Or what, her inner voice taunted. Fucked you again until you both fell asleep replete, and then the next morning woke you up saying, “Oh, by the way, I'm not really human?”
“Oh, shut up,” she muttered fiercely to the voice. She believed he was telling the truth because the story was too unbelievable not to be true. She walked along the pathway leading to her front porch and once inside the house went straight to the phone.
She needed Susan and she needed her now. Devra dialed the number, praying that Susan was home and alone.
“Hello.”
“Sus, it's me.”
“Hey girl, so how was it tonight? Did you see him perform? Drool over him, beg him to take you?”
A sob tore from her throat.
“Devra, what's wrong? What happened?”
“Can you come over here? I really need you.”
“I'll be right there and I'm bringing reinforcements.” Then Susan was gone.
Devra smiled a watery smile. Reinforcement was their code word for ice cream. Mint chocolate chip ice cream smothered in chocolate syrup. Perfect! That was just what she needed. A friend and a pint of mint chocolate chip. Life couldn't get any better.
She looked at the clock and figured she had enough time for a quick shower. Maybe if she couldn't smell Joshua on her, everything would be better.
Chapter Nine
Devra had just finished dressing when the doorbell rang. She walked to the door and opened it, finding Susan standing there with a brown paper bag.
“Come in,” she stepped back to let Susan enter.
Susan bounded through the door, heading straight for the kitchen. Devra closed the door and followed, arriving in time to see Susan open a drawer, grab two tablespoons and turn around.
“Okay, I have spoons, ice cream, and the pièce de résistance, chocolate syrup.”
Devra took a spoon and then proceeded to scoop out the ice cream. When they had fixed their bowls just right, they headed into the living room. Each of them ate their ice cream in silence. Devra was halfway through with hers when Susan finally spoke.
“Okay, hon. Spill it. What happened tonight?”
Devra set the bowl down, the ice cream no longer appetizing. “I screwed up, Sus.”
“What do you mean?”
Devra felt tears well in her eyes. She lowered her head so Susan couldn't see them,
“Devra? What's wrong?”
“I slept with him.” She raised her gaze and collided with Susan's wide-eyed stare.
“Slept with whom? Joshua?”
She nodded.
Susan rubbed her hands together in glee. “So tell me how was it? Does he make love like he plays the piano?”
“He's the best fuck I've ever had. He's also not human.”
“What?” Susan screeched. “What the hell do you mean he's not human? Come on, girl. Explain.”
Devra wiped her face. “I don't know too much, only what Joshua told me. Evidently his kind came to Earth to live as humans..” She waved her hand in the air. “And he's a vampire too.”
“A vampire? Oh my god, did he bite you?” Susan rose from her seat. “Let me look at your neck.”
Devra shook her head. “No … no. He didn't bite me. He's not that kind of vampire. And there are others like him. I think I met one of them tonight.” Devra shivered.
“Please tell me you kicked him in the balls or something?”
Devra blew out a breath. “Nope.”
“Did you do anything?”
Devra looked at Susan then. “I wanted him to make love to me again. Does that count for something?”
Susan punched the chair arm. “Have I taught you nothing? Has the fact that I'm a bitch with an attitude that men tend to stay away from taught you nothing?” Susan shook her head.
“I ought to whop you upside the head.”
Devra rolled her eyes. “Do you want to hear the rest or not?”
“You mean there's more?”
“Shush, and let me finish.”
Susan threw up her hands and sat back. “Well, then. Get on with it.”
“As I was saying. He feeds off the sexual high of those in his audiences when he plays.” She looked at Susan. “That's why after listening to him play, you wanted to go out and fuck somebody.”
“Wow. Really?”
“Yes, really.”
“Did you have sex? Was he any good?” Susan sat forward, eager to hear more, her anger apparently allayed, at least for now.
Devra replayed everything back. “Good? He was out of this world. My God, Susan, from the minute he touched me, my body felt like it was on fire. I couldn't get enough. All I could think about was getting naked and riding his cock until I was sore. I can't explain the intensity or the heat that generated between us. It was like a live wire, and damn, it was so good.”
“Whew, down, girl,” Susan said fanning herself. “Much more of that and I'm gonna have to leave and find myself a man real quick.”
“What am I going to do, Sus? He makes me feel things I've never felt before. All I can think about is him. The way his hands caress my body. His kisses. Oh, man! His kisses are spicy hot and addictive. Right now all I can think about is climbing back into bed with him and kissing him…
“Damn, girl. Then what's the problem?”
“I don't know. I feel so foolish for fucking a guy I just met and yet, in some way I feel like I really know him.” Devra covered her face and groaned. “For goodness sakes, he's a psychic vampire. Plus he's supposed to be a story. Nothing more, just a story.”
“Okay, listen up. Here's what you're going to do. Go upstairs, curl up in that big old sleigh bed of yours and get some sleep. No more thinking about hunky Joshua tonight. What you need is sleep so you can wake with a fresh perspective.”
“Yeah, you're right. I am kinda tired.”
