Wanted: A Blood Courtesans Novel (10 page)

Corynne

“I’m not welcome here.” Nash and I were the last ones in the room. Both of us had untouched glasses of wine in front of us. “They’ll never be able to look at me without thinking of what happened to Sabrina.”

“Oscar glamoured you. Once their anger fades, they’ll realize it. It’s not you that they see as a weakness, love. It’s me. I created a power-hungry vampire who has caused nothing but destruction. Every bad thing humans believe about vampires can be tied to one person. Him. Because of my lack of judgment, I set us back decades.” Nash sighed. “We’re all gun shy. Olivia complicates things.”

“If we didn’t find her, she’d be dead. The kind you can’t wake up from.” Olivia’s days were numbered even if she’d never come in contact with a vampire. “She wants to be here. She’ll do whatever you need her to do to be a part of this coven.”

“I don’t doubt that.” Nash stood and held his hand out to me. “Let’s take a walk.”

I stared at him, open-mouthed. “You mean, like, outside.”

“Yes. Did you have any other ideas?”

“What if someone sees me?” Unless that was his plan, to be rid of me once and for all.

“There’s no better place to get lost than New York City.” That didn’t comfort me. “That’s why you came here in the first place, which I’ll forever be thankful for.”

The night was warm and humid, the middle of summer. Walking through the city streets, passing the small crowds that were still out even at this hour, was an absolute shock to my system. The world had gone on without me. I wondered if that’s how Nash felt after all these years.

I had to make him not regret his decision. He meant to keep me.

We stopped in front of St. Patrick’s Cathedral. “I come here any time I need to clear my head.” He squeezed my hand. “It’s as close as I can get to home without going back to England. It reminds me of who I used to be.”

“Do you miss being a friar?” I asked.

Nash looked up at the massive building, with its intricate, elegant architecture in stark contrast to the skyscrapers that rose around it. Just like him, it was a beautiful oasis in the ugly modern world. “No. The similarity between my past and my present is in both lives I believed in something bigger than myself. I still do. I have faith that if I act in the interest of the greater good, that things will fall in line. There’s always going to be evil in the world, love. You have to find the power within yourself to rise above it.”

I let go of his hand, needing to wrap my arms around myself. “You don’t think I should be a vampire, do you?” A hard lump formed in my throat. “I’m too much of a risk to make the transformation.”

His hand was on my back. The simple gesture said so much. That he meant to protect me, yet he was in control. “No.” I gasped when he didn’t continue right away. “That’s not what I think at all. But I can’t teach you to control your thoughts. You have to do that on your own.”

My knees buckled. This was the end. He was handing me over to the man he’d never meet, and it was my judgment day. “I can’t do that.” I could barely see him through my unshed tears.

“I believe you can. The power attached itself to the negative activity in your life. People who’d rather see you fall than give you a helping hand up. Concentrate on what’s good, love. Your friends at the coven--”

“They hate me.”

Nash shook his head. “They’re in mourning. You fell into the grasp of a vampire who was ecstatic to play on your fears. Once Olivia is able to tell them of her experience in the forest, they’ll realize you were a victim in this, just as much as Sabrina. Maybe even more, because you have to suffer with the guilt of thinking your error led to her death.”

My mouth dropped. “You don’t think I did it, do you?”

“No, I don’t. The little things, like the glass you broke during your interview--” I had no idea Desiree told him about that, “—or when you light the fireplace without touching it, I think you’ve brought that about with the power of your mind. That power’s made you a victim of circumstance. It’s made you believe you’re capable of terrible things. Like what happened to your friend and Sabrina. If you believed you were capable of good—“

“Like taking out the feral vampires?”

Nash chuckled. “It would be good for our coven.”

“I want them to accept me.” So much. I let the tears fall. “There’s got to be one place in this world I belong.”

“You do.” Nash kissed each cheek, stopping the tears dead in their tracks. “You belong with me. Whenever you feel the darkness coming for you, think of me. Know that I won’t let anyone, or anything hurt you. Ever. Don’t be ashamed of who you are, Andrea Davis, because I know you are capable of great things. Your power drew me to you, but more than that, I wanted your heart.”

“I think I can do that.” My smile shook, and I stood on the first step so Nash and I could be face to face. I held his in my hands. Nothing else in the world existed but him. “But don’t call me Andrea. I prefer Corynne. Or even better, when you call me ’love.’” That one word made all the bad stuff go away.

