Fallon's Revenge

by Mackenzie McKade

  “Perhaps we have mistaken the situation.” A tall, imposing man, western hat pulled low over his dark eyes, looked away. It wasn’t a shy, embarrassed movement, but more out of respect. “Boss, do you want me to clear the room?”

  From the deep vibration in the man’s voice and his large muscular size, Fallon could easily picture this guy as a bouncer. He made an even more imposing vampire. There was an aura of mystery and danger. His confident stance cried don’t-mess-with-me-or-else. No one in their right mind would oppose him. She certainly wouldn’t.

  “Thank you, Briar. If you will give us a moment we’ll be upstairs shortly.” In a show of possessiveness that surprised her, Adrian tightened his grip around Fallon.

  “Let’s go.” Briar didn’t check to see if anyone was following as he headed for the stairs. It further showed his self-assurance that what he commanded would be followed.

  Cougar rose. In unison both he and Tucker looked down at Fallon and said, “Ma’am.” With their forefinger and thumb, they touched the rim of their hats before stepping away.

  From the corner of Fallon’s eye she saw Tucker swat Maggie on the ass. She released a small yelp, and then buried her fist into his shoulder.

  “Ouch.” His cry of pain was riddled with laughter as he rubbed his shoulder. “Wildcat!”

  “Whoremonger,” she snarled. Her jean-clad hips swayed as she ran after Briar and away from Tucker.

  Fallon had one of those “ah-hah” moments as the relationship between Maggie and Tucker became apparent. She wanted him. He wanted anything in a skirt. With the male persuasion that really wasn’t something new.

  Fallon threw back the sheet. As she began to rise, an arm around her waist pulled her backward. She fell back, twisting so that she laid half on top of Adrian. His delicious erection pressed firmly against her belly.

  “Where do you think you’re going?” His lips trailed a searing path from her neck down to the swell of one breast. He cupped it lightly in his palm and gently began to knead.

  She shrugged. Where was she going? Guess she’d need to figure out where she was before determining where she’d go. He was doing something to her nipple that was driving her crazy and seriously making her reconsider whether leaving was even in her plans.

  She arched into his caress and sighed. “Time to get up, isn’t it?” But what she wanted was to lose herself in this man.

  A smile brightened his handsome features. “Not by my watch.” He pinched her nipple, hard.

  Crap. A girl couldn’t think right lying naked next to a man who was teasing her body into a burning furnace. “What do you have in mind?”

  He raised his hips, grinding them against hers. His cock was hard and ready. “Taking you back to bed.” His palm smoothed down her hip, until it rested on her ass. “You game?” He squeezed, sending a warm sensation across her skin.

  “Oh, yeah. I’m game.” Before she finished her sentence they were rising from the ground.

  The elements wrapped around her, cleansing and refreshing her skin. The light tingle always made her marvel at how wondrous the untapped magic of the world was. Strange, she could think this way when she wanted so desperately to join her daughter and leave all of this behind.

  “You okay?” he asked as their feet touched the ground.

  The melancholy that rose within her was hard to hide, but she did her best by changing the subject. “I thought you were taking me back to bed.” She raised a brow in question, disappointment softening her voice.

  In a heartbeat, he wrapped his arms around her and captured her lips. Unlike last night, which had begun with a gentle exploration, this kiss was fiery and passionate. His tongue pushed beyond her lips, tasting and probing. Their teeth clashed, as she gave as much as she received. His hands moved across her body like a wildfire, leaving her hot and achy.

  As the kiss broke, she inhaled sharply. She threw back her head, tossing her black mane behind her. “Fuck me, Adrian.”

  A solid wall of dirt met her back as he drove her against the cave. She wove her arms around his neck, as he grabbed her thighs and raised her so she could lace her legs around his waist, locking her ankles.

  With an upward thrust, his firm erection parted her folds and penetrated her.

  “Oh, God,” she groaned, loving the fullness inside her.

  For a moment they simply gazed into one another’s eyes. Then he braced her back against the wall and began to pump in and out of her body, hard and fast. Her heavy breasts bounced with each jab. Her nipples scraping against his chest were raw and sensitive from last night’s loving.

