12. Nic

Chapter 12

Holy fuck. Just the sight of Leia in the dress I'd selected… I'd known it would be perfect. And whoever had given her that necklace… My blood hummed through my veins just at the sight of the red around her neck where I wanted my teeth to pierce her delicate skin, where a thin trail of blood might escape to. I wanted to gather drops of her blood with my tongue as she writhed with pleasure beneath me.

She smelled divine—her scent, the power in her blood called to mine. I hadn't been able to keep myself from telling her what I wanted to do to her. The very sight of her fogged my mind, making my existence and movements dreamlike.

The world slowed around me, but I had to act. I took her hand to lead her to the limo, although the idea of being in such a small, enclosed space with her… I shook my head as my dick jerked against my pants.

Fuck. I wasn't ready for an assault on my senses like this one. Touching her was almost painful, and I fought to override my base desires. I wanted to drag her somewhere—anywhere—and take her, savor that first bite. Hell, I wanted her under me on the hardwood floor as I brought her pleasure.

I couldn't have chosen a better bride if I'd been searching for her myself. And fuck, I didn't believe in fate, but here Leia was. Almost fucking presented to me, and perfect in every way. All that strength, all that power… So much possibility.

And tonight, she was giftwrapped. I wanted to tease off every layer, to unwrap her and reveal her smooth skin to my hands, my lips, my tongue. I wanted to graze my fangs over her neck. I wanted to pierce her and plunge my cock into her.

I wanted all of her.

Every last movement, every last moan.

I wanted my name on her lips and I wanted it all now, to feel her power coursing through me, claiming me as hers as I claimed every part of her as mine.

Thoughts of that first bite drove me almost wild with need, and I stared ahead at the waiting limo, thinking of what we were doing tonight, what I could achieve by attending the party and indulging in the first public showing of my virgin… My mate.

But now was also the time to be careful. I wasn't only showing how I'd claim my full power; I was revealing my hand.

I breathed in carefully, not daring to glance at Leia, holding my control tight around me like armor. I'd never been so close to the edge.

I greeted Jenkins with a stiff nod and reached to hold the car door instead of him as Leia moved in front of me, protectiveness surging through me at the proximity of another male, which was ridiculous—my staff was selected based on their absolute trustworthiness.

Still. Leia was mine.

Once in the car, I raised the privacy screen immediately to keep her just for me, but as much as that pleased me, it also trapped me with her. I glanced at her, then again, and I could smell her arousal, the exact same as this morning when I'd wanted nothing more than to thrust up into her waiting body to satiate the hunger and need for both of us.

I gritted my teeth against the urge to drag her across my lap, but when I looked at her again, she turned a nervous gaze in my direction like she sensed my wild desire for her.

"You look beautiful." My words came out raw, almost gruff, around fangs that ached with their need to descend.

She blushed, her skin taking on a light pink shade even in the low light of early evening, and the sight of that blood so close to the surface thickened my cock. I almost groaned, and she leaned toward me, the movement slight, but I missed nothing as I watched her.

She lowered her eyes, the movement submissive and demure as her lashes fluttered against her cheeks, and I gave in to the desire to touch her. Just my fingers on her skin wouldn't hurt. A mere shoulder. Something safe.

But then she lowered her eyelashes and they fluttered against her cheek as she exhaled, and it undid me. My simple touch turned into a lazy swirl of my fingertips over her skin, a circle growing larger until I brushed the column of her neck. She gasped, and the swell of her breasts rose, her skin pebbling in tiny goosebumps against my fingertips, her desire telegraphing itself.

"I didn't want to leave this morning." My words were part apology, part bold statement, all low and rough. "I wanted to stay and fuck you."

Leia gasped, and I leaned forward and flicked my tongue against her lips, stealing a taste as the scent of her arousal filled the back of the limo. I'd done that. My virgin wanted me, and I wanted to crow my victory. I wanted to taste her all over, too, and I dipped my head to touch my lips to the neckline of the dress.

She was a walking jewel and deserved worship.

She touched my hair, displacing strands of it in tentative movements as I let my hand rest on her thigh, waiting a moment before I started gathering the fabric and moving the hemline upward. I held my breath as I waited for the first touch of that soft, forbidden skin.

"Nicolas." My whispered name on her lips was an aphrodisiac meant just for me, and I slid the material faster, though careful not to ruin it, as I continued my quest for a touch. Just one touch.

Something to assuage the hunger burning in my chest for this woman.

But one touch would never be enough. I exhaled a shaky breath as I brushed her skin, relief mixing with anticipation of more. Sheer fucking raw need of more.

I waited a moment longer, allowing her to adjust to the new sensation, completely still as I fought not to turn to my head and plunder her mouth. Then her legs parted a little, just a fraction—the smallest of invitations.

