BodySnatchers Read online

  The sound of the door opening was followed by a long, low whistle. “She’s even lovelier fully awake. I can see why you wanted to keep her to yourself.”

  “Not now, Torsten,” Yuri said, hiding a smile. “She’s not all too fond of vampires.” He agreed with Torsten that Reggie was lovely with her eyes open, her naked body glowing pale in the soft lighting.

  “Interesting,” Torsten said. “Some of us aren’t as bad as others. We don’t all go around raping, killing and draining our victims.”

  Reggie growled and leaped at Yuri. “Move, vampire!”

  Yuri reached out and captured her wrist, knocking it against his thigh until she dropped the stake. Then he spun her around, thrust her arm up the middle of her back and pressed it between her shoulder blades. “Now see what you’ve done, Tor? You made her angry.”

  She dropped the pillow and elbowed him in the side. “Let me go.”

  Yuri doubled over but didn’t release his hold on her arm, ratcheting it higher up her back. “I don’t want to hurt you,” he said between gritted teeth.

  “Then let me go!” Her foot kicked backward, landing a glancing blow to his shin.

  “Not until daylight. The streets aren’t safe at this hour.” He clamped an arm around her middle, pinning her free arm to her side and pulled her tight against his chest.

  Her naked body squirmed against him. His cock hardened to steel. “Stop wiggling.”

  “No.” She struggled, her breasts rubbing against the top of his arm, causing him more consternation than the blow to his shin.

  “How can I talk sense into you when you won’t be still?” he said, grunting as she jabbed another elbow into his ribs.

  “You’re a vampire. I don’t listen to vampires. I kill them.”

  “Not today, you don’t.”

  “Are you sure you don’t need help?” Torsten asked. “She seems to be getting the better of you.”

  Just what he needed—a persistent pest to distract him when he had his hands full. “Get out!” Yuri roared.

  The door slammed none too gently, leaving Yuri and Reggie alone again.

  Reggie planted her feet on the floor and lurched forward in an attempt to throw him off balance and over her shoulder.

  But Yuri was ready. He lifted her high into the air and marched her to the bed, tossing her to the sheets face first.

  Reggie twisted onto her back at the same time Yuri threw himself across her body, trapping her flailing arms and legs beneath him.

  She fought like a hellcat for several more minutes and then sagged against him, as if all the wind left her sails.

  “I have to go back out,” she said, her voice sounding strained and frantic. “Please let go of me.”

  He pulled her arms up over her head and held them pinned to the bed, as much affected by her quiet plea as her spirited resistance. But he couldn’t let her go. Not yet. “No.”

  “You don’t understand. I have to go back out.”

  “Why?”

  She inhaled and blew the breath out before answering. “It’s my job.”

  “Your job?”

  “Yes. We were the bait to lure the person responsible for the disappearances of the women you might have heard about in the papers. Vampires do read, don’t they?”

  “Not all of us are animals,” he said. Although the animal in him wanted more than words from this woman. His animal wanted a repeat performance. “What did you mean ‘bait’?”

  “Bait to draw out the kidnappers.”

  Anger as fiery as a red-hot poker seared through his veins. “Bait? What fool would send a women out as bait?”

  “Hey, it was my idea, okay?”

  “Then you are a fool.” He frowned down at her. “What are you—some kind of cop?”

  “We’re with the Paranormal Investigative Agency. We search out and destroy bad vampires like you.” She practically spat the last word in his face.

  “That explains a little. But you were alone when we found you. Where are the other members of your team?”

  “That’s why I have to get back out there. My partner is out there alone.”

  “I’ll send Torsten out to see if he can find him. What does he look like?”

  “He’s a she. And why would I tell you what she looks like? So Blondie there can capture her too? No thanks.”

  “Whatever you choose to believe, you’re staying put. You’re safer here.”

  “I’m no safer here than out there with Cesar’s thugs.” Reggie bucked beneath him, renewing her fighting against his superior weight and strength.

