Eventually, he quit making the trip for holidays, telling his folks the security business kept him too busy then. The truth, but mostly, Vincent couldn’t stand watching his sibling squirm or his parents struggle to make him feel at ease. A short visit to see them once or twice during the year sufficed. He spent the holidays at home, catching up on paperwork, reading, eating frozen pizza, and drinking whiskey until he fell asleep. The all-American celebration.
The ringing of his phone cut his dark thoughts short, and he jumped into the day’s work.
* * * *
Roast, almost done. Potatoes, looking good. Salad, on the counter, warming to room temperature. Dinner would be excellent. Vincent liked to cook but didn’t much. He usually grabbed takeout, and when he did take the time to shop and prepare food, he’d make a big pot of something or other, freeze it in baggies, and live off the meal for weeks. Not much point in making fancy food for just himself. Genevieve had seemed pleased when he invited her over, and he looked forward to sharing this meal with her, and more afterward. His casual suggestion that she bring her toothbrush was met with a low, sensual laugh. One he wanted to hear again when he ran his fingers along her belly. Down boy. Damn cock. Always had to be the center of attention. Not casual fuck time. Not tonight.
This evening, he would enjoy dinner with a woman, conversation, and a slow, savory seduction. Something he hadn’t done for a while. Even though they’d already had sex, Vincent wanted to make this night special, to flirt with and tease Genevieve, to lure her to his bed and touch her, turn her on, and make her ache for him. Like real people did.
Then, they could discuss their relationship. Shit. Just thinking the words made his balls crawl up into his stomach. Maybe they’d talk over dinner, get the heavy conversation out of the way. No, after sex, when they both were mellowed out. Uh-uh, better to talk first. Wine, whiskey, dinner, discussion. Then mind-blowing sex.
Gen would understand why he didn’t want a serious relationship right now, especially with people out there trying to hurt the weres. She knew he had a lot going on in his life, and she did too. Her store kept her busy, and anyway, he had to know more about this curse and his role in it. She’d said what she wanted to do tonight, some blood kind of thing, just a test to see if they were compatible. Nothing serious, no big deal.
Yeah, it was a big deal. Why was he cooking dinner, fussing around his house, dusting. Shit. Dusting! Gen was right. They had been tossed together for a reason, and they moved well together. Really well. Her body fit against his just right, and sex with her took him places he’d never been. These past three days, though he concentrated on work matters, a part of his mind kept slipping back to Gen. The feel of her skin, the smell of her sweat…
I said stay down. Vincent adjusted his jeans. Had to focus, get his mind straight. They had to talk tonight at some point, had to figure out where this was going. He’d play it by ear, see what happened. What else? A wine glass for her, well, a not-too-beat-up juice glass would have to do, a whiskey tumbler for him, a few candles around the room. Perfect.
Genevieve seemed to think so too. She entered his house and looked around, smiling one of those huge grins that made him want to kiss her perfect lips.
“This is nice. I have to say, I’m a little surprised.”
“What, you think I live in a cave?” he asked as he took her coat.
“No. Well, maybe a man cave. I expected a bit more of a bachelor pad. You’ve decorated nicely in here.” She wandered through his living room. “Are these original watercolors?”
Absurdly pleased she noticed, Vincent grinned. His house was small but perfect for him. Kitchen, living room, dining area, half-bath on the bottom floor, two bedrooms and bathroom on the upper. And a garage. Big garage for all his stuff. If anything resembled a cave, the garage would be it. But a well-organized cave, not filled with trash. No empty beer cans and ratty couch took up room out there.
“A few, yeah. I like to look at different regions. Got some beach scenes, some mountains. There’s a redwood forest in the hallway. A little of everything. You like art?”
“Sure do. I can’t draw a straight line, but I appreciate those who can. Hey, there’s an art show coming up soon, nearby. Maybe we can go together.”
