A Vampire's Christmas Wish (Vampires On Holiday #1) Read online

  Table of Contents

  A Vampire’s Christmas Wish

  Prologue

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Copyright

  Dear Reader,

  Excerpt from A Pirate’s Curse:

  A Vampire’s Christmas Wish

  By M.L. Guida

  Prologue

  London, Christmas Eve, 1863

  Christmas wreaths hung on the walls and garland with red bows were strung long from decoration to decoration. Two pine trees adorned with gold and silver ball ornaments had dozens of presents gathered at their trunks. An orchestra played George Frederic Handel’s Messiah and couples swirled on the dance floor. Janus Morano leaned against the wall and sipped his red wine, trying not to break the crystal stem. Being a captain of His Majesty’s Army, Janus hadn’t been able to refuse his sworn enemy Major Martin Lear’s invitation without creating suspicion.

  Lear, a known rake, waltzed with Janus’s true love, Delores Helm. When Lear twirled her, her tight fitting red gown flew up and revealed her delicate ankles. Crescents of her bosom peeked above the pearls trimming the heart-shaped neckline. Lear stole glances down the front of her dress. Delores laughed and smiled at something Lear said. Janus gripped the stem too tight, cracking it. His fangs elongating, he wanted to fly across the room and rip off Lear’s flesh. But taking deep breaths, he forced his anger back and drained the wine. He slammed the glass onto a tray held by a passing waiter. The waiter staggered. He dropped the tray and glass shattered onto the floor. Two of Lear’s men raised their eyebrows and then spoke in hushed whispers.

  Damn.

  Janus snagged another glass of red wine. Vampire killers would be at the ball, except he didn’t know who the hell they were. If he lost it, he’d put both he and Delores at risk.

  Stay calm.

  The waltz ended and Janus hurried across the room. He’d had to get Delores away from Lear, before he lost control. He bowed. “May I have this dance?” His voice strained with the words.

  Delores stiffened and frowned.

  Lear gave him a dismissing look as if he were a grunt in his battalion rather than giving him the respect of an officer. Bloody bastard. “Anything wrong, Miss Helm?”

  “No, ’tis fine, Major,” she said.

  The orchestra began to play another waltz. “Delores,” Janus urged, calling upon his vampire power to compel her.

  She raised her eyebrow and he gave up. Ah hell, why could he never control her?

  She offered her small hand. Janus clasped it and whirled her out onto the floor before she changed her mind.

  “Trying to make me bend to your will again?”

  “I’m just trying to make you safe. There are—”

  “Hunters?”

  He leaned his forehead to hers. “I don’t know. I haven’t fully developed my mind reading abilities and with all the music and you dancing, I can’t concentrate.”

  She cupped his cheek, her hand warm. “You’re jealous.”

  He tightened his grip around her slender waist. “Yes, damn it.”

  “You’ve nothing to worry about, Captain. I know what Lear is.”

  He glared over her head at his opponent. “A lecherous rake.”

  “Perhaps, but you’re behaving like an overgrown ogre.”

  Her sweet scent of roses set his blood on fire. He wanted her beneath him like she’d been last night, arching her hips as he had thrust his flesh between her long legs. Her brown hair was pulled into a loose bun and soft ringlets caressed her tantalizing neck. “’Tis Christmas, I thought we could leave early—”

  “Why?” She narrowed her blue eyes and they flashed red. “The ball has just begun.”

  He whispered into her ear. “You must control yourself. Your vampire eyes are showing.”

  She jerked her head away. “Stop.” She glared at him, her eyes were the bluest of the ocean. “’Tis because of your jealousy.”

  “Delores—”

  The music ended and Major Lear bowed and held out his hand. “May I?”

  “Why of course, Major.” She rested her hand on Janus’s arm. “Could you fetch me some refreshment? I’m parched.”

  Janus wanted to argue, but Lear was the host and a fellow officer. Giving her a tight nod, he left to get her some damn punch. How could he get through this ball?

