Voracious Vixens, 13 Novels of Sexy Horror and Hot Paranormal Romance

by Travis Luedke

  “Well, I’m truly insulted!” he teased in a dramatic affronted tone.

  She groaned miserably again. “I really fucked up this time.”

  He frowned. “Now wait just a dammed minute!”

  “You’re a despicable, lowly piece of—”

  “Oh, fuck no.” He grimaced. “You’re so not gonna pull that shit on me!”

  Valentine winced at his loud voice. “You slipped me something! Fucking contemptible...”

  With her description, Payne raised a brow.

  “Men like you should be locked up,” she sneered with pain in her voice.

  “You were all over me, Princess!”

  Raising her head, her mouth dropped open.

  “You were stripping for me, you little minx.” He winked at her. “You’re definitely in the wrong line of work, you know?”

  “Oh!” she yelled. “You liar!” She leapt from the bed. “Of all the incredibly outrageous, ego-driven, pig-faced liars!”

  His heated stare dropped to her bare feet and rose slowly over all that lovely bare skin.

  Valentine gasped and peered down at her nude self.

  Payne threw his head back and laughed.

  She screamed with panic and snatched the sheet from the edge of the bed, yanking it to her naked body.

  “It was just so easy to pluck that little rose.” His eyes were pinned to the little flower inked above her breast, his laughter almost hysterical.

  Valentine peered down at the little tattoo and jerked her head up, pulling the sheet over the glaring red rosebud. A bizarre feeling rushed through her alongside the shame, as if this all happened before and she shook it away as her aggravation grew.

  Payne’s laughter slowed. “At a Payne Party, one always has way too much fun.” He swiped at a tear of hilarity. “Ahh, yes.” He sighed with a leftover titter. “However, it's not important right now.”

  “Not important?” She took a stunned step back.

  He stood from the bed.

  Valentine gaped openly as she gawked at his hard, lean body.

  “Yes, I’m afraid the other discovery trumps even this sordid little—affair.”

  “Discovery?”

  “You don't remember?” He peered at her face.

  “Not a single thing.” She bit nervously at her lower lip while she could swear she sensed heat coming from his magnificent body.

  “We found out,” he hesitated. “That we’re—”

  “We’re not shit, Payne!” Valentine trembled with some unidentifiable vibration from the gentle tone in his voice. Her hands shook as she turned and grabbed her clothes. “I will forget about this travesty, if it takes all the determination I’ve got!”

  Remaining silent for a long moment, he studied her flushed face. “Yeah, all right.”

  “What does that mean?”

  “Nothing, it was just a one night stand, in any case.” He raised his brows. “And, I gather you do this frequently.”

  At the casual insult, Valentine’s jaw dropped.

  “So yeah, we can forget it and proceed with—”

  “Oh!” She gripped her clothes in a white knuckled hold.

  “Yep, I suppose I can chalk you up as just another fun Payne party favor.” He shrugged his bare shoulders with a wicked smile.

  The crude ludicrous affront astounded her, as a sweeping rage dropped from her constricted chest and landed with a burning sensation in the pit of her queasy stomach. Enraged, Valentine swiped the small lamp from the bedside table and hurled it at him.

  “So, we need to get our guides and—” Payne spun around and caught the flying lamp in midair.

  She gasped.

  “Now that wasn’t very nice.” His eyes glinted at her.

  Bewildered, she stared at the lamp he held with one hand. “How did you...?”

  “You’d better get dressed, Sweet Valentine.” He gave her a cold smile.

  “What did you just call me?”

  He stared back at her pale face. “I...”

  Valentine trembled as she experienced a horrendous headache. “Oh.” The room spun around her.

  “Okay, steady now. We’re just upset and that's all,” he released a sigh and set the lamp down.

  The image of the Boss’ red steel chassis floated in her mind and she could even envision Payne as he grinned at her from the steering wheel and switched gears. “You gave it to me?” she blurted the question out.

  Payne turned away and snatched his shirt from the chair. “I don't have any diseases, Valentine.”

  “The car, Payne!”

  “What car?”

