The room was dark but Jasper saw everything. Every shadow and nook, every speck of dust in the air. Nolan moved through the darkness silently and he watched. The man sighed softly as he pulled off his shirt and the fabric hit the floor with a soft swish. The jeans, resting low on his hips followed. Jasper watched Nolan roll his neck and shoulders, the muscles in his firm upper body shifting. A satisfied growl left him. That creature there, the beautiful being whose power could be felt from miles out, was his. The bed dipped as Nolan climbed onto it and crawled towards him. Pale, glowing eyes met Jasper's own in the darkness and the hot body climbed over his own clothed one, warming him to his bones. Nolan lay atop him and Jasper threaded his hand through the mop of dark hair, inhaling his smooth, rich scent as he often did when his head became too crowded. A low happy purr moved through his chest. The vampire could almost hear the clogs turning in his mate's head.
"Emmett better not fuck this up."
Well, that was unexpected. Jasper grinned, running a hand down his smooth back. "Oh?"
"I'm serious Jazz. I don't know what he did but he'd better fix it. She loves him."
"I thought you weren't getting involved?"
"I can't, you won't tell me what he did in the first place." And it was good he didn't. Emmett would be a dead man, literally.
"Jasper what are you?"
"A vampire?" he asked, unsurely.
"No. you are a smart man."
Jasper chuckled. "You think? Well thank you darlin'."
"Yes. You do what you do, going along peacefully. You love me and I love you and that's how it is. You can understand that. Emmett is the dumbass trying to swing his dick around because he didn't feel Anala's reasoning was okay and his caveman ego is bruised." Jasper laughed as Nolan continued. "He tries to fight the ocean's flow and Anala? She's the drifting life raft, getting further and further away."
"Then what does that make you?"
"I?" Nolan rolled off him and onto his back. "I am the man the dumbass will have to answer to."
Jasper sat up. "Well I have some bad news for you." Nolan looked to him, eyes questioning. "Said dumbass found his way to the life raft. Can't blame you for being the last to know but you were gone for most of the afternoon, right?"
"And you wait till now to tell me? I walked into the room a full three minutes ago, didn't you think to say something?!"
"And miss hearing you make a point? Never. Two minutes, seventeen seconds actually."
There was a bang on the door. "I'm not a dumbass!"
Not all the time, he thought idly.
"The fuck you aren't!" Nolan yelled, getting up and pulling open the door, light flooded the room and illuminated his naked form. Emmett growled in annoyance and amusement, happiness resonating under the surface emotions.
"And you Jas, man, whose side are you on?"
Jasper folded his arms beneath his head and crossed his ankles, smirking. "Sorry brother, you are on your own."
"You cut me deep, dude."
He laughed, happy to finally see his brother in better spirits. He supposed things really had an odd way of working out.
Anala stared at the divine immortal in front of her. She smoothed her hands on her thighs. That morning Anala had woken early and decided to clean the house to burn off the restlessness building inside her. Her skin buzzed with the memory of Emmett's hands, his lips. Thoughts of his body and burning stare sent blood pooling between her thighs, and cleaning ended up being a good distraction. Anala had decided to wash off the grime, turning on the shower. The knock had startled her. She wasn't expecting Emmett so soon. Instead of the large vampire she found a statuesque woman with pale, creamy skin and straight blonde hair. She and Kate stood in the front hall, she in black skinny jeans and a low-cut silk top that emphasized her tall, striking form. Anala felt severely drab in the soft leggings and t-shirt covered in dust and dirt, slightly sweaty and hair in a loose ponytail.
Anala pulled off her rubber gloves. "Come in, please."
"Am I interrupting?"
"No, no, I just finished cleaning." She gestured to herself. "Do you mind?"
"Go ahead, I'll wait."
Anala moved upstairs and into her bedroom. She showered quickly, contemplating what Kate was here for. Anala had walked in on her and Emmett and not twenty-four hours ago had she and said vampire been together on the bed less than twenty feet away. Anala dressed in ripped, white-wash jeans and a simple long-sleeved salmon pink shirt that hung off her shoulder. She found Kate in the living room and golden eyes watched her enter. She wasn't quite sure what to say, the woman didn't show a particular emotion and neither of them had spoken yet. Kate observed her.
"I wanted to meet you, but I never thought I'd be naked when it happened."
