Courted by the Vampire (11 page)

“It is…
complicated.”

She
rolled onto her side and leaned her head on her propped up elbow. “Since we’re not in a crunch for time, you can tell me.” Unbidden, she recalled a small detail of what she had seen in Edwin’s thoughts—the deep red slashes and the strong taste of blood. She refused to believe what those things might mean. “Please tell me you don’t kill people then drink their blood. I’m afraid I’d have to draw the line at blood sucking.” She blinked. “And killing.”

“I do not kill people for blood.” Edwin stretched out behind her then
pulled her close. “I require the nutrients blood provides once during every phase of the moon. At those times, I must feed from something that is not what you would call ‘real’ food.”

“But how? You don’t have fangs.” Curiosity swirled through her chest. It
was true. The hunky hunter was a vampire. She searched her mind for disappointment and came up empty.

“I do not need fangs to draw blood.”

Fascination warred with repulsion as she pondered his words. “So, basically, three to four times a month you drink blood. That’s not so bad. I’ve heard of stranger things.” Her concentration skittered off course when his fingers drifted over her ribcage. Waves of desire crashed into her. She didn’t know she harbored such strong feelings for the vamp. “As long as it’s not from me.”

“It is also required if I find myself mortally wounded. As I grow older, the
darker genes seem to demand more of my attention. I must be vigilant to keep them at bay.”

Thunder rumbled in the distance. Hannah hoped their little sanctuary
would prove to be enough protection from the summer storm. “Just how old are you? You can’t possibly be more than thirty-six, maybe thirty-seven.”

“I am in fact 124 years of age. Even though there are human genes within
me, the paranormal genes allow me to live vastly longer than mere humans.” He tightened his arms around her and dropped his voice to a whisper. “It is said curiosity killed the cat,
spatzi
. You should heed that warning.”

Hannah’s heart beat frantically, as if searching for the escape her body
couldn’t provide. “Should I be afraid of you?” All the old stories she’d ever heard about vampires resurfaced in her mind to multiply like rabbits.

Fear clogged her throat.
Had it been his plan all along to lure me out into a remote part of the wilderness so he could dispatch me without witnesses? Will he drain my blood and leave my empty husk of a body in the underbrush?
“I think I made a mistake when I agreed to accompany you.”

“I give you my promise and my word. I will never hurt you.” His breath
warmed her cheek. “I believe that without you, I would likely succumb to my darker side and become the soulless monster I am destined to evolve into.”

Her fear fled in the face of her anger. “That’s enough!” Rolling over,
she pushed him onto his back. She frowned at his startled expression. “You’re only destined to become whatever you want to become. You have vampire genes. So what? Get over it. We all have dark sides and things we would rather not deal with, but unless you plan on living out the remainder of your life in a perpetual bad mood it doesn’t matter. None of it matters, don’t you get it?”

She slapped her palm against his chest and came perilously close to
derailing her speech by the realization that he really was the buffest man she’d met. “Don’t you understand? To me, you’re just Edwin Mason, the handsome paranormal bounty hunter who tries his best to order me around but fails at it.” She smiled into his face from her new propped up position on his chest. “You’re just you.” She stretched her legs, glad of the fire that took away the chill even though she suspected most of the warmth originated from him.

“Are you quite done with this unexpected outburst?” Edwin’s dark eyes
twinkled as the long elegant fingers of one hand trailed up her leg.

Small ripples of heat spiraled up her flesh in teasing circles. “Not quite.
Let me finish by saying, whether you believe yourself capable of it or not, you have shown me nothing but respect and compassion during our time together. Your desire to track Andre means you have a rigid sense of justice. But just remind yourself from time to time that companionship and friendship can be very beneficial.” Her words dried in her throat when he slipped his hand under her shirt to brush the sensitive skin at her hip. Tiny fires ignited in her bloodstream.

She revised her earlier assessment of his character.
Edwin was most assuredly dangerous, but not in the way she’d first thought.

