An Unholy Embrace Read online

  As if he heard her thoughts, he gathered her closer to him. He licked down her neck and then up to the shell of her ear. She instinctively cocked her head to give him better access. He growled, deep in his throat. Instead of scaring her, it aroused her more. She wrapped her arms around Sebastian's strong body and snuggled closer to him.

  He caught his breath and his mouth trailed over her cheek. “Teran...” he muttered softly. “Allow me to kiss you."

  Without hesitation, she raised her mouth to his. He took it like he was starved for her. His mouth slanted over hers, his tongue sweeping across her tender lips. When she gasped at the feeling, he plunged inside, touching and tasting every part of her until she trembled against him. Need crowded out every other thought.

  Sebastian drowned in the scent, the taste and the feel of her. His body shook as he ravaged her mouth, needing her like he'd never needed another woman. He knew in that instant that he wouldn't let her go. Whatever he had to do ... she would stay here with him, both as food and as lover. He would have it no other way. Suddenly ravenous for her, he lifted his head and looked deep into her dark blue eyes.

  "Are you sure, Teran?” he questioned roughly. “I can make it so much better if I take away the pain."

  She shook her head. “No ... promise me that you won't enthrall me. I want to come to you on my own."

  His body tightened in a glorious rush. He ached with unspent need. “Then I will do as you ask."

  "Promise me. If you break your word, I'll leave."

  His gaze was fixed on the pulse beating at the base of her neck. “I promise."

  She closed her eyes and offered her slim throat to him. His hands shook; the need to feed was so strong. He licked her, her taste already making his mouth water. Unable to wait a moment longer, he bared his fangs and buried them into the vein in her neck as gently as his need would allow him to.

  Teran cried out. The pain was worse than she had imagined. She struggled instinctively, but Sebastian's arms tightened around her. After a few moments, she stilled as the pain dulled. She sighed. Even with the hurt, she felt so safe, so wanted in his arms. A part of her wished she could stay in his embrace forever. She moved and he growled at her. Ignoring him, she stroked up and down his muscular back, wishing that she could touch his bare skin. Her face heated. He made her act like a wanton. Would he think she was like her mother?

  He pulled her closer and she felt the hard line of his erection against her. She gasped and desire unfurled within her. Her heart beat even faster. Oh God ... he wanted her too.

  Sebastian couldn't think, couldn't concentrate on anything but the flavor of Teran's blood as it flowed unceasingly into his mouth. The taste was different than any that he had savored before. He sucked it down like a thirsty man would drink down his last glass of water.

  Understanding filled him. He had found her ... the one who could sustain him throughout eternity. Her body quivered in his arms, her hands molding themselves over him and desire roared through him. He would take all that she was. She would belong to him.

  Suddenly, she went limp and Sebastian jerked his head up. Her face was frighteningly white. He cursed himself. He'd been so distracted by the longing he felt, he had taken too much from her. She had fallen unconscious.

  Lifting her in his arms, he carried her up the stairs and into his bedroom. He pulled back the covers and laid her down on the white sheets. Her dark hair spread over his pillow and Sebastian swore at himself again for losing control. Instead of being able to bury himself inside her to slake his need, he would have to wait. She would sleep for some time as her body replenished the blood he had taken.

  Carefully, he undressed her. His cock thickened when he saw that her nipples were pinched with arousal. Curious, he ran a finger through the thatch of dark hair between her legs. One touch made him groan and he struggled for control. She was drenched in dew. He lifted his finger to his mouth, reveling in her taste. He smiled. She was sweet all over.

  Quickly, he pulled his own clothes off and slid in beside her, pulling her back into his arms. When she awoke, not another moment would go by before he laid final claim to her body.

  * * * *

  Teran yawned and snuggled back down in her bed. There must be an extra cover on her because for the first time in her life, she was delightfully warm. She didn't want to get up yet. All she had waiting for her were chores and responsibilities. If she could snatch a couple more minutes of comfort and sleep, she would do it.

