The Vampire Bracelet: Erotic Paranormal Romance ( # 2: Blood Genies series) (4 page)

Because it reminded her of Darrin’s claw-each-other-to-death comment about how people in love should behave, she straightened her spine. “You’re archaic.”

He laughed. “At least I taught myself about urban slang.”

“Right. All those goofy things you say.” Curious to know more about him, she asked, “How old were you when you became immortal?”

“Thirty-five.”

She’d figured him for around her age, and she’d been right on the money. Of course, in supernatural years he was much older. “Were you a musician by trade?”

He nodded. “First in the Big Band Era, then I got into swing.” He tilted his head. “What do you do for work?”

“I’m an administrative assistant for an insurance company, but I work from home. They call it a virtual assistant.”

“That’s a sweet gig. I love how the world has changed. I can’t wait to become human again.”

“Where are you are going to hang out over these next two weeks?” She knew that he could go anywhere he wanted, as long as he returned each night to feed.

“I figured I’d hang out with you.”

She gaped at him. “You’re not staying here.”

“Why not?”

“Because I have a boyfriend, that’s why.”

“He doesn’t live here. Besides, I’ll sleep in the guest room.”

“No you won’t. Gen-vamps don’t sleep.” They rested when they were inside their jewelry, but that wasn’t the same thing. “You’ll be roaming my house at all hours.”

“I’ll be quiet. I’ll watch TV. I’ll read. I’ll sit outside and gaze at the moon.”

“Who am I supposed to tell Keith that you are? He’ll see you when he comes over.”

“You can say that I’m a family friend. That your uncle has known me since I was a kid or something.”

“There’s an idea. You can stay with Darrin.”

“I’m staying with you, Marie.”

“No, you’re not.”

“Yes, I am. Because if you refuse, I’ll morph into mist and hide in the shadows. I’ll spy on you when you’re in the shower and when you’re doing the nasty with Keith and when—”

“Okay. Fine.” She wanted to strangle him, using every ounce of strength she had. “But if I catch you going misty, I’ll kill you.”

“You can’t kill me.”

“I could if I had a Jinn dagger.” Darrin had taught her that Jinn daggers were the only thing that could kill a genie or its gen-vamp offspring.

Well, listen to you. The huntress. Problem is, those daggers are protected by Allah’s angels and are nearly impossible to find.” He flashed his sloe gin grin. “So, good luck with that.”

“I was just stating my case. Now get out of my room.”

“All right, Baby Cakes. I’ll see you in the morning.” He strode to the door. “Thanks for the blood. Oh, and for showing me your scar. Next time I’ll show you mine.” He gestured in the vicinity of his lower abdomen. “I had hernia surgery when I was human.”

After he left, she stayed in bed, wondering if he really had a scar, and if it was still visible now that he was immortal. She squeezed her eyes shut.

The last thing she needed was to be thinking about him.

Or his unclothed body.

Chapter Four

The following afternoon, Marie sat at her computer, trying to work. She’d been a nervous ninny all day, starting with her shower this morning. She hadn’t trusted that Nicholas wouldn’t go misty and slide under the bathroom door, so she’d packed it with towels. She’d done the same thing in her bedroom when she’d gotten dressed.

And now, while she tapped on her keyboard and made distracted mistakes, he stood in front of the sliding glass door that opened onto the patio, with the sun bathing him in a golden glow. Unlike regular vampires, gen-vamps weren’t restricted from daylight, and he wore it well.

“Will you quit?” she said.

He turned to face her. “Quit what?”

“Hovering.”

“I was just checking out the weather.”

“I can’t concentrate with you standing around.”

He approached her, leaning over her shoulder and making it worse. “I can do your job for you.”

As if. “You’re not only a brilliant musician, but you’re an insurance expert, too? Who knew?”

“I meant with magic.” He waved his hand and abracadabra! The policy she’d been laboring over was complete.

She checked her files. He’d done all of her work for the next two weeks. “Oh, wow.” She stared at the screen. “Really. Honestly. Wow.”

“See?” He went smug. “I’m a handy guy to have around.”

“You most certainly are. Thank you. This is awesome. I’m unofficially on vacation now.”

“So what do you want to do to celebrate?”

“I’m already going out tonight.”

“Where?”

“To a club. Keith’s band is playing.”

“No kidding? I’ll go with you. I might as well meet Keith, sooner than later, and this will be a perfect opportunity for me to check out his music.”

She got up from her chair. “Oh, no you don’t. You’re not following me around wherever I go. And you’re not going to stick your nose into his songs or use your magic to make him mess up.”

“I wouldn’t do that. I’ll give the guy a fair shot. And you can’t stop me from going. I’ll show up whether you invite me or not.”

He gestured to the diamonds and emeralds that adorned her wrist, reminding her that she was equipped with a tracking device. Shaking Nicholas would be impossible, unless she removed the bracelet and gave up her wish.

She conceded. “Okay. We’ll go together. What’s that saying? Keep your friends close and your enemies even closer?”

“Ha. Ha. Funny.”

She glanced at the bracelet. “Oh, my God. I didn’t even think about what I’m supposed to tell Keith. What excuse can I give my boyfriend for me wearing an expensive piece of jewelry like this?’

“That’s not a problem. I can make it disappear. Not for real, but to the mortal eye.” He waved his hand and the bracelet vanished.

Marie fingered her wrist. “I can’t even feel it anymore.”

“Don’t worry, it’s still there. You’re not the first wish recipient who needed to hide their jewelry. It’s a common issue.”

She breathed a sigh of relief. “Thank you.”

“The only time it will reappear is when I’m feeding.”

