Vein of Love (Blackest Gold Book 1) (26 page)

Maybe she should have stopped, not egg the demon on more, but she couldn’t resist him. Not anymore.

She wrapped her lips around his finger and sucked.

That did it.

TENSLEY’S TEETH DRAGGED
across her neck. A whimper left her quivering lips, and her fingers dug deeper into his soft skin.

She didn’t want it, though. She didn’t want it.

But I do.
All the things her friends would say if they knew—what September would think, if she told her how much she enjoyed him, his lips, his hands, his presence…

His tongue slid over the pulsing vein on her neck, and before she knew it, he was pulling his shirt over his head. She craved his flesh against hers. It was addictive. It felt wrong, yet her body sang his praises.

It’s the blood, Molly.

“Tensley,” she moaned. His kisses became rougher and his hands moved up and down her wet thighs, a heat beginning between her legs.

“Say it again.” he said, breathless. “
Say my name
.”

“
Tensley.
”

His eyes darkened. “Do you want me?”

The question startled her, and instead of answering, she stared at him.

“Do. You. Want. Me?” He wasn’t playing games.

Her mind screamed a silent
no,
her body craved every inch of him, and she didn’t know what to listen to.

He sighed heavily and muttered to himself in Italian, turning to the door.

Her desire won. “
Yes.
”

Tensley stalled, his back straightening at the sound of her voice. He turned to face her.

Taking a long, shaky breath, she let the towel fall. The cool air should have made her shiver, but the nerves in her body were so electrified that her flesh felt hot.

When she braved a look at Tensley, his jaw looked painfully clenched, and she could clearly see the tautness in his pants. He moved fast. His hands gripped her hips and tugged her to the bed so that they fell onto the soft surface together. He hovered over her, hands planted on either side of her head.

His eyes raked over her naked body. She wanted to hide, but the thrill of someone—
him
—seeing her completely exposed, vulnerable, thrilled her.

“God damn it.” He stared over every inch of her, pushing a hand through his wild hair. “You’re gorgeous.”

Her cheeks warmed at his words. When she rolled her lip between her teeth, he grinned and lowered himself on top of her. She clawed at his back, causing a husky groan to escape from his lips. Tensley’s mouth latched onto her neck, his tongue sliding across her quivering skin. He moved farther down, pressing gentle kisses between her breasts, a few inches from her belly button and on her hipbones.

“Tensley,” she gasped, clutching the covers and squirming underneath. “
Please.
”

“
Fuck, Molly,” he drawled and shifted upward. He kissed the side of her cheek and traced his hand down her trembling stomach to her groin. She shivered with anticipation, one hand gripping Tensley’s arm. His free hand began kneading her left breast, tweaking the tight bud, and she wanted more. She needed more.

“Are you wet, Molly?”

She groaned at his wicked voice. “Yes, yes.” She tossed her head into the sheets, arching her back until her breasts brushed his naked torso. His finger lowered to her exposed sweetness, spinning tortuous circles into the flesh below her center. When the pad of his finger swept across her wet folds, she almost lost it and shattered beneath him.

“You’re soaked,” he hummed.

Her center ached, throbbed. Each possessive swipe of his finger made the pleasure and torture grow. She crooned in a lust-filled haze, moaning into her hand, into the sheets, into the air. She tried to calm her heart, but her breathing was out of control, punctuated by ragged gasps.

Her hips bucked shamelessly against his touch.

“Does that feel good, Molly?” Tensley’s voice was so close that it startled her, and she turned her head to see him watching her expression intently. “I want to see how good I make you feel.”

She didn’t hide her flushed cheeks. His carnal gaze egged her on and without another thought, she found his hard-on through his briefs. His thick length caused her hand to loosen, startled by his large size.
Was it this big last night, too?
He froze, a painful groan leaving his supple lips.

“Fuck,” he hissed through his clenched teeth as she palmed the head of his erection. He growled viciously, thrusting into her hand and pressing his finger into her sex.

She tensed.

Okay, ow.

“So tight.” He wiggled his finger gently, attempting to gain more entrance. “So wet for me. Just me.”

He found her bud of nerves and the sweet spot took control of every single muscle, of every limb, making her cry out. She muffled the cries into the top of his head as he sucked at her breast, her body greedily rocking against his plunging finger, moving slow and steady as she rode out her orgasm.

Tensley’s faded voice coaxed her along, dragging out every last second, murmuring into her ear the entire time.

