Holiday Bites: A Collection of Vampire Paranormal Romances

by Michele Bardsley

  “No problem.” The blue-eyed dude gave Michael the hubba-hubba once-over. Oh, please. This player wasn’t even his type. First, he was male and second, he was human. “You here for the Romance at Heart conference?”

  Michael didn’t feel like telling the flirt that he was a publicist scheduled to take a few evening appointments. “I have a friend who’s up for an award.”

  “Friend?” The guy actually pouted. Michael controlled the urge to roll his eyes. What was it about him that always attracted gay men?

  “Yeah, he and his wife have the room next to mine.”

  This news brought the sparkle back to the blue eyes. “My name’s Dominic.” He handed Michael a white business card. “I’ll be here all weekend.”

  “Good to know.” Michael tucked the card into his jeans pocket. “See you later.”

  “I hope so.” Dominic winked.

  Michael smiled then resumed walking down the hall. With his vampire ears, he heard the man’s footfalls on the carpet. The elevators dinged open almost immediately. Thank goodness. He was feeling tired and on edge. Dominic was lucky—he could’ve easily been dinner.

  According to the paper in his hand, Michael had been booked into Room 432. Steven and Eve had made all the arrangements and Eve had promised him an “awesome surprise.”

  The stupid key card didn’t work. Wasn’t that typical? He used some vamp mojo on the door and it clicked open. As he entered the room, he immediately smelled a human female. Her sexual scent was strong and invoked an immediate reaction. Dropping everything, he hurried into the main part of the room.

  The gorgeous brunette sat on the bed, dressed in nothing but bra, panties, cuffs, and gag. Woo-hoo! He was mightily impressed by this surprise.

  “You are way more than awesome,” he said.

  Her brown eyes looked glazed and wild. Oh, baby. She was different from his usual donors. Maybe Steven and Eve had realized he needed to change it up. He was a rarity in a world filled with rarities—a vampire who could only feed when engaged in a sexual act. The act of sex and feeding bolstered his powers. As young as he was in the vampire world (only forty years undead), he had more power than vampires who’d been around for a thousand years. He’d stopped having relationships more than twenty years ago; no woman he’d met had been able to keep up with his need for blood and for sex. These days, he hired call girls who could give him what he needed. He never used the same woman twice, he paid her well, and he wiped her memory.

  “God, you’re beautiful,” he said as he kicked off his Vans and shucked his jeans and boxers. He took off his T-shirt and stood before her naked, his cock already primed. “Let’s make the first time last a little while.”

  She shook her head. She looked desperate. Frowning, he leaned forward to cup her mound and found her panties soaked. “Playing ahead of time?” His frown flipped to a smile. “Okay.” He could hold off on feeding for now. “If you want me to take you, lay face down on the bed, and show me your ass.”

  The woman lay facedown on the bed. Her handcuffed hands pressed against her back. Her luscious ass, barely covered by the black lace panties, wiggled at him.

  He gripped her hips and pulled her backwards until she was on the edge of the bed and her feet were braced on the floor. He pushed aside the panties and slid his cock into the slick, tight heat. Condoms were unnecessary. He could neither give nor get STDs and he was incapable of getting a female pregnant.

  She clenched his cock as if to say, “C’mon, already!”

  He thrust deeply, increasing his strokes to meet the frenzied reception of his new lover. She came hard, her sweet flesh sucking at his cock; his orgasm burst instantly. Whoa. This is definitely different.

  The woman flipped to her back. Her body was flushed and pearled with sweat; her brunette locks were a sexy mess. The color of her eyes reminded him of a good cognac. Helping her sit up, he reached around and released the ball gag from her mouth.

  “I’m Michael.”

  “I’m...” She paused, concentrating. “Valentine.”

  “As in my valentine? It’s a little early, but I appreciate the gift all the same.”

  Her lips curled into a half-smile. Then she grimaced. “My arms hurt.”

  “Where’s the key?” She looked at him blankly. Unease skittered through him, but he chased it away.

  Apparently, she’d lost the key to the cuffs. How had she managed to get them on? Hmm. Maybe someone had helped her get ready and Valentine had misplaced the key. Comforted by that thought, he bent around her and pinched each cuff. The metal snapped easily and the handcuffs fell off.

