Midnight Bite

by Hamilton, Sharon

  “Do you feel anything through your shoes?”

  “It’s warm. The sun is warm.”

  “Lionel, look at me,” she teased. “You’ll remind me if you’re about to turn into a human candle, right?”

  Their eyes locked. “You don’t want to die with me today?” After first being expressionless, his warm brown eyes smiled before his lips did.

  She was bathed in sunlight. He was still in the shadows. He bent forward. She hadn’t realized the real color of his hair, or the fact that his eyelashes were extremely long, and dark. His flawless handsomeness was even more attractive in the pink early morning sun. He licked his lips, and then caressed a kiss from hers. She wrapped her arms around him and twirled slowly, dancing with him, bringing him out of the shadows and fully into the light. He held her face between his enormous palms and kissed her again.

  Her heart was ready to burst from her chest. Taking his hand in hers, she led him down the stone steps of the chapel to the busy street corner, where he viewed the landscape in front of him.

  “I’d forgotten,” he whispered.

  “Forgotten what?”

  “How bright it was. You have to remember, it’s been over three hundred years, Phoebe. The first thing I’m going to do is buy some sunglasses.”

  She laughed and hugged him again. “Now I know you’re going to be okay.”

  They strolled the farmer’s market after being unsuccessful in the shopping district finding a baseball cap large enough to fit on Lionel’s large head. He picked up a pair of glasses with the side sunshields on them, and Lionel was finally happy. He refused to wear anything like a floppy straw hat she’d offered him. She suggested they visit her parents and he quickly declined.

  Phoebe noticed he was moving slower and slower, so she asked what was wrong, wondering if something about the turning had not completed.

  “There’s too much distraction. Too much noise. I can’t think.”

  “You want to sit down somewhere? We can have a coffee,” she offered.

  He cupped her jaw with one palm. “I want to go back. I belong in California with the family, Phoebe. I don’t want to be here anymore. I’d like to see my brothers.”

  They returned to the little chapel, which was hosting mass. Lionel drew her into a dark corner in the foyer, away from any curious eyes, wrapped his arms around her and traced them back to Healdsburg.

  Their bed was freshly made. A huge bouquet of Anne’s flowers sat on the small table between the two golden settees. The windows were drawn closed.

  “Wait until you see the view. It’s the most spectacular in all the world, Lionel.”

  “Everything turns,” he whispered in her ear.

  “That’s a nice thought,” she said as she leaned against him, enjoying the sound of his breathing and the feel of his arms around her waist.

  “Marcus told me that was one of the first things he showed Anne. It’s a balance, a cycle in nature. We are all part of it, not separate from it. I think that’s part of the story of the Book.”

  “You’re right. It sort of makes me wonder about all the rules that were imposed on all of us for centuries, when the answer was simple, right there in front of everyone all along.”

  “The council, the hierarchy, dark covens and Goldens fighting over control. It didn’t have to happen. None of it did.”

  They heard sounds of Jeb and Hugh shouting, running up the stairway, which caused the whole house to shake.

  “It shouldn’t be kept a secret, Phoebe. No one owns it. It belongs to everybody.”

  Their kiss was interrupted with the brothers, separating them, raising Lionel up into the air and carrying him downstairs. Left alone, she was suddenly tired.

  Anne and Cara were at her doorway.

  “Is it true?” Cara asked. “Are you both turned?” Both women ran to her.

  “Give me a few days to make sure I don’t start losing body parts, but I think everything went okay. I am getting stronger by the hour. And Lionel has spent time in the sun without problem.”

  “What a miracle!” said Anne.

  The family celebrated until dawn, when at last Jeb and Hugh returned to their cottage. Phoebe was exhausted, so Lionel traced her to the upper landing outside their bedroom door.

  In the quiet of their little sanctuary, the lovemaking once again filled her heart with flame. As she lay in Lionel’s arms, she understood the true depth of being a fated mate.

  Phoebe awoke late, pushing open the windows so she could see the vineyards below. Lionel joined her, still naked. “Come back to bed.”

  “But look. This is the view you always imagined. See how everything grows? Just like you said last night.”

  She watched the sun brighten his face. Unless she was mistaken, water had collected in the corners of his eyes. He was taking it all in.

  “I have a request, husband.”

