Shai caught her breath and struggled to control her rebelling stomach while keeping her expression impassive.
In a brief glimpse, she noted the wild mane of expertly dyed red hair tumbled across the victim's shoulders, and her skin was clear. Dull, emerald-green eyes stared at the black sky, horror reflected in their depths. Before she turned away, Shai caught a glimpse of the corpse's torn red evening gown hiked to her waist to reveal a black garter belt and stockings.
She swallowed hard as she looked away. The woman's head had almost been torn off.
"Pity, isn't it? Why such a beautiful woman would turn to whoring is beyond me." Henry reached inside his jacket for a cigarette. A faint tremor marred his movements.
"Who knows why anyone does anything?" Shai mumbled more to herself than in response to his words. Those dull green eyes would haunt her until the killer was caught. She shook herself. There was nothing she could do about it, though. Not yet, anyway. All she could do was continue to gather facts and file them away for future reference.
"Who knows why anyone does anything, Henry?" Shai repeated, suddenly weary to the bone. She wanted to get this over with as quickly as possible so she forced herself to look back at the corpse. Trying to remain objective, she viewed the victim's nearly-nude body as impersonally as possible.
Outwardly, she didn't see anything different from the other three victims found in various locations in the past two weeks. Beautiful, prostitute, dark brown or red hair, well-dressed, had sex before dying, was left to die in an undignified position in a very public place.
She motioned to the uniformed officer to replace the sheet. "One would assume that, with a wound this large, there'd be more blood than this."
Henry nodded. "Another one of the mysteries in this case."
"You'll let me have a copy of the coroner's report?" Shai asked him, walking toward the entrance to the alley.
He fell in step beside her. "Sure thing. You've taken a mighty big interest in these killings. Why?"
She glanced at the star-speckled sky visible between the buildings. "Maybe I'm tired of seeing this happen day in and day out."
Dozens of images crowded her mind. Images of slain women, brutalized bodies. Like that of her mother, dead at twenty-seven-years-old. Murdered after turning a trick in their ramshackle apartment. Several years later, the building had burned to the ground under mysterious circumstances and she'd been glad. No one had been charged with arson.
"You and me both," Henry said in a sad voice. He held up the police tape while Shai escaped under it. "I'll be in touch."
She nodded and walked to the edge of the curb to hail a cab that was cruising down the street toward her. A prickling at the nape of her neck caused her to pause, her hand half-raised.
Someone was watching her.
She scanned the crowd and the open windows in the buildings surrounding them before turning to see a man across the street. He was little more than a shadow against the brownstone building. A shiver rippled over her skin as he smiled, his teeth flashing white against the darkness.
She knew him...didn't she?
The arrival of the coroner's wagon interrupted her thought. The vehicle rumbled down the street, its damaged muffler shattering the early morning stillness. It rumbled past, hiding the man for a few seconds as it pulled to the curb next to her. The engine was cut and the sudden silence was eerie, pregnant with tension. It felt as if something awaited her in the darkness, untouched by the scant lighting from the streetlights.
She glanced across the street. He was gone. She frowned. Had she imagined him? Maybe her tired eyes were playing tricks on her. It was definitely time to head home and get some sleep.
Shai stepped into the street to hail the cab.
She'd seen him. The vampire watched the redheaded journalist ride away in her cab. She was a wily one and he was enjoying the chase. Nothing got his blood going like the anticipation of an intelligent adversary, but this one was special. He'd been waiting for her for many years and now she was ripe for the taking. She'd grown beautiful and he wanted her more than anything in the world. She was to be his greatest achievement. He relished the familiar stirring of his loins.
He wanted her beneath him, hot and panting, crying out for him. He would have her, too, when he tired of the chase. It was rare that a mortal woman managed to capture his attention, but Shai Jordan was different. He didn't want to end this game too soon.
He sighed in anticipation. The things they would do together...What fun they'd have. A smile curled his lips.
* * *
Chapter 4
He came to her that night.
