Sweeter Than Wine Read online

  “You donated blood?”

  His sexy lips quirked in a semblance of a smile. “You’re probably thinking of transfusions and other medical intervention when what I did was much more primitive. No, dear Christina, you drank my blood and now you are as I am. Immortal.”

  After a moment, she laughed into the tense silence. “You’ve got to be kidding.”

  “I’m afraid not.” Sebastian shook his head slowly. “Lissa and Kelly have also undergone conversion by their mates and now your friend Jena knows of our existence. She’ll no doubt be watched from now on to preserve our secret. Our survival depends on the secrecy of our existence.”

  “What are you?” She remembered Jena’s serious tone. It was obvious Jena believed this odd tale and Jena was the smartest of all her friends. If Jena believed it, it was probably true, incredible as it may seem.

  “Some call our kind vampire, though I’m not particularly fond of that term myself.”

  “You prefer ‘undead’, perhaps?” She made a stab at a joke, though it wasn’t much of one.

  Sebastian grimaced. “I don’t like that word either. Makes me sound like a reanimated corpse.”

  “Isn’t that what I am? You said I would’ve died without your intervention.” The horror of that was still sinking in.

  “No, my dear. You did not die. And now, you will not. At least not by normal means. Certain things can kill us, but it’s rare. In all my years, only one of my acquaintances lost his life through accident.”

  “And just how old are you?” Dread gathered in her gut.

  “I was converted in the year 1702, on the road near Bristol.” He shrugged.

  “Connecticut?”

  He chuckled and shook his head. “England. I was on my way home, traveling from London, when my coach was attacked by highwaymen. We fought back but were outnumbered and I was left to die in the forest. A woman found me that night and turned me to save my life but she was also on the run. She left me to fend for myself and I learned through bitter trial and error what I could and couldn’t do with my new abilities. My life as I’d known it was over and eventually I traveled to the Americas to make my way in a new land that was a bit more primitive. I met Marc LaTour in Boston and he took me under his wing, so to speak. That was well before the American Revolution. We’ve been friends ever since.”

  “Wow.” She was simply stunned.

  “I tell you all this to impress upon you how important it is that you learn from me. I took on the responsibility of being your maker. I know, more than any of the others, how important it is to have a maker that will devote time to teaching you the ropes when you are newly turned. Your friends have their mates to look after them, but you have no one. I’ll watch over you, Christina. I’ll teach you what you need to know to survive and thrive in your new life.” His gaze was intent. “It would be my deepest honor.”

  Christy’s mind raced. Jena wouldn’t have left her alone with this man if he were an escaped lunatic, would she? No, but that meant the incredible tale he was spinning had to be true. It was shocking. Unbelievable. Scarily true.

  “I feel different.” She flexed her fingers, noting a strength in her grip that had never been there before.

  Sebastian nodded. “You’ll be stronger now than you were, able to see clearly in the dark. You won’t be able to walk in the sun, though I’ve heard after a few centuries, some of our kind can take the early morning or late evening sunlight without too much pain. You’ll be lethargic during the day, unable to fend for yourself until you get a few decades under your belt, so it’s imperative you plan ahead and have a safe place to stay during the hours of daylight. I think your friends will want to help you there, but for now, I’ll take you home with me.” He stood from her bedside and began rummaging through the tiny closet for what was left of her clothes. “You’ll find I take my responsibility for your training very seriously. I’ll see to your education and to your needs for the time being.”

  “But why? You barely know me.”

  He turned back to the bed and pressed her bedraggled bathrobe into her hands. His gaze held her immobile, his expression unreadable, but very intense.

  “I pride myself on being a man of honor, Christina, but even though you’re married, you’ve been on my mind since the moment I first saw you. As far as I’m concerned, by abusing you so badly, your husband has lost all right to you. That means you’re free. And I’m free to pursue the attraction I can no longer deny.”

