The Raven

Chapter 20-Main Course 1


Michelle did her best to pay attention to Karl as he talked, but it was no use. He just didn’t interest her. Usually, when someone had been so intergraded into a different culture, like the West Indies cannibals Karl described, she’d have been taking book notes under the table. But now, looking at him, she didn’t even have the urge to write. In fact, she hadn’t written a damned thing worth keeping since she broke it off with Dmitri.2

“I’m sorry, what?” Michelle forced another smile, one that was getting harder to maintain. Karl was a weird guy, even if he was the only date besides lycan boy she’d had in a long time. “Did you say I would feel like silk against your tongue?”3

Karl chuckled, tipping his head back. His eyes lit, but he shook his head. “No, dear girl, I said tell me about your new book, Silk isn’t it?”4

“Oh, yeah, sorry… you know, this violin.” Michelle waved her hand absently, glad for an excuse to pull her hand away. The finger against her wrist was getting rather annoying. She put her hands under the table to itch the spot he’d touched. She gave the same generic answer she gave everyone. “Yeah, Silk. It’s part of NCP’s new superhero anthology called Ultimate Warriors. I just got the cover. It’s pretty great. I’m on there with a couple other authors—Jaide Fox, Brenna Lyons, and Joy Nash.”5

“Hum, interesting,” he murmured. Michelle got the impression he wasn’t paying attention. He was staring at her neck again. “Don’t you have another one coming out in July? Something about vampires?”6

“Tribes of the Vampire.” Michelle watched him, answering cautiously and wondering about his look. “It’s a Dark Romance series that’s starting. Book one is called Redeemer of Shadows.”7

“Mmmm, and these vampires of yours, do they drink blood?” he asked.8

“Uh, yes.”9

Karl shivered and rolled his eyes in a most orgasmic way. “And do they devour the flesh?”10

“Ah,” Michelle was at a loss. “After that I have a contemporary coming out, Mountain’s Captive. It’s about a man who lives in the Montana mountains and he—”11

“Has to eat his fellow mountaineers to survive the harsh mountain winters?” asked Karl, almost hopefully. Again he shivered. If his hands weren’t on the tabletop, she’d have thought he was up to something nasty. Michelle was half tempted to see if a waitress had crawled under the table to give him pleasure. She kicked around with her foot and felt nothing.12

“No, he accidentally gets drunk and married in Vegas one night. It’s a sexier book and I think—”13

“Mmm, pity,” Karl whispered.14

Ignore it Michelle, you’re just trying to judge him cause he’s not Dmitri. Change the subject.15

“I,” Michelle began, only to hesitate slightly. “I have The Dragon Lords series completely written too. The first one—The Barbarian Prince—has sold extremely well. It’s gotten a ton of five star reviews.”16

“Humm, wasn’t Daughter of Darkness yours too?” asked Karl. “I loved what you did to Rick, it was just divine. There is something so very erotic about being eaten alive. And the hellhounds were to die for. Though, I really think you could have used more violence in it. It was pretty tame.”17

“Ah, no Daughter of Darkness was Mandy’s book.”18

“Oh, what about Valkyrie?” asked Karl.19

“Mandy’s.” Michelle swallowed. Ok, he was really starting to stare too much, and asking about Mandy’s creepy books was a bit unnerving. “As is Immortal Ops before you ask.”20

“Well, I shall read your Dark Romance, I promise. It’s a pity the series will end though,” said Karl.21

“What do you mean? I have no plans to end it,” said Michelle.22

“Ah.” Karl’s eyes sparkled sadly like he knew a secret. Michelle squirmed in her seat, growing very uncomfortable. Suddenly, she had the strongest urge just to get up and run. But where could she go? Karl could easily follow her to the abandoned parking lot. She thought of Dmitri. She suddenly really wanted Dmitri to come and save her—though she’d never admit that to him in a million years. Tears came to her eyes. There was something off about Karl that she could no longer ignore. He came across as mild mannered, but still, something was there. 23

