The Mammoth Book of Vampire Romance

by Trisha Telep

  His fingers curled over hers, pressing them against his forearm. “This is the place.” He swept her into Starbucks and stood in the long line.

  As the people waiting in front of them peeled away, one at a time, some patting pockets for ‘missing wallets’, some squinting at the menu board as though they suddenly couldn’t read it, Mariah stood quietly beside him, bewilderment rounding her eyes as the line melted completely away. “This never happens.”

  “What would you like?” he deferred to her, hiding a smug smile. So, he’d worked a little of his magic on the other customers. Bite me.

  She placed her order, and then lifted a brow.

  “Nothing for me.”

  “You didn’t come for the coffee?”

  “I’m not an addict.”

  “Afraid you won’t be able to sleep tonight?”

  “Who’s gonna sleep?” he murmured under his breath.

  Her tongue swept out to wet her lower lip, but she let him pull her aside to wait at the end of the barista’s counter. “But you didn’t pay.”

  Viper shrugged. “I know them.”

  “Right,” she said, her tone indicating she didn’t quite believe him. “Did you wink at the girl or something?”

  “Why? Do you think I’m irresistible?”

  Her soft feminine snort was followed by a slow, dazed shake of her head. “I’m here, aren’t I? And we just met ten minutes ago.”

  Viper closed his eyes for a bit, trying to keep his memories at bay and just enjoy the moment. She had no way of knowing how much her innocent comment ate his resolve. They’d met a long time before this night.

  Her order was called, and he opened his eyes, watching as she gave him a concerned look, and then stepped forwards to claim her cup. “Do you want to stay here?” she asked.

  The press of warm-blooded bodies around him felt suffocating and far too tempting. “Let’s walk.”

  Outside again, he raised his face to the warm breeze and drank in the cleansing air. “Sorry about that. I don’t like crowds much.”

  “I got that. There are tables just down the way. Want to sit down?”

  He nodded, hoping his sudden melancholy would vanish. He had only a few hours to spend with her, if she let him, before he had to return to his world.

  As she walked, she played with the plastic lid, then took a quick sip. Her eyes drifted closed. “Mmmm . . . this was just what I needed.”

  They reached the tables outside a café. Viper chose one at the outer edges of the extended courtyard and pulled out a chair, waiting as she settled before taking his own beside hers, rather than across the table.

  She didn’t seem to mind, just sipped her coffee quietly while eyeing him above the rim of her cup.

  He wondered what she saw.

  He’d been careful with his appearance. Sure he wore the same weathered jacket, a plain T-shirt and jeans, but he’d polished his boots and used a brush on his long black hair instead of his fingers. He knew women found him attractive, but Mariah wasn’t into dark, dangerous men with sharp-edged features and hungry eyes. Or at least she hadn’t been.

  “Are you always this talkative?”

  Right. He should at least pretend to be polite, however out of practice it felt. “Does it bother you? My not talking?”

  “It’s a little unnerving.” Her glance met his then slid away quickly, but her shoulders tilted towards him. “I expected you’d be hitting on me by now.”

  The subtle body language, crossed messages of shy interest, set his blood simmering. “Are you disappointed I’m not?”

  “Just a little uncomfortable,” she said, placing her cup on the table and then wrapping her hands around it.

  “Why?”

  “Because I’m tempted to hit on you.” She wrinkled her nose. “I did just say that, didn’t I?”

  His lips stretched. “Yeah, you did.”

  Her head canted as she eyed his mouth. “Are you gay?”

  “Do I give off that vibe?”

  “Not at all. But in my experience, a man doesn’t need more than a smile as encouragement to bust a move.”

  “And you think I might be gay because I’m trying to be a gentleman?”

  “You have to try?”

  He nodded slowly.

  She blew out a breath between pursed lips. “That was a relief. Although I’d already guessed you’re a predator.”

  He lifted both eyebrows. “Do I seem that sinister?”

  “Not like a serial killer, but you could probably have any woman you want without even trying, so why haven’t you tried . . . with me . . . seeing as you’re not gay?”

