A Vampire’s Thirst: Quinn Read online

  Long minutes passed until finally he was aware that Amaya had passed over into a deep sleep. He knew she needed the rest after everything she’d gone through, so he gently moved her onto the bed and covered her with the bedspread, staring down at her beauty for long moments before undressing and slipping in beside her. Once again, he took her into his arms, closed his eyes, and rested with his love safe in his embrace.

  Chapter 14

  Opening his eyes Quinn took several moments to orient himself, he didn’t usually sleep so long but his life had changed dramatically and the body lying next to him told him just how true that was. It was warm and soft, snuggling closer when he moved. A soft murmur of protest as fingers dug into his chest to hold him in place. “Not yet, you’re not getting up yet, Quinn.”

  Amaya grumbled sleepily, her breath whispering across his skin as she held onto him. He chuckled as he looked around his room in his home, his Bloodmate already having made her mark in just a few short days. A pair of jeans hung from the back of a chair and a bra lay on the floor where he’d flung it after tearing it from her body the previous night. Her leg slung over him possessively when he tried to move again, her mouth opening to bite his nipple.

  “I said no.” She held onto him tightly. “We’ve only just found each other and my Tiger isn’t ready to give you up this morning.”

  “I was only going to order you some breakfast. I thought you might need it after last night.” He tried to reach for his phone but she held fast, refusing to give him any leeway.

  Her hips ground against his thigh, her lips now teasing, her tongue laving around the area she’d just punished causing his cock to grow and harden onto his belly. She’d been like a wildcat the last two days and he was certain she needed more rest but it didn’t look like she was about to heed any advice in that department. Not when she was already moving astride him, her eyes hooded with desire, hands on his chest to steady herself as she lifted her hips and wiggled around suggestively.

  “Sex first then food,” Amaya purred like the big cat she was, her eyes glinting brightly with the sunlight that shone through the bay windows.

  “You’re insatiable.” He couldn’t resist, reaching to tweak a dark nipple, grinning when she arched her back, a moan escaping her plump lips that he loved so damn much.

  She looked down at him, dark eyes full of love but filled with pure need, a hand reaching between them to wrap around his cock and position it at her hot entrance. Her skin already slick with a sheen of perspiration as he gripped her hips but allowed her to position herself and sink slowly onto him. Her hair hanging down over her back like a dark curtain of silk, a soft sigh escaping as she settled his cock deep inside her. She looked fucking glorious above him, her hips rocking and gaining momentum, the curve of her neck calling to him like it had since the first time he’d seen her . . . yet he’d still not fed from her there.

  Still not fully sealed their bond. He’d tasted her glorious blood, fed from her wrist, her inner thigh . . . which had been the most intense and satisfying experience for them both, bringing Amaya to an explosive orgasm that had her screaming his name until she was hoarse, and caused him to see stars. But still he’d held off from finalizing their bond . . . until tonight. He wanted to make it special for her. More than special. He wanted to make it a night she’d never forget and that’s what he was going to give her.

  A party in the Great Room and afterward he’d make love to her under the stars next to the lake in a gazebo he’d had erected just for her special night. Her gown had arrived and his present was safely in the drawer next to the bed—a platinum necklace with red rubies. It would go beautifully with the red silk gown she’d be wearing and she’d be the most beautiful woman in the room. Hell, in the entire world. No doubt about that in his eyes and he was going to show her off like the goddess she was. He couldn’t wait to walk in with her on his arm and flaunt what he had: his Bloodmate. Show the world that it was possible for a Vampire to have his happy-ever-after.

  The only fly in the ointment was the niggling annoyance that Jana Noskova hadn’t been in touch with them yet and he couldn’t for the life of him figure out why.

  “Fuck, Quinn . . .” Amaya shrieked, bouncing on top of him for all she was worth, her tongue poking out slightly as she neared her orgasm.

  Grabbing hold of her tightly, he flipped her over, her eyes locking with his in annoyance. “I was right there!”