"Nicolas." Again, that whisper. Only this time it meant so much more. And the invitation was so much bigger.

I skated my hand between her thighs, and her breasts rose and fell without rhythm as she sucked in shaky breaths that she puffed back out against the side of my head. Her panties were damp, wet with her desire, and I turned my head to look at her.

Her gaze met mine, her green eyes almost liquid as she watched me, and I wanted to give her everything.

"Let me…" I whispered, my lips almost against hers, but I waited for her small nod before I kissed her.

She quivered beneath me before her arms wrapped over my shoulders, her hands pressing the back of my head and neck, holding me close as my tongue teased the seam of her lips and my finger slid under the edge of her panties, delving between her folds.

"Mine," I murmured, and her breath caught as I circled her entrance then brushed over her swollen clit.

She arched against me, her hips lifting.

"Good girl." I whispered encouragement. "Already so greedy."

I touched her clit again and nudged a fingertip inside her. A strangled sound emerged from her throat, and I waited.

"Okay?" I wanted to please her, to pleasure her, not scare her, and I waited for her nod before I pressed further in.

"Please, Nicolas," she panted, but her eyes were wide like she didn't quite know what she wanted as her hips continued to move.

"Nic." The sound almost rumbled through me. "Call me Nic." I wanted all of her passion, all of her intimacy. "And you are Leia."

I drew my finger out of her a little then plunged it back in, enjoying the small cry of pleasure trapped between our lips. I moved again and stretched my thumb to strum against her clit, setting a rhythm for her body to obey.

I followed the same rhythm, moving with her, unsure who commanded who, who drove who, as my cock sought friction against my pants, and I groaned against Leia's lips as my tongue swept into her mouth. Her breathing grew increasingly ragged.

So close… So close…

"Leia… Leia…" I whispered her name. A command. An enchantment. A mantra. My whole body moved against hers, my cock nudging against her outer thigh, mirroring everything I wanted to do over her, inside her, as I teased myself.

Tension entered her muscles and she stiffened against me as she sucked in a breath and the soft walls of her pussy pulsed around my finger, the strong tightenings sending a bolt of desire through me as I continued moving, gentling and slowing to ease her down.

Her breath came in little puffs, and a blush returned to her cheeks as I slipped my finger from her body and rearranged her panties. I straightened her dress and chuckled, and her gaze met mine.

"Oh." Her teeth pressed briefly against her lip. "I mean, thank—"

I pressed a finger to her mouth, not interested in embarrassment-driven gratitude. "There's so much more," I murmured. "So much more. And I'll do it all for you later."

She nodded once, the movement sharp, and she didn't flinch from my gaze. "Okay."

Surprise stole my voice at her reply and her attitude, and my cock stiffened painfully, the hardest I'd ever been. I brushed my palm over my pants, teasing myself further as my other hand lingered over the controls to the privacy screen. I really wanted to turn the car around, go home, and claim my virgin.

But Jenkins's voice came clearly over the speaker. "Arrival in two minutes, sir."

And my opportunity vanished as quickly as it had presented itself. I took Leia's hand in mine. "You ready?"

She exhaled a long breath. "To meet your family?" Her eyes flashed with amusement. "Never."

I grinned in response, then froze as her fingers touched my cheek.

"You should smile more." She looked thoughtful, but before I could lean into her touch, selfishly taking more of her for myself, she withdrew and looked out the window.

The countryside here was denser, less built up with human habitation, and if I rolled down the windows, the sweet, soft air of the bayou would drift in, bringing with it the green smell of vegetation and growing things.

I leaned back as I entwined Leia's fingers with mine before bringing our joined hands to sit on my thigh, teasing myself as much as comforting myself with her proximity. Fuck, I missed that wild Louisiana smell and the memories it held.

I'd known this area since it was little more than jungle, with nature in full control, and being back relaxed me as the feeling of being home filled me. I breathed easier as I basked in memories of the past and considered all my ancestors had seen and done here.

But returning here as the new yet unconfirmed king… That was different.

We turned onto the long driveway of my ancestral home, where my father had ruled from. The mansion was set back from the road. To anyone else, it would have looked like another country road, one of the many that maybe only locals used, but to me, this was home. Ancient trees lined our way, their branches dripping with Spanish moss that shone silver when the headlights flashed across it. Occasionally the tips of the foliage kissed the roof of the limo, and my hearing picked up the soft swish of the fronds.

As we approached the house, every window seemed to glow in welcome, and people hurried in the main door, alighting from vehicles that formed a slow train around the wide circular driveway. A fountain sat as an ornament in the middle, and Leia almost pressed her face to the glass to look closer as naked Venus bathed in full view of passersby.

Someone had strung fairylights between the trees up here, and they twinkled a delicate welcome.

