17. Chapter Seventeen
Chapter Seventeen
Heath
M y mate is brave. I lick my lip as I stare at her. She is constantly surprising me. I never want to scare her with my actions, but she pushes me to lose control. I want to bite her everywhere, leave my venom in every mark, and give her a snake. She is going to be fierce.
“Lay down,” I order, and she braces her palms beside her, easing down. I put my hand on the outside of her thigh and push, moving her lengthwise. I adjust her legs and her feet at the end of the table. “Hands above your head.” She complies easily. I pick up her ruined shirt, rip it in two, and use the pieces to tie her hands to the table legs. “Is it too tight?” I ask as she moans.
“No, Sir,” she says quickly.
“Say your word if it becomes that way.” I place my palm between her breasts and watch her skin tremble as I glide down her body. Her stomach sucks in when I snap open her pants. I move to her feet, lean over her, and flick her zipper down. “Beautiful.” I pull off her shoes, drop them behind me, and ease her jeans over her hips, and quickly down her legs. As I unbutton my shirt, I step back and look at the stunning woman spread on my table. She squirms as I pull off my shirt and rip it in half. There is enough fabric to wrap her ankles and reach the other legs of the table, and she will still have room to move. She is shorter than the length of the table, and I’m thankful I chose the smaller one; I don’t want to strain her limbs.
I love the softness of a woman. The curve of their hips is perfect for holding my palm. The strength and supple skin of the inside of a thigh. No matter the size of their breasts, they are always soft. I don’t want a rock-hard stomach. I want my partner's body to mold to mine, to give, and to cradle the hard of mine.
My mate is perfect.
Her skin is flushed. I can hear the blood in her veins and the quickening of her heart. Her body is ready and eager for me, and I’m thrilled to give her what she needs. Moving beside her, I cup her foot, travel up her leg, over her hip, across her stomach, and stop between her breasts. I watch my hand rise with her breath.
“You are stunning,” I whisper and snap her bra. Curling my finger, I slide the fabric out of the way, first one breast and then the other. “You like my touch, mate.”
“Yes.” She pushes her chest up, chasing my teasing touch when I take it away.
“You will take what I give you,” I remind her.
“Yes, Sir,” she groans and drops down.
“This is about trust. Do you trust me?” I ask, leaning over her, placing my palms beside her shoulders.
“I do.”
“Do you trust me to give you what you need?” I brush my lips across her temple.
“Yes.”
“Good. Make as much noise as you want. Do not move unless I tell you to.” I lean back but stay close. Her scent increases with every touch.
“Yes, Sir,” she says.
“Good, Darling.” I kiss her briefly before moving down her neck, dragging my mouth against her skin, my hands sliding across the table as I progress. “I love your tits,” I hum and circle her nipple with my tongue. One and then the other, over and over. Her sweet pants are low, but I hear them clearly.
“Please,” she whines as I continue to tease.
“I love to hear you beg.” I repeat the action. “Do it again.” I look up at her, tasting her softly.
“Sir, please.” I laugh lightly. “More.”
“Like this.” I hold her nipple between my teeth but don’t suck. She shakes her head. “I know what you need.” I surround her nipple with my lips and use my tongue to lick.
“Fuck,” she gasps, her hands reach for the edge of the table. I squeeze under her breast, take more in my mouth, and suck. “Yes,” she hisses. I release her, and she growls.
“Patience,” I say, moving down and licking her stomach.
“You said fast,” she says.
“You distract me, mate. All this glorious skin to taste.” I slide my tongue under the edge of her panties. Her skin is softer the closer I get to where I need to be. Once I take my pants off, there will be no playing. “Are you wet enough?” I hover over her.
“Yes,” she grits out.
