A VAMPIRE’S KISS is Book One in my “The Manigault Vampires” series. It’s a new, paperback spinoff series from my “The Witchery Series” trilogy, and contains many of the same Witches and Pagans you fell in love with from that series. This novel is a fun, very sexy love story. Here’s what it’s about…

“Sara Gadsden is a Wiccan Green Witch addicted to paranormal romance novels and their gorgeous vampire heroes. Like most people, she has no idea vampires actually exist until she meets Drayton Manigault at a Samhain party. Dray is not only one of Columbia’s wealthiest businessmen, but he has also been a vampire for the last 145 years. And he’s totally yummy. When he offers Sara a job working for his computer company, Manigault Technologies, fantasy collides with reality, and Sara’s future is suddenly transformed into one sexy, wild ride.”

Everyone who has read “The Witchery Series” novels has already met the heroine of this novel, Sara. Here is the first chapter for your enjoyment. Happy reading and magickal blessings!

“This is Drayton Manigault,” Noelle says to Sara, after dragging her away from Maylene and Blaine, and introducing her to several people at the party. “He’s Dracula tonight, in case you couldn’t tell.” She looks at him and snickers as if enjoying a private joke.

“And you must be Artemis,” Drayton Manigault says, ignoring Noelle. He takes Sara’s hand and bows gracefully. “You can call me Dray, sugar.”

Noelle snorts, pointing her finger at them. “Behave, you two. I’ll be back in a little while to check on you.” Still snickering, she disappears into the costumed crowd celebrating Samhain at her house.

Sara sticks her tongue out at Noelle and then turns to Dray. “I’m crazy about vampires,” she says, silently thanking the Goddess for sending this gorgeous man to Noelle’s party. “Are you Wiccan?”

Eye-candy and boy-toys are fair game as far as Sara is concerned, and Dray falls soundly in both categories. She lets her eyes slowly roam his body, not caring if he minds. If he protests, she’ll tell him she likes to appreciate a good-looking man. Men ogle attractive women all the time. Why should they have all the fun?

As Sara’s eyes caress Dray, she takes in his silky black hair flowing down to his waist, tied at the nape of his neck. He stands almost six feet tall, dressed in a tuxedo. A black cape lined with red satin drapes his broad shoulders. His body looks lean and firm, and he moves with the grace of a dancer. Hard to say how old he is, but he doesn’t look a day over thirty.

“Tasty,” she murmurs, licking her lips.

“No, I’m not Pagan,” he replies to her question, his dark eyes twinkling, as if he approves of her bold gaze. “But I assume you are.”

“Yeah,” she answers, taking another sip from the cup of punch Noelle’s boyfriend, Wynn, brought to her earlier. She gazes at the crowd in Noelle’s house, everyone laughing and talking while Pagan music flows from the CD player. “I’m a Wiccan Green Witch.”

“Interesting,” Dray replies, staring at her intently, a whimsical grin tugging at his lips. “Are you two-natured as well? Perhaps part Fey?”

Sara’s laugh is high and clear, like the tinkling of bells. “I don’t think so, but it’s funny you should ask. Blaine said the same thing last night.”

“Blaine?”

“He’s Maylene’s boyfriend. I’m staying with her this weekend.” She looks across the room, finds Maylene and Blaine talking with Savannah, and points them out to Dray. “I’ll bet they abandon me, considering the way they’ve been looking at each other all night.” She waggles her eyebrows. “The pheromones are so thick around those two I have to keep fanning myself.”

Dray chuckles.

“You and me both,” Noelle says, clomping up to them in the five-inch platform boots that are part of her Goth costume. “Hey, Dray. Do you need more punch?”

“No thank you, Noelle.” Dray inclines his head. “I’m fine.”

Noelle turns to Sara and hands her a key.

“What’s this?” Sara asks, sticking the key in the pocket of her costume.

Noelle snorts. “You were right. Maylene and Blaine are leaving. She’s spending the night at his house and said she’ll call you in the morning. That’s her door key.”

