I woke the following morning with a sweet ache between my thighs. Rayce had his arm draped over me as he slept. It was nice to see he didn’t take off in the middle of the night. I hated to expect that but it was what I was used to. I sighed happily and snuggled into his chest. I have never felt this way about anyone before. Even my ex, before Gage. Rayce accepted me and made me feel loved.
In the daylight, I could see the scars all over his body. His lightly tanned skin made the scars more pronounced. I took a chance and ran one of my fingers across one. He jumped in his sleep, “That tickles you know,” he said with closed eyes.
I covered my mouth and giggled, “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to wake you.” He opened those beautiful eyes. “What happened to you?”
He turned over on his back and put one hand behind his head. He touched a scar on his stomach and didn’t hold anything back. He told me the story behind the damage to his beautiful body.
“Gage happened to me. When I was only a kid, learning to fight, he treated me pretty bad. He would have me shift into my hound form and he would fight me. You have to remember, I’m twenty years younger than he is, and I had no idea how to fight. He was relentless and cut me up pretty bad. By that time, he was hooked on the blood already and if I did land a blow, he would heal almost immediately. I think he has always had his eye on my position, even if I didn’t know about it. I think he was trying to kill me so he could have it,” he explained.
I felt so bad for him. “I’m sorry, that’s awful. You never healed because you never touched the blood?”
“Don’t worry about me, babe. He can’t hurt me anymore,” he said softly. I hugged him and he put his arm around me. I rested my head on his shoulder and almost drifted off to sleep again.
“I need to pee,” I announced with a giggle. His arm moved away and I hopped out of bed. I wasn’t sure if Jay and Marie were sleeping, so I locked the doors and looked at myself in the mirror. It was clear by the look of my body that I had a good time with Rayce. I had red finger prints on my hip bones and my breasts. My lips were even a little swollen. I felt like a sexy woman again.
I walked out of the bathroom and he was still in bed waiting for me with a smile. I got back in bed with him and he held me. He didn’t want anything from me and it felt nice to be held, wanted. He kissed the top of my head and let out a sigh. I looked up at him and he was smiling with his eyes closed. I fell back to sleep in his arms.
Two days passed with no sign of Gage, Jade, or Dawn’s remaining nest of vampires. Devils Bend and the surrounding towns were quiet. People weren’t even calling T&J for exterminations. It was strange.
I didn’t mind the time off though. It gave me more time with Rayce. He was with me every night. He never left. It made him and I both feel better knowing he was here. I had the best night’s sleep since he showed up. My mind was relaxed and I was actually able to heal from Jade’s attack.
Rayce was adamant that I clear my house of anything Gage. We tackled his old room with Marie. He didn’t have a lot that I would claim as personal items, other than a few changes of clothes, a toothbrush, and deodorant. What surprised me about his belongings were the boxes from when he moved in. It was crazy. They were empty, minus a few actual rocks. I was floored. He was a sadistic individual.
“What a freak,” I expressed and dropped a rock back into the box. “Seriously?”
Marie’s face read utter disbelief. “He had put on an entire show, didn’t he?”
“And I fell for it,” I sighed. “Idiot.”
“It’s not as if you were going to check his boxes. You thought he was moving in because he was homeless,” she expressed, trying to make me feel better for being so foolish.
“Anymore?” Rayce asked as he walked back into the room.
“Two more,” Marie said and lifted a heavy box off the bed and passed it to him.
“Give me the other one,” he said.
“I got it,” I said and before I could pick it up, Marie stopped me.
“No, you don’t. You’re still healing,” she said and lifted the box.
“Marie, I didn’t lose an arm. I got stitches. I can carry a box.”
“Shush,” she said and followed Rayce out of the room.
I remained behind in order to check for anything else of his that could possibly be hiding. I got down on the floor and checked under the bed. Nothing but an old condom wrapper. I grabbed it before Rayce could see it. Maybe not the first time but at least we were safe every time there after. Well, almost every time. I knew I wasn’t pregnant. I had my monthly cycle a week after the last time we were intimate. I did want children but the thought of having a kid with Gage made me ill.
I continued to check the room but found nothing else. I had even cleared out the bathroom and scrubbed every inch with bleach. Even though it was chilly outside, I opened the windows to air out the room and stripped the bed. The bedding had to be washed. His scent clung to everything.
