Runs in the Blood, Chapter Twenty-two

Chapter Twenty-two

They had snuck away from the reception. Well, snuck was a relative term since Lindy's family were aware of, but chose not to notice, when they slipped away. Taking one of the Jeeps, they had driven back to the cottage, both silent in anticipation. Once they arrived, they walked hand in hand to the door, where Nate paused. "Here we are."
"Yeah," Lindy said, shyly. Nate opened the door and then looked at her. In a swift smooth motion, he picked her up and carried her inside. "Nate! What are you doing?"
Nate grinned at her. "Every bride deserves to be carried across the threshold."
She was silent, watching his face as he closed the door with his foot and carried her into the bedroom. [This is my husband,] she thought, with wonder. It felt a little like a dream.
He set her down so she was seated at the foot of the bed. Neither of them had any shoes to remove, so she wasn't quite sure why he was kneeling in front of her. He reached up to touch the silver cross around her neck. "Is this new?"
She nodded. "Mom gave it to me."
"Mom?" He arched an eyebrow. "Guess this is a day for all sorts of new beginnings."
She smiled a bit shyly again. "What are you doing down there?"
"I wanted to talk to you for a minute, first." He put his hands on her knees, sitting back on his heels. "I wanted to tell you I'm sorry. I realized, at the ceremony, that Anton and Bryn are important to both of us, and it was wrong of me to ask you not to include them. I know he would've had a hard time with this, but he deserved to know. And I never should've made you feel guilty for not telling them."
"You're forgiven, Nate. I know why you wanted it this way, and I honestly think it's for the best that Anton's not here. We'll just have to deal with the fallout when we get home." She leaned forward to kiss his forehead. "I love you so much, Nathaniel."
He eased up onto the bed to sit beside her. "I love you, too, Mrs. Adrik."
Lindy giggled, a bit nervous. "I'm sorry, Nate," she said, grinning from ear to ear. "I'm not used to the idea that that's my name now."
"You better get used to it," Nate whispered in her ear. He began kissing her jaw, loosening the flowers from her hair, tossing them onto the bed. "Because if I have anything to say about it, you'll be Mrs. Adrik for all time." He continued feathering her cheek with kisses until she turned her head, catching his lips with hers.
He kissed her slowly and deeply, his hand cradling her neck, before gently easing her back onto the comforter. Her fingers swept over the curve of her jaw, rubbing back and forth, as if trying to soothe her. The strange thing was, she was more exhilarated than nervous. It was her that reached for his clothes first, unbuttoning his shirt, until he reached up to stop her. He was breathing a bit heavily, and took a moment to catch his breath.
"Just one more thing, gorgeous." He swallowed. "This is, uh, kind of new to me. What I mean is, I haven't done this in a while. A long while. And rather than risk being...over-stimulated, and ending this too quickly, I have a request."
"What's that?"
"That we...sort of do what we've been doing at home. I think we should start off with foreplay, at least until we both cum. And then we can take it a step further." He watched her eyes. "When I get inside of you, I'd like it to last a while."
Her eyes closed, and she shivered. Not in fear, but because of the image his words brought to mind. She opened them when she felt him stroke a finger along her cheek. He was looking at her with more than a hint of worry. "You okay, Lindy?"
"Yeah, Nate. I'm fine. Better than fine, actually." She resumed kissing him softly, and also continued unbuttoning his shirt. She slipped her hand inside, circling the warm flesh of his nipple with her thumb.
He made an approving sound, a deep rumbling in his chest. He scooted a bit closer, kissing her deeper, his hand slipping behind her back to unzip her dress. She squirmed against him as he brushed her bare back with his fingers. He continued to trace his fingers up and down her spine for a moment, before reaching up to untie the top closure of her halter-style dress. He peeled the twin sections of fabric out of way, cupping one of her naked breasts in his hand, smiling against her mouth as she moaned at his touch.
"You look so beautiful tonight," he whispered. "I can't believe you're my wife. How did I ever get so lucky?"
"Funny, I was just thinking the same thing." She guided his free hand to her other breast. "I never expected to find a lover, Nate, let alone a husband. And here I have both, and a best friend, in one package." She let her eyes trail over his body. "And a very handsome package too." She leaned forward to lick along the underside of his jaw, making him swallow convulsively.
He let out a self-conscious laugh. "And you thought I was a hard act to follow."
He carefully rolled her onto her back, moving down her body, nuzzling at her cleavage. She couldn't help but arch against him, especially as he took light nips at her breasts, barely grazing her with his teeth. She moved restlessly beneath him, her hands roaming over his shoulders and upper back. And when he took one of her nipples into his mouth, she lost her breath.
He pulled lightly on her, before lapping at her nipple, coaxing it into a tight bud. Happy with the results, he palmed her breast and turned his attention to the other. Gasping for air, she moaned beneath him, spreading her legs a bit as his lower body lightly thrust against hers.
He continued to rub and nuzzle at her breasts as she slid her hands around to his back and lower. Her hands kneaded his ass through his slacks, enjoying the little gasps he was giving. But there was something more she wanted. "Nate?"
His voice was smoky with arousal. "Yes, gorgeous?"
"I want to taste you."
He shuddered against her before lifting his face. "I think I can manage to suffer through that."
She grinned as he climbed back up to lay beside her, pulling her towards him. He gave her a long, slow kiss before allowing her to do as she pleased. Lindy got up and stepped out of her dress, laying it over a nearby chair, and then resumed her place on the bed, smiling at his expression as he saw she was now wearing nothing but panties. She moved up to kiss his chest, feeling his hands touch her hair. He continued plucking flowers out of her braid and laying them on the bed. As she kissed her way down his stomach, opening the button and zipper on his fly, he arched under her in anticipation.
She slid her fingers inside his fly, lightly stroking the cotton of his briefs. Tangling her hands in them, she slowly backed away from Nate, dragging the underwear and slacks down his legs. After easing them off, she crawled back onto the bed, settling between his spread legs. Watching his half lidded eyes, she gave an exploratory lick along the length of him. When he moaned in appreciation, she grew a little bolder, nibbling at his balls before licking the tip of his cock. Nate gave another moan and rolled his hips, sliding the glans between her parted lips.
