Welcome to the Neighborhood (7 page)

While she sipped on her wine Greg watch her and drank his beer.

“Three hundred years is a long time to walk the earth,” he said, setting his cup on the table. “I imagine your feet must be really tired.”

“I’ve had a fair amount of shoes over the years.” She set her glass down. “Technically, I’m three hundred and twenty-seven.”

“You don’t look a day over twenty.”

“Yes, and it’s that detail that has always forced me to move. Now that things have changed because of P-Day and there are communities for us, I’m hoping I won’t have to move for a long time.”

“I think you will like it here. Everyone is nice and caring.” He took a sip of his drink.

Alexi crossed her legs. Tired of talking about herself and the community, she changed the subject. “Corey told me you’ve known each other a while.”

“Yes. He’s a great guy. A little rough around the edges, but he has a kind heart.”

“And you’ve lived together for a while, with…”

“Andy.”

“Yes, thank you.”

“We work in the same building, well, for the same office, just in different divisions.” He scratched the thin layer of hair covering his cheek. “I believe it was Corey’s idea to share a house. We both knew each other well, so it sounded like a good idea to live together and split the expenses. Andy grew up in the area and was part of the local pack. He introduced us to the others, then with their approval we decided to move into the community.”

“You had to get permission?” She imbibed more wine.

“Yes. Most packs like to keep a list of all the werewolves living in an area. That way, if there is a problem, the pack can work together to resolve it.”

She set her glass back on the table. “Like one big family.”

“Something like that.” He half smiled. “Do you have any family?”

Feeling a bit light-headed, Alexi rubbed her temple. The small amount of alcohol she’d drunk worked fast. “Not really. My best friend lives in Europe.”

“I suppose your mortal family passed a long time ago,” he said, but it was more a question. “That must be difficult to see your love ones die.”

“They were killed the night my maker took me, so I didn’t have to watch them grow old and pass on.”

She reached for her glass, desperate for another sip. The grim memory of the terrible night when her family died was one she wanted to forget. And she certainly didn’t like to talk about it.

“I’m so sorry.” Brows drawn together, he gave her a look of concern.

“So, you and Corey are pretty close?” she asked while returning her glass on the table. She wanted to know more about them. She especially wanted to satisfy her curiosity by asking if they were lovers, but she thought it might be rude to blurt it out.

“Yeah, you could say we’re close.”

She couldn’t stop the smile from spreading on her face. They were lovers. Had to be.

“The full moon is coming. Do you two run together?”

“We have for the past seven years.”

“That’s impressive,” she said, and he gave her a confused look.

“Hello, Greg,” said a woman from Alexi’s side.

A wave of heat brushed over Alexi while tension claimed hold of Greg’s face as he stared at the person standing next to her. Annoyance flickered in his eyes. Curious to see who the stranger was at her side, Alexi glanced up. Dark, wicked eyes stared at her.

“Hello, I’m Sylvia Henshaw. You may call me Sylvia.” She extended her hand.

Alexi shook it. “Nice to meet you.” Intense heat penetrated her skin, making her hand feel as if it were on fire. She nearly jerked in response, but she didn’t want the female demon to think she’d bested a vampire.

“Wonderful introduction. Mind if I sit with you?” She released Alexi’s hand. Without waiting for an answer, she walked behind Greg and headed for the empty seat next to him.

Alexi couldn’t help but notice the change in Greg. His once kind eyes had turned lifeless and his joyous expression had transformed into a miserable one. She wondered what troubled him and wished she could read his thoughts.

“I always enjoy these Welcoming parties.” Sylvia scooted her chair closer to Greg and the table. “Our little community is growing. I remember when it was just a few of us in the neighborhood. Do you remember, Greg?”

Alexi watched as Sylvia surveyed Greg’s body as if she were sizing him up. She licked her lips. Did the demon lust after the werewolf? The gay werewolf?

Greg avoided eye contact with Sylvia. “Yes, but it’s nice to have more people moving into the area. It’s good for businesses. It’s good for all of us.”

Sylvia met Alexi’s gaze. “I believe you’re the second vampire to move into the neighborhood.”

“Oh, really?”

“Phillip Weadon is the other bloodsucker. He lives across the street from Greg,” she said.

Heat rushed from the pit of her stomach to her head. Bloodsucker?

