“I never had a chance to say goodbye to Sebastian. I literally went one moment from kissing him in a pool, talking about fooling around; to another where I found out Grayson was alive. Sebastian and I were trying to be together. Trying to be a couple. Then minutes—literally minutes later—I’m standing in a room with Grayson heaving a sigh of relief that the excruciating grief I had felt for the past two months, was gone, in a way that Sebastian could have never gotten rid of it.” I let out a sigh meeting my best friend’s eye for the first time in my ramblings. “I owed it to Sebastian to say goodbye—to have that moment with him. Not only that, but I wanted it for myself. Maybe now we can stop dancing around each other and finally move on.”

  I simply shook my head unsure if I had explained myself correctly or if it even made sense.

  “Well if it’s any consolation to you, I don’t think you should burden Grayson just to clear your conscience.”

  “He wants to get married before the baby comes. Can I really do that without being completely honest with him?”

  “Yes.”

  I didn’t stay to talk with Shawn for long with both Grayson and John waiting for me. We agreed to go have coffee soon, which was fantastic, especially since Grayson glared at me every time I grabbed a cup, but it was also a move forward for my best friend and me. I hoped it was the start of getting back to where we used to be.

  Arriving back at the apartment, I was barely through the door before Grayson had me pinned against the wall, sandwiched between it and him—my back to his front. His lips fell on my neck while his hand slid up my dress. A loud moan escaped me when his finger slipped under my panties.

  “Do you have any idea how fucking sexy you are, especially now that you’re carrying my child?”

  “Yeah?” I moaned my eyes fluttering closed with the pleasure as Grayson’s fingers grazed over my sensitive flesh. He eased his hand back causing a groan to escape me just before he spun me to face him.

  “Oh, yeah.” His hand slid down my thigh until he grasped the hem of my dress. Ripping it off over my head, his mouth landed on mine. We moved against each other like magnets. “Let me show you?” He grabbed me behind my thighs lifting and pinning me to the wall with his hips. His tongue grazed along my collarbone while his fingers found the clasp of my bra. With a swift swipe of his thumb, he had it undone and began sliding it from my body. My nipples were hard before the air even hit them, but Grayson took it upon himself to soften them with the warmth of his skilled tongue. He pulled the left into his mouth before swirling his tongue around it then he switched to the right. Throwing back my head groaning, I shifted my focus to his pants, fumbling to undo them.

  I couldn’t hold out for the bedroom. I needed him now. When my fingers grazed his hard length, Grayson lowered me to the ground. In one swift movement, he yanked my panties down my legs. I stood there completely nude while Grayson was almost entirely dressed and I couldn’t help but feel the erotic flush flow over my body. With a growl, he lifted me again. Shifting his hand between us, he freed his erection. The next instant he was sliding into me.

  Grayson didn’t give me a second to adjust before he started thrusting into me with a vigor I appreciated. I wasn’t a delicate flower that he needed to worry he might shatter. I was a woman who loved and needed the man before me. Clinging to him tighter, I gripped him harder with each thrust. I came with a scream, but he didn’t relent; instead continued pounding me. When I felt the heat rush over me a second time, Grayson joined me with a roar spurting deep inside of me.

  Holding me tight he carried me to the bed, seeming to know I needed a nap.

  Keeping our plans to elope a secret was beyond difficult. Even though movies liked to portray eloping as a spur of the moment decision, for us, some plans were necessary.

  Friday evening found us on Grayson’s private jet, or rather Alexander Holdings Incorporated’s jet, heading to Sin City herself. Las Vegas. We had debated on just staying close and hitting Atlantic City, but in Vegas we wouldn’t have to wait for our marriage license and we were both done waiting.

  After checking into our hotel, above the strip, we started figuring out our next move. I knew being in Vegas was going to be tricky for a multitude of reasons. As vampires, we were in someone else’s territory now. Diplomacies hadn’t been exchanged, but as long as we kept under the radar I was sure we would go unnoticed. I hadn’t wanted my mother or father to be involved in what Grayson and I were doing, so we risked angering the local nest if we were caught.

