ROMANCE: Paranormal Romance: The Valley (Book One) (Fun, Sexy, Mature Young Adult Vampire Shape Shifter Romance)

by Charlotte Swanpol

  “What you got?”

  “Filet mignon, baked potatoes, and fried greens.”

  “That sounds delicious.”

  Chapter 6

  Victoria sat at the table while Henry marinated the meat with olive oil salt and pepper, and then threw it onto a hot skillet.

  “You really know how to cook, don't you?”

  “Women love it.” He looked out at her with a toothy grin.

  “Hah,” she sucked air in sharply through her teeth, shaking her head, “they sure do.”

  “You know how to do greens just right?” he asked.

  “Don't use 'em much.” She got up and walked over to where he was standing. There was smoke rising off the pan, hitting her face, and making her sweat.

  He bent down and pulled them out of the fridge, and when he got close enough, she noticed that he had some serious heat coming off of him too. He saw her staring. “Come here. I'll show you.” He washed the greens off and stuck them on the cutting board. “Do you know how to hold a knife?” He was standing right behind her.

  “No,” she lied.

  He moved in and his spine-tingling breath, like fire and cinnamon, wafted down her neck. “Here,” he took her hand to move her fingers towards the proper position. “You put your thumb on the side, at the front of the handle, then you make your other hand into a claw like this.” He pushed her other hand into it. She could feel his stomach, hot as magma, pushing into her back, and she thought she was going to lose her senses.

  “So I do this?” She lifted the knife and chopped it down perfect, holding the greens with her thumb and pinky so she could slide them forward.

  His lips pressed against the back of her neck, then his teeth dug in just enough to make her want to scream. “You knew how to do that already,” he whispered.

  She reached back and let her fingers slide down his bulging shaft through his jeans. “Can you blame me?”

  His deep sigh became a dangerous growl as he pulled her in and let the head of his cock slide down her back. “No, I can't.”

  He turned around and flipped the meat, then got out three slices of bacon. “The secret is bacon grease. It fries the mustard greens around the edges, and it makes it crispy.”

  “That sounds wonderful.” She chopped up some bacon and garlic while he got the pan heated.

  “Here.” He reached for the bacon. “I'll show you what to do.” He had the bacon setup in a pile in the middle of the stove with coarsely ground pepper, a pinch of salt and he let that fry until the grease covered the pan then he added the greens.

  She watched the way he moved with precision and grace. It was unexpected for somebody so massive.

  He added the potatoes and meat into the oven and squeezed some lime onto the greens. “That should take about 30 minutes.” She turned around to see that he was nursing his thick bulge.

  “That's enough time.”

  She could see the head pointing out. He ran at her like a lion pouncing on a gazelle, and when they crashed to the floor with their lips firmly pressed together, she fell into a state of heavenly intoxication. His leg slowly lifted over her calf then her thigh, stopping inches from where she wanted it to be. Thick lips moved over her like angel feathers, taking her in, letting her out, all the while gently moving outwards so he could penetrate her mouth. Then his teeth clamped down her bottom lip, and she snapped up from the jolt.

  “Oh,” she sighed.

  Deep laughter ripped through the room. He was a sinister presence, a nefarious God, and he wanted her. She needed it. His knees were moving along her inner thigh. It was so close. His hand moved across her neck, along with his lips then skipped down her chest. He was gracing her with kisses as he masterfully unbuttoned her white blouse, revealing her white lace bra.

  It felt so good to be worshiped by a man like the goddess she was. She had been stepped on, laughed at and even used, but he had no agenda other than mutual pleasure. She wanted him to use her, violate her and tease the right spots.

  He dove back onto her lips and helped her up gently so that he could take off her navy blue jacket and throw her blouse aside. His hands moved around her back to unhook her bra. Just as it fell down she felt the open air on her chest, and he pushed his knee in, letting it rub over her engorged lips.

  She opened like a blooming flower, begging for it, then closed again. Her body was begging him to slam it inside of her. She looked down to see a black wet stain growing over her leg. She didn't care because he reared up and tore off his shirt. Buttons fell onto the floor.

  His chest was a work of art, something she could explore forever. There were swirls of dark hair and large nipples. She ran her fingers over it, and sighed.

  He cupped her breast with his fingers, teasing her nipple softly with his thumb. She was soaking wet, and quickly getting wetter. It was falling down her leg, and the shock just wouldn't let up as he increased the tempo, moving his thumb over it again and again. Then his hand slid down her stomach and over her belt line. He looked down at his hard cock, which was inching up her thigh, then met her eyes as he ripped her zipper down and stuck his middle finger inside.

  “Oh, so wet Miss Johnson.”

  “You getting hard?” She moved down and grabbed the shaft of his thick cock, thicker than she'd ever felt before, and slid the palm of her hand from the base to the head.

  “Oooh yeah.” His voice was low and passionate. “You wanna feel that in you, huh?” He curled his middle finger up, over her wet lips and flicked her veil.

  “Dear Jesus!” It was like an electric whip. Then he flicked it again, this time harder. “Oh, god!” She jolted up and his finger pressed into it, grazing her clit.