  “I know.” He grinned, “But I’m not quite ready to finish with you yet.”

  Swirling his hips, he ground against her and got the reaction he wanted, her mouth opening in a perfect little circle. “Oh!”

  Amaya lifted her hips to meet him as he pulled back before thrusting deeply back inside her, one hand rolling a nipple, tweaking it, teasing it . . . just the way she liked it. He’d learned straight away how much she liked having her breasts, especially her nipples, touched during sex and he was more than happy to oblige. They were full, heavy and magnificent and she responded so well whenever he touched them . . . even slightly, but when he tweaked and pulled on her nipples . . . boy, she went into overload.

  Her back arched, pushing her breast toward him, and he couldn’t reject her offering. His head lowered, allowing his fangs to spring free, his tongue giving the area a quick lick before he pierced the round, full flesh and took his first sip. Her unique and magical ambrosia slipped into his mouth, tantalizing his taste buds which exploded with delight as the flavor hit his senses sending him soaring toward the skies and his own orgasm. His balls tightened, his back muscles tensed, his cock pounded into her warmth as she writhed beneath him, his name on her lips as she reached that point of no return and tipped right on over the precipice into ecstasy.

  Amaya shook, and quivered beneath him, her nails raking down his back as he lapped at her breast, one more mouthful, two, three . . . and he was there! His orgasm hit like a fucking freight train, sending him to the moon and beyond. His seed exploding from him as his body was engulfed in a pleasure so great that he grew light headed from the magnitude. He had to force his fangs from the sweet, round breast, barely remembering to flick his tongue over the two pinpricks to seal the wounds, his head collapsing onto Amaya’s chest as he gasped trying to catch a breath.

  One of her hands ran through his hair, her own breaths matching his. “Jeez, I need food. Lots of food.”

  Running his fingers over where he’d fed, he softly kissed the area. “I didn’t hurt you, did I?”

  Her arms came around him, cuddling him. “No, of course not, but I wish we were fully mated, Quinn. My beast is growing impatient.”

  “Not long, darling. Tonight.”

  “I know.” She wiggled out from under him, turning on her side so she could look into his face. “I’m not looking forward to this party. You know I don’t need it.”

  “I’m aware of that, but please allow me to show you off. I’m ecstatically happy to have found you and I rarely have anything to celebrate. Allow me this small thing, darling.”

  “Fine,” she huffed. “But if I do something to embarrass you, you’ve been warned.”

  Quinn chuckled, rolling to get out of bed, holding his hand out. “Shower and then food for you. I’ve a lot to do today.”

  One of those things was to try and contact Jana Noskova and see when she was going to set up their interviews.

  Chapter 15

  “Well? Did you reach her?” Thorne caught up to him in his office, kicking the door closed with a resounding bang.

  “I did not,” Quinn shot back. “She’s not returning my calls. I’ve left a dozen messages, both on her cell and at her offices. None of which she’s deemed to answer.”

  “Fuck! What’s going on?” Thorne strode over to the red leather armchair in front of his desk, throwing himself into it, a frown on his face.

  “I’ve no idea. The fact she said she’d be in touch as soon as we returned home and then she’s been silent, and now she’s not returning my calls, well, I have to admit th
at it has me concerned.”

  Quinn had been on the phone for hours trying to track Jana down but to no avail. Every single time her cell went to voicemail, or if he got through to her office an assistant would give a standard message saying she was out.

  “Concerned? Hell, I’m more than concerned, Q, I’m worried sick. Do you think she’s putting a case together? To sling us in a cell?” Thorne got up and started to pace. “But surely she can’t do that? All we did was go in a little early and take out one guy. That can’t be enough for her to arrest us. Can it?”

  “I have no idea what she’s up to.” Quinn tapped his chin, trying to figure out what Magno Zara’s Second in Command was up to. Whatever it was it probably wasn’t good. “Her silence is certainly out of character, she usually has more to say than I’d like. But as you say, we only bent her orders slightly. I’m aware she’d be upset but putting us in jail, no, I’m certain that’s not on the cards. Relax.”