Her heartbeat slowed as she lay cocooned underneath his hard, muscled body. Slowly, the desire-induced haze faded and her eyes swung back to find him examining her heated face. His eyes were half-lidded, and gave him the appearance of a lion after a satisfying meal.

“Can we do that again?” She giggled into his cheek and couldn’t stop.

His chest rumbled against hers, clutching her to him. “Addicted to me?”

She smiled, watching him lift his upper body to hover above her. She eyed his soft expression. “I didn’t expect you to ever be like this.”

His brow furrowed. “Like what?”

Her fingers traced his cheekbone, the skin silky but the scruff rough. “Sweet. You’re not the demon you pretend to be…”

All tenderness, softness chilled to a painful degree. His jaw locked under her fingers. He straightened up, cleared his throat, and stood.

Molly sat up on the bed, watching as he gathered his clothing, pulling his shirt on. “Where are you going?”

“I need to get to work,” he muttered, simply as an answer. “Food in the fridge, let yourself out.”

Molly frowned. What had happened in the last few seconds to change his mood so much? Her saying he was not the demon he pretended to be? She swore under her breath.

She yanked the covers from the bed and stood up abruptly. “Are you okay?”

He zipped up his pants and started toward the door. “Fine,” he bit out.

“Tensley,” she gasped, shaking her head desperately.
I just let him—and he’s just leaving?
Her skin reddened with anger and embarrassment.

His mouth became a grim line.

His eyes darted to her chest, and when she looked down, she realized the sheets had shifted to expose her left breast. She frantically yanked it back up.

Her heart thudded loudly in her ears and her palms sweated.

He turned to look at her, his top lip curved in disgust. “Show yourself out.”

Tensley left the bedroom, slamming the front door so hard the pictures on the wall shook.

She gazed down at her trembling hands, staring at the engagement ring. “Vein of love, my ass.”

TENSLEY SAT IN
his shadowed office at the estate, alone. He massaged his head, but the pressure behind his eyes, on his shoulders, and even spreading through his chest didn’t dissolve. No one spoke to him the way Molly had—like she could see past his façade.

You’re not the demon you pretend to be.

His muscles ached, and he stretched to rid himself of the sensation.

He couldn’t be like his brother. He couldn’t let himself go, let himself be weak for her—for anyone. His family needed him.
Scorpios
needed him. He remembered as a child hearing his mother sob when Beau was returned to them as an empty shell. He remembered the fear of being alone in the same room as his older brother, how the bruises remained in his mind long after they had vanished from his skin. He wasn’t going to risk history repeating itself, not for the selfish reason of indulging in human emotions.

He hadn’t expected to get so physical with her, but he couldn’t seem to stop. Watching her orgasm from
his
hands satisfied him in a way he’d never experienced.

He caught himself feeling more for her than he should. That tender smile…

He wanted to taste her, consume her, possess her completely as his. Her sweetness, her softness cracked at his hard exterior, and he wanted so badly to be like Illya then. She wielded her emotions so perfectly, expressed them openly, and he couldn’t even express a semblance of how deep his loneliness truly went. Only anger was appropriate.

His phoned beeped and he reached for it on the massive oak desk. 

ILLYA

12:34 P.M.

Do you want me to send some men to watch Molly at the Plaza tonight?

He glared and dropped the phone. As he leaned back in his chair, he realized something: horny, young girls would be there—perfect for gaining energy. Molly was out of the question and Evelyn…
fuck,
he didn’t even want to think of her. He would have to get energy elsewhere. He couldn’t get close to her.

People would begin to notice his weakened state, and his father would not be pleased.

TENSLEY

12:35 p.m.

Don’t worry; I have it covered.

MOLLY RAN HER
hands along her thighs and eyed the three people who used to hold the control of her independence in their hands. If she didn’t get the internship, she would be out of a job and experience, then an apartment, and would be forced to live at home where her parents would beg her to work for their friends and run social events.

That couldn’t happen. She breathed shakily.

She was painfully awkward at socializing and small talk—
ugh, small talk
. She was made for behind the scenes, for research and analyzing, not Manhattan gossip and how nice the weather was outside.

“Ms. Crawford, when were you expecting to tell us that you were going by your mother’s maiden name?” Mr. Cho asked.

Molly bristled. “Uh…well.”

“I ran into your mother, and she stated that you have other intern opportunities,” he continued.

