Everlasting Desire (24 page)

Mr. Parker assured Megan that her job would be waiting for her when she returned to LA. She had told him a crisis had arisen in her family and that she hadn't had time to call him before she left town. She had been grateful when he didn't ask for details.

She'd no sooner ended the call than a booming male voice yelled, “Hey, Daisy Mae, we're back!” and a tall, athletic young man with dark brown hair and brown eyes strolled into the living room, his arms filled with gaily wrapped packages. “Wait until you see what I brought you from Spain….”

His voice trailed off, and he came to an abrupt halt when he saw Megan and Rhys. Exclaiming, “What the hell?” he glanced around the room; then, eyes narrowed, he glared at Rhys. “Where's my sister, vampire?”

Rhys grinned at the other man. “How's it hanging, hunter?”

Megan studied the man. It could only be Daisy's brother, Alex.

He dropped the packages on the sofa. “Ex-hunter. I'm a married man now. Just got home from my honeymoon, as a matter of fact.” He glanced at Megan, then looked back at Rhys. “So, are you going to introduce me to this pretty woman?”

“Megan, this is Daisy's brother. Alex, this is Megan DeLacey.”

Stepping forward, Alex shook Megan's hand. “Pleased to meet you. Why don't we sit down? So,” Alex said when they were all seated, “what brings the two of you to Boston?”

As succinctly as possible, Rhys told Alex about Villagrande.

“Damn!” Alex leaned back in his chair. “Did you have to antagonize the baddest badass vamp of them all?”

“It wasn't my idea.” Rhys lifted his head, his nostrils flaring. “Your sister's home.”

Rhys had no sooner spoken the words than Daisy and Erik materialized in the living room.

“Alex!” Daisy cried, and threw herself into her brother's arms. “Welcome home. Where's Paula?”

“I dropped her off at her parents' house. She couldn't wait to tell them the good news. She's pregnant!”

Megan had expected Daisy to look happy; instead, a sudden sadness flitted through her eyes.

“That's wonderful,” Daisy murmured. “It'll be nice to have a baby in the family.”

Megan frowned, puzzled by Daisy's reaction. And then she understood. Daisy was a vampire. She would never have a child of her own.

When the awkward moment passed, Rhys, Erik, Daisy, and Alex tossed around ideas on how best to protect Megan and destroy Villagrande.

“Does he know you're here?” Alex asked.

Rhys shook his head. “I don't know. But he's tasted my blood. He shouldn't have any troubling finding us.”

Alex grunted softly. “I'd like to have seen that spell you mentioned in action.” He looked at Erik. “Where'd you find it?”

“In an ancient grimoire.”

“How'd you know it would work?”

“I didn't. I layered it into another spell, just in case. I think it was the combination of the two that caused the damage Megan told us about.”

Alex chuckled. “I'm all in favor of anything that'll repel vampires. Present company excepted, of course,” he added with a wry grin.

“Of course,” Rhys muttered.

“So, Erik,” Alex said, “maybe if you ramped up that hellfire spell, it would destroy Villagrande.”

“Maybe,” Erik replied. “And maybe it would destroy Rhys, as well.”

“I'd like to avoid that, if possible,” Rhys said.

Alex yawned behind his hand. “This isn't getting us anywhere. I'm gonna go get my wife, take her home, and make love to her all night long. My wife,” he repeated with a grin. “I like the sound of that.” Rising, he kissed Daisy on the cheek, cuffed Erik on the shoulder. “I'll talk to you guys tomorrow night. If I come up with anything before that, I'll give Megan a call.”

 

Rhys sat on the foot of the bed, watching Megan sleep. She seemed to grow more beautiful with every passing day, or maybe it was just that he loved her more every time he saw her. And she loved him. That was the most remarkable part. In spite of the fact that he had not only complicated her life but put her in danger, she still wanted to be with him.

“Rhys?”

“I thought you were asleep.”

“I was. Come to bed. It's lonesome without you.” She turned the light on when he started to undress.

