Lustful Cravings (The Seven Sin Sisters) Read online

  Her dress fell to the floor and he captured his curse in his throat. She removed her panties and bra only to stand nude in front of him. He had no words to describe her body as it was drenched in the candlelight that flickered in the room.

  “I’ll draw your bath.” Anton’s voice was rough with desire as he forced himself to turn and begin preparing for her bath. Settled on the side of the large soaking tub, Anton took in deep breaths to steady himself. No other woman had ever before affected him as Layla.

  Layla stroked his shoulder when she came to stand behind him. “Are you all right, Anton?” Anton swallowed down his overwhelming feeling to flee. He hoped Madden would join them sooner rather than later. He needed his friend and needed to love Layla as he only could with Madden’s guidance.

  “I’m fine. Please sit and relax. I will see if I can garner more information on Madden.”

  Layla used his shoulder for balance as she dipped her toe into the water to test the temperature. Anton noticed she always did this before she settled her full body into the water. The bubbles conformed around her body and hid Layla completely from his view. Anton breathed out a sigh of relief. This was much better. Anton watched silently for a few moments as Layla laid back and closed her eyes.

  “It’s been a difficult day, Layla. Rest and I’ll return soon with news of Madden.”

  * * * *

  It was well after midnight before Madden came to her. Though well loved and cared for by Anton, she needed to feel Madden’s touch to be reassured of his safety. She had refused to go to bed so Anton had laid out a blanket near the fire and held her. She rested but never found her way to a full sleep. Even Anton’s comfort was not enough to settle her tonight. She needed both of her men.

  “Why is she not in bed?” Madden asked his question to Anton as he entered the room and found them lying near the fire, believing her to be fully asleep. Small glimmers of light flashed liked lightning bugs in summer dancing around her. Her powers still flared with her first teleportation and her proximity to the fire seemed to keep them lively.

  “She refused to go without you. I’ve just now sensed she allowed herself to fall asleep.”

  “She needs to rest.” There was a moment when all she could hear was the sound of Madden’s footsteps. Her eyes remained closed. “She was magnificent, Anton, absolutely magnificent.” Her eyes fluttered to see Madden smiling down at her.

  “She’s been asking for you. Did you not get my messages?” Anton was angry; Layla had never heard him use such a harsh tone of voice with Madden.

  “Of course I did, but I had to follow up on some leads. Lucas is even now still trying to gather intel to determine if what Nassir’s commander told us is the truth.” Madden moved to the bar and poured himself a drink.

  “What do you suspect?”

  “I suspect it is more than a bluff.” His voice was quieter now. Layla imagined Madden was looking out the window. She was certain his thoughts focused on the missions she was sure were coming all too soon. He would need to leave for his work and although Layla understood this, admired him for it even, she would still miss him.

  “And what will you do?” Apparently, Anton had the same thoughts.

  “Eliminate the threat. I had hoped to have time with her, but I’m afraid I may need to head out directly after the Pronouncement. Maybe for a few weeks.”

  “It is good then that I can be here for her.” Anton stroked her head, brushing her hair from her face to see that her eyes were now open. He leaned down and placed a soft kiss against Layla’s lips. She returned the kiss pressing her body against him, craving the connection. Then, trying to hide her tears and her worries for Madden, Layla burrowed her face into Anton’s chest.

  “Ssh…hush, little one.” Anton ran his hands down her back to reassure her. Layla tried to slow her breathing and keep quiet but the hushed voices meant Madden had noticed. His boots scraped the floor as he made his way to her.

  Strong hands—Madden’s hands—lifted her from Anton’s hold. Cradled safely in his arms, Madden’s strength once again enchanted Layla. His skin, cool against her own, sparked when they touched and Madden raised his eyebrow at her.

  “I’m learning to control them.” Layla spoke of her powers, embarrassed by the effects he had on her that she could not hide.

