“Will I fall in love?” The Heirophant was an indecisive card and pointed toward seeking guidance from a higher power. She was okay with that. It wasn’t like she wanted to marry Luca for Goddess’ sake. She was content to have some fun and explore a new friendship. Collette hoped for a little more than a fuck buddy, though.
“Will Luca be a good friend?” She bit her lip. The Wheel of Fortune was a good luck card and a definitive yes answer to her question. Just thinking of him made her feel warm inside. She’d forgotten to ask for his phone number before he left last night. That sucked, because she wanted to text him and say good morning.
Someone knocked on the door and she jumped up to find her sweatpants. Living alone afforded her the luxury of sitting around in her underwear and a T-shirt, but she couldn’t answer the door like that. “Just a minute,” she called out while she hopped on one leg trying to get her other leg into the pants. She pulled the drawstring tight and tied a bow in it before opening the door.
Alice stood there holding two paper grocery bags. The older woman’s blonde hair was cut into a bob just above her shoulders. She smiled. “Hi, honey. I brought you some groceries.”
Collette pulled the door all the way open to allow Alice to enter. “Thank you. That’s so sweet. I was just thinking I needed to run out today. You read my mind.” Since she’d left home, Alice had become like a surrogate mom to her in the last six months. She checked on Collette every day and once a week Alice brought her groceries. Their shifts in the shop rarely overlapped once Collette had been trained in all the business aspects of the job. The only time they both worked all day long was during Mardi Gras when the tourists were in overabundance.
Alice wiggled her eyebrows. “Maybe I did.” She set the bags on the counter in the kitchenette. “It’s not much, but should get you by for a while.”
“I appreciate it. I’m starving.” Collette unloaded the items.
“What happened to your neck?” Alice squinted and stared at Collette’s throat.
Collette touched her neck. “What is it?”
“You’ve got a bruise right there.” Alice ran her fingertip over Collette’s collarbone. “Kind of looks like a hickey.”
A laugh escaped Collette. “Oh. Yeah. Well…”
Alice raised an eyebrow. “I won’t ask. As long as you’re okay, sweetie.”
“I’m okay, really good, actually. But thanks for checking on me.” Collette pulled open a plastic package of string cheese and peeled a piece off. She popped it into her mouth while she put the other packages into the little refrigerator.
“If you need to talk or anything, you know I’m only a phone call away, right?”
“I know.” Collette hugged Alice. “You’re too good to me. Do you want some tea? I was about to make another cup.”
“I’ll take a raincheck, dear. I have to get the store opened before the churches let out so I can do the devil’s work.” Alice winked and walked toward the door. “I’ll see you later.”
“Okay. Later.” Collette turned on the hot plate to heat up water for tea.
Alice paused in the doorway and turned around to look at Collette. “Be extra careful for a while.”
Collette cocked her head to the side. “Why?”
“Just a feeling, dear. Just a feeling.”
“Okay. I’ll keep my eyes open. Hey, Alice?”
“Yes?”
“If I come down to the store in a little while will you work with me on the minor arcana?”
“Sure, honey.” Alice nodded and pulled the door shut as she left.
Collette was lucky to have Alice. Her own mother didn’t worry after her or even check on her. In fact, since she’d moved to the city, she’d seen her family only once. It was like they’d forgotten about her. In some ways, that was fine. At least that’s what she told herself while she poured the steaming water into a mug and dipped a teabag into it.
* * * *
“WHAT EXACTLY ARE YOU looking to do?” Collette asked.
The man wearing khaki shorts and a light blue, long-sleeved button-down shirt stood with his hand on his hip.
Nothing screamed douchebag like pairing shorts with a long-sleeved shirt and deck shoes with no socks.
“You know, I’m not sure. Something to keep my secrets safe. What would help with that?”
His wedding band shined on the ring finger of his left hand and Collette wondered if he was trying to hide something from his wife. It wasn’t good to judge people by how they looked, but she was pretty sure he was an asshole.