“I can handle that. I’ll make darn sure Keith isn’t anywhere around when you’re sinking those painful fangs of yours into me.”

“Painful, huh? I seem to recall you liking it.”

She begged to differ. “I didn’t like getting
that
stoned.”

Nicholas countered, “You did, too.”

Before they got into an arguing match, she walked away.

“Where are you going?” he called after her.

“To get some fresh air.” She went onto the patio.

He followed her, and she blew out a breath. Taking time for herself was nearly impossible with Nicholas as her supernatural shadow. But he had completed her work, so she cut him some slack and gestured to a chair.

“Join me?” she asked.

He plopped his long, muscular body down. “Don’t mind if I do.”

He was dressed in a T-shirt and surfer-type shorts, blending easily into the So Cal atmosphere. She was still wondering if he had a hernia scar, but she wasn’t about to bring it up.

He asked, “Are you the only person in your family who knows about us?”

“Us? You mean Darrin’s gen-vamps?”

He nodded.

She replied, “Yes. I’m the only one he told. My mother is Darrin’s younger sister, and she thinks magic is nonsense. She doesn’t participate in Native rituals, either. Darrin does, though. He taught me about my heritage.”

“You’re more like your uncle.”

“Much more. But my parents are okay with that. They traveled a lot for business when I was growing up, and Darrin was always there, looking after me.”

“Do they still travel?”

“Yes, actually, they do. But for pleasure now. They’re retired.”

“My parents were both actors.” He scowled. “They were cheaters, too.”

She sat a little more forward in her chair. “Cheaters?”

“They screwed around on each other. It confused me when I was kid, seeing them slip off with their lovers. My brother tried to protect me from it, but he couldn’t. I was envious of my friends with their nine-to-five dads and their moms who wore aprons and stayed home and cooked.”

“That was certainly a different era. But I’m sorry your parents weren’t faithful to each other and that you had a troubled childhood.”

He tipped his face to the sun. “When I find the right woman, I’m going to be committed to her.”

Dang. Could he look any more appealing? Or say anything nicer? “I’m glad you’re learning from your parents’ mistakes.”

“Yeah. And, really, how difficult can it be to find the right person?”

“Truthfully? It can be extremely difficult. Being in a relationship takes time and understanding.”

“Says the girl who’s using a gen-vamp wish to get engaged? You aren’t an authority on this stuff.”

“Gee, and just when I was beginning to like you.” She removed a pebble from the potted plant beside her and threw it at him, hitting him square in the chest.

“Now you’ve done it.” He peeled the tiny stone off his shirt and shot it at her forehead.

“Ow!”

“Sorry.” He smirked like the sinner he was.

She rubbed the spot he’d nailed. “I probably have a dent in my skin now.”

“Just an itty bitty one.”

“Really?”

“No.” He laughed.

“Are you sure? It kind of feels like I do.”

“You’re paranoid.” He stretched out his legs. “From what I’ve seen so far, the only physical flaw you have is that hot scar on your stomach.”

She didn’t want to talk scars. “There’s nothing hot about it, and you’d do well to keep your opinions to yourself.”

“My sexy opinions?’

“Stop flirting with me.”

“Fat chance of that. Flirting keeps the boredom at bay. In fact, I plan on flirting with lots of chicks at the club tonight. I just might even meet my future wife there. What kind of club is it anyway? Let me guess, country, right?”

“Yep.”

“I figured Keith played shit-kicker music. But that’s okay. I’m a good country-western dancer. I can dance to anything.”

“Because you’re a prodigy.”

“Are you being sarcastic?”

She fluttered her lashes. “What do you think?”

“And Darrin calls me a smart ass. I hope I find a bride like you, Marie. A girl with your personality will make my mortal life fun.”

She didn’t know whether to laugh, say thanks, or throw another pebble at him.

Then he said, “I’ll probably have to set my standards a little higher, though. You know, with a woman who enjoys bondage.”

“Yes, of course. Classy women like to be tied up.”

“Damn straight they do. So, what type of boots should I wear tonight?” He waved his hand and produced a black snakeskin pair so customized, so striking that they would cost thousands in a store.

Marie tried not to drool.

“Do you want a new pair, too?” he asked.

“No.” She wasn’t going to accept gifts from him, and especially not things Keith could question.

“Will you at least dance with me tonight?”

“I don’t think that’s a good idea. I doubt you’ll want to waste your time dancing with me anyway. You’ll find plenty of other partners.”

He grinned. “Because I’ll be the handsomest man there?”

She laughed. “And the humblest.”

“You’re going to miss me when you’re married to Keith.”

“Somehow I doubt that.” But Nicholas was starting to grow on her.

In an irritatingly affectionate way.

Chapter Five

Marie took Nicholas backstage at the club to meet Keith. But before they entered the tiny green room, she said, “Don’t act up, okay?”

“How many times do you have to nag me?” He’d already promised that he would behave. “I’m not going to do anything to sabotage Keith’s gig.”

They went inside and the first person Nicholas noticed was a sizzling redhead in a short skirt and tight top, with her nose buried a magazine. “Damn.” He leaned toward Marie and whispered, “Who’s that?”

“Randi. She’s the lead singer. But don’t get any ideas. She’s off limits.” She proceeded to tell him that Randi was married to a great guy named Paul and that they had two sweet little kids.

“Is that what they mean by a milf?”

“Knock it off.” Marie chastised him.

He couldn’t help it. The band was named Scarlet Kitten which he assumed was in honor of her flaming-dyed locks. Meow to the milf.

Randi glanced up, politely acknowledging them, and quickly returned to her reading.