Dream Warrior: (Dark Warrior Alliance Book 1) (19 page)

“Now, I dinna know what you wanted for graduation, so I bought you something that I would want.” Breslin crossed to her and handed her the gift and sat beside her. Feeling dazed, she met her sister’s eyes. Cailyn smiled at her reassuringly as she sipped from the crystal flute of champagne.

Deciding to enjoy the attention, she excitedly tugged the end of the gold, loopy bow and lifted the top. “Oh, wow! It’s beautiful, thank you.” She pulled out the fabric and held it up, taking in the entire dress. It was stunning. It wasn’t anything she would ever buy herself, but she loved it.

“Are you sure this is me? It’s strapless and well,” she took stock of her chest, “I have no boobs to hold this up.” Breslin had given her another dress made for a supermodel, a busty supermodel.

“El, you have great boobs, I have told you this for years. They aren’t as big as mine, but then you are skinnier than me. I would give up these boobs to be fifteen pounds lighter,” Cailyn cupped her breasts and smirked at Elsie.

“Doona fash over such silly worries. Your breasts will fit this dress fine. This bandage style is made for a thinner build. I couldna wear this myself, because I am too curvy. And, Cailyn, you doona need to lose any weight. You’re both like wee faeries compared to me. Put in on, Elsie, you will see. And, I have a great dress that will accent your large bosom nicely, Cai. We can all drive the guys crazy tonight.” Breslin beamed, her bubbly personality was infectious.

She met her sister’s excited gaze as they listened to Breslin rifle through a closet that was the size of a bedroom. Her sister hopped up and went to join Breslin. She was astonished that her sister was comfortable with this new world. She told herself to relax, it was her night and she was having fun. She felt safe regardless of the fact that she didn’t understand anything about the creatures she was with.

Suddenly eager to drive Zander crazy, she pulled out the strapless dress. It was a shadow color and tightly fitted to the body with ribs down the length of the dress. It was embellished with bands of sequins crossing around the bust, which would enhance what she didn’t have. Would he find her lacking? She wanted him to see her as beautiful.

Cailyn’s squeal of excitement was jarring as she came running out of Breslin’s closet. “Oh my God, I love it! I wish John could see me in this dress. I wouldn’t make it out of the house. He’d have it off and we’d be going to town.” She noticed her sister was holding up a racy, little, red dress that she swore had to be a shirt on Breslin’s tall, muscular build. No way was that covering any of the important bits.

“Can I wear your black heels tonight? “ Cailyn asked as she bounced over to her.

She contemplated the shoes she had on, as well as, the new pair Breslin had given her with the dress. The new heels were only about four-and-a-half inches so she had no problem giving her sister the six-inch torture chambers she had on. “Sure,” she slipped them off and handed them over.

“Now, you need smoky, sexy eyes and Zander would love your hair up,” Breslin declared, flipping containers open on her dressing table. Who needed this much make-up? She sat obediently as Breslin set about fixing her up.

She blushed at the thought of Zander liking her hair up, wondering what it would feel like for him to sink his fangs into her throat. The thought was not in the least bit repulsive, as she had expected. Rather, she found it titillating and exciting. She needed to stop thinking risqué thoughts, as another internal war raged on and familiar heat stole over her body.

“Cai, that dress looks outstanding on you. Very sexy. Good thing you have that diamond ring. I still can’t believe you agreed to marry him. I remember when you said you’d never be tied down. Oh, I’m so happy for you.”

Elsie embraced her sister, “Tonight we’re also going to celebrate your engagement to John,” she held up her crystal flute. “To a night we’ll never forget.” Elegant chiming filled the room as she, Breslin and Cailyn inaugurated the night.

Elsie lost her footing as she descended the stairs, and tumbled into strong, sexy arms. Apparently, she was unable to ogle Zander and descend stairs simultaneously. He was the most gorgeous creature she had ever seen! She stepped out of his arms before she lost all decorum and fell on him like a slavering dog. That would be embarrassing.

He wore a charcoal-grey, cashmere suit that was tailored to perfection. The pants cupped him nicely and his obvious erection was huge. She remembered what that felt like rubbing against her. She dragged her eyes from his groin and the entire world came to a stand-still when their eyes locked. She felt a zing travel through her body.

The way his eyes widened and took on a glow told her that he must also have felt the magnetic pull. He grabbed her hand and pulled her flush against his chest. She melted when he placed his fingers under her chin and tilted her head back. His lips hovered a scant breath away from hers.

“You look ravishing. I want verra much to divest you of that dress and explore every inch of you,” he murmured before he captured her lips and ravaged them. The kiss started slow but quickly turned to a boil. He licked at her, eliciting a gasp. He took advantage when her lips parted and plundered her depths. The feeling of his tongue stroking across hers caused her sex to heat and clench. As their tongues tangled, she thought that in his seven hundred years he had perfected his skill. She wasn’t jealous of the women he had used to perfect it on. She wasn’t.

