Immortal Reborn
On New Year's Eve
by
Lynn Daniels
On New Year's Eve
by
Lynn Daniels
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Cherise Vinnye squinted into the sparkling, lush hotel ballroom. The New Year’s Eve party
glittered extravagantly, making her eyes water. A gnawing hunger ached inside her.
Unbidden, she could hear the thoughts of the partygoers. Many hoped naively that the coming
New Year would bring them all the things they desired. Fools. Her starvation prevented her
from shutting them out. She detested being forced to endure another meaningless holiday.
“I don’t know why I do this,” she muttered.
Vivienne DeMoray placed a heavily jeweled hand on her arm. “You’ll feel better once you’ve
eaten.” Her eyes bore into Cherise’s. “Just remember last year.”
Last year. No, there could not be a repeat of last year.
Her stomach growled.
Vivienne shook her head. “Choose already!”
Cherise scanned quickly, but her eyes wouldn’t focus.
“The dark haired man with exotic eyes near the fountain,” Vivienne suggested.
There. Near the ice sculpture. Hello, Mr. Exotic. He gazed idly around the room, clearly bored
with the chatty woman clinging to his arm. His eyes, so dark they matched his tuxedo, swept
down her body and returned slowly to her face.
She wet her lips, and psychically started to weave her control through his desire. Mr. Exotic
smiled. She looked pointedly across the room at the side entrance and back.
He tapped his companion on the arm, murmured briefly in her ear, and left her talking to
another woman.
Now, if she could only control the hunger raging inside.
Vivienne squeezed her arm. “Be discreet, Cherise. I’ve spotted three security guards already.”
Mr. Exotic waited in the hall with two glasses of champagne in hand.
“I thought you might need a drink,” he purred in a cultured voice.
“Not exactly what I had in mind.” She ran the rim of the glass idly back and forth across her
bottom lip.
Mr. Exotic’s eyes followed the glass. “I would hate to presume.” His dark eyes swept down
her cleavage, lingering on the fall of sequins over her breast, then roamed lower to the sparkling
rhinestone straps of her high-heeled shoes. She had worked with care to showcase her
seemingly twenty-year-old body to perfection. She would never allow an unwilling participant.
“What did you have in mind?” He removed the champagne glass from her fingers and brushed
his hand down her arm. Light headed, she almost lost her balance.
“I think you know.”
He nodded, tucked her free hand through his arm, and strolled down the hallway. “This hotel
has some very nice features.”
“Oh?”
“I’ll acquaint you with one of the lesser known but very convenient accommodations.” He
opened the door to the supply closet, and twirled her quickly inside with him, shutting the door
in one fluid motion.
The sound of his heartbeat filled her ears. It beat faster as his hands swept across her body.
Oh yes, clearly willing. With iron self-control she fought the overwhelming desire to rip open
his shirt. When his lips touched her skin she suppressed a shudder. She reached expertly for his
bow tie. The buttons on the tricky tuxedo shirt took longer.
Mr. Exotic slid a finger under the ultra slim strap holding up her dress and she put her hand flat
on the middle of his chest. “Let’s slow this down, just a little,” she whispered. She felt his
body tremble beneath her palm. He moaned with impatience.
She leaned forward and licked his neck from his ear straight down his jugular. This close to her
goal she trembled too. His shallow breaths, and the pounding pulse of his blood shredded the
last thread of her self-control. With lightning speed, she sank her fangs deep into his jugular.
The taste of rich fresh blood on her tongue triggered the instinct to drain every drop quickly.
The first swallow made her stomach ache even more fiercely. She fed greedily and used her
psychic ability to create the illusion of phenomenal sex. It had been too long since the warm
liquid of life crossed her lips.
Mr. Exotic began to shake in her arms. Startled, she hurriedly licked the puncture points
closed. No, please no. Not again. She fumbled for the light switch, and turned on the glaring
white bulb overhead. Mr. Exotic looked pale and pasty. Heart pounding, Cherise pulled down
his lower eyelid. The angry red lines of blood ran reassuringly dark. She was safe, this time.
