by Nina Bangs
Donna shrugged. “Nothing’s changed. No, that’s not true. My sister, Trish, has decided to marry the guy she met two weeks ago. What do they have in common? Zip. Nada. Nothing. I give it a month.”
“You know, having things in common isn’t all it’s cracked up to be.” Sparkle slid her gaze to Eric, who had returned to stand beside Donna. “You rub two stones in the same direction, you don’t get any sparks. And life is all about sparks, girlfriend.”
That was deep in a twisted kind of way. “Did you sit in the audience for all four hours of my shows?” Eric’s heat and scent surrounded her, distracting her in the most basic way. Donna’s wet clothes would begin steaming any minute now.
“Would I miss a minute?” Sparkle widened her eyes to indicate the unlikelihood. “Lola and Asima really interested me. I get that you didn’t tell all on your show, but here’s some advice.” She recrossed her legs and then stared at her knee. “Jeez. I missed three hairs.”
“Your advice?” Eric refocused Sparkle.
“Oh, sure. If both Lola and Asima try to give you sex advice—not that they will, but just in case they do—ask yourself which has more street cred: the madam of a famous bordello or a nobody hiding behind a cat form. Absolutely a no-brainer.” She glanced down at her knee again. “As soon as Deimos gets here to take over, I’ve got to get rid of these hairs. Knee hair is so not sexy.”
Donna narrowed her gaze as Sparkle continued to obsess over the three hairs on her knee. Sparkle knew more about Lola and Asima than Donna had told her audience. How? She didn’t get a chance to ask.
“Look, we’ve got to get back for the first fantasy. How about giving me a half pound each of the chocolate-covered raisins and nuts.” Eric turned to glance toward the door as someone entered the store.
Donna followed his gaze. Yikes! Scary-person alert. Huge, hulking, and not happy. She looked at Eric to see his reaction.
“Hey, Deimos.” Eric casually greeted the man and turned back to watch Sparkle scoop his candy into a bag.
Deimos? This was the person who was going to “take over” the store? The man was massive. Complete with shaved head, tattoos, and many many body piercings, he didn’t look ready to dish out jelly beans.
“What’s up, Eric?” Deimos’s expression said, “Don’t mess with me because I’m one mean dude,” but his eyes shone with hero worship when he looked at Eric.
“Not much.” Eric paid Sparkle for both Donna’s and his own candy.
“This candy-store gig sucks. I want to do some action-hero stuff. Maybe I can go with you some time when you—”
“No problem.” Eric scooped up all their candy and strode toward the door.
Donna’s suspicion antennae were waving wildly. When you what? She wanted to know. But Eric was not about to stop while she asked.
“Wait, Eric.” Sparkle’s command stopped them.
Eric had already started to open the door. He paused to look back at her. “We have to hurry.”
Donna glanced at her watch. They weren’t that late. For some reason, Eric wanted to get away from Sparkle and Deimos. She’d have to come back to talk to Sparkle when Eric wasn’t with her.
For a moment she felt something subtle move in her mind. She widened her eyes. “Are you in my mind, Eric?”
“No.” He sounded irritated as he waited for Sparkle to speak. He also sounded like he was telling the truth.
Donna frowned. If he wasn’t in her mind, then what was that—
Sparkle beamed at Eric. “Your candy has inspired me, hot bod.” She was obviously so excited she even forgot about her knee hair. “Don’t worry, I’m not going to compare you to a raisin.”
She shifted her attention to Donna. “Just think about this, sister. Chocolate covered nuts. Give you any ideas for really fresh sex play?” Turning to the shelf behind her, she picked up a container and then hurried around the counter to give it to Donna. “Dipping chocolate. Do with it what you will. If you must do homage to me, write my name in the chocolate.”
Donna thought about turning red, but Deimos actually did it. His head looked like a super-heated bowling ball. “Jeez, can you talk about something else already? I don’t want to listen to this crap.”
Sparkle offered Donna and Eric an apologetic smile. “Ignore him. He’s working through virginity issues. It’s hard to get good sexual minions nowadays.” She stopped smiling as she turned to glare at Deimos. “Action hero, hah! See me laugh. You’re going to have to toughen up before you walk the mean streets.”
