22. Twenty-Two
Twenty-Two
“ H oly shit, my feet hurt.” Erin kicks off her heels, stumbling over to the bed. The party went on far longer than I thought it would. Everyone was in the mood though, so alcohol flowed, and laughter rang out. My heart swelled as I watched Erin mingle. She’s a natural and had everyone eating out the palm of her hand.
“Yes, I don’t think I’m going to be walking far tomorrow.”
“Did you see Mohan? That vamp can dance,” she giggles.
“Surprising for his age,” I laugh.
“How old is he?” Erin is stretched across the bed, her head resting in her hand.
“Old,” I say. Mohan is closing in on a thousand years.
“I’ve got a question about that?”
“Shoot.” I fling off my own heels and settle at my vanity.
“Well, if vampires can live forever, how do you not get noticed? I mean, take the Loch family, for instance. You’re all noteworthy and gorgeous. You get noticed. How have your mother and father been around for two hundred years with no one clocking on to the fact they’ve barely aged?”
“It’s easier than you think, actually.” Placing my last diamond earring on the velvet cushion I swing ‘round to face Erin. “In the days where superstition was rife, it was a lot harder. Anyone could be accused of witchcraft, of being one with the devil. In those days, vampires moved a lot, kept to themselves. Now, it’s much easier. The world only sees what it wants to see. Of course, we have to make up stories and move now and then, but it’s rare that someone looks too closely. Plus, we can blame our youthful complexion on Botox and facelifts.”
“But there are conspiracy nuts out there. Do they ever bother you?”
“Sometimes, but rarely. There have been occasions in the past when a human has gone on a hunting spree. Less so nowadays, but it can still happen.”
“I can see why you were so wary of us humans.”
“But, like you said, you’re not all the same.”
“I know, tonight isn’t the time, but are you nervous about traveling to Ireland?”
“A little, but that’s only because I don’t want to get everyone’s hopes up. Mohan was relatively sure he’s found the right vampire, but until we get there, we won’t know.”
“I have a good feeling about it.”
Standing from the vanity, I stalk towards her. “I can think of something else that would feel pretty amazing.”
“Oh, yes?”
“Mmmm, now stand up. That dress needs to come off. ”
Standing, Erin turns her back. I bend forward, planting kisses on her shoulder as I slowly lower the zipper. “You are gorgeous,” I whisper. Letting go, the dress falls to the floor, as does my jaw. No bra, and that garter belt and suspenders. Erin is my wildest fantasy come to life.
My hands move on their own to her back. I just have to feel her skin. My nipples are hard. I want her to know what she does to me, so I step in close, allowing my breasts to rub against her.
Erin snakes her hand behind to grab my butt. “You have too many clothes on now.”
Remedying that is easy. I flick the straps of my jumpsuit off my shoulders and lower the side zip. The garment pools at my feet. My body is buzzing with need. “Turn around.”
Erin turns, her eyes never leaving mine. “Tonight, we hold nothing back,” she breathes. I nod, reaching down to scoop her up. Erin wraps her legs around me. Moving slowly, I turn us and lower Erin to the bed with me snuggled between her legs.
“Just you and me,” I say, almost to myself. I need a reminder that she is mine. It’s just us, together. When Erin told me she loved me this evening, I felt something blossom in my chest. I didn’t tell Erin, but I felt it.
Tonight we aren’t fucking. Our movements are languid. Our kisses are soft but passionate. I feel Erin everywhere. That sense I developed when we mated is heightened. It’s like I can pinpoint her very essence as our bodies connect.
“Inside me, Amelia,” Erin gasps. We’ve been rocking gently together, building the friction. My hands work deftly to unclip the stockings from her belt. Our mouths continue to explore each other. With a gentle tug, I slide Erin’s thong down her thighs and off her legs. I’d forgone any underwear this evening, so now we are both naked and already sweating.
As Erin glides her hand down my back, a trail of pleasure follows. Making a little room, I bring my hand to her folds. Gently and slowly I circle Erin’s clit. The hand Erin trailed down my back slips between my legs. Our combined groans amp up the pleasure.
Not wanting to tease, I slide two fingers in. Erin is so hot and wet that I have to slow my breathing to stop myself from getting overly excited. “Oh Amelia, oh yes.”
“I want you inside me too,” I pant.
Wasting no time, Erin slips inside me. As our rhythm synchronizes, and our breaths become more labored, I relish in the orgasm building in my core. When we come this time, I want to be looking Erin in the eyes; I want her to see all the love I hold for her. Damn bonding, damn everything. All that matters is us, here and now.
“Erin, oh yes, I’m going to come.”
“Come, my love, come on me.” Holy hell, she’s the sexiest thing alive. I pump harder and deeper into her. Our foreheads are together and our lips brush. And then it happens.
“Oh, oh yes, Erin, oh God, I love… you!” My voice disappears. Everything disappears. From the immeasurable pleasure comes a wave of tranquility. My mind falls silent, my body weightless. I’m blinded by a kaleidoscope of gold and blue. If I could describe it any other way, I would say I’m experiencing an out-of-body miracle.
“Amelia,” my name sounds so far away. It echoes in my ears. This feeling is so potent I don’t want it to fade. “Amelia.” There it is again, Erin’s soft voice calling me back to her .