I carried the bedding downstairs to the washroom that was located off the kitchen. When I entered, I found Rayce bent down, looking in the fridge. I gave his ass a slap as I passed.
“Woo, baby,” I announced with a laugh.
“Hey,” he said standing up. “I’m the only one who will be doing the spanking around here.”
“I so don’t want to hear about that,” Marie said giggling.
“If I recall correctly, you were the one who said everyone has sex.”
“True. Spank away,” she said as she grabbed the bag out of the kitchen trash and took it out.
It felt good to rid my house of Gage and all the filth that came with it. We even emptied the fridge of all the foods he enjoyed and finished off his beer.
“We need to go shopping,” Rayce stated at the door of the laundry room.
“Good Idea,” I said and stood from my task of loading the washer. “I’ll get you some money and a list.”
“I didn’t ask for money, babe.”
“Oh, no. I won’t allow you to buy my food. This is my house. I will provide for it.”
“We all have been here eating all your food. It’s only right that we contribute a little.”
He was right. Hellhounds had a large appetite, especially the guys. “Alright. Contribute, but you’re not paying for everything.”
“Yes, ma’am,” he said saluting me. “Come here,” he said and wrapped his arms around me. “Are you alright?”
“I’m good,” I assured. “Just processing and trying to forget a mistake.”
“Forgetting mistakes doesn’t help you learn from them,” he stated in a cooing tone. “Look at all that madness as a learning experience and try to move on.”
“I’m trying. At least I have someone great to move on with,” I said smiling up at him. “You’ve been great.”
“Naturally,” he said jokingly and smiled and lowered his lips to mine. I would never tire of kissing Rayce. His mouth fit mine perfectly.
“Ok, I’m starving,” Marie announced from the kitchen. “Can we get food or are y’all busy in there?”
“Don’t come in here, unless you want to see my ass,” Rayce teased.
“Oh, Jesus,” she grumbled.
“Knock it off,” I laughed and exited the laundry room. Marie was sitting at the table. Marie could be the sweetest person in the world until she got hungry. She would get short and shitty with everyone.
“You getting hangry?” Rayce asked as he followed me.
“Very funny,” she said and rolled her eyes. There was only so much she could take before she lost it. I grabbed a granola bar from the top of the fridge and tossed it to her. “Thanks.”
“Hangry?”
“Yeah, hungry and angry. Hangry,” he explained.
“Ok, that’s funny,” I said and giggled. “That tiny granola bar isn’t going to tide her over for long. How does shopping for food sound?”
“Yes!” Marie said excitedly.
Three hours later, we entered my house with dozens of bags of food. The real grocery story was a half hour away from my small town. Marie wanted to make lasagna and I was going to let her. I was exhausted from the shopping trip.
“I’m going to go lay down for a little while. Are you good here?” I asked Marie as she began to prep for dinner. She had asked Jay to come eat. She was excited to see him after such a long day.
“Of course, go lay down. I got this. Do you want me to wake you when it’s ready?”
“Yes, please. Thanks, Marie.”
Rayce was walking in with more bags, “You going to go lay down?”
“Yeah, I’m tired,” I said and kissed him before heading upstairs. My feet felt like they were dragging in mud and I hadn’t even done anything strenuous to make me tired. I slipped out of my pants, tossed my bra in the corner chair and snaked in between my cool sheets.
He woke me with a kiss on my lips. I smiled and opened my eyes. It was Gage. He grabbed me by the throat and was choking me. Then he climbed on top of me and forced my legs open, he thrust hard inside me. I tried to cry out but I couldn’t breathe, I felt the tears roll out of the corners of my eyes and pool in my ears. I was clawing at his hands but I couldn’t get free. I was hitting and kicking him, trying to cry out but all he did was smile down at me showing his sharp onyx teeth.
My eyes flew open in shock. The nightmare clung to my body and I started to choke for air. My heart was pounding. Rayce burst through the door and rushed up to the bed.
“Babe, are you alright?” He wiped a tear away from my cheek, “Why are you crying?”
I tried to cover my sob with my hand. I closed my eyes and saw nothing but Gage and his rage. It was heavy in my mind and his presence lingered in my room. It seemed so real. I couldn’t control my tears.
