Bite Me

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BITE ME An Ellora’s Cave Publication, August 2004

Ellora’s Cave Publishing, Inc. PO Box787 Hudson,OH44236-0787

ISBN MS Reader (LIT) ISBN # 1-84360-870-7 Other available formats (no ISBNs are assigned): Adobe (PDF), Rocketbook (RB), Mobipocket (PRC) & HTML

BITE ME © 2004 JACIBURTON

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. This book may not be reproduced in whole or in part without permission.

This book is a work of fiction and any resemblance to persons, living or dead, or places, events or locales is purely coincidental. They are productions of the authors’ imagination and used fictitiously.

Edited byBriana St. James. Cover art bySyneca . Bite Me Jaci Burton

Dedication

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For Charlie, who mesmerized me from the first hello and continues to do so with every look, every touch, every kiss. You are my forever love. Chapter One

Gina Capelli had waited an eternity to meet a vampire. Tonight her dream was finally going to come true. Of course, her vision of a happily-ever-after involving a stud from the world of the undead would be even more satisfying if she were to meet a real vampire. But since they didn’t exist, she’d have to satisfy herself by mingling with the people who played them on television. After all, where had her butt been planted every Wednesday night for the past five years? In front of the television, of course, watchingBite Me , the nighttime soap opera about the lives of the rich, famous, gorgeous and fangy. It’s where she lived all her fantasies. She devoured the weekly episodes like the vampires did their prey. Now she finally understood those Star Trek conventions, how all those fans hungrily satisfied their desire to live the space life by getting as close to the stars as possible. And in doing so, met up with other people like themselves who understood that they weren’t really odd, just devoted. So what if her friends had thought her insane? She’d seen the advertisement for the annual convention and figured it was now or never. Besides, this month was her birthday. Thebig birthday, the one she’d been dreading. She was damn well going to celebrate like crazy. And hopefully kill two birds with one stone in the process. What a great thirtieth birthday present! Here she was in bright and glitzyLas Vegas, intending to finally rid herself of her unwanted virginity. Since theBite Me television show was having their annual fan convention, it seemed like a perfect opportunity to give herself a birthday treat. And while she was here, she might as well find someone willing to help her out with the virginity problem. Her virginity was just a technicality anyway. Years of vibrators had long ago taken care of whatever barrier had been there. But an actual man inside her? She hadn’t experienced that. Yet. This weekend, she would. Come hell or high water, she’d find a man willing to make love to her, even if she had to sell her soul to the devil to do it. So maybe she wasn’t a movie star. And maybe she did carry around a few extra pounds. She was simply voluptuous, that’s all. And if a man wanted a woman with some flesh he could actually hold on to, then she was his gal. Gina brushed her hand over the velvet gown and turned once again to examine herself in the mirror. She shook her head, unable to believe the transformation.

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She was certainly on her way to living out her fantasy. She’d just planned to attend the convention, hoping to get a peek at the beautiful people she drooled over each week. Then she’d entered the drawing. Filled out the form with all her personal information and a little paragraph about why she wanted to win. And then, shocker of all shockers, they’d called her name. She’d nearly fainted on the convention hall floor today when she heard her name over the loudspeaker. For the first time in her life, she had won something. She was the grand prize winner in theBite Me fan contest. She’d thought there’d be no way to get into the private black-tie ball tonight, but winning the contest changed that. The entire day had been like a dream come true. Starting with a massage, then a hairstyle followed by a makeover. As if that wasn’t enough of a treat, she’d been sent to a premiere couturier to the stars to choose a dress for tonight. A damn designer dress! To top it off, after she was buffed and puffed and poufed and primped, a limo had arrived to escort her to the hotel. The culmination would be a front row table at theBite Me invitation-only party with the cast and crew. Gina felt like Cinderella. And now, standing in the ladies' room outside the ballroom, nervous butterflies pounding away at her stomach, she glanced in the mirror and for the first time in her life actually felt like the enchanted princess. The red velvet gown hugged her curves, accentuated her cleavage and, with its off-the-shoulder sleeves, made her look damn sexy. And damn sexy was not how she typically described herself. She was a secretary in a law office. She wore pantsuits, not ball gowns. And she never, ever, got dressed up to go out. Not like she ever had much opportunity anyway. Guys just didn’t go for her. She didn’t know why, and had long ago given up worrying about it. But she damn well would not spend the rest of her life as a virgin. Tonight she’d change that. Surely somewhere in that ballroom where a few hundred people gathered, there’d be one man who wanted to take her for a ride on the magic carpet mattress. She smoothed back her hair, pleased with the way the stylist had curled her long, raven tresses in sexy little waves. And the makeup that accentuated her violet eyes. For a frumpy, fat Italian girl, she didn’t look too bad. “Okay, Gina. Can’t hide in the bathroom all night. Get out there and find yourself a man.” Sucking in a courage-inducing breath, she headed to the double doors of the ballroom. Several tuxedo-clad men stood there with clipboards in hand, wearing earpieces with microphones like they were Secret Service agents or something. She giggled, feeling all Hollywood-like. When she gave one of the men her name, he motioned to someone inside. A tall, thin, very pale man approached her. “You must be our contest winner,” he said, enthusiastically shaking her hand. “I’m Marcus Williams with theBite Me public relations team. Follow me.”

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She nodded and trailed him through the throng of bodies, noticing that no one stopped and turned their head to gawk at her. The beautiful people were in attendance tonight. Already she’d spotted several of the cast members, standing in the midst of their entourage. She wondered if Deacon Black would be seated anywhere near her. Strategically patting the digital camera she’d tucked into her little black bag, she swore she’d at least get a picture of him tonight. Deacon was her idol, her fantasy man. He wasthe star ofBite Me , and every woman’s dream. Six-foot-two, perfect body, hair as black as a moonlessmidnightand eyes that matched. He was sex incarnate and she’d masturbated to many a whimpering orgasm with his face and body in her thoughts. Too bad he was always photographed with a starlet or some other gorgeous woman on his arm. Gina didn’t stand a chance with a man like Deacon. Not in her reality, anyway. As far as her fantasies, well, he was as big a star in her nightly dreams as he was as an actor. And she’d had Deacon over and over again in the quiet solitude of her bedroom. He’d given Emmy Award-winning performances there, too. “Here we go. The main table for you tonight, Miss Capelli.” She gaped at Marcus, unable to believe there really was a seat for her at the main table. This was where the stars would sit. Her hands shook as she tried for a smile. “Thank you. And please, call me Gina.” He nodded and patted her shoulder. “I’ll be taking you around to meet people shortly, but I have a few other things to do first. In the meantime, mingle and have a good time. There will be pictures later with the cast, so don’t leave, okay?” Pictures? Yes! Her friends back inSeattlewould never believe this had happened to her. At least she’d have photographs to prove it. But mingle? How exactly was she supposed to do that? She could just picture herself going up to one of the stars and introducing herself as the nobody who’d won their contest. Yeah, right. She’d just stay where she was and ogle everyone from afar. Maybe she’d choose a man that she wanted to be her first, and then focus her efforts on seducing him. Yuh-huh. As soon as she figured out how to accomplish that feat. First off, how was she supposed to choose? There were many in attendance, some obviously without a partner. All were gorgeous, and none even glanced her way. Hell, at this point some of the crew were looking pretty good, too. Surely some man would speak to her first. She wasn’t hideous looking. In fact, she thought she looked damn sexy. So that was going to be it. The first man to speak to her tonight would be the winner. “Now why is a beautiful woman like you sitting here all alone?” Gina froze, recognizing the voice immediately. She didn’t want to turn around and look stupid, thinking he’d been talking to her. Obviously, he had to be hitting on some woman behind her.

