“Holy fuck!” Matthias’s hold on Joe’s wrist tightened to the point of actual pain.
Joe’s knees turned to water. If Matthias hadn’t been there, he would’ve fallen to the ground. “Bridget.” Her name came out as a hoarse whisper.
“Ah, Ms. Roseway. Powerful that one. Good family. Went to tea at their house once. They had the cutest little silver spoons with stars on the handle. Tried to buy them right then and there for the wife but Mrs. Roseway said no. Now there was a woman. Strong. Mighty strong that one. Bridget was there. Cutest child you ever saw. So precocious. Always asking me questions.”
Doc chuckled. “Wanted her to fall for my son, but nope, he likes men. Shame. Not that he’s gay, but that I couldn’t make her part of the family so I could get those spoons. May have to hire one of those raccoon thieves. Heard of them? Trouble, but so good at their job. Anyway,” Doc looked up. “Um, what was I saying?”
“That I could die?” Joe glared at the old vampire. If he wanted story time he would watch Reading Fucking Rainbow. “You were going to tell us about the cure.”
Matthias led him over to the bed where Joe sat down and prayed Doc wouldn’t launch into one of his diatribes about the younger vampire generation or rudeness—or worse, go off topic.
“Ah, yes, a cure. Of course. Sorry.” Doc chuckled. “You need to feed from her within the next six hours. Yes, six, or else a burnt hand will be the least of your problems. You should put some antiseptic on that thing. In your state, you could get an infection that could compromise your immune system. “Then Doc turned his attention toward Matthias, who nodded. “I’m sure you’ll take care of that?”
“Yeah, on it,” the gargoyle growled.
“Good. Well, I’ll be off. Teatime and all. I’ll be taking your blood with me. Such an interesting case. I haven’t seen vampire blood mixed with witch’s blood in quite some time. Have to run some tests. I’ll destroy it after I’m done.” Doc took the vial, put it in his black bag, and shuffled out of the room.
“Find Bridget.” Joe pushed Matthias away. “Beef up security, but for the love of the goddess, find Bridget!”
He turned to lie down, but found that he couldn’t. Energy coursed through his body. His hand twitched and burned. It healed and then went back to being injured all over again. The muscles, tendons, and nerve endings writhed and jumped as his body struggled to figure out how to deal with what was going on. There was no way he could go back to sleep. He didn’t feel the least bit tired.
Matthias came back into the room holding a tube of antiseptic balm and bandage. “I’ll go after you’ve been treated.”
“Be quick about it.” Joe bit back his anger. Matthias had done nothing wrong. He was following doctor’s orders. Joe opened his mouth but Matthias beat him to the punch.
“I get it, no need to apologize. And we don’t have to talk it out and shit, okay? You’re scared. I get that. We’ll find Bridget.”
“Thanks.”
“No problem.” Matthias smeared the ointment on the burned skin, wrapped up his hand, and left the room, making sure it was fully secured.
* * *
Joe paced back and forth. He glanced at the phone and wondered if Bridget was up yet. No, no. He had to let Matthias do his job. Besides, this was something he couldn’t say over the phone. There were no words he could think of. Rather than putter around, he headed for his office, careful of any windows and stray beams of sunlight. There was no way he’d turn to daytime television. Not only was he not sure what was on but he didn’t want to seem that desperate while he waited. He thought about logging into his computer and looking over his email but decided against that. The only thing he wanted to do was be with Bridget.
He went into the kitchen to see what Flynn was up to.
“Hey, boss. Matthias updated me. I wanted to let you know, I saw Bridget and drove her home today. That was over an hour ago. Matthias should be going over there as we speak. “
Joe nodded. His heart tugged. She was fine for now, but for how long? To distract himself he focused on what Flynn was doing.
“What do we have here for dinner?”
“Steak, pork, chicken. You know, the basic meat groups, as well as vegetables. Matthias is on some veggie cleanse, will only eat certain foods. Don’t know why he’s doing it, but whatever. And I got ice cream. You want to try to eat something? Just so you know, I’m not cleaning up the bathroom like last time.” Flynn frowned and shuddered.
