Shannon lived in an upscale neighborhood and they had to pa.s.s through a security gate with an attendant to enter the parking garage. Before Grey rolled down his window to speak to the guard, he delivered her a warning look that set her nerves on edge.
The guard on duty wore a solemn expression until he recognized Shannon in the pa.s.senger seat. "h.e.l.lo, Ms. McNeal. I"ll raise the gate immediately for you."
"Tony, uh, I"m having a bit of a family emergency and will be gone for a few days. Keep an eye on everything for me, okay?"
"Sure thing. I hope everything"s all right. If there"s anything I can do for you let me know." Shannon smiled at the young guard until she saw the fierce look upon Grey"s face.
"Don"t worry, she"s in good hands." Grey"s tone was low, menacing.
Tony nodded his head. "Sir." He backed into the guard shack and pressed the b.u.t.ton to raise the automatic gate. Grey"s window raised whisper quiet and he edged the vehicle forward into the garage.
"Do you enjoy intimidating people?" Shannon accused.
"Do I intimidate you?" A grin curled his lip.
"No, but I"m not a young, impressionable boy either."
"No, you"re certainly not." She felt his dark gaze rove over her. "However, that young boy was fantasizing about how he could help ya in your time of need."
"Oh don"t be disgusting, not everyone puts everything on your base level," she huffed, glaring out the window.
"He"s male."
"Yes and I"m a s.e.x G.o.ddess who has to beat the men off with a stick."
Her eyes flashed back to him in time to see his gaze lower to her chest covered only by his thin shirt and her nipples hardened. "I suppose that"s one way to beat "em off. It wouldn"t be my first choice."
"Oh just shut up." Her face heated at her blunder. Open mouth-insert foot.
On the way up in the elevator, Shannon considered her options once again. The ploy to get out of his house worked but so far she had been unable to capitalize on the opportunity. Once they entered her apartment, she would be able to hit the alarm b.u.t.ton but should she? More than likely, Tony wouldn"t call the police. He would come himself. Then what? Grey would no doubt hurt him. Possibly kill him. No, she couldn"t be responsible for delivering Tony to him as a hot meal. She would bide her time. Obviously, if he was willing to bring her here he had no plans to kill her. In fact, he didn "t make her feel threatened. Instead, she felt cornered, controlled and she didn"t like it. She"d lost control of her life once and she didn"t intend to again.
Shannon unlooked the door and he followed close behind, allowing her no chance to slam the steel door in his face. Entering the empty apartment, he was overwhelmed by her pure essence. The flowery scent that had intrigued his senses last night surrounded them. It was a sunshine and freshness scent, a scent he"d long forgotten.
"I didn"t invite you in."
"A vampire misconception."
"Garlic?" she asked.
"Unappealing odor but ineffective." He grinned as she glanced at the hall mirror and his clear reflection.
"If it was that easy to spot and deter a vampire we would have died off long ago. Didn"t your friend settle the vampire myths for you?"
"I knew about the mirror. I never asked about garlic and she has a standing invitation to my house. She"s not always real forthcoming about vampirism. When I ask questions she says I"m treating her like a freak."
"Vampires-especially female vampires-can be sensitive."
"Sensitive. I believe that"s a s.e.xist remark but what should I expect from a man from your generation." Shannon huffed and stalked off.
Grey had to grin, he supposed in some ways he hadn"t changed that much over the years. He"d been raised in a male dominant society and he supposed a modern woman would view his values as archaic. His gaze flickered about the room as he took in his surroundings. The room said a lot about her-cream walls accented with bold furniture and prints. An abundance of plants and every possible surface covered in knick-knacks and pictures, a total contrast to his spa.r.s.e living quarters. It made the differences in their lives apparent.
"I need to water my plants then I"ll grab a few things."
Grey gave the apartment a once-over. There was no back exit and there appeared to be only two phones, one on the nightstand by her bed, the other on the island-counter between kitchen and living area. He had confiscated her cell phone from her purse before he returned it to her.
Grey stood in the doorway to her room and regarded her through narrowed eyes. She bent over to water some plants on a lower shelf and the loose-fitting shorts molded to her bottom. His c.o.c.k took notice, hardening behind the denim. He needed to hurry her along. It was dark now and he was hungry-for more than blood.
