When the waitress arrived at our table, I ordered two coffees, just to keep up pretenses. Paine wouldn’t touch the stuff, but since I had to stay awake for a while, I could take care of his mug as soon as I finished mine.
“You shouldn’t have stayed away so long.” Paine kept his voice hushed, elbows on the table, his head hovering near the center. “We’ve been worried about you.”
“I had things to take care of.” Not the total truth, but not a lie.
“So, this thing between you and Gabriel…”
He didn’t finish but sat up as the waitress brought our coffees, as well as handfuls of creamer. She didn’t ask if we needed anything else, which suited me just fine. I didn’t want her returning to our table any sooner than necessary.
Paine moved close again as I poured two creamers into my mug and doused it with the sugar container. When finished, I used the silverware to swirl it all together.
I debated taking a sip when I realized there wasn’t enough caffeine in the world to stop what I was about to do or change what I was about to say. As I gazed up, meeting his dark, onyx eyes, I knew that no matter what happened from here on in, no matter what obstacles I was faced with, the future was one of my own choosing.
From here on in, I was calling all the shots.
Rhiannon’s Law #14: There is a reason the truth hurts. When you cease to feel the sting, it means you’ve stopped caring. And damn, wouldn’t that be a total fucking waste?
Taking a deep breath, I reached across the table and grasped Paine’s hands.
Then I told him the truth, starting from the beginning.
About the Author J.A. Saare is a multi-published author in varying genres and has written stories featured in horror magazines, zombie romance anthologies and flash fiction contests. Her work has a notable dark undertone, which she credits to her love of old eighties horror films, tastes in music, and choices in reading, and has been described as “full of sensual promise”, “gritty and sexy”, and “a breath of fresh air”.
Currently she is penning numerous projects within the urban fantasy, erotic and contemporary, and of course, paranormal romance categories. Her website is www.jasaare.com. Those interested in her “naughtier” side can visit her alias, Aline Hunter, at www.alinehunter.com.
Look for these titles by J.A. Saare
Now Available:
Rhiannon’s Law
Dead, Undead, or Somewhere in Between
Coming Soon:
The Ripple Effect
One bad corpse can ruin your whole day.
Dead, Undead, or Somewhere in Between
? 2014 J.A. Saare
Rhiannon’s Law, Book 1
After leaving the flash and sass of Miami for the no-nonsense groove of New York, Rhiannon Murphy is eager for a clean slate and fresh start. A bartender by trade, a loud mouth by choice, and a necromancer by chance, she’s managed to keep her nasty habit of seeing dead people hidden from those around her—until now.
The dangerous and deliciously sexy vampire, Disco, knows her secret. When he strolls into her club to ask for help investigating the mysterious disappearances of his kind, she quickly gets the vibe that he’s not exactly the kind of guy you tell no.
Yet in a world where vampires peddle their blood as the latest and greatest drug of choice, it’s only a matter of time before the next big thing hits the market. Someone is killing vampires to steal their hearts and, unlike Rhiannon, this isn’t their first stroll around the undead block.
Warning: Includes violence, strong language, and references to sexual abuse that may disturb some readers. Oblique references to ’80s films are hidden here and there, which could result in tickling your geek-like fancy.
Enjoy the following excerpt for Dead, Undead, or Somewhere in Between: