Where Evil Lurks

Welcome to Moonlight Madness - Where Evil Lurks



This is the fourth story in my Moonlight saga.



Story One - The Beginning - Beth's Diary

Story Two - With Arms Wide Open

Story Three - Barely Breathing

Cast of Characters



Friday, May 27, 2011

Freshie Friday!!! The Road Trip, Part Four


The Road Trip Part Four – See the USA the Vampire Way!



Beth awoke in Mick’s arms feeling loved and happy. This was where she was supposed to be; she knew, had somehow always known it. She tried to stretch without waking him up only to realize he was watching her through eyes that only appeared to be shut. She grinned at him and leaned up to kiss him quickly on the lips.



“Good morning,” she whispered against his neck, nuzzling her nose against it.



“Good morning to you, too. Sleep well?” he said and he pulled her against him, feeling her pliant body wrap around his own.



“Yes, wonderfully! You?” she queried.



“Um hm, better than I have all week. I missed you so much.”



“Ditto.” She could feel his hard length pressed against her thigh and she smiled. She decided to take advantage of it by straddling his hips and guiding him inside her willing body. It felt sublime, the way he fit into her perfectly, filling her and making her ache for him.



She rode him quickly and hard, as much for her own pleasure as his. Mick pulled her down to him and sucked her nipple into his mouth, tugging on it gently with his teeth and then laving it tenderly with his tongue. It made her work even harder as he slid his mouth wetly across her chest to capture her other rosy nipple in his mouth. She felt his teeth graze her teasingly and her belly fluttered and quivered in anticipation of him biting her there. She ground her hips harder against him, feeling him come into contact with her g spot; she trembled and moaned, his name escaping her lips in a rush of air. She threw her head back as her orgasm came fast and hard and she was only vaguely aware when Mick turned his head and bit into his shoulder as he moaned through his own release.



Panting, she moved off of him and she realized she was covered in a fine sheen of sweat as she let out a long sigh of satisfaction. They both laid there in the bed, sunshine peeking through a tiny crack in the drapes. Both of them felt at peace. Then that peace was shattered by the room phones shrill ring.



“Josef.” they both said at the same time and Mick reached over her to pick up the receiver.



“Hello?” he said. Beth stood up and started stretching. He eyed her while trying to listen to what Josef had to say. He could feel himself becoming aroused again and so he shut his eyes tightly to block the vision of her; it didn’t help at all because Mick had a very thorough knowledge of her body and imagination took over where sight left off.



“Hm, half an hour? Josef, we just woke up! Give us an hour to get showered and all.” Mick listened to Josef on the other end and finally mumbled, “Okay, we’ll be out in a while!”



“Half an hour?” Beth asked, heading into the shower.



“He’ll wait 45 minutes he said. They are anxious to get started.” Mick stood up and flexed his muscles in a very sexy stretch. Beth’s eyes lit up and Mick grinned before telling her, “Josef said he isn’t waiting for us to fool around!”



“Maybe this isn’t such a good idea,” she told him as she turned the shower on. “I mean the trip; maybe we should just stay here!”



“No way, I can’t wait. I can see you every day, but how often will I get a chance to see the Grand Canyon?” he teased. He ducked as she threw an extra role of toilet paper at him and then followed her into the shower.



“How about I wash you and then you can wash me?” she asked him, trying to look totally innocent.



Mick chuckled and said, "No way baby, you’re on your own! Josef awaits.”



************



They managed to make it through the shower, get dressed, get Mick packed and checked out of the hotel and get to the bus in just less than 45 minutes.



As Mick and Beth stepped into the bus Josef’s head immediately came up and he stared intently at Beth. He took a couple of steps towards her and Mick could see that he was scenting her.



Beth blinked under Josef’s close scrutiny and cast a quizzical eyebrow upwards, meeting his gaze. He walked around her, as if to inspect her from all angles before stopping in front of her again. His mouth opened to speak, but Mick cut him off.



“Not now, Josef!”



‘Um hm. Well, congratulations anyway!”



Beth looked at Mick in question, wondering what that was about. To Josef, she managed to say, “Thanks, I guess.”



Josef’s expression changed to a cheesy grin and he shrugged. He’d get the scoop out of Mick later he decided but right now they had a show, er, bus to get on the road!



Josef and Simone had waited for them so they could all have breakfast; there were glasses of blood for the boys and muffins and coffee for the girls. After they finished Beth and Simone got everything squared away in the galley while Mick took his luggage into their bedroom.



“Nice,” Mick said as he looked around. It was small, understandably so with only a single bed, but at one end of the long, narrow room was a freezer. Mick sighed with pleasure as he inspected it and couldn’t wait for a little chill time.



Josef was preparing to start the bus when Mick came out of the bedroom. A thought occurred to him and he said, “Hey, don’t you need to have a CDL to drive one of these things Josef?”



“Yeah, you do. I do,” he said as he put on a ball cap and turned the key. The engine roared to life and Josef smiled, totally fascinated by the soft rumble.



“Wait, how in the hell did you manage that? You have to be tested!”



“I didn’t manage it – Logan did. You know,” he said, looking at Mick and grinning broadly, “There is pretty much nothing that boy can’t accomplish!” He opened his wallet and showed Mick his new CDL license.



Mick took it and shook his head as he read it. It certainly looked authentic; Logan was good, but did that mean Josef could actually drive this thing? It was huge. He handed the license back to Josef and watched as he stowed it away and reached down to fasten his seat belt.



“So you can actually drive this thing?” Mick asked as the bus started to slowly move.



“Mick, I got us here from LA didn’t I? I’m an old pro on it by now, so just relax!”



Mick took a seat and eyed the road ahead skeptically. The road from LA was mostly interstate, where they were headed was twisty mountain roads; how would Josef handle that he wondered. Suddenly, this whole trip didn’t seem like such a smart idea.



“Well, looks like we’ll need to find a truck stop to get some fuel before we get on the road to Yosemite,” Josef said as he drove the bus out onto the highway. “Everybody keep your eyes open.”



Beth and Simone started laughing at Josef’s words; Mick watched them both and wondered why. “What is so funny?” he inquired.



That question caused Beth to choke on the mouthful of coffee she had just taken. She sputtered and Simone laughed some more as she got up to grab some paper towels to wipe the mess up with.



“You okay Beth?” she asked as she patted Beth on the back.



“Yeah, I’m fine,” Beth said, wiping the tears away from her eyes. Whether they were from all the coughing or laughter Mick couldn’t tell.



Josef had been oblivious to the whole incident as he focused on the road, but he spoke up as he saw his target ahead. “Look, there’s a truck stop ahead. Now I just have to get over there into the right lane.” He frowned in concentration as he watched the traffic behind him. His blinker was on to signal his move but traffic didn’t make room for the bus and the exit flew past without them making it.



“Damn jerks!” he sputtered. “Don’t they know what the hell a turn signal means?” He sped the bus up, in a seeming race with a SUV that was keeping pace with them. He gunned it a bit more and then slid the bus over into the right lane where hopefully they would find another exit for gas. “Hah! That’ll teach you to mess with me,” he practically yelled.



“Josef, you are aware that they couldn’t hear you, right?” Mick laughed.



“They knew, trust me. It’s a game out here on the road, let me tell you!”



“Was he like this yesterday?” he asked Beth and Simone.



Beth only shrugged and Simone looked down. Obviously neither one intended to answer that question. Just then the bus strayed for a moment onto the right side shoulder and the tires squealed as they hit the break-down lane rumble strips.



“Hey, hey Josef, stay on the damn road,” Mick yelled.



“Listen Grandma, everything is under control!” he answered back. He had spotted another exit with a truck stop and was gradually slowing the bus in preparation to take the off ramp.



They made it into the truck stop and Josef pulled the bus to a halt in front of the pumps and turned the bus off. He opened the door and stepped out, looking around him as if for something Mick thought.



“What is he waiting for?” he asked.



Both girls burst out laughing again and Beth shook her head. “I think he is probably looking for someone to bribe to pump the gas. He paid some guy $50 yesterday! We’re not sure he knows how to do it!”



“You gotta be kidding me,” Mick said as he jumped out of the bus and headed to the pump. “Josef, here, let me pump the damn gas, okay?”



“Mick, it’s called ‘diesel’, not gas. And uh, it’s the green nozzle,” he said, indicating the pump on the right. He slid his credit card though the slot and the pump said ‘Ready’.



Mick pumped the diesel and put the nozzle away as Josef waited for his receipt to print. When they finished they both climbed back onto the bus and prepared to depart.



After they got back out onto the highway Mick started to relax. It was all going pretty smoothly and it was easy to enjoy the scenery. The bus really did ride like a dream and he soon settled down to admire the morning. The scenery was beautiful, farm land and in the distance the high Sierras could be seen tickling the sky. The morning passed peacefully into afternoon. Since they weren’t in a hurry they had taken the scenic route to Yosemite and Mick was enjoying every mile.



“So Josef,” Beth said, coming to stand near the front of the bus. “Tell me about being a cattle rustler!”



‘Not much to tell really. It seemed a good way to make it across the USA; not a lot of towns and stuff out there in 1840. And it wasn’t necessarily always a cattle rustler as it was a, uh, cowboy really. People, and therefore food was a little hard to come by.”



“And being with the cattle helped with that how? You fed on the other rustlers or cowboys?” she prodded.



“You know, I’ve decided that I’m not going to call you Blondie any longer. I’m going to call you Lois Lane because you ask so many damn questions!”



Beth shrugged and said, “Whatever. So, you fed on the other cowboys?”



Josef shook his head and gave Mick a look that said, “Can’t you shut her up?”



Mick only laughed and said, “You’re on your own here, Josef. She’s pushy!”



“Look Lois, the cows, okay? You followed the cows and you had food!”



Beth’s face blanched as his words sunk in. “You – you drank blood from the cows?” she asked, repulsed.



