Sucking Bites (San Francisco Vampires Series #3) (30 page)

“Thanks, Helena. It’s new. I thought it would work well in the hotter climate.”

“It’s perfect for New Orleans. You better hurry, though. Do you have everything?”

“I think so.”

“I can get her anything she has forgotten, Helena. Stop fussing,” Aidan says. He is in a linen suit that is gorgeous on him. I have never seen him in something so light and elegant. He usually wears jeans or Armani. We go downstairs to say goodbye.

Sebastian sits quietly in the corner of a sofa, with his cup of tea and watches me. Part of me wants to take him into my arms and tell him everything is going to be okay. The other part of me is so angry I want to rub his nose in the pain.

Liam and Andrew come in holding hands. They each give me a quick kiss on the cheek.

“I’ve got my cell phone. I’ll call. Come on Aidan, let’s do this,” I say grimly.

We join hands and the last thing I see is a flash of panic on Sebastian’s face, and then we greet goon one and goon two outside of the Queen’s residence.

“Aidan and Lilith Goodwill. The Queen is expecting us,” I announce.

“Right this way,” goon one says. He leads us into a striking foyer with high glass windows located directly across from a grand staircase like something Scarlett O’Hara would walk down. We enter a small sitting room off the foyer, decorated in blues. Not as nice as our parlor at home but nice all the same. A young human girl, different from last month, comes in with a serving tray of cherry wine. I take a crystal glass, careful not to touch the silver tray.

It’s fifteen minutes before a vampire in a navy blue Chanel business suit approaches and introduces herself.

“I’m Kathryn, the Queen’s personal assistant.” She straightens her suit jacket. “I’ll show you to your rooms and then the Queen would like to greet you.”

We follow her up the plantation stairway to the east wing of the house. They’ve given us adjacent rooms. We drop my suitcases off and return to present ourselves to the Queen.

The Queen is back in what I think of as her office. It’s the only room I’ve seen that is ultra-modern. The only other time I had been here she used this room for business too. Zoe sits behind her big desk on the phone, when we walk in.

When she finishes and turns her attentions to us, we bow.

“Lily, Aidan, I’m so glad to see you again. How are you feeling, Lily?” She’s much more formal this time. I wonder why and if this bodes well.

“Fine, your Majesty. I don’t think I will show any effects until the moon comes out, this evening.”

“Excellent. Then why don’t you and Aidan amuse yourselves in the city and I will finish my business. I’m trying to clear my agenda so I can observe you the next few days as much as possible.”

“Thank you, your Majesty. We’ll be back just before sundown.” I feel resentment. One woman is able to make us behave like performing dogs. Well, maybe not Aidan. He acts as he wants. We keep our bow until she leaves the room. This trained dog is beginning to feel a little wild.

Aidan takes my hand and rubs his thumb over my fingers. The air is thick with moisture and the heat is bearing down on us like the moss hanging from the trees.

We tour Saint Louis Cemetery No. 1, admiring the beautiful stonework and trying to imagine the lives of those entombed here. Then we wander through the French Quarter listening to jazz. I shop, of course and Aidan carries my bags. We talk. Aidan flirts shamelessly, stealing kisses whenever he can and calling me every flattering thing he’s heard in thousands of years. He sounds like the perfect Southern Gentleman. People smile at us like we are a cute couple. This just gives Aidan more fuel. It feels nice not to worry about Sebastian for a while. It seems like there has been a dark cloud over Aidan, Sebastian and me. For now, it’s gone.

The sun is setting and we are far from the Queen so Aidan pulls me into an alley and puts his arms around me. He bends his head down and steals one last kiss before he pops us back to the Queen’s mansion. I don’t get a chance to catch my breath in my room, before he’s kissing me again. He deposits my bags on the bed.

He nuzzles my hair, inhaling my scent while running his hands up and down my arms. I do the same, sucking in his scent of cinnamon and sunshine. My body loves being pressed against his warmth. He runs his fingers through my hair and I lean into him. There is a knock at the door and we pull apart. His eyes are burning with intent. He kisses me quickly again and goes to get the door. It is the Queen’s assistant. Kathryn of the blue Chanel.

“The Queen wondered if you were back yet and if you were hungry.”

“Yes and yes.”

“We have arranged several young men for you to feed on. All fresh and willing.”