He broke the kiss. Both of them were breathing hot and heavy. “There is no other for me,
a ghra
. There never has been,” he kissed her one more time before turning her around so her back was to his chest. He kept her so close to his body that his erection was prodding her back. Elsie shut out the sensation that elicited. She refused to become any more involved with this man. She had already allowed far too much, but had been helpless to stop any of it.

He leaned into her ear and his hot breath tickled as he spoke. “Congratulations, my Lady E. You are a remarkable female and the most beautiful in the realm. I have something for you, to recognize your achievement.”

He reached around her body and held out several small wrapped boxes. “Zander what have you done,” she whispered and looked over her shoulder into his eyes. The tender emotions she saw there chipped away at more of the ice. Nope, she steeled her spine. “Those are jewelry boxes and I can’t accept them.”

His arms tightened around her and she was reminded of his rigid presence behind her. “You will take them, Elsie. They were made especially for you,” he breathed.

He had jewelry made for her. “Mr. Bossy Pants is giving orders again,” she grumbled as curiosity won and she took the first box. Nervously, she untied the black ribbon and removed the silver wrapping from the little, red box. Inside was a black, leather box. Her hands shook as she lifted the lid to reveal the biggest, most astounding, emerald-cut, diamond earrings she had ever seen.

“I don’t even know what to say. These are gorgeous and exquisite, and, way too expensive, I suspect.” These supernaturals lived in excess. Something she had never experienced, and was one more reason she could not be in a relationship with him. They not only came from different worlds, but entirely different experiences. But, like any woman, she had always dreamed of owning great, big diamonds. When she looked at him, she saw his emotions on his sleeve and knew in that moment he was vulnerable. For her to accept these gifts was for her to accept him. For him it wasn’t about the diamonds, but about her embracing him. She melted for entirely different reasons.

She turned around and cupped his cheeks. She saw him for the vampire he was: loyal, generous, fierce, protective, and loving, even if a bit bossy. “They’re perfect. I love them.”

She smiled up at him as she handed him the earrings and accepted the next box. She unwrapped it, revealing a stunning bracelet. The design of delicate orchids in platinum was inlaid with diamonds the entire length. The most beautiful thing she’d ever seen. She quickly opened the last box and saw that it contained a necklace that matched the bracelet.

“I’ve never been given more heartfelt gifts. I feel like I should insist that you return these items, but I simply can’t. I love them!” She wrapped her arms around his neck and embraced him. When she lifted her head and met his eyes, all reason slipped away. She was dangerously close to falling for this vampire. And that was something she could never allow. She pulled away from him as her guilt resurfaced to torment her.

Cailyn’s voice shattered their moment and Elsie blushed all the way to her toes. She blinked and looked over at her sister who was holding the earrings. “And, here I thought I was lucky that John went to Jared,” Cailyn remarked, as she looked at the jewelry and lifted her engagement ring, comparing the two. “These are gorgeous, El.”

“Och, I doona want the hearts and flowers. I hope my Fated Mate is someone who can make me laugh,” Breslin commented, as she put the necklace on Elsie who was too busy staring at Zander.

“There,” Breslin patted her shoulder. “These look great on you, and the orchids above the strapless dress draw the eye to your cleavage,” she winked conspiratorially at her.

What did Breslin mean about a Fated Mate? When she lifted her eyes, she saw Zander ogling her breasts, and became caught in his glowing eyes.

“You look absolutely ravishing. I could eat you up,
a ghra,
” he said hoarsely.

“But, will it hurt?” she asked, as she looked from his eyes to his fangs, peeking out from his lip. Regardless of her endless inner battles, her body wanted what her body wanted.

“Alright, you two, if you keep this up we’re never going to make it to Confetti,” Orlando chided and pushed his way between them to give her a hug, earning a feral growl from Zander. She was coming to love his growl. Orlando quickly backed away, patting her shoulder.

“You look beautiful, cupcake,” Orlando said before informing her he got her a margarita machine so she always had them on tap. The others gave her wonderful gifts, as well, and made her feel special, but none held the meaning Zander’s gifts did. She felt truly pampered as Cailyn put the earrings in her ears and clasped the bracelet onto her wrist.

After Dalton died, she’d thought her happy days were over. Her joy was unexpected, yet welcome. Try as she might, she wasn’t able to quash the kernel of hope that blossomed for her future.

*****

Cailyn threw back her fourth drink of the night and rushed back to join Elsie, Zander, Kyran and Breslin on the dance floor. The others had danced with them for a while, but had eventually disappeared to the back area of the club. She smiled as she watched her sister dance freely with the others. It was nice seeing her so full of life, relaxing and having fun. Elsie deserved happiness and Cailyn wanted to see the ghosts of her past lifted. Between Dalton’s death and her attack, Elsie had hardened and become cynical, and wasn’t the sister she had helped raise.

Cailyn, on the other hand, was wound tight as a drum, and couldn’t stop her search for Jace. Ever since she had seen him in Elsie’s apartment two months ago he had not left her thoughts for more than a few hours. Why was she unable to keep him out of her mind? Yes, he was sexy, but it was crazy to her how thoughts of him had consumed her. She had been fighting it for weeks.

