Page 17 of Patrick’s Seduction (Scanguards Vampires #19)

17

F allon shivered. The shock that Cameron was part of a Mafia family still sat deep in her bones, when Patrick slowed the car and drove into the garage of a large Victorian home. Was this the safe house he’d spoken of? If this was it, then the house had most likely been split up into several flats like so many old Victorian mansions in San Francisco. Several cars were parked here, and when she glanced to her right, she noticed that the garage seemed to extend beneath the neighboring house, providing space for at least eight cars.

“Let’s get you settled,” Patrick said and exited the car.

Fallon got out on the passenger side, and by the time she reached the back of the car, Patrick had already lifted her travel bag out of the trunk and closed it.

“This way.” He pointed to a staircase.

As she followed him, she asked, “How many flats are in this house? It looks pretty big.”

“It’s one residence.”

Surprised, she followed him. At the top of the stairs, he pressed his hand to a scanner. A soft beeping sound drifted to her ears before Patrick pushed the door open and walked into the house. Moments later, Fallon entered the foyer, and Patrick pulled the door shut behind her. Another beep sounded, and she assumed that it was the alarm resetting itself.

As she took in the rich wood-paneled foyer, disbelief flooded her. “This is a safe house?”

He smiled at her, already tapping on a contact on his cell phone. “It’s my parent’s house. Make yourself at home.”

Walking a few steps away from her, he brought the cell phone to his ear and listened for a moment, before he said something so quietly that she couldn’t hear it. The conversation only lasted a few seconds, before he shoved his cell phone back into his pocket and turned back to her.

“Nobody followed us. You’re safe here.”

“Why did you bring me here? I mean, I don’t want to inconvenience your family.”

“My parents are on vacation in Alaska, so you’re not inconveniencing anybody. Besides, the house is so big that you wouldn’t even hear them if they were home.” He cast her a reassuring smile.

She took a breath, still feeling awkward about being in somebody’s home without their knowledge and perhaps even without their consent. “You can’t possibly be bringing every client who’s in danger to your parent’s house.”

“You’re right.” He lifted her travel bag, which he’d placed on the floor earlier, and pointed to the stairs. “But your case is special, and you’ll be safest here. My parent’s house has the best security system, and you won’t be alone here. I live here too.”

At his words, a breath of air rolled over her lips, and her pulse quickened, her eyes meeting his in stunned silence. She would be staying here with Patrick?

He lifted one hand to prevent her from replying. “And before you get worried, let me assure you that you’ll have your own room and bathroom, and I won’t intrude on your privacy.”

Heat shot into her cheeks at the thought of what he meant by privacy. He wouldn’t touch her again. “Oh.”

For a long moment, their eyes met, and she wasn’t sure what to think or say. Or do.

“I’ll protect you no matter what. I don’t expect anything from you. In spite of what happened between us earlier today, I don’t want you to think that I expect you to… uhm… what I’m trying to say is that I didn’t bring you here to seduce you, even though we’re going to be alone here.”

Her chest lifted with her next breath. “Patrick, about earlier…” She was trying to find the right words to tell him what she felt. But she’d never been good at saying the right things at the right moment.

“You don’t have to say anything right now. Just know that all I want is to keep you safe.”

He motioned to the stairs. “Let me show you to your room, and then I’ll be out of your hair.”

As she followed him silently, she contemplated his words. He’d sounded almost nervous, and even though she believed him when he’d indicated that he wasn’t expecting any sexual favors, she also recognized that he wouldn’t turn her down if she made the first step. She’d felt it earlier in the day when he’d touched her, and she felt it now: Patrick desired her.

Automatically, she compared what she saw in Patrick with Cameron. Cameron’s desire for her had always been different, insistent, demanding, without an option on her part to reject him. But Patrick seemed different. He was considerate. He was giving her a choice, assuring her that he would still keep her safe, even if she rejected his advances. He went even further: Patrick wouldn’t even put her in a situation where she would have to make a choice.

Patrick opened the door to a room on the second floor and ushered her inside. She looked around. The room was rather large for a Victorian home, with high ceilings, cozy furnishings, a fireplace, and wainscoting inviting her warmly. There was a closet with sliding doors and an ensuite bathroom. The window looked out over a tiny backyard.