  We used Grayson’s business jet to fly us that way it was easier to sneak blood onto the plane. I had argued with us trying to fly under the Vegas nest’s radar, going commercial would have been best. Having Grayson’s plane fly in could be a red flag to anyone who knew of my relationship with him. I hadn’t been anyone of any real importance before news of my parentage got out, even with my day walking capabilities. I hoped my reputation didn’t precede me here.

  We brought one cooler for blood. It should have been more than enough for a few days. Both Grayson and I knew that it might not be the case. My hunger had increased carrying our child. It meant there was a slim possibility that we would have to go hunting. I was a bit surprised when Grayson didn’t try calling off the whole thing when I mentioned it. He seemed to understand my predicament better than I did. He accepted what we would have to do because it was for our baby.

  I sat on the bed while Grayson searched through his iPad looking for our next stop. My mind wandered back to the night that he saved my life by killing Clive, and to the kiss I shared with Sebastian. Shawn said not to tell him, but I didn’t think I could take this step with Grayson and keep this hidden, even though that was exactly what I wanted to do. It wasn’t a rekindling kiss, but a goodbye one. I just didn’t know if Grayson would see the difference.

  “Almost all the chapels are twenty four hours, so we’re good there. It just depends on the experience we’re looking for. Traditional, Elvis, drive thru—”

  “I have to tell you something?”

  He smiled, “You want an Elvis impersonator, don’t you?”

  “I kissed Sebastian,” I blurted. The room grew deafeningly silent. I peeked up at Grayson, but he was studying the floor with a frown. I continued, wanting to explain before I lost my nerve. “It was the night that Clive—” Grayson’s penetrating gray glare silenced me when it briefly glowed to honey-green then back to gray. That night wasn’t something we talked about. I bit my lip feeling my courage waiver. “I don’t want there to be any secrets between us if we do this. If you still want to do this.” My gaze lowered finding something, anything to focus on while I waited for Grayson’s response. I heard him move towards me, followed by the mattress dip as he sat next to me. Grabbing both my hands, he cocooned them in his. I didn’t dare move for fear that I would misinterpret his gesture.

  “I wondered how long it would be before you told me. Weeks went by and nothing. I thought perhaps you’d keep silent about it.”

  My eyes widened then my brow knitted in confusion as I gaped at him. “You knew? How?”

  He let out a deep breath. “I saw you.”

  I felt as if I might be sick. I shifted away from him, just in case. My hand found my stomach trying to ease the discomfort. Grayson knowing I had kissed Sebastian was terrible enough, but he had actually seen us together. I thought about the distance that had grown between us after that night and wondered if it was solely over his guilt for killing Clive or, with his revelation, if it had more to do with the kiss he saw me share.

  “So I also know it was more than just a kiss,” he admitted.

  “Why didn’t you say anything? Were you testing me?”

  “I don’t know,” he sighed. “That night was rough on all of us. If he hadn’t have been there, for whatever reason he was, you might not be sitting here next to me about to become my wife.”

  Emotions swelled in my chest. I could feel them threatening to explode. I swallowed hard past the lump threatening to choke me. “You still want to marry me?” I breathed.

  He smiled gently pushing a loose lock of hair away from my face. “Of course I do.” He squeezed my hand. It helped calm the anxiety I felt coursing through me. “Gaby, I know there’s something more than just the angel blood between you and Sebastian.” I opened my mouth to protest but he put his finger to my lips before continuing. “You can argue it all you want, but you can’t bull shit me, especially after I saw you two together. You might not be in love with him, but you have feelings for him. I choke on the chemistry between the two of you every time I’m in the room with you both.”

  “I’m sorry,” it came out as a sob while tears trickled down my cheeks.

  “I don’t think it’s anyone’s fault, but if he’s who you really want to be with—” I started shaking my head. “Don’t stay with me just because of the baby, because I will be there for you and for our child no matter what.”

