Blood Song: Refrain (Blood Song Series Book 2)

by Charli B. Rose

  The more I read, the more pages of the same thing I found. So, even more money was missing than Dad’s notebook had indicated. Dad hadn’t finished dealing with the expense reports before his death. Someone had certainly made off with a lot of money that belonged to Dad’s boss. Hopefully, when I finished compiling everything, I’d be able to convince his former boss that Dad wasn’t a thief. He might have been too weak to deal with the fallout of public humiliation, but he did not embezzle that money. Maybe then I’d be able to get my childhood home back.

  But did I even want to go back home?

  Mentally drained, I shuffled the folders I was done with back into their box. Then I shoved everything under the desk.

  After a quick meal and a shower, I was ready for bed. I contemplated going to Toven’s room to sleep, but it felt like an invasion of his space with him gone. I missed him more than I cared to admit to my heart.

  I got beneath my covers. For a couple of hours, I proceeded to toss and turn, unable to fall asleep. With a sigh, I pounded my fist into my pillow, re-fluffing it.

  On the nightstand, my phone lit up. Happy for the distraction, I reached for it.

  A smile split my face when I saw Toven’s name on the screen.

  “Hey, my star. Did I wake you?” he asked when I answered. His face filled the screen.

  “No,” I grumbled. “I haven’t been able to fall asleep. You look tired yourself.”

  “It’s been a long day. I wish I was home with you.” He ran his fingers through his hair, making it stick up everywhere.

  “I wish you were here with me too. Then maybe I could sleep.” I pouted.

  “I guarantee if I was there, you’d definitely be able to sleep.” He winked. “Why are you back in your room?”

  “I didn’t want to invade your space while you were gone,” I admitted with a shrug.

  He gave a wry chuckle. “You’ve invaded every part of me. Sleeping in my bed while I’m gone is minor compared to the way you’re entwined in the very strands of my DNA.”

  My heart fluttered. “You should write that down. Sounds like the makings of a love song.” I twirled a lock of hair around my finger.

  “Maybe I will. Now, how about I do something that will help the both of us sleep?”

  “Hmm. You’ve got my attention. I mean, the sooner we go to sleep, the sooner you’re back. So, what did you have in mind? Tell me a bedtime story? Sing me a lullaby?”

  “Better. Take your phone and go get in my bed, where you belong,” he commanded in that tone that sent shivers skittering up my spine.

  I hastened to do as he said.

  “Turn on the lamp next to the bed,” he said.

  Leaning over, I twisted the knob, turning on the light. Then I pulled back the covers so I could climb in. Instantly, peace settled over me as his scent surrounded me.

  “What’s the smile and sigh for?” he asked.

  “If I close my eyes, I can almost pretend you’re lying here next to me because I’m surrounded by your smell. And your voice is filling my ears.” I nervously tucked a lock of hair behind my ear as I took in the possessive look that took over his features.

  “But if I was there, you wouldn’t just smell me and hear me. You’d taste the mint from my mouthwash on your lips when I kissed you. You’d feel my fingers gliding over your soft skin, my hands tugging you to me, my mouth bringing you pleasure.” His voice was low and commanding of all my brain’s synapses.

  I moaned at the image he painted, half in disappointment and half in desperation.

  “But we can improvise,” he continued.

  “Oh?”

  “Yeah. First, hold the phone out and show me what you’re wearing.”

  Warmth spread over my cheeks as I studied him closely. He couldn’t be suggesting what I imagined he was, could he?

  One eyebrow lifted over a sparkling light brown eye on my phone’s screen. His look said, ‘What are you waiting for?’.

  Sucking in a deep breath, I held the phone at arm’s length above my body so he could see the tiny, blushing-pink satin teddy I wore.

  A growl rumbled through the speakers. “Take your panties off,” came the gruff command.

  “Hang on,” I whispered and put down the phone so I could use both hands to slip the scrap of lace from my body.

  I picked the phone back up, completely embarrassed to be so turned on by the possibility of what he was offering. “Are . . . are we really going to . . .?” I waved my hand helpless as to how to finish my question.

  “Have phone sex?” he finished for me.

  I gave a quick nod.

  “Yes. Unless you don’t want to.”

  “I do. I just . . . I’ve never done this before. I don’t know what to do,” I stammered, feeling completely inadequate.

  “I’ve never done this before either. So, we’ll wing it.” He winked at me.

  “But I’ve never . . . you know . . . all the way on my own before,” I whispered.

  “I think I can help with that too. I’d hoped to save this for when I was there with you, but in a way, I am there with you. Open the drawer in my nightstand and grab out the little pink-wrapped box.” His eyes twinkled with mischief.

  I shifted to do as he asked. The only thing inside besides a notepad and pen was the package he described. Holding it up to the phone, I showed him I’d found it.

  “Now open it.” His voice was a little breathless.

  I propped the phone up on the pillow next to me. “Can you see me OK?”

  “Yes,” came his clipped response.