She wasn't sure what compelled her, but, as she tasted the liquid leaving the tip of his cock, she wanted to feel him cum in her mouth. She had once expected the taste of semen to be bitter or otherwise unpleasant, but although salty she realized that she liked it. Of course, there was no telling if that was just Nate's taste or every man's...and she really had no urge to find out.
She licked him all over, wanting to taste all of him, using the sound of his moans to find out what felt the best to him. She pulled more of him into her mouth, hefting the weight of his balls in her palm. She could feel him twitch beneath her, and looked up to see his eyes had closed. He had hold of the comforter, bunching the fabric in his fists. And as she continued to suck on the head of his cock, he let out a whimper that made her squirm.
Curious as to what would happen, she pulled a little more of him into her mouth, sliding her lips back and forth over him. She could smell his arousal, thick and heady, as well as her own. Cautiously, she traced her fingers over his balls, and then down lower to lightly stroke his perineum.
He let out a gasp, his eyelids flying open. "Oh God, Lind...that feels so good..."
She sped up her motions a bit, pulling harder with her mouth, trying not to smile as his head dropped back to the comforter. He breathed through his open mouth, his hips moving in little thrusts in and out of her mouth. When her middle finger barely grazed his anus, he cried out, his hips jerking, and came hard in her mouth. She felt his semen hit the back of her throat and almost choked before she reminded herself to relax. Swallowing carefully, she took everything he gave her and then slowly lapped him clean.
He lay panting for several minutes, his arm thrown over his eyes, before he finally lifted his head to look at her. "God, you're amazing, gorgeous."
With one last kiss to his cock, she looked up and grinned at him, pleased with herself. She crawled back up along his body to settle on her side next to him. "That good, huh?"
"'That good?' 'That good' doesn't even begin to cover it, gorgeous." He pulled her into his arms, kissing her deeply. One hand crept between her thighs, brushing the crease where her torso joined her legs. "I think it's time I return the favor."
She looked at him a bit nervously, watching as he crept down her body and tugged off her panties. She could feel herself trembling a bit. It was only the second time they'd both been naked together. The other time had been in the shower, and she'd known that wouldn't lead anywhere. Nate had been true to his word. This time, however, the coming moments had her quivering in anticipation.
He parted her legs, gently stroking her pubic hair with his fingers as if petting her. She swallowed heavily, letting out a small gasp as he leaned forward. As he pressed his face closer and smelled her, he met her gaze and smirked at her. He rubbed his fingers against her, opening her sex, before gently tracing his tongue around her clit. She cried out, pressing harder against his mouth, tangling her fingers in his hair.
He lightly flicked his tongue against her clit, making her squeal. Nate was very thorough, licking everywhere he could reach before stabbing his tongue inside of her. Spreading her a little more open, he rested his thumb on her clit, and began moving it in a circular motion on it as his tongue slid in and out of her opening. He watched with wide eyes as she let out another shriek, tossing her head back and forth on the pillow.
He lifted her thigh over his shoulder, pressing his mouth tighter against her. Running his tongue around her clit again, he sucked lightly on her, making her hips leave the bed, a loud cry leaving her mouth. She started to shake, her thighs quivering, and when he returned his tongue to the opening of her sex, she came hard against him. He continued to lap at her, drawing her orgasm out as long as he could. After a few minutes, she went limp, unable to move, her breath leaving her mouth in little whimpers.
Crawling up to lay next to her, he kissed her forehead and stroked her cheek with his knuckles. "I hope I can make you come like that every day for the rest of your life."
Lindy smiled, still whimpering slightly. Nate brushed his lips against hers, and then began to get off the bed. "Stay here, gorgeous. I'll be right back." Lindy nodded, lifting her head to watch his backside as he left the room. She let it fall back to the pillow and closed her eyes, sighing in contentment. After a few minutes, she heard Nate return. "Hey, don't fall asleep on me yet."
She opened her eyes, to see him place a plate of various fruits on the bed stand before he climbed in. "Where'd that come from?"
"I asked Niko to have it ready earlier. I thought we could both use a snack before the main course." Grinning, he reached across her and picked up a strawberry. "Now open wide." He fed her the sweet berry slowly, unable to take his eyes off of her mouth.
He groaned as she finished the strawberry and he leaned forward to kiss the juice off of her lips.
"Mmm, that's nice. But I think I know something that would be even better."
She nodded, licking her lips and waiting for more. She watched as he picked up another of the red, ripe berries and opened her mouth in anticipation. Instead of feeding it to her, he got a wicked glint in his eyes and scooted down on the bed. She frowned slightly, wondering what he was up to, and gasped a bit as he parted her legs. She jumped, her sex tingling as he rubbed the juicy berry up and down over her moist lips, before lightly dipping it inside. And she swallowed heavily when he lifted the strawberry to his own lips, moaning in ecstasy as he bit into the tart and sweet fruit.
Lindy let out a moan of her own, watching with wide eyes as he devoured the strawberry with obvious relish. Glancing at the plate, she decided a little turn about was fair play, she reached over and picked up a banana. "Lindy," Nate asked, watching as she slowly peeled it. "What are you doing?"
She smiled, but didn't say anything. Holding his eyes in a heated stare, she flicked out her tongue over the tip of the banana. He moaned, reacting as if she had licked his flesh. Lindy pressed small kisses along the fruit, just the way she knew Nate liked. He let out another moan that was closer to a whimper. Teasingly, she swallowed half the banana in one gulp and let it slide out her lips.
"I don't know how much more of that I can stand."
Pulling the banana out of the way, he kissed her mouth, nipping lightly at her lips. The fruit got a bit mashed between their hands, and he eased it out of her grip and replaced it on the tray. Carefully rolling on top of her, he met her gaze.
"You think you're ready for this? I want to be inside you."
Lindy nodded, swallowing. "Yeah, just take it slowly."
He kissed her eyes, her cheeks, her lips. "I wouldn't be any other way, Lindy." He leaned down to whisper in her ear. "Do you know how incredible it feels to be naked with you? How soft your skin is?" He slid his hands up and down her sides. He kissed her lips as he nudged at her thighs with his knees. "I need you to open to me, Lindy. I'm going to make you feel so good, and forget everything that's been done to you." He lightly ran his hands over her breasts.