Molly’s stomach dropped.
How could she do that?
Yes, Fiona disliked the idea of Molly pursuing her own path and wanted her daughter to follow in her charity-running footsteps, but she knew Molly hated the fake people who attended those things with every fiber of her being.

She uncurled her clenched hands.
Be calm.

“I chose to use my mother’s maiden name so you wouldn’t be swayed by the ‘Darling’ status. I’ve dreamed of working in a museum since I was a little kid. I would beg anyone who would listen to go to a museum instead of the toy store. I’ve studied for this opportunity for years, and I
know
the last few months I’ve been dealing with personal issues, but I promise to work hard and be committed. What my mother says is completely different than how I feel—please don’t let her sway you.”

Ms. Albinson cleared her throat. “Molly, even with the absences and occasional late arrivals, the work you hand in at the end of the day is phenomenal. We’re astounded by the professionalism and attention to detail you’ve displayed, and we applaud you in that respect. That said, the most important trait we need—over expert layouts and artist collaborations—is reliability, and you haven’t exhibited it as of late.”

Molly lowered her head and blinked back the ache behind her eyes. She’d screwed up, she’d missed her opportunity, and now she’d be a grocery bag lady.
Oh god.

“Based on your portfolio as a whole, however, we are going to give you one more chance. So Molly, we extend our congratulations to you for joining our team during the school year.”

Molly’s head jerked up and she gawked at the three smiling faces. “Oh—oh! Thank you so much!” They laughed as they shook her hand, and she signed the contract with her loopy, nervous scrawl. She couldn’t think straight as she left to go get ready for the charity ball.

LIPS AS RED
as blood,
Molly thought as she stared at her reflection in her apartment’s bathroom. She brushed some blush onto the apples of her cheeks, forcing herself to put on the smile her mother had taught her years ago. She smoothed down the red silk dress and secured the hairpin in her smooth, blonde waves.

Just in case.

“Hot damn, Mol!” September said, pulling the curtain out of the way to gawk. September wore a short black dress and heels so high only a runway model should’ve been able to walk in them. Completing her ensemble was a battered leather motorcycle jacket. “Well look at you, showing off your stuff.” September laughed, gesturing to Molly’s chest. “Count your blessings, one and two
—oh,
and three: you have a nice tush.”

Molly scowled at her.

“Stop it. We need to leave now or we’re going to be late and Stella will murder me with her Gucci shoes,” Molly said, twisting the cap back on her lipstick. Once she grabbed her purse, her and September rushed downstairs and out into the humid summer night.

September stared at Molly with a sharp look. “You’re not wearing your glasses?”

Molly shook her head. “No. I’m done hiding.”

September smiled brightly and patted her on the shoulder. “So, where’s the monster tonight? Ruining someone else’s life for a change?”

Molly stiffened, her pleasurable morning with Tensley sending a flush over her face. “He isn’t a monster,” Molly mumbled.

September halted. “What?”

Molly shrugged; she’d been just as evil to Tensley by going behind his back to Cree, if not worse. “I mean…I haven’t been a saint when it comes to him either. I kind of told him off,” she murmured.

September gripped her arm and stopped. “You did?”

Molly cringed. “After he gave me his blood.”
And an orgasm.

September stared at her. “His blood? Why?” she said, a defeated expression taking over her sharp features.

“The hunters used a blood oath with me so if I backed out they could still control me.”

“What if his blood did something to you?”

Like make me crave him?

“I was losing it, okay?” Molly shook her head and tried not to breakdown. “I couldn’t risk hurting anyone else; those warlocks were making me crazy. I couldn’t do it by myself any more. I was desperate, and he was the only choice I had.”

September frowned, stuffing her hands into her leather pockets. “I get it, okay, but I still feel like we could have figured it out on our own.”

September
didn’t
get it. She didn’t understand the psychological torture Molly had been experiencing for weeks at that point. From Tensley, from demons, from their hunters, and then the voices in her head that had pushed her to the edge.

She clenched her hands. Every choice she made since her birthday a month before had led to
someone’s
unhappiness, whether her parents’, Cree’s, or her own. For once, she wanted to be happy. She wanted to think only of her own desires.

The two strolled down the streets of Manhattan, and in no time had arrived at the Plaza Hotel. People in elegant formalwear filled the hallways and ballroom. A woman asked for their names at the front as they went inside.

“Well this certainly isn’t some grunge scene party,” September said, speaking over the multiple conversations around them and sipping a drink she’d grabbed from a tray.

