Hungry Cowboy

by Charlize Starr

  Found couldn't stop herself from gawking. Her husband–the next Vampire Emperor? She knew that it was his plan, but somehow hearing it from the Empress herself made it seem all the more real. It was more than that, though… if Alexandru was Emperor, she would be Empress. Her head spun.

  More pressing was this fight to the death. Alexandru looked grim and determined, but not afraid. Vlad, however, was ashen, eyes wide as though his neck was already on the chopping block. He didn't expect to live. For all his bluster, for all his laughing at Alexandru's threats, he was afraid of him.

  "I request the fight take place at once," Alexandru said. "Let us get this unpleasant business over with."

  Vlad turned to glare at him, but the fury and hatred landed on Found. "I should have killed you. If I have the chance, I will yet kill you."

  Alexandru turned his back on his brother, cupping Found's face in his hands. His eyes were soft as he kissed her.

  "He will not touch you," he said under his breath. "You will be seated by the Empress for the fight. Please, during the fight, close your eyes. I don't want you to see me like that."

  Found nodded numbly. Her husband kissed her once more and stepped back, letting Wava take his place. The other woman shivered, but she didn't look any more fearful than her brother.

  "Alexandru has never killed another Vampire," Wava whispered. "He has made many threats, but has never had to follow them through. Now he must. No-one will mourn Vlad, but Sandru will not find this easy to do."

  ***

  Found was seated beside the Empress at the sidelines of a large arena. It reminded her of the gladiator pits she had read about and shuddered. That was exactly was this was.

  The stands were soon crowded by Vampires and from the snatches of conversation she heard, Found realized they were betting on the outcome.

  "Can't you resolve this another way?" Found twisted her hands, glancing up at the Empress, whose expression was cold.

  "Alexandru defeated the Shifter Matriarch, but not in the agreed upon way. He was meant to face ten heroes. He only faced one. Some take it that he backed down from the challenge. This is to prove he will do what is necessary. If he cannot protect you from the likes of Vlad, then he cannot be my heir."

  Found stared in horror at the woman. How could anybody be so cold? Was she always like this, or had her unnaturally long life turned her heart to stone?

  A cheer from the crowd drew Found's attention back to the arena. Alexandru and Vlad, both wearing only pants, had strutted to the center. Vlad, though tall with well-defined muscles, was tiny compared to Alexandru.

  Found knew that the smaller Vampire had no chance to win. Alexandru's gaze sought her out and as promised, she closed her eyes.

  The fight took longer than she expected. There were cheers and gasps from the crowd. Grunts of pain echoed in her ears and though she longed to open her eyes and see what was happening for herself, she clenched her hands and kept them closed. An earth-shaking cheer suddenly went up.

  "You can look now," the Empress patted her hand.

  Found's eyes snapped open. Alexandru stood alone, holding the limp, lifeless body of his brother.

  "My sons, here is your future Emperor. Alexandru, my heir," the Empress called out.

  The Vampires cheered. But even as the crowd chanted his name, Found could only feel sorrow at the slump of Alexandru's shoulders and the gentle way he laid Vlad's body on the ground.

  Chapter Ten

  Six months after the fight that had promoted him to the Empress's heir, Alexandru sat on the edge of his bed, watching his wife nurse their newborn child. It wasn't yet dawn, but the baby's crying had woken them both. He could not believe that he was so lucky to be blessed with this family.

  "The stars were watching out for me," he said, smiling at Found.

  She gave him a distracted smile. "What do you mean, love?"

  "When I chose you to be my wife, the stars were watching over me. There is no way I could be so lucky to find you if they were not."

  Her eyes sparkled. He loved looking at her like this. He would never get enough.

  "They were watching over me, too," she said. "All I wanted was to escape that place, but instead, I found myself. I have a husband who loves me and now a child. I never knew before how hollow I felt."

