by T. F. Walsh
“Please?” I whispered into his mouth and felt his fingers inside me, testing. Oh God! Could I be more ready? His hands slid round my waist almost encompassing it, pulling me downward onto him. I gasped and arched against him. He whispered in my ear the things he would do to me. Then he showed me, again and again until I lay shuddering in his arms.
As my head cleared and the aftershocks gave way to the sleepy glow, it occurred to me I had never felt his release. I rose on an elbow to look at him, “Tom, you didn’t finish.” I meant it as a question but it came out a statement of fact. Did he look embarrassed? Ashamed? Can a vampire experience either emotion?
“You were wonderful,” he said as he kissed me gently.
“Okay, if I’m so wonderful why didn’t you … ah … you know … have an orgasm?”
He turned his head to look at the ceiling, which suddenly seemed to hold some fascination. “I must drink to find release.”
“Drink? You mean bite me?”
He made a face. “Yes, I have to bite you, drink from you. Not a lot.” He added hastily as if I might fear he’d drain me.
“And?” I really didn’t see the big deal here. I had been doing some biting of my own.
“I hadn’t asked your permission.”
“Consider me asked.” I held out my arms to him. His kissed me then, long and hard until my heart beat like a wild thing in my chest. He slid down my length to nibble along my stomach and into the hollow of my thigh, his hands exploring and when he bit I felt him quake. I gasped and dug my nails into the bed, “Sweet Jesus!” I cried — but not from pain.
The orgasm seemed to go on forever.
CHAPTER 12
I lay propped on an elbow watching him, tears staining my face. He didn’t ask if I was all right, or if he’d hurt me, or why I cried. He lay in my bed, pale and still as if he was dead. He was. I sobbed until I thought my heart would break, and hiccupped softly when the tears at last ran dry. Why?
I wanted him to notice me, wanted his kisses, his touch. I hadn’t realized how much until he showed me. He was a caring, gentle lover. I wanted this, wanted this … man in my bed. My lover was dead and grief overwhelmed me. Well hell, hadn’t I known that? Had I thought if we made love he would suddenly turn human, like the frog into a prince? I wasn’t that naïve. Never had been.
So what kind of future could I have with a man who had been around since before I was born and would be around, and just as young and virile, long after I was ash? Wasn’t I jumping the gun? Who said he wanted more than this one night? So I did as I always did when confronted with a situation I had no control over. I shoved it to the farthest reaches of my mind and closed the door. I had no control over fate. It was my nature to second-guess everything, but just this once I’d tell what if, to go to hell!
I slipped from the bed gently as if not to wake Tom. Stupid. I walked quietly into the bathroom and let the now cold water out of the tub. The room still smelled of jasmine. I breathed deeply and the sweet aroma calmed my heart.
The cold water from the faucet did little to erase my red and swollen eyes. Lovely! A cold cloth held to them for several minutes earned a better result — not perfect — but better. In the dim light I checked my ‘love bites’ and found them to be practically invisible. Tiny little reddened pinpricks that might have been made by a small insect. Chiggers came to mind. After completing my sponge bath at the sink, it occurred to me the shower would have disturbed no one but Willy. Where had my darling dog bedded down?
Wearing a soft terry robe to cover my nakedness, I stepped into the hall. A glance over the iron rail into the living room below showed no sign of him. Turning, I opened the door to Raf’s room, fingers searching for the dimmer. The switch was at the lowest setting so I flipped the switch. The vision that greeted me caused me to slap a hand over my mouth to keep from laughing. Raf lay on his back in the center of the massive bed, arms crossed over his heart like a pharaoh lying in state, and lying next to him, head on Raf’s chest, was Willy. Real badass vampire. I flicked the light back off and quietly closed the door.
The night had been eventful for us all and I certainly could use some extra sleep. I dropped the robe on the chair by the bed and climbed under the covers. I snuggled against Tom, lay my head on his chest and closed my eyes, willing myself to ignore his lack of heartbeat and the coolness of his skin.
