Vivi Anna's Vampire Heat

 
 
 
 
There are a few authors who I truly consider friends, and Vivi Anna is one of them. An amazingly talented storyteller she sucks me in no matter if she’s writing contemporary, sic-fi, or urban fantasy. The Vampire Affair is only a sample of what this lady can do, so be sure to check it out, even if you’re not the winner of this giveaway.

Makayla Bradley risks everything including her first job as a journalist to get the goods on billionaire playboy businessman Jonathan Devane. A man who enthralled her from a single passionate kiss months prior in a Toronto nightclub. A man who makes her blood race and her insides throb. A man with dark secrets…
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“Vampire Affair is a fresh, delicious and addictive take on the (new adult) genre. Packed with emotional and erotic intensity, it’s a story that will leave you wanting more.”
–Lauren Jameson, author of Surrender to Temptation and Blush
Part 2 also available now!
 

Chapter One

 
The Toronto International Film Festival was a huge event that I was covering for Hot Gossip, a Calgary entertainment magazine. It was my first major assignment. So it was definitely a big deal. The editor was relying on me for some juicy gossip.
So far I’d found it boring as hell and I’d gotten nothing either juicy or gossipy.
After an uneventful day of stargazing, I decided to take in some nightlife.  My best friend Serena, who was also the magazine’s photographer, accompanied me to a well-known place downtown.  Hopefully, I’d spy someone famous and get some juicy tidbit for the front page.  Tired of my stories always being on page seven or ten, right after the tampon advertisement, I hoped for something scandalous.
The gig at Hot Gossip was my first real writing job. The managing editor, Carmen, had hired me right out of college. At twenty-three, I was her youngest writer on staff. And I planned to do the best damn job ever.
So, we set up camp at the bar.  It had a good view of the entire club, and good maneuverability, in case I had to chase after someone.  I had taken the first sip of my Pomtini, when I spotted him.
The first thing I noticed was his eyes.  They flashed like uncut sapphires.  Even from across the room, their intense appraisal drilled me right to the core.  I nearly choked on my drink, when I realized he was smiling at me.
“What’s wrong with you?”Â  Serena asked as she patted me on the back.
“I think I just saw a vision.”
“What?  Where?”Â  Serena craned her long neck, quickly scanning the room.
“Across the dance floor.  To the right.”
As Serena turned, I grabbed her arm.
“No, don’t look.”
“Well, how can I check him out if I can’t look at him?”
“Just don’t make it obvious.  I don’t want him to think I’m desperate.”
“But you are desperate.”
“Yeah, so.  He doesn’t need to know that yet.  Let him work that out on his own.”
Serena swiveled on her chair casually to glance in his direction.  I looked too.  He was busy lighting a cigarette for a long, lithe woman with sleek, red hair.
“Damn, girl.”
“He smiled at me,” I squealed.
Serena’s chocolate brown eyes narrowing to slits. “Are you sure? He is across the room.”
“Why do you sound so surprised?”
She laughed and slapped my arm. “That’s not what I mean. I don’t doubt he would smile at you, you’re a drop dead gorgeous bitch.”
“Thank you.” I giggled.
“You’re welcome. Now what are you going to do about that fine piece of maleness? It’s been like six months since you got laid.”
“Really? It’s been that long?”
Serena nodded in sympathy. I wanted to hug her right there and then and confess to her that it had been much longer than that. Try two years. But he had broken my heart and my trust and I hadn’t been able to get it back.
Nick and I had gone to school together. Both journalism majors. And he had fucked me over for a job. He’d used me and my connections to land a great position at Maclean’s. It had hurt something fierce and I think I was still nursing the wounds.
No man since had even been tempting enough to lower my guard.
“Huh, are you sure?”
“Yes. And now you need to do something about that. Go get “˜em tiger.”
I set my drink down on the bar, and slid off the stool.  I smoothed down the sleek line of my short skirt and adjusted the strap of my new Victoria’s Secret water bra.  “I’m going to dance.”
“If you need any help, just yell.”Â  Serena giggled.
I shot her a dirty look and pushed my way onto the crowded dance floor moving my body to the rhythm of the techno music.  I casually made my way across the floor to end up dancing beside a trio of men dressed in spandex and sequins when I made contact again.
His eyes locked on mine, like laser sighting.  I couldn’t look away.  From this close proximity, I could clearly see his full luscious mouth, his straight white teeth, and the dimples that winked at me teasingly.  Saliva pooled in my mouth.  He was almost too good-looking at this close range.  Maybe I made a mistake.  I couldn’t possibly get his number.  I probably couldn’t even get his name.  Except, he did seem interested.
The music’s tempo slowed.  The sound, sexy and deep like Barry White’s voice.  I started to sway to the vibration, my hips moving seductively.  His gaze traveled down my body, devouring every inch. I could feel my inhibitions melting away.
The male trio had moved, so he could see me clearly.  I was seduced by the moment, and didn’t care what he saw.  I moved my hands over my body ever so slightly.  He watched my actions, licking his lips.
I imagined it was his hands on me and his body heat melting my insides.  I kept dancing.  Eyes locked with his.  I let the seductive music take over.  Swaying and grinding, and feeling myself up, I made love to him from across the room.  At that moment, I had never felt so decadent, so free from judgment.  For the first time in my life, I felt liberated and uninhibited.
Damn Nick, how had he hurt me so badly. I was desirable. I wasn’t a prude.
The music abruptly stopped, and all eyes landed on me.
I looked around.  Various men and women were smirking; others were gaping like fish out of water.  My cheeks reddened, then I turned and ran from the floor without another glance in his direction.
I ran to the washrooms.  Snide comments followed me out as I turned into the hallway.  There was a crowd hovering around the doors.  Turning the other way, I went down a poorly lit deserted hall.  It wound its way to the back exit.  I stopped and leaned against the cool cement wall.
I banged my forehead against the concrete.  What was I thinking, acting like a complete idiot? I could never go back in there.  What would Serena say?  I would never live this down.  Maybe I could play it as if I was really drunk and didn’t realize what I was doing.  Then the only person who would really think me a fool would be myself.
Oh God, I’d never been so embarrassed in my entire life. I couldn’t believe I’d done that. It was as if something had possessed me. Nudged me into a compromising situation. I had barely even had one drink.
I stiffened as I sensed a presence behind me.  Quickly turning my head, all I saw was electric blue, like in a clear summer sky.