Wanda

The chef was annoying. She was constantly sending me nasty looks when she thought I wasn’t looking, as if I was something she’d found on the bottom of her shoe. If there was one thing I hated it was human snobs. For vamps, taking blood was like a diabetic taking insulin, but there was a lot of anti-vamp prejudice and fear among the humans. At least with those who even acknowledged us.

“I’m going to do some work,” I grumbled, leaving Tasha and Monica to do their meal planning.

I needed to do some hacking, not listen to those two wax poetic over food. I turned on some Mozart and opened my computer.

As a vamp, food was fuel. I enjoyed food as much as the next person, but it didn’t generally have that emotional component to it that a lot of humans had. I could live without food if I had to, I just couldn’t live without blood.

I’d been working for a few minutes when Tasha slid into the chair next to mine. “Hey.”

I looked up from the foreign government database I was attempting to hack into. I loved those kinds of challenges.

“Hey.”

“I’m sorry, I guess I shouldn’t have asked for Monica to come up here, knowing that she’s kind of rude to you.”

I scanned Tasha’s face, seeing only sincerity. I was surprised that she noticed how rude Monica was, but then again, Tasha was smarter than most people gave her credit for.

“It’s fine,” I said quietly. “A lot of humans are freaked out by vamps, probably because we can tear their throats out.”

I allowed myself a quick visual of me tearing Monica’s throat out. I wouldn’t even drink her blood. She was way too mean. I had no doubt her blood would taste sour.

“Is that why you’re always staring at my neck?” Tasha teased, drawing my attention back to her. “Looking for the best spot to bite me?”

She wasn’t actually far from the truth. Occasionally I got lost in thought, imagining where I would mark her as my mate if things worked out between us. Somehow I didn’t think Tasha was ready to hear that though. She’d apologized for being glib about the mate thing, but that didn’t mean she was into it.

Tasha was definitely attracted to me, there was no doubt about that, but that didn’t mean she saw me as someone she wanted to be shackled to forever. I was significantly older than her, and our lives could not be more different. We could work through everything, but only if she wanted to.

I wondered if things had been simpler with Angie and Suzie. The bears would probably know since they were tight with the couple, but I was too embarrassed to ask them.

“I would never hurt you,” I told her honestly.

Tasha reached up and cupped my cheek with her hand, drawing me out of my thoughts. Instinctively, I leaned into her palm, soaking up the warmth she was generating.

We stared at each other for a long time before Tasha moved closer, slow and sure. When she was leaning as far forward as she could in her chair, she touched her lips to mine.

Immediately my entire body was on fire. I deepened the kiss, thrusting my tongue into her mouth and tangling with hers. I scooted my chair back and dragged her into my lap. She came willingly, spreading her legs to straddle me, pelvis rocking against mine. With just a slight change in the angle, I could totally get off just like this.

Tasha’s hands slid between us, sneaking up underneath my tank top to knead my breasts. I arched my back, pressing into her touch, while I gripped her ass and used it to grind her down on my pussy.

I forgot about where we were. I forgot all about my plan to tease and torture her until she agreed to be my mate. I forgot all about my job. All I could think about was the feeling of her lips pressed against me, her hands playing with my tits, and how incredible it felt to hold Tasha in my arms.

“Oh my God!”

Tasha and I sprang apart as we heard Monica scream in horror.

“I thought you said you were cousins!”

The chef was gripping the crucifix around her neck like it was the only thing keeping her from falling into the world of sin she clearly thought we were living in.

I was never so thankful for all my years in the military. It had taught me not to be flustered, and also how to lie convincingly on the fly, which was good because right now Tasha was visibly flustered. And mute.

“Oh hey Monica, sorry about that, but now you know our little secret,” I began.

“Your secret is incest?” she shrieked.

With my enhanced hearing it was like someone stuck needles in my ears.

“Ugh, no. The truth is that Tasha and I are not related at all. We’re secretly dating.”

Monica’s gaze swung to Tasha, who was still doing her best impersonation of a deer in the headlights.

“I knew there was no way you’d be related to one of them,” she sneered. “Although dating one is probably worse...”

Tasha held up her hand and gave Monica the sternest expression I’d ever seen her make.

“Monica, we are not friends. You are my employee, and I did not ask for your opinion on my dating life,” she said firmly. “I appreciate your service with me, and I’ll appreciate you continuing to observe the nondisclosure agreement you signed when you came to work for me.”

Monica’s mouth opened and closed a few times like a fish on a hook, her face flushing with anger. I saw the exact moment she realized her cushy and well paying job with Tasha was more important than her personal opinions. She took a deep breath and sent Tasha a pacifying smile. For some reason it made me uneasy.

“Of course Tasha, I’m so sorry I forgot my place.” Monica sent me a quick look before returning her attention to my mate. “I was just so shocked and...well, it won’t happen again.”

She stomped out of the room without another word.

“Damn!” I gave Tasha an admiring look. “You went all hard ass girl boss on her.”

I wanted desperately to pull her back into my lap and finish what we’d started.

“Of course I did, no one talks to my...my friend like that.”

Friend. Well, that cooled my ardor fast. We stood side by side almost awkwardly as I wondered if we should talk about that kiss or pretend it didn’t happen. The moment was interrupted by Boris striding into the room, Yuri and Alexei following close behind.

“There is new letter,” Boris said. “Lois sends on secure channel.”

I held out my hand. “Let’s see it.”

I frowned as I read the letter.

You have been warned to change your ways. You cannot hide in the woods from me. You will give up this lifestyle or you will die now.

Underneath the short note was a picture of the house we were staying in. Tasha gasped as she read the note.

“Get Lois on the phone,” I ordered Boris. “We need a new plan.”

Just then Mark came into the room.

“What’s going on?” he asked. “Do you need some help?”

“Can you hang out with Tasha for a bit?” I asked him. “The guys and I need to...they need to show me their new DVD player.”

Tasha made bulging eyes at me over his shoulder.

“DVD player?” Mark laughed. “Are you visiting them in 2005?”

I shot him a stern glare. “Just keep an eye on Tasha, okay?”

As we walked away, I heard Mark say, “Your cousin is hot for an older chick, but she’s too bossy.”