Joe’s stomach roiled at the memory. “No, no. This is for Bridget. I want to make her dinner.” The urge came out of nowhere, but what better way to break the news than over a gourmet meal?
Flynn rubbed the stubble on his chin. “Okay, I can see that. What if she doesn’t want dinner? Maybe dessert? Why don’t you call her to find out?”
Joe shook his head. “She’s probably asleep right now. I just want to do something nice for her before I fuck up her world with what Doc said.”
Flynn nodded. “But maybe you should check with her first? I told her you’d be awake in two hours.”
Joe didn’t like the sound of that. The urge to show her his affection dominated his thoughts.
Flynn tilted his head to the side. “I believe you’re in blood-bonding fever.”
Joe blinked. “What the fuck is that?” He’d never heard that term used for vampires. Was this some new slang phrase for the vampire mating process?
Flynn chuckled. “It’s what shifters get when they’re in heat and their mate is around. Gargoyles can get it too. Your blood heats, your thoughts are all turned toward your mate, and all you want to do is please her. Nice, if you can figure out how, but not so good if you fall on your face or you’re dying.”
Joe nodded. “I see. Okay. I get it. I’m acting crazy for her besides being sick. So what should I do?”
“You talk to her. You get to know her. Last night was the first time she came to you. Go slow. You have time. Well, six hours.” Flynn turned back to the counter.
Joe turned over his words. Flynn was right. They were still new to this. He blew out a breath. “Fine. I’m sure she’ll be here before the time is up. Matthias better hurry up though.” He wouldn’t push, but it was damn hard to wait. “So what the fuck should I do in the meantime?”
“Play solitaire? Watch daytime television? Take an actual nap? Just stay out of the kitchen. I’d like to be able to cook without you getting in the way.” Flynn waved a hand in Joe’s direction.
Joe took the hint and left, somewhat calm. Matthias would find her. After all, she should be home and there were no emergencies going on that needed her, right?
Chapter Twelve
Bridget awoke with a grunt. Aches and pains made themselves present as she became aware of herself. Her magic skittered along her skin, raising goose bumps and bringing about tingles. Her clit pulsed as arousal awakened. She moaned as the wound Joe had given her throbbed to life. She grunted again. The urge to reach down and take care of herself had her on edge. She didn’t want to come like this. Not without Joe. She groaned as the wetness slipped down her thighs. Ignoring her body’s need, she sat and took a peek at the clock. Four o’clock. She had about a half an hour before he’d be up. Mindful of the fission of heat racing along her inner thighs and around the base of her back, she shoved away the covers and headed for the shower.
She turned on the water and stepped in under the torrent, not waiting for it to heat up. The fever continued to crawl through her body at a slow pace. The icy downpour helped push away some of the need, but her desire for Joe remained, as did the pulsating wound on her shoulder. She wanted to feel his hands on her body, the sweet sting of his fangs as they slid into in her skin, the erotic pull of his lips as he took her blood.
She groaned as her clit jumped. She bit her bottom lip as a wave of need hit her. She gritted her teeth and grabbed a loofah. She picked up a bottle of shower gel and squirted some out onto the sponge. Calling on her witch training, she focused on the task at hand and tried to
ignore the constant throb of fire that lapped through her veins. Before she’d inducted into her coven she’d had to prove that she could ignore outside influences and direct her attention at the task at hand no matter what was thrown at her.
She’d passed with flying colors, but this tested her mental abilities. The ghost of Joe’s touch coasted over her thighs, cupped her breasts and pinched her nipples, traced the line of her spine and between the cheeks of her ass. Bridget groaned as her pussy and back passage contracted and relaxed. Have to get clean, she thought as she gritted her teeth and focused on the task at hand.