  “I wasn’t sure you were interested. You seemed to hesitate back there at the restaurant. I didn’t want to spook you.”

  “So you do–” She sucked her lower lip between her teeth.

  “I do what?”

  “Want me?” Her gaze rose slowly to his again, her breath hitched, lifting her small breasts.

  He swallowed, wondering if he’d subconsciously sent out the idea, making it impossible for her to choose.

  Her eyes blinked rapidly. “Don’t feel like you have to,” she said quickly. “I didn’t mean to put you on the spot. I guess I’m just in a funny kind of mood. I don’t want to say goodbye to you. Not yet.”

  Viper settled back in his chair. “You don’t have to invite me to your bed if all you want is company,” he said gruffly.

  Her glance slid away as she pretended to study the string of lights surrounding a toy shop across the courtyard. “But what if I want more?” she whispered.

  Because he wanted to read her expression, he gave in to the urge to touch her hair and tucked a softly curling lock behind her ear.

  Her gaze swung back to him. Her lips parted as she drew in a soft, shaky breath.

  He cleared his throat and leaned closer to whisper for her ears only. “I’d ask, why me? Why tonight?”

  Again, her plump lips pressed together, then parted. “Well, it’s not because you were the first man to say hello to me tonight, if that’s what you think. I wasn’t prowling for sex.”

  “Then what was it?”

  “Fishing for compliments?” When he didn’t respond, she lifted her shoulders. “Guess you don’t need them.”

  Viper held himself still, determined to wait her out.

  Her finely arched brows drew together and her jaw tightened for just a moment. “All right. I just feel – I don’t know – a little lonely tonight. I thought maybe you felt the same way.”

  Viper felt a burning at the back of his eyes and looked away. Because he couldn’t speak past the lump lodged at the back of his throat, he nodded his head.

  Her hand reached out and smoothed over the top of his. Her large brown eyes looked at him with sadness that mirrored his won. “Maybe we just need each other tonight. That’s all it has to be.”

  She was reassuring him that there wouldn’t be any strings? “You should expect more,” he rasped.

  “Maybe tomorrow I will. But tonight, I’d just be satisfied to know you don’t want anyone but me.”

  Viper forced a small smile. “Want to fall in love with me tonight?”

  “Does that sound so silly?”

  His hand lifted and cupped the side of her face. “It sounds just about perfect.”

  Mariah tilted her head to deepen the caress. “I don’t live very far from here.”

  He couldn’t believe how quickly things had progressed. How naturally. “Sure you want to bring me back to your place?”

  “I’m inviting you, aren’t I?”

  “You’ll be safe with me. Tonight.”

  Her eyes widened. “I just shivered.”

  “Call a friend. Knock on a neighbour’s door. Let them see my face; I’ll give them my ID. I don’t want you to worry about me.”

  Her gaze locked with his for a long breathless moment, then the corners of her lips lifted in a whimsical smile. “I’m not worried you’ll murder me or anything. And since I already
offered you my body – that pretty much rules out any molesting, unless it’s me doing it to you.”

  Viper drew in a deep breath and began to relax, determined to enjoy her gentle aggression. “We haven’t even kissed. How do you know you’ll like being with me?”

  One brow arched. “Are you kidding me? Have you looked in a mirror lately? Maybe you don’t find me all that attractive.”

  “Who hit on whom?”

  Her smile deepened. “Ooh! A man who knows his grammar. I’m completely turned on now. Not the most elegant sentence, but there’s something to be said for brevity.”

  “Are you nervous?”

  “Why do you ask?”

  “You’re beginning to ramble,” he murmured. His fingers tugged at the lock of hair that kept slipping from behind her ear.

  “Come closer.”

  Her glance dropped to his lips. “You’re thinking about that kiss we haven’t shared.”

  “I want a taste of that coffee you sighed over.”

  She leaned closer. “Did I sound too orgasmic?”

  “Is that even possible?” he said, his lips curving again.

