Afterglow

AFTERGLOW

Alicia Sparks

AFTERGLOW By

Alicia Sparks

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AFTERGLOW

Alicia Sparks

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© copyright June 2007, Alicia Sparks Cover art by Kat Richards, © copyright June 2007 ISBN 978-1-60394-042-9 New Concepts Publishing Lake Park, GA 31636 www.newconceptspublishing.com

This is a work of fiction. All characters, events, and places are of the author’s imagination and not to be confused with fact. Any resemblance to living persons or events is merely coincidence.

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Chapter One The dreams had been plaguing Stella ever since she had arrived in the old house she now called home. Sure, it might be falling apart around her, but there was something about it that gave her a sense of freedom wrapped up in security at the same time. It was familiar to her, having seen it since she was a child growing up in Harmony Hills, but it also represented her newly found single status. Somehow, she knew the house and the dreams were responsible for one another. It wasn’t the house that haunted her so much. It was the man she dreamed of. Crystal blue eyes, long, dark hair, slender white fingers. There was something about him that spoke to her very soul, shaking her from her sleep, drenching her in sweat as she reached out into the darkness and tried to run her fingers through his hair. Every time she woke, thinking she had almost touched him, she cursed herself for her childish fantasies. There was no ghost here. And the last thing she needed was a man in her life, no matter how exotically gorgeous he might be. She especially didn’t need someone who could bring her the earth-shattering orgasms she had experienced in her sleep. More than once, she had been shaken awake, quivering in delight to unseen hands. Men like that made women lose their minds, and she’d had enough of that in her fortyodd years. Still, each night, she curled up in her grandmother’s quilt on her old, beat-up couch and waited for him to come to her. Each time, the sex was different but each time he touched her with more gentleness than she had known in any of her three marriages. He was dangerous, though, for so many reasons. It wasn’t just the fact that he looked like he’d been sent straight from the angels, it was the look of intensity that clouded his eyes when he looked at her. He would look down at her, his hands silently reaching for her, pulling the quilt aside. Then he would part her legs, running his fingers along her inner thighs, teasing her with the pads of his thumbs, not quite touching the places that needed so desperately to be touched. Her nipples would harden in response to him, aching for his fingers to wrap around them and give them a gentle squeeze. His lips would turn up in a slight smile just before he lowered his mouth to her, taking one nipple into his mouth, then the other. Finally, his hands would slide lower, seeking out her inner core. When his fingers came into contact with her clit, she would begin to shake uncontrollably, her entire being crying out for him in orgasm, dying for the release he brought with him. Each time he positioned his cock at the opening of her wet cunt, his mouth closed over her neck. And each time the penetration was bitter sweet as waves of pleasure wrapped in a hint of pain flowed through her like electricity. Then it would happen. She would open her eyes and look up at him. He would smile. That’s when she would see the source of the pain that accompanied her orgasm. He bared his pearly white fangs to her, unashamed of the fact that her blood dripped from the tips. She wanted to be afraid of him, wanted to push him away, tell him to go back to

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hell. But Stella was braver than that. What gifts could a vampire bring into her life? What kind of balm could he provide for a soul that had worked its fingers to the bone, hardly gaining worldly rewards in return? No, rather than frightening or disgusting her, he intrigued her. And she wondered each time … if he gave her the choice to join him in his night world, would she take it? Would she choose the gift of immortality or would she continue to grow old and eventually die? Stella wished she knew the answer to that, but since vampires didn’t exist, it really didn’t matter which path she would choose. She’d never be given a choice like that any way. So, she resigned herself to nightly sex with a stranger who came to her in her dreams, taking her blood and leaving her longing to feel his arms wrap around her for real. **** Cindy, who now insisted upon being called Cynthia, sat with her head buried in a bowl of cereal. Her long black hair shielded her face, and Stella cringed at the black nails adorning the ends of her daughter’s fourteen-year-old fingers. Since they had moved to Harmony Hills, Cindy had totally immersed herself in the Goth culture, something that, Stella was sure, was nothing more than a cry to be different in a town of so many ‘country hicks’ as Cindy unaffectionately called them. “The new boss comes in tonight,” Stella announced, trying to calm her nerves, knowing her daughter wasn’t the least bit interested in her mysterious boss. “How do I look?” she twirled around, almost tripping because of her tight leather skirt and red high heels. “Like it’s Wednesday night.” Cindy looked up long enough to roll her eyes and then returned to her breakfast, which she was eating at six PM. “Oh, yeah, I forgot. Your weekly date with the vampire. Nothing else is important when Spike’s on TV.” Cindy’s obsession with Spike from the TV show had started when she was not even a teenager. Stella had to give her an approving nod for her taste in men. Even if Jim Masters wasn’t British, he could still send a shiver of delight down her back any day. Even better, he was her age, even if he didn’t look it. “It’s the new season.” “Yeah, I know. And it’s in syndication, which means it’s not so new. And I don’t suppose you could tape it just this once? I’d like to see you in bed at a decent hour.” “I always tape it. But I have to see it as it happens.” This really meant she had to be able to go online and chat with other fans while the show was taking place, commenting on what the characters should or shouldn’t do. It was a weekly ritual with the teens and Stella saw no real harm in it. “Don’t stay up too late, then. I’ll be home really late. I was told the owner wanted to meet with us after work.” “What ... is he afraid he’ll turn to dust in the sun?” There was a hint of excitement in her voice as she spoke, even though she tried to lace it with sarcasm. “No. Nothing like that. Just said it would be more convenient.” “Convenient not to do it in the daytime?” Here we go again. Stella tuned out as Cindy recounted endless vampire shows

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depicting strange nighttime barroom activities. She hoped her daughter’s fascination with vampires would end as soon as she made some decent friends. The divorce had been tough on her, and the move here was even worse. But Stella knew that the only way she could rebuild her life was to return to the place where it all went wrong. And Harmony Hills, Louisiana was the birthplace of it all. The courtship, the pregnancy, the shotgun wedding. All of it happened right under the watchful eyes of the ten thousand citizens. The old house Stella had bought was one she had always hoped to live in as a child. Now that she was older—much—and had a nice savings, thanks to her grandmother and, in spite of herself, she was able to live out that fantasy, even if only three rooms were livable right now and the roof in the back leaked. Harmony Hills was nice for small town America, but the club where she had been waitressing for a month was the spitting image of big city living. Loud, pulsating music caused the walls to throb and the customers to spend ungodly amounts of money on booze and tips. “And then there was this one episode where … Mom, are you listening?” “Yeah, I’m listening.” Stella focused her attention on her daughter’s too-dark eyeliner. When had she started wearing make-up? It seemed like yesterday she was in diapers. “No, you’re not. How do you think you can defeat the evil vampires if you don’t listen.” Cindy was dead serious. “There are no evil vampires. This is Harmony Hills.” “But you have to listen to me. Carla says …” Carla was one of the chat room junkies “… that they do this. They come into small towns and set up shop and before you know it, people disappear.” “Well, if they wanted people with good taste, they chose the wrong town.” “They want people that taste good. And here in the sugar-coated sticks, I’m sure they’ll be able to find what they need. Do you think one of them will bite you?” Cindy’s eyes lit up at the prospect. “God, I hope so,” Stella mumbled under her breath. Slowing down the aging process would be worth a little one-on-one, especially if the vampire in question looked anything like Spike. “Mo-om,” she whined. “What? I thought you liked vampires.” “Only the good ones.” Stella folded her arms, “And how do you tell the good ones from the bad ones?” Cindy laughed, “Surely you can figure that one out.” As if on cue, the clock announced six fifteen. “I gotta go. See you tonight,” Stella called as she grabbed her purse and keys. “No you won’t,” was the reply. “Be careful.” Cindy shot her a look of warning before she dashed out the door, her heels clicking in time to her nervous heart. Why was it that meeting her new boss had her on edge? All the other girls swore he was a great guy. He had been on vacation in the South Pacific when she started working there, which meant one of two things: either he was rich or he was gay. Possibly both. Nobody from Harmony Hills had ever been to the South Pacific. Most had never even heard of it. She slid her keys into the ignition and caught a glimpse of herself in the mirror.