  “The red Mustang?” She tilted her head at him. “The Boss—they said it was a cop who gave it to me.”

  “Don't know what you’re talking about.” He peered downward as he buttoned his shirt.

  Valentine shook her head. It was ridiculous, why would he have even done that? It makes no sense. She lowered the sheet and fumbled with her pants. “You’d better not breathe a word of this to anyone or so help me.”

  He zipped his pants and stood watching her.

  She tugged her bra on and put her hands into the straps.

  Payne drew in an appreciative breath. “Tasty.” He stared at her bare breasts

  Valentine swung her gaze over to see his heated stare. “You mother fu—”

  “Oh, don't get all bashful on me now, Sweet—”

  “I think I want you dead!” she shouted.

  “Well, many have tried, babe,” Payne snickered.

  “Apparently, they didn’t try hard enough.”

  “We need to see what Benjy has found out.” He ignored her fuming glare and sat on the bed to tug on his boots.” And you’re so not presentable, Detective,” he taunted as he stood and reached into his pocket for his cigars. “We got sleuthing to do, super cop.” He made his way to the door without a glance her way as he placed a cigarillo to his lips. “Are you coming?” He purred back at her while he opened the door and went out with a slam.

  Rage and aggravation stormed inside of her like a boiling inner turmoil as she almost bit though her lower lip. She glared at the closed door while she stood absolutely still. Something odd is happening here. This feeling is so familiar. Valentine yanked her bra on with jerky vengeful tugs. It’s only familiar because I’ve wanted to kill him the moment I met him, and I may get the lethal injection if I hang around this guy for much longer. He thinks he is so fucking clever and irresistible! Her movements halted as she remembered his smooth, hard, powerful body.

  She took a deep cleansing breath and released it slowly. Disgusting, filthy liar! She hauled her pants on with irritated sharp jerks of the material.

  ~* * * *~

  Binja beamed at the irritated looking cop who strode toward him with a determined purpose.

  “You like dinner, Payne?” He tilted his dark head at him.

  Payne stopped and angrily yanked his Zippo out to light his smoke. “What fucking dinner?” He growled with impatience.

  Binja blinked his eyes at the surly tone. “The dream juice?”

  Payne lit his cigar and lowered his lighter. “You mean the foul tasting grog?” He snapped the lighter shut, his eyes narrowing at the native.

  Binja swallowed heavily. “Me figure it not right that you not know that she was a...” His voice trailed away at Payne's stunned expression.

  Payne reeled with a feeling of astonishment and he laughed. “Yeah, well it fucking worked!”

  Binja nodded. “So, she knows too, now?”

  Payne's laughter evaporated as smoke blew from his nose and mouth. “No, but thanks for watching my back.” He patted the guide's shoulder with fondness.

  Binja skidded two feet forward with the pat. He righted himself and stared back at him with wide eyes.

  “Apparently, she drank too much of it,” he quipped and gritted his cigarillo with his teeth.

  The native gasped, “Oh, my.”

  “What?” Payne stepped closer.

  “It go
t an herb that...” he gulped.

  Payne grabbed his arms. “That what?” He lifted the startled guide from the ground.

  “No, it not hurt her!” Binja's eyes rounded while his feet left the ground.

  “So, what then?” Payne lowered him down a fraction.

  “Well, if she drink too much?” he paused. “In a little while?” He met Payne’s glowing eyes. “She go way wild!”

  “Wild?” Payne dropped him.

  He nodded. “You'd better watch out, ‘cause she's gonna—”

  “Payne!” Valentine shouted from the steps of the bungalow.

  “We talk later, Benjy boy!” His eyes narrowed at the frightened guide.

  “So, what are you doing now?” Her sly voice ridiculed. “Beating up on the locals?”

  “No! I wouldn't hurt a hair on Binja's sweet head.” He patted Binja gently on his dark crown as he shot a warning glance to the nervous Aborigine.

  Valentine stepped closer. “So, where are we going?”

  “I was just about to ask.” He threw his gaze back to Binja.

  The nervous Binja blinked at them. “Huh?”

  Payne smiled at the bewildered man. “Lead on, Cochise!” He sauntered towards the Jeep.

