Chapter 23: Take All of Me Now

"Show me more..."

"You know you should be resting," Derek reminds Meredith. "I wouldn't be a very good mentor to let you tire yourself out..." But his body is responding, his hands inching along the silky camisole. The sight of her small fangs is making him hotter than ever, more than any other vampiress before. She is the same woman he fell in love with, yet different.

"I'm feeling good," she assures him, watching the way his eyes are changing, seeing him with her vampire sense, seeing more richness to his pupils. She places her hand on his chest, over the shirt, amazed at how strongly she feels his heart beating, and how her own is pounding in time. Her fingers pull at the buttons, easing the material open, touching the skin beneath it.

"Here, let me put this on you," Derek reminds her, picking the amulet up from the bedside table. He holds it up, and she turns in his lap, lifting her hair away from her neck. The sight of her pale skin, the arch of her neck exposed sends a jolt of urgent need through him. Meredith peeks over her shoulder at him, a smile on her lips.

I know what you're thinking...

You do... Even his thoughts are richly seductive.

He slides the corded amulet around her, fastening it at the back carefully. Following the length of her neck with his mouth, pulling her back against him. "There, now you are fully one of us, and with me, for the rest of our immortal lives." His lips set off a series of tremors along her spine, as his hands glided over the camisole. The dainty straps begin to fall off her shoulders, and she moves against him sensuously, letting her head fall back against him. He feels so solid and powerful behind her, his strong thighs supporting her weight easily. But her eyelids begin to droop again, and she tries to fight the drowsiness.

"Derek…" she murmurs, her voice part sleepy and part sultry.

"Easy sweetheart…" he chuckles softly. "You aren't quite recovered yet." Easing her onto the pillows again, admiring just how sexy she looks.

Meredith takes his hand, smiling sleepily at him. He glides his fingers along her bottom lip, and her tongue darts out to stroke him lightly. Their eyes meet, as she pulls him a little closer, her fangs, kitten sharp, grazing his finger. Pure hot desire floods him, as she nips him just enough to draw a bead of blood. His cock throbs as she laps the little drop, a small sound of pleasure in her throat.

Meredith feels the surge of desire in her own body at the taste of his blood, more intensely rich than before, on her tongue. There are another few drops from the small puncture, sliding down her throat, lush and potent as the best vintage wine. Her body hungers for more, but the pull of sleep is stronger at the moment, and reluctantly, she swipes her tongue along his fingertip one last time, before letting him go. Magically, the wound closes, and she looks at him in surprise.

"Did I just do that?" she whispers, her eyes half lidded.

"It's the touch of your saliva, it will heal the puncture of a mortal. In my case, my vampire healing aided in the speed," he tells her, his body still humming from the feel of her pulling at his finger. But he places his hand on her cheek, willing his own desires to back down. He kisses her temple, drifting lips over her now closed eyes. "Rest, sweetheart….there is all the time in the world to explore your new abilities when you wake."

Meredith nods, already losing the battle to stay awake, tumbling into sleep, a smile on her mouth. Derek watches her for a moment, before moving to the chair beside the window. Lacing his hands behind his head, leaning back easily, comfortable as always in the dark. Moonlight plays over Meredith as she sleeps, her skin looking more polished and perfect, her hair in disarray over the pillows. He can pick up the scent of her lavender shampoo, mingled with her own female scent, and it arouses him as always with her.

What is it about her that is tied to Kiera, he wonders, something mystical, or something more prosaic? All his talk of his past life may have triggered something in her mind, but even so, she dreamt of things he had never mentioned to her. He would like to think that a little part of Kiera lived on, but Meredith is still her own person. Whatever drew him to her may have been due to the intrigue that she looks so much like Kiera, but her own spirit and courage are what he loves. Kiera wouldn't have been so quick to learn the intricacies of throwing daggers or shooting a gun in self-defense. Yet the innate female essence is very similar in the two women, very intoxicating, he admits to himself.

For a few moments, he contemplates what his life would have been like had Kiera lived, had Thatcher not needed to turn him vampire. They would have grown old together, watching their children grow. Spending time at court when necessary, as King Henry worked his way through all his wives.

