Authors: J. S. Scott
"Consider your debt paid." Ryan told her in a husky voice.
Debt? Was that all that this was to him? A roll in the hay. Or a roll on the carpet. Silly, Lacy. Just because it was the most mind-blowing sex of your life doesn’t mean it meant anything to him.
Lacy moved away from him, ready to get up and dressed. She suddenly felt cheap and slutty. "It was kind of an expensive lay, don't you think."
"Hey." He caught her arm. "It wasn't just a fuck for me, Lacy. “
She quirked an eyebrow. "Then what was it?"
He sighed. "I guess I might as well confess. It's now or never. I don't date a lot. I figured when the right woman came along...I would know it. Unfortunately when she did...she was already married. I've always had a thing for you, Lacy. But I don't mess with other guys wives."
Her heart fluttered. "Really?"
He met her eyes with an intent, sincere look. "Yes, really. Do you think I blackmail every woman I meet into having sex with me. I was so happy when you told me that you had divorced that jerk that I couldn't wait and I knew you were going to run. I just want a chance."
"Brent dumped me. For a more sophisticated, rich woman." She told him dejectedly.
Ryan pulled her into his arms and held her tightly. "I wish I could say that I'm sorry you divorced, but I'd be lying. You deserve a devoted man. He's an idiot and a player. But I
am
sorry he hurt you."
"I'm not really hurt anymore. We didn't really have a very good marriage. I'm just trying to put my life back together. I need to sell the house and start over again." She hugged him back, loving the feel of his big, strong body against her.
"If you sell the house I know a good place for you to live. It's right next door and there's plenty of space." His voice sounded hopeful.
She laughed softly, her heart racing, still stunned that Ryan had secretly wanted her. "We'll take it one day at a time." She tried to be casual although she wanted to scream…yes, yes.
"I've even become buddies with Loki,” he told her with grin.
Her face registered surprise. "You actually like my dog?"
"Yep. We've been fast friends for a while. Sometimes he howls when you're away for too long. I started letting him come over to play. He's an outstanding frisbee catcher." He informed her, his voice actually warm when he spoke about her dog. "I always bring him back before you get home."
Lacy was shaking her head. "I can't believe you actually befriended my dog when he tears up your yard."
"I have a feeling his digging today might have been my fault. He heard me working in the yard and he probably wanted to come play. It was actually pretty funny when he came wiggling under the fence and ran right to the frisbee. It’s hard to be mad at him when he gives you that look and I think he’s missing you. You’re working too hard.” He touched her cheek softly, caressing the dark circles under her eyes with a concerned expression. “I think we need to solve that problem pretty soon or I might start howling for you myself." He grinned mischievously.
"But he ruined your roses," she told him remorsefully, secretly touched that he cared enough to be worried about her health and happiness.
"They're just flowers. They can be replaced. Although it did give me the opportunity to find out what was happening with you. I noticed you were selling the house and Brent's car was never there." He kissed her lightly on her hair. “It gave me hope.”
Lacy pulled back to look into his face with a cheeky smile. "So...if it's partly your fault that this happened...you get to fix the fence. Those rocks weigh a ton."
He laughed. A happy, carefree laugh that made Lacy's heart race. "I was going to fix it anyway...but it's a deal."
"That's good. I find I rather like your negotiations," she gave him sultry smile.
"Stay with me, tonight." His voice was husky and low.
"Oh no. I am not getting up at five a.m.,” she told him, laughing as squirmed away from him.
He pulled her back against his body, not letting her get away. "I'm off tomorrow. Are you?”
She nodded. “Yes…and I’m staying in bed until at least nine.”
"I wouldn't get up that early if I had a reason to stay in bed,” he told her in a sexy, irresistible voice.
How could any woman refuse? Lacy knew she certainly couldn’t. When Ryan pulled out all of his persuasive power, he was impossible to resist.
Dr. Ryan Logan, for once in his life, didn't leave the bed until the following afternoon…and he had never been happier.
Wicked Romance Of A Vampire (The Pleasure Of His Punishment: An Erotic Sex Story Of Sexual Submission)
Kelly Hunter had always known that Max Duran was a vampire.
After all, she
was
a freak. Freaks of nature knew these things.
Kelly sighed as she inserted the key in the front door to her small, cozy house and opened the door. Her work day had gone on forever and her mind was not her own today. She closed the door quietly behind her and absorbed the peace that she only had when she was alone in her home.
She knew he would speak to her soon. As soon as the sunset came Max would be there in her mind. It had been that way since they had met two weeks ago…and she resented it. Her home had been her only quiet place and Max invaded the tranquil atmosphere.