Each brush of the small towel sent ripples of sensation through her body. Was this normal? Did others who’d given their blood feel this shockwave of desire? She wasn’t sure she could handle this on a daily basis. She really needed to talk to Joe.
She finished scrubbing herself all over and turned off the water, then stepped out of the stall to dry off. Even the air against her skin brought up goose bumps and pulled a moan from deep within her.
She rushed through dressing, tugging on jeans, ankle boots, and T-shirt. Her body throbbed and her thoughts had become a haze. All she wanted to do was find Joe and fuck his brains out. Even the friction from the seam of her jeans against her clit made her legs shake. She yearned to rip her clothes off and get herself off until she came. Instead, she grabbed her jacket and keys.
She opened the front door to find Matthias standing before her, hand up in the air poised to knock.
“There you are. I was going to break down the door if you didn’t answer. Didn’t you hear me knocking? Lana said you were home but I wasn’t sure if you were okay. I’ve been all over town looking for you. Got sidetracked at the firehouse but that’s beside the point. I need you to come with me. The boss needs you.”
Panic fluttered in Bridget’s stomach and her pulse up-ticked. She stepped outside, pulled the door closed behind her and locked it. Then she accepted Matthias’ hand and allowed him to lead her to the car. Her buckle had just clicked into place when the car took off from the curb with a squeal of tires. Bridget grabbed at the armrest and held on as Matthias peeled down the street.
“What the fuck? Slow the hell down. We won’t be any good to Joe if we’re dead.” She breathed out a sigh of relief when the car decelerated to the speed limit. “Thank you. Now explain.”
Matthias began to babble about some doctor who thought Joe only had six hours to live because he drank her blood and witch’s blood could be poison to vampires.
Bridget turned this information over in her mind. “Is this guy sure? Or could he be working for one of Joe’s enemies?” Her thoughts turned to the rogue vampire and Fritz. Without letting Matthias answer, she told him about the set-up and the file.
“Where’s the file now?” Matthias took a curve a little too quickly, causing Bridget’s side of the car to lift into the air.
She grabbed at the armrest again. “Jesus, be careful. And it’s at the office.”
Matthias turned on the blinker and swerved into the left lane, then turned onto Main Boulevard.
“I thought—”
“We get the file and then we go. Joe will need all the pieces.” Matthias brought the car to a screeching halt in front of the office.
Bridget unbuckled and scrambled out of the car, unlocked the front door, and headed into the office with Matthias trailing behind her.
“Warded room?”
“Down the hall,” she tossed her keys behind her, not sure if he would catch them or not. “Big old-fashioned key.”
She looked around the desk and spotted the file that they’d found in the hotel room. She flipped it open to make sure that everything was there. Once she was sure, she left to find Matthias loading the rogue’s body into the trunk. He tossed her keys back at her and she locked up before sliding into the passenger side. Matthias took off again at an even faster clip.
Bridget gave up trying to talk him out of going so fast and kept an eye out for the sheriff, instead. By the time they arrived at Joe’s, she was ready to fall out of the car and kiss the ground. Instead, she opened the door and left the vehicle behind, vowing never to get into another car with Matthias again. She could only hope Flynn was the better, safer driver, otherwise she would spend her days worrying about Lana as she went on joyrides with the gargoyles.
“Two words,” Bridget said, shakily. “Defensive driving.”
The door opened to reveal Flynn, standing in the entryway. “Just in time. Joe is in the pool room. I’ll show you the way.”
“Good. I need an explanation.” Her voice had grown low and husky. Her nipples pulsed and her breasts ached. Her bra was no good. It seemed to constrict the full globes. She wiped some sweat from her brow and prayed for some relief.
“I know,” replied Flynn. “Come on.” He guided her through the house, away from the bedroom where she’s spent the previous night.
Bridget’s steps dragged and her feet were like lead. Moving hurt as her thighs pulsed and ached and pains shot up and down her legs. Her legs burned as if she’d done a hundred squats in heels, using weights. She yawned and groaned. The hallway seemed to go on forever, even though she was sure she’d only taken a few steps. The sensation of hot needles being pushed into her shoulder wound rushed up and down her arm. Despite the discomfort, she yearned to have Joe bite her again.
