Cassadaga Moon Read online

  She changed the subject.

  Yes, she was aware of the obvious fact that he thought he was good at everything he did, but that did not make it true, nor did his conceit make her like him any less. If anything, it made her more attracted to him. But why? Logic yelled for her to give him the boot, send him packing. Yet her heart felt differently. “What about brothers or sisters, do you have any?”

  “No, doll face. Just me.”

  His phone pinged, and he reached into his pocket, pulled it out and flipped it open. “What about you, do you have any siblings?” After checking the screen, he hit a button and slid the phone back into its place.

  “Yes. Two brothers.”

  With the phone secure in his pocket he pulled her hand into his, and they sat in the silence, meshed fingers together, transfixed on the way their hands fit.

  Did he feel the heat radiating from their hands? Every ounce of common sense lingered in her head, and shouted loud and clear for her to run from him. How long would it take a man like Jordan to 100

  discard her to the curb? Yet he was like some newfound drug, one that she couldn’t bear to live without. Since he already traveled through her veins, detoxing him would be next to impossible.

  Another thought emerged. Ask him to dinner.

  Without contemplating a game plan to ask him on a date, she blurted, “Would you like to have me for dinner this week?” Ah…shit.

  A wicked flash of excitement lit up his expression. “What an offer. I would love to have you for dinner.” She tried to focus on his face through her haze of embarrassment.

  “No, I meant would you like to come over for dinner. I can cook, or we can go out…” She plowed over her words, digging the hole deeper.

  “Calm down, sweet thing. I am well aware what you meant. I would love to have dinner with you even if you’re not the main course.”

  Relaxing from her vexation, she yawned.

  “It’s already past midnight, doll, and we both have to get up bright and early for work tomorrow. I say we call it a night.”

  “Both?”

  “Yes, Mia, I have a job at the University of Central Florida.”

  “Really?” She couldn’t have hidden the shock in her voice if she cut the cords. “What do you do there?”

  His grin, both boyish and roguish, made her heart skip a cadence.

  “I’m a professor of religious studies.”

  “No shit! I mean shoot.” Embarrassed by her choice of words, she cracked a smile.

  He deftly covered his laughter with a cough. “Geez, Mia, what do you think? I am a normal guy. Well, to an extent.” A quick wink in her direction added a wave of additional heat to her warm face and neck. Man, if you keep doing that, well, move over, sinners, I may be visiting tonight.

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  As their conversation progressed, a brainless teenybopper replaced the independent woman she considered herself to be. Of course he had a job. He was a grown man. “Well, we did meet under bizarre circumstances, so I wasn’t sure about things that concern you.”

  “That’s fine, doll, we have time to discuss my lifestyle and the entire culture. I promise to answer all of your questions. Let’s consider it a future Q& A date.” His smile turned his lips into the most beautiful mouth she’d ever seen. She wanted to press her mouth against his. Instead, a raspy voice replied, “Sounds good.”

  “Let’s call it a night,” he suggested, as the two of them walked to the door.

  “Are you healing okay?”

  Mia glanced at the remnants of their first union. “I’m fine. I cleaned and bandaged the cut this morning, which I did yesterday, too. And, by the way, it is just a scratch.” With a tenderness that massaged her heart, Jordan reached down and kissed her cheek. “I want to do this the right way, Mia. I could take you back to your bedroom and make love to you all night long.

  Trust me, it’s what I want to do.” His lips grazed her ear. “Honestly, you couldn’t stop me if I chose to ravish you tonight, but I want more from you.”

  “Oh.”

  At this point, he could have said anything and she would have obliged him. He was right about his earlier words, she couldn’t stop him if he wanted to make love to her, because she wanted it just as much as he did. Harlot!

  “I never thought I would feel like this, at least not again in my lifetime. I am falling fast and hard for you, Ms. Christini. I wouldn’t have believed such a thing as love at first sight existed, especially for a man like me. Not until you. I thank the higher being that placed you in my path.”

