Love Bites

Chapter 19

Watching the thin trail of blood running down the side of Zane’s neck, I sigh with pleasure and lap it up with my tongue. His arms tighten around me at the sensation, and he nuzzles my neck, inhaling deeply.

“Are either of you going to get anything done today, or just stay curled up on the sofa?” Jack calls from the kitchen where he’s currently making coffee for the three of us.

I pull away from Zane and climb off his lap reluctantly. Stretching my arms above my head, I pad over to the coffee bar that separates the two rooms from each other. I perch on one of the stools and kick my feet idly as I watch my mate as he moves around the kitchen.

Despite the fact that it’s been over two years since we mated, I still can’t get enough of them, my feelings just as intense as they were the day our connections locked in place. If anything, we’re even closer than we were before.

The three of us live in a large apartment a few doors down from where I used to live with Tina. We lived in my old flat for two weeks until we realised we were going to have to move out. I was sad to leave Tina behind, but with us living so close, we still see each other every day. Apparently she finds that living alone is better than living with a “smirking Dracula” and “big cat who sheds everywhere.” Honestly, I think it was the fact that she kept walking in on us having sex one too many times.

Our life together is bliss, and I’ve been learning the perks of being a vampire and blending in with humans. Living in the city has its advantages. Many places are open all night, which makes it easy for us. Tracey, my ogre friend, was released about six months after me, and we’ve met up several times since. I’ve discovered a whole new part of the city that I had no idea existed, and I have been introduced to her family, which was an experience.

The only thing that could make things better in my new life would be having Gabriel here with us. He might not have bonded with me, but I still feel the ache in my chest like a hole in my heart. I’m able to survive without him, but I know I’m missing something. When I spoke to Zane and Jack about it, they acknowledged that they would do everything to help me find him, but that was easier said than done.

Once Gabriel was moved to the main prison system, he seemed to disappear. We had no way of contacting him. Hell, we didn’t even know which facility they sent him to. Jack was able to access his records to see that he had a court date and was guilty, but the sentence and location of where they were sending him was missing. I was all set to go and visit every supernatural prison in the country, but Jack informed me that they move prisoners around all the time, so I could be looking forever.

I think about him daily, and I worry about what’s happening to him. Will he even want to find me when he’s released? Whenever that is.

Neither Jack nor Zane have ever tried to make me feel guilty about me thinking of another male, but I know it makes them uncomfortable, so I eventually stopped talking about it. Some might say that I’m over it, but I’m not, I’ve just learned to disguise it well. Sometimes, though, it’s impossible for me to hide, and when I look off into the distance and lose myself in my thoughts, they know I’m thinking about Gabriel.

A cup of coffee suddenly appears in front of me on the coffee bar, and I smile gratefully up at Jack, wrapping my hands around the porcelain and pulling it closer. He’s right, I’ve spent the last couple of days lounging around the apartment and getting up late. This morning I spent most of my time curled up in Zane’s lap.

It’s the longest I’ve ever been so unproductive, and I’m itching to get started on something new. I just wish I knew what. Stirring my coffee, I stare into the swirling liquid as though it’s a crystal ball and going to give me the answers I need. I put the spoon down and go back to cradling the mug.

“Now that I’ve finished my classes, I really need to get a job,” I announce to no one in particular. “I’m going stir crazy doing nothing.”

One of the terms of my release was that I had to attend the centre for meetings with my parole officer, therapy, and group classes. This has kept me occupied over the last two years, but four days ago, Dorine finally signed off on my paperwork, and I was fully discharged from their service. I’m a free agent, and I can now do whatever I want.

Zane plops down onto the stool beside me, taking the mug Jack offers him. The two of them have learned to get along over the last two years, and it makes me so happy when they help each other out, even if it’s something as simple as making a cup of coffee.

“You used to work as a florist. Could you do that again?” Jack asks as he pushes the sugar caddy towards the vampire.

Sighing, I let my head hang between my shoulders. I miss working with flowers. While I was able to transfer my flowers over from my old apartment, there is only so many I can keep with the space we have. Being surrounded by flowers at work made me so happy.

“Flowers and plants need sunlight.” There’s a heavy weight to my words as I realise the finality of what I just said. I’ll never work as a traditional florist again, not when walking out in the sun weakens me. My dreams are filled with bright blooms, and I wake up and reach out to touch them, only to discover they are not really there.

“I’m sure you could figure something out. There has to be a market for night flowers,” Zane mumbles between sips of coffee, displaying just how little he actually knows about flowers.