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Age lines outlined her eyes and shone like beacons on her forehead. If it weren’t for the bottled blonde she had religiously been pouring on twice a month since she turned thirty, she’d look like her grandma, completely silver. Sean Connery might look good in silver, but Stella Wilson Henry Lucas Rollins did not! If only there were a remedy for growing old! And if it wasn’t bad enough to see the external proof of her aging, her oldest daughter, Judy, was going to have a baby in a few months, making Stella a grandma. She groaned at the thought as she put the car into gear and headed toward After Glow, the club that paid her bills. At six-thirty, the club was already jumping. Who knew where these people came from? Thanks to the time change, it was already dark out and had been for a good ten minutes. The club patrons seemed to come out of the woodwork, traveling a great distance to dance and drink the night away. “Hey, Stella. Nice to see you. Need a hand back here,” Vicki, the bartender called. Stella raised the partition and stepped back, wiping her hands on a towel. “What you need?” “Got my hands full with margaritas. We need some beer for the guys over there,” she nodded toward a group of five men, all of whom looked as if they had stepped off the cover of Redneck Quarterly. “What’ll it be, guys?” she placed coasters in front of them, knowing they’d never use them. “How ‘bout a slice of heaven, sweet thing?” She groaned. She was a Bubba magnet. “How ‘bout something to drink first?” “Beer. American. Dark,” he laughed. Great. A real genius. “I’ll be right back, Sugar,” she winked, hoping they’d tip well. Throwing open the cooler door, she saw the spot where the beer should have been was empty. “Shit. Hey, Vick, got any more?” “In the back,” Vicki nodded toward the cooler. “Great. Where’s Todd?” The bar back usually disappeared when he was needed the most. “Don’t know.” she shrugged. “Can you manage?” “Sure,” she mumbled. She stepped into the large cooler in the back room and managed to pull a case of beer off the top of the stack before catching her heel on something and damn near falling face first. “Careful there,” a rich voice seemed to come out of nowhere as arms circled her waist, steadying her. For a half a second, her nipples reacted to the accent, and then she shook the cobwebs from her head and reminded herself that she was, after all, standing in a beer cooler. “Jesus Christ, you scared me!” she managed as she turned, almost dropping the case of beer. “Not quite,” he smiled, “but I have talked to him a time or two.” He took the case from her trembling fingers. “Thanks.” Damn, this man was fine! And he had a sense of humor. Okay, girl, slow down, she reminded herself. Her last one-night stand had lasted four years and had ended about six weeks ago. Besides, this guy was way out of her league. Tall, well dressed. No, impeccably dressed. He looked like a magazine cover. And it wasn’t Middle

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Aged Monthly, the one she subscribed to. Sure, she still had her looks, but the last few years had taken their toll. Raising a teenaged daughter was not as easy as she thought it would be. “You shouldn’t be back here, you know.” “Huh?” she had been too busy staring into his crystal blue eyes to hear him. There was something hauntingly familiar about him. Something that made her want to think thoughts better left alone. “I said you shouldn’t be back here. A girl like you could break her neck in a place like this.” “A girl like me?” she laughed nervously. He looked too much like her dream guy for her to be comfortable. She wrapped her arms around her body in an attempt to feel more secure. “Yes. Young. Vulnerable. Dressed like a man’s wet dreams.” She tried to focus on the young, but her fire got the better of her. And she refused to think he meant anything more than a lecherous comment by the wet dreams part. “Look, mister, I don’t know who you are, but …” “Valen,” he held out his hand. “Drake Valen. And you are?” “Stella,” she waved away the intended handshake. “And I am more than a wet dream,” she folded her arms across her chest, unwittingly pressing her breasts forward. When she caught him staring, she dropped her arms. “I have some thirsty rednecks out there that want a beer. So be a doll and bring that case for me, ok?” “Sure.” He smiled. “I am the owner after all.” Stella almost swallowed her gum. “The owner?” “Yes. And as the owner, I should apologize to you. I didn’t mean to offend you. I had hoped to flatter you,” he smiled down at her. His long, dark hair framed his face, giving him a natural gothic look. Cindy would be proud her mama had been hit on by someone she would take a liking to. “Don’t worry about it,” she shook her head. “But I do need that beer.”

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Chapter Two The rest of the night was no better. With Drake Valen seemingly watching her every move, Stella managed to spill half a bottle of whiskey, break three glasses, and chip two nails before her break at ten o’clock. Every time she looked up to see those crystal blue eyes that belonged to her boss, she couldn’t help but think of the man from her dreams, the man whom she willingly gave herself to every night. She shook the thoughts from her head. Vampires did not exist, and her boss did not come into her dreams. It was nothing more than an overactive imagination spawned by lack of sex. She looked at the clock. Finally, it was break time, and she had thirty minutes to herself, and she planned to do what she always did--get a diet soda and a bag of pretzels and hide out upstairs in one of the private lounge areas, which was rarely used on a week night. With her bounty in her arms, she made it half way up the stairs before encountering one of the redneck Romeos from earlier in the evening. “Takin’ a break, sweetheart?” the biggest, ugliest one placed a meaty paw on her shoulders, stopping her ascension. “Only for a minute,” her voice was as calm as she could manage with his foul breath in her face and his hands digging painfully into her collarbone. “How ‘bout you come with us and have some fun? We can show you how a real man treats a lady.” “No thanks. I’m sure you all are more man than I can handle.” She tried to twist away, but to no avail. One of her heels got stuck in a snag in the carpet, immobilizing her. “You know you shouldn’t dress like you’re givin’ it away unless you plan to give us a sample.” “And who are you, the redneck taste test?” She lifted her free foot and planted it into his boot, hoping the metal spike on her heel would be enough to cause a little pain anyway. When he yelped and freed her, she turned on her heels in an attempt to go back down the stairs. To her panic, he reached out and grabbed a hand full of her hair. “Shit.” Her soda fell from her hands, the pretzels following after. “Let her go,” a voice overpowered the men’s laughter. She looked up to see her boss standing there, arms folded, his eyes shining red in the disco lights. Slowly, she let out the breath she had been holding as meaty paws released her. Her hand went to her head to inspect the damage. “Sure thing, boss. We was just havin’ some fun.” “Not with her, you’re not.” The warning in his words was clear to the men from their reactions, but it wasn’t so clear to Stella. It was as if they were speaking an unknown code or something. She managed to push past Mr. Valen before tears filled her eyes. For a few seconds there, she had been afraid. She pushed open the bathroom door and grabbed some paper towels. Stopping the tears that had just started, she stared into the mirror. What the hell had she been thinking

