Dead Again

by Lisa Andel

  "Yeah. The first one was a human, and afterwards I didn't really see the appeal of it. I didn't bother with it again until I couldn't take not having sex any more. Then the second guy showed me what I'd been missing all this time."

  "How old are you anyway?"

  "Twenty."

  He choked, then cleared his throat. “You're almost an infant."

  "I don't think you can say that to someone that's died over thirty times."

  "Damn."

  "How old are you? Madge guessed you were over six hundred years old, but I'd like to hear it from you."

  "I'm seven hundred forty-three years old."

  "And you still have such stamina. Amazing."

  He swatted me on the ass.

  "Speaking of stamina—why don't you roll over onto your stomach? I'd like to show you what I can do to you from behind."

  I eagerly rolled over, and lifted my hips while he shoved pillows underneath me.

  With his hands hot and hard on my hips, and his cock nudging my opening, he bent over me.

  "Swear to me, if I kill you, you'll survive."

  "I swear,” I told him, my heart kicking up a notch at the implication.

  "YES!” he roared as he buried himself to the hilt.

  * * * *

  Something had woken me. I could tell the sun was shining in through the window, even though my eyes were still closed. Then I felt the glide of hardened steel moving in my vagina.

  "Mmmm.” I bowed my back, and pressed my ass harder against his groin. The fires were already dancing over my body.

  "Good morning, sweet,” he rumbled.

  "It's turning out to be,” I replied lazily.

  He draped my knee over his elbow, and stretched my leg higher. I could feel every ridge and vein on his penis as he drove it into me.

  He stroked me quickly to completion, the intense clamping of my vaginal muscles sending him shooting over the edge. He quickly turned my head and clamped his mouth over mine as his fire shot into my depths. I wondered vaguely what would happen if he didn't capture and control the flames that shot through my mouth into his.

  We lingered in bed a while longer, enjoying each other's company. He'd actually purchased some of my work. I didn't pursue that line of conversation, though, because I didn't want to find out who he'd purchased it for.

  So sue me.

  I dragged my ass out of his bed close to noon, and threw yesterday's clothes on.

  He'd pulled on a pair of jeans, zipped them, but left the button open. I almost tackled him, he looked so good.

  Instead I gave him a lingering kiss.

  "I had a great time.” Fuck me, I thought, blushing. I turned quickly around so he couldn't see it, and headed for the door.

  He followed me, and stopped me as I reached for the doorknob.

  "I drove. Give me a minute to throw a shirt and shoes on and I'll give you a ride."

  I waited impatiently by the door while he dressed, then bolted out the door as soon as he began descending the stairs. He caught up to me at his car, and opened the passenger door.

  I slid in, and sat quietly while he drove us back to the bar.

  I was relieved we didn't talk on the way there. I mean, I'd had fun and the sex was great, but I didn't really want to get attached to a dragon. Or anyone, for that matter.

  He pulled into the lot, parked his car, and reached for me before I could escape.

  "I'd like to see you again."

  "Uh, sure, O.K."

  "How about next Friday? I'll meet you here at nine."

  A week away.

  "All right."

  He kissed me. His tongue slid between my lips and danced around my tongue.

  "Next Friday.” I breathed, and got out of his car.

  He was still watching me when I pulled out of the lot.

  * * * *

  Rafe was standing on my stoop when I pulled up. Crap.

  I parked my car, then went through the house to the front door to let him in.

  He kissed me, sniffing around my head and neck.

  I could see the—disappointment?—in his eyes when he scented Tyr on me.

  "What can I do for you, Rafe?” He followed me to my room. I dropped my purse on the couch, and headed for the bathroom. Rafe or no Rafe, I needed a shower.

  I peeled my clothes off as I walked, and dropped them on the floor.

  Then I turned on the water in the shower before I faced Rafe. He'd followed me into the bathroom and stood leaning against the sink.

  "You've got dragon all over you,” he stated.