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But a hand touched her shoulder. She shivered, her skin burning to a crisp at the thought of who was touching her. There went bathing for the next month or so. Finally she turned, then immediately forgot all rudimentary biological functions—such as breathing. Deacon Black stood inches from her, his hand on her shoulder, smiling down at her with those dark, mesmerizing eyes. Holy shit, she might faint. Or throw up. Or maybe even both. He pulled out a chair next to her and sat, then took her hand. “I’m Deacon Black. And you are?” Cinderella. No, that wasn’t it. What the hellwas her name, anyway? “Gina. Gina Capelli.” The quavering voice should really impress him. Along with the hand that trembled in his. “Nice to meet you, Gina. I understand you are our big contest winner.” “Uh-huh.” Ah yes, she was dazzling him with her brilliant conversation, too. Wow, she was just charming the pants off him, wasn’t she? “You look stunning. And you have the most beautiful eyes I’ve ever seen.” Wow, he was amazingly full of shit. But she wasn’t going to complain. “Thank you. So do you.” He laughed then, a deep and rich baritone. Her body flushed hot, her panties grew damp, and her nipples hardened. Thank God she was wearing velvet with that corset thing they’d nearly sewed her into. He’d never know she was slowly sinking into a puddle of arousal. “Would you like to dance?” Maybe it was simply his turn to spend a minute or so with the geeky contest winner. “You want to dance with me?” There was that crooked grin that made her drool. “Of course I would. Let’s go.” He stood and held his hand out for her. This was so not happening. She tried to get up slowly, but her dress was caught under her chair. So much for refined grace. She sat there, feeling mortified. “What’s wrong?” he asked. “My dress is stuck.”And I have absolutely no finesse . It figured her normal life would have to intrude on her fantasy. “Ah, I see.” He crouched down and crawled under the table, then lifted the hem of her dress, his fingers brushing her ankles. Good God in heaven, she might just faint after all. He easily lifted both her and the chair leg with one hand, freeing the hem of her dress. “There we go. Ready to dance now?” Numb, she merely nodded and followed him, waiting for the stares and laughter as the people in

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attendance watched the most gorgeous man in the universe dancing with the chubby fan. But no one stared, or laughed. No one paid the slightest bit of attention to them as he whirled her around the floor. She felt, for the first time in her life, as light as the air around her. Deacon’s hand pressed on her back and turned her with ease. And her hand was sweating all over his. Lovely. “You here alone, Gina?” “Yes.”I’m everywhere alone . “No family to accompany you?” “No. No husband, no family. My parents are dead and I have no siblings.” And she was certain he just loved her volunteering all that useless information. “Ah, I see. I’m sorry to hear that.” Sorry for what? The fact her parents were dead or the fact she had no husband? “Thank you. Are you here alone?” She cringed. Dumb, dumb question. Deacon Black was never alone. “No, I’m not.” That’s what she figured. Maybe his girlfriend was in the bathroom and he was merely killing time. Perhaps this was a mercy dance. After all, she didn’t have a lot of names on her dance card tonight. “I’m with you now, so I’m not alone any longer.” Huh? “You’re not here with a date?” He shook his head. “No. So that means you could be my date tonight, Gina. If you’d like to be.” She was hallucinating, still in her room dressed in sweatpants, not here in a luxurious ballroom dancing with the man of her dreams. “Are you kidding?” “Of course not. I’d love to spend the evening with you. That is, unless you have other plans.” Other plans? Oh yeah, she had planned to catch aBite Me rerun later tonight. And perhaps try to fit in a little of the aforementioned fainting. “Uh, I have no other plans.” This was truly the weirdest night of her life. Then a thought struck her and she stifled a gasp. Deacon Black had been the first man to speak to her tonight. He was supposed to be her first lover! If he hadn’t been holding her in his arms at the moment she’d have laughed out loud. Yeah, right. She was going to proposition Deacon Black, the man who’d slept with some of the most beautiful women in

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Hollywood. She could just picture the look on his face when she asked him to fuck her. Then again, he had asked her to be with him tonight. Maybe he was desperate. No, dammit! She fought back years of self-esteem issues brought about by her weight. He’d come to her. He’d asked her to dance. He’d asked her to be his date for tonight. She was not ugly, fat and unattractive. And she was going to ask him to have sex with her tonight. ***** Deacon smiled and pulled Gina a little closer. She was perfect for him. And talk about an eleventh-hour victory. He needed her and he needed to have her before midnight. Damn if it wasn’t difficult to find virgins these days. Thankfully he only had to go through this ridiculous ritual once a year. After his renewal, he could bed and bite whichever woman he chose, no matter how many men she’d slept with before. But tonight he’d needed a virgin, and Marcus had come through and found him one. Plucked her right out of the fan gathering as if she wore a “I’m a virgin” neon sign on her shirt. Sometimes it was easy. Other times it was like trying to find a polar bear in a snowstorm. But these fan fests were a mecca for the lonely, and fortunately, the virginal. Gina Capelli definitely fit both categories. With her full curves and ample breasts, she was the type of woman he used to seek out. Before he was turned, before the taste of blood became his only desire. Now, there were plenty of women more than willing to spread their legs and bare their necks for him. Being a star of a television show had distinct advantages for vampires like him. Hell, most of the cast members were vampires, as were many of the crew. And the ones that weren’t got off on fucking vamps and donating a little blood now and then. None of them were virgins. Gina was. But not for long. Tonight he’d take her virginity, and unfortunately, her life. That was how it had to be. Funny, he’d never felt remorse about doing it before. But this one had a special quality about her, a vulnerable innocence mixed with an intelligent wit that she hid behind some kind of wall. And she should remain a virgin, at least until some deserving man came along. He wasn’t deserving, but it wouldn’t stop him from taking. He’d take what should rightly go to a man she loved. He’d bet she hadn’t met a decent man in her entire life. If he’d met her years and years ago, he’d have taken care of her, would have shown her what it was like to have a man worship her. But he was a different person then. It was a lifetime ago. He hadn’t thought about it in years, so why

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tonight? Because of Gina? She had the most amazing eyes, and real lashes. Not those fake ones the actresses wore, but honest-to-God long, black lashes that framed those violet orbs like the flower for which her eyes were named. Gina was beautiful. And innocent. And for the first time in too long his gut clenched at the thought of what would happen to her when he was through with her tonight. But he was powerless to stop what was already in motion. It was either her or him at this point. And he was just selfish enough to choose his survival over hers. “Tell me a little bit about yourself, Gina.” Her eyes widened, those deep, violet pools reminding him of the tender flowers that grew outside his childhood home. That had been an eternity ago. “I’m not really very interesting.” “Let me be the judge of that. Where do you live?” “Seattle.” “And what do you do in Seattle?” “I’m a legal secretary.” Ah, lawyers. Worse bloodsuckers than he was. “Do you enjoy that?” “Not in the least.” He laughed at her candor. “What are your dreams, then? What do you want to do instead?” “I don’t know. I thought about…well, it’s silly, really. But I always thought I wanted to be a writer.” “Why is that silly?” She felt good in his arms, and followed his lead as if she were a natural dancer. “I don’t know. My friends said it was silly.” “I see. And what else do your friends say about you?” “That I’m cute.” “What’s wrong with that?” She tilted her head and frowned. “Would you want to be nearly thirty years old and cute? Give me a break.” “I see your point. And you aren’t cute at all.” She dropped her head, her face coloring a bright red.

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Women. Lifting her chin with his finger, he forced her to look at him. “What I meant was, ‘cute’ doesn’t do you justice.” “It doesn’t?” “No. You’re vivacious, a little mysterious, and incredibly sexy.” She wrinkled her nose and shook her head. “You’re joking, right?” “No, I’m not joking. I think you’re alluring as hell, Gina.” And that, indeed, was the truth. So appealing, he had second thoughts about killing her. But self-preservation won out, and he knew he’d do what had to be done to assure his own survival. Tonight he’d take Gina Capelli’s virginity. After that, he’d take her life. Chapter Two

Gina fought her immediate denial of Deacon’s words. He thought her alluring? Vivacious? Sexy? Surely he wasn’t saying those things to get into her pants. Hell, she’d give it up to him gladly. So what other reason could he have to blow smoke up her ass like that? Unless he really meant what he said. No way. She was cute, according to her friends. Oh yeah, and she had a great personality. Kiss of death to potential dates, in other words. No wonder she never had boyfriends. It wasn’t like her friends helped her out any. Then again, most of her friends were married and had kids already, while she still plodded along as the single, almost-thirty-year-old virgin. No. She wouldnot be a thirty-year-old virgin. Somehow, she was going to take care of that problem tonight. Maybe she’d even ask Deacon Black to take it from her. She may never have another date as long as she lived, but she sure as hell would have the memory of a lifetime. Now she just had to muster up the courage to ask him. Just how, exactly, did one ask a man to deflower her? It wasn’t like the subject would come up in general conversation.Thank you for the dance, Deacon. Oh, and by the way, would you like to fuck me?

