"What is it?" he asked. "Did you see something?"
She shook her head, giving him an embarrassed smile. "Nothing."
Kaige looked across the street, his eyes searching the shadows, but apparently he must not have been able to see any more than she had because he slipped his arm around her waist and suggested they go inside.
By the time they walked into the kitchen a few minutes later, Savanna had forgotten all about whatever she'd seen outside as she focused her attention on the white, plastic-covered Styrofoam box Kaige was holding.
"What's in the box?" Savanna asked as he set it down on the counter. She supposed she shouldn't be so nosy, but she couldn't contain her curiosity.
Kaige, however, didn't seem to mind. "Blood," he said as he took off the outer plastic.
Savanna moved closer, frowning at the sender's name on the shipping label. "Midwest Prime Steak Distributors?" she read.
His mouth quirked. "What did you think it would say? Pacific Coast Vampire Blood Distribution Center? That might raise a few eyebrows, don't you think?"
She made a face at him. "You're teasing me again."
He chuckled. "Only because it's so much fun."
She watched as he took out a cardboard box that had been packed in dry ice. It was labeled with the same name and a warning implying severe consequences if it were opened by anyone other than the addressee. Opening the box, he took out the bags of blood and put them in the refrigerator.
"I was going to have some," Kaige said as he set the empty box on the floor. "Want to join me?"
Savanna chewed on her lower lip thoughtfully as she eyed the bag in his hand. "I'd rather just have some of yours."
He laughed. "I certainly wouldn't mind that, but we need to get you used to drinking bagged blood."
Her brow furrowed. "Why can't I just drink from you?"
"Okay, time for some more Vampire 101," he said. "Any blood you get from me has already been slightly depleted. Remember, my body is consuming the red blood cells and everything else it needs to survive. Which means you're basically getting what's left over. That's okay sometimes, but as a steady diet, it's not healthy for you. And to tell the truth, it's probably not healthy for me, either."
She formed her lips into a pout. "But it's so much fun drinking from you."
He leaned forward to kiss her on the lips. "I didn't say we couldn't do it. I just said you need to drink bagged blood, too. I'll let you bite me any time you want to."
She moaned against his mouth. "You always say the sexiest things."
Kaige kissed her again, then walked across the kitchen to grab two mugs from the cabinet. Opening the bag, he poured an equal amount of the thick, red liquid into each of them, and then handed one to her.
"I drink mine warm, but some vampires prefer it straight from the bag or over ice," he said. "Try it this way first and see what you think."
Savanna eyed the mug in her hand. It smelled tasty enough, she supposed. And from the way her fangs slid out, they certainly approved. Hesitantly lifting the mug to her lips, she took a small sip. And promptly made a face.
"Okay, that's just disgusting," she said, holding the mug out to him.
Kaige chuckled. "So, you don't like it cold then. Let me put it in the microwave."
She watched as he put both mugs in the microwave and turned it on. "What if I don't like the taste of it warm, either?"
He shrugged. "Then we'll figureout something else. Like mix it with hot chocolate maybe. I've heard that some vampires even like to put barbecue sauce in it."
Savanna considered that idea. She loved chocolate, so that might work, but the whole idea of putting barbecue sauce in it was just foul.
When she sipped the warm blood a moment later, though, she was surprised to discover that it actually tasted pretty good all on its own.
"Well?" Kaige asked as he took a swallow from his own mug.
"Much better," she said. "Not as delicious as drinking yours, though. It's sort of like drinking champagne from a plastic cup instead of a champagne flute. Presentation is important, you know."
He laughed and took another swallow from his own mug.
"So," he asked after she'd finished and set the empty mug down on the counter a few minutes later. "Do you think you'll be able to get used to drinking bagged blood?"
Savanna nodded. "Yeah, I think so. But it will never be as much fun as drinking from you." She reached out to toy with the buttons on his shirt before looking up at him from beneath her long bangs. "I know this is going to sound a little kinky, but I really get turned on when I bite you." She paused, and then added, "Do you ever get the urge to bite me?"
Kaige's mouth curved into a smile. "Only about a hundred times a day."
Her pulse quickened. But though she was excited by his confession, there was something else she had to know. "Would it hurt if you did?"
He reached up to gently brush her hair back from her face. "No. Not when it's done in a loving and gentle way, like you do when you bite me. Done that way, it would be the most exquisite thing you've ever felt."