Mr. Exotic floated apart from reality in the dreamlike aftermath of what he would remember as
his best orgasm ever. Cherise used his stupor to psychically reinforce his dream. She cleaned
him up quickly.
Slowly she reduced her control on his mind and kissed his lips gently.
His eyes blinked open and he shook his head.
“We should be getting back before we’re missed,” Cherise whispered. She blinked against the
bright light when she opened the door.
Mr. Exotic followed complacently to a nearby conversation area. Cherise settled him in an
overstuffed chair.
“Can I see you again?”
She handed him her card. “You can reach me at this number.”
His night dark eyes devoured her. “I’ll call.”
Yes, he most likely would. For a night or two she would use him again, before psychically
convincing him he wasn’t interested any longer.
The knife-edge of the horrible gnawing hunger had dulled, but not enough.
When Cherise returned to the ballroom, Vivienne appeared at her side. The concern on her face
lifted. “Very good. You succeeded too. And for our next course?”
Deep in the shadows of the balcony, a man drew Cherise’s attention. Thick dark hair, broad
shoulders, trim waist, enticing curve to his backside, and long legs. Psychically she willed him
to turn around, but he turned instead to look out at the city lights below. In profile his nose
was straight and refined. His well-shaped lips sipped from his glass.
“Balcony,” Cherise said, leaving Vivienne’s side. A soft chuckle floated behind.
“Champagne?”
Cherise was forced to accept the crystal flute or appear rude. She nodded her thanks to the
waiter, and discovered a perfect blond meat and potatoes man. Hello, Mr. Meat and Potatoes.
Never one to look a gift horse in the mouth, she smiled, letting the fingers of her free hand rest
lightly on her collarbone. “Can you direct me to the ladies’ room?”
“Of course, ma’am. It’s just out those doors and down the hall on the right.”
Gorgeous white teeth, and polite. She reached out, lightly resting her fingertips on the arm of
his jacket. “I have such a hard time with directions. Would you mind escorting me?”
His eyes dropped to an inappropriate level. “I would love to.” Ah, the enthusiasm of youth.
Psychically, she wove her control through his desire.
Before returning to the ballroom again, she took a deep breath and wiped the sheen of
perspiration from her forehead. Young did not equate to innocent.
Cherise inspected her arm, relieved to see no bruise. She had dined on meat and potatoes.
Unfortunately they came with a side of steroids and violence.
She could feel the tension in the room as the singles searched desperately for someone to kiss at
midnight. No longer starving, she shut out their ridiculous thoughts. She would hunt for the rest
of the night like a bear, fishing salmon in a spawning frenzy.
She spotted the dark haired man from the balcony talking to a tall gorgeous brunette. Not
surprising. Cherise knew she couldn’t attract the attention of every tempting man in the room.
Briefly, disappointment filled her.
Oddly, the dark haired man chose that moment to turn and look her directly in the eye. His
eyes were brilliant blue, piercing and gorgeous. Hello, Mr. Blue Eyes. In the light of the
ballroom she could see every handsome refined feature on his face. Her heart skipped one slow
beat. Startled, she turned away.
Vivienne waved to her from across the room, mouthing, “Be careful.”
Careful. Yes, always careful. Never take too much blood, never let anyone see you, never get
attached to your food, never go out in the sunlight. An eternity filled with nevers.
She found herself staring at Mr. Blue Eyes. On the dance floor he gracefully turned his dance
partner and looked pointedly over her shoulder at Cherise. What would it feel like to have his
arms holding her? To be inches from the energy in those steely blue depths? She shivered as a
tingle of awareness swept from her core outward. Once she had danced with the men she
tasted, but no more.
“May I have this dance?”
She dropped her eyes to a man with thick black plastic rimmed glasses. His slightly receding
hairline and soft jaw weren’t ideal. But his thick square hands clenching and unclenching
nervously ensured he would not be a repeat of Mr. Meat and Potatoes.
