“Without you I would have no life. But if it worries you so, perhaps one day I can make you like me. It will be up to you.”
She couldn’t deny herself any longer. Selfish or not, the need drove the words out of her. “Claim me, Damien. Claim me, please.”
“No doubts?”
“Not a one.” She was tired of talking. Now she wanted action. He seemed to sense it because the world whirled wildly, then she felt herself lying on her bed. He towered over her, looking like a powerful Teutonic knight, and stripped his clothes so fast she didn’t see it happen except for a quick blur.
He was so beautiful. Head to foot, he was perfect. And he was so ready for her. She started to reach out to touch his staff, to encircle it and claim it for herself, but he stopped her.
Then her own clothes vanished, leaving her utterly naked before him.
“Can I move this time?” she asked, her voice thick with passion.
“Absolutely. Meine Liebe, move all you wish.”
The words set her free. She reached for him, and he lowered himself beside her, for the first time, other than the shower, giving her free rein to discover every inch of him, to stroke him until he groaned and moved restlessly.
It filled her with both joy and power, that the predator lay so tamely beside her, reveling in her touches. That with the gentlest of touches she could make him move so she could explore more, or with equally small touches make him writhe.
But when she at last stopped teasing him and reached for his staff, he suddenly flipped and was on top of her. She gasped, loving the feel of his weight, his hardness along her length, his penis pressing the sensitive tissue between her legs.
“Last chance,” he said, his own voice thick.
“For what?”
“To avoid a final claim.” His eyes were as black as a starless night. “If I drink with you at the same time I am inside you, it will be done. Are you sure?”
She had never been surer of anything in her life. She reached up, drawing his head to her throat. At the same instant she felt him enter her, making her feel so full and so possessed.
She never felt his teeth plunge into her throat, but she knew when it happened anyway.
They became one in that unimaginable way. She felt his heart pounding as if it were her own, felt her blood running in her veins and his. Felt every thrust he made as if she were making it as well as receiving it.
Pleasure doubled, grew, lifting her higher than she’d ever gone, even on the night of the ritual. No longer did she feel as if she were separate in any way. Never had she imagined such a union was possible.
Yet it was. Entirely one body, one heart, one mind, they rose to dizzying heights, and when culmination came, they exploded at the same time.
Together they hovered at the pinnacle of completion, awash in a tide of feelings and sensations that didn’t end.
Love for eternity.
A week later they had a condo in a building across town. A vampire named Creed Preston and his wife, Yvonne, helped them find it, and Creed helped them make a room that was safe for Damien during the daylight.
Caro was surprised, but apparently money was no object for Damien, so they bought the penthouse, and the work to fix it for him was completed rapidly. They held a small housewarming party, though they hadn’t finished decorating yet, and even Detective Pat Matthews came.
It was night—the city lights glowed beyond walls of windows. Pat drew her aside.
“You look damn happy,” she said.
“I am,” Caro admitted. “Happier than I ever imagined I’d be.”
“Good. Got yourself a bit of a weirdo there, but I like him.”
Caro smothered a smile. “He’s good to me.”
“Only thing that counts,” Pat agreed. “Malloy sent a message, by the way.”
“And?”
“Get your butt back tomorrow or the next day. All is forgiven. Apparently those additional murders made him reconsider your sanity.”
Caro laughed. “Really.”
“Really. A lot that’s weird is going on. He just asked you to please not mention it.”
“I won’t. I promise.” There was no need now.
“And that request you made to help those folks find homes?”
“Yes?”
“We’ve started working on it but it would be nice if I didn’t have to run your program. So come back soon, will you? And make sure I get a wedding invite.”
“I promise.” She watched Pat drift away to talk with Jude and Terri, then felt familiar arms close around her from behind.
“Are you pleased, Schatz?”
She turned within the circle of his arms and looked up at the vampire she loved more than life. “I’m very pleased. And one of these days...”
He laid his finger over her lips. “Don’t ask yet, meine Liebe. Not yet. The day will come when we’ll have to consider changing you, but not yet. Please. Let me enjoy you just as you are.”
“Okay,” she agreed.
But deep inside she knew the question wouldn’t be shelved for long. There’d come a day when she would want to share his nights completely, to see them the way he did.
And when that day came, she had no doubt she would get her way.
“I love you,” she murmured and watched his eyes grow golden with pleasure.
She was forever claimed, and forever his.
* * * * *