“Talk to me,” he whispered as he pulled me into his chest. His touch was a comfort. He had already cleaned up my mess of a life and put my broken heart back together. He had done so much. They all had. I wanted to hide this one thing but it seemed as if that wasn’t going to happen.
I replayed the last night with Gage for him. He knew Gage had beaten me but had no idea what he attempted to do or what would get him angry in the first place. All he did was wrap both of his arms around me and held me close. I placed my ear against his chest and heard the erratic and angry beat of his raging heart. I thought it would burst out of his chest.
“I’m sorry that happened to you but I promise, it will never happen again. If he comes within a thousand yards from you, I will slaughter him,” he growled. “Fuck!”
“I’m sorry I didn’t tell you before. I was embarrassed that I caused something like that to happen. I never thought,” I paused.
“Jessica, you did not cause that. That was of his choosing.”
“I know, but.”
“There is no but. Don’t ever apologize for him.” He sighed, “Is that when he gave you that horrible bite?”
“Yes,” I replied softly. “I thought it would never stop bleeding.”
“He ripped into you because his dominance was threatened. I know from experience. I’m sorry that happened.”
“Me too. What made it worse was the cops wouldn’t help me.”
“What?”
“I ran two days later and they said they couldn’t help me. Are any of the police hellhounds?”
“It’s possible but I’m not sure.”
“I couldn’t help but feel as if Gage has the law under his thumb.”
“It wouldn’t surprise me.”
“I would love a bath,” I said and stood from my bed. The scent of lasagna lingered in the air but I wasn’t anywhere near hungry.
“I will get you some food after this.”
“I’m not hungry,” I confessed and followed him into the bathroom. He started the shower.
“I can leave you alone if you like,” he said. Rayce was a different sort of man. Not many men would be as understanding or forgiving as he was. He was nothing but caring, kind, and gentle.
“No. stay.”
He helped me under the warm spray and closed the curtain. As I grabbed my sponge, he surprised me by climbing in with me. He took over the washing and it was the most erotic experience of my life. He took his time to wash every inch of my body, taking special care around my stitches and the bite wound that was still healing.
“You’re teasing me,” I breathed heavily.
“Just a little,” he said and pulled me into his naked body. I nestled into his touch. “You are safe with me, babe.”
“I know I am,” I kissed his chest.
His kindness didn’t stop there. Once out of the shower, he dried me off, kissing every inch of my body. I was on fire for him. I raked my fingers through his hair as he placed feather-like kisses to my navel.
“Rayce,” I panted as his mouth moved lower.
“Yes,” he said deeply as he licked me. My body tensed and I gasped at the sensation. I grabbed the countertop for support as he tasted my core for the first time. He lifted my right leg up onto his shoulder and plunged a finger inside me. “Would you like me to stop?”
“No,” I said abruptly, causing him to snicker.
His tongue and fingers explored my middle and quickly he found my g-spot. My body shuttered as heat began to build deep inside me. I gripped his hair tighter, holding him in place, but his tongue never stopped the powerful motion against my swollen clit. My head fell back and I bellowed as he threw me into a commanding orgasm.
“Mm,” he licked me one final time before coming up for air. “You taste like honey, babe. Damn.”
My cheeks burned. A man has never made me orgasm that way. “That was my first time,” I admitted.
“A man never went down on you? How could they resist?” he asked as he pulled my naked body into his.
“No. I have never finished that way. Nobody could ever get me there,” I smiled sheepishly.
“Glad I could,” he said. Then his face sank. “Shit. I shouldn’t have done that after,” he stopped. “I’m sorry, Jessica. I wasn’t thinking.”
“I’m glad you weren’t.”
“Maybe we shouldn’t.”
“Shouldn’t what? Have sex?”
“We should wait until you’re ready.”
“I know you would never hurt me, Rayce. Plus, I’m always ready for you,” I said and slid my hand down to his naked ass to pull him closer.
“As am I,” he said softly, slid his hand to my cheek, and kissed me. My stomach grumbled.
“Sorry,” I giggled.
“Are you hungry now?”
“Maybe a little.”