“You eat steak?” Josef fired back. He stole a glance at her in the mirror and said to Mick, “Oh look, she’s speechless! You better mark this one down on the calendar!”



Mick tried hard to hide his smile. Josef was right, he’d never seen Beth speechless before.



Beth was still reeling from Josef’s words and finally muttered, “I guess you did what you had to do, in the circumstances.” She made her way back to the galley where Simone was opening a bottle of wine. She pointed to a glass for Beth as if to say, “You want some?” Beth nodded and took a large gulp gratefully when Simone handed her the glass.



“I don’t know why that shocked me,” she said to Simone. “I mean, he’s right, what else could they have eaten?” Simone nodded as she sipped her own glass of the chardonnay.



They heard Mick say, “Hey, there’s our turn off up ahead Josef. Looks like we’re going to be on a two-lane highway now!”



The girls looked out the window; they were in the foothills and they could see the snow-capped Sierra’s up ahead. They looked beautiful and Beth couldn’t wait to get there. Maybe they could build a snowman, in the middle of summer! It was an enchanting idea!



An hour later they were driving on a winding road through a small town right before they could enter the park. The bus had come to a stop and the sign up ahead told them that they had to make a right turn ½ mile ahead. Mick again eyed the narrow road and hoped the turn would allow them enough room.



Their turn came up and Josef grimaced when he saw it. He slowed the bus down to a crawl and unconsciously bit his lower lip as he concentrated on the turn. Luckily there was no other traffic around and so he maneuvered the bus slowly. The next thing he knew there was a loud thump and the bus shimmied as it rolled over something. He quickly pulled it to a stop and he and Mick got out to see what was going on.



Beth and Simone made their way to the window to see what had happened. They couldn’t see what they hit but they could hear Mick and Josef talking.



“Man, you killed it Josef,” Mick exclaimed as he shook his head.



“Um hm. It sure is flat now, huh?”



“What is that leaking out of it?"



“I don’t know, but it really smells bad.”



“Well, it’ll never move again, that’s for sure!” Mick was trying to move whatever it was, without any luck it would seem.



Beth and Simone looked at one another, appalled. They had killed something? What? Both girls made their way to the door way to step outside; neither one sure they really wanted to see what they had killed but knowing they had to find out.



Mick and Josef were both struggling with something that was wedged under the rear tires. Finally they managed to pull part of it free and stood there looking at what had once been a rolling garbage can.



Beth and Simone both let out a collective sigh. Simone shook her head and turned around to head back into the bus. The boys were right; it really stank, whatever had been in it.



Beth followed her into the bus and watched at Simone pulled another bottle of wine out of the fridge. “Would you like another glass?” she asked as she opened the bottle.



“Love some. Here, let me pour!”



************



The men struggled with the garbage cart for a half an hour before they finally got it out from under the bus. Josef had tried moving the bus but the cart was wedged awkwardly and so the bus couldn’t move much. They finally had to get the hydraulic jack out to raise the bus up enough to get it out. They might not have even got that accomplished if another RV hadn’t come along, the driver offering to help them.



“Yep, been through this myself a time or two,” he told them, offering his hand as well as his assistance. “Marty Martin is my name! What you fella’s need to do is get your jack out and lift this sumnabeech up! Here, let me show you!”



It didn’t take too long from that point and it had gathered a crowd of locals who were watching, including the owner of the former garbage cart. Beth watched anxiously as both Mick and Josef struggled; the sun was beating down fiercely and she knew that they both had to be nearing a breaking point.



Once it was done and the owner refused Josef’s apology but did accept the $100 bucks the men climbed aboard and shut the door. Josef moved the bus a bit farther down the road into a parking lot and shut it down for a few minutes in an effort to regain his composure.



Mick hadn’t said a word since he had climbed back onto the bus, only went to the fridge and poured himself a tall glass of blood out of the thermos. He drank it down in a couple of swallows and stood there for a moment trying to calm down. Josef joined him after he had the bus safely parked and drank a glass of blood as well. He eyed Mick, speculatively, knowing that he was seething.



“Well, come on Mick; say whatever you have to say!”



“Josef, I, uh,” Mick shook his head, trying to straighten out his jumbled thoughts. “You just don’t think! The things we don’t know about this bus are dangerous! We just took off, willy-nilly on some great adventure, without a care for what could happen. What if that had been a person. Josef? What if the police were involved?” He looked around the bus, exasperated.



“How would we have explained freezers in the bedroom, or, or blood in the fridge? And that license of yours, would it really pass muster in the system?” He sat down and leaned his head back against the window and gulped in a deep breath as he struggled for control.



“I – I don’t know, maybe we shouldn’t be doing this,” he told them, rising to his feet. “I gotta get some rest!” He headed off to the bedroom silently and they heard the door close behind him.



Beth stood up to follow him and Josef laid his hand on hers and said, “No Beth, give him some space, he just needs some time, okay? He’s not really mad at me, he’s just upset with the situation. It’ll be okay, I promise!”



Beth nodded her head solemnly, wishing for a moment that they had never even come on this trip!



To be concluded in On the Road Again...

Friday, May 20, 2011

Freshie Friday!!! The Road Trip Part 3


The Road Trip


Part Three – Reunion


“No, we’re not talking hot about tubs and lounges here! Think bigger – THINK KOSTAN!!!”



Beth started laughing at Josef’s words; Simone only groaned and shook her head. “I’m telling you right now Josef – I WILL NOT pee in one of those tiny, inconvenient bathrooms in those things. They smell and they’re just horrible.”

Josef moved to stand behind Simone and wrapped his arms around her. He placed soft little kisses on her neck and said, “C’mon Si, it will be fun! And I’ll make sure the bathroom is big enough to pee in and that it doesn’t smell, okay? C’mon, please, for me?”

Simone rolled her eyes but a slight smile curved her lips upward and she sighed. “Okay, okay. But if it that bathroom isn’t good enough, you are going to be making plenty of stops!” She suddenly found herself laughing and said, “Josef, have you ever driven one of those things?”

“No, but I’ve driven a Conestoga wagon, how much harder than that could it be?”

“Well, we’ll find out I guess. It may be much more fun than I thought.”

“Um hm. I’m going to call my guy now and get this deal started,” he told the girls, heading out to his office.

“Your guy? You have a bus guy?” Beth teased.

Josef looked at her and grinned, a boyish grin that made his eyes sparkle and said, “Don’t push it Blondie."

Beth laughed again and said to Simone, “Really, he has a bus guy?”

“It wouldn’t surprise me Beth. Not in the least…”


************

Beth and Simone were in the gym and getting ready to hit the hot tub after a workout 2 hours later when Josef found them. He stood observing them covertly for a moment, appreciating the view. Both girls had towels wrapped around their bodies after their showers and Josef wondered what, if anything they had on underneath.

“Um, ladies! Why don’t you drop those towels so I can appreciate what’s underneath,” he said as he stared intensely at them.

Both women giggled and Simone said, “What if we’re not wearing anything Josef…”

“So much the better,” he murmured with a teasing glint in his eye. He knew that Mick would have his head if he ever saw Blondie in the altogether, but he figured he could wish for anything he liked. And what Mick didn’t know won’t kill me, he thought.

Beth surreptitiously winked at Simone and whispered, “Whatever you would like,” in the sexiest voice she could muster and dropped the towel.

When Josef saw her hands moving to undo the towel his eyes snapped shut and he spun around, not at all prepared for Beth’s teasing. Simone unfastened her towel too and went to Josef and wrapped it around his shoulders turning him back around before whispering, “You can look now Josef.”

Josef opened one eye and then the other. Both women had bathing suits on; they were completely covered. His eyes narrowed as he watched the amusement in their eyes as they enjoyed his discomfort.

“What, did you think we were naked? Just a couple of girls lounging around in the hot tub together naked?” Beth laughed.

“Well, a guy could hope,” he offered weakly, more than relieved that he wasn’t seeing that. These two together were getting the better of him and he wasn’t used to that. He felt like a gauche teenager and he didn’t like it at all! He stood there in an awkward silence, completely forgetting his reason for coming to find them

Both of them watched him expectantly for a moment before climbing into the hot tub. Finally Simone took pity on his awkwardness and asked, “So what’s up? Did you want to join us in the hot tub?”

“Not unless you throw in about 100 pounds of ice,” he told them. “Hey, now that might be fun!” He was lost for a moment in the vision of being in the tub with 100 pounds of ice and two women. Ah, the good old days he thought and then sighed at the thought, pleasing as it was and tried to get his mind back on track.

“Oh, well yeah. We have a bus. They are going to move the freezers in this afternoon. We can leave in the morning, so call Mick and let him know we are heading his way!”

“What?” Simone exclaimed. “How? How can you do this so quickly?”

“Hey, money baby! It can do anything! And you won’t have to fret over the bathroom, I promise!” He started getting really excited as he talked about it. He had seen pictures on the internet of it and it was fabulous. “You girls are going to love it! Lots of room, two bedrooms, each with enough room for a bed and a freezer! Wait until you see it!”

Simone inwardly groaned; she hadn’t expected this at all. In fact she had hoped that it would prove impossible to accomplish. The last thing she really wanted to do was take a road trip. Her mind frantically searched for excuses, anything to get out of it.

“Josef, I’m sure it’s nice and all, but really, you can’t expect to just drop everything and run off on this trip! I’m sure Beth,” she paused for a moment and stared at Beth, willing her to agree with her next words, “I’m sure she can’t possibly get off of work on such short notice. And what about Kostan Industries? You can’t just leave it.”

“Sure I can – I already talked to Rider and he’s going to handle the reins from South America. And if Ben won’t give Beth the time off, well, there are always accidents!” he proclaimed with a malicious glint in his eye.

Neither Mick nor Josef were sure yet about Ben Talbot; he always seemed to be observing them as if to catch them at something. It was unnerving and more than once Josef had wanted to send him to the tar pits but Mick demanded that he hold off for now. Mick was convinced that Talbot had some type of information, information that might not be good for the tribe so he wanted to wait and watch him a bit longer.

