go. Already, he could feel dawn coming, feel the heavy lassitude stealing over his body, draining his strength, dragging him down, down, into darkness.
His steps were heavy as he made his way to the basement. Hollywood might insist that their vampires sleep in silk-lined coffins, but then Hollywood perpetuated a lot of myths that had no basis in fact. He had no need to rest in a coffin; indeed, he found the idea macabre. Instead, he preferred to pass the daylight hours resting in a corner of the cellar, his head and shoulders covered by a patchwork quilt similar to the one he had once shared with Jolene.
Part 1 Chapter Five
He saw her almost every night after that. She arrived at his house shortly after eleven and stayed until the early hours of the morning.
It was a routine that fit his with remarkable precision. He never had to worry about offering her food because of the lateness of the hour. An occasional cup of coffee, a glass of wine, were all she ever asked for.
Often, they went riding in the moonlight, sharing the quiet intimacy of the night.
Sometimes, as now, they sat on the sofa, watching television. Tonight they were watchingLove at First Bite starring George Hamilton as the infamous Count Dracula in an affectionate spoof of vampire movies.
"He's a very romantic night creature," Leanne remarked. " 'With you, never a quickie, always a longie?' " She grinned impishly as she quoted a line from the movie.
Jason arched one brow as he watched George Hamilton hurrying down a New York street moments before the coming dawn, his black cape swirling behind him like the devil's breath. Romantic, indeed?
He caressed Leanne's cheek with the tip of his finger. "And would you let the count bite your neck if you had the chance?"
Leanne poked him playfully in the ribs. "Oh, I think I'd let Mr. Hamilton bite anything he liked."
"Have you ever thought of what it would be like to be a vampire?"
"Sure, who hasn't?" Leanne smiled at him, her deep green eyes dancing with laughter. "I mean, except for the blood part, the thought of living forever is very appealing, although I'm not sure I'd want to turn into a bat."
The blood. His gaze moved to the pulse in her neck. He could hear the blood moving through her veins, smell the heat of it, the warmth. The thought of drinking from her sickened him even as it excited him.
"And do you believe in vampires?" he asked, his voice low and seductive.
Leanne's, gaze met his, all humor gone from her expression. "Yes, I do." She lifted one brow. "You look surprised."
"I am. Most people don't believe in monsters."
"There are all kinds of monsters."
"Indeed." He glanced at the television, his stomach muscles tightening as George Hamilton enveloped Susan Saint James in the folds of his voluminous black cape to give her the final bite that would change her into a vampire.
He felt Leanne's hand on his thigh, felt his mouth water at the thought of giving her the vampire's kiss.
"Is something wrong, Jason?"
He shook his head, and then, unable to keep from touching her, he drew her into his arms and kissed her.
His touch went through her like lightning, igniting every nerve ending, every sense of awareness. His tongue plundered her mouth, stealing her breath away, until she thought she would faint. He whispered her name, his voice urgent, almost rough, as though he were in pain.
She felt his hands slide under her sweater to settle on her bare back, felt the tremors that coursed through him as his fingertips caressed her quivering flesh. His kiss deepened, taking her to places she'd never been. His intensity frightened her even as it excited her. He seemed to know exactly what she liked, what she wanted? what she needed.
She gasped with pleasure as she felt his teeth nip at the lobe of her ear, then nibble the side of her neck. Desire shot through her, and with it an image of darkness that went beyond black.
"Jason!" Alarmed, she drew back.
The light in his eyes burned brighter than any candle, hotter than any sun. His breathing was erratic, his lips slightly parted. She watched him draw several deep breaths, felt the effort it cost him to release her.
"I'm sorry," he rasped. "Forgive me."
"It's all right. I'm as much to blame as you are."
"No." He couldn't keep his hands from shaking, couldn't keep his gaze from returning time and again to the pulse beating so rapidly