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  She reeled from the word “love,” but was it too fast? “Really?

  You lo—like me?”

  “Like you? Yes, I believe that issue has already been resolved.” Mia sighed deeply.

  “I better go. Remember, I’m all man, and you are driving me crazy. If I don’t leave this instant, I can’t promise you I will.”

  “I’ll let you go tonight.” With the best pout she could muster, she touched his hip. “But only because I know I’m going to be with you tomorrow night.”

  He smirked, leaned in, and kissed her cheek. “I should be finished with my meetings by eight in the evening. I should be on your doorstep shortly after. We’ll go out for pizza.”

  “We can order in, if you want.”

  “I like that plan.” A sheepish grin kicked up the sides of his face.

  “That way we can have dessert first.”

  With Mia hugging the open doorjamb with her back, Jordan slipped out the front door, leaving her to stare into the darkness of the tepid Florida night.

  * * * *

  I feel so drained. I need blood.

  Pulling up to The Firestone Club, he recognized the members’ cars, so he parked and went inside.

  Becca already stood at the bar.

  “Hi. You ready?” she asked, her tone sweet.

  “Hey, Bec.” He kissed her cheek. “You look great. Thanks for meeting me tonight. I appreciate it. I know you just worked a late shift. You’re probably tired.”

  “Anything for you, Jordan. You called, I’m here. Sleep is overrated anyway.”

  Strolling across the club toward their spot, he placed a hand on her shoulder. She’d been his donor for two years. Lucky for him, their

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  relationship was uncomplicated. In the past, he had donors who couldn’t understand sexual relationships didn’t always come with being a donor. He’d experienced both types of donor relationships in his life and usually liked the no-sex ones.

  She led him to a secluded area in the back of the club.

  Without saying a word, he slipped the talon blade on his finger and punctured the soft skin on the back of her neck.

  As the warm, salty fluid touched his tongue, his body gradually warmed with new energy. The blood coated the inside of his mouth before he swallowed, moving it down his throat.

  The taste of her type O-negative blood sent his body into overdrive. He closed his eyes and let the warmth travel from the core of his stomach into his limbs. The black color behind his eyelids sparked with splotches of white.

  Having had enough blood and reminiscing about his lifestyle choices, Jordan slipped the blade off his finger and slid it into his pocket. Content, he pulled a small tube of NEOSPORIN ointment and a small Band-Aid from the adjacent pocket and dressed her cut.

  Without saying a word, Becca kissed his cheek, then stood.

  He eased his head back against the chair. “Thank you.”

  “Anytime. That’s what I’m here for.” She turned and disappeared through the dimly lit bar.

  He closed his eyes and relished in the force dancing throughout his body. As Becca’s blood replenished his pranic energy, he pictured Mia. Did she dream about him? Her radiant image etched perfectly on the inside of his eyelids. His body ached to touch her again, like he did the first night they met.

  He folded his arms over his chest and slipped into a dream world.

  The darker side of h
is desires pushed through another image, a bedroom, no— his bedroom.

  And in the bedroom vision manifested an image of Mia’s manacled wrists displayed above her head, her body dangling from a small chain sunk into the ceiling. Her tiptoes grazed the floor.

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  With his silhouette on a stool beneath her, her naked body teased him, and her extreme vulnerability and submissiveness excited him beyond imaginable possibility.

  He sucked in a deep breath and let the dream vision move into crystal focus.

  With both hands, he caressed every inch of her tight, virginal body, and when her swoon transformed into a high rumble, he reached down, snapped open the hook attached to his belt, and released the small leather tether.

  Exhilarated, the silhouette of a man whispered to the bound woman, “Remember, darling, the infliction of sweet pain will magnify the release of ultimate pleasure. Let me show you. Let me bring you pleasure beyond your wildest dreams.”