  Each time the music ended, Janus traded waltzes with Lear. The man never stopped putting his hand on Delores’s lower back, peering down her gown or leaning too close to her. Rage pumped through Janus’s veins, and he had to keep his hands in his pockets to keep from strangling Lear. The clock chimed at twelve o’clock when Delores finally agreed to leave.

  In the carriage, she crossed her arms over her chest and stared out the window. Christmas garland wrapped around the lamp post and smoke swirled out of chimneys. The carriage swayed and the horses clomped on the snowy streets. The silence nearly drove him mad, but he knew better to press her when her chin was tilted and her eyes were blazing. He’d only make things worse.

  The carriage stopped and before the footman or Janus could move, Delores threw open the door and marched up to their flat. He shook his head and followed her inside. He pulled off his leather gloves and slammed them on an end table. “You must not be fooled by his charms. He’s a bastard.”

  She stood in front of the fireplace and gripped the mantel. “He’s a major in His Majesty’s Army and was our host. I merely was trying to help your career, Captain.”

  “By throwing yourself at my rival?”

  She tossed her wool shawl on a chair. “You’re impossible.”

  “Delores, you’re too trusting, naive.”

  “No, I’m not.” She whirled around. “I danced more with you than I did with him.”

  Janus scoffed. “You were counting?”

  “Yes,” she whispered.

  He grabbed her and kissed her. Damn his possessiveness. She molded her sweet body to his and returned his kiss, stirring his passion. God, he was a slave to her. She broke the kiss and he sighed, wanting more, so much more.

  She rested her forehead on his chest. “Janus, you have to trust me. I’d never betray you.”

  He held her close. “You don’t know men like Lear. He thrives on destroying women’s reputations. It gives him some sick satisfaction. I won’t let your reputation be tarnished. You’re my wife and I won’t allow him to tear us apart.”

  She freed herself from his embrace. “I’m not a fool.”

  “Delores, I want you to stay away from him.” He lowered his gaze. “For your sake and mine.”

  She stepped away and smacked his hand off her arm. “Are you threatening to kill him or me?”

  He winced. God, why was everything so difficult with her? “I’d never harm you or let anyone else harm you. I love you.”

  Her frown lines disappeared and she looped her arm through his. “I love you.” She reached up and gave him a quick peck on his lips. “But I can protect myself.”

  “Delores if anything happened to you, my heart would shatter.”

  She put her hands on his chest and skimmed them up around his neck. She nuzzled his throat and the soft brush of her lips quickened his blood. “Nothing is going to happen to me.”

  “Delores.” He groaned. One kiss turned him into a rutting bull.

  “When you first found me on the road after those bandits left me to perish and asked me if I wante
d to live, do you know why I said yes?”

  Trying to concentrate and not give into his lust, he gasped. “No. Why?”

  “I gazed upon the most handsome man I’d ever met. You were beautiful. I wanted to live so I could gaze upon you, even if it was just one more time.” She unbuttoned his double-breasted jacket and slipped her hands underneath his shirt, fingers toying with his nipples. He couldn’t think.

  He captured her parted mouth and tasted her sweetness, the lingering of wine. God, he wanted to take her there in front of the fireplace and lick her satiny skin.

  “You’re the one who cast a spell upon me,” he said. “My light to my darkness. I’ll always be able to find you. Even in death, I’ll find you.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “I’ve given you my heart. Our love is imprinted on our soul. If one of us dies, the deceased can come back in this life and the living could sense their presence.”

  “So, we can find each other?”

  He ran his finger down her cheek. “It’s not that simple. The rebirth takes away memories and those memories must be rekindled. I need you to stay alive.” He didn’t tell her sometimes the process failed to work. “I couldn’t live in darkness again.”

  She unbuttoned his jacket and pulled it down his shoulders. “But you have to trust me. How could I be with any other man after being with you?”

  He cupped her cheeks. She was a dazzling gem. “You’re so beautiful.”

