When the car rolled to a stop in front of a set of towering wrought iron gates, I felt my stomach clench. I craned my neck and watched as the gates soundlessly swung open. I knew they were expecting me, but the feeling of impending doom or that something monumental was going to happen, washed through me.
We drove past perfectly landscaped property and finally rolled to a stop in front an expensive and luxurious estate. I got out of the car, stared at the twin pillars holding up the monstrous porch and swallowed roughly. No sooner did I shut the door then the car sped off. I turned around, more than a little shocked at the abrupt departure. Maybe the driver knew something I didn’t, felt something I didn’t. I would definitely have to complain to George about this. I stood there, empty handed, and stared up at the three story home. It was imposing and I’ll admit, slightly spooky. It reminded me of an old plantation house, the ones with the massive banisters supporting the frame and the eerie willows surrounding the property.
I swallowed, my throat feeling as if sand had made a home in the tight confines. I tentatively took the first few steps. I was uneasy as hell, but I don’t know if it was entirely due to the fact that my hosts were vampires. It was just a feeling I had deep in the pit of my stomach. I had kept company with the species many times, but it had only been with one at a time and always in a public setting without the high risk of being bitten and drained dry. This, however, was at their home and on their terms. It scared the shit out of me.
I gripped the cool brass knocker and gave it a few good slams. The noise seemed to echo off the enclosed porch and I took a step back, looking around once more before bringing my attention back to the door. After a minute it swung open and an elderly man stood on the other side, butler attire and all.
“Good evening, Miss. The masters have been anticipating your arrival.”
I eyed him quizzically and walked into the house. He shut the door behind me, and if not for the candles alit, darkness would have swallowed me whole.
“Please follow me.”
The man I assumed to be the butler, mainly because of his penguin suit, led me through a darkened hallway and stopped in front of a closed door. I glanced around, not seeing or hearing anything, but certain I was being watched. The feeling was there, like a warm breath caressing the nape of your neck. He pushed the door open and ushered me inside. Across from me stood a grand fireplace, lit and all. Despite the warmth outside and the fire going strong, the room was still chilly. Leather furniture shone under the dancing flames, reeking of wealth. The room was pretty barren, but what furniture and decoration were scattered around made it clear the men who lived here were loaded. A full service bar sat opposite the fireplace, bottles of every shape and size displayed behind the bar like prized trophies. A built-in floor to ceiling cabinet made up the far side of the room. The dark cherry wood glistened like newly polished onyx.
“The masters will be with you soon. Please make yourself comfortable.”
He shut the door and I looked around once more, feeling uneasy, like when your hair stands on end and you just know you aren’t the only one in a room. The fire crackled and popped behind me and I turned to stare at it. The “masters” didn’t make me wait for long. I turned when I heard the door open and my eyes widened at the men who entered. This certainly wasn’t going to be a night I would ever forget.
Chapter Two
I took an involuntary step back as I stared at the four men that entered. They had to be related for their resemblance to each other was striking. They all had dark hair, but the shades varied. They were exceptionally tall, easily a foot taller than my average five foot six. The light from the fire played off their toned muscles that strained against their shirts. I swallowed involuntarily and braced a hand behind me, against the warm mantle.
Each one eyed me with clear sexual interest, their gazes raking over my body and causing my flesh to tighten and tingle with awareness. The last one in shut the door behind him and took his spot next to the other three. We stood there in an almost uncomfortable silence. I let my eyes travel over each of their faces. They didn’t look like vampires per se.
They were pale, but aside from that they looked like any other gorgeous and physically perfect man. They hadn’t opened their mouths to show off their fangs, and it was that knowledge that stayed firmly in the forefront of my mind. I needed to remember what these men were, that they were deadly predators, and could kill me with a flick of their wrists.
After a suspended moment I couldn’t help it any longer, I let my eyes travel down their chests and stopped at their crotches, where the material hugged their already hard cocks. My eyes widened and my heart rate picked up. These men were big everywhere. I brought my gaze back to their faces and saw two of them smirking. The other two, off to the side, were expressionless and seemed almost nonplused with my presence. The one farthest down seemed more powerful and deadlier than the others. I can’t truly explain why he seemed more powerful, but it was clear he was. His aura, the very air around him seemed alive, electrified. He oozed sex appeal, like they all did, just more potent. He had to be the leader—he was just too intoxicating to be anything but. I shivered under his gaze.