It was covered in a rough, maroon fabric that was fraying at the edges, and the gold lettering was nearly rubbed away. Her heart leapt excitedly into her throat as she removed it from amongst the others and saw that just enough of the fabric was left on the cover to show the title
,
“The Aeneid.”
She stared for a moment, the memories flooding her mind. It was the exact same book her grandfather had read to her many times. Clutching the book to her chest, she inhaled the musty smell of the yellowed pages.
Finding her way to the straight-backed chair, she lowered herself and carefully studied the book. Her heart was suddenly full of lazy days on the front porch in the swing, listening to her grandfather’s deep, soothing voice as the rhythmic swaying lulled her into complete relaxation. The sickness never bothered her there. She didn’t allow it.
Flipping open the first few pages, her fingers traced the words as she read them silently. A few lines in and a chirp from her phone ripped her from the moment. Removing the device from her pocket, she couldn’t decide if she was excited by Camden’s text, or disappointed by the interruption of her reminiscing.
“Can you come to my room? Might have a lead.”
Rayne typed out a quick reply and stood. She gently placed the book in the chair, having all intentions of returning to it.
Down the hall and around the corner, it grew darker and somewhat ominous as she spotted the wooden double doors at the end. Wall sconces on either side emitted just enough light that her eyes didn’t take long to adjust.
Really? Cliché much?
It literally looked like something out of a Dracula movie, and she couldn’t help but inwardly laugh.
Her small hand balled into a fist and had almost connected with the rich, mahogany wood of the door, when it was jerked open to reveal a half-dressed vampire. He wore only a pair of black sweatpants that hung low on hips and left his well-sculpted torso bared for her eyes to drink in greedily.
She was pretty sure a boulder had just lodged itself in her throat, and try as she might, she could not get it to move. It didn’t help that her mouth went drier than the Sahara, either, all the moisture being sucked away to pool somewhere near her core.
Camden gave his irresistible one-sided grin and stepped aside to let her enter.
The room was not anything like she had expected. Well, except for the vastness of it, maybe. The ceiling was incredibly high and vaulted, the walls a greyish-taupe color. There were no windows, so the only light was given off by a few of the same sconces from the hall. In the center of the wall opposite the door was a massive, four-post bed. At first glance, she thought it was mahogany to match the doors, but then she realized it was actually dark wrought-iron, twisted and molded into intricate designs.
She slid past Camden, careful not to touch him, and stood admiring the beauty. He closed the door and waited patiently.
Her eyes roved the rest of the space, but kept returning to the massive bed. The comforter was a pattern of squares in black, grey, and white. She hadn’t liked the super-modern chic look in the living room, but somehow, the combination of dark colors, wrought-iron, and the bright splashes of color from several of the paintings covering the walls all worked.
Camden cleared his throat, causing her to jump. “Well?”
Rayne turned, eyebrows raised in question.
He smiled. “I’m waiting on your prognosis.” His powerful arms crossed against his chest. “I know it’s coming, so let’s hear it.”
She twisted her mouth in mock thought, her green eyes raking over his chest and tattoos, more obviously than she intended. “It works.”
Camden’s eyebrows rose. “It works?”
Rayne finally smiled and looked everywhere but directly at him. “I like it.”
It was then the first time she noticed a large desk against the eastern wall, which held two large computer monitors. The screen changed on each intermittently. She gestured to the entire room. “Not what I expected.”
Camden strode past her and sat in the large leather chair at the desk. “Let me guess: coffins, torches, and chains?”
Rayne nodded. “Well, yeah.” She pointed to the door. “I felt like I was walking into a tomb and about to meet the crypt keeper out there!”
He laughed, and she couldn’t keep her eyes from his god-like body and her mind away from some very un-ladylike thoughts. “You said you had a lead?” she asked, her voice cracking slightly.
Camden nodded and turned to the computer. “Possibly.”
Rayne’s expression changed, and she nearly forgot about her nervousness. “Who? How?” She moved closer and dared to rest her arms on the back of his chair.
