Chapter Sixteen When Bryn arrived home from dropping Nate off at his house, Anton was either still out or working. Deciding to leave him alone for a while, she changed into more comfortable clothes and sat on the bed watching television while she worked on her sketches. Although she knew pencil never translated as well as paint, she was having a hard time finding a design she liked. Still, she knew she was sometimes too critical on herself and decided to work on three main designs for Nate to choose from. She could always work out the details on the ceiling itself. Finding the right glowing paint medium for the moon and stars was a different story altogether. Setting her scratch pad aside, she hoped she didn't mess up this first job. Popping a disc into the DVD player, she laid on the bed and relaxed a bit while watching the Blair Witch Project. She was about halfway through the movie when the door to their apartment opened. Anton dropped his coat over the back of a chair and then walked into the bedroom. He sat down beside where she was laying and patted her stomach. "How did it go, my dear?" "Fine. Got paid already." "Really? How much?" "Can't tell you." He raised an eyebrow. "Oh?" She nodded. "You have to sit back and close your eyes first." He made a face, staring at her oddly, before scooting back against the headboard and closing his eyes. Once he did, she rolled over on to her stomach and reached for the jewelry box in her nightstand. As she turned over to face him, she placed the box on his stomach. "If you don't like it, we can take it back and get something else, OK? Don't think you have to keep it. You won't hurt my feelings, I promise." He picked up the box, raising his eyebrows at her. "Go on, open it," she encouraged. Anton rotated the box around to where the hinges were away from him. Cautiously, he cracked it open. "Bryn, it's beautiful." He pulled the ring out of the box and tilted it this way and that, letting the light catch it. "Seven stones?" She nodded solemnly. "One for each of your wives, me included." He swallowed, and held out the ring to her. "Put it on me?" "You don't have to keep it. My dad used to keep things around for years, sitting in his closet, just because--" "Bryn, put it on me. Please." Wrinkling her nose, she grabbed the ring in one hand and his hand in the other. "I don't even know if it's going to fit." She pushed the ring on to his finger, and didn't have to use much force to get it over his knuckle. "It's a little loose. I was going to get it engraved, but I wasn't sure...if you'd like it." "Bryn, I love it. Thank you." He pulled her close and kissed her, his tongue slipping just inside her lips. She kissed him back, tension leaving her when she realized that he did like the ring. Her hands rubbed his chest lightly. One of his hands reached up to grab hers and held it firmly against his heart. She pulled back and licked her lips, her eyes blinking away moisture as she met his gaze. After a moment, she leaned forward and rested her forehead against his neck. "I'm glad you like it. The others were more plain. I wasn't sure what to get...but this one...well, it's like mine, and the seven stones did mean something special..." He stroked her hair gently. "It's perfect, Bryn." "I know that you still love them, Anton. And I wanted to show you that I'm okay with that." He snuggled against her, hands slowly moving over her body. "I love you, Bryn." He kissed her forehead. "So now that we have the rings settled, do you want to make our wedding plans?" She nodded, wrapping her arms around him. "I think we could design the invitations ourselves, on the computer. That might make them a little more personal." "That's a good idea. You want me to get the laptop so we can start making a list?" "Okay." She watched him get off the bed and walk out of the room, and she picked up the ring box from the comforter. She realized that despite what she'd said, it had mattered to her if he liked the ring or not. It was the first gift she'd ever given him, the first thing she'd ever given anyone who wasn't immediate family. Although, he'd fit that category soon himself. She smiled at him as he walked back in the room, handing her the computer before settling down beside her once more. She snuggled close once again, curling up against his side as he opened the computer on his lap. "We need to contact someone about the location first. And decide if we're going on a honeymoon." He nuzzled the top of her head. "I think I may know a place, my dear. There's a little church up in the Marin Headlands that overlooks the Bay. You can see the Golden Gate Bridge, as well as the skyline of San Francisco. We'll be able to see any fireworks that are being shot off reflecting in the Bay." "It sounds perfect. Can we check it out?" "Maybe tomorrow, my dear? And as far as the honeymoon, where would you like to go?" "I'd like to go just about