Donna tried to return the dipping chocolate that Sparkle had forced into her hands. “I don’t think—”
With an impatient grunt, Eric took the container from her. “Let’s go. We need to get you a costume.”
Donna offered Sparkle an insincere smile and a finger wave as she fled the store.
Eric didn’t say anything as he drove the short distance back to the castle or as he guided her to the costume room. That was fine with her. She needed some recovery time.
He put their candy and dipping chocolate on a shelf, rooted through the many costumes hanging in the room, and finally handed her one. “Here’s the wicked consort’s costume.”
Donna blinked. “Where’s the rest of it?” It had a top. Sort of. And a skirt. Kind of. “It’s all black and looks like a harem outfit. Let me guess. The sheik died, and I’m going to his funeral. I could’ve sworn this was a medieval fantasy. Doesn’t look too medieval to me.”
“Sure it is.” He smiled at her. A smile that said he was lying like crazy, but he’d dazzle her with his sexy grin so she wouldn’t care.
It worked.
“Look, we’re playing vampires, and people expect us to look sinister and sexy. That outfit says sexy, and you can add the sinister as you go along. Change behind the curtain. I’ll change out here.” He locked the door so no one would walk in on them before he waved her toward a curtained-off area.
Sheesh, he was bossy. She didn’t like bossy men. Usually. Okay, so maybe his take-charge attitude was a little sexy. She thought about complaining, but he had a crease between his eyes that hinted at a headache. She’d save it till later.
Her inner bitch said ugly things as she changed. Once she got her clothes off, it didn’t take long to get into her costume. Because, well, there wasn’t much of it to get into. The skirt was deceiving. It was long enough to keep her sandals from showing, but that didn’t mean there was a lot to it. The whole outfit was made from some light clingy material. When she finally had both top and bottom on, she sucked in her breath at the wide-open spaces between them. Bare spaces. Someone would pay for this.
Donna stomped out from behind the curtain. “I’m a vampire sex object. Cheap, cheap, cheap. I bet you didn’t make yourself into a sex . . .” She looked up. She swallowed hard. He had.
He was the Highlander from hell. Black shirt, black plaid, and black heart. Because only evil could tempt women to dark and dangerous fantasies by just looking at him. His kilt wasn’t the neat modern-day version, but the more primitive one where the extra material was flung across his shoulder. That’s what she’d mistaken for a cape that first night in the dim light. He must have run his fingers through his hair, because it lay in a tangled glory across his shoulders. But it wasn’t what he wore or his hair that sucked all the air from her lungs.
It was the feeling that this was who Eric really was. And she liked it. His hard sensual face and muscular body spoke of a contained savagery that touched something darkly violent in her. Violent? Not a word she’d ever associate with herself. She put the C in civilized. But Eric was the primal growl that made her want to mount a horse and ride beside him as he besieged castles, and afterward make fierce uninhibited love beside a cold mountain burn. How weird was that?
Donna put her hands on her hips as she slowly slid her gaze over his total awesome package. “You’re going out in public like that?”
His smile said he dressed for effect, and the effect he wanted was dark, dangerous, and sex
y. “Here’re your fangs.”
She took the fake teeth but didn’t slip them into her mouth. “You had some kind of makeup on when I met you.”
He was silent for a moment before answering. “Yeah, well, tonight I don’t have time to put on any makeup. I’ll just use the fake fangs like you.”
Opening the door, he guided her toward the steps leading down to the floor where his room was. “We’re doing tonight’s fantasies in the dungeon.” Once there, he pushed open the dungeon’s heavy wooden door. It made a satisfying groan of despair. Flicking a switch, he turned on several lights in wall sconces that mimicked candle flames along with a fake fire in the hearth. The artificial flames cast shadows that crept and danced along the realistic-looking cold stone walls. Chains and various instruments of torture made the whole thing pretty scary. Donna shivered.
“So what do I do?” Clumsily she shoved the fake teeth into her mouth.
He flipped on another switch, and faint moans and shrieks echoed in the distance. “You’re my consort and a slave to my slightest wish.”
Donna raised one brow. “Really?” She had to enunciate carefully around the huge fangs.