Lindy's breath caught in her chest as he leaned down and kissed her. [This is it,] she thought with a slight shudder. Taking a deep breath, she parted her legs, and waited for his reaction.
She flinched at the touch of his fingers on her sex. She didn't mean to, but she couldn't control it anymore than she could her breathing. He stroked her lightly, his fingers spreading the moisture there. After a moment, he moved solidly on top of her again, poised to enter her, waiting...
[What is he waiting for?] She opened her eyes, frowning. "What's wrong?"
He cupped her cheeks in both of his hands, leaning on his elbows. "I want you to look at me, Lindy. Look right at my eyes. Stay with me. I'm not going to let you slip into that dark place in your head. I know it's there. But you don't ever have to go there again."
She sucked in a sharp breath, biting her lip as he gently started easing himself inside. She whimpered a bit, adjusting to his invasion.
"Stay with me..." He held her gaze, unwilling to let her waver. "Right here. No one's ever gonna hurt you again. I promise, gorgeous..."
She blinked rapidly as he slid inside of her. "There," he whispered, kissing her forehead. "Do you know how good you feel? How tight? You feel better than I ever dreamed of." He kissed her lips, licking at them.
She took a deep breath. The only movements Nate was making were little, involuntary twitches, and the little swipes of his tongue. Lindy looked into his eyes, reading the worry and the concern there. But mostly she saw the love and desire shining through. She gave a small smile, and gently lifted her hips against him.
He groaned, his hips jerking against hers almost accidentally. Taking a deep breath, he reached down and pulled one of her thighs up higher and tighter against him. Holding her gaze, he slowly started to move. Pulling out almost completely before plunging inside once more. He watched her carefully, ready to freeze the moment he saw anything resembling fear in her eyes. So far, he hadn't seen it. And as he leaned closer to kiss her mouth, he was rewarded with a moan that made him shudder.
Bracing himself on one arm, he moved his thumb back and forth across her nipple, grinning as she tightened around him. "God, Lind...I don't know how I managed to keep myself from touching you for so long. Now I don't think I'll ever be able to stop."
"Oh God, Nate." Her voice was a breathy whisper. "I don't want you to ever stop." Her hands released her grip on the sheets below her to wrap her arms around his shoulders, pulling him tighter against her. Her fingers traced over his tattoo, a sweet shudder running through her. "Kiss me, Nathaniel."
He settled down heavier on top of her, moving to shorter and deeper strokes inside of her, kissing her mouth. He scooted forward, striving to get as deep inside her as he could, lifting her hips with each thrust. He groaned as she started to move in counter-rhythm, her fingers tightening on his shoulders.
He wanted to make this last, but he wasn't anticipating how good she'd feel. She moved with him, caressing him inside and out, moaning, her little sounds of ecstasy driving him wild. Pushing himself up, his arms fully extended, he watched himself plunging into her repeatedly.
Nodding with his chin, he whispered, "Watch us, Lind..."
Her eyes had been shut to better concentrate on the sensations he was creating in her. She opened her eyes and followed his gaze down to where they were joined. Her breathing became more ragged as she watched his cock emerge from her, glistening, only to stab back into her. Lindy pushed against him harder, moaning each time his balls slapped against her ass. She was lifting against him, trying to get closer to him, and him deeper inside of her. "God, Nate, I'm gonna cum..."
He grunted softly, speeding up his movements, lowering himself back down to capture her mouth. He kissed her deeply, before pulling back a bit and whispering against her lips, "Cum for baby. Let me feel you."
She panted, pulling him down tight against her, arching up against him. Gripping his back tightly, she gasped as the tiny tingles inside of her burst into wave after wave of intense pleasure. She tightened around him, making him shudder, and he thrust harder, burying his face against her neck. He could feel his balls rising, tightening against his body, and just as he started to cum, he opened his mouth and sank his fangs into her neck. Binding them together in more ways than one.
She gave a strangled cry, convulsing against him. He sucked at the wounds, taking only a mouthful of her addictive blood. She tasted sweet from the endorphins flowing through her, but there was a slightly different tang than he was used to. He guessed it was because of what she was. He pulled back to see how she reacted, watching fascinated as the puncture wounds disappeared before his eyes. Her eyes were shut, and she was shuddering, gasping for breath.
Eventually her breathing slowed. He felt her stretch against him, hips pushing against his lightly, muscles squeezing his cock still embedded in her. Her eyes fluttered open, and he watched, afraid of what he'd see. She took a deep breath. "Wow..."
He grinned, leaning down to kiss her forehead. "You all right?"
"Better than," she murmured. "Much better than all right."
Still smiling, he slid his hands underneath her, holding her tight to his body, and then rolled so she was on top of him. Settling against the bed, with her lying limply across his chest, he let out a sigh of contentment. He couldn't remember being this happy in centuries. Literally. He rubbed his hand over her back, pressing his lips against her hair.
"Thank you for staying with me, Lind. I'm proud of you. In fact, I'm in awe of you. I hope you know that."
She pushed up just enough to look at him, a bit confused. "In awe of me? Why?"
He pulled her back down to his chest, stroking her hair. "You weren't afraid at all. I was ready to stop if you showed the slightest hint of fear. And after what happened between us before, and what you've told me, I thought I would have to. I was pleasantly surprised." He pressed a kiss to her forehead. "I love you so much."
"I love you too, Nate." She on his chest a while longer, enjoying the aftershocks that could still be felt. "Nate?"
"Yeah, gorgeous?"
"Not that I'm complaining, but why did you bite me? I thought you said you didn't feed on women."
He let out a soft laugh. "That wasn't feeding, Lind. If I were feeding, you wouldn't have any blood left. That was just a love bite."
He grinned at her dubious expression. "A love bite?"
"Cats do it all the time. Besides...I wanted to see what a wife tastes like."
She smirked at that. "And?"