He stood stock still, nearly blocking the doorway as she approached. She hesitated a moment, squared her shoulders and marched toward him. She brushed past him with a curt, "Excuse me." Her sweet scent heady with arousal teased his senses.
Opening her double wide closet doors, she s.n.a.t.c.hed a satchel from the bottom of the closet. Tossing it on the bed, she began to rummage through her clothes. "Tell me, what does one pack for a kidnapping?" She pulled a black pantsuit out of the closet.
Grey snorted as he observed her choice. "Darlin", we"re not going to a funeral-yet." Grabbing the garment, he tossed it on the floor. "Ya got any jeans in there?" He shoved her to the side and began inspecting her wardrobe. Did this woman own anything besides suits? Disgusted, he turned away from the closet and approached her dresser. He pulled open the first drawer.
"Hey, I don"t need your help."
Ignoring her outburst, Grey sunk his hand into the drawer filled with lacy panties. The silks and satins slid luxuriously through his fingers. A grin tugged at his lips. The woman dressed all business on the outside but underneath she was pure feminine. He could imagine her in these. He could imagine taking her out of these, ripping them off with his teeth. His b.a.l.l.s tightened with need.
He tossed a handful of the silk panties at the bag.
"Let me." She tried to wedge herself between him and the dresser. Her hip b.u.mped against his groin and a low growl escaped his lips. Wrapping an arm around her, he held her to his side as he proceeded to open the next drawer. It held strappy little barely there bras. He remembered removing one of these. He remembered what was under it. Right now, their fullness rubbed against his forearm. Grabbing two, he shut the drawer.
Next he found nighties-he took his time holding up various ones. There was a short, sheer black gown, a red lace one and even a long, virginal white gown. He tossed several, including the black one, in the bag.
"Do you intend for me to wear anything besides underwear?"
He chuckled, "Only in public."
"Will we be in public much?"
He licked his lips, his gaze roaming her form. "No."
"If you"ll let me go, I have some jeans on the top shelf of my closet."
Reluctantly, he released her and she grabbed two pair and a couple of T-shirts. She also produced a sweatsuit, a pair of flannel pajamas and some tennis shoes, dumping it all on the bed.
Something in her drawer caught his eye as she began to fill her satchel. When she reached for the flannel pjs he grabbed them from her. "I don"t think so. You won"t need those but what about these?" He held up the d.i.l.d.o and vibrator, which had been stashed beneath her gowns.
"Put those down!" Color bloomed on her cheeks.
"Why? We could have some fun with these." He turned on the vibrator and it hummed softly.
"I don"t think so."
Grey stalked closer until she backed up against the wall. "Oh but I do. I can f.u.c.k you with this while you suck my c.o.c.k."
"Grey," she mewled. He held the vibe between her thighs and her lips parted on a strangled gasp. He raised a hand to her mouth, rubbing her full bottom lip.
Her eyes flared and his c.o.c.k stirred to life. "That"s right, part those lips for me." He thrust his thumb into her mouth and she bit down-hard.
Growling, he pulled his thumb from her mouth and flipped off the vibe. "Just one scenario, I have many more and by the way, biting a vamp..." He shook his head. "Not smart. It doesn"t turn me off, in fact, just the opposite. You"re lucky I didn"t bite back."
She huffed indignantly but didn"t comment. He dropped her toys in the bag before she zipped it shut. She turned, refusing to meet his gaze. "Okay, I"m ready."
"Ready." He arched a brow.
"To go," she announced impatiently.
"Change first."
"What?"
"Change into your own clothes first. Something comfortable," he purred close to her ear.
"Okay, leave the room." Shannon waved an arm in the direction of the door.
"No."
"I"m not changing in front of you." She crossed her arms over her abundant b.r.e.a.s.t.s and glared. He found it amusing. She showed no fear of him, she knew what he was capable of but still she defied him. He liked that.
"Why not? I already tasted your sweetness," he reminded her and enjoyed the heat that flooded her face and neck.
"I...uh...I was concussed, hardly aware at the time, so that doesn"t count."
"Is that the story? Maybe I need to remind ya. I remember exactly what"s under those clothes of mine you"re wearing." He moved closer.
Her eyes grew wider as he spoke. "It"s really pretty pathetic that you have to force unwilling women to strip for you."
An unholy growl erupted from him and he spun away from her. "Lady, ya have no self-preservation instincts. I could force ya to disrobe. I could force ya to do a lot more."
