He knew she wasn’t ready to talk. Over
the years, her pride had prevented her from leaning on people so it would take
time for her to learn she could rely on him. He could be patient as long as he
could at least ease her pain.

“Please,” Paige spoke
softly as she wove her fingers through his. She was willing to accept his help.
Donovan knew that was a first step for them. He took comfort in that knowledge.

The bathroom suddenly
filled with candlelight.

When Paige saw his eyes
widen, she shrugged and explained his unasked question, “I can control the air.
Since air breeds fire, it was easy to learn to control fire too.”

“I bet it’s helpful in
the kitchen,” Donovan guessed.

Paige offered him a
tiny smile, not quite reaching her eyes, but he’d take it.

“I enjoy creating
things whether it’s these flames, the coffee at the café, or my pastries. There
a beauty in bringing something into creation,” Paige explained. It was the most
she’d talked about what drove her towards her success. As he suspected, it was
more than her pride. She just needed to let go of that crutch. Her soul sin
wasn’t holding her. She was holding her soul sin.

“I’ll draw your bath,” Donovan’s
voice was rough with desire as he forced himself to turn from the beauty of her
body and prepare her bath. He drew in deep breaths to steady himself, reminding
himself to focus on her comfort and not his needs.

Paige sat quietly and
watched him. How he wished he knew exactly what she was thinking. Donovan could
sense the Acclimation process guiding her along swiftly into her new life with
him. For women of the
Magdalena Circle
,
the Acclimation was more difficult because they weren’t surrounded by the ways
of Valendite Breeds, especially with the Sinsters who had no brothers. They
were unaccustomed to the drinking of blood, common-used powers of strength, and
then there was the violence of his job. Yes, the Acclimation was going to be
easier than he thought when she first asked for more time a few months back,
but he wouldn’t fool himself into thinking there would be no setbacks.

Paige stroked his hair
as she stood behind him and watched as the bubbles made a cloud in the
oversized tub. “Will you join me?”

“I will let you bathe alone
and go to prepare our evening meal. I didn’t want you to have to worry so the
Santucci chef sent down a meal for us. You rest in the bath. It is the way it
should be.” Donovan used the sacred benediction so often used by their
ancestors.

“That’s nice. I’ll
relax. I think I need this actually.” Paige took his hand for balance as she
placed one perfectly painted toe into the water to test the temperature and
followed with the firm placement of her foot. Once she shifted her weight, Donovan
offered his other hand and guided her in. The bubbles settled around her, embracing
her, and he watched longingly as Paige laid her body back and closed her eyes.

“It has been a long
day, Paige. Rest before we talk of what happened.”

* * * *

“You cannot expect us
to wait for the Pronouncement through another full moon. My senses heighten. It
will cause more damage than good to wait.” Donovan was exacerbated by Paige’s
complaint about the Pronouncement being too soon. They had already waited months.
The full moon had tormented him enough to know he would not go through it again
without being mated. The only thing that would prevent the pain would be to
complete their Mating, to receive their blessing from Mary Magdalene.