Free Holiday Bites: A Collection of Vampire Paranormal Romances by Michele Bardsley Page B

away!”
    “Please, Trixie. Allow me to apologize.”
    She pursed her lips. He sounded sincere—which didn’t mean jack squat. Most charismatic men could make a lie sound like the truth. “How do you know my name?”
    “I know Steven and Michael.”
    That didn’t exactly answer her question. “Who are you?”
    “My name is Marc.”
    “Okay then, Marc. Apology accepted.”
    “I will not feel that I have earned your forgiveness until I see you face-to-face and offer my penance.”
    Trixie rolled her eyes. “That’s an awful lot of words just to say I’m sorry.”
    “Must we converse through this door?”
    Frustration was seeping through his slick charm. Well, he might be human, after all. Trixie cracked open the door and stuck her face between it and the jamb. He looked at her, his expression caught between amazement and confusion.
    “I’m sorry,” he said, not sounding contrite at all. His brows furrowed. “Invite me inside.”
    “What the hell for?”
    He looked her over, the dip between his brows deepening as he frowned. “You are … different.”
    “You’re not the first to make that observation.” She opened the door a little more. “Look, I’m not your girl, okay? I’m not interested in one-night stands.”
    “I will give you great pleasure.”
    “I’m sure you would, honey. But the answer is no.”
    He studied her so intently, she felt like a bug under a microscope. Apparently, he was unable to solve whatever mystery she represented.
    “Can I kiss you?”
    Trixie sighed. “No.”
    “Please. One kiss.”
    Strangely, she was tempted. Marc’s manner had changed somehow. He seemed less arrogant and more tentative. She hadn’t been kissed in so long her lips had probably forgotten what to do. Impulsively, she opened the door.
    “Oh, all right. Come in and kiss me.”
    She should’ve known he wouldn’t settle for a mere peck on the cheek. No, he cupped her face, stared deeply into her eyes, and brushed his lips across hers.
    Electric thrills raced up her spine. His fingers slid into her damp hair and he angled his head for better access. His lips were like a butterfly cavorting among wildflowers. Landing, flitting away, capturing, but not conquering.
    By the time his tongue pierced the seam of her mouth, her knees had gone watery.
    Damn, the man could kiss.
    His tongue drew hers into a mating dance. Trixie clung to his arms, her heart pounding erratically. I like him, her body trilled. He should stay and do more naughty things.
    All too soon, Marc pulled away. As he stepped back, she nearly lost her balance. He steadied her, his eyes showing both his desire and his caution.
    She stared up at him, confused and delirious and hot . She pressed trembling fingers to her swollen lips.
    “I want very much to spend the night with you,” he said. “Let me make love to you, Trixie. Please.”
    She’d bet a whole month’s salary that this guy rarely, if ever, said please. And maybe she was still rattled, but he sure sounded desperate—like if he couldn’t have her, he’d just die from the wanting.
    Trixie couldn’t form a denial. She didn’t think sex for the sake of sex was something she’d like. But the way this man made her feel—oo-wee, she’d never felt such lust. Not even for Benny, who couldn’t unhook her bra without a light on and an instruction manual.
    She bet this guy could unhook a bra in one second flat. She stared at him, and he stared back, and she made her decision.
    “Okay,” said Trixie.
    He took her chin and gave her another one of his sexy, deep stares. “Are you sure? Oddly enough, I want you to …  want me. Sincerely. Without any coercion.”
    She wasn’t exactly sure what he was talking about, but she understood that he needed reassurance.
    “I want you,” she said simply. “My thoughts, my actions are my own.”
    “As are mine.”
    Marc shut the door and turned the lock. When he turned to face her, she could see that his confidence had returned. He wore