Tainted (Vastow Vampires Book 1)

by J Johnson

  “Thank you.”, Zoe replies while I cover my mouth with my hand to keep from laughing. Somehow, she made this huge, bulky man laugh and be nicer. It’s amazing what she can do sometimes. I probably would have just walked out. Not Zoe. She’s a fighter.

  “He’ll be here momentarily.”, the girl says when she re-enters the room. “Please take a seat.”

  I would have done so, but when she rolled her eyes at me, I do the opposite. I think Zoe’s bravery is the only reason. If she weren’t here, I would have sat down as she ordered. Instead, I walk around the room looking at all the pictures on the wall.

  Some of them are gorgeous. Other’s not so much. Demon heads and bloody swords. It’s definitely not my style. A butterfly is more me, but I would never tell her that. Something tells me she loves being right. The phone rings and Miss attitude picks it up.

  “Yes. Mm-hmm. Okay. I’ll send her in.” She hangs it up, then turns to me. “He will see you now. It’s the last door on the right, but only you can go in. Not your friend.”

  “No way! Not going to happen.” Zoe is shaking her head. “There’s no way I’m letting you go in there by yourself.”

  “Why does he only want me in there?”

  “He didn’t say why, and I didn’t ask. He said send her in by herself. He’s the boss and I don’t ask questions.”

  “I’m done over here sweetheart if you’re ready.”, JJ interrupts. I assume his name is JJ. That’s what scruffy called him a minute ago.

  “You’re not going in there by yourself, Ash. No way.”

  “I’ll be fine. Just get your tattoo and I’ll be back out in a second. I’m going to ask him a few questions, then come back. Maybe he’s shy or something and doesn’t want a lot of people in his living space.”

  Something I can totally understand.

  “He won’t hurt her tattoo virgin. He’s a stand-up guy. I swear. Far from shy but doesn’t like a lot of people around him.”, JJ pipes in.

  “My name is Zoe not, tattoo virgin.”, she snaps at him. She turns to me and studies me for a second. “Okay. But if he tries anything and I mean anything, yell as loud as you can, and I’ll stab these three with a fucking needle and come rescue you. Understood?”

  Miss attitude, JJ, and scruffy, all burst out laughing, but she doesn’t care. She glares at them, silently warning them she isn’t joking around.

  “I’ll be fine, Zoe. Go get your tattoo. I’ll be back in a sec.”

  The hallway is longer than it looks. That or I’m so nervous it feels like it’s taking much longer than it really is to get to the end. The closer I get to the door, the more nervous I become. I’ve talked myself out of running back to Zoe a dozen times in the time it’s taken me to walk down the hallway. I hesitate before knocking, but force myself to continue. I don’t know why, but something tells me my savior is on the other side of this door.

  “Come in.”, he says. The minute I hear his voice, I know. I know that he’s the guy that saved me that night. I open the door slowly, wondering what I’m fixing to walk into. “Ashlyn.”

  “You know my name.”

  When I meet his gaze, I audibly gasp, embarrassing myself. My cheeks heat, embarrassing me even further. He either doesn’t notice or ignores my awkwardness towards him.

  “I do. I heard your friend say it at the hospital.”

  The most beautiful man I have ever seen is standing across the room. His shoulder-length dirty blonde hair is wild looking but perfect. His piercing gray eyes send a shiver down my spine, and his entire body is nothing but muscle. He’s the sexiest thing I’ve ever laid eyes on, but my alarm bells start ringing immediately. My instincts are telling me he’s dangerous while my entire body wants to gravitate towards him. It’s insane. The tattoos running down his arms remind me why I’m here, so I take a deep breath and try to pull myself together.

  “So, you are the one that saved me.”, I start. “Thank you. Uh, what’s your name?”

  I think this is the most I’ve talked to a guy in a long time. Usually, I stammer and stutter, but with him, I’m talking like a normal person. It’s confusing.

  “Zane. And you’re welcome. Is that why you came? To thank me?”

  He sits on the edge of his desk with his hands at his sides, gripping the edge. His biceps bulge through his shirt, distracting me.