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taking a job like this? Her grandmother had left her with a nice inheritance, but she still felt the need to do something other than pace back and forth wondering which fix-erupper project she needed to tackle first. For some reason, waitressing had seemed like the answer. She wasn’t twenty-five anymore. Laughing out loud, she knew she had gone mad, if only temporarily. It was time to get a real job and stop playing dress up. She was forty-three years old, for Christ’s sake! She heard the bathroom door open and close behind her, but she didn’t turn around until a pair of hands landed on her shoulders. In one motion, she had turned and executed the famous crotch grab, sending her intended victim to his knees … then she realized her hand was firmly gripping the boss’s obvious nine-incher! “I’m so sorry.” She pulled her hand away as quickly as possible, attempting to ignore how hard he felt beneath his pants. “No problem,” he gasped. “I should have announced myself. It is unusual for a man to be in the ladies room after all.” “Yeah, you should have. Why are you in here, anyway?” “I was checking to see if you were okay. Those guys sometimes forget themselves.” “So you know them?” “They are … acquaintances of mine.” “No offense, but I don’t know what kind of person would want to acquaint with them.” “They are useful. They know how to get a job done when it needs doing.” “Uh-huh. Well, thanks for the save,” she managed, trying not to think too hard on his comment. “You don’t like me, do you?” He folded his arms and narrowed those striking eyes at her again. “I don’t know you, Mr. Valen. But I am sure you are a great guy.” “A great guy, huh? You flatter me, Stella,” he reached out to brush a stray hair from her eyes, one that she hadn’t even noticed until his long, white fingers touched it. She pulled away, pushing her hair back as she moved. “Did you need something?” All of a sudden, he was making her nervous. He looked at her as if she was naked and looking like she had twenty years ago. A slow smile spread across his lips as he revealed those pearly whites again. “I needed to be sure you were okay. Now I see that you are, so I will leave you.” “Thanks.” “You can go home if you would like,” he offered. “I can’t afford to. I need the money. Even if I do feel like I’ve been dancing backwards all night. Besides, business picks up near midnight.” “It also gets more dangerous. The late crowd is not kind.” “I manage.” “Do not go anywhere alone, Stella. The men here take to women like you. Beautiful women who are wise and unafraid. You aren’t like the young girls here. All full of inexperience and silicone. You are real. Flesh and blood. They go for that.” “And what about you, Valen? What do you go for?” Shit. Her damned mouth was at it again. She placed her hand over it, hoping to stop any more senseless crap from

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wandering out. “I go for women like you. If you want honesty, I go for women exactly like you. Which is why you should be careful, Stella. You are a rare find.” She’d had to ask. As the bathroom door closed with her on one side and him on the other, she cursed herself for opening her mouth to ask. And he had answered just like a dime novel hero. Bloody hell, she cursed, using her grandma’s expression. The boss, Mr. Hotter-than-Spike, was into her. **** Drake couldn’t keep his eyes off Stella. He wished to hell that he could, but there was something about her that called out to his three-hundred-year-old soul. She wasn’t like the rest of the women in Harmony Hills. He hadn’t counted on her when he opened his club here. It had been a convenient way to keep his eyes on the vampires who had made this little town their home. He didn’t trust them for a second, and he wasn’t about to let them grow their crop here in the good ol’ boy’s playground in the middle of Central Louisiana. So far, he had done pretty well for himself, letting a few trusted souls in on the real reason for this club, keeping the back rooms secret even from most of the employees. Only four people knew the way in and out, and they escorted the willing in with blindfolds on, keeping the secret that kept this place running and kept Harmony Hills safe. This way, the vampires could feed, the locals could get the high that the feeding gave them and everyone could go home happy. Most of all, it kept the vamps from reproducing and taking too much power for themselves. Stella was the kind of woman who could throw a hitch into his plans. He had worked hard with his vampire brethren to rid the country of most of the more powerful cells of vampire activity by opening clubs like his in the sleepy towns that attracted the most activity. Tonight, he was having a hard time keeping his mind on his work. Every time the luscious waitress leaned over the bar, her breasts almost spilling out of her tight red shirt, he wanted to lean in and sink his fangs into her flesh, drink in her nectar, make her his vampire love slave. He shook the thought from his head. It had been almost a hundred years since he had taken a lover. He had been so intent upon ridding the world of his evil vampire brethren that he had all but ignored his most basic desires. In short, it had been too damned long since he’d had sex. His cock reminded him of that fact as it still pulsed in a combination of pleasure and pain from Stella’s grip earlier. If she had noticed his lack of reflection in the mirror, she hadn’t commented. Instead, she had turned around and given him the death grip in his most sensitive area. And he had deserved it, too, for sneaking up on her like that. But it left him wondering how much pleasure those hands of hers with their long, red nails could give a man before he died from ecstasy. He wouldn’t find out tonight or any other night, though. So there was no sense in staring at her as if she were the liquor needed to quench his lustful thirst.

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Chapter Three “I’ll be right back,” Stella called to Vicki once more. They had more waitresses than needed tonight, so she had been bartending ever since her encounter with Valen in the women’s room. Now, she had to pee again, and it was well past midnight. As she moved from behind the bar and began pushing her way to the restroom, his warning came back into her mind. She hadn’t considered her job dangerous until tonight. There was something about the atmosphere she couldn’t quite explain. It was as if everyone knew the boss was here, and that knowledge caused all the crazies to come out in mass force. Two more guys groped her butt on the way to the restroom. By the time she made it there, she felt like she had just run a marathon. Between ducking beer bottles and dodging drunken arms, she’d gotten her workout. Unlike most women’s rest rooms, the one at After Glow rarely got much use, something else she couldn’t explain. It was almost always empty. In fact, she rarely saw the female patrons at all once they entered the front door. They were all probably upstairs, dancing and having a good time. At least someone was. It seemed as if Valen had been watching her all night. At least six times, she had caught him staring at her pumped-up chest. A couple of times, their eyes locked for a second, making her wish she was young and stupid again … or at least dumb enough to fall right into his arms the first time she met him. No. Not again. No more one-night stands. Touching up her lipstick, she tried to avoid the rest of her reflection. She knew her eyes were still bloodshot from the spilled tears. As she pushed open the bathroom door to step back out into the noxious music and lights, her heel caught on a crack in the marble tile, sending her flying, arms sprawled out, before she realized what was going on. Thankfully, she landed in the solid arms of her boss. Not so thankfully, her ankle twisted painfully, causing her to let out a yelp that sounded like a wounded pup. “You okay?” “Fine. Except for my damned ankle.” “Can you stand?” He placed her on her feet, and she cried out again. “Come here.” He lifted her. “What are you doing?” “I’m taking you into my office to look at your ankle. Is that okay?” “Sure thing. My hero,” she managed through clenched teeth as she tried to ignore how hard his chest felt against her side. God, it had been too long since she’d had sex! Here she was thinking about the boss, remembering how his cock had felt in her hand earlier when she attempted to place a death grip on it. When had her life spun from crazy to fucking out of control? He kicked open the office door in true hero fashion, foot first. “Let me have a look.” He placed her on the leather sofa and sat next to her,

