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  “My sweet, beautiful Valerie, you’re going to have to stop. It’s been a while, and I can’t take this.”

  She ran her tongue along his length and managed to bring him within the brink of no return, before she abruptly stopped and stood. Valerie’s hands found her breasts, and she stroked and massaged them, rolling her nipples between her fingers. She groaned beneath her ministrations, and Remann’s throat went dry.

  Chapter Five

  God, she was a sight, a sight that was driving him mad. As a hand slid down her stomach and two of her slim fingers found her pussy, he struggled against his binds. The cursed titanium held firm.

  “Valerie, please. My beautiful, lovely, sweet Valerie, you are truly killing me at this moment.”

  She ignored him; her flush deepened, and her head fell back. She squeezed and pinched a nipple as fingers circled faster and faster over her clit. Her bottom lip was caught between her teeth, and whimpers escaped her throat.

  Then it happened: a cry escaped her throat as she climaxed, and Remann wasn’t sure if he liked her game anymore. He growled as she opened her eyes and looked at him.

  “Did you like that?” she asked as she walked to him. She straddled his lap and sat on his thighs, allowing her moist pussy to just brush his cock. He fell speechless as she gripped his cock once more in a firm hand. Her tongue traced his lips.

  “Let me go, Valerie,” he said; his voice mirrored his impatience. She moved her body up and allowed his tip to toy with her tight opening. She was hot, slick, and tight, just as he’d imagined, as she began lowering her body over him.

  * * * * *

  Valerie had to stretch to accommodate him, causing her slight pain even as white hot pleasure shot through her. She’d played with herself, relishing Remann’s helplessness, needing to find her own release before she took him. She’d been unable to orgasm with her partners since she’d lost Mike a lifetime ago. She pushed away the image of the smiling redheaded man who had been the last to see her human.

  Remann was thick and rock hard. Strange electric shivers coursed from her pussy as she circled and rocked her hips. He growled, an animalistic sound that brought a hiss of excitement from her own throat. His teeth found her neck, causing a sharp pain that compounded her arousal. She screamed, thrusting her hips down, and another shock of pleasure hit her as his cock hit the back of her vagina. Her nails dug into his shoulders as his teeth found the top of her breast, sinking in, nearly breaking the skin. His love bites were a masochistic thrill that was new to her, as were the sensations his cock created within her. She felt something build deep inside of her, and it took her several moments to register that she was nearing the brink of an incredible orgasm that was also brand new to her.

  “My beautiful Valerie, I’m going to come,” Remann said, his voice strained. “Please look at me. I want to see your eyes when you climax.”

  Valerie’s eyes found his mismatched gaze, dark and tortured with restraint. She could only hold his gaze for a moment. Instead she let her eyes travel over his tight features, his amazing square jaw line and straight nose. He had a hint of dark beard growth.

  She drove her hips down harder and faster. Her pussy tightened, and her nails dug into his sinewy muscles as the orgasm hit her. It sucked away her breath, and her cry escaped as a gurgled gasp as Remann let out his own sharp cry. She grew wetter as he pumped his juices deep within her. Valerie collapsed against him, her whole body wracked with shudders. Remann’s heartbeat matched her own staccato ringing in her ears. The scent of their bodies and sex filled her nostrils as she eased back from him. Valerie wondered if her legs would hold her.

  “I wish the handcuffs were gone,” Remann said. His deep voice sent a shiver down her spine as she tested her legs.

  “I’ll get the key,” she said as she unsteadily made her way to the laundry room. After she returned, she released him. He stood and rubbed his wrists.

  “Next time, I believe we should make love my way,” Remann said, smiling. “Not that I didn’t enjoy myself.”

  Valerie felt uneasy. Remann reached for her and pulled her into his arms. She stiffened as he embraced her in an affectionate hug, placing a gentle kiss on the crown of her head. Her agitation grew, and she pushed away.

  “Next time?” she asked, backing further from him. She crossed her arms over her breasts. “I mean don’t get me wrong—you were a good fuck.”

