BOUND AFTER MIDNIGHT

PARANORMAL ROMANCE

EDITED BY

SASCHA ILLYVICH

Sizzler Editions

ISBN 9781615087105

All rights reserved

Copyright 2013 Sascha Illyvich

This book may not be reproduced in whole or in part without written permission.

For information:

http://SizzlerEditions.com/Encounter

Sizzler Editions/Encounter Fantasy

A Renaissance E Books publication

2

CONTENTS

INTRODUCTION

SASCHA ILLYVICH

FINDING ETERNITY

SASCHA ILLYVICH

CREAM ON THE CROP

MARGIE CHURCH

HUNTER'S BOUNTY

BONNI SANSOM

ABOUT THE AUTHORS

3

INTRODUCTION

There is something about the darkness that liberates our deeper, more animalistic desires.

Desires that only the most masterful and skilled possess and which transform us from human to

animal. Combine that with the power of true love and you have a recipe for perfection when the

heart gets what it wants, and the body is satisfied through carnal stimulation.

The ties that bind are not always visible, the universal concept of love, not always seen clearly

through the eyes of the wandering traveler. This is no truer than in the case of Solan, a warrior

with an unknown destiny in "Finding Eternity." Wounded on the battlefield, his rescue by a

vampire who yearns to be his proves to be too much for a man with no concept of ownership.

"Cream on the Crop" is a rather tongue in cheek, yet powerful story about a strong willed

woman of privilege making her own way in the country until a specter appears and shows her

carnal delights through submission of more than just will.

Demanding blood lust fuels our characters in "Hunter's Bounty," a tale of rescue featuring a

very unlikely type of shape-shifter as love interest for our vampire heroine.

Each tale weaves the intricacies of kinky sensuality, sensual romance and story enough to

keep you turning the pages of this hot collection.

Perhaps you may find yourself Bound After Midnight...

–Sascha Illyvich

4

FINDING ETERNITY

SASCHA ILLYVICH

5

DEDICATION

This novella needed something after I finished it and I'd like to thank Hollie. Her steadfast

support has been a beacon throughout my career and having her help with Katherine's issues

made a difference. I hope this story turned out better. This is also dedicated to my readers, both

old and new.

6

CHAPTER ONE

Light from an explosion blinded him. Another detonation rocked the ground beneath him,

forcing him to his knees. Solan gripped the hilt of his sword, pulled it from its sheath and

stabbed the ground. Using the sword for leverage, he forced himself to his feet in time to free

the sword and counter the attack coming at him.

His blade connected with the other man's and rang out, sparks flying.

"You die now, warrior." Grunting, the behemoth swung his blade at Solan.

Solan parried and jumped back. Eyes narrowed, he focused on the weak spot in his

opponent's armor. Dressed in leather boots, gauntlets, and clean, rust colored armor, the man

known simply as an Outsider heaved his sword back. With one hand, he swung the giant blade

at Solan.

Solan jumped away and charged in, swinging his sword across the Outsider's midsection. He

cut into the leather but barely scraped the skin.

The Outsider laughed and struck back, lunging at Solan, fist cocked back.

Solan took the blow to his lungs, wind whooshing out of him. He swore, bone cracked. That

wasn't good. No hospitals in the area for at least two days journey meant he'd probably have to

repair the injury himself, along with other cuts and scrapes he'd acquired in battle.

In rapid-fire succession, the Outsider jumped again at Solan, thrusting sword and fist at him.

Solan leapt back and away. Each time, the Outsider swung, wind from his attacks bit into

Solan's skin.

His strength would only hold up another few minutes at best, before the Outsider's blade cut

into him and tore him to pieces.

"I could keep this up," the Outsider swung again, "...for hours. My strength is legendary. If

you'd left well enough alone after I brutally killed that petty human, you wouldn't be in this

position."

Solan said nothing as he blocked the sword coming at his head. Straining, he parried the

blade away and countered with an attack of his own.

The Outsider stopped his advance, held up his free hand. Thick fingers curled and uncurled, a

white ball of light formed and hovered above his palm. Soundless energy swept up into a point,

making the air crackle. Solan saw his chance.

The Outsider cocked his fist back and started to throw the light.

Solan ducked, barely missing the strike before he thrust his sword up, catching the Outsider

below his ribs. "Victory will be mine."

Surprise slowly spread across the Outsider's face. He coughed blood and looked down at the

new wound in his chest with wide eyes.

"You cannot heal that wound. This blade is made from special iron and has been blessed by

the Goddess Herself. This battle," Solan withdrew his blade, "...is over."

The ball of light dissipated into glimmers of light, disappearing and the Outsider fell to his

knees, blood dripping down his chin. Solan had cracked ribs and his blade punched through the

attacker's body completely. Solid metal pierced the lung, silencing the wounded man.

The Outsider swung one last time.

Too close to deflect the blow with his weapon, Solan spun away in attempt to catch the blade

in his weak arm.

The tip of the blade caught him, tearing deep in his flesh.

7

He gritted his teeth, wiped sweat from his brow and looked around, scanning the barren land.

Several hundred yards from where he stood, an army made its way through what used to be lush

forest and crystal clear streams.

Now, only soot and gunpowder filled the air. The blue skies had turned gray, the ground

empty, devoid of life.

Another explosion landed near him, sending him flying several feet back. Mortar and shells

fired off in rapid succession as the invaders sieged the lands and pushed back the humans

attempting to defeat what Solan knew as otherworldly beings.

He had to get away. The wound on his arm was one of many he'd acquired.

He'd lost a lot of blood. Only dedicated skill had saved his life. The Outsider had him

outweighed by at least a good hundred pounds of solid muscle. His skill, speed and strength

combined had him in Solan's face, so using his whip remained impossible.

Two attackers forced him to leave behind his short sword. He'd pinned them to a tree. If he

pulled the blade, they'd heal. If he left it in, they'd die in hours.

By a miracle, he still breathed.

His lungs burned, inhaling smoke and death. His eyes stung, sweat ran down his forehead.

He reached into one of his kilt pockets, pulled out a rag and tore it into strips. With difficulty

concentrating, he tied the makeshift bandage around his arm.

His stomach grumbled. He hadn't eaten in two days. The last village he passed through had

been terribly impoverished. His warrior's code wouldn't let him take from those with less.

Silence echoed loudly around him, indicating the army had long moved on from this front,

Solan found himself left alone with only his thoughts.

"No cut too deep," he took a step forward. Then another. Dirt and gravel crunched beneath

his boots. "No road too long. No wind too hard..." The words came out by rote, a chant he'd

heard ever since coming to consciousness one day. Strain in his voice became apparent.

Nothing around the desolate battlefield could sustain him. With darkness setting soon, his

only respite would be sleep, if he could find shelter.

The war between humans and the Other raged endlessly.

When he awoke to find the palace he called home ablaze, he knew only one thing: Find

safety, then regroup. He'd been on the road so long that safety was no longer a priority. He'd

soon discovered the world was in a chaotic state. The Others tried to conquer the humans, and

the balance of power shifted often.

He supposed in the end, he was his own side.

Solan had to survive; he had a destiny to fulfill.

His vision blurred. Something dug into his uncovered knees and cut his skin.

Someone yelled.

Solan realized it was his scream permeating the air.

Tears streaked down his cheeks. Failure was not an option as long as blood flowed through

his veins and his heart beat. What he wouldn't give to end his loneliness.

Someone, something, in the air flew toward him. A figure. He could only make out slender

features in the fog and mist before the ground came at him too quickly and he saw black.

* * * *

Something wet and warm slid across his forehead, bringing him back from unconsciousness.

Solan didn't move, but he opened his senses. The softness of pillows and blankets cradled his

body.

"No night too dark."

8

Dripping water pulled his attention to his left, before warmth of a washcloth brushed over his

forehead again.

"No road too long."

Those words.

The voice was feminine, soft, with a foreign lilt that sounded sweet to his ears.

"No wind too strong."

A washcloth. Reality intruded the dull haze he'd been in as muscles ached and he let out a

groan.

Carefully, he opened his eyes.

"You're awake."

Blurred vision gave way to reveal the face of an angel.

Or a demon.

Midnight blue hair hung straight, framing an oval face. Ruby red lips meant for easing the

suffering of man caused him to harden.

Her eyes seemed lifeless at first glance.

Solan stared harder into the pools of her irises, found himself sinking slowly into the depths

of Krylon blue before shaking himself out of a trance.

Pain sliced through his limbs.

"Be careful. I've given you something for the pain, but..." She ran a hand through her hair and

he imagined what it would feel like to tangle his fingers in her long locks.

She smiled, showed tiny fangs.

He gasped, "You're a..." He tried to move, agonizing pain cut through him. He clenched his

teeth, the warrior in him refusing to scream.

Her brows furrowed together. "Yes, warrior. I am the undead."

"Where did you learn those words?"

"I don't know," she set a washcloth back in the basin. "They have been in my head for many

years now. I cannot remember a time when I didn't think of them. Why do you ask?"

Solan closed his eyes. "No reason."

Her arm brushed against his, sending a jolt of arousal coursing through him. Again, he

grunted, more in frustration at not being able to move or react, than anything else.

"This will sting a bit, but it's necessary to change the dressings on your shoulder. The cuts are

very deep and we had to replace a lot of what you lost."

His eyes widened.

"No," she shook her head, "Not with our blood. There are willing humans who donate to us

as we require in return for our protection. The damage to your body was so great that our herbs

would not cure you."

The first time in ages he'd talked to someone who wasn't trying to kill him and she had to be a

vampire. What did that say of his life? "I see." He inhaled slowly, careful not to send another

shock of pain through his system. Exhaling was slightly more comfortable.

"When I found you, I tried to heal you with magic but the wounds wouldn't close. Something

bad..."

"An Outsider." He turned his head to look at the basin and remove her pretty face from his

sight.

"Yes." She picked up something metal, he caught the gleam of candlelight reflecting off it.

"You're not–"

9

Two fingers pressed against his mouth. "The razor is sharp. You have bomb shrapnel in you.

I'm simply going to remove it."

The contact of her fingers against his lips made his throat dry. He had to have her despite her

being......

"Look away, it will hurt less."

"You don't have medicine to numb me?"

She swiped the knife through a flame, studied the blade at eye level and blinked. "I do not."

Eyes wide, Solan jerked against her, sending pain lacing through his body. His heart skipped

a beat. "You can't bespell me?"

She shook her head from side to side. "Sadly, no."

His eyes met hers and he found himself getting lost in her gaze, yet it wasn't the intentional

power of persuasion screaming in his head that stole his focus. It was just ... her.

With careful attention, she brought the knife to his flesh and cut along the injured area.

Solan stared down the line of her body, jerked from the knife cutting and pain, but found he

liked the way the purple dress fit her. Large breasts spilled from the lace top. If he had to guess,

the dress reached floor length and tapered at the waist. He couldn't move past her breasts.

Her eyes met his and her lips curled up in an appreciative smile. Then she frowned.

"Ouch." The sting bit into him, and his arm suddenly felt lighter.

She pulled out the metal and dropped it into a container beside her. "Just as I suspected. The

Outsider's blade had magic woven into the folding of steel."

Solan arched a brow. "You can detect magic?"

She nodded. "There are many things not understood about our race, but the humans won't

ask. And the Outsiders seek to control us."

"What do you want?"

Her face lit up, then a mask concealed her former joyous expression. "We want the same

thing every being wants. Peaceful days."

"Can you overpower the Outsiders?"

"We can. But they outnumber us since our race is dying."

He'd heard. The Outsiders sought to rule and blanket the world with chaos. Humans fought

bravely but lost out due to the sheer size and strength of the typical Outsider. Vampires didn't

appear to be a factor. "Rumors and legends abound about your kind."

Again, she nodded, and the light reflected off her pale skin. Shadows danced over her flesh.

Solan swore he saw demons running over her skin but then again, he could be hallucinating.

"The spell works to slow down the opponent upon drawing blood. It's as though weight is

added to compound the severity of your injuries. The mind cannot process the additional weight

so fast, so you end up spent before your much larger opponent."

Slowly, Solan let out a deep breath. "No wonder he seemed so much faster."

"I am Katherine, by the way." She threaded a needle and began stitching the wound in his

arm. "Most of your other wounds I can heal with magic if you will allow. For now, you should

rest."

Solan started to protest but the pinch of her needle stopped him. His stomach grumbled.

"I have no doubt a fierce warrior like you needs provisions. I shall see to it that you are fed.

Right now, we're hoping the blood we gave you remains in your system."

He cocked a brow. "My body could reject your blood?"

"While our magic is strong, our knowledge of medicines and the human body is ... lacking."

Her voice dropped. Katherine looked away.

10

Though it pained him, Solan lifted his left arm, grit his teeth and touched her cheek.

He had no idea her skin would be so soft.

Running the pad of his thumb along her jaw line, he turned her face toward him. "I can only

thank you for your kindness. If I can do..."

Katherine smiled. "Your kindness is all I ask, warrior. Do you...?" She set a hand on his

chest lightly, "have a name?"

Heat warmed him, hardened him. Despite his wounds, intense desire coursed through him for

Katherine. A warrior's name was something to share exclusively with trusted company. Right

now, Solan felt like he could trust her, even if she was one of the walking dead. He closed his

eyes, evened his breathing and enjoyed the warmth settling around him.

"Solan."

"Very well, Solan. I shall love you back to full health."

The last thing he heard was the sound of her breathing before sleep overtook him.

11

CHAPTER TWO

Solan woke, his body thrumming with sexual need. Gone were the aches and pains he'd

experienced from battle, but memories would remind him of his fights. He survived off those

thoughts, images. The sights and smells of battle surrounded him, hardened his resolve.

Shifting his weight, Solan recalled the previous events and found himself in a soft place, a

warm bed. He balled his fists carefully, then unclenched them. Toes wiggled, legs moved, he

had full use of his limbs.

The limb he hadn't used in months remained painfully erect.

Solan looked around the room, saw how empty it was. A chest of drawers sat against a

stonewall. To his left, a fire crackled in the pit. The moon cast beams of light on the ground

through the one large window. Funny, he thought vampires would want closed walls to protect

against sunlight.

He laughed at the concept of the sun's rays reaching the ground. Where he'd been, thick black

smoke and soot blanketed the skies. If the vampire kept him in a different part of the world,

where was he?

He'd fought long and hard against those who would destroy the earth. He'd struggled to

remain free.

Solan served no man.

But Katherine's last words...

He stiffened when he remembered her singing to him earlier. He drew the sheet across his

skin, became aware of his partial nudity.

The door beside him creaked open. Katherine came through the threshold floating gracefully,

rather than moving. She stopped at the bed and smiled. Her dress was similar to the one she

wore last time he saw her, only the darker purple color brought out the exquisite hue of her eyes.

The dress hugged her breasts, leaving nothing to the imagination. Tapering at the waist, the hem

dragged on the floor and swished with each step she took. Her hair had been pulled back but

strands hung down over her shoulders.

He wanted to move her hair so he could again see her ruby lips, her enchanting eyes and her

wondrous smile.

Katherine's mouth curled up in a grin. Krylon blue eyes softened. "You're awake."

He nodded.

"Are you in pain?"

The lilt in her voice made his cock throb. "Only one ache I need to resolve..." He let the

sentence hang, hoping he wouldn't offend her if she did catch his meaning.

She smiled, ruby red lips curving up, exposing fangs.

He should be afraid. She could bite and kill him.

What purpose would that serve? Heal him, then kill him?

Maybe she needed him at full strength in order to feed.

She tilted her head. "Your mind races, but you do not act on your body's instincts, Solan.

Why not?"

Solan cocked a brow. "Whatever do you mean?"

"Just as women have a scent for lust, so do men. Yours is subtler because of your injuries."

She sat beside him. Gently, she slid her hand against his naked arm.

Her skin was soft and smooth, cool to the touch. He wanted to take her. Staring into her

eyes, he felt the pull, but not a vampire's magic. This power ran deeper, stronger.

12

She leaned in closer, hovering over him.

He went rigid, though he forced himself to speak. "You could overpower and drain me dry,

vampire."

She blinked, her long eyelashes fluttering caresses over his cheek, "I suppose so. But..."

Katherine nuzzled his cheek with hers, breasts crushed against his chest. The soft fabric of her

dress reminded him of his lack of a shirt.

His groin hardened even more.

Carefully, she moved up the length of his body until their eyes met. Hunger in Katherine's

eyes reflected the mood he found himself in.

Her lips pressed to his in a light caress before she pressed harder against him.

Solan smelled iron, blood, flesh, life. Her feminine scent washed over him.

Her hand found the back of his head, lifted it to her and pressed harder into him, deepening

the kiss.

Thrusting his tongue into her mouth intensified her taste. Soft curves surrounded him. Her

fingernails trailed down the length of his arm, stopping at his wrist.

He broke from the kiss and stared at her. Reaching for her face, he cupped her cheek, ran the

pad of his thumb along her jaw line. "What ... are you doing?"

Like he didn't know.

Katherine blinked again, offered him a weak smile. Her mouth moved, no sound came out.

"Do you want to sate me?" His words rang out in the empty room. "Do you want me,

Katherine?"

Need flashed in her eyes. Flames of desire appeared to lick her skin as more shadows danced

over her flesh. "I do."

He moved out from under her and rolled her onto her back, "We do this my way."

In seconds, she lay flat on her back, pinned to the mattress. He straddled her, the hem of his

kilt lifted slight, exposing his thighs.

She hesitated to touch him, even as her surprised expression changed to lust. Her eyes

remained half open, mouth parted. "Take me if you have the desire. Sate your needs with my

body."

Solan didn't remember when last he'd spilled his seed in a woman's womb. "Yes, I will." He

almost growled.

Katherine shifted beneath him so his erection would settle between her thighs.

He ran his hands up and down the length of her sides before drawing her arms above her head.

Her submissive nature surprised him. Despite her strength, she moved with him, let him

position her where he wanted her. She remained soft and tender, as any human woman.

He held her wrists with one hand, noticed how small they were. Delicate bone structure, he

decided. "I'm sorry," he groaned, and ripped the top of her dress, exposing round, creamy

breasts. Her breasts jutted up at him, pale sculptures with nipples the color of dusty roses. With

his free hand, he traced a finger over her exposed flesh, enjoying how she shuddered beneath the

slightest touch.

Before she responded, he lowered his mouth to her breast, took a nipple in between his teeth

and scraped his tongue over the tight nub.

She sucked in a hard breath, arched beneath him and cried out.

He pulled the puckered nipple deeper into his mouth while grinding his hips into hers in a

rhythmic, rocking motion.

Hands caught the hem of his kilt, lifted the thick material up.

13

Solan moved from one breast to the other, dragging his tongue over heated flesh.

He popped her other nipple out of his mouth, the sound echoing loudly. "I thought vampires

were cold to the touch."

Katherine blinked.

Her hair spilled over the pillow in a glorious blanket. Solan ran his fingers through the silky

soft strands, amazed at how his arousal throbbed from such a simple act.

Her mouth curled up in a bow, "You have stirred something in me, szeretőm. My flesh is

heated by your ... affection."

Without another word, Solan slid down the length of her body, dragging his mouth over her.

He brought her wrists forward while maneuvering himself to push the hem of her dress over her

hips.

Passion unlike any he'd seen danced in the globes of her eyes. Her cheeks took on a rosy

color. "I could ... get restraints if you'd like, szeretőm."

He looked up the line of her body, "You keep calling me that. Why?"

She wriggled her hips, bringing her scent closer to his nose.

"That answer is a non-answer." He dipped his head into the crevice of her breasts and bit her

flesh.

Katherine cried, arched into him. "I want!"

He loved the infectious sound of her begging him, almost pouting. Like she begged solely for

his ears.

He released her, and remained straddling her hips. "Where is the restraint?"

The steady rise and fall of her chest hardened him further, "In the top drawer. You can tie it

to–"

He brought two fingers to her lips, spotted the eyehook in the wall above the headboard. "Is

there a chain?"

A deliberate smile spread across her face, "Indeed."

"For good measure," he ran his hand down her body, over her abdomen until he found her

folds beneath the mountain of fabric. Plunging two fingers in made her gasp.

He swore his fingers would burn off by the molten heat of her silken cocoon. His cock

throbbed again. "You won't leave." The raw edge in his voice reinforced how desperate his cock

needed to be buried in hers.

"No, szeretőm. I will remain right here, like this," her legs shifted beneath him.

Solan slid off her body, annoyed at the lack of contact. His bare feet hit the floor and he

looked down. "Where are my boots?"

"Along with your shirt. Both were in need of repair. Hurry back, Solan. I too, have needs."

He bet she did. Had she fed? Did she feed from blood like he'd heard?

It didn't matter. As long as his cock throbbed and he could slake his lust with her, he could

care less if she drank from him.

He padded to the dresser, pulled open the top drawer and saw a piece of leather with a buckle,

attached to a chain by an O-ring.

Solan grabbed the leather, made his way back to the bed, aware of how her heated gaze

remained on the way he walked. "Does my body please you?"

She smiled.

He walked with confidence, stopping at the foot of the bed. "Even with the scars, scrapes and

injuries?"

14

"I like how your hair frames your face, warrior. I enjoy the view of your powerful thighs

beneath that kilt, and how even barefoot and almost naked, you look hungry, prepared."

She was right about his hunger all right.

He cleared the distance, standing at the head of the bed. Her arms still held above her head,

he took them and wrapped the leather around them, securing them. She could escape but she'd

have to struggle.

Solan then fastened the chain to the wall. He glanced down the line of her body, very much

enjoying the site of full, plump lips and ripe creamy breasts she offered to him.

Katherine wriggled against her bonds and her smile widened.

He lowered himself to her and her breasts pillowed against his chest. Like a starving man, he

lapped and kissed at the tender flesh of her chest, amazed at how lively she felt and sounded

beneath him.

He pushed a thigh between her legs and spread her apart, grinding slowly down and into her.

She moaned, arched her back up, exposing her neck. The leather straps creaked, pulling

tightly.

He drew his tongue along her delicate flesh, biting and nipping.

She moved, moaned beneath him.

Her legs wrapped around his thigh, hips undulated against him. Even through the dress, he

felt the intense heat from her sex. The fabric was also warm, wet, flooded with her wanton

desire.

Solan nibbled down her neck, over her exposed shoulder until he caught her nipple in his

mouth and tugged the nub lightly

Katherine moaned louder, pressing her hips harder against his.

He slid one hand along the side of her body until he caught the fabric of her dress. Instantly,

he yanked the material up, exposing her sex to the frigid air. He thought she might shiver, until

he slid his two fingers back inside her cunt.

His eyes widened at the sight of her skin, barren of hair. Smooth to the touch, his calloused

fingers traced their lips in such a manner to make her whimper. The juices of her body coated

the tips of his fingers with eagerness. He tugged gently at each lip, running his thumb over them.

She obliged him with a soft, needful moan.

Hungrily, the lips of her pussy sucked his digits in. He thought he might lose his fingers from

the velvet heat of her. Crooking his finger up made her suck in a breath.

"Slate your lust, my szeretőm. "

He rubbed her pussy in slow, delicate circles, aware that goose bumps formed on her skin. He

found it oddly endearing.

"Have you had a lover recently?"

"Not one that would compare to you."

How would she know...? It didn't matter. Right now, his cock strained beneath his kilt. Solan

worked his fingers in and out, developing a rhythm in time with her undulating hips. Lowering

his mouth to hers, he sampled her harder than he meant to

Her tongue thrusting into his mouth told him it was fine.

Katherine spread herself open for him, welcoming.

He tasted blood, tangy, iron and earth on her lips and tongue. Unable to stop himself from

stroking her tongue with his, he nibbled at her mouth as though she were life-giving water,

oxygen.

The little mewls she gave encouraged him, along with the rattling of the chains.

15

The illusion of control over her stirred something inside him.

He tangled one hand in her raven hair, yanked her head back.

She cried.

Solan bit her neck, felt her squirm beneath him. By now the front of his kilt would be wet

with pre-cum. No doubt with her squirming beneath him, all soft and feminine, he could punch a

hole in the stone wall with his erection.

"I need," she begged, the breathlessness in her voice calling to that primal need Solan hadn't

acknowledged in years. "Please, szeretőm. "

Solan kept working her with his fingers, enjoying the moans she emitted. With his thumb, he

began to rub on her engorged clitoris, making slow circles around the tiny rosebud of her flesh.

He brought her to her first orgasm.

The wave hit, her body tensed, then shuddered. She pushed herself against his hand and her

pussy gripped his fingers as they danced within her, pulsating in their warmth and flood of fluids.

She slammed her eyes shut, lifted her head and bit into his neck.

Teeth punctured his skin, but the euphoric feelings he experienced drowned out the pain.

"Fuck me, Solan, please!" Her cries echoed loudly against the walls and in his ear.

He pumped her harder, faster, before she stiffened and screamed so loud it hurt his ears.

The pain didn't matter, not when she called his name.

Heaving, her breasts moved up and down beneath him, exciting him further. She withdrew

her teeth from his neck and licked the wound clean.

Her eyes opened, lips parted. "Slake your lust, my warrior. Please," she panted.

16

CHAPTER THREE

Solan withdrew from her, used both his hands to shove the material of her dress over her hips.

He gazed at her nether regions. Smooth pale skin glistened with her juices. He moved down her

body, lifted up the apron of his kilt and took his cock in hand. Brushing the thick head over her

swollen lips made her shudder.

Another touch of sex against sex seared him. Then he plunged into her hot, wet heat.

Both groaned loud at the contact.

As her sex fisted him, breath whooshed out of his lungs.

Her muscles contracted around him, squeezing him, pulling him in deeper.

Balls deep, Solan swore he'd never experienced something this incredible, never thought a

vampire would provide him pleasure.

She wriggled her hips, sending ripples of pleasure through him. Her legs tightened around his

so her heels dug into his back. She pulled him in even more than he thought possible.

Her pussy sheathed his cock in molten steel heat.

Solan wanted to savor this moment, wasn't sure when the next bit of peace would come. The

urgency in his body demanded he pound into his captive vampire until he filled her full of cum.

Slowly, he began moving, working his hips in and out at a slow pace, drawing mewls from

Katherine. Her unblinking gaze remained fixed on his, mesmerizing him with the intensity of

her passion.

He bent, brushed his mouth over hers and bit her lower lip.

She responded by gently rocking her hips to meet his thrusts.

In, out. In, out. In, breath, out. Each thrust added fuel to the fire steadily building low in his

body. Tension stirred around his shoulders. He devoured her mouth, enjoying her succulent lips

against his, while her nether lips milked his cock.

Despite wanting to savor the moment, hunger took over. The intensity of their mating spurred

him on, heightening his desire to bring them both to climax.

Her body took his with ease, as though fit for him alone.

The sound of skin against skin echoed in the room, drowning out all other noise and thought

from Solan's mind. His focus remained orgasm driven. Deep seated desire demanded he claim

the vampire and make her his. His furious pounding reaffirmed the thought.

She screamed louder, filling the air with words in a language he didn't understand. Her body

spoke his though, lust. Desire. Need.

His orgasm swelled from his stomach and raced throughout his body. His balls drew up

against his body, fingers locked onto her hips, nails dug into flesh.

She cried louder when he bit her again and tasted the rhythmic pulse of blood moving through

her.

A strange wrenching noise came from above their heads.

He closed his eyes, all focus centered on how her pussy milked him, helped him flood her

with his seed.

When he finished, he remained still inside her, spent. Breathing in ragged pants, just as she

did.

Solan collapsed on top of her, still buried inside before a pair of arms encircled his shoulders

while her fingers played with his hair.

Lips caressed his before he closed his eyes and lay his head against her chest, listening to the

slow drumming of her heart beat.

17

* * * *

Deft fingers stroked his face, moved hair away. Solan opened his eyes to see Katherine lying

on her side. She wore the 'just got fucked' look well, the way her cheeks flushed with color. The

pools of her eyes seemed to swirl like a whirlpool and Solan found himself unable to resist

staring into their depths.

"You're awake," she smiled and shifted on the bed beside him.

He tried to look up, but had spent too much energy fucking her. "What the hell?"

"Bondage at its best is an illusion, szeretőm. We seek to guide and control, yet we seek to be

guided and controlled, only if we allow ourselves to be taken in such a manner. Now rest."

Metal hit the floor, echoing in the room where the vampire simply dropped the leather and O ring

over the side of the bed.

"You ... How?" He peered up, a few lengths of chain dangled from the wall.

"I'm very good with escaping. Bondage is a game I enjoy playing with you, szeretőm. But I

know a part of you, the warrior part that turns itself off only when distracted, would not let me

go. I do not hold you captive here, nor will I allow myself to fall prey to my heart's wants."

He blinked. "What do you mean?"

She looked away, then back at him. "For now let it go. Please?" With a ripple, her face

became polite, masked.

"You wouldn't speak your mind if you didn't think it."

She raised an eyebrow, "Why do you say that?"

"You've been forthcoming with me, almost one hundred per cent honest since you've kept me

here. Except you let out a slip."

She blinked rapidly, lowered her gaze. She rubbed her hands and let out a deep sigh. "You're

right. I did. Forgive me."

The softness of her tone struck him as odd. "You can clearly overpower me, so why would

you apologize?"

She lifted her chin and stared into the air. "Forget it. Please."

He found her terse tone off putting. "Should you prefer to spend all your time alone?"

She gasped, "What are you saying?"

"Never mind," he rolled his head and looked at the wall.

Katherine's soft, almost breathless sigh pulled his attention back to her. The look in her eyes

said she would fight him and keep her secret, despite it paining her to do so.

She caught him staring at her. Blankness covered her face again. He searched her eyes for

deeper meaning, found nothing. Fine, let her keep her secrets. "Have you used vampire magic

on me?"

"No," she shook her head. "I would never on you."

"Why not?"

Her skin blushed, eyes batted at him, but she said nothing.

"Will it work?"

Katherine lifted her chin and met his gaze. "I imagine so. You're a mere mortal. But you

fight, struggle and seek truth. Your mind is pure."

"I don't understand."

"A pure mind is easy to control, but the strong of will are harder to force compulsion onto.

You are a brave warrior, a leader among men–"

He scoffed.

18

She held a hand before him, "And a warrior with a purpose, a destiny such as yours would be

hard to sway. No," she shook her head, "I shall not try to control you. My gift is in aiding you,

however that may be."

He arched a brow, shifted beside her to study her face, the features of her body. Arousal

tugged in his gut at the sight of her stretched out beside him. The ends of her raven colored hair

curled up. Color had drained from her lips, but she looked as though she didn't go outside that

much. The black velvet top she wore showed ample cleavage, hardening him further. His gaze

traveled further down, he found her feet bare beneath a heavy floor length skirt. "You read my

mind?"

She shrugged. "Indeed, only the one time. I had to find out for myself, what I was getting

myself into."

The lines in his head. He sat and grabbed the front of her shirt, forcing her to him. "That's

how you knew..."

Fangs protruded from her lips and her eyes seemed to glint with their own light. She snarled,

stared furiously at him, "No! I have heard those words as a child when the elders spoke of

destiny. When I still had my humanity!" Tension thickened the air in the room.

The hair on the back of his neck bristled. Muscles tightened in his shoulders, bulged in his

arms. He knew at this moment he should feel fear. She could overpower him, straddle him and

end his life.

He quirked a brow, "You're telling me the truth?"

She pouted, hiding part of her fangs from him. The ire in her eyes still remained, their deep

blue frosted cold, but any physical threat to him had been avoided. The tension in the air

dissipated quickly.

Solan couldn't help it. He released her and started laughing hard, enjoying the emotion of

humor, one he hadn't felt in so long.

Katherine turned and crossed her arms over her chest.

He swore she frowned before she looked down.

Something was off here. "Why have you rescued me, Katherine?"

She sighed loudly. "I cannot tell you."

"Clearly you had a purpose," He rubbed his chin.

"No, I..." She paused, looked at him but her stare didn't quite reach his. "Excuse me. I must

go attend a few household matters." She slid off the bed and quickly left the room, shutting the

door quietly behind her.

Great. He was alone again. At least he wasn't asleep, or in pain. In fact, his body felt pretty

good, despite soreness in his thighs from fucking her earlier.

The memory of her against him, subservient beneath him, made his cock grow hard again.

Damnit he had to do something about that.

In fact, he should probably leave. If he stayed any longer, who knows if she'd turn that

violent snarl on him.

Or worse. He'd have to make her his, claim her and make her bend to his will.

Of all the thoughts he had, that thought scared him most.

Solan exhaled, closed his eyes and soon found darkness blanking out consciousness.

* * * *

Solan woke, shifted his weight on the softness of the bed. His body was sore, but not from

battle.

19

He smiled at the memory of having a warm woman beneath him. Katherine seemed to fit

perfectly against him.

Things were all so odd right now. For one, a sense of comfort settled over him. He couldn't

remember experiencing this unnerving feeling.

Solan sat up, pushed the down comforter off his body and looked around the room. For the

first time since he'd been here, he took in his surroundings. Ornate and simple, the bed sat

against one wall. A deep burgundy colored couch placed against another. Directly in front of

the bed, embers smoldered in the fireplace with a small, unadorned mantle.

The embers reminded him of the weather. It had been too warm in here earlier, or was

Katherine responsible?

What powers did vampires have? So many questions.

A foul odor hit him. He looked down, saw dirt and grime, plus blood soaked bandages. He

hadn't showered in how long?

He slid off the bed, padded across the room and stood before a large oak door. He shoved the

door open and stepped into the bathroom.

His jaw dropped.

Elegant snowy marble tile contrasted with the stone floor of the room. Gold fixtures on the

sink and claw foot tub stood out against the starkness of the pristine white tile.

Towels hung neatly from a rod beside the tub.

Fingers crept down his spine and around the front of his kilt.

Solan stiffened, jerked around and saw nothing.

The snaps of his kilt came undone; his cock sprang forth, aroused.

"Katherine."

Soft laughter filled the air, then the vampire materialized. Dressed in a black satin robe that

caressed the top of her luscious thighs, her hair fell down past her breasts, framing her face. Her

lips formed a perfect 'O', hardening Solan instantly.

She reached for his cock with an underhand grip, grasping him firmly.

He jerked against her, but he didn't move.

"I only want to bathe you, but you have another ache." Deft fingers found their way around

his organ, squeezed him for emphasis, drawing a moan from him.

Solan closed his eyes, threw his head back and let out a long, deep sigh. The heat from her

grasp seared him.

Her hand slid further down his shaft until she cupped his balls and tugged lightly.

Solan stepped towards her. "What is your reasoning for this, vampire?"

Her head tilted and she blinked. "I am here to serve a purpose, szeretőm. "

His eyes went wide. She'd said that before, alluding to destiny. "What purpose?"

"Shhh," she pressed her lips to his neck, nipped his flesh.

Damn vampire games. But they seemed pale against his needs. A vampire fancy? Right

now, getting clean ... maybe other things ... mattered more. Let her keep her secrets. For now.

She blinked again and the tap in the tub turned on. Without releasing him, she leaned into the

tub, picked up the stopper and dropped it in the drain. "You will bathe before ... we finish."

With his dick in her hand he could hardly protest. He ached to be inside her, around her, with

his mouth crushed against hers, while her breasts pillowed against his chest.

But ... he caught a whiff of the air. Her arousal smelled nice, slightly pungent, like sex. His

aroma ... not so nice.

"You win, Katherine." He reached for her, but she released his cock and knelt before him.

20

She looked so damn hot on her knees before his erection. Her hair fell over her shoulders but

with a single sweep of her hand, she brushed her locks back.

He found beauty in the contrast of her raven dark hair against her white silk robe

She reached into the tub, swirled the water around. Then, from out of nowhere, she retrieved

a small linen sachet and dropped it into the tub.

He lifted a brow.

"Herbs to help you relax, warrior."

She didn't even look up at him, instead running her slender fingers through the water's

surface. She dropped a few handfuls of dark salts into the water, turning it murky like a strong

tea. "Salts, for your sore muscles."

Solan knew nothing of the vampire kind, save for lore and legend around the campfire. The

race itself had kept out of the way of man and the Outsiders, letting them fight their pointless

battles without interruption.

He could do nothing more at this point than accept her gifts of kindness.

"Step into the water, Solan." Her soothing voice sounded like music to his ears. Was that a

vampire trick?

No, she'd almost hurt him at the mention of her using vampire wiles on him earlier. What

kind of game was this?

Katherine wouldn't do that to him. Perhaps her desire to help was genuine. But why? He

shrugged, lifted one leg into the tub and stepped into the water.

At once, the warmth sent a frisson of serenity through him. The scent of herbs, chamomile,

lavender, lemongrass, and other things he didn't know, drifted toward his nose, calming his

nerves. The herbs smelled sweet, pungent like sex, and enticing all the same and only ramped up

his arousal.

He looked down, watching Katherine swirl, now colored, water around. She didn't glance up,

yet he knew she burned for him just as much as he wanted her. His cock remained inches from

her face, he'd love for her to take him in her mouth and show him heat.

Solan stepped into the tub and lowered himself. He almost fell backward, but hands caught

him, steadying him. Unnervingly, with ease, those hands were strong enough to hold him until

he could stand on his own.

"Be careful. The herbs effects are very heady to newcomers," Katherine warned, amusement

lurking somewhere in her words.

"I see."

He finally sat and let the warmth move around his body, surrounding him. The head of his

cock poked through the darkly colored water.

Katherine stood and disrobed, letting the thin garment fall to the floor. She stepped forward,

set one foot between his legs and then the other, before sitting on the edge of the tub.

His eyes roamed up and down her body, admiring her curves, the swell of her breasts,

perfectly rounded ass and lovely hips.

She spread her legs, giving him a full view of her smooth pussy, before crossing one leg over

the other. She drew her hair back over her shoulders, exposing proud, taut nipples.

His mouth watered at the sight.

"Why do you torment me such, Katherine? Is this your vampire trick?"

Her mouth curled into a slow smile. Eyes opened wider, Solan saw lust dancing in the depths

of her beautiful orbs.

21

"I do not torment, nor is it my way. I think by now–" She leaned forward, cupped his chin,

"you should know this." She glared at him, "Why must you continually question me?"

Despite her harsh stare, she rubbed the stubble of his unshaven face, putting him at ease.

"I'm sorry." He sank back into the tub, letting the water rise just below his ears, while he

remained fixed on her body. He could only find her beautiful.

Dangerous. That much beauty with the power she probably controlled had to be a hazardous

addition.

Solan shrugged, inhaled and let the vapors of the water settle over him, relaxing each muscle

but the one between his legs.

Did she read his thoughts? Before him, she produced a small cup and a razor blade.

He turned his head slightly, but with a practiced hand, she began to mix something in the cup.

With her deft little fingers, she began to massage his face with frothy soap. Warily, he eyed her.

"The soap will clean, szeretőm. My kind does not grow hair on the face."

She stepped into the bath and pressed against him. Carefully, she drew the blade.

