by Jane Jamison
“Oh, my God, Shannon. Shit. I just realized. You’re calling that murdering vampire by his first name. Are you crazy?”
Crazy? Maybe. Crazy about Daniel and Anderson. She froze as the realization swept over her. She barely knew them, but she was crazy about them. How could she have fallen for them already?
“Shannon, answer me.”
“I know it sounds bad, and it sort of is. But Daniel and Anderson are friends with Deacon, and they swear he couldn’t have had anything to do with Christine’s death. They say Deacon’s lived in Forever a long time and that he was here when she was murdered.”
“Why do you believe them? You heard the investigator. You saw the evidence and studied the reports he got from that family’s staff. Richard Rollingsford changed his name to Deacon Slater after he left Boston for a small Texas town in the panhandle. That man in Shatland told you so. But since these two guys told you he’s innocent, you’re ready to forget all that and just take their word for it?”
“Wait a second, Charlie. You said yourself that the evidence was flimsy at best.”
“I don’t think so any longer. He’s the one, Shannon.”
She frowned. First Charlie had questioned that Deacon was the killer vampire whereas she’d been sure that he was. But now they’d flip-flopped on each other. When had she started doubting herself? After talking to Daniel and Anderson? Or even before that?
“Are you giving up?”
“No. I’m not giving up on getting the vampire. It’s just that…”
“Just what, Shannon? What do these two guys mean to you?” Her sister paused, waiting for an answer. “Oh, my God. You’re hung up on them, aren’t you?”
Was she hung up on them? She shook her head as though Charlie could see her. Hung up wasn’t strong enough for the emotions they stirred within her. But her sister was right. She’d met them only a few days ago, and now she was ready to believe what they said about Deacon Slater. Was it because she wanted to forget about the vampire and stay with them? Yet who could blame her for wanting to forget about the vampire so she could get to know two great guys?
“Shannon, you listen to me. You have to stay away from them.”
Stay away from Anderson and Daniel? The idea alone made her heart hurt. “Why should I?”
“I can’t know for sure without being there, but don’t you think it’s odd how much influence they’ve gotten over you in such a short time?”
She thought about it. Maybe. Please, no.
“Influence? I don’t think that’s right. They’re friends and giving me their opinion, is all.”
“Think about it, Shannon. Do you feel like you always want to be with them?”
“Yes. But that happens between friends, right?” Especially men who were more than just friends.
“Is there a compulsion driving you toward them?”
“A compulsion? Don’t you think you’re getting a bit dramatic?” But didn’t she yearn for them when they were apart? Hadn’t she dreamed about them?
“Think about it. Could they be forcing you to do whatever they say, including believing them about the vampire?”
“Forcing me? No.” Yet they did have an indefinable something that made her want to please them. She stood, her heart racing as what her sister said came home to her.
“Charlie, do you think they’re vampires, too?”
“Do the fangs fit? If so, then yes, I do.”
She couldn’t believe it. They were too tanned, too alive, too everything. “No, they can’t be. I’ve seen them in the daytime. They’re big, male, and tanned. Hell, they’re even tanned in places the sun doesn’t see.” She winced at her slipup.
“Shit. You’ve slept with them? Both of them?”
“Yes, I did.”
They’d made her feel special, beautiful, even pure. How could that be bad? But were the emotions she felt real? Or had they glamoured her?
“Come on, Shannon. Think about it. We could have it all wrong. How do we know vampires can’t come out in the daylight? How do we know holy water will burn them?”
Her stomach dropped through the floor. The holy water hadn’t burned Deacon as she’d thought it would. Maybe he simply liked working the night shift while other vampires preferred the daytime hours. What if her sister was right?
She cleared her throat. “We do have it wrong. At least as far as the holy water is concerned. I threw an entire vial at Deacon, and he didn’t even flinch. He brushed the wet area of his shirt like he was running his hand over plain tap water.”
“You got that close to him and didn’t kill him?”