  Remann’s casual composure faltered, and something that looked almost like pain flickered over his face. His eyes bore into her.

  “I don’t think it’s a good idea for this to become a habit, Remann.”

  Remann drew up to his full height, accentuating his muscle and sinew, and his hands clenched. Anger—that was an emotion she could deal with, and Valerie waited for his verbal assault. Instead, he shrugged and gave her his smile.

  “I’ve had a lovely time, Valerie, and I sincerely thank you. It has been a pleasure meeting you. You may as well discard my clothing, as I’m sure it is ruined. I simply hope I’m not pulled over for speeding.” His voice was injured as he made his joke, and it tugged at her insides.

  He walked out her back door, and Valerie sucked in a hard breath. The rising sun played over his dark olive skin tone, his dark hair gleaming, and he looked to be a god born from the red and orange rays of sun. He got into his SUV and pulled out of her drive.

  Remann was out of her life.

  Valerie’s agitation grew higher, and she paced mindlessly for nearly an hour, twirling the handcuff’s key between her fingers.

  * * * * *

  Remann sipped a brandy mixed with blood from a donor agency as he stared out the window of his modest home situated east of the city. He absently twirled an ink pen between his fingers as he watched the sun set, bathing the dry land in golds and reds. Several days had passed since his encounter with Valerie.

  Encounter? That was certainly an understatement. His body stirred even as his ego stung with the beautiful vampiress’s rejection. Remann needed to see her again, and for the umpteenth time he made the decision to drive to her home. He wasn’t sure why Valerie had such an allure—he could certainly visit a blood bar and find willing vampiresses or feeders.

  His ringtone filled the quiet space, and he walked over to his cell phone. His brother Aiden’s number flashed on the caller ID. Remann dropped the ink pen on his desk and picked up the phone. After a moment he silenced the ringer and set it back down. He’d been inside too long, and he made the decision to visit his blood bar, the one he’d taken Valerie to a few nights before. He would perhaps find some women feeders, a habit he’d left behind in Chicago over a year before. Beautiful willing women and fresh blood would surely temper his lust.

  An hour later he sat in the shadows and watched the mixed crowd of happy, laughing humans and vampires. His fingers drummed on the arm of the overstuffed soft leather chair, and his glass sat on a nearby table untouched. His nostrils flared, taking in the odors of men and women, vampires and vampiresses. The blood sharing took place in the private, closely monitored back rooms, so to an outside observer it was simply an exclusive nightclub. He and Aiden were quite good with commercial investing, and with their centuries of collected wealth, they chose to take the profits of the investments and donate to various research hospitals.

  A woman walked toward him, her hips swaying in a sultry, exaggerated fashion. A vampiress, his instincts said, and one who knew how her body affected men. Remann couldn’t get a good look as she weaved her way through the crowd. Finally he got a glimpse of her face, and his heart stuttered.

  “Well, hello, sugar,” the young vampiress said, smiling sweetly. She wore a slinky black dress that accentuated her well-developed curves. “Fancy meeting you here.” Her drawl was smooth, and Remann’s mind flashed to Atlanta, Georgia, 1899.

  Remann smiled casually.

  “Margaret, how good to see you.” He nodded, motioning for her take a seat across from him. She flipped her smooth blonde locks back and took a seat, not b
othering to adjust her hemline to a modest level. Margaret Hawes crossed her legs, flashing her creamy thighs for Remann.

  “I heard through the gossip grapevine that you’d settled in Houston for a bit. The vampiresses in the area are all gnashing their teeth over the hunk with the oddly colored eyes.”

  Margaret winked as Remann crossed his arms over his chest.

  “So what have you been up to these days, dear Margaret, besides, of course, involving yourself in the local gossip grapevines?”

  Even after so much time, he still felt the sting of her betrayal. She blinked and tilted her head.

  “Actually that is my job, of sorts. I’m a Contact now. Fancy that.” She giggled.

  Remann sat up straighter.

