All I Want for Christmas is a Vampire (Love at Stake #5)

 

Ian approached the bed where Toni was sleeping. Her heartbeat was steady, her face calm and peaceful. He hoped she was having sweet dreams. Connor had described the attack on her. She'd be lucky if it wasn't giving her nightmares.

 

He thought back to the last time he'd had a dream. It was the eve of the Battle of Solway Moss in 1542. He'd slept fitfully the night before his first battle, and he'd dreamed of shallow mountain streams turning red with blood. He fell into the stream, and it suddenly became bottomless, sucking him under, drowning him in blood. The very next night, he'd joined the ranks of the Undead when Angus had found him dying on the battlefield.

 

Ian snorted. At least in the last four hundred and sixty years, he'd greatly improved his fighting skills. He'd never been seriously injured since that first fateful night. And he was no longer plagued with nightmares before battle. He no longer dreamed at all.

 

He'd begun his investigation at Romatech by having Connor tell him about the attack Monday night. Connor had overheard the Malcontents' mental voices as they controlled Toni, and he'd used those voices as a beacon to teleport straight to the scene of the crime.

 

When Ian examined her personnel file, he'd been surprised to learn that she had an apartment in Greenwich Village. He'd also been surprised by the bachelor's degree in general business and a near complete master's in sociology. Why would someone that smart take a dead-end job, guarding the Undead? Was she conducting a study?

 

Connor didn't believe she was using them for research. After all, she couldn't have known about their existence before the Malcontents had attacked her. He had run a background check, and her only offense was a traffic ticket for speeding. Like Dougal, Connor had asked Ian not to chase her away. Until Phil returned from Texas, they were in desperate need of a day guard. What Ian hadn't said was that he was in more danger of pulling her close than pushing her away.

 

"Doona pester her," Connor had ordered. "The lass needs time to recover."

 

So Ian had gone to the Horny Devils for his two dates. The women had been pleasant enough, but his mind kept returning to Toni, and the inconsistencies between her personnel file and what she'd told him.

 

He glanced at the digital clock next to her bed. Six-thirty. Thursday morning. Shouldn't she be waking soon? He paced about the room. His gaze continued to wander back to her, all snug and cozy in her bed. With his superior vision, he could still see her well in the dark room. She was lovely, the way her golden hair spilled across the pillow, the way her delicate hands curled close to her face.

 

Bloody hell. He paced away. He had to stop thinking about her that way. He'd already decided he wanted a Vamp woman who was honest, loyal, intelligent, and pretty. Toni wasn't a Vamp. And he had serious doubts about her honesty and loyalty.

 

But she was very intelligent and pretty. Not to mention intriguing. She seemed to ignite all his senses at once, and it was such an intoxicating feeling, he found himself looking for any excuse to be with her.

 

He stopped. Was that why he felt this compulsion to investigate her? He mentally reviewed his suspicions. No, his questions were legit. It was his attraction to her that was way out of line. She was a guard. She was forbidden.

 

When the alarm went off, he zipped to the bedside table and turned it off.

 

With a little moan, she stretched. Her eyes opened.

 

"Good morning, lass."

 

She gasped and pulled the covers up to her chin. She quickly looked around the room, then focused on him. "What are you doing here?"

 

"We need to talk."

 

"Now?" She squinted at her door, still closed and locked. "How did you get in here?"

 

"I teleported in. Yer door wasna damaged."

 

"That's not the point. You invaded my privacy."

 

He shrugged one shoulder. "Do ye no' look at me when I'm in my death-sleep?"

 

"That's my job."

 

"And investigation is my job. I have a few questions regarding yer employment application. First off, I noticed ye dinna give yer complete first name."

 

She gave him an annoyed look. "I have to go to the bathroom. And you need to do your vanishing act." She slipped out of bed and waved a hand at him. "Hocus pocus, disappear."

 

He stepped back as she strode to the bathroom, and he couldn't help but notice how her breasts jiggled slightly beneath her red T-shirt. No bra. With his superior vision, he could detect the exact location and shape of her nipples. When she passed him, he turned to watch her from behind. Her pajama bottoms were red with little black and white penguins. They fit snugly around her hips and rounded bottom. When she paused at the bathroom door, he quickly lifted his gaze so she wouldn't catch him ogling her.

 

She glared at him. "Why are you still here?"

 

"We havena talked yet."

 

With a groan, she entered the bathroom, then shut the door in his face. He paced about the room. He didn't want to question her through the door. He needed to see her face to help him decide if she was being truthful. He glanced at the clock. He didn't have much time before the sun reached the horizon.

 

He raised his voice so she could hear him. "I wanted to thank you for the wee practice session. I felt more comfortable talking to my dates."

