Nodding, he leaned into her, inhaling. She put her hand on a solid chest and pushed him back. “I wish you’d stop doing that.”
“Doing what?” He gave her a wide-eyed, innocent look, but she wasn’t buying it.
“Sniffing me. You’re acting like a dog and I’m the bitch in heat. I don’t like it.”
John returned with her things before Perry had a chance to defend himself. John held the coat for Sarah and then spoke to Perry while she finished zipping. “I want to talk to you when I get back. I’ll see you in my apartment, okay?”
“Sure, Johnny. Goodnight, Sarah. Hope to see you again soon.” As Perry headed for the stairs, he glanced over his shoulder before disappearing behind the door.
The moment he left, she relaxed. How could someone she despised get a rise out of her body like that? What the hell was happening?
Chapter 11
Sarah stood in the break room gazing out the window. Gray clouds slowly encroached on the city, eating up the blue sky in front.
“It looks like it’s going to snow,” she said to Lori. “Do you know if it was forecasted?” What she wouldn’t give to have a fireplace. Something to keep her warm on a cold winter night, and it was looking to be one of those if the clouds were any sign. Of course, John could probably warm her just fine if she let him. His kisses certainly did. Damn, there went her mind again. She really had it bad when she couldn’t go two minutes without thinking about the guy.
“I didn’t have time to watch TV this morning.” Lori said, her head buried in the newspaper. “Have you read this?”
Sarah glanced at the paper. “Read what?”
“This article. It says they found the graves of four missing women. They were sexually assaulted, then killed. It says it’s the work of a serial killer.”
“What?” Sarah pulled the paper over. Color photos lined up side by side under the headline. All four women possessed long, brown hair. All four women were young, in their twenties. All four women resembled her.
The moisture in her mouth disappeared. Pressure squeezed her chest. Holy shit. Would she have been number five if not for… Would he come for her again? Oh God. Where did the air go? Why was it hard to breathe?
But wait. An article meant they’d caught the guy. She was safe. Easy breathing returned.
“We need to take precautions,” Lori said.
“What do you mean? He’s been caught. Right?”
“Not according to the article. If we make sure we’re not alone, I’m sure we’ll be okay.”
Back to thin air and difficult breathing. Lori probably thought she’d offered comfort. Then again, Lori didn’t know about Sarah’s near-abduction. She certainly wouldn’t say anything now. She could freak out enough for both of them.
“So now I not only have to worry about Steven, I have to worry about this serial killer?” A serial killer who probably knew who she was and where she worked. Shit. With shaky hands, she crumpled up the paper and threw it toward the trash can. Of course, it missed.
Lori picked up the paper and tossed it in can. “I’m sorry, but when I read that article, it scared the bejesus out of me. I don’t want to walk outside alone.”
What did Lori have to fear? She didn’t have brown hair. So why wasn’t the guy in jail? Wouldn’t her rescuer have made sure of that? She’d give anything for one worry-free day.
By seven, Sarah’s last client had gone and she called John about her imminent departure. She saw no sense in bringing up the article. His presence alone calmed her and that’s what she counted on.
After shutting down the computer, she flipped off the office lights. Lori had departed earlier with some other co-workers, because she knew Sarah had made plans to meet John. Sarah donned her winter gear, grabbed her purse and gloves, and then headed for the elevator.
While she waited, a man at the end of the hallway paced with his head down. He seemed to be talking to himself. Crazy or a stalker? Her stomach tightened into knots. Anyone could be the serial killer. Even him. Then she saw the phone in his ear and relaxed. She really needed to stop being so paranoid.
The elevator doors opened. She entered the car and pushed the button for the garage. A hand came in between the doors before they fully closed, forcing them to retract. The man from down the hall stepped inside.
She backed up and he smiled.
Okay, maybe not so paranoid. Was that how the guy worked? Lurking around hallways waiting for his prey? Luring them in with his dimples and snappy dressing? How hard would it be for him to push the button for a floor on the way, grab her, and do whatever?
Her heart crept up her throat. The elevator car shrunk before her eyes, the walls caving in around her. She was drowning in fear and couldn’t catch her breath. The elevator jerked to a stop, but the doors opened as if they weren’t in any hurry to empty the occupants.
* * * *
John leaned against the pillar. Tonight was the night. He wasn’t putting it off any longer; Sarah deserved to know the truth. But how did you tell someone you were a vampire? All day long he’d been rehashing how he would tell her and he still didn’t know what to say. Hoping inspiration would strike when he needed it, he stopped thinking and waited for Sarah.
The elevator doors opened and he smiled, until she emerged wearing a frantic, wide-eyed look on her face. He straightened as she bolted toward him.
“What’s the matter?” he asked as a man exited the elevator after her. “Did he bother you?”
She was quivering, and reeked of fear. “No,” she said, shaking her head.
John pulled her into his arms and held her tight. She relaxed a little, but that didn’t stop her tremors. If he could take away the fear, he would.
He rubbed her back, hoping that would calm her. “What happened?”
“Nothing. I’m okay.” She buried her face into his chest and her words came out muffled.
“You’re shaking all over. You’re definitely not okay. What’s got you so scared?”
