Promise Me Anthology (8 page)

He needed to get away from her, far away,
where he wouldn’t be tempted. Once he was gone, Casey could get on
with her life. She had stuck by him when a lot of other girls would
have walked away, if not run. The very least she deserved was to be
cut loose before he hurt her.

Theo turned and padded away westward. There
was a quarry over the rise. A large construction site was nearby.
With his new strength, maybe he could get a job there. At the
least, he could hide there a few days while he figured out what to
do. Ed’s disappearance had to be recorded somewhere. He would find
out where the scientist had been working and go there, by foot if
he had to. Casey was right, there had to be more were-cougars out
there. He just had to find them.

Total Eclipse of the
Heart

(Also
published in the Vampires for Charity Anthology 2013)

“Forever’s gonna start tonight...forever’s
gonna start tonight!” The words rolled off Heather’s lips, her joy
in each melodic phrase obvious to her audience.

And why not?
Heather thought. Tonight
might very well be the night she joined her vampire lover in his
world of darkness. God knows, he’d kept stringing her along close
to a year now. But Dev had promised to turn her, once she was sure
being a vampire was what she wanted. The only problem left was
convincing her prince of darkness that she was ready to take her
rightful place at his side.

She knew that Dev loved to hear her sing. He
often told her that it had been her voice he’d noticed first in the
bar called Eclipse that warm April night they first met.

“Your longing brought me to you,” a seductive
voice had whispered in her ear as she stood at the bar after loud
applause, triumphantly ordering a drink. When she’d turned with her
hand ready to slap the offender, Heather’s words had caught in her
throat. This wasn’t some old letch trying to take liberties. This
was a dream man come to life complete with shoulder length
shimmering blond hair, wickedly gleaming honey-colored eyes, and a
body to die for. He was dressed in jeans and a black T-shirt, but
his jacket was butter soft leather of an unusual light grey
color.

“Devlin,” he’d said in an amused tone, paying
for her drink. He handed it to her. “Now tell me your name, so we
won’t be strangers.”

Heather had swallowed back her words.
How
had he known I was going to say my mother told me not to talk to
strange handsome men?
“Heather.”

“Join me for a drink. Heather.” Devlin had
walked into the crowd without a backward glance.

I followed, just as he was certain I
would
.

At first, Heather had been too starstruck to
say much. Devlin had appeared completely at ease in comparison,
asking Heather about her choice of song. “You’re a little young to
be a Benetar fan.”

“That’s Taylor, not Benetar,” she
corrected.

“Very good, Heather. But you didn’t answer my
question.”

“I like power ballads,” Heather had answered
sheepishly. “My older brother was always listening to music when I
was little.”

“This is even more interesting,” Devlin
chuckled. “Your brother liked power ballads?”

“No,” Heather laughed, losing some of her
unease. “But he had a lot of girlfriends, and a few of them did. I
must have heard this song a hundred times the summer it came
out.”

“I noticed,” Devlin said with a touch of
appreciation. “Most karaoke singers tend to stumble over lyrics,
because they don’t know them. The rhythm of the song is lost. But
you barely looked at the screen.”

“The version that they play as background
music rarely matches the song,” Heather replied with a frown. “I
mean, the song as I listened to it. There are shorter parts with no
lyrics, and some lyrics get edited out. So I have to check every
now and then to make sure that I’m in the right place.”

“I think we’re both in the right place,”
Devlin teased, his implication clear. Then he sang, “I need you
now, tonight. And I need you more than ever.” He paused, his faint
smile more than a little inviting.

Devlin’s voice...it’s like pure sensation.
He’s singing my song to me. How romantic is that?
Inspired,
Heather sang back,” If you only hold me tight, we’ll be holding on
forever.”

Devlin burst out laughing.

Embarrassed, a flush colored her cheeks
quickly. Grateful of the darkness, Heather moved to get up.

Devlin grabbed her wrist. “Please, don’t go.”
His tone was serious. “I wasn’t laughing in jest, but out of
surprise.”

Heather stood unmoving, still not sure she
should trust Devlin. She watched him, expectant yet wary.