anywhere that doesn't have huge snakes and spiders." She grinned. "Do you own any other homes around the world? I'd love to see some of the places where you've lived before." "Well, let's see... I have properties all over Europe - London, Paris, Venice, Munich, to name a few. Would you like to see them?" "Are you kidding? I've always wanted to tour Europe. That would be amazing!" "I'll take that as a yes." "Yes, definitely." She wriggled against him in excitement, making him laugh. "I can't wait." "All right. I guess we need to contact a travel agent, too." He brought up his word processing software, quickly typing out a list of everything they'd decided so far. "We'll need to get up a little early tonight so we can call some of these places. Now...what about a reception?" "Hmm...well, I was hoping we could keep the wedding and the reception fairly small. My family is really small...or at least the portion I'd consider inviting. Maybe we could have the reception here? More like an intimate gathering?" "We could do that, I suppose. Maybe an hour or so after the wedding, so everyone can watch the fireworks first?" She nodded. "Then I'll change into the dress Lindy bought me, before the reception. That way I can wear both." "You never showed me that one...where is it?" "In a box, under the bed. I think I'll make you wait to see that one, since you've already seen the other one." She snuggled closer to him. "Besides, I'm comfortable. I don't want to move." He kissed her forehead, wrapping his arm around her shoulders. "How about the flowers?" "I was thinking of roses. My bouquet made up of red ones, with two displays of white ones on either side of the altar. "OK." He moved his arm for a moment, so he could type. As he was working, she unbuttoned one of the buttons on his shirt and slipped her hand inside to rub her fingers across his stomach. "What are you doing, my dear?" "Nothing." She smiled as he jumped slightly when her fingertip brushed his left nipple. "But it seems to be working." Trying to concentrate, he cleared his throat and said, "How about food, for the reception?" "Mmm...I know everyone always has tons of stuff for dinner, but I think I'd rather have just a really decadent cake and some pastries, with tea and coffee. How does that sound?" "Sounds good to me." He slid his arm underneath her to circle her waist, hand coming to rest beneath her breast. Typing one handed, he created a new document. "I guess that just leaves the guest list. Lindy's going to be your maid of honor, right?" "Yeah." He sighed. "Then I guess I'll have to invite Nathaniel, just to keep the peace." She traced her finger around his navel. "You probably won't even notice he's there, Anton." "I certainly hope not. Do we have to invite him to the reception, too?" She nodded. "I think so. It won't be a problem. I'm sure the two of you can just avoid each other. I'm not all that thrilled about inviting my mother, either, but I'm going to do it." Chewing on his lip, he nodded and typed in Nathaniel's name. He broke into a smile as she hugged his waist and kissed his cheek. "We still need to go visit your friend, Michael, too." He nodded, running his hand over her back. "And you don't have to worry about hiding what I am. Mack knows I'm a vampire." He eased one long leg between hers. "I really ought to give him a call. He may be back in Massachusetts right now." She couldn't help but squeeze his leg between hers, subtly rubbing her pelvis against his thigh. "Do you want the phone?" "Sure." Loathe to move, she twisted to reach for the phone on the nightstand and quickly returned to lie against him as she handed him the receiver. As he dialed, she slid her hand back inside his shirt, letting her fingers dip a little lower to sweep under the edge of his slacks. He cast a sideways glance at her, making her grin. At the other end of the line, the phone rang several times before someone answered. A feminine voice said, "Hello?" "Chandra?" "Yes." "This is Anton." "How the hell have you been? I haven't heard from you in years." "Not quite years. And I'm doing very well. Listen, I need to talk to Mack. It's important." "Hang on. I'll get him." Anton sighed, feeling Sabryn tease at the line of hair that led from his navel to groin. Deciding a little turnabout was fair play, he ran his fingers under the curve of her breast, just barely touching her. Enjoying feeling her squirm against him, he almost missed the male voice coming over the phone. "Hello?" "Hey Mack! It's Anton." "Couldn't be...I thought you'd died again. You must've, because you never call." He had to grin. "I've been busy. My fiancée never leaves me alone." Bryn gasped, glaring at him. She got a look in her eyes that distinctly said, "I'll show you," and slid her hand under the waistband of his boxers. She grinned as he flinched at the sensation of her fingers combing through his pubic hair. "Fiancée? Don't