"I think we both know you"re bigger and stronger than I." Her eyes narrowed on him. "But I don"t think you"re a rapist."
Grey ran his tongue over his teeth. The incisors were just beginning to protrude. He was walking on dangerous ground. The s.e.xual banter they engaged in was increasing his appet.i.te. In a voice barely above a whisper, he taunted her. "I think we both know it wouldn"t be rape. I could lay ya down on that bed and within ten minutes you"d beg me to take ya-deep and hard." He hauled her close and anch.o.r.ed her hips to his. "And it would be deep and hard."
She tried to laugh but the sound came out somewhat strangled.
He growled. "I"ll turn my back. You have five minutes." The rustle of clothes flayed his nerves.
Grey"s control exceeded its limits. As he wheeled the vehicle through the dark city streets, his hunger ate upon him. He grinded his teeth in an attempt not only to relieve his stress but also to stop the protrusion of his fangs.
"I have a stop I need to make. I have a hunger that I need a woman to satisfy. You will be required to stay in the vehicle."
Shannon didn"t miss the way he stressed the word woman but her mind couldn"t get past the fact he was willing to leave her alone in his vehicle. Was it a trap? Did he expect her to make a run for it? So he could capture her again and fulfill his promise-threat.
She sat silently at his side as he drove farther into the dregs of the city. Finally, he pulled over to the curb and threw the vehicle into park. He twisted in his seat to look at her. "I won"t be gone long. I"ll set the alarm system on the car. If ya try to exit the vehicle, it will alert me. I"ll be here to stop your escape." He glanced out the front window. "Or they will." On the corner just ahead, there were several men milling around and Shannon swallowed nervously. "Do you think they would be willing to help ya?" His gaze returned to her and his eyes glowed eerily. "They probably would for a price." His lashes lowered. "Would ya rather be in my hands or theirs?"
Shannon weighed her options and sadly had to admit to herself that she felt safer with her current abductor than she would out there on the street. "I"ll stay with the car."
"Don"t leave the car no matter what. If there"s a problem blow the horn." If she didn"t know better she"d swear that was concern in his voice.
Grey slammed the door behind him. The chirp of the alarm sounded as she watched him dart around the corner.
Shannon"s fingers closed around the door handle, and then she jerked her hand back. Her heart pounded furiously. She glanced at the street sign. Thirty-forth and Central- she didn"t need the gang on the corner to know this wasn"t the best part of town. Grey of course hadn"t hesitated to walk right past the group of young men but he exuded a dark, raw power that not many were willing to challenge. Her mouth became dry when two of the men watched where Grey had disappeared and the other two began to eye the SUV. She knew they couldn"t see her through the tinted, mirrored windows but she leaned over toward the driver"s seat, closer to the horn regardless.
Chapter Four.
Down the street, Grey encountered two young women sitting on the stoop of an apartment building. The humid night allowed for their scanty attire. Grey barely noticed -his attention centered solely on the blood that pumped through their veins. His dark gaze roamed over them and then he ducked into the alley next to their building. He didn"t have to wait long. The patter of high heels on concrete alerted him of their arrival. Shrouded in darkness only the glitter of his inhuman eyes gave his location away.
"Hey, mister, you lookin" for some fun?" one of the females called to him.
With a wave of his arm, they approached and he tucked a crisp hundred-dollar bill into each of the girls" ample bosoms before pulling the first one into his embrace. He didn"t usually pay for s.e.x and he wasn"t paying for it now. He paid for their blood and he didn"t have the time to give them any pleasure. He stared deeply into the first girl"s eyes before sinking his fangs into her throat. While he suckled at her neck, the other girl dropped to her knees and began to stroke his c.o.c.k through his jeans. Ordinarily, he would have found this situation arousing but now all he could think about was easing one hunger so he could return to the woman who ignited his other hunger.
He licked the small wound closed and set the girl to the side, hauling the other girl up into his embrace. He had taken about as much as he dared when he heard the first blast of the horn. He yanked his fangs loose, still dripping blood from their white tumescent length. It was a good thing the young woman"s head rolled back or she would have been horrified. He hastily licked the wound closed and shoved her at her friend. "Sorry ladies, that"s my call." He spun and beat a speedy retreat toward his vehicle- toward Shannon.
