It's a Vampire Thing Dakota Cassidy Published 2003 ISBN 1-931761-80-2 Published by Liquid Silver Books, imprint of Atlantic Bridge Publishing, 6280 Crittenden Ave, Indianapolis, Indiana. Copyright © 2003, Dakota Cassidy. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, recording or otherwise, without the prior written permission of the author. Manufactured in the United States of America Liquid Silver Books http://www.liquidsilverbooks.com Email:
[email protected] Cover Art by Sahara Kelly This is a work of fiction. The characters, incidents and dialogues in this book are of the author's imagination and are not to be construed as real. Any resemblance to actual events or persons, living or dead, is completely coincidental. Chapter 1 "Well, hello sugar!" Claire Treemont crooned softly to the naked male figure stretched out on the table. Come-hither baby blues stared blankly back at her. Okay, so he had the glassy-eyed thing going on, but damn, was he babe-o-licious! Claire gently brushed a stray lock of silky black hair from his forehead, as though he were a small child. Her gaze traveled the length of his bulky form. Lifting the crisp fabric of the white, institutionally issued sheet, she blew out a breathy sigh that bordered on dreamy as she eyed his package. "Well now ... ain't that just whistling Dixie? Look at the size of that monster!" She cringed as her thoughts strayed to places they shouldn't, at least not in her profession. Tsk, tsk. Such a waste of prime male flesh. Claire dropped the sheet reluctantly and grabbed her clipboard, then pulled a pen from behind her ear. Stray tendrils of honey gold hair fell loose from the clip imprisoning them. She brushed at them impatiently, tucking them back in place and glanced at the clock on the wall. Time was wasting while she lollygagged. She clicked on the voice-activated recorder, and began the tedious task of cataloguing hunk-o-rama's vital stats. Whew honey, he wasn't just long there, he was long everywhere. All six-foot-five of him. She snapped the tape measure back into its metal holder with a click. Folding back the sheet with care, she ran her hands over the rigid planes of his abdomen to
detect any abnormalities. "Somebody works out, doesn't he?" He must have used Abs of Steel, she mused, then smiled at herself for spending yet another night-shift talking to a corpse. Like he was really going to answer! What was his name, anyway? Running a finger quickly over his chart, she located his entry. "Zachariah Kowalski." "Kowalski, huh? Good thing you were so good looking, with a name like Kowalski." Claire smiled indulgently at him and took his body temp. The cold metal table vibrated beneath her touch. Odd. She turned to the instrument tray for her scalpel. The sensation of being watched skittered up her spine on spider's legs. She shook it off. That's first-year rookie crap. Claire had long ago gotten over thinking the cadavers she attended were moving, or that their glassy-eyed stares lingered on her. Indeed. I need to spend more time with the living. Thankfully, she began vacation tomorrow--a long two weeks with nothing but time on her hands. Maybe she'd hit the singles bars. Ugh. And then again maybe not. Again, she felt the curious conviction that someone was watching her. Ignoring it, she dug through the drawer full of gadgets trying to find a sterilized scalpel. Damn Albert for leaving behind a cluttered mess. She hated the day shift guys. She hated their smalltown practices even more. Who the hell left a scalpel in a drawer with all the other stuff? Hah! Claire latched onto the lone scalpel, feeling rather victorious. She checked to be sure the lethal weapon was still enclosed in its sterile sheathing, then tore it open. Okay, handsome, here I come. Smoothing her gloved hands over her lab coat before she began, she tugged at the waistband of the skirt beneath, yanking it up. God, she hated staff meetings and wearing skirts to impress the boss. Like she was gonna wear a ball gown while she hacked up dead bodies. Sheesh. She pressed her fingers along Kowalski's cold, clammy skin, preparing the smooth surface for the incision. Locating just the right spot, she twirled the metal blade in her hand like a gunslinger and chuckled to herself. It was a shame to mar the perfection of such a beautiful specimen, but the funeral home would fix him up, good as new. She positioned the blade over his abdomen, near the fine sprinkling of black hair that narrowed to a point over his long cock. A Herculean grip surrounded her wrist, so quick and startling that she jerked back and fell with a thud to the hard tile floor, scalpel clattering after her, wrist still held prisoner. Her heart clamored wildly in her chest. She would not look up to see who or what held her in a death grip. No, no, no freakin way! Shit, she was gonna look up. Cautiously, she raised terrified eyes just a hair to find Zachariah Kowalski peering down at her. His once-glassy baby blues
crinkled at the corners, sparkling and full of life. Holy Dead Guy, Batman! His white teeth flashed as a wide grin spread across his angular face; he had the most glorious dimples. Dimples that were very much alive. Wavy black hair framed a handsome face, falling to brush the top of his shoulders. Her heart thumped wildly in her chest as heat coursed a path down her arm. His smile was genuine, flashing perfect, white, evenly-spaced teeth as he asked, "Need some help?" He swung his legs over the side of the examining table, letting the sheet fall to the floor. His thick, erect cock bobbed in her face. Claire's head followed the up-and-down motion in disbelief as the muscles in his thick thighs bulged. Tugging on her arm, he pulled her up, their bodies now just inches apart. Standing, the top of Claire's head reached to just below his nipple, she noted absently. She screwed her eyes shut tightly. No, this isn't happening. She worked long hours and it was beginning to have an effect on her. Yup, that was it. "No, Claire, it's not the long hours you put in." Zachariah assured her with a deep chuckle. His voice was like a liquid orgasm washing over her trembling body. "Although such a beautiful woman really should get out more, you're not seeing things. Here, feel." He took her hand and placed it on his cock. Warm and smooth, it was incontrovertible evidence of his animate status. He groaned. "See, I'm very much alive." Oh, indeed he is. Claire's hands shook violently. And he knows my name. "Don't be afraid of me, Claire, I won't hurt you." His hot-chocolate tenor rippled through her veins like a heat wave. Don't be afraid of the dead guy who just got up off your examining table, has a cock the size of a bull and isn't really dead, you say? A dead guy whose cock you have now firmly latched onto like you're declaring it your own. She yanked her hand away. Nah ... me afraid? Never. Claire struggled to remember where the door was, so she could get the hell out of Dodge. Zachariah's large hand shifted between her shoulder blades, and began to caress her back in slow sensual circles. He pressed her closer and sniffed the air. "Ah, Claire, you smell delicious, good enough to eat," he declared. Um, okay, if this is supposed to be the scariest event of my life, then why are my knees melting like butter and my panties soaked like I just swam the English Cannel? "Because you want me, Claire, and I want you. Now," he confirmed, just in case she was wondering. Impossibly strong arms scooped her up, holding her tightly to his thick chest. "Where is your office?" he asked casually, as though he had asked where the soda machine was. Without even thinking, she dazedly pointed in the general direction, and he whisked her off with determined strides, his bare feet slapping on the cold tile with each step. Claire felt strangely disconnected, as if this was happening to someone else, and she was just a spectator. Then he laid her gently on the maroon vinyl couch, and sat down beside her, caressing her face. His sparkling blue gaze pierced
hers; she shivered in response, unable to tear her eyes away, allowing herself to be swept up in the moment, no matter how improbable, how impossible, it was. "I'm going to say this as quickly as I can, Claire, I don't have time for explanations. I must fuck you." Claire's eyebrows shot up. "I promise you it will be good, and I will be as gentle as any lover you've ever had. So relax. No," he stopped her sputtering protest as he leaned closer to her. "You can ask me anything you want afterward, but for now I have to have your consent. Without your consent I can't go any further." "Well," he stopped, as though he were thinking about that statement, "I can, but I won't." His tongue snaked out to swipe at her lower lip like a velvet probe. Claire gulped as her nipples tightened into hard beads and lust bubbled at the apex of her thighs. Who in the hell cared if he was dead, alive or a figment of her imagination? She'd never felt anything like this before, and damned if she wasn't going to give in to temptation, just this once. Screw responsibility and rationality and all the other r-words that went along with them. She nodded her head in consent, just before he opened the buttons on her blouse, unclasped her bra and buried his dark head in the soft valley between her breasts. His hands cupped them firmly as his tongue sought her aching nipple, suckling it with force. Claire's hands raked through his thick hair as he lapped at her, and white hot needles of desire shot to her cunt. Zachariah stretched his full length out on the couch, lying on top of her. His skin, ice cold just moments before, was fiery hot now, searing her exposed flesh. His thick cock throbbed against her belly. As he laved a nipple, his hand roamed over her thigh, inching her skirt up. Claire held her breath when his hand lingered at the crease between her thigh and pussy. His long fingers slipped beneath the lace sheath of panty and slid into her wet folds. Her hips bucked in response as his fingers threaded through her wet flesh like magic. He tore his lips from her nipple and raised his head; surprise glinted in his blue eyes. "Your cunt is smooth, Claire, like nothing I've ever known. Soft and so wet," he said with a groan. His words of obvious pleasure sent a thrill of hot desire through her. His fingers continued to caress her, making her whimper with delight as he thumbed the swollen nub of her clit. All Claire could think of was the delicious pressure of his long fingers, and his thick, thick cock. Her hand trailed down between them to find his rock-hard length simmering with heat. She ran her fingernail lightly over him, and watched from beneath her lashes as his head rolled back and he groaned. The corded muscles in his neck bulged; she leaned up and nipped at them, luxuriating in the salty taste of his skin, the pure thrill that shot through her at the thought of using her teeth. He smelled delicious. She grasped his cock more firmly and found that her hand just fit around the wide circumference. Claire gasped as his hot tongue trailed a wet path along her body. Kneeling between her trembling thighs he put his hands on her knees, spreading them wide. Embarrassment made her try to snap them shut, but he kept his grip firmly in place. "Don't hide from me Claire, you're beautiful. Don't ever hide from me." But she had never... Zachariah's blue eyes searched hers before he said, "Let me taste you, Claire. You have no idea the delight it brings me knowing I am the first to bring you this particular pleasure." His dark head lowered to her cunt, and she felt his hot breath graze the sensitive flesh as his tongue swept apart her soft folds. His sigh was husky and broken. Claire's body jerked in response as his tongue invaded her, and when his lips fastened on her clit, she writhed wildly beneath him. His velvet tongue found her slick passage and plunged into her, making her clench the arm of the couch in a viselike grip. "Cum for me Claire, let me taste your sweet juices." Her head swam with his hoarse words and her breathing quickened as she came with a violent shudder.
Lifting his head, he sat up and knelt between her thighs, and then reached up to caress her flushed cheeks. Eyes fastened on hers, he grasped his hard cock, long fingers wrapped around the meaty width, and began to guide it into her aching passage. Fear made her heart pound wildly, it would never fit. He was the largest man she'd ever seen. "Don't be frightened, Claire, you were made for me. I would never hurt you. Trust me." His eyes implored hers, as he nudged her slick entrance. The head of his cock rubbed tantalizingly against her, and of their own will, her hips pressed forward encouragingly. They didn't have a condom. You didn't need a condom in a morgue. Oh, shit. She didn't care. Claire wanted him like she'd never wanted anything in her life, and her body screamed for him to plunge into her depths. So screw the condom. Who the hell had just said that? It's your libido, Claire. Go with it. She watched in fascination as each inch disappeared within her until his black pubic hair rasped against her clit and he filled her. Claire sighed as he settled inside her, unmoving, letting her adjust to his size. His hands massaged her thighs, sending tingles of warmth to her cunt. She had never watched anyone make love to her before, it had always been between a set of sheets, under the cover of night. She hesitantly ran her nails lightly over the crisp curls at the base of his cock and he groaned with obvious pleasure; in turn, he spread her wet flesh apart with deft fingers and rubbed a thumb over her clit as he began to slowly move deeper. Claire closed her eyes. She'd never felt so full or alive, every nerve a slow delectable burn of friction and warm flesh. Their hands tangled as she stroked his sleek belly and he caressed the smooth, dripping flesh of her pussy. With each thrust his heavy balls slapped soundly against her ass. She held fast to his wrists as he stroked in and out of her, his hands splayed over her mound as her hips ground into the sticky vinyl couch. She tugged at his hands, pulling him to her, and sighed with pleasure when his chest made contact with hers, scraping her sensitive nipples, his heavy weight pressing her deeply into the couch. Claire ran her palms over his thickly muscled back, and wrapping her thighs around his waist, she lifted her hips and pressed the heels of her still shoe-clad feet into his ass. Zachariah licked the hollow of her neck, following the outline of her jaw until his firm lips touched hers. He hovered there until Claire whimpered into his mouth, and then his velvet tongue was scraping hers, devouring her. When his tongue touched hers, Claire would have sworn by all that was sacred that she had seen the heavens open. Brilliant white lights flashed behind her closed eyes as tiny pinpricks of heat shot to all her secret places. Zachariah must have felt it too, for his body tensed and his cock seemed to surge more deeply inside of her welcoming warmth. He suckled her lips, sipping at them, tasting them, moaning into her mouth. Claire felt the tension build and her muscles begin to tighten as she contracted around his cock, milking the thick length. "I've never felt anything like this before; you're so tight and sweet." Zachariah threw his head back and clenched his teeth; Claire clutched the flesh of his muscled ass as she prepared to come. Burning heat and wild abandon shot through her as she met his hips stroke for stroke. An orgasm ripped through her sharply just as Zachariah's cock twitched violently, washing her inner walls with his hot seed. He collapsed on top of her, cradling her in his arms. "You are exquisite, Claire, everything a man could hope for," he whispered softly, between heaving breaths. Claire's muddled brain absorbed that statement slowly. Oh yeah sure, like you haven't said that to every coroner you've ever boinked. It couldn't have been nearly as good for you as it was for me.
He rose above her, bracing himself on his powerful arms and looked down at her. "I'm insulted that you would think such a thing. I most certainly have not, nor will ever again, utter those words to anyone but you, Claire Treemont," he said jauntily, just before his beautiful blue eyes rolled to the back of his head and he collapsed heavily on top of her, snoring rather loudly. **** Claire woke with a start, bolting upright to find herself in the familiar surroundings of her bedroom. With a shaky sigh she lay back down on the bed. Whoa, that had been the dream of the millennium. Stretching like a cat, she felt her muscles creak in protest. Her thighs were tender and her nipples felt raw. Oh good, just what she needed, the flu. She had never missed a day at the County Coroners Office in eight years, and didn't intend to start now. But wait, she was on vacation! A long leisurely shower and all would be right again. She swung her legs over the side of the bed ... her naked legs. Naked? Where the hell were her thermal jammies? "I didn't know you had any, Claire, but you're so much more beautiful nude." The liquid-orgasm voice from her dream announced, from the far corner of her darkened bedroom. A dizzy rush of panic threatened to overtake her; she clutched the sheets and closed her eyes, trying to steady herself. The dead guy. She groaned out loud. "I'm hurt you would call me that, Claire, after what we've shared." She gripped the edge of the bed for support. "Claire," she heard him whisper her name softly. "Turn around, Claire, and look at me." The hell I will! Oh no, this can't be happening, not to me! "Claire..." his tone held a gentle warning. She covered her eyes with her hands, shaking her head. Slowly, hesitantly, and against every lick of good sense she'd ever had, she turned to find none other than Zachariah Kowalski sitting in her favorite overstuffed chair. Still very much alive, and grinning wickedly at her, dimples deeply grooving his lean cheeks, bracketing those yummy lips. She grabbed the sheet and dragged it over her, draping it around her nakedness. He stood and crossed the room, his tremendous body dwarfing her gauze-canopied bed. She scooted away, but he settled in next to her and grabbed her by the waist, dragging her close to him. She squeaked at the warmth that flooded her veins from his touch. Claire's mind frantically raced to thoughts of dialing 911 and maybe finding a weapon or two. She searched her memory, trying to remember if she had anything in her nightstand drawer to fight him off with. She got the distinct impression a pair of earrings probably wouldn't work in her favor as a tool of mass destruction. Oh, she could hear herself calling 911, 'Help me, I've just boinked a dead guy and now I'm thinking that boinking him again might be within the realm of possibility. So could you send a patrol car over here right away?' Jesus, his hands felt good, as did her nipples and the throb between her thighs. Oh, Hell's bells, this was not good. She couldn't think straight with the strong male scent of him in her nostrils, and the thought of his hands on her body. Okay, major brain fart in progress here. "Sit still, Claire," he broke into her thoughts, his blue gaze holding her immobile. Nuzzling her neck, his gentle hands fitted her closely to him. Her nipples beaded in agreement. Oh no, there will be no more schtupping until I know what the hell is going on here. "I'll tell you, if you'll just let me," he smiled agreeably at her, blue eyes twinkling. "Wait a second, how do you know what I'm thinking?"
"It's all part of the explanation, Claire, and if you'll shut your pretty mouth, I'll be happy to tell you. Now sit in my lap nicely, I won't hurt you." He pulled her onto his lap, settling her bottom directly over his silk-trousered cock. She tried, without much success, to wiggle away. She also tried to remember where the hell the phone was, but couldn't seem to string two thoughts together. His arm snaked around her waist, holding her firmly. "Stop that! It's hard enough to see you naked, must you squirm?" Claire quit fighting and sat perfectly still. Nobody ever wanted to see her naked. "Good girl, now where do I begin?" Claire snorted, and finally found her voice. It was shaky but she found it. "Here, let me help ya, big guy. How about last night, when you arrived at the morgue DEAD? Colder than a slab of ice and stiffer than day-old hair spray. Sounds like as good a place as any." Zachariah absently stroked her as he chuckled. His wide chest vibrated against her back, and she found herself leaning back into the warm expanse, oddly content. Wait one damn second, her brain screamed. What the hell is this about content? She couldn't answer the question logically, because her body had other ideas, even as her ears attempted to focus intently on his words. "To begin with, call me Zach, honey. Zachariah seems like a lot of syllables, doesn't it? Now, last night I was out looking for ... well never mind what I was looking for. I'm narcoleptic. Being a coroner, you should be familiar with the condition." Claire nodded, thoughts racing. It still didn't explain his DOA status. His hands wandered to her thighs as he spoke, stroking them softly through the sheet. Her nipples tightened in response, and as his fingers drifted to the apex of her thighs, she found her legs widening to span the width of his lap. "Anyway, as you know, narcoleptics tend to fall asleep just about anywhere, and that's what happened to me. I fell asleep on a park bench, and the police mistook me for dead. So that brought me to you and the morgue." She twisted to look at him with a frown. Okay, she was LOOKING at HIM. How did you look at a dead guy, unless he was toe-up on your examining table? She struggled to put her thoughts into words. "Look Zachiar ... Zach, that doesn't explain why you had no pulse, no heartbeat. Nothing buddy, nada. I took your stats. I know dead when I see dead, and YOU were dead, as a doornail." Cupping her breasts, he planted a lingering kiss on her cheek. "You're right; I was dead, technically anyway." Claire attempted to focus on his words, but the heated circles he made around her sheet-covered nipples made it almost impossible to give a crap. She felt his cock stir in his thin trousers, pressing with delightful friction against her bottom, just calling her name. Of its own accord, one of her arms wrapped around the back of his neck. She ran her nails through his thick hair, sighing as he ran gentle fingertips along the underside of her arm. The sheet fell to her waist, bringing with it the cool air tightening her nipples as heat pooled once again between her thighs. She bit her bottom lip, unsure how to deal with the wild desire he evoked in her. Her brain said, are you freaking kidding me? But her body said, woo hoo, Claire's going to get laid! His hands drove her to madness and the mental visual of his thick cock brought tears to her eyes. For goodness sake, she had sex maybe once a year--not including leap year--and it wasn't anything to write home about. Claire Treemont did not get excited about anyone's stiff cock and she had no intention of starting now! "But those fools didn't have my cock, Claire. Nor can they bring you the pleasure I brought you."
