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Can a vampire break a curse?

When Janie Robinson says “I do,” she might as well call the morgue.
Two days after her wedding, David died in a car accident.
The day after she accepted his proposal, Justin fell to his death at work.
The day after she agreed to move in, Aaron died in a freakish drone accident.
Now Sam wants to date her because she’s some kind of Perfect Mate.
If she’s perfectly anything, she’s perfectly cursed and she’s not about to risk Sam’s life.

Sam Kincaid is a vampire.
He has been searching for Janie since the day he let her go.
Her so-called curse doesn’t bother him until he becomes the killer’s next target.
He’s never feared for his life before, but if he lets her go again, it wouldn’t be worth living.

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Chapter 1

Strangers in the night.

Of all the stupid and idiotic things Janie had done, walking back to her car—in the middle of the night no less—toting a container full of gas and no flashlight to guide her, was perhaps the most stupid and idiotic.

But could she really expect her brain to work when her heart was aching? How else could she explain not checking the tripmeter after passing that last gas station? Because heaven forbid the stupid gas gauge worked correctly. Not that she would have noticed that, either.

She stayed on the edge of the road where the blacktop met the gravel and prayed for no slithery things to come her way. So far, so good. Besides the occasional breeze through the dry brush and some missteps as she kicked the gravel, no other sounds existed. Not even a cricket. Driving in the middle of Nowhere, Arizona was bad enough, but to be stranded after midnight was plain creepy. The smart thing would have been to buy or borrow a flashlight back at the gas station, but she was far from being smart.

Janie wiped her eyes as tears started to fall. This was not how the weekend was supposed to end. If only she had told David she was coming over. But her friend, Megan, insisted she surprise him for his birthday.

If she had called, she wouldn’t have caught him with that other girl. And she wouldn’t have been driving back to campus in the middle of the night. Then again, she wouldn’t have caught him.
And she probably would have married a two-timing jerk.

She shook her head and took a cleansing breath. At least the temperature had cooled since sunset and the sporadic wind made for a comfortable walk. As comfortable as it could be lugging an eight-pound gas can. The mile walk to the gas station hadn’t been so bad, but why’d she think it would be a breeze going back?

Yep. Stupid and idiotic. She should get that tattooed on a prominent part of her body, so everyone would know.

Twenty minutes and two aching arms later she reached her SUV. Or would it be David’s? He’d given it to her as an engagement present. If they were no longer engaged, would she have to return it? If he insisted, she would. Then she’d make sure to buy a car that had a working gas gauge. After emptying the gas can into her dry tank, she tossed the container into the back and quickly climbed inside the car. Safe and sound—or as safe and sound one could be stranded in the middle of who knew where.

Because heaven forbid she would have remembered to bring a charging cord for her phone. And heaven forbid she’d remembered to check after buying the gas. She nearly banged her head on the steering wheel, but with her current luck, she’d end up with a broken steering wheel. Or a concussion. Or both.

She started the engine—oh, what a wonderful sound—and pulled a u-ey toward the gas station. As she rolled up to the pump, bells ding-dinged her arrival. Gosh, she couldn’t remember the last time she’d heard those. Probably from an old movie. She grabbed the container out of the back and placed it by the door as instructed. She opened the door to the store and another bell announced her arrival.

The grandfatherly gentleman sitting behind the cash register put his book down and smiled at her. “I see you made it back all right.”

“Yep.” And happy to see a friendly face. “I’m just thankful you’re even open. I can’t imagine you get much business at night. That road is just plain deserted.”

“And what might have happened to you if I weren’t open? Nights aren’t so bad and I haven’t got anything else better to do. I’m just sorry I couldn’t drive you back to your car.” He slid the five dollar bill on the counter toward her. “Here’s your deposit for bringing the can back.”

Janie slid the bill back. “No, you keep it. You don’t know how much I appreciate that you were open at all.” She rummaged through her purse and pulled out a credit card. Slapping it on the counter, she said, “I’m filling up.”

