The Vampire's Kiss (3 page)

Savannah felt a flush stain her cheeks. Yes, she had thought that she’d been the first. From the instant that she learned of William Dark’s existence, she had felt a strange kinship with him. A special link had seemed to exist between them. But, perhaps that had just been in her mind, too.

“There have been at least a dozen others who have come to me over the centuries.” William shrugged his broad shoulders. “They all stumbled upon the truth of my existence in one manner or another. And they all wanted the kiss. Men, women. Young and old. They didn’t care what they would have to do once they were transformed. They didn’t care about what they would become. They just wanted the kiss.”

Savannah swallowed to ease her suddenly parched throat. Fear rolled through her. William was going to refuse her, as he’d done with others a dozen times before.

“I didn’t change them. And I’m not going to change you.”

“But if you don’t, I’ll—”

A gust of wind knocked the door open and flew through the foyer, sending Savannah’s hair whipping around her face. “No threats!” William growled. “All of the others threatened me. First they begged, pleaded, and when that didn’t work, they threatened. And do you know what I did to them?”

Staring into his swirling eyes, Savannah was afraid to ask about their fate.

“I could have killed them. I could have drained them dry or broken their necks. Then I wouldn’t have had to worry about their sad attempts at blackmail.”

Savannah winced.

“But I didn’t do that,” he said, his voice suddenly changing, lowering, flowing around her, through her, like rich wine. “I didn’t have to kill them. And do you know why?”

“Why?” She whispered.

His head lowered toward hers. “Vampires have many powers. Both physical and mental.”

Savannah knew all about the powers that vampires possessed. The superhuman strength, the psychic talents. It was said that some could fly. Some could shapeshift. And some could control the actions of humans with but a stray thought.

Mind control.
A shudder racked her body.

He smiled. “That’s right. I didn’t have to kill them because I simply made them forget. As I will make you forget . . .”

His lips touched hers, a light, fleeting touch. A tingle shot through her body at the contact.

“That’s the only kiss you’ll be getting from me, sweet Savannah. Count yourself lucky for it.”

He stepped back, and with one hand, he lifted her chin, forcing her eyes to lock on his. “Now, it’s time for you to go. Go back to your nice little world and forget me. Forget all about me and the kiss that you wanted.”

As Savannah stared into his eyes, she felt as if her grip on the world was slipping away. The light in the foyer suddenly seemed incredibly dim.

Shadows surrounded William, and all she could see were his eyes, burning red.

“Forget, Savannah. Forget me. Forget the kiss.”

A scream of denial trembled against her lips. A scream that was never voiced, for in the next instant, the darkness overwhelmed her and Savannah could remember no more.

HE HAD NO TROUBLE taking her back to town, back to the small hotel room that she’d rented at the edge of the city.

When they’d gone down the mountain, he’d seen her car. It had sat, small and abandoned, on the old gravel drive. He would have to make arrangements for the car to be returned to her. In the meantime, he would plant an explanation for its absence in her mind.

He was very good at planting compulsions.

As they’d traveled, he’d cloaked their presence. No one would remember them. Even the few residents of town who had seen them would not actually be able to recall their presence.

It wasn’t as if there had even been that many people out to see them. Tyler, North Carolina wasn’t exactly the big city. There were a few shops and businesses along the main street, but most of the residents actually lived in nearby cabins. Nestled in the mountains, the city was occasionally visited by tourists hoping to get away from the rigors of big-city life. But even at the height of the tourist season, the town still only boasted a few thousand residents. It was a small town, quiet and secluded. Perfect for him.

With a wave of his hand, the door to Savannah’s room flew open and he carried her inside. She was still unconscious, a result of the strong compulsion he’d given her. In repose, her features looked incredibly fragile. And incredibly lovely.

Her body felt good in his arms. Warm. Alive.

It had been years, too many years, since he’d felt the warmth of a woman against him. His body stirred with needs that he’d long thought dead.

Quickly, before he could change his mind, he placed her on the small bed. The springs squeaked softly as they took her weight.

For a moment, he hesitated, staring down at her. She looked so good. So pure. Why would one such as she come looking for him?

He shook his head. It didn’t matter. When she woke, she would have no memory of him.

But he would remember her.

He turned from the bed, from her, and forced himself to survey the room. Henry’s diary was here. It had to be in the room.

He spotted her luggage sticking out of a small closet. He took a step toward it.

On the bed, Savannah stirred. She moaned and her thick lashes lifted.

William spun around in shock. Impossible! She couldn’t be waking. She couldn’t—

“William?” Her voice was thick, husky. It sent a shaft of desire burning though him.

He stared at her in wonder. She remembered him. She’d woken on her own, despite the compulsion, and she remembered him.

Impossible.
How could she—

She licked her lips. Her head lifted and she met this gaze. “I remember you.” She shook her head in confusion. “I thought you said I would forget.”

She should have forgotten.
Never
before had someone resisted his compulsion.

She looked around the room. Her gaze fell on a small framed picture on the bedside table. A smiling man with dark hair and emerald eyes looked back at her.

A faint sheen of tears filled her eyes. “I still remember everything. Everything.”

William sat down beside her on the bed. He cocked his head and studied her. “I was wrong. You’re not like the others.” He placed his hands on either side of her head.

Savannah felt a strange pressure. It was like she could feel him, from inside her mind. “Wh-what are you doing?”

He frowned and dropped his hands. “Your mind . . . it’s different.”