Claire moaned as he worked those magic fingers between her thighs, grazing the saturated folds. Her voice was husky and foreign to her ears when she said, "You're pretty damn sure of yourself, aren't you, big guy?" Too sure of himself. He chuckled that sinfully hot-chocolate laugh that sent ripples of pleasure to her nether regions. "I am sure, Claire and you will be too, if you'll just let me show you." He spread her thighs with the palms of his hands and shifted her forward as he unzipped his pants, then pulled out his cock. Its engorged length brushed along her spine; she shuddered when she thought just how far up her back that hot length went. Um, hello, her mind screamed. You're about to schtupp a guy you've known for all of twenty minutes. Hell, most of the time you knew him, he was DEAD. Claire groaned--but damn, the things he did to her body... Body and mind fought a private battle, and her mind, albeit stuffed with cotton, won. Nuh, uh. This was not going to happen again. Her heart tightened painfully in her chest again as her body screamed WHY NOT? "Stop," she whispered, moving his hands from her breast. "Please stop. I don't know what the hell is going on, but we are NOT having any kind of physical contact until I have a whole lot more in the info department." Go, Claire. A coherent thought at last! Her brain applauded her. "What do you want to know, Claire?" Zach stroked her back and she found herself leaning into his big hand. Her spine stiffened. No, no, no. What was the question? What had she asked? Well ... well ... well, she didn't know right now. She only knew that he was not using that pistol of passion again 'till he gave her something more solid than, 'I have narcolepsy, let's screw'. "Do you remember why I was in the morgue?" Her head shot up. Dead, he was dead. Claire's eyes searched his big baby blues. Man, he had fabulous lashes, thick and wavy. No mascara in the world offered that kind of guarantee. "Claire baby, focus, okay?" Focus ... right. Dead, cold, stiff ... dead, very definitely dead. "Yes, that's right Claire, you thought I was dead, but I wasn't really dead, honey. How could I have been dead if I was able to make love to you?" Oh shit. She twisted away from his hands, though it was the hardest thing she'd ever had to do in her life. Zach paused, then stared straight into her eyes. "Claire, honey ... I'm a vampire." Oh shit. **** Claire toweled off her hair, trying to gather her muddled thoughts. Maybe Zach could gather them for her. She'd scooted off his lap so fast her head had spun, and raced for the bathroom, firmly locking the door behind her. A vampire... "I heard that." Zach the vampire called with a throaty chuckle from behind the bathroom door.
Her nipples tightened in tune with his laughter. Oh hell. She paced the small space and gnawed her lower lip. He'd escaped the nut house, yeah, that had to be it. But that didn't explain his very dead state upon arrival in her morgue. Narcolepsy did not present with no pulse or heartbeat. Well that didn't stop you from screwing him now did it? Oh shut up and let me think! Didn't vampires' heart rates slow down in sleep? She tried to remember the whole Dracula thing. You slept with a guy who thinks he's a vampire. You didn't use a condom, you could be pregnant. Better yet, you might have gotten a disease. OMIGOD. She'd slept with a certified loon. A nut job. How was that for desperate and lonely? Oh, this was freaking insane. Of course he wasn't a vampire, no more than she was a part of the team at CSI. Yanking her robe off the hook impatiently, she threw it on and pulled the door open as Zach set a heaped plate of food on the small table. She eyed him warily from the doorway. He'd made her breakfast ... aw hell. Well, if he was a nut, he damn sure was a thoughtful one. Her stomach growled its appreciation. "I am not a nut, Claire, nor am I the kind of vampire you've typically read about in some stupid, blown-out-of-proportion novel. I don't know where the narcolepsy came into this, through some screwy fluke, perhaps. I have a job. I'm an architect, with parents and friends and a life. A life that just got a whole lot better because I found you. Now come sit down beside me and we'll talk." She shook her head emphatically. Sitting with him was a dangerous thing, being anywhere near this man was a dangerous thing; it led to other dangerous things. She shuddered as desire, inexplicable and molten, rolled through her veins. "No. I will not sit with you, not until you tell me what the hell is going on!" He rounded the small table beside the chair and came toward her. She backed up against the door frame, pressing her back to the wall. Zach didn't just fill up a space, he owned it, loomed in it, and he was damn yummy while he did it. Yummy? Jesus Christ in a mini skirt, YUMMY? For the life of her she couldn't figure out why she didn't feel an ounce of fear. Not the least bit threatened by this wing nut. Remembering the wicked things he'd done to her body cancelled everything else out. Horny tramp... Am not. Are too. "Claire, honey, give me your hand." Her hand reached out to touch his. It was an action she couldn't have stopped if she'd tried. Zach enclosed it in a firm grip and led her to the overstuffed chair. Sitting on the edge of the bed, he watched her closely. Claire looked down at the table absently and noticed that he'd made her scrambled eggs and toast and orange juice. She sighed loudly. Of course he was a vampire, no human man would go to all this trouble. A human man would have eaten it himself. This guy is like a dream come true she thought, and then cringed. Idiot, she scolded herself mentally, he just heard me think that. Zach chuckled knowingly, with that smug look on his face. "You made me breakfast." She stated simply, hating the warmth that invaded her heart. Nearly every doubt in her mind flew out the door of improbability as it slammed firmly behind her.
Hookay then, she'd schtupped a vampire, or at least a guy who really believed he was one. And she'd liked it. Hell, she'd LOVED it. He seemed harmless enough, except when he got too close to her. There was nothing harmless about what his body did to hers. It was carnal. And something she wanted to do again. Soon. He grinned, his dimples deepening. "Yup, I'm not just a vampire, but a vampire who cooks," he said, sounding rather pleased with himself. "All right," she said, between bites of fluffy egg, "what does this mean in the scheme of things? I mean, do you want to bite my neck? Turn me into a vampire too? Will I have to work the night shift at the morgue forever, 'cause I can't go out in daylight? We didn't use a condom, what if I have a disease?" Claire paused to munch her perfectly toasted bread, waiting for his reply. Then it really hit her. She was sitting here calmly talking about hooking up with a vampire, or at least a guy who thought he was a vampire ... Holy delusional, Batman! Humoring him seemed to be the best road to take. Let's calmly talk about drinking blood and living your life by the light of the moon. Well, she conceded, most of the good TV shows were on at night anyway... "No, Claire, I told you, most vampire nonsense is all folklore. You don't need a condom. I assure you, I don't have a disease. You do not have to become a vampire if you don't want to. Actually I'd prefer we didn't talk about that now, at least until we get to know one another better." Better? Knowing one another in the biblical sense was about as close to getting to know one another as it got. "You need the chance to adjust to this. I know it's a lot and your brain is on overload, so don't worry about the vampire thing just yet. For now let's just stick to the basics, okay?" She nodded her head and sighed. The basics being I just screwed a guy who thinks he's a vampire, but forget about that Claire. Really, don't trouble yourself with the impossibility of this. Don't let it worry your pretty little head. His words cut into her thoughts. "I can do all of the things most average people do. I do go out in the daylight, with heavy sunscreen, and sunglasses. I am part of a more enlightened group of vampires; we're not all out to suck your blood or make you something you don't want to be. Some of the older sect still hold onto the traditional ways, but the tides are turning, and soon vampires will be a part of your everyday life. We don't want to frighten people, and whatever happens to them, they must first agree to." Well, that was peachy--a vampire slogan. Vampires Unite! Claire rubbed her forehead with the heel of her hand. "Where the hell did you get a name like Kowalski?" Zach laughed. "My father is Polish, vampires are Polish too, you know." It sounded like a bumper sticker. A Polish, narcoleptic vampire. "What about fangs?" Zach sighed. "I do have those, but I only need them when I drink from another. Don't get excited, I don't swoop down on innocent people and suck their blood. My family has a reserve of sorts, where all the blood I need is available to me at any given time." Claire wasn't about to ask where this reserve had come from. "I eat three meals a day just like you, I just happen to drink blood rather than the usual human beverage." He flashed her that lethal grin.
Claire leaned back in the chair, absorbing the blood thing--not that blood bothered her, she was, after all, a coroner. "How did I end up back here this morning?" She looked at him over the rim of her juice glass. "I brought you. When I woke up and realized I had literally passed out on you, I figured it was the least I could do. Narcolepsy isn't always conducive to afterglow, if you know what I mean." He wiggled his raven-tipped eyebrows at her. "So why don't I remember it?" Claire wasn't accustomed to losing blocks of time, and she didn't like not having control of anything. Right now she certainly didn't have control sexually, not on this 'out of control' spree she seemed to be on. "Well, you were pretty tired, and I suppose there was some residual shock. I mean a dead guy had just made incredible love to you," he teased. "Don't worry, I punched your time card for you, and seeing as you were one of the only people there, I don't think anyone saw me, if that's what you're worried about." Oh well, of course; we wouldn't want the janitor to see me leave with a naked dead guy. Now for some of the more life-altering questions, like the whole Amazing Creskin thing... "You can read my mind, I assume?" Zach nodded, grinning awkwardly at her. "It's rather an unfair advantage, don't you think?" She countered. "Well I guess that depends on how you look at it. I'll always know what you want, and I'd call that a big advantage for any guy, vampire or not. But I'll also know when you're angry with me, and why. I can tune you out. It takes a bit of doing, but it can be done." She felt a small measure of relief at that. Some things needed to be your own. "Explain this 'I must fuck you' thing. I mean, you said it as though that monster of yours would dry up and fall off if you didn't stick it in something right away." "Monster? That's not what you were thinking when you were ogling it under the sheet on that examining table!" he grunted. Claire blushed from head to toe, casting her eyes to the floor. His laughter rumbled throughout the room. "When I awaken, it's usually from a deep sleep, especially if I've had an attack of narcolepsy. I am always voracious, insatiable, if you will." Claire shivered. No kidding, her nipples acknowledged. What the hell did that mean? Did he screw anyone he woke up next to? Pushing her plate away, she remained silent, unable to address the last of her concerns. Namely, the bizarre attachment she'd begun to feel for him. It just didn't make any sense. "Claire, look at me." He seemed to always be able to coax her into doing exactly what he wanted, so why fight it? Her eyes met his and she felt her breath leave her body. His blue eyes locked with hers. "You are my Life Mate Claire, I don't know why we met under the circumstances we did, but I knew it from the moment I touched your hand and looked into those big black eyes, that you were mine. I have never experienced the complete joy I have when I'm with you, not even close. Now come here." Zach's demand was soft but clear. Claire crossed the small space to stand between his thickly muscled thighs, helpless to do otherwise. Zach untied the belt of her robe and parted the silky material, sweeping his long fingers over her tight nipples. His dark head bent to her breasts, swiping each
nipple with a soft caress of his silken tongue. Claire's hands came up to cradle his head, pressing him closer as warm heat pooled to her cunt. Then that little niggle in her brain reared its ugly head. Claire wanted to tell it to shut up, but sanity had to prevail, if what she'd heard was right. She cupped his face with her hands and forced him to look up at her. "What the hell is a Life Mate?" Zach grinned that oh-so-yummy grin, "It's kind of self explanatory." "No, I'd say most of what's happened 'til now defies explanation. So humor me." Zach's hands continued to wreak havoc with her senses, but she grabbed them and held them in hers. He sighed long and loud. "It means we're meant to be together, mated for life." He said the last set of words with a clear enunciation. "Mated for life? I hardly know you! I'm not some animal in a pack that you just set your sights on and then BAM, call me your life mate. This might be easier to swallow if you called me your girlfriend, or even your future wife. But Life Mate?" Claire sputtered. Looking down at him, she found herself transfixed with the smooth plane of his neck. What was happening to her? "I told you, I'd explain all of that later." He reminded her. Yes, yes, yes, he'd told her that all right... Jeez his neck was so enticing... Claire forgot about Life Mates and every other crazy thing that had happened up until now as she leaned forward, compelled by a deep, dark urge, and nipped at his neck playfully. The curious desire to taste him swept over her, leaving her flush with newfound excitement simmering in the pit of her belly. Zach immediately tensed, gripping her shoulders and sitting her upright. "What are you doing, Claire?" His tone was suspicious and wary. His blue eyes held genuine concern. Claire shook her head as confusion and need battled with one another. "I don't know? Your neck looked ... I don't know?" Disorientation swept over her, she had no answer for why she felt this intense need to ... to what? Oh hell. It hit her with a rush of clarity. She wanted to bite him, taste his flesh, and drink from him. Which kinda meant she wanted to ... oh my. Her words tumbled out in a rush of tangled, incoherent broken sentences, while Zach watched her intensely. "Zach I want... I want to bite..." Oh crap, what the hell do I want? Do I really mean what I'm about to say, or am I just trying to trip him up? Claire blew out a breath, and threw the words at him like darts, sharp, pointy and aiming for his jugular--literally. "Zachariah Kowalski, I want to become a vampire, now." There now, wasn't that the aspiration of the millennium? Chapter 2 Fuuuuuccckkk, Zach winced. Claire didn't change from century to century. It never failed, she showed up in the most unlikely way, turning his life upside down and wanting the same damn thing every time--to turn. But it never happened; she either disappeared off the face of the planet, or was killed before he had the chance to turn her and complete the ritual. And it had to be him, her Life Mate, that turned her, and no other. It just couldn't happen at this precise moment "No," Zach said firmly, without reservation. Claire stared down at him, her black gaze filled with confusion.
"No?" Zach sighed, raking a hand through his hair. "Nope," he shook his head. "Well what the hell kinda vampire are you anyway? Don't you want to welcome me to the fold? Suck my blood; make me one of your own? I mean, hell, Zach, are you from the pansy sect of Polish vampires?" Zach felt his temperature rise as he fought to maintain not only his temper, but soothe his ego. Pansy? Well, shit. "Look, it's difficult to explain the lifestyle of a vampire, it isn't like the glamorous stuff you read about in some stupid romance novel. I drink blood, and the Kowalski's are a rare breed of vampire. Though we resemble the traditional vampires of Eastern Europe, it's not the same. We have our own rules and our own traditions, and we don't need our Life Mates to turn, so to speak. We can go on just like we are, a human and a vamp, for now at least." Claire smiled at him in appeasement. She was going to say one thing and do absolutely another, he could sense it, but he couldn't get a clear read on it. Damn, she was acquiring the knack for blocking him from her thoughts already. She pushed away from him and stood at the edge of the bed, wrapping her robe back around her body, and tightened the belt. "How old are you, Zach?" She asked, as she nudged his thigh with her knee. Here we go, he thought; now comes the part he dreaded every time he found her again. He gave her his best grin, despite the question. "Um, three hundred and fifty-six..." Claire cocked her head; he had to give her credit for not keeling over. "Oh, okay, so you're like waaay old," she confirmed with a sly grin. "And what have you been doing the past century or so? If I'm your Life Mate, and we just met, have you been schtupping keyholes all this time?" Hey, hey, wait just one second, dammit. The monster was a whole helluva lot bigger than a keyhole. Claire reached down and ran an idle finger over the outline of his crotch. Zach swallowed as his traitorous cock began to rise, begging for her soft grip. He swallowed hard. Damn her, why couldn't she just leave well enough alone? She was like this century after century ... shit. And now she was becoming cocky. Trying to get a rise out of him literally and figuratively, to smoke him out. She was fighting the idea that this made no sense in her perfect world of science and mathematical numbers, but she couldn't fight the need she felt. It was always the same, she denied it in her mind, but her body couldn't deny the undeniable truth. Sometimes it got damn tedious, time after time. She always thought that if she turned the tables on him, and played the game like she wanted to become a vampire, he'd confess he'd escaped the loony bin and she could package the whole thing neatly away in her "this adds up" file. It didn't matter, before long she'd be convinced. Her body always won the war over that brain of hers. He reminded himself, once again, that patience was a virtue with Claire. "Look, it's kind of hard to explain and right now all you need to know is this; I will not allow you to become a vampire before we get to know each other. You are mine, as is." There ya go big guy, throw your weight around a little, show her who's boss. Claire's eyes sparkled brightly, her lips turned up in a slow sensual tilt.