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She supposed she’d simply have to point-blank ask him. And then endure the humiliation when he laughed hysterically. When the song ended, Deacon led her back to the table. Her mind remained occupied with how she was going to be subtle about propositioning him. He poured two glasses of champagne and handed one to her, clinked his glass against hers and offered a toast. “To a memorable evening.” The way he looked at her, his eyes growing ever darker, made her wonder if asking him to be her lover wasn’t going to be as difficult as she thought. “Are you really interested in staying here?” he asked. Then again, maybe he wanted to get rid of her already. “I’m not sure I understand what you’re saying.” Deacon picked up her hand and brushed his lips over her knuckles. She shivered. “What I’m saying is, I’d like to be alone with you.” She stared at him for what must have been an eternity, unable to find her voice. Then she grabbed her glass of champagne and downed it in one gulp. Her heart pounded, her body heated and she feared she’d break out into a not-very-attractive sweat. Her pulse raced when he rubbed his thumb over her palm. “You want to be alone with me?” “Do you know you have a habit of repeating everything I say, in question form?” “I repeat everything you say?” She shook her head. “Sorry, I’m just finding this hard to believe.” “I don’t know why. You’re a very attractive woman, Gina. I’d like to be with you tonight, if you’re agreeable.” Agreeable? She might self-combust on the spot. “I’d…I’d like that very much,” she managed. “Good. Let’s get out of here.” He stood and pulled her up, then led her out the back door of the ballroom. She hadn’t had to proposition him at all. He’d propositioned her! Now she reallywas starting to feel like Cinderella, because this sure as hell was some amazing fairytale. They headed toward the private hotel elevators. Two men wearing earpieces and microphones accompanied them inside. Security, she imagined. Deacon motioned Gina to the back of the elevator, the two guards standing in front of them. He slipped his arm around her waist and pulled her against him. When her breast brushed his arm, her legs wobbled. His grip around her waist tightened.

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She stared at his profile. Truly, he was magnificent. His long, straight nose and chiseled features gave him an aristocratic look that didn’t seem to belong in today’s society. He looked old world, somehow. Deacon turned his head and caught her staring at him. She heated with embarrassment, but before she could pull away he slid his palm alongside her neck, his fingers resting on her pulse point. Anticipation bubbled inside her and she stood, cemented to the spot as he lowered his head to hers. She might be a virgin, but she had been kissed before. His lips brushed against her half-opened mouth. Okay, shehad been kissed before. But it had never been like this. He tasted like champagne and something indefinable. Dark, rich and sweet, like chocolate sin. His mouth teased hers, then he slowly parted her lips with his tongue and slid inside. A rush of desire pooled between her legs. Deacon pulled her closer, wrapped his arms fully around her and kissed her deeply, ravaging her like a man starved. Gina panted, trying desperately to draw a breath. He was hard, his erection pressing insistently against her belly. A sizeable erection, too. God, she wanted to reach down and wrap her hands around him, feel him pulsing against her palm. Wow. He wanted her. A giddy lightheadedness surrounded her, making her want to whoop for joy. A man wanted her, desired her. And a damn good-looking man, too. She didn’t know what he saw in her, but she wasn’t going to question it any longer. Not only was she going to make love for the first time tonight, she was going to do it with Deacon Black, the man of her dreams. Arousal made her nipples stand up in painful points, her breasts swelling and desperate to be released. She heard a mournful whimper, surprised to discover it came from her. Equally surprising was the fact they still rode on the elevator and were most definitely not alone. She pressed against Deacon’s hard chest until he released her mouth. She gasped at his expression. Dark, devilish and wickedly sensuous, his full lips turned down in a frown. “What’s wrong?” “We’re not alone,” she whispered, which was ridiculous since she’d just moaned louder than she was speaking right now. “I don’t care. I want you, Gina. Now.” When he stepped forward, she placed her hands firmly on his chest. “Please, Deacon. Not here.” He nodded, blew out a sigh and brushed his hand through his hair. He stepped away, but she could still feel his lips on hers, his hands on her body. She could barely breathe. Desperately she looked at the numbers on the elevator slowly crawling upward. They weren’t moving nearly fast enough.

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***** Deacon slid the key into the lock and opened the door. The lights came on automatically. He watched Gina’s reaction. Her lips formed a silent “O” and her eyes widened. “How many people live in this suite?” she asked, not moving from the entryway. “Just me,” he laughed. “Come on, it’s safe to walk in.” He took her hand and led her down the steps into the sunken living room. The drapes were open and the living room was dark. The lights of Las Vegas glittered around them in a panorama of colors. “Wow. This is amazing.” She walked toward the window. Deacon admired the seductive sway of her hips when she moved. So damn sexy and she didn’t even realize it. The woman was gorgeous. An innocent angel about to be led into the arms of the devil himself. If he wasn’t already bound for hell, this act would surely seal his fate. He forced back the guilt, knowing there was nothing he could do now but see it through. It was already too late to find someone else. Not bloody likely he’d be able to find another virgin in the next few hours, anyway. And really, wasn’t one virgin just as good as another? They served a vital purpose. They kept him alive. It never mattered before what woman was chosen for him, nor the fact that she would have to sacrifice her life so he could continue on. It was the curse, the way it had been for many, many years. But this night, with this woman…mattered. He felt the pangs of guilt like never before, and the realization both irritated and stunned him. Forget about her. Don’t think about her in any way except as a vessel for your survival. Gina was nothing more than a meal. And yet, something about her compelled him in ways he didn’t understand. Her curious violet eyes lit a fire in his cold heart, nearly melting the centuries-old wall of ice that his death and transformation had formed. Although he hated drinking human blood, he did it to survive. He’d always been repulsed by that part of who he was, and yet he had no choice. Besides, nowadays it wasn’t even necessary to kill the donor. The majority of the time it was willingly given. He only had to make an actual kill once a year, and even then he hadn’t thought twice about doing so. Until tonight. The hell with it. Already the burning hunger made him ache with the need to possess her. He wanted to be inside her, his cock, his teeth, drinking her juices, her blood, her very soul until there was nothing left of her.

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Then, he’d be satiated, and revived for another year. At the cost of Gina’s life. He mentally damned himself. It was time. “Would you like a drink?” he asked. She turned and smiled at him, innocence glowing in her eyes. Damn. “Yes, I’d love one.” He popped open a bottle of champagne, not wanting to cloud her blood with hard liquor. The champagne would relax her. He would relax her. When it was time for him to take her throat, at least he’d know she’d been pleasured first. “Thank you,” she said, accepting the glass from his hands. She gulped it down in several swallows, then let loose a hiccup that made him laugh. She was nervous. She was adorable. With every passing minute, he hated this more and more. “Sorry,” she said, covering her mouth. “The bubbles do that to me.” “It’s all right.” He poured her more. She sipped it this time, her gaze darting around the room. “Would you like to see the place?” he offered. “Sure.” He led her past the sunken living room and into a formal dining area which led to the kitchen. The kitchen was huge, with stainless steel appliances that shined in the overhead lights. “I can see myself in your refrigerator,” she marveled, sticking her tongue out at her reflection. Deacon laughed at the simple things she appreciated. How long had it been since he’d taken a look around and been thankful for all he had? Hell, what did he have to be thankful for? He lived a lonely, solitary existence, surviving on the blood of others. He refused to take a lifemate, or at least one hadn’t come into his life that he felt compelled to keep. And the worst part was having to make a kill once a year to keep his undead body functioning. A body that should have been laid to rest over two centuries ago. No, he didn’t have much to be grateful for. And yet, he fought for each new year, took continued life for himself over someone else’s.