  “Why do I get he feeling you don’t smile very much?”

  “Because I don’t.”

  “You don’t have to be lonely, so why are you?”

  Deflecting the question, he drew back a fraction of an inch. “You’re attractive enough that a thousand men would want you. Why are you lonely?”

  “I guess I just haven’t felt a connection. Do you know what I mean?”

  Viper knew exactly what she meant. He sat across from the only woman he’d ever felt he belonged with. “I never gave it much thought,” he lied.

  Her eyes narrowed. “That is such a man thing to say.”

  Because he didn’t want to lie again, he raised his other hand slowly and slipped it behind her neck. Her eyelids fluttered closed, and her head fell back, supported by the palm cupping her now. He shifted towards the edge of his seat and leaned into her, staring at her parted lips.

  The first tentative touch almost made him come unglued. His body tightened against the urge to take her to the ground and cover her. Instead he breathed softly through his nose, pressed his lips against hers and canted his head to deepen the pressure. A low, breathy moan seeped into his mouth. He circled his head slowly, dragging his lips over hers, suctioning softly until she gasped, and gently thrust his tongue inside. The taste of her – coffee, a lingering hint of mint from her toothpaste, her own sweet flavour – sent a fine tremor racing down his spine.

  Her head drew back and her tongue traced her bottom lip. “Are you reassured now we got that out of the way?” she asked, the glibness of her words betrayed by the breathless delivery.

  Viper settled his forehead against hers. “How far did you say your place is?”

  “We can be there in five.”

  “Make it four,” he muttered, and then stood, holding out his hand to pull her up.

  They arrived hand in hand and winded at her front door.

  Viper cut a quick glance around them, straining for the crunch of footsteps and the beat of telltale heart, but none lingered in the shadows around them.

  They hadn’t been followed.

  Earlier, before he’d stalked her, he’d been careful not to lead anyone to her door. He’d scrubbed the scent of blood, booze and cigarettes from his skin and hair, and dressed in freshly laundered clothing. He’d laid down a trail in the opposite direction from her house and backtracked. No one would ever connect her to him. No one would ever know how precious she was. The seamy underbelly of the dark world he moved inside would never touch her.

  He’d sacrificed everything to make sure of that.

  Her keys jangled as she clumsily fit one into the lock. “Don’t be expecting much. I didn’t know I’d be bringing company back with me tonight.”

  The door swung open and she stepped inside.

  Viper followed on her heels, not letting her put space between them. His hands gripped the sides of her hips, and he pushed her deeper inside before kicking the door closed behind him.

  Then he pulled her backwards, wrapping his arms around her waist and gliding his lips along the top of her shoulder and up her neck, finding the pulse thrumming just beneath the skin.

  Her head fell back, and his teeth began the slow slide downwards. He jerked back his head, trying to get control of himself.

  She drew deep, rasping breaths into her lungs. “What’s wrong? Why did you stop?”

  Knowing he’d lisp around his elongated teeth, he shook his head against hers and smoothed his hands over her firm belly, then upwards to cup her breasts through her clothing.

  She kicked off her sandals and slid downwards. Her clothing rustled. When her skirt dragged against his jeans on its downward journey, he rucked up her skirt and pulled it over her head.

  She opened the front clasp of her bra and his palms enclosed her breasts, squeezing lightly.

  “I like that,” she whispered, rubbing her back and shoulders against him. “But you have too many clothes on.”

  He turned her in his arms, reached down to cup her bottom and lifted her.

  Her legs wrapped around his waist and her mouth landed on his cheek, his chin . . .

  He turned his face to avoid her mouth. “Your bedroom?” he bit out, although he already knew.

  Mariah lifted her arm to point and snuggled her cheek alongside his as he moved through her darkened living room and down the short corridor to her bedroom.

  A single lamp beside the bed lit the room. He stepped towards the bed and climbed onto the mattress, taking her to the centre before lowering his body to blanket her.

  “This isn’t going to work,” she murmured.

  He ignored her complaint and trailed his mouth down her neck, shielding his teeth behind his lips until he reached her breasts.

