CLAIM
There were so many things that Sarah would never get to do, and each new thought was like a knife to her already shattered heart.
She'd never see her brother reach his dream. She'd never spend time with her friends again or just have a girl's night out. She'd never get to have another bi-weekly girl's night in with Sookie, painting toe nails and watching chick flicks.
She'd never get to tell Eric that she loved him to his face.
She had known him for such a short time, but already knew him better than any other man she'd ever been with, knew him better than most of her friends. And he knew her, knew all of her deepest and darkest secrets and still didn't judge her for all of her mistakes and blunders, no matter how big they were.
She felt the cool tip of the blade, but was barely aware of it, her mind drenched in a sorrow so deep that she thought she would die. Her mind blocked out the world, focused on the pain that flooded through her, pain so strong that it was nothing compared the anything that a piece of sadistic vampire scum could mete out.
There was a loud crash, splinters of wood flying in every direction as the man turned to look at the door, a curse escaping his lips as he called a name angrily – presumably his accomplices – as he turned towards the entrance.
Sarah followed his gaze, his angry outburst pulling her from her within her mind long enough for her to see the sight before her, her eyes wide as she stared at his heaving chest, his blue eyes so dark that she felt the anger coiling from him.
He bared his fangs, a feral growl rumbling from his chest. But the sound died as he looked at her, all of the anger in his eyes replaced by pain as he met her gaze for a moment.
He darted forward, snatching the knife from the man's hand before he lifted him into the air again, thrusting the blade into the man's throat, twisting. Just as he'd done the night before, he brought the scum to his eye level, bearing his fangs again, a sinister hiss sending chills through the air. 'Listen well,' he said, running a finger lightly over the man's jaw, the light touch deceptive as to his intent. 'Are you listening?'
The man nodded slightly, unable to move much because of the knife. For the briefest moment, Eric smiled a sadistic smile before baring his teeth again. 'I'm going to put you in my basement and leave you there. When you are starving and your skin is sinking into your bones, your body growing so weak that you can barely hold your own weight, I will come to you every day and offer you two options. Option one, you remain in the basement. Option two, you run out into the sun and see how long you survive before you burst into flame,' he said, running his finger over the man's jaw again. 'Do you understand?' The man nodded slightly again and Eric lowered him to his feet, using his towering height to look down on the man. 'Oh, and for future reference,' he said, twisting the knife again, 'Sarah is mine.'
The words hit her hard and her heart jolted back to life, picking up the pieces in a flurry of beats that sent her soaring. Eric really did want her, and the look in his eyes and tone of his voice told her that it wasn't just a territorial vampire thing or possessiveness. It was that same flash of emotion that she'd kept seeing that told her there was more to it, deeper down than they ever could have imagined.
He landed a solid punch in the man's jaw and dropped the so called vampire's limp body onto the concrete as he turned to Sarah, darting around behind her, making short work of the rope around her wrists, focusing all of his energy on getting her freed of the bonds without causing her pain.
He would not kill that man.
Yet.
As he'd searched for her, he'd felt everything that she'd felt, every second of pain and fear, but seeing it nearly killed him. She pitched sideways as soon as she was freed of the bonds. He turned her chair quickly and she fell straight into his lap, a cry ripping from her body as her wrists jarred. Her whole body was quivering, bruises marking her thighs, her arms, her stomach, each new black and blue spot that he discovered a fresh wound in his heart.
But they were nothing compared to the cuts that marked her temples, carved into her skin one by one, the wounds dripping blood down her cheeks. He felt the tears come to his eyes and he let them fall, let the blood stain his skin as it stained hers. He carefully swept her hair back, tilting her chin up. 'I'm sorry, Sarah,' he said, voice trembling as he wiped some of the tears from her cheeks with his thumb. 'I should have arrived early tonight, should have killed him last night.'
'You couldn't have known that he'd try something like this,' she said. 'All that matters is that it's over, that I can finally tell you that I–'
She tried to lift her hand and screamed, not just from the pain that crashed over her, but from frustration. All she wanted to do was touch him, reassure him, and she couldn't move even twitch a finger without feeling the searing heat of what were probably broken wrists.
'You're going to be okay,' he promised, bringing his wrist to his lips. He slashed his skin deep with his fangs, raising it to her lips. 'Drink.'
She hesitated for a moment, looking at the blood flowing from the wound before she leant forward, his free hand cupping the back of her head as she took the first pull, her body reacting in seconds. The throb in her head dulled, the bruises on her thighs and arms disappearing before her eyes, the searing heat of the cuts in her temples disappearing, replaced by a tingling sensation as her skin knitted back together. The bones in her wrists shifted back into place, little cracks sounding beneath her skin.
She brought them slowly up, flexing the joints a little, eyes wide. She'd been healed by vampire blood – by Eric's blood – before, but she hadn't seen it in action.
'Feel better?' he asked, a little smile crossing his lips even though the blood of his tears still clung to his skin, more falling as she trailed her fingers over his cheek, thumb tracing his lip. He leant into her touch, reaching up to cup her hand in his, keeping it against his cheek. 'I was so scared that I was going to lose you, Sarah.'
He leant her forehead against hers, feeling her body shake with a little sob. 'Me too,' she said. 'That's why I need to tell you something now, something that I was so afraid you'd never hear.'
Does she really mean…?
'I love you.'
When he'd been approaching the garage, he'd thought that he had imagined hearing the words that she now uttered, had thought that it was just some desperate part of his imagination trying to get him to move faster.
But he hadn't been imagining that she'd said them, and now she'd said it right to him, her eyes locked on his as though she could stare into his soul, and in so many ways, she could. Those three little words had confirmed what he'd believed the moment that he'd started to run, to search for her.
His heart would always belong to her.
'I love you too, Sarah.'
She smiled and his heart flipped. He helped her to her feet, quickly wiping the blood from his cheeks with the cuff of his sleeve. 'He'll be out for a while, so I'll take you home before I…deal with him.'
'You won't deal with him.'
'I can't let him go this time, not after what he's done–'
'You think that I'm too delicate to wail on him too?' she asked.
His argument came to an abrupt halt, eyes wide. 'You shouldn't.'
'But I want to,' she whispered. 'He's done this before, a lot of times. I don't want him to have another chance ever again.'
He opened his mouth but no sound came out, so he just nodded. 'Together.'
She had to stand on the tips of her toes in order to place a quick kiss on his lips before she looked at the man, raising her hand, a burst of water washing over him until he stirred. They both stepped forward and Eric landed a kick in his side, turning him over.
'Rise and shine,' he said, kicking the scum until his eyes opened.
He spluttered, hand instantly moving to cover the still seeping wound on his throat, his face gaunt as he stared up at Eric and Sarah. 'What are you going to do to me?'
Sarah smiled as fire spread over her and Eric's joined hand, though it didn't burn him. The man's gaze fixed on the flames and he tried to scoot backwards, coming in contact with a wall. 'What are you?' he screamed. 'Oh God, what are you?'
Eric watched as Sarah raised their hands, a ball of fire shooting straight into the man's chest, setting him instantly ablaze in screaming agony. For a moment, they just stared as he fought against the flames.
'Take me home,' she said, her hand coming to rest on his chest, her touch light.
'It feels good to watch though.'
'There are other things that feel good,' she said, and the promise within her words made him want to tremble. 'Please, take me home.'
'What about the other one that I can smell?' he asked.
'He smokes, and there are plenty of flammable things in this garage,' she said. 'No, please.'
With a quick nod, he swept her off of her feet and took off sprinting. They reached his home in minutes. He threw the covers aside, preparing to tuck her into his bed. He placed her carefully on the mattress, taking off her shoes before she could protest. He expected her to fall asleep as soon as her head hit the pillow. Instead, her fingers wrapped around his wrist and she pulled him down on top of her, her actions so quick that he only just had time to adjust his weight, not wanting to crush her.
He heard her heartbeat ramp up, felt the rush of heat in his body in reaction to hers, but the feeling was different from before. It wasn't just…attraction. No, it was something deeper, something that he felt his whole being answer, the feeling so strong that it called to him like an instinct.
He could tell what her intentions were, but he couldn't be sure of her feelings when so many of his own were warring inside of him. 'Sarah, I don't–'
'I could have died today,' she said as she placed a finger over his lips, silencing him as she continued. 'I kept telling myself before I was kidnapped that I wasn't going to do anything more intimate than kiss you tonight. I thought that the longer I waited, the better, but I see now that I was wrong. No matter what had happened tonight, I would have wanted you to make love to me,' she said, keeping her finger in place. 'And I do now.'
'Sarah, you were just–'
'Attacked. I know,' she finished for him. 'That doesn't change how I feel about you. I need you Eric. Claim me, not because I could have died, after all, that could happen at any moment.' That made him flinch, but she kept going, needing him to hear her. 'Claim me because my heart will always belong to you. Show me that I'm yours.'
He kissed the tip of her nose, feeling her emotions back her words. There was no denying her, not when she was so sure of herself.
So sure of him.
'Just like my heart will always belong to you.'
He tilted his head slightly, carefully licking the blood from her temples and cheeks, pleased to find only smooth, creamy skin beneath the drying red, a little smile crossing his lips as her fingers dug lightly into his ribs.
He brushed his lips along her jaw before slanting them over hers. He started slow, letting her set the pace, a moan escaping her lips as he slid the tip of his tongue over her bottom lip, her mouth opening to him so that he could slide his tongue along hers.
God, with every kiss she tasted better, her body melding to his as he wove his fingers into her hair, needing to be closer to her. He tore her already ruined shirt from her body before undoing the buttons of his own, throwing the garment to the ground. Her hands were on him in an instant, her soft skin like velvet against his chest, ribs and abs, her touch so light that his muscles jumped at the contact.
She worked her way down to the button of his jeans and he merely watched as she flicked it open, delicate fingers slowly – painfully slowly – working the zip down, pressing against him with a tantalizing pressure that caused a low hiss to slip from between his lips.
He sat up a little, allowing her to push his jeans over his hips. Her gaze locked onto his groin, eyes a little wider than before, making his lip curl into a smirk. He felt the intensity of the heat that rushed through her, the scent of her arousal ramping up until he was nearly drugged by it, and knew that she was impressed.
Just like he'd hoped.
He leapt off her for a moment, kicking off his shoes and jeans. He was over her again in an instant, fingers expertly dealing with the clip of her bra, though he took his time to pull it from her. He bit his lip to stifle a groan, tasting blood for a moment as on his fangs pierced his skin. He eased her back with his body, settling his hips between her thighs, tongue tracing the hollow of her collarbone before sliding down her creamy skin to one of the pert tips. He teased one nipple with his tongue, feeling a little shiver move through her body.
A broken cry escaped her lips as he grazed a fang over the sensitive peak, his lips closing around it. He drew the aroused flesh between his lips, sucking hard, her body arching to him, hips rocking to grind against him, his eyes almost rolling back at the pleasure that vibrated through him.
He just held onto his control, teasing her other nipple as his hand trailed down to her shorts, the zip dealt with in an instant. He couldn't hide a grin as he gripped the bottom hem of the shorts, her breath hitching as he pulled them from her body in one swift movement. He took his time with her panties. No, she wasn't wearing a g-string, but the delicate woven lace was blood red, enticing him all the more.
His cock was throbbing, painful, growing harder with every second that he continued to explore her body, but he would pleasure her first, would go at a slow pace just like he'd made himself promise.
He kissed her ribs, sliding his tongue over her skin, revelling in the taste of her flesh, the scent of her. He hooked a fang beneath the hem of lace and sliced the garment from her body, hearing a little protest as he tore them from her, throwing them to ground to join to pile of clothes. He looked up at her as she pushed herself up on her elbows, the most adorable pout on her lips.
'I liked those,' she said.
He smirked, darting up her body to give her a quick – though still breathtaking – kiss on the lips. 'I'll buy you more.' He kissed her again, lips lingering for a moment as he eased her back down, head against the pillows.
'You know, Eric, no man has ever gotten me naked this fast,' she said, a little breathless as he kissed his way back down her body, hands gently easing her thighs apart.
He looked up at her, resting his chin on her hip for a moment, a wicked smirk on his lips as he said, 'it's a talent.'
She arched as he slid a finger over her clitoris, groaning at the feel of her delicate flesh, so wet and ready for him. He'd thought of touching her at every moment over the last few days, but he never believed that it could ever feel so good, not in reality.
How wrong he was.
He parted her delicate folds as he lowered his head to kiss her hip, her inner thigh, hearing her whimper as he blew a soft breath over her over the swollen bud. He let a little chuckle rumble through him, another breath hitting her flesh, making her hips jerk. He gripped her thighs lightly as he delved his tongue over every inch of her, eyes rolling back in his head at her taste, a euphoria settling over him as he dipped his tongue inside, another little cry coming from her.
He drew back for a moment, licking his lips, allowing himself to enjoy the taste of her arousal for a moment before his grip on her hips tightened, hands pinning her to the mattress. He closed his lips around her clitoris, feeling the throb of the delicate flesh, her fingers weaving into his hair as he lightly sucked it. She cried out as his fang grazed over the swollen bud, a wave of pleasure crashing over her with so much force that she nearly came from the small contact.
'Eric.'
'I know,' he said, voice rough.
He didn't know if he'd be able to control himself for much longer. He needed to be buried inside her, inside heat so intense that it would likely make him insane, but was afraid of hurting her, afraid of inflicting even the tiniest amount of pain after she'd been through so much already.
When he pulled away from her, a disappointed little cry escaped her lips. He pressed against her, chest to chest as he kissed her, cutting off any more protests she wanted to voice. 'This is just the beginning,' he promised, sliding a finger into her depths, adding a second as he thrust slowly, carefully, testing the tightness of her little body.
It was just as he'd thought.
No, she wasn't a virgin, but her heat was already so tight around just two of his fingers. How would she be able to take him?
