I frowned at the kid. "I will thanks." I felt my stomach growl. "Do you have anything to eat?"
"Sorry, we only have vending machines." He pointed at the three machines in the corner of the reception area. "Ma’am, what size are you?"
"Size?" My eyebrow raised as the kid smiled.
"Yeah clothing, what size are you? Jim told me to give you some clothes."
"I’m a 9/10 depending on the material." I would never be a size six but at 5’10", I didn’t really care. The kid opened a cabinet and retrieved a black duffle bag, throwing it on the counter.
"People leave stuff here all the time. New stuff," he whispered. "I’m leaving about 5:30 p.m. tonight. So lock your door and when you’re done with the room, put the key in the drop box out front."
I took the key and the bag and headed to the vending machines. I bought four candy bars, Twinkies, and three cold sodas. I shoved it all into the side pocket of the duffle bag.
I walked out the door-waving goodbye. "Thanks, kid."
Leaving I could hear the kid calling out to me. "Remember, I leave at 5:30 tonight… Lock your door." His voice trailed off as I searched for my room.
I couldn’t help but cringe at the sight of the motel. It was a hole in the ground. I cursed the kid when I finally reached my room. Why the end of the motel? Sore and exhausted, I unlocked the door and fumbled against the wall until I found the light switch. As the room illuminated to life, my mouth dropped in shock. The room was clean. No, the room was splendid. I had just finished calling him every name in the book under my breath, and now I was ready to hug and kiss the kid.
Lush carpet with a king size heart-shaped bed. It was spacious, clean and cool. There was a kitchen at one end of the room and a bed at the other with a sitting area in between. I turned towards the door. It had to be noon, and only six more hours until dark. I needed to get some sleep while I could relax. Plus somehow I had to get home, and I dreaded the call to my newfound buddies.
Shutting the door I locked it, leaning my head against the frame. Taking a deep breath I turned to survey my new surroundings a little closer. The kitchen, sitting room, and bed were all in one space but the space was roomy. I put the bag on the bed and peeled my jacket off.
Throwing the jacket on the chair near the nightstand, I sat down on the edge of the bed. Weariness crept through me and my stomach growled loudly. "Need sustenance," I told myself out loud in the best imitation cave man voice I could muster. Grabbing a candy bar and soda out of the bag, I devoured them within seconds.
I decided it would be better for me to be armed so I slid off the bed and snatched my jacket emptying both pockets. Six throwing stars left, one gun, box of silver bullets, bundle of money, and a folded piece of paper.
"How did the paper get in my pocket?" I opened it remembering Siön Baptiste had given me the jacket. I read the note.
Call me on my cell if you need me. (Anytime) 555-313-5252
Yours,
Siön Baptiste
Chapter 16
I stood over the phone and read the note again. Why was I so nervous to call him? Maybe shooting his brother or the things he did to my body. Just the thought made me blush. He was so arrogant at times and he infuriated me, but my heart was beating so hard I thought it might leap right out of my chest. I picked up the phone and the dial tone screamed into my ear. I slowly dialed the number and with each button I pushed, I became increasingly nervous. Get a grip, Sam, it’s only a vamp. I never got this nervous about anything. The phone began to ring and after the third ring, I almost hung up. I wasn’t sure if I really wanted the help of this man or maybe I was too nervous to ask. As I was about to hang up, a familiar voice came over the phone.
I recognized the Old World accent. "Hello"
I paused. "Siön Baptiste?"
I heard a sigh. "Samantha, are you alright?" His voice was steady, emotionless. "Where are you?"
I was surprised he didn’t start yelling or screaming. His voice remained calm with only a hint of concern. Did this mean he wasn’t upset that I shot his brother or killed Nicholi? "I am near Poverty Point at Motel X." I trembled as I spoke. I could feel the tears welling in my eyes.
As if he read my thoughts, he responded. "My sweet, everything will be okay. I can be there in two hours," he whispered.
I had this overwhelming desire to jump through the phone and kiss him. I wanted to scream that I missed his arrogant self. I wanted to scream I was sorry for killing his father and shooting his brother. This man who in such a short time had become so important to me only worried about my well-being. Why?
