chapter 8
Brandee wasn’t sure what to do. How far should she let Nick go? An expensive gift didn’t mean anything—not really. She didn’t ask him to buy it. Could she be sure he wasn’t just trying to get into her pants?
Then again, did it matter? She wanted him as badly as he wanted her. Angie was off visiting her sister, so Brandee had the apartment to herself. Her roomie wasn’t planning to return until the next day. This would be the perfect time if it was going to happen.
Wait! The conversation. We haven’t had the conversation yet.
Brandee grasped Nick’s jaw and broke the luscious suction he was lavishing on her breast. “Nick?”
He groaned.
“I—we…”
He looked into her eyes and smiled sadly. She was afraid she’d see anger or frustration there. Instead, he looked resigned—prepared to accept whatever she doled out. He probably thought she wanted to slow down. It made her admire him even more.
She smiled and splayed her fingers through his blond hair. “Do you have condoms with you?”
His eyes suddenly went from sad to hopeful. “I have one in my wallet.”
In a way, one was better than a whole box. It meant he was prepared for a moment like this but not expecting it. “I’m on the pill.”
He grinned. “I’ve been tested for HIV and Hep C, but only because, as a cop, I came in contact with a junkie’s blood. The test was negative. I’m clean.”
“But what about all those one-night stands?”
“There weren’t as many as you think. And I never went without protection.”
“Oh. Whew.” She worried her lip, wondering what to say next. He took the decision away when he stood and held his hand out to her.
I guess we’re going to the bedroom. She rose and put her hand in his.
On the way to the hall, he gave her apron string a yank and the apron fell off. “Oops.”
“Yeah, that was real accidental.” She rolled her eyes.
He flashed his killer grin her way. “Which room is yours?”
“The door on the right.”
He turned the knob and let her go in first. Relieved she had made her bed that morning, she did a quick inventory of the rest of the room. Clothes in hamper. Check. Carpet vacuumed. Check. Dusted headboard? Ugh. She always forgot to dust, and the dark wood showed every speck.
He didn’t seem to notice or care. He set her down in the middle of the bed and removed her unbuttoned shirt. He reached for the button at the top of her black slacks, but she batted his hand away. “No fair. Your turn.”
He grinned, then quickly pulled the polo shirt over his head and flung it to the floor. His chest was ripped—totally muscled, still slightly tanned even though summer had ended, and with a smattering of golden chest hair in the shape of a V, he looked like a mighty Viking.
“Now it’s your turn again,” he said.
Why on earth was she worried about a little dust? There was only one thing on Nick Wolfensen’s mind, and it was pretty easy to tell what that was. His hungry stare left no doubt.
She unbuttoned her skirt and opened the zipper. She wished she had a tan, but her fair skin with light reddish-brown freckles was all she had to offer.
Apparently she was taking too long, because as soon as she had wriggled the waistband over her hips, he grasped the fabric and pulled off her skirt the rest of the way.
“You’re beautiful, Brandee.”
Nick had probably wanted to seduce her for months. She was glad she made him wait until he promised to stick around. He unfastened his own jeans and stepped out of them. From the impressive bulge under his boxer briefs, she knew she was in for a hell of a ride. He didn’t reveal all the goods, though. He crawled in beside her on the bed and gave her a long, languorous kiss.
Their hands traveled all over each other. Caressing, fondling, learning each other’s shapes and texture. The warmth of his flesh seeped into her, and she heated quickly.
Their movements became more frantic. He reached behind her and popped her bra clasp. Brandee wrestled off the item as if it were a straitjacket. She divested him of his underwear and took a moment to appreciate what she found. If a man’s cock could be beautiful, then his was gorgeous. Erect and proud with an impressive length and girth.
He tugged off her panties, and finally, they lay skin to skin. Face to face. Nick found Brandee’s hand and brought it to his lips. He kissed her fingers as he gazed into her eyes.
“I know it’s soon, but I want you to know a woman’s never made me feel like this. I think I’m falling for you.”
His admission stunned her. Sure, her feelings for him had been steadily deepening, but she hadn’t thought they would be reciprocated that quickly. She thought she’d have to keep her secret under wraps for a while until he caught up. That was usually how it went with men, right?
He stroked her cheek. “You don’t have to say anything. I can see I surprised you.”
“No, it’s not that…it’s just that…well, yeah. It’s that. I’m surprised.” She grinned. “Pleasantly, though.”
He smiled and kissed her again.
“What is it you like about me?” she asked.
“Everything.” He gave her a peck on her pert nose.
“Everything? You don’t know everything about me yet. I could be hiding some horrible secret.”
“Are you?”
“No.”
“Then why question how I feel?”
“It’s just that we haven’t been together that long.”
He took a deep breath. “I’m a man of few words, but let me try. There’s a lot I like about you. I like your easy smile. That tells me you’re a happy person.” He gave her a kiss on the corner of her mouth. “I like how you make up your own expressions. That tells me you’re creative.” He kissed her forehead.