  Oh, the warmth was heavenly. She cuddled closer to the source of the heat. She buried her face into her pillow and promptly sneezed when she inhaled a mouthful of tickling hair. Her pillow chuckled and moved. Teran came abruptly awake.

  Sebastian leaned over her, his head propped up on one hand. His long hair was messy and his eyes were sleepy as if she had awakened him. She stared at his naked chest. Had he been the pillow she sneezed on? She lifted her head and met his eyes. He smiled slowly at her and her entire body began to shake. She wasn't even properly awake yet and she wanted him. She trembled at the force of the attraction between them.

  Without looking away from her, he bent and touched her lips with his own. Once, twice, a third time, before a deep masculine groan rumbled out of his throat and he pulled her against him. His mouth wasn't hesitant any more, but possessive, as if he was declaring it was his right to touch her.

  He kissed her deeply, his tongue touching all the places that had made her shake the night before. She leaned into the kiss, needing it ... needing him.

  She gasped as he rolled her over on her back and came down on top of her. She stiffened when she realized that they were both naked. Skin against skin, she felt him hard against her. He soothed her with his mouth and she relaxed, knowing that this was what she wanted. She wanted him to make love to her. His lips trailed across her cheeks, her eyes and then back to her mouth. She sought his touch as a flower seeks the sun.

  "Sebastian...” she whispered.

  "I am here, little one. Soon I will be deep inside you."

  Chapter Four

  She shivered at his words. He'd taken her blood. Now he would take her body. “I've never felt ... I..."

  He stopped her with a deep kiss. “I will have you."

  His hands moved over her and her heart beat faster. How could he know how just to touch her? She moaned and arched into him, giving herself completely.

  Sebastian gritted his teeth, fighting for control. He wanted her desperately, but he wouldn't rape her like those animals in the woods would have. She'd offered herself to him, blood and body. He would not betray her by hurting her. He would make her forget any others she had been with before. He bent and kissed her again, groaning at the way she responded. He would seduce her so completely, she would never leave him.

  Carefully, he traced his fingers down over her mouth, down her lovely throat to her peaked breasts. They were no more than a handful, but the silken feel of her sent waves of need spreading through him. He touched her, softly and then with more strength as her desire for him rose. Her moan set fire to his senses.

  As his hand teased her nipples, his mouth caressed her throat. He kissed his way down to the wound he had made the night before. He licked it and his groin tightened when she cried out in pleasure at the sensitivity of the injury. Sebastian fought the urge to bury his teeth in her. It was too soon to take her blood again. He kissed his way back up to her mouth. His tongue plunged in and out, mimicking what he would do with his body.

  Soon she was writhing beneath him. Her breasts were swollen, her nipples pointed and dark with passion. Her lips begged him to take her deeper. He nipped at her ear.

  "Do you want more, Teran?"

  Teran stared up at him. His eyes glowed with a dark red heat that made her shiver. The feel of his hand on her drove her mad with need. She reached up and pulled his head down to her breast.

  "Please, Sebastian,” she choked out. She didn't know how to ask for anything more. To her relief, she felt his mouth tou
ch her. The swirl of his tongue around her nipple made her come up off the bed in pleasure. Surely, a woman could die from this feeling. He continued with caressing her, treating both of her breasts to the same wonderful sensations. His hand trailed down her body and began to rub gently at her mound. When she instinctively spread her legs for him, he groaned again.

  Suddenly, his movements took on a new purpose. No longer were they gentle and slow, but hard and arousing. His mouth sucked at her nipples and she cried out from the pure pleasure of it. His hand also became more insistent as his fingers parted the soft hair and searched for the source of her desire. When he found it, he took her clit between two strong fingers, rubbing gently.

  Heat pooled in her belly and she moaned uncontrollably. Her legs trembled and when Sebastian inserted a finger into her hot wet channel, she bucked against him. He held her down effortlessly and continued to pleasure her. Pinpricks of heat started in her toes and worked their way up her legs. Heat coursed through her breasts. She whimpered.