~*****~24

“Would you stop staring at me!” Mandy shouted at Armando from the backseat of Dmitri’s SUV. 25

Armando’s dark eyes ran over James and stayed fixated on him. “Tell me again why he gets to sit next to you.” 26

Mandy rolled her eyes and let out a growl. “For starters, because Eliza-bitch insisted on coming and there was no way in hell that I was sitting next to her.” She leaned forward, looked over James, and winked at the blonde vampire. Elizabeth gave her a wicked smile, but said nothing. “Secondly, I don’t feel like sitting next to you and Elizabeth. It’s bad enough that you admitted to going back to her to fuck her, but flaunting it in my face is a bit much.” 27

Armando let out a grunt and looked at Dmitri for help. Dmitri nudged Barbie away from him as he tried to drive and shook his head. “You’re on your own here. I’d be pissed if I was her too.” 28

“Thanks,” Armando said coolly, looking back at Mandy. “I hardly call attempting to explain myself flaunting. Apparently, we have very different views on the meaning of the word.” 29

Mandy arched an eyebrow. “What? Now I’m stupid too?” 30

Armando started to say something but Mandy’s temper was out of control. She turned to James and grabbed his face. His blue eyes widened as she yanked his mouth to hers. He opened his mouth to protest and she used the opportunity to thrust her tongue in. Two tiny fangs greeted her and she artfully avoided piercing her tongue. 31

“MANDY!” Armando shouted, as Elizabeth and Barbie laughed. 32

Mandy ignored Armando’s protest and lost herself in the moment with James. He was a fantastic kisser and that caught her off guard. She’d expected him to bungle it. It seemed like a very James thing to do. He didn’t. He moved his cool hand around and cupped the back of her head. His tongue dove deeper into her mouth, and for a moment, she couldn’t breathe. James eased up a bit and Mandy’s inner thighs burned with desire. 33

“Oh, hold Armando tight, Barbara. I wouldn’t want him to break up the show,” Elizabeth said, laughing hysterically. “If you would like to hop in the back and fuck her, I’d be all for helping you climb over.” 34

It was James who pulled away first. Mandy went for seconds and caught his swollen bottom lip with her teeth. Their eyes met and James shook his head no. Love, I want this, but not with him lookin’ on. She heard James’ voice in her head and it was as clear as if he’d spoken aloud. She gave him a puzzled look and he kissed her lips gently before pulling back. You just bonded with me. It’s common for vamps to bond through intimate moments. Never had it happen with a human before though, kind of neat. 35

“Are you finished whoring around?” Armando demanded. 36

Mandy smiled at him and touched her lips. “I don’t know. Are you?” 37

He threw his hands in the air and let out a large sigh. “You will be the death of me.” 38

“Funny, your sire made sure to point out that you were already dead.” 39

~*****~6540

Michelle glanced around the park nervously. She still wasn’t sure why she’d allowed Karl to talk her into a walk. Not that he gave her much of a choice. He’d all but insisted she accompany him. 41

As they walked further into the park, the darker and darker it got. The already uneasy feeling she had with Karl intensified, and she closed her eyes for a moment and wished for Dmitri to come rushing in. 42

She was being silly. Karl wasn’t a threat. She was just being paranoid and looking for reasons not to like him. He touched her arm and she tensed up. She didn’t mean to, it just sort of happened. 43

“Are you okay, my dear?” he asked. The words ran off his tongue, but they sounded anything but sweet. 44

Her cell phone rang and made her jump. Karl moved closer to her and put his hand on her shoulder. “Now, do we really need unnecessary interruptions this evening?” 45

Yeah, like a million of them would be great right now. Michelle thought to herself. She fished her phone out of her purse and answered it, hoping it was Dmitri or Mandy. 46

“Hey babes, it’s me Jaci. I just got your message. You’re planning an engagement party for who?” Jaci Burton took a small breath before continuing. “I could have sworn that you said Mandy, but I know that our Mandy isn’t the type for settling down.” 47

Michelle glanced at Karl, afraid to take her eyes off him for too long. She nodded and realized that Jaci couldn’t see her. “Yeah, it was for Mandy.” 7348

