Halfway to the Grave Read Free

unnerving. He didn’t speak, but I felt his eyes as they moved over me. Finally I couldn’t stand it anymore and blurted the first question that came to mind.
    “What’s your name?”
    “Does it matter?”
    I glanced to my right and met his eyes. They were so dark brown they could have been black. There was that cool note of challenge in them again, almost a silent dare. It was disconcerting, to say the least. All the other ones had been perfectly willing to chat.
    “I just wanted to know. Mine’s Cat.” I exited the freeway and turned onto a nearby gravel road leading to the lake.
    “Cat, hmmm? From where I sit you look more like a Kitten.”
    My head jerked around and I shot him an annoyed look. Oh, I was going to enjoy this, all right.
    “It’s Cat,” I repeated firmly. “Cat Raven.”
    “Whatever you say, Kitten Tweedy.”
    Abruptly I slammed on the brakes. “You got a problem, mister?”
    Dark eyebrows rose. “No problem, pet. Have we stopped here for good? Is this where you want to shag?”
    There went that pesky flush again at his bluntness.
    “Um, no. A little farther up. It’s prettier there.” I steered us deeper into the woods.
    He gave a low chuckle. “I just bet it is, luv.”
    When the truck stopped at my favorite rendezvous spot, I glanced over at him. He sat exactly as he had been, immobile. There was no way I could go for the surprise in my pants yet. Clearing my throat, I gestured toward the trees.
    “Don’t you want to go outside and…shag?” It was a strange word, but much better than fuck .
    A quick grin lit his face before he responded. “Oh no. Right here. Love to do it in a truck.”
    “Well…” Damn, what now? This wouldn’t work. “There’s not much room.” Triumphantly I began to open my door.
    He didn’t budge. “Plenty of room, Kitten. I’ll stay here.”
    “Don’t call me Kitten.” My voice was sharper than romance dictated, but I was seriously aggravated. The sooner he was truly dead, the better.
    He ignored me. “Take off your clothes. Let’s see what you’ve got.”
    “Ex cuse me?” This was too much.
    “You weren’t going to shag me with all your clothes on, were you, Kitten?” he taunted. “Guess all you’ll need off is your knickers, then. Come on. Don’t take all bloody night.”
    Oh, I was going to make him sorry. I hoped this hurt like hell. With a superior smile, I looked back at him.
    “You first.”
    He grinned again with a flash of normal teeth. “Shy bird, are you? Didn’t peg you for the type, what with walking up to me and practically begging for it and all. How about this? We’ll do it at the same time.”
    Bastard . It was the filthiest word I could think of, and I chanted it in my mind as I warily stared at him while unbuttoning my jeans. He nonchalantly loosened his belt, unbuckled his pants, and pulled out his shirt. The action revealed a taut pale belly that was hairless until it met his groin.
    This was way further than I’d ever let things progress before. I was so embarrassed, my fingers shook as I peeled off my jeans while reaching inside them.
    “Look here, luv, see what I have for you.”
    I glanced down and saw his hand close around himself before quickly looking away. The stake was almost in my hand, all I needed was another second…
    It was my modesty that did me in. When I turned to avoid seeing his groin, I missed his hand clenching. His fist moved unbelievably fast to connect with my head. There was a flash of light followed by shooting pain, and then silence.

T WO
    S OMETHING SEEMED TO BE DIGGING AT MY brain. With agonizing slowness I opened my eyes, squinting at the unshaded lamp nearby. It made the sun seem pale in comparison. My hands were above me, my wrists ached, and the pain in my head made me immediately lean forward and throw up.
    “I thawt I thaw a putty tat.”
    The mocking voice caused my pain to dissipate in a rush of terror. When I saw the vampire close by, I shuddered.
    “I did , I did thee