Collette picked up a package of coffin nails and a bottle of lavender oil. “Put these nails in this bottle for a week and then pour the oil into a bath. Soak for fifteen minutes and you’re good to go.”
“That’s easy enough.” He smiled and pulled a wad of cash out of his front pocket. A gold clip secured the bundle. “How much?” His brown hair was combed to the side and he used too much pomade or gel or whatever.
Collette scanned the two items. “Twelve-fifty.”
He peeled off a twenty and handed it to her.
She gave him change and tucked the items into a plastic bag. “Good luck and have a blessed night.”
“Yeah. Thanks.” His cell phone rang and he answered it as he walked out. “Yeah?”
Collette rolled her eyes. Somebody better shoot her if she ever ended up with someone like that.
“Does that really work?”
Not knowing anyone else was in the store, she shrieked. “Dammit. You scared me.”
Luca smiled from where he leaned against a bookshelf. “Didn’t you hear me come in?”
“No. I know the bells didn’t ring. Are you some kind of ninja or something?”
“I’m stealthy sometimes.” He winked and walked toward her.
“But I’m glad you’re here.” She shrugged and fiddled with the display case on the counter.
“Yeah?”
“I forgot to ask for your number last night.”
“Well, we both had other things on our minds.” A smile tugged at his lips.
“True.” She touched her collarbone. It didn’t hurt but there was a purplish mark there. She didn’t remember ever having someone hurt her like he had and she liked it, wanted more. Butterflies danced in her stomach.
“You okay?” he asked.
“Yeah. I’m good.” She smiled and leaned her elbows on the counter. “What’re you doing tonight?”
“That depends on you.” He reached across the counter and touched her chin. “I’d like to see you again.”
The remnants of a headache still lingered. “I’m not sure I’m up for another night of drinking.” She laughed. “I’m still recovering.”
“Hangover?” Luca grinned.
“A little, yeah. I haven’t drunk that much in a while.”
“You didn’t drink that much.”
“I had two drinks, which equaled four shots. That’s a lot for me.”
“Lightweight.” He laughed.
The bells on the door rang and a woman walked in. Well, floated in was more like it.
Collette waved. “Hi there. Let me know if I can help you find something.”
Luca’s eyes narrowed and his body stiffened. He leaned closer to Collette. “Aren’t you about to close?”
“Ten more minutes. Why?”
The blonde walked through the store, cruising up one aisle and down the next. She stopped and picked up a pair of silver-plated tea light holders and made her way back to the counter. She smiled at Luca and put them on the counter. “I’ll take these, please.”
“Sure. Did you want any candles? We have some really nice herbal paraffin wax tea lights on sale. Two for a dollar.” Collette wrapped the candle holders in butcher paper and put them in a bag.
“Yes. I’d like a pair. That would be wonderful.” Her voice had a strange ring to it, like chimes. “Also, I need some belladonna root, if you have any.”
Collette snagged a bag from behind the counter. “Is that
all?”
Luca remained still as a statue staring at the woman. She was pretty, so Collette didn’t blame him, but it was rude for him to ogle someone else when he was there to visit her.
“Yes. That’s all.” The woman reached into a small handbag and offered up two twenty dollar bills. “Is that enough?”
“Yeah, let me get you your change.”
She held out her hand, and Collette counted it out.
The woman gave a last lingering glance to Luca then slipped the bag onto her wrist and slowly sauntered out.
Luca’s jaw was tense.
“Do you know her?” Collette asked.
His lip twitched. “No. But I didn’t get a good vibe from her.”
The clock on the wall chimed. It was ten o’clock.
“I thought she was okay.” Collette grabbed they key for the front door. “Do you want to come upstairs?”
“You know, I have to run an errand first. Is it okay if I come back?”
“Um, sure. That’s fine. Just come to the back door and call me so I can come down and let you in.”
He handed her his phone, but kept his eyes on the door. “Put your number in for me.”