We walked downstairs, Jay and Marie were sitting at the kitchen table. I couldn’t get over how adorable they were together. A perfect pair. Jay was playing with her raven hair and she giggled.
“Jessica, are you alright?” Marie asked when she spotted me.
“I had a bad dream. I’m fine.”
Rayce sat down and pulled me to sit on his lap. “Gage beat her.”
Jay’s eyes landed on me. They held complete shock. “That’s why your face was all fucked up?”
“Yes,” I sighed.
“Mother fucker,” Jay sighed. “I’m sorry, Jessica. He truly is a monster.”
“It’s not your fault, Jay.”
“No, but I could have warned you when I knew you two were seeing each other.”
“I make my own choices. Just like I made the choice to work for you.”
“I don’t think I would have taken no for an answer,” he chuckled. “I probably would have pestered you until you agreed.”
“Really? Why?”
He smiled down at me, “Like I said, there is something special about you, Jessica.”
Marie pulled the lasagna out of the oven and set it on the counter. My stomach grumbled again.
“Enough talk. Let’s eat,” Rayce said.
My entire life, I had never been a night sleeper. I would go to bed before dawn and sleep only a few hours. Now, with Rayce in the house, and minimal hunting jobs for us to do, I could sleep soundly without a care in the world. Sadly, I was running out of cash. I would need to hunt soon in order to pay some bills.
I walked into the kitchen after a nap and discovered my friends had done something for me that was out of this world. Something I never expected.
“Surprise,” everyone said in unison.
“Woah. What’s this?” Rayce, Marie, and Jay were standing around the table and it was covered in new plants for my garden. There were three different rose bushes. My favorites. They were but saplings and would need to remain inside until the season grew warmer. They were all marked with their color. I couldn’t help but smile. I never thought I would find such kind friends.
“We figured, well, I figured you needed a pick me up, so I had Jay take me shopping. I hope you like them,” Marie replied smiling.
I walked over to read the labels. They were red, white, and purple, “I love them! Thank you so much. How much do I owe you for them?”
Marie laughed, “Jessica, you don’t owe us a thing. Don’t be silly, they are a gift. The guy said this one was a hybrid. Rayce snatched it up.” She smiled and pointed to the purple.
“A hybrid? I can’t wait to see it bloom.”
“I’m sure they will be gorgeous.”
Rayce came over to me and took me into his arms. He did make me happy. He had taken care of me for days while I was in my crazy funk. He kissed the top of my head, “Go put some clothes on, babe. I want you to see something.”
“Come upstairs with me,” I said to Marie and took her hand. I was in desperate need of girl talk.
She plopped down on my bed and crossed her legs, “What’s up?”
“You were right, Marie. Rayce is great. I like him a lot.” I couldn’t stop smiling.
“I wouldn’t lie to you. He is so much fun and way better for you than Gage will ever be,” she shivered in disgust.
“Agreed.” I opened my closet and stopped. “What sort of surprise does he have planned?”
“The kind that requires sweatpants,” she giggled.
“Oh, good,” I smiled and fished a rock band t-shirt and a pair of black sweats out of the closet. “Be right back,” I said and left her for a moment while I changed in the bathroom. I couldn’t dress in front of her yet. Her beauty made me self-conscious of my own. My body was rounder and she was a gorgeous tan beauty. I was a pale fish filet. I came out, sat down at my window seat to put my shoes on. “I have a serious question for you.”
“I may have an answer.”
“Do you think it’s safe to call Rayce my boyfriend?”
She laughed at my question, “I would hope so. He is obsessed with you.”
“Obsessed?” That word worried me a little. I had my fill of obsessive men.
“Not like crazy obsessed. Honestly, Jessica. That man loves you.”
I thought about her words for a moment. Rayce made me feel special and wanted. His desire for not only sex but to be around me was intense. I wanted him here. I wanted him forever. He was the perfect guy for me. There was no doubt about that. I looked up from tying my shoes and sighed, “I think I love him too.”
“I’m happy for you, Jessica. You deserve to be happy,” she smiled and stood from my bed. “Are you ready?”
I tied the last knot, “Yup.”
“Great, let’s go,” she said and opened my door.
The guys were waiting for us in the kitchen. Tank ran in and sniffed my clothes and barked. I knelt down and gave him a scratch before letting him outside.
