Vivyka reached across the table and grabbed the silver case out of Matt’s jacket pocket. He raised a brow as he watched her do it, but didn’t stop her. She took out a cigarette, lit it, and slid the case back across the table to him. He caught it with an amused half-smile. It was nice to be around her when she didn’t have that hateful look in her eyes. Instead, she was nonchalant and happy, though still with that fire in her dark glassy eyes. With enough alcohol in her, she was more like the Vivyka he remembered.

She took three drags of her cigarette before deciding she was bored and handed it to Matt. She stood and swayed a little before walking to the middle of the dance floor. He watched her move, her walk more of a strut. She wasn’t that much different from the girl he had once known, except that she had become better, she was her own woman now, no longer anyone’s toy. She had always had that wildness inside her, but now she unleashed it fully. She had always been beautiful, but now she sizzled, and it wasn’t just the sexy clothes or her stunning body, it was her attitude, her confidence. He liked her this way.

“Not dancing tonight?” Tess said, interrupting his thoughts. She was smirking and he knew she was remembering the last time they were here.

He looked at her and twitched a suggestive brow. “You offering?” He knew he shouldn’t say it, but couldn’t help himself.

Tess gasped at him and then shot a look at her cousin.

Sera laughed. “He’s joking, Tess.” She smiled at Matt then. “Are you dancing, though?”

“Are you?” he asked skeptically.

“Not like that,” she said, watching Vivyka dance with a man in a very sensual way, like the rest of the people on the floor.

“Then there’s my answer.”

“You want to,” she said simply. “Go ahead.”

Tess gaped at her, clearly thinking she had lost her mind. “You want him to be like that”—she pointed to a nearby couple who where practically molded to each other—“with some other woman?”

Sera shrugged. “I don’t mind.”

“Yeah, okay,” Tess scoffed. “And why doesn’t he just take one to the back room while he’s at it.”

Sera shook her head. “There are boundaries, Tess, but I don’t care if he dances. Remember that I have the advantage of knowing how he feels, I never have to doubt how much he loves me. I have no reason to feel threatened.”

Matt pulled her onto his lap. He wrapped his arms around her and hugged her to him. If she had been the jealous type, he didn’t think he would be able to stand it. Even though he knew very well that he was a hypocrite, the idea of another man touching her in any way made him feel murderous. Ayden was an exception, but he didn’t really think of him as a man, he was too effeminate for that.

Matt swept Sera’s copper curls over one of her shoulders and kissed her neck. “If you’re not dancing, then neither am I.”

Tess rolled her eyes. “I still think you’re nuts,” she said to her cousin. “There isn’t anyway I’d let Ayd do that.”

“As if I would,” Ayden said.

She smiled and snuggled closer to him. “I know.”

Sera shrugged. “To each their own.” To Matt she added, “I really don’t mind.”

“Thanks, Angel, but I don’t really want to. I just feel that way out of habit.”

Tess smirked. “First time you’ve been to a place like this without seducing some poor girl?”

“Yes,” he agreed. “Except for the poor part, I don’t recall any complaining,” he said with a pointed look.

She just rolled her eyes.

Sera smiled as she leaned back against her boyfriend. “Besides, he’s already got someone this time.”

“And she’s the most beautiful woman in the room,” Matt murmured.

Sera chuckled softly. “You like that don’t you? Thinking you have the best and making people envy you.”

He smirked. “Of course. And I don’t think I have the best, I know it.”

She grinned. “So do I,” she told him, then turned in his arms so she could kiss him.

“Did you ever notice how she always picks up the same kind of guy?” Tess asked a moment later as she watched Vivyka moving to the music while wrapped around some guy. “Aside from Brex—and he’s a god so he doesn’t count—all her guys are beefy blondes.” She glanced at Matt.

“Most people have a type, Tess,” Sera told her. “It’s normal.”

Matt groaned when he looked over and saw the man who was now leading Vivyka off the dance floor. “She seriously has a thing for the wrong types.” He moved Sera back to her own chair and stood. “I’ll be back.”

He lost sight of them in the crowd, but knew where they were going. After trying a couple of doors in the back, he found them in a small room. The man was holding Vivyka, and she had her legs wrapped around his waist, kissing him. Matt closed the door behind him. The guy set her on her feet and his hands where already starting for the laces of her top.

“Viv, it’s time to go,” Matt told her firmly.

She frowned at him. “Why’re you tryin’ to ruin my fun, Mathias?” she asked, slurring slightly.