"I'm really sorry for that," she said.
"Well it's not as if you knew we'd be fucking." That was true. Anala's heart sank as she had a panicked thought. What if she was here in his place? What if that endlessly stubborn vampire had finally listened to her for the first time and had grasped the fact she almost got him killed. A part of her was relieved, the rest felt ready to crumble. Anala sat to disguise the fact her legs could not support her.
"Are you . . ." she trailed off, unsure how to continue.
The fair woman moved across the room, heels clacking on the wooden floor that had formerly been covered in a light tan carpet before Javan removed it after she vomited blood all over it. "This isn't bad reality television." She sank onto the couch next to her. "I'm not here to argue who Emmett belongs to. Women like us live in the real world. I love the man to bits but it isn't my decision to make. The ass knows how to get under my skin like no one's business and I can't change his thoughts if he's already made up his mind." her eyes looked Anala over. "His scent isn't exactly . . . subtle."
That sounded a lot like Javan, she mused. Anala blinked. "I don't understand. Why are you here?"
"I told you, I wanted to meet you. My family and I heard about you and Nolan before. You're alive and well, and you definitely made Emmett throw a complete fit so my sisters and I had to meet you ourselves."
Anala stared at her. "You're sisters? Tanya and Irina, right?"
She nodded. "We've come down to visit our beloved cousins. Anala, I hope that you don't pass judgment on us by what you saw. Despite what you might think, the Cullen's are family and we care for each other. I saw Emmett's face yesterday when he returned and I can respect what he wants. He's in love, and I'm happy for him."
"It's a bit late but," Anala smiled and held out her hand "It's nice to meet you Kate. I'm Anala."
A cold hand took her own and Kate gave her a sly look. "It's nice to meet you too. We already seem to have one thing in common so I'm sure we'll get along."
Anala grinned. "I can't really say I blame you. Emmett's beautiful."
"Mmm," she hummed nodding. "That body? And he's hung!" her wide grin was infectious.
Kate titled her head, becoming serious. "Tell me something, I've known Emmett for a long time. You and he don't seem to have very much in common, in fact I feel if the situation had been different you two would have never gotten together." She turned her body to face her completely, eyes staring into Anala's own. "So why is it you make him happier than I've ever seen him?"
Anala hadn't expected her question. She had thought the blonde was here to stake a claim, to tell her he decided otherwise and she had done neither. Kate looked confused and seemed to genuinely not understand. Anala shifted. "I . . ." she paused. "Honestly, I can't answer that. Since the day I met him I could never understand why Emmett wanted me. I put him at risk, hurt him deeply." She shook her head. "But once he gets an idea in his head—"
"He's like a dog with a bone."
They laughed.
Emmett could smell Kate near the house. As he approached his imagination took over. What if Kate had freaked out and decided she wanted to put an end to this? What if Anala had disagreed and they got into it? the image of the two women fighting, ripping at each other's clothes as they screamed and glared at each other in fury as they fought over him came to mind. That's hot. He picked up the pace, knowing Kate would be stirring up trouble. His eyes narrowed as he heard laughter. Laughter? The woman he loves and the woman he had been found fucking were laughing under the same roof? That couldn't be good. His father had been a wise man. "Women are crazy, son. We men are at their mercy and I had to learn that the hard way. Never forget that." funny he couldn't remember the man's face but snippets of fatherly advice still stuck in his head. Emmett reached the house and the door swung open, revealing a smirking Kate. "Speak of the devil," she called over her shoulder. "And he shall appear."
Emmett stepped inside and into the front hall. He spotted Anala kneeling on the couch, hands resting against the back as she looked at him. A smile touched his lips at the sight of her. He was hit with nostalgia as he saw her shirt. Soft and long-sleeved, the peachy-rose color making the warm tone of her skin and the brilliant of her eyes glow. That shirt had been what she was wearing the night before the attack; the night he had remembered as that last time he had held her against him, felt her body moving with his own. The collar was wide, hanging off a delicate shoulder and despite that it was an insignificant thing it made him unexpectedly happy to see her in it. He looked between the two women, schooling his features. These were women. Insane and beautiful women who one of which looked like she was about to sell his soul. Kate's grin was wicked and he gave her a suspicious look.
"Ladies, what are you doing?"
