chapter Seven
After the cab dropped us off at Jayde’s apartment complex, I led the way to her place. A small light was on in the window of her second-story apartment, and I sighed with relief. She was home.
Michael knocked on her door, and we waited. A moment later, Jayde opened the door and stared up at Michael in surprise. “Holy shit, Michael? I—” Her voice broke off as she spotted me in cat form, rubbing against his legs.
She opened the door wider, letting us in. “I’m hoping a kitty-cat fetish isn’t why she’s wearing that ugly-ass collar.”
Michael laughed, but the sound was forced. “We needed a disguise for her. Might be too many questions otherwise.”
I crouched on the floor, low, and began my transformation back to human.
“A disguise is one thing. A pink bow is just downright humiliating,” Jayde said, then gestured toward the kitchen. “Coffee? She’ll be a minute.”
Michael looked at me changing, then back to Jayde. “No thanks.”
She shrugged and crossed her arms, staring at him, then back at me. “And here I thought she might have finally found a guy to run off with when she turned up missing for the last three days.” She sniffed the air, then frowned at Michael. “You smell like…”
“I am,” he said, showing his fangs.
“Yuck,” Jayde said with a wrinkle of her nose. She gave me a dismayed look. “Have we fallen so far?”
I shook off the last of my transformation and flexed, then stretched. “I’ll explain it later, Jayde. Right now, I need to borrow your phone.”
Michael immediately shrugged off his jacket and handed it to me.
“I’ll get you the phone—and some panties,” she said, tossing her long black hair. She reached into her purse and pulled out her cell phone, then gave it to me. “Call the agency first.”
I frowned at her. “Why?”
“Because they put out an ATL on your vampire boyfriend.”
I looked at Michael in alarm, then back at Jayde. “ATL?”
“Yeah. Attempt to Locate. The Alliance figured ol’ ‘Valjean’ here went rogue and left your drained body in a ditch somewhere. There’s a task force combing the area for him.”
“You don’t seem worried,” Michael commented.
“I wasn’t,” Jayde said, and looked down her nose at him. “She’s a were-jaguar. She could mop the floor with you if she wanted to. It’s that high-strung blonde at the agency who’s freaking out.”
Oh, boy. “I’ll call and explain everything.”
Ryder sounded exhausted when she picked up the phone, but her exhaustion disappeared as soon as she heard it was me. I got an intense scolding, and I meekly apologized for scaring her. I hadn’t intended to cause her days of sleepless worry, which it sounded as if I had. She’d truly thought that Michael had killed me and left me somewhere. She’d revoked his Alliance membership, canceled his record out of the Midnight Liaisons database, and said that she’d sent his profile to the Alliance security team, which was now searching for him.
That was bad news. Rogue vampires were to be killed on sight. I slipped on panties and a bra. “Valjean didn’t do anything wrong, Ryder. I’ve spent the last few days protecting him.”
“Protecting him from what?”
“Never mind,” I said quickly, tugging a shirt over my head. “How soon can you lift the ATL so it’s safe for him to go out?”
She typed into the computer, and I heard paperwork shuffle. “I just sent the message to the late-night task force, but I don’t know when they’ll get it. And then I have to wait for the day shift to check their e-mails and text messages. You guys just lie low, and I’ll call you when we have the all clear.”
“Okay,” I breathed. “Thanks. Sorry about all this.”
“Just don’t go to your house. It’s one of the stakeout points. They might shoot garlic first and ask questions later.”
“Got it.”
“Or to his house. Just to be safe.”
“Okay.”
“Or to your sister’s house.”
I winced. Too late. “Thanks, Ryder. We’ll hide out for another day or two.”
I gave her my sister’s cell number and ended the call, then pulled on some yoga pants, thinking hard. I needed to cancel my credit cards, check if they’d robbed my house, call my job and let them know I was alive—there were so many things I needed to do.