  “I think I rather like the idea of causing a spark in you.” Madden chuckled and Layla shook in his embrace, his arms still solidly wrapped around her as he moved to sit in the chair by the fire. With a simple thought, he removed his clothing and then placed Layla on his lap. He held her hips, his cooler touch causing shivers to run up her back and her nipples to pucker.

  “I was worried for you.” Layla’s voice broke as she spoke the words.

  “I was worried for you,” Madden repeated her sentiment. They had both been through the fear of becoming separated. With the hours apart ticking away, their bond had pulled at each of them.

  “I don’t ever want to be without you.”

  “Perfect. Because I do not intend to ever be without you.” Madden ran his hands along her back and settled them back on her hips to hold her still as he pushed his thick cock into her already wet core. Layla moaned in pleasure and smiled as she felt him harden further.

  He held still, simply leaving his cock pressed into her warm core as he switched his attention to her breasts. He grabbed first one nipple between his teeth, making her cry out in equal parts pleasure and frustration, and then moved to the other. She tangled her fingers in his hair only to have them pulled by Anton and held away. She moaned in frustration at not being able to control Madden’s strokes.

  “Leave them where he put them, Layla love,” Madden commanded before going back to her needy breasts, their tiny beads begging for attention. Layla began to move, squirming beneath him as much as possible until Anton placed his hands on her thighs from behind.

  Layla stilled, felt her body reaching for its climax and knew she had no control over it. She was at Madden’s mercy and damn if she didn’t love this. Anton’s hands slipped from the top of her thighs to her waist, lifted her up and slowly pushed her back down onto Madden. She squeezed to grip him more tightly and perhaps torture him just a bit. Her pussy clenched as he pulled out again, moved his hand beneath her ass to shift the angle and tugged her more closely to him. He was deeper than he’d ever been and his first thrust from this angle brought a cry from her.

  On her urging, her simple cry out of desperation to be taken fully, he shafted her harder, with more force, more dominance. She reveled in his strength and was amazed to look around them to see sparks of colored light all around them. Layla laid her head back against Anton and looked up at him.

  Anton smiled down at her from over her shoulder and thumbed her nipples, already sensitive from Madden’s attentions. He placed his finger to her lips and waited while she sucked on it. Then he pulled his finger from her mouth and used the wet digit to circle her nipples. Her back arched, pushing her breasts into Madden’s touch, and she felt Madden buck even harder, all sense of rhythm now lost.

  “Yes, Madden, yes,” Layla chanted, her gaze fastened to him now. She smoldered under his touch, his powerful strokes and insistent fucking moved her ever more closely toward the edge. His pelvis scraped against her clit with each upward stroke. Her fingers clawed into his back and she couldn’t stop herself from whimpering every time his balls slammed against her ass. Every pulse of Madden’s cock, every caress from Anton, it was all too much.

  “Layla, drink from Anton with me while I fuck you. Right. Over. The. Edge.” His cock pounded into her on each word. “I want to see your lips on him, your tongue moving over his skin damp with desire.” Madden’s voice left no room for disagreement. Anton leaned into Madden and Layla watched as Madden sank his teeth into the sinewy skin at the base of Anton’s shoulder. Droplets of blood trailed out from where Madden sucked.

  Layla stretched forward to lick them before Madden moved and kissed her with a fierceness that might have fri
ghtened a lesser woman. Then her tongue joined Madden’s as they lapped at Anton’s life-giving blood. Their tongues twirled, danced, mated as Anton began to moan and rock into her ass, his cock pressing into the most sensitive place.

  Madden moved his mouth away. “Suck,” he said as he renewed his thrusts. Between his deep strokes, the blood, the pressure against her clit, the sensitivity of her skin, Layla was out of control.

  She fastened her mouth on Anton and drew in sharp bursts of blood, felt the sensations as her clit became more and more engorged, nearly oversensitive. Ripples rolled through her body at the same time sensations from Madden’s cock bombarded her. Throwing her head back, she screamed for her men.