Beth pursed her lips as she thought about her job. She really didn’t want to lose it but on the other hand she really wanted to see Mick. She ran her hand distractedly though her hair as she stated, “I’m just going to talk to Ben; if I can’t get some time off I’ll just quit. That might be easier anyway since Mick distrusts him so much.”

Simone knew that she had lost at that point, that she was going on a road trip; two women, two vampires and a tour bus, with freezers. She groaned out loud and Josef and Beth both smiled in victory.

Somebody tell me this is a dream.


************



Ben reluctantly allowed Beth two more weeks off and was irritated when she refused to tell him what this was all about, although he thought he hid it well. Mick was surprised by the story of how all this happened but was eagerly enthusiastic about it and couldn’t wait for them to get there. Beth and Simone went shopping that afternoon to buy provisions and some last minute clothing items they thought they might need.

Josef spent the day reviewing Map Quest and different points of interest. They didn’t know for sure where they were heading after they picked up Mick, but he was excited – more excited than he had been about anything in a long, long time. They could head west to the coast or south to Yosemite and maybe Vegas, choice, choice, choice! It all sounded fun to him now that he was convinced they could do it in comfort and style.

Early the next morning Josef, Simone, Beth, the luggage, the provisions, the Play Station, Guitar Hero and several other games were all packed into a waiting limousine and a Hummer and made their way to pick up the bus.

Beth’s first thought was that it was huge and beautiful. It was silver and chrome with dark windows, quite stylish actually. But the best part was that the name was painted in bright red letters on the bus, The Big Bite! That was the outside; inside it took her breath away. She had been in 5 star hotels that weren’t this nice she decided. Even Simone was impressed, especially when she saw the bathroom.

It was huge with a large glass-walled shower stall and a vanity out of a movie stars bathroom. Lots of room, more than lots actually, it was incredible. She really couldn’t complain about it. They got things stored away and soon were ready to depart.

It was approximately 8 hours to Reno, but there were lots of sights to see along the way so they all settled into comfy seats to enjoy the ride.


************


If Josef was at all nervous about driving such a huge vehicle he didn’t show it. For the most part he did well, but it was mostly interstate with wide, straight roads. The only problem came when it was time to stop for gas.

They saw signs for a truck stop up ahead and decided to make that their stop. Josef knew that they needed diesel fuel and so it seemed like a good place to find it. He moved the bus into a queue to wait for their turn at the pump. When they got there, he sat and waited impatiently.

“What is this, self service?” he asked, looking around the pumps.

Beth and Simone exchanged amused looks and Beth answered, “Josef, you’ll have to pump it yourself, there are no attendants here!”

“Everybody thinks the world is getting better,” he grumbled as he unbuckled his seat belt. “Well, I’ll tell you it’s NOT. Used to be people believed in customer service! ‘Can I fill that up for you’ they’d say and then they’d wash your windows too! Now it’s do-it-yourself this and help yourself that! Humans, always looking for an easier way, they don’t ever want to work anymore.” He continued to mutter as he opened the door and headed outside.

Beth laughed as she watched him approach the pump and tried to figure it out. “Do you suppose he’s ever had to pump his own gas?”

“I doubt it; he always stops at the place over on Wilshire that specializes in service for well-to-do customers. I wonder if he will know how?” she grinned.

They watched for a moment as Josef swiped his credit card and then stood looking at the gas pump in confusion. He finally started to lift a nozzle when another customer stopped him.

“Uh look buddy, that’s the wrong gas there – you need the diesel, see, the green handle.”

“Oh, sure, thanks a lot.” He put the red nozzle back and reached hesitantly for the green one, his nose wrinkling as he did because the fuel smell was so strong.

“Uh, you need some help mister?” the guy offered.

“I’ll give you $50 bucks if you’ll pump it for me. The smell you know, kind of strong…”

“$50 bucks? Cash?”

Josef pulled a crisp fifty out of his wallet and said, “All yours!”

The man nodded and reached for the nozzle and inserted it into the gas tank of the bus. Josef stood back and watched contentedly.

“You need your windows washed or anything?” the man asked.

Josef looked at the bus, at all the windows on it and grinned. The man saw that look and said, “I mean the windshield!”

“No, no I think it’s alright,” Josef said. What these humans wouldn’t do for a few bucks he thought with a grin.

Finally the tank was full and Josef handed the man his fifty and thanked him before climbing back aboard the bus. He waived as he shut the door and started the bus, prepared to leave.

Beth and Simone had watched the whole exchange with amusement. Finally Simone shook her head and just laughed. What else could they do?

Somewhere in the back of her mind Beth heard Willie Nelson singing On the Road Again. She nodded with satisfaction; this trip was just what they needed!


************


Mick worked feverishly to get finished with his case before they arrived. He was tracking some corporate spies for a company and had gotten enough surveillance to provide irrefutable proof of the crimes. In the vamp world, they would just be taken out; in the human world they would go to court, which would probably drag out for years. But hey, no skin off of Mick’s back; he had did what they asked, it was up to them at this point and he was glad to be done with it all. A courier was sent to pick up his surveillance results and all there was to do now was to wait for Beth, Josef and Simone.

When they actually got there Mick was blown away by the bus; it was far beyond his expectations. It was like a rolling apartment really, everything anyone could possibly need including satellite TV and Wi-Fi.

When he spied the name, written boldly on the side his first thought was I can’t believe this! The Big Bite...

“Josef, don’t you think the name is a bit over the top?”

“Hey, what can I say? I couldn’t resist!”

Mick laughed then; this was so Josef. You just had to go with it.

The best part of the deal was Beth he thought as he held her in his arms and breathed in her scent. She always smelled like some sort of flowers, but sort of spicy too. He didn’t know what kind of flowers they were; he only knew that he could never get enough of her scent.

And then there were the other scents of her too, the warm rush of desire he scented as he held her in his arms; earthy, intoxicating. Her need for him brought joy to his undead heart. He listened as her heartbeat increased and he knew they were going to have to find some private time – and soon!

It was decided that since Mick had the hotel room for one more night that he and Beth were going to stay in that; a little private reunion time. Simone and Josef were going to stay in the bus, which was going to be allowed to park in the hotel’s lot, with access to electricity. All a cost of course, but it made no difference at all.

After a quick shared dinner in the bus (that was catered from the hotels kitchen) they decided on an agenda for the trip. They were heading to Yosemite Park first and then to the Grand Canyon. Mick had never seen either of those sites and he was incredibly excited about it all. Still, as soon as was possible he excused himself and Beth, almost unable to contain, or hide, his excitement. After hasty goodbyes, they made their way back to his hotel room.

As soon as the door, with a Do Not Disturb sign hanging on it, closed behind them their clothes started flying off of their bodies. It made no difference who took what off, all that mattered was that any barriers between them were gone. Two pairs of lips clung feverishly to one another, one so hot they felt on fire and the other cool but warming by the moment.

Whose tongue ventured into the moist mouth of the other first? Neither one knew, but both tongues stroked the others mouth lovingly, thrilling at the sensual contact between them. Long, slow, deep kisses inspired other thoughts, drove other needs and finally Mick picked Beth up into his strong, sinewy arms and carried her to the bed and laid her gently upon it.

Beth sighed as Mick sank down next to her, immediately pulling her close to him to re-establish the heated contact of their mouths. Lips clung hungrily to one another, ravishing excitedly until both pairs of lips were swollen and Mick and Beth were both panting with their desire.

The scent of Beth’s need was intoxicating to Mick; her emotional need sent joy into his heart and soul and her physical need ignited every male instinct he had. The need to drive into her willing body was almost too much for him and he had to use every bit of restraint he had to keep from doing just that. They had been apart for 5 days, he needed, wanted more but first he would do anything to ensure her satisfaction and joy.

The smell of her blood pulsing though her veins was driving him crazy. His inner vamp was crying out to be fed, growling with need. He glanced down and saw the intricate highway of blue veins gracing her breasts and he felt his fangs elongate, totally unwillingly. He could smell her blood, sweet and hot and he needed to taste it so badly, but he refused himself this gift; he would not hurt her, he couldn’t stand the thought of hurting her again. Once – once he had allowed himself a taste of her blood as they made love and it was almost his undoing. He vowed to never let it happen again.

He closed his eyes for a moment to regain control of himself and in that split second Beth shifted and rolled over, straddling him. She wore a triumphant look on her face and she bent to capture his lips again. Soft blond hair covered his neck and chest, tickling his skin as she started grinding her pelvis against his hips, her tongue mimicking the rhythm in his mouth.

She debated whether or not to take him into her yet, but she decided to wait a bit longer; this was torture, delightful torture for them both and she wanted to prolong it as long as possible. Still, she felt the hard length of him rubbing delightfully between her thighs and she knew that her juices were coating him thoroughly. Each movement of her hips brought slick skin into contact with hard flesh and she shivered with desire.

Her mouth slid down to his neck, tongue licking and stroking along the way; past his firm jaw line which wore a light covering of stubble, down to where his shoulder met his neck. Her tongue flicked over that sensitive juncture and she heard him groan in response. Her fingertips splayed lightly over his chest, dancing among the curly hairs that graced it and then her mouth slid down to take the place of her fingers. She licked lightly at his nipples, feeling a response to her probing tongue and she smiled to herself as she realized that he liked it.

Her hand slid lower still, to his taut belly and again played in the soft hair that covered it before moving even lower to finally grasp his engorged manhood. He practically yelled when she took him firmly in her hand, stroking him gently. For a moment he moved within her grasping fingers, but with a groan he tore himself away from her hand and she was once again on her back, at the mercy of his ministrations.

Suddenly, his mouth and hands were everywhere on her, teasing the tightened buds that her nipples had bloomed into, dipping to tickle her belly button, making her stomach contract and squirm with need. Finally, his mouth made the journey to the soft blond curls between her legs and she drew a deep breath in expectantly; eager to feel his mouth on her. She was already so close to coming that she knew this wasn’t going to take long, but oh, the pleasure she would feel at that contact.