  The thatch of curls at the apex of her thighs pressed against his engorged cock, and he had to bite down hard not to moan. “You have my promise we will not harm you.”

  “As if a vampire’s promise is worth anything? Ha!”

  Her struggle was beginning to wear at him. If she didn’t settle down, he might be tempted to shut her up in other ways. “When I give my word, I stand behind it.”

  “Just let me go,” she said, her breathing coming in gasps, each breath making her breasts rise toward him.

  Fighting anger and frustration, he wondered how much he could he stand and not touch her again. If he were to let her loose before morning, she’d be right back out in the same amount of danger she’d been before. “I won’t let you go.” Truth was he didn’t want to let her go. He wanted to fill his hands with her and bury himself deep inside her warm moist center. This time with her eyes wide open.

  “I won’t tell anyone where you are. You can blindfold me and lead me out if you have to, but I need to find Madison. She’s all I have left.”

  “You won’t be able to help her now, and I won’t allow you to go until daylight.” The sweet swells of her body were making him crazy. If he didn’t get away from her, he’d do something he’d regret. Yuri grabbed for the shirt she’d slapped aside and tied a sleeve around her wrists.

  “’Let me go, or so help me I’ll kill you,” she said, her lips thinning into a straight peachy-pink line, her body struggling beneath him.

  “I’ll do what I have to.” He tossed the shirt around one of the posts on the headboard and pulled the fabric until her hands were snug against the wood. He tested its strength before he relaxed.

  Then he eased his way down her body—slowly—too slowly, his mouth hovering over one ripe, rounded nipple.

  His throat dried, his pulse surged. As he paused, the nipple puckered into a tight little button.

  “Don’t you dare,” she said, her voice nothing more than a gasping whisper.

  “Oh but I dare.”

  The woman beneath him lay still, her body rigid, her breathing erratic. “You’re a vampire. The enemy.”

  “I’m only the enemy in your mind.” He took the nipple between his lips and flicked the taut bud with the tip of his tongue. “So sweet.”

  His cock pressed hard against the fly of his trousers, begging for another release. No, he couldn’t take advantage of her again. He might lose control, and without Torsten holding him back, he could go too far and drain the life right out of the pretty agent.

  Yuri reluctantly let the nipple loose and moved downward, intent on crawling off the end of the bed, but he only got as far as the patch of red curls cloaking her folds. When she’d been riding him earlier in her “dream”, he hadn’t been able to touch her. Torsten had restrained him, sitting on his hands to keep the beast in him from harming the woman.

  “There are advantages to making love to a vampire.” His breath stirred the fine hairs.

  She tugged against the sleeve tying her to the bed. “I’m not interested. Let me go.”

  The more she wiggled, the more Yuri’s body heated.

  He glanced at her face, noting twin flags flying high on her cheeks.

  She ran her tongue across her lips. “Why are you doing this to me?”

  “I can’t resist you. You’re like a curse I can’t ignore.”

  “You’re a vampire.”

  “I’m a m
an.” He bent to press his lips to her flat belly. “You are a woman. A very desirable woman.”

  “Don’t. Please.” Despite her plea, her knees fell wider, exposing her pussy, the glistening channel drenched in their combined juices.

  “Being a vampire has advantages. I have over four hundred years of experience in what makes a woman forget everything else.” His fingers traced a line from her bellybutton downward, disappearing into the soft red curls.

  “I don’t want anything to do with you or any other vampire,” she said, her tone as tight as a strung bow. “Please.”

  “Please what?” His tongue flicked out and stroked her clit. His hand shifted lower, the tips of his fingers poised at her entrance.

  “Please…” she moaned, her hips rising to meet the thrust of his fingers as he entered her slick, moist channel.

  Now that she was awake, her eyes open, her body calling out to his, Yuri made love to her without regret. His tongue flicked, teased and stroked her clit until her heels dug into the mattress and she lifted her ass off the bed. She strained against the fabric holding her wrists, but she didn’t try to kick him away.

  He paused, his gaze shifting upward to gauge her reaction.

