A Bit of Bite (7 page)

“No.” He was adamant. “I know my vampire when I see her.”

For a minute, Jane actually thought she might pass out. Just fall right at his feet. Her arms wrapped around her stomach as she swayed “V-vampire?”  Then she shook her head. “You’re crazy!”

Wait, that probably hadn’t been the smartest thing to say to the guy. 

A muscle jerked in his jaw. “You think I don’t know what you are?”

“Vampires aren’t real.” She was edging toward the bar’s back door. Just a few more steps, and she’d be able to rush to safety. 

He laughed.

The sound stopped her.

His laughter was deep and rumbling and dark. And the man was scary—so terrifying to her. So why in the world did she find the sound of that rough laughter to be sexy?

Maybe I am the crazy one.

“I know your secrets.” He stalked toward her. “Every last one.” 

He can’t.

“Stay away from me,” she whispered.

His lips parted. Wait, were his teeth sharper? Those teeth, his canines, sure looked sharper. They appeared to be growing even more so by the moment.

“Am I having a nightmare?” The question slipped from her. Her voice sounded as absolutely lost as she felt.

His fingers lifted once more. Smoothed lightly over her cheek.  “I can take away all of your nightmares. I can make sure you never know another instant of pain or fear in your life.”

Jane couldn’t breathe.  “You’re the thing scaring me the most right now.”

His hand seemed so hot against her flesh.

“Please.” Jane was begging, she knew it. “Just let me go.”

The light from the back of the building bounced off his sunglasses. She was glad she couldn’t see his eyes. She didn’t want to see them.

The tension stretched between them, but finally—
finally—
he stepped back.

She took a breath.

Then he said, “I
can’t.”

“I’m not what you think I am.” Her words flew out so quickly. Desperation again. “I’m not a vampire. I’m not some kind of monster.”
Though you sure may be.
“Look, I’m just a normal human, okay? My name is Jane and—”

“It isn’t.” Snarled.

Okay.

“You think I don’t know you?  You think I don’t know your scent? Your touch? Every fucking thing about you?”

She took another careful step back. “You can’t know me,” Jane whispered. “We’re strangers.” Her frantic heartbeat seemed to be bruising her chest.

He smiled then. “Liar.”

Voices rose in the wind then.  Others were coming their way—maybe moving toward the parking lot that waited a few steps back. Hell, maybe they were just heading back that way to get some action in the dark.

Either way, their audience was increasing.

Her dark and deadly stranger tilted his head to study her. “I’ll see you again.”

Not if I see you first.

Then he backed away and actually seemed to just…vanish into the night.

That was good. The whole vanishing bit was really good. Because in the next instant, Jane’s knees gave way and she hit the ground. Hard.

Vampire.

Oh, shit. Her secret was
out.

***

BOUND IN DEATH—Available April 2013.

USA Today best-selling author Cynthia Eden writes tales of paranormal romance and romantic suspense novels. Her books have received starred reviews from Publishers Weekly, and her novel, DEADLY FEAR, was named a RITA® finalist for best romantic suspense. Cynthia has published over 20 novels.

Cynthia is a southern girl who loves horror movies, chocolate, and happy endings. More information about Cynthia and her books may be found at: www.cynthiaeden.com or on her Facebook page at: www.facebook.com/cynthiaedenfanpage. Cynthia is also on Twitter at www.twitter.com/cynthiaeden.

E-book only titles

• BLEED FOR ME
  

• FOREVER BOUND—$2.99 (A Vampire & Werewolf Romance Anthology that includes the following titles: BOUND BY BLOOD, BOUND IN DARKESSS, BOUND IN SIN and BOUND BY THE NIGHT)
  

   
  

Please note: All of the BOUND stories are also available separately for 99¢:

• BOUND BY BLOOD
  

• BOUND IN DARKNESS
  

• BOUND IN SIN
  

• BOUND BY THE NIGHT
  

   
  

List of Cynthia Eden's romantic suspense titles:

• DIE FOR ME
  

• DEADLY FEAR
  

• DEADLY HEAT
  

• DEADLY LIES
  

• ALPHA ONE
  

• GUARDIAN RANGER
  

   
  

List of Cynthia Eden's paranormal romance titles:

• THE WOLF WITHIN--Available for $2.99
  

• HOWL FOR IT
  

• ANGEL OF DARKNESS (Fallen, Book 1)
  

• ANGEL BETRAYED (Fallen, Book 2)
  

• ANGEL IN CHAINS (Fallen, Book 3)
  

• AVENGING ANGEL (Fallen, Book 4--Available 05/28/13)
  

• NEVER CRY WOLF
  

• ETERNAL HUNTER (Night Watch, Book 1)
  

• I'LL BE SLAYING YOU (Night Watch, Book 2)
  

• ETERNAL FLAME (Night Watch, Book 3)
  

• HOTTER AFTER MIDNIGHT (Midnight, Book 1)
  

• MIDNIGHT SINS (Midnight, Book 2)
  

• MIDNIGHT'S MASTER (Midnight, Book 3)
  

• IMMORTAL DANGER
  

• WHEN HE WAS BAD (anthology)
  

• EVERLASTING BAD BOYS (anthology)
  

• BELONG TO THE NIGHT (anthology)