Vampire’s Dilemma. Penny Ash
anywhere near angry Werewolves made him nauseous.
“Shel…”
“Gotta run pooch, busy, busy you know,” Shel said. He stalked out, heading for the parking lot. He ignored DeLong shouting at him.
At his car, Shel stopped for a moment, thinking back to the beginning. He didn’t dare let himself hope but he knew it was useless to fight it. Lucy had already gotten to him. Shel got into the car and started it, his mind filled with memories of all the times he’d let himself believe he’d found the one to break the curse.
* * * *
Lucy sat down on the bunk, hugging the pillow to her. She buried her face in it. It smelled like the man who had turned everything upside down. Deep inside she’d always dreamed of meeting someone like him. Sheldon Jefferson had an aura of goodness about him. He might be rough around the edges but Lucy sensed a solid core of decency in him. Shel couldn’t have any idea what he did to her, the need she already felt for him. They’d known each other a little more than a day and he’d already taken up residence in Lucy’s heart.
Nothing in Lucy’s life had prepared her for the things she felt when Shel looked at her. It was as if he was the missing half of her soul. The physical desire that rocked Lucy made what she’d felt for Keith pale in comparison. The guilt was almost more than she could bear.
If only she could get away. Lucy wasn’t at all sure she was ready for this, but where could she go with people trying to kill them? Lucy put the pillow down and stood. She needed to do something, to move. Lucy made her way into the salon.
* * * *
Shel parked across the street from the hotel where Lucy was registered. People streamed in and out. It appeared to be a typical tourist hotel, nothing suspicious caught his attention. Might as well get this over with. He got out of the car and headed inside.
No one so much as glanced in his direction in the crowded lobby. Once he arrived on the eighth floor, Lucy had said her room number was 817, he waited until the hall was clear then quickly went to the door. He swiped the key card Lucy had given him and carefully stepped inside.
The room was thoroughly trashed. If the doll had been there, it wasn’t now. He picked up an old-fashioned white nightgown lying on the floor. He looked it over. It suited Lucy with its silk and lace and the fussy tiny pearl buttons. He brought it closer, inhaling deeply. Vanilla and flowers. A vision of her in the gown formed in his head. Shel’s mouth went dry.
He swore softly. Lucy’s clothes were everywhere, even hanging off the mirror. Shel gazed at the pink lace push up bra that dangled from the light fixture for a long moment. He couldn’t decide which was scarier; the fact that he knew it was a push up bra or the fact that the sight of it gave him a raging boner. Reaching out, Shel lifted it off the lampshade and snickered, helpless to stop it. Even as a Vampire, he was still a man first.
He took a deep breath and got himself under control. Well, time to get moving. After a quick glance around, Shel picked up the battered suitcase and began stuffing clothes into it. When he had everything, he did one last sweep of the room and left. On the way to the elevator, it dawned on him where the doll would be. Shel smiled.
* * * *
Shel heard the music a good hundred yards out from the yacht. Lucy had discovered the radio. Angry, he tied up and climbed aboard. Anyone could have come out there and been on Lucy before she knew what hit her. Shel stormed forward to where he sensed her. His anger died. Lucy stood in the middle of the deck in the sun, barefoot, dressed in a wrinkled sundress, swaying to the music. She was the most beautiful thing he’d ever seen. The need stirred inside him.
He slapped the radio off. “Come on, sugar, let’s go inside. We have things to discuss.” Shel turned and walked out before he gave in to the need and took her. Lucy deserved better.
He heard her following and waved at the salon’s built in couch. “Why don’t you sit down, we can discuss this doll. And your Werewolves.”
She stared at him like a deer caught in headlights. If the situation weren’t so serious, the look on Lucy’s face would have been hysterical. “Yes, I said Werewolves.”
“You believe me. Why?”
“Why would I not?” Shel turned the question back on her. She made no move to sit.
“Okay, come on,” He stood and took Lucy’s hands, urging her into the chair. “I think it’s time we had a look at this doll Sergei is willing to kill for. Tell me where it is.”
With a deep sigh, Lucy reached for her purse. She began taking things out until the purse was empty. Shel’s eyebrows rose. He’d just seen everything in that bag the night before and there had been no doll in it. She gave the lining a tug and pulled it part way out then reached in and withdrew an object that reminded him of a short squat bowling pin.
He resisted the urge to chuckle. She was a piece of work. Lucy held the doll out. Shel took it. The painted smiling face of a Russian woman in traditional peasant dress looked at him. It was heavier than it appeared.
“It opens.” Lucy’s voice startled him. Something was different about her. Shel looked up, meeting her clear, untroubled gaze. His mouth went dry.
Hurriedly, Shel put his attention on the doll once more. “How?”
“You twist it. There will be other dolls inside, usually five.”
Shel tilted the doll to get a better grip. It rattled. He raised his eyebrows at Lucy in question.
“I only opened the first one. I got nervous.” Fascinated Shel watched her blush, embarrassed.
“Ah. Well, let’s see what else is inside.” He twisted the doll open.
By the time they got to what he hoped was the last doll Shel was way past irritated. He started to open the smallest doll. Lucy put her hand on his and stopped him. Shel waited.
“Be careful.”
He nodded. Slowly Shel pulled the little doll apart. They stared at the contents for a full minute trying to process what they were seeing. The plain brass key with its plastic tag lay there glinting dully in the light.
He took a deep breath and the scent of Lucy’s blood, her life, made him dizzy for a moment. The need clawed at his insides. Shel squeezed his eyes shut and swallowed hard, trying to get control of himself. The desire faded after a few seconds, replaced by relief. “We need to make port and pick up some supplies,”
Shel placed the key into her hands, closing his fingers over hers. “Hold onto this, we’ll talk more later.” The breathless quality Shel heard in his voice shocked him. Then he turned and hurried up on deck. The fresh air would do him good and he wouldn’t be able to smell Lucy’s blood or hear it rushing through her veins. He threw himself into the captain’s chair with a curse.
Chapter Four: Incense And Peppermints
Lucy toyed with the locket she wore as she watched Shel sitting in the captain’s chair. He had a way of draping himself wherever he sat, a boneless grace and economy of movement, that sent her thoughts in a direction Lucy wasn’t sure she was ready for. Her stomach clenched and a wild sense of anticipation made her lick her lips.
Shel eased the throttle back in a gentle caressing move of his hand. The boat slowed to a stop beside the pier. He stood and went to the rail, tossing a rope over to tie up with. Lucy shivered and the image of Shel’s hands on her body jumped unbidden into her thoughts. “It should be safe enough in port.” He turned and smiled at her. “I’ve made a few calls and Sergei is still looking for us in Miami.”
Amused, Shel turned back to watch the man on the dock drawing closer. DeLong walked like he thought the water was going to reach out and grab him. Lucy walked up beside him. Shel glanced at her. Lucy nodded toward the approaching Werewolf. “Who is that?”
“James DeLong.” Shel waved at the approaching man.
“Who is he?”