“I usually have to hunt. This will be a treat. Aidan, you’ll help right?”

“Does he bespell your donors?”

“No,” I say shortly, my temper is getting shorter, but I realize she expects an answer. “I get into a bloodlust and he needs to make sure I stop. It’s rather embarrassing.”

“Nonsense, your situation is unique and very interesting,” she says, her smile says she’s finding the performance entertaining already.

“I’m happy you see it that way. I’m still getting used to it,” I say dryly.

In the meantime we have made our way down to one of the main receiving rooms. Six bare-chested men are waiting, all colors of hair and assorted heights. All fine looking. All that fresh warm blood—the smell is making me crazy with desire. I take Aidan’s hand and squeeze. He can tell my wolf is rising and holds my arm.

“Is this bothering you all ready? I’ll get the Queen right away.”

Kathryn leaves to get Queen Zoe. Before long Zoe and Kathryn run back in. If there is anything a vampire understands it’s bloodlust.

“Lily, don’t torture yourself. Eat, dear.”

I don’t have to be told twice. I should have changed, but I’ve been distracted.

“Aidan, change my clothes to a tee shirt and jeans please, I don’t want to ruin my dress.”

He zaps my clothes quickly while still managing to keep hold of my arm. The men in the room gape at him. One backs away from me. Kathryn hisses at him, stopping him in his tracks. I don’t want frightened food, the adrenaline makes it taste funny, so I try to make light.

“It’s all right. He does it all the time,” I joke. “He’s magick, but he’s on the good side.”

This seems to ease their fear a little.

I step up to the first gentleman with Aidan at my side and the donor tilts his head. I dive headlong. Oh God, it tastes good. I am still sucking when that annoying jinni pulls me off him. I don’t want to let go and start to hiss at him. He quickly substitutes another man. I bite into the new donor immediately. I think my toes actually curl. But I’m so hungry. I want so much more and Aidan pulls me away again. He’s coaxes me.

“Lilith, love, we have another one for you.”

I hear that and let go. I bite the next one and suck for all that it is worth.

“This must be really difficult to stop her when you have to hunt.” I hear the Queen say.

“It took me and Sebastian to monitor her. She is getting quite strong. One more time, Lilith, one more, darling.”

I move to the next man. I’m finally getting enough blood. I’m not fighting Aidan as much. When he pulls me away I don’t hiss but my fangs are still out. He grins at me.

“Do you want more, my love?”

“I’m thinking about it.”

He laughs, so does the Queen. I decide to have one more hunka hunka burning love since they offer themselves so willingly. I don’t eat as much from him as I have from the rest. I finally feel full. I look down at my shirt and it is a mess. Aidan obligingly changes it for me and provides a wet wash cloth to clean my face off.

“Thanks, Aidan.”

“Anything, love.”

When I’m done with the wash cloth he gets rid of it. Kathryn hasn’t seen Aidan do magick before and is fascinated by it. Aidan enjoys showing off.

“Lily, your eyes are so beautiful,” the Queen says, for once losing the “all’s business” affect she’s presented. She looks wondrously at me.

“Ooooh, silver and so big,” Kathryn gasps.

“Yes, your Majesty, they will stay this way until the moon phase is over.”

“How are you feeling now?” the Queen asks.

“Full, a little restless. Like I want a shower,” I reply.

“We can accommodate the shower. Now if I’m right, the rest of your changes won’t take effect until tomorrow?”

“That’s correct, your Majesty.”

“Why don’t you and Aidan retire for the evening or stroll in the gardens. I have more work to do. I will see you in the afternoon after your rest time. Please feel free to roam about as you will. Anything you need the staff will get for you.”

“Thank you, your Majesty, and goodnight.”

“Goodnight, Lily, Aidan.”

We bow and return to our rooms. I want to get out of my clothes and take a shower. I notice Aidan has placed my dress in the closet. I’m grateful for that. I really like that dress.

In the oversized bathroom, I strip down and turn the water to really hot before I step in. I soap up well and clean off any blood remaining on me. When I’m done, I dry off and wrap the towel around me. I find Aidan waits for me in my bedroom. He stares.

“Oh God, Lilith, you are so beautiful.”

“Aidan, I need to get dressed.” I feel vulnerable.

“Do you?”

“Yes, I do.”