"Well, what if I told you I don't want to be yours, as is? What if I told you that I want to be a vampire now, and if you won't turn me into one, I'll find someone who will?" She stomped off to the bathroom, shutting the door firmly behind her. Zach sat up and ran his hands over his stubble-darkened face. His gut tightened painfully. She wasn't ready to know the full extent of their history, it was the same each time, and he wasn't supposed to toy with fate by telling her anything about their relationship. Fate be damned, he thought viciously, there had to be a way around fate. Well this time would be different, he vowed silently. This time she would not have her way with those soft words, big black eyes, and that luscious cunt that he couldn't seem to deny himself. His groin tightened painfully at the thought of denying himself any one of her charms, but if he let himself get too carried away, he might turn her without any excuse other than he was a horny clod, and it was very possible to get stupid around Claire. It quite simply couldn't happen until the time was right, and timing was what this was all about. He had to stall her so she wouldn't jump the gun and try to call his bluff. If she went fishing around for someone to turn her, to see if this was all some game he was playing, and that someone was the wrong person, she would be the one toe-up in the morgue. She must wait until the time was right, and he couldn't even tell her why. As the full moon drew closer, he would take every precaution, and this time she would not spend a second without him. His heart clenched, no freaking way would he let her die again, the years in between her coming and going were too desolate. **** Claire blindly grabbed for the edge of the bathroom sink as a vision of her and Zach swam before her eyes. Clear as crystal, she saw Zach helping her mount a huge chestnut mare. A skirt of what she was sure was the finest silk flowed about her dainty, slipper-clad feet. Zach's big hand slid under the heavy flow of material to lightly run over her thigh, and graze the flesh nestled there. The flesh that always seemed to be wet and waiting for only him. Claire felt her nipples tighten and her mouth run dry as Zach smiled up at her with hunger in his blue eyes. He mouthed something to her that she couldn't quite make out, and as suddenly as it began, it was over. She was back in the safety of her soft white bathroom, with the gold accents she'd spent nine solid hours choosing with such care in Bed Bath and Beyond. What the hell was going on? She found her way to the edge of the tub on shaky legs, leaned against the towel rack for support, and took deep raspy breaths. Some answers were needed here, and she knew exactly who had them. Damn vampire with a voice that was like a liquid orgasm, and an ego the size of Rhode Island. Who the hell is he to tell me I can't become a vampire whenever my little heart desires? And on that note, why the hell did she want to become one? There was certainly nothing appealing about hanging out in the dead of night with a bunch of people whose cocktail of choice was blood. Not to mention the fact that they had a lifespan of centuries. Didn't you run out of things to keep you amused? Talk about been there, done that. Sure made a trip somewhere warm and sunny out of the question too, didn't it? Claire was no simpering wimp, and she had no trouble facing a crisis, but give a girl a break huh? The more she picked it apart in her brain, the more confused she became. She kept waiting for him to confess he was a nut job, but that still didn't explain the wild craving she felt running rampant through her body whenever he was near. Maybe it was a hormonal imbalance ... that had suddenly appeared out of nowhere, and not a hair on your chin to show for it? Okay, so he seemed harmless enough. He wasn't going to hurt her while she tried to figure this thing out--for some crazy reason, she was sure of at least that much. All right, Zach of the Polish vampire persuasion with an affliction for narcolepsy, here I come--and I intend to get some answers about all this Life Mate crap and vampire bullshit. With a determined hand, she ran a brush through her long curls, brushed her teeth, and strutted out into the bedroom, bare as the day she was born. Zach grinned at her nakedness, his cock making a teepee out of the sheet he had covered himself with. Her stomach muscles clenched and her knees went weak. Claire ignored the urgent need to rip off the sheet and devour him, fangs and all, and went to
her dresser, pulling out a pair of jeans and a sweatshirt. And damn the man for thinking she'd just fall into bed with him ... hell, that bed looked inviting. Dressing quickly, she threw his shirt at him and eyeballed his reluctant form. "I guess it's your turn to make the bed, honeybunch." Claire said sarcastically. Zach chuckled at her. "Why don't we skip making the bed and make whoopee instead?" He wiggled his eyebrows and winked. Claire felt that lurch in her stomach again and steeled herself against it. She placed her hands on her hips and cocked her head. "Nope. You got some 'splainin' to do, good-lookin', and that monster of yours isn't going anywhere near me till you do. So get up so we can do some talking in a more neutral location." Better known as a room that didn't include a bed or similar device that they might utilize as an avenue to sate their seemingly insatiable lust. Zach watched in astonishment as she wiggled out of the bedroom, ass encased in a pair of jeans that made his mouth water, and his cock stiffen to unreal proportions. **** The kitchen was definitely neutral, she mused. Claire made a pot of fresh coffee and tapped her toe impatiently while she waited for Zach. Did vampires drink coffee? Oh good gravy, if she had to give up coffee she'd shit a brick. It was the only thing that got her through the long nights at the morgue. Zach sauntered in with his shirt open and untucked, his thickly muscled chest a tantalizing morsel. He hovered nearby, but she swatted him away, pushing at his solid stance. Damn brick wall. "You," she pointed to the high-backed barstool at the breakfast bar, "sit there. I'll stay right here, and then you're going to spit this whole thing out like a good vampire." "Gimme a kiss first, and then I'll consider it." He teased, leaning in and licking at her lips. She nipped at his tongue and clamped her lips shut. "Sit, big boy, or this Life Mate is going to kick your ass." "But I need you, Claire," he said in a long-winded whine. Very manly indeed. "Oh no, you sit. Now, Neanderthal Man, or I'll let that monster of yours fall off before it ever gets between these thighs again." Zach sat, folding his hands primly on the countertop. Claire blew him a kiss, and went for the jugular. "Something is going on Zach, you're not leveling with me, and I want to know what it is." Should she tell him about whatever the hell had happened in the bathroom? Nah, she had a funny feeling he knew exactly what was going on. She watched him squirm. "All right, let me rephrase. Why is it that I can't seem to detach myself from up your ass?" He grinned. "What's wrong with my ass?" That hot-chocolate chuckle mocked her. Claire threw a dish towel at him. "Nothing is wrong with your ass, but I don't think I've ever been attached to anything or anyone like I seem to be attached to you, not even my damn dog in first grade. And believe me, I really loved Mr. Wiggles." "It's an easy explanation, Claire, I already told you. You are my Life Mate. You will always feel this way about me, and I about you. So let's stop fooling around and fool around, huh?"
"Uh-uh. If I'm your Life Mate, then what the hell have you been doing for the last, oh I dunno ... three hundred and freaking twenty-four years? Do the math; I'm thirty-two, Count Dracula, so where have you been my entire adult life?" And let's not forget every bad date she'd ever had, and the sex that was mediocre at best till hot pants came along. "I've been around." Zach smiled sheepishly. "Oh, really, well why don't you explain to me what 'around' means?" Claire said skeptically. "It means that when fate stepped in, I was sent to find you, and now we'll live out our lives together." She wasn't buying it; his eyes were shifting in every direction but hers. "Fate, huh? Do you suppose fate has a sense of humor? I wonder how fate feels about you toe-up under my knife and your liver just escaping a mason jar?" Her eyebrow cocked as she watched him swallow hard. "Fate works in strange and mysterious ways honey, it's all I can offer you in the way of an explanation." He spread his big hands out in a 'what can I tell you' way. Claire gnawed on the tip of her nail. Fate, my eye. Maybe they were meant to be together, but if that were true, why wouldn't this fate guy want her to be with her Life Mate for eternity right now? Which could only happen if she were a vampire too, and he had adamantly refused to turn her into one until they got to know one another. Yeah, something was definitely up here. Vampire, my ass. But if he was telling the truth, maybe Mr. 'I'm a vampire' didn't want to spend eternity with her; maybe he wanted some left-over centuries to play the field and chase after some 'fate' tail? Scumbag ... why the hell should she care anyway, what kind of life was she asking to be given? Her heart tugged at the notion of him chasing anyone's tail but hers. She'd kill the broad. She saw Zach smile out of the corner of her eye. Damn him and his Amazing Creskin act. How in the hell did he do it? The whole thing was giving her a headache. "C'mere baby." Zach patted his lap and held out a hand. Again she felt the amazing pull, as her feet and her good sense raged an inner battle. Her feet of clay won. She flung herself at him and he tucked her legs around his waist, brushing her nose with his. "Look, Claire, I feel the same way you do. It's overwhelming and frightening, but I feel it too, and I do not want to chase anyone's tail but yours." He pinched her ass for emphasis. "Let's make a deal, okay?" Claire pouted, thrusting her bottom lip at him. Zach licked it. She sighed, damn him and that tongue. "Okay." She agreed reluctantly. "Good girl. For the next two weeks while you're on vacation, we'll spend it together, all day and all night." Claire shivered. Fourteen nights of what they'd experienced in the morgue and what she'd stubbornly refused this morning. Life Mate or not, she realized there was no way in hell she could refuse an offer like that. "I'll introduce you to my family and we'll get to know each other. If, at the end of those two weeks, you still want to turn, we'll discuss it. I'm not making any promises, but until then, let's just be together, all right?" Claire felt the odd sensation that grew with each thought she had that concerned Zach; it was as though he nudged her mentally. Two could play at this game. "Okay, but at the end of two weeks time, you promise we'll talk about it?" Then we'll see exactly
what kind of game he's playing ... whether or not he's a nut job or the real deal. Until then, I'm going to enjoy myself. "Yup." She smiled sweetly at him, and forced herself to think only compliant thoughts. "So, let's get to know each other. I have a million questions, vampire. Can I see your fangs? Oh wait, how can any decent meal not include garlic? What's your favorite blood type, A-B or do you prefer the more aromatic flavorful O-positive?" Zach chuckled into her throat and sighed in relief. God's teeth, this woman would be the death of him, and he had two weeks to convince her it would be the death of her if she turned before it was time. **** The October wind howled outside the sturdy concrete walls of Desdemona Smitrovitch's cavernous house. She watched as fat drops of rain slapped against the big arched window and leaves whipped off the trees in a frenzied swirl of color. Catching her reflection in the window, she smiled slyly, pleased with her lean figure. Her auburn hair was pulled tightly back from her angular face, showcasing sharp cheekbones and an almost too-wide mouth. Her almond-shaped green eyes narrowed with anticipation. There was nothing like a thunderstorm to brighten a girl's day. Especially if it involved a hot and willing man tied to her bed, as it did this very night. Desi grabbed her flogger from its spot on the wall and ran her hand affectionately over the long tails. They slid deliciously through her fingers. She and Matilda had flogged a mile or two together, and she was about to add some new mileage to the old girl. Desi's nipples tightened under the supple leather of her corset in anticipation, her matching leather skirt crinkling as she walked with confident strides to her bedroom. Thigh-high boots clicked with each determined step as the wet flesh between her thighs rubbed delectably. From the doorway she surveyed the man who lay tied to the posts of her bed, his arms high above his head. His eyes were so incredibly blue, his hair the color of black silk, just brushing the tips of his shoulders. His cock lay in a nest of black curls, erect and thick against his rippled stomach. A shiver ran up Desi's spine. It was big that's for sure, yet not quite as big as... Well, never mind. It would do for the night. Desi wasted no time as she hitched up her leather skirt and straddled... What the hell was his name? It didn't matter. When she climaxed, the same name tore from her lips time and again. Shrugging off that unpleasant fact, she focused on the more pleasant act to follow. "Tell me," she asked the man who lay prone beneath her, "How are you at fucking?" He smiled up at her, his full lips tilting upwards with smug assurance. "I'm the best you'll ever have, baby." Running a red-tipped nail down his cheek, she smiled back, her green eyes narrowed. "Really?" A husky chuckle rumbled from deep in her throat. "Well, handsome, now's the time to show me what you're all about. But first," she tweaked his nipple, "you have some work to do." She reached behind her, dragging the flogger over his taut body, the supple tails splaying over his ready cock. Thrusting her groin at his mouth, she straddled his head with firm, smooth thighs. "Lick!" she demanded, as she threw her head back and her eyes slid shut. His hot tongue pushed aside the tight auburn curls and slid into her cunt. Desi groaned as he lapped at her, suckling the swollen nub of her clit. Her thighs clenched his head tightly, pressing his tongue to her. The flogger fell to the floor as she clutched his head and tugged violently on his hair, grinding his face to
her wet flesh. Spirals of heat wended their way to her cunt. As she came with a violent twist of her hips, behind closed eyes she saw the face of Zachariah, her one true love, denied to her for centuries. Elusive and fleeting, his name crossed her lips in a silent shudder. Chapter 3 Zach took Claire for a late dinner, to what she surmised was a local vampire haunt. Everyone seemed to know Zach, nodding or slapping him on the back as they made their way to a quiet corner table. As they wound their way through the crowd, men and women alike had an odd practice of sniffing the air as she walked past, on Zach's arm. After sniff two-thousand-two, Claire wanted to know what the hell was going on. She considered taking a whiff of her armpit to check for freshness, but Zach jumped in with an explanation. "They know you're not one of us," he explained. Oh. Well, alrighty then, talk about a little mortal discrimination. "They can smell me?" She wrinkled her nose. "Yup, we have an acute sense of smell and taste." "So they know I'm not a vampire, and they don't mind?" She hated the insecurity in her voice, but she was feeling rather outnumbered. By droves of people that thought they were vampires! "I mean, don't all vampires want to be with ... well, their kind?" "No, honey, you're my human, and though rare, there have been several successful vampire-human Life Mates within the Polish vampire community." He sounded like a testimonial for Vamps-R-Us. She fought to control the sheer joy it brought her to hear him say she was his human, even if it went against every 'I am woman, hear me roar' thought she'd ever had. Or maybe he was just trying to convince her that this vampire-human thing could work, without her being a vampire too. Because he really did think he was a vampire. "They also know you're with me, so don't worry. No one will give you a hard time." What was he, like the head of the Polish vampire Mafia? Ignoring her misgivings, Claire set about reading the menu, half-expecting to find blood priced by the pitcher. She was relieved to discover that burgers and fries were a part of a vampire's culinary offerings. As she watched people come and go, she found that there wasn't really much of a difference to the naked eye between humans and vampires. So why couldn't she become one too? Like now. It had begun as a game to test Zach, to see if eventually he would just confess to being as mortal as the rest of them. But her logical mind was giving in to the idea more rapidly, as was her desire to be with Zach, damning all the consequences. An unexplainable need stirred her insides, turning them inside out. A wicked thought crossed her mind, and she struggled to contain it without giving Zach reason to probe her mental innards. Every so often she felt a slight nudge, which set her ears to itching. Zach seemed to hover on the fringes of her thoughts, but with each passing hour, she found the subtle sensation more detectable, making it easier to block. She grinned to herself while she watched Zach consume his burger. Hell's bells, he was sexy, and sexier still when he licked ketchup off those long fingers. Claire moaned, chastising herself for being sidetracked. She had a mission to accomplish and she may as well start giving some thought to it tonight. ****
Desdemona flung open the door of the restaurant, the light from outside illuminating her sleek, supple form. Her red hair flew about her shoulders in a swirl of waves, highlighted by the dim lighting inside. Her long legs were encased in tight leather. Ample breasts in a silk shirt thrust forward, bouncing slightly as she strode to the far corner where Zach sat with a woman. Heads turned as she passed. Desi made an entrance wherever she went, she made sure of that. Subtly she sniffed the air. A human. Interesting. Slapping what was an over-practiced, warm smile on her face, she put her hand on Zach's arm. "Zach, darling, it's so good to see you out and about again." She planted a kiss on his cheek, letting the tip of her tongue ever so lightly graze his skin. Her nipples tightened when he stood to embrace her. His blue gaze was warm and welcoming. Good, poor, stupid, hotter-than-hell Zach. "Hey Desi, how are you? Long time no see, huh? Why don't you join us so we can catch up?" Zach busied himself getting Desi a chair while Desi assessed the bimbo. Her eyes narrowed. If the damn whore would just come back looking the same every century, it sure would make it easier to identify her. Desi smiled at Claire as she sat down. "And who's this, Zach? Have you forgotten your manners?" She purred the question, then waved Zach off absently. "Never mind. I'm Desdemona Smitrovitch, an old friend of Zach's. Really old, if you know what I mean." Desi laughed, with a sultry tinkle. Claire wiped her mouth with a napkin and smiled back at her, sticking out her hand. "I'm Claire. It's nice to meet you." Desi smothered a yawn. It was the same game every time, every damn century. Booooring. Desi took Claire's hand, enveloping it in a firm grip. "So tell me where the two of you met. Narcoleptics Anonymous?" she joked, following up with a wide grin. "I want to hear all about it," Desi said, as she plucked a French fry from Zach's plate, licking it while ogling Zach's crotch. She made sure her full breasts, clearly defined within her silk shirt, pressed enticingly against Zach's arm as she leaned over, reaching for the salt. Claire squirmed in her chair, while Desi watched from the corner of her eye. She loved it when they squirmed. Time to make nice with the mortal chick. "Are you a vampire too?" Claire asked, all innocent and friendly. She was still in the 'maybe this is impossible, but it might not be such a bad gig' stage. Yuk, Desi thought. Hookay then, here goes. "Yes, darling, I'm a vampire, too. So, Zach's told you about us, has he? Don't worry, we're an easy bunch to get along with. I know the whole blood thing takes some getting used to, but once you're over the hump so to speak, it's all downhill." She winked at Claire, and turning to Zach, she asked, "How's your mother?" The warmth in Zach's grin was evident. "She's good, Des, real good. Still designing houses. She never seems to run out of ideas, even after all this time." Even if they were simple little cottages one could barely turn around in. Desi shuddered at the very idea. "That mother of yours, Zach, she's really quite something." Talk about longevity. "So Claire, what do you do for a living?" Claire smiled at Desi. "I'm a coroner at the county morgue." Oooh, playing with the dead people, what a way to fly. Desi kept smiling, ignoring the twitch in her jaw.
"That sounds delightfully interesting. Tell me, is it like CSI? Do you solve murders? Oh, I do love that show, how exciting. It must get desperately lonely though, doesn't it?" Desi rubbed her arms to ward off the chilling thought of a bunch of dead folks for friends. Ick. "I mean, there isn't much conversation going on, is there?" Claire and Zach exchanged warm grins that didn't escape Desi. Yup, it was her. Time for the bitch to die... Again. "It's not so bad, I guess. But you're right, it does get lonely sometimes. I work the night shift so it's pretty dead there." Claire snorted at the obvious pun. Oh, saints alive, this one was worse than the last. A real comedienne. Zach reached across the table to run his index finger along Claire's cheek, and Desi felt a knot of jealousy tighten in her stomach. "Well, lovebirds, I'll get out of your hair. I just wanted to stop by and say hello. I'm off to grab an end-of-the-day drink." Wiping her lips with a napkin she leaned over to kiss Zach, while waggling her fingers at Claire. "Now Zach, you be a good boy and give Claire my number, you hear?" Turning to Claire she said; "Call me when you two come up for air, okay? We'll have lunch and get to know one another." With a wave and a nod of her head, she set off toward the bar. Two broad, leather-clad backs sat side by side, hunkered over frosty mugs of beer. Their bald heads gleamed under the glow of the track lighting. Desi slid her slender body between the two of them and whispered. "Oh, look," she acknowledged each of them, "It's Dumb and Dumber." She nudged in further between them while they grumbled something about her being a bitch. Got that right. "Now listen up, you knuckleheads. Do you see that woman sitting with my Zach?" She grabbed them before they turned around and hissed, "Don't turn around, you idiots, be casual." They each nodded slowly. "It's her," Desi confirmed, with venom. "Wow, boss," Dumb said. At least she thought it was Dumb, maybe he was Dumber, "She's hot." Dumber added his two cents with a vigorous nod. She clenched her fists at her sides to keep from giving them each a good slap on their shiny heads. "She won't be hot for long if you idiots follow my instructions. I want the bitch dead, and this time I intend to have Zach all to myself." Chuckling, she grabbed Dumber's beer and gulped it dry. **** Claire whistled sharply. "This is some pad, handsome. Is this where you've brought all your hot and willing honeys over the centuries?" "Claire..." His tone took on that warning he'd become so good at. Ooh, big bad vamp doesn't want to talk about his past, like twenty lives, and gaggles of women. Fine, she'd rather not know anyway. Claire ran her hand over the rich brown leather chair, marveling at how buttery soft the real thing could be. He had impeccable taste. The dark hues of his furniture complemented the muted, lighter tones of the walls. She eyed the spiral staircase that no doubt led to his bedroom. She shivered, wanting to throw her arms around him and beg him to take her, anyway he liked. She saw Zach watch her assess her surroundings, with curious amusement from the corner of the room. "Who is Desdemona?" There. It's out in the open. Frankly, the woman had given her the creeps, but she'd sensed a connection between Desi and Zach, however brief. She couldn't shake the feeling that she knew Desi.