Most of the time, he shaved on his own. Having someone leaning over him with a bright

blade would unnerve anyone else. He breathed deeply, and then she slowly drew the cold blade

across his face. For one irrational second, he thought about being slit from ear to ear. Perhaps

this translated into his body language, but it was lost on Katherine. He found the intensity in

which she focused on his face alarming.

She dipped the razor into the hot bath, washing it free from foamed soap and stubble.

The entire situation prickled in Solan's mind. The danger of the blade, the peril presented by

the creature before him, and the erotic nature of her naked, wet body pressed against his. For a

few tantalizing, excruciating moments,

Katherine continued at a snail's pace. Her precision accented by her slow breath, as her body

gently rocked against him with her motion. She sat back slowly, inspecting her work, sitting on

the rim of the bathtub. She sat still, statuesque, the only motion for a moment being her small

feet, peddling in the depths of the bath. Solan's face tingled, crisp and fresh from the frothy soap

and grooming, and the bath water was still quite warm.

Katherine's feet stirred, her toes brushing over his calves.

Higher and higher she touched before leaning forward to grip the head of his cock.

His hips jerked into her hand. Despite the heat of the water, goose bumps appeared all over

his skin, the hair on the back of his neck stood on edge. His very being thrummed tightly in that

one movement.

Katherine sank into the water, kneeling before him so her breasts remained in view. Her

mouth hung open. His dick throbbed at the sight of her parted, plump lips. He inhaled slowly.

She leaned forward, lips still parted.

Solan couldn't move away, didn't want to. He yearned for her gifts. Even if it meant death in

the end. Was this what a warrior lived for? Or was it the fight?

Because the fight, internal as it was, remained harder to win than the outside battle she'd

rescued him from.

Her lips latched onto his skin, teeth grazed over flesh. Her tongue swirled around his neck,

exciting him further.

She slowed, alternating between squeezing on the upstroke and loosening her grip on the

down stroke, except to give the head of his cock a squeeze.

He moaned, let his head loll from side to side, while focusing on pleasure. He needed to fill

her, wanted to be inside her when he came.

22

A fingernail scraped along the underside of his shaft.

He jerked up, met her stare with a confused one of his own.

Laughter bubbled from her, "Relax, Solan. I would never hurt you. I..."

He didn't press any further. It was easier to enjoy the way her hands caressed his cock, the

how she cupped his sack and tugged him.

Within minutes, she'd worked up a vigorous rhythm with his dick, and his moans now filled

the air. His hair hung down his back in long rivulets, water dripping down his torso while she

played with him. Somehow she'd managed to straddle him in the tub and pump him into orgasm

without him coming.

He groaned aloud, each spasm wracking his body as water sloshed around the tub. He shut

his eyes, jolted against her, feeling not just her heat but her wetness, slicked skin and hair against

his. Then her mouth fell upon his.

Unable to stand the building sexual tension, Solan took control of the kiss, reaching for her

free hand. He captured her, held her hand behind her back while she jacked him off. When he

tore his mouth from hers, he stared into lust filled eyes, driven by the passion filling her gaze.

"I need inside you."

"I need you inside me, szeretőm."

The cat like purr of her breathy voice sent him over the edge. Unaware if he was clean or not,

Solan stood, water sluicing down his body, dragged Katherine to her feet and yanked her out of

the tub. He gripped her hips, lifted her up and set her on the counter.

Parting her thighs forcefully drew a cry from her.

He almost thought he hurt her.

The look in her eyes said otherwise.

Solan moved quickly, forcing her ass to the edge of the counter so he could bury his cock

deep in her slit. He teased the crest of her pussy with his cock, then plunged in. Both of them

screamed.

Katherine's head flung back, wet hair spilling over her shoulders and down her back.

Darkness pooled on the floor, the contrast ethereal against the white marble.

His hair clung to his body.

"I want you ... here," she arched her hips, indicating her other opening.

He pulled out painfully slow, but not all the way. An eyebrow rose. "Your ass?"

"Yes, so that ... so I may remember you owned me, warrior. Every part of me."

"Say my name," he growled.

She looked down, then away.

He gripped her spread thighs, parted them farther apart, "Say it."

" Szeretőm, I..."

He shoved his cock balls deep, gritting his teeth together as his nails dug into her legs

She cried louder but her lips gripped his shaft.

"Say." He pulled back, "My," he cupped the underside of her thighs, "Name!" He rammed his

cock deep in her again, hard enough that she fell forward and cried into his shoulder.

"Solan," she begged, through ragged breath. "Please, please Solan," her hands ran up and

down his back, "own me..."

23

CHAPTER FOUR

Taken aback by her words, Solan clenched his fingers around her spread thighs. Katherine's

ass hung off the counter, his dick still impaled her. Breathing raggedly, her chest heaved and her

expression gave away her wanton desires. Her face flushed.

"Own you?"

The pull of her body to his was too great for him to remain solely inside her without moving,

even a little. The warmth from her sex scorched him, the ties around his heart already forming.

She threw her arms around his neck and urged him deeper into her.

"Yes, own me."

With her little movements, came more heat on his cock, hot enough to singe his body and

engulf him in the flames of passion.

"Please," she begged, offering her neck to him.

Solan looked at her, saw wild flames of lust dancing in her irises and somehow knew those

blue flames were not cold, but searing for him. Intense heat surrounded him, every nerve ending,

every pore and bit of skin tingled, craving what Katherine offered.

Still, the agony of what she gave weighed heavily on his heart. He couldn't own this creature,

it wasn't in his nature.

Was it?

"Please, say yes," she urged him in deeper.

By now his cock was more than halfway buried inside her, and her muscles squeezed him

gently, caressing the length of him like thousands of fingers over his flesh. He met her gaze,

stared directly into her eyes.

And the idea made him burn even brighter for her at that moment. "For this moment," he

growled, "You're mine."

Then he pulled out, slammed himself back in, tripping her orgasm.

Her pussy spasmed around his cock so hard it almost hurt.

Almost.

"You're so wet," he leaned forward, urging her orgasm with his own hips.

She screamed, shuddering against him while her fingers tightened against his neck.

"So easy to bring," he mouthed, then bit her neck.

Closing her eyes, Katherine cried his name, the force of her orgasm wracking her body so

hard she trembled.

Only Solan's arms kept her from falling off the counter and onto the hard marble floor.

After a moment, she stopped quivering, opened her eyes and offered him a soft smile. "Now,

please..." she reached between her legs, past his cock and gave her ass a pat, "it's your turn ...

szeretőm. "

He pulled out, placed the head of his cock at the entrance of her ass.

She arched her hips, lifted her legs and slung them over his shoulders.

"You're not lubricated there. This will hurt."

By the look on her face, it didn't seem to matter to her whether she cared or not. She peered

at him through half open lids, ruby red lips parted, and her tongue darted out over her bottom lip,

exciting him further.

"Look at your cock," her fingers laced behind his neck, tugging his hair.

24

The sensation of her movements spurred him on, sending tingles down his spine. He arched

his hips further into her, forcing the head of his cock, slicked with her juices, past the ring of her

asshole.

The little bit of contact felt so damn good.

He hissed out a breath, thanked whatever deity blessed him with this moment and shoved

himself balls deep inside her.

The way she screamed his name was music to his ears. The feel of her around him, gripping

him like a velvet fist, sent another round of tingles racing through him.

In seconds, he'd established a rhythmic pounding inside her, balls slapping the counter while

her muscles squeezed him. This was home, a thought from out of nowhere came into his head.

This was something he could get used to, something he needed.

But why? What spawned the idea?

It didn't matter. Low in his gut, tension built. His balls drew against his body, sweat slicked

skin and the smell of sex permeated the air. Then his orgasm slammed into him, along with her

body molding to his.

The tidal wave of his release hit hard enough his entire body jolted around hers. Guttural

yells of possession echoed in the room, while fingers clamped around her thighs, hips, nails dug

in and raked up her body.

Powerful jets of come spilled inside her asshole with each pump.

She bit into his flesh with sharp nails, there'd probably be blood.

Solan didn't care.

Worry left him, stress flowing out of his body with each caress she gave him. Slowly,

relaxation filled the now empty space in his mind.

Lips, soft and sensual, found his mouth, whispered against his "I love you, szeretőm. "

Katherine's voice was barely audible.

When his guttural yells stopped and his body calmed down, he lifted his head. When had he

rested against her shoulder?

His reflection stared back at him in the mirror, but his arms were empty.

Katherine had no reflection.

Yet he saw her before him with her arms wrapped rightly around his body. Powerful thighs

worked as she spread herself and helped him disengage from her.

Shaky, he stepped back and offered her a hand.

She graciously took it, slid off the counter and put her fingers between her legs, dipping them

into her moistness before bringing them to her lips. "You taste divine, szeretőm."

He couldn't hold back the chuckle that followed. In fact, the light chuckle became even

heartier laughter, until he found himself sinking down on the ground against the claw foot tub,

laughing so hard his sides ached.

Katherine picked up her robe, slid it over her shoulders and tied it loosely. She knelt down

before him, "What do you find funny?"

"You," he pointed. "Owned by me? I have no concept of ownership," he laughed harder. "I

have never owned anything beyond the clothes and weapons you found me with, nor have I been

owned. I'm no good," his voice turned solemn when he realized tears streamed down his face at

the sad thought his life had been a big empty zero. A fucking zero, a minus one.

Katherine stood and stormed out of the bathroom, sobbing loudly.

Once again, he'd somehow managed to upset the vampire.

25

Solan sighed, stood, turned on the water and stepped under the showerhead. The spray

washed off the sweat and grime, but even through the thick mist of steam, he couldn't remove

Katherine's scent from his body, mind, and for some reason his heart.

He frowned. He had to; after realizing that making her upset was becoming a hobby he didn't

want.

Stepping out of the shower, he squeezed water from his thick hair, found a towel and wrapped

it around his hair, then draped a deep blue towel around his waist. He picked up his kilt. Damn,

the thing would need a deep cleansing.

He looked down at his partially flaccid cock, noticed some of the cuts in his stomach had

healed. Muscles were stronger, his breathing became less difficult and his vision cleared.

Solan stepped out of the bathroom, found a new black leather kilt sitting on the edge of the

bed. He lifted the new one to his face, examining it. The smell of fresh leather wafted over his

nose. He examined the kilt, noted the tight stitching, the beautiful knot work design on the back

apron.

Glancing down at the bed, he noticed the dark poet's shirt, made of fine, soft cotton, no doubt.

His boots sat on the floor at the foot of the bed. Upon examination, he found they had been

cleaned, resoled, and given new laces. He spied his whip and sword hanging from the same O-

ring he'd chained Katherine to only a day or two ago. The broken chain did not appear

anywhere, but the whip had been treated, the sword sharpened, and the scabbard buffed neatly.

Everything had been placed with great detail, along with a small pack of provisions and a skein

of strong spirits. Scotch?

The new clothes on the bed made it clear he'd overstayed his welcome. Not completely

healed, but feeling much better, he decided he needed to leave.

Back to the mission at hand, his destiny. Whatever that was. Rest would help him in the

coming days if he encountered further disturbances with Outsiders. Thanks to Katherine he'd

have a chance at winning, or at least not having to deal with an early death.

One thing puzzled him though. He dressed and pondered the thought over in his mind, what

purpose did he serve?

Katherine begged for him to own her. How? Why? Why him?

Adrenaline from the splendiferous renewed his spirits. Her repeat performances suggested

she wasn't unhappy, but sex was just sex, right?

The thought made his heart ache again.

"Damnit," he sighed and pulled on the shirt and kilt, shoved his feet into the socks and boots

left for him, aware of the softness of leather and padding around his feet. How could he thank

Katherine without an ugly confrontation? Really, how could he find her if she did not want to be

found?

Reaching for his whip and sword, his fingers brushed over the metal O-ring. He stopped,

shrugged his shoulders and hung his head in sorrow. He'd have to leave. This was best.

Clipping his sheath and whip to the belt he'd taken from his old kilt, Solan set about scanning

the area for anything else he might have left behind.

He sat at the edge of the bed, stared around at the room. Saw nothing. Could he take

something of hers to remember her by? To carry in the night when he got lonely?

Warriors didn't do that. They served a purpose, fought for that purpose and upon

achievement, died.

His existence was truly one without companionship.

26

Solan frowned and allowed himself a moment of feeling sorry for himself before he rose and

walked towards the door.

He had no idea where he was, but that was irrelevant. Warriors wandered. Solan had made

his deal with Death, so if leaving the confines of this castle killed him, he would come back

stronger, harder. Seven lives had been granted, and even on his biggest fall, he hadn't lost

everything yet.

Solan opened the door, stepped into the hallway lit by sconces, and made his way outside.

"Goodbye, lovely Katherine. I'll miss you," he muttered the words so only he could hear

them.

* * * *

Solan sipped a Scotch while the crowd around him mingled, made too much noise. The bar

he sat in was at the edge of town and was far enough in he could run into town for shelter, or

head into the woods nearby.

The rain had let up, thankfully. For the last few days rain fell, pounding the land. The air

smelled fresh until the underlying scent of blood filled his nostrils, making him sick. Worse, he

couldn't shake the fact that somehow, Katherine suffered. He'd taken advantage of her kindness.

Time for him to move on. Right?

He questioned too many things.

Yet the more he questioned, the more he realized things weren't as they appeared.

Take for example Katherine. Vampire, unknown enemy as far as legend went. But when he

awoke to find her on not one, but three separate occasions, she'd healed him. Not once, but

thrice.

Wind had blown his clothes askew, the material of his kilt and hose kept him warm enough

against a frigid breeze. The rain pounded on him heavily during the time it took him to get here.

Three long days had passed, since he'd left every day had been lonely. An image of

Katherine's pale, soft skin filled his mind. Solan sipped his drink, letting the burn from alcohol

shove the image away.

He couldn't have her, couldn't be with her, there were too many unknowns.

Every step he'd taken away from her secluded castle made the ache in his heart worse.

He had to admit, she didn't appear to need anyone, especially not him. He had no wealth to

speak of, no real value outside of the acts he did. Sometimes he'd helped at monasteries, tending

the sick, helping with heavy lifting. Other times, he offered help to weary travelers in exchange

for food.

Just yesterday, he'd provided safety and guard duty to a woman and her small child. She'd

offered him money but he refused. When pressed as to why he did the things he did, his only

reply was "Good men simply do good things."

"Yet you carry yourself like a bad man. I wonder..."

Solan wanted to ask her what she meant, but thought it better to let the comment drop.

The next morning, he'd found himself awake in a barnyard, on a hay bed. Beside him a bag

sat.

He peeked into the bag, found plenty of coins.

He needed to eat. But...

Rifling through the bag he found a note. The woman inclined him other ways she could thank

him for his kindness, but the thought of sleeping with someone other than Katherine upset him.

Solan made up his mind. He'd take what he needed from the bag, leave the rest, and make his

way into town.

27

He'd learned from one of the locals a man matching his earlier description, only with no facial

hair and a shorter pony tail had been spotted and put on the Outsiders Kill List. He scratched his

chin a bit, brooding over the last time a razor was put to his face while he pondered over this new

information.

The door creaked open, pulling Solan's attention from his drink to the two men standing just

inside the frame. Both wore menacing expressions, black military style outfits, and carried large

rifles slung over their shoulders.

Neither one made a move, except for their eyes. They scanned the now silent room.

Solan gripped the handle of his sword. His body tensed. These men were bounty hunters,

looking for him, probably. They weren't Outsiders.

"You," the one to Solan's left pointed. "We can–," his gruff voice echoed through the room,

"do this quietly, or we can shoot up the place. Come with us. The choice is yours."

"What have I done?" Solan slid off the bar stool, knocked back his shot of Scotch. He

couldn't get a clean cut with patrons between him and the goons. His eyes darted around the

room, looking for the best vantage point for a counter attack.

"You are hereby a wanted man. Known only as The Warrior, you are wanted for murdering

innocents."

Solan reached for the bottle and poured himself another shot. "Innocents? Those men were

raping and pillaging people. I was attacked."

"That is the story you have, this is the one our employers have. We can do this nice and easy

or," he cracked his knuckles and reached for the rifle over his shoulder, "...The fun way."

Solan tossed back his Scotch, enjoying the burn on his throat, it was the warmest thing he'd

felt since Katherine's arms held him in the tub.

The man raised his rifle at Solan. "You can be judged here, or in the courtroom."

"Ha!" Solan launched the, now empty, glass at the intruder, before leaping onto the bar.

The glass hit the wall near the goon on Solan's left.

He fired off a shot.

Solan gripped and unsheathed his sword, jumped into the air and landed in front of the two

men. Both had weapons trained on him.

In the blink of an eye, Solan sliced through the barrels of both rifles. While the two men were

still stunned at the sharpness of his blade, he shoved his way through them, knocking them

against the door frame.

Bursting with speed, he ran hard into the street, aware of darkness settling in around him. A

thick, putrid fog began to move as Solan hit a main thoroughfare. Horse drawn carriages stopped

to avoid hitting him, horses screaming at the sudden pull of their reins.

Solan sheathed his sword, continued running through the streets until he found a wide

alleyway. Ducking in, he looked around for an escape.

A fence blocked off further movement. A ladder hung off the wall of a two story brick

building; He could get to the rooftops and possibly evade his captors temporarily.

Here is my deal with death. Seven lives I'll give you to figure out what you must.

He had no idea what those words meant. He'd already lost four of those lives.

The voice, soft and sensual, caressed the inside of his mind.

Where had that come from?

He had still a few seconds to think before he heard footsteps pounding on pavement and dirt.

Solan grabbed the bullwhip from his belt and uncoiled it.

28

As soon as the goons appeared, Solan threw a loud crack to disorient them. Then he volleyed

the whip from side to side, careful not to hit the walls of either building and screw up his rhythm.

One of the hunters laughed and pulled out a gun.

Solan threw another crack, wrapping the fall of his whip around the pistol. He yanked back,

jerking the pistol out of his attacker's hand and onto the floor between them.

The other hunter reached for a smaller pistol, fired off two shots before his gun was yanked

out of his hand.

Unfortunately, only one of the bullets missed Solan. The other caught him in the ribs, sending

pain lacerating through him.

Another shot pierced his shoulder. The two hunters closed in, too close for more bullwhip

action.

Solan re-coiled his whip, set it back in the holder on his belt and reached for his sword. He

had speed still, could easily take both these hunters out with a few quick slices, despite his

injuries.

Charging forward, drawing his sword at the same time, Solan cut through skin, slicing easily,

like a hot knife through butter.

The hunter on his right bled, fell to his knees and screamed.

The other hunter lunged forward, new gun in hand. He pulled the trigger.

In an instant, Solan saw the flash of powder, felt the hammer hit the bullet and knew he'd be

hit with a killing blow.

He swung his sword with the conviction and force of an unstoppable force, a torrential flood

of fury at the fact that his life would be ended by a punk and he'd never get to even think of

Katherine again, let alone see her.

The man smiled as he realized the bullet impacted Solan's chest.

Blood spurted out from the wound, but Solan's swing was true. The other man's head rolled

off his shoulders and hit the ground with a thud.

Vision faded, the world went black. The ground was just ... beneath him.

He had no choice but to let the tears from his eyes fall, faster than the blood pouring out of the

wound in his chest. Katherine ... No more Katherine. Not even a hope. Before he blacked out,

he heard her voice again. You've got to live your destiny. Hail your longing for eternity.

Solan could only sigh, his last thoughts would be of Katherine, a woman, a vampire, he'd

somehow grown to love.

29

CHAPTER FIVE

Sand stretched out for miles before him. Solan had no idea where he was, or what he was

doing alive, but he stumbled forward. The wound in his chest had been patched with metal and

his left leg had been removed, replaced with a wooden prosthesis.

He blinked, unable to shake the blur from his vision. The desert lay out, heated by the heavy

sun hanging high in the sky.

So odd, the desert temperatures were sweltering during the daytime, and winter's cold held

nothing to the chill at night.

In the distance Solan could barely make out something, a structure maybe?

Carefully, slowly, he stepped forward. Forced himself to put one foot in front of the other,

despite blinding pain.

He looked up, saw no clouds in the sky. Only the blazing sun hung high above.

He thought seeing the sun would inspire him and give him hope, but the sun burned down

brightly on the light sand, scorching his skin. "I've failed," his lips moved but no words came

out.

What happened to his vocal cords? Sounds he should hear were faint at best. Had he lost his

hearing?

Everything felt so distant.

"If you'd only own what you are, you'd wake up."

Solan spun around slowly, feeling the metal tear at his skin and pull at his organs. How ... the

pain became difficult to bear. Compounded with his ache for Katherine.

When he finally turned all the way around, he saw nobody present. He felt nothing. He

closed his eyes, afraid to rely on faulty vision due to heavy blood loss. Besides, as a warrior, his

senses were all attuned to near perfection.

Or at least they used to be. The pain thrumming through him dulled everything.

With the bodily ache hammering his muscles, he walked until he stumbled and fell to the

ground, landing on the scabbard of his rusted sword. The whip at his belt remained, yet frayed.

Those men got him. The steel in his chest reaffirmed that. But ... who had repaired him?

And why had they used metal to close a wound? The scent of burnt flesh still singed his nose

when the hot wind blew.

Where...

He tried to lift himself up, reaching out with a hand before he lost his sight.

Several pairs of hands lifted his body into the air before setting him into a padded box.

Then his world went blank.

* * * *

Cool fingertips stroked his forehead, cheek, finally his lips.

Solan wanted to lick those fingers, aware of the scent of fresh roses and something he couldn't

currently name. But he remained still, afraid to lose the moment of tenderness.

Nails lightly traced his skin, running lightly over him, tracing patterns, letters, symbols he

recognized.

The sensation whispered through him, making his aches worse, but his mood improved,

"I love you, Solan."

The words fluttered across his ears and he knew he was fully conscious by this time.

Chances were, his captor did as well.

30

Afraid to open his eyes, Solan remained still beneath the sensual caresses, enjoying the feel of

soft skin and contact. The dream he had made him angry and frightened at the same time.

He couldn't be sure he'd dreamed though. By all rights, he should be dead.

No human could withstand the pain of soldering skin to metal. From what he remembered,

the large cross plates of metal covered his heart, so he was probably going to be an invalid for

the rest of his life.

He tested his limbs. His toes wiggled. Fingers clenched, lips moved, muscles ached.

Pain wasn't anything like it had been earlier. Was he alive? Or in a dream state still?

"I love you," the voice whispered again.

The cadence of that voice ... "Katherine?" He opened his eyes and found her staring back at

him, worry written across her face.

Her skin was almost translucent. Her eyes appeared lifeless, except he spotted the fire

burning weakly in them. Her lips lost their ruby color, had grown purple and blue. Even her

veins were more prominent in the exposed expanse of skin. The black top she wore practically

fell off bony shoulders. He looked at her jean clad thighs and found her missing more thickness.

When had she lost so much weight? He'd only seen her just the other day.

"What ... what happened?"

He tried to move, but her hand pressed against his chest, stopping him. Warmth flowed into

his body, chilling the ache in his bones.

"You lost another," her fingertips cupped his chin, eyes examined his skin.

"I did?" Seven lives, he'd lost five at this point. "Oh, of course."

"Two lives, in fact. Why did you give up, szeretőm? I watched you fall down, but the sun

prevented me from coming to your aid. I wanted to. I panicked," her voice quivered with fear.

He didn't understand. He'd been overwhelmed. The opponents smarter, the stakes higher.

The cost was much too great, but he'd pay that price again to save man and give him peace. He'd

give double to make a world where Katherine could breathe.

"You gave up, szeretőm. Even in the dream, you gave up."

Give up? What was she talking about? "I don't understand. I thought the dream was real. I

thought ... I don't know. I..."

Katherine blinked, and Solan swore he almost saw the fire dissipate in her eyes, until he

stared harder.

She cupped his cheek. "The first time you left me was necessary. I understand. Still, it pains

me. You're not sure of who you are. You're broken."

"How would you know?"

She blinked, smiled softly, then turned away. "I have lost many battles in life because of

ghosts. Ghosts of fear, doubt, uncertainty. They have all chipped away at my life. The last

mistake I made was not grave, but my error cost me my life as a human."

Concern washed over his face, but she touched his cheek.

"It's okay. Now that I'm comfortable in my own skin, I realized I wasn't broken. At least not

like you."

Broken? He turned the idea around in his mind. Then realization hit him. He'd lost far too

many battles, lacked purpose in his last two fights. Would the war in his mind ever be over?

Never. Not if ... he shook his head. "I don't understand."

She leaned forward, "You tore out a piece of my heart, szeretőm. You left, hurting me. Then

you ended up dead, twice. Dreams are not merely dreams. They represent the metaphysical

31

plane and a death there counts as a death here." She looked at him, lowered her eyes. He swore

he saw tears streaming down her cheeks.

"Why did you give up when there's so much inside you waiting for a chance to shine?"

Laughter spilled forth from within. Solan laughed so hard his lungs and ribs ached. He had

no clue what she was talking about, but he knew there was nothing shining brightly inside of

him. Nothing but emptiness.

Except when he thought about Katherine...

She slapped him across the face.

The sting knocked him out of the laughter and into a serious mood. He looked down at his

chest, saw a scar. "Where is the metal cross hatching? Where are the bolts?"

If death in dreams was a true death, then his life had almost come to the end. Panic set in as

he realized he'd done nothing worth living for. He'd contributed nothing to this world worth

dying for.

Katherine reached for him, tried to grab hold of him but he shook her off easily.

Too easily, in fact.

She had grown so frail. What happened?

The deal he'd made with Death all those years ago was supposed to make him stronger. The

only thing he knew how to do was fight. He could carry on and he had, as long as he'd had

purpose. He still had purpose, right?

Katherine had told him so.

Even through the fog of fear, Solan had to ask, "What's wrong?"

She turned away, hair falling in her eyes to hide her expression.

Solan reached for her, gripped her shoulder and realized how thin she'd grown in the few days

he'd been gone. "What happened to you?" Even he was taken aback by the sudden gruffness in

his voice.

Katherine turned to face him, looking him straight on. "I'm dying, Solan."

There had to be more. He knew very little about the undead but they couldn't be killed by

mortal methods. "You look..." He ran a hand over her shoulder, tried to sit up and reach for her,

but she kept him down on the bed. "Why do you stop me?" He narrowed his eyes, "Why do you

hold me down? You said you loved me."

"Because it's what's right, Solan."

She didn't call him by that funny word he'd grown accustomed to hearing. But ... she couldn't

die. He ... "No, I refuse to accept that. Are you sick? We'll find a doctor."

"No, my darling. I'm not able to be healed by a human doctor, I'm a vampire."

"But we'll find someone. I'm fine, I'm sure! I'm okay, right? I mean...," he looked down at

his chest, "The steel binding my skin. Where has it gone to? Surely I can't have healed over it."

"That was a dream, my love. You ... died there too. You fought valiantly, true. But the

enemy was unseen, unknown to you. Since the dream ended and you woke, the scar is your only

reminder."

Solan thought back on the dream, unable to remember an opponent. Sure he remembered the

burning smell of flesh as the sun bore down on him. The fainting, the blood loss, were clear as

day in his mind's eye. But when had someone patched him up? Who had done that? In fact,

how? "It can't have been a dream!" His mind couldn't wrap around the idea of his last battle

being a dream. Hell, he was still breathing. He still lived, his heart still beat. And he still

needed Katherine.

32

"It was, my love. The damage from this world carried through to your inner consciousness

and overwhelmed you. Because you had nothing to cling to, you gave up on us. On you."

Her words reverberated loudly in the hollowness of his mind. You gave up. Laughter echoed

in his mind, a rough male voice. All those years he'd spent fighting, all the time he'd put forth

into what?

The years he'd trained until he met the man in black at a crossroads. How convenient. Solan

shuddered as he remembered how cliché the whole thing seemed at the time. The man in black

said he saw a great warrior in Solan, a warrior the world needed. So, he gave him seven lives,

instead of the normal one life most humans had, said he only had to fulfill his destiny.

When pressed for more information, the man simply turned, walked away.

Solan blinked. The road lay before him.

"I'll be dead before the next sunset, but know you'll be well cared for, warrior."

His eyes widened. "What are you talking about? Why won't you let me help you?"

Her fingers skittered across his cheek, sending chills through him. "At this stage, your actions

would bear no fruit. You refuse to fight."

"No!" He balled his fists, "No, it's not pointless! Let me try, please."

Katherine shook her head.

Defeat. She'd given up too. Solan couldn't process defeat. He hated the concept of losing

any battle, but ... He dragged air inside his lungs and forced a breath out. "I can save you.

Somehow, let me please?"

Tears welled up in Katherine's eyes. When she shed them, Solan caught the sight of them,

saw blood.

"Do you need blood?" He stirred, tried to move, search for his blade so he could feed her.

Turning frantically, he found himself trapped by the sheet and her hand on his chest. "Let me

help you, damn you!"

Her lips curled up slightly, but not enough for his pleasure.

"I don't feed on blood. Many of us do not, szeretőm. Earlier when I drank from you, that was

to heighten the erotic experience." She paused, stroking his hand with hers. "I grow too weak

from all I've given and if I go too long without sustenance, I lose energy, power. I feed from

sexual contact, but the one I want..."

She had admitted her love for him. Twice at least, in the last ten minutes. But ... was that

because she held regrets from her past?

Or were his regrets bleeding into her? The more he studied her face, the more he saw his

reflection. He let his own needs go for the greater good. Right? Solan never questioned his

moves, everything he had accomplished in the past had a reason. Every action had a

consequence. He was nearing death now, a true death. His passing would free him from the

human condition of suffering, of misery. Except he met Katherine after a recent physical battle

and meeting her warmed his heart, made him want to live. She'd carried him to safety, showing

him compassion. She'd actually bared her soul to him. Her actions had consequences as did

his...

The light in his mind went on. "What do you need? Can I ... I mean this isn't even

appropriate, but will sex help?" He reached for her, touched her cheek.

The expression on her face grew grim. She said nothing.

"Tell me, please? Katherine?" He traced the outline of her jaw, down her slender neck.

Touching bone too close to the skin made him cringe. But he wouldn't abandon her in her time

of need. "Tell me," his voice dropped to a whisper.

33

She didn't even hesitate. "I need you to own me, Solan."

He gasped, his jaw hung open. He sank back into the bed with a thud. "I can't ... I don't know

the ... concept of ownership. I'm ... "

"I know. It's okay. I'll be fine. Death for a vampire is painful, but I'll manage. The loss of

air isn't an issue, but the coldness..." She wrapped her arms around her shoulders and shuddered.

"The great coldness in our veins fills us slowly and seems to drag on for an eternity before we

finally expire. It pales in comparison to–"

He couldn't stand the bullshit anymore. Ire ran like fire in his veins. "No, you can't die. I

won't let you!" He balled his fists and pounded the bed.

She tilted her head and the direction of the blood tears shifted slightly.

Solan reached for her, captured one of the stray tears on his fingertip. The substance felt

viscous, unlike human blood. She cried blood because of him. He'd killed them both the

moment he died in the dream, hadn't he?

She'd risked her all to save him and what had he done?

He grew disgusted with himself. Anger surged in his veins, fingers clenched. He narrowed

his eyes, "Tell me what to do, please."

She withdrew, stood and walked away from the bed, away from him with her head hung low.

Her long, beautiful hair started to lose its sheen. She hiccupped. "You can't. I'll die before I

force you–"

"SHUT UP!" Rage welled within him at his stupidity, at his selfishness. This was his fault.

He'd let her down, he'd fucked up.

She straightened, brows arched in surprise.

Solan sat up, slid off the bed. His feet hit the ground and he forced himself to stand. Legs

working? Yup. Good. He strode towards Katherine, reaching for her. "I've had enough! I'm so

fucking sick and tired of the world depending on me! This world is evil. This world is cruel.

This world–"

Katherine turned to face him, holding his whip in her hand. "Is all that is between you and

me."

Her words stopped him. She wanted something that should have been simple, easy. Right?

He couldn't comprehend the idea. He mulled the concept around his mind and found no

reference. "I don't understand, Katherine." Still, he touched her skin, needed to feel her. His

heart thundered loudly in his chest and the sound bothered him.

His hand slid down her neck to her shoulder. She blinked, her lip twitched.

Even as dead as she appeared, he still found her attractive. She had to belong to him in the

deepest sense. But what did it mean?

Did he have to govern her every action, like he'd seen dictators from the Outsiders do?

Or was there another way?

He sure as hell didn't know. He didn't know what she wanted, wasn't sure of her needs. "Talk

to me, Katherine."

"Your ownership would save me."

He gasped. "I don't know how."

"You do," she gripped his shoulders, shook him.

The pain from his wounds stung, but not as much as her belief in his abilities.

His voice grew hoarse. "I don't know how."

"You do. You're skilled in swordsmanship, fighting, sensuality," her lips curled up in a wry

smile, "pleasure. You're what a woman needs, wants. And I..."

34

He tilted her chin up, met her gaze, "You what, Katherine? Tell me."

He had to know. Every fiber of his being demanded he understand. The very thought of

losing her threatened to tear his heart into pieces, leaving him uncertain if he could ever be

healed.

"I love you. But you don't want or love me. You simply needed my body and skills." She

turned away and started for the door, his whip still in hand.

"Bullshit," ire coursed through his veins. How dare she accuse him of not wanting her. Every

fiber in his being wanted her, needed to feel her pressed against him, capturing the memory for

eternity.

Solan wouldn't have it. He grabbed her, spun her around, forced her against the wall until she

mewled beneath him. Every nerve in his body shook, flooded with adrenaline. "Tell me what to

do!"

Katherine's mouth hung open. Then lips moved, no words came out.

"I said tell me," he shook her, aware she might crumble in his hands. But if he killed her he'd

at least have taken an active role, rather than passively allowing her to die because of his

inability to move.

The spark in her eyes lit, a bluish green fire starting deep in the depths of her eyes.

She lifted the hand clutching his whip.

In anger, he snarled at her. "What does that have to do with anything?"

Flames of lust danced brighter in her eyes. "A symbol of your control."

"My control? How the fuck?" He looked at the whip, the length of leather tightly braided in

her hand. "But ... I'll kill you. This thing isn't a toy, Katherine. Its power, its force. Its–"

"Sensual in skilled hands." She spoke a hair's breathe above a whisper.

He bent down low, so lips touched hers. He brushed them across her mouth, feeling the

parched skin. He licked her unashamedly. "Do you want me?"

Her eyes lit up, "Yes. I want you," her arms wrapped around his neck You are..."

"I am what, Katherine?"

"My destiny. And I am yours."

35

CHAPTER SIX

Solan didn't have time to process what she'd just said. He felt, rather than heard, the power of

her declaration of love. Her words moved him, touched his soul so deep it gripped him in its

throes and squeezed him tightly.

The fire cracked loudly beside him, the only sound aside from the pulse throbbing in his body.

He swore his heart hammered hard and would cause cardiac arrest any minute now. The fact that

he remained standing, pinning Katherine to the wall, was a good sign he was wrong.

He still didn't understand what she meant, how it would help her. But if he could give her his

all, the last night of hers, then he would. He'd damn sure do anything for her, to her, because of

her, and let that be his tribute to her.

Then he'd simply sheath his sword and find peace.

Shakily, he pulled back from her, drew his hand down the length of her arm, afraid he'd truly

hurt her. But, she was a vampire, she said so herself.

"Love, Solan. Love is about balance. Control, guidance, but being together. That is what I

have yearned for since joining this world. I have suffered a long road beforehand. I have never

known joy until I spotted you and recognized the kindred spirit."

In his heart, he knew what she said to be true. She'd found him when he almost died, rescued

him because she wanted to. Not out of duty for human kind, but out of love, she saved his life.

What had he done in return?

He'd spit on the notion that her love was enough. He'd denied himself, cheapening his life

and her affection.

Now, he was truly sorry for all of it.

"I love you," she tilted her head to the side. "I see in your eyes regret. Don't," she touched his

cheek and drew her palm over his skin. "In our last moments together you can show me."

It wouldn't be enough. He balled his fists, feeling aggression and sorrow course through him.

Then the pain hit him, lacerating his heart like a hot knife.

"Just give me this, Solan. You ... ", she placed her hand flat against his chest where his heart

was, "can give us this last moment. Love me."

He pulled her away and spun her around. Looking up, he gauged the height of the ceiling,

there was enough room. Behind him, to his sides, he had nothing but the bed. "This room will

not do."

She faced him, nodded. "I know another." The sparkle seemed to return to the depths of her

Krylon eyes and it caught him by surprise.

"Take me." The depth of his voice dropped when she took his hand and led him out of the

room and into the stone hallway. He'd been passed out on the way in. When he left her the last

time, he vaguely remembered the large grey stone walls, beautifully carved sconces lighting the

corridor.

They walked through a large number of doorways he didn't remember seeing, until they

stopped at an oak door with intricate carvings and a door knocker in the shape of a triskelion.

He'd never seen it, but the artwork in the door was beautiful. He ran his hand over the wood,

feeling the smooth, solid weight.

Katherine turned the handle and pushed the door open.

It swung swiftly, showing darkness that quickly became light, as flames shot up from more

sconces hanging from walls.

36

Shadows cast off the numerous benches and areas set up for obvious play. What sort of

vampire came here?

Hooks hung from posts in the walls. Drapes covered one wall, sectioned off another area.

Velvet, if he had to guess. He spotted the bar at the far corner of the room, wondering what the

contents of the cellar were. Did vampires bring victims here and play games?

Again, his limited knowledge of the race reared its head. Still, he led her into the room,

grabbed the whip from her and with one hand on the small of her back, guided her to an X-

frame.

He shoved her against the frame, lifted up her top and tore it off over her head. Yes, her skin

had lost some of its luster, but it remained pliant beneath his fingertips.

He leaned in, breathed in her scent. Yes, death lingered on her, but it was overpowered

mostly by roses. And musky feminine arousal.

Solan drew his teeth along her flesh, nipping her neck while his hands roamed up her

stomach, cupping the full weight of her breasts.

She groaned and arched against him.

He couldn't believe she wanted him this way. Trusting himself to not strike her face, Solan

forced her to face him. "You will keep your eyes on me at all times." Remembering her earlier

predilection for bondage, he grabbed both her arms, secured them against the frame.

She nodded.

He reached for her pants, afraid of what he'd find once he pulled them off.

She looked so fragile, he feared his whip would cut into bone.

He shook off the thought. A quick glance up and down her body told him she still possessed

more than human strength. Solan had fucked her before, knew the comfort of her body around

him. It was all that mattered, the increasing need sending his cock throbbing beneath his kilt.

With a quick motion, he undid the snap on her jeans and had them down her legs and around

her ankles. Then he tore them off and tossed them aside.

She shuddered against him.

Solan held her hips against his head, steadying her.

Smooth skin greeted him, though it wasn't as pale and perfect as before. And after he was

done, her skin would be marred, but the solace she'd gain would be worth it to him.