Kelly was a psychic, a true freak of nature, able to see what others could not. She could see and converse with ghosts. Max was the first live person who had ever been in her mind.
Okay....maybe he was just undead and not really a live person.
But he was definitely unusual. He could communicate with her from a distance. Usually she could only speak to ghosts when she was in their presence.
She took off her jacket and hung it neatly in the closet. She knew she bordered on obsession when it came to order and organization.
Probably because it's the only thing I can control in my life.
It made sense when she had so little control over the abilities which had made the rest of her life pretty unpredictable.
She had thought she had gained some control over her abilities...until she met Max.
During her childhood and adolescence, her parents had taken her to various child psychologists, each one having a different diagnosis and a different pill to cure her "mental illnesses". Once Kelly became an adult she sought help from another psychic, knowing she needed much more than pills or therapy. She had broken free from all of the drugs and honed her abilities to block out unwanted communication when she needed to focus on other things. She could function in the world now without everyone laughing at her and whispering behind her back about her oddities, but she would never completely fit in. She had always been a misfit, alone and separate, but at least now she could give the appearance of being normal.
Max had disrupted her peace, shattered her illusion. She had only met him once and very briefly. She was exiting one of the downtown buildings one evening after a meeting when they had bumped arms, brushing against each other as they passed through the automatic doors.
She apologized and he had answered back.
But neither had spoken aloud.
She would have thought he was a ghost if he hadn't been so real, but he had been very real and very solid. As soon as she had understood what he was...she ran. She had been running ever since. Too bad Max Duran couldn't take no for an answer. He dogged her every night. He filled her nights with conversation and her days with contemplation.
Kelly microwaved her dinner and worked on some of her drawings and ideas for her current project. As an interior designer she brought work home with her often. She was actually able to accomplish a lot with no Max in her head.
Where was Max?
Was there to be no conversation tonight? The thought both relieved and depressed her. While it was true that he irritated her, he also was her relief from loneliness. She had felt alone since childhood. It was nice sometimes to have someone to talk to that was different. Someone that would accept her just as she was.
She could feel his loneliness too. There was longing in his voice that he couldn't disguise.
The last thing I need is a vampire friend. I'm weird enough as it is.
Kelly plumped her pillows as she climbed into bed. She had an early morning tomorrow and she didn't need another conversation with Max tonight.
"Good evening, my love."
Kelly's heart flip flopped as she heard his silky, baritone voice in her head.
"Good nIght, Max
.
I'm going to sleep."
She answered with conviction as she rolled over onto her side and closed her eyes, determined not to give in to his languid voice.
"I missed you."
His whisper echoed in her mind.
"
Where were you?"
Curiosity got the best of her.
"I was looking in on your sister. Since you seem immune to my charm, I was hoping she might be more receptive."
His tone was casual, but there was intent in the statement.
"Don't you dare touch her, Max. Get away from her."
Kelly sat up in bed.
"I was just going to...introduce myself."
Max replied smoothly.
"I mean it, Max. Leave her."
She was angry now, wishing she had never mentioned Katherine in her previous conversations with Max. She tried to rapidly remember their conversations. She had told him very little, but she had mentioned her name once or twice in passing.
"What's in it for me, love. Will you come and keep me company tonight. Katherine looks to be a tasty morsel. You must offer me something in return."
His seductive voice was beckoning her.
Kelly was on her feet now. Damn him. It was past time that they had it out. He had never threatened her or a loved one. It needed to stop.
"Fine, Max. I will come to you. How do I get there."
She felt an immediate and overwhelming dizziness. Her head spun and she felt as if her body was on a tilt-a-whirl. Her vision went dark for a moment and she was lost in an abyss. It couldn't have lasted more than a few seconds, but it felt like it went on for hours. When her vision finally cleared she was no longer standing in her bedroom. She was gripping the bedpost of a totally unfamiliar bed.
There was no artificial light but the moon was full and it filtered into the room, illuminating the space. Max was there, standing as still as a statue, so close she could reach out and touch him.
Kelly became hyper aware of her appearance. She hadn't planned on meeting Max in nothing but her short pink nightgown. Her blonde hair was probably in disarray from tossing in her bed. As she pinned her green eyes on his face, she recoiled, stepping back involuntarily.
She wasn't really afraid of what Max was. She spoke to ghosts for God's sake. Some nice. Some not so nice. She was used to the paranormal.
No...she wasn't fearful because he was a vampire. She was afraid of...Max. He was an unholy temptation with his burning, dark eyes and raven black hair that just touched the collar of his shirt in the back. It was curly and unruly. He always had that five o'clock shadow on his face that would look sloppy on anyone else. It made him look like sin incarnate.