“Phillip doesn’t say much. He generally keeps to himself,” Greg said, and offered a slight smile.

Alexi stared into his blue eyes and her anger started to calm.

Sylvia leaned her elbows on the table. “I believe I saw him earlier, during your introduction. Maybe he’s changed his mind and decided to come out and socialize. Vamps can be so unpredictable. It amazes me how aloof they are. If I were one, I think I’d commit suicide.” She faced Alexi. “No offense.”

Alexi clenched her fist under the table. Demons were troublemakers. Every one she’d ever encountered enjoyed rousing anger and disturbing the peace. Sylvia was no exception.

“Hey, there you are,” Corey said, appearing swiftly at Alexi’s other side. He slid the chair from under the table and sat. “Hi, Alexandria. How are you liking the party?”

Slowly, she relaxed her strained fingers. “It’s interesting.” She turned her gaze to Greg and he gave her a friendly smile.

“We were just talking about bloodsuckers,” Sylvia said. “Phillip is here. Did you see him?”

Renewed fury shot through Alexi. She balled her hand, forcing her nails to dig into her palm. Normally, she could handle demons, but this one irritated her worse than a skin rash.

“If there is another vampire here, he probably came to meet me. I highly doubt he’ll start trouble. Unlike demons, we vampires don’t create problems,” Alexi said, mentally patting herself on the back for keeping her words clean and her tone calm. If no one else were around, she’d shout profanity at the bitch describing what she really thought about demons.
Bloodsuckers?
The nerve of her.

Corey made a noise that sounded like a chuckle, but it quickly turned it into a cough. Sylvia’s face turned red and her face tightened. Alexi grinned and sent a telepathic message to her.
Bring it on, demon.

Greg reached across the table and placed his hand on top of Alexi’s. “I have yet to meet a vampire that has caused a problem, especially one such as lovely as yourself.”

His kind touch and passionate eyes warmed her and she smiled. So what if he and Corey were gay? They seemed like honest people with compassionate hearts. Perfect neighbors.

Sylvia rose fast and knocked the table. Alexi’s glass of wine tipped toward her. She reached for it, but caught it too late. The red fluid spilled down her white shirt and onto skirt. Holding the empty glass in her hands, she looked at Sylvia.

“I’m so sorry.” Sylvia’s lips twitched as she tried to hide her devilish grin.

Alexi’s fangs shot down. She tightened her grasp on the glass and it shattered. Shards fell on the table and floor. If the bitch wanted to play rough, Alexi would accommodate her.

7

Greg held Alexi’s injured hand as he led her to the bathroom. She didn’t appear to be bleeding badly, yet the coppery smell of her blood was strong. He picked up the scent immediately after she’d squished the wineglass in her hand as if it were nothing. Alexi appeared so beautiful and fragile, but truth be known, she had more strength than he did, not that the little detail bothered him.

Reaching the ladies restroom, he kicked the door open. The pink-and-black tiled lavatory was empty. He quickly ushered Alexi into the room and placed her hand in the sink. Drops of blood colored the white porcelain.

“I can handle this,” Alexi said.

He twisted the faucet handle and water splashed into the basin. “You could have a piece of glass stuck in your hand.”

Alexi stuck her hand in the water. “Don’t worry, I don’t have any glass in me. It’s okay.”

She sounded amazingly calm for a vampire who’d been tempted into a brawl by a demon. Her composure impressed Greg. She had looked ready to jump across the table and kill Sylvia after she broke the glass. Instead, she excused herself to clean up her attire.

“I can’t believe what she did.” He mumbled in frustration. Sylvia was a pest, but he never thought she would’ve acted so inappropriately toward Alexi. She could’ve accidently bumped the table, but somehow Greg didn’t believe it since her action occurred after he’d touched Alexi’s hand. Was Sylvia jealous? But why? They weren’t lovers. Hell, they weren’t friends. They were neighbors, and not even close ones.

“I can believe it. Demons are lowlife scum wanting to create chaos and trouble wherever they are. They’re just as bad as self-indulgent men.”

He lifted his gaze to the mirror. “Sounds like you’ve had a run-in or two with a demon before, or perhaps a bad boyfriend.”

“Both.”