I leaned forward as Jenkins joined the line of cars, waiting for our turn to get out of the limo and join the party, and my hand tightened protectively around Leia's. This was both a moment of great triumph and a moment to be cautious. I needed to make my claim known.

When Jenkins drew to a smooth stop, I slid from my seat and held out my hand for Leia to join me. Her eyes widened, and she hesitated at the edge of the seat, her gaze travelling to the house then up as she took in the vastness of the building, the stately columns that rose for two stories, and the wide balcony that spanned the front.

"Your family lives here?" Her voice was little more than a whisper.

"Yes." I leaned forward, making my next words conspiratorial. "It's a bit of a fixer-upper, but they're happy."

She caught her breath and looked at me then narrowed her eyes. "Fixer-upper, my ass. This place is perfect."

I nodded an acknowledgement as pleasure tightened my chest.

"You're perfect." The words slipped out, so quiet I almost hoped she hadn't heard them, but her gaze flicking briefly back to mine told me she had.

I wanted to give her all of this. Perfection. Riches. Power.

She deserved nothing less, and the wonder on her face hurt my heart because she'd clearly never experienced the life she was meant to have.

This life.

As she accepted my hand, I froze. Her fingers felt so natural against mine, but when had this one human broken though my all humans are annoying barrier? I wanted to make her smile, to hear her laugh at the things I said and moan my name at the things I did to her body. I wanted to claim her, own her…keep her. But I didn't quite understand why.

"Are you all right?" Her voice was soft, hesitant, and awoke me from whatever spell she'd managed to cast on me.

I nodded a sharp acknowledgement. "Always. Just thinking about tonight's business."

Her lips tugged down for a moment like she was disappointed, but she quickly recovered.

"Arm candy." She smiled, but the expression didn't reach her eyes as she tucked her hand into the crook of my elbow.

I patted her hand briefly as she reminded me of the terms of our contract. A companion for one month. A contract we'd already broken when I finger fucked her in my limo, my driver on the other side of a privacy screen, but if this made her entrance into my family's home easier, I wasn't about to argue. She was at my side, and my fingers still carried the scent of her body and her desire.

Those two things were all that mattered.

My mother's butler, Owens, greeted us just inside the wide front door, and as he roved a glance over Leia, he hesitated. I shook my head in the smallest of movements. No title tonight.

He lifted his voice above the quiet chatter. "Nicolas Dupont and guest," he announced.

The room stilled, the atmosphere shifting to something predatory and aware as heads swung in our direction. Nostrils flared as curious gazes landed on Leia.

I rested my hand over hers again, the movement deliberately possessive and designed to see off any challenges. As my father's rightful heir and their new king, my people needed to respect my status and my obvious claim.

The electricity of watchfulness still crackled in the air, and I moved my hand to the small of Leia's back, resting my palm against the skin bared by the cut of her dress as I walked toward my mother. Mother stood alongside my uncle, my father's brother, with a group of friends and elders from our people but looked up as soon as I approached with Leia.

Like their attention had ever really been anywhere else. They were just better at appearing disinterested.

"Mother. Uncle." I inclined my head respectfully as I greeted each of them. It hadn't taken long for my uncle to come sniffing around in the vestiges of power—offering his protection, no doubt.

"Nicolas." My mother's eyes widened as her gaze travelled to Leia. "And…?" She half-gestured toward her.

"Miss Leia Boucher," I supplied, my hand still possessively on Leia's skin. I tucked her closer to me as she held out her hand to my uncle.

"Pleased to meet you." Her voice was clear but quiet, and I drew small, absent-minded circles on her back with my thumb. Reassuring myself or comforting her, I wasn't quite certain.

"This is a surprise." My uncle's voice was loud, and I tensed my jaw as he took Leia's hand, his huge palm swallowing hers. It irritated me that he had no discretion, and also that he was touching her when she wasn't his.

Mother leaned toward me for her customary air kiss, but her lips lingered near my ear.

"The one?" she whispered. "Your virgin?"

I nodded.

"Good." Then she drew away, her eyes sparkling as she looked over Leia again. "You're a pretty little thing," she said, and Leia's cheeks flushed pink.

I rolled my eyes. Of course, Mother knew she was more than pretty. There wasn't one person in here who hadn't picked up Leia's scent, although I was probably the only one who knew she was my true mate, so maybe no one could guess her actual power or the power she could unleash in me, my ability to hold my throne and rule absolutely.

As Mother and my uncle continued to watch her, Leia fidgeted a little, her fingers twisting together in front of her. I waited to see if they had anything further to say, but apparently not as they returned their attention to their friends, probably to engage in conversation I wasn't ready for Leia to hear just yet. Mother looked like she might burst if she couldn't announce to someone that Leia was the one.

"We'll go and get some drinks," I said, and spun us away from my mother's tight group.

The bar was across the room, and conversations fell silent as we passed, whole clusters of people stopping everything they were doing to watch us pass by.