  “Tight.” Voice raspy and strained, he murmured, “So fuckin’ hot.”

  And wet, she wanted to add.

  Perched on the edge of orgasm, she tried to modulate her breathing, concentrating and slowing it down. Inhale—exhale. She wanted the intensity inside her to last forever. Every nerve ending danced upon a flame of passion.

  Adrian buried his head against her shoulder. When his incisors pierced her neck she cried out. Her heart crashed against her chest. Her inner muscles clamped down around him and began to imitate the suction of his mouth, pulling him deeper and deeper as her climax released.

  Sparkles of lights flashed behind her closed eyelids. Hunger rose, enhancing the rippling effect inside her. She fought against instinct, holding desire at bay and forcing her canines to retract. She had taken too much of his blood last night and he hadn’t yet fed this day. Still her mouth salivated remembering the rush of power she had felt the moment his essence touched her tongue.

  With a swipe of his tongue he closed the wound on her neck. He pressed his forehead to hers. “Damn woman. Do you have any idea what you do to me?” His cock was still hard, since he hadn’t climaxed. Steadily, he thrust in and out of her pussy. “Unlock your ankles.”

  When she released the hold her legs had around his waist her feet slid to the ground. He stepped back, extracting himself from her body. There was a moment of emptiness that made her long to feel him deep inside her.

  He spun her around to face the dirt wall. “Lean against the wall.” With a foot between hers he wedged her legs apart.

  Palms braced on the dirt surface, she arched her back. The thought of him taking her from behind sent her mind spinning. She shivered when his strong hands gripped her hips.

  “You’re beautiful.” He struck her ass with the palm of his hand.

  A flinch and a startled yip was her reaction as the sting pulsated. Heat radiated through her butt-cheek. And more surprising was that she liked the burn. In fact, it stirred her so that the rumble in her throat almost sounded like a purr of delight.

  “Damn, darlin’, you have a pretty ass.” His fingertips traced the pink imprint of his hand. Everything about this woman made his body swell with the need to feel her wrapped around his cock. Having her poised and ready for him to fuck her from behind was a heady sight, one that sent his heart racing. He leaned into her and buried his cock within her warmth.

  “Ahhh…” She cried out, arching deeper and giving him better access to move further within her slick pussy. She was wet, so fucking wet—just how he liked his women.

  The slap of flesh against flesh, watching their bodies come together as he pumped in and out between her thighs, nearly undid him.

  Whack! He couldn’t resist landing another hand hard on her sweet ass. Her moan and the way she squirmed beneath his assault made his breathing quicken.

  “Do you like your lovin’ rough, darlin’?” he snarled through clenched teeth, hoping her answer was yes. Thrust after thrust, he continued to fuck her fast and relentlessly.

  In a husky voice, she whispered, “Yes.” Her audible pants, short and quick, were arousing. The tendons in her arms drew taut, as she braced herself against the wall and took all he had to give. But what made his balls draw tight against his body was the seductive glance she threw him over her shoulder.

  Her hair swung back and forth to frame her beautiful face. Shuttered eyes, her
full lips parted on a soft groan. Her incisors had dropped, gleaming sharp and white. She hadn’t fed. And by the hungry look in her eyes, she wanted him for breakfast.

  A roar started in his head. The fires of hell built in his gut, flaming him into a fever. The rush of blood to his groin was unmerciful, as it slammed into his balls and threatened to rip down his cock. Still he fought back the climax begging to be released.

  Her skin was silk beneath his touch. His hand shook as he dragged it across her hip, threading his fingers through her nest of curly hair, before touching her clit.

  “Adrian!”

  A tremor raced through her as his finger circled the engorged bud, once, twice, in steady, fast movements.

  Adrian’s toes curled in the soft, cool dirt beneath him. The richness of the earth mingled with the spicy scent of their bodies sliding against one another.

  “Harder,” she cried out, her hips meeting each of his thrusts. Her knees gave a little. His hand on her hip tightened to support her. He pushed in and out, deep and hard, answering her request. At the same time, his thumb and forefinger drew her clit between them and pinched.

