Romance with a Bite

by Tamsin Baker

  ‘A natural human curiosity, I think.’

  ‘Even after all the decades of peaceful integration? I know our performance plays into the graphic history, but do you think people just want reassurance that it’s a thing of the past?’

  Except it might well be a lie after the Inspector’s little revelation.

  ‘I suspect they probably do. They want to see with their own eyes. But maybe they secretly hope to see something that proves that their underlying fears are justified. Vampires have suppressed their natural inclinations, and so have humans. But only suppressed, not erased.’

  ‘Wow, you’ve given this a lot of thought?’

  ‘I just find people fascinating.’

  ‘And vampires?’

  ‘I don’t differentiate.’

  ‘You’re in the minority then. People might behave like they’re accepting, but many still see it as a freak show. You seem to know a lot about it?’

  He mightn’t be one of the obviously over the top fans, but maybe he was just more subtle. Definitely more intense. And sexy.

  ‘I have an interest in people. And history. My curiosity isn’t that different to everyone else’s. I might have a bit more actual knowledge.’

  The women hadn’t glossed over their violent history but hearing from someone else somehow gave it more gravitas.

  That shiver skittered along her spine again. She’d never considered herself in danger, but there’d been a vampire murder and that was something she’d never had to take into consideration before.

  ‘You are cold. Shall we go back inside?’

  Inside she’d have to think more about the Inspector’s visit and Lucien was one sexy man in more than just looks that overrode her unease. ‘Not just yet.’

  ‘I’m glad.’ He smiled, and gently stroked his finger along her bare shoulder. This time the skitter of sensation was low in her belly.

  ‘Me too.’ Katrine relaxed back against his touch and his hand stayed around her shoulder.

  ‘You won’t get reprimanded for taking time away from downstairs?’

  ‘No.’

  ‘Good. So tell me something more about yourself.

  What could she say that wouldn’t raise awkward questions? That was true, but innocuous.

  ‘I love going to visit the Montmartre carousel.’

  His lips did a slow dance into a broad smile. ‘I knew we’d have something in common. Why do you like it?’

  ‘Well, it’s not the grandest or prettiest Paris carousel, but I think that’s why it appeals. It’s a little piece of history that isn’t trying to be noticed.’

  ‘Blending into everyday life. Like vampires?’

  ‘Don’t go reading anything deep and psychological into it. I just think it’s pretty.’

  ‘Have you ridden on it?’

  Katrine shook her head.

  ‘Want to?’

  ‘It’s not running at this time of the night.’

  ‘You have an imagination, Katrine. We can imagine. Come on.’ He stood and held out his hand.

  ‘Now?’ She couldn’t remember the last time she’d done anything on the spur of the moment. Life was ordered and predictable. Safe.

  ‘Yes, now. Come with me, Katrine. Have a little adventure.’ His hand still waited for her to take it. She took it.

  Lucien pulled her to her feet and led her back to the door to the stairs. Reluctantly Katrine withdrew her hand from his. ‘I’ll just let them know I’m going out and meet you outside.’

  Their footsteps echoed on the bare timber in the narrow stairwell, almost in time with the increased beat of her heart. She hadn’t felt such excited trepidation since the first time she’d ventured out into the real world.

  ***

  Lucien leaned against the wall of Eternel, rubbing his hands together, trying to hold the residue of warmth left by Katrine’s touch.

  The simple act of holding her hand had meant more than any of the physical couplings he’d had over the centuries. He closed his eyes. If those fleeting moments of connection were all he’d have, he wanted to ingrain them in his memory.

  ‘Don’t let me keep you up.’

  He opened his eyes. ‘And miss our adventure?’ Whatever it would be. ‘Let’s go.’

  They walked, side by side, the brief intimacy of the terrace seemed to have evaporated into the night air, replaced by a friendly awkwardness.

  As they reached the summit of the Sacre Coeur steps, he took her elbow. She’d put on a jacket and he was denied the delicious warmth of her skin. She certainly didn’t help down the stairs, but she did she didn’t pull away from his ingrained chivalry, and that made him smile. He hadn’t had anything smile about in too long.