“I’ll take it from here,” Joe murmured, emerging from a darkened doorway.
Bridget began to purr and snuggled into his embrace, resting her head against his shoulder. The fire abated and she could think once again. The aches and pains vanished and she was stronger, better.
“Joe, what the fuck is happening to me?” Her voice had returned to her normal tenor.
“Blood bonding fever, according to Flynn. I think he’s right. Are you feeling out of sorts?”
“Yeah, but that doesn’t matter. Matthias said you’re dying?”
Joe snorted. “According to the doc.” He stumbled and let out a howl of pain.
Bridget tumbled out of his grip, but Joe made a lunge with his vampiric speed and she was back in his arms again before she hit the ground.
“Sorry.” He placed her on a pool table.
As soon as he stepped away, the arousal was back in a shockwave of sensation and heat. She gasped. An orgasm rocked her, coming out of nowhere.
“Joe!” Her hands scrabbled against the felt tabletop as she struggled to pull in enough air. Her chest hurt as the ache in her breasts increased.
Joe pressed a hand to her forehead. A ripple of coolness doused the fire some but not enough. Her shoulder was a burning point of pain and pleasure. Sensation snaked down her arm, causing her hand to shake.
“What do you need, baby? What do you want?”
“Sex. Bite me. Something,” she begged. As much as she hated to admit it, she needed him to fuck her. So much for taking things slow and talking. How the hell could she think past the ribbons of fire slipping through her veins? She groaned and clawed at her shirt, trying to tug up the hem. Her fingers fumbled for the edge and lifted it. A wash of cool air spread over her skin, relieving some of her passion. She tugged it up and off and tried to unhook the front clasp of her bra.
Joe hissed. “Well what do you know? Sex and your blood is what I need too.”
She glanced over at him. Her hands stalled as she witnessed the red sheen of vampire bloodlust slipping over his eyes like a curtain. The dark-blue orbs turned a deep purple. His fangs protruded from his mouth, sinking into his plump bottom lip. Fear spiked in her body as her heartbeat tripped and began a rapid tattoo against her rib cage. She struggled to take in enough air and her hands began to shake. Adrenaline shot through her body as desire climbed higher. She wanted it like last time, trapped against a wall and no choice but to stay and see things through. Moisture flooded her sex, soaking her panties.
“Joe.” Her voice came out as a husky whisper.
He focused his darkened gaze on her. The weight of it pinned her in place. H
e reached out and hooked a finger into her bra. The sound of ripping lace and satin shot through the air, enflaming her further.
“This isn’t how I wanted it to be.” His tenor had become rough, like finely grained sandpaper, a physical thing that scraped across her skin, adding to her desire.
“I know.” She reached out and cupped his cheek before shrugging out of the tatters of her bra.
He leaned down and kissed her. The press of his lip ring dug into the delicate skin of her mouth, adding to her pleasure. He took hold of her wrists, pulled them behind her, and pinned them to her back to hold her in place. She wanted to touch him—to hold his face, sink her fingers into his hair, urge him closer.
She moaned and tilted her head back, giving him more access. He transferred both her wrists to one hand before taking hold of her hair with the other. His grip was tight. His fangs scraped against her lip, sending a thrill through her blood.
She groaned and tried to shake herself free.
“Do you want this? Tell me no and I stop.”
She blinked up at him, not understanding what he was trying to tell her. “What? You need me and my blood. Why would I want this to stop?”
“I’m going to tie you up with my belt, bend you over the table, and fuck you. Do you want it or not?”
She sucked in a lungful of air and blew it out. Her clit and pussy lips pulsed at his words. She’d never been tied down before, but she knew Mysta and Sera both gave it a thumbs up. They said it added excitement to sex.
Bewitching the Vampire Page 11