Kissing with Fangs (14 page)

He surprised her by raising himself in a one-arm push-up.

“There are certain advantages that come with a vampire lover,” he said.

His free hand found her sweet spot and rubbed, bringing back the intense sensations she'd experienced only moments ago.

“Oh, my,” she whispered. “This is for you, Anthony. You've satisfied me already.”

“I want us to climax together.”

It took only seconds before her inner muscles clenched and exploded, sending her up and over some invisible cliff. She felt like she was flying…or like her spirit had left her body. The whole time, she was screaming in a voice she didn't recognize.

Anthony's body stilled and then jerked a few times.

When Claudia finally quieted and stopped vibrating, she opened her eyes and realized he had been watching her. He smiled like the cat who got the cream, so to speak.

Claudia grasped him around his neck and hugged him hard. He lowered his body to gently rest on top of her.

“Am I too heavy for you?”

“Never.”

***

A few hours later, Claudia was sitting on the edge of her bed, pulling on a pair of socks. “Are you sure you have to go?”

“Yes. You aren't ready to witness my death sleep.”

“Who says?”

Anthony sighed. “Claudia, it's disturbing. My blood drains away from my face, and my body goes rigid. Seriously. I appear clinically dead—with rigor mortis. You couldn't rouse me if you wanted any afternoon delight anyway, so what's the point?”

Claudia gingerly pulled up her jeans. “I'm too sore for much more nookie. I just wanted to—you know—prove I can handle it. If you need to crash here some night, I want you to feel that you can.”

Already dressed, Anthony strolled over to her and gently cupped her cheek. “I have no doubt you'd take care of me in an emergency, but this isn't one.”

“We still need to talk about that mind-reading thing. What
was
that anyway?”

One side of his mouth quirked up, like he was thinking about smiling but suddenly changed his mind.

“There's someone I'd like to talk to first. I've heard certain things, but I'd like to make sure it's true before I spread rumors.”

“Would you like to invite him over? I'd be interested in hearing what he has to say too.”

“It's almost dawn. He's a day-walker, but I'm not. I'll try to speak to him some night this week.”

Claudia's eyes rounded. “You mean there are vampires who can walk around in daylight?”

“I only know of two. They're a married couple who live here in Boston.”

“But how?”

He shrugged. “That's another thing I'll ask them.”

Hope for a normal life started to emerge, but Claudia tamped it down quickly. She didn't want to set herself up for disappointment.
Still, it would be nice to go on a picnic or something if we wanted to.

“Look. I have to go, but you have a great day.” He rested his forehead against hers. “I'm sorry I didn't let you sleep much.”

“I'm not. I feel more relaxed and rejuvenated than I would have with ten hours of sleep.”

“Well, don't be afraid to tell me you need to leave early if you're tired tonight.” He walked her to the living room with an arm around her waist.

“I'll be fine.” She tipped up her chin, puckered, and closed her eyes. He answered with a passionate kiss that made her toes curl.
Wow.

“Wow, indeed. I love you, darling.”

“Love you too,” she said aloud, letting him know she heard him.

“See you tonight. Remember, I'm trusting you not to tell
anyone
what I told you,” he said.

“I won't. I promise.”

“Good girl.” He smiled, then strode to the door and let himself out.

A
little
patronizing, but I can work with that.
Instead of following behind him and locking the door, Claudia made a detour to her kitchen. Suddenly she was starving. She pulled a loaf of bread out of the cabinet, planning to make toast. Something easy.

A few seconds later, someone knocked on her door.

She set down the bread and strode to the door, pausing to look through the keyhole. Anthony was still there.

“Lock it!” he called out. Then he disappeared and she heard him trotting down the stairs.

She smiled.
He
does
love
me—in a kind of controlling way.
She turned the dead bolt and slid the chain across for good measure.
So, he's a little domineering. I guess everyone has their faults.

Claudia's fatigue had made the next day seem extra long. She smiled as she remembered the reason for it. She'd known making love with Anthony would be incredible, but she'd never expected him to have the stamina to last all night long.
Is
that
a
vampire
thing
too?
She had so many questions and still wondered if he might just be delusional.

AA taught acceptance and advised members to live and let live.
Isn't that what I'm doing?
She had no idea if that advice applied to learning about the existence of vampires or not. Her sponsor had said to use the Serenity Prayer in all instances, so it was worth a try.

“God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change…”
If
Anthony
is
a
vampire, I don't think I can change that.

“Courage to change the things I can…”
I'm totally ignorant when it comes to his “condition” or whatever it is, but I can ask questions and learn.

“And the wisdom to know the difference.”
I
have
no
wisdom
right
now. Maybe I'll get some later.

Autumn worked the earlier shift so Angie could have a much-needed day off. Nick hadn't managed to capture the researchers and hadn't found the van. They must have taken off in it before he reached them, and the APB hadn't produced results, either. Nick said it must be parked in a private garage.

If only Maynard had given her an address or phone number, Claudia thought. If he showed up in the tea room again, she would throttle him and make him hand over his contact info. Correction. She'd get the information first,
then
throttle him. What he wanted with Tory was still a mystery. So far, no one had contacted Tory's family in New Rochelle for ransom. Now his family was worried sick, too.

