9781936653027BorntobeWildArsuaga
Page 2
“What’s your house special?” she asked, spying his name tag, added, “Derek.”
“Are you sure you want to order that particular drink, young lady?” A deeper voice with a distinct European accent came from behind her.
Slowly turning her head, a broad, well-muscled chest of a man loomed inches from her face. The black silk shirt barely hid the rippled muscles of his toned abs. The cut of the shirt molded to his body like it was painted on him. He smelled like a tropical paradise, citrusy and a hint of coconuts. Like home in Florida. Yum!
She raised her head to see the face to match the voice. There he stood¾the most beautiful specimen of manliness to fill her eyes in a long time. No, maybe beautiful didn’t quite fit the description, but no woman in her right mind would throw stones at him either. His features were easy on the eyes. He must have thrown a vampire veil up over his true visage. Didn’t all vamps hide their true looks? Dad said they did.
For now she’d settle for staring at his dark eyes, a deep smoldering brown, which seemed to peer right into her soul. His chiseled jaw, high cheekbones and magnificent head of wavy brown hair, the kind of hair that begged for the attention of a woman’s hands, made for an exotic figure of a man which said, “I’m going to fuck you fast and hard, baby.”
Alex smiled and felt her cheeks flush. This devilish good-looking guy standing before her could be so far out of her league, whether a vamp or human. It wasn’t like Alex didn’t know her own worth, after all she was young, fit–sort of, and kind of pretty, at least boys back home called her “cute” or “pretty”. Also, smart enough to recognize money, whether folded in her jeans pocket or striding in the door of the vamp club. Alex’s entire wardrobe, from birth until this exact moment, probably didn’t cost as much as the swanky clothes on this vamp’s back. Jeans and T-shirts, with the occasional nice dress slacks or leather pants or mini-skirt comprised her wardrobe. Women probably turned their heads and drooled over him to get close to the gorgeous vamp when he entered a room, and she was no exception.
Drool? Didn’t Randy say Gregori’s enforcer had women drool over him?
Definitely dressed like a European and with a distinct accent that said he was not a Southern Virginia Boy piqued female juices. Sexy. Not the so-called Euro-Trash her friends talked about. Dressed in solid black, the stranger exuded poise, grace and sex. The cut of his shirt and slacks, were impeccable. Gaped open at his throat, the black silk dress shirt glided over his body in sensuous folds. The slacks hugged trim hips and thick thighs like they were custom made for him.
They must be customized, Alex knew. No one could fill out clothes so perfectly without some nips and tucks.
Maybe Chanel, or Prada, or Gucci stayed beyond the reach of her budget, but it didn’t mean she couldn’t recognize quality clothes and men.
Mesmerized, for a moment, and blinking to regain her thoughts, it finally hit her. Holy shit! Why are the drop dead gorgeous ones vamps? Good God Almighty, Daddy save me. They are handsome because they make us think they are. He probably has a wart on his nose, a scar across his cheek, and a three inch dick. At least he smells good. She sighed.
Tilting her head, she coughed to prevent snickering at the mischievous thoughts running through her mind. “And why not, you don’t think I can handle it?”
“I don’t think you’ll like it. It’s an acquired taste,” the stranger said, a slight chuckle to his voice.
Turning to Derek, she said, “I’ll have the house special.”
“Yes, ma’am.” The bartender snickered watching the stranger for approval to proceed. As if there were an unspoken signal given between the two men, Derek turned to fix the drink for her.
“I’m Alexandra Carlton. By the way, my friends call me Alex.” She extended her hand.
“I think I will call you Alexandra. Alex sounds like a man, and you are definitely not a man.” Grasping her hand, he brought the palm to his lips, kissing it. The warmth of his lips made her blood rush.
Shivers ran down her spine watching his eyes run across her body, undressing her as he moved from face to legs and back up. “I haven’t been called Alexandra in a long time. Even my family calls me Alex.”
“They disrespect you as a woman, Alexandra. My name is Stefan Marin, and what friends I do have, call me Stefan.”
“Cute. Vampire humor?”
“Ah, you know what I am. And you are a human female and I shall try not to hold your birth consequence against you. Are you here for sex or a fix?”
Derek set the drink down in front of Alex. “Your house special.”
