Redemption – excerpt

Once he was called a vampire, but he preferred lamia, the Latin equivalent. It sounded less awful and Hugh didn’t like the association to those who took blood. Most of his kind, in particular the older ones, were careful these days. They, like him, kept passions in check and left their victims well sated and most importantly, alive.

Suddenly a bolt of desire slammed into him. He gripped the bar, fighting the uncontrollable urge that raged throughout his body. Countering it quickly, he cursed. Catherine must be satisfying herself again. He reached to an invisible energy plane and felt her nearby. The nearby Common most likely, a large park covered extensively with trees. He felt Catherine’s energy as she neared her climax. Hugh distanced himself rapidly. Usually he participated, but tonight he was in a public place.

He heard loud cheering from a nearby group. A petite woman raised her glass before swallowing the contents in one go. She gave a mock bow to her friends.

Hugh hadn’t seen her here before. Why not try her?

Between one flash of the overhead lights and the next, he was beside her. Her face looked flushed and she was rubbing her arms. Had someone tried to pleasure her? It was a common experience, the main reason he came here. The initial stages of seduction could be played so both parties could see if they wanted to take it further.

He cupped her elbow. Her womanly scent filled his nostrils. Her dark cropped hair shone as she tilted her chin upwards. She looked vaguely familiar.

Only when he gazed into those green eyes did he hesitate. Such sadness lingered there.

He didn’t want a wounded heart, and was about to move on when she gripped his arm.

“Don’t go.”

It was the urgency in her words that made him hesitate. Her finger tugged at the opening of his shirt. With a gentle twist, she loosened a button.

His gaze raked her body. She really did have lovely dark skin. Her sleeveless top hugged her pert breasts and the short skirt was equally provocative. When her breasts brushed his open shirt, he gasped as an electric current arced between them.

She looked up from his chest, her eyes burning with fiery passion. Her lips drew into a smile. “Do you mind?”

He felt a tightening in his leather pants, surprising him. What was happening to him? Confused by his strong reaction to her body, he didn’t answer her straight away.

She repeated her question, more loudly.

“No,” he said in a hoarse whisper.

She leaned closer. “I assume you said no?”

He nodded.

“Good. I’d be worried if you’d said yes.”

Should I take her home?

She began to undo another button on his shirt.

His lips touched her slender neck. Pure energy seared through him, nearly bringing him to his knees. Only one woman had ever affected him like this, and she was long dead.

An uneasy feeling formed in the back of his mind. One he discarded as quickly. No woman could harm him.