21. Lewis

CHAPTER 21

LEWIS

" B ite me," she snaps.

"No."

"Why not?"

"Why?"

"Turn me, then you can have at it. We can have at it. Your bond isn't wasted. And I get to keep you."

I drop the plate I am washing back into the water and turn to face her. "You're forgetting about the curse." I squeeze the water from the rag. "Not happening."

"Why not? It literally solves every problem we have. Well, except for the curse. But we can find the cure after."

"Samantha, becoming a vampire is not the answer to your problems."

"Says you, the three-hundred-year-old vampire who is basically indestructible."

"As you will remember, I was absolutely destructible a few days ago when those witches were here."

"You know what I mean. You would give up on your bond so easily?"

"Who said I was giving up?" I lean on the counter and toss the wash rag into the water.

"You said we couldn't try anymore. Doesn't that mean the bond won't be consummated?"

I did say that. I wander to where she sits on the countertop, stopping between her legs. I take her hands and rest my head on her stomach. She has no idea how much I want this to work. But it can't. And with only two weeks left to find a cure, besides.

I'm pretty sure the curse is going to take me out before we get the chance to do this properly. As if reading my thoughts, she slides a hand under my chin and lifts my head until I'm looking into her eyes.

"I don't give up so easily, Lewis. When it comes to you, I don't want to."

I force a smile and take one of her hands, pressing it to my lips.

"Turning takes longer than we have. To do it safely, for everyone. There is an adjustment period of a few months for the transition."

"Oh." Her face falls, and she slumps, brows pulled down.

"Why don't we focus on something useful, like your magic?"

Her brows furrow further. I chuckle, and she sighs.

"I don't know. It only seems to work properly when it involves you."

"Well, what if I help you train?"

"How? You don't have magic."

I roll my eyes at her and try and fail to flatten the smile growing over my face. "Use me to fuel your powers. I am more than happy to be your guinea pig, Sunshine."

She groans and slips from the stool. "Fine. But outside—I don't won't to burn any more of your property." She waves to the scorched floor that will definitely need refinishing.

"We can go into town later and find something sweet and settle in for a long reading session after dinner, if you want?" I offer.

Sammie rounds the kitchen island and presses her chest into mine. Her fingers run through my hair. I fight to keep the burning in my core to a minimum.

She pushes up on her tiptoes, leaning in so her mouth is by my ear. "I want."

In a heartbeat, she has left my space. Her absence creates a dull ache in my chest. I follow her to the door, and she plucks our coats from the hooks by the door. I take mine from her outstretched hand, letting our fingers brush. The small bit of contact is enough to send the blood thundering through my veins.

She pulls on her coat, tying it up around her waist before lifting her cream beanie from the lower hook and pulling it onto her head. Her blonde curls skirt her shoulders, the beanie bringing out the blue in her eyes. I stare, well aware of my ogling.

"What?" she breathes.

"You are stunning, Sunshine."

Her face reddens. She clears her throat and walks out the door. I have never been so desperate to have fireballs tossed my way. I follow her out the door, closing it behind me. Sammie bends down and scoops up a handful of snow, rolling it in her hands. She flings it my way, and I move fast to dodge the snowball and come to a stop in her space.

Her breath hitches.

I bend my head down, covering her mouth with mine. I bite her lower lip before releasing her. "Is that the best you've got, Sunshine?"

Her gaze narrows and a smirk pulls up on her pretty mouth. She holds her hands in front of her chest and twists her wrists until her palms are facing up, fingers curled but spread. The air around me turns to a tunnel, twisting around me. My coat flings upward, hair flying every direction. I try to hold a hand up to shield my face, but the current of her wind is too strong.

Holy shit, Sunshine. Someone has been practicing.

She curls her fingers toward her and flings them in my direction. I try to plant my feet into the snow, but it is no use. My ass hits the icy powder a heartbeat later. A little winded, but in awe of what else she can do, I jump to my feet.

Sammie stands, hands by her sides, chewing her bottom lip. "Sorry."

"Never be sorry for being incredible, Sammie."

She scoops more snow and tosses it my way. I block it with a hand. It bursts with the contact, snow sprinkling to the ground at my feet.

"This time, water." I nod toward the broken patch on the ice-plated river.

She walks toward the river's edge, still mostly hidden under the snowfall, and scans the length of the frozen river by the cabin.

"What do you want me to do with it?"

"Well, don't drown me this time." I try to force a laugh, and her face turns apologetic. "Sammie, I?—"

She holds up a hand. "Please don't apologize. We both know what we have gotten ourselves into. If I was scared of you, Lewis, I wouldn't be here."