But I found myself drawn back to Michael. If he was leaving me soon, I wanted to spend every minute I could with him. I returned to the living room, my gaze devouring him. He paced as my sister watched from her perch on the arm of the couch, worried and uneasy.
He seemed to untense at the sight of me, although his gaze remained worried. “Ruby, I can’t stay here.”
“I know,” I said with a glance at my sister. “It’s not safe for Jayde. They have teams out looking for you—and me, in a sense. If they come here, I don’t want the situation to escalate.”
Jayde snorted and stood, arms crossing over her chest. “Don’t be silly, little sis. Stay here.”
I shook my head. “Michael’s really unpopular right now. I’m going to stay with him.”
“No.” Michael’s voice was quiet but resolute.
I turned to look at him in surprise. Dread curled in my stomach. “What do you mean, no?”
“I mean that it’s too dangerous for you.” He shook his head. “Worst blind date ever, remember? It’s my fault that it’s gone on two days too long. You’re probably sick of watching over me, and I don’t blame you.”
Of course I wasn’t sick of Michael. I loved him. Always had, always would. Being with him again made my world finally feel right once more. As if a missing piece had locked into place. I’d been okay without him, but I hadn’t been happy. I missed being happy.
“But…” I said.
“It’s okay, Ruby,” he said, and took my hand in his.
Jayde said, “Looks like you two need a moment.”
As she left the room, Michael placed his other hand over mine, staring down at our clasped hands. “I really appreciate what you’ve done for me the past few days. You’ve been such a good friend to me.”
There was that damn f-word again. “You can’t go off on your own. That werewolf is working with the bounty hunter,” I said, wondering if my voice sounded as desperate as I felt. “They can track you by scent. And there are even more people looking for you tonight. If you go out without me at your side, you might as well paint a big target on your back.”
“Better on my back than yours,” he said, and brushed his fingers over my cheek in a caress. “You’ve done enough. I know that you didn’t want to see me again. I could tell the moment you took the blindfold off. It was obvious from the look on your face, and I’m sorry that you’ve been stuck with me. I need to let you get back to your regular life. I’m sorry I dragged you into this.”
What life? Watching security cameras at the storage unit? Spending my nights off bored and looking for awkward first dates on the dating service? Spending my time regretting the choices I’ve made?
“I’m not sorry you dragged me in,” I said softly.
He leaned in and kissed me. I felt the barest graze of teeth against my lip. “Good-bye, Ruby.”
And before I could stop him, he walked past me and opened the front door, as I sat there and stared. He was leaving me. The nightmare of four years ago came crashing down over me once more.
Jayde came out of her room a few moments later, no doubt scenting that Michael had left. “So you’re just going to let him walk out again?”
I said nothing—the knot in my throat was as big as a bowling ball.
“I know you want him,” Jayde prompted. “Normally, you have a miserable expression on your face, but tonight you’re lit up like a firecracker. Doesn’t take a genius to realize that it’s him. And you’re just going to let him leave? Again?” She gestured toward the front door. “Vampires aren’t off-limits. What’s the problem?”
“He thinks we’re just friends,” I said bitterly. “He’s reminded me of that repeatedly.”
She snorted. “I may not know what’s going on between you two, but the way he looks at you? It’s obvious you two were never just friends. Did you sleep with him?”
I felt my cheeks heat.
“Uh-huh,” Jayde said knowingly. “And do you sleep with your other friends?”
“No.”
“Do you think he sleeps with his other friends?”
Startled, I looked over at her. “I guess not.”
She gave me a little push. “Then I guess you should go tell him that your girl parts keep having unfriendlike thoughts about him.”
“But, Jayde, he thinks I cheated on him. He hasn’t asked me about it, but he couldn’t have forgotten.”
I still remembered the look of utter anguish on Michael’s face, the sick clenching in my own stomach, the tears that wouldn’t stop flowing after he slammed the door shut.
“You ever hear of second chances?” Jayde gave my shoulder a harder shove. “Go on. The worst he can say is no, and then you’ll turn into the crazy cat lady that you’re heading for anyhow.”
