CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

F or the next few days, Brianna’s plan worked.

Somewhat.

She still woke up wrapped in Craig’s arms, but instead of letting the fire which burned like a volcano between them take charge, she quickly wriggled away from him and jumped into a cold shower. Then immediately regretted it. Not the cold water, though it wasn’t nice, but the emptiness that enveloped her was heavy. Every morning, she stood under the cool water and wished he would appear behind her and wrap his arms around her.

Her days were spent reading, soaking in the hot tub, and wandering the castle. It was a beautiful and very ancient structure with the most beautiful architecture. Despite their nocturnal lifestyle, there were beautiful gardens and a swimming pool.

It was like she had the place to herself. Nearly. Not all of them slept during the day; like humans, there appeared to be shift workers, and while the shutters came down when the sun rose, she could exit the castle while staying within the grounds. She just had no guard with her when she was outside because obviously, they’d turn to dust. Which was a terrifying thought.

Nicoletta, Timmy’s replacement, was a pleasant companion. She answered Brianna’s questions when asked, and then intuitively gave her space when she required it. When she’d asked about Craig, the female had been tight-lipped. It was clear his authority was well respected, though not feared. She had sensed no fear from her, just a clear boundary on what she would talk about. And Craig’s and Brayden’s past was not on that list, which made her more curious.

After a big, long walk around the grounds, she lay down in the grass under an apple tree and opened her book. The Italian sunshine flickered through the branches, and soon, she was dozing off.

“Christ!”

She opened her eyes, blinking, struggling to wake up from her deep nap. An enormous figure crouched beside her. Looking around, she saw the sun low in the sky. She sat up suddenly and gasped.

“What the hell are you doing out here? You’ll die!”

“Cover yourself up,” he growled as he attempted to put his black Moretti jacket over her.

She battered him away while trying to stand and block the sun from hitting him. Simultaneously, she looked down and saw her sundress had twisted and was showing parts of her white lacy bra.

Bri sat back on her feet and pushed him, achieving nothing. “How are you alive?”

“Why are you flashing your bits around?”

She flapped her arms about. “To whom? Everyone is asleep. Because. You. Are. Vampires.”

He blinked at her.

“Why are you out here in the damn sun?” She was angry. Confused.

“It’s low enough in the sky and cloudy, so I can be out here. But not for long. We need to go in now, as I can feel myself weakening.”

Shaking her head, she got to her feet and marched back to the castle doors. Reluctantly, she looked back to make sure he was following. He was a step behind her, wearing an equally frustrated expression.

As the doors closed behind them, he nodded to Nicoletta, and the guard took off at high speed.

“What were you doing out there?”

“I’m not a prisoner, Craig. I was taking a walk and then fell asleep reading in the sun. It’s what humans do!”

He put his hands on his hips. “Not this human. Not this week.”

She snorted. “Whatever. I’m going to let that go this one time because you look like you woke up on the wrong side of the bed.”

He raised an eyebrow at her.

“Seriously, what the hell? I have been doing the same thing every day.”

“You haven’t stayed out there for that long. You were gone longer this time.”

She narrowed her eyes and stepped closer. “How do you know that? You are asleep when I’m out there.”

He wiped a hand over his face. “Come on. Let’s go back to my rooms.”

She tried to shake off his grip and failed. “Answer my question.”

Nothing.

“Craig.”

Nada.

“How do you know? Has Nicoletta been reporting my every move?”

He continued to ignore her.

“Ugh.”

He pushed them into his rooms, and the door shut loudly.

“I haven’t been damn sleeping. Not deeply. I’ve been monitoring your...I don’t know, your energy or something. Today, you went further than usual and then became still.”

He ran a hand over his face.

She stared at him, her mouth falling open. “I didn’t know you could do that.”

“Neither did I.” He rubbed the back of his neck.

Their eyes connected. Heart rates thumping and breathing labored, they stood just staring at each other. She tried to make sense of what he was saying, and her mouth fell open to speak, but he shook his head.

“Bri. Fuck. Goddamn, you make me crazy.” He grabbed her and smashed his lips against hers.

It was harsh, dominant, and sent fire racing through her veins. She felt her legs turn to jelly, but it didn’t matter as Craig held her firmly against his chest. Gasping, they broke apart.

“Jesus, Craig, you could have died going out there.”

“Calculated risk.” He brushed the hair off her face and kissed her again, more gently but no less passionately.