"Delicious." He rubbed her neck, tracing his fingers in little circles behind her ear. "I know you know I've never been married before, Lind, but this is still pretty new to me in other ways too. I haven't...been with a woman in at least thirty years. I mean sex and making love." Before she could say it, he put his fingers over her lips. "I don't consider what I did with Natasha as either of those. And I never will. I used her, to punish myself. Because I thought I didn't deserve any better. I poisoned myself with her...and it wasn't until you came along that I felt clean again. You saved me, gorgeous. And I love you so much for that."
She tucked her head against his neck, choking up a little. "Nate, I was ready to spend the rest of my life alone, arm's distance from everyone, and telling myself that because of what I am, nobody would want me. You changed all that, opened my eyes to so many things." She pushed up to look into his eyes. "You saved me as well, Nathaniel."
He reached up to meet her as she bent to kiss him, one hand coming around to cradle her head. "So shall we spend the rest of eternity saving each other?"
She nodded. "I like the sound of that, Nate."

Staring at the skyline of the city, the wind blowing wisps of her hair in her eyes, Bryn took another drink of her cola and wished she could have something a little more potent. She'd climbed the stairs outside the apartment to the roof of the warehouse. Although it wasn't exactly a nice place to sit, given that it was only metal exhaust outlets and gritty roofing material, it was still better than waiting around in the apartment for Anton to return.
[Waiting patiently, like the little wife,] she thought, bitterly. This time he'd have to come looking for her, and after his temper tantrums of late, she rather liked that idea. [It would be even better if the elevator broke.]
She didn't turn when she heard the door to the roof open. She recognized the sound of his tread as he approached her. She could feel the warmth of him behind her. But she didn't say a word, didn't acknowledge him.
He stood there silently for a few minutes. "Bryn?"
"Yes?"
"A question." She nodded, indicating for him to continue. "Am I really that out of control when it comes to Nathaniel that you feel it necessary to hide things from me?"
She let out a soft laugh, and took another drink of her Coke. Setting down the glass, she said, "You know, I realized something after you left. I felt really embarrassed when Mack and Chandra left here tonight. And I thought it was because I'd screwed up the evening by getting sick and dizzy. But now that I think about it, I should have been apologizing for you. They were probably silently thanking me for an excuse to leave."
She turned to look at him, her expression blank and tired.
"Unlike them, I don't get the luxury of going home when you turn into a stubborn ass, Anton. I have to stay here and have the same damned argument over and over again. It never changes. You aren't going to admit you're wrong, and neither am I, so what's the point?" She licked her lips. "You think I should have told you about their engagement? Why, so you could have even more to be angry about? Do you honestly think I'm that stupid?"
"No, Bryn. I know you're not." Anton lowered himself to the roof beside her, sitting cross-legged. "I'm sorry I put you in that situation."
"You should be." Bryn took another sip of her Coke. "You're basing all your opinions about Nate on events that you think happened over 900 years ago. Maybe you were right then, but that doesn't mean you're right now." She looked out over the bay, watching the landing lights of an airplane landing at SFO International reflect off the water. "But what are you going to do when Lindy and Nate come home?"
"I don't know."
"Well, I think you'd better figure it out." She was silent for a moment, not quite sure of what to say. She'd made dozens of suggestions to him about this before, but obviously none of them had helped. She knew he probably wouldn't be likely to listen to her now, either. "I remember telling you that you should try to be more willing to accept Nate in Lindy's life, but I realize that's just too much for you to handle so you might as well forget it. You're going to do whatever you want to do anyway, regardless of what I say. I'd just like to know one thing...what makes you angrier--what you *think* Nate did to your father, or what you *know* he did with Natasha?"
"Neither. Both." Anton sighed. "But I think what makes me the angriest is that my father would still be alive if..."
"If what, Anton?" Bryn prompted.
"If I hadn't Transformed Nathaniel four days before Ivan was murdered."
Bryn's eyebrows shot up. "*You* Transformed Nathaniel?"
Anton nodded, staring out at the Bay. "He had been in a riding accident and snapped his spine. I was shocked he wasn't already dead when he was brought back to the keep."
"Why? Why did you Transform him."
"He was dying, and I wasn't ready to let go of my brother yet."
She stared at him, open-mouthed, before sighing heavily. "So all of this time you've been mad at him for what you considered your own mistake?"
"No, I--"
"Anton, he didn't kill your father." She shook her head, standing up. She walked over towards the edge, staring at the bay, fisting her hands. "He made a mistake, Anton. I know he did. He slept with that slut, and he's admitted as such. And yes you should be angry at him--for *his* betrayal of you, not because he took her away from you. Losing her was probably the luckiest thing that ever happened to you. But he didn't kill your father. I'd bet my life on it."
"How can you be so sure, Bryn?"
"Because Lindy is. Don't you think she's discussed this with him as well?" Bryn shook her head. "You're giving her way too little credit, Anton." She frowned. "Does Nate know you Transformed him?"
"No, he wasn't coherent when he was brought home, and thinks that my father was the one."
"Then that's even more reason for me to believe him. Why would he kill someone that he believes saved his life?" She could see that he was about to argue with her, and held up her hand to silence him. "I'm beginning to think that I should go back to my parent's house by myself."
"What? Why?"
"Because you have a lot of thinking to do, and you don't need to be worrying about me at the same time. He's your brother, Anton. You said so yourself. He's the only family you've got left and you're willing to throw that all away because of something that happened nearly a millennium ago? That's insane! You have no proof, no evidence whatsoever. And if it's Natasha you're still pissed off about, get over it! I'm a hundred times the woman she is, and I'm standing right in front you. If you can't see that...then you've got more thinking to do than I thought."
"Bryn, I--"
"Anton, I don't want to argue about it anymore. I'm going inside. I think you should stay out here and think about what I've said."
He watched her make her way around the vents and disappear into the stairway. He then turned back to watch the lights sparkling on the Bay, thinking.
After two hours of soul searching, he came downstairs to the apartment. He found Bryn in the bedroom, packing her suitcase. "Do you need any help, my dear?"
"No," Bryn said with a shake of her head. "Have you thought about what I said?"
He nodded. "You're right that I'm basing my opinions now on what happened a millennium ago. And that I don't have any proof that he killed my father." The next words were harder for him to get out. "And that's not right."
