Lydia's Secret (The Secret Series Book 1) (7 page)

“You’re okay. We are going to sit over there, and I’ll tell you everything. I’m not going to hurt you.”

“Not going to hurt me…”

Roman gently steered her back toward the bed. He knelt at her feet as she sat on the edge of the mattress. He’d be less intimidating on the floor.

She had a strong mind. He could feel her fighting against his invasion.

“I’m going to be completely honest with you, but I need you to hear me out.”

She just stared down at him.

It felt like a violation to control her in any way. He’d done it thousands of times over the centuries, but it was different with Lydia. He pulled from her mind, and her lost look tugged at his heartstrings.

She brought a hand to her forehead. “I feel sick.”

He noticed her fingers shook. “It will pass.”

“You did this to me.” It wasn’t a question.

“It was necessary, and the only way to calm your hysterics.”

“I’m sorry if my reaction isn’t to your liking. It’s not every day you get told monsters exist.” Her sarcasm wasn’t lost on him.

“Fair enough. I’ll start from the beginning.”

* * * *

Lydia couldn’t believe she sat still for half an hour listening to Roman’s insane tale. Her mind rebelled against everything he’d told her. “Let me get this straight. You’ve been a vampire for over two thousand years. And you knew my ancestors?”

“Yes.”

Her thoughts turned inward as memories of her most recent dream came rushing back.

Cemeteries surrounded her on all sides. Bony fingers clawed at her skin, pulling her down to the earth’s cold, damp surface. A scream formed in the midst of her terror, trapped by the hands now encircling her throat.

Her father’s unfeeling stare as he turned from her pleading.

A man rose from the fog riding a great white horse. His eyes glowed red with demon rage. “Ione!” His shout echoed around her to be swallowed up by the darkness.

Her voice whispered his name while her life’s blood spilled out into a shallow grave. “Roman.”

Lydia shook off the remnants of the nightmare and jumped to her feet. “I have to go.”

Roman stood, blocking her path to the door. “You don’t have to be afraid; I’m no threat to you.”

“There’s a man claiming to be a vampire in my home, in my bedroom. Excuse me for not throwing confetti.”

“Simon is a danger to you. Pack a few things for you and Jacie. I’m going to get you out of here.”

Lydia’s heart sped up. “What does he want with me? I’m just a single mom who works in the local hospital. There’s nothing special about me.”

Roman cleared his throat. “It’s your blood he wants. It’s cursed.”

“Cursed? Explain.” Things were getting crazier by the minute.

She listened to him recite the story of King Barbatus.

“You’re a descendent. Simon thinks if he takes your blood he becomes powerful enough to kill Svetlana, his maker.”

Lydia’s laugh bordered on hysterical. “You expect me to believe all this?”

“I know how it sounds.”

“Okay, let’s say for the sake of argument, it’s true. Then why didn’t he just bite me in that alley?”

“He would have if I hadn’t come along.”

Lydia couldn’t believe she was entertaining his delusions. “How does he even know about my blood in the first place? I’m adopted.”

“He’s done his homework.”

“This is just too much. How do—”

Jacie’s cry cut off her words. “I have to check on her.”

Lydia skirted around him, escaping to the hall. She glanced back when she reached her daughter’s room to find Roman following her. “I’m going in alone.” Opening the door, she slipped inside, closing it softly behind her.

Another nightmare, Lydia thought as she crept over and sat next to Jacie on the bed.
One of the side effects of the medication she took. “Hey, sweetie.”

Jacie rolled toward her and muttered something in her sleep, her eyes dancing around behind her closed lids.

“Shhhh. It’s okay,” Lydia whispered, lightly touching her cheek. She’d give anything to take her daughter’s place and fight her demons for her. Her heart ached for her suffering and lost youth.

Lydia stayed with her long after she calmed and her breathing evened out, stroking her little back and humming softly.