Her heart started to race. "Does it feel like that when I bite you?"
His eyes smoldered. "Mmm-hmm," he said softly. "And I have no doubt you'd love it, too. About the only thing that would make it better would be if I was inside of you when I did it."
Savanna's pussy quivered at the imagery. God, she so wanted what he was offering. Without a word, she wrapped her hand around the back of Kaige's neck and pulled him down for a kiss. He groaned and slid his hand in her hair, tipping her head back. His tongue invaded her mouth, claiming hers, and she sighed with pleasure. Damn, he could make her dizzy just with a simple kiss. If his mouth felt this good now, she could only imagine what it would be like when he bit her.
Suddenly eager to find out, she pulled away and reached around to find the zipper at the back of her dress. Sliding it down, she slipped the straps from her shoulders, letting the garment fall to the floor around her feet. Since the dress wasn't particularly underwear friendly, she hadn't bothered to wear a bra, and she heard Kaige's sharp intake of breath as her bare breasts came into view.
He gazed down at her for a long moment. Then, as if she weighed nothing, he put his hands on her waist and lifted her up onto the center island. Sliding his hand into her hair again, he covered her mouth in another intoxicating kiss Gently cupping her breasts in his hands, he kissed his way along the curve of her jaw and down her neck. As his fangs glided over her skin, Savanna caught her breath, wondering if he would give her neck just a little nibble as foreplay, but Kaige simply continued on his way without so much as pricking her skin. He was such a tease!
As he took one of her nipples into his mouth and began to suckle on it, she decided she could wait a little longer to feel those fangs of his. What he was doing now felt absolutely wonderful and she certainly didn't want to rush him. She arched her back, thrusting her breasts higher, encouraging him to continue.
Kaige took his time making love to her breasts. He held one in his palm, teasing the nipple with his thumb and forefinger while he paid attention to the other withhis tongue and fangs. The combination of his soft tongue and hard fangs was almost enough to drive her crazy just by itself.
When Kaige finally lifted his head from her breasts, it was to kiss her again. This time, though, he gently urged her back so she was lying down. She gazed up at him through lowered lashes, waiting breathlessly for him to take off his clothes and join her.
But Kaige didn't undress. Instead, he gently lifted her leg until it was straight up in the air. Then he slowly began to kiss his way along the curve of her calf and up the inside of her thigh to tease her pussy through her silky panties.
Savanna caught her lower lip between her teeth, waiting to see if he would use his fangs to tear off her panties like he had the other night. But instead he hooked his fingers in the waistband and slowly wiggled them over her hips and down her legs. A moment later, his tongue was on her pussy.
As he licked her, Savanna threaded one hand in his dark hair and gripped the edge of the countertop with the other. God, he was so good at that! It was like he knew exactly what pleased her without her ever having to say it. Maybe vampires really could read minds, she thought.
Kaige teased the orgasm out of her slowly. Yet when it came, it was as powerful as anything she'd ever felt in her life and she didn't even try to hold back her cries of pleasure. She felt hoarse by the time he finally pulled his tongue away.
Afterward, Savanna could only lay there, her breathing ragged as she watched Kaige take off his clothes. Graceful and sleek as an animal, he climbed up on the island and settled himself between her legs.
Bracing himself on his powerful arms, he slid his cock deep inside her pussy in one smooth thrust. She wrapped her legs tightly around him, her arms going around his neck. He kissed and nibbled her neck, his fangs grazing her skin as his cock seemed to plunder her very soul. If he didn't bite her soon, she was going to go crazy. She couldn't wait another second. With a moan, she tightened her grip on his hair and pulled him in tight to her neck.
"Kaige, please!" she begged, the words a desperate whisper. "Bite me!"
Savanna had spoken so softly that she wasn't even sure if he'd heard her, but then she felt a pricking sensation as his fangs sank into her neck.
It was like a bolt of lightning had shot through her body. She pulled him in tighter with her arms and legs, crying out as the incredible sensation raced all over her. It was like her entire body was having one huge orgasm. She screamed out again, writhing beneath him, sure that she would shatter into a million pieces. It was absolutely perfect. It felt like she and Kaige were completely connected-like their very souls were one.
And then, even though his mouth was still on her neck, he let out a deep groan as he came. Savanna clung to him fiercely. As impossible as it seemed, it felt like she was experiencing his orgasm along with her own as he pumped his hot cum inside of her. It made her climax even more intense.