  “Oh yes? Can I afford it?”

  “If you’ll give me the gift of your time.”

  “All of it is yours, you know that, Phoebe.”

  She allowed her forefinger to outline his lips. He moved closer to her and she could feel his arousal growing. Their thighs touched slightly. Her breath hitched as his fingers traveled down her arms and then to her waist as he pulled her into his groin.

  “Tell me what it is you want, and it’s yours, Phoebe. But do it quick, or I’ll not let you lose for another several hours. You’ll be my captive.”

  She leaned into him, pressing her chest against his, pulled his head down and kissed him. “As wonderful as that sounds, I’m taking you into my dreams.”

  “You already have done that,” he said as he pulled her toward the bed.

  “I want to take a picnic.”

  He was kissing her neck, then lifted her gently onto the bedcovers. “Tell me more,” he whispered as he kissed her belly button, and then lower.

  The feel of his tongue on her sex made her quiver with pleasure. She couldn’t speak.

  “You were telling me about a picnic, Phoebe.”

  “I can’t think—”

  He kissed her again, and then layered the kisses all the way up her side until he was covering her body once again. “A picnic, you said?” he whispered in her ear.

  “Yes.”

  “In the sunshine? We’ll make love in the vineyard?”

  “Yes. Oh yes.”

  “I’d like that, Phoebe, very much,” he said as he entered her deep.

  “Can we do that?”

  “Will there be whipped cream?” he asked.

  “I promise.”

  She gasped as he began moving back and forth inside her, sending chills down her spine. Finally, he said, “How about tomorrow?”

  This has been Book 4 of the Golden Vampires of Tuscany series, which should be read in order, as listed below:

  Honeymoon Bite

  Mortal Bite

  Christmas Bite

  Midnight Bite

  Want more paranormal stories? You can read the Immortal Valentines superbundle, containing the first two Golden Vampire books, as well as the three Guardian Angels series books:

  Heavenly Lover

  Underworld Lover

  Underworld Queen

  About the Author

  Sharon Hamilton

  NYT and USA Today best-selling author Sharon Hamilton’s award-winning Navy SEAL Brotherhood series have been a fan favorite from the day the first one was released. They’ve earned her the coveted Amazon author ranking of #1 in Romantic Suspense, Military Romance and Contemporary Romance categories, as well as in Gothic Romance for her Vampires of Tuscany and Guardian Angels. Her characters follow a sometimes rocky road to redemption through passion and true love.

  Now that he’s out of the Navy, Sharon can share with her readers that her son spent a decade as a Navy SEAL, and he’s the inspiration for her books.

  Her Golden Vampires of Tuscany are not like any vamps you’ve read about before, since they don’t go to ground and can walk around in
the full light of the sun.

  Her Guardian Angels struggle with the human charges they are sent to save, often escaping their vanilla world of Heaven for the brief human one. You won’t find any of these beings in any Sunday school class.

  She lives in Sonoma County, California with her husband and her Doberman, Tucker. A lifelong organic gardener, when she’s not writing, she’s getting verra verra dirty in the mud, or wandering Farmers Markets looking for new Heirloom varieties of vegetables and flowers. She and her husband plan to cure their wanderlust (or make it worse) by traveling in their Diesel Class A Pusher, Romance Rider. Starting with this book, all her writing will be done on the road.

  She loves hearing from her fans:

  Sharonhamilton2001@gmail.com

  Her website is:

  sharonhamiltonauthor.com

  Find out more about Sharon, her upcoming releases, appearances and news when you sign up for Sharon’s newsletter.

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  Life is one fool thing after another.

  Love is two fool things after each other.

  Reviews

  PRAISE FOR THE

  GOLDEN VAMPIRES OF TUSCANY SERIES

  “Well to say the least I was thoroughly surprise. I have read many Vampire books, from Ann Rice to Kym Grosso and few other Authors, so yes I do like Vampires, not the super scary ones from the old days, but the new ones are far more interesting far more human then one can remember. I found Honeymoon Bite a totally engrossing book, I was not able to put it down, page after page I found delight, love, understanding, well that is until the bad bad Vamp started being really bad. But seeing someone love another person so much that they would do anything to protect them, well that had me going, then well there was more and for a while I thought it was the end of a beautiful love story that spanned not only time but, spanned Italy and California. Won’t divulge how it ended, but I did shed a few tears after screaming but Sharon Hamilton did not let me down, she took me on amazing trip that I loved, look forward to reading another Vampire book of hers.”

