Drake stormed forward before the vampire could take another step. The women watched as his dagger sliced through the air, embedding itself into the vampire’s chest. It wasn’t enough to take the monster down, but it slowed him down long enough for Zoe to rush forward, slamming the full depth of her sword into the vamp’s heart. Zoe pulled the blade out, and raised it high, ready to slay the next thing that moved.
Another vampire leapt at them, a female with wispy, black hair. Drake dodged her fangs, jabbing his dagger into the soft flesh under her jaw. Zoe tossed the stake to him, and he slammed it into the vampire.
“This way!” Drake shouted, leading the group toward the front door, but as they got close to the entrance, Zoe recoiled.
“It’s morning,” she replied, her voice barely above a whisper. “Sunlight…”
“It’s just a short distance to the tunnel,” Drake replied softly. “We can make it.”
Zoe nodded, but Drake saw the terror in her eyes. She hadn’t been in the sun since she was turned. While it wouldn’t kill her, she was terrified of how weak it could make her.
But when she looked up at Drake, who stood in the doorway, framed against the rising sun, she knew he’d look out for her; that he’d never leave her behind.
Closing her eyes, and weaving her fingers into his, she stepped out into the light.
Chapter 11
The explosion was a beautiful sight, a spectacle of orange and red as they stood a safe distance away watching the inferno.
They were free. Albian was dead, the women had been released to go back to their families, and the compound had been destroyed, along with the evil that lived within.
“Thank you,” Emma gushed, hugging Zoe then Drake. “Thank you for saving my life.”
The other women smiled, exchanging hugs one last time before they ran off, moving as fast as their legs could carry them, anxious to be reunited with their loved ones.
As Drake and Zoe quickly made their way back into the city, headed towards her apartment, Drake wrapped his arm around her waist to steady her.
“Hey, you okay? Not much further to go.”
He could see she was growing weaker by the minute. Her eyes were glazing over, and her skin had become pale. Carefully, he helped her along, looking for cover from the burning sun as they made their way into the park that stood just outside of the area where Zoe lived.
Despite Drake holding her, Zoe nearly collapsed, holding onto the trunk of a tree for support. It took all her energy to continue and by the time she reached her apartment, Drake was nearly carrying her in his arms.
Once inside, out of the blistering rays of the sun, Zoe recovered quickly. As she lay on the sofa, Drake placed a cool cloth on her forehead, then slipped beneath her, lifting her head and placing it on his lap.
“We need a shower, then I’ll cook us something to eat,” he said, running his fingers through her hair. “You reek.”
Zoe laughed. “Slaying vampires works up a sweat.” She turned her head to the side, laying her cheek against Drake’s leg, snuggling against him. “I know something else that’ll work up a sweat, if you’re interested.”
“You read my mind, woman.” He chuckled. His chiseled face was shadowed in the dim light, but when Zoe turned her head to look at him, she could see the hunger in his eyes.
“But first, a shower.”
They made their way into the bathroom. Drake undressed her as she, in return, reached for his shirt, lifting it over his head and discarding it on the floor. A few minutes later, they stood under the hot stream of water. Drake’s hands worked their way over Zoe’s body, lathering her with soap.
“Mmm, that feels so good,” she purred. “Your turn.”
He stood back, letting her run the bar of soap over his chest, creating a froth that smelled of lavender and honey. Her hands moved lower until her fingers squeezed tightly around his cock.
He growled, leaning forward and pulling her against his chest. His kisses trailed a fiery path along her neck, between her breasts and down her belly until he was down on his knees. His mouth covered her, savoring the sweetness of her pussy. She moaned, leaning back against the shower wall as Drake’s tongue explored the sensitive bud of her clit, and the soft lips of her pussy, his hunger for her growing by the minute.
When she dared to peek down between her legs, she saw the glow of arousal tinge his blue eyes. Nipping her skin gently, his kisses trailed to her thighs, then slowly worked their way back up her body until he was kissing her neck once again.
“I want you… in your bed,” he growled against her throat. He lifted her up, and she squealed as he set her back down on her feet, outside of the shower.
Somehow, she managed to grab a towel from the rack before he pulled her back into his arms and kissed her again, his fingers resting on the base of her throat.
Fire raced down her spine when he deepened the kiss, leaning close. Her bare breasts pressed firmly against his chest. The touch of his body did something to her deep inside that made her want him with an intensity she’d never felt with any man before.
Then they were on her bed, his knees between her thighs, pushing them apart. There was his hand on her throat again, only briefly this time, as it moved around to cradle the back of her head. He brought her face up to his and kissed her again, every breath he took moving through her.
Then she felt the weight of him as he lowered himself, his hips coming down on hers with such a force that it pushed her deep into the mattress.
“I want to be with you.” His voice was soft, and she heard the smile before she saw it curve his lips. “For always. I want this to work.”
That was the last soft thing about him. The fullness of his cock slid inside of her. His touch, every movement of his hips, was deliberate and just this side of rough. She wrapped her legs around his back, pulling him down to her, wanting to feel his chest against her breasts, needing the heat of his skin.
“You feel amazing,” he moaned, his mouth lowering to her nipple.