"Hurry," was all I managed to say.
"I will. My sweet, stay safe." He paused. "I… lo… I will hurry," he quickly added.
We both clung to the phone. I could hear him breathing softly on the other end.
"See you soon, my sweet." His voice was raspy as he spoke.
I hung up the phone and wiped the tears from my face. I should have told him everything, but it could wait. I wondered if Trevor was okay and what Sevastian was doing.
Thinking hurt my head so I decided to take a bath. I wanted to remove all traces of Alastair from my body, both inside and out. I took off my outfit laying all the clothes on the chair. I lugged the bag and gun into the bathroom with me. My body was sore and a bath would be nice.
Fumbling through the bag I found a pair of jeans, t-shirt, socks, black panties, and bra. All the clothing had tags. New? I started the water and faced my bruised image in the mirror. Eyes bloodshot with a few scratches on my neck and face were the only visible reminders of last night. I looked like a train hit me. A train that hopefully was dead or dying as I thought of him. Easing myself into the tub, I cried out silently as my battered body ached painfully. I had a black eye, a bruised hip, and the bite marks were festering. I felt sore and feverish as soon as I hit the water. The battle scars would heal, but would Siön Baptiste and Sevastian ever forgive me for killing Nicholi? Would Trevor ever live a normal life? I washed my hair with the shampoo from the motel. God, I couldn’t think anymore. I took the soap scrubbed myself, rinsed and then rested on the tub afterwards.
If I could only close my eyes for just a minute, I would feel so much better.
I shot up out of the tub. Sitting forward I rubbed my arms, chilled from the now freezing water. The cold settled deep in my muscles. Something woke me up from my nap, but what? How did the water get so cold? I just fell asleep for a little while, hadn’t I? My body was icy, cold to the bone.
"God, just how long did I sleep?" I whispered to myself. Raising my body painfully out of the water, I grabbed a towel. I was shivering as I wrapped one towel around my head and the other up under my arms. I jumped out of my skin when I heard a knock at the door.
I shuffled my weary body to the door, as the knocking soon became pounding. The door was flinching from its frame threatening to burst off its hinges. "Who is it?" I yelled.
Chapter 17
"Samantha, are you alright?" The accent rolled over me and I knew it was Siön Baptiste.
I quickly unlocked the door and it flew open almost pushing me to the floor.
Siön Baptiste’s tall elegance emerged through the doorway. His masculine frame and height filled the room, power flooding over everything. He stared widely around the room. Strolling past me in a flash, he entered the bathroom then exited, peering into the closet. He took a deep breath walking past me to the door, slamming it shut and locking it. His long lean body moved like a predator, prancing about my room looking as wild as a beast. I retreated against the bed and sat down. Well, here it goes. I deserve it. I fully expected him to yell at me and waited patiently for his retribution.
When he visibly calmed, he glanced at me. His eyes widened as he glided towards me. His gaze moved slowly over my entire body. He was wearing the same outfit from last night. Leather pants and vest along with his jacket flowing behind him. He was wild with emotion and he looked fantastic. I couldn’t keep my eyes off his perfectly male fac
e and those sage green eyes. I immediately became very aware of my lack of clothing and a blush crept across my body.
Heat washed over me as he knelt in front of me, watching my face. His fingers swept over my cheek and down my neck stopping at the bruise on my shoulder. His eyes filled with something I had seen once before, hatred. Would he hate me because of what I’d done? My heart jumped at the thought of seeing disgust in his eyes.
I found myself looking away from his gaze that now felt like it touched the deepest part of my soul. He pulled my chin toward his face forcing me to look at his perfect symmetrical features. "He hurt you?" he asked tenderly, concern in his eyes.
I nodded, melting under his caring touch. Fire danced across my skin as his fingers caressed me. The cold chill now gone, replaced with a boiling heat. I was so close to Siön Baptiste and the realization I wasn’t dressed fueled the flame inside.