He looked over her pink, parted nether lips and he swore he saw light dew coating them. He

knelt down, locked her ankles in, admiring her bare feet.

Solan stood, backed away and uncoiled the whip. He swung it around carefully, making sure

it flew straight. So far, he'd used it in battle, the cracker probably still had blood on it from the

last fight ... which was...

Air cleansed most of the bacteria off the cracker.

Except he wouldn't chance it with Katherine. Flicking his wrist brought the fall and cracker

of the whip towards him. Catching them in his free hand, he examined the cracker and fall.

Both had been changed.

Had Katherine anticipated this?

Did she knew she was driving him to a state he considered madness?

She had to realize that, probably about the same time he realized he loved her.

She'd rescued him unselfishly, twice already. He'd died trying to run from what she asked of

him, but now Solan would do anything for her.

37

He dropped the cracker on the ground and flung his wrist back, drawing the whip behind him.

Eyes focused on the desperate look his lover had, he had to think of her that way now, he lifted

his arm and threw the first strike.

The crack exploded loudly, inches before her.

She flinched, but stared straight at him.

Bringing the whip back, he swung it over his head, popping it above, then back, to crack the

whip louder off to his right. He dropped his arm, brought the whip low across his body and

swung, cracking it at Katherine's midsection.

Her breasts jerked up, but the whip hadn't touched her.

The whip wrapped around Solan's body. He stepped an inch closer, studied her expression

and realized she wanted him to strike her.

"What if..."

"Do it!" She screamed, but the begging was obvious in her voice. Tears streamed down her

cheeks, "Do it please, I beg of you!"

Out of anger, Solan stepped closer again and swung the whip, cutting across the tops of her

pale thighs.

Her flesh opened, blood coated her cream colored thighs. The sight actually aroused him. It

made him sick to his stomach to think hurting her was a turn on.

"You own me, Solan. My body is yours. You can choose to do what you want with me."

Ownership as a concept didn't seem foreign to him anymore. Yeah, he carried weapons,

clothes on his back, but those were material things. Solan scratched his head, turned around and

closed his eyes. He could do this. In, out, breath came.

"No other man shall taste my flesh, none shall share my bed or have my soul, Solan."

The words hit him like a ton of bricks. She was professing her love to him, unyielding even

in the face of death. It irked him, but he forced that annoyance into fuel for what he had to do.

Solan spun around, struck her again, not nearly as hard. The whip cracked in front of her, the

fluff of his cracker brushing hardened nipples.

She shuddered, arched her chest out, even though her cry said the sensation stung.

In a fluid motion, Solan brought the whip around his head and swung from side to side,

popping her flesh in various places. Each strike landed where he wanted, each cry became

louder.

He swore from almost seven feet away headiness of her arousal teased him. His cock

hardened more and made concentrating on the whip difficult. Still, Solan forced himself to focus

on her pain, see this experience as pleasurable for her.

What he really wanted to do was drop the whip, shove his dick inside her and fuck her against

that cross.

But she insisted he own her.

What did that mean?

His field of vision narrowed with each strike of the bullwhip.

Mastery.

The one word fluttered about his head.

The thought almost stopped him and caused him to strike himself in the face from the recoil

of his whip.

Insanely, arousal pumped through him, driving his actions. Solan broke the distance between

them, took her head in one hand and brought his mouth down on hers.

She tasted succulent, of fruit and blood. Living things.

38

Katherine acquiesced for him, moving her mouth in tune with his.

He nipped her lower lip hard enough to draw blood, then flicked his tongue over her lush

mouth to taste her. He wanted her in him when she passed, needed the memory.

Katherine rattled against her shackles, bucking her hips into his.

The erection holding up the apron of his kilt took notice. Solan stepped back, examined her.

The sight of her hanging connected with something purely animalistic in him. It called to a

deeper part of him, one he long ago buried because his actions had consequences he didn't like.

People who didn't deserve to get hurt died when the darker side of his warrior nature came out.

Sweat, along with dark blood dripping from her wounds, covered her body. Candles behind

them flared loudly, the sound echoing off the walls, adding to the already erotic elements of the

dungeon.

Solan padded to Katherine so only inches remained between them. He brought the whip up,

then snapped his arm down so the whip cracked loudly between them, going off like a shotgun

blast.

She refused to flinch. Still gazing into his eyes, Katherine's lips curled up. "Take me,

warrior. I want to know you're the only one in my body, as you are in my heart and soul."

The dead set stare she gave him hit straight home. In one swift motion, Solan undid the

shackles at her ankles, then her wrists. Dropping the whip, he reached for her, grabbed her and

yanked her to his body.

Then his mouth fell on hers, capturing her lips between his teeth, he nibbled, bit, conquered.

She mewled against him, rubbing her naked flesh against his.

He continued to lick and taste the inside of her mouth, enjoying the contrast between the

softness of her mouth and the sharpness of her jagged fangs. He even managed to prick his

tongue on one.

She merely thrust her tongue into his mouth and licked the blood.

The two wrestled for control, before Solan caught her by the back of her head, gripping a

fistful of hair. He yanked her head back.

She cried in submission, stiffened at his touch.

He nipped her neck, caught flesh between his teeth and suckled.

Katherine ground her hips against him, the sensation driving his actions.

Solan released her, pushed her back and stared at her naked, bruised, body. The cuts in her

flesh would heal, he hoped. Blood marred her pretty skin, dripping, drying down her thighs.

And the V at the juncture of her legs remained perfect. Her lips glistened with dew, the scent

of her arousal wafted towards him.

The kilt needed to go, he needed contact with her. With a free hand, he dragged the kilt off,

stepped back and kicked it aside. He tore off his shirt and tossed it by his kilt. Then, he lunged

for Katherine, pinning her back against the cross. Dragging his mouth down her neck, he bit and

licked, suckled until he latched onto a breast. Taking a pointed nipple between his teeth, he

grazed the sensitive skin while he slapped her ass.

The sting sent a jolt through her and she rocked her hips against his, wrapping a thigh around

his now naked body.

The head of his cock brushed against her heat, threatening to sear him. He needed inside,

needed to use her, claim her.

That one thought echoed in his head.

Solan pulled her nipples into his mouth, suckled harder.

39

She cried louder, shoving her body into his. The sound of her begging spurred him on. Down

her body he dragged his tongue, scraped his teeth.

Katherine writhed into him, her fingers tangling in his hair.

Slowly, Solan forced her to her knees. Through the fog of insanity, he remembered briefly

she was supposed to die, but wanted to be owned by him, consumed by him.

With one foot, he gripped and dragged his shirt to the ground before him. "Kneel on this and

take me in your mouth."

She nodded, her eyes shimmering brightly with the fire of arousal.

He caught his reflection in her irises, wasn't sure what to make of himself. Standing tall, one

hand in her raven dark hair, the other on his swollen cock, he felt conflicted until Katherine

opened her mouth and sealed her lips around him.

Solan hissed, the lush feel of her mouth and tongue an inviting sensation. She dragged her

lips up and down his shaft, flicked the tip of her tongue over his head.

He shuddered, loosened his grip on her hair and started massaging her scalp. Her pleasurable

moans spurred him to thrust gently inside her mouth.

She cupped his balls with one hand, closed her eyes and sucking, fondling balls and shaft at

the same time. Her fingers caressed him, probed the firmness of his ass, making him squirm.

Solan's pace picked up, his hips bucking wildly against her.

Her breasts brushed against his thighs, caressing him. With her other hand, Katherine gripped

his thigh, helped him thrust harder, until his cock hit the back of her throat.

She took him all the way in, no gag reflex or choking.

He closed his eyes, letting her do more of the work. His knees threatened to buckle and it

took all his strength not to fall.

The way her tongue swirled around his shaft on the upstroke sent tingling sensations in his

gut.

Another few seconds and he'd lose total control.

Not what he wanted.

"If you don't stop, I'm going to come down your throat."

She pulled him out of her mouth, gripped his slick shaft and gave him a pump and squeeze.

"If that's what you wish."

Her voice roughened with need.

"No."

He barked the one word.

"But I would–"

He glared down at her. Katherine, on her knees, breasts bobbing up and down with each

breath, she looked so sweet, her expression wanton yet innocent. What a contradiction that was.

"I will come in you and I will meet your gaze, Katherine. You will look at me and know who

I am."

She nodded slowly, a smile spreading across her face. Leaning back, she opened herself to

him, parting her legs.

"No," he repeated.

"Then where?"

"You've driven me so wild, made me want you so badly, but I am not a man of illogical

thought or rudeness." He panted, slick sweat slid down his skin. The same sheen of sweat mixed

with blood on her and still, he remained aroused.

Quickly, Solan glanced around. "The couch."

40

"Very well," she started to stand, but he held her down. He struggled, using all the strength

he had not to fuck her on the floor, but he was not uncivilized, no matter how damn good she

felt. Offering her his hand, he helped her to his feet before claiming her mouth in a deep kiss,

stealing her breath.

As he led her to the couch, his every nerve tingled in anticipation. His cock bobbed up and

down with each step until they reached the black couch. He set a hand on the fabric, plush

leather. He suspected nothing less than decadent.

Sitting down, Solan spread his legs and positioned Katherine between them, holding her by

her hips. He looked into her eyes saw light return. Maybe she'd live if...

He shook his head at the thought. Her words earlier sounded so final.

He fought to hold back the tears threatening to fall from his eyes. His heart thundered loudly

at what her declaration of love meant, along with her proclamation that she would die before the

night ended.

"Sit on me," his voice dropped to a gentle tone.

Slowly, she straddled his hips, took his cock in one hand and plunged him in.

Both groaned in pleasure from the intense heat.

Solan brushed strands of hair behind her ear, enjoying the feel of her silken tendrils. Up

close, he smelled her desire, mixed with the stronger scent of roses and had to wonder if that was

what she would smell like in death.

Or if his memory would ever forget her.

No, he'd never allow that. The moment he forgot her, he'd unsheathe his sword and give up.

"I love you," he whispered.

She wrapped her arms around his neck, moved up and down, pumping him. "I love you too,

szeretőm. I have since I found you."

Solan's hands slid up her back and down over her hips. He gripped her ass, squeezing her,

before giving her plump cheek a hard slap.

She squealed in delight.

"Ride me, Katherine. Fuck me until you cover my cock in your juices. That's my command."

"Yours."

"That's right. Mine. Forever?"

41

CHAPTER SEVEN

The question had to be asked, despite the answer. Forever meant more than tonight, more

than the next day. Eternity implied there would be time to ask forgiveness for his harsh

behavior. It entailed he'd learn from his mistakes and ultimately show Katherine he had finally

understood what she meant when she said she was his destiny, and he hers.

"Always, szeretőm. "

He hated the lie, but thrust his hips up, feeling her sheath grip him like a steel fist. So perfect,

her body fit nestled into his. The softness of her ass, the gentle rubbing of her breasts against his

chest, her fingers laced together and tangled in his hair, it all seemed unfair he'd know perfection,

then lose it in the same day

All he could do was please her, give her what he thought it meant to own her.

"Ride me, Katherine."

Her mouth parted, she lowered her head to his and kissed him softly.

Through the fog in his head, he let her be gentle. He could hide the tears under the guise of

giving her a last dying request.

That was the lie he told himself, anyway.

Slowly, she started moving her hips, rocking back and forth, up and down. Each movement

slicked his cock, gripping him, squeezing him with her muscles.

Solan brought a hand around to her front, pressed against her belly, then slid down, circling

her clit with his thumb.

A shiver raced through her and she groaned his name.

He'd captured her neck again, bit, suckled.

She writhed against him, pumping him in and out, as her ass bounced against his thighs.

Higher and higher the spiral in his stomach went, tightening his balls against his body as orgasm

drew near.

She shouted his name, brought her mouth down on his and cried her pleasure against him.

Solan wrapped his hands around her, pulling her tighter to him. His hips worked faster,

thrusting until he finally released and roared out her name against her mouth. His entire body

shook from the power of their combined orgasm.

She didn't stop moving, though. Katherine continued bobbing up and down, rubbing her

breasts over his chest, kissing him, tearing her nails into his body so he'd bleed.

He didn't care. He closed his eyes, let sensation wash over him in a torrent of feelings that hit

every open nerve he possessed. The mixture of blood, his and hers, became erotic somehow, in

the twisted haze of his mind. His cock kept spurting inside her, as though the supply of his seed

was endless.

A moment later everything stopped. A calm in the storm of perfection, save the loud

thumping of their hearts beating in tune.

They even panted in rhythm.

Solan opened his eyes, saw the smile on her face. The beam in her eyes.

Perhaps she'd be okay. Maybe...

He brushed strands of hair stuck to her forehead back behind her ear, looked at her and said a

silent prayer for her.

Katherine closed her eyes and set her head against his shoulder, leaned into him.

Her grip around him tightened.

42

A few minutes later, he realized the heartbeat he heard so loudly had slowed to a less than

human rhythm.

Her skin felt cold, but the essence of life still buzzed through her, she wasn't dead yet.

Just asleep.

For the first time in Goddess only knew how long, Solan allowed himself to cry.

* * * *

Solan woke once in the night with Katherine's body pressed against his, found his cock still

inside her. He hated the idea, but the second she shifted, his dick stirred to life.

And they joined again, this time slowly. Sweetly. No blood, no whips, no bites, just his

simple control, guiding them both into orgasmic bliss.

She fell asleep wrapped in his embrace again.

The feel of her body on his left him breathless, speechless.

And the exhaustion of their acts and his recent fights weighed heavily on him, forcing him

into a deep slumber.

The second her essence drifted from this plane, Solan woke. He extricated himself from her,

laid her down on the couch and put his hand over her chest.

Then, he waited.

Nothing.

Another moment passed.

Still, nothing.

She was gone.

He didn't know what to do or who to talk to. In all the time he'd spent in this castle, he'd seen

no one. Outside the walls, a bounty on his head remained and those who weren't trying to kill

him, simply avoided him.

Truly, he was alone.

Quickly, Solan dressed in his shirt and kilt, returned to the couch. Kneeling down, he took

her hand in his and gave it a gentle squeeze. She'd given him so much in the past few days, the

least he could do was give her a proper burial.

But ... where?

When he left the grounds, he dashed out as fast as possible, paying little mind to where he ran

as long as he got away.

There had to be a garden.

First, he'd find the bring back a washcloth and towel.

He cleaned her, wrapped her body in fine linens from the room he'd stayed in, so she'd be

buried surrounded by his scent.

An hour later, he'd carried Katherine's lifeless body outside to the hole he'd dug in the ground.

It didn't seem right, her dying. Him losing perfection after he'd realized it.

Then again, his entire life had been a struggle. Even the destiny he supposedly was to fulfill

had been a laugh.

Unattainable. That's what it was.

Solan lowered Katherine's body into the hole and began shoveling dirt on her. Each load

covered her body, but made the sting of loss so much greater.

"I love you," he shouted. Before she was completely buried, he fell to his knees and cried

until his eyes were bone dry and his lungs burned from exhaustion and heaving.

Hours later, Solan sat in the room where he first awoke to see Katherine. His things were

packed, but where did he go?

43

He had no idea of provisions here, hadn't eaten since Katherine brought him his last meal a

day ago.

Everywhere he looked around the room, he saw her, imagined her lingering caress against his

skin.

Perhaps he could return to the castle as needed, at least to be near his memories of Katherine.

An hour later, he'd made his mind up. He'd leave for now, find food. He'd start anew.

He'd find eternity.

He slid his sword in the sheath, attached the whip to the belt on his kilt and decided to leave.

Stepping outside the castle gate, he saw the gray sky, thunderous dark clouds and knew no

sun would come for at least a week's time. The land before him remained open.

In an angry fit, he took off running from the castle, trying to outrun his memories. Yet those

kept pace with him. Each time he blinked, he saw Katherine's smiling face, or the orgasmic bliss

she'd experienced last night.

The memory of lustful flames dancing in her eyes remained vivid as he pushed his body to

exhaustion.

Thunder clapped overhead and the first drops of rain began to fall.

Solan kept running, forcing his body past enfeeblement. Pushing himself beyond his physical

limits would put him into a deep slumber.

Thirty minutes into his dead sprint, he'd come upon a town. At least eating would satisfy the

grumbling in his stomach.

An hour later, he'd found food. Nothing special, beef stew.

After thanking the owner of the establishment, Solan left, made his way back on the street in

the freezing rain. He still had energy to burn.

Taking off in a dead sprint, Solan ran until he hit something hard and thick.

Stumbling back, he realized he'd run head first into another Outsider.

His ugly features scowled until he'd set eyes on Solan. The menacing stare he gave would

have sent a shiver through Solan, but warriors didn't flinch.

Besides, what did he have to lose?

"Well," the Outsider chucked and unsheathed a large sword from behind him. He ran a hand

through disheveled brown hair and laughed, "It looks like it's my lucky day. You're the cause of

the uproar in my camp. They said a man wearing a kilt was to blame for the recent string of

deaths. And they offered a price higher than what the humans offered."

Solan smirked. "The humans offered no price. Your kind deserved to die, they were harming

innocents and inciting terror."

The Outsider laughed, baring razor sharp teeth. "There are no innocents. Only..." he paused,

glowered at Solan, "Playthings."

"Your disregard for humanity disgusts me. I do not agree."

"It matters not," The Outsider's voice deepened. "I , Jamaal, stumbled upon you, and now I'm

going to slice you up and take you home for the reward."

Seven lives... The phrase echoed loudly in Solan's head. But from where? That voice...

His gaze darted around, told him only he and the Outsider were in the street.

A fist cocked him upside the head, sending Solan spinning off balance and into the ground.

Before a second punch landed, Solan jumped back, launching himself into the air. He reached

for his sword, unsheathed it and hit the ground, prepared to fight.

The Outsider laughed again, but reached behind him for a pistol. He pointed it at Solan.

"That outdated weapon can't protect you."

44

Solan let tension fill his body, replacing the sorrow he clung to. For a split second, he

pondered losing, dying, wondering if he and Katherine would be reunited in the Afterlife.

Except he realized she wouldn't want him that way.

When the blast came, Solan deflected it with a swipe of his sword.

Another shot rang out, Solan sent that bullet flying off into a nearby window, then charged in

for an attack.

A third shot from the gun, followed by two more, echoed in Solan's ear, but he knocked two

of the three shots away, dodged the third. He stopped, knelt beneath the Outsider and prepared

to thrust his sword up into the attacker's ribs.

The Outsider brandished his sword and deflected Solan's attack. He swung, striking at Solan.

Solan parried.

The blades rang out.

"Your fight is futile, warrior. Give up." He swung again.

Blocking the strike with both hands, Solan clenched his teeth. "Never!" Sweat broke out on

his forehead, his arms and legs shook. He struggled to block the attack. Finally, he'd shoved off

the attacker with a well-placed kick.

Both of them stumbled back.

Solan saw his chance for the kill.

The Outsider smiled, raised the sword with his right hand and lunged forward at the same

time as Solan.

Slicing his sword through the air in an arc, Solan heard the blade dig into flesh as another shot

rang out. He brought his foot up against the Outsider's leather clad chest, preparing to push off.

Time stood still.

Solan blinked, saw the fight between the Outsider and himself from several feet away.

"Ahem," a voice behind him called out.

Solan spun around, blade still in hand. He gasped. The man stood dressed in fine attire, a

black suit, wide brimmed hat pulled down low over his eyes. The air fizzled with tension and

death. "You..."

"Put that thing down. You cannot hurt me."

Solan sighed. "What do you want?"

"The question is," Death pointed at the frozen battle, "what do you want?"

"I don't understand."

"Seven lives you had. You've all but lost them, or you would."

Solan gripped the hilt of his sword harder. "No, I cut through the Outsider's neck, slicing off

his head!"

"Indeed, but he got a shot off before your blade cut through completely."

Solan nodded. "I know, I heard it. And..."

The split second timing bothered him. Sure, he was quick, fastidious with his strokes, even

more so with his movements, but surely he had avoided the gun blast.

"Well," Death sighed, "this could play out a few ways, really. It's up to you."

Solan grumbled. "I see only two possible outcomes."

Again Death sighed, louder this time. The air around him crackled harder, sending a tremor

through Solan. "Damn humans and limiting beliefs. What do you see?"

"Either I dodge the bullet and the Outsider dies, or I catch it and we both die."

"Yes, the consequences of your death..."

It wasn't necessary to do the math. "Would be my final life."

45

"Indeed. There is ... something else, however."

Solan arched a brow.

"It seems," Death reached into his suit coat and withdrew a contract. He unfolded it carefully,

held it by the top and bottom. He reached into his suit again, retrieved a pair of glasses. Placing

them on, he lifted up his hat, the contract still blocked his face from Solan. "Ahem, and I quote,

tying yourself to another through a blood bond invalidates this contract, forcing terms to be

renegotiated on the grounds that life was forfeited out of selflessness, rather than the agreed upon

terms of selfishness."

Solan scratched his head. Blood bond? Who was he tied to? "What do you mean?"

"It means your selflessness and love for another outweighed the terms of this contract and that

Deity up there saw growth. It means I have no food to feed from, so to speak."

"I see. So..."

"My magick, my deeds all work on greed, seven sins and all that." He cleared his throat

folding the document back up and returned it to the inside pocket of his coat. Pulling off his

glasses, he glanced at Solan.

Eerie eyes sparkled bright red before Death pulled his brim down over his eyes "It's your

call."

Solan knew the deal. His wish, Death's terms. It wasn't like he hadn't gone through almost

seven centuries living off Death's terms, but he had no purpose until recently. And then the light

in his life burned out.

Well, faded more like it.

Death cleared his throat. "I'll be back for your signature, Warrior."

Solan's body jerked back into reality.

The sword swung, cutting through flesh.

The shot went off, ringing loudly in his ears.

Shock hit him. Solan lifted his foot, pressed against the Outsider's chest and shuddered at the

bullet entering his femoral artery. Great, he'd bleed out and lose everything including his life.

He kicked away from the Outsider, but the pain forced him to jerk away and fall to the ground

with a thud. His blade fell beside him, clanging loudly.

A second later, the head of his attacker hit the ground and rolled several feet away.

"Katherine," Solan reached out, hoping, praying. He blinked, his vision blurred. He swore he

saw a figure coming towards him. "I love you, Katherine. I'm sorry."

"Are you all right?" A stranger's voice.

The words came jumbled as his mind faded into darkness, images disappeared and the weight

of his despair slammed into him.

"Katherine..."

* * * *

Soft lips pressed against his skin and stirred his cock. Fingers brushed strands of hair from

his face, a thumb traced the line of his jaw. A nail scratched his skin lightly.

The image of a rose bush over her grave appeared in his mind. He blinked several times

shaking the image away until reality came into focus. "Katherine?"

Damnit if Death is fucking with me...

His head ached.

A wet mouth pressed against his. Hands gripped his shoulders, the weight of a feminine body

settled on him.

Warmth.

46

Solan wrapped his arms around the body, hoped, prayed.

The scent of roses filled his nose.

This had to be a dream.

His vision blurred again and he blacked out.

* * * *

"Szeretőm, wake up."

He stirred again. Solan lifted his head before he'd opened his eyes. He didn't want to learn

that he'd awoken to insanity, the softness of her lilting voice just a joke because Death decided to

mess with him.

The weight of a warm, wet, female body blanketed him.

"Solan, my warrior, open your eyes."

He opened his eyes and gasped. Katherine sat astride him, naked, save a silver collar with a

chain attached. Her body was perfect, except for a scar across her chest where her heart would

be.

His eyes roamed up and down, staring at the midnight blue color of hair that fell to her hips,

covered parts of full, round breasts. Dust colored nipples remained taut for his teeth. He looked

over her flat stomach to the juncture between her legs. Still, baby smooth skin, pussy lips parted,

wrapping around the thickness of his cock. Powerful thighs and her creamy skin...

He sighed, "This is a dream?"

"No, szeretőm. This is real."

"Are you..." He let the phrase hang in the air between them.

"As are you." She took his hand, closed his fist in hers, save one finger. Slowly, she brought

that finger into his mouth, ran it around his teeth until his fangs pricked him.

"Ouch," he laughed.

She fell forward, sliding her hips over his, until his cock brushed against her pussy and slid

deeper inside.

"A slight arch would have you inside me," she kissed his chin, sweetly placed her hands on

his chest and sat up.

The feel of her slick heat on his cock sent a jolt of pleasure through him. "We are..."

"Together, per your agreement."

Tension left Solan's body.

"As long as you own me."

"Push my cock inside, Katherine."

She reached between her legs and slid him all the way in. Rocking her hips made him jerk.

He reached for the chain between her breasts, pulled her down against him so her breasts

crushed against his chest.

Their lips met.

He tasted her.

She moved, wriggled her hips and squeezed his cock.

"Be mine, Katherine."

She showed her appreciation with another series of squeezes, until his free hand slapped her

ass.

Katherine squealed in delight and continued moving him in and out, squeezing, releasing,

milking him, until her orgasm slammed into him, followed by his.

His balls tensed, drew up against his body. He writhed, sensations of her slicked pussy taking

all his seed, until blissful orgasm wracked their bodies and left them spent.

47

Panting heavily, she stretched her body out over his.

He coughed, cleared his throat, interrupting the silence. "Are we alive?"

She lifted her head from his chest and nodded, looking at him through half open eyes. "As

much as the undead can be. We're harder to kill, recover faster, have voracious sexual

appetites," she gave another wriggle of her hips to demonstrate, "and mate for life."

"And are into kinky bondage games." He laughed.

"Only with our mates, szeretőm. "

Solan wrapped his arms around her, enjoying her body pressed heavily against his, the feel of

her softness, her lovely curves. He loved how alive she was in his arms. No longer fragile.

"And I'll only be with you, my love."

48

CREAM ON THE CROP

MARGIE CHURCH

49

CHAPTER ONE

Jamaal Cooper leaned against the door of the fourth horse stall, and watched the real estate

agent bring through another interested buyer. Arms folded across his chest, he couldn't contain

his grin. In his spirit state, the visitors were none the wiser.

The agent, Patricia, walked past him, leading Neha Thompson through the tack room. "I

think you'll appreciate having the wash rack back here – especially in the springtime."

"Absolutely. I love having the laundry facilities in the barn, too. It sure makes everything

more convenient." Grinning, she rubbed her hands together in glee. "I'm going to be so

spoiled."

The women's laughter wiped the smile off Jamaal's face. In the past ten years, the farm had

changed hands three times. A significant feat considering the terrible economy, but there had

been another incentive. He'd worked hard to make previous owners want to get the hell off the

property sooner than later. He smirked a little over that, even while he listened to the younger

woman, Neha, gush over the royal treatment her horses would enjoy if she purchased this farm.

"Bought the farm" might take on new meaning to you if you move here, sweetheart.

While listening to Neha's plans for her horses, he followed them on the grand tour of the place

he'd called home for almost 65 years.

"I've boarded Sir and Rodeo in Excelsior for years. I really want to get settled and have them

with me. Driving to the barns three days a week is a huge commitment."

The agent smiled, a glimmer of victory showed in her eyes that Jamaal interpreted as sucker.

In a way, Neha was. Not because the place was over-priced. That wasn't the case at all. The

current owners were willing to take a loss and they weren't the first. But so far, the agent hadn't

mentioned any of the rumors about the strange goings on that made the last three families bolt

like, well, horses in a fire. Either Neha didn't care, or the real estate agent wanted her

commission. Flipping a coin wasn't necessary for Jamaal to guess the correct answer.

He listened with keen interest while the business woman described the barn's last details.

"Surveillance cameras are installed outside the building; the windows and doors are wired

with security alarms." Patricia pointed to the cameras in the corner. "Last year, closed circuit TV

was added so you can hear and see everything going on with your babies, anytime you like."

Her lovey-dovey tone made Jamaal's hackles rise. The woman definitely earned a spot on his

short list of people he'd enjoy harassing. And the security cameras and whatnot? Just another

way to entertain the proprietor, should she buy the place.

Neha rubbed Patricia's upper arm. "You do understand. These horses are my family."

Patricia drew her eyebrows together. "What about your parents and siblings? I know they're

alive and well. It seems a week doesn't go by without hearing something about the famous

Thompson family."

Neha blushed. "That's exactly what I want to get away from – the scrutiny of the media and

endless demands of politics. My father chose that career and we were thrust into it. Now, I'm

old enough to make my own choices about how I want to live. It's bad enough I have to go on

the campaign trail every now and then."

Patricia leaned against the laundry sink. "You despise it that much?"

"Politics provided a very interesting life for our family. I wouldn't have enjoyed the lifestyle I

do if my father had only remained a lawyer. We've traveled the world, and met a lot of very

fascinating, powerful people. I'm grateful for that, but the constant scrutiny is ridiculous. When

you grow up in the public eye you've never really enjoyed a taste of freedom. You can't be

50

yourself or let your guard down anywhere. I want those things." Wearing a wistful expression,

she surveyed the large tack room. "This farm is off the beaten path, and not terribly far from St.

Paul. I can get in and out of the city when I want, without having to fly. Maybe the locals won't

really give a rat's butt about my last name. That would be perfect."

"The people are nice, and you won't have any neighbors close by. A hundred acres ought to

keep back the gawkers."

Rolling her eyes, Neha released a humorless chuckle. "Or hide them. You said the outer

perimeter is fenced, right?"

Patricia nodded. "Nothing fancy, mostly just to mark the property line. The driveway and ten

acres surrounding the house and pasture have newer vinyl pasture fencing. And of course there's

the electronic gate, which is remote-controlled. It cost the Larsons a ton of money to put the

fence and gate in, but it'll last a long time."

She couldn't agree more. "The whole place is in wonderful shape. It's cozy and unassuming

on the outside, but has a lot of nice features."

"Does this mean you're going to make an offer?"

The idea of having someone new to terrorize made Jamaal's lip curl into a sneer. A single

woman, living alon, will be child's play.

* * * *

Three months later, Neha stood in the driveway of her new home as a driver backed the horse

trailer closer to her barn. She'd moved in last week, and worked like a fiend to get settled so her

horses could be brought out. August's heat was losing its grip on summer, and September was

right around the corner. Today's low humidity and moderate temperature made her happy. Her

prized animals would be stressed enough from the one hundred fifty-mile journey. A heat wave

would only make things worse.

The distinct sound of Sir's nicker made her anxious to see the Friesian gelding.

"We'll have you out in a minute, Sir. I have a bag of apples just waiting for you and Rodeo."

As though he understood her words, Rodeo sent out of shrill whinny.

Their reactions made her heart light. Neha laughed. She was looking forward to waking up

to those sounds every day.

With the slam of the truck door behind him, Cleis joined Neha at the back of the trailer. He

shook her hand.

"Nice to see you, Neha. This looks like a great farm. The New Ulm area is really beautiful."

"Thanks, I think so, too. I hope the three of us will be happy here." She reached for the

trailer's door locks.

Cleis stepped in next to her. "We're going to miss these two. They're a lively pair."

"You took great care of them. I appreciate everything you did for my boys." She opened the

trailer door. "Hi, guys! Are you ready to see your new home?"

Jamaal leaned against the pasture fencing, observing the happy reunion, and marking the days

until it ended.

51

CHAPTER TWO

Mosquitoes and fatigue drove Neha into the house before she really wanted to quit for the

evening. Settling in the horses took more work than she imagined. And for some reason, they

were unusually skittish. Neha chalked their behavior up to a combination of the long ride, the

heat, and their new surroundings.

After her shower, she walked into the kitchen and turned on the closed circuit TV monitor.

She draped the towel she'd been using to dry her hair over a chair, and pressed the control panel

to switch through the screens. Seeing Sir's stall door open alarmed her. She clicked through the

remaining two views. Rodeo was loose in the barn.

"Oh, shit." She tightened her robe and hurried to the back door. After slipping into her mud

shoes, she rushed outside.

"How in the heck did you two get out?" Her grumbles, of course, went unanswered.

Sir looked up when she whistled.

"Come on boys, let's get back inside."

True to form, Rodeo ignored her, always preferring to do things on his timetable instead of

hers.

Neither animal was in any danger, but they weren't cooperating. After a few minutes of

cajoling, she had no choice but to go back in the house, get dressed, and lead them back inside.

Neha couldn't fathom how the horses had not only gotten out of their stalls, but also the barn.

She'd secured and checked all the doors twice.

"I wonder if the system is working right."

While tucking her T-shirt into her jeans, she hurried back outside.

A cloud of mosquitoes greeted her.

"Goddamn it, I hate these bloodsuckers. First frost can't come soon enough." She slapped and

swatted the insects as fast as she could, knowing she'd be a five-foot eight-inch tall itch in no

time.

The barn's service door was still locked. She fished in her pocket for the key.

Once inside, she headed right to the tack room and doused herself with bug spray. At least a

cool shower afterward would help soothe the itchy bumps already popping up everywhere. She

scraped another mosquito off her left ear.

"Son of a bitch."

After grabbing some carrots and a flashlight, she went to the stalls. Her cursory investigation

didn't give her any clues about how the latches had gotten open. She couldn't worry about that

now. Flashlight in hand, Neha took the halters and leads, and walked into the pasture.

Her soft whistles interrupted the buzzing mosquitoes and chirps from crickets and frogs.

"Sir, Rodeo, come on. Let's get a carrot." She clicked her tongue between requests.

Surprisingly, instead of trotting toward her, they moved away, huffing as they went.

She shined the light on the ground near their hooves, wondering whether a nearby fox or

coyote spooked them.

Walking faster and still speaking in a friendly voice, Neha became concerned when the horses

galloped away again.

She glanced back toward the house and barn to see if anyone was lurking. "I should have

brought my pistol." She increased her speed to a jog, while whistling and calling her horses. She

got within ten feet before Rodeo suddenly snorted and trotted off.

"Stubborn mule. Rodeo, get back here."

52

The chestnut Saddlebred was far from mule standards, however stubborn sure described his

demeanor. She'd bought him three years ago. A stallion then, Neha had Rodeo gelded soon

after, but he still lived up to his bronco kind of barn name and could be unpredictable and tough

to handle any time.

Sir turned his massive head toward her.

"Hey big guy, let's go inside." She offered him a carrot with one hand, and reached for his

halter with the other.

At the last second, Sir tossed his head and backed away from her.

"Easy, Sir. Come on, here's your carrot."

With a whinny, he ran off toward Rodeo.

Neha was dumbfounded. The horses had their own personalities, but they'd never behaved

this way. Like petulant children, they acted as though they were getting back at her for not

coming to the barn all week.

That has to be it. "You stinkers! That's enough fun and games for one night." She scratched a

cluster of bites on her left cheekbone. "I've donated a quart of blood to the mosquitoes, and it's

time to go in."

Holding out the carrots, she encouraged them in a soft voice. "Come get your snack, boys."

Sir tossed his elegant head and snorted at her. The stunning, jet-black, Friesian gelding could

trample her if he charged.

Neha stood still. "Come on, Sir, here's a carrot. You love these sweet treats."

He moved closer.

"That's my boy. Rodeo, come along, too."

Sir took the carrot and devoured it in a few bites.

She reached his mane and slid the halter on. Once it was secure, she took a lead from her

back pocket and managed to snap it on without dropping the flashlight.

Rodeo walked up, calm as could be, and accepted a carrot.

With both horses finally under her control, she began the long hike back to the barn, now

acres away. She hadn't realized their antics had taken them so far.

Groaning, she mumbled under her breath. "You guys really know how to show me you

missed me."

Swarms of mosquitoes buzzed around her and bit her as though she didn't have on any

repellant. With the leads in both hands, she was helpless to shoo them away. She stumbled in a

rut, and nearly landed on her knees.

In reaction to her sudden, hard jerks, the horses pulled backward.

Hanging tight to their leather straps, she kept her voice calm. "Easy, Rodeo. Gentle, Sir."

She regained her balance, and took a deep breath. "Sorry about that. I only have two feet."

Back in the barn, she led Rodeo to his stall first. When she returned with water for him, he

swished his tail.

She hooked the bucket on his door. "What's the matter, Rodeo?"

He came forward and she stroked the soft patch between his ears while he drank. Afterward,

he turned and Neha saw raised patches on his flanks.

What the hell? Alarmed, she opened the stall door for a closer look. Sure enough, he had

three welts. How did that happen? There aren't any trees in the pasture area they'd been in, so

these couldn't have been caused by tree branches snapping him.

She shut the door, and went to check on Sir. He too, had a mark on each flank. The skin

hadn't been broken, so there wasn't anything she should do for them.

53

Despite the warm temperatures, gooseflesh rose on her body. Straining her ears, she listened

for unusual sounds. Except for a meow from one of her barn cats, nothing was amiss. The

service door had been locked when she'd arrived, but she looked for evidence proving someone

had gotten into the barn. She fumed over the realization somebody had gotten in through the

pasture door.

The security system must not be working right.

A riding crop lay on the floor behind one door. She picked up the braided leather instrument,

turned it over in her hand, and put two-and-two together.

Who would do such a thing? They'd have to use a lot of force to raise those welts.

Though she had crops in the barn, she never used them on her horses. She'd sometimes

snapped them against her boot to get attention. Some were only for decorative.

Certain the heavy doors were secured, Neha walked into the tack room to put the crop in its

proper place. An empty spot on the wall indicated another one was missing.

She leaned against the built-in chest containing all her grooming tools and products.

Apprehension settled over her like a cold blanket of fog. Not wanting to over-react, she stayed

there for a few minutes recalling the evening's events. In the end, she made the prudent decision

and phoned the sheriff.

A deputy arrived about ten minutes later.

She met him in the driveway.

Illuminated by the squad car lights, he extended his hand for her to shake. "I'm Officer

Larsen."

"Thanks for coming out."

"I didn't realize the place had sold again."

"I moved in last week, and just had my horses brought out today. Why don't we go in the

barn to talk?" She waved him on. "This way."

"I know the place by heart."

His remark surprised Neha. Once inside, she asked him why.

"This farm is a regular stop for us. The previous owners and the ones before them called us

all the time about strange goings on. Judging from the look on your face I am guessing you

hadn't heard about any of these peculiar happenings before you bought the place."

Her heart thumped, and her mouth felt like it was coated with flour. "No. What kinds of

things?"

Officer Larsen put his hands on his hips and rocked on his heels. "Stuff like spooked animals,

signs of prowlers, missing equipment, rats in the grain room, the water turned on, and gates

opened that had been shut. Those are the ones I can remember. A lot of it was annoying, but an

accumulation of all these things really unnerved the homeowners. Nobody has lasted here more

than a couple years."

Feeling a bit sick to her stomach, Neha put her hand on her throat. "Patricia, the real estate

agent, never said a word."

He shook his head. "I'm disappointed, but not surprised to hear that. I imagine she didn't tell

you about the murder either?"

She felt the blood drain from her face. "Murder! Holy shit, no! She never said a word.

When did that happen?"

