Death Play

By Natasha Action

If you had to tie yourself forever to a vampire you just met... to save children you don’t even know if are still alive, and bondage is the only way to do it... would you?

When seemingly boring and ordinary kindergarten teacher, Jennifer Roberts, wished for some action and adventure, and maybe spice and romance in her life ... she never imagined that Parker, an impossibly sexy man claiming to be a vampire, would tell her,the clock is ticking ...
and he desperately needs her help,because another vicious kidnapping is seconds away.

Can he convince her that she’s the one and only key to stopping a psychopath ...

Jennifer’s going to have to make a choice.
Sparks fly between Jennifer and Parker and suddenly the sultry nights and steamy days of Savannah, GA get much hotter when Jennifer has to solve the mystery, rescue the children and see if she has what it takes to learn that maybe she’s not so ordinary after all.
Can she conquer her fear, utilize her humor, quickly open her heart, and dare to surrender to new games of trust?

Most importantly can she rely on Parker if she decides to risk her life in a sudden daring gamble to win it all?

**
If you would like a version of the Death Play story with adult content, please try Natasha Action's Death by Foreplay, a longer version and slightly different version of the novel with sex scenes included. Make sure to turn your "Adult Filter" (often located at the top right of the computer screen) to "Off" to allow adult content.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Natasha Action
• Release date: May 17, 2013
• ISBN: 9781301685127

Natasha Action

Natasha Action is a comedian, writer, and songwriter – A New York native stranded in Georgia for the purpose of unparalleled comic material. Author of six novels, including Death by Foreplay, The Dumb About Men Club trilogy and Internet Boyfriends & Other Disasters. She lives with her husband, a professional rock and roll drummer.

Book preview

Chapter 1

I froze mid-step with one foot literally hanging a few inches above the ground. A huge hand covered my mouth. I was yanked back and up, thowmp, against a man’s chest, solid and hot.

He jostled me, grabbed me harder, knocking down almost all of the books I was carrying and pressing the last two into me, squashing my breasts and lifting me clear off the ground.

A primal defense kicked in. Adrenaline surged and I fought down panic.

Whoa, easy. His voice was gravelly. He smelled like cut grass and sawdust. What have you got? Some super radar in the back of your head? You sensed me. I thought for sure I’d sneak up on you and you’d never even know. Dang. He very slowly bent down so my feet were touching the floor again. Got a little carried away there. You surprised me.

I surprised you? I thought.

I’m not going to hurt you, he said.

Strangely enough, I believed him. Despite what just happened, he felt wonderful, friendly even.

If you won’t scream I'll take my hand off your mouth. Promise?

I nodded. Then I tried to snatch a glimpse of him.

Uh-uh-unh, no peeking, he said. He kept one hand on my chin and it prevented me from looking around.

Sorry I startled you, he said.

I rammed my elbow back, slamming it hard into his ribs. I heard a crack.

Ugh, that wasn’t necessary. I said I'm not going to hurt you.

You said that, I mumbled to myself.

I hugged around myself and grabbed both his arms. I folded down hard. I used momentum, putting my whole body into it. I whipped him over my shoulder, fast. He slammed into the cement. Unfortunately, he didn’t let go of me. I had to roll with him. I ended up lying on top of him.

Oomph, he said.

Argh, I said.

The loud thowmp of his body hitting the pavement was soooo satisfying. Over 200 pounds smacked flat on the sidewalk; now that's gotta hurt.

We were stunned - him from the impact, me that the move actually worked.

I recovered first. I rolled over and sat on his stomach, straddling him. The neck ruffles on my favorite white cotton shirt were smashed. My navy ankle-length skirt rode halfway up my thighs. Not exactly intimidating.

I'm sorry, he said. I'm. Not. Going. To. Hurt. You.

He smiled - it wasn’t pretty. His six teeth were a matching yellow to his six strands of hair. His nose was beautifully straight.

My mind was racing. Coming up blank. This guy was putting out some kind of pheromone - the kind that made me stupid.

This is not my day, I said. Of course my damn cell phone battery was dead. Shit. I couldn’t sit on him forever.

He grinned, showing a delightful array of gum gaps and one shiny silver-looking amalgam filling. I was not amused.

I'm Billy Joe, he said. Everyone calls me B.J.