Patrick set the travel bag onto a chair. “Make yourself at home. There are fresh towels in the bathroom, and if you want something to eat, the kitchen is downstairs. The fridge is a little bare, but I’ve already sent Lydia to the grocery store. I’ll wait downstairs for her until she’s back. She’ll protect you here at the house while I’ll go back to the office.”

“You’re leaving again? But it’s night.”

He gave her a kind smile. “Crime never sleeps.” He looked at his watch. “Lydia should be back in about forty-five minutes.” He turned toward the door.

The thought of him leaving with this unspoken thing between them didn’t feel right. She reached for his arm. “Patrick.”

He turned back to her, seemingly surprised. “Yes?”

“It’s about what happened earlier,” she started, collecting all her courage, her eyes dropping to his parted lips, before her gaze shifted to his neck, where his carotid artery pulsed visibly. Oddly enough, she could almost hear his pulse drumming against his skin, and the sound drew her to him.

Pushing the odd sensation away, she ripped her eyes from his neck and met his gaze. He simply stood there, waiting patiently, giving her the time to collect her thoughts without interrupting her.

“I don’t regret what we did.” She took a step closer to him, suddenly feeling her body growing warmer. Damn, she wasn’t used to making the first step, although this wasn’t technically the first step. But in a way it was. “This isn’t as easy as it looks.”

“What’s not easy?”

“Telling a man that I want to have sex with him.” The words were out, and there was no taking them back now. All she could hope was that she’d been right in her assessment of Patrick, in her belief that he wanted more.

For a moment, only silence surrounded them. They both stood there as if frozen in time. And maybe time had just stopped, because she wasn’t even breathing. It was only when she felt Patrick’s warm hand on her face, stepping closer that she realized that she was breathing again.

“You made it look pretty easy,” he murmured with a smile on his lips. “And what man with a pulse could ever say no to such an offer?”

His words infused her with confidence, and she brought her body flush to his, feeling his heat join hers. “Is that a yes ?”

He chuckled softly. “Let me show you what a yes feels like.”

An instant later, Patrick’s lips were on hers, and he was kissing her tenderly. It was different than when they’d kissed before. This kiss was slow and gentle. Their breaths mingled, and their tongues danced, exploring each other. Patrick put one arm around her waist, holding her tightly to him, while he slid his free hand to her nape, caressing her sensitive skin, igniting her cells as if she were a furnace and he was the match to ignite the fire. She let herself go in his embrace, molding her body to his, her hands clinging to his shoulders, not wanting him to change his mind and stop. Maybe she was only dreaming this, because everything she felt seemed more intense. It was as if her senses were sharper, and she was able to absorb his scent and taste to merge with her own.

Patrick was taking his time, not rushing anything, even though she could feel from where their bodies touched that he was aroused. His hard-on was impossible to miss, particularly since he rubbed himself against her sex. But even in that particular movement lay no rush, no hurry, because he wasn’t seducing her so she would sleep with him. No, that hurdle had already been eliminated: she’d already told him what she wanted from him. No persuasion, no coaxing was necessary on his part. Instead, every movement, every touch was meant to pleasure each other.

Instinctively, she thought of Cameron, and how he’d been during sex. While he’d certainly pleasured her, she’d always felt his impatience, as if all he wanted was her submission and his own pleasure. At the thought, she stiffened.

Cool air wafted against her lips, and she realized that Patrick had severed the kiss.

“Is something wrong?” he asked, meeting her gaze. “If you’ve changed your mind, it’s okay.”

She shook her head quickly, surprised that he’d noticed the subtle change in her body. “Nothing is wrong. And I haven’t changed my mind.”

He smiled, and his eyes seemed to sparkle, a golden hue reflecting in them. “I’m glad. But if you want me to go slower, I will. You just have to tell me.”

She looked into his eyes. Was this affection that shone from them? She’d never seen it in Cameron before. It had always been lust and desire. Maybe even love. But never affection and kindness. Patrick was different. Warm and gentle. Understanding and patient.

“Make love to me,” she whispered, realizing too late what she was saying. Earlier, she’d asked him to have sex with her, but now she wanted him to make love to her. Would he realize the distinction her subconscious had made for her? Did it even matter what she called it?

He brought his face closer to hers, his lips now hovering over her mouth. “Tell me what you like.”

“Can we get undressed?”

