Chapter Thirteen

Blair and Jim made it as far as the elevator from the garage before they were fused together, Jim devouring the Guide with his mouth. Something had happened during the ceremony, something more than just the vamp thing. He knew Blair had felt it too. There was a connection thrumming between them now; he could feel Blair's arousal and desire, with more than his Sentinel senses.

"Yeah…God. Jim." Blair dropped his head against the wall of the elevator, eyes closed, offering his neck for Jim's ministrations.

He needed no further encouragement. The Guide's desire fed his own; he was hungry for him, starving for his taste, his scent, the feel of naked flesh. He licked over the brand, again and again until he was certain any residual pain was gone. Then he licked up Blair's jaw, stubble rough against his tongue. By the time the doors opened on the loft he had Blair's shirt off and his pants unbuttoned.

"Bedroom," Jim murmured against Blair's mouth. "Now."

He was filled with urgency, not wanting to lose the erection he'd gained from taking the Guide's blood onstage earlier. Even so, his hand down the back of Blair's pants made the going slow. Jim walked him backwards up the stairs, his mouth moving on him all the way – neck, collarbone, ears, lips.

At the top of the stairs Jim peeled Blair out of the rest of his clothes, leaving them where they fell, and pushed him onto the big bed. The Guide immediately spread his legs and stroked a hand over the femoral artery in his thigh.

"Bite me, Jim." He was nearly panting, and the sight of him looking so wanton – curls spread across the sheets, skin flushed – was heady when mixed with the pheromones pouring off his body. But Jim shook his head even as his fangs dropped down of their own accord.

"I'm more than just the bite, Blair. Let me show you."

Jim stripped out of his own clothes, draping his suit over the back of the chair in the corner. Blair watched his every move, his heart rate increasing with every article of clothing that came off. Jim ran his hands down his own body, rolling his hips ever so slightly as he did so. When he wrapped his hand around his erection Blair's eyes went dark and his hands clenched into fists.

The Guide was practically drunk with lust, Jim could feel it. He crawled on top of Blair, rubbing as much skin as he could with his knees, calves, thighs. Blair surged against him, arms around his neck as they kissed again. It was hot and dirty, and Jim found that he was losing himself in the moment in a way that he hadn't in over a hundred years.

"I can feel you," Blair gasped, and Jim knew he didn't mean physically because he could feel it too. Affection, desire, anticipation – it moved between them like a living thing.

"Feel this," Jim replied. He rubbed his cock against Blair's and sparks shot up his spine. He wanted blood, wanted it bad. He could hear it moving through the Guide's veins, could smell it just below the surface of his skin. More, though, he wanted to bring pleasure without the euphoria of the bite; he wanted to do this as a man, and not a vamp.

"I want to feel everything," Blair said, mouthing at Jim's shoulder. "Fuck me."

Jim wanted that, wanted that more than even the blood, but he did a Sentinel check to be sure. Not that he needed to because he could feel through their connection how much Blair wanted it too, how much he craved that intimacy and intensity. With vamp speed he rolled away to grab lube out of the bedside table, and returned so quickly that Blair likely hadn't even noticed he was gone.

He tried to take his time, to prep his Guide properly, but Blair was already too far gone. He pushed against Jim's fingers, fucking himself and making Jim lose what little control he had.

"I'm ready!" he said, voice pleading. "Do it. Do it!"

Jim coated himself liberally in lube and did as he was instructed. There was no resistance, no hesitation, when he pressed into Blair; just welcoming heat and a tightness that made his eyes roll back in his head. When he was fully seated it was as if another switch had been thrown. Whatever had begun with his first taste of Blair's blood was now complete, and the pleasure was overwhelming.

Blair was a mortal, and so Jim had to take some precautions – don't hold him too hard, don't fuck him too fast – but even so he became lost in the punishing rhythm, the pace that Blair set for both of them. Jim could feel his pleasure and Blair's, could taste jungle vegetation in the back of his throat, could feel a centuries old connection snap into place. Master and Heart, Sentinel and Guide…in that long moment as Blair spasmed around him, as his own orgasm was pulled out of his body with force, Jim knew that none of it mattered. They were together on a level so deep it had no name, no beginning or end.

Jim bit into Blair's neck, letting the blood flow at last, and felt as his Guide was swept away into a second orgasm that left him trembling and weak. Jim licked the wound closed and collapsed on top of Blair, who was salty with sweat and semen. His own atrophied heart beat at a nearly normal rhythm and his cool skin carried a sheen of sweat.

"I think you broke me," Blair mumbled into the mattress. Jim chuckled and rolled off to the side. The taking of blood meant that his erection would last at least another hour or two, but he didn't care about that. At that moment he found he couldn't really care about anything, but he still moved off the bed and went to fetch a wet cloth to clean his Guide with.