  The baby finished nursing and Found lifted her to her shoulder to burp her. Alexandru felt his smile widen and he was certain he was a goofy sight. His little daughter was beautiful. She was human like her mother and perfect in every way. He would teach her to hunt, fish and fight. He would buy her the best silks and laces for her dresses and if anybody broke her heart, he would destroy them.

  "We need to decide on a name," Found sighed.

  They had not been able to agree on a name. Or rather, Found had not liked any of Alexandru's suggestions, but had been unable to tell him what sort of name she was looking for. It must be difficult, to have no name but one that was given to you not out of love but a necessity.

  He reached for her hand. "Darling, she's perfect just the way she is. We'll find a name, I promise." He leaned forward, kissing her, gently at first, then more passionately.

  Found's eyes became sultry. "The doctor said I have to either drink three quarts of your blood or wait three months before we can make love again."

  Her words made him tighten and he groaned. "Don't speak like that. It makes me want you."

  "I know it does. I figure if I must be tortured with desire, so must you."

  "How can you even be thinking that way after giving birth just three days ago?" Alexandru shook his head, laughing. "Even without the pain—"

  "It doesn't hurt much anymore. I've already drunk… what, one and a half quarts? I think I'm probably healed up already."

  The baby let out a burp that seemed too loud for such a small body and they laughed. Found nestled their daughter in her arms, stroking the small red cheeks and fuzzy black hair. It was a surprise, but the baby looked more like her Aunt Wava than either Alexandru or Found. Wava had been thrilled and had made enough clothes that it would be next to impossible for the little baby to wear them all.

  "I heard you speaking with the Empress," Found said, a smile crossing her face as she gazed at her husband. "She seems to be very pleased with your work with the Shifters."

  Alexandru felt himself swell with pride, remembering his most recent conversation with the Empress. "She is. Negotiations with my brothers are going well and there haven't been any major skirmishes since the Bear Matriarch submitted to me. Even the others–Wolves, Lions, Tigers–they all respect my authority."

  "The Emperor of Vampires and the King of Shifters. Is it everything you hoped?"

  "More. I have you."

  He bent and kissed his wife's mouth, teasing her lips open. With a moan, she pressed herself closer, careful not to jostle the baby. Alexandru chuckled as he withdrew.

  The baby's face wrinkled and Alexandru scented a smell, not unlike sour cheese. He held out his arms for the baby. "Little miss needs a diaper change."

  ***

  "You made a stinky, yes you did."

  Found had to fight back laughter at her huge, imposing vampire husband talking baby talk to their daughter as he changed her diaper. It made her love him all the more. Every time she thought her heart would burst if she was any happier, he did something that made it swell even further and somehow make more room.

  Alexandru's giant fingers deftly fastened the tiny snaps on the baby's sleepers.

  Found climbed out of bed. Her body felt a little tender if she walked or sat for too long, but other than that, she was healing faster than she expected. Being a Vampire's bride definitely had its perks. Alexandru drinking from her was off the table for as long as sex was. Having a transfusion of his blood just after giving birth and then drinking a little at every meal afterwards was really helping her get back to her normal self.

  She stepped onto their balcony. The sky was beginning to lighten in the east, heralding a new day.


  Alexandru came over to her and shifted the baby to one arm so he could bring Found against his chest, kissing her soundly. Found wrapped her arms around him.

  "I think I have it," she said suddenly. Her eyes lit up.

  "Have what?"

  "Her name."

  Alexandru nodded, grinning eagerly.

  "Dawn."

  "Dawn," Alexandru repeated. His smile widened. "You're right. That's perfect. Hello, Dawn."

  Found slipped a finger into her daughter's hand, smiled at her husband and watched the rising sun announce the first day of the rest of her life.

  *****

  THE END

  Cowboy Romance: The Cowboy's Virgin

  Description

  He asked if he could kiss me. Who does that?

  After her dad died, curvy 19-year-old Lauren Jones is ready for a change. Taking up her best friend Jane’s offer, she moves from Atlanta to a small village in Colorado to live with Jane and her boyfriend. They seem very happy, but Lauren’s decided that love just isn’t for her.