She crossed the room and cornered him, pinning him to the wall with her body. Claire ran her hand over his hard frame, stopping just short of his ever-growing cock. Zach groaned loudly and grabbed for her wrist, but she pulled it out of his reach. "Nope, tell me about Desdemona or there'll be no nookie for you, Cookie." She was consenting to nookie, threatening him with it even ... having nookie didn't mean he still wasn't crazy, she consoled herself. Zach's lips turned downward in a pout as he slumped forward. "I get the feeling you're rather enjoying this power you have over me." Claire smiled, winking at him. It was sort of a rush. No one had ever wanted her like Zach. Hell, she hadn't ever wanted anyone like she wanted Zach. Okay, so it was the single biggest thrill of her life, to be so completely adored. She wrapped her arms around his neck as he ground his hips toward her, allowing him a small measure of mercy. "Desdemona..." she reminded him. Zach began to unbutton her blouse, his warm breath fanning her face. "Desdemona Smitrovitch is from another breed of vampire. Russian, to be precise." He smiled as he cupped a soft swell of breast. Claire moaned and swatted his hand, taking both and holding them firmly at his sides. "Well, duh. Smitrovitch is a dead give away. But what does that have to do with you? Lay it on the line for me. She looks at you like an alcoholic eyes a good bottle of whiskey. Something happened between the two of you and I think it's only fair I know, so give it up." Zach's hands twitched at his sides and she loosened her grip a bit, just enough for him to rest his hands on her hips. "Desdemona's family is very powerful, and so is mine. A marriage of the two families would make us that much more powerful and bring some much-needed respect to the Smitrovitch's. They've long been known for their underhanded practices and shady business dealings. That history doesn't exactly work in their favor, not if we're to accomplish acceptance in modern day society and live peacefully with humans. Marrying one of my breed would help speed that process up for them. But the Smitrovitches are only interested in wreaking havoc over all other breeds of vampires. The Kowalski's aren't. We're perfectly happy to live our lives peacefully, no waves and no commotion." Now we're getting somewhere. So Desdemona wanted Zach? Her stomach clenched. The woman was everything she wasn't, tall, lean and utterly fabulous. She bit her lower lip to keep it from trembling. And according to Zach, he thought she was a vampire too. Hell, she thought she was a vampire. "I suppose Desdemona, of the legs up to her eyeballs and the hair like a Pantene commercial, wants you, then?" she asked sarcastically, as she began to pull away from him. But he grabbed her hips and pulled her close. His blue eyes pierced hers, forcing her to look at him. "No, honey, though at one time she did, I guess. It's been over between Desdemona and me for a long time. We dallied some centuries ago, but then..." Zach sighed, raking a hand through his glossy hair. "I lost interest and we parted friends. And before you ask, we didn't make love, ever. Her family thought a marriage between us was the perfect solution to omnipotence, and they were pretty upset for a while when I didn't choose to marry her. My family supported that, and Desi seems to be okay with it. She wants to have lunch with you. That must tell you something. Desdemona wasn't and isn't my Life Mate, Claire, you are. Desi is an old friend. She's revered in her circle of vamps, and sometimes it doesn't hurt to have an ally as strong as Desi. But that's it. We're just friends, okay?" An ominous chill sent goose bumps up and down her arms. Talk about denial. Desi wanted Zach in a big way. So big deal, Zach didn't want Desi. Desi was utterly gorgeous. Shouldn't be too hard to go find her own damn Life Mate, she thought. This went deeper than the merger of two families, but Claire couldn't quite put her finger on the underlying motivation. Zach unzipped her jeans and thrust his hand in them to cup her pussy, bringing all coherent thought to a screeching halt. Claire leaned against his solid frame as he toyed with her clit. Nipping his jaw, she sought his mouth, thrusting her tongue deeply into the cavernous depths. Claire shuddered as his tongue swept hers, capturing it between his lips. He suckled as her knees weakened and she melted against him.
"Okay, beautiful, it's the 'I must fuck' thing happening here. If I don't get into you pronto, I'll explode. Then where will we be? A vampire with a deflated cock." Claire giggled at him. "Well now, we couldn't have that could we, blood sucker? What kind of Life Mate would I be if I didn't answer the call of the MONSTER?" Scooping her up, Zach climbed the big spiral staircase and stepped into his bedroom, dropping her unceremoniously on his bed. He padded off to the bathroom. Claire watched his tight ass as he went, and sighed. In a word, his bedroom was all Zach. Vivid and larger than life. She snuggled into the thick pillows lining the bed. An armoire in rich tones of mahogany stood in the far corner, surrounded by broad-leaf potted plants. Arched, stained glass windows lined the far wall, the graceful fall of a sheer curtain its only covering. Claire closed her eyes and ran her toes over the warm, gold down comforter. It smelled like Zach, spicy and male. What would her mother think of her lying on a vampire's bed, ready and willing to screw the life out of him? Claire wished, now more than ever, that her mother were still alive. She would have loved Zach, despite the Count Dracula thing. Zach poked his head around the corner and grinned, naked from the waist up. Oh, those dimples... "Hey, beautiful, get naked. I wanna show you something." He ducked out of sight back into the bathroom. "You wanna show me that monster, is what you want to show me, blood sucker," she teased, calling to him from the bed. Claire smiled as her toes curled and her stomach muscles tightened with anticipation. Sliding off the bed, she stripped off her sweatshirt and jeans, catching a glimpse of herself in the oval mirror above the dresser. Her breasts were firm, yet soft to the touch, gentle swells of flesh, topped by nipples that were tight and flush with rosy color. She was short, there was no two ways about it, but well proportioned. Her legs were long and lean and her stomach still flat. Turning around, she caught sight of her backside. Okay, so her ass needed work, she sighed. Zach came up behind her. Cupping the globes of flesh, he growled. "Leave your ass alone. It's perfect. Fits right in the palms of my hands." His cock nestled between her cheeks, hot and hard while his hands roamed her body restlessly. She turned to stand on tippy-toe and wound her arms around his neck, luxuriating in their skin-on-skin contact. Her heart thumped erratically as she felt him cup her breasts, running a thumb over her nipples. "C'mon, let's go take a bath. The monster awaits." He winked at her. She hiked her legs up around his waist, his cock rubbing agonizingly against her clit with each step. Lifting her hips, she tried to entice him to enter her eager depths, but he sat her at the edge of the tub instead. Her eyes widened in surprise when she fully comprehended the huge almond tub he'd set her on. "Geez, Dracula, this is some place you have here," she commented wryly. Zach's hooded gaze spoke volumes as his stiff cock bobbed at her. Candles lined the far end of a circular Jacuzzi the size of a small swimming pool. Shadows danced on the tile walls in a frenzy of light. Steam rose from the fragrant water as bubbles from the jets made a frothy foam covering. Zach swung his legs over the side, and offered her his hand. He seated her on the steps, in water that just touched the tips of her breasts in a silken caress, and knelt before her. Leaning back in the small nook provided for her back, she let her eyes close and waited to see what came next. Zach trickled water over her chest and followed with slick hands that kneaded her breasts in a slow circular motion. His fingers tweaked her stiffened nipples as he rinsed away the lather. Following the glide of water with his tongue, he latched onto each one, laving them with a slow delicious rasp. Claire wound her legs around his torso as her hips bucked upward, reaching for his cock. She felt the hot tip touch her belly briefly, then pull away, as she watched with a hooded gaze while he squirted more gel onto the sponge. He pulled her toward him, standing her upright on shaky legs. The water flowed enticingly at the tops of her thighs as he ran the sponge over her hips and belly, inching slowly toward her throbbing cunt. Claire widened her stance and gripped his shoulders. When the sponge grazed her clit, she shuddered as her nipples grew impossibly tighter.
Zach roamed her thighs with the delightfully rough surface of the sponge as he trailed light kisses on her belly, avoiding the apex of heat between her legs. Claire's hands tightened in his thick hair out of frustration, as he made pass after pass between her legs. She cradled his head to her and felt his hot breath as he inched toward her waiting flesh. "Please, Zach," she whispered softly, caught by the yearning in her voice. He raised his head and his blue eyes gleamed in the candlelight. "What, Claire? What do you want?" His husky inquiry sent a thousand butterflies loose in her belly. She bit her lower lip and closed her eyes. "Look at me, Claire. Don't ever be ashamed to tell me what you want. I'm not ashamed to tell you that I want to lick your smooth, sweet cunt, and that I love the taste of you when you come. My cock aches for you. It's so hard I can barely wait to be inside you." Claire opened her eyes, mesmerized by the fire that burned in his. She groaned. His words were a blaze of heat and need, stirring a smoldering coil of desire in her. She sucked in her breath, letting it out in slow increments as Zach's gaze pinned her. "Oh, Zach... I want... You to lick my... Cunt." She moaned at the words, new and exciting. "Please," she said on a breathy sigh, "or I'll die. I need you, Zach." Zach wasted no time. His tongue swept her soft folds apart and licked her drenched flesh. Finding her clit, he swirled his tongue around the swollen nub. Claire whimpered as she came within an instant of his mouth pressing against her needy flesh. Pushing him away, she slid back under the water, to meet him at eye level. Her direct gaze focused on him as she said, "Now, Zach, I want you now. I need you to fuck me now." Zach pushed the stray tendrils of curls away from her flushed face, and cupped her jaw, pressing his lips to hers. "Let's dry off first." He said with a wicked smile. He climbed out of the Jacuzzi and spread a fluffy towel wide for her to step into. Wrapping her securely in his arms, he toweled her off and then himself. Frustration settled in her needy body, as she waited to see what was next, knowing she didn't care. She would follow him anywhere. There was no explanation for why, but in her heart the wild craving to be with him was completely right. He led her back to the big bed and lay her face down, with a pillow tucked beneath her head. She felt the bed sag as his heavy body lay solidly on her. She smiled at how delicious his bulk was pressing hers to the bed. Zach's cock pushed insistently at her spine, hot and heavy. His tongue caressed the rim of her ear as he said. "I want to fuck you too, Claire. Can you feel my cock? I'll burst if I don't get into your tight cunt soon." Claire squirmed beneath him, pressing her ass against his hot length. She felt cool air on her back as Zach lifted off of her. His tongue swept over her spine as he went, delving into her soft globes of flesh, he licked at her with that velvet tongue. Zach tugged at her waist, hiking her ass high as he smoothed her back with strong hands. Claire didn't hesitate to question the act--it was foreign to her, but she paid that no mind. She only cared about the wild need to have Zach inside her. She felt his hard abdomen brush her ass as he reached under her and stroked her pussy and whimpered as his long fingers ran over the wet slit. She couldn't wait any longer. "Please, Zach..." her plea was desperate and raw. She needed him in her with an overwhelming madness. She pressed her face further into the pillow and wiggled her ass enticingly at him. Zach answered her invitation by pressing the head of his cock to her slick passage, and as she felt the welcome invasion, her nipples tightened in anticipation. He entered her one slow inch at a time, the silken walls of her cunt greedily accepting his stiff length. She heard him hiss when his belly pressed against her ass. He remained still, while his hands lovingly caressed her heated flesh and the tight sacks of his heavy balls brushed her lightly. The world narrowed to a small pinpoint with only his thick cock, hard within her body, as she focused on nothing but the completion he brought when he filled her. She raised her arms over her head and her tight nipples scraped the soft comforter. She
let out a long sigh when Zach braced his hands on her ass and began to stroke. He rode her over and over with deliberately precise thrusts. Claire heard the suction of her flesh as he plunged into her wet channel. Zach reached around her waist and spread her folds to caress her, and molten lava pooled in her cunt. She moved her hand to cover his, pressing his fingers against her swollen clit, guiding him to her pleasure. She shuddered at her first climax. Slow and sweet, she felt it mounting to frenzy. Taking Zach's hand, she led him to the place where their bodies joined. He caressed her entrance, letting the tips of his fingers slide into her. Claire, in turn caressed the base of his cock, letting her fingers whisper over his tight balls. Zach groaned as she felt his muscles tighten and his strokes become rapid. Claire let out a scream with Zach's name on her lips as a sharp orgasm ripped through her. Frantically she ground her hips against him as Zach washed her with hot spurts of release. They collapsed together on the bed, his heavy weight a welcome burden, chests heaving as they tried to fill their lungs with much-needed air. Zach brushed her hair from her neck and nipped the soft skin. She tensed, hoping he would take a bite. Jeez, she was nuts. The hell with nuts. If every night could be like this for an eternity, then she was more than happy to join the ranks of the nutty. Tilting her head, she attempted to remain nonchalant about offering her tender flesh to him. Zach gripped her shoulders tightly; he was holding himself back, she sensed it and she twisted her head around to get a look at him. Her mouth dropped open, and her eyes widened. Holy fangs! "You have..." she gulped, "fangs." She said the word on a gasp. Zach's eyes crinkled in the corners. "Well, I did tell you that, honey." He reminded her, as though he were telling her she had forgotten to take out the trash. Holy shit, holy shit. **** Claire squirmed out from under him, forgetting that he had still been inside her, forgetting that eternity was at stake here. She squinted her eyes as she looked more closely at the razor-sharp canines. Jesus, this wasn't in any medical textbook she'd ever seen. And then it was clear as crystal, plain as the nose on her face. Zachariah Kowalski was a vampire. Good thing too, because yet again, a condom had completely eluded their sexual romp. She'd read somewhere vampires didn't need them. She'd have to ask exactly why that was. Claire laughed to herself, she'd probably read that tidbit in one of those damn romance novels Zach made fun of. He had the ability to make her forget everything, including safe sex. Not something a coroner should be doing after all the death she'd seen as a result of careless sexual practices. She couldn't take her eyes off his teeth. "Wow, they're kinda cool Dracula, can I touch them?" Zach smiled at her, making the teeth in question thrust forward. "Yes honey, you can touch them," he answered indulgently. Her hand trembled slightly as she ran her fingers lightly over the smooth porcelain. Zach's eyes rolled to the back of his head, she added a bit of pressure and he groaned. "Ah, that feels good huh?" She looked down between them and watched as that big monster rose to a new level of hard. Leaning forward, she licked the incisors lightly. Zach's powerful body shook. Hmm, she just might have something here. She pressed her tight nipples to his smooth chest and licked at them again. Zach reached up to cup her jaw firmly. "Claire, stop," he demanded. His blue eyes smoldered. Somebody had hit a major G
spot. Claire feigned innocence, wide-eyed and grinning. "Why? It feels good doesn't it, c'mon Zach, what can it hurt?" She ran a soft hand over his brow while the other latched onto the monster, stroking it. His hand grabbed her wrist. "I said stop. You have no idea what you're doing. Don't play games." She yanked her hand away. Damn him. Rolling away she turned on her side with her back to him, tears beginning to well in her eyes. Zach dragged her over to him, pulling her tightly against his warmth and his hard cock. She shrugged him off but he held her firmly. "Claire, we had an agreement. Touching my fangs as you call them is a big turn on. Between two vampires its fine, it heightens the pleasure. But between us it isn't for now. I won't be swayed Claire, I will not turn you until the two weeks are up. There isn't anything I want more than to drink from you, but this is something you have to be sure you want. I don't know how to get that through your thick skull. I'm hoping after some time together you'll agree with me." Had he experienced this fang thing with other vampires? "Why wouldn't you want to experience that pleasure with me Zach?" She swiped angrily at an escaped tear. Oh, for craps sake, this is ridiculous, begging a man to let me lick his teeth. Holy crap, what is wrong with me? Zach held her close. "I do, Claire, believe me when I tell you I want that more than anything, but I won't. Not now anyway. I thought we agreed..." Claire cut him off, "I know, I know, no turning me till we talk after two weeks, yadda yadda. Fine" she said stiffly, "I won't bring it up again." His big arms rolled her over to look at him. He dragged her over the top of his chest. His fangs were gone, off to wherever fangs went. "Don't be mad at me honey, c'mon now." He coaxed as he thumbed a nipple. Claire shivered in response. It was hard to stay mad at a guy who had dimples you could drown in and fingers that were utter magic. "Okay, Zach." She acquiesced, snuggling into his neck as his hand made slow, lazy circles around her greedy nipple. Zach stopped abruptly, his hand falling to the bed with a thump. Claire raised her head to find his eyes clamped firmly shut, and a bit of drool forming at the corner of his luscious lips. Kissing his cheek softly, she blessed the gods for giving her vampire narcolepsy; it gave her time to formulate a plan. Stretching, she rose and headed for the bathroom. If Zach wouldn't sink those yummy fangs into her, she'd find someone who would. Now that she knew the truth, it was as simple as that. Claire padded over the thick carpet, reveling in the soft texture, unaware of the eyes that watched her with jealous malice. **** Desdemona watched Zach's reincarnated plaything cross the bedroom from his balcony. Her gut clenched painfully as she admired his sleeping form. She licked her lips at the sight of his flaccid cock, nestled in the thick dark curls. Fury formed a ball of hatred in her belly as she turned away from the window. She gripped the cool metal of the balcony handrail. She'd wanted Zach from the moment she'd laid eyes on him, not just because her father thought the merge of the two families would give them the respect they so longed for. But because she wanted to stuff his thick cock in her mouth and fuck him until she screamed, then drink from him so he would never again dispute that he was hers. Her and Zach's blood mated together meant a heady mix of power, giving her access to all the doors so long closed because of the brutal history her ancestors had left in their wake. It would also make her the head of a very powerful family in the vampire community. Zach's father would step down soon, and Zach would need someone who could reign beside him in proper vampire fashion. She had big plans for the merge of the two breeds, and no intention of letting some mortal take it from her! This Claire was the bitch who had stolen Zach away and plagued her with jealousy for centuries. What did that woman have that she didn't? If Zach turned her before Desi could get to her, and they mated as vampires, they would mate for life, and the power
