Surrender to the Darkness

SURRENDER TO THE DARKNESS SHIELA STEWART

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SURRENDER TO THE DARKNESS Copyright © SHIELA STEWART, 2008 Cover art by BEVERLY MAXWELL

Linden Bay Romance, LLC Palm Harbor, Florida 34684 www.lindenbayromance.com

This is a work of fiction and any resemblance to persons, living or dead, or business establishments, events or locales is coincidental. All Rights Are Reserved. No part of this may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever with out written permission, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

Shiela Stewart

Red rose petals lay scattered over the white satin bed. Candles illuminated the room with a soft glow that flickered against the walls in a seductive dance. Music played quietly from some unseen stereo, a song of love and devotion. He took her hands in his as he led her into the room. Her heart was pounding beneath her chest, making her lightheaded and giddy. This man she was about to give herself too was no ordinary man. He had a dark persona, his hair, a satiny shade of coal that fell along a strong elegant face, his clothing black and suited perfectly to his firm, trim body. And every time she looked at him she was lost in the love she felt for him. “My Trinity. So sweet, so innocent, so trusting. I ask you tonight to be mine, to allow me to give to you what no other can give to you. To show you a world filled with endless possibilities. To spend this day and all the days of our life together as one.” He lifted their joined hands to 1

Surrender to the Darkness his chest and kept those gorgeous ice blue eyes steady on hers. She always melted when he looked at her. “Do you wish to be mine?” The words came so easily to her that there was no pause for thought. “Yes.” She wanted him like she’d never wanted anyone before in her life. When he looked at her, when he was with her she knew everything in her life would be alright. “I want to be yours, Basil.” He drew her closer and with elegant rhythm he touched his lips to hers. The kiss was soft, sensual and made her pulse soar. As it always did. Slowly, she felt him back her towards the bed. She’d never been with a man before, never let one do what she was about to let Basil do, and though she was nervous, she was not about to stop. He released her hands to cup her face in his palms. She had no idea what to do with her hands other than putting them on his hips. While his lips caressed hers, his hands slid down her face and over her throat to the buttons on her plaid shirt. She quivered when he undid the first button. “I won’t hurt you, but if you want to stop—” “I’m okay. I want this,” she reassured him, then to show him she meant what she said she released the next few buttons. “I want you.” 2

Shiela Stewart He parted her shirt and kissed her neck and shoulders as he slid the fabric away. “Beautiful.” She knew she was blushing by the heat in her cheeks. He took her lips again; this time the kiss was a little more urgent. She felt his fingers skim over the bare flesh on her arms before settling on the snap of her jeans. Telling herself to stay calm, she tried to focus on the way his lips felt on hers. So soft, so sweet and so tender. Then he drew the zipper down and her heart began to drum wildly. Was it fear or anticipation? Both. Her hands rested on his shoulders and she could feel his dark hair brush over her knuckles when he angled his head as he kissed her. Then he released her, looking deeply into her eyes before pressing his lips to her neck. She was sure he could tell how nervous she was and maybe that was why he was being so gentle. For that she was grateful. His lips touched her chest with a soft kiss, then he repeated the action as he worked his way down her body. He knelt before her, his head tilted up as he drew her jeans past her hips. She felt awkward just standing there in her underwear. Then he kissed her belly, and her body ignited with a fire that scorched her inside and out. She stepped out of her jeans and he stood to face her. “I knew from the very first moment I set my eyes on you 3

Surrender to the Darkness that you were mine. My heart beats for you.” He took her hand in his and placed it over his heart. “I promise you now that I will always be yours.” Her eyes burnt with tears. And she surrendered to him completely. He released the clasp on her bra, then drew each strap down slowly while kissing her shoulders tenderly. As he drew it down, it fell to the floor in a silent heap. He cupped her full breast in his palms and twirled the nipples with his thumb. Then lowering, he replaced his mouth with his thumbs, kissing each nipple, still holding her breasts in his hands. His eyes lifted to hers as he took one into his mouth. She threw her head back and moaned. It was an odd sensation, his warm wet mouth on her nipple, suckling, nibbling, teasing, and it made her body tingle. He released one and went to the next. Each time he drew it in his mouth her body reacted with an electric sizzle. She found her hands cupping his head and holding him against her breasts. He removed his shirt as he suckled her and when the black silky fabric fell to the floor she saw the muscles in his shoulders bunch. He stood to meet her gaze and she admired the strength in his chest. 4