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placing her feet in his lap. “First, I have to take these shoes off. How can you walk in these?” He began unbuckling her heels. His hands gently moved up to her knees before working their way back to her ankles. “Tell me where it hurts,” he murmured, his eyes looking straight into hers. “Ouch. There. Shit, that hurts.” “It’s swelling. Can you move it?” “I don’t know. I think … ahhh, no, can’t move it.” “You must have broken it.” “That’s just fucking great.” Tears welled up in her eyes. “How am I supposed to be a waitress with a broken ankle? I don’t have insurance, you know?” “I’ll take care of it.” “What? You think I’ll sue you or something?” “It is my fault. You fell, thanks to my establishment.” “No, I fell thanks to these damned shoes. Who the hell puts metal spikes on the heel of a shoe anyway?” “I think they’re kind of sexy.” “Now you’re trying to talk your way out of a lawsuit,” she smiled beneath the tears. “No. Now I’m trying to talk my way into your leather skirt. But I’ll let that go for now. You’re in pain.” He stood and gently placed her ankle on a pillow. “I’ll get some ice.” “You don’t even know me,” she called as he opened the door then closed it. “I know everything about you, Stella. It’s my job. You’ve been married three times. Never happily. You have three daughters, Judy, Anna, and Cynthia. And you grew up in this little hick town, as you call it.” His hand gripped the doorknob, but he hadn’t opened the door again. “And I know that the one thing you want more than anything else is to be independent and not have to count on a man for anything. But you know what, Stella?” He stood next to her before she even realized he had moved. “You can’t be alone. Look at you. You’re a mess. You need someone to take care of you. Someone to look after you and keep you safe.” “Well nobody is applying for that job, in case you haven’t noticed. And I’m all out of applications right now.” Something about his tone made her wonder if he wanted to apply for the job. For a second, it seemed like a pretty enticing idea. “Good thing I have my own. Now close your eyes and relax and let me get that ice for you.” Stella waited until he left before she allowed her unshed tears to fall. Damn him straight to hell! She didn’t even know him, but he had seen straight into her. It was as if he were looking right into her soul when his blue eyes held hers. And he had been there all night, saving her every chance he got, as if he were trying to prove to her how much she needed saving. Well, he couldn’t do it. Nobody could. Nobody could erase the years of pain that showed on her face, the years of wear and tear to her body, the years of countless promises broken that had scarred her heart. Not even someone who looked like Drake Valen and who vacationed in the South Pacific. The door opened and closed again way too soon. Instead of opening her eyes, she just lay there. When the ice came into contact with her ankle, she flinched for a second. If

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only men like Valen really existed. She had convinced herself he was just a figment of an overactive imagination spawned by lack of sex. All those innuendos had been nothing more than kindness that her libido mistook for interest. “How’s that?” his voice washed across her leg. She opened her eyes to see him looking down at her leg, as if he were inspecting it for some unknown purpose. “It’s good.” “I come on too strong, don’t I?” He looked like a kid when he smiled up at her. Okay, not quite a kid, but a very young man. Too young for her. “Yes, you do. You’re quite unbelievable.” “There’s something I have learned. Time is fleeting. You may have all the time in the world, but it slips through your fingers and you forget to seize the moments as they come. Do you know what I mean?” Did she ever! She nodded. “Yeah. I think I have a hint.” “Is the ice helping?” “It still hurts like a mother.” “It will for a while. You sprained it. There’s no broken bones, though.” “How do you know?” “X-ray vision,” he laughed. “Oh. So no trips to the hospital?” “Not unless you want to. I’ll pay, of course.” She wriggled her toes. “I can still move my toes, so I guess you’re right.” “Let me take you home.” “That’s not a good idea.” She pushed herself up on the sofa a little more, causing her foot to fall from his lap. “Shit,” she groaned in pain. “You can’t even walk. How do you think you’re going to be able to drive? You need your right foot to do it.” “I need both. It’s standard.” “Then I’m taking you home.” “Fine.” She set her jaw, reluctant to have him see her run-down house. There was no choice, though. Either she allowed him to take her home, or she slept there tonight, and that was not an option. “Take me home, then.”

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Chapter Four Valen tried to ignore the sensations sweeping through his body as he lifted Stella and carried her out through the back door. He could have sworn he heard her groan as he opened the door to his Jag and placed her inside on the leather interior. “Nice car,” she smiled up at him, rolling her eyes, as if she expected no less from a man like himself. He wished he could tell her the truth about himself. For the first time in a long time, he wanted to be honest, to share his heartaches and the truth about who and what he was. His place in the vampire community could be compromised if too many outsiders knew about him. Stella was different, though. She wasn’t like the girls who came into the club and got their thrills from being blood donors. Donating was like a drug to them, and they would never turn in their dealers for fear of losing the supply. “Thanks,” he said as he slid into the driver’s seat. “I live on Prescott. About ten minutes from here.” “I know the area.” “Yeah, and you probably know my house. The ancient white gothic-looking one.” “I know it.” He set his lips in a firm line. He had known she lived in the house. That was part of the reason he had insisted his manager offer her a job. She hadn’t questioned the letter that had arrived in her mailbox, offering her a position, talking about knowing her reputation as a hard worker. He had arranged everything that had happened since she set foot in Harmony Hills. It had all been an attempt to protect her, but he could only do so much without letting her in on what lay beneath that house. The roof leaked no matter how many repairs had been made. Several doors refused to stay closed or would stick when they managed to remain that way. It had all been an attempt to stave off buyers. Then Stella had come along. Lovely, perfect Stella with a teenage daughter whose fascination for vampires made her more susceptible to the fairytale. That house had been his hiding place for years. If she looked hard enough, she would be able to find the hidden entrances that led to his private domain, the place that hid him away from the sun’s light. For pretense’s sake, he rented a large house in town, but he never stayed there. Instead, he stayed inside the walls in the Prescott house on the edge of town, listening to Stella breathe every day while they both slept, dreaming of one another. “Here we are,” he announced as he pulled into her driveway. “Thanks.” She reached for the door handle. “Where do you think you are going?” he reached across her, placing his hand on hers, feeling her breath just inches from his face. “Don’t do this.” “What?” “Look at me like this. I’m not your type. There are plenty of younger .…”

