STORY EXCERPT

“Damn it, Wendy. I’m more worried about you than I am about the vampires. I know you’re not out to kill vampires for the sake of killing them, but what you’re doing is dangerous. What if they hurt you? I know you’d never harm anyone, even one of them, without good reason, but what if you accidentally kill the wrong one? Or worse, you don’t realize you’re in danger until it’s too late?”

“I’ll be fine. And just so you remember, Charlie is a good reason.”

Sympathy filled her friend’s face. “I know.” The sympathetic look, however, didn’t last long as Chanteal’s gaze jumped past Wendy. “Oh, my. Now who are those two hunks?”

Wendy sucked in a hard breath.

How the hell did he find me, and what the fuck is he doing here?

Without warning, lust stormed her so hard that she took a step toward the hot man who had taken her to the ground the night before. Her gaze jumped to his equally hot friend, the one who had, by way of showing up at just the right moment, managed to help the vampiress get away.

Run.

Yet part of her wanted to do exactly the opposite. Unless, of course, it was to run toward them. Both of them.

Shit. This is not good.

“Are you okay, Wendy? What’s wrong?”

Nothing. Everything.

Instead of answering, she turned and ran down the hallway.

* * * *

“Well, it looks like we found the right place,” said Rich. But was he happy that they’d found the secret clinic? He felt conspicuous being around a lot of humans who could probably guess that he was a vampire. But Monroe had insisted on asking around and then coming to the clinic. “I’m still not sure why we’re here. Vasquez isn’t going to show up at a clinic.”

“Come on, man. We talked about this.” Monroe, having been a vampire for a lot longer, strode past a couple of nurses as though he owned the place. “We have to look somewhere, and this seems like as good a place as any. Do I think she’ll be here? No. But maybe someone else has some info on her.”

“I guess it’s as good a place as any to get into trouble,” said Rich. “And I’m not talking about the good kind of trouble, either. Besides, I thought you said you didn’t want to help track down Vasquez.”

“I didn’t. But after last night…” Monroe shot him a smile and slapped him on the shoulder. “Relax. It’ll be all right.”

Rich shrugged off his friend’s hand. “I hate when you say that.”

“Why?”

“Because that was the first thing you said to me right after I fell off that damn ladder.”

Monroe chuckled. “Yeah, well, it did turn out all right, didn’t it? And it will this time—” He stopped, his jaw dropping.

“What? What’s going on?” Rich scanned the clinic, trying to see what had stunned Monroe.

Monroe took off, dashing past more nurses and an old man on a gurney. He was halfway down the hall by the time Rich’s mind kicked into gear and told him to take off after him.

Monroe ignored calls from clinic personnel as well as a couple of patients. He sped past them, right past a sign that said “restricted area,” and then skidded several feet until he came to a stop in front of one of the many green doors along the hallway. “Shit!”

Rich grabbed his arm. “What the hell got into you?”

“It was her.” Monroe tried the door, but it wouldn’t open.

“Her who?” And then it hit him. “Are you talking about the woman in the alley? The one with the sword?”

“Yeah. That one. She went through this door.” Monroe pushed against the door, but it wouldn’t budge.

Rich knew his friend could’ve broken the door down, but at least Monroe had enough sense not to do it. He doubted the people running the clinic would take kindly to damaging their doors. “Easy, man. We’ve already attracted enough attention.”

“Can I help you?”

Rich jerked on Monroe’s arm, telling him to turn around. A pretty African-American woman stood, feet apart and arms crossed. It was a combative stance, betraying her pleasant voice. “Uh, no. I mean, I apologize for my friend. We didn’t mean to cause a ruckus.”

His gaze jumped to her nametag. Chanteal Marshall. It’s a nice name. “Again, Ms. Marshall, we apologize. No harm meant.”

“Uh-huh.” She arched an imperious eyebrow. “But you sure as hell make a fuss. How about telling me what you need. Maybe I can help.” She sounded helpful but she was still in the fighting stance.

“Do you know her?” asked Monroe. Although it sounded like more of a demand than a question.

“Who are you talking about?”

Yet Rich had a good idea that she knew exactly who Monroe was talking about. She knew, but she wasn’t about to say. “Is she a friend of yours?”

The eyebrow arched higher. “I don’t know who you’re talking about.” She waved a few people past them. “Go on, folks. Nothing’s happening here.”

“Yeah, you do. You were talking to her. I want to know where the woman went who just dashed into this room,” continued Monroe, determined to get an answer.

“Again. No clue. But you two need to get back to the lobby area. You blasted your way into a restricted area. This side of the building is for clinic personnel only.”

The veins in Monroe’s face were beginning to stand out. If he didn’t calm down soon, his fangs would come out.

“Easy, man,” warned Rich. Not that it would do any good, but he had to at least try.

