His Dark Embrace

“I don’t know. What have you got?”

She smiled. “Anything you want, honey.”

Sam glanced at the glasses neatly lined up on a shelf behind the bar. What did vampires order in a nightclub? He grinned inwardly. A bloody Mary?

“How about the house specialty?” the bartender suggested. “I think you’ll like it.”

“Sure, bring it on.”

Sam watched her sashay to the far end of the bar. She returned moments later carrying a crystal flute filled with red liquid.

“Here you go.”

Sam lifted the glass. He held it a moment before sniffing the contents. And then he frowned. Was it blood?

The bartender was watching him carefully.

Sam blew out a breath, then took a sip. It was indeed blood, mixed with a little red wine. “This is the house specialty?”

She nodded. “Like it?”

He hesitated before answering. Was this some kind of trap? How did she know what he was?

“I’ve worked here a long time,” she said, as if that explained everything.

“It’s ... different.”

She smiled at him. “I’m Lisa. My father owns the club.”

“Pleased to meet you, Lisa. I’m Sam.”

“I haven’t seen you in here before.”

“No.” He took another drink. It was smooth going down. “I’m new.”

“New in town?” she asked, crossing her arms on the top of the bar. “Or just new?”

“Just new, I guess,” he replied. “Funny, I don’t remember ever seeing this place before.”

“We like it like that.”

He drained the glass and handed it back to her. “How about a refill?”

“Sure, honey. I’ll be right back.”

Sam leaned his elbow on the bar. He was new to all this supernatural stuff, but he had a gut feeling that Lisa wasn’t entirely human. Not that he cared. She was a pretty little thing. Her skin-tight black jeans, long-sleeved white silk shirt, and black vest outlined every luscious feminine curve.

He felt a rush of desire as he watched her refill his glass. Whatever she was, he wanted her.

He grinned as he watched her return, her hips swaying provocatively. Unless he missed his guess, she wanted him, too. The night was suddenly ripe with possibilities.

“Like what you see?” she asked as she handed him his drink.

“What’s not to like? Would it be too presumptuous of me to ask what time you get off work?”

“In about five minutes. Why? What did you have in mind?”

“Anything you want.”

“Would you like to walk me home?”

“Yes, ma’am.”

She winked at him. “Just let me get my coat.”

She returned a few minutes later wearing a short black leather jacket. “You ready?”

“Always ready.”

She laughed softly. “Slow down, tiger. We’ve got all night.”

Sam held the door open for her, then followed her out. “So, tell me about yourself. What do you do when you’re not mixing drinks?”

“Lots of things. I paint a little. I work out at the gym. I teach a self-defense class twice a week.”

“Guess I’d better watch myself.”

“No need,” she said with a teasing grin. “I’ll be glad to watch you.”

When her gaze met his, the attraction between them sizzled like heat lightning.

Lisa slipped her arm through his. “This could prove interesting.”

“Interesting?” Sam repeated with a laugh. “Honey, this is gonna be way better than that.”

“So, what about you?” Lisa asked. “What do you like to do?”

Sam shrugged. “Work on my car, mostly. Flirt with pretty girls.”

“How long have you been a vampire?”

“I’m brand-new.”

“Do you like it?”

“Surprisingly, I do.”

“You asked for it, then?” she said, frowning. “I could never understand why anyone would want to be a vampire.”

“It wasn’t a choice I made. My sister made it for me.”

“Oh?”

“Well, I was dying and”—he shrugged again—“it beat the alternative.”

“Yes, I guess so.” She paused in front of a large, two-story house. “This is where I live.”

“Nice place.” A light burned in one of the downstairs windows. A few palm trees grew alongside the house; rose bushes lined the walkway to the front door.

“Thanks for walking me home.”

“You’re welcome.” He rocked back on his heels, wondering if he dared kiss her good night and then, remembering how Granda had always said nothing ventured, nothing gained, Sam drew her close and covered her mouth with his.

And knew that one kiss wouldn’t be enough.

Skylynn and Kaiden were snuggling on the sofa when Sam let himself into the house.

“So,” Kaiden asked. “How’d it go?”

“Fine. Why?”

“We expected you home before now. It’s almost dawn. Your sister’s been worried about you.”

“Come on, Sky,” Sam said, dropping into a chair. “It’s time you stopped playing mother hen. I’m the big brother, remember? Not to mention that I’m the scariest thing on the streets.”

Thorne snorted.

Skylynn shook her head.

“Geez, you guys treat me like I’m ten years old.”

“I know you feel like you’re indestructible,” Thorne said. “But you’re not. You might want to remember that.”

“You’re right. I’m sorry if I worried you, Sky. I won’t do it again.”

“I’m sorry for being such a worrywart.”

“You were at the Scarlet Cabaret tonight,” Thorne remarked.

“Yeah, how’d you know?”

“I can smell Lisa on you.”

Sam’s face lit up. “Do you know her? Man, she’s something else.”

“She is, indeed,” Thorne agreed.

“Who’s Lisa?” Skylynn asked.

“She tends bar at the club,” Thorne said. “Her father owns it. She works there a few nights a week. So, what did you think of her?”

“She’s gorgeous,” Sam replied. “I’ve got a date with her tomorrow night.”

“If I were you, I’d take it slow,” Thorne said.

“I’m not planning to snack on her, if that’s what you’re thinking, although I have to admit, the thought of tasting her crossed my mind more than once.”