She let out a breath, sitting down on the bed. "I'm not asking you to be a saint, Anton. I'm not saying you even have to like him. No one likes all of their family...they'd have to be insane. But you do have to accept what he is. He's your brother. He's as much your brother as Ivan was your father. Have you ever realized that?"
"Yes, I have."
"I love you, Anton. That's the only reason I'm pushing this so much. You may think you're invincible because you're this big, bad vampire, but loneliness can kill anyone. And that's the last thing I want for you."
He nodded and sat down on the bed beside her, a little distance between them. "I know, Bryn. But what do I do? How do I get over this?"
"I don't expect you to change overnight, Anton." She reached out and took his hand. "How about we start with when Nate and Lindy come home, you agree to listen to them. You don't yell at them, you don't accuse them of anything, you don't judge them. Just listen."
Anton took a deep breath and nodded.
She traced her fingers over the veins on the back of his hand, lightly squeezing his fingers. "You act like that's your punishment, Anton."
He gave her a little smirk before returning to his somber expression. "This isn't easy for me."
"Believe me, I know. I have less trouble convincing you to do the laundry."
"I hardly think that's the same thing."
She nudged his shoulder with hers. "Maybe not, but you don't like doing either one." Sighing, she leaned closer and rested her chin on his shoulder. "You may not like it now, but don't you think you'll feel a whole lot better when you're not so angry every time you see him? If your muscles get this tense, I can't even imagine what's going on inside of you. You probably have a 900-year-old ulcer sitting in there."
His lips twitched into a smile. "Vampires don't get ulcers," he said, leaning his head against hers.
"Good thing." One of Bryn's hands slid around his waist. "I don't think you'd have a stomach left. You're still awfully tense though."
He turned his head slightly, burying his nose in her hair. He recognized the teasing tone in her voice. "Then why don't you relax me?"
"Hmm..." She got off the bed and closed her suitcase, putting it on the floor next to the wall. Slipping off her shoes, she said, "All right, but you have to take your shirt off and lie face-down on the bed."
He arched an eyebrow. "What are you going to do to me?"
"Relax you, what else?"
Still doubtful, he unbuttoned his shirt and pulled it off. Keeping his eye on her, he settled down on the bed on his belly. He grunted slightly when she crawled up astride him and sat down on right on his butt.
He puffed out some air, feigning losing his breath. "This is supposed to relax me?"
"Shh." She leaned forward and placed her hands on his shoulders, slowly starting to knead his muscles. "It's called a massage, sugar. You're supposed to be quiet and enjoy it."
"Mmmm... okay." He lay there as Bryn slowly rubbed his shoulders. He relaxed a little further, giving a contented rumble as her hands shifted to below his shoulder blades. He hissed as she applied pressure with her thumbs to a knot on his right side. But he melted as she bent down to kiss the sore spot better. Moving her lips over a few inches, she began to lap at the vertebrae along the center of his back.
Just as he was starting to sink into the bedspread, she stopped all movement and sat upright. He tried to see what she was doing out of the corner of his eye, but could only see a blur. "What are you doing?"
"You're impatient. Close your eyes."
With a sigh, he did as he was told and laid his head on his folded hands. He let out a moan as she moved her hands onto his upper arms, kneading and pulling on his muscles. She paid special attention to any kinks she found, before moving further down his arms. As she leaned further over him, with each inch forward, he could feel her naked breasts pressing against his back, her tightened
nipples brushing over his skin with every move she made.
"I thought this was supposed to relax me," Anton purred.
Bryn leaned down to whisper in his ear. "You'll be relaxed when I'm finished." She kissed his neck. "Undo your jeans, sugar. I need to work on your lower back now." He kicked off his shoes and started to roll over. "No, stay on your stomach," she urged.
Anton squirmed, feeling his back pressing against her breasts. He managed to get his jeans unzipped and pulled his hands back out from beneath him. He sighed as Bryn's hands slid down his back, soothing tense muscles.
She scooted down to sit on his thighs, tugging his jeans down his hips a bit. Dipping her thumbs into the dimples in his lower back, she pressed down and nearly giggled at the shriek that left his mouth.
"I'd say this area needs a little work." Smoothing her hands over his skin, she used her palms to massage just above his pelvis. His entire lower body seemed high-strung, very slowly relaxing under her touch. Just as she folded her hands around his sides, he sucked in a sharp breath and shied away from her hands. "Does that hurt?"
"Nooo..."
Remembering how ticklish his waist was, she grinned. "Guess you're going to have to suffer through it, then."
He gave a slight moan as she squeezed her hands. While certain parts of his body were relaxing, another was starting to wake up. Bryn seemed well aware of the fact, rubbing her fingers along his waist. She tugged his jeans down to his thighs. "Now these muscles are definitely tense," she said, resting her hands on the globes of his ass.
And they tensed even more as she started kneading them with her fingers. He let out a shaky sigh, resisting the urge to rub himself against the comforter below him. Her thumbs grazed the cleft of his ass, making him flinch. He jerked even harder when she deliberately let her fingers stray to tease his perineum.
"Bryn, this is not relaxing me at all."
She leaned forward, nipping at his spine over his lower back. "I'm not done yet, am I?"
"God, I hope not."
She laughed softly, scooting down his legs even further, squealing as she almost fell off the bed. He started to reach for her, just as she regained her balance. Giggling, she pushed him back down and pulled at his jeans once more. "Definitely not done yet."
"I hope not, Bryn." Her hands resumed massaging his ass, and dipped every so often to massage the inside of his thighs. Unable to resist, his hips gave a light thrust. "No!" Bryn admonished with a light slap. "None of that... yet."
Anton twisted around to look at her over his shoulder. "And when will 'yet' be?"
"When will yet be?" She scratched her head. "'Yet' will be when you answer my question about Nate...what are you more pissed about, Ivan or Natasha?"
"What?"
"You heard me. You neatly avoided the question earlier. Who are you more pissed about, Ivan or Natasha."
"Bryn..."
"Bryn, nothing," she said. "I want an answer, Anton. Otherwise the only relief you'll be getting is from the mattress."
