Latin Lover [Del Fantasma] Read online

  Storming back into the bedroom, Grace was shocked still, for at least the third time today, as she watched an Alpha vampire making her bed with a set of sheets he must have gotten from her linen closet. He looked perfectly at home doing domestic chores in her house.

  "Would you care to tell me what that was all about?” she asked him as she helped him get the fitted sheet over the mattress.

  "You needed a new mattress. You never would have been able to sleep on that one."

  "Great, then I would have gone down to the local discount store and got one when I could afford it. I have a perfectly good couch I could have slept on in the meantime."

  "Yeah, but I couldn't have slept on it."

  "Excuse me?” The bed made, Grace tossed the pillow she had just stuffed into the case onto the head of the bed.

  "It is close to noon. There is no way I would be able to make it home. That means I need to stay here. I believe in comfort."

  Grace didn't say anything as she threw another pillow on the bed. The damn man had ordered six of them. With that many, there wouldn't be any room for him on the bed.

  "Fine. I just hope they have a satisfaction guarantee, ‘cause it's going back tomorrow."

  The look Eduardo gave her should have frozen her in her tracks. Instead it just pissed her off even more. “I am not going to pay for this damn thing, Eduardo."

  "Who said you had to?"

  "Well you sure as hell aren't going to."

  "I'm the one that ordered it."

  "Damn it, Eduardo, I am not going to let you pay for a freaking mattress.” She put her hands on her hips and just managed to stop herself from stomping her foot. “I just met you, dammit."

  The look that Eduardo gave her burned straight through to her soul. Something inside of her melted and she heard her heart whimper as it gave up the fight.

  "You're going to have a bitch of a time returning it, Grace, because the bill was sent to my place."

  Grace growled in anger and turned to walk away, muttering. “Fine. Whatever. Freaking ass macho Alpha vampire. That's all I need in my life."

  Raising her voice she tossed to him as she walked out the door, “There are towels in the closet in the bathroom if you want to take a shower. I'm taking one downstairs and then bunking on the damn sofa. Wake me when you leave."

  Grace continued to mumble all the way to the bathroom and even under the shower. Males were bad enough when they were human. The freaking paranormal ones were even worse. Their mothers had read too many damn romances with Uber Alpha heroes when they were in the womb.

  Every single male she'd met at the club was the same way. Alpha to the core. She wondered how any woman in their world managed any kind of independent life at all. No wonder Betty warned her away from Eduardo. She'd probably been burned by him or another like him.

  Shower over, Grace climbed into cotton pants and a spaghetti strap tank top to get ready for bed. Or at least sleep. Half asleep despite the shower, she opened the door while thinking about calling Cody and telling him she would be in despite what Eduardo said. All she needed was a few hours sleep and—

  An arm wrapped around her waist and pulled her against a hard body. She opened her mouth to scream and a hand clamped over her mouth.

  "It's me, Grace,” the husky voice whispered in her ear. She relaxed instantly when she recognized Eduardo. Then tensed as he picked her up in one swift motion and carried her down the hall and up the stairs.

  "What the fuck are you doing?"

  "I'll be damned if you sleep on that little couch when there is a perfectly good bed up here.” His hair glittered with drops of water from his own shower. Her hand itched to run through the shoulder length tresses to see if it was a soft as it looked, even damp.

  "I am not gonna sleep with you."

  His grin sent her heart fluttering. “Who said there'd be any sleeping involved?"

  "Eduardo!” Damn, she may have been stupid when it came to men, but she wasn't easy.

  "Relax, Grace. I have nothing but sleep in mind. It's beyond my bedtime, and I'm sure that you are just as tired as I am. I should have been asleep hours ago. It's almost noon, and I am not up to much of anything. I would feel better if you not only were more comfortable, but if you were closer to me. I doubt that asshole ex of yours will be back, but if he is stupid enough to come back, I want you safe."