  Katrine didn’t seem to mind the silence between them. Neither did he. They reached the bottom of the stairs, the Dome of Sacre Coeur towered behind them from the top of the hill. He never tired of Montmartre. After centuries of discovering all its dark places to hide, places to watch the world, it was as familiar as a well-worn glove.

  The last time he’d strolled the streets with a woman on his arm had been the night of his turning. Of Elise’s death, and his birth into this undying night.

  A savage memory, and he rarely looked back at it, but Katrine slid her hand into the crook of his elbow and the gesture brought his old life flooding back. Being with a woman for the pleasure of her company, not just her body.

  He wanted to clasp his hand to hers, reassure her that she was safe. An assurance he hadn’t been able to give Elise. But there was no need to reassure Katrine. The streets of Montmartre were safe from predatory attack now.

  They arrived at the path above the carousel. Lucien stopped, drawing Katrine to the balustrade overlooking the silent ride. Not a grand carousel, but compact with two levels, its prancing horses half hidden in the moonless shadows.

  ‘It’s still beautiful, even without all its lights and music.’

  She’d just given away that she’d been here in daylight, but he wouldn’t question it. They were both had their secrets.

  The hint of chill in the air turned to drizzle as light flecks of rain began to fall.

  ‘Come on.’ He held out his hand this time, and she took it.

  When they reached the shelter of the darkened carousel, Lucien helped Katrine up onto the lower deck.

  ‘Your carriage awaits,’ he indicated one of the curved canopies dotted between the wooden horses.

  ‘No.’ She pulled out of his hold. ‘You ride horses on carousels. This one.’ She stood in front of a white horse, its neck curved, legs extended in a gallop. It had stopped at the high point of its position on the pole. Too high for easy access.

  ‘Let me help you.’ Lucien slid his hands around her waist, the warmth from her body immediately seeping into his body. Oh how he missed the heat of a woman’s body. The fleeting touch as he effortlessly lifted her to the horse, not long enough. He craved that heat almost as much as he craved blood.

  No, not blood. Its synthetic replacement. That was easily accessible. The warmth of a woman’s body could be bought, but it didn’t satisfy the deeper craving for the intimacy that came with being with someone you wanted to be with, not just someone merely fulfilling a bodily need.

  Katrine settled herself, side saddle, on the white timber horse, held on to the pole and leaned down to him. Her glorious hair brushed against his face, her plump mouth close enough to kiss. ‘Ride with me?’

  Lucien had watched the increased boldness of women over the decades. The same confidence that had once only been the domain of harlots was now acceptable, even desirable behavior of everyday women. Very enticing.

  Whether he hesitated too long or she was teasing, he wasn’t sure but before he could brush her mouth with his, Katrine swung herself back out of his reach.

  ‘An offer I can’t refuse.’ He deftly hoisted himself up behind her.

  The women who usually assuaged his desires gave themselves willingly enough, but it was perfunctory. A job, not a joy. Katrine
’s playfulness, the lightness of her spirit brought him more than those liaisons ever had.

  As he slid his arms around her waist, Katrine relaxed back against him. His chin rested on the soft waves of her hair and he closed his eyes, luxuriating in the feel of her.

  ‘Can you hear the music?’ Her voice, soft and wistful.

  He could. Stored in his memory with the other remnants of his real life. ‘I can. And see the lights and feel the movement.’

  She turned her head against his chest to look up at him. ‘You’re a bit of a romantic?’

  ‘I have my moments.’ He hadn’t for such a long time, but a century of solitude was beginning to fade with his arms around Katrine. ‘It’s a shame they don’t run the carousel at night, but it’s nice to have it all to ourselves.’

  The gentle drizzle suddenly became a heavy downpour and rain drummed on the metal roof, large drops splashing up from the cobblestones.

  ‘Maybe we’ll be trapped here,’ Katrine said, wrapping her arms over his. At that moment, Lucien could happily have stayed in their isolated little corner of Montmartre.