“Was?” Jaci asked, putting a lot of emphasis on was. “What the hell did she do this time?” 49

Michelle thought of Mandy laying on Dmitri in the bathroom at the Raven and felt her nostrils flare. “My boyfriend.” 50

“Oh, sweet heavens. You going to be all right? You two still talking? Do you need anything? If you need anything give me a call. Hey, how’s your Tribes book coming? It’s part of a series, right? The next Devlin book was just released. Running Mate was a hit and the readers wanted more so I gave them Fall Fury. It’s tied into Summer Heat, so I think people will enjoy it,” Jaci continued. 51

~*****~52

“Try her again damnit!” Dmitri shouted. 53

Mandy opened the door and stepped out. They had pulled over when she finally found some cell phone reception and Dmitri had done nothing but scream at her since she started to try to reach Michelle. 54

He climbed out of the driver’s side and ran to her. “Anything?” 55

She put her hand up and pushed on his chest. “No, and if you keep it up I’ll stick this phone right up your…” 56

“It amazes me how you must fondle every male around you,” Armando said wryly. 57

Mandy and Dmitri turned to see Armando stalking towards them. Dmitri moved closer to Mandy and whispered in her ear. “Try not to provoke him. I’m not sure he’s in the right state of mind. Elizabeth makes us all crazy.” 58

“Do not try to protect her,” Armando said, reaching for her. 59

“Oh,” Mandy said, looking towards her phone. It connected but only to Michelle’s voice mail. “She’s either on it or has it shut-off.” 60

“If he harms one hair on her body I’m killing James,” Dmitri said, coldly. 61

“I will do it now and save you the trouble,” Armando said, heading back towards the car. 62

Mandy ran after him and grabbed his arm. “Stop!” 63

He spun around so fast that she lost her balance. Armando made no attempt to help her. She hit the pavement with a thud, scraping her palms and elbow. Cold, hard eyes looked down at her. “Never put your lips on his again. Are we clear?” 64

“Mandy?” James asked, appearing next to her suddenly. 65

She growled at Armando as he tried to beat James in offering her a hand up. “Don’t touch me!” 66

James helped her to her feet and she looked down at her hands. Pieces of gravel were imbedded in the tiny cuts that covered her palms. 67

James took her hands into his and glared at Armando. “This make you feel like a man, did it?” 68

Armando balked. “I never laid a hand on her.” 69

“Well, you got me there,” James said sarcastically, pulling her hands closer to him. “You okay?” 70

Mandy nodded. “I’ll be fine. Thanks.” 71

“Hate to break up the little love fest, but do you smell that?” Elizabeth asked, looking off towards the park entrance. 72

“Ooo, I smell it too,” Barbie said, her voice full of glee. 73

Mandy’s forehead wrinkled as she tried to figure out what they were talking about. James took a step towards her. “I smell the fear too.” 74

“Michelle!” Dmitri said, taking off running into the park. 75

~*****~76

Michelle looked down at her smashed cell phone. Karl stomped on it one final time before he looked up at her with evil in his eyes. He licked his lips and let his gaze roll over her. “You’re going to be so good to eat.” 77

“Uh, nobody goes there without my permission buddy and there is no way in hell that I’m granting you permission,” She said looking down her body. 78

Karl let out a wicked laugh and rolled his eyes. “I’m more interested in your flesh. I do so enjoy a good meal. Most of what I eat now is so tainted with evil, and I’ve always wanted to feast on an author.” He took a step towards her and she backed away. “I wonder if I will absorb any of your creativity.”79

Michelle took a step back and found her foot twisting out from under her. She fell backwards. Karl covered the distance between them with three strides and reached for her, his eyes wild. 80

Michelle screamed and kicked out at him. It did little in the way of stopping him. He grabbed hold of her arm and held it steady. He reached his fist back and smiled. “I am going to hate bruising that pretty face, but I need to prep your body for my feast.” 81