 

No answer.

 

He moved close to the door and heard the water being turned on. "The ladies were verra pleasant to talk to. I enjoyed their company, but...it just wasna right. There was something missing, some...je ne sais quoi."

 

"Chemistry," she said, then muttered a curse. "Idiot. Don't talk to him," she whispered to herself. He grinned. "After my dates, I came back here to go through the phone messages. I found three recordings where the ladies actually admitted to being Vamps. So I called them back and arranged to meet them tonight."

 

No answer.

 

There was a brushing sound, followed by some spitting. He figured she was brushing her teeth.

 

"Ye'll be happy to know that I phoned all the mortals who called during the day. I told them I was verra sorry, but I was already taken."

 

The door opened, and she gazed at him, her pretty green eyes wide with surprise. "You called all of them?"

 

"Aye. Some of them werena home, so I left a message."

 

"There were hundreds of them."

 

"I know. It took me several hours." He rubbed his whiskered chin. "I've been told recently that I'm a rude, arrogant snob, so I'm trying to mend my evil ways."

 

She snorted. "Too late." She walked past him to the dresser and removed some undies from a drawer.

 

Blue and lacy, he noted. "I left a new recording on the answering machine, so anyone who calls today will hear that I'm no longer available."

 

"Oh, that was a good idea."

 

"Aye." He felt a sudden pull as if a vacuum cleaner was sucking out his energy. The sun must be nearing the horizon. "I'd like to discuss yer employment application."

 

"I filled it out truthfully." She planted a hand on her hip. "And I'm insulted that you're questioning that."

 

"I'm no' saying ye lied." He yawned as he moved toward her. She glanced at the clock. "You're just about out of time, huh? And I need to take my shower, so

 

off you go."

 

He felt another tug from his death-sleep and grabbed a bedpost to steady himself.

 

"Aw, feeling a little sleepy, are you? Time to go beddie-bye?"

 

He steeled himself against the weakness. "I still have some time. Answer my questions, and I'll leave."

 

She opened the closet and tugged a polo shirt off a hanger. "The way I see it, I only have to avoid you for about two more minutes." She grabbed a pair of pants and turned toward the bathroom.

 

He zoomed forward and caught her in his arms. She gasped.

 

He inclined his head closer to hers. "Can ye avoid me now?"

 

She clasped her clothes to her chest with one hand and pushed at him with the other. "I'm not talking to you."

 

He noted with great satisfaction that her push had been weak. She didn't object as much as she pretended to. And her body was warm and soft. He splayed his hands across her back and pulled her closer. "We could find other ways to pass the time."

 

Her eyes flashed with anger. "You--you're a liar!" She shoved harder, and he released her.

 

"I havena lied to you, lass."

 

"You said you only wanted Vamp women." She stepped back and hugged her clothes to her chest. "Why should I tell you anything if you're not trustworthy?"

 

He couldn't believe it. She was turning the tables on him. "It's you I doona completely trust." "You're the one trying to break the rule of noninvolvement."

 

"Bloody hell, I'm a man! Do ye expect me no' to notice how beautiful ye are?" He swayed on his feet.

 

She reached out a hand to steady him, then pulled her arm back before making contact. "Don't you dare fall dead in my bedroom. How could I explain that?"

 

"No one will know I was here. Trust me."

 

She gave him a sad look. "How could I ever trust a vampire?"

 

"I'm still a man," he whispered. "And I would never hurt you." With his last ounce of energy, he teleported to the fifth floor, pulled off his jumper, and collapsed on the bed. He'd get his answers tonight.

 

As death-sleep washed over him, he wished he could dream of lovely girls with golden hair and eyes as green as a Highland meadow in springtime.

 

I deserve to be happy.

 

I will accomplish my goals.

 

Toni began her morning affirmations in the shower. As she soaped up her arms, she recalled how Ian had grabbed her and pulled her close. She'd been too stunned to fight him off. Yeah, keep telling yourself that.

 

I will achieve something meaningful with my life.

 

I am worthy to be loved.

 

Dammit, she'd liked being in his arms. She was out of her mind. She wouldn't think about him anymore. She rinsed off and started her affirmations again.

 

I deserve to be happy.

 

Do ye expect me no' to notice how beautiful ye are? Good grief, now his words were repeating in her head. But what nice words. And what had he told her earlier? Any man would be blessed and honored to receive yer love. With a sigh, she turned the water off. She'd waited all her life to hear someone tell her the right words. What rotten luck that it was coming from a vampire.

 

She dressed, popped in her contacts, and pulled her damp hair back into a ponytail. She'd dry it later. For now, she needed to make her rounds and call in her first report. She went to the basement to make sure the little Vamps were all snug in their little Vamp beds. Dougal and Phineas were fine. Time for the long trek upstairs. Of all the floors, Ian had to pick the top one. At least the five flights were good cardio.