Camden nodded and took a deep breath. “Paul was the one of us on duty when…” he paused. It was hard to say it out loud, especially to her. He shook his head and continued. “He got a pretty good look at the intruder.” He glanced at her over his shoulder. Hopefully, she wouldn’t realize that he was leaving something out.
“He was pretty upset that it happened on his watch, and feels like he is partly to blame. He’s been at the bar, trying to calm his mind a little.”
Rayne held up her hand to stop him. “Wait, a vampire…at a bar?”
Camden nodded. “It’s not the type of bar you’re thinking of, but yes.”
She shrugged and let him continue. “Paul called me earlier and said that he’d met a suspicious character at Madam Laurie’s. He was shady and seemed to be keeping a close eye on Paul. He knows it’s not the same guy, but there was definitely something off about him, for sure.”
Rayne nodded. “Ok. So what do we do from here?” she asked, looking into his cool blue eyes for just a moment. She was suddenly very aware that her arm was resting against his shoulder, and immediately the familiar tingle presented itself. It was odd that his skin was warm. Whether she hadn’t noticed before, or it just never registered, she’d expected it to feel cold, lifeless even. Weren’t they called the “undead?” Jerking her arm away, she crossed them over her chest in an attempt to look not quite so awkward.
If Camden had noticed, he didn’t show it. He continued staring at the screen before turning to face her. “Since whoever this is seemingly knows who Paul is, he’s not going to get close enough to get any information.” His expression grew a little more serious. “I’m going to have to go investigate myself.”
Rayne agreed. If what he said was true, and she didn’t doubt that it was, it seemed as though this person had picked Paul out. They had one chance to get this right. “I’m a big girl. I can handle myself here alone for a while.”
Camden sighed and ran his fingers through his already tousled hair. “I know you are, Rayne. I trust you, but I can’t leave you here alone. Someone got very close to getting in here before. I can’t risk that happening again. You’re going with me.”
Rayne smiled. The idea of going undercover sounded fun. It was almost mystical and gave her a somewhat naughty feeling.
He seemed relieved as he looked to the clock. “It’s one o’clock now. I’ll send some clothes up for you to get ready in a bit.”
Rayne’s brows furrowed in question. “Aren’t we just going to a bar? I brought some fairly nice clothes. I’m sure I have something that will work.”
Camden chuckled. “I bet you probably don’t.”
What kind of place was he talking about? What kind of place was this that she couldn’t wear regular clothes?
Seeing her expression, he put two and two together and gathered that she was lost. He leaned back in the chair and cockily rested his hands behind his head. He was going to enjoy seeing her reaction when she figured it out.
Rayne inhaled deeply as she watched him make the simplest of movements. The sinew and muscle of his arms twitched and twisted beneath his skin, starting a fire in the pit of her stomach. “Why don’t you enlighten me?” she managed to squeak out.
He thought for a moment. “Are you familiar with the phrase ‘leather and lace’?”
She racked her brain. It definitely sounded familiar. Then it hit her. Leather and lace was the name of an erotic clothing store back home that sold everything from naughty toys to skimpy leather outfits. Her eyes widened. “Oh no. I am not going into an erotic club!”
He held up both hands. “It’s not an erotic club. It’s a place where both vampires and humans go. The dress code is usually a little risqué, but there is no open sex going on. Just a regular club with music and drinks. The rest is just a cover to hide the fact that most of the patrons are…different. Most of us bring our own humans for entertainment, feeding, or whatever. There are private rooms in the back for…other things.”
Rayne narrowed her eyes. “And just what are you expecting me to wear?”
Camden stood and placed both of his hands on her upper arms. “It’ll be fine. We’ll tone it down some.”
Rayne’s skin was on fire where his hands made contact. She wanted to jerk away, but at the same time, she was excited and liked the sensation.
He gave a reassuring smile. “Just do this for me,” he said quietly. “If you don’t look the part, then they’ll know we’re up to something.”
She fought with herself for a moment before she finally agreed.
His smile widened. “Good. And afterward, I’ll let you beat me up or something for making you do this.”
Rayne scoffed. “Yeah, like I would be that stupid. How great of an idea does that sound? Tiny girl punching a vampire. When has that scenario ever turned out well?” she asked, crossing the room and letting herself fall onto his bed. She could have moaned in ecstasy at how amazing the mattress felt. She sunk down into it.
