by Claire Marta
Inhaling a steadying breath he turned. She easily caught the shirt he tossed her.
Eric watched as she hurriedly shrugged it on. “It is far too dangerous for you to investigate. This game is not for you, my lovely.”
Buttoning the shirt up the front, she sent him a scowl. “My team deals with this fucking stuff all the time. So, you can’t tell me what to do Eric.”
Ah, how he had missed her dirty little mouth. The girl loved to swear. Mostly she did it when nervous. He hated to admit it but it turned him on. She was covered now. The length of his shirt fell to her knees. The arms so long, she had to roll them up.
Bending down, he hooked her ripped thong onto one finger. “And no doubt whatever I say, will not prevent you or them from discontinuing.”
Straightening, he offered her the ruined underwear. Jasmine snatched it from him. Her cheeks pinked slightly.
No, he was sure nothing would stop these foolish mortals. Did they not realise the dangers? Not just from the serial killer, but from delving into the privacy of a vampire nest.
This was not a complication he needed right now. Jasmine had the habit of making him lose his detached coolness. The mindless sex just now proved it. He gathered the tattered remnants of his formidable control. What he needed to know now was what they planned. Humans didn’t just stroll into a vampire’s lair and begin to investigate. He released a long breath.
“Your people sent you in alone unarmed and vulnerable. That was beyond foolish. Do you not realise how dangerous a place like this can be?”
“I have a knife, but it’s hidden in my street clothes.” Jasmine glanced away towards the door. “There’s another woman, one of my team mates. We were just looking for a way to infiltrate the humans that work here.”
Eric tried not to grind his teeth. That made up his mind for him right there and then. He would not permit her to pose as an unguarded human servant. Not here. Not alone. The idea was insane for her to even consider it.
“You will remain here with me.”
Her eyebrows hiked up with an incredulous look, as she turned back his way. “I have to get back to my team. I’m working Eric. I’m not here to fuck about.”
Shoving his hands in the pockets of his jeans, he regarded her with impatience. “This other woman, she may return to them. If you are determined to investigate, I cannot stop you. If you stay with me, I am giving you a way into the nest and also some protection.”
Jasmine crossed her arms over her chest. “How?”
Moving to his left, he rested his hip against the chest of drawers. Eric was aware that she needed some space. She seemed anxious of him, although he was not sure why. He didn’t like it.
“You would be my human companion, while I am here.” He explained letting his eyes wander over her caressingly. “It will be far safer. We can also investigate together. It is the most logical solution.”
Sighing, she seemed to consider his words. “I can’t just fucking stay without telling them. My Boss won’t like it. He tends to worry.”
“Do you not have a communication device to your techno mage, like the last time we met?”
Her gaze slid nervously away from his. “No…we thought it was too dangerous in case it was detected. We met a few vamps who could sense Twitch’s spells.”
Eric suddenly felt like shaking her. Jasmine had entered a vampire nest, with no weapons or protection. She also had no way to contact the outside world. Was she suicidal? Why had her superior agreed to the ridiculous plan? Did it amuse them to dangle her, a rookie in front of danger? The killer could very likely be lurking here.
His emotions were becoming far too distracting. Where was his cold unfeeling logic when he needed it?
Eric sighed in frustration. “What does your friend look like?”
Jasmine’s brows crinkled with a look of confusion. “She’s the tall one with the black curly hair. Her name’s Gemma. Why?”
He straightened up from where he had been leaning. “Very well remain here and I will tell her you intend to stay with me.”
“Eric…” She looked like she was ready to protest.
He was very tempted to spank her if she argued. The female was going to have to learn to obey him this time around. Her trust, he knew was something he had already gained. Obedience was now his next objective.
“Jasmine do you wish to remain here or not?” He growled irritably.
Teeth sinking into her lower lip, she nodded. “Yes I do.”