“You’re eager,” I say. Smiling during sex is a new experience. It has never been something fun. I’ve never had a meaningful relationship, and I’m unsure if I’ve ever felt the love I should. I wanted many, but it never crossed the line to being obsessed with someone's scent. Needing to touch them just for the sake of knowing they are near should scare the fuck out of me, instead, I want to give in to the feeling. Standing straight, I round the end of the table and cup her knees. “Spread. As far as you can,” I demand, and warmth expands in my chest. She bends her knees as far as the fabric allows. When I reach for the button of my pants, her eyes widen. Her gaze is glued to my hands as I lower the zipper and push the fabric down. I take off my shoes and drop the pants to the floor. I palm my cock with one hand and push down my boxer briefs with the other.
“Shit,” she moans as I lean over her legs. Bracing my hands above her bent knees, I move over her, the table easily holding both of us. I dip my head and suck her clit in my mouth, the fabric of her panties adding friction. “Heath. Sir. Please.” Her body thrusts in the air, and I use one hand to press on her stomach above my head. Her taste fuels my beast, and he shows himself through my eyes. I release her, brace myself on my knees, and rip one side of her panties.
“Take your mate,” I growl and lunge, entering her with one thrust. Wet. Heat. “Fuck, yes,” I hiss as I lean over her. I hold still and allow her to adjust to my size. I kiss the corner of her open mouth. “Are you alright?” Her scent tells me she felt some pain, and I don’t like it.
“Yes. It’s easing. I need you to move.”
I have the benefit of knowing if she is telling the truth. The pain is gone, and her need is replacing it.
“Bossy,” I whisper, biting her chin. It seems the rules I like to enforce are broken when she is the one doing it. Her need is mine. Her pain is mine. Her body is mine. “Who do you belong to?” I ask, gripping her neck as I slide out.
“You. Heath, Sir,” she gasps.
“Yes, Darling.” I look down, watching my cock enter her pussy. “Fuck, you feel so warm.” She’s burning me with her heat. “Do you like how your mate fucks you?” I increase my speed and look at her, loving the pure bliss on her face.
“Yes, Sir. More,” she begs, and I can’t help the pleasure it brings me.
“Jesus,” I hiss and kiss her. I thrust harder, and the table shakes. Her hands slide against the wood, and I crave her touch. One of my favorite things is using ropes or anything to tie a woman and keep her where I want her, but with Juliana, I want her hands on me. Stopping isn’t an option at this point. Leaving her hot body would cause my snake to protest violently. We finally have her under us and refuse to give her up. “Move your hips.” She eagerly does as I demand.
“I’m going to come,” she says as our hips meet.
“Hold it,” I command. The same words repeat inside my head while my desire reaches dangerous levels. My heightened senses enhance every inch I slide inside her. I can smell how close she is and feel her pulsing against me. My muscles strain to hold the control I need to use with her human body. She’s fragile, and I don't want to cause her pain by being too rough.
“Sir,” she groans, her head tipping back.
“Do it for me,” I rasp, watching her concentrate on keeping the orgasm at bay. “Good. So good.” My fingers glide against her neck with our movements, and I pull. “Watch me.” Our eyes connect, and I drown in the pleasure in hers. Moving faster, the wood creaks and slides slightly across the floor. “Good girl. Open.” I hold my finger over her mouth. “Fuck yeah.” She sucks on my finger, and I almost lose it. I never lose my control.
“Mmm…” She struggles to keep her eyes open and the heat from overwhelming her.
“Come. Come on your Sir’s cock,” I demand and watch the pleasure travel over her face. Her pussy tightens to the point of pain as she latches on, and I have to slow down. I can’t hold back. I fill her with my come. Complete euphoria. I drag my finger from her mouth, and her cries fill the room. I drop my head against her chest as I curl over her, watching her hips thrash and the last of the orgasm work over her.
“Heath,” she breathes and stops. Her body is limp, and I’m reluctant to leave it.
“Fuck, darling.” I look at her and smile. Her eyes are closed, and she has a slight smile on her face. Her cheeks are red, and she seems completely satisfied and comfortable. I hate it, but I slowly pull out. “Shit,” I hiss.
“I like you inside me, too,” she mumbles.
“Good. It will happen a lot.” I ease off of her and then the table. I quickly untie her limbs, but she doesn’t move. Starting at her feet, I massage where the ties irritated her skin. “Are you alright?” I ask.
