Microsoft Word - The Mammoth Book of Vampire Romance.doc (17 page)

“What would you like?” he deferred to her, hiding a smug  smile. So, he’d worked a little of his magic on the other  customers.
 
Bite me
.

She placed her order, and then lifted a brow.

“Nothing for me.”

135

“You didn’t come for the coffee?”

“I’m not an addict.”

“Afraid you won’t be able to sleep tonight?”

“Who’s gonna sleep?” he murmured under his breath.

Her tongue swept out to wet her lower lip, but she let him pull her aside to wait at the end of the barista’s counter. “But you didn’t pay.”

Viper shrugged. “I know them.”

“Right,” she said, her tone indicating she didn’t quite

believe him. “Did you wink at the girl or something?”

“Why? Do you think I’m irresistible?”

Her soft feminine snort was followed by a slow, dazed shake of her head. “I’m here, aren’t I? And we just met ten minutes ago.”

Viper closed his eyes for a bit, trying to keep his memories at bay and just enjoy the moment. She had no way of knowing how much her innocent comment ate his resolve. They’d met a long time before this night.

Her order was called, and he opened his eyes, watching as she gave him a concerned look, and then stepped forwards to claim her cup. “Do you want to stay here?” she asked.

The press  of warm-blooded bodies around him felt

suffocating and far too tempting. “Let’s walk.”

136

Outside again, he raised his face to the warm breeze and drank in the cleansing air. “Sorry about that. I don’t like crowds much.”

“I got that. There are tables just down the way. Want to sit

down?”

He nodded, hoping his sudden melancholy would vanish.  He had only a few hours to spend with her, if she let him, before he had to return to his world.

As she walked, she played with the plastic lid, then took a quick sip.  Her eyes drifted closed. “Mmmm . . . this was just what I needed.”

They reached the tables outside a café. Viper chose one at the outer edges of the extended courtyard and pulled out a chair, waiting as she settled before taking his own beside hers, rather than across the table.

She didn’t seem to mind, just sipped her coffee quietly

while eyeing him above the rim of her cup.

He wondered what she saw.

He’d been careful with his appearance. Sure he wore the same weathered jacket, a plain T-shirt and jeans, but he’d polished his boots and used a brush on his long black hair instead of his fingers. He knew women found him attractive, but  Mariah wasn’t into dark, dangerous men with sharp-edged features and hungry eyes. Or at least she hadn’t been.

“Are you  always this talkative?”

Right. He should at least pretend to be polite, however out

of practice it felt. “Does it bother you? My not talking?”

137

“It’s a little unnerving.” Her glance met his then slid away  quickly, but her shoulders tilted towards him. “I  expected you’d  be hitting on me by now.”

The subtle body language, crossed messages of shy interest,

set his blood simmering. “Are you disappointed I’m not?”

“Just a little uncomfortable,” she said, placing her cup on

the table and then wrapping her hands around it.

“Why?”

“Because I’m tempted to hit on you.” She wrinkled her

nose. “I did just say that, didn’t I?”

His lips stretched. “Yeah, you did.”

Her head canted as she eyed his mouth. “Are you gay?”

“Do I give off that vibe?”

“Not at all. But in  my experience, a man doesn’t need more

than a smile as encouragement to bust a move.”

“And you think I might be gay because I’m trying to be a

gentleman?”

“You have to try?”

He nodded slowly.

She blew out a breath between pursed lips. “That was a

relief. Although I’d already guessed you’re a predator.”

He lifted both eyebrows. “Do I seem that sinister?”

138

“Not like a serial killer, but you could probably have any  woman you want without even trying, so why haven’t you tried .  . . with me . . . seeing as  you’re not gay?”

“I wasn’t sure you were interested. You seemed to hesitate

back there at the restaurant. I didn’t want to spook you.”

“So you do–” She sucked her lower lip between her teeth.

“I do what?”

“Want me?” Her gaze rose slowly to his again,  her breath

hitched, lifting her small breasts.

He swallowed, wondering if he’d subconsciously sent out

the idea, making it impossible for her to choose.

Her eyes blinked rapidly. “Don’t feel like you have to,” she said quickly. “I didn’t mean to put you  on the spot. I guess I’m just in a funny kind of mood. I don’t want to say goodbye to you. Not yet.”

Viper settled back in his chair. “You don’t have to invite me

to your bed if all you want is company,” he said gruffly.

Her glance slid away as she pretended to study the string of lights surrounding a toy shop across the courtyard. “But what if  I want more?” she whispered.

Because he wanted to read her expression, he gave in to the urge to touch her hair and tucked a softly curling lock behind her ear.

Her gaze swung back to him. Her lips parted as she drew in

a soft, shaky breath.

139

He cleared his throat and leaned closer to whisper for her

ears only. “I’d ask, why me? Why tonight?”

Again, her plump lips pressed together, then parted. “Well, it’s not because you were the first man to say hello to me tonight, if that’s what you think. I wasn’t prowling for sex.”

“Then what was it?”

“Fishing for compliments?” When he didn’t respond, she

lifted her shoulders. “Guess you don’t need them.”

Viper held himself still, determined to wait her out.

Her finely arched brows drew together and her jaw tightened for just a moment. “All right. I just feel  –  I don’t know

–  a little lonely tonight. I thought maybe you felt the same way.”

Viper felt a burning at the back of his eyes and looked away. Because he couldn’t speak past the lump lodged at the back of his throat, he nodded his head.

