Don't Hex and Drive (Stay a Spell, #2)

by Juliette Cross

“Maybe I need to try a vampire next on Zapp and see for myself.” Then I turned and walked up Magazine Street toward home. That was a bitchy thing to say, I know. It was really unlike me. But Devraj needed to understand he didn’t have rights over me. We weren’t in a relationship. We were friends. Who’d happened to have had mind-melting sex once. Twice, really. And that was that.

I needed a man I could fall in love with. One who’d stay.

I changed the subject to something lighter so I didn’t lose my shit over the thought of her entertaining some other vampire. Her letting another vampire touch her, bite her. The burning jealousy that image stirred in my gut was crippling.

Perhaps she was just giving me a little payback for ruining her evening with Terry the Witless Wonder. Maybe it was a dick move to butt in, but I had zero regrets. That idiot had no business with a woman like Isadora, who was so far out of his league.

“You read my profile?” “Of course, I did,” I answered shamelessly. My bold admission sent a flush of pink crawling up into her cheeks.

I wanted her to know I was interested. I just couldn’t let her know how interested. How fascinated. That would terrify her.

Her focus remained straight ahead, but I caught the widening of her eyes as though she hadn’t wanted me to pick up on that. This woman had no idea how hard I listened to her. How much I obsessed over every word that came out of her mouth. Over every lithe movement of her body, every soft expression, every blink of her haunting green eyes.

What I did know was that her pulse always picked up pace when I got close to her. And that was definitely a good sign.

Violet smirked then glanced at me and winked. Somehow I felt like Violet was on my side. She was now my favorite sister.

This date was going amazingly well. And still, I didn’t feel that spark of attraction, that undeniable chemistry that I’d hoped for.

I held for just a second, then turned away, a little shocked to catch such a somber expression on his face. Last time, he’d found my whole dating thing amusing.

Nothing but the realization that seeing Devraj sad made me suddenly very sad.

He laughed, dimples popping, which was endearing as he fiddled nervously with the napkin in his lap. Note to self: a blushing vampire was adorable.

He stood beside Charlie now, back to the bar, both elbows resting behind him. He was not happy.

The incessant chatting had lowered, and I couldn’t do anything but stare at Devraj, wishing I was dancing with him.

I don’t know.” “I think I do.” He looked over at the bar at Devraj who unashamedly watched us, his expression stoic, steady. Not threatening, but still, a touch too intense before he turned to something Charlie said beside him.

“It was such a pleasure meeting you, Isadora. I hope he deserves you.” “Not sure he wants me the way you’re thinking.” In the permanent way, my poor heart whimpered.

But I was starting to realize I wanted him for as long as I could have him. And no amount of dating other people was going to make me want someone else.

Christopher came to my side, cupped my cheek, leaned over, and pressed a slow kiss to my lips. It was nice. Really nice. But it wasn’t Devraj. He pulled back, still holding my cheek. “Maybe that’ll get him moving.” He caressed my cheekbone with his thumb. “If it doesn’t work out, pl...

I gestured toward the spot where Christopher sat a minute before. He stared at it, clenching his jaw. “Somewhere else?”

“What are you getting at?” He shoved his hands in his jean’s pockets. “I just want to know if you’re really interested in him before I offer a proposition to you.”

He eased closer. “So you’re not going out with him again?” No reason to pretend I was, I shook my head. His dark eyes flared with silver before he pressed closer, placing his hands on either side of my head, caging me in.

“I could give you more.” Whether Devraj was capable of anything more, I couldn’t pretend I wasn’t already willing to take whatever he had to offer.

“Tell me you want me.” There was earnest desperation in his plea.

“In a hurry?” I asked on a laugh. “You have no idea.” He wasn’t laughing.

Slow down, slow down, slow down. I had to repeat the mantra, but it wasn’t working. I wanted inside her right fucking now. It felt like an eternity since I’d touched her. Tasted her.

Control? I’d lost it the minute she’d said yes.

Growling deep, I scraped my canines down the slope of her shoulder. “I want to bite you.” She cradled my head closer, but said, “Don’t bite me.” “I want all of you, Isadora.”

“Let me take all of you.” She shook her head, rolling her pelvis, urging me to speed up. “Not yet.” Yet? I groaned at the very idea she was considering it.