  I narrowed my eyes, taking in his expression. “What are you up to?” I asked, making no move to rip open the wrapping paper.

  “You really want to know?” he asked.

  “Of course.”

  To my surprise, he didn’t address the contents of the package. Instead, he shifted his phone out to arm’s length. His other hand was fisting his cock, stroking it slowly. The camera swung back to a closeup of his face.

  My mouth went dry and blood rushed to the surface of all my skin.

  “Now open the package,” he pleaded.

  With fumbling fingers, I did just that and pulled out a box labeled Satisfyer Pro. I lifted the flap and slid out a black and white device.

  My brow furrowed as I held it up to the phone. “Is this a penguin?” I asked.

  “Yes. One for your pleasure. I can tell you how to use it because I familiarized myself with it before I ordered it for you. Or I can give you a minute to read the instructions,” he offered, his shoulder muscles shifting in a steady rhythm.

  “I’ll read it and see if I can figure it out.”

  “It’s a clit stimulator. Some new type of technology. I don’t have any experience with them, but the reviews on Amazon were quite the testimonials. I’m certain your little friend can get the job done.”

  I read through the short set of directions several times before I dared meet his gaze again. “I’m ready. Are you?” I panted.

  “I’ve been ready, my star,” he rasped out.

  I positioned the little bowtie-wearing penguin in what I hoped was the right spot beneath the fabric of my nightie. My sweaty finger pressed the button a couple of times to get the waves pulsating. A whimper bubbled up out of my lips.

  “You have it in place?” he asked.

  “Pretty sure I do,” I breathed out.

  “Good.”

  My body trembled in time with the pulses from the tiny penguin.

  “How does it feel?” Toven asked.

  “Mmm,” I groaned, arching my back. My ability for real words was gone.

  He chuckled and continued to watch my face. I closed my eyes as pleasure coiled in my belly.

  Tighter.

  Tighter.

  I was going to detonate.

  Tighter.

  There. The coil snapped and pleasure spilled over me in gentle waves. I flopped back on my pillow as my name was growled through my phone’s speaker.

  With hea
vy lids, I peeked at Toven. He looked sated.

  “Good?” he asked.

  I gave him a lazy smile. “Not as good as . . . you know.” I waved my hand around, hoping he’d get the gist of what I meant. “But definitely better than anything I’ve ever achieved on my own.”

  “I think we can both sleep now. I’ll see you tomorrow, my star. Sleep now,” he murmured and blew me a kiss.

  I returned the gesture. “G’night, Toven. And thanks.”

  “My pleasure.”

  And mine, I thought as we disconnected.

  33

  Toven

  ♪ Here’s to the Night by Eve 6

  Watching her shatter from a distance was greater torture than I expected when I plotted that little long-distance rendezvous. Resisting her was becoming harder and harder. I longed to give her everything. Maybe I could. For a time at least.

  In a different world, there’d be no question. Without much effort, I could picture myself marrying her, pledging my life to her, having children with her. It was a happy fantasy.

  Before I could get too lost in it, my phone pinged with a text message. Maybe it was her. Hastily, I snatched up my phone, eager to connect with her again, even remotely for a moment.

  Circe: Thought you might get a kick out of this. It arrived to me in the mail today.

  I clicked to download the attachment. My gut churned with a mixture of dread and curiosity. Circe seemed to have let go of her anger when I saw her last. But grudges were a funny thing. Sometimes they weren’t so easy to turn loose of.

  A gasp slipped unbidden from my lips when the fuzzy photo loaded onto my screen. Followed immediately by another text from Circe.

  Circe: I’d say don’t we look young, but we look the same now. Except the hair. LOL.

  I didn’t find anything funny about the grainy, black and white image staring back at me. Though it was well over a hundred years old, I could still recall that day like it was yesterday. I always heard that you never forgot your wedding day. I guessed that was true.

  Thank You

  This moment where I actually sit down and look at the finished product is a moment where I always have to pinch myself to make sure I really did this. That I wrote a book. Another book. I finished it. Thank you for getting to this point, for taking the time to read my words.

  For some of you, I’m a new author. For many of you, that’s the case. (I haven’t been doing this very long.) If that’s you, thanks for taking the risk. I hope you enjoyed it. For those of you who read my rocker romance first, thank you for taking a chance on PNR with me. And for those of you who trust I’m going to tell you a good story no matter the genre, thank you for coming along for the ride. I hope that you all know that I promise to deliver a happily ever after for the characters you love, because let’s face it, that’s why we read ROMANCE. I know sometimes the journey to the happy ending is long. But know that as an author, I value the trust you place in me to deliver it. I hope I never let you down.

  Coming Soon - Blood Song: CODA (Book 3)

  Two souls bound by blood and love.

  TOVEN

  I had no heart. At least not in the emotional sense. For over a century, the organ in my chest served one purpose—to pump venom through my veins. But once she crashed into my life, literally, she shocked life back into my dead heart. Life wasn’t something that I wanted. But after I found it with her, I didn’t want to let it go. Too bad we don’t always get a choice.