There was a growl from her right and then a large blur. Karl’s body was propelled backwards with a gust and Michelle was left sitting on her backside, puzzled and scared. 82

Something touched her arm and she screamed out again. “Are you hurt?” Dmitri asked softly.83

Michelle let out her breath and reached for him. His grey eyes, floppy sun-streaked hair, and cocky attitude had never been a more welcome sight. She touched his face timidly, sensing that he was on the edge and not wanting to see him shift into a wolf. She wasn’t sure her heart could handle that right now. 84

“She’s MY MEAL! Get your own!” Karl screamed as he lunged at Dmitri. 85

Dmitri caught the man in mid-motion and whipped him around, slamming him against a tree in the process. Michelle jumped to her feet as she saw Dmitri pummeling Karl’s face with a closed fist. 86

Blood gushed from Karl’s mouth and nose. Michelle stopped within a foot of touching Dmitri and said his name softly. He either didn’t hear her or ignored her. Either way, he was about to kill Karl and she didn’t want to see Dmitri locked away in a supernatural facility for eternity. 87

“Stop! He’s not worth prison!” Michelle yelled. 88

Dmitri turned to her, his eyes blazing of wolf. He growled at her and continued to punch the now unconscious Karl. 89

“Pumpkin, no!” A bubbly voice said from behind her. “Don’t kill my Karl.” 90

Michelle turned to see Barbie standing there. The rest of the gang was on her heels. She looked back at Dmitri and raised an eyebrow. He’d let Karl fall to the ground and was in the process of taking several deep breaths. 91

“Oh, sorry,” Michelle said wryly. “I didn’t realize you only answered to pet names. Makes sense, being part dog and all.” 92

Dmitri’s mouth dropped and his eyes widened. “I just saved your life.” 93

“Thank you, Pump-kin,” she said coldly as she turned and stormed off, pushing past a guilty looking Mandy on her way out of the park. 94

Mandy grabbed hold of her arm, stopping her dead in her tracks. “Michelle, this is bullshit. NOTHING happened.” 95

“You look awfully guilty for ‘nothing’ happening.” 96

Mandy rolled her eyes and let out a deep breath. It was shaky and Michelle thought Mandy might cry. That wasn’t a normal Mandy thing to do and it caught her attention. “What’s wrong?” 97

“What you saw was me falling on Dmitri in the bathroom. I slipped, honest. It wasn’t sexual and nothing has EVER passed between us like that. You are my best friend and I would NEVER do anything to hurt you.” 98

Michelle moved closer to her and put her hand on her shoulder. “Part of me knows that. I just…I don’t know. When it comes to wolf-boy I get a bit mixed up.” She let out a small laugh. “None of this explains why you’re so upset.” 99

It was Mandy’s turn to laugh. “Aside from the fact that I thought you might be eaten alive and die with this misunderstanding between us, I sort of pushed Armando over the edge,” she said, lifting her hands to show Michelle how bruised and bloody they were. 100

“Oh, my gawd!” Michelle cried out. “What the hell happened?” 101

“I kissed James.” 102

“Oh,” Michelle said, things suddenly becoming clear. She’d speak with Armando about hurting Mandy later, now she needed to focus on her friend. “Was it just to piss Armando off, or was there more to it?” 103

Mandy looked at her, shocked. “Why…why, do you ask that?” 104

“Because the way you said James’ name makes me think you might be closer to him than you realize.” 105

She watched as Mandy dropped her head down. It was clear that she hadn’t thought on her own. Why would she? She was too close to it all. “Come on, let’s go over to your house and raid your freezer. You’ve always got the best stash of ice cream,” Michelle said laughing.106

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Chapter 21115

Mandy sat on the edge of her couch with her head down. She blinked back the tears that tried to flow. James touched her shoulder and she refused to look up. “Come on, love. It’s not so bad.” 116

“Not so bad?” Mandy gasped. “You show up here, drop the fact that you’re leaving into my lap, and you say it’s not so bad. We’ve got some sort of weird vampire friendship-bond thing going and you cut town?” 117