I walked over to Rayce, sat down on his lap, and gave him a little kiss. As I hugged him and could feel my heart growing even more. He was a wonderful person, a fantastic lover, and an even better friend. He held me as if I was the only thing in his world and I loved that. I loved him.
“Are you ready to go, babe?” I loved it when he called me that. The first time he said it after I was attacked by Jade, I loved it. It seemed so natural and genuine coming from him. I nodded my head yes. Jay and Marie walked out of the back door and Tank came barreling inside. He licked my hand and ran to the living room.
Rayce took my face in his hands and pressed his lips against mine. His breath was hot inside my mouth. The fire between us was undeniable. It was a heat I would never shy away from. Our relationship was unique.
“I never imagined, well, I imagined it, but I never thought we would end up together.”
“Thank you for giving me a chance, babe.”
“If I would have known, it would have been sooner,” I admitted.
“I wish it were sooner.” He kissed me deeper. The way his mouth felt against mine was out of this world tasty. I could kiss him for days.
Our friends were outside waiting for us. I regrettably pulled out of the kiss, “They are waiting.”
He groaned into my chest, nestling his face between my breasts. “Do we have to go? Can’t I take you up to bed instead?”
“As tempting as that sounds, this is your surprise, Mr.”
He snickered and kissed me one more time before lifting me off his lap. “You’re right. Time to go,” he stopped before opening the door, “We will continue this later.”
“I hope so,” I said softly and ran one finger down his chest and pulled at the hem of his jeans.
Outside, Jay and Marie were in their own embrace. Where hellhounds complete horn-dogs?
“Time to go,” Rayce stated as he opened the truck door and helped me into the back seat. The couple broke apart and finally joined us. Jay turned the key and backed out of the driveway.
Twenty minutes later, we entered the town of Blackwater. It was a small town right off the highway. If you blinked, you would miss it. Smaller than my own and didn’t have anything more than a truck stop convenience store and a burger place. I wondered what kind of surprise would involve Blackwater.
Moments later, we turned down a smooth blacktop road. That was unusual for a town this small. There weren’t any bumps in the road as we traveled down it. Thick trees grew on each side of the one lane road.
We slowed down and I tried to take in our surroundings. We pulled up and stopped in front of a nice home. It was an old Colonial style. Not that pretty but lovely. Rayce kissed my hair and exited the truck with Jay. Marie stayed with me.
“Where are we?”
“We are sending that bastard a message,” she nodded toward the house.
I looked back at the grand home and gasped. Gage was living it up. I didn’t need to ask why he lied about not having a home. I knew he moved in on me so he could get the best of Rayce. He lied to me and I fell for it.
Jay opened the tailgate and the guys both began to unload Gage’s boxes. They didn’t contain much. Bathroom needs and clothes. Jay marched back and grabbed a gas can from the bed of the truck. He poured the contents all over the top. He looked up at Rayce, nodded, and walked away.
I watched closely as Rayce pulled a cigarette out of his pack and lit it. He took a couple of drags in his usual cool manner with one hand in his pocket. He took the smoke and flicked it onto the boxes. They burst into flames. As old memories of Gage burned, Rayce flipped the house the bird for several seconds. The flames were huge and I could only see the mass of his body against the orange glow.
He walked back to the truck and got in. As we drove away, I couldn’t help but feel like Gage was watching us from one of the large windows.
When we pulled into my driveway, Rayce leaned over and whispered in my ear. “I’m going to get him, babe.”
The thought of Rayce getting hurt, only to avenge me was overwhelming. I hated to admit it, but if Gage drank vampire blood, he had an advantage over Rayce. I didn’t like the odds. I also couldn’t think of how the relationship between Rayce and Jay would be ruined if he killed his brother. Jay had to love his brother, on some level. I didn’t expect that to stop because of me.
“No,” I said softly. The small space of the truck grew quiet for a moment.
“What do you mean, no?” Rayce stroked the side of my arm. His touch was always tender.
“It’s not your problem,” I stated. “Can you guys give us a few minutes?”
“Sure,” Marie nodded. Jay killed the truck and they stepped out. I watched them walk into the house before I started talking.
“I don’t think any of this is a good idea. Maybe you should leave it alone, Rayce.”
