I hung outside, listening to the whoosh of the waves crashing along the shore. They seemed as furious and frustrated as I felt.
If Layla found out Rianne was on her way to Boston, she would tear out of here like the Flash. Man, as much as I understood her need to reason with Rianne, she wasn’t our priority anymore, and I couldn’t risk Layla getting kidnapped.
As much as I didn’t want to snag her phone, I had to until we could at least agree on a plan forward regarding her family, the baby, and our next steps. We couldn’t just run into harm’s way without thinking.
I tilted my face toward the sun, absorbing as much of it as I could. My elemental powers were fueled by the sun and nature, and I needed to be stronger than ever for the road ahead.
“Sam.” Layla’s siren voice buttered my nerves, melting our problems for the moment. “Are you okay?”
I am now. The woman could probably lull me into her arms just with her seductive tone.
She sidled up to me, and her arm brushed mine. Electricity hurtled up my arm and exploded through every fiber in my body. “Your shoulders are hunched. You’re tense. Who called? Is it bad news?”
With my blood running through her veins, I imagined she could feel what I felt. I tucked her into me, and she leaned her head on my chest. “It’s all good. Just Tripp checking in.” I forced my emotions into a safe, locked it, and lost the combination for the time being.
She fished her phone from the pocket of the jeans molded to her curvy hips. “I want to check in with Jordyn and make sure she made it safely to Chicago.”
I eyed the cell like it was a bomb about to explode. “She did. I asked Tripp about her. I think she’s in her interview now.”
“You’re worried about Jordyn?” She batted puppy dog eyes up at me.
I kissed her on the head. “Of course. Don’t sound so surprised. I do have a heart.”
She rubbed a hand up my chest. “Sometimes I wonder, though,” she said with a giggle.
I plucked her phone from her. “Do me a favor? No phones while we’re here. Dr. Vieira ordered you to rest, which means no drama.”
A crease dented the smooth skin in between her eyebrows. “No. What if Rianne calls? And I want to talk to Jordyn.”
I set the bottle on the deck’s rail. “Tripp feels that Roman can track us.” It was kind of a lie but mostly true. Roman had my number, and if he wanted to find Layla’s, I was sure he could. I couldn’t believe I hadn’t thought of that before. “I’m turning mine off.” I proceeded to shut mine down. After pocketing it, I ghosted my lips over hers. “Leave Jordyn a message. Tell her you’ll call her later. If anyone needs us, Tripp and Webb know to call George.”
She stuck out her chest, obviously ready to unleash defiance as though I’d just scolded her.
I showered kisses along her cheek until I was nibbling her ear. “I have something in mind for us that will help you relax, and I don’t want any distractions.”
She shivered. “What is it?”
Man, I wished the weather was warmer so we could dive into the ocean naked. “Do I really have to explain?”
She nodded as she audibly swallowed. “I want details, vampire.”
Smirking, I inched back.
Her cheeks were flushed. Lust dripped off her, and her long lashes swept down as her eyelids grew heavy.
“Let me talk to George. You leave Jordyn a message. Then, baby doll”—I tugged her to me—“I’m going to bury myself inside you until morning.”
A soft mewl escaped her sultry lips.
I was sure I left her dripping wet as I went inside.
George was in the kitchen, rinsing a glass. “I’m heading out. I made a pot roast for you. And if you run out of blood, there’s more in the fridge in the garage.”
“Thanks, man. I’ll be fine. The way shit is going, I won’t be here long.”
He raised a dark eyebrow. “Anything I can help with?”
I filled him on part of my convo with Tripp. “I’ll probably leave tomorrow night instead of the two days I planned.”
“Given what Webb has told me about Roman Brown, I have a feeling it’s about to be Edmund Rain all over again. Then there’s her family.” He whistled. “Take the time to build your energy. Your elemental powers need to be ready.”
I didn’t need any daggers, swords, or guns. “I agree, man. Only my gut tells me that whatever Roman has up his sleeve will put Edmund Rain to shame.”
“Stan and I will keep our eyes open for any newcomers in town. I’ll call you in the morning.” He grabbed his keys off the table in the foyer, gave me a nod, then left.
I shoved my fingers through my hair, pulling out the leather strap. Settling at the accordion glass doors, I watched Layla as I sharpened my hearing, listening to her caller. For a second, the blood halted in my veins until I realized it was Jordyn speaking.
