Boxed Set Page 25

She bit her bottom lip as she clasped her hands together. She could leave. If she left now, then she would be able to put some distance between herself and the cabin. There was another snowmobile; she could take that and go. No one would know until it was too late.

  A muffled knock at the door caused her to jump. "Sera, are you okay?" Mike asked.

  "Yes," she called back.

  "Let me know if you need anything."

  "I will."

  He had come down at least twenty times since she had locked herself in over two hours ago. She knew he was worried, but he was driving her insane. Her nerves were frayed enough without being startled every ten minutes by his incessant need to check on her. She should have gotten used to expecting him, but her thoughts were too discombobulated to even try to remember Mike would be coming by every few minutes.

  She stood back up and began to pace the room. Suddenly she stopped, her head tilted to the side, as she looked at the night beyond the window. Liam was back. She knew it, felt it. She walked over and closed the blinds. Her hand trembled as she stepped back. A steel cord of resolve strengthened her spine. She knew what she had to do.

  Liam and David stomped the snow off their shoes as they entered the back porch and quickly shed their wet winter clothes. It had taken hours, and miles of snow, but they eventually found an open rest area. It took almost as long to wait for enough people to stop there but eventually, they had. He'd fed until he couldn't feed anymore, and then fed again.

  He needed to make sure he had enough for Sera; that she would get enough blood for everything to go smoothly. He had seen the things that got stuck in between human and vampire, and they were horrendous monstrosities. He would die before he allowed that to happen to her.

  "You going to be okay?" David asked worriedly.

  "Yeah."

  Now that he’d fed, and the moment was nearly upon him, he was much calmer and more relaxed. He almost went insane on the ride to the rest area and drove like a bat out of hell all the way back with the monster clawing at his insides. But now, here, he felt somewhat in control of himself again. For the first time since yesterday afternoon, he had a firm grip on himself.

  His heart contracted when he saw Sera wasn't in the living room. "You're back!" Kathleen greeted happily.

  "Where's Sera?" he demanded.

  "In her room," Kathleen replied. "Taking a nap."

  His gaze swung to Mike. "You left her alone?" The idea of it rattled his newly found composure.

  "She's perfectly capable of taking care of herself!" Kathleen retorted.

  Liam's jaw clenched, but he refused to look at her. "She's fine," Mike said. "I've been checking on her, and don't forget I can sense Beth's presence too."

  "Who's Beth?" Danielle asked.

  "Oh crap," Jack moaned in disgust. "Good going, Mike. I'm not doing it this time!"

  "Doing what?" Kathleen demanded haughtily.

  David chuckled under his breath as he stepped into the room. "Be gentle," he mumbled to Liam. "I'll do it," he volunteered.

  "Do what?" Kathleen and Danielle asked in unison.

  Liam couldn't help but laugh as he turned on his heel and headed down the hall. He paused at the door, suddenly hesitant. He didn't know what would happen when he saw her, didn’t know what he would do. He only hoped he could keep himself under control for as long as this took. He didn't want to hurt her any more than was necessary, any more than he already had.

  He took a deep breath and pushed the door open. Shadows enshrouded the room; the blinds closed against the night. His eyes instantly adjusted to it. "Sera," he said.

  She was sitting on the bed, the blanket wrapped around her as she gazed at him. "I knew you were back," she whispered. "I felt it."

  He frowned as he stepped into the room and closed the door. "Are you okay?"

  "Yes. Did you succeed?"

  "Yes."

  "Good." The word caused his entire body to tighten. "Does it hurt?"

  He wanted to tell her it didn't, but he couldn't. "Yes."

  "A lot?" she asked tremulously.

  "Sera," he breathed.

  "I'm not changing my mind. I'm just scared."

  "I understand that."

  "I wanted to leave. I wanted to run. I don't want to die. But I couldn't leave you. I couldn't make my legs go. I just couldn't."

  Her words brought the beast surging forth. He inhaled deeply to calm it. "I'll try to make it as easy as possible for you."

  She stood and moved toward him. The shadows shifted and moved around her as she stepped from their embrace. "I know you will."