Mick inhaled deeply, picturing in his mind the beauty of her womanhood. Heat and wetness were rolling off of her and he couldn’t wait to taste her, feel her slick juices on his tongue and slowly he made his way there, tickling and kissing her trembling belly as he went, nipping lightly at the junction of her thighs. She lifted her hips off the bed, urging him onward and he took her then, his mouth covering her aching flesh.

Mick worshiped at the temple of her womanhood, drinking in her passion, stroking softly before she ground herself against his mouth, panting and moaning loudly. Only a few strokes of his tongue on the excited nub of desire and she was over the edge; a shattering orgasm taking her. He kissed and licked her very softly then, allowing her to come down off of the plateau gently before rising and claiming her lips once again.

The kiss was searing and Beth was soon moaning again and finally tore her mouth away from his to pant, “Mick, in me now, please!” she begged.

“Now?” he teased, but only for a moment. He slid between her legs and pulled her to him. He felt her grasp him firmly and wiggle her body to impale herself with his rigid length. Both of them felt loud moans escape their mouths at the contact and Mick rejoined their mouths again while he waited a moment for her to adjust to him inside her.

He felt her hips start to move against him and he picked up the rhythm, meeting her thrusts. He moved inside her deeply and felt her body responding by holding him firmly inside of it. She wrapped her legs tightly around his waist, as if refusing to let him go and it nearly drove him mad; she was so wet, so tight…

He inhaled and could smell her orgasm approaching. Her blood was singing with pheromones and estrogen, sweet with her coming release. His mouth ached for her and again he could see the blood pumping furiously though the veins in the delicate skin of her neck. He ached to taste her but instead only held her close as they both neared their climaxes. He knew he would have to bite his shoulder to make his journey complete, but that was okay, he would be within her when it happened. He felt the vamp come out; his fangs ready for the bite, his eyes glowing ghostly silver. Almost…, almost there.

Beth watched him vamp out, she knew his moment was close. She wanted his bite, needed it in some strange way. It bonded them in a way she couldn’t describe. And then she made her choice. “Do it Mick, bite me!” she told him. She felt him shake his head no, denying what he needed, what she desired.

As her orgasm started to take her, she leaned up and bit his shoulder, hard; hard enough to draw blood and she tasted the strange sweet/saltiness flood over her tongue she felt his whole body tighten and then his teeth were biting her neck. Even in the throes of passion he was gentle, just barely puncturing her delicate skin, only taking a small mouthful of her blood. He swallowed slowly, trying to savor her sweet blood as his orgasm washed over him. His inner vamp roared his passion, cried out with joy.

The small wound on Mick’s shoulder that Beth had inflicted healed closed quickly. She felt heady from his blood, tingling in a way and alive. It was almost like the night she had tasted the black crystal, only so much more intense. His blood tasted amazing, not at all like she imagined it would and not at all like her own blood. It was alive with flavors should couldn’t identify and it was somehow comforting.

Beth felt his tongue softly stroking over the mark on her neck, laving gently as if to close the wound. Even though his wound was closed her tongue mimicked his, lovingly caressing his shoulder. She decided that it was as much as an emotional healing as well as a physical one and she finally kissed the place where her mark had been, complete and satisfied.

Mick wished he could feel horrified at what he had done to her; he wished he could feel angered at what she had done to him, but neither emotion made an appearance. In some strange way it was what had to happen. They were both marked now, their blood mingled and their bond complete. He rolled off of her and pulled her to him, settling himself around her and holding her close.

She was quiet for a moment before finally saying, “Are you mad at me Mick?”

“No baby, no. You did what I didn’t have the courage to do. But Beth, there are implications to this, things we are going to have to talk about, okay?”

She nodded solemnly, but said, “Not tonight though?”

“No, not tonight. Sleep well baby. I love you so much Beth!”

“I love you too Mick. Forever…”

The words were a foreshadowing for Mick, a conversation he didn’t want to have. But for now he let it go and just slept.”

To be continued in See the USA, the Vampire Way!

Monday, May 16, 2011

Chapter 32 Sonata Part 2



Again, a special thanks to Lynn, Moonlightlover60 for the gorgeous banner.  Lynn, you rock!

This chapter has no beta, hope it's not too bad.  My friend who is helping until Engbunny is better graduated this past weekend so she's been very busy.  Hopefully she will have WOS back to me in a day or so - if not I'll post it as is. 

A note about Engbunny, she is doing better and may even get to go back to work next week, part time.  Eng, I'm so happy your better.  Love you lots!

Part 32 Sonata 2

Mick, Beth and Josef watched as Simone was taken in for questioning regarding Dominic’s murder. Josef’s eyes narrowed dangerously at Ben Talbot who cast an inscrutable glance at them as he left the complex. At least Simone hadn’t been in handcuffs.

“Find the bastard that did this and get Simone out of that damn jail!” Josef spat tersely. He headed out the door, already on his cell talking to another of his lawyers.

Elka walked up to Mick and Beth and smiled for a brief moment. Beth reached out and squeezed her hand lightly and Elka regarded her with a perplexed expression. “What do you think?” she asked.



“I don’t think Simone did it; she was with Josef. I’d say Hank was the most likely person to have done it; he was very resentful that Dominic made it to the big league and he didn’t,” Mick told her.

“Hank was the other player that argued with Dominic earlier?” Elka asked.

Mick nodded briefly and saw Dominic’s managers, Emma and Jackson and murmured ‘excuse me’ as he walked over to speak with them. Elka and Beth stood quietly for a moment and Elka watched as Beth let out a long, shaky breath.

“Are you okay Beth?”

“Um, yes. I’ve never met Simone before but I’d bet that she didn’t kill Dominic. But you never know,” she trailed off.

“True, you don’t. On a different subject, you look very lovely this evening. You and Mick seemed very happy, until they found Dominic anyway.”

Beth shook her head and frowned, thinking about what she had wanted for the evening. It was no longer a possibility and she tried to not feel resentful about it. “Yes, it was mostly a fun evening, until then. Except I discovered another ‘vampire’ secret that Mick hadn’t told me about: freshies,” she said, feeling the irritation surfacing again.

“He had never told you about them? Well, that is probably because as long as I’ve known him he hasn’t ever…well, you know.”

That perked up Beth’s attention and she suddenly felt a bit lighter. “So, he doesn’t do that?”

“No, he gave all that up when he saved a 4 year old girl in 1985 Beth. She changed his life.”

Beth’s eyes opened wide in surprise. Mick had never told her that she had changed his life exactly, never those words. She knew that he had killed Coraline that night to save her, but that was about all. “Elka, there is so much he doesn’t tell me; honestly, I don’t know if he thinks I couldn’t handle it and he doesn’t want to worry me or if he just doesn’t want me to know about vampire… things.”

“Beth, he is trying to build a relationship with you; give him a bit of time to sort it all out. As vampires, we live our lives cloaked in secrecy; our very existence depends on it. And trust me, there are many secrets Beth and knowing Mick I’m sure he doesn’t want to overwhelm you with it all – not at one time. You two are destined for one another; you both have special gifts that will create a magical life for the two of you together. Give it time, please.”

Beth listened and lightly chewed her lower lip. “Magical huh?” she tried to joke. “We could sure use some magic now, that’s for sure.”

They both watched as Mick walked back to them, his long strides bringing him swiftly to their sides. “They don’t know anything. They think it could have been Hank, but who knows at this point. Beth, are you ready to go? I think I’ve had about as much of this ‘gala’ evening as I can handle. Elka, can we drop you somewhere?”

“No thanks Mick, I drove down.” She leaned down and lightly kissed Beth on the cheek and whispered, “Time Beth, don’t forget,” and then she was gone, mixing in with the crowd that was rapidly pushing towards the doors.

“What was that about?” Mick inquired as he wrapped his arm around Beth. The crowd was pushing against them and he didn’t want to lose her. Not that it was likely to happen, he would recognize her scent if she stood with a million people.

“Nothing, nothing at all,” she said, smiling at him. She felt better after talking to Elka. Patience though? A hard sell for her.



OOOOOOOOOOOO



Lani stood looking out the window of her penthouse apartment at the city lights. The skyline of LA could be beautiful at night she acknowledged, if you didn’t mind all the flashing lights and traffic sounds that drifted upward. She took a sip of her wine and turned to look at her apartment; all her household goods had finally cleared customs and had been delivered. She had spent the day decorating and putting things to rights, along with Cami. She had been a big help and Lani was thankful for that, as well as for her help at work. They made a good team, as much as Lani hated to admit it. Dare she even say that she trusted Cami? Well, she did.



The penthouse was exquisite, it really was. It was done in white, vivid turquoise and brilliant greens; there was a relaxing and peaceful feel to it that soothed her well. The carpet was white and the furniture white leather, soft as butter and comfortable to sit in. The accents were the blues and greens with a large abstract over the fireplace that comforted her for some reason. Whenever she felt stressed she just stared at it and breathed deeply and let the calm flow over her.

Her phone rang and she went to look at the caller ID. An unfamiliar number popped up and she considered letting it go to voice mail but curiosity got the better of her and she answered.

“I heard you were back here, but I thought to myself that my informants must be wrong!” a warm voice said on the other end of the phone.

“Took you all these months to track me down did it? Not very good informants!” she laughed.

“No, of course not. I was just letting you get settled in is all,” he laughed.

Her laughter was bright and quick, Eric always made her laugh. “Okay Eric Jameson, what do you want anyway?” she teased.




“You of course; barring that how about dinner with an old flame? Say tomorrow night?”

A warm shiver crept up Lani’s spine; there was still a little something between them and she realized that she wanted to find out just what that was. “Okay, tomorrow night it is. Where shall I meet you?”

“What, don’t trust me to pick you up?” He listened to her giggle and said, “Alright, you win, as always. How about the Arbor Bistro, 8 o’clock?”