He growled in frustration. "This is blackmail, Bryn."
"Yes it is. Now answer me."
He let out a defeated sigh. He knew Bryn would be stubborn enough to follow through on her threat. But he also knew that she wouldn't like his answer. Slightly feeling disloyal to his father's memory, and to his lover, he mumbled into the pillow.
Bryn wouldn't let him slide by so easily. "So I can hear you, Anton."
He gave another sigh. "Natasha," he said softly.
When she didn't move or say a word in response, he looked back to see her staring at him with her mouth hanging open. She blinked at him, her breath catching, before climbing off the bed and grabbing her shirt.
"Bryn--" He started to get up.
"Don't." Yanking her shirt over her head, not bothering with her bra, she slipped on her shoes. "You really don't change, do you?"
"You don't understand, Bryn."
"Don't I?" She practically screamed the words at him, in horror instead of rage. Her eyes welled, and she picked up his shoe off the floor and flung it at him. It barely missed hitting his head. "Go to hell, Anton."
Grabbing her suitcase and purse, she banged her way out the bedroom door and headed towards the elevator.
"Damn it, Bryn!" He tried to get up, but was tackled by his own jeans around his thighs. Trying to jerk them up, he stumbled after her. "Where the hell are you going?"
She was stabbing at the call elevator button. "Anywhere but here!" She glared at him. "How could you?"
"What the hell do you want from me, Bryn? 'Cause I sure as hell don't know." He shook his head in exasperation. "If I don't tell you something, I'm accused of holding back. But if I am honest with you, I get yelled at and punished. I'm starting to feel like I'm damned if I do and damned if I don't."
"Well you sure as hell won't be getting any sympathy from me."
She turned back to the look for the elevator again, and screeched in anger when it didn't appear. Pushing open the door to the stairwell, she started dragging her suitcase down the steps.
"Will you please explain to me what I did wrong?" he asked, following close behind.
She let out a little laugh that sounded more like a sob. "Nine hundred years, Anton. All that time and you're still angry about her? And you expect me to believe you're not still in love with her?"
"Yes, I do!"
"Fuck you!" she screamed over her shoulder, rounding another landing. "Why did you ever come looking for me? Is that how you get your kicks, by making other women fall in love with you? You're as sick as she is, you son-of-a-bitch. Stay the hell away from me. I don't want you in my life anymore."
He froze, her words as effective as a stake to his heart. His voice dropped to a whisper. "You... you don't mean that, Bryn."
She wouldn't look at him. "I'm tired of playing the other woman to Natasha, Anton. I refuse to live like that anymore."
He followed her down to the main landing and the back exit to the building. "Bryn, how can you think that?"
"You're the one who keeps dragging her back into our lives, Anton. You're the one who can't get over her."
She pushed open the door, and Anton caught her wrist. "Don't do this to us again, Bryn."
She jerked away from his grip. "You did this, Anton. Not me. I never should have come here." She looked down at the ring on her hand, starting to tug it off, and then stopped. "No, I think I'll keep this. Maybe I'll sell it and buy myself a house."
Storming outside, she headed towards the yellow Escape. Still following, wincing as rocks bit into his bare feet, Anton said, "Bryn, please--"
She shoved the key into the door, quickly pushing her suitcase in the back before climbing behind the wheel. "I'll leave the car at the airport. You can pick it up tomorrow night. You have your own keys."
[Keys! Damn it!] He'd been preparing himself to follow her, to do whatever he had to, but his car keys were still upstairs. He tried to hold the door open, even as she was wrenching it shut.
"Let go!"
"No!"
Tears rolling down her face, she finally looked him in the eye. "Let me go, Anton. I'm not your sex toy anymore."
He let go of the car door, stunned. Just stared in shock at her through the glass window.
Bryn started up the car. With an angry squeal of tires against pavement, she peeled out of the parking lot, kicking up gravel in her wake. Cursing, he ran for the warehouse and bolted back up the stairs.
It took him less than three minutes to find his keys and shoes, but it felt like years. All he was aware of was that with every moment, Bryn was slipping further and further away from him. And he'd be damned if he let that happen a second time.
Tearing back downstairs and outside, he fired up the Jaguar and sped out of the parking lot, hot on her trail. Fortunately they were above the Highway 280/92 split, so there was only one way she could take to get to the airport. [Please let me catch her!] he prayed, knuckles white as he gripped the steering wheel.
The highway was deserted, and he flew down it at 100 plus. Even going at that speed, it was impossible to miss the yellow Escape on the side of the freeway. He braked suddenly, almost throwing his car into a tailspin. Backing up, he pulled his Jaguar up to where it was practically touching bumpers. Certain she couldn't go without ramming his car, he got out and ran to her door. "Open the damn window, Bryn!"
She jumped, startled, just noticing him for the first time. Her face looked about as red and swollen as a newborn's. Staring at him for a moment, first taking in his appearance and then that of his car, she cautiously rolled down the automatic window. With her nose plugged and her voice watery, she said, "What do you wan'? I have nudding to say to you."
"Yeah, well, I have something to say to you." He was breathing heavily, hands gripping the edge of the window frame. "I'm not going to let you disappear out of my life again. Not without a fight." He followed her gaze to the steering column, and saw her hand start to lift towards the keys. "Oh no you don't!" Cobra quick, his right hand shot out and snatched the keys from the ignition.
"No!" She reached for his arm as he pulled the keys back, grappling with him, nearly following him out the window as she tried to pry them from his grip. When he wouldn't let go, she sank back to her seat, slamming her fists against the steering wheel so hard the horn sounded. "Damn you, you can't keep me hostage when I don't want to be here! Why won't you just leave me alone? Go find your damned obsession and stop harassing innocent women!"
"I already have my obsession. You!" He was breathing heavily, and could feel his fangs sharpening. "You are more important to me than air, hell, more important to me than blood itself. I am not going to let you leave until I'm convinced that there's absolutely no hope."