  "How safe am I gonna be if you're unconscious?"

  His sigh reverberated through her body. “I won't be unconscious. I will be sleeping. It's not like I die every morning. You need to stop watching all those old movies."

  Grace just glared at him as he walked through her bedroom door and placed her on the bed as he told her, “I want the right side. I sleep on my side."

  "Fine, oh great bossy one."

  "You are the most infuriating woman I have ever met."

  "Good. Now you know how I feel."

  Eduardo had been wearing his dress pants when he picked her up, and nothing else. Content that he would at least be decent, she turned her back to him and got ready to sleep. The sound of clothes rustling had her head whipping around and then quickly away as she realized he was climbing into the bed naked.

  She tensed, waiting for him to do something. Ravish her? Turn away? She didn't know.

  When he reached for her, putting his arm around her waist and pulling her against him, she sucked in her breath.

  "Relax, Grace. I just want to get some sleep."

  Grace was too tense to sleep. How the hell could she sleep when she had the sexiest vampire she had ever seen holding her tight against him while he was stark naked. Sleep was impossible.

  That was the last thought she had before oblivion came up to meet her.

  Warmth met her as she woke up. She was cradled from behind, being held against a warm, hard chest. She snuggled back against it until the morning came back with a rush. Her house. Hank. Eduardo—in her bed.

  "Mmm. You smell delicious."

  The rumbling voice sent shivers through her body, straight to her pussy. She realized his hand was cupping her breast and a very impressive erection was pressed against her ass. And she was hornier than all get out.

  What would it hurt to indulge in a bit of harmless fun? She was an adult. She could make decisions like this.

  "Um, Eduardo?"

  "Hmmm?” He answered her almost absently as he sniffed her, burying his nose in her hair. He nipped at her neck, and she was lost.

  "Never mind."

  His low chuckle caused something deep in her chest to tumble rapidly and she moaned as he massaged her breast. Grace arched back into him with a groan, tilting her neck to allow him easier access.

  He pulled her toward him to lay her on her back. His eyes were black with desire and intent. “Grace, tell me now if you don't want this. I don't have much will power right now, if we continue, I won't be able to stop."

  "By this, do you mean...?” Grace's voice tapered off as images from hundreds of vampire movies and books ran through her head. Did he want just sex? Was he going to bite her? Would it be as hot as the romances led her to believe?

  "This.” He thrust against her hip with the bottom half of his body. “Sex. Making love to you."

  "Will you, um, have to, um bite me?"

  He smiled grimly. “I used a lot of energy this morning, love. I need to recoup that energy. I do that with blood."

  Grace swallowed. Her pussy clenched. “It won't..."

  "No, no lasting effects."

  "Yes."

  "Are you sure?"

  A part of Grace's heart melted at the look of interest and excitement that came across his face, quickly chased by need and desire. It was obvious he wanted and needed her, and still he denied himself until he was certain she was willing. Her heart melted just a little bit more.

  She briefly thought about pregnancy, but was on the pill, so didn't ask him if it was even possible. Instead of answering him in only words, she moved her hips, rolling against him slowly as she groa
ned, “Yes, I'm sure."

  With a growl, he took her lips with his in a bruising kiss. It was hard and forceful, and sent shivers straight down to her toes. He ravished her mouth, there was no other word for it, and she reveled in the feeling.

  His hands roamed over her body, up and down, stroking her waist down to her hips and back up again. She arched into him once again as he cupped her breast and stroked her nipple through the thin material of her top.

  The kiss started out harsh and forceful but suddenly became soft and gentle as he massaged her lips, teasing them with his tongue, asking for admittance. A flick of his thumb against her nipple had her gasping, and he took that chance to invade her mouth, caressing the inside of her lips with his tongue.

  He pulled away once he had her toes curling and her body crying out for more, only to work his way down her jaw line, to her neck, where she tensed, waiting for him to bite her.