His unnatural speed had him rounding the corner before the second blast of the horn ended. The scent of the undead hung in the air but he saw nothing terribly amiss, except the men appeared to be glancing at his vehicle apprehensively. Quickly, he unlocked the door and yanked it open. Relief flooded him to find her unharmed but apparently frightened.
"What happened?"
"Those men began approaching the car and suddenly they stopped. They were looking over there." Shannon gestured to the side of a building and Grey"s eyes followed. "There was a man standing there...staring at them. Then he turned and looked at me, his eyes were almost white and glowing. I think he was a vampire but he was different... scary. He was so pale and his hair... " Shannon shuddered. "His hair was long, reddish blond. I didn"t know what to do so I freaked and blew the horn."
"You did the right thing. I know you"re used to dealing with vampires but not all vampires can be trusted." Grey pulled her to him for a moment, offering comfort, seeking comfort in return. His heart pounded as her description set his nerves on edge for it matched his most hated enemy. Grigore! If he had returned that spelled trouble for them all, and he"d seen Shannon. Now he had no choice but to keep her with him, to keep her safe. He would have to be careful. Pulling back, he looked into her trouble-filled gaze and couldn"t resist lowering his mouth to her parted lips. Her taste besieged his senses. Never had the taste of a woman"s lips ignited him so. He deepened the kiss, sliding his tongue between her lips, seeking solace, redemption.
She had been scared and a little put out that he would leave her sitting here while he satisfied his animal urges. It was odd how her vampire captor managed to inspire her trust, while the other one rattled her nerves. Once Grey enclosed her in his arms, she felt safe. Nothing could hurt her while he was near. Then his lips descended and her world turned on its axis. Heat seared her insides. She shifted, moving closer, her arms wrapped around his shoulders, burying in his long, silky hair. Parting her lips, she wasn "t disappointed as his tongue penetrated and met hers in a silent duel. One hand moved from her waist to just under her breast. She moaned and arched, begging for his touch, but he didn"t immediately comply. Instead his fingers teasingly caressed her stomach and abs. Her b.r.e.a.s.t.s ached and her p.u.s.s.y clenched, his hand needed to go up or down. Shifting in his lap, she felt his erection prodding her side and she rubbed shamelessly against it. She gasped at the sharp sensation of his teeth nibbling her lip and finally his large hand engulfed her breast, ma.s.saging the aching ma.s.s. Oh sweet lord! Her panties dampened with drizzling wetness. Ardent fingers found her nipple, squeezing, rolling the tip. Toe-curling need flooded her p.u.s.s.y and she arched farther, offering him- everything.
With a growl, he ripped his lips from hers. "Sorry, I didn"t mean to do that." He gasped for breath, settling back into the leather seat. Shannon slithered off his lap, her head spinning. Shame flooded her, if he hadn"t stopped she"d have let him-right here in the front seat. He had only to touch her and she lost the will to resist. Her gaze settled on the white-knuckle grip he had on the steering wheel. At least he wasn"t unaffected but still he had managed to stop when she had not.
Shannon closed her eyes-her wits were scattered. She was out of her depth. Her impenetrable fortress breached. The gates were open, let the looting begin. She huddled into her seat, hoping he had not read her like an open, needy book. For so long, she"d fought to be a successful, independent person and now she found herself wanting... needing things she couldn"t have with a vampire of all people.
Deathly silence companioned them on the drive back to his lair. As soon as they reached the warehouse, Shannon hopped out of the car and ran up the stairs ahead of him.
She glanced furtively at him then away. Unerringly, her gaze flew back to him and his loose-gaited swagger as he ascended the stairs, satchel in hand. Her gaze swept over him once then narrowed in on a spot on his shirt. "Is that a spot of blood?" she asked.
His eyes lowered, a brow arched and he shrugged. "No, must be ketchup," he murmured, stepping up onto the landing next to her, invading her personal s.p.a.ce.
Ketchup my a.s.s, she thought. He"d been feeding off some helpless victim, probably a female he"d hypnotized with those dark, mesmerizing eyes. Womanizing bloodsucker. When would she learn, she knew what he was. He"d gone from sucking some woman"s blood to sucking face with her. She glowered as he set the elaborate alarm system but she only managed to see him enter two numbers of the four-digit code.
"I"m tired and my headache has returned. Can you show me to my room?"