I should run now while I have the chance. I slammed my butt into his stomach. It didn’t do anything except make me feel better.

I considered punching him. I’d never straight out punched someone. I gave him a sheepish, disarming smile.

Then I bashed my head into his nose.

I mean, it had been too perfect, right? It made a horrible shattering noise. His nose started gushing blood. Did it break? I bet it broke. Oh, dang.

Gugh. What did you do that for? I’m bleeding, aren’t I? I am. I’m bleeding. You’ve ruined my T-shirt. I worked hard to get this shirt. It’s ruined. You ruined it.

The next thing I knew he pinned me under him and had a cloth over my mouth and nose before I even saw him move. SHIT! Where the hell did that come from? Damn. Damn. Damn. Damn.

I kneed him, trying for his balls. He didn’t even flinch.

How can anyone be so heavy? I lost strength fast. I struggled. Hard. The world went brown. The library building seemed miles away.

Then I blacked out.

Chapter 2

Consciousness slammed into me. Then nausea. I willed myself not to groan. My body felt like a bag of rotted vegetables.

Okay, Jennifer, whatever you did to feel this way? Don’t do it again.

I opened my eyes a hair’s width.

I apologize for your mode of arrival.

Oh my god, that voice could give a girl orgasms just by reading the phone book. Move closer whoever you are.

I feel like crap, I said. My tongue was swollen and fuzzy.

I’m sorry.

Oh, that voice.

Not sorry enough, I growled. I lifted my head, which sent the room spinning for a second, to look at who owned that voice. My jaw dropped. God damn, you're gorgeous. I hadn’t meant to say it out loud.

He’s not that good looking. I took a deep breath. He’s not.

He walked toward me with the grace of an athlete. My mouth hung open.

He was tall and his skin was the shade of golden you can only get if you’re part African. His hair was brown with a tinge of red, but it was his green eyes that caught my attention. Not green like I had ever seen or heard of, but an amazing dark green that reminded me of the forests in fairy tales.

Incredibly gorgeous. Maybe I’m dreaming. Yep, that’s it. I’m dreaming. I remember I was job-hunting in the library.

If I were dreaming my head wouldn’t be pounding. My heart wouldn’t be either.

I had a flash of more kinds of sex than I’d ever imagined before. Suddenly I felt that I’d never be able to resist anything he asked for in that arena. I licked my lips and gulped down the lump in my throat. I didn’t know if I should pray that he’d ask or pray that he wouldn’t. I knew if I survived the next few minutes I would be in for a wild ride.

His shirt was semi-transparent gold material that showed off a muscular, broad, hairless chest. He was wearing cream-colored leather pants. The soft, second-skin type.

Nice outfit. I said with more sarcasm than I thought I’d be able to muster.

It’s supposed to be appealing.

You can’t appeal to me right now because chloroforming me is at the top of my how-to-piss-me-off list.

I’m sorry. This location had to stay secret and there’s something important I need to discuss with you and only you.

I’m guessing you were a drama major, I said.

His head moved back on his neck.

"You needed to see me? Me? You could have just called. I’m in the phone book. Or sent an invitation? ‘Dear Jennifer, your presence is requested at a kidnapping, your own. Please dress appropriately.’ "

His mouth tilted up in the corner. It was what I assumed was the smile of the decadently wicked.

He walked with a sway that made mouth water. I bet he has a great ass, too.

Back up, Tonto, I said. The difference between my fear and my bravado was jarring.

His chin had a tiny cleft in it and I wanted to lean forward and lick it. I blushed. I stood up, slowly. Very slowly.

I pictured myself running my hands down his back while kissing that magnificent chest. He was so delectable I had to concentrate to stay mad. My stomach and all the places lower got hot, wet, and clenched.

I’m in control here. I. Am. In. Control. My desire to jump this man’s bones does not control me. Come on Jennifer, snap out of it! I stared right at him and tried to look bored.

I'm a vampire. You shouldn't be able to look me right in the eyes.

I like it, a joke to break up the tension.

My apologies for not introducing myself properly. He took a step back and then made a deep bow, bending at the waist. I'm Moishe Oglemar Parkerwitz.

Moishe? Moy-sheh?

He turned, walked to a large antique throne-like chair, on a platform.