“Daniel and Anderson stopped me. But I still can’t believe they’re vampires. No. No way.” A knot formed in her stomach as she gripped the phone, her knuckles turning white. The knot was one that wouldn’t go away until she knew the truth, good or bad.
“Shannon, even if they aren’t vampires, they’re helping the one that killed Christine. Maybe they’re his servants.”
Suddenly, she was angry. Angry at Daniel and Anderson, angry at Charlie, angry at herself, and even angry at Christine. Why couldn’t her life be simple? Why couldn’t Daniel and Anderson be what they’d told her they were?
“Okay, I get it, Charlie. I’ll figure it out. But trust me. I haven’t given up on killing Deacon Slater.” She’d had it the right way from the start. Even if Daniel and Anderson weren’t purposefully changing her mind, maybe her involvement with them was. If Charlie believed Deacon Slater was the killer, then she had to stick to her guns—or stakes—and get the vampire.
“Good. I’m sorry I’m not there yet. But soon. I promise. Hang on until then, okay? I love you, Shannon.”
“Okay. I love you, too.” She stared at the phone a long time after she’d ended the call.
If Charlie was right, she’d fallen into their trap without so much as a struggle. Throwing back her shoulders, she resolved to find out the truth before anything else happened.
* * * *
Daniel opened the door to Milly’s apartment, stepped inside, and listened for Shannon. He and Anderson hadn’t told her about their decision to take turns staying with her, but it made sense.
If one of them stayed with her, then they’d know if she was going to take another stab—literally—at Deacon. Plus, they’d keep her safe from any of Deacon’s associates, mainly vampires, who might take it upon themselves to rid Deacon of his attacker. Of course, the added benefit was getting to spend more time with her.
He searched the apartment, calling her name, but she wasn’t around. Milly’s laundry basket that she kept in the hall closet was gone. Since Milly was out on an all-night run, Shannon must’ve decided to do her laundry in the makeshift laundry room Milly had put in her one-car garage attached to the building. At least he hoped that was where she’d gone.
He was just about to check the laundry room when Shannon pushed the front door open and came to a dead stop when she saw him. He sensed her breathing pick up along with her heart rate. The smile that formed on her lips died a quick death, surprising him as well as making him uneasy. She’d changed her demeanor toward him, but he didn’t know why.
“What are you doing here?” She darted her gaze away as she dumped the basket on top of the coffee table. Her stance was stiff, but he still picked up the faint scent of arousal. The hard outline of her nipples showed through the thin T-shirt she wore. An inch of stomach peeked out from the hem of her shirt and the top of her jeans.
He kept the howl of his inner wolf down and concentrated on keeping his voice level. If he didn’t, he’d pick her up and carry her to the bed. “Anderson said he’d told you he’d return later, but he’s hung up on ranch business. So I’m here instead.”
“But why are you here?” Her eyes sparkled, and her words came out in a rush.
“We thought we should stick close to you in case a few of Deacon’s friends decided the only way to keep you from hurting him was to hurt you instead.”
He could tell by her express
ion that she’d considered the possibility. “Do you think they would?”
“I don’t know. I’m pretty sure Deacon’s told them we’re handling the situation, and, if he did, then they’ll back off. But, Shannon, you know you’ve got to give it up. Deacon’s not the one you’re looking for. The vampire that killed your sister is already dead.”
The sparkle turned to glittering anger. “So you say.”
He frowned, not understanding why she’d gotten belligerent. Anderson said he’d left her in a good mood. In a very good mood, in fact. “Yeah, we do.”
“Whatever. But you don’t need to babysit me.” She started taking clothes out of the basket and folding them before shoving them into her duffel bag.
“I’m not babysitting you. I like staying with you.” He tried to take her hand, but she yanked it away. “What’s wrong with you?”
“Nothing’s wrong with me.” She uttered a curse, throwing the shirt she’d folded back into the basket. “I need to know something, and you have to tell me the truth. Promise me you’ll tell me the truth.”
