Romance with a Bite

by Tamsin Baker

  That was the only solution. Once a human was turned into a vampire, Segana couldn’t do much but accept things.

  “I would never suggest to anyone to live a life like us. I would have chosen a normal death with a life with the love of my life than eternity as the damned.”

  “You will never forget Hosidia. I wish I knew what that passion and real love felt like,” said Arvid.

  “At the moment, I can only remember the pain.”

  Arvid studied his friend. He wanted to see him smile again, but unfortunately to date, his happiness had only brought eventual pain.

  “You will have the night to do what you like. I will keep her busy.”

  “No,” said Zev shaking his head. “I won’t see her. I need to stay away.”

  CHAPTER 8

  ROME 1879 Luisa (Natalia)

  “When did you decide you wanted to be a poet?”

  Luisa smiled. Her poetry had been her life, but also the reason the monarchy hated her.

  “As long as I can remember. I was a tiny girl and would put words together and my father would write them down for me.” She turned in the bed to face her lover. She caressed his face and placed a kiss in his full lips.

  “If I ever return home, I will find it and show you.” She had been sent into exile from her beloved Venice to Rome, but under the protection of Pope Leo XIII, she was untouchable. However, her poetry was no longer published, nor was she allowed to read it to the high-class people of Europe.

  “You would have to come back here. I can’t leave Rome.”

  She caressed Zev’s muscled torso.

  “You must have committed an enormous crime to be unable to enjoy the sunshine out there.” Her statement must have touched a nerve as she saw a tear coming from his eye.

  Luisa noticed the tear made of blood and immediately tried to push herself away.

  “What in God’s name is that?” Her voice shook.

  “Please don’t be afraid.” With the back of his hand, he dried his tears.

  “Is this a medical condition?” Many thoughts were swirling through her mind. Running away was one of them, but she was addicted to him. What other better way to die than in the arms of the man who was turning her world upside down.

  “It’s not contagious I can assure you.”

  At his words she relaxed a bit. With the white cotton sheet, she helped him clean his stained hands and cheeks.

  “Should I get you to see a physician?” Concern had now replaced the fear.

  He shook his head. “I’ve already been seen him.”

  “Now it explains why you are always so cold.”

  “Yes, this condition is one of my curses, he told her.

  “What’s the other?” she wanted to know.

  “The curse of loving, and you know how the world can be against you when you love deeply.”

  “Should I be jealous of that love?” Luisa asked.

  “Don’t trouble yourself with such a feeling. My love for you is stronger than ever.”

  Gently she touched her lips to his, her hands moving along his body until the kiss deepened and passion rose. Luisa rolled on top and the moment they broke their kiss, she sat up with her knees on either side of his hips. Placing one hand on his muscled chest to support herself, she lifted her body and slowly she guided his already stiff cock inside her. As she started moving, he lifted her with his hands on her hips so he could thrust, giving her intense pleasure. She leaned down to reach his lips, nibbling on his lower lip, then licking it. At her teasing, he drew her closer and locked her lips with his, taking charge of her mouth. Their passion intensified, and he started rocking faster with each thrust. Her arms held him tightly as her body tensed, then a cascade of pleasure rolled through her. She let go of any thoughts and just enjoyed the pleasure that only he knew how to give to her.

  ROME 2019 Natalia

  Natalia sat on the steps of Montecitorio. She needed fresh air, as thoughts of her latest dream refused to leave her head. She was also disappointed about Saturday night. After the gala she’d gone to Zev’s room, but he didn’t open the door. The next morning on their way back to Rome, he’d refused to look at her, and she still couldn’t stop dreaming about him every single night.

  Her life was in a state of confusion. Her thoughts were muddled. She didn’t know what the hell was happening to her. Her Nonna insisted that she stay away from Zev without giving an explanation. Memories of Arvid telling her she should stay away from Zev because he belonged to Segana, who’d hated her since their first meeting, rattled around in her brain.

