Awakening (The Magic of the Black Forest Book 2) (31 page)

“Hey, Nat!” I turned around to see Cheryl and Dave. I let down my shield and hugged her.

“How are you, Cheryl? I wanted to thank you for trying to protect me that night. Are you okay?” I lifted her arms and made her spin around.

She started laughing, saying, “I’m fine, Nat. Don’t forget that I’m a vampire. I was thrown through a wall, that’s nothing. Tell me how you are.” She wrapped her arm around my shoulders and led me in the opposite direction of Bradley.

“Dave and I will catch up to you shortly.”

“Okay. You’re still thirsty?”

“No. But I don’t want another repeat of last night.”

“I do.”
I giggled.

“What are you laughing about?” Cheryl asked.

“Something Bradley said.” Uh-oh… time to change the subject! “So, Cheryl, I was wondering, do you have any special vampire powers?”

“Not like Bill, no. I’m just a vampire.” She smiled. “To be honest, Nat, I’m glad I don’t. It’s hard enough just being a vampire.” She stopped and sat on a fallen tree. “Even though you have to hide your secret, it’s easier for you to do so. Sometimes people look at me like I’m a freak of nature. Let’s not forget the thirst thing. With people I know, not an issue, but with strangers, it can at times be difficult.” She laughed softly. “No, I don’t have any super powers.”

We started walking again without saying anything. I wanted to ask her about Bill but wasn’t sure how, plus I still had some trust issues with her.

I could see the house. This would be my last chance to talk about Bill.

“Cheryl, do you think we can trust Bill?”

“I don’t, but Dave does.” She stopped and turned to me. Putting her hands on my shoulders – I froze for a moment – she looked me in the eye. “I’m glad you’re okay, Nat. I’m sorry I didn’t come sooner. I thought it was more important for me to observe Bill. I thought of you every day.”

“Thank you. If you don’t mind I’d rather not talk about that night. I was hoping you could let me know about Bill, will he cause us any problems?”

“You mean you… No Nat, he’s definitely moved on. He brings different girls home every night.”

“Home?” That word caught my attention.

“Yea, Dave insists he stay with us until we’re sure he’s not going to go around killing people.” When she looked at me she must have seen the skepticism on my face because she added, “Dave said that Brad took really good care of him when he was going through this. I can also remember when the two of them helped me get through those excruciatingly painful days. He feels it’s time to ‘pay-it-forward.’”

“Natalia, we’re on our way back. What’s going on? You’re shield is up and I can’t figure out the vibe I’m getting from you. Are you okay?”

“Yes, I’m okay. I’d be a lot better if you were here.”

As I walked up the steps to our porch Bradley leapt up over the side railing swept me up into his arms and asked, “Better?”

Lost willingly in his gaze I sighed, “Definitely.”

“Well we have to go. Let’s get together this weekend for dinner, all seven or eight of us. I’d like to bring Bill and whoever his date will be this weekend,” Dave joked.

“I’ll give Jess a call and get back to you. Next time you and Bill go hunting let me know, I’ll go with you.”

“That would be great.” Dave came over and kissed me on my cheek saying, “We’ll see you this weekend.”

“Okay, thanks for stopping by.”

After they got into Cheryl’s car, we went back into the house. Typically we waited and saw our guests off but Bradley said that we needed to discuss some important issues. I dreaded having the discussion. As I walked to the kitchen to get something to drink, he put his arm around my waist and followed.

“We need to talk, Natalia.”

“Sure, about what?” I gulped down a glass of water.

He waited for me to finish before sitting down at the kitchen table and pulling me onto his lap. “Last night.” I kissed him hoping that we would do less talking and more playing. He sighed, “I want to apologize…”

Smiling shyly, “You have nothing to apologize for. I had a wonderful time and I’m hoping to have a repeat tonight.”

“It was very selfish of me to do what I did. I could have scared you so soon after. Or worse, I could have killed you.” With his eyes closed and scrunched together, he frowned, shaking his head slowly from side to side.

