Dark Salvation (10 page)

Fear widened Jeremy’s icy eyes.

Nicholas doubted Jeremy had ever encountered a real vampire before. He was a Saint, sure, but a new one and not very well-trained, at that.

Jeremy nodded and held his hands up in surrender. “Be cool, man. I’m not going to hurt anyone.”

He released Jeremy but did not back away from him. “See that you don’t.”

Jeremy turned toward Kitara. “You see? This is why we can’t be together.”

“Because my friend just pulled your man card?”

“No. Because, you’re one of
them
.” He spat the accusation at her.

Kitara stamped her foot and glared back at Jeremy. “I’m not a vampire!”

“No, you’re a… wit—”

“Jeremy Angles, don’t you dare complete that sentence.”

Nicholas smiled at the way her tone pulled Jeremy up short.

“I can’t be with you Kit. I’m a Saint now. I’ve found my calling. I can’t be with anyone unnatural.”

“You’re no Saint,” Nicholas said under his breath. No Saint worth their salt would cower in fear the way he’d just done. No Saint would be caught unawares without a weapon. Jeremy was just a lackey, and a bad one at that.

“Unnatural. How can you call me that, Jeremy?”

“You know what you are. You think I don’t know what you’re doing while you’re out playing with your candles in the moonlight? That’s devil worship.”

“I do no such thing.”

“Call it what you want, Kit. It’s all the same to me.”

“Five years together, and you dare call me the evil one! You leave in the dead of night to go play vampire hunters with your new buddies, and tell me it’s over like we never meant anything to each other. What the hell happened to you, Jeremy? How did you get so brainwashed?”

“I’m not brainwashed, Kit. You wouldn’t understand, okay? Just drop it.”

“No, I won’t drop it. I demand an explanation. You don’t just walk away from five years.”

“Look, I did it to spare your feelings, okay? You’re not right. He’s not right.” Jeremy jabbed a finger at Nicholas and then quickly retracted it as if he feared it being bitten off. “Y’all are all unnatural creatures created by Satan. I can’t be associated with the likes of you. My immortal soul is at risk.”

“Well, I’ve heard enough. Can I eat him now?” Nicholas said with a toothy grin.

Jeremy jumped backwards. “You see? How can you say you love me when you brought him here to kill me?”

“Oh, I’d like to kill you, you Acta Sanctorum piece of—”

“Is that really how you feel?” Tears filled Kitara’s eyes, but she held her head high and spoke with an eerie calm. “You think I’m evil, unnatural, a creature of Satan?”

Despite his visible fear, Jeremy’s expression remained cold and unfeeling toward his former girlfriend. “Yes. You and all those like you are creatures of sin. It’s only out of the love I once felt for you that I’ll allow you to leave here unharmed tonight.”

Nicholas had to suppress his laughter. If it weren’t for Kitara, he’d already have ripped this jerk’s throat out. She deserved so much better than this piece of shit. Which only made him wonder more why she was still fighting so hard to keep him.

Jeremy squared his shoulders. He held his head high and stared right at Kitara. “If I ever see you again, I will have to send you to your final death and judgment before the Lord our God.”  

 “You sure you don’t want me to kill him?” Nicholas asked.

Kitara opened her mouth, but no sound came out. A tear dripped down her cheek.

Nicholas knew it was best to get her away from here. He wrapped Kitara in his arms and guided her toward the door. Before stepping out, he turned to Jeremy. “This isn’t over.”

“No, it’s not, vampire. We know where you live.”

Nicholas moved so fast neither Jeremy nor Kitara could have followed his movements. In a fraction of a second he was on Jeremy, his fangs just about to pierce through his skin.

“No!” Kitara shouted. “Leave him alone.”

Why was she still defending him? “He’s not worth your care, Kit.”

“Nicholas, please. No!” The desperation in her voice was the only thing holding him back.

