Ardent Page 3
“Actually, there is he began.
master vampire. he had read Arden.
vampire, but then he never had. smiling, remembering Jaime’s appreciation for the simple gift of
question but guided him outdoors to the garden house and
from the night before. It lingered like faint, spicy perfume to the vampire’s senses.
to you, my lord. You and your human boy may be too different
Lal admonished, giving Arden a concerned look. “You are very focused on Jaime, their stares making him self-conscious.
leaving Jaime frustrated. He’d also been hampered by keeping his
cracked, leather and gold inscriptions, another of her archaic books of magic.
hitting the books on magic so hard all of a sudden? “Are you eyes.
“No.”
else, and she’d found the perfect candidate. Mondo.
hadn’t been the killer, because they’d been having coffee almost right up until she’d gone to the clearing.
precise.
to. § § § §
seemed to touch his skin, live under it like an itch.
the brush.
Jaime felt a spike of satisfaction.
staring at Jaime. Jaime shook his head, the blood thumping painfully through
Panting, Jaime leaned against the bars of the cage. He didn’t
Arden. CHAPTER SIXTEEN
make the noise stop. He could soothe the pain throbbing through Jaime’s temples.
them.
standing in front of him, studying him thoroughly.
demanded, hand collaring Jaime’s neck in a familiar gesture. Hurt. And suddenly
Arden, please
silk charcoal clothing, immaculately groomed and cool. He take.
face in the dirt, bruise him.
Arden took Jaime’s arm. “You are burning up. You need to lie
skin, felt the strength pouring through himself, like the heat, like
He yanked Arden close and nipped him hard, on the skin
pain aroused Jaime.
back.
Jaime laughed.
inside
take it. didn’t have the endurance for a protracted battle. He had to
A glimpse of their shining eyes told him he could be their Arden barreled into Jaime and they fought over the burning damaged his gentle human.
Jaime shoved the log against Arden’s face. Arden screamed.
in the shards of colorful glass and pale oak, he blinked and his eyes seemed to clear for a moment, catching Arden’s. Pleading.
in Jaime’s eyes, he couldn’t—
Jaime snagged the burning log and struck Arden’s legs,
his neck, but he couldn’t hurt him, hurt his boy. He loved him.
me. No more lame little Jaime. No more getting beat up and
§ § § §
very good, she’d loved it as an elective because Jaime made it so
relationship? the vampire, covered in the blood of someone from her coven
out at the nature reserve and had needed a ride home from one of his groupies.
Running footsteps.
brought out by Arden. § § § §
Jaime suddenly fell back on his hands and knees, shaking his Arden had gifted him.
obviously disappointed Jaime hadn’t taken Arden by force, but
Jaime staggered to his feet, holding his head as if it hurt,
crushed blooms Arden had bought especially for his boy. CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
captive by midnight eyes.
surcease.
crashing through his skull.
Jaime’s eyes snapped open at the voice through the garden
Carefully, patiently.
Jaime’s fevered mind. He rubbed his forehead, unable to make
him think again, help him be himself, Jaime.
He heard a mouse drinking from the fountain Arden had
approaching. Elizabeth.
Jaime cracked up.
vase.
physically, but he had very little compunction about Jaime’s rabid
reckless and he’d even the odds so he could get to his Jaime and
He only hoped that before that happened, Jaime did not go too far.
eyes, already aching for Jaime.
ARDENT 131
Jaime opened the door, slouching, seeming oblivious to the
his arms.
him like this. In fact, he didn’t seem self-conscious at all about the CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
So, you hungry? I know I am.
Arden caught Jaime’s self assured voice coming from the house. Jaime is hunting and Elizabeth has no idea.
If Jaime hurt her, he’d never forgive himself, never again be
they could overcome their differences.
risked Jaime, by not taking care of himself. He had to end this
Under his eyelashes, he looked over at his guard, one of the
nude, huddled form. Lust.
managed to stop himself. “In most packs, only the alpha gets to fuck a submissive. Beta
hair savagely. He struck him, leaving a cut on one cheekbone from a heavy ring.
her hair behind her ears. “I maybe did some magic. On you, I
perfectly formed, like a slender young panther.
thoughts. to try?
some string in a rose bush—Jaime had insisted on burying it.
that
dead talisman fell. § § § §
After caring for Jaime, controlling himself for Jaime, at last he
§ § § §
Oh, goddess! This was real. Her Jaime, stalking her.
scrabbled for something—anything—smashing a cappuccino cup against his skull.
Jaime reeled back, touching his bleeding forehead then licking
from the bottle.
“Please,
from him.
fridge.
How?
feet.
thought he’d been responsible for the death of a friend. Hadn’t
hurt him, using a spell she couldn’t control.
Blood.
do?
