by Jane Jamison
They want me just the way I am.
Jack eased behind, pulling her onto his lap and earning a curse from Dade who had to reposition himself. “I want your sweet ass.”
She nodded, giving him her silent permission. Jack’s cock had felt like warmed steel against the small of her back, but when he entered her, without preparation, without warning, the warmed steel had transformed into a scalding-hot bolt that had been soldered into her asshole. At first, there was pain, but that pain soon morphed into lust. She squirmed, doing her best to give both Dade and Jack the best of her.
Hank, however, wasn’t one to be left out. He devoured her breasts, licking, sucking, nibbling. When he’d gotten to his feet, bending low, and offered her his cock, she’d been ready to take it. His taste was incredible. Musky, tangy with a hint of something extra she couldn’t define. She hollowed her cheeks, sucking as hard as she could.
She would’ve bet her last dollar that she’d never be caught dead making love in the middle of a pasture with a bunch of cows standing around them. But she couldn’t be happier. A surge of excitement swelled, renewing her energy as she sucked on Hank’s cock, and tightened her pussy and asshole around Dade’s and Jack’s cocks.
The four of them moved easily together. Their hands skimmed over her body, proving that there were places she never would’ve believed were erogenous. Cupping Hank’s balls occupied one of her hands while the other reached for Jack’s hair as he nibbled on her neck.
Her desire grew stronger with each passing minute. Her need ballooned, making her moan in both ecstasy and delicious pain. Her cries mixed with the sounds of the cattle.
She tensed, readying for the fast-approaching climax, but she tried to hold back. Yet holding it back was as difficult as holding on to air. Her orgasm roared out of her. She laid her head back and screamed, full and throaty.
Before long, she realized that she wasn’t the only one voicing a climax. The men came in quick succession. Each pulled out then away from her, spoiling her hope to keep their seed with her. Jack’s moan blew warm breath against her ear as he lifted her off him then gently settled her back onto the blanket.
She rolled to her side even as her body still shuddered out the last of her climax. Snatching up her shirt, she pulled it on and tugged it down.
“No, sugar, don’t cover up. Not yet,” pleaded Hank. “Give us a minute to recover and we’ll go again.”
Again?
Is he serious?
Yet one glance at his face answered that question.
Hank smiled and laid his head against her rounded stomach. “Holy shit, but that was good.”
“Yeah?” She tunneled her fingers through his hair. Jack and Dade moved closer, each putting a hand on her, caressing her.
“You better believe it,” answered Dade. “The best ever.”
The best ever? As in a long line of women who had come before her?
Of course she didn’t expect them to be virgins. No one in their right mind would’ve thought that. Yet, still, the remark left her feeling…confused? Hurt? Jealous? Even in some strange way, betrayed? She couldn’t find the right word. There was no way in hell that she was the best. They’d no doubt slept with skinny women, women with teardrop, firm breasts and toned bodies. How could she possibly have been the best?
Was she the latest in a long line of fucks? Were they doing a pity fuck for the fat girl?
Her gaze met Hank’s, and he sat up, frowning. “Don’t do that.”
“Don’t do what?”
“Don’t start putting yourself down.”
She looked away, tugging her jeans back on sans undies. Could he tell what she was thinking? It was unnerving, but was it a sign? “You don’t know what I’m thinking.” She narrowed her eyes, half joking, half not. “Unless, of course, you’re a vampire and you’re reading my mind.”
“I don’t need to be a vampire to know what you’re thinking.”
Was he denying he was a vampire? Or confirming it? She’d gotten off track of her mission to find a vampire. How had she let that happen? Her gaze slid from one gorgeous naked man to the next.
Oh, yeah. That’s how.
She got to her feet, needing to do something so that she wouldn’t look at them.
“You’re telling yourself that you’re not good enough,” interjected Jack as he stood and began getting dressed. “You’re amazing. Incredible. Just exactly the kind of woman we’ve been waiting for.”