Her thoughts drifted back to the conversation she’d had with Roman.
Vampire.
As ridiculous as it sounded, she knew he spoke the truth. His eyes, the fangs she’d witnessed resting on his bottom lip, his speed, and the guy in the alley were all evidence enough that vampires did in fact exist. And a very handsome one stood just outside her daughter’s room.

Lydia glanced at the closed door. Something told her he wouldn’t hurt her or Jacie. He could have killed them both by now.
He saved my life.

Another thought occurred to her. If Simon wanted her as Roman said, that meant Jacie was in danger also. Her heart skipped a beat.

She leaned over and kissed her daughter’s frail shoulder, breathing in her precious scent.
I won’t let anything happen to you. I promise.

Chapter Eight

Simon paced the halls of the two-story home he’d rented on the outskirts of town. He hated waiting almost as much as he hated Svetlana.

He knew Roman wouldn’t leave Lydia’s side. If he’d touched her, Simon would flay the skin from his two-thousand-year-old bones and feed it to him. It had taken him years to locate Lydia, and he’d be damned if he’d give her up to the likes of Roman Castillo.

Simon hadn’t been happy to find out that Lydia was no longer a virgin, but her blood would still have the desired effect of freeing him from his maker. Once free, he had all intentions of sending Svetlana to her eternal grave. If he couldn’t be the world’s most powerful vampire, he’d settle for a self-ruling one.

A thought suddenly occurred to him, and he slowed his steps.
Lydia’s daughter.

Simon vaulted up the stairs to the room where he’d stashed Jeanie. She lay across the big bed with her hair covering most of her face. She’d been unconscious since he’d willed her to sleep earlier that night. He’d driven her car back and parked it inside his garage in case someone went looking for her.

He sat on the edge of the bed and brushed her hair back. “Wake up, Sleeping Beauty.”

Her eyes fluttered open, blinking several times before she focused on him. He saw the second realization dawned. She scrambled back against the headboard, her eyes huge with fear. “W-where am I?”

Her terror seeped through his skin, tickling his sadistic side. “No worries, my pet. Let’s play a little game. You’ll like this particular game. It’s called Jeanie Lies and Jeanie Dies.”

Simon watched with humor as her frightened gaze darted around the room. “You think to escape? Whatever would the neighbors think if you were running and screaming through the streets? Wait. There are no neighbors.”

“Please…”

“Yes, do beg. It gives my fangs an erection.”

“Please don’t hurt me. I don’t want to die.” Tears sprang to her eyes, and she swiped at them with trembling fingers.

The erratic beating of her heart barely fazed him. It served only to push the blood rapidly through her veins and to bore the shit out of Simon.

He exhaled a theatrical sigh. “I’m not going to kill you, Chatty Cathy. At least not yet.”

“Wh-what do you want?” She huddled up tighter against the headboard.

“A steak.”

She stared back at him with a blank look. “I don’t—”

“Get it? Of course you don’t. It means that I haven’t had a steak in centuries and would literally kill for one.”

He laid two fingers against her lips when she attempted to speak, pressing into her mind. There would be time to play with her later once he had his prize in hand. “Tell me about the child.”

“The child…”

Simon listened attentively as Jeanie told him about her time spent with Lydia and Jacie.

The child is sick.

“You saw her with Dickhead. Did they appear… How shall I say this? Intimate?”

“Dickhead?”

“Roman. The man who brought her home tonight.”

“She hadn’t wanted him to stay…” Jeanie’s unfocused gaze locked on a place beyond his shoulder.

Simon pushed deeper into her mind. His power of persuasion was strong. It didn’t take much.

She moaned and closed her eyes.

“Jeanie, I need you to do something for me.”

“Do something…”

“Bring me the child. Think you can do that?”

“Yes…”

* * * *

Strong emotion washed over Roman. He laid his hand against the cool wood of Jacie’s door, soaking up the love Lydia poured into her child. An ache began in his chest. A deep longing for what she unconditionally gave to the little girl. It stunned him how much he craved it in that moment. He shook his head and let his hand fall away.