He paused in the act of removing his shirt, one brow arched as he looked at her. “What are you doing?”

“Watching you.”

“You've seen me undress before.”

“So, sue me. I like to watch.”

With a shake of his head, he shrugged out of his shirt and tossed it on a chair and then, ever so slowly, he unbuckled his belt and let it fall to the floor. With his gaze locked on hers, he toed off his boots and kicked them aside.

Megan sat up, grinning, as he pulled off his socks and threw them at her, one by one.

“Are you watching?” he asked, his voice dripping with sexual innuendo.

She nodded, her grin fading as he unfastened his jeans, then made a production of slowly lowering the zipper, sliding the jeans down over his hips, kicking them out of the way.

Clad in nothing but a pair of black silk briefs, he moved toward the bed. His feet made no sound on the hardwood floor as he stalked toward her, lithe and dangerous as a jungle cat.

She laughed when he growled low in his throat.

“Jungle cat, eh?” he mused.

“Stop reading my mind. It isn't fair!”

He slid under the covers beside her and drew her into his arms. “Are you sure you want me to stop? If I did, I wouldn't know how much you like it when I touch you here…” His hand caressed the sensitive skin of her inner thigh. “Or kiss you there…” Bending his head, he brushed his lips across her breast.

Megan sighed as the heat of his mouth warmed her skin.

“You're overdressed,” he murmured, and in a blur of movement, he removed her nightgown and tossed it on the floor. “That's better.”

She looked up at him, marveling anew at how remarkable he was. He was a man like no other she had ever known, a creature of myth and legend, and she loved him more than life itself. Wanted him beyond words. Locking her arms around his neck, she whispered, “What am I thinking now?”

“Shall I tell you?” He nuzzled her breast. “Or show you?”

“Haven't you heard?” She slid her hand down his hard, flat belly, her fingertips tracing the narrow line of hair that disappeared beneath his briefs. “Actions speak louder than words.”

Chuckling softly, he wrapped his arms around her. “Ah, fair lady, my only purpose in life is to fulfill your every wish, your every desire.”

“I wish you'd stop talking and kiss me.”

The words had scarcely left her lips when his mouth covered hers. He kissed her slow and deep and then, with a low growl, he rained kisses along her neck and the valley between her breasts before returning to her mouth. His tongue sought hers, an intimate caress that spread through her like lightning.

He kissed her until she could hardly catch her breath and then he drew back, a wicked grin curving his lips. “You're not going to faint on me, are you?”

“Don't be silly,” she retorted, and then she frowned. “Don't tell me you've actually made women swoon?”

“Shall I show you?”

“No, thank you,” she said primly.

“We're not going to stop now, are we?”

“I hope not.” She tugged at the waistband of his briefs. “Who's overdressed now?”

He was out of them in an instant, boldly displaying the evidence of his desire. “What now, my lady?”

“Do I have to tell you everything?” With an exaggerated sigh, she flung her arms out to her sides, a smile playing over her lips. “Just do what you do best.”

His gaze moved quickly to the pulse throbbing in the hollow of her throat.

“I give you leave to taste,” she said, her voice a whisper. “But only a taste.”

“Aye, my lady. I will do my best to obey.” Gathering her into his arms, he kissed her again, his mouth hot against her skin as he caressed her, his hands and lips arousing her until her whole body thrummed with need.

Megan murmured his name, her pleasure increasing when she felt the prick of his fangs at her throat, and then she was lost, floating in a world without time, without boundaries, where nothing existed except the two of them. It was a sensation like no other, and, for that one moment, when her desire melded with his, she didn't care if he took one sip or if he took it all, as long as they were bound together, body and soul. As long as she was a part of him.

Rhys made love to her all night long, every kiss, every caress branded in his mind, memories he would carry with him for the rest of his existence when, at last, he told her good-bye.

