Scent of a Vampire

by Jude Stephens

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  "Well, not formal plans as of yet. A lot of it depends on how you will locate Alex. Do you have any idea which way to go?" he inquired.

  "South," I said without hesitation. Juan slammed on the breaks and turned around and asked me "How can you be sure?"

  "I'm not sure how I know." I said, staring ahead, but not really seeing. "It's like Philly is the connection point for us. And as I drove north it felt as though the connection was being stretched tight. And then at some point, I felt like the connection got thinner. Like Alex was being taken farther from me in the opposite direction."

  I came to myself and looked to the men in the front seat.

  "That sounds crazy doesn't it?"

  "No piccolina. It's not crazy considering your blood exchange." Roberto said in a strained voice.

  I felt bad about the blood exchange with Alex but I knew I would do it again if we were in the same circumstances.

  Juan started moving the SUV again but looked in the rearview mirror at me. "That is good news.

  We can begin by traveling south and see if Olivia gets any stronger vibes."

  "Yes, we have to prepare for the journey though. Set up some safe houses and get some supplies. I'd like to take some time to work with Olivia too." Roberto said. Juan nodded in agreement and I asked, "What do you mean work with me?"

  Roberto replied, "I don't want you to be defenseless Olivia. During the day I want you to work on self-defense training with Andy and Mark. At night I'll work on you." My face must have shown embarrassment, as I could feel the heat invading my body.

  Roberto laughed, "I meant I will work with your control over your powers piccolina."

  "Oh," I mumbled, embarrassed. But when I glanced at Roberto there was a promise in his eyes that he would work on "other things" with me too. I shivered at the thought. God that man was so virile and sexy. I loved the way he smelled, like sex and the ocean breeze at night. And the way his hips swayed when he walked into a room, almost the same way they moved when....

  I heard Roberto clear his throat and came out of my daydream to see him looking at me and Juan's hands clenched on the steering wheel.

  I realized that with their bat senses, they probably had picked up on my excitement. If I thought that I was embarrassed before, well now I wanted the earth to open up and swallow me. I hoped Roberto could teach me to keep my lustful thoughts to myself.

  We arrived in downtown Oswego a short time later. It was a lovely town that had a lot of charm. It reminded me of fishing villages of yesteryear. We didn't have too much time for Scent of a Vampire – Jude Stephens

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  shopping because the shops closed at ten. Still it was enough time to get what we needed. Juan said he was going to the sporting goods store and Roberto and I headed over to a row of boutique stores.

  We entered one and I found it very charming. They had a large selection of clothes and thank God, comfortable walking shoes. I grabbed a few pair of jeans, some regular t-shirts, and to Roberto's consternation a pair of silk pajamas. I laughed at the look on his face as I held up, for his inspection, some very sexy black lace thongs and matching bras.

  He swallowed hard and nodded yes. I had to shake my head to dispel the images of me trying them on for him later. He walked over and talked to the clerk and then came over to me. "I gave the clerk a credit card. Get anything you want. I need to run to another store quick." He bent and whispered in my ear. "Get several of the black lace. I want to rip them off with my fangs later." He kissed my ear and was gone.

  "Ohhh boy, oh boy," the clerk said watching Roberto walk out. "You are one lucky woman." She said. I had to admit that I was. He looked especially handsome tonight in black trousers and a black silk shirt that was open at the top. He had his sleeves rolled up to his forearms; something that I found turned me on immensely.

  I snapped myself out of my lustful thoughts and laughed when I realized both the clerk and I were standing there with the same expression on our faces. It took her a minute more to come to but when she did she said, "I have something special for you." And she pulled me towards the back of the store where I saw they carried a more diverse type of clothing.

  "I just know your man would appreciate some of these things." She exclaimed.

  I took a look around and there was leather mini skirt, corsets, thigh high boots, and teddies.

  "Oh my, I'm not sure." I stammered. It was one thing to have to wear the things Leeds had picked out for me and another thing to go out of my way to buy them. Then I remembered the look on Roberto's face when I held up the lace thong.

  "I will take that little skirt that laces up the front, along with the matching top. And oh, do you have those boots in a size seven?" I pointed to a pair of four-inch thigh highs that would most likely kill my feet.

  The store clerk hurried, got my items, and took everything in the back to wrap, just in case Roberto came back. She was just finishing ringing everything up when Roberto returned.

  He carried only one small bag. I was nervous at what the total would be for all of the things I bought. I had never shopped to the extreme I did today. Roberto didn't bat an eye when he signed the receipt. I glanced over his shoulder and cringed when I saw that it was over a thousand dollars. The clerk handed the bags to Roberto and with a wink to me, thanked us and asked us to please come back. I'm sure she wanted us to come back; what with the amount of money we just spent, she could probably expand her shop!

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  As we walked out of the shop, I felt like I had to say,

  "Roberto, I will pay you back. I have a savings account, of course I don't have my debit card anymore but I'm sure there will be a branch of my bank around here somewhere." We had reached the SUV and Roberto put the bags in the back before he turned to me, "Olivia, you don't have to pay me back. If you haven't noticed, I have more than enough money."

