Brimstone Blues

  Apparently convinced he’d satisfied her, he sat up and entered her. He took his time, moving slowly until his cock was completely buried inside her pussy. Only then did he start moving, languorously stroking, kissing her, making it last. When he finally climaxed, it was quiet, peaceful, without the frantic energy of many of their encounters. She held him, listening to his heartbeat, loving him.

  When he finally lifted his head and kissed her, she whispered, “Thank you.”

  “For what?”

  “Patience. Love. Faith in me.”

  He touched her cheek, smiled. “Anastazia, you’re all I’ve ever wanted in a soul mate. If it takes me years to do what you want, I’m willing to do it.”

  “I feel like I’m being a bitch.”

  He shook his head. “No.” He rolled off her, gathering her to him. “No, don’t think that about yourself. You are overwhelmed, and in a few weeks or months, you’ll start to feel better.”

  “What if I don’t?”

  “I know you will. You’re already starting to even out, I can sense it.”

  “Really?”

  He nodded, kissing the top of her head. “The past couple of days you’ve seemed much calmer, steadier. Less agitated. You’re getting used to your powers. This won’t happen overnight. You’ll have more rough patches ahead, I’m sure. Just remember I’m here for you, no matter what, whenever you’re ready to let me back in.”

  She felt guilty. She wanted to fully drop her mental barrier, but she sensed there was still something not quite right about her, beyond the obvious. Even though the voice had stayed silent the past couple of days, there was still something different about her. Ever since the night she played succubus in Yellowstone.

  No. I will not think about Rafael right now.

  “I’m sorry. It’s just easier for me to hold it in right now. I’m afraid I’ll hurt someone if I don’t.”

  “That’s understandable. That’s why I haven’t pushed you. I’m not pushing you about it now, either. Whenever you’re ready.”

  “Thank you.” She looked at the clock. She was even later. “I should go to work.”

  “Want to take a shower with me?”

  She started to refuse, then hesitated. Was she honestly going to say no to him? “Okay.”

  He didn’t try to seduce her, but she couldn’t help herself and coaxed him into taking her there, in the shower. Their bodies fit together perfectly. She wrapped her fingers around his cock, enjoying the feel of his member stiffening in her hand. Before he could stop her she dropped to her knees and engulfed him with her mouth. His moan of pleasure at the sensation sent bolts of need straight to her clit. She didn’t need any preparation to get wet. She already was.

  As she stroked his shaft with her tongue, she enjoyed the taste of his pre-cum she drew from him. When he finally couldn’t take it anymore, he grabbed her under the arms and lifted her to her feet. Then he pressed her against the wall and entered her, his lips on hers.

  Despite desire, she was physically too spent from before and knew she couldn’t come again. She whispered in his ear, “Take me, big guy.”

  He groaned, pushing deeper into her as he came. She realized even though she enjoyed what he did to her, it was even more fun watching him climax, knowing he loved her, knowing she was bringing him that pleasure.

  It was a power she didn’t mind having, for once.

  He stood there for a few moments, not moving. When his legs quit trembling he hugged her to him. “I’m sorry you didn’t come.”

  She shushed him with her lips on his then stepped away, under the water. “It’s okay. Consider it a thank-you for what you did last night. That was absolutely amazing.”

  Chapter Sixteen

  With the exception of two security guards manning the front gate, no one else was home Wednesday afternoon when Taz returned a little early from the office. She knew Matthias and Albert were on their way home from the office, and Robertson was most likely grocery shopping. She changed into an oversized shirt and pair of flannel SpongeBob pajama pants, comfy lounging clothes.

  She was settling in with her laptop to finish some e-mails when the doorbell rang.

  “Crap.” She went to the front door and used the peep hole. Her jaw dropped and she had the door unlocked and opened before she remembered how she was dressed. She stammered a welcome to the unexpected guest.

  Donald Sutherland, one of her favorite actors, stood before her.

  “Hi, uh, sorry for how I’m dressed. I wasn’t expecting company. Please, come in.”