Please call me Parker. Everyone calls me Parker.

I’ll bet they do. I took a step towards the door. Well, I’m outta here.

Please, Ms. Roberts I need to talk to you.

I’m Count Dracula and I’m coo-coo, I said circled my finger near my temple as I backed up slowly towards the door. Coo-coo for coca-puffs.

"Please, don’t be frightened. I’m not crazy. I need to talk to you.

You have 10 seconds. Talk fast. I’ve had a long day. I'm tired and hungry. I’m really pissed off. I missed lunch, and now dinner. You’re making me cranky.

"I'm sorry I haven’t offered you anything yet. Parker looked towards the closed door and suddenly Billy Joe opened it from the other side.

How did he get him to do that?

B.J. The lady missed lunch.

Oh, of course. Billy Joe looked at me. Do you eat meat?

I nodded, confused. B.J. closed the door behind him. I looked at Parker. What does that have to do with anything? Wait, did I just agree to stay for dinner?

Please be my guest, Parker said. He was doing something extra with his voice. Not hypnotism exactly, but something.

Do you pitch your voice like that on purpose?

He sighed. Yes.

Well, it doesn't work with me, so can it.

Please. His voice was a little less mesmerizing this time but not much.

Okay, it does work on me.

He laughed that time, a real belly laugh.

Please stay.

I wanted to stay with him for a long, long time, but I wanted a choice about it. I wanted dinner and then him for desert.

No, I said, more to myself than to him. No, I said more firmly. My stomach growled loudly. Uuugh. How embarrassing.

I could see his lips twist as he tried not to smile.

"Why couldn’t you have been the one to kidnap me? You could have said, ‘Why, hello, follow me,’ and I would have followed, leaving a long trail of drool. You had your chance. You blew it. Adios, crazy Count Chocula." I turned, ran to the door and wrenched it open.

You’ve heard about the disappearances, they are murders. Even how he said ‘murders’ was slow and enticing.

Everyone’s heard. I'm hoping they are still alive.

Twenty-four children missing and I assure you, they are dead.

My purse fell. Twenty-four? I shook my head. Don’t be ridiculous. No. How can that be? The news only reported three.

The three children reported missing were white.

My gums soured. The shock was like a brick wall. I believed him. This was Savannah, Georgia, progressive yet old-fashioned. Tell me you are kidding.

I am not. Someone is eating them.

Chapter 3

My stomach launched into my throat. I’m going to throw up, I said. My legs buckled.

Parker was by my side, fast. I ended up in a low squat holding the edge of the door for support. Parker crouched down near me and waved a hand near my side. Magically my stomach calmed. Warm reservoirs of tears floated across my vision.

Parker was silent while I wept. He didn't make any big overtures. My sniffles echoed in the big chamber. I concentrated on my breath go in and out.

Come on, my darling. He helped me stand.

Billy Joe came in carrying a table and chair. Another guy came in behind him carrying a large tray. Jeesh, was he hot too? Nah, impossible.

I wiped my hand across the bottom of my nose. If Parker thought the change from shriveling bowl of Jell-O to normal human being was weird, he didn’t show it.

I caught an eyeful of the new guy. He had that surfer meets sensitive-geek look. Yup, hot. His glasses fogged up with the steam rising from the food.

My stomach growled like a freight train.

Jennifer, Parker said, This is Jake.

I looked from B.J. to Jake to Parker. I wanted them all, badly. This was ridiculous. I looked up towards the vents in the ceiling, wondering if they were pumping some clever sex drug into the air.

Billy Joe placed the table and chair in front of me and Jake began to unload the dishes.

Chicken soup! The cure for half the world’s problems. The other half needs chocolate.

Everything was going to be alright.

Billy Joe and Jake left. I was kind of bummed.

Parker returned to the throne.

Danger, Will Robinson. Beware of egomaniacs with a penchant for gold-leaf. If he has a crown somewhere, I’m screaming bloody murder.

Aren't you going to have some? I asked.

I can’t. Besides, nothing matters to me now but stopping this monster. These killings have gone on long enough. He banged his fist on the arm of the chair. I won’t tolerate it.

Do you know any of the victims or their families? I asked.

No. He paused. But … my instincts tell me…. He stopped.

What?