of their mating would be unstoppable. It would be a bond not even Desi could break. Then she would never have Zach, and by all rights he was hers, damn it, long before that stupid bitch waltzed past him in the eighteen hundreds. Batting those eyelashes and swinging her skirts. She had stolen him from Desi over and over, only to end up dead. Desi grinned wickedly over that. Her fangs were like venom to the whore, an instantaneous death wish. Because the tramp was human, Desi's Russian venom was too strong a dose for her. One little scratch and it was kaput for the mortal chick. She giggled wickedly. Some of the best damn feedings of her life came from Claire. Oh sure, Zach moaned and cried over losing her, but so far the poor bastard hadn't figured out that it was Desi who kept him from Claire. He thought it was fate. Desi sighed longingly. And so they played this endless game century after century. The whore popped up, Zach fell in love to distraction, and Desi swooped in to kill her while Zach wasn't looking. Just before Zach could turn Claire and make her his Life Mate. **** She would never forget the early nineteen hundreds, when she had almost missed their mating. Damn close is what that had been. Luck o' the Russian, she supposed. His narcolepsy didn't hurt her either, for turning the tramp took plenty out of Zach. An added bonus, it caused him to fall into a deep, near comatose sleep for several days, plenty of time to counteract his venom with her own. Not to mention the fact that the tramp got antsy in some instances, and just couldn't seem to wait until Zach turned her. She'd asked the wrong vamp that's for sure, and Desi was always thrilled to help Claire turn upon request. The catch was, if Zach told Claire about their past and warned her of her impending death or her possible disappearance, he would be toying with destiny, and that just might piss destiny right off! He couldn't tell anyone else either, so he never asked for help, for fear of endangering another vamp. That whole stupid legend about tampering with fate had been working as the perfect decoy, and there was no reason why it shouldn't this time. Zach was such a good boy, he believed in the damn legend. So he watched his little plaything die or disappear with each new lifetime she had, while he stood helplessly by. What really amused the hell out of Desi was that as a result of Zach not telling her, Claire became insecure, thinking Zach didn't want her to be his Life Mate. So she rushed headlong into Desi's trap every damn time and Desi was more than happy to accommodate. She'd covered her tracks well, so no roads led back to Claire having been with her. The best part was finding new places to dump the broad. It had become a game of sorts, where to hide the dead body? Reincarnation was a bitch if you didn't remember anything from your past lives. Oh, Claire would have a vague vision here or there, but the fool chalked it to up to déjà vu. She never seemed to remember who Desi was. Worked every time in her favor, the idiot. Make friends, rope her in, and then suck her dry. What a life. She had to tread carefully, though, because if Zach found out she'd been responsible for the dumb broad's death all these years, she would suffer the wrath of her clan as well as Zach's. New and enlightened vampires didn't drink from the flesh of the innocent, or some such crap. All part of the big global vampire plan to become acceptable to modern-day society. She risked being banished forever, and then Zach would never be hers. She would lose everything. But if she couldn't have Zach, then the whore wouldn't either. **** Claire woke slowly, burrowing deep into the hard globes of Zach's firmly muscled ass, his well defined back felt like shelter from a long storm. Brilliant sunshine flooded the room. She wondered vaguely if it would hurt his eyes. His near comatose state told her it wouldn't matter much. Her heart skipped a beat as she thought about last night. It only made her more convinced that becoming a vampire was exactly what she wanted. She wasn't about to sacrifice nights like those to go back to her lonely existence. Sighing, she ran her hands over his firmly packed body and pressed herself tightly to his cool skin. He was so hard and soft all at the same time. Lightly she touched his warm cock. The single most decadent piece of flesh on earth, she mused. Nuzzling his near-
dead form, she rose to find some coffee. God help this vamp if he didn't have any. If he wanted his human to stick around, he'd better have the java. Claire found Zach's discarded shirt and threw it over her head, inhaling his scent as she padded quietly to the door. Was being quiet a necessity, she wondered as she gently opened the door and headed down the stairs. Her head down deep in thought, she smacked right into something hard and solid in the doorway of the kitchen. Like a brick shithouse. She stifled a scream, clamping her hand over her mouth as an enormous hunk of man steadied her. "Who the hell are you, and what the hell are you doing here?" She demanded in a fierce whisper. "I'm Jarrod, Zach's friend. Nice to meet you, Claire." His wide grin had a warmth to it that made her unwillingly smile back. "Nice to meet you Jarrod, now what the hell are you doing here?" She folded her arms over her braless breasts, and tugged on the hem of Zach's shirt to be sure she was covered in all the right places. "I just stopped by to say hello, figured I'd come and meet you." His hazel eyes twinkled down at her. She thumped his solid arm. "Good, glad you're here. You can show me where the coffee is." "Coffee's all made. Zach said you like it." His white teeth flashed as he beamed. "If Zach wasn't my dream guy, I'd be all over you like white on rice. Join me?" She smiled at him, cocking her head. Jarrod swept his hands gallantly in the direction of the kitchen. "After you." The aroma of rich coffee brewing made her mouth water. Two mugs sat on the tiled breakfast bar, along with a plate filled with pastries just waiting for her. "Grab a seat Claire, get comfortable." Oh man, could she get used to this. Wild sex by night and coffee ready and waiting in the morning, was it morning? She glanced at the microwave clock, more like early afternoon. Jarrod filled her cup with the steamy brew, as she inhaled deeply. "Mmm, smells great," she complimented. Jarrod pushed the cream and sugar at her, while he dropped a croissant on her plate. She looked at him over the rim of her mug. Whew, he was cute! Not as cute as her Zach, but still a nice piece of eye candy. His thick wavy brown hair was cut short, falling just above his ears. Thickly fringed lashes surrounded the most unusual hazel eyes. "So Jarrod, are you a vampire too?" He cocked an eyebrow at her as he sat down across from her at the breakfast bar. "Can't you tell?" She shook her head. "I think I missed out on the superhuman nostrils gift at birth," she joked. Jarrod chuckled. "Yup, I'm a vampire." Ah, they were everywhere. Hmm, and Zach was fast asleep upstairs while she was down here with his hunky vampire friend. Claire slid her coffee cup to the end of the breakfast bar, followed by the plate of pastries. Jumping up on the cold tile counter she lay in front of Jarrod, and grabbed his collar pulling him close. Nose to nose she said, "Okay, it's like this cutey, I want to be a vampire, now. So whadda ya say?" She pointed at her creamy
expanse of her neck with a finger. "C'mon, you know you want to, look at this tender skin, all human, one hundred percent Grade-A prime mortal flesh." She lifted her neck to but a hairsbreadth under his nose, watching him gulp. "Now look, you do me a favor, and somewhere down the road I'll do you one, okay?" Claire moved her long curls out of the way for easier access. "Well, c'mon before the big brute wakes up. Look, why is this so damn hard for you knuckleheads to comprehend? I'm a willing participant here. I mean, sheesh, you'd think you guys would just jump at the shot to suck me dry! What the hell kind of vampire doesn't want to suck blood. Is it that I'm too easy? Do you want me to put up a fight?" Claire smiled at him knowingly. "That's it, isn't it, muscle man? You like it rough don't'cha? Okay, what do you want me to do? Run? Scream? A scratch or two? I'm a desperate woman, Jarrod, don't make me beg." Jarrod's nostrils flared as he inhaled her scent. With utter calm, he looked her directly in the eye. "Claire, let go of my shirt, please." "Aw, c'mon," her tone was desperate and pleading. "Give a girl a break, would ya? What's the big secret anyway? I mean, is my neck not tempting enough? Does my scent offend you? Look at this neck, Jarrod, and tell me you're not dying to sink those porcelain bad boys right here... I..." "Claire!" Oh shit. Claire looked into Jarrod's eyes, crinkling at the corners with laughter. He removed her hands from his collar and sat her up. Her cheeks flushed as she caught sight of Zach, who stood by the fridge with his hands on his hips, glaring at her. God he was dreamy... "Hey, Zach. How are ya, buddy?" Jarrod asked with a chuckle. Zach and Jarrod shook hands and thumped each other heartily on the back. "You," he pointed at Claire, "come with me, miss." He grabbed her at the waist and threw her over his shoulder, one hand on her thighs and the other splayed over her ass. "Hey, Jarrod, thanks man, I'll catch ya later." Zach called over his shoulder. Claire heard Jarrod's mocking laughter over her shoulder. **** She swatted Zach's lower back as he bounced his way up the stairs. "Put me down, you damn Neanderthal" she ground out as she bobbed helplessly against his back. With a whoosh of air and a dizzying rush, Zach deposited her on the big bed she probably should have stayed in. She stared up at him, eyes narrowed. She crossed her legs at her ankles and waited for her reaming. Oh, those big black eyes staring up at him, just waiting, he thought. God, she was perfect. Her breasts thrust forward temptingly and her nipples winked at him. Those nipples that were tight, and tasted like honey when he wrapped his lips around them. He saw the hint of her smooth cunt, just barely visible beneath his shirt. His cock tightened painfully thinking about licking it, and thrusting his tongue into the tight passage as he suckled the sweet taste of her. Those long legs, smooth as silk, wrapped around him as he thrust into that tight sweet passage, made him forget everything else. He wanted to bury himself inside of her and never come back out. His cock rose hard as a hammer and mocked him. Damn this woman, and damn fate for taking her from him time and again. He couldn't let her go now, the time spent without her between centuries would, if not kill him physically, then emotionally. He didn't know how to make her understand without telling her everything, and he'd been warned by the elders of his clan over and over not to tempt fate.
His heart constricted painfully in his chest. They had so little time together between lives. He had to figure out who the hell kept killing her, where the hell she disappeared to. There had to be a way, and screw the elders and fate and all the damn forces that conspired to keep them apart. This century he would make her his mate and he would spend the rest of eternity loving her, if it killed him... **** Zach paced the floor in front of the bed, his jaw clenched tightly. "Claire, I thought I could trust you." Put like that, he made it sound like she'd asked Jarrod to sleep with her, for crap's sake. "That's almost exactly what you've done." He barked at her. She cringed at the Amazing Creskin act. Oh. "Listen to me, I know you don't understand the traditions of my family just yet, but if and when we turn someone, it's because they're our Life Mates. It's a personal thing, and meant to be shared between two people who love one another." Oh well, it's a fine time to tell me that now. Now I'll be considered the vampire wannabe slut. "It's not something to make a game of. What I caught you doing could be construed as cheating, you know." His solemn tone made her heart sink to her toes. He sat at the edge of the bed, broad back turned, and refused to look at her. Claire scooted down and wiggled under his arms, laying herself on his broad lap. "Now, Zach, you know that's not true, not if you can really read my mind, anyway." He shrugged his shoulders indifferently "You're getting pretty good at fending me off in that pretty head of yours. How do I know you don't really want Jarrod?" Oh the guilt. "Well that's just plain silly, how can I want him if you're my Life Mate? Listen, I'm sorry, I was overzealous. Okay? I broke my promise to you, it won't happen again. Can you forgive me?" She did the big-eyed thing and batted her eyelashes. "I don't know, Claire." The depth of his tone lightened a little. She sighed, time for some vampire ego stroking. "How can I make it up to you then?" She offered sweetly. "I don't know if you can," he replied, sounding like a spoiled child. Claire ran her hand lightly over the lump in his pajama bottoms. "Yeah, well the monster says otherwise..." On cue the monster awakened, fresh and ready for a new day. "Well, the monster doesn't know what he's thinking, he can't think straight when you're holding him in your hand." Claire felt his chest rumble while he tried not to laugh, grazing his jaw with her teeth. "Make ya a deal?" She offered. "It's gonna have to be a pretty good deal, I mean, I just caught you tempting my best friend with your neck. How can you make something like that up to me?" She giggled. "Wanna see me naked?" She sat up and began to unbutton his shirt. Letting it fall from her shoulders, she straddled his hips and moved hers in a tantalizing circle over his cock. Zach leaned forward and licked each nipple with a growl. His large hands cupped her ass.
"C'mon Zach, you know the monster wants to come out and play." She cajoled breathlessly. "Oh, all right, I guess," he said with mock resignation, lying back on the bed, his thick cock poking at the fabric of his pajama bottoms. He wiggled his eyebrows at her and grinned that grin that made her heart flutter and her throat go dry. "But I'm warning you, it better be good..." Claire ran her hands over his broad chest, scraping his nipples as she licked the rigid planes of his abdomen. She let her breasts graze his skin, taunting him as she ran her lower body over his cock. "Oh, I promise you vampire, it will be good." Her tone was husky, filled with raw desire as she licked her way to his hard cock, nipping it through the thin material. "Okay, but we have to make it fast," he said with a gasp. Her head popped up, questioning him with her eyes. "Why?" His hands shrugged his pajama bottoms down and he tugged her forward to settle her on his thick cock. Her moan was loud as she felt the wet slide of his flesh enter her. His thick length seared her as her hips began to twist with a slow, steady rhythm. Zach grunted as he rolled her tight nipples in his fingertips. "Because my parents are expecting us." Her head fell back on her shoulders; she felt the soft brush of hair caress her waist. "Okay, vampire..." she said between choppy breaths, "but could we finish first?" "My pleasure," he whispered, as he lifted his hips upward to touch the deepest part of her inner walls, rubbing her clit with his thumb. Claire came with a shudder as he washed her with his hot seed. His strong arms wrapped around her slender form, pulling her to him and kissing the top of her head. "So did we make up?" Claire inquired, giggling into his throat. Zach chuckled. "Well I suppose so, but the monster still feels a little put out." "Oh really?" She teased. "Well I'll tell you what vampire, I'll kiss him and make it all better after we get done at your parents." Rolling her over he growled, "Now that, you vampire wannabe, is a deal." Chapter 4 Zach's family was boisterous and loud, but most of all warm and welcoming. Claire felt a bit of hesitation at first, being an only child, with little or no family. She wasn't used to large family gatherings. From the moment Olivia Kowalski opened the double oak doors to the Kowalski home with a wide smile on her beautifully preserved face, Claire hadn't been able to shake an absurd sense of coming home. "Zach! Oh, baby boy, it's so good to see you." Olivia threw her arms around Zach and kissed him soundly. Her thick black hair was swept away from her face, sharp angular cheekbones and skin like smooth cream. Talk about preservation. Holy facelift! Tall and slender, Olivia's blue eyes, so like Claire's vampire, swept briskly over Zach's frame. Clucking, she picked invisible lint off the shoulder of his jacket. The delicate scent of lilacs wafted under Claire's nose. A faint sense of déjà vu assaulted her. She held onto Zach's arm tightly, feeling a dizzy rush of familiarity. Turning to Claire, Olivia smiled warmly and tucked her hand into the crook of Claire's arm. "Come with me and meet everyone, it's so good to see you aga..." she trailed off, her porcelain smooth skin turning pink "...after Zach has told me so much about you, Claire. You're just as pretty as he said you were. We're all so anxious to get to know you." The gentle lilt of her tone and the inviting aroma of freshly baked bread drew Claire to follow her. Faces similar to Zach's in one way or another looked up expectantly as Olivia pulled her along into the ruckus being made on the patio. Zach tagged along behind her, stopping here and there to kiss women on the cheek and pat men on the back.
"Everybody, this is Claire," Olivia announced. Masses of dark-haired men and women swarmed her, hugging and kissing her like they had known her all their lives. Zach's father gave her a bone crushing bear hug, and his brown eyes twinkled with pride at Zach. "It's so good to see you, honey." Jacob Kowalski cupped her cheeks with big hands and kissed her. "Pop..." she heard Zach say over her shoulder. Claire was too caught up to give much thought to the subtle warning tone she heard Zach take with his father. "Hey Pop, take your big paws off of her, she's my woman." Zach said playfully and thumped his father on the back as they enveloped each other in a hug. Zach's father was incredibly handsome, and another candidate for Facelifts-R-Us. Not a bad gig, this vampire thing. Zach took her hand and led her out onto the big brick patio. Little Kowalski's played on the big swing set off to the right, laughing and screaming. The setting sun was beginning to fade behind big puffy clouds as twenty or so Kowalski's laughed and talked. Zach's mother ran in and out of the house with platter after platter of food, her beautiful skin flushed and radiant. "Your mother is beautiful, Zach." Zach ran his finger down her nose with affection as he settled in beside her on the patio swing. "Of course she is, she looks just like me," he said smugly. "Will she always look like that Zach? I mean how old is she? She doesn't look any older than me." Zach brushed the long curls from her face and nipped at her lips. "I dunno for sure, it's a big vampire secret, and I'm not gonna be the one to ask her." Zach mocked a shudder. "If I become a vampire, will I always look like this?" She just couldn't comprehend not growing old, not having to entertain the idea of osteoporosis and liver spots and whatever the hell else came with getting older. "We age far more slowly than mortals, so yeah I guess you'll look like this for a few centuries. Which is okay by me, gorgeous." Zach teased, as he pulled her onto his lap and ran a discreet finger over her silk-covered breasts. She groaned, and brushed his hand away. "Stop, Zach, they'll see us and think I'm some kind of slut letting you cop a feel. At a family gathering, no less." Claire chastised him, secretly wishing she could just rip his clothes off, throw him down on the patio lounger and screw his brains out. Zach put his hand between her tightly closed thighs and winked at her. "We vamps are a lusty bunch, no one will even notice." Lusty didn't define Zach. She wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him lightly, groaning at the damp rush of heat between her thighs. "They will so, and I will not have your family thinking I'm some kind of tramp." Zach pinched her bottom, "Didn't I tell you about the Kowalski family ritual?" She shook her head. "No, it must have slipped your mind, blood sucker. What do I have to do? Turn into a bat? Do blood shots?" She was only half joking. He picked her up off of his lap and stood when he heard his mother call them to dinner. "Nope, nothing like that honey... I have to
sacrifice your mortal virginity in front of the entire Kowalski clan ... at an orgy." He said nonchalantly, with that wicked grin as he dragged a laughing Claire off to dinner. **** Dinner was a noisy, messy affair and the best meal Claire had eaten in a long time. She watched them joke as they passed food around. The entire family included her in their conversations, expressed an interest in her. You couldn't be with the Kowalski's and not be drawn into their warmth. Claire again felt that nagging tug on her heart, as though this was where she belonged. Something inside of her acknowledged an inner peace she couldn't identify specifically. Acceptance and completion were words that came to mind, as though she had finally found something she didn't know she'd been looking for. It made no sense, she didn't know these people, but on some level she felt a peculiar bond. Zach kept her close to him, laying his hand on her thigh or tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. When his blue eyes caught hers, there was softness in them and for Claire that was it. The defining moment when she knew she was in love with him, that she would rather die than be without him. Did he love her too? He'd never said it. Well, neither had she, she justified. Her palms grew sweaty. She wiped them on her napkin and chewed her bottom lip. If he loved her, why wouldn't he turn her now? Why would he deny not only her, but himself? What the hell kind of Life Mate was he, anyway? Zach leaned over to whisper in her ear. "You okay, honey?" Claire shivered when he grazed the rim of her ear lightly with his tongue. She took his big hand in hers and squeezed it, smiling brightly. "How could I not be okay? I just had the best meal I've had in a long time with people who seem to think I'm just peachy, mortal or not. I feel wonderful," she said with warmth, her throat catching on the words. Zach's smiled in return. "I'm glad honey, and of course they love you, why wouldn't they? Now let's get this mess cleaned up so I can take you home and schtup your brains out." Claire laughed at him. "It's feeding time for the MONSTER, isn't it?" His wicked grin set her heart aflutter. Zach went off to help his father while Claire helped the women clean up. It was while she was rooting around the fridge that it hit her. Fast as lightning, the world tilted, and she wasn't in the Kowalski kitchen anymore. She was floating across a hard floor... In a ballroom, twirling in circles as strong hands led her in a waltz. Her heavy skirts swayed as the music thundered in her ears. Firm hands caught her at her waist as the dance came to an end. Peeking up, she saw Zach's face, clear as the nose on her face. Smiling down at her and saying something... Claire grabbed for what she thought was Zach, to steady her shaking legs, but instead she felt the hard cool metal of the refrigerator door and distantly heard the clatter of knocked jars and bottles. She leaned against it as she tried to right herself. Olivia rushed over to lay a cool hand on her head. "Claire, honey, are you all right? What happened?" Her question was filled with concern. As Olivia's face came into focus she shook her head. "I'm fine, Olivia. I just lost my balance." Good cover Claire, you master manipulator. Olivia's gentle hands tugged at Claire, forcing her to sit at the kitchen table. Claire smiled up at her. "I'm fine, really." Olivia cupped her chin in her hand, "How about some coffee?"
