Sweeter Than Wine (5 page)

Her arms trembled as she came down from the orgasmic high, still licking Matt’s big cock and sighing softly. Sebastian gently grasped one of her legs and coaxed her to kneel at Matt’s side.

“Now I want you to try it.”

She looked up at him, lethargy and satisfaction in her soft eyes. She was tired. He could see it and sense it, but she needed to do this. She’d barely fed from the
were
cougar.

She needed his magic blood to make her strong, especially this first time. All they’d done to this point would be for naught if she failed to drink deeply enough this time.

“I don’t know if I can do this.” Her eyes were wide with apprehension.

32

Sebastian reached out to cup her cheek. He was deeply touched by this gentle flower of a woman who had been treated so badly by her husband. He never wanted to see her hurt again. Not if he could prevent it.

“You must. I have faith in you. Just do as I showed you. I’ll take care of the rest.”

“I don’t want to hurt him.”

Matt surprised them both by sitting up and drawing Christina’s face close to his. “Do I look like I’m in pain, sweetheart?” He kissed her forehead, meeting Sebastian’s gaze over the top of her head. Both men knew the importance of this first feeding. “I want you to do this. I want you to be strong.” He moved back and stroked her hair away from her face. “Sebastian told me what happened to you, Christy.” The cougar’s voice rumbled low in the dimness of the room. “My sister was killed by her mate before we knew he’d been abusing her. It’s the reason I agreed to this. I don’t like the idea of any woman being unable to defend herself—especially one that’s been hurt so badly, the only way to save her was to change her. You’ve suffered enough.”

She sobbed then, allowing Matt to pull her close against his chest. The men shared a look of understanding across her shoulders, each aware of the hurt this woman had suffered. Jeff Kinsey was a disgrace to mankind. A brute who resorted to violence and attempted murder when he didn’t get his way. Neither Sebastian nor Matt would stand for that. They both wanted her to be strong enough to face anything or anyone that came her way in the future.

Sebastian knew they were of one mind where Christina was concerned. He and Matt had talked about this in depth while she slept. Giving
were
blood to a novice was not something anyone did lightly. Only these special circumstances allowed such a rare occurrence.

“Why are you being so nice? You don’t even know me.” Her words were whispered against Matt’s chest.

“I know enough.” His eyes were grim as they met Sebastian’s. “I know your husband’s type and I know what will happen if you feed properly from my blood this first time. I know it will make you stronger than a vamp your age should rightly be.” He 33

kissed the crown of her head gently. “And I know Sebastian. He wouldn’t have asked this of me if it wasn’t important. I trust him with my life and that isn’t something any
were
says lightly. Especially about a bloodletter.”

She looked up into Matt’s eyes. “You’re a special man.”

Matt’s big hands cupped her pretty fanny. “Did I also mention that I get a boost in my own healing abilities and a night of unbelievable sex out of the deal?” His eyebrows waggled, teasing her. “I’d almost forgotten how good being with a vamp could be. My kind has nothing on you guys when it comes to pleasuring your partner. We have to do it the old fashioned way, but you’ve got some kind of voodoo that launches your partner into the stratosphere. It’s pretty beguiling.” He smoothed her hair. “Don’t think I’m not enjoying myself, and you won’t hurt me, sweetheart. For one thing, Sebastian here is using his mojo to cloud any pain you miss, but if I’m not much mistaken, you’re already exerting your own power to dull any pain your magic tongue doesn’t already negate.”

She looked over at Sebastian, her eyes wide. “I’m not doing anything.”

“Yes, you are. Actually, it’s rather remarkable. I think your new instincts are kicking in sooner than normal because of your overwhelming desire not to hurt him. I noticed your energies, shielding him from the small pain of your bite when I tried to shield him.

You needed a boost, but I think he wouldn’t have felt much anyway, even if I hadn’t been there to back you up.”

“It takes a lot to hurt a
were
anyway. Our pain threshold is pretty high compared to a human or even a vamp.” Matt kissed her sweetly before setting her away. “Now bite me woman. I want to feel that magic tongue of yours on me again.” He lay back and positioned the pillows under his head so he could watch everything, a broad, encouraging smile on his face.

It was obvious to Sebastian that she was still unsure, but she moved down Matt’s rangy body with purpose as Sebastian encouraged her. She started by teasing Matt some more, licking his balls until he was hard and swollen again.

“You trying to kill me with pleasure, little vamp?” Matt asked, looking at her with indulgent eyes. Her fangs elongated and scraped ever so lightly along the ridges of his big 34

cock as both men watched, entranced at the sight. Sebastian had to shift his legs to accommodate the uncomfortable hardness in his trousers. Watching Christina tease Matt made him harder than he’d been in centuries.