  Desire simmered between them and it momentarily took him back to his days with Elise. The build of anticipation, rather than just the urgent rutting which replaced such intimacies since he’d had to hide his identity.

  ‘I’m in no hurry to be anywhere else.’ At least not until dawn was imminent.

  She felt so comfortable in his arms, in this unlikely location, in the rain. Feeling human was a luxury he’d stopped indulging in since he’d been on his own. With Katrine he felt more human than he had for a century.

  The woman in his arms was human and smelled of some delicious perfume. She obviously had her reasons for her charade, and it was none of his business. Yet. And it wasn’t appropriate that he told her he was on to her secret.

  ‘Do you get away from the club often?’

  ‘Not much, but I could be convinced otherwise.’

  ‘Well I’m afraid this as good as it gets at the moment.’ Lucien leaned out from the horse and, keeping his hold on Katrine, reached his hand into the rain and dripped a few drops onto her fingers.

  Katrine lifted her hand to her mouth and licked the drops. Whether she was being deliberately provocative or not, didn’t matter. Lucien’s cock responded.

  ‘This is pretty good.’ She snuggled deeper into his hold.

  It certainly was. He closed his eyes, soaking in the feel of her, the scent of her. If nothing more came of it, this was what he’d replay in his mind when he faced the sun. Faced his end.

  Thoughts about unattainable moments like these were a torture he avoided, but there would be no more decades of resentment about his plight. Just memories of the warmth of Katrine’s body, and her soul.

  ‘It’s been a while since a beautiful woman gave me her time.’ Unless I paid her. ‘I suspect you don’t give your time easily.’

  ‘I’m not often inspired to do so.’

  ‘I’m thankful that you’re inspired tonight.’

  ‘Tonight is a strange night.’

  ‘Strange, but wonderful.’ Lucien kissed the top of her head, then cupped her chin in his hand and tilted her face towards his. Didn’t she wonder about the unnatural coolness of his fingers on her skin? Or was she as caught up in this extraordinary thing that had drawn them together.

  Katrine looked into his eyes and her lips parted as his mouth drew closer. Then her eyes closed, and her hand slid around his neck, drawing him down to her.

  Soft lips, as he’d expected, but he hadn’t expected the jolt of raw desire to surge through his body. The gentle exploration of her tongue in his mouth was as if she was licking his entire body. Touching every long-neglected part of him.

  It was so much more than a kiss. He didn’t share this intimacy with the women who fleetingly sated his needs. Hadn’t given this part of himself to anyone since Elise and was all but drowning in the roiling sea of desire and joy and memory unleashed.

  He swept her gentle tongue aside with his own, delving into her mouth as if he could somehow inhale her humanity to restore his own.

  Katrine returned his urgency, raking her fingers through his hair, then grasping it tight. She turned in the confines of their position on the carousel horse, pressing herself against him. Lucien groaned and tightened his hold on her, dragging her lower lip between his teeth.

  Her mewl of pleasure clouded his control and before he could pull back, his fang pierced the tender flesh. The taste of the miniscule drop of blood it drew surged through Lucien like a flame touched to a line of fuel.

  Katrine cried out, but she didn’t recoil. She growled with gratification and clung to him.

  It took all Lucien’s conscious strength to drag his mouth from hers. A strength he’d never believed he had. The potent taste of fresh blood had the power to erase all rational thought from his mind. Thankfully the decades of using synthetic blood seemed to have dulled that power A little. He drew back, separating their lips.

  ‘Noooo.’ Katrine tried to pull him back to her mouth.

  ‘I need a moment.’ He wasn’t even sure he could go back for more. He had the taste of her blood now. Even though he’d fed, that primal need his turning had instilled raged through his body. Even overtaking his desire for her body.

  ‘I’m too much for you?’ She leaned back in his arms, a cheeky grin quirking her lips.

  ‘Something like that.’ He smiled back, forcing his mind to think about Katrine’s wellbeing rather than draining her of her blood. ‘It’s been a while. I got a little over enthusiastic.’ Minor understatement.