"Damn it, Anton! I don't want to stay here and have the same fight with you we just had about Natasha--"
"Fuck Natasha! Actually, I take that back. That's what got me into this mess to begin with." He took a deep breath. "You're right. I wasn't over Natasha until recently. Bryn, listen to me!" He waited to continue until she was looking slightly in his direction. "You want to know what finally pushed me over the edge? The thought that you're going to walk out of my life again. I am a fool for holding on to that whore for so long, when I had someone who is one hundred times the woman she is right in front of me." He took a deep breath. "If you don't want me, don't love me, I'll drive you to the airport. Hell, I'll charter a jet for you. But I've got to hear you say you can't forgive me, Bryn, and if I do, I'll never forgive myself for letting you slip away." A lone tear slid down his cheek. "Please, Bryn, forgive me."
She looked away from his face, anger pinching her features. "I don't understand how you can expect me to believe that. You only just now saw the light? When, when you realized I wouldn't be in your bed anymore, Anton? Jesus, was I just a convenient replacement when you couldn't fuck her? Did you get to have all of your little fantasies and your orgasms, too?"
"Never, Bryn! If I saw you as that sex toy you called yourself, would I have been so excited to find out that you're carrying my child? That I would have fought so hard when you've tried to leave before? That I'd learn how to give you blood? Taken you to the doctors at the slightest hint of a sneeze? Let you turn my life upside down so completely? It would have been easier on us both if I hadn't searched for you and gone to Baltimore to find you. And would I do it again? In a heartbeat." He took a breath. "Even if it ends here, now, like this. You don't have to come back to my bed, Bryn. Please, just come back."
She closed her eyes, her fingers tightening on the steering wheel as her lips quivered. She sucked in a shaky breath before sobbing uncontrollably.
"Bryn?"
Unable to answer, she nodded vigorously and flipped up the power lock on the door.
Breathing heavily, he tore the door open and pulled her against him. "God, Bryn. I'm sorry. I am so sorry. Please forgive me." Tears were freely rolling down his cheeks. He held her tight, not willing to ever let her go. He pressed his lips to her forehead. "Please forgive me."
She whimpered, nodding again, wrapping her arms tightly around his neck. She couldn't seem to stop shaking, and it only made her tremble more fiercely when she realized she wasn't the only one. Tangling her fingers in his hair, she tried to catch her breath, to stop crying, and found it almost impossible to achieve. Pulling back slightly, another impossible task given how tightly they were gripping each other, she pressed her lips against his. He didn't try to deepen the kiss or to pull away, but merely prolonged the contact, rocking slowly back and forth as he held her.
When the kiss broke, he didn't let go of her. He pressed his lips to her forehead. "I am so sorry, Bryn. What can I do to make it up to you?"
"H-How--" She broke off, disgusted with the waver in her voice. She closed her eyes for a moment, pressing her cheek against his bare shoulder. "How can I be sure you're not in love with her? Even if you love me, you could still be in love with her too."
"I'm not in love with her, Bryn. I haven't been in love with her for a very long time, but it's been a lot easier to play the martyr, the victim, than to move on and get over it." He brushed his fingers over her cheek. "But if it's a choice between keeping those wounds open, not allowing them to heal over, and losing you, I have no choice." His voice cracked in the middle of the next sentence. "I'm not going to lose you, Bryn. Especially not for *her*."
She pulled back slightly, sinking against the driver's seat. "There won't be a next time, Anton. If I get even the slightest hint that you're thinking about her, nothing you could say would make me turn around again. I won't even say goodbye to you if that happens. It hurts too much to even imagine I'm playing second to her."
"That's more than fair, Bryn." He gently stroked her hair back from her face. "And it won't be happening." He pressed his lips to hers again, just touching her lips. "Do you want to head back home?"
She watched his face for a moment and then nodded. Wiping her cheeks, she said, "I'll need my keys."
He dug them out of his pocket, handing them over, his touch lingering longer in her hand than necessary. "I'll follow you."
"Don't trust me not to go to the airport?"
He let out a small laugh. "No, I just wanted to make sure you were okay to drive."
With a slight smile, she let him kiss her chastely again before closing the door and watching him walk to his car. As her hand shook, lifting the key to the steering column to start the car, she had to admit that maybe him following her wasn't such a bad idea after all.
They both drove back to the warehouse at the speed limit, Anton a discreet distance behind Sabryn. He was well aware of the fact that if she did change her mind and decide to go to the airport, he wouldn't be able to do anything. But he was thankful to whatever powers may be that she drove back to their home. He got out of the car and ran over to hers to open the door.
She pulled the key out of the ignition, stepping down from the driver's seat. When she started to reach into the back for her suitcase, he moved her hand aside and took it for her. Cautiously taking his hand, she followed him into the warehouse. Although they walked in the back entrance, she could still feel the stares of several of his employees on them. She glanced at them a bit nervously before stepping into the elevator. Once the gate was closed, she leaned back against the wall and watched the floors go by.
"Your employees either think I'm a contemptible bitch, or that I'm completely insane." She glanced at him. "When you aren't carrying me around from fainting spells, I'm running out of the building with a suitcase in my hand."
"And it's none of their business, Bryn." Anton rubbed the back of her neck. He opened the elevator door, and ushered her ahead of him, hand resting on her back. "Hopefully that won't happen anymore."
She kept her eyes downcast as he opened the apartment door and she walked past him to put her suitcase away. "I don't mean to keep rubbing it in. I just--"
"I hurt you. I understand." He watched her walk into the bedroom, a little leery. He'd told her she didn't have to return to his bed, and he'd meant it. And as much as he hated the idea, he'd willingly go along with it if she decided not to. But as she pushed her suitcase against the wall and sat down on the bed, he wasn't quite sure what to think. Maybe she was just reacting out of habit. He stood uncertainly in the doorway, waiting for her to make the next move. "Were you...planning on staying here?"
She met his gaze, her eyes still a little red, the irises luminous blue, and nodded. "It's our bed, isn't it? And it's almost morning, anyway." She kicked off her shoes, and hesitated only slightly before starting to remove the rest of her clothes as well. "Did you have something else you need to do?"
"Just this." He sat down beside her, and pulled her against his body. He tilted her head up and kissed her, slipping his tongue into her mouth. He lowered them both to the bed, only kissing and stroking her face, keeping his body away from hers. He'd wait until she made a move before touching her below the shoulders. "Bryn, please forgive me."