“Thank you for the offer, but I don’t want to dance right now.” She let her eyes slide down to
his shoes. Clean, neat, not too expensive. His brown eyes were hidden behind the glasses, but
Cherise could feel his embarrassment. “Maybe we could go out to the patio, instead?”
His sweet look of surprise pleased her.
Wonderfully cool, and surprisingly empty, they stood on the patio together.
“You look beautiful in the moonlight,” Mr. Nervous stammered uncertainly.
Dare she take the chance? Someone could walk out at any moment. But in the darkness what
would they see?
She moved farther from the doorway toward the darkness of the railing near a potted tree. Mr.
Nervous followed like a lamb.
Cherise sent out the lightest possible psychic touch. “Would you like to see what else is
beautiful in the moonlight?” She stroked her fingers across her neck enjoying the cold air on her
warm skin.
His eyes followed her fingers. Pound, pound, pound. Slowly, maddeningly slowly, she
increased the intensity of her psychic control.
“What?”
Cherise reached out with one hand and pulled him gently closer until his front pressed against
hers.
He looked down at her body pressed provocatively against him, and swallowed loudly.
Cherise smiled, and maneuvered him so the tall shrub hid them from prying eyes. He tasted
sweet, and uncomplicated. Exactly what she needed to take her mind off of dark haired men
with piercing blue eyes.
What was wrong with her tonight? He was a man, nothing more.
Mr. Nervous left with her card clenched in his hand. She breathed deeply and savored her
fullness.
Mr. Blue Eyes appeared, a frown marring his handsome features. He strode across the patio,
and stopped, silent for a moment, staring at her with smoldering blue eyes.
“That isn’t very discreet,” he ground out.
“What isn’t?” She frowned in return.
“Sending him in with that silly satisfied smile. On an open balcony? You’re reckless.”
“I don’t know what you mean.” Cherise attempted to return to the safety of the ballroom
before he could make an accusation.
His hand circled her arm, stopping her escape. “You do. And, I’m trying to give you some
friendly advice.”
Her eyes flew up to his. “Why would you do that?”
“Because I want to.” A dark gleam glowed in his eyes as his grip loosened and his thumb
stroked the inside of her arm.
Of course. Blackmail. Not hard to guess what he wanted for payment.
“Here on the balcony?” She raised one eyebrow and wet her lips. Psychically she tried to
weave her control, but met with solid resistance.
“In my suite upstairs.”
Was he joking? His eyes didn’t waver. And, he smelled incredibly good to her sensitive nose.
Masculine. Clean. Her traitor body heated. His thumb massaging her arm stoked embers of
desire.
“I’ve been wanting you from the moment I first saw you.”
“Very smooth.”
He let go of her arm, and tilted her chin up until her eyes met his. “I’m not smooth. I’m
truthful.”
She pulled her chin from his fingers, only to find her hand captured in his. A tug on her arm
forced her forward.
Neither of them spoke as they wove through the press in the ballroom. Vivienne was nowhere
in sight.
“Tell me your name.” Mr. Blue Eyes demanded, as they waited for the elevator, his gaze oddly
intent.
“Cherise.”
“Cherise, what?”
“Cherise Vinnye.” Why had she told him? Flickers of fear crept around her heart.
He stepped in close and murmured in her ear, “Cherise Vinnye, I am Nathan Jadot, and I plan to
make love to you as we ring in the New Year.”
Her fear melted away. Surely she would have the chance to use his desire to control him. The
indignant reply on her tongue died, however, as she felt the warmth of his body against her
skin. And the magnetic electric blue of those eyes, they had the power to steal her resolve.
The flickers of fear returned full flame.
She blinked and found herself in a richly furnished hotel suite. What floor? She had no clue,
no memory of the elevator.
Nathan opened the ornate double doors to reveal a huge heart shaped bed covered in gold silk.
“Heart shaped?”
Nathan’s lips quirked into a grin. “It seemed appropriate.”