"Actually a long time ago. May 6, 1948. A fellow named Jamaal Cooper was watching the

Freedom Train come into Minneapolis. The train was supposed to be a shining example of

American integration, but a lot of white people didn't see it that way. Apparently Mr. Cooper

54

was vocal about black people enjoying more rights, and somebody wanted to teach him a

lesson."

"Good Lord! We're a long way from Minneapolis. Are you sure he was murdered here?"

The officer shrugged. "Back then, forensics weren't what they are today. They never

determined whether he'd been murdered here or his body dumped afterward. He'd been dead

months before the owners found his body in the woods along the southeast property line."

"Did they get whoever killed him?"

"No."

"That's terrible. So, are you telling me this place is haunted?"

"I don't believe in ghosts, ma'am, but it's peculiar to have constant problems out here all these

years and never catch anyone at it. If kids were up to mischief, eventually they'd quit or be

caught. It's not like we haven't investigated these issues over the years. We've always come up

empty-handed."

"What am I going to do now?"

"I can't advise for sure, but I'd say you should talk to a lawyer or prepare to be harassed." He

glanced around the room. "Do you want me to take a look around?"

"I think the barn is secure, but the house has been unlocked all this while. Maybe you could

make sure nobody is inside." Neha's voice shook a little. "Have they had troubles in the house,

too?"

"No, actually, all the monkey business has been confined to the barn and pasture."

The statement gave her a small measure of relief. "I can't believe this is happening. All my

life I've been hounded by the media. I moved out here to live in anonymity and now a ghost is

going to make sure I don't have a moment's peace?" Hands on her hips, she stared at her feet.

"Son of a bitch."

55

CHAPTER THREE

Neha had called her lawyer the next morning to learn her options concerning the farm. After

that, she got in touch with the security company and an electrician to make sure everything

worked properly. Nothing needed repair. Their recommendations for additional measures

seemed senseless, considering the perpetrator had never been caught.

After the sheriff's deputy had told her about the farm's history, she spent time digging around

on the Internet for information about Jamaal Cooper's murder. The black and white photos

looked grainy, and there wasn't much to learn. She did find a good description of where the

body had been found. Today, she planned to locate the spot on her property, not that she thought

she'd find clues. Doing so might give some meaning to what she'd learned. Neha wondered if

she was brave or stubborn enough to take on whatever, or whoever, was hanging around.

Or foolish?

She laid a fleece saddle blanket on Sir's back while mulling over her options. A few days had

gone by without any problems. The maples were turning, and the brilliant red sumac lit up the

underbrush. Neha looked forward to watching autumn arrive on the rolling hills of her hundred-

acre farm.

Should I pack up before things get nutty?

As though telling her to stop daydreaming, Sir stomped his foot.

"I'm going, already." She fastened the specially-made saddle on him, and then slid the bridle

on his head. Crystals shimmered on the brow band. His regal appearance never failed to

impress her. "You are such a handsome horse."

He nickered at the sound of her voice.

"You know watching us leave will make Rodeo jealous. It's his turn tomorrow."

Sir shifted his weight.

"Okay, let's go, big guy." She led him out of the barn and pasture gate, into the open acreage.

Placing her booted foot in the stirrup, Neha mounted Sir. With a click of her tongue and nudge

with her right heel their journey began.

Serene described Neha's mood as Sir ambled south on her property. Blue jays called out and

flittered from tree-to-tree, seeming to play a game of tag with the chickadees. Ravens perched

atop the massive oaks cawed like harbingers in the forest. White clouds dotted a deep blue sky.

What a perfect day.

Neha already considered the farm home. Again, she questioned whether she should give up

so easily. Despite hating the insanity a life in politics had brought to her family, she had learned

how important determination was in a person's character. Her father was a living example of

how to achieve success by digging in and going after what he wanted.

A breeze rustled the leaves. Glancing around, she drew a deep breath, unable to contain her

smile. The option of voiding her sales contract gave her a safety net. Until then, the

troublemaker was in for a fight.

Sir seemed to enjoy jumping over smaller, downed trees, and took his time crossing a stream

that zigzagged on and off her property in that quadrant. They were in no hurry.

She raised her face to the sky and shouted to the clouds. "Listen to me! This is my land, my

home. Live in peace with me or leave."

A short time later, Neha pulled a hand-dawn map out of her shirt pocket. Based on the

landmarks, she didn't think they were far from where Jamaal's body had been discovered. The

56

tree cover became denser. She tied Sir's reins to a small aspen, and walked through the forest

alone.

Here and there, she spied the property fence through the trees. She couldn't help wondering

whether the neighbors had trouble with mysterious hooligans, too. Branches snapped under her

feet and behind her, as she pushed through the heavy undergrowth.

She discovered a patch of land, maybe four-feet wide by six-feet long. Puzzled, she examined

her map.

Could this be the place where Jamaal was found?

The area looked tended– free of brush and weeds. Crouching, she ran her hand over the grass,

which felt velvet-soft, like the type that grew only in shade. Although autumn was taking its toll

on the wildflowers, many in bloom surrounded the spot.

She looked around for the landmark mentioned in the news article– an oak tree with bulging

knots and the fence growing right into its powerful trunk. There were a number of massive,

ancient oaks nearby, knotted with age. Some boasted dead branches hanging precariously;

others looked ready to topple over from exhaustion. Neha walked eastward ten paces. Sure

enough, she found the fencing she'd drawn on the map. Looking north, she spotted a gnarled tree

with the twisted-wire disappearing inside its bark. Another time she'd investigate further, but

right now she had another task.

She returned to the small clearing, and set her backpack on the ground. Kneeling, she

unbuckled the sack, and then removed a copy of a news article about Jamaal, a white candle, and

a lighter. With no breeze to interfere, the flame glowed in no time.

When she'd read about the murdered man, something about his story touched Neha. She felt

compelled to find the place where he'd been found and acknowledge his passing. She wasn't a

religious woman, but maybe by doing so, the angry spirit that had ransacked the farm at will

through these years, would rest.

Her throat went dry, and her thoughts scattered like spent dandelion seeds floating on a

breeze.

"Mr. Cooper, I didn't know you, but you died, or were left to die, on my property. I'm sorry

for that. I suppose you might think it's strange for me to be here like this, but I wanted to tell you

I'm proud of you, Mr. Cooper. You would have been a man I could admire. I read a little bit

about you. You were a leader, a man before his time. You were fighting for your rights as an

American citizen and those of other black Americans. Had you lived, I'm sure your humble life

as a blacksmith would have been only a stepping stone to something even more rewarding. You

were loved. I'm certain your friends and family grieve for the injustice over your unsolved

murder. I'm not here to say I'm going to find who did this to you. I only came to say I'm staying

on the farm, and mean you no disrespect."

Thinking of the poltergeist, she raised the small candle to eye level. "If your restless spirit is

the source of all these mysterious problems over the years, I can understand that. I'm not asking

you to leave, only live peacefully with me."

After a few seconds, Neha blew out the candle and rose.

"Do you really think a simple plea will make me stop?"

She whirled around at the sound of the voice. She hadn't heard anyone approaching. The

candle fell from her hand. She couldn't believe her eyes.

"You're dead." The words croaked out of her throat, laden with alarm.

His full lips spread in a broad grin, revealing his even, white teeth. "You summoned me with

your little pagan show, so here I am."

57

The shock of seeing Jamaal Cooper standing in front of her paralyzed Neha. As though vines

suddenly grew from the ground and wrapped around her legs, she couldn't move.

She shook her head as she spoke in a breathy voice. "You're not here."

Jamaal stepped forward and touched her cheek with his fingers. His skin felt warm, and a

little bit rough, like a working man's hands do.

Her knees quaked. Her mind spun with a million urgent commands to flee, yet she stood

there, statuesque, staring at a man who had been dead for sixty-five years. His hair, neatly

braided into cornrows, reached his shirt collar. At a moment like this, Neha really questioned

her sanity when all she wondered about was how he'd kept the shirt crisp and white.

"Your body quivers. Is it from fear or something else?"

She swatted his hand away. At least the sensation of their flesh connecting gave her a little

reality check. Jamaal Cooper was, indeed standing in front of her, acting like nothing was

unusual.

Her spunk returned. "I'm always nervous when I'm visited by a ghost." She crinkled her

eyebrows together. "Wait a minute. How do I know you're Jamaal? Maybe you're just some

pre-Halloween prankster."

"If that's true, why did I release Dark Knight Travels and Double The Pleasure from their

stalls?"

She thought for a long moment of how this imposter might learn the registered names for Sir

and Rodeo. She came up empty, but another thought occurred to her. "Why did you whip my

horses?"

"Next time, perhaps I should try the whip on you." He cocked his head as though studying

prey. "You might really enjoy it."

His audacity fired her defenses. "There won't be a next time."

"Not for the horses, but your first time will be very memorable."

Shivers ran through Neha, leaving her clammy. Jamaal didn't need to know her experiences

or desires concerning riding crops or whips.

"I meant what I said earlier. Leave me and my horses alone." After picking up her backpack,

she summoned all her courage and walked past him. Silent pleas that he wouldn't pursue her

anymore echoed in her brain, keeping time with her pounding heart.

"Enjoy your walk."

Frowning she turned to him. "What have you done to Sir?"

"Dark Knight Travels, well, has traveled." He tipped his head back and laughed, deep and

hearty as though he'd just told the best joke ever.

Neha felt the blood drain from her face. Expecting the worst, she took off through the

brambles, running back to where she'd tied her horse. Sir was nowhere to be found. Dread filled

her.

"Sir! Come on, my boy, let's go home." She alternated whistles and clicks with her tongue to

encourage him to find her.

"I told you, he's gone."

Startled, she looked in the direction his voice came from, but she saw no one.

Laughter echoed in the silence, sounding eerie, almost like Vincent Price at the end of

Thriller.

If Sir is dead, his body would be here.

58

Banking on the hope that Jamaal wouldn't hurt a defenseless animal, she picked up her pace.

As she navigated the creek, water splashed over the tops of her boots. She ignored the

uncomfortable sloshing inside, focused only on seeing her horse waiting in the clearing.

He was nowhere in sight. Disappointed, she bent over, gripping her knees with her hands.

Sunset was a few hours away. She wasn't familiar enough with her property to make it home in

the dark.

"Jamaal." She waited for a reply, and then repeated his name when he didn't answer.

Frustration and worry pushed her to keep invoking his presence. "Just tell me whether you killed

my horse."

From the corner of her eye, she saw him cross the river, his steps sure on the rocky creek bed.

She faced him, waiting for an answer.

"No. I just had a little fun ... " He stood next to her and fingered a lock of her hair.

In no mood for games, she jerked away. "Thank you for telling me. Now, if you don't mind,

I need to find my horse and get home before its pitch black out here."

A thoughtful expression filled his dark eyes. "He's not far." He pointed north. "There's a

raspberry patch ahead. Your horse likes sweets."

"Good to know. Thank you." Turning on her heel, Neha had every intention to bolt in that

direction.

"I used to be a blacksmith. Shoeing horses was a big part of my work."

Worry left her like air from an untied balloon. Of course he wouldn't hurt my horses. Still

she stomped off, now peeved at him for his parochial bullshit. After a few minutes of fast-paced

hiking, she spotted the coal-black gelding. Putting her fingers between her teeth, Neha released a

shrill whistle.

Sir glanced her way, and then walked in her direction.

Relieved, she glanced at the sky. The sun hung in the ten o'clock position. At least she'd

make it home before dark.

Horse and owner met thirty paces later. Sir huffed, giving Neha the distinct impression he

wondered what took her so long.

Without delay, she put her booted foot in the stirrup and mounted. "Let's go." She urged him

into a canter with a light kick of her heel.

During the ride home, she reflected on her encounters with Jamaal. Looking over her

shoulders, she wondered where he'd gone.

In spite of the disconcerting stories the sheriff had told her, and what she'd learned in the

paper about the haunted farm she'd bought, she hadn't been afraid of Jamaal. Angry and shocked

for sure, but she never feared for her safety. Would he leave her alone or make himself an even

bigger nuisance now that they'd met? She couldn't deny having an intense curiosity about the

man.

Who killed you? What does it feel like to be dead? Who braids your hair? Jesus, Neha, he

isn't your typical new neighbor, is he? She let out a humorless chuckle.

Long shadows from the west signaled the day's end would arrive soon. In the distance, she

could make out the outline of the barn roof.

"Whew, we made it, Sir."

In the next instant, Sir balked and arched his back.

Surprised, she struggled to keep control of the massive steed beneath her. "Easy, Sir. Whoa!"

Strong arms wrapped around her waist.

59

Shrieking, she stiffened. She spoke through gritted teeth. "Get off. You're spooking my

horse. We're both going to be tossed on our asses. Yours won't break, but mine will!"

Jamaal sat bareback behind her. "Sir, gentle. Easy now."

The horse stopped prancing and shook its head in an equestrian version of what the fuck?

Though he resumed the journey back to the barn, his gait remained a little uneven. Neha

wondered if her clever horse was waiting for the right time to throw both of them.

Jamaal chuckled against her ear.

She could feel his chest rise and fall with each baritone note.

"See? No worries dear Neha."

His assurances had little effect on her.

He reached for the reins.

Frowning, she elbowed him in the ribs. "Knock it off. Sir has one master, and it's me."

"That's where you're wrong. You see, I've already ridden this horse several times. You're not

always around."

"Prick."

"That's no way to talk to me." He pulled the reins from her hands and pressed his body more

intimately against her, making her acutely aware of his strength and masculine scent.

What am I thinking? He isn't a guy, he's a ghost!

"Why do you ride such a huge horse? Why not pick a more amiable breed?"

"I'm not a child. I've been riding horses competitively all my life. I like the power of a horse

like this one. It's thrilling to feel him beneath me." She winced. Did I just say that?

"Perhaps you're one of those women who enjoy a powerful man between her thighs as well."

He ran his left hand over her leg to illustrate his point.

A rush of heat to the very spot he mentioned made Neha self-conscious. She brushed his

hand away, certain a rose-red blush covered her from head to foot.

"You're a very sexy woman. Don't be embarrassed."

"Did I say I was? Pardon me if I'm a little tongue-tied. It's not every day a woman gets

propositioned by someone from the netherworld."

He laughed again, a smug-sound that made her smile, despite her better judgment. Tightening

his grip around her waist, Jamaal leaned down and kissed beneath her left ear.

"Your pulse flutters like a scared bird. You have no idea the pleasure I can bring you."

Neha swore her breathing stopped. She swallowed hard.

"I saw the glint in your eyes when I mentioned using the crop on you." He moved his hand,

cupping her breast and tweaking her nipple.

Outrage and desire whipped through her. "You boorish son of a bitch. Get your hands off

me."

"I don't think so." He inhaled deeply through his nostrils, and sat a little straighter behind her.

"I think you and I are going to be very close, very soon."

Then he was gone.

Flustered, Neha let Sir gallop to the barn, arriving just as the sun sank below the tree line.

Once inside, she fed Rodeo an extra carrot to make up for their tardiness and then went back to

Sir.

As she groomed him, her mind wandered, touching on the day's surreal events. The small

clearing she'd found looked like a gravesite. If friends or family had taken care of the area, she

thought she'd have heard about that, or there would be some kind of path leading to and from the

place. She'd seen nothing of the sort, and could only assume Jamaal tended the patch himself.

60

She put away the curry comb, and selected a soft brush. The way Jamaal touched her, and

sensed her love to be dominated, made her body strum with need. Where is he now? Is he

watching? Can he hear my thoughts?

Sir stood patiently through her ministrations.

When she replaced the grooming tools afterward, Neha couldn't avoid seeing the crops and

whips hanging on the walls. She reached for a delicate-looking crop with a red and black

braided handle. She knew the pleasurable sting of this instrument on her flesh.

Long ago, an adventurous lover introduced her to the carnal pleasures of floggers. He'd been

very skilled, showing her how to work through the pain and appreciate the thrills a crop brought.

Salacious memories of their after-dark, clandestine meetings in the barn aroused her. She

recalled her spent body melting against his, only to be caught up in a storm of lust.

Her breath hissed through her teeth. Almost a year had passed since anyone had touched her

that way, aroused to those heights. By moving to this remote farm, she'd traded her desire for

domination for privacy. She raised the leather to her nose and inhaled. Sweat. Horses. Her

nipples pebbled. She wondered if she'd made the right choice.

Next, she studied the built-in cabinet. What would it feel like to be cuffed to the large brass

handles and spanked? What if he used a signal-whip afterward?

She could only imagine the incredible sensations that would create. She tapped the crop in

the palm of her hand, wanting to feel its sting in other places on her body.

Frustrated, Neha shook her head. She shouldn't have revisited those provocative memories

when she had no one to help satisfy them. Finding somebody in rural Minnesota who enjoyed

her kink didn't seem likely. Finding someone she could trust to play with seemed even less so.

She tried to ignore the throbbing between her thighs as she put the crop away and left the barn

for the night.

Maybe I'll have to make some discrete inquiries. A smile lifted her lips.

61

CHAPTER FOUR

After the long day she'd had, Neha felt like Pig Pen in his perpetual cloud of dust. She'd eaten

her leftover spaghetti dinner standing up, and left her clothes in a heap in the laundry room.

Now, water from the shower drizzled down her back. She leaned on one arm against the

opposite wall to let the warm stream relax her tired muscles. She'd expected to have some drama

today, but nothing like what happened. And the memories Jamaal stirred in her were impossible

to ignore.

Bracing on both arms, she widened her stance and assumed the frisk me pose. A deep moan

followed on the heels of a sigh. What she wouldn't give for a play partner tonight.

She let her imagination wander to a faceless man with large hands who would redden her ass

with stinging slaps. And then put out the fire on her heated skin with his lips until she begged

him to fuck her. Hard. Wild. Her pussy throbbed and swelled. She imagined hearing the sound

of his hips bucking against hers, her breath leaving her lungs in a gasp with each stroke of his

cock inside her.

She moved her hand down her stomach, lower to the tight, wet curls between her thighs.

Even if the shower hadn't been coursing over her, Neha knew her pussy would still be drenched

in her own slick wetness. Her breath hissed through her teeth as her fingers found her clit. Heat

and tension built as she spanked the sensitive spot.

"Fuck." The word left her lips more a sad sound than one of pleasure.

An imaginary finger moved down her spine, slow, steady, not pausing at the crease between

her ass cheeks.

She shifted her weight to give her fantasy lover better access to her sweet core.

"Eager are you?"

Jamaal's voice almost made her jump out of her skin. Covering herself with her hands, Neha

faced him.

"How did you get in here and what gives you the right?" She felt like her head was going to

explode with anger. "Get out! Now!"

"You don't want me to leave. Not really." His gaze, steady as his voice, seemed to look right

into her deepest thoughts. "Put your hands down, beautiful Neha. Let me see all of you, as you

see all of me."

Her face felt hot as a sweltering August day. She stared at the water droplets clinging to a

round scar on his chest. The rest of his body– toned, strong, ageless– was captured in her

peripheral vision. Though not fully erect, his cock held plenty of promise. Indecision filled her.

Could she touch him, let him touch her like having an erotic dream with her eyes open?

This is insane!

Cupping her chin, he commanded her to remove her hands.

Caught between confusion and desire, she stood there, dripping wet, staring back at him.

He made the decision for her by pulling her hands away.

And Neha didn't cover herself again. Her body trembled with need. "What do you want me

to do?"

"Tell me you want me."

Defiant, she raised her chin, meeting his intense gaze.

"Now." His tone left no question as to whether he meant business. When she didn't reply, he

grasped her by the shoulders and turned her around. "Put your hands against the wall."

62

Does he know what I truly need? Can he give it to me? Her heart pounded with the pleasure

of fear. She felt his finger move down her spine the same way he'd done before. She held her

breath in anticipation.

"You will obey me sooner the next time. I don't like uncooperative women." The last syllable

hadn't left his lips when Jamaal delivered a stinging blow to Neha's rear.

She squealed with surprise.

Another slap echoed off the shower walls, and another.

She raised her face to the shower, reveling in the sensations of pain, uncertainty, and growing

desire.

"I think you're enjoying yourself far too much." He reached next to her and twisted the faucet.

Freezing cold water landed on Neha's shoulders and back. Although her hands never left the

wall, she shrieked while stomping her feet like she was removing mud from them.

Jamaal spanked her again, harder this time. The smacks came in shorter intervals.

Neha's head spun. Icy heat covered her ass. "Don't stop. Please. I'm almost ... I'm almost

there."

"You aren't allowed to orgasm tonight." With that proclamation, Jamaal turned off the water.

He reached for a towel off the bar and put it over Neha's back. Then he took one for himself.

The blend of being cold and denied her release made her shiver. She drew the towel around

her shoulders, covertly watching Jamaal dry off. He still had an erection. She nibbled the corner

of her lip.

Should I?

He must have felt the heat of her stare for he looked up at the moment. "What are you

thinking?"

"Why didn't you let me come? What's the big deal?"

He snorted. "You will become mine. I've waited years for a woman like you."

Standing taller, she drew back her shoulders. "What's that supposed to mean?"

"Don't play games. You love the pain." With lightning speed, he ripped the towel out of her

hands, pulled her against his body, and pushed his hand between her legs.

She could hardly breathe she wanted him so much. Her mind screamed for him to press a

finger or two inside her. A tiny whimper escaped her lips when his hand passed over her

sensitive clitoris.

"You will enjoy bending to my will. Come to me willingly, Neha." He pressed his fingers,

laden with her wetness on her lips. "I can't leave this farm. You might as well enjoy living in

our unique arrangement."

Her eyes widened with understanding. "How do I know you'll respect me?"

"If I didn't respect you, I'd have fucked you senseless ten minutes ago." He ran his long index

finger between her breasts. "Do as I ask, and I'll give you unending pleasure as long as you live

here."

Her nipples puckered; a new rush of wet heat pooled between her legs. She stared at him.

"What do you want me to do for you?"

A lazy grin spread across his full lips.

The sight captivated Neha. She wondered what it would feel like to kiss him, to have those

gorgeous lips play on her skin. She reached up and traced the outline of his upper lip with her

finger.

"Kiss me. Please."

"Master."

63

She considered the request. Though it seemed quite premature to refer to him this way,

without a doubt they were going to be together as long as she owned this farm. Something about

him put her at ease. Maybe it was the silkiness of his voice or the gentleness in his eyes. He'd

spanked her with authority, not malice. There was nothing stopping him from killing her or

harming her in another way.

"You've obviously not understood me."

She startled. "I have." She rested her hand on his chest. "Please understand this is a lot for

me to take in." She fingered the scar beneath her fingers.

He covered her hand with his. "Yes, that's from the bullet."

Tears stung her eyes. "I'm sorry."

"It's time for me to leave."

"No! Wait, I don't want you to go. We were just getting started."

"I'm never actually gone– just out of sight."

Irked, she raised her voice. "You came in here to tease the shit out of me, and then take off?

What's up with that?"

He seemed to consider her overwrought position. "I'll be a willing play partner, if you

acknowledge my role. I'm a dominant. Be my submissive, and I'll make your body sing with

pleasure."

"Just not tonight, right?"

He put his hands on his hips. Once again, calmness overtook his features, the exact

expression that wiped away any fear of him. "Show me you're willing." He ran his index finger

under her chin, down the slender column of her throat. "Wait for me."

"Wait?"

"Demonstrate your desires by withholding your release until I visit you here the next time."

Her cheeks flamed. "You mean I can't come until you tell me?"

A seductive grin curled his lips.

The sight made her pussy throb all over again. "How long will I have to wait?"

"A few days, perhaps a week."

Although intrigued by the challenge, she had to know her reward for abstinence. "How do I

know you'll make good on your promise, that you aren't a whip-wielding asshole on a power

trip?"

The muscle in his jaw flexed and relaxed.

She'd struck a nerve.

"You have my word. That's all I can give. No one who's lived here has ever enjoyed the taste

of the whip. Until you. Believe me, I'm not going to ruin my chances. If I wanted to terrorize

you, I've had plenty of opportunities already. You'll have to dig deep to find that magical place

called trust."

She narrowed her gaze, looking for any inkling that he was bullshitting her. "Maybe I will.

Maybe I won't. You won't really know."

Cocking his head to the side, he seemed to size her up. "You won't lie to me. You're a

woman who values integrity. I think if you fail my test you'll tell me the truth."

Neha hated that he could he peg her so easily.

Smiling, he stepped forward. After her towel slipped from his fingers, he took her in his

arms. "I want a taste of you before I leave."

Her heart hammered in her chest. She couldn't take her eyes off his beautiful lips. All

thoughts of his demands being unduly harsh left her.

64

He raised her chin with his crooked index finger. He neared, keeping his eyes open. Those

deep pools of chocolate locked with hers as their lips met in the softest of kisses.

She held her breath, wondering if that was it or there'd be more.

Jamaal paused and looked into her eyes. Something important seemed to be on his mind.

Then, he swooped in for another kiss. His lips twisted lightly on hers. A soft grunt left his throat

before he opened his jaw and teased her mouth open with his tongue.

Her body trembled with building desire. She clutched his waist, digging her fingernails into

the taut skin that covered his lean ribs. Though his flesh felt cool from their shower, his mouth

was warm, wet, and so inviting. She pressed hard against him, enjoying the sensations of his

growing arousal. She snaked her fingers to his nape, grabbing the short braids there to keep him

close.

Need coiled in her sex-starved body. In another minute I won't care what the hell he does to

me, as long as he doesn't stop.

He moved his strong hand along the curve of her hip and higher to her waist. Her flesh felt

alive, electrified wherever he touched.

Rational thought evaporated. She broke from the lip lock and trailed kisses along his

collarbone. The target clear in mind, Neha bent to kneel.

He reached under her arms and stopped her. "Not tonight."

"Jamaal..."

He forced her to stand. "I love the sound of my name on your lips, but that's all that'll be there

this evening."

In a bold move, she took his cock in her hand. Staring into his eyes, she spoke in a soft tone.

"You want me." She slid her palm over the tip. Silky pre-cum oozed onto the velvet-soft skin. "I

promise not to come until the next time we're together, but tonight– please. Master."

He let his head loll against his shoulders. "You are an enticing woman." He grasped her wrist

with enough pressure to make her let go. A smirk lifted the corner his lips. "But I'm not your

booty call. You're mine."

Neha laughed. "Fair enough. You ask for respect, you have to give it." She studied his cock.

"It's a terrible shame to waste that." She turned her head, looking back into his eyes. "If you

want to change your mind..."

He let out a humorless laugh. "I want a lot of things, but if there's one thing I've learned all

these years, it's to be patient."

Reality slapped her in the face. In the heat of the moment, she couldn't believe she forgot

what he really was. Now, taking a step back seemed like a good idea. She needed time to figure

out if she'd lost her marbles or landed in the most unusual, but lucky, situation in the world.

"You've grown pale, Neha. What's the matter? Are you afraid of me now?"

She shook her head. "No. Strangely, I never have been, but you've got to admit this is a

weird situation. You feel and respond one hundred-percent human."

He took her hand and kissed her knuckles. "When I'm with you, I am."

"How can that be?"

"The afterlife has a lot of tricks up its sleeve. Not all of us just go 'bump in the night.'"

"True. You mess with my horses, too."

His genuine, warm, laugh echoed off the bathroom walls.

Neha liked him more by the minute. "This is absolutely the strangest first date I've ever had."

65

He kissed her lightly. "You're never going to want anyone else after we're together. I

promise it'll be worth your wait. I'm going to leave you now. You'll see me. We'll talk and do

other things. But no sex until we're good and ready."

His image faded to nothingness.

If she didn't have two damp towels on the bathroom floor, she might have thought she'd

imagined the whole thing. But she hadn't.

On her short list of play partners, Jamaal was the only candidate. She hoped like hell she

could wear down his resistance. A week was too long to wait for a gorgeous Dom like him to

show up again.

66

CHAPTER FIVE

A few days later, Neha was in the barn, cleaning the stalls. Not her favorite job to acquire

since Rodeo and Sir moved in, but necessary. After pushing the mess onto her shavings fork, she

put it in the wheelbarrow. A warm breeze blew in the door, kicking up the already unpleasant

odor. Neha took a break.

Rodeo stood near the barn entrance as though waiting for her to come say hello. He nickered

and walked closer.

She nuzzled his soft nose. "You beautiful guy. Why are you such a wild thing? I'd ride you

more. How about I finish cleaning up and you and I go for a ride? Think you can behave

yourself for a little while?"

The chestnut Saddlebred nudged her arm.

"Ah, you don't care about the ride, you want a treat." Neha walked into the barn and chose a

few apples. They were cheap and easy to get in this part of the state right now. By the time she

returned to the pasture, Sir had come in, too.

She smiled, offering each horse a ripe Macintosh.

Snorting, Rodeo tossed his head.

She grasped his lead. "You want another one?" She gave each horse a small apple, and then

spoke to Rodeo again." I'm kind of tired of cleaning up after you. Maybe you should live up to

your official name– Double The Pleasure– and take me for a ride this afternoon."

By the time she finished her chores, Neha was really ready for a ride.

Sunshine lit up the early-autumn trees and temperatures were in the low seventies.

Perfect.

After trading her work boots for riding boots, Neha took Rodeo's bridle and went to get him.

She was shocked to see Jamaal on Rodeo's back.

A wicked grin played on his face. "Going somewhere?"

Rodeo was fickle about who and when he'd be ridden. Seeing Jamaal perched bareback up

there pricked her ire.

"What are you doing? Get off him."

Jamaal extended his hand to her. "Come for a ride with us."

Hands on her hips, she narrowed her gaze at him and couldn't believe her ears. "Since when

are you in charge?"

He shrugged. "I think I made that pretty clear the other night," Jamaal finished with a throaty

laugh.

"What if someone sees the two of us riding together? Won't that raise all kinds of questions I

won't be able to answer?"

"I've been here almost sixty-five years. I've got that one figured out. Now, put the bridle on

him and let's go."

Still peeved, Neha did as she was told. Leading Rodeo to the fence, she put her foot on the

lowest rail so she could mount the horse.

Jamaal spoke as though they were old friends. "Behave, Rodeo. Neha deserves a ride." He

patted the horse's elegant neck while giving his hand to Neha to steady her.

"Just tell me one thing."

"Hang on first."

When she was seated, Jamaal nudged Rodeo into a walk. "Now, what do you want to know?"

He slipped his arms around her waist, settling her in front of him.

67

"How did you do this? Rodeo takes a firm hand, much more so than Sir. You've got him

behaving like he's a birthday pony for hire."

His body shook with repressed laughter. "People who work with horses for a living, like I

used to, have to have a certain touch otherwise they'll be missing all their teeth and have broken

bones from the uncooperative types." He spoke softly into her ear. "And maybe he just prefers

men."

"Now that makes me feel a lot better. Talk about a sexist remark. I've been outdone by an

apparition." She wasn't ready to cave into his assessment. "I've been riding horses since I was

six, and I've owned Rodeo for eleven years. My father bought him as a gift for my eighteenth

birthday."

Jamaal urged the horse in an easterly direction at a little faster pace. "Well, he certainly is a

nicer gift than a sports car. But, I suppose a family like yours has money to give exotic gifts like

this."

"If you must know, we rescued him from being put down."

He stiffened. "I apologize for misjudging the situation. For whatever reason, both of your

horses like me. I guess that's a good thing, since I'm not going anywhere. And, it doesn't hurt

that in human terms, I'm over ninety-five years old. I've had some free time to learn a few

tricks." He directed Rodeo to the sloping eastern edge of the property, away from the long

driveway and the potential for visitors to spy on them.

"Why did you give the other owners of this farm such grief?"

"I thought they were assholes. They were rolling in dough and couldn't spend it fast enough.

I hate people like that."

"How do you know I'm not going to turn out the same way? Obviously I come from wealth."

"You wouldn't muck your own barn or keep to yourself. You would have thrown a huge

party out here to show off your newest possession. You wouldn't have hired a local guy to take

care of the mowing and property maintenance. You'd have brought in a fancy service. And you

wouldn't have rescued abandoned cats from the local shelter to live in the barn."

She heard him snort with disdain.

"The last family had some special breed of mouser with little bells on their collars. A mobile

vet and grooming service came out to take care of them. The ridiculousness of their behavior

made me sick to my stomach. I can't stand being around people like that. They were intruding

on my space. Tromping on my values. They had to go."

She understood his repugnance toward the privileged. Perhaps his feelings weren't one

hundred-percent misguided. She could only guess what his life had been like before...

"I'll make sure the cats get seen by the vet when he or she comes out for the horses."

"There's nothing wrong with that, Neha. But the day the poochie parlor on wheels shows up

is the day I'm going to make your life miserable." Shifting forward, he made eye contact. "It's

your choice."

"I'm not clearing my decisions with you. That's ludicrous, Jamaal, and I don't like

ultimatums."

"Respect me and what I stand for. That's all I ask."

The perfect answer. "Ditto." She relaxed, letting her body rest quite intimately against his.

He smelled like fresh hay and cold water– a clean, natural scent. She had to ask a burning

question. "Do ghosts bathe? You smell good."

He chuckled. "I don't need to. This is how I'll always look and feel to you. I'll never

change."

68

"Must be nice."

"Speaking of change, why is a city girl like you living out here? I can appreciate wanting

some space for your horses, but you had that in Minneapolis."

She thought a moment about how much to divulge. She'd become sort of roommates with a

ghost.

"Neha?" He whispered into her ear. "Answer me."

"I crave privacy."

"Tell me something I don't know."

The demand made her stew. "I'm the wild child in the family."

"Living here is an adult form of time-out?"

His soft chuckle infuriated her. She twisted toward him. "If you must know–"

His expression became serious. "You know I do."

"My private life doesn't agree with my family's perspectives on the way their daughter ought

to live. I was constantly worried the circle of trust with my play partners would be broken, or

someone would see a bruise and get in my business. God help me if I ever wanted to wear a

collar."

"Weren't you giving up all of that to live here?"

A smile raised the corner of her mouth. "I thought I was."

His hold tightened on her waist.

A pheasant took flight ten yards ahead of them. The rooster's brilliant-colored feathers

appeared iridescent in the afternoon sunshine.

Jamaal moved his thumb up and down her forearm, and every now and then he nuzzled her

temple with his cheek.

Neha shoved away the surreal aspects of her situation. She let him hold her as a lover might,

instead of a riding partner.

"Have you been behaving yourself, Neha?"

"Hmm? Behaving myself?"

He cupped her breast, drawing her snug against his chest.

Startled by the familiar way he touched her, Neha stiffened, but didn't try to break from his

hold.

His breath fell warmly on her ear when he whispered into it. "Are you waiting for me the way

I asked?"

"Oh, that." She twisted so she could look into his eyes. "Yes."

A pleased smile graced his features. Jamaal gave her a gentle kiss on the lips. "I was hoping

that would be your answer. Let's stop for a while." He pointed to his left. "The stream cuts

through here."

"I haven't been over here yet. Does this go into Lake Eva?"

"Yes, it does." After handing her the reins, he dismounted and reached up for Neha. He set

her on the ground with little effort, it seemed. And he didn't let go of her waist afterward.

Excitement bubbled up in her chest. Would he give in? Had Jamaal decided they'd waited

long enough, even though it had only been three days? She waited in silence, soaking in the

beauty of his eyes and lush mouth.

"I have something for you?"

His remark surprised her and she smiled with anticipation. "I love surprises ... if they're good

ones."

69

"I hope you'll think so." He reached behind him and produced a narrow, braided collar. He

met her gaze. "I take this venture seriously. If you do, too, then I'd like you to wear my collar."

She drew her eyebrows together. "A training collar?"

"No, a collar of consideration. If you want to explore being my sub, then I expect you to wear

this. I made it for you." He looked away, as though embarrassed. "Actually, I made it a very

long time ago, and I've been waiting for you."

His tender admission made her heart thump. She'd thought of him countless times since they

were together in her shower. Whether it was ludicrous to even consider such a relationship was a

question she couldn't definitively answer. He'd treated her with respect so far, and his affect on

her sexually was deniable.

She took the handcrafted symbol of commitment and examined the simple, neat stitches

around the small buckle. Suddenly, being his submissive didn't seem like such a crazy idea. She

was alone, and his proposition seemed perfect except for one thing. Uneasy, she raised her chin

until she looked him in the eyes.

"What if I meet someone ... I mean someone human?"

He squared his shoulders. "He or she will have to share you with me."

Neha snorted. "This is complicated already, isn't it?"

"You can move away. That will end things as well."

The hollow tone in his voice sent shivers through her. "You won't follow me?"

"I can't. I thought you understood that I cannot leave this farm. At least not until my murder

is solved."

A vision flittered through her mind of him standing on the property line as she drove away. A

cloud of dust blurred his reflection in her rear view mirror. Loneliness settled on her heart.

She'd always wanted a relationship like this, and it seemed so had he. Neha handed the collar

back to him.

Jamaal's jaw tensed.

"Will you put it on me, Master?" She turned around and held her long tresses to the side.

With swift fingers, he fastened the buckle to a comfortable tightness.

She touched the small horseshoe that adorned the piece.

He pressed his lips along the curve of her shoulder. "You won't regret this, Neha."

His bedroom husky voice fired her libido. She stood still, letting him kiss and touch her at

will until every nerve in her body tingled.

"May I turn around?"

"No." He pushed aside her shirt collar and nibbled up and down her neck some more. "I love

your hair. Black ringlets. Gorgeous."

Her nipples pebbled. Her panties became damp. His lips felt like the scorching branding

irons he'd once used in his trade. When he put his hand between her thighs, Neha's knees

buckled. She let her head rest against his chest. Squeezing her eyes shut, she fought against a

powerful desire to take his hand and put it inside the tight jeans she wore.

"Your skin tastes like honey. Sweet, fresh."

She couldn't reply right away. Logical thought escaped her. Neha cleared her throat. "I'm

glad you approve."

Jamaal applied more pressure to her mons.

Neha widened her stance a little bit, hoping he would get the message she wasn't allowed to

voice. She turned her head, giving him better access to her neck.

70

He brushed his warm tongue along the curve of her neck and up to her ear. "Anxious, are

we?"

She nodded. "You know I am. Undress me. Let me make love to you right here, right now."

Jamaal took her hand. "Come with me."

She followed him through the thicket without question. On the other side, the stream rushed

willy-nilly over the rocks.

He lifted the hem of her shirt, drawing it over her head.

Gooseflesh rose on every inch of her body as cooler air, sunshine, and his gaze caressed her

skin.

Without a word, he unclasped her bra, then pulled it off with deliberate slowness.

She stood proudly in front of him, waiting for a clue about what she should do next.

He unbuttoned her jeans, and pushed them and her panties down her thighs. Stooping, he

pulled off her boots and then the denim. His face was close enough to her pussy to taste her.

Neha chanted in silence. Touch me. Taste me. I want you so badly.

"You smell like a woman who's hot and ready for a man. Are you, Neha?"