“Molly!” Stella cried, rushing over to kiss both of her cheeks like they were in Europe. Stella wore a tight navy dress, showcasing her thin arms and swanlike neck. Her red hair was smoothed back into a sleek style that didn’t look out of place with her feline features.

She looked over Molly’s dress, gawking at her ample cleavage. “Thank god! No sunglasses! You look beautiful!” Stella’s narrowed eyes gazed at the person standing behind Molly. “Oh. Hey, September.”

“
Stella.
” September slurped her drink.

Stella turned her attention back to Molly. “Why didn’t you come with Tensley?”

“He’s sick,” Molly said, nodding too much.

Stella furrowed her brows. “But he’s here.”

Panic hit her in the stomach like a punch. “Oh?” Molly’s pleasant voice cracked.

“I was just talking to him over by the entrance.” Stella pointed to the doorway, but Molly couldn’t see him anywhere. “Well, I’ll talk to you shortly. Tina was on her fourth glass of wine the last time I saw her; I need to keep her away from the married men at this shindig.” Stella vanished into the crowd of dresses and suits.

Molly rolled her head back, hoping the crystal chandelier would possibly fall on her.

September laid a hand on her shoulder. “How did he know about the ball?”

Molly blinked several times. “I don’t know.”

“If he pulls anything, I’m going to kill him,” September said, rolling her hand into a fist.

“Killing is serious business, ladies,” a dark voice spoke. All three spun to see Tensley and Illya strolling over. Molly’s heart pounded violently against her ribcage, remembering how his mouth had moved against her flesh.

He looked like heaven and hell—hair unkempt to the point of pure sexiness, stubble framing his jaw, and three-piece black and white suit cut to define his arms and shoulders.

Tensley surveyed Molly, not even bothering with a verbal address; his steeled look said it all: he wasn’t happy to see her.

Shocker.

“Why the hell are you here?” September asked harshly.

Tensley tensed under Molly’s uncovered gaze.
Damn it.
She wanted his lips on her.

She needed to speak to him; to tell him how she really felt.

“Tensley,” Illya interjected, touching his forearm. “C’mon.”

Tensley stepped back, giving Molly a long, unreadable look. “Have a good night,
Molly.
” Everything that came out of his mouth sounded like a threat.

Illya mouthed a genial
sorry
as they turned to go.

“Excuse me,” Molly said, ruffled. “I need to help some people—seats, donations, you know,” she stuttered, moving in the direction of the long buffet tables.

“That’s fine, I’m gonna be by the bar!” September called after.

After socializing with some of the donators, she stood to the side, watching the lovely couples waltz. Why couldn’t that be her?

“
Definitely
Tensley.”

Molly jerked to see Tina and Stella beside her, scanning the room. “What about Tensley?” 

“He’s the hottest bachelor here. Of course, he’s your boyfriend—off limits, but still not married yet.” Tina bit her lip and winked. “God, he’s gorgeous. So how big is he? Got any kinky tricks?”

“Molly’s a virgin, Tina,” Stella chided.

“Well, my advice is to sleep with him soon, or he’s gonna dump your virgin ass,” Tina said, sipping her drink with a matter-of-fact nod.

“Why does it bother you so much that I haven’t had sex with someone?” Molly asked, giving both of the girls a hard look. Stella’s smirk faltered and Tina frowned. “It’s my choice, it’s my body—I don’t judge
your
choices, and I’d appreciate if you would show me the same courtesy. I want to wait for someone I actually
want
to have sex with.”

Stella, for once, didn’t seem to have a snarky comeback at the ready, and Tina started crying.

“God, she’s such a drunk,” Stella hissed, though her eyes were soft.

Molly turned to look away only to glimpse Tensley moving through the crowd.

The stuffy room spun and tilted, and her throat grew tight. She needed to talk to him, find out why he’d acted so off that morning, at least to understand his motives once and for all. She used her shoulders to maneuver through the crowds, spotting him. He was leaving though, and her heart skipped many beats and swelled to twice its size.

“Tensley!” she called, but he didn’t seem to hear her. She went down the hallway she’d seen him turn at, hearing his muffled voice behind a closed door. “Tensley?”

She pushed open the door to find that he wasn’t alone; his head was nuzzled into a woman’s neck, and he planted heavy kisses there as the woman giggled and moaned.

Molly’s inhale caught on a lump in her bone-dry throat, and she felt like the ground had suddenly become quicksand.

She was sinking.

She couldn’t
breathe.