Both rose at the same time and hugged each other.
“It will be okay, Dev. I promise.”
“Thanks Susan. You're the best.”
They said their goodnights and after seeing Susan out the door, Devra locked the door and headed to her bed. Susan was right. No more thoughts about Joshua tonight. She would think about him and what to do tomorrow.
* * * *
Susan watched the lights go out in Devra's house, wiped a lone tear from her cheek and started the car. “I think it's time I had a little heart-to-heart with Joshua Thomas. Nobody messes with my friends.”
Susan pulled out and headed to Governor's Lounge. With any luck Joshua would be there. If not, she would find out where in the hell he was and pay him a visit. Nobody but nobody hurt her friend.
* * * *
Joshua had finished his last set at the club and was headed out the door when a feminine voice called his name. He turned to see a blonde-haired, blue-eyed and—judging by the quickness in her step—very angry female. Did he know her? He searched his memory and came up empty. Who the hell was she and why was she mad at him?
“You're Joshua Thomas, right?”
“Yes. I don't believe I've had the pleasure of meeting you. You are?”
The woman stepped closer until they were almost toe to toe. “I'm the woman who's going to kick your ass for hurting my friend. That's who I am.”
Joshua was taken aback. Hurt a woman? No! His mind cried out. He would never harm a woman. “I'm sorry. I believe you have me mixed up with somebody else. I don't hurt women.” He turned to leave but was stopped by her grip on his arm. He looked down and then up at her. “Do you mind?”
“Yes. Yes, I do mind. Do you fuck so many women that you can't remember the one you were with a few hours ago?”
He frowned. A few hours ago? But, he was with Devra a few…
“You're a friend of Devra's.”
Susan shook her head. “No, I'm her best friend. The one who just spent an hour listening to her cry over you.”
Joshua stiffened. “She's crying?” He pulled from Susan's grip. “must go to her.”
“Oh no
you don't, buster. You stay away from her.”
“You don't understand. I am her mate. She's the other half of my soul. Without her I will wither and die.”
Susan cocked her head and narrowed her gaze. “Is what she said about you true? Are you from another planet?”
“Is that what she said?”
Susan shrugged. “Actually her words were, 'He's not human.'“
Joshua shook his head. “I am human just like you, but I'm also what you would call a vampire. I feed off the sexual high of your kind. Our planet was dying and Earth was compatible with our needs. I tried to explain all this to Devra but she didn't believe me. Now she is lost to me forever.”
“Not necessarily.”
He whipped around. “What do you mean?”
“I mean there's still a chance to win her heart.” Susan narrowed her eyes. “If that's what you really want.”
“How? She won't even talk to me.”
“You let me worry about that. Just answer one question.”
“What.”
“Do you love her?”
Joshua smiled. “With all my heart.”
“Then that's enough for me. But if you ever hurt her, I will hunt you down like a dog.”
“Of course.”
She pulled him over to a table and motioned for him to sit. “Okay, here's what you're gonna do.”
For the next hour, Susan told Joshua everything he needed to know in order to win his lady's heart. And for the first time since Devra walked out of his house, Joshua had hope. Hope that he would have Devra back in his arms and his bed soon.
Chapter Ten
Devra was tired and edgy. She hadn't slept well since Friday. She would go to sleep the minute her head hit the pillow, but then the dreams started. Hot, wild erotic dreams with her mystery lover. However, this time … this time her lover had a face. Joshua's face. His crystalline blue eyes that seared her soul, lips and tongue that worshiped every inch of her body, and his whispered words of love. His strong arms held her gently like fine china and his lovemaking was tender. Just thinking about it brought tears to her eyes. It had been so beautiful. But so unrestful. No wonder she was tired.
She hadn't heard from him since Friday night and here it was Sunday night. His true mate? Yeah, right!
No time to stew about what might have been any more. She had other things to do. Housework! Ugh … she hated housework. Devra had just finished mopping the bathroom floors when the doorbell rang. She set the mop aside and headed for the door.
Barefooted, she opened the door, expecting Susan. But, it wasn't Susan standing at the door. It was Joshua. And he was holding a bouquet of daffodils. Her favorites. Damn! How had he known her favorite flower?
“Hello, love.”
“What are you doing here?”
Joshua held the flowers out to her and she took them without thought, holding them close to her chest.
“Thank you for the flowers. Now answer the question. Why are you here?”
He held out his hands in supplication. “I want to talk to you, explain things a little better. Then if you still don't want to see me any more, I'll go.”
Uh-oh! Just what was he up to? He was going to give up? What about all that drivel about being true mates, loving her forever? Was that all talk? She was about to find out.
Devra opened the door wider and motioned him to come in. “Have a seat in the living room. I'll put these in water and be right in.”
Without checking to see if Joshua obeyed, Devra walked into the kitchen and found a vase for the flowers. She'd just finished filling it with water when strong arms surrounded her from behind. Suddenly Devra found herself encircled in Joshua's arms, his warm breath on her neck.