Sara looks at Dray. “See? I told you.”

“Do you need a ride?” Dray asks.

“No, but thanks anyway. She just lives five houses down.”

Dray nods and takes another sip of punch.

“I’m off to mingle,” Noelle chimes. “If you need anything, Sara, let me or Wynn know.” She hugs Sara and clomps off.

“So,” Sara says, turning her full attention to Dray. “Tell me what a yummy vamp like you is doing at a Pagan party?”

Dray clears his throat. “Yummy?”

“Definitely,” Sara replies, and waggles her eyebrows again, thinking a scrumptious man like Dray must be attached. “Where’s your date?”

“Excuse me?” Dray asks, raising his eyebrows. “Sara, do you always say exactly what you think?”

“Pretty much.” She puts her hand on her hip. “Now quit stalling and answer the question, big boy. Inquiring minds want to know.”

Dray chuckles and shakes his head. “I’m not dating anyone at the moment, if that’s what you’re asking, sugar.”

“Hard to believe.” Sara smiles, knowing the planets must be in a favorable position tonight. It’s not often she meets a gorgeous, single man dressed as a vampire. No wonder Maylene moved to Columbia. All the good-looking men must hang out here.

“By the way, I love your hair,” Sara observes. “It’s so Yama.”

“Excuse me?”

Sara tilts her head. “Obviously, you don’t read erotica.”

Drays eyes widen. “And you do?”

“Oh, yeah,” she replies, draining her punch cup. “I think it’s important to be well read. Don’t you?”

Before he can answer, she turns him around and runs her hand down his silky black, waist-length hair. “Definitely, Yama.”

Dray allows her to turn him back around, his lips twitching, as if trying not to smile.

Sara points her finger at him when she sees his face. “There you go. Trying not to laugh at me.” She lifts her chin and glares at him. “For your information, your hair reminds me of the royal Yama in Emma Holly’s demon series.”

“Not vampires?”

“Nah, but these are totally yummy demons.”

“Ah,” he replies, unable to keep from smiling broadly. “I suppose that’s okay.”

“I’m changing the subject, big boy.” Sara narrows her eyes at him and ignores his comment. “So you’re a Manigault. That’s a Charleston name, isn’t it? Any relation?”

“Yes,” Dray replies to her first question, trying to hide his amusement. “A distant relative.”

“I thought so,” Sara tosses her punch cup in a wastebasket. “I live in Charleston, and everyone knows the Manigault House.”

“Have you been there?”

“No.” Sara smoothes and adjusts her costume now that both her hands are free. “I spend most of my time in my garden when I’m not working at the flower shop. I also help out part-time at a used bookstore.”

“Interesting.”

“You say that a lot,” Sara teases. “You need to expand your vampy vocabulary.”

Dray laughs out loud. “And you’re an expert on vampires?”

“Yeah,” Sara responds, nodding, “you could say that.” She wonders if Dray knows anything about the undead. Probably not. For all she knows he dressed like a vampire tonight because he looks fabulous in black formalwear. “I’ve read hundreds of vampy paranormal romance novels.”

“Ah, I see,” Dray replies, his eyes twinkling, a smile trying to curl the corners of his mouth.

“Go ahead and laugh. I know you want to. I’m used to it. But vampires are a hobby of mine.”

“I would never laugh at you, sugar,” Dray replies, tossing his empty cup in the same wastebasket. “Some of my friends, like Wynn, read those novels, too.”

“I know!” she exclaims, clapping her hands. “I just found out. Exciting, isn’t it?” She leans toward Dray. “Wynn is dressed like Ash tonight from the Dark-Hunter series. He’s totally yummy.” She winks. “Noelle is a very lucky girl.”

Dray shakes his head and slips his hands in his pockets, looking down at his expensive Italian loafers for a moment, hiding another smile.

Sara knows he’s trying not to laugh at her. He’s been smiling or chuckling at everything she’s said since Noelle introduced them an hour ago. No big deal. She’s used to that reaction in people.