“Oh…yeah,” she sighs. “That was perfect.”
“Glad you think so, mate.” I move to her arms and rub her wrists. “You did well. Did you like the restraints?”
“I did. I like being at your mercy.” She opens her eyes and smiles at me.
“We will use them often,” I whisper.
“I didn’t know it could be like that,” she says.
“I didn’t either,” I confess.
“It makes me happy to know that.” Releasing her, I move to the middle of the table, slide my arms underneath her, and bring her to my chest.
“My possessive mate.” I carry her toward the bedroom. As I step inside, I hear the alarm ring. “Fuck.”
“What’s wrong?”
I gaze down, and the dreamy expression leaves her face. The alarm is too quiet for her human ears.
“Someone is here.” I’m going to kill whoever it is. “Get dressed.” I drop her legs and kiss her hard but brief. Lifting our bags onto the bed, I find a shirt, and leave the room. I grab my pants from the floor, step into them quickly, and pull my phone out of my jacket. My security system is extensive. I have cameras everywhere on the property. Logging into the system on my phone, I place it on the table as I put on my shirt.
Shit. Vampire. Two of them. I knew they would show up eventually.
“Who is it?” Juliana leaves the bedroom, pulling her shirt into place.
“Friends, kind of,” I mumble. “Ryker is a five-hundred-year-old vampire. He brought Bash, a four-hundred-year-old vampire.” Her eyes widen. “They are good men. Micah has known them for a long time.” Slipping on my jacket, I put my phone away and grab her hand and my cane. “They would never hurt you.”
“I believe you.” She follows me up the stairs, trusting me, and the warmth in my chest expands. “But they are dangerous.”
“Of course. We all are, but not to you. They are mated and value the mating bond.” I enter the code at the top of the stairs. “They could have found a way in if they wanted to. Vampires have a lot of gifts. I haven’t seen everything they can do.”
“You have plenty of gifts, too, mate,” she says, and I smirk.
“That I do, mate.” I pull her through the door. The sun is setting, but I can see the two formidable vampires on the porch. Ryker has long black hair and a solid build. Bash has white hair and is just as strong. They would be very difficult to kill. I unlock the front door and swing it wide, keeping Juliana slightly behind me. I trust their intentions but after the experience minutes before, I’m feeling extra protective.
“Heath,” Ryker says silkily. He’s leaning against the side of the house, facing the door. “Welcome to the neighborhood.”
“If you are the welcoming committee, sorry to say, the lions beat you.” I drum my fingers on my cane.
“I heard that Sally beat everyone,” Bash says dryly. His hands are gripping the rail behind him across from Ryker.
“Yes, she did.” I don’t interact much with any of them, but I know that Sally and Bash argue all the time. He portrays annoyance; it’s just an act.
“Are you going to introduce us?” Ryker asks, motioning behind me.
“Do I have to?”
“I would feel the same,” Bash mumbles.
“Alright,” I sigh and ease Juliana to my side. “My mate, Juliana.”
“Vampires, huh?” She leans against me. “Do people actually believe you're human?” Ryker’s lips twitch.
“We don’t bother to ask.” He tilts his head. “Nice to meet you.”
“You are not scared,” Bash says, frowning.
“Depends on the moment,” she says and looks at me. “I know Heath won’t allow anyone to hurt me.”
“You know what he is?” Ryker asks, and she jerks.
“Yes. Do you?” She glares at him, and pride surges through me.
“It’s been annoying,” he says, standing straight. “I’ve smelled your scent before but couldn’t place it. Now I can.”
“You haven’t told anyone,” I state, knowing the news would have spread if he had.
“I realize you don’t trust us, but I would never reveal something you want kept secret.” He looks at Bash. “You two are very similar.” Bash rolls his eyes. “You know it’s true.”
“I understand your hesitation to join the group,” Bash growls. “I also wanted to be left alone with my mate. They are intrusive in every way. Sally is the worst of them but also the best. She barged into your life for a reason. I heard she met your mate before you did.”
“She did,” Juliana says.
