Dark Flames
Blood Bound Series Book 6
Amy Blankenship, RK Melton
Copyright © 2012 Amy Blankenship
Second Edition Published by TekTime
All rights reserved.
Chapter 1
Damon strode through the door of his penthouse and set Alicia on her feet. He hadn't said a word since theyd left Night Light, not quite trusting his voice or emotions.
The silence between them was deafening but Alicia didnt have the courage to break it. When she felt his hand on her back, pushing her ahead of him into the living room, she got a clue as to how angry he truly was. Quickly turning around to keep him in sight, she silently watched as he jerked off his coat and tossed it clear across the room.
The trench coat landed on the back of the sofa but Damon had already forgotten about it, choosing instead to stalk his escape artist of a mate.
Damon, wait, Alicia felt the need to beg as she backed up.
Wait for what? Damon asked with a slight tilt of his head. He slowly chased her with a seemingly relaxed gait. Wait for you to disappear the first moment I turn my back? You have no clue whats lurking in the darkness out there. Its not safe.
Ive lived out there all my life. Im not helpless anymore you made sure of that when you turned me. Alicia gave him a hard look but kept retreating, her self-confidence taking a beating as she felt his anger. Its not like I was running away from you. She swallowed when he started unbuttoning his shirt with quick fingers.
Damons eyes narrowed, watching her as she slid behind the sofa as if putting it between them would stop him. Now where have I seen this before? he asked with a tilt of his lips.
Alicia blanched at the frightening smile he gave her. I asked you to take me to see him, she pointed out.
And I distinctly remember telling you no, not yet. The muscles in Damons jaw jumped as he had a flash back of finding her hugging Micah. The way they had jerked away from each other was exactly why he hadn't wanted her anywhere near the other werecougar.
Micah was worried he loves me Damon, Alicia tried the calm approach since he was allowing her to keep the sofa between them for now. She blinked when he was suddenly beside her on her side of the sofa, softly touching her cheek with his palm.
And you think now is a good time to rub that in my face? Damon asked in a deceptively light tone.
Alicias lips parted to retort but he was suddenly gone. She spun around when she heard the refrigerator door slam shut and saw Damon poring some of the blood into a glass. She frowned knowing he wasnt injured so why was he drinking blood?
Taking a couple tentative steps toward him but not brave enough to enter the kitchen she asked, Why are you drinking that?
They both flinched when the glass in his hand shattered.
Damon closed his eyes for a second then snapped them open, Im angry, as Im sure youve noticed, and I was hoping this would give me the strength to hold it in. He raised an eyebrow when Alicia used the speed he had given her to dart past him to the refrigerator. Within seconds she was putting a full glass of blood into the microwave.
Alicia felt a shiver when she turned around and Damon imprisoned her against the counter. He wasnt saying anything just trapping her there as he bent his head to her neck not touching.
What are you doing? she whispered hoarsely.
Testing myself, Damon answered as he inhaled.
What are you testing? She leaned her head back due to the heat he was creating inside of her.
Damon pushed himself back so he could see her while he answered, To see if I can keep my sanity while you smell like another man.
He quickly caught the hand she aimed at his face and jerked her forward. I wouldnt do that if I were you, he warned. He released her wrist when the microwave beeped.
Alicia moved out of the way so he could get the glass himself. She frowned, Hes my brother it shouldnt count.
And maybe it wouldnt if you hadn't told him you were not true siblings. The glass shattered in his hand again. Damn it, I give up! Damon growled in agitation looking down at the crimson liquid all over the tile. Tightening his fists at his sides, he brushed past her into the living room.
Alicia rubbed her temple now understanding, at least in his jealous mind, why he thought he had a right to be angry. She hadn't known he was listening when shed told Micah they werent siblings. She was trying to make Micah feel better not make Damon hold a grudge for life. Turning her head, she could see him standing in front of the wall-sized windows.
Damon watched her come toward him in the reflection in the glass. He couldnt help the soft smirk that tugged at his lips when she wrapped her arms around him from behind. She was so small she was all but hidden from his view. Gripping one of her wrists, he pulled until she was in front of him with her back pressed against his chest.