But then he wouldn't be here now, enjoying the wonders of this world. Wouldn't have fallen in love with Meredith. He can't imagine the rest of immortality without her now. Teaching her all the things she needs to know will be a pleasurable duty.

Then Meredith stirs, sitting up, stretching as sleek as a cat. He senses her eyes on him, her newly acquired vampire senses scoping the room. Thinking of his own awakening, the strength that surprised him, and the thirst that raged in him, Derek is well aware of how she must be feeling.

"Come, Meredith, you need blood now," he says, his voice smooth and whisper soft.

She hears him as if had spoken aloud. "Yes, I feel it…"

Derek rises elegantly, holding his hand out to her. "We can go to Savage Garden if you feel up to it on your first night. Victor and Nikolai will be more than happy to see you, and there are plenty of willing mortals there." He raises one eyebrow suggestively. "Well, perhaps they don't know they are willing, but you know what I mean."

Meredith gives a little shrug. "It's still a bit new to me to consider them 'mortals', or different from me, but yes, I understand. But I would prefer to just go out with you alone first, is that all right? Will it be difficult to learn? It's not like this comes with a "Vampires for Dummies" book," she giggles, jumping up and moving closer to Derek. "We can see your friends tomorrow night."

"Of course, whatever you wish, sweetheart. And you will do fine. Thatcher showed me, and now I pass it on to you. Only you will go after males."

"Does that bother you?"

"Does it bother you for me to take a female?" he counters devilishly.

Meredith touches his cheek. "Well, I've never actually watched you do it, so I can't say. I realize it's the nature of what drives us, what we are. Father explained it all to me."

He catches her hand and presses a kiss to her palm. "And while the act may have sexual overtones, there isn't anything like that between the two unless we wish it to be."

"And you've had your share, haven't you?"

It's Derek's turn to shrug. "Many centuries, many times, yes…but now there is only you for me. It's only the blood I crave now from the mortals, just as you will discover." He lowers his head, brushing his lips along hers, feeling her soft sigh of desire. Then with more urgency, parting her lips, sliding his tongue along hers, along the sharp tips of her fangs.

With a little growl of frustration, he lets her go, their breathing ragged. "I better get dressed," Meredith murmurs, her palms resting on the rich red silk of his shirt, feeling his body humming with need.

"Yes, the sooner we go, the sooner we can return," Derek tells her, his thoughts full of just what he wants. Wanting her sweet body meeting his, tangled in the sheets, while he kisses her along the damp skin, making her cry out in ecstasy from each caress, finding that tender spot that takes her over the edge…

Derek…now you're being naughty…

You haven't seen anything yet sweetheart…

The street is quiet and cool, as Derek and Meredith wait outside a blues club. Low throbbing sounds of music filter outside, as the band winds down for the night. The last few patrons are leaving, bundled against the frosty air. Derek nods towards a young woman exiting. "Shall I go first?" he asks Meredith, who nods silently.

As the woman pauses at the corner, Derek is by her side in a heartbeat, murmuring quietly to her. She nods, pointing out directions, as he guides her away slowly, still talking. Meredith glides along in the shadows, remembering his assurances it isn't sexual, yet still feeling a twinge of jealousy, seeing his head bent close to his intended prey. She can hear his reassuring words, his overtones of seduction that ease the woman along willingly.

In the dim light, Derek holds her in place, and cups her cheek, bending her head to the side. The woman's dark hair falls away, revealing her throat. With a slight hiss of need, Derek lets his fangs descend, breaking the skin and taking her blood in a long pull. Meredith's breath catches, watching take what he craves, feeling a connection to his thoughts. Never give pain...always respect what they give up to you...

Meredith nods to herself, tilting her own head to watch closer as he seals the wound, leaving only a tiny mark that will fade quickly. As the woman exhales, Derek traces her forehead with his fingertips, shutting her eyes and taking away all memory of the encounter. He sends her on her way, none the wiser, and he is beside Meredith again before she can blink.

"You okay with that?" he asks her, watching her expression carefully.

"It was a little more...well, sexual, than I anticipated, but..."

"Only blood, only nourishment...do you think you can do that now?" He tips her chin up, giving her a gentle kiss, letting her taste the hint of blood along his tongue.

"Yes, I need more..." she replies, breaking the kiss.