As so often happened after a marathon night of lovemaking, Megan woke with a smile on her face. She was getting good at judging the time, she mused as she sat up, stretching. Without checking her watch, she knew it was late afternoon. A rush of tenderness engulfed her when she looked at Rhys, lying peacefully beside her. Was there ever such a lover as he? Tireless, inventive, always careful to see to her pleasure before his own.

Leaning down, she kissed his cheek ever so lightly, then slid out of bed. He didn't stir, but she wasn't surprised. Surely even a vampire needed his rest after a night such as they had shared.

She was wishing for a change of clothes when she glanced toward the closet. The door was open, and when she looked inside, she found some of her own clothes hanging there. Bless the man. Sometime in the wee small hours of the morning he had gone to her house and raided her closet.

Humming softly, she pulled a sweater and a pair of jeans from the hangers. Wondering if he had thought to bring her clean underwear, she opened one of the dresser drawers and found a week's worth of bras and panties. Carrying her clothing into the bathroom, she closed the door and turned on the shower.

Sometime later, her hair freshly washed and her teeth brushed, she dressed and went downstairs. All that loving had left her famished, and she raided the refrigerator, munching on a handful of blueberries while she debated what to have for breakfast. In the end, she cooked a waffle and two strips of bacon, and washed it all down with a glass of orange juice. After cleaning up the kitchen, she poured herself a cup of coffee and carried it into the living room.

Curling up on the sofa, she sipped the coffee, wondering how long it would be until she could go home again. She refused to think that Rhys might lose the battle with Villagrande. Instead, she skipped ahead to the time when the fight was over and Rhys was the victor. He had asked her to marry him, and she had said yes. Sitting there, a cup of coffee in her hand and the sun shining brightly, she let herself think about the kind of wedding she wanted. Something simple yet elegant. Of course, it would have to be in the evening. Refreshments would be light, since the groom and his guests wouldn't be eating.

Better to just elope. They could go to Vegas and get married there. Erik and Daisy could stand up with them, and when it was done, Megan could call her parents and tell them the good news. Her mother would be hurt, perhaps angry, that her only daughter had eloped, but in the long run, it would be easier than trying to explain why she wasn't having a big wedding with six bridesmaids, an orchestra, and a sit-down dinner.

Megan blew out a sigh. She should call her parents. Still, she hesitated as she imagined telling them she was getting married. What could she say?
Hi, Mom. Dad. Guess what? I'm in love with a vampire and as soon as he destroys the bad guy, we're getting married.

Megan chewed on her thumbnail. How could she explain why Rhys never went out in the sun or why he didn't eat? How long could she make excuses for his odd behavior before her parents got suspicious?

When the trouble with Villagrande was over, she would have to go up to Redding and spend a few days with her folks. After all, news like this really should be related in person, at least the part about getting married. The vampire part would have to wait.

A subtle shift in the atmosphere told her that the sun was going down, and the vampires were rising. She knew Rhys would be the first to appear. She could sense his presence in her very bones, and even as she tried to understand how that could be, he was there, striding toward her. And she was smiling, her heart lifting at the sight of him.

She went into his arms gladly, a warm sense of contentment and belonging sweeping over her as he drew her close. His lips moved in her hair, his breath warm as he whispered that he loved her.

“I knew you were coming,” she said, her voice muffled against his chest. “Even before I saw you, I knew you were nearby. How is that possible?”

“It's the blood link we share. It grows stronger every time you share your blood with me.”

She looked up at him. “Am I going to turn into a vampire?”

“No, love. Not unless you want to.”

“Would you love me more if I was like you?”

Hope sparked in the depths of his eyes. “Megan!”

“Don't get any ideas!” she said, pushing him away. “I didn't say I wanted to be a vampire. I just wondered if you'd love me more if I was.”

“I love you more every day.” He drew her into his embrace once more. “Mortal or vampire, it doesn't matter to me.”

“But I'll grow old…”

Rhys covered her mouth with his hand. “It doesn't matter.” At any rate, he wouldn't be there to see it. If he were an honorable man, he would tell her now that he intended to leave her as soon as Villagrande had been taken care of, but he didn't want to face the consequences. He knew she would object, perhaps strenuously. She might insist on going home, and he couldn't allow that. Better to say nothing, he decided, and enjoy whatever time together they had left.