“We bonded out of a fluke. I think we both know who your heart belongs to.” 118

“Armando,” Mandy said, breathlessly. 119

“Yep, I may think he’s a wanker, but you seem to have taken to him. Besides, Pallo needs me to go to Tuscany for a bit to smooth out some kinks with one of his businesses there. I’ll imagine that I’ll be gone for a few months.” 120

“Why the hell can’t he go?” 121

James’ eyes widened. “Yeah, next time I want my head ripped off I’ll ask him that. Besides, Caradoc’s being sent to France and Pallo needs to stay behind and oversee Necro World. I’ll call you as often as I can and maybe you and Michelle can come visit me.” 122

There was a knock on the door and Mandy looked at the clock. It was pushing ten and she wasn’t expecting anyone. From the way James’ hand tightened on her leg, he was. He patted her gently and went to the door. 123

“Thanks for coming,” James said, softly. 124

“Where is Mandy?” She heard Armando’s cold voice ask. 125

She stiffened in her seat and prepared to have more of his harsh words thrown at her. Instead, he followed James into her living room and stood before her. “Mandy?” 126

When she didn’t answer him, he reached down and touched her cheek. “Mandy, what’s wrong?” 127

She looked up then, but not at Armando. Her eyes met James’ and he winked. He’d arranged for Armando to come. He wanted things to work out between them and the fact that he’d risked the wrath of Armando spoke volumes. She let a smile creep over her face. James gave her a small wave goodbye and headed out of her apartment. 128

Armando glanced behind him and then back at her, dropping to his knees before her. “What was all of that about?” The tension in his neck and jaw said that he wanted to be screaming, and that it was taking a good deal of restraint on his part to avoid making a scene. 129

Mandy leaned forward and pressed her lips to his. He was still for a moment before his arms wrapped around her. The kiss said what each had been meaning to say for some time now—I’m sorry. Her heart sped and she found Armando suddenly over her body, laying her back across the couch. 130

It felt good to be this close to him again. The scent of his cologne and taste of his cool mouth left her moaning beneath him. She tried to unbutton his shirt, but her fingers were shaking too much to do anything other than fumble around. 131

Armando let out a small, nervous laugh and pulled back from her slightly. “I missed you too.” 132

The tears she’d been fighting to hold back for the last half hour gave way. At Mandy’s insistence, Armando peeled the shirt from his body. Her hands urgently tried to undo the top button of his pants. He brushed her hair from her face as she fumbled to free him from his jeans and wiped the tears from her cheeks. “Delizia, why do you cry?” 133

“You’re wearing jeans,” Mandy said, looking down at him in awe and sniffing. 134

Armando’s eyebrows rose. “You are crying because I am wearing jeans? Odd.” 135

She gave up on trying to free the thick press of his erection and reached up to pull his face down to hers. “No, I’m crying because it took losing a friend for me to see how much I love you.” 136

A small smile came to his lips and his eye glowed with hot meaning. “Is this shirt a favorite of yours?”137

Mandy looked down at the T-shirt. “No.”138

Armando chuckled and, taking a long nail, sliced open the front, freeing her large breasts to him. His lips lowered, devouring hers in a deep kiss that left her breathless. Small sounds of pleasure left her lips as his mouth moved down her neck. She didn’t even flinch as his parted lips strayed over her racing pulse.139

“Argh,” he growled softly and she knew he forced himself to move on. A small smile glanced over her lips as she felt his self-control.140

His kisses trailed over her heated flesh, across her collarbone, to one sensitive breast. Flicking his tongue across her nipple, Armando sucked the bud into his mouth. He toyed with it gently, bringing more and more pleasure to her.141

“Armando!” Mandy cried out in pleasure, her panties dampening with desire for him. It had been too long since he’d held her like this and she’d missed him so much.142

Her hands became frantic, eagerly stripping him from the remainder of his clothes. Her eyes devoured his naked body as he stood beside the couch. He was pale and beautiful and so very perfect. His long, thick erection stood waiting for her. She knew how velvety smooth it was from memory and that alone was enough to almost bring her. She wanted him desperately, wanted him to fulfill the ache that had bore a hollow in her chest. 143

