A Vampire's Christmas Wish (Vampires On Holiday #1)

by M. L. Guida

  “He said he needed to catch a plane.” She walked over to the bed. “There’s an envelope with your name on it. Maybe it’s from him. Now, how are you feeling?”

  “I’m fine.” She felt far from fine. Panicked. Betrayed. Angry. But not fine. She struggled to reach for the letter.

  “Here let me help you.” Nancy pushed the button to the hospital bed and it slowly lifted.

  Deirdre snatched the letter. Her hands shaking, she tore it open.

  Dear Deirdre,

  The doctor said you’ll be released today and you’ll be free to live your own life. I promise you Brandon Delaney will never harm you again.

  I’ve searched for you for centuries, wanting to rekindle what we had. I wanted to wake up each day with you in my arms and gaze into your eyes. You’re my light to my darkness. My loneliness ended when I saw you dancing at Billy’s Bar. Hope rose inside me.

  I was only thinking of myself and not your happiness and for that I apologize. When I think of that terrible night all those years ago when you were killed, I couldn’t bear to see you harmed. I will always love you and I love you enough to allow you to live your own life. I will not interfere again. Merry Christmas darling and know you’ll always have my heart.

  Janus

  Deirdre re-read the letter several times before she dropped it into her lap. Shit! He left her? After he risked his life for her? How could he do this to her? Didn’t he know she loved him? Wait. How could he? She couldn’t even tell him she cared back at the mansion. His pleading look had stolen her heart. Then, she nearly freaked when she realized there were vampire killers on the loose. God, she was an idiot. No wonder he didn’t think she cared. She practically pushed him away.

  So, what if there were vampire killers out there ready to kill her. Well, fuck them. If they tried to kill her, they’re dead. She had a score to settle. And wasn’t going to let them destroy what she had with Janus. Wait. What did she have?

  Warring emotions shot through her. Her mind warned he was a vampire, a creature of the night. A parasite. Her heart screamed. He was a man. A man who risked his life for her.

  Admit it. You’re in love with him. And now, I’ve lost him.

  Tears splattered onto Janus’s scripted handwriting. She crumbled the letter in her hands and carefully smoothed out the wrinkled paper onto her lap and read it one more time.

  She swallowed and wiped her tears.

  “Ms. Hahn, are you alright? Do you need any pain medicine?”

  Deirdre glanced at Nancy. “When can I see the doctor?”

  “He should be here shortly.”

  Deirdre flicked her hair back. “Thank you.”

  Nancy finished checking out her vital signs, listening to her heart, checking her legs. Ignoring the dull throb in ankle, Deirdre maintained her composure, not wanting Nancy to think she needed to remain in the hospital. After Nancy left, Deirdre snatched the telephone and called the operator. She gave them Janus’s address. Crap, there was no listing for a Janus Morano. Idiot. He didn’t own the damn thing. Of course, he rented it.

  She slammed the phone down on the cradle and folded her arms across her chest. Sunlight seeped through the window. He was a vampire so he had to rest. Back at his condominium. Please let him be there. Where was the damn doctor?

  The doctor finally came into her room and after dodging his questions, he agreed to allow her to leave. With all the stupid paperwork, it took her a couple hours before she was released. On crutches, she wobbled into a cab and gave the driver Janus’s address. What if he was gone? What would she do?

  Damn it.

  She gripped the seat and glanced at her watch. Three hours to sunset. Oh, God, please be there. Could she think to him?

  Taking a deep breath, she focused silently. Janus? Can you hear me?

  The air conditioner hummed in the cab and the driver swore at a car that cut them off. She clamped her jaw shut and tried again.

  Please Janus, answer me. Where are you?

  Chapter Nine

  Deirdre hobbled out of the cab and maneuvered her crutches up the path. She wanted to race up the stairs, but she wasn’t going to be winning any marathons soon. The sun had lowered and she prayed she wasn’t too late.

  She put the crutches on the first step and hauled herself up. She struggled lifting and dragging her body up each step.