Plans. She wanted to make plans with him and go places. His first instinct, tell her he was too busy, but the thought of attending an art show with Gen sent a rush of joy to his brain. It had been a long while since he’d indulged in an afternoon of fun, and something told him Gen would be lots of fun to wander around with. They could take their time, enjoy the art, have lunch, go back to his place for sex and…
“What’s cooking? If dinner tastes as good as it smells, I’ll be mighty impressed.”
“A roast and, uh, stuff.” Vincent shut the closet door, aware he’d been standing there just watching her.
She set her purse down on a chair and dug out several items. “How about we do this first? I’ve got a sterile razor blade and a small vial. I don’t need much of your blood, just a few drops. I’ll make a cut on your wrist, or anywhere on your body.”
She spoke quickly, and Vincent heard the slightest uncertainty in her voice. Despite her bravado, she was nervous about this too, he realized.
“I’ve got my own blade. I’ll make the cut.” He pulled a knife from the pocket of his jeans and drew it across his wrist. Gen took his arm and positioned the vial next to the incision, capturing the red liquid.
“You have a strong pulse. It’s coming out good.”
Her touch helped. His heart raced whenever she stood close.
“So, now what do you do with my blood?”
“This.” She poured it into her mouth.
He took a step back. “Uh…”
“I know, don’t worry. It’s kind of freaky, but I’m not a vampire. This is the easiest way for me to test your blood with mine.”
She closed her eyes and stood still for a moment.
“Well? What?”
“So far so good.” She opened her eyes. “I’ve never done this before. We’ll see as the evening goes on. If I get sick, it means we’re not compatible, and I won’t continue with my experiment.”
“I see.” He kept his voice neutral, but his heart rate increased and this time not from sexual excitement. She’d promised him this was only the first step, he reminded himself. He still had options. He didn’t have to go along with anything else.
But if it didn’t work, if she stopped her experiment, would she never see him again?
“I’m going to check on dinner. Pour yourself a glass of wine.” Vincent headed to the kitchen and pointed to the bottle on the counter.
A shot of something stronger for him.
“A roast, huh?” Gen came up behind him to look in the oven. “Do you need any help?”
“Out of the kitchen. Too many chefs spoil the meal.” Vincent smacked her lightly with a wooden spoon, instantly wondering if she would let him paddle that fine ass with the utensil.
She laughed and held up her hands.
“Okay, I’ll just hang out in the other room. I have no problem letting you do all the work.”
“Look through my CDs and find something you like.” Vincent gestured to a shelf.
Watching her bend over to peruse his music selection, his cock stirred again. He’d been slightly hard since she walked in the door and her scent hit him. Now, seeing her delicious ass up in the air, he ached to have her underneath him. Maybe sex first, then dinner, then the dammed conversation
“You’ve got a great music collection. I found a CD I like. Should I put it on?”
“Yeah, go ahead. I’m getting everything moved over to MP3, but I’m going to hang onto my old discs awhile. The sound system is pretty simple. Holler if you can’t figure it out. There are books on the shelves and magazines on the table. Help yourself if you want to read while you wait. I won’t be much longer in here.”
“No problem. Uh, Vincent, I need to talk to you about those alarm syste
ms you had installed. I can make small payments on them…”
“No. Those are a gift. I want you to be safe.” Hell, had he given her the impression she was supposed to pay for them? This dating shit…way harder than it looked.
Music filled the air, and when he glanced up he saw her poking around, looking at his books. He pulled plates down and opened the silverware drawer when he heard a thud. Turning to look, he saw Gen standing in the middle of the room, her jaw hanging open and a book on the floor.
“What’s the matter?”
She continued to stand there, staring straight ahead, not moving.
“What?” he called again, then set the plates down, ready to go to her.
“Holy shit,” she said and finally turned her head to look at him. “I’m really hot.”
“I’ll say you are.”
“No, I mean bodywise. My temperature.” She fanned her face with her fingers.
“Okay, I’ll open a window.”
She did look flushed, and a slight shimmer of sweat shone on her forehead.
