Swept Away: The First Bloodline Read online

  "Neither. I don't know what you're talking about." Taylor knew exactly what Liz was talking about.

  "Really? Okay, well beings that you don't want to say you're attracted, I’m sure the hell ain't afraid to admit it. He is totally yummy and I'm not scared of getting a little freak on! Yup that's me, freaky and I might add that I am single as well."

  "Don't you dare!" Jealousy raged out of her mouth mixed in with her words. Holy shit! If Taylor heard it, she knew Liz had. Taylor knew coming out tonight was a bad idea. But he totally looked like such a tasteful idea. She was 100% on. Totally yummy!

  "That's what I thought. So am I taking myself home? You know, I might suddenly have to leave and you're not ready to go yet, so you're gonna need a ride home." She batted her eyes while mouthing the word please to Taylor.

  "No, I will be going home with you tonight. And I will be alone! I'm not playing some game. You know me, games have never been something that I embarked in." Unless he asked me to go with him in which case I hope he can read my mind because I don't think I will be able to think, to speak, to anything.

  "Okay, suite yourself. If you're going home, then I'm going to have more fun. I'm going for a shot, do you want to have one or two with me to get some liquid courage flowing?" And there was that smile that Taylor knew and loved.

  "Not even close. You know better than that." Shots had never been Taylor's thing. Doing shots to Taylor was similar to having a stomach virus she thought. Either way she'd wind up shit faced, then puke. Wake up in the morning with embarrassment written all over her face and amnesia.

  As soon as the door opened again, she mindlessly went searching for him. This time the loud music blaring didn't faze her a bit. She didn't mind that it was like a maze working her way through the endless crowd of people that were either drunk or getting there.

  Her body followed close behind Liz, but her eyes searched. Desperately, for the drug her body craved. Him. She just needed one more hit of her Valium and life would be perfect again. For a while anyways.

  Taylor could hear Liz ordering her shot of hot damn, ordering her a fresh beer, but she couldn’t think about anything but him. Where had he gone? Did she have the right to even wonder? What was it about him that made her want to stake a claim? Why would he leave? Did she really look that pathetic that he only danced with her to make her feel better, she thought.

  While she was playing 50 questions with Liz did someone else catches his eye? That would totally piss her off. No that couldn't be it, she thought.

  When she had finally seen every face inside, her searching ended. Go figure. The first time she let her guard down and looked at another man he disappeared. My luck. My life. Full of sorry goodbyes. At least this one happened now instead of later.

  The weight of the world was back on her shoulders. Crushing her. She couldn't think straight, couldn't breathe, she needed air before she began to hyperventilate.

  "I'm going outside for a bit. Be back." She said calmly. Trying to keep her sour mood hidden.

  "Wait I'll come with you."

  "Liz, no! Go have fun. I just need some air. I'll be right back. It's nothing. Really. Just let me have this. I need this. I'm not going anywhere. I'll be back." She silently begged Liz to give her this. Turning away she didn't wait for Liz's answer. If she had waited, she knew Liz would have tried to talk her out of it.

  "Okay." Taylor could hear the hesitation and she couldn't blame her. If the shoes were reversed she would've been more than likely irritated and hesitant about letting Liz go outside into the dark, cold night alone.

  Not to mention, being outside a bar alone, at night, is it really the brightest idea in the world but it was what she needed. If the shoes were reversed. She was the sister. She was the one suffocating in this life that wasn't supposed to be this way. She was the one walking around like an empty vessel.

  The cold air felt great against her heated skin. The club was hot, then the dancing and Damien. Who was she kidding, it was all Damien. She leaned her back against the side of the cool brick of the bar, attempting to regain herself and needing the building stability to steady herself.

  "You know it's mighty cold out here to be just hanging out." His voice was deep and unexpected startling her.

  Her heart jumped at the sound of his voice. Where you been? How did you know I was out here? Why are you out here?

