Nightlord Lover (3 page)

“Have you used those tunnels recently?” Kashia asked.

“The entrance is sealed off for now,” Garrick said. “And I
have no intension of marking Larissa into becoming immortal. It hasn’t been
approved by Bastian anyway.”

“Then anyone can claim her,” Lazaro said hopefully. “I could
use a new crimson swan, or perhaps a slave.”

“No, she’ll never be marked as a slave. I prefer a swan who
has free will,” Garrick stated. “I will claim her when she’s ready.”

Kashia gave a trill laugh. “Better pour on your charms and
be quick, Garrick. She’s lovely. I may decide to claim her for myself.”

He shot her a warning glance. Kashia was older and stronger,
but he wouldn’t allow her to claim Larissa. Lazaro had once been her blood
slave until she went against the Guild and marked him three times, making him
immortal and her companion. “Kashia has been known to go against the council’s
creed when marking her swans,” Garrick voiced his concern to Lazaro. “She likes
her sexual slaves—men and women—and as long as they don’t bore her, she’ll let
them live.”

“Only in special circumstances will the Guild allow a third
marking,” she argued. “Sometimes killing is unavoidable.”

Garrick’s jaw tightened. “It’s not necessary to kill mortals
unless they’re a threat.”

“Immortals are more of a threat to us than mortals,” Lazaro
said. “There are too many of us living in the Edmund Manor and Beaumont House.
Your shop is an ideal living space for the colony. I don’t know why you don’t
live there.”

“I have my reasons.”

“Then that business should be run by a marked mortal so
those in the colony have access to that entrance.” Lazaro took Kashia in his
arms.

“The colony would do best to avoid this section of tunnels,
resist the temptation to use the forbidden passage and violate the alliance. We
don’t want to start another war with the slayers.” Garrick wouldn’t back down.
He’d made sure Ramon put on a sturdy lock—a physical one and a psychic one. He
didn’t need any of his kind bothering Larissa during the night.

Kashia moved out of Lazaro’s embrace and grasped Garrick’s
arms. She kissed both cheeks, lingering on the last kiss, her canines scraping
his neck. “Why don’t you stay in my room today? I’m sure we’ll find something
to do.”

“I’m returning to the Beaumont, thanks for the offer.”

Kashia backed away.

Lazaro punched the back of a chair. “Kashia, I thought we had
plans tonight.”

“Plenty of time, love.” Behind him, Garrick heard the
ruffling of satin. At first he thought Kashia had raced out of the room into
one of three connecting ones. This house was much larger than the Beaumont.
Four floors and at least thirty rooms. When he turned around, Kashia’s gown was
pooled at her feet and she stood wearing nothing but the tiniest sheer black
thong, thigh-high stockings and spiked heels. Her breasts were full and rosy
nipples erect. The look she gave Garrick was one of hunger and lust.

“Haven’t you fed enough from your young men?” Garrick asked.
He couldn’t keep the sarcasm out of his voice.

“I fed and fucked plenty and left them quite sated. But warm
blood from young mortal men makes me insatiable.” She strode up to Garrick and
slid her hand down his chest, over his abdomen and cupped his cock. “Come,
Garrick. Let’s pleasure each other.”

“Another night, Kashia.” He couldn’t keep his mind off
Larissa and he knew Kashia was a selfish lover.

“Come up, Kashia. I know exactly what you need,” Lazaro
offered.

She stepped away from Garrick, not giving him another look,
and started up the stairs, leaving her beautiful gown behind. Creatures of the colony
had insatiable appetites. Those appetites were for more than blood. Ramon had
admitted how hot he was for Larissa. He was drawn to her beauty and sensuality.
If both Garrick and Ramon claimed her together, Larissa would be better
protected. Something he’d have to consider.

* * * * *

The antique streetlights illuminated her bedroom with a
faint glow, but not enough to see his face. Garrick’s weight pressed her down onto
her bed. When had she let him into her apartment and bedroom? Groggy from
sleep, she explained away the confusion. Maybe he was worried about her, or he
couldn’t resist their attraction either.

Desire and strong sexual need blocked out logic and any
warnings attempting to surface in her mind. Sighing in pleasure, she
surrendered to her needs.
Enjoy the moment
. When was the last time she
felt this hot for a guy or someone wanted her this badly?