“Mmm.” The sound of her moan shuddered through him. “I thought you should enjoy the ride if I’m going to suck your blood.”

“That’s not all you’re sucking.” Matt chuckled, then gasped as she took him deep in her throat. “Yeah, baby, just like that.”

She felt Matt’s excitement rising and she wondered just how to go about this.

Sebastian was there, though, guiding her.

“Feel your fangs dropping even more?” Sebastian’s voice made her feel shivery inside. “Take a moment now and do what you need to prepare. Then you can bring Matt with you when you go over the moon.”

It was easier this time to locate the pulse that pounded through the
were
cougar’s strong body. Her fangs dropped all the way as her hunger rose. Christy ran her tongue over the sharp tips as she lowered her head to the area Sebastian had shown her. With a glance up at Matt’s approving gaze, she set to work, locating the right spot and using her tongue and mind to block any pain her bite might cause.

Sighing as she found the right place, she sank her fangs deeply, decisively, and felt the welling of his powerful blood into her mouth. It was unlike anything she could have imagined. Christy had been squeamish before, but now, with the hunger riding her and Matt’s potent blood flooding her senses, she feasted.

Still, somewhere in the back of her mind, she felt concern for Matt’s comfort. She wanted him to enjoy this and if not enjoy, then at least feel no pain from what she was doing. With a glance upward, she reassured herself he was all right. His eyes glowed as he watched her, his cock hard as a rock between them.

With a last long lick of the wound she’d made, she focused a tiny bit of the magic now flowing through her veins and sealed the punctures with a thought, healing them as if they’d never been. Rapacious now, she climbed over Matt, settling herself over his 35

hardness. He slid inside her waiting core, and she loved the feel of him filling her as she began to move.

But it became clear Matt wasn’t going to sit by and watch this time. He rolled, taking her with him until she was underneath him as he rocked, gently at first, into her welcoming body.

“You’re beautiful, little vamp. And considerate. I didn’t feel a thing, except for hunger. For you. If I didn’t believe you were already claimed, I’d be tempted to keep you for myself, Christy. You’re one hell of a woman.”

“Matt,” she whispered. “You’re sweet. But if you don’t move your ass right now, I’m going to bite you again.” She smiled and flashed some fang.

The big man laughed and moved more forcefully within her, bringing her to a swift peak that didn’t dissipate. It grew. And grew.

“Your wish is my command, sweet thing.” Matt reached down to nip at her neck playfully, firing her senses as he moved faster and deeper. His cock slid home over and over, harder and harder, driving her higher and higher. It was bliss.

“Matt!” She was close now. Very close to some point she had never reached before.

“Come now, little vamp. Come for me. Right. Now.” He bit off his words as he pounded home.

Christy cried out as she came on command for the big
were
cougar like she’d never come before. Until this night, her husband had been her only lover. Their sex life had been good, in the beginning at least, but he’d never shown her this kind of passion or fulfillment.

Damn.

One more thing to hate Jeff for.

Christy drifted off as Matt rolled away. The last thing she saw before she fell asleep was Sebastian’s handsome face, watching her as if he wanted her next climax to be his.

36

“Are you sure about this, man?” Both men stood over the exhausted female lying asleep in the bed, looking down on her with varying degrees of indulgence and care.

Sebastian had cleaned her and the bed while Matt grabbed a shower and dressed.

“Look at her, Matt. She’s so petite. She’s been a victim too long. I’m just making sure that when the time comes, she can fight back. She’ll never be whole if she doesn’t face her past and come out the victor.”

Matt sighed and rubbed one big hand over his face. “I hear you. I’ll come back tomorrow night. A double dose of
were
ought to help. I just hope she doesn’t become too strong for even you to handle.”

The
were
cougar left as silently as he’d come only hours before.

A half hour later, Marc called to check on Christina’s condition. Sebastian reassured his old friend that she’d responded well to the conversion and was still the kind soul she’d been before, only stronger, though he was careful not to mention the
were
cougar’s involvement in her feeding. Marc didn’t need to know about that…yet.

“I wanted to let you know we’ve had some disturbing news from the
Were
Lords.”

Sebastian was surprised. “I didn’t know you were in contact with them.”

“It’s a recent development and it’s not direct. I got the news from Hiram up in Seattle. He got it from another who apparently had direct contact with the
were
folk a few weeks ago. Regardless, the news is startling. They said the
Venifucus
are back, and that the
weres
recently defeated a mage who claimed to be part of that ancient society.”

“You’re kidding.”

“Afraid not, my friend.” Marc’s voice was as serious as Sebastian had ever heard it.