She bit her lip. Sadness filled her. “I’m more different than you can possibly know.” Her hand reached for his.

William froze.

“I need you to help me. Please.”

His gaze remained locked on her hand. “I’ve already told you, I can’t.”

“You
must
help me.”

“Why?”

“Because you’re the only one who can.”

The faint light from the rising sun flickered through the window. William stood abruptly. “I have to go.

“William, I—”

“Meet me at midnight,” he surprised her by saying. “At Jake’s.”

“Jake’s?” Savannah had arrived in town just before sunset. She’d only had time to rent a room before heading off in search of William Dark.

“It’s a bar on Miller Street. Just follow the sound of the music.”

She nodded. “I’ll be there.” She looked nervously toward the window. “Is it safe for you to—”

He was gone. Just that fast, he’d vanished.

Savannah searched her room, but she could find no trace of him. He’d disappeared. Into thin air.

She walked slowly toward the bed. She couldn’t believe that she’d done it. After all of those months of planning, she’d finally done it.

She sat down and reached for the picture. As always, the sight of her brother caused her chest to tighten with grief. “Soon, Mark. I promise. You’ll have your vengeance.
Soon
.”

She gently put the frame back in its place, and with hands that trembled, she opened the nightstand drawer. She took out a small, unmarked plastic bottle.

She shook the bottle and two pills spilled into her palm.

She stared at the innocuous looking white pills. The doctors had prescribed them for her months ago. They were supposed to help her. Not make her better, for nothing could do that. But they were supposed to keep the pain away. And they did. Sometimes. Sometimes they completely stopped the pain. And sometimes they didn’t do a damn thing.

Of course, they never stopped the nightmares. She didn’t think anything could stop them.

HE SAT IN THE darkest corner of the bar, his back against the hard black wall, and he waited for her.

He ignored the crowd around him. The dancing. The laughter. It held no interest for him. The people in the bar, with their tight clothing and desperate eyes, didn’t affect him.

But
she
did.

The moment that she stepped inside the dim bar, he felt her. In every inch of his body, he felt her.

And he hungered.

She wore a short black skirt that fell to mid-thigh. Her glorious legs immediately captured his attention. They were long and slender. Delicately muscled.

Her matching top dipped daringly low, revealing more than a hint of her cleavage. Her firm breasts pressed enticingly against her shirt’s front, and he realized that he could see her nipples.

Every muscle in his body tightened. Strained.
Hungered.

He was aware that others noticed her, too. Several men turned to watch her as she slowly made her way through the crowded bar. One fool even reached out and placed his hand upon her shoulder.

William studied the man carefully, memorizing his features. The fellow would pay for that careless touch.

Savannah smiled at the man, and William saw her murmur softly to him. The hand fell away from her body, and she once again began walking toward him.

William rose and went to meet her. He grabbed her arm and pulled her toward him.

“What do you think you are doing?” His voice was a low growl.

She lifted one delicate auburn brow. “Meeting you?”

His eyes narrowed. “Why are you dressed like that?”

“We’re at a bar,” she reminded him, a small smile playing around the corners of her mouth. “I wanted to fit in.”

She wouldn’t fit in. A woman like her would always stand out from the crowd. “Well, you’re not fitting in. You’re attracting more attention than we want.” He hated the way the other men stared at her. He hated their lust-filled gazes.

And he hated even more that his own stare was filled with the same crazed need.

He steered her toward his waiting booth. At least the shadows would protect her from some of the prying eyes. Coming to Jake’s had obviously been a mistake.

When she sat down, he followed her, moving his body close to hers.

Savannah reached into her bag and pulled out a brown package. “Here.”

William frowned. “What is this?”

“Henry’s diary.”

His eyes widened in surprise.

She smiled. “I figured you should have it back.”

He carefully unwrapped the precious gift. He peeled the paper away slowly and stared in wonder at the leather volume. His fingers delicately caressed the soft cover. He traced his family’s crest and could have sworn that he actually felt heat, felt life, coming from the book. “Thank you.”

“You’re welcome.” She frowned and looked around the bar. A band screamed lyrics from a lifted stage and a mass of bodies danced vigorously on the small dance floor. “Do you come here often?”

He almost smiled at her question. Almost, and then he remembered his purpose in bringing her to Jake’s. Savannah had a lesson that she needed to learn. He carefully rewrapped the book and tucked it inside his coat pocket. He would explore that treasure later.

“I come here when I have a . . . need.”

Her brow furrowed. “A need? I don’t understand.”

No, of course she didn’t. But she would.

He leaned close to her, letting his breath fan against the delicate skin of her neck. The scent of lavender rose to tease his nostrils.

“Savannah,” he breathed against her and had the pleasure of watching her shiver. “Look at those people. What do you see?”

She wet her lips and his gaze avidly followed that small, sensual movement. “I see . . .” He lifted his hand and rubbed it against her thigh. She jumped. “Ah . . . I see people dancing. Laughing. Having a good time.”

“Really?” he purred. “That’s not what I see.” He leaned forward and lightly licked her neck. She gasped.

He loved the taste of her. So rich. So sweet. He wondered if her blood would taste the same.

And he knew, with sudden certainty, that he would have to find out. He wouldn’t be able to let her go. Not without first having a taste. A taste of her.

“Wh-what do you see?” she asked softly, arching her neck.

He could read her need so easily. She wanted him to bite her. To sink his teeth into her delicate skin.

She still wanted the kiss.