A Hunter's Heart [The Hunters 1] (Siren Publishing Classic) Read online

  Charlotte blushed to think this man had found them. She supposed he realised a woman on her own needed something, but it was still embarrassing.

  “Scumpa mea te iubesc atât de mult,” he murmured in her ear. “My dearest, I love you so much. Never think your sexuality is something to be embarrassed about.”

  Charlotte could not believe it was possible for someone to feel so happy and so much in love as she was. This man had turned her world upside-down in just five days and she could not imagine her life without him. They lay in contented silence for another hour then Matei said, “Come, woman, we need to shop.”

  After showering, they drove to the local supermarket. Charlotte had wanted to go to one further away but Matei told her she must face her fears, so she parked in almost the same spot as the Tuesday before when the vampire had stalked her. Matei opened her door and kissed her before they walked arm in arm into the shop. She felt embarrassed by some of the stares they received, knowing the people were thinking how wrong it was for a woman to be with a man young enough to be her son, but Matei told her they were only jealous of her beauty and to ignore them.

  He took delight in choosing the ingredients for the meal he was going to cook her. While he sorted through the vegetables he wanted and she needed, Charlotte grabbed milk, a packet of macadamia nuts, and some fresh tofu. When she returned to the fresh-fruit section, Matei had filled the trolley with half the store.

  “Just how much do you think we are going to eat, Hotshot?”

  He had the grace to look embarrassed. “I may have gotten carried away but do not worry, we will use it all. I found strawberries too.”

  He grinned at her with that sexy eyebrow raised and she felt her pulse race wondering just what he had in mind for them. She thought it best to get him out of the shop before he found other things in use in their lovemaking. The man seemed to find sexy ideas for anything. They went through the register and took their shopping back home.

  Matei settled her on a chair and proceeded to chop, slice and dice. He rummaged in her pantry, muttering to himself, then emerged with some wild rice. Every now and again, he would drop a kiss on her lips or feed her a slice of something. He seemed to be having fun and Charlotte hid a smile at his enjoyment.

  Finally, he placed a dish in the oven to cook, set the rice steaming and came to stand behind her. He leant his chin on the top of her head, his arms wrapped around her, then said wickedly, “I think we will leave the fruit for later. I have plans on how we should eat them.”

  Charlotte did not dare ask what he had in mind, she was learning that this man enjoyed surprising and challenging her with their lovemaking. He dropped into the seat alongside and they chatted idly while the food finished cooking. Once it was ready, he placed a plate in front of her.

  There were green beans with a sauce made from tomatoes, dill and parsley, the wild rice, some broccoli and cauliflower in a cheesy parmesan sauce. She found it delicious and had to admit the man could cook. He gave her a look that said “I told you so” before sitting alongside her and tucking in.

  Once they finished eating Matei pulled her to her feet and took her outside. It was cool but he put a blanket around her shoulders before pulling her down onto his lap. It was relaxing to sit on the deck looking up between the trees to the clear sky marked with stars.

  “Do any of your brothers or sisters have partners? I know you said your younger sister doesn’t but what about the others?”

  “My other sister found her partner about seven hundred years ago, they have a son who has also found his partner. Two of my brothers are also happily mated. My young brother is still searching, he is the youngest in the family. My parents decided they would have another child three hundred years ago so he is a very much a baby compared to the rest of us.”

  “I bet he hates being called that.” Laughing, she added, “I imagine you don’t let him forget it either.”

  He tried to look affronted but spoilt it by starting to laugh. “It is true, we do tease him about it.”

  They sat comfortably for an hour or so until Charlotte felt the cold seeping through her. Matei stood her up and they went back inside. She was surprised to see it was almost eleven.

  “Come, Iubită, it’s time for you to get some sleep. I know it’s hard to adjust to the hours I’m awake and I appreciate your efforts, but you need to sleep.”

