Close Obsession (27 page)

Korum considered it, looking thoughtful for a second. “I don’t have it with me, but I can probably get someone to bring it here. However, it would only be a temporary fix . . . If there’s something wrong that’s causing your sister to feel this way, the medicine wouldn’t do anything except mask the symptoms.”

“Oh, I see . . .”

“The best thing for your sister would probably be Ellet. I’ll ask her to swing by this week and examine Marisa –”

“Ellet?” The name sounded oddly familiar, even though she couldn’t remember where she’d heard it.

Korum smiled. “She’s our human biology expert in Lenkarda. Her lab designs many of the drugs I’ve given you in the past, as well as the one I just gave your dad. She’s excellent at what she does and knows more about human health than all of your doctors put together.”

Something nagged at Mia, some elusive memory that she couldn’t place. After trying to remember for a second, she gave up and returned to the issue at hand. “Oh, I see . . . Yeah, if she could take a look at Marisa, that would be phenomenal. Would she seriously do that? Come all the way out here for this?”

He shrugged. “She owes me a few favors.”

“Is there anyone in Lenkarda who doesn’t owe you a few favors?” Mia asked wryly, staring at him. Her lover always seemed to have something up his sleeve.

“Not many,” Korum admitted, smiling at her. “I believe in having leverage – comes in handy in situations like this. Of course, Ellet would probably come out here regardless. She has a soft spot for pregnant humans.”

Mia grinned, wanting to hug and kiss him in gratitude. She didn’t want to fight with him; she loved him too much. Giving in to the urge, she got up and sat down on his lounge chair, ignoring his wet shorts pressing against her dress. Taking his head between her hands, she pulled his face closer and gave him a tender kiss on the lips. “Thank you, Korum,” she said softly, looking him in the eyes. “I really appreciate everything you’ve done for me and my family.”

He smiled, and his eyes held a warm amber glow. “Of course, my darling . . .”

“I love you,” Mia told him sincerely. “I love you so much, and I’m sorry about everything that happened before. You’re right – I should’ve trusted you more. Do you think you’ll be able to forgive me some day?”

It was the first time she had apologized for spying on him, and she could see that she’d pleasantly surprised him. Raising his hand, he lightly stroked her cheek. “Of course,” he said softly. “Rationally, I know why you did what you did, but I have a difficult time being rational when it comes to you. When you first agreed to work with the Resistance, I let anger at your betrayal cloud my thinking instead of giving you more time to adjust to our relationship. I’m sorry for that, and for the stress and worry I caused you as a result. But I’m happy you’re here now, with me . . .”

“I’m happy too,” Mia said, and she knew he could see the full depth of her feelings on her face. “I really am . . .”

His eyes flaring brighter, Korum leaned toward her and kissed her hungrily, as though he wanted to consume her. His hands curled around her shoulders, and he pulled her closer, dragging her onto his lap, his erection pressing into her through the wet material of his swimming trunks.

Feeling buffeted by his passion, Mia could only cling to him as he greedily devoured her mouth, his hands roaming over her body, ripping off the clothing that prevented him from touching her naked skin. His hot mouth moved to her neck, nipped the skin lightly, and she cried out, her head falling back as if it were too heavy for her neck to support. She felt unbelievably hot, like she was burning inside from a liquid flame, every inch of her sensitized and craving his touch. He seemed to feel the same, his cock throbbing against her leg and his hands moving over her almost roughly.

Her fingers curved into claws, dug into the back of his shoulders. “Please, Korum . . .” She wanted him inside her with a desperation that didn’t fully make sense. “Please . . .”

He rose, still holding her in his arms, and flipped her over, putting her down on the lounge chair on all fours. And then he was bent over her, driving into her with one powerful thrust, his hard penis penetrating her without restraint.

Mia gasped, shocked at the sudden entry, her inner muscles straining with the effort to adjust to his thickness, but he didn’t give her any time. Grasping her hips, he fucked her relentlessly, his hips hammering at her with such force that she couldn’t catch her breath, utterly overwhelmed by the sensations. She could hear his harsh breathing and her own screams, and then her whole world consisted of nothing more than the physical, the pleasure and the pain intermingling until there was no way to tell them apart and one could not exist without the other . . . until she was nothing more than an animal, besieged by the most basic need.