Whelp, now it’s time to put the shield up. He’s right, it wasn’t a good idea. Not because he could get carried away and hurt me. I know he would stop the moment I asked him. However he’s concerned that he could have and the horror associated with it. He’ll agonize over that for hours, even days. That’s what he concerns himself with. And
that
causes him too much emotional pain. Although I know he enjoyed it just as much as I did, I can’t let
him
do it again.

“I understand, love.” I caressed his cheek with my fingers. “There’s no need to say anything else about it.” He attempted to fret over it some more but I ran my fingers slowly along his bottom lip until he flashed my favorite smile.

Tugging my hair he skeptically said, “That was too easy. Usually you fight me when I put a stop to things you enjoy. Did you not enjoy yourself?”

“If you have to ask then you don’t know me as well as you think.” I crowned my hands around his neck and pulled his lips to mine. Although I know we’re not able to have a full repeat of last night we can still do some of it. My lips molded around his smooth solid lips, as I attempted to seduce him. Breathless I requested, “How about we move to the couch?”

“Natalia… we can’t.”

“Yes, we can. I know we can’t do that again but we can do the rest.” I attempted to kiss him again but he held my face right in front of his and stared deeply into my eyes. I didn’t fight him on this. I knew what he was looking for. A huge smile spread across his face when he found the answer to his question.

“You did enjoy yourself.” Before I was able to close my eyes he saw the rest, why I won’t do it again. “Ah, you don’t want to do it again because it hurts me more than it hurts you.”

I shrugged my shoulders, “Yes.” Closing my eyes, “Now you know… I love you.” I could feel his eyes still on me, waiting for mine to open. He sighed and his sweet breath swept across my face.

“I don’t understand the emotion coming from you, your shield is up and now you’ve closed your eyes…”

I snapped my eyes open, “Ah, someone sounds upset,” I teased. “Too much work to figure me out on your own?”

“Never, you know that.”

I got up and pulled him towards the living room. He didn’t resist as I pushed him onto the couch and straddled my legs around him. Letting him into my mind I put down my shield.

“I loved every second of it. It was incredible. If it didn’t upset you so much I would want you to do it again tonight.” He tangled my hair around his fingers as his lips took a stroll down the side of my neck to my shoulder. I love when he does that. “Bradley, will you tell me something?”

“Anything,” he breathed while his lips continued to explore my neck and shoulder.

“When vampires make love they bite each other, right?”

His lips froze on my neck, “Yes.” His worried eyes grabbed hold of mine. “Why?”

“But you’ve never been bitten…  I thought you said you were but if you had been then you would have changed sooner, not when Dave bit you. I’m confused.”

“I have a theory about that. Female vampire venom didn’t affect me that way. Another male vampire had to bite me to change me.”

Great!

“Oh, so I have another thing to add to my list.” Confused by my words and feelings he tried to look into my eyes. I blocked some of my thoughts too.

“What list?”

“My human versus vampire list. I list the things I can’t give you because I’m a human.” Placing his finger under my chin he lifted my face to analyze my expression.

“What are you thinking, Natalia?”

“Nothing. I’ve already said too much.” I locked the thoughts deep inside my vault.

He sat me on the couch beside him, got up and paced back and forth in front me. He did this for a few minutes, every now and then stopping to look at me. I know he knew what I wanted but he wasn’t going to give it to me. Life would be so much easier for the two of us if he would just turn me. But I knew he would never do that. Finally, he stopped pacing and knelt down in front of me.

Taking my hands into his he asked, “Do you think you could use your magic to create yourself sharper teeth or fangs, on demand? Of course, not permanent.” I knew he would come up with an idea for me and although it wasn’t what I truly wanted it would work for now.

Eager to see if I could do it, I jumped up saying, “Good idea. I’ll be right back.” He laughed and I could hear the relief along with it. I wanted to tell him that I still wanted to be like him, but I figured I can save that argument for another night.