Still it’s obvious he’s trying not to hurt her feelings. He keeps pulling those luscious lips of his into a thin line across his face.

She stares at his mouth, fascinated with how soft it is when he relaxes. In fact, Dray is such a tasty package she can only imagine how his kisses must feel. Smoldering is the word that comes to mind. If she’s lucky she’ll find out tonight.

“How do you know Wynn if you aren’t Pagan?” she asks, forcing herself to stop thinking erotic thoughts about Dray’s lips. A spike of desire ripples through her core, and she knows she’s treading on dangerous ground. The silky material of her costume isn’t going to hide how hard her nipples have suddenly become.

“He works for me,” Dray replies. “I own a computer company, Manigault Technologies. Our main office is downtown.”

“Wynn invited his boss to his party? Cool.”

“We’re also friends.”

“Interesting.” Sara nods.

“Now you’re doing it, sugar,” Dray teases.

“So I am.” Sara sticks her tongue out at him and pinches his arm. “Change of subject. Back to vampires.” She waves her hand at his costume. “They don’t really dress like that, you know?”

Dray’s dark eyes twinkle, and he chews his lip to keep from smiling.

“You don’t believe me, do you? I saw you. You’re laughing at me.” She squints her eyes and glares at him. “Listen, I’m trying to help you out here. Yes, vampires do dress in black, but they usually wear designer clothes. You know, like Armani or something like that. Or they wear yummy leather pants that ride low on their scrumptious hips.” She fans herself when that image floats through her mind. “Yowza!”

He tries to stifle a laugh.

Sara stands back, her eyes traveling up and down his body while she ignores his response. “Yeah, a black turtleneck and wool trousers would definitely look good on you with your dark hair.” She taps her finger against her lips. “Dear Goddess, you’re yummy.”

“Thanks for the tip.” Dray shakes his head, a sexy grin threatening his mouth. “Sara, are you always this unpredictable? I never know what you are going to say next.”

“I guess so,” she replies, shrugging her shoulders. “I hear that a lot from my friends.”

Dray captures her hand and brings it to his lips, brushing her knuckles with a light kiss. “I meant it as a compliment, sugar.”

“Thanks,” she replies, smiling brightly, even if his hand is cooler than she thought it would be. Yet his unexpected touch increases her body temperature by several degrees. “You really need to stop the hand-kissing thing, too. It’s so Dracula, you know?”

“Hmm.” He inclines his head and winks at her.

“And watch the bowing,” she continues. “Vamps don’t really do that any more.”

“I will, sugar.” Dray is smiling uncontrollably now.

Sara glances at the thinning crowd. “I guess the party is winding down.” She turns back to Dray, flustered. “I’ve completely lost my manners. I’m sorry. Here I’ve talked your head off for most of the night, and I’m sure there were other people you planned to party with.”

“There weren’t,” Dray assures her. “There’s no one I would rather spend this evening with than you.”

“Well, aren’t you a sweetheart?” Sara grins. “But don’t bow again. We need to break you of that habit.”

Dray bursts out laughing.

“Someone’s having a good time,” Noelle says, coming up behind Dray and wrapping her arm around his waist.

Dray kisses Noelle’s cheek. “I’m having a wonderful time, thanks to Sara.”

“I can tell,” Noelle snorts. “I haven’t heard you laugh this much all year.”

“Sara has been giving me tips on how vampires are supposed to act.” Dray grins mischievously. “She doesn’t think I’m very good at it.”

“You’re kidding, right?” Noelle’s eyes widen as her jaw drops and her lips form a perfect O.

“Absolutely,” Sara agrees. “The way he acts he’d never pass for a vampire at a party like this.” She points her finger at Dray. “You’ve been watching to many of those old horror flicks, haven’t you?” She shakes her head and turns to Noelle. “Tell him to get with the times. He needs to watch Blade or Buffy.” She smiles like a contented cat, motioning toward Dray. “He’s lucky you introduced us tonight so I could set him straight.”