Claudia's heart leaped when the little bells over the door announced Anthony's arrival. She grinned automatically and he mirrored her expression.

“Anthony and I will be in the office, Autumn,” she called. “Knock if you need us.”

“Okay,” the quiet college student said.

As soon as they were behind closed doors, Anthony swept Claudia into a tight embrace and captured her lips in a fervent kiss. She slipped her arms around his neck and kissed him back with equal enthusiasm. Their tongues met and swirled. He applied a bit of suction, and she felt that slight prick of pain again.

This time she pulled away and touched her tongue. A tiny spot of blood showed on her finger when she checked it.
What
the
hell?

“I'm sorry, darling. My fangs descended without me realizing it.”

“Fangs?” she asked aloud.

“Well, yes.” He opened his mouth and lifted one side of his upper lip.

Sure enough, what she'd call a fang occupied the incisor space and hung lower than the rest of his teeth.
Why
didn't I notice that before?

“Because sometimes strong emotions trigger the bloodlust.”

He opened his mouth, and she watched as the incisors shrunk to normal size.

“Holy shit. You mean, you can really bite someone and drink blood through your fangs?”

Suddenly she became light-headed.

He nodded. A moment later, he said, “Slow your breathing, honey.” Anthony must have noticed she was hyperventilating before she did. He braced her around her back and under her forearm, and escorted her to a chair.

Either
that
was
an
amazing
trick, or he really
is
a
vampire!

His face fell. “I thought you believed me.”

“I—I did. It's just that, in the light of day, and with a clearer mind, I wondered…”

“You thought you were wrong to believe it, and that I was delusional.”

“Yes,” she said, under her breath.

Anthony took the chair next to her. After a long pause he asked, “Are you okay?”

“I—yes. I will be. I just need a meeting and a good night's sleep.”

“You won't tell anybody.
Right?
”

“Of course not. I promised. Besides, I doubt anyone would believe me.”

He smiled and took her hand. “I'm pretty sure most people would doubt your sanity. I'd advise against putting yourself in that position.”

“No shit.” She didn't usually swear, but letting a few curse words fly relieved the tension somewhat. She gazed up at him.

Anthony was rubbing his thumb across the palm of her hand. “I know I told you this before, but I'd never hurt you. You believe me, don't you?”

His expression couldn't have been more sincere.

“Yes. I believe you.”

He rose. “Why don't I let you go upstairs and take that nap?”

“Yeah.” She had no problem taking off a little early. She wished she was upstairs under her covers right now.

She grabbed her blazer from the coatrack. It was getting so cold that even the few steps from the shop to her apartment door chilled her.

“Tell Autumn I'll be out in a minute. I want to make a quick phone call, “Anthony said.

“Okay.”

Claudia relayed the message to Autumn over her shoulder as she hurried toward the door. Once she hit the sidewalk, a stranger stepped into her path. She almost walked into him.

“Oh. Excuse me.”
Where
did
he
come
from?

“Claudia?” he asked.

“Yes?”

What seemed like only a blink later, she was in a completely different place. The noise of the street had vanished, and other than candlelight, she was standing in the dark. Ruxandra stood in front of her. The guy who'd appeared on the sidewalk stood a few feet to one side.

Claudia took a step backward.

“Whoa. Where do you think you're going?” Ruxandra reached out to grab her arm. Instead she shouted, “
Ouch
,” and recoiled. “Damn it! I broke another fingernail on you.”

Claudia watched as Ruxandra cradled her hand and her fingernail grew back.
Jesus! Is that another vampire thing?

Ruxandra faced the guy with her hands on her hips. “See? I can't touch her, and she ruined my manicure. Can you touch her? Try it. Touch anything you want on her.”

Claudia recoiled.

The guy laughed. “You didn't pay me for that. You wanted me to bring her to you, and I did. Now give me what you owe me.”

“I'll
double
it
if you'll sink your fangs into her. No need to drain her dry. Just weaken her so she's less of a problem. You'll get your money, plus the bonus of a good meal.”

“You know it's hard to stop once we get started.”

Claudia skimmed the room, looking for some means of escape. The only door appeared to be locked, chained, and bolted with a giant board held in place by two iron brackets. She began to whimper.

“Don't cry,” the guy said. “I'm not going to kill you. Not for a measly grand.”

“I just want to know if you can touch her!”

“Ha!” He sauntered to the door. “Call me when you have more cash.”

He lifted the heavy board like it was a stick. Ruxandra crossed her arms and pouted. Claudia figured if she timed it right, she might be able to rush past him when he opened the door to leave. She watched him slip the heavy chain out of its iron ring and got ready. One turn of the dead bolt later, he opened it wide.

She scrambled toward the door, but before she knew it, she was flying through the air backward. She hit the wall and cried out.

Ruxandra bent over laughing. “How did you do that?”

“Simple physics. Even if there's some kind of force field around her, she can't walk through a closed door. I closed and opened this one so fast that she didn't see it and bounced off—force field and all.”

