* * * * *
Holly rushed in the back door of The Roanoke Tavern. In a practiced and efficient set of movements she tossed her bag into a locker, pulled on her uniform shirt and tied on an apron. She’d been preoccupied all day after a long, rough night in the wake of her vision. Deeply shaken, she’d tossed those cards in a drawer and hadn’t taken the risk of even looking at them again.
But the fact was that she didn’t have the luxury of wallowing or worrying. She had a job to do and tips to make. As she did every night that she worked, she took a deep breath and sent out a prayer to the universe for patience and for her shyness to abate.
She’d taken the job there on purpose, knowing that it would force her to break out of her shell as well as bring in some much-needed income. She was fortunate that her rent wasn’t too expensive and that her mother had put aside tuition money for the rest of the school year but that was it. Everything else was a stretch, from books to food. On a good night she made several hundred dollars in tips and her hours were flexible enough to work around her class schedule.
She pasted on a smile and walked out into the bar area and picked up a tray.
Roy Pointer, her boss and the head bartender, waved at her as she approached, pulling her into a hug once she was close enough. He frowned as he looked at her face. She knew he saw the dark circles underneath her eyes.
“I’m fine. Just a bit tired. Finals are over now so at least I have the next month free. Well, free to work anyway. Thanks for the extra hours.”
Holly knew that he understood how much she needed the work. There was a waitlist of staff who wanted extra hours and she really appreciated that he’d helped her out so much. He had three daughters of his own and thought of Holly as part of the family. Even so, Holly always hesitated to bring her troubles his way. She just didn’t feel comfortable in burdening anyone else.
“No problem, Holly. You’re one of my best waitresses. Speaking of that, it’s a big night. Go on now. Shanna is going off shift and you’ve got her section.” He put a pitcher and four frosty pint glasses on her tray. “Table eight needs these.”
She expertly wove her way through the crowd and delivered the drinks.
By the time an hour or so had passed, the worst part of her shyness had melted away. It was always that way. Once she warmed up a bit she was able to laugh and joke with the customers.
Dimly, she heard the bell above the door jingle as someone came in. Looking up as she headed back to the bar, she locked eyes with a tall man with skin the color of café au lait. His chest was broad and he had dreadlocks that reached the middle of his back, eyes a light green that were almost translucent, high-defined cheekbones and his lips were full and bore a natural curve, like he’d been born smiling. The goatee he wore was perfectly trimmed and only emphasized those sinful lips. He was the most beautiful man she’d ever seen.
Speaking of smiles, he gave her one then and it shot straight through her and sent liquid heat to her pussy. She felt the flesh bloom and soften as she stood there, honey gathering. “Oh,” she said without meaning to, blinking her eyes.
Her heart pounded as he walked toward her. She felt glued to the spot, unable to move as he caught her in his gaze. He looked at her like he was a hungry lion and she was his prey. Oh lordy, he moved like sin on legs, all grace and a bit of menace. She was mesmerized and no small amount intrigued by the idea of being eaten by a man like that.
“Hi. I’m looking for my friend. He’s a bit shorter than I am. Black hair, brown eyes? Dresses like he’s in a GQ ad.” His voice flowed over her and she felt her clit throb. She squeezed her thighs together against it and had to bite her lip to stop herself from whimpering.
“I haven’t seen anyone like that. Is he alone?” Her voice actually squeaked. She blushed furiously and wanted to dig a hole to hide inside of. Good lord, Holly, hold it together!
Did his nostrils just flare? She watched, transfixed, as his pupils got wider and that curve of his lips hitched into another grin.
“I’m a bit early, he’s probably not here yet. I’ll just wait at the bar. If he comes in, can you point him my way?”
She nodded, unable to speak, and a ghost of a smile touched his lips as he moved to go sit at the bar.
* * * * *
Nate watched her, unable not to. Sitting at the bar, catching sight of her as she moved around the room, he realized he was seduced by the way she moved.