As he removed her clothing with infinite care and erotic caress, he never allowed her near his
neck. Unlike those before him, he didn’t rush her to reach his satisfaction; he enticed her to
reach hers. Against her better judgment, fear gave way to desire.
“Do you like this?” He stroked his tongue across her sensitive breast.
Cherise moaned her reply. How was this possible? Feed and move on. She couldn’t allow
herself to be distracted like this.
She placed her hand on his chest. “Let’s slow this down for a minute.”
“I love slow,” he murmured, stroking his fingers leisurely up the inside of her leg, starting at the
knee.
“Not what I meant.” She hated the breathiness of her voice.
He chuckled softly. His fingers moved ever higher at a maddeningly slow pace.
With conflicted desperation, she whispered, “Why don’t you let me give you what you need?”
“This is exactly what I need.” He snared the wrist of her questing hand and gently lifted her
arm over her head.
Oh God. How long had it been since she’d let a man touch her intimately, exquisitely? She
gasped as finally, finally she could feel him inside. His cool fingers stroked, causing the burning
inside to flame higher. Her back arched against his touch.
“Look at me.”
His eyes invaded the place where her soul once lived. “I will surpass your wildest fantasies.”
She almost believed him. She wanted to believe him.
Torturing and teasing, he made her pant and moan as she hadn’t done in a century. Nathan
found pleasure points she had forgotten existed, and coaxed her burning need into an inferno.
When he released her hands, her disappointment struck like a hammer. She could escape.
He rolled to his back compliantly, when she pressed against him. She straddled him, ensuring
her superior position, preparing for the moment she would leap away. He had unusual strength
she would need to counter. She leaned down and licked a line from his collarbone to his ear.
She needed to taste him, needed her control. Bringing her fangs down with a vicious stab, she
savored the exquisite flavor of his blood on her tongue. For once she couldn’t separate herself
from the intense sexual waves filling her.
Nathan’s hands grasped her hips a moment before he lifted her up and speared inside her.
Blood pouring down her throat. His body moving deep inside. Hands caressing her back. The
sensations combined and built until her inferno exploded.
She felt him join her in climax.
When she released him, he rolled her over immediately. In the aftermath of her first orgasm in
a century, she lay stunned as he licked her neck.
With no warning, his fangs pierced her vein. Her breath seized. Her spent body arched
suddenly in throws of passion again, aching, and agonizing with ecstasy. Nathan was with her,
shuddering with impatience and need. This was no man. This was a vampire. Their bodies
exploded together in burning waves longer and stronger than the first.
When the final shudder rippled through her, he withdrew his teeth and sensually licked the
gashes closed.
“What is your name?” His gravelly voice caused a throb in her well-used muscles.
“Renee,” she whispered. “My birth name was Renee.”
“Renee is French for reborn.”
Cherise nodded, unable to speak, and a tear spilled down her cheek. Before she could lift a
hand Nathan brushed it gently away.
“How long has it been?”
“Over one hundred years, since I allowed a man to touch me. Almost 500 since anyone called
me Renee. I… I’ve never been with a vampire.” Eyes wide, she demanded, “I couldn’t sense
you. How is that possible?”
Nathan kissed her. “You are still young. As you age your powers will grow. You’ll learn. Until
then you could use some looking after.”
She caught the next tear herself before it could escape her eye. “I look after myself.”
Nathan nodded. “By letting yourself starve? I’ve learned not to do that in my 1, 000 years. I
can help you, little one.”
Someone willing to help her? Her voice wavered, “Tell me your name.”
“My name was Athanase.”
“Immortal,” she whispered.
Boom. Boom. Boom. “Happy New Year!” Fireworks, cheers of the partygoers, an ancient
melody and words of a time long ago stirred memories of New Years past.
“Happy New Year, Renee Cherise,” Nathan whispered. “This year will be better than the last
because I have found you.”
As the fireworks turned their room brilliant colors, he pulled her close and kissed the top of her
head. His arms circled her and long forgotten hope filled her until she ached. Maybe this year
she would learn to trust again. Maybe this year she had a future to look forward to as well.