§ § § § Jaime groaned.
up on his bed, but as soon as he moved he discovered his hands
Why are you doing this? Why won’t you look at me?
Too uncomfortable?
hurt.
Jaime’s eyes stung as he heard the slam of the door and the lock turning.
hand, looking at the fountain he’d repaired to delight Jaime, CHAPTER NINETEEN
Arden took it, but didn’t bother opening it since he already
as a loner, a scholar, someone indifferent to vampire politics. But
§ § § §
the university library.
of. Among other things.
shared before acting impulsively. Practicing magic means taking
not
control their demon selves after some practice, but apparently
§ § § §
Arden sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. “You need to
them gently to ease the pins and needles.
his knees up to his chest. alluring.
Jaime seemed to respond better to Arden’s harshness, as if he felt himself deserving of it. He climbed to his feet, and Arden
against his skin, as if all the passion had drained from the stones. If they could just get through this.
rose petals? me again? Do you think it’s something you—I mean, she—can
Jaime nodded, clearly miserable. His hands moved jerkily
He took a deep breath, trying to push aside the dark braids
tentacles.
a price for it.
Jaime uncovered his eyes to look at Arden.
gave a little shuddering sigh but his legs stayed open and he didn’t try to deny him.
Jaime still didn’t speak, and Arden silently approved of his
Jaime gave a slight nod, encouraging Arden to continue.
refusing Jaime’s soft
apology.
visits. Everything. If you are the perfect submissive pet, they’ll have no call to doubt my mastery over you and they should leave
you
But Arden held his silence. § § § §
hard voice, seemingly coldly removed from Jaime.
What did you expect? Jaime asked himself scathingly, remembering the crushed roses.
could remove all his pubic hair.
couldn’t help observing dryly.
that sounded anything like the old intimate banter they’d once vampire—and Arden needed it too.
to Jaime’s eyes.
pulled onto Arden’s lap.
he smoothed Jaime’s hair back from his forehead.
Arden accepted his kiss, his tongue going inside to play again and
Oh, fuck, it felt so good to kiss again, Jaime thought. He plump, parted lips.
appearance, his chained nudity. “Mine. § § § § Arden didn’t get up to greet his guests, merely nodded to them as they came into his house and sat in a semi circle around him. Jaime found it hard to believe anyone could doubt his authority.
eyes, and some looked completely human unless you caught a discipline? Oh, fuck. level, he understood that Arden needed to reassert his authority over his human boy.
tangerine catsuit and carrying an attaché. Jaime stared, reluctantly
“I am myself and to prove it I ask that you discipline my
but the big vampire ignored him, smoking a cheroot, looking utterly calm.
not look at Jaime.
noted.
than slave boy.
done. Arden slapped him. Jaime’s chains rang softly as he put a hand against his stinging cheek. He felt tears come and concentrated hard on suppressing them.
Jaime stared into hard black eyes.
“Kneel.
Jaime closed his eyes, his cheek still stinging, feeling utterly
He took a deep breath and braced himself.
out at the sudden pain. It felt a bit like a leather belt. Another fell
crying out if it continued, yet grimly determined to try since it
He thought Arden completely detached from his pain and
screaming, it reached out and claimed his. CHAPTER TWENTY
sunburn.
Arden told Lal.
looked at Jaime and he could read some concern in the demon’s
“Your pet does you credit. He is not only beautiful, but
Jaime heard the demon pack up his supplies, snap his attaché closed and then the click of his boots as he left the great room.
Shattered him. § § § §
You forgive me
“Just because you’re okay, doesn’t mean I am. Can’t you try to
then glared at Arden.
lodged in his chest.
confused. “I thought you’d be happy that I forgive you. As for looking lost.
§ § § §
Jaime looped his arms around Arden’s neck as Arden carried of intimacy.
to go on hurting.
Arden pulled his shirt off, and he didn’t miss Jaime’s eyes on
He reached over to his desk and picked up a letter opener and
“Arden!
Jaime leaned close and Arden cupped the back of his head,
closed his eyes, cock stiff at the touch of his boy’s lips, at the
the ritual of making him his chosen one.
stroked Arden’s forearm.
§ § § §
Didn’t feel that bad. Huh.
even for a vampire. He had a trade journal about archeology over
A rush of tenderness made Jaime’s throat tighten. Like Arden
He got up. “I’ll get your breakfast ready. Good nutrition is
Jaime snagged his hand and put it against his face, closing his We’re going to be okay. I think we’re going to be okay now.
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
Jaime looked over his shoulder as he adjusted his heavy art
and his dominant boyfriend.
I’m really sorry I scared you after you zapped me into primordial land?
discipline.
Jaime shrugged, coloring a little. so private.
easy. He’s compromised for me and I had to compromise for
“And I think you are just desperate to deny you did anything
lover
Jaime crossed his arms. “But he didn’t actually hurt you, did
about them, but the truth is, most humans and demons can’t
“Jaime, this isn’t some fairy tale. Vampires and humans...they
Mondo.