“I love you,” she whispered, not feeling as if she could say it enough. Her eyes screamed for forgiveness for all the issues that had been between them. 144

“And I you,” he said, leaning over to remove her jeans with great care, worshipping her body with tender caresses and bold kisses. 145

Armando’s cool fingers glided over Mandy’s flesh, teasing her body to a feverish pitch. His tongue flicked over her stomach as he slowly edged his body to settle in-between her thighs. Mandy tensed as his mouth latched on to her clit, biting lightly. 146

“Ah, yes,” she panted, weak with longing. She wiggled her hips up into him as he drank from her body.147

Armando moaned into her wet slit, moving his tongue over her to lap up her taste. Mandy knew he could feel what she felt. He invaded her mind, speaking low words to her, urging her on as his long tongue glided up into her hot passage. 148

Voglio fare l’amore con te. He projected into her mind. It didn’t matter that she understood only a fraction of what he whispered. 149

Ah, yes, Mandy thought, letting him hear her. Ah, there, right there. Oh, yeah, don’t stop. Yes, yes…oh, Armando.150

Mandy reached down with her foot, searching for the hot feel of his cock. She wanted him inside her, but his mouth felt too good for her to protest as he thrust his tongue in and out of her body. Armando nibbled and sucked, milking a torrent of cream from within her. Suddenly, she tensed, screaming loud as she came hard against his mouth.151

As the tremors subsided, Armando looked up at her and grinned. She lay weak, unable to move as he began to crawl up over her.152

“Ah, sorry Kitten, no time for rest,” he murmured. “I am nowhere near finished with you.”153

“I can’t,” she said softly, rolling her head back, teasing him with her breasts. He snatched one into his mouth and rolled the nipple with his tongue. 154

He moaned as he drew back and Mandy let out a whimper. “Don’t go,” she said, arms out to him. 155

Armando’s dark eyes met hers as he bent down and scooped her into his arms. He growled slightly. “I want to take you here and now, Kitten, but I can take you harder in the bedroom.” He gave her a wink and she squealed with delight. 156

Before Mandy could blink, Armando had sped her to her bedroom. He placed her on the mattress as he stood the bed.
“Bend over on the bed, cara mia,” he whispered, giving her a devilish smile. 157

She instantly obeyed, crawling on the bed on all fours. Wiggling her ass at him, in a way she knew drove him to distraction, she offered her body to him. She let loose a throaty chuckle to hear his moan.158

Armando’s body slid next to hers. His cool hands explored her, pulling back her hair, running along the ridge of her spine. He teased her nipples from behind, letting her feel the heavy length of his cock rubbing along her thigh. 159

Mandy called out, beyond words and thoughts as she begged him to end their torment. Armando’s lips found hold on her flesh as he sucked kisses along her back, trailing over one firm cheek and then the other. His fingers delved forward, eagerly slipping into the wetness awaiting him. Her cream dripped over him like honey as he thrust his fingers inside her quivering body.160

“No, I want you, Armando, please! I need you!” Mandy tried to pull forward. His hands shot to her hips to hold her where he wanted her. “Pleeeaassee!”161

“Ah, Kitten, so hot, so wet,” he murmured soothingly. “Do not worry, I will give you what you desire.”162

Mandy tensed. His body raised behind hers. The smooth tip of his shaft neared her slit and began to rub back and forth along the opening to her silken passageway. 181163

“Now!” she demanded. She threatened him with her mind. So help me, you better fuck me now or I’ll….164

Armando groaned. With a mighty thrust he shoved his cock hard into her awaiting pussy. Mandy screamed in delight as he filled her up. The feel of her quivering flesh made him lose all control. Instantly, he began to ride her, ramming his hard shaft in and out, gliding with ease in the juices of her body. 165

“Ahhh!” she cried. “Oh, yes….”166

“You feel so good!” he groaned, pumping his hips faster, propelling his cock deeper still. He fitted himself to her core, rocking so hard the bed began to squeak and bang in protest. 167