The guy closed the door and Ruxandra stumbled over to it, still laughing, to lock it behind him.

Claudia remembered reading some advice about how to avoid becoming a victim. The article said not to appear vulnerable. “What the fuck just happened?” She rose and crossed her arms. Her backside was sore, but she refused to let Ruxandra know.

“I might not be able to touch you, but it was funny as hell to watch someone else batting you away like a fly. Now, if only I could get him to do that all night, I'd never stop laughing.”

Claudia didn't respond. She just stood her ground. Meanwhile, her mind whirred with panicky thoughts. Was there any possibility of escape? Would Anthony look for her? Did he know where to look? Should she talk to the woman or ignore her altogether? Would ignoring her infuriate her more? Claudia guessed that it would.

Still trying not to appear helpless, she initiated the conversation. “So, you want me dead. Do you really think Anthony will love you if you kill me?”

Ruxandra's eyes revealed a flash of indecision…as if she knew he would never forgive her. A moment later, her lips thinned. She straightened her spine and puffed out her chest. Her hourglass figure created the kind of curves in her red clingy dress that any man would find hard to resist. She tipped her nose in the air. “At this point I don't care what he wants. I refuse to be rejected for a mere mortal.” A sinister smile spread across her face. “You
do
know what we are, don't you?”

The way she said it sounded as if she hoped Claudia didn't know. Like she couldn't wait to be the first to tell her. As bad as the news was, Claudia was glad she knew the truth and couldn't be blindsided by it. “Oh. You mean that you're vampires?” she asked as casually, as if noting they were both European.

Ruxandra's jaw dropped. “He told you?”

“Mmm-hmm.”

The buxom blond appeared unable to speak as she assimilated the information. Finally, she asked incredulously, “And you're not terrified?”

“Not of him. I know Anthony would never hurt me.”

Ruxandra snorted. “Ha. I've known him a lot longer than you have.
A
lot.
He's killed plenty of people over the centuries. Sometimes, even without meaning to. What makes you think you'll be different?”

Claudia shrugged, still trying to appear nonchalant despite this new information. “I suppose I'll just have to trust him to keep his word.”

Ruxandra let out a burst of a laugh. It sounded forced. “You can't trust a vampire. We don't play by the same rules you do. We're far superior to humans. We don't have to stoop to your level. If we feel like taking advantage of you, we will, and there's nothing you can do about it.”

“Mmm. I suppose. But if that's true, why aren't vampires running rampant through the streets, making humans their slaves?”

Ruxandra's face turned red and she stomped her foot. “Stop talking. I'm sick of answering your stupid questions.”

In
other
words, you don't know the answers or you don't like them.

Despite the volatile vampire circling her, Claudia remained composed. She was amazed that Kurt's spell was working so well. As she watched Ruxandra's face studying her, she became a little less confident. The woman was trying to figure out a way around the magic. Of that she was sure.

At last, Ruxandra stopped pacing and stood right in front of Claudia, hands on her hips. “So, why can't I touch you? Is it some kind of protection spell?”

Claudia just shrugged. She didn't want to put Kurt in danger by revealing what he'd done to help.

Ruxandra sighed. “I suppose this will be useless, but I might as well try.” She leaned toward Claudia. Her eyes turned from blue to gold to purple.

“Hey. Your eyes changed colors. Anthony can do that too.”

Ruxandra took a step back. “What? I'm not surprised that I can't mesmerize you, but Anthony can't, either?”

“Is that what you were trying to do? Mesmerize me?”

Ruxandra paced with her hands clasped behind her back. “First Kurt, now you. I can't believe I've lost my power to—Wait. Ah-ha! Kurt. Of course! He's a wizard. He must have done a spell to protect both himself and you from vampires.”

Claudia didn't know what to say. She had hoped Ruxandra wouldn't figure it out, for poor Kurt's sake.

Ruxandra's pacing became jaunty. “Well, then. I guess I'll give Kurt the time of day after all.” She tapped her lip. “I'll have to find him while it's still dark. Do you know where he is?” She gave Claudia a smarmy smile.

As
if
I'd tell Ruxandra anything about my friends
. Fortunately, she didn't know where Kurt lived. She just assumed it was near Boston Uncommon since he was there all the time.

“I have no idea.”

Ruxandra squinted at her.

“Really. I don't know.”

“Fine, but don't think that you can escape, just because I have to leave to look for him.”

Claudia hadn't taken a really good look around the dimly lit room. Surreptitiously, she surveyed her surroundings. There appeared to be no windows, only the one door, and a few possessions.

“It used to be a carriage house. Someone restored it, probably hoping to make the place into a studio apartment or something. But with no plumbing and no windows, and a roadblock or two, courtesy of the city building codes…” She smiled as if she knew something—or had made it happen. “It's only used for storage, so I got it cheap.” She wandered over to an old trunk in the corner. There wasn't just one trunk. There were two with something between them, acting like a long, low coffee table. Suddenly Claudia recognized it as a coffin and her mouth went dry.