She felt the soft heat of his tongue as his lips closed around one hard nipple then the other.
She didn’t answer with words but instead rocked her hips against his, tightening her grip around his back with her legs. Zoe clung to him, her arms wrapped around his neck, her fingers digging into his shoulders as he continued thrusting against her.
Every passionate movement of his muscular body and every pulse of his cock ignited a tremor inside of her. There was nothing she could do but hold on as he drove into her over and over, her desire melding with his possessive and dominant touch.
“I love you, Drake.”
The words came out shaky, but he heard them loud and clear. They made his heart roar like an engine, every cylinder firing. He wanted her more than he’d ever wanted anyone or anything. In such a short time, she’d become the most important thing in his world.
“I love you too.”
His lips were back on hers, his kiss fiercer this time, full of promise.
Then he pulled away, holding himself above her, bracing himself on his knees, pushing her legs further apart. He wanted to watch her face, watch himself as he slid into her once again, to see how much pleasure he could give her, how much love he could show her.
“And I always will, Zoe…” Drake’s eyes were riveted on her, his movements slow and gentle as he eased himself back inside her.
Zoe closed her eyes, lost in the intense pleasure that rippled through her body. She rocked against him, feeling herself tighten, seconds away from orgasm. And when it hit her, she opened her eyes, passion flaring, her gazed locked with his.
“Don’t stop, Drake. Please…”
And he didn’t, not until he took them both to the edge and then beyond. Zoe cried out first, arching up beneath him, her hands gripping his shoulders, her muscles taut.
He held himself above her, watching her body rise and fall with pleasure. There was a moment where he felt her pulse around his cock, contracting. The sensation
of feeling her orgasm drove him over the edge.
When his orgasm started, it was with a powerful cry, growling out her name, his head thrown back. He wildly thrust into her, pressing his mouth against her lips, murmuring words of love, of forever. With a final thrust, he came, filling her with a pulsing heat.
She moaned, fully sated as he collapsed on top of her, and they lay like that for a long time, arms and legs tangled in the silky sheets. Their breathing gradually slowed, and after a while, Zoe was sure Drake had fallen asleep, but then she heard the rumble of his voice.
“Happy New Year, baby.” He snuggled against her, wrapping his body around hers.
She smiled and breathed in his intoxicating scent as she thought about how much her life had changed since she met this beautiful man.
And in that moment, she knew that come what may in the days ahead, whether it be from vampires or her own darkness, there was no battle she couldn’t win, if he was by her side.
About the Author
Cate Cassidy writes scorching hot paranormal romance featuring strong, curvy women and guys with growl.
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Baby, They’re Cold Outside
One Shot
Angela Nicole Chu
About Baby, They’re Cold Outside
All that Michael Castrogiovanni wants is to enjoy a peaceful Christmas with his daughter…and his mistress. However, when mysterious figures that resemble demonic children appear at his front door, Michael’s desires turn into a night of terror. As he and his daughter retreat to the home of his Grand Vampire (and older brother) Salim, the evil forces at work follow him all the way, making this a Christmas that they’ll have to fight to remember. Ho, ho, ho.
Chapter 1
"Daddy, there's someone at the door."
Michael Castrogiovanni glanced up from his laptop and noticed that his perpetually fifteen-year-old daughter Anastasia stood anxiously in the doorway. A tall, muscular girl for her appearance, little ever bothered Ana. When something did, she was quick to devise a plan of attack to re-solve the issue on her own.
But tonight was different. Ana seemed rattled. "Who is it?" Michael asked simply.
Ana clenched her fists tighter together. "Two kids," she told him. "A girl and a boy."
Michael tapped a slender finger onto his phone to check the time. Quarter 'til midnight. "It's Christmas Eve," he mused aloud. He looked back up at Anastasia. "Have you talked to them? Seen what they want?"
Ana shook her head fiercely left and right. "I was on the couch when they knocked," she said, her voice nearly a whimper. "I went to the door and looked out the peephole and saw them."
"Okay..." His daughter's frazzled state was causing him to become agitated himself. "Do you want to talk to them, or do you want me to?"
"You!" Ana said, more forceful than she'd anticipated. She gasped a little and touched her bottom lip with her fingertip, as if attempting to shush herself. "Please. I...I don't want to talk to them."
Michael frowned and rose slowly from his chair, using one hand to gently close his laptop. "Honey, what's wrong?" he asked quietly, his eyes locked onto his trembling teenager with concern. "Do you know these kids?"
Ana shook her head again, side-stepping slightly and motioning toward the hallway. "I don't want them here," she said quietly. "Can you please just get them to leave?"
Michael's gaze remained on Ana for a few more seconds. He sighed and quickly brushed past her and made his way down the long, dark hallway in his home. Few people knew the truth about the Castrogiovanni family. Subsequently, few people would ever dare to disturb a family so late at night, when most of the world was fast asleep. Or, at a minimum, when most people had the common courtesy not to visit the home of a stranger.
He neared the front door, the silk of his pajama trousers emitting a pleasant swish-swish-swish as his legs moved briskly with his gait. He didn't have time for this. His wife, Keelia, had left on a business assignment for the week, meaning that Christmas Eve was about to be a very special occasion for the handsome man. Should he play it safe? Or just get down to business?
