by Eve Langlais
Reaching out, I traced some of the scar tissue, and he shivered. “This must have hurt.”
“It did. The spell took three days to craft and cost me a fortune in gold and jewels.”
“I’ll bet. How did you know it would work? I mean, weren’t you scared the first time you stepped out into sunshine that you would light up like a torch? That the spell would fail?”
“I was terrified actually, although, if you tell anyone, I will deny it.” He grinned at me over his shoulder, a boyish expression that I would have never expected from him. “But the joy I felt when, for the first time in five hundred years, the sun bathed my face in its warmth—”
I ogled him, mouth hanging attractively wide open. “Whoa a second there, buddy. Did you say five hundred? Just how freaking old are you?”
“Old.”
“As in Christopher Columbus old or older?”
“Older.”
I wrinkled my nose. “Doesn’t that make me young enough to be like your great times a million granddaughter?”
He laughed. “Probably. However, keep in mind, our longevity isn’t something vampires dwell on. If we only made friends or lovers from those our age, we’d find ourselves very lonely, given our sparse numbers. When choosing those we will associate with, we prefer to make our choice based on personality rather than actual age.”
“Still, though, don’t we seem immature? I mean, the shit you’ve seen. Experienced. I’m like a baby compared to you.”
“Again. We don’t look at things the same way. We can’t.”
“So you never date other vampires? Only humans?”
“I could date another such as myself, if any intrigued me, I suppose.”
“I smell a but.”
“As mentioned, we are few. Of those walking this earth, many are jaded, disillusioned with humanity and life. Others are into practices I prefer to abstain from.”
If it made him grimace in distaste, then I probably didn’t want to know what these other vampires did. However, I did ask, “Does this mean you’re going to ditch me when I get old? I mean, if we stay fuck buddies and all.”
He grinned at my slip. “I am not with you because of your looks or youth, but because of you.”
“Still, though, in a few years, I’ll start showing my age while you’ll remain young.”
“Or not. There are ways of extending your life and appearance. You could even make the choice to attempt the change.”
“Me, a vampire?” I couldn’t help but laugh at the idea.
He arched a brow. “Why the mirth? Aren’t you tempted by the concept of immortality?”
A good question. I pondered it. Would I want to live forever? Just imagine the things I could see. Experience. Maybe I’d live long enough to see a space shuttle make it to Mars. Or colonize other worlds. What a thrill to be around when they got the cure for cancer. Or cloned a dinosaur.
However, as the world turned and history got made, its inhabitants would move with it. Immortality meant I’d have to watch as those I knew and loved aged and passed on. Things and people I took for granted would change. Get old. Die. Become obsolete. I would have to hide who I was.
Heavy thoughts. Definitely not a decision to take lightly. One I wouldn’t have an answer to today or even tomorrow. When it came to making decisions about forever, I’d have to make sure I had all the facts, pondered all the ramifications.
And make the choice while not tempted as I currently was, cuddled naked and face to face with my lover who’d resumed his seated position on the couch. Straddling a hot, aroused vampire was not the best position in which to make life-altering choices. But I could ask questions.
“First off, I’m not too crazy about the idea of a blood diet.”
“You can still eat everything you do now. You would just require extra sustenance.”
“So I wouldn’t have to give up donuts?”
“You could eat as many as you liked and never gain a pound.”
Ooh, I liked that. “Would it make me pretty?” Because vampires were universally attractive. Just read any vampire romance, it was a known fact.
“You are already beautiful.”
“Good answer.”
“The truth.”
“I’ve never liked the idea of a tattoo, but I love the sun.”
A shadow crossed his face. “Unfortunately, you would have to give up daylight as the art to day walking was lost centuries ago when the church got rid of the mages.”
No sunshine. Ack! I didn’t know if I could live for centuries never again experiencing the warming touch of the sun’s rays. “There’s got to be an instruction manual somewhere.”
He shook his head. “Those who hunted the magically inclined were thorough.”