I straighten. I didn't expect her to say that. I was anticipating her to insist I control myself after the last time we connected. She's not afraid of me; instead, she feels bad for hurting me. Stunning inside and out, this girl.

"Okay, in that case. Can you make one of those water funnels and send it down stream?"

"Breaking the ice or on top?"

"On top would be easiest, I think."

She stares at me and shakes her head for a second before sucking in a breath. She turns toward the river and closes her eyes, chanting under her breath.

Water flows.

Water stows.

Flee your restraints.

Feel your pull and head north.

Go now, go quick, go forth.

She raises her hands, this time palms facing each other. The water continues to flow undisturbed under the ice, the turbulent wash still audibly the same.

Sammie repeats the incantation and widens her stance. Her cheeks and nose have pinked from being in the frigid air. Her fingers are pale and shaking. She is too cold. Her chest heaves, and she moves her palms a little closer, tilting her head, like she can feel the water. The ice cracks in the center of the river, splitting for a few feet toward the north. Water flows through the long crack, spinning on an invisible axis as it churns higher and higher.

Her eyes are still closed. She presses her palms together and laces her fingers. The funnel roars above the river before sinking a little lower. She lets her hands go, pushing her palms away from her. The base of the funnel busts through the ice, splintering it as it travels north. I'm in awe as the girl beside me manipulates one of Mother Nature's masterpieces. Her entire body trembles, her jaw is set, her breathing quick.

She opens her eyes, scanning the distance between us and the funnel, and slams her hands together. The water falls over the ice.

She collapses into the snow.

Fuck.

I have her off the snow and into my arms before her next heartbeat thumps. Her face is pale, save the bluish tinge to her lips.

"You need another hot shower, Sunshine."

"Only if you're having one, too," she rasps, a small, cheeky smile blooming over her sweet face. I kiss her forehead and carry her inside. She lets her head lean on my chest. I dip my head, breathing her in as we travel up the steps and inside. My body wakes up to hers, the fire not so bad as she runs her hand behind my neck. For a second, I feel like we could do this without me hurting her. God knows how much I want to right now.

Her hands fold together behind my neck, and she pulls my mouth to hers. She tastes amazing. She is amazing.

Incredible.

She is my mate.

She is right.

This is worth fighting for.

She pulls back and studies my face. "What are you thinking about? Your heart rate doubled."

I look down. Her hand is pressed over my heart. I didn't even feel her take it from my neck.

"You," I rasp, and the breath in my lungs disappears.

Her eyes darken, dilating the blue hues in them to deep ocean cerulean. Her hands frame my face, so soft. I carry her to the bedroom. She is busy running kisses down my neck and stops when I come to a halt at the foot of the bed.

"Are you sure?" My breaths turn ragged.

She looks up. "Very."

Holding her up with one hand, I slip her boots off. She moves out of my hold and kneels on the bed. Her hands are still trembling.

"Are you still cold?"

"A little."

I pick her up, and she wraps her legs around my waist. Walking backward toward the door, I claim her mouth with mine.

We hit the door to the bathroom, my back against the cool wood. I shiver at the contact.

"Are you cold?" She leans back, both hands on my face as she searches my gaze.

"A little. Nothing a hot shower won't fix."

She turns in my grip and flings a hand downward. Fire flickers over her palm and she tosses it into the hearth by the bed. The small fire, struggling to breathe, roars to life.

"How am I going to get your clothes off if you're cold?" she asks, wide-eyed and innocent.

I chuckle and sink my face into her neck, nipping and biting my way toward her collarbone.

She moans, hand sliding through my hair. "Lewis," she breathes.

"Mhmmm?"

"Take my clothes off, please."

I laugh against her neck. Her hands fumble behind me, searching for the doorknob. I move sideways and she finds it, turning it and shoving the door open as I spin and walk her into the bathroom, depositing her on the vanity. She tugs my coat off and slides my sweater and T-shirt up my chest. I raise my arms, letting her undress me. The clothes hit the floor, and she stills, her eyes wandering over my shoulders.

"Your turn, Sunshine."

Sammie holds her arms away from her body, and I slip off her coat. I slide her sweater up over her head and arms. Her shirt does a lousy job of concealing her underwear. My blood turns to acid in my veins as her breasts rise and fall rapidly. I feel the burn flood my body. Darkness creeps into my vision from the periphery.

Her hands grab my face. "Lewis, no, stay here."

I groan and drop my head onto her shoulder, breathing through the overwhelming fire feeding my instinct to claim the bond, to taste the copper of her blood.

"Sammie, I don't want to hurt you."

She lifts my face to connect our gazes. "I won't let you hurt me. But you have to stay here, with me. Please. I want to feel all of you."