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“Shh. Stop with the age bit.” He placed his fingers over her lips. “You are the most beautiful woman I have ever seen. I mean that, Stella. Your skin is so soft, so beautiful. You are incredible. You’re smart. You’re everything someone like me could want.” “Someone who vacations in the South Pacific? I doubt it. Tell me, how is the weather this time of year?” “It’s warm and wet and inviting. Like a woman, the beach spreads herself open for you to take. Do you know how it feels to look out over the beach just before sunrise?” His hand snaked up her soft thigh, and to his surprise, she didn’t resist. “I can’t say that I do.” She licked her bottom lip, to his undoing. Before he could stop himself, he pulled her against him and sank his tongue into her mouth, which, like the beach, opened itself to him. Her hands wound their way into his hair and he tangled his fingers in hers, giving her everything he could, sharing his soul with her as she drank him in. His head spun from the sensation of joining with the woman he had only dreamed of until tonight. He hadn’t slipped into her room to see her, though he had a mental image of her, sent to him from their shared dreams. “You know me, don’t you, Stella?” “No, I don’t,” she denied as her lips quivered. “I’m the man in your dreams. And I’m here now to help you make those dreams come true.” “That’s not possible.” “I can make it possible. I can make anything a reality for you.” “I guess money talks.” She pushed against him. “Please, help me inside.” “Only if you invite me in. Let me come in, Stella. Show me your world.” “I can’t exactly get in without inviting you, now can I? I still can’t walk.” “Sit still. I’ll come get you.” He stepped out of the car and stole a look at the house. How could he continue to stay here, a phantom in her walls, and not tell her the truth? He had no choice. This land was his ancestral land, where he had stood the night he became one of the undead. It had been lost to time as he traveled the world, but he always came back here, attempting to unlock the mysteries it contained. It had been an oversight that the land slipped from his fingers a hundred years ago when the new house was built. It was his home, and he knew he wanted to share it with her, to be with her. Lifting her into his arms, he tried to ignore the tugging at his heart and the hardening in his pants when he breathed in her scent. She had gotten under his skin and was completely unaware that even now he could smell her sweet, wet cunt, something an ordinary man would not be able to do. He had made her wet with his kiss earlier, and he hoped for more of the same. In time, he reminded himself. He needed to move slowly with Stella. She handed him her keys and he opened the door. “Just sit me in the living room. Don’t pay attention to the rest of the house. We have one bedroom, the living room, the kitchen and a bathroom. The rest of it is in shambles.” Her face flushed at her admission. “Where’s your daughter?” he asked when he placed her on the old sofa, which had been covered by an equally old quilt. She shrugged. “What?”

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“Your daughter. You put that on your employment application.” “Oh. Yeah. She’s either in her room or out. With school out for fall break this week, she’s been spending time with her only friend, Lucy.” “Lucy who?” “Williams. I knew her dad when we were in school. She’s a good kid, and the only one Cindy seems to relate to.” “Should I check for her? She should know you are hurt.” “She uses the bedroom.” “And you sleep on the sofa?” “For now. I have a lot of repairs to do to this place.” She propped her head on the pillow and pointed to the bedroom. “Perhaps you should spend your time doing that instead of wrestling with drunks at the local bar,” he smiled, rather pleased that she worked for him. “Knock first,” she warned as he approached the door. “Of course.” Lucy Williams was a safe kid for Cindy to be around. Valen also knew her family and knew they were not involved in the vampire culture of the town. Thankfully. The last thing Stella needed was to worry over her daughter more than she already did. He pushed open the bedroom door and found a note on Cindy’s bed, indicating what Stella had already said. Cindy was out for the night. “Is she here?” Stella asked, apparently still trying to get comfortable. “No. She left a note.” He handed her the piece of paper. “Good. She’s a good kid, even if she’s obsessed with vampires.” “With ….” “Vampires. Mostly from TV, but she reads the books, too. She even thought you might be a vampire.” He choked out a laugh. “What made her think that?” “Because you wanted to speak to your employees after dark. Shit. I guess my accident tonight interrupted your prepared pep talk, huh?” “We’ll do it another night. It was a warning mostly, but it will hold.” He sank down next to her, pulling her feet back into his lap. “Now, where were we?” “We weren’t anywhere. I’m not going to get involved with you.” “You already are. Think about it. Who is it you dream about when you close your eyes? Who whispers in your ear when you can’t fend off the nightmares?” He ran his hand up her leg, resting it on her thigh, his breath falling across her face. “I don’t know.” She sucked in her breath, a sound audible to his super senses. “Close your eyes and let me take away your pain.” He leaned into her, his mouth close to her neck, his hands moving up her thighs, caressing her soft skin. The smell of her blood forced its way into his body, bringing his fangs down from their hiding place. How long had it been since he had sunk his teeth into living flesh? He had drank blood from a wine bottle for so long he didn’t remember how it felt to have a living body writhing beneath him, sharing in the ecstasy he could give. She turned her neck to the side, welcoming him into the hollow. When his lips grazed against her soft skin, she let out a moan and wound her fingers into his hair, pulling him in even closer. At first, he gently dragged his teeth along her skin, not piercing her, only teasing her.

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The smell of her wet cunt rose up to meet him as she spread her legs, keeping her hurt foot propped on the pillow, allowing her other one to fall to the floor. She turned a bit, shifting her bottom to give him easier access as his hand slid up her leather skirt, seeking out the tiny thong he knew she wore beneath her ensemble. His other hand gripped her neck as his thumb slid across the vein he needed to penetrate. His rock hard cock needed her wetness just as his mouth needed to taste her blood. Desire for her pulsed through him, throbbing like a pain he could never be rid of. He shifted, once more running his teeth along her neck. He would take her blood, but he would have her body, too. Sitting up, he threw off his shirt and worked her skirt up, revealing the red thong, already wet with her juices. With one finger, he slid into the scrap of fabric and pulled it down, revealing her soft lips, which were already puckered, desperate for his touch. “You are so beautiful,” he breathed against her as he removed his pants. Falling to his knees on the floor, he opened her thighs, parting them with gentle hands while his tongue delved forward, finding her core, sinking itself into her warm pussy. She tasted like the heavens! Her nails dug into his back, almost drawing his blood as he wished to draw hers. He bit into her plump lips, gently nibbling, teasing before delving his tongue back inside. With one hand, he spread her lips, raising her clit from its hiding spot, causing the tender bud to practically call out to his mouth. He wrapped his teeth around it, giving it a gentle pull then twist, flicking his tongue across it, causing her nails to go deeper into his back. “Oh, God!” she cried out as she bucked against him. “It’s too much. You have to stop.” “I can’t stop, Stella. I have to taste you,” he murmured, placing kisses on her bud, her labia, her inner thighs. “I can’t stand it,” she moaned, her hands moving from his shoulders as she spread her legs even further. “Please. I’ll give you the release you need, I promise. Please let me.” He continued to kiss her pussy, to worship it as it so deserved, as she so deserved. “I want you.” She tangled her fingers into his hair and pulled him up to her with a strength he knew she possessed deep inside. Wordlessly, he rose above her and placed his cock at her waiting entrance. He leaned into her, his teeth positioned over her neck. When his cock sank into her wet pussy, his fangs made their way into her vein. She let out an inhuman cry as he penetrated her at two very tender openings. His cock hungrily fed off her cunt as his mouth sucked at her neck, taking the life from her, breathing in new life with each thrust, each lick. When her warm blood hit the back of his mouth, it was as sweet as her pussy juices had been. Feeling her totally surrender to him was magical, causing him to almost lose control as she bucked against him, her hurt ankle forgotten in the mix. She wrapped her legs around him as his mouth continued to take and his cock continued to fuck. Her nails raked up his back, her juices spilled out of her body, coating his balls as the sounds of love filled the air, his cock entering her pussy, forcing the air from it, causing it to moan with delight. Finally, when he knew she could take no more, he ran his tongue along the wound