“The demon purge,” I stated.
“I take it the werewolf told you about that. Yes. The ones with the knowledge needed to cast such a spell died during that time, their tomes burnt to eradicate their teachings. I’ve not heard of anyone since who’s managed to replicate the process.”
“Sounds like the pros and cons are balancing out. I don’t know. You said it yourself. Until I came along, life sucked. Or is that unlife?” I cackled at my bad joke.
He poked me in the ribs and turned it into a squeal as I fought his ticklish fingers.
“Enough!” I gasped at one point.
“Promise you won’t make any more bad undead jokes.”
“I promise, old man.” I smirked, and he let out a bellowing laugh.
The serious and disturbing turn in our conversation faded as we indulged in a full-blown tickle fight. Turned out he didn’t have any squirmy spots, but I still enjoyed attempting to find some and he most definitely enjoyed the exploration. Especially when I rode him cowgirl, and he hissed, “That’s the spot.”
One way or another, I managed to make him scream for mercy. And when he came, despite the countless lovers he must have entertained over the centuries of his life, he yelled my name.
12
Waking the next morning, once again alone in my bed, I couldn’t help but begin to get a complex.
Did vampires not like to cuddle?
Did I snore?
Was my morning dragon breath that bad?
Would I need to invest in some cuffs and keep Anthony shackled to my side so I could at least experience one morning where I could roll over and snuggle, maybe get me some vampire nookie to start the day?
Kicking off my sheets, I splayed out on my mattress, fully naked, and indulged in a bone-cracking, muscle-wrenching stretch. I couldn’t believe after the Monday I’d had that I’d woken before my alarm. And to such a glorious, sunny day.
I froze mid-stretch and craned my head to peek at my clock. Ten o’clock.
Oh shit! I’d overslept.
Jumping from bed, I ran for the bathroom to turn the water on then headed to the kitchen to grab a cup of coffee while the shower warmed up. I skidded to a halt in my living room as I saw who stood behind the breakfast bar and who sat at it.
“Morning,” my pair of suitors said.
Ever wish you’d thrown on a robe and run a brush through your hair, maybe rinsed with some mouthwash, before dashing out like a crazy person?
Apparently, I didn’t have a fairy godmother standing by to grant my wish. Lucky me. Instead, I ended up stark naked, rumpled, and beet red in front of the guys vying for my body.
If ever there was a time I wished I possessed the cool nonchalance of a cat, now was that time.
Embarrassed—kind of horny because damn did they look good—and annoyed, I snapped, “Okay, which of you wise guys shut off my alarm?”
Anthony raised his hand. “Guilty.” And not appearing repentant one bit.
I planted my hands on my hips, trying not to think of how incongruous I must appear. “Why did you do that? I have to work today.”
“Not anymore you don’t.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
“As of today, you are on a two week
vacation.”
I blinked. “Vacation? But I don’t have any vacation time banked.” Not since the drunken cruise Brenda and I had taken in late March. Good times, I was sure, or so the pictures indicated. Myself, I didn’t remember much of it.
“It’s an unpaid vacation.”
“Unpaid?” I gasped. “Excuse me? I don’t think I heard you right. Are you saying you not only booked me off, but that I’m not even getting paid for it?”
“Yes.”
Good sex or not, vampire or not, I blasted him. “You have a lot of nerve. You know, some of us have to work to make ends meet. It’s how I pay the rent, buy food, you know the normal stuff us poor folk have to do.”
“You don’t have to worry about any of those things. I’ll make sure you’re covered.”
He did not just say that. I straightened my spine and shot him a haughty glare. “I don’t want your money.”
“I’m not giving you my money. I’m making you work for it.”
I gaped at him. “If you think you’re paying me to have sex—”
The shock on his face was clear, even to me. “What? Good grief, no, woman. Why would you think that?”
Heat made my cheeks hot enough to melt butter. “Well, the only work I’ve done with you was of the um…” Tapering off, I glanced at Pete, who struggled to hold in a grin.