She could feel he was naked, feel his hard cock against her
thigh. Moisture pooled between her legs. If he didn’t give her some attention
there soon she’d go mad for sure.

Larissa arched into the hands massaging her breasts. “Yes,
that’s so good.” She writhed as his mouth sucked her nipples, one at a time.
His teeth captured the tender flesh while his tongue teased and rolled over the
tip. It was so good, how could she resist? She knew she’d wanted him the first
time she saw him. And he wanted her too. Two adults hot for each other. What
could be wrong with that? “More, Garrick.” She was raw now, almost painful from
his rough attentions, but she didn’t want him to stop. Her clit throbbed and
she ached for him to move lower but wouldn’t ask him yet. They were new lovers,
just exploring and learning about each other. She wanted this to last.

“Soon you’ll be mine,” he murmured against her breast then
moved lower.

“Oh that feels good.” She slid her fingers through his hair
and guided him down.

“Hmmm. Impatient. I know what you want, what you need.” He
reached her pussy and gently lifted her labia with his teeth, released her then
captured her tender folds again. Larissa shivered and gasped. Her arms thrashed
on the bed.

He lifted up.

“No, don’t stop.”

“You can’t move or the pleasure could turn painful.” He
grasped her wrists and spread her arms over her head. “Keep them there and don’t
move.”

“Okay.”

“If you move, I’ll have to tie you to the bed.”

She groaned. Then his mouth came down on her clit and it
took all her control to keep from squirming. His tongue brushed over her
swollen flesh and she thought she might leap off the bed. The orgasm perched on
the edge and in another minute she’d explode in the most mind-fucking climax
ever. “Like that, just like that,” she whispered, pleading.

She opened her eyes and across the room a shadow moved. She
froze until she noticed it was Ramon. He was wearing an AC/DC T-shirt with his
leather pants. And his hard cock bulged beneath the tight material. “Garrick,
Ramon is here.”

“Yes, didn’t you know he’s been watching?”

“No, but it’s fine. I don’t mind him watching.” She really
didn’t mind. That was odd because she’d never been watched by someone before,
but for some reason it was turning her on.

“He could join us if you like.”

She looked at Garrick, then at Ramon, hesitating, not sure
how to answer that.

The lust-filled look in Ramon’s eyes turned her on even
more. The idea of making love to two beautiful men thrilled and shocked her. He
smiled. Garrick kissed her mouth, deep and hard, making her head spin. When she
opened her eyes Ramon had kicked off his boots and slid out of his pants and
shirt. His cock stood upright against his belly. God, he was beautiful. Hard,
buff chest and that long blond hair flowed down to his nipples. The man was
amazingly gorgeous. He fiercely stroked his cock.

He smiled down at her. “Haven’t you made love to two men
before?”

She laughed nervously. “No. But it sounds intriguing.”

“Then you’d like to try?” Ramon asked as he approached the
bed.

“Yes.”

He climbed onto the bed and knelt beside her. Oh my god. I’ve
died and gone to heaven. She raised her hips to meet Garrick’s mouth as he
clamped over her pussy and flicked his tongue over her clit. She groaned, her
body squirming from the attentions of both men. Ramon at her side, pinching and
sucking her nipples while Garrick lapped at her pussy.

“Keep your legs spread and your arms over your head,”
Garrick demanded. “Let us pleasure you. Then we’ll make love to you.”

“Oh yes,” she moaned. Garrick shoved a finger inside her
channel and thrust it in and out as he licked her at the same time. Ramon
nipped at her neck, her breasts. Both men pleasured her in ways she’d never before
experienced. “I’ll come like this.”

“Good,” Ramon said.

“But I want to feel your cocks inside me. I want to pleasure
you too.” Her body was at the point of no return in her climax. She didn’t want
them to stop. As the first throb of pleasure jerked through her body, she felt
an icy-cold breeze brush over her body, heard a loud crack like a board
snapping.

The bed? No, it was from outside. The noise jolted her out
of her fog of sexual sensations and cut off her orgasm. But more than that.

She blinked several times and the lighting in the room
changed. Both men had vanished. Light from a street lamp appeared brighter. A
shadow moved across her window outside on her balcony. At first she thought it
was Garrick. The man had long dark hair and wore a dark coat, and when he
turned, she noticed his hair was spiked up on top, his skin had a luminescent
pale color and his eyes were light gray, not blue like Garrick’s.