“I've missed you.” He nuzzled her neck and kissed her.
Devra held herself completely still but what she really wanted was to lean into his embrace to feel his warm body pressed intimately to hers. Thankfully the voice of reason snapped her to attention. As much as she wanted to be in Joshua's arms, Devra needed answers more. She pushed his hands aside, stepping away from him when he let her go. She turned to face him. “Are you going to tell me who and what you are?”
“Yes. That's why I came here today.” He held out his hands. “I am a man who loves you very much. A man who is nothing without you.” He raked a hand through his hair. “Can we sit?”
“Fine. But this better be good.” They each pulled out a kitchen chair and sat down facing each other.
Devra leaned back, crossed her arms and waited. She was not about to make this easy for him, no matter how sexy he looked in his jeans. Or that he'd brought her flowers. Darn it!
* * * *
Joshua took one look at Devra and knew he had his work cut out for him. The flowers had helped. He'd seen her eyes soften when she saw them. And when he placed his arms around her and kissed her neck, she hadn't immediately pulled away, which meant she still craved his touch. Still wanted him. He took a moment to collect his thoughts and plan his strategy. If he didn't convince Devra now, there was no hope for them.
“Two nights ago I told you of my people and where we came from. I tried to explain our ways to you, our reasons for coming to Earth. Evidently I didn't do a very good job of it because you ran out of the house furious with me, and probably wondering about the man you had just burned up the sheets with.”
He looked away and glanced around the kitchen. It was painted a sunny pale yellow with an ivy bordered stenciled around the top. Floral plates hung on one wall and an antique china hutch graced another wall.
Sheer white curtains hung over the windows, one above the sink and the other over the back door. The room carried a warm, homey feel to it, reminding Joshua of his mother. He turned his gaze back to Devra. Yes, his mother would love Devra. They were both very much alike. Both of them were full of spirit and determination. And the woman in front of him was demanding answers.
“Go on,” she said.
“I'm just a man with basic needs. A house to call my own, a warm bed to sleep in, and the woman I love by my side.” Joshua held up his hand when Devra would have protested that statement. “Let me finish. By all standards, I am just like any other red-blooded male on this planet with the same sexual needs and desires.” He shrugged. “It's just that mine are a little more…” He tried to think of the right word to put there. One that Devra would grasp and understand. A word that wouldn't push her farther away.
Devra beat him to the punch. “Intense … stronger … hotter?”
“Yes, that's a good way to describe it. Intense. I need those intense feelings to live, those I experienced with you.” Joshua rose from his chair, walked around the table, and knelt by Devra's chair. He took her hand in his and kissed the knuckles. “All I know is that I have never felt this way about another woman before. And never have I been able to pick up a woman's thoughts or feelings outside of sex. Except with you. That's how I knew.”
“Knew what?”
Joshua swallowed hard. Here came the hard part, the part he'd tried to tell her two nights ago. “That you are my true mate.”
“Your what?”
“My true mate. The one woman made just for me. The other half of my soul, the one to complete me.”
She was weakening. He could see it in her eyes, the way she looked at him with something more than hurt and anger. A sparkle of lust glittered there along with something else. Could it be love? Did she love him? He wanted to press the issue but knew better. Now was not the time to push.
He kissed her hand softly. Like a caress. “Do you understand now?”
She looked at him a moment, then looked away. But her hand never left his. That was a good sign.
“I think I understand. I'm still not sure I'm this true mate of yours, but I do know that when you touch me I go up in flames. All I can think about is being in your arms, with your body covering mine, and you inside me.” She turned back to him and his breath left in a rush. Devra's eyes were full of hunger, need, and de
sire. She still wanted him.
“Make love to me, Joshua. Now! Right here.”
He needed no further urging. He rose quickly to his feet and pulled Devra up and into his arms. His mouth found hers, moist and ready for his kiss. He kissed her with all the pent up passion and frustration he felt roiling around inside of him. Her hands gripped his waistband, pulling his erection into close contact with her lower body. He lifted his lips from hers and looked into her eyes.
“Are you sure this is what you want?” he asked.
Devra nodded, a glazed look in her eyes. Was it the passion talking or her heart? He had to know for sure before going any further. He didn't want her to regret it later. He gripped her shoulders and shook her gently.
“Look at me,” he commanded.
Devra's gaze rose to meet his.
“Be very sure, honey. Once I have you beneath me, your long legs wrapped around my waist, and my shaft deep inside your body, you will be mine. There will be no turning back. So be absolutely sure you can deal with who and what I am.”
Devra rose up on her toes and placed her lips against his ear. “Do it.”
Joshua needed no further urging. He clasped Devra's face between his palms and plundered her mouth. The kiss was intoxicating and quickly burned out of control. He wanted to go slowly but all thoughts of delay left his head when Devra grabbed his sex through his jeans and squeezed. His eyes rolled back in his head, his breath leaving in a rush. “Damn, baby. Do you know what your touch does to me?”
“I think I can guess.”
He half-laughed, half-groaned. “This isn't funny.”
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