  A soft cry filled the air above him as he stroked her with his tongue, chancing nibbles with his front teeth.

  Her fingers thrust through his long hair, combing it, pulling it as he deepened the suctioning that drew her nipples into taut beads.

  “Danny . . .”

  Not Daniel, as he’d insisted. Did some small corner of her mind remember him after all? He pulled away and sat up to strip off his jacket and his T-shirt, then tossed them to the floor behind him.

  Her hands reached for his belt and opened it. She thumbed open the waist of his pants, then groaned when he backed off the bed to remove his boots and jeans.

  When he climbed back on, her greedy gaze raked his body. Viper noted her heightened arousal in the flare of her nostrils and quickening breaths.

  Her legs parted at his first gentle nudge. He reached down to lift her knees and arrange them on either side of his hips. Then he lowered himself, closing his eyes as his skin met hers. Pure heaven.

  He was gonna roast in hell.

  “This too fast for you?” he gritted out.

  “I need you moving inside me. Now please.”

  Her tight, urgent words were exactly what he wanted to hear. He lifted his hips and slid a hand between their bodies. His fingers closed around himself, and he fitted the tip to her entrance and slowly thrust inside.

  Her eyes closed tightly and her thighs clasped him, her hips tilting to receive him.

  He settled his cheek beside hers and stroked deep into her liquid heat. Surrounded by her creamy walls, he began to move, his body shuddering, already in the grip of his growing arousal.

  Planting his knees in the mattress, he slipped his arms beneath her thighs and lifted he hips off the bed, churning, thrusting and circling his hips to tunnel deeper inside her sweet body.

  Her arms wrapped around his back. Her fingertips scraped up and down, digging into his skin to urge him deeper, faster.

  His motions increased in strength and intensity. He jerked against her, beginning a sweet pummelling that moved her up the slippery silk comforter. He followed, not lettimg her escape, not giving her a moment to deepen
the quivering breaths that gusted against his cheek.

  Wrapped inside her arms, sliding into her deliciously wet channel, he fought the tension growing inside him, not wanting to surrender, not willing to allow the beast inside him to crawl out and take his pleasure and her blood.

  The internal battle he fought made him sweat and tremble.

  When her first shivers rippled along his shaft and her internal muscles clamped hard around him, he groaned and opened his mouth to suckle the salt and perfume from her neck, testing with his tongue until he felt the surge of blood beneath her skin, and gave into the urge to taste.

  His razor sharp teeth slip into flesh, nicking the artery.

  A sharp hiss sounded in his ear and her hands came between them, shoving at his chest. Her body bucked, writhing under him.

  But he didn’t let go, even knowing he’d hurt her. Wait, let it happen.

  The next frightened roll of her hips brought him deeper and she groaned, her fingers now sinking in the hair on his chest to clutch him closer.

  Her body spasmed, her back arched hard and a low agonized moan squeezed from her tight throat.

  Still he held back his own release, letting hers sweep through her, knowing the exact moment it happened because a keening cry rose around them.

  When the quivering beneath him lessened, he withdrew his teeth, lapped at the tiny wounds to close them and drew back his head to stare down into her pale, shocked face.

  “I know who you are,” she said, her voice rasping painfully. Tears welled in her eyes, but didn’t spill over. Her lips trembled.

  “Who do you think I am?” he asked, afraid she might have gleaned the truth.

  “Husband,” she whispered, moisture finally leaking from her eyes to track down the sides of her cheeks and slip into her sweat-dampened hair.

  Viper dived down to cover her mouth, stroking his tongue inside, greeting hers, claiming the taste of her as he continued to plow deep inside her body.

  “Let me see,” she said, tears thickening her voice.

  Viper closed his eyes and let the beast surface, welcoming the primal force that scratched its way through his conscience to reveal itself.

  His body stiffened, muscles hardened. Every part of him strained outwards. Even his sex, lengthening, thickening, pressing relentlessly against her inner walls until her hips undulated beneath him.