Startled, she bolted upright, heard the wood crack again. She
screamed. The man vanished. She jumped out of bed and realized she was naked.
Her nightgown and underwear were tossed onto the floor. She grabbed a throw
blanket on the end of the bed to cover herself and ran to the window but no one
was there. Talk about a bizarre dream. First very hot and then scary. Sex with
Ramon and Garrick? And an intruder on her balcony? Or had she imagined that
too? What was in that Irish coffee she’d had at the Logan Inn?

The next morning Larissa opened her door to Silk Fantasies.
Her heart raced in anticipation of the success she knew she would have in this
store and this town. A fresh start and new life. After working years in her
parent’s pastry shop in Springvine, New York, she’d thought for sure they would
either give her the store or let her buy them out. When her father died, her
mother retired, moved to Florida and gave the store to her younger brother. He’d
barely finished high school, had no business experience and no interest in the pastry
shop. Her mother’s explanation for giving it to her brother was that he had no
career plans and needed the business for his future.

Larissa was college educated in business administration and
could be successful in anything. In some ways her mother was right, but shortly
after her brother received the shop, he turned around and sold it. Larissa lost
her job and her apartment.

It was a sign for her to move on and pursue another dream. That’s
how she found her way to New Hope with a search on the internet. She liked the
idea of owning her own business, but expected that dream would be years down
the road. Her job hunt started with a search for managerial sales positions in
small towns close to New York. When she found a couple possible prospects, she
also checked available apartments in the area. That was how she discovered the
shop and apartment in New Hope. The shop came fully stocked with lingerie,
displays, everything she needed to open right away. The owner of the building
said business was very good, but the previous manager had to leave suddenly for
personal reasons.

How could she turn it down? The price for the shop and
apartment lease were reasonable. She could apply for the other jobs and wait
weeks before hearing anything. She had to make a quick decision. Her brother
wanted her out. And she and her brother weren’t on the best terms. Silk
Fantasies would succeed.

Crowds of holiday shoppers scurried up and down Main Street.
It was dark and cloudy but the weather only called for snow flurries. Christmas
music played in the traffic-jammed streets. Why hadn’t one customer entered her
store all morning? It was almost noon and Jordan, her helper, hadn’t shown up
yet. Larissa hadn’t given her specific hours so she couldn’t complain. But
hadn’t she said she’d be there early? Something they needed to discuss, or did
she have to clear that with Garrick? He did seem to have a stronghold on his
tenants’ businesses. If they were successful, which they seemed to be from her
online research, then maybe it was a good thing.

She had signs on her door and windows that she was open and
advertised holiday sales. Nothing would entice customers. For hours she paced
her shop until well past lunch when her stomach growled for food. Grabbing her
keys and jacket, she headed for the door to place the sign saying she’d be
right back and go get a takeout sandwich when a woman strolled in.

“Hello,” the woman said. “Are you closing?”

“No, come on in.” Larissa walked back to the checkout
counter. “Let me know if you have any questions.” She’d grab lunch later or
after Jordan showed up. The woman was striking. Long dark hair that fell
perfectly straight to the middle of her back. She wore a black ankle-length fur
coat. Real fur, not faux. Moving from table to table, the woman picked up
panties, teddies, bras and chemises, dropped them, never refolding as she moved
to the next item. Larissa resisted the urge to roll her eyes. She reached the
table of her Paris imports—the most expensive pieces—and scooped up a few
negligees.

“I’ll try these on.” She marched toward the dressing room.

“Those are lovely. Let me know if you need help with sizes.”

“I know my size,” the woman snapped, then entered the dressing
room. Larissa was hopeful that the high-maintenance chick would buy something.

The bell from the door sounded and Jordan backed into the
store. “Jordan?” Larissa asked. “What are you—”

Jordan turned around with a flat-screen television in her
arms. “Sorry I’m late. I had to see a guy about a TV.”

“Jordan, what are you doing?” Larissa ran to the door and
helped her carry the TV to the back of the store and put it down behind the
counter. “Where did you get that?”

“You said you didn’t have one and I know a guy who sells
them really cheap.”

“How much?”

“Don’t worry about it. He owes me a favor.”

