While Julie and I flashed ourselves back to the mansion, Karen and Monica had to wait until morning when Tyler was released from the hospital and then the three of them could fly back together.I told Julie that she could flash herself back to her own home, but she declined the offer. Julie had a big ass mansion that was part funhouse, part modern contemporary. Julie obviously didn't want me alone in the mansion, and I welcomed her company. Mara and Kat, my other two assistants, had done an excellent job putting the house back together in our absence. Kat had even done some redecorating in the living room. I liked the improvements. As nice as the house was and even with my own touches, this house had never felt like my own. I rested here, I conducted business here, but it wasn't home.I went into the media room and relaxed on a leather chair. I needed to unwind with a collection of old Blaxploitation movies I had collected while human. I selected a movie that would stir up memorie
"I wasn't aware that there was a Council meeting tonight—and in my home." They stared at me, stared at my lack of scars, stared at my exposed flesh.Cyrene broke the silence. "We were informed by the Barcelona Council of an altercation that happened last night."I gestured for them to follow me into the newly redecorated living room. Bastards hadn't wasted any time telling on me!When I went to close the door after them, I saw Monica watching from the other room so I decided to keep it open. There would be no secrets between us concerning this matter.I reentered the room and sat in a new wingchair upholstered in a mellow mustard fabric. A rich brown silk pillow offset it and my outfit perfectly. "Make yourselves comfortable," I said.Kaniji chose the sofa, and Frank sat near her. Keada chose an oversized leather chair, and Cyrene sat in the matching chair opposite her. Tony remained standing, watching me. I met his eyes even though I wanted to ignore him. I needed to gauge hi
I glanced at Tony, but he had not budged and still looked at a space beyond me. "It was their poor choice to force us to go there," I said. "It's their own fault they didn't know Alexis was in me. They struck first when Esmeralda smacked me, breaking my neck, and bloodying my nose." I could feel Tony's eyes move to me then."And when Tyler tried to protect me, Esmeralda broke her wrist. Julie was thrown across the room, and only then did Alexis come. But he came from inside of me."Frank nodded. "Her words are not lies.""Well," Cyrene said, "it seems that they weren't very hospitable to an American Council member.""Why don't you ask her what she said to cause her to get slapped?" Kaniji asked."I asked her why she was asking me so many questions about Alexis," I said."And she slapped you for that?" Frank asked."No. She didn't just slap me. She hit me with her power and it knocked me out of my chair and broke my neck. I couldn't even turn my head when my people began to s
We spent the majority of the evening making calls. I didn't have many contacts so I left the calling up to the ladies. After several hours I had time to think and had come to a conclusion. I needed to talk to Tony. It should have never ended the way it did considering how important he had been to my recovery—to me. And of course I still loved him, but I couldn't be his woman, not after a betrayal like this. What Tony wanted was an old school relationship where he's the man and the woman is a distant second. This wasn't about throwing Tony away for Alexis because it would be a long time before I could be with Alexis. I just only wanted some closure.I materialized on Tony's front porch and rang the bell trying not to think too hard.Mei Wah opened the door. "Miss Kim. Come in.""Hi, Mei Wah." I entered the mansion. "Is Tony home?"Mei Wah shut the door behind us. He sighed, which was something I hadn't seen him do before. "He is here. I will tell him you are here."I folded my
Everything she showed us was way too opulent. I wanted something homey and nice but comfortable. The last house she wanted to show us was a little before midnight, and it was a Mediterranean transplant. Not nearly as big as Johan's or even Tony's house, this place had everything my human mind could want. There was a pool and Jacuzzi, even a grotto. The backyard was any person's fantasy with a bathhouse and a walkout that was very open air. Italian travertine marble covered the floor in a rustic decoration. Glass doors closed off the oversized walkout. Kat was telling me that we'd have all the glass replaced with the UV-protected glass that Vampires used. There were four bedrooms, perfect if anybody needed to crash, and each had its own personal en suite. Monica would always have a place to stay if she wanted it, but I figured she'd want to stay in her wing at Johan's. The master bedroom sealed the deal for me. It had a rook wood fireplace in perfect condition. The hardwood floors
"You see Kim, Jason's a pro at this," Tyler said."Well, Jason if you want to be a donor I welcome you."He stood and shook my hand in gratitude. "I do. I understand … about how it is with you. And I want you to know that I won't take advantage." He looked lovingly at Tyler. "And no offense, but I only have eyes for Tyler."I relaxed. He was speaking the truth. "None taken," I said. I stood and stepped close to him. "I haven't fed. Is it okay if I take a full feeding?"He nodded while staring at me. "I haven't donated blood in months so there's plenty."I was concentrating on his neck and the nervous pulse that I found there. He was calm on the outside but not quite so on the inside.We both leaned forward, and I was thankful because it meant that I didn't have to press my breasts against him. He was thoughtful. I put my lips on his neck and felt my mouth watering. My teeth slid from my gums, and I sank them into the vein pulsating against my tongue.He gasped, and I felt Tyler
"Leftover shrimp creole." I looked at him over my shoulder. He was only an inch away. His lips curled up. He frowned and shook his head. "I can make you a steak," I said while staring at his lips."Sounds good," he said.I straightened slowly. It had to be slow because he was so close to me that I would have bumped into him. I concentrated on the task at hand—cooking a steak. There were rib-eyes in the freezer. We kept plenty of meat around because it was blood food. Paul backed up and looked around."You did a good job decorating this place," he said. "Last time I was here it was pretty empty."I placed the steak into the microwave to defrost and then handed him a bottled water. When he took it he allowed his fingers to graze my fingers. His eyes held me again. Feeling an unfamiliar self-consciousness, I turned away and searched for a skillet to fry the steak. I often wondered if the desire I felt for Paul was only the blood. Now I knew. We hadn't shared blood in over a year
I gave him a quick hug, which he readily returned and was slow to release. I slipped out of his arms and led him up the remaining stairs sensing his eyes on my ass.The room I chose for Paul was decorated with large dark wood furniture and hunter green walls. He had his own fireplace, and his master bath had a stand-alone shower as well as a Jacuzzi tub.He raised his eyebrows. "Nice. Kat's doing?""Of course." I looked away reliving the feel of his arms around me. God, it was too much. I needed some type of release. I do have a succubus in me, after all! "I guess I should let you get some rest."He put down the bag. "Hold on. I'm going to use the restroom. Don't go anywhere.""Okay," I said trying to hide my pleasure. The way I was feeling if Paul crooked his finger in my direction, he could have had me any way he wanted! And the idea of it was pleasing but scary. Despite all of the sexual tension between us, Paul and I had never had sex.He went off to the bathroom, and when he