“I like your grace and how you can stand up for yourself without losing it. That tells me you’re secure.” He kissed her throat. “I like how you’re not afraid of people who are a little different. That tells me you have an open mind.” He kissed her nose. “But mostly, I like how happy I feel when I’m with you.” He kissed her mouth and didn’t pull away until she kissed him back.
The kiss deepened. Their tongues met and swirled. He cupped her breast and stroked her nipple with his thumb. Glorious sensations spread from her breast to her womb and radiated out.
Before long, she was on fire and the only thing she craved was Nick between her damp thighs, pounding into her.
“Oh, God. I need you.” She hadn’t meant to say that. It sounded so—needy. Ick.
Apparently he didn’t mind. He whispered, “You have me.” Then he rolled her onto her back and positioned himself between her legs.
Kneeling, he ran his hands up and down her thighs. “You’re so beautiful.”
Before she could think of anything else to say, he lifted her legs over his shoulders and kissed the inside of one thigh, then the other. His kisses came closer and closer to her apex. “Nick…”
He inhaled and something like a growl emanated from his throat. His tongue lapped her in long, slow strokes.
She gasped.
Incredible sensations overwhelmed her and spread throughout her body. His tongue rasped back and forth against her * at warp speed. All she could do was grip the sheets and hang on. Wave after wave of luscious pleasure rolled over her until it all spiraled and the tension seemed unbearable. At last, it broke and she came apart, screaming his name.
Nick held on fast and continued his wicked onslaught to her senses until her legs were quivering and she had to beg him to stop. She felt a sob in the back of her throat but held it in.
When she could finally speak again, she rasped, “Holy moly…” and panted heavily. “I’ve never felt…anything like that.”
He brushed her damp hair away from her forehead. “It’s all for you, sweetheart—for as long as you can stand it.”
“I can’t stand at all. I’m sure of that. I wouldn’t even try.”
He chuckled.
Even though she deliberately misinterpreted what he meant by “stand,” he didn’t correct her. That was something her ex-boyfriend did that drove her nuts. Just to have the freedom to say whatever nonsense she wanted to say was a relief. As soon as she had semi-recovered, she asked, “Aren’t you going in for the kill?”
He raised his eyebrows. “That’s an interesting way to put it—but no. I’m not.”
Brandee couldn’t believe her ears. She rolled up onto her elbow, facing him. “What? Why not?”
“Only one condom, remember? I’d rather make it last as long as possible.”
Does that mean he intends to go for another round? Or two? Or three? “Nick, I don’t think I can handle much more.”
“I’ll give you time to rest. Hey, how about if you show me how your new camera works? Maybe I can take some pictures of you all mussed and glowing.”
She laughed. “Yeah, like I’d let you do that.”
“Why not? You don’t have to be nude or anything. Only you and I will know why you have that Mona Lisa smile on your face.” He waggled his eyebrows.
“Why don’t I take a few pictures of you instead?”
He ran a hand over her backside. The warmth felt good. Her slight sheen of sweat was beginning to cool her off.
“I’d have no problem with it, except that my new job means I should keep as low a profile as possible.”
“Oh well. It would have been a nice idea. Maybe on my next day off we can take some pictures of the city.”
“You have a car, right? Maybe we could get out of the city altogether. We could go to Cape Cod…”
“My car is apt to break down before we hit the southeast expressway. There’s plenty to take pictures of around this area, though. All the gorgeous architecture, for instance.”
“Are you into architecture?”
“Not per se. I just admire anything well crafted.” She looked him up and down. “You, for instance.”
He let out a loud bark of a laugh. “Smooth.”
“I learned it from the master.”
“Oh, now you’re calling me master? I like the sound of that.”
She shoved his shoulder. “As if…”
She was enjoying their banter but continued to feel unsure about leaving him unsatisfied. He rolled up onto the edge of the bed and pulled on his boxer briefs. “Do you have anything to eat? I’m starved.”
“Not a lot. I mostly eat salads. Do you like salad?” She rolled out of bed and padded over to her closet for her robe.
“Ugh, you’re not a vegetarian, are you?”
“No, but what if I was?” She fastened her robe and strolled over to him. “I hear it’s a very healthy way to live.”
“Darling, that’s a deal-breaker.”
Her jaw dropped. “Seriously?”
He laughed and pulled her into his embrace. “No, I was kidding. We’d just have to eat out a lot. I’m a big-time carnivore. I could order a steak and you could order a salad.”
She ran her fingers through his hair. “I don’t only eat salads, you know.”
“So you’d go to a steakhouse with me?”
She wrapped her arms around his trim waist. “Of course…as long as you’re paying.”
He laughed. “Don’t worry. I know you need your waitressing tips. Besides, I’d never let a woman pay. What kind of cheapskate would I be if I did that?”
She chuckled. “I need my tips all right. I’m trying to make a career in photography, and it takes time and money to get established. It’s a very competitive field, but I have my heart set on it.”