  "Are you okay?" He asked the question but his facial expression hadn’t changed at all, Are you even sincere? The minute she thought it, his eyes narrowed, darkened, and demanded an answer.

  "I, I'm okay." Oh my God, did I just stutter again! Jesus, can this get any worse. You're doing a piss poor job of hiding. Again his face stiffened. What the hell, is he reading my mind? "What are you doing out here? After all its mighty cold out here as you so wittedly made that observation so clear." Taylor mocked him sarcastically. Throwing his words right back at him playfully. Besides, she really did want to know why he was outside to begin with.

  "Looking around." Taylor watched as his eyes studied her face, her mouth, and down her neck. His gaze falling to her breast made her think for second her heart actually stopped. Her nipples which it already puckered from the air, elongated even further.

  I should walk away from you but I can't.

  "Looking around for what? It's late, it's cold, and there's nobody here but me." Now she wanted answers. After all, he didn’t have a problem with asking her questions. So why should she?

  "Deciding what I want for supper. What about you?"

  "Getting fresh air. You normally scour the alleys at night looking for your next meal? I mean, why would you do that? It's an alley not the local grocer." Who gives a fuck how he decides what to eat as long as he eats me.

  Taylor knew the minute the thought popped into her head, her eyes suddenly looked bugged out and she could have lit the alley with the bright shade she now wore on her cheeks. I can't think like this! This isn’t who I am. What is wrong with me? Taylor scolded herself harshly as she emphasized every word.

  "I don't think anything is wrong with you. I think your perfect." He leaned his head towards Taylor and she suddenly was aware that he was going to kiss her. She could feel his lips brush hers. I'm not ready for this yet. I'm broken. Physically, emotionally. I have nothing to offer. Please don't.

  His eyes returned to hers as he gave her an inch of space. The space alone caused her to quickly change her mind and she silently begged for him to kiss her. Again, he leaned in, slowly closing the inch of distance. Stop!

  "What? What is it?" He looked frustrated, irritated, and flustered.

  "I didn't say anything." Taylor was shocked, surprised, and amazed at how entombed to her he was. How did you do that? Did I say it out loud? Taylor thought she must have thought out loud, how else would he have known? She watched as he curved the side of his mouth into a sexy grin.

  “Taylor, you want to get out a here?"

  Taylor's breathing rate immediately increased. Shit this is it. This is it and I can't even answer him. I knew it. Just say yes, sure, okay, anything.

  "I can't. My sister is inside." Dammit. Way to go Taylor!

  "She won't mind. I could go tell her if you'd like? I'm really good at negotiating and convincing people to see my way of thinking." His eyes stared at her mouth. His mouth only an inch from her. What was he thinking in that moment she wondered.

  Taylor couldn't speak. The only response she could give was a quick nod. That was the best he was going to get from her at this point. His scent drove her completely mad. Is he wearing cologne? Or is that just his natural musky scent? His hand held Taylor's and she felt herself tremble in his touch as they walked back inside. The minute they were no longer alone she wanted to leave and be alone, with him again.

  "Wait here. I'll be right back." His smile teased although she didn't have the slightest clue as to why. She watched as he disappeared into the crowd. Immediately feeling herself anxiously waiting for his return. She played with her fingers, her fingernai
ls, just trying to keep it together until his return.

  She had a thought and then quickly lost it as she started quickly looking around to see

  where he was.

  Liz,

  Leaving with tall dark and handsome. Oh my God he is deliciously hot. Wish me luck! If he turns out to be a psycho killer, pray I get off first. LMAO. just kidding, seriously though, tell my kids I love them and you’re the beneficiary on my checking. Got ago. Love you.

  Taylor

  "Are you ready?" His voice startled her.

  "Yes." Taylor jumped at the touch of his hand to the small of her back as he led her out of the door into his car. She watched as he shifted from gear to gear smoothly. She didn't know how to drive a stick. Always wanted to learn, never having the opportunity. The small things in life that fascinated her curiosity she thought.