She was right. I had to try. Even if he turned me away, I had to know how he truly felt. What did I have to lose? If he left, I lost everything.
I went outside and paused, sniffing the wind, looking for Michael’s spicy scent. Maybe it wasn’t too late. I could explain what he’d seen four years ago. Maybe we could go on another date, take it slow.
Maybe he’d stop calling me his friend.
The wind carried the scent of vampire on it, and I inhaled, wanting to fill my lungs with Michael’s aroma. Maybe he’d give me a second chance—
But the vampire scent wasn’t his. I gasped.
“Rube?” Jayde called from inside the apartment, hearing my gasp through the door.
I bolted through the parking lot, following the scent, scanning for Michael’s familiar form. There!
He strode down the street in the shadows, hands shoved into his pockets, head bent. His spiky hair seemed flat and wilted, as if his entire being were dejected.
A shadow moved to his right, and I saw the other vampire raise the crossbow to his shoulder.
I dashed forward, screaming. “Michael! Duck!”
Michael dropped to the pavement, his jacket flaring out behind him as he rolled to the ground. I kept running to him, my legs swift even if my steps were short. I could reach him in time. I could.
I heard the thwack of the crossbow releasing, and something slammed me in the back, knocking me forward onto my stomach. I gasped, the wind knocked out of me for a moment.
“No!” Michael yelled, the sound rough and hoarse with outrage. He ran for the man in the bushes, and I heard his fist slam into the man’s mouth. I heard them scuffle, yet I couldn’t seem to focus in and see what was going on. Was Michael whaling on the guy? I heard the chuffing cry of a jaguar nearby, and the wind smelled like my sister…
And blood.
I couldn’t seem to get off the ground. I pushed, but my hands weren’t responding right. Something dug into my back, and it felt like a hot poker. Warm, wet liquid ran down my spine, and I realized I’d been shot by the crossbow. “Well, damn.”
“Ruby?” Michael was at my side. I tried to get up again, but I was like a bug pinned to a board. Ridiculous that I was so strong and was felled by something so small. Michael’s hands had bruises on the knuckles as he reached for me, and they were gentle as he helped me sit up. He cradled me in his lap.
“No, Ruby, no. Sweetheart, why did you come after me?” I noticed blood smearing over his shirt—my blood. His eyes glittered with fury even as he tenderly pushed the hair away from my face. “I left to keep you safe.”
“You were in danger,” I said softly.
“You came after me because I was in danger?”
It was getting harder to breathe, my chest heavy. I wanted to cough but didn’t have the strength in me. “Wanted to tell you,” I said weakly. “I don’t want to be your friend.”
In the distance, I heard Jayde’s snarl and the crunch of her teeth sinking into the vampire, ensuring that he wouldn’t ever bother us again.
Michael stroked my face, his fingers shaking.
“I love you,” I said softly. I was so tired, and it seemed important to say it now, while I could. “Always loved you. I didn’t cheat on you… back then.”
“I know,” he said roughly, then kissed me. “I’ve always known. The whole blind-date thing was a setup. I just wanted to see you again. Everything I did—the blindfold, the stupid changes to my voice—all of it was to get you to stay just a few minutes longer.”
“How…” I asked, but things were getting dark, and I was suddenly irritated at my body’s failings. I wanted to hear the story. How had he always known?
“Ruby, I love you. I never stopped loving you.”
I smiled weakly up at him, at his face growing fuzzy. “Your timing is shit.”
He cradled me closer and pressed a kiss to my mouth. “I don’t want to lose you. Please, Ruby, don’t let me lose you.” His eyes flared black with emotion. “Do you want to stay with me? Do you trust me? Because I’m not ready to let you go.”
“Me, either,” I said softly, but I knew it didn’t matter. Wouldn’t soon.
“Then don’t be mad when I do this,” he said, and sank his fangs into my throat.