  CELESTA

  I thought I’d lost everything that mattered. But I was wrong. Losing what I had led me to find the most important thing in the world—him, the one. The other half of my heart and soul. As a vampire, he didn’t believe in such romantic notions. But I knew I could change his mind if only I had enough time. Sadly, time was the one thing the immortal I loved was running out of.

  Can a blood song become a love song?

  Coming in Fall of 2019.

  Other books by Charli:

  Lyrical Odyssey Rock Star Series

  Beats of the Heart (book 1)

  Notes of the Heart (book 2)

  Songs of the Heart (book 3)

  Turn up the Tempo (book 4) coming soon

  Blood Song Series

  Blood Song: Prelude (book 1)

  Blood Song: Refrain (book 2)

  Blood Song: Coda (book 3) coming soon

  About the Author

  So, I know these things are generally written in third person as if someone else is talking about me. But I just can’t do it. LOL. It may be “unprofessional” but I’m just me. And I hope that’s OK with you guys.

  I’m a Carolina girl, through and through. I’ve lived in North Carolina my whole life. I’m a wife, a mom, a scientist and a freelance editor. And now I guess I get to officially add author to the list of things I am. I still can’t believe it.

  For as long as I can remember, reading has been my favorite way to pass the time. I always have a book with me and usually am reading more than one at any given time. Editing for indie authors gave me a unique glimpse into the indie publishing world. It’s a world I’m really enjoying becoming a part of.

  Let’s Keep in Touch

  I’d love to hear from you guys. Tell me what you think of Dawson and Izzy. Tell me what you’d like to see me write next. Recommend a great book for me to check out. Let me know what typos you found within my pages. Whatever you want, I want to hear from you.

  Newsletter: http://eepurl.com/dBkmHL

  Website: https://charlirosewriter.wixsite.com/website

  Email: charlirose@charlirosewriter.com

  Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/CharliRoseWriter/

  My reader group: Charli’s Rockin’ Reader group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/248156682622380/

  Twitter: https://twitter.com/CharliR53830413

  Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/18580797.Charli_B_Rose

  Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/author/charlibrose

  Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/charlirose7282/

  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/charlirosewriter/

  Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/3832563067

  Acknowledgments

  This is the part I always save for last. Not because I dread doing it, but because it is the part that is most reverent to me in creating a book, the acknowledgements. This is always the hardest part for me to write. Not because of me but because of you. You all know who you are. And I know who you are, but every time I sit down to write one of these I’m so worried I’m going to forget someone who was instrumental to me. There are so many of you out there who matter. And the list grows so much. So many of you help me along this author journey in big and small ways. I never want you to think I take you for granted.

  As always, I have to thank Brian, the love of my life first. He is my biggest cheerleader, never asking me how much I spent on something book related and always encouraging me. He believes in me when I can’t find it in me to believe in myself. I love you.

  To Matthew, my precious little boy, who is so enthusiastic about me writing stories (even if he can’t read them), I love you so much.

  To my family, close and extended, your love and support have made me the person I am today.

  My beta team – Leslie, Crystal, Krysta, Heather, Amanda, Marcy, Michelle — you guys amaze me. You make me write better. You challenge me to not write the easy ending, to add more emotion, to use the things I worry won’t go over well. Thank you for being willing to read an unpolished story and see the potential it has. And for dealing with my floundering about the ending, always the endings.

  Susan, lady, you mean so much to me. Your friendship is one of the truest things I’ve found in the indie writing industry. I hope you never feel taken for granted. And once again your talent shines on my covers. You have a gift, and I’m blessed that you use it to give a face to my stories.

  To my author friends —Ann Marie, Athena, Yanette, Tempi, Michelle, and so many more — thank you for al
l you do.

  Nathanie, I’m always anxious to see what you think of my words. You approach stories much like I do, so I know that if I’ve made you feel all the things, then I’ve done a good job. Your polish and feedback make me better each time. Thanks for caring so much about my words.

  Silvia, once again, your editing helped my story shine. And your encouragement when I have doubts is so appreciated.

  Several books were referenced within this novel. They are books I read and enjoyed. If you’d like to check them out here are the links:

  Yanette Mantro – Tri Moons: Hidden

  LK Farlow – Best Laid Plans

  Elizabeth O’Roark - Parallel

  My ARC team, I love you all. You keep me excited about writing. Your feedback and emotional outbursts make my day. You are my safe haven, my port in the storm.

  Charli’s Rockin’ Readers, you guys are my happy place. Whenever I check in, it is always with a huge smile on my face. I know you have a lot of options of where you can spend your time. But you chime in, check in and cheer me up. Thank you.

  To all the bloggers who shared, read, encouraged — I’ll never be able to thank you enough.

  And last, but never least, to you, my readers who picked up this book instead of a different one, thank you. Please reach out and let me know what you thought of the book. If you enjoyed Blood Song: Refrain, please consider leaving a review on Amazon for it.