  Both of their bodies tensed at the same time. One more pump of his hips and he threw back his head and a guttural cry tore from deep within his throat. Her scream of ecstasy joined his, as he held their bodies together and released his seed. Small, jerky movements made him groan. His legs trembled. Every ounce of strength vanished, stripped from him. He leaned forward and collapsed, almost knocking them both over.

  With just a thought he carried them to his bedroom. Using the elements he cleansed their bodies, then headed toward the big bed to lay her down. With an air of contentment, he crawled in beside her. She snuggled into him, gazing up at him in an adoring fashion that tightened his chest. The warm, sated smile she gifted him wrapped around his heart.

  Through the centuries he had taken many women to his bed, but none who threatened to bring him to his knees like Fallon. What was it about her? What made her different from the others?

  He pressed his lips to her forehead. Only then did he hear the noise from outside seeping in through an open window.

  A party.

  Adrian had forgotten about the rodeo get-together that he and his friends were hosting tonight.

  Chapter Six

  Through the open door of the kitchen, smells of barbeque sauce and mesquite filled the room. From where she stood just inside, Fallon could see a slab of beef rotating on a spit. The whining and groaning of the motor were uneven as the men near the fire attempted to adjust the weight. When the meat was balanced, the resistance in the engine turned to a soft hum.

  Sparks from the flames crackled and danced against the night sky. Shadows rose and fell across the forest background. The weather was crisp, but not cold, as Fallon gazed out at the unpretentious crowd.

  Down-home folk. Country people.

  Fallon pushed the tips of her fingers into the pockets of her tight jeans, her arms brushing against the gems of the black rhinestone corset she wore.

  Yeah. Right. Vampires—country folk?

  She stared in disbelief. It all appeared so normal. Tucker, the blond vampire she had met earlier, was flirting with the two women from Little Tavern who had been sidled up to Adrian last night. She remembered Adrian referring to them as Lori and Donna. Just like before each woman was dressed for seduction. Tight blue jeans and low cut shirts showing more than they hid.

  Tucker was having little difficulty accepting their attention as he snaked an arm around their shoulders and pulled them tight against him.

  Off to the side, Maggie was setting a chocolate cake on a picnic table already laden with food people had evidently brought with them. The redhead’s gaze darted to Tucker from time to time. The expression of sorrow on her face saddened Fallon. Tucker was clueless or simply didn’t care. Maggie’s feelings for the man were obvious, even to Fallon—a stranger.

  Laughter rose. The sound of branches snapping beneath a vehicle’s tires drew her attention in the direction of a field off in the distance where new arrivals parked. Smiles and greetings abounded as more people pulled up in cars and pickup trucks. It looked like the whole damn town had been invited.

  One big happy family.

  Just who was Adrian Trask?

  After they rose this evening, Adrian scooted her through the house making quick introductions. He had a number of things to look into. In a rush, he kissed her softly and left her in the kitchen to fend for herself, which was a little awkward.

  The bubbly little cook Adrian had introduced earlier as Sally said, “You should eat something.”

  Fallon pulled her hands out of her pockets, palms before her. “No. Thank you. Really, I’m not hungry.” It was a lie. She was hungry, but not for the potato salad offered her.

  A look of embarrassment that Fallon didn’t understand spotted Sally’s cheeks, as she set the plate of potato salad down on the large picnic table and continued to bustle about the kitchen. She spoke in perfect English. Yet occasionally she would use her native Apache language to sling orders to her daughter, Susan, across the room. As Sally moved from one plate to another, her coarse black hair, threaded with gray and pulled back in a tight braid, swung from side to side with the rhythm of her full, ankle-length skirt. Comfortable looking moccasins peeked beneath the material.

  Susan’s skin was like spun milk chocolate, lighter than her mother’s, darker than her Caucasian father. Instead of long flowing hair, the younger woman wore it short in a bob. Much like the men she wore jeans and a western shirt, but tennis shoes adorned her feet. There was such a contrast between mother and daughter.

