Page 23 of Blood Ties (City of Blood #1)

Bash

“Prompt as always. And a new flashy ride. Though I must admit, I like this one better,” Elina calls from the dark of her front porch.

She walks across the yard toward me in black shorts and tank top that says, “I put the ‘impale’ in impaler”, and I snicker when I read it. I’ll tell her about Vlad later.

“Jump on the back and put the helmet on.”

“You don’t have a helmet,” she sassily responds, clipping the helmet on before wrapping her arms around my waist.

“I don’t need one,” I yell as I shift into second and speed down the street.

Her arms tighten around me and I drop a hand down to cover hers.

She feels so perfect behind me, her thighs around mine, squeezing every time I lean into a turn.

She laughs giddily and sighs in my ear. The fact that she trusts me enough to put her life in my hands has to mean something.

It means something to me, anyway. Changing my mind about going straight to my apartment, I spend the next half hour just cruising around the city and letting myself enjoy the feeling of Elina at my back and the open road ahead of me.

Parking at the end of Pirate’s Alley, I help Elina off the bike, remove her helmet, and push a few curls out of her face. Grabbing her hand, I haul her toward the stairs, excited to spend some time alone with her. It's been a long month.

Once I get her inside, I consider what to do now.

It’s an odd feeling, getting what you want, and once you have it, you’re not sure what you’re supposed to do next.

Cradling her face in my hands, I lean down and lightly press my lips to hers.

She gasps an inhale, taking my air with her.

I linger for a moment longer, feeling her skin under my fingers.

“Bash, hold on please. Not yet. I’m not ready yet.”

I exhale sharply at her words, and I take a big step back. Am I living on borrowed time here? How do I get her to want me the way I want her?

“Of course, I’m sorry. I’m so excited to have some time alone, I wasn’t thinking.

Come into the kitchen, I have dinner for you.

” This is a gross understatement of what I have in the kitchen.

I only know of one dish she enjoys, but I can’t keep giving her etouffee.

I have gumbo Elodie made. I have broiled oysters on the half shell, gator bites, hush puppies, bayou shrimp, beans and rice, and some collard greens.

I have no idea what any of this tastes like, but the spice in the air fills my senses.

“I know it’s basically a buffet, but I didn't know what else you would like and I wanted to make sure there was something you would enjoy.”

“I don’t eat gators, they’re little swamp puppies,” she says with an exasperated sigh.

“Did you know they eat marshmallows? And have you ever seen a baby gator? Sweetest thing, especially their little baby death roll.” Little baby death roll?

I am falling in love with a woman who thinks a baby alligator practicing to kill things is sweet. There may be hope for me yet.

“Got it, no sweet baby killers. Anything else?”

“Nope, everything else looks amazing. Thank you, Bash,” she says earnestly as she throws her arms around me.

After Elina eats a huge plate of gumbo, rice and beans, a few oysters, and hush puppies, we sit together on the couch.

She sits leaning against me, and I put my arms around her and kiss the top of her head.

I inhale her strawberry scent deeply, feeling peaceful and calm, more so than I have since the last time I sat next to her.

“Elina, I want you to know that even if we never have more than we have right now, this moment means the world to me. I am grateful to spend it with you.” I turn to face her, my voice quiet in the empty room.

“I know you’re concerned about the future and what happens next.

And I don’t know. But I know that I have never felt about anyone the way I feel about you.

I’ll do whatever you want—you lead the way, I will follow you.

Want to meet my mother? Done. Want to leave Ville de Sang?

Done. Want me to give up my claim? Done.

Just let me have more of you—your time, your smiles, your life.

” Lifting her eyes to mine, they are slightly filled with tears.

“No beautiful girl, don’t cry. We will figure it out together. I promise.”

She, hesitantly at first, presses her lips to mine.

Gaining confidence in her kiss, she licks my lips and coaxes me to open my mouth, her tongue slipping inside.

At the same time, she throws one of her legs across my lap and straddles me, leaning against me to kiss me more fully.

I set my hands on her hips and her arms wrap around my shoulders to pull at the hair at the nape of my neck.

She runs her tongue across the bottom of my teeth and I let my fangs descend just barely so she can feel the sharp tips.

She gasps and pulls back. I grin up at her.

“You ok?” I ask her, peering into her eyes.

“I don’t think I have ever been more ok in my life,” she whispers as she leans down and captures my mouth again.

I slide my hands under the back of her shirt and feel her soft skin beneath my palms. My hands grab onto her waist and feel how soft and pliable she is.

She moves her hips slightly as she kisses me deep and slow.

She’s not grinding on me exactly, but my cock hardens under her anyway.

She puts her hands to the front of my shirt and begins unbuttoning one button at a time. I still her hands.

“Are you sure? I can wait. I mean, I love where this is going, but I want to be sure that you are sure.”