His fangs tingled to sink into that tender flesh. To spill his hot blood all over the shag carpet. No matter how angry he was, he wouldn’t kill Jeremy now. Not with Kitara watching. She deserved more than to see her former lover slaughtered in front of her eyes. “You have no idea how big a mistake you just made, but you will find out. That I can promise you.” Nicholas lowered his voice so only Jeremy would hear him. “Say another word, you pathetic excuse for a human being, and I won’t care if Kitara watches me paint the walls with your blood.”

“Take me home, Nicholas,” Kitara pleaded.

Everything inside of him begged to spill this man’s blood. But she had asked him not to. Something about her. He didn’t quite understand it himself, but no matter the cost, he did not want to bring her any more pain. Even if that meant letting this piece of shit Saint live. With a frustrated growl he pulled away, but not before kicking Jeremy in the ribs, a final parting warning of the brutality to come if he acted on his threat to Nicholas’s home.

The walk back was a silent one. Kitara looked as if she were hanging on by a thread. She was a tough one – from the single tear she’d shed earlier, not another one had spilled down her cheek. He knew she had to be suffering. Nothing ripped out your heart like lost love. And Nicholas was no stranger to that. He had no idea what to say to her about it, though. Unlike his own loss, hers came from unrequited love rather than the death of a significant other. Jeremy had dismissed her. Painful as that was, she shouldn’t pine for someone who wasn’t willing to give her all she deserved.

She sniffled and wiped her nose with her gloved hand.

“Are you all right?” Nicholas asked. He knew she wasn’t, but he couldn’t find anything better to say.

“Just cold, that’s all.”

He pulled her in close and wrapped an arm around her body.

“You’re colder than I am,” she said, shivering.

“Just trying to help. Sorry.” Nicholas lifted his arm to pull away, but she nuzzled in close, despite the cold.

“Thanks for defending me back there.”

“Did you just use the T word?”

“Yeah,” she sniffled. “I guess I did. But don’t let it go to your head.”

“I’ll make sure it doesn’t. But there’s no need to thank me. You should have let me kill him. He was a jerk.”

“He’s not himself. Jeremy is confused, brainwashed or something. He’s never been so cold and cruel.”

He wanted so much to say “I told you so,” but knew better. Instead he wrapped his arm tighter around her and gently kissed the top of her head. “Try to put him out of your mind. It will only cause you pain to think of him.”

“You’re going to kill him, aren’t you?”

Yes.
And he would take great pleasure in doing so. Perhaps make it a nice, slow death. “Not tonight.”

“Don’t.”

“Why waste your feelings on him? Even if he was a good man, he’s no longer that person. And the things he said about you. I should rip out his tongue for speaking such lies.” He’d love to be just that person, too.

“Careful now. If someone heard you, they might mistake you for a nice guy or something.”

“I’d hate to ruin my asshole-ish reputation.”

“I don’t know. I kind of like this whole chivalrous, white knight thing you have going on.”

“White? No. If anything, I’m the black knight.”

“Why is that?”

“Because the black knight always wins.”

She laughed and the sound lifted his own spirit. He found himself wanting to keep her laughing and smiling. Anything to replace the sadness and tears.

“Well, you can be the black knight as long as you promise not to kill Jeremy.”

Nicholas clenched his teeth. That was a promise he did not think he could truthfully make. Jeremy needed to pay. And the guy was a Saint. It was kind of his job to kill them.

“Promise?”

Nicholas gritted his teeth. He didn’t want to promise, but he didn’t want to see the sadness return to her beautiful brown eyes. “I will not end his life … until you say otherwise.”

“I’m never going to tell you to kill someone.”

“Never say never.”

“Okay then, for now… Thank you.” She looked up at Nicholas. Her deep brown eyes flooded with emotion. Her lips quivered slightly – whether from the cold or from her inner turmoil, Nicholas didn’t know – but at that moment he wanted nothing more than to pull her close and capture those lips in a passionate kiss.

Why was he having these thoughts and desires for her? They stared at each other in awkward silence for a few moments before returning to their brisk pace.

