Sweeter Than Wine (25 page)

Only now did he realize what he’d been searching for all that time. Her. He’d been searching for Christina—the One who would complete him and make him whole once more.

He rocked within her, knowing it would take little to bring her over the edge of ecstasy with him. It would be the first of many peaks he would bring her that night, in what time they had left before dawn claimed them.

Sebastian stroked upward while Christina writhed atop him. Some of the water swished out of the tub, but he didn’t care. They’d worry about cleaning it up later. For now, he could only concentrate of the feel of his woman, loving him.

He reached up and licked the point of her pulse with his tongue, his teeth descending as his excitement grew. He felt her petite fangs against his skin. The feel of her scraping the delicate points over his neck drove them both higher.

With gentle strokes, he positioned the bite, judging the exact moment to press down and sever the skin, allowing the warm juice of life to flow onto his tongue. It tasted sublime. The wine of the gods, made just for him.

Christina bit down on his neck and the sensations multiplied as they went from him to her and back again many times over. They were sharing every thought, every feeling, every sensation as they shared their bodies and their blood. They were One.

Her core gripped him and he rode the feelings higher. When she cried out and began to pulse around him, Sebastian at last could loose the tight reins he’d held on himself, shooting into her hard, fast and complete, as just a few sips of her blood coated his tongue. Between mates, that’s all that was needed to sustain each other’s magic and life.

Blood and sex, and the deepest kind of love in all the realms.

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Christina wrung him dry and sapped his energy, all the while replenishing it with her love. The fireball of power went between them, filling their souls and renewing their immortal lives. They would be this way, together, forever now. For eternity.

198

When Christina and Sebastian rose the following evening, the house was quiet. Most of the
were
folk had gone home, though a small contingent of Hastings’ agents had set up a surveillance schedule to prowl the grounds of the estate. Sebastian made arrangements to hire Hastings’ firm, though protection was only a side business for the busy private investigator. Still, the man had to earn a living for himself and his people and Sebastian had plenty of money to pay them with. Plus, Hastings’ people were well trained in security, and had their natural
were
talents to call on. They’d also seen firsthand the threatening evil of the
Venifucus
, and knew Sebastian and Christina on a personal level.

They were friends now. Comrades in arms. Sebastian trusted them to look after him and his lady, as well as the estate. It was a good deal all the way around.

Cameron was keeping tabs on Steel, but the mortal had been thanked and allowed to go on his way. The reports he would’ve handed in to his superiors at the
Altor Custodis
were now in Sebastian’s safe. They’d be burned in the presence of Marc and Ian, as soon as the Master returned. Ian was keeping an eye on the former
Altor Custodis
agent and Christina’s doctor friend as well—during the evenings, of course.

Sebastian had been in touch with Marc, but it sounded like he was enjoying his excursion in the countryside with his new wife. They hadn’t had much of a honeymoon, so this little sojourn was apparently filling the gap. Marc didn’t sound like he was in any hurry to return home, but then, the danger had passed…for now.

Cameron was waiting in the living room with a grim look on his face when Christina and Sebastian came up from their chamber. Sebastian took mental stock of the house and grounds. Usually he could pinpoint every creature in his domain. Right now, there were two
were
patrollers on the perimeter, Cam here in the living room, and Matt was still upstairs in one of the guest rooms. Everything seemed all right, but Cam’s expression was troubled.

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“What’s wrong?”

Cam sighed. “The young cougar bit off more than he bargained for, I’m afraid.”

Christina moved into the room. “What do you mean? Is Matt okay?”

“He’s upstairs, resting. He’s been in bed all day. I checked on him earlier, but there’s little I can do for this kind of malady.” Cameron shook his head, his eyes grave.

“What’s wrong with him?” Christina was upset. Sebastian could feel her worry through their bond.

“It was the blood, wasn’t it?” Sebastian asked, fearing the answer.

The fey warrior nodded.

Sebastian touched Christina’s shoulder. “Remember how I went after Mario? With my hands. Not my fangs.” She nodded. “When someone is that evil, right down to their core, even their blood is tainted. It’s like poison to one of us.”

“But Matt bit him. Oh, no! Is it as bad for
were
as it would be for us?”

“Not quite that deadly,” Cam drew her attention, “but still poisonous. It’s something he’ll have to work out of his system, but it could leave him impaired.”

