Vampire 101 Read online

  The first thing she had to do was fill out paperwork. There was the standard stuff like name, date of birth, social security number, address, telephone number, email, and occupation, but after that, it got tricky.

  “They want to know if I was bitten and turned into a vampire against my will,” she said to Kaige. “I was bitten against my will, but if you’d asked me if I wanted you to turn me, then I would have agreed, so what should I put?”

  “Say that you were attacked by a rogue vampire and that I turned you to save your life,” Kaige said.

  She did, but then frowned at the next question. “Were you informed about what becoming a vampire entailed before you were turned, and did you sign the implied consent form?” she read aloud, then looked at Kaige, her pen poised above the page.

  “Write, see above,” he told her.

  Savanna did, then moved on to the next question. What blood type do you prefer? It was followed by a list of the different blood types. Too bad Kaige’s name wasn’t listed somewhere on there. She much preferred the taste of his.

  She looked at him. “What’s your blood type?”

  “A positive,” he said with a smile, obviously knowing why she asked.

  Savanna marked the block for A positive.

  After filling out the forms, she went into another room to get her picture taken, then have her blood drawn. Becoming a vampire hadn’t changed the fact that she was squeamish about needles, but again, she felt better with Kaige there.

  “Why do they need my blood anyway?” she asked him after the lab-tech left.

  “The Counsel keeps a record of every vampire’s bloodline,” he explained as they walked back down the hallway to the main registration room. “While you’re from my bloodline because I’m your sire, your blood can also be traced to Jensen, who is my sire, as well as that of the vampire who sired him, and so on and so on.”

  “Wow,” Savanna breathed. “So, they can actually isolate each vampire’s blood separately?”

  Kaige nodded. “Pretty amazing, huh?”

  “I’ll say. I might just have to take Jensen up on that job he offered me,” she said as they walked back into the main registration room.

  Savanna wasn’t sure what else she had to do as part of the registration process and was relieved when the woman behind the counter told her that she was done. She was more than a little surprised when the woman handed her a thick vampire handbook before she and Kaige left.

  “Aren’t they afraid that this might get into the wrong hands?” she asked Kaige.

  He held open the door for her. “Not really. It’s not like anyone is going to think it’s real.”

  Savanna supposed he was right about that. As she thumbed through the pages while Kaige drove, she couldn’t quite believe it was real herself. Not only did it give detailed information about the Counsel, but it had an entire section on what a vampire should do if he or she felt the urge to bite someone.

  Contact your sire right away and explain the situation. If you are not able to reach him or her, then immediately contact the hotline at the number provided.

  Guess the vamp who attacked her hadn’t read the handbook, Savanna thought wryly. Then again, if he had, she never would have met Kaige.

  “If the Counsel has all these rules in place, and all vampires drink bagged blood, then why did that vampire in the overcoat attack me outside the club the other night?” she asked.

  Kaige glanced at her as he made a right-hand turn. “Every once in a while, a vampire will turn rogue and decide he prefers the old ways. But don’t worry. He’s not going to come after you again. And even if he wants to, the Counsel will find him before he can.”

  “I’m not worried,” she said with a smile. “I know you won’t let him get near me again.”

  He looked surprised by her words for a moment, but then he grinned. “No, I won’t.”

  When they walked into her apartment twenty minutes later, Savanna’s cell phone rang. She considered ignoring it, but it might be Michelle calling to check on her. She pulled out her cell phone to check the call display and groaned.

  “Something wrong?” Kaige asked.

  Savanna watched as the call went to voicemail. “It’s my mom. Calling to remind me about coming to dinner tomorrow night, no doubt.” She sighed. “I’d better call and tell her that I won’t be able to make it.”

  From where he was standing by the couch, Kaige frowned. “Just because you’re a vampire, that doesn’t mean you have to cut ties with your friends and family. At least not right away.”