  She allowed him to lead her to the bedroom. It was true she was tired, in fact, if she was honest she was having trouble keeping her eyes open. Settling her in bed, Matei lay down beside her and watched as she slipped into sleep.

  After a while he went out to the family room to speak with Mihăiță. It would be good to see him tomorrow night. He hoped Louisa would be able to answer some of the many questions he knew Charlotte had.

  By five o’clock in the morning, he could not resist the temptation to wake Charlotte any longer. He knew he should let her sleep but she roused such intense feelings in him that he just could no longer ignore. He walked into the bedroom. Smiling to himself, he picked up the strawberries as he walked past.

  He had put her to bed naked the last night so it was an easy matter to pull the covers from her so he could drink his fill of her body. He laid a line of strawberries from between her breasts to end in the curly hair covering hidden delights. On all fours he straddled her body then began to kiss her awake. She responded even though she was half-asleep. He then felt her hand begin to move over his back. Deepening the kiss, he used his tongue to explore, his passions rising along with his cock.

  Breaking the kiss, he leant back on his heels and Charlotte looked down her body at the line of berries. Her eyes widened as he picked up the first berry with his teeth and placed it in her mouth. She chewed the fruit then swallowed it, watching as he picked up a second, third and fourth, each time placing it in her mouth to eat.

  The final strawberry was nestled in her hair and she watched his eyes as he grasped it in his teeth to deliver it to her mouth. Reaching to the side, he produced more berries and, taking one, he rubbed it between her legs, sliding it across her clit then poking it into her slit. He took it out with his teeth and ate it then dipped another in. Charlotte held her breath as he pushed it into her. This time when he removed the berry with his teeth he placed it into her mouth but held the end firmly in his mouth.

  She bit down on it, the juices running down her chin. He swallowed his piece and then licked the trail of juice from her chin. Never before had Charlotte eaten strawberries in such an erotic way. She knew she would never look at the fruit again without being reminded of this morning. She could feel her own juices dripping between her legs as her excitement rose.

  He put the strawberries down. It was obvious he had been in her drawer again when he lifted a vibrator and held it in front of her mouth, ordering her to lick it. Charlotte felt her breath quicken in anticipation. When he was satisfied, he ran it along her body starting at her chin. As he arrived at her thatch, Charlotte thought she would climax just thinking of what he was about to do.

  He ran the vibrator up and down her slit, sliding and slipping it between the folds but never inserting it. She wanted to grab his hand and force him to put it into her but he shook his head. He continued to tease as he rubbed it along her clit and between her legs. Finally, she gasped as he pushed it into her soaking slit. He held it still, trying to hold her orgasm back before sliding it back and forth inside her. Charlotte was lost. Screaming, her climax overtook her and Matei removed it to insert his cock in its place, reveling in the sensations as her muscles grabbed onto it. He jerked in and out as hard as he could until he too climaxed.

  They lay in a post-coital embrace, sated and sweaty. Charlotte, with her head on his chest, could hear his heart matching beats with her own. This man took her to heights she never knew existed and she luxuriated in them.

  Chapter Seventeen

  Charlotte was not at all surprised that she fell asleep again. She and Matei had lain entwined in each other’s arms af
ter their lovemaking and both had sunk into sleep. She stretched and felt refreshed after the best natural sleep she had in the past week. Tonight Matei’s friends would be arriving and she felt very nervous at meeting them.

  Leaving their bed, she decided to indulge in a bath. Grabbing her book, she filled the spa bath and sank into its warm depth. Lying there reading, she felt all her cares and worries slip away. Relaxing in the tub until finally it began getting cold, she dressed and went into the kitchen.

  It would make sense to get things organised for tonight, that way all she would have to do was throw things in the pan when they were ready to eat. The tofu could marinate in the chili for the remainder of the day. Perfect, she thought. Once done, she spent the rest of the time painting.

  By four, she decided she would lay down for a while with Matei. Charlotte wanted to be awake as long as possible tonight. There were things she wanted to learn and she was looking forward to meeting Louisa.