As soon as he finished with that and lay back down on the bed, Blair curled up against him. Jim reveled in the heat of him, the life he exuded; the life that was now tied inexorably to his. It was hard to believe they'd come this far after so short an acquaintance.

"So what happens now?" Blair asked, his hand idly stroking Jim's hip. He was projecting comfort and affection and trust.

"Next we sleep, and in the morning I'll contact the Regent. Will you be able to visit him tomorrow? I imagine he'll want to see us as soon as possible."

"I'm all yours, big guy." He pressed a kiss to Jim's collar bone. "Where does he live?"

"San Juan Islands. He'll send a boat or a helicopter for us, depending on his mood."

Jim wasn't looking forward to the visit. In his haste to set up the Heart ceremony and offer his Guide the most protection possible against Alex's inevitable arrival, he'd neglected to go through the proper channels; any Master that wanted to take a Heart had to make a formal request of the Regent. Otherwise it could be seen as an act of aggression, since a Heart gave their vamp a boost of power. There was no question that he'd be receiving a punishment; he only hoped it wouldn't be too severe, not when he needed to be in top form.

"Hmmm."

In response to Blair's sleepy murmur, Jim pulled the sheets up over both of them and held his Guide close. There was time enough to worry about the Regent in the morning; for now he just let himself bask in the glow of having a Heart and a Guide, all wrapped up in a sexy mortal package. For the first time in a long time he found it hard to regret having been turned, not if it had led him to this moment.

"Sleep, mon cœur," he murmured softly.

*o*o*o*

Jim let Blair sleep in the following morning, while he padded downstairs to shower and call the Regent. He didn't get the man himself, of course; Marcus seldom cared to talk on the phone. Instead, Jim spoke with his lieutenant, Pietro, and made the arrangements for the day.

He then set about getting breakfast for his Guide. He called down to the second floor and had one of his men go up the block to the diner. He also made a mental note to have Sharyn coordinate with his staff to purchase some food for his cupboards and refrigerator, now that he had someone with him who would need to eat actual food.

It was well after nine when Blair finally stumbled down the stairs, hair a wild mess and clad only in boxers. Jim leaned back against the kitchen counter and admired the view. His Guide was lean and hairy, and now that they had joined Jim could easily feel the power that he exuded, the power that marked him as more than mortal.

"Mornin'." Blair gave him a sleepy smile as he shuffled past to the bathroom.

Jim fixed him a cup of hot tea and set out the breakfast he'd been keeping warm; blueberry pancakes, bacon, and scrambled eggs, and a cup of maple syrup. He couldn't help feeling a bit amused at himself as he fiddled with the silverware and napkin, getting everything just so. He'd never been so invested in pleasing someone, not since first bringing Sharyn home from the traveling fair.

Blair looked more alert when he returned, grinning when he saw the food on the table. "Is all this for me?"

"This too." Jim took hold of his wrist and pulled him closer until he was in kissing range. Blair followed his lead, keeping it slow and deep, no need now to rush, to take; only enjoy.

"I had no idea vampires were such good kisses," Blair said when they moved apart.

"Long years to practice," Jim replied. "Eat."

His Guide obliged him, tucking into the meal like a starving man. It made Jim feel a bit smug, knowing it was the result of their vigorous physical activity from the night before. He didn't know what effects Blair was getting from the new bond between them, but Jim was feeling much more centered, more at ease.

"Sit down and stop looming," Blair said, waving at the empty seat with his fork. "You sure you don't want some of this? It's pretty good."

Jim shook his head, taking the seat across from his Guide. He catalogued him with his senses and discovered that they were much more finely edged than they had been just yesterday: easier to access, easier to direct. Blair seemed healthy and content, and that was the feeling that Jim was getting through the bond as well.

"So what's the plan for the day? Visit the Regent, maybe engage in more of that Heart ritual?" Blair waggled his eyebrows, making Jim laugh.

"We'll need to leave here in about an hour. The Regent is expecting us. Depending on how that goes, I think I can arrange more time for…bonding." Jim could imagine all too well the things they would do together. "There's something I'd like to discuss with you first, though."

"Fire away, big guy."

He saw no reason not to get right to the point. "You can't live in the hotel. It's not suitable for the long-term." Unspoken was the fact that when Blair had agreed to be his Heart it was in essence a life-long contract. Even when a Heart was retired they were still kept close, still looked after.

"Yeah, I know. I've been thinking the same thing." Blair pushed the last piece of bacon around on his plate and gave Jim a sideways glance. "I suppose you have something in mind?"

"There are four apartments here – mine, Sharyn's and two empties. I'd like for you to consider taking one of the empty ones." Jim held up his hand when it looked like Blair was getting ready to speak. "It's merely a suggestion; I won't force it on you. But I can provide a better level of protection for you when you're here. You'd also have access to any of the vehicles in the garage, any time you wanted."