  His hands shook as he grabbed her shoulders. She smiled as she released the blanket. It slipped smoothly down her body to puddle on the floor at her feet. The shadows hugged every inch of naked flesh as her hair cascaded freely down her back in thick, golden waves. Her full breasts heaved with her rapid inhalations. The white bandage covered her delicate skin from her collarbone to mid breastplate, and the sight of it was enough to drive him mad. His hands clenched on her. She was trembling, but she didn't move away from him.

  "Make love to me," she whispered. "Do it then."

  He groaned as her words shoved the creature aside and brought forth the man. He easily scooped her into his arms and carried her across the room. Depositing her on the bed, he fell on top of her in a heedless rush as his mouth seized hers. She whimpered as her hands dug into his hair. She pulled him closer against her as her tongue intertwined with his.

  His hands caressed her breasts until her nipples hardened. Now that he was here, with her, he suddenly wanted to savor every second, and to relish in the feel of her. He wanted to memorize every inch of her glorious, silken body.

  He kissed her lovingly as he tasted the sweetness of her mouth. Somewhere along the way she managed to slip his sweater over his head. She ran her hands along the rigid muscles of his back. They shifted and bunched beneath her touch as she tasted him. The hair on his chest was wiry against her cheek; the bristles on his chin rubbed her delicate skin. She teased his nipples, bringing them to life as he had done to hers.

  He kissed and explored her as he made love to her with his fingers and mouth. There was no urgency, no rush as he moved over her. Although she was trembling with anticipation, wet with need, he didn't take her, and she didn't rush him to do so.

  His jeans were somehow removed. He rubbed the head of his cock against her temptingly wet sheath but still didn't bury himself within her. He wanted to spend the whole night feeling her, tasting her, teasing her, but her body became too tempting to refuse.

  Sera trembled as he rubbed against her, and slid a little way in before pulling back out. She arched against him, moaning her dismay and making her urgency known with her writhing movements. She needed him now. She wanted him to fill her, to stretch her, to be a part of her. He slid leisurely in again, going a little further this time before pulling back out. She nipped at his shoulder to show her displeasure.

  He chuckled as he slipped back into her. "I intend to drive you mad with want," he whispered in her ear.

  "You already are!" she gasped.

  He slid back into her and buried himself to the hilt with a groan of possession. Her legs tightened around him as she arched into him. He moved slowly within her, his mouth on hers as he made love to her with deliberate tenderness. His lips slid over her neck, her shoulders, her delicate collarbone and trembling breasts.

  He moved his hand between their bodies and rubbed the quivering nub between her thighs. He watched as her eyes clouded with passion, her lip trembled, and her body bucked beneath him. She cried out as her fingers dug into his back, and her muscles contracted deliciously around him.

  His smile was pure satisfaction as her legs loosened, and she fell, limp and trembling, to the bed. She gazed dazedly at him as a content smile curved her full lips. "We're not done, love," he murmured. "Not by a long shot."

  He took possession of her mouth as he began to move within her again, sparking the fire of passion back
to life. Sera was amazed to find her body responding to his again. She hadn't known it was possible to feel so completely sated and still want more. As his hands stroked her, and his body moved within hers, she found herself swept up with him again.

  He waited until he knew she was close and he could push her over the edge anytime he wanted. He wished he could go on like this all night, but his restraint was slipping further away with every moan of pleasure. She felt so good it took all he had not to end his torment and spill into her. But he was going to wait for her. This time, he would go with her.

  He smoothed the hair back from her neck, and his eyes latched onto the marks. The animal did not burst free, but came leisurely, and at his command. "It's time Sera," he whispered.

  Her glazed eyes met his. "Yes."

  He bent his head to her neck as she turned her head to allow him better access. He bit into her. Sera cried out as her hands dug into his back. He drove into her as her blood filled his mouth and flowed down his throat. She moaned as her body ground against his. As her blood flowed, he brought her to the brink of the abyss and with a final, deep thrust, he drove them both over.