  “Relax? Are you kidding me?” Thorne spun around, throwing his arms wide. “This is Jana Noskova we’re talking about. We pissed her off and now she’s not taking your calls. That tells me something’s going on and I’m worried, Q, worried.”

  “There’s nothing we can do about it. She’ll be in touch when she’s good and ready so, until she is, we carry on as normal.” Quinn reached into a drawer and pulled out an envelope, tossing it to Thorne. “Anyway, here’s something that’ll take your mind off all this. It’s your bonus. I picked it but Amaya chose the color.”

  Thorne plucked it from the air, looking at it in confusion. “Bonus?”

  “Aye,” Quinn chuckled. “Everyone that was in Hong Kong got a bonus, that’s yours.”

  “A holiday, Q, I told you I needed a holiday,” Thorne grumbled as he fumbled with the envelope, before looking inside. His body stiffened, his head popping up to look at him then back at what he held in his hands. “Are you shittin’ me? This is a joke, right?”

  “Nae, lad, it’s no joke. You’ve been a loyal friend for a long time and this is my way of saying thank you. I’ve heard you talking about that car to Ace for a while now, the two of you mooning over it like a couple of groupies, so I thought I’d put you out of your misery. It’s taxed and insured, all set up for you, got a full tank too, so enjoy it.”

  “What color? Tell me what color?” Thorne stepped toward him, eyes wide and sparkling like a kid on Christmas morning.

  “I told you, Amaya picked that, so if you don’t like it, it’s her fault, not mine.” Quinn smirked up at him.

  “Just tell me!” Thorne almost yelled.

  “Red . . . she said you’d like red so that’s what you’ve got, well actually, it’s called Rosso Corsa if you want to be completely accurate.”

  “Yes!” Thorne fist pumped then jumped in the air. “Tell her I love her!”

  “It’s a car, Thorne, and I will not tell my Bloodmate you love her.”

  “It’s not just a car, Q, it’s a Ferrari Portofino, with a retractable hardtop roof, and it goes from zero to a hundred in three point five seconds! Fucking hell, I have a Ferrari! I’m taking it out right now, the roads here are so quiet I’ll be able to let it rip with no fear of other traffic, or the police being around!”

  “Have fun, but be back in plenty of time to help Ace with security checks for the party later and for goodness sakes don’t crash the damn thing, or go off a cliff somewhere.”

  “I have perfect reflexes.” Thorne stopped at the door. “I’m going to find Ace and take him with me, he’ll love it.”

  “As I said, just make sure you are both back to do what needs to be done for the party.”

  “I will.” Thorne stopped, turned and saluted him. “Thanks, Q,”

  “You’re welcome, now go, I have work to do.”

  Thorne rushed out, his excitement bringing a smile to Quinn’s face for a brief moment before he got back to work. He wanted to get through as much as possible so he could check with Aggie on the details for the party later. She had assured him that everything was taken care of but his OCD wouldn’t let him rest until he’d gone over everything, again. She would shake her head at him, giving him one of her looks, but would relent and show him that things were in hand and that there were stations set up for Vampires with every blood group included for them to partake of, as well as enough food to feed an army for the Shifters and other species that would be present.

  He had every alcoholic drink imaginable behind the bar, and plenty of it, certain that gallons would be consumed, his only concern was that the more susceptible wouldn’t get drunk and cause any problems. Witches weren’t known for being able to hold their liquor so he hoped the few that were going to be present didn’t end up pissed, or if they did, they weren’t stupid enough to pick a fight with anyone. Ace would have security set up to discreetly deal with any issues but Quinn hoped it wouldn’t come to that. He didn’t want anything to mar Amaya’s night. He wanted it to be perfect from start to finish.