The reply left her lips without hesitation. "Yes."

"Get into the stream."

"What?"

"I'm not going to make love to you yet. You are obviously all sexed up, so get into the water

and cool down."

Neha blanched at the command. The usual whiny comments about it being cold and having

no towel wouldn't bode well. She touched the collar around her neck.

"That's right. Get in."

She looked around, assuring herself they were alone. Clinging to the tall grass along the

shore, Neha worked her way down the gentle incline. The stream gurgled as though laughing at

her.

This is going to be fucking freezing. When the frigid water contacted her skin, she shrieked.

The next instant she looked backward at Jamaal.

A stern expression told her he wasn't going to recant.

"It's not deep enough to swim." That sounded like a plea if I ever heard one.

"Then sit down."

She inched her way into the water, steeling herself against the ultimate reaction. Her breaths

left her mouth in huffs, sounding much like a dog panting. "Oh, god. Oh. My. God!"

She dunked into the stream as far as she could and shot back out of the water. Trembling

violently, Neha covered herself with her arms, and begged to come out.

Jamaal nodded and stepped forward, offering her a hand.

She climbed up, making the grass slippery underfoot.

After unbuttoning his shirt, he drew her into an embrace, covered her with the fabric, and let

his body heat warm her.

Shivering against him made her feel foolish as a child. In the back of her mind, she knew he

wanted her to feel this way – to obey, trust, and rely on him.

When she warmed up, he raised her chin with the knuckle of his left index finger. "Get

dressed. We're going home now."

Neha wasn't surprised.

71

With a gentle hand, Jamaal helped her get dressed. When the last button was fastened, he

took her in his arms. He clenched his fingers in her long tresses while he kissed her, showing her

how hungry he was for her.

This had been a test of his will, too.

He broke from the kiss, his lips wet.

"You're bewitching. You made waiting all these years almost worthwhile."

Tears blurred her vision. "I don't think anyone has ever said anything so wonderful to me.

Thank you."

"We'd better get moving." Holding her hand, he led the way back to Rodeo. "Here we are,

beautiful guy." He petted the horse's elegant nose. "You ready to go home?"

Rodeo shook his head.

Jamaal used a soothing voice as he took the reins. "Nice and easy now."

The power and grace he used to mount the horse without stirrups floored Neha. "How did

you do that?"

He smirked at her. "Superman isn't the only one that can leap tall buildings in a single

bound." He held his hand to her. "Face forward, hang onto my forearm, and let me do the

lifting."

He clasped her right forearm. "Ready?"

"Should I hop a little or something?"

He chuckled at her. "If you think hopping up will help, be my guest."

Heat filled her face. Now, she really felt like an idiot. "Just help me up, please." Not really

sure what to expect, she bent at the knees, but refrained from leaping at him.

He leaned over and put his other hand under her left arm. "Steady, Rodeo. Here we go." As

though she weighed nothing, he lifted her onto the gelding.

Rodeo shifted his weight.

With a nudge of Jamaal's heel in the horse's flank, the trio headed back to the farm.

"Should I ask how you did that?"

He snorted. "I have plenty of downtime to work on my upper body strength."

"Funny guy. Can you do anything else?"

"Like ballet?"

She giggled. "Do you have any other supernatural powers?"

"Yes. Obviously I have the ability to move around unseen. I can hear things from miles away

if I want to. You've already noticed that I can feel, sound, and behave like a human." He nuzzled

her neck. "That becomes handy at certain times."

She felt a girlish smile fill her face. "It does, does it?"

"I told you before, I won't disappoint you. Whether it's the leather on your backside or my

cock buried deep inside you, I promise, sweet Neha, you've never had a play partner or lover like

me. And you never will again."

Those words sent a shock of decadent pleasure right through her. Leaning back against his

strong body, Neha looked forward to getting to know everything about her new Master. A

question popped into her mind. She rubbed her forehead, feeling timid all of a sudden.

"What's the matter?"

"I know what you said about me finding someone else."

"Yes?"

"What if you grow tired of me? You'll never age or change, but I certainly will. What then?"

72

He held her tighter. "You're mine, Neha. I'll always desire you, always care for you.

Remember, my soul is old even though my body looks young."

Somehow that comforted her.

They rode mostly in silence back to the barn. While Jamaal unlatched the pasture gate, Neha

spotted a car coming up the driveway.

"Oh, Christ, that's my lawyer. You have to get out of here. Now!"

"What do you expect me to do? Evaporate like the silly woman in I Dream of Jeanie?"

"Don't be ridiculous. He's my lawyer. How will I explain the handsome black dude I'm

riding with today? Tell him you weren't really here, and he needs glasses?"

The car came to a stop in the parking area created for deliveries and trailers. Inside, Stephan

Gelfans peered at them.

Her stomach dropped. "Jamaal, really, you have to get lost. Right. Now."

"Okay. Take the reins." Jamaal slid off Rodeo.

She glanced backward to see him walking into the barn. That was not what I had in mind!

Stephan got out of the car, and squinted at her while loosening his tie.

Her mouth felt dry as starched linen.

"Neha, since when have you taken up bareback riding?"

"Hello, Stephan. What brings you out here?" Needing a minute to collect her thoughts, she

directed Rodeo into the barn.

Jamaal was waiting.

Her eyes widened with panic.

Smooth as could be, he reached up and took the horse's reins. "Let me help you down."

Apparently, he has a plan. "Thank you."

He grasped her around the waist and when her feet hit the ground, he spoke for her ears only.

"Follow my lead."

She nodded imperceptibly.

Stephan joined them in the barn, and extended his hand, to Jamaal. "I'm Neha's family

lawyer, Stephan Gelfans, and you are?"

"Jay Coop."

Neha almost giggled at the answer.

"I'm helping Ms. Thompson tame Double The Pleasure, aka Rodeo."

Stephen scrutinized Jamaal as though looking for holes in his story. He turned his attention to

Neha. "Is that so?"

She shrugged. "Now that both horses live on the farm with me, it seemed like a good time to

see if I could get this beast to behave more. Jam – I mean Jay – has a wonderful way with horses

and we've made a lot of progress." She hoped her misstep wouldn't be noted. "You didn't answer

my earlier question. What brings you all the way out here?"

He shooed a fly away from his head. "Maybe we can go in the house to discuss this

privately."

"I should take care of Rodeo first. We can talk in here. Jay, would you excuse us?"

"Sure thing, I'll let Sir out to stretch his legs."

"Thanks. I'll be right back, too, Stephen. I need to get the grooming tools." She returned with

a curry brush. "Okay, what's up?"

"Did you run a background check on this Mr. Coop? You ought to know better than to bring

in somebody who hasn't been vetted."

73

Neha hated his parental, intrusive questions. "He came well-recommended from the owners

of the local feed store." Neha hoped she could lie her way through the interrogation. "Is that

all?"

"Of course not. I want to know if you were ready to rescind your purchase of the farm." He

stared at her with watery-blue eyes.

Neha had forgotten all about the legal matter once she'd met Jamaal.

"Is there something wrong, Neha?"

"No, not at all. I've been busy here, and nothing else has happened. So, I guess it sort of

slipped my mind."

He looked over her shoulder in the direction Jamaal had gone. "That's probably what the

perpetrator wants you to think. Let down your guard and then cause even more trouble." He

opened his briefcase. "I have the papers right here. You'll have thirty days to vacate the

premises, and put this mistake behind you."

Her hackles rose. The arrogant son of a bitch never failed to treat her like a child. She kept

her tone cool. "Why don't you leave the documents with me? If something else happens, I'll

sign them." She picked up the comb once more, intending to straighten Rodeo's mane. "I've

really come to like this place. I spent the day exploring my land–"

Stephen glared at her. Anyone with an IQ higher than a hammer could tell he was pissed.

"You mean you and that bald-headed horse whisperer have something going on, right?" He

flicked the horseshoe on her collar with his index finger.

Her temper rising fast, Neha took a step backward. "Watch what you say, Stephen. You

work for the family, but I am an adult and won't put up with your overbearing bullshit."

"I know what that collar means. I thought when you moved out here you'd put those

ridiculous behaviors behind you. How long do you expect us to keep your weird proclivities out

of the public eye? Your father deserves better."

His guilt trips had lost their effect on Neha years ago. "What I choose to do in my private life

is my business. I respect my father's role in society, and will never do anything intentionally to

harm his reputation. But I make the decisions about my life, and whether they include Jam – Jay

is not your concern."

"When it's all over the gossip columns, your choices become my concern. In case you've

forgotten, it's an election year. You're expected to be at the fundraiser in three weeks. Don't be

wearing that piece of cowhide around your neck, or I'll personally cut it off."

She slammed the comb down on the bench. "Get out, and get off my property."

"It's time you grew up, Neha. These games you play with whips and handcuffs are not the

ones a mature, levelheaded woman plays."

Seething, she stepped closer to him. "And you know that because you're a levelheaded

mature adult who doesn't play games. You're a fucking joke. I know all about the romps you

enjoy behind your wife's back every chance you get."

His eyes turned glacier-blue.

"Traveling with my father and riding his coattails has brought you celebrity status, and all the

women you want." She crooked an eyebrow at him. "And maybe a few men, too?"

"Don't be disgusting."

"I know more than you think. Your sexcapades, oh hell let's just say what they really are,

your love of orgies is a closely-guarded secret in our camp." She raised her chin, feeling very

much in control. "A bunch of top shelf booze, some beautiful people to party with, and viola."

74

She snapped her fingers. "I wonder what would happen if one of the soldiers broke rank,

anonymously of course, but with proof of your wayward ways."

His lips curled in a sneer. "You wouldn't."

"Don't push me. Don't ever tell me how to live my life again. If I want to be someone's

submissive, I will. At least my Dom treats me with respect and consideration. You treat the men

and women you fuck like slurpees. When the cup is empty, you toss it away. Fuck you,

Stephen. I've waited forever to tell you that. Now get out before I call my father to enlighten

him."

Red spots dotted his cheeks. If it were possible, she knew steam would be coming out of his

nostrils. With his posture rigid as a steel I-beam, he left the barn.

When she heard the car door slam, Neha finally let out her breath. Leaning on her hands, she

laughed. It felt so good to finally put that son of a bitch in his place.

"Jamaal? Are you still here?" After she called for him a few more times and he still didn't

reply, Neha finished grooming Rodeo and put him in his stall.

She walked outside the barn. Sir grazed in the pasture, alone.

I wonder where Jamaal went.

She got her black beauty back in his stall, fed both horses, and went inside for the evening.

Jamaal's mysterious absence puzzled her, but there wasn't a thing she could do but wait.

75

CHAPTER SIX

The sounds of whinnying horses awakened Neha. Concerned, she flipped off her covers and

looked outside. Lights shone through the barn windows.

"What the hell?"

She dressed in a pair of jeans and a sweatshirt. Cautious about the potential for trouble, she

stopped in the kitchen and turned on the barn monitors. The stall doors were open and just like

the last time, the horses were gone. Their halters lay on the floor along with other tools and

equipment. The place looked ransacked. She noticed a shadow on the floor.

Jamaal? In the back of her mind, she didn't believe the person in the barn was him. Why

would he harass my horses? Neha picked up the phone. If Jamaal was behind this, that was a

breach of their agreement to live in peace.

A person wearing a brown hoodie and jeans came partially into view. Squinting at the screen,

she tried to identify the prowler. When he disappeared from sight, she dialed the sheriff's phone

number and explained her situation.

"We have someone in the area, Ms. Thompson," said the dispatcher.

The dispatcher's confident tone took the edge of Neha's anxiety. "I'll unlock the gate."

"Can you do that without leaving the house? We don't advise you to go outside."

"Yes, I'll open it now."

"Make sure your doors are locked and keep watching the monitors. Report anything else you

see to me so I can relay it to the officers."

"I hope he hurries. I just saw the guy run through the barn door. The floodlights came on in

my driveway. He's run out of my camera's view."

"Ma'am, the officer is at your gate. Stay inside."

Neha fretted about her horses. "If that bastard hurt them, there'll be hell to pay."

The dispatcher asked, "What did you say, Ms. Thompson?"

"I'm sorry, I was thinking about loud. I hope this person hasn't hurt my horses. Is there any

news from the deputy?"

"He's out of his vehicle in pursuit of a suspect."

"Holy shit. I mean, I hope he's caught."

"Yes, ma'am. I'm going to hang up now. The officer won't leave your property without

reporting to you. If something else should happen in the meantime, please call us back. Stay

inside with the doors locked until the deputy comes to talk to you."

"Okay, thanks."

Neha paced her kitchen floor, watching the monitors, and hoping for a glimpse of her horses.

"At least I know Jamaal wasn't behind this."

"No, I wasn't."

His voice made her jump. "Christ, you almost gave me a heart attack." Neha hugged him.

"I'm glad you're here. Do you know who was in the barn?"

"Who else has access to your gate and property?"

Her eyes widened with disbelief. "He wouldn't."

Jamaal gave her that no-I'm-not-kidding look. "You pissed off Stephan pretty badly this

afternoon. Guess he thought this would be the surefire way to get you to do what he wanted."

"Idiot. Do you know if the cops caught him?"

"He was giving them a run for their money, but even if he gets out of the woods, his car is on

the side road. I'm sure they've already run his plates."

76

Her shoulders slumped. "What a fool. He's ruined his career because he couldn't make me

cave into his whims." She shook her head. "Wait until my father finds out. He's going to have a

stroke. The election is only a few weeks away."

Jamaal rubbed her arms as though warming her. "Nobody forced his hand. You asked for his

respect, and he owed you as much."

A rap on the front door interrupted their conversation.

"I'm going to stay out of sight. I'll be back later."

"Okay." Neha walked to the front door.

A deputy stood outside under the porch light. "Ms. Thompson?"

"Yes, officer, please come inside." She held the door open for him to pass.

"Thank you. I'm Deputy Larson."

She shook his hand. "Did you catch the guy?"

"We haven't yet. He took off through the woods. Did you get a good look at him on your

surveillance cameras?"

Knowing her information would change Stephen's life permanently, Neha took a deep breath

before telling the deputy about their argument earlier today.

"Are you sure it was him in the barn tonight?"

"I didn't see his face, but I've known Stephen most of my life. I recognize his shape. I also

got a tip that his car was parked on County Road 9. He must have hiked through the woods from

there to my place. He drives a Chrysler 300 that's kind of bronze-colored. It's pretty new.

Duty Larson relayed the information to a dispatcher.

The radio squawked and the dispatcher replied, "Ten-four. We'll look for the car, and put out

an APB for Mr. Stephan Gelfans as a person of interest."

When the deputy finished talking to the dispatcher, Neha offered him one last bit of

information. "Our disagreement was documented on the barn cameras. I'm not ready to turn all

of that over to the police. When you find Stephen, I want to talk to him first."

The deputy took notes as she spoke. "Are you willing to press charges?"

"Let's see what he has to say for himself. He had reasons for doing this that aren't criminally

motivated. They're emotional, egotistical."

Officer Larson closed his notepad. "We'll call you if we find him. Seems as though his

behavior is pretty erratic. Keep the doors locked and stay inside. We'll be in the area. Don't

hesitate to call us again if you need us or have new information."

"I need to go outside to tend my horses."

"Is there someone you can call to help you? I can't wait around."

She nodded. "I have a guy who's been working with me. He doesn't live far from here. I'll

contact him."

"Okay. Goodnight."

Neha closed and locked the door behind Deputy Larson. She didn't expect Stephen show up

again tonight. That would be beyond bold. And stupid.

"Is he gone?"

She jumped. "Okay, we have to have a rule here. No sneaking up on me."

"Sorry, I'm not used to having manners anymore."

She motioned to Jamaal. "Stay out of sight until the cop is gone." Watching out the window,

she waited until the patrol car left the parking area and headed back up the driveway. "Okay,

we're in the clear."

77

After tugging on her boots, Neha and Jamaal went to the barn. Every light in the building was

on. She surveyed the destruction with disbelief. Just about anything that could be tipped over,

dumped out, or strewn on the floor had been.

"That rotten fucktard."

Jamaal snorted. Just once.

She glared at him.

The mirth disappeared from his face. "Sorry. We'll get this cleaned up after we get the horses

back inside." He went to the cabinet where the flashlights were usually stored. "Did you move

them?"

She looked around. Two large flashlights lay on the floor in the tack room, their lenses

splintered. "They're useless. I'd better go back in the house and get some more."

"I'm going out in the pasture." He gave her a meaningful glance while scooping up the halters.

"I know this place like the back of my hand. I'll be fine. You come out when you find a

flashlight."

Neha flew through the basement, searching for something with more candlepower.

Where the hell are you? I know you're in here.

Finally she found what she was looking for in the utility room. She grabbed the large

flashlight and hurried back outside.

The bright lights from the barn messed up her night vision when she stepped into the pasture.

"Jamaal?"

"Straight ahead, Neha. I'm with Sir. Rodeo isn't cooperating."

She grumbled under her breath. "What a surprise."

* * * *

Stephen's tantrum infuriated Neha. Grain, ointments, soap, and anything else that could make

a stubborn mess had been glopped together. On her hands and knees, she scooped, scrubbed,

rinsed, and repeated until the textured, concrete floor was safe to walk on. Even barn mice

would complain about the poor pickings.

"What a waste of money." She tied the last trash bag shut, and wiped her forehead with the

back of her gloved hand. "What a way to spend the night."

Jamaal shut the last drawer in the built-in chest. He held up four dripping brushes and sniffed

them. "I think it's shampoo and fungicide. You're going to have a hefty bill replacing this stuff,

and a boatload of work getting what's salvageable clean again."

"Stephen's bank account is going to suffer. Please put everything that's broken in these bins

so I can make a complete list tomorrow."

The wheels on a fifty-gallon trash bin screeched as he shoved it toward her. "This one is full.

I don't know how you slept through this, Neha. He must have been banging around in here at

least a half hour."

She shrugged. "Probably best I didn't hear him or interfere. I can't imagine how pissed off he

must have been to do this. If I'd confronted him, who knows what he might have done to me."

He wagged a thumb over his shoulder. "The box in the corner is full of things that are

damaged or need to be cleaned up."

"Thank you. I appreciate the help. I could have done it myself, but ... hey wait a second,

what are you doing with that hose? I just got the floor clean."

"It's not for the floor, my sweet, it's for you." Jamaal aimed the hose at her and pulled the

trigger.

78

Neha ducked out of the way, avoided a full blast, but didn't come away unscathed. She shook

the water out of her hair. "What was that for?"

"I thought you looked pretty hot scrubbing the floor on your hands and knees." He fired

another round at her.

She didn't move. Thankfully it was warm, not cold water, hitting her square in the chest.

"Are you going to give me a bath, too?"

He stepped closer, wearing a serious expression. "Strip."

"May I shut the doors first? It's almost October, and the cops might be on the property."

"Be quick about it."

A shiver of anticipation shot through her as she secured the doors to the pasture and the yard.

Her gaze level, Neha re-entered the wash rack area.

Jamaal's barrel chest rose and fell with deep, even breaths. Dark eyes bored into her,

commanding her unwavering attention. She grabbed the hem of her hoodie and wiggled the wet

garment over her head. After tossing it aside, she did the same to her T-shirt. The unheated barn

should have made her break into shivers, but the anticipation of being with him provided all the

heat she needed.

He let loose another burst of water, drenching her jeans and shoes.

She leaned forward, then shifted her weight from one leg to the other to nudge the wet, skin-

tight denim down her legs. Water droplets clung to her skin, became cold, and made gooseflesh

rise all over her body. She stood proud and tall before him, wearing only her white panties and

bra.

"May I help you undress?"

"Only my shirt."

The brevity of his remark and the tone of his voice made Neha think he was mentally

preparing for something more than a hot romp in the barn. They hadn't discussed her favorite

kinks ... or his.

After freeing his white shirt from his slacks, Neha unbuttoned the fabric. With a measured

pace, she pushed the garment over his shoulders, and then gently pulled the sleeves over his

powerful hands. She kissed his knuckles after each sleeve had come off. She didn't let the shirt

fall to the floor or toss it aside. Instead, she hung it on a utility hook. She took his soft smile as

approval.

With her back in his arms, Jamaal asked, "You and I seemed to have rushed to this point.

What is your favorite fantasy?"

She crooked an eyebrow at him. "First and foremost, I don't feel like we rushed. And if we

did, I'm glad."

His chest rocked in a silent chuckle. "Answer my question."

"I think we're standing in it."

"You want to be bathed in the wash rack?" His expression inferred she was crazy.

Heat rose into her cheeks. She couldn't look him in the eye. "Do you know how to use a

flogger or a crop?"

He raised her chin with his fingers. "Yes."

The idea of revealing her fantasy made her stomach a little queasy. "I want you to use the

crop and the signal whip ... on me ... please."

He caressed the slope of her shoulder. "It would be my absolute pleasure." His voice sounded

like a purr.

79

Jamaal reached around her and unclasped her bra. Cupping her breasts, he rolled the

grapefruit-sized orbs in his hands, before taking an erect nub between his lips. Afterward, her

nipple popped wetly from his lips. A broad smile illustrated his pleasure. "Sweet."

He snapped the waistband of her panties. "These need to go."

She pushed the offending garment to her feet and stepped out of them.

Eying her up and down, his expression reflected his appreciation. "You are gorgeous. I'm

going to enjoy every inch of you."

When he held her again, his chest felt so warm, so powerful. Whether it was pent-up desire or

trust, Neha realized she had it bad for Jamaal though they barely knew each other.

"Come with me." He took her by the hand and asked her to stand in the middle of the area.

The textured concrete tickled her feet. She waited while he walked to the cabinet and took

out two leads. Excitement budded in her.

What is he up to?

"Hold out your hands."

Thinking he wanted to lash them together at the wrists, she held them in front of her.

He placed one lead under his arm and wrapped the other around her left wrist, securing it with

a knot. The clasp extended perhaps six inches beyond her fingertips. In silence, he repeated the

procedure with her other hand.

Understanding dawned on her when he walked to the corner of the room and released one of

the crossties used to control a horse during bathing. She couldn't contain her smile.

The glint in his eyes told her he was looking forward to this as well.

With one hand fastened, Jamaal retrieved the other tie and attached it to her free hand.

"Are you ready for this? Say the word and I'll let you go."

Her body quivered with eager anticipation. There was no way she'd stop now, or at least not

yet. "I'm more than ready." Bending forward a little, she rolled her hips. "Please punish me for

mouthing off."

He walked to the crosstie pulley, raising one then the other, subsequently lifting her arms until

they were outstretched above her head.

His footfalls echoed as he passed her. Dangerous lust smoldered in his eyes.

For the life of her, Neha couldn't relax. "What are you waiting for? Please..." The last word

fell from her lips in a whisper. The scent of her own perspiration reached her nostrils. Neha

squirmed against her restraints.

Jamaal ran his fingertip down her spine from her nape to the crease of her ass.

Ticklish, she arched her back.

His warm breath tickled her ear. "I have a special treat for you"

She couldn't see where he went, only listen for his footsteps. The room filled with empty

silence. A long minute passed. Panic set in.

What if the cops come back and find me this way? "Jamaal? You can't leave me here!

Jamaal!"

Sir's whinny came from his stall.

"I'm here. I wouldn't abandon you."

She released a long exhalation, and some of her anxiety. "You scared me."

"I didn't mean to." He stepped into view holding two floggers in one hand and a crop in the

other.

80

After setting a flogger and the crop down on the counter, he came over to her. The unusual

piece had a combination of black leather tails and soft, fluffy looking, pink tails. He brushed the

flogger down her outstretched arm, across her shoulder, and down her spine.

Unable to stop laughing, she wiggled against her restraints. "That tickles."

He slapped her with the pink and black creation. "And stings just a little bit."

She bit her lower lip. "Mmm, I could use a lot more sting."

As he drew the toy along her curves, he followed with his breath, sending wild, cool

sensations though her. Soon Neha was squirming and laughing hard.

Jamaal mixed things up by holding the leather pieces aside and only using the feathery pieces

on her. He also traced her ribs with his fingertips, eliciting raucous, breathless laughter from her.

He stopped as quickly as he started, and let three or four strikes with the leather fly against her

skin.

She gasped for air as the gales of laughter ended. "I've never ... I've never done ... that

before." Her chest heaved as she inhaled precious oxygen like a drowning person breaking the

water's surface.

"Did you enjoy it?"

"I think so. I'm not entirely sure." She panted for air. "I never expected being tickled could

be so intense."

"Ready for something a little more potent?"

She glanced over her shoulder, but couldn't see him. "Make it hurt. It's been months since

I've felt this way. I'm yours to play with."

Jamaal snapped the flogger next to her ear.

She flinched at the sound and hoped she was prepared for him. The first contact felt like a

sharp sting. Neha's breath hissed through her teeth.

"That felt good. Don't stop."

Jamaal laid into her with a rhythmic swinging motion, hitting hardest on her shoulders and

upper back, and more softly on her ass.

Light perspiration covered her. The cool temperatures in the barn contrasted with the heat

radiating off her back.

He walked in front of her, and brushed the tails over her breasts. He cupped one. "These are

gorgeous. The perfect size." A smile curled his lips as he tapped the leather lightly against her

sensitive flesh.

She closed her eyes, absorbing the joy of leather against her skin. "Stop teasing me."

With his teeth, Jamaal tugged the small horseshoe affixed to her collar. "Oh baby, I haven't

begun to tease you yet."

The last kernel of resistance popped inside Neha. She wanted to melt into his arms, let him

do whatever he wanted as long as he wanted. "I can't wait." Patience was never Neha's strong

suit.

The serious expression that seemed to define Jamaal appeared on his face. He nibbled her

lower lip, tempting her with his mouth and tongue.

Her arousal grew at a fevered pitch. She'd never experienced such delicious, unhurried

foreplay. "Are you going to make me wait all night? I need–"

Without warning, Jamaal lifted her onto his hips.

Wrapping her legs around him, she welcomed the chance to relax her arms and hold him tight.

"After I've flogged you, this is how I'm going to fuck you."

81

The passion in his eyes stole the breath from her lungs. She whimpered. "I'm not sure I can

wait much longer. My pussy is drenched; I'm on fire for you. You feel hot as a branding iron."

He laughed, deep and throaty. "And I'm hard as my tombstone. I'm going to enjoy coming all

over you."

Her pussy clenched. Drawing a deep breath seemed a chore with him so close. "Do it. Finish

me." She maintained an unwavering gaze so he'd know she meant every word. "Make me want

only you. Now, always, just the way you promised."

Jamaal set her down, and then ran his hands with torturous slowness down the length of her

arms, her sides.

She widened her stance. "Just a little taste. Please."

He dipped his hand between her legs. "I. Love. A. Wet. Woman." Twisting her hair in his

fist, Jamaal drew her head backward so she had to look at him. "And you are precisely that."

Smiling, he plunged two fingers in her, and then kissed her hard.

Rising on her toes, Neha moaned into his open mouth. She couldn't remember the last time

she'd felt so alive, so wanton.

Jamaal broke from the kiss, and brought his glistening fingers to his lips.

Mesmerized, she watched him extend his pink tongue to lick the digits like they were the most

decadent ice cream in the world.

"Oh, fuck." Her voice sounded like a squeaking mouse. A fresh rush of moisture pooled

between her legs.

With a snort of satisfaction, he walked behind her.

Eyes wide with anticipation, she waited. Shallow breaths left her lips at a rapid pace.

Jamaal threw the signal whip, filling the room with a loud crack each time.

Focusing, Neha gripped the leather straps around her hands and held on. The first lash landed

on her left hip and felt more like a painful scrape.

"Ahh."

As with the small flogger, Jamaal didn't waste any time finding his rhythm. The blows rained

down on her ass in varying degrees of intensity. He worked with skill, and his well-paced tempo

made it easier for her to enjoy the flogging. Long delays often threw her out of her zone. Too

fast, and she couldn't breathe and take in the experience.

"How are you doing?"

She hadn't been aware he walked up to her. "I'm not ready to stop yet."

"Your ass is the most beautiful shade of red, but I think you could use a cool-down."

She looked at him, curious about what he meant. A second later, ice-cold water drenched her

hips. She shrieked in surprise.

"It's freezing! Stop, Jamaal!"

"Focus on the sensations, Neha. Let the cold balance the heat in your skin."

She tried, but the splatter to other parts of her body made her crazy. "Turn down the pressure.

If you focus the spray better, I might be able to do that."

The faucet squeaked when he twisted it. A gentler stream of water washed over her back and

hips.

"Better?"

She nodded, not convinced at all this would be something she'd enjoy. He was teaching her

new things about self-control, and awakening her mind to new sensations. Neha struggled to

catalog everything she felt to discern whether it was pleasurable, painful, or just plain sucked.

He moved the water in a figure-eight pattern over her flesh.

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She imagined steam could rise from her body because of the contrasting temperatures. And

then she recognized another sensation similar to prickling from a pinwheel.

He leaned in so she could see his face. "What do you think now?"

"It's an interesting way to edge."

Jamaal let the hose fall to the floor. "Can you take any more? I'd still love to flay you with

the crop."

Strands of wet hair clung to her shoulders and chest. Neha caught her breath. "Will you do

something for me?"

He crossed his arms on his chest. "Name it."

"Do it naked. Let me watch you take off the rest of your clothes and prove to me that you

want me as much as I want you." She pulled against her restraints, standing taller. "Show me

that I'm the woman you've been waiting for."

Without breaking eye contact, Jamaal unbuttoned his jeans. The zipper made an inordinately

loud sound as he lowered the tab. His erection popped into view as soon as the zipper was down.

Her entire body seemed to flinch with desire, leaving her pussy to throb and become even

wetter – if that was possible.

A salacious grin covered his full lips. "Like what you see?"

She licked her lips while studying his hard dick. "Skip the crop. I want that now."

He bent over to untie his boots and take off his pants. Finished, he shoved the clothing and

shoes to the side with his foot. His erection jutted from his body, strong and proud as he came to

her.

She wanted to touch the sleek skin with her hands, take him in her mouth, lick the glistening

fluid off the tip. She struggled against her restraints.

"I can't wait any more. Fuck me. Now!"

He traced an imaginary line from her forearm to her nipple, and then pinched the erect nubbin

between his fingers.

An agonized whimper left her throat. "Don't make me wait. Please." She opened her eyes.

"Master."

Jamaal lifted her onto his hips exactly the way he'd promised.

Clutching his body with her arms and legs, she pleaded with him. "Please, Master, let me feel

you."

He reached between them and wet his cock in her pussy.

She rested her forehead in the crook of his shoulder, her shallow breath sounds filling her

ears.

He cried out as he entered her, guttural, primal. When his shaft rested all the way inside her,

he reached for her hair and kissed her with all the passion of a starving man. His whimpers

commingled with hers as their tongues played the game of lovers.

He wrapped his strong arms wrapped around her body, and held her in place as he began

thrusting.

"Have ... I ... convinced you ... yet?" He choked the words out between gulps for oxygen.

His chest became a pattern of bulging muscles.

The first throbs of an orgasm hit her within a few strokes, sending a wave of slick lube to

further ease his way.

"I've forgotten how glorious this feels." Wonderment filled his voice. "Neha, baby, you are

the whole package. I'm hooked." His hungry kiss proved how satisfied he was with her.

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The admission filled her with happiness. She moved harder with him, making her breath to

leave her body in sharp-sounding huffs.

Flexing backward, he held her tight around the waist and pounded into her body. Sweat

dripped down his face. Eyes clenched shut, he seemed completely lost in the experience.

Her orgasm built to a head. The ache she felt deep inside became hot, tight. She struggled to

relax, wanting to get the most from the thunderous sensations building in her. Gasping, she

released loud, monosyllabic sounds as an uncontrollable climax came nearer.

"Oh, fuck yeah, that's it. Right there, Jamaal." Pressing on his shoulders, she pumped hard.

The force of his cock made her cry out even more. Her pussy clenched and released. She held

her breath, couldn't move a muscle. She came hard and fast like a shot from a gun. Screaming-

hot waves of release made her shudder in his arms.

Jamaal almost had to pry her arms loose. "Let go, Neha. I need to ... "

His voice cut through her incoherent haze. She relaxed her death grip on his neck.

Jamaal reached down and pulled his cock out of her pussy. He rested it against his groin and

then pressed her body snug against his. As he rocked against her, their combined moisture

provided all the lubrication needed to bring him to orgasm.

Sensing how important this first time was to him, Neha flattened her body to his to maximize

every millimeter of contact.

His body stilled. Jamaal threw back his head and released a loud, extended wail. "Ahh." Hot,

thick cum spurted between them as his dick pulsed with release.

Neha kept moving up and down to stroke his penis with her torso. She planted kisses on his

sweaty face, amazed at the emotions she saw on his features and in his eyes. She'd done that to

him. Her heart swelled with pride.

His breathing sounded like he'd run a marathon. Jamaal supported her back with one hand

while he unfastened her hands with other. After, he set her gently on her feet and gazed at her

with a look at Neha could only describe as reverence.

A gamut of emotions unfurled in her breast, making it difficult to speak. Hot tears prickled

the corners of her eyes. She touched the collar on her neck.

Jamal wiped the sweat off his forehead with the back of his hand.

She cupped the sides of his face with her leather-bound hands. "This isn't a collar of

consideration anymore."

While tipping back his head, Jamaal narrowed his gaze at her. "No?"

Her lips curled in a smile. "Let's call it a training collar."

He laughed and held her close. Stroking her hair, he said, "This is the happiest I've been in a

very, very long time." He kissed her with the utmost tenderness. As they kissed, his cock

swelled against her stomach once more.

She laughed softly.

Questions filled his eyes. "What's so funny?"

Neha looked down. "Seems you're ready to play some more. We never did try out that crop."

"You're right, we didn't. What do you suggest?"

She reached between them and caressed his cock, still sticky with ejaculate. "Seems a shame

to let this go to waste."

A lazy grin curled his lips. "Are you suggesting what I think you are, my beautiful subbie?"

"Absolutely. I'd love a little cream on the crop."

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EPILOGUE

With the election just days away, Neha had flown and driven around Minnesota a number of

times to support her father's re-election. The campaign had gone into a brief tailspin once the

news of Stephen's departure was publicly announced. A family meeting with Stephen laid the

ground rules for his silence. They were unconditional. He'd left, tail between his legs. Last

Neha heard, he'd taken a job in Flagstaff.

Tonight, she stood in a crowded hotel ballroom in downtown Minneapolis, doing whatever

she could to advance her father's cause. Her feet ached and her fingers throbbed from

inconsiderate people who squeezed the ever loving shit out of her hand when they greeted her.

She spotted Jeff Toft, a celebrity reporter from LifeAmps. Likely Toft was hunting for dirt

about Stephen for his online newspaper. Hoping to avoid eye contact and questions she didn't

want to answer, she turned in the opposite direction.

"Neha! Hang on a minute."

Damn. There was no graceful way to escape. She pasted a pleasant smile on her face, and

turned around. "Hi, Jeff, how are you?"

"You haven't returned my calls."

A smirk lifted her lips. "I got your messages though."

A curious expression flittered in his eyes. "You know, I was going to ask you all kinds

questions about Stephen Gelfans' sudden departure from your father's staff."

"But, you've decided that's old news, and now you just want to wish Senator Thompson all the

best in the election. I'll let him know. Thank you." Neha hoped to end the conversation right

then and there.

"No." He drew out the word.

Her face grew warm under his perusal.

"I'd love to know all about the beautiful collar you're wearing. I'm dying to know who your

Master is." Jeff glanced around the room. "Is he or she here?"

She raised her eyebrows, not expecting this turn in the conversation. She fingered the delicate

horseshoe affixed to the leather. Jeff had a nose for bullshit. A spin doctor himself, lying to him

would be a mistake. Even if he "bought" her story, how difficult would it be to write a bunch of

speculation into his remarks about their conversation?

Feeling a bit cornered, Neha looked through the crowd. Friends and well-wishers surrounded

her father. Her mother stood next to him, smiling and conversing in a role she was born to play.

"Neha? Are you going to answer me?"

"I will, but after the election. I'm trusting you to not derail my father's campaign by creating

salacious gossip that doesn't pertain his job as a U.S. Senator."

"So, you're admitting there's truth to the collar question?"

She shook her head. "I'm not admitting anything. I'm agreeing to speak with you after the

election is over, and my father is celebrating his victory."

"How do I know you'll keep your word?"

"Listen, mutual trust is uncharted territory for both of us. You have my word. If you break

yours, I'll make your life uncomfortable. Are we clear?"

He snorted. "For a submissive, you're pretty bossy."

"I'll tell him you said so."

85

HUNTER'S BOUNTY

BONNI SANSOM

86

DEDICATION

I would like to dedicate this book to my editor Sascha Illyvich. Thanks for believing I could

write paranormal romance. I would also like to acknowledge my husband. Shannon, I love you

and thank you for supporting me.

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CHAPTER ONE

"Are you here alone, sweetness?"

"Do not call me sweetness." Lana Drake's fangs extended in a flash, but didn't seem to bother

the portly man sitting at the bar who'd had one too many. His eyes drooped and his breath

smelled of whiskey and something else that made her cringe. His yellowed teeth were all jagged

and his unkempt beard was sticking out all over the place.

"Can you do any tricks?" He took a sip from his glass.

"No I don't do tricks. I'm a vampire not a magician." She turned away from him and glanced

over the customers to the front door. If her client or potential client didn't show soon, she was

out of there. The evening was winding up and the southern California sun would be up soon.

"Can you turn into anything?" He finished the contents of his glass and slammed it on the

mahogany bar. He signaled for the bartender once again for the hundredth time. She definitely

wouldn't snack on him. She wouldn't be able to stand up if she did.

"Yes. I can turn into a bitch. Now quit asking me questions." Peering over at the door again,

a large dark figure entered the bar. His shoulders were almost as broad as the frame and the rest

of him was pretty impressive, too. Damn, she hoped this was her client.

As he approached her she caught the brilliant blue of his eyes. His angular, masculine face

was ruggedly handsome. In short the man was gorgeous. She wondered if he would taste as

good as he looked and her fangs extended even further. An all too familiar tingle settled in her

belly, making her wet between her thighs. Sex and biting went hand in hand.

He approached her, taking a seat on the stool beside her and brushing her thigh with his knee.

Her craving grew much stronger.

"Are you Lana Drake?" He extended his hand to her.

"Yes. I guess that makes you Devon Brody." She took his hand, immediately noticing his

steely grip and his unique smell. He wasn't human. She didn't know what he was, but definitely

not human.

"Let's get down to business shall we? My sister was taken three weeks ago and I hear you're

the best tracker. I don't care what your fee is, I'll double it. I just need her found."

"I don't want money, although it will cost us to track her, so I'm glad you're loaded, it'll make

it that much easier to pick up her trail."

"So you're taking the case?"

"I don't know yet. You haven't heard what my fee is." She hadn't wanted blood this much in a

long time. He smelled absolutely mouth-watering.