The old man nodded and Janie left the store. As she leaned against the SUV waiting for the tank to fill, a man strolled his way to the station, his cowboy boots kicking up dirt.
Guess she wasn’t the only one who’d run out of gas.

He walked into the light and she nearly gasped. Her heart might be breaking, but her eyes were fine with the view. He wore a white T-shirt that hugged him like a second skin and showed off a well-built chest. Those jeans fit just right, too. What a hottie, and she hadn’t gotten a look at his face. Yet. His shaggy dark hair—nearly black—whipped around in the breeze, obscuring his features. He certainly didn’t worship the sun god. His skin was much too pale.

Paying her no mind, he entered the store.

Hmmm… She wasn’t particularly vain, but she couldn’t remember the last time she hadn’t caused a guy to turn his head her way. Maybe the hot cowboy was gay. Seemed most of the hot guys were.

Not that she was looking for one. Not yet, anyway.

The pump kicked off and she replaced the nozzle before securing the cap. She sniffed her hands and grimaced. Ah, what did she expect? To end up odor-free?

When she entered the store, Hot Cowboy was in the back staring at the beer case. Okay, so maybe he hadn’t run out of gas. But where the heck did he live to walk here for a beer? She grabbed a Diet Dr. Pepper and a bag of Combos, being careful not to touch the stuff too much with her stinky hand, and placed them on the counter.

“Do you have a charge cord for an iPhone?”

The owner placed her items in a bag. “Naw. Technology changes too fast for me to keep anything like that on hand.”

Okay, now she didn’t feel one-hundred percent stupid for not checking earlier. Only ninety-five percent. “Where’s the ladies room?”

“Outside, ’round the back.” He placed the credit card receipt on the counter, which she signed. “It was a pleasure doing business with you, Miss Robinson. Stop back soon.”

She leaned over the counter and grinned. “No offense, but I hope I’m never out this way again. Thanks again for your hospitality.” She lifted the bag off the counter. “Do I need a key to get in?”

“Naw, it’s open. Saw no need to lock it. Most people leave me alone out here. Just make sure to turn the light out when you’re finished.”

“Will do.” She placed her bag on the passenger seat, locked up, and headed toward the back of the store. When she turned the corner and lost her only light source, she stopped. Her eyes were practically useless.

Damn it, if she didn’t have to clean her hands so badly, she’d just turn around and forget it. She palmed the rough bricks of the building and kicked the pebbles in her path—just in case some snake or scorpion she couldn’t see decided to check her out—and felt her way to the restroom.

The rough brick turned to smooth metal and her hand hit a door knob, but reading the door sign was impossible. She reached inside and flipped the switch. The light stung her eyes and she squinted. Ah, good. It was the ladies room. Even better? No creatures.

After washing her hands a good five minutes—gasoline smell was a bitch to remove—she made sure she’d have no other reason to stop before she reached Tucson. Once finished, she turned out the light and stepped outside.

Oh great. Blind again. Should have bought that flashlight. Following the same routine that got her here, she back tracked her steps. Four steps later she ran into a hard body. She about jumped out of her skin.

“Hello, Janie,” he said as he placed his hands on either side of her. “Damn, girl. What kind of perfume is that? It smells absolutely scrumptious.”

A lump formed in her chest. Had David sent someone out after her? No, no, he couldn’t have. “I think you’ve mistaken me for someone else. Let me pass.”

“Now, Janie. Don’t be like that. I’m your good friend, Sam.” He kept her caged against the wall and inhaled in a lazy kind of drunk way. “Be a good girl and give me a kiss hello.”

He was close enough for her to make out the white T-shirt and shaggy hair. Holy shit, he was Hot Cowboy. Okay, so not gay. And man, did he smell good. No way she knew him, though, so how the hell did he know her? And what was with his eyes? They practically shimmered, but from what light source?

What did it matter? She’d known guys like him. Thought because they were bigger or more important that she should do what they want. Words didn’t work on them. No, only action.

So instead of arguing with the guy, she grabbed his arm to get by. Erotic charges surged through her body and accelerated her already racing heart. Even her nipples became hard. What the hell was happening to her and why’d it feel so damn good? She leaned her head back and dropped her arm.

