Vampire King of New York (11 page)

“Why were you making love if you’re not sure?”

“I don’t know.” Evelyn sobbed and watched the blood pooling around her feet and disappearing down the drain. “I love him. He makes me feel wonderful.”

A knock interrupted their conversation. There were no voices, which meant that David was using mindtalk to converse with Laura.

“Evie, will you be okay if I step outside to talk to David?”

“Yes.” Even under hot water, she shivered.

Max stood in the bedroom with David waiting for Laura. Her displeasure was obvious by the dark look she gave him.

“You don’t need to be here. She needs rest to heal.”

He shook his head. “No, Laura. Your sister is my lifemate, and I need to be here. Please, let me talk to her.”

“She doesn’t think she is.”

Pain shot through him with those words. Evelyn didn’t believe him, and he risked losing her forever. Containing his anger at Laura for standing between them as her sister’s faithful guardian, he breathed out his despair. Looking at her and in his mind appealing to her compassion, he begged, “Please, let me speak to her.”

“She’ll be out of the shower in a few minutes. Wait outside.”

“Please, leave me with her. I’ll help her dress for bed.”

Laura opened her mouth to speak, but David took her by the arm. “Come on, my darling, let them work it out. Max won’t hurt her.” He rushed her out of the room.

Vampires don’t sweat. They never appear nervous, which for Max had always been a good thing. It helped him in battles and corporate takeovers. This, however, was more important. He wasn’t sure what would happen to his existence if Evelyn were to reject him.

He quietly went into the bathroom, his arms loaded down with towels. She turned the shower off and in anticipation he stretched out a towel ready to receive her.

Evelyn slid back the glass door. “Max?”

He wrapped the bath sheet around her and lifted her out of the shower. She immediately slumped against him, her arms around him, and sobbed.

“Oh, my dearest, I’m sorry this happened to you.”

“I ache everywhere.”

He carried her into the bedroom. First, he dried her feet and put her slippers on. Then he rubbed her. She gasped every time he accidentally touched a bruise. “I am responsible for all those bruises, pushing you out of the way so roughly. Please, forgive me.” He slipped a soft nightgown over her head and allowed the fabric to flutter over her.

She sat down on the edge of the bed. “I know you were only trying to protect me.” Wringing her hair in anguish, Evelyn sniffled. “Max, I don’t know what to do about us. I’m not your lifemate.”

“How can you be sure?”

“I can’t hear your thoughts.”

“What if it’s different for us? Can’t you believe what you feel about me?”

“I’m all confused.” She got up.

“Do you want your robe?”

Evelyn walked over to the side of the bed. “No, I think I just want to sleep now.”

He pulled down the covers. She slipped off the slippers and tucked her feet under. “I’m cold. Why am I so cold?”

“It’s the effect of my saliva on your body again.” He covered her with the sheet and comforter.

Laura didn’t bother to knock; she just walked in. “Evie, honey, how are you doing?”

“I just want to sleep.”

“Okay.” She walked to the other side of the bed and kissed Evelyn on the head. “We need to borrow Max for a few minutes.

Evelyn nodded, and he kissed her on the forehead. “I’ll be right back.”

Max followed Laura out to the kitchen. “What do you want to talk about?

“Evelyn. I think you should find someone else, before you kill my sister.”

“What happened was an accident?”

“I think whatever vampire or vampires have gone rogue, they’re hunting you, and it’s dangerous for her to be with you.”

He had to agree it was looking that way.

Laura snapped her fingers and an arc of lightning danced around her hands. “If she gets hurt—I don’t care how—mentally, physically, emotionally, whatever, I’m going to disintegrate you.”

“Whoa, Laura.” David immediately jumped in front of his mate. “You cannot threaten the King of New York.”

“I don’t care who he is. I’m not going to stand by and watch her hurt or worse.”

David hissed. “He’s the king, Laura. He could destroy you.”

She laughed with her hands on her hips. Now her entire form was outlined by electricity crackling and singing, white-hot to his eyes. “You don’t think I could take him?”

Max held up his hand. “David, please. Laura, I respect your Telkhine powers.”

“Is that why you want Evelyn? She has no Telkhine powers.”

“I don’t believe that. I feel power coursing through her. But that is not why I want her. I love her, and if anything should happen to her, I would welcome your assistance in ending my time, because I could not bear life without her.”