  “Gimmie!” Valentine shouted.

  Payne slowed his steps. Yeah, so help me, I’m gonna give you something, all right! His eyes glowed while he imagined all the delicious gifts he would give and take from her lovely, curvy body.

  Binja jumped back at the glow in his boss's eyes. “Oh my, there gonna be rumble in the jungle soon!” He muttered and hurried to the Jeep.

  Payne waited for Valentine and grinned when he heard Binja’s whispered worrying.

  “I here, Miss V!” Gimmie shouted from behind her.

  Valentine turned to him with a kind smile. “You’re doing okay?”

  He nodded his head. “But, your satchel?”

  “I don't blame you, Gimmie.”

  “My job and...”

  Valentine fondly patted his arm. “Let's go and catch a killer today!” Her eyes were overly bright as she sashayed past Payne.

  He watched and enjoyed the sway of those heavenly hips gliding past. “Mmm.”

  She flipped around. “I heard that!” Her eyes flashed at him.

  From all the way over there? He shook his head with humor. Hmm, wild? I'd better watch her closely and such an easy fucking task it will be too. Payne’s attention remained focused on her shapely form while she got into the Jeep.

  ~* * * *~

  They rode for a long time, as Binja drove the Jeep over terrain which wasn’t even a road anymore. The lurching vehicle rose over a hill.

  Payne titled his head back and spotted movement high in the air, his eyes narrowing. Chimera.

  Valentines face paled while viewing the same thing. “What the hell is that?”

  Payne rose from his seat and shot up, disappearing from her sight.

  She blinked rapidly.

  Binja turned to the passenger seat to see Payne disappear. His dark eyes widened and he slammed on the brakes.

  The Jeep skidded sideways and Valentine didn’t have a hold as her body pitched forward, slamming into the seat. “Ooh!”

  Gimmie reached for her. “Binja!” he shouted with alarm.

  The befuddled driver swiveled his ashen face to him.

  She raised her head. “Don't stop, Binja!”

  Binja turned to grab the wheel.

  Payne appeared in the seat.

  Binja jumped so hard his knees hit the steering wheel.

  “Up over the next rise, Benjy.” Payne glared straight ahead.

  The startled driver gulped and put the Jeep into gear.

  “What the fuck was that, Payne?” Valentine rubbed her palm across the red lump on her forehead.

  He remained silent as the Jeep went over the rise.

  Her eyes narrowed at the road ahead. “And, what is that?”

  Payne leapt to the ground before the Jeep even stopped. “The third victim.” He looked around. “Or what’s left of him.”

  “Who it be, Payne?” Binja shook visibly.

  The tall detective walked mutely ahead.

  They all got out, followed, and could easily see the bloody mess all over the grass.

  “Barbie.” Valentine halted.

  Payne turned to her. “Afraid not.”

  “What?”

  “Male.” He plucked a cigar from his pocket.

  “How do you—?”

  “I saw him.” He lit the cigar and gritted it with his teeth.

  “And?”

  “Beast.” His smoked answer puffed toward her face.

  She looked puzzled. “I thought you said it was a man?”

  He released more smoke. “Yeah, that's what I said.”

  Gimmie knelt at the edge of the bloody mass. “It be Mister Packy!”

  Binja stood back with shock. “Oh, no!”

  Payne glanced over at him.

  “Mister Stephen's cattle boss,” he gulped.

  Valentine’s attention remained centered on Payne. “So, you think she has an accomplice or something?”

  “Or, something,” he grunted while gazing over the horizon.

  “You’re so not saying she’s innocent!”

  He crossed his arms over his chest. “Maybe.” His keen gaze traveled over the bloody ground.

  “No fucking way! This is her MO, her signature.”

  Payne shrugged and turned toward the Jeep. “Well, now it's someone else's signature.”

  “Where the hell are you going?” She gaped at him.

  “God Dammit, Valentine, don't you ever pay attention?” he called back.

  “To what?” Her gaze swung over to the stricken faces of the guides. “What?” She raised her hands in the air.

  “A Beast, Miss V.” Binja shook his head.

