Chapter 25: Nights Like This
After a while, before Meredith thinks about getting out of bed, loathing to move away from Derek's possessive embrace, he kisses her temple. "What will you do about the visions...and the ring?" he asks softly. His gaze flicks over the ring, still sparkling warmly on the table.
"I'll talk to Father about contacting Veronique to return, after I talk to Richard. She is one of the elders - one that could perform a ritual to put a wandering spirit to rest, right?"
"Almost one of the very first of our kind in existence," Derek agrees. "She will be happy to help you. She likes you." He shifts, touching her face tenderly. "If Kiera's spirit truly is restless, I want her to know you will be with me now. And if there is some genetic link between you two, then she can go peacefully, knowing all is well."
"I understand." Meredith pauses for a moment, recalling the sharp clarity of the vision. Thinking of the feel of the baby in her arms. It was something she had never considered before, being a mother, having a child. She isn't even sure she would be a good mother.
"You would be..." Derek says quietly, sensing her thoughts. "I'm quite sure of it."
Meredith wrinkles her nose at him. "I don't know..."
Swiftly, he pins her back against the pillows, giving her a long, loving look. "You are the most kind, loving woman I know, Meredith. There is no reason to think otherwise - and I would love to see you hold our child, knowing it was created from our bond." His hand rests on her belly, smoothing the skin.
A little sting of tears comes to her eyes, listening to him. "It's a rare occurrence between vampires, though, isn't it?"
Derek nods. "But since I discovered you, and know that it can happen, perhaps it will be part of our destiny as well..." He covers her face in soft, lingering kisses, igniting a burn of desire again between them. "Until then...I advocate many attempts to procreate..." Her little gasp of pleasure is lost against his mouth, as he takes her away into doing just that all over again...
Much later, Derek eases the powerful motorcycle into place in front of Savage Garden, the engine rumbling loudly. Despite the lateness of the hour, there are several people milling around outside, and loud voices and laughter can be heard. There is a slight drizzle of rain, making the street shine under the streetlights.
He maneuvers the bike into a spot near the door, obviously left just for him, before turning to look over his shoulder at Meredith. Her eyes sparkle at him, as she shakes her head playfully. "You like driving this, even if we could have just..." She waves her hand airily to indicate a faster mode.
Derek shrugs. "It's a guy thing..." he agrees, swinging himself off the bike in an easy movement. Wearing his long, leather duster to keep out the damp, over black leather pants and white shirt, he smiles at her, unrepentant. His biker boots are thick soled, with pewter buckles, and he seems even more dangerous than usual in this outfit. "Besides, it's a helluva lot of fun..." He winks at her, holding his hand out to help her down from her perch.
Meredith hops down easily, her hair swinging over her shoulder. Also dressed in black leather, the form fitting pants are tucked into the knee-high Louboutin boots that lace up the front. Her cowl neck black cashmere sweater accentuates how tiny and feminine she is, hugging her curves beneath a cropped Versace jacket. "What?" she asks him, fully aware of his scrutiny. "Do I look all right?"
"You know you do..." Derek murmurs, his dark eyes gleaming at her, a wolfish grin on his lips. Leaning in, pulling her closer for a long, hot kiss, his tongue invading her mouth. His hand catches in her hair, tangling in the waves that have taken on more vibrancy, more fullness, since her transformation. "You just make me think of all kinds of erotic..."
"Derek..." she sighs, "haven't you had enough already tonight..." Getting glimpses of those thoughts.
He pulls back with a muttered curse. "It's never enough with you, darling, but I will do my best to restrain myself...for now..." His eyes glint with desire. "You just look far too appealing. Our kind will know you are with me, thankfully, but the mortal males will be all over you..."
"Then you're lucky I'm all yours."
"I agree." He takes her arm, and leads her towards the front door, where a huge, muscular male vampire stands guard. His massive arms are crossed over his chest, as he surveys the potential club goers. A grin appears on his face as he spots Derek, standing aside to let them by.
"Hey, Derek, good to see you. Been awhile..."
"Just otherwise occupied, Gregor," Derek grins, as they are ushered inside.
"Oh, I understand, my man..." Gregor murmurs, eying Meredith as she passes by. "And I have work to do..." he adds hastily, as Derek gives him a sidelong glare for his bold perusal of Meredith's ass. "Enjoy the night." Spinning quickly, he disappears back outside.
The dimly lit club is jammed with bodies, some undulating on the dance floor, many more along the bar and the elevated catwalk. Meredith looks around curiously, her vision sharp and bright. The crowd is predominantly Goth, with black leather and pale skin on display. Many are mortal, but more are vampire, blending in with the crowd, keeping their fangs out of sight. The scent of blood and beat of the music is overpowering, putting all her senses on alert.