  “Yes. No. Uh… Yes and no.”

  He grins. “Okay.”

  “I wanted to thank you, yes. I also wanted to shake your hand if that’s okay.”

  “Why wouldn’t that be okay?”

  He glances down at my hands, then tilts his head. My heart is pounding in my chest as I step towards him. I swear it’s going to jump right out and land with a loud thump on the floor. When I reach him and extend my hand, he looks at it for a second before taking it. I flinch at the initial contact, waiting for something to happen. It takes me a second to realize I’m not having a vision. I see nothing. What the hell?

  “You look a little pale.”, he says. “Are you okay?”

  I yank my hand away and back up a step. “I’m fine. Fine. I’m good.”

  “Here. Take a seat. You don’t look fine.”

  Gee. Thanks.

  I take a seat, not knowing what else to do. I want to ask why I can’t see visions of him, but the words won’t come out. He’ll think I’m nuts. I shake my head, trying to stop my mind from exploding.

  “You asked to see only me. Why?”, I ask, just to fill the silence.

  Speaking of silence, I don’t hear his thoughts either. I focus on him and… nothing. There’s nothing.

  “I don’t want anyone to know I’m the one that saved you. I only let you back here because I thought you deserved to know.”

  “Why don’t you want people to know? You’re a hero.”

  “I’m far from a hero, Ashlyn.”

  “Ash.”

  “Huh?”

  “You can call me Ash.”

  “Okay. I’m no hero and I don’t like publicity. I’m asking you not to say anything to anyone. Not even your friend out there.”

  “Okay.”

  “Well, that was easier than I thought it would be.”, he admits. “I figured you would put up more of a fight. Most people want publicity.”

  “No. I don’t like publicity either. I won’t tell anyone.”

  “Thank you. Are you sure you’re okay?”, he asks again and touches my hand.

  I close my eyes and wait again, but nothing happens. I’m torn between being nervous about how close he is and shocked that he’s immune to my… gifts.

  “I’m fine.”

  “I don’t believe you. I’m good at figuring people out and you look like you’ve seen a ghost.”

  I look up at him and stop breathing. My God, he’s gorgeous. Should I tell him? Would he think I’m crazy? Why am I even considering telling him? What is wrong with me? I need to go. I jump up quickly and head for the door.

  “I should go. Thank you again for saving me and I promise I won’t tell anyone.”

  “You don’t have to go Ashlyn.”

  “Yes, I do.”

  I hurry out the door, hoping that Zoe is finished, but she’s still sitting in the chair.

  “How did it go? Was it him?”

  “No. It wasn’t. He wasn’t here that night either.”

  “Oh. Bummer.”, she sighs.

  “Yeah. I’m going to go sit outside in the car and wait for you.” She looks at me with concern. “I’m fine. I just need some air.”

  “I’ll join you.”, Zane says making me jump. For a big man wearing boots, I would think we would have heard his footsteps. “If you don’t mind. I could use some air as well.”

  “Uh, sure.”

  What was I supposed to say? I don’t miss the look on Zoe’s face when she sees Zane. I’m sure it’s the same look I had. One of pure infatuation. I rush out the door, hoping the air will make it easier to breathe. Somewhere inside that building, I lost the ability. When the air hits me, I take a deep breath. A
ir. Lots of air.

  “Ashlyn.”, Zane says from right behind me again. I yelp and jump. “Sorry. Didn’t mean to startle you.”

  “It’s okay.” Before I can stop myself, I quickly blurt out. “You make me nervous.”

  I have no idea why the hell I just said that to him, but I did. My cheeks heat again and he grins.

  “I do that to a lot of people. I scare a lot of people too. But not you.”

  “That’s not true. You scare me, but not in a, I think you’re a serial killer way.”

  He raises his brow. “And what other way is there to scare someone? Most people steer clear of me but you… you ran out, but it’s not because I scare you. Most people find me intimidating.”

  “Uh…”, I stutter. “I can see why. I find you intimidating, but I’m not scared of you like that. I don’t think you would hurt me. I mean, you saved me so that wouldn’t make sense.”

  I’m babbling. He probably thinks I’m crazy.