“We know this is fast and all, but we believe in love at first sight.” Hank looked sheepish. “I realize how that sounds, and it sucks, but it’s the truth. We’ve always believed that once we met the right woman, we’d know right off the bat. And we do. It’s you, sugar.”
Oh, how she wanted to believe! But years of being played, of disappointment, wouldn’t let her. She’d rather be wrong than find out she was right. Pushing them away would be better than looking like a fool. She’d been the fool far too often.
“Hank’s right. You need to stop thinking what you’re thinking.” Dade was on his feet as he tugged on his jeans then his boots. “That you’re too big for any man to desire you, much less the three of us.”
Was she really so transparent? Or had they made love to other insecure women?
“We want you, Sunshine. Hell, I want you again right now.”
She couldn’t help but look at Hank. Desperately wanting to believe him, she searched his face, his eyes. But did she see the truth there? Or was he merely a good liar? After all, if they’d done this before, not once but more often, they could’ve become very good at telling a woman exactly what she wanted to hear. Weren’t all men good at that?
Suddenly, she couldn’t stand hearing another word. Not when she wasn’t sure if what they said was the truth or a lie. “Stop it.” She pushed Jack’s hands away as he reached to pull her against him. “Stop telling me that shit. Stop making fun of me.”
“Making fun of you? What are you talking about?” Dade moved nearer, too. Hank took a step forward.
She held up her hands, keeping them from getting any closer. “I’m fat, not stupid. I know what kind of woman men want and this”—she waved her hands over her body like a deranged Vanna White—“isn’t it.”
“The hell it isn’t.” Hank’s tone was harsh yet tinged with another emotion.
Was that emotion hurt?
The only thing worse than standing there listening to them tell her how much they wanted her was seeing hurt in Hank’s face. Pushing away from them, she hurried away, forgetting about her horse. She had to get as far from them as possible in any way she could. She took off running across the field, startling their horses and sending cows bellowing in fright.
“Sunshine, come back!”
“Don’t go, sugar!”
“Aw, come on, darlin’. Talk to us. Tell us what you’re thinking!”
But she kept running, only half aware of the cow patties she skirted. The house was a long way from where they were, but she’d get there. And once she made it back, she’d get in her car and head for home.
Her reason for coming to Lost no longer mattered. If vampires did exist, then who was she to try and help them? The only thing she wanted was to get back to her safe little apartment and cry out her woes on Walter’s shoulder.
Suddenly, they were standing in her way. She almost fell over in her attempt to keep from running into them.
How the hell did they do that?
Panting, Sunshine gawked at the men. Although it made no sense, she glanced behind her, half expecting to see the men right where she’d left them. She turned back, frowning. Granted, she couldn’t run very fast, and they could’ve caught up with her, but she hadn’t seen them dash past her. So how were they standing in front of her?
“How’d you do that?” Yet, she knew. Still, they’d deny it. They had to.
“Will you stop running and listen to us?” asked Hank, who wasn’t at all out of breath.
“We’ll just catch up to you again.�
� Dade crossed his arms. “One way or another, you’re going to listen to us.”
“We think you might like what we’re going to say,” added Jack.
What choice did she have? “Tell me how you got in front of me. Without me seeing you, too.”
“Do you promise not to take off running again, sugar?”
She studied them and knew without a doubt that they would finally tell her the truth. Besides, she still hadn’t caught her breath. Running much farther was out of the question. “I promise.”
“Okay, then.” Hank dragged in a breath. “We didn’t want to lie to you, but we need to keep a low profile. Even in Lost.”
She didn’t respond. What did he expect her to say? He had to say the words first.
“You’re right, darlin’.” Dade’s smile was forced, even a bit sad. “We’re vampires.”
Chapter Six
What the fuck?
“No, you’re not.” Sunshine couldn’t believe it. Not until she saw the proof with her own eyes. As much as she’d wanted it to be true, she’d already begun to think she’d been wrong for believing that vampires existed. Now the men were saying she was right all along?
