Michelle Hasker

Jasmine almost ran down the dirt road that led away from her best friend's house. It was loud, smoky, and filled with people she didn't know that kept bumping into her. All Denise's parties were like this and she knew this one would be no different. The only reason she'd come to the party was because she was afraid to face Denise tomorrow at work if she didn't. That, and Denise's promise of a surprise.

She'd been here well over an hour and still no sign of a surprise. In fact, Jazz was beginning to suspect it had been a ruse. It was probably another one of Denise's pathetic attempts at matchmaking.

Jazz made her way down the road and kept going, following the line of oaks that bordered the side of the road.

A light breeze blew gently. As she walked, Jazz could hear the night sounds all around her. Nocturnal animals scurrying about looking for a meal, crickets chirping, and frogs croaking out a companionable tune.

Drawing in a deep breath, she enjoyed the fresh air that cleared her mind of the fog that smoky room had wrapped around her. The scent of the wild flowers tickled her nose, an owl hooted softly in the distance, and a million stars lit up the night sky. Jazz realized she didn't want to go back. She was more at home outside in nature than inside pretending to be someone she wasn't.

She left the road and walked in the woods for a few silent minutes thinking about life and how many things she wished she could change. The joint venture between herself and Denise was a success, yet she still felt empty. Every night she went home to an empty house and a cold, lonely bed.

It was a boring cycle, but one she had no idea how to change. Every man she met paled in comparison to him. Actually, everything paled in comparison to those stolen moments with Sinclair. They'd had three blissful months, and then before she could tell him how much he meant to her, he left. Disappeared.

She feared it had something to do with his attack. The night before he was mugged was the last time she'd seen him. Jazz didn't know how badly he’d been injured. He'd refused to let her come see him. A few days later he'd called and told her things were over. That he was moving on and if she were smart she'd do the same. They just weren't compatible.

Jazz laughed softly as the hurtful words replayed in her mind. Compatible? They'd been perfect together. No one since had come close to him. She'd even stopped dating, much to Denise's dismay. Hence the series of forced blind dates.

Somewhere out there Sinclair was probably happy with the woman of his dreams. She needed to deal with it and move on. After one very long year she knew he'd never return.

After a few more minutes she turned around and walked back to the party. It was so late that only the moon and starslit the way.

Her footsteps slowed, as she grew closer to the house. Even from out here she could hear the music and laughter. Jazz dreaded going back into that smoke-filled room. Maybe no one would notice if she stayed out here.

Slowly she started back up the driveway, pausing next to a dark car. Snagged, Jazz thought with a sigh, as she noticed a pair of black shoes next to the vehicle. Slowly her gaze moved up over black slacks, and shirt, hesitating when she reached his face.

What was he doing here? Her breath caught in her throat as she stared at Sinclair Montgomery. He met her gaze. Automatically, she stepped toward him as he reached for her. They met in front of the car.

Jazz opened her mouth to ask him a question, but didn't get the chance because his lips covered hers. With a hunger she wasn't aware she possessed, Jazz met his kiss eagerly, accepting, and demanding more from him. He smelled of spicy cologne, nature, and the scent that was his alone. Dizzy with desire, Jazz surrendered to him without protest.

His hands gripped her sides, pulling her closer as he deepened the kiss. She grabbed onto his shoulders, and held on for dear life, drowning in sensations. Desire, lust, and a taste of the forbidden. One after another, they rammed into her, stealing her breath and weakening her knees.

Jazz clung to Sinclair as he turned her and pressed her against the hood of the car. She turned her head to the side, panting as he continued his assault, lips trailing along her jaw and neck.

"I want you," he whispered when he reached her ear.

Shivering, Jazz closed her eyes with a moan. Desire spiraled in her stomach and spread throughout her body. Fisting trembling fingers in his hair, Jazz tugged his mouth toward hers for another soul-searing kiss.

Sinclair's hands slid up her sides, until they cupped her breasts. When his thumbs brushed over her nipples she gasped and arched her back.

"So responsive." Jazz felt him smile, then his warm hands slid under her shirt, and reached behind her to release the catch on her bra.

"Only for you," she answered, struggling for breath as he lifted her up on the hood of the car, and spread her legs so he could step in between them.

His hard erection pressed against her as pushed her down on the car and slid her top up. Then his mouth lowered to her breast and he drew one of her nipples in between his lips, while teasing the other with his finger and thumb.

"Sinclair," Jazz gasped, fingers digging into his shoulders as she arched her back again.