Camden moved to stand directly in front of her. “I can think of a few where it turned out incredibly well, actually.”
She rolled her eyes and sat up just enough to swat at his chest. “Don’t be a pervert!”
Her hand made contact harder than she meant, and it gave a resounding
pop
.
Camden faked a pained look and rubbed the spot just above his pectoral muscle. “Hey, I said afterward.”
She pursed her lips together as she made a move to stand. “You big baby. I thought you were supposed to be some big, bad vampire?”
His eyes narrowed playfully. “You want big bad vampire?” he asked, a mischievous smile finding its way to his lips.
Oh no.
What had she done? Holding up her hand, she tried to back away from him, but hit the bed and fell onto it. Before she knew it, he had pushed her backwards and straddled her torso, effectively pinning her. He began a relentless onslaught of tickling.
“No! Stop!” she yelled. Her laughter was loud and boisterous, but she couldn’t stop it. She didn’t want to. Her small fists pounded on his chest and she curled her legs, trying to dislodge him.
His attack continued.
“Stop it! I’ll do whatever you want, just stop!” she cried in between fits of laughter.
Camden managed to catch both of her hands and pinned them above her head. He leaned forward, hovering just inches above her.
Both stilled, but couldn’t contain their smiles that slowly began to fade as they stared. Inches apart and noses almost touching, he gently brushed a strand of auburn hair from her cheek.
To Rayne, it felt as if they stayed in that moment for eternity. She was afraid to move, to breathe, even. Emerald green locked with electric blue, each studying the hue of the other.
Suddenly, without warning, Camden gently pressed his mouth to hers. Rayne’s eyes fluttered shut and she pulled against his grip on her wrists. He held tight and his lips became more demanding as his free hand moved to caress the side of her face. His tongue darted out, gliding along her lower lip.
A low moan escaped through her slightly-parted lips, and he took the opportunity to dive inside. Tongue against tongue, wrestling each other in a wet dance, Rayne managed to wriggle a hand away and ran it through his short black hair.
This time, it was him that moaned.
Rayne smiled and leaned up to playfully bite at his lower lip.
“Now you’re just being mean,” he mumbled, resuming his lip action.
She giggled and repeated the nip. Every nerve ending in her body was crackling and popping with electricity, especially those near her core.
“Be careful,” he whispered. “I bite back.”
She continued to meet him match for match, kiss for kiss, in a heated entanglement.
What was happening began to really sink in. She wanted this, needed the interaction. Maybe if she could just get it out of her system, then this infatuation she had with him would go away.
Camden let go of her wrist and supported his weight on his elbow. Rayne took the opportunity to place both hands on his chest and pushed him to the side, sending him to the mattress, where in one fluid motion, she flipped and reversed positions with him.
Now, straddling him, she smiled down at his shocked expression. Apparently he hadn’t been expecting that, and that was probably the only reason his superior strength hadn’t stopped her.
He smiled up at her and cupped a hand at the back of her neck, pulling her down for another kiss.
Rayne’s tongue snaked into his mouth. They fought each other, pushing back and forth, until a sharp pain radiated form the tip of her tongue. She pulled back, her hand covering her mouth and coming away with a few drops of blood.
Camden jerked upright, his face twisted in worry. “Are you ok? What’s wrong?” he asked, his sharp white fangs glinting from the corners of his mouth.
She nodded, mouth still covered, and climbed off the bed. “I’m fine,” she reassured him. “I just got a little carried away.”
Camden climbed to his feet in front of her, moving her hand to see where the blood was coming from.
She stuck out her tongue to reveal a small nick at the very tip that was barely bleeding at all. She was going to take that as a sign. She’d told herself from the start that this was not a good idea, and now she had proof.
His hands rested on her shoulders. “I’m sorry. They just…come out when I get excited.”
Rayne shook her head and stepped around him, trying to play it off as if it were no big deal. “It’s fine,” she said with her head down, moving toward the door. Her body was nearly shaking from the adrenaline of what had almost happened.