They arrived back at the house, finding it empty. Nicholas wondered for a moment where everyone might have gone, but one look up at the sky told him exactly where they were, and where he should be. The full moon meant it was time for the Olde Town wolf pack’s monthly revelry. He and his vampire compatriots were honorary members and invited to participate in the festivities. He’d been so caught up in all of the new Acta Sanctorum information he’d forgotten about it. Too late now. He’d have to make it up to Aiden and Fallon another time.

He unlocked the front door and held it open for Kitara.

“Why are you doing this?” Kitara’s voice was choked again with emotion.

“Doing what, holding the door open?”

“No. You’re being so nice to me tonight.”

“Would you rather I be an asshole?”

“No, it’s just what I’m used to.”

“I like to keep people on their toes.”

Kitara reached out and took his face in her hands. “So do I.” She leaned in close and pressed her lips against his, slowly, deliberately.

Shocked and more than a little confused, Nicholas froze in his spot, but the heat of her mouth melted him. Kitara’s lips parted against his, begging for him to do the same. Her tongue traced the edges of his mouth. This woman knew how to kiss. 

Her advance was shocking but so very hot. Her fiery spirit and take-charge attitude made her that much more attractive too. Something began to stir within him, a sensation that went beyond simple attraction. This woman had awakened more. The spark he’d been missing for so long was coming back, and if he didn’t stop himself, he’d do something he would probably regret.

It took all if his self-control to pull back for a moment. He looked deep into her enchanting eyes. “Do you know what you’re doing?”

“I need this right now.” Raw emotion clouded her voice.

Nicholas understood. This might be a one-time only thing, but he knew the same need. A warm body and a night of passion to forget the past. That was a need they shared. He told himself that. Whether it was true or not, it was all he needed to believe. This was a one-time deal, so he’d better make the best of it.

“So do I,” he responded and before either of them could utter another word, he captured her lips. Wrapping his arms around her small frame, he pulled her close. Her body melted against his. Her heart pounded so hard it vibrated into him, and those rapidly increasing pulsations had his blood rushing south. He ran a hand up her back, through her hair, bunching it in his grip, savoring the way she moaned in approval.

The scent of her arousal caught his attention – a deep heady perfume that begged to be sampled. Still holding her hair he gently pulled back, exposing her delicate neck. Her heart raced and the pulsing vein there tempted him almost as much as the thought of taking her body. He pecked a small kiss there and smiled wickedly when she gasped in response.

“Trust me.” Need thickened his already deep voice. “I won’t hurt you.”

“I do.” She panted.

Tasting her blood again would be an added bonus, but he would have to restrain himself. For now.

Though the house was empty, he still felt the urgency to get her to the bedroom as fast as possible. Putting on a burst of supernatural speed, he had her up three flights of stairs in moments and closed and locked the door behind them.

For a fraction of a second, she looked nervously around, then her eyes settled on the king-sized bed. She smirked, then gazed up into Nicholas’s eyes and coquettishly bit her bottom lip.

That look could drive a man wild, and Nicholas was more than a regular man. An appreciative growl rumbled up his chest. He moved so fast he almost ripped her shirt and bra in his haste. Her breasts were a thing of beauty, and he couldn’t help but admire their size and proportion, the way the nipple hardened under his lusty gaze; they were perfection, just begging to be touched, tasted, and savored.

“What?” Kitara said with a hint of nervousness.

“Just admiring the perfection of your body.”

Apparently, he’d said something right for once. He could see by her posture and the flush of her cheeks that his words had done more than just compliment her.

She leaned back on her arms and with a flick of her eyes directed him to the last remaining barrier between them.

Kitara was a devilish little tease. He’d never have expected that of her. Nor would he complain. It was all he could do not to rip those pants and her black silk thong right off her.   

His body buzzed with anticipation. The swell in his pants felt tight and constricted. The stiffness of his cock had grown to a raging hard-on that would have to be taken care of, but not before he lavished attention on Kitara.

Finally stripped free of all barriers, Kitara sat before him on the bed. Nicholas dragged in a ragged breath. Her body was a masterpiece, fit and petite yet soft and curvy in just the right places. She took good care of herself, that was for sure; and tonight, he felt it was his honor to enjoy the fruits of her labor.