Shai went from a deep, dreamless sleep into full wakefulness within seconds. She glanced at the clock next to her bed. It was only four A.M., for heaven's sake! No one in his or her right mind should be awake at that time.
She glanced around her small bedroom, her gaze bleary, wondering what had awakened her, when she noticed the soft golden glow in the room. Candles flickered in various holders scattered about the bedroom and she frowned. She certainly hadn't lit them. What the devil was going on?
She sat up. Her breath caught in her throat as a sultry finger of breeze parted her curtains and she caught sight of a figure crouched on the fire escape outside her window. Her heart gave a shudder and she drew in breath to scream when he leaned into the flickering golden light.
In an instant, she knew it was him. Val. The man from the restaurant.
"Invite me in," he ordered.
Pleasure curled her toes as his low voice sounded in the night. A ripple of anticipation skittered down her spine. Her mind screamed, "Is he crazy?" even as her body longed to invite him in.
Her lips parted to order him away from her window and she was stunned as the exact opposite escaped from her mouth.
"You're welcome here."
He stretched one leg through the open window and climbed into her room, his booted feet scattering the throw pillows on her window seat. His movements easy, graceful, he advanced to her bed, a predatory gleam in his eyes.
Her breathing deepened. This had to be a dream, of course. This couldn't happen in real life. But what a lovely dream it was! He was much taller than she'd originally thought, well above her own five-foot-four. His shoulder-length black hair hung loose around his sharply chiseled features, and his black eyes gleamed against the paleness of his skin.
His clothing was simple. Tight-fitting black jeans, a loose-flowing white shirt and black leather boots. A jeweled dagger was tucked into the black leather belt that encircled his waist. Shai thought he looked like a pirate.
"You know who I am?" His voice was deep and resonant, causing flames of awareness to lick her heightened senses. Her cotton sleep shirt felt heavy and stifling against her skin. More than anything, she wanted this man to remove it from her overheated body.
"Yes." Her voice sounded odd to her ears, slow, as if she were drugged.
"And you know what I want from you?"
Her throat dry, she could only nod in response.
A smile of pure male satisfaction curved his sensuous lips. He held out his hand. "Come with me, my love."
She could no more stop herself from taking his hand than she could have stopped time from marching forward. Covered in thin leather gloves, his hand gripped her heated flesh in a strong, sure grip. Wicked thoughts of that brawny hand against other parts of her body, stroking, caressing, brought a rush of heat to her face.
What a vivid dream.
His brow arched and he smiled as if he could read her naughty thoughts. Raising her hand to his lips, he kissed it, flicking her skin with his tongue. "Tell me what you desire," he murmured against her knuckles.
Raw lust hit her like a tidal wave, rendering her dizzy. She'd never felt anything like this before. My word, but those romance novels were right! She sucked in a noisy breath. She longed to lean into him and allow him frightful liberties, while her rationale screamed for her to run away. This was a dream...wasn't it?
Surely it was...
What would it hurt to give in to her base instincts?
"You, I want you," she whispered.
His eyes gleamed with satisfaction as he pulled her to her feet. Keeping hold of her hand, he turned and led her into the tiny dining room. With a swipe of his powerful arm, he cleared the table. An overripe peach hit the floor with a dull splat as he reached for a fat pillar candle located in a wall sconce. He set the candle on the table and lit it with a lighter he'd produced from his pocket. She barely had time to appreciate the golden glow when he swept her up and deposited her on the edge of the table.
Spreading her thighs, he moved between her legs. The ridge of his erection pressed against her cotton panties and the delicate folds hidden beneath.
Startled, she whimpered and tried to push him away, to close her legs against his invasion. "I don't want..." she stopped, confused.
"This is your fantasy," he whispered. "This is what you asked for. A dark lover seducing you, forcing you to yield to your body's demands. Taking you to heights you have never dared before."
His leather-clad hands lightly caressed the sensitive undersides of her breasts through her shirt. Her nipples tightened and she leaned toward him, her breath quickening as an involuntary sound broke from her lips.