Larissa crossed her arms and eyed her. “It’s not stolen, is
it?”

Hands on hips, Jordan made a face. “No, it’s not stolen.”

She removed her backpack. “I got lunch too. I hope you like
subs. I’m starved.” She dug out a bag from her pack and placed it on the counter
along with two cans of diet soda.

The door to the dressing room opened and the woman walked
out with the Paris originals balled up in her hands. “These won’t do.” She handed
the silky items to Larissa and gave Jordan a sharp look. “Hello, Jordan. Who are
you tormenting these days?”

Jordan took a few steps back. Fear displayed in her wide
eyes. “Hello, Kashia. What are you doing here?”

The accusatory tone startled Larissa. “Jordan?” Larissa
frowned at her helper’s harsh tone.

“I mean, I heard you were on holiday,” Jordan amended. “I
hadn’t expected to see you until after Christmas.”

“It was a short trip.” She turned to Larissa. “I heard you’re
new to New Hope. I’m Kashia, welcome. Quaint store. Needs customers though. I’m
sure they’ll come with time.” She scanned the shop one last time then strutted
out the door.

“Who is that?” Larissa asked Jordan.

“Bitch. Sorry,” Jordan said. “Someone you don’t want to mess
with. Trust me.”

Larissa nodded, not understanding what Jordan meant but
figuring she’d learn in time. “Thanks for bringing the TV and sandwiches. Let
me treat for lunch. And I do plan to reimburse you or your friend for the TV.”
Larissa opened the cash register.

“Next time,” Jordan said, taking a bite out of her sandwich.

Larissa closed the register and shook out the ball of
lingerie Kashia left behind to refold them. “Damn it.”

“What’s wrong?”

Larissa held up the silk pieces. “These are the most
expensive items in the store and she tore them, and not just popped a seam
thread, she ripped the material. I can’t mend these to sell. They’re ruined.
You know her? Who is she?”

Jordan took a large bite from her sandwich. She took a while
to answer and the color drained from her cheeks. “She lives at Edmund Manor.
Likes to think she owns the town. She does own part of it. Be careful of her
and her friend, Lazaro.”

“I haven’t met him yet.”

“You will.”

They finished lunch and Larissa explained every detail on
how to run the store over the next few hours. Jordan learned quickly, but
during her training they never had one customer.

Larissa slammed a ledger pad on the counter. “I just don’t
get it!” She charged for the front door and swung it open.

“What’s wrong?” Jordan asked, coming to stand by her side.
The sidewalks were packed with people and streets bumper-to-bumper with cars.
Larissa noticed people walking in and out of all the other stores except hers. “Are
you okay?”

“Actually, I’m not. Why am I not getting any customers? I
should get a few curious browsers if nothing else. Look outside. Christmas is
only weeks away and New Hope is packed with shoppers.” She marched out of the
store without her coat and started walking down the street.

She rushed in and out of every shop all the way down the
block, from jewelry stores, clothing, novelty, toys, artwork and food. Every
place was filled with customers and long lines. Earlier her store had one
customer who hadn’t bought anything and only damaged expensive merchandise.
Larissa strolled back to Silk Fantasies, planning to close early.

“Give it a few days,” Jordan said when Larissa returned. “If
business doesn’t pick up, talk to Garrick. He’ll have a few ideas to help you
out. You’ll have to have an open mind though.”

Larissa shook her head, eyeing Jordan suspiciously. “I don’t
know what you mean or what he can do to draw customers. Sounds mysterious.” Or
illegal. “Why don’t you leave early? I’ll be closing soon anyway.”

“No, stay open. I don’t have plans and after we can get a
bite to eat, then I’ll help you hook up the TV.”

“All right. I’ll pick up a few things later for dinner. But
this is my treat.”

Jordan agreed.

Larissa thought it was odd that the young woman wasn’t
anxious to leave work and go home or hang out with friends. She was grateful
for the company.

Business better improve soon or how would she pay her rent,
or Jordan? A couple customers came in and she did manage a couple sales. It was
a start. “Can you watch the shop, Jordan? I’ll run my errands and come right
back. I’ll bring home a nice bottle of wine to celebrate the opening of my
store.”
Even though we don’t have much to celebrate today.

“Awesome.” Jordan held up a lacy red teddy and admired it. “I’ll
be here.”

