Juliet
Through the car window, the houses passed quietly outside. The streets dark, and only the headlights illuminating perfect grassy lawns. Soren and I drove in silence to our new home. He was always so calm. Didn't understand how he could be—not being much older than me.
My old house came into view, and the new one on the other side of the cul-de-sac.
Soren turned into the driveway; my hand was already on the handle to push on the door. I struggled with the stiff skirt and hiked the annoying thing above my knees to run across the street.
My mom was waiting in our driveway and threw her arms around me, asking, "Did it work?"
"It did! I'm married."
We jumped up and down while Cindy kissed my cheek. She pushed me away, gripping my arms. "Are you ready?"
"Nervous."
My mom laughed lightly. "Don't be. All you have to do is scream, and your dad will kill him."
Reassuring to say the least because I couldn't stop picturing all the ways this could go wrong. I looked back across the street; my new husband was leaning against the car, waiting. Patient. Unreal.
"I want to hear every detail about the auction. But later."
With no watch around my wrist, I glanced at the sky for help, like I would know what time it was the moment the moon magically told me. Probably past one in the morning. Probably also not the moment to go have a chat with a friend. "Yeah, think we're all tired. Will you be okay alone?"
"Go, I'll be fine. I have a new book."
I walked away and said over my shoulder, "Let me borrow it after."
Soren gave Cindy a wave, but his eyes were fixed on me. They always carried meaning, held me in these moments. He knew how to make me feel special. And yet my chest tightened even more. Nerves knotted my stomach. We'd never even kissed. It had been eight years since he changed my life.
I stood a little closer, the pulse in my throat beating in my ear. He still didn't move. I searched his eyes as we stood staring at one another. What was he doing? Although this was Soren, I shouldn't be nervous at all. Pressing my lips together, I looked at the front door, terrified he would change the moment it closed behind us. He had me now. I literally put my life in his hands, and in every other way.
Taking a deep breath and letting my shoulders drop, I rested against the car. The lack of eye contact didn't help. Now my breaths were all over the place. For once, I had no words. Had no idea what I was doing. How the night would go.
Soren tucked a tendril of hair behind my ear, "Are you okay? Was it very hard?"
A slight frown pulled on my brow—it was, now that I thought about it. Gross. Tedious. Humiliating. Most of the night, disgust in every nerve of my body was the only thing that kept my feet rooted in place. I rubbed at the spot Lucius kissed me. The chilling sensation still stung behind my eyes. "It was, actually… I think it only sank in now." I nestled closer and put my head on his chest. Soren closed his arms around me. "Thank you, Soren."
"That's not very romantic."
I chuckled. "Okay… Uhm… I love you."
He pulled me even closer and caressed my back. "Julie, I love you so much I'd find you in a second life, a third, and so on."
"I think I fell in love with you on my sixteenth birthday."
"It was a good day... Can't believe Liam let you get drunk if you killed your first human."
"Incentives seem to work with me."
Soren's head whipped to the side. "Indoors, wife, the guard's coming."
I hunkered beside the car and had to lift my skirt again to reach the front door.
Soren hurriedly came in after me and closed and locked it. He yanked on the curtains.
"Why the overreaction?" I asked.
"Just tonight— I don't— The whole thing set me on edge." He turned to me and asked, "So what did you think about the Ahmeds?"
I bit at my nail. "Qadir scared the crap out of me. He was so… so mean with me."
"I'm sorry I couldn't do anything."
"No, we played our parts." I lifted a hand to begin taking out all the pins holding my hair hostage.
"Come sit, I'll do it."
My hand hovered for a second as I stared at him. He wanted to help me? The corner of his mouth lifted. Was he laughing at me? It didn't matter because I didn't want to do it myself, so I sat in a chair.
One by one, he picked them out of the strands. It felt like my mother never stopped pinning. But Soren's touch was different. Good. Teasing my skin. "And?" he asked.
"Mm?"
"The Ahmeds."
I forgot he even asked. "Oh, uhm, Marcus seems cold… I don't know— something's off there… I shudder to think what his wife has to go through… Louis was an asshole, laughing at me the whole time."
No, the way the two Achmeds competed for a second wife— For me! Would Soren—
"With them was another man, Chris, I think."
"He said he's not a vampire. Is he a wolf?"
"No." My glance flicked over my shoulder. Soren gently placed two hands on my cheeks and pivoted my head forward again. He dragged out another pin.
"Am I still too young to know everything you do?"
"No, I was waiting for you to ask. I would've told you years ago." I laughed and jumped on the chair so I could throw my arms around his neck. Soren's fingers dug into my hair. "Goodness, how happy you make me."
