Vampire King of New York (38 page)

“You made me wait, my Evie.”

She didn’t want to wait either. Her fingers fumbled when she tried to unbutton her jacket. Max helped her. She looked up into his eyes and felt like she was falling. Married. Evelyn had married again but this time would be different. This time it was Max.

He got the jacket off and tossed it on a chair. Next came the silk blouse. The buttons were small and the collar had a tie to it. Gently, he released the tie.

Their faces were so close she didn’t have to touch him to feel the heat. It radiated from him. She kissed him.

“Do you desire me, as much as I desire you?” His voice was huskier than normal and rubbed against her heart.

“Yes, Max.” She lowered her hands to his belt and undid it.

In a few minutes, they were undressed and facing each other. His thoughts entwined with hers in the most sexual way. Evelyn grinned.

“Oh, wait. I have a gift.” He turned and took a box the size of a pint of Chinese food out of the drawer. It was wrapped in brown paper and had all kinds of markings on it.

“Max, you didn’t have to. You’ve already given me too many things.” She didn’t want to sound ungrateful, but Max had been laying the presents on a little thick right before the wedding. It crossed her mind that he worried she might leave him.

“I made a promise, and here it is. Open it.”

Evelyn took the box and sat on the bed with it. There she ripped off the paper exposing the dark blue box covered in gold stars. The words KoHm appeared like magic.

“Max, what is this?”

“Open it.”

She opened the box and within it was a small glass container with a stopper. The shimmering blue liquid inside was mesmerizing.

Every part of her shook. She knew, but wasn’t sure. “What is this?”

“It’s Shuma. I don’t mean to pressure you, but you said you wanted …”

“A baby. How do we do it?The Shuma?” She trembled with excitement.

“Well, you take one sip, and then give it to me and I’ll take one sip. Sips are relative. It’s an imperfect measure but that’s KoHm’s instructions. KoHm is Rim’s company.”

“What will happen to us?” She gripped the bottle.

“You’ll feel warm and then very sexy. It lasts for twenty-four hours.”

Evelyn took a deep breath, twisted the seal on the bottle, and pulled the stopper off. She smelled it. It smelled like spring flowers. Then she took a sip.

“How do you feel?” he asked.

A warm rush went through her right to her fingers and toes. The hunger for him was unbearable. Evelyn held out the bottle to him. “I need you, Maximum.”

He took it and sipped. Then he packed the bottle back in its box and put it in the drawer. When he turned, she was already in bed.

Max joined her, taking her in his arms. His lips captured hers. Kiss followed kiss. Then passion’s dance possessed them.

“Let’s do it in the bath with champagne. I want to lick every drop off your skin.”

Evelyn giggled, as he got up with her in his arms and headed for the bathtub. The fragrance of roses greeted them as he opened the bathroom door. He stepped into the round gold bathtub and slowly lowered her.

“Yie!” For an instant the cold touched her, but then it was the bubbles against her skin that made her laugh. Max sat down opposite her and pulled her to straddle him. His eyes were silver with need. Playing the wicked one, she put a hand on his chest. “Not so fast. Convince me.” His rolling laugh echoed in the tub. He brought her hard to him and kissed her, caressing her hair with his fingers. He didn’t stop kissing her eyes, her nose, her mouth, her cheeks, her ears, her neck, as his thumbs rolled her nipples. She could not stand it anymore. With a little jump, she got to her knees, staring down at him with fierce intent. Then she fell onto him.

Max gasped, then pushed deep into her. She threw back her head in ecstasy, while he worshipped her body with kisses and nibbles and pelvic lunges. The bubbles danced across her skin. Dizzy with passion, she leaned into him, his heat delicious. Made one on the verge of greater things together, Evelyn paused.

“I want to feel this way for the rest of my life.”

Max smiled. “I can do that.”

Chapter 28

Taking her hand, Max helped Evelyn over the rock outcropping. “We’re almost there.”

“Tell me again why you don’t teleport us there.” She didn’t like wearing the heavy coat with its hood, but at least it protected her from the sun.

“The journey is part of the experience. Here.” He had Evelyn step on his feet and he floated inches over the sharp rocks.

When they reached the ice cave, Max stopped. “This is strange.”

“What?”

“There’s no ice or snow anywhere. This whole area was ice.” He paused in front of the cave. She stepped off his feet and stood with him at the dark, gloomy entrance.

“Max, I’m scared. I believe in one God. Your gods and goddess may not like me.”

He squeezed her hand to assure her. “They are going to love you.”

Together they walked into the dark. Even with vampire vision it took a second or two for Evelyn’s eyes to adjust. Walking slowly through the narrow corridor, she kept her courage by holding onto Max. They came into an opening. Cracks in the stone had admitted streaks of golden light, illuminating a wondrous cavern.

Flowers of every hue stretched out before them filling the space. They entwined around every opening, every crevice. Blossoms embraced the ancient carved altar lit by splashes of sunlight and adorning the roughly hewn statues of Odin, Thor, and Freya.

Max stepped forward taking Evelyn with him. Then he knelt. Not sure what to do, Evelyn knelt beside him.

“Odin, Father to all, I respect your wisdom.” He bowed his head. “Thor, the strength of every warrior, I respect your power.” He bowed it again. “Freya, I pay homage to your mercy with a grateful heart. I have found my woman, the only woman who can heal my heart.”

A blossom by their knees changed into a gold ring.

“Did you see that?” Evelyn’s hands trembled.

Max picked it up. The gold ring was engraved with the head of a falcon. He recognized the symbol and smiled. Freya. He took Evelyn’s hand and put the ring on her right forefinger.

“What does this mean?”

“She approves of you and will give you her support.”

“But, Max …”

“I know what you believe, but you are also descended from a devotee of Zeus. In the oldest of books your gift is called the fiery heart of Zeus. Only one Telkhine can hold that gift at a time.”

Evelyn’s confusion was evident on her face. “Max, I don’t know what to say.”

“Thank you always works.”

She gazed up at the altar. “Thank you.”

“Now we will complete the final ritual.”

“And what is that?”

“The Goddess has made us a bed of flowers.” He took Evelyn swiftly into his arms and lay her in the soft and fragrant flowers.

“Max, they’ll be watching.”

“I don’t care who’s watching.” He chuckled, untying the string of her top with his teeth. “You are mine.”

Biography

Susan Hanniford Crowley is married with children and has two cats and a dog. She enjoys doing research for her vampire and rare supernatural books, having tea with friends, kickboxing, and collecting seashells.

Susan’s stories are dreams she translates to paper. In addition to the dreams, she then travels to do more detailed research. Wherever she goes, she makes sure to bring her favorite tea and teacup.

Susan is the founder of Nights of Passion romance blog and can also be found on Facebook, Google +, and Pinterest as Susan Hanniford Crowley, and on Twitter as SHCrowley. Susan’s website is
http://www.susanhannifordcrowley.com