Undying Desire (29 page)

And Guerin erupted.

“Eve!” he cried out, and suddenly his arms were free. He clasped on to her, needing something to hold on to as his orgasm filled his Mistress. Colors exploded in front of his retinas. Then Eve was beneath him, and he pistoned into her core, giving her everything.

“Take from me,” she ordered and turned her head, exposing the smooth column of her throat.
Holy hell.
Eve didn’t take his trust and twist it to her will; she held it in the palm of her hand.

Stroked it.

Strengthened it.

His pulse stuttered with the realization. Getting lost inside her was the first time Guerin had found himself. Became more than he was when he was alone.

He teased the rapid beat of her carotid with his tongue, and gooseflesh popped along her flesh.

“Do it,” she whispered.

Guerin struck, driving his fangs into her artery. Eve shuddered, the walls of her sex in spasm along his shaft, and his name ricocheted off the walls. The sweet and salty essence of her life flooded his mouth, his throat, veins, swelling his heart. How had he ever existed before her?

No. Guerin was dead wrong.

He’d never lived before Eve.

Chapter Twenty-Four

O
NE MONTH LATER

Eve pulled the silver Mercedes coupe into the garage and killed the engine. “That was a great idea,” she said and turned to Alex, who had invited her out for some girl time. “I can’t remember the last time I went shopping with a girlfriend.”

“No problem. A woman can never have enough clothes or shoes.” Alex laughed and popped open the passenger door. Eve grabbed their bags from the backseat. “It was nice to spend some time away from the house with someone other than my sister. After what happened last year, she doesn’t like letting me out of her sight.” Alex met her at the front of the vehicle, tucking a few strands of her long blue-black hair behind her ear. “I’m sure Guerin has filled you in on how I came to live with the Enclave.” She retrieved her two bags from Eve.

“Yeah.” Eve gave her a gentle smile. “He told me a little about everyone who lives here. Anytime you want to get some fresh air, come look for me. The house is big, but I imagine it can get claustrophobic in there, especially with who’s locked away in the basement.”

Alex nodded. “If it weren’t for Elle…” She sighed. “I’m not sure what I would have done. I kind of have a love/hate relationship with this place.”

“I can understand.” Eve opened the door to the main house, allowed Alex to pass, then followed her inside.

“Anyway. Jeez. Enough depressing conversation.” Alex glanced over her shoulder and hit the light switch with her free hand. “It’s time to party.”

“Party?”

“Surprise!” Voices filled the room, coming from every angle around the kitchen. Eve froze, trying to take everything in. Balloons covered the ceiling with blue, red, and yellow streamers crisscrossing among them. What the hell? Guerin maneuvered around Alex and palmed Eve’s upper arms, drawing her attention.

“Happy birthday, beautiful.” He cupped her chin, then dipped his head, covering her mouth with his for a gentle kiss. But it was enough to have her pulse racing.

“What have you done?” She grinned. “How did you—?”

“I hate to give the bastard any credit, but Markus was the one who mentioned learning about you on your birthday. So Kenric and I pried the date out of him.” A sly grin formed on his face. One that said they hadn’t minded a great deal having to get the info out of the male. “Did we get it right?”

“Yes.” She placed her palms over his chest, wishing for a moment that they were alone so his shirt wouldn’t be between them. “You did.”

“Happy birthday, Eve,” Alex said, and Guerin moved aside to allow the other female in for a quick a hug.

“Did you know about this?” Eve chuckled as she pulled away.

“Guilty.” Alex chewed her lower lip. “But I did have a good time doing it.” She snickered. “We must go shopping again soon.”

“Happy birthday!” Elle called out and maneuvered her way in, elbowing her sister over for an embrace.

“Thank you,” Eve said, finding it difficult to get the words around the lump in her throat.

The gang ushered her farther inside and around the table for a boisterous, although slightly off-key, round of “Happy Birthday.” Eve cringed, but at the same time was bursting with joy. Who could have imagined how much her life would change in a few months?

The overhead lights dimmed, and Kenric appeared at her side. Her father beamed, carrying a three-tier cake draped in chocolate icing and ablaze with candles. He placed it on the table in front of her and straightened.