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on her neck and sealed the tiny cut. In the morning, she would think a mosquito had bitten her, but he would know he had taken from her what he needed to survive. He threw his head back as he looked down at her face, the lines from her hard life disappearing before his eyes, her skin regaining its youthful luster. Even her hair seemed shinier and silkier as he continued to drive his cock into her, taking everything she was willing to give. Her hand slid down, seeking out her clit. He sat back, pulling her pussy into his lap, thrusting into her while she rubbed her clit with expert hands. Her nails grazed against his cock as he moved in and out of her, sending new sensations of ecstasy through his body. Finally, her face twisted in beautiful agony. As she began rising toward her orgasm, he felt himself growing ready to spill his seed into her. Finally, her pussy clasped his cock, milking it as he came in unison with her. His heart stopped for half a second before he collapsed on top of her. Her heart pounded against his ear, her breasts heaving up and down as she tried to catch her breath. He could hear her mind racing as her blood flowed in his body. “Don’t you ever touch me again,” she said firmly as she pushed him away. “What do you mean?” “I need you to leave now.” Drake pulled himself away from her body, feeling her confusion as it coursed through him. “I’ll go.” The hardest thing he ever had to do was pull himself from her and pretend to walk out of her house.

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Chapter Five When Stella woke the next afternoon, she couldn’t believe what she had done last night. Something had taken over her body, making her want the one man who should be off limits: her boss. He was too young for her, too worldly, too everything! And she had been so stupid to let him play the hero and then seduce her while she was helpless. Her left foot hit the floor first, followed by her right. She had almost forgotten her sprained ankle until she stood and realized the pain was completely gone. Sitting back down, she examined the ankle Valen had lavished with attention last night. The pain was gone. The swelling was gone. “Damn miracle worker,” she muttered, stepping gently as she made her way to the bathroom. She turned on the shower, her entire body aching in the most glorious way, reminding her of how awesome it had been to spend the night with someone like Valen. Never again. It didn’t matter how great last night was, she couldn’t do it again. He was out of her league, and she couldn’t possibly be anything other than a passing fancy. Why? She had no idea. But she also hadn’t questioned it too hard last night. As the steam from the shower rose up, she looked in the mirror. Her birthday was next month, and she’d finally be older than God. Expecting to see what she always saw when she looked in the mirror, her hand instantly went to her throat as she leaned forward into the mirror. Holy shit! The wrinkles that had defined her forehead and eyes were gone. Gone! Poof! They had disappeared overnight. “Well, hell’s bells. If I’d have known a one-night stand would get rid of these things, I’d have done it a long time ago.” She laughed out loud. That wasn’t her only surprise. Everything seemed different. Her stomach, a problem area since the birth of her first child, didn’t seem so large any more. And her breasts seemed higher, firmer. Even her ass, which she couldn’t see very well in the mirror, seemed to have defied the laws of gravity. She didn’t know whether she should kiss Valen or tie him to the sofa! Right now, either one seemed fine to her. She sang in the shower, something she hadn’t done in a long time. When she stepped out of the shower, she called to check on Cindy, who was fine and planned to stay another night with Lucy. “What’s up with you today, Mom?” Cindy asked. “Nothing. I just feel good for a change. You have a fun time.” “Sure, Mom,” Cindy’s uncertainty rang in her voice. “I just hope he was hot,” she squealed before hanging up the phone. Stella knew she was blushing as she hung up the phone. **** “Where’s the boss?” Drake heard her voice as soon as he stepped out of the office.

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“Shit, girl, you’re looking hot,” Vicki smiled at her as she approached. “Where’s Valen?” “Right here. What do you need?” Oh, he looked sexy and smug standing in the doorway, his long white fingers accented by his black clothing. This evening, he had his hair pulled back in a ponytail and a hint of five o’clock shadow on his chin. She’d like to punch him right now. “To speak to you privately.” “Come in.” He pushed open the door to his office, his eyes firmly on her back as she moved. “I see the ankle is better.” “That’s what I’m here about. Everything is better.” “You don’t sound too happy. Would you like a drink?” “No, I don’t want a drink. I want some answers.” “Okay. Ask away.” He sat on the edge of his desk as she sank down onto the sofa. “I sprained my ankle last night.” “Yes. It looked bad, too. I’m glad it’s healed.” “Yes, it’s healed. I’m healed. My wrinkles are gone, and my ass is rock hard. All within twenty-four hours of fucking you.” He visibly flinched at her words. “And this is a problem because … ?” “Because, you son of a bitch, I want to know what you did to me!” She stood, her hands on her hips as she eyed him. He was still too smug, too self-assured. “I made love to you.” “No.” She grabbed the scarf she had wrapped around her neck. “What is this?” She pointed to the two puncture wounds on her neck, wounds she knew were not there when Valen brought her home last night. “Mosquito bites?” “My daughter has a Ph.D. in vampire studies. I know what a vampire bite looks like.” She realized how crazy she sounded, but there was no logical explanation for all her luck in the past few hours. So, she turned to the illogical. “I’m not as dumb as I look.” “You don’t look dumb to me. Vampire, you say?” “Yes.” She stood inches away from him now, but he looked as if he were not the least bit concerned with her accusation. “Would it turn you on if I said I was a vampire? Do you want to role play today, Stella? Or do you want me to stand beneath your window and wake your neighbors screaming your name?” He flashed her a sexy smile as his hand reached out for her. “Do you want me to be your hero?” “No. I want you to be honest with me.” “Can you handle honesty?” His voice hummed through her system. Her body reacted, betraying her. Her nipples puckered up while her pussy creamed, recalling how wild and untamed he had been last night. “I want you to leave me alone. I want you out of my head.” “But I’m in your head, love. I have been for a long time. And I can’t leave you.” He stood in front of her, his hand caressing her cheek while she closed her eyes against the sensation. Every nerve ending was alive with want, with need. “You have to,” she begged even as her neck fell to the side while his rough jaw moved against it. “I told you I could make all your pain go away. But you have to trust me.”