“Oh, sorry,” Daisy said, entering the room, “we didn't mean to interrupt.”

“There's a bed upstairs, you know,” Erik said, his voice tinged with amusement.

“Yeah, yeah,” Rhys retorted good-naturedly. “Like you never kissed Daisy in the living room.”

“Well, not when we had company,” Erik said, winking at Daisy. “We're going out for”—he glanced at Megan and grinned—“a bite, you should excuse the expression. We won't be gone long.”

“Do you want anything from the store?” Daisy asked.

“Maybe some chocolate ice cream,” Megan said. “And a box of brownie mix.”

“How could I have forgotten chocolate!” Daisy exclaimed with a grin. “It's a staple in every woman's diet.”

“Behave yourselves while we're gone,” Erik said. Taking Daisy by the hand, they vanished from sight.

“I wish I could just disappear like that,” Megan exclaimed.

“I can arrange it. Just say the word.”

“Are you going to nag me about becoming a vampire?”

“Would it help?”

“No. I'm happy just as I am, thank you very much.” And so saying, she flounced into the kitchen and poured herself a glass of grapefruit juice.

Rhys followed, of course. Standing in the doorway, he couldn't help admiring her softly rounded buttocks, the curve of her breasts, the way her hair framed her face. The flowery scent of her perfume mingled with her own unique scent, teasing his senses. How was he ever going to let her go?

Seeing him, Megan lifted the glass in a silent toast. “I like eating and drinking too much to give it up. And even though you won't admit it, you must miss it. How could you not?”

He snorted softly. “After five centuries, I don't remember what any of it tastes like.”

She leaned back against the counter. “Did you miss it after you were first turned?”

“No. The scent of cooked meat was nauseating. Fruits and vegetables held no appeal.”

“But you drink wine. Red, of course.”

He chuckled softly. “Yes, the redder the better. It's the only thing I can drink.” Seeing her look of wry amusement, he added, “Other than the obvious, of course.”

“Of course.” Turning toward the sink, she rinsed out the glass and put it in the dishwasher. The machine must have come with the house, she mused, since she couldn't think of any reason why vampires would need a dishwasher or any other appliances, for that matter. Facing Rhys again, she said, “I wonder why you can drink wine.”

He shrugged. “I have no idea.” He didn't tell her that, among vampires, it was a common practice to add a little fresh blood to the fruit of the vine.

“Are you going out later?”

“No.” Closing the distance between them, he drew her into his arms. “I fed earlier.” Before Megan came into his life, he had only fed once a week or so, sometimes less. The hunger, insatiable and irresistible in new vampires, burned less hot with each passing year, though there were circumstances that sparked that primal need. Lovemaking was one of them. Unwilling to put Megan's life at risk, afraid of losing control when they made love, he was careful to feed each night.

Megan locked her hands around his neck; then, rising on her tiptoes, she kissed him because he was so close, because she couldn't be near him and not want him. Because she loved him.

She was startled when, with a low growl, he crushed her body against his. His tongue plundered her mouth, hot and wild, as he backed her up against the wall, sending waves of sensual heat to her very core. Suddenly desperate to have him, she wrapped her legs around his waist, a groan rising in her throat.

“Now, Rhys,” she said, gasping. “Now!”

Muttering an oath, he dragged his mouth from hers and set her on her feet just as Erik walked through the back door carrying a sack of groceries. Daisy and Alex were right behind him.

A rush of embarrassment heated Megan's cheeks when Erik said, ever so dryly, “I knew we should have knocked.”

Megan kept her back to the others. How was she ever going to face these people again?

“Nothing to be embarrassed about, Megan,” Erik said cheerfully as he set the bag on the counter. “Sex is a fact of life, you know. We all do it.”

“Yes,” she replied, her voice muffled against Rhys's chest, “but not in someone else's kitchen.” Not in front of two vampires and a man she had only met once before.