Derek cuts his way through the throng, his hand at the small of her back. Several eyes follow their progress, in various degrees of desire and interest. His eyes find hers, his dark and sensual, hers snapping with interest. She senses the scrutiny as they pass through, the whispers of observation. The vampires are deferring to Derek, acknowledging his status among them, along with her own place as Thatcher's daughter. There are a few younger ones who look almost ready to make a move forward, before he pins them in place with a little shake of his head.
The mortals are oblivious to the unseen power, but all of them seem to sense the erotic undercurrent. Longing and heat suffuses them, watching the easy, sensual gait, the play of the swirling lights over the faces of Derek and Meredith, their perfect features accentuated. Then the music takes over again, and they all shake it off just a bit. Dancing, talking, waving their drinks as they resume conversations, still covertly watching Derek escort Meredith towards the raised platform at the far end of the floor, where Victor and Nikolai wait.
You make quite an entrance, darling... Meredith remembers vividly the first time she saw him, striding confidently through Joe's, creating the same stir in his wake.
Do not underestimate your new appeal either, little one..
He moves forward a little more swiftly, and she finds herself keeping pace without effort. They reach the booth, where the two male vampires are lounging. Power radiates from them, their age somewhere greater than Derek's and less than Thatcher. Both of them tall, lean, with jade green eyes and lustrous auburn hair that is shot through with glimmering highlights that would make most women jealous. "Ah, good evening, Derek. Good of you to bring Meredith to our club to show her the wild side..." one of them says, with a small smile, a hint of fang showing.
"Victor, good to see you looking better," Derek acknowledges, nodding at one of them. "And Nikolai, as well.." He introduces them both to Meredith.
"An honor, to have the daughter of Thatcher here among us." Victor rises, and takes her hand, kissing her fingertips. Though the gesture is chaste enough, Derek still feels a twinge of jealousy, and he bares his fangs with a nearly inaudible growl. Nikolai stands as well, putting a hand on Derek's arm.
"Easy, old friend." He, like Victor, is dressed in vintage looking clothing, though Meredith is quite sure they have been dressing like this for centuries. His knowing eyes sparkle in the dim light, as he looks at Derek.
"I know she is yours, Derek," Victor murmurs, his voice smooth as caramel, with a hint of old Russian inflection.
"Instinct," Derek shrugs, unapologetic. The protective, possessive feelings that surge through him are still a little foreign, after being alone all these years. Yet, it's a natural reaction to his bonded mate, to keep her safe from harm. Even though, she is also vampire, also very capable of defending herself - it goes to a deeper, primal level that he can't deny.
I understand, love, but don't growl...
You bring out the beast in me, sweetheart. Forgive me...
Strangely, I feel the same... Her thoughts are tinted with amusement, and he can almost hear her melodious giggle.
Victor laughs easily, unoffended. "If I was in your boots, Derek, I would feel the same. Meredith is like a precious jewel that you need to protect from all of us." He turns back to Meredith. "Meredith, we both welcome you here. The guests here are a colorful lot, but there should be someone to your taste."
"Victor, that's terrible," Nikolai groans.
Meredith grins at the pair of them. "Well, I'm just sorry you had to suffer on my behalf."
"At least the old bastard is dead, and you are the reason. We are all thankful, and we should celebrate. I recovered quickly enough, at any rate."
"Alexei is here somewhere," Nikolai offers, scanning the crowd. "Probably hunting down some willing female..."
"I'm quite sure of that," Derek says wryly, just then there is a rush of cool air, and Alexei appears beside them.
"I heard my name being taken in vain," Alexei grins, looking flushed with recent blood, a satisfied smirk on his face.
"I was wondering if you were ready to take Meredith for a test drive in that car you were showing me earlier?" Derek asks.
"If she is," Alexei counters, sliding his cool blue eyes over to Meredith. Even though she is aware he is a friend of Derek's, Alexei always comes across as cool. Always ready with a smart remark, or barbed comment, keeping everyone at a distance. His body is just as muscled and taut as Derek's, and he radiates just as much of a sexual pull, but his eyes are harder, hiding his true emotions from the world. Even his thoughts are generally tightly shuttered, and she senses something in his past that is keeping him from getting too close to anyone.
"Why do I even need a car?" Meredith asks now.
"This isn't just an average car, Meredith. It resists bullets, firebombs, and will even resist vampire thought transference. There are times you will need to appear as mortal, according to Derek, and this will protect you as well. Even with that bastard Michelangelo gone, you can't be too careful..."
For your protection, Thatcher wants you to be safe. You're destined to take over, after all...
With you..
Derek nods slightly. So be safe...
"Doesn't have to be tonight," Alexei assures her, noting the little affectionate look she is sharing with Derek. "No rush...tomorrow is another night."