Her eyes welled again, and she ducked her head. Quietly scooting closer to drape herself over his chest, she let the scalding tears fall as they would. Her fingers trembled as she swept them over his stomach, hiccuping softly as she tried to keep from sobbing. "I want to, Anton...but it scares me so much. I'm afraid of hurting like that again."
"I will never hurt you again. I will kill myself before I let that happen." His hands swept down to rest on the small of her back. "I love you, Bryn, and I am so, so sorry." Anton ducked his head to lap at the small scars on her neck. "I guess the course of true love never does run smooth."
He could feel her wet eyelashes sweep against his chest a few times as she blinked, and then she lifted her head to meet his gaze. Sniffling, she crawled up closer to him and placed her hand on his face as she kissed him. Her lips tasted a little salty, but he didn't let that stop him as he pulled her tight against him. She let out a soft moan as his tongue teased hers, and pulled back after a moment to watch his face.
"I forgive you, sugar booger," she said, softly.
Anton smiled, tears glistening in his eyes. "I love you, my dear." His hands slid down to cup her ass. Still dressed, he rolled on top of her. "How can I make it up to you, Bryn? What would you like me to do?"
"Show me?" She placed her hands on his shoulders, adjusting herself to a comfortable position below him. "Show me how much you love me?"
He captured her mouth again, kissing her slowly and deeply, feeling her fingers play with his hair. She pulled back every once in a while, to catch her breath, still trying to shake off the last remaining sadness. She couldn't seem to stop looking at him, especially his mouth, which she continued to touch and kiss every few seconds. Her hands cupped his jaw, her thumbs lightly stroking his face. She pulled him closer, wrapped her legs around him, wouldn't let him go even an inch.
"I'm returning my ticket to Pennsylvania. I don't want to go anymore...I don't want to leave you, or our home."
He let out a happy sigh. But still he felt he had to make a token protest. "You sure, Bryn?" He threaded his hands through her hair when she nodded. "Okay. But if you change your mind, go. As long as you promise to come back." He kissed her lips, starting to push up to remove his pants. Bryn gripped him all the tighter to her body. "Bryn, my dear, you're going to have to let go if I'm going to undress."
Reluctantly, she released him, letting her hands trail over his thighs as he unbuttoned his jeans. She watched silently as he got off the bed and shoved his jeans and boxers to the floor, stepping out of them, before crawling on the bed once more. She was equally silent as she reached for him, pulling him closer once more, moving one hand to grip and stroke his cock. He let out a shallow hiss, unable to help rubbing himself against her hand. He settled back down, lying half beside her and half on top of her, watching her face as she continued to caress him.
"Enjoying yourself?"
She looked up, her cheeks coloring a bit. "I shouldn't have said I was your 'sex toy', Anton. I love making love with you."
"It's okay, Bryn. I never meant for you to feel like that." One hand slid over her stomach to cup her breast, thumb circling her nipple. "And I love making love to you, Bryn. You feel so wonderful." He bent down and lapped at her breast.
She let out a light sigh, rubbing her thumb across the head of his cock. She turned her head to nuzzle his jaw, kissing his neck, nipping lightly at his throat. She spread her legs a bit, hoping to coax his touches further down.
"Can we stay here for the rest of the weekend...only getting up to use the bathroom and get some food from the kitchen?"
"Sounds good to me, my dear." Picking up on her hint, his hands stroked down her stomach, circling around the navel before tangling his fingers in her pubic hair. "We even have blood in the refrigerator, so I won't have to go out to feed." He pushed his cock against her hand.
Unable to resist any longer, she pushed his hand out of the way and used his cock to pull him closer. Scooting even tighter against him, she pushed her thigh over his hip and reached down to impale herself on his cock. She let out a low moan as she pushed herself onto him completely, torn between shoving him onto his back to ride him, and pulling him on top of her to be pounded into the mattress. Not quite ready to decide, she moved closer still, tightly gripping his shoulders, shifting her hips against him to nudge him deeper with each little push.
Anton moaned, and took the decision out of her hands. He pushed her back to the mattress, kissing her deeply, touching all the spots that he knew drove her wild. He thrust firmly and slowly, making sure his lower body pressed against her clit with each movement. And when Bryn locked her legs around his ass, he slid one hand down the back of her thigh, pulling her closer.
She let out a long whimper, her fingernails tracing over his chest as she rocked her hips to move with him. He could feel her sex pulsating around him, tightening, quivering with each thrust he gave. She pulled his head down and kissed his mouth, trying to taste him everywhere, her tongue teasing the roof of his mouth. She kissed his chin, his jaw, his neck, his collarbone. And then she pressed her mouth against his ear and whispered, "I love you, Anton. So much."
"Oh God, Bryn. I love you. Only you, my dear." He sped up his thrusts, rotating his hips. He bent down to nip at her breasts, licking between her cleavage. He gasped when Bryn bucked hard beneath him, clenching down on his cock. "God Bryn! I'm going to cum."
She let out a loud cry, arching up against him. "Oh, please...Anton, harder!"
He grabbed her hips, holding her tight against him as he gave a few more sharp thrusts inside of her, moaning loudly as he ejaculated. She continued to rock against him for several more seconds, legs spread wide, shivering below him, squeezing him inside of her as she came. She panted, her breath rushing in and out of her mouth as she sank back to the mattress and pulled him on top of her. She was quiet for several minutes, letting out nothing but little whimpers as she quivered through the aftershocks of her orgasm.
"Anton, will you sleep like this? I don't want to let go."
"Of course, Bryn." He nipped softly at her neck, reaching for the edge of the comforter. He pulled it over their bodies. "I don't ever want you to let go." He feathered a trail of kisses along her jaw. "I love you, Bryn," he whispered, settling in for the day.
"I love you, too," she said, softly, pressing her face into the hollow between his neck and shoulder.
Silently listening to his breathing as it slowed, signs of him drifting off to sleep, she laid her hands on his back and relaxed. Praying things would really be different now. Hoping she was here to stay.
End Chapter Twenty-two

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