* * * * *

Larissa donned her coat, grabbed a shopping sack and headed
onto the crowded streets. It was dark, early evening, and the sidewalks were
still packed. She couldn’t help but think about Garrick’s warning about the
towpath and ghost. It was a short cut to the store and she didn’t want to leave
Jordan alone for long. Not that she didn’t trust Jordan, but she was new and
might not be able to answer a customer’s question. As she stood by the entrance
of the path, two joggers ran across the parking lot and onto the towpath. See?
If it was safe enough for them, why not her?

Deciding to ignore Garrick’s warning, she followed the
joggers and speed-walked toward the bridge. The trail was peaceful, a great
place to jog and not so isolated that she felt unsafe. The sounds of traffic
and Christmas music in the distance comforted her. The joggers passed the
bridge and were out of sight. Stuffing her hands in her coat pocket, she
hurried along the grassy path.

Under the bridge, she rushed up the steps leading to the
street. Her hands shook when she entered the small grocery store. She refused
to get spooked by superstitions. She picked up coffee, milk, yogurt and fresh
berries. The fruit was way overpriced for this time of year but she needed a
taste of summer. Then she stopped at the wine store for a bottle of merlot. She
hoped by inviting Jordan for dinner, she might find out what she knew about the
town and its mysterious people like Garrick, Ramon and Kashia. On the way home,
she took the canal towpath again, refusing to allow a legend to spook her.

Something tugged on her hair and she jumped, almost dropping
her shopping sack. Laughing, she gripped onto her bag and marched under the
bridge. She was scaring herself for no reason.

This time a shadow crossed her path.

“You will be my crimson slave,” a man’s voice whispered
close to her ear. She felt his breath, felt the touch of his hand on her
shoulder. Crying out, Larissa spun around but no one was there.

She glanced up and down the path and saw no one running
away. To one side was a wall leading up to the bridge. Even a tall person
couldn’t leap to the top. The only other way off the path was to jump into the
canal. She would’ve heard a splash if the man was crazy enough to do that in
this weather. Was it the ghost, or something else?

Her body chilled then flashed with heat. A shiver raised
goose bumps over her skin. If it was a ghost then she had nothing to fear. A
ghost couldn’t harm her, only frighten her if she let it.

The shadow and a breeze sped passed her and Larissa was
slammed against the cold stone wall. All the air rushed out of her lungs and
she gasped for a breath to scream.

The weight of a muscular body pressed her against the wall
as hands moved up her hips and waist. Oh God, she was going to be raped or
murdered or both. With all her strength she tried to kick, tried to swing her
arms to fight, but she was paralyzed.

Her pulse thundered in her head. Finally she found the
courage to open her eyes and face her attacker. The Goth guy who was on her
balcony. “You.”

“Yes, little one. I’m claiming you. Taking what’s rightfully
mine.” His scorching gaze moved down her length, kicking up her heartbeat and
heating her skin. Despite the violence, she felt woozy, sensually achy, his
touch tempting. Her head leaned back and rested against the stone, the fight
and fear being replaced by erotic desire.

What was wrong with her? “What are you doing?” she murmured.

“Wait and see.” His booted foot shoved her feet apart. A muscular
thigh eased between her legs. The buttons of her coat opened and cold air
chilled her body. Fear rose to the surface again. She shuddered as his mouth
glided over her neck, teeth scraping her skin. “This might hurt a little. It’ll
be over quick,” he said.

“Am I going to die?” she asked, her voice fading. All her
strength drained and she couldn’t fight, she couldn’t scream even though she
knew she should. Surprisingly, her body felt aroused, her nipples hardened, her
pussy throbbed and ached for the naughty things a man’s mouth could do. She
giggled a little, as if she were drunk. What was happening to her? In the
distance or behind the stone wall she heard a woman laughing.

He groaned low in his throat. “No, little one, you’re not
going to die. Relax and you’ll enjoy it bet—”

He didn’t get to finish his sentence. The Goth man violently
pulled away from her. Larissa opened her eyes to see him flying through the
air, across the canal and landing on the opposite bank. He stumbled up the hill
and disappeared.

Impossible. He’d leapt at least thirty feet and didn’t touch
the water. “How did he do that?” Stunned, Larissa stared, unable to react or
comprehend what had happened. She didn’t realize Garrick stood beside her.