“Sounds wonderful! I’ll see you then.” After a brief goodbye she hung up the phone, more excited than she had been in a long time. Tomorrow evening couldn’t come soon enough for her.



OOOOOOOOOOOO



Beth was awed and amazed by Emma and Jackson; she had read all their marriage certificates in their home with curiosity. There had been a new one every 20 years or so with new names and to think that they had been married for 150 years just blew her away. Would she want that with Mick? With anyone?

If she were going to have that then that meant being turned. Right now she just couldn’t imagine it happening, but she had no idea what the future held. She loved Mick and if she could spend eternity with him wouldn’t she want that? Fear coiled in her stomach; fear of what it meant to be turned, fear of not being turned. She could chase it in circles for years and never solve the riddle she thought.

She pulled up at Mick’s loft and climbed out of the car. Simone had been released but Ben still wasn’t 100% sure she hadn’t done it. Right now she had a lead on Hank and she wanted Mick to go with her to check it out.

When she opened the door at the loft she got the shock of her life; Mick had his mouth on Simone’s arm and was obviously drinking her blood. It stunned her; it infuriated her. A cloud of seething red rage wrapped fiery arms around her and held her motionless.



He hastily pulled away, wiping his mouth and he wore the guilt of his actions all over his face. Josef and Simone hurriedly left leaving Mick and Beth alone, separated by a mile-wide chasm. It wasn’t far enough to contain her anger.

“Police found blood on Dominic’s body; I was just making sure it wasn’t Simone’s.”

“They have laboratories for that. I have a lead on Hank Bishop; are you coming with me?” Her words were clipped, each one slicing through him like a dull knife.

Wordlessly he followed, trying to think of what to say to her but nothing came to him. He had a whole list of could says and should says but somehow they seemed inadequate to explain things. He cast a sideways glance at her in the car and saw her face was set in stone, expressionless as she stared straight ahead. He wanted to apologize but knew that right now she didn’t want to hear anything he had to say so he just drove.

When they reached fraternity row at Hearst they parked and Beth silently got out of the car, not waiting on him to open her door. The impatient gesture somehow irritated him and he asked her if they were going to talk about what happened.

“What do you expect me to say,” she said, still angry.

“I wasn’t feeding on Simone. It wasn’t a big deal.”

“Then why do I feel like I walked in on you two making out?”

“We weren’t making out – the only person I want to make out with is you!” he declared.

“But you don’t want to drink my blood.”

“You want me to drink your blood? Where is this coming from?”

Do I want him to drink my blood? Why doesn’t he want to?

“It’s just that when you were dying in the desert you made it seem like a big deal and now you’re telling me it isn’t so please forgive me for being a little confused.”

How do I tell her it’s because she is not food to me, that she will never be and the reason it was such a big deal in the desert was because I love her, even then and Simone, well, it was nothing.

He decided he couldn’t win and silently followed her into the frat house. The inside looked as if it hadn’t been cleaned in years with stuff covering every available surface. Some of that ‘stuff’ included a couple who were engaged in a bit of romance.

Once they knew that Mick and Beth were looking for Hank it all went downhill quickly. Someone yelled to him that the cops were there and Hank made a hasty retreat out a second story window. Beth ran for the front door and Mick got hit in the head with the before running after Hank outside where he caught him.

“You okay?” Beth inquired.

Mick shrugged and said, “I got hit in the head with the sacred ass paddle.”

“Karma,” Beth said and couldn’t help the small bit of satisfaction that crept into her voice.

They turned Hank over to Ben and Mick drove back to his place with a still silent Beth by his side.

“Want to come up for a drink?” He wanted to try to explain, he just didn’t know if she was ready for it.

Beth fixed him with a sad look and thought about it for a moment. Too much was going on and she was tired, so tired. He was trying and perhaps she owed him the chance to explain but it wasn’t going to be tonight.

“Look Mick, I want to talk to you, but I’m wiped out. Can it wait until tomorrow?”

For a moment he thought of offering her the sofa again, which made him remember that the new bedroom suite was being delivered in the morning. He wanted it to be a surprise so he only smiled at her and nodded his head. “I understand. Beth, I have so much to say to you…”

She felt hot tears sting her eyes and she blinked quickly to keep them at bay. She stood on tip-toes and gave him a quick kiss and started to pull away from him but he grabbed her and pulled her back to him, burying his face in her hair and breathing in deeply, scenting her sorrow and exhaustion.

“I’m sorry I hurt you Beth. Please, please forgive me.” His voice broke as he choked back his own emotion.

She nodded and he captured her lips in a kiss, soft and gentle and infinitely tender.

“Tomorrow?” he asked.

“Yes.”

He watched as she made her way to the Prius and drove off. Tomorrow he was going to do it, have that talk. It was time.



OOOOOOOOOOOO

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YcCTKtyzaXc


Oh, a storm is threat'ning
My very life today
If I don't get some shelter
Oh yeah, I'm gonna fade away



Colleen slipped past the watchful eye of Roberta, Katrina’s faithful receptionist and opened the door. Kat was sitting behind her desk, going over some files. She looked up when Colleen came in and nodded towards a chair. “Have a seat.”




“Thanks. I’m glad you could see me now, before I go to work.”

“I take it things aren’t going well?” Kat said, leaning back in her chair.

“On duty things are fine. She’s doing exactly as she is supposed to. But I followed her the other day when we got off, just because I don’t trust her. And I was right, she is stalking Beth Turner, on her own time now.”

Kat leaned forward in the chair and slapped her hand down on the desk. “Is she an idiot? Does she really think we wouldn’t find out? Josef called me again a little while ago and told me I had better get her under control or he would.”

Understanding flickered in Colleen’s eyes and she nodded. “Look Kat, I don’t want any trouble from this. If the other cleaners find out I’m spying on one of their own I’ll never get a partner to work with that I can trust. They like Kelly and many of them don’t like vamps getting busy with humans.”

Kat nodded; these were all things she knew. Hell, she didn’t like it either but while Kelly was in her employ she was responsible for her behavior on and off of work. She frowned and then rubbed her temples, frustration rolling off of her. “Alright, I’ll take care of it. Thanks for coming in Colleen.” With a curt nod she dismissed her and Colleen left, trying not to be spotted. That would only make things worse.



OOOOOOOOOOOO



War, children, it's just a shot away
It's just a shot away
War, children, it's just a shot away
It's just a shot away


The next morning Beth’s bedroom furniture was delivered. Mick stood in the doorway, admiring the light colored wood and the soft colors of the linens in the room. The walls had been painted a creamy white; just a shade lighter than almond and the linens were all mint greens and sea-shell pink. It actually looked like Beth Mick decided. The bathroom had matching towels and curtains. He decided it would do for her and if she hated it, well they could do whatever she wanted with the rooms.

That off of his list he headed over to talk to Jackson about someone he had seen talking to Dominic the night he was murdered. It turned out her name was Lisa and she was a vamp, as well as a cheerleader.

While Mick talked to Lisa at Hearst Ben talked with Hank. Both of them got the same news, that Emma had murdered Dominic. Lisa and Emma had both been having affairs with him and Jackson didn’t know about it. As Mick headed out to find Emma he got a call from Beth, telling him that Ben knew and that they were on their way to pick up Emma. Mick told her to stall them and rushed to Emma’s office but he got there a few minutes too late.

They were trying to take her into custody and she was tossing all the officers and Ben around like there were beach balls. Mick strode in and grabbed her, telling her that this wasn’t how it would go; she had to go with them and they’d get her out later. Emma was livid, but allowed herself to be cuffed and taken out.

Ben stared at the room that had been torn apart in the scuffle. “How did she do this?” he asked, stunned.

“I don’t know; psychotic break maybe?” Mick suggested.

“Psychotic definitely,” Beth echoed as they left.

When Mick and Beth talked to Jackson he seemed stoic, considering his wife of 150 years had an affair with a 22 year old basketball player. He also seemed sure she would be okay in custody until they could get her out. He was wrong.

Beth got him in to see Emma and she threatened to expose every vamp in LA if Mick didn’t get her out. While they spoke in hushed vamp tones, Mick still heard her threat and knew that she had just sealed her own fate when they did get her out of custody.



OOOOOOOOOOOO



Simone decided to pay a visit to Beth; she had seen how upset the other woman had been when she walked in on them the other day and she wanted to apologize and try to explain.

Beth looked less than pleased to see her but told her to come in anyway. She wasn’t sure what Simone wanted, but she’d find out she guessed. And part of the guess was right, Simone apologized for what happened.

Beth listened to Simone tell her that it was nothing and finally said, “It’s just that it looked kind of…”

“Intimate?” Simone finished. “Well I think so but to them – vampires don’t care about humans like that. To them we’re just a blip in their lifespan. To love us is to watch us die.”

Beth listened to Simones words and thought about their implications; was it true? Did Mick only see her as a blip in his life? She was sure he’d never turn her. Wasn’t she?



OOOOOOOOOOOO



Ooh, see the fire is sweepin'
Our very street today
Burns like a red coal carpet
Mad bull lost its way



A plan was set for that night; Josef, Logan, Guillermo, Katrina and two other cleaners met at Mick’s place to discuss it. In the middle of the meeting there was a knock on Mick’s door. He immediately caught Beth’s scent. They hadn’t had a chance to talk yet today and he knew that was why she was here.

He answered the door, stepping out into the hallway and pulling the door closed behind him which immediately made Beth curious.

“Hey, can we talk?”

Mick’s heart sank, this wasn’t the time. “Right now? It’s not a good time.”

Beth tried to peek around his shoulder and said, “Let me guess – vampire business.”

“You can’t be involved,” he answered her.

“No, I guess I can’t.”

Mick watched her walk away, torn because he didn’t want her to leave like this and knowing that she couldn’t be here. He finally went back in and closed the door so they could finish their plan.