“Whoa,” he said. “What was that?” He grabbed her upper arms, his hands feeling better than they had a right to feel. “Sweet Jesus.”

Sweet Jesus, indeed. His touch was wreaking havoc with her body. She should stop him, but in a way she wanted him to continue.

“What are you doing to me?” Her voice came out all breathy-like and, before she could say anything else, he planted his lips against hers and claimed her with a hunger she’d never experienced before.

Her body quivered as he held her head and probed her mouth with his tongue. Without any directive from her brain, her arms wrapped around his neck. Erotic-like senses shot through her body and she tightened in need.

More. She wanted more. She lifted her leg and pulled him in close, bringing his erection to rub her just the right way.

He broke the kiss and left a burning trail of kisses to her neck, where he stopped to nuzzle. Her lips missed his presence, but her neck was more than happy for the attention until his sucking created a momentary prick of pain.

What the hell? Was he biting her? No, no. Couldn’t be. It would hurt more. Wouldn’t it?

He moaned in pleasure. She almost joined him.

Her brain finally woke up and took charge. He was biting her. And it should hurt, not feel good, but damn if it didn’t feel better than good. She lowered her leg, put her hands up to his shoulders, and pushed. Well, that got as much reaction as pushing a boulder. “Stop! You’re hurting me.”

Which was a big, fat lie and he probably guessed that right away. Because just as he stopped biting her, she orgasmed. Wave after wave of pleasure rode through her, turning her legs into rubber. He wrapped his arms around her waist and held her up.
As her heart rate slowed, her head cleared. She was engaged, for Pete’s sake. Didn’t matter if David had cheated, she wasn’t going to do the same. No matter how drawn she was to this…stranger. She grabbed her neck, squirmed free and slapped him across the face. “What did you do to me?”

He grabbed her hand and stared at her with those shiny eyes, as if she should do something.

She should be furious, but somehow the anger wouldn’t come after the best sex-not-sex she’d ever had. What did that say about her? About David? No, no. This wasn’t about him. She yanked her hand free. “I know you speak English. What did you do to me?”

“I haven’t done anything to you. You ran into me. Remember?”

“You call kissing and biting nothing? What kind of freak are you?”

His eyes widened. “I…uh…”

“What kind of answer is that?”

“I’m so sorry. I thought you were someone else.”

“Sure you did, you pervert.” Heck, maybe it did say “stupid and idiotic” on her forehead. Or just “easy prey.” In an effort to get away, she stumbled over her own clumsy feet. He caught her before the ground could do damage to her face. And damn it, his embrace wreaked all kinds of havoc on her body.

“Let me make it up to you. Help you to your car maybe?” He scooped her up into his strong arms as if she weighed no more than a pillow.

“Hey! Put me down. I can walk on my own.” Although, her body said, “Nah, let him continue,” as it enjoyed his touch way too much.

What the hell was wrong with her? It was like her brain and body were bickering with each other. She didn’t know which one to believe. She’d always gone by her instincts before. Now her instincts were shot. Had he sucked them all out of her?

Ignoring her demand, he carried her around the building. When he came into the light, his shimmering eyes were actually a beautiful brown. They didn’t necessarily sparkle—it was more subtle than that. Still, they didn’t seem…human.

Which was silly, really. Aliens didn’t exist. Did they?

But if they did and he was one… Holy crap! Had he probed her mind? How else would he have known her name?

He reached the driver’s side of her vehicle. As he released her, he licked her neck. “Now, wasn’t that easier than trying to walk?”

She should be furious. She should at least be scared out of her mind. Instead, his lick sent more erotic charges and desire through her. A desire to get to know Hot Cowboy—or rather, Sam—better. And that was just crazy. The man had practically assaulted her. And then there was the strange thing with his eyes. His beautiful, beautiful eyes. No, no. He was an alien and she had to get away before he did any more probing.

She slapped him again, unlocked the door, and hopped in her car.

But as she sped away, an uneasy feeling came over her as if she’d made the worst mistake of her life.