Noelle starts to sputter and bends over laughing.

“See?” Dray says, helping Noelle straighten up, his silky black hair falling over his shoulder. “She’s been saying things like that all evening.”

Noelle waves her hand, trying to stop giggling. “This is too rich,” she sputters. “I’ve got to tell Wynn. He’s going to love it.” She turns around and hugs Sara tightly. “Nice to meet you, Sara. Come back any time. Really.”

Sara watches Noelle walk away, giggling uncontrollably. “What’s with her?”

“She has a unique sense of humor,” Dray replies, taking Sara’s hand and weaving his fingers through hers. “May I walk you home, sugar?”

Sara grins at him and pats his hand. “Sure.”

Dray waves goodbye to Wynn, who is chuckling as Noelle whispers in his ear. Walking down the steps, Sara notices the cars in front of Noelle’s house have thinned considerably.

“What a beautiful night,” Sara comments, while she and Dray stroll across the yard and down the street. She stops to look up at the stars. “Nice and warm, but it smells like autumn.”

Pulling away from Dray, she whirls in a circle when they reach Maylene’s driveway, dancing like a faery queen to the tune of one of her favorite garden chants. Her full breasts strain against the sheer fabric of the Artemis costume, while her long blonde hair, braided with dried flowers and ribbons, sways across her slim hips.

Sara looks back and smiles at Dray. “We’re here,” she sings, pulling the key from the pocket of her costume.

Staying behind her, he climbs the steps leading to the front porch. When she reaches the door, she slips in the key and opens it.

“Sara,” Dray begins, laying his hand on her arm, “would you have lunch with me tomorrow?”

Sara closes the door. “Can’t let the cat out,” she murmurs, turning toward him. She takes his hand and shakes it. “I enjoyed meeting you, Dray.” She leans forward and kisses his cheek. “Yes, I’d love to have lunch with you tomorrow.”

Dray’s arm circles Sara’s waist, pulling her gently toward him until her breasts press against his chest. He dips his head and touches his mouth to hers in a light kiss, running his tongue along her bottom lip.

“You’re a live one, aren’t you?” Sara whispers, wrapping her arms around his neck. She deepens the kiss, her tongue probing and stroking, lost in the erotic haven of his mouth.

He growls, and his kiss turns hot and hungry in response.

Enjoying herself immensely, Sara thinks his kisses are almost as good as sex. Almost.

Dray’s arms tighten around her until his hard cock presses against her stomach. Delighted with this development, she rubs her hip against his crotch and then pulls back.

“Mercy!” she says, fanning herself. “I’ve been waiting all night for that.” She looks up at him and gives him a Fey smile. “Got a business card on you?”

“What?” Dray asks, breathing deeply.

“A business card,” she explains, as if he were spacey. “I need your number. You know, just in case Maylene has something planned for me, and I have to break our lunch date.”

“Right.” Dray reaches into the breast pocket of his tuxedo and pulls out a pen and a business card. He scribbles on the back of the card and hands it to her.

“This is my cell number,” he explains. “Call me if you can’t make it. Otherwise, I’ll come by and pick you up at noon?”

“Sounds good,” Sara replies, flicking the card with her fingernail. “So I guess you don’t mind dating older women, huh?”

“Excuse me?”

“I’m thirty-five, and you don’t look a day over thirty.” She grins and runs her fingers through his hair, which has fallen over his shoulder again. “Just thought I’d point that out.”

“Thanks for the warning,” he replies, gently touching her lips with his thumb. A sexy grin tugs at the corners of his mouth. “I’ll keep that in mind.”

“You do that.” She grabs his lapels and pulls him to her, kissing him hard. “Sorry. I couldn’t resist.”

She releases him and looks up into his eyes. “Hey, Dracula, you’re not going to bite me, are you?”

“Not this time, sugar.”

(c) Laura Stamps

*

This entry was posted on Saturday, June 21st, 2008 at 9:58 am and is filed under Uncategorized. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

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