Free Harker's Journey by N.J. Walters Page A

seemed as if he was emptying his very soul 58
    Harker’s Journey
    into her. As he poured his seed deep inside her, he felt her muscles clamp tight around him as another orgasm enveloped her.
    Aftershocks of pleasure surged through his body as he extracted his fangs, and closed the small wound on the back of her neck before collapsing on top of her. He covered her entire body with his, sheltering her with his bulk. He nibbled at the nape of her neck as he always did in her dreams. She laughed softly, but didn’t move. They lay there in a tangle of limbs and spent energy for a long time before he found the strength to withdraw from her. She moaned in protest, but he ignored it and rolled her into his arms, cuddling her tight. Hence forth, she was his for all eternity.
    “What comes next?” The sound of her sleepy voice surprised him.
    “What do you mean?” He pushed a stray lock of hair off her face so he could see her better, hearing the slight tremor in her voice.
    “Am I like you now? A vampire?” She paused for a moment before continuing, more thoughtful now. “I don’t feel any different. Am I changed?”
    “No, it’s not finished yet.” Smoothing her hair back, he kissed her lips lightly. “We will sleep at dawn and when you awake tomorrow evening it will be done. There will be some discomfort as your body adjusts itself, but I will be with you.”
    “What do you mean, discomfort?” She tugged on his chest hair. “And why didn’t you mention that little detail before?”
    He laughed at her spirit. “It is little when you weigh it against eternity.”
    Her gaze softened and she smiled at him. “I’m woman enough to handle a little pain if it means we can be together. What we share is worth any price.”
    Cris smiled as he cupped her precious face. “We will be together and I have much to teach you.”
    He laughed suddenly. “You have two brothers now, you know. They are good men, but are very overbearing and will drive you absolutely crazy trying to keep you safe and protected at all times.”
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    N.J. Walters
    “Really!” she laughed. “I can’t wait to meet them.” He could hear the excitement in her voice and it was contagious. “How soon do you think I’ll get the chance?”
    “You already did.” He gave a soft laugh at her look of surprise. “I’m not the only member of my family who can shapeshift. Those two wolves were not happy you were leaving me.”
    Johanna reared back in surprise. “Those wolves were your brothers? But they attacked me.”
    “No, my love. They merely wanted to keep you from leaving me. Never would they have harmed you.” Her scowl of displeasure made the corners of his mouth tilt up as he anticipated the tongue-lashing she would give his brothers. “I’m sure they will give us a few days before they come to visit, but I would not count on more than two or three at most. I’m sure they are most eager to meet you.”
    Absently, he tugged her back into his arms. “First thing tomorrow evening, you must call your company and quit your job.”
    “I hadn’t quite thought that far ahead yet.” Her voice was quiet as she drew circles on his chest with her index finger. “There’ll be a lot of changes in the days ahead.”
    “Do not worry,” he reassured her. “You have the entire Dalakis fortune at your disposal, and your talent for business will not go unused.”
    “You’d trust me to handle your fortune?” Johanna sounded totally bewildered as she raised her head to look at him.
    The surprise in her voice amazed him. “Of course. You are the Dalakis bride. I am the oldest brother and you are now the matriarch of the family, such as it is.”
    “What a challenge…” Johanna trailed off, lost in thought for a moment. Cris could almost see the wheels turning in that nimble brain of hers. “We’ll have to travel back to Chicago so I can close up my apartment and arrange for my things to be shipped.”
    “That is no problem. I have a private plane