“It’s silly, really. Lori showed me an article she read in the paper about some recent murders.”
Well, it was about time. Thinking the police might not believe Ray—because who confessed for no reason?—John had called in an anonymous tip about the graves. But why would this scare her? “What about the article?”
She pulled back and bit her lip, but kept her head down. “There were pictures of the victims.” He lifted her chin and nodded for her to continue. “They all look like me,” she whispered.
“But they caught the guy, right?”
She shook her head. “Not according to the article.”
What? John furrowed his eyebrows and looked away. Shit. Ray had turned himself in days ago. Hadn’t he? What the hell had happened?
“Do you think my attacker was the serial killer?” Her words came out faster and faster; she almost sounded hysterical. “Or was it just a coincidence? If not, why am I still alive? If he was interrupted, does that mean he’ll come back to get me? Every strange man I see I wonder if it’s him. I think I’m losing it, John. I’m jumping at everything. I even thought that man in the elevator was him. I can’t go on this way.” Sobbing, she put her head in her hands.
John pulled her close once again and stroked the back of her head. How was he going to fix this? She was a wreck. “It’s okay. You’re safe now. Come on, I’ll take you home.”
“No. We have a date, don’t we? And what if he’s watching? I don’t want him to know where I live.”
“We’ll go to Wings, then. Okay?”
She took a deep breath and nodded while wiping her eyes. He drove them the short distance because he didn’t think she could handle the walk. With no vacant spot in the front, he pulled into the alley. He came around the SUV expecting to meet her, but instead of standing outside waiting as she usually did, she sat inside with her head down.
This was his fault. He should have made sure Ray had been apprehended first. How had his
suggestion failed? They never had before. Well, except with Sarah. But no, he had controlled Ray. They weren’t the same.
John opened the door and she lifted her head. Her eyes were brimming with tears and her bottom lip quivered. All he wanted to do was ease her mind, but the only easing he could do would most likely cause her to run. He was so screwed.
He offered his hand and she clutched it.
When he guided her up the steps, the middle board gave out. He caught her before her foot went through.
“Damn. Are you okay? I swear, I fixed this last night.”
She went on inside without a word. At least she wasn’t limping.
John found an open booth in the back and told Ashley not to disturb them. Sarah scooted on the bench, put her arms on the table, and rested her head on top of them. She looked wiped out.
He sat beside her and rubbed her back. Bending forward, he spoke softly, “Sarah, sweetie, do you want me to get you something to eat?”
“I’m not really hungry.”
Her standard answer, but he wouldn’t accept it. “That may be the case, but you should eat something. Please try. For me?” He didn’t want her to faint on him and she seemed to be on the verge of passing out.
“Okay, but nothing heavy. Do you have soup?”
Seemed he did. One bowl later, she relaxed and smiled, her natural scent coming to life.
“You feeling better?”
She nodded. “So what did you plan for tonight?”
“Nothing important. It can wait until tomorrow.”
“Not even a hint?” she asked with a silly pout.
She looked so darn cute, he couldn’t help but smile. He pressed his forehead against hers. “No, not even a hint.” She stifled a yawn and struggled to keep her eyes open. “I think maybe I should take you home so you can rest.”
“I feel bad. That’s two nights in a row I’ve cut short.”
“I’m not counting, so don’t worry about it.” John stood, fetched Sarah’s coat and held it out. He didn’t want to stop touching her, so once the coat was settled, he turned her around, put the scarf carefully around her neck, then zipped the coat. All the way to the top. Must keep the cold out. He grinned.
“You know, I’m perfectly capable of dressing myself.”
“I know, but humor me. I’m having fun.” He handed over the gloves, but wasn’t sure how she wore the hat. Every time he put it on her head, it looked like it was backward. She laughed and took the hat, placing it on the correct way.
He walked her to the hallway and grabbed his coat before they went outside. When John opened the door, he smiled at the view.
“Snow!”
They said it in unison. However, she said it in disgust and he said it in glee. Two inches blanketed the ground while it continued falling steadily.
John laughed. “You really hate the snow, don’t you?”
She scrunched her face. “What’s to like? It’s wet and cold.”
“Yeah, but it’s also beautiful, don’t you think? I look around and see how it’s cleaned up everything. It’s peaceful, like it muffles the sounds. How can you not love this?” When she raised her eyebrows in a yeah-right look, he smiled. “Come on, you can sit in the car while I clean it off.”
“No way, I’m not that frail. I can help.”
He retrieved the snow scraper and brush and held them out for her to choose.
She took the scraper. “I’ll let you get the front half and I’ll get the back.”
John started the engine to help warm the interior while they worked on cleaning the exterior. He was brushing the snow off the front windshield when something wet hit him on the side of the head. He spun around to find Sarah grinning at him.
“You’re right, John, snow can be beautiful.” She lobbed another snowball as laughter bubbled from her.
“Oh, so you want a fight, do you?” He grabbed some snow off the Xterra and threw it at her.
Squealing, she turned in time for the snowball to smack her in the back. Armed with another, she hit him square in the chest. Using the snow from the SUV, they continued throwing, their laughter filling the alley. They stopped once the car was clear of snow.