Before Jaime could think of anything to say—although he
§ § § §
boomed in his head, echoing and grating on his sensitive nerves.
he stay at the mansion and recover under his protective eye, but
behind him as soon as possible.
He sat hunched on a stool in the art room staring at blank canvas. He felt empty of creativity, like a bag of sand that had
no relief.
Out of habit, he touched his necklace since for some reason it usually calmed him, but today even that failed him. § § § §
her in a club chair in the campus coffee house.
handled himself very gracefully. Besides, Arden hasn’t been actively hurting anyone, as far as I can tell. He appears content
a predator, same as Arden, and I haven’t seen any vampire kills in
offense, but I don’t think a virgin can understand the dynamics
human pets on the lookout for Arden and Jaime, but they are
don’t
§ § § §
him, grounding him. His hands on Jaime bringing pleasure and comfort.
Too much had happened too soon. § § § §
Arden’s eyes snapped open and he sat up in bed, fangs bared. Emotion boiled through the mystical connection he’d made
Jaime was struggling.
to soothe him, make him safe, make him not hurt. Now.
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
and the main corridor through the largest building on campus.
just on principle, since no one had the right to be that cheerful.
having run through the tunnels.
Jaime. Hold on. I’m here now, can you feel me?
Bake Sale on behalf of the University Rose Society.
Arden cleared his throat, remembering the disastrous time
Had he upset Jaime, dared to touch him?
“Oh, don’t forget the free recipe card. You can make variations disappointed.
“Arden?
Arden abandoned the baked goods on a nearby bench and
bird against Arden’s throat.
mingled pain and amusement.
like to be fragile. And if I did not, since I met you, I have been on and everything’s bright again. But, turns out it’s not that easy.
heart.
He adjusted Jaime so he could get a look at his backside, running marked him—marked them both.
Jaime caught his breath at Arden’s touch. Not in pain.
Jaime closed his eyes and Arden caught the smell of his sudden
happy to offer it. He lifted Jaime to his feet and pressed him
and Jaime gasped.
“Arden!
him. He nodded, holding Arden’s dark eyes. He licked his lips. “I like your hand on me. I had a little fantasy in class the other day about coming home from school and you making me pull
suck on your cock—teasing you until you beg me to let you they lived Jaime’s spanking fantasy for real.
Feel
Arden imagined shoving inside him and giving him the deep
admitted he liked pleasing him.
Arden gave a lop-sided smile of satisfaction.
as he looked at his vampire.
that elusive something years.
pointed straight out. commented.
“I have to open you up and take you before the full moon,
want to be his.
He held him from behind for a moment, his taller body
Mine.
“Oh, God!
pink handprint on my ass. Please.
“Tell
do these things to him?
spill as Arden took command of his body.
happened? Tell me. prick. He groaned in pleasure as his big demon began to bob up
CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE
giving both his come and his tears.
Not that Arden had given him any choice.
A limp body clinging to him. Jaime had his legs around Arden’s hips, his body open and embracing. Naked from the
scent of young human. His. Jaime trusted him again.
at his command, and Jaime had surrendered and taken it. He’d been so brave that he’d aroused Arden. He didn’t quite
much to him.
as Jaime calmed.
leave this moment behind. not kill to keep him.
treated human slaves and pets.
busy trying to help less fortunate slave girls and boys.
obviously possessive about his demon lover too.
“Uh. I don’t think I’ve seen a movie in a long time...perhaps Love Story.
Arden shook his head. “Let’s see, I took three tavern boys out
Arden couldn’t stop a hot shiver from running through his muscular frame. He caught Jaime by the hair. “Don’t. You don’t I need you. Arden let his head fall back and his impudent boy took advantage and suckled his neck, leaving a cherry-colored love bite and then daring to laugh against it. Arden didn’t stop him.
touch. and his long hair draped around them both as he claimed Jaime’s
He wanted this.
heart in his cock.
against Arden’s, thrusting so that hard, hot slippery skin touched,
stripped them both of all their defenses so that they shot,
Arden gave a sleepy grunt of agreement.
§ § § §
oh, shit.
radiant under his attentions, and currently backed up against one of the gym lockers.
“I have to go to a late class, so the neck nibbling thing? You
hot nights to anticipate for both of them, once he had taken his
fucks. Less complicated. could mean all manner of things.
tempted again to make him miss class.
Jaime’s taste, smell, touch, and enthusiasm.
He shook his head, reminding himself he still had to settle the
CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR
“Yeah, turns out that sometimes a cliché is a cliché for a
raised a hand. “Don’t say it. Jaime’s in love, deeply in love,
§ § § §