It Happened One Bite (15 page)

“Not tonight.”

James pressed her back against the bed, coming to rest on top of her, his hot, hard body in a position where it could completely overwhelm her. In any other situation, she’d probably have fought for the upper hand. Did she trust the man who was about to take from her?

“James,” she sighed as he tongued her nipple with the utmost care. He drew the peak into his mouth as his hand explored the rest of her body. Soon she’d be begging if he didn’t do something to ease the ache he was building within her. He could already tell.

“In the interest of full disclosure,” he said quickly, “I’m going to bite you down here.” His hand slid down her belly and into her curls, where his thumb began the most delicious movement that had her arching against him.

“There?” She sat up on her elbows and looked down at him.

James slid down between her thighs until he hovered over her most secret place, stroking softly.

“More,” she cried as her hands slid into his hair, just before he pressed his lips to her center. “Bloody hell,” she ground out. “Please, James,” she begged.

James licked lightly across that little spot that drove her wild and closed his mouth gently over it to draw deeply on her flesh.

Blaire’s heels dug into the bed as she arched against his mouth, completely unashamed of her nakedness. Unashamed of his actions. She cursed fluidly as she got closer and closer to that peak.

He replaced his mouth with his thumb and turned his head into her inner thigh, where he licked slowly across her skin. James licked across her soft flesh as his thumb continued its slow torment. He followed the cues from her body, the arch of her hips, the sounds of pleasure that left her lips, the tug of her hands in his hair, and the bite of her fingernails against his bare shoulders.

When she finally tensed, her pleasure erupting, he bit into the soft flesh of her thigh, drawing the essence of her life into him quickly, drinking her in, ready to drown in her. He took her pleasure inside himself. And gave her his own in return. “James!” she called as he reached his own peak like a green lad against the linens. Of course, she’d felt it. Just as he’d felt her pleasure within himself, she’d felt his within her.

Blaire cried out so loudly, he feared she’d raise the rest of the family from their beds. He slowed his thumb and decreased the pressure of his mouth against her skin until he broke his hold. Then he licked gently across the wound to close the two small pricks in her skin.

James crawled up her body slowly, looking down at her, hoping his adoration shone in his eyes.

Blaire reached up a shaking hand to gently wipe the corner of his mouth where her blood had spilled over the seams of his lips. “Since that’s yer first meal in decades, I’ll forgive ye for bein’ a little messy,” she laughed lightly, her body rumbling with mirth beneath his. James flipped over onto his back beside her and then rolled her over to rest on top of him. She looked down at him, a dreamy look in her eyes. “So, how was I?”

James licked his lips and smiled. “You’re a tasty little witch.”

In truth, she was more than he could ever have hoped for. More than he’d ever wanted. More than he deserved. She was Blaire. His Blaire.

James sighed, knowing the idea was fanciful. If only she could be his in every way until the end of time. But it wasn’t to be. Time was fleeting, he knew quite well. Still, he couldn’t help but wish for more. If he could only have her always, living for eternity wouldn’t seem quite so lonely. Though
always
for a vampyre and
always
for a human meant two very different things. A quick twinge of pain pulsed within his chest, and James sucked in a surprised breath. What the devil was wrong with him?

“Are ye all right?” Concern clouded Blaire’s pretty grey eyes as she peered down at him.

“It’s nothing,” he lied once more. She had enough to worry about with Sarah and Trevelyan lurking nearby. He wouldn’t give her anything else to fret over, especially not when she should still be basking in their shared moment. “Just reacting to my first bit of human blood in ages.”

A relieved smile lit her face. “Ye scared me.” She pressed a soft kiss to his chest.

Truthfully, he was a little scared himself. He needed to be at his strongest when he faced his enemies and this strange pain did not bode well. Hopefully, Blodswell would know what was to be done about this unfortunate complication.

James urged her to snuggle beside him, and he draped his arm protectively over her middle. “Try to get some sleep, love. We have a long day ahead of us tomorrow.”

Amazingly, she heeded his advice, and before long she was fast asleep…

James’ eyes flew open. It was still dark. He’d probably just dozed for a few minutes. At least he hoped it was only a few minutes. He unfolded himself from Blaire’s arms and tucked the counterpane over her lithe form. No matter how strong she was in the light of day, at night she was as soft as any flower.