tell me you're getting married again?" Mack sighed. After a bitter divorce, marriage was the last thing he ever talked about. Even though Chandra was more important to him than air to breathe. "Will you never learn?" "Apparently the answer is no." He shifted a bit, trying to concentrate on his best friend's voice and not Bryn exploring his groin. "I'd like to bring Bryn by some time, introduce her to you and Chandra. I was also wondering if you were going to be in town on the Fourth of July. I could use a best man." "The fourth? Wow. That's not far away. Not much time for me to talk you out of it." Mack laughed a bit. "Yeah, you know I'll be there. And you're welcome to come any time. We have a new foal. You might want to take a look at him." Anton bit his lip as she hit a particularly sensitive spot near his hipbones. "Bryn and I would love to see him. And don't even think about trying to talk me out of marrying her. Hang on a moment." He covered the phone with his palm. "Mack and Chandra want us to come up. You got any plans for the next few nights?" Bryn paused her tickling of his inside thighs. "I'm going to be busy working on Nate's ceiling for the next few nights." Anton nodded, rolling his eyes slightly at the mention of Nathaniel's name. "Mack, how does this time next week sound?" "That'll work. Around dinner time or later?" "Depends on when you're eating...better make it later. Maybe we can bring some dessert." "Now you're talking." He paused for a moment. "So is this a new thing, or am I just out of the loop?" Anton swallowed heavily, closing his eyes as Bryn's fingers lightly traced over his scrotum. His voice was a little too breathy as he said, "It's a new thing...sort of." "Are you busy over there?" He cleared his throat. "Uh, no...thought I was going to sneeze." He grabbed Bryn's wrist, trying to pull her hand out of his pants. It wasn't an easy task. "We met over a year ago, but things didn't work out until a few months back." "So...this is wife number seven? Think you'll stop before you hit ten?" Anton winced as Bryn tugged lightly on his pubic hair as he still tried to remove her hand from his pants. "Hopefully lucky number seven will be the last. I've got a few incentives to make sure that Bryn's my last wife." He grinned at her. "Incentives? Sounds serious. You going to put the bite on her?" "Probably, after our child is born." "What? Did you just say what I think you said?" "You heard me." He finally managed to pull her hand free, slapping her fingers lightly as she tried to put them right back in. She smirked at him, before quickly divesting herself of her own clothes. He couldn't seem to stop staring as she slipped her fingers between her legs and teased herself instead. "Uh...she, um...yeah." "You *are* busy over there! Jesus. I was going to ask you how her being pregnant was possible, but I guess I don't have to...sounds like you made damned sure it wasn't possible for her not to be." "Like I haven't interrupted you and Chandra before." Anton shut down the laptop one handed and twisted to put it on the nightstand. "I'll give you a call in a day or two to double check that we're on for next week." He couldn't suppress his little yelp when Bryn slapped his ass. "Talk to you later then. Oh and Anton? Save something for the honeymoon." "You're one to talk. See you next week." He hung up the phone and rolled over to look at Bryn with mock menace. "You are in so much trouble, my dear," he growled. Sabryn smiled, but quickly squealed when he dove for between her legs, pulling away her hand and licking over her thighs. She let out a shaky moan, spreading her legs a little wider, reaching for his belt to drag him closer. "You have entirely too many clothes on, sugar booger." He lifted his head a bit. "You are so lucky you didn't call me that while I was on the phone." Giggling, she pulled his shoes off and dropped them to the floor. His socks and belt followed. Rubbing her hand over his groin again, outside of his slacks, she jumped as his thumb swept over her clit. Dragging his zipper down and releasing the button, she grabbed both his slacks and his boxers and yanked them down his thighs. Leaving them tangled around his knees, she leaned forward and rubbed her nose against his pubic hair. Breathing in the scent of him. He pressed his lips against her clit and moaned. Slowly he parted his lips and gave her little cat licks, savoring her taste. His fingers slowly circled around her entrance, spreading her moisture around. Slowly he pushed a finger inside of her, swirling it around before starting an in and out motion. She whimpered, her hips moving in little thrusts against his finger. Grasping his cock at the base, she traced her tongue up the length of him, lapping at the precum that had gathered at the tip. Sucking him into her mouth, she swirled her tongue around the rim and moaned at the taste of him. Using her tongue