Cassadaga Moon

by R. M. Sotera

  What would you do if you’d wake up in my bed? Probably turn the color of rubies. He kissed her forehead, thinking about the scenario.

  Perhaps another time. I hope.

  Damn. Something about her had his stomach clenched and his mind thinking about much more than sex. He wanted her in a way that was foreign to him.

  The thought of her earlier bantering excited him. What was she doing to him?

  Reaching the sitting room, he set Mia on the couch. Realizing Cindi hadn’t said a word when they entered, he scanned the perimeter.

  She wasn’t in sight.

  Pulling a chenille blanket from the back of the couch, he covered Mia just as his cell phone tinged, signaling a text message. He reached into the front pocket of his leather pants, pulled it out, and flipped it open.

  Two women entered the house tonight under false pretenses. Not part of the Ravenfield Coven. One is a scientist studying vampirism.

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  We don’t need the publicity. Need to scare them. Ridge will deal with the scientist, you deal with the other. Make sure they don’t try a stunt like this again. By the way, I know how you are. Give her a little scare, nothing more. Elder JR.

  Jordan shut the phone and shoved it back into his pocket.

  Shit. This is definitely going to get messy. On the other hand, a little bondage may be just what the doctor ordered.

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  Chapter Three

  When Mia came to, she had a screaming headache. Once she’d finally semirelaxed, she found she was lying on a sofa in the middle of a dimly lit room. She recalled Jordan’s arms wrapping tight around her, and that kiss. No one had ever kissed her like that. Ever.

  With a start, she sat up, moving her fingers in a circular motion on her temples in an attempt to lessen the pounding. The massage didn’t work.

  “How are you feeling?” Jordan whispered through the dimness.

  Mia scanned the room for him as she pulled her hair up and re-clipped it. How did he think she was feeling? All her mind could grasp was the fire that ravaged through every crevice of her body when his lips touched hers. “Where are you, exactly?”

  “I’m over here, babe.” His voice was different. Raspy and short.

  “Stay where you are. I’ll come to you.” Mia’s gaze darted around the room in an attempt to locate her missing best friend, as Jordan sat next to her. Cindi wouldn’t leave her. Would she? Panic constricted Mia’s body like a python devouring its prey. Slow and thorough. Calm down. Maybe she just went to the bathroom.

  She forced a half smile to stop from hyperventilation. Shit! The warm sensation that his presence ignited started flowing through her body again, and she shifted when she felt the warm dampness between her legs. What is he doing to me?

  Desperate to gain control of her body, she repositioned herself in an attempt to calm down her raging hormones. “I must get going. I need to find Cindi.”

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  He pushed his body forward, pinning her shoulders back against the sofa. “What are you and Cindi actually doing here?” The million-dollar question . In vain, she tried to wiggle from beneath his grasp. He was too powerful for her to budge and it pissed her off. “Let me go right now.”

  An astonished expression lit up his face. “No.” After an amused laugh, with one robust hand across her legs, he made sure she was completely immobile and under his control.

  “What did you say?” Mia barked, pissed that he thought her attempts at breaking free from him were so juvenile. Not to mention, exactly what were she and Cindi doing here? She would like that question answered, too.

  “I didn’t stutter, sweet thing. I know you heard me the first time.

  But in case you didn’t, I’ll ask again. What are you and Cindi actually doing here?”

  The strange gleam in his gaze unsettled her. His words came across like she was a hardened criminal. “We—”

  “We know the two of you are not coven members. Perhaps you and your friend are just interested in the lifestyle. Or did you two think a walk on the wild side would be fun? We can always use a few new blood donors. I don’t know, Mia. Why don’t you tell me what the story is?”

  A wave of panic shot through her body, and she latched on to both of the strong hands pinning her against the sofa.

  Obviously angry, he shot her a look that could have burned the skin off her face. “What is the story, Mia? I’m waiting. Would you like me to cut you right now? How about that? Would that satisfy your curiosity?”