He was sure the voluptuous redhead with the shy smile was the woman Rhett had been talking about incessantly. What was it about her that drew him in that way? Like magic, he couldn’t take his eyes off her. His fingers itched to touch her, to touch that rope of hair. Partly, he knew it was the shy thing. Like Rhett, Nate loved shy women. Loved getting them to let down their reserve so he could introduce them to the hedonistic pleasures vampires could show them.
And oh her blood called to his hunger. He could almost taste it in the air between them when she’d blushed. His mouth dried up, knowing she’d be rich and spicy. His cock throbbed, he was so hard just thinking about her, especially once he’d scented her honey.
Which of course posed a problem as Rhett seemed obsessed with her. But Nate didn’t think this was a mere attraction. Not on his part or on Nate’s. In fact, he had the distinct feeling it was deeper than that. Deeper and stronger and something inherent and unchangeable no matter how Rhett felt about her. They’d need to have a long talk about it to figure out just what was going on and how they’d deal with it.
Speaking of Rhett, Nate felt him walk in the doors and turned to see him coming in from the rain. Rhett’s eyes immediately sought the woman out and Nate smiled to himself as he saw that he’d been right about the redhead.
Waiting patiently, Nate watched her until she sighted Rhett. It was a quick glance, then she turned back to Nate with a smile and raised her eyebrows in question and he nodded. Giving a little wave, she walked toward Rhett.
* * * * *
Distracted by a bar full of customers, it took some moments before she really saw him. Savage satisfaction coursed through Rhett as he noted that she recognized him. Not just from the author reading but on a deeper level of connection and recognition. She halted for a moment there in the middle of the bar and he watched her struggle to get past that shock.
Her eyes focused on him again and he sent her a slow, sexy smile, pleased that she had to visibly struggle to get hold of herself and calmly continue over to him.
“Your friend is waiting for you over there.” She pointed to Nate. “I…I’ll be over to check on you in just a minute.”
He took her hand—the hand she’d been flapping around in her distress—and kissed the knuckles, inhaling her, and her scent shot through his system like a drug. Jesus. He closed his eyes for a moment and let go of her hand.
“Thank you,” he murmured. Leaving her stunned, he walked over to the bar where Nate was watching him with one eyebrow raised.
“Hey, how was Atlanta?” Rhett asked without preamble as he hopped up onto the barstool.
“Fuck Atlanta. Who’s the redhead?” Nate asked.
“I don’t think it’s a ‘who’ question. I think it’s a ‘what’ question. Now that I’ve been close to her, I can smell her blood. It’s got to be what’s been drawing me to her.”
Nate started to say something but looked up and smiled as she came over to them. “There’s a table that just opened up near the window if you two want to grab it,” she said with a sweet smile that made him slightly dizzy. Fuck, he felt like a teenager again.
“Will you still be our server?”
She blushed and then looked worried. “Well, yeah. Is that a problem?”
He shook his head. “Not at all. Thank you. I think we’ll do just that,” Nate said and got up and they walked over to the small table and sat down.
“Okay, what can I get you two?” she asked as they sat.
“A Mac and Jack’s and can I get some chili cheese fries too?” Nate was suddenly famish
ed. If he couldn’t have her, he’d take some chili fries instead.
The corner of her mouth quirked up. “Sure.” She turned and looked at Rhett expectantly.
“Do I know you?” he asked her, using the power of his gift of thrall.
She looked at him and narrowed her eyes, shaking her head a bit. “No, I don’t think so.”
Nate raised an eyebrow at the way she threw off Rhett’s thrall. Rhett was exceptionally gifted with his voice and Nate didn’t think he’d ever seen anyone push it off so effortlessly. Most certainly never a human.
He realized then that part of her appeal was that she was clearly more than human. Just exactly what she was remained unclear but he knew that they’d be finding out.
Rhett must have been thinking along those lines because he hid his surprise at the way she was seemingly unaffected by his voice and held out a hand. “I’m Rhett Dubois and this is Nate Hamilton.” She looked at him for a moment, unsure, and then took it, shaking it briefly.