"Is he dead? The one who did this?" His eyes watched my every move. Something in his expression sent a shiver down my spine. My stomach somersaulted, causing me to shudder all over. I think he thought I was cold, but it was much more than that. He soothingly put his jacket over my shoulders and sat on the bed beside me. He hugged my head to his chest rubbing his hands over my back. His warmth surrounded me, I felt so safe in his arms. "I am sorry, my sweet. If I hadn’t barged in on your life, none of this would have happened," he sighed, drawing me closer.
I looked up into his face and his eyes held unshed tears. "I killed Nicholi and Alastair."
"I know." He paused. "I have been… nosy... Reading your thoughts, I found what I needed to know about my fa…" He stopped for a moment his anger evident. "Nicholi deserved death and if you hadn’t, I would have." He rubbed his hand down my back and around the towel. "I am sorry you didn’t trust me, Samantha." He sighed. "Did Alastair... did he rape you?" His voice was raspy and he turned his head towards the window.
I pushed my aching head into his shoulder and cried. I couldn’t stop crying. What had happened last night was worse than death. I had slept with a man I despised and killed him. A wave of nausea crashed over me as I sobbed into the warm leather vest. The thought that Alastair might have been my father sickened me. I couldn’t stop crying, once the tears started flowing they wouldn’t cease.
Siön Baptiste removed the towel from my head and ran his fingers through my hair. "Shhhhh… my love, it is over, you are safe." He held and rocked me, comforting me. While I still cried, he picked me up removing the covers from the bed, delicately placing me within its folds. Silently he loosened the towel, tossed it to the floor, covering my chilly body with the sheet.
"I’m cold." I shivered, needing the closeness of his body next to mine.
He placed his jacket over the chair. Every movement he made was so effortlessly sensual, drawing my attention to his body. Then he removed his vest exposing his ample chest and fabulously muscled stomach. My mouth opened at the sight. He slipped into the heart shaped bed and shuffled over against me. The warmth of his breath on my neck sent a fevered chill over me. He gently tugged me closer. He wasn’t always an arrogant or a condescending jerk, he could be kind and warm. It was as if something between us had changed forever and the vampire I’d once hated was becoming someone I cared for deeply.
I relaxed as we both drifted off to sleep. I was safely snuggled in Siön Baptiste’s arms.
I woke to the smell of coffee. I couldn’t tell what time it was but my body wasn’t aching nearly as bad as it had.
Siön Baptiste was moving around the room, chatting to himself in French. His voice soothing all my fears and making me feel as if every word he spoke embraced my soul. He trapped me in his voice holding my body hostage with desire. I doubted he knew the power he held over me.
"Is everything okay?" I asked, hiding under the sheet. Siön Baptiste stopped speaking. I lifted my head, peeking over at him.
He was standing completely still, no longer pacing the room. He raised his hand and then dropped it, pausing as if to say something, his face void of all motions. "I do not think you are aware of how much I care for you, Samantha."
He used my real name again, which sounded like trouble to me. "What do you mean?" I asked, scared of his answer.
"You are not honest with your own feelings, so how do you expect to understand mine?" he asked, shrugging his shoulders.
"Are you angry at me?" I paused, quickly adding, "For shooting Sevastian?"
He threw his hands up in the air showing his frustration, but still kept his back to me. "Of course not. How could I ever be angry with you?" He hesitated, turning to face me, his eyes glowing with passion. "I want you. I have desired you from the day we first met. You are a beautiful storm that has stolen my heart."
I almost choked on his words. How could this man want me after I had been so cruel? "Why?" I whispered softly.
He looked at me, searing my soul with his gaze. Something dark and hungry flashed across his features and simply faded. "You are unlike anyone I have ever met. Despite your ornery behavior, you treat me like a man, not a monster. Samantha, you remained immune to my powers and have fallen for me as a man, not a powerful vampire."
"Just when I thought you were losing the cocky act. Fallen? Ornery?" I wasn’t sure I liked where this was all going.
Lifting an eyebrow, he smiled. "You will never admit your feelings to me or yourself. However I am willing to accept being a part of your life any way you please," he whispered.