He waved a butter knife at me. “You can say it aloud. I know you’re having sex with the vampire.”
Way to remind me of his omission when we’d had our heart-to-heart the previous day. He got the full force of my cold glare as well.
“Fine then. I will say it. I might be having sex with you, but I draw the line at being paid for it. Even if I am that good. I might be a slut where you both are concerned, but I am not a whore.” It sounded a whole lot better in my head.
Pete lost the battle and burst out laughing while Anthony scowled. “Woman, you are sometimes too forthright, not to mention quick to jump to conclusions. I am not talking about paying you for sex. When I said work, I meant real work. Work where you will use your mind and wear clothes.”
I flopped onto the couch, noted the interest the guys displayed in the shadowed vee between my splayed thighs and crossed my legs then grabbed a pillow and hugged it to my lap. “I think I need a coffee.”
Pete rounded the counter with a steaming mug before I’d even finished my sentence. “I’ve got bagels toasting. Cream cheese sound okay, or do you want something else?”
“Just butter,” I muttered as I wrapped my hands around the warm cup.
“Coming right up.”
I closed my eyes as I sucked back a mouthful of coffee. Instead of my usual bitter brew, a rich flavor tickled my taste buds and I inhaled deep. “Is this French vanilla?”
“It is. I took the liberty of gathering some essentials.”
I peered at Anthony with one eye. “You’re a vampire. How is fancy coffee essential?”
“Just because I require blood doesn’t mean I don’t eat or enjoy a fine beverage.”
“Wow, do the vampire books have their shit wrong.” But I didn’t really care. I kept drinking my caffeinated ambrosia, aware of the thick silence, interspersed by the sound of traffic outside.
Pete broke first. “How did you sleep?”
I snickered. Then outright laughed. “Really? That’s what you’re going to ask me? How did I sleep? Fine. Just fine. As a matter of fact, my whole world is fine. Dandy even. I’m dating a werewolf and a vampire. I’m out of a job, looking at becoming homeless and having a conversation, naked, I might add, with two men who are eyeing me like a piece of steak.”
“I’ll have you know I never get a boner when I see my steak.” Pete’s grin and wink made me giggle again, but this time with real mirth.
Some of my tension eased. No point in acting the role of bitch, or at least not until I knew exactly what Anthony needed me for. Besides, with java running through my veins and my belly about to get filled, my mood improved by leaps and bounds. Pete handed me a bagel, toasted and buttered, on a paper plate. Apparently, I wasn’t the only one not into doing dishes.
“Are you having one?” Pete asked Anthony as he returned to his spot in the kitchen.
“I’m not hungry, thank you,” Anthony replied.
“What, not even for a hemoglobin snack? Bag of blood? Big juicy steak?” I added in between mouthfuls of toasted perfection. Brownie point for Pete. He knew how to tame my morning grouch.
“I’m actually vegan,” Anthony stated.
Half chewed bits of bagel went flying as I snorted. “Excuse fucking me? A vampire vegan? Isn’t that like against the natural order of things?”
“Not really when you think of it. When you’re used to drinking blood, warm and rich from the source, meat, of any kind, pales in comparison. I’d go so far as to call it disgusting. It’s dead flesh. Refrigerated for days or, worse, frozen then thawed.” Anthony shuddered. “Even the smell of it is nauseating.”
“So you don’t eat meat of any kind?”
“Not entirely. I do enjoy sushi so long as the fish is prepared on the spot from live specimens. Lobster is also a favorite of mine.”
I wrinkled my nose. “Eew. That is just way too fresh and raw for me. I like my animals dead and cooked. Or at least singed at any rate.” I preferred not to think of the process in between them munching on hay and ending up on my plate.
“Grilled and red inside, the bloodier the better,” Pete added. “But I’m pretty sure Chloe here isn’t interested in our diet so much as what you meant by getting her to work.”