The man turned with a frown, then recognized him and nodded. “Hey, long time.”

“Blaine,” Matt greeted with a curt nod. “She’s not available.” He took Vivyka’s arm and pulled her to him.

“To hell she isn’t,” Blaine scoffed, grabbing for her.

Matt moved her behind him protectively.

Vivyka pushed at Matt weakly. “Knock it off. I want him.”

“I don’t care who you are, or were,” Blaine said, his hand touching the hilt of his sword. “She wants me, not you. So hand—”

Matt’s fist suddenly connected with the man’s face. Blaine stumbled back and Matt advanced quickly, grabbing him by the shirt and hitting him again.

“What’re you doing?” Vivyka complained.

“Protecting you,” he answered, landing another punch. Blaine managed to pull his sword, but seconds later Matt had it and slammed the hilt into the back of the his head. As Blaine fell the floor, unconscious, Matt dropped the sword and went back to her.

“Protecting me from what?” she wanted to know. “Having a good time? I don’t belong to you anymore.”

“You think I treated you badly? Well, he’s worse.”

Vivyka grinned suddenly and stepped closer. “So you rescued me?” she asked. She swayed and he automatically grabbed her arms to steady her.

“We’re going. You’re drunk.”

“I am not. Why don’t you give me fun instead,” she purred.

“Very drunk,” he amended. “Come on, I’ll take you back to your room.”

“And then fun?”

“No. Then sleep.”

She pushed herself closer to him. She slid her hands along his stomach and chest, up to the back of his head. Clenching her fists tightly in his hair, she jumped up and wrapped her legs around his waist, then kissed him hungrily.

Without a thought, his arms went around her, crushing her against him, kissing her deeper, harder. The desire for her instantly grew into a blazing fire. Her voluptuous form molded so perfectly against his body. Her kiss was fierce and her hands clawed at him. She had always been a wildcat; it was what liked most about her. He had had lots of women over the years, but none matched her passion, she had a greedy hunger that rivaled his own. She was like a storm and he was instantly swept up in her.

He moved with her to the bed, lying her down on it and pressing her to it with his body, their lips not parting for a second. He adjusted enough so his hand could roam her curves, over a plump breast, down her stomach and thigh and then up under her skirt.

Her legs bent and leaned aside, opening to him as her hand slid down, reaching for his belt. Her other hand stayed on his shoulder, her nails digging into him as she bit his bottom lip. A savage part of him roared to life at her roughness, a part of him that he kept under tight control these days. A part that relished being able to come out. He could never be anything but gentle with Sera.

With a jolt, he realized what he was doing. He pushed away from Vivyka and got to his feet. Taking a deep breath, he raked a hand through his hair, and let out a forceful breath. She stood as well. He looked at her mouth, and then his gaze traveled down her body. He desperately wanted her. Anyone else he could easily deny, but Vivyka…

She grinned wickedly, knowing just how much she affected him. She moved swiftly to him again. Her hand slid down his stomach and grabbed a handful of him as she licked then bit his chest.

He grabbed her hair and tilted her face up to him. He hesitated as he struggled to think though a mind that was clouded with desire, trying to remember why he wasn’t supposed to do this.

Finally, he thought of Sera. He let go and pushed Vivyka away from him. She tried to touch him again, but he held her at arms length. “Damn it, Viv,” he growled. “Stop.”

He looked away from her and took another deep breath, willing his body to relax. When he managed to force reasonable control over himself, he grabbed her wrist. “Come on,” he grumbled, then grabbed and led her out of the room.

“Why don’t you want me?” she asked, pouting.

I really wish I didn’t, he thought.

“I hate you.”

He laughed humorlessly. “Yeah, and tomorrow it’ll be for the right reasons again.”

After she tripped twice on the way back to the group, he scooped her up into his arms and carried her. “Don’t get any ideas.”

She huffed. “Whatever,” she grumbled as she lay her head against his shoulder.

He stopped a few feet from the table, but kept Vivyka in his arms. “We need to take her to her room,” Matt told Sera, without looking at her.

“Yeah, cuz he sucks,” Vivyka griped.

“She’s mad because I saved her from someone worse then I was,” Matt told them, rolling his eyes.

“Okay.” Sera stood. “We’ll see you tomorrow,” she told Tess and Ayden and followed Matt out of the tavern.

When they got to Vivyka’s room, he tried to lay her on the bed, but she refused to let go of his neck. “Viv, stop it.”