  "Let go for me, little one. Just let go.” His voice was a soft murmur in her ear. Teran writhed under him, her breaths coming in short pants as the feelings in her body boiled inside of her.

  She screamed as her world imploded. Pleasure such as she had never felt before shot through her. Diamond shaped colors danced behind her eyelids. She sobbed out his name, but he never stopped touching her until she had climbed the peak a second time and leaped again into the inferno of desire.

  Sebastian shook like a man with palsy as he stared down at Teran sprawled beneath him. He'd never wanted a woman more than he wanted her, right now, at this moment. His cock throbbed so hard it was painful. He wanted to tease her more. To let her touch and taste him in return, but there was no way his heated body could handle that. Maybe later ... when he had slaked his lust.

  Roughly, he kneed her legs apart and settled between them. The feel of her heated flesh against the head of his cock almost made him come right then and there. He gritted his teeth and eased inside her slick channel.

  She moaned and wriggled and he froze. She was so hot, so wet and tight. Her little moans aroused him so much he was afraid he'd disgrace himself right then and there. He took several deep breaths before he felt he was in control once more. He slowly pushed inside her.

  Sweat beaded on his forehead. She felt like a fist around him, she held him so tightly. He pressed further inside and stopped dead when he came against the thin membrane that proclaimed her innocence.

  Knowing he was the first shattered Sebastian's control. Without thinking, he sent his enthralling powers over her, wanting to protect her from the pain of the rending of her virginity. Unable to wait any longer, he thrust through the thin tissue, burying himself deep inside her.

  Teran gasped when his full weight settled on her. She could feel him throbbing deep within her. There had been no pain, only a fullness that as he began to move, gave her unbelievable pleasure. Instinctively, she wrapped her legs around his waist, wanting to be as close to him as possible. He shuddered and thrust against her, pulling almost all the way out, before driving himself deep in her again.

  The pleasure she had felt before quickened again. She moaned and buried her mouth in the hair on Sebastian's chest. Her lips found one of his nipples and she laved it, knowing by his instant reaction that he was as sensitive as she.

  He groaned out her name and plunged hard against her. A spear of pleasure shot through her but she barely registered it before he began moving again. All she could do was follow as he led her in a sensual dance. He throbbed within her and his movements became even more forceful. Suddenly, he roared out her name and buried himself deep inside her. His climax triggered her own as she soared off the peak one more time.

  It was a long time later when he lifted his head, his body replete for the moment. He gazed down at the woman beneath him and smiled at the dreamy look on her face. They had given each other much pleasure and it would not be the last time. She fit him perfectly. She now belonged to him.

  He bent and licked at her throat, feeling her pulse quicken at his touch. The knowledge that he excited her sent all the blood rushing back to his groin. He watched her eyes widen when she felt him swell within her.

  "Oh...” she stuttered, her face turning rosy.

  He grinned. “You inspire me, little one."

  Teran smiled shyly. “It was wonderful. I didn't know it could be like that between a man and a woman."

  He bent and kissed her. “You are mine. Our bodies belong together. It is for that reason our mating felt so perfect.” He moved deliberately and saw her eyes darken. “And I find I am pleased that you were a virgin. That I was the first."

  "It didn't even hurt,” she marveled, tracing her fingers across his wide chest. “I thought it would be painful."

  Sebastian nipped at her chin. “I chose not to allow you to feel the pain. I wanted you to remember your first time with joy."

  Teran stilled and her eyes met his. “I ... I don't understand."

  He smiled again, his look dark and possessive. “I used my powers so you would not be hurt. I numbed the pain in your mind."

  She just stared at him. Then, after a long moment, her eyes filled with tears and she pushed at his chest. “Get off of me."

  He frowned, but allowed her to push him off so he lay next to her instead. He frowned when he saw her leap from the bed. “What is wrong with you?"