“Actually, I’m most interested in knowing who gave you the right to screw with my life?” Food to tame my grumbling belly and time to think over Anthony’s actions didn’t make them any more acceptable. How dare he make decisions for me? “Sleeping together does not give you the right to book me off on holiday. I mean, seriously. We are fuck buddies—”
“Lovers.”
“—and, as such, there are ground rules. One of them is, don’t mess with my job.”
“You could do better.”
Anthony’s assessment gave me a warm feeling inside. I squashed it. “That’s not the point. The point is, it’s my life. My choice. Did it ever occur to you to ask?” So I could say no.
“As if you would have agreed. Don’t forget, I’m getting to know you.”
“Then you should have known this would piss me off.”
“I did.”
“And yet you did it anyway?”
“I had to. You would have never agreed and I didn’t have time to argue. I need your help and work would have interfered, so I did what was necessary to ensure I had your undivided attention.”
Wow, someone sure showed his age. Didn’t he follow the news at all? Women were no longer chattel. We had rights and made our own decisions now. “What if I don’t want to work for you? Did that ever occur to you?”
“Yes.”
“And?”
Anthony shrugged. “I am, as you put it, ancient, which makes me old-fashioned. As you are my woman, I made an executive decision.”
“Your woman?” The feminist in me took affront. The woman in me…yeah, she might have creamed herself a little.
Pete chuckled in between his consumption of bagels, a plateful from what I could see. “Dude, I can’t believe you said that and didn’t end up with a stake in your heart. She must like you because I’ll bet anyone else would be crying for their mother right about now.”
Oh, how sweet. My werewolf did know me.
“Don’t try and sweet-talk me, furball. You’re obviously in cahoots with him.”
He didn’t deny it. “I am. Wanna punish me?” He raised a brow and quirked one corner of his mouth.
Yes, I did want to punish him. With my tongue then pussy. However, given I didn’t know which of them I wanted to punish more, the only one suffering was me because now I was hornier than ever. Great. Just great. Naked and aroused with two men over, and I can’t do a damned thing a
bout it because if I choose one to take care of me the other will end up offended. A pity I couldn’t just do both.
I am such a slut. One way of looking at it. On the other hand, though, one could say taking them both on showed my practical side. Heck, it even catapulted me into the caring category, sacrificing my morals to please both my lovers at once. As if they’d ever go for that scenario. Hold on a second, since when did I think three-way sex was a viable option?
Brenda and her whacky sexcapades must have rubbed off on me more than I expected.
Mmm, rubbing…
I mentally slapped myself. “Stop distracting me and get to the point. What is it you both expect me to do? I mean, the only skills I have are courtroom-related, and neither of you are in jail.”
“The day is young,” quipped Pete.
I bit my inner cheek to prevent a smile. Damned guy was really too comical.
“Actually, it’s what you do before you make it to court that I need,” Anthony answered. “I need your investigative skills. There was another murder last night.”
“I didn’t do it!” Pete announced, lifting his hands in the universal gesture of innocence. “And I have an alibi this time.”
An alibi that wasn’t me? I narrowed my eyes as I asked, “Who?”
“Put the green-eyed monster away, baby. I was with three other Lycans. Male ones. We were trying to see if we could sniff out a trail from the witch’s house.”
“Did you find one?”
“Nope, but we did discover a great pizza joint.”
At least with Pete around, I’d never go hungry. The man appeared to love his food. “Back to the new murder. I take it the body was found in the same state as Ms. Heksen?” Brownie points for me, I didn’t mistakenly call her the witch.
“Bodies this time. A pair of them. Male and female,” Anthony replied. My brows rose at this tidbit. The killer had expanded his repertoire. He continued. “And, yes, they both showed signs of being eaten and drunk from.”
“Were they found in the same place? Or killed apart?”
“Apart. And both, like the first victim, were magic users.”
“Witches!” Pete growled.
“Down, boy. No need to get your hackles up, although, you can bring me another bagel.” Turned out I didn’t mind being fed by a hot guy.