What woke me? What time was it? There it was again, a dog, barking and scratching. Willy! I leapt from the bed, grabbed the terry robe and fumbled to tie the belt as I ran to the door. Four steps took me to Raf’s door. I turned the knob. Willy stood waiting, wagging his entire body. I swallowed the lump in my throat.
“Come on,” I whispered. You can’t wake the dead.
Willy jogged beside me to the elevator and we went down to the kitchen. I snatched the key card off the counter and we re-boarded the elevator for the trip to the garage. Once the door opened, we stepped out into the bright heat of July.
Okay, I might not have been fully awake when this plan was hatched.
The catcalls were immediate and loud, cars honked. Country-girl, who me? A short terry robe was not the proper attire for the streets of downtown Little Rock. Luckily for me, Willy only needed to pee, so at least no bending was required. Note to self, grow a brain. We hurried back into the building and the door closed behind us.
“Well your Mom definitely needs coffee,” I told Willy as we headed back up.
I fixed Willy’s breakfast and left him to eat while I jumped in the shower. In and out in less than ten minutes, my ensemble consisted of khaki shorts, a bright red tank top, and flip-flops. I returned to the kitchen intent on feeding my growling stomach. Eleven was too late for breakfast, besides a burger was what I yearned for. Somehow coffee didn’t sound like the beverage of choice so I opted for a big glass of Dr. Pepper instead. Caffeine is caffeine no matter the source. I nuked the ground round to thaw it. Soon it was soft enough to form patties. I made two, and put the remaining meat in the fridge for later.
Willy gave me the eye and bounced when I ignored him, even though he just finished his breakfast kibble. Maybe healing made you hungry, what did I know? Of course chances were, he was just a little pig, but I was so delighted to see him normal and whole, I’d probably cook him a steak if he drilled those big brown eyes into me long enough.
Once my little grill pre-heated, and the patties on to cook, I sliced veggies. Garlic was out but by God the Vidalia’s were in season and I would have onion. Tomato. Lettuce. Dill Pickles. Yum. Wait. Pickles? I read the kosher dill jar. Ingredients: Cucumbers, Vinegar, Salt, Garlic. Shit. Okay, no pickle. I let Willy’s patty cool while I constructed my burger, grabbed some Cheetos and arranged my plate. I broke up the patty in Willy’s dish and he scarfed it down and eyed mine.
“Oh no! This one is mine. If you’d chew your food you might enjoy it more.”
With a dishwasher handy, it took all of ten seconds to clean the kitchen. So what to do until my honey rose from his — slumber? The bookcase beckoned. I doubted any romance novels lurked amongst the ancient tomes but decided to peruse the titles. Willy tore into a new chew toy and seemed content for now. I approached the bookcase with a wary eye. What sort of literature interested vamps?
There were some medical books. Interesting. Some looked old, some not, biology, anatomy, principles of physics. Yikes! Not light reading. Holy books. The Bible was represented in several incarnations, from an ancient tome about a foot thick to several newer versions. The Koran, the Torah, many others I didn’t recognize, some because the lettering was in another tongue. The reading material enforced what Raf had told me. Only the very oldest vampires seemed to have any problem with religious items.
I saw several law books, history books from many nations, Shakespeare, Homer, and Dickens. Some of them appeared to be old enough to be original manuscripts. You couldn’t pay me to touch the
m. They must be worth a fortune. I climbed the ladder and gave it a shove. The top shelves held books on magic. I pulled one from the shelf. I recognized the language as Latin because I had taken it for three years in high school, back when I still believed veterinary medicine would be my future. My counselor said I needed Latin to go into any medical field. Certain I wouldn’t remember enough to attempt translation; I put the book back and reached for another when the phone rang. I almost fell off the ladder as I clamored down and ran to answer.
The caller I.D. read BettyJo Bradley. Only in Arkansas.
“Hello,” I whispered.
“Hey. Afraid of waking the dead?”
A southern twang to the lyrical feminine voice sounded familiar but not the ass-ish bray of laughter. I knew no BettyJo. “Who is this?”