  Meaning she would have to have some point so they wouldn’t notice she didn’t age. But that wasn’t something she had to think about yet. “It’s not that,” she said. “Having dinner with my mom and dad is never just about us getting together for some quality time. It’s always about her trying to set me up with some guy.”

  “Ah,” he said. “I could go with you, if you want. That way you wouldn’t have to worry about her setting you up with anyone.”

  Her heart did a little flip-flop. “Really? You wouldn’t mind?”

  He smiled. “Not at all.”

  Savanna was sure he was just offering to be polite, but that didn’t stop her heart from hammering wildly anyway. Or her fingers from trembling a little as she dialed the phone and put it to her ear.

  “There’s a pitcher of iced tea in the fridge if you want some,” she said over her shoulder as she headed for the bedroom. “Hey Mom, it’s me.”

  “Savannah, thank God. I’ve been trying to call you for days, dear. I’ve been worried sick.”

  Savanna chewed on her lower lip. “I…um…I’ve been busy with work.”

  “Not too busy to come to dinner, I hope?” her mother asked. “There’s this really nice guy I’d like you to meet. But I want to make sure you’re coming before I invite him.”

  “I’m still coming,” Savanna said. “But if it’s okay, I’ll be bringing someone with me.”

  Her mother sighed. “Savanna, please don’t tell me you met him at one of those dreadful Goth clubs you go to.”

  “Actually, I did,” Savanna said, a smile curving her lips as she thought of Kaige. “But I think you’ll like him.” On the other end of the line, she was sure her mother was rolling her eyes. “I gotta run, Mom. I have to be at work in an hour. I’ll see you in a couple days. Tell Dad I said hello.”

  Savanna sent a quick text to Michelle saying she felt better and would see her at work, then tossed her phone on the bed and grabbed her weekender out of the closet. She’d never been one to pack light, so she was probably bringing way too many clothes, but she wanted to make sure she had enough. As she added several pairs of bikini panties and matching bras to the bag, she couldn’t help thinking about Kaige seeing her in them. She wasn’t sure if the relationship with a sire was supposed to be platonic, but after what had happened between her and Kaige when she’d fed from him last night, it was difficult not to have sexual thoughts where he was concerned.

  She bit back a moan as she zipped the bag. Did all vampires get sexually excited when they fed from each other? The mere thought of drinking from Kaige again had her dizzy with desire.

  Kaige was sitting on the couch flipping through a magazine when she walked into the living room. He tossed it on the coffee table and stood up.

  “Did I hear you say that you’re going to go to work tonight?” he asked.

  He’d heard that? Of course he had. He had bionic hearing.

  She nodded as she set the bag down on the floor. “That’s okay, isn’t it? I mean, I just fed last night, so I shouldn’t be tempted to bite any of my coworkers, right?”

  Savanna could just imagine having to call the vampire hotline because she couldn’t get in touch with Kaige.

  His mouth twitched. “Probably not, but just to be on the safe side, you’d better feed before you go to work.”

  Savanna’s pulse quickened at the thought of nibbling on his wrist again.
The memory of doing it earlier made heat pool between her thighs. Damn, she had it bad.

  “Do you want to do it here?” she asked.

  He nodded. “Sit down on the couch.”

  Savanna did as he asked. She wiped her suddenly damp hands on her jeans. Would Kaige expect her to bite his wrist this time, or would he do it himself again? But he was already lifting his arm to his mouth. She caught her breath at the sight of his fangs.

  At the sound, Kaige paused to look at her. “You might want to close your eyes.”

  She shook her head. “I’m okay.”

  He hesitated, as if debating whether he should insist, but then with his eyes still on her, he sank his fangs into his wrist. Savanna breathed in deeply as the scent of Kaige’s blood filled the room. She ran her tongue over her lips in anticipation and was surprised to feel the sharp tips of her own fangs. She hadn’t even realized they’d come out. She parted her lips eagerly as he held his wrist up to her mouth.

