Master For Tonight II

By Elaine Barris

After the abduction of his love, Kate Collins, Julian Montfort is desperate to have her back in his arms where she belongs and to destroy the monster responsible for her disappearance. With few leads, he enlists the help of his friend, ancient vampire and warrior, Reese Kelley.

With the demons of Evangeline’s past driving her to madness, she is determined to punish Kate for stealing Julian from her and to make him suffer for rejecting her, just as every man has done in her mortal and vampire lives. When supernatural forces collide with human emotions, who will survive?
Battling to endure this, her most harrowing ordeal since the night Julian’s Maker, Evangeline, nearly destroyed her, Kate must decide whether their love is worth the risk of fighting her captor or if she should give in in order to live.

As Kate contemplates that fateful night when Julian appeared on her porch, she must ask herself, “Was it worth opening my door?”

• Language: English
• Publisher: Elaine Barris
• Release date: Sep 7, 2014
• ISBN: 9781310043611

Book preview

Master For Tonight II

An Erotic Vampire Romance

Elaine Barris

Smashword Edition

Copyright © 2014, Elaine Barris

All Rights Reserved

Copyright © 2014 Elaine Barris

ISBN: 9781310043611

This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy.

No part of this book may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, or stored in a database retrieval system, without the prior written permission of the author. You must not circulate this book in any format. Thanks for respecting the rights of the author.

This is a work of fiction. Any resemblance of characters to actual persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.

Cover design by Elaine Barris, No Sweat Graphics by Rachel Olson and

Ben D’Avanza Photography.

Dedication and Acknowledgements

This book is a work of love that I could not have completed without the patience, understanding, and support of my wonderful husband. He took care of me throughout this process as I sat, for hours on end, in front of the computer, typing, editing, re-editing, and working on rewrites…. I love you and appreciate you so much, baby! You made all of this possible!

Additional thanks to my wonderful friends who listened to me go on for hours about the characters, served as my betas, and gave me the honest feedback that was needed. I could not have done this without you all!

A special thanks to Kitten Jackson of Kittie Kat Tales Editing:

Kitten, I could not have made it through this process AGAIN without you! Can you believe we did TWO books? You are so much more than an amazing and talented writer and editor. You are my friend, and I am so thankful to have you in my life.

Praise for Master for Tonight

Master for Tonight was definitely a book that I had not expected. For me, this is must read! Vampire Forums

Get out the A/C ladies! This one’s a scorcher!

The Book Nuts

For a first novel, Barris gives us a work written with an expert hand that an author writing for years would hesitate to rival.

Rabid Readers Reviews

I haven’t mentioned yet that our Kate is 38? Yes, 38, an older female lead. How refreshing!

Tracey’s Vampy and Racey Book Blog

Master for Tonight was an amazing love story. It is very well written and the story kept me entertained with love and hot passionate sex. Kate and Julian's story had me wanting more.

Amazon Review

Praise for Master for Tonight II

I am totally in love with Master for Tonight II!

I can’t believe it, but it may be better than the first!

Kept me on the edge of my seat until I finished! A triumph!

I loved every single word!

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Prologue

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Chapter 18

Chapter 19

Epilogue

Prologue

The door to the warehouse creaked open, against the metal, at Julian’s hand. He entered his former home with Reese behind him. They moved in quickly and spread out to either side of the room. The furniture was ripped apart and thrown about. He looked in his bedroom and found it as he expected. The mattress was torn down the middle. The springs, poking out with encrusted blood on their ends.

Julian pointed to Evangeline’s bedroom, signaling his intentions. Walking in, he was taken back to his imprisonment by his Maker and the madness he had endured. Both his and hers.

She’s not here, Julian told Reese. Not like we thought she would be.

True, but it’s still good to investigate. Reese looked at the bed and the chains hanging from the wall. She’s ready to teach you again, Jules. See that?

Julian glanced back over to the bed and went to the chains that had held him for so many weeks in agony. Grasping one in his hands, he felt his skin start to burn as he pulled, breaking it away from the anchor in the wall. The other was soon broken, as well, and he tossed them both onto her vanity, breaking the three mirrors in the process.

Maybe she will understand this message.

Reese picked up an album on the nightstand and flipped through the pages.

You need to look at this.

What is it?

A picture album of Kate, Mazzie, and other people. Do you know them?

Julian took it from Reese, his anxiety rising at each turn of the page. Kate’s friends and coworkers were there in color—Mazzie, Helen, and John. Shrugging when he saw John’s ugly mug, he considered the possibility of her killing him. He wouldn’t break a sweat about Evangeline taking John out. He knew Kate belonged to him, but the thought of John holding her in his arms and carrying her after she was released from the hospital still made his blood boil. Luckily for John, Kate was able to talk Julian out of breaking his arms after she told him.

Jules?

Yeah. These are all people from the shelter, plus Mazzie. I need to call Helen to make sure she’s fine and release her from my influence. He scratched his chin. I haven’t spoken to her in weeks. Why would Evangeline have these pictures? How long was she following me? He tapped one photo. This is Helen, who runs the place, and this fucker is John. Helen’s gopher, I guess you would call him. He has a thing for Kate.

And you didn’t kill him?

I can show restraint when I want. Julian smiled at Reese. Especially when Kate uses her lovely tongue to reason with me. He tossed the album back onto the nightstand and walked over to the vanity, touching the newspaper clippings on the surface, his voice trailing down. She owes me favors, which I shall take my time collecting. Reese, look at this.

Reese walked over and picked up the newspaper articles, noting the dates aloud.