  “I’m here to see Matthias. I’m—”

  She grinned. “I know who you are. I’m a huge fan of your work. You’re amazing! I’m Anastazia Proctor, Matthias’ fiancée.”

  Donald Sutherland walked in, an odd smile on his face, obviously used to weird fans. Or at least, weirdly dressed ones. They shook hands and she led him into the library. She moved her laptop from where she’d left it on the sofa and motioned for him to sit.

  “I absolutely loved you in M*A*S*H. And Dirty Sexy Money is a fantastic show!” God, she was acting like a babbling idiot. Why was this actor different from any others? Why did he set her heart fluttering and her stomach twisting?

  He sat and smiled. “Thank you very much. That’s very kind of you.”

  “Matthias should be home any moment. I left the office before he did. Oh my God, I’ve worked with celebrities before, but this is an honor to meet you, sir. You look so much younger in person than you do on TV.” He did, too. He looked at least fifteen to twenty years younger in person. She knew TV supposedly added pounds, but didn’t know it added years, too.

  He seemed at ease, his playful blue eyes gleaming. “None taken. I’m honored you appreciate my work so much.” Even his voice sounded sexy. Damn, he was cute. So what if he was older than her, he was a hottie! If it wasn’t for Matthias…

  Taz shivered, trying to squelch that thought. No wonder he was such a great actor, his charisma just washed from him in waves.

  She finally remembered to offer him something to drink, and he was regaling her with a story when Matthias walked in. She heard him and stood, turning to face him.

  “Matthias! Why didn’t you tell me we had company coming over? Do you know who this is? This is—”

  “Hello, Grandfather.” Matthias smiled. “Let me guess, you let her go on, didn’t you?”

  Taz fell silent and looked from Matthias to their guest, a growing sense of idiocy washing over her. “What?”

  Robertson entered the room. “Ah, Tobias. You’re early. Good to see you again.”

  Taz looked at Robertson and swallowed. Looked at Matthias, who smiled, then to Tobias-slash-apparently-not-Donald Sutherland. “Huh?”

  Matthias laughed. “I’m sorry, darling. You’re not the first person he’s pulled this with. I should have warned you.”

  The man, who apparently wasn’t Donald Sutherland, laughed. The deep, mellow sound sent her heart into convoluted flutters. “Matthias, why did you dash her illusions? She’s my biggest fan.”

  Taz’s face flushed beet red. She looked at the floor. “I am the. Biggest. Idiot. Ever.” Now she understood why his blue eyes turned her into a babbling moron. It was his vampire mojo. She hadn’t put up a strong barrier, not realizing he was a vampire.

  “No, Taz, Grandfather is practical joker. I’m sure he’s been laid more times than he can remember over the past couple of decades by women thinking they had the real thing.”

  “Now, Matthias my boy, that’s not a very nice thing to say to your grandfather.” He even sounded just like the actor.

  “Is it true?” Matthias asked, and his grandfather grinned.

  “Of course it’s true, but it’s still not very nice.” He walked over to Taz and held out his hand. “I’m sorry, dear, but you were so cute and so sweet, I couldn’t resist. Tobias Hawthorne. Yes, I’m Matthias’ grandfather, and no, I’m not Donald Sutherland. Although as you yourself noted, he looks a damn sight like me.”
br />   Without looking at him she shook hands. “Pleased to meet you,” she mumbled, thoroughly embarrassed and feeling like a total idiot. “Excuse me while I go to the kitchen to find a knife to kill myself with,” she snarked.

  * * * *

  Robertson caught up with her while she was rooting through the grocery bags on the counter for her mint tea. “Are you all right, sweetheart?”

  She looked up, spotted his amused smile, and went back to her hunt. “All right, you snot. Where’s my tea?”

  He laughed and found it for her. She snatched the box from him, grumbling her thanks.

  “Taz, you are far from the first or even the hundredth person he’s pulled that with. Ten thousandth, that might be close. He’s a stinker. Nice man, but with a very wide playful streak.”

  She ripped open the box of tea bags and fixed a mug. It was something to do, because to go up to the bedroom she’d have to pass through the living room again, and she wasn’t ready to do that yet.