The door opened seconds later to admit a pale-faced Lydia.

Roman took a deep breath, stepping aside. “Is everything okay?”

She pulled the door shut and spoke in a hushed tone. “She has nightmares often from the meds she takes.”

“How long has she been sick?”

“Two years.”

Her grief and helplessness at the situation almost choked him. He wanted to wrap her in his arms and take away her pain. “I’m sorry, Lydia.”

She only nodded and slipped past him. He stood still until she’d disappeared inside the kitchen before he got it in gear and trailed after her. He could no more stay away from her than he could waltz into the sunlight. She had that effect on him.

Roman stopped just inside the archway and watched as Lydia rummaged through a cabinet. She’d pulled up a stool to stand on, obviously too short to find what she searched for. He lounged against the archway, listening to her mutter something as she reached for a bottle on the top shelf.

“Do you need some help? He almost smiled when she stood on tiptoe.

She glanced back at him. “Thanks, but I got—”

Her robe tangled around her feet and she toppled over sideways. Roman shot forward, catching her in his arms before she could finish a gasp. Time slowed to a crawl as he held her against his body. They stared at each another for long seconds until something shifted inside him.

Lydia’s heartbeat echoed throughout the room, strong and full of life. Her scent drifted up his nose, bathing his throat in a flavor he wanted to drown in. He could feel everything she felt. It washed over him to settle inside of his ancient heart.
She wants me.

*
* * * *

Lydia’s entire body felt weak. Everywhere Roman touched her seemed to burn. How could she want a man she barely knew? A man who’d just admitted to being a monster. It was insane, immoral, and completely unbelievable. But she did believe him, and that scared her more than her feelings for him.

She broke eye contact and pushed against his chest. He let her slide down his body until her feet touched the floor.

“Thank you.” The husky sound of her voice shocked her.

“What were you looking for?”

“Headache medicine.” She repeated the name of her prescription. “I keep it on the top shelf so that Jacie can’t get to it.”

Roman quickly snagged the bottle she referred to, holding it up for inspection. A frown wrinkled his brow. “You have migraines?”

“Yes.” She reached for the pills, but he pulled them back.

“How long have you suffered with them?”

“A few years. Since…”

“Since your daughter got sick.”

“Yes. I began having them not long after she was diagnosed. May I please have them now?”

His answer was to toss them in the trash next to the fridge.

It stunned Lydia. She couldn’t believe he’d just thrown away her only escape from the pain. “Why would you do that? I need those.”

“Come.” He threaded around her and took hold of her hand.

Lydia allowed him to pull her into the living room, more than a little curious. “What are you doing?”

He led her to the sofa and took a seat, tugging her down with him. “Sit and close your eyes.”

Lydia found herself sinking down into the cushions. She didn’t bother questioning why she trusted him. She just knew that she did.

“Relax.” His warm breath fanned over her face, and she breathed him in.

The touch of his fingers on her temples sent tingles through her body. Warmth seeped into her brain, and she let her eyes drift shut. The pain quickly receded, and she sighed in pleasure.

“How…?” She couldn’t seem to finish a thought.

“Just enjoy it.”

Lydia was on board with that idea. She relaxed her mind and let her head fall back. He moved closer, and she lowered her shoulder to expose her neck. She wanted him to kiss her more than anything.

The feel of his tongue suddenly on her throat sent chills skating across her skin. She moaned aloud.

“Do you know what you do to me?” His teeth coasted over to her jawline, nipping at her chin.

The fingers lightly massaging her temples shifted to cup her head as he opened his lips over hers. She’d never tasted anything as good as Roman Castillo.

With a sigh of surrender, Lydia brought her arms around his neck and gave a little tug. He lifted his body and covered hers until she lay flat on her back. The weight of him on top of her coupled with his devouring mouth damn near took her breath. She let her foot drop off the edge of the couch, and he settled between her legs.