  On the last step, she stopped to catch her breath. Wait. She didn’t have a key. How would she know if he was in here or not? Crap.

  She reached for the doorknob and to her surprise, it clicked. Was he expecting her? She leaned on one of her crutches and used the other crutch to open the door. The Christmas tree they decorated was still in the corner. The curtains were drawn and blocked out any light.

  She tottered into the entry way and shut the door. “Janus?”

  Cool air rushed over her and the refrigerator buzzed.

  “Janus?”

  No one answered. She headed toward the bedroom. Please be there.

  The bedroom door was open and she sucked in her breath. Janus lay stretched out on the bed. He only wore a pair of blue jeans. His chest didn’t rise. She smiled. Her vampire hadn’t left her yet. “Janus?”

  “Deirdre,” he whispered. “You need to leave.” Janus opened his eyes. “Live your own life.”

  She tilted her chin. “Then let me live my own life.”

  He stared at her with hooded eyes. “Just go Deirdre. It’s best this way.”

  She manipulated the crutches over to the bed. “Better this way? For me or you.”

  “Deirdre, I want you to be happy.”

  She tossed the crutches onto the floor and sat on the bed. She skimmed her hand over his chest, his muscles rippling beneath her palm. He sucked in his breath and she smiled. “Then make me happy.”

  “You’re testing me.”

  She leaned over and kissed him on his parted lips. “I know. Kiss me.”

  “Deirdre, I’m trying to do the right thing.”

  “Then push me away.”

  “God, you’re killing me, lass.”

  “Good.” She darted her tongue in his mouth and he gave up the pretense of not wanting her. He slid his hand behind her neck and caressed her. Satisfaction swelled within her. He wanted her. He kiss was hot and moist and she delighted in his tenderness.

  Her ankle banged on the bed frame and she winced. “Wait,” she murmured. “This damn leg.”

  “I’m sorry. Let me help.” He wrapped his arm around her waist and pulled her gently onto the bed. “You should—”

  She put her finger on his lips. “Don’t. I mean it. My ankle will heal. My heart won’t.”

  His burrows furrowed. “Your heart? The doctor found something wrong with your heart.”

  She cupped his face. “Janus, I love you. It will break if you left me.”

  “You do?”

  “Yes, I do.”

  He captured her lips in a deepening kiss. She held on to his shoulders and revealed in his strength moving beneath her fingers. Their kiss turned desperate, two souls afraid of losing one another again. God knows, she wanted him.

  “I’ll never abandon you,” he murmured. “I just don’t want to put you in danger.”

  “I put myself in danger with Brandon. What if I find another dangerous man like him? Then what?”

  His eyes darkened. “I’ll not let this happen.”

  “The only way you can be sure is if you stay with me.”

  “You’re saying you’d rush to another abusive man like Brandon just to get my attention?”

  “Absolutely, if that’s what it takes to get your attention.”

  He ran his hand down her side, outlining her curves. “You’ll always have my attention.”

  Flames of desire burned in her belly and spread through her, consuming her. “Janus, stay with me.”

  He stopped moving his hand and stared into her face. “I want to Deirdre. God, I want to. I can’t promise you won’t be in danger. I want you to be safe.”
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  She stroked his powerful bicep. “Don’t send me away.”

  “I’m a vampire. And—”

  “And tomorrow I could get hit by a bus.”

  He arched his eyebrow. “What?”

  “You’re being archaic, Janus. Yes, a vampire killer could murder me, a bus could run over me or cancer could ravage me. It’s life Janus. And I want to live the light and darkness of life with you.”

  He stretched out next to her and he propped himself up on the elbow. “Deirdre, it’s not that simple.”

  “Yes, it is. We will live and die together. Now, kiss me.”

  He hesitated and she waited, hoping he’d give into what he obviously wanted. At least, she hoped he still desired her.

  His lips captured hers and the last of her doubt was crushed. He teased her mouth with his and he tugged at her lower lip with his teeth, a luscious seduction that left her breathless. He smelled so damn good. Spicy, woody. She’d never tire of his masculine scent. How could she go on without him?