Only after Kaige slowly withdrew his fangs did her orgasm begin to subside. It had been the longest and most beautiful orgasm she'd ever had.
He ran his tongue over the marks his teeth had made, and then lifted his head to look down at her, his breathing ragged. Savanna reached up to brush his hair back. "That was better than exquisite," she said softly. "That was absolute heaven." Kaige's mouth curved into a smile. "It was for me, too." "So, when can we do it again?" she asked. He chuckled. "Just as soon as you're ready." Savanna kissed him on the mouth, her tongue grazing the tips of his fangs. "In that case, I'll be ready by the time you take me upstairs," she said. "But this time, I want to be on top."
Chapter 8.
Savanna wasn't sure what woke her, but when she opened her eyes, she saw Kaige braced up on one elbow beside her in bed, his head cocked to the side as if listening for something. She opened her mouth to ask him what he'd heard, but he held his finger to his lips, warning her to keep silent.
She tensed, but did as he commanded. In the silence, her breathing sounded loud and ragged in the big bedroom. A moment later, a noise came from downstairs. She shot Kaige a look, her eyes wide.
"What was that?" she whispered.
"There's someone in the house," he said softly. "Stay here."
Savanna was so stunned at the thought that someone had broken into the house that she couldn't do anything but sit there as Kaige grabbed a pair of pajama bottoms and quickly put them on. She snapped out of her daze when she saw him head for the door, though. Abruptly realizing that he intended to go downstairs and check it out, she pushed back the blanket and started to follow. Seeing her out of the corner of his eye, Kaige motioned with his hand for her to stay put.
Right. Savanna waited until he walked out of the room, then jumped out of bed. Grabbing her short robe on the way to the door, she slipped it on and tied the sash, then stepped out into the hallway.
Kaige must have heard her because he stopped in mid-step to give her a cross look over his shoulder. Savanna returned the look with an apologetic one of her own. She was just motioning that she would stay by the bedroom door when a blur of movement on the stairs behind him caught her eye. She opened her mouth to warn Kaige, but it was too late. The intruder was already slamming Kaige back against the wall.
Savanna screamed. At the sound, the man pinning Kaige against the wall turned to hiss at her, his elongated fangs flashing white in the darkness. Her eyes went wide. He was a vampire?
Kaige and his attacker were struggling with each other viciously when suddenly another vampire sailed over the balustrade to come down on the landing with a thud. Savanna blinked in astonishment. Had he just leaped all the way up to the second floor from the entryway below? She hadn't even known that was possible!
She watched in horror as the second vampire went after Kaige as well, fangs flashing. Despite the fact that he was outnumbered, Kaige shoved the two vamps across the landing and up against the balustrade. For a moment, Savanna thought he would be able to push them over, but at the last second, they latched onto him and all three of them went crashing through it to the tiled floor below.
Horrified, Savanna let out another scream. She tried to move, but for some reason her feet seemed stuck to the floor. All she could think about was how far it was to the hard floor below. Kaige couldn't be hurt; he just couldn't be. Forcing herself forward, she darted over to the part of the balustrade that was still intact. She looked down hesitantly, fearing the worst. Below her, though, Kaige had already gotten back on his feet and was squaring off with his two attackers.
Indecision warred within her. Should she go down and help Kaige fight them off? Or should she call the cops? She shook her head. What the hell was she thinking? They were vampires. She couldn't call the cops!
Swearing under her breath, Savanna raced down the steps. By the time she got to the bottom, Kaige and the two vampires were lashing out at each other so fast that she could barely see them move. Suddenly, all three hit the floor in a tumble. Kaige ended up trapped beneath them. His two attackers began to punch at him savagely and it was all Kaige could do to protect himself.
Knowing she had to do something, Savanna hurried over and kicked at one of the vampires as hard as she could. She wasn't sure what kind of damage she could do since her feet were bare, but there was no way she was going to let Kaige fight them alone. Most of her kicks went wide of their mark, but she was finally able to connect with one really solid blow. There was a satisfying sounding crunch and a howl of pain from the vampire. That had done some damage!
Unfortunately, it also pissed off the vampire. Letting out a hiss, he leaped to his feet and came after her.