He kissed her deeply before severing the kiss again. His hands were on the hem of her top, and he shoved it up and over her head, freeing her from it quickly. Beneath it, she wore only a thin silk camisole but no bra. She noticed him roam his eyes over her torso, and at that, her nipples turned hard like little pebbles. When he cupped both breasts with his hands and squeezed them ever so lightly, she gasped at the spear of heat his action sent through her body.

“You’re not wearing a bra,” he murmured, while he dipped his face to her breasts.

“I only wear one when I’m at work.”

Patrick licked his hot tongue over one nipple, making the silk wet and transparent, then did the same with the other breast. Her pulse raced. Wanting to feel him on her skin, she yanked the camisole out of her pants. He helped her pull it over her head. She had no idea where it landed, because an instant later, Patrick’s hands were back on her breasts, and he was squeezing them again.

“You have gorgeous tits,” he said, lifting his gaze to meet hers, while he continued kneading her flesh, driving her insane with the need for more. “Would you like me to suck them?”

Air rushed from her lungs. “Yes.”

Before she knew what was happening, she found herself with her back on the bed, Patrick braced over her, sucking her left nipple deep into his mouth. When she felt his tongue swirl around her hard nipple, she gasped at the pleasure his touch sent through her core and straight to her sex. When he released her nipple, the cool air blowing against her wet nipple made it even harder. Already, Patrick was unleashing the same treatment on her right nipple, and she could feel her clit pulsing with need. She couldn’t wait much longer. She needed him inside her.

“Patrick,” she said, tilting his head up with her hand under his chin. “What happened with getting undressed?”

He smiled mischievously and winked at her.

“I got sidetracked. Can’t blame a guy.”

Touching Fallon’s beautiful breasts, kneading her firm flesh, and feeling her react to him, had shut down his brain in less than a second. It had been a while since he’d been with a woman. He’d let his responsibilities to his work and his family take priority over his life in the last few months, and if he was honest with himself, he hadn’t encountered anybody who he’d been drawn to. Until now. Maybe that was the reason why Fallon had such an effect on him—because he’d been abstinent for too long.

With efficient movements, without giving away that he could undress himself at vampire speed if he wanted, he took off his clothes. From beneath half-lowered lids, Fallon watched him, and he had to admit, he liked that. When he pulled his boxer briefs down and freed his rock-hard cock, Fallon’s lips parted, and an appreciative sound rolled over them.

Her eyes on his erection made him even harder. She wasn’t shy about what she wanted, and he liked that in a woman.

Finally naked, he stepped closer to the bed again and began to free Fallon of her clothes. Her shoes and socks went first, then her khaki pants, leaving her with only her bikini panties. They were of the same silky material as her camisole. He hooked his fingers into the waistband, and pulled them down her long, toned legs, until he could free her of them completely.

Taking his time, he let his gaze roam over her body. She was perfect. Her breasts were firm and the perfect size for his palms. Her skin was pale like that of so many San Franciscans who rarely ever saw the sun.

“Uhm, Patrick?”

At the sound of his name, he lifted his eyes to meet her gaze. “Hmm?”

“Getting sidetracked again?”

“It’s hard not to.”

“I can see that.” She gave a pointed look in the direction of his cock.

He smirked. He liked that she was direct. “Give me a sec. I’ve got condoms in my room.” He pointed to the wall that separated this room from his own.

“I’m on the pill.”

He hesitated. As a vampire hybrid he was born sterile, and he couldn’t contract or spread any illnesses, but it wasn’t something he could tell the women he slept with. So, he’d always used condoms to guard his secret. But to sleep with Fallon without a condom was tempting.

She lifted herself onto her elbows, her chest thrust in his direction. “If you want to wear one, that’s fine, but I’m okay if you don’t.”

That sealed it for him. With Fallon he wanted the most intimate contact without any barriers between them. He crossed the remaining distance between him and the bed with one large step. Sliding one knee onto the mattress, he leaned over Fallon, bracing his hands on either side of her torso.

“So, uhm, tell me what you like.” He ran one hand over her flat stomach and slid it between her legs. Damp heat met his hand, but he didn’t move any farther down, and instead waited for her answer.

She reached up and placed her hand on his nape, pulling his head closer to hers. “Your cock inside me. I don’t care how, as long as you do it now, before I burn up.”

Happy to hear that she was as eager as he, he used his knee to spread her legs wider, so he could slide in the space. “No foreplay?”