  * * * *

  Mia checked her cell phone for messages before she strolled back to the bedroom. Passing down the hall, she ducked into the kitchen to shut the garden window above the sink. The aroma of fresh rain lingered in the air, which meant one thing. Another storm was going to arrive within minutes.

  She grabbed a diet soda from the fridge before she made her way back down the hall toward her bedroom. Sitting on the edge of the bed, she waited for her laptop to boot up.

  Her fingers touched the keyboard, and she typed “Google.” Once the search engine came up, she typed “vampire.” A few seconds later, an endless list of sites appeared on the screen. She scanned them, not sure what she looked for, until her gaze zeroed in on The Life of the Sanguinarian.

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  Chapter Eight

  The next evening, the tingling of the hot water caressed Mia’s body, encompassing her in total relaxation. How was she going to ask Jordan about the frightening images that plagued her dreams last night? Alarming photographs of women tied and bleeding from hooks.

  She dried the last part of her body, slipped on her favorite black linen skirt, pulled a blouse from her closet, and stepped into Gucci sandals. The sandals were last year’s Christmas gift from her very wealthy godparents. Aunt June always sent her extravagant gifts.

  She’d said it was because they’d never had any children of their own and they’d always considered Mia the child they’d never conceived. If it hadn’t been for Aunt June and Uncle Thomas, her life would have really sucked growing up. With a quick glance in the mirror and check of the time, she left the room in time to answer the doorbell.

  “Are you going to invite me in, sweet thing?” He leaned his shoulder against the inside of the doorjamb, his confidence and oozing sex appeal practically knocking her off her feet.

  She loved looking at him. “Yes.”

  He stepped into the foyer. “You look beautiful. Actually, you take my breath away.” His voice echoed as he drew them to the sofa. She left distance between them after they sat.

  “Come closer.” He patted the space beside him.

  “How’s this?” she asked, sliding until their thighs touched.

  “There, much better. I appreciate how you did what you were told.”

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  She half smiled. The tone in his voice caught her off guard. But before she could consider his words a second time, he grinned wide, displaying a glimpse of silver in his mouth.

  She knew she was gawking. Her face felt like it lost all elasticity.

  “What’s wrong, Mia? Do I have something on my face that’s scaring you?”

  A shrug lifted her petite shoulders. “Nothing.” He raised one eyebrow. “Are you sure?”

  The pangs of backpedaling surfaced. “Well, yes. I mean I was staring at the gum in your mouth. I’ve never seen such silver gum.” She felt stupid, as if she were a teenager standing in front of her mother, lying about using her mother’s makeup.

  “I’m not chewing any gum, sweet thing.”

  “Really?”

  “I think you are talking about this.” He pushed his tongue out from between his lips. To her surprise, resting dead center in the middle sat three small silver balls in a vertical position.

  “You pierced your tongue?”

  “Correction, babe, I pierced it three times.”

  “Wow. I mean why?” she blurted.

  Although there wasn’t extra space between their bodies, he pulled her into his arms and pushed his chest closer against her until the bulge in his pants pressed her pelvis. The heat from his body burned through her clothes. If spontaneous combustion happened from bodies touching, they would have been dead by now.

  “As you can see, I like piercings.”

  “Yes, I can see you do.” Why so many piercings? She had to admit, although it scared the hell out of her, they did look sexy on him.

  “What you don’t know is I did these ones”—he whispered, slid his tongue through his lips, bared all three silver balls—“for you.” Pushing her palm against his chest, she halted him. “You pierced your tongue for my benefit?” For me?

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  Amusement danced in his expression. “Yes. Definitely, yes. Let’s just say at some point in our relationship they are going to give you unbelievable pleasure.”

  Her curiosity piqued. “How so?”

  “Let’s just say when my mouth explores certain parts of your anatomy…your pleasure is going to explode into another realm.” He cupped her butt, and she felt the flush immediately. “Oh.”