 

She found him on the king-sized bed, stretched out in his kilt, white T-shirt, socks, and shoes. His sweater was on the floor. She picked it up, folded it, and placed it beside him on the bed. His face was peaceful, but rugged with black stubble shading his jaw. She fought an urge to stroke a fingertip down his cheek and poke the dimple in his chin.

 

She turned away from his face and noted his shoes. That couldn't be comfy. She had one shoe pulled off when she realized it had only been yesterday morning when she'd been afraid to even touch him.

 

She glanced at his face. He was becoming human to her. And not just human, but attractive. Damn. She dropped his second shoe on the floor and left the room. She needed to quit this job as soon as possible. She just needed to find proof that the Vamps existed. Then she could shove that proof in Dr. Proctor's face and demand he let Sabrina go. And then she would be out of here. She'd never have to see Ian again.

 

A sudden wave of sadness caught her by surprise. Damn, why couldn't he have been mortal? Why couldn't she have met him at NYU? If he'd approached her there with his gorgeous face and lilting, soft accent, she would have fallen for him in a second. God help her, she wanted to hear him say more lovely things to her. She wanted to know if his thick, black hair felt soft if she raked her fingers through it.

 

How old was he exactly? He'd mentioned the sixteenth century. It was fascinating once she thought about all the things he must have seen over the centuries. What kind of baggage was he carrying on his broad shoulders? What kept him going night after night through the centuries? Did he really want to share his long life with one special woman?

 

Stop thinking about him. She strode across the office and sat at the desk. The computer hadn't yielded any proof. Maybe there was something in the drawers. She rummaged through the desk and discovered a thin black book. The title, printed in white, read The Black Pages.

 

As she scanned the first few pages, her heart began to race. This could be it. Proof positive. The advertisements were clearly meant for the Vamp public.

 

Ace Aluminum Blinds and Shutters. Block out that annoying sunlight and enjoy the dark!

 

Aerobics and Weight Training. Is your body centuries old? Keep it in great shape with us!

 

Brooklyn Blood Bank. Catering to Vamp needs. Are you tired of synthetic blood and hankering for the real thing?

 

This was it!

 

She was so excited, she called Carlos. "It's called The Black Pages. It's perfect!"

 

"I'm not sure it constitutes proof," Carlos said with a yawn. "Anybody can print anything off a computer."

 

Toni groaned. "Don't be such a downer."

 

"I'm sorry, menina. I'll be happy to look at it, though. Can you bring it tonight? Let's have dinner at your place. I'll order in Chinese."

 

"That's sounds wonderful." She would switch to her biggest handbag, so she could sneak the phone book out of the house. "Have you found out anything more about Sabrina's uncle?"

 

"Not yet. I have a final this afternoon and a paper due tomorrow. But I'll find the time."

 

"Okay. Good luck with your stuff." Toni hung up.

 

It was eight A.M. and time for her first report. After she got off the phone with Howard, the phone started ringing constantly. She was relieved Ian had recorded the new message, and she didn't have to deal with all the girls who thought he was hot. Even if they were right.

 

By four-thirty that evening, she was ready to go. She had hidden The Black Pages in a big handbag. The minute Dougal and Phineas arrived in the kitchen, she said her good-byes and headed for the front door. Ian materialized in the foyer just as she was unlocking the door. "Toni, wait!" He rushed forward and stumbled, nearly falling on his face. He righted himself just in time. "Bugger."

 

She hesitated before opening the door. "Are you all right?" Good grief, the poor man was blushing.

 

"My feet grew from a size nine to a thirteen in twelve days," he muttered. "I'm still getting used to it."

 

His feet weren't the only things that had grown. Toni's face grew hot as she attempted to override that memory. She was being shallow, she chided herself. The man must have suffered while he was growing that fast. "It must have been painful."

 

He shrugged one shoulder. "It was worth it to finally look like a man."

 

And what a man. "Well, you certainly got some good results."

 

His eyes started to twinkle. "Like a hot, hot studmuffin?"

 

She winced. That line was going to haunt her the rest of her days.

 

He stepped toward her. "We still need to talk."

 

Not that again. Maybe she should try a new tactic. "I'd love to talk, but can we do it later? I have to go now. My dinner date is waiting."

 

His eyes narrowed. "Ye have a date?"

 

She started to say it was just with an old friend, but why put the guy out of his misery? He looked kinda jealous, and she kinda liked it. "You're not the only one who dates around here, you know." He frowned. "I have three dates tonight."

 

Great, studmuffin. Rub it in. "Have fun." Not. She marched out the door.