They could both hear her heart pounding, the blood flowing through her veins. Rhett wanted to groan when he scented her desire. Close up she was really lovely. Curvy and lush. Her skin was like porcelain. Her features were pretty, rosebud lips, generous breasts, long, graceful fingers. There was something about her, a combination of the total package that created a sort of 1940s film goddess appeal.
“Uh, I’m Holly. Nice to meet you. Can I get you a drink? Something to eat?” She was flustered and Nate thought that just added to her attractiveness. She appeared to be utterly without artifice and he couldn’t recall the last woman he’d met who could get anywhere near how genuine this one seemed to be.
“Sure. Can I get a G and T? I’ll eat his fries.”
“Okay. I’ll be back with your drinks in a minute.” She smiled and wove her way toward the bar and they both watched her as she gave their drink orders to the man behind it.
“So wow, the way she tossed off your thrall was pretty impressive.” Nate was careful to keep his voice casual.
“That’s never happened before. I’ve never seen a human do that, ever. A few master level vampires, a Faerie I knew once. A witch once or twice.”
“She’s more than human. I can feel that.”
Rhett nodded his head. “Yeah, that makes sense. She does have something very otherworldly about her.”
“Rhett, clearly whatever this thing is between you and her is more than run-of-the-mill attraction. And I have to tell you, I think it’s more than just you.”
“What does that mean?” Rhett hissed but before Nate could answer, Holly was on her way back over with their drinks.
* * * * *
Holly brought their drinks by a few minutes later but couldn’t stop to chat. Not that she would have known how to talk to two such amazing men anyway. As it was, the bar was packed and she was rushed off her feet. Plus it looked like they were having a rather intense conversation and she didn’t want to get in the middle of it.
Her lips curved into a secret smile when she thought of the kiss that the dark-haired man had given her hand. His eyes. She’d realized that she recognized those deep black-brown eyes from the reading at Elliot Bay the month before.
She’d gone to hear Margaret Atwood speak and even though the room had been absolutely packed, she’d felt something—someone. She’d turned around and her eyes had been immediately drawn to him. He was there in a button-down shirt, sleeves rolled up a few times, one button at the throat open. His hair was just a bit longer than it should have been but it looked good on him. His pants fit perfectly and he leaned back against one of the posts, feet crossed at the ankles. When her eyes had locked with his, it was as if he’d grabbed her and squeezed her tight. He’d given her a smile so suave and sexy that her heart had jumped into her throat. She’d had to dig her nails into her palms to keep from drooling and staring at him. Truth was, she’d thought of him often since that night.
And his friend, well, he was delicious. She had to shake her head. She didn’t understand it. It wasn’t like she was prone to obsessing over men. Sure she liked them, but she certainly didn’t walk around mooning over them. Grinning, she resolved to give it some thought when she got home after her shift. Some thought with her eyes closed and her favorite vibrator to keep her company.
* * * * *
Both Rhett and Nate watched her as she moved through the bar, working herself nonstop until last call. Each time they’d gotten to the point of the argument they’d been interrupted and it was pretty clear to Nate that Rhett was doing his best to avoid the topic starting up again each time.
“Listen, we need to talk about this, Rhett. We can’t just pretend this isn’t going to cause problems.” Nate pressed the point yet again. Like it or not, it had to be dealt with.
“Talk about what?” Rhett narrowed his eyes at Nate.
“Come on, Rhett. This woman is not just drawing you. She’s drawing me too. And not in the way that I’d just step aside because you saw her first. There’s something more here and you know it. I think we should stay here and talk to her after she gets off shift.”
“You don’t need to stay.”
“Oh but I do, Rhett. That’s the point you keep avoiding.”
Before Rhett and Nate could begin to argue in earnest, two women from a nearby table sauntered over and leaned in, giving them both a view to remember. They sat down and flirted.