“Happy birthday, my daughter. May we have many more to share.” He tugged Eve in by her shoulders and placed a kiss to each of her cheeks.

A knot of emotion swelled in the back of her throat.
Oh my God.
I will not cry!

“Now make a wish and blow out these candles before we start a fire.”

She burst into laughter, then swiped away a tear.

“Hope you like chocolate cake?” Emily asked from the other end of the table.

“Hey, what girl doesn’t love chocolate? Perfect!”

“That’s what I was hoping.” Emily chuckled. “I told you she’d like it,” she said, grinning in Elle’s direction.

A firm hand rested on Eve’s lower back, then Guerin’s warmth surrounded her. “Make your wish, beautiful,” he whispered at her ear.

Eve closed her eyes, and the room quieted. It took only a moment to conjure up the perfect request, because there was only one thing she wanted.
Please never let this end, or if I’m dreaming, don’t ever let me wake up. I love them…I love
him
, with every piece of my heart.
She lifted her eyelids, inhaled, then leaned in and blew at the twinkling flames. The candlelight died, and a thunderous roar of applause filled her ears. She looked up from under her lashes at the smiling faces around the table. They didn’t care whether she was human, vampire, or both.
How novel.
Eve just…belonged. Such an incredible feeling she could hardly contain or describe.

This was home.

This was her family. And she’d die before anyone or anything dared to touch either.

A perfect hour later, Eve sat her second empty plate in the sink. The cake had been delicious, although she was pretty sure only the females in the room had partaken of the dessert. Even though they had met only a few weeks ago, she couldn’t believe how thoughtful everyone had been with their gifts for her birthday. Kenric had purchased her a gorgeous dagger with a pearl handle, matching his own. He was sentimental, and she loved that about him.

Emily had found a fierce pair of black leather boots with buckles adorning the entire length of her calves. The woman had taste.

“Are you ready for my gift?” From behind, Guerin snaked his arms around her. She smiled to herself. Eve had wondered why nothing had appeared from Guerin.

“If
you’re
ready,” she stated.

“It’s upstairs in your room.” He nipped the shell of her ear, shooting chills over her flesh.

“Oh, really?” Eve bit her lower lip. “It’s something you don’t want to show the others?”

“Hmm… No. It’s the kind of a present meant for a private audience.”

“Wow. Sounds intriguing.” She turned inside his hold.

“Come with me and let me show you.” A corner of his mouth curled. Guerin found her hand and laced their fingers.

“I will. But can you give me a minute first? There’s something I really need to handle that can’t wait any longer.”

“Sure.” Confusion drew Guerin’s brows together, but he released her.

Eve sauntered back to the group and over to where Kenric stood by the gift table with an arm around his mate. “Hey there,” Eve said to her father. “Do you have a minute?” The couple turned her way. “I won’t take too much of your time, but I would like to talk to you in private.”

“Sure.” He looked to Emily, and she nodded. “Let’s go into the other room.” He moved away, and Eve followed. Inside the study, Kenric headed to a couple of leather chairs near the fireplace. A low flame smoldered in the logs behind the wrought iron screen. “Do you want to have a seat?”

Eve perched on the arm, too anxious to sit still. “I’ll get right to the point,” she began, staring at her hands, the words spilling out. “I’ve never told anyone—ever—the few details my mother shared with me about my conception.” She glanced up. Kenric stood motionless, his expression stoic. “And it surprises me you’ve never asked.”

“I have no doubt you’ve been hunted most of your adult life for that information.” He swiped a wide palm over his mouth and chin, inhaling. “I hoped in time, when you were ready, you would come to me. I didn’t want to pressure you. You’ve lived through enough of that.”

“Of all the people on this planet, you alone have the right to know what happened. How
I
happened.”

As if someone had released the air from his limbs, Kenric sank in the chair across from Eve. “I’m listening.”

“Honestly, I don’t know everything, of course. Only what my mother revealed over the years—piece by piece. Marguerite mentioned taking high doses of a plant or herb called chasteberry for several months. After she experienced the resurgence of her monthly cycle, she turned you. It was during the process of your change, she told me, when I was conceived.”

“I see…,” he said. “So it was the residual part of my humanity—my fertility—that made her pregnancy possible.”

