“Right,” I say, easing back on my teasing. “We need to find the gold.”
I carry her to a metal-caged bulb protruding from the far wall. “Can you reach it?”
She reluctantly lets go of my neck, trailing her hot hand down my chest before shifting her attention to the light fixture.
She tugs on it to no avail. Not a creak, no sliding wall… nothing.
Lisa motions with her hand down the expanse of cinder block. “How about that one?”
Three quick strides and we’re next to it. She tries again, this time with luck. The concrete between the two sconces shifts, sliding slowly inward in a vague door-like shape. It recesses about a foot and then slides to one side.
Lisa crows in triumph. “I wouldn’t have believed it if I hadn’t seen it with my own eyes. Who the heck designs stuff like this?”
I know exactly who designs secret rooms and passages— an old and highly paranoid vampire unwilling to be caught by her enemies. I refrain from answering, saddened that this is probably one of the things I will have to delicately remove from her memories, just like our traveling in the tunnels. Vivian is very particular about who knows her secrets.
The movement of the wall is ponderous, but very soon the interior is exposed. A light has been triggered by the door opening and a low glow illuminates the cramped interior.
Three large chests are stacked one on top of the other, with unlocked latches. Of course—if you’ve got your gold stashed in a secret wall compartment I guess having the chests locked would be overkill.
I step into the confined space and Lisa swings the top lid open.
Honest-to-god pirate’s loot meets our gaze. Large gemstones set in gaudy gold settings, two gold goblets and random gold necklaces, all nestled among hundreds and hundreds of gold doubloons.
“Holy shit. You weren’t kidding about her being a vampire pirate, were you?” Awe lights her expression. “I’d really like to meet her one day. I bet she’s got some great stories.”
I think back to what Vivian said to me one day last spring, about how she’s worked to deliberately forget a lot of what has passed in her very long life. She said something like “If you constantly live in the past, you will never find happiness in the here and now.” I’ve often hoped she’d share more of her life with the seethe, but I think she saves that part of herself for only her husband.
“Nope. Vivian doesn’t joke very often. If she said she captained a pirate ship, then dammit, she probably did.”
“Huh.” She reaches out and grabs a coin. “With evidence like this staring at us, I’d say there’s no doubt. Hurry, let me shut it again. I don’t want Hal seeing this. Who knows what he’d do or who he’d tell.”
“Good thinking.” We reset the door, with much kissing and teasing as apparently Bebe senses what’s next and starts fighting to possess Lisa again.
Once the door eases closed Lisa gasps and screams, “Hal!” at the top of her lungs. “Oh, no… Asa, I’m going to…”
I set her feet on the floor and dip her back over my arm, supporting her as tremors wrack her frame. Going on instinct I thrust two fingers inside her heated core, her slick wetness clasping at my digits.
I pump steadily in and out as her orgasm peaks, capturing her heavenly moans in my mouth.
As fast as her release came, Lisa is in control of her faculties once more. “Hal!” she grins and pulls my face to hers in another kiss. “That’s the first time I’m glad he didn’t answer on the initial call.”
The familiar pink light I see only when touching Lisa comes into view. “Should I take my hand out of your pants, now?”
“Uh, yeah. That might be good.”
I hastily comply, tucking one hand in my pocket to shift my painful erection.
The glowing door opens and Hal steps into view. “My, my, my, Lisa.” His penetrating gold gaze locks unto me. “What have you been up to? Oh, she’s a pretty one.”
Belatedly realizing he’s not looking at me, but Bebe, I recall the striking good looks of the tall Brazilian woman. I bet he’s excited to transport her.
“You’re going to be a hit where you’re going, honey,” he says.
Lisa steps toward him, still firmly holding my hand in case Bebe decides to act like Joanna and attempts to pull her into the beyond.
“She’s a crafty one, Hal. I’d watch myself.”
Hal smiles, coldly cynical and all knowing. “I can handle the likes of her, thank you very much. You’re certainly keeping me busy this week. Do you have my payment?” One elegant eyebrow rises, as if he’s sure she’ll fail on the preferred coinage eventually.