“Connie, it’s Bianca.”
“Not according to the ID.”
“Oh shit! I meant to get that changed. Sorry, bad joke.”
“Your real name is BettyJo Bradley? Isn’t Petticoat Junction a little before your time?” I about busted a gut trying to keep from laughing. Bianca was a far cry from BettyJo.
“Yeah, yeah. Ha-ha. My grandparents loved the show. Seriously, three sisters named Billy Jo, Bobby Jo, and Betty Joe from a town called Hooterville? How lame! Unfortunately Mom didn’t watch. She thought the name was real cute when Grans suggested it. Lucky me. Being from Arkansas is cliché enough! I had it legally changed but keep forgetting to tell the phone company. So, what’s your full name? Constance right? What’s in the middle?”
“Francis.”
Bianca laughed until she choked. I would have been happy to help her with that, but as she was on the phone I contented myself with visions of her demise.
“Can you even carry a tune?” she managed to cough out.
I belted out the first stanza to “Where the Boys Are.”
“Okay, wow. Just … Wow! But your mom couldn’t possibly guess you’d be able to sing.”
“Why did you call anyway?”
“I think I figured out how to get rid of your little hex. But you may want to reconsider.”
“Why would I do that?”
“The spell isn’t exactly what I thought. It does make you lose your inhibitions but not in the way you think. You aren’t doing things you don’t want to do.”
“I realize you don’t really know me, but trust me when I tell you I don’t sleep around.” Anymore. “I don’t normally have what you’d call a trusting nature, either.”
“I get what you’re saying. But think about it, Randy was a blip on the radar. I don’t think a nun could resist an incubus. So your reaction to him probably had nothing to do with your hex — ”
“Hang on. I got another call coming in.” I clicked over. “Hello?”
“Hey, kiddo.”
“Hey, Dee! What’s up?”
“I thought I might run by and pick up my goodies if that would be okay? I’m at the farmer’s market.”
“Sure come on over. You need directions?”
“From you? Hardly. See you in a few.”
I clicked back to Bianca. “Sorry. You were saying?”
“Why don’t I just come over? If you still want it done, I’ll talk you through it.
I’ll bring my kit.”
“Need directions?” Kit?
“Nope. I know right where Tom lives.”
“Okay — wait. You knew I live with Tom how?” I didn’t ask what I wanted to know. Which was how she knew Tom’s address? Jealous, me?
“Paranoid much? You live with Raf. Tom and Raf live together, ergo … And before you get you knickers in a twist, I used to clean his place. Even witches have bills to pay.”
“Oh. Come on over. I have a friend dropping by, I hope that is okay?”
“Fine by me. I’ll call up when I get there. I’m at the police station.”
“Why?” I asked the air, since Bianca had hung up. I hurried to call Dee so I could explain how to buzz me. My timing was perfect. She had just turned into the drive. The intercom blared to life. I slid the card then went down in the elevator to bring her up.
“Wow,” she said before Willy knocked her feet out from under her, sending her backwards onto the elevator floor. “He’s well!”
“Magic!” I said. “Tom did it.” I heard Bianca’s voice on the intercom. “Get up you goose! I have to let her in.” Dee hauled her butt out of the elevator with some effort as Willy wouldn’t stop dancing and licking her face long enough for her to stand. When she was safely out of the way, giggling wildly as she protected her makeup from Willy slobbers, I slid the card. Before I could react, the door closed and within seconds reopened with Bianca inside, the huge tote hanging from her shoulder.
“Hi,” she said as she exited the elevator grinning as she surveyed the scene on the floor. Willy hadn’t let up on Dee who was now flat on her stomach as he tried to reach her face. She was laughing so hard she couldn’t ask for help if her life depended on it.
“Willy! Stop that this instant! Stop!” I yelled to be heard over Dee’s laughter and Willy’s noise.
I finally picked him up so Dee could drag herself off the floor. Most of her makeup remained intact with the exception of her mascara. A touch up would be required. Bianca offered her a hand. The two stood toe-to-toe frowning at one another.