  Cut me? Coven? Lifestyle? Blood donors? She had no clue what he was talking about. What she did know was that she had to come up with an explanation fast, or he might freak on her. Although he appeared to remain calm, his bottom lip twitched, and his eyes darkened.

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  Acting 101 kicked into overdrive. She glanced up at the skulls on his do-rag and silently forbade herself a glance at his lips, as she processed words and actions into a logical explanation in her head.

  God, it would be so much easier if I didn’t want to kiss you so badly.

  “I think Cindi would be better at explaining our background and our reason for being here.” Where is Cindi?

  Then, a barrage of questions filled her head. What if the people in the house hurt Cindi? Did Jordan already know the truth, whatever that was, and he was aware of Cindi’s whereabouts? Oh my God, what if they cut her? What the hell does that even mean, cut her?

  Mia had to calm down, because in the emotional state she was in, her acting would suck. Perhaps she underestimated her own skills.

  He waited. “Very well, princess, let’s go find Cindi.” Lifting her from the sofa, he placed her feet on the floor. “Let’s go.”

  “Go where? I’m not going anywhere.” Every muscle in Mia’s body ached with need for him when her feet hit the ground. She wanted to run, away from him, from herself, but where would she go?

  Not to mention, what was Cindi really up to?

  “Yes, darlin’, you are.”

  “No. I’m not.”

  She and Cindi should have stuck with the original plan, to go shopping, but instead, they chose the research party, and so far their choice ranked bottom on the list. And it had nothing to do with the fact she was uncharacteristically attracted to a non-Catholic man that she could never have. Right, if I keep telling myself that, I just might believe it.

  “Enough of this bullshit.” He yanked her into his arms, hoisting her over his shoulder. “Don’t make me tie you up. I would enjoy that too much.”

  Her attempts at yelling for him to put her down were in vain. He just continued to walk down the hallway, smiling and nodding to people as they passed. The word “appalled” couldn’t begin to describe 62

  the feeling running though Mia’s head as his arms tightened around her thighs.

  Descending a narrow staircase, they eventually spilled out into a dimly lit corridor with a small wooden door at the end of the hallway.

  He knocked, and a short-haired woman swung the door open.

  “Hey, Lilley,” he said.

  Lilley smiled, batting long, dark eyelashes at Jordan. “Hey, you sexy man.” She glared at Mia. “Go ahead inside.” Jordan set Mia down into the empty room, which looked more like an oversized broom closet. Great.

  It was when Jordan ran his fingers down the cocky blonde’s arm, tapping her butt lightly with an open palm, that pangs of jealousy tinged Mia’s body and pissed her off. Before Mia could stop it, a low growl left her throat. Oh shit.

  At the same time that Jordan’s lips curled into a smug smile, Mia heard Cindi chuckle. Suddenly she felt like the comic relief of the night.

  A clicking sound from the door came seconds later.

  Startled, Mia faced Cindi. “Did they just lock us in here?”

  “Seems like it,” barked Cindi. She cocked her head at Mia. “Nice growling noise. Obviously his hand to her butt didn’t make you feel warm and fuzzy inside.”

  “I wasn’t growling. I was clearing my throat. Anyway, fo
rget about that. We need to talk about what is happening now. What exactly is going on?”

  With a death grip on Mia’s hand, Cindi eased them both down onto the floor. “Mia, you need to listen to me carefully, okay?”

  “Sure.”

  In all the years that Mia and Cindi were best friends, Mia never feared anything that the two of them ventured in together, yet this was different. Cindi’s demeanor was reserved, her face full of concern.

  She almost sensed sadness in the pools of blue.

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  “I need you to keep an open mind and listen before you say anything. I was hoping I could tell you the real reason I brought you to this party after we had gone, but that doesn’t seem likely, so here it goes. We are in a coven house, and what that means is we are socializing among a different kind of people. Actually, they’re regular people with different beliefs. That’s all.” Overwhelmed by this new plethora of information, Mia placed her palm against her forehead, resting her elbow on bended knee. “I don’t understand.”