“Perhaps you are right
. It has been a very long time since I had someone to share my life.” With panther like precision, he flipped her onto her back. Hannah became trapped between his arms. “I have been remiss in not taking advantage of a willing female…” He lowered his head until his lips were but a hairsbreadth from hers. “Is that what you meant?”

Her senses were on red alert. Her body clamored for his attention, but it
was his choice of words that kept her from giving in to temptation. “When, or if, we choose to indulge in any kind of relationship, you most certainly will not take advantage of me. That I can promise you. We’re partners, remember?” She meant to leave the conversation at that particular stopping point, but she never had been good at leaving things alone. With a small sigh, she gave in to that which she had been curious about since she met him.

Before she could change her mind, Hannah pulled his face to hers and
kissed him. The mere joining of their lips created pinwheels of colors within her mind.

Just as things became interesting, she smiled against his mouth, and then gently
pushed him away.
Damn.
Hannah willed her body to settle down. “I would hate to shove you into something you’re not mentally ready for. However, if you should change your mind, let me know.”

She turned onto her side with her back to him. If that kiss didn’t melt
some of the icy reserve he kept around his feelings, she didn’t know what would.

Chapter Nine

Cave floors don’t lend themselves to a restful sleep. For that matter, neither did a snoring partner. With a huff of irritation, Hannah shifted positions, but Edwin’s slumber wasn’t disturbed. Poking him in the ribs until he rolled over, she snagged her bag then crawled to the entrance of the cave. At least the rain was letting up. “Edwin?”

The only sound that rang through the cave was loud snoring.

One would think a bounty hunter would be a light sleeper.
With a sigh, she fumbled in her bag, smiling when her fingers brushed against the cool glass of the magical jar. She pulled it out then said, “Donella, Roosevelt, Narcissa, I summon thee to me.”

The cave came alive with the brief shower of multi-colored sparks as the
fairy trio shot out of the jar. It was as if Hannah held a Roman candle in the palm of her hand. “Good evening.” She smiled as the fairy folk acclimated themselves to their new surroundings. “I hope you haven’t been too uncomfortable in that jar.”

“We were doing just fine until you decided to butt your gigantic nose into
our business,” Narcissa retorted as she paced.

“Excuse me for checking on you.”
She winked at Roosevelt. “What about you two? Are you doing all right?”

Roosevelt bowed, then found a comfortable spot on the abandoned bag
and sat down. “I have no complaints with the accommodations.” A grin lit his face as he ran a slender hand through the green Mohawk. “Donella and I have a lot in common.”

“That’s great! What about you, Narcissa? Do you enjoy spending time
with your companions?” Hannah leaned her back against the wall of the cave and eyed the fairy in the dying light.

Narcissa shrugged and her slim blue-veined shoulders drooped. “They’re
okay, but you must know they’re shacking up together. Do you realize how detrimental that is for my state of mind?” She glared. “It’s demoralizing.”

“I can appreciate how you would feel slighted and unwanted.” Hannah
crossed her legs and examined the scuffed tips of her sneakers. “I mean, you are much prettier than Donella but yet Roosevelt chose her as a mate.”

“I didn’t want him anyway.” Narcissa paced in front of the cave entry and
shot a look of loathing at Roosevelt.

“Oh, then the night you tried to seduce him away from me was just an
illusion?” Donella asked. She flicked her blonde hair over her shoulder.

“I can have my pick of men. I don’t need yours.” Narcissa perched on a
rock and braided her hair. “You don’t need to lord it over me.”

Hannah cleared her throat. “Play nice, girls, or I’ll put you back in the jar.”
Looking at Donella, she stifled a grin when the fairy joined Roosevelt on the bag. “Narcissa, would it make your life easier if I could locate another male?”

“Maybe.” She slid a cunning glance Hannah’s way as she finished her
task. “Have you grown tired of the vampire? I’d be happy to take him off your hands.”

Edwin’s snoring reassured Hannah he still drifted in slumber land. She
glared at the cheeky fairy. “The bounty hunter is off limits, do you understand? I’m asking you if you would like me to find you a mate. If you continue to give me attitude, I’ll leave you to your loneliness.”

Narcissa pouted. “Fine. At least make sure he has hair.”