He was too young to have ever dealt directly with the
Venifucus
, but he’d heard plenty of tales about the evil group.

37

“So do you believe it? Couldn’t it just be a couple of buffoons using the name?”

Marc sighed over the line. “I hope that’s all it is, but we have to keep alert, just in case. Sebastian, you’ve never seen these folks in action. Believe me when I say, if the
Venifucus
are back, we’re all in very real danger.”

They talked over the possibilities for a few more minutes, but they didn’t have enough information to formulate any real plans other than to stay vigilant. Only an hour or so remained before dawn, and sleep for their kind. Eventually, Marc came back to the subject of Christina and her problems.

“What will you do about the husband?”

“Is he still in jail?”

“For now, though he’s hired a good lawyer. I expect he’ll be out in a day or two.”

Sebastian felt a fire in his gut. He wanted to kill the mortal who’d dared lay a finger on the woman entrusted to his care. But it wasn’t his fight. Still, he had some ideas of how to work behind the scenes to keep an eye on the mortal.

“Since Christina now has many years before her, I think she needs to stand up to him before I take any action. As her maker, I think it the best course. Hiro is coming over tomorrow to begin her training.”

“Wise decision, my friend. I was going to suggest something similar. It’s important that she begins her new life from a position of strength instead of as a victim.”

“Of course, I’ll be standing behind her to help if she has any problems with the man.”

“I expected no less.”

Sebastian kept vigil at Christina’s bedside until morning. Only then did he go to his own room across the hall and let daybreak send him to slumber. When he awoke moments before true nightfall, he made his way to her room, waiting for that magic moment her sleepy eyes would open.

38

Christy woke as the sun dipped below the horizon the next night. She felt fantastic.

Strange, hungry, powerful and sexy. It was empowering. And a little scary.

She remembered what had made her feel that way. Christy could hardly believe the things she’d done
⎯
and let the men do to her
⎯
the night before. She felt the heat of a blush stealing across her cheeks even as she sat up in the disheveled bed.

“Good evening.” Sebastian’s voice came to her from the darkness of the room. He stepped forward and she saw him, her eyesight sharper than it had ever been. He was so handsome, so debonair. She’d never met a man quite like him, and likely never would again. He simply took her breath away. “How do you feel?” he asked.

She clutched the rumpled sheet to her breasts, shy now after the debauchery that had come before. She realized that while Sebastian had directed the entire scene last night, he hadn’t touched her much at all. He’d kissed her though. Oh, how he’d kissed her.

Sebastian’s kiss had felt more intense than any kiss she had ever received. His kiss felt like he wanted to be inside her. Desperately.

But he hadn’t done much more than kiss and touch. He hadn’t made love to her.

He’d only watched and instructed as he let his
were
cougar friend fuck her in varied and exciting ways.

She’d never come so hard in her life. Or so many times. Last night was truly a night to remember and she’d blush every time she thought of it for the rest of her life, she was sure. Just like she was doing now. But Sebastian was waiting for an answer.

Christy shrugged and tried to be nonchalant. “I’m okay.”

Sebastian sat on the side of her bed, his eyes kind. No man should look that good or that understanding. Certainly no man she’d ever dealt with on an intimate level had ever looked at her with such compassion.

“Just okay?” Sebastian’s fingers rose to stroke over her cheek.

A tiny shiver of attraction coursed down her spine. “Better than okay, but very…decadent. I can’t believe half the things…the things…” she stammered, trailing off, the flush of embarrassment heating her cheeks even more than before.

39

Sebastian chuckled as his hand slid down to stroke over one bare shoulder.

Caressing. Comforting. “The wicked things you did and had done to you last night? Ah, but my sweet, you’re immortal now. Sex is life to us.”

“But then why didn’t you…?” She could have died of embarrassment when she realized she’d spoken aloud.

“Why didn’t I partake of your lovely body? Is that what you want to know?”

Cringing a little at how needy the question sounded, she nodded.

“I dare not. For one thing…” he squeezed her shoulder, “…I am your maker. I must be your teacher in these early days until you learn your limitations and strengths, and can stand on your own with no uncertainty.” She liked the sound of that. He stroked down over her arm and took her hand. “For another, I greatly fear that once I have you, I’ll never be able to let you go.” He kissed her hand in a gallant, old world gesture that made her womb clench.

His eyes were hot, his expression tight. “I’ve watched you for a long time, Christina.

Longer than you might realize. And I’ve wanted you from the first moment we met, but you were already claimed. You’ll never know how much I wanted to tear your husband limb from limb when I realized what he’d done to you, but it’s not my debt to repay. Not yet anyway. Not until I know for sure whether you could truly be my One.” He released her hand and rose, his gaze filled with regret. And promise. “The only way to learn the truth of it, is to fuck and feed. I dare not do either with you until you’ve gained the strength Matt’s blood can grant you. I want you to be strong, Christina. I want you to know that no one will ever be able to hurt you again. Not even me.”