“I saw that woman last night in an alley. She was about to lop off the head of a vampiress.” Monroe took a step toward the woman, making her back up. “With a damn sword.”

ADULT EXCERPT

Wendy stepped back, confusion written in her frown. “You had to have compelled me. Otherwise…”

“Otherwise, you wouldn’t want us so badly?” Rich spoke softly, but firmly.

“No. You’re putting words in my mouth.” She shook her head but didn’t back up again. “Just like you put ideas in my head.”

“And heat between your legs?” Monroe moved forward, a man on the move to claim his woman.

“No.” She shook her head. “Stop right there. This isn’t happening.”

“Baby,” said Rich, loving the way her eyes sparkled at the term of endearment. “I promise you. We didn’t compel you. What you’re feeling is all you. But, just for the record, we’re thrilled that you’re feeling that way.”

“I can’t.” She looked away, but her gaze, clouded with lust, came back fast enough.

“Yeah. You can.” Monroe took another step forward until he was only a couple of feet away from her.

“But you don’t have to.” Rich moved to stand beside his friend. They wouldn’t take her if she didn’t really want them. No real man would ever force himself on a woman. “If you really don’t want us, then say so and we’ll leave.” It would kill him to leave now, but for her? He’d do anything. Even leave.

She opened her mouth, obviously wanting to say exactly that, then closed it. A moan escaped her.

“Tell us the truth, baby.” He wouldn’t force her, but that didn’t mean he wouldn’t push her into revealing her true feelings. Maybe that was what she needed. Maybe all she wanted was for someone to make her open herself up to the truth. “Think about it, baby. And listen to your heart, not just your head. Logically, yeah, maybe you should kick us out and never see us again. After all, we’re vampires. We know it’s hard for a human woman to accept us. But is that what you really want? Do you want us to leave you alone forever?” He hoped he wasn’t pushing her in the wrong direction. “Tell us the truth. Tell yourself the truth. Do you want us or not?”

The truth exploded from her as though she couldn’t hold it in any longer. “Yes, damn it. I want you. I want you to make love to me.” A shyness came over her, but she continued. “And I want you to drink my blood.”

He’d hoped she’d say yes to bedding her, but he’d never expected her to want them to sink their fangs into her.

“Yes and yes.” Monroe cupped his hand behind her head. “Come and sit on the couch.”

She did. Rich took her hand then skimmed his fingers along her arm. “Are you sure about this?”

“Yes.” The look she gave him was timid, yet needy as her gaze lowered to her arm. “But not there.”

“No? Then where?”

She lowered her gaze to the place between her legs. “There. I want you to drink my blood then fuck me.”

Now it was Rich’s turn to struggle to find the right words. Fortunately for him, he didn’t need to. Pushing their hands away, she tugged her T-shirt over her head.

Rich didn’t hesitate. He jerked his shirt over his head and flung it away. Monroe’s fangs burst outward as he bent to her shoulder then bit the strap of her bra in half. She moaned and leaned back, allowing them to tear her bra away from her then start undoing the buttons of her jeans.

Her breasts were succulent globes ripe for the taking. Her nipples, pink and hard, beckoned to him, and he answered the call. Delight soared inside him as he caught her nipple between his teeth then flicked his tongue over and around the hard bud. She dug her fingers into his hair and pushed his head harder against her breast. Hurriedly, he shoved her panties along with her jeans to her bare feet then brought his hand back up to find the warmth between her legs.

Monroe stood, tugging his clothes off fast. Without bothering to discard them completely, he sent his jeans to his boots. “Open wide, girl, and give me a taste.”

Rich was happy enough to take his hand from her pussy, giving his friend a chance to push her legs wider and press his face to her sweetness. Monroe’s groan of pleasure made his own cock twitch into a harder length. Rich ached, needing to put his cock inside her, her mouth, her pussy, her ass.

“Please, Monroe, bite me.”

Monroe lifted his head and met Rich’s gaze. “Are you up for this?”

“Just don’t lose control, man. Not with any of it.” His throat burned to feel her warm blood coursing downward. He’d drink her blood, savoring the taste, and then he’d want other tastes of her.

“Both of you. Please,” she begged. “One on each leg.”

Rich’s fangs erupted as the need for both blood and pussy warred inside him. Bending lower still, he leaned over her soft leg and brought his mouth close to her inner thigh. One more glance at Monroe and he opened his mouth wide then sank his fangs into her flesh.

She let out a small cry, one that could’ve been made by either fear or desire, but when she continued to clutch his hair, continued to push his face against her leg, she gave him further permission.

There was no other word for it. She tasted heavenly. Taking care not to drink too much or too fast, he savored the coppery aroma striking his nostrils. He reveled in the taste of her against his tongue. Closing his eyes, he listened as his friend enjoyed her, too.