They spot a young man leaving the club now, his gait a little unsteady, patting his pockets to look for his car keys. "There... he is already unguarded in his thoughts..."

Stealthy and quiet, Derek leads her closer, giving her a gentle push at the small of her back to propel her closer. Meredith reaches out and touches her quarry with a light tap on the shoulder, making him jump in surprise and spin around.

"What is it...?" He looks at her, confused as to where she has appeared from. "Didn't see you inside, did I? I'd bloody well remember seeing you..."

Derek winks at Meredith from the other side, where he has melted into the darkness, unseen by the mortal. Meredith leans in a little closer. "I need some help...my car..." She smiles a little, feigning helplessness.

"Erm...sure." He follows her eagerly, around the corner, away from the streetlights. "Where ...?" He looks around, confused, at the empty street.

Hold his shoulders, ease him back... Derek urges. He won't resist - your strength is more than his, and your thoughts are enough to hold him. I'll be right here...

Meredith takes a deep breath, calming herself, and pushing lightly until he is backed against the brick wall. Her senses are firing, the sound of his pulse beating beckoning her closer. Acting on pure instinct that she didn't know she possessed, she murmurs little reassuring words, her hand moving to the back of his neck.

Easy sweetheart, that's it...now focus on the artery...

Her fangs suddenly descend, closer to their mark. For a brief second, she hesitates, but a need for the blood beneath the skin is undeniable.

Just do it...

"Ah, love, whatever you're doin', I'm all yours," the man mutters, surrendering, closing his eyes. Meredith bites down, fangs against his skin, sliding in and blood instantly exploding against her tongue. Not as potent as Derek's, but warm and earthy, tinged with whiskey from his drinks in the pub. It races through her system, giving her an intense rush of well-being, bringing a flush to her skin.

Easy Meredith...

She makes herself pull away, lifting her head. The man is sagging backwards as her tongue seals the tiny puncture.

What do I do now?

Place your fingers on his forehead, then along his eyes, telling him to put this out of his mind. It will wipe away the memory...

Slowly, Meredith does as Derek instructs, and the man closes his eyes again, breathing deeply. Meredith moves away, letting him stagger away back to his car, watching him pat his pockets once more for his lost keys. Derek gathers her close, kissing her hard, in the damp dark of the night. He tastes the residual blood on her lips, as he probes for her tongue. Desire races like wildfire between them, and Meredith moans against his mouth. She is still exhilarated, on a high from the experience, straining up against Derek.

"Oh my god, that was so amazing..." she manages to whisper, sliding her tongue along to his ear. Her sharp fangs nips at the lobe, eliciting a low growl in his throat.

"We need to go home, now, before you make me lose all my control..." he warns her, his voice rough. "And that is saying a lot, my dear..." His knee wedges between hers, his cock hard and demanding against her, rubbing the supple leather of her pants. She feels instantly damp, greedy to have more of him - he is more than just pure male - he is everything that she wants, and she wants it now.

"So, take me here...now..." she urges him, a little wickedness in her own thoughts, spreading her legs a little wider to accommodate him. "Please..." she moans, panting with need.

But in a rush of air, Derek takes them away, and she finds herself tumbled onto their bed, their clothing scattered to the corners of the room in his haste. Before she can say a word, Derek covers her body with his, parting her legs, the tip of his cock sliding against her wetness. Nudging, then plunging long and slow and deep. "Take all of me now, Meredith..." he demands, filling her utterly, to her very soul. He pumps slowly at first, even though it is pure torture for him, and she senses the hunger in him for more. He growls again at how good it feels, buried as far as he can in her sweet body.

"God yes, Derek...harder..." she responds, her hips gliding to meet his, his arm supporting her as he moves faster. His mouth claims hers again, fevered and hard, as she feels the climax roaring through her like a furious cyclone. His body clenches, the heat of his own release overtaking him, as he takes her in a reckless rhythm. Her legs wind around him, meeting each thrust, bodies slick and gleaming with sweat. As he growls in satisfaction, Meredith loses herself in the orgasm, clinging to him with a thrilling sense of abandonment. The rush is more intense, deeper, as he crushes against her. And when the rush is over, they lay tangled together, her lips against his throat.

Bite me...