  “Oh yes.” His tone, laced with a promise, heated her inside.

  To her surprise, she anticipated what would come as his hand tightened around her behind. “Let’s go to dinner before I end up ravaging you here and now.”

  “I thought we were going to order pizza?”

  “No, tonight I want to take you out. To the Cheesecake Factory. I want the world to see the beautiful woman who belongs to me.” He gave a long, silent, sizing-up moment. “I mean, you do belong to me, don’t you?”

  She turned a shy gaze toward him. “Yes. I don’t quite understand it, but I am yours.” She hesitated a moment. “All yours.”

  “Good. I couldn’t bear to think you weren’t.”

  * * * *

  As soon as their table was ready in The Cheesecake Factory, Jordan ordered a bottle of expensive champagne, and Mia excused herself to the restroom.

  Deep in thought, warm fingers touched his shoulder. He looked up, and there she was, his brown-haired beauty. “Hey, babe, I didn’t see you come back. How could I miss my woman walk across the floor?” His body tingled with awareness from her close proximity. As long as there is breath in my body, I will always notice you.

  She slid back into the chair. “It’s fine. I haven’t been here very long.”

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  Scooting closer to the table, she waited. He reached over and placed his right hand on the back of her chair. “So, are you ready to get started with the Q&A session?”

  “Yes, I’m ready. I’m all yours.”

  “That’s what I want, you to be all mine.” His words resonated matter-of-factly. “Let’s continue with the vampire lesson I started to give you the night we met. After I finish, or during, you can ask questions. Sound like a plan?”

  She cleared her throat. Her features softened with a girlish charm.

  “Yes, sounds great to me.”

  One hour later he was finished spilling his guts.

  Taking a sip of water, he studied her. “I often wonder why it’s not out of the ordinary for people to believe in the supernatural, yet for one to believe in real vampirism is absurd.” His gaze fixed on her. “Are you still with me, babe?”

  “Yes.”

  “Good.”

  “So, what is Stiletto Sanction, exactly?” she asked, before taking a sip of champagne.

  “Our safe haven.”

  Her lips unlocked in amazement. “What about relationships? You mention real vampires live normal lives, does that include
marriage and children?”

  “Mia?” Jordan’s face resembled a mixture of seriousness and comic relief.

  She glared at him. “Yes.”

  “I am human. I can do all of those things if I want to,” he added.

  “But we tend to stick with our own kind. In Stiletto Sanction, the rule is you date and marry your own kind.”

  Mia’s expression turned solemn, and Jordan slid his hand into hers. “I know what you’re thinking, sweet thing.”

  “You do?”

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  “By our laws, I am forbidden to see you. Trust me, you and Cindi sneaking into the Sanction under false pretenses complicates matters a bit.”

  “Oh.”

  A server walked past their table. “Do you think I give a damn about the Stiletto rules, Mia?”

  “Yes. Well, maybe. I mean…I hope no?”

  “’No’ is the correct answer here. Let’s get one thing straight, nobody tells me who I can be with.” Pulling her into his arms, he secured her butt onto his lap in front of the entire restaurant. Yeah, people are staring. Do I give a damn? Nope, not one little bit.

  “Mia, I am falling in love with you. From the first moment I met you, I wanted you. The moment I tasted your blood, I changed. I have a sworn position to uphold with the Stiletto Sanction, and I will do my best to protect the Sanction. I can’t promise to uphold the oath of finding a vampire mate. Been there, tried that.” The devastated look in her gaze shook him.

  “Are you saying I’m forbidden?”

  “Technically, but we’ll find a way to work this out, darlin’, I promise.”

  She peered down at the table. “One more thing. Last night I did some research on vampirism, and I came across a lot of stuff.

  Basically there is no easy way to put it. It scared the hell out of me.” He could just imagine what she found on the Internet by typing the word “vampire” into a search engine. Yet he needed to indulge his sweet woman. “Like what?”