  All things pointed to Zev, the man, the vampire, who was driving her crazy. He was present in all her dreams but swore he didn’t want to be there. Not that she could blame the man she didn’t want any of this herself.

  The strange thing was, some of her dreams didn’t actually feel like dreams. They felt like she had previously lived every moment. Like it was her past, and for days she would have flashbacks of what she’d dreamed. They were so vivid, they affected some of her other senses. She swore at times she could smell fresh paint, or fresh ink. She couldn’t explain any of it, but she didn’t buy his claims of non-participation, even though Nonna had told her that she was responsible for pulling him her dreams.

  Losing her mind over a vampire definitely wasn’t smart. She could only be thankful that he had no interest in her. Natalia had decided as a teenager that she never wanted to have anything to do with a male vampire after seeing what had happened to her best friend.

  Claudia had discovered the pleasures of being bitten when she was only sixteen. She lusted after and fell in love with vampire after vampire, but had never been loved in return. Natalia saw the pain her friend felt every time she thought it would be the last bite. But the selfish vampires had moved on without a second thought.

  She remembered how many times she had to comfort her friend as she cried after being dumped and had to pick up the pieces yet again. No, she wasn’t going to end up like Claudia, falling for a vampire, then having her heart broken. She wouldn’t allow any vampire, including Zev—especially Zev—to bite her. No, that wasn’t her thing.

  She hoped to see him, just to talk, to ask him to stay away from her dreams. But deep down, she knew that was ridiculous. She had an overwhelming urge to just be with him, to be able to see him and maybe turn the dreams into reality.

  In an attempt to push him from her mind, today she had decided she wasn’t going to be anywhere near him. She would take a mental health day and play the avoidance game.

  She sent President Carosone a text.

  “Taking today off. Woman’s problems. Do not ask.” She knew that would keep him quiet and she didn’t have to say anything else.

  Her cellar phone rang in the late afternoon. She wasn’t surprised, and a little shocked it didn’t ring earlier.

  “Natalia, the president needs to see you.” One of the clerks said.

  “I’ll be there.” So much for her plan to spend all evening in bed watching Netflix.

  The moment Natalia exited the elevator, she locked eyes with Zev and she wanted to run back to her house and hide. But the president was waiting. She just passed by and didn’t say a word, but the silence between them was deafening. She opened the door to the president’s office.

  “Yes, Mister President?”

  “How are you feeling? What’s really wrong with you? You look like you’ve seen a ghost.”

  “What can I do for you, Mr President?” She wasn’t going to tell him anything. Luigi had been the father she’d lost, but a girl didn’t share everything with her dad.

  “I wasn’t going to call you in, but you know I’m lost without you. We need to prepare for a trip. We have been invited to Florence for the re-opening of the Gallery of Certosa.”

  “A day trip?

  “Two days. The prime minister will be there too. Please make arrangements for all of us, including my bodyguards.”

  This was exactly what she didn’t want or need. Sp
ending two days with Zev.

  “Is the bitch coming too?”

  Luigi laughed. They’d both felt an instant dislike for Segana and just couldn’t warm up to her. But she had powerful friends, she was untouchable, and they both had to deal with that fact.

  “She is not. I don’t want her anywhere near Florence. The viscount who invited us requested that she stay in Rome.”

  “Viscount Garofano, the vampire?”

  “Yes. They’ve had a hatred going for centuries and though he has no power in Rome, he is definitely important in Florence.”

  “He is a very good friend of Nonna, isn’t he?”

  “You could say that. He helped her in her dark days. I never forget who helps my family and will do anything to repay them.”

  She moved behind his desk to give him a hug.

  “Nothing illegal, is that understood?”

  “I might be an old and depraved man sometimes, but I would never break the law.”

  “We both know you’re full of shit, just like any other politician, right?”

  He hugged her even harder. “My daughter, give your old man a break.”