“Thanks,” she said to Little Surfer Dude, and returned her attention to the new acquaintance. “So, what is this exactly?” she asked Stefan, ignoring his previous comment and question by changing the subject. Was he really trying to be funny with his human joke, or what? He is trying too hard. Cute, though.
“What does it matter, you can handle it right?” He goaded.
“Yeah, that’s right. Do you sip or knock it back. Can you at least tell me which is best?”
“I prefer sipping it. Although I’ve seen some brave souls take it down at once.”
“Shot it is.” Clasping the glass, she took a deep breath and gulped the liquor down in one swallow. Within seconds the coughing began from the burning sensation, followed by Alex uttering a few expletives, begging for water.
Stefan laughed at her uncontrollably. He motioned for Derek to bring a glass of water. After bolting down the entire glass, she took a few moments to regain composure. When her eyes stopped watering, Stefan winced from the impact of her punch in the arm.
“What the hell was that?” she managed to get out.
“Cognac Paradis laced with a small amount of blood. I told you it was an acquired taste, except you didn’t listen. Are you always so stubborn?” He gave her an abbreviated grin.
“Blood, vampire blood?” Alex’s face contorted, sucking in her bottom lip to hold back her disgust. “Ach, I think I’m going to be sick. Where’s the ladies room?”
In her opinion, those who drank the blood of the undead were unstable people and the act itself a repugnant practice. The fascination of vampire blood by junkie humans befuddled her. The desire or compulsion turned out to be no different than any other addiction—sex, drugs, alcohol. Vampires Anonymous and Vamp Anon groups formed around the country years ago to help with the epidemic of addicts. What would they come up with next? Only in the United States!
Alex walked briskly to the ladies’ room, glimpsing back at Stefan upon turning the corner. He stared, watching her every move. Damn him! A smile forced itself onto her face. Damn arrogant handsome vamp! Warts and scars and three inches!
Finding an empty stall, she quickly fell to her knees, and could not stop from losing her stomach contents. Thank goodness not much came up; otherwise, the mess would have been worse. After a few minutes of embarrassing herself in the stall, she moved to the sink, staring at herself in the mirror. Shit, this never happened on hunts with Dad and my bros. She wetted a paper towel and cleaned up.
“First, time sweetie?” The well-dressed twenty-something blonde woman standing beside her asked, and patted Alex on the shoulder. “Next time, mix it with sex and it will make it a lot easier to take.” Walking out the door, the blonde mumbled, “Rookie.”
After washing her mouth out, Alex straightened her skirt and smoothed her hair in place as best she could, and then walked back to the bar. Stefan hadn’t moved from the bar where she left him. Did he hang around for more amusement? He’s a sadistic vamp on top of everything else. You sure know how to attract them, Alex girl! And he’s the one I have to talk to about the rogue. This is just great! Think warts and three inches.
“Back for more Alexandra?” Stefan asked, grinning.
“Lacing drinks with vamp blood and not telling people isn’t funny.” Glaring at Stefan for a second, she shifted attention to Little Surfer Dude. “How about a draft and a whiskey shot this time, and nothing laced in it.”
“And the question was what?” Shit. He didn’t forget.
“Are you here for sex or a fix?”
“Your draft and whiskey,” Derek said.
“Thanks,” she said and gulped the shot down. Okay, now what?
Not sure how to answer him, she decided to play down his question. Keeping the nature of the mission a secret from him was paramount. Stefan couldn’t be helping the creep. Randy told her Gregori didn’t like rogues, which meant Stefan didn’t like them either. “I’m here on vacation and a friend told me about this place. I was curious, that’s all.”
“Hmm. Thrill-seeker. Where are you from originally?”
“Florida. Narcoossee, Florida, to be exact. It’s a small town outside of Orlando.” Sipping some of the beer, the bursting bubbles from the foam tickled her nose. God, I hate small talk.
“Why would you be vacationing in Virginia Beach when some of the best beaches in the world are right in your backyard?”
“I’ve been to most of them. I’m searching for something, hmm, different.” Another sip of beer passed her lips. Jeez, that was lame.
“Like I said, a thrill-seeker.”
The live band came on stage and started the next set. Alex glanced at her watch, it read eleven.
“Would you like to dance?” he asked standing and extending his large, well-manicured hand.
“Sure.” The answer surprised her and judging from the expression on his face, Stefan too. At the club to work not socialize, she didn’t know what came over her. Being drawn in by his vampire charm, the opportunity to ask for his help seemed to slip further away. Who cares right now? Warts and scars, warts and scars.