He quickly cracked a window in the kitchen, then opened the door also.
“Better?”
“A little. I’m burning up.”
She peeled off her sweater, then her jeans. Damn. Gen in her underwear looked mighty fine. Black, lacy shit. His favorite. His cock grew stiffer, but he forced himself to think with his big head. Her eyes were open wide, pupils dilated. The sheen of sweat looked heavier. What was going on?
“What can I do? Do you need to step outside?”
“No, my skin is cooling down. Now I’m just hot on the inside.”
“On the inside?”
“Yeah, like between my legs.” She strolled toward Vincent, the look in her eyes now one of a predator, the same look as a were stalking its prey.
Oh hell. Like a wet dream.
“It must be your blood reacting with mine. I’m really…wow…burning.”
Her heat reached him before she did. It was like a fire, the flames licking out to touch his skin. Then he smelled her. The delicious scent of Gen, but with a rush of her musky desire. The same scent that had driven him wild last Saturday when they…
Now she pounced on him, leaning into him. She curled one leg around his hip and rubbed herself against his crotch. He had to touch her, now. He slid his hand into her panties and moaned.
“Damn, woman, you are hot. And wet.”
“Mmmm.” She trailed her tongue up his neck.
“Sure you’re okay? This isn’t a bad reaction to my blood?” he asked before his last bit of sanity left him.
“Uh-uh. I’d say I’m having a very good reaction.” She bit his lower lip. Hard.
With a moan he cupped her face and kissed her, crushing her mouth against his. She pressed her body against him harder, her tongue exploring his mouth, building the heat between them even more. He picked her up, and she wrapped her legs around his waist, continuing to grind her pussy against him. Holy shit. If she didn’t stop, he would come in his pants. Why the hell did this woman light him up like a firework? They both were fully clothed, and he was more aroused than he’d ever been naked with anyone else.
Couch. There. He carried her over and set her down on the back. She pulled her mouth from his and moved her lips to his neck, licking and biting, her legs still wound around him. Shirt. Had to get his shirt off. He tore himself away for a second and removed it. Like a starving animal, she continued down his chest, flicking her tongue over his nipple, then…oh Lord, pulling it into her mouth and biting. How did she know that turned him on so bad?
Slow. They should slow down, make it last. Conversation, dinner. She moved her mouth to his other nipple and her hand to his cock, rubbing through his jeans. He leaned his head back and moaned. Unable to hold still any longer, he popped her bra and cupped both breasts, thumbing the already hard nipples. She pulled away from him with a gasp and flung the bra across the room.
“My purse. Condoms. Now.”
Her face flushed red, and her eyes shone bright. He didn’t take his gaze from her as he backed over to the chair, grabbed her purse, and shed his pants. Watching her chest heave as she panted, he struggled to restrain himself, for just another minute. Not the way he planned this evening playing out. What the hell was wrong with him? He wanted to talk to Gen, get to know her. Stop jumping her bones every time he saw her.
But Lord have mercy, no way he could rein himself in now, her looking like a fucking goddess standing there, her hair all wild, her cheeks bright with color. The smell of her arousal had his wolf whining, urging him to take her before he lost all control.
“Sure you’re okay? We don’t need to stop?”
“Don’t you fucking dare stop. If I don’t get you inside me right now I’m going to explode.”
She’d slid off the back of the couch, and when Vincent reached her again, he hooked a finger in her underwear and tore them off. Shit. Had to stop tearing up her clothes but he needed to get her naked. Now. “I’ll buy you new ones.”
He picked her up by the waist and put her back on the couch. She spread her legs wide and rubbed her clit while he slid on the condom. That scent, shit, how could she smell so fucking good? It went straight to his cock, then wound its way to his heart.
He should kiss her again, tell her how beautiful she looked, tell her…
“Now, Vincent. I need you inside me now.”
With one hand on the sofa and one on her back he entered her, hard and deep. She grabbed both his shoulders and moaned, digging her nails into his skin.