I stiffened at the flare of pain; he hadn’t licked me to ease the bite. But only a little pain. The red-hot poker between my ribs had flared outward to encompass everything, and I was too far gone to feel much more. The world was growing dark and blurry.
I felt Michael’s fangs slide out of my neck, felt him press a quick kiss there.
“Do it,” I heard Jayde hiss faintly. “Just fucking do it!”
“What if she never forgives me?” Michael said, his tone anguished.
That’s ridiculous, I thought faintly, the world growing black. I’d always forgive Michael anything.
Then a wrist was shoved between my teeth, bloody and dripping. Michael’s face hovered over mine. “Drink, Ruby! Drink.”
—
When I woke up, I felt… different. Not physically different but in my awareness. As if a door had been opened. As if something was suddenly flicked on like a switch. As if it was safe to come out and play again. Why I felt like that, I had no idea.
The world was deathly quiet around me. Too quiet. My eyes slid open, and I peered at my surroundings. A hand brushed over my cheek. “You’re awake.”
Michael’s voice. I automatically turned toward him. He was smiling down at me, his expression incredibly tender as his fingers stroked my cheek.
“Why is it so quiet?” I murmured, my words sounding like anvils in the stillness.
“Don’t worry about that. Everything’s fine. How do you feel?”
“Different,” I said slowly. “Not bad, just different. Did… did something happen?”
“You don’t remember?”
I remembered bits and pieces, but there was a mental fog that I couldn’t seem to shake. “I remember Jayde… and you leaving…” I thought hard for a moment and then gasped as the memories burst forth from a dam. “The bounty hunter! He… he shot me, didn’t he?” My hand rose and slid over my chest, feeling for an arrow hole. I didn’t feel that hot, stabbing poker of pain anymore. Someone had taken the arrow out? “And then it got dark, and you…” I vaguely remembered Michael shoving his wrist between my lips and the taste of blood flooding my mouth.
My teeth tingled, and something shot out of my mouth, the tip of it digging into my lower lip.
“Ow!” I put a hand to my lip, shocked. My two incisors had distended at the thought of blood. I felt along one tooth and realized it was long and wickedly curved. Like a fang. Like Michael’s.
I looked over at him. He’d smelled spicy and uniquely vampire before, but now the scent of him was… intoxicating. Delicious. It made my mouth water just to get near him. He’d changed. And I had fangs.
I looked at him in surprise. “Fhoo fhturned me?”
Michael watched me, his eyes intense. “If you want to retract your fangs, focus on mentally pulling them inward. It’s like learning to use a new muscle. You’ll figure it out in time, just like you’ll figure out how to speak around them.”
“But—”
“Fangs first,” he said softly. “Then we’ll talk.”
A thousand questions burned in my mind, but I wasn’t going to be able to hold a conversation without sounding like Elmer Fudd. So I closed my eyes and concentrated on thinking about normal teeth, and my fangs retracted. I felt them slide back under my gums. Okay, that was freaky. My eyes flew open, and I gave Michael a meaningful look. “Answers now?”
“You were dying,” he said, his voice low with anguish. His hand stroked my hair, then he tangled his fingers into it, holding me pinned against him. “You took an arrow for me—an arrow that would have staked me through the heart. Instead, when he heard you coming, he shot you.”
“I couldn’t let him kill you,” I said, running my hand over his chest, looking for wounds. Odd, but his skin felt warm to me now. Was my body temperature that much lower? Just running my fingers over him felt delicious, as if his wonderful smell was rubbing off on my own skin.
Michael groaned at my exploring fingertips, and his hand captured mine, keeping it pressed over his chest. “Ruby, you… I asked if I could save you. Surely you knew…”
Actually, it hadn’t occurred to me. “I wasn’t thinking clearly. Some goofball shot me through the chest, remember?” He looked… delicious. Both sexually and physically. Hunger had an entirely different edge when one was a vampire. “I didn’t really know what I was agreeing to.”