From the threshold, James watched the soft rise and fall of Blaire’s sleeping form. She was nothing short of perfection. The last thing he wanted to do was leave her. But he needed answers and hoped beyond hope that Matthew had some for him. He quietly stepped from her room and closed the door.

He spun around and took a surprised step backward.

“Just what,” Captain Lindsay began, “were ye doin’ in my sister’s bedchamber in the dead of night?”

If James had still had a pulse, it would have been thundering through his veins. As it was, his mouth did fall open, but only for the briefest of moments. He feigned his most pleasant smile and took a step toward the captain. “Is this Miss Lindsay’s room?”

Aiden Lindsay’s light eyes narrowed dangerously. Had James been human, he would have feared for his life. “Aye, and ye just stepped from inside. So, I imagine this is no’ new information for ye, Lord Kettering.”

“So dark in there, I couldn’t see my hand in front of my face. I was looking for Lord Blodswell’s room and must’ve gotten lost.”

“Gotten lost?” the Scot repeated incredulously. “I find that hard ta believe. Now, I’d like the truth, my lord, or ye can take yer things and yer noble friend and get the hell out of my castle.”

And leave the Lindsays exposed for Sarah and Trevelyan? Leave without his ring? Leave without Blaire? James could still taste her on his tongue, and the very last thing he would allow was Aiden Lindsay tossing him from Briarcraig. “The truth, Captain, is I got
lost
looking for the earl. Certainly you’re not challenging my honor?”

Lindsay snorted. “Honor, ye say? Would that be the same
honor
ye showed me when ye dined at my table this evenin’, arrivin’ late and departin’ early? Or the same
honor
ye showed when ye met Mr. MacQuarrie and snarled like a beast? Or the same
honor
ye show every time my sister is within yer sight, lookin’ as though ye want eat her whole?”

James gritted his teeth.

But the captain showed no sign that he recognized the threat that was certainly rolling off James in waves. “I fought with honor at Quatre Bras. I ken the meanin’ of the word, better than some wealthy English peer who’s never had ta show his honor in any real way. So doona think ta intimidate me, Kettering. With my years in the army, I’d wager my shot is more sure than yers.” Lindsay folded his arms across his chest, and though he was shorter than James by several inches, ire shot from his eyes. “I ken the sort of man ye are.”

“Do you indeed?” James clipped out.

“Aye.” The captain nodded once. “I served with many men who thought they could take their pleasure with whomever they wanted without consequence. And though Blaire may no’ act like it, she is a lady. One ye will no’ treat lightly. If ye think ta use her in any way, I will cut yer heart right out of yer chest.”

He’d have the devil of a time finding it, not that James could say as much. “There is no need for threats, Captain. I have the utmost respect for Miss Lindsay.”

“Do ye now?” The man gestured to Blaire’s closed door at James’ back. “Because I just watched ye leave my sister’s bedchamber, and I ken full well she’s been in there for quite some time. So, if ye have the utmost respect for her, am I ta expect an offer of marriage come tomorrow mornin’?”

Marriage? The desire to have Blaire rose inside James. To have her with him for the rest of her life would be a gift he would cherish for the rest of his. But he couldn’t ask for such a sacrifice from her. It wouldn’t be fair. A niggling thought in the back of his mind said it might not be a sacrifice if he turned her, but he shook the thought away as soon as it entered his mind. He’d watched his parents and everyone who’d been dear to him pass from this world to the next. He wouldn’t wish that on her.

“I thought no’.” Aiden Lindsay rose up to his full height, which barely reached James’ shoulder. “I want ye gone with the mornin’ light.”

Blast that damn coven for taking away his power to enchant humans. It would come in bloody handy at the moment. Still, one more attempt couldn’t possibly make matters any worse. James leveled his eyes on Aiden Lindsay. He focused intently on the captain’s pupils, looking for the man’s soul. “You never saw me this evening.”

All the expression on Lindsay’s face vanished, and James smiled to himself. What a stroke of luck. He could still do it. Thank God. The coven’s power must have worn off. “Now go straight to bed, and I’ll see you in the morning.”

“In the mornin’” the captain muttered as he turned down the darkened corridor.

Relief washed over James, but it was only for a moment. Thrilled as he was to have his power of enchantment returned to him, he still didn’t know what caused the pain he’d felt this evening. That worried him more than anything. Matthew had better have some damned answers.