  Too bad that Jane’s a notorious matchmaker.

  Cole Harmon is a cowboy who looks exactly like Lauren’s favorite actor, Dermot Mulroney. He always hangs around Jane and Adam’s house so he’s hard to avoid. His lean muscles, tight abs and the V that disappears into those worn jeans are sending hot flashes through Lauren’s body, even though she’s determined she’s not on the market.

  But when Lauren gets to know Cole better and hears about what happened to him, she realizes that she could develop feelings for this cowboy with a wounded heart.

  There’s just something about a cowboy, isn’t there?

  Slowly but surely, Lauren finds herself falling in love with the village and the cowboy. Is it too soon to want him? What will he say when he finds out she’s still a virgin and doesn’t know what she’s doing? Can she find room in her heart as she makes a new start for herself?

  Chapter One

  Lauren Jones pulled her backpack from under the seat in front of her as she waited for everyone else to exit the plane. She was young, just nineteen, and starting over after her father died six months ago. Her best friend Jane Reynolds had asked her to come live with her. Jane had recently moved to a little town in Colorado that revolved around farming and the outdoors and Lauren had never seen her happier. Not seeing any reason to refuse Jane’s offer, Lauren had packed up her belongings and left her home in Georgia.

  Lauren brushed her soft red hair back and walked towards the door of the plane. She was ready to start her new life and thrilled to see her friend, but there was one thing she was not looking forward to too much. Jane was a notorious matchmaker and had mentioned a certain cowboy in town to her several times. She’d allowed it and didn’t protest too much, but she’d have to somehow make clear to Jane that she wasn’t interested in a relationship right now. Lauren was bigger than most girls and men hadn’t always been nice about that. Right now, she wanted to focus only on herself and on positivity.

  Lauren walked into the airport and to the escalator taking her to the baggage claim. She thought fondly about Georgia and what she’d left behind. Once her father was gone, Jane had jumped right in with her invitation, but Lauren had taken some time to make a final decision. It wasn’t easy to leave everything she knew behind. But here she was, ready to start her new life.

  Lauren looked over the crowd of people and saw her pixie-like friend waving. Her blue eyes lit up. She smiled and rushed forward to hug Jane.

  They’d been friends for years, ever since elementary school. Jane had moved with her family from Georgia to Colorado and now lived on her own with her boyfriend, Adam. He was a cowboy who worked with cattle as well as riding them on the rodeo circuit. Jane still had the same black hair cut into the cute bob around her face and she was glowing today. “Hi! I am so glad that you’re finally here! It took you long enough,” Jane teased Lauren as she looked her over. “Come, give me your bag and let’s head back to the cottage. I can’t wait for you to see it!”

  “Are you sure that Adam doesn’t mind me taking up the guest room?” Lauren asked as they made their way through the airport.

  Jane waved her hand and laughed. “No, not at all. He works a ton so he’s happy that I’ll have someone to hang around with.” Jane leaned closer to her. “It’s not crowded like this, Lauren. It’s small and close knit and beautiful.”

  Lauren had to admit that she liked that idea as they walked into the parking garage, where Jane led her to a chunky Jeep that had its share of bumps and bruises. “This is a long way from your little yellow Jetty in Georgia, Jane.”

  “Everything is a long way from Georgia in Julesberg, Lauren. It’s like a breath of fresh air,” Jane said, as she opened the back and slid the suitcase inside of the car, laughing.

  “You only say that because of Adam,” Lauren teased, but Jane looked at her with a thoughtful gaze.

  “No, I mean…he’s the reason that I moved there. But I just love the slow way about the town and the quiet when the sun goes down. There’s a peace about it that you have to see.” Jane smiled and stared at her. “Let’s go. I want to show it to you.”

  Jane paid the fee, and they hit the freeway to go home.

  Home.

  “So, about Cole,” Jane said slowly. Lauren looked over at her with her nose wrinkled up. “Look, he’s Adam’s best friend, and they’re on the circuit together. He’s a great guy and let’s be honest, Lauren, you still haven’t dated too much, right?” Jane asked as Lauren took a deep breath.

