A Vampire for Christmas(41)

Interesting.” Her mother would have loved this moment. She gestured with an alcohol-laden cotton ball that he lean forward so she could dab at the cut she’d seen on his lip when he’d had her slammed against the wall outside. “It’s going to sting.”

You don’t need to do that.”

Running her tongue along her lower lip, she slipped into a fantasy about the mouth inches from her eyes. Those firm lips would feel warm against hers, and he’d take from her exactly as he wished as he ran his hands over her body and pulled her against all his hard planes. And she’d like to give him whatever he desired.

Oh, Olivia, sounds like the lyrics to some stupid pop song. He’s not going to ravish you, no matter how much your silly heart wants him to. The guy just escaped werewolves. Why are you not freaking?

She looked for the cut. His lips were thick and inviting—would a kiss taste like blood?—but…no cut.

What’s wrong?” he asked in a smooth baritone that hummed in her chest and made her want to perform a duet with him, one composed not of singing, but of lusty kisses and explorative touches. “Finally realize you’ve invited a monster into your home?”

No. Well, yes, there is that, but it’s—the wound is gone.”

I heal fast. Don’t need medical attention, that’s for sure.”

Then why did you come up?”

Because I got an invite from a sexy woman. Not a man alive who could resist that. Even though I suspect you’re a little crazy for not freaking over a vampire and two werewolves. Why did you invite me up here? You like to play with fire, Olivia, who is just a common mortal?”

You think you’re fire?” She strolled her eyes down his face and to the tear in his shirt. The cusp of rock-hard pectorals teased. She could feel his invisible flames licking at her inhibitions. “Maybe I asked you in so I could…”

Should she be so bold? The risks were high. For both of them. But she needed this foray into danger.

Hell, a girl only lived once. “Kiss you.”

Daniel gripped her by the neck and when she thought the vampire would lunge and rip out her carotid, he smirked, cluing her that she’d reacted with the fearful response he’d been hoping for.

Releasing her breath, her heart thundered and her skin grew clammy. Could she really do this? She wouldn’t even look over her shoulder in an attempt to find that approving nod she’d once always required.

This time you’re on your own. Can you make a decision without the approval you’ve grown to expect?

You want to kiss the vampire?” His tone was teasing. “I knew you were one of those fang junkies.”

I’m not. I already told you I bruise easily. My wanting a kiss has nothing to do with you being a vampire. In fact, the whole Dracula part does unsettle me. Fangs are not sexy. And sure, werewolves freak the crap out of me, but I didn’t know that’s what they were until after they’d left and you told me.”

Yeah, don’t call me Dracula. I don’t do capes.”

Now she did dare touch his mouth because she noticed a few freckles on his top lip and couldn’t not touch. “It’s you, Daniel. You’re…hell, you’re sexy and something about you appeals to a part of me that needs danger in her life. What’s wrong with a girl wanting to kiss a handsome man?”

He quirked a brow. That simple motion started a fast burn from her neck down to her breasts, where her nipples perked and her whole body sighed in anticipation. His husky voice melted through her skin and made her want to grab him, touch him, the threat of fangs be damned.

Could the girl, even when clad in the most unsexy outfit ever, do the ravishing? She didn’t see why not.

Olivia stood and pushed the vampire’s shoulder against the couch. “I’m going to kiss you, Daniel, but if I see a flash of fang, then you’re out of here. Deal?”

You’re pretty bossy, you know that?”

Does that mean there is no deal?”

He pondered it a moment, his now-we’ve-gone-beyond-friendship stare locked to hers for long seconds. “I’ll behave. For now.”

Disregarding his inability to fully commit to the deal, she straddled his legs and, kneeling on the couch, kissed him. His mouth was warm, firm and tinted with winter’s cool tang. They fit perfectly, and that was saying a lot for a first kiss. Nothing felt awkward about kissing Daniel, and everything felt right. And he wasn’t about to let her control the kiss because his hand went around her thigh, claiming her with a squeeze and pulling her closer.