Each person would have a specific job to do; Guillermo and the cleaners were going to stage an accident. Logan was going to hack the city’s main computers and make sure the van that would be carrying Emma to county lockup would make the lights until they came upon the accident. At that point Mick and Josef would pull Emma out of the county van. From there they would hand her over to the cleaners in the ambulance that was part of the accident set up.

“Uh, can my code name be ‘Lando Calrissian’,” Logan asked.

They all stared at Logan in disbelief. “Let’s go,” Mick said.



OOOOOOOOOOOO



Beth went home, barely holding back the tears until she was safe in her apartment. Once again she was sitting on the outside looking in as Mick kept secrets. Vampire secrets, vampire business, it was all the same and it excluded her. He didn’t trust her, it was just that simple.

He didn’t trust her to be a part of his life except in some periphery manner. She had opened up to him about her life, welcomed him into it, told him that she cared for him and she got nothing in return.

Beth trudged into the bedroom, pulling off her clothes as she went and hopped into the shower where the water could run down her face and wash the tears away. She didn’t know if they were angry tears or hurt tears but they flowed freely, streaking down her face. After a few minutes she felt a bit more in control and climbed out, drying off before pulling on some comfortable lounging pants and shirt and an old sweater. Despite the warm shower she felt chilled.

She fumed as she opened the freezer looking for a little magic elixir otherwise known as Ben and Jerry’s Cookie Dough ice cream. Not bothering with a bowl she pulled a spoon out of the drawer and as an afterthought opened a bottle of wine and poured a glass. She had no idea if red wine and ice cream would go together but she wasn’t too concerned about it either. She headed over to the couch and sat down, pulling an afghan over her legs that she curled underneath her and began the battle of pulling the top off of the ice cream.

The victory over the top was a moot point when she realized the top was totally torn apart and would never fit on the container again. It didn’t matter; she doubted if there would be any left when she was done. She plunged the spoon into the frozen creation and dug out a huge bite and popped it into her mouth.

The creamy concoction melted in her mouth and soothed her wounded soul for a moment but it was all too brief. Her thoughts had turned back to Mick and what had happened and the tears flowed again, sobs wracking her small body.




Travis had been watching and finally jumped onto the couch next to her and pushed his nose against her leg before rubbing his cheek against her. He blinked as he looked at her and a breath caught in Beth’s throat because it seemed like a gesture of comfort to her.

“Travis,” she said, reaching out to stroke him. His soft fur was silky beneath her fingertips as she scratched him behind his ears and heard his answering purr of contentment. He crawled up into her lap and nosed the container of ice cream, licking his lips.

“You want some Travis?” Beth dug the spoon into the carton and held out a heaping bite to Travis who delicately licked at the treat, his small pink tongue lapping at it with delight. Beth watched and took a sip of her wine and then another; before she knew it the glass was empty. She piled a couple of spoonfuls of the ice cream onto what was left of the lid and sat it on the floor. Travis immediately followed it and went after his treat with abandon. Beth dug the spoon back into the container and ate another bite; she should have been appalled after having fed Travis from the spoon but somehow she just didn’t care.

She tried to call Lani but her phone went immediately to voice mail and Beth remembered that Lani was going out with Eric tonight. Beth had always liked him and she was glad they were going out. Then another thought occurred to her and she dialed another number and waited impatiently for someone to answer.

“Hello?” the voice on the other end of the phone said.

“Uh, Cami? This is Beth, Beth Turner. Am I bothering you?”

No Beth wasn’t bothering her; it took her mind off of what was going on right now. She, like many of the other members of the vampire community in LA were waiting to see what happened this evening. She had received a coded message earlier from Logan and knew that they were all in danger of being exposed by Emma Monaghan. Cami couldn’t help but wonder what Beth wanted though. “Hi Beth. No, you’re not. What’s going on?” She heard a small muffled sob on the other end of the line and sighed.

“Cami, can I ask you a question?”

“Sure Beth. What’s wrong?”

“Is it possible for a vampire to love a human? Are we just a blip in your lifetime?” Simone’s words rang like tympani in Beth’s memory.

So this is about Mick. Did they have a fight or what? “Beth, I think it’s possible; I think that a vampire is totally capable of loving a human. But Beth, it’s dangerous, some things about it, you know?”

Beth stifled another sob and said, “That’s exactly the point Cami; Mick says that all the time but he won’t tell me WHY. He says relationships between human and vampires are difficult, dangerous and complicated. Cami, I’m not an idiot; any relationship is complicated and difficult, I get that. But the dangerous? What is that about?”

Cami let out a long unnecessary breath. Mick had obviously never talked to her about relations between the two species. Damn him, damn most all men for being afraid to talk to a woman. No, they wanted to direct your life and keep things from you to ‘protect’ you. And evidently Mick was the same as all the others. Cami saw red and it wasn’t blood. “Okay Beth, here’s the truth of it; vampires, in order to reach orgasm need to bite. Trust me, it’s not the kind of bite that will kill you, it’s only a small bite and it enhances your pleasure in ways you can’t even imagine.” She was quiet while she let Beth digest that news.

Beth felt stupid for a moment; how could she not have guessed that? It made sense though, from Mick’s perspective. He was always afraid of what he called the monster and if the monster emerged at a time when most people already had little control he was probably afraid that he would hurt her.

No wonder he never let her get too close.

“Thanks Cami, for the honesty. I appreciate it.”

“No problem Beth. I just can’t stand it when men pull that ‘in control’ card, you know? He loves you; he should just be honest with you.”

He loves me she wondered? Did he?

“Well, thanks again. Goodbye.” She heard Cami murmur the same words on the other end and the line went dead. No sooner had she hung it up then it rang again.

“Beth, its Ben. Emma Monaghan has escaped custody. I thought you should know.”

When she hung up the phone for the second time she was shaking badly. She now knew what the vampire business was earlier and why she couldn’t be a part of it.

Finally she understood; she really couldn’t be a part of it, of any of it.



OOOOOOOOOOOOO



War, children, it's just a shot away
It's just a shot away
War, children, it's just a shot away
It's just a shot away



Ben sat in his office, talking to the DA about Emma Monaghan. The police had gone to her house to talk to her husband and found him gone too. They had managed an escape together. As he hung up the phone he noticed a folder on the floor and went to pick it up. Inside he found a list; typed on many pages were names, hundreds of them. He scanned though them, some he recognized as historical characters, some of people that were alive and some were fictitious characters. He stared at it and wondered what it was about.

His phone rang and he picked it up. “The list is for your eyes only. We’ll talk again…”



OOOOOOOOOOOO



After they got Emma out of the van that was transporting her to a new location she was taken into custody by the cleaners. Emma was charged with treason for her threats to her brothers and sisters in the vampire community; the penalty was her life. Jackson decided to be executed with her and Mick and Josef watched as the flamethrower’s powerful burst disintegrated them both.

Watching Emma and Jackson Monaghan executed was harder than Mick every thought possible. Two people, who had loved each other so much ended as a pile of ash because Emma’s thoughtless words that threatened to out the entire vampire community.

Mick parked in front of Beth’s apartment and turned the car off. He wanted to see her, to tell her everything. If they were going to make this work he had to let her know what she was in for, what the future held. If she chose to walk away after she knew he would accept it.

He sat for a moment fiddling with his keys; the problem was that he didn’t know where to start. He finally opened the car door and headed into her building. When she answered his knock he could see the pain and betrayal in her eyes. He knew that he was fighting for more than just the right to talk to her – he was fighting for them.

When he told her about what had happened to Emma and Jackson he saw the anguish written on her face, and disbelief as well.

It didn’t take long for her to get to the point – that she had decided he was right, that the river between them was too wide to cross. The words stunned him as he listened to them, as Beth pushed him out of her life. He turned and silently walked out and down the hall, the pain bursting in his undead heart.

He stopped and leaned his forehead against the wall a few feet from her door. He heard her close the door that he had left open and then her heard her sobs, muffled but still achingly loud to his ears.

I spent the past 55 years trying to close the door on forever. But I can’t anymore; I can’t close the door on Beth.

He knocked on the door and when she didn’t answer he opened it and strode into the room. She was standing with her back to the door, her face buried in her arm as she cried. It broke his heart and he knew he would give anything, do anything to hold her right now, to make it better.

She had told him that Emma and Jackson had made her realize that it couldn’t work between them. Well, they had made him realize that it could. “This isn’t about being a vampire or human – this is about us, right here, right now.”

She asked him what she was wearing that first night at the fountain. That puzzled him, but he told her, “Blue jeans, white striped shirt, cream jacket.”

“And my shoes?”

He couldn’t hide the small grin that tweaked up the corners of his mouth as he answered, “You weren’t wearing any.”

“How can you remember that?” she asked.

“Because I love you.”

She moved to him and he met her, pulling her into his arms, as their lips met. He drank her in, her love, her surrender. This was a kiss of promise, of hope, of love in its rarest form – acceptance. Mick scooped her up and went to sit on the couch with her in his lap, never breaking the contact. Finally she sighed and laid her head against his shoulder.

He ran his fingers through her hair and caressed her cheek. “Beth, I have so much to tell you; will you listen?”

Beth gazed into his beautiful hazel eyes and smiled. “Yes Mick, there is so much I need to hear.”

He nodded and took a deep breath. He was scared, afraid once she knew the truth he would lose her, but he was wise enough to know that if he didn’t explain, he would surely lose her.

“Beth, I love you, you are my reason for living, all these years. When Josh died, you asked me why I went on living and the answer was so simple, and yet I couldn’t tell you – the reason is you.” He paused for a moment and before he could go on there was a knock on her door. It continued and got more insistent.

“Beth? BETH? I need to talk to you!”

It was Ben Talbot they both realized. “I’m sorry Mick, I need to answer it.” She moved to get down off of his lap and he held her tight for a moment, kissing her once again.

“Hang on Ben, I’m coming.” She opened the door and he strode into the room and stopped short when he saw Mick on the couch.