She opened up his contacts and typed in her information. “There you go.”
“Thanks.” Luca hurried out the door and Collette locked it behind him. She turned off the open sign and headed back to the stairs.
* * * *
“WHAT DO YOU THINK you’re doing?” Luca spun Betina around at the gate.
“She’s cute.” Betina smiled. “I was just buying some candle holders for my nightstand. Don’t lose your shit.”
“Stay away from that store.”
“What? You own the whole city?”
He followed her up the stairs to the front door and walked in behind her. “I don’t want you sticking your nose in my business.”
She unwrapped the holders and put the candles in them. A box of matches sat beside the fireplace. She struck one and lit one candle then the other. “Afraid I’ll take her from you? You needn’t worry. She’s not my type.”
“If you’re planning something, you better abandon it right now.” Luca knew that Betina never went out. The fact she showed up in Collette’s store tonight was an indication she was more than pissed and she was following him. Both of which were of concern.
“You don’t give me orders. Maybe you’ve forgotten your place around here.”
“I don’t have a place around here anymore. I won’t tell you again to leave me alone.”
Betina rounded on him. Her eyes burned a bright yellow and she slugged him. Her fist connected with his chin and lifted him off his feet. It didn’t matter that she was a foot smaller than him. She was a powerful vampire and that crossed all gender lines.
Luca landed on his ass near the entrance to the kitchen, but jumped back onto his feet. He charged at her, but she moved a split second before he plowed into her. He caught a handful of her hair and dragged her with him as he crashed into the wall beside the fireplace.
She screamed—more like screeched—and dug her nails into his biceps.
He looped his arm around her neck and gripped his wrist with his other hand to hold her in place. She kicked her legs and the pointy heel of one of her shoes stabbed into his shin. “Fuck.” He let her go and pushed her away.
She lost her balance and fell on top of the coffee table. Blood dripped from her mouth as she got up. “I’ll kill you.”
“Give it your best shot, bitch.”
The scent of her blood caused Luca’s heart to accelerate. It didn’t matter that he hated her. Any blood kicked his bloodlust into high gear. His fangs dropped.
Then Jӧrg bounded down the stairs and stopped at the landing. “What’s going on?”
Betina clutched the collar of her blouse. “Luca attacked me.”
Luca rolled his eyes. “Dude. You know she’s full of shit. I’m defending myself. She’s lost her fucking mind again.”
Jӧrg frowned. His blond hair was secured in a ponytail and he was shirtless wearing just jeans and no shoes. He looked like he was ready to jump into the ring with Rocky Balboa.
Betina wiped the blood from her lip. “Don’t just stand there, Jӧrg.”
Luca stepped back. He didn’t want to fight with either of them. It had been a bad idea to confront her, but he had been so angry seeing her in Collette’s shop.
Jӧrg jumped over the couch with lightning speed and hit Luca. The bigger vampire was definitely stronger than Betina.
Luca’s jaw cracked from the blow and he stumbled before returning the favor and punching Jӧrg in the left temple. The other vampire dropped like a sack of cement. Jӧrg might be bigger, but Luca had experience.
He jabbed his finger in Betina’s face. “Don’t fucking follow me again.” His jaw ached from the scuffle and the fact that he was grinding his teeth, seething in anger. Fuck both of them.
When he took Betina out, Jӧrg was going with her. Then he could tell the neighbors they moved away and he would live happily ever after without them. Betina’s story was that she was the niece of the woman who owned the house and had inherited it when she died. When in fact, she was the woman who owned it back then too. There was always one lie or another to cover her tracks.
Storming out of the house angry was becoming commonplace. He found it a little easier to do when he had somewhere else to go. His heart was beating hard and Luca wasn’t sure if it was a good idea to go back to Collette’s house while his need for blood was intense, but he didn’t feel like grabbing a stranger on the street, either. He pulled out his phone and called her.