  I looked down at the ground, "It's not that, it's just I'm used to working and I work hard for the money I earn and it's a sense of accomplishment to be able to buy things with the money you earn. This is weird. Not having a job or a purpose."

  "Piccolina, you have a purpose. Probably the most important purpose on this earth. You are a Sensay. And after we get Alex back safe and sound you will begin your training to fulfill that purpose."

  I looked at him with one of those, "what have you been smoking?" looks. He sighed and said,

  "Trust me Olivia, in the near future you will be working hard to earn your keep."

  That statement just caused me to give him a leery look. He laughed and kissed the top of my head. "You are such a pleasure in my life Olivia. Let's find Juan and see if we can get dinner before we return home."

  We found Juan still at the sporting goods store. It appeared he had bought out the entire store.

  We helped him carry his packages to the car and then drove to a restaurant that overlooked the Oswego River.

  We had a great dinner of steaks and a nice bottle of wine. We talked about our plans to head south and find Alex.

  "I think it's important to follow the same path that I took in getting here. I'm not sure why but its kind of a gut feeling." I said half expecting the guys to laugh and make fun of me. Juan instead said, "I think that's a good idea." Roberto added, "A Sensay's gut feelings are legendary Olivia. Soon you will walk as one with the earth." I laughed nervously, thinking they were banking way too much on my being a Sensay. I honestly didn't think I would have great power someday. Though the thought of having such a power and taking revenge on the people responsible for killing my parents made me want to believe. A thought came unbidden to me.

  Something I hadn't thought of since we left Buffalo. I had killed a man. Shot him down in cold blood. I suddenly felt like I was going to be sick. Roberto stood, "Piccoilina, there's dancing outside on the patio."

  He took my hand, "Dance
with me cara, please." Juan said, "Go ahead, I'm going to order another bottle of this wine."

  I put my hand in his and let him lead me outside, "I have to warn you Roberto that I'm not a great dancer."

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  "Ahhh, but I am, all you need to do is let me take you in my arms."

  I let him wrap his arms around me and hold me close. His chest felt so good pressed up against me; so hard and warm. Comforting in the raging storm of my emotions. He began to sway to the music. We swayed back and forth and somehow my mood changed. I no longer felt the seed of despair inside me. Instead I felt the silk of Roberto's shirt beneath my cheek. His unique smell filled my nostrils; his sweet smell that I loved and hated and the smell of an ocean breeze.

  I became aware of his hips swaying with mine. I heard his breathing begin to speed up. I felt the long length of him pressing against me. I think I moaned softly. I clenched my thighs together as a slickness drenched me.

  "Cara, you are going to unman me right here in the middle of a public dance floor." He whispered into my ear, which sent little shivers of delight up and down my spine. Feeling the electrical currents running through me, I said in an alarmed voice, "Roberto, the need. Can't help it. Please help me." I groaned, trying hard not to rub my wet aching core up against him.

  He looked around, "Hold on one minute cara." He danced us to the edge of the patio where there were steps leading down to the back of the building.

  As soon as we were at the bottom of the steps and out of view, I jumped on him. Literally jumped on him. He grabbed me around the waist. "Hold on cara. We can go to the car. It's pretty dark in the parking lot and we should be okay there." He panted between my kisses. I was rubbing myself against him. The friction of my clitoris rubbing against my leather pants and his hard on through his pants was more than I could take. He opened the car door of the SUV

  and threw me in the backseat, just as I climaxed. He jumped in after me and covered my mouth with his own to quiet my screams.

  "Ohhhh! Mmmmyyyy! Goddddd! Roberto!" I gasped as he undid my pants and reached in and found my swollen little nub. "Yessss!" I screamed as I came. Wave after wave of pleasure washed over me.

  Roberto was breathing hard and gasped as I rubbed his hard on through his pants.

  I undid his pants, with every intention of taking him into my mouth, but when his cock sprung free I grabbed it with both my hands and he started thrusting his hips. He came in hot bursts and he cried out. "Mio Dio! You make me loose all control. Olivia, you are the hottest, sexiest, woman in the entire world." He leaned over and kissed me hard and whispered, "We are not done this night yet, I am going to take you over and over again until you beg me to stop." I kissed him back "We will see who begs for mercy." I replied saucily. He got serious for a minute

  "Olivia, I'm not sure why you love me, I just thank God that you do." No words needed to be spoken. I hugged him and fixed my clothes. We needed to get back to Juan before he came looking for us. There was an unspoken understanding between us that this would be continued later. But at least for now, we had gotten the edge of our mutual need.

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  gone. "I was getting ready to come looking for the two of you but I really didn't want to risk getting a look at your backside Roberto." Roberto glared at him and I blushed. Juan just laughed,

  "When this assignment is over I'm heading to Mexico where I know a sweet, sweet chica who is always willing to let me spend a week in her bed."

  Roberto and I had another glass of wine and then made our way back to the car. Juan opened the door and exclaimed, "Christ, Roberto. Couldn't you find a bush or something? Why my car man?" I was embarrassed again. You think I'd get used to it, but no, I felt my face flush with color. It was just before midnight when we pulled up in front of the house and I was looking forward to a night of loving from Roberto when the front door opened and Janel came running out.