“Happy New Year, Nathan.”
(2998 Words)
glittered extravagantly, making her eyes water. A gnawing hunger ached inside her.
Unbidden, she could hear the thoughts of the partygoers. Many hoped naively that the coming
New Year would bring them all the things they desired. Fools. Her starvation prevented her
from shutting them out. She detested being forced to endure another meaningless holiday.
“I don’t know why I do this,” she muttered.
Vivienne DeMoray placed a heavily jeweled hand on her arm. “You’ll feel better once you’ve
eaten.” Her eyes bore into Cherise’s. “Just remember last year.”
Last year. No, there could not be a repeat of last year.
Her stomach growled.
Vivienne shook her head. “Choose already!”
Cherise scanned quickly, but her eyes wouldn’t focus.
“The dark haired man with exotic eyes near the fountain,” Vivienne suggested.
There. Near the ice sculpture. Hello, Mr. Exotic. He gazed idly around the room, clearly bored
with the chatty woman clinging to his arm. His eyes, so dark they matched his tuxedo, swept
down her body and returned slowly to her face.
She wet her lips, and psychically started to weave her control through his desire. Mr. Exotic
smiled. She looked pointedly across the room at the side entrance and back.
He tapped his companion on the arm, murmured briefly in her ear, and left her talking to
another woman.
Now, if she could only control the hunger raging inside.
Vivienne squeezed her arm. “Be discreet, Cherise. I’ve spotted three security guards already.”
Mr. Exotic waited in the hall with two glasses of champagne in hand.
“I thought you might need a drink,” he purred in a cultured voice.
“Not exactly what I had in mind.” She ran the rim of the glass idly back and forth across her
bottom lip.
Mr. Exotic’s eyes followed the glass. “I would hate to presume.” His dark eyes swept down
her cleavage, lingering on the fall of sequins over her breast, then roamed lower to the sparkling
rhinestone straps of her high-heeled shoes. She had worked with care to showcase her
seemingly twenty-year-old body to perfection. She would never allow an unwilling participant.
“What did you have in mind?” He removed the champagne glass from her fingers and brushed
his hand down her arm. Light headed, she almost lost her balance.
“I think you know.”
He nodded, tucked her free hand through his arm, and strolled down the hallway. “This hotel
has some very nice features.”
“Oh?”
“I’ll acquaint you with one of the lesser known but very convenient accommodations.” He
opened the door to the supply closet, and twirled her quickly inside with him, shutting the door
in one fluid motion.
The sound of his heartbeat filled her ears. It beat faster as his hands swept across her body.
Oh yes, clearly willing. With iron self-control she fought the overwhelming desire to rip open
his shirt. When his lips touched her skin she suppressed a shudder. She reached expertly for his
bow tie. The buttons on the tricky tuxedo shirt took longer.
Mr. Exotic slid a finger under the ultra slim strap holding up her dress and she put her hand flat
on the middle of his chest. “Let’s slow this down, just a little,” she whispered. She felt his
body tremble beneath her palm. He moaned with impatience.
She leaned forward and licked his neck from his ear straight down his jugular. This close to her
goal she trembled too. His shallow breaths, and the pounding pulse of his blood shredded the
last thread of her self-control. With lightning speed, she sank her fangs deep into his jugular.
The taste of rich fresh blood on her tongue triggered the instinct to drain every drop quickly.
The first swallow made her stomach ache even more fiercely. She fed greedily and used her
psychic ability to create the illusion of phenomenal sex. It had been too long since the warm
liquid of life crossed her lips.
Mr. Exotic began to shake in her arms. Startled, she hurriedly licked the puncture points
closed. No, please no. Not again. She fumbled for the light switch, and turned on the glaring
white bulb overhead. Mr. Exotic looked pale and pasty. Heart pounding, Cherise pulled down
his lower eyelid. The angry red lines of blood ran reassuringly dark. She was safe, this time.