  The door opened without warning and Zev leaned in, one hand still on the handle, standing tall and strong.

  “Excuse me, Mr President, the opposition secretary is here to see you.”

  “I’ll let you have your meeting with Gianchi. In the meantime I will organise our trip to Florence.” Natalia walked out the door, past the bodyguard.

  Zev was looking at her as she stopped to speak and was radiating a waves of anger Why was he mad? And how was she starting to feel his emotions??

  “The president will be travelling to Florence in the morning. Choose two additional bodyguards you like to work with for the trip.” Then she added, “Can I talk to you for a moment, please?”

  “Unless it’s about work, I rather not, Natalia.” He looked anywhere except into her eyes.

  “Why not?” She couldn’t believe his attitude. He’d never been that rude in the past.

  “The way I feel this very moment, I would say things I might regret later.” He took his position at the door and looked straight ahead.

  In that moment Natalia remembered Gianchi was waiting in the small library to be escorted to the president.

  “We will chat later, whether you like it or not.” And with those parting words she made her way to the library.

  ROME 2019 Natalia

  She knew Zev had gone home when his shift was over. She couldn’t leave things with him up in the air any longer. Confusion engulfed her as to why Zev had been upset with her. She didn’t want to impose on him just as much as he didn’t want to be part of it. And why were Zev and Arvid worried that Segana would get jealous? Wasn’t promiscuity a part of the existence of vampires? None of it made sense. She just wanted to clear the air.

  She was going to do what she’d promised her nonna she would never do—visit a male vampire’s home. She was about to ring his intercom when a shiver passed through her body, then a cold hand rested on top of hers. She turned quickly to see who was invading her personal space.

  “Segana?”

  “Since when you make home visits?” Her sarcastic tone didn’t go unnoticed.

  “Looks like we both had the same idea.”

  “I am his maker,” retorted Segana.

  “Exactly. His maker, not his owner. Do I detect a territorial problem here?” She wasn’t going to back down.

  Segana took a step back, but didn’t drop her eye contact.

  “If you’re supposed to meet with Zev, fine. I need to have a chat with him. There’s no need to be such a bitch.”

  “Do not push me, Natalia. Trust me, you don’t want to see the bad side of me.”

  “Are you telling me there is a worse side?” she asked without emotion. “If Arvid and Zev are your possessions and you aren’t capable of sharing them, just say so. Plenty of vampires in the city.”

  “I didn’t think you were into vampires. It doesn’t look like you’ve ever been bitten.”

  Natalia remembered what Arvid had said. Segana was both insane and powerful.

  “We both know that bites are not only given on the neck.”

  “Point taken. I suppose it’s important to speak to him?”

  Natalia wasn’t going to take the bait. She took a folder from her computer bag and handed it to Segana.

  “Here, please give this to Zev. It’s the itinerary for the next few days.” Without saying goodbye, she turned and left.

  ROME 2019 Zev

  Natalia seemed determined to talk to him and he wanted nothing more than to listen to her. But he knew that if he spent private time with her, he would give in to his emotions and she would end up dead.

  She had dreamed again of their life together. As Luisa this time, his bold and sensual poet who’d written many sonnets about him. He was glad for Natalia that it had been just another dream, but his fear that she was getting closer to a revelation about their past lives scared him to death. She would soon realize they weren’t just dreams, and she would ask him for answers.

  Her dreams were taking a toll on him and he wanted her as much as he ever had. Though Zev had never bitten any human, he was hungry for her blood. He wanted to taste his Hosidia. He could smell her sweet blood every time she was close. Many times he had to struggle to keep his fangs in, not wanting to scare her.

  The other issue was her involvement with the president. If he hadn’t seen their closeness with his own eyes, he wouldn’t have believed it. He had no right to feel jealous. How could he expect Natalia to be faithful to a vampire she didn’t even remember? He needed to get his head straight, and when they did eventually talk, he would keep his lips zipped and his opinions to himself.