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All rational thoughts ceased as his tongue ran across the wounds on her neck. One thought pulsed through her. Vampire. He was a vampire. It fell into place: his mysterious location while the club opened, the clientele, the women who disappeared and returned looking like they had been on the night’s menu. And she was getting sucked into it. Quite literally. As his teeth brushed against her, she pulled away. “Admit it. Tell me what this club is all about.” “You really want to know?” “Yes.” She turned on her heels and sat back on the sofa, trying to appear strictly business. “This club is here to protect the people of this town from the Atlanta vampires who have made it their home. They are making their way to Los Angeles under the guidance of Slater, a vampire who goes back as far as I do.” “Vampires? So I was right.” “Yes. Your daughter knows her stuff. She’s put all these thoughts into your head with good reason. There are vampires in Harmony Hills, and I am here to keep them in line. I run this club to keep them from attacking the good people of this town.” “Instead you target young girls.” “The girls are willing. It keeps them coming back. Their skin clears up, their bodies stay firm. They know the benefits. Better than Botox.” “And they keep it a secret?” “Yes. Wouldn’t you? No one will risk this club falling apart. Too much is at stake.” “And you’re the head honcho?” “I am the one who keeps them in line.” “Did you create the others?” “I have created a few. To help me keep the secrets of this place, to help me draw out the ones who mean you all harm.” “What secrets?” “The ones that keep the people of Harmony Hills safe. The ones you really don’t wish to know about.” “Like turning unwilling women into vampire brides?” “No, Stella. I did not mean to make you a bride, vampire or otherwise. I just wanted to love you.”

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Chapter Six “Mr. Valen,” Vicki opened the door, unaware that she was interrupting an otherwise perfect moment. “Sorry, sir, but this couldn’t wait. You have a call on line four. Urgent.” “Thanks.” Drake moved away from Stella, fully aware of the questions in her eyes. How could he expect anything less? He had deceived her at every turn, and now he was asking for her trust. “Valen,” he said upon answering the line. “Good evening. I trust you slept well.” He would know the voice anywhere. “What do you want, Slater?” “It is not what I want. It is what you want. Tell me, is the mother as pretty as the daughter?” A young girl squealed in the background. “Slater, this is between you and me.” “No, it was. Then you brought a bargaining chip into town and placed her right at my fingertips. Say hello, Cindy.” “Mr. Valen, you have got to get me out of here,” Cindy’s voice was filled with both fear and courage. Possibly a hint of wonder at the fact that she’d gotten things right about this little town. “I will. You sit tight,” he promised, stealing a glance at Stella, who was unaware of the danger her daughter was in. “Put Slater back on.” “You see, I have the power now. I’ll give you an even trade. The mother for the daughter. What do you say?” “No deal. How about I serve up your hide on a platter? You know it is past time for us to settle the score.” “You name the time and place.” “Right now. Edge of town. I think you know the place.” “Done.” The line went dead as Drake turned to Stella. How could he tell her the danger he had placed her in? How could he explain about her daughter? “Stella, I have to go. I have something to do. Really important.” “What’s wrong?” Her face went pale. “What have you done to me? I can see inside your thoughts. It’s Cindy, isn’t it?” He set his jaw, determined not to show fear. In truth, he was afraid of what Slater might do to Cindy, and to Stella. Why would he want a trade? The only reason could be to torture Stella, knowing that Drake felt something for her. “What have you gotten me involved in?” “Stella, this is dangerous. I swear to you I will protect you. I am in love with you.” He had shared the house with Stella for six weeks and had never seen her speechless. During the day when she moved around, he could hear her talking, feel her thinking. Right now, she was speechless, sitting on the sofa in his office, looking as radiant as she had in her youth. “Love? You don’t even know me.”

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“I have another confession.” He fell to his knees in front of her, hoping she would take it as a sign of sincerity. “I live in your house. There are passages all in that old place, and I have been there ever since you arrived.” “You what?” She looked up at him, tears in her eyes. “This is too much for me. Way too much.” “No, it isn’t. Just open yourself up to it. Just trust me.” “I don’t want to live forever, Valen.” “You don’t have to live forever. You can say when. That’s the beauty of it. You can control your destiny.” He took her hands, which had grown cold from the shock of her discovery. “I’m sorry I betrayed you. I am here to protect you and this town. There are threats all around, and I swear to you I won’t allow anything to happen to you or your daughter.” “Cindy? Is she in danger?” “Yes. And I will save her, I promise.” He reached up to wipe the tears from her cheek when a slow smile spread across her face. “I believe you. For some reason, I know you won’t let me down. I do dream about you. I have for a while. I just didn’t realize it. You were like this faceless figure in my mind. And now you’re here.” “Yes, I’m here. And I’m begging you to listen to me.” “I’m listening.” “I am a vampire. But I’m also one of the good guys. If you trust me, I can show you a world you’ve only dreamed of.” “Like the South Pacific?” Her eyes sparkled at the possibilities. “Anywhere you want to go. But our home base is here. We have to protect this town.” A slow smile spread across her face. “Okay, I’ll bite. What part do I play in this? Exactly what do you want?” “A partner. A friend. You game?” “I don’t know yet. All I know is that we have to save my daughter.” “That’s good enough for me.” **** The old barn that stood on the edge of town was shaded by trees and overgrowth, but as Drake approached, he knew Slater had located it. This was the place where they’d had their last stand-off, a place where Slater had vowed to kill him once and for all. It was also the place where Drake had learned Slater’s weakness. He might be moving west, attempting to make a play for the scene out in L.A. when he gained a big enough following, but Drake knew how to stop him. Torches stuck in the ground lit the way to the barn door. The sounds of a hundred vampires filled the night as Drake approached. Tension ran up the back of his neck. Cindy’s life was at stake. Slater wouldn’t think twice about killing her if Drake’s plan failed. Which was why he couldn’t fail tonight. He had to take down his enemy once and for all. “Slater, I’m here for the girl,” Drake announced as he entered the barn. Cindy sat on a hay bail not far from the back of the barn. Two thugs guarded her, one on either side. It will be okay. His eyes locked with hers as he sent her a silent message.