  “You want it?” She reached up and unzipped his fly, and he let her, but when she reached in to feel the thick meat, he pulled her hand out and pinned in behind her head. “Not yet.”

  He reached down and pulled down his pants. All 12 inches of it fell straight down to the ground. Her hand was still pinned down or else she would've reached down to touch it. She had to feel it, that symbol of raw power and sweet flesh. It could complete her. If she could just have one taste of what she was lacking, she'd die happy.

  Then he moved it over her thigh. “Lift up,” he commanded.

  She pushed her butt up, and he unbuttoned her pants, and her panties, pulling them down to her knees. “You want this?” He grabbed his cock and let it rub against her lips. “So fucking sexy.”

  He dipped his head down so that his lips grazed hers then their eyes met and he parted her open with his fingers so that he could push into her. He wasted no time. He drove it through as she inhaled sharply, feeling both pain and pleasure she never thought possible. He was stretching her wide and exploring her temple, pressing against the walls, sliding along that electric spot as he shoved in as far as he could.

  She lost herself as she rode along the wave watched him drive into her over and over. His hot body pressed against hers and the sweat dripping down his chest, rubbed into her stomach. He swung to the right rhythm with his country style, moving his hips around and panting so heavy she almost forgot where she was.

  It was so intense that she threw her head back and rolled her eyes, not because she had to just let it happen, but because the sheer force of his pounding was pulling her back, and she could feel it coming, that one wave that would pour out, and drench everything, from the desert inside of her to the cock drenching her. It was a tsunami that built up with pressure, and with every thrust he was threatening to break the dam.

  His teeth were bared and he was growling. He lifted his hand up and wrenched on her nipple. “Jesus,” she howled. He just looked down at her with his evil grin and increased the pace. Brick by brick that dam was falling, along with his heavy breathing and the smacking sound of his balls hitting against her taint.

  Pleasure beyond imagination was pouring through her before she knew it, and a fountain of sweet cum was filling her up. They stared into each other’s eyes, hoping the moment wo
uld never end, but the kitchen timer went off almost as soon as he pulled out.

  Chapter 7

  He had his arm around her full, satisfied stomach while she laid on her side, watching the waning moon creep up behind the lace curtains next to his bed. “Do you think there's anything to it, Henry?”

  “No. I think it's best left alone, honestly. I mean, think about it. Sanders has been obsessing over carcasses for years.”

  “I know. I just worry about why the bureau is investigating. Lark has a video of one of these things, and they said it's unaltered.”

  He sighed and rolled over. “That doesn't mean anything.” She could hear the irritation in his voice. “It could just be a close up of a wolf or it could be a mask.”

  “Have you seen the video?”

  “No.”

  She turned over to look at him. “How'd you know it looked like a wolf?”

  “Victoria, please. It was just a guess. Are you really giving this the time of day?”

  “I have to.”

  “It's best left alone. Do me a favor, and just give it up, okay?”

  “Why would it be a favor to you?” She sat up to look at him. She didn't like his tone. Something told her he was hiding something.

  “It's just a bother is all.” They were interrupted by the sound of Victoria's phone vibrating in her pants near the floor.

  “I have to get that. I think I'm gonna head out.”

  “Wanna come by tomorrow afternoon?”

  “I wanna stay. I don't ever want to leave.” She stood at the foot of the bed looking at his form. In the light he looked more like a bear than a person.

  “I don't want you to leave either.”

  “I'll come by as soon as I can tomorrow.”

  She bent down and gave him a kiss. She wanted to let it linger, but Cruz wouldn't be happy if she missed the call, so she took her things and walked out.

  When she got outside on the patio she answered the call. “Hello?”

  “I thought I told you to take this seriously.” Victoria could tell the woman was pacing around which meant she was pissed.

  “I am. I think I might've found something.”

  “Why did John Lark call me and tell me that you were blowing him off?”

  “That was before we spoke last night.” She got into her car and started driving back to the highway.

  “I don't trust it.”

  “Text me Lark's phone number so I can go there tonight.”

  “Fine. I don't wanna get any more reports like this Johnson.”

  “You won't.” She hung up the phone and drove back to the motel to get her things.

  She didn't want to go against Henry's wishes, but she could tell by the way he was talking that he didn't want her to press on with the investigation. He was hiding something, something worthy of an FBI investigation.

  She was torn about him. He was an amazing lover and a fantastic cook. He was a man worth sticking around for, and he liked her. It was so rare for her to find a good man, somebody who appreciated her, and treated her the way she deserved to be treated. This investigation was getting in the way of something amazing, and it hurt, but she had to do her job.

  She got Lark's number and gave him a call. He answered quickly. “Agent Johnson?”

  “Yes.”

  “I spoke with Agent Cruz. She said that you would like to work with me.”

  “Yes.”

  “Good. What do you want me to do?”

  “I'm gonna head over there, and we'll figure things out.” She pulled a black bag out of her closet and drove down to his house. He was waiting in a thick jean jacket and a big cowboy hat, pacing around the porch. He was worried.

  “Mr. Lark,” she got out of the car to greet him.

  “I just wanna thank you for doing this, Victoria.”