Flattering as it was, both men nicely began to get rid of the women but not before Holly came out of the back room and saw it, heaving a small sigh of regret.
Her boss saw her and called out for her to go ahead on home and that he’d see her the next day. She nodded, pretty close to dead on her feet. A hot shower, a cup of tea and bed awaited her.
Emerging from the back just a few minutes later in street clothes and with a last look at their table, Holly left the bar to make the short few-block-walk home.
By the time they’d extricated themselves from the women, Rhett realized that she wasn’t there anymore.
“Shit, where did she go?” He looked around the bar, which was now empty but for the bartender and a waitress. “Excuse me,” he asked Roy, using his voice at full power. “What happened to Holly?”
“She went home about ten minutes ago.”
Rhett knew where she lived, he’d watched her coming and going enough times. “Thank you.” He grabbed Nate and they headed out.
“She’s gone home. She lives just about a mile from here so she’s probably there by now.”
“Damn!” Nate began to feel a rising tide of worry for her and suddenly understood Rhett’s obsession with watching over her the last month. “I get it now. Why you’ve been so intent on watching her. She’s not entirely safe.”
Rhett looked at Nate closely. “What’s it to you anyway?” he demanded as they walked through the parking lot toward the car.
“I know you’ve been ignoring everything I’ve been saying for the last few hours. Let me say it again. She calls out to me the way she calls out to you. I need to taste her blood, Rhett. I need the answers as much as you do.” Nate got into the car, refusing to let himself be pushed aside.
Rhett threw himself into the car and started the engine. “What do you mean? She’s mine, Nate!”
“No. Well, yes, but not just yours. Let’s just talk to her first and we’ll go from there.”
Rhett gave him a dirty look but he pulled away from the lot and drove the short way to her place anyway.
Parking quickly, they got out and walked up the block. He pointed to the apartment on the top corner of the six-plex. “She’s up there. And you’re fucking insane if you think I’m sharing her.”
Nate stopped Rhett with a hand on his shoulder. “You know as well as I do what she is. Rhett, it wouldn’t be the first time a woman was made for more than one vampire. You know the history. My Sire was saying something about my life changing. I thought he was just trying to be mysterious and woo woo.”
“What? You believe in that one t
rue mate bullshit?”
Nate gave him a dark look. “I didn’t believe in vampires until I became one seven years ago. Since then I’ve come to understand there are a lot of things in the universe that I can’t explain but are still real. Ask yourself this, Rhett. Now that you’ve scented her close up, had your lips on her skin, now that you’ve smelled how her pussy ripened for me and then you, has any other woman—human or vampire—ever affected you this way?”
Rhett shook his head. Even if he didn’t want to deal with it, he couldn’t argue. He’d been obsessed with her for the last month and now her scent, the taste of her skin, of her blush was embedded in his brain. She was embedded in his brain and he realized he couldn’t not think of her.
“We don’t even know what she’ll say. Let’s take it one step at a time.” Rhett approached the building and Nate followed with a chuckle that women and men alike seemed to love.
* * * * *
As they ascended the stairs to the second floor Rhett’s body went on alert as he heard a muffled sound of distress. Nate was already rushing down the hall. As Rhett came to him, Nate reared back and kicked the door in.
Small bits of wood flew everywhere and the door crashed open, slamming inward, the doorknob embedding in the wall behind it.
In a split second, the vampires took the scene in and a killing fury borne of possessiveness over the woman inside obliterated most of the humanity from them.
There were two men in the apartment. Both currently frozen in fear as they watched two enraged vampires coming into the room, incisors out, eyes glittering with bloodlust.
Scanning the room for Holly, Rhett saw her on the floor, nearly unconscious. Her face was swollen and bloody. One of the men had been kicking her bound and supine body. His eyes swept down to the red-stained boots the thug was wearing. Rhett noted with savage satisfaction that she’d fought back in some measure. The man who had been kicking her had deep furrows dug into his cheek from where she’d scratched him. But that satisfaction and pride were washed away by the rage over seeing her so injured.