“You act like you haven’t seen a woman before.” Kitara teased.

“It’s been a long time.”

She must have picked up the hesitation in his voice. “I’m sorry, was that rude of me? I just meant—”

Nicholas silenced her with a finger. “Tonight is for us. No pain. No past. Just this.” He had to remind himself as well. He found himself connecting with her in ways he had not thought possible before. But she was not his. And would never be. Tonight was for fun. Stress relief. Taking their mind off things. Hell, any excuse would work, but the bottom line was, none of this would happen again.

His hand traveled down to the small thatch of curls between her legs. He captured her lips again as his fingers found her clit. She was so wet, so hot, and Nicholas loved the way her body responded to his touch.

Kitara moaned into his mouth as he rolled her nub between his fingers. She reached out and wove her fingers into his soft dark hair, tugging and yanking as he hit just the right spots.

He loved that little tug and pull as she tightened her grip in response to his movements, encouraging him to do more. Nicholas gently pinched and parted her nether lips, then dipped a finger into the heat between.

She was already sopping wet. Kitara whimpered as Nicholas coated his fingers in her sweet juices.

The heady scent of her arousal taunted him. He needed a taste. Nicholas pulled away from her delicious lips and met her lusty eyes. “Lie back.” It was an order, not a request, and one Kitara was more than willing to follow.

She relaxed back onto the mattress and spread her legs out in offering to him.

Nicholas shucked off his clothes and knelt before her reverently, as if praying to the gods for the bountiful feast that lay before him.

He slipped his hands under her thighs and lifted her legs up to pull her closer. He dragged in a long, slow breath, taking in every note of her sweet perfume before giving her a gentle lash of his tongue.

Her body jerked as his velvety tongue swirled across her engorged clit. He nibbled at it and sucked it hard into his mouth. Kitara couldn’t hold back her whimpering sobs, begging with each panting breath for more.

Nicholas continued his exploration. He delved between her folds, lapping up her juice like a cat with cream, savoring her sweet essence.

He could spend all day drinking from her fountain and enjoying the sounds of her pleasure. He traced every inch of her lips with his tongue as if mapping out every delectable inch of her pussy.

She reached down and knotted her fingers into his hair. His cock swelled in response, throbbing and bouncing with the beat of his excited heart. She tugged and pulled, writhing on the bed, begging for him go deeper, harder.

He growled, burying himself further into her mound, curling his tongue deep within her slit. Her breath stuttered and her body twitched. He’d been out of practice, but he knew the signs of her impending climax, the first of many he would give her this evening.

Her thighs tightened around his head in a vice-like grip. He swirled his tongue faster and pressed harder as she edged closer and closer to release. On a keening cry she came. Nicholas held her thighs firm and rode the cresting wave with her, lapping up every drop of her cream.

When her body went slack, he pulled back to catch the satisfied look on her face. That one peaceful moment of bliss. No matter what else had been troubling her, at that moment he knew she was one hundred percent happy and satisfied.

She caught him staring again and smiled.

“That was amazing.” Kitara stretched out like a contented housecat. 

Nicholas waggled his eyebrow taking in the full view of her gorgeous body. “That was only the beginning.”

He heard the sudden acceleration of her heart. “Not before I return the favor.” She reached out her arms, beckoning him to crawl up into bed with her.

Nicholas was not one to refuse such an offer. He stood and stretched, giving her a full view of what was to come. The lust in her eyes was unmistakable, as was the seductive lick of her lips. He longed to feel that tongue bathing his cock. Just the thought of it had him standing hard at attention. The glint in her eyes told Nicholas she’d not missed that fact either.

Kitara jumped up and pushed Nicholas down, forcing him against the headboard of the bed. She took him into her hands with a firm grip that sent a shiver through his body. Again her tongue darted out of her mouth to moisten her lips. She lowered her head and kissed the swollen purple tip. 