  “Then why are you scared of me?”

  He takes a step forward and I take a step back. I can feel something happening to me. Something that’s never happened to me before. Not like this. My body is responding to him in ways that scare the hell out of me. I felt something with Jordan earlier, but not like this.

  “Ashlyn.” His voice is a low, deep growl.

  “I’m going to sit in Zoe’s jeep.”, I tell him, then turn to walk away.

  I need to get away from him, but I find myself locked in his arms instead. His face only centimeters from mine.

  “I’m going to kiss you now.”

  He waits for some kind of consent from me, so I nod because I can’t seem to form words at the moment. I’m more focused on his mouth and what it would feel like against mine. That’s all I can think about right now. His lips. My lips. Together. He grabs my head gently with both hands and leans in slowly.

  In the back of my mind, I’m waiting for the visions to come. Waiting for them to explode inside my head. Instead, my body explodes. Every nerve ending lights up, making it feel like my entire body is an active current that’s connecting one wire at a time. It both scares and excites me. I pull away, which is one of the hardest things I’ve ever done, and back up a few steps. He starts towards me again, but I stop him.

  “Don’t.”, I gasp. “Please.”

  “Did I do something wrong?”

  “No. It’s not you. I just… I can’t do this. Please don’t follow me.”

  It’s not like me to kiss random guys. Hell, it’s not like me to kiss anyone, but I couldn’t stop myself. I run to Zoe’s jeep, praying he doesn’t follow me, and hop in. I force myself not to look in his direction. I’m not sure I could stop myself from getting back out and running to him.

  Tears threaten to fall as I take in everything that’s happened in the last week. I’ve been attacked and almost killed. My best friend accepts me even with my freakish curse. My boss confessed that he’s in love with me. I found the man that saved me and he’s doing something to my body that I don’t understand.

  I came to terms long ago that I would be alone for the rest of my life. That I would never have a husband or children. Never be able to go out on dates like a normal person or hug someone when I come home from work. Now I’m not so sure. It takes every ounce of willpower I possess to not look in his direction. And even after a few minutes, I can’t fight it any longer. The pull is too strong.

  When I meet his gaze, I stop breathing again. This man… this man that saved my life… the one I want to run back to, even though I don’t know him, is going to cause trouble. I know it as sure as I’m sitting here, but I don’t seem to care.

  Four

  ∞∞∞

  It’s been two days since I saw Zane and for two days, I’ve done nothing but think about him. His gorgeous stormy gray eyes. His smile that makes you want to melt into the floor. His body that I want to explore repeatedly. Did I mention his eyes? I thought Jordan’s eyes were gorgeous. Zane has him beat hands down.

  I know it’s probably wishful thinking but I can’t help but wonder if he felt the same thing I did. Like a magnet being pulled together and trying to resist was harder than I care to admit.

  His body, or what I saw of it, is covered in tattoos and I ache to explore the rest of him. I want to see what else is beneath those clothes.

  Tattoos have never turned me on before, but on him they are a spark to my very flammable center. A center that has never been ignited. Not like that. It was instant and terrifying. My body has never been on fire like that. The phone on my desk rings, startling me. I’ve jumped so many times in the last few days, I’m surprised I haven’t had a heart attack.

  “Ashlyn Miller.”

  “Ashlyn.” My breathing stops and my eyes close. It’s him. My heartbeat speeds up and I briefly think about hanging up the phone but squash the idea immediately. How did he get my number? Why is he calling me?

  “Zane.”

  “I was wondering if you’d like to have dinner with me tonight.”

  “Why?”

  “I would like to get to know you better.”

  “I can’t.”

  “Can’t or won’t.”

  “Won’t.”

  “Okay. I’ll be here at the tattoo shop if you change your mind. I won’t bite Ashlyn.”, he mumbles before hanging up.

  For the rest of the day, I go back and forth with whether I want to see him. If I’m being honest, it’s not really a question of do I want to, because I do. Badly. It’s a question of, am I brave enough. Do I really want to go down that road? What is it about him that intrigues me so much? Why can’t I see his future like everyone else? Or hear his thoughts? That scares me more than anything.