He watched her begin to nibble on the plump pink flesh. Eric felt a jolt of white hot lust shoot from his brain to his cock. The body part in question hardened even more painfully in his jeans. He held in a pained moan.
A wisp of his frosty power escaped and blew like a cooling freeze between them. By the gods, how did she always have this effect on him? He had no control over his body. The damn thing was hers.
He felt like a rutting animal. If he gave in to his body’s demands, he knew they would never leave the room again. This was tempting, but duty called.
Betraying nothing of the burning desires within, he regarded her with remoteness. “Then stop arguing with me and allow me to help.”
Lowering her gaze, she nodded. “Ok…fine.”
Eric stalked past her. The scent of warm sunshine and flowers teased his nose. This almost made him falter. Her damn scent had him obsessed for weeks.
He paused at the door. “Use the bathroom if you wish to clean up. A robe is on the back of the door.”
His eyes dropped to the heels she still wore. Eric was certain he had gained a shoe fetish since meeting her. Every time he saw her in a pair, he wanted to fuck her hard and long. His cock strained against his jeans. He swallowed down another moan of pain. Damnation, this was impossible.
The heat in the room dissipated slightly, as his power spilled out uncontrolled for the briefest of moments. Eric dragged it back in. He had never realised how linked his power was to his emotions. This was probably because he had never allowed himself to have any. Not until her.
Jasmine’s eyes darted to the shoes then back up to his face. A pretty blush stained her cheeks. She knew what he was thinking. He held back a grin.
“Thanks,” was all she mumbled in reply.
Eric made himself walk away. Opening the door, he closed it behind him with a soft click. Taking a breath, he tried to clear himself of the lust.
As he moved down the corridor, he let his senses slip into high alert.
Conall, I am seeking the blood donor with black curly hair. She was the only woman with curls, have you seen her? He knew his telepathic tone was impatient, but it could not be helped.
Although he was still fighting for control, he was eager to return to Jasmine. Eric wished to know why she was not happy to see him. Had she not thought of him, as he had thought of her? Had she not enjoyed their night in Paris? He now regretted letting her wake alone the next day.
He had not been able to stop thinking of her since they parted. The more he thought of her, the more he wanted her, desired her. The taste of her skin, her lips, her pleasure, he wanted, no needed them on his tongue again.
To watch Jasmine come undone in his arms was now an addiction. Even now the mingled scent of their sex on his clothes, his skin was driving him to distraction.
Aye I’ve seen her Eric. I have her in my room. Conall’s reply was rueful.
He blinked, trying to recall what of Conall he had asked. Ah yes Jasmine’s co-worker.
Eric relaxed fractionally. This was fortunate his friend had picked the female. He had not relished the idea of plucking her from another vampire’s arms.
***
“Fuck.” Jasmine stood staring at the door after Eric left. She could not believe how stupid she had been. AGAIN.
Every time it seemed to be uncontrollable. Like a force of nature, intense and irresistible between them.
She had been lucky last time not to get pregnant. And here she was having unprotected sex with him again. Eric had
told her, he was a born vampire, which meant he could father children. Hell, maybe that wasn’t even possible with her.
Jasmine had found nothing on the internet about Vampiria. Not even a whisper or a rumour. Nothing. For all she knew though everything he had told her was a lie. How could vampires be born after all? This made no sense. Vamps were turned humans.
The fact was, Eric was very different from an ordinary vampire. He could go out in sunlight for one thing. She had also seen him eat and drink human food.
Jasmine knew Eric liked his secrets, had learnt that the last time they had met. She pressed her hands to her cool cheeks.
Releasing a breath, she tried to calm her turmoil of nerves. What the hell did you say to someone you had a one night stand with? Now though, it counted as more than once. What did you call that? A double stand?
Jasmine had no experience in this kind of thing. There had been no one before Eric. No experience for her to fall back on. This was all new. And it scared the fuck out of her.