A knock on the door stops me from replying, and I swing around on the stool and hop down. Something tells me that whoever is here is important, so I don’t delay. I’ve been working on listening to my instincts, and most of the time, I’ve been right.

Swinging open the door, I freeze when I see who’s waiting for me on the other side. I swear my heart stops, only for a tug in my chest to pull so hard that I physically stumble forward.

He catches me, his arms out to stop my fall. Glancing up through my lashes, I murmur, “Gabriel.”

My voice is a scratchy whisper, but Jack and Zane must hear me, because the noises of hastily pushed back chairs and cups being put down sound from behind me, their bodies soon warming my back. They say nothing and don’t try to stop me, simply watching as I stare up at the winged male in the doorway.

“Hello, little one,” Gabriel says with a smile, his eyes scanning me from head to toe.

I leap forward and wrap my arms around his waist, needing to touch him and make sure this is real. He lets out a quiet, “Oomph,” at the force, but his low chuckle warms my heart as his arms wrap around me.

This is what I was missing. He might have a criminal past, and he might be dangerous, but not to me. Never to me. He sacrificed his freedom to give me mine, and now he’s here. My dreams are frequently filled with him, with me in his arms as we fly over the city. Closing my eyes, I focus on how he feels against me, his large, steady build and his masculine, woodsy scent.

“I was worried I’d never see you again,” I mutter into his chest, clinging onto his shirt and burying my face in it.

One of his hands moves to cup the back of my head, his fingers stroking my hair comfortingly. “I promised I would find you, and here I am.”

He was true to his word, proving that I can trust him.

Taking a deep breath, I attempt to control my emotions and release my stranglehold on his shirt, taking a half step back to look up into his face. I’m still within the circle of his arms, neither of us willing to let go just yet.

“I tried to find you.” I scan his face as I speak, hoping he can see that I’m telling him the truth. For some reason, it seems really important that he understands I never forgot him. “I wanted to visit you, but there were no records of where they took you.”

His expression darkens a little, his eyes going distant for a moment as he gets lost in his memory. “They moved me around a lot,” he explains, brushing my wayward curls back from my face so he can cup my cheek. “To be honest, Emily, I’m glad you never came to any of those places. I wouldn’t have wanted you to see me like that.”

“You’re free now then? With no restrictions?” Jack asks, and I can hear the frown in his voice, but he’s obviously trying to make an effort for me.

One of the things he mentioned when we were discussing Gabriel’s eventual release was that he might have restrictions placed on him, meaning that he might not be able to see me, and if he did, it could send him back to jail.

Gabriel shifts his gaze over my shoulder as he addresses Jack. “Yes. The only condition is that I have to check in with my parole officer every week, but otherwise, I am free.”

We shouldn’t be having this conversation in an open doorway where anyone can hear us, and honestly, I want to be curled up against him and making up for lost time.

“Come sit with me.” Taking his hand, I start to lead him towards the sofa, but I don’t get far before he pulls me to a stop. Glancing over my shoulder with a questioning look, I take in his wince.

“If you don’t mind, is there anywhere we can go outside so I can stretch my wings? They’ve been locked up for a while and are restless.”

He speaks about his wings like they have a life of their own, and as I peek over his shoulder, I watch them twitch and shift, seemingly moving of their own accord.

Huh. I never noticed that before.

Shaking my head to bring my focus back to the matter at hand, I nod excitedly, knowing exactly where I can take him.

“Of course! We have a little roof garden that’s secluded enough for you to stretch.”

Why didn’t I think of this sooner? Of course he’s going to want to be out in the open and not cooped up in the apartment. Zane and Jack shift behind me, and as I glance over my shoulder at them, I find them watching me with varying levels of concern. They’ve never really liked Gabriel, but time seems to have eased some of the tension between them.

“No flying,” Zane comments dryly. I take this as his reluctant agreement. He’s the most protective of the two, so if he’s accepting this little trip to the roof with Gabriel, then he must trust him slightly. If he had any suspicions that the winged male was going to hurt me, he wouldn’t allow it.

The look Gabriel levels on my vampire mate is enough to make me bite my lip. With his hands on my shoulders, he holds me close while still focusing on Zane. “I wasn’t born yesterday.”

Before either of my mates can say anything, he guides me from the apartment, his body only relaxing when the door shuts behind us and I’m alone with him in the stairwell. I lead him up the short flight of steps that takes us to the roof.

The sun is just setting, so I push the door open and step out onto the roof. Our apartment is part of a tall block of townhouses, all connected together. A brick division separates us from our neighbours on either side, and a wooden fence borders the rest of the square space. It’s the perfect little area to hide away. I’ve done my best to cultivate a small garden, but once again, I can only work on it at night. Even so, the long planters that are dotted around are overflowing with brightly coloured flowers.

An archway with climbing roses separates the top of the garden from the bottom, the scent of the flowers making me smile. Smiling up at Gabriel, I thread my fingers through his and lead him through the arch and to the edge of the fence so he can take in the view. It’s pretty spectacular, even if I do have to stand on my toes to see over the fence.

Gabriel stretches his wings out behind him, shaking the feathers and groaning with pleasure at the sensation of freedom. We stand at the edge of the roof and enjoy watching the setting sun, our arms brushing.

“The only thing that got me through the last two years was knowing you were out here waiting for me.”

My heart tightens in my chest, imagining what he’s been through over the last two years. I’ve missed him like crazy, but I’ve had my other two mates to help level me out. He didn’t have that.

Turning so I can see his profile, I watch him as he looks out over the city. “I thought about you all the time,” I tell him quietly. It feels important that he knows I didn’t forget about him while he was away.

Smiling, he continues looking ahead, allowing me to admire his handsome face. “I know, I could feel you.”

He finally turns to look at me and chuckles at my raised brows. Holding his hand up, palms out, he smirks. “Don’t ask me to explain how. I assume it’s something to do with being your mate.”

This makes sense. There’s a lot of mate stuff that we do or simply just know about each other that would be impossible if we weren’t mated.

“Mate,” I whisper, taking a small step towards him and sliding my hands up his chest, coming to rest on his shoulders.

This should feel crazy. We’ve not even kissed yet, and here we are, about to seal a connection that will bind us forever, but it just feels right. Being separated from him again is something I’m not prepared to tolerate. He seems to think the same thing as he surges forward and presses his lips to mine.

At last.

His kisses are rough and edged with sharp teeth, exactly like the male himself. This is no fairy tale with gentle lovemaking in front of the sunset. No, this is the feral, desperate coming together of two people.

Our hands are a frantic tangle as we undress each other, clothes flying to the ground carelessly. My chest is bare, so he pulls away from my lips, working down my neck with small kisses until he reaches my breasts. He sucks a nipple into his mouth, rolling it with his tongue and pressing his teeth against it until I gasp, the pleasure mixed with pain only making it hotter. During this time, he slides his hands down to the waistband of my jeans and underwear, instantly moving to my pussy. He flicks my clit once, twice, and then plunges two fingers straight into my core.

“Fuck!” I cry out. Anything else I might have said is cut off as his hand presses over my mouth.

“You have to be quiet, little one.” His voice is a low growl, making me shudder as I’m impaled on his fingers. “When we are mated and not hiding on a rooftop, I shall ravish you in bed, over and over, until you scream my name, but for tonight, you must stay quiet,” he whispers into my ear.

This is so fucking hot that I feel like I’m going to combust. My fangs shoot out as arousal courses through my body. Attempting to gain some friction and relief, I rock on his hand. Needing to touch him, I fumble with the fastenings on his jeans and find him commando beneath, his hard cock springing straight into my hand.

I stroke his length, my movements jerky as he continues to finger fuck me. It’s rough, and in this moment, that’s exactly what we need.

A door slams, making me freeze. I look over and let out a breath of relief when I see who it is—Zane. He eyes us with a frown, but he doesn’t seem surprised by what he walked in on. For a moment, I worry about what he’s seeing and how this might affect him. However, when I reach for his bond, I don’t find jealousy, rather reluctant acceptance. Later, once things have all calmed down, I’ll have to find a way to show him my appreciation.

“Don’t stop on my account,” he comments dryly, his arms crossed over his chest. “I’m just here to make sure Emmy is okay.”

Of course he is. I’m actually surprised he managed to go this long without checking up on me. He might have planned just to pop in and then leave, but seeing our frantic foreplay, he’s decided to stay. While he might argue that it’s to make sure I’m safe, I think there’s a part of him that’s curious about the other male.

Not bothered by Zane’s presence, Gabriel starts to move his fingers within me, making me gasp as I grip onto him, his mouth working on my nipple once more.

I want to enjoy this, I am desperate for him, but I’m worried about how easy it could be for someone to walk in on us. While I don’t mind Zane being here, I would hate for a human to find us. Fangs are easy to hide and write off, but Gabriel’s wings are not something we could hide.

Unable to put the thought out of my mind, I groan in frustration. “What if someone else comes up?”

Releasing my nipple, he circles the sensitive flesh with his tongue. His eyes momentarily flash black, and all of a sudden, we are surrounded with darkness. Gasping, I look around, the world swathed in black. The only things that are clear are me and Gabriel, plus the ground we stand on.