Shiela Stewart Then he scooped her into his arms and carried her to the bed. The satin fabric felt cool and silky pressed against her naked flesh. She could feel the cool rose petals in her back. He looked down at her with such devotion she felt herself falling even deeper in love. “I don’t want to disappoint you.” Cupping her chin in his hand, he responded softly. “You could never disappoint me, my fiery princess.” “Why do you call me that?” He smiled as he kissed her forehead. “You have a fire in your eyes telling me there is spirit hidden deep within you. I want to bring that out.” “I don’t know what to do.” She was so nervous and scared she would let him down. What if after they were finished he changed him mind? “You will.” He kissed her neck now, then slowly worked his lips down her body, skimming over each breast then down her belly. She quivered and she knew he felt it. When his fingers skimmed along the edge of her panties, she quivered a little more. Then with great ease and delicacy he slid them down her hips, pressing his lips to the exposed skin as he drew them down. She knew all about sex. She wasn’t a complete virgin though no man had ever penetrated her; she knew what to 5

Surrender to the Darkness expect. It wasn't just the act of penetration but so much more. Men liked to get head and to perform oral sex on a woman. Both acts scared the hell out of her. Then his lips touched the tip of her core and the sensation shocked her so deeply her mind went absolutely blank. It was a soft brush of lips, a flutter of breath against damp flesh, but it was incredibly potent. Instinctually, she spread her legs for him. His tongue slid out between her lips, lapping up the juices that were beginning to flow, and her back arched in response. She’d never felt anything as glorious as his mouth, his tongue touching what no man had ever touched before. He quickened his pace, sliding his tongue over her, toying with her, flicking the sensitive bud until she felt something wild come over her. Gripping the bedding, she bucked wildly as her body exploded with a mind numbing orgasm. She lay spent and heard the zipper of his fly come down. Opening her eyes, she watched as she removed his pants. She’d seen penises before, but none close up. Seeing him, his, now, not only made her giddy, but more nervous than she’d been before. Was that supposed to fit inside of her?

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Shiela Stewart “I wanted you to have pleasure before you feel the pain,” he murmured as he climbed on top of her, slipping in between her parted legs. “Will you still have me?” She drew in a deep breath and nodded. She wanted him, despite what he’d just said. “But slowly.” “As slow as you like, my love.” He kissed her now, a soft parting of lips and a gentle caress of his tongue. She felt him as he pressed to her core, felt the tip as it slid between and inside. His mouth seduced her and while he held himself up on one hand, he used to other to stroke the side of her body soothingly. “Open a little more,” he whispered against her lips, and she did. “Do you know what I am, Trinity?” She nodded, her eyes lost in his. “What I truly am?” “Yes,” she panted, her body suddenly aching for more. “Will you allow me to take you completely?” “Yes,” she said breathlessly. “Then all of you I shall have.” He pulled his lips back and his fangs gleamed in the candle light. Yes, she knew what he was, had suspected right from the beginning. She didn’t know why it didn’t frighten her, why he’d never frightened her. From the very first moment he had come to her when she’d been 7

Surrender to the Darkness grieving in her parent’s back yard, she’d known he was no ordinary man. Basil Hawthorne was a vampire. She turned her head to the side and spread her legs even further. In one sharp thrust he penetrated her, then sunk his fangs into her neck. “Take me, take all of me.” He drank from her and she could feel the pulling as he sucked the blood from her veins. His hips pistoned inside of her but the pain wasn’t as bad as she’d expected. There was no fear now, only a desire so great it overcame her. She felt her body give to him, and felt herself begin to float away. She felt no pain now. No grief, no loss. She saw the smiles of her parents and sister right before they’d left for their ski trip and it filled her heart completely. She’d been so lost when they’d died, until Basil had entered her life. And now he was giving her anew. There was darkness and it surrounded her. But she wasn't afraid. It was warm and welcoming and covered her in its loving arms. “Drink from me now, my love, and we will be one for now, for tomorrow, for ever.” His voice, always so deep, rumbled out at her now and brought her back. She opened her mouth as he pressed his flesh to her lips and something inside of her 8