The music around them swells louder, as the band starts another set. The noise level crescendos, and the building seems to pulse with energy. Meredith lets her heightened gaze wander along the dance floor, taking in the overwhelming rush of scents and sounds. A sharp ache of hunger rises within her, as she spots a lone male at the bar. She recognizes the hunger as only the need to sustain herself, nothing more. Her fangs tingling in anticipation, her gaze locks with Derek's.
Go on...I will be taking my own as well soon...
With a wink, she is gone, blending into the crowd, hunting down her prey. In a smooth move that makes Derek grin, she has the young man by the arm, coaxing him to go outside.
"She is a natural," Alexei comments, raising one eyebrow.
"What else would you expect?"
Alexei shrugs, letting his cool eyes scan the crowd as well. "She's well mated with you, at least. I've never seen you so happy, if that's the right word." He catches sight of a pair of women hovering at the edge of the dance floor, who have set their sights on Derek. "And damn if you aren't still attracting women, even in your bonded state. Why is that?"
"It's a gift, I've told you that many times, old friend...only now I'm not interested in anything more than their blood..." Derek retorts, as they close in on their prey, taking them along in an easy glide towards the door and into the night.
At sundown the next night, Derek wakes as always at the moment the sun slides behind the horizon. In the cool dim light, he turns to look down at Meredith, still sleeping beside him. She looks calm and peaceful in her vampire sleep, her skin like porcelain, her hair in loose waves on the pillow. His gaze follows the curve of her face, along the hollow of her collarbone, where he knows the feel and taste of her skin so well, and over the delicate slope of her chest. Instant desire tightens his body, as he watches her sleep. The scent of her floats to him in fragrant waves, making him even more aroused. Again, he is touched by the contrast in her - gentle and sexy, yet adventurous and uninhibited with him; strong and resilient in what she has dealt with in her life, yet caring and empathetic to others needs. This truly is the woman he was meant to wait for all these centuries, and he is so thankful to have her in his life now.
Meredith stirs slightly, consciousness beginning to return slowly. Derek runs his hand along her skin, marveling at the silky feel beneath his fingertips. His touch awakens her a little more, his fingers gliding over her ribcage, along the flare of her hips.
You are so beautiful, my love...
Her eyes flutter then, as she senses his thoughts, caught halfway as she is between sleep and awakening. The pull of the sleep is fading, as the darkness intensifies. As Derek places a soft kiss on her temple, she realizes he is awake above her, and she holds still for a moment longer. Feeling his desire for her, both mentally and physically, his strength alongside of her a comforting presence. In the short time they have been together, she has come to crave the closeness they share, become so familiar waking up with him there with her that it seems like they have always shared a bed like this.
You're awake...I can tell...
His amused thoughts make her giggle softly, then even more, as his mouth moves lower, nibbling and licking along her abdomen, and around her navel. His fingers tickle the sensitive spot along her waist, and she erupts into a throaty laugh, trying to wriggle away from his assault.
"Derek!" she gasps, sitting upright, and putting her hands to his face.
"Yes, love...?" he asks, one brow raised, his tone unrepentant at waking her this way.
"Do you always watch me sleep?" she asks, leaning in to kiss his lips softly.
"Sometimes, since you do wake up later than I do," he murmurs lazily. "Your body is still adjusting to the changes; it will take time for you to wake as soon as the sun sets."
"As long as you're beside me when I wake up," Meredith whispers, caught in the spell of his eyes that are devouring her.
"For eternity, love..." he assures her, catching her in his arms. "Now...I can think of no better way to start our evening than to take a long, leisurely bath, to clean the traces of our foray to Savage Garden away. Does that sound good to you?"
"I think that would be lov-..." she starts to say, before Derek moves them in a dizzying swirl towards the connecting bath. In an instant, the votive candles lining the huge marble tub are flickering warmly, and the air is filled with a heady perfume of lavender and vanilla. As he sets her down at the edge of the tub, starting the jets of water, she shakes her head at him indulgently. "Such a lavish setting..."
"And you are the only female ever to grace it with your presence," Derek assures her, easing them both into the soothing heat of the water. She closes her eyes with a small sigh of pleasure, as the bubbles froth around them. More pulsating jets provide cascades of water over her skin, adding to the pure luxury of the moment.
"Really?" she asks, turning to face him, feeling the sharp, intense desire curl through her body as their eyes meet.
"Yes, love...and I had a vision of just this very thing, even before I met you," he confesses. "Just like this, your body sleek and warm under my hands. I have no idea where it came from, but it was so clear."