* * * *
COLLETTE WAITED BY THE back door. Luca sounded winded when he called and told her he’d be there in five minutes. A knock on the door signaled his arrival and Collette threw the deadbolt to open the door.
Luca breathed hard. The sleeve of his t-shirt was torn and his hair was disheveled.
She re-locked the door and touched his cheek. “Are you okay? What happened?”
He shook his head. “I’m fine. I just got in a fight on my way here.”
“Oh, my God. Really? Do you want me to call the cops?” Collette took his hand and led him up the stairs.
“No. It’s okay. Really. Not a big deal.”
Once inside her apartment, he pushed her against the wall much like she had done to him the night before. Turnabout was fair play.
There was an urgency in his touch as he pressed his lips to hers. He kissed her and trailed his lips over her cheek to her ear. “I want you, Collette. Can I have you?” He gripped her hip and squeezed.
No one had ever wanted her like that and it excited her. “Mhmm.”
“Is that a yes?” he clarified.
“Yes.”
His erection pushed against her hip almost painfully. Maybe fighting got him hot. She didn’t really care and slipped her shorts and panties down her legs. She broke away long enough to grab a condom, tearing it open with her teeth.
Luca pressed her to the wall again. His breath burned her throat and he put his knee between her thighs and unbuckled his belt.
The sound of his zipper sliding down and the pressure on her throat where he kissed and sucked were just enough foreplay to have her dripping wet. He rolled the condom on, lifted her off her feet and wrapped her legs around his waist. He slid his hands up her arms to pin her wrists above her head. Just as he broke away from her neck, he growled and plunged inside her.
Collette gasped and hit her head against the wall. He was so big, hard, stretching and filling her. “Jesus.”
With long strokes, he fucked her hard and slow. Luca bit her bottom lip and sucked it before burying his head against her shoulder. He groaned.
The tight grip he had on her wrists made her fingers tingle from lack of circulation, or maybe they tingled in response to something else. A slow burn built in her belly and spread lower as his dick slid over that sensitive spot inside her. Each stroke brought her closer. “I’m g
oing to come, Luca. God, don’t stop.”
“Mmm.” He dragged his teeth over her shoulder.
The first wave hit and her pussy contracted. “Yes. Yes. Yes.” She moaned and her legs shook. It was so cliché to picture fireworks, but her vision blurred and little flashes of light erupted as she teetered on the verge of losing consciousness. She felt so much at once and she might have screamed, but she wasn’t sure.
“Damn. You’re so tight.” With the last thrust, Luca’s body tensed. He panted and squeezed her wrists tighter. “Fuck.” He released her hands and gently set her on her feet.
Collette stared up at his face. “I’m not sure I can stand up just yet.”
He smiled and pulled his pants up. “I guess that’s good.” With an arm around her shoulders, he helped her walk to the couch.
Strands of hair stuck to her forehead where a fine sheen of sweat had formed. “I think you took me apart.”
Luca ducked into the bathroom before he came back to sit beside her. He pulled her onto his lap and put his arms around her. “You’re okay though?”
“Oh, yes. I’m great.” She laid her head on his shoulder. “I’m really good.”
“If you’re happy, I’m happy.”
She felt sticky and sweaty. “I think I need a shower.” Her legs were still shaky, but she was able to stand. “Want to join me?” she asked.
He nodded. “Yeah.”
They stripped off the rest of their clothes and got in the shower together. It wasn’t a big space, but they could easily move around each other to wash and rinse. Water dripped off her nose and she looked down at her wrists. They throbbed where he’d held her against the wall.
He lifted one up to his mouth and kissed the red mark. “I’m sorry. Didn’t mean to bruise you.”
“It’s okay. I liked it. All of it.” She closed her eyes and leaned back under the spray.
“If I ever do something you don’t like, just tell me, okay? I’d never intentionally hurt you.”
“I know that.”
Come Undone: Romance Stories Inspired by the Music of Duran Duran Page 38