She tipped her head back to look up at him. “Stay with me. I miss you,” she whispered, then pulled herself closer and kissed him.

He unclasped her hands, and pushed her to lie down. He stood, then sighed as she grabbed his wrist.

Sera walked over and sat on the bed between them. She took Vivyka’s hand and got her to let go. “Just go to sleep,” she said softly.

“I want him,” Vivyka said sleepily, her eyes closing.

Sera stroked her hair. “I know.”

“He’s supposed to be mine,” she mumbled in a sad whisper.

“You can have him tomorrow, okay?” Sera told her gently, her voice sounding sad, too.

Vivyka yawned. “Okay.”

Sera stood and left with Matt.

“Does she realize who I am?” he asked when they started walking down the hallway.

“She knows,” Sera answered quietly.

“How can she be like that?” he asked, bewildered. “She hates me.”

“Part of her does, but it’s never that simple. People very often don’t show their true feelings to those around them. And alcohol tends to make them forget that they wanted to hide them.”

“Wait.” He pulled her to a stop and turned to look down at her. “She feels that way all the time?”

“It’s not my place to tell you how she feels,” she said apologetically. “You can try to talk to her about it later if you want.”

He sighed, then frowned. “Why did you tell her she could have me tomorrow? She can’t. I don’t—”

“It was just to pacify her,” she assured him. “She won’t want you tomorrow.”

He nodded and they started walking again. “I’m sorry about…”

“It wasn’t your fault. I’m okay, really. I’m only feeling sad for her. She has a lot to work through. It was my main reason for saying she could come,” she admitted sheepishly. “I knew she’d have to face things when she was around you so much.”

He gaped at her. “You knew how she felt about me and you still…”

She nodded. “Sorry.”

“It’s fine. It’s just… I don’t know how to deal with her. I really don’t think I’m helping.” He sighed again. “And you shouldn’t let me be alone with her again.”

“You control yourself, not me,” she told him lightly.

“I know,” he grumbled.

“Not easy?” she asked, her tone understanding. “It’s new for you, I know.”

“It’s not just the newness, it’s her.” He shook his head and looked away from Sera. “Viv was all over me at the tavern and… it took me a minute to realize what I was doing and stop.”

He was surprised when she smiled and leaned her head against his arm. “I love you,” she told him with a soft laugh.

“Okay, I am so confused,” he said, rubbing his face.

“I’m happy because of how you are,” she explained. “How you always tell me the truth even if you don’t have to, how you never want to hurt me. You’re wonderful.”

He scoffed at that. “I’m really not. But aren’t you supposed to be upset? Jealous or… something?”

“Sure, if it’d been on purpose. But she caught you by surprise and you reacted automatically. Especially considering your history together and your attraction for each other, it’s understandable. And you did stop.” She glanced over at him. “Plus, it won’t happen again.”

“Of course not,” he agreed quickly.

They continued in silence until they entered their room. He slid his arms around her. “You’re the only one I want, Angel. Regardless of what other feelings I might have sometimes. You know that, right?”

“Yes.” She wrapped her arms around him. “And I just want you.”

“Good, because I’m all yours,” he promised, leaning down to kiss her softly, lovingly. “Always yours.”

“Mmm,” she murmured against his lips. “Ditto.”

—————

Vivyka was the only one on the dance floor. She moved her hips back and forth in time with the slow rhythmic beat, keeping her heated gaze locked with his. She lowered into a crouch with her hands on her knees, then swayed, snake-like, as she slowly stood, caressing her thighs, pulling the bottom of her red leather skirt up a few inches on the way. Her hands traveled up her black corset, over her full breasts and into her dark hair. She grinned and motioned for him to come to her with a finger.

Matt went without hesitation. He grabbed her waist and pulled her against him. They moved together in a slow, sensual dance. She continued to look up into his light blue eyes that blazed with desire for her. He had always wanted her, from the first moment he saw her. Her hands ran over his naked chest and arms, letting her nails dig into him, clawing at him, and pulling him possessively to her like an animal with its prey. Then she jumped up, wrapping her legs around his waist, and molding herself to his hard body.

He held her tight and kissed her ravenously. He moved a hand into her hair and drew her even closer, unable to get enough. When he finally let up, she moved her lips to trail kisses down his neck, then bit him. He gave a soft groan. He found the wall and pressed her against it, then reached for his belt with one hand. “Tell me,” he demanded huskily.

She bit his lip and licked it before answering with a grin, “I want you.”

