Suckers Bite Back (San Francisco Vampires #5) (Vampires of San Francisco series) (15 page)

“Sebastian, come in.”

“Ma cherie, I wanted to check on you and make sure you were okay.” He shoves his hands into the pockets of his jeans. “I’m sorry I didn’t tell you about Mark earlier. I didn’t want you to think I was making it up. But I know that honesty is important to you and it is to me too, so I will endeavor to not keep anything from you.” Sebastian runs his finger down my face. It is a gesture of his gentleness and his new dedication to our fledgling relationship.

“Bast, I’m glad you told me. I wanted a friend so badly that I was blind to what he was doing behind my back.”

“Lily, there’s nothing wrong with wanting a friend. I understand that you need a neutral party in your life right now. What Aidan and I have put you through has been rough...”

“Sebastian,” I interrupt. “I haven’t been easy to live with either.”

“Yes, but we started it. If we hadn’t both pursued you like we had you wouldn’t be in this state now.”

It was my turn. I put my fingers to his lips to silence him. It doesn’t work as I plan. Sebastian kisses my finger sending chills down my spine and then he nicks one of my fingers with his fang and gently sucks the bright crimson drop of blood.

My knees buckle but Sebastian is lightning fast and grabs me around by the waist to keep me from falling. When he pulls me close I can smell his fresh scent mixed with sandalwood and feel his hard body reminding me of the many days and nights we’ve spent together as a couple.

Unwillingly, I moan and clutch him, pulling him closer. His smooth lips find mind and are bruising mine with his desperation. I feel his tongue as it tries to quench the fire that is burning between us. My mind is reeling and I can’t say I want to stop.

Bast moves us closer to the bed and gently lowers us down, making sure to take the brunt of his weight. I feel him relax simultaneously as he sighs against my lips. I know I shouldn’t let this go on any further but it feels so good. It feels so right. I want this and I am tired of being alone.

Wow. That was like a splash of cold water. I am suddenly pushing Bast off me.

“B-bast, I’m sorry. I can’t do this. I’m not sure if I want you so bad because I am lonely and scared and you are familiar and wonderful or if it’s because I have fallen in love with you again.”

“I’ve never stopped loving you, Lily,” he says in a low voice.

“In truth I’ve never stopped loving you either, but I don’t know if it’s the same love I once felt. I’ve changed. I promise you when I know, it will be unstoppable,” I say, taking his face in my hands. I kiss him gently and he growls before taking a tight hold on my hair and holding me close to him, kissing me harshly. He almost pushes me roughly back as he puts his hands on his knees.

I stare wildly at him, afraid that I have pushed him too far.

“Lily, I want that indestructible love. I will wait for it. I believe it’s in you, waiting for me. You need more time. I can wait. I love you, it’s simple. I can have no other.” He stands, turns around and walks out of the room, shutting the door quietly.

I sit up. Rubbing my fingers across my now swollen lips. I feel bereft, hollow inside and not sure of anything except for the sincerity of Sebastian’s love. Do I even still deserve it? I abandoned it and left it cast aside for months while I wallowed in self-pity and angst. For now I don’t have long to think about it as dawn approaches and I am forced to my slumber.

I take out my journal and pour my heart into it. When Morpheus comes I am ready.

21 SEBASTIAN

I am so aroused after my time with Lily that I need to find some way to unwind. I hear the sound of someone hitting a punching bag and follow the slap – slap sounds. In the solarium I find Helena working out. Julian is watching with his fangs out. He is appreciating his lover like the warrior he is.

“Helena,” I croak, then clear my throat. “Helena, do you think I might be able to use your bag for a while? I need to work off some energy.”

Helena gives me one look and takes off her gloves. She comes over and touches my face gently. Then she beckons to her lover and they take off in a blur to their room. It only fuels my frustration knowing what they are going to be doing.

I strip down to just my jeans and take up a stance in front of the bag. Squaring off I throw punch after punch until my fangs are bared and my knuckles are raw. It must have been a long time because Julian comes in and takes a seat in front me. I ignore him and take a few more punches before I stop.

“She loves you, Sebastian,” he says.

“I know. I want more, though. She wants more. We want more than we had before and until we get there I will wait,” I say.

