It Happened One Bite (14 page)

James scrubbed a hand down his face and heaved a sigh. “Of course, I will,” he said slowly. “Though you may not believe a word I say.”

“I’m waitin’.” She blew her hair from in front of her eyes with an impatient gust of breath.

Blodswell leaned forward in his seat. “Well, those two people—” he began.

But Blaire raised her index finger at him and said, “I said ‘Kettering.’” Then she swung back around to James. “Now, out with it.”

James watched as Matthew bit back a grin and regarded her with newfound respect. It wasn’t often a chit stood up to a vampyre who was centuries old. “We’re all connected in an odd sort of way, Blaire,” James started, not entirely certain where to begin his tale. He shot a look at Blodswell. “It’s his fault, but that’s neither here nor there.” He was mumbling now. He knew, he was, but blast and damn, he didn’t know how to explain the situation so it made sense.

“She called ye Jamie. What was she ta ye?” Blaire’s silver gaze was so clear it was nearly painful to look into her eyes. But he forced himself to do so. “A mistress?” she pressed.

“Nothing quite that grand,” James muttered.

“No’ so grand as a mistress? So, she was a whore?”

She was just that. A whore. “Yes?” he tried. What did Blaire know of such things?

“Are ye askin’ me? Or tellin’ me?” Her foot began to tap impatiently on the floor. “Bloody hell, it’s like pullin’ teeth ta get the truth from ye vampyres,” she groaned.

Well, it wasn’t the sort of thing a man liked to admit to a woman he cared about, was it? Still, he had to tell her. She was in danger because of him. James stood tall, ready to get this all over with. “Long ago, Sarah was a whore I
knew
for a short time back when she was alive, during her first life. Do you understand?” He watched her face, trying to gauge her reaction. Blodswell still sat silently across the room, as though this was all a stage and he was the audience.

Blaire waved impatiently at James. “Aye, I understand. Ye wanted a tumble, and ye met a willin’ lass. How did she become tied ta ye?”

She would never cease to amaze him. “She was injured by one of my kind. It was somewhat my fault. So I made the decision to save her. She seemed like such a sweet chit at the time. But I was wrong.”

“We all were, my boy,” Blodswell said quietly as he rose from his spot and came forward to squeeze James’ shoulder. “Having a woman with us helps with the ruse,” he explained to Blaire.

“So Matthew gave her a ring,” James blurted. He was going about this so poorly.

“My mistake compounded his,” the earl said slowly as he held up his hand and pointed to the ring he wore. “Our rings symbolize life. Our hearts. Love. They allow us freedom to move as humans do without detection. They were gifts from your coven centuries ago.”

“My coven,” Blaire breathed as she sank into a chair and laid a hand on her chest, as though feeling beneath her gown for something. He’d seen her do so before.

“Three rings. Thrice blessed, after I saved the life of a warrior witch in battle. It was my reward.”

“Ye’re the knight,” she whispered.

Matthew nodded. “Yes, in the flesh, so to speak. I gave one of the rings to James. And one to Sarah after she joined us. But her heart was long gone before her life was ever taken. So, she gets little benefit of it, though it does connect her to us.”

“My family!” Blaire looked stricken. “We’ll have ta leave. Go back ta Edinburgh at first light.”

“It’s too late for that, Blaire,” James said. Though, even to his own ears, it sounded like a death toll. “They will follow. Simply because I care about you.”

“You weren’t very good at hiding that little fact.” Blodswell snorted.

Blaire dropped her head into her hands and growled in frustration. “I doona understand!”

He stepped close to her and pulled her from her seat. “I care about you.” Her mouth dropped open slightly as her eyes danced across his face. “And she’s finally speechless,” he laughed.

She punched him none too delicately in the side. He was unable to bite back the wince she provoked. His witch was strong; he’d give her that.

“Unfortunately, Trevelyan knows I care about you. So does Sarah. That’s why she was so annoyed by your very existence. She still is a small bit jealous.”

“Over ye?”

James nodded once.

“And how long since ye were together?” she asked softly, almost as though she didn’t want to know.

“Several lifetimes,” he whispered as he traced a finger along her jaw.

“I’ll just excuse myself,” Blodswell mumbled as he started for the door.