  There were so many questions she had about being converted. Although Matei had been honest about answering her, he could not explain things fully as he had always been a Hunter. She wondered if it had hurt him when he had accepted his destiny and became Hunter when he was thirty.

  Still, Louisa had been human once. She would know exactly how Charlotte felt and how much pain was involved. She could also tell her what her family knew about her and how they had reacted over the years as they aged and she had not. Charlotte had to admit she wanted to convert, she wanted to spend eternity with Matei and it was only concern for her son and his family that prevented her from jumping in and doing it now, although they had already made two exchanges.

  Maybe once she and Louisa talked she would be clearer in her mind about the future.

  She also had to admit that she wanted to know what they planned to do about the vampire. It must be destroyed, before it could kill many more people. She was not naive enough to think that it had not already killed since it attacked her. It had not taken much of her blood—most of her blood loss was from the vampire not sealing the wound on her wrist.

  After cleaning her brushes, Charlotte made her way to bedroom and was about to settle down beside Matei. He was still sleeping, the covers thrown to the side. Feeling wicked she decided to take a leaf from his book and wake him the way he had woken her. Removing her clothes, she carefully got onto the bed. She leant over and began to lick his nipple until it peaked. With one hand, she began to rub across his groin, cupping his testicles then stroking his penis.

  As his shaft rose to greet her, she risked a glance at his face and saw those intense green eyes open wide with desire. She grasped its length with her hand and began to stroke, all the while sucking and licking his nipple. He moaned as she bit softly on his nipple. Linking minds, she felt his excitement as he felt her teeth on his chest and her hand on his cock. Her heart began to race as they shared arousals. Moisture pooling between her legs, she dropped her other hand to stroke herself. Matei knew what she was doing and wanted to watch her. He pushed her off him and knelt beside her.

  “Show me,” he said huskily and she obliged by inserting one finger into her dripping slit.

  His eyes watched her as she rubbed and thrust into herself until he could take it no longer. Grabbing her hand, he put her fingers into his mouth and sucked them before substituting his hand in her. She moved on his fingers and put her mouth to his, tongues intertwined as both explored their passion.

  Matei withdrew his fingers and thrust his tumescent cock into her instead. Wrapping her legs around him, her hands running over his back, they matched pace thrusting with each other. Once again, Charlotte wanted to scratch and bite, wondering if it was her thoughts or his. In the end, she decided it did not matter as he pumped into her. His shoulder was close to her mouth and without caring, she bit down on it. Instantly he reached out with one hand to slash where she had bitten. Almost overwhelmed by intense desire she began to suck as Matei pounded and thrust into her.

  She knew the minute his fangs slid forward and sank into her neck and she screamed with pleasure. Sensations swam over her.

  How his cock felt to him as he thrust into her as well as her own muscles gripping it.

  His fangs in her neck, sucking.

  The taste of his blood in her mouth, while at the same time she could taste her own as he drank.

  Feeling his hand kneading one breast and twisting her nipple. How it felt to him. If it was possible to die from pleasure Charlotte was sure she was about to find out.

  Her orgasm was rising in time with Matei’s. Charlotte was so completely lost in the sensations that she could not tell which were hers and which were Matei’s, so she just went wherever the rising tide took her.

  What a ride that was!

  Matei increased his thrusts, and she matched him all the while. His fingers continued tweaking her nipple, and she knew she had scratched his back at some point. Riding on the plateau, he gave a deep thrust and held his cock deep in her. Crying out she felt her muscles clench tight on it and then ripple as her orgasm took her to even new heights, Matei close behind with his own climax.

  Somehow, they ended up on their sides, facing each other with one of her legs thrown over him. His cock was still inside her and she reveled in the feeling. They lay completed sated and bathed in sweat. Wrapped together in comfortable silence, they lay for a while until Charlotte remembered they were expecting guests.