Jack let out a caustic laugh. “What? Now you don’t believe us?”
She crossed her arms, determined not to be tricked. Were they saying they were vampires to keep her there? “No. I don’t. I think you’d say anything to keep me from leaving. Even admitting to being vampires.”
“Sugar, you’re not making any sense. We’re telling you that you were right. Not only is Jack a vampire, but we’re all vampires.” Hank stared at her as though she’d lost her mind.
“Then prove it.”
“Prove it?” asked Jack, incredulous.
“Yeah. Show me something.” Her stomach did a little flip-flop. If they were telling the truth, would she be in danger? What if they couldn’t control their blood-thirsty urges once they gave in to the vampire part of them? Would they still recognize her?
“Okay, guys.” Jack shrugged at the other two. “Let’s show her.”
Seriously? Is this really happening?
“As long as she doesn’t freak out,” added Dade. “You promised. No more running off.”
“I’m not going anywhere.” At least, she hoped she wasn’t.
“Fine. Then let’s show her.” As soon as the words were out of Jack’s mouth, he began to change. His body seemed to grow larger, stronger-looking. His facial features changed, growing more angular. Blood vessels appeared in his face as though his skin had grown more translucent. He was still just as handsome as before, but he was different.
And his eyes. His gray eyes held the same color, albeit darkening somewhat, but the intensity in them was hard and bright. That intensity gripped her, holding her in place as a sensation of power emanated from him. She couldn’t have run even if she’d wanted to.
Her attention shifted to Hank and Dade. They, too, had changed. Yet it still startled her when Dade opened his mouth to expose long sharp fangs.
“Oh my God,” she whispered. “It’s true. It’s really true. You’re vampires.”
“Yeah, babe. It’s true. You were right. I’m a vampire. We’re all vampires,” answered Jack.
Suddenly, her knees gave out. If Dade hadn’t rushed to catch her, she would’ve dropped to the ground. Lifting her into his arms as easily as he would’ve lifted a rag doll, he carried her back to the tree. He placed her gently on the ground at the base of the tree, and once more, she found herself leaning against the trunk. They knelt next to her.
“Are you all right, darlin’?” asked Dade.
“I will be.” She dared to touch his mouth. He opened wide, letting her put her fingertip to a fang. “I know I said I knew vampires are real, but actually seeing one? Seeing three? Give me a minute.”
“No rush.” A slight swishy sound was heard as Hank retracted his fangs. His eyes lost most of the intensity as he returned to “normal.”
“How did it happen? How did you become vampires?” Not that it mattered, but she was certain they’d want to be changed back. Wouldn’t any vampire?
“Remember how we were talking about our good old college days together?”
She nodded at Jack. “Sure. That’s where you two met Dade.”
“We were roommates, but thanks to Dade, we became more than roommates pretty soon after we first met.”
“I don’t understand.” Yet as she studied their faces, she knew. “He’s the one who changed you, isn’t he? Dade changed you and Hank.”
“Yeah, he did. We got drunk one night like most college kids do, and he kind of lost control. He bit us and changed us.”
Her attention shifted to Dade. She expected him to look guilty for what he’d done, but she saw no remorse. “And how did you catch the virus?”
“I’m not sure it’s a virus. Not that I know what it is, or how it really works, but it didn’t feel like a virus when I was first changed. It was more of a transformation.” Dade sat down in front of her, next to her outstretched legs. “It was my stepdad that changed me. My mom had just died—”
“I’m so sorry.”
“Thanks. Anyway, she’d just passed away after a long fight with breast cancer. I was beyond depressed. Hell, I was suicidal. He did it because he thought it would keep me from killing myself.”
“Because vampires don’t die?” she asked.
He chuckled. “Vampires die, darlin’. We’re not immortal like everyone thinks. A lot of the things people believe about vampires is wrong. Set us on fire and we’ll die like a human would. Cut off our heads and we bite the dust. We’re just more resilient than humans, but we’re not immortal. We age, too. Of course, some of us get better looking with age”—he glanced at the other two men and grinned—“and some don’t.”