“I don’t believe in coincidences,” he informs us. “Sally is a good one to have on your side.” He looks at Ryker. “I will kill you if you tell her what I said.”
“It won’t come from me,” Ryker assures him.
“It’s easier to give in to them,” Bash tells me. “They won’t give up, and you need friends.”
“There is trouble,” Ryker says.
“Yes.”
“You don’t know who yet?” Bash steps away from the rail.
“Not yet. My men are working on it.” I want to give Bane and Hunter time with their brother, but my skin is itching with the need to act.
“We can help.” Ryker holds his palm out. “We know you don’t need it, but you have it regardless.” He drops his hand.
“Thank you,” I concede.
“Are they from your past or hers?” Bash asks.
“Mine,” I grit out.
“How do you know?” Ryker asks.
“Because I’ve been killing a group of men. The word has spread through them.” Sharing any information makes me uncomfortable.
“How do dead men talk?” Bash asks with a lifted brow.
“I spread the word before I met Juliana,” I say, leaving out the part about my gift. If I wanted to make dead men talk, I could, or rather almost dead men.
“Got any enemies?” Ryker asks her.
“My mom,” she snorts. “I would have said my brother, but it seems he is changing. He wouldn’t hurt me.”
“Would your mom do this?” Bash asks but doesn’t seem surprised.
“No. She’s busy counting money,” she mumbles. Her phone rings, and she jumps. I gave it back to her when we got in the car after we tried to track the message. She slides it out of her pocket. Stanly’s name is on the screen.
“Why is Stanly calling?” I ask, sneering. I made Levi swear he wouldn’t answer his calls.
“When he can’t reach Levi, he calls me.” She silences the phone. An uncomfortable feeling washes over me. Jealousy and rage. I hate that a man is calling her.
“He does this often?” I ask.
“Since we were kids,” she says.
“Don’t ever answer,” I growl, and surprise fills her scent.
“I haven’t, and I won’t,” she promises.
“Who is Stanly?” Bash asks.
“My brother’s best friend. Reckless. He’s not important,” she answers.
“You don’t like him?” Ryker asks.
“No.”
“Does he like you?” Bash tilts his head.
“He’s an ass, but he’s been there for my brother. If anything, I think of him like a brother.”
“He could be a possibility,” I growl. He has been around her for years, so I don’t know why he would wait to make a move.
“He does. He likes you,” Bash whispers, watching my mate shift.
“When we were younger, he would flirt.” She shrugs, and I turn. “Jeff flirts, but not since I brushed him off.”
“Who is Jeff?” Ryker asks.
“He works with me,” she answers.
“Flirts,” I hiss, remembering the name she mentioned to Sally. I was preoccupied and only listening to bits and pieces of their conversation. “How?”
“The way everyone flirts, I guess,” she grumbles.
“I don’t flirt,” I inform her, propping my cane against the house.
“That isn’t surprising,” Ryker says, and I glare at him.
“That can’t be true,” she says, gaining my attention as she steps away. “You flirt with me.” I look away, meeting Ryker’s amused eyes, and back to Juliana.
“Mate, I don’t. I tell you the truth.” I circle her waist, bringing her back to my side.
“See,” she states.
“This is fascinating,” Bash drawls. “Let’s get back to whoever is threatening her.” I snarl at him, but he’s right.
“No one in my life would bother to do this. Stanly has a girlfriend. Levi said he was going to propose,” she protests, putting her hand on her hip. “Jeff moved on to another willing woman.” The silence after her statement only lasts a second before her phone buzzes. She rolls her eyes and takes it out. “Crap.” I grind my teeth and grab her phone.
“He can’t protect you,” I read, and my eyes glow. I toss her phone to Ryker and grab mine. I tighten my arm as I wait for Hunter to pick up.
“Another message,” he answers.
“Yes. I need you here.”
“Be there soon.”
“Heath,” Juliana whispers, and I cup her face.
“I can protect you,” I rasp. They are taunting me. Whoever it is, they must know I will show all my power to keep Juliana safe. They either have no idea what I can do or are conceited enough to think they can beat me.
The fucker will die. Brutally.