“A virginal maiden will be flung into the dungeon as punishment for resisting the lecherous advances of the dastardly Prince Timothy. We’ll be waiting to sink our teeth into her. She’ll probably appeal to you as a woman to help her. But you’ll explain that I’m your lord and master, and you’d never think of disobeying me, because I’m the head vamp and an all-around great guy.” He paused to think and then smiled. “Make sure you look sexy while you’re saying all this. My consort is sexy as hell even if she isn’t the brightest bulb in the lamp.”
Donna narrowed her eyes to annoyed slits. “Got it. Sexy, dumb, and a slave to your slightest wish. Wow, I can hardly wait.” She decided Mr. Evil Vampire might not like the improvisations she had in mind. Donna Nolan led, she didn’t follow.
“That’s the general plot. The rest we play by ear. Eventually the maiden will scream, bringing Conall and Brynn to her rescue.” He reached into the sporran at his waist and pulled out a pocket watch. “Time to get this show on the road.” Sliding the fangs into his mouth, he pushed the door shut, moved into the shadows, and pulled her with him.
He tucked her close to him as they waited, and her senses acknowledged that this was pretty cool. “Will you use your Scottish accent?”
“Aye.” He slid his hand up and down her mostly bare back.
Her body translated it as pure erotic sensation. Her senses shook off their ho-hum attitude and leaped into the enhanced mode she was coming to expect when Eric was touching her, or even in close orbit to her.
Goose bumps trailed behind the smooth glide of his fingers. And the scent of him tightened her stomach and loosened her inhibitions. If she could identify it, she’d bottle it and keep it to sniff on cold New York nights when she was feeling alone. Whoa. She widened her eyes. What was that all about? He was a great-looking guy and they’d made awesome love together. End of story.
Someone pushed the dungeon door open, ending her exploration of her senses. “Get in there and pray that Prince Timothy doesn’t demand your sorry head.” There was the sound of someone being shoved into the room and then the door slammed shut.
They got their first glimpse of the virginal maiden.
He was about five feet ten of overweight male, most of it stockpiled in his belly. A receding hairline and scraggly red mustache didn’t improve the image. Dressed in baggy shorts and a Hawaiian shirt, he bent his knobby knees, spread his skinny legs, and glared belligerently around the room.
Donna met Eric’s startled glance. “You didn’t tell me Prince Timothy was as blind as a bat.”
10
“My old lady has the runs. She’s still in the john, but the old fart in the wizard getup wouldn’t wait for her because it’d upset his frickin’ schedule.” When the man spotted Donna and Eric, his eyes lit with undisguised glee. “So I’m holdin’ her spot. But I’m not the sucker—get it, sucker—that she is. Bring it to me, bloodsuckers.” He beckoned.
Eric mentally scanned fantasy scenarios to find one that would satisfy this guy. He’d want one where he got to defeat the vampire and play the hero, a part he probably never played in real life.
“Just wing it,” Eric murmured to Donna as he began a slow stalk of the man standing in the middle of the dungeon.
Uncertainty touched the man’s eyes as Eric emerged into the light and he got a look at how big the “bloodsucker” was. He swallowed hard and backed up a step.
Eric would have to guide him. “My wicked consort and I will drain your body of all blood. You canna defeat me unless you sprinkle the holy water from yon bottle on me.’Twould make me weak, and you’d be able to chain me to the wall.”
The man’s eyes widened in understanding as he grabbed the bottle from a small table and flung its contents on Eric. “Take that, you evil bastard.”
Eric scowled as the water hit him full in the face. They’d have to find different props. Maybe the customer could just hold up a cross or a clove of garlic. Remembering his part, Eric made loud noises of distress and staggered toward the wall. The man hurried over to secure him with the fake cuffs and then turned toward Donna.
“Hey, little lady. Your vampire dude is out of commission. Maybe I can take his place.” Wink, wink. “I don’t think we traded names. I’m Dwayne.”
Donna walked toward Dwayne, her hips doing amazing things inside that wicked consort costume. Eric growled low in his throat to express his appreciation.
