Deceptive Changes: Kat LaMond Book 1 (16 page)

I stood up.  “I have to get back to work.  Thanks for a lovely meal.  I’ll see you guys when I get home.” 

My guys came up to me one at a time and gave me a hug and kiss.  Thorn waved his hand in my direction and left with my guys.  Only Sven was left.  I grimaced as he stepped forward and offered me his arm.

When we got in the SUV, I asked, “What do you think about being tied to me?” 

“I don’t mind it.  I’ve known from the beginning that this is what would happen.” 

I looked at him as he drove.  He was so honest, well now at least.  “You knew that you would be tied to me?”  He nodded but kept his eyes on the road.

“How could you have known?” 

This time he actually looked at me.  “I knew when I smelled your blood in the air back in Germany.  It sang to the blood in my veins.  It called me.  I can’t really explain it, it’s just what it is.”

“Doesn’t that frighten you?” 

He gave me a weird look. “It doesn’t.  I’m truly happy to be with you.  I know that I probably will never be in your bed or in your heart or even in your thoughts but I’m happy with just having a moment together.” 

My heart clenched.  “You aren’t serious, are you?”  He looked at me and I could see that he was deadly serious.  I tried to lighten the mood but failed. 

We pulled into the office parking lot.  He got out and opened my door.  I took his arm when he offered and he escorted me into the building.  He guided me into the office and pulled the blinds once more.  I shook my head and got down to work.

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I was once more immersed in work when Sven pulled my chair from the computer and told me it was late.  I looked at my watch and found that it was past eight p.m.  I stood up and stretched.  I peeked out of the blinds and found that the floor was dark except for the emergency lighting.  I sighed.  It had been productive and I was happy with as much work as I had gotten done.

I walked back to the desk and grabbed my purse and jacket.  Sven held out his arm and escorted me to the SUV.  He had been the perfect gentleman throughout the day.  I wondered what had changed. I decided to ask.  “Sven?”  He turned to me before starting the truck.  “What changed?”  He tilted his head.  “I mean, before you were all over me.  I’m glad and all but what changed to make you be so…so normal?”

He smiled and said, “I haven’t changed, Katja.  I’ve always been this way.” 

I looked at him sideways.  “At first you were and then you became this…creature.”

“It was a momentary lapse in composure.  I’m not used to not getting what I want.  It pissed me off that you were secure in your relationships with my king and your men that I wanted it.  I wanted you no matter what I had to do to get it.  I apologize.”  I could only stare at him.  He started the truck and drove off.  We didn’t speak for the rest of the ride home.

We arrived home shortly before nine p.m.  Sven parked the truck under the portico and we went into the house.  We found my men in the kitchen, sitting at the table, and looking over some papers.

“What’s all this?” 

Trace took the paper and hid it.  “It’s nothing.”  I let it go.  For now, anyway.

I walked over to the fridge and grabbed a soda.  I blew out a breath and sat down at the table with them.  Sven bid us good night and left.

The guys were staring at me.  “What?” I asked after I had taken a couple sips of soda. 

“We’re glad you’re home, babe.” 

I smiled and said, “I’m glad I’m home.”

“How was Sven?” 

“He was a perfect gentleman.” 

I finished my soda and told them that I was going to bed.  They stood up and gave me hugs and kisses and then I stumbled into the bedroom.  I started to take my clothes off when I realized I wasn’t alone. 

I looked around the room.  It was dark so I couldn’t see real well.  I flipped the light switch and found Sven sitting in the chair.  “Sven?”  His dark blue eyes looked at me.  “What are you doing in here?”

He stood up and cleared his throat.  “I…” He paused and looked around the room.  “I was wondering if I could taste you again.” 

I blinked at him.  “What?” 

He looked so vulnerable.  I was about to say yes when my guys walked into the room.  They stopped just inside the door and looked at us.  I was standing by the closet and Sven was standing by the bed.

I gulped as Todd walked forward.  Sven looked unsure of what Todd was going to do to him.  Todd stopped a few feet from Sven.  “What are you doing in here?” 

Sven looked away and tried to stammer out a reply.  I couldn’t stand it.  “Todd.” He turned and looked at me.  “Sven just wanted a little taste of my blood.  He hadn’t taken any food while we were out today.  I was just getting ready to say, if it was all right with you guys, I don’t mind sharing a little blood with him.”  Sven’s blue eyes darkened further.  He flicked his eyes to Todd.

Todd nodded and Sven’s relief was plain on his face.  I looked at Trace and Erick.  Both had worried looks on their faces.  “Trace, Erick?  Why so worried?” 

They looked surprised at my question.  “We aren’t worried for you, Katja.  It’s more we’re worried that Sven will think this is more than a feeding.”  Erick’s eyes weren’t on me when he said this, they were on Sven.  I tilted my head when I looked at Sven.  He nodded.  What he was nodding to was beyond me. 