"Why did you help me? I was hired to save you and all you have done is save me." I paused, taking in the breathtaking man standing before me. Long lean legs leading to a perfect butt along with other strong admirable parts of his body all gleaming. His chest stirred leisurely while he breathed, accenting his all too flawless abs. Those strong arms carried me out of harm more than once. Again, I asked, "Why?"
He turned his back to me as if he had seen a ghost. I cautiously slid out of bed. My head was so hazy I almost fell but swiftly steadied myself. I kept my eyes on Siön Baptiste. I felt nauseated but still stood leaning on the side of the bed pulling the sheet with me. Cautiously I headed to his beckoning body trying with all my might not to collapse. Why did I feel suddenly weak when just a moment ago I’d felt so refreshed?
"Why, Siön Baptiste?" I whispered his name, rolling it over in my mind. Yanking the last section of sheet with me, I went to him. He flinched as I moved my fingers over his back. The feel of his skin and strength below it would be forever burned in my memory. He let out a soft murmur as his body shuddered under my touch. I pressed my mouth to the middle of his back and he groaned as his body tightened. Parting my lips, I licked the smooth skin tasting his salty flesh. He smelled so wonderful. I pulled away, gazing at the length of him, and imagined myself pressed against him. I could feel my own body react to the thought. The sheet was neatly tucked around me as I snuggled closer pushing my breasts into his back. He moaned as my nipples tantalizingly scraped his back, yet he still stood his ground. "Answer me, why do you care so much?"
"Samantha, you must stop teasing me. I will not be able to control my hunger for you if you continue." His voice was hoarse with need.
Leaning against him, I cried. A tear slid down my face falling to his waist causing him to slowly turn and face me. "Do you really need to ask why?" His voice was throaty. The soft leather of his pants caressed my legs, I could feel him pressing into me through the sheets, and I knew he was fully erect. He pulled me closer and with one hand, he ripped the sheet from my body and threw it onto the bed. My nakedness brushing against his body made us both shudder, enflaming us with longing. He bent down and gently licked the trail the tear left, from my face while he moved my hand away from his chest bringing us even closer. I had never felt this alive in the arms of any man. The intimacy of my breasts pressed firmly against him sent waves of pleasure through me that I’d never thought I could feel. His eyes were gleaming and what had been pale green eyes now became a swirling sea of deep green ocean.
As he had done so man
y times before, he lifted me up into his arms and carried me to the bed. He slid into the bed over me, pressing his full length into my body. I could feel the tightening and release of wet hot joy from between my legs begging him to partake. "Siön Baptiste." I cried out, my heart ached and my body begged for his touch.
He removed his pants, throwing them across the room. He stirred against me, kissing tentatively as I eagerly released myself to him, accepting his tongue as it entwined with mine. As he probed my mouth, his hard shaft pushed into my hips. Pain engulfed me as the need to have him swelled within me, rose past reason. This was not magic or power--it was pure lust and life. His hand fell to my waist, sliding down to my hips while he continued probing my mouth relentlessly. I gasped as he maneuvered his manhood between my legs, pushing me apart. His fingers teased my soft curls as he skimmed nearer to my hot wet opening. He teased with his fingers circling my entrance over and over until I begged him to enter. "God, please." My breath ragged with wanting him. I grabbed his hair, screaming as he thrust his fingers deep. My body once cold, now felt like molten lava ready to explode in pleasure. I couldn’t stop shaking as my hips met his fingers, guiding him deeper. I slid my hand down his chest, following the path of dark hair until it found its target. Placing my fingers around his erect penis, I caressed it slowly as his hips moved simultaneously with the action.
"My little storm, you are so beautiful," he growled as he moved down my neck to my breasts. His tongue flicked my nipple, circling and sending waves of stimulating sensations down to my toes. My back arched as I clutched his hair, releasing his shaft. His fingers moved further into me as I constricted, squeezing him as an orgasm took over my body. Writhing in pleasure from every touch and caress, I cried, burying my face in his hair.
"My darling, I am not sure I can control my hunger."
The Silver Fang Page 15