  Robertson finished putting the groceries away and left her alone. She stared at the spoon she’d used to stir sugar into her tea, trying to clear her mind. Once she calmed down, and got over her disappointment and embarrassment, she’d go out and start over with Tobias-slash-not-Donald Sutherland.

  Why does this kind of stuff happen to me? Before she met Matthias Hawthorne, her life didn’t hold many surprises. Ever since he came into her life, it was one fun-house horror after another.

  She tried to calm down and focused on the silver spoon. Real silver. Robertson’s theory was why own it if you didn’t use it? She always loved the look and feel of real silver flatware, remembered sitting with him at the table and polishing their silver service when she was a kid. She may have had rich parents, but Robertson made her do chores. As an adult she looked back and thanked him for that lesson in work ethic.

  Then the spoon moved. Not a lot, just a little, rocking back and forth on the bowl.

  She opened her mouth to call for Robertson and stopped. It could have been a coincidence. Even though she knew she didn’t bump the table, a heavy, pine beast that wasn’t the least wobbly.

  She focused on it again, trying to make it move. Nothing.

  Something tickled at her mind, but she picked the spoon up and rinsed it, not wanting to investigate further. She had too much going on right now to worry about weird new powers, if that’s what it even was. Most likely she breathed heavy and it wobbled. That’s all. Or her imagination. She was feeling a little normal, why rock an already freakishly unstable boat?

  After all, a woman who hears the voice of her fiancé’s dead cousin in her head was certainly capable of imagining a wobbling spoon, right?

  Right.

  Fortunately, the voice didn’t chime in with an opinion.

  * * * *

  She finally sucked it up and returned to the living room. Tobias was seated, his long legs crossed, in one of the chairs. Matthias stood as she entered. “Are you all right, sweetheart?”

  She nodded and forced a smile. “I guess I shouldn’t feel embarrassed about my clothes, at least.”

  Tobias grinned. She saw where Matthias’s blue eyes came from. Now that she wasn’t starstruck she noted the family resemblance. “My dear, I’m sure you would look absolutely enchanting in a flour sack.”

  “Grandfather,” Matthias said, leading Taz to the sofa to sit next to him, “you wouldn’t be flirting with Taz, would you?”

  Tobias feigned shock. “Matthias, even I am not so gauche as to attempt to seduce my grandson’s fiancée.”

  Albert apparently had come in the front door at some point and stood off to the side. He coughed, but it sounded amazingly like, “Bullshit.” He looked around. “Oh, sorry. Frog in my throat.”

  “So when is the big day?” Tobias asked, shooting a glare at Albert, who smiled.

  Matthias looked to Taz. “We don’t have a date set yet.” He took her hand. “I’m leaving that up to her. It’s been a crazy few weeks, and we still have the Tribunal to deal with. Once we’re past that, we’ll have time to sit down and think about what we want to do. There’s no reason to rush.”

  Tobias nodded. “I’m looking forward to seeing Millicent again. Remarkable woman.”

  “Who?” Taz asked.

  “Dame Agnew,” Albert said. “She’s the most senior member of the Tribunal.”

  “Grandfather has many powerful contacts on the Tribunal and among the Clans,” Matthias explained to her.

  She looked at Tobias. She didn’t feel any mental probes from him but sensed deep, calm power within. He might be a stinker, as Robertson said, yet she had a feeling when he got down to business, he wasn’t someone to screw with—or over. Perhaps that’s where Matthias inherited his quiet, solid strength.

  “Okay.” She turned to Matthias. “Do you have any other relatives who might be popping in that, oh, for example, look like George Clooney or James Spader?”

  He smiled. “No, sorry. Grandfather is our only celebrity look-alike.”

  “Damn.”

  “I have a few cousins, and my uncle, of course.”

  “My brother, Patrick,” Tobias added.

  “Rafael’s grandfather,” Taz said.

  Tobias sadly nodded.

  They should have some sort of funeral for Rafe, a memorial service at the very least, for those who loved him. She had to quit thinking she had the corner on the market of grief over his death.