  She cried out as she fell back against the bed, her body trembling, weak, and very sated. Liam held her shaking body as he felt her begin to weaken. He also felt her utter trust, blissful contentment, and the unconditional love she possessed for him. Her hands on his back began to slacken, her grip on his waist eased.

  Finally, he pulled away. She lay on the bed, pale, and unmoving. Her lashes curled against her slender, delicate cheek. A sense of urgency enveloped him as he grabbed the dagger he had left by the bed. He cut the base of his throat and scooped her up. He clutched her head and pulled her forward. Her head lolled back; a whimper escaped her as he lifted her to the blood on his neck.

  "Drink, Sera," he ordered briskly.

  She didn't respond at first, and panic flashed through him. Had he taken too much? He had never done this before, but the demon inside instinctively withdrew from her when he made it to a certain point. He knew he’d taken enough to kill her as he could hear the weak flutter of her heart within her delicate ribcage.

  "Sera, drink!"

  The butterfly brush of her lips against his neck tightened his body. And then her mouth enclosed on him. His hands dug into her thick hair as he cradled her skull. At first, she simply lay there and allowed the blood to trickle down her throat. He could feel it slipping inside, drifting into her veins, and burning through her body.

  Then, her hands clenched upon his back, and she clamped down. Liam groaned with ecstasy as her mouth sucked on him. He was filling her in every way, making her his in every way. He grew erect inside of her but didn't move. Suddenly her mind filled his. Pleasure swamped him, followed by an urgent longing for more. There was no fear anymore as she bit down more forcefully. Liam's hands clenched on her head as he ground his teeth against the urge to begin moving within her, to take her in every way again.

  He pulled out of her, and she bit harder as her displeasure radiated through him. He didn't have to tell her this was the easy part, he was certain she already knew; that she could feel it in him. She was growing sated from his blood as she neared the end. Her heart fluttered and skipped a beat. A stab of agony ripped through her and tore into his mind. He groaned as she whimpered and trembled.

  She was panting as she fell back. "Sera, it's going to be painful, but it doesn't last long."

  Her eyes were clouded and hazy as they met his. Her lips were swollen from his kisses, and covered with his blood. His finger lingered upon her luscious mouth as he wiped the blood away. Her body arched off the bed as a cry of agony tore from her. He buried his face in her hair as she bucked and kicked beneath him. He wished he could take all her anguish away, absorb it into himself, but he couldn't.

  They all had to go through the agony of dying and being reborn.

  A scream tore from her throat as she twisted away from him and drew her legs up against her chest. He allowed her to turn to the side but kept his arms wrapped around her. She buried her head in his chest as shivers racked her body. Sweat poured from her as she moaned and whimpered in agony.

  He tried to comfort her, but there was nothing he could do. She screamed again as her body jackknifed off the bed. He grasped her shoulders and pinned her back down. A wail erupted from her; her fingernails ripped into his forearms as she attempted to jerk free. Her head whipped back and forth as she arched and bucked.

  A cry escaped from her as she curled back into a ball. Tears streaked her face as she lay sweating and shivering. Liam grabbed the blanket and wrapped her securely within it before drawing her against his chest. He knew from experience the worst of it was over, but it would be a long time before the spasms and shooting pains subsided.

  He brushed her damp hair from her face and lay beside her as he encircled her protectively. "It will be all right," he promised. "The worst is over."

  She whimpered in response as another shudder racked through her, and she trembled within his grasp. "Hold on, Sera. It will be all right."

  He continued to calm her with his words and gentle touch. It was after two in the morning before she finally drifted to sleep. He lay awake long after, fighting against waves of self-hatred and exultation. He had hurt her deeply. Even now, in her sleep, she whimpered and moaned every once in a while. But no matter how much he hated himself for it, she was his; she was finally all his. No one would ever take her from him. Ever.

  Chapter Nineteen

  Sera's lids fluttered open and then closed again. She felt so weak, so drained and exhausted. She inhaled deeply as she tried to gather the energy to move. A million different scents assailed her at once. Apple, vanilla, cinnamon, wood, sex, and blood permeated the room. Beyond the door, she could smell eggs, bacon, waffles, syrup, and butter. The smell of snow and something feral drifted in from outside.