  All day as he was guarding the president with Arvid, he watched her and could see her anger over his refusal to speak with her begin to boil. Her neck veins pumped so hard and fast they would have been a feast for any vampire. But he would kill anyone who attempted to bite his Hosidia. When his shift was over he quickly went home, knowing he was safe from her presence there.

  ROME 2019 Segana

  Segana grabbed the folder and twisted it with both hands. Natalia’s neck had looked so slender and pale, but she wasn’t hungry for her blood. She wanted to wring her neck just like she was doing to that folder. The bitch was in heat for her gladiators. She had no problems sharing, but never with her. She’d hated Natalia the moment she’d set eyes on her. The typical pretty girl who would get ahead professionally because of her tricks in bed.

  President Carosone was well known to have an eye for pretty little things, though she’d never seen them in a compromising situation. But she wasn’t stupid. Who would spend hour after hour locked in an office without anything happening? She wondered how the old reprobate would feel if he knew his favourite girl was chasing after his own bodyguards.

  She entered Zev’s apartment with the key he’d given her when he realized he couldn’t shut her out. It seemed he preferred giving her access to explaining away her loud tirades to his neighbours. She heard the shower running, took off her uniform and made her way to the bathroom. She silently entered the shower stall and touched Zev’s back.

  “Hell, woman, what are you trying to do to me?”

  His attitude annoyed her. “What is wrong with you?” When he didn’t answer, she got out of the shower, grabbed a towel and started pacing across the spacious bathroom.

  “Is the PA screwing with your mind?”

  “What the hell are you talking about?” He stepped out of the shower and wrapped a towel around his hips.

  “She was at your door. She left a folder but I suspect that was just an excuse to see you. So I want to know how involved the two of you are.”

  “You’ve got it wrong, Segana. We have no personal dealings. I have no intention of doing anything with her.”

  “Liar!” The female vampire grabbed his arm and threw him against the bathroom door. The power of her
strength and the impact of his solid body shook the door off its hinges.

  Zev got up and ignoring the pain, went for her throat, but didn’t have the strength to choke her.

  “I created you, and I can destroy you. Make no mistake about that, Zev.” The small blood vessels in her eyes became enlarged in her rage. He would have to calm her down or she would harm Natalia.

  “My behaviour with you hasn’t changed. I have been fucking other women for centuries and you’ve known that, but when you get an idea in your head there is no way of reasoning with you, woman.” He moved to the door and tried to straighten it.

  “The top hinge is broken. Get out of the bathroom so I can shut the door until I can go and buy what I need to fix it.” He pulled off the broken parts of the hinges and set them on the vanity.

  “I’m here naked with you and the only thing you’re thinking of is the broken door?” She circled her arms around his strong neck.

  She watched him go to his bed and pull on his pants.

  “Just go home, Segana. I have no desire to fuck tonight.”

  She moved to the bed, crawled in and waited for him and his stiff cock

  “Zev, a word of advice. Get your desire back because I am in charge here, not you.”

  CHAPTER 10

  ROME 2019 Natalia

  Natalia been so busy with work recently that fun was something she had forgotten about. But not tonight. Tonight, she was planning to meet her girlfriends and going dancing. She needed a bit of fun before an intense two days in Florence and the presence of a cold Zev.

  The lights flashed in sync with the techno-dance music blaring from the speakers of the crowded club. Natalia had let her hair down, grabbed a cocktail as soon as they arrived, and headed straight to the dance floor. She jumped on a raised platform at the edge and started dancing like no one was watching. She drank the last drop of the drink she still held in one hand and handed her off the glass to a passing waitress as she kept on dancing.

  When she turned, she saw him standing near the bar, watching her. Why was Zev here? She wondered how long he’d been staring at her. Gracefully jumping down from her platform, she walked to where he stood without breaking their gaze.