to get his shaft slippery with saliva, she ringed her fingers around him and pumped slowly as she sucked on the head of his cock. He trembled, hips starting to thrust lightly. He wrapped his lips around her clit and sucked while sliding a second finger inside of her. He could taste a fresh wetness, and feel her muscles clamp down on his fingers. She cried out, her hips jerking involuntarily at the intense sensations. After a moment to catch her breath, she pulled him into her mouth once more and began moving against the motion of his pelvis. Using one hand to hold him and keep him from thrusting too deeply in her mouth, she wrapped her other arm around his waist and teased his anus with a light brush of her fingers. His rhythm became erratic for a moment before he hissed. He shuddered as Sabryn swallowed down everything, and gently lapped him clean. "Well, my dear, this brings a whole new meaning to the term 'phone sex.'" She giggled, releasing him and moving her hands up to tug his slacks and boxers off the rest of the way. She laid her head back, watching as he sat up and unbuttoned his shirt, tossing it onto the floor. "Why don't you come up here so I can kiss you?" she murmured. "I'm not done yet." She smirked. "Neither am I...but it can wait. I want your mouth, Anton. Now." He cocked an eyebrow before crawling up her body and lying down next to her, groaning as she immediately wrapped herself around him and attacked his mouth. He could taste himself on her tongue, just as he knew she could taste herself on his. There was something about that combined flavor that started arousing him all over again. Carefully he rolled on top of her, running his hands over her sides. "Is it me, Bryn, or are you showing a little?" he asked, barely pulling his lips away from hers. "Might be. My jeans are getting tight." She laughed a little. "But the same thing happens when I'm having my period." Kissing him once more, she said, "Why? Anxious to show me off?" "Yeah," he whispered, hand sliding down to cradle her stomach. "I want everyone to know how happy you've made me by giving me a child, by consenting to be my wife, by just loving me." "Aww, sugar...you sound like a Hallmark card." She giggled as he frowned. Rubbing the creases that appeared on his forehead, she kissed him again. "I do love you, Anton. More than you'll ever possibly know. It almost scares me, how perfect this feels." She placed her hand over his. "I'm not used to getting everything I've ever wanted. I don't want it to go away." "As long as I'm around, Bryn, I'll do my damnedest to see that it never happens." He leaned down to nibble on her lips. "Now I do believe, my dear, that I was trying to pleasure you when we got sidetracked onto this conversation." Anton repositioned himself so he was kneeling between her spread legs. "Oh yeah..." She lifted her foot, tracing her toes over his shoulder and down, until she was rubbing his nipple with her big toe. "What are you gonna do to me? Should I be scared?" "Maybe." Anton grabbed her foot, placing a kiss on the sole before lowering it back to the bed. He grinned, leaning over her. "After all, my dear, you are in bed with a vampire who's about to impale you." "Oooh, Anton the Impaler. I like that." "I thought you might." Lowering himself on to his forearms, he positioned his cock and slowly sank into her. She arched below him like a bow, her head falling back, her chest thrust forward, grinding herself upon him. Once she'd sheathed him completely, she let out a low purr, melting back to the comforter in a boneless mass. Motionless above her, he watched her eyelashes flutter, a slow smile coming to her face, and met her gaze when she finally opened her eyes. "I think you more than liked that." "Mmmm..." He lowered himself down to cover her, marveling at how well they fit together. He tilted his head a little to nuzzle her neck and nip at her earlobe. "Would you tell me if you ever tired of this?" He could feel her cheek bunch as she smiled. "If I ever do, I'll be sure to let you know." Tracing her fingers over his back in little circles, she added, "Don't hold your breath, though. I doubt I'll be saying it in this lifetime...or the next." He made a satisfied rumble, still nibbling on her ear. Anton slowly started to thrust, adding in a slight side to side motion. "Do you have any idea how happy you make me, my dear?" "Nooo..." She hooked her heels behind his thighs, her hand sliding up to cup his shoulders from behind. She had a hard time saying much of anything. That swiveling motion he was creating with his hips was driving her crazy. "Can't be...anything...oh God..." He lifted his head and grinned down at her. "Can't be what?" "It doesn't have anything...to do with those incentives, does it?" She bit her lip, trying to hold his gaze. "The ones you mentioned to Michael?" "Incentives? Let me see..." He slowed down, grinning at the whimper