"Mmm..." Meredith purrs, gliding closer, warmed by the passion in his eyes. "So here we are..." She lifts her head to him, a soft whimper in her throat as he kisses her, his tongue searching for hers. His hands twine in her hair, pulling her head back, exposing her throat to the trail of kisses he feathers along her skin. Her body tingles with desire, throbbing and hot, with every touch of his lips.
"...yes, we are..." Derek agrees, and his breath hisses in sharply, as her hands slide down his chest, and then lower. Somehow along the way, she has found the bar of soap, skimming it along his torso, leaving a soapy trail. She gives him a naughty little smirk at the look of surprise on his face.
"Aha...you're not the only one to be quick..." she giggles, running her tongue along her bottom lip. He suppresses a groan, as her hands continue to move along his body, tantalizing his skin.
"As long as we aren't quick about the rest of this..." he says wickedly, drawing her closer, and taking her mouth. Kissing her deeply, as her hands roam his taut thighs, drifting closer to where he is hard and full. Keeping her closer, as she straddles him, her nipples grazing his chest, sending torrents of sensation to his core. "You have become very talented at teasing me, Meredith..."
"And you enjoy it, admit it..." she counters, relinquishing the soap to him. Cupping her hands and pouring water over his hair, sleeking the thick black curls into wet silk, as he watches her with gold burning into his eyes.
"I'm certainly not complaining." As she spills the shampoo into his hair, he begins to smooth the soap over her back as well. Her fingers move the lather through his hair, massaging his scalp, in ways that he never realized were erotic before. His hands make lazy circles along her spine, and over her hips, edging back up to cup her breasts, enjoying the slow give and take between them. Lovingly, she rinses the last of the shampoo from his hair, leaning in to kiss him again, their bodies sliding in hot, sensuous movements.
He catches her by surprise again, this time pulling her backwards against his chest. Kissing the back of her neck, making her shiver in delicious anticipation, Derek holds her closer. His fangs graze her skin, enough to stir his craving for her. Nipping at her earlobe, his hands grip her hips, lifting her up and over him. As his cock slides into her, she arches upward, his hand caressing her breast. He moves up deeply into her, enjoying her feminine sound of satisfaction as he loses himself in her tight heat. Her head falls back, and his other hand rests at her throat, his mouth at her ear. The water surges around them, as they move slowly together, and he murmurs little words of love and lust to her. Keeping them steady, even though he wants all of her to surrender so badly.
Is this what you envisioned?
Yes...just like this...all of it...
Good...
Knowing his thoughts just as well as her own, Meredith makes herself still for a moment, savoring the feel of their bodies, joined in the heat. Feeling the throb of his pulse, his breath on her neck, and the slick skin against hers. Then she squeezes him, just enough to elicit a low growl, and his hips flex beneath her. His teeth sink a little against her shoulder, reminding her he is close to the edge, and she squeezes again. Just enough to test his willpower.
"Derek..." she moans, as he nips a little harder, his tongue lapping the drop of blood he craves. His hips flex again, harder, sending a feverish need through her. As he strokes faster, finding a sensual, rhythmic motion, the water rises around them higher. The candles dance with light, some of them winking out from the splashing droplets. She cries out, begging for more, as the orgasm begins to overtake her. His hands are possessive and hot on her, as he takes her faster, his mouth leaving her shoulder, wiping away the little puncture. As her body shudders around him, he explodes into her, more deeply than ever, all of his senses focused on this moment.
The water begins to subside, the jets now the only pulse, as she lays back against his chest. Feeling his heart beating against her back, both of them breathing hard. Derek smoothes the damp tendrils of hair from her cheek, kissing her gently. She relaxes against him contentedly, too sated to do anything else for the moment.
"You're right, this was a good way to begin the evening...we should do this more often," she sighs, tilting her head to peek up at him.
"Yes, love, I agree...it's also a good way to end the night," he laughs, letting his head fall back to shake his hair away from his eyes.
"And the parts in between..." she adds. "But then we wouldn't accomplish much else."
"Is that a bad thing?"
Before she can answer, her ears pick up the sound of her cell phone ringing in the bedroom. Only Richard and Cristina have that number. "I should get that...it could be important..." she says, making a move to get out of the tub. The water cascades along her skin, gleaming in the twinkling lights of the remaining candles, and Derek catches her hand, pulling her down to his lap again.
"It can wait," he mutters, lips slanting over hers again, insistent and distracting. "I have first claim on you right now..." Meredith surrenders to his skillful kisses, as the phone continues to chirp. It falls silent then, as it goes to her voicemail.
Mer? It's Cristina...I was hoping to catch you in person, but obviously you're too busy with McDreamy to pick up. If you get this message in the next few minutes, call me back on my cell. I was going to surprise you, but the Chief made me call. We're on our way to London...oh crap, they're calling the flight...I'm gonna text you the flight number. See ya!