  “Neat trick,” she said. Then she leaned forward and sucked his cock.

  The suddenness of her sexual act had his groin tightening in instant pleasure. He spread his legs to offer better access; she released his cock, bent lower and kissed his balls. She pulled each one into the warm cave of her mouth, flicking and sucking lightly.

  His fingers wound into her hair, tugging as she flattened her tongue against his hard length and sought his crown. Her moan vibrated all the way to his balls. Oh, God. He pulled her hair again; another moan ricocheted down his cock. Then she went down on him again and again, until he was thrusting into the warm cave of her mouth.

  The orgasm rushed through him, hot and relentless.

  She wrapped her hand around his cock and squeezed. His cock spasmed as his come shot down her throat. She drank him dry, licking him clean.

  His cock was readying for round three. He had a strong libido, part curse, part blessing, but his reaction to this woman bordered on ridiculous. He could make love to her all night. Could she handle it?

  “That was fantastic,” he murmured. He knelt on the floor and cradled her face.

  She smiled. “You taste good.”

  “I bet you do, too.” Scooting backward, she wiggled off her panties and gave him the first view of her glistening pink pussy. Her gorgeous pussy was devoid of hair, and looked so smooth and luscious.

  He watched as she spread apart her juicy lips. Oh, yeah. His valentine was very luscious.

  Michael scooted against the bed, pulling her forward until her legs draped his shoulders. He leaned in and kissed her outer lips. She shuddered at the slight touches, and he felt a thrill of satisfaction. He knew the value of seeing to his partner’s pleasure, but he wanted more than to just give her an orgasm.

  He wanted to worship her.

  He slid his tongue over her clit, flicking it until she moaned. Then he licked her tender flesh until his tongue dipped into her wet heat. He drove it into her relentlessly. Her hands dove into his hair and she bucked, her wet heat sucking at his tongue.

  Michael withdrew from her and she cried out in protest. Smiling, he placed tiny kisses all around her clit, until, finally his lips closed around the tender nub and sucked hard.

  Her scent was so strong he couldn’t stop his fangs from descending. He pierced her labia and blood flowed into his mouth.

  Oh, God.

  Pleasure intensified. He flicked and sucked on her clit, no longer coaxing her bliss, but demanding it.

  His aching cock begged for attention. He wrapped his hand around it and stroked off.

  As she pulsated with pre-orgasmic quivers, he freed his fangs from her soft flesh. Her blood trickled down her pussy to blend with her juices. He licked it all, in a frenzy now. The lovely taste of her blood mixed with her pure feminine taste.

  He bit her again and she shattered, her hips lifting as she screamed. Her come rushed into his mouth along with the tang of her blood.

  Hot pleasure exploded. His semen splashed against the bedding as he finished himself off.

  Long moments passed before he could once again free himself from the delectable woman.

  She spread out on the bed, looking sated, but not, thank God, exhausted. Grabbing the end of the bedding, he wiped off his cock then crawled next to the woman. She rolled toward him, her hands dancing along his pectorals.

  He nuzzled her neck, s
ampling her flesh with soft lips and warm tongue. His hands cupped her breasts, fingers teasing the nipples into taut peaks. She squirmed against him, her hands busy with his cock.

  His mouth closed over one nipple. She moaned and gripped his shaft, stroking it. One of his hands coasted down her thighs and parted her sex. His finger rubbed the slippery folds, teasing her clit before dipping inside.

  His mouth once again descended on her nipples, licking and sucking one and then the other, while his finger slid in and out of her.

  He rolled her over with him so that he was splayed on his back and she sat on his stomach. As she slid onto his hard, hot cock, she planted her hands on his chest and rode him hard. This feels incredible. He loved the feel of his cock plunging into her, over and over. The coil of bliss tightened within him.

  He played with her breasts, his fingers twisting her nipples.

  Once again, his sweet lover tipped over the edge. Her vaginal convulsions caused his cock to slip out, but he rolled over and covered her. Sliding inside her slick pussy once more, he thrust inside her until another orgasm claimed him.

  He groaned as he ejaculated—pleasure a bright burst of heat.