Evangeline’s been here recently. This article about a murder is only a few days old.

Perhaps we should stay here and wait. She may return tonight, and then we have her.

Maybe. Reese dropped the papers back onto the vanity. Let’s keep looking around.

Julian walked into the bathroom to inspect the shower, opening the glass door to peer inside. There were no water spatters on the floor or the walls that would indicate any recent use.

He went back into the bedroom, and Reese was holding up the mattress with one hand. Tossing it over, he pointed to the box springs. There’s a cut. He reached down, shoving his hand into the hole and pulling out a piece of paper.

Opening it, Reese scanned the page and handed it to Julian.

It’s for you.

Oh, for fuck’s sake. Julian grabbed the paper from across the other side of the bed. What does it say?

I just skimmed it.

Well, then, allow me. He straightened the paper and read aloud.

"Julian, my love, I watch as you endure the pains of the turning. Your sweating chest is heaving, trying to breathe. So tragic, the short, ragged pants. The quakes of the death rattle seizing you. Your strong, shivering body rising from the ground, only to fall again. Hands which held me so tenderly, now shaking and reaching out. I can’t help you. I’ve done all I can for us. Your poor heart, making every attempt to keep your body alive, but it will fail, my love. I see the scythe above your brow. You die tonight. You live tonight. We will be together. I heard your words of love as you took me. The language of love spoken fluently and with an affinity I’ve never experienced in the past. I know now my lovers before were mere players at love, but you swore yourself to me to be true. I’ve believed so many others, only to be cast aside, but how could you love me so thoroughly, bringing me to peaks with every touch, if it were not sincere? Such care you took with my pleasure. I asked if you wanted me, and you said, ‘Always.’ Your earnest eyes showed me your truth. Your wish is granted for eternity."

Bloody hell! Is she serious? Julian ripped the paper in half and threw it up in the air. I was fucking drunk, and she knew it! She bought me the fucking pints!

What were you thinking with that night? Reese chuckled. I’m glad you did, though, my friend.

Despite it all, I am glad for my existence in the here and now. Julian walked over to Reese and placed his hand on his shoulder. It’s been a difficult road, but well worth it, for the friend I have in you and finding Kate.

Let’s make sure you stay in the here and now. Keep searching. I have a hunch that we’ve barely scratched the surface. Something bothers me about those pictures.

Me, too. Julian reached up for his pendant, finding it missing again. Let’s sweep up here and get back to our women.

Julian’s phone buzzed in his pocket with Kate’s ring tone. She was screaming as he answered.

Mazzie! Don’t open it!

Kate! What is going on? Julian headed for the door with Reese hot on his heels.

There’s someone banging on the door!

Stop, or I’ll shoot! Mazzie yelled. Stop! I’ll do it!

The sound of glass breaking came through the receiver as Kate screamed. The sound of multiple gun shots rang out in the background.

Oh, my God! Mazzie!

We’re on our way, Kate! Stay on the phone and hide!

Please don’t kill her! I’ll go with you! Please just let me call for help for her!

Julian heard a loud smack, Kate’s cry of pain, and the phone clattering to the floor.

No! Kate!

*

Julian and Reese raced, through the dark streets, back to Kate’s house. Trees and road signs flew past them as Reese’s foot pushed the accelerator to the floorboard, and he navigated the winding roads, ignoring traffic signals.

Go faster! Julian banged his fist against the dashboard and ran his hands up and down his thighs.

Reese said nothing in reply as he whipped around another line of cars, using the opposing lane. Oncoming traffic was forced onto the shoulder with angry honks and panicked shrieks. The beams of Reese’s headlights were straight against the swerving ones ahead. His grip on the steering wheel was hard, and his white knuckles showed the strain.

Seeing Kate’s street sign ahead, Reese slammed the brakes, twisting the wheel. Julian grabbed the handle at the roof and held on as the car skidded, drifting onto the road leading to Kate’s house. Not waiting for the car to straighten, Reese floored it again, and the car shot up the long, gravelly drive, throwing rocks in its wake.

Her house came into view, and Reese smashed down against the brake and threw the car into park. Julian kicked the door off its hinges, sending it out into the darkness as he bolted out of the car.

Mazzie! Reese yelled, seeing her lying in a pool of blood in the doorway. Shell casings littered the floor around her, and her gun was in her open, bloody palm. He ran to her, glass crunching under his feet, as he knelt down on the floor and checked for a pulse at her neck. It came through faintly.

Kate! Julian ran past them and through the house, calling for her. Fear raced up his spine as he knew his search was in vain. He didn’t feel her presence or smell the scent of her skin anywhere. Still, he tore through the house, throwing open door after door as he continued his useless search.

Reese pulled Mazzie’s limp body into his arms. Blood seeped out of five wounds. Two had entered her chest, and the other three, her shoulder and extremities. The specter of death loomed over her.

Her eyelids struggled until they partly opened.

Reese, she whispered, and tried to raise her hand to touch him. Her eyes rolled back in her head, and her hand dropped back to the floor.

Mazzie! Reese shook her. She gave no response as he jostled her. Open your eyes. Look at me! Not the reaper! I’m not letting you go. Do you hear me? You’re not leaving me!

His fangs punched out, and he sank them into her neck, drawing her blood into him. The faint beat of her heart slowed as he drained her. He ripped his wrist open, placing it against her lips.

Drink, Mazzie! he ordered, grabbing her jaw and forcing her mouth open as he repeated his demand. Dammit, drink!

Julian ran past them and out into the yard. He