  ‘I’m okay with over enthusiasm.’ Katrine tilted her head. ‘You’re sure that’s all it is?’

  Damn, she was perfect. She could have turned cold, or angry about his rebuff. Made it about herself, but it was concern in her voice, not sarcasm.

  ‘That’s not all it is.’ He drew her gently against his chest. ‘But I don’t want to spoil this,’ he indicated the curtain of soft rain that cocooned them.

  ‘Okay.’

  She relaxed back into his arms, but her heartbeat raced like scared bird against his hand which rested under her breasts.

  From fear or arousal?

  His own arousal still hadn’t receded and the way she was pressed back against him, Katrine would be in no doubt as to his state. Thankfully she hadn’t been aware of the flicker of fear that had flared in his mind at the unwelcome reminder of his base nature.

  He hadn’t tasted human blood in so long and it had been like a hit of heroin to a reformed addict. All-consuming. But he’d been able to reign it in, and he wouldn’t let it happen again.

  If Katrine would see him again.

  ‘You’re an intriguing woman, Katrine.’ He sensed she’d dropped her guard now she was away from the club.

  ‘You’re a bit of an enigma yourself, Monsieur Lucien.’

  Now was not the time to reveal he knew her truth. Exposing her truth would mean exposing his own. ‘We’re a good match then. Two fascinating figures on a dark carousel. All we need now is for it to mysteriously start going.’

  ‘You have a vivid imagination.’

  Oh, he did, and where it was really going had nothing to do with being clothed and in public. But that was for another time, or for his fantasies.

  Lucien moved the hand that lay over Katrine’s arm and looked at the watch on her wrist. 5am.

  He wasn’t going to risk being caught with not enough time.

  ‘I should get you back to the club.’ He felt like a hypocrite, using her to cover for his own need to be gone by dawn.

  Katrine raised her head to look at the still dark sky that had stopped spilling rain. She nodded but made no move to leave.

  Lucien was pretty sure he still had plenty of time, but a kernel of fear snarled in his gut. The morning he’d face the sunlight was coming, soon, but not this morning.

  He loosened his hold on Katrine and slid from the wooden horse.

  CHAPTER 6


  Alain watched the couple in the doorway from the seclusion of his car. He’d seen Katrine leave with some guy before they’d finished interviews at Eternel.

  She’d left the club knowing she was potentially under suspicion for murder. Was she just reckless, or just confident in her innocence?

  He’d become immune to gorgeous women over the years, and vampires had never held any attraction. But one look from those deep green eyes had his concentration threatening to abandon him.

  Did he wish he was the guy pressing her up against the door and kissing her long, and probably hard? Hell yeah. But she was a potential suspect and would to have to stay in his fantasy bank.

  That she’d left so suddenly after their visit was suspicious. Maybe he’d waited to see if she returned because he was worried about her safety. Or the safety of the guy, under the current circumstances.

  He had an almost hundred percent solve rate and so far this case had so little to go on. He wasn’t letting anything slide.

  Now that they were back at the club, within earshot of help, there was no need for him to be there. But he didn’t want to draw attention to himself, so he’d wait till she was inside before starting the car.

  Katrine’s hands were still around the guy’s neck, one straying into his hair. Obviously enjoying every moment. Obviously a woman who enjoyed being kissed thoroughly.

  Was a vampire’s kiss as cold as reputed? Would her mouth be cool to the exploration of his tongue? If her mouth was cool, what about the rest of her body?

  It was hard to imagine Katrine being cold in any way. Not after watching her performance earlier. She’d exuded a sensuality that went beyond mere performance.

  He shook his head. Back to business.

  Katrine disappeared into Eternel and her date walked back down the road, hands in his pockets. Alain would bet he had a self-satisfied smile on his face.

  Alain started his car and headed to his apartment.

  Of all the women who worked at Eternel, Katrine appeared to be the only one who ventured away from the club on a regular basis. At least that they admitted to. That was a red flag in itself. But why would a vampire go to a pizza place? They didn’t eat did they?