  Kaige’s blood was hot on her tongue and just as intoxicating as she remembered. Savanna let out a little moan and closed her lips more tightly around his wrist, drinking deeply from him. He slid his hand in her hair, his fingers slowly massaging as she gently sank her teeth into his skin.

  As his blood flowed through her, Savanna felt the heat between her legs grow hotter. She squeezed her thighs together, hoping to ease the ache there, but that only seemed to make it worse. It was all she could do not to slide her hand down and touch herself.

  Not wanting to take too much, she tenderly pulled her mouth away. Slowly running her tongue along the inside of Kaige’s wrist, she lifted her gaze to look up at him. His head was thrown back, his eyes closed, the expression on his face one of pure ecstasy. As if just realizing that she had stopped drinking from him, Kaige jerked and opened his eyes. He gazed down at her for a long moment, his eyes dark and smoldering with a look so intense that she caught her breath.

  The next thing she knew, she was in his arms and he was kissing her.

  If she’d thought Kaige’s blood was intoxicating, that was nothing compared to the feel of his lips on hers. His tongue swept into her mouth and slid over her fangs, making her whole body tremble and she melted against him. Eager to see what his fangs felt like, she thrust her tongue into his mouth and almost lost her mind at the feel of the sharp tips.

  He lifted his head, his breathing ragged. “You have no idea how much I want you right now.”

  Savanna let out a husky laugh as she slid her hand between them to the bulge straining at the front of his jeans. “I think I have a pretty good idea.”

  Kaige groaned, the sound a deep growl within his throat as she cupped him firmly in her hand. “What time do you have to be at work?”

  She kissed him again. “Not for an hour.”

  “Thank God,” Kaige breathed, lowering his head to kiss her again.

  Savanna hadn’t known it was possible to kiss and undress each other at the same time—or maybe she’d never wanted a man badly enough to try before—but she and Kaige managed to do both quite well.

  She fumbled with the buttons on his shirt, almost yanking them off in her hurry to get him naked. Kaige was even more eager. The moment his shirt was off, his hands were under the hem of her snug-fitting shirt and he was pushing it up with an urgency that had her dragging her mouth away from his so he could yank it over her head. By the time he reached around to unclasp her satin demi-bra, his mouth was on hers again.

  She tugged at his belt, then went to work on the buttons of his jeans. She’d always thought the button-fly kind were sexy as hell on a guy, but right then she would have preferred a zipper. The things were giving her fits.

  Kaige had better luck, his finger undoing her tightfitting jeans with amazing ease. A moment later, he was pushing them over her hips and down her legs, leaving her wearing nothing but a tiny pair of black bikini panties. Rather than take them off like she’d expected him to, however, he gave her a hand with his jeans instead.

  When they were off and he was gloriously naked, Savanna wasted no time pushing him back onto the couch. Then she stood there gazing at him in appreciation. With that chiseled chest, those broad shoulders, and six-pack abs, he was every woman’s fantasy. She didn’t think she’d ever seen a guy with such a gorgeous body. Or so well-endowed.

  The urge to feel him inside her was so intense, she almost forgot about a condom.

  “Crap,” she muttered. “Wait here.”

  Not waiting for a reply, she ran into the bedroom and headed straight for the box of condoms in the night table. Sprinting back into the living room, she tossed the foil packet to Kaige.

  Stepping out of her sopping wet panties, she placed her hands on his shoulders and straddled his lap. Kaige put his hands on her hips, guiding her into position even as she sank down on his hard cock. She gasped as he filled her pussy, her hands clutching his shoulders, her fingers digging into the hard muscles there.

  “Ride me,” Kaige commanded softly.

  Savanna didn’t have to be told twice, her hips undulating as she slowly moved up and down on his thick shaft. Damn, he felt so perfect inside of her.