“What do you mean?”
“Rayce, I have to take full responsibility for all of my actions and that includes me putting myself into this position. None of this would have happened if I didn’t welcome him into my home.”
He looked at me with confusion on his face, shaking his head no. “Jessica, none of this is your fault. Yes, you made a choice and yes, it was a bad one. But you can’t blame yourself for the way he treated you or the problems he has,” he clarified.
“I love your passion, but you can’t change my mind about this. What I did was foolish and I regret it. Does what he did call for a death sentence?” Gage’s death was not the one looming on my mind. Rayce meant too much to me. I couldn’t bear it if he weren’t in my life.
He caressed my cheek with his knuckles, “Babe, I will not let him hurt you again. That bastard has corrupted your mind and your heart. He has tainted you.” He sighed and shook his head, “None of this is your fault. The one who is at fault is me.”
“You? How do you figure?”
“If I would have taken responsibility and stepped up to the plate as a leader, none of this would have happened. He told me to stay away from you and I listened when I shouldn’t have.”
“Rayce, you can’t blame yourself. You were only a child,” I paused and thought about the many times I could have been with him but Gage put a stop to it. It infuriated me. All that precious time we could have spent together. My life could have been different. “I had no idea you had the slightest interest in me. I thought you hated me.”
He caressed my cheek, “I could never hate you.”
“I didn’t know he told you to stay away from me. It hurts me because I wish I could have gotten to know you better, sooner,” I said sadly. “When did this happen?”
“I had my eye on you for months. Like an idiot, I told Gage and he ordered me to stay away. After you started seeing each other, he came into the office with his hand on his dick and was laughing about how he understood my attraction toward you. He wanted you because I wanted you.”
I was disgusted by the thought of Gage doing that to Rayce to spite him, and to prove he had won. I remembered the scars on his body and I knew then it has always been a competition for Gage to get the better of him. I looked down at my hands again and picked my nails.
“I understand how you feel. Gage has treated you like shit for years and done everything he could to get the better of you. I hate him for it.”
He took my hands in his, “Jessica, look at me.” I lifted my head and I could feel the burning of tears in my eyes. “I love you, Jessica. I have for a long time. If he touches you again, I promise it will be the last time he does so.”
“You love me?”
He smiled and nodded his head slowly. “I don’t care if you don’t love me back yet. It’s okay.”
Marie might have told me but hearing him say those words overwhelmed me with joy. I put my hand on the back of his head and kissed him. His mouth was hot against mine. I could kiss him all night long if I wasn’t so turned on. He put his arms around me and pulled me closer to his body. His heat was extreme. In one swift move, he laid me down in the seat of the truck and kissed me harder. I moved my legs so I could wrap them around his waist.
He put his arms around my neck and kissed me. His torturous lips moved from mine to my jaw line and down my neck. I turned my head away from him and his teeth touched my tender skin.
“Rayce,” I whispered.
He stopped and pulled away from my neck. I looked at him, he was panting. I could feel his temperature rising. His eyes were on fire. He wanted to bite but was fighting it. I placed my hand on the back of his neck and pulled him to me. He tried to pull away from me but I held on to him with my hand and my legs. I moved my hips against him and I could feel his body responding to it. His hands were on my hips and he started to pull me hard into his stiffening cock.
I put my arms up above my head and looked deep into his eyes, I wanted him. I kicked off my shoes and put my legs back around him. He was working hard against me, then his fingers slid under the hem of my sweat pants and pulled them down. He touched me and slid a finger between my wet folds.
My eyes rolled back as he plunged one digit inside me. One hand slid up to my left breast. I had to have him. I sat up the best I could, unbuttoned his jeans, and pushed them down his hips. His body was hard and warm, his fever was burning. I sat up a little, pushed up his shirt and took a nipple in my mouth. He put his hand on the back of my head and pulled me closer.
“Bite me a little, babe,” he whispered. I did and he released a primal sound from his chest that made me nearly climax at that very moment. I took him in my hand and stroked his shaft slowly at first until he put his head back with pleasure. I picked up the pace. I thought he was close to coming in my hand and against my breasts. He grabbed my wrist and looked down at me with fire in his eyes, “Babe,” he growled, trying to control himself.
