Chapter 4! Wow, this one flowed really fast. I want to thank my editor as usual for kicking my butt and making sure that this didn't sound like a bunch of gobbledygook. As always, please, read and review!
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He was stroking himself.
That caught Alyse's attention faster than anything else could have. Parker had stepped into the shower, trying to take care of a rather impressive case of morning wood.
She watched as the hot water ran over every crevice of his naked body. Men built like that shouldn't be allowed to be around women, she decided. It was far, far too dangerous. Alyse had never thought of herself as particularly catty, but she'd rip out the eyeballs of any women who tried to take him away.
She watched as his hand glided over his shaft. She desperately wanted to taste it. It was thick and healthy, certainly enough to get any girl hungry. With the way his hand glided over his cock, she felt her mouth water.
His breathing grew into labored grunts, and he pressed one hand to the shower wall, bending forward. His hand stroked faster, harder, and Alyse wanted to beg him, beg him to cum. She wanted to see him cum, see his pleasure that he took it for his own.
He stroked faster, rougher, grunting, groaning. She watched with anticipation. "Come on, cum for me." She whispered. At that moment, his eyes shot up, meeting her gaze.
Alyse shot up out of bed, her entire body moving so fast she could swear her heart was beating again. Those eyes, those eyes were shocking. They couldn't have been human, could they? They were like storm clouds, they were so dark.
She pulled on her robe, and headed out of her bedroom. She saw Presten, as always, brewing her morning coffee. "Presten," She growled. "Tell me what you found out about Parker McLaren, or I will rip your throat out and have your blood with a New York steak."
Presten offered her a patient smile. "Of course, Majesty. What would you like to know first?"
"Who is he?" She asked, moving to sit at the small table in the kitchen.
"Agent Parker Francis McLaren." Presten said, reciting from pure memory. "Born February second, nineteen-eighty-five. Mother is Louisa McLaren, father unknown. Louisa died in childbirth, and there were no living relatives. Parker was then raised by Reginald and Deirdre Perry, his foster parents. He's been with the Colorado Bureau of Investigation for three years now, and is a senior investigator in the Violent Crimes Division."
"You make me wonder why every girl doesn't dream of having a butler when she's all grown up." Alyse sighed. "Why is he here, Presten? Surely the CBI has better places to look around than here."
"You remember the body they found near the river last week?"
"Ah..." A smile of realization grew on her face. "Then I believe I have little time."
"Time, Majesty?" Presten inquired.
"I want him, Presten." She sighed. "It's not logical, it's not even smart."
"Want him?" He arched a thin eyebrow at her. "Majesty, he is a state agent. You cannot simply go biting him..."
Alyse glared at Presten. "You think I don't know that?" She hissed. "Trust me, I know. But that doesn't help the feeling. When I saw him, it was...it was like I was on fire. I haven't felt like that in centuries, Presten, and it felt good. And I want that. I want that to myself."
"You sound rather possessive." He remarked.
"I sound like a were in heat." She huffed indignantly. "Not really becoming of a vampiress, is it?"
Presten gave her a look that clearly said it wasn't.
"Okay, fine," She sighed. "What time is it? I didn't get to see my clock before coming out here..."
"It's half past four in the afternoon." Presten replied.
"Oh, wow, I really slept in, didn't I?" She searched her thoughts. "And I'm supposed to meet Philomena in an hour, aren't I?"
"Yes, Majesty." He smiled politely. "I'll get her something if she gets here before you're ready?"
Alyse grinned. "You're an angel, Presten." She said, and left for her room. She showered quickly and pulled her dark hair back. She dressed in a simple pair of crème slacks and a white blouse, and hurried out back into the main part of the house.
Philomena was already sitting at the kitchen table. She was a tall woman, and that was evident even as she sat. Her gold hair hung in lovely little curls, and her skin was tanned, unlike most vampires.
Lucky bitch
, Alyse thought to herself. But, jealousy had its place, and this was not one of them. "Mina, my darling." Alyse offered a smile. "How are you this afternoon?"
Mina turned to face Alyse. "Why, Alyse, I'm quite well. Presten just got me a cop of coffee. I have to say, I'm envious. Not many have a Servant proper, these days."
"Presten is a special case." She said. Presten was, in fact, one of the last of a client race of the vampires. Part-Sidhe, he had come from the Other Side one hundred years ago, one of only a few dozen of his race left.
"Of course he is," Mina smiled.
Alyse took a seat at the small table. "So, to what do I owe the honor of this visit?" She asked. "How is that new boy toy you were bragging about last week?"
"Oh, Eric?" She smiled. "Mm, it didn't work out. We went our separate ways." She said.
"Oh, a pity. He seemed nice." Alyse answered. The young man had certainly been a treat, and his blood had smelled delicious. "So, what brings this visit?"
"You remember the theory Damon shared with you, Alyse? About those...half-breeds?"
"Of course, quite the talk. Why, are you doing research of your own?"
"Indeed. And I have to tell you, my findings have been most interesting."
Alyse leaned forward, meeting Mina's green eyes with her own. "And what have your findings told you?"
"These half-breeds. They're unique amongst us. Tell me, what is the problem that our race faces?"
"Simple." Alyse remarked. "We need blood to survive, and it's hard to find donors."
"My belief is that this...half-breed blood would have certain properties." Mina explained. "They'd be able to satisfy our hunger better, as our blood is closer to what theirs is." She took a sip from her mug. "They'd be the perfect food."
"Well, that is...fascinating." Alyse said. "Tell me, how'd you come to this?"
"I can't reveal my methods just yet. I'm still researching this currently, but all will be revealed soon, I promise."
"Very well, Mina. Best of luck with your research."
"Thank you, Alyse." Mina bowed her head in deference. "If you will excuse me, I have to get back to work."
"But of course, Mina." She smiled. "And you always know, I love to hear your findings." The two of them stood, and Alyse led her to the door.
When Mina was gone, Alyse started to think on things. Sheriff Kelly, the bitch, was going to make her pup deputies tail Agent McLaren around, out of some belief that Alyse was going to make that beautiful man her next meal. Well, she was, but she wouldn't kill him. Killing something like that, no.
She'd steal him away, she realized. It was the only way she could get him without Kelly pushing her nose into the situation. "Mine," The word dropped from her lips, a whispered promise to herself.
***
"So, that was helpful." Sarcasm dripped from Parker's voice. The first doctor, a man named Damon Christie, had offered nothing useful, and had said he'd never seen Eric Standwell before in his life. Doctor Philomena Wright hadn't even been in today. "How do you guys even have
two
genetic researchers in this town?"
"Word is they started up their labs about the same time." Rick said. "I dunno, maybe they know each other?"
"Well, we've run into dead ends there. We can try with Wright tomorrow." He said, and then checked his watch. "It's five-thirty. Want to call it for the day, pick it up tomorrow?"
"Well, how about we go blow off some steam?" He said. "Happy hour?"
Parker grinned. "Never been to a happy hour, believe it or not."
"You're kidding." Rick arched an eyebrow at home in disbelief.
"Not really. I was an intern for a year, and after that, I was the junior investigator who worked hard and never played. By the time I made senior investigator, I wasn't making any friends. I work Han style most of the time."
"Han style?" Rick asked.
"Solo."
Rick snorted in laughter. "God, that's good-and really dorky."
"You're talking to a guy who owns every season of