  Reaching into his suit pocket he pulled out the small black velvet box, opening it to check the rings inside. He’d had them made for her specially and was going to ask her to marry him in front of everyone, his stomach clenching at the thought. Shit. He was nervous. He, Quinn Alexander, was worried about standing before a room full of people and proposing to the woman who meant the world to him. Shaking his head, he smirked at that. “Don’t be stupid,” he told himself, admiring the set in his hand. A simple diamond solitaire, well, not so simple really, as the band twisted and wound around the wedding band that was set with three smaller diamonds . . . ones that meant something and which he’d tell Amaya as he proposed.

  Of course they’d be sealing their Bloodmate bond that evening, and that could never be broken, but he lived in the human world too. He ran a multi-billion pound business and if anything ever happened to him, he needed to know she’d be okay. He was an ancient Vampire and of course, not a hell of a lot could harm him, but if the last few weeks had taught him anything, it was that you just never fucking knew what was around the corner. Amaya had to know two things: how much he loved her and that she would always be taken care of, no matter what.

  He’d already contacted his lawyer and had a will contracted so that Amaya was the beneficiary if he died. The man had been shocked at the request but carried it out nonetheless. He’d also asked that her name be added as joint owner to his home and that was something he was going to present to her later. Another token of his love for her and to show her that she was as much a part of his home as she was his heart.

  “I’m bored.” Amaya surprised him. He was so engrossed in his thoughts he hadn’t heard her approach.

  He snapped the ring box shut, using his enhanced speed and shoved it quickly into his pocket. “Why don’t you shift and go for a run?”

  When she’d shown him her Tiger the previous day, he’d been entranced. It was magnificent and far larger than he’d thought it would be and she’d had such fun tearing around the estate freely and chasing everything and anything she could.

  “I’ve done that already.” She flounced over and lay down on the sofa in front of the fireplace. “I’ve been banned from the kitchen by Aggie because she’s organizing everything for tonight. Thorne is away, out in his new toy with Ace and I don’t need to start to get ready for an hour or so yet.”

  “An hour?” Quinn checked his watch noticing the day had gotten away from him. “Shit, I need to go and check on things, darling. I’m sorry, but you’ll have to amuse yourself. I’ll see you later.”

  “What? You’re abandoning me?” She pouted over at him.

  “I’m not abandoning you, I’m going to make sure everything is ready for our party.” He went over, leaned down and pecked her forehead. “I’ll see you in a wee while. Why don’t you go to the library and read a book?”

  “A book? As in an actual book?”

  She looked at him as if he’d told her to hop in a spaceship and go to the moon. He chuckled, nodding. “Yes, a book. The library
is down the hallway on your left. Go find it and I’m sure you’ll see something that will interest you. It’s my favorite room, it’s right next to the Great Hall. I recently had it renovated and made into a library. The books used to be around the main fireplace in the Great Hall, but I decided to change that and make a new room and have a separate library. I prefer the peace and quiet of the new one . . . I think you will too.”

  “A book . . . hmm, yeah, I’ll go check it out.” She frowned. “I can’t remember the last time I did that.”

  “Well, you’ve got a lot to choose from now.” He turned on his heel, “See you soon, darling.”

  “Okay, I’ll go check out this library of yours and see you later.”

  He left the room, speeding toward the kitchen to find Aggie.

  Chapter 16

  “I’ve told you a dozen times, Mister Alexander, everything is ready,” Aggie said again, her tone a little exasperated. She pointed to the tables set out. “The stations set for Vampires are over there, and over there in the other corner will be the food, and plenty of it, as per your instructions. The bar is stocked with enough alcohol to sink the Titanic and I’ve got staff on hand to cater to everyone’s needs. There’ll be music piped in, again as you asked for, and this can be changed whenever, and to whatever you want, just ask me and it’ll be taken care of. Also, as per your instructions, there are no live donors for your guests, and that will be reiterated to them by Ace on their arrival. He’s arranged security, as you know, and the flowers are being put out in five minutes so they don’t wilt before people arrive. The gazebo is ready and waiting for you later, with champagne, flowers and I’ll have chocolate covered strawberries sent down later. Now, I think that covers everything . . . again. Don’t you think?”