“My interview went great,” Jordyn said. “Carly’s boss offered me the job. They gave me some time to think about it. Carly suggested I stay for the week. She wants to show me around and meet some of the people I would be working with. Oh, and she says hi.”
Layla and Jordyn had filled Webb and me in on Intech and Carly, who I learned was married to Jack’s oldest son.
“I hear some apprehension,” Layla said. “If it’s me you’re worried about, don’t.”
“Sure, I’m concerned about you, but it’s a big move,” Jordyn replied. “I like Carly. I don’t know that I’m ready to work for her or live here. I’m not exactly happy with our family at the moment.”
“Does she know what happened at the ranch?” Layla asked.
“You know Jack Jr. left Montana as soon as they married because he doesn’t want Carly involved in hunting vamps.”
“Yeah, but they’ve been married for two years,” Layla said. “Maybe he finally told her.”
“If she knows, she didn’t say anything to me,” Jordyn said. “Besides, remember Uncle Jack quit hunting around the time Jack Jr. married Carly.”
An interesting piece of info about Jack Jr.
“Are you going to stay, then?” Layla asked. “Oh, and is Conrad with you?”
“I’ll hang for a day or so, and yes, Conrad is in the lobby. Don’t worry, sis. I’m good. Any word from Rianne?”
Layla’s voice tensed. “No. I’ve left her several messages. I think we lost her for good.” Sadness made her words heavy. “I take it she hasn’t contacted you?”
“No. Do me a favor? Dr. Vieira said you needed to rest. That means forget about Rianne while you’re in Maine. How is it, by the way? The house? The ocean? You know we’ve always dreamed of living on the water.”
Layla slumped her shoulders. “It’s freaking beautiful here. I want a house like this one.” She gave Jordyn detail after detail, giddy as she talked.
I knocked on the glass. I hated to burst her bubble, but I didn’t want her to give away too much or linger on the phone.
She spun around and held up her finger. “Jordyn, I should go. I’m turning my phone off. Sam thinks Roman can track us.”
“Layla, listen to Sam. Don’t let your emotions overshadow logic. Roman can very well track you. Anyone with the means could. Besides, Rianne made her decision. When she’s ready to show herself, she will.”
Score one for Jordyn. I made a mental note to thank her. She was the most levelheaded of the sisters. Rianne was the hothead, and Layla was the stubborn one.
While Layla finished her call, I decided food was in order. My stomach growled the minute I pulled the roast out of the fridge.
A second later, Layla glided in, shrugging out of her coat and exposing her curvy body as she took in the floor plan. “I know I said it once, but this place is just wow.”
Everyone had the same response after seeing it the first time. The inside was just as breathtaking as the outside. It was large with high ceilings and thick exposed beams traveling from one side of the house to the other, giving the place an expansive feel. A fireplace, a large leather couch, two oversized fabric chairs, and a couple of tables decorated one half, and the island spilled into the gourmet kitchen with windows overlooking the Atlantic.
I shoved the pot roast into the microwave then leaned my elbows on the island and watched her.
She was standing in front of the fireplace, rubbing her hands together.
“I have just the remedy to warm you up.”
She spun around, rolling her eyes. “Did George leave?”
“It’s just you and me.” The microwave dinged, but I didn’t move. “Are you hungry?”
Lust drifted in the air.
I grinned. “You’re starving.”
She lifted her sweater over her head. “Not for food.”
I straightened. “I know. But we should talk first.”
She unclasped her bra, and her tits bounced free.
Motherfucker. My erection was instant.
Then she kicked off her boots before she shimmied her hips out of her jeans. Once she was standing in nothing but her panties, her auburn hair flowing in waves around her, I groaned as my heart opened and my cock throbbed.
She gave me a flirty smile. “Well, vampire. You want me alone. Now what are you waiting for?” She tweaked one of her nipples.
I licked my lips, snapping mental picture after picture. Stupid me kept thinking we needed to talk. Hell, I couldn’t articulate a word if my life depended on it. My fangs lowered as my gaze traveled down to her thigh.
She followed my line of sight and beamed. “You want me here.” She touched that spot reserved for me as she opened her stance wider. “I’m all yours, Sam.”
The aroma from the pot roast competed with the lust drenching the room. Fuck the roast. At the speed of light, I had her by the waist before setting her down on the leather couch.