I licked my lips and kissed the head of his cock softly. My hand moved faster up and down his shaft. A single drop of precum seeped out. My tongue flicked out and tasted him. He grabbed me by my shoulders and shoved me down into the seat. That excited me to no end. I quickly pulled my sweats down and kicked them off.
I pulled him down on top of me. “I want you now.” He shifted his hips between my thighs and thrust into me hard. I gasped as pain and pleasure coursed through me. I was in heaven as he thrust again. He lifted my legs onto his shoulders and drove himself deeper inside my core.
“Oh, Rayce. That feels amazing,” I panted deeply. He filled me to the brim and I was going to explode. I found my climax with only a few more strokes. My legs grew weak and hung over his strong arms as he worked inside me.
He leaned down and kissed me, moving to my tender neck. He was driving me crazy. I had never been fucked like this before, so much passion and heat. His teeth grazed my skin again and I wanted more. Every nerve ending in my body was firing.
“Make me yours,” I whispered as my body pulsed.
“Is this what you want, babe?”
I was already his in every way. There was no turning back from the passionate future we had in store, “You are all I need and want.”
He let my legs down and I began to stroke my clit as he watched. His thrusts grew frantic. He leaned down and licked my skin, thrust hard inside me, and bit down on the tender flesh of my neck. I could feel my muscles contract around his girth. Tears rolled from the corners of my eyes as my body exploded in pleasure.
He did not move from my neck and thrust inside me harder and harder. He was pounding relentlessly now. He thrust his head up and drove his release deep inside me. He collapsed on top of me and I raked my fingers through his hair and kissed him. I could taste my blood on his mouth. He rested his head on my chest and took a deep breath and let it out.
“You were my first, babe,” he said breathing heavily.
“It didn’t feel like I was your first the other night.”
He laughed into my neck and then he licked the bite wound, “You are my first claim.” He lifted his head and smiled but it faded quickly.
“Did I hurt you? I’m so sorry, Jessica,” he stated and wiped my tears with his thumbs. “Shit.”
I smiled and released a giggle, “No, you didn’t hurt me. I’m so happy.”
“I have never cared about anyone enough to call them mine. I’m happy it is you,” he said softly. He smiled and kissed me again. He helped pull my pants back up and he zipped his jeans. I sat up next to him and he pulled me close to him. My heart was swelling with an intense passion for this man.
My bliss was short lived as I heard Tank barking. I scanned my backyard for anything out of the ordinary. I saw nothing but darkness. I thought it strange, but Jay would let him out. I had to tell Rayce exactly what I was feeling in that moment.
“Rayce, I…” At that moment, his door was jerked open and he was pulled out of my arms. It was Gage. He held Rayce by the throat and slammed him to the ground. I was in shock. Frozen with fear. “Fuck,” I whispered. Gage looked at me enraged. The sight of him had washed all joy from my mind and heart. I tried to move to the other side of the truck but he grabbed me by the ankle. He was trying to pull me out of the truck. “No.”
Rayce grabbed him from behind, wrapped his arm around his neck, and pulled him off me. “I’ll kill you, you son of a bitch,” Rayce growled while pulling Gage to the ground.
Gage elbowed him in the ribs and pulled away from him quickly. He stood over him and kicked him in the face.
“Rayce,” I bellowed. I climbed over the seat into the front, but before I could hit the horn for help, Gage turned around. He opened the passenger door and grabbed me again. He climbed in on top of me, took a handful of my hair, and pulled my head back. I could feel his want pressing against me. He was going to take me right in the front seat of the truck while Rayce lied motionless on the cold ground. He started to pull my pants down with frantic hands as I hit him in the chest. My nightmare was becoming real.
Suddenly, he stopped. I looked up into his eyes and they were filled with rage as they burned at the sight of the bite Rayce had given me. “You bitch,” he said enraged and grabbed my throat.
My face grew tight as air was constricted. It felt like my eyes were going to pop out of my head. I reached my hand up to the horn and pressed it with only my fingertips. It didn’t work at first. I was growing weak. I tried again and I was lucky enough to have the strength to press it with my middle fingers. The sound echoed in my ears.
“Why?” he bellowed. “I’m going to kill him,” he growled and released me. I choked for air as he jumped out of the truck.