  Appearing as if she were going to break into song at any moment, Cindi let a broad smile crease her face just a tiny bit, then pulled back.

  “We are with real vampires, Mia!”

  Mia stared wide-eyed for two full seconds. “Excuse me?

  Vampires? These people think vampires are real?” Her ears rang with the words real vampires.

  “These people are not the storybook type of vampires. They are real people who practice the art of blood drinking. I think that I have them believing that I am only a scientist and that we are here to cause no harm.”

  Cindi raked her fingers through her hair. Mia knew that move from all the years she’d watched Cindi do it. Cindi was scared.

  “Jordan and Lilley are the first and second in command to the Elder, and they are relaying my information right now to him. Trust me Mia, they aren’t going to do anything that would hurt us. They are a private and secretive organization. They’ll probably give us a warning and then let us go. No harm done.”

  Cindi’s intentions seemed harmless, but Mia contemplated what the “letting them go” part of the conversation really meant. One fact Mia was certain about, she was going to strangle Cindi when they exited this mess. Then, further refection made her think about Jordan.

  At least the man who garnered her attention that evening was a fox.

  And she forgot about her boss, Jamison.

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  “There’s someone coming.” Mia’s stomach churned as she finished the words. “I hear footsteps getting closer.” Cindi bolted up from her reclining position. “Yeah, me, too,” she added and glanced at Mia. “Relax, girlfriend. Everything is going to be fine.”

  Before Mia could form a sentence in reply, the door opened, and Lilley and Jordan entered.

  “Our boss does not want to see either of you ever again,” Lilley practically yelled. “As for entering this coven house under false pretenses, well, our Elder decided to give you what you came here for. Tonight, you two can be blood donors to Ridge and Jordan, and at eight in the morning you can leave.”

  Before Lilley left the room, she turned to Cindi. “Oh, one more thing, I almost forgot. You won’t leave until you enjoy a little time in one of our secret bondage chambers. I am sure that the scientist in you is dying to know what other festivities some of us—how should I say—dabble in?”

  “You don’t scare me, blondie,” Cindi snapped, her tone razor sharp.

  Lilley smirked. “Good. I’ll make sure Ridge plays rougher than normal with you.”

  “Bring it on.”

  Without so much as a “have a nice day,” the dynamic duo left the room, slamming the door behind them.

  Mia stared at the closed door, wondering how this would end.

  Warm fingers touched her shoulder. “Don’t worry, Mia. Just try to stay calm, and let’s just get through this night. I am so sorry I’ve done this to you, that I brought you to this place. Please forgive me for being so stupid.”

  A ghost of a smile crossed Mia’s face. “It’s okay, Cin. I know you never meant to put us in danger. Look at it this way, I have tons to write about in my journal now. Perhaps even a book is in my horizon.”

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  “Yeah, hopefully you won’t be writing about the end of our friendship.”

  There was no time for Mia to promise Cindi that scenario would never happen, because the sound of the key turning in the door snapped Mia back to the situation at hand, the men. It’s like a damn game show with the revolving door.

  When the door opened, a very good-looking man, who Mia assumed was Ridge, maneuvered his way to Cindi. “She will be waiting for you tomorrow morning in the main foyer at eight,” he said.

  While Mia struggled to listen to Ridge, her gaze was fixed on Cindi. From the shade of red moving across her best friend’s skin, it was obvious that her anger escalated, a sure sign that a string of unspeakable profanities loomed.

  And they did as soon as Jordan entered the room.

  “You know what, I deserve this, but she doesn’t.” Cindi pointed to Mia. “You better not hurt her, Jordan. If I find out you hurt her in any way, I will come after you myself. You got that?” Jordan slipped a hand against the small of Mia’s back. “Cindi, Cindi, Cindi. Hurting her is not exactly what I had in mind. Don’t you worry. I will take care of our little Mia.” Mia felt her face flush at the same time the floodgates inside her body opened, releasing the liquid heat. If steam could have started erupting from the top of Cindi’s head, it would have. Exorcist coming.