God, she had missed this feeling of being wrapped in his arms, his lips and body devouring her. She needed more. So much more.

“Craig.”

“Are you sure?”

She nodded.

“Thank God, because I can’t wait another second for you.”

Their clothes came flying off, her dress torn from her body with mutters of buy you another one , and then she was lifted onto the table. He removed her panties, running his hands over her legs. Thanking her past self for shaving that morning, she felt her body shiver.

“Lay back and spread for me, Bri.”

Jesus, she was not ready for this kind of vulnerability. She halted.

“Hey, I’ve got you.” He moved his body closer and guided her down on the surface, leaning over her. “Attagirl.”

His fingers slid skillfully through her folds and then gently pushed inside. He kissed her with whispers of God yes, you’re wet for me , and when he felt her relax, he kneeled, spreading her legs wider.

“So damn sexy.”

He pressed his mouth against her core and licked. And again. And again. She cried, so close to an orgasm. Those fingers of his pushed inside again, and his tongue got to work on her clit.

Bri gripped the bench and lifted her hips to him, grinding.

“Yeah, baby, give it all to me.”

She might have screamed, she wasn’t sure, but while fireworks were exploding in her head, Craig had carried her into the bedroom and placed her on the bed.

Then he was there. Naked. Huge. Layers of powerful muscle and miles of tattoos, his green eyes glowing with lust directed at her.

He moved his body between her thighs.

“I’m going to lift you, baby, so you fit around me.”

She mumbled something from another language. Possibly Greek. Could have been Japanese.

He smirked briefly, and then it faded.

“Tell me you’re okay, baby.”

“I am.” She reached for him, and he took her hand, placing it on his cock so they were both stroking him.

She licked her lips.

“Not tonight, baby. I am out of patience.” He lay over her, tucked a hand under her bottom, and caught her gaze. “You with me?”

“Yes, God, yes. I need you inside me.”

She grabbed his biceps and breathed in and out as if she were giving birth as he pressed in. Bri had held him in her hands, knew how big he was, but having him inside her was beyond everything. Solid, long, and wide, just like the male himself. Her body felt full in the most delicious way.

He began to move slowly, then faster, and she realized for the first time in her life that a lover could be both gentle and dominant. Their bodies moved together in a symphony until he flipped them, positioning her on top of him. His eyes, full of desire, were always on her, as if to assure himself she was okay.

Reaching, he pressed his thumb against her clit, and she cried out while he thrummed. He thrust as her body clenched around his cock.

“Ohh God yessss.”

Feeling him come inside her spurred on her second orgasm. He urged her to move, but she couldn’t. Her muscles had turned to jelly. His eyes flared as he took full control, holding her hips and wringing her dry. Bri flopped onto his chest, and together, they panted until their breathing returned to normal. When she went to move, she felt him inside her. Still firm.

“Be careful with that.”

She looked up at him, and he held the back of her head, lapping at her lips seductively.

“Because you hurt?” she asked.

He smiled. “No, my wildcat, because I am ready for round two whenever you are.”

She flopped back down onto his chest. “Human, remember.”

His hands roamed her body, running up and down her back and over her bottom. She felt her body stir. Her pussy tightened around him, and he hardened some more.

“Hmmkay. Maybe once more.”

His fingers caressed the curves on her bottom and surprised her when they moved between her legs and over her anus. Gentle, circular movements sent flares of warmth inside her before he pressed his thumb against it, and she gasped.

“Good girl, let me in. I promise you will love this.” His voice was thick.

Another press and he was in, the pressure creating a feeling unlike any she’d ever felt. She was already tight around his cock, but this was more. So much more.

“Move for me, Bri.”

Subtle, fine movements around his cock created the most delicious stimulation around her pussy, and the combined pressure within took her to new heights of pleasure. Fast.

She lifted her head and found bright green eyes blazing at her with ecstasy. He took her face in one hand and slipped his tongue in.

“Push down on me. Hard, baby.”

She did, and they both cried out.

“Again.”

The pleasure turned to delightful pain as their latest orgasm tore through them. Craig pulled his thumb out and flipped them over, wrapping her thighs around his waist and plunging into her again and again.

“I want...I need...I just have to have more of you.”

And though her body was worn to the bone, she let him go, knowing this could be the one and only time they were together. She cried out his name as their bodies slammed together.

Afterward, she lay tightly wrapped in his arms, and they ran their hands over each other for a long, long time.

And she realized she felt no guilt.

None whatsoever.