“NO!” I screamed. I knew Gage was stronger than Rayce due to the blood he consumed. Gage reached for him but couldn’t get his hands on him before Jay came tearing out of the house. He rushed up to his brother and pushed him hard in the chest, keeping him away from Rayce.
Marie opened the driver side door and pulled me out. Gage was crouched down, ready to attack his own brother. I was frantic because I couldn’t see Rayce. Marie was trying to pull me away from the scene when I saw Rayce in his massive hellhound form jump on Gage’s back, knocking him to the ground. He used his sharp teeth and bit down on the spot between his neck and his shoulder. Gage screamed in pain and Rayce released his bite. Blood gushed like a geyser onto the grass. He reached for his shoulder and stood, he said something to his brother and Rayce before he ran away.
I pulled away from Marie and ran around the truck. The grass was covered in blood. I stopped and Rayce was standing in front of me in his hellhound form. Gage’s blood was dripping from his onyx teeth and his eyes, they were filled with fury. His body was vibrating with energy. “It’s alright, baby,” I whispered. I looked back at Jay, “What do I do?”
He walked over to me, put his hands on my shoulders and looked into my eyes, “Just try to calm him down.”
“Thanks,” I choked slightly.
He examined my neck and touched the bruised skin gently. “Are you alright?”
“I’m fine. Thanks.”
“Anytime, kid,” he smiled and left me alone with Rayce. I approached him while he was still trapped in his menacing form of teeth and blood. He stepped back and tried to turn away from me. I got closer to him and reached and touched the side of his cat-like face. I could feel his razor-sharp teeth touching the palm of my hand. I got down on my knees and looked him in the eyes.
“I know it has to be hard to calm down enough to change back, baby. It’s alright,” I said in a soothing voice. The best I could muster after what had happened. He pulled away from me and I could see blood on my hand. I grabbed his huge head with both of my hands and made him look at me. “I’m not afraid,” I exclaimed.
I softened my eyes, smiled, and began to stroke his fur like I would with my dog. If I remained calm, so would he. His breathing was ragged as he still growled deeply, but it was slowing. The vibrating stopped and he sat down on the ground. The magical mist of the hellhound shift began to swirl around him slowly. His watercolors of red and black began to swirl around my patient hands. I didn’t stop stroking him as his bones shifted back into place. It was a wonderment to see Rayce finally appear before me. “There’s my guy,” I stated softly as I pushed his messy hair away from his gorgeous face. Gage’s blood still lingered in his mouth. He spit it out onto the grass.
“I’m sorry, babe.” I was caught by surprise and I didn’t protect you,” he said softly. “Fuck, your eyes.”
“What about them?”
“Did he choke you again?”
“Yes.” I grabbed at my sore throat.
“I’m sorry I didn’t protect you,” he said. His pride was beaten but I didn’t care. I took him in my arms and held him close to me.
“You did protect me,” I showed him the bite he gave me on my neck. “This stopped him from having his way with me.”
“The bite won’t detour him from you forever. It surprised him and that is why he stopped. He will be back.”
“Maybe, but not tonight,” I assured. “Are you hurt or can you walk?”
“I’m fine,” he said, but his left eye was deep red and the skin at his brow was split from where Gage had kicked him. “Are you alright?”
“Sore, but I will be fine,” I assured.
“We should get inside,” he said and I helped him to his feet. He slipped back into his jeans before we stepped inside the house. Marie startled me when I looked up at her.
“Holy shit!”
“What?” I asked as I helped Rayce down into his chair.
“Your eyes,” she said in shock.
“What is it?” In a panic, I checked my reflection in the toaster. I feared one was actually bulging out. “Holy hell.”
“He choked her in the truck before you came out,” Rayce explained to them.
My eyes were still intact but the whites were blood red. Blood vessels had burst from the lack of oxygen as Gage choked me. After all Gage had done to me and Rayce, I never thought he would go so far as to literally choke the life from me. Rayce was right, Gage wouldn’t stop, which meant I would have to stop him before he could hurt me or my family again.
I turned to face the three people in my kitchen. I couldn’t deal with this anymore. “Jay, I know Gage is your brother and you can hate me forever after I say this, but I hope you don’t,” I paused and finally found the words. “I’m going to kill him.”