  “Fuck you! You asshole, she is not OUR woman! You’re an arrogant ass!”

  Mia was sure her face transformed into a mask of shock. Probably not the right choice of words, Cin.

  Jordan glared, half humorous and half predatory, at Cindi, obviously intrigued by her choice of words. “Actually, Cindi, tonight she is mine. And as for the ‘fuck you’ part—most likely.” Whoa. I’m losing my virginity tonight.

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  * * * *

  While Jordan enjoyed his feisty bantering with Cindi, he wanted to start the evening with Mia, so he did the one thing that would probably send her into a slow-burn boil, and then he turned his back on an irate Cindi and walked with Mia from the room.

  “Sorry about that, babe. Your friend is quite a feisty little thing. I hope I didn’t upset you by arguing with her.” He studied Mia. She cracked an innocent smile—the one that lit her face up like a Cherub angel—the one that he was beginning to adore.

  She was definitely the girl-next-door type. For that moment in time, he stood there just staring at her. He knew he was doing it, but God knew he couldn’t help himself. The skin on her face was flawless and she wore very little makeup, another thing he wasn’t used to on the women he went after.

  Mia cleared her throat, causing him to glance into her big brown eyes. “Actually, I think you made Cindi’s night. She loves confrontation.”

  “Is that so?” His cell phone pinged. He reached in his pocket and pulled it out. After taking a quick look at it, he smirked, then shoved it back into his pants. Damn Crystal, one fuck and she thinks we’re married. After a few more seconds of roving Mia’s face, he touched her chin. “Look at me, Mia.” Timidly, her brown eyes obeyed. “I know you had no idea what you were getting yourself into when you came here. I wish I could let you go, but I can’t. Well, I can, but I really don’t want to. I can promise that I won’t hurt you, at least not intentionally.” His fingers brushed against the wisps of hair gliding against her cheekbones, but she remained fixated, deep into her own little world. The one he planned on crashing very soon.

  “Are you ready?” Jordan asked.

  She nodded.

  “Good, let’s go to my room.” He stepped forward, and her feet didn’t budge. Incredulous, he stepped back into place and glanced

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  down at her, cocking an eyebrow. But she still didn’t move her feet.

  “Did you want me to carry you?”

  �
�No!”

  He smirked. It was obvious by the pale white color washed through her face, she was frightened. Perhaps she should be, simply because he was dying to screw her brains out, but for some strange reason, one that confused him, he wouldn’t, at least not until she asked him. Her lips moved slightly in what appeared to be an attempt to count. Was she counting to calm herself? The thought riled him.

  Damn, she is cute. Extremely cute.

  But would he let her go tonight, definitely not. “Okay, then—”

  “I just wasn’t ready, that’s all,” she blurted. “I’m ready now.”

  “Then shall we?”

  As they moved down the hallway, Jordan knew without a doubt he would never hurt her. Which, contrary to his own belief, surprised the hell out of him. He resigned himself to be gentle, loving, and careful with her. She had sweetness, an innocence about her, and that was rare to find in a woman these days.

  Well, at least in his type of woman.

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  Chapter Four

  The long walk to Jordan’s room sent Mia’s nerves teetering toward collapse. The counting backward in her head wasn’t helping matters since she couldn’t concentrate long enough to get the numbers in correct order. Every time she glanced over at the long black streak pocketed in his hair, she felt like thousands of butterflies nosedived into her stomach. This would be her very first one-night stand. Just the thought of sex before marriage sent her body into panic all over again, with sweat tingling and an accelerated heartbeat. If she didn’t get control, Jordan would be calling an ambulance soon.

  I have to wait for marriage or else I’m going to spend eternity in the flames. Twelve years of Catholic school did teach her she would burn in hell if she gave it up before the big “I do,” even if it didn’t teach her anything else.