"Whatever it is, I'll pay it."

"I told you, sport, I don't want money. I want your blood. That's my price, take it or leave it."

He seemed to consider it for a moment. "All right, vampire, I'll pay your fee."

She nodded and brushed her leg against his, feeling the tingle from her head to her toes.

"Under one condition." She didn't like the sound of that. Conditions weren't part of the

bargain, but she was willing to listen to him.

"We play it my way, vamp. You feed when I want you to." He signaled for the bartender.

She scoffed. "It better be soon because I haven't eaten all day. I'll need to feed before we get

started and it's almost daylight, so I'll need to sleep, too." Sunlight wouldn't kill her, but it would

make her weak, so she would need her taste soon. "What are you?" He didn't stink like the

werewolves. He didn't have the eyes of a demon and the only scent she could make out was

understated cologne and his blood.

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"Don't worry about what I am. Why don't we just get started?"

* * * *

His blood would make her a lot stronger, faster and her libido would increase. He didn't mind

the last part. She was gorgeous for a vamp, her wide dark eyes and pouty lips were doing a

number on him and if she kept rubbing her leg against his, he might just throw her on the bar and

take her right there. This sassy little vampire called to the Dom in him.

The bartender approached, but Devon waved him off, he didn't want anything anymore except

her. There was something different about this vamp. She wasn't your typical bloodthirsty run of

the mill bloodsucker. Her scent was different and she didn't kill her prey. He had watched her

the night before, she'd glamour them, feed and leave them alive. "Let's get out of here and get

you fed."

"Sounds like a good plan to me, sport. I'll also need you to fill me in on all the details about

your sister." She brushed his thigh again, getting a low growl from him.

Devon stood, towering over her; she was a petite little thing to be so tough. Everyone he'd

asked told him she was the one he wanted. Well after meeting her, he did want her, in more

ways than one. "Lead the way." He held out his hand for her to go first.

"I have a pad not too far from here where we can crash and I'll be needin' a payment up front."

As she walked away he watched the sway of her ass, hoping that payment would include sex.

"I'll see to your needs." He followed along feeling almost protective of her. She sure didn't

seem like the badass she was made out to be, but he knew she was his last chance to find Zara.

He just hoped she was still alive.

The small house she called her pad wasn't much more than a hovel. The windows were

boarded up; there was graffiti all over the outside and when he entered, it didn't get much better.

A small yellow couch was the only furniture in the little den and the paint was chipping off the

walls. "You live here?" He couldn't imagine why she would want to.

"Yes, it's a safe house." She wandered off into another room as he scanned the area. There

was nothing safe about this house. He followed her into the other room she was already taking

her clothes off. She glanced up at him and smiled. "Don't get any ideas sport, I'm just getting

ready for bed, but I'll take that payment now."

"I already had ideas before you were half naked, but the view is much better than I had

imagined." Her creamy white skin almost glowed with the morning sun shining through the

cracks in the boarded window. Her slender legs were perfect. He could easily imagine them

wrapped around his waist as he thrust inside her. His cock stirred to life as her small perky

breasts were exposed. Her dusky rose nipples beaded as she slipped her shirt off and then were

covered just as fast when she pulled on her sleep shirt. It was white and hung just above her

knees. Only the thin shirt and her silky thong remained between them. He knew she was just as

turned on as he was.

Her arousal spiraled through the air around them.

His nostrils flared, taking in her sweet scent. She didn't smell like other vamps and she

certainly didn't act like one.

"Look just because you got a look doesn't mean you can touch. There isn't anywhere else for

me to change." She stepped toward him and her fangs dropped.

"Alright vamp, don't go crazy on me."

"I'm anything but crazy. I'll just take a sip, I promise." She got closer to him, fitting their

bodies together. "Bend down and let me have a taste." Her eyes went from brown to black and

she opened her mouth, showing her long white fangs.

89

"Is this going to hurt?" The look of those fangs was intimidating. He'd never been bitten by

another immortal before, and if it weren't for Zara he wouldn't be doing it now.

"Not if you relax and let me do it right." He bent down, exposing his neck to her. She licked

his neck and kissed it with feather light touches then pierced his skin.

"Mmm, this feels better than I thought it would." His cock thought so, too. He now had an

erection straining behind his zipper. Not exactly the most comfortable thing to have.

He had to touch her. He reached down to the hem of her shirt and pulled it up and began

massaging the globes of her ass. That's exactly where he wanted to be. He pictured himself

sinking into her, fucking her until they both couldn't move.

She slurped up the last of her taste and licked the puncture wounds closed. Her blood lust

faded, but not her desire to fuck. He could still feel it inside her. "What are you? I've never

tasted anything like you before." She stepped back out of his embrace, leaving him cold, taking

those perfect globes from his hands. Maybe he could get her back if he offered more blood.

"You didn't have to stop. I liked how it felt." He took a step toward her, almost hunting her,

but she moved away again from his grasp.

"Yes, I did have to stop. I told you I was just going to take a sip and I meant it. Besides it

makes me horny as hell and that we're not doing. I don't trust you, but now that I have tasted

you, we are connected. I will know what you feel from now on. Now go get on the couch, I

need to sleep.

He threw his thumb over his shoulder. "You want me to sleep on that?"

"I don't care what you do on it. Sleep, sit, whatever, it's up to you, but you won't be staying in

here with me." She lay down on the mattress and closed her eyes, leaving him standing there like

an ass.

Devon headed for the damn couch and huffed out a harsh breath. His cock was still hard as a

rock, wanting to take her in every which way possible. Her lying under him as he pumped into

her as hard as he could. He could clearly picture her perfect bow lips stretching around his cock

and her hand gently cupping his balls.

He sighed and pulled out his cell and arranged transportation for the two of them. All she had

was a motorcycle, and he damn sure wasn't riding bitch on that thing. He sat down on the ragged

little couch and closed his eyes, wanting to dream of a certain little vamp.

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CHAPTER TWO

Lana woke feeling better than she ever had in her undead life. She took a shower in the tiny

bathroom and went to find Devon. Not that it would be hard in the small house. She entered the

den and saw him pacing back and forth. "You ready to get started?"

"Yes, I didn't think you were ever going to wake up. We needed to be on the road hours ago."

He threw his hands up and glared at her.

She held her hand up halting his tirade. "Look, sport, we don't even know where we're going.

I need all the info on her that I can get. Where was she taken from? Who do you think would

take her? And most importantly, why would they take her?"

He frowned and sighed. "I don't know who took her, but she was taken from the sidewalk

right outside of our home. And I don't know why they wanted her. She's just a teenage girl."

"And where do you live?" She pulled back a rug and opened a small door in the floor.

"Atlanta." She handed him a gun in a shoulder harness and took out several more items.

"Here take this too. We don't know what we're dealing with so we need all the firepower we

can get." She handed him two silver grenades and a crossbow with silver tipped arrows.

"Do you think its vamps that have her?" He put the holstered gun on as she pulled out a

backpack and tossed it to him.

"If she tastes anything like you, you bet your ass its vamps. Still not gonna tell me what you

are?" She stood and closed the door, covering it back up with the carpet.

"It's not important what I am. Let's get out there and find her." The hard set of his jaw let her

know he was losing his patience.

"Alright sport, we're going, but we need to score us a car." She filled her pockets with as

many grenades as she could and stuffed a knife in her boot.

"Already taken care of. The truck is parked outside." He headed for the door and held it open

for her. The small gesture was foreign to her. Usually the way she entered or exited a door was

by force. Her force. As a hunter she didn't have many she could trust around her or call her

friend.

"Let's go, oh and I'm driving. Give me the keys, sport." He huffed, but pulled them out of his

pocket and handed them to her. She winked and headed for the truck.

He climbed inside the truck. "Why do you keep calling me sport? I have a name."

"I know, but sport fits you." Yeah, and calling you Devon, is way too personal. She turned

the key and the truck roared to life, lurching forward. "So we're headed where?"

"I'm going to use my sources for info. If there's anything going on out there my guy will

know about it."

"You're guy?" He turned and looked out the window.

Was that jealousy she sensed? "He's just a source for information that's all." She saw him

smile in the side mirror. Why in the hell would he be jealous? Knowing how he felt was a perk

of being a vampire. One of the many gifts a vampire gets. Only problem with that is you don't

know how to work them unless you have a guide. She never had such luck. She had to figure

things on her own.

"He better know something. I have to find her." He pounded the seat with his fist as he cursed

under his breath.

She pulled into the lot of her informant and turned the engine off. "Look, let me do all the

talking in there, okay. I don't want my clients to start getting murdered." She hopped out of the

truck. "Oh, and leave all your weapons here." She piled the grenades in the seat and checked her

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pockets for anything else. She didn't really want to take Devon in with her, but it would be just

as risky leaving him in the parking lot. The demon they were about to meet wasn't exactly

friendly and was known for violence, but he knew everything going on in the underworld.

"Ready, sport?"

"Yes, I'm ready. Let's get this over with."

* * * *

He was getting really tired of this "sport" crap. And he certainly didn't need protecting.

Nothing out there was as strong as he was. Granted a really powerful demon could give him a

run for his money, but he would still overtake him. He and his sister were possibly the only two

of his kind left. They walked toward what looked like an abandoned warehouse and entered a

black door with a warning sign on it. Warning for what, he wondered. "Where are we going?"

"You see that light over there? That door leads us to an underground club. This is where my

informant hangs out."

"Who is he? What is he?"

"His name is Max and he's a pretty powerful demon. I wouldn't want to face him in a fight.

I'm not even sure he can die." She pulled the door open and headed down a stairwell.

The faint thud of bass music and the smelly stench of werewolves and other vampires invaded

his nostrils. They were nothing like Lana, not like his vamp at all. They fed on the weak and

drug addicts, leaving corpses all over the place. This place was one of the worst havens he'd

ever been to. He wondered what in the hell his Lana was doing coming to a place like this. The

door at the bottom of the stairwell was being guarded by a hulk of a bouncer.

"Lana, what brings you here this time? Did you lose another bounty?" The bouncer laughed

and jerked his chin in Devon's direction. "Who's the newbie?" He looked him up and down.

"I've definitely never seen him down here before."

"He's my client. We're here to see Max. Is he available?" Lana inched toward the door and

signaled for him to do the same with the crook of her finger.

Shit! Is she scared?

He moved with her and the bouncer opened the door. "He is for you, Lana. Always, but you

might want to leave your client with me."

Devon stepped forward. "I go where she goes." He wrapped his arm around her waist and

followed her inside. The stench was overwhelming. There were humans on leashes, being held

by their vampire lovers. In a vamp-human relationship the vampire was always in charge.

Disgusted, he looked away, so he could concentrate on Lana. He could feel her emotions just

as she could his, but she didn't know that. He had the power to wipe this whole place off the

map and send them all to hell, but he restrained the beast inside.

"Where's Max?" Lana leaned in close so she could hear the bartender's answer.

The bartender pointed to a staircase. "He's up those stairs, in the office."

She turned to Devon. "You should probably wait outside while I talk to him." She made her

way weaving in and out of tables filled with creatures of the night and the humans that lusted for

them. It was all blood and sex with the vampires and the werewolves were no better. Maybe

because they ended up eating their prey.

He grabbed her arm and spun her around. "No way in hell am I letting you go in there alone.

I go where you go, remember?"

She nodded and climbed the stairs, paused and turned to face him. "He's not particularly

friendly and he has quite a temper, so please, let me do the talking."

He nodded, but didn't like it one damn bit. He was stronger than her and could, and should,

92

be protecting her, but he would give himself away if he tried. "Just get us the information we

need to find Zara."

"That's what we're here for. If there is anything happening in the underworld he knows about

it."

There was another bouncer at the top of the stairs, glaring at him, trying to intimidate him. "Is

he going to be a problem?"

"No. He shouldn't be. He knows me. I've been here quite a few times." The man opened the

door, letting her in, but stepped in front of Devon. His nostrils flared at her admission. He didn't

like the fact she'd been here before.

"I wouldn't do that if I were you." Devon stood chest to chest with the man, challenging him.

The smaller man stood back and let him through, sneering at him the whole way. Nobody would

separate him from Lana, not tonight. The beast inside was clawing to get out and the bouncer

was just giving him a reason. For his sanity's sake he would need to make love to his vamp very

soon.

"Go right in, but don't say I didn't warn you."

"I believe I will thank you." He sneered at him as he passed.

"Look sport, this is the only place I know of to find information. We'll see Max and get the

hell out of here." She led him down a dark hall to another door.

"Is this going to be him this time?" He was sick of door after door. He just wanted to get her

out of there and into a bed. Once he had her maybe he could get her off his mind and

concentrate on his sister, but something was drawing him to her. Something he'd never felt

before.

"Yes this is it. Now let me do all the talking." She pulled the heavy wooden door open and

they stepped inside.

The bastard had a smug smile on his face that Devon wanted to beat off of him. If he found

out Lana had been with him, he couldn't guarantee his reaction wouldn't be physical.

Max sat back in his oversized leather chair and folded his hands in his lap.

93

CHAPTER THREE

"Ah, Lana what brings you to my fine establishment tonight?" Max's gravelly voice grated

over her nerves. His body appeared as a shadow almost. The office was always dark, like

everything else surrounding Max.

"I need some information about a girl." She stepped closer, with Devon on her heel.

"Pity this isn't a social call. I rather enjoy those. Seems it's about time for us to get together

again."

"What the hell? You've been with this guy?" Devon was in her face, looking very angry and

she felt the sting of jealousy again. His emotions were overflowing so much she was practically

swimming in them. She'd never experienced such intense emotions before. Usually the

connection was more subtle, less invasive inside her, but with Devon she could almost feel his

heartbeat, the blood coursing through his veins and it was overwhelming her.

"Devon, that's none of your business." She looked around him to see a smiling Max. "And it

was a long time ago." Her blood boiled. She just wanted to get the info and get the hell out of

there, but the guys had to get into a pissing match. She pushed Devon aside, which was harder to

do than she thought it would be, and held Max's gaze. "Max, stop this. Just tell me what I need

to know and we'll be out of your hair." She inched closer to Max, but Devon grabbed her arm

and pulled her back. "Let me go."

"No. I don't want you anywhere near him." His grip tightened on her arm, making her jerk

back against him.

"Let me go. Do you want to find your sister or not?"

"Dammit!" He let her go and stood back. "Just make it quick."

"Thank you. I'll do what I can." Dammit, let me do my job.

"Do I need to give you two some privacy?" Max lit a cigar and sat back in his chair.

"Uh ... no." She glanced over her shoulder to Devon who was now leaning back against the

wall with his arms crossed over his chest. Now facing Max, she took a step closer to his desk. "I

need some information on a girl that's gone missing. Are there any signs out there?"

"I have heard something about a den that has new blood. Can't say exactly where they are.

Seems they move around a lot, but last I heard they were in Savannah, Georgia. I don't know if

you want to mess with that coven, they're a really nasty bunch. Maybe you should drop this case

and we can pick up where we left off." He winked at her and smiled.

Lana watched, stunned, as Devon jumped across the desk in a split second and had Max in a

choke hold against the wall. "Devon, let him go!"

"I won't let him have you. You're mine," he growled through his teeth. He held Max to the

wall with his feet dangling inches above the ground. Almost like he weighed nothing at all.

She'd never seen anything like it. Max was the toughest demon she knew and she knew some

really tough creatures of the night. You couldn't live in Los Angeles without knowing.

"Let me go." Max grabbed Devon's hand and tried to pry it off of him, to no avail. She was at

a loss for words. Even Max was scared and that's something she thought she'd never see. Now

she wanted to know what he was more than ever.

Devon let go and Max landed heavily on his feet. "Is that all the info you have for us? Some

coven has new blood, what does that mean?" His hand came back up to grab Max again.

Max held his hands up in mock surrender.

"It means that they have a new blood source. Probably your sister. Is she like you?" Lana felt

the overwhelming emotions again. His rage was filled with lust. You're mine? Where in the hell

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did that come from? She didn't belong to anyone. She'd always been a loner and always would

be. This was just another job, just another client. After it was over and his sister was safe, he

would be on his way and she would be on the hunt again with another bounty.

"Fuck!" Devon pounded his hand on the wall, leaving a nice size indentation.

"Well, is she? Because if she is, she's in a lot of trouble and we need to get out of here."

"Yes, you do need to get out of here. I'll see you later, Lana." Max sidestepped Devon and

left the office.

"Yes. She's like me. Exactly like me, but much weaker." He pinched the bridge of his nose.

"You think they're feeding on her?"

Lana touched his arm gently. "Yes, I do. I'm sorry, but we don't have much time to find her.

We need to get on the road if we want to make it to Savannah in the next two days. Afternoon

will be the only time we'll be able to go in and get her. The vampires will be sleeping and I'll be

weak, but you won't. It's going to be up to you to grab her and get out."

"Do you know anything about Savannah? Do you have any contacts there?" His eyes lost

their shine and the blue seemed darker, almost menacing.

"I have a few." If they're still around. She hadn't been to Georgia in a long time and the last

time hadn't been pleasant. She was after a werewolf that almost got the best of her. She'd bled

out too much from a bite to her midsection, but she wouldn't let that happen again.

"I won't lose her. She's just a teenage girl. I should have protected her better. I should have

done more." He shook his head and then dropped his head in his hands.

"Look sport, I need to you to get it together. She needs you to be strong for her."

"I have it together. I'm just having a problem. I can hardly stand being around you."

"Well, you don't have to like me to get the job done." Fuck you, buddy.

"No, I didn't mean it that way. I can't get my mind off of you. I need to..." He lurched

forward, taking her mouth in a forceful kiss.

She closed her eyes and let him take her. Let him ravage her mouth. She wanted him, but

this wasn't the time or the place. She pushed against his chest, needing to get through to him.

He took a step back and their eyes connected. The brilliant blue was back and she could feel

the lust flowing through his veins. The same lust she was feeling. "We have to do this another

time. Right now we should get on the road and get as far as we can before the sun comes up."

"You're right, let's get out of here before Max comes back. I don't know if I could hold back a

second time."

* * * *

He couldn't hold back, not when it came to Lana. She was his. She just didn't know it yet.

"I'm driving this time. Hand over the keys, vamp."

She stopped in front of him with her hands on her hips. "I don't think so."

"I do, now hand over the keys. You don't want to mess with me right now." He held out his

shaking hand without saying another word.

"Fine, you drive and I'll get our plan together." She tossed him the keys and hopped in the

truck.

He jumped in too and turned to her, making the seat squeak. "Tell me the truth. Were you

really with that demon?" He couldn't even stand the thought.

"That's none of your business." She gathered the weapons and settled them in the back seat of

the truck.

He knew that was a yes, but it still stung him. "That Max bastard touched you didn't he? I

know he did." He slammed his fist on the steering wheel and cursed.

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"I don't see what it is to you, or why it matters, but yes, he did. I was a new vampire back

then and he helped me figure things out. So, what if we were together, it was a long time ago."

She crossed her arms over her chest and looked away.

"Don't look away from me." She turned and faced him. "The reason it matters is because I

want to be the only one touching you." He took her mouth again, gentler this time.

Their tongues tangled in a sensual duel, making his groin stir to life. He couldn't keep his

control much longer. She would be his as soon as possible. He didn't know what was pulling

him to her, but he wouldn't fight it. Her perfect bow lips felt too good under his. The little

whimpers she made as he took her mouth were music to his ear. He wanted to feel her body as

he thrust into her and hear his name fall from her lips as she came.

She pulled away. "It shouldn't matter. I'm not the same as I was back then. Just drive, sport."

He forced the gearshift in drive and they were off to find Zara. She better be alive or all of

Savannah would pay for her life. The only problem is his hunter was a vampire who had to

sleep. It would make the trip longer, but it would work out.

"We only have a few more hours before sunlight, I'll need to find somewhere to feed you and

let you rest. Maybe we can make it to Phoenix before we stop."

"I look forward to it. I can't get enough of your blood."

"Yeah well, I can't get enough of you. This time I'll do something about you being horny."

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CHAPTER FOUR

"How ya doin' over there? Are you still with me?" She'd been so still for the last hour or so

and the sun was rising fast. He needed to find a motel for them to crash for the day. He was

looking forward to feeding his little vampire. Her arousal permeated the small space, making his

cock hard.

"Yes, I'm still with you, but not for much longer." Her body slumped over in the seat with her

head leaning against the window. He could see her cheek smashed against the glass in the side

mirror, and he chuckled quietly. To be so tough she looked almost innocent in sleep.

"I'm gonna get off this exit. I saw a sign for a motel a little ways back. You just rest while I

handle this stuff. I'll have you in the bed in no time." That was his plan. Of course, he wanted

her awake for the ride, but he could wait until she woke up. It would be murder on him, but he

could wait.

He pulled into his assigned space in front of their door and stopped. When he shut the engine

off, he heard her softly snoring. Nothing louder than a whisper, but it made her look vulnerable,

and that meant he would have to protect her, not the other way around. She looked like she had a

fight in her, but makeup sex was just as fun as any other. He carried in the backpack and hid the

weapons under the backseat. Next was carrying Lana inside. He opened the door slowly, so she

didn't fall out; he caught her head in his hand and scooped her up into his arms, carrying her

inside. "Yeah, you're one tough cookie aren't you?" He said into her hair as he carried her. She

needed to feed and quickly, he shook her to wake her.

"What do you want? I'm sleeping here." She turned away from the sunlight peeking in

between the curtains.

Devon immediately drew the shades, which gave it a night effect. He hung the 'Do Not

Disturb" sign on the door handle, so there would be no interruptions. He went back to his little

vamp and settled in beside her. He nudged her a few times, trying to wake her.

"What? I'm sleepy." She barely had her eyes open, but she was eyeing his neck.

"You need to feed, Lana. So I need you to wake up just enough to do that." He wanted her

awake for more reasons than one, feeding was just an excuse.

She could only resist the blood lust for only so long and he counted on it.

She pulled her head off the pillow, just enough for him to cradle her and bring her closer to

him. He watched as her eyes went from brown to black and her fangs dropped down. "That's it

Lana, take all you want." He turned his head, waiting for the small prick of fangs piercing his

skin. The sting that would ignite a flame between them both. He couldn't believe the pleasure

he got from feeding her. She licked his neck and kissed his flesh softly, then bit into him. He

felt it immediately, the blood lust sparking to life inside her. He felt her being overwhelmed by

it.

She sucked harder and small whimpers escaped her.

"I need to take you now, Lana." He was rock solid and ready to go. He felt her energy flaring

to life from his blood and smelled her sex. She was on top of him in a split second.

He unbuttoned her jeans and pulled down the zipper, gaining access to her wet core. Sliding

his fingers beneath her panties, he searched for her tiny little clit to rub it in circles. She was so

wet he had no trouble finding anything. Two fingers glided through her arousal. She lifted her

pelvis and rode his fingers while she finished sucking his blood. He felt the smooth rasp of her

tongue closing the wounds, then he flipped her underneath him.

"Let's get these clothes off of you." He lifted her, pulling her shirt over her head. "Lift up

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honey." He pulled her jeans down off her legs and tossed them to the floor. The only thing left

was a small scrap of silk. He pulled that aside, ripping them and his tongue went straight to her

clit. "Damn, I needed to taste you." He swirled his tongue around her clit.

A sharp cry left her lips

He finger fucked her, getting her ready for him.

"Devon, please. I need you now."

He backed off the bed and quickly stripped his jeans off, ripped his shirt over his head and

crawled back on top of her. "You ready darlin'? I can't be easy, not right now."

"Yes, please, just shut up and fuck me." Her hands were grabbing his ass, pulling him to her.

He situated himself between her legs and aligned himself up with her tiny hole and pushed

inside her until he was fully seated. "Dammit baby, you feel good." He pulled out and slid back

in again in one hard thrust, making them both moan.

"Don't you dare hold back on me, sport. I like it rough." Her eyes were still black, her fangs

still down and he could see his blood on the corners of her mouth. He could almost still feel the

suction of her feeding, ramping up his arousal.

"In bed, you call me Devon or Sir, and Nothing in-between. Do you understand?"

"Yes, Sir." He noticed the hesitation in her voice.

He held her by her chin and stared into those midnight eyes. "Do not try me or you will be

punished."

She jerked her chin out of his grasp. "Yes, Sir."

"Good girl." Now I'm going to fuck you so hard you won't be able to walk. He raged inside,

thrusting at a thunderous rate. Filling her over and over, giving her what she wanted, what she

needed. Her greedy little hole fit him like a glove, massaging his cock on every stroke. He lifted

her legs above his shoulders and pounded into her. "Is this what you wanted? For me to fuck

you so hard your teeth rattle?"

The only sounds in the room were that of his grunting, her whimpering and flesh slapping

flesh.

She lifted her pelvis meeting him stroke for stroke. "Is this all you've got? Why don't you

fuck me like you mean it, Sir?"

He stared into those bottomless black eyes and took the challenge. Pushing one leg back over

her, giving him deeper access to her pussy, she inhaled sharply as his dick penetrated her, almost

to her womb. He snuck a hand between them and reached around to put it on her ass.

"Ohmigod! Devon! I'm gonna come!"

"That's it, come for me, baby." She shattered in his arms, her body shaking and trembling.

After letting her body calm down he reluctantly pulled out of the tight hot grip of her pussy.

He was still hard. "Let's see what you've got." He lowered her legs and flipped them over

with her on top.

She pushed up from his chest, threw her head back and began grinding herself on his cock.

He grabbed her hips, moving her up and down as he pumped into her from below. He could

truthfully say he'd never been with anyone better. Lana was truly an original. Her groans of

pleasure made him even hotter. He growled, spurring her on. "Touch yourself, baby." He

wanted to see those delicate fingers make her writhe.

Her hands caressed her breasts, rolling her nipples between her fingers. "Fuck me, fuck me

harder. I need you Devon."

"Hang on." She dropped to his chest.

He rolled them back over, pinning her underneath. He would take her over and over until

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they both were so sated they couldn't move.

Her legs clamped around his waist, her heels dug into his ass. "Yes, give it to me Devon."

He loved the sound of his name falling from her lips. "Say it again." He gazed into her eyes,

the connection becoming even stronger. He could get lost in the bottomless depths. Her head

lolled back, her mouth opened, showing the tips of her fangs. Dammit, that was sexy as hell.

"Give it to me, Devon." She moaned.

"You got it, baby." His strokes became wild and frenzied with passion. Gone was his careful

control. His heart beat at a maddening pace, thundering against his ribcage. The scent of her

arousal filled the room. He breathed her in, loving the way she smelled.

Her nails bit into his flesh, making him slam into her balls deep over and over. He felt her

orgasm building. Her inner walls quivered and her muscles all contracted. He snaked a hand

between them and rubbed her clit, tiny whimpers left her lips until her eyes rolled back in her

head. Her delicate inner muscles massaged his cock, making him lose control. Then she let go,

falling into oblivion, her body shimming and shaking.

He felt the telltale sign of his own orgasm coming on. The tingle in his spine, his balls

drawing up and his muscles bunched together. He paused and roared out his release. His last

two pumps were halting and jerky, and felt good as hell as his seed filled her. "Dammit baby,

you are something else." He collapsed on her then rolled off, coming to a rest beside her. His

chest rose and fell rapidly, trying to catch his breath. "Lana, are you all right?" She'd been so

quiet after she came again, he hoped he hadn't hurt her.

"I'm fine, just sleepy. It is daylight out after all, but I am surprised I've stayed up this long.

Usually I'm out like a light at sun-up. But, I feel like I still have energy. It's weird."

It wasn't weird. It was his blood. She would have far more energy than usual with his ancient

blood flowing through her. "Well, come here and snuggle up to me." He wanted to feel her

naked flesh against his.

"Don't get any ideas, I have to sleep." She scooted back into his embrace and fell right to

sleep in no time. They fit together like they were made for each other. Her curves lined up with

his body, making him horny, but she was right, she had to sleep. She would need all the strength

she could muster when they went in to get Zara. God, he hoped he wouldn't be too late.

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CHAPTER FIVE

"Are you ready to feed?"

She nodded. "You taste so damn good; I don't think I could ever get enough." She turned

over, facing him. "What are you?" She rubbed one finger down his chest. "You're definitely not

human, but I've never tasted anything like you and I can't figure out what you are." She brushed a

lock of hair off of his forehead and stared into those crystal blue eyes. He was so mysterious.

Why wouldn't he tell her what he was? What else was he hiding?

"It doesn't matter what I am. It's who I am that's important. Now come here and feed from

me."

He didn't have to ask her twice. She crawled on top of him, getting a better position to bite.

She laid down, her naked flesh against his and bit into his neck. Her pussy was wet already. She

couldn't control the impulse to have sex with him when she fed. Normally she could handle it,

but not with him. "Mmm, you taste so good."

She licked and sucked on the wound, getting her fill, taking him into herself.

His hands came up and clamped on her ass. "How do you do this to me?"

Do what to him? She paused and licked the wound shut. "How do I do what to you?"

"How do you make me so damn horny?"

"It's the connection. You feel what I feel and vice versa. You will always have feelings for

me." And she would always have feelings for him. Too bad she would have to leave him once

the job was done.

He lifted her and had her look down his body, "See what you do to me? My dick can't get

enough of your sweet pussy." He pushed her down his body down where her sex straddled his.

She pushed up off of his chest and sat straight up on him. She rubbed the length of his cock

through her wet slit, making him moan.

He grabbed her hips and moved her back and forth, making her want him inside her.

His muskiness surrounded her. Taking in deep breaths, her instinct was to taste him. She

quickly slid further down his body so her head ended up between his legs. "I want to taste you,

to feel you glide across my tongue." She licked the tip of his cock and down the long ropey vein

and then licked her lips. "Mmm, we taste good together."

"Dammit woman, suck me, take me in that gorgeous mouth. But no fangs, got it?"

She rolled her eyes and licked the length of him right before she took him into her mouth. His

cock slid across her tongue, like velvet over steel. She took him all the way back to her throat,

but still couldn't swallow him whole. She used her hands in tandem with her mouth, covering his

whole cock.

"Sonofabitch, that feels good." His hands snaked down and into her hair. He followed every

movement she made. Not pushing or pulling, just moving.

She sucked harder, tasting his salty pre-come. She tasted herself on him exciting her even

more. She suctioned hard on the upstroke and her cheeks puffed out on the down stroke.

He grunted and moaned. He thrust his hips up, fucking her mouth.

* * * *

Dammit, she was going to make him come. He didn't want to come in her mouth; he wanted

it to be in her sweet pussy. Devon grabbed her by her underarms and pulled her up the length of

his body. He kissed her, tasting them both in her mouth, making him want more.

"Hey what are you doing? I was happy down there."

"Yeah? Well, you'll be happy up here." He pulled her head by the hair down to his mouth.

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"Kiss me, I want to taste us on your tongue." Her natural sweet taste hit his tongue, making him

even harder. He had to get inside of her, now. Devon pulled her in close to his chest and said,

"Hang on for the ride of your life, darlin'." He flipped them over with her on bottom. He loved

to dominate her, to take her as hard as he could. She wouldn't break like a human.

She laughed so hard she snorted. "I'll be sure to fasten my seatbelt."

"Smartass." He lined himself up to her pussy and sank in balls deep. "Woman, you're going

to be the death of me." He pumped in and out of her at a rapid speed, pulling out to the tip and

plunging back in again.

"Yes, please don't stop." Oh shit, with her fangs down he could see the tips of them peak from

her lips, driving his lust on..

"That is so damn sexy. I love seeing your fangs down for me." He could fuck her all day and

night if they had the time. After they rescued Zara, he would be able to do that.

"Shut up and fuck me." She ground her pelvis against his, meeting him thrust for thrust.

"You got it, sugar." He lifted her legs up over his shoulders, getting better penetration. The

smooth glide in and out of her, rocked his world as did the feel of her skin rubbing against his.

She smelled like a warm summer day. Fresh and clean. Nothing like the other vamps he'd seen

and known. They smelled of death and decay.

Her head thrashed around on the pillow and her breasts bounced with every movement. He

leaned down and took a nipple into his mouth, swirling his tongue around the ripe bud. He

nibbled lightly on the tip, making her moan. "You like that?"

"Of course I do," she whispered.

He changed to the other nipple and did the same to it. Licking, sucking and nibbling. He

reveled in the little mewling sounds coming from that delectable mouth. He wanted to hear her

scream his name. He wanted to feel her shake and shiver under him.

He slowed his pace, being gentle with her. He wanted her to notice his urges. Something

more than lust. He let it all flow out of him and surround her. No way could she not feel him.

He pushed up into her slowly, bunching his muscles every time he entered her.

She brought her feet down from his shoulders and clamped her legs around his waist. "It's not

gonna happen, sport. Now fuck me like you mean it." She clamped onto his shoulders, her nails

biting into his flesh.

He picked up the pace, unhappy with her answer. He glared at her, "What did you just call

me? I know it must have been a mistake."

Her look of surprise didn't fool him. She was trying to put that damn mask back up, blocking

the emotions. Somehow he would find a way to break through to her. "You mean like this?" He

slammed into her, rocking the entire bed.

"Yes, like that. Exactly like that. Fuck me, fuck me, and fuck me some more, Sir. And don't

you dare stop." She threw her head back on the pillow and whimpered. "I'm getting close."

"Me, too." He slid a hand between them and found her hard little clit. He lubed his finger in

their wetness and rubbed her clit in small circles, making her squeal. Her whole body tightened

up and shook and twitched. Her delicate muscles spasmed with her release, massaging his cock.

"Oh, fuck, I'm coming." He pumped a final two times and released his seed inside her. Lying

on top of her, he had to push himself up and off of her. His body felt used and abused, but in a

good way.

"I need to take a shower. I'll be back in a minute." She grabbed her backpack and headed to

the bathroom, leaving him there flabbergasted.

"Do you want me to join you?" He'd just gotten his last word out when she shut the door. "I

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take that as a no." He scooted back up against the headboard with his arm on his knee. What's it

going to take to get through to you? Her walls were right back up as soon as they were done.

He got up, grabbed his pants and t-shirt and headed out the door. Maybe finding something in

the vending machine would help his mood. Right now all he could think about was her coldness

right at the end. He let her feel him and she turned away from him. If he could shift right now,

he'd take off running until he couldn't run any longer.

The beast inside him was restless and close to the surface.

He bought two honey buns, two packs of peanut butter crackers and a soft drink. He looked

down at his snacks. "Not much, but better than nothing." He rubbed his neck where she fed from

him and cursed under his breath. There were not only sexual vibes, but emotional vibes between

them. Only she rejected him and he didn't know why.

As he opened the door to the room she was coming out of the bathroom. Her skin still dewy

from the shower. Oh how he wanted to lick the water droplets off of her. "Are you hungry?"

She scoffed. "I can't eat that stuff. I only live on blood remember?" She pulled the towel

from her head releasing her hair. Her long black hair fell to the middle of her back, making him

want to have sex again just so he could pull it again. He'd bet everything he had that she loved it.

"I know you can't eat this stuff, I was asking you if you are hungry for me, smartass."

"I've had plenty, thanks. I won't need to feed for another day. Plus you know as well as I do

that feeding leads to sex with us. What we need to be doing is getting back on the road."

He sighed, defeated. "You're right. If we drive all night we'll get to Shreveport by morning.

I can drive half and you can drive the other half. How's that sound?"

"Fine with me, let's go." She held her hand out for the keys.

He shook his head. "I thought I would drive the first shift." Damn he hated her driving. That

was the only thing about her he didn't like. Except for those damn walls she keeps in place,

blocking him out. He would make it into her mind before this was over. He still had plenty of

time.

"Give me the keys before I take them from you."

Well, hell that sounded like fun. Maybe she wasn't as frigid as he thought she was.

She even smiled.

"With a smile like that, how could I refuse?" He wished he could recall those words, because

as soon as they were out of his mouth she had the frigid mask back on.

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CHAPTER SIX

Lana couldn't believe her attachment to Devon. All the feelings she'd felt while they were

having sex made her fall for him, which wasn't at all what she needed. She knew the connection

was strong, but that had been overwhelming. She tried blocking her mind, but she couldn't, his

presence surrounded her. His essence in her veins reached to her very core. She took a chance

and glanced his way, but he was looking right at her. "How are we doing on time?" She couldn't

think of anything else to say, even though she could see the bright blue clock on the dashboard.

"We're doing better than I expected. With the way you drive, we could be there in the

morning." He smiled. "Too bad vampires aren't allowed on airplanes, we could have been there

yesterday."

"I think that is so stupid. What, like I'm gonna go in the cockpit and drain the pilot dry. Not

likely." She scoffed.

"No. I think they think you'd drain the passengers dry and nobody wants to pick up a dead

relative at the airport." He glanced at her. "I don't think you would do that."

"Thanks. I'll take that as a compliment." She stared out the windshield.

He turned in his seat and the leather squeaked. "I know you wouldn't. You're not the type."

"Oh yeah? You don't even know me. I could do it; I just don't feel like it. Too messy."

"I know you enough. I know you don't kill your prey. I know you would help a person if

given the chance. I know that if your heart were still beating, you would still be helping people."

"I don't know who you got your information from, sport, but you have me all wrong."

"You keep telling yourself that if it makes you feel better." He leaned back in his seat and

closed his eyes.

Damn you. How do you know these things about me?

She concentrated on the road, trying to get the things he'd said off her mind. She'd worry

about it later. Right now, she needed to be planning their attack. There would be no way they

would go in, get Zara and come out of it without a fight. She just hoped he was strong enough to

handle himself. Of course, if he would tell her what he was, that would help, too.

That made her wonder what he was hiding. Why hide it? Maybe his life depends on secrecy.

She certainly knew hers did.

"You know if you have something you want to say to me, go ahead and spit it out." He

opened one eye and glared at her.

She turned back to the windshield quickly as her face heated. He'd caught her staring at him.

Dammit!

"What's the matter? Cat got your tongue?" He looked directly at her.

Shit, now what do I say?

She cleared her throat. "I was just wondering what you are. You won't tell me and I'm

naturally curious. Come on tell me." She smiled, hoping it would sway him.

"It doesn't–"

She cut him off. "Matter, yeah, I got you. I've heard that before."

He scoffed. "Why does it matter to you so much? I mean, it has no bearing on what I hired

you to do." He waved his hand in the air.

"I guess because I need to know if you can handle yourself with a bunch of vamps. There's

no way we're getting the girl without a fight. Are you strong enough?"

"I am. I'm a lot stronger than you might think." He closed his eyes and rested his head on the

back of the seat.

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"So that's it. That's all you're going to tell me? I think I should know more, so I can do my

job." She emphasized the last word and let out a huff of air.

His head snapped up. "What is it with you tonight? Why are you going all bat-shit on me?

Maybe we shouldn't talk at all."

"That's the whole point. I need information and you're withholding it from me. And I'm not

bat-shit-crazy, I'm just frustrated." She sped up.