'More,' she said, wiggling her hips when he stilled for a moment whilst off in thought. 'Please, Eric.'
'I don't want to hurt you,' he said, gently scissoring his fingers inside of her, stretching her carefully before he added a third, her breath coming in pants as he thrust in and out. He moved slowly, waiting for any indication – whether on her face or the emotions flooding through him from her – that he was hurting her. When he saw no signs, he withdrew the digits, settling his hips between her thighs.
He could feel a little bit of anxiety mingle with her arousal and gently brushed a few dark strands from her eyes, running his fingers through her silky hair. 'I'll go slowly,' he promised as he straightened his arms, hands beside her head on the pillows, supporting his weight as he pressed his swollen head against her entrance.
He had to resist the urge to plunge into her as the head of his cock slipped into her heat, her body clenching around him a little.
Oh yes, very tight indeed.
He thrust a little deeper, gritting his teeth as he held onto his control inch by inch. Once buried completely in her tight, little sheath, he froze, forcing his body to still, though he desperately wanted to drive into her, to release the death grip on his control.
But he didn't move.
It wasn't until she gently rocked against him that he eased out of her ever so slightly, so careful with his movements. He met her gaze, her eyes glazed over, clouded with desire, with a need that he was sure was reflected in his. Her fingernails dug into his hips and he pulled out further with each stroke, feeling only pleasure coming from her with each thrust.
Reassured, he drove a little harder, a little faster, hearing the pant of her breath, the beat of her heart as her blood rushed through her veins, calling to him…
His fangs were aching, his eyes drawn to the base of her neck, his back instinctively arching, readying to bite her. Would she like that? Would her reaction be the same as that first night?
He closed his mouth, his eyes, trying to ignore the urge, focusing on the feeling of her heat as it tightened around him a little, her body already nearing the climax that he so desperately wanted to give her.
But still his fangs ached.
He felt a hand move from his hip to cup his cheek, her thumb gently brushing over his lips. His eyes opened and he met her gaze again, the fog of desire replaced by a clarity that stunned him. He watched as she brushed her hair aside, arching up to him, her slender neck revealed ever so temptingly to him.
'Bite me, Eric,' she said, her breathless voice causing his cock to throb even as he thrust inside her.
'I don't know if I'd be able to stop,' he admitted, though he still brushed his lips over her skin.
'You won't hurt me,' she said, fingers weaving into his hair.
He didn't have the strength to deny her. He wrapped an arm around her waist, drawing her body against his so tightly that his chest rubbed her rigid nipples with each thrust, her throaty moans vibrating through him as she arched again. He kissed her neck, tasting her creamy skin, body trembling with anticipation. He grazed his teeth over the base of her neck, feeling her shudder every time he passed a certain expanse of her skin. He closed his lips over that spot.
He sank his teeth into her flesh and lost the death grip on his control, her heat tightening around him as she began to climax. The knowledge that his bite had tipped her over the edge sent a thrill of fire through him so hot that he groaned, thrusting in abandon, hips grinding against hers as her exquisite blood continued to flood over his tongue, her screams in time with each pull of his mouth.
He pulled his fangs from her skin as he came, roaring with a satisfaction so deep that the last thousand years seemed like nothing, all past pleasures completely trivial to the pleasure caused by the taste of their blood as they climaxed.
It seemed to take an eternity for him to come back to himself, his seed spent deep inside her. Yet even as her legs slipped from around his hips, her hands only weakly gripping his shoulders, he continued to thrust lazily, a smile over his lips of pure contentment as he nuzzled her neck, lapping at the blood that seeped slowly from his bite.
She was his, would always be his.
'I don't think I'm going to be able to walk tomorrow,' she said as she ran her fingers through his hair, a little shiver sprinting down her spine as a playful growl rumbled low in his chest.
'I'll be sure to keep you tucked up in bed all day then,' he said, nipping her ear. 'Though, I'm not sure how much rest you will get.'
Promises, promises.
'I can't wait–' she yawned, her cheeks flushing pink, a little flash of embarrassment flooding through her.
He smiled, claiming her lips, his kiss tender. 'It's been a long night,' he said, brushing his thumb over her the blush.
He reached down, pulling the discarded covers up as he tucked her against his body, her back to his chest. He wrapped an arm around her waist, a content little sigh escaping her lips as she entwined her fingers with his. He slipped his other arm under her head, pressing a kiss to the back of her neck.
'Sleep, Sarah,' he whispered, feeling her little body relax into his embrace, a smile creeping over his lips. 'You'll always be safe with me.'
Hi there readers,
Originally this was the end of In The Blood, but how could I resist continuing?
Head to the next chapter for the beginning of Bond Of Blood.
~ Ryuk In Person ~