Mr. Exotic floated apart from reality in the dreamlike aftermath of what he would remember as
his best orgasm ever. Cherise used his stupor to psychically reinforce his dream. She cleaned
him up quickly.
Slowly she reduced her control on his mind and kissed his lips gently.
His eyes blinked open and he shook his head.
“We should be getting back before we’re missed,” Cherise whispered. She blinked against the
bright light when she opened the door.
Mr. Exotic followed complacently to a nearby conversation area. Cherise settled him in an
overstuffed chair.
“Can I see you again?”
She handed him her card. “You can reach me at this number.”
His night dark eyes devoured her. “I’ll call.”
Yes, he most likely would. For a night or two she would use him again, before psychically
convincing him he wasn’t interested any longer.
The knife-edge of the horrible gnawing hunger had dulled, but not enough.
When Cherise returned to the ballroom, Vivienne appeared at her side. The concern on her face
lifted. “Very good. You succeeded too. And for our next course?”
Deep in the shadows of the balcony, a man drew Cherise’s attention. Thick dark hair, broad
shoulders, trim waist, enticing curve to his backside, and long legs. Psychically she willed him
to turn around, but he turned instead to look out at the city lights below. In profile his nose
was straight and refined. His well-shaped lips sipped from his glass.
“Balcony,” Cherise said, leaving Vivienne’s side. A soft chuckle floated behind.
“Champagne?”
Cherise was forced to accept the crystal flute or appear rude. She nodded her thanks to the
waiter, and discovered a perfect blond meat and potatoes man. Hello, Mr. Meat and Potatoes.
Never one to look a gift horse in the mouth, she smiled, letting the fingers of her free hand rest
lightly on her collarbone. “Can you direct me to the ladies’ room?”
“Of course, ma’am. It’s just out those doors and down the hall on the right.”
Gorgeous white teeth, and polite. She reached out, lightly resting her fingertips on the arm of
his jacket. “I have such a hard time with directions. Would you mind escorting me?”
His eyes dropped to an inappropriate level. “I would love to.” Ah, the enthusiasm of youth.
Psychically, she wove her control through his desire.
Before returning to the ballroom again, she took a deep breath and wiped the sheen of
perspiration from her forehead. Young did not equate to innocent.
Cherise inspected her arm, relieved to see no bruise. She had dined on meat and potatoes.
Unfortunately they came with a side of steroids and violence.
She could feel the tension in the room as the singles searched desperately for someone to kiss at
midnight. No longer starving, she shut out their ridiculous thoughts. She would hunt for the rest
of the night like a bear, fishing salmon in a spawning frenzy.
She spotted the dark haired man from the balcony talking to a tall gorgeous brunette. Not
surprising. Cherise knew she couldn’t attract the attention of every tempting man in the room.
Briefly, disappointment filled her.
Oddly, the dark haired man chose that moment to turn and look her directly in the eye. His
eyes were brilliant blue, piercing and gorgeous. Hello, Mr. Blue Eyes. In the light of the
ballroom she could see every handsome refined feature on his face. Her heart skipped one slow
beat. Startled, she turned away.
Vivienne waved to her from across the room, mouthing, “Be careful.”
Careful. Yes, always careful. Never take too much blood, never let anyone see you, never get
attached to your food, never go out in the sunlight. An eternity filled with nevers.
She found herself staring at Mr. Blue Eyes. On the dance floor he gracefully turned his dance
partner and looked pointedly over her shoulder at Cherise. What would it feel like to have his
arms holding her? To be inches from the energy in those steely blue depths? She shivered as a
tingle of awareness swept from her core outward. Once she had danced with the men she
tasted, but no more.
“May I have this dance?”
She dropped her eyes to a man with thick black plastic rimmed glasses. His slightly receding
hairline and soft jaw weren’t ideal. But his thick square hands clenching and unclenching
nervously ensured he would not be a repeat of Mr. Meat and Potatoes.