“Don’t stop.”
Like he could. Thrusting as slowly as his raging desire would let him, Vincent tried to make it last, but when Gen reached back down to finger her clit, then arched her back and yelled out his name, he couldn’t hold back. Roaring, he pumped into her for far too short a time before he came with a force damn near knocking him off his feet.
He rested the top of his head against hers, both of them breathing deep and hard. So much for a slow seduction. Sex the way real people did it was overrated anyway. Now he did kiss her, lifting her chin, grazing his lips across hers then moving down to her neck to lick a drop of moisture. Back up to her mouth, devouring it this time, his arms wrapping around to embrace her. Pulling her close, he savored the feel of her skin on his, the light sheen of sweat causing them to glide against each other.
“Whoa, hey.”
The sound of a male voice pulled Vincent out of his languor. He eased out of Gen and turned to face the door. His cousin stood in the front entryway, the doorknob in one hand, a duffel bag in the other, and a smirk on his face.
“David? What are you doing here? I thought you weren’t coming until tomorrow?” Shit, he’d been so into Gen he hadn’t heard the Harley his cousin usually rode pull up or sensed the other man’s presence. He stepped all the way in front of her.
“I’m ahead of schedule. I knocked, but I guess you’re kind of busy and didn’t hear me. Sorry, man. I’ll just step back outside here, let you and your lady get back to it.”
“Why don’t you drive around for half hour or so, then come back and have dinner with us?”
“No wheels, I took a cab. My bike’s in the shop. It’s okay, I’ll wait out here.”
“You’ll freeze your ass off. Give us a few minutes to get dressed. I’ll come out and get you.”
“Nah, it’s okay. Give me the keys to your Jeep, and I’ll go get a drink.”
“No, just wait. I’ll be out in a minute.”
“Shit.” Vincent turned to Gen after the front door closed. “My cousin David. He wasn’t supposed to be here until tomorrow.”
They both scrambled to retrieve their clothing off the floor. “I’ll give him the keys to my Jeep, send him away for a while.”
“It’s okay, we should eat anyway. Your roast is probably way past done.”
“I’m not worried about the roast. I can turn the oven off. I want more of this. Now. You all right? That blood thing, kind of got you goin
g, huh?”
Vincent ran his hand along her bare back. Gen turned her head and grinned.
“I’ll say it did. Yeah, I think I’m good. I don’t feel any strange effects. Don’t make your cousin leave because of me. I wouldn’t be able to relax. Make yourself useful, do up my bra. We’ll have more later, yes?”
“Damn right.” Vincent’s hands shook as he fastened the garment, and he cursed more to himself. His thick fingers weren’t made for these tiny hooks, and the adrenaline rolling through his body didn’t help. Too much dressing Gen, not enough undressing. Her skin was still warm, and she still smelled of desire. A shudder ran through her as he brushed a finger against her neck.
Vincent desperately wanted to send his cousin far away for the night, but banishment was out of the question. Pack members always took care of each other, always put their wolf family first. Shit, though, couldn’t the guy have waited another hour or two?
“How do you feel? Are you still, ah, overheated?”
“It’s calmed down a lot. But not all the way, don’t worry. I’m still ready for round two. Maybe I’ll drink a little more of your blood if that’s what happens when I do. Those vampires could have the right idea. You might want to shut the window and back door.”
They were both fully dressed by now and aside from flushed faces and wild hair, looked presentable.
“I’m sorry about this. Are you up to meeting David, having dinner with him?”
“I’m fine, and I’d be happy to meet one of your relatives. As long as we get to spend time alone later.”
Vincent touched his lips to Genevieve’s in a gentle caress. He still shook and could feel her trembling also, but knew they both needed to calm down. He wanted to pull her into his arms, lock onto those lips of hers for hours, but any more physical contact would start the fire raging again.
“Oh yes, we will. Much time.”
A cold blast of air entered the room when Vincent opened the front door. David hurried in, stomping his feet.
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