“That is how it seemed. And of course, you know my mother was an unusually powerful female. I don’t know of any other vampire, even with the assistance of the herb, who would have been able to rebirth her ovaries. But no one ever accused Marguerite Devonshire of being weak when it came to her will.”

“That’s an understatement.”

“I wish what information I have would have been better news for you and your mate,” Eve said, her heart heavy.

“It’s okay.” He shook his head. “The life I lead is dangerous enough for my mate. Bringing a child into this dark world probably wouldn’t be my smartest move,” he stated. “Present company excluded.”

She released a short laugh. “No insult taken.” Eve stood, releasing a sigh. “I should probably get back to Guerin.”

Kenric stood, then pulled her in, placing a kiss to her forehead. “Thank you for trusting me enough to tell me.” A wave of relief bloomed in her chest alongside an overwhelming sense of what she could only term as rightness.

Eve cupped his face to see his blue eyes shimmering in the firelight. “You deserved to know.” She turned and walked away. This was how it should be. Kenric had been the central focus of her mother’s obsession—her madness. And she was so grateful no one had ever learned their secret before her father had the chance to know what had been done. Over the last several weeks, he’d stated many times he was happy she’d chosen to stay, be a part of his life and the Enclave. Eve only hoped Kenric would never regret his decision to invite her to live among them, and that her presence wouldn’t someday thicken and deepen the scars from his past. She would make sure that never happened.

A few minutes later, Guerin hustled her upstairs. Outside her door, he stood, knob in hand, grinning, waiting for her to join him inside. She couldn’t begin to imagine what he had planned. Eve entered, and her eyes widened. Apparently, while she’d been shopping, Guerin had filled every corner of her bedroom with roses. Red, white, yellow, pink…the view and the smell were stunning.

She spun, facing him. “I can’t believe you did all this for me.” Eve blinked back another flood of tears. “My party…then this.” She shook her head.

“Roses remind me of you, and the first time we met.” He stroked her cheek with his thumb. “Even when I didn’t know it was you at the Rose’s Thorn, there was still this underlying connection I’d never felt before.”

“I know,” she whispered. “When I saw you crossing the dance floor”—she swallowed—“you took my breath away.”

Guerin kicked the door shut behind him. Eve’s heart slammed against her sternum, not from fear, but excitement—anticipation. A rumble vibrated off the male. “I’m dying to kiss you.”

“Do it,” she snapped, breathless. Then his mouth was on hers—hard, claiming. Their teeth clicked right before his tongue drove inside. God, she could devour him. Eve would never get enough of the way he felt, smelled. Like sandalwood and hot nights. She wanted to climb inside his arms, demand he fill her, drive into her core until her throat was raw from crying out his name.

Something crashed to the floor, maybe one of the vases, and her back was against the wall. Eve wrapped her arms around his neck, her legs around his hips. Guerin thrust into her, the hard ridge of his erection nudging the vee between her thighs.
Yes!

“Too many clothes,” she stated and pushed at his shoulders. Eve had to get her jeans off. “I want you naked.”

“Wait,” he said, and slowly lowered Eve until her feet touched the floor.

“Wait?” She lifted a brow.

“I haven’t had a chance to give you your birthday present yet.”

“But I thought…?” She pointed to the flowers and then swung her index finger between the two of them.

“Well, that’s part of it.” Guerin stepped away, smiling, and grabbed the remote to the stereo system. A click sounded, and a guitar began to softly play. Christina Perri’s “Arms” filled the room.

“You keep surprising me, Lombardi. Such a kick-ass alpha warrior, but deep down, you’re a romantic.” Eve grinned. “I would have never guessed.”

Guerin shrugged. “Only for you,” he whispered. He reached over and retrieved a pouch she’d never seen before from the surface of her dresser. “You bring out the best in me. Parts I never knew existed. You make me want to fly, beautiful. And then you make me want to crawl for you,” he said. With one hand, Guerin tore his shirt over his head and dropped it to the carpet. He lowered to his knees at her feet and lifted the velvet bundle in offering. “Blend with me, Eve.”

She couldn’t breathe.

Hell, she didn’t even know if her heart still beat.

On automatic, Eve accepted the pouch, tugged the strings, and glimpsed its interior. Silver bindings lay coiled inside. He was serious.