of protest. "There's waking up in your arms. There's watching your eyes sparkle in the moonlight. The smell and feel of your skin as we make love. The act that through some miracle, you are giving me a child. And most importantly, despite all the stupid mistakes I've made, the fact that you still love me." "Wow...now even I want to marry me." She laughed. "You'd better remember this when I'm big and fat, and waddle, and I get bitchy from hormones, and my clothes don't fit, and my back hurts, and especially when I'm in labor and I tell you to fuck off. Because I have a feeling you won't be so enamored with me then." Anton threw his head back and laughed. "Did I mention your sense of humor, my dear?" He kissed her forehead. Deciding he had enough of talking for the moment, he sped up his thrusts. "Mmmmm...." She sucked in a sharp breath. "Oooh, yay for my sense of humor. Who knew it was such a turn on?" She glanced down, watching his chest rub against her breasts with every thrust. Making her sensitized nipples even harder than they already were. She slid her hands over his shoulders, and down his sides. Back up again, relishing the play of his muscles beneath his flesh, to roll his taut nipples with her thumbs. Her fingernails lightly scraped over his ribs, coaxing a low growl out of his throat. She flashed him a feral grin. "Like that?" "Yeah..." he moaned. His hand slid between their bodies, seeking that one spot that he knew would drive her wild. His fingers circled around her clit as he bent down to kiss her lips. "You like this?" "Ah...yesss..." Nipping at his lower lip, she pressed her pelvis even tighter against him, seeking firmer contact. Dragging her fingernails down his sides, she moved her hands to grab his ass, her fingers sliding lower, adding teasing touches to his perineum. As he sped up his movements in response, she tightened around him. The first waves of her climax caught his name in her throat. "A--Anton!" He groaned when he felt her muscles ripple before clamping around him. "God! Sabrynnnnn!" he moaned as he came. His legs gave out and he lay limply on top of her, too content to move. "Mmm." She let her legs go lax, her hands lazily resting on his back. "If you're planning on sleeping this way, which is fine by me, we might want to change the sheets first. We've gotten a bit sweaty. I told you that you get me hot enough all by yourself. My own personal sauna...and such deluxe attachments, too." "Hmmm... the problem, my dear, is I have no inclination to move." Anton rubbed his cheek against the base of her throat. "We almost need two beds here - one for lovemaking and one for just sleeping. Problem is that we'd end up messing up both beds and have to sleep on the floor." She giggled. "Well, that's true. But I have a suggestion." "Oh?" "You could roll over to your side of the bed and take me with you." "Hmm. S'pose I could." When he still hadn't moved after a minute or so, she nudged his shoulder. "Anton!" "Hmm?" "Are you going to sleep?" "Mmhmm." She shook her head, deciding it wasn't worth the effort. "If you drool on me, I'm going to swat your ass." "Mmm." Lindy loved the feeling of the wind rushing through her hair. Nate was driving way too fast for the two lane road leading to Half Moon Bay. Normally the road would be packed with people heading to and from the beach, but it was deserted this time of night. Fighting the temptation to stand up, she leaned her head out the window. She felt the car swerve and looked over to see Nate fighting to get back in his own lane. "Jeez, Nate, watch the road." "Sorry...I was just wondering when you were going to let your tongue hang out." "Huh?" "I knew a guy whose dog used to hang his head out the window like that." She slapped him on the arm. "Oh, shut up. I'm having fun." "Good. That was the whole idea of driving down here." He grinned mischievously. "Then maybe I'll let you run on the sand and fetch a stick for me, too." "You'll be lucky if I don't mark the car," she retorted. "And don't even think about asking me to hump your leg." She immediately started blushing. Lindy hadn't meant to let that slip out. Sharing a bed with him, being surrounded by his scent and arms every day, was causing her to experience a low level of sexual frustration, but she didn't feel comfortable enough yet to reach out. No matter how hard he tried, Nate couldn't stop the grin that crept to his face. Nor could he escape the visual image that had suddenly seared itself on the back of his eyelids. Shit. Now he'd be seeing it every time he looked at her...not exactly what he'd had in mind for this evening. He'd actually done quite a good job of restricting his sexual impulses lately. Well, in his own estimation anyway. If either of them were going to be humping legs, he'd definitely be the more likely candidate. He was getting quite good at waking up several minutes before she did, and locking himself