  She flushed when she realized what had really caught her attention and it had nothing to do with the shifter. She was totally engrossed with the length of his fingers. Long, not skinny, not fat, perfect fingers. In her mind thinking of the old saying about the size of a man, it can be judged by his fingers. Her inner Goddess began jumping excitedly up and down, while the real her was thinking holy shit, hope it isn't true.

  It had been six years since any man had touched her and as hard as it was to believe, Taylor hadn't even touched herself. Again thinking of old saying, if you don't use it you lose it.

  *****

  About the time she was feeling some heat from the car they stopped. She looked out the window and they were parked in front of this massive building. It looked old, rundown, abandoned even.

  She felt nervous, scared, but it was more of the fear of not knowing. She wondered what they could possibly be doing at a place like this.

  The building dark, looking as if it came from a ghost town. The only thing that would've made it even creepier than it was right now, would have been if the windows would have been broken out. In fact, if anyone wanted to film a horror movie, this building would have been great place to start.

  Tall rectangle shaped. She looked up counting the windows. Seven sets of Windows equaled seven different floors she thought, wondering which one he was taking her to.

  "Where are we?" She was curious but for some reason she really didn't care. She was with him and they were. And at this moment, that was all that was mattered to her. She just wanted to be with him. Her emotions were on a crazy out of control roller coaster. One minute she was scared, then excited, then back to being nervous or curious with questions and wanting the answers.

  All Taylor knew for sure was that in the short time she'd been acquainted with him, she felt like her again. The anger was gone. She could feel her heart beat again pushing the blood through her veins. She didn't have any violent urges trying to escape from her. The view was clear again because tears no longer blocked her vision. She was totally alive again!

  "At my place." And with that he got out, Taylor turned to open her door and with the blink of her eyes he was there, opening her door, holding his hand out gesturing for her to take a hold and leading her inside this massacre ready building. She struggled to breathe as she thought of him tying her up and putting on a hockey mask.

  "Taylor, breathe." Taylor looked up at him and his mouth was curved up into a smile and all she knew was, she wanted him to kiss her. No hesitation. No second thoughts.

  When his mouth hit her lips he owned them. He demanded her return. He conquered her mouth as if they were at war. She tasted him and enjoyed every second of it. A hunger inside her was now coming to surface begging for more. When she thought she was sure to pass out from hypoxia, his mouth left hers.

  When she opened her eyes, they were standing inside. How in the hell? Her silent question faded as her eyes began to scan the settings.

  She was surrounded by bright bold colors. The couch red, velvet looking, with plush cushions. On either side of the couch an orange, armless chair.

  Huge windows of tinted glass covered the wall in front of them giving a view from the opposite side of the building of their little town. Dark almost black hardwood floors. The walls of a dark gray. Nothing like a bachelor pad at all.

  Paintings on the walls but she didn't have a clue as to who the artist was.

  His movement caught her attention. The way he moved amazed her. Graceful. He stood in front of the radio messing with CDs. She couldn't help but to think please not Martina. That's Chase’s song. Please don't be anything Martina. Anything but her. He stopped taking out the city and put in another CD.

  When he turned back to her his eyes were lighter than before. They had been really, really dark. Almost black. Beautiful green eyes stared back at her, calling out to her. She didn't know what they were saying to her but she could feel them. She could feel them as they looked over her body. Her entire body. So much so, that if her eyes were closed, she would've been sure that he was using his brilliantly talented hands on her.

  His slow stroll towards her caused her lungs to breathe heavier. She knew he was about to touch her. But how she wondered? She wanted him to touch her, in the way her body craved like she never thought it would again.

  "Don't worry, no Martina. Taylor if you could be anywhere in the world right now where would it be?" He was in front of her now. The gentle touch of his hands on her hips caused her panties to dampen immediately. She could feel his soft lips brushing her ear as he whispered, "Close your eyes and picture yourself there."

