Tall, Dark, and Vampire

whoever killed Ronald also killed this girl, don’t you?”

“Yes, at least that’s what we suspect. Both spent some portion of their last night alive here.” He took the picture back and noted she was careful not to let their hands touch again. “You recognize her, don’t you?”

Olivia nodded. “She was here with Michael Moriarty and his little gang of thugs. He said something to upset her, and she ran out in a huff.”

“Did he follow her?”

“Hardly.” Olivia let out a short laugh. “I doubt if he even knew her name. The guy has always got one girl or another hanging on his arm.” She lifted one shoulder. “No accounting for taste, I suppose.”

“Where did they find her?”

“Not far from here.” He put the picture away quickly and noticed the subtle change in her demeanor. “Washington Square Park.”

He could tell she was unnerved by seeing the picture of Brittany, though he resisted the sudden and ridiculous urge to scoop her up in his arms and comfort her. Doug cleared his throat and straightened his back, wrestling to hang onto his waning professionalism.

“We need to speak with your staff, and I need to show her picture around the club. I realize you may not be happy about that, but—”

“Not a problem,” Olivia said with a curt nod. “You’ll have our full cooperation, of course.” She cast a loving look at Van and the kitten, curled around each other and sleeping contentedly. “Too bad someone wasn’t around to rescue Brittany,” she said, her voice edged with sadness and a twinge of anger.

“We’re going to find whoever did this.”

“I can promise you one thing, detective,” Olivia said as she turned her eyes to his. “If someone in my club was responsible, I will do everything within my power to assist you.”

“I’m glad to hear that,” he said as he put the notebook away and looked casually around the small office.

He noted the lack of personal photographs. The only pictures she had were of her dog and one large print of a sunrise over the mountains. Clearly not married and no boyfriend. Good. The very idea of it made him want to kick some serious ass. It wasn’t dignified to feel jealous over a woman he just met, but that didn’t make it any less true.

He turned to go, his hand lingering on the doorknob but not turning it. Mustering up his courage, he finally asked the question he had been dying to ask all night.

“So,” he asked without turning around. “Is there any chance of you taking me up on my offer?”

He dropped his hand from the knob, silence stretching between them as if condemning him. Doug swore under his breath, turned around intending to offer an apology, and found Olivia standing inches from him. He hadn’t heard the chair move or squeak, giving away her movements, yet here she was, just a breath away.

“What did you say?” Her brow furrowed, and she looked at him with wonder.

She was tall, and in those towering heels, only a few inches shorter than he was. Her skin was exquisite, void of a single line or freckle, which gave the impression of someone quite young, but based on her records, she was in her early thirties and had owned this place for the past ten years. Truthfully, she had the air of an older person, and that made her a walking contradiction.

“Dinner, remember?” he asked in a barely audible tone. His lips lifted as his eyes met hers. “Mexican. Chinese. Burgers. Hell, anything you want.”

“I remember, detective… I wasn’t sure if you would.”

“There are some offers a man just can’t forget, Olivia.” His eyes drifted over the soft angles of her face, and he hardened with need. “You are inescapable, and I can’t help myself when I’m around you. At the very least, I want to get to know you better, and I’d like to do it outside of these unpleasant events.”

“I—I really didn’t think you’d remember,” she whispered.

Her sparkling green eyes stayed locked on his, and her body wavered dangerously close, as if begging to be touched. He should have stepped back and allowed her to pass, or she should have asked him to move, but neither happened.

Instead they stood there, hovering over a dangerous place. Doug swallowed hard as blood rushed from his brain directly to his cock. His mouth watered as the scent of cinnamon filled his head and danced over his tongue.

“It would take me an eternity to forget you,” he said in reverent tones.

Her eyes widened, and her lips parted, as if in invitation, which was all the encouragement Doug needed. In a split second his mouth was on hers, and his fingers tangled in those long, red curls as they had so many times in his dreams. His head fogged with desire as her sweet tongue tangled with his, and reason left him, but there was one thing he was sure of—that kiss in the alley had been real.

He would never forget the taste of her.

Her arms slid around his neck as he backed her against the wall and pinned her there. He delved deeply into the cavern of her mouth and groaned as she kissed him back with equal fervor. She wrapped one long leg around his, pressing herself harder against his growing erection. Her small breasts crushed against his chest, and he braced both hands on the wall on either side of her, not trusting himself, afraid he might rip her clothes off and bury himself deep.

Nothing made sense. None of it. But he didn’t care. All that mattered was getting more and getting closer. She licked and nibbled at his lips as she grabbed his hair and kissed him back aggressively—which was a major turn-on. He loved a woman who knew what she wanted and wasn’t afraid to go for it.

A moment later, she tugged his head away abruptly, breaking the kiss, but her body remained pinned between him and the wall. He rested his forehead against hers and squeezed his eyes shut.

Damn it all to hell. What was he doing?

Doug shoved himself away from the wall and the feel of her body.

“I’m sorry,” he said as he grasped for some shred of reality. “I’m not sure what just happened.”

Olivia was stone cold. She didn’t move, but her green eyes, only moments ago filled with lust, were now hard and unemotional. She straightened her jacket and smoothed her soft red curls as she brushed past him to the door.

“I think we’re about finished here, detective. I have to refuse your dinner invitation.” Olivia tugged the door open. Pounding music filled the small space, which only moments ago had been thick with the unmistakable rumble of passion. “You are welcome to speak with any of the club patrons, as well as my staff. I have business to attend to, but you know where to find me if you need me.”

She arched one amber eyebrow as she held the door open and motioned for him to leave. The music spilled into the office, instantly drowning out their intimate moment. Doug eyed her carefully and let out the breath he’d been holding. He barely noticed that the dog was once again standing guard at her feet.

“I’m sure you won’t interview my customers the same way you interviewed me?” she asked in a low, seductive tone as he stepped through the open door. “I can’t imagine behavior like that would be good for the image of the NYPD.”

He turned to answer her just as the door slammed shut in his face.

“Not likely,” Doug muttered under his breath.

He ran his hands over his face and swore silently at his lack of self-control and loss of professionalism. Never in his life did he have personal contact with a witness on a case, and here he was making out like a horny kid in the back office of a nightclub with a broad who could, quite possibly, be involved in the murders.

However, as he cut through the sweaty crowd and made his way to Tom, who was interviewing the waitress by the VIP booths, he knew it was only the beginning. Things were going to get weirder. Doug got to the bar and looked back at the closed door of the office. That kiss in the alley was real, and she was in his dreams.

The taste of her still lingered on his lips. If he was taking a trip on the crazy train, then riding it with Olivia had to be the best fuckin’ way to go.