  He chuckled as he kissed her neck and worked his way down her collarbone, his tongue flicking out at the hollow at the base. “Don't worry, my love. By the time I get there you will want it as much as I do."

  Grace moaned. Who was he kidding? She wanted it now. Hell, she was craving it already.

  He tugged her shirt over her head and his head continued its way down her body, kissing, licking and nipping all the way down to her chest where he engulfed a breast in his mouth.

  Grace's body was aflame with desire and need. The hard suck he gave her nipple had her arching into him. One hand held her in place, the other kneaded her other breast, massaging it forcefully. Grace's hands reached up and wrapped her hands in his thick black hair. It was smooth as silk, the feel of it sending more tingles through her body.

  He reached up and tugged at one of her hands, bringing it down to her breast, and silently instructing her to play with herself as his hand reached down to the apex of her legs and cupped her.

  She arched into his hand, eager to feel his fingers against her skin. The pants were an unwanted barrier that he quickly removed before returning to her breast and core. Cool air wafted across her pussy just before his hand brushed against her curls. A small whimper escaped her mouth as she waited for him to move further. He caressed the cleft of her lips gently, her hips wiggling against him as she urged him on silently.

  He eased his mouth back to play with her nipple, teasing it, nipping gently with his teeth. “I want to taste you, Grace. I want your essence on my tongue as I make love to you."

  Grace groaned. Oh, gods, where did this man find his dialogue. Something inside of her body unfurled and roared in need and acceptance of all he wanted to do.

  He kissed his way down her torso, hands stroking her as he moved until he hovered right over her core. He looked up at her and their eyes met. His deep inhale had her squirming and his satisfied smile burned a hole deep within her body.

  With both hands he slowly separated her lower lips and then gazed down at her bared sex. His tongue darted out and lapped at her from bottom to top, sending her hips into a thrusting motion against his mouth.

  Grace had been eaten out before. It was one of her favorite things, in fact. Eduardo had decades, if not centuries, of practice over the men she'd had in her life, and it showed. She didn't know what he did differently than any of her previous partners, but within seconds he had her writhing and screaming with one of the strongest orgasms she could recall ever having.

  "Oh, gods, Eduardo! Stop, enough!” Grace breathed hard, gasping for breath as his tongue, lips and fingers all pleased her beyond the threshold of mere pleasure.

  He ignored her, his fingers thrusting into her hard and harder, one, two, now three, as they scissored inside her, stretching her for what was to come. His tongue licked her faster and faster driving her over again and again.

  Finally, when she was weak from orgasms, sure she had not one bit of energy left, he raised up on his arms and positioned himself at her entrance. Slowly he pushed his way into her body. Good goddess, how thick was he? She swallowed the giggle that came on the heels of her irreverent thought when he thrust in a bit faster. He filled her completely, making her glad he had stretched her earlier.

  Eduardo rolled his hips and she gasped as her body answered his. It was only when he moved again that she realized he still wasn't completely in. Her eyes went wide and she smiled up at him.

  "Damn, I guess those romance novels have it right, don't they?"

  Eduardo winked at her before bending down for a kiss. “I have no idea what you're talking about, love."

  "Yeah, right, and I bet you have no idea why Judy and the rest of the coven was drooling over you last night."

  His eyes twinkled in response as he slowly pulled out of her before pushing back in just as slowly.

  Grace quickly lost herself in his motions as he made love to her. And there was no doubt about it in her mind. This was making love, not fucking. And not a quick meal. Eduardo kissed her body, caressed her, stroked her inside and out. His small nips across her breasts and shoulders had her shivering in anticipation of more.

  Her orgasm came soft and gentle, and he seemed to take it as a signal to pick up his speed as his slow, gentle thrusts became more forceful and determined. He thrust into her faster, ripping gasps and moans from her while he whispered words she could not understand in a language older than Spanish, yet somehow familiar.