“Well, hi, Dwayne. I’m . . . Nightshade, and you’ve chained the wrong vamp to the wall.” She smiled at him, exposing her fake fangs. “You are so in trouble, sweetie.”
“I am?” Dwayne looked uncertain again.
“Uh-huh.” She leaned toward Dwayne.
Eric growled for a completely different reason this time. He knew exactly how much of his wicked consort good old Dwayne could see when she leaned forward like that. Jealousy? No way. He’d never cared about any woman enough to be jealous, and he wasn’t about to start now. He kept on growling.
“I’m the more dangerous of this deadly duo.” She skimmed her fingers along Dwayne’s jaw. His mouth fell open, and his eyes glazed over. “Eric the Evil is a slave to my slightest wish. I’m his mistress, and he’d never think of disobeying me because I’m the head vamp and an all-around great gal.” Donna cast a dismissive glance Eric’s way. “He’s as sexy as hell even if he isn’t the brightest bulb in the lamp.” She returned her attention to Dwayne, who watched her with an unblinking stare. “Still want to take his place?”
“Oh, yeah.” Dwayne’s enthusiasm hinted at a long suppressed obsession. He dropped to the floor and looked up at Donna with puppy dog adoration. “Walk on me, mistress. Use me like a worn-out old rug.”
Now it was Donna’s turn to look uncertain. She glanced at Eric. He shrugged and tried to look fierce. “You canna be her rug.’Tis my joy and honor to be such. When I free myself you will be a verra frayed rug.” Lord, he’d kill to have a tape of this to play for Brynn and Conall.
“Shut up, bloodsucker.” Dwayne snarled at Eric and returned to begging Donna to walk on him. “Leave your tread on my chest, your imprint on my heart. Jeez, this is better than Monday Night Football.”
Eric was torn. The fantasy had spiraled out of control, but he hated to end it by yanking his wrists from the cuffs, hauling Dwayne off his ass, and then telling him his time was up. That kind of finish to a fantasy didn’t make for good customer relations. For the first time, he wished he carried some kind of beeper to alert Brynn and Conall so they could launch their rescue act before things got any weirder.
“Well, maybe I’ll just take a few steps to see if you’re as good as Eric the Evil.” Donna threw Eric a desperate glance.
“Dinna walk on him, Nightshade. He’ll disappoint you sorely. He willna be soft where I am soft, nor hard . . . where I am hard.” What else could he say? Where wa
s Dwayne’s wife, and why wasn’t she here to slap him upside his head?
Donna evidently decided she may as well get the walking over with and stepped onto Dwayne’s chest. He moaned his bliss. She tiptoed onto his stomach, and he murmured words of ecstasy. This was sick, and Eric was putting an end to it. Jerking his arms from the wall, he started toward Donna. When she saw him coming, she lost her balance on the mountain slope of Dwayne’s stomach and stomped on his groin. All Dwayne could manage was a high-pitched squeak.
“Hell.” Eric rushed to where Donna had leaped off Dwayne’s body. “I’ll get him up to the great hall.” Lifting Dwayne to his feet, he half carried him up the steps.
Dwayne cast Donna one last pain-filled adoring glance. “What a woman.”
Donna watched them disappear up the steps. “Oops.” She figured she could safely count herself out of all future fantasies. But it hadn’t been half bad. A little kinky, but not bad. She’d particularly liked seeing Eric chained to the wall. All kinds of erotic possibilities came to mind. First she’d strip him naked, and then—
The sound of slow deliberate clapping spun her around.
“Don’t mess up a perfect show with sexy thoughts about Eric. Too bad those chains weren’t real.” Taurin stepped out of the shadows.
Donna’s breathing stopped at the same time her heartbeat accelerated to warp speed. He hadn’t lost any of his dark menace since the last time she’d seen him. How had he suddenly appeared, and why was he here?
“How did I get here? Eric isn’t the only one with extraordinary talents. And I’m not here to snatch you away, so relax.” He smiled as he moved closer, but that in no way dispelled the deadly aura surrounding him. It didn’t help that he was in his vampire form, and there was no way he could smile without scaring her witless.
Donna drew in a deep breath of courage and picked up her breathing where she’d left off. She prepared to scream for help.