“He looked so tired last night, but I thought it was just from the stress. I should’ve known something was up. He’s usually so full of life and energy.” Christina turned back to Sebastian. “Isn’t there anything we can do?”

The silence stretched.

“There is one thing.” Cam spoke in a low, serious voice. “Evil can only be overcome with goodness, purity of heart, valor, and…love. You care for him. He’s bonded with you, for Lady’s sake. You, Christina, could help purge the poison from his blood, both with your vampiric gifts and the love you hold in your heart for him. I know it’s not the same as the bond you share with Sebastian, but what you both feel for Matthew is good and true. Most importantly, it could heal him. If you’re willing.”

Christina looked confused as she turned to Sebastian. He opened his mind to her completely, sharing images of their first joining, when Matt had given her his blood, so she might grow strong enough to face her fears. Matt’s blood had given her the agility to 200

dodge Mario’s attacks. He’d later helped her learn how to use the cat’s grace and treated her with respect, and yes, a kind of love.

He shared their minds in a small way. He was a part of them, though not in the same way Sebastian and Christina were joined. Still, he was there, in their minds and hearts, not to be denied or left to suffer.

“We can help him,” Sebastian said. “If you’re willing.” In their minds he showed her images of the three of them together. He knew when the spark ignited in her blood.

They’d been good together. Healing Matt in such a way would be no hardship at all.

When it came down to it, Sebastian wouldn’t share his One with anyone—except Matt. He’d been more than a brother to them, seeing both of them through danger and standing strong by their sides. He’d even been poisoned to save them. They could do no less than help him now. And if the road to health was paved with pleasure, then they’d just have to put up with it.

Sebastian sighed and Christina grinned.

She reached up and kissed him. “I love you, Sebastian.”

Matt was aware when the door to the guest room opened, but he couldn’t find the energy to do much more than crack open his eyes. He was unsurprised to find Sebastian towering over him, with Christy at his side.

“What are you still doing in bed, friend?” the vamp asked.

Matt shrugged. “I just need some rest. Shouldn’t you guys be sleeping? What time is it?”

“Cam said you slept all day, Matt.” Christy sat on the side of the bed, her beautiful eyes full of concern. “It’s after dark.”

“You’re kidding.”

“I’m afraid not.” One of her soft hands pushed his hair away from his brow. Her touch was magic. “Matt, you’re sick and I think we can cure you.”

Matt’s mind whirled in a foggy mist. Christy’s touch acted on his senses, her tantalizing scent reaching out to fire his blood. He remembered how sweet she’d been to 201

fuck and how much he liked her—even loved her, in a very special way. But he hadn’t been invited back to her bed since that astonishing three-way when his mind had been touched ever-so-slightly by the joining of theirs.

“Sweetheart, you’re with Sebastian now. I know you two are joined.”

“Yes,” Sebastian answered, drawing his gaze, “we are. And we will be for all eternity. But we’re also connected—slightly—to you. We care for you, Matt. We don’t want to see you suffer for having helped us.”

“And you think…this…will help?”

Sebastian nodded. “That’s what Cameron said, and I trust him to know more about magical matters than any other being I know.”

“The old busybody.” Matt cursed. “Don’t listen to him. I’ll be fine with a good night’s sleep.”

“Matt, you’ve slept more than thirteen hours already.” Christy sounded worried. She was such a sweet woman. He envied Sebastian for having her in his life. “Let me help you.”

“You don’t have to do this.”

“We want to.” Sebastian’s eyes flared and Matt couldn’t tell if it was with ire or passion. In his weakened state, he couldn’t work up the energy to fear either. “Don’t we, Christina?”

She moved closer, stroking his cheek. “We do.” One of her hands rested over his heart. “Matt, you gave me your strength when I most needed it. You saved my life. Let me give a little of that back.”

“Let you?” Matt had to laugh. “I’d be a fool to say no, but I’d happily be the fool if it meant coming between you two in any way.”

“Only in the best possible way, brother.”

Matt was caught by both the unmistakable heat in Sebastian’s gaze and the words he used. Sebastian had never called him brother before. Such words had significance among both
were
and bloodletters. They weren’t used lightly.

“Are you sure about this?”

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“Kiss him, Christina. Show him how sure we both are.”

