The Vampire and the Virgin

That evening after sunset, Olivia strolled down the Grikos beach, headed for Robby’s house. A full moon hung heavy in the sky, casting sparkles on the sea. The breeze was chilly, and she was glad she’d worn a jacket over her sweater. She strode around Petra—or Kallikatsou, as the locals called it—and spotted the house she’d visited that morning. From the back, she could see the extensive garden and stone columns. She surveyed the rocky bluff, searching for steps that would lead up to the house.

A sudden movement caught her eye, a black blur that seemed to fly off the bluff and land with a soft thud on the sand.

Her heart lurched. She blinked her eyes to make sure she was seeing right. A cat. A giant, hulking black cat.

A jaguar? On Patmos? It bared its teeth and growled at her.

A chill settled over her, prickling her skin. She could die. She couldn’t outrun a jaguar. She had no weapons, and she doubted her martial arts could save her from those vicious claws and gleaming white teeth.

The giant cat watched her with golden eyes; then, with a slow, graceful move of its big paw, it took a quiet, lethal step toward her.

She could only think she’d better not act like prey. She glared at the cat, then screamed as loud as she could. The cat snarled and took another step toward her.

She couldn’t retreat without getting caught. She couldn’t climb the bluff faster than the cat. She sure didn’t want to advance toward it. That left the sea. Cold and treacherous with a strong undertow caused by the full moon.

She could only hope the jaguar didn’t like cold water.

CHAPTER 7

Robby had just stepped out of the shower when he heard a scream. A feminine scream. He dropped his towel, pulled on a pair of boxer shorts, and strode into the family room. “Carlos, did ye hear something?”

The shape-shifter was gone.

Robby stepped onto the patio. A chilly wind slapped his bare skin and whipped his wet hair across his face. He shoved his hair back and noted the steam coming up from the Jacuzzi. Carlos must have turned it on, but where was he? Robby strode to the edge of the bluff and looked down.

Damn it to hell. He’d found Carlos. And Olivia.

Something must have snapped in the were-panther’s head, ’cause for some insane reason, he was terrorizing Olivia. He stalked along the water’s edge, a large beast with a shiny black coat and a long pair of canine teeth that made Robby’s fangs look downright wimpy in comparison.

Carlos was purposely pushing her into the cold sea. Damn him. Robby could hear her teeth chattering.

“Olivia!” He called out to her. “Hold on! I’ll be right there.” He sprinted to the stairs. It was tempting to jump off the bluff or teleport down, but he didn’t want to cause her further alarm. He didn’t think Carlos would actually hurt her. Not if the bastard wanted to live through the night.

“Robby, no!” Olivia screamed. “Don’t come down here!”

She was trying to protect him? His beautiful, sweet Olivia was so brave. “I’ll be right there!”

“Just call the police,” she yelled. “Please! I don’t want you to get hurt.” She moved toward the beach, but Carlos pounced toward her, splashing his front paws in the water. She lurched back, now up to her waist in the chilly surf.

Robby paused at the bottom of the stairs with a sudden realization. Olivia was loyal. He could trust her. After all these years, he’d finally found a trustworthy woman.

He couldn’t let her go. He strode onto the beach.

“Robby, no.” Her voice cracked with emotion, and he could see the tears on her face. “Go away before it sees you.”

Lord Almighty, he could love this woman forever. He stepped closer, and Carlos whipped around, hissing at him.

Robby attempted vampire mind control, focusing all his mental powers on the were-panther. He hit a rock-solid barrier.

Bugger. The shape-shifter had good defenses. That would normally be a good thing since it meant Carlos would be impervious to any control by the Malcontents. But it didn’t help the situation now.

“Ye crazy cat,” Robby whispered. “What the hell are ye doing?”

The were-panther snarled, showing his gleaming white, sharp teeth. Attack me, Big Red. Make it look good.

Robby stiffened. He hadn’t realized Carlos was capable of telepathic communication while in cat form. What are ye doing here?

Waiting for you to chase me off. Come on, dude. Rescue the fair maiden. Be a hero.

This was a matchmaking scheme? Robby balled his hands into fists. Ye bloody bastard. Ye’re scaring her to death.

Carlos growled. That’s the thanks I get. Look, if you play your cards right, you’ll get lucky. The hot tub’s ready—

“Get the hell out of here!” Robby charged toward him.

Oh, good acting skills. Carlos backed away. You’re looking really pissed.

“I am pissed!” Robby scooped an egg-shaped rock off the beach.