“So damn beautiful.” He softly sucked her bottom lip.

If he wanted a response, she was incapable at that point. Reality slipped away, and nothing mattered but how he made her feel.

He abruptly broke off the kiss and nudged her face to the side. His deep voice rumbled in her ear. “I need to taste you.”

Her heart jackknifed. No one had ever gone down on her before. What if she did something wrong? What if she were a disappointment to him in some way?

“Lydia?” He emphasized the word with a grind of his jean-clad cock against her pussy.

Lydia’s hips bucked against her will. The rough material of the denim pressing against her clit shot incredible sensations throughout her lower body that she’d never felt before.

She withdrew her foot from the floor and locked her legs around his thighs.

A low rumble came from his chest. She wasn’t sure if it was a growl or laughter. It didn’t matter as long as he didn’t stop.

“You like that?” He rolled his hips again.

“Oh, God.” All thought fled but the feeling of his heat and hardness on her most sensitive place.

Moisture flooded her thighs and a throbbing grew so powerful it took on a life of its own.

“I smell you, Lydia. Fuck, I can smell your heat.” His voice sounded inhuman.

Roman grabbed hold of her hands and jerked them over her head. He brought his face into her line of vision, and the feral light in his eyes burned red. Fangs peeked out from his mouth, resting on his bottom lip. “Don’t move. Do you understand?”

He sounded pissed or pained. She wasn’t sure.

“Tell me. Now.” His demand shattered any inhibitions she may have had.

“Yes,” she breathed, her system flooding with anticipation of what would happen next. She didn’t have long to wait.

Roman let go of her hands and rose up on his knees. He slid his way down her body, never breaking eye contact. His heavy-lidded expression had to be one of the sexiest things she’d ever seen.

The sash of her robe came open effortlessly under his masterful touch, and he parted the material to reveal her nude form to his gaze.

Cool air touched her skin but did nothing to relieve the heat burning in her blood.

Romans gaze left hers and traveled down her body, stopping at her exposed pussy. Embarrassment was swift, and she attempted to close her legs. His hands locked on to her thighs, holding them open for his perusal. Lydia turned her face to the side to avoid watching him as he studied her most secret place. She could hear his breathing grow choppy, feel the tension in every move he made.

His mouth touched her thigh, causing her to tense up. Teeth scraped against her skin, and her body jerked in response. Her breath left on a shaky sigh.

A finger parted her wet folds, and she forgot to breathe. It slid up and down her slit in achingly slow strokes.

Tingling pleasure followed his touch, leaving her open to an awareness she’d never imagined before.

“You’re so wet for me, Lydia.” His intoxicating voice drew her attention down to his face. His eyes gleamed at her beneath lowered lashes, and his mouth against her thigh unraveled the worry creeping up in her mind.

“Your scent.” He dipped a finger inside her and slowly drew it back.

Her pussy ached, and an insistent thrumming resonated inside her. She wanted more than just a tiny caress and her hips arched a fraction.

He brought the finger to his lips and licked the dewy tip.

Lydia’s eyes widened and heat flushed her cheeks. The sight of his face enjoying her taste was more than any romance novels she’d read.

“Delicious.” The growl in his voice turned her on as much as his words.

She had a moment to realize his intention before he moved, his tongue swiping against her slit in a slow tease. She gripped his head, digging her nails into his scalp. “You shouldn’t—”

His tongue flicked against her clit, and she cried out softly. Roman wrapped his arms around her thighs and hauled her forward. The brush of her pussy lips against his unforgiving mouth sent goose bumps along her skin.

Her hands flew to his forearms and she held on tight. He licked and sucked until pleasure mounted faster than anything she could have managed on her own. The sound of his moans and hers blended with the lustful noises of his talented tongue and mouth.

Pressure increased at her spine, and she tried to pull away from him. The intensity was too much, driving her to the point of insanity.