She giggled. “I will never get used to your speed.”
In one move, I ripped her panties off her.
She laughed again as she opened her legs as wide as she could.
Her pussy glistened, her scent driving me fucking mad. My eyes flashed silver, and before she could move, I sank my fangs into her sweet flesh. The first taste was always the best—smooth, sweet, and explosive.
She tangled her hands in my hair. “I know this may sound crazy, but this is the hottest thing ever. I could orgasm right now.”
I retracted my fangs and licked the spot before kissing my way up to her pussy.
She pouted. “No, don’t stop.”
“A little at a time, baby doll. Now, legs over my shoulders.” I could lose my shit immediately at the thought of how she tasted.
She obeyed before I flattened my tongue against her swollen nub, gently at first.
The sound of her whimper sent the bolt of a thousand-watt electrical current to my balls. Then I feasted on her like a starved animal.
She clutched my head, trying to mash my face harder into her. “Suck, Sam. Please.”
I finger-fucked her as I sucked and licked.
She rolled her hips as her ball-squeezing moans grew louder. “I’m close.”
“You taste like heaven.” As though I’d said the magic words, she screamed her release.
I sucked harder as she continued to orgasm, saying my name over and over.
Man, my name on her lips was right up there with the feeling of being inside her—orgasmic.
She untangled her legs from me. “That was amazing.”
I pressed my hands into the couch and leaned in. “I would agree.” I flicked my tongue over one nipple then the other.
She grabbed my cock through the fabric of my jeans. “I want you inside me.”
I licked the light sheen of sweat off her chest as my mouth travelled up to nip her chin. “Let’s eat first.” I wanted to take my time and space things out, since we had all day and into the night.
She sniffed. “It does smell good. But it can wait.”
I sat beside her and draped my arms over the back of the couch. “Do as you please, then.” Who was I to deny her my dick?
She straddled me. “Take off your shirt.”
I wasn’t a good listener, but I had no problems doing as she commanded.
She ran her hands up and down my chest and abs, her eyes hooded, her lust multiplying once again.
I moved her hair over her shoulder and exposed her long, smooth neck.
She traced her finger over my carotid artery, mesmerized as if thinking of biting me.
Whether she needed blood or not, I sank my fangs into my wrist then held out my arm. “Drink.” Doc had said the baby would probably need my blood.
She looked at me with questions in her hungry gaze.
I didn’t understand why the kid would need my blood. No woman pregnant with a natural-born vampire baby had ever needed blood as a food source. The only time the kid would need my blood was when he reached his teenage years and decided to lose his humanity. Until then, our kind was a normal human. But I wasn’t about to question anything. That was Doc’s department. All I cared about was making sure Layla and the baby were healthy and safe.
She licked the blood off me, but by the time she did, the puncture holes had closed.
I bit myself again. “Drink now.” My tone was deep and commanding.
She sucked on me like she was a newborn vampire.
As she drank, I smoothed a hand over her hair in gentle strokes. “Don’t ever be afraid to take what you need from me, Layla.” She hadn’t been up until now. I imagined the baby was messing with her mind. “In my world, logic isn’t in play. So don’t try and figure it out.”
She lifted her head, and blood smeared on her lips.
The word beautiful came to mind. I pulled her to me and kissed her. “We are one,” I said between our tongues tangling together.
She kissed me hard before she broke away and sighed. “It’s just weird how I crave blood. Hopefully, it’s helping him.”
“Him? Do you think it’s a boy?” I couldn’t believe I was asking that question or talking about a kid like I was all in. Am I in?
I zeroed in on her toned stomach. As if someone had dumped cold water on me, my dick softened. I grasped her hips, stood, and set her on two feet. I needed something super strong to calm the jitters in my stomach.
She followed me, her bare feet slapping on the wood floor. “What just happened?”
I rummaged around in the fridge until I snatched a beer. I wasn’t ready for a kid. I wasn’t ready to change diapers, and I certainly wasn’t ready to worry nonstop about who in this world would hunt my child down for their own damn benefit or to gain power.
I flipped the top off the beer bottle with ease. “Nothing.” Liar. You’re scared out of your mind.
She wiggled her hips up to me, her tits bouncing, her pussy on display. “You don’t lie very well.”
Downing the beer in two gulps, I raked my gaze over every inch of her. Then my mind shut down, and my cock came alive again.