in the bathroom to take a cold shower. He'd gotten to the point where he could almost keep himself from yelping when the stinging spray hit his skin. Coming to the end of the road, he slowed the Viper and pulled into one of the parking spaces. He barely cast a glance at her, yet he could see she was still blushing. "Looks like we're here." "Um, yeah." Lindy got out of the car and walked over to cement stairwell. She paused, one hand on the welded pipe rail, looking out to the ocean. It was a remarkably clear night - no fog or smog obscuring the stars or the dark blue water lapping against the sand. "Isn't it beautiful?" "Yeah. Hold on a minute." He unlocked the trunk, pulling out a couple of towels. He wanted some way to get rid of the sand, in case they decided to take their shoes off. He patted his hand against his pocket, feeling the ring box inside. For a moment, he considered taking it out and putting it in the trunk. It didn't seem like the right time. Then again, there was no telling what was to come. Deciding to leave it where it was, he closed the trunk and hurried over to the stairs. "After you." She started down the stairs. "Jess used to bring me here a lot, especially in the fall and winter. There's a big pumpkin festival here just before Halloween, and the lots you saw just before we hit town sell a lot of Christmas Trees. It was fun to look around, but always hell to drive in or out." She looked up and down the beach. "Looks like we've got the whole beach to ourselves." "Maybe we'll...come back in October." He would've said something a little more coherent, had he not been staring at the sway of her ass. He followed quietly the rest of the way down the stairs, and then took her hand and walked beside her once they reached the sand. "If you get cold, let me know." "It is a little chilly," she admitted. "Wait here a minute. I'll go get my coat," he said. He half ran back up the stairs and almost set off his car alarm. Fumbling for his keys, he disabled the alarm, grabbed his coat, and headed back down to the beach. "Here, Lindy," he said, holding the coat open. "Thanks," Lindy slid her arms in the sleeves, grateful for it's warmth. "I forget how much colder it is out here compared to inland." "Yeah," he said, putting his keys back into the pocket. He froze, aghast. He couldn't feel the ring box in his pocket. "Something wrong?" "I--uh--no..." He glanced at the ground around him, turning in a circle. "Just..." With his back to her, he started retracing his steps. He could feel his heart pounding about a mile a minute. [OhmyGod!] He patted both pockets again, hoping he'd picked the wrong one, to no avail. [Shit! Shitshitshit!] "What are you looking for?" "Don't..." He held up his hand, motioning for her to stay where she was. "Not a step!" Becoming more frantic, he sped up to a trot, following his own footsteps, until he reached the stairs. No ring. No ring box. Not even a piece of garbage that looked like a box. [Oh fuck!] Racing up the stairs, three at a time, his eyes constantly scanning the ground below and around him, he hurried back to the car. By the time he reached the Viper, he was damned near in tears. And then he saw it. Lying on the ground, just beside his car, on its side, was the velvet ring box. It must've fallen out of his pocket when he reached for the coat. A surge of relief swept over him as he dropped to his knees and grabbed it. He didn't care if anyone saw him...he kissed the thing anyway. Quickly pulling his keys out of his pocket, he opened up the trunk and put the ring inside. Magic moment be damned, he wasn't going to risk losing it twice. With adrenaline making his knees weak, he closed the trunk and sauntered back down the stairs to where Lindy stood. She waited where he left her with a raised eyebrow. She had smelled the panic on him, but now all she could smell was relief. He had found whatever he had been looking for, apparently. "Everything okay?" "Yeah, everything's fine." He slid an arm around her waist. Nate was feeling giddy, almost silly with relief. He gently pulled her forward, kissing her deeply. Lindy melted into the kiss. Between the trip to see her parents and the fire, they both had been too stressed to make out. She was surprised to find out how much she had missed his caresses, and even more surprised at the intensity of her reaction when he started to lick at her lips. His hand slipped under his coat, to her back, teasing under the hem of her shirt. He pulled her tighter against him, his arousal evident against her stomach. Tangling the fingers of his other hand in her hair, he made a soft purring sound against her mouth. She whimpered, pressing harder against him. One hand slid around his waist while the other reached up to stroke his cheek. When his hands started creeping down over her ass, getting ready to lift her up so he could grind himself between her legs, he knew he'd