  She didn't want to close her eyes and she sure as hell didn't want to be there right now. She wanted to know how the hell he knew what she was thinking. She knew she hadn't said anything allowed. Come to think of it, she didn't tell him Liz's name, but he knew that too. Your plan too much into this Taylor, close your damn eyes already. Her inner Goddess was scolding her now.

  Slowly she closed them and she could instantly see the river. She laid on a tube floating down slowly. She held a Bud in her hand. The sun terribly hot was not affecting her the same way her skin usually did from the sun. During her pregnancy she had become allergic to the sun for an etiology unknown and had to learn to stay out of it.

  The cool water on her feet felt delightful, relaxing, sensational. Her head laid back, her hair, cool and damp floating softly in the water with her down the river.

  She heard the birds singing in the background. The slight breeze that whistled through the trees that lined the bank was music to her ears. Even in her imaginary place she closed her eyes taken in the feel of her surroundings, so when she woke up from the dream, she would remember the peacefulness, the memory.

  "That's better. You are so tense." She felt their bodies start to move. She heard Jason Aldean and Kelly Clarkson singing Don't You Wanna Stay. Yes I want to stay. I want more than to stay. She opened her eyes and she could see his amusement.

  "What's so funny?" She questioned him, did I step on your toe or something?

  "I want you to stay too." Holy shit! All right, that's fucking enough. Who are you? She stared into his eyes. She didn't understand, how did he know and how in the hell did he know her? "I know a lot of things Taylor and let's just say, you’ve seen me around." She froze. Her body stiffened. She felt her heart pounding against her chest. Her breathing began to increase rapidly and she felt short of breath.

  She had to force the words out with a fight, trying to keep them steady, as she knew her voice shook with the rhythm with the rest of her body. "How did,,,,"

  And before she could finish,,, "How did I know?" Taylor pulled back out of his arms. "Don't be afraid of me Taylor. I need you to be open-minded. I have gifts. That's all I can tell you right now."

  Open-minded? I can be open-minded apparently. I've been so open-minded with you enough that you can hear me! Taylor could see her appearance now appeared less nervous and oddly enough she felt that easy with him. "Okay then tell me,,"

  "I can hear what you think. I can feel your emotions." Holy Fuck! Okay. I can do this.

  “So you can hear, really h
ear what I’m t,,,,”

  "Thinking? Yes. Everything you think, I can hear. Every way you feel, every emotion you have, I feel." Shit! Are you as horny and confused crazy right now?

  "Exactly and yes." He turned his face away from her hiding it. Why? That's kind of.... awesome. I wish I could hear and feel like that. There would be no guessing, no wondering, only straightforward honesty.

  "No, you don't. It's not easy knowing the things that I know. When someone is in pain, when they are scared, when they are lonely, when they are filled with so much hurt, they feel like they are a loan vessel. It's not always a good gift to have." His voice softened as if he was trying to hide a sadness coming from deep inside him, like nothing she had ever seen or felt before.

  "Okay, if we're going to finish having this conversation, you have to let me say it so I can at least feel like I am involved in it okay?" I can't believe I'm not freaking out. See I told you I could be open-minded.

  He turned back to her. He seemed to be more relaxed now. "I'm glad you're not freaking out either. You still want to stay? Here? Alone? With me?"

  As if you don't already know. His lips curved into a smile. Taylor couldn’t do anything but smile back at him.

  "So you're not freaked out at all then?" Someone must've freaked out on you bad for you to be this worried and repeatedly ask.

  "No, why would I be?” He stepped towards her, as she imagined him repeating his assault on her mouth came to mind. Shit!. He can read my mind and feel what I feel so he knows everything. The good, the bad and terribly embarrassing moments like this one.

  She blushed and turned her head away from him, now realizing he knew exactly what she wanted him to do to her and how those thoughts caused her body to react. Like how damp her panties were right now, just thinking of his kiss.

  "Don't be embarrassed. You do the exact same thing to me. I feel the same stimulating sensations that you do." She could hear the emphasis on exact, stimulating. His passion heating in his words invisibly clearing his actions as she turned back to him only affected her more.