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The best thing that could happen for both him and Gina would be for her to figure out who he was and drive a stake through his heart before he had a chance to kill her. Then she’d be spared and the decision would be taken out of his hands. Maybe he’d find some peace that way. But that scenario was unlikely. By the time she figured it out, it would be too late. He led her down the hall toward the master bedroom, the size of many people’s homes. Sometimes the opulent lifestyle he lived disgusted even him. He stood in the doorway and watched as Gina walked to the window. “This is amazing,” she whispered, then stood at the window as she had earlier, peering out at the lights of the city. “You must love being able to stay in all these penthouse suites. The view is incredible up here.” Incredible. Right. Nothing like penthouse suites in the finest hotels. At least his job kept him funded so he could live the life he’d grown accustomed to all those years ago. As if that even mattered. When was the last time he’d laid in a bed and actually slept? When was the last time he held a warm body close to his just to feel a life force, a live heart beating against his chest? And why did he suddenly ache for that feeling more than the need to slake his bloodlust on an innocent virgin? Why did he want this woman to sleep in his arms tonight? To remain alive, to remain with him? It was the hunger. It was driving him mad. He needed to deflower Gina and then take her blood. Then he could go back to being the heartless, uncaring bastard loved by millions of women worldwide. Chapter Three

Gina tried to focus on the view outside, but a flicker of movement by the door caught her eye. The lights went out, casting the room in darkness. She tried to control her breathing, but the sound of her own pulse pounded in her ears, the roar of her blood the only thing she could hear. She sensed Deacon’s approach—he was so quiet she didn’t hear him walk over. He stopped behind her, his heavy breaths mirroring her own. She’d bethe wasn’t nervous. Afraid to move, she stood perfectly still, her mind awash in images of how this would happen, wondering what he would do next. Part of her wanted him to lift her skirts up and get this over with fast, killing the nervous anticipation boiling within her. The other part of her wanted him to take his time and make the night last forever. He slipped his arms around her waist, pulling her back against his chest. She shivered, whether from excitement or fear, she didn’t know. His warm breath caressed her neck. His body was hard and

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muscled, so different from hers. Hard. Yes, he was definitely hard. He moved against her, his erection brushing her ass. He tightened his grip around her waist as if he feared she’d move away. No way in hell was she going anywhere. Every part of her tuned in to his breathing, his scent, the angles and planes of his body and how perfectly he fit against her. For a second she wondered if he’d find her body lacking, then cast that thought aside. This hadn’t been her idea. She hadn’t propositioned him, he’d asked her. “Are you ready for this, Gina?” he whispered. “Yes.” More than ready. Eager to experience what she never had before. Her legs trembled and he squeezed her hip, molding her body to his. She nearly crawled out of her skin when his tongue grazed her neck. Long, slow licks starting just under and behind her ear, then traveling down to her bare shoulder and back. She shivered and moaned, knowing it was from excitement, not fear. A throbbing ache of need rushed between her legs, heating her, moistening her, readying her for him. Deacon moved his hand up slowly, stopping at her breast. He caressed her lazily, as if he had all the time in the world. Part of her wished the lights were on so she could watch in awe as he put his hands on her. The other part was grateful for the darkness. She could hide in the black night. Hide her body, her fears that somehow she wouldn’t please him. “Oh no, Gina. You’re beautiful. Your body is a lush garden of treasures. I’m going to enjoy uncovering it inch by gorgeous inch.” Had he read her mind, or did he sense her hesitation? She didn’t have time to ponder because he bit her, lightly, just above her shoulder. She shuddered at the primal act, juices seeping from her throbbing cunt. His stiff cock pressed insistently against her buttocks. She wanted to turn around, throw herself in his arms and beg him to do it Now, quickly. She was ready, dammit. But still, he held her tight against him. He continued to nibble her shoulder, moving nip by nip towards her neck. She responded by grinding back against his ever-growing cock. When he reached the base of her neck, he licked her again. “Ah, such a sweet torment, isn’t it? You smell like roses, Gina.” She wished she could respond, but her mind was locked around the sensations he evoked within her. This was not what she’d expected. A fast tumble on the bed and the end of her virginity was what she’d envisioned. Not this slow seduction that drove her crazy with desire. He threaded his fingers into her hair and wound it around his hand, brushing it to the side, allowing him access to the back of her neck. He rocked against her, his hardened length promising her delights she had only dreamed about. A low moan escaped her lips when Deacon sank his teeth into the nape of her neck. Hard, not gently nibbling as he had been doing earlier, but firm enough to cause her eyes to water. And yet so damned arousing she couldn’t help but cry out at the mixture of pleasure and pain.

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He bit again, harder, higher up her neck, like an animal trying to eat her alive. She pictured a tiger leaping to grab its prey by the neck just before dragging it to the ground and devouring it. Would he devour her? Deacon let out a low growl and bit her again. Her knees almost buckled from the sparks shooting through her. Her juices flowed down the inside of her thighs. She couldn’t bear this any longer. “Deacon, please.” She begged for it, needed it, wanted it so badly she knew she’d never survive his assault on her senses without release, and soon. But he only chuckled, a dark laugh that sent goose bumps racing up her skin. “Not yet, my love. Soon.” She wouldn’t focus on the fact he’d called her his love. She wouldn’t. It had meant nothing, just an endearment spoken in passion. She was a fuck to a man like Deacon Black, and nothing more. Which was exactly what she wanted. The only thing she wanted. Just to get fucked, to feel a cock slide into her wet pussy and make her a woman at last. At least that’s what she’d keep telling herself. “Turn around, Gina.” He finally loosened his grip on her and turned her to face him. His face was bathed in the moonlight streaming in the windows, casting a harsh glow on his features. He looked pained, frowning at her in a way that made her wish she could get inside his head and know what he was thinking. “Is there something wrong?” she asked, hoping he hadn’t changed his mind. “Yes, there is.” Oh, God, here it comes. The you’re-not-quite-what-I-expected-and-I’ve-changed-my-mind-speech. “What is it?” “You have too many clothes on. I want to see your body.” Relief flooded her, followed immediately by a high anxiety that threatened to send her breathing into hyperventilation mode. Couldn’t he just raise her skirt and fuck her in the dark? Did he have to see her body? She looked down at the red velvet covering her, the snug corset holding her assets in place. It felt safe, like body armor. “Gina, look at me.” She did and he graced her with a sensually devastating smile. “I’m going to undress you. I’ve been visualizing you standing naked in front of the windows. I want to look at you, touch you, and taste every inch of your creamy skin.” His words flowed over her like a tender caress, so sweet. The words she’d spent her lifetime wanting to hear. Deacon wrapped his arms around her, easily finding the zipper of her dress. He kept his gaze focused on

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her face as he slowly drew the zipper down, then reached for the shoulders of her dress. Slowly, he drew the velvet down to her waist, then over her hips, until it puddled at her feet. He held out his hand and she stepped out of it. Now, standing there wearing only her corset, thigh-high stockings and heels, she wanted to squeeze her eyes shut so she wouldn’t see his disappointment. “You take my breath away, love.” She searched his eyes, but found only sincerity. Still, she found it difficult to believe that Deacon could have any woman he wanted, and had chosen her. “Quit trying to second-guess what’s on my mind, Gina,” he warned. “Trust me, you couldn’t be further from the truth.” The mind reading thing was a little freaky, but she supposed it was because her emotions were so transparent. Deacon reached out and traced her shoulder with his fingertip, then trailed his fingers down her arm and took her hand. He pulled her toward the window, bathing her in the glittering lights of Las Vegas. “Your face glows in these lights,” he said, bending down to gently kiss that hollow space in her collarbone. His tongue snaked out and licked her, then traveled lower and lower. He laved the swell of one breast, dipped his tongue into her cleavage, then tasted the top of the other breast. She panted and held on to his shoulders as he dropped to his knees and cradled her against him. She swept her fingers through his full, dark hair and thought herself the luckiest woman on Earth at this moment. Deacon slipped off Gina’s shoes, then moved his hands over her skin in a slow caress from her ankles to her calves. He’d never been with a woman so responsive to his touch. He felt every tremor, reveling in the knowledge that he could affect her so. He’d make this good for her. Very good. It was the least he could do considering what she unknowingly would be doing for him. Gently gliding his hands up her legs, he stopped when he reached the lacy tops of her stockings. She sucked in a rasping breath and held on to his shoulders. When he kissed the exposed skin above her stockings, her breath hitched. The musky scent of her arousal drove his desire up another notch. His cock throbbed, aching to be buried deep within her virginal flesh. Her legs trembled when he turned her around to untie the laces of her corset. Damn women’s contraptions anyway. It would be easy to use his strength to rip the thing apart with his teeth. But it was vital that he not reveal himself yet. So he took his time, driving her and himself crazy with every agonizing row of laces. Finally, he pulled the corset apart and turned her around. Gina chewed her lower lip, her gaze fixated on his as he pulled the corset away from her body and slid it down. Her full body was exposed to him and she stood rigid, her body like stone. Whether it was because she was frightened or embarrassed he wasn’t certain. “You’re beautiful,” he said, partly to reassure her, but mostly because it was true and she clearly didn’t