  She could hear the pots and pans in the kitchen, catch bits and pieces of the conversation out there. Outside, a squirrel yelled as it fled from its tree and crashed into another branch. Her eyes opened. She could make out every grain of wood on the door, and see the scratches on the brass handle.

  She closed her eyes again; she was too tired to assimilate everything now. Liam lay beside her; his strong arms encircled her as his firm body spooned hers. She could smell herself on him, in him. She could hear the thumping of his heart and the blood pulsing through his veins.

  "The world is different."

  She didn't have to look at him to know he was awake. "Yes, it is. It will take a little while to get used to, but eventually, you'll adapt."

  "It's so loud."

  "That's the worst part. I'll teach you how to tune it out."

  "Soon?" she asked hopefully.

  "Yes. How do you feel?"

  He pushed back strands of her hair. She turned slightly to look at him. His face was as magnificent as she recalled, but suddenly she could see every bristly hair on his cheek and jaw. She had thought his eyes a pure green, but there were flecks of gold within their depths. She frowned and closed her eyes again.

  "I'm tired," she whispered as she stifled a yawn.

  He dropped his head to her shoulder. "You need to feed."

  A tremor of revulsion and delight racked through her. Suddenly, she was starving, but she knew food wouldn’t satisfy her. "Come here."

  She opened her eyes as he pulled her into his arms and rolled her over. She looked down at him as her hair fell across his chest. He smiled as he pushed her hair over her shoulder. The marks on her neck were vivid against her creamy skin. He eased the bandage from her chest off. His eyes focused on the scratches marring her delicate skin, but they appeared to be healing well. Her gaze followed his, and she gasped.

  "You'll heal faster now."

  "I can see that!"

  He stroked her cheek with his thumb. She turned into it, nuzzling him as her eyes drifted closed. "Are you hungry?"

  Her eyes sprang open. Surprise, revulsion, and hunger r
adiated from their depths. "It's all right," he said. "You only need to feed from me, remember?"

  Her gaze traveled down to his neck. A spark of something shot through her, something she didn't understand, but it rocked her body. She looked away, ashamed and frightened.

  "It will be just like last night," he soothed.

  He could feel the tension in her, the yearning to fight against him and what she was feeling. He remembered that feeling. He fought so relentlessly in the beginning, but in the end, the demon had given in to Beth's demands and its own urgent needs. He had been repulsed and frightened, but the feeling faded.

  "I know how you feel; it will fade, Sera, I promise. But you must. The change isn't complete yet, not until you feed. You need the blood." That spark shot through her again. "I fed for the both of us yesterday."

  Her body trembled from the turbulent battle she waged, and her eyes flashed from blue to violet, to a vivid red. Her elongated teeth caused blood to flow forward as she bit her bottom lip. She whimpered as she instantly released her lip.

  Liam's eyes locked on that trickle of blood. He pulled her down to him, lightly licking her lip as he used his saliva to close the wound. Her teeth pressed against his lip as he stroked her mouth with his tongue. He pulled her away from him and guided her head down to his neck.

  "Sera, you must," he urged.

  Her mouth was warm and wet as her teeth pressed against his neck. He shuddered in anticipation as his hand dug into her skull. He wanted this so bad his entire body tensed with anticipation, and his breath froze in his lungs.

  "Sera," he breathed.

  Her teeth sank deep. Liam's hands convulsed on her as a wave of pure ecstasy shot through him. Her mind opened to his. In the beginning, her hunger was the only thing he could sense, but it started to ease as she filled herself on him. Then, other emotions began to come through. He could sense her revulsion, but beneath that was pure pleasure. Possessiveness radiated from her, and he smiled as he recognized the feeling.

  A sense of completeness began to steal through him as he caressed her hair and back. She whimpered as she squirmed against him. Her desire slammed into him so fiercely it hardened him instantly. Her thighs parted as her hands dug into his neck and she bit deeper to convey her urgency to him.