“I’ll see what I can do.” Hannah turned to Roosevelt. “Is there anything else you require?”

He
had the good grace to appear embarrassed as he withdrew his hand from the bodice of Donella’s dress. “The only issue I have is with the goblin. His bathing habits are infrequent at best. Every time we attempt to get into a game of poker he knocks over the table.”

“My best advice to you would be to ignore the goblin.” Hannah
encompassed the three fairies in her gaze. “Do any of you wish to be released?”

The trio looked at each other then in unison, they shook their heads.

“No one?”

Roosevelt
spoke first. “I have nothing to go back to. My village fell in the sweep when I was visiting friends. Rumor has it they were kidnapped by a demon lord, but I guess we’ll never know for certain.”

That made sense. Marilyn had alluded to that same thing. “Let me talk to
Edwin. Maybe we can help.”

“I would appreciate that.” He frowned. “Why do you wish to help me?
Humans are not helpful in the magical world.”

“Let’s just say I’ve had my fair share of doubts. I believe violence against
any race is wrong.” She tapped the brass lid against her lips then smiled. “Time to go.” She said the words of the binding spell and marveled again at the colorful sparks of their glamour when they shot into the magical jar.

Tired, she crawled back to Edwin and lay beside him. “How long have
you been listening?” She’d been aware he was awake because his snoring had become sporadic.

“Long enough to see my theory about you confirmed.”

Hannah frowned when he pressed her flush against his body. “And that theory is?” Him nibbling a path along her jaw distracted her.

“That you are a compassionate individual. You will put your personal
agenda aside to help those who cannot help themselves.”

“You’re wrong.” She ran her hands under his t-shirt and tangled her
fingers in his thick mat of black chest hair, glad the warmth on her cold fingers. “I don’t have a personal agenda.” She shivered as he unbuttoned her shirt and the cool air washed over her bare skin.

Edwin
caressed her stomach. “I am sorry to hear you say that. I would have been interested in testing your ability for self-restraint.”

His breath whispered over her chilled skin. She fought the urge to crawl
into his lap. “Feel free to test me.” She wriggled her hips against his in an effort to encourage him.

“I think not.”

Hannah sighed with frustration. He pressed his lips to hers then pulled the shirt closed, but not before he grazed her hardened nipples with his fingertips. “Why not?” She gasped and clutched at his t-shirt, desperation thick in her voice.

“I would not want to push you into something you are not ready for.” He
swatted her rear end. “Catch up on your sleep,
spatzi
. We have much ground to cover.” Edwin turned away, settling his head on his duffle bag.

She made a sound of annoyance as she savagely buttoned the shirt.
“Touché, Mr. Mason.”

Hannah
didn’t go back to sleep that night.

*****

“You really should try some of these berries, Edwin. They’re extraordinarily sweet.” Hannah popped another blackberry into her mouth and gloried that the juicy burst of flavor could taste so good. Of course, cooked shoe leather would probably hit the spot after being so hungry. She didn’t even mind the humidity.

That troublesome companion had crept back into her world as soon as the
rain left during the early evening hours. During a ramble for food, Edwin had located the wild blackberry bushes. She ate her fill before they continued in their search for Horace the Black.

“As I have told you on the four previous occasions you asked me, I do not
require organic nourishment at this time. When I find myself experiencing hunger pangs, you will be the first person I notify.” He plunged ahead of her, savagely lashing out at ferns and weeds along the path with a stalwart stick. “Trust me on this. If I become hungry, it would behoove you to hide.”

Curls of alarm swirled through her stomach. “Does that mean what I
think it means?”

“I would have no idea. Your mind does not work in a very logical
manner.” Another angry thrust at a stand of bracken followed the comment.

She coughed when a piece of berry lodged in her throat. “You would
seriously feed on me without my permission?” A shiver wracked her body as he remained silent. “I thought you said you wouldn’t hurt me.”

“You will not come to harm by my hand.” His sigh was one of
exasperation. “My intent was to prod you to be less flippant about our quest. If it serves to remind you I am, in essence, a vampire, then that is not a bad thing.”