Suddenly, he felt furious. She was lying, he knew she was. The scene abruptly changed around them. The tavern was gone and now they stood in an alleyway at night. He stepped back, forcing her to stand and then backhanded her. She fell to the ground with the force of the impact. When she looked up, her mouth was bleeding and her scared eyes were filled with tears. It only made him angrier. “Don’t lie to me!” he growled.

“I wouldn’t lie to you,” she cried. “Please… I want you, only you, I swear.”

He grabbed the tops of her arms and pulled her up. “You’re a lying little slut,” he snarled and slammed her back against the wall. “But I’ll give you want you want,” he told her, then took two handfuls of her skirt and ripped it up the middle.

The look in her eyes turned to cold hatred. “You’re a monster!” she hissed venomously.

All at once, she changed. Suddenly it was Sera that he was holding, though her mouth was still bloody and his fingers were on her hips, digging into her soft flesh. Tears slipped down her cheeks. Her summer blue eyes were filled with disappointment and anguish.

“You’ll never be anything but a monster,” she whispered.

—————

Sera opened her eyes in the dark room. It wasn’t a sound or a movement that woke her; it was an ache in her chest. She was feeling Matt’s pain again, she was getting used to it. He was having another nightmare, as he did almost every night.

She rolled onto her side and sat up just enough to look down at him in the dim moonlight. She brushed her fingertips along the side of his distressed face and whispered his name.

He woke up with a jolt, his muscles tight, his breathing quick and hard.

“It’s me,” she told him gently.

He shoved away from her, moving back until he was at the edge of the bed. His eyes were filled with torment; she felt it too, more so now that he was awake. He stared at her, looking horrified.

“It’s okay now,” she murmured. “It was just a bad dream.” She touched his arm and urged him to come back.

He closed his eyes and took a deep breath, then let it out slowly. After a moment, he moved back.

“Do you want to talk about it?” she asked.

“No,” he said gruffly, it was the answer he always gave. He rubbed a hand over his face and sighed heavily. “I hate sleeping.”

She didn’t like it much either, not since she had started sleeping next to him. She stroked his face and hair with a tender touch and stayed quiet for a while, letting him settle the rest of the way. “I wish I was a bard so I could sing your nightmares away,” she whispered.

He gave her a small, sad smile. He gazed at her face as if soaking in the sight. Lifting a hand, he caressed her lips with his thumb, then moved to her cheek. He sighed again and she felt his slight relief. “Sorry I woke you up,” he mumbled.

“It’s okay,” she said, forcing her tone to be light. “I much prefer seeing you in real life anyway. My dreams don’t do you justice.”

He laughed softly in spite of himself. “You don’t dream about me.”

“Yes, I do.”

“That’s stupid.”

“Why?”

“Because there are much better things to dream of,” he said seriously. “Anything but me.”

She sighed. “Matt, you’re the best thing in the whole world to me, as I’ve told you a hundred times.” She ran her hand down his chest and over his stomach. “Now, why don’t you come here and make my dreams come true,” she suggested with a sly smile.

He rolled his eyes, but couldn’t help smiling back. “I hate it when you do that.”

“Do what?” she asked innocently.

“Not let me be miserable.”

“Do you want to be miserable?”

“Sometimes.”

“Well I don’t.” She regretted the words as soon as they came out. She felt his guilt and mentally scolded herself for slipping.

“I’m sorry,” he whispered, looking away from her.

She pulled his face back to her and kissed him sweetly. “Don’t, please. It’s okay, really. Let it go. Just be with me… love me,” she breathed. She rolled over on to her back and tried to pull him with her.

He took another deep breath, pushing away the remnants of the dream, then sighed and moved halfway over her. “Why can’t I ever say no to you?” he asked, placing a gentle kiss on her cheek.

She grinned. “Don’t know, but I’m not complaining.”

He kissed her throat. “I’m yours to command,” he murmured.

“I don’t give orders,” she said, running her hands over his back tenderly.

“Then tell me what you want,” he said, kissing her ear, “and I’ll walk through fire to give it to you.” He trailed little kisses across her jaw.

“I want you to love me.”

“I do, my angel.”

“Then I’m content.”

He brushed her lips with his. “You deserve so much more.”

She sighed again. “Matt, when are you going to listen to me? You’re completely wonderful and I love you so much. All I want is you, only you,” she said ardently.

He looked like he was going to argue for a moment, but then gave up and kissed her feelingly.