Space Vampire (Scared Sexy Collection, #4)

by Ruby Dixon

“If we run across the monster, I’m going to trip you so he eats you first.”

LOL

With my claws, I rip the light panel out of the wall so she can’t use it. “Bad news,” I growl, echoing her words. “Oh?” Her voice is a little uncertain, and she shivers even as she tilts her head back as if to look at me. I lean in close, mouth watering again at her delicious scent. “Little one, I am the monster they fled.”

“I broke out,” the stranger says simply. “Their poisons and their shock-sticks could not hold me. So they left to save themselves because I said I would kill them if I caught them and drink their blood.” He says it all so casually, as if two dozen well-armed aliens and a handful of scientists abandon ship every day.

“I’m a pet,” I explain. “Aliens—the big blue guys—stole me from my home planet a few years ago. The guy that owns me makes me sleep in a cage and treats me like I have no functioning brain cells.”

“They don’t give me shoes. Poodle, remember? I get to keep my cute little toesies on the cold floorsies because my master is a huge dicksies and thinks it’s cutesy.” “. . . what?” “Never mind. I hate being a pet and I’m venting and talking nonsense.”

“Are you . . . trying to tell me that you’re a vampire?” Man, the Halloween vibes on this ship are immaculate. “What is that?” “A monster that kills people. Hates garlic and sunlight and crosses. Drinks blood.” “I don’t know what two of those things are, and I’ve never stood in sunlight. I do know that the lights here pain me, and I drink blood. I haven’t killed anyone . . . yet. But I did attack some of the scientists, yes.” I can’t tell if he’s being serious or not. “Why?” “Because I was hungry.” 22 I suddenly feel like a rabbit having a casual conversation with a wolf. “And . . . are you hungry right now?” “Ravenous.” Oh dear.

“Okay, well, if we’re friends, Vlad, can I get you to promise not to kill me?” When he pauses for longer than I’d prefer, I point that out. “An immediate answer would be better than one where you have to think about it. Just saying.” He huffs, amused. “I don’t want to kill you. You’re the first one that’s talked to me like I’m a normal person, not a mistake.”

He loomed over me in the darkness, so it doesn’t surprise me that he towers over me now, but I am surprised at the sheer breadth of his shoulders. No wonder he was able to get the door open with ease. His biceps are bigger than my thighs. His thighs are bigger than . . . well, they’re huge. He’s got the same strange, three-toed feet that the mesakkah do, and the deep-blue skin, but he’s got no horns. His face seems more angular than theirs, his 28eyes a bit wider, and the red of them is bright crimson and vivid. Strangely enough, he’s got thick, dark lashes, heavy eyebrows, and short black hair that sticks up from his head in spikes.

I enjoy her conversations. And her scent. I like how she tries to be fearless around me even when I can taste her nervousness in the air. She refuses to give in. 33 Dana’s stubborn. I like that a lot.

If she’s there, I need no food but her. I don’t even need water. Dana’s all I need.

I move closer to her and wrap my arms around her, because I can’t get enough of touching her. Of tucking her smaller body against mine and feeling her warmth, her softness, her sweet scent.

Because I’m absolutely going to find a way to get more supplies into the pod. She’s not going to suffer. Not under my watch.

“That doesn’t sound like you.” “You make me sound greedy.” “I like you greedy.” He kisses me once, then twice. “I like all of you, but I especially like you greedy and demanding.”

Dana just looks up at me, her eyes shining. “Welcome home, Vlad.” Home. I think for a moment, and then lean down and rub my nose against my mate’s cold one. “I’ve been home since the moment I met you.” She mouths, I love you, and I kiss her because those are the rules.