  Chapter 21

  I jumped out of the car and ran over to Janel and flung myself in her arms. "I can't believe you're here. Did you hear about Mom and Dad?" I asked, as I burst into tears.

  "Awww, c'mon sweetie. Let's go inside. While I was waiting for you I made some coffee. We can talk in there." Janel said as she turned toward Roberto and glared at him. "You, I will deal with later." She turned her attention to Juan who was still standing beside the car. She gave him one of her dazzling smiles before turning and walking arm in arm with me to the house. "Olivia, tell me who that gorgeous Antonio Banderas look alike is? Does he have a girlfriend? Will you introduce us?"

  I stopped and hugged Janel tight. It was so good to have her back. It almost felt normal again.

  Roberto caught up with us before we went into the house,

  "Miss Atwood, it's nice to see you again." Since I'd gotten to know Roberto a bit better, I could see that he was not at all glad to see her. I wondered what he had against Janel. Oh, I know she could be a little over the top sometimes. But all in all she had a good heart. Roberto continued,

  "Can I ask why and how you got back here?"

  Janel glared at him, "Oh geez, when I heard that my best friend's parents were murdered, I thought that maybe she might need someone to comfort her."

  She gave Roberto a disdainful look. "I'm sure you did your best. And with the extreme stress she's been under, that you in no way would take advantage of the whole situation." I gasped at Janel's words and wanted to tell Roberto to ignore her, that she was must have jet lag or something but Janel drug me into the house, leaving Roberto standing there with Juan laughing in the background. Janel led me to the kitchen chatting at me the whole time.

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  "Whoa, Janel slow down. Tell me about Italy." I asked her. I knew more than anything that Janel loved to talk about herself.

  "Well, I will tell you, only because I know that this is a diversion tactic you use when you want to deflect the attention away from yourself. Okay, hmmm where should I start?"

  Afraid that she would start with her birth I asked, "How about the night you went to Italy?"

  "Ok, that's a good place to start. Well, when you disappeared, Alex and Roberto had an argument over who would go after you. I guess you know Roberto won? Well, Alex was in a bad mood after that and I tried really hard to get him in a better mood. Oh yeah, I'm sorry about that. I know you kissed him earlier but you also kissed Roberto, so I really was thinking you weren't sure who you liked so it wouldn't matter in the least to you if I took one of them off your hands.

  "Did I mention how worried I was? I was so worried about you!" She came up for air and I found myself getting a little dizzy from her chatter. She continued, "Alex wasn't interested in me though, pity, he really is sexy. But anyway, he took me to the airport and dumped me on a plane and said he was going to go help you. He told me when I got to Italy there would be a car waiting to take me to Roberto's family estate in Crecchio, which there was, he also told me Roberto's brother would be there to meet me, which he wasn't. Do you want to know when Mr. High and Mighty showed up?" Knowing Janel so well, I didn't answer, just waited for her to continue.

  "I will tell you when he showed up. Yesterday! And he knew the whole time I was waiting for him. And right after he arrived, he got a call from Roberto saying that your parents were murdered and Alex was captured. That jerk didn't want to let me come home to you, so I threw such a fit, that in the end he helped me pack my bags and brought me here." She finished just in time to take another big breath. I asked her, "Roberto's brother is here?" I don't know why but the thought of meeting his family made me nervous. Janel got up and got another cup of coffee but God knows that she was so wired already she would probably be awake for twenty-four hours straight before she crashed.

  "Yeah, he's around here
somewhere. He dumped me off and mumbled something about going out to hunt." Janel complained.

  I stood up, "I need to talk to Roberto. I got to find him." It was hard to explain to Janel but I needed to be with him. I felt anxious and jittery being separated from him. Janel pouted, "But I came all this way to comfort you."

  "I'm sorry, this won't take long. I just need to make sure Roberto has enough room to accommodate everyone." I lied. I could care less where people slept.

  Janel seemed placated with that but said, "When you get back here I am going to comfort you dammit."

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  "I promise." I vowed to her and with a little smile, ran out the front door. I didn't see Roberto but Juan was there still unloading all of his purchases from earlier.

  "Hi Juan. Have you seen Roberto?"

  "Yeah, he went to look for Cristoforo. He headed down by the dock."

  I thanked him but before I could run off he asked, "Your friend Janel? Does she have a boyfriend or anything?" It was a question I had been asked a thousand times before. "Nope and she said you looked like Antonio Banderas so I'm sure that you have a shot."

  Juan smiled, "Antonio Banderas should look as good as me."

  I ran down the sloping yard to the dock. I didn't see him anywhere. I was just trying to decide if I should look in the woods or go back to the house to wait for him when someone said, "Well, well, what have we got here?" I turned to see a very tall, handsome man standing behind me.

  Long black hair, a goatee and blue eyes, he was dressed in jeans and a black leather jacket. I sighed with relief when I realized that this had to be Roberto's brother Cristoforo. They resembled each other. Though for some reason the hair on the back of my neck stood up as if I was in danger. There was a hardness to him that Roberto didn't possess.