  * * * *

  Madden expected to wake just as he’d gone to sleep the night before. He never expected to find the bed cold as he heard Anton turn the knob and enter. It took only one look for Anton to know what Madden needed most. The two friends were closer than ever now. They could always read each other’s thoughts, predict the other’s words but now Madden noticed they seemed to be able to feel one another’s emotions. Oddly enough, Madden liked it. The connection seemed natural.

  “She’s in her library,” Anton answered the unspoken question.

  “For how long?”

  “I found her there when I woke to prepare our morning meal. She has history books of all things spread across the large table.”

  Madden knew the history of his breed well enough, but he’d grown aware of how little Layla had learned and was surprised her mother had not trained her daughters in their destinies more. The Circle of Magdalena, as referred to in modern day, is the only vessel for procreation and life sustenance of the Valendite breeds. The determinate for finding their mate was in finally partaking in their soul sin as in Layla’s case. Others were the opposite in that finding their mate meant finally being free from their soul sin.

  He would allow Layla this time to read. It was incredible to learn the history of his breed and he very much wanted her to understand the significance of her role. His life could never be complete without finding her. Now he simply needed her to know that, to believe that.

  During the Italian Wars in the early 1500s, the Duchy of Milan and the Kingdom of Naples fought for power and territory. Citizens living in the Italian peninsula then did not know where to turn for alliances. Betrayals belied life. They were so divided that in the mid-1500s when King Henry of France declared war against King Charles of Italy, the Italians stood no chance of victory. Among them were scientists developing amazing—albeit unethical—chemicals to enhance men and create ultimate soldiers.

  These soldiers—Madden’s great-grandfather several times removed—became more than any scientist anticipated. Much of their strength was hidden to preserve them from harm themselves. These soldiers concealed their unanticipated need for blood as sustenance as best they could by utilizing the blood of those they killed in battle. The breeds served until finally near the 1600s when, with much thanks to Spanish and English aid, King Henry was forced to accept the Peace of Cateau-Cambresis and renounce any further claims to Italy.

  But that did not end the power of these warriors, now known as the Valendite Breed, named for the war in which they were created. Empowered with the role of preserving peace for their country, the Valendite breed warriors stayed inconspicuous, fearful of those who might be frightened or threatened by their gifts. They learned to drink from one another, a blood exchange that left them unfulfilled and empty. Their accomplishments in the war hidden, buried to protect their identity, they lived as simple men. Until over the years, and despite their propensity to live elongated lives, these men and their families were able to hide once again among the average men.

  Madden watched Layla from where he stood outside the glass door to the library. Lost in her books, Layla seemed most at peace. He remained in the shadows, not yet wishing to be seen, mesmerized by his mate. She was growing into her powers granted to her through an age-old prayer and a simple broken promise.

  After the Valendite breeds assimilated back into life on the hillsides of Italy, very few of their wives were able to conceive. The breeds were not thriving. The men assembled and brought their women to the steps of Rome, to the place most known for prayer and sanctity, to ask for God’s intervention in their lives. Pleading, one woman by the name of Magdalena offered any sacrifice that might be asked of them in exchange for fertility.

  Her plea was granted. Though reports of the event were never accurately transcribed, breed historians agree on a few basic events. Each woman present that day—seven in total—were filled by one of the seven deadly sins, this act in exchange for the honor of bearing breed children, continuing the race and nourishing their breed mates.

  All was well for the breeds then. Their race flourished until the time of another generation in the late 1800s. The women became unhappy in their role, seeking independence from the bonds that held them to the breeds. For without their mates, the women could survive, it was only the breed mate who suffered from separation. Some began leaving, traveling to other countries.

  A terrible storm struck the land on the day of Samhain 1804. Terribly superstitious, the women converged in the town’s large cathedral to pray. Winds stronger than were ever seen before or since tore down the stone structure, killing those women trapped inside. After the storm ended, though, very few women—only those not making it to the cathedral—remained alive.