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realize it. Her full curves tantalized him. Her ample breasts swelled and blushed, the dark areolas surrounding rigid nipples that begged for his mouth. He rose and stepped back, admiring her body. She moved to cover herself. “Stop. Put your hands down. I want to look.” Gina paused, then dropped her hands at her sides, her fingers curling into fists. Such sweet innocence, and he’d taste all she had to offer tonight. Right now it was all he could do to keep from pouncing on her like the animal he was. Her body was that of an angel—creamy, full, begging for a man to love it. The sight of her standing in the half-light wearing nothing but stockings was the most erotic thing he’d ever seen. No practiced courtesan from long ago, no experienced prostitute or even starlet from today could ever compare to this vision of purity before him. Guilt tightened his stomach, made him wish that things could be different. He felt something for Gina, and he hadn’t felt a goddamn thing for too many years. But there was no going back now. He stood, lifted her into his arms and laid her on the bed. She was a goddess in the moonlight, her dark hair spread out like a fan on either side of her head, her full red lips begging for his mouth. Keeping his gaze focused on her face, he slowly undressed, loving the way she licked her lips hungrily as she watched.

Gina decided she must have sand or something in her throat, because it had gone completely dry. Watching Deacon remove his clothing piece by delectable piece was nearly unbearable. Every inch of the body he revealed was perfection. What the hell was a guy like him doing with her? His broad shoulders led to an equally expansive chest which was sprinkled with dark, curling hair that she’d love to tangle her fingers around. Not too muscular, either—she didn’t care for those bodybuilder types at all. Deacon was lean, tall, and utterly gorgeous. She wanted to lick every inch of him. Starting with the magnificent cock standing proudly between his legs. “Oh no. First I lick you.” Oh God, he really could read her mind. “How do you do that?” His lips curled upward. “A gift.” Her eyes widened. “You’re psychic or a mind reader?” “No. Your face gives you away. You licked your lips while I was undressing.” He crawled onto the bed. Her heart beat so rapidly she was afraid she might pass out, especially when his skin brushed against hers. His cock rubbed her thigh and she felt the moisture within her gathering. Dammit, why didn’t he just fuck her? Chapter Four

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Deacon asked himself the same question Gina had just thought. Whydidn’t he just fuck her? He wanted it, needed it, and she sure as hell had been mentally begging for it. It would be much easier to do what he needed to do if he just drove hard and deep inside her and finished this. The longer he dragged this out, the more emotion he poured into this act, the more difficult it would be at the end. But he felt such a compelling need to please her, to bring her to a shattering release and feel her body shudder and writhe underneath his mouth and hands. He pulled her against him and took her mouth in a ravaging kiss. She arched her back, her breasts begging for his touch. In response, he grazed her nipples with his thumb and reveled in her soft moans. Drinking in her cries of delight, he plunged his tongue between her lips the way he wanted to thrust his cock into her wet heat—hard, fast and deep, until she was breathless and panting, her nails raking his back. It would be so easy to slip his shaft into her. She was ready. Past ready, if her moans and movements were any indication. Not yet. Give her pleasure, make this night, her last night, one of utter fulfillment. He heeded his mind and slipped down, nestling between her legs. Dark, moist curls greeted him. Her scent was roses and musk, sweet and sensual. He bent his head and kissed her inner thigh, lightly nibbling at the artery pulsing there. The urge to sink his teeth into that pulsing flesh was nearly overwhelming, but he fought back the primal instinct to feed. His cock twitched at the knowledge that he’d soon be drinking in more than just the juices of her pussy. Taking a woman that way, becoming one with her for a few brief moments while he drank in her life force, tantalized him in ways he could never understand He just accepted it was part of who and what he was. It was always this way, but never more so than it was tonight, with this woman. The expectation of diving deep into her soul and taking her, absorbing the juices of her sex along with the streaming blood of her existence, was the ultimate physical excitement. Gina had a powerful life force that compelled him, aroused him more than he wanted to be aroused. He didn’t like the pull of emotions she’d drawn from him, and yet he was powerless against her in that regard. What was between them simplywas , and could not be questioned. “God, Deacon, please,” she whispered. She didn’t need to beg him any longer. He licked the moisture from her pussy lips, rewarded with her shrieks of delight. Holding firmly to her hips to keep her in place, he loved her cunt thoroughly, lapping her juices and suckling the hidden nub underneath its hood. Her body tensed, her muscles rigid with her efforts to hold back. Deacon knew she’d come in an instant if he licked just the right spot, but she was trying to push away. He stopped and looked at her. Her face was drawn tight, eyes closed, her head thrown back in a pose of utter ecstasy.

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“Let me have you, Gina,” he commanded. “Let go for me.” She opened her eyes and met his gaze, her eyes darkened to a dusky purple. Her breasts rose and fell with her panting breaths. Focusing his eyes on hers, he lowered his mouth and covered her clit with his lips, sucking the bud between his teeth. The explosion bubbled up inside her, but Gina was reluctant to let go. She’d never climaxed in front of anyone before, but God help her she couldn’t hold back much longer. She wanted to come for Deacon. His mouth was magic, his tongue lapping at her clit and sending her into a soaring frenzy. Heat burst through her when he plunged his tongue inside her pussy. She grabbed his head and held on as he took her closer and closer to the edge. “Come for me, Gina. Let me taste you.” His seductive words mixed with the movements of his tongue against her aching flesh burned her alive. She screamed out her orgasm as it flashed through her body like searing lightning. She bucked her hips, grinding her pussy against his eager mouth. She was going to die, literally going to die. She couldn’t breathe and her body had gone limp. Deacon moved up next to her and pulled her into his arms, renewing her desire with a deep, lingering kiss. He devoured her lips, his tongue sweeping against hers. She fought the need for him, fought back the emotion threatening to make her think this was more than just a one-night fuck. She wouldn’t, couldn’t feel that way about Deacon. Forcing those thoughts to the background, she concentrated instead on the delicious sensations sweeping through every part of her body. “Now, Gina, I make you mine.” Should she tell him she was a virgin? Would he even notice, or even care? Was it even important to him that he knew? Deciding discretion was wiser at this point, she welcomed his weight on top of her. He held her wrists flat to the mattress, spread her legs apart with his knee, and settled against her. His cock teased her swollen flesh, gently sliding against her clit until she lifted her hips to meet him. “Look at me, Gina.” She focused on his face, the small wrinkles in the corners of his dark eyes, the way his features tensed as he poised above her. With one quick thrust he was inside her, and she knew in that instant she would never be the same again. Tears pooled and fell at the enormity of her feelings. How could she know that there’d be some wild connection between them? She felt him everywhere inside her, from her curling toes, to her racing heart, to her very soul. He took her mouth in a tender kiss. “Ah, my love, I had no idea it would be like this.”

