Baited Blood (26 page)

THIRTY-TWO

M
adison parked her car in the circular drive in front of Samuel’s house and grabbed her overnight bag as she got out. It had been four weeks since the battle at the castle, and life had nearly returned to normal. She was juggling work for the council with her school assignments and splitting her social time between both Notchey and Colin.

“Hey, Madison,” called Libby as she and Hyun came down the stairs from their apartment. “We’re heading out for a late dinner, want to join us?”

Libby and Hyun were going to be married in three weeks. The ceremony would take place shortly after dark under a flower- covered gazebo in Samuel’s back yard in front of their friends, vampire and mortal alike. Dodie had offered to act as the wedding planner, and little else occupied her mind these days. It worried Madison that Dodie would be looking to marry her off next just to have another wedding to plan, even though Madison had told the hovering vampiress not to get any ideas.

Madison and Libby were growing close, almost like sisters. Often she and Notchey spent time with Hyun and Libby. Still at times gruff and infuriating, Notchey had shown evidence of softening since Libby’s reappearance. He was also not treating Madison like a leper, though they still had a long way to go in sorting out their relationship, as did Madison and Colin.

“Thanks,” she said to Libby, “but Samuel and I have a lot of work to do tonight.” When the couple got close, she added in a quiet voice, “How’s he doing?”

Hyun shrugged. “Seems okay, but he hardly goes out anymore. Most of my evenings are free.” He shot a sly look at Libby. “Though I’m hardly complaining.”

Libby blushed, then her face took on worry. “I do think Samuel’s giving us time together, Madison, but it’s not just that. Enid’s worried, too. She told us he’s hardly eating. And when he does, it’s takeout from Scarlet’s.”

“Going to pick it up is about the only driving I’m doing for him anymore,” added Hyun.

“He’s not seeing his other mistresses?”

“Not that we can tell.”

Madison was concerned. She’d expected Samuel to be low-key for a while but not remain quite this secluded. In the past few weeks, he had given her work she could do from home or during the day at the villa while he slept. She’d only spent the night at his place twice, and that was when he had gathered the council for meetings. Outside of those meetings, she’d seldom seen him. When she did, it was difficult to gauge how he was feeling. The closeness they had been building seemed to be walled off, and Madison wasn’t sure if the wall was made of paper or concrete.

She found Samuel at his desk in the library, writing out checks to pay the council’s bills. Two days ago, she had left a file containing the statements for him to review and to go over with Eddie, the council’s treasurer. He looked up when she came in, gave her a slight smile, then went back to his work. She settled in at the computer desk.

“I have several letters I’d like to get out tonight, Madison,” he said to her without looking up. “And I left you some notes about updating the vampire database.”

While Joni still maintained the database, in the past few weeks it had fallen on Madison to update the profiles as information came in. It made sense, since most of the updates came to Samuel first, often through Isabella. Needs for new profiles and photo enhancements were shuttled off to Joni.

Madison tapped in her password and starting going through the e-mails that had accrued in the council’s e-mailbox. Many she could answer; those she couldn’t, she printed out for review by Samuel or forwarded to the council member whose job covered the topic.

“There’s an e-mail here from Isabella,” she told him. “Seems Ann Hayes was banished from Switzerland recently.”

Samuel shook his head. “Banished by us. Banished by the Swiss. Pretty soon her shenanigans will only be welcome at Leopold’s.”

“Oh, and I received an e-mail today from Nina Weinberg.” Madison kept her eyes on the computer screen. “You know, that realtor I hoodwinked into searching for castles.”

Shortly after the incident at Julianne’s castle, Madison had called Nina personally to tell her that while her boss appreciated her efforts, none of the properties suited his needs, and he was going to shelve his plans for the time being. The disappointment in the realtor’s voice was obvious even though she put on a professional front.

Samuel glanced up with faint interest. “And what did she have to say?”

“She said a property that fit my employer’s requirements perfectly has just come on the market.” Madison turned to look at him. “It’s a mini castle located at the intersection of Timpangos and Wonder View. Says the seller is very motivated.”

For the first time in weeks, Samuel laughed. It wasn’t his usual deep and hearty laugh, but it was a start. “I have half a mind to buy the property personally and raze that monstrosity to the ground.” He got up from behind his desk. “But I have better things to do with my money.”

Walking over to Madison, he handed her the file folder. “All the checks are ready to go, and those paid online have been approved. There’s a special check on the top.”

She took the folder and opened it. The special check was made out to her and was for a substantial amount of money. “What’s this?”

“It’s from the council. A little bird told us you were thinking about a hybrid for your next car. That should cover the cost of one, plus any bells and whistles you’d like to get with it.”

“Wow! Thanks!” Madison hopped up and down in her seat. She’d never had a new car.

“Why don’t you go car shopping this weekend. Take Mike Notchey. No car dealer should screw with you with a cop along.”

Madison’s excitement waned. “I don’t know about that. He wasn’t too keen on you guys giving me a car.”

Once again, Samuel flashed a small smile. “Who do you think told us about the hybrid?”

Samuel leaned against Madison’s desk and dug into the pocket of his khaki trousers. He pulled out a piece of paper and handed it to her. “And this is for you from me.”

Madison opened the slip of paper. It was another check, this one drawn on Samuel’s personal bank account. The amount matched that of the car check. She looked up at Samuel, her mouth resembling a open mine shaft. “I … I don’t understand. Is this a severance check?”

Samuel tilted his head back and laughed. Still not his old self, but closer. “Not at all, you silly girl. It’s a personal thank you for everything you did for me and the council recently.”

He took a seat on the sofa near the desk and leaned forward. “Remember what I said about you saving against the time when we might all need to disappear?”