  * * * *

  The next morning, Tobias was alone in the kitchen when Taz went down for breakfast. His friendly smile alleviated some of her discomfort.

  “Good morning, dear. Again, I’m sorry about yesterday. I shouldn’t have teased you like that.”

  It was hard not to like him. “It’s okay. I should be used to shit like that by now.” She realized what she said. “Sorry.”

  He laughed. “That’s quite all right. Believe me, my ears aren’t sensitive, and I’ve been known to spout a few obscenities myself.”

  She poured a cup of coffee and sat at the table. “Can I ask you something?”

  “Of course. Anything you wish.”

  She took a moment to compose her thoughts. “First off, how old are you?”

  “Eight hundred and forty-nine.”

  She shuddered and her voice dropped. “How did you get through it?”

  He studied her. “You mean losing loved ones?”

  She met his eyes and nodded.

  He touched her hand. “Anastazia, everyone copes in their own way. Rafael wouldn’t want you to be sad. He would want you to celebrate his life, remember the joy he brought you.”

  Tobias’ comforting tone set her at ease. She dropped her mental barriers, just enough to send him a silent message.

  “How do I talk with Matthias about this?”

  He gripped her hand and mentally replied, “You don’t, if you don’t wish to. Always feel free to confide in me.”

  She fought another bout of tears. “They’re going to chew me up and spit me out in London,” she whispered.

  He gently squeezed her hand. “Anastazia, I think you have that backward. You’ve got them shitting proverbial bricks, darling.”

  She laughed, but it sounded joyless. “I wish I believed that.”

  “Don’t you realize that you’re—”

  “Don’t say it. Don’t you dare say it.”

  His eyes crinkled in amusement. “But it’s the truth.”

  “I don’t care if it’s the truth. I’m sick of people telling me how fucking strong I am. It doesn’t change the fact that I feel like I’m crawling out of my skin.” Yes, that feeling had returned, even though the voice was still blissfully silent.

  He released her hand and sat back. “You’ve been through a lot of emotional trauma in a very short amount of time. If I seem flippant, believe me, I’m not. I do understand that you’re upset and confused. I’m looking at your situation from the far distant end of things. I am proof that you can endure great heartbreak and eventually live with i
t. You must go easy on yourself, allow time to adequately grieve and work through the process. Unfortunately, your grief has been compounded by the recent events, and you have been denied that time.”

  “Do I have to be in there alone when I testify?”

  He shook his head. “Matthias cannot be there, because he was a party to the events, but I can go in with you, if you wish.”

  “Please.”

  “You’ll do fine. From what I understand, you’re a very talented attorney.”

  “I’ve never had to go up before a room full of vampires.”

  “Anastazia,” he said, his voice dropping again, “Rafael was well loved amongst his peers. He was a powerful member of the Tribunal. You are going in there with a room full of allies, not adversaries.”

  She nodded but didn’t feel much better.

  Matthias appeared in the kitchen doorway, his hair disheveled from sleep. “There you are, sweetheart.” He walked over and kissed her. “Are you all right?”

  “Tobias and I were talking.”

  “I’m trying to convince her that she has nothing to worry about in London. I also told her I’ll go in with her.”

  Matthias poured his coffee and joined them at the table. “I can’t tell you how much I appreciate this, Grandfather.”

  “Son, we’re family.”

  “And what a freaky little family we are,” Taz snarked.

  * * * *

  They flew commercial. First class, of course. The five of them sat near each other, and Taz didn’t speak much during the long flight from Tampa to Heathrow. At one point, Matthias gently squeezed her hand. When she met his eyes, he smiled and sent her a thought.

  “You’ll do fine.”

  “Glad you have confidence in me.” She turned back to the window but didn’t release his hand.

  “This will be over soon, and we can get on with life.”

  “And what kind of life is that?” She turned to him and finally spoke out loud. “Tell me what kind of life it is, Matthias.” She kept her voice low. “Let’s face it, we’re always going to be looking over our shoulders now, aren’t we? We don’t know who hired Caroline, and they’ll try again. Maybe not next week, but it’s a matter of time.”