“No.” Evelyn’s voice was barely a whisper. Pale and trembling, she clung to the doorjamb. “Laura, you will not disintegrate Max.” Then she crumbled to the floor. All three rushed for her. Max got there first, pulling her into his lap then sitting on the floor. Her irregular breathing was not a good sign.

The wound on her neck was red, even though completely sealed. He put his hand on it and felt the heat of infection. Savages were such filthy animals. She would need more of his saliva.

“I chopped off a vampire’s head.” She muttered, her eyes drooping closed.

“You were wonderfully brave, my Evelyn.”

“I killed a person.” She sobbed into his chest. He stroked her soft blond hair. Holding her in his lap, he rocked her back and forth, and she clung to him, tears streaming down her cheeks.

“No, darling, I did.”

“Same difference. I helped.” She sobbed, gasping, taking breaths fraught with pain.

He cupped her chin in his hands. “Let me help you.” Before she could answer, Max possessed her mouth. His tongue parted her lips. He used the opportunity to coat the inside of her mouth with his saliva. After a few minutes, he released her. Already her breathing had returned to normal.

She looked up at him. “God! You are a great kisser.” Already recovering from her ordeal, she focused on her sister. “Laura, you will not disintegrate Max.”

“Evie, I …”

“No. I know you’re the big bad Telkhine, but I will never forgive you if you harm him. I don’t care what happens to me. You will not harm him”

Laura averted her gaze.

“David, take my sister to bed. I need to be alone with Max without interruptions.”

David took Laura’s arm and they were gone in a flash.

Comfortable in his lap, she gazed into his eyes. “Now let’s get back to that kiss.” She leaned up, and he leaned down to capture her lips. Evelyn melted under the heat. She didn’t care they were on the floor. At this point, she didn’t care whether they were lifemates or not. She only cared about how she felt in his arms. After an hour of delicious kissing and petting, she bit his ear. “I’m tired. I think it’s time for bed.”

Standing up with her in his arms, Max carried her into the bedroom. After pulling back the covers, he placed her in bed and climbed in after her.

“The lights are still on.”

Max waved his hand. The lights went off.

“Well, that’s handy.” Evelyn snuggled against him. “I’ve never seen Laura or David do that.”

“I have a few tricks up my sleeve that I’ve learned over the years.”

“Yes, about that,” she added. “I know you’re one of the most powerful vampires in New York, possibly the world, but you won’t hurt my sister, right?

“I wouldn’t think of hurting her. I greatly admire Laura.”

“Oh God, don’t tell her that or they’ll be no living with her.”

They both burst out laughing.

“I feel dawn coming. You should try to get some rest, my Evelyn. Roll this way and face away from me.”

Evelyn did what he asked. “Max, I need to talk to you about something.” She sounded sad and tired.

“Can it wait until tomorrow?”

“No, it’s best I get this out. I wasn’t fair to you tonight. We shouldn’t have been making love, when I’m not sure how I feel. I was taking advantage.”

His hands on her hair were enough to make her stomach flutter with anticipation. Heat simmered in her veins.

“Something came over me, and I desired you more than anything. I was completely out of control, and I hate losing my control to any man. It isn’t right?”

He nuzzled her neck. “The feeling of being out of control is common to lifemates. It is one of the benefits of being able to trust your mate so much, that you can revel in the passion.”

She rolled over facing him. “You just want to get laid.”

Trying to maintain an innocent grimace, he broke into a chuckle. “Not exactly. Well, yes, but I just want to get laid by you.”

Yawning, she patted his arms. “Go to sleep for now. I’ve got to think this over.”

He just held her and Evelyn was glad of it. She was almost sure she loved Max, but what did that mean. She would give up all hopes of ever having a child. That she would never have a normal human life again. She would age and he would be eternally youthful. Would she cheat herself of all the love and passion Max held for her, by denying him? Would he find his true lifemate and dump her? Her head ached with questions, and her heart trembled with the love he held out to her.