His inner wolf came to life, picking up warning signals. He clamped down on the beast inside him and tried to stay calm. “I promise. So what do you want to know?”
“Have you or Anderson glamoured me?”
He jerked back, surprised at the question. “I’d think that’d be the last question you’d ask me. What makes you think we’ve glamoured you?”
She fisted her hands on her hips. “Just answer the question. Did you two put a spell on me or not?”
“A spell? Do you think we’re witches or vampires?” He chuckled, trying to put her at ease, but his attempt failed.
“Just answer me,” she gritted her teeth.
“No. We’re not witches, warlocks, or whatever you call a male witch. And we’re not vampires, either. Frankly, the sight of blood turns my stomach.” Yet his joke, too, failed to lighten her disposition.
“Then explain why I feel this pull toward you and Anderson. If that’s not a spell, then what is it?”
At first he couldn’t find the right words. He turned to her and took her hand again, keeping it even when she tried to yank it away, and made her sit with him. “I thought we explained this already.”
“Not really. Anderson said we were meant to be together, but I don’t know what he means.”
“You feel the connection between the three of us, don’t you? I thought you’d said so.” Could he tell her the entire truth? Yet Anderson and he had promised to tell her together, when she was ready. But she wasn’t ready yet.
She nodded. “I do, but I don’t understand it. Is it chemistry or is it…more?”
He wanted to say “love,” but was she really ready to hear him declare his love for her? Again, he needed Anderson to say it with him. They were a threesome.
“Have you ever heard of kismet? Of fate?”
“Yes, but I never believed in it. Are you saying that’s all this is? Just fate?” She searched him in the way she studied his eyes. As though she was trying to dive into his soul to find the answer.
“Just fate?” He caressed her cheek. “Fate is an amazing thing. It brings lovers together and determines the rest of your life. Without fate, we’re simply walking ahead without any help.”
“You sound so sure.”
She wanted him to convince her. He could see it in the way she listened so intently and leaned her body toward his.
“I know that as sure as I know my own name. In fact, Forever was founded on fate. Our ancestors came here to start a new life. They wanted to find an out-of-the-way place where they could live life the way they wanted, accepting everyone for what they were. Yes, even accepting a vampire.”
He skirted around the whole truth, hating himself for having to do so. But to tell her before she was ready would be to risk their futures together.
“The people in Forever believe they have partners in life that fate will bring to them. Once they’ve come together, they pledge their devotion and promise to stay together for the rest of their lives.”
“You make it sound so wonderful. Like a romance novel come to life.”
He chuckled and pulled her to him. “Life isn’t a romance novel. We have our problems just like the rest of the world.”
She sat up again, and he almost groaned. Had he not gotten through to her?
“Then you’re promising me, you’re swearing to me that you and Anderson aren’t vampires or humans he commands.”
“We’re not vampires or humans he commands.” Technically, he was telling her the truth, but that didn’t make it sit better in his gut. Lying to her was wrong, even if the reason behind it was right.
She let out a sigh and leaned against him. “I knew my sister Charlie was wrong.”
He took her chin and made her look at him. “Is that where you’re getting this? Is she the one making you doubt us?”
She didn’t answer right away, diverting her gaze away from his.
“Shannon, tell me what you’re thinking. I know we haven’t known each other for long. Hell, only a few days, but I don’t care. You’re everything I’ve waited for and—”
She turned, grabbed him behind the neck, and pulled him down on top of her. Pressing her mouth to his, she kissed him, tugging on his lower lip then skimming her tongue into his mouth. Her breasts pushed against his chest and rubbed against him.
He pushed away then took her face in his hands. “Don’t ever doubt me again, Shannon. We have a bond between us that no one else can share. Especially not your sister.” He licked his lips and rubbed his thumbs over her nipples. “I think you need a punishment for not trusting us.”
“A punishment?” Her voice quivered, but the sides of her mouth slanted upward.
