Blood Struck (8 page)

I gasped and arched off the bed.

“Everything all right?”

I lifted my head to see him watching me with an amused expression. “Yes,” I managed to say breathlessly.

“I know the first time can be scary. Especially today. Americans are raised to believe in romance. I come from a time, Myra, when fucking the right man was everything and love had little value.”  He dipped his head between my legs again and wiggled his tongue up and down, making my thighs clench, grasping at nothing.

Despite the carnal distraction of his mouth, I asked, “When was that?”

“Ancient Rome.” He paused to pull my clit into his mouth with gentle suction. My hands fisted in the sheets and my hips twisted in bigger and bigger circles, until he had to push them firmly back down to the bed. “What I’m saying is, you have chosen well and you are securing your family’s future. There is great honor in that. There will be time for romance later. For now, let yourself go and trust me to take you where you need to go. Be glad you are giving yourself to the right man.” His tongue lapped my nether lips and then pushed them apart to massage my sensitive nub. There was no stopping for conversation this time. I closed my eyes to better concentrate on the orgasm that swelled deep in my core, heavy and wet, ready to burst.

Again my hips bounced up, and again Kristos pinned me down in order to keep me where he wanted it. There was something so primal about that small act of restraint. I was not in control, the fate of my orgasm rested with him. He had all the power, and my only choice was to submit. Yet still I strained to take the pleasure faster, harder. I wanted release.

My body bucked and fought him, but he was so strong, all he had to do was merely tighten his grip. The legend of super human strength flashed through my mind. He certainly had super human speed which made me think of how fast his tongue might go.

My breath heaved in short pants as the climax prepared to explode. With my hips pinned down so tightly, all I could do was arch my back, wishing his mouth was on my breasts too. The memory of my nipples hardening for him took me over the edge and I cried out. Big contractions of pleasure shook me followed by fluttering pulses. He never stopped lapping up my juices and then I realized, when still he didn’t stop, that he was actually feeding.

I pushed myself up so I could see his throat convulse as he swallowed. I was stunned. I thought vampires fed from the neck. I had never expected such an intimate act would also include blood. Of course, I hadn’t really known anything until this moment and what I did know about sex with vampires was still woefully inadequate.

To my surprise, another orgasm rose up, unbidden. I was turned on, I realized by watching him and the fact he was literally eating me. It made me feel powerful and incredibly sexy. While the second orgasm wasn’t as strong as the first one, it still forced me to lay back and shudder in surrender. His tongue swept over my sensitive center, fueling the fire in my nervous system and almost crossing the line into pain.

Then he was standing, his cock impossibly large and aiming straight for me. My breathing hitched and panic flashed through me.

“Don’t think, just feel,” he said, his eyes swallowing up mine until I couldn’t tell where I ended and he began. His cock wedged itself in the entrance to my wet passage and pushed, insisting on entry. “Try to relax and open for me.” He nuzzled my neck and kissed his way down to my breast, teasing my nipple into hard prominence.

Very patiently and deliberately, he played with my breasts until my hips began to move under him. Ever so slowly, he inched his way inside, expanding my walls wide until they ached. “You’re so wet and tight. I can’t wait to show you how good it’s going to be.” He eased out and then pumped into me with one fluid movement that made me hiss as pleasure and pain mixed. The sensation of my virginity tearing away made me bite my lip, a reaction that made Kristos’ eyes burn with desire.

He claimed my mouth in a bruising kiss, capturing my moans in his mouth as he took me in slow motion. Gradually, he picked up speed, going faster and faster until my breasts bounced with the force of his re-entry. I reached up and grabbed his shoulders. The stitches in my palm stretched in protest, but I ignored the minor discomfort in favor of holding on. I didn’t know where the ride was going to take me and I feared it would shatter me into a million pieces.

Soon I was thrusting up to meet him, wishing I could take him deeper. My need was insatiable and he only satisfied it in glancing blows as his cock buried itself to the hilt inside me. I needed more.

As if sensing that, Kristos put my feet on his shoulders and plowed into me with powerful thrusts of his hips. His entire body felt as hard as his cock; throbbing muscle bouncing into my soft curves.