“I think you did that already earlier today.” She put her hands on his hips and pulled him closer.

“I remember.” He touched her nether lips and rubbed his fingers along her cleft. She was drenched in her own juices, and he couldn’t help himself and groaned with pleasure. “Damn, how did you get so wet?”

“Watching you undress does something to me,” she whispered.

“Good to know.” For next time. Because there would definitely be a next time.

“Are you gonna talk the entire time?” she teased.

Without replying, he brought the tip of his cock to her sex and plunged inside, seating himself to the hilt. Despite her plentiful juices, she was tighter than he’d expected. The way her interior muscles squeezed him felt better than anything he’d felt in a very long time—if ever. He stopped moving, remaining lodged deep inside her welcoming pussy, allowing the pleasurable sensation to spread to every cell in his body, while Fallon wrapped her thighs around him, opening up even wider, imprisoning him inside her tantalizing flesh.

He locked eyes with her, gazing deep into her grey irises. Desire blazed from them, and he realized now that she could make any man fall in love with her just by looking at him like this. As if she was a siren, or a witch who’d cast a spell on him. He wasn’t sure how long they’d been staring into each other’s eyes, before he sank his lips on hers, and kissed her as if his life depended on it.

As he began to thrust in and out of her sweet pussy, he angled his head, seeking a deeper connection, kissing her with abandon. He’d always loved kissing a woman while making love rather than simply thrusting in and out because a kiss intensified the intimacy between them. Just like it did now. He could feel their bodies move in sync with each other, separating and coming back together in perfect harmony, a sensual dance where the chemistry that was sparking between them was dictating the tempo.

His vampire senses, which allowed him to hear her heartbeat and feel the blood rushing through her veins, helped him anticipate what she needed from him. He let his senses guide him to give her the pleasure she wanted and deserved, without focusing on his own needs. They would be fulfilled soon enough. He knew he would be able to climax within seconds if only he allowed himself to surrender to the beautiful woman who was guiding his body as if she were its mistress.

Every sigh and every moan that drifted to his ears filled him with joy, because pleasuring the woman in his arms was all he wanted. With every hot breath, every stroke of her tongue against his, he felt his movements become faster. Despite the increasing tempo of his thrusts, they continued to move in sync with each other.

Fallon’s hands were roaming his body, exploring him, pulling him closer, forcing him deeper into her by digging her fingers into his ass. Every time she yanked him closer, he wished for her fingernails to draw blood, and the more often that thought repeated, the more his vampire side battled him for supremacy. The vampire in him wanted to break to the surface and sink his fangs into her alabaster skin, taking her blood inside him to experience the intimacy that only a vampire’s bite could create.

His hips moved frantically now, his cock sliding in and out of her pussy. They were both perspiring. It made every slide of skin on skin smooth and sensual like an erotic massage. When he suddenly felt Fallon’s tongue swipe against his fang, he felt it lengthen, ready to descend. Panicked, he severed the kiss, and willed his fang to retract, before she could notice it.

Fallon’s face glistened, her cheeks were rosy, her lips looked bruised. He could hear the thundering of her heartbeat reverberate against his chest and her breath rush over her lips.

“I love how you take me,” she whispered.

“I’ve never felt anything so good,” he confessed. “I don’t wanna stop.”

“Then don’t.”

She slid one hand to his nape and caressed him there, sending a shudder down his spine. He pressed his eyes shut and clamped his jaw tightly together to stave off an immediate climax.

“Fuck!” he managed to let out and opened his eyes again. “Just a little warning: you do that again, and I’ll come in an instant.”

A mischievous glint shimmered in her eyes. “Really?”

“Seductress.” He pulled out of her, and sat back on his haunches, but before she could voice a protest, he’d already rolled her onto her stomach.

Her surprised gasp was muffled by a pillow. She turned her head sideways. “I wasn’t done.”

“I know.” He chuckled and pulled her onto her knees, then positioned her so that she could brace her hands on the headboard of the bed. When she was in the position he wanted her in, he kneeled behind her, grabbed her hips, and sank his cock back into her.

A relieved sigh came from Fallon.

“That way I know where your hands are,” he teased, then he slipped his right hand around her hip and cupped her pussy. “And I have my hand free to make you come.”

When he gathered some of her juices with his finger and rubbed them over her clitoris, she sighed. “Oh.”