  I kissed him halting his words. “You are who I want. I have picked you. Even if I wasn’t carrying your child, it would still be you. I do care for Sebastian. That night,” I exhaled sharply, “was a mess. My emotions were everywhere and… He and I never had a chance to properly end things and that night we did. He knows that. He knew it then.” I smiled gently cupping his cheek. “I will always love you.”

  Wiping my tears away, Grayson asked me, “So will you marry me today?”

  I grinned, “Only if Elvis can do it.”

  “I knew it,” he chuckled before kissing me again.

  Grayson

  I stood in a twenty-four hour chapel off of the strip, in the heart of Vegas, next to the woman who was about to become my wife. I opted for a nice, black business suit while Gaby wore an ivory dress covered in lace. She had debated on white. It was traditional, but being pregnant had her leaning towards a different shade. I was the only man to have ever known her body and I assured her that white would be appropriate, but she refused to relent. Now seeing her in her dress, I was glad she hadn’t. It was perfect. It came to rest just below her knees, form fitted over her entire body. She grew nervous when our growing child was noticeable, but I doused her anxieties. Perhaps it was the caveman in me, but I wanted the world to know she was carrying my child.

  The back of her dress was opened over her shoulders while the front came up in a high neckline, making it an appropriate dress for even a traditional church wedding, which this wasn’t. I smiled as I stood in front of Gaby and our Elvis minister while uttering our vows to love each other forever. My fingers brushed her hair back grazing her birdcage veil before kissing her for the first time as her husband. It started off gentle then Gaby gasped in surprise when I tipped her back like she was an actress in an old black and white movie.

  I don’t know how we made it back to our hotel. It seemed that our lips never broke away from each other after that first kiss. I spun Gaby grasping her zipper, tugging it down agonizingly slow. My lips followed the trail it revealed. My breathing was heavy, matching hers as she moaned, enjoying every single scorching kiss I placed down her spine. After reaching the end of the path, I stood abruptly. My hand found its way into her dress trailing up her stomach.

  “You have to be the most beautiful wife on this planet,” I breathed against her ear before tugging it between my teeth.

  She giggled, “I bet you say that to all the women you marry.”

  “I do,” I nipped at her neck while rolling her nipple in my right hand hearing her groan with the erotic pleasure. I stepped back removing my hand and slid the dress from my wife’s body, letting it pool on the floor. Spinning her to face me, her mouth found mine. My tongue pushed past her lips gently teasing hers. They moved together in an erotic tango. I kissed and nipped my way down her body making sure to claim both her nipples during my descent until I rested on my knees in front of her. She was panting watching me pull her panties down her long slender legs until they joined her dress, leaving her completely naked except for her heels. “I also pleasure them like never before, especially those carrying my child,” I teased, throwing one of her legs over my shoulder then latched onto her clit. I groaned letting her flavor dance across my tongue. I think she tasted even better now that she was my wife.

  Glancing up, I saw her brace herself against the wall. I circled and flicked my tongue before finding her entrance. Slipping it just inside, she moaned. Her body tightened signaling I found the perfect spot. I was relentless, moving my tongue over that spot. Her muscles grew ridged and her leg shook. I thought her knee might give out with the intensity of her pleasure. I wrapped my hands behind her thighs, clutching her ass, pulling her tighter against my mouth refusing to relent until she came against my tongue. I wanted to feel her explode, to taste her arousal when she did. It was the sweetest nectar and I wanted it more than I craved her blood.

  The orgasm ripped through her, forcing my name out of her mouth in a scream. Her knee went out but I had such a firm grip on her, that between the wall and me, she stayed vertical as her body spasmed from the orgasm I caused. Her muscles began to settle and a peaceful, sated look appeared on her face with a grin. I lifted her in the bridal pose and carried her to the bed. Her eyes fluttered closed and she looked blissful.

  I kissed her gently, not in an instigating way, but in a loving way. “Gaby?”

  “Hmm…?” She answered but didn’t even open her eyes.

  “Do you need to recharge before we continue this?” I joked with humor lingering in my voice. I could tell she was in a relaxed state and even though I wanted more of her, I felt proud of myself for reducing her to exhaustion.