  “What the fuck does that mean?” She blinked her puzzled blue eyes at him.

  He followed to where Payne stood and stepped in next to the waiting detective.

  Payne watched Valentine closely as she stood with her guide.

  Gimmie stared at the ground.

  “Gimme?” She stared at the grief stricken guide.

  He raised his saddened gaze. “Ghouls, Miss V.” His body shook with the words.

  “What the hell is everybody talking about?”

  Gimme sighed heavily. “You think a man done all dat?” He nodded toward the bloody field and made his way to the Jeep.

  Her gaze swiveled back to the horrific scene. “A chainsaw maybe?” She stared down at the severed hand lying on the ground a few feet away.

  “Valentine!” Payne shouted. “Are you coming with me?”

  Her head swung around at the peculiarly familiar phrase and her eyes glowed while she instantly marbled and escalated from the ground. “Victor?” Her voice echoed eerily out at them.

  Payne’s dark eyes rose to where she floated. “Oh, shit.”

  Binja gasped as he leaned his head back to see the female marshal floating above them.

  Gimmie screamed like a woman and stretched flat out on the Jeep seat with his hands over his head.

  “Binja?” Payne sighed, his glowing eyes riveted to the hovering woman.

  The guide seemed to hold his breath while staring, as she levitated higher from the ground. “Yeah?”

  “Wild, you say?” His focus remained on the suspended Valentine.

  The poor frightened guide nodded violently. “I sorry, Payne, I didn’t mean to—”

  “We’ll meet you at the bungalows when we’re done.” Payne ascended from the ground.

  Binja’s wide eyes rose to the floating pair of beasts. “Done?”

  “Yeah, done with this fucking wipe.”

  Binja swallowed again and shook his head. “God Damn Americans!”

  Gimmie cried like a loud, helpless baby from the back seat.

  Payne grabbed her and the pair disappeared into the sky.

  CHAPTER EIGHT

>   Valentine struggled violently in his arms.

  Payne held her tightly, but her strength was increasing. He swiftly spanned the landscape. I have to find a place with no humans. He released a breath. Dammit, I don’t even have any velvet ties to hold her with! He rolled his eyes. This will not be pleasant. He spotted a cabin in a small isolated valley. He flew down and listened while spanning the entire area.

  With his distraction, she tried to scratch him. “Whoa there, little beast.” He seized her hands.

  “Let me go, you filthy pig!” she growled at him her eyes full of glowing light.

  “I see there’s still a Valentine in there, somewhere,” he smirked and moved her through the door.

  She spat at him and grew stronger.

  A range shack for cattle drives he surmised, while he gazed around and spotted a lamp. He held her with one hand, took out his Zippo, flipped it open, and lit the oil lamp.

  Valentine continued to struggle with him and seemed to still when the light hit her eyes.

  He let her go.

  Her breathing grew rapid while she gazed around. “What is happening?” Her eyes shifted from gold to blue and back again.

  “You turned.”

  Her glowing gaze swung over to him. “What?”

  “Do you feel like killing?”

  She took a deep breath and nodded.

  “We need to prevent that.”

  “I don't need anything from you!”

  “Oh, but you will get it anyway.” He removed his shirt.

  “What are you blabbering about?”

  “I don’t blabber, Valentine. I’m going to calm you.” He removed the rest of his clothes, throwing the gun holster on the chair while he grew in size. “And, I believe I’m going to thoroughly enjoy it.”

  Her shocked gaze rose slowly up while he marbled and expanded to an incredible height. Her eyes changed again to blue. “Payne?”

  He grabbed her up and looked into her eyes. “Are you okay now?”

  Her eyes became gold as she swiftly scratched his cheeks with both hands, her steel-like nails drawing blood from his skin.

  “Sly, aren't we?” he glared at her.

  She marbled completely again.

  He flipped her around and held her hands down, floating them over to a wooden table in the middle of the low-lit cabin. Payne moved her up against the table. “I won't fall for that again.” Valentine squirmed and fought as he held her hands on the table. With his free hand, he reached down, ripping her slacks from her body. “I haven’t calmed a female in a very long time.”