Her rational mind might be telling her to object, but her body was leading her elsewhere.
He chuckled. "I thought so." He captured her wrists, one in each hand, and reached to arrange her palms flat on the table behind her back. The position forced her body to arch like a bow towards him. "Do not remove your hands from the table," he warned in his whiskey-rough voice. "If you do, I will stop touching you."
Shai nodded. Though she was afraid, she'd never felt more alive in her life. Her skin tingled with anticipation.
His dark eyes glittered with heated desire as he traced a path of sensation along her jaw with a fingertip. "You're very obedient and shall be amply rewarded..."
He dipped his dark head, his lips tracing a path of fire along her jaw, down her throat to where her pulse beat frantically. A lazy fingertip brushed the tip of her breast and she shuddered as pure sensation poured through her body.
Dipping low, he took her erect nipple into his mouth, dampening the thin cotton. A cry wrenched from her lips as a surge of primal lust raced in her veins. Her nether regions begin to moisten and swell as he suckled. She arched against him, wanting him to take more of her into his mouth. Tipping her head back, she was helpless against him and the raging desire he aroused in her.
His hand traced a line of fire down her ribcage as he pulled back and blew on the moist cotton, torturing her aroused flesh. A sob escaped her lips and she struggled to keep her hands on the table. A leather-clad hand brushed her thigh as he reached for the hem of the shirt to draw it over her head. He raised her hands from the tabletop long enough to pull the shirt free and toss it over a chair. He replaced her hands on the table, then stepped back.
Sluggish with desire, she raised her head, her breasts heaving as she gulped for air. A smile curved the corners of his mouth as he drew the dagger from his belt. Shai tensed as candlelight gleamed on the wicked steel blade. He pressed the cold flat of it against her soft belly and she whimpered, raising her hands, trying to move away.
"No, little one."
He shook his head as he forced her hands back on the table. This time, he positioned them closer to her buttocks, pushing her breasts forward, allowing him better access. He drew the flat of the blade slowly over one nipple, teasing, tempting, before giving the other the same attention.
He moved it down over her stomach, tracing a line of anticipation toward her white panties. His eyes sharp on her face, he slipped the blade under the strap at her hip and cut them away from her body, first one side then the other. Urging her hips up, he slipped them from beneath her and dropped them to the floor.
She met his gaze as his gloved fingers broached her damp curls to slip into her warmth. Shai sighed as he found the seat of her nerves and she hesitantly moved against his hand, her body overruling her mind. He watched her closely with a gentle, encouraging smile. Under the subtle ministrations of his hand, moisture spread as his pace increased.
He tangled the fingers of his other hand in her long hair, forcing her head back so she could no longer watch him. She moaned in protest. As his hands continued to work their magic, her groans grew louder as the pace increased. Her eyes closed and she struggled to draw enough air into her starved lungs.
Brilliant light flashed beneath her closed eyelids as she came. Spasms of ecstasy rocked her body and her arms threatened to collapse and drop her to the table. Her breath came in shuddering gasps as a strong arm slipped around her shoulders and pulled her against him.
Head sagging against the expanse of his chest, her mind swirled as her heart slowed. His hand traced a comforting path up and down her spine as she quieted against him and awareness returned.
She stirred, his leather-clad fingers still buried within her. Now what did she do? He hadn't reached his satisfaction yet. What would Emily Post say about this situation?
"Better?" he rumbled.
"Mmm," she sighed and nodded.
He leaned forward, pushing her back into her prior position on the table. She tensed as his fingers brushed her engorged flesh and desire reawakened within her. His eyes were dark as he gave her a gentle rub. Her hips arched to follow his movement to its delicious completion.
"You like that?"
Her eyes slitted as he took up a slow, figure eight dance centered directly on the seat of her power. Wordless, she nodded as her hips took up the lazy rhythm, her thighs parting once more to allow him better access. Their gazes clashed as his breathing deepened and grew harsher, his eyes more feverish.
A low growl erupted from his throat and he pulled his hand away. She moaned in protest as his free hand tangled in her hair once more and he pulled her head back. She heard the rasp of the zipper on his pants, the sound mingling with his out-of-control breathing.
A soft glow of wonder rose within her chest as she heard him curse lightly. She'd driven him to this edge. She. Plain, little Shai.
All coherent thought fled as she felt the hard tip of his erection against her thigh. She moaned in torment, spreading her legs farther and lifting her hips, offering herself to him.
At once he was inside her. She sighed as he filled her, stretching her, completing her. He released his grip on her hair to grasp her waist as he thrust deep. His hands worked her hips, back and forth over his thrusting manhood, harder and harder as her cries broke the silence of the room. Unable to remain still, she grabbed his arms and moved against him, taking everything he offered and giving back as good as she got.
Sensation tightened her muscles and within a few thrusts she came, hard. Sobbing, she clung to him as her orgasm claimed her body and soul. Gulping for air, her muscles refused to heed her commands and she released her grip on him. Dimly, she was aware of him still inside her, hard as a rock. Her arms trembled and she almost fell to the table. He pulled her back into his arms, cradling her against his chest as he brushed her hair from her damp skin.
His lips were cool against her throat. "You're mine, now." He sounded breathless.
She nodded as he raised her arms, urging her to wrap them around his neck and shoulders. Secure, he swung her off the table. She gave an inarticulate grunt as his cock rubbed her sensitized flesh once more.
She rocked against him in response as he turned and braced her back against the wall. Cool against her heated skin, he pressed into her. Slowly he rolled his hips and began to thrust again.
"Say it," he gasped against her throat as he pounded into her. "You're mine."
"Yes..." She groaned as sparks flashed and danced against her eyelids once more. She was so close...
"I am your master." He increased his thrusts.
Her grip tightened as ecstasy beckoned, so close yet so far away. "Yes, you are my master."
He pulled
her higher, changing his angle ever so subtly, his grip bruising on her waist as he picked up the pace. Within seconds he brought her to the precipice and tumbled her over the edge. As her body exploded into a million shining pieces, she felt a faint stinging at her throat, then a warm open-mouthed kiss. He sucked her flesh. Her body tingled as if on fire, the intense ecstasy seeming to increase as she was consumed by him.
Seconds later, he drove his own climax deep into her body.
The shrill ringing of the telephone brought her straight up in her bed. Disoriented, she glanced around her bedroom and noted that everything was in place. She ran a hand through her tumbled hair. "Wow...what a dream." She turned to scowl at the offending phone by her bed as it continued to ring. She reached for it.
"Hello," she grunted.
"Shai, where are you?" Mariah's voice barked in her ear.
"What do you mean, I should think it's obvious where I am." She glanced at her clock. "It's only 7:30. What's the big deal? I just went to bed a few hours ago"
"Shai...it's 7:30 at night."
She blinked and looked at her window. Sure enough, the sun was riding low in the sky. "I slept seventeen hours? How is that possible?"
"I don't know, but you did it! You missed the city council meeting you were supposed to write up. I had Jenny take care of it. I don't know what's up with you lately, but you're blowing it. You used to be one of our most reliable reporters and now I can't count on you for anything."
Mind scrambling, Shai straightened, her heart thudding in her chest. "Mariah, I'm really sorry..."
"So am I, kid." Resignation weighed heavily in Mariah's voice. "I know these murders have you on edge-"
"This has nothing to do with the murders," she cut in. "I've been working hard lately and I just had my birthday and I had some late nights-"
"It's more than that and you know it. These murders are messing with everyone, but you seem obsessed by them."
"But-"
"I want you to take the night off and re-evaluate your career here at the Times. You're a great reporter but I need you here in body as well as spirit, Shai. Not half-assed and half-hearted."
Wilder, J. C. - Shadow Dweller 1 Page 4