How about a good stiff drink instead? "Great," she answered. Coffee and a shot of whiskey, please. **** Zach sat quietly with his father, knowing what he had to do. "Look, Pop, I won't let whoever the hell it is take Claire from me again. I'm going to tell her," he said resolutely. Jacob Kowalski's slapped the newspaper on the hard oak desk and jumped up. "Zachariah, I won't let you do that, you're endangering your life and I won't have it!" Jacob thundered, his face set in a scowl. Zach didn't give a shit anymore. Claire was what he lived and breathed for and he wouldn't go another freaking minute without knowing she was safe. "Damn it, Pop, would you rather see me suffer?" Jacob shook his head and put a hand on his son's shoulder, gripping it firmly. "You know damn well I don't. Don't you think it kills your mother and me to watch you ride this roller coaster? Moping from lifetime to lifetime until she shows up again? How can you even ask that, Zach? We love her too." Zach felt helplessness sink to the pit of his belly. "I know you do Pop, I'm sorry. But no one really knows exactly what will happen if I tell her, do they? It's all just some damn legend that we have no proof even really exists." A weak defense at best, but screw this. He loved Claire and he would burn in the flames of hell before he let her go again. Fuck fate. "Don't go off half-cocked until we know more. No, we don't have any proof that telling Claire about her past lives will set fate on its ear. But we don't have any that says it won't either. You've known this all of your life, Zach. The key is finding out who kills her, or where she disappears to. I've got feelers out Zach, please trust me. If it's in my power, I'll find them this time." "And what if you don't, Pop? I lose Claire again, and the years between her coming and going are getting further and further apart. You can't step down as head of the breed if I don't have a Life Mate, and I can't have a Life Mate if Claire disappears or dies," he barked in frustration. A knock at the door startled them both; Claire stood in the doorway, her face ashen. "I ... I came to tell ... you..." she gulped for air, "...that coffee..." Claire fell to the floor in a heap as Zach and his father rushed to her side. Chapter 5 Claire fought her way to the surface, caught somewhere between a lurking haze and the fringes of reality. Cool water washed her cheeks and she fought wildly as strong hands attempted to soothe her. "Claire baby, it's okay ... shhh, honey, it's Zach." Strong arms rocked her as she tried to orient herself. She held onto the familiar warmth of Zach, clutching at his shirt. She was on his bed, she'd know that comforter anywhere. If Claire dies... It hit her like a ton of bricks. Claire's head bobbed upward and a sharp pain sliced through her forehead. If Claire dies... Holy shit! Zach and his father had been talking, and she had come to get them for coffee. And she heard Zach clearly say if Claire dies. "What the hell is going on, Zach?" She felt weak and sluggish, her tongue thick and uncooperative. "Claire, listen to me." Claire struggled with him, shaking her head. "No Zach, tell me what the hell is going on, or I'm going back to my apartment and never seeing you again!" Oh God. Her chest
tightened painfully at the very thought. She couldn't live without him, didn't even want to think about it, but living was the matter at hand here. "Tell me what's happening, right now. What kind of Life Mate are you if you're talking about my death!" Her hysteria mounted with each word she spat at him. She gripped his arms and shouted at him. "I heard you. I heard you say if Claire dies. What is going on?" Tears began to stream down her face, fear clenched her heart. All at once she had a semblance of understanding. The vision of Zach in another time and place. The odd sense that she knew his family. Something was terribly wrong here. **** Zach's gut was tied up into knots over what to do. Screw fate and screw losing the woman he loved. Fate be damned. "Claire, I need you to calm down, please. I'll tell you everything if you'll just calm down." Claire's big black eyes brimmed with fear stared at him, wide-eyed. "Calm down," she yelped, "how the hell am I supposed to calm down? I just heard I'm going to die. I will not calm down. Who is calm when they hear they're going to die? Do you have a list of names of the people who take that news lightly?" Her eyes were wild with fury, pushing Zach away she sat at the edge of the bed. He grabbed her hands in his and she stopped fighting him. Instead she clung to him. "Just sit here next to me and listen to me, okay?" Her small frame shuddered, then she nodded her head in consent. Zach took a deep breath, exhaling slowly. "When I said I was your Life Mate, that was the truth. We've known each other for centuries... You've lived many lives, Claire, and every few lifetimes we meet, fall in love..." Claire's hands shook violently; he tightened his grip. "And? What happens after we fall in love, Zach, ya know, the death thing?" Her voice was thick with raw fear. Zach rubbed her hands. There was no easy way to tell her. He rushed headlong into the inevitable and prayed with every fiber of his being he was doing the right thing. "You give me a hard time about wanting to turn immediately. We can't mate until the moon is full, and then and only then will it be successful. When I turn you, it's a draining process for me. My narcolepsy makes it that much more of a strain on my body. I fall into a deep sleep after the turn and so do you..." He watched her take deep breaths; her breasts rose and fell rapidly. She slid closer to him on the bed, and leaned against him heavily. "So I guess we've gotten to the turning stage of this in one of my past lives?" She rubbed her neck distractedly. "Yes," he answered truthfully. "But that's only happened once, the first time. I tried to turn you and we were almost successful. I woke to find you..." Zach pulled her tightly to him, resting his head on the top of hers, and closed his eyes. "Dead." She finished for him with a shudder. "What happened to me, Zach?" "You were bitten ... again." "Again?" Zach raked his hand through his hair. "Yes, you were bitten again after I bit you, and because it happened before the entire turn took place, you died as a result. The venom from the second bite was apparently deadly. You see, if you're a mortal, some vampire venom can be deadly. Whatever was left in you that was still mortal, was what the venom attacked." Claire gripped his shirt, her knuckles white from the effort.
"Okay, so what about the rest of my lives? How was I killed then? How come you didn't turn me those other times? How the hell many lives have I had anyway?" Zach's laugh was hoarse; he cupped her chin and looked her in the eye. "Baby, if I knew that, do you think for one second I'd let whoever is responsible live? I'd kill the bastard... The only thing I can think of is you go off in your rush to be turned--because you think I don't want, really want, you to be my Life Mate--and find a rogue breed of vamp to do it. Somehow you always slip away from me, just disappear. But I couldn't tell you that." Zach's throat tightened. Shit. This would not happen again, he would not lose her. "Why haven't you warned me in all these past lives I've been skipping through? Why wouldn't you just tell me about all of this? Why would you let me keep making the same stupid mistake?" Claire's cheeks were wet with tears. Okay, this was it, Zach thought, no more waiting, no more fucking around. "Fate, Claire, I've just tampered with fate." **** Fate? Claire shook her head in confusion. "Fate? Isn't that what you said brought us together? What the hell is fate's problem? Fate doesn't like a warm fuzzy, a happy ending?" Zach wiped the tears from her cheeks with loving care. "According to legend, if I tell you about your past lives and warn you against your disappearance or death, then I'm interfering. In essence, I'm toying with fate." Claire looked around the room warily, as though Fate was going to jump out at her from behind a chair and say Boo. They sat silently side by side, waiting for ... for what? Her to give in to this fate character and lay down and die? Bullshit! Claire's cheeks blushed red with anger as she shrugged off his hands and yelled, "Fuck Fate, Zach, you should have told me. I mean, my God, you just let me die or disappear? What the hell kind of Life Mate are you?" Zach's jaw clenched tightly. "Legend says that if I don't allow fate to take its course, you won't come back to me in the next life. It was a choice every time. It gave me another chance to play the game with you, or lose you forever." His deep tenor cracked with those words. "I just couldn't risk never seeing you again, never being with you. I couldn't take that kind of chance. Maybe I made the wrong choice, maybe I'm just damn selfish, but I'd rather have a couple of weeks with you every lifetime or so, than spend eternity without you. So sue me," he spat at her. Claire fought to make sense of it all. Okay, so fate was fucking with her chance for happiness. Well bullshit on that. "Legend? What legend is this, is it vampire legend?" Claire slapped her thigh with the palm of her hand. "Of course it is, it's not human, that's for sure. So now, just by your telling me, I'm doomed? Do I just keel over at any second here? Or am I going to be murdered again?" Hell's Bells, she was going to be murdered! Well, not if she had anything to say about it, by hell. "I don't know, but if fate wants you, then it will have to take me too. I won't live without you. I don't know what I've just done by telling you, but I don't give a shit anymore, I've played by the rules till now. Now I'll make my own. If fate wants you, then I go with you." His face, set with determination, made Claire's heart tighten in her chest. There had to be a way for them to win this. "What are you going to do vampire, commit suicide? Eat some garlic, bathe in Holy water? You idiot, I wouldn't ever let you do something so stupid. We'll figure this out. Besides, you told me and the world hasn't come to a screeching halt. I'm still breathing right? Maybe fate is done with us?" Claire tried to smile reassuringly, but she had the sinking feeling it wasn't over by a long shot.
This was insanity, plain and simple. "I remember some things, Zach, from our past." Zach's handsome face looked confused. "Like?" he asked with a frown. "I remember dancing with you. A waltz, I think. And I remember you helping me onto a horse. I remember thinking you were the most handsome man I'd ever seen, and when I was with you I wasn't afraid of anything. Haven't I told you this in one of my past lives?" Zach tugged her close, shaking his head, no. She buried her face in the solid comfort of his chest. "Why didn't you tell me about these memories?" Claire sighed. "I thought you would think I was crazy. Although looking back on it now, I don't know why I could possibly think that," she snorted. "It doesn't get much crazier than being a vampire. I guess I thought you might think I was trying to convince you to turn me earlier. You know, make a play for the Life Mate thing. It only happened twice and we've only spent a few days together. I wasn't sure exactly what was happening, but now it all makes sense. Meeting your family was like coming home again, ya know?" Zach toyed with her hair absently. "It is coming home for you, Claire, and I won't let you go." Claire looked up at him. It was time to slap her forensics cap on and look at this objectively. Like she did with the people who came into the morgue. "You have no idea where I disappear to? I mean none at all?" Zach shook his head. "I wake up and find you gone. You have to remember I have narcolepsy, I sleep the sleep of the dead, for real. Even though I'm a vampire, the narcolepsy makes turning you that much more taxing on my body. The first time I turned you, I fell into a deep sleep and woke to find you dead." She held up her hand to stop him. "Okay, Okay I get it." Coroner or not, thinking about your own death was downright gruesome. Claire thought about Zach's statement for a minute. "It has to be another vampire, who else would have the ability to come back century after century to do me in, or make me 'disappear'? Someone who knows about your narcolepsy and uses it to their advantage. Someone who knows you won't wake up and save me." "It could be someone who's reincarnated and destined to kill you," he suggested quietly. Oh goody. That only left like a million and one possibilities. "Does anyone have a grudge against you for anything? I mean, an enemy of some kind?' This was beginning to sound like a bad rerun of Columbo, and she was no Charlie's Angel. "Honey, if I knew that I'd find the bastard and kill him, or them, or whoever it is. The Kowalski's have no enemies as far as I know. We go back a long, long way in history, but we're not known for waging war." Claire sighed loudly. This was all too much for her to take in right now, her bones felt mushy and her eyes felt like they'd been pried open with toothpicks. "So we have a week or so to figure this out before I'm kaput, or I just disappear into thin air?"
Zach cringed at that. "Give or take, and I don't know what I've done by screwing with fate and telling you." Oh boy, this was grim for sure. They sat quietly together, each pondering the inevitable outcome. Claire began to giggle, whether from shock or the beginnings of insanity, she laughed out loud. "What was I like in all these past lives? Do I look the same each time?" She said between giggles. Zach's eyebrows lifted. "No, not always." Claire couldn't help it, she needed to know. "Have I ever been a blonde supermodel?" Zach shook his head. "Um, nope, no supermodels, sometimes your hair is darker, longer. But you're always short, and curvy." Zach wiggled his eyebrows at her. "Then how do you know it's me? I mean you could be getting the wrong Life Mate outta the deal." "Nope, can't happen. I can smell you, baby, all vampires can smell their Life Mates." He sniffed at her neck, making her shiver. She started to laugh again, her shoulders shaking. Zach seemed confused, making her laugh harder. Between fits of laughter she said, "Ya know what, doesn't it just figure? I'm doomed throughout all history to be short and curvy. You would think fate would gimme a break and make me a tall, willowy supermodel. Maybe fate might like to take a stab at letting me see if blondes really do have more fun?" **** Claire slept fitfully, plagued by broken dreams of lost centuries and death. She woke, checking that all limbs were intact, and that she wasn't floating around on some puffy white cloud. Zach lay beside her, his solid body pressed possessively close to her back. It was going to take some getting used to this barely breathing thing. If fate gave her the chance, that is. Zach had rounded up a posse of fellow vamps to keep a close eye on them. Jarrod offered his apartment for them to stay in, and now stood watch on the balcony while his friends camped out in the living room. No way in or out, or at least she hoped that was the case. Zach had confessed to his friends and family about telling Claire who she was. A hushed silence had fallen over the room, each vampire knowing Zach had done the unthinkable and tampered with fate. The full moon was a week away. They had some time to piece this puzzle together, or she disappeared or... Died. And this time it was probably for good. Zach had messed with fate or some such crap, which meant her chances of being reincarnated in the future had just been whittled to a stump. Why hadn't Zach done something like this before? Why had he ever let her out of his sight? Well, she knew the answer to that, because she was pig-headed and stubborn and her determination to be turned had overruled common sense. No one told Claire Treemont 'no'. It only served to piss her off and was just the catalyst she needed to do the exact opposite of what she was told was good for her. Now though, she had an advantage. She knew what to expect, although she wasn't sure if that was a good thing. Goosebumps traveled up the length of her arms at the thought of death being the end result here. Never seeing Zach again... Her heart twisted in her chest. As she drifted off to sleep again, she thought it was time to figure out who the hell wanted her dead, and kill the psycho off...
**** Zach woke lethargic, and hard as a rock. Claire snored softly beside him. He ran his hands over the smooth planes of her body, loving the silky soft skin, the gentle curve of her breast. His knuckles caressed her nipples. He watched as they tightened into hard beads. He had to take her somewhere safe and keep her under lock and key. The emptiness in his gut gnawed at him. He didn't want to leave her for a second, but he had to if he was going to find out who wanted her dead. His hand clenched into a tight fist. He'd involved everyone and their brother with this fate thing. He could only hope it wouldn't affect them. Claire sighed in her sleep, rolling toward him. Her small hand lay possessively on his chest. Heat shot to his cock, hard and needy, lying heavily against his thigh. He cupped her breasts with both hands, thumbing the rigid swell of nipple. Claire stretched upward, unconsciously offering them to him in her sleep. Sliding down beside her, he held her breasts in his hands and laved each nipple with slow strokes. Claire thrust her lower body at him, pressing his tongue to her flesh. Swirling the tight buds, he massaged the firm globes, savoring the breathy sigh he heard from above. He felt her hands tunnel in his hair. Her nails lightly grazed his scalp as she pulled him tighter to her and wrapped her thighs around his leg. As he suckled first one nipple then the other, she rode his thigh, her slick cunt raking over his flesh. He moved his hands to her waist and used her for leverage to slide down her body. Her scent made him wild and hungry to ram into her flesh. The pink lips of her cunt glistened temptingly, creamy with her need. Zach's cock throbbed hungrily as he licked at the swollen outer flesh. He growled as his tongue had its first taste of her tangy sweetness. His head swam with the musky scent between her legs. Claire's legs bracketed his body as she bucked forward and her slender body arched upward, trembling. She ran a finger over his lips as he moved in to press them firmly against her. She let her fingers delve into the slick folds as his tongue collided with her fingertips. He licked the wet slit over and over with a flat tongue, stopping briefly to suckle her clit. Her hands moved to his shoulders, gripping him tightly, as she raised her hips to meet the long stroke of his tongue. He devoured her wet flesh, burying his face between her thighs. He felt her body tense and shudder as her creamy wetness dribbled onto his hungry tongue. Claire sobbed his name as he lapped at her, riding the climax, savoring the taste of her body, so wet and hungry for his. Zach's cock was on fire now, hard and desperate to sink into her slick flesh. He untangled himself from her. Sliding off the edge of the bed he pulled her toward him and stood between her dangling thighs. Claire's eyes were closed and her arms above her head, tempting him to suckle her beaded nipples one last time. Spreading her legs wide, Zach groaned at the sight of her ready cunt. She lowered her arms and tugged impatiently at his cock, slipping it into her soft folds, moistening it with the cream of her pussy. He reached under her hips, grabbed the soft globes of her ass and impaled her with his throbbing staff. He hissed her name through clenched teeth. His hands tightened, clutching her as he felt his balls slap her ass from the impact. She was so tight and wet... His knees buckled as he stroked her, and his cock tightened impossibly when he watched her reach down to fondle her clit. He was driven to fuck her, ramming into her mindlessly with each forceful stroke. His cock bucked inside her tight walls as she milked him, raising her hips high, matching his need. Zach watched as his thick cock slid in and out of her body, the folds of her flesh wet and open to his gaze. Blood pumped to his cock in spurts of heat as he sank into her time and again. His legs buckled from the impact when he came, slamming against the bed with force. Claire's scream came from deep within her throat; it was hoarse and raw as her body shuddered with climax. Heaving, sweaty bodies collapsed together, gasping for air. Claire's cheeks were flushed and her eyes glazed. Her full lips pressed to his in a light kiss, as she stretched upward beneath him, her breasts scraping his chest, keeping him hard inside her. She smiled lazily. "Good morning vampire, what a way to wake up." Zach smiled back. "It's the only way to wake up," he assured her as he withdrew from her body. Still hard, still wanting her, knowing he had to get her somewhere safe, and she wasn't going to like it. He tugged on her hand, pulling her to him and kissing her lips. "C'mon beautiful, let's go take a shower, I'll show you what I can do with a bar of soap," he winked at her. Claire's mouth tilted upward in a slow seductive smile.