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Deacon felt it too. How could this be? And yet, she’d known from the first moment he was special. Not his looks or his fame, but something deep inside him that touched her like a magical spell. He moved gently within her, slowly at first. She wrapped her legs around him and lifted her hips, meeting each of his strokes. He filled her, his length and thickness nearly too much to bear. When he thrust deep, she cried out, sweet rapture flowing all the way to her belly. Suddenly, she was aware of every part of him that touched her. The way the crisp hairs of his legs tickled hers, his muscular thighs pressing in on her, his chest brushing back and forth across her breasts as he moved within her. Winding her hands up his arms, she felt the corded tension in his biceps, knew instinctively that he possessed some sort of special power or strength, but didn’t want to think about anything so monumental right now. Her mind was already too full of Deacon’s body, his heated breath sailing across her cheeks as he moved his lips down to her neck. He focused on the pulse point there, bathing it with his tongue, lightly nipping it with his teeth. She could swear he had some kind of artery fetish the way his hands moved over her inner thighs and caressed the throbbing vein there or when he held her wrists, his thumb gently sliding back and forth over her pulse. It was the most breath-stealing experience she’d ever had. As if he searched for her life force, her very essence of existence, and found it irresistible. In turn, she found it stimulating in ways that had nothing to do with blood flow through her veins. He swept his hands under her ass and cupped her, pulling her tighter against him. His thrusts increased in speed and depth, and she vaguely registered that the cries permeating the quiet night were her own. “Your blood burns hot, Gina,” he whispered against her ear. “Like water coming to boil…it bubbles up, ready for tasting.” His words made no sense. She didn’t care. This whole night made no sense, but it was the most exquisite experience she’d ever had and she’d do nothing to change it. This enigmatic, gorgeous man pumped hard between her legs, with every thrust making her more and more the woman she’d known lurked inside her. A bravado she’d never felt before surfaced. She clung to his damp body, raking her nails down his back as he fucked her hard and deep. “Yes, Deacon, like that,” she commanded, not even recognizing her own voice. “Harder.” He growled against her throat and lifted up, his face taut, his gaze holding her pinned to the mattress. “You want to be fucked hard, little angel?” he asked. “Yes,” she hissed, her passions firing hot, scorching her. She cried out for mercy when he pulled his cock back, nearly leaving her completely, only to drive so deeply within her that she screamed. Her cunt tightened around him, pulsing with her impending orgasm. “Come for me, Gina. Come on my cock. I want to feel your juices pouring down over my balls.” He reached between them and grazed her clit with rapid, light strokes. She couldn’t take any more and cried out as the lapping flames consumed her, melted her, burned her alive until her skin felt on fire. “Deacon, I’m coming!”

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The scorching climax continued, rolling over her like a fast-moving forest fire, relentless and unyielding. “Now you are mine forever,” he groaned, tightening his hold around her and letting out a fierce howl as he came. She held tight to him as he rode out his orgasm, his body shuddering against hers, then finally still. She caressed his damp skin, kissing his shoulder, loving the weight of his body on top of hers. Then a sudden sadness enveloped her. She knew, no matter how glorious it had been for her, she was but one of hundreds of women that Deacon knew, and there would be nothing between them after tonight. And dammit all if she wasn’t already in love with him. She lifted his head to press a kiss to his lips. The lights outside reflected against his face, outlining it as clearly as if it were daylight. Gina blinked, looked again, then froze, her body turned to ice. Deacon’s face had changed. His eyeteeth had elongated and a ferocious visage replaced his handsome features. What the hell? She pushed against him, hard, and he jumped up, recoiling with a snarl to the corner of the bed. “Deacon!” she cried, not understanding what had happened. He looked like he’d applied theBite Me makeup that turned him into a vampire on each week’s episode. “This is not funny, and how did you do that?” “Easy,” he said, his voice dark and dangerous. “It’s real.” She had no more scoffed at his statement than his face morphed before her eyes. In place of the vampire was the Deacon she had just made love to. Realization dawned on her. She shivered uncontrollably and backed up against the headboard, for the first time tonight wishing she was anywhere but here. No. It isn’t real. This can’t be happening. Deacon nodded and offered her a smile that she swore was tinged with sadness. “Yes, Gina. I really am a vampire.” Chapter Five

Gina shook her head, refusing to believe the man who’d just rocked her world was a vampire. An honest-to-God, fang-bearing, one of the undead, blood-drinking vampire. Why did things like this always happen to her?

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Well, things likethis never happened to her. But it just figured, she’d finally found the man of her dreams and he’d turn out to be a dead guy. Or an undead guy. No, wait. Okay, now she was just being silly. This kind of thing wasn’t possible. “There are no such things as vampires.” He turned again and this time she watched his face change, his fangs sliding down over his human teeth. She suddenly wished for a turtleneck and couldn’t help hunching her shoulders to protect her neck. “I wish it wasn’t true, but it is. Vampires are real. I am real. Search your soul…you’ll know it to be true.” She already knew it was, but that didn’t stop her from fighting it. She didn’t want it to be true. A fairytale had unfolded before her tonight, and she didn’t want anything to shatter her illusions. Then it hit her. The reason for his seduction. She shivered, her body like ice. “You used me.” He stood, gloriously naked, and walked around to her side of the bed. When he sat on the edge, she scrambled over to the other side. “I didn’t use you. You wanted this as much as I did.” “For entirely different reasons. I was a virgin, Deacon,” she said, hoping somehow that if she revealed that knowledge it would hurt him. “I know.” “You know?” “Yes. One of the reasons I chose you.” “How did you know?” “Let’s just say my people are very adept at research.” Pain knifed her middle, tearing at her heart. She scanned the room for her dress, hoping she’d be able to grab her clothes and leave with as much dignity as possible. Not only had she been used for sex, she’d been specifically used because of her virginity. The contest, the makeover, the dress, everything. It had all been a setup because she’d been targeted as “the one”. Turns out she wasn’t lucky after all. “What is it? Some kind of ritual where you have to fuck a virgin to maintain your…your vampireness or something?” Anger added a sharp edge to her voice, but she couldn’t help it. He turned and stared out the window. “Something like that.” She rose and inched over to the red velvet gown by the window, snatching it and slipping it on. Screw the corset. She just wanted out of there and she’d leave whatever she had to. Slowly, she backed toward the doorway, hoping he wouldn’t notice her departure. She turned her head to gauge the distance between the bedroom and the front door. In a flash, Deacon

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was upon her. She screamed as he pulled her tightly against his still-naked body. “I’m not through with you yet, Gina,” he warned. She wanted to look away, didn’t want to look into his eyes again, yet she forced herself to do so. She met his gaze square on and said, “Yes, Deacon, you are. We are. Let go of me.” “You’re no match for me, physically. You know that.” Speaking with more bravado than she felt, she said, “If your powers as a vampire are anything in reality like they are on your television show, then yes, I’m aware of that. I’m asking you to let me go. I don’t want any part of this.” His nostrils flared. “I can smell your fear.” She didn’t doubt that. She couldn’t mask the horror at what she’d discovered about him. What did she really know about the real Deacon Black? Her fantasies of him consisted of a romantic vampire on television who never killed for sport. That was fantasy. This was reality. And in this reality she could very well have been targeted for much more than her virginity. His eyes glowed an eerily unnatural color as he pulled her closely against him. As much as she wanted to be revolted by his touch, her body betrayed her, firing to a quickly boiling state. “Aren’t you a bit curious, Gina? About what it would feel like to have me sink my teeth deep into your carotid artery and give you the kiss of ultimate pleasure?” It couldn’t be like the television show. Nothing could be as erotic, as sensual as the victims writhing in the embrace of the vampire’s kiss. “No,” she replied, a bit too breathlessly for her own liking. She’d never been good at masking her emotions, and damn if she didn’t have about ten different ones swirling through her right now. Anger, hurt, fear, and even excitement. He cupped her breast, finding and petting her puckered nipple. She gasped when he reached inside her gown and rolled the bud between his fingers. Moisture seeped between her legs. God help her, she wanted him to fuck her again. Shutting her eyes tight, she willed her treacherous body to ignore Deacon’s assault. But it wouldn’t listen. One touch of his hand on her and she was melting. Something sharp grazed her neck and she instinctively knew it was his teeth scraping against her throat. She gulped back a dry swallow, fear and desire warring within her. “Let me taste you, Gina. Let me give you a pleasure that few have ever known.” Yes, she wanted it. This magic, this man, everything he had to offer, she wanted. “I chose you because you were special. And you gave me an incredible gift. Don’t think I take that lightly, because I don’t. I wanted you, Gina. I still want you. Let me love you, let me taste you.” Her hastily built walls crumbled at the sincerity in his voice. Maybe she was a fool. Maybe she’d regret