Glancing over Megan's shoulder, Rhys said, “You wanna give us a few minutes?”

“Of course,” Daisy said, and followed her husband out of the room.

“You might want to put that ice cream away before it melts,” Alex said as he sauntered toward the door. “There's enough sexual heat in here to melt iron.”

“Well, that was humiliating,” Megan remarked as she put the ice cream in the freezer. Delving into the sack again, she saw that Daisy had thoughtfully included a can of whipped cream and a jar of hot fudge.

“It could have been worse,” Rhys said with a grin.

Tossing a bag of cookies into the cupboard, she muttered, “I suppose.” Five minutes later, and they would have been caught in the act.

Laughing softly, he took her by the hand. “Come on, darlin', you can't hide in the kitchen forever.”

“Wanna bet?” Reluctantly, she accompanied him into the living room.

Erik, Daisy, and Alex were sitting on the sofa. Avoiding their eyes, Megan sat on the love seat. Rhys sat beside her.

“So,” he said, “what's going on?”

“We ran into Alex at the market. I think you should hear what he has to say.” The seriousness in Daisy's tone told Megan it could only be bad news.

Rhys leaned forward. “Spit it out.”

“We haven't had any vampire trouble since you left town,” Alex said. “Until last night. I met a friend of mine who's a hunter. He said an entire family was found drained of blood out on Centre Street.” Alex took a deep breath. “The youngest victim was only six months old.”

“That's awful!” Daisy exclaimed.

“Damn right,” Erik said.

Megan stared at Rhys. A muscle worked in his jaw, his hands were clenched. “Do you know who did it?” he asked, his voice grim.

Alex shook his head. “I don't know. But it was clearly a vampire. He didn't bother to make it look like anything else.”

Rhys stood. “I need the address.”

Megan sprang to her feet. “You're not thinking of going there!”

“I have to know if it's Villagrande.”

“How could it be?” she asked. “How could he know where we are?”

“I should have known leaving LA would be a waste of time,” Rhys said quietly, almost as if he was talking to himself. “Villagrande's the oldest of our kind. We've been kidding ourselves, thinking we could hide from him. I have a feeling he's there, waiting for me.”

Megan grasped his arm. “You can't go. I won't let you!”

“Maybe I can talk to him, tell him to keep LA.”

“And what if that's not enough anymore?” Erik glanced at Megan.

She knew what he was thinking. It wasn't just about territory now. Villagrande was angry because she had destroyed Shirl.

“If he wants a life for a life,” Rhys said, “I'll give him mine.”

“No!” Fear for Rhys, fear for her own life, leeched the strength from Megan's legs, and she dropped down on the love seat. “I'm the one who killed Shirl.”

“This isn't open to discussion, Megan,” Rhys said, his voice gruff. “I told you before, this is between Villagrande and me. No one else.”

“You know you can't face him alone,” Erik said. “Hell, I'm not sure the five of us together can beat him.”

“He's so old,” Daisy remarked, a note of awe in her voice. “Who knows, maybe he is indestructible.” With a shake of her head, she murmured, “Maybe he really is immortal.”

“Only one way to find out,” Alex said with a cocky grin.

“The address,” Rhys said, his voice sharp. “I want it now.”

With an apologetic glance at Megan, Alex gave Rhys the street address.

Before she could beg him not to go, Rhys was gone. Springing to her feet, she cried, “Erik, you've got to go with him! Please! You said it yourself, he doesn't stand a chance alone.”

“She's right,” Alex said, pumping his arm in the air. “Erik, let's you and me go kick some vampire ass.”

 

Megan sighed and glanced at her watch. It seemed like Rhys, Erik, and Alex had been gone for hours.

She was about to ask Daisy how she could appear so calm when her husband might be fighting Villagrande at that very moment, when Daisy suddenly rose to her feet.

“What's wrong?” Megan asked, her mind filling with horrible possibilities.

“I thought I heard Erik calling me.”

“Why would he do that?”