  His eyes lowered to study her lips, gone dry all of a sudden, as if heated by his gaze. Her tongue peeked out to wet them and he groaned, leaning downward as if mesmerized. She knew he was going to kiss her and for the first time in a long time, she wanted a man’s attentions. She wanted Sebastian’s kiss. Not daring to move a muscle, she welcomed him as he lowered his head. Firm, masculine lips traced hers with a butterfly caress before grinding deep and hard.

  His tongue demanded entrance and she complied, delighted by the taste of him and the ardor he couldn’t hide. Her pulses leapt and her hunger grew. She encircled his neck with her hands, sinking them into his thick hair and dragging him closer. Oh, how she wanted him.

  But Sebastian drew back, breathing hard. Flames of passion flickered in his eyes, but he appeared to be in perfect control. It both irritated her and made her feel secure. Of late, Jeff was never in control. He would scream at her as soon as kiss her and it was comforting to know for certain that Sebastian was the total opposite. Sebastian was a man in complete command of himself and those around him. A master. And she feared and hoped she could become his willing slave. At least sexually. She’d missed the active sex life she and Jeff once had as newlyweds. They’d been sleeping in separate rooms for over a year, unable to get along in every way.

  “We must go. There’s little time before dawn.”

  Ever the gentleman, he helped her into the stained robe. She’d been getting ready for bed when Jeff went berserk, and she had arrived at the hospital in her robe and little else. Sebastian lifted her in his arms as if she weighed nothing at all and strode into the corridor.

  “Won’t the hospital object?”

  “They won’t see us. I’m diverting the attention of the mortals, except for your friend Jena. Atticus and Marc have our escape vehicle ready at the exit.”

  “You can do that? You can influence people’s minds?”

  Sebastian shrugged. “Though I’m young when compared to Marc and Atticus, I’m no fledgling. You’ll gain many new skills, once you’ve matured a bit.”

  “Wow.”

  Jena met them in the corridor, her eyes worried. “Are you okay?”

  Christy tried to find words to reassure her friend, but it was hard to concentrate in Sebastian’s embrace. He made her feel so small, yet so protected.

  “I’m good, Jena. Thanks for taking care of me.”

  Jena leaned forward and kissed her cheek, emotion getting the best of her. “I’ve been so worried for you. Lissa and Kelly assured me that Jeff will never be able to hurt you again and for that, at least, I’m glad. I think Sebastian will take good care of you, and if he doesn’t—” Jena’s face turned upward with steely determination, “—he’ll answer to me.” Sebastian nodded in acknowledgement but didn’t speak. Jena returned her gaze to Christy. “For what it’s worth, I think he’s a good guy, and he won’t hurt you. I’ve had a demonstration of what he can do.” Jena blushed inexplicably. “I think you’re in safe hands.” She turned again to Sebastian. “I’ve fixed the records here at the hospital the way Marc requested, so you should have some time before Jeff figures out where she’s gone.”

  “Excellent.” Sebastian’s voice dripped with molten steel at the mention of Jeff’s name. “You’re a very efficient woman, a skilled doctor, and a good friend. I thank you for the care you’ve given Christina and the assistance with her conversion. Part of you is part of us now. We’ll always thank you for your sacrifice.”

  “What are you two talking about?”

  Chris
ty’s voice was small, tired and a little miffed. If these two had secrets, she wanted to be let in on them. And why was one of her best friends so chummy all of a sudden with Sebastian? If she didn’t know better, she’d think she was jealous, but it seemed impossible to be jealous of a man she’d only met twice before. Christy knew something was odd about the way she felt, but was too tired to ponder it at the moment.

  “I’ll explain it all to you soon, little one. For now, we must away.”

  She chuckled. “No one talks like that.”

  “I do.” He smiled down at her, something shining in his eyes she didn’t dare name. “There’s something about having a damsel in distress in my arms that brings out memories of my former self. You must forgive me if I slip into the speech patterns to which I was born.”

  He walked on, nodding to Marc as he held the door for them.