I came in a soundless scream, too overcome to let air pass through my vocal cords. Pleasure unlike any I had felt before convulsed through me. Kristos leaned forward to kiss me on the neck, my legs pressing into my belly and chest until I could barely breath. I flinched as I felt the sting of his fangs piercing my skin, but that was quickly replaced by the added pleasure of feeling his cock spasming inside me in rhythm with his feeding.

The way he held me was almost like being hog-tied. My body was wrapped in his, pinned by his weight which also immobilized my legs. All I had were my hands, which sometimes gripped the sheets or ran through the soft hair on his head. If the stitches bothered me, I didn’t notice any longer. In the midst of my orgasm, I had held onto the meat of his shoulders, shuddering against him.

When he was done, he seized my mouth in another kiss and I tasted my salt and blood on his lips. With tentative laps of my tongue, I cleaned the traces of our lovemaking from his mouth.

Kristos rolled off me with a sigh of contentment.

Seeking reassurance, I asked, “Did I pass inspection?”

He pulled me close, snuggling me against his shoulder. “Yes, you were fine.”

“Fine?” I half sat up to look at him. Fine didn’t seem like an enthusiastic endorsement.

He laughed. “You were the best virgin I ever had for dinner.”

The absurdity of his response was not reassuring. “That’s it, just a good meal?”

He went quiet for a moment. “More than a meal, Myra.” He planted a kiss on the top of my head. “There’s something about you, who you are, the way you taste that makes me want more.” He fell silent again. “Tell me about your parents.”

I gave him a confused look. “Why?”

“It might explain why I’m so besotted with you. You don’t taste like the other girls.”

A coy smile danced on my lips. He’d said besotted and that made me happy. Very happy. I liked the idea of being able to besot a man like Kristos. “My mom, her name is Elena, is Irish-American with the blue eyes and red hair. My dad, well, all I know is his name. He didn’t stick around. His name was Devon Desanto.”

Kristos froze. “You’re sure about that?”

I frowned. “Yes, why? Do you know him?” The idea was preposterous, but something I’d said had caused Kristos to react strongly.

“Seriously, Myra, are you certain that’s his name?” His eyes caught mine in a fierce gaze that took my breath away.

Mute, I nodded. Whatever it was, my gut instinct told me it was bad. Kristos had been happy when I’d confessed to being a virgin. That happy face was gone, now replaced by a serious one that carried an edge of worry.

He pushed me away and sat up, his brow furrowed. “We’ve met.” He hit the bed with a fist. “That’s who you reminded me of. You taste like him. Vampires call him The Maker.”

I shook my head and moved to sit next to him, pulling the sheet with me to cover my nakedness. “Seriously? You knew my dad? He’s The Maker? Of what?” The questions tumbled out in a rush, reflecting the chaos in my mind.

Kristos crossed his arms. “I wasn’t the target that night at the restaurant.”

My heart began to sink. “What are you saying?”

His eyes locked with mine again. “It was you they wanted.”

“Me?” My voice was a squeak now. I clutched the sheet tight in my hands. “Who would want me dead?”

“Your father’s enemies.”

I put a hand to my forehead to try and stop the panic swirling inside. “Kristos, please make sense. I don’t understand.”

“I thought there was something about your blood that seemed familiar, but I couldn’t place it. The attack...well, I never suspected they would want you. You’re human.”

“What does my father’s name have to do with this?” I’d never even met the guy. He’d missed every milestone in my life and now he was causing people to shoot at me? It all seemed so random.

“Your father is an Old One. One of the first vampires that ever walked.” Kristos’ eyes caught mine. “The last time I saw him, he was using that name. It can’t be a coincidence.”

“Oh my God.” My words came out in breathless gasps. With one trembling finger I touched my teeth, checking for fangs. Just in case I’d failed to notice them these past twenty-five years. “What are you saying Kristos?”

“You’re his blood and some would do anything to have you.”

“Alive or dead?”

He nodded. “Yes, depending on their agenda.”

I took a deep breath. “So half the vampire world wants to shoot me and the other half wants to kidnap me?” It sounded insane. It couldn’t be real.