  “There’s six bedrooms in Adrian’s house.” Sally freely offered the information as if Fallon had asked. “In addition to the main ranch house, there are four other smaller homes, a barn, a pump house, and various sheds. Gary, my husband, and I live in one of them. We run the ranch for Adrian during the day.”

  Gary was the elderly man Fallon had met earlier. Sally’s gaze darted to Fallon and then back to the knife she held slicing through a loaf of bread. “Susan and George—”

  A boy about the age of three came running through the kitchen. Sally’s hand halted the child. He tipped his head up, looking past the wide rim of a cowboy hat two sizes too big. Fallon saw the grin he wore. He was simply adorable dressed like a miniature cowboy, boots and all.

  Sally swung him up into her arms. “This little vermin is my grandson, Billy, Susan’s boy.” Susan stopped washing dishes, pulling her hands from the soapy water and drying them on a towel, as she gazed at her child. A semblance of pride filled her eyes.

  He started to squirm, so Sally set the child back on his feet. No sooner than his boots touched the ground he was off again.

  “Mom spoils the devil out of my three kids. Roberta and Daniel are older, five and eight.” Sally looked toward the picture window that faced the backyard. “The older children must be outside helping their grandpa or getting in his way.” As she started putting some of the dishes in the cupboard, Sally continued, “We help Mom and Dad look over the thousand acre ranch during the day for Adrian.”

  Oh my God! Ding. Ding. Ding. It was finally dawning on Fallon that Sally and her family knew exactly who or more appropriately what Adrian was. And there was no doubt they knew what she was as Fallon remembered the expression on Sally’s face when she refused the potato salad.

  “George is herding cattle down the mountain. He should be home tomorrow. You’ll be able to recognize him. He’s a big, shy bear of a man.” Susan laughed. “I hope you’ll like it here.”

  Susan said it so sweetly and with such sincerity that all Fallon could do was say, “Thank you.”

  “Well get on out there and have some fun,” Sally encouraged, pulling a pie from the oven.

  Fallon wasted no time to escape as she stepped through the open door and leaned momentarily on the hitching post just outside.

  Yep! One big happy family. Mortal and immortal. The imag
e of a mouse curled up sleeping in the claws of a cat came to mind, but she brushed the silly thought away.

  Christy had been Fallon’s only family. Her mother and father perished in a fire when she was a child. No uncles and aunts. No grandparents, except for one grandmother whom Fallon had lived with until she married. After Chavez entered the picture she severed all ties with her last living relative.

  Later, after she had escaped Chavez, she visited a library and reviewed microfiche of old newspapers about her and Christy’s disappearance. It appeared that her ex had been picked up for their murders. The man had an iron-tight alibi, as usual. Fallon couldn’t help wondering whether it was a blonde, brunette, or redhead that supplied his defense. Did he mourn Christy?

  In the end, the police had deemed her and Christy victims of foul play, their bodies never discovered.

  Chavez had taken so much from her that dreadful night. She pushed away from the hitching post and started to move into the crowd.

  Two more vampiresses began to assist Maggie, laying one dish after another on more picnic tables scattered about the open area. There was so much food it looked like they could feed a small country.

  Several male vampires she hadn’t met were stoking the fire beneath the side of beef. More stood around with drinks in their hands and every once in a while would cast her curious stares.

  Okay, so she didn’t belong—Fallon knew that—but did they have to make it so obvious?

  Sheesh. Once she got the information she needed from Adrian she’d be on her way. She had no desire to disturb the tranquility of their little home. The thought saddened her. Why? Damned if she knew.

  Fallon could just imagine the talk her arrival had stirred. It didn’t take a brain surgeon to see that Adrian was infatuated with her. Which would make her plans that much easier. But how do you approach the subject of killing someone?

  Far off to the right of the cook fire a four-piece band played a lively tune. Before them was a makeshift dance floor, where several couples enjoyed the music as they shuffled hand-in-hand beneath the starry sky. Sawdust was sprinkled lightly on the wood and she could hear the dancers’ boots slide when they came in contact with it. Beyond them lay a small stream that rushed across rocks and debris as it cut through Adrian’s land.