CHAPTER 13
“Why do I get the impression introductions aren’t necessary?” Even Willy stopped fidgeting to stare. Neither woman responded, although Dee looked like she wanted to wipe her hand on her shorts.
“Deidre,” Bianca said at last.
“BettyJo,” Dee ground out. “Oh wait, it’s Bianca now.”
If looks could kill, Dee had just sent Bianca straight to Hell. No one except Dee’s mom ever used her full given name and then only when she was mad. Dee was just Dee. I knew her real name of course and thought it pretty. She didn’t share my opinion.
“So how do y’all know each other?” I thought I knew all of Dee’s friends. Maybe I did. They didn’t seem at all friendly.
Bianca raised a brow. “We belong to the same coven.”
I swiveled to face her. “Say what?”
Her other brow rose to meet its sister. “Deidre is in my coven. You didn’t know?”
I pivoted back to Dee. “That little tidbit slipped your mind for the past ten years? Does Jimmy know?” My world tilted, not because she was a witch but because she hadn’t trusted me enough to share her secret. What else hadn’t I been told?
“You don’t have to know every single thing about a person to be their friend, Connie.” She studied the butterfly on her sandals. “I didn’t think you’d understand.” She slowly raised her head. “I’m sorry, Connie. The truth is I was scared.”
“Dee, you’ve been my best friend since high school. You know all my weirdness. What made you think I’d judge you?” My eyes welled. Dee was the only person I’d ever fully confided in. She knew every sordid detail of my existence. I blew little puffs of air up into my eyelashes to stop the tears from falling. I would be the last person on earth to sit in judgment. I glanced at Bianca. Something was going on behind her eyes, but I didn’t take time to dwell on it.
“It’s not that. When we met I was trying real hard to fit in, to be like everybody else. I was in denial. And you, well, you had enough going on. You sure didn’t need me adding my garbage to yours. Helping you, listening to you, showed me I wasn’t as bad off as I thought.” She grimaced. “That didn’t come out right.”
“I get what you’re saying, but did you ever think maybe if you had told me your problem I might not have felt like such a freak? Friends share.”
“You know how self-centered I can be. I’m a real bitch! I was totally fixated on not making the cheer squad.”
Dee ended up o
n the drill team because some girl outshone her at cheer tryouts. She had been furious about it.
“I wanted to tell you, but by then the system had you. What was I supposed to say, ‘oh by the way, I forgot to tell I’m a witch?’ Besides, people weren’t as accepting then. The government still thought they needed to protect us from ourselves.”
Bianca smirked. Dee glared at her.
“You cheated and you know it, Bitch!” Dee growled at her.
“I used my inherent talents. That’s not cheating. I didn’t be-spell the judges.”
“You’re the one who beat her out of the squad?” My eyes bugged. Dee had told this story so often I almost felt it happened to me. Dee claimed the girl moved like a cat. Her leaps had been higher, her flexibility amazing. Shit. She was a cat. “Does she know?” I asked Bianca.
“That I’m a shifter? Yeah, she knows. She just thinks it gave me an unfair advantage.”
“Dee, be fair. It’s just a natural thing to her. She moves like a cat because she-is-a-cat. It’s not like she can help it. She didn’t use her magic. That would have been cheating.” I didn’t like the look on Dee’s face. “Dee, what did you do? Dee?”
“She’s really mad because she tried to be-spell the judges — and it didn’t work,” Bianca said calmly. “She screwed up, just like now. You have to practice the craft Deidre!”
“What do you mean, like now?” I asked.
“Ask your buddy who put the spell on you?”
“Dee!”
“I only wanted to help!” She glared at Bianca. “You don’t know her. She takes care of everyone but herself. I just wanted her to let go of some of the baggage.” She turned to me. “Connie you have the biggest heart of anyone I ever met, yet you have no love life. I know you over think everything and I understand why. You say you want what Jimmy and I have? Well — you were never going to find it the way you were going.”