  Thoroughly sated, he collapsed onto his beautiful valentine. She licked his collarbone. Laughing, he slid onto his side and cuddled with her. She looked at him dreamily.

  “That was amazing,” she purred. “You’re a wonderful lover, Dominic.”

  “WHAT THE HELL is the emergency?” asked Eve crossly. “You didn’t make any sense on the phone. We haven’t even checked into our room yet.” She gestured at the suitcases near their table.

  After offering a mental suggestion that his mystery woman sleep, Michael had called Steven’s cell phone. His friends had just walked into the hotel, so he asked to meet them in the back booth of the hotel bar.

  “I went into my room and there she was, my surprise. Only she keeps calling me Dominic.”

  Eve frowned. “Your surprise? I gave you a box of blood truffles. Oh my God. You did your ... uh, thing with some random chick?”

  “She was in my room wearing a ball gag, cuffs, and really sexy underwear. What was I supposed to think?”

  “Fresh off the preeeessses,” trilled an unfamiliar voice. Michael took the flyer from the drunk blonde. Her red T-shirt said “Madra’s Minions.” “And don’t forget to vote for Dominic as Best Romance Cover Model.” She placed a pink ballot in front of Eve. Michael used his hypnotic voice, his eyes glowing the slightest red, and suggested she go away and forget the three people at the table.

  “We did not choose a lover for you,” said Steven, as patient as ever. “You say she was in your room?”

  “Yes.” Michael frowned. “The key didn’t work. So I used the ol’ mojo to unlock the door. It never occurred to me it was the wrong room.” His stomach clenched. “She was willing—more than willing. Damn it! I’ll just do a memory wipe and find some way to compensate her for...” For the best sex I’ve had in forever. He didn’t want to wipe her memory. He wanted to get to know her. He wanted to ... oh, man. He wanted to date her. What the hell was wrong with him? No human woman could keep up with his appetites.

  None but her.

  Vaguely aware of Eve’s continued sputtering and gesturing, he looked at the flyer given to him by the blonde.

  THE BLOG BITCH

  I’ll do anything for publicity.

  Below the glaring title was a picture of his mystery woman. She was sitting on the bed in her black-lace bra and panties, the ball gag and cuffs making her look victimized instead of sexy.

  “Who the fuck did this?” he demanded. He shoved the flyer toward Steven and Eve. “That’s her. That’s my valentine.”

  “Valentine Carter. She’s one of my best friends. I booked all our rooms together.” Eve’s gaze widened. “How the hell did they get this photo? How did they make her dress like that?”

  Michael’s fury was tempered by Eve’s confusion. “Her name really is Valentine? And you know her?”

  His gaze fell on the ballot. Dominic. God, how could he have been so stupid? He pulled out the business card from his pants pocket and tossed it onto the table. “I met this asshole in the hallway. He must’ve just come from the room. He did that to her.”

  “Dominic is gay,” said Steven as he picked up the card. “So, he didn’t create the situation for a sexual thrill. And he is fast friends with Madra Milton.”

  Eve grimaced. “Val hasn’t been kind to romance authors in general, but she was particularly vicious about Madra’s work.” Eve folded the flyer in half, though Michael suspected she wanted to tear it into pieces. So did he.

  “We have the same publisher,” mused Steven. “The industry rumor is that Madra’s sales have gone south. Her last romance wasn’t picked up, so she’s shopping a mystery.”

  “Revenge?” asked Eve skeptically. “You can’t tell me that Val’s blog influenced thousands of readers.”

  “Probably not,” agreed Steven. “But Val is a prime scapegoat for her rage. I suspect Dominic drugged her to get the results he wanted.”

  “That may explain her eagerness,” said Michael, disappointed that Valentine hadn’t been hot for him. She’d just been hot. But it wasn’t her fault. It was Dominic’s—and Madra Milton’s. “There’s no way to get all the flyers or make a whole conference full of people forget that they’ve seen them.”

  Steven smiled. “Then we shall do something else.”

  MICHAEL INSISTED THAT he care for Valentine alone. Eve protested this idea vigorously until Steven shooed her into their room.