He stormed into his maker’s chambers without knocking. The vampyre barely glanced up from the book he was reading but very casually, very quietly said, “I hope things went smoothly with Miss Lindsay.”

“You know damned well they did,” James snarled.

Matthew finally raised his eyes from the pages of his book and lifted a brow at James. Matthew was his maker. He could feel every strong emotion James had. If he felt anger, Matthew felt it as well. If he experienced sadness, Matthew also had a sense of melancholy. If he experienced extreme pleasure as he had with Blaire, Matthew was well aware of it.

Matthew flipped his book and laid it to rest on his knee. “And yet you’re in a foul temper. Why is that?”

James began to pace. Matthew simply crossed his hands in front of him and waited.

“I’m not in a foul temper,” James muttered.

“Yes, everyone who attempts to wear a hole in the rug is really hiding a jovial heart.” Matthew sighed dramatically, which made James want to roll his eyes since the man didn’t even have to breathe to survive. “Why don’t you go ahead and tell me what’s the matter? Then we can solve the problem.”

“I’m afraid my problem cannot be easily solved.”

Matthew didn’t say a word. He simply regarded him quizzically.

“I fear I want more from Miss Lindsay than I can have,” James grumbled quietly.

“Beg your pardon?” Matthew asked as he sat forward.

“I swear, Matthew, it’s almost like I have a heart!” James finally blurted. “I haven’t felt like this in years. Decades. A very, very long time. Not since I died.”

“You’re falling in love with Miss Lindsay?” Matthew had the most incredulous look upon his face.

“I don’t know!” James shouted.

“Would you be quiet?” Matthew reprimanded. “You’ll wake the entire castle.”

“Oh, Aiden Lindsay just caught me leaving Blaire’s room, by the way,” James admitted.

“Oh?” Matthew chimed.

“That’s it?
Oh
? That’s all I get? Some mentor you are.”

“I have never fallen in love,” Matthew said quietly. “It’s difficult for me to counsel you on something I’ve not been through. I’m sorry.”

“It’s not love,” James scoffed.

Matthew avoided his gaze. “You forget that I could feel a small portion of what you experienced.”

“Which is
not
appropriate. A man should be able to have some secrets.”

“I completely agree,” Matthew said. The vampyre seemed almost too calm.

“I keep getting this pain within my chest.”

“Pain?” Finally, he had Matthew’s attention.

“That’s what I said,” James repeated as he spun to face Matthew. He looked perplexed.

“We don’t experience heartache. Longing. Love. It’s one of the sacrifices of having eternal life.” He met James’ gaze. “Allow me to ask you a question?”

“As though I could stop you,” James replied.

“Would you give up eternal life for a heart? For the ability to love? For Miss Lindsay?”

James rubbed the heels of his hands into his eyes and groaned. “Without a moment’s hesitation,” he finally said beneath his breath. “Though there’s no need to wish for such a thing, is there?” he added quietly.

“No, I’m afraid there’s not.”

***

Blaire stretched an arm over her head and slowly awoke to the sight of moonlight streaming through her window. She’d had the most wonderful dream about James and wasn’t quite ready to face the world, preferring to roll it around in her mind instead. She rolled to her side and startled when she felt the cool press of the bed linens against her bare skin. Her bare skin? She’d never slept without a nightrail, not once in her life.

Blaire lifted the edge of the counterpane to confirm that she was, in fact, completely unclothed.
Havers!
Was the dream real? With shaking fingers, she touched the inside of her thigh, which was still a little sore, right where James had pierced her skin.

It wasn’t a dream. Breathless, she bolted upright, clutched the counterpane to her chest and searched the room for signs of her vampyre. A shiver raced down her spine at the memory of what they’d done the night before. It was a most delicious shiver that made her toes curl up of their own volition.

On wobbly legs, she crossed the room and tossed on the first dress she touched. The sun was still an hour or two from making its appearance in the sky. She had time to make preparations to protect her family from Miss Reese and Mr. Trevelyan. Hadn’t James said she’d be protected once he’d had her? And he’d certainly had her. Her belly flipped at the memory of it. He’d most definitely had her.

Blaire crept quietly from her room, down the stone steps, and out the front door. The wind from the loch rushed around her, cold and damp. She would only take a few moments. A protection spell would protect Briarcraig and its inhabitants. To do so, she needed to mark the five points of the star formation around the property. One mark for each force within the
Còig
. The marks would form a solid barrier against those who would do harm.

