FireDrake (34 page)

She slid onto him, all satin skin and heat, thighs parting for him, lips reaching for his kiss. Hunger leapt up like a flame given air and roared through him. The scent of her desire told him she was flushed and eager, her heartbeat increased, rich blood pulsing through her veins just beneath the surface of that delicate skin. His fangs lengthened as his cock throbbed, all of him ready to take all of her…

The doorbell rang again. More insistently this time.

He wanted to roar with rage as the phantom memory that was all he had of her now slipped away, the past shattered by the intrusion of the present.

An abused woman has the power to unite werefolk, fey and vampire against an evil
that would see them all dead—if she can learn to love again.

Sweeter Than Wine

© 2007 Bianca D’Arc

Christy lies near death after a brutal beating by her estranged husband. Her preternatural friends reach a desperate conclusion: The only way to save her is to turn her. Sebastian steps forward to take on the burden of being her Maker.

For him it’s no burden at all. She draws him as no other woman has for centuries.

With the help of a werecougar friend, Sebastian teaches Christy about her new life and abilities, making certain she is as strong as he can make her. Only then can she face her abusive ex-husband and put her old life behind her. But Christy’s ex-husband is involved in something more dangerous than any of them had guessed.

Vampire, were, and even a fey knight must work together to put an end to the threatening evil. To overcome her past, help keep the darkness at bay, and fight for a new life with Sebastian, Christy must draw on all of her new-found strength.

Will it be enough?

Warning, this title contains explicit sex, graphic language, ménage a trois, hot neck
biting and werecougar stroking.

Enjoy the following excerpt for
Sweeter Than Wine: Christina woke in slow increments, like a kitten just learning about the world around it. Sebastian watched her from the side of the large bed, waiting for the moment when she’d realize she wasn’t alone.

“I bet you’re hungry.” He was enchanted by the sleepy look in her eyes as she met his gaze. Rubbing her tummy, she looked like she was considering his words.

“I feel strange.”

He nodded and moved closer, sitting on the edge of the bed. “That’s to be expected when you’re newly turned.”

“Then it wasn’t a dream?”

“No, my dear. It was most certainly real.” He dipped his head closer, smiling so she could see his fangs. He was hungry too, it seemed. “You’ve been deep in healing sleep for more than two days. That’s longer than most of the newly turned, but you were gravely injured, so I encouraged your sleep.” He tugged at the sheet that covered her, inching it away. “I’ve decided on a course of action some might consider reckless.” He paused. “Do you trust me?”

She seemed to think that one over before answering. “I think so.”

“What I’m going to ask of you will seem strange, but I need you to believe it is for your own welfare that I’ve even considered this.” He pulled the sheet a little lower.

“Now you’re frightening me, Sebastian.”

“That’s not my intent. But I need you to know that what comes next is necessary for your future. I want you to be strong enough to deal with Jeff Kinsey on your own. I believe standing up to him—and winning—is the only way to face the rest of your years, now that you are immortal. If you let him win, even the smallest confrontation, it will set a tone for your new life that could prove disastrous.”

“Did I mention you’d already scared me enough?”

Sebastian was glad to see a spark of humor in her wary eyes. It made him feel a little better about what he was about to do, though other aspects of his plan still made him uneasy. There was jealousy for one thing. It was likely to eat him alive before long. Good thing the task could be accomplished quickly. He knew he couldn’t take too much of this.

“I’m sorry, Christina. What I propose will not hurt. On the contrary, it will bring you great pleasure, but it is somewhat…risqué. I know from your friends that you’ve never been very adventurous sexually. That will have to change.”

She looked wary, but receptive. “What exactly are you talking about?”

“Your body is fully healed now, and its chemistry forever altered. Now it’s time for your lessons to begin.”

“Lessons?”

“I promised to teach you everything you need to know to survive in your changed state. Those lessons begin now, with our most basic needs⎯blood and lust. You need to

feed.” He dipped his head, kissing her savagely. He didn’t mean to do it, but her soft lips were so close, so inviting, he couldn’t resist.