How long have you known that the two of you were not brother and sister? he asked, locking eyes with hers in the reflection.
Only a couple hours before I told Micah, She snuggled backwards into the security his arms offered, We talked about it tonight. She felt those arms tighten and quickly elaborated, The three of us are the only ones who know besides Mrs. Tully because she delivered me. We both decided that we dont want anyone else to know.
Wise choice, Damon offered.
Alicia bit her bottom lip wondering how to word it so that Damon would understand. But I do love him, you know. Hes my big brother and weve always been close. You have to let me see him.
Do I now? Damon asked curiously.
Alicia shook her head then turned in his arms so she could look up at him. Listen to me, she smiled softly. Micah won first place on my hero list when I was a child because he didnt agree with the rest of the family when they hid me away from the world. He would come to the school all the time and take me away from that prison sometimes weeks at a time. He allowed me the freedom I craved.
Damon didnt trust himself enough to say anything, but just holding her and seeing the love shining in her amethyst eyes was soothing his anger.
And he is a very smart man. He told me that one day Id find someone who would show me what true love was. Alicia reached up and cupped Damons cheek. He was right wasnt he? You won't lock me away will you?
Damon pulled her tightly against him, wrapping her in the steel chains of his arms. He gazed out the window that overlooked what was fast becoming a very dangerous place. He had used this penthouse to hide from Michael now he was using it to hide Alicia from anything that could harm her.
Truth was after what happened last night, this place was no longer safe enough to hide something so precious. He would have to find a place to call their own so he could ward it against demons. Besides he was looking forward to fighting with Michael again.
So to be your hero, I have to let you out of my sight in an unstable city full of demons? Thats not fair, Damon chided.
If I didnt have to sneak around, then youd always know where I am, Alicia said then held her breath for a moment before continuing, I dont want to resent anything about you I love you.
Damon sighed softly, I love you too thats why I will only agree to your freedom if it comes with conditions.
And those conditions would be? she asked skeptically.
Damon smirked, I will teach you how to protect yourself when Im not around to do it for you.
Fighting lessons? Alicia couldnt help the excitement. Im game.
You should be, because you really suck at fighting. When she tried to hit him, Damon just pinned her arms against him and knocked her feet out from under her. Lowering her to the floor, he felt himself harden as he came down on top of her.
My point is made, he said as he stared down into her eyes.
Alicia growled up at him, baring her teeth in an adorable display of defiance.
And there will be no more secrets between us, Damon finished with a hard look.
Alicias growl stopped and she sent him an alluring smile, wiggling under him, I want you. Her voice was pure seduction. She waited until he relaxed his grip and started to lower his lips to hers. Quickly, Alicia rolled over, taking him with her. She bounced down hard on his lower belly with a smirk as she stared down at him.
My point is made, she mocked and wiggled seductively again.
You think so? Damon lifted them both off the floor and had her pinned to the wall before she could blink. He shoved his leg between hers, bringing it up so she was straddling his thigh. Leaning close to her ear, he sucked her sensitive earlobe between his lips then whispered, Two can play at that game.
Alicia felt herself melt and rocked against his thigh wanting more. I like the way you train me.
Damon growled at the sexual rush those words induced and slashed his lips across hers in a sudden frenzy of need. He would give her what she needed but freedom wasnt on that list. After seeing only a fraction of what had come out of that rift, hed stalk every move she made even if she wasnt aware of it. If she thought he was protective before she didnt have a clue.
What Damon was holding back from her was his own fear fear that if he let her out of his sight he would never see her again, alive or dead. He had experienced the pain of losing one woman he cared for in the past due to his and Michaels stupidity. The difference now was Damon more than cared for Alicia he loved her beyond reason.
Pulling back from the kiss, he smirked and picked her up when she tried to follow him. He strolled intently toward the bedroom but lost his momentum when Alicias teeth slid across his right nipple followed by an upward stroke of her warm tongue. Her dainty hand was running across his exposed skin in a gentle caress, teasing him with things to come.