“It’s about time,” James tossed back at him.

“You know there’s only one way?” Matthew asked with a raise of his eyebrows.

Yes, he knew. James nodded tightly.

“There’s only one way for what?” Blaire yelled to Blodswell’s retreating back. Then she refocused on James. “Out with it, Kettering.” She punched him again. “Let me hear all of it.”

“If you’ll stop trying to do me bodily harm, I’ll tell you, you little witch,” he grunted as he rubbed at the offended area.

“Is that supposed ta be an insult? And I’m no’ little.” She stood up even taller, reaching his chin.

“You are to me,” James laughed. He forced himself to sober when she didn’t laugh with him. She had a right to be worried. “Blodswell and I can protect you all. And we will.”

“Why do I imagine that the word ‘however’ is comin’?” she muttered.

“However,” he said loudly, “Sarah and Trevelyan know I care about you.” Blaire’s eyes softened momentarily. “That means you will be their first target. The others will be after.”

“I’m no’ worried about myself,” Blaire insisted. “But Brannock. She wanted him. I could see it.”

She had indeed, and the memory made James shiver. He pushed the thought away and tucked a fallen lock of hair behind her earlobe. “He’ll be safe, and I’m worried enough for all of us,” he said as he bent to kiss her lightly on the tip of her nose. James took a deep breath. “But the only way for me to protect
you
is for me to have you first. Otherwise, they won’t stop until they’ve destroyed you.”

“Have me?” she croaked. “Ye mean as in for dinner?”

He laughed. His witch made him laugh more than anyone had in decades. “Well, yes and no.”

“Again with the riddles? Aye, ye want ta have me for dinner? Or no, ye doona want ta have me for dinner?”

“I want to have you for
everything
,” he said quietly. “But yes, for dinner, as you so indelicately put it.” He tweaked her nose, which made her grimace.

“Ye’ll turn me inta a vampyre?” she whispered, showing the first obvious bit of fear she’d ever displayed in front of him. “Is that how ye think ta protect me?”

“No,” he laughed. James bent and placed his lips at the side of her neck. “It doesn’t work that way. I’ll simply mark you as mine and take from you, as you’ll take from me. It will help protect you.”

“How will I take from ye?” Her eyes darted from place to place in her confusion.

“Pleasure,” he said quietly by her ear. “It’s a bit of a sensual experience.”

“Ye mean in the biblical sense?” Her voice shook a bit.

“Biblical?” he asked, raising his head. “I’m not certain that’s the word I’d use. But I think I know where your thoughts are leading.”

“Ye’ll take my innocence,” she clarified quickly. And she didn’t look sad about it at all. In fact, she looked excited. Her heart began to beat faster. He could hear it in his head, like the clip of hooves on a runaway horse.

He couldn’t help but smile at her eagerness. “Tempting as that is, Blaire, it wouldn’t be honorable.” Giving her pleasure and taking a bit for himself was one thing, but James could never take her innocence. Men of flesh and blood could offer her more than he ever could, and he would never take her future from her.

She surprised him by wrapping her arms around his neck and touching her lips to his. “And are ye honorable?” she whispered.

He’d always tried to be, though she was making it much too difficult at the moment. It would be easier if she didn’t put such trust in him, if his honor wasn’t tested. James pressed a hand to where his heart used to be as a sudden flash of pain hit him unaware. He’d not felt pain like that in a very long time.

“Are ye all right?” She took a slight step away as though to inspect him.

James fought through the ache and took her hands in his, bringing them to his lips one by one and placing a gentle kiss there. “Never better,” he lied. Thank God, she believed him. He could see the relief cross her face.

“When?” she asked. “When will ye have me? We’ll have ta do it soon.”

“We have hours yet. Before the dawn. They won’t be back tonight.”

“My brothers and the others…” she began.

“Blodswell is nearby, looking over them. I can sense his presence.” He kissed her quickly and then stepped back from her. He wanted nothing more than to devour her. “So for now, go to your bedchamber and get some rest.”

“Rest?” she echoed. “Wh-where will ye be?”

Counting the minutes until he could join her. “I’d like to check the perimeter, make certain everything is secure and be sure Captain Lindsay is in his own bed and fast asleep before I join you.”