“Now hold onto the headboard and let me take care of you.” He brought his mouth to her ear. “And if there’s anything I’m doing wrong, you’ll let me know, because we’re not leaving this bed until you’re completely satisfied.”

“How about yourself?” she asked with a look over her shoulder.

He smirked. “I could come by just looking at you. You’re so damn hot. So, don’t worry about me.”

He continued thrusting in a steady but slow pace, while he caressed her clit, painting little circles around the engorged organ. Beneath his fingers, he felt Fallon surrender to his touch, moving with him. Her breaths became irregular, her long hair fell over her shoulders, swinging back and forth, from side to side.

With his free hand, he brushed her hair to one side to expose the graceful column of her neck, where her carotid artery pulsed in rhythm with her heartbeat. Like a beacon, it called out to him, tempting him to throw caution to the wind and bite her, but the man in him pulled back the beast. Fallon needed to be wooed, not conquered. It had to be her decision, not his demand. Her experience with Cameron had left her cautious when it came to relationships, and if he revealed now that he was a vampire, she would flee in horror.

He had to give her time.

And give her pleasure without putting any demands on her. Just like he did now. From earlier in the day, he knew already how to caress her center of pleasure so she could let herself go. Patiently, he touched her, rubbing back and forth over her clit, every so often gathering more of her juices to make his touch smooth.

“Oh, yes,” she murmured, panting now.

With his mouth at her neck, he whispered endearments. “You’re beautiful. So sexy.” With his free hand, he cupped one breast, squeezing it in the same rhythm as he thrust into her from behind while caressing her clit.

He pressed open-mouthed kisses to her heated skin. “You make me so hot. I’m gonna burst any moment now.”

Fallon let out a yelp, and her body stiffened.

“Oh, fuck, baby! You feel so good,” he ground out, barely holding on to his control now.

Then he felt it. Fallon’s muscles contracted around his cock, squeezing him again and again as she climaxed. Relieved, he let out a breath. With it, his orgasm washed over him, shaking him to the core. He pressed one hand against the headboard, bracing himself, while he felt his knees wobble, the impact of his climax more intense than he’d felt in a long time.

Fallon sighed contentedly, blowing out audible breaths. Patrick released her clit and wrapped his arm around her waist, pressing her to him, while nuzzling his face in the crook of her neck.

“Wow!” she said in a breathy voice. “That was… wow.”

He chuckled and lifted his head a little. “Better than wow for me.” He kissed her neck. “Damn, you feel so good in my arms. I don’t want to let go.”

A soft chuckle came over her lips, and she turned her face to him. “You’re amazing.”

He smiled. “I simply followed your lead.” He drew his hips back a little, before slowly driving his still-hard cock back in to the hilt.

“Mmm.”

“You like that, hmm?” he asked.

“I do. How about seconds?”

Surprised, he met her gaze. Most women didn’t immediately want to go another round, unless they hadn’t reached their climax. And Fallon had definitely climaxed.

“I’d love to. But—” He’d already heard the garage door opening a moment earlier, and now it was closing again, which meant that Lydia was back. He pointed to the floor, indicating the first floor. “Lydia is back. I need to get back to Scanguards.”

“Oh.” Fallon moved, and his cock slipped from her.

He could sense her disappointment. When she turned, he put his arms around her and pressed his forehead to hers. “I can’t think of anything I’d love more than to spend the rest of the night in bed with you as your love slave.”

“You’re not just saying that?”

“I’m not just saying that.” He pressed a kiss to her lips. “But to keep you safe, my colleagues and I have to come up with a plan for how to remove Cameron from your life permanently. And then there is that murder case I’m working.”

She nodded. “I know. I totally understand.” She gave him a sweet smile. “You’d better go then.”

“Alright. Just promise to stay in the house with Lydia. She’ll protect you. And I’ll be back as soon as I can. Get some sleep.” He climbed off the bed and gathered his clothes.

“I’ll take a quick shower before I leave.” He couldn’t very well have his vampire colleagues make comments about him smelling of sex.

At the door, he looked over his shoulder. “And if you want me to join you in bed when I’m back, go to my room and sleep there. First door to the right. But if you want a good night’s sleep alone, just stay in this room, and I won’t intrude.”

He raked a hungry look over her. She smiled at him, and the sparkle was back in her eyes. He could guess from the look in her eyes where he would find her when he returned home.