  I tried to analyze the tone in his voice, but I sucked at figuring things like that out so I gave up.

  I walked over to him, placed my hands on his chest, then fondled him a little since he felt so good.

  "You opened my eyes. I found I liked great sex, and I wanted to experience more of it."

  His arms came around me.

  "Why a dragon?"

  "Why not?"

  "Why not me?"

  "Rafe, I'd fuck you any day. I'm just not interested in a relationship, and I don't think you are either."

  He smiled.

  "Yeah, you're right. But I can't get you out of my head. I want more of you."

  "Just let me shower first.” I grinned at him.

  He shook his head.

  "I will warn you though, something inside of me, something I don't seem to have any control over, is seriously pissed that another man has touched you."

  "That's a sweet, but useless, emotion where we're concerned."

  "Don't take too long in the shower.” He shoved me in that direction.

  I thought about Rafe and Tyr while I showered. I knew Rafe would probably work out. I wasn't so sure about Tyr.

  I toweled off after my shower then went looking for Rafe. I found him rummaging in my fridge.

  "Find anything good?” I asked his back.

  "Lots of stuff.” He shut the door, and turned to face me.

  I hadn't bothered to put anything on, figuring it would just have to come off again.

  He picked me up and threw me over his shoulder. I checked out his ass while he carried me to the bed.

  He dropped me on it, stripped his clothes off, and joined me.

  He pulled me tight against his body, and kissed me thoroughly. God, I loved the way he kissed.

  "So who was he?” he asked between kisses on my neck.

  "Tyr Zaituc."

  He stopped kissing me, and stared at me.

  "Did he kill you?"

  "No."

  His eyes got wider, his jaw working while he thought.

  "Amazing."

  "Hey, get back to what you were doing.” I wiggled under him to remind him.

  He bent to kiss my neck, then straightened up.

  "Are you telling me that Zaituc fucked you and you didn't go up in flames?"

  "I don't want to talk about Zaituc."

  "Just answer my question.” His eyes darkened.

  "Yes, he fucked me. Several times. Yes, I felt his fire. No, I didn't burst into flames. Yes, it was great sex. Yes, I'm going to see him again. No, he isn't better than you. Not even close."

  "Really?"

  "Really.” I purred at him, and tried to draw his face down to mine.

  "You do know that you're the first human I've ever heard of to fuck a dragon and not go up in flames."

  "Is that supposed to mean something?"

  Rafe considered my question for a minute.

  "The dragons might try to claim you."

  "I have no intention of mating a dragon, or anyone else for that matter."

  "I don't think they'd give you a choice."

  "Shit."

  "I could be wrong. They're not real keen on humans anyway."

  He resumed kissing my neck, then worked his way to my nipple.

  When he finally got around to penetrating me, I knew I enjoyed fucking him a whole lot more then I had the dragon.

  I fed Rafe dinner after several
rounds of sex. I figured he'd burned a lot of calories pleasuring me, and it was the least I could do.

  "So what do you do for a living?” I asked him around a mouthful of green beans.

  "I live off my investments, mostly.” He forked another hunk of roast beef onto his plate.

  "What, are you like rich or something?"

  "Yeah, I'm like rich or something."

  "What's your money in?"

  "Stocks, bonds, mutual funds. I own several restaurants, a few bars, a couple of investment firms. I have some oil wells, and a few ranches that raise beef cattle. Some other stuff."

  He finished off his meat, and helped himself to some more.

  "Huh.” I dug into my potato.

  "I've bought some of your jewelry before,” he informed me.

  "I don't want to know who you bought it for.” My stuff didn't come cheap.

  "My sisters.” He told me anyway, but I could live with that answer.

  "You've got sisters? Do they live around here?"

  "I've got three sisters and a brother. None of them live around here."

  We finished our meal, and he helped me with the dishes, which shocked the hell out of me.

  He grabbed me as I headed for the fridge for the wine, and spun me around in his arms.

