Chapter 36

Katsuro’s bedroom was elegantly simple. The bed low to the ground with a deep green comforter that looked extremely soft. He had a low dresser along one wall, a taller wardrobe, all of simple stained oak, and another door that opened off to the side. Presumably a bathroom of some sort.

That gave me a moment of pause. Did vampires have plumbing? I knew he bathed, but was I going to have to get creative to go to the bathroom down here?

The vampire arched an eyebrow at my hesitation.

“Oh, just wondering about bathrooms.”

He chuckled. “A fair concern. There are enough humans down here that we installed regular plumbing in all the houses. Take a look.” Katsuro slid open the door I’d guessed led to a bathroom, and I looked inside.

“That’s not just standard plumbing,” I said with a jealous groan. “That’s a freaking bathtub with jets that I could practically swim in.” Not to mention a really nice walk-in shower big enough for at least two, and a regular toilet and vanity. Somehow the modern appliances didn’t clash with the style of the house at all. He even had a wall of plants to help the feeling of being close to the outdoors instead of living under a ton of rock.

“Our water supply is an aquifer near here and we recycle extensively so that the majority of the water we use for frivolous things like a giant bathtub is reused.”

“Nice touch.” I smiled up at him before stepping back and letting him take me into his arms. I leaned against his chest while he held me. “The humans?”

“Willing,” Katsuro replied. “Some are staff. Some are donors. Some are both. Well paid or otherwise compensated. A handful of families that have served some of the vampires for centuries live down here, as well. The only thing they must accept is that if they ever leave our service, they must allow us to alter some of their memories. They will still remember us, but not how to get into our domain or any of the secrets they learn down here. For example, the details about the security system.”

“Oh. You didn’t ask me?”

Katsuro smiled. “My dear, we’re to be bonded mates. This is entirely different. Even if you were to move on at some point in your life, you would still be welcome here and trusted not to divulge our secrets.”

“I see. I take it that it would be very rare for a bonded mate to leave?”

“Nearly unheard of.”

“You sure you want to be stuck with me?”

Some of the uncertainty I felt must have shown through my voice. Katsuro briefly tightened his grip before turning me to look at him.

“I have never been more certain in my entire life, Hannah. You call to me in a way no one ever has.”

The sincerity in his eyes and the solid grip of his hands on my shoulders helped convince me. “We’ve only just met.” I protested one last time.

“Do you have doubts?”

Did I? After a quick moment of thought I shook my head. “No.”

“Then why should I?”

“You’re like this super powerful being, politically and supernaturally. I’m just me.”

Katsuro leaned over and kissed my forehead. “You are more powerful than you know, and your powers will grow as you practice. In time, you may surpass me. I want to watch that discovery and aid you in any way I can. And even if you were simply a human, well, remember, I started pursuing you before you unlocked your powers. I want you, for you, Hannah.”

I let myself be convinced. I knew I’d always be able to come up with excuses and reasons why he shouldn’t want me no matter what he said. It came down to, this felt right, and I wanted it. I just hoped I knew what I was getting into.

“Okay. Let’s do this.”

Katsuro’s smile was possibly the happiest expression I’d ever seen on his face. He gently cupped my jaw and kissed me.

My magic took that moment to flare up, winding between the two of us as it had with Bridger and Oliver. Instead of pulling away, Katsuro stepped closer, deepening our kiss and letting my magic flow into him.

The bonding took longer, as if my magic had to feel its way through Katsuro’s own powers before finding a place to anchor, but I sensed the utmost patience and perhaps even a bit of joy from the vampire through that tenuous thread of connection as he let it penetrate to his very essence.

I kept my feet this time, but only because he was holding onto me. The elastic snap that traveled back through that thread of energy and slammed into me, binding us together was like getting hit with a rubber band. A massive one that pulled his love for me with the band of energy and sent it crashing through me. I had never felt anything quite like it, and it turned my limbs to jelly as the sensation sent tremors of pleasure radiating out from my core.

“Holy crap,” I breathed.

Katsuro helped me over to his bed, and I lay down and stared at his ceiling.

He lay next to me, trailing his fingers over my stomach where my shirt had pulled up and exposed skin. His touch sent little tendrils of electric pleasure zinging through me.

“That was quite intense,” he agreed. “Ready for round two?”

“Yeah. Should we get naked first?”

“If you would like, then yes, we should.”

“You’re going to have to help me. I feel like a wet noodle.”

Katsuro shifted, planting another kiss on my forehead, before helping me undress. Then he lifted me into his arms, somehow managed to pull back the comforter and his sheets and laid me down.

“Oh my god, I need to get some of these.” I was momentarily distracted from everything else by the absolute softness of his sheets.

“That can easily be arranged,” Katsuro assured me.

“Cool. You want to get naked, too?”

He pulled his shirt off, shed his pants, and joined me on the bed while I marveled at how comfortable I was.

I sensed his amusement through our connection and poked him gently on the shoulder. “You know, I was reasonably well off before, but not so much that I could indulge in whatever this is.” I gestured toward his bed. “These sheets must cost a fortune.”

“We shall have to get you spoiled on some of the finer things in life, Hannah.” The vampire shifted until he was propped up on one arm, looking down at me.

“I’d like that. So, how do we do this?”

“I will bite my wrist and let you have a taste of my blood.” He grinned when I wrinkled my nose. “It won’t be as bad as you think. Then, once you’ve had a moment, I will take a small amount of yours, and then, I assure you, we’ll very much be in the mood for sex.”

“Great!” I was onboard with that plan. “I’m already in the mood, if that wasn’t clear.”

He inhaled deeply, as if scenting the air. “Abundantly clear, sunshine.”

Before I could delay us any longer, he put his wrist to his mouth and bit down. I winced in sympathy, but I didn’t sense any discomfort through our connection. Only joy at finally having someone to join with.

More because of his happiness than anything else, I didn’t hesitate when he offered me his arm. I licked the blood from his forearm and fastened my lips over the wound he’d created, drinking the blood he offered. Katsuro shuttered his eyes, a soft groan escaping his lips as I did. This quite obviously was not causing him any discomfort.

The coppery tang of his blood wasn’t as unpleasant as I’d imagined, perhaps because his pleasure already filtered through our first connection, and I could feel the power in it as his magic mingled with my own and spread a warmth through me. The power wandered through my body much as mine had with his, not quite taking purchase, but still very noticeable.

I released his arm, and he laid me back on the bed, leaning over me, hunger in his eyes along with a burning desire.

“Still okay?” he asked.

“Yes.” I offered him my throat.

His pause as he studied the lines of my neck and the soft hum of appreciation tightened things in my core, and I let out a needy moan.

When he leaned closer, I dug my fingers into his back. The ecstasy of his bite was immediate, and I cried out as he tasted my blood. The bond snapped into place, sending my mind reeling and my body exploding with pleasure. I got the barest sense of the depths of his memories and age before the energy settled between us.

Not sure if I said it aloud, or in my head, I begged him to make love to me. I needed him inside me, needed to feel him as completely as possible.

Katsuro responded, pressing into me, filling me, completing my need to be joined. He rested there once he was fully seated. I let him experience the moment before tugging urgently.

“Yes, my love,” he whispered in my ear as he began to move.