  “No, I haven’t. Nobody struck me back home and who’s to say that Cole will? Just because you fell for Adam on the first night doesn’t mean that it will happen to everybody,” Lauren told her. Jane gave her a long stare since they were at a stoplight. “I don’t want to be that girl that gets set up like this.”

  “You’re not. It’s just something I thought of when I knew that you might move here, and my imagination went a little crazy,” Jane defended herself, smiling. “He looks like Dermot Mulroney, you know.” That was Lauren’s favorite actor and she rolled her eyes.

  “Great,” Lauren said, as she settled back for the hour drive and stared over at the green mountains. “It’s pretty here.”

  The girls chatted about childhood memories as they drove and laughed over some of the funnier times they had with Lauren’s father, Kevin. Jane had loved him as much as Lauren and had come back to Georgia for a full week to help Lauren through the funeral.

  Lauren watched as they pulled into a small town that featured the main stores for survival but nothing fancy like Target or Costco. She didn’t know how to feel about that, but as they drove down a small street and parked in the driveway of a cute yellow cottage, she changed her mind.

  It was beautiful. There was a green lawn with flowers and a big porch that was set up for guests and time outside. Lauren got out of the car and stared at it. “This is amazing.”

  “It is. The house is small but cozy and I think you’ll love it,” Jane said as she took Lauren’s luggage out of the Jeep. They walked into the house and almost bumped into two men who were just coming out.

  “Hi, you must be Lauren. It’s good to meet you,” said a sweet looking guy with green eyes and dark hair, who Lauren assumed was Adam. He reached out his hand and she shook it as he continued, “We were waiting to grill some burgers, and here you are. Oh, and this is Cole Harmon, my best friend.” He gestured towards the other man. Lauren looked at him and realized that Jane was right. Cole looked just like Dermot Mulroney.

  “It’s a pleasure, Lauren. Welcome to Julesberg,” Cole said, before he offered his own hand. Even though she’d told Jane she wasn’t interested in dating, she felt a bit self-conscious as Cole smiled at her. She liked his subtle drawl though and she smiled back at him.

  “Thank you, Cole. I have to admit that I like it here. It’s very charming,” Lauren assured him as he grinned and nodded.

  Adam took her suitcase to the guest room while Jane went
into the kitchen and grabbed a plate of burger patties to bring to the back yard. Lauren was hungry after the flight, but she needed to fresh up a bit first. She looked from Jane to Cole and then excused herself to use the restroom. “Where is it?”

  “Just at the end of the hallway.” Jane gave her a reassuring smile and watched as her friend turned and left the room. Lauren went into the little room and stared in the mirror at her hair that hung down to her shoulders in soft curls. It was messy, and she needed a shower, but with the party waiting outside, that was going to have to wait.

  She settled for using the facilities and ducking into the guest room beside the bathroom to change into some fresh yoga pants and a sweatshirt since it was cooling down outside. She pulled her hair back and forced a smile on her face before she returned to the living room.

  The guys were outside by the grill and Lauren looked around the living room for a moment. It was a spacious room with soft couches and some tables scattered about, as well as a pretty stone fireplace. She could see through the back window to the backyard where there was a deck and the grill, as well as a gorgeous sky on the horizon. “Wow, it’s so beautiful here,” she said as Jane came over to stand beside her. “But Jane, really, Cole already?”

  Jane frowned and walked into the kitchen. “I know it must look like that, but I didn’t plan it. They’re friends and they always hang out together. This is usual,” Jane said as she pulled out a bag with some vegetables marinated in spices and oil.

  “Babe? Do you have the asparagus and zucchini?” Adam called from outside.

  “Right here,” Jane answered. She went to get a plate and the veggies and gave both to Adam with a soft kiss on the lips. She came back into the kitchen. “I didn’t invite him the way that you think I did. He’s just always here,” she said as she put her arm around Lauren and smiled at her.