"Oh really, vampire? Well let's get busy, my back could use a good scrubbing." She chuckled as she headed off to the big bathroom. Zach swallowed hard at the sight of her lush ass as it wiggled, and figured telling her what he was going to do could wait just a little longer. **** "No!" She crossed her arms over her breasts and did her best not to behave like a spoiled child. "Claire..." Oh, there was that warning in his hot-chocolate tone. "Don't you 'Claire' me, Zachariah Kowalski. I will not leave you, do you hear me?" She threatened right back. How could he possible ask her to give up what might be the only time they had left together? She felt hot tears well in her eyes and swiped at them with frustration. "Claire, it's the only way I know you'll be safe. We have to do this, for our future," he roared at her. His jaw was set with determination and she knew there was no changing his mind. "Wouldn't it be better if I stuck around? I mean I could be bait or something, you know, lure the evil killer into my web." She sniffed back at him--weakly, mind you... "I will not allow you to lure anyone anywhere, Claire, it's too dangerous. Now that this is all out in the open and I've done the unthinkable by tempting fate, I can ask for help. Something I couldn't do before." Zach was right, and she hated it. She couldn't bear to be without him, but she would if the end result left her breathing and with Zach. Now she was going to behave badly, she knew it and she didn't care. How was that for petulant? She launched herself at Zach, clinging to his big frame. Zach held her close, his taut body riddled with tension. Claire went nose to nose with him. "You listen to me, blood sucker. Don't you get yourself hurt or I will come back from wherever the hell I go and haunt you for eternity!" Chapter 6 Desi paced the long stretch of room with fury, snapping her well-worn flogger to release tension. Her long hair flew behind her, whipping about as she simmered, her naked form flush with anger. Zach had the bitch somewhere and she would find them if it was the last thing she did. How the hell had she escaped? She had always been able to coax the bitch into her trap. Let's see, in the nineteen hundreds it had been tea, wasn't it? She'd invited Claire on the sly for a little girl-to-girl thing, and bam, it was over. Why was Zach hiding her now? He must have told Claire... Desi almost laughed at that. Poor Claire, thinking fate had something to do with this. Where the hell were they? A scream of frustration rose in her throat as she contemplated that whore finally having Zach for all of eternity. The full moon was only hours away and her fate would be sealed if Zach had his way. She threw herself down on the bed in frustration. Why couldn't Zach just see that he was meant to be hers? Her hand clenched into a tight fist of rage as she cracked the flogger distractedly, dragging it over her body. Every sexual fantasy she'd ever had included Zach. His thick muscular body tied helplessly to her bed while she rode his hard cock. She smiled vaguely at the thought of flogging him; a shiver ran up her spine and her nipples tightened, envisioning his firm ass clenching with each blow. She would be gentle of course... At first. Her hand wandered absently to her needy cunt, pushing aside the tight nest of curls. It should be Zach's fingers raking through her wet flesh, sliding his long fingers into her neglected passage. She groaned with the ache as she drew the flogger over her thighs. Her nipples tightened to sharp beads as she pictured Zach's dark head bent at them, nipping the hard points. Her back arched upward as the tails of the flogger brushed her clit, grazing the swollen nub. Spreading her folds of flesh apart, she raised her legs in eager anticipation. Centuries of desire narrowed to the apex of her thighs as she imagined Zach's tongue rasping over her flesh. She came swiftly, her slender body racked with shudders, her chest heaving.
A sharp rap at the door startled her. Jumping up, grabbing her robe as she went, tying it at her waist. Opening the door a crack, she eyed Dumb, with Dumber following at a close second. "Well, did you find them?" She growled. "The answer better be yes, or I'll see you in hell, you idiots." Dumb grinned foolishly at her while he licked his lips, eyeing her breasts. "Yup, we found her, she's all holed up somewhere in the woods with a bunch of Zach's clan. Want us to go get her?" Dumber asked. Desi's eyes flashed venom. Saints save her from the fools of the world. "No, you idiots, I want you to let her mate with Zach," she spat. Dumb and Dumber gave each other confused looks. "Of course I want you to get her, you dipshits," she screamed as she poked Dumb in the chest with a red-tipped talon. "The question is, do you have enough brains to get past the other clan members?" "Oh yeah, boss, we got it all under control. Don't worry about a thing, she'll be yours before midnight tonight." Dumb assured her, and Dumber followed up with a rapid nod of his head. "You'd better, or I'll see to it that your heads roll..." Desi snarled as she slammed the door in their faces. She shook off the remnants of rage, and gathering her wits, prepared for the evening's events. Tonight she would own Zach, body, if not soul, and she intended to become his Life Mate while the moon was full and Claire was dead. **** Claire sat quietly waiting on the bed in Jarrod's apartment. She didn't know what she was waiting for, but she waited anyway. She ached for Zach. It had been five days since he'd brought her here and left her under constant watch. Jarrod and too many men to count watched and waited too. None of them seemed afraid that now, they too, were involved in tampering with fate. They followed Zach's orders without question. From the hushed conversations she heard behind closed doors, they weren't any closer to finding out who wanted her dead. So far fate hadn't knocked her for a loop, at least not yet. Fate seemed less and less like the conclusion to this mess. The full moon was tonight. Shit. Her stomach clenched with fear and anxiety rippled up her spine. What if Zach didn't get to whomever it was in time? What if she never saw him again? Her heart ached with the need to see Zach one last time. She ran a tired hand over her eyes, trying to think. Who hated her enough to want to see her dead? Or maybe the question was who didn't want her with Zach? Claire closed her eyes and ran a frustrated hand through her hair. Zach was due to take over his clan when his father stepped down, and Claire joining him as his Life Mate was essential according to Zach. He couldn't take over unless he had a Life Mate by his side. So that left someone who didn't like the idea of Claire as Zach's Life Mate? Someone who wanted Zach and someone who needed... Claire broke out into a sweat. Her hands gripped the quilt on the bed. Hell's Bells, men were so damn stupid sometimes! When this was over she was going to slap Zach just for breathing. All right... Now she knew what she had to do. Problem was, how was she going to get past every Polish vampire in the universe? Claire dug through her purse, locating her cell phone and prayed the battery hadn't died on her. She pressed the on button and the phone lit up. Yes! she wanted to cheer! She poked her head out the bedroom door to find them all watching football. She almost snorted. Vampire, human, it didn't make a difference. Give a man a remote control, some beer and a bag of chips and you could prance naked right underneath their unsuspecting noses. "Hey Jarrod..." Claire stuck her fingers in her mouth and whistled to get his attention over the noise they were making. A row of vampire heads turned. "I'm going to bed, I'm beat." Jarrod waved a distracted hand in her direction. "Okay, Claire, g'night," he mumbled. Claire closed the door and headed for the bathroom; she turned the taps on full blast and dialed the phone.
**** Well wasn't this just grand? Who needed Dumb and Dumber when Claire was stupid enough for the both of them put together? Desi pressed a button, opening the window to let the cool October air filter into the car. Looking up through the skylight she caught a glimpse of the moon, full and seductive. A perfect night to mate. Her pulse raced and her nipples tightened. Soon Claire would be dead and she would mate with Zach. At least Dumb and Dumber were good for something, they had managed to locate Zach. When this was all over she would have Zach. This time when she consoled him over poor Claire's death, she wouldn't take no for an answer. She would have his thick cock, if it was the last thing she did, and her rightful place as his mate. Oh, the endless possibilities offered to her as Zach's mate. She gripped the steering wheel of the sports car tighter, she just had to get to Claire before Dumb and Dumber did. Flipping open her cell phone, she punched in numbers with rapid fingers. **** "You're kidding?" Zach barked at Jarrod through the phone. "How the hell can one woman get into so much damn trouble? You were supposed to watch her for me!" Zach hung up the phone in frustration and redialed. Nobody knew where Claire was and they only had another freaking forty-five minutes to figure it out, before midnight. When... If he got his hands on her, he would kill her himself. Zach raked a hand through his hair; he would not lose this woman again. Not again, damn it. **** Claire paced the curb in front of the diner, waiting. What the hell had she been thinking? She was a mortal about to confront a vampire who could open up a can of whoopass on her like nobody's business. But this vampire in question wanted Zach and she was willing to kill Claire to have him. Bullshit, Claire thought, I'll be damned if she'll have him, not before I do. Okay, she thought, trying to piece together a half-assed plan ... a stake through the heart? Holy water? The inky black night surrounded her. A cool breeze sent leaves skittering across the deserted street. Deserted being the operative word here. Maybe she might want to rethink this plan. She flipped open her cell to call Zach, only to find her battery dead. Damn! This was getting reminiscent of a B-grade horror flick. Claire damned her impulsive decision. She should have called Zach. Not that he would have believed her accusation anyway. Stupid head, she chastised Zach mentally. Claire's heart raced in her chest when she saw the sleek line of the sports car turn the corner and come to a screeching halt alongside the curb in front of her. Desi rolled down the passenger window and peeked out at Claire. Her smile was bright, too bright; her white teeth glowed in the black interior of the car. "Claire darling, I'm so glad you called, it's about time we got to know each other. Men can be such a bore sometimes, can't they? Let's go have some girl time and forget all about that nasty bunch of football-loving fools." Desi popped the lock and leaned over to open the door. Yeah, right, like I'm getting in the car with you. "You know, Desi I was thinking maybe we could just have coffee right here." Claire suggested as she pointed to the neon sign's eerie glow from above the diner. Desi shrugged her shoulders. "Okay, coffee it is then. Let me park." Desi rolled the window up and pulled into a slot by the back of the diner. As Claire crossed the street, she tried her cell phone again. Damn. Claire was digging through her purse to be sure she had her wallet when Desi blindsided her. She grabbed Claire by the throat and slammed her body up against the side of the diner's brick wall so hard her teeth clattered. Claire heard her bones crack like dried twigs and felt the flash of pain run from the top of her head to the tips of her toes. Her feet
dangled helplessly as she tried to wrap them around Desi's waist to gain some leverage, but Desi pressed her body hard to Claire's. Desi clutched Claire's throat, digging her nails into the tender flesh and smiled at Claire, her green eyes glowing with venom. "You know, Claire, you're a real pain in the ass. I tried to be patient, but you make it damn hard when you show up time and again. Zach belongs to me," she spat in Claire's face. Claire shook her head as Desi's spit ran down the side of her face, and croaked the word "No" in futile defiance. Desi tightened her grip, her long nails sinking into Claire's flesh. "This time when you die, I fully intend to have him. Oh, yeah, and you know what else? When I mate with him tonight, it really will be all over for you. No more lives for Claire, because once Zach mates with me, the cycle is broken, and you, my dear, are finito." Desi finished with a satisfied grin. Claire could feel the need for air burn her lungs as she struggled to take a breath. She reached up to get hold of Desi's hair and grab a handful of it. Desi darted out of the way, but not before Claire scratched a hunk of her porcelain smooth skin from her cheek. Desi's eyes narrowed and Claire's widened in disbelief as the wound healed right before her eyes. Oh shit, she was more than a little fucked here, and running out of air at a frighteningly rapid pace. "Claire, Claire, Claire. You are as unbelievably stupid in this life as you were in all the rest. You can't really think you're any match for me, can you? I've killed you over and over, what would make you think this time was any different?" Desi laughed. Claire fought the black hole tugging her deeper into its depths. Her limbs were growing numb and lay almost useless by her sides. Desi twisted Claire's neck roughly. Claire was faintly aware of Desi's fangs gleaming in the moonlight, razor sharp and ready. This was it, she thought wildly. Sweat trickled down the side of her face as she scrambled desperately in her pocket for the hard nail file. Her grip was loose, but enough to feel the cool metal in her fingers. She jabbed upward at Desi, with enough force to make Desi gasp and let go of her neck. Claire slid to the ground, gasping for much needed air, her body slow from lack of oxygen. "You bitch, you fucking bitch!" She heard Desi scream in rage, "This was my favorite Armani silk shirt. Look what you've done; I'll never get the blood out!" Claire felt Desi's hands on her again as she roughly yanked Claire upward and grabbed a handful of her hair. Pulling her head backward roughly so she could stare down at her. The roar of engines and squeal of tires made Desi turn toward the street, her profile rife with fury. Heavy footsteps pounded the pavement, approaching them rapidly. "Desdemona Smitrovitch!" Zach roared, his face a mask of fury as he pulled her off of Claire, slamming her hard up against the wall. Desi dropped Claire like a sack of potatoes. Zach stormed over to where Claire lay as Jarrod's footsteps thundered behind Zach's. Jarrod grabbed Desi, pulling her arms tightly behind her back. "Claire, baby, are you okay?" Zach hauled her into his arms, holding her limp body to his. Claire's head bobbed, then righted itself as she fought to speak, her throat swollen and cracked. "Kill the bitch, Zach" she said hoarsely, croaking through clenched teeth. Vampires by the dozen began to appear out of nowhere. Zach gently handed Claire's limp form to one and turned to where Jarrod held Desi. With lightening speed he covered the ground between them and towered over Desi. If Claire could have spoken she would have told Zach how impressive she thought the Speedy Gonzales thing was. He ran his hand over Desi's neck and settled his wide grip at the base of her throat. "It was you all this time, Desi?" he said in disbelief. Desi squirmed in Jarrod's hold, her long hair matted to her face with tears. "I love you, Zach" she cried desperately. "I'm your Life Mate, not that bitch." Desi sobbed, as she struggled uselessly in Jarrod's iron grip.
Zach held her throat for a long moment, raking his nail along the smooth column. His eyes were dark and cold as his lips curled into a thin sneer. "I'm not your Life Mate, Desi, I'd rather burn in hell," Zach responded, showing Desi his fangs with a hiss. Desi cringed as tears rolled down her smooth cheeks. "I don't know Jarrod, what do you think we should do with Desi?" Jarrod's laughter rang in the cold night air, echoing all around them. "It's up to you, buddy," he replied with cold indifference. "By all rights I could kill you, Desi, and not a soul, not even your father, would deny me that right. By clan laws you should die, you've killed over and over again, Desi. You're a danger to the clan's reputation and the new alliances we're trying to form." Zach tugged on a long lock of Desi's hair, his eyes leveling on her. "You really are some bitch, huh?" Desi's head shot up, her face streaked with tears, her voice filled with yearning. "It should have been me, Zach. Me, another vampire. Not some mortal whore. You were just too stupid to figure it out," she half sobbed, half screamed into Zach's face. Zach looked at her with disgust. "I dunno Jarrod, you think I should leave her tied to a tree in the sun, or maybe I should just drain the bitch dry? Decisions, decisions." Zach crossed his arms over his massive chest, mocking deep thought. Desi blanched; her perfect skin literally glowing in the moonlight. "No, Zach," Claire cut in with a croak as she wobbled toward Zach. "Enough death, please. As much as I'd like to see Desi pay for keeping us apart, I think it will hurt more if she's banished from the clan..." Claire trailed off, her throat too raw for more. Zach held her firmly to his side. "Well, Jarrod, I guess it's what the lady wants. Claire is, after all, the one she tried to kill. So, Desi, I guess this is it." Zach said stiffly and turned, without so much as a backward glance. "Take her Jarrod, she's all yours." Desi screamed into the night, a bloodcurdling wail that rang in Claire's ears as Zach helped her to his car. She fell back against the seat and closed her eyes, her body racked with pain. Damn, that broad was tough. Zach's hands roamed her sore body. Claire began to feel the blood slowly return to her hands and feet. Zach laid his hands gently on her bruised and swollen throat; a soothing balm wound its way over her battered skin. Claire felt the burning in her throat disappear and the pounding in her head ebb away. Zach's voice whispered softly to her, words of love and something in Polish? It didn't matter. She was with Zach and now she would be with him forever. When she opened her eyes again, he was smiling at her, his eyes filled with concern. Claire cupped his jaw and gently kissed his lips. "C'mon vampire, don't we have some nookie to make?" Zach dragged her close to him and whispered into her neck. "I love you, Claire, I don't know what the hell I would have done this time if something had happened to you." His deep voice was gruff and hoarse. Tears stung Claire's eyes. "I love you too, Count Dracula, now take me home and I'll show you a good time," she said, as she wrapped her arms around his neck and squeezed him. Zach didn't wait to be asked again, he jumped into the driver's side. As they sped off into the night, Claire caught a glimpse of Desi's pert ass high in the air as Jarrod carried her off over his shoulder. ****
Claire rinsed off the remainder of the night in the shower and smiled at the things to come. Eternity with Zach and, well ... making love with Zach. Her nipples tightened as she dried off briskly. What did one wear when they were about to become a vampire? The very thought made her pause. Holy shit. She would soon join the ranks of the undead, and live with Zach as his Life Mate for lord only knew how long. It occurred to her how odd that might seem to anyone else, but to Claire Treemont, it felt more than right. She grabbed Zach's tshirt, intending to get a piece of vampire ass. She sauntered out of the bathroom to find Zach sitting quietly on the bed. "Okay, vampire, let's do this so we can get to the good part." Claire said saucily, with a wink. Zach's eyes were dark as he looked at her, and it wasn't desire she saw in them. Well hell, she was in trouble for sure. She watched hesitantly as he rose, his thickly muscled body oozed tension. Yup, she was going to get a good talking to. Zach towered over her and gripped Claire's shoulders tightly, shaking her. "What the hell were you thinking? Do you have ANY idea what could have happened to you." He slapped his forehead. "What the hell made you go off and find Desi on your own? Why didn't you call me?" He spewed some Polish at her; he was using foul language, she just knew it. She stared up at him, ready for battle, her mouth pressed into a thin line. "You know, as I recall, I mentioned Desi was hot for you and you blew me off. If anyone's to blame, I'd say it was you. How could you not have known she was in love with you? I mean, of all the stupid things in the whole world to miss? You idiot vampire! Don't go blaming me for what was right under your nose. I didn't call you because I didn't think you would believe me, you did seem rather fond of the witch," she accused, poking his chest. "Why didn't you call me and tell me you had it figured out? I mean that is what happened isn't it?" She huffed at him. "I had people everywhere looking out for you since I told you about your past lives, just so happens somebody else did too," he said smugly, daring her to pull the information out of him. "Yeah? Well who is that somebody, Zach? Might have been nice if you'd shared that information, I could have saved myself an ass whooping!" She yelled at him, her exasperation clear. "It was Jarrod," he said, like he was dangling a carrot in her face. "Jarrod? How the hell did Jarrod know who it was?" "Well, it seems our Jarrod is hot for Desi, and since he took an interest in her and she is from a different breed of vampire, he decided to have her checked out. He hired the two guys who've been following her around, and they fed him information. He was light years ahead of us. This century Desi didn't stand a chance, not against Jarrod anyway." "Jarrod? Sweet, kind, considerate Jarrod is hot for Desi? I think I'm going to yark," Claire said, holding her stomach. "Yup, and if you would just have let well enough alone, none of this," he pointed at her neck, "would have happened." Claire narrowed her eyes. Of all the damn nerve this side of the millennium. "So why didn't you just tell me that? I mean, you know, pick up the phone and call me, you jerk." Claire jabbed at his stomach with her elbow. "Because I didn't know who it was until Jarrod called to tell me you had disappeared. He knew what Desi was up to, and he had his two goons looking after her every move. He never expected you to take off like that; last he knew you were going off to bed. As far as he was concerned, everything was under control." Zach shot back at her defensively. Okay, she'd done something stupid and impulsive. Claire squirmed, shifting from foot to foot. Jeez.