“Do not worry, no one will see us,” he whispers. His shadows completely envelop us in a dome. “It will not hide the sounds, but if anyone does come up, they will only see shadows.”

A pointed cough comes from outside the shadow dome, and the next thing I know, the shadows shift and Zane appears. He glances around, feigning disinterest, before his eyes quickly return to me.

Suddenly, I’m seeing all sorts of situations where Gabriel’s shadows can be put to use, and it must show on my face, because he laughs and leans in for a quick kiss.

“I am not holding back any longer, little one.” While his voice is soft and loving, his words feel like a warning—a warning that I am more than ready for.

My jeans and underwear are suddenly on the floor, and he gives me a second to step out of them before his hands are around my waist, lifting me up. My legs automatically wrap around his waist. He holds my weight easily, his eyes tracing the curves of my body. Gripping onto his shoulders, I dig my nails in as he lines his cock up with my entrance, and with one quick thrust, he impales me. Back arching, I do my best to restrain my cry of ecstasy.

Our primal, feral natures take over, and I lose myself to the pleasure, thrusting on his cock like it’s the only thing that matters in this world. Right now, the most important thing is bonding with Gabriel. We have to be together. My soul is complete with him around, and I don’t think I’d survive if he left without our mating bond being complete.

I feel like I’m on fire, every cell in my body tingling with pleasure. The rough treatment is so fucking sexy that it only drives my desire higher. Gabriel obviously has the same thought, as his wings flare out behind him, the feathers fluttering as he pounds into me.

Knowing that Zane is watching each savage thrust as I fuck another male only makes the situation more erotic. I love the heat of his eyes on me, and when I glance his way, I find his cock in his hand as he pumps his shaft to the rhythm of my movements. Gabriel must be aware of this, but he doesn’t seem bothered in the slightest, continuing to piston into me.

The atmosphere becomes heavy, our sexual arousal filling the air, and I know it won’t be long until all three of us come. My gums burn, my instincts screaming to bite Gabriel as we fuck, but I hold myself back. I’m not hungry, I fed earlier, so this is purely a sexual need—one that I can fulfil another day when we have more time.

“I love you,” I gasp out, the words coming from nowhere. I don’t have time to be afraid of the blurted words, because he grins up at me.

“I love you too, little one.”

Those words are enough to push me over the edge, my nails digging into his shoulders as my orgasm smashes into me. Gabriel immediately follows, his movements faltering as his cock pulses. The feeling is intense as the bond fully wraps around us, extending and prolonging our pleasure, our bodies writhing against each other to wring out every last drop. Something inside my chest seems to shift, and a glowing golden light appears in my mind, a complete circle surrounding me. This is the bond, it has to be, and now it’s complete. This bond filled the gap, and I finally feel whole.

Gabriel hums as he gently lifts me from his cock and places me on the floor, holding on to make sure I’m steady on my feet. He doesn’t let me go far, keeping me close and pressing his forehead against mine, his breathing as ragged as my own.

“Mine,” he grinds out, his eyes flashing as he works through the initial wave of overprotectiveness that seems to come after a bonding.

He will quickly learn to adapt and share me with my other mates. It isn’t always easy, and it’s going to take some adjustment, but the four of us can finally be a bonded group and make a life for ourselves.

“Mate,” I agree, my smile exhausted but happy.

I glance over at Zane. He’s fully dressed, and if you didn’t know him, you would never know he was just jerking off while I had sex with Gabriel. However, I doknow him, and I can feel his remaining pleasure. He came, reaching his own orgasm just by watching us. He looks at me with a smirk, like he knows exactly what I’m thinking. Wanting him here with me, I hold out my hand for him to take it, and I’m pleasantly surprised when he does.

Taking off his jacket, he helps me into it, covering my nakedness and watching Gabriel with a neutral expression. The corner of his lips twitches up, and he gives the other male a small nod of what I think is approval. Men and their wordless conversations. I will never fully understand it.

The shield of shadows slowly dissipates around us, revealing Jack outside, waiting patiently with a small smile. He takes in my undress and the way Gabriel is holding me as though he’s never going to let me go.

“I take it you managed to complete the bond?” There’s a glint of humour in his eyes. He already knows the answer, yet he looks to me for confirmation.

I nod, not trusting my voice at the moment.

Jack returns my nod and looks at Gabriel. After a second, his eyes drop to my happy expression and Zane holding my hand. Finally, he smiles fully and steps forward, clapping the winged male on the shoulder.

“Welcome to the family.”