“Sorry, don’t mean to interrupt, but the DA wants us down at the accident site where Emma escaped. He’s waiting for us there. I tried to call but your phone is off I think.” He cast a quick look at Mick and nodded.

Beth closed her eyes for a moment and sighed. “Okay, let me change; give me 5 minutes.” She looked at Mick and tried to smile.

“I’ll just go on home Beth. Uh, I’ll talk to you later?”

She nodded and watched as he left the apartment.

“I’m sorry Beth; I didn’t mean to interrupt anything.”

“No, it’s okay. Things are okay,” she said.

And she meant it.



OOOOOOOOOOOO



I tell you love, sister, it's just a kiss away
It's just a kiss away
It's just a kiss away
It's just a kiss away
It's just a kiss away
Kiss away, kiss away

There wasn’t much left at the accident site to see. The only survivor of the accident, the guard was in critical condition at the hospital and unconscious. Not much help and neither was the accident site.

It was almost dawn when they left. Beth climbed into the Prius and instead of heading for home turned in the direction of Mick’s loft. He loved her and he was going to talk to her! The thought thrilled her and wiped her weariness away. AND – she couldn’t help but grin when she thought about it; they were going to finally make love. Talk first though, and then crawl into a shower and into his arms.

Mick had been restless ever since he had gotten home. He had showered and put on a pair of pajama bottoms but couldn’t bring himself to climb into the freezer. Not yet, he decided. He poured a glass of O+ and sat and sipped it, going over the past few hours. It was going to be okay he realized. She was willing to listen and that meant everything.

He hadn’t lost her, but it was close. He couldn’t keep secrets from her any longer.

He heard the elevator ding and immediately scented her. She was tired, but exhilarated at the same time; he met her at the door, throwing it open before she could knock. She walked straight into his arms.

Her kisses seared him, full of passion and heat and he felt his body respond immediately. Beth shrugged her jacket off and let it fall to the floor and started working at the buttons on her blouse next. She forgot the need for talk – all that mattered was this need that burned within her.

“Um Beth, we need to talk,” he said against her mouth. He tried to step away but she held on to him as she wriggled out of the blouse.

“No Mick. Talk later, right now I need you. Make love to me Mick,” her plea was emphatic and it resonated within his soul. He picked her up and headed up the stairs to the room that he had created just for her, laying her gently on the bed.

Her arms wound around him as she whispered in his ear, “Now Mick, I need you now!”

“Whatever you want my Beth…”



To be continued…



Thank you all so much for coming along the journey that relived the episodes of this magical story. I know many of you wanted more after the door closed, and I promise that there will be. My feelings were that their first time to make love was a new beginning for them and as such, it deserves its own chapter as we begin the story after the episodes.

The next chapter is called Shook the World and will start Mick and Beth on the path of their newly found love. There will be more new characters to join the party and we’ll see more about some of the others as well as how Mick and Beth create their new life. Shook the World will be posted in two weeks; in the meantime I will post a new cast of characters as we continue on. I sincerely thank you all for reading along with me and I hope you will enjoy the next part of the journey.

Hope

Friday, May 13, 2011

The Road Trip Part 2


Part Two-Desire by Any Other Name…



“Are you wet?” he asked, his voice husky.

“Oh yeah…”Beth answered.

Beth quickly pulled her sweats off and settled down into the pillows and then wedged the phone between her shoulder and the pillows.She needed both hands free, now if it were only Mick’s body they were touching instead of her own.

“Ah Mick, I need you so bad.I need you in me!”

She heard Mick’s low growl of response and it sent a shiver up her spine.Her fingers traced tiny swirls over her nipples, hardening them further and making her breath catch.The need for her delicious vamp was growing ever more urgent and a small whimper escaped her pursed lips.

“I need you too Beth.I – uh, want to be inside you.Slide your fingers inside of yourself baby, tell me how it feels.”

Beth moved her hand down to the triangle of soft blond curls that hid her excited flesh.She stopped for a moment and stroked the hardened nub that stood guardian over the gateway and let out a long moan that wasn’t quite Mick’s name but rather a fervent plea of need.“Oh, oh yes, Mick, talk to me, tell me what you want!”

“You baby, I want to feel myself deep inside your warmth and wetness.I want to push into you and feel your tightness pull me harder into you.I want to make you come Beth.Are you almost there, baby?I am, I am…”

Beth’s fingers slipped into the heated silken wetness and she moved them quickly, slipping in and out as she felt her body start to contract with the orgasm.“Yes Mick, I’m coming for you, I’m coming…”

Beth’s breath caught in her throat as she cried out her release; she was excited even more as she heard Mick in the throes of his own orgasm as well.Both of them panted into the phone as their bodies relaxed, spiraling down from the plateau.After a minute or so Beth sighed deeply and then let out a small laugh.

“Well, that didn’t take long!”

“I was already half way there Beth.God, I miss you so much.“It’s going to be a few more days before I can finish up the investigation here and even if it only took another minute, it would be too long!”

Beth knew exactly how he felt.Their relationship was still new and she couldn’t get enough of him.They were still in the learning about one another phase, almost like a honeymoon and it felt like torture to be away from him.Staying here with Simone and Josef was fun, but she too was counting the minutes until she could be with Mick again.

“I know Mick.You’re lucky you aren’t here right now though; it’s so hot – TOO hot to even think sometimes.Well, not here in Josef’s beach house, but outside.”

“How’s that going by the way?” he asked.Beth and Simone had had sort of a rocky start to their relationship and when he’d heard that Beth was going to the beach house with her and Josef, Mick had felt a bit disconcerted.Okay, he had to admit that part of the reason for that was because he had drank a bit of Simone’s blood, well tasted it anyway.In the 6 weeks that he and Beth had been together they had skirted around the whole subject of blood.He had drunk from her once during sex and she had enjoyed it, but it was all still too sensitive to talk about much.Now she was asking him to let her taste his blood and Mick was scared to death to let her; it was just too dangerous.

“Good, actually.We’ve bonded,” she giggled.“Well, we’re on our way to it anyway.We’ve actually had a lot of fun.This evening Josef hooked up a Play Station and Guitar Hero game and we had a blast with it.Actually, I think Josef and Simone are still out there playing it!”

Mick chuckled; he could see Josef going all out in the game.One of Josef traits was to completely immerse himself in whatever endeavor he undertook, whether business or pleasure.Oftentimes, business was his pleasure but occasionally he broke loose and just had fun, like a 400 year old teenager.Mick really enjoyed those times with Josef and he wished he was there to play too.

“That sounds like fun.What else did you do today?”

“Laid out by the pool for awhile and watched the Robert Redford channel.Oh, and Josef said he was once a cattle rustler and a gold miner!” she laughed, shaking her head at the thought.“Do you suppose he was telling the truth?”

Mick smiled into the phone as he listened to her inquisitive side take over.Yeah, she was curious, much to her own detriment at times but it didn’t matter to him, she was perfect for him.“I don’t know baby; I guess I wouldn’t find it surprising.”

Beth stifled a yawn and murmured “Mm hm,” into the receiver.Now that she was more relaxed she was also really tired.

Mick heard the yawn despite her effort to hide it and said, “Sounds like you need to get some sleep and I’ve still got a few more leads to work on tonight.I’ll call you tomorrow night, okay?”

She wasn’t ready to say goodnight but she didn’t think that toothpicks would be able to keep her eyes open much longer so she said, “Okay.I miss you Mick.Oh, and by the way, I love you too!”

Mick smiled as he heard her words, spoken so softly they were almost a whisper.“Yeah baby, me too.Talk to you tomorrow.”He clicked the ‘end call’ button and the phone was silent.An immediate feeling of loneliness washed over him, one that he wasn’t accustomed to.It was amazing how short of an amount of time it had taken for him to get used to her in his life; now he literally ached for her.Her touch comforted and excited him, her laughter brightened his day; her curiosity, well that scared him but he could cope with it.He wouldn’t change a hair on her head.

************

By 5 am Josef and Simone had played themselves out on Guitar Hero.Josef was ready for a bit of refreshment and another kind of play!He poured himself a glass of B positive and inquired if Simone needed anything.

“No, I’m good.I’m going to go take a shower though,” she told him.“ I got all sweaty playing that game, but it was fun!”She kissed him on the cheek and started to head to their bedroom suite.

Josef caught her hand and said, “Hey, want some company?”

“Always!” she answered, a sparkle in her eye.

Josef sat the glass down in the sink and ran a bit of water in it then followed her down the hall.He felt his eyes silver over as he anticipated the shower and he wanted to yell, ‘Race you!’ but he managed to remain cool about it.It wouldn’t do to let her know how much he cared about her, needed her.That’s what he told himself anyway.If he had any idea how transparent his feelings for her were he would have been appalled.

Once in the master suite Simone started to undress, taking care to put her clothes away with care.Josef laughed, she was sometimes so fussy with all her neatness.She and Mick were so much alike in that; Mick didn’t need a maid at the Fortress of Style, he was a clean fanatic himself and Simone was exactly the same.Josef was more of a let it stay where it dropped kind of guy, knowing full well that someone would come along and pick it up later.It drove Si nuts, but he didn’t really care and he especially didn’t care right now; he had one thing on his mind and it didn’t involve menial labor.

Practically before she could blink Josef had his clothes off and then he swept her up into in his arms.He kissed her soundly and headed for the bathroom.Simone relaxed into his strong arms as she wrapped her own around his neck.

Josef pushed the bathroom door open with his foot and felt the wall for the switch to turn on the light; they both blinked when it came on and he sat her down on the floor so that he could open the shower door and turn on the water.When he had it adjusted to a happy medium or in other words a temperature they could both handle he stepped in and held out his hand to her, beckoning her to join him.

Two steps brought her into his waiting arms and then their mouths melded into one another’s as they shared a searing kiss that set them both aflame.Tongues met in a sensual dance that entreated them to open themselves to more passion, greater desire.