"Do I? You didn't even say I looked pretty tonight. Every day you tell me how beautiful I am, and today you seem… disappointed in me."
"I'm jealous."
"Ohhh." I kissed his cheek. His hands tightened on my waist. I kissed him again, a little closer to his mouth. His fingers dug into my skin. My next kiss was quick and on his lips. I lifted my head and looked into his eyes. He didn't move. "Soren."
"Don't worry, we have our whole lives… I don't want to—tonight… I want you, but I don't want to rush it. So, whenever you're ready."
"Really?"
"Yeah, why? Too romantic?" I shook my head. He waited for me to let him go and slide into the chair.
Soren carried on until my long hair finally broke its mold and fell over my shoulders. I scratch at my scalp.
"I'll put these in our room. You want to look around?"
"I completely forgot I'm in the new house. Not cool keeping it a secret." My gaze traveled over the small spaces. It was a little more modern than my parents' old furniture and things. I followed him into the main bedroom. "I like it."
"You're mom helped me. Mine wouldn't even talk to me… You're lucky, Juliet."
"Yes, I think I am." I laced my fingers in his. "Soren, can you help me with my buttons.
"Of course."
One by one, he flicked them open. The tight bindings around my breasts loosened, and I could breathe. I rolled my shoulders to slide it down my arms. I rubbed over my breasts, "Now I know why I was so anxious—it was that stupid thing." I turned around. Soren stood fixed on my gesturing hands. I kept forgetting—I was married. I laughed and ran to the bathroom. "Can you bring me clothes?"
I unzipped my skirt and pushed it to the ground, stepping out. My irritating underwear—I kicked across the floor.
Soren came around the corner and swore. "What?" I looked about. "I'll pick up my clothes. I swear." Soren seemed amused, rather than angry. And because his eyes kept scanning my body, I gathered his reaction was for me. "Am I being too familiar? My mom said—"
"No! But in a moment, I'm going to take off my own clothes—" My breath hitched. Before I could even employ my imagination, he gestured to me. "Yes, that right there is how I feel."
The corner of my mouth crept into a smirk, "I'd actually like to see."
Soren huffed a quiet laugh. "Of course you would." I didn't care what he meant by it because his fingers went immediately to unbutton two down his neck. With jerky movements, he pulled his shirt out of his pants and undid his cuffs. The shirt flew over his head and landed on the floor. He went for his belt.
"Wait!" Geez, he was moving so fast while I wanted some time to appreciate him. Without a shirt— Whoa. My eyes devoured the scene. I took a step closer. "May I?"
"You never have to ask again."
I touched thick-set shoulders and traced defined muscles along his arm. Up again and over hulking pecks. He wasn't a scrawny guy. Not anymore. Being naked so close to him and the sensations of our bodies almost touching brought on my uncontrollable manifestation. My black nails glided over his skin, leaving pink marks in their wake. Breathless, I said, "I—" Soren leaned in and kissed me. A heady lust weakened my knees. Our arms closed around each other. Not caring about my face or teeth, his tongue drifted in and out of my mouth. My moan was also involuntary, and I broke the kiss, lifting my chin. "Ah, it's too much." I was jelly in his hands… Or was it putty? Didn't matter.
Soren lifted me, carried me to the bed, and came down beside me, cupping between my legs—hard. Easing some of the tension, still, I writhed at the sudden want. Fingers parted my folds. One slid inside. My nails dug into his back. I lifted my hands quickly. "Don't. I don't care." He moved inside me. My breaths were ragged as our eyes held. With the next withdrawal, the pressure increased with one more finger as he thrust in. I whimpered and reached for his lips with my own. He kissed me with meaning and at the same time slid out and over my bud. Unwilling to hurt him, I grabbed the sheets. He unlocked our lips and kissed down my neck, over my chest. His tongue swiped my breast with broad wet strokes. All the sensations pushed me over that sweet line. Too fast. Softly panting and barely satisfied.
Soren was waiting for me when I looked at him. Our eyes held. "Can I say, thank you now?"
Soren touched his way up my body. Not helping my manifestation that didn't want to leave. So I pushed up on my knees, making him lie flat to undo his belt. "Oh, no! Not with those teeth."
I started to speak, but just shook my head instead and did it anyway. I opened the fly of his pants, revealing the outline of his erection beneath underwear. Too curious, I palmed it. Hard. So firm. I explored all the covered bulges. My gaze flicked to see his reaction. Soren's eyes were closed and his jaw tight. He knew what to do with me— I'd read enough books. In theory, I understood— Let's test it. Over the material, I rubbed. Naturally finding rhythm. Soren's quiet complaints were encouraging.