  She broke away and laid her head on his chest. He loved the way her hair caressed his bare skin and wrapped his arms around her. She was his life.

  Their Christmas tree was decorated with the ornaments from her grandparents. Red and gold presents were crowded around the tree. “Janus, you think every man wants me.”

  “Men do desire you.”

  She caressed his face. “I love you,” she whispered. “But I’ll not live in your diamond cage.”

  He leaned into her palm. “I just don’t want you to be hurt.”

  “From who? Men who want to dance with me. Your own jealousy?”

  “Promise me you’ll not accept anymore party invitations from him. Not even for tea.”

  She dropped her hand. “And if I don’t?”

  Disappointment sunk into him at her challenge. “You’ll break my heart.”

  “I’m not yours to control.”

  He slid his hands down her arms. “I know.” Damn his fear. He had to quit trying to control her or she’d leave him.

  “I need to go for a walk.”

  For a demure and slight woman, she was stronger than any man and could easily defend herself. He could deny her nothing. But he would never allow her to go for a walk alone in the middle of the night. ’Twas dangerous, even for her. “Let’s take a stroll into Hyde Park.”

  Neither of them spoke as they walked toward the snow covered park. He tried to hold her hand, but she pulled away from him. His heart ached. Snow gently floated down around them. The trees loomed ahead of them, their bare branches reaching toward the midnight sky and the twinkling stars above. Delores bent down and he stopped. “What are you doing?”

  She scooped some snow and threw at him, hitting him on his arm. She laughed and he slowly smiled.

  “Catch me if you can?”

  She ran ahead and tossed more snow at him.

  He lifted his eyebrow. “So, you want to play, do you?”

  He knelt to grab some snow when tingles crept down his neck. He jerked his head up. They weren’t alone in the park. A man.

  Kill her.

  He could read his thoughts. Was the man referring to Delores? He concentrated.

  ’Twasn’t just a thug. ’Twas his worst fear. A vampire killer.

  With vampire speed, he dashed after Delores. “Delores, come here. Now!”

  Her eyes glowed and she sprinted ahead. “No, you’ll have to catch me, darling.” She darted between a grove of trees and he lost sight of her.

  Heavier snowflakes fell across the park, blanketing benches, tree branches and gardens. He fought back the panic threatening to override him and concentrated. Cold gripped him and he shook but it wasn’t from the chill. Fear thumped through his veins. Delores was walking into a trap. What if he couldn’t find her?

  Damn it. He should have mastered these mind reading powers by now. But high emotions closed these powers. If anything happened to Delores, it would be his fault.

  He pushed back his terror and inhaled. His superior smell detected the soft scent of roses and sprinted towards it.

  Snow blew around Delores. Tendrils of her hair fluttered in the breeze and cascaded down her back. The hem of her gown was soiled from the wet ground. Thank God, she was alive.

  “Delores,” he yelled. She glanced over her shoulder and smiled.

  From behind her, a dark cloaked figure approached her. The park lantern shined on a smug face. Lear.

  Janus choked on his fear. “No!”

  Lear lifted a crossbow.

  “Delores,” he called out, but he was too late. Lear fired and the arrow embedded into Delores’s shoulder. She clutched the arrow and crumbled to the ground. Lear whipped out a sword and cleaved her head.

  Janus’s world died.

  Chapter One

  Oahu, Christmas Eve, present day

  Deirdre Hahn clutched Brandon Delaney’s neck and molded her body to his as they slow danced. His arms crushed her and she inhaled his overwhelming spicy scent of cinnamon. Subtly wasn’t his strong suit. He was handsome with his deep aqua eyes, blond crew cut and chiseled face.

  He kissed her and she savored his masculine taste. She didn’t care that he was her boss. He was smart and cunning. A master in the courtroom. Sometimes his practices surprised her, leaning on the unscrupulous side—badgering witnesses, getting guilty clients off on technicalities, manipulating evidence. But thanks to him, the man who had killed her father had been brought to justice.