gone too far. Abruptly grabbing her arms, he pushed her a step away from him and immediately dropped his hands. They were both breathing far too heavily for a simple stroll along the beach. Maybe a little air between them would cool them off a bit. Swallowing heavily, he started walking towards the surf, turning to make sure she followed, not quite ready to take hold of her hand just yet. "Uh...sorry, Lindy. It's been a long week." She nodded, a bit dazed. "Um... it's okay." He and Lindy walked down the beach side by side without touching. She looked up at the sky. "It's so rare to be here on a clear night. The stars seem to go on forever." He nodded, stopping in place for a moment. "I guess that's one of the few luxuries about being a vampire. We get the night, with its black velvet blanket sprinkled with diamonds. You can see forever when it's clear...shooting stars, the Milky Way, other worlds. The daytime might give you light, but it's so boring. Who wants a sun and clouds when you can have the whole universe laid out before you?" She nodded. "I understand exactly what you mean, Nate. But for werewolves, it's both blessing and curse. We get all the benefits of the night, but we have to deal with the day as well. Always worried about trying to maintain the facade of humanity. Always feeling on the outside." He reached down and picked up a stone, arcing his arm to skip it across the water. "It's always harder when you're first Transformed...or in your case, Changed. You have to learn your appreciation for what you are. It certainly doesn't come naturally. I'm still not completely comfortable, and I've had almost nine hundred more years to contemplate it than you have." He lightly smacked his hand against her shoulder. "That's why it helps to hang out with someone who gets me. Someone who doesn't let me sit around and mope because I miss who I used to be." "That's just it, Nate. I don't even have that as a reference." She picked up a rock as well, bouncing it a few times in her hand. "I don't have that many memories of being human, and what I do have, well, I wish I didn't." She tossed the stone out to the ocean, and watched it sink. "So don't." When she met his gaze, he grinned. "What's so damned great about being human, anyway? They have boring little lives, boring little jobs, and a great deal of them end up either committing suicide or dying alone and lonely. Why would you want that? Because someone says that's what's normal? Fuck normal. It doesn't exist." He reached for her arm, pulling her closer. Lifting his hand to brush the hair out of her eyes, he murmured, "If I were normal, chances are I wouldn't be standing here with you, right now. And I've got to tell you that there is nowhere else on earth I would rather be." She ducked her head a little. "You mean that?" Her lower lip trembled slightly. "Then maybe everything I've been through is worth it." She stretched up on her tiptoes and kissed him. He brought his hand up to cradle her face, softly meeting her kiss before pulling away just slightly. So close he could only see a wash of blue in her gaze, he whispered, "Ah, Lindy...I wish you could see inside me, so I could show you how special you are to me. Then you'd never ask me that question again." Before she could release the moisture lingering in her eyes, he leaned forward and kissed her again, putting all of his passion for her into it, hoping she could literally feel his love. She was melting under his touch. She threw herself into returning the kiss wholeheartedly, pressing herself against him. When they broke apart, breathing heavily, she leaned her forehead against his. "I love you so much." He blinked, a slow grin spreading across his face. "Did you just say what I think you said?" "Yeah," she said with a little laugh. "I love you, Nathaniel." He knew he was grinning like a fool, but he couldn't seem to stop. Sinking down a bit, he grabbed her around her waist and pulled her off the ground as he stood to his full height. With her feet dangling above his, he let out a goofy little whoop of joy and hugged her tight against his chest. "I love you, too, gorgeous. I love you so much." She gave a shriek of surprise, legs wrapping around him out of instinct. "Nate! Put me down!" He shook his head, still grinning from ear to ear. "No way, gorgeous. No way I'm ever going to let you go now." He nuzzled her neck, kissing just below her ear. "Say it again, please?" She trembled as he held her securely. "I love you, Nathaniel Adrik." "Mmm." He smiled, adjusting her weight a bit. She slid a bit lower, right in line with his mouth, and he kissed her again. He couldn't seem to stop. With her hands sliding over his chest, and her crotch nearly aligned with his, he knew it was a bad idea. But for some reason he just couldn't bring himself to care. His hand splayed on her ass, he pulled her even tighter against him, grinding her on