Scent of a Vampire (33 page)

When he was finished, he rolled us onto our sides and smiled at me. I smiled back and teased him, "You were holding out on me. Why didn't you show me that before?"

"I didn't want to frighten you. Vampire sex can be a little intimidating the first time you experience it."

"Vampire sex, hmmmm, is there more to it than that fast action move you just did?"

"Ohhh piccolina, you have just seen the tip of the iceberg. Wait until I show you how we can use a special sucking action that will make you throb."

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We still had a little time until dawn so I talked him into showing me his moves.

The next day when I woke up I was sore from our vigorous lovemaking. I smiled. Being sore was quite nice. I showered and dressed and headed downstairs. Janel was in the kitchen with Andy and Mark.

"Hi sweetie. Sit down and let me get you some coffee." Janel said cheerily.

When she set the coffee in front of me, she asked, "How's the arm?"

"It's okay. Did Mark tell you what happened?"

"Yeah, I can't believe Juan fooled me like that. I thought he was a nice guy." Janel said.

"Yeah me too." I said rather sadly. Andy chimed in, "Don't feel bad. Mark and I never picked up on it either. And we're professionals."

I nodded my agreement but deep down I did blame myself. I'm supposed to be a Sensay for God's sake. I should be more in tune than other people. I had been balking at having to go train with my so-called 'clan'. Now I was burning to learn how to use my abilities.

After finishing my breakfast, Janel and I went for a walk. I told her about Alex and what had happened. When I finished she said, "You had to follow your heart. You're in love with Roberto.

I know there is a connection with Alex but hopefully that will be broken and you can bond with Roberto. Then all will be right."

I hugged her. Talking with Janel always made things seem simpler.

Janel surprised me by saying, 'I'm going to take a trip with Andy. We're going to go to the Bahamas for a few weeks."

"Well, normally this would be where I would caution you and tell you that you're moving too fast. But given my actions this last week, I'm not going to say anything." Janel laughed, "You're not going to believe this but we haven't slept together. We're getting to know each other first.

It's kind of nice. He is really a sweet guy."

"I'm happy for you Janel. Can you believe how so much has changed in the past week?"

I thought about my parents. God, how I missed them. Janel must have known what I was thinking about because she hugged me, "We will never forget them sweetie. Knowing your parents, they are right now watching us and smiling that we both hooked up with some damn good men."

We both laughed at the truth of that as we walked back to the house. Janel and Andy were leaving that afternoon, so I went to help her pack. Mark was staying here and informed me that Antonio from Roberto's Atlantic City hotel would be joining him as the second day guard. I felt a
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little sad at her leaving but we made plans for when she returned. She was going to go with us when we went looking for my clan. I went upstairs and undressed and climbed into bed with Roberto to wait for him to wake. I breathed deeply, now loving the scent that had once made me think of death and despair. Now it made me think of life, of living life to the fullest. I intended to do just that as I lay there thinking back to what Roberto had said about vampires liking to wake up next to a naked woman and smiled in anticipation.

I thought that I was going to die. I couldn't breathe, even though Roberto carried me the last thousand feet. I think it was the change in elevation. Algonquin Peak in the northern Adirondacks was over 5,000 feet in elevation. I kissed Roberto's cheek to thank him for carrying me and asked him to put me down. I wanted to walk the last bit. Today was my birthday. I was officially thirty years old. Roberto had suggested we spend it here. It was a place my parents loved so much. I could feel them here; in the wind that blew through my hair and the in the soft rich earth beneath my feet.

We stopped and Roberto helped me take my backpack off. He took his pack off and opened it and took something out. "I have something for you piccolina. It's your parents' ashes. I know how you all loved this place and..." I threw myself in his arms. "It's perfect, my love. How did you get the ashes?"

He smiled and like always, my heart leapt at the sight. "I know some people."

I took the urn and hugged it to my breast for a minute. Janel was right. They still walked the earth with me. I could feel them all around me.

Roberto stayed back as I walked to the edge of the rock face and opened the urn.

I had no tears, only joy in my heart as I emptied the jar into the breeze and watched as the two souls took flight over the mountains.

I turned and smiled as Roberto came up and put an arm around my shoulders. "Thank you Roberto. This was a perfect birthday. This place is so beautiful at night. Seeing the other nearby peaks jutting up is breathtaking." Roberto looked at me quizzically, "Can you see the other peaks cara?"

"Sure why?"

"Because there is no moonlight tonight and even the stars are hidden by the clouds. I'm going to guess that your sense of sight just got a whole lot better," he chuckled. I didn't know what to say, so I just said, "Well damn, I wonder if I'll have x-ray vision? That could come in handy when you're wearing too many clothes." He wrapped his arms around me. "No need for that you just have to ask and my cloths are history." I turned to face him. "I love you Roberto, now and
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always."

He cradled my face in his chest and murmured, "Now and always."