It had even caused her to have doubts about her engagement to John. She loved him, but thinking incessantly of another man went against her sense of integrity. Still, she wanted to know everything about him. She knew he was a supernatural. Did he have fangs, or turn into an exotic animal? What was he like in bed? Did he have a girlfriend, or wife? Were his lips soft, or firm? Continually her questions returned to the erotic. It was frustrating. She had tried to write her interest off as a by-product of how her mind worked. She was a visual person and that came in handy when designing advertising presentations, but this fascination was fast becoming an obsession.

Shaking off her questions, she hip-bumped Breslin as she rejoined the group, and began dancing again. She watched Zander and Elsie together. They were all but making love on the dance floor. Their hands and mouths were all over each other and their bump and grind was on the verge of obscene. She had never seen her sister like this. Elsie and Dalton hadn’t been into public displays of affection. Zander and Elsie simply couldn’t keep their hands off one another. They were like two magnets locked together. It was only a matter of time before they went at it. She heartily approved, the vampire obviously adored her sister.

She felt something pull at her from behind. She danced a slow, sensuous circle and saw thick, black hair in a long braid. She would know that braid anywhere. She had been fantasizing about it for months. It was Jace and she realized that he was kissing a woman. She stood there and gaped at the sight. A heavy stone settled in her gut.

She became incensed at the passionate exchange between the two. She was going to rip that woman’s hair out. How could he do such a thing? She took a step toward the couple, driven by Jace’s betrayal and her jealousy. But, before she took her second step, she stopped. She was being ridiculous. There was no betrayal, nor was there a reason to be jealous. He could kiss any woman he wanted. Cailyn was nothing to him. She questioned her sanity as she fought back tears, running from the dance floor to the bathroom.

She barged through the door and locked herself in one of the stalls, gritting her teeth against the tears threatening to spill over. None of this made any sense to her. It was as if some unseen force was driving her. She didn’t know Jace and she was engaged to a wonderful man. That didn’t matter, apparently, as she continued fixating over Jace.

A rapping on the door brought her head up. “Cai, sweetie, are you ok?” Oh God, it was her sister. Elsie was the last person she wanted to see. She would see right through any lie she attempted to tell her and she had no desire for Elsie to find out what she was thinking. She was ashamed of her behavior.

“I’m fine, needed to go to the bathroom is all.” She took a deep breath and cringed at how hoarse her voice was.

“You don’t sound fine. You sound upset, and I want to know why. Please let me in.” As much as she wanted to hide, it wasn’t an option so she unlocked the door and Elsie pushed it open. Elsie took one look at her and drew her into a hug.

“I’m PMSing, I think. Honestly, I don’t really know what’s wrong with me.” That was as close to the truth as she was willing to get. “It’s great to see you having fun and I don’t want to ruin your night. Don’t worry about me, I’m fine now. Hey, you think the bartender could make that Monsterita you talked about?”

She kept her arm around Elsie and guided her out of the bathroom. “Zander is the Vampire King. They will make anything he tells them to.” Elsie laughed as they entered the main bar area.

Cailyn vowed she would keep her eyes off Jace and never think about him again. Two steps in and it was torture. Her eyes strayed to the corner to find out if Jace was still making out with that whore. She and Elsie crossed the dance floor and when she didn’t see him, she wondered if they’d gone to a private room. “Good cause I need about ten of them right now,” she told her sister honestly. She wanted to get blitzed. The mere thought that Jace was in a room with another woman made her want to hunt them down, rip out the bitch’s hair extensions, and claw her eyes out for touching what was hers. She was staking a claim to Jace? Heaven, help her.

Elsie hugged her close. “You know what? I’m going to ask the others if they want to take this party back to Zeum, while at least one of us can safely drive. We can make drinks there. Zander made sure the kitchen was stocked with energy drinks and tequila for me.” That sounded sublime to Cailyn. She didn’t want to watch Jace anymore and was grateful Elsie was okay leaving her party. Cailyn looked over and gave her sister a reassuring smile.

*****

Jace broke the kiss he had been sharing with a hot, little, feline shifter when he felt a peculiar zing zip through his body. It didn’t come from the female in his arms. He’d gone to Confetti to celebrate Zander’s mate and had no intention of hooking up with a female. Desire took him over as he watched Zander and the others dancing. This shifter approached him then and before he knew it he was kissing her in the corner.

As he looked at the female, he ignored the familiar feeling of nausea and prayed, like he had thousands of times, to complete a sexual encounter. Every time he attempted intimacy of any kind with a female he became sick. The electricity zipping through his blood was new and arousing. It made him rock-hard and in desperate need of release.

His hormones kicked higher and he returned to kissing the shifter, momentarily losing himself in the uncontrolled passion. He pushed the shifter’s panties aside and unzipped his pants, freeing his erection. Unfortunately, as his cock neared the female’s heat, his erection deflated and bile rose in his throat…Goddess, not again
.
Before he had an opportunity to think further, Zander’s presence entered his mind.