Mandy’s nipples rubbed erotically against the mattress as his hand pressed her back down. The tension between them built. Her body began to tense as she felt the earth-shattering approach of her climax. 168

Suddenly, she tensed. Her body racked with the pleasure only his enormous cock could bring. Her hot passage squeezed him tight, pulling him until she milked the orgasm from his thrusting body. Armando howled as he came, spurting hot come into her womb. This time, he made sure she knew she was only his. This time, he would not be letting her go so easily.169

~*****~170

Michelle listened to the girls talking with half an ear. She’d lost track of what cute frilly thing they were planning next for Mandy’s upcoming wedding over an hour ago. It didn’t help that her nose was plugged, causing a horrific sinus headache.171

The J’s, Jaycee Clark and Jaci Burton, were having a ball tossing different wedding theme ideas for the engagement party back and forth. Elaine Corvidae sat quietly doodling a picture of Yozerf, her hero from the Lord of Wind and Fire series, only to chuckle softly as Jaci suggested they bring in white tigers, and all insisting all the men walked around on all fours wearing dog collars and leashes. 172

Michelle scowled in displeasure, her mind all too eager to picture Dmitri like that.173

“Are you gals sure that there even is a wedding taking place?” Mike asked from behind the bar, looking bored. His only customers were a 6 foot tall cowboy and a woman with reddish-brown hair. Michelle shrugged at Mike, suppressing a laugh at his audacity. The other three women looked as though they wanted to string him up. His grey eyes widened and he backed away from the bar. “Yeah, right. Okay, I’ll be down in the cellar if anyone needs me.” 174

Michelle wished she could go with him. Hauling around carts of blood definitely held more appeal than planning the grand, happy occasion. She closed her eyes and rubbed at her face, concentrating on breathing through her misery.175

“What do you need from the cellar?” Dmitri asked, appearing in the doorway. 176

Michelle cringed at the sound of his voice. She had known he was at the bar, but he’s stayed in the back office most of the time. She hated the way she still felt for him. She’d spent the greater part of the evening staring at her reflection in the mirror commanding herself to stop feeling so intensely for him, but it obviously didn’t work. She made a mental note to ask Mandy if she knew of any way to banish the thoughts. Her luck, Mandy would go all creepy on her and turn her into a toad. Now that she thought about it, it might be best to go it alone. 177

“Ah,” Mike began, giving a guilty look to the still livid bridesmaids. 178

Michelle stood, crossing over to the bar. She made a point of not looking at Dmitri, as she stood before Mike. “Mike, can I get some whiskey?”179

Mike blinked in surprise and glanced at Dmitri. “Ah…?”180

“What are you asking his permission for?” demanded Michelle, still not looking at Dmitri, but very aware of where he was. She dug angrily into her purse and placed a twenty on the bartop. “Whiskey shot.”181

Mike again looked at Dmitri. This time, she followed his eyes. She couldn’t help herself. Dmitri’s eyes pierced into her and she could feel him like a shockwave through her body. Slowly, he turned to Mike and purposefully shook his head in denial.182

Michelle glared at him and sniffed. She slapped another twenty on the bar. “I’m a paying customer, whiskey in a very, very, very tall glass.”183

Dmitri stormed to stand on the other side of the bar from her, elbowing Mike out of the way. Mike was only too glad to go, and ran downstairs to the cellar.
“You do not need a drink,” he stated.184

“What is it to you?” hissed Michelle. Oh, but he smelled good. She felt herself growing warm, just like she always did when she was around him.185

“You know you can’t handle your liquor. Besides, it is too early in the day—”186

“Go to hell, you’re not my keeper!” yelled Michelle.187

“You do not look well. What is wrong with you?” Dmitri’s hand began to lift as if he would touch her face. 188

Michelle jerked back. If he touched her, that would be the end of her resolve. Any sign of tenderness and she would forget everything, jump over the bar, and screw his brains out right then and there in front of witnesses. Gawd! What was wrong with her? He’d turned her into a complete horn-dog!189