Her hand reached out and smoothed over the top of his. Her large brown eyes looked at him with sadness that mirrored his won. “Maybe we just need each other tonight. That’s all it has to be.”

She was reassuring him that there wouldn’t be any strings?

“You should expect more,” he rasped.

“Maybe tomorrow I will. But tonight, I’d just be satisfied to

know you don’t want anyone but me.”

Viper forced a small smile. “Want to fall in love with me

tonight?”

“Does that sound so silly?”

140

His hand lifted and cupped the side of her face. “It sounds

just about perfect.”

Mariah tilted her head to deepen the caress. “I don’t live

very far from here.”

He couldn’t believe how quickly things had progressed.  How
 
naturally
.   “Sure you want to bring me back to your place?”

“I’m inviting you, aren’t I?”

“You’ll be safe with me. Tonight.”

Her eyes widened. “I just shivered.”

“Call a friend. Knock on  a neighbour’s door. Let them see  my face; I’ll give them my ID. I don’t want you to worry about  me.”

Her gaze locked with his for a long breathless moment, then the corners of her lips lifted in a whimsical smile. “I’m not worried you’ll murder me or anything. And since I alreadyoffered you my body  –  that pretty much rules out any molesting, unless it’s me doing it to you.”

Viper drew in a deep breath and began to relax, determined to enjoy her gentle aggression. “We haven’t even kissed. How do you know  you’ll like being with me?”

One brow arched. “Are you kidding me? Have you looked

in a mirror lately? Maybe you don’t find me all that attractive.”

“Who hit on whom?”

141

Her smile deepened. “Ooh! A man who knows his grammar.  I’m completely turned on now.  Not the most elegant sentence, but there’s something to be said for brevity.”

“Are you nervous?”

“Why do you ask?”

“You’re beginning to ramble,” he murmured. His fingers

tugged at the lock of hair that kept slipping from behind her ear.

“Come closer.”

Her glance dropped to his lips. “You’re thinking about that

kiss we haven’t shared.”

“I want a taste of that coffee you sighed over.”

She leaned closer. “Did I sound too orgasmic?”

“Is that even possible?” he said, his lips curving again.

“Why do I get he feeling you don’t smile very much?”

“Because I don’t.”

“You don’t have to be lonely, so why are you?”

Deflecting the question, he drew back a fraction of an inch.  “You’re attractive enough that a thousand men would want you.  Why are you lonely?”

“I guess I just haven’t felt a connection. Do you know what

I mean?”

142

Viper knew exactly what she meant. He sat across from the only woman he’d ever felt he belonged with. “I never gave it much thought,” he lied.

Her eyes narrowed. “That is such a
 
man
 
thing to say.”

Because he didn’t want to lie again, he raised his other hand slowly and slipped it behind her neck. Her eyelids fluttered closed, and her head fell back, supported by the palm cupping her now. He shifted towards the edge of his seat and leaned  into her, staring at her parted lips.

The first tentative touch almost made him come unglued.  His body tightened against the urge to take her to the ground and cover her. Instead he breathed softly through his nose, pressed his lips against hers and canted his head to deepen the pressure.  A low, breathy moan seeped into his mouth. He circled his head slowly, dragging his lips over hers, suctioning softly until she gasped, and gently thrust his tongue inside. The taste of her  –coffee, a lingering hint of  mint from her toothpaste, her own sweet flavour  –  sent a fine tremor racing down his spine.

Her head drew back and her tongue traced her bottom lip.  “Are you reassured now we got that out of the way?” she asked, the glibness of her words betrayed by the breathless delivery.

Viper settled his forehead against hers. “How far did you

say your place is?”

“We can be there in five.”

“Make it four,” he muttered, and then stood, holding out his

hand to pull her up.

143

They arrived hand in hand and winded at her front door.

Viper cut a quick glance around them, straining for the crunch of footsteps and the beat of telltale heart, but none lingered in the shadows around them.

They hadn’t been followed.

Earlier, before he’d stalked her, he’d been careful not tolead anyone to her door. He’d scrubbed the scent of blood, booze and cigarettes from his skin and hair, and dressed in freshly laundered clothing. He’d laid down a trail in the opposite direction from her house and backtracked. No one would ever connect her to him. No one would ever know how precious she was. The seamy underbelly of the dark world he moved inside would never touch her.

He’d sacrificed everything to make sure of that.

Her keys jangled as she clumsily fit one into the lock.  “Don’t be expecting much. I didn’t know I’d be bringing company back with me tonight.”

The door swung open and she stepped inside.

Viper followed on her heels, not letting her put space between them. His hands gripped the sides of her hips, and he pushed her deeper inside before kicking the door closed behind him.

Then he pulled her backwards, wrapping his arms around her waist and gliding his lips along the top of her shoulder and up her neck, finding the pulse thrumming just beneath the skin.

Her head fell back, and  his teeth began the slow slide downwards. He jerked back his head, trying to get control of himself.

144

She drew deep, rasping breaths into her lungs. “What’s

wrong? Why did you stop?”

Knowing he’d lisp around his elongated teeth, he shook his head against  hers and smoothed his hands over her firm belly, then upwards to cup her breasts through her clothing.

She kicked off her sandals and slid downwards. Her clothing rustled. When her skirt dragged against his jeans on its downward journey, he rucked up her  skirt and pulled it over her head.