  Her head tossed from side to side, her hair tangled, sweat beading on her brow. “Please. Don’t. Stop. Now,” she begged.

  He climbed up her body and entered her in one swift thrust. Her channel clenched around him, tight, warm and wet. He pulled out halfway, the sensations of being inside her more than he could handle. He struggled to control his body’s reaction, fought to keep his teeth from jutting forward, died a thousand deaths resisting the urge to sink not only his cock but his fangs deep into her.

  Reggie’s legs wrapped around his waist and pulled him into her. Their bodies moved in unison.

  Like a mercury rising in a boiling-hot thermometer, the tension built, leapt, soared until they both gasped aloud.

  Yuri threw his head back, away from her throat, and cried out, thrusting one last time, his climax complete, his body exploding into a million shards of light and sensation.

  He collapsed over her body, spent, unable to move.

  “This changes nothing,” she whispered into his neck. “You’re still a vampire.”

  Yuri pushed away from her and stood, his body already missing the warmth of her beneath him, but he had work to do. “I’ll be back when the sun comes up.” One last look at her naked body and he left the room.

  * * * * *

  As soon as Yuri left, Reggie twisted and struggled until she’d flipped over and scooted up to her knees.

  With her fingertips, she worked at the fabric, trying to untangle the knot he’d tied so expertly. Her twisting to her knees had only complicated the matter and pulled it tighter. The more she tried, the more she realized the knot wasn’t getting any looser.

  She should have put the damn shirt on when he told her to instead of giving him the perfect method of restraint.

  “Want me to untie it for you?”

  The sound of a gentle feminine voice behind her made her yelp.

  “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to startle you.” A pretty, pale young woman with hair the color of milk chocolate eased through the doorway and into the room, shooting a look back over her shoulder. “I shouldn’t be in here, but I wanted to talk to you.”

  “Is that right? Only talk? Or are you one of them?” Reggie jerked her head toward the door, drawing attention to the other room, away from her nakedness.

  The girl’s mouth curved into a soft smile, her gaze skimming over Reggie’s body. “No. I’m not a vampire if that’s what you mean.”

  Anger fired through Reggie’s veins. Maybe she was one of missing women. “Are you a prisoner too? What’s your name?” Maybe she matched a name on her list of missing women. Or worse, there were more unreported women missing.

  Musical laughter floated through the room as she crossed to Reggie. “My name is Melisande, and no, I’m not a prisoner. I live here.”

  “I don’t understand. You’re not a prisoner, you’re not a vamp, and yet you choose to live here?”

  “Yes.” She reached out and tugged at the shirt, pulling the sleeves through the knots. Her glance strayed to Reggie’s naked breasts several times during the process, her cheeks growing redder by the minute.

  When Reggie’s hands were finally freed, Melisande stepped back, twisting the shirt in her hands.

  Reggie rubbed her wrists, wondering about the woman who seemed so young and naïve. “Could I have the shirt please?”

  Melisande glanced up, her eyes wide, the flush in her cheeks deepening. When her gaze traveled from Reggie’s full breasts to the apex of her thighs, she turned away, shoving the shirt at Reggie without looking. “Please. I didn’t mean to… I’m sorry. Oh hell…” Her voice trailed off and she turned her back to Reggie. “I’m sorry, I couldn’t help it. You are very beautiful and your skin is so soft.”

  “Are you embarrassed by my nakedness?” Reggie chuckled. “You’re a strange bird. A woman who lives with vampires is embarrassed by a little nudity when she has two of the most gorgeous men I’ve ever seen under the same roof.” She shrugged her arms into the voluminous sleeves and buttoned the middle three buttons. The shirt hung to her knees. Since it was the only garment offered, she’d make-do. Her tank top was toast.

  “I know you must think I’m silly. I see the guys running around with next to nothing on, sometimes even naked, but there aren’t many women around. I shouldn’t have taken advantage of you while you were dreaming.”

  Reggie gasped. “You were the woman in my dream?”