“That’s one way to clean it off,” he said.
Sarah puffed out several breaths. “Look at me, I’m soaked. Oh well, I guess that’s what I get for starting it.” She looked at John and beamed.
God, she was beautiful. On legs with a mind of their own, he walked up to her and kissed her, getting a taste of snow. Holding her head, he slipped his tongue into a moist heat, savoring the essence that was all Sarah. She put her arms around him and molded her body into his.
When she rubbed up against his erection, he nearly exploded. Did she know how she affected him? Did she know how much he wanted her? If not for his secret, he’d carry her upstairs and make love to her, taste her whole body.
Tomorrow. He would tell her then. But now, he needed to get control of himself. Kissing a trail to her ear he whispered, “We better get going or we’re going to have to clean it off again.”
“If you say so.” Her sigh just about did him in.
John escorted her to the passenger side and helped her up. He put the brush and scraper away and settled in behind the steering wheel.
“Thank you,” she murmured.
“For what?”
“For helping me feel better. For being there for me. You don’t know how much I appreciate that.”
He ran his thumb across her cheek. “I care for you, please know that.” Her face was so soft and he was tempted to kiss her again. But that would only start up what he had fought so hard to stop earlier. He slowly pulled his hand away.
“I know.” She closed her eyes and leaned back on the seat.
The windshield was already covering over with snow. “I hope you don’t have any trouble getting to work tomorrow.”
“Lori’s driving. I’m at her mercy.”
Their trip took a little longer than usual and finding a slot at the complex was impossible. People had parked haphazardly, leaving large gaps between cars, but not enough for a vehicle to squeeze in. He pulled up to the stairway. When they arrived at her apartment, she pulled her keys out. He took them and unlocked her door. “In you go.”
She placed her hands on his chest and stood on her toes, puckering for a kiss. Her lips were soft and yielding, and his plans of giving her a quick kiss goodnight ended when her tongue invaded his mouth. His erection popped up instantaneously, straining inside his jeans. It took everything in him to keep his fangs from extending. She drove him wild with need.
If he didn’t watch out, she would find out what he was by accident. Her heart pounded against his chest and he almost scooped her up and took her inside. The voice of reason spoke up and it took all his willpower to break away from her again.
“Don’t get me wrong. I want you. Badly. But now’s not a good time.” He couldn’t recall having such a hard time catching his breath since his turning. She was creating new experiences for him on a regular basis. He could only imagine what it would be like to make love to her and hoped he’d get the chance.
“I suppose you’re right,” She pulled away with a pout. “I guess I should just tell you goodnight.”
Each time he found it harder to leave. Once he told her the truth, there was a good possibility he’d lose her forever. Could he live without her? The sharp pain in his chest told him no.
Chapter 12
Sarah stared out the window at work. Four inches of snow had fallen overnight and the sight made her smile. The stuff wasn’t so bad, not if she could have fun in it like she had with John. Despite the rotten day, the night had ended on a high and would have been perfect if John had stayed, but she’d been out of it and he was such a gentleman. Maybe he thought he’d be taking advantage of her weakened state. But damn, she was always in a weakened state around him. The rip-his-clothes-off-and-throw-him-to-the-floor kind of stat
e.
Tonight she would talk to him and then rip his clothes off. Going slow? History. Her body wanted John. Her heart wanted John. She might as well have John.
Many clients had cancelled their appointments, leaving Sarah with little work. Just as she filed the last folder, her boss called her into his office.
Oh crap. He’d never called her in before. Was her temp-to-hire time up? Were they going to let her go? She wrung her hands. If she lost this job, then what? Worry ate at her gut as she walked toward anticipated doom.
Mark Thomason stood when she entered his office. “Thanks for getting here quickly, Sarah. Take a seat.”
She sat across from his desk and discreetly rubbed her sweaty hands on her slacks. “Good morning Mr. Thomason.”
“Now, how many times do I have to tell you to call me Mark?”
He was older than her, practically her father’s age. Calling him by his first name didn’t seem right. But why would he go to all that trouble if he was going to fire her? Hope sprung and she smiled. “Okay, Mark.”
“We have a client in Lima who needs our help. You’ve been doing such a great job I thought you’d be the perfect one to send. Their previous accountant up and left them with a mess. Hopefully, it’ll only take a couple of days to clear up. I know this is last minute. Do you have anything preventing you from leaving immediately?”
She was perfect? If she didn’t watch out, she’d end up with tears and then he wouldn’t think she was so perfect. “No, no. I’m free. Thank you so much for thinking of me. I won’t let you down.”
“You might not thank me after you’ve seen the mess.” He picked up a packet and handed it over. “Here’s the information you’ll need. Give me a call once you see what you’re up against and we’ll determine what to do then, okay?”
He stood, an indication he was finished.
Sarah scrambled out of her seat and shook Mark’s hand. “Thanks again. I’ll need to go home and pack.”
“No problem. They don’t expect you until one.”
Four hours. Plenty of time. She turned to leave, and then remembered. “Oh, I don’t have a car. Mine’s in the shop.”
Bite Me I'm Yours Page 9