Noticing the water in the sink running clear, he peered at her hand. He lifted it and rubbed his fingers over her palm. The skin felt smooth and without a single cut, but he spotted little pink marks. “You’re healed?”

“Probably. The cuts were small.”

He reached for the dispenser and tugged two paper towels. “Got to love our ability to heal.” He handed the towels to her and grabbed a few more.

“It’s definitely a perk.” She patted her hands with the towels.

“You handled the situation well. For a moment, I thought I might witness a catfight.”

“I came close, very close. Then I took a glimpse around the room and changed my mind. I just moved here. I don’t need trouble. But if we’d been alone, you bet I would have attacked.”

“I’ve never seen her act that way before.”

“I sensed she likes you, a lot.”

He tossed his towels in the trash. “She flirts with me all the time, and I keep pushing her away. I’ve told her I’m not interested.”

“Oh? Well then I think you have a problem.” Alexi faced the mirror and expression soured. “Shit!” She lowered her chin and gazed down. “My clothes are ruined.”

“Oh…” Greg immediately began unbuttoning his shirt. “You should take off your clothes. We can wet them down in the sink. It might prevent the wine from staining.”

“Good idea.”

Alexi tugged her blouse free from her skirt and slid it over her head while Greg unfastened the buttons on his shirt. His heart thumped faster upon seeing the lacy bra. The vampire was beyond lovely with her full, luscious breasts begging him to play with and kiss. He wanted to, badly. After she discarded her shirt in the sink, she slid her white skirt down her legs. Greg tugged his shirt from his pants and froze, staring at her gorgeous body. White panties matched her lacy bra and they barely covered her. His cock tightened in response. Sweet Jesus, he was in Heaven.

She reached down and picked up her skirt, then met his gaze. “Are you all right?”

He swallowed and quickly jerked his shirt off his shoulders. “Yeah. Fine.”

She smiled as she turned to face the sink. “You’re heart is beating fast.”

The next sound he heard was the water trickling down the drain. With her backside facing him, Greg’s gaze veered to her ass. She wore a thong and had the firmest butt cheeks he’d ever seen. He marveled at her beauty while his dick hardened. God, what a beautiful creation. He longed to touch her body, feel her skin and glide his tongue along every inch of her. But not here, in the women’s restroom of the clubhouse where the entire neighborhood congregated outside the door. What bad fucking timing.

He held his shirt up for her to slip her arms through the sleeves. “Here, you should put this on.”

She slid one arm at a time through a sleeve. His shirt hung loosely on her thin body. She turned to face him and the gap in the middle exposed her gorgeous body to him.

“I think two of me could fit in this.”

He stared at her breasts. Every bit of him yearned to touch. And why shouldn’t he? They were adults. Greg noticed the way she gazed at his chest and glanced down at his groin. The gleam in her eyes suggested she had an interest him. Hell, why not? Why fight the urge any longer?

He slipped his hand under her long hair, curled it around her neck then covered his mouth over hers.

* * * *

The kiss took her by complete surprise, but she liked it. Her body breathed with desire. His touch sent a warm current down her spine. Passion coiled within her as he stroked her tongue, then tenderly sucked on it. The man was everything she needed, wanted and longed for. Her knees quivered and she almost crumbled like a doll. At least she’d fall into his loving embrace.

He slid his hand over her ribs and down her hips, giving her gooseflesh. His gentle touch aroused her and moisture increased between her legs. He moved his hand to her butt cheek and squeezed. Need consumed her. When she leaned onto his body she felt his erection press against her belly. Her thoughts wandered, imagining what his thick cock would feel like inside her.
Blissful
.
Better than a cold vibrator for sure.

A random thought entered her head. She was smooching a gay guy and he liked it. Shouldn’t he have pushed her away? He wouldn’t have if he was bisexual. His rigid erection along with the way he kissed and touched her indicated he wanted her. And she thoroughly enjoyed his treatment of her. Did it really matter what his preference was? Why not let their bodies do what they longed to do?

Greg moved the kiss to her chin and neck. His facial hair tickled her, but she loved the soft feel of it. He rolled his tongue down to the center of her breasts. Tingles of desire branched out through her. Her hard nipples ached for attention while her body craved for more of his touch, his wet tongue and sex. As if he knew the pleasure he was bringing to her, he continued to drag his tongue down until he landed on his knees before her.