  I also can’t help but wonder why he would want to have dinner with me. I’m not one of those girls that think she’s ugly, but I am definitely not a model. With his looks, he should be with a model. He could have any girl he wants. So why me?

  And the pull he has on me. How could I forget that? Just being in the same room with him for five minutes was enough to make me tuck tail and run. Not that I think he would hurt me because I don’t. This is probably the dumbest thing any girl has ever said about a guy she doesn’t know, but somehow, I know he won’t. I also know that I don’t trust myself around him. Again, not that I’ve been saving myself for marriage or anything, but I genuinely believe I would give him my virginity without a second thought. All he has to do is ask.

  Way to be a tramp, Ash.

  Before I realize what I’m doing, I pick up the phone and dial Zoe’s number. I know what she’s going to say, but I dial her anyway, hoping she has some kind of rational advice this time. That hope gets thrown out the window the second I tell her what he said.

  “He wants to have dinner with you, and you told him no. Are you crazy?”, she shrieks.

  “Well, I don’t really know him, Zoe. Just because he saved me doesn’t mean I owe him anything. Does it?”

  “No, but when a hot guy asks you out for dinner, you say yes. Always say yes.”

  “And what if he’s a serial killer?”, I ask her.

  It’s the only thing that came to mind and it’s crazy, I know. I roll my eyes at myself the minute it leaves my mouth.

  “I doubt that Ash. Seriously. Let go sometimes. Have fun.”

  I’m nervously biting my nails off one by one. In a minute, I won’t have any left.

  “I don’t know.”

  “He’s freaking hot. If you don’t want a piece of that, I’ll damn sure take it. You think he’ll go out with me?”

  I’m not sure what happens, but I’m instantly ready to maul her face for saying it. I’ve never had a violent bone in my body, but right now I want nothing more than to hit her.

  “No.”, I snap at her, surprising both of us. She giggles.

  “Then call him and tell him you’d love to have dinner with him. If you don’t like him, then you never have to see him again. If you do… well… then maybe you’ll find love, Ash. You�
��ll never know unless you try.”

  “What about the visions?”, I ask her in a desperate attempt at another answer. I already know he doesn’t trigger the visions.

  “Look. I can’t imagine what you go through with all that, but you can’t let it rule your life. We’ll figure out how to control it or find someone that can help. I’ll help you do whatever you need to do. In the meantime, have fun. Let loose. Go on your date and see what happens. If you’re not comfortable with him after the date, then don’t let him kiss you or touch you.”

  That’s going to be easier said than done. I’m probably going to jump him the minute I see him.

  “Okay.”

  “Okay? Does that mean you’re going?”, she asks.

  “Yes.”

  “Yay! You’re going to have a blast. I swear it. If you don’t, then let me know and I’ll go kick his sexy ass in the balls.”

  I snort at her and shake my head. She’s such a goofball.

  “Thanks, Zoe.”

  “Anytime my freaky friend. Anytime.”

  It takes thirty minutes just to get enough nerve to call him back. When I finally take the leap, I feel like my heart is going to explode from beating so fast. And I’m almost certain I’m about to lose my lunch from earlier.

  “Ashlyn.”, he answers on the first ring.

  “What time should I be there?”, I blurt out before I lose my nerve.

  “Eight.”

  “Okay.”

  “See you then.”

  By the time seven o’clock rolls around, I’m a nervous wreck. I have dug through my entire closet looking for something to wear which ended with every piece of clothing I own scattered around my room. I need Zoe. She’ll be able to help me.

  “Hey, Ash. What’s up? I thought you had a date. What happened?”

  “I need your help.”

  “Okay. With what? Did he do something to you?”

  “No. No. Nothing like that. I can’t find anything to wear and I think I’m going to throw up.”

  She laughs through the phone, which doesn’t help my nerves any at all.

  “Okay. Come on over and I’ll help you figure out what to wear.”

  I should have known better than to let Zoe dress me. Just because she did an okay job the night of the club doesn’t mean shit. We argued for twenty minutes over an outfit I refused to wear. It’s not happening. Ever.