  An apparition appeared outside the cathedral ruins. The majestic angel stood before the women who bowed down on their knees in her presence. “You shall call me Magdalena. You shall pray to me as Goddess. For you are those I saved this day. You are true to the promise made so long ago and granted to us through the grace of God. Your honor lies in claiming your breed mate. It is as it should be.”

  The women dared not move as they heard the men approach, remaining on their knees in respect for their Goddess with whom there was a connection. The soil warm beneath their legs, the air crisp and cool against their hands. Every sensation, every movement and sound, was heightened. Their change not subtle, the men present that day at the cathedral witnessed the transformation.

  “You are no longer as you once were. Manifested in you now are the elements. While others broke their promise, you held steadfast and are rewarded with powers in your own right. No longer shall you exist only to sustain your mate but to also sustain the earth. My blessings be upon you and your children after you. It is as it should be.”

  Those gathered saw the apparition spiral in a colorful rainbow that seemed to draw every eye, a comforting scent and warmth flooded the courtyard where now only seven women remained alongside the breed men. A new beginning was upon them.

  Madden saw Layla’s face flush, tears blooming and threatening to spill down her reddened cheeks. He could no longer stay in the shadows. He moved to her, kneeled down at her feet and laid his head upon her lap.

  “Our history can be overwhelming.”

  “It is beautiful what Magdalena was willing to do. She must’ve been very much in love.”

  “I would agree, Layla love.”

  “I would truly, Madden, do the same for you.” The whispered promise came to Madden as if Layla had shouted it from the mountaintops. Sweeter yet, she’d said it just for him.

  * * * *

  Layla’s sisters stood circling Madden and Anton. Behind them stood others gathered for their Pronouncement. Swirls of white flowers floated from the branches of nearby trees with small white lights setting the evening on fire. Tradition called for a twilight wedding and Adelina selected a beautiful grove in the Santucci’s vineyard. The moment could not have been more beautiful as Layla cast her eyes upon the scene. She took deep cleansing breaths and felt the tingling she now recognized as her powers flow through her in calming waves. Layla took one-step in front of the other until her parents stood at her side.

  “You are most beautiful, my daughter.” Her mother looked her regal self, draped in a gauzy moss green
dress. Their hands slid palm to palm, their fingers laced. Next, Layla placed her hand through her father’s waiting arm so that as three, they walked toward the circle.

  Layla’s father stood tall and strong beside her. His presence—the strength of a man so powerful—wrapped itself, as wings would surround an angel. Her newfound knowledge of his breed’s rich history caused any space between them to shrink in size. In awe of this man, the love he shared with her mother and the realization that she now owned the same bond with her mate could’ve taken Layla to her knees. Except as she looked ahead, there stood her mate.

  Madden would always astound her. As was tradition, he stood before her in only tan trousers and a white shirt left unbuttoned to expose his neck to her. Old world sandals and leather strips adorned his arms. His beautiful silver eyes sparkled in the lights surrounding them. His stoic expression and dark, brooding looks were softer this night and framed by ebony strands of dark hair she wanted to stroke her fingers through. His smile as he took her in caused flutters—actual flutters—in her tummy. With those dimples on each side of his smile, he was delicious.

  She heard her sisters’ giggles. Of course, they were reading her thoughts. Never opting to give anyone privacy, they shared everything and Layla wouldn’t change that now. She listened to her sisters. “She’s so in love,” said Amelia. “You did it, little sister,” said Sadie. “Definitely delicious,” said Gemma. “Go get him,” said Paige. “I will miss you,” said Gracie. “I so wish I was you,” said Eloise.

  Madden’s grin grew wider, likely realizing her attention was drawn inward as she communicated with her sisters. He shook his head and nodded to Anton standing next to him. Anton stood shoulder to shoulder with Madden now and gazed on her with such open affection. Layla nearly forgot to breathe. Anton’s soft looks cast beside Madden’s darker appearance was striking. “Two men, my daughter, two mates. So few are so lucky to be cared for as such.” Chiara’s words were a whisper beside Layla’s ear. The twinkle of white lights surrounding the grove illuminated the single tear that escaped her eyes.