Christy leaned forward and brushed her lips over Matt’s. He remembered her delicious flavor and felt the immediate spark of her energy seeping into his body. When her tongue tangled with his, he felt stronger. He also felt the bond between them flare to life—the bond that linked all three of them.

Sebastian hung back and watched from beside the bed, much as he’d done that first night. But Matt could sense the other man’s passion building, just as he had on those other occasions when he’d been with Christy. Only this time, the passion wasn’t one of unrequited yearning, but rather that of the flourishing love between Christy and Sebastian. It was a powerful thing. A sacred thing. A beautiful thing to witness and even more special to share in, if only for this moment.

Christy claimed all of Matt’s attention, settling over him, her breasts brushing against his chest, her thighs straddling him. They were both clothed, but the small barrier of fabric only heightened the sensations.

With each kiss, Matt felt himself rising out of the fog that had enveloped his mind.

Still, the whole encounter had a dreamlike quality, like something he wished for but knew he could no longer have. Yet, here he was. Even more importantly, here
she
was, in his arms, kissing him with real affection.

“Christy,” Matt whispered as she pulled back and tugged her stretchy top over her head. Her breasts were bare beneath, a beacon to his hungry gaze. “You’re beautiful, sweetheart. So beautiful.”

She smiled and moved away, standing at the bedside. Matt was confused as he saw two hands come around her waist from behind. Then he remembered. Sebastian.

The vampire wasn’t pulling her away. On the contrary, he unbuttoned and unzipped his lady’s jeans, and pushed them down her long legs along with her lacy underwear.

Sebastian’s hands guided her toward Matt again and she undressed him as if he were a child. Matt didn’t mind one bit. He still felt weak, but he enjoyed the feel of her delicate fingers running over his skin, undoing his buttons, unzipping him. All the while he watched her sway, the gentle bouncing of her breasts enchanted him. He reached out to 203

hold her when he was finally as naked as she, touching her smooth skin and caressing her nipples with eager hands.

“Kiss him, Christy,” Sebastian coached from the bedside. “Let him sip from your mouth. Any fluid from our kind—except blood—will strengthen a
were
’s natural healing.”

Christy wondered what vampire blood would do to a
were
cougar, but left the question for another time. Things were getting too hot and heavy between her and Matt to let logic interfere. Just knowing Sebastian was there, watching, approving, coaching…it made this act of love all that much sexier.

Making love to Matt was no hardship, though in truth, all she needed in her life was Sebastian—now and forever. But Matt was a special case. He’d been there at the beginning of their relationship and she knew they both hoped he’d be around for a long time to come.

Christy had felt deep, numbing fear when Cameron said Matt might never be the same after biting the evil mage. If there was anything—
anything
—she could to do help him, she’d do it. Giving him pleasure while he pleasured her in return was little enough to ask, except that she knew it was hard on Sebastian.

She’d felt a little twang of fear until she’d searched his mind. He’d helped her come to terms with her own mixed emotions on the topic. They were joined so fully at times, they shared thoughts, emotions, and even opinions. They both loved Matt for the special friend he was. They didn’t want to see him impaired when they might be able to help him.

And so here they were.

Christy opened up her mind enough to know that Sebastian was more than enjoying watching Matt lick her nipples. She shared the feel of it with Sebastian in the shared playground of their minds and knew he was growing more aroused by the second. She’d have to get as much of her essence into Matt as quickly as possible because Sebastian 204

wasn’t going to wait long to claim her. Nor could she wait for the possession she’d come to crave.

Christy reached down to stroke Matt’s aroused cock, wanting him to enjoy every moment of his “medicine”. She kissed him, enjoying the control he let her have for the first time over their kisses. She wasn’t used to taking the lead in lovemaking. If Matt had been his usual self, he’d probably be too much of an Alpha to let her call the shots for long, but she was enjoying this short interlude immensely.

She turned on the bed to straddle his face while taking his thick cock between her lips. A moment later she felt that long
were
tongue of his lapping at her clit and swirling its way up her passage. Her body was on fire with the sensation.
Were
folk—at least cougars, judging by Matt—had talented tongues.

“Is he drinking your honey, Christina? Lapping at your cream like a good little cat?”

Sebastian’s eyes locked with hers from a few feet away. He’d pulled a chair over to the side of the bed, sitting, watching with a perfect view of all the action. “Does it feel good?”