I smash my mouth over hers. Wind, her invisible force, holds me where I am—no closer, no further. She opens, and I claim her with my tongue. Tasting everything. Hands working her thin shirt up her body.

She moans. The material between my hands rips, and she breathes a desperate laugh. I release the clasp on her bra, and she wiggles free. The movement sends embers through my chest. I growl, lowering my lips to her nipples, hands gripping her hips tight. She whimpers.

I startle, backing off. Heat licks the back of my throat.

Her face is strung out with desperation. "Don't you dare stop."

I breathe through methodical breaths until the burn in my throat settles.

She tugs me closer between her legs. Her finger trails down my jaw, throat, over my chest, and dips behind the button of my jeans. My mouth parts, breath so shallow it stings.

"I love that face," she whispers and pulls me into her space until her mouth is on mine. She kisses my lips then tracks kisses and nips down my neck, hovering over the bounding vein. I slam my hands onto the vanity. Small pieces of stone chip from the impact, falling to the floor. Grip hellishly tight, I brace myself against her assault of sweet kisses and wandering hands. My throat is thick.

"Sunshine."

"Yes, Lewis?" Her voice is high and sweet. What I wouldn't do to claim her, over and over. No woman has ever taken me to the breaking point before. Her scent. Her touch. Her words. Her fire. Her kindness. Her loyalty.

I still.

This is more than only a mating bond. I growl and grab her up from the vanity. She giggles, her blonde curls bouncing over her shoulders and caressing her breasts. My chest all but explodes.

Fuck.

I let her find her feet before ripping her jeans from her. She huffs a laugh, hands running through my hair. Her breasts bounce with each movement from her body being uncovered. I stand up and step back after the last piece of clothing leaves her skin.

"God, you are gorgeous, Samantha." My voice is gravel.

She stands, arms hanging by her sides, breaths shallow and quick. She swallows. A sound like a groan mixed with a sigh leaves her lips. She closes the space between us and makes short work of my pants. I hoist her onto my hips. She wraps her legs around my waist.

All humor has left the both of us. I walk into the shower and turn on the hot water. Steam fills the small bathroom quietly, and I turn on the cold faucet. I wander into the hot stream, and Sammie hisses when the heat hits her skin. I groan into her neck, biting the space around her thundering vein.

Heat prickles at the back of my throat. I growl and slam her into the shower wall. She wedges wind between us, but it wavers. She is too far gone to concentrate. I can't hurt her.

I won't hurt her.

I release my hold on her and step back.

She opens her eyes, stunned by my absence. "What's wrong?"

"I need a minute."

She steps into the water. It cascades over her face, shoulders, and breasts. "You could just watch?"

She slides a hand between her legs. The discomfort at the back of my throat is dulled by the heat pooling in my spine, low. I grab her wrist and remove her hand. I claim her mouth and brush my knuckles over her throbbing clit. She whimpers in my mouth.

My body burns with thirst again. I tilt my head to the ceiling, closing my eyes. Her mouth finds my neck, hand wrapping around my painfully hard cock. With the first pump of her hand, I growl, lowering my gaze to hers. Her hand finds my jaw.

"You're okay. Stay with me, Lew."

"Sammie, I need you now."

"You have me."

I pick her up and shove past the shower door, through the bathroom, and across to the bed. I drop her on the bed, and she smiles, wriggling back, opening her legs for me.

"Come here," she rasps.

"I am not letting our first joining be missionary, Sunshine."

She laughs and squeezes a breast with her hand, propped up with one elbow, half sitting up. "Whatever you want, Lewis."

I drop to the bed on my knees and crawl to her. I move over her, covering her body with mine. I let my hand wander to her wetness, and she bites her bottom lip. Sinking two fingers into her wet heat, I rub her clit with my thumb. She arches off the bed, sweet moans tumbling from her pretty mouth. She tightens around my fingers. The growl tumbling from my throat startles her.

Her eyes widen.

"Wait," she breathes.

Fire rips through every inch of my body.

My canines descend.

"Lewis," she gasps.

I sink into the soft flesh of her neck faster than she can stop me. The copper warmth of her bounding blood is divine.

She tenses under me. Her body shakes, and her whimpers turn to moans, her mouth open, head back, eyes closed. She bucks around my fingers. I lean back and study her as she comes. God, she is beautiful.

Blood trickles down her neck and over her breast, over her peaks. Planting kisses across her chest, I suck every drop of blood from her skin, hovering over her nipples, letting my teeth graze the sensitive tips.

She settles, her face wrecked with pleasure. I wipe my mouth with the back of my hand and rest on my heels, heart pounding in my chest, terrified I crossed the line.