  “I have to. I think you're right.”

  “What's that?” He point at the black bag she was wheeling.

  “It's surveillance equipment.”

  “I can get them to come. They've been picking the cattle off one by one. Whenever they sleep alone, that's the one they get.”

  “Really?”

  “Can you get them alone?”

  “I already set it up when your supervisor called. All you need to do is setup your equipment.”

  There was a lone cow that had fallen asleep near the boundary to Sanders' property with a tablet taped to the fence. It was crude, and it wouldn't do.

  She stood looking at it with John at her side. “That's what you've been using?”

  “It's what I've got.”

  “Alright.” She dropped her bag and opened it up then handed him a cylindrical tube that looked like a radar gun. “Set that up pointing towards the cow.”

  “What is it?”

  “It's a motion sensor. If anything comes near it, we'll know right away.”

  “OK.”

  He walked over and clamped it on the wire fence. “Let's set another one up facing in the other direction.” He placed another one on the other side of the cow.

  “What else do you have?”

  “I want to setup a row of cameras around the area, and one on the cow, so that we can get a good view.”

  When they were done, they had enough cameras to survey the bacteria population for miles and sensors in every direction.

  “You really know your stuff,” Lark remarked as they walked back to the house.

  “I told everyone I was overqualified for this, and I am, but there's nothing I can do about where they send me. Just rest assured this thing, whatever it is, can't hide from me.”

  “I hope not.” He opened the front door and she sat down in his sitting room. “I'm gonna get some coffee. Would you like some?”

  “Sure.” She looked down at her phone. The motion sensors would send her a signal once they were triggered.

  “Here ya go.” He set a cup down for her on the coffee table.

  “Thank you. Do you think this thing is coming?”

  “The reason why I started trying to get in contact with the bureau is because things have been getting worse. Every single time one of our cattle is alone, they pick them off. It used to be a rare occurrence, but now it happens every night if we're not careful.”

  “What's your theory?”

  He sat down and took a drink from his cup. “It used to be that people believed in species called cryptids. Things like big foot and the Loch Ness monster are all cryptids. They're basically just species that people haven't discovered yet. Nowadays, we don't really think about that with a lot of species dying off and all, but there's a lot out there we don't know about.”

  “I don't know. It seems so strange is all.”

  “Did you know that the biggest city in this state is less than half a million people? We are literally in the middle of nowhere. There's a lot out here. If something like that exists, you'd find it in Montana.”

  “Do you have a gun,” she asked.

  He scoffed. Of course he had a gun. “What kind?”

  “Something for close range. I'm not too good at long range.”

  “I'll get you a hand gun. I assume they taught you how to use it?”

  It was her turn to scoff. “I'm gonna take you to a shooting range, and teach you a thing or two.”

  He turned around and walked down the hall. That was when her phone started going haywire. She ran in to the hall, and nearly got shot when he whipped around. “What the...”

  “Got him. Let's run.” He threw her a tiny .22 and they ran out the door. When they got close to the site, they ducked down. They could hear it moving around, working quickly, and if she looked just right she could see what looked like a pair of wolf hind legs.

  “What do we do,” he whispered.

  “Wait.” She watched as the body moved up and down, evidently taking what it needed, then it just disappeared. “Go.”

  They crouched low and moved as fast as they could towards the scene. The carcass gone, and in its place was Jimmy
Hawk crouching near the fence. She took out her phone to shine a light on him. “What's going on, Jimmy?” He looked at her and turned around running as fast as he could. She took out her gun and pointed it, but she couldn't do it, so she tried running after him. She climbed the fence, with John in pursuit, and they just kept running for what seemed like miles, but he was gone.

  “I'm gonna have to question him in the morning.”

  John looked at her like she was an idiot. “He ain't gonna be there in the morning, Victoria. He's gonna turn tail and run.”

  “Do you think it was him?”

  “Listen, I don't know what's going on here. You feds can handle this. I'm going to bed.” He started back for the house, and she walked to her car.

  She didn't know what to think. Her mind was racing with all sorts of scenarios, from demonic possession to alien abduction. She even considered parallel universes and magic, but none of it felt right. She had to figure this out.

  Chapter 8

  The next morning, Victoria woke up early with bloodshot eyes and thick dark circles, after restless sleep and horrific dreams. She saw something, a piece of a world that other people only dream about. It was a world where anything was possible, and men are never truly safe.

  She changed quickly and drove as fast as she could to the only place she knew for certain that she could get answers. She ran up to the door and banged it down.

  Henry answered wearing nothing but gray sweat pants and puffy eyes. “What? You can't ju—

  “Don't you what me. I wanna know what I saw.” She stared him dead in the eye.

  “Hallucinations?” He shrugged his shoulders and walked back inside to get a cup of coffee, but she was right behind him.

  “Bull.” She slammed her fist down on the counter. “You're part of this,” she waved her finger around, “whatever this is, and I'm not about to sit here and let you lie to me. I am a federal agent, and don't you ever forget that.”

  He walked over to her calmly with his head held low. “I don't need this here. I don't want to deal with any of this!” His face went bright red. “I don't know what is going on.”