Iona awoke late in the afternoon, feeling her energy rising as the sun was setting. Knowing that Edward was awake and watching her, she stretched dramatically while gently rolling her hips against his. After a month as a vampire, she was amazed at the high level of energy and desire for him she had when she woke every afternoon. Although she remembered nothing of her human life, she was confident that she had never been a morning person, so she was certainly suited for this life. Smiling to herself, she realized that any woman would choose to be the eternal mate of Edward King, over the mortal life which could be summed up with work, debt and death. Wondering how she ever survived as a human, she concluded that her sister must have carried most of the burden.
Anyone could tell that they were complete opposites but yet she loved the woman the minute she entered the mansion. Every day during the past month was full of new experiences, and while the hours were filled with luxury and passion, she had never felt at ease. When Alena walked through the front door, Iona knew that she was finally home. Her sister had been so confident, never afraid, and handled the situation like a pro -- just like Edward. More than once, Iona had reflected how Edward and Alena would have been more compatible but there had been no signs of attraction between the two. Well, there were no signs of interest on Alena's part. That woman was apparently consumed with Gabriel, and while she would admit that he was gorgeous, he looked even more dangerous.
When Alena had first entered their home, her appearance fit the profile of a middle aged spinster arriving in her employment as a new nanny. But when Gabriel had carried her into their suite last night, Iona had felt Edward's instant approval of whatever he was viewing. When the pressure of his hand against her back increased, Iona looked at Edward's eyes and saw them roaming over something in appreciation. Turning to get a look, she watched Alena slide down Gabriel's body as he set her on her feet. The massive robe she was wearing, obviously belonging to her host, was open and exposing a petit body with curves and pale, creamy flesh. Her hair, which had been hidden in that hideous knot earlier, was now a mahogany veil of curls wrapping down to her hips. Suddenly frustrated at Edward's admiration of another woman and his current silence, she pouted and sighed loudly.
"I was merely appreciating and understanding my best friend's attraction to your sister," Edward interrupted her thoughts, "My best friend," he added while twisting and pinning her beneath him, "that you consider gorgeous." His eyes slit into a mock glare.
Knowing that he was teasing her and consumed with her immediate need to feel in him inside her, she raised her hips up to him, teasing him with the moisture that signaled her desire, and then stopped to look him directly in the eye. The next move would be his.
"Sleep well, my love?" he asked in his slow, deliberate tone that revealed no indication of the perilous hold on his control.
"Oh yeah," she returned meeting his challenge by refusing to move.
Edward and Iona continued staring at each other, motionless, knowing that this playful torment would not last much longer. When she exhaled slowly, he raised an eyebrow and smiled.
"I haven't survived all of these centuries to lose to a newborn."
"But," she said, with a very small motion against his waiting body, "In all of those centuries, you've never wanted anyone, especially a newborn, as much as you want me."
"I don't just want you," he confessed, "I need you."
His confession flashed through her body as a fire searching for oxygen to continue burning. She began an erratic gyration, trying to give him access to her body.
Laughing he held her hips as he lowered he face to hers, "I told you that I wouldn't lose."
"Shut up," she growled between clinched teeth struggling to move her hips.
"I assume that you had no bad dreams."
"Edward," she groaned.
"Remind me to thank your sister."
"Do you have any idea how much I need you to fuck me and you want to talk about my sister?"
"She probably wouldn't appreciate it either," he agreed and with the speed and skill of his age, species and experience, Edward pressed her knees up to her chest and, with one thrust, sank into her depths rewarded with a scream of pleasure from his mate. Withdrawing slowly, he said, "Now, tell me how much you need me to fuck you."
In a separate wing of the mansion, Alena moaned in her sleep responding to the erotic vision playing in her dream. Although the couple starring in her X-rated feature was blurred and indistinct, their caresses and moans revealed their sweet intimacy. Through the haze of the dream, Alena realized that she was not watching them as a couple, but rather, she was looking through the eyes of the woman, pinned under the man, feeling his caresses and moaning in a plea for more. As indiscernible words were exchanged, the man moved with unnatural speed, positioned her knees to her chest, and looked her directly in the eye. Alena realized that she was staring into the face of Edward King.
Eyes snapping open, she quickly sat up in bed and screamed, "Oh God!"
"What the hell was that?" Gabriel demanded pulling away as though he had been shocked.
Staring at each other in confusion, Alena soon realized that Gabriel had been trespassing in her mind, watching her dream. Almost simultaneously, she started blushing and he began laughing. Pressing the heels of his palms to his eyes, he rolled away shaking in humor that was uncharacteristic of the Gabriel she knew. Because she loved the sound of his laughter, she moved past her shock and embarrassment to touch his shoulder and smile.
"Gabe, promise me you won't tell him."
"Tell him what?" he said catching his breath. "Tell him that his mate is a telepathic exhibitionist and her sister is the complimentary voyeur?"
Stuttering through a faulty defense, Alena settled for the childish reply, "Well, you were watching too."
"I was merely enjoying your reaction."
With a blush, she turned her head and mumbled, "I wasn't having a reaction."
Leaning toward her and slowly inhaling the scent of her arousal, he said, "Oh, I beg to differ."
Realizing what he was doing she snapped, "That's just rude. Besides, the only reaction I'm having now is hunger pains," and thankfully her stomach rumbled in proof. "Any chance of breakfast in bed?"
Pulling her into his arms, Gabriel playfully tugged her hair, bending her neck to one side and answered, "I have mine right here," and quickly pressed his lips to the pulse at her throat. "I could get use to this."
Relaxing in his hold, she leaned back into him and savored the feeling of his touch. Was it just yesterday that she had started the day as she had with the same routine as the previous three months? Reminding herself that her sister had been safely returned boost her mood more than she had thought possible. Ok, maybe the girl was a different species, but that was acceptable.
Feeling Gabe's arms protectively wrapped around her reminded her that being with him had been her impossible dream. Even at the peak of their relationship, they had never allowed themselves the privilege of crossing over into each other's normal lives. Alena could probably find her way around the mansion as well as any servant just from memory of Gabe's stories. Likewise, he had listened to her talk about her parents and siblings enough to have picked them out of a crowd. But their love had grown in the confines of his executive office at the hospital. They had never been seen together in public and had never sealed their relationship with more than a kiss.
That truth brought Alena back to the reality that she had spent the night with Gabe and was even now enjoying their playful affection in his bed. As he released her, she turned to him found his lips with hers. Partially aware of her scant sleepwear and his boxer shorts as the only clothing separating their bodies, she hesitantly leaned into him in search of his heated skin.
Gabriel's arousal soared at her acceptance of him and he pulled her even closer to him. She opened her mouth in response to the pressure from his tongue and tasted him as he delved into her mouth. With a moan, she pressed her breasts into him seeking something she could not define but knew that he could provide. Sensing her desire, he responded with a caress down her arm and across her hip. At the bottom of her camisole, he sought the soft skin hidden underneath and trailed his fingers up her spine. Slowly he moved up her back, pulling the shirt up her body. Moving his other arm around her back, he deepened the kiss, cradling her close to him. As she submitted to his movements, he moved his hand from her back around to her ribs tickling the groves and feeling her flesh shiver in response. Gently laying her on the bed, he held her body close as he cupped one breast in his palm.
Gasping in the kiss, she opened her eyes to see his black eyes staring into hers. His gaze held those same promises made eight years ago, and she withdrew, afraid to hope.
"Don't," he said cradling her face and staring into her eyes, "We've been given a second chance to be together forever."
"Gabe," she started, "I have a job."
"You're fired."
