The Vampire's Kiss Read Online Free Page A

He’d disappeared. Into thin air.
    She walked slowly toward the bed. She couldn’t believe that she’d done it. After all of those months of planning, she’d finally done it.
    She sat down and reached for the picture. As always, the sight of her brother caused her chest to tighten with grief. “Soon, Mark. I promise. You’ll have your vengeance. Soon .”
    She gently put the frame back in its place, and with hands that trembled, she opened the nightstand drawer. She took out a small, unmarked plastic bottle.
    She shook the bottle and two pills spilled into her palm.
    She stared at the innocuous looking white pills. The doctors had prescribed them for her months ago. They were supposed to help her. Not make her better, for nothing could do that. But they were supposed to keep the pain away. And they did. Sometimes. Sometimes they completely stopped the pain. And sometimes they didn’t do a damn thing.
    Of course, they never stopped the nightmares. She didn’t think anything could stop them.
    HE SAT IN THE darkest corner of the bar, his back against the hard black wall, and he waited for her.
    He ignored the crowd around him. The dancing. The laughter. It held no interest for him. The people in the bar, with their tight clothing and desperate eyes, didn’t affect him.
    But she did.
    The moment that she stepped inside the dim bar, he felt her. In every inch of his body, he felt her.
    And he hungered.
    She wore a short black skirt that fell to mid-thigh. Her glorious legs immediately captured his attention. They were long and slender. Delicately muscled.
    Her matching top dipped daringly low, revealing more than a hint of her cleavage. Her firm breasts pressed enticingly against her shirt’s front, and he realized that he could see her nipples.
    Every muscle in his body tightened. Strained. Hungered.
    He was aware that others noticed her, too. Several men turned to watch her as she slowly made her way through the crowded bar. One fool even reached out and placed his hand upon her shoulder.
    William studied the man carefully, memorizing his features. The fellow would pay for that careless touch.
    Savannah smiled at the man, and William saw her murmur softly to him. The hand fell away from her body, and she once again began walking toward him.
    William rose and went to meet her. He grabbed her arm and pulled her toward him.
    “What do you think you are doing?” His voice was a low growl.
    She lifted one delicate auburn brow. “Meeting you?”
    His eyes narrowed. “Why are you dressed like that?”
    “We’re at a bar,” she reminded him, a small smile playing around the corners of her mouth. “I wanted to fit in.”
    She wouldn’t fit in. A woman like her would always stand out from the crowd. “Well, you’re not fitting in. You’re attracting more attention than we want.” He hated the way the other men stared at her. He hated their lust-filled gazes.
    And he hated even more that his own stare was filled with the same crazed need.
    He steered her toward his waiting booth. At least the shadows would protect her from some of the prying eyes. Coming to Jake’s had obviously been a mistake.
    When she sat down, he followed her, moving his body close to hers.
    Savannah reached into her bag and pulled out a brown package. “Here.”
    William frowned. “What is this?”
    “Henry’s diary.”
    His eyes widened in surprise.
    She smiled. “I figured you should have it back.”
    He carefully unwrapped the precious gift. He peeled the paper away slowly and stared in wonder at the leather volume. His fingers delicately caressed the soft cover. He traced his family’s crest and could have sworn that he actually felt heat, felt life, coming from the book. “Thank you.”
    “You’re welcome.” She frowned and looked around the bar. A band screamed lyrics from a lifted stage and a mass of bodies danced vigorously on the small dance floor. “Do you come here often?”
    He almost smiled at her question. Almost, and