The electricity of her lips sent a current of pleasure running through his body. He clenched his jaw and hissed through his teeth.

She swirled her tongue over his mushroom head and sucked him into her mouth, taking him all the way into her throat.

Nicholas’s eyes rolled back. She hummed as she slowly pulled back and then sucked him in again.

Dear gods, this woman has skills.

She held full command over his body. The things her mouth could do. And that tongue, that teasing, tempting tongue.
Oh gods!
She swabbed every inch of him, leaving no crevice untouched. His cock was so hard it almost hurt. If she kept this up he’d explode for sure.

“Stop,” he panted.

She pulled back with a quizzical look. Those luscious lips of hers were swollen and glistening with moisture. Though slightly confused, there was no mistaking the lust in her eyes. 

“I need you, now.” Nicholas barely recognized his own voice, it had become so thick with need.

He grabbed her by the shoulders and tossed her down next to him. Reaching a hand down he  dipped one finger, then two, into her sopping wet pussy. A smile blossomed across her face and her eyes slowly drew shut. The faintest moan left her lips. She arched her back and nudged her hips, giving him easier access as he pumped his fingers into her wet heat.

“Gods, you are beautiful,” he whispered as he pulled back his hand. He licked his fingers clean as she watched. “You taste so good, Kit.”

“You can have more if you like.” She arched her neck in offering.

Her heart had already been racing, but now, it put on an extra burst of speed. The throbbing artery in her neck called out to him.

“Not there.” Nicholas tried to calm the need from his voice.

“Anywhere you like, then.” She gave him a sexy wink.

She tempted him on so many levels. He could not hold back any longer. On a growl, Nicholas sheathed himself in her wet heat.

She moaned, her pussy tightening around his thick blunt cock.

Nicholas bent down and kissed the tempting pulse in her neck, then thrust himself harder, sending his cock as deep as it could go. Her body was like fire and velvet. It was all he could do to hold back. He wanted to drive himself hard and fast, but he needed to take it slow, at least for this first time.

Kitara wrapped her arms around his back and dug her nails into his skin. The exquisite combination of pleasure and pain added so much to the experience. All of his senses were buzzing, as if someone had flicked a switch. He’d forgotten how good it felt to be seated between a woman’s legs. Especially one so delectable as this.

Nicholas started a slow, easy rhythm, reining in all of his wild passion, pumping his hips gently. Kitara moaned and lifted her hips to meet his every thrust. The moved together in perfect unison. But as good as she felt, he still wanted more. She’d offered, and he could not resist another sample of her blood.

 He rooted like a babe, down her chest, finding the perfection of her breasts. Her nipples had tightened and pulled into hard little pebbles that begged for a nibble. And when he did, she tightened her grip on his back and let out a gasping cry.

“Do it,” she pleaded. “Bite me.”

Just a taste
. He’d already drunk from her once this week. Nicholas didn’t want to risk taking too much – she was human, fragile – but he just couldn’t resist an offer like that.

He sank his fangs into the soft, pillowy flesh of her left breast. She gasped and her nails dug further into his back. He was sure she’d drawn blood, but at that point, he didn’t care.

Her sweet blood poured into his mouth and its heat fueled him on. He increased his rhythm, pumping himself into her body harder and faster. Kitara clung to him as if her life depended on it. If she only knew how true it might be. Her nails, firmly entrenched into Nicholas’s back, kept him grounded in the moment as he teetered on the edge of losing himself in the heat of her body and the ecstasy of her blood.

It took all of his self-control not to fall over the edge into the abyss with his teeth still deep-seated in her tender flesh. With a growl he released her breast and used that ferocity to drive himself harder.

Panting and moaning, clinging to him with every ounce of her being, Kitara came with such fierceness she sent Nicholas spiraling into his own mind-blowing orgasm. He’d not come like that in what felt like ages. And when he looked down at Kitara, he knew she hadn’t either. That thought filled him with more than a measure of pride.

Sated and spent, Nicholas collapsed on the bed. His heart raced, warmed by the offering of Kitara’s blood and the good use of her body.