"Stop the car. I'm going to drive. You're freaking me out." His hands clutched the seat.

"It's still my turn to drive," she spat between clenched teeth.

"Chill out and slow down then. I would rather not become part of the pavement."

"Fine! I'll slow down if you give me some information." She pressed the pedal to the floor.

The engine revved and sped up even more.

"All right, I'll give you some info," he sighed.

"That's more like it." She let off the gas and backed down to just above the speed limit. She

wasn't going to slow to a crawl no matter what he told her. "Well?"

She rotated her hand in the air, signaling him to start speaking.

"My blood is ancient. It makes you stronger than you should be, which is why you have more

energy in daylight. It also heals. If a vamp gets staked he would still survive. That's why they

took her. It can make you invincible."

"Well shit, sport this changes things considerably. This is why I need the info up front. Were

you going to tell me any of this before we went in there guns blazing?"

"I'd hoped I could get away with not telling you. We don't like our information known. It

makes us targets." He scrubbed his hand down his face.

"How did they find out about her?"

"She couldn't control her shifts and was spotted by the vamps. She's a yearling in our culture.

She's just started shifting, but has no other power other than her blood."

"Finally, I get some truth out of you. It's much easier to do this up front. If there's anything

else I need to know about feel free to fill me in." She blew out a breath. She couldn't believe

what he'd just told her. Damn, if a vamp could survive a stake then how in the hell was she

supposed to kill them. Maybe if the head is severed from the body that would work. And what's

with the yearling thing. She didn't know of anyone who couldn't control their shifts except

werewolves.

"I think that's all you need to know. I've already told you too much."

* * * *

He sure as hell wasn't going to tell her he had the only weapon that could kill them. "You just

concentrate on your driving and let me take a nap. He hoped she would just leave it alone. He

wasn't tired, but figured that was the only way to get out this conversation.

"Oh, no, you don't. We're going to talk about this. You can't just drop a bomb on me and go

to sleep." She shook her head. "If you're so special, why didn't they take you?"

He pinched the bridge of his nose, then looked over at her. "Have you seen me? I'm not

exactly a pushover." He scoffed like it should have been obvious.

"So, you're really strong?" She nibbled at her bottom lip.

"Yes. I'm really strong. I can kick ass with the best of them. Now can we talk about

something else?" He turned to stare out the passenger side window. He just wanted her to drop

this. There weren't many that knew what he was, and some took it as a joke and some were

rightfully frightened.

"Like what? I can't seem to think about anything but what you might be."

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"Well get your mind off of it. There's no use because I won't tell." Just like a woman she

wouldn't let it go. He was going to be pestered constantly until she knew. It came to him that he

had the answer to how to get her mind off of it. Fuck her so hard she couldn't even remember

her name. He slowly moved his hand over to her leg and rubbed up and down her thigh.

"You should stop that, unless you plan to follow through." She panted out her words.

"I do plan to follow through. I never start something I can't finish." His hand dipped down to

the V of her mound. He rubbed her sex through her jeans, getting breathy moans from her.

"Lana, pull over before you get us both maimed."

"You can be maimed? I thought you were tough." Her fangs dropped, letting him know she

was almost ready.

"There's a rest area one mile ahead. Stop the damn truck there." He stilled his hand.

"Why'd you quit?"

"Because I want to arrive there in one piece and because I'm uncomfortably hard and my jeans

are tighter than I thought they were." He tried to adjust himself, but didn't end up getting very

far.

"Why don't you undo your pants and set it free?" She reached over, rubbed his length through

his jeans, making him insane with lust.

"What a good idea." It wasn't like she'd never seen it before and maybe she would stroke it

until they got there. He undid the button and slid the zipper down, freeing his cock. It sprang

out and her hand was on him in the blink of an eye. He could have sworn she hissed through her

teeth. Never before had a mile been this long. He wanted her over in the seat with her straddling

him.

"I'm so wet right now my panties are soaked." She continued stroking him up and down,

twisting her hand slightly at the tip.

"Yeah? Well, I think I can do something about that, sugar." The turn off for the rest area was

coming up fast and he damn sure didn't want her to miss it.

He stilled her hand. "Here's our exit."

She jerked the wheel to the right, found a good private spot and threw it into park, jerking the

truck forward. "You can do something about it, Sir. You can lick me or you can fuck me."

"Now you're talking."

"Actually, I would rather not talk. Now are you gonna fuck me or not?"

"Damn straight I'm gonna fuck you."

She shimmied out of her jeans and crawled over him, straddling him. "So do it already."

"Damn woman, give me a sec." He lined himself up with her entrance, grabbed her hips and

pulled her down on him, making them both moan. "Sonofabitch, you feel good."

"Mmm, so do you." She threw her head back, opening her mouth.

"I love seeing those fangs peeking out of your mouth when you're having sex. Look at me."

She met his gaze and those bottomless black pools swallowed him whole. He lifted and pulled

her down on his cock, loving the feeling of their raw sexuality.

Her breath came in pants now. She grabbed onto his shoulders, her nails digging into his

flesh and looked him in the eyes. "What do you see?"

"I see you."

Her body tensed up in his arms and her mask was back on.

He thrust up from beneath, pounding into her. Their bodies, slick with sweat, glided together

in, out, up and down. He grabbed her breasts and massaged them in his hands. He felt her hard

little nipples through the thin fabric of her shirt. Slipping his hands under her shirt; he palmed

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both breasts and twirled her nipples between his fingers.

She relaxed again and dropped the walls. Her emotions flowed around him. She was open

now and he wanted to make his move.

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CHAPTER SEVEN

Lana took over the rhythm, riding him hard and fast. She covered his hands with hers,

making him squeeze harder. "Please Sir, suck my nipples."

"You got it." His mouth closed over her areola, driving her wild. Her rhythm became jerky

and halting. The only sounds in the truck were that of her greedy pussy sucking him and their

pants of ecstasy.

He nibbled her taut bud and her hands clamped around his head.

"Yes, yes, that's what I want. Suck me, bite me damn you."

She felt the connection open wide. Surrounded by his emotions, so thick with passion and

something else. She couldn't quite place it, but she knew it meant trouble. She tried shutting off

the connection but couldn't, it was him, he was drowning her in emotions. She had no idea their

connection could be so strong. She had the overwhelming urge to feed on him, to mark him.

Claiming him as her own, but she couldn't give in to the other urges.

"Go ahead and bite me." He tilted his head back and exposed his jugular to her.

Lana knew from the connection that he craved it, needed it. She felt it too. It was like a

sexual high. She'd never felt anything like it before. It had to be what he was, affecting her.

There was no way he meant any of his feelings. Right? It was just sex after all and when the

sex wasn't as much fun, it would be the end. She felt a squeeze in her throat. It was emotion

plain and simple. She sank her fangs into his warm flesh, exciting both of them.

He pumped into her harder as she drank from him.

* * * *

Devon's mind was in a haze of lust. He wanted to dominate her. He barely gave her a

warning before he laid her across the seat. "Hold on." His eager cock plunged into her as she

lifted her pelvis to meet him thrust for thrust.

She licked and closed his wounds, leaving him disappointed. He loved the feel of her fangs in

him. He never would have believed it, but it was as sexual as penetrating her. Her head dropped

to the seat with her fangs peeking out and a trickle of his blood ran from her mouth to her chin.

Seeking out her clit, he rubbed the little bud in tight circles, making her fall over into bliss.

"Yes, yes. Fuck me!" Her body bucked and writhed beneath him.

"I've gotcha, babe." He dipped his head down and kissed her, tasting his blood on her sweet,

velvety tongue. "Put your leg up on the dashboard so I can get better access." He wanted to take

her in every way possible. He pushed into her, feeling her delicate channel squeeze him like a

vice grip.

"Don't stop!" She hugged him tighter. "I'm gonna come again."

Devon hammered into her harder than before taking, owning, marking her.

The musky aroma of their passion surrounded them., The tantalizing scent spurred him on.

His feet were pressed against the door giving him leverage, the force he needed to give her

what she wanted. What he wanted.

Pleasuring her was addictive and he didn't want any other man to ever touch her again.

"I'm not going to stop. Not until you've had your fill." He felt the sting of her nails biting into

him, making him that much harder.

Her body contorted and stiffened beneath him. "Devon!" The spasms came in waves around

his cock, caressing him. He felt a tingle in his spine and his nuts drew up. Then he exploded

inside her, his seed spilling into her, connecting them even more. His body jerked with his

release, making his body bunch and flex.

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She shivered in his arms.

He smiled, knowing he did that to her. He could spend an eternity making love to her. Their

bodies fit together like two puzzle pieces, filling him with more desire for her.

Reluctantly, he pulled out, his semi-erect penis already feeling the loss of her heat. "I would

stay inside you, but we need to get going." He leaned in and kissed her gently. A stark contrast

to how he made love to her.

She whimpered at the loss. "I haven't felt anything like that in all my undead life." She went

rigid.

That was the last thing he wanted. She would eventually open up to him, he was determined

she would do so. Already the mask was back. It must have been a slip of the tongue for her to

admit that.

"I'm glad it was me who did it to you." He smiled down at her, a cheeky grin on his face.

She shifted underneath him like she wanted to get away from him as soon as possible. He

hated that fucking mask she put on closing herself off to him. She wouldn't keep him out much

longer.

"Yeah, me, too." She snatched her clothes up from the floor and tried to sit up. His body still

covered hers, keeping them skin against skin. His erection returned and he thought about going

for a second round, but there were more pressing matters to take care of. He had to get Zara out

of the vampire's clutches before they drained her dry. He moved off Lana and pulled his pants

back up, tucking his erection inside the confines of his jeans. He grimaced as he zipped his fly

and hoped it would go back down.

After pulling her clothes back on, she got into the passenger side of the truck. She stared out

the windshield, avoiding eye contact with him.

He'd finally had enough. He couldn't take this any longer. "Why do you shut me out? Have I

done something to hurt you?"

She inhaled quickly then let it out slowly. "No, you haven't hurt me, but you could," she

muttered while looking down at her lap. Her hands were folded neatly on her thighs and he

could have sworn he heard her sniffle. Hard as nails Lana, crying? He couldn't believe it. She

seemed sweet and vulnerable which wasn't like her at all. She was always ready to kick ass and

take names. She was always hard on the exterior, blocking everything and everybody out.

"You know I would never do anything to hurt you, right?"

"Can we drop this? I want to get some rest." She turned away from him and folded into

herself.

"It's not even close to dawn yet. You're not sleepy, you're avoiding me." His grip increased

on the steering wheel, making his fingers turn white.

She turned toward him and huffed out a breath. "You're right. I'm avoiding you. I don't

know how to answer your questions. There is nothing between us. There can't be. I live on the

wrong coast, and I'm a loner. Two big problems the way I see it."

Dammit!

"So you do think I would hurt you? How could I possibly hurt you?" He was ready to pull

over and fuck the answers out of her. If it weren't for Zara he would have her at home in his

playroom. He got hard just thinking about it. Fuck the fact that they lived on opposite coasts

and bullshit she was a loner. He could feel how alive she became during sex. He could feel her

need for contact and when he held her in bed she snuggled into him in her sleep.

"You're getting too close. I just want to finish this job and move on. Drive faster." She

crossed her arms over her chest and looked out the window.

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He pushed the pedal to the floor. He couldn't control his anger at the moment. Before this

job was over he would have her as his. "Fine, I'll drive faster, but if we get a ticket I'm taking it

out of your pay."

She glared at him. "What pay? I told you the price was blood."

"I know you did, but you need a better house and I'm prepared to buy you one."

"A new house? Why in the hell do think I need a house? I live all over, going from safe

house to safe house. I don't need you to buy me one. Save your money and buy a bodyguard for

your sister."

His patience was running thin. This little firecracker could fight it all she wanted, but she

would still be his in the end.

* * * *

Damn him. Why won't he stop pushing?

His jaw ticked and his lips thinned. She'd hit a nerve. At first she thought about apologizing,

but that would show weakness. The last thing she needed to do was show her vulnerability. He

would take that as a sign that she could be swayed.

"Believe me; she will have the best protection I can buy for her after we get her back." His

voice was gruff and filled with anger. She didn't want to provoke him any further, so she

pretended to sleep. No way would she get any sleep in the next few hours.

"I know you're not sleeping over there. I can feel you thinking." This time he spoke to her in

a lighter tone.

She sat up and smiled at him. "Sorry. I just wanted out of that conversation before we said

things we'd regret." Looking back out the window, she hoped he would leave it alone. This

wasn't something she enjoyed talking about. She generally stayed away from anything

emotional or personal, but the connection they had was like no other she'd ever experienced.

"Well, don't get too comfortable, vamp. We will talk about this more later. You can bet your

sweet little ass on it." He pulled her by the chin to face him. "I will have you. Anyway I want."

His eyes bore right through her. She had no doubt that he would have her again. That she

was looking forward to. He was so commanding and dominant in bed. All of the things she

craved. All of the things she needed to reach her maximum orgasm. They would have to stop

soon so she could rest. He would definitely take her then. She almost smiled at the thought.

She stared him in the eyes. "I know."

"You're getting wet again, aren't you?" He let her chin go. "Why don't you get busy right

now. Undo my pants and suck me. Take my cock all the way back to your throat." He reached

over grabbed her hair making her scalp sting, and pulled her down to his crotch. "Taste your

juices on my dick. See how good we are together."

She unsnapped the button on his jeans and pulled the zipper down. Then she reached in and

pulled his erection out. Lana's mouth watered to taste him, to feel him sliding across her tongue.

"Yes, Sir. I want to please you." And she did want to please him. She wanted to taste them

together. She wanted him to fuck her mouth as he wished. Hard and fast would get her off, too.

He pushed her head down as she opened her mouth, taking him deep. His salty pre-cum

exploded on her tongue, making her want him all the more. She wrapped her tongue around his

girth, sliding, caressing his member. She heard him inhale sharply through his teeth.

"Sonofabitch, that feels good." His grip tightened in her hair as he pushed and pulled her head

up and down, fucking her mouth. He pumped into her throat, his rising and falling in the seat.

She timed her breathing with his thrusts. She couldn't see how he was driving, but she

guessed he had it under control.

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"Come on, baby, suck me." His groans of pleasure surrounded her, spurring her on. She loved

the submission she gave to him. She could get drunk on his sounds of ecstasy.

The tip of his cock slammed into the back of her throat making her wetter. She thought she

might come from the intensity of the act.

Her mouth slipped off of him on an upstroke. "I am sucking you." She swirled her tongue on

the crown and swallowed him whole again. She had her hand working his cock in tandem with

her mouth. Gripping, pulling him toward bliss.

"Dammit, I'm gonna come. You better swallow every last drop and lick me clean. If you so

much as spill a drop, I'll take it out on that sweet little ass of yours." He glared down at her,

challenging her. She was oh so tempted to spill, but she figured he would take her ass anyway.

She increased her suction, making his body quake.

"Here it comes, darlin'." His cock began to pulse and jets of come splattered on her tongue.

She loved the salty sweetness of his release and greedily swallowed every single drop.

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CHAPTER EIGHT

Devon thought the hotel room was bland and without a doubt owned by a Texan. The lights

were antlers crossing and holding two bulbs. The dark chest of drawers and table were chipped

and the table wobbled. A red glowing clock sat on the nightstand blinking the wrong time. But

the bed was comfortable. That's all that mattered to him. The only thing he regretted was not

having his playroom and the toys. If he could get Lana on his spanking horse, he'd have a better

chance at cracking her defenses. He got hard just thinking about her strapped to the device with

her ass a nice pink color from his hand. "Lana, undress and get on the bed on all fours."

Lana quickly complied and dropped her back offering herself up to him. "Like this, Sir?" She

shook her ass at him, and he smiled in amusement.

"Just like that, Lana." The bed dipped under his weight. "I'm gonna take your ass so hard you

won't want to sit for a month. You're going to take it and love it."

He was exactly what she needed. A hard lover who understood her need for pain. Her need

for possession.

He used his knee and spread her wider as he massaged the globes of her ass. Then he did

something she hadn't expected. Once he licked her on her puckered star she was putty in his

hands. She'd never had such a lover before and, God, she needed it.

Lana had been without for way too long. The feel of his wet tongue gliding across her ass had

her squirming and pushing back begging for more. "Ah, yes. Please more, Sir." She heard him

chuckle soft and low, then he went back to working her over.

He used two fingers to penetrate her tiny little hole, getting her ready for him. "Yes, yes. I

want more." He inserted a third finger and she pushed back on his hand.

He withdrew his fingers.

She whimpered at the loss.

"Don't worry, Lana, I'll leave you satisfied."

The blunt tip of his cock entered and she held her breath, getting ready for the ride of her life.

"Are you ready to be fucked hard?" Devon pushed in just an inch.

"I'm ready, Sir. Please, I need you." When he pushed in to the hilt and she almost exploded.

She was so full, so possessed and her clit throbbed for attention. She could come if she could

just reach down and rub it. With her hand close to her mound, he grabbed her wrist.

"If you touch your clit, you'll be punished."

"I need to come, Sir." She moaned at the force he was entering her. He somehow read her

thoughts and knew exactly what she craved.

"You'll come when I tell you to and not a moment before." He went at her even harder,

pulling completely out then sinking back into her with a hard thrust.

"Give me that hard cock. I can take it."

"You got it, babe," he growled.

* * * *

Damn, she was tight and her moans of pleasure had him closer to orgasm than he wanted to

be. He had to use all of his control not to come. Every time he pulled out and plunged back in,

his spine tingled, but he wanted this to last forever. He could stay inside her heat surrounded by

her inner muscles sucking him to ecstasy. "Fuck! You feel so damn good. My cock fills you

perfectly." He pulled her butt cheeks further apart, giving him a perfect view of his dick entering

her. "Are your fangs out?" Right before they came he wanted her to turn around and bite him.

"Yes, Sir." He could clearly picture the tips just below her lip.

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He got impossibly harder and pummeled into her harder than ever. He reached around and

fucked her pussy with his fingers. "Good. I want you to bite me right before you come." His

hand ran through the slick wet heat of her passion and grazed her clit.

"Yes, yes, yes. I'm gonna come." He pulled out of her ass and flipped them over. He fell

between those creamy thighs, ready to sink into her vagina. Thrusting inside her, he leaned in

close offering his neck to her. Her eyes opened and revealed those bottomless black depths and

he was lost to her. His control broke, his balls raised up and the tingle in his spine intensified.

"Bite me! Do it now!" She licked his neck before she sank her fangs into him. She greedily

sucked his blood and then she came in fluttering shudders.

Her delicate inner muscles squeezed him and spasmed around him, bringing over with her

into ecstasy. Devon pumped a final two times and let his seed loose into her womb.

He reluctantly pulled out leaving a trail of come on her leg. He slid off of her, got up and

headed to the bathroom to get a cloth to clean her.

"You know, I'm perfectly capable of cleaning myself." Lana sat up in bed, but Devon was

already back to her with the cloth.

"I know you can clean yourself, but I need to take care of you. I rode you pretty rough, so let

me do this for you." He spread her legs and wiped the come from her leg, then cleaned her pussy,

careful not to abrade her clit.

"Mmm, that feels good. I might want to go again." She leaned back on the pillow and closed

her eyes.

He chuckled. "Sweetheart, you're so sleepy you couldn't even if you wanted to." She was

asleep by the time he finished. He pulled in close and held her as she slept.

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CHAPTER NINE

Lana woke with Devon's arm around her. She lifted it as gently as she could, trying not to

wake him. She couldn't handle the closeness, the intimacy of it. She finally pulled away and

started to rise.

"Where are you going my little vamp?" He propped himself up on one elbow and raised a

brow.

She stopped dead in her tracks and turned to face him. "I was just going to get a shower." She

was going to shower, but what she really wanted was to get out of his embrace. "We need to get

going you know." Naked, she turned back to the bathroom.

"I love the sway of that ass. It's such a beautiful sight to see."

Lana glanced over shoulder and smiled back at him, then shut the door.

Standing under the spray of water, she contemplated the situation. First on the list was she

had a girl to save. Second, she had whatever he was and she was falling for him. Could she trust

him not to break her undead heart? She didn't know, so she would play it smart and not let him

get too close. Sex was one thing, but when you start adding emotions, that's when things get

complicated.

Lana washed her body, but when she got to her pussy, she couldn't help but rub her clit.

She let out a quiet moan as she manipulated the hard nubbin. The slick soap worked as a

perfect lube, letting her fingers slide across her pussy. With her other hand she pinched her

nipple, then rolled it between her fingers. She was getting close to climax. She could feel the

burn inside from head to toe.

"You know, I can help you with that." Devon stepped into the shower behind her. His hard

body went flush with hers.

She stiffened and immediately and dropped her hands. His long, ropey, arm curled around

her midsection heating her through. He might be too close to her heart, but he couldn't possibly

get close enough to her for sex. He was a master in that department. "I'm sure you could, but we

need to be going." "I know we need to go, but this won't take but a minute. Spread your legs for

me." She knew she needed to comply, that was a direct command. She spread her legs and his

hands were on her in a flash. He slid his hand down to her ass and she hissed through her teeth.

"Sorry babe. I knew that would be tender. But how is this?" he slid his fingers to her tight little

hole and entered her with three fingers. In and out he fucked her hard and fast.

"Mmm, yes, yes, yes!" she almost lost her balance at the hard jerk of her body. If it weren't

for his arm around her she surely would have fallen on her ass. He penetrated her hard and deep,

grazing her G-spot. "Oh yeah, that's it, fuck me, Sir."

"You got it, babe."

* * * *

Devon leaned in further and kissed the back of her neck raising goose bumps all over her

body. He'd found another erogenous zone, which he planned to explore further in the near

future, but this was just for Lana, to give her as much pleasure as she had given him. His hand

slick with her juices, slid easily in and out of her delicate hole.

"Touch my clit. I need you to touch it." She flung her head back onto his chest. Her knees

were about to buckle from the pleasure. Lana's nipples were painfully hard and needing

attention. She pinched her nipples and then rolled them with her fingers. "I'm so close. I just

need ... I don't know what I need, but do something!" Her breath came in pants as she got closer

and closer to orgasm.

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She could never get enough sex with him. In that department he was an expert. He knew just

how to push her to the dreamlike state at the height of orgasm.

If she were honest with herself she would admit she was falling for him.

"Widen your stance for me." She did and he reached around her body and pinched her clit

lightly. She exploded. With flutters all around his cock he let go too, letting his come fill her up.

He'd claimed her and marked her as his, she wouldn't have a choice but to love him.

He slowly pulled out, savoring the sensation of her greedy little pussy trying to hang on to

him. "You love my cock inside you. Don't you? Tell me or I'll take that ass again."

"Yes! I love it!" He grabbed her hair, pulling her head back to him, stretching her neck.

He bit her neck lightly then whispered in her ear, "You are mine, Vampire." Then he turned

her head, so he could get to her mouth and licked the seam of her lips. She opened on a gasp and

he took her with an animalistic kiss. He finally came up for air. "I'm going to wash you and then

you better get your ass dressed fast before I take you again. Do you understand?"

She swallowed hard. "Yes, Sir." He let go of her head and picked up the soap. He lathered

his palms and slid them over her body, caressing her curves. He shampooed her hair, massaging

her head. When he reached her folds, Devon was careful not to abrade her clit. She had too

much stimulation and he couldn't keep his control if she moaned again.

Devon gave her a little smack on her ass, "Alright babe, you're clean, now go and get dressed

and wait for me."

Lana jumped at the smack, but had a huge smile on her face. She hopped out and went to dry

off and get dressed.

Devon rushed through his shower, so he could make sure she hadn't left him. She enjoyed sex

with him, but he saw the surprised look in her eyes when he staked his claim on her.

No doubt she would run from him now. Emotionally he knew, but physically, he had no idea.

He sighed with relief when he entered the room and she was waiting for him, sitting on the edge

of the bed.

He stood before her with the towel wrapped around his slender hips, beads of water rolling

down his body in rivulets. She seemed a bit cold now. Not the hot woman he'd had sex with just

moments before. "Are you ready to go?" He pulled the towel from his waist and scrubbed it

back and forth through his hair. Even though time was growing short, he still wanted to strip her

naked and have her again. If his sister didn't need him so bad, he would.

She slid her palms down her jean clad legs and stood up. "Sure, I'm ready. All I need are the

keys."

He picked his pants up off the luggage rack, shoved his hand in his pocket.

"Are you looking for these?" Devon pulled the keys from his pocket and jingled them in front

of her face.

"Yes. I am." She snatched the keys from his grasp and headed for the door. Stopping, she

glanced over her shoulder. "You might want to put something on."

He nodded. "Yeah, smartass, I should." He quickly dressed and was out to the running car in

seconds. With his wallet caught between his lips, while he fastened his belt, he mumbled "Okay,

I'm ready."

She gunned the engine leaving a trail of skid marks behind them. "The way I see it, is we

drive like hell all night and get there in time for them to go to sleep. I'm obviously going to be

very weak, but you can get her." She changed lanes quickly as she came up to a slow moving

truck, making Devon nervous. He wasn't easy to kill, but he didn't want to prove that in a crash.

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"Could you slow it down before you get us killed?" He held on tighter to his seatbelt and

prayed she would stop driving like a lunatic.

She waved him off with her hand. "Just sit back and relax. We'll be there in no time."

"In one piece, I hope." He mumbled, but was sure she caught it anyway. She now had a

frown on her face along with a crease in her forehead.

She was quiet for long moments, then broke the silence, "You know, if you don't like my

driving, you're welcome to get out, but I'm not stopping the car." She glanced from the corner of

her eye at him

He frowned.

"Why are you being so cold to me now? What are you afraid of? I mean, we had amazing

sex and everything seemed fine when you got out of the shower, but now you're distant again."

He huffed out a breath and turned in his seat, facing her. "What do you want from me?"

"Hey, Sherlock, I don't want anything from you! I wasn't hired to have sex with you. I'm not

a prostitute, I'm a tracker. I never asked you for any of it. This was all you, so don't go blaming

me. Now, do you want to save, Zara or not?" If he hadn't seen it himself he never would have

believed it, but she had unshed tears in her eyes and not only that, her voice was cracking.

Softly he said, "You know I do, but I want you too." He reached over placing his hand on her

thigh. "You know I've wanted you since the beginning." He squeezed her leg. "I can't think of

anything else."

Hell, I'm spilling my guts out to you.

"Look I appreciate that you want me like this, but we both know it'll never work. So sit back

and let me do my job." She stared out the windshield cold-heartedly.

"Fine, fuck it. Do your goddamned job and don't worry about me." He crossed his arms over

his chest and stared out the passenger side window, seeing nothing. The rage he had inside of

him was calling to the beast in him, urging it to the surface. He used every ounce of his control

to contain it.

Lana sighed and turned to look at him. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to piss you off. I just can't

get into a relationship with you. We live on different coasts and I don't even know what you are

or anything. I know nothing about you except for how good you are in bed. And I have to say

you're the best I've ever had. Still it wouldn't work out between us. I'm a loner and I like it that

way. I've never wanted anyone else with me. This being the exception. Usually the client

doesn't go with me–"

Devon had heard enough. She was babbling on and on, nervous as hell, he could feel it.

"Enough! I get it, but I don't believe it for a second. I feel it inside you, just like you feel my

cock inside you. It's real and you fucking know it." He knew she would eventually have to own

up to what she was feeling. She was a runner and she'd definitely take off the first chance she

got, but he knew how to hunt too. With their connection he could find her anywhere. "You may

not be mine right now, but you will be soon enough, Vampire." He sat back and enjoyed her

silence. He knew he'd hit a nerve.

She accelerated, driving at least twenty over the speed limit and turned the radio on, halting

anymore conversation.

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CHAPTER TEN

Lana was seething mad. It was if the man could read her mind. Feel her feelings and she

hadn't opened up to him about any of it. He shouldn't know her feelings as much as he did. Yes,

she was falling for him. And yes, she wished they could be together, but it just wasn't possible.

"We're here," she announced. It was almost sunrise and she had no idea where to start. All

she knew was there was a coven with a lot of activity. They either had Zara or knew who did.

She'd have to find the darkest bar where vampires like to hang out and feed on willing

customers. There was one in every town.

Devon opened his eyes and sat up. "Do you know where they are?" He glanced at her.

"No. I don't know where they are. I don't have radar for vampires. I'm gonna check out the

local nightlife to find them."

"And then what?"

"And then we find her and get her back." She yawned when the sun peeked over the horizon.

She needed to sleep and then go hunting. Even though she hated to admit it, she also needed

Devon's touch.

"Damn right, we get her back!" He glanced at her with a somber face. "She's all I have left as

far as family." His look changed to fury. "Those fucking vamps will wish they were never

created!" He slammed his fist into the seat.

She hoped she wasn't included in that statement. He seemed to acknowledge the words he'd

spoken when he quickly turned to her. "You know I didn't mean you, right? You're nothing like

them."

She laughed without humor. "Yes. I am like them. I am one of them." Hell, if that was what

he felt about vampires, why in the hell did he want her so damn bad? Maybe he just liked sex

that much. Maybe he needed to be needed. She didn't know what to think.

" No! You're not. You may be a vampire, but you are nothing like those blood thirsty death

dealers. I wouldn't be with you if you were. Why don't we find us a hotel room for the day and

we can find Zara tonight. Fuck! I hate leaving her in their dirty hands a second longer."

She put her hand on his thigh, "We'll find her. I promise."

He sighed and took her hand in his. "I just hope we're not too late."

Lana drove up to a bed and breakfast; it was a small inn that looked like a southern

antebellum house. Tall white pillars held up a top deck with iron railing. The whole house was

white except for the maroon shudders and the railing. There was hand crafted wood work

decorating the whole building.

"Hey, Lana, are you sure you want to stay here? It looks awful nice."

She huffed out a breath. "What? Do you think this place is too nice for me?" She had her

hand on the key about to shut the engine down until he said that. Now she knew what he really

thought of her. It hurt so bad it was like being staked. He managed to get past her protective

mask and tears welled up in her eyes, threatening to spill. She opened her door and was almost

out until he grabbed her hand, pulling her back in.

"You know what I meant," he growled. "It's just that it probably has thin walls and white

everywhere. You deserve this and a whole lot more and I want to give it to you, but I have plans

for you that will make a lot of noise." He kissed the back of her hand.

Even though the pain was still there from his earlier comment, she understood what he was

talking about. She was also a bit excited wondering what his plans were. She had a feeling she

would, no doubt, enjoy his plans. "You wanna try another place?"

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"No. You wanted to stay here, so this is where we'll stay. I just hope they have thick walls,

because nothing is going to keep you from me." He winked at her and clicked his tongue as he

opened his door.

As he was grabbing a few items from the back, she stepped out of the truck, leaned on the

door and said, "Well, ok then. Let's get to bed."

* * * *

Devon held the door open for her to enter first, being the perfect gentleman. It was exactly

what he thought it would be. It looked barely lived in. One of those places where you feel as if

you could touch nothing or it would surely break. The walls were lemon yellow with white

painted moldings. When they got to the desk a small elderly woman greeted them.

"Welcome to the Sunshine House. How may I help you?" her wrinkled, kind eyes landed on

him, making him shift from foot to foot.

"We'd like a room, please." He managed a small smile and reached and wrapped his arm

around Lana, pulling her in close. She tensed up and tried to pull away but his strong, ropey,

arm kept hold of her.

The old woman smiled. "Are y'all staying any length of time? We have some guests that stay

here for weeks." She laughed softly.

"No. We'll just be staying the night." He pulled out his wallet and handed the woman his

credit card.

"Thank you, sir. You can pick up your receipt in the morning, here's your key and your room

is up the stairs on the left. Enjoy your stay."

He nodded to the woman, grabbed the key and headed up the stairs. He was going to break

through to Lana tonight, even if it killed him. She wanted him; he could feel it plain as day. "I

think this is us." He gestured to the door with his chin. There was a plaque on the door that read,

'Shining Light Suite'. Devon opened the door and just like the entrance the walls were covered

in bright yellow with white moldings. The duvet on the bed was white as well and it was such a

stark contrast to the cherry red wood flooring. "I'm afraid to touch anything." He put their

change of clothes in the antique chair in the corner and turned to face Lana.

Lana acted startled by his intense gaze. She moved a step back, bumping into the bed. "What

are you doing?"

"In a few seconds I'll be doing you. Take your clothes off and get on the bed." Devon

stripped. His cock was already hard as a rock and all he needed was her and feeling himself

inside her. He pulled the belt free of his jeans and stared at it for a moment as he held it in his

hands. "Dammit, I love to see you naked."

She smiled at him over her shoulder.

As he approached her with his belt, she scooted away from him. "What are you going to do

with that?"

"I'm gonna tie you up and have my way with you. Although, I would love to see some pink

stripes on that pretty little ass of yours."

Lana inhaled sharply. "No, no, no, no! We can't do that here!" She looked around the room

like someone had already busted them.

Devon shook his head at her and chuckled quietly. "I know we can't do all I want here, but I

still have a few surprises up my sleeve. I promise, babe, we won't make too much noise. We'll

be quiet as the wind." Devon took his belt and reached for her hands.

She struggled a bit, but he over powered her and tied her wrists together. "This would be a lot

better with my ropes." He gave her half a smile.

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"You have ropes? What else do you have?" Lana pulled on the belt, but it didn't give way. "I

take it you've done this before?"

"You bet and I plan on doing it to you as much as possible." He situated her with her arms

above her head. Then he pushed her legs wide open, giving him the perfect view of a pussy he

wanted to taste, to bury his tongue in and devour.

She shifted a little pushing her pelvis up, giving him better access. His warm breath fanned

over her hot flesh, making her quiver. She jerked on her restraint. "Please, let my hands go, I

need to touch you before I go mad." Her body was heated with passion and a fine sheen of sweat

covered her skin.

He reached around each thigh pulling them further apart, giving him even more access.

Devon smelled her arousal as he neared her pussy. "I'm not taking it off and you better keep

them above your head where I placed them. If not I'll use the belt on that cute little ass of yours.

And fuck anyone that hears. Ready, babe?"

She nodded.

He flattened his tongue and made one long slow swipe from back to front barely touching her

clit.

"Mmm. Please more!" Her whole body writhed at his touch. Lana lifted her hips getting

closer to his mouth. "I need you!"

Devon made several more swipes with his tongue, then fucked her hole, making her wetter,

oozing her juices onto his tongue. "That's right, babe, give me all you've got." He flicked his

tongue over her clit getting a low moan from her.

He needed to get her to finally break and open her mind to him, so this could work. His plan

was to bust down those fucking walls and have Lana as his.

Devon let go of her leg and used two fingers to fuck her pussy, making her moan loudly.

More of her delectable honey flowed soaking the bed. "Damn you taste so good."

She raised her hands off the pillow.

He glared at her sternly. "What did I tell you about your hands?"

Lana immediately put them back over her head. "You said, 'Keep them where I put them',

Sir."

"Good girl. I guess you don't want that spanking after all. Raise your legs for me and keep

them up." He moved from her pussy to her puckered star and licked her ass just like he had her

sweet labia. He flicked his tongue around her rim, then narrowed his tongue and penetrated her

dark hole.

"Ohmigod, Devon!" Her head thrashed from side to side on the pillow, making her breathe in

small pants.

He replaced his tongue with a finger and fucked her in and out till she screamed loud enough

for the rest of the house to hear. He didn't give a shit if they did. He had a plan and it included

things that made a woman scream. Like fucking her ass, getting her close to orgasm then

backing off. Giving her only as much as it would take to get her to say she was his.

With his index finger in her ass, he moved up and licked her clit in small motions, then

sucked it into his mouth.

Her legs shook uncontrollably as she clamped them around his head. Her breasts were

bouncing with every movement of his finger in her ass. "Devon I'm gonna come."

He backed off of her clit and sucked her juices into his mouth.

Devon raised his head. "Do you want to come?"

"What the fuck? You know I do." She gave him her best duh face and squirmed under him.

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He smacked her on the leg. "Is that any way to talk to your Master?" his hand was poised to

strike again.

"No, Sir. I'm sorry, Sir."

"That's better. Now say you are mine." He was in her head in a nanosecond picking up on her

feelings. She wanted to say the words. She was ready to admit she was more than attracted to

him. "Say it." He growled.

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CHAPTER ELEVEN

"What the fuck do you want from me? I'm doing my job, I'm doing you and I've given over

total control to you." She wiggled her restrained hands for emphasis.

He pulled his finger free from her ass and crawled on top of her and looked into the

bottomless black pools of her eyes, and poised himself at her entrance. "I want you to be mine.

Every. Single. Part. Now, say you're mine and I'll let you come and feed." It was killing him,

holding his cock just an inch from her pussy, but he couldn't give in or she was gone.

She looked everywhere but at him and tried turning her head, but he grabbed her face and

made her look at him. A single tear fell down her cheek, landing on the pillow. Her fangs came

down and she screamed "I'm yours, now fuck me."

He felt the walls come down completely and pushed balls deep into her pussy. They both

moaned in ecstasy. He pulled all the way out and slammed back in again, getting a squeal from

her. Devon lifted her legs over his shoulder, gaining deeper penetration.

Lana's hands rose once more. "I have to touch. Please let me touch you."

He shook his head. "No. Keep those hands where I put them or accept the spanking. Your

choice." The only sounds in the room were pants, moans of pleasure and flesh slapping flesh.

Their aroma together their natural muskiness filled the air, spurring him on. His nostrils flared,

taking in their scent. She was beautiful and smelled good enough to eat, and her body, a creamy

white with pale pink nipples and an ass that just begged for him to smack. His fingers started to

tingle at just the thought. He couldn't wait for the moment his hand struck her ass.

"That's not much of a choice."

"It's a helluva choice to me. I'd love it either way. Now let's stop talking and do more

fucking."

"Now, that is a great choice." Her hips arched up meeting his thrust for thrust.

Devon slipped a hand between them and massaged her breasts. He dipped his head down and

sucked a nipple into his mouth, rolling the taut bud in his tongue. "Mmm," he hummed,

stimulating her further.

She threw her head back on the pillow, showing her fangs.

He couldn't help himself, he had to kiss her. Her knees were practically up to her ears when

he swooped in for a kiss but she didn't seem to mind. He took her mouth in an animalistic kiss,

leaving nothing untouched. Their tongues danced in a sensual duel. Devon didn't want to break

this perfect moment, but he had to breathe. As he eased up, he licked her fangs, loving the feel

of the sharp needle like edges, he knew would be piercing him in a few minutes.

"Devon! I'm gonna come!" She bucked wildly under him, and as he let her legs down, she

wrapped them around his narrow hips and squeezed him tight.

He was on the edge, too. It wouldn't take much for him explode either. He turned his head

and exposed his neck to her. "Bite me. Suck on me." Her head came off the pillow and she

licked the spot on his neck and bit into him.

"Devon!" She came hard, her delicate muscles contracted around his shaft. He pumped into

her a few more strokes and his balls drew up and the telltale tingle ran up his spine he let go

pouring his seed inside her.