The only sound Blaire heard was the gentle lapping of the icy water in the loch. Cool, damp fog rose from the ground as she pressed farther into the dark night. She located a good place to etch the first point in the five-pointed star, in a huge oak that stood at the back of the property. She lifted her finger, and with a slow simmering flame, she etched a star into the century-old tree. One for each of the witches. Four more to go.

A twig snapped behind her. Blaire spun and dropped into a protective crouch, searching the darkness. “Who’s there?” she called out.

Sarah Reese stepped out of the fog and into her line of sight. “I had no idea you were so talented,” she said as she nodded toward the still-smoldering design.

So she’d seen that little bit of power. Blaire could show her more than that, especially if the vampyre ever looked at Brannock the way she had the night before. A fireball sparked to life above her palm, and she tossed it from hand to hand. “There’s probably a lot ye doona ken about me,” Blaire replied quietly.

“Apparently,” the female vampyre agreed with a nod, stepping closer to her. Blaire could see the woman plotting, sizing her up, and trying to figure out how to disarm her.

Sarah Reese was certainly in for a surprise if she thought to try something so foolhardy. Still, part of Blaire hoped she would try as she ached for the opportunity to destroy James’ former lover. How
did
one kill a vampyre? “I am surprised ta see ye still on Briarcraig property.”

The woman laughed, though no humor emanated from her. “These days I only listen to my own counsel, Miss Lindsay. Those two can find someone else to order about.”

“What do ye want?” Blaire asked. And where was Trevelyan? She doubted they separated often, so she glanced over her shoulder, searching for the intimidating vampyre.

“Where is James?” Sarah countered as she toyed with a twig she picked up from the ground, spinning it within her fingertips.

“I’m no’ certain where he is at the moment. Perhaps ye’d like ta come back and call on him in the light of day. Ye can go out in the light, can ye no’? Since ye have a ring?”

The vampyre’s eyes narrowed, and Blaire felt an immediate sense of satisfaction.

“James speaks too freely with you,” she said crisply.

Blaire pressed on. “And I’d wager that’s why ye’re alone. Because yer cohort in mischief canna go out in the light of day.” She glanced up at the sky. “And the sun will rise any moment.”

“Smart girl,” Sarah mumbled, but Blaire could almost feel the anger radiating from her.

“If ye think ye can take me easily, ye have a misguided notion of who I am, Miss Reese.” Blaire twisted her cupped hand, causing the fireball to spin above her palm like a top set free by a precocious child. It caught Sarah’s attention immediately, just as Blaire had planned.

“I have a feeling, Miss Lindsay,” she said calmly, “that killing you would be worth being burned.” Her dark eyes narrowed as she stared at the fireball.

“What ye fail ta realize is that I’ve already been taken,” Blaire taunted, then watched closely for a reaction. “From what I hear, ye lose much of the drive once a person has been claimed by another vampyre.” She allowed a small smile to cross her lips. “He already marked me, ye see.”

Fury rose within the other woman. It was a fury unlike any Blaire had ever sensed. She mentally counted the weapons she had on her person. A scabbard in her boot. A knife in her pocket. A dart in her hair. Not enough. Not nearly enough to kill her. Though she could certainly try. Possibly maim her.

“Your blood may not tempt me the way it did earlier this evening, but that doesn’t mean I don’t have it in me to drain every drop from your body.” She spoke with such coldness, such hatred, that a shiver ran down Blaire’s spine.

Still, Blaire had never backed down from a fight, and she wasn’t about to start by letting this no-hearted, blood-sucking vampyre ruin her record. “Interesting, is it no’?” she asked as she tossed the fireball into the opposite hand and then sent half of it back. Now she held two at the ready. Ready for her to move. “I do love the flames. See how they’re infused with hues like purple and gold. So, pretty but so hot. One would think the flames would lose some of their beauty since their only fuel is my hatred for ye.”

“Hatred is such a strong word,” Sarah replied, her icy smile falling from her face like a crack in a looking glass. It was there one moment and the next was not.

“And yet so accurate,” Blaire taunted her. “I doona ken what caused the animosity between Kettering, Blodswell, and yerself, but it doesna concern my family. Briarcraig belongs ta my brother, and though I canna keep ye from visitin’ the Highlands, I would ask ye ta keep yerself from Lindsay property.”