“Why?” She was puzzled by his words and nearly overcome by the sexual tension rising like a sudden conflagration between them.

“By feeding from Matt, you’ll gain an echo of his
were
traits for the rest of your immortal life. Your senses would have been sharp, but with Matt’s blood in your system, they’ll be as sharp as the cat that shares his soul. You will probably also gain some of his cougar cunning, agility and strength. Vampires are powerful in many ways on their own, but few have the coordination to be able to use their abilities effectively when first 40

turned. I’m hoping you will. I’m hoping you’ll be so fast, agile and wily, you’ll be able to evade even me, though I have three centuries of experience on you.”

She was amazed. But still puzzled. “Why? Why would you want me to be stronger than you?”

His eyes darkened. “So you’ll never be afraid. So you’ll know—for certain—that you’ll never be hurt again. So you can never
be
hurt again.”

Christy’s breath caught and tears filled her eyes, but Sebastian moved away, toward the door.

“This room has an attached bath and you’ll find some workout clothing that might fit in the drawer over there. Come downstairs when you’re ready. We have much to do this evening before Matt arrives.” Sebastian walked to the door as he talked in a business-like tone.

“He’s coming back?”

Sebastian turned at the threshold and she could see his eyes glint in the darkness.

“After tonight, you’ll be more powerful than I, Christina. I know in my heart, you will use your abilities wisely.”

She was floored. “How can you have such faith in me?”

Sebastian looked away. “I know your heart, little one. There is no other I would trust with such power, but you need it. You now know what it is to be defenseless against those physically stronger than you. Tonight, with Matt’s help, that will change forever.”

Sebastian left her and she had a moment to savor the new knowledge flooding her mind. She perceived things in much greater detail on a sensory level, but what he’d told her about his motivations and the consequences of what he’d set in motion completely floored her.

But the question remained…why?

Why would he go so far out of his way to make her stronger even than himself? Why would he want that? Why would he send her into the arms of another man to accomplish it?

Did he love her?

41

Did he pity her?

Did she dare find out?

Christy cleaned up and dressed in the sweatshirt and loose pants she found in the drawer. They were a bit too large, but by rolling the cuffs, she made it work. She headed out of her room and toward the faint sounds in one of the downstairs rooms. Her hearing was so acute it was hard at first to discern one sound in the old house from the next.

The ticking of multiple clocks in rooms all over the large place had her covering her ears before she discovered she could tune them out or turn them down with a thought.

She heard the creak of each floorboard as she moved slowly through the space, the swish of water through the pipes, even the soft hum of electricity flowing through the wiring in the walls. It was incredible, and it only got stronger the more she thought about it.

Just as she could turn the sounds down by thinking about it, she discovered. It was like magic.

Then again, she’d done a lot of things that would have been out of character for her just a few days ago. She’d fantasized about some of the sexual excesses she’d participated in last night, but they’d only been fantasies. She never thought she’d have the nerve to try anything like that, but the new fire in her blood seemed to spur her on.

She followed the soft sounds of moving feet on a wooden floor to a room in the lower part of the house that surprised her yet again. Hovering on the threshold, Christy was surprised to find another man with Sebastian. Both were wearing traditional martial arts uniforms that looked as if they’d seen a great deal of use. They were worn, with lighter spots on the elbows and knees, and comfortable looking. The soft swish of cotton greeted her ears as the two men moved side by side in some sort of pattern that took them through various defensive and offensive moves.

She knew a little bit about
karate
, having once taken a semester of it in college.

She’d enjoyed the class even though she was bad at it. She’d wanted to take another semester, but right about that time, she’d met Jeff and been dazzled by the young man whom she eventually married.

42

On trembling legs, Christy stepped forward into the peaceful room she now recognized as a
dojo
—the place to study and practice martial arts. It had smooth wooden floors and beautiful Japanese tapestries hanging on one of the walls along with framed woodblock prints and a few black and white photos. There were mirrors on the entire wall to her left, and to her right, the opposite wall consisted of several glass doors that opened onto a lovely stone garden complete with fluttering bamboo and trickling water. It was beautiful.

Near the door were a few wooden benches. Remembering to bow as she entered, a formality her college
sensei
had insisted upon, she left her shoes outside the door, next to two much larger pairs, and took a seat on the bench. She watched in awed silence as the men spun and kicked in the patterns of the most difficult
kata
⎯
a sequence of defensive and offensive moves done in a choreographed pattern
⎯
she’d ever seen.