“Understood. You’ll get there. If there were ever star-crossed lovers it was you and Lily. But the stars are shooting your way now. Everything will work out.” Julian stands up and squeezes my shoulder before he leaves the room.

I throw a couple more punches before I hug the bag. I need a shower but I feel better. Put on a damn happy face as Hannah says and face the fucking day. If I didn’t think there was a chance, a strong, real chance, I would feel hopeless right now.

22 AIDAN

I can hardly wait until Manda wakes. The soft curl of her lush, maiden-pink lips beckons me to kiss them. Being a selfish bastard, I do just that. I hear her moan as her hands grasp for purchase on my shirt. I pull her into me and kiss her harder and she smiles. Manda’s smile gives my tongue access to her mouth. My head explodes from her taste, a mix of the wine she drank and the essence of peaches that is her signature. I’m sure if I was vampire I would be drunk by now.

Slowly my hand moves from her hip to the edge of her shirt, sliding my hand under the soft material to caress the even softer skin of her abdomen.

“Oh Aidan, mmm…” Manda moans.

My blood starts to really heat up now and I’m sure that my eyes spark. I have to make sure I don’t increase the room temp too much. Everything is spinning out of control except for her. Her scent, her lips, her skin. I drown in her. Kissing my way down her neck I edge her shirt up and she raises her hands above her head so that I can remove it. Oh gods.

The sight that awaits me. Her soft breasts budding from her lace bra are so beautiful. I know that I could will the garment away but I want to take this slowly and treasure it. Reaching for the clasp in the front, I undo it and let the material fall to the side. Painstakingly, I lower my head to her neck again and kiss my way to between her breasts until she is arching into me, her body begging for my touch. Then, quick as a viper I latch onto one of her hard pebbles while I thumb the other one.

I’m gently relentless in my assault and make her call out my name until her voice is harsh and she is spent. Then there is no more waiting. I remove both of our clothes with a thought and watch her looking at me. There is love in her eyes. I was hoping our first time would be full of love. But love is new to me. I thought I loved Lilith. These feelings I have for Manda are all-consuming. It’s all I think about. I need to discuss this with Julian. But I am sure about one thing. I have never been happier.

“Manda, I think I love you. I’m scared, though. I don’t want to lose you.”

“I love you, too, Aidan. I feel the same way.”

I lower myself into her, stretching her tightness until I am fully inside. I hear her cry out in a good way and I moan and hold my breath until I am buried. I bite her earlobe and then flick it with my tongue. Then kiss her hard not losing contact while I move out of her and begin to start some welcome friction. She is so wet and tight that I know that it won’t be long. I remind myself that I want her well satisfied. I try to hold out as long as I can and I do. She comes one more time before I seek my own release.

Manda inconceivably starts to tighten more around me. I know she is close and so am I. My sweet goddess is going to come over with me. I want it, I need it. One more, two more, three more thrusts and Manda is there. I roar my head back feeling and hearing Manda say my name as she climaxes with me. It makes me come harder. I feel like I am so full I will empty for hours. Eventually I gaze down at the beautiful woman below me. She is glowing, glistening and mine.

“Aidan,” she whispers. “Don’t ever leave me.” It was a plea, a demand, and a promise for her to never do the same to me.

“Never, my lover.” I kiss her forehead gently, then her nose and finally a soft, gentle kiss on her mouth.

I hate having to pull away from her but she is shattered. I make up for it by pulling her into my arms immediately. She nuzzles my chest and murmurs she loves me, so softly before falling back to sleep again. I hold her tightly, fiercely. Every protective instinct in me is in overdrive. Never have I felt this way. I thank the gods for Lilith Goodwill for saving me on that bridge that lonely, lonely night. She taught me about love even though my heart was broken in the process. If I hadn’t known love, I never would be here at this moment with Manda.

23 LILITH

I wake up slowly, remembering the night before. Everything, from Sebastian’s bruising kisses to Mark’s betrayal. I sigh and get up. My mind a twisting mess that mimics my life. I’m suddenly anxious for my appointment with Sophie. It will be good to unload some of this on another’s shoulders. To get a fresh perspective, another point of view.

