Night’s Promise (Children of The Night #6)(6)
Author: Amanda Ashley

After brushing her teeth, Sheree slipped under the covers and closed her eyes, all thoughts of vampires and technology fading away as Derek’s image rose in her mind and followed her to sleep. . . .

And he was there, so real she knew she couldn’t be dreaming. He whispered her name as he drew her into his arms, his hands sliding up and down her back, his palms skimming the sides of her breasts, his mouth covering hers in a kiss that sent a shaft of heat straight to her core. His tongue tangled with hers in a provocative duel that had her clinging to him as the only solid thing in a world rapidly spinning out of control.

Sheree closed her eyes, gasping with pleasure as he kissed his way to her throat, his tongue like lightning as he laved the tender place beneath her ear. In a distant part of her mind, she realized he was biting her, but it felt so good, she didn’t care. Pleasure spiraled deep within her, spinning outward to every fiber of her being, more sensual and satisfying than anything she had ever imagined.

She smiled when he kissed her good night. At his word, she sank into oblivion.

Sheree was sweet, Derek thought as he drove home from her house. Far sweeter than anyone he had ever known. Or tasted. Slipping inside her mind had been all too easy.

He smiled with the memory, thinking just one taste would never be enough, although he would have to wait a day or two before drinking from her again.

Taking from her too often would leave her weak, listless.

Taking too much could leave her dead.

He had been tempted to seduce her while she was in thrall, but while it might have been physically satisfying, he preferred his partners to be awake and willing.

Pulling into the driveway of his mother’s house, he noted that the lights were on. No doubt she was waiting up for him again. Derek slammed the door as he got out of the car. Dammit, he was twenty-five years old and a vampire. What was she worried about?

As expected, Mara was waiting for him in the living room, a vision in a long white velvet robe, her hair like a black nimbus around her shoulders. His vampire senses told him the rest of the family had gone.

She lifted her head when he entered the room, her nostrils flaring, a knowing look in the depths of her deep green eyes.

Derek dropped onto the sofa across from her, folded his arms across his chest, stretched his legs out in front of him. And waited.

“How was your evening?” she asked.

Derek clenched his hands in an effort to hold on to his temper. “I’ve told you before. I don’t need a keeper.”

She dismissed his objections with an airy wave of her hand. “I’m your mother. It’s my job to worry.”

“What, exactly, are you worrying about?”

“I still have enemies. Not all of them are dead, you know. None of them would hesitate to avenge themselves on me by destroying you.”

He nodded, wondering if two of those enemies had been in the Den tonight, talking about her. “I’m a big boy. I think I can take care of myself.”

“Perhaps.” She rose in a smooth, sinuous motion. “But you can’t blame me for worrying. After all, you are my only son.” She dropped a kiss on the top of his head. “And I’m not likely to have another. Good night.”

He watched her walk toward the stairs; then, with a wry smile, he muttered, “I love you, too.”

He grinned when she waved a hand to let him know she’d heard the words he spoke all too seldom. She might be proud, vain, sometimes annoying, often demanding, but there was no denying that he loved her more than words could say.

Which made him more determined than ever to find out who was looking for her. And why.

Knowing Logan was waiting for her, Mara put a little extra swing in her stride when she entered the bedroom, smiled smugly when her husband whistled under his breath. Although she had known him for centuries, her lust for him, her need for him, had never waned. Even when she’d told herself she didn’t love him, didn’t need him or any other man, it had been a lie.

“Did you find out anything?” Throwing back the covers, he patted the space beside him, his eyes hot as she slipped out of her robe, revealing a diaphanous black gown that was little more than a whisper of silk.

“No.” She slid into bed beside him, her body pressing against his.

“You met the girl?”

“Yes. She doesn’t know anything. She’s just a foolish little vampire groupie.”

Logan laughed softly. “I guess she hit the mother lode.”

Mara tossed her head. “I don’t want to talk about her or hunters, or wannabe vampires.”

“No?” Wrapping her in his arms, he nuzzled her breasts. “What do you want to talk about?”

“Nothing.” She traced the width of his shoulders, raked her fingers down his chest. He was a magnificent creature, with the physique of a Greek god and honest, deep-set brown eyes. She had turned him on a whim. Another man might have hated her for it, but not Logan. He had never bewailed the loss of his humanity. To the contrary, he had readily accepted his new way of life, and her, without reproach. She had always admired him for that.

“Derek thinks you’re in danger.”

Eyes flashing, Mara pushed him back on the bed and straddled his hips. “I said I don’t want to talk.”

Throwing his arms out to the side in a gesture of feigned surrender, he grinned at her. “I’m all yours, woman. Have your wicked way with me.”

Mara leaned forward, her hair falling around the two of them like a black velvet curtain. “That is exactly what I had in mind.”

Chapter Six

Pearl Jackson leaned back in her chair and swirled the wine in her glass. “I’m bored.”

“You’re always bored,” Edna replied, refilling her own glass.

“Well, can you blame me? It’s been years since we had any fun.” Pearl sipped her wine. “Do you ever wonder what happened to Mara’s baby? He’d be a grown man now. Do you think he turned into a vampire?”

Edna shrugged. “I don’t know. What difference does it make?”

“None, I guess. But aren’t you the least bit curious to know if he survived?”

Edna stared at her friend. “What made you think of him after all this time?”

“I don’t know, dear. I was just sitting here reminiscing about the past, thinking about how drastically our lives have changed.”

Edna snorted. “Changed? That’s putting it mildly, don’t you think? If it hadn’t been for Rafe turning us, we’d both be long dead by now.”