Seeing he was thoroughly distracted, Alicia quickly slid from his arms leaving four shallow claw marks across his chest in her wake. They werent enough to hurt, but they would definitely be enough for him to give her exactly what she wanted if he caught her.
Damon blinked when Alicia suddenly vanished from his sight and heard the bedroom door slam shut with a light thud. His eyebrow arched and he looked down at his chest, watching as the tiny claw marks healed over and vanished. Glancing back at the bedroom door, he narrowed his eyes hoping she only intended to use that sexually-induced fighting tactic with him not the enemy.
Alicia had locked the door and was backing away from it waiting for Damon to come crashing through it.
Hello dear, miss me? Damon whispered in her ear.
Alicia screeched in surprise and rounded on him, taking a few steps away. They stared at each other for a moment before Alicia made a break for the balcony door. Damon smirked and easily caught up with her, wrapping his arms around her waist just as her hand touched the handle.
She fought and squirmed against him, making a half-hearted attempt to get away and Damon felt himself harden with anticipation. His little hellcat liked to be chased and lovingly dominated and he would give that to her. He pulled her back against his chest and smirked at her sharp gasp when his hand latched onto one of her breasts.
That was a very nice distraction, Damon mused as he nuzzled her neck. He gently bit the place hed just nuzzled and squeezed her breast softly when she leaned her head back onto his shoulder and groaned. But I had better be the only one you use that trick on.
Alicia couldnt help but giggle breathlessly. Thats fine. I dont think a demons nipples would taste as good as yours anyway.
Damon growled and took hold of the hem of her shirt, lifting it over her head in one smooth movement.
Alicias humor flew out the window when Damons hands slid up the sides of her shirt and pulled it over her head. She gasped when his hands returned to her breasts, rubbing the lace over her already hard nipples and arched her back to strengthen the contact.
Wanting to feel his hands directly on her skin, she reached up to undo the front clasp on her bra. Damon grabbed her wrists and wrapped them around his neck.
Do not remove your hands, he ordered in a harsh whisper.
Alicia whimpered again when the heat of his hands returned to her breasts before slowly traveling down her belly. She moaned loudly when he lifted one of her legs with one hand while the other gently rubbed against the crease of her jeans. He was barely touching her but the whisper of sensation was enough to nearly make her come right then. Her hips moved with the motion of his hand, physically begging him for more pressure.
Damon abruptly released her leg and opened the front snap of her bra, quickly removing it and throwing it over his shoulder. Alicias hands joined his in the removal of her jeans and they were soon forgotten somewhere on the floor. It didnt take long before there was nothing separating them and Alicia reveled in the feel of his skin against hers.
She flinched when the balcony doors suddenly opened and she was being propelled through them into the cool night air. Damon, what are you doing? she demanded.
You wanted to go outside didnt you? he asked softly then lifted her up, sitting her on the thick railing facing him.
Alicia grabbed a hold of Damons wrist when she felt the breeze graze across her nipples in a tantalizing caress. What if someone sees us? she asked looking around at the buildings and feeling very exposed.
Then they have a very expensive pair of binoculars and deserve to watch. Damon said with a smirk and let his gaze travel lower down her body. Flipping his hand around so that he was now gripping her wrist, he grabbed the other one so she wouldnt fear falling. Lets give them one hell of a show.
Leaning forward, Damon sucked her nipple into his mouth and pressed her backwards. He was quickly rewarded when she wrapped her legs around his waist in an effort to keep from falling. While her rational mind knew he would never let her fall, it was natural to fear it.
Damon slowly kissed his way down her body, stopping to lavish attention on his favorite spots before going lower. He worked his shoulders between her legs and stared heatedly at the gift presented to him. When he pressed his lips against her moist heat, he was rewarded with a humming moan of pleasure.
Alicia tossed her head back and cried out with the first stroke of his tongue. She arched back, not caring if she was dangling over the city streets far below her and opened her thighs further to allow Damon more access. His approving growl was more than enough to nearly send her over the edge.