  The penetration of teeth took her by surprise, but she had no time to process it as the most intense orgasm she'd ever had in her life crashed over her, bringing her screaming to fulfillment, her body thrashing against the mattress and Eduardo.

  Finally, her body calmed down enough that she could breathe again, even if a bit ragged and fast. “Oh my freaking God!"

  Eduardo's chuckle against her throat sent tingles all through her body.

  "Is it always that intense?"

  "Well, I will admit your reaction is a bit stronger than most women's."

  "Good lord, do it again, please.” Her giggle was weak and drained of all strength.

  "Even vampires need a little bit of recovery time, my love.” His voice still held a thread of amusement. But she couldn't take offense. She was amusing herself, too.

  "Well, then.” She tapped her hand against his hip. “You better get off of me. You may have had your meal, but I have yet to have mine."

  With a groan, Eduardo rolled off of her, but not before nipping her on the tip of her chin, causing her to break out into small giggles.

  "Who showers first?” She asked as she stood up, only to be grabbed from behind and lifted into Eduardo's arms.

  "Eduardo, put me down!"

  "I like carrying you."

  "No, stop. Put me down right now."

  Eduardo stopped in mid stride and looked down at her. “Why don't you like to be carried, Grace?"

  "I just don't, now stop this.” Grace tried to struggle, but she knew it was fruitless, so instead she tried to be content with covering her body as much as she could.

  The growl that came from Eduardo's throat had her looking up at him quickly.

  "Don't cover your body."

  "It's my body, I'll do what I want to it."

  "Why do you try to hide it?” Eduardo had resumed walking and gently put her down in her large master bath. He turned her to face the mirror that was over the vanity.

  "Eduardo, stop. Let me just take my shower. We can deal with my insecurities later."

  "No. I want to deal with them now."

  Grace's temper flared. “And do you always get what you want?"

  "Always.” His response was flat and smooth, totally without anger, but also full of determination.

  "Fine, let's get this farce over with. You are going to tell me that I have large breasts and hips perfect for nursing and child birth, a stomach that is a bit rounded, making a perfect pillow for your head, and wide strong legs."

  "No, I wasn't."

  Grace frowned into the mirror at him.

  "I was going to point out the plump redness of your r
ecently kissed lips, and tell you that they invite me to steal just one more kiss before I let you leave my arms.” His hands trailed down her body as he told her what he thought of each and every inch of her.

  "Your breasts are large, yes, and comfortable to hold on to. There is a small artery right here,” He stroked the upper side of her breast lightly, “that will feed me nicely when we make love. I can bury my head against you and take what I need."

  "Your stomach is larger than what is considered sexy to the fools in today's world, but when I was born, when I learned the value of beauty, this stomach and waist would have been the envy of all the women in the city.

  "Your legs, yes, your legs speak to me of strength. They tell me that you can prop yourself up when I slam into you again and again. Or that you can wrap them around and hold on to me when I am crazy with lust."

  Grace had been watching his eyes as he spoke, as he stroked and caressed her body when he talked about each part. She didn't know if he realized how expressive they could be, but they told her he was being completely honest with her. He found her beautiful and desirable. Not just a handy meal on legs. She looked down in shame.

  "Never think that.” Her eyes flew up to meet his in the mirror. “Never think that, Grace. I could have left this morning. I could have bundled up from the early morning sun. My windows are tinted enough I could have gotten home, or to a hotel. I wanted to stay with you, because I found you desirable."

  Before she could answer him, he spun her around and pulled her against him to crush her lips in a bruising kiss.

  The lust rose up quickly this time, leaving her little time for breath, never mind awareness.

  Eduardo picked her up and walked into the shower stall forcing her to wrap her legs around his waist. He turned on the water, hot, the way she liked it, never letting go of her lips or her. He kissed his way across her cheek, nipped at her ear, and massaged her ass.

  "Never think of yourself as less than you are. A beautiful, desirable woman. One that drives me insane with need and desire."