Why beat around the bush? he decided. Who in their right mind is going to mess with a Vampire?
Michael's hand reached out toward the deadbolt on his front door. His fingertips touched the cold metal. He paused and shook his head slightly as an odd feeling of dread raced down his body. He recoiled and removed his hand, snapping it back toward his side.
He looked around his living room, the excessive holiday décor set in place by Keelia and Ana now casting elongated shadows across the floor. Michael rubbed his hand as if the deadbolt had bitten him, taking a moment to center himself again. His body remained jittery. What the heck was that?! He outstretched his hand again but this time couldn't bring himself to make contact with the deadbolt. His hand shook more and more the closer it got to the metal until he recoiled it again.
Instead, Michael placed both palms onto the wooden surface of his door and leaned forward, allowing one of his piercing grey eyes to peer out of the peephole. Two young children stood outside, just as Ana had reported.
The eldest was a boy, who looked to be just a few years younger than Ana. In the moonlight, Michael could see that this boy was slender and pale. His hair was the hue of straw, hanging shaggily around his cheeks. Long, thin, blunt bangs shielded his eyes from view. He was dressed simply in khaki slacks with a thin-looking burgundy-coloured pullover hoodie. Thin for the chilling temperatures outside.
The strange boy held the hand of a small girl, who looked to be around seven or eight-years-old. She was dressed in a poodle-style skirt with lace around the hem and a button-down ivory cardigan. The girl stared at the stains on my porch shyly, showing off that her own shaggy hair—the same hue and texture as the boy's—was tied back into a fluffy ponytail.
"Excuse me, sir," the boy said suddenly, causing Michael to jump in alarm. "May I come in to use your telephone?"
As a Vampire, Michael was light on his feet and stealthy in his movements. Yet, the boy somehow knew that Michael was there anyway.
And, that he was a sir.
"I'm sorry, I don't have one!" Michael said quickly, his body beginning to tremble all over. "Maybe try a neighbour? Merry Christmas!"
"Please, sir!" the boy said again. "It'll only take a moment. I just need to make a call."
The girl piped up. "Our mother is worried about us!"
Michael swallowed hard. "I'm sorry; I'm out of minutes!" he insisted. He took a moment to compose himself. "I'm sure that one of my neighbours can help. Have a good night."
The boy raised his head to look directly into the peephole, exposing his eyes to Michael. A pair of black, otherworldly eyes. Not black as in extremely dark pupils, but black all over. Including the sclera, akin to the finest of cosplay black-out contact lenses. Hypnotizing. Sucking in Michael's attention the longer he kept eye contact. "I'm sure that you can assist us, sir," said the boy. "Your daughter would not, but I'm sure that you can."
Michael kept quiet. Slowly and silently, he backed away from the door, noticing that Ana was still cowering at the back of the hallway near his bedroom, tears floating in her eyes. The boy outside kept talking. “Just let us in to use your phone.”
Michael took another step back.
"We’re not going to hurt you!" the boy snapped, his tone suddenly changing from polite to hostile. "If we wanted to do that, we would have broken in. May we come in and use your phone?”
Ana gasped and quickly ducked into her bedroom, which lay across the hall from Michael's. Michael tried to take another step back, gritting his sharp teeth as his body began to hesitate. As if something inside of him was wanting to head back toward
the door. "Go away!" he snarled toward the wood of the door. "This is your only warning."
He tumbled backward onto his butt, the sensation of needing to answer the door having vanished. He quickly got to his feet and scrambled back down the hallway and into Ana's bedroom. His daughter was sitting crosslegged in her coffin bed with her long arms wrapped under the bottoms of her knees. "You saw?" she said simply, distress in her voice.
Michael came over and quickly buried her head into his chest. "I saw," he concurred, the visions of those eyes—those pools of midnight black drawing him in like a dark hole—permanently burned into his sight. "And I took care of it."
Chapter 2
By 2am, Michael could hear the melodies of some of Ana's favourite songs playing in her bedroom. He'd stayed with his daughter for nearly an hour, his presence calming her down just as much as her presence was simultaneously calming him down. He'd eventually returned to the front door, noticing nearly instantly that the feeling of dread was gone.
He unlocked the door and took a step onto the porch, pleasantly relieved that there was no sight of the two strange children. Fresh snow had begun falling from the sky, removing any traces of the children's footsteps.
He moved to the side door, checking out into the yard as well. Nothing but the sweet twinkling of the snow in the moonlight caught his eye.
Even Vampires loved the sight of a White Christmas.
With a smile, Michael returned to his home, locking the door tightly behind him. His little piece of Christmas joy would be arriving soon, and he hurried himself into the lavatory to prepare for the fun. He took a quick shower, allowing the warm water to run over his cool skin while he hummed his favourite holiday tunes to himself. He pushed the appearance of the strange children and how they’d managed to rattle him and Ana into the back of his mind, rendering it nothing more than a past memory that he was more than happy to forget.
Holidays Bite: A Limited Edition Collection of Holiday Vampire Tales Page 92