Shiela Stewart said, drink. His blood was warm and slipped between her lips slowly, and the instant it touched her throat she began to gag. “Relax, swallow, just swallow,” he murmured. She drank, took him in one gulp at a time, and as his life’s fluid filled her completely she felt herself drifting away. ~ She felt something cool caress her cheek and opening her eyes, could only see a blur of things around her. It was dark, yet she could see as if there were lights on. “I was beginning to worry you would sleep the day away.” Turning her head she saw Basil smiling beside her. He caressed her cheek again; the soft cool sensation reminded her of the rose petals she’d been laying on. Still lay on now. “Basil?” “Yes, my love.” “Am I…dead?” He laughed then kissed her lips. “Vampires aren’t dead, sweetness. You are as alive now as you were before, with enhancements.” “Enhancements?” She sat up and felt the petals fall from her body. She felt…odd. Not hollow like she’d thought, but different. Her body felt…alive. 9

Surrender to the Darkness “You’ll be stronger now, faster. Your hearing will be more keen, and your eyesight is as clear during the daylight as it is at night.” She placed her palm to her chest and was amazed that it still beat. “I can feel my heart beating.” “Your heart beats, your lungs need oxygen, and your pulse will still race when I touch you.” He was right. The instant his lips brushed her shoulder she felt her pulse soar. “Do I have fangs?” She jumped out of his bed and ran to the washroom. Completely naked.

Flipping the light switch on, she

shielded her eyes from the harsh light. Coming in behind her, he clicked it off. “Your eyes will need time to readjust and you’ll need to feed often for the next few days. But yes, you do have fangs.” He stood behind her, looking over her shoulder as she peeled her lips back. And sure enough, there they were. Her incisors were pointed and sharp and…her once hazel eyes were now a bluey green. “Why are my eyes different?” “The impurities in your system have changed the color. But because my blood is royal, pure, you attained my color mixed with yours. The more impure the blood, 10

Shiela Stewart the more the eyes change. Most vampires have yellow eyes.” He was royal. He’d told her once that his father had been a king, but he hadn’t told her much more than that. “I feel so…different.” He skimmed his hands over her arms smiling over her shoulder. “You look more beautiful than ever.” She stared at herself in the mirror. Her long dark brown hair was a little messy, her face was paler than it had been before, she had blue green eyes and she had fangs. She was different, and she loved it. “I want to dye my hair red. Not just any red, blood red.” She spun around smiling, and wrapped her arms around his neck. “And I want to go shopping. I need new clothes.” Laughing, he laid his hands on her hips. “What’s brought this on?” She toyed with his hair. “I’m a new person. God, Basil, if I’d known I would feel like this before, I would have given myself to you weeks ago when you first came to me.” “It wasn't the right time then. Yesterday was.” He lifted her up and spun her around, making her squeal. “And whatever my fiery princess wants, she gets.”

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Surrender to the Darkness “I want a new wardrobe. I want a new look. I’m a new person, but first…” She jumped up and wrapped her legs around his waist. “I want you.” Laughing, he carried her to the bed. This time when she surrendered herself to him, she took with as much as she gave. And for the first time in a very long time, she felt alive.

The End

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About the Author: Shiela Stewart has been writing for the better part of her 40 years, pouring her heart out in words, living a fantasy through the characters she creates. It has always been a dream of hers to have her work published, a dream she has finally seen come to life. When not writing, she is busy working on two websites for organizations she belongs to, tending to her three children, and spending time with the love of her life, William. Shiela has a deep affection for animals and it's evident in the four cats, one dog, eight fish and three turtles she owns.

Aside from writing, she enjoys

sketching, painting, singing and dancing, as well as stargazing, astronomy and astrology. Her favorite time of the day is sunset.

Other available titles by Shiela Stewart: Kidnapped, Linden Bay Romance Secrets of the Dead, Linden Bay Romance Discovery in Passion, Linden Bay Romance Escape in Passion, Linden Bay Romance Mercy in Passion, Linden Bay Romance Seducing the Darkness, Linden Bay Romance Desiring the Darkness, Linden Bay Romance Embracing the Darkness, Linden Bay Romance Charming the Darkness, Linden Bay Romance Penetrating the Darkness, Linden Bay Romance