Hell, she thought bitterly, if we just had sex than maybe I wouldn’t be so obsessed with him.190

Dmitri pulled his hand back. He looked hurt.191

“What concern is it of yours,” Michelle stated, keeping her expression hard. “Now give me a drink.”192

“I don’t have time to babysit you when you get drunk,” he growled out of spite. She saw the golden glimmer of wolf in his eyes. He was definitely angrier than he let on. 193

Instead of scaring her, the power in him excited her. Her skin began to tingle until her body was screaming to just let him touch her. She wanted to feel him against her, his arms about her back, his lips to hers. She nearly moaned. Her eyes watered and she sniffed, trying to tell herself it was her cold that made her weepy.194

“No one asked you to babysit me. What I do is no concern of yours!” Michelle waited for his response. His lips tightened and, to her great surprise, he said nothing. Slowly, he turned, poured a cup of coffee, and set it in front of her along with her favorite creamer, without another word.195

Michelle watched him walk away with an ache in her chest. She eyed the coffee, knowing that she’d preferred it to whiskey anyway. She’d just been trying to piss Dmitri off. Well, it had worked. She gave a derisive laugh. Yeah, it had worked all right, but now she was even more aroused than usual with no cold shower in sight.196

“He’s right. You shouldn’t be drinking with that cold you have.”197

Michelle turned to the couple down the bar. The woman smiled at her. Miserably, she uttered, “It’s not a cold. I have allergies.”198

“What are you allergic to?” asked the woman. “Dogs? Is that why there’s so much tension between you two?”199

Michelle gave a dark laugh. “No, flowers. Someone has been sending lilies almost everyday to my apartment. I would think it was sweet, but I am severely allergic to them. I swear, whoever it is, the jerk is trying to kill me.”200

Michelle heard a small noise. She turned to the office doorway to see Dmitri standing there pale. He quickly turned and disappeared once more into the office.201

Good, she thought, let him be jealous! That’s what he gets for sleeping with sun-shy-slutty Barbie.202

She knew she’d never invited him back to her home and he didn’t know where she lived so it couldn’t be him. The cards only had her name on it with no message and no signature. She didn’t care who the secret admirer was, she just wished the jerk would stop. Too many more days and she’d have to move to get away from them. She wasn’t interested in dating anyone anytime soon.203

“Hum,” said the woman. “I don’t think your boyfriend likes that too much.”204

“Oh, he is definitely not my boyfriend,” said Michelle, trying to force herself to be polite. She didn’t believe in airing dirty laundry in public. “I don’t have time for boyfriends. I work too much.”205

“My name’s Heather Holland,” the woman said. She had adorable freckles across her pale skin and wore a comfortable T-shirt with Link on the front from the Legend of Zelda games. Then, motioning to the handsome cowboy, she said, “This is Cortland Masters.”206

The cowboy nodded politely, his blue-green eyes shining with an easy charm. His dark blonde hair fell over his eye and he brushed it back. Michelle quickly introduced herself to them before motioning behind her to her friends.207

“Oh, how great! I’m a writer as well! I work for Ellora’s Cave,” said Heather. “I have The Beauty Within and The Drigon’s Fall out now with them. I also have Jungle Magic out with RAH Pubs.”208

“Really?” said Michelle, impressed. “I’ll have to review you for the Nocturnal Journal sometime.”209

“Oh, definitely. In fact, I’m interviewing Cortland here right now. He’s my inspiration for my new novel, Crimes of Passion. It’s contracted to come out this June from Romance at Heart Publications.”210

“Michelle!” yelled Jaci.211

“We need your help on something!” added Jaycee. “Hurry, before Jaci has all the men in studded leather thongs.212

Michelle grimaced. “Excuse me, we’re trying to plan an engagement party. Somehow I think we’d be better off planning a supernatural circus, but maybe that’s just me.”213

Heather laughed and turned back to her conversation with Cortland. Michelle grabbed the coffee and went back to the table. 214