“I know.”
“Is that why you’ve always been a generous tipper?”
“Well, that and I kind of had a crush on the pretty red-haired cocktail waitress.”
“Ah, I see. Well, for that I’ll find some eggs or something.”
***
“Ruxandra, you destroyed my bar and tried to skewer one of my waitresses. Why should I take you back?” Anthony demanded.
Ruxandra squirmed on the bench next to him. They sat under one of the old trees in the Public Garden. She was still wearing her catsuit, which Anthony had to admit was kind of turning him on. The lamplight glimmered off her light blond hair, almost making her look like the innocent he’d first met and fallen in love with.
He knew better now. He thought he had saved her from the clutches of the evil Marquis de Sade. It wasn’t until months later he learned she’d gone to the nobleman’s castle willingly. After the marquis had left her for dead, Anthony turned her to save her.
Her head was bowed and her fingers laced in her lap. She couldn’t have looked more contrite. Maybe he could suggest an acting career in New York or Hollywood and get her out of his hair that way.
“We had something special.” She looked up at him, and red tears shimmered in the corners of her eyes.
“Don’t cry.” He took a deep breath and tried to steel his resolve. “Look, I’m here, aren’t I? You said you wanted to talk. So, talk.”
“I love you, Anthony. I’ve always loved you.” She shifted so she faced him squarely. “Three hundred years ago when I was just a simple farm girl turned by an evil vampire to be his sex slave, you freed me from that awful castle. You showed me the world and all I had been missing. You opened my eyes.”
“And now that you know what’s out there, why don’t you pursue something that interests you?”
“Because you interest me. You’re all I want. Besides, when we’re together, we can feed off each other and skip that nasty butcher-shop crap you insist vampires drink if they don’t have a thrall.”
“It doesn’t sound like you share my values. You certainly don’t respect my property or my business or what I’m trying to accomplish, creating a safe place for paranormals to congregate.”
“Oh, piddly poo. Yes I do.”
He frowned. You have a strange way of showing it.
She crossed her arms and stuck out her lower lip. Her pout used to wrap him around her little finger. No more. He wouldn’t fall for it again. He knew there had to be more to a good relationship than lust. He’d witnessed it in other couples, so why couldn’t he find that? Oh, yeah. A jealous ex-lover named Ruxandra kept getting in the way.
He rose. “Well, if that’s all you have to say…”
She sprang to her feet and grasped his wrists. “No. There’s more. Much more. Please hear me out.”
“This better not take all night. I have a bar to repair.” Her eyes begged him to listen. He sighed. “Fine. Get on with it.”
She sat and tried to pull him down onto the bench beside her. She wasn’t strong enough to make him, but he doubted she’d let go or finish their conversation unless he sat down. So he did.
“I’m sorry. More than anything, that’s what I wanted to say. I was just so jealous when it looked like you cared more about one of your waitresses than me.”
“Am I supposed to read your mind?”
“Some vampires can read each other’s minds. Why can’t we?”
He shrugged. He suspected he knew the answer but wasn’t about to tell her while she was in this agitated state. Legend had it when a vampire found his “beloved” they could communicate telepathically. Anthony was relieved the two of them didn’t meet the criterion.
“Ruxandra. We had fun. In the beginning, we had a lot of fun. But things haven’t been fun for a long time.”
“That’s what you want? Fun? I can be fun.”
I doubt it. It’s a good thing they couldn’t read each other’s thoughts. Some of the things that ran through his brain would enrage Ruxandra—even more. Then she was speaking again and he had to drag his mind back.
“Honey, lover…can we try again? Just one more time.” She ran a seductive finger up his suit jacket sleeve. “I promise I’ll be good.”
Despite everything, it was a tempting offer. She was right about one thing. Feeding from each other was beyond compare, especially when they combined it with uninhibited, wild, cathartic sex. It had been the best thing about their relationship. But was that enough?
Her eyes widened as if she couldn’t believe he was actually considering it. He could barely believe it himself. Still, to save his business and protect his employees, it might be worth a shot. It would be a temporary fix at best, but right now a truce sounded good.
“If I give you another chance, and I’m not saying I will, how can I know you’ll keep your promise?”
“What promise? The one to be good?”
“The detailed one you’re going to make, if I take you back.”
She gasped. “You will? I mean, you might? I’ll promise you anything. And I’ll mean it. I’ll write it in blood, or whatever you want.”
“I’m not worried that you’ll agree to my conditions. I need to know you’ll honor any pact we make.”
She crossed her heart. “I will. I swear.”
He hesitated. There really was no guarantee, but if he made her think her behavior going forward made a difference, perhaps he could make the necessary repairs and keep his bar open. “In that case, I’ll consider it. That’s not a yes or no, you understand. It all depends on you and your future behavior.”
“Of course. I’ll do whatever it takes to earn back your trust. You’ll see.”
“In that case, I’ll mull it over and get back to you.” I must be out of my mind.