I shrugged and said, “Before this takes place, I’d like to shower and change into comfy clothes.  I’ve been in these work clothes for close to twelve hours.  I need some personal time.”  They all nodded and took places on the bed or couch, always keeping Sven in eye sight.  I shook my head and heaved a sigh.  I grabbed clothes and locked myself in the bathroom.

><                            ><

I showered, toweled off, and changed into pj’s.  I stepped out of the bathroom and four sets of eyes watched me.  I stopped just outside the bathroom and tried to keep my heart from being permanently lodged in my throat.  I knew Sven could hear the change.  His eyes widened and darkened.  It was scary the look he gave me.

“Maybe this is a bad idea.”  When Todd lifted his eyebrow, I said, “The way you guys look right now makes me not want to do this.” 

Todd came to me and slung his arm around my shoulders, he pulled me close and whispered, “We’ll keep you safe.” 

It wasn’t them keeping me safe that worried me, it was that they might like it and encourage this moment more frequently.  I sure as hell wasn’t going to voice my opinion to him at that moment, especially with Sven in the room with us.  I didn’t want to hurt him, as much as discourage anything further.

Todd tried to pull me from the door.  “Don’t push me.  I’ll get there, Todd.”  He smiled and gave me a deep kiss.  When he pulled away I was left staring at him, nearly cross-eyed with happiness.  I nodded and he brought me to the bed.

I sat on the edge and started to wring my hands.  It wasn’t like I hadn’t given Sven blood before, it was that it was too intimate a place for this.  “Okay, let’s get this over and done with.” Before I lose my nerve.

I felt the bed shift and Sven wrapped his hand at the base of my neck.  I flinched as he swept my hair from my neck.  His other hand ran across my neck.  I tried to hold the feelings that swept through me as he breathed on my neck.  He technically didn’t need to breath being that he was dead and all but supposedly it helps with scenting or something.

He placed his lips gently on my neck.  I heard a gasp from the far side of the room.  I turned my eyes and found Thorn standing at the door.  I stood up so fast that Sven had little time to grab my arm and hold me to him.  I knew Sven had heard Thorn walk up.

“Is there something you need, Thorn?” Todd stood in the doorway, blocking Thorn’s view of the room and my view of him. 

I pulled my arm from Sven’s hand and walked around to see Thorn.  His dark eyes held mine.  I could see the hurt in them.  Why would he be hurt?  This was too much for me.  I had agreed to give Sven some blood that was all. 

Thorn shook his head and left.  Todd closed the door and said, “I’ll talk to him in a bit.” 

I nodded at Todd’s answer.  The mood was gone now.  I walked over to the bed and sat back down.  “If you’re gonna get some blood, Sven, you should do it now.”  He stayed where he was.  I turned to him.  “What?”  He just looked at me.  I shook my head and looked at my guys and repeated my question.  They held up their hands and shook their heads.  They didn’t want to get in the middle of whatever mood I was in.

“Sven.  Now would be good.” 

He spoke softly.  “I will not take your blood now.  I will find another willing feed.  I can see what effect Thorn had on you, I can smell it.  You’re angry.” 

I stood up and paced around for a moment.  I turned to him and said, “I am.  I didn’t think I’d be angry for Thorn’s interruption.  I’m more angry because it feels like I have to be.  There are too many men around here for me.  You guys are so moody.”  I heard Todd chuckle.  I turned and looked at him.  I realized what I had said.  “Okay, maybe I’m just the one that’s moody as fuck.  This thing with Sven and Thorn is really getting to me.  It’s like I’m this target that they have to have.  Is that how you see me, Sven?”

“I did.  Now, I see you as a wonderful person, someone who shares her life freely with those that she cares about and some that she doesn’t even know.” 

I tried to hold my anger but it was fading.  Sven got off the bed.  I held up a hand.  “I said I’d give you blood.  It’ll take me a moment.”  I knew what I wanted but I didn’t know if Trace and Erick would be up to it. 

“I have an idea.  I was thinking that you guys,” I indicated my men. “You guys could lie around me.  Give me courage while Sven takes willing blood from me.”  I realized that I had only given Sven blood out of emergency or when he’d taken it from me.

My guys nodded and went to the bed.  My mouth dropped open at the sight of them lying on the bed.  My heart beat faster as I watched Todd and Erick cuddle closer.  Trace stayed a little bit away from them, giving me the option of lying next to him while Sven took my blood.  That was an improvement from the way he had been.

I crawled onto the bed and cuddled next to Erick and Trace.  I closed my eyes as Trace and Erick wrapped their arms around my stomach and kissed their way to my neck.  I forgot everything but the touch until Sven climbed onto the bed.  I snapped my eyes open and watched him crawl seductively to within an inch of my outstretched feet.

Sven ran his hand along my leg.  I tried to hold still but I didn’t know if I wanted his touch.  He continued to run his hand up my leg and stopped at my knee.  I realized that I did want his touch.  He was gentle and forceful, different in so many ways from my guys.

He slid his hand along my knee to my thigh and stretched.  He looked like a giant cat as he stretched over my body.  He slid closer to Trace.  I could feel Trace tighten his grip on my stomach, it was almost painful.  Sven noticed too and slid across my legs toward Erick.  That meant that Todd and Erick had to scoot over to make room for Sven’s body.

Sven’s hand slid closer to my groin.  “Uh…” was all I could say before his hand slid around to my hip and up my side, stopping before he touched Trace and Erick’s arm. 

“I’m going to need to touch you.”  Trace slid his arm from my stomach but Erick kept his wrapped around me.  I looked at Todd.  He was looking at me, his lips parted.

Sven pressed his body against me as he wrapped his hand behind my neck.  He slowly came toward me.  I thought he was going to kiss me but, but at the last second, he bent his head.  A moment later his teeth slid into the left side of my neck.  I closed my eyes.  I could feel his throat convulse as blood poured down it.  The sensation was overwhelming.  It felt like my nerves were on fire.  Every touch was like a sharp pain that set my stomach on fire.  I hissed as I breathed through the pain.  It wasn’t an uncomfortable pain.  I think I was fighting against his bite. 

He pulled back and told me as much.  “Katja, calm down.  I know that my bite can bring either pain or pleasure.  Right now, you’re fighting extremely hard against me.  Relax into it.”  I nodded.  I caught sight of Erick.  His eyes were slightly glazed over.  Todd looked like he wanted to be bit again.  I swung my eyes to Trace.  He had his eyes closed and his lips were slightly parted.

Sven pulled my head to the right and brushed his mouth and fangs against my neck.  His tongue flicked out and licked the blood that was starting to slide down my throat.  I shivered as he placed his mouth on my neck again.  His teeth slid back in and this time I didn’t fight it.

The pleasure was so intense that I lifted both our bodies from the bed.  I fell back onto the bed as Sven continued to suck at my neck.  I could feel his mouth work at my throat.  His hand ran along my side to my stomach just above my hip bone.  He slid his hand down a bit further down and held onto my hip.  He massaged my hip causing a different sensation.  I could feel my body respond to his bite.

It took only seconds after his hand was on my hip to bring an orgasm from me.  I cried out and clutched at anything my hands could get to.  I felt hands hold me down.  I bucked as Sven brought me again. 

As I settled down he pulled his mouth from my throat.  He licked the wound then smiled down at me and slid off my body.  I closed my eyes.  I was afraid to look at my guys.

I felt familiar hands on my arms.  Todd whispered, “Are you okay, Kat?” 

I opened my eyes and looked into his.  His eyes had bled to near black.  I nodded.  I turned my head and found Trace next to me.  His blue-y grey eyes held concern.  “I’m fine, Trace.”  Erick was next to Trace.  His green eyes glowed with an inner light and he had a lazy smile on his face.  I guess they were okay with what just happened.

I looked at Sven.  He was at the foot of the bed, watching.  His dark blue eyes shined brightly.  He licked a drop of blood from his lips.  I didn’t know how I felt about this yet.  I sat up against the headboard.  My guys were just a little from me.  My eyes travelled over their bodies.  They were ready and happy, even Trace was ready.

I wanted to please them but I didn’t know about Sven.  I wasn’t thinking about keeping him.  He wasn’t mine.  Erick didn’t hesitate.  He slid past Trace and kissed me.  His hands roamed my body as if no one was around but us.  I wound my fingers through his hair and held his mouth to mine.  I could feel hands on my arms, neck, and legs.

I pulled back from Erick, untangling my hands from his hair.  There was a set of extra hands on me.  My eyes fell onto Sven’s.  He was running his hands along my legs.  I couldn’t figure a way to stop him without hurting his feelings.  Erick stayed on me but was motionless.  I shook my head.  I couldn’t do this.  I felt bad but Sven had to leave.  I couldn’t have sex with him.  I patted Erick’s arm.  He slipped to the side and was cradled by Todd.  I looked into Todd’s eyes.  He knew why I couldn’t.

Trace’s hands fell from my arm as I started to sit upright.  Sven kept his hands on my legs.  I wriggled from his touch and unceremoniously crawled over Trace’s body and stepped off the bed.  I stood beside the bed and looked at the four of them. 

Todd looked at Sven and said, “It’s time for you to leave.”  Sven nodded at Todd and slipped off the bed.  He walked out of the bedroom without looking back. 

I raised a questioning eyebrow at Todd.  “He knew this was for blood only,” he said with a shrug.  Okay.  “Come back to bed, Kat.”  Todd patted the bed.  I slid onto the covers next to Trace.

We made love throughout the night.  They helped me forget everything that had happened over the past months.  Spent, we fell asleep cuddled against each other.