Chapter 62

Red flashing lights went off in her mind. This wasn’t what she expected!  He was supposed to be a buck toothed, squinty, bald headed, middle aged nerd! Not some...some ...Ciara concentrated on what seems to be hovering so close to her.

Blond highlighted bangs arranged to perfection...too pretty to be  a man’s,  a full mouth sloping into a strong, chiselled  jawline,  not a sign of scruff, soooo he shaved before he came hmmmmmm, slightly opened mouth...

Seeing her concentrating on his mouth, he sealed them shut...some things weren’t meant to be seen...not yet anyway.

Registering the motion she shifted her gaze towards the mysteriousness of his face...from what she could ascertain as she studied the part of his face that was visible to her, this man should be drop dead gorgeous. Curious eyes tried to pry behind the phantom mask. Arctic blue eyes stared right back at her, a penetrating stare that send shivers down her spine.

What would he do if I reach up and take the mask off? The thought flitted through her jumbled thoughts.

I would have to stop you.

“Excuse me? What did you say?” Ciara blinked wildly. Did she just blabbered it out loud?! For God sake woman, pull yourself together, its not like you’ve never seen a hunk in real life?!

Her face was on fire, her lips trembled as she tried her damnest to think of an excuse, ANY excuse to save this moment from becoming unbearable.

Her thoughts raced through his mind, questions, excuses, berating.

“I haven’t said a word.” His smoky dark voice compelled her to move away.

He was danger, it screamed at her, danger....yet she felt the need to explore more...wanted more.

Shaking her head slightly she hoped to clear her frazzled mind, all in vain.

“Well..are we going to stand here all night staring at each other, or are you going to invite me in for a drink?”

“Oh lord! My manners! I apologise...” She stepped back, waving him in.

“Is that a yes, Ciara?”

She nodded, but he wasn’t satisfied.

“Tell me you want me to come inside.” He leaned with one arm against the doorframe, his foot hovering over the threshold.

Yes! I want you inside...no!..Yes...uummmm..should I?

“Ciara?” her name slipped off his tongue like a melody, it could be someone else’s name, pure dark velvety sin...but it was hers.

What was it with her and the thoughts of darkness, velvet and all things decadent? Did someone spike her wine or was it this devilishly cloaked man?

“Yes...yes I want you inside...of course..come in.” She stammered foolishly, stepping even further into the house.

Resistance morphed into a warm haven as the wall of protection crumbled at her feet. Stepping in, the atmosphere immediately soaked into him, giving him a bit of a quake through his soul. There was definitely a lively party going on here.

“Do you want me to take your cloak?”

He shook his head.

Her hand dropped and she felt a tinge of regret not to be able to feel it’s silky warmth in her hand, neither the reveal of his muscled frame she knew was hidden underneath.

“Could I fix you something to drink?”

He was thirsty all right, but not what she wanted to offer him.

“That would be nice.”

“Wine? Beer? Anything stronger?”

She wasn’t sure how it happened but she was suddenly nose to nose.

“I’ll have what you’re having..let me guess.”

Still surprised at his stealth movements she felt anticipation build as he sniffed at her.

The striking sapphires vanished as he leaned in closer.

Her scent was overwhelming, Jasmine with a dash of spring dew. Did she know Jasmine is known for its aphrodisiac qualities? Could she even comprehend how sexually seductive she was with her tattered, fallen angel look and her gleaming emerald eyes? 

That was all he needed anyway..an angel fallen from grace.

He caught another whiff ...rich, burgundy...hhmmmm.

“Bordaux..right?”

Startled with the sudden flash of his blue eyes she stuttered.

“Uumm..what? Yeah..yeah it is..wow you good! Just from smelling me?” Blowing gently into her palm she frowned. She couldn’t smell a damn thing. Oh well.

“I have a knack for having a fine sense of smell.”

Every word droned into her mind although it was but a mere whisper. Her eyes watched as his full mouth formed each word. That’s when she saw it and the magical thread that spun them together unravelled.

“Aaahhh Vampire!” She cried out.

Stepping away from her suddenly she felt the whoosh of heat swirling around her.

“I get it! They told you about me and my ..uum ..thing for Vamps and fangs huh? Holly is good! I was wondering what exactly you were, a phantom maybe? But now I know! “ She threw her head back and laughed. She had felt strange, as if a force was in her mind, pulling her towards something...but she felt better now. She was imagining things..better cut down on those movies!

“So you like vampires? I thought beautiful woman didn’t like dark, scary creatures.” He was positively intrigued. That side of her he didn’t know.

There was that dark again, Ciara thought.

“I dunno. Can’t really describe it but there is something sensual  about them..a sexual magnetism. I’m the kind of girl who likes to be hunted by a mystical creature, captured and made thoroughly love to while his fangs sink into my neck .  Silly huh? Yet there’s something so sad about them too. Sad in knowing that you will always lead a lonely life, if you seek a mate you have to turn them into predators too and the thought of killing like a wild animal to get your fill. I’m talking too much aren’t I?”

How insightful she was! How understanding to something so vile....

Her animated chipper loosened a lock of dark curl and it fell across her face. Reaching up to brush it away their hands met.

He had been itching the whole time to feel her silkiness between his fingers and the fallen lock gave him that excuse. He hadn’t bargained on the raw shock as their flesh met for the first time. She felt it too, he could read it in her wide cat eyes.

“You have to presume that Vampires exist before you can feel sympathy for them. Do you think they  exist or do you like to live in your dream world?”

His hand has captured her, lowering it to his mouth.

He felt the impulse to taste her any way possible, turning her wrist in his hand, he exposed the rapid pulsing vein on the inside of her wrist.

“I..I don’t know..I guess they don’t exist...”

Ciara shuddered as cool lips traced such a sensitive spot, the mere touch set her heart galloping and she watched as the blond head lingered so close to her, if she reached with the other hand she could touch the perfect bangs.

Swallowing to keep the excessive saliva at bay, he cursed himself for being so damn weak.  He couldn’t afford to let this game be over before it even began properly but she was perfect and it was hard so hard to keep his appetite under control when her blood pumped through her veins, screaming his name.

Ciara stiffened as she felt something graze her skin. Pulling away from him she suddenly felt fear, raw and real flashing through her. What was she doing? He was a complete stranger!

He released her and moved back. Ciara felt her head swimming as two sharp fangs protruded faintly from his lips. What the hell?!

“Ciara! Girl I was looking aaaaaaaaalll over for you!”

Turning towards her enthusiastic entrance, Ciara turned, thanking the gods for sending Holly right at that moment.

“Yeah he turned up. Aren’t you the happy one now? He even came as a Vampire can you imagine, how lucky am I?” Ciara teased , suppressing her shivering insides.

“Whaaa? Oh you have company! Ciiiaarraaa..girlfriend! So who is this masked hunk?”

Reaching out to greet her, Ciara blinked as he flashed perfectly, NORMAL teeth.

“So you are Holly? Pleasure to meet you, so Ciara where is that drink you promised me? She’s been keeping  me inside, maybe she wants me all to herself?”

Ok I’m losing it, big time! Concern ticked in her brain.

Taking in every sexy inch, Holly shook her head.

“Well I cant say I blame her there!” She winked playfully.

“Right through here. “ Ciare snorted. Trust Holly to be so straightforward!

She walked towards the patio.

Glittering blue eyes bore into her back as she scuttled to keep a distance between her and this mysterious man. If she could have seen the sharp fangs glinting in the electric light at that moment, she would have run liked hell.