  "I've got to go.” He kissed me. “Expect to see me around."

  He patted my ass, and headed for the door. I was happy that I'd added him to the security system so that I didn't have to let him out. He turned back to me when he got there. “Watch yourself with that dragon."

  I poured myself a glass of wine and turned around to find Ashur sitting at my table. I grabbed a beer for him, and joined him.

  "You've been busy.” He opened the bottle, and took a swallow. It didn't cross my mind to wonder how Ash knew all that he knew. I'd become used to it.

  "Ash?"

  "Yeah?"

  "Rafe said the dragons might try to make me a mate. Without my consent. What do you think about that?"

  Ash sat forward abruptly. “Christ. He might be right."

  "So what can I do about it?"

  "Let me think about it, I'll come up with something.” Ash's expression changed, and he grinned wickedly at me.

  "Got any more of that delicious steak?"

  "Got the money for me so I can buy your supplies?"

  "As a matter of fact...” He spread his hands over the table, and a lumpy gray bag appeared.

  I eagerly opened the bag to find not the money I had assumed, but some beautiful sheets and coils of platinum.

  "Where did you get it?” I was awed at the wealth of metal that shimmered at me.

  "I have my sources. Can you use it?"

  I picked up one of the coils, and studied it. “Iridium, good. I don't like working with it when it's cut with cobalt."

  Then I picked up one of the sheets.

  "Oh, Ash, this is perfect.” I grabbed the bag and started for my studio. “Help yourself to whatever,” I shouted and waved vaguely in the direction of the kitchen.

  I set to work refining the stamp for the medallions. Platinum could be tricky stuff to work with since it didn't flow very well which meant I couldn't cast the pieces. I didn't care. I loved working with metals.

  I lost myself in my work, and before I knew it, the sun was shining through the windows of my studio. I stretched, wincing as the muscles I'd been using for the past hours complained.

  Deciding I could use some sleep, I let myself into my bedroom. Ash had left a note on the table telling me not to work too hard.

  I took a quick shower, then crawled naked under the covers. I was asleep as soon as my head hit the pillow.

  Chapter Three

  I woke later, with the reds and pinks of dusk blazing across the monitor view of the courtyard. I stretched lazily, and rolled out of bed.

  After a quick shower, I stood in front of my closet, trying to decide what I was going to wear. I'd decided to go out for dinner, and the newly awakened side of me wanted to be attractive to the male sex. Oh, who was I kidding, I wanted to find another new guy to fuck.

  Tan thigh-highs called to me, so I pulled them on while I considered my underwear. I snagged a black thong, and demi-bra. Over that I decided on a leather miniskirt, which I paired with a red girly T with a sweetheart neckline. Since the shirt stopped just above my navel, and the waist of my skirt started just below my navel, I added a chain belt around my hips.

  I did my hair and makeup, adding just a touch of a vanilla-cinnamon scent behind my ears and knees.

  Now I had to decide where to go. I didn't want to run into Rafe or Tyr. Not that I'd really mind if I did, but I wanted someone different, and I didn't like the idea of picking up a guy in front of either man.

  Then I thought it might be a good idea to avoid werepanthers and dragons in general as well. I didn't know how close-knit their communities were, and I didn't want them hearing about me from one of their kind.

  I should avoid vampires too. Not because I meant them harm, but if the guy lost control of himself while we were having sex—well, I didn't want to be responsible for killing a guy. Pretty much all it took was a vamp to bite me. Just getting my blood into their mouth did it. No one knew what it was in my blood that was toxic to them.

  I ended up going to a bar called Percival's. I'd never been there before, but I'd heard about it. It was the hangout for the supernatural “police” force. It was a tough bar, but the clientele had to be on the safe side with those kinds of guys hanging out there.

  If memory served me right, it was owned by a “retired” hunter. They had a live band most nights, and like every other other place, there were always more men then women.