"Anala and I were just getting to know each other." Kate looked to Anala and she grinned at the blonde. "See you later."
"Bye."
Kate winked at him then left. Anala had come around the couch and out to the front hall. The ripped jeans hugged her legs and hips like a second skin. Her hair was slightly wet and Emmett's mind envisioned her in the steamy shower, wet and soapy. "I like her. I can see how you two became close."
He listened to her retreating footfalls. "Careful, she's a sneaky one."
Emmett stared at her.
The damned woman had made him wait long enough. Emmett had been fighting an erection since he'd stepped off her porch yesterday. Anala was smiling shyly at him. He wanted that mouth under his, he wanted his hands on her body. He wanted to take her until she was writhing and moaning and begging him for mercy. Emmett needed her. All of her.
He took a slow step forward, mentally undressing her.
"Do you believe me yet?" he asked her lowly. His whole being was drawn to Anala. He had indulged her, and he was going nowhere she wasn't at his side. He wouldn't chance losing her again.
Her luminous eyes met his own. A soft blush stained her cheeks. Emmett took another step, taking in her enticing scent, the lust on her. Emmett drew Anala's body against his, growling as she bit that full bottom lip. He budged her slightly and swiftly unbuttoned her jeans, sliding his hand beneath her underwear, past her soft bare mound and between her warm thighs. He captured her moan as he kissed her. He massaged her folds in slow strokes, fingers quickly dampening with her slick nectar. He kissed her exposed shoulder then pressed his body against hers. Anala pushed her hips into his hand encouragingly and he gripped her hip, moving to rub the hardened nub of her clit. She trembled.
"Emmett," she breathed. His cock stiffened. He always enjoyed hearing her say his name. Emmett picked her up, loving how her legs wrapped around his hips as she kissed him.
He only made it halfway up the stairs before Emmett decided the rest of the trip was too goddamn far. All of his patience had been spent on staying away since yesterday afternoon. He wanted her now. The vampire lowered them onto the steps and Anala pulled him close, curving against him as she sucked his bottom lip, running her tongue over it temptingly. She pulled at his shirt and he dragged it off, tossing it somewhere behind him. Her hips lifted as he yanked off her jeans. He threw them over the railing. He had her naked in an instant and Emmett groaned, running his hands over her body. Fuck, he was going to detonate. Venom pooled in his mouth and his cock filled to the point of pain. Anala's head fell back as he kissed and bit his way down her throat, over her chest, rolled her nipples between his fingers and teeth as he grasped her hip. Anala was running her hands along his sides and abdomen, smoky eyes giving him a hungry look. Emmett had a plan, a scenario in his head of how this would go and it had flown out the window in moments. He cupped her round ass, pulling her to the edge of the stair. Warm lips moved along his cheek and jaw, distracting him much more than the simple action should.
"Fuck," he hissed. "I want to be gentle with you, love, I do. But I can't. Not now." A sultry moan came in response, hands pulling open his jeans and pushing them down around his hips.
"Please Em,"
His restraint fractured.
Her pussy gripped him in a tight embrace, hot and slick and consuming. His hips moved of their own accord, plunging deep into the beauty before him. Anala's hands gripped his forearms and her back arched off the stairs as a gasped shout left her. Emmett watched her. Her brows had pulled together and full lips parted, slightly bruised from their kisses. Her cheeks and neck were beginning to flush prettily and full round breasts bounced with the force of his thrusts. His inner monster was growling possessively and the damp heat around his cock rippled. Emmett restrained his thrusts, pulling out then slowly pushing forward, wanting his mate feel every inch of him slide into her. He continued like this and delighted in the sight of Anala squirming beneath him, jade eyes hazed with want as they stared up at him. This woman was his. Emmett leaned in and licked her pulse, tasted her soft skin as he thrust to the hilt. His. He filled his palm with her breast, rubbing the pert nipple and her hands came around his back, clung to his shoulders and pressed to his back.
"Have I convinced you now?" he rumbled in her ear. His hand held her thigh as he pushed into her again, internally screaming at how perfect she felt around his sensitive flesh. "Tell me Anala."
"Yes!" she gasped, hand against his ribcage and the other clinging to his shoulder. "Yes, I—I believe you!"
He kissed her chest, above her drumming heart. "Say it."
