Vampire: A Dark Protectors/Rebels Novella by Rebecca Zanetti (love letters to the dead .txt) 📕

“I’m sure,” she whispered, unable to say anything else. She wanted him. Forever.

A blinding pain sizzled into her hip just as he leaned over her and sliced his fangs into her neck. She catapulted into an orgasm so intense she could only close her eyes and sob his name. Over and over, there was only Raine Maxwell. Finally, her body released her from the whirlwind, and she went lax.

He ground against her and came, his body bucking violently. His fangs retracted, and he licked her wound clean before releasing her.

She flopped to the bed with her eyes already closing. Exhausted. “Raine.”

“I’m here, sweetheart.” He wrapped around her, settling the bedcovers over them. Then he gently kissed her head and smoothed her hair away from her face. “Are you all right?”

“Sleepy,” she mumbled, already falling into dreamland. He spooned her from behind, and safety had never felt so good or warm. “Love you, Raine.”

His breath caught against her back, and he held her tighter. “I love you, too. No matter what, Mariana. It’s you and me forever.” He caressed her arm to hold her hand, his big and broad around hers. “Trust me.”

“I do,” she said, meaning every word, trying to fight sleep. She should enjoy this moment. It was a big one. “Am I immortal yet?”

His chuckle stirred her hair. “No. That takes a little time. You are mated, though.”

Yeah. Her hip felt like it was on fire. “You transferred the marking?”

“Yes. I’ll still have one on my hand, but it’ll be lighter and won’t burn me so often.” He kissed her head again. “Go to sleep.”

He was already getting bossy with her. On that thought, she grinned and went to sleep.

Chapter 15

Mariana stretched herself awake against a hard male body. She was sore in all sorts of interesting places but had never felt more alive. “Do you still love me?” she murmured.

“More than ever.” His lips were still against her head. “Want me to show you?”

She stretched again and then winced. “I might need a break.”

He kissed her. “No break.” Then he chuckled. His phone rang, and he stretched one long arm over her to take it from the bedside table.

Little tingles erupted where their skin touched. Maybe she didn’t need a break.

“Maxwell,” he answered. Then he sighed and stiffened. “No, Sheriff. You can talk to my attorney.” He listened for a while. “Are you serious?”

Mariana turned over to face him and then definitely felt like she didn’t need a break. A lock of dark hair had fallen on his forehead and sexy scruff covered his decidedly sculpted jaw. His eyes were a mellow moss green in the morning.

He rolled those eyes. “Fine.” Then that jaw hardened. “Mariana is fine, thank you. She does not need to attend.” He ended the call.

She indulged herself by running her palm along his whiskers. “What’s going on?”

“The sheriff assures me that charges won’t be filed but one of his deputies has a new lead on your stalker and somehow I’m involved so he wants to talk to me. He assures me I’m a victim and not a suspect.” The dryness of Raine’s voice made her chuckle.

“You’re a victim? Ha.” She leaned in to kiss his jaw.

“Right. I’m going to get this over with.” He sat up and pressed the phone to his ear. “Hey, Cade. I mated Mariana last night. Could you get the word out to the Kurjans that they’re too late? I think they’re wrapped up enough with other fights that they’ll let this one go. Yeah. Agreed. And there’s no way they know about our real enemies, so I’m not worried about that. Yet.” He ended the call.

Mariana sat up, and her mouth watered. The male had a very fine chest. “You just tell the Kurjans that kind of news?”

“Not usually.” His grin was too sexy to be boyish this morning. “But they have a lot going on, so this is a loss they’ll just have to suck up. I’m not worried about it, and Cade will get the message to them.”

Well, that was one relief, at least. “When will you be back?” She could make a nice breakfast for them. While she should be feeling a little shy or overwhelmed, in truth, she felt fantastic. Like she should awaken next to Raine every morning. She grinned.

He grinned back. “I’m happy, too.”

Now that was exactly what she’d wanted to hear. “I’ll make breakfast while you’re gone.”

“Nope.” He lifted the phone to his ear again and dialed. “Hey, Tabi. Can Mariana hang with you for about an hour while I go deal with the sheriff? Yeah? No problem. Thanks.” He tossed the phone on the bed and moved for his duffle on the floor.

Mariana stood. “I don’t need a babysitter. I’ll be fine here.” She twisted to see the marking on her hip. A perfect M with jagged lines. It looked like an intricate tattoo. “Wow.”

His eyes flared. “That’s beautiful.”

It really was. She rocked back on her heels and stretched. “I like it.”

“Good thing.” He yanked on jeans and reached for a shirt.

“I’m staying here, Raine.” She looked around for her nightie but didn’t see it. Oh well. She should get dressed anyway.

“No.” He put on the shirt and padded toward the bathroom. “You’re not immortal yet, and I want the demoness around just in case. We still don’t know who was stalking you.”

Mariana put her hands on her hips. “Is this what you meant about your word being law?”

“It’s a start.” He disappeared into the bathroom.

Well, they were not going to continue in this vein, but for now, she didn’t mind talking to Tabi about this whole immortality situation. So she hurried to dress. After brushing her teeth and putting her hair in a ponytail, she put on a minimum of makeup and met Raine in the living room. “I hope you know I’m going along with this because I want to see Tabi.”

“Okay.” Raine took her out to a new