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this, but heaven help her, she couldn’t resist him. “Deacon,” she murmured, clutching his bare shoulders when a pinprick of pain sliced at her neck. Her mind swirled with emotion, her body a vortex of spinning desire. He entered her vein, a warm trickle of blood spilling down her neck and over her breast. A magical spell of sensuous delights swirled within her, taking her to peak after peak of pleasure that threatened to— “No!” The fierce cry of denial hadn’t come from her lips. Her eyes flew open in time to see Deacon push her away. He sheathed his fangs and turned away from her. “Get out of here, Gina. Now.” “What? Deacon, I don’t understand. Why?” She held onto the wall for support, her legs still shaking, her body still desperately in need of his touch. She fought to clear his mesmerizing spell from her cloudy brain. Lifting her hand to her throat, she swiped at the sticky wetness there and looked at her fingers. Blood smeared them. She fought back a wave of nausea and sat on the bed. What had she just been about to do? What would she have let Deacon do to her? “Get out now! Before it’s too late for you.” She should heed his words and run. And yet, questions burned within her. Questions she needed to have answers to. “Deacon, what did you have planned for me tonight? Besides taking my virginity, I mean.” “You don’t want to know.” His voice was dull, monotone, almost as if in defeat. “Tell me.” She rose to approach him, but he kept his back turned to her and held up one hand to halt her motion. “Don’t come near me. I can’t hold…I won’t be able to…goddammit Gina, get the fuck out of here now!” “Not until you tell me. I have a right to know.” “Get out. I’m offering no explanations.” “No. I’m not leaving, Deacon.” He whirled on her and she held her breath. Gone was the beautiful man, replaced instead by a ferocious monster, fangs bared, red glowing in his devil-dark eyes. “You want to know? You really want to know?” Fear froze her in place as he quickly approached. Deacon grasped her arms, his fingers biting viciously into her skin. “Once a year I need a virgin in order to renew myself. I fuck her, and then I bite her. Only I don’t stop with a bite and a taste of her sweet blood. I have to drain her completely. I kill a woman every year, Gina, so that I can live. That was your fate tonight.” He pushed her away, his appearance returning to normal. He shook his head and returned to the window, placing his palms on the clear glass. “Get out. I won’t tell you again. If you stay, I will kill you.” She believed him. Tears streamed down her face as her fear warred with a crushing pain she’d never felt

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before. Her life was what he’d wanted. Her virginity, and her life. Not her, not the person she was. She was a meal—a candy store for the undead. Fighting back a sob, Gina grabbed her shoes and fled from the apartment, slamming the door and praying he wouldn’t take off after her. She hurried to the elevator, pressing the button once, then again. “Hurry up, dammit.” Adrenaline fueled her need for flight, and she paced impatiently in front of the elevator door, watching her own reflection in the mirrored glass. Then she paused, seeing the thin line of red leading from her neck to her breast. Blood. Her blood. She reached up and felt the two tiny holes at her throat, waiting for the realization of horror at what had nearly happened to her. But it didn’t come. She wasn’t afraid. God knows she should be, but she wasn’t. Thoughts of Deacon wouldn’t leave her mind. Visions of him haunted her—his face, such incredible loss and sadness etched on his handsome features as he’d warned her for the last time to leave. He needed to kill her so that he could continue to live. That alone struck a cold fear into her heart. By rights she should be dead right now. But she still lived, and that was a revelation she simply couldn’t ignore. Empathy replaced the fear. The logical part of her told her to run, and keep running all the way back to Seattle. He’d warned her—more than once. If she went back to him now, she could very well lose her life. A sane person would grab that elevator and never look back. She had to be insane, then. She couldn’t leave like this, knew instinctively that they weren’t finished yet. She found herself turning back toward the door to his suite. Her heart pounded against her chest as she put her hand on the knob and opened it. That tiny voice in the back of her mind whispered over and over again.Get out, Gina. Get out now. Don’t go back in there . She ignored it and entered the suite, tiptoeing into the bedroom. Deacon still stood naked at the window, his back turned to her. A sigh escaped his lips. “Why are you back, Gina? I thought I made it clear what would happen.” Call it instinct or some weird psychic connection she’d made with him, but she was convinced he wouldn’t harm her. She inhaled a shaky breath and walked toward him. He flinched when she touched his arm, tried to shake her off, but she grasped him more forcefully. “Deacon, look at me.” He turned his head and stared at her. There it was again, that sadness in his eyes that made him look like a lost and lonely child. Her heart ached for him. She felt his emptiness deep into her soul. “Tell me what happens if you don’t kill me tonight.” He turned his head once again to the lights of the city. “I die by sunrise.”

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No. That wasn’t possible. His life force emanated strongly from him. “Are you sure?” “This is the way it’s always been for my kind, Gina. I can tell you with certainty that it will happen. Now leave. I’m not as strong as you think I am and the need to take your blood is nearly overpowering right now.” The longer she stood there, the more certain she became that he wouldn’t hurt her. Something else occurred to her, too. “Let me help you, Deacon. Drink some of my blood. It may be enough.” “No. It won’t be. I’d need to drain you, Gina, don’t you understand? I won’t live through the night unless I kill you.” The hopelessness of the situation destroyed her. She didn’t want to see him die. But she was unwilling to give up her own life to save his. There had to be another way. At the very least, she had to try. He could have killed her easily, without another thought or word. Instead, he’d fought the demons raging inside him and was willing to sacrifice his life for hers. Her heart swelled with a fierce determination, knowing it was now or never. “Deacon, I’m in love with you.” He turned around and shook his head. “No, you’re in love with the man you see on your television screen each week. Believe me, I’m nothing like him.” “I realize who you are. What you are. It doesn’t matter. We have a connection, and you know it as well as I do. Let me stay with you tonight. Take a little of my blood, Deacon.” “I told you it won’t help.” “I don’t care.I want it.I need it. Give me a little part of you to take with me, and…I know this is stupid, but I want you to take a part of me with you.” Her heart broke at the thought of not seeing him again, of his death. She had so many questions to ask him, so many things she wanted to do with him. There wasn’t enough time, dammit! This wasn’t fair! He reached for her, pushing her hair gently away from her face. “A vampire’s bite is quite erotic. It can be somewhat overwhelming.” As if she hadn’t already reached her maximum of overwhelming tonight? “Again, I don’t care. I want you Deacon. If it’s just for tonight, so be it. But I want to be with you. I want to sleep in your arms tonight.” “You’ll wake up with a centuries-old corpse.” She refused to give in to the incapacitating grief that threatened to drop her to the floor. They may only have one night together, but she’d give him all that she could. Tomorrow she’d deal with the consequences. Her heart shattered as she spoke the words her mind refused to acknowledge. “Then I’ll bury you in the morning.” For the first time since she’d known him, the darkness in his eyes softened. “I wish this could have been

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different. I wish we could have met when I was still alive, when I could have loved you like you deserve.” A sob broke through her resolve, yet she pushed it back, forced the tears away with the back of her hand. “Then love me right now, Deacon. Love me tonight and make it last for all eternity.” He stepped forward and reached behind her, unzipping her dress and pulling it down her body. “I’d never tire of looking at you. Your body will be the last thing I see, the last thing I hold. You’re beautiful, Gina.” Finally, she was able to believe him. “And your heart is as warm as any living man’s, despite what you may think.” She placed her palm over his heart, which strangely was beating powerfully. He smiled. “It’s not like in the movies. I have a reflection, garlic and crucifixes don’t repulse me and all my bodily functions work.” For the first time in a while she managed a grin. “Don’t I know it.” He laughed, then pulled her body next to his, his burgeoning cock sliding between them. Arousal flickered inside her, hardening her nipples and making her wet for him. “Tell me what I should do,” she asked. “Just hold on to me. This will be quite intense.” Gina fought back the fear that caused her body to tremble, and held on tight to Deacon’s arms while he brushed her hair away from her neck. His lips caressed the spot he’d bitten earlier, and she shuddered at her need for him. When his fangs pierced her neck, she didn’t flinch. Warmth seeped slowly within her, like a slow flame gradually growing stronger. Her blood ran hot, then boiled as he embedded his fangs deep inside her vein. She threw her head back and reveled in the sensations taking over her body. When Deacon reached between her legs to pet her swollen flesh, she groaned and dug her nails into his arms. He bent her backwards over his arm, the suckling noises he made as he drank only adding to her excited frenzy. She arched her hips as he sank two fingers into her cunt. “Fuck me, Deacon,” she begged, needing his cock inside her as much as she now needed his teeth in her throat. “Fuck me now while you take my blood.” He growled against her throat, both licking and biting her simultaneously. Shifting her slightly, he raised her leg and positioned it around his hip. Without pausing, he plunged his shaft deep inside her. “Oh, Deacon, yes!” she cried, sliding her hand into his hair as he pumped furiously inside her. The pulsing of her blood as he suckled her neck only added to her excitement. It was as if he fucked her everywhere. She felt him inside her, completely inside her, body and soul. Her life force merged with his as he drank from her, the suckling noises Deacon made at her throat propelling her toward ecstasy and shooting pleasure arcs straight to her heated pussy. The dual erotic sensations of his teeth buried inside her and his cock thrusting faster and faster sent her over the edge. She cried out as the orgasm swept her away. She waited for the spiraling sensations to