  “Are you familiar with a Hunter named Valerie, by chance?” Remann asked.

  “Valerie McIntyre? Of course, she’s my best Hunter.” Her smile faded, and her delicate nostrils flared.

  “Why?”

  Remann shrugged. “I bumped into her the other day.”

  “Well, Remann, if I know you, bumping into her meant Valerie had one hell of a ride.”

  Remann had no desire to placate Margaret’s obvious jealousy. He was pleased, actually, to be causing her some form of discomfort.

  “You’ve always had questionable tastes,” she said after a moment. “Who was that Yankee tramp you took up with—Sarah, was it?”

  “As I recall, it was you, dear Margaret, who decided to bring another man into our bed. I simply moved my services elsewhere.”

  Margaret scowled and crossed her arms over her full breasts.

  “Can I help that I enjoy men? At least I wanted to include you. I didn’t lie to you or shut you out.”

  “I never lied to you either. I moved on.”

  “Yes, without a word. I came home and you were gone. It took some real digging to find where you’d run off to, Remann.”

  Remann remained silent. Margaret bared her teeth, and her canines lengthened with her mounting anger.

  “You crossed me, Remann; that’s not something I forget. You made me look like a fool.”

  Remann laughed.

  “No, my dear Margaret, you are wrong on that account. You didn’t look a fool—you were a fool.”

  Margaret hissed. She rose and was gone. Remann was confident he’d never see his ex-fiancée again.

  Chapter Six

  Valerie sat in her contact’s office. Margaret had left an urgent message that she had news on the head of a Dissenter pocket. The past two weeks had been nearly unbearable, her thoughts returning again and again to Remann. She wasn’t in control of her own mind. She snorted just as Margaret walked through the door.

  “Well, Valerie, I do apologize for keeping you waiting. I’m afraid I was caught in traffic.”

  Margaret was, as always, dressed impeccably in designer clothes, her hair expertly coifed. Her large blue eyes regarded Valerie for a moment, her pale eyebrows knitting together.

  “How are you, sugar?” she asked after her gaze raked over Valerie’s tense body.

  “Fine, Marge, what’s the case?”

  Margaret sat across from her and hesitated as she stared at her briefcase. Her lips drew down into a slight frown. After a moment, she squared her shoulders, slipped out several photographs, and handed them to Valerie.

  “It seems he’s moving into the area, buying up property.”

  Valerie gasped, and her hands began to shake as she stared at the face in the photo. Dark hair, a strong jaw line, and a pair of mismatched eyes of light blue and dark brown stared out from the photograph. Valerie’s hand came to her mouth.

  “I believe you found a pocket of Dissenters in his warehouse a few weeks ago. I’m afraid he might’ve bribed your Source. Valerie, are you okay?” Margaret’s concerned voice cut through Valerie’s racing thoughts.

  “Yes, Marge, I’m fine. I just think I ran into this male a while back.”

  Margaret made a sound in her throat, and Valerie’s eyes darted up to her Contact. As Valerie’s Contact, it was Margaret’s job to keep an ear out and put Valerie on the trail of Dissenter activity. They’d worked together for over a decade, and they had great faith in each other’s skill. Margaret had an odd look on her face, and a muscle in her jaw worked.

  “I have information that this male’s name is Remann, and he’s trying to gain power here using Dissenters.”

  Valerie nodded. As in human culture, vampires had mobs. Their mobs, though, would put the Sopranos to shame.

  “Valerie, watch this one—from what I hear, he’s clever. Don’t get yourself hurt.”

  Valerie let out a hard sigh.

  “You know you can count on me. He’ll be disposed of.”

  * * * * *

  Valerie neared the address Margaret had given her, and she could just see Remann’s home sitting at the end of a long private drive. Butterflies erupted in the pit of her stomach as dread washed through her. He was just an assignment, she told herself. He was a soulless Dissenter, one of the same bastards who’d attacked Valerie and her husband as they’d left a restaurant in Dallas one night. As she’d lain dying in an ally, she could only watch as her husband choked to death on his own blood.