  Melisande nodded, her cheeks bright red. “I’ve always wondered what it felt like to touch another woman there.” Her gaze dropped to Reggie’s pussy again and she looked away quickly.

  Reggie’s body tingled, remembering the feel of those slender fingers sliding across her skin and into her…

  She sucked in a deep breath and let it out slowly. “Look, just don’t let it happen again unless I’m fully aware and consent.”

  Melesande nodded. “I won’t. Unless you want to.” She smiled, her face lighting up.

  “So you don’t…you know…do it with the vamps?”

  “Oh no. They would never.”

  “With those two, that’s hard to believe.” The thought of Torsten and Yuri traipsing around the apartment with nothing on made her blood shoot to her head and low in her belly at the same time. Whew! She’d seen a good portion of Yuri exposed, and he would be hard to forget.

  “They never bring other women back to the apartment. They don’t want anyone to know where they live. It’s been that way since Yuri brought me to live with them.”

  “Yuri bringing you here, was it your choice or his?” Reggie slipped on her jeans and tied the shirttails around her waist with a firm yank. Did she need to sneak Melisande out of here as well as getting her own butt out? If she had to drag Melisande around Houston, it would slow her from finding Madison, but she didn’t feel right leaving her here.

  “Mine of course,” she said with conviction. “I really didn’t have anywhere else to go, and I’ve never felt safer.”

  Reggie stared at her for a long moment. “Aren’t you afraid they’ll try to make you into one of them?”

  “Oh no.” She shook her head, her straight brown hair swirling around her shoulders. “Yuri was turned against his will around four hundred years ago by a woman he thought he loved. Such a sad story.” Melisande sighed.

  Yuri was in love with another woman? The thought didn’t set well with Reggie, and her fingers curled into a tight ball. She hadn’t considered Yuri might be taken. “Is she still around?”

  “She left as soon as she turned him. Broke his heart.” The girl shrugged. “That’s why Yuri swore he’d never turn a soul who didn’t want it. Tor feels the same. They won’t turn me unless I want them to.”

  So the woman wasn’t around, and Yuri had morals. Reggie found that hard to believe, especially after he�
��d tied her to the bed. “You’re not considering letting them turn you, are you?”

  “Maybe someday. I want to have a regular life first.”

  “Regular? Honey, you live with vampires. There’s nothin’ regular about that in my books.” She glanced toward the open curtains. The battleship gray of predawn crept across the Houston skyline.

  “I know. But I hope to have a career and maybe a husband and children someday.” She turned toward Reggie. “I’m going to college, you know.”

  Reggie raked a hand through her tangled hair and then planted both fists on her hips. “Then what the hell are you doing with them?”

  “I love them,” she said as if it were the most natural thing in the world. “They’re my family.”

  “Don’t you have a real family?”

  Her head dipped low. “No.”

  Reggie had to lean close to catch her answer. “What happened to them?”

  “My mother died when I was a baby, and my father…wasn’t much of a father to me.” She looked up, her gaze finally meeting Reggie’s. “Yuri saved me and brought me here.”

  “My mother also died when I was a baby.” She and Melisande had something in common, but losing their mothers was as far as it went. Her father had reared her and Madison in a loving, supportive environment. That’s why his death had hit her so hard, and why she didn’t trust vampires. Especially ones with dark sexy eyes and a body that made her forget everything.

  “It’s hard growing up without a mother,” Melisande said.

  “Not if you have a father who gives a damn and a sister you’d give your life for.”

  “What’s that like?” Melisande asked. “Having a father who cares? Mine didn’t. He only wanted me for one reason.” Her voice dropped to a whisper and her gaze shifted to her feet.

  She didn’t name that reason, but Reggie had seen enough in her life as a cop before she joined the PIA that she could guess by what she didn’t say. Melisande’s father was a sexually abusive son of a bitch. For a brief moment, Reggie could respect Yuri for taking this woman-child away from that kind of life.

  She reached out and grasped the woman’s hands. “Melisande, come with me. I can find you a place to stay and get you set up with scholarships and everything. You don’t have to stay here.”