“Turn around, Bright Eyes,” Devlin sang to
her. He released her wrist, then held out his hand to her. “I just
am happy to have someone sing to me for a change.”

“Are you a professional?” Heather said,
shifting from foot to foot, still wondering if she should ditch
him.

“I was at one time,” Devlin said wearily, his
expression becoming pained. “And if you’re looking to be a
performer, I can assure you it’s overrated.”

Did he think she was a groupie?
“No,”
Heather said coolly, glad she could prove him wrong. “I’m actually
training to be a nurse. I’ve only got another year of college
before I can get my Associate’s degree and apply for a job,
hopefully one that will reimburse my costs to get a Bachelor’s
degree. With my GPA, my advisor said I’m a good candidate.”

“Commendable,” Devlin said with approval.
“But I understand how with the pressure you must be under, that
every now and then you want to slip away.”

Heather nodded. “I’m taking a lot of pre-med
courses. I thought that college was supposed to be spring breaks
and partying and all these social activities. But all I do is study
all the time. I don’t have time to socialize much, not if I want to
maintain my GPA for my scholarship.”

“You must have friends?” Devlin persisted.
“Classmates to cut loose with? A boyfriend?”

“Lots of friends,” Heather admitted, hoping
he wouldn’t detect the lie. “But no one special, not since high
school.”

“I know how lonely that can get,” Devlin said
softly. His hand closed over hers. Heather was surprised at its
coolness. “But you don’t have to be alone now, Heather.”

Heather drew her hand away. “You’re moving a
little fast for me.”

“My apologies,” Devlin said. He stood. “I
just meant that I’m usually around, if you want someone to talk
to.” He offered her a card. “Here’s my cell. If you want some
company some night, just call.”

Heather took it, then drew herself up to face
him. “Devlin, you’re sexy as hell, but something’s off here. Your
jacket likely cost more than my textbooks this semester, not to
mention that you haven’t said one word about yourself.” She glared
at him, then handed the card back. “Are you married?”

Devlin burst out laughing again. “God, you
are just what I needed tonight,” he said happily. He took her hand
and kissed the top of it gently with cool lips. When his gaze met
hers, his eyes that had seemed golden before now had a reddish
tint. “No, I’m not married.” He stepped closer, his hands resting
on her shoulders then sliding down to enfold her. “You have a plan
for your life, Heather. I’m not going to hinder that. But I’d like
to spend some nights with you, if you’d like my company.”

He’s offering friends with benefits
,
Heather thought. There was nothing to consider. All she’d had to do
was feel his arms around her once and she wanted him. “When?”

“Tomorrow at dusk,” Devlin whispered in her
ear. “I’ll send a car for you. Write your dorm address on this.” He
passed her a pen and blank white index card. “That way it won’t get
lost.”

If he wasn’t so hot, this would be too
weird.
Heather did as he asked, then hesitantly gave it back.
Devlin pocketed it, then handed her another card with his name on
it in silver lettering and his cell number. “Adieu.” He kissed her,
the sudden sensation making her heart race. Then he was gone,
slipping away into the crowd.

* * * *

That next night Heather had been apprehensive
as she waited, sure that Dev had been a dream and that no car would
show up. But a black SUV truck of some kind was waiting for her as
she made her way to her dorm from her last class. She ran inside,
dumped her knapsack on a chair, changed clothes, took a few minutes
to freshen up, then hurried outside to the SUV. The driver asked
her name, and then got out and opened the door for her to get in
the backseat. He didn’t offer his name, though Heather thought he
had an Italian accent. She got in, eager to see Devlin but also
apprehensive.
I’ve never done anything like this. What if
something bad happens?
She pushed the thought away.
Everyone
else on this campus probably does risky stuff a lot worse than this
every weekend. This is my chance to have an adventure, something
just for me.

The car took her to a Hilton, the fanciest
hotel in town. She was shown up to a suite. Devlin opened the door
when she was still a few steps away from it, attired in a business
suit. “Come in,” he said. “Make yourself comfortable.’