It seemed to go on forever, and then he came with a guttural groan, grinding into her as though trying to merge them together. The pulsations of his cock inside her sent her over the edge, and the orgasm tore through her body, leaving her weak and shaking in its wake. Only his hands on her hips kept her from collapsing onto the lounge chair, her arms and legs trembling too much to support her weight.

After about a minute, his breathing had calmed and he withdrew from her, separating their bodies. Mia felt too worn out to move, so she was glad when he picked her up and carried her into the house.

Wrapping her arms around his neck, she mumbled into his shoulder, “Was this what you had in mind when you said you had plans?”

“Pretty much,” Korum admitted, walking up to the second floor. “I did envision something more civilized, but I don’t seem to have any control over myself when it comes to you. I didn’t hurt you, did I?”

He had, a little, but it had only enhanced the pleasure. And besides, she felt perfectly fine now, with all traces of soreness seemingly gone. “No,” Mia reassured him. “I loved it.”

He walked into a large, luxuriously appointed bathroom and placed her on her feet next to a large, claw-footed tub. “That’s good,” he said, turning on the water and smiling at her. “Still, I think you could use a nice bath, and so could I.”

And, as Mia watched, his cock began to harden again.

Chapter 17

Marisa and Connor arrived first, their 2012 Toyota pulling into the driveway five minutes before six o’clock. Korum was finishing setting the table, so Mia came out to greet them by herself.

“Oh my God, Mia! Baby sis, it’s so good to see you! You look phenomenal! What has he been feeding you?” Marisa burst out as soon as she exited the car. “And holy cow, look at this place! He must be a gazillionnaire!”

Laughing, Mia gave her sister a big hug, sobering a bit when she felt the unusual fragility of her frame. “Marisa! Oh, it’s so good to see you too! And Connor!”

Smiling, her brother-in-law bent down to hug her too. “There’s my favorite sister-in-law. How are you?”

“Oh, I’m doing great! Here, let’s go inside! Korum is just putting the finishing touches on the dinner – which should be amazing, by the way.”

“Any meat?” Connor asked with a hopeful look on his face as they followed Mia toward the house. A former college quarterback, Marisa’s husband was still having trouble adjusting to the post-K-Day diet.

“No, sorry, they’re mostly plant-eaters. But it’s really yummy stuff, anyway.”

“I still find it hard to believe that vampires are vegetarians . . .” Connor muttered, and Mia laughed again.

“They’re not really vampires – they’re past that now,” Mia explained. “And some of the plants on Krina are very rich-tasting and dense in calories. I think if we had them here, we might not have been eating meat either.”

“Ooh, you’ve tried plants from Krina?” Marisa sounded envious. Her sister was normally an adventurous eater, and the two of them would frequently try unusual restaurants when Marisa came to visit Mia in New York.

“Yep,” Mia confirmed, grinning. “And they’re really tasty. But that’s only in Lenkarda. Tonight, we’re eating much more local.”

“Ugh, I hope I can eat something. I was sick again on the way here,” Marisa confided. She did look pale and rather ill. “We had to stop by a rest area. I’m surprised we got here before the parents –”

“Oh, I was just about to tell you,” Mia said, pausing for a second before entering the house. “I spoke to Korum, and he’s going to have one of their doctors look at you to determine what’s causing the problem.”

“A K doctor?” Connor looked surprised.

“Actually, she’s more of a human doctor – a Krinar specializing in human biology. Korum said she’s really good.”

“Wow, Mia, I don’t even know what to say . . .” Marisa’s eyes were suddenly swimming with tears.

“Oh no, don’t worry about it! It’s really not a big deal –”

“Hormones,” Connor explained, pulling his wife closer to him for a hug.

“Ah, I see.” Mia gave Marisa a few seconds to get her emotions under control. Then, smiling at them, she asked, “Ready to go in?”