That I know the murderer.

Hhm, I said.

What, hhm.

Well, statistics say that most murder victims are murdered by someone they know. But you just said you don’t know any of the kids. Yet I believe you. If you have a gut feeling you know the killer, you probably do.

I made a list of everyone I ever met. It is not anyone on my list.

Even if you think so you could be wrong. But let’s assume that you’re right. Great. It’s someone you ‘know’ but haven’t met. Lovely. Why am I here?

You will catch the killer and bring him or her to justice.

Hah! Me? Me? Ooo-ho-hoo, no. You have me confused with Superwoman. I'm an average ordinary nobody. I teach kindergarten for Christ's sake. There are things I don’t do -quantum physics, my own taxes, and catch murderers. See ya’. I stood up to go almost knocking over the rest of the soup.

Sit!

Hell no! I said planting my hands on the edge of the table. He stared me down. It was a cross between fierce command and gentle begging. I don’t know how he did it. Subconsciously I touched my lips as desire warred with fear.

I sat down and speared a big piece of steamed broccoli. I waved it around as I talked. I won't do it. I’m not equipped.

I will offer you all the help you need.

Yeah, right. I bit down into the broccoli and tried to ignore him. It was impossible. He radiated power. This is very good, I said. Riling a rhino is the height of stupidity. Steamed just the way I like it, still crunchy and crisp with just a hint of butter.

I will pass your compliments along to the chef.

You think B.J. would pack a doggie bag?

Anything you want will be yours.

Why did that sound so good? You should get your money back from that drama school. You overact. I looked around. Nice throne. Too bad you’re insane. Or I could have had a quick lay to top off my day. That hunt down a murderer thing? That just pushes the ‘no way am I getting to know you’ quotient completely over the top.

I wanted to rip his clothes off. I saw myself sucking him. I shook my head, but the image didn’t clear. The fact that I wasn’t that type of girl did not matter in this case. I could do it. Be smart Jennifer, run. Don’t look back.

Jennifer, it’s not just these deaths. This is a pattern. It shows no sign of stopping. Whoever is doing this is feeding on ….. something ….

Why me?

You were a policewoman.

How do you know that? Never mind. I’m not even surprised. Yes. I was. For one year. When I was eighteen. I left the force because … well it doesn’t matter. There are thousands of people who would jump at a chance to look into this. I’m not one of them. I popped a piece of meat in my mouth.

You left because you never got any credit for your intuition.

You're freaking me out.

My apologies.

And your being polite is just getting on my nerves.

I saw the corner of his mouth lift a fraction.

A year on the force and thirteen years as a kindergarten teacher is no match for a psycho. Writing traffic tickets and keeping kids from farting on each other doesn’t make me a serial killer hunter.

You have a police background. You teach children, so you are obviously interested in them. You write about vampires, so clearly, so eloquently, so.... lovingly.

I opened my mouth in shock. No one knew I wrote the Vinny the Vampire Drinks Tomato Juice children’s books. Not a single soul. No. One.

So I figured you must have met some very nice vampires…

Wrong!

… and wouldn't be averse to the idea of catching a bad one.

Great. I pushed away from the table, wiped my hands on the napkin and then again on my skirt. Honey, you’re sexy as hell. Thanks for dinner. I’m going to forget I ever met you. Yeah, like that’s possible. I grabbed my purse and slung it over my shoulder. Now I know why you picked me, you crazy bat. My books are for kids who don’t fit in. I wrote about vampires because I wasn’t creative enough to think of a new species.

He’s a lunatic and I’m provoking him. I was on a roll. I waved my hand in the air. I’ve never met anyone claiming to be a vampire before today and I’ve gotten along pretty well so far. Just because I wrote those books doesn’t mean I’ll help you with your vigilante crusade.

I stared at the door and willed it to open. Nope, still no super powers.

You've got the wrong girl. I'm an ordinary teacher, with a boring life. I like it that way. I walked towards the door. You can take your vampire delusion and shove it.

Chapter 4

I marched towards the door.

Jennifer.

Suddenly I was paralyzed.

I was only about a foot away when his voice stopped me. He made my name sound like some sort of holy caress.

I stared at the ornate wood and bronze door, hard. I stopped breathing. Just saying my name he froze me to the spot and squeezed my heart.