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I’m scared, she responded I will protect you, he promised. “How sweet. Telepathy. Pathetic.” Slater jumped down from the loft, his heavy boots hitting the wood floor in a thud as he moved toward Drake, his blood lust shining in his eyes. “Just you and me, Slater. No one else.” “I won’t need anyone else. But you may.” He nodded toward the door. When Drake turned, he saw Stella standing there, flanked by two more large men. Her jaw was set in determination and her mind was completely shut off to him. Good. If he couldn’t read her thoughts then neither could Slater. “Mom!” Cindy cried and attempted to stand. The two thugs shoved her back down, too roughly for Drake’s liking. They would be next on the list. Stella only nodded toward her daughter. Cool. Calm. He knew he loved her for a reason. “I’ll kill you for this,” Stella whispered as she slipped past Drake, the men taking her to sit next to her daughter. There was an energy radiating from Stella that told him she had murder on her mind, but it wasn’t his blood she was after. Her eyes were locked onto Slater, the man responsible for placing her daughter in danger. It was then that Drake knew he had a true ally. “Let them go and I will allow you to live,” Drake called as he watched Stella. She was up to something, but he couldn’t read her thoughts. Somehow, she had managed to figure out the secrets of vampires in less than a day. Or maybe it was all that time her daughter spent talking about them. Some of it sank in unwittingly. “Funny. I do not plan to have you walk away from this,” Slater smiled as he circled Drake, a sign that the battle was on. Man-to-man combat was always more intense when vampires were involved, and this was no different. Drake felt the first punch hit him square in the stomach, but it didn’t faze him. Instead, it caused him to spin around and catch Slater on the side of the head with a right hook of his own. Like two bulls in battle, they clasped shoulders and attempted to throw the other to the floor. Drake loosened his hold on Slater, allowing him enough leverage to think he had gotten the better of him before pushing against him, tossing him across the room as if he weighed nothing. Blood began to ooze from Slater’s lips as he stood and began his approach once more. Drake glanced at Stella long enough to catch the light shining off her silver spiked heel she had worn the night she hurt her foot. He nodded in her direction, knowing her plan. The battle began anew with Slater punching and hitting only air. Using the advantage of Slater being temporarily knocked off balance, Drake lunged forward, pulling Slater with him, his eyes locking onto Stella’s as she slipped off her shoe and tossed it toward him. Before the thugs could react, Drake spun around, planting the shoe firmly into Slater’s chest. “It ends now,” he declared, watching his enemy’s face turn pale. “Metal spikes?” Slater smiled. “My demise will only be temporary.” “It will be long enough to get those I love out of your clutches.”

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“We will meet again. Someday.” With his final words, Slater slumped forward. “Do the rest of you wish to meet your master’s fate?” New vampires were unaware that a metal spike would only render a vampire unconscious for a week or so, which was long enough to dispose of Slater’s body and rid this town of his threat. The vampires scrambled, each aware of Drake’s age and the fact that only one who was knowledgeable in the vampiric codes would be able to defeat someone as strong as Slater. Crossing the room, gathering Stella and Cindy into his arms, Drake finally let out the breath he had been holding. “You owe me,” Stella finally spoke, looking straight into his eyes as she pushed a stray lock of hair from her daughter’s face. “Those were Manolo’s.” “It would figure,” he smiled, pulling her closer to him, enveloping himself in her scent. “Did you see that?” Cindy finally spoke, having been spellbound by the action taking place in front of her. “Nobody is gonna believe this.” “And you can’t tell them,” Stella insisted before Drake had a chance to protest. “This is our secret. You always wanted to slay the bad guys. Now you’ve seen them first hand. Let’s get you home, hon. Drake and I have a lot to talk about.” “Thanks for coming for me,” Cindy looked up at Drake, her eyes still filled with wonder. “I would give my life for yours,” Drake bowed, meaning every word of it. “You keep me in six hundred dollar heels and you’ll never have to take that chance,” Stella laughed. “Can you really kill a vampire with a high heeled shoe?” “No,” Cindy and Drake said in unison. “No,” he repeated. “Only temporarily disarm him. We have two choices. Either we can dismember his body.” “Ew …” Cindy whined. “Or we can ship him off to Romania.” “I think we should send him to Antarctica,” Cindy suggested. “Or that. Either way, we have slowed down the progression tonight. The others are not strong enough to make the journey to LA without him. They will disband. The danger to Harmony Hills is gone.” “So you’ll be leaving then?” Stella avoided his eyes as she asked, but he could tell by the softness in her voice that this was a concern. “As you have said, we have much to discuss. Let’s get you both home.” “Carry me?” she teased. “All the way out to the Jag.” **** Stella ran her fingers across his lips, drinking in the sensation of touching him again. She had been in denial since the second she met him in the beer cooler. There was something about him--more than his devastating good looks--that called out to her. She didn’t need Valen, but she wanted him. The want was fiercer than the need had ever been. “I am in love with you, Stella,” his words trailed across her fingers. “What do you want me to do about that?” she asked softly, pressing her newly

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firm body against his. God, it felt good to have nice, round breasts again, and she couldn’t wait to show them off under the moonlight as it streamed in through the window. “Whatever you want. Just know that I do love you. I know it happened quickly, but you are exactly what I have needed all these years. You are young and vital and intelligent. And you kick ass in high heels.” She let out a low laugh as she ran her hand along his crotch. “Would you like to see what I can do without them?” “Mmmm. Now you’re talking my language.” She pulled him against her and his lips instantly found her neck and moved down to the hollow of her throat. When his hand went into her shirt, it made contact with her flesh. His fingers gently flicked against her nipples as she clung to him. Moving his head lower, he opened her blouse and took one nipple into his mouth, then the other. Gently grazing his teeth against her, he moaned into her, sending shivers through her body. She pressed against him, grinding her pussy against his jeans through the material of her own jeans. Somewhere in the frenzy of mouths and hands, their jeans magically disappeared. Her skin was hot with need as his hands sought her ready pussy. “I need you inside me.” “Need or want?” he teased. “Both.” He positioned his cock at her opening, teasing for a second before joining her in bliss. He filled her completely, opening her inner walls as she squeezed his cock. She wrapped her arms around him, pulling him closer to her, reveling in his scent. Her hand wound around his ponytail as she rose up to brush her lips against his. “I’ll be your partner,” she whispered into him. “I am in love with you, too. And I’ll go with you as you defeat the evil vampires.” “I need you,” he moaned against her as he began to thrust harder, sinking his cock into her wetness. The next few minutes were filled with touches, teases, and kisses. Her head spun from the sensations of his teeth grazing against her, the stubble on his chin teasing her as he moved. Her breasts jiggled beneath him as he rocked her on his cock, moving his hands down to her ass to pull her closer, to hold her firmly in his grasp as he fucked her. Her hand sought out her clit once more, gently teasing the way she loved it best. Rather than rubbing it like a man would, she placed a light pressure on the edges, pressing inward, drawing tiny figure eights, avoiding the tender bud. Finally, her orgasm rose. As she began to desperately buck against him, she rose up and sank her teeth into his shoulder, teasing his flesh. When he looked down at her in disbelief, she just smiled. Two could play that game. “Stella …,” he called as he shot his hot seed into her. Her body opened, accepting it, taking all he had to give. When he collapsed against her, his cock still buried inside her, she ran her nails gently up his back then squeezed his cock, working her inner muscles against him. “What was that?” he gasped. “Only a taste of what is yet to come,” she smiled, running a finger along his

AFTERGLOW

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bottom lip. “So you choose to stay with me forever and become immortal?” “I never said that. I thought we could just keep this going, see where it turns out. I learned a long time ago that happily ever after very rarely works out.” “Yes, but you and I truly have forever.” “Mmmm. Forever and the South Pacific. What more could a girl want?” “How about this?” Circling the back of her neck with his hand, he pulled her into him again, breathing his soul into her body, making promises without words. Oh, yes. She could get used to this for a long time to come. Vampire or no, she had finally met the man to make her dreams come true. The End