"Well, what made you think I'd just sit around and let someone try to kill me? I put two and two together, which is more than I can say for you, Columbo. If you'd have figured it out, and not been so blind to that woman's charms, we would have been together a long time ago!" So there. "What makes you think I can't handle a crisis, big boy? I've been doing it without your help for a long time!" She was gathering steam here. "A crisis, Claire? Desi is more than a crisis, and I had no idea you'd be stupid enough to think you could take her on alone. I had it all under control, until you showed up!" He exploded. Claire's eyes flew open wide. Whoa, whoa, there. "Stupid?" She squeaked. "Wait one minute, blood sucker, who's the stupid one? I mean helllooo, the damn woman nearly peels your clothes off telepathically and you didn't know she was chasing you? For centuries, mind you?" Claire cocked her eyebrow at him, hands planted firmly on her hips. "Now, I don't know about you, but that wins first prize in the 'I am completely clueless' department! How could you have not seen the way that woman looked at you? I mean really, Zach, for all of your superhero abilities you'd think you could figure out something as easy as a little lust. Sheesh, it was as plain as the nose on your face..." Claire began a poor imitation of Desi, whipping her hair around and thrusting her breasts outward at him. "Ooooh, Zach," she cooed and twisted a strand of hair around her fingers. "How are you darling? Here let me rub my big, pert boobs all over you. Oh, and while I'm at it, lemme see the monster, why don't you?" Claire mocked, wiggling her hips from side to side seductively. Zach's broad shoulders began to shake, his deep laugh sending a rush of anger through her, making Claire's cheeks flush. Jerk... And then she couldn't help it, she began to laugh too. "Hey, where'd you learn to do that Speedy Gonzales routine?" Claire choked out between giggles, referring to his amazing ability to make haste. "I think I like that almost as much as I like your fangs, vampire." Zach pulled her newly healed body flush to his and grazed her lips. "I'm a vampire Claire; I can do all sorts of things." He followed that up with the grin that made her knees weak and her heart beat double time. Claire wound her arms around his waist, and buried her nose in his chest. Zach's broad shoulders shook with laughter. "Look here, wild woman, from now on I want you to tell me everything, okay? Don't go off half-cocked ever again. I don't think I could have stood losing you one more time." Claire gave up defending herself when she heard the crack in his voice. She stood on tippy-toe and kissed his lips. "You win, vampire, I'll be less impulsive from now on. Now don't we have some business to take care of?" Zach ground his hips into Claire's, the rigid line of his thick cock rubbed against her enticingly. She fondled the thick bulge and purred in his ear, "Can we fuck now and talk later?" Zach groaned, "I have to suck your blood first, baby, then we can fuck till the cows come home if you want. Are you sure this is what you want, Claire? You don't have to turn. I want that, don't get me wrong, but I don't want it unless you do." Claire kissed him long and hard, caressing his velvet tongue with hers. When she broke away she smiled, "There's your answer." She took his big hand in hers and led him to the bed. Lying down on the fluffy pillows; she swept her long hair aside. "Okay, let's do this, big guy" she urged. Zach sat beside her on the bed, pushing her t-shirt upward and running his hands over her flushed skin. Claire's thighs spread without thought and Zach leaned over her, running his tongue lightly over the smooth outer lips of her cunt.
Claire moaned. "Can't we fit a quickie in, Zach? It's been so long." She clutched his thick hair and angled her hips upward, spreading her thighs wide. Zach laid his open mouth over her pussy and lightly swiped her clit. Claire sobbed, thrusting toward his hot mouth, but Zach pulled away and licked a trail over her belly. He stopped momentarily to lave each nipple then found her mouth. Claire suckled his lower lip, pulling him tightly to her. Zach covered her body with his as he kissed her jaw. "Are you ready, baby? It won't hurt, I promise. It's not like you read about in those damn novels. You'll fall into a deep sleep and when we wake up I'll be right here next to you, and then," he wiggled his eyebrows, "I will fuck your vampire brains out." Claire giggled, and rubbed her breasts against his chest. "I'm ready, Zach. I love you." "I love you, Claire, so damn much," he whispered just before she felt the smooth glide of his fangs graze her neck. Claire's heart raced as she wrapped her thighs around his waist and pressed Zach's head into her neck. She held him close until her eyes became heavy and she heard Zach's deep snore. **** Claire woke slowly, every nerve in her body tingling. She felt more alive than she ever had in her life. Zach snored soundly beside her, still dressed. His arms lay by his side. Claire didn't know what vampire protocol was, so she didn't disturb him; instead she padded softly to the bathroom. Catching a glimpse of herself in the mirror, she stopped short. Whoa, deep! She ran a finger over her newly acquired fangs, yanking her hand away when she nicked it. Damn, they were sharp. She inspected her neck. Nothing, no bite marks. Wow ... she felt incredible and horny. Her nerve endings were raw with anticipation. She felt a surge of adrenalin at the thought of their mating. Her hand flew to her eyes ... it was pitch black in this damn bathroom, yet she could see everything clearly. Holy shit. Claire Treemont grinned from ear to ear. She was a vampire. Woo Hoo! She stifled a cheer. Suddenly she couldn't wait for Zach's hands to be on her, and his cock to fill her; she needed him with an ache in her gut unmatched by any other. Claire heard Zach call her name from behind the door; she stripped off her t-shirt, leaving it on the floor. He stood by the bed, tentative and so fabulously handsome she thought her heart might burst. Claire flew at him from across the room, throwing her body at him full force; tears flooded her eyes as she clung to his neck. She wanted everything all at once, fierce and wild. His hands were everywhere as she pressed herself tightly to him. Her breathing was labored and harsh as she wound her body around his. Zach's arms were around her, his hands roaming her body as he began to stroke her thighs, reaching between them to fondle her. His hard chest heaved as he carried her to the bed and laid her down. Claire ran her hands lovingly over his face, tears of relief fell over her cheeks. "Damn Zach, I've missed you so much it aches," she grabbed his hand and placed it over her heart, "right here." Zach splayed his hand over her heart, and sought her lips, stabbing his tongue at hers. Claire consumed his lips, licking them and nipping his tongue as her hands dug desperately at his flesh. "I've missed you, Claire, I ache for you too ... everywhere. I need to fuck you." Anxious hands cupped her breasts as he licked and sucked her nipples. Claire jammed her hands into his tight jeans, not bothering to unzip them as she found his hard cock, hot and throbbing. Her back arched upward, filling his mouth with the swollen globes of her flesh, pressing his face tightly to her as he swirled her nipples with that magic tongue. His fingers were quick as they dove into her slick cunt, her hips bucking upward when he spread her folds and his thumb rubbed her swollen clit. She managed to unzip his jeans and free his cock, circling it with two hands, sliding over the silken flesh, savoring every rigid inch.
A tangle of desperate, shaking hands clashed as Zach entered her with two fingers, and she stroked his cock. Leaving her breasts, he kissed a moist path along the smooth plane of her belly. He lay his head down on her stomach, rubbing his cheek along her skin as Claire tunneled her hands though his hair, lifting her hips, and offering him her wet flesh. Zach's fingers slid in and out of her with ease. She was slick and ready as she felt the walls of her cunt contract around him. He nipped at her clit with his teeth as hot spears of pleasure shot throughout her body. Claire heard herself beg him. "Please, Zach..." She sobbed, "it's been so long, I need you..." she gasped as his tongue wedged into her dripping flesh, licking and sucking voraciously. She struggled to spread her legs wider, rolling her hips at him, so that he might lick her more deeply. His fingers thrust rapidly into her. She heard the faint seductive suction of her body as he pressed deeper and ran his tongue up and down the length of her aching flesh with rapid-fire strokes. A fierce bolt of heat ripped through her while he lapped at her cunt, she ground her ass into the bed and her hands tore wildly at his hair as she screamed with pent-up release. Waves of tingling heat made her thrash beneath his tongue; he held her close with his mouth on her clit until the heat passed. Zach pulled his fingers from her and, nibbling lightly, found his way back to her mouth. She slid her tongue into his mouth and tasted herself. She moaned with the scent of her body on his lips, her essence on his velvet tongue. She tugged at his jeans with restless hands, removing the unwelcome barrier. Finally she felt his skin on hers, hot and smooth as silk. His thick cock lay between them as he devoured her lips. Reaching between their bodies she held it in her hands and rubbed it between the folds of her pussy, raising her legs she wound them around his waist. "Wait, Claire, please..." She continued to gyrate beneath him, needing him to fill her. She opened her eyes to watch him beneath a hooded gaze. His blue eyes penetrated hers. "I need to be in your mouth, Claire, I've dreamed of it every night without you. Please." His urgent plea, filled with longing, rippled through her in waves. Claire tightened her grip on his cock, tugging him upward to her greedy lips, his thighs straddling her neck. She wasted no time as she lifted her head and took all of him in her mouth, savoring the thickness. She pressed her tongue flat to him and surrounded his cock with her hand, twisting it lightly, moving it up and down in rhythm with her lips. Zach's hips pushed at her, frantically impaling her mouth as his hands tangled in her hair. Claire swept her tongue over him as she massaged the tight sacks of his balls and he moaned. "God Claire ... your mouth feels so incredible," he gasped. His words were erotic, making her heart skip a beat. He ran his fingers along her tongue, delving into her mouth and running them over his heated shaft. The heavy weight of his body on hers and the press of his ass to her chest encouraged her to cup his muscled globes of flesh and guide him more deeply into her throat. Zach's hips swayed above her as she sucked at him, until she felt his muscles tense and he barked her name. His cock jerked and thick streams of liquid shot down her throat. Claire swallowed the salty-sweet mixture of his release, laving at him until his still-hard cock was licked clean. He pulled out of her mouth with a pop, the thick wall of his chest a rapid rise and fall as he rolled her to her side and lifted her thigh to nudge her opening with the large head of his cock. She wrapped her leg around his hip as he splayed his hand over her abdomen, letting his long fingers drape over her cunt. Zach slid into her hard and fast as he stretched her, filling her with the completion she'd been craving so desperately. She felt his hard belly at her ass as she lifted it higher, pushing into him to meet the force of his thrusts. "Baby, I've missed you," he rasped in her ear, "your hot, sweet cunt has haunted me since I left you at Jarrod's. I couldn't wait to put my tongue on you." Claire's nipples beaded into tight points as she led his hand to her cunt, guiding his fingers to her clit, groaning at his words. "You're so wet, I can't get enough of you." He drove his cock into her, his hot breath in her ear, his hand buried in her wet flesh. Claire tugged at her nipples, wishing he had more hands; he seemed to sense what she needed as he dragged his saturated fingers over her body and rolled her nipple between his thumb and index finger, while sliding his other under her hips to continue to caress her clit. His fingers were slick with the moist heat of her body when he touched her nipple, making her groan at the mix of cool air and warm moisture.
She sighed with pleasure as every part of her body was touched and filled. Wrapping her arm around his head, she brought his lips to her neck, as she reveled in his warm embrace. His thickly muscled chest ground into her back, then his hold on her tightened as he drew himself out almost completely, then thrust upward deeply. Claire dug her hands into his scalp as he drove into her; every nerve in her body was on fire and centered on the thick cock that sent her falling into madness. The heat in her cunt was almost too much to bear as she threw herself back at him, grinding and pushing her hips she came with the sharp force of a tidal wave. Claire whimpered at the release, and as Zach came too, she burrowed into him. She held him tightly to her so he wouldn't leave her body. Her shoulders sagged as she fought for air; Zach wound himself tightly around her, touching her with loving hands, cupping her breasts. His fangs nipped at her shoulder, and Claire arched toward him. "I knew it would be like this," he whispered, as he lapped at the tiny drops of blood. Instantly he hardened in her again, and Claire sighed. "When do I get my turn, vampire?" The mere thought of tasting him set a deep hunger loose in the pit of her belly. Zach withdrew from her, rolling her over to face him. She straddled his hips, impaling his cock again, still slick with their lovemaking. "Stay where you belong, vampire." She ordered as she rotated her hips, pushing him deeply inside of her. Zach cradled her in his arms as he thrust upward. "Okay, so is there like a class on this or something so I don't get carried away? I need to do this Zach, I'm on fire with it," she groaned, as Zach offered her his neck. The thickly muscled expanse made her cunt hot and her nipples tight. "Drink from me Claire, you won't hurt me. I'll tell you when to stop." Claire didn't hesitate; she latched onto his neck and nicked it with her new fangs. A bolt of white-hot desire shot through her when his blood touched her tongue. Zach's cock swelled as she suckled his neck and rode his thick length. His hands cupped her ass as he drove into her, her clit scraping his abdomen. Claire threw her head back as she came with an intensity that stole her breath and left her gasping. Zach soon followed, his hot seed like fire as he seared her inner walls. Claire clung to his broad shoulders, letting the tension seep out of her. "Is it always like that? I mean it was incredible before, but this ... this was..." she was at a loss for words. Zach raised his head and smiled at her. "It's only like this with me, vampire." He assured her with confidence. Claire laughed. "Yeah? Well I guess we'll just have to keep doing it, to make sure." **** One month later "Ahhhhh, yes, right there baby. Oh Claire, you don't know how damn good that feels." Zach groaned his pleasure as his back arched and his hips thrust upward. Claire squirmed underneath him, rubbing her full breasts on his chest as he thrust his thick cock into her wet cunt. She ran her fingertips over his fangs, making him drive into her with force. He loved it when she touched his fangs. Zach sucked on her finger, running his tongue over her fingertips. His thumb ran lightly over her nipple, he bent to nip it gently with his fangs. A small bubble of blood appeared but he caught it, swiping at it with his velvet tongue. He pressed his hot mouth over her breast and tugged, Claire arched upward, filling his mouth as she came. She grazed his neck with her fangs, sipping at the thickly sweet mixture of his blood. Zach roared and his cock surged into her, throbbing as he came. Claire snuggled close to him and savored the taste of him on her tongue. God, she loved him and she had an eternity to show him. Centuries to make up for what they had both been denied for so long. Oddly enough, no one could seem to find Desi or Jarrod, not that Claire and Zach had spent much time out of bed to care much about their whereabouts. Zach smiled down at her. "What'cha thinking?" She ran her hands over his muscled back and grabbed his ass, clutching him tightly. "I was thinking about how much I love you, my Polish, narcoleptic vampire." He moved his still-hard cock in her.
"Oh yeah, prove it." Claire knew exactly what her big vampire wanted. She licked his fangs, swiping them lightly with her tongue. Zach tensed inside of her as his eyes rolled to the back of his head. Like putty in her hands, she mused, it worked every time. "Oh honey..." Zach said around her tongue. "I love when you do that." Claire smiled with superiority. It was, after all, a vampire thing. Epilogue "Well, look what we have here boys. A very naughty vampire." Jarrod growled and grinned wickedly at the trussed up and fighting mad Desi, huddled in the far corner of the cabin. Her breasts heaved at him, thrusting forward due to the restraints he'd tied snugly behind her back. Jarrod's cock stiffened, rubbing at the fabric of his tight jeans. Jarrod had been hot for Desi since he could remember. That lush ass and those legs that went clear up to her eyeballs made him want to rip her clothes off and fuck her silly. But he could wait, he'd waited this long... He knew she was hell on wheels. It was what made his cock throb and his tongue itch to sink into that creamy cunt. He knelt beside Desi, peeling back the cloth tied over her big, feisty mouth. A mouth that would wrap her lips around his cock and suck him dry, if he had his way. Jarrod watched her green eyes narrow as he leaned in close to her and whispered malevolently. "Looks like you're all tied up with no place to go. What do you say boys, think Desi here needs to be taught a lesson?" he said with menace. Desi's eyes were wild with fury as he watched her eye his two partners in crime. "Nah boss, she's all yours, this one's a little too freaky for me. Oh, but one thing..." his shiny, bald head leaned in close to Desi as his thick meaty hands gripped her shoulders. "My name is Joe and this is my brother Frank, we have names. Guess we're not so dumb after all." He cuffed her under the chin and called to his brother. "Ready, Dumb?" Joe asked over his shoulder. "Yup, c'mon Dumber." Frank confirmed. Jarrod scooped up the shackled Desi and dropped her unceremoniously on the squeaky bed. She fought him, twisting in his arms, landing with a whoosh of air. "You bastard, how long do you think you can keep me here? My father will kill you for this." Jarrod sat down beside her and ran a thick hand along her thigh, noting how she arched her back and her nipples beaded to tight points. Points he would suck and lick until she begged him to fuck her. "Your daddy was the one who ordered this. He said, 'Jarrod, I do believe Desi needs to be taught a lesson.'" "And I suppose you thought you might be the one to do it." Her eyebrows rose, unconvinced. Jarrod laid his big body over her torso, pinning her in place. His tongue snaked out to swipe at her crimson lips. Desi tried to catch it with her teeth, but Jarrod was too quick. He chuckled as her face scrunched in fury, then trailed a finger between the valley of her breasts, feeling her lean into him. He sighed, "Of course I can..." he assured her with wicked confidence. "I believe you've just been misunderstood. Zach isn't the man for you. He's a great guy, but Claire is his Life Mate. You have desires that haven't been addressed, is all. Poor Desi. But that's okay, I promised your father I'd take good care of you." Jarrod purred, as he cupped her leather-clad cunt roughly. He felt the heat from her in the palm of his hand as he ran the nail of his finger over the well-defined cleft between her thighs. Desi's hips arched upward into the caress.
Jarrod knew what she needed. A good spanking to begin with, just before he sank balls-deep into her hot, wet cunt. It would take a bit of time, but totally worth the investment. He fully intended to make Desi his. She was a bitch and guilty of murder, well almost. Claire had eventually survived. It didn't make it right, but the call of fate was answered, and now Desi had to make good with her clan. Jarrod planned to be the one to teach her what good was all about. Jarrod knew exactly what Desi liked. She liked it a little rough, and so did he. He would tame this hot vixen if it was the last thing he did. Then he'd gladly spend eternity tying her to his bed and fucking her senseless. He nipped her full breasts through the thin material of her blouse. Desi's moan escaped her mouth unwillingly. Jarrod smothered a grin and rose to go to the closet, while Desi cursed him from the bed. Turning back to her, he retrieved his favorite toy and smiled. Jarrod let the flogger drape over his big hands. "Tsk, tsk... What sort of foul language is that coming from such a pretty mouth. I think I might have to punish you..." The End About the Author: Dakota Cassidy admits freely she never gave much thought to writing anything more challenging than the grocery list. She still can't explain how this has all happened. One minute she was a mild mannered house wife by day reading the stuff, the next she was banging her fingers to bloody stumps pounding out a story on her laptop. With the support of her husband and a really pushy (but wonderful) friend, she bit the bullet sent in her story and hit the ground running. She admits that she's now a slave to her laptop, spinning hot and sexy tales and creating new characters to play with. Dakota's stories are all about a good laugh, quirky yet passionate, a lethal combination for sure. She would love to hear your comments. Please drop by her website at www.dakotacassidy.com. We invite you to visit Liquid Silver Books http://www.liquidsilverbooks.com for other exciting literary erotica romances. Waiting For You -- Glenda Diana Weekend Games -- Chris Tanglen Destiny's Magick -- Rae Morgan Love Lessons -- Vanessa Hart Portal -- Sydney Morgann Bittersweet -- Louisa Trent Business or Pleasure…or Both? -- Rae Morgan and Jasmine Haynes And many, many more!!