In the Book of Shadows there was a section on changing ones appearance. I had read through this section quickly a while ago but really didn’t study it since I didn’t need it at the time, I really should devote more of my time to studying sections that I don’t need rather than only looking at them when I need something now. I can change my appearance totally. It’s unbelievable. I practiced on my hair and eye color first and decided that my natural hair color, light brown, suited my complexion the best. As for my eye color, I really liked the sky blue but went back to my natural color green because Bradley said he loved the color of my eyes.

My teeth… I wasn’t quite sure what to do with them. My first spell made them too sharp. I cut my bottom lip open. After reversing the spell I had to heal my lip.

“Natalia, are you alright?” He must have got a whiff of my blood.

“Yes, I cut myself but it’s healed. No worries.” I could hear him pacing at the bottom of the steps. By now he was probably second guessing his request.

I tried a few different spells until I found one that allowed me to create and remove my sharp teeth with as little as a thought. I really should practice my magic more. I’m not using it to my full potential. My aunt says I’d be a great witch if I would embrace my heritage. I do embrace it. I’m honored and humbled to have every one of my gifts. Maybe I’ll begin studying more tomorrow. Tonight, I’m going to have fun with my husband. I ran down the steps and barreled into Bradley. Jumping into his arms I tied my legs around his waist.

“Well?”

“Why don’t you tell me?” In an instant my teeth were razor sharp. I grabbed his hair and pulled his head back then gently bit his neck.

A low sexy growl rose slowly from deep in his chest. As it reached his lips he said my name. I released his neck and kissed him. All I had to do is think about it and my teeth were normal again.

I checked his neck and my teeth marks were already gone.

We were in the bedroom in seconds. With his lips to my ear he practically begged, “Natalia, please… let’s do that again.”

I giggled. But he was serious. He quickly undressed himself and moved his hands to my shirt. I froze for a second, causing him to stop. “My apologies, love.” He slowed his pace and cautiously began removing my clothes.

Sex with Bradley was like the Fourth of July, fireworks everywhere. Until tonight I didn’t think it could get any better. He made a small request, he asked me to protect my entire body, that he wanted to show me what it truly felt like, but I had to promise that I wouldn’t let him be selfish. Moreover, that this would be the one and only time he would do this. Of course I agreed.

With my back pressed against the wall he slowly entered me while asking me to bite him. Naturally I obliged. His rhythm picked up as he cried my name repeatedly. I now knew how he felt when I cried out his name or begged for him to please me more. I wanted nothing more than to please him. It had been pure pleasure watching him lose a little control with me, getting lost in us.

Although I wanted this moment to last forever there was no possible way for me to maintain control. My inner fire torched my entire body. I cried out his name and he spun us around onto the bed. I let my shield down completely as his eyes met mine.

“Natalia, anywhere,” he pleaded. I nodded my head yes and my body exploded in ecstasy.

I arched my back crying out his name as his teeth entered my breast. He released me seconds after biting. His thrusts got deeper, faster. I quickly became aroused again. The feeling overwhelming, unlike any other time, tears slipped from the corners of my eyes. I let out a strangled whimper. He chuckled as his eyes reached mine. Once he saw my tears and stopped.

“
I love you.”
I took his face into my hands, smiled adoringly at him then pressed my lips against his. I moved my hips to encourage him to continue. He started kissing his way down my neck, breasts and torso. Lifting my leg he inserted his fingers into me as he pressed his teeth firmly into my inner thigh. Again he released me, moving to my other thigh and biting it. All the while his fingers never stopped. Stroking them in and out I erupted all over him. With every bite my body responded the same. I came over and over again.

Breathless and my heart pounding out of my chest I grabbed for him, I wanted to please him. Hearing my thoughts he chuckled and moved slowly back up my torso. I tried to say his name but my voice cracked with pleasure. With his eyes locked on mine he slid his shaft into me again. Again his thrusts were deliberate. He never removed his eyes from mine. They burned with desire.