Savanna backpedaled wildly, her heart pounding in her chest. Oh crap! She needed a weapon. Quick. Her eyes darted to one of the broken balusters lying on the floor, but the vampire must have guessed her intent because he lifted his arm and backhanded her hard across the face. The blow flung her back, knocking her to the tiled floor so hard that she slid across the slick surface until she banged up against the far wall. She held her breath, waiting for the explosion of pain that she was sure was coming. But it never did. Her cheek stung from the slap and her derriere felt a little numb where she'd fallen on it, but other than that, she didn't seem to be hurt at all. She supposed she had her new vampire DNA to thank for that.
Abruptly remembering the vampire who had smacked her, she lifted her head, expecting to see him advancing on her, but he had already turned his attention back to Kaige and the other vampire. While the first one had been busy with her, Kaige had gained the upper hand and gotten to his feet. As she watched, he drew back his fist and punched the second vampire so hard that he went flying across the entryway. With that vampire out of the way, at least for the moment, Kaige turned his attention to the one who had backhanded her. Even in the darkness, Savanna could see the fury written clearly on her lover's face.
Eyeing the broken pieces of railing that littered the floor, she pushed herself to her feet and silently moved toward them. She figured if she could find a piece that was heavy enough, she could smack one of the vamps over the head while he was focused on Kaige.
She was just moving by the doorway to the kitchen when arms suddenly reached out from the darkened room and wrapped around her, trapping her in a vice-like grip. Oh God, there was a third vampire!
Savanna shrieked and struggled to free herself. But the vampire holding her was too strong and began to drag her into the kitchen.
She beat at him with her fists. "Let go of me, you bastard!"
"Stop it!" he hissed in her ear. "You're coming with me! There's no use fighting!"
Like hell. Bringing her arm forward and then back, she jabbed it into her captor's ribs with every ounce of strength she had.
He grunted, loosening his grip around her waist as the breath rushed out of him.
Seizing the opportunity, Savanna jerked free of his grasp and ran for the entryway and Kaige. But she didn't get more than a few feet before the vampire grabbed her arm and spun her around.
Her eyes went wide as she recognized him. It was the vampire in the overcoat who had bitten her outside the Goth club!
He yanked her close, his lip curling into a sneer, his fangs extended. "Didn't expect to see me again, did you?"
Savanna tried to pull her arm free of his grasp, but his grip was like iron. "Let go of me, you asshole!"
He leaned close. "If it was up to me, I'd finish what I started in that alley, bitch, but you've been claimed, so that means I have to let you live. So, why don't you just make this easy on both of us and come quietly?"
Not waiting for a reply, he began to drag her across the kitchen toward the back door. She didn't know what the hell he'd meant about her being claimed, but she did know that she'd never get away from him if he got her outside. So, Savanna did the only thing she could think of. She lifted her free hand and raked her nails down the side of his face. It was then that she discovered another perk to being a vampire. One, her nails were a hell of a lot stronger than they used to be. And two, her hands were more powerful than they'd ever been before. Which meant that her nails dug into the vampire's face much deeper than they would have if she'd been human. He released her with a howl of pain to grab his bleeding face.
Savanna spun around and ran for the entryway. As she did, her foot caught in the leg of a stool and she tripped, falling to the floor with a thud. Heart pounding, she looked over her shoulder to see the vampire bearing down on her, his dark eyes full of hatred, the claw marks on his face ragged and red with blood.
"You'll pay for that, bitch!" her attacker snarled. "I don't care what the fuck he wants."
Desperate to get away from him, Savanna scrambled backward with her hands and feet on the floor, even as the vampire advanced on her.
Suddenly, something whizzed through the air over her head. Overcoat Vamp stopped in his tracks, his eyes wide with shock. Savanna could only stare in disbelief at the piece of wooden railing embedded in his shoulder.
Stunned, she looked over her shoulder to see Kaige standing in the doorway of the kitchen, prepared to throw another piece of the balustrade that he held in his hand.
Overcoat Vamp growled in rage and reached up with his hand to pull out the shard of wood, but it wouldn't budge. Apparently realizing he had only seconds before Kaige put another one into him, he turned with a hateful glare and smashed through the kitchen door, one arm cradling the other.
Breathing a sigh of relief, Savanna scrambled to her feet and threw herself into Kaige's outstretched arms.
He hugged her to him tightly. "Are you okay?"
For a moment, she was too shaken to do anything other than hold him, but then her eyes went wide. She pulled back. "You're hurt!" she said, reaching up to tenderly touch her fingers to his bruised cheek.
"It's just a scratch," he said softly, brushing her hair back from her face. "I'll be fine."