I linger in the shower built for two and wonder what it would be like to have Sebastian share it with me. Leaning my head against the cold marble, I let the hot water cascade down my shoulders trying to warm me, yet I shiver. Slowly I grab my body wash and lather and rinse. The ritual soothes me. Must get clean, washing my hair with shampoo. I let the water wash over me, taking the suds down the drain, hopefully taking my heartache with it.

The fluffy white towel from the towel warmer quickly dries me off before I toss it in the hamper. Walking nude to my closet, I begin to cool off again, always so cold. The only warmth I have ever felt was in Aidan’s arms, but that is gone now too.

I pick out some worn jeans, an off the shoulder sweater and thick heeled Mary Janes. I use my favorite hand sanitizer that Aidan has kept me supplied with and head for the library. Sebastian meets me at the top of the stairs and quietly takes my hand before escorting me down the stairs. It is familiar, it is comforting, it’s what I need. I smile up at him and he bends to kiss me chastely at the bottom of the stairs, squeezing my hand.

We walk into the library, still holding hands, Julian smiles at us and I give him a small tight smile back. I don’t want him to make a big deal out of this.

“Are you ready to go, Lily?” Helena asks.

“I’m so ready. I have a lot to talk about today,” I say.

Sebastian frowns.

“Cherie, if you will permit, I would very much like to take you. I’m worried about Mark and I just want to be near you right now. I understand if you need your space, though, so please tell me what makes you the most comfortable,” Sebastian says.

This really throws me. I never expected him to want to accompany me. For some reason it makes me feel safe and I make a quick decision.

“I would like Sebastian to take me today – that’s if it’s okay with you, Helena.”

“I think that would be okay. Sebastian, just make sure you are gentle with her afterwards. It can be a very cathartic and draining experience and she may not want to talk. It will have nothing to do with you, sweetheart,” Helena explains.

“Thank you, Helena. I will remember that and take care of her,” he says softly.

“Let’s get going, Bast. I don’t want to be late and parking can be tricky,” I say, nervous about my decision to have him take me.

He keeps a tight hold on my hand while walking to his car. After opening my door and tucking me inside, he blurs to his side and is inside flooding the car with his familiar scent and an expensive cologne he wears and it soothes me. I inhale deeply and smile. I miss this.

We drive in silence as I prioritize what I want to talk to Sophie about. I must get perfectly prepared. Like my need to be germ free, I just have to do it. We arrive and like I predict, parking is tight, but we have plenty of time. I lead the way to Sophie’s office. When we enter, Aurora looks up and her mouth pops open at the sight of Sebastian. Yeah, sister, he’s hot. I giggle at her reaction and Bast gives me an amused look. We both know the effect he has on women. Wait until she hears the French accent.

“L-lily, uh-uhm… Sophie had an emergency and is running about ten minutes late, is that okay or do you need to reschedule?” Aurora asks.

I look at Sebastian to see what his timetable is like.

“I have no other plans but you, ma petite,” he says.

I can see Aurora melting out the corner of my eye, yeah, yeah, his voice is like melted chocolate. And I am a sucker for a good voice with a hint of foreign lands. The first thing I noticed about Aidan over the phone was his English accent.

“Thanks, Bast. Aurora, I won’t need to reschedule.”

“Good,” she says and drools. At least she has the grace to look embarrassed. Poor girl.

We wait about fifteen minutes. Bast holds my hand and rubs small circles on the top with his thumb. It sends tingles throughout my body and somehow calms me at the same time. When Sophie comes out she does a double-take at Sebastian and me and zeroes in on our hands.

“Lily, I’m ready for you. Do you both want to come in for a while or is this a solo session?”

“I never thought of it before, but I think for this time I would like it to just be me. But I would like the option to have Sebastian come to a future appointment,” I say looking at both of them. They both nod. Sebastian’s startled look is quickly replaced. I think he likes the idea too. He replaces it with a gentle smile.

I turn towards Sophie’s office but Bast pulls me into him and kisses me by my ear and whispers, “Thank you.” I smile and nod.

I find my favorite chair in Sophie’s office. The one where I can stare out the window and I pull the soft throw over my lap, snuggling in.

“Well, throw me a bone, Lily. I was surprised to see Sebastian here with you, holding your hand and then that kiss, whew,” she says waving her hand as if she were trying to cool down. She smiles and I know she is joking.