  A vampiress had found her, taking pity on Valerie. Though it was too late for Mike, the vampiress had passed her own blood to Valerie’s lips, changing her.

  Valerie turned down the drive.

  Remann was home—somehow, she just knew it. Her throat constricted as she parked out front of the modest ranch-style home. She cut the loud engine of her truck and waited. She wasn’t sure what for, but she continued to sit, staring at the front door. It opened, and Valerie sucked in a breath. Remann stood in the doorway in a pair of black silk lounge pants. His bare chest looked glorious in the dying light of the late evening. He smiled broadly, his white teeth flashing, and he placed his hands on his narrow hips. Valerie steeled herself against the tumble of emotions that left her trembling.

  In life, as in blood, there was no mercy.

  She hopped out of her truck, using it as cover as she slipped her spike down the back waistband of her jeans. She shoved the titanium handcuffs into her back pocket before she pulled her t-shirt down. She flipped her braid back over her shoulder. Remann was a large, strong male, and she’d have to use care with how she approached him. Valerie would do something she’d never done before while on a hunt: she’d have to seduce her kill.

  “Hello, my beautiful Valerie. This is a wonderful surprise.” Remann stood aside and waved her into his home. She nodded and stepped inside, where his scent enveloped her and made her already rapid heartbeat quicken. Valerie wiped her clammy hands down her jeans as she turned to face Remann. His mismatched eyes studied her curiously.

  “I am honored you’ve decided to pay me a visit. How did you manage to find me?”

  Valerie shrugged. Her face felt like it was on fire. “I’m a Hunter, remember.”

  “Ah, yes, of course,” he said, guiding her to take a seat on his couch. The home was definitely a bachelor pad with its strong masculine design. Dark wood accents and leather furniture with sharp geometric lines gave the home a contemporary feel.

  “My I offer you a drink? I have some high-end vodka.”

  Valerie nodded.

  “Sounds great, thanks.”

  The clink of a glass had her flinching as Remann got her drink. He returned and handed her the vodka. He stood before her, and Valerie’s gaze fixed on the way the silk material draped the bulge of his crotch. She knew all too well what lay beneath. She took a shaky breath and pulled her eyes away. Remann sat next to her, and the heat from his body burned her side. She downed the drink, barely tasting the expensive liquid.

  “Are you on another hunt tonight?”

  Valerie jerked as if slapped. Her eyes flew to his face. His oddly colored eyes widened before his dark brows knit together.

  “Valerie, are you all right? You’re upset.” He shifted to face her, his hand resting lightly on her knee
. Her heartbeat rang louder in her ears.

  Unable to meet his eyes, Valerie rested her gaze on Remann’s sensual mouth. His spicy, musky scent was making her head swim, and she felt she was drowning. She gulped for air. Remann’s hand cupped her cheek, and his thumb stroked the high curve of her cheekbone.

  What was she doing? Valerie tried to rehearse the hunt in her head as Remann’s eyes searched her face.

  “What is it, my beauty?”

  His concern was like a stab in her gut. He was a monster. She was here to gather what intelligence she could; then she’d finish the job. She’d drive her stake through his heart and dispose of his remains.

  “How can I help you?”

  Valerie felt another shock of pain to her insides. She needed a distraction from her guilt. She brought her hand up, winding her fingers within his dark, silky hair, and pulled his mouth to hers. He offered no resistance.

  * * * * *

  Valerie was hungry. She met his lips with a savage need that brought a groan of surprised pleasure from Remann’s throat. She pushed him back and straddled his hips. Her hands roamed over his chest as his hands found her ass. He pulled her tight against his cock.

  “Sorry, no handcuffs tonight,” he said against her mouth. He slipped them out of her back pocket and tossed them aside. They thudded against his hardwood floor. There was something else beneath the waistband of her jeans. As her tongue tangled with his own, he tugged it out. He pulled back and looked at the object. It was her hunting spike.