Liquid heat consumed her, as Sinclair's mouth worked his magic. He lifted his head up and met her gaze. Jazz leaned up and reached for his pants, opening them. Her hands closed around his shaft, and she pulled him free of his boxers. He inhaled harshly when she wrapped her hands around him and slid them up and down.

"So responsive," she smiled, repeating his words from earlier.

Sinclair nodded his head, breath hissing out as her thumb rubbed across the tip. "I need you now," he gasped.

"Yes." Jazz nodded. "Now."

He wrapped one hand around her waist, pulling her closer, as the other slid under her skirt and along her thigh, hesitating at her panties.

"Are you sure?" Sinclair asked, his finger stroking her through the thin material.

"Mmmhmm," Jazz whimpered.

"You're so wet," he groaned, leaning in to kiss her again.

Jazz shifted against his hand, wanting to feel him without the barriers of their clothing.

"Patience, love."

Jazz growled, and devoured his mouth with hers as she caressed the hard length of him. Screw patience, she wanted him here and now. Nothing else mattered. They were far enough from the house that no one would see them, and they weren't close to the road either.

"Now," she ordered.

Sinclair chuckled, but he obeyed, sliding the thin barrier aside, his fingers brushing over her swollen folds.

"Please," Jazz begged.

"Yes," he hissed, entering her slowly.

"Oh, God," she moaned, wrapping her legs around Sinclair.

Even as her body adjusted to his size, he began to slide in and out, going deeper with each rhythmic thrust. Jazz grabbed onto his shoulders and held on as he moved harder and faster. Soft sounds of pleasure escaped from her lips, even as she tried to stifle them.

Her eyes met his, and she drowned in the depths of his blue eyes. He smiled, the light reflecting off longer than usual canines. Jazz froze, her breath strangling in her throat. Sinclair continued his thrusting movements until he realized she'd stopped responding.

"What the hell?" She gasped, struggling to catch her breath. She pushed on his chest and tried to squirm away.

"Shh." He held her in place with his hands and legs. "I suppose I should have told you first."

"Yeah. You should have!" She hissed as he lowered his mouth and kissed the sensitive skin over her carotid.

"I was afraid you wouldn't want me. I had hoped I could control it. But being with you is like nothing I've ever experienced. No other even comes close to you. I love you, Jazz."

"Love?" She stuttered. But he was a vampire. Even if she'd secretly fantasized that they were real and that one would become her lover it wasn’t something she thought possible. And now that it was, what should she do?

"Jazz, it's still me. I just have a longer lifespan."

"And the need to drink blood."

"That too." He chuckled. "But nothing else has changed. I'd like you to share immorality with me."

"How can you say that while you're buried inside of me? How do I know it's not a line? How do I know you won't use your vampire powers to make love to me and then make me forget all about this?"

"Does it feel like I'm compelling you to make love to me? In fact, I'm hurting with the effort to hold still and not take you hard and fast like I want."

Jazz sighed as she realized he was right. He had stopped even though she hadn't asked him to. He was waiting for her permission before he continued to make love to her. It had been nothing but pleasurable so far. She wasn't sure what being a vampire entailed, but he had asked her to become one.

"I just don't know. This is kind of sudden."

Sinclair laughed.

"Okay, so the whole thing is just a little out there."

"But we are good together, Jazz. I love you. Have you stopped loving me?" Sinclair grabbed her hands, met her gaze and held it.

"Gee, Sinclair." Jazz hesitated and glanced down where their bodies joined. "I think that answer is obvious."

"Then say you'll give me a chance. I'll give you time to get used to the idea of being vampire. And if you never decide to I'll respect that as well. As long as you let me spend the rest of your life loving you."

Jazz's heart warmed at his words. When she smiled and nodded he grinned and resumed his lovemaking. As he thrust deep within her, he rubbed his thumb across her clit. Jazz shivered and moaned as he repeated the caress.

"Come for me, sweetheart," he whispered against her neck.

Jazz grabbed onto his shoulders and arched her back as tingling spread from her toes to her thighs. "God, Sinclair."

When he sank his teeth into her neck, a thousand lights danced before her eyes and then exploded as waves of heat and pleasure washed over her. She dug her nails into his shoulders and arched as he suckled on her neck. With another fierce thrust, he rammed inside her and sucked hard on her neck. She shattered into a million pieces as another orgasm swept over her before the first had receded.

As her inner muscles clenched around him, Sinclair shouted her name and dropped his head on her shoulder.

After a few minutes he lifted his head and met her gaze. "I love you."

"I love you, too." Jazz smiled. "I'm not ready to be turned, but could you bite me again?"

"After you eat something to regain what I'll take from you I'd love to." Sinclair grinned and kissed her.