Heather set down her purse, then cast her
eyes over the room with its couches and chairs, vases of fresh
flowers, and several TVs. “Very nice.” She flushed immediately at
how dumb that sounded. “That’s kind of an understatement,” she
added quickly. “It’s gorgeous.”

“I wanted privacy for us,” Devlin said,
locking the door. He strode to the table, shutting the laptop that
rested on it with a soft click. “I have something to ask of you,
Heather.”

Was he going to ask her point blank for
sex? This was too weird.
“Yes?”

“I want you to be a donor,” Devlin said
hesitantly. “A blood donor.”

Heather stared at him, blinking in
incomprehension. “What?”

“I’m a vampire,” Devlin said. He smiled at
her, pulling back his lips to reveal large canines, both upper and
lower.

Heather let out a shriek, then darted for the
door. Devlin had hold of her before she had taken a second step.
“Stop,” he urged, even as she struggled in his grip. “I’m not going
to hurt you, Heather. Please trust me. You are in no danger.”

Heather sank to the floor, her knees giving
out. “I thought...I thought that you wanted me.”

“I do want you,” Devlin said with desire,
crouching before her. He put his hand on her shoulder. “I already
have other donors, Heather. But not a one of the current group
likes music, not as I do.” He scowled. “I want someone to talk
to.”

“Why?” Heather asked, trying to make sense of
the fact that vampires were not only real, they also appreciated
music and got lonely.

“Every now and then I get a little bit tired
of listening to the sound of my tears,” Devlin said bitterly,
standing smoothly. He turned away from her. “The words you sang
last night moved me, Heather. Do you know what it is to have lived
hundreds of years and feel like the best of them is past? To feel
old, empty, and irrelevant?”

“You’re not irrelevant,” Heather murmured.
“And you don’t look old.”

“So many humans worry about looking old when
they feel young inside,” Devlin said passionately. “But there is no
surgery for looking young and feeling ancient.” His expression was
sardonic. “And even if there were, it likely wouldn’t be of any use
to me.”

Heather went to him, her arms going around
his waist. “Do you want me to sing you some Benetar?” she offered,
laying her head against his strong back.

“No,” Devlin said in a gentle tone. “Sing me
something happy.” He turned in her arms, sinking to his knees in
front of her. “And let me lose myself in you.”

Heather ruffled his hair with her fingers,
then began singing the same song she’d began at the club. Before
she was halfway, Devlin stood, effortlessly picking her up in his
arms and carrying her to the bed.

“I thought you wanted to hear me sing?” she
teased.

“I adore your voice, but that song is not
altogether happy,” Devlin said, his sad tone at odds with his
lustful smile. “And the truth is I can’t wait, Bright Eyes. I want
you now more than ever.”

He pulled off their clothes, Heather helping
him eagerly. Then he pressed his naked body to hers, parting her
legs. Heather froze, then pushed him away. “Let me get my
purse.”

“There is no risk of any condition a condom
could prevent,” Devlin murmured. Yet he took the proffered packet
from her and slipped one on without argument. Then Heather was in
his arms, Devlin’s kisses inflaming her tingling skin as he again
parted her legs. When she felt him try to enter, she froze up.

“You’re huge,” she said in surprise.

Devlin bent up her left leg at the knee,
groaning as he eased inside a few inches. Heather let out a sharp
cry as she stretched to accommodate him.

“I’ll be gentle,” Devlin murmured, pausing to
thrust very slowly in and out. “In time you’ll let me enter
easily.” He resumed his kissing, trailing from her cheek to her
breasts, each touch making her groan in pleasure, her lust for him
building higher with each passing moment. Heather’s body’s grip on
Devlin’s manhood slowly loosened. Gently he stroked her clit,
teasing and probing. Heather responded at once, arching her back,
want and need flooding her senses. Sudden moistness caressed
Devlin’s erection, spurring him to action. Devlin pushed in
further, sliding most of the way inside. Heather again let out a
sharp cry at the overly full feeling.

“As soon as I heard your voice I couldn’t
wait for this,” Devlin murmured, kissing her throat, her face, her
lips. His left hand cupped her right breast, his right arm bracing
his body as he began to thrust in long strokes.