I let go, took a deep breath, and lifted the waist of the underwear to take a peek. O wow. Weird. I couldn't really do anything and pulled down his pants. He was very helpful. I bit the inside of my cheek when he unfurled, his cock bobbing. A laugh escaped me.
Soren rose on his elbows. "What?"
I whispered, "It's moving."
His chin lifted, and he laughed out loud. Guttural sounds I'd not heard from him.
I lay beside him like he did with me and touched him. All the amusement disappeared as I explored every inch with careful fingers. My mouth and body were naturally salivating. A pulse between my legs and an itchy core let me know this was more than okay— The abrupt rustling in the plants outside made me jump off the bed and rush to the window.
Soren clutched my shoulder and pulled me in behind him. Shoving the window wide. He stuck his head out. Mine went out beside his. I listened and closed my eyes. "How many?"
"Two. Heavy. Men." My eyes jumped open. Soren closed the windows and this time pulled the curtains. "Who?"
"The auctions get everyone riled up. I won't be surprised if it's a spurned suitor."
"F— why. They'll be killed. It's not allowed."
"No… But so will you, just for being there… Be careful, will you?"
"Yeah. I'll always be with you, won't I?"
"Yes. Until you're sick of me."
At that moment, I didn't think I ever could be and circled his length. He drew in breath, slow and reverent. Back and forth I moved, looking at what I was doing. Soren's fingers curled behind my head, and he caught my lips. This fervor I liked. I had to be doing something right.
I increased my pace as his lips stumbled and his breathing accelerated. He took hold of my shoulders and rocked with my motions. One hand slid to my breast. He kneaded hard as he thrust even faster. I tightened my hold slightly. His hips jerked a few times. Groans on his lips. The wetness on my palm surprised me. He grabbed my wrist and slowed me—to end his own finish.
I had a lot to learn and let go, feeling a little stupid.
Soren's hold on my wrist tightened, and he pulled me to the bathroom, pushing my hand under the tap.
"Are you angry?"
His fingers released me. "Sorry, no."
My body was complaining while I washed my hands, the lust not satisfied. I ached for something else to happen. More. There had to be more.
I watched as he cleaned himself. Frustration on his brow and in his hands. What was wrong? He tossed the tissue and headed my way.
Our eyes met in the middle. I searched his face. Never before had I seen this look on him. Soren wrapped his arms around me and kissed me, carrying me to the bed. Naked skin against skin, it felt so right. How our mouths moved. We landed together. His thighs worked my legs apart. I couldn't stop touching him. Wanting him. New smells urged me on. However, Soren stopped moving, shaking his head. "I almost forgot," he said breathlessly. His touch changed. Rubbing my thigh and sliding his thumb between my legs. First teasing and the same at my entrance, all the while devouring my breast.
I complained when he let me go, gliding down my leg to my ankle. Unlocking his lips, he looked at his own touches on my skin. He gripped and pushed my foot toward my ass. His gaze came back to mine to hold for a moment as he rolled onto his other hip. Soren teased me for longer while giving my other breast attention.
By the time he took hold of my other ankle and opened my body entirely I was desperate. Soren evened out over me, resting on two elbows. He inched closer, cushioning against me. His hand drifted. I breathed deeply. The anticipation was too much. I leaned up to kiss him, but fell back when soft skin touched mine and he rubbed himself all over me. "I'm sorry I couldn't wait."
Firmly poised at my core, and more pressure than before, I arched my back, pushing my breasts out. Another thrust deeper and deeper. Hard thighs crowned mine fully. He pulled back and slid in. "Aahh." He stayed there in a repetitive rhythm, stretching me, making me comfortable with what was happening. The next one, he pushed through, filling me thoroughly. My nails dug into his skin. He rolled his hips, moving inside me. I opened my eyes. Soren's glistening spirals between all the black bore into mine. Relief. I wasn't the only one overcome.
"Are you okay?"
I nodded, touching his face and anywhere I could, not really knowing what my part was. Soren rocked even harder. I groaned with pleasure. He released satisfied grunts as he withdrew and thrust in. I held his eyes, wanting to see his reactions. A deep, primitive need settled on his features. Even in his manifestation, he was engulfed with emotions. The pull around his nose and lips. The subtle smile as he drove in.
