An Epic fail on my part, and likely to continue being so. I could give a whole long line of reasons why, but you've likely heard them all. I DO always finish my stories though.

Chapter 18

Tanya was walking toward the cabin after Garrett came to claim his mate for a hunt. The air had that crisp, bright, earthy smell of early spring that sharpened in the dusk. Thank goodness the bugs in the air couldn't feast on their stone flesh; it was one of the blessings of vampire life, that was for certain. They were quite thick that night.

She refocused her mind, thinking on how best to seduce her shy mate. While hunting would be fun, certainly, she knew her mate preferred being closer to his humanity, so at least in the cabin, if not in a bed.

For fuck's sake, this isn't a military operation! I just want to make love with the most wonderful man in the world, is that really too much to ask?

Good god, now even her conscience was arguing with her. Katie's rule number one. Communicate. Maybe he's waiting for me. Maybe he doesn't know how crazy he's making me, or how really, really ready I am for him.

Having made that decision, she clomped up the stairs to the front door. She could see the warm glow of the fireplace through the front window, and it made her smile.

She stepped in the door, and tugged off her boots, before heading into the great room. She stopped in her tracks as she saw what was waiting for her. Mountains of pillows were on the floor before the fireplace, and the bearskin rug that Emmett had gifted the family years ago. Fred was sitting self consciously in the midst of it all, obviously waiting for her return.

He held out his hand to her, and she floated toward him. "I hope you don't mind, but I kinda kicked the family out tonight. I've been neglecting you, and I'm hoping you'll allow me to remedy that oversight."

"I want you; I want this more than you can possibly imagine. But I don't want you to do it for me. I don't want you uncomfortable. If you're not ready, I can wait. Really," Tanya murmured as she took his hand into hers, and fell to her knees as she pressed his hand to her silent heart.

Fred groaned. "Of course I want you. A certain little bird told me I was being a prude...no, wait," he stammered at her look of annoyance. "She was right. While I am kind of old-fashioned, I was really doing it because I was scared. There is so much to lose here, and I can't lose you." He took his hand from her chest, and pulled hers to his lips.

"I want you. I want to see how you react to my touch, how your body will squirm with lust, how you'll whimper, moan and cry out. I want to see how you shatter, how you fall apart and how you become reborn under my hands...I want it all, Tanya." Fred pressed his lips to her knuckles.

Tanya's eyes shimmered with extra venom. Wow. She watched as his eyes darkened, and hissed as his tongue flicked her fingers. She was entranced, unable to move. She had always laughed at how Bella would say that Edward dazzled her, but at this moment, she finally understood.

A slow smile spread across Fred's face. "Well, I can see how you are reacting to my touch...but do you react the same if I touch you elsewhere?"

His hand kept hold of hers, even as his other hand lightly skittered across her collarbone, along her jaw, down her side to the edge of her t-shirt. She sighed softly as she felt his nail slide along the seam, His eyes gleaming as he watched it lay open before him.

Her skin glowed with a near human-like warmth from the light the fireplace was throwing off. If he had a beating heart, it would have skipped a few beats. "Raphael couldn't have painted a more beautiful canvas..."

He smiled as he helped her shirt off. He reached to the side of him, pulling a large feather from the vase that stood next to the fireplace. He twirled it between his fingers as Tanya held her breath. Yes, the feeling of hard, rough objects didn't hurt, but soft, gentle touches...well, their senses were heightened after all, and she knew she would quickly be squirming.

"Tease," she murmured softly, letting her eyes flutter closed as he slowly dragged the tip of the feather across her torso, up to her neck, and down her arms to the tips of her fingers before starting again.

He watched her body twitch and tremble at the gentle touches. His senses filled with the amazing aroma of her growing need. His fingers dropped the long feather, needing to touch her more than tease her. His fingers slid across her jaw, under her chin, lifting her face to catch her darkened eyes. Slowly, slowly, his lips descended to hers. He felt rather than heard her whimper.

His fingers tightened along her cheeks, before sliding into her golden hair.

Lights burst behind his eyes, fireworks and aurora. He groaned into the sweetness of her mouth, as his tongue teased hers into a frenzy. He pulled away carefully, breathing heavily. "I want to make this good for you, babe," he whispered against her lips. Even before he finished, Tanya leaned up and nibbled on his lower lip, pressing her breasts against his hard, silent chest. Her hands slid up his tone arms only to pull on his shoulders, closing the gap between them. Fred groaned again, a deep, needy sound as they fell together.

Firelight flickered and the slight scent of wood-smoke was overcome by the scent of lust in the air, but neither of them noticed. Sweat didn't slick their skin, but still, they slid against each other tortuously, writhing and seeking purchase. Hands seemed to have a mind of their own, grasping and stroking, kneading and clenching.

Breath hotter than you would think a vampire could create gasped steadily from the lovers, soft meaningful phrases, of love, and lust and forever, even as they found each other.

Fred anchored himself in her. Her feel, her scent, her breathy sighs and desperate pleas for release. He was caught in the vortex that just pulled him deeper into her.

For Tanya, it was an epiphany. There was heat here, heat she hadn't felt even with her human prey. It wasn't lust, nor blood that made her skin-her very essence-sing like the feel of Fred's skin on hers, his words in her ear, his heart boldly worn on his metaphorical sleeve.

It was everything each had ever wanted, and neither thought they would ever find or deserve.

And as each of them found the pinnacle of their desire, they realized what it was. Utter, amazing completion.