Merda. No need to get violent. Carlos trotted down the beach.

Robby hurled the rock. Carlos yelped when it clipped him on a rear leg. You big lummox! See if I ever help you again!

I doona need yer help, ye mangy hellcat! Robby ran into the water to fetch Olivia. A strong wave pummeled her from behind, and she lost her balance. For a few terrifying seconds he saw her go under.

“Olivia!” He reached her just as she broke the surface, sputtering. He swooped her into his arms and charged back to the shore. Her clothes were soaked through. Her hair was dripping wet. And her body shook violently.

Damn you, Carlos. He watched the were-panther as it scrambled up the bluff. Where the hell are ye going?

None of your business. The were-panther stopped at the top of the bluff and peered down at them. I’ll be back by sunrise. Have fun, Big Red. Is it true what they say, that a good Vamp can last all night long?

Piss off. Robby heard a strange huffing sound that sounded like a feline chuckle, then the were-panther scampered off.

Olivia wrapped a trembling, cold hand around his neck. “How d-d-did a jaguar g-g-get here?”

“Let’s get you warmed up.” He strode toward the stairs.

“Robby.” She touched his face with icy fingers. “Th-Thank you.”

She was turning blue. He should teleport straight to the patio. It was the fastest way to get her in the hot tub. And the surest way to provoke some unwanted questions.

Forgive me. He hugged her tight against his chest and invaded her mind with a surge of vampire mind control. Normally, a mortal would feel a blast of cold air when a vampire took over their mind, but in Olivia’s case, she was already freezing to death.

Sleep, he commanded.

She went limp, and he teleported them to the patio.

Olivia felt deliciously warm and cozy as she slowly awoke. Someone was stroking her cheek and brushing her hair back from her brow. Soft fingers. A deep, sexy voice.

“Wake up, sweetheart.”

Robby. That made her smile. Her eyes opened and there he was, his handsome face shrouded in mist. Unfortunately, her mind was just as foggy. She was up to her neck in hot churning water? “Where am I?”

“Ye’re in the Jacuzzi of the villa where I’m staying. Ye needed to warm up as quickly as possible.”

Her sleepy brain fumbled for an explanation, then she remembered and sat up with a jolt. “There was a jaguar! On Patmos! How on earth did it get here?”

“I—well—”

“I thought I was a goner.” She pressed a hand to her chest, then gasped when she felt bare skin. Good God, she was only wearing her bra and underwear. “Where did my clothes go?”

“Over there.” He motioned with his head, and she spotted a heap of wet clothes on the stone floor next to a chaise lounge.

“I don’t recall taking them off.” And what the heck was she doing on his lap? She lurched to the other side of the hot tub and glared at him. “What did you do to me?”

His jaw shifted. “I took off yer wet clothes.”

“Did I give you permission?”

“Nay, ye were unconscious. And turning blue. I was trying to save you.”

Heat invaded her cheeks. She wasn’t used to men seeing her without her clothes on. And here she was in her boring white cotton bra and panties. Damn, if only she’d worn her black lace undies.

She winced inwardly. She’d come close to getting mauled by a jaguar, and all she could think about was the sexiness factor of her underwear? She must be in shock. Or suffering from hypothermia. Or fuzzy-headed from being unconscious. She rubbed her forehead. She was overanalyzing again. “I apologize. You did the right thing.”

A corner of his mouth lifted. “It was a tough job, but someone had to do it. I could say that I refrained from leering or drooling, but that would be a lie.”

Her blush grew hotter. “Well, thank you for your honesty. And your bravery. I can’t believe you chased away that huge jaguar. You were incredible.”

He shrugged one shoulder. “I couldna let it harm you.”

Her gaze dropped to his broad shoulders, and then his bare chest. He’d run down to the beach in his underwear to rescue her. “You saved me.”

“Ye tried to stop me,” he whispered.

Her gaze lifted to his eyes and her heart fluttered in her chest. “Well, there was no sense in both of us getting mauled to death.”

“Ye wanted to protect me.”

The look in his eyes was so intense, she was starting to tingle all over. Now she felt strangely overdressed.

His eyes darkened. “Ye were willing to face danger alone in order to keep me safe.”

She squirmed on the molded seat. She shouldn’t have left his lap. She could be touching him right now. He could be touching her. “I–I assume you called the police about the jaguar?”

He hesitated.

She sat up. “You didn’t call?”

“Ye were unconscious. I couldn’t let go of you.”