  “I told you I’d make it up to you,” he said.

  “Yes, you did.” She nodded and held him tight, not wanting to think of that horrible winter night a few weeks ago.

  She’d been out with friends when a terrible snowstorm blanketed Denver. Icy roads. She’d barely made it home. After the agonizing drive of avoiding sliding cars, creeping the car through a white out, she’d wanted to rush into Brandon’s arms and have him whisper she was safe.

  But he’d came through the garage screaming, accusing of her being with another man. She was still frazzled from the harrowing drive and couldn’t comprehend his lunacy. She tried to explain she’d been with friends, but he refused to listen. Called her a whore. He threw her against the SUV’s door and slapped her across the face repeatedly. Only when she kicked him in the groin had he stopped. He fell to his knees and begged her forgiveness. He swore he was mad with worry, out of control. All he could think about her was dead on the highway or with another man. She should have called.

  She threatened to leave him and he begged her to stay, sobbing into his hands. He promised it would never happen again. Couldn’t live without her.

  Brandon had never hit her during the five past months they’d live together. Her friends urged her to leave and said he’d do it again. But she loved him and wanted to give him another chance. A few days later, he’d surprised her with this trip to Hawaii. He’d taken her shopping for new clothes—cocktail dresses, shorts, shirts, naughty lacy nightgowns and a bikini. Although Brandon paid her a good salary, these were more expensive clothes than she could afford as a legal secretary.

  Brandon lifted her chin. “Are you having a good time?”

  The moon shone high overhead and the waves rolled up onto the beach. Palm trees were wrapped with white twinkling lights and tiki torch flames flickered in the ocean breeze. People sat at tables with red and white umbrellas and sipped tropical drinks or danced on the crowded wooden dance floor. “Oh, Brandon, it’s beautiful. Even Billy’s Bar.”

  He laughed and kissed the top of her nose. The slow song ended and
Bobby Helms’ Jingle Bell Rock blasted out of the speakers. Brandon did the slow man shuffle. He was great at slow dancing, but he just moved back and forth on his feet and snapped his fingers to a fast beat. Deirdre let the music take her over and shook her hips to the notes.

  More couples came out onto the dance and Deirdre was pushed back to the edge. She avoided looking at Brandon to keep from laughing. He tried to pick up his pace when she noticed a man sitting at a table alone.

  The man stole her breath away with his mysterious dark looks. He held her gaze with the most intense brown eyes and raised his wine glass towards her. A memory pulled on her. Did she know him? No, she’d have remembered a man that hot.

  He put down his wine glass and licked his tempting lips.

  “Deirdre?”

  Deirdre forced herself to turn away. “Mmmm?”

  Brandon clasped her chin and squeezed. “I asked you if you’re all right.”

  She pulled away and he released her. “Yes, I’m fine.”

  “What were you staring at?”

  His warning growl churned her stomach. Shit, he caught her ogling over another man. Not smart. She tried to put on her most innocent smile. “The ocean. It’s so beautiful.”

  “Yeah, right.”

  Brandon clasped her arm and headed for the table when he bumped into a blond waitress carrying a tray of tropical drinks. Glass broke and red, yellow and white liquid spilled onto the wooden floor and splashed onto Brandon’s white pristine pants.

  “Oh, sir. I’m so sorry,” the waitress said, her lip trembling. She held her tray against her chest.

  Bright colors stained Brandon’s crotch and thighs. People stared and some were smirking.

  He rubbed the young girl’s back. “Don’t cry honey. It’s not your fault.”

  Deirdre covered her mouth and stifled a giggle. “Brandon, your poor pants.”

  He hugged the teary-eyed waitress. “Because of you, this poor girl spilled drinks all over my pants.” With his angry tone and ugly scowl, he was the monster of that terrifying night.

  Deirdre’s laughter died. “Me?”

  The waitress even gazed at him as if he’d grown a second head.