  He moved his lips from hers and kissed and sucked her throat. She trembled at the warmth of his breath on the nape of her neck. The caress of his lips on her skin. The beating of his heart. He rolled on top of her and his leg moved her ankle. Pain shot through her and she tensed.

  “God, I want you,” she whispered. “Except for—”

  “Your ankle?” he whispered. His eyes were ripe with passion.

  “Yes, my damn ankle.” He slid beside her on the bed.

  “Will you hold me?”

  He glided his arm underneath her shoulders and pulled her close to him. “Always. Every night.”

  Chapter Ten

  One year later, Deirdre hung up the white porcelain horse ornament on the blue spruce Christmas tree. Rather than sandy shores of Hawaii, she would spend this holiday at a rustic cabin in Frisco, Colorado. Outside snow floated lazily down onto pine and aspen trees and she could see the round peak of Buffalo Mountain.

  Janus sipped a glass of Chianti. “It’s really coming down outside.”

  She couldn’t believe how beautiful he was with his dark hair and ebony eyes in contrast to the white sweater outlining his broad shoulders. “Did you sleep well?”

  “Yes, I did. I could hardly wait to be with you.”

  “I’d like some wine.”

  “Sure,” he said as he placed his glass on the coffee table. Before he could get her a glass, she grabbed his sweater, pulling her to him, and slipped her hand around his neck.

  “No, from your lips,” she whispered. She explored his mouth and he tasted wet, spicy, fruity. She leaned her body against his sculpted one.

  Janus wrapped his arms around her waist and slowly lowered her onto the woolly sheep rug in front of the roaring fireplace. She broke out in a hot sweat and she didn’t know if it was from the fire or the man. Janus could reduce her to a pile of melted snow with one hot look or a mere touch and tonight was no different. He quickly unbuttoned her blouse and pulled it past her shoulders. She wiggled out of the fabric and he unclasped her bra. “Impatient?”

  “Always,” he said, his voice husky.

  He kissed a blaze of fire from her throat down to the swell of her breast, his moist mouth capturing her budded nipple. She clasped his head, her fingers threading through his thick hair. Deirdre arched her back, offering more of her flesh to him. Hunger welled inside her and an erotic frenzy swept over her that only he could satisfy. “Janus, I want you.”

  “Not yet,” he whispered.

  “Take your shirt off.”

  He licked her nipple, sending shudders through her.

  “Janus.”

  He sat back on his knees and whipped off his shirt. She reached up to run her fingers over his smooth skin. “Your pants.”

  He raised his eyebrow. The flickering fire outlined his masculine form. He was a dark angel sent on Christmas Eve to ravish her and she was anxious to receive her present. His cock was erect. She wet her lips, wanting to feel his erect cock thrusting inside her.

  “Now your turn,” he said.

  She shed her jeans and boots.

  “So, beautiful,” he murmured. He kissed her ankle and worked his way up on her trembling leg. An orgasm rocked her, so intense, so pleasurable, so sweet. How could kissing her leg bring on an orgasm? With Janus anything was possible.

  Her heart threatened to explode when he widened her legs and lifted her off the rug, her thighs on either side of his shoulders. He kissed and licked her curls until she was whimpering, her words unintelligible. Blood raced through her, racing through her veins, merging between her thighs. She dug her fingers into the rug, hanging on tight, weathering the winter storm only Janus could end. Nothing prepared her for the strength and ecstasy of this man, this vampire. Every night he took her and she melted into his pool of his passion, taking her places no man had ever taken her.

  He inserted his tongue into her heated core, teasing, torturing her, bringing her to another climax. Her body shattered into a million heavenly pieces.

  “Janus,” she screamed.

  “Such a sweet dish of cream,” he murmured, lowering her hips down onto the rug.

  Deirdre’s cheeks heated. He could still turn her into a blushing school girl.

  Janus crawled up her body. “Widen your legs, Deirdre.”