himself, delighting in the smile he felt against his lips. "You feel so good, Lindy." She moaned. "You don't feel so bad yourself," she purred back. Her hands slid around his back, trying to hold herself more securely against him. "Kiss me, Nathaniel?" He nodded, meeting her lips again and holding her tightly as he slowly sank to his knees in the soft sand. He sat back onto his heels, letting her slide onto his lap, unable to help the little thrust his hips gave towards hers. Lifting his hands, he tangled them in her hair, sealing her mouth tight against his, feeling his thighs quiver beneath her. "God, I want you..." She pulled back to look at him. His eyes were hooded, his breathing rapid. She could smell his arousal, as well as feel it . She ran her hands over his chest, memorizing each curve of his muscles. Without thinking about it, she said the first thing that popped into her mind. "Then take me..." He let out a low growl, all sense of control flying away with her words. With one hand on her ass, rocking her back and forth over his erection, he slipped the other hand under her shirt. He didn't even bother unhooking her bra--he merely flipped it out of the way with his thumb and zeroed in on her tight nipple. He rolled it between his fingers, then rubbed his thumb back and forth over the pebbled surface. Watching the expression on her face, he slowly started thrusting upwards with his hips, riding each tight rub of her jeans against his, moaning deep in his throat. Gasping in delight, she forced herself down tighter against him. Her fingers dug into shoulders, pulling her tighter against him. She could feel her damp underwear clinging to her, doing nothing to disguise the hardness below her. She cried out, feeling the seam of her jeans rub against her clitoris as he jammed himself against her. Lindy arched backwards, screaming at the tingling sensation that arced between her groin and breast when he ducked down to bite at her other nipple through the thin cotton of her shirt. "Oh! Nathaniel!" He felt her shuddering climax and froze, the reality of the situation finally sinking in. He had an urgent need to rip off her pants, shove down his shorts, and bury himself inside her until his need was slaked. He was so ready for her that he was trembling. Which was precisely why he didn't dare move a muscle. He could still feel her quivering against him, a sensation that brought tears to his eyes. God, he wanted her. And he'd be damned if he had her now. He made a promise, not so many weeks ago, that he would wait until he'd married her to consume the passion they both felt. Now here they were, so close to completion it was scary, and he hadn't even proposed yet. She sagged against him, practically sobbing trying to catch her breath. She was confused by the fact he wasn't moving. In fact, he wasn't even looking at her... She pushed away from him, climbing to her feet and walking backwards down the beach a few paces. [What did I do wrong?] She trembled, but this time from emotional upset. "I'm sorry," she whispered. He sighed, his hands on his thighs, hanging his head. "You didn't...you didn't do anything wrong, Lindy. It was me." She stared at him, waiting for more of an explanation. "Why?" "Why what?" "Why won't you look at me?" He let out a bitter sounding laugh. "Because if I look at you right now..." He trailed off, his gaze drifting out over the ocean. He breathed deeply, before saying, "If I look at you right now, I'm going to throw you down on the sand and fuck you till you can't breathe. It won't be something gentle...it will be hard, fast, and sweaty, and that's not what I want our first time to be like." She swallowed, not sure exactly how to respond. "Nate... I..." She stopped, taking a deep breath. "I'll go wait by the car and give you a little time to calm down." She turned around and walked back to the parking lot. [If he wants me so badly,] she thought, pulling herself up the stairway, [why doesn't he try to seduce me? And how the hell am I going to be able to get into bed with him this morning?] He listened to her go, softly swearing under his breath. He felt like an animal. No, that wasn't quite right. Lindy was part animal, and she didn't feel like this. More accurately, he felt like a monster. Nothing but impulses and uncontrollable desires. He barely seemed to have a conscience anymore. He'd almost done it...despite stopping, he'd almost thrown all caution to the wind and taken what he wanted anyway. Despite all of his rationale, his integrity and claim to civilization...he might have raped her. Leaning forward, he squeezed his fingers into the sand, clenching fistfuls of the gritty earth, and wishing he could bury his head under the stuff just as easily. He felt sick, angry with himself, and he knew it would be a long time before he could bear to face her again. End Chapter Sixteen <- Previous Chapter | Home | Next Chapter ->