Anala's body was flushed and calling to him. Her hips rolled against his desperately with the ease and seductive fluidity any dancer would envy and Emmett fought the urge to pound into her for a bit longer. She was close, he could feel her tightening, quivers moving through her thighs. "You want me," she breathed.
He growled. Strengthening his hold on her. "I want you."
Anala whimpered. "Emmett!" she was moaning louder and he picked up his pace, kissing her deeply. The thighs he was nestled between tensed and the hot body beneath his bowed upwards as her walls contracted fervidly with the force of her orgasm, making her cry out.
Stunning.
His balls drew tight and the pressure in his loins burst. Emmett buried himself deep within Anala as he came in hard, endless spurts, groaning. His hips pumped, cock twitching as he emptied his load. Emmett placed a hand on her sternum, feeling her heart pound and her ribs expand and contract as she regained her breath. His body was tingling, the markings on his body pleasantly heated. He leaned in to rest his head on Anala's chest. His scent mingled heavily on her person, making his demon purr as Emmett nuzzled her flesh, slowly pulling out of her body and fighting another erection before they spent the day right there on the steps.
"Damn, I missed this."
Anala laughed. "It's only been a day."
He sat up and shifted so she was in his lap. "That's not what I meant." But definitely that too. He lay a hand on her chest. "I missed this. The sound of your heartbeat, feeling it under my fingers."
Warm lips kissed his forehead, the bridge of his nose, his lips. Her arms came around him and she ran a hand over his hair. He took a moment, simply to feel her touch, her body that he held against his own. "Emmett?"
"Hm?"
"Why do you love me?"
He chuckled and she pulled back, meeting his gaze. "No really, why do you love me?"
She was serious. "You don't know?"
"It's just that, thinking back I've put you through so much . . . darkness. I can't understand why you're sitting here, with me."
"Do I need a reason?"
She hesitated, confused. "Well, shouldn't there be?"
"Do you remember the day I told you I loved you for the first time?"
She smiled. "We were in your jeep and it was raining."
"We had just left the hospital after you tricked me into going."
"I didn't tric—"
"You did, and you know it you little sneak!" he continued, touching her full bottom lip. "You cried, for a woman you didn't even know. That was the moment I consciously realized I loved you."
"But that isn't a reason."
"Yes, love. It is. If it wasn't for that, for you worrying about me pointlessly, I would have never witnessed that." He had seen her true nature that day. There was a lot he hadn't known at the time but it had never mattered. Emmett's feelings never changed. The beautiful creature who had strolled into his existence was selfless and kind and even as he knew her and discovered the horrible truth behind the sadness in her eyes, she remained a strange, mysterious being that gave Emmett purpose. "I was content to just be here, suspended in time. I was a powerful vampire, married, and could do whatever I wanted. Reality caught up and I acknowledged I was just doing what was expected. Rose and I weren't happy and I was becoming bored with everything. But I was in denial, I know that now. I explored my freedom and it hadn't been what I expected and eventually I came back." He ran his hand though her long silky hair. "And then there was you. A beautiful phenomenon that came out of nowhere and pretty much defied all logic."
He smiled, remembering the look in her eyes the first time those bottomless orbs met his. "That day at the hospital I realized you were the purpose I never knew I needed. You make me want to be better. I never told anyone, I don't even think Edward knows but, I was on my way to something horrible, something dark. It could have taken hundreds of years for all I know but I could feel it. I was losing my humanity. It's true a lot of bad was attached to you but you are my light. I just had to help you realize it." Emmett was still trying to get her to see it. She may have loved him but the hurt was still there in her eyes, the apprehension and self-abasing he had caused. He looked to his chest where Anala's hand rested on his marks. It was no coincidence she had been dropped into his life. "But I guess it was meant to be."
"Fate," she whispered. Anala's expression shifted, her eyes clouding. "Emmett I'm scared."
"I know."
"I don't want to cause you any more pain. What if we shouldn't—?"
Emmett pressed his lips to hers. Anala's mouth was plump and soft beneath his own and he pulled her warm, shapely body close. He knew she was afraid. He knew Anala was still hesitant and hurting. He knew she feared everything would become rotten and that evil followed her. But Emmett didn't care. It would take time to get past the utter crap of the last several weeks and their relationship was far from stable but he wouldn't give her up. Never again.
"I'm not going anywhere, love."