“So did it help? Was your stepfather right to change you? How young were you?” She had so many questions that she couldn’t get all of them out fast enough.
“Yeah. Actually, it did help me pull out of my depression. I was fifteen and, like all kids, going through a rush of hormones and uncontrolled emotions. Becoming a vampire helped me focus.”
“But why didn’t he change your mother? Wouldn’t that have saved her life?”
Dade looked down, his expression one of sorrow. “He wanted to, but she refused. She didn’t want to be a vampire. Even if it meant that she’d die.”
She reached for him, her hand on his arm, trying to comfort him. To have lost his mother then to be changed had to have been a tough time for him. “And then you went to college and bit Jack and Hank?”
“Yeah.” He grinned at the other two men, joy replacing sorrow. “At first, they were ticked off big time. But once they learned what it was like to be vampires, they forgave me.”
“This is so amazing. I mean I came to Lost to find a vampire and help him, but part of me never really expected it to happen.” She took Jack’s hand. “But now I can. I can help you become human again. I can help all of you.”
Her smile began to fade as she searched the men’s faces. “What’s wrong?”
Hank stood and was followed by Jack and Dade. Immediately, she felt them disconnect from her. What had she done wrong? She hurriedly got to her feet. “Did I do something wrong?”
“What makes you think we want to become human again?” Hank’s expression was grim.
“Yeah, babe. We’re vampires and we like it. There’s no way in hell that I’d want to go back to being human.”
“But…but you were born human. Why would you want to stay—” She stopped, unable to say the next words.
“Why would we want to stay…like this? Was that what you were going to say?” Dade glared at her. “Are you fuckin’ kiddin’ me?”
“So now that you know what we are, we’re not good enough for you?” asked a confused and angry Hank.
“No, no. It’s not that you’re not good enough. Of course, you are. You guys are amazing. But why in the world would you want to remain vampires
when you have a choice now?” She dragged a hand through her hair. Walter had yet to tell her that he’d found a cure, but she had confidence that he soon would. She’d get the men on board with taking the cure even before Walter discovered it.
“We like what we are, babe, and we don’t want to change back. Virus or not, this is who we are. Either you can accept it or you can’t.”
“Jack, please.” She reached for him, but he backed up. Turning to Hank and Dade, she found the same anger on their faces. “Please, guys. You can’t be serious. No one in their right mind would want to stay a vampire.”
“Then I guess we’re not in our right minds. Blame it on the virus. But know this, Sunshine.” Hank’s gray eyes shone with anger. “We’re not changing for anyone. Not even you.”
“I’m out of here.” Jack shook his head, disappointment oozing out of him, then pivoted around to stride over to his horse.
Dade and Hank remained deadly silent as they walked to their horses and swung into their saddles. She would’ve sworn that Hank’s foot never even touched the stirrup until he was already sitting on the saddle.
“I’m sure you can handle getting back on your horse,” said Dade. “As for finding your way back to the house, all you have to do is give him the reins. He’ll find his way home.”
Dade and Jack spurred their mounts into a quick trot, leaving Hank and her alone. Instead of anger, now all she saw was sadness in his eyes.
“Hank, please.” But please what? Please come back? Please change for me?
“I’m sorry, Sunshine. Real sorry.” Pulling on the reins, he took off after the others.
She stared as they rode away, stunned that they’d left her on her own. What was she supposed to do now?
* * * *
Sunshine had stayed in her room at Hillary’s for the past five days. As she had a thousand times before, she stared at her phone, willing it to ring. But just like a thousand times before, it remained silent.
She missed the men, ached for them. But they were vampires, and they didn’t want to take the cure. Try as she could, she couldn’t understand why they wouldn’t want to go back to being humans. Why would they want to stay as beings most people would fear? Even find disgusting and monstrous? Catching her reflection in the full-length mirror near the closet door, she stared. The whisper of a thought, perhaps of understanding came and then disappeared.