I couldn’t ignore the nauseous sinking sensation I’d gotten when I saw her on a date with that guy tonight. He wasn’t a buffoon or fool like the other one. He was actually potential dating material, and the very thought had made me want to scream, punch something, and weep all at the same time.

I wanted one more time before she left me. Who was I kidding? I was conjuring ways I could convince her to move in with me while I was still in New Orleans. Or perhaps, I could stay here longer. Should stay longer.

The idea of settling here permanently suddenly had great appeal. Ruben was my dearest friend. The Savoie family had all but welcomed me with open arms. And Isadora. Fuck. Isadora. The thought of her name, of her smile, of her tender heart and sweet soul had found permanent residence in my own thoughts on a daily basis.

The idea of leaving this behind, of leaving her, widened that gaping hollow th...

Ever since I’d lost and left my first home, I’d been subconsciously seeking another. My heart squeezed at the possibility I may have just found it.

“You want some covers?” she asked, lifting the edge up. I wasn’t cold or embarrassed in the open, but I wanted an excuse to be closer, so I shuffled under the blanket with her.

I realized I would have never met her if I’d lived out my life as a human and never suffered those early days as a vampire. I couldn’t help but hear the ancient one’s words ringing over and over again in my head. One day, you will thank me.

Still, we hadn’t discussed whether or not we were exclusive. I needed exclusivity. Quite a bit more than that if I were honest.

When she turned, her beaming smile nearly made me trip. I was finding it more and more difficult to play it cool where she was concerned. Since when had a woman’s smile made me breathless and giddy?

It hadn’t escaped me that my thoughts were becoming exponentially proprietary where Isadora was concerned. The thought of this ending and me leaving New Orleans sent a panicky, sharp feeling into the pit of my stomach.

As if I’d think him a liar without it. He’d also added a handwritten smiley-face on the bottom of the chart on the second page, which had made me smile like a Cheshire Cat.

As someone who always cared for others, expending magic to heal and nurture other people, it was shocking to discover I’d been ignoring my own needs. And that Devraj was the one who could satisfy them, tend to me with unwavering care and passion.

Sweat broke out on the nape of my neck. I was afraid of what he’d pull from the parchment. He was a Stygorn after all. What could his senses read? But it was just his name. Not much to go on. I hoped.

When he finally looked at me in the reflection, I gasped. His eyes were pure silver, vibrant and flickering eerily by the candlelight. When he spoke, I saw the distinct flash of fangs.

“Bite me,” I demanded. He froze, stopped pumping, his vampire eyes catching mine in the reflection. “What did you say?” “You heard me, Devraj.” He started to shake his head, wanting to deny me. Deny us. I wasn’t having it. My body wanted all of him. I reached back with the hand not covering his possessive hold on my breast and fisted it in his hair, pulling him closer. Tilting my head to the side, offering my throat, I ordered more gruffly, “Bite me. I want you to.” I caught his preternatural gaze in the mirror. “I want you.”

There was a split second of hesitation where I watched his control snap like a taut leash. His eyes flashed bright, pure silver. On an agonized groan, he opened his mouth, fangs flashing as he sank into me with sharp teeth, pumping deeper inside me with his cock. I gave a little whimpered cry as the pain in my neck immediately morphed into unparalleled pleasure.

He shrugged a shoulder. “I don’t know. It’s just never been like that for me.” I remembered that he’d told me he’d never bitten a woman while having sex. Actually, it was fully on my mind when I’d begged him to bite me. He’d said he’d only do that with someone dear to him.

“Do you regret it?” I asked softly. “Not for one second.”

He stared intently, fingers still working my hair. “It’s just never tasted that good. Been that good. Ever.” Exhaling deeply with the heavy emotion swelling in my chest, I whispered, “Same for me.” I s...

His mouth tilted into a half-smile. “Maybe we’re blood-mates.” “What?” “The legends about vampires finding a pleasur...

I could feel his gaze pouring over my face, but I couldn’t look at him. I didn’t want him to see what I truly felt. He was too astute at reading people. After an awkward, tension-filled moment, he brushed a hand from my crown and down to cup my cheek. Leaning forward, he pressed a tender kiss to my lips.