“I like it, too.” He leaned forward and kissed me with much more intensity than should ever happen in front of a Catholic church. “But I can think of something better to call you.”

“What’s that?”

“My Lady.”

Chapter Eighteen

Corynne

Nash may have been willing to take a chance on forever, but he wasn’t willing to hurry. He’d sent me back to my bedroom still human, shaking from multiple orgasms and the whirlwind of emotions of the night.

I shuffled into my lonely dressing area when I woke up the next evening to find coffee. Nash enjoyed wine, and I hoped coffee would forever bring me pleasure. Just in case, I planned to savor this cup.

“Sierra,” I gasped. She smiled at me, still not quite herself. I hugged her, hard. “I didn’t think I’d see you in here again.”

“I missed you.” She handed me a mug and the pitcher of cream. “I lost my best friend, which means I need all my friends. More than ever. Plus, it’s your last day as a human. I wouldn’t miss that. We need to make sure it’s special.”

I couldn’t pick up my jaw. “How’d you know that?”

She giggled. Best sound ever. “Want to know something around here? Ask a courtesan. Enjoy your coffee. The kitchen will bring whatever you want for breakfast. Whatever you want. Remember, we’re in New York and we can have anything delivered. I’ll run a bath for you. I’ve already picked out your outfit.”

“Thank you.” I was so glad she was here. “I wouldn’t want to do this without you.”

After I stuffed myself with French toast with cream cheese filling, blueberries, and maple syrup, I headed to the bathtub. It brimmed with steam and bubbles. I slipped into the water, letting my head fall back and I sighed. “Talk about dying happy.”

Sierra’s face darkened, and I wished I could take the dying part back. “Don’t think of it like that. What’s that book, where they walk through the closet and there’s a whole new world waiting for them?”

“
The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe
.” My favorite book as a kid.

“Yes. It’s like that. You’re still a part of the world, but you’ll see things like you never did before. It’s like another layer is added to life as you knew it. I don’t miss being human at all. We’re lucky to be here, Corynne. As much as I miss Sabrina, she had a great life. So many people can’t say that.”

“I had a lot of trouble before I came here. I’m looking forward to a great life.” I closed my eyes and moaned softly as Sierra massaged shampoo into my scalp. I pictured myself as a vampire, Nash’s Lady. Maybe I’d even be able to clear my human name. There couldn’t be any evidence of me killing anyone, because I didn’t. Not that it would matter to me anymore, but I wanted my family to live without shame. “Did you ever see your family after you became a vampire?”

“I did.” Her voice sounded faraway. “They had a hard time with it at first, but they knew I was well taken care of. The hardest part is when they age and you don’t.”

As long as I could see my little sister again, I could deal with those consequences. But I couldn’t live forever without her knowing what happened to me. I kept my eyes closed, smiling as Sierra bathed me. It was easy to think good thoughts, all of Nash. He was giving me the thing I wanted more than anything—a chance at a new life.

Sierra outdid herself. “I look like Miss America.” I laughed, twirling in front of the mirror before I got dressed. My eyes were dark and smoky, my lips dark red, and my cheeks looked like I was naturally flushing. Nash would lose his mind when he saw that. The hint of blood at the surface of my skin was enough to drive him to the edge. She’d curled my hair and pinned it so my neck was exposed.

Instead of a dress, she gave me a black, lacy robe. It didn’t cover much, and neither did what she insisted I wear underneath. The bra and panty set were little more than ribbons. The bra cupped the bottom of my breasts, leaving my nipples exposed, and the thong was basically a pretty bow.

“Are you sure this isn’t too much?” I asked, putting my foot on her thigh so she could roll a stocking up my leg.

“Are you kidding me? Nash will love this. He can get to everything he needs without losing the pretties.” Another magical giggle. “You’re going to be here a long time, Corynne. Eventually you’ll know what everyone likes.”

She hooked her arm in mine and walked me down the hall. The outfit was over the top, but that’s not what made me feel sexy. It was the fact that Nash wanted me. Forever.

This time I knocked.

Sierra kissed my cheek. “See you on the other side.”

Nash was speechless when he answered the door.

“Sierra’s back.” I grinned at him. He looked as gorgeous as ever, tonight in a deep purple, silky shirt that I planned to rip off him as soon as he shut the door.

His eyes roamed over me. “I knew I missed her.” He held his hand out and led me inside his apartment.