Her gaze skimmed around her opulent and lavish surroundings, but she did not really register them. She felt edgy and nervous, a mass of emotions she could not explain.
Stickiness coated her inner thighs. The evidence of their frenzied sex marked her skin. Grimacing, Jasmine bent down to undo the heels.
Sex had been just as amazing as she remembered. The attraction between them seemed to blaze even hotter. Eric had seemed to have been just as overwhelmed by it as much as she had.
Sinking her teeth into her lower lip she nibbled. His annoyance and irritation had been clear. Jasmine wasn’t even sure if he was pleased to see her or not. He had said he was there for the serial killer. Eric had to be on assignment.
A dull ache throbbed in her chest. A sense of disappointment rolled through her, but she pushed it away. He was here to work just like her. The fact they just happened to bump into each other, shouldn’t leave her feeling embarrassed. People did this kind of thing all the time. She knew that for a fact.
Her friend Gemma did. Somehow she always managed to stay friendly with the men she slept with. Jasmine would just have to try that.
If they were going to work together, this had to remain professional. This was her job. She wasn’t about to let the vampire fuck it up for her. Having the respect of her boss and co-workers also mattered. She couldn’t risk it.
A fling with the good-looking vamp was not worth it. Thank God Twitch, the techno mage on her team, couldn’t get electronic eyes in the mansion. He would have recorded the whole damn thing. A sex tape was not what she needed. She would have never lived it down.
Jasmine knew then she couldn’t sleep with Eric again. This would be a mistake of epic proportions. The case was far too important to mess up.
Snow and pine teased her senses. Eric’s scent, which saturated the shirt she wore. Desperately she tried not to breathe it in. Her body though had other ideas. As the vampire’s alluring smell wrapped itself around her, Jasmine’s breasts grew heavy. She could feel her nipples beading against the material.
Licking her lips, she found his taste still lingered there. His scent and sex was all over her.
With a frustrated sigh, she stripped of the garment and stalked towards the bathroom. She had to take control.
AS ERIC REACHED CONALL’S ROOM, he detected the sound of raised voices.
“Just take it easy lass. You can leave in a minute.” Conall was assuring, in his smooth Irish lilt. A trace of pleading was in his tone.
Was he having trouble with Jasmine’s co-worker? Eric frowned. To make the woman wait should not take much. After all, Conall was a vampiria too. A mere human female should not be a handful for him. That was absurd.
Something smashed, shattering against a wall. It sounded like glass and it was close to the door. Eric stilled.
“You can’t fucking keep me here like this arse hole.” A woman’s voice responded. A sultry sound, it throbbed with anger.
Slightly intrigued, Eric knocked briskly on the door. A moment of silence followed. When the door was thrust open, Conall stood before him looking slightly flustered.
His fiery red hair was cut short at the sides, but was longer at the top. Normally, it was not so messy. Green eyes a sparkling shade of emerald, met his warily.
“The little darlin’s a bit of a handful.” Conall confessed in his Irish drawl.
Stepping inside Eric’s gaze went to the woman. She was standing by the bed, arms crossed defensively across her chest. Gemma did not look happy. Her outrage was almost a palpable force in the air. A haughty expression graced her beautiful porcelain like features. She reminded him of a doll.
Her eyes were large brown and doe like. Ringlets of black curls hung loosely around her face and shoulders. Body willowy, slender, her breasts were large. She wore a nightie matching the one Jasmine had worn. This showed off her figure perfectly.
Conall’s fang marks branded her neck. He had fed from her. This was, he reminded himself, their cover. Blood donors.
Any other time her beauty would have stirred his interest. Eric though, felt nothing. He found her a little too perfect. The woman he wanted waited back in his room.
Eyes sweeping the space, he noted the shattered glass by the door. The pieces looked like the remnants of a vase.
“You are Gemma?” He let a distinct note of authority touch his voice.
Her eyes widened just a fraction. He had caught her off guard. “Yeah so?”