  She swallowed, her words still at a loss and obeyed. He nestled his hips between her thighs, his erection pushing against her feminine core.

  “Take me,” she finally whispered.

  He captured her mouth and thrust his cock into her wet heat. Deirdre wrapped her arms around Janus’s neck, relishing his thick cock pulsing inside her. Dark endless Christmas joy swept through her—the heat of the fire, the fiery man taking her and the flames of desire rising inside her. She hooked her legs around his rocking hips, locking her ankles, and revealed in the ride, allowing Janus to control the rhythm, wanting to squeeze every ounce of pleasure from him as another orgasm rocked her winter wonderland. He arched his back and cried out, spilling his seed inside her. He collapsed onto top of her and she threaded his hair. She’d never tire of this. Neither spoke, both gasping for breath.

  He lifted his head, his hair sticking to his cheeks. She brushed it away and kissed his nose, still feeling him pulsing inside her. “I love you. Merry Christmas, darling.”

  “And I you.”

  Deirdre glanced at the many presents crowded underneath the branches of the tree. “Should we open a gift?”

  “You’re my gift. My Christmas wish.”

  Copyright

  This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locations, or persons living or dead, is purely coincidental.

  A Vampire’s Christmas Wish: © 2013 by M.L. Guida

  Cover design © Estrella Cover Art

  All rights reserved. Where such permission is sufficient, the author grants the right to strip any DRM which may be applied to this work.

  Issued 2013

  Dear Reader,

  Happy Holidays! I’m so glad you decided to read A Vampire’s Christmas Wish. I just love the holidays, especially Christmas and Halloween and will be releasing a paranormal holiday book each year. This is the first book in the paranormal holiday stories.

  If you like vampires, I have a series called the Legends of the Soaring Phoenix and its about vampire pirates. The first book is called A Pirate’s Curse and I’m currently working on A Pirate’s Revenge which is William and Mariah’s story which will be released around Valentine’s Day 2014.

  I love to hear from readers. I am on all the social media sites, (Facebook, twitter@m_mlguida and Good Reads). I respond to emails, Facebook posts and tweets, so don’t hesitate to contact me. If you’d like to contact me, you can reach me on my website http://www.mlguida.com/contact/ or you can follow me my blog http://www.mlguida.com/blog/

  Book loaning and reviews are ways that readers can he
lp authors get the word out about books they love, so don’t hesitate to spread the word about A Vampire’s Christmas Wish.

  I have several new stories being released in the next couple of months, including A Pirate’s Revenge. I also have another series coming out with Lyrical Press but this is based on dragon demons. The book, Dark Promise, is set to release in the Spring of 2014.

  If you’d like to receive a new email release, please sign up at http://www.mlguida.com/

  Sincerely,

  M.L. Guida

  I also have another series called Angels of Death with Passion in Print.

  Betrayal, Angels of Death is the first book in the series. Scythe tracks his demon brother to Serenity House, a drug and alcohol treatment center. His brother wants to destroy the director, Heather Bowen, but Scythe is shocked to discover she is his angel-mate and now, he must not only save his brother’s soul, but stop him from killing the woman he loves.

  The second in the series is a novella, Sinful Delight. Poison has two hours to fulfill orders received from the Archangel Michael: Locate and retrieve the dark Evil Board and capture the woman has been using it to grant wishes. She is determined to succeed. Ringmaster is on a search of his own. He is pleasantly surprised to discover not only the Spell Board he has been tasked to find, but also the fledgling Angel of Death he has yearned to sample. When he learns Poison wants the same woman and board, the persuasive demon makes her a tempting offer – sleep with him and have both.

  I also write a paranormal young adult series, Dare to Heal, under the name, J.L. Bowen, publish through Featherweight Press. These are not romance stories, but the stories of young adults coming to age and learning how to be resilient.

  Healer is the first book. Fourteen year old Armond Costa’s two questions – No matter the abuse, why can I heal in three days and no else in my family can? What am I? – are finally answered. But now he must figure out who is telling the truth – his cruel aunt and uncle or the mysterious Golden Demons.