For all the times I’d begged Nash to do the thing he was about to do tonight, I knew there was a chance I might not get it.

“Take off that robe, love. Let me see you.” Nash leaned against the island that separated his living room from what would’ve been his kitchen. Two glasses of red wine waited for us.

The robe slid from my shoulders, and I placed it on the arm of the couch; my body tingled as I thought of what he’d done to me in that very spot. I resisted the urge to cover myself as I approached him. The time for shyness was gone. I’d made my decision.

Nash pushed away from the island, meeting me in the middle. His gaze felt like a warm caress, touching me in the places I’d thought about hiding from him. He ran his finger along the seam of my lips before kissing them long and slow. His hand trailed up into my hair and yanked my head to the side much harder than I expected, only to brush his lips lightly along the surface, stopping at the throbbing spot that begged him to sink in, and sighing.

He continued his journey, his fingers tickling my skin as they barely made contact. Along the curve of my shoulder, down my arm, and taking a sharp left turn at my exposed nipples. Nash traced the edge of the ribbon, bumping against the hard peaks before lowering his mouth to meet his fingers.

Nash sunk to his knees, and pulled me down so I straddled his lap. In this position, I was completely at his mercy. His lips were back on my nipple, rolling it between his lips before his fangs sliced my flesh.

His shirt tore away from his shoulders, I had to grab anything I could to keep from falling back. The initial burn of the bite faded, replaced by a feeling similar to drinking too much wine. Nash drank greedily, and blood dripped from my breast onto my stomach. His shirt was useless now, and his moan vibrated against my body when I curled my fingers into his shoulders. Blood welled under my fingertips, and I brought a hand to my mouth to lick it off. I loved the way he tasted.

I cried out as Nash reached between my legs and rubbed my clit hard and fast as he drank. My vision darkened as the pressure built. He had an unfair advantage, the more blood he took, the easier it was to bring me to the edge.

But he stopped before I got there.

His chin and lips were slick with my blood. At one time that would’ve sent me running, but now it was the absolute sexiest thing I could think of. A part of me made him whole.

I stole a kiss and he grinned. “Are you sure you want this?”

I nodded.

“You have to say the words, love. There’s no going back from here.”

My heart thundered under the bite mark. “Yes. I want to be with you forever.”

Nash closed his eyes for a long blink. “I’m going to bring you to the bed. Our bed.” He slid out from under me, and then put his hand on my back.

I sat on the bed and watched him shed his ruined shirt and step out of his dress pants. The throbbing was back as soon as I saw his cock. I scooted back on the mattress when his knee landed beside me, playing one more game of cat and mouse. Nash crawled closer, meeting whatever he could reach in a kiss. He grabbed me by the hair when he had me just where he wanted me. No more sweet little nips. This kiss was rough and hungry. I gasped when he pulled away.

It was strange knowing I was taking my very last breaths. And welcoming whatever happened next.

“Sierra picked well.” Nash traced the ribbon that outlined my folds. “She wrapped you like a present.”

I shrugged. “She said she knew what you liked.”

“She does. Let me tell you a secret.” Nash guided me so I lay flat on the mattress. He propped himself up on his elbow beside me. “The girls made sure I knew who you were before the auction started. They wanted you to stay here from the start.”

My heart swelled. Without those two, I could’ve wound up like Olivia, with no one to search for me. Finally, I knew I was where I belonged. “What did you tell them?”

“I thanked them for their efforts and told them I already knew who I wanted.” He grinned. “They were quite pleased to see we were all on the same page.”

I lost track of time as we got caught in each other’s gaze. I wanted to remember everything about tonight, about him, about everything good, just in case tomorrow didn’t come.

Nash smoothed my curls away from my face. “I’m going to take you while I drink from you. I’m going to take absolutely everything you have to give me. When it’s time to give it back to you, understand that I will give you everything I have. I promise to love and protect you forever.”

I reached up and squeezed his hand. “You saved me.” I wanted to tell him the million reasons how but his lips were on mine before I had a chance. His fangs scraped against my swollen lips as he rolled on top of me. I wrapped my legs around him, and he guided his cock inside me. His thrusts were frantic, my vision already blurry when he sunk his teeth into my neck.

Sensation washed over me. I tried to open my eyes, but everything was that brilliant white light only Nash could give me. He sucked on my neck as hard as he plunged inside me. My grip loosened as my life flowed into him, and I wouldn’t see him again until he gave me something much more than I ever had.

A chance to live.