"Is everyone okay?" Leia kept her head facing forward, but her gaze darted from side to side like she was aware of the unusual scrutiny but didn't want to address it directly.

I grinned. "Yes. It's unusual for me to have a…" I hesitated. There were so many things I wanted to call her. "A companion, that's all."

"Really?" Her steps faltered as she looked up at me. "I'd have thought you would…"

"What?" I grinned as I met her eyes.

She shrugged. "I don't know. Been popular?"

I laughed as we reached the bar, and the hired bartender gave us his attention immediately.

"Sir?"

I ordered our drinks and returned my focus to Leia. I'd just lifted my hand to tuck a lock of her hair behind her ear when someone grabbed my hand right out of the air and pressed it to a pair of soft lips.

"Nicolas!" A familiar voice caressed my name, and I gritted my teeth as I turned to my left.

"Aurelia. Nice to see you." Except it wasn't. It never was.

She stood to the side of me and ran her fingers down the lapel of my jacket like she was straightening my clothing for me. Her touch was possessive and unwanted.

"I've missed you," she purred, and Leia took a step back. Aurelia leaned forward, her lips nearly touching my ear as she spoke. "I'm still waiting for my proposal, Nicky." She flicked out her tongue and swiped it over my skin. "You know I'm destined to be your queen."

I closed my eyes briefly so Aurelia wouldn't see my irritation there. She'd always been a gold digger, desperate for my family's money and prestige, desperate to be my queen. But she didn't fulfill any of the criteria to allow me to secure my place on the throne, and there was nothing captivating about her.

My gaze slid to Leia, drawing Aurelia's attention there, too. Her eyes widened and her nostrils flared, and she stepped toward my mate. Aurelia opened her mouth as she prepared to snarl, but I spun her back around before she could bare her fangs.

"Raylie, calm yourself," I growled. Then I looked at Leia. "Wait here for me and don't move." I had to contain Aurelia's threat before it got out of hand.

Leia parted her lips, but I turned away, my hand around Aurelia's upper arm as I drew her to the other side of the room. I glanced back at Leia, and she was sipping her drink, her gaze darting around the room. No one else was near her, though, which was good.

"What are you doing, Nic?" Aurelia wrenched away from me.

"Nicolas." I emphasized my name. She didn't deserve the intimacy of Nic. "You need to get yourself under control. Leia doesn't know what we are, and I need to keep it that way for the time being." I kept my tone low, my voice urgent. I didn't want to waste too much of my time talking to Aurelia, but I needed her to understand.

She folded her arms and tapped her foot. "Oh yeah?"

"Yes," I hissed. "And if you don't comply, I'll take away everything that holds value for you—including your access to high-level vampire society."

I held my temper in check, aiming to look bored as I spoke to her. If she knew how important this was to me, she'd act against me out of sheer spite.

"Okay." But she agreed too readily, the shrug of her shoulders too simple as her eyes shone with a familiar malice.

Fuck. I'd have to watch her. Aurelia was dangerous when she was on a mission—especially when she thought she'd been fucked over. Dammit. I curled my hand into a fist. I didn't have time to contain Aurelia as I needed to. I had to get back to Leia.

"Just behave," I ground out before I turned back to where I'd left Leia.

I strode in her direction, but she wasn't there. I arrived at the bar and glanced around, but she wasn't standing anywhere nearby. I walked through the room, then even out into the garden where some couples stood and chatted, but she wasn't there either.

This was all far too familiar. I should have spotted the pattern ahead of time: I took Leia out with me, left her alone, and she wasn't there when I returned. Perfect.

Fuck. I scrubbed my palm over the back of my neck as I turned a full circle, searching for the splash of vibrant green that would tell me I'd located my mate. But she wasn't anywhere.

Fear was a slow, creeping prickle as it worked through me, and I inhaled slowly. I wasn't used to feeling afraid. I never feared anything. I was protective of what belonged to me, but being territorial was different than being fearful.

And I didn't know what to do with that.

I stood straighter and pushed the uncomfortable fear aside. Leia was mine, and someone else had her, and I was fucking well going to find her. Then I'd deal with the person who'd dared extend such a direct challenge. Another wave of anger heated my blood.

I took a deep breath, hoping to clear my head so I could think. I tapped as many guests on the arm as I could, ripping them from their conversations because my need was greater, and I ranked above them.

"Have you seen my companion?" The word felt so dry when she was my mate, but I'd publicly shown my claim. I didn't want to endanger Leia by declaring just how important she was.

Without exception, people shook their heads. I was just heading to the bathrooms to check there too when I caught a trace of Leia's floral scent lingering in their air. I followed it out of the ballroom.

I was going to rip the fucking head off whichever fucker she was with. No one took what was mine.

Not anyone who wanted to live and tell about it, anyway.