“I am so sorry, Ruby. I couldn’t let you die, so I offered it.” He closed his eyes and bowed his head, as if pained by the thought of turning me against my will. “I have a small fortune left to me by my vampire benefactress. Vampire courtesy states that I pass on the favor and give you half.”
I looked up at him, at his beautiful, firm mouth. I wondered if he’d taste different when he kissed me now. My fangs nudged out again, and I willed them to slide back in. I was only half listening to what he said. “Half? Half of what?”
“My fortune. Ten million.”
That registered in my mind. “Your fortune is ten million dollars?”
“Actually, my fortune is twenty million. Half of it is yours. It’s the least I can do for turning you against your will.” His gaze searched my face, desperate. “I’m not sorry you’re alive, though.”
I wasn’t, either, really. I thought for a moment. “That weird sense of relief when I woke up?”
“The sun is down,” he murmured. “You’ll feel that every day. It’s instinct telling you to keep away until it’s gone.”
Smart instincts. I licked my lips and looked over at him, noticing how decadent his pale skin was. This whole vampire thing was kind of… erotic. I rubbed my thumb against his bare chest, just now noticing that my legs were twined with his. We were both cuddled under the sheets in a large bed. I was in my borrowed bra and panties, and Michael wore nothing. That was so unfair. I dug my fingers into his chest, scratching at his skin and inhaling sharply at the delicious scent of him. “I—I think I’m hungry.”
As if on cue, my teeth slid down again, although this time, they didn’t stab my lip. As I looked over at Michael, I noticed his teeth flick out, also descending, and his erection grew hard against my leg.
“Then you must drink from me,” Michael said softly. He leaned back in the bed next to me and bared his throat. “But go slow, and don’t take too much for your first time.”
My mouth watered at the sight of his pale neck. God, he smelled good. “Will fhoo help me? Walk me fhroo it?”
His hand moved to my shoulder, and he nodded, pulling me in closer. I didn’t need much encouraging. I leaned over him, my hair spilling over my shoulder. He brushed it aside, and I shivered at his fingers grazing my sensitive skin.
“Find the carotid,” he said, his voice low and strong and thrumming through me. “There’s no pulse on a vampire, but you can smell the blood concentration there.”
I leaned in and sniffed his neck and nearly swooned at the heady scent of him. “But all of you fhmells fho good,” I said, unable to resist brushing my breasts against his chest.
He groaned. “Then pick a spot. Remember to lick the skin first.”
My tongue darted between my fangs, and I nuzzled the side of his neck, swiping at his skin with my tongue. My panties became instantly wet. Good Lord, this was a major turn-on.
“Lick… again,” Michael said, his voice sounding strained.
“Did I not get enough?” I mumbled between my teeth.
“Just lick me again,” he growled, and his hand went to the back of my head, pressing me against his neck. “Feels amazing.”
An intense bolt of pleasure shot through me, and I licked him slowly, enjoying his groan. That was hot.
“Now,” he said, breathing hard. “Bite down. Gently. When your teeth are in, you’ll know what to do.”
I licked his throat again and then gently pressed the tips of my fangs against his skin. They punched through, razor-sharp, and I felt my mouth fill with blood—thick, rich, and decadent. I heard Michael’s groan of pleasure as I swallowed my first taste of blood… and latched on to drink more. It was better than anything I’d ever tasted—Michael’s sweet, intoxicating scent made into pure, distilled ambrosia. I sucked hard, my tongue lapping against his skin as I drank, not wanting to miss a drop.
“Not too much,” he cautioned, even as his mouth nuzzled my own neck. I felt him pull my hair aside and lick my throat. “God, Ruby, I want to drink from you, too. Can—”
I pushed his head against my neck in response, still drinking.
I felt his tongue flick against my throat once, then felt his fangs sink in, and intense pleasure washed over me. My body stiffened in orgasm even as I continued to drink, the two of us with necks entwined, teeth sunk into each other.