“Thank you for the offer, but I don’t want to dance right now.” She let her eyes slide down to
his shoes. Clean, neat, not too expensive. His brown eyes were hidden behind the glasses, but
Cherise could feel his embarrassment. “Maybe we could go out to the patio, instead?”
His sweet look of surprise pleased her.
Wonderfully cool, and surprisingly empty, they stood on the patio together.
“You look beautiful in the moonlight,” Mr. Nervous stammered uncertainly.
Dare she take the chance? Someone could walk out at any moment. But in the darkness what
would they see?
She moved farther from the doorway toward the darkness of the railing near a potted tree. Mr.
Nervous followed like a lamb.
Cherise sent out the lightest possible psychic touch. “Would you like to see what else is
beautiful in the moonlight?” She stroked her fingers across her neck enjoying the cold air on her
warm skin.
His eyes followed her fingers. Pound, pound, pound. Slowly, maddeningly slowly, she
increased the intensity of her psychic control.
“What?”
Cherise reached out with one hand and pulled him gently closer until his front pressed against
hers.
He looked down at her body pressed provocatively against him, and swallowed loudly.
Cherise smiled, and maneuvered him so the tall shrub hid them from prying eyes. He tasted
sweet, and uncomplicated. Exactly what she needed to take her mind off of dark haired men
with piercing blue eyes.
What was wrong with her tonight? He was a man, nothing more.
Mr. Nervous left with her card clenched in his hand. She breathed deeply and savored her
fullness.
Mr. Blue Eyes appeared, a frown marring his handsome features. He strode across the patio,
and stopped, silent for a moment, staring at her with smoldering blue eyes.
“That isn’t very discreet,” he ground out.
“What isn’t?” She frowned in return.
“Sending him in with that silly satisfied smile. On an open balcony? You’re reckless.”
“I don’t know what you mean.” Cherise attempted to return to the safety of the ballroom
before he could make an accusation.
His hand circled her arm, stopping her escape. “You do. And, I’m trying to give you some
friendly advice.”
Her eyes flew up to his. “Why would you do that?”
“Because I want to.” A dark gleam glowed in his eyes as his grip loosened and his thumb
stroked the inside of her arm.
Of course. Blackmail. Not hard to guess what he wanted for payment.
“Here on the balcony?” She raised one eyebrow and wet her lips. Psychically she tried to
weave her control, but met with solid resistance.
“In my suite upstairs.”
Was he joking? His eyes didn’t waver. And, he smelled incredibly good to her sensitive nose.
Masculine. Clean. Her traitor body heated. His thumb massaging her arm stoked embers of
desire.
“I’ve been wanting you from the moment I first saw you.”
“Very smooth.”
He let go of her arm, and tilted her chin up until her eyes met his. “I’m not smooth. I’m
truthful.”
She pulled her chin from his fingers, only to find her hand captured in his. A tug on her arm
forced her forward.
Neither of them spoke as they wove through the press in the ballroom. Vivienne was nowhere
in sight.
“Tell me your name.” Mr. Blue Eyes demanded, as they waited for the elevator, his gaze oddly
intent.
“Cherise.”
“Cherise, what?”
“Cherise Vinnye.” Why had she told him? Flickers of fear crept around her heart.
He stepped in close and murmured in her ear, “Cherise Vinnye, I am Nathan Jadot, and I plan to
make love to you as we ring in the New Year.”
Her fear melted away. Surely she would have the chance to use his desire to control him. The
indignant reply on her tongue died, however, as she felt the warmth of his body against her
skin. And the magnetic electric blue of those eyes, they had the power to steal her resolve.
The flickers of fear returned full flame.
She blinked and found herself in a richly furnished hotel suite. What floor? She had no clue,
no memory of the elevator.
Nathan opened the ornate double doors to reveal a huge heart shaped bed covered in gold silk.
“Heart shaped?”
Nathan’s lips quirked into a grin. “It seemed appropriate.”
As he removed her clothing with infinite care and erotic caress, he never allowed her near his
neck. Unlike those before him, he didn’t rush her to reach his satisfaction; he enticed her to
reach hers. Against her better judgment, fear gave way to desire.