I broke out in a sweat as liquid attraction crashed over me in a tidal wave.

Then, I could move and breathe again. Thank God. I rolled my shoulders around. Sexual tension is one thing, being paralyzed by it is another.

Please, I need you. His voice made my lick my lips again.

I tried to get my stomach to unknot. It didn't. I told you the sexy voice doesn’t work with me. The hair on the back of my neck stood up.

Only the scratchy sound of his shirt let me know he was moving. Parker himself didn’t make any noise.

Jennifer. It was a plea barely louder than a whisper. I wanted him to touch me so much it hurt. I was aching.

You make my name sound like something.

"It is something."

He made my name sound reverent. Not an average set of syllables in a very average name, but something that said me.

Jennifer, he said, his voice extremely quiet. You are something. Really something.

I could feel him. He was an electricity field all his own, just a few inches behind me.

My body was screaming with wanting him, every cell straining backwards, wanting to touch him.

There must be a machine that can read sexual tension, I whispered, almost hoping I was inaudible. It’s energy right? Scientists would have a field day. I felt red arcs of light jumping from his chest into my back.

How could I want him so badly?

My scalp tingled. My toes felt bursts of white flames. I could feel his hands hovering above my shoulders erotically stoking the air above me.

My day started normally, I said. I brushed my teeth. I brushed my hair, not into much of a style, but still. I went to another lousy day at school. I checked out possible jobs in the library.

Jennifer, you want to help.

I want to do a lot of things, I smiled wickedly. I don’t necessarily do them.

This psychopath is getting bolder. At first the kidnappings seemed random, ten or twelve days apart. Then a week, then five days, then four days in between. In the past two weeks one child has disappeared every other day.

I closed my eyes against oceans of sadness. I could feel his hands, even closer to me now, calming me, but still not touching me. He was matching his breath to mine, so that when I breathed out, he breathed in, as if he could taste me through some sense long lost to most of us.

I can’t think about it.

This thing is feeding. It’s not taking blood. The kidnappings that the media doesn’t know about yet, they’ve almost all been babies. Sometimes babies only a few weeks old.

There was a small groaning sound; it was me. My friends Charlene and Greg had a baby boy. Charlie had delivered by C-section less than a month ago.

This monster has picked children from the worst homes, ones who would not be missed so much, whose parents would be too afraid to do anything.

I shivered. Somehow he started warming me. My tension, which had tripled, relaxed a little.

I don't want to believe you. I’m not going to think about this happening.

How many more children will you allow to be ripped apart for someone’s destructive pleasure?

I dropped my purse and backed into him until I could feel the scratchy material of his shirt and the smooth planes of his chest through the thin cotton of my blouse. He touched me then, putting his hands on my shoulders.

Yes.

He put his arms around me above my breasts. We fit perfectly, as if his forearms were designed to be the perfect yoke for my collar bones. I let my head loll back onto his chest and closed my eyes, warm and safe.

You smell like vanilla and grapefruit.

I could bind you to me with sex, he whispered. But it wouldn't make you agree to go after the killer.

No, it wouldn’t

But it would be fun.

Oh, yes. Yes, yes, yes, yes, yes. No. I sighed loudly.

I haven't had sex in over 100 years. I guess I can wait a little longer.

I laughed. I don't believe in vampires.

Ah, my lady, but we believe in you. We are counting on you.

And I don’t believe you haven’t had sex in over 100 years. Hell I don’t believe you haven’t had sex in over 100 days. You’re like distilled sex. I should bottle you. I could sell you to the perfume industry. I’d make a fortune.

He laughed, that melt-in-your mouth sound that made me smile and shiver at the same time.

With my head tilted back I had made one long available line of my throat. Something to think about.

We need you and your gifts.

I don't know what you mean.

Yes. Deep down, you do.

I put my hands up in front of us and formed my fingers into a big letter ‘W’. Whatever.

I dropped my hands, closed my eyes and enjoyed leaning my body weight against him.

How can you deny your talents and abilities?

Practice, practice, practice?

Suddenly I had a thought. How do you know about the other murders? I broke away from him so hard and fast that I smacked right into the closed door. Ouch. Argh. Oh, God that door is solid. I cupped my nose, willing it not to swell. Oak and bronze