He gripped my shoulders and gave me a little shake. “You don’t understand, you have the blood of the old ones in you. Whoever has you would control you and add to their power.”

“Making me the most valuable pawn on the board.” I didn’t play much chess, but the analogy seemed to fit.

“Yes.”

We were both silent for a moment. Kristos watched me, his expression contemplative while I tried not to hyperventilate. This was just too much information. I couldn’t take it all in.

“Wait,” I said as a thought occurred to me. “If my dad’s a vampire does that mean vampires can have babies?”

Kristos shook his head. “No. The Maker was special, somehow dead yet still able to make life. There’s no other vampire like him.”

“Do I have brothers and sisters then?”

He shrugged. “I don’t know. It’s possible.”

“That’s just crazy. I don’t believe any of it.” I crossed my arms, holding on to myself as my heart raced like a cornered animal. “It was just one shooting. How do we even know it has anything to do with me?”

He wrapped an arm around me and I leaned into his strength. “I know vampires, Myra. They’ve found you through your father and what happened at the restaurant is only the beginning. It’s true, no matter how much you want to deny it. The real question is, how do I keep you safe?”

“I’ll just go home and act like nothing happened.” In fact, I would go right now and dive deep under the covers of my bed where no one could see me.

He shook his head. “That won’t stop them. You’re not thinking clearly, Myra. They’re on to you now and won’t give up until you’re theirs.”

“What do you suggest then?” I pushed him away and moved to the opposite side of the bed.

He made no move to follow, giving me space. “Let me bring you over.”

I clutched at my throat, eyes wide. “Make me a vampire?”

He nodded. “It would make you stronger, faster and put you under my protection. That would stop most of this madness.”

I frowned. “Most? Not all?”

Kristos shrugged. “Vampires can be very determined, especially the old ones, but I can protect you.”

I said nothing for several long minutes and Kristos didn’t push me. “Is this really the only way?”

Before he could respond the now familiar sound of bullets thudding into the wall hit our ears. I rolled off the bed, dropping to the floor. Kristos followed me, landing on top of my body.

“This is happening?” My voice came out in a panicked shriek. “Again?”

Thud-thud-thud.
More bullets sounded.

Kristos remained calm and dragged me over to the wall where he pushed an unseen button. A panel in the wall swished open and he pushed me through into a dark room. Once I was inside, he entered and hit another unseen button to shut the panel. After fumbling in the dark for a moment, he found the light switch and flipped it on.

A dim light illuminated a small room with metal walls. A bank of video monitors on one wall flared to life showing the apartment was full of armed operatives dressed in all black. Kristos watched them with a frown and went to a control panel by the door we’d come in through and hit some buttons. There was the reassuring sound of bolts sliding home and locks clicking in place. “There, we’re the only ones who can open the door now.”

Then he turned his attention to a storage bin set next to the door. Quickly rummaging through its contents he pulled out some clothes and tossed them to me.

“Here, put something on.”

“Where are we?” I kept my voice to a whisper, not wanting anyone to hear us in our hidey-hole. Sorting through the clothes, I found a t-shirt and pulled it on, grateful for its warmth.

“It’s a panic room. We’ll be safe here.”

Relief made me weak. Wrapping my arms around myself, I watched the monitors. The apartment was overrun and all the black clothing made it look like an invasion of ants...that happened to carry semi-automatic weapons. “What about your people?”

He grimaced. “Dead, hiding or running. I won’t know until this is over.”

I gulped. “You’re sure they’re after me?”

“I’m fairly certain.” His expression was grim as he watched the men ransack my room.

“And the only way to stop this madness is for me to become a vampire?” I couldn’t believe I was even asking such a question. It sounded beyond insane when I said it out loud.

“Correct.”

“Have you ever brought anyone over?”

He nodded. “Yes.”

“Does it hurt?”

Another nod.

Whatever I was about to say died on my lips as something on the monitor caught my eye. The blond vampire who’d brought me clothes earlier was walking down the hallway toward Kristos’ room, pushing a hooded figure in front of her. With the hood over their face, it was hard to be certain, but the gaunt, feminine frame looked familiar.

“Oh, God,” I said. I knew there was a good reason I hadn’t liked that woman.