“Fine. I got your message, loud and clear.”

“I am also compelled to tell you sarcasm does not affect me.”

Hannah grinned and quickly ate the remaining few
berries. It didn’t even bother her that she had spent four consecutive days and nights in the same clothes, let alone the same undergarments. It must have been because she had succeeded in rattling Edwin out of his stiff complacency with life with one simple kiss.

She skipped along the path after him. Granted, it hadn’t been a simple
kiss. In fact, if she hadn’t broken it off in the early stages of the bone-melting contact, she would probably be living out the rest of her existence as a puddle of goo. Not to mention his retaliation embrace. If nothing else, the vamp had a knack for sensual teasing.

Gently probing Edwin’s mind, Hannah was assaulted by swirling colors
of gray anger, dark blues of confusion, and even a black cloud of depression.

Obviously, the man was upset about something. He had set up a heavy-duty
guard that prevented her from going any further into his mind. She was fine with that. Everyone had their limits. He could shut her out of his mind all he liked, but that didn’t change the fact she ruffled his feathers.

“Geez, Edwin, I’m gonna have to start calling you Mr. Cranky Pants if this
sulky bad mood of yours continues.” Hannah motored up to him and slipped her hand into his. She hung on tight when he tried to pull away. “It’s almost as if you need to release some sort of pent-up tension. Maybe you should have sex. I’ve heard it will clear the mind and help relieve the terrible anxiety that must have you wound tighter than a drum. In fact, sex is all the fairy population can talk about.” She snickered. She enjoyed baiting him. The death grip on her hand was the only response she got.

Maybe she should
push the envelope. “I would gladly sacrifice myself for the cause, but oh, that’s right! You’ve already told me you’re not interested in me romantically. You’ve made it abundantly clear you’re not interested in a sexual relationship of any kind. Why was that again? Right, you need to keep yourself pure because of your work and some misguided sense of chivalry. So, outside of a few kisses, I guess you’re up the creek.”

A strangled sort of sound came from
him that she interpreted as annoyance. She grinned. She succeeded in her goal to annoy him. “Enough, Hannah. Enough!” He stopped suddenly, threw his stick into the underbrush, and turned to her with a crazed expression on his face. “You know the reason why I cannot indulge in my baser instincts. I trusted that information to you in the hopes you would respect my wishes.”

Sudden trepidation tingled over her skin. “I
’m so sorry. I was only teasing you, trying to cajole you into a better mood.” Her stomach dropped to the region of her knees with shame. She could only imagine how he must feel. “Please believe me when I tell you I never meant—” She stumbled to a halt at his laughter. The dimple in his cheek winked with the force of his mirth.

“
You are truly a remarkable woman!” He wiped at the sweat on his forehead then engulfed her in a hug. “It is difficult for me to remain angry at you.”

Hannah pulled back in surprise. “So that whole frustrated tension thing
was just an act? You weren’t affected in any way by our kiss yesterday?” Now she was upset. She’d behaved like an idiot in front of him for nothing. And the fact he might find her to be one was embarrassing.

“You are wrong, Hannah. I was very much affected by your little show of
power.” He drew her close to him once again, and with his hands at her waist held her flush against naughty bits. “However, I must warn you. If you insist on playing with fire, sooner or later you will be burned.”

She didn’t have a chance to react before he brought his lips crashing down
on hers with such force she had no choice but to submit under his assault. He manipulated her mouth until she parted her lips. Hannah fenced with his tongue, let him investigate every inch of her mouth and she gasped for breath. She twined her fingers in the silky strands of his black hair, gratified to know it was as soft and thick as she’d first thought.

Intense beats of need consumed her body.
Erotic images flooded her mind with shimmered brilliance that fed the flames of desire building in her chest. She gasped. Every nerve ending tingled with awareness that almost burned her skin as he continued to plunder her mouth. She pressed her body against his, craving a new level of closeness and groaned against his lips as his arousal made its presence known against her stomach.

When you set your full attention on something, you certainly leave no room for
error.
Her eyes fluttered open when she realized he had pulled away.