He'd been prepared for an argument, something along the lines of Blair being his own person and not needing to be coddled or kept. Jim wasn't expecting the brief look of disappointment that flitted across his face instead. Perhaps a bit of clarification was in order.

"This is all happening very fast, even by vamp standards. I want us to take our time when we can. Besides, you should have your own space to spread out in and feel comfortable in. That's all."

"That's all?" Blair echoed, looking at him with a dumbfounded expression. "I don't know how you do it."

"Do what?"

"Take all my preconceived notions and toss them out the window. That's a special kind of power, man."

Understanding dawned and Jim raised an eyebrow. "You thought I'd be ham-handed and make demands of you now that we've bonded."

Blair shrugged, but Jim could feel his embarrassment. And something else that rode shamefully along with it, something that tugged at Jim's gut. He grinned wickedly and reached over to grasp his Guide firmly by the back of the neck.

"We can do that too," he said, putting a growl in his voice. He pulled Blair roughly forward and kissed him, hard and just shy of bruising. Immediately Blair's heart rate went through the roof and Jim's senses were flooded with pheromones that spoke of lust and desire; his fangs dropped down in response.

"God, so good," Blair moaned into his mouth.

"We really don't have time for this, Sandburg," Jim said regretfully, pulling away.

"When we get back, then. I can wait."

"I'll make it worth your while," he promised. He felt pleased at the sight of his Guide, flushed and panting. Later he'd put some bruises on him, give him a bit of the rough handling he wanted; Jim knew how to make it good, how to make a little pain into a greater pleasure.

"Oh, yeah," Blair agreed readily.

"Go get cleaned up. We have a boat to catch." Jim set about clearing up the table while Blair took a shower. He hoped things went smoothly with the Regent, though he knew there was no getting out of whatever punishment awaited him. At least his Heart would be protected by the bond between them; no physical damage could be done to him, even if Jim himself were ever put to death. He sincerely hoped it never came to that.

When cleanup was finished Jim went up to his bedroom. He'd taken the liberty of ordering Blair some clothes; he couldn't very well meet the Regent in ragged jeans and a Henley. He laid an outfit out on the bed, nodding to himself in approval. Appearances mattered, especially with vamps, and Jim didn't want anything to go wrong today.

In the back of his mind a clock ticked down, marking the time he figured he had left before Alex blew into town. He prayed there was enough of it to get everyone prepared; enough to ensure his Guide would be safe.

"Stop worrying," Blair said as he came up the stairs, one towel around his waist and another wrapped around his head like a turban. "We'll work it out, okay? She won't catch us unawares."

"Unawares or not, don't underestimate her. I made that mistake once, I won't make it again." Jim's hands clenched into fists when he thought of Blair suffering the same fate as his Maker; no Heart bond would be enough to stop Alex.

Blair slid into his personal space, his arms around Jim's waist. He pressed a kiss to the base of Jim's throat. "Trust me, big guy. If anything, I'm overestimating. I'm not taking any chances with you."

Jim was absurdly touched by the sentiment. He pulled the towel from Blair's head and ran his hand through the wet curls, wondering at the machinations of fate that seemed to have been running his second life. Surely he wasn't given Blair only to have him snatched away before they even really had a chance to get to know one another. Well, he wouldn't allow it in any case.

"Come on, Chief. Get your game face on." Jim stole a quick kiss. "It's time to meet the Regent of Washington."

Blair moved back with reluctance and a little trepidation. "I've never met a vamp higher than a Master."

"Well, there's not much difference really. Fangs and ambition, it's pretty universal." Which wasn't precisely true. Regents were older than Masters, and vampire Kings and Queens older still. The passage of time could bring wisdom, but more often than not it brought a kind of madness and a sense of entitlement that could sometimes push the boundaries of acceptable even in vamp terms.

"Will the council get involved?" Blair asked, changing into the clothes Jim had lain out without comment.

"That's a very good question." Jim leaned back against the loft railing, watching as his Guide covered up all that delicious skin. "I suppose there's a good chance they will. Barnes scares them; she's done things no vamp should be able to do and they're not big on that kind of thing. That's why I have to keep the Sentinel thing under wraps."

Blair looked up at him, black dress pants on but unbuttoned, ditto the indigo blue dress shirt. "All your secrets are mine, you know that right?"

Sincerity and affection washed over Jim and he had to fight to keep his hands to himself. "I know, Chief."

The thing was he didn't need the bond or his senses to tell him that Blair was telling the truth; he just knew.

AN: I can't even begin to apologize for the lag time between chapters. I've been trying to woo my muse and get this chapter started for ages. It didn't start coming together until I said screw the buildup and just started right off with the sex. There's a slight chance my muse is a pervert. ::grins::

For everyone that wanted a good, lemony sex scene, hope you enjoyed this one. LOL!

As always I will strive for more timely updates but will make no promises. Just please know that I will finish this fic no matter what it takes, because it has a pretty kick-ass finale. I just need to get there!