Drifting off to sleep was easy. Her mind was too weary. At first, her dreams were replays of their date. That moment when Max entered her and every part of her body was in sublime acceptance and exhilaration. He was wonderful and she hadn’t known wonderful. Why was she fooling herself. Jack had never been a good lover. He was at the beginning when they first started out, but they were new to each other, and he stumbled all over himself getting her into bed. She had been in love with him. He had seduced her into marriage. She worked while he went to law school. Evelyn had believed having J.J. made her tired, too tired to love Jack the way he deserved. After he graduated, studied for the bar, and then the long hours at the firm, Jack was not the same man she married. He grew more distant, and she didn’t see it. She didn’t want to believe he’d changed. She thought the problem was her. Now Evelyn knew better.

She rolled over and felt a strong arm pull her closer. Her eyes opened into small slits and gazed up at him. Even in the dim light, she managed to see a faint image. Max was sleeping. She mused how he might look in a beard and mustache. Then Evelyn closed her eyes again.

The wind blew between the slants in the wood that hadn’t been filled with mud.

Evelyn rolled over and into the arms of her Viking husband. She wasn’t Evelyn anymore. She was Svenna on the night of their wedding.

“Do not be afraid of me.” His lips pressed hungrily against hers. His hands on her bare hips placed her squarely beneath him. “I will kiss you, Svenna, and I will keep kissing you until you tell me that you are ready to receive me.”

She did not reply. Her fears were common to a young woman about to be bedded for the first time.

Reynard covered her face with lingering kisses. He moved one knee parting her thighs. She gasped.

“Svenna,” he whispered. “You are mine. I am yours.” He kissed her breasts, his tongue nibbling her excited peaks. Sucking a nipple into his mouth, he moaned. She whimpered. He then rolled her other nipple with his tongue. She writhed beneath him, and he readied himself, his shaft against her core.

Releasing her from his delicious torment, he said, “I will love you tenderly, and you will always hunger for my touch.” Dropping his hand between her legs, he rubbed her just beneath her vee of soft blond curls. Svenna squirmed against him. He pushed a finger into her moist velvet sheath. A small sound fell from her lips. Her arm around his neck dropped to her side. He caught her hand in his and raised it for a kiss.

The tears in her eyes broke his heart. He pressed his lips to hers. She kissed him back. He played with her ministering to her mouth with gentle nibbles. Then his tongue entered her mouth. Determined to bring her to an ecstasy before joining, he kissed her eyes, her nose, her mouth, and worked his way down her neck to her shoulders. Her soft parts surrendered to his touch, his every kiss.

Finally with eyes partly closed and a smile of complete ecstasy on her lips, she whispered, “Take me, my love, and make me yours.”

He knew she was still scared, but she made no noise at first when he entered her. Then a gasp. Finally a sigh fell from those lips plump and crimson with passion. She arched her back and pushed against him. Her eyelashes fluttered, when he rubbed his thumbs over her nipples. Then taking her hips in his hands, he plunged deeper. If there was a flash of pain on her face, it was fleeting replaced by the most captivating smile. Arching her back, thrusting herself against him, Svenna cried out to him. “Reynard.” She had used his name like a plea to a god. He drove into her with firm, thick strokes. Her tongue wet her lower lip. Her arms reached for him. He blanketed her body with his. She nibbled his skin, caressed him with her fingers.

“Svenna,” he whispered. Their bodies entwined moved in perfect synch. Ecstasy rippled through her and into him.

Oh, God, I never thought it could be this good
. Evelyn moaned in her sleep, the sex was exquisite. Every part of her body tingled. She rolled over and her hand touched something. Evelyn opened her eyes. Max was sleeping next to her.

They hadn’t had sex. It was all Svenna and Reynard. It was all a dream, but still … Evelyn smiled to herself. It had felt real. What intrigued her most was seeing everything through Max’s eyes in addition to her own. How was that possible? In the dim light, she examined Max’s features. There was no doubt about it. This was her Viking warrior Reynard, the one that never came home. Dreaming each other’s dreams was a sign of a lifemate. Was that true or just a weird abnormally? Evelyn had grown up within the secret society of magic in New Orleans. She’d seen more than her share of weirdness. Her mother performed all sorts of strange rituals around her hoping Evelyn’s Telkhine powers would emerge.

Part of her was let down. No powers. This reaction Max had to her and her to him was probably some side effect of her Telkhine heritage and nothing more. Still,  when she closed her eyes, the rush through her body told her the experience of the dream was tangible and vivid with the sensation of satisfaction warming her all over. Did Max dream the same dream? Did she have the guts to ask him?