  Reluctantly she went to stand, saying, “I think I’d better shower. I would hate your friends to catch us in bed still.”

  Matei laughed and pulled her back to him. “Mihăiță would be jealous that he had to travel and not make love to his mate.”

  “Where are they staying while they are here?”

  “I told them to go to my house. It makes sense for them to stay there while I am here with you and my home is empty.”

  “Oh. I didn’t realise you had a house.” She laughed. “Silly, I mean, you have to live somewhere. What is your home like?”

  “You’ll love it, Cara. It’s on a beach but as I own the surrounding acres. None can use it except us and it lies amid bush land. A Hunter friend, who is also now an architect, designed it for me to fit into the natural surrounds.

  “I’ve only been here for four years but already I love this country. When I was posted here I agreed to stay at least one hundred years, so it seemed sensible to build my own home.”

  “I thought unattached males prefer only short terms?”

  “That’s true, but after so many years, I tired of moving around. Truthfully I had almost given up hope of meeting my mate. My last three assignments have all been long term.”

  “Well, I am very glad you like my country and even happier that your assignment is long term.”

  “We’ll have to travel around this area, Cara. I’m expected to routinely check a very big area but we will enjoy it. You will be able to paint in so many different places.”

  “You said a Hunter was an architect. Do all Hunters have some other business as well?”

  “Yes, Cara, it makes sense to have some profession. It generates income and it gives us an interest beside hunting.”

  She kissed him soundly then said, “Come on, Hotshot, you can wash my back if you are good.”

  He cocked his eyebrow and replied, “I am always good.”

  With that, Charlotte burst into laughter as she dragged him off to the bathroom. He managed to behave enough to wash her back, but then she giggled to herself when he began to wash her front and lingered on her breasts. Removing the washcloth from his hands, she told him he could wash himself for misbehaving. He grinned and proceeded to rub his hand up and down the length of his cock, his eyebrow raised. Charlotte burst out laughing and left the shower.

  “Come on, Hotshot, or I’ll tell your friends you were late because you were jacking off in the shower.”

  He planted a smack on her bottom as she fled the room laughing. She dressed carefully, only to have Matei throw her on the bed and k
iss her soundly when he came out of the bathroom. They walked out into the family room holding hands, with Matei assuring her she would pay for her actions.

  Chapter Eighteen

  “Cara, relax.” Matei laughed. “You’re wearing a path in the floor with your pacing.”

  “Sorry, Matei, but I can’t help it.”

  Charlotte was more than nervous. It had been a shock when she had discovered what Matei was and now she was going to have two more Hunters in her home. After the past few days filled with Hunters and vampires and explaining to her children, Charlotte felt she was on overload, and frankly a little scared.

  He grabbed her hand as she passed for the umpteenth time and pulled her onto his lap.

  “I understand how your life has turned upside-down in just a few days, Iubită, but please don’t worry. Nothing can harm you, no one will frighten you. Relax.”

  Charlotte tried to wrap herself in the comfort of his arms but she was just too tense to do more than sit.

  “They are here.”

  Charlotte jumped to her feet, her heart pounding. Matei wrapped his arm around her shoulder and gave her a squeeze.

  “Come, let us greet them.”

  “You can open the door and let them in, Matt, they know you.”

  “Alas, Iubită, I cannot. This is your home and you must allow them entry the first time.” He looked down into her face. “Relax, my beloved.” And he kissed her.

  They walked to the door, Matei keeping his arm around her shoulders, Harley trying to get there first. Charlotte could feel herself shaking. She took a deep breath and opened the door.

  Matei laughed and said, “My brother, my sister of my heart.”

  “May I enter your home? May you give me permission to enter?” Mihăiță asked in a deep melodic voice.

  “Yes,” Charlotte squeaked. She cleared her throat. “Of course. Please come inside.”

  She and Matei stepped back to give them entry, giving Harley the chance he had waited for. He pushed past them and lunged at Mihăiță and Louisa, trying to lick their faces.