  "With me?” she repeated incredulously. “You're the one who broke his word. You promised not to enthrall me!"

  Chapter Five

  Sebastian stared at her in surprise. She was angry because he'd numbed her pain? Ridiculous! Then he remembered the promise he had given her he would leave her mind alone. Guilt curled in his stomach. He frowned as she gathered up her clothing. “What are you doing?"

  She glared at him. “I'm leaving."

  A cold rage filled him. Leave? She could not leave him. “You are not going anywhere."

  Teran pulled on her dress. “Yes I am,” she said fiercely. “You broke your promise. I can't trust you."

  Swiftly, he came to his feet and stalked over to her. “Trust is not necessary. You belong to me now."

  She shook her head. “I belong to myself. I told you if you lied to me I would leave. So I'm going!"

  Sebastian snarled at her. He was furious that she would even think of leaving him. “I was trying to protect you, foolish girl! I did not want you to feel pain when I took you."

  "It was my choice. And you took that choice from me. How can I trust you after that?"

  He grabbed her shoulders. “As I said before, trust is unnecessary. You will stay with me. I will feed from you as I need, and we can pleasure each other. I know you enjoy how I make you feel."

  Teran blushed and her eyes filled with tears. “I ... I thought I could love you, but I could never love a man I can't trust."

  Her words shot through him like an icy dagger. Love? He'd never thought of love. It was for mortals, not for one such as him. Preposterous! What vampire would even consider such a thing? He glared down at her, noting her stiff body and trembling lips. He would put an end to such thoughts once and for all.

  Quicker than she could see, he swept the dress from her body. At her startled squawk, he lifted her and tossed her back onto his bed. She bounced once, and then was up and running for the door, but he caught her easily. She fought him, kicking and hitting at him as she had done in the forest.

  "Let me go!"

  He ignored her, tumbling her back into the sheets and coming down hard on top of her. She squirmed beneath him, firing his lust even more.

  "Be still!” he roared. “I do not wish to hurt you."

  Teran glared up at him, her breasts heaving in agitation. “I don't want to stay here. Let me go!"

  "You have no choice, little one. You are mine."

  "I gave myself freely, but I won't again. You'll have to rape me. Is that what you want?"

  A dark pain shot through him. “It wil
l not be rape,” he murmured as he touched his mouth to her throat. “I can make you want me."

  "You are no better than the men in the woods,” she spat at him, her heart aching. “You're giving me no choice. I hate you."

  He bared his fangs at her and his eyes flashed at her words. “You would compare me to those dogs that chased you?"

  "How are you any different? You take what I don't want to give, just as they wanted to!"

  With a growl, he kneed her legs apart and thrust hard inside her. She gasped in shock and surprise. “They would not give you pleasure, Teran. They would take you like the animals they are and leave you lying in the dirt, bleeding from their possession. I ... I will give you more pleasure than you can comprehend."

  Tears spilled from her eyes. Her body warmed at his touch and she fought the need to pull him against her. It wasn't fair that he could do this to her. Angry with herself as much as with him, she tilted her chin.

  "I'll never give in to you,” she stated stubbornly. “You'll have to force me every time."

  Sebastian growled with frustration. Couldn't she see he meant her no harm? He had wanted to protect her, not hurt her. But the obstinate woman couldn't see past his broken promise and it infuriated him.

  "So be it,” he gritted out. “I will take you as I choose. I will use you for my own pleasure, but you will find your own as well. I will not have to ravish you."

  Teran shook her head sadly. “Then you rape my mind as well as my body. You force me to feel things I don't want to feel."

  "Enough!” He was done trying to talk to her. He took her mouth, wanting to drive himself deep inside her. He would show her so much pleasure she would beg to stay with him.

  * * * *

  He didn't leave her side, all the following days and nights. They slept and when he was done sleeping, he would slip inside of her and pleasure her awake. By the time Teran woke up enough to realize what was happening, her body had taken over. Afterwards, she would lie in his arms, silver tears trailing silently down her cheeks.