The luke warm water showered down over them but it went unnoticed as the two lovers twisted together in an attempt to be even closer, more intimate.Josef ran exploring hands down the enticing valley of Simone’s back as he caressed her gently, his fingers tracing the delicate outline of her spine before they dipped down to cup her smooth derrière and pull her tightly against him. She sighed as he pulled her closer still and she could feel the hard length of him pressing into her belly.Her body responded with a shiver that made her whole body tremble in anticipation.

Josef’s mouth left hers and slid down her jaw to her neck.His tongue danced and swirled over the vein that pulsed frantically there but then continued the journey downward to her breast.Her nipples were taut and swollen with need and desire and he captured them in his mouth, teasing and pulling on them gently.

Simone moaned softly, her breath coming in small pants as she felt his mouth excite her even more.The muscles in her thighs were clenched together tightly as she tried to keep her balance in the slippery shower.Josef felt her knees give away for a second and he picked her up and sat her on the bench before he spread her legs apart and dipped his head to taste her honeyed juices.

His tongue drew tiny circles around her aroused flesh and it was rewarded with a warm rush of slick juices, which he eagerly lapped up.He delved deeply into her body, feeling it contract as her orgasm began and he reveled in the taste of her as her peak washed over her body.When she had stopped shaking from the power of her orgasm he swiftly moved his body upward so that he could enter her.She moaned her pleasure as she felt his hardness inside her still contracting flesh.

“Yes Josef, hard please.Don’t stop, please don’t stop!” she cried as she pulled him tightly to her and buried her mouth against his chest.

This was the Simone that no one knew and that Josef thrilled to – the wild woman who wanted it hard and fast.He was more than happy to oblige her and he increased his pace and penetration.

Simone’s head bent backwards and she almost howled with pleasure.Her fingernails raked carelessly over his back, drawing blood that went unnoticed by both of them.He bent and captured her breast in his mouth again, tugging at her nipple more firmly than before and he smiled when he felt her responsive moan and sharply indrawn breath.

He was close now as was she; he debated whether to pull his mouth away from her breast and slid it along to her wrist, but he decided to stay where he was.He could scent that her orgasm was beginning when he quickly bit her breast.Even in the midst of their passion his bite was gentle and she responded by a coming undone for him; her body clenching him tightly as his own orgasm began.He lapped soothingly as her warm blood flowed freely into his waiting mouth as he shuddered through his own release.

Josef moved to sit on the bench and then pulled Si onto his lap and held her close.He could hear her heart beating wildly in her chest as she tried to get her breathing under control.Both of them gulped in huge breaths of air and relaxed against the other.

Josef wanted to tell her that he loved her and yet he couldn’t get the words out.That would open a whole new level of possibilities between them and he didn’t know if either one of them were ready for that.Instead he just held her to him and kissed her softly.For now, it would have to do.


************

Beth slept until almost noon; she laughed at how easily she found herself adapting to ‘vampire hours’.Well not exactly because they would sleep much later than this, but this might at well be dusk for her.She never was one to sleep late in the mornings, not even as a teenager.She would always get up early; eager to see what the day had in store for her and this day was no different.

She pushed the button that would open the roman blinds and watched as the sunshine slowly crept into her room, inch by inch.When the blinds were fully opened Beth scrunched her eyes partially shut because the room was so bright.She lay in the bed for a moment and stretched, working the muscles in her back and legs.She felt great this morning, probably due to the extracurricular activity with Mick last night.Memories of his sexy voice came flooding back to her and she grinned as she thought about him.

She debated on whether or not a little solo action was warranted but decided to get up and head for the shower.A lonely shower, true, but she would feel better once she got started.My God, all she ever thought about now was Mick and sex.She had always enjoyed sex, but she found herself insatiable with him.Well, maybe not exactly insatiable but she sure wouldn’t kick him out of her bed, that was for sure.

Beth acknowledged that it was much more powerful than just sex though; there really was some deeper type of connection going on and that gave her pause for a moment.She had never really believed in soul-mates or things like that; however Mick made her think that there was such a thing and the possibility thrilled her in unimaginable ways.She had loved a few men, that much was true, but none had affected her as Mick did.

Enough of this, Beth, get busy!

A little while later she was showered, dressed and rummaging through the kitchen looking for something to eat as coffee brewed.She toasted a bagel as she sipped her first cup of coffee and pondered what she would do with this day!

************

Simone emerged about an hour later, wearing a sleepy grin on her face.Beth looked up from her computer where she had been reading CNN news.Old habits die hard and even on vacation she was driven to know what was going on in the world.

“What, no Robert Redford channel today?” Simone joked as she grabbed a cup and filled it with coffee.She sat down at the counter with Beth and blew gently on the brew, inhaling the fragrant steam as it rose from the cup.

“Don’t know, haven’t turned the tube on.Been reading the news.Actually, I haven’t been up that long myself.”Beth got up and poured herself another cup of the coffee and stood looking out the window.The California sunshine was wicked today, glinting off the blue-grey Pacific in shimmering waves; another hellishly hot day was in store, she could tell.

“Where’s Josef?Still enjoying his sub-zero oblivion?”

“I think so, I didn’t check.I wonder what it’s like to sleep in a freezer?I can’t imagine it really.” Simone got up to pop a bagel into the toaster for herself and then grabbed the cream cheese out of the refrigerator as well.Setting a plate down on the counter she waited expectantly for the bagel to pop up.

“So you wouldn’t ever want to be turned?” Beth asked, trying to be casual as she watched Simone’s face for reaction.

Simone looked around the room before she spoke but she knew that if Josef was up already he could probably hear her reply anyway.“That’s the million dollar question Beth.Sometimes, well sometimes I really do want it.I guess I’m afraid though.What if something happened, like it did with Sarah?And, I wonder if Josef and I are even heading towards something more.”The last words were almost whispered.

“There is that chance I guess.I doubt if Josef did anything wrong though; most likely Sarah just didn’t have the will to make it all the way through.”As Beth said the words she realized that she wondered about it too.Would she ever want to be turned and if she did, would Mick even do it?

Just then they both heard a door close somewhere down the hall and they immediately changed the subject.Neither one knew if Josef had heard their conversation and it sort of irritated Beth to know that she was worried that he had.For all that vampires were now a part of both her and Simone’s life, it was all still so hush-hush.Don’t discuss it, keep the secret.She knew she needed to talk about it, discuss it.She mentally shrugged and only caught the last part of what Simone was saying.

“Hm?I’m sorry Simone; I missed what you just said.”

“I just asked if you had talked to Mick?”

A swift blush stole up Beth’s face and she dipped her head down in an effort to hide it.Simone noticed both the blush and the evasive maneuver and smiled to herself.She guessed she had an answer to her question.

“Um, yes we spoke last night.”She let out a sigh and added, “I really miss him.Have you ever been to Reno?I was looking at pictures of in on the computer and it looks beautiful!”

Josef walked into the just then and said, “Reno, huh?”He grabbed a glass and then reached for a carafe of blood from the hidden fridge.It wasn’t from a freshie, but it was delivered daily, at least it had that going for it.

“Yeah.You know, Mick is going to be a few more days up there, we should take a road trip up to see him!” Beth declared.

Had he not swallowed the last drink from his glass Josef might have actually spit out his last mouthful of blood.He laughed out loud and commented, “Blondie, vampires and road trips don’t go too well together.Not too many Holiday Inns have freezer accommodations!”

Beth arched her eyebrow sharply upward and said “Really?How on earth would you know whether a Holiday Inn would have a freezer Josef?Ever once been to one?”

Josef snickered and admitted, “Well, you got me there, but still I am reasonably sure there are no freezers there.But, anyway vamps on the road, not such a good thing.”

“Yeah, well how did you handle it when you were a cattle rustler?That was certainly ‘a road trip’.”Beth wore her own smirk; hopefully she would get some information out of him.

Josef’s eyes lit up, he knew exactly what game Beth was playing.His next move was to torment her with just a bit of information without giving her anything.He was well-versed in this subterfuge and enjoyed the game.Blondie was a worthy opponent.

Simone got up to grab another cup of coffee as she watched the two of them in this tenacious dance they did; neither one would cry wolf and it was usually pretty interesting to watch, up to a point.However, this morning she had little patience for it; maybe it was the lack of sleep, she didn’t know but she decided to stop it all now.

“Well, we could still drive up there to meet Mick.It wouldn’t do any harm to miss one night in the freezer would it, Josef?Mick has been doing it for a week now,” Simone said as she sat back down at the counter with her full cup of coffee.

Josef only looked at her and frowned; she realized that had sounded pretty harsh but sometimes the lawyer in her just wanted to cut through the bullshit.She sighed and added, “Okay, so maybe not.What other options are there?”

“Hey, how about we rent one of those motor homes you see out on the road?You know, they say something like ‘1-800- rentme on them.You could probably get a freezer in one of them!”

Josef mentally rolled his eyes; as if he would ever do something so pedestrian.“Beth, can you really imagine me in something that said 1-800-rentme on it?”He smiled, but a new thought was occurring to him.

Beth giggled and shrugged, he was right she knew.She thought about it for another minute, her lips pursed as she considered other options.She guessed they could fly up there, but that wasn’t as much fun; still, she would get to see Mick.She was about ready to offer that suggestion when Josef spoke up.

“You know, you often see those huge tour busses go by, the ones the rock stars use.I wonder if one of those could be available? “

“Wow, that would be great.What fun that would be!” Beth said, the wheels turning in her head as she wondered out loud how they could find one and on such short notice.

“I’m not talking about borrowing one, Blondie, I want one of my own!”

“Well, Josef, its a little short notice don’t you think for something like that?”

“Beth, money can accomplish anything we desire, wait and see.No, I want it huge, lavish, over the top!”

“Yeah, I heard some of those stars even have hot tubs and lounges in them!”

“No, we’re not talking about hot tubs and lounges here!Think bigger – THINK KOSTAN!!!”



To be continued in Reunion.