  “There’s nothing to forgive. What woman wouldn’t be thrilled to be romanced by a real English lord?”

  He paused by the side of a waiting luxury car. “And how did you know I was noble born?”

  “Oh, come on, Sebastian. You have aristocracy written all over you.”

  He raised one eyebrow. “I must endeavor then, to fit better into my present circumstances.”

  “No need to do so for me,” she said, yawning and settling her head against his shoulder. “I like you fine just the way you are.”

  She thought she heard him growl as he handed her into the wide backseat of the waiting car, but she was too tired to take in much. She had a vague impression of Lissa seated in the front seat with her husband, Atticus, driving. In the darkness before dawn, Christy wanted to ask more questions, but she was too tired and too befuddled by all the amazing revelations of the past hour.

  The last thing Christy saw before sleep claimed her was Sebastian’s handsome face. She felt warmed by his regard and it lulled her into a deep, healing sleep.

  While she slept, Sebastian kept busy, making decisions and arranging things. He placed a difficult call to his good friend Matt Redstone and checked in with Christina’s friends to keep tabs on her soon-to-be ex-husband. He also placed a call to his lawyer and had her start looking into every facet of the couple’s relationship.

  There had to be something more as to why Jeff had snapped and attacked Christina so brutally. From all accounts, the relationship had been going south for a while now. He had to have known divorce was the next logical step.

  Which led Sebastian to believe there was something Jeff feared would come out as a result of the divorce. Fear of discovery could have set him off on his murderous rampage. Sebastian would bet that money was at the root of Jeff’s unpredictable behavior, and Sebastian’s lawyer, Morgan, would sniff out whatever it was Jeff was trying to hide.

  Jeff was in jail now, but he probably wouldn’t stay behind bars for long. The man was too slippery for that. Sebastian had never understood how someone like Christina could have married a snake like Jeff Kinsey in the first place. But knowing of the wealth she’d brought to the marriage from her family, Sebastian suspected Jeff was nothing more than a gold digger. Her friends said Jeff had been a handsome youth when he’d seduced Christina in college, but hadn’t worked a day in his life since hooking up with her.

  Still, from what he’d heard from her friends, the marriage started well enough. It was only after Christina’s parents died, leaving her in control of a great deal of money, that Jeff had started acting like a real jerk. When he’d gone too far during an argument and knocked her down, Christina finally woke up and started talking about divorce—but only to her friends. Jeff had made her afraid of his reactions and it took a great deal of courage for her to speak of her desire for a divorce to him. Her anxieties had proven true when Jeff snapped and beat her within an inch of her life. The very thought of it set Sebastian’s teeth on edge. He could still read the horror in her lovely eyes.

  Jeff had taught her to fear. Sebastian would teach her the opposite. He’d show her nothing but care and compassion, and give her confidence in her new abilities. He’d strive to help her overcome her anxiety and banish it for all time.

  He would find a way to neutralize Jeff and repair the damage he’d done to Christina’s self-esteem. She had a beautiful soul and it was a crime to see her so damaged—both physically and emotionally. It was up to Sebastian to help her. He was her maker. He had to both keep her safe and figure out how to salvage the situation. She was changed, but would she be strong enough to overcome her past and start a new future, stronger than before? It was Sebastian’s job to make certain she was ready.

  * * *

  In a hotel room across town, Altor Custodis agent Benjamin Steel began filling out his latest series of reports. He’d been sent to check out Kelly LaTour’s friends. As the new wife of the Master Vampire of this region, she was almost certainly changed by now, but she’d been mortal until a few months ago.

  Steel’s boss at the AC wanted her friends investigated to see if more than one conversion had taken place. This group of bloodletters was notoriously hard to trace. Marc LaTour was an old one, and therefore cagey as hell. It was a tribute to Steel’s record that he’d been selected and sent on this particularly difficult mission, but he knew his own skills, and was comfortable with the idea he was the best investigator the AC had right now. Steel would accept no less from himself. He was a man driven to excel, and since he’d been violently awakened to the real nature of the world, he’d redirected his energies to scouting for the Altor Custodis.