  I parked on the street about two blocks from the bar, and walked from there. From the outside, the place looked like an abandoned warehouse. There was no indication that anything at all was going on inside. No signs, nothing.

  I walked past the obvious front door, and went to a smaller door, set back in an alcove, several feet to the right. I placed my hand on the door, and waited.

  Several moments later, I heard a “click” and I pulled the door open.

  The entryway, though free of dust, looked like a hallway in an abandoned warehouse should look. Sickly green paint was peeling off the walls; scuffed and scarred gray linoleum lined the floor.

  I couldn't remember what I was supposed to do next. Crap.

  "Uh ... I forgot what I was supposed to do next.” I spoke into the air, knowing that someone was monitoring me. So what that I sounded like an idiot.

  Masculine laughter filled the air around me. I spun around, but couldn't locate its source. With my hands on my hips, I frowned around where I stood, figuring someone was watching me, and I wanted them to know I was not amused.

  The door I had come through to get into this hallway had disappeared. I was getting ready to launch into a tirade when an enormous, muscle-bound freak with a shaved head and metal studs embedded in the skin of his neck appeared next to me.

  I jumped, and let it fly. “What the hell do you think you're doing?"

  Nobody ever said I was smart, but really, what did I have to fear?

  The scowl that crossed the behemoth's face looked suspiciously like a smile to me.

  "Follow me.” His voice grated out in a rumble that sounded like boulders being crushed together.

  Christ, this guy was huge. I found myself staring at the gap between his leather vest and the top of his leather pants while we walked. Even his skin looked rough.

  And hairy.

  We came to the wall at the end of the hallway, and he walked through it. I blinked, but followed, figuring it would be just my luck to smash into the wall.

  When I emerged on the other side, I found myself inside the bar. A different scary-looking guy sat on a chair to my right giving me the once-over.

  He nodded his head, and settled into a kind of trance.

  I turned from him, and got my first look at the bar. The place was huge, but the
layout created several more cozy sections. In the far corner from me stood the stage, which was currently empty. The dance floor before it was bare for the time being.

  Tables were placed in an arc around the dance floor, with a raised platform around that that held another ring of tables. There was a bar in the corner opposite the stage.

  To my left was another bar, this one L-shaped. Starting about twenty feet to my left, it continued around the near corner and nearly halfway down the far wall. The back third of the room held pool tables. Closer in, I could see that the room was sectioned into areas of booths and tables.

  Three steps led down to the level of the room, and I looked around in awe as I made my way down them. I turned left, and found a spot on the far wall where there was an empty stool.

  As I looked around the room, I noticed that the place was hopping. Though, for all the people here, the music wasn't too loud, and the crowd wasn't jammed together.

  The ceiling was lower over this half of the bar, and the atmosphere was casually intimate. It surprised me that they could achieve this in such a large room.

  I turned back to the bar, and ordered a bottle of beer. Being sort of human, I reminded myself that the liquor here was probably other and if I didn't want to get smashed, I needed to watch myself.

  When the bartender brought me the beer, he leaned his forearms on the bar, and studied me.

  "Never seen you in here before."

  I didn't get the impression he was hitting on me.

  "First time."

  He smiled. “Well, if you have any questions, just ask me. Name's Jack."

  I found myself smiling back at the man. “I'm Lisa. What can you tell me about the place?"

  "Tough crowd, though most of them are, or were, in law enforcement of one type or another. Sure, we have our fights, but then, that's what these boys live for, you know? Don't get a lot of women in here, unless their dates bring them. Our regular women are ex-law, and they're as tough as the men."

  He deftly poured a drink for another customer before he continued.

  "So, what brings you here, if I might ask?"

  I blushed when I thought about it.

  "I've been cooped up too long. Wanted to get out. Don't feel comfortable around humans."

  Jack's eyes narrowed on me. “But..."

  I just smiled. “Mostly."

  He nodded. “Word of advice. If you're here to ... find someone to help you blow off some steam, you might want to check with me first."