She nodded and cast her eyes down. Losing the vampires was something she didn’t want to think about. It would be like losing her mother and great aunt all over again.

“Well, that almost happened a few weeks ago. If Julianne Jaz had succeeded in outing all of us, we would have left, leaving you and Hyun and even Foster and Enid behind, with no jobs or means of support.”

“Doug and Dodie told me if that ever happens, I should stay in their house. It’s paid for, and they’ve even put my name on the deed, just in case. They’ve done something similar for Pauline.”

“I would expect nothing less from the Dedhams.” He tapped the check in Madison’s hands. “You put most of this away in case that happens, but some of it should go for fun, and that’s an order. Take a vacation. Buy something frivolous. I don’t care. But I want you to spend a nice piece of it on something just for you.” He gave her a wide smile. “Take Notchey on a cruise. Let him see how good being kept feels, even if it’s just for a week. Maybe that’ll get the stick out of his backside once and for all.”

They both laughed, but tears were running down Madison’s cheeks.

“What’s the matter, Madison? I thought this would make you happy. It would make most people delirious with joy.”

She looked into Samuel’s blue-white eyes. “I would give it all back, both checks, to make things as they were before Julianne Jaz came on the scene.”

Samuel sat back and studied her, his own face clouded over. “And I know you don’t just mean about Kai, do you?”

Madison shook her head. “I keep having nightmares about … about, you know.”

“Being bitten?”

“Yes. The other night at a party, Colin flashed his fangs at someone. He was just joking around, but I almost went into hysterics.”

Samuel leaned forward and held out his hands to her. She put down the folder and checks and placed her hands in his. They were cool against her warm skin.

“I would give anything for you not to have been savaged on your first biting experience. Anything.” He squeezed her hands. “A mortal’s first vampire bite should be like first sex, done with someone you care about and trust. But, as with your first horrible sexual experience, what’s done is done. The bites are gone on the outside. Give yourself time to heal on the inside.”

With one last squeeze of her hands, Samuel let go. “Now let’s both bury our cares in our work. There is a lot to do tonight.”

The sound of a splash woke Madison. She went to the French doors in her bedroom and pulled back the drapes just enough to look out onto the back patio and pool area of the villa. The moon was low in the sky. Soon it would be morning. In the long, rectangular pool a figure was swimming laps, cutting through the water smoothly and with the purpose and speed of a sleek torpedo.

Opening the door, Madison stepped out and headed for the pool. Los Angeles was currently experiencing a small heat wave, and even in the predawn of late March the air was balmy. She sat on the edge of one of the double-wide chaises and watched. Back and forth, back and forth, Samuel swam until Madison lost count of the laps. Finally, he stopped at the end of the pool facing the house and easily pulled himself up and out of the water. He was naked.

“I’m sorry if I woke you,” he told her. He grabbed a huge pool towel from a stack on a table, roughly ran it over his body, then wrapped it around his waist.

“It’s okay.” She stood up. “I just wanted to make sure you were all right.”

“Like you, I will be.” He turned and looked at the pool. “We used to swim together, Kai and I, after we made love. She was an excellent swimmer.”

“You loved her, didn’t you?”

“Yes, I did.” He turned to look at Madison. “I’ve had hundreds of mistresses, consorts, and lovers over the years, but I’ve only truly loved a handful of them. Kai was like a wife to me.”

He chucked Madison under her chin with tenderness. “You go back to bed. I’m going to stay out here a bit.” When she looked concerned, he added with a smile, “Don’t worry, I’ll make sure I go in before the sun comes up.”

Madison was halfway through the doors to her bedroom when she turned around and returned to the pool with purpose. Samuel was stretched out on his back on the double chaise, fully exposed to the night air. When she stood in front of him, he didn’t say anything, nor did he make a move to cover himself. He simply looked into her face.

“When I first had sex,” she began, “and I don’t mean when I was raped as a kid, but when I first decided to have grown-up sex, I told myself it didn’t matter what had happened to me before. When it came to making love, I was still a virgin. I somehow understood that by separating the two, I would be able to make love to my boyfriend and enjoy it.”

“And?”

“It worked. It was a bit rocky at the beginning, but it did work.”

Madison stripped off the tee shirt she’d worn to bed and dropped it to the ground. Then she stepped out of her panties. “I want you to bite me, Samuel. Show me how it’s supposed to be. Make love to me, and bite me. Let’s heal together.”

Samuel didn’t have to ask if it was really what she wanted. He could see it in her eyes and read it in her mind. She wanted him, and she wanted it all. He wanted it just as much.

Without a word, Madison straddled him. As soon as their bodies joined, both let out a soft cry of release and arched their backs in excitement. She leaned forward, her breasts grazing the soft curly hair on his chest, and kissed him. Samuel clutched her head in his hands and mashed his mouth against hers.

When the kisses ended, he clutched her to him and rolled over, putting her on the bottom. The lovemaking was at times tender and at times rough, but always exciting. His hands traveled her body, and his mouth found every nerve. Just when she thought she couldn’t stand any more, he’d pull back, letting her catch her breath, then he’d take her to the brink of total abandonment again.

Close to climax, Samuel unleashed his fangs and looked at her. “Are you sure?”

She arched her neck back in final invitation.

Samuel thrust his body into hers just as his fangs pierced the soft tissue above her right breast. She cried out both in pain and in orgasm.

When it was over, they lay together like nesting dolls. Her butt was tucked into his lap, his arm draped around her torso. One of his large hands cupped her breasts. A sharp stinging sensation shot through her skin at the location of Samuel’s bite, but Madison didn’t care. She moaned in delight.

“Does this mean you want to become my mistress?” He kissed her ear.