“I’m sure, Bash.” And she kisses me again, this time hard and fast, like she can’t get enough of me.

She rips the rest of my buttons off and I huff a laugh into her mouth at her impatience.

Grabbing the hem of her tank top, I lift it over her head.

Right in front of my face are the most perfect nipples I have ever seen and I lean down and suck one into my mouth, before moving to the other.

She leans forwards and attaches her mouth to my neck, and suddenly, there is a searing pain on my chest. I hiss loudly and look down. Her pendant, that usually rests between her breasts, is pressed against my chest and burning me.

“Oh, shit! Oh, fuck, Bash. I’m so sorry I didn’t think. Just give me a second. Hold on.” Her chest heaving, she climbs off of my lap and moves up the couch, leaning against the arm, her feet pointed toward me.

I pull one of her feet into my lap, and start stroking small circles across the instep and ankle.

She moans causing my cock to twitch. “It’s ok, I got you that pendant for protection and I guess, it protected you—from me.

It’s ok, I’m ok.” She reaches up and unclasps the pendant lying it atop her discarded tank top.

I pull her feet toward me, causing her to slide down the couch until she is more reclined.

Sitting up, I change positions a little until I am kneeling between her feet.

I rub her ankles, her calves, the backs of her knees. She lays her head back and relaxes.

I reach up to the button of her shorts and raise my eyebrow in question, she nods her head slowly, looking a little dazed. I unbutton her shorts and slide them down her hips and off her legs. She is spread before me in nothing but a tiny pair of panties—black, of course.

I continue my slow massage up her legs, kneading her thighs now.

“Tesoro, if I slide my fingers inside your panties, am I going to find your pussy all wet for me?” She blushes a deep crimson and nods her head.

“Of course I am. You’re so gorgeous, and going to be so wet for me.

Seeing you blush while I run my hands over your body is making me want to find out what it looks like when you come for me.

How easy will it be to make you come for me, baby?

” Slipping my fingers inside her panties, I find she was telling the truth.

“So wet, soaked for me,” I murmur as my other hand brings her leg to my shoulder and I kiss the inside of her knee.

She pants and moans as I run my fingertips across her clit.

“So responsive. You’re doing so good, baby. ”

Continuing to kiss the inside of her knee and her thigh, I slide a single finger inside her.

It slips in easily, she’s so wet. “So ready for me. Let’s add a second finger.

” I slide my ring finger inside her and move my other hand up her thigh.

Once I reach her hip, I lay my hand flat against her stomach and push down a little while I curl my fingers up inside her.

I can almost feel my fingers moving. Elina gasps and starts panting harder.

“Yes, Tesoro, that's it. Such a good girl, so good. You feel so soft and wet. I can’t wait to sink my cock into you and feel you hold onto me while you come.” I rub her clit in firm circles, feeling her wetness pool in my palm.

“Bash. Oh, fuck,” she gasps the words out, her whimpers and moans coming closer together while she starts fluttering against my fingers inside her. Her back arches off the couch and she writhes beneath me as I use my hand on her stomach to hold her still, pressing from the inside and outside.

Leaning forward, I take a peaked nipple between my teeth and tug gently before flicking my tongue across the pebbled skin. Sucking hard, I pull her into my mouth, never slowing my fingers as I draw her closer to the edge. Her breath forces out in short pants and her thighs tremble, she’s so close.

“Yes, baby, let go. Come for me, Tesoro. Let me feel you come on my fingers,” I whisper to her as she starts to clench around my fingers, my thumb tracing her clit, my fingers rubbing her g-spot, and my palm heavy on her belly.

“Bash, Bash, Bash.” My name on her lips sounds like a prayer and it lights me up from within.

“Yes, Bash!” She cries my name as she comes, filling up my palm with her wetness.

I continue to gently stroke her through her orgasm as I stare at the flush of blood under her skin and the thumping pulse in her neck.

I can’t tell if I am more hungry for her body or for her blood.

“Wait right there, don’t move. I’ll get something to clean you up. That was absolutely glorious, baby.” Coming back and kneeling between her thighs again, I gently wipe her down. I press a single kiss to her pubic bone and look up at her to see the blush on her cheeks.

“Hi.” I smile broadly at her.

“Hi,” she says shyly. Shy was never something I imagined for Elina.

She always seems brave and outspoken. And like this, she is radiant.

“That was unbelievable, and not at all what I expected.” She looks away while wrapping her arms around her midsection like she is trying to hide herself now that her head has cleared.

“Don’t hide from me, Tesoro. You’re the most perfect person I have ever encountered. Let’s get you dressed so we can talk.”

“What about you, I can-”

“No, you can’t. This was for you, about you. I’ve got all the time in the world. Like I said, I am grateful for every minute I get to bask in your light.”