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subside, but they didn’t. Her climax was continuous, growing stronger with every suckle of his mouth at her throat. Barely conscious now, she wept at the extreme pleasure. “I can’t take any more,” she begged, knowing she’d get no response. She felt dizzy, weak, the rapture so intense it was nearly painful. But she didn’t want him to stop. Ever. If she died from this pleasure, then so be it, because she’d never felt anything like it before. Deacon’s only response was a deep, dark laugh against her throat, then a loud groan as he climaxed, his body going rigid. The pleasure finally began to subside. Shortly afterward, he removed his fangs and lifted her into his arms. Gina fought to stay awake, but she was too weak, her body floating on air. Her eyes half-closed, she lifted her hand to Deacon’s cheek and said, “I love you, Deacon. Now and forever.” “Sleep well, my angel. I’ll always be with you.” He kissed her, giving her his heart. She lost the fight, surrendering to the darkness surrounding her. Chapter Six

Deacon woke, certain it was not yet near daylight. Obviously it couldn’t be, he thought. He still lived. If it was daylight, he’d already be in hell. Gina slumbered beside him, her right leg and arm thrown over his body. He hardened, wishing with his very soul that he could wake next to her every day forever. Time was running out. But how much did he have left? Thoughts of waking the sleeping vision next to him and making love to her one more time were too tempting to ignore. He fought the desire to ignore the clock on the bedside and just hold her, listen to her breathe until he died. But he had to know how much time they had left. He turned quickly and glanced at the blood-red numbers on the clock, then blinked. No. That couldn’t be right. It read ten o’clock. He’d brought Gina upstairs last night after ten. The clock hadn’t stopped, though. “What the fuck is going on here?” Gina stirred, stretching and dropping her hand onto his lap. He cock sprang to life, hard and pulsing. “Deacon?” she whispered. “Gina. Wake up and look at the clock.” She blinked one eye open, then squinted. “It’s ten in the morning,” she said, then turned over and pulled the covers up to her neck.

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Within seconds she threw the covers off and scrambled over Deacon to look at the clock, then back at him. Hope shined in her eyes. “Deacon, it’s ten o’clock. Ten o’clock in themorning !” “Yes, I know. I don’t understand it, but it’s past dawn.” She reached for him, her hand approaching tentatively as if she wasn’t sure she’d be touching a ghost or a man. When her palm made contact with his face, her eyes filled with tears. “You’re still alive.” “It appears so. But I don’t understand how that can be.” “Does it matter? It simply is, Deacon. You still live. Whatever ritual or custom you needed to perform was done. Or maybe it no longer matters.” It wasn’t supposed to work that way. The vampire’s curse went back centuries. So did the required rituals. This change in custom didn’t make any sense. It had something to do with Gina. He loved her, that much he was certain of. Did drinking her innocence but sacrificing himself for her change the direction of the curse? Would he no longer have to kill innocents to keep himself alive? He scrubbed his hand over his face, his mind awash in the possibilities. One thing was certain. He had to get Gina out of his life, before he destroyed her. “Gina, you have to leave.” She frowned and sat back on her heels. He tried to ignore how desirable she looked sitting there naked on his bed. Her disheveled hair covered her full breasts, her wide violet eyes still smudged from heavy sleep. He wanted her. Now. Always. “Leave? I don’t understand. Why?” “Because I’ve already hurt you more than I ever wanted to. I couldn’t bear to do it again.” She smiled and his heart opened wide. “Oh, Deacon, you didn’t hurt me. Actually, it was quite stimulating. I’m wondering if we can do that again sometime.” Amazing. He’d nearly killed her, and yet she was prime for another go round. “No. I won’t have you live your life with a vampire.” She studied him with her head cocked to the side, then grinned. “Then make me a vampire like you.” “Are you insane? I will not.” “Why not?” She reached out and traced her finger over his hard-on. His breath hitched and he vowed to ignore his body’s urges. “It’s preposterous. You wouldn’t like being a vampire.” She wrapped her fingers around his shaft, squeezing gently as she stroked the length of him. “I’m a night person anyway.”

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Deacon fought for control. “No, Gina.” She caressed him, slowly, seductively, her other hand cradling his balls and gently petting them. “My thirtieth birthday is in two weeks. I could be twenty-nine forever.” “Absolutely not.” Shifting position, she laid on her belly, her sexy little mouth inches from his throbbing shaft. “You sucked on me last night. I haven’t had my turn yet.” This wasn’t fair. Even vampires thought with their dicks, not their brains. “Gina, I’m warning you.” “Uh-huh. Keep talking, Deacon. And while you’re busy telling me how you’re not going to make me a vampire, I’ll be busy convincing you of all the reasons you never want to be apart from me again.” He let out a groan when her lips covered him. Her delectable mouth was made for sin. This was madness. Make her a vampire? But as he watched her suck down his shaft like a woman starving, he knew he’d never be able to let her go. “If I turn you, you become my mate. Mine and only mine for all eternity.” She released his cock long enough to smile up at him. “Yes, that would be quite a hardship, but I think I can endure it.” He pulled her up and into his lap, his cock entering her wet pussy with one thrust. She whimpered, rocking against him until his fingers dug into her hips. Tilting her head and brushing her hair aside, she gave him access to her throat. “Are you sure, Gina?” he asked, barely able to concentrate on anything but the feel of her tight pussy squeezing his shaft. “Yes, my love. Make me yours forever.” He thrust hard and deep inside her, then unsheathed his fangs, the primal urge taking over and the lust for her blood too enticing to resist. She’d be his, for eternity. How he was lucky enough to be gifted with the love of this woman was something he didn’t understand, and wouldn’t question. She was his redemption, and now a part of his heart for all time. He sank his teeth into her neck and made her his forever angel. Gina smiled as Deacon pierced her throat, already feeling the pulsing strains of her orgasm enveloping her. She rode out her climax crying tears of joy. He continued to thrust inside her while he slit open a vein in his wrist, offering her the drink that would make her immortal. The taste of blood wasn’t unpleasant at all, especially considering her concentration remained on the feel of Deacon’s shaft driving deep and hard. She made the transition from human to vampire while shrieking

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her pleasure and murmuring her love for Deacon. Twenty-nine forever and in the arms of the man she loved was the best birthday present she could ever hope for.

About the author:

Jaci Burton has been a dreamer and lover of romance her entire life. Consumed with stories of passion, love and happily ever afters, she finally pulled her fantasy characters out of her head and put them on paper. Writing allows her to showcase the rainbow of emotions that result from falling in love. Jaci lives in Oklahoma with her husband (her fiercest writing critic and sexy inspiration), stepdaughter and three wild and crazy dogs. Her sons are grown and live on opposite coasts and don’t bother her nearly as often as she’d like them to. When she isn’t writing stories of passion and romance, she can usually be found at the gym, reading a great book, or working on her computer, trying to figure out how she can pull more than twenty-four hours out of a single day.

Jaci welcomes mail from readers. You can write to her c/o Ellora’s Cave Publishing at P.O. Box 787, Hudson, Ohio 44236-0787. Also by Jaci Burton:

A Storm For All Seasons 1: Summer Heat Chains of Love: Bound to Trust Devlin Dynasty: Fall Fury Devlin Dynasty: Running Mate Kismet 1: Winterland Destiny Kismet 2: Fiery Fate League of 7 Seas: Dolphin’s Playground Lycan’s Surrender Mesmerized Passion In Paradise 1: Paradise Awakening Passion In Paradise 2: Paradise Revival

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Passion In Paradise 3: Paradise Discovery

Discover for yourself why readers can’t get enough of the multiple award-winning publisher Ellora’s Cave. Whether you prefer e-books or paperbacks, be sure to visit EC on the web at www.ellorascave.com for an erotic reading experience that will leave you breathless.

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