Linda Nightingale: Black Swan

In the afterglow, sweat glazed bodies clung close. The midnight air grew cold, and the wind promised rain.

Spirit-like, Tristan rose off her, lifting her into a bridal embrace to carry her to the passenger side. Effortlessly, he lifted her over the door into the seat. The car smelled of leather and the clean masculine scent of the man she loved. Carol's heart pumped wonder through her veins as she watched her beautiful Tristan collecting their clothes from the damp ground. The next instant he was in the seat beside her, his tux and her crumpled gown on the tiny deck behind them. Smiling, he pressed the button and the top whirred into place over their heads.

Reaching across her to clip the latch, he said, in his delectable Irish accent, “It'll be warmer for our naked selves if the top is up. And we won't be arrested for indecent exposure.”

She laughed, smoothing her tangled hair.

He slid a bloodstone ring off the third finger of his right hand, placed it on the third finger of her left hand. “Your engagement ring.”

His eyes were the color of a Caribbean sea. Vampire eyes changed colors with their moods. Tristan was happy. If he gazed at her with such tenderness a few more seconds, Carol was going to cry for joy. This immortal man loved her!

And one day I'll die, and he will go on without me. Carol's heart raced as she battled a resurgence of the fear of loss. Oh but I have a lifetime to savor loving this mysterious, passionate man and in his memory I gain immortality.

There was nothing to fear. Vampire blood slowed mortal aging, and she knew he'd be true to her in his own way. The eleven months they'd lived together, he hadn't cheated on her. He'd fed, and she knew he'd killed but he'd been sexually monogamous. A startling realization struck her. I actually trust him! A vampire had healed the wounds she'd suffered in a nasty divorce.

She whispered a laugh. With a finger beneath her chin, Tristan lifted her face. His expression held a trace of sadness.

“You know you don't have to die, that I can change you.” An azure gaze roamed her face, searching for her answer? “If you wish, I'll petition the Council to allow me to bring you across.”

“You'd do that for me?” She bit her quivering lip to control the tears.

A frown creased his smooth brow, his eyes darkening. “Of course I would. Will you never believe that I love you?” His gaze fled to the trees whipping in a sudden wind. “I guess I haven't given you much reason to believe.”

As raindrops splattered the window screen, he raised his eyes to hers. “I shall give you reason to believe, Carol, and I'll earn your trust.”

“I do trust you.” She laid her ring hand on his cheek. “I do believe you. I love you.”

He bowed his head and kissed her palm.

Carol was so happy she might burst. To break the intensity of the moment, she gave him a coquettish grin and her long hair a toss. She cocked her head at her future husband— be still my heart! —and teased, “Shall we do it in the car?”

“What if I do this?” He leaned across the console, his hand gliding beneath her hair, his eyes intense, his breathing slow and hypnotic.

Magnet to metal, her body inclined toward him, her hand straying up his thigh. “Mmmmm,” she murmured, brushing her hair back from her neck, inviting the vampire kiss.

Nibbling kisses drifted from her lips to her throat. She moaned when his mouth fastened on her neck and the sharp fangs pierced her flesh. He inhaled sharply, sucked gently. As he sucked harder, desire throbbed between her legs, in her veins. His warm breath sent hot shivers over her. The Kiss was the most erotic thing she'd ever experienced, and to experience it with her beloved Tristan was heaven. The blood flowing from her into him created an intimate bond. He dropped his mental shields to let her experience his intense pleasure, and her body responded, lubricating. She could have gone on and on in ecstasy but her vampire lover knew when to stop. Open, wet with blood, his mouth trailed to her parted lips. He kissed her, piercing his tongue with his fangs, feeding her wonder from his veins.

At last they parted, sat back in their seats, satiated.

Carol looked down at her engagement ring. Another sharp thrill shuddered inside her. “It's beautiful,” she breathed, running her finger over the stone.” You're beautiful.”

“You're beautiful, Carol.” He kissed her hand.

“In every way.”

Finally, Carol Langston had gotten the man she really, really wanted.