“Erin,” I call. The world is coming back into focus. I feel her warm body against mine, but she’s shaking violently. The bedroom snaps into view. Erin is staring up at me, her eyes wide. I’m still fingering her slowly. I slow and attempt to remove my hand, but Erin stops me. She holds me in place as her back arches. Those sapphire blues roll into her head.
My euphoria is turning into a nightmare. Erin is still shaking. Her grip is tight on my body. I need to stop; I need to bring her back. Oh God, is she seizing? “Erin, love,” I shout. Prying her hand off my wrist, I take my fingers from inside.
What should I do? Surrounding her body with my own, I whisper repeatedly in her ear how much I love her. Finally, I feel her back relax. Hovering above, I scan her face desperately. “Erin,” I choke. Burying my head in her neck, I’m unable to stop the tears from falling. What have I done?
“Amelia.” Erin’s voice is haunting me. “Baby.” No wait, she’s talking, it’s her actual voice. My head snaps up to find her looking at me, a smile on her face.
“Erin, love, are you okay?”
“Did you feel that?” she whispers.
“Erin, are you okay? Can you sit up?” Erin might look blissed out, but what just happened was not normal.
“I’m too tired,” she murmurs, her eyes sliding shut again.
“Shit,” I hiss, “Erin baby, I need to get the doctor.”
“Mmm.”
Snatching a t-shirt from my drawer and a pair of sweatpants, I tear from my room. I know the doctor is here somewhere. Slamming my fist on my parents’ door, I curse out loud.
“Amelia, what on earth—”
“Where’s Dr. Mendhi?”
“Amelia?”
“The doctor,” I choke.
“Guest wing.” My mother looks petrified, but I don’t have time to comfort her. The guest wing is at the other end of the house. I take off running as fast as my legs will carry me. There are several rooms allocated for guests, so instead of knocking on doors I scream his name. Seconds later, a bleary-eyed Dr. Mendhi rushes out of his room.
“Amelia, what’s wrong?”
“Erin, it’s Erin.”
I don’t wait to see if he’s following me. My thoughts are focused on getting back to Erin. My bedroom door is still open. Mother is kneeling by Erin’s side, brushing the hair off her face. Maybe I should have covered her up, but I didn’t think. I just panicked.
“Step aside,” Dr. Mendhi orders. “Amelia, tell me what happened.”
“We… we made love and Erin, she reacted… I don’t know, doctor. I think she seized.”
He checks her vitals. Minutes pass and I’m ready to pass out. What did I do to her? “Amelia, it’s going to be okay,” Mother says. I wish I could believe her.
“You don’t know that.” I sob.
Waiting is the worst. I just want to scoop her into my arms and make it all better. “Amelia,” Dr. Mendhi says, causing me to jump. “Did anything happen to you?”
All I can do is nod. “What’s happening, Doctor?” Mother asks sternly .
“They bonded,” he states. “I’m not sure of the consequences of that for Erin.”
“What the hell does that mean?” I roar.
“Amelia, this is the first time I have seen a human bond and survive.”
“You knew Erin might die if we bonded and you didn’t tell me?”
“I couldn’t know for sure.” I lunge for him. How could he not have warned me? I would never have slept with her, never have fallen in love. I would rather suffer a thousand deaths than see any harm come to Erin.
“Amelia,” my father roars. All I see is a red mist. My body is pulled away from the quivering doctor. I feel my dad’s strong arms trapping my own.
“Let me go,” I scream.
“Amelia, stop. This isn’t helping.”
“I swear, if Erin dies, I will come for you,” I seethe. The doctor’s eyes widen in fear. As they should.
The bedroom is suddenly a lot more crowded. My siblings are frantically trying to find out what is happening. It’s chaos, but then, amongst the noise, I hear her. My head snaps to Erin. her eyes are still closed, but I know she’s talking to me.
Breaking free from my father’s vice grip, I run to her side, dropping to my knees. Placing my forehead against hers, I calm my breathing and listen. Tuning everything out, I concentrate on her sweet voice. She’s calling my name. “I’m here,” I whisper. “I’m right here, my love.”
“Am-Amelia?” Opening my eyes, I stutter a laugh in relief when blue eyes meet my own.
“Erin. ”
“What happened?”
“Can you move?” There is plenty of time for explanations. I need to know I haven’t paralyzed her or something. Her body slowly wiggles. She pushes herself up, and that’s when I remember she’s naked with a bunch of people looking at her. Tugging the sheet, I draw it up and under her arms as she moves. I stack the pillows behind her back.
“Wow,” she finally says. “That was a trip.”
“She seems okay to me,” Lucille grins. I shoot a sharp look over my shoulder.
“How do you feel?” I ask.
“Amazing. Amelia, did… did you feel that?”
“Yes, I felt it.”
“Did we… bond?”
“Yes.” I cup her perfect face in my hands and kiss her softly. My heart is still racing, and my adrenaline is pumping. “But you seized and then passed out.”
“I’m not surprised. That was intense.”
“Damn, Amelia, who knew you were that good in the sack?” Lucille cackles.
“Out,” I bark. “Everyone out.”
“Amelia,” Erin soothes. “I’m okay.” I haven’t even checked to see if everyone has left as I ordered. My eyes remain fixed on Erin.
“I thought, God, Erin, I thought I’d lost you.”
“No, my love. Just the opposite.”