The scent of something sickly sweet reached his nose. A moment later, she blew a pink bubble from her lips. Growing steadily into a perfect circle. When the gum popped, she drew it back into her mouth, with her tongue.
Eric strolled further into the room. The soft click of the door being shut sounded behind him. He was aware of Conall’s presence. It was best if his comrade heard the news at the same time. Eric had no wish to repeat himself twice. That would waste time he was not willing to give.
“Jasmine will be remaining with me. I know why you are here and I am offering her a way-in.”
Gemma’s face betrayed nothing. “I’m sorry. I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
She was chewing on the gum, her doe eyes held an innocent quizzical look. The female appeared – not to be a bad actress.
No doubt they had been told to deny everything if confronted with the truth. If he was forced, he would easily use his power of persuasion on her. For now though he would rather not.
“There is no need to keep up the pretence. I know you work for Scotland Yard and that you are a member of Jasmine’s team.”
Gemma froze mid-chew. “How...?”
A small smile touched his mouth. “Jasmine and I have met before.”
The woman’s eyes widened in surprise, and then they hardened. “So you’re Eric Méchant?”
Had Jasmine spoken to her of him? From the angry glint in her eye, it did not look like she had been given a favourable impression. This did not please him.
“I am indeed.”
Arms unfolding she stomped towards him. By the expression on her face she was ready to do battle. She rammed a finger into his chest. “You used Jasmine for a one night stand last time arse hole. Why the fuck should I leave her with you here now?”
Eric stood slightly taken aback. What business was this of hers? He had not used Jasmine. Their time together had been mutually satisfying. She made the whole thing sound sordid and cheap.
Conall was beside them in an instant. Capturing her wrist, he tugged her arm down. “Easy now, lass.”
With a growl, she slapped his hand away. “Get the fuck off me.”
The Irish vampire backed off. Lifting his hands towards her, he flattened his palms in an attitude of surrender.
Eric arched one dark eyebrow. “It was far from that.” He assured her in a dry tone.
“Really?” She gave him a disbelieving look. “You fuck her then disappear?”
Guilt niggled at him, but he stamped it down.
“Not that i
t is any of your business, but I did not intend to leave it like that.” He observed her with coolness.
She snorted, her hands moving to her hips. “Yeah, sure.”
Suddenly Eric wished he had brought Damien with him. That particular vampiria had the power to read minds. He had a feeling he was going to need that talent where these females were concerned.
“Eric doesn’t lie, darlin’.” Conall’s mouth curved into a charming smile. This was something that melted the toughest of females. Never had it failed him. This particular woman seemed less than impressed.
Raising one fine eyebrow Gemma glared at him. “And why the fuck should I believe anything that comes out of your mouth?”
The Irish vampire’s smile faltered. Confusion clouded his eyes. “Gemma…”
“Where is she?”
She had whipped back so fast Eric was taken slightly by surprise. This woman was like a prickly whirlwind. Surely this was not natural.
“In my room taking a shower.” He replied with emotionless calm.
She was eyeing the missing buttons on his shirt suspiciously. “What did you do to her?”
“That is none of your concern.”
“She’s my co-worker and my friend so of course it’s my fucking concern. I don’t want to see her get hurt, or used. She’s a nice girl and a little naive. We’re in the middle of a case and I don’t need you taking advantage of her.”
The unspoken ‘again’ seemed to hang in the air between them. A headache had started to beat in Eric’s temples with a dull thud. Raising his hand, he absently rubbed at his forehead. This did little good to relieve it.
“Do all the females in your department swear so much?” He enquired with a sigh.
That earned him a smirk. Gemma began chewing on her gum once more. “No, just me and Jaz.”
“All you need to know is that she now has a way into this nest by my side. It is far safer than what your team had planned. She will receive protection this way. We too are here investigating the killings and this is the most logical solution for all involved.” He glanced away from her dismissively.