Sebastian reveled in the sweet taste of her, delving deep with his tongue as her petite fangs began to emerge. He ran his tongue over them, encouraging their arrival. He’d forgotten how it felt to kiss one of his own kind. It was beyond erotic. It was nearly orgasmic in itself.

When she jumped, he pulled back, looking past her beautiful, bare body to see what had scared her. Sebastian understood her alarm when he saw Matt. He’d come in and prowled right up to the bed, taking a seat near the foot as if he belonged there, while Sebastian had been distracted. It was a shock to realize he’d been so lost in her kiss, he hadn’t even sensed Matt’s arrival. Matt’s knowing wink didn’t go a long way to soothe Sebastian’s self-recrimination, but it did make him smile. The lad was audacious, but Christina needed a little nudge to guide her on this path. Before the night was through, Sebastian knew she’d need to put all her inhibitions behind her and Matt Redstone was just the creature to help her do it.

“I invited a mortal friend to help you learn how to feed both bodily and psychically.”

He waved one hand toward Matt, releasing her slowly. “He is
were
. You might note the difference in his scent from ordinary mortals. He’ll make an excellent first feeding for you to grow strong and he’s agreed to let us use him as our guinea pig for this evening.

It’s a rare honor. You should be thankful.”

Christy looked at the gorgeous, muscular man who sat on the edge of her bed and began stroking her legs. “Um, thank you?”

She didn’t know what to think. On the one hand, she’d never slept around. On the other, she’d never been this horny in her life. It had to do with whatever Sebastian had done to save her life. She felt different in startling ways. Liquid fire raced through her veins and straight to her womb, making her yearn in a way she never had before.

Cunning topaz eyes smiled up at her. “You’re very welcome, sweet thing. It’s been a long time since I had vampire pussy.” He licked his lips, daring to smack them at her. She liked the sparkle in his gaze and could tell right away this handsome stranger was a bit of

a tease. He drew her, but at the same time she was afraid of her own response. She didn’t know this man. Was Sebastian going to sit by and let him touch her—perhaps even take her⎯just like that?

“Sebastian?” Her voice rose along with her distress.

Reassuring hands stroked her back, helping her sit up. “Don’t fear anything that will happen here this night. A vampire’s first feeding is one of the most important of her existence. That Matt has agreed to let you feed from him tonight is no small thing. A portion of his inherent cunning, agility, and strength will forever be passed on to you.

Like I said, it’s a great honor.”

“But is he going to um…” she felt heat stain her cheeks, “…will he want to have sex with me?”

Matt shifted to sit between her legs. “I’m going to fuck your brains out, sweetheart, and eat this pretty pussy ’til you come in my mouth.”

“Sebastian!” The objection came out on a shocked gasp.

To be honest, though, she had to admit the new hunger wasn’t only for the blood she could actually hear coursing through this strange, savage man’s veins. He was handsome and muscular in a way she’d never seen in person. His golden hair practically invited her fingers to run through it, and he had the most gorgeous, bright, inquisitive eyes.

“It’s all right, Christina.” Sebastian’s hypnotic voice soothed her. “It’s only fair that Matt gain something from giving you his blood. By lapping your fluids, he will temporarily attain some of our healing and regenerative abilities to augment his own. It’s a fair exchange.”

“Who is he?” She was upset both at Sebastian’s cavalier attitude and his assumptions about her willingness to sleep with a complete stranger. But even more upsetting was her body’s response. She wanted to know how that muscular body would feel over her—

inside her—fucking her. The thought was deliciously forbidden and altogether shocking.

She shook her head, but clarity refused to come. So she appealed to Sebastian—her lifeline in this world gone wild. “How do you expect me to be intimate with someone I don’t even know? That may be normal for you, but it’s not for me. Not by a long shot!”

“Sorry, ma’am.” Matt grinned and held out one hand for her to shake, still sitting between her thighs. “I’m Matt Redstone. Like Sebastian said, I’m
were
, and the youngest brother of the leader of the cougar clan.”

She shook his hand as if in a trance. This was probably the strangest situation she’d ever been in. Bar none.

“What is
were
? What does that mean?”

Matt Redstone shot an amused look up at Sebastian. “She doesn’t know anything yet, does she?”

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