“Oh, of course.” Blaire blushed, which was a delightful look on her. “Well, then, I suppose I’ll just wait for ye.” She smiled nervously and then rushed from the room.

Blaire darted up the steps that led to her bedchamber. She didn’t have to run. James wasn’t even following her; but she needed to be alone. To drop across her bed and think about the situation she somehow found herself in. Upon entering her chamber, she tossed her spark to a couple of candles by the bedside and took her first calming breath of the night.

Her hand went to the cord around her neck. She tugged the ring from inside her dress and weighed it in her hand. There was no need to inspect it; she’d seen it her entire life. Still, she could not help but do so. It looked identical to the ring the Earl of Blodswell wore on his right hand. Was
this
the ring James sought? It couldn’t be. It just couldn’t be. It had been her mother’s ring and the ring of every battle-born witch before her. Hadn’t it?

Blaire closed her hand around the ring. The truth was that she didn’t know what to believe anymore. It could be James’ ring, or it could simply be a ring
similar
to Blodswell’s. The earl himself admitted the rings had come from her coven. Why should her ring look different? The similarity between the two meant nothing, not really.

Her mother had told her never to remove the ring. That it would save her life someday. What to do? Show the ring to James and let him tell her whether or not it was the one he sought? Or tuck it away inside her trunk? Blaire shook her head. That didn’t seem the answer. Her mother had begged her never to remove it from her neck.

She sighed, then stepped out of her slippers and fell onto the bed, staring up at the canopy. When had life become so complicated? A fortnight ago she hadn’t suffered from any of her current worries. Her biggest problem had been finding the funds to pay the butcher or making certain Brannock was studying his arithmetic. Mystical rings and vampyre vengeances were a far cry from those normal domestic matters.

Then there was the matter of Cait’s vision. Alec’s warning once again echoed in her ears. Cait had sent him all the way from Edinburgh to protect her. She’d even confided the truth about their coven to the man to keep Blaire safe. Who had Cait seen in her vision? Was it Sarah Reese or Mr. Trevelyan the clairvoyant witch had seen? Or was it James? Kettering
was
dead, or at least the undead. If Cait meant him, she certainly had the right of it. But a monster? Blaire couldn’t imagine anyone referring to James in that manner. On the contrary, he was a true gentleman. An honorable one. Yet the previous
Còig
had trapped him for some reason. Blast her mother for not confiding all to her!

James’ ruggedly handsome face flashed into her mind, but Blaire shook away the image. She couldn’t afford to lose her heart to James. She needed to keep a clear head, but that seemed near impossible whenever she was in his presence. And would it be even more difficult after he marked her as his? Her face heated at the thought. What
did
he intend to do with her this evening?

A pleasure, he’d said. Heaven help her. Would she live through whatever he had planned for her? She turned on her side and hugged a pillow to her chest. Question after question popped in Blaire’s mind. How long would she have to wait for him? Patience had never been her strong suit. Though, at the moment, she was relieved he hadn’t yet come to her.

And what sort of warrior witch did that make her? Shouldn’t she be a bit braver than that? If only she knew what to expect, it would relieve her anxiety tenfold. Question after question popped into Blaire’s mind. What would he expect of her? Should she know what to do? Would it come naturally? And what should she wear? The dress she’d worn to dinner or her nightrail?

She sat up, and the ring thudded against her chest. The ring. Blaire sighed. She wasn’t quite certain what to do about that situation at the moment. Show it to James or hide it? Finally, she tossed it over her shoulder so it hung down her back. She’d worry about the ring tomorrow, after she knew what she was dealing with. After all, she wasn’t completely certain it even was the ring he sought.

Blaire rose from her spot and began to pace the floor. Time was ticking away. She really should change. She crossed the room to her wardrobe and shrugged out of her dress and into her nightrail. Then she flopped back on the bed to await her fate. She closed her eyes and inhaled deeply, then exhaled just as slowly. If he didn’t arrive soon, she’d be a bundle of insatiable nerves by the time he did. She jumped up to pace again. As she made her first pass across the room, the soft snick of her door opening jerked her from her tumultuous thoughts.

James stepped inside and closed the door softly behind him.