He runs his fingers across my shoulder and down my arm. I shiver. He licks a bead of water off my shoulder. I want him.

“Really Aidan, I need to get dressed.”

“Okay, I’ll just step into the next room.”

As soon as our connecting door closes I pull out a light summer dress, panties and a bra. I get dressed in record time because I can just imagine Aidan popping in.

“You can come back in now,” I yell at the door.

He is instantly at my side again, taking me in his arms. Warmth permeates his skin and soothes me. I wrap my arms around him, drawn to the heat.

“You smell and feel amazing. Do you want to take a walk in the gardens?”

“That might be a good idea. I’m getting much too comfortable in here.”

“I want you comfortable in my arms.”

“I know you do.” I look at him.

He leads me down the stairs. We wind through the palatial home, through doors and passages accented by antiques and artwork of the Queen’s native land on our way to the gardens.

The gardens are as beautiful as the last visit hinted. Sarsaparilla trees and live Oaks with Spanish moss hung with faery lights outline our path through. The sweet smell of jasmine fills the air. We find a small concrete bench and sit and talk for a while. Aidan runs his hand up and down my back casually, like he has been doing it for a lifetime. When the fireflies go to bed, so do we. Aidan summons me coffee and I dig out my cell to call home.

I spend twenty minutes talking to Helena. She gives me a quick account of Liam’s feeding fest and I give her a rundown of mine. The rest of the phone call we talk about everyday things. When she mentions how down Sebastian is, I tell her I need to go. I feel like a heel. When I am done with my call, Aidan sits on the bed next to me and puts his arm around me.

“Don’t feel upset, love. I’ve always shared you with Sebastian. But I don’t intend to share anymore. I want you to know this.”

“I want you, Aidan, but I still feel like I’m cheating on Sebastian.”

“He cheated on you.”

“He didn’t have any control. You know that,” I say.

“He wouldn’t have fallen so deeply under the love spell if he hadn’t had some doubts about your relationship in the first place. You know this.”

“I know,” I whisper, barely able to acknowledge it out loud.

“Let me have this one time with you. Let me have this one time and if we never make love again I’ll have a memory for my entire existence. You and I
are
the right thing.”

I can’t take it anymore. Between my love for Aidan and my wolf drive, I give up. I turn to him. I put my hands in his hair and pull him closer to me. He accepts my embrace with excitement, pulling me onto the bed. His mouth explores my neck and moves down with agonizing thoroughness to the place between my breasts. He covers new territory on the way back up before he slides his hot tongue into my mouth. Suddenly I am frenzied. All the months and months of frustration burn in my veins. His hands are everywhere. He slides his hand to my zipper and pulls until my dress is half off and Aidan is biting my nipples through my bra. I’m arching my back trying to meet his mouth. He doesn’t bother to figure out how to undo my bra, he just zaps it off.

His tongue follows the line of my neck. His hand cups my breast. Suckling, lavishing attention to one and then the other. I struggle with his shirt. It melts away before my eyes and I finally get to run my hands across his magnificent chest. I take one of his nipples in my mouth and he cries out. I move to the other one and he pulls my head to his chest and closes his eyes.

I pull at his belt and pants. He’s so distracted by our kiss that he half-heartedly helps in removing his pants. We finally get them undone and he pulls my dress the rest of the way off.

“I’ve waited so long. I’ve never done this before.”

“Piece of cake,” I whisper.

He pulls off my panties and his boxers. He sees me studying and gives me a wry smile. I pull him back on top of me and kiss him again, as his fingers trace the edges of my body. He sends little waves of electricity through me that make me orgasm. I knew there would be a bonus in sleeping with a jinni. He has me saying his name over and over again. I reach down and start stroking him and he moans.

“Now, Aidan. Please?”

He slips into me. I cry out and pull him in tighter. He looks like he is in heaven, eyes glowing bright. Concentrating, he moves slowly. I can smell the wild hot desert sun and cinnamon as it rolls off his skin. I lick his lips as he moves inside me. We start to move together building speed until we come together in a wild climax. He collapses on me and lies breathing hard.

“I love you so much. I want you so much. Again!” He laughs.

We make love again before I fall asleep for the night. I wake up in his arms, next to his warm, naked body. I introduce him to another new sensation, taking him into my mouth. He thoroughly enjoys it. After a brief shower, we go down to meet the Queen.