“Yeah. You’ve been a bad girl, and you need a spanking.”
“And you’re going to give it to me?” Her brown eyes deepened as she licked her lips. “I’d like to see you try.”
That was all he needed to hear. Grabbing hold of the top of her T-shirt, he tore it away from her. She yelped then covered her breasts. “Either you take off your jeans or I will.”
She lowered her arms and undid her jeans. He jerked them off her and tossed them over the back of the sofa. Leaning over, he took her thong in his mouth and tore it off her.
“I wish I had my restraints here. Until then, these will have to do.”
Reaching into her laundry basket, he pulled out two of her thongs. “Give me your hands.”
She paused, and he lifted his eyebrows, silently asking her if she was challenging him. She clasped her hands together and held them up for him to wrap her thong around her wrists.
“What’s the other thong for? If you tie it around my ankles, you won’t be able to fuck me.”
“Who says I’m fucking you?” Taking her by the lacy thong tied around her wrists, he tugged her off the sofa and onto the floor. He put her on her knees. “Stay. Don’t move.”
She started to speak, but he shot her a look that quelled any thoughts of her protestations. Her arms pushed her breasts together and tempted him to slide a tongue over the top of them first. But he had another idea.
Taking her by the hair, he tugged hard enough to give her a little pain then urged her to put her body over the coffee table. Her chest lay against the wooden surface while her bottom rose in the air.
“Damn, but you’ve got a great ass.”
“Great enough to fuck?” She glanced over her shoulder as he stood by her side and slid a hand over the small of her back.
“Definitely. But you haven’t had your punishment yet. Don’t move.”
He bent over her, and, taking her T-shirt from the floor, he placed it over her eyes, blindfolding her. “Let’s see if being blindfolded brings out your other senses.”
After wrapping the shirt over her eyes, he slid both hands along the smooth skin of her back, over the swell of her butt cheeks, and down her legs. In less than a minute, he had the other thong tied around her ankles.
“Daniel.”
He whacked her on her rump. “No talking unless I ask you a question.” A second slap had her jumping forward, her butt cheeks rippling under his hand.
“I heard you played a little game of slave and master with Anderson.” Her quick intake of air confirmed it. “You’d better know that about us. We tell each other everything.”
Tugging off his shirt, he followed it with his boots and jeans. He knelt behind her, enjoying how she flinched when he touched her ass with his fingertip. “Easy, baby. You’re going to enjoy this.”
Moving behind her, he straddled her legs and leaned close enough to sweep his cock along her crack. She flinched then pushed back against him, but he stopped her, not letting her tempt him into doing something he didn’t want to do yet.
Reaching around her leg, he slid his fingers between her folds and found the bundle of nerves. As he pushed his cock against her, he massaged her clit, wetting his hand with her juices. His cock pulsed as she wiggled her ass against him, but he held back. He wanted to make sure she was ready before he gave her what she wanted.
“You’re so wet already, and I’ve barely touched you.”
She turned her head toward him, opened her mouth, then closed it again.
“Good girl. Stay quiet until I say so.” Using his thumb to continue to torture her clit, he plunged a finger into her pussy then slid it out to rub her juices between her folds and over her clit. She moaned, and he slapped her again.
“Uh-uh-uh. No moaning either.”
Bringing his slickened hand to the tight ring of muscles in her butt, he slathered her juice over her, preparing her for what would come next. “Tell me you want me to fuck your ass.”
When she didn’t answer fast enough, he flattened his hand against her in warning. “Tell me, baby.”
Her answer came out in a whining tone. “I want you to fuck my ass.”
“Like this?” He circled her butt hole with his fingers then plunged a finger hard and fast into her. She jerked as her tight muscles captured his finger and held on. Drawing his finger out, he pushed into her again, adding a second finger.
He slapped her bottom, watched it jiggle, then slid his tongue over the pink mark of his handprint. “I asked you a question, baby.”