Marisa nodded, looking much sunnier, and Mia led them into the house.

Korum must’ve just finished what he was doing because he came into the living room at the same time. As always, he looked stunning, with the golden hue of his skin contrasting with the white color of the simple button-up shirt he was wearing. And even though they had spent most of the afternoon in bed, Mia couldn’t help the twinge of arousal she felt at the sight.

Spotting her sister, he gave her a big smile and walked up to them. “You must be Marisa,” he said warmly. “I can definitely see the resemblance . . .”

Marisa nodded, looking uncharacteristically shy and flustered. “Yes, hi . . .” She seemed incapable of saying anything more profound.

Recalling her first meeting with Korum, Mia knew just how her sister felt. Apparently, even marriage and pregnancy could not shield a woman fully from the impact of her lover’s magnetic appeal.

Turning to Connor, Korum said, “And you’re Marisa’s husband, right? Connor?”

Her brother-in-law politely held his hand out. “Yes, it’s nice to meet you. Korum, right?” He looked far less star-struck than his wife.

Her lover accepted his hand, shaking it briefly. “Indeed. The pleasure is all mine. Can I offer you a drink while we wait for Mia’s parents?”

“A beer would be great,” Connor said easily. Mia had to give him kudos for his composure. Outwardly, he didn’t seem intimidated at all.

Korum smiled and disappeared into the kitchen. In that moment, Marisa caught Mia’s gaze. “Wow,” her sister mouthed. “Just wow.”

Mia grinned. She had always been jealous of her popular older sister who’d managed to have it all – good grades, great friends, and a ton of cute boys chasing after her. And now Marisa was envious of her?

Korum reappeared, carrying a tray with a beer, a glass of champagne, and a cup filled with some milky liquid. Handing the champagne to Mia and the beer to Connor, he held the cup out to her sister. “This is something that should settle your stomach,” he said kindly. “At least for the rest of the evening.”

Marisa gratefully accepted the cup and drank its contents, not even bothering to question the safety of the liquid. Clearly, their dad’s experience had given her the confidence to trust K medicines. “Thank you,” she said, and then her eyes widened. “Oh, wow, I’m already feeling much better . . .”

At that moment, the doorbell rang. Mia’s parents had arrived.

After greeting them, Mia and Korum led them into the dining room, where Korum had prepared a meal that was more like a feast. Mia felt a little bad that she hadn’t helped him at all, but Korum had shooed her away from the kitchen when she’d offered, explaining that she would simply be in the way. Not the least bit offended, Mia had gone to sit by the pool and catch up on the latest developments in Saret’s lab, chatting with Adam via a Skype-like device that projected his image like a three-dimensional holograph.

In the meanwhile, Korum had prepared a gourmet feast consisting of five different varieties of salads, exotic sushi-like vegetable concoctions, various types of noodle dishes with delicious-smelling sauces, and fresh fruit for dessert. A bottle of Cristal was chilling in a bucket of ice, and the table was decorated with a large centerpiece of gorgeous flowers. He had really gone all out, and Mia’s heart tightened at the realization that he was actually trying to impress her family.

And impressed they were.

Her mom kept asking Korum for recipes of all the dishes they were eating, and even her dad seemed to be in a much better mood, his earlier headache gone without a trace. The atmosphere at the table was surprisingly relaxed, with her family questioning Korum about life on Krina and her lover telling amusing stories about his parents and the pranks Saret used to pull on him when they were children. Watching him, Mia realized he had deliberately steered the conversation toward those topics that would be most likely to put her family at ease . . . that would humanize him in their eyes. And even though Mia knew that he was putting on a show, she couldn’t help the little melting sensation she got inside when she thought of Korum as a little boy, playing in the forests of Krina and getting in trouble with his friends.

The dinner lasted until ten. Finally, replete and happy, everyone departed. On their way out, Mia’s mom kissed Korum on the cheek, and her dad shook his hand. Marisa blushed and stammered a little, thanking Korum again for the anti-nausea medication, while her husband gave him a huge smile and told him they would be coming over for dinner every night, given the awesome meal they’d just had.