"Fuck!" He rocked in place for a moment with his eyes shut tight. "Dammit, woman you are

going to kill me." Devon felt the tug on his neck when she sucked at the wounds. He moaned at

the sensation, but she must have read it wrong, because she stopped and closed the wounds.

She lay back down and licked the side of her mouth, capturing a stray droplet of blood.

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Devon reluctantly pulled out of her and went to get a cloth to clean her.

As he approached her, she opened herself to him. He hadn't expected that. She wasn't

fighting him mentally or physically. The bed dipped under his weight when he crawled over to

her. He cleaned her up and lay down beside her. He twirled a strand of her hair around his

finger, propped himself up on his elbow and looked her in the eyes. They were no longer the

black pools he loved so much. "Did you mean it?"

"Did I mean what?" She looked at him puzzled.

"Did you mean it when you said you were mine?" His heart leapt at the thought of it.

She sighed. "Yes. I meant it. For right now, I am yours." She yawned and closed her eyes.

She was asleep in no time, softly snoring as the daytime took her under.

* * * *

As Lana opened her eyes the first thing she noticed was she was wrapped in Devon's arms. It

felt good to her, but at the same time scared her to pieces. Slowly she untwined his arms and slid

out of his hold. She was almost to the bathroom when she heard him stir.

"You're not getting away that easy."

She sped up after hearing the bed squeak as he moved. She made it into the bathroom first

and hopped in the shower. Luckily for her he didn't follow her.

She peaked past the curtain and saw him leaning against the door jam, watching her.

Lana turned to him, "Are you enjoying the view?"

He lifted a brow. "Yes. I am, very much." His big, ropey, arms were casually crossed over

his chest and his bare feet were crossed at the ankle. She couldn't imagine ever getting bored

with his body. In a word, he looked 'gorgeous'. She slid the curtain forward, enough to give him

a complete view. If the man was going to stand there he might as well get a show. Lana

caressed her breasts with the soapy bubbles dripping down her hands.

"You know, if you keep teasing me we'll end up back in bed." He was no longer casually

standing. He approached her, his body seemed rigid, his muscles twitched and his nostrils flared.

"I'm not teasing you. I was just giving you something to look at." She smiled cheekily.

"And I enjoy the view, but we have to be going. Zara is still out there and we need to get to

her before it's too late."

That comment snapped her back to reality really quick. She had almost forgotten about Zara

with everything that had been happening between her and Devon. "Oh shit, let me hurry and

we'll get out of here." She pulled the curtain back, putting a barrier between them. He left the

bathroom.

"You better get dressed fast," he yelled from the other room. She could also hear the thudding

of his boots across the floor. He was pacing. She finished up and wrapped a towel around

herself and went to get her clothes.

Her black spider shirt was laying out on the bed as well as her jeans. He had them arranged as

if someone were already in them. "Thanks for getting my clothes out. I never could have

managed without you." She knew it was snippy, but he was controlling everything. Not just sex.

"Don't you pull that shit with me. We're past that. I was just trying to speed things along. Is

that so bad?" He snatched the clothes off the bed and stuffed them into her arms.

"Dammit, I'm sorry. I'm not used to anyone giving a shit about me." She slipped into her

jeans and t-shirt and placed a knife in her boot. "I'm ready to go after them. We'll find her by

morning and that's when we'll grab her. I'll be weak, but you won't be. The vamps won't know

what hit them."

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He quirked a smile. "They will if I have anything to do with it. I want those sorry ass vamps

to pay for what they've done."

"All right then, let's go." She went straight to the truck to gather the rest of their weapons.

She didn't want to show her face to that little old lady. She knew everyone in the place had to

have heard them having sex. She had just loaded her gun when Devon came out. She did take

note of his red face. "Something wrong?"

"You know damn good and well that little old lady looked at me like I soiled her house." He

shook his head.

She laughed. "That's why I didn't want to go to the front desk with you. We were a little loud

last night."

"A little loud? Yeah right. Everyone around looked at me like I ought to be ashamed of

myself. But I'm not. Not at all. We needed that last night just as much as we need each other."

He tossed his bag in the backseat and got in to the driver's seat.

Shit! What does he mean by that?

She finished loading the last of her guns and got into the passenger's seat. She knew she had

to say something in return, but what? She glanced around nervously. She wasn't good with

these kinds of situations. Yes. You're right I need you. No, that doesn't make me sound

desperate now does it? Not.

He paused with the key almost in the ignition and turned to her. "Did I say something

wrong?"

She couldn't respond. He would see right through her. "We need to get going. She's

waiting." That should get him focusing on the task at hand instead of her. She could have sworn

he growled, but it was so quick she couldn't be too sure. "We need to hit the sleaziest bars in

town to see if we can get any information.

"How do you know which ones are the sleaziest exactly?"

"Follow the stench. Are you good at sniffing out vampires? I still want to know what you

are."

"What I am isn't important. And yes, I'm good at tracking them, but you know where to find

them and I don't. I don't know where the coven is."

The moon was high in the night sky, illuminating the old buildings of Savannah. The eerie

moss hung low in the trees making it seem like a menacing place. Lana caught the scent of

blood and stuck her head out the window. "We're close. Slow down." There was a row of old

buildings to their left and that was where the smell was coming from. "Find somewhere to

park."

He pulled into a parallel parking spot in front of a Drycleaner and stopped. "You're sure this

is the place? It looks deserted. Half these buildings are condemned."

"Yep, this is the place."

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CHAPTER TWELVE

Devon had no idea where he was headed. All he knew was he was following the nasty stench

of vampires. He hated that smell. He cringed at the thought of his sister being among them.

These sonsofbitches were going down even if it meant he would have to shift. Damn, he didn't

want to show himself to Lana. He didn't know if she would laugh or be afraid. Lana crouched

and walked to a row of bushes. "I can smell them, too."

Lana squatted behind a bush. "Over here." She motioned with her hand for him to come to

her.

He crouched down just as she had done and went to squat beside her. "Why don't we just

walk up to them? They would think we were just another couple of paranormals trying to find

some action." He shrugged.

"I don't know these vampires. I want to catch one and interrogate him. We'll get more

information that way." She peaked over the bush.

"See anything?"

"Not yet."

Just then a short man appeared, coming out of one of the condemned buildings and was

headed their way.

Lana quickly ducked her head and held her finger on her lips. "Shhh. Here comes one of

them now."

He growled in frustration. He wanted to get up and stake the bastard, but she was right, they

needed information. Devon waited for her signal, which they hadn't discussed, so they were just

winging it.

The man's shoes scraped along the sidewalk as he dragged his feet. The closer he got the

more Devon's nerves fired. The vamp was almost in front of them. Lana moved to get a better

position, snapping a small twig. She cursed under her breath, but Devon could still hear her.

The young man jumped in fright. "Who's there? Come out or you'll be sorry. I'm a vampire

and I'll fuckin' drain you dry." Devon could plainly see the man shaking, so he went for it.

"Dammit, Devon!" Lana followed behind him.

The scared man ran in the opposite direction, but didn't get too far before Devon tackled him

from behind. He flailed under Devon's weight, kicking and throwing his fists around to no avail.

"Be still, you bastard!" Devon pushed him down and slammed his face on the sidewalk.

"I don't have anything. No money, n-n-nothing. Please let me go." He surrendered to Devon.

"I don't want money, you disgusting sonofabitch. I want to know where my sister is."

Lana showed up in front of Devon holding a long rope. "Devon, not here. Let's get him in

the truck."

"Where did you get that rope from?"

She looked at him like he was crazy. "Why does that matter"

"Because, I would have used it on you." He pinned the guy to the ground with his knee on the

other man's back.

Devon tied him up and slung him over his shoulder. "Help!" He struggled as Devon dropped

him in the backseat.

"There is no help for you, vamp." He slammed the back door and hopped in the passenger's

seat up front.

Lana hopped in the driver's seat and sped off into the night.

"Where are we going?" Devon hoped she had an idea.

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She glanced over to him. "I saw a ragged hotel on the way in. I figured we could get a room

there and do this." She slung her thumb over her shoulder at the bound man.

Devon nodded. "Sounds good to me." Whimpering came from the backseat. He watched the

other man tremble like a leaf. He couldn't blame the guy. If he were in the other man's situation

he'd be shaking, too. Who knew how Lana got her information out of people.

"The hotel is right up here on the left. You go in the office and I'll park out of sight just in

case he tries anything.

Devon looked over the seat. "He better not, if he knows what's good for him. I won't hesitate

to get rough with him." The other man cringed away from Devon, drawing himself into a ball.

"I p-p-promise I won't do anything. I won't tell anybody if you let me go." He pleaded.

Lana laughed. "Not until I get what I want from you."

Devon stepped out of the truck and went inside.

* * * *

Lana pulled around back and waited until he came out. She sat facing the building, rubbing

her hands on her jeans. "Come on, come out already." She tapped on the steering wheel with her

nails, making a thrumming sound. Lana was just about to drive around front, when Devon came

around the corner. Walking to the back of the building, he stopped and pointed out the room. It

was most likely a dank little room with a hard bed. It didn't matter anyway. They weren't there

to sleep.

Devon approached the truck after opening the room door. "Get all the stuff and I'll get him in

there." He opened the back door of the truck and slung the smaller man over his shoulder.

"Please, I'll tell you anything you want to know, just untie me." He wiggled, getting one hand

free.

"Oh no, you don't." Devin threw him on the bed and quickly secured his hand. "There ya go,

all wrapped up like a trussed up turkey. Oh and I hope you'll do what you said and tell her what

she wants to know."

"A-a-anything. Just don't kill me" He cringed away from Devon again.

* * * *

Devon got close to the other man's ear. "It's not me you have to worry about." Not, that he

didn't want to punch the guy's face in, but he had an idea his interrogation might be less than

hers. He looked up as Lana came out of the bathroom.

"Put him in the chair." She walked over closer to them.

He noticed she had something silver in her hand as she approached. "What do you have

there?" He raised a brow.

"A pair of pliers. I think this might get us what we want." She held the shiny pair of pliers up

so the man could see them. He cringed away from her.

"Oh God, please don't hurt me. I'll tell you anything you want to know."

"Good, then I won't have to pull your fangs out and let you starve." Lana got closer to the man

and waved the pliers around. The man closed his mouth tight and stared at the offending tool as

she moved them.

"What the hell do you want from me?" He sat there shaking in his boots.

Devon spoke up. "I want to know where my sister is!" He put his hands on his hips and

waited. Devon wanted to strangle the guy, but then he wouldn't get any information. His blood

boiled at the thought of this asshole biting her.

"What? Did I bite her?"

"You better not have!" Devin growled in his face.

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"All right, cool it Devon. Why don't you leave it to me? After all, this is what you hired me

for." She glanced up to him sweetly.

"Fine!" he threw his arms up in the air.

Lana approached the man. "What's your name?"

"Drew."

"Okay, Drew, I need you to tell me if there is a coven with a teenage girl. Her name is Zara."

"I've never heard of her."

"I want you to really think hard about that or things could get ugly." She grabbed the pliers off

the nightstand.

"I really don't know her. I swear!"

"All right, let's see if we can jog your memory. Do you know of any coven that is more active

than usual? Maybe, using death dealers to guard them?"

"Y-yes I do. There's a coven not too far from here that's been doing strange things."

"Things like what?" She got in his face.

He flinched. "Like having werewolves guard them in the day. But that's all I know. I

promise."

She turned to Devon. "Great, werewolves. That's all we needed." She slapped her thigh.

"Don't worry about it so much. I can handle weres."

"Dammit, will you tell me what the fuck you are?" She stood with her hands on her hips.

"I told you it's not important what I am. The only thing that matters is I can handle the

problem!"

She sat heavily on the bed. "Fine! Don't tell me, but you better be able to back that up."

"I can back it up, matter of fact I'm about to back you up." He started for her.

She flipped over the bed, getting out of the grasp of his hands.

"You're not getting away that easy." He was over the bed in a flash pulling her into his arms.

"See, I told you." His five o'clock shadow was rough on her cheek as he whispered in her ear.

"You're mine. I'll do with you whatever I want."

"Uh uhm." Drew cleared his throat.

"Fuck! I forgot about you." Devon's cock was already hard and aching for Lana. Now he

wished the bastard weren't there. Lana had pushed him to the point where if Drew wasn't

wearing the rope, then Lana would be. He wanted to throw her over the bed and bury himself

deep inside her. The beast in him craved her like a drug. With his kind, if you find a mate

they're it for life. She didn't know it yet, but he already marked her several times. That's his

version of a wedding. A very high sex drive was also a trait for his kind. He would have to have

her again soon.

Lana broke away from Devon and approached Drew. "Tell me where this coven is."

He tried pointing with his hand still trapped in the rope. "It's just a couple blocks from here."

His voice broke on the last word.

"All right, let's go."

125

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

Lana drove slowly down the road, listening to Drew's directions. Devon was beside her

making impatient noises.

"Are we close?"

Drew sat forward and looked from side to side. "It's just a little farther."

"You better not be setting us up or you will pay for it." Lana glanced over her shoulder to see

Drew's face. He was still pale and shaking. She guessed he was legit. That or he was a damn

good actor.

"This is it. You walk down that hill to an abandoned warehouse. It's light tight on the inside,

but there are werewolves present in the daytime."

"Thanks. That's all I needed to know." She opened the door to get out, but Devon grabbed her

arm pulling her back inside. "Hey, what's the deal?" She turned and glared at him. "This is what

you hired me to do, remember?"

"I'm not going to let you go down there alone. You could get killed." His grip on her arm

increased.

She looked down at his hand and jerked her arm free. "It's all part of the job, sport. Besides

who's gonna stay with Drew while we're gone? Did you even think about that? So, let me go

and you stay here and guard him."

"I don't need a guard," Drew said.

In unison they both said, "Shut up!"

Drew moved back in the seat. "Fine!"

"I'm going in alone. I'm a vampire, they might think I'm just passing through. But you, they

would be on you in a microsecond. You're scent would drive them wild." She grabbed an extra

stake to slip into her other boot then shut the truck door. The only thing she worried about was

that Devon said with Zara's blood they could survive a staking. She seriously doubted they could

survive a beheading though.

Lana started down the hill staring at the building, looking for any movement. She could smell

the stench of them from a hundred miles away. They were a nasty coven that didn't dispose of

their kills properly. Killing their prey only made her madder. She hoped she wasn't too late for

Zara.

Two men stood just outside the door to the building. She paused when one of them started to

speak. "Can you believe how good we feel? I feel like I could run naked in the midday sun."

"Why in the hell would you want to do that? I swear, Park, you're about the dumbest vamp I

know." The other man shook his head.

Park pointed to the other man. "Hey man, don't knock it until you've tried it."

"Do you think they'll keep her around much longer? She's already killed four of us."

That threw Lana for a loop. "Keep talking boys ... " She watched from a crouched position

by a tree.

A twig snapped behind her. "And what is it you want to hear?" She turned to see a tall,

muscular, vampire stood looming over her with his hands on his hips. "Why don't we go closer

so we can hear them better?" He snatched her up by her arm, reminding her of Devon's touch.

Fuck! How in the hell did I get into this. And more importantly, how am I going to get out?

She hoped like hell that her connection with Devon was strong enough for him to feel her. She

closed her eyes and concentrated on him. If you can hear me Devon, don't come after me. I'll

get as much intel as I can.

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* * * *

Devon sensed her being dragged into the coven. Her fear left a bitter taste on his tongue.

Devon jumped out of the truck and headed down after her. He was too late; they already had her

inside the building. "Fuck! You better come out of this okay. Dammit Lana, I knew I should

have gone with you."

He could have shifted and taken out the threat before she was caught. The woman he loved

was in there alone. He held off going any further, so they wouldn't hurt her. He would wait till

sunrise to go in and get both of them. Zara was here. Her angst made his blood boil. Walking

back to the truck, he contemplated whether or not he should shift for this or not. Devon was a

very strong man, but the beast inside was a stone cold killer. He could mow down vampires like

they were nothing, but he risked being sought after. Once they knew what he was they would

never let him be, unless he killed them all. Now that thought gave him gooseflesh all over. He

hadn't killed any supernaturals in a long time.

Devon climbed in the truck and looked over the seat to see if Drew was still there. "Good to

see you didn't do anything stupid like try to escape. We need to head back to the hotel. I can't

do anything until morning." He made a growling noise as he pulled away.

"What happened to her?" Devon saw Drew, in the rearview mirror, inch a little closer to the

driver's seat. "Why are we leaving without her?"

"She was taken inside the building, so now I have to save her, too." He slammed his fist into

the steering wheel. "I fuckin' told her we should go together. But no, she had to go alone and

get captured and who knows what they'll do to her." He growled again. The thought of another

man laying a hand on her in any way, really pissed him off. He was angry enough to shift, but

somehow held himself in check. He couldn't risk it with so many vampires around.

"Why aren't we going in after her?" Drew snapped.

Devon slammed on the brakes making Drew hit the back of Devon's seat. "We? What the

hell is this we, shit?"

"Hey, I'm in this, too. Y'all made sure of that. And look, if you wanted me dead you would

have killed me by now. You've not once tried to kill me. Not really. That means you're not bad

people. Plus, I hate this coven. They turned my sister against her will. I want revenge. I kinda

like you two. You're not as bad as I thought you'd be. You don't want to hurt me, you just want

to find your sister and I get that. I'd do the same if I were in your situation." He pulled on the

restraints. "So, are you going to untie me?"

"Let's get back to the room and we'll decide what to do then." He blew out a frustrated breath.

How in the hell did the situation spiral down to this? It was so fucked up he doubted it was

going to turn out the way he planned.

The tires screeched as he pulled into the motel parking lot. Devon parked and grabbed Drew.

He slung Drew over his shoulder and carried him into the room. He had no idea if Drew was on

the up and up, but he didn't have anyone else to help him.

"Drew, you swear on your sister's life you'll help me and not try anything stupid?"

"Hell yeah, man, I promise. I want to avenge my sister. She hates this life and wants to die

for real. She refuses to feed and is starving to death. Plus, I like Lana. She seems all badass, but

she's really a lover, not a fighter."

Devon's temperature hit an all time high at Drew's words. "What the fuck do you mean by

that? She's mine! And if you want to make it out alive then you should hold your tongue about

Lana."

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"Sorry man." Drew held his hands up through the rope. "I didn't mean anything by it. I was

just saying she's a nice person underneath the hard exterior."

Devon snorted derisively.

Nervously, Drew huffed out a breath. "So you'll let me go with you?"

"Fuck! Yes. I'll let you go with me. But I swear, if you put one toe out of line, I'll kill you

myself. Now shut up and let me sleep. I have to be at my strongest tomorrow."

"Just one more thing and I won't bother you again." Drew wiggled in the rope. "Will you

untie me, please?"

Devon paused. "I don't know if I can trust you or not. You could be feeding me a line of

bullshit just to get loose. I can't handle two different covens coming after me."

"Oh come on, I'm on your side." He wiggled in the rope again.

"Fuck it. All right, I'll untie you, but if you try anything at all, I'll kill you myself."

"Deal. I swear I'm on your side."

"Yeah, that's what you keep saying, but we'll see tomorrow." Devon approached Drew and

turned him so he could get to the knot. In a matter of seconds the rope fell loose. "Just

remember what I said. If you try anything, I'll kill you."

"No you won't. Now listen, I need to go to the bathroom for a minute, but then we can work

on a plan. I'll be right back." Drew stepped around Devon and headed for the toilet.

* * * *

"Put her in the cell with the others." A large muscular vampire told the two goons that had her

by the arms. They jerked her to the right and led her down a long dark hallway. At the end there

was a cell full of people. She guessed they were to be sucked dry and disposed of. If she hadn't

fed on Devon, this would be a problem. Goon one used a key to open the cage and goon two

threw her in there like she was a rag doll, making her land on her ass.

She wondered what was giving them the strength to manhandle her like they were.

"There ya go, sweetheart. Enjoy your stay." They both laughed their way back down the hall.

"I'm no sweetheart." She scrambled to her feet and yelled after them.

"A-a-re you here to s-s-save us?" A small scared woman cringed.

She slid down the bars to the floor and tucked her head between her legs. "No. I am not here

to save you."

The woman softly cried, covering her mouth, so as not to attract attention.

Oh great, now I have to get these people out, too.

There was a screech coming from the other end of the hall, but when Lana stood up, she

couldn't see down there. It was too dark. The screaming kept going and the people behind her

started screaming, too. What a fuckin' mess she had herself in. She regretted not staking the

bastard that caught her. Then she could be with Devon right now instead of this stupid cage full

of screaming people.

She whistled loudly to get their attention. There was one man standing in front of all the

others.

"You?" She pointed to him. "What's your name?"

"Ethan."

"Okay Ethan, how does this work? When do they come and get one of you?"

"I don't know what time it is, but you will hear them dragging a chain down the hall. They

put the chain around your neck and lead you away. That's all I know."

"Thanks. You've just helped me more than you know."

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CHAPTER FOURTEEN

Now all she had to do was wait for the chains. She settled in for the night leaning her back

against the railing. She had almost fallen asleep when she heard a small feminine voice cut

through the silence, "Please don't bite me again. Just let me go."

They must have grabbed her, or bit her, because she screamed. Lana knew in her undead

heart that was Zara. She turned around and stuck her head as far through the bars as she could

and yelled to her, "Zara, you're not alone. I will save you!" If nothing else, she would find a way

to get her out of there, even if it meant the end for Lana. It would definitely be worth it. Devon

had changed her whole life and now it boiled down to one insane move. God, she longed for a

taste of his blood. His blood was life itself. And when it coursed through her body everything

felt recharged and alive. She kicked the bars and cursed under her breath.

The sun would be up soon and that's when she would make her move. They didn't search her

very well and she still had her knife and the stake in her boots. Now all she needed was the

damn chain to come down the hall. Vampires liked to feed right before they went to sleep. She

was feeling the same as they were, but she was fighting it. She hoped Devon would be there

soon to get his sister. Getting Zara out was all that was important. Lana wasn't worried about

herself. She could take care of herself.

Finally the chain rattled down the hallway. The people behind her moved away from the front

of the cell. Most were whimpering and some were praying. "Don't worry; I'll get you all out of

here. Stay back and let me do what I have to do."

The same two goons that led her to the cell were the same ones who'd returned with the chain.

"Who wants to volunteer today?" Goon one asked. He rattled the chain scaring most of the

people. Goon two smiled at her with his fangs descended. Lana let hers drop and she hissed at

the idiot. Those sonsofbitches didn't scare her. "Lookie here, we have ourselves a scary vamp.

Show me what else you can do, sweetheart."

"No problem, babe." She bent down grabbed the stake and had it in his chest before he even

knew what was coming.

"Jake!" Goon number one screeched as Jake turned to dust and splattered the floor. "Guess

you two guys didn't get a taste of her." She laughed, "You're next."

He swung the chain at her.

She grabbed it, pulling him forward right onto the stake. He too turned to dust. Now all she

needed was the key. The shiny, gold, key lay in a pile of dust right outside the cage. She

dropped to her knees and reached through the bars, coming up short.

"Shit! I can't reach them." She stretched her arm as far as she could, but the keys were just

too far out.

A man spoke up from the back of the cell. "Let me try." He was thin, frail like a skeleton. He

bent down by the cell door and easily grabbed the keys.

"What are you two idiots doing down there? I want to feed and go to sleep."

Those two idiots were lying in a pile on the floor. She smiled, satisfied with her work and

opened the cell. All of them clamored for the door. "Wait, I can't take all of you right now. I

promise I will come back for all of you." She quickly locked the cell door, looking at a mass of

pleading faces. She didn't have time to feel sorry for them. She had to be at her best to handle

what was coming up. She slunk up the hallway, staying close to the wall. The hall was getting

lighter with the rays of the sun. She felt like feeding and sleeping, too, but she had a job to do

and this would be the perfect time to fight them. "Devon, if you can hear me, this is the time."

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There was a commotion just a few feet from her. A vampire flew in her direction, slamming

into the wall across from her and dropping with a loud thud. He had a hole in the middle of his

chest, but he wasn't dust. She quickly grabbed his hair, pulled his head back and cut his throat so

deep that he was almost decapitated.

He turned to dust in her hands.

With her stake and her knife she was pretty confident that she could handle whatever was

around the corner. Then she heard a female scream and jumped into action.

A loud neigh and breath came from the main room and as she rounded the corner she stopped

dead in her tracks. "What the fuck?"

* * * *

The two werewolves out front were easy enough to dispatch. One shifted and got a bite in,

but Devon stabbed him with a silver stake and the werewolf went down with a thud.

Devon hadn't planned to shift, but when he heard his sister scream, he had no choice.

"I've got the left. You take out the middle." Drew pulled his gun out and shot anything that

moved. There was a swarm of vampires coming at them from every direction.

Devon came through the middle taking out two and three vamps at a time. His horn was

deadly; his hooves were even more lethal, able to rip, crush or tear anything into pieces.

A hissing vampire came at him from the front.

Devon lowered his head and speared the sonofabitch, turning him to dust.

He caught sight of Lana standing against the wall. She was fighting a larger vamp. In one

swift motion she sliced him across the chest, but he kept going after her.

He got her knife and slashed her across the belly.

Devon felt the searing pain as if it were him that was getting cut. He charged the vamp and

speared him right in the chest. He was down but not out. That was one of the bastards that fed

on Zara. He lurched forward squishing the vamp beneath his hooves crushing him like a bug.

Holding her midsection, Lana dropped to the floor.

They connected and she was telling him to go on and get his sister. Reluctantly, he left Lana

and headed further inside the building, crushing walls like they were paper. He busted through

the third wall and he'd spotted Zara with a vamp holding a knife to her throat.

"Devon you're here." Zara had a stream of tears flowing down her pale face. He saw the bite

marks on her neck and didn't hesitate to spear the bastard through the chest.

The knife clattered to the floor, as did the vamp. Drew ran up beside him, shooting the vamp

into dust.

Devon changed back to his human form. "Drew, get Zara out of here. I have to go after

Lana." Devon took a moment to wipe the tears away from Zara's face. "I would go to the ends of

the earth to find you, Zara."

She smiled weakly as Drew ushered her out of the room.

"Hold on, Lana, I'm coming." He ran out of the room back to where she had fallen, but she

wasn't there. He focused on their connection, but couldn't feel her. He ran around frantically

searching for her. "Lana! Lana, tell me where you're at." The stench of death was all around

him. Drew had shot down the rest of the coven while escaping with Zara. They all had to die or

he and Zara would never be safe.

There was no trace of her. "Lana! Come on honey, tell me where you are." The only way the

connection could be broken was if she were dead. "God no, please Lana; let me know where you

are." Concentrating as hard as he could, he finally felt something. It was faint, but there. There

was a long hallway to his left. "Hold on baby, I'm coming." Running down the hall as fast as he

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could, he found her almost dead, lying in front of a cell full of people. He dropped down on his

knees and cradled her head in his hands. She had a massive hole through her. She'd been staked.

She glanced up at him, her eyes looked glazed over. "We had a good run, sport." She smiled

weakly, then her head lulled to the side.

"Lana please, open your eyes. Come on, don't leave me." He shook her gently, getting a small

response from her. She opened her eyes and they rolled back in her head. She was fading in and

out. He barely felt the connection.

He shook her harder. "Lana you need to feed. Come on bite me." He leaned down and

exposed his wrist to her.

"Devon." His name fell from her lips in a whisper. He held her tighter and forced her mouth

against his wrist when he finally felt the little sting of her bite. It wouldn't heal her all at once,

she'd need him for several days at least and he planned to take advantage of the week ahead,

showing her all the love he had to offer.

A small frail lady from the cell spoke up. "She was trying to save us when a huge Vampire

staked her from behind. She did manage to kill him, but she paid a high price for it."

She was now sucking greedily. The connection grew stronger and she healed more. The

wound would close and she would be alright, but she couldn't leave him. The thought of her

leaving would destroy him.

She stopped sucking and licked the wound closed. He held her in his arms as she looked into

his eyes. She smiled. "So you're a big fucking, scary ass, Unicorn. I never would have guessed

that one."

131

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

Nearly a week had passed and she was whole again. It was time to move on to the next case.

"Oh, Devon, I'm gonna miss you." She didn't dare speak above a whisper or he would hear. She

wanted a quiet exit. Lana swung her feet over the side of the bed and sat up. She slowly trudged

over to the dresser and pulled out an outfit. Once she dressed, it would be time to hop into the

truck and kiss Georgia goodbye.

She'd just pulled her shirt on when Zara came into her room. "What are we doing today?

Doing each other's hair like we did yesterday or do you wanna do something different? Oh, I

know, we could do each other's makeup. You would look perfect in earth tones. Or we could go

into town"

"Zara, I would love to do all those things with you, but I have to go home now. I have

another life that's waiting for me."

Zara shook her head. "But you can't go. You and my brother are together now and I want

you to stay." A tear trickled down Zara's innocent face.

Lana had come to love the girl and Devon, but she couldn't stay. There would be another

bounty, another Zara out there to be rescued and she couldn't give that up.

"Why is my baby sister crying?" Devon leaned on the doorframe of her room, shirtless,

wearing jeans with the button undone and bare feet. He took a sip of coffee from the mug he

held in his hand.

Zara looked at Lana, who pleaded with her eyes for her to not tell Devon. Lana cleared her

throat. "We were just having a girl moment." She smiled at Devon who had squinty eyes. The

expression on his face said he wasn't buying a second of it.

"Zara, could you excuse us for a minute. I need to have a talk with Lana."

Zara jumped off the bed and squealed. "See, I told ya." Then she trotted out the door.

Devon pushed off the wall and slowly walked toward Lana. "Now you wouldn't be thinking

about leaving would you?"

"Devon, I have to leave." She dropped her head in her hands, not wanting to deal with this at

all.

"You have to leave, or you want to leave?" He closed the gap between them and sat on the

edge of the bed beside her.

"I have to go. I have other people exactly like you waiting for me to find someone for them

just like I did for you." She huffed out a breath.

"You're not the only tracker out there and you can't save everyone. And don't forget you're

mine. All mine to do with as I please, remember? Or did you lie to me?"

"No! I would never lie to you. I meant for the moment I was yours, not for life." She threw

her hands up in the air.

"Lana, when I claimed you as mine, I meant for life."

Oh God, how she wanted that to be true. "Why are you doing this? Just let me go."

"Dammit, Lana, are you not hearing me? I love you and I want to be your mate for life."

"What am I supposed to do about my job? People still need me."

He took her hand in his. "No babe, they need us. Now you have someone to back you up.

And if the location is an issue, we can move. It's that simple. Stay with me, Lana."

"You'd do that for me? You'd give up this southern mansion and move out to the coast?

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"Of course, I would. I'd go anywhere you want to go, as long as we're together. Now enough

of this talk, I want to show you something." He pulled her to her feet, flush against him. She

could feel his erection through his jeans.

"If that's what you wanted to show me, I've already seen it."

"No smartass." He kissed her lightly on the lips. "I want to show you something else. Follow

me." He tugged her along, going down the stairs to a locked room.

"What is this place?" He shoved the thick door open and led her inside.

"It's my playroom." He switched on a light and a bed, a sawhorse looking thing and a tray full

of toys came into view.

"Oh no, no, no I don't think so. Besides we can't, your sister will hear."

"The room is soundproof, babe and the door is locked. We can do anything we want to, and I

want to have you on the bed. Take your clothes off and get on the bed on all fours."

"Yes, Sir." She recognized that tone of voice. He meant exactly what he said and she was to

comply.

He smiled at her and had a twinkle in his eyes. "That's my girl." Devon grabbed a length of

rope and approached the bed. "Give me your wrists." She quickly presented her arms. He

wrapped the rope around her wrists and secured her to the headboard with her arms above her

head. He went over to the toy table and came back with a cat o' nine tails. Trailing the straps

across her bare bottom gave her the chills. Gooseflesh erupted all over her body sending a

tremor down her spine. "I think you like this. I think you crave this." He landed a strike across

her buttocks.

"Oh!" She yelped.

"You have a safe word; It's butterfly. Tell me your safe word."

"Butterfly!" Another smack landed on her other cheek.

"I want to see this little ass of yours a nice rose color. Don't you think that would be pretty?"

"Yes, Sir. Please more."

* * * *

Sonofabitch, his balls were aching. He couldn't possibly get any harder than he was. It had

been over a week since he'd had her. And this was his last chance to get her to stay.

"That's it babe, tell me what you need." Another strike landed giving her a crisscross pattern

across her ass. That's exactly where he wanted to take her, too.

"I need more, please? I'm yours, do with me what you will."

He grabbed a hunk of her hair, pulling her head back. He ravaged her mouth, leaving nothing

untouched. Their tongues danced together passionately in a kiss that seemed to linger on for an

eternity. He reached down and penetrated her with one long thick finger. She was so wet it

seeped down her thighs. "Fuck! That's enough, I have to have you now." He tossed the cat o'

nine tails across the room and yanked his pants down past his knees. "Open up for me, baby."

He nudged her legs wider with his thighs. He dipped a hand in her sweet honey and stroked his

cock just before penetrating her. He lined up with her hole and pushed in to the hilt in one long

languid stroke.

She pulled at the restraints and moaned. "Oh yeah, fuck me!" She arched her back giving him

more access.

"I've gotcha, babe." The sound of flesh slapping flesh reverberated through the room. A fine

sheen of sweat covered their bodies and their breaths were coming in pants.

"I'm gonna come, Sir."

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"Do not come until I tell you to." He grunted with the extra effort he put into each thrust.

"You like my cock inside you?"

"Yes, oh yes. Please, let me come." Her delicate walls were contracting on his cock, she was

right there on the precipice, about to go over without him.

"Do not come until I tell you to." Devon pinched her on the ass to distract her.

"Ahh!" She jumped a bit.

His balls drew up and a tingle ran up his spine. Devon reached around and pinched her clit.

"Now. Come now." Jets of hot cum splashed inside her, as she came apart in his arms.

"Devon!" Her body shuddered violently and her inner tissues squeezed his cock, milking him

of his release. His little bounty hunter was all his. He felt it in their connection. He pulled out

of her and spun her around. "I love you. I will always love you. You are mine."

"You think so? I have a thing with a unicorn, ya know."

"And that unicorn has a thing for you. Now turn over, I want that ass."

* * * *

Back on the west coast Lana felt at home. And Devon kept his word and bought her a house,

not just any house, but a mansion. They had servants and Zara had already made friends with the

local girls. "How's my wife today?" Devon approached her from behind, wrapping his arms

around her.

Her phone rang. She pulled it out of her pocket and answered. "This is Lana."

"I have a job for you. I need a bounty hunter to collect a debt for me."

"I'll meet you at Ted's Bar and Grill at eleven. I'll be at the bar." She hung up and shrugged

her shoulders. "I have to go to work."

"You mean we'll be at the bar, right?"

"Yes. We'll be at the bar." She smiled and hugged him.

"I'll call in the security guards for Zara, and we can go hunting."

"All right I'll go and get clothes and weapons.

* * * *

"You better hurry. We only have a few minutes to go." She turned quickly.

He swatted her on the very ass he'd just had a few minutes before. He could remember it

vividly. Spreading those creamy thighs, holding her butt cheeks apart for better access.

Spreading the cold gel on her tight hole and plunging inside her heat. He could still hear her

moans of pleasure. Still feel her heat and still see her fangs peeking out at him as she looked

over her shoulder. After their release, she turned and bit him. The tiny sting of her fangs filling

him with a sexual high he'd never experienced with another. His cock stirred again. Too bad

they had to leave, because he'd very much love to have his wife again. After their quickie

wedding in Vegas they settled down in Southern California and constantly made love. He

doubted he could ever get enough of her.

"I could never get enough of you either." Lana stood before him with a large bag by her side.

"How did you know I was thinking about that?" He raised a brow.

"For a Unicorn, you sure are thick. We have completely connected remember? Now let's

go."

The drive was quick and quiet. Devon turned into the parking lot parked and they walked in

together. He went to the restroom and she went to the bar.

"Are you alone, sweetheart?"

It was the same burly old man from before. "I'm not here–"

"Alone." Devon finished her sentence as he walked up behind her.

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She smiled up at him, then stood on tip toes and kissed her man.

Devon swore from that moment on no other man would touch his little bounty hunter.

"Are you, Lana?" A very broad shouldered demon with black eyes and dark hair asked her.

"Yes, I am. What do you have for me?"

"I need you to find a man who took my money."

"It'll cost ya." Lana nodded to the man.

Devon stepped forward looking Lana in the eyes. "You better mean money. You won't feed

on any other man."

"Yes, Sir."

135

ABOUT THE AUTHORS

Sascha Illyvich, proclaimed by the Publishing industry as the Bad Boy of Romance, started

writing fourteen years ago. His erotic romances have been listed under the Night Owl Romance

and Road to Romance's Recommended read list, as well nominated for a CAPA by The

Romance Studio.

Represented by the Corvisiero Literary Agency, he continues to write for Sizzler Editions,

Total E-bound and Decadent Publishing. Readers can find his work, plus free reads, at

http://saschaillyvichauthor.com. He edits for Sizzler Editions Intoxication Erotic Romance line

and he's also part of the WriteSex Panel, a blog group defining erotica for writers in any genre!

Find us at http://www.writesex.net

* * * *

Margie Church writes erotic romance novels with a strong suspense element, in keeping with

her moniker: Romance with SASS (Suspense Angst Seductive Sizzle). She has a degree in

writing and editing and has been a professional writer, editor, and journalist for over 25 years. If

you enjoy books you can't put down, read one of hers. Margie lives in Minnesota, is married,

and has two children. Some of her passions are music, flower gardening, biking, walking on

moonlit nights, nature, and making people laugh.

* * * *

Bonni Sansom lives in the Deep South with her husband and two beautiful children. Most

days when you find her she is at her computer, writing steamy love stories for you to enjoy. She

was a truck driver before she found her true passion in writing. She traveled the United States

with her husband until she had children. She is the author of Jack's Christmas Wish and Eternal

Bliss. She aspires to write many more. She is an avid reader, a doting mother and loving wife.

136

Table of Contents

CHAPTER ONE

CHAPTER TWO

CHAPTER THREE

CHAPTER FOUR

CHAPTER FIVE

CHAPTER SIX

CHAPTER SEVEN

CHAPTER ONE

CHAPTER TWO

CHAPTER THREE

CHAPTER FOUR

CHAPTER FIVE

CHAPTER SIX

EPILOGUE

CHAPTER ONE

CHAPTER TWO

CHAPTER THREE

CHAPTER FOUR

CHAPTER FIVE

CHAPTER SIX

CHAPTER SEVEN

CHAPTER EIGHT

CHAPTER NINE

CHAPTER TEN

CHAPTER ELEVEN

CHAPTER TWELVE

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

CHAPTER FIFTEEN