  It was a far cry from what he’d done in the SEAL Teams, but it was work. And keeping tabs on the freak show supernaturals was as good a job as any for a retired spec ops warrior.

  Only he hated the paperwork. Resigned to his fate, Steel dug out his notes and began to compile them into some sort of order. He wouldn’t file the report until the mission was completed, but he might as well get started. The paperwork wouldn’t do itself.

  Chapter Two

  Christina woke in slow increments, like a kitten just learning about the world around it. Sebastian watched her from the side of the large bed, waiting for the moment when she’d realize she wasn’t alone.

  “I bet you’re hungry.” He was enchanted by the sleepy look in her eyes as she met his gaze. Rubbing her tummy, she looked like she was considering his words.

  “I feel strange.”

  He nodded and moved closer, sitting on the edge of the bed. “That’s to be expected when you’re newly turned.”

  “Then it wasn’t a dream?”

  “No, my dear. It was most certainly real.” He dipped his head closer, smiling so she could see his fangs. He was hungry too, it seemed. “You’ve been deep in healing sleep for more than two days. That’s longer than most of the newly turned, but you were gravely injured, so I encouraged your sleep.” He tugged at the sheet that covered her, inching it away. “I’ve decided on a course of action some might consider reckless.” He paused. “Do you trust me?”

  She seemed to think that one over before answering. “I think so.”

  “What I’m going to ask of you will seem strange, but I need you to believe it is for your own welfare that I’ve even considered this.” He pulled the sheet a little lower.

  “Now you’re frightening me, Sebastian.”

  “That’s not my intent. But I need you to know that what comes next is necessary for your future. I want you to be strong enough to deal with Jeff Kinsey on your own. I believe standing up to him—and winning—is the only way to face the rest of your years, now that you are immortal. If you let him win even the smallest confrontation, it will set a tone for your new life that could prove disastrous.”

  “Did I mention you’d already scared me enough?”

  Sebastian was glad to see a spark of humor in her wary eyes. It made him feel a little better about what he was about to do, though other aspects of his plan still made him uneasy. There was jealousy for one thing. It was likely to eat him alive before long. Good thing the task could be ac
complished quickly. He knew he couldn’t take too much of this.

  “I’m sorry, Christina. What I propose will not hurt. On the contrary, it will bring you great pleasure, but it is somewhat…risqué. I know from your friends that you’ve never been very adventurous sexually. That will have to change.”

  She looked wary, but receptive. “What exactly are you talking about?”

  “Your body is fully healed now, and its chemistry forever altered. Now it’s time for your lessons to begin.”

  “Lessons?”

  “I promised to teach you everything you need to know to survive in your changed state. Those lessons begin now, with our most basic needs—blood and lust. You need to feed.” He dipped his head, kissing her savagely. He didn’t mean to do it, but her soft lips were so close, so inviting, he couldn’t resist.

  Sebastian reveled in the sweet taste of her, delving deep with his tongue as her petite fangs began to emerge. He ran his tongue over them, encouraging their arrival. He’d forgotten how it felt to kiss one of his own kind. It was beyond erotic. It was nearly orgasmic in itself.

  When she jumped, he pulled back, looking past her beautiful, bare body to see what had scared her. Sebastian understood her alarm when he saw Matt. He’d come in and prowled right up to the bed, taking a seat near the foot as if he belonged there, while Sebastian had been distracted. It was a shock to realize he’d been so lost in her kiss, he hadn’t even sensed Matt’s arrival.

  Matt’s knowing wink didn’t go a long way to soothe Sebastian’s self-recrimination, but it did make him smile. The lad was audacious, but Christina needed a little nudge to guide her on this path. Before the night was through, Sebastian knew she’d need to put all her inhibitions behind her and Matt Redstone was just the creature to help her do it.