“Where have ye been?” she asked quickly.

“You left me mere moments ago, Blaire,” he reminded her with a smile. “But once I heard you begin to pace, I knew you’d wear a groove in the floor if I didn’t make an appearance soon.”

“Are ye certain this is best? Truly certain, James. I’m a battle-born witch. I can come up with somethin’ ta protect myself. And my family.”

“You might be able to.” He nodded indulgently. Then he was across the room in a flash, tilting her chin up. “But I want to take you more than anything I’ve ever wanted, Blaire. Allow me a moment of selfishness in the guise of keeping you safe.”

He wanted her. He truly wanted her?

“Do ye want
me
, James. Or would any pretty lass do?”

He growled lightly, his grip tightening almost imperceptibly. “If I wanted any lass, I could have gone off to find one as soon as you woke me, Blaire. But I’ve wanted you so badly that I’ve only taken sustenance from nonhuman sources since I came back to life.”

“I doona understand.” Her head was spinning more than a bit.

“If I’d wanted
any
lass, I could have charmed one easily and taken from her. Yet no one but you will do.” He spun away from her quickly.

She tugged his sleeve sharply. “James!”

He turned to her slowly, his black-as-night eyes revealing more than his words ever could. His fangs had distended and toyed with his lower lip. Blaire stepped back.

“You have two options, love,” he teased her as he took a step in her direction.

“And they are?” Her voice shook a bit.

He smiled. Of course, he noticed. “I can tuck you into bed and give you a nice glass of warm milk to help you relax. I could even tell you a story.”

She swatted his chest. “Stop teasin’ me.”

He forced her backward with his steps until the backs of her knees hit the bed and she had no choice but to sit. It was an odd sensation, allowing him to have this power over her.

“Scoot back,” he said. She didn’t even think twice before she scrambled back on the bed, allowing him room to sit beside her.

“Should I just lie here quietly?”

“Do you know how to be quiet?” He chuckled. The blasted man
chuckled
as he tugged off one of his boots and let it thunk to the floor.

“Ye are no’ humorous,” she grunted.

His other boot hit the floor as he said, “I don’t want you to lie beneath me, solid as a stone, no.” His black eyes twinkled. “I like for my prey to still be moving.”

“Bloody hell, I’ve become prey,” she groaned.

“Where did you learn to curse like a man?” he asked, a grin pasted across his pretty mouth.

“I was born ta battle. It’s no’ likely ye will find me practicin’ my parlor manners before ye’ll find me sharpenin’ my blade.” She glanced over at him. “I am fully aware that most men find it ta be a detriment. But I never could bring myself ta care. Does it bother ye?”

“I find it charming.”

“I could tell ye I’ll try ta act like a lady, but I’d be lyin’.”

“I prefer you just as you are.” He shrugged his shoulders, as comfortable as if they were discussing the weather.

“What will I taste like?” she asked in a very small voice. She’d never been afraid before in her life. But the very thought of James sinking his teeth into her skin made her both fearful and anticipatory at the same time.

“Heaven, I’d wager.”

“Ye are no’ amusin’ in the least, James. I am bein’ serious. This is
my
flesh we’re talkin’ about.”

“And such lovely flesh it is,” he said as he trailed his fingers down her exposed forearm and then back up to rest beneath the ruffled cuff at her elbow.

“Is that where ye’ll bite me?” She flipped her wrist over so he could see the blue veins that rested just beneath the surface.

“Probably not,” he said absently as he lifted her wrist to his mouth and inhaled deeply. The wind from his breath tickled her sensitive skin.

“James!” She shoved him, but he just chuckled in response.

“All in due time, Blaire. Have patience, love.”

“What
are
we waitin’ for? I am here. Ye are here. Let’s get on with it.”

“Are you always so impatient?”

“Probably.”

“If I wasn’t here to slow you down, you would suck all the enjoyment right out of the moment.”

“I am no’ the one who will be doing the suckin’, James.”

His gaze darkened perceptibly.

***

If James had to wait for one more moment to taste her, he’d lose what little bit of control he had left. The lavender scent of her combined with the sound of the blood pulsing within her veins was enough to make him embarrass himself completely. After all, it
had
been decades since he’d had a woman.