“Do you like this?” He stroked his tongue across her sensitive breast.
Cherise moaned her reply. How was this possible? Feed and move on. She couldn’t allow
herself to be distracted like this.
She placed her hand on his chest. “Let’s slow this down for a minute.”
“I love slow,” he murmured, stroking his fingers leisurely up the inside of her leg, starting at the
knee.
“Not what I meant.” She hated the breathiness of her voice.
He chuckled softly. His fingers moved ever higher at a maddeningly slow pace.
With conflicted desperation, she whispered, “Why don’t you let me give you what you need?”
“This is exactly what I need.” He snared the wrist of her questing hand and gently lifted her
arm over her head.
Oh God. How long had it been since she’d let a man touch her intimately, exquisitely? She
gasped as finally, finally she could feel him inside. His cool fingers stroked, causing the burning
inside to flame higher. Her back arched against his touch.
“Look at me.”
His eyes invaded the place where her soul once lived. “I will surpass your wildest fantasies.”
She almost believed him. She wanted to believe him.
Torturing and teasing, he made her pant and moan as she hadn’t done in a century. Nathan
found pleasure points she had forgotten existed, and coaxed her burning need into an inferno.
When he released her hands, her disappointment struck like a hammer. She could escape.
He rolled to his back compliantly, when she pressed against him. She straddled him, ensuring
her superior position, preparing for the moment she would leap away. He had unusual strength
she would need to counter. She leaned down and licked a line from his collarbone to his ear.
She needed to taste him, needed her control. Bringing her fangs down with a vicious stab, she
savored the exquisite flavor of his blood on her tongue. For once she couldn’t separate herself
from the intense sexual waves filling her.
Nathan’s hands grasped her hips a moment before he lifted her up and speared inside her.
Blood pouring down her throat. His body moving deep inside. Hands caressing her back. The
sensations combined and built until her inferno exploded.
She felt him join her in climax.
When she released him, he rolled her over immediately. In the aftermath of her first orgasm in
a century, she lay stunned as he licked her neck.
With no warning, his fangs pierced her vein. Her breath seized. Her spent body arched
suddenly in throws of passion again, aching, and agonizing with ecstasy. Nathan was with her,
shuddering with impatience and need. This was no man. This was a vampire. Their bodies
exploded together in burning waves longer and stronger than the first.
When the final shudder rippled through her, he withdrew his teeth and sensually licked the
gashes closed.
“What is your name?” His gravelly voice caused a throb in her well-used muscles.
“Renee,” she whispered. “My birth name was Renee.”
“Renee is French for reborn.”
Cherise nodded, unable to speak, and a tear spilled down her cheek. Before she could lift a
hand Nathan brushed it gently away.
“How long has it been?”
“Over one hundred years, since I allowed a man to touch me. Almost 500 since anyone called
me Renee. I… I’ve never been with a vampire.” Eyes wide, she demanded, “I couldn’t sense
you. How is that possible?”
Nathan kissed her. “You are still young. As you age your powers will grow. You’ll learn. Until
then you could use some looking after.”
She caught the next tear herself before it could escape her eye. “I look after myself.”
Nathan nodded. “By letting yourself starve? I’ve learned not to do that in my 1, 000 years. I
can help you, little one.”
Someone willing to help her? Her voice wavered, “Tell me your name.”
“My name was Athanase.”
“Immortal,” she whispered.
Boom. Boom. Boom. “Happy New Year!” Fireworks, cheers of the partygoers, an ancient
melody and words of a time long ago stirred memories of New Years past.
“Happy New Year, Renee Cherise,” Nathan whispered. “This year will be better than the last
because I have found you.”
As the fireworks turned their room brilliant colors, he pulled her close and kissed the top of her
head. His arms circled her and long forgotten hope filled her until she ached. Maybe this year
she would learn to trust again. Maybe this year she had a future to look forward to as well.
“Happy New Year, Nathan.”
(2998 Words)