  He awakened Valentine and used his glamour so she would do as he asked without question. He picked her up, carrying her to the bathroom and lowering her into a hot bath. He shampooed her hair then took a soaped washcloth and scrubbed her from head to toe. After her bath, he put her into a nightgown rummaged from her suitcase. Tucking her into bed, he cupped her face and stared deeply into her eyes.

  He connected with her memories of the evening and erased every instant she’d spent with him. Though it killed him to do it, he left intact those moments spent with Dominic. The only thing he could do for her was give the suggestion that she would not feel humiliated, but instead would feel courageous. He also implanted the idea that she had gotten herself out of the cuffs and ball-gag and tucked herself in for the night.

  “You will not remember me. You will sleep deeply and when you awake, you will feel well rested and alert,” he said, kissing her gently. “Good night, Valentine.”

  As her eyes drifted shut, she whispered, “Good night, sweet prince.”

  “VAMPIRES ARE REAL,” repeated Valentine. She rolled her eyes and speared another piece of scrambled egg. “You’ve read too many of Adora’s books.”

  “Hey, you accused Steven of being a vampire yourself.”

  “I was joking.” Eve had invited Val for breakfast in the hotel restaurant. Val awoke feeling refreshed, but it took less than five seconds to remember how she’d fallen for the smarmy Dominic.

  “I’ll prove it tonight,” said Eve.

  Yeah, sure, she would. “So Steven is asleep in his coffin?”

  “He doesn’t have a coffin, but we take extra precautions in hotel rooms. He’ll sleep until dusk.”

  Valentine wasn’t sure if Eve really believed she was engaged to a real vampire or if her friend was setting her up for a practical joke. Their friendship had been rocky, and Val could put the blame squarely on her own shoulders. She had been hurt by Eve’s relationship with Steven, who was handsome, rich, and treated his fiancée like a queen. Val realized now that envy had driven her to say and do things that had hurt Eve. And yet her friend had stuck it out. “I’m sorry I’ve been such a bitch. I haven’t treated you well, Eve. I’m grateful you’re still my friend.”

  Eve smiled. “I’m here for you, babe. No matter how bitchy you get.”

  “Thanks,” said Val, smiling. She attacked her toast. “I’m thinking about shutting down The Blog Bitch.”

&nbs
p; “Really? Why?”

  “I’m thinking about writing a novel. Someone suggested it might be a better way to spend my time.”

  “Val, that’s wonderful. You would be a terrific novelist.”

  She felt warmed by Eve’s praise. It would be so nice to focus her energies on creating rather than destroying. Pushing away her breakfast plate, she snagged her orange juice glass. “I’m still thinking about plots and characters. Do you think Steven would give me some advice, maybe share some insights about writing?”

  “As long as you don’t mind meeting him at night.” Eve laughed. “I know you think I’m crazy, but he really is a vampire. And he’s not the only one, either.”

  Valentine grinned. “I don’t know what you’re up to, woman, but I am not buying it.”

  “If I can prove that vampires exist, will you let me get you a date for Valentine’s Day?”

  “You know I don’t celebrate V-Day.” Val chugged her orange juice. “But what the hell. If you can prove vampires are as real as we are, I’ll go out with your mystery man.”

  “Even if he’s a vampire?”

  Val waved away Eve’s teasing. “Yeah, yeah.”

  “Great. His name is Michael Sanderson. He’s really hot and he’ll call you to make arrangements.”

  “Only if you can prove your fiancé is walking around without a pulse.” Valentine hesitated. “Wait a minute. Michael Sanderson? That name sounds familiar.”

  “He’s a publicist,” said Eve. “You’ve probably heard his name around here oryou’ve seen it online. He and Steven have been friends for a long time.”

  “A vampire publicist.” She snickered. “Doesn’t that make it difficult to work during the day? How the hell does he manage to schmooze?”

  “He has minions.”

  They both cracked up at the joke.

  “Ms. Carter?” Val looked up to see a harried woman in a pink jogging suit. Her brown hair was pulled into a topknot a la I Dream of Jeannie. A Gucci purse dangled from one arm, which also held a clipboard. The nametag on her shirt declared her to be Tabitha Johnson, Conference Chair.