  Kaige slid his hand up her back, pulling her close, and she arched against him as he pressed his lips to the hollow behind her ear. He nibbled his way down her neck, the tips of his fangs gently scraping against her skin as he went. Savanna tilted her head to the side, wondering breathlessly if he would bite her. The thought both frightened and excited her at the same time. But he only continued to kiss and nibble. Not that she was complaining. She was more than thrilled with what he was doing.

  Savanna clutched at his shoulders, holding on for dear life. Her neck had always been one of her erogenous zones, but tonight it seemed even more sensitive. She wondered absently if it was because she was a vampire now. But as Kaige’s teeth brushed against her skin again, she decided she’d think about that later. Right now, all she could focus on was what he was doing to her.

  She and Kaige were so out of control that she knew neither of them could last for very long. She rode him harder, taking his cock deeper inside her every time she sat down on him. God, he was touching her in places she’d never been touched before.

  When she came, it was like every orgasm she’d ever had in her life had all been rolled into one. It was cliché, but she swore she could see stars as she threw her head back and screamed. It only got better when Kaige groaned and found his release. His essence warmed her insides and made her feel as if she were going to melt.

  Afterward, all Savanna could do was collapse against him and rest her head on his shoulder as she tried to catch her breath.

  “Oh my God, that was incredible,” she breathed. She pressed a kiss to the side of his neck. “Is it always like this? Sharing blood, I mean. Is it always such a sexual experience?”

  Kaige gently smoothed her hair with his hand. “Only with you.”

  For some reason, that pleased Savanna immensely.

  Chapter Five

  Savanna barely made it to work on time. After such amazing sex, it had been more than a little tempting to say the hell with her job and spend the night in bed with Kaige. But she’d already sent that text to Michelle telling her she’d be in. It’d be just her luck that Michelle would send the cops over to check on her. So, after a quick shower and a bite to eat, Kaige had dropped her off at the lab.

  “I could have taken the BART,” she said.

  “The subway is too dangerous at night,” was his answer.

  He even insisted on picking her up when she got off from work. She hadn’t admitted it to him, but she liked it when a guy got all chivalrous.

  “You look different tonight,” Michelle said over lunch in the break room.

  Savanna froze, a spoonful of yogurt halfway to her mouth. Had her fangs slipped out? “Different, how?”

  “I don’t know.” Michelle tilted her head to the side, regarding her with a thoughtful expression. “Like you sp
ent the afternoon in bed with some guy.”

  Savanna tried to hide her blush by concentrating on her nearly empty container of yogurt, but she wasn’t quick enough.

  “Get out!” Michelle gasped. “Who is he? When did you meet him? More importantly, why didn’t you tell me about him?”

  Savanna shrugged, trying to make the whole thing appear more casual than it was. “I met him at the club I went to the other night.”

  The other girl blinked. “And you’re already sleeping with him? That’s fast. He must be hot.”

  Hot didn’t even begin to describe Kaige, but Savanna only smiled as she lifted the spoon to her mouth.

  “Let me guess,” Michelle said as she picked up the other half of her sandwich. “He’s tall, dark, handsome, and wears an overcoat, right?”

  “You forgot brooding.” Savanna licked the last of the yogurt off the spoon. “Actually, he is tall, dark, and handsome. Not brooding, though. And he was wearing jeans and a T-shirt the first time I saw him.”

  “Jeans and a T-shirt, huh? Now I’m really intrigued.” Michelle grinned. “Sounds like a complete departure for you. Tell me everything.”

  Savanna took a sip from her bottled water as she considered the best way to describe how she and Kaige had met. Deciding a slightly modified version of the story might be best, she told Michelle that she’d gotten herself into a “tight spot” at the club and that Kaige had “come to her rescue.”

  “I wasn’t really feeling too well after that and he was nice enough to take me home,” she said, not bothering to add that it had been Kaige’s home or that she’d ended up staying there for a couple of days. “I hadn’t really planned on sleeping with him tonight. It just kind of happened. We’d just had a sexy, romantic…dinner, and before I knew it, we were making out in my living room.”