Placing a delicate, elegant hand in his, he led her to the dance floor. Taking her into his arms, he held her close. The band played a slow song, not the fast one the band started the session with. Only after getting up from the bar did it become apparent how tall Stefan was. He stood at least six foot three and her head fit comfortably on his chest. Soft and warm. One of his hands moved up and down her spine sending waves of electric sparks of arousal throughout her body. As they swayed to the beat of the music, their bodies felt right together. Her mind drifted as Stefan softly lulled her in his embrace with the gentle melody of his heartbeat in her ear. The safety felt in the arms of the attractive, virile, vampire and his arousal pushing against her belly quelled any hunter training alarms in her body, but not head. His provocative moves gained no traction on her. Vampire! Think three inches, think three inches, damn, it’s more than six, maybe seven, or…What the hell? Alex pulled back, comprehending where they were and who this man was.
“What are you doing? Seducing me? I’m not falling for it. I’ve got to go.” Returning to the bar, she grabbed her handbag, and walked toward the exit, forcibly pushing the door open and storming out of the building. Once out in the open, she quickly ran toward her Mustang, parked around the corner on a side street from the club. Stupid, Alex. Stupid. Violating the Rules of Engagement. Do not let the Vampires use mind control on you! Stupid! You’re blowing your cover Alex! Jeez. Get control.
Sensing Stefan’s presence behind her, she ran faster. Needing his help tonight and blowing it by letting him seduce her was not a smart move. As the hunter, she needed to stay in control, not the other way around. The vamp wasn’t supposed to be in control of the situation. Not this vamp named Stefan, anyway.
Stefan followed her and moved at vampire speed to catch her.
“Hey, Alexandra. Wait. Come on. Wait a minute,” he said upon approaching her at the candy apple red Mustang convertible.
Frantically searching in her handbag for the car keys, she found them as he appeared beside her. The effects of the beer, whiskey, and the cognac concoction, on an empty stomach, not to mention, the effects of Stefan on her mind and body, made her feel dizzy.
Resting his hands on her shoulders, he turned her around.
“I don’t think you should be driving in your condition. Let me drive you where you need to go,” he suggested in a low-pitched, soothing voice.
“Do I have stupid written across my forehead? I don’t know you and you expect me to get in a car and go to a hotel with a stranger. I’d violate Rule Number Ten.”
Stefan smiled and placed his hand under her chin and slightly lifted it. “I don’t know what Rule Number Ten is and no, you don’t have stupid written across your forehead. I think you have kiss me written on your lips though.” He brushed his fingers across her plump, pouty mouth.
Alex grew weak in the knees. Long lashes fluttering as she closed her eyes. He was right, she did want to be kissed and the words were written on her lips, figuratively speaking. Stefan cupped his hands on her face and gently kissed her. Like liquid hot dark chocolate, she melted into his arms.
His touch sent pulses of arousal through every nerve-ending in her body which could not be ignored. The sensation drove her crazy. Her belly tightened, her panties were wet and her pussy throbbed, wanting to be plundered. Why did she react this way with him, not only a stranger, he was a vamp! Good God Almighty, Daddy help me. Which rule am I breaking now?
Reaching up, she clasped her hands around his neck, and parted her lips to receive his tongue. Their embrace became tight and intense. Stefan released his embrace. Opening her eyes, noticing the expression on his face, and eyes, she released the hold around his neck. The dark, red-ringed eyes screamed his true intent—he wanted her, he wanted her body, and blood. He wants my blood! And the son-of-a-bitch is reading my mind!
“You did it again! Well, that certainly sobered me up. Good night, Stefan. Thanks, but no thanks.” She pushed back from his chest and turned away. A confused look swept across Stefan’s face as she unlocked the car door and quickly slid behind the wheel.
Before shutting the door, he leaned down, resting his elbows on the door frame, and asked with a velvety tone, “Will I see you tomorrow night?”
“I don’t think so.” As soon as the words left her lips, she realized it was a lie. To find the rogue vamp, his help would be essential.
Damn! Pull yourself together Alex. I’m not here for a roll in the sack with a tall, dark, sexy guy. I’m here to work, this is a job and he’s a vamp! He’s not interested in someone like me. Get a grip! This is what they do. Seduce humans into thinking it’s okay to have their blood sucked out of them. Not me. It’s a disgusting and repulsive habit for weirdoes to enjoy!