It stopped hurting, and our bodies made new noises. Wet. My feet slipped a little. I lowered my legs. Soren rested on me, chest to chest, lips to lips. We melded together in a way that defied reason. I gasped softly, my own flame ignited by the slow ride of lust. My breasts begged to be caressed. As if anticipating my needs, he lifted one side of his chest and rubbed a nipple. Firmly taking me in hand, kneading in intervals matching his rhythm. I moaned. Forgot how to breathe. Every building wave begged to break.
A little more raw and faster, he rolled into me. Our mouths panted against the others, and reason turned into wicked delight. I rippled with pleasure as he sent me over, grunting loudly against my ear, our bodies moving together—coming together.
Soren seductively rode the last surges from our bodies. My manifestation dropped as my muscles melted. I licked my lips and could finally see his with my own. We were both exposed. Lust turned to love. Emotions built in my chest. I loved him so much. He was so good to me. Patient and kind.
For the longest time, we stared at one another, taking the time to remember this moment. Our limbs connected and intertwined. "I love you, Soren."
"I love you too, Julie… I'm sorry."
"Don't be. It was perfect… I wanted something. Needed this. And you knew."
"I didn't. It's my first time too, remember."
A hopeful smile spread over my lips. "Nothing? No prostitutes like the army?"
"No, Julie! I only want your hands on me. This life with you."
"So you will never—"
"No! Never."
"When will we do the branding?"
"Whenever you're ready. If you never are… We leave it."
"I am… I want to know if you really love me."
Now Soren's smile was ridiculously smug. "What will you do if it doesn't work?" I looked away, pouting my lips in a sulk. He pulled my chin toward him again. "What will we do if it doesn't work?"
"Well, it won't be my fault." Soren laughed and kissed me. I wrapped my arms around his neck. "I know it's not the time to talk about my parents." Soren laughed again and sucked on my bottom lip as I tried to speak. "But my mom said if I want to get pregnant, I should lift my legs into the air."
Soren gently groaned, pulling himself from my body.
He grabbed my ankles and swiveled me. I planted my feet against the wall.
"I think you're mom was joking. It's an old wives' tale, but hey, if it makes you happy, I'll do it too." Soren made himself comfortable. "You never said you wanted kids."
I took his hand and kissed it. "If you don't—"
"I do. Very much."
"I think that's one thing that will never change about me."
Soren head swiveled to look at me. "What do you mean?" he asked with a note of tension.
"Family. I… just want a big family. Always did. So, a boy or a girl?"
"Hm? I… think if you want to stay here, a boy… If we leave either one."
"Have you managed to figure it out?"
"I have… If the branding works."
I huffed. I was sure it wouldn't be my fault… What if Soren didn't love me like that? What then? "Tomorrow."
"I hope your father's ready."
***
Soren's brow glistened in the firelight, and his arm around my shoulders kept tightening, relaxing. I wiped my own sweaty hands on my pants for the hundredth time. We could only stare at the poker, at the chair, the ropes, and a… gag. My chest closed like a vice around my lungs, the longer it took.
My eyes and thoughts drifted to my uncle. The first time I met him was at the auction. If he hadn't come to the compound, Soren would never have been able to afford me. He only came because Soren went to find him on one of his trips outside. Sam had contacted Qadir on my twenty-first. Planned to lie to him. Convince Qadir to hold this special event where I could maybe get lost in a crowd. In disguise, it was for Marcus and Louis… To find second wives. My lip curled. Louis. The condescending one. It oozed out of the man. What his poor wife must go through. A shudder ran through my shoulders.
"What? You changed your mind." Soren asked.
All I could do was shake my head. "No. I was thinking about Qadir. Louis. Our consequences when they find out." My gaze met my uncle's. His features were friendly and inviting. Stern yet sweet in a way. No mess yet no fuss either. He also didn't think it was a problem. At all.
He smiled. "You don't have to worry about a thing… Everything will be alright." I rolled my eyes. He laughed. "Okay, you ready… For screaming purposes, Juliet, try to think happy thoughts."
I took the first step.
The men worked quickly to tie body parts. Why? I didn't know… Did they think I'd pull away at the last second? Or maybe, if it didn't work and I moved too much, I'd end up with a blotchy scar. Five years was long enough to get used to the idea; although I didn't fully understand how this strange, supernatural possibility would suddenly change the rules. If it worked. Again, I doubted Soren. What would happen if it didn't? This nagging feeling was unfamiliar. A sense. I just wanted it over.
I tested my wrists, moving them around. They hurt enough. I wasn't going anywhere. The chair was secure. "Okay?" Sam asked. I drew in a breath. He softly shoved a rag into my mouth. My dad placed his knee on my back.
"Soren, you're up."