“Now what do we do?” she asked as she tugged at her sleeve, exposing her wrist for him again. She held it out to him. “Is this what ye want?”

“Why are you in such a hurry?” he asked as he tucked a lock of her sable hair behind her ear.

“Is it supposed ta be done slowly? Ye have ta tell me if I do somethin’ wrong. I’ve never been a meal before.”

“You could not possibly do anything wrong.” He chuckled. She was absolutely perfect. Her quick wit made him laugh. Her intelligence was like an aphrodisiac. Her scent made his mouth water.

“Ye will no’ hurt me, will ye?” she asked quietly as she tilted her head at him.

“I’ll do my best not to hurt you. It has been decades since I’ve had fresh human blood.” He paused briefly to search her beautiful face. So trusting. So, perfect. “Not to mention a lovely female beneath me.”

James dropped his head and pressed his lips to the side of her neck. He was right. She tasted like heaven.

“Tell me what it will be like, James,” she said softly as her hand came up to clutch the back of his neck. The pulse at the base of her throat sped up.

He gently lifted her and righted her in the center of the bed, then climbed slowly on his hands and knees to where he hovered over her. She looked up at him with her soft, anxious grey eyes, her dark lashes sweeping across her cheeks like fans.

James touched his lips to hers, intending to give her a comforting kiss, one meant to show her affection. But she pulled his head down to hers when he would have lifted from on top of her and moved into his kiss.

“If you do that again, I’ll lay all the blame at your feet when this goes poorly,” he growled.

“Ye said ye wanted yer prey ta still be movin’,” she quipped.

He pressed his face into her neck and inhaled. “I’d never expect you to just lie beneath me.”

James tugged at the laces of her nightrail, exposing her neck to his gaze. She shifted her body to allow him better access.

“You might have to take this off,” he muttered, but watched her expression.

“Why?” Her eyes grew wide.

“I need to find the best place to bite you. And you have places all over to choose from.” A poor excuse he knew. He’d probably have fared better if he’d just said ‘because I want to see you naked’ as she looked at him like he was speaking in tongues.

“James?” she asked hesitantly.

“Yes, love?”

“Ye plan ta only take my blood and no’ my innocence?”

“That’s my plan.” It would be deuced hard, but he’d do it. His number-one objective was keeping her safe. His own needs were secondary.

James studied the side of her neck for another moment and frowned. “If I bite you there, it’ll leave a mark.”

She covered the area protectively. “So, other people would ken?” she cried, sitting up quickly.

“Aye, but only if I take you there. I can take you down there,” he pointed down below her waist, “and no one will ever know. Aside from the two of us.”
And
I’ll think about it day and night. I’m afraid I will never forget the taste of Blaire Lindsay.

“Where is
down there
?” Her voice quavered.

“I’ll show you,” he assured her. He tugged at the hem of her nightrail. “Can I take this off?”

“No!” she gasped.

“There’s no need to be fretful,” he said softly.

“How the devil would ye feel if ye thought ye were goin’ ta be a meal and then find out ye have ta be a
naked
meal?”

James bent quickly and kissed her. If he allowed her any more time to think about their situation, the sun would be up and the night would be lost. Blaire would be lost—to him.

She hesitantly kissed him back. “That’s it, Blaire,” he crooned to her as he kissed down the side of her neck, abrading her gently with his teeth, which were still distended. He tugged at the collar of her nightrail until he’d exposed the swell of her breast. Her nipple lay trapped by the offending fabric where it insistently pressed, as though aching for his touch.

“Blaire,” he groaned. “I can’t get to you if you’re all covered up.”

Blaire lifted her bottom from the bed long enough to tug her nightrail from beneath her and draw it over her head. James sat back and devoured her with his gaze. He’d never seen a more perfect woman. His Blaire felt no need to cover her body. Not in the least. In fact, it appeared as though she took great pride in the fact that she had his complete attention.

James reached down and shifted his trousers. She’d have to be blind not to see the length of him pressing insistently against the fabric.

“Take those off,” she said. Dangerous suggestion that it was, James couldn’t help but follow her command. Within seconds, he sat before her as naked as she was, his length jutting before her. She reached for him, but he grabbed her hands.