  “No,” she breathed. “I’m good.”

  I chuckled knowing that she was lying. The mattress shifted before I rolled her towards me. Instinctively she burrowed into my side laying her head on my chest. I don’t think she registered that she was completely naked while I was still fully clothed. I draped a blanket over my wife as she drifted off to sleep.

  I laid there for a long time until I heard her breathing shift. Once I was sure she was in a deep sleep, I slid out from under her. I gathered my laptop then settled back in the bed next to her. I did some work while Gaby slept. After answering several emails, I closed the laptop and placed it on the nightstand. I focused on Gaby to see if she was still sleeping soundly. I knew there wasn’t a What to Expect When Your Expecting book for a vampire baby, much less a day walking vampire, but I figured things couldn’t be too different. After downloading it into my library I began reading it. It appeared that her being tired was normal. Her body was adjusting to being pregnant.

  She rolled over, searching for me in her sleep. I shifted until her hand landed on my chest. She adjusted until her head settled on my shoulder. I smiled at her and kissed her forehead. It wasn’t unusual for her to do this, but it was rare for me to be able to watch her do without her aware.

  It was almost an hour later when I felt her hand graze down my chest. I felt a wicked grin tug at my lips as her hand trailed lower until it rested over the bulge in my pants finding me ready to consummate our marriage.

  Slowly she undid my belt. I laid there watching her with a quizzical gleam while she unbuttoned then lowered my zipper. I groaned when her fingers grabbed me, pulling me from the confines of my clothing. She stroked me, even though I needed no coaxing. I was more than ready for her. I grabbed her face between my palms planting a firm hungry kiss on her lips. She quickly straddled me never breaking away from my eager mouth. When she reached between us placing me at her entrance I could feel she was ready too, which I was grateful for. I didn’t want to wait and it appeared she didn’t either when she slid onto me so slowly that both our mouths dropped open from the sensation.

  With what sounded like a growl, I rolled us over and sheathed myself in her fully. I made quick work of my shirt and soon Gaby was sliding it off my shoulders. I thrust hard into her causing her eyes to flutter closed. Our lips seared to each other’s as I pushed us both closer and closer to our finale. When I knew Gaby was on the brink, I withdrew leaving her frustrated.

  “Oh, no you don’t. I don’t want you falling asleep again before I’m done with you,” I whispered, before rolling her onto her stomach then pulling her to her knees. Hopping off the bed, I quickly shuffled out of the remainder of my clothes before crawling behind her completely nude. I connected my body with hers dragging a groan from us both then pulled her against my chest. I kissed up her neck while one hand toyed with her nipple and the other stroked between her legs. Glancing up, I smiled when I could see her completely through the glass window across from us.

  “I love touching you like this,” I breathed against her ear before nipping at it. “Pleasuring you. The only thing I hate is not being able to see your expressions, to see your face when I make you come apart, at least until today.”

  I watched her eyes shoot open. She didn’t understand what I was saying, until her gaze locked with mine in our reflection. The sun had set long ago and the window showed our reflections clearly. It was erotic watching myself pleasure her while experiencing it at the same time. Seeing us did something to her as well. She quickly crested, screaming loud enough that I worried the surrounding rooms might hear.

  Feeling her clench around me, I picked up my pace. With one final thrust I spilled myself into her with a groan. We fell to the bed wrapping ourselves in one another.

  “Are you okay, Gaby? You seem a little worn out.”

  I could see her wanting to drift off again after having found the pleasure she sought. “I’m just parched.” She hadn’t fed since this morning and we hadn’t exchanged blood during our escapades.

  “You could feed from me, if you’d like?” I offered nuzzling her neck, feeling myself grow hard just from the idea.

  She smiled contently brushing her knuckles down my jaw. I could hear the sound of my stubble against her skin. She never seemed to mind the scruff I had. Knowing that my blood wasn’t real nourishment, I moved to get her what she really needed. She groaned halting me. I chuckled before settling back next to her.