The engine turned over as she glanced up at Stefan and met his smile. The Mustang pulled away and sped off down the road.
Chapter 2
Stefan watched Alexandra drive away. His first inclination was to follow her, and immediately thought better of it. She’d be back. They always came back. He had a compelling effect on women, vamps and humans alike. Women bent to his will either by body or mind. Yes, Alexandra Carlton would be back. The fiery redhead with a sexy body would be his to possess. For the first time in a long, long time, he felt alive.
Over the past five hundred years, his life, if one could call a vampire existence a life, became darker, more morose. The years of killing, constantly surrounded by death and blood, the lack of real feelings, made for a life almost unbearable. He had the physical and emotional scars to prove it. There were times he thought of ending his existence, walking into the sun or purposefully provoking Gregori into fighting with him to rip his heart out. Gregori probably would have seen through the ruse.
Nothing existed inside him except emptiness, no joy, no love, and no emotion. He was an indifferent, bitter creature who used humans for what they were, sustenance, nothing more. Even the sex didn’t interest him anymore. His heart became granite, hard, cold, and lifeless. And yet, he could make the women do what he pleased and feel nothing in return for the pleasure given them. They thought he was the man to give them what they wanted—sex and the thrill of having a strong and handsome bloodsucker r
elieve them of blood. He was none of the above, simply an illusion.
A chimera, a hulk of flesh surrounded by more death than life.
Killing was no different¾without feelings of remorse, probably why Gregori hired him as the Enforcer for the Mid-Atlantic Region Blood Family, a branch of the Vampire Syndicate. Stefan made the perfect enforcer of the Vamp Laws, specifically Gregori’s edicts. When any vamp got out of line, Gregori enlisted Stefan to take care of the situation, swiftly and quietly. The reputation he established in the vamp world became known far and wide, with both the ancients and newly transitioned.
Tonight, he made the decision to end his life–honorably, to go out with dignity like his ancestors. There were no more holy wars to fight, no great causes to support, and no barbarians left in the world to vanquish. The global governments ran everything with the assistance of influential private corporations. The Vampire Syndicate, formed in 1905, offered some of the influence, although not enough to gain complete dominance over the human conglomerates. Stefan shared in the profits of the Syndicate as one of the original contributors, and the money meant nothing to him. Nothing did anymore.
Until tonight, and the reason just drove away in a red Mustang.
Alexandra Carlton captured his imagination. Something about her intrigued him in a way he hadn’t experienced in many, many years. At least for one more night, he’d stay around. I know she’ll be back, I feel it! He laughed tonight, smiled, kissed her, and felt his heart slam hard in his chest responding to her embrace. Even now, his face hurt from smiling. She affected him in a way he thought he lost a long time ago.
Stefan instantly was drawn to the charming human woman, with her feisty attitude and curvaceous body, round and soft, unlike the anorexic women who normally frequented the vamp clubs. He wanted to know more about the tough little vixen. Possess her. Have her submit to him, giving her pleasure beyond her wildest dreams. Smelling her sweet blood, young and fresh, aroused his own sanguine fluids pulsing through his veins. Watching her down the cognac and whiskey shot like a man was amusing. Yet, womanhood exuded from every pore in her body. When departing for the ladies’ room, he scanned every inch of her sexy, fuller body. Long tapered legs went on forever under the tight leather mini-skirt and he wasn’t a leg man. However, he became a convert after watching her hips sway with a rhythmic action as she walked across the room. The roundness of her ass filled out the black leather just right, tight enough to know it must be a thong or nothing underneath. He liked slim hips ordinarily, except something in the way hers moved made his cock painfully hard, pressing uncomfortably in his slacks. Damn, and the way the sequin top fit snug across her voluptuous, beautifully formed breasts. To call him a breast man would be a mistake too. More than a handful was a waste he thought, but he wanted to fondle and hold her abundant flesh in the palms of his hands. The long auburn hair fell in sultry streams of curls about her shoulders, wanting to run his fingers through the silky strands, to nuzzle his face in the tresses and smell her essence. Her light green eyes complemented fine facial features and he could get lost in them forever. The women who normally frequented The Black Rose didn’t have the same feistiness. She seemed different and quirky, and he wanted to know more about her. A light shone around her or was it his imagination?