  “An excellent paranormal romance that was exciting, romantic, entertaining and very satisfying to read. It had me anticipating what would happen next many times over, so much so I could not put it down and even finished it up in a day. The vampires in this book were different from your average vampire, but I enjoy different variations and changes to the same old stuff. It made for a more unpredictable read and more adventurous to explore! Vampire lovers, any paranormal readers and even those who love the romance genre will enjoy Honeymoon Bite.”

  “This is the first non-Seal book of this author’s I have read and I loved it. There is a cast-like hierarchy in this vampire community with humans at the very bottom and Golden vampires at the top. Lionel is a dark vampire who are servants of the Goldens. Phoebe is a Golden who has not decided if she will remain human or accept the turning to become a vampire. Either way she and Lionel can never be together since it is forbidden.

  I enjoyed this story and I am looking forward to the next installment.”

  “A hauntingly romantic read. Old love lost and new love found. Family, heart, intrigue and vampires. Grabbed my attention and couldn’t put down. Would definitely recommend.”

  PRAISE FOR THE

  SEAL BROTHERHOOD SERIES

  “Fans of Navy SEAL romance, I found a new author to feed your addiction. Finely written and loaded delicious with moments, Sharon Hamilton’s storytelling satisfies like a thick bar of chocolate.” —Marliss Melton, bestselling author of the Team Twelve Navy SEALs series

  “Sharon Hamilton does an EXCELLENT job of fitting all the characters into a brotherhood of SEALS that may not be real but sure makes you feel that you have entered the circle and security of their world. The stories intertwine with each book before…and each book after and THAT is what makes Sharon Hamilton’s SEAL Brotherhood Series so very interesting. You won’t want to put down ANY of her books and they will keep you reading into the night when you should be sleeping. Start with this book…and you will not want to stop until you’ve read the whole series and then…you will be waiting for Sharon to write the next one.” (5 Star Review)

  “Kyle and Christy explode all over the pages in this first book, [Accidental SEAL], in a whole new series of SEALs. If the twist and turns don’t get your heart jumping, then maybe the suspense will. This is a must read for those that are looking for love and adventure with a little sloppy love thrown in for good measure.” (5 Star Review)

  PRAISE FOR THE

  BAD BOYS OF SEAL TEAM 3 SERIES

  “I love reading this series! Once you start these books, you can hardly put them down. The mix of romance and suspense keeps you turning the pages one right after another! Can’t wait until the next book!” (5 Star Review)

  “I love all of Sharon’s Seal books, but [SEAL’s Code] may just be her best to date. Danny and Luci’s journey is filled with a wonderful insight into the Native American life. It is a love story that will fill you with warmth and contentment. You will enjoy Danny’s journey to become a SEAL and his reasons for it. Good job Sharon!” (5 Star Review)

  PRAISE FOR THE

  BAND OF BACHELORS SERIES

  “[Lucas] was the first book in the Band of Bachelors series and it was a phenomenal start. I loved how we got to see the other SEALs we all love and we got a look at Lucas and Marcy. They had an instant attraction, and their love was very intense. This book had it all, suspense, steamy romance, humor, everything you want in a riveting, outstanding read. I can’t wait to read the next book in this series.” (5 Star Review)

  PRAISE FOR THE

  TRUE BLUE SEALS SERIES

  “Keep the tissues box nearby as you read True Blue SEALs: Zak by Sharon Hamilton. I imagine more than I wish to that the circumstances surrounding Zak and Amy are all too real for returning military personnel and their families. Ms. Hamilton has put us right in the middle of struggles and successes that these two high school sweethearts endure. I have read several of Sharon Hamilton’s military romances but will say this is the most emotionally intense of the ones that I have read. This is a well-written, realistic story with authentic characters that will have you rooting for them and proud of those who serve to keep us safe. This is an author who writes amazing stories that you love and cry with the characters. Fans of Jessica Scott and Marliss Melton will want to add Sharon Hamilton to their list of realistic military romance writers.” (5 Star Review)