Amour éternel

Epilogue

Ryder thought back to the vision that had first drawn him to Anaïs and realized that he had forgotten all about it till that very moment. They had just made love near a cove that Anaïs claimed she had never seen during her trips around the Greek isles. They hadn’t been looking for it; in fact, they had gotten a bit lost on their way home, and had very nearly run the yacht aground. 

It was his idea to explore the little cove, her idea to step naked into the ocean and drive him crazy. Ryder lounged back against a rock as she tied the strings of her bikini top so that her breasts were once again hidden from him. 

“I did have a vision about this you know,” he said, “I just didn’t remember till just now.”

Anaïs looked up at him and smiled. She left her shorts unbuttoned and didn’t bother to pull her shirt on. She stepped between his legs, cupped his cheek in her hand, and rested her forehead against his. 

“Let’s do it now,” she whispered.

Ryder knew exactly what she meant and although it caused his heart to skip a beat, he knew there was no reason to drag out the inevitable. His hands slipped into the pocket of her shorts and pulled her flush against him. 

“Alright,” he whispered back, tilting his neck to give her access, “do it.”

Anaïs felt a tightening inside her as her eyes closed in on his throat. She could envision the blood coursing through his veins, spreading through his body, warm and silky. She hadn’t changed a human before, but she knew how it went. She hadn’t expected it to be so… seductive. 

Anaïs turned his face so she could watch him as her hand moved between them and cupped him through his shorts.

“I want you,” she nearly growled. 

Ryder didn’t know if it was a part of the process, but he certainly wasn’t one to say no to sex. As her lips found his, he ripped the strings that held her bikini together and cupped her breasts in both hands. The gasp she released was part moan part hiss. Her body writhed against his as they struggled against fabric to reach flesh. Hands moved over curves and planes and found spots that drove them crazy with desire. 

Ryder lifted Anaïs so that her legs wound around his waist. He held her up with one arm, finding strength he hadn’t known he had, and used the other to position himself between her legs. 

The instant he pushed into her, Anaïs sunk her fangs into his throat. There were mutual groans of pleasure as he moved inside her. 

When they were both near the peak, Anaïs bit her wrist and offered it. 

Without a word, without a pause, Ryder closed his lips over the wound and took his first gulp. It was repulsing, he nearly pushed it away, but soon the liquid changed flavor and became a form of pleasure. He didn’t find the will to stop until he felt Anaïs become limp. He lifted her into his arms and although he felt as if he were in a daze, he was able to carry her to the yacht. The moment he placed her on the bed, however, all the strength left his body and he followed her into the black abyss that is unconsciousness. 

****

“How do you feel?” Ryder asked when Anaïs emerged from the bedroom. 

Ryder was at the helm, his white button-up shirt open and moving with the wind.

“I should be asking you that. Feel any different?”

Anaïs leaned against the doorway. She hoped he was content with the change but if he wasn’t… and angry vampire, especially a recently made one, could be a dangerous thing. 

“Very different. Why so anxious?” Ryder asked. 

His new senses were astounding. He saw more than he had before, heard more, felt more- he could somehow feel the anxiety coming from her body in waves. 

“I thought you may be angry. I haven’t changed anyone before. I wasn’t sure what to expect.”

“Come here,” Ryder said.

Anaïs looked at his outstretched arm and placed her hand in his. When he pulled her against him, all doubt left her. He was the same man he had been and he was happy; she could see that.

“I love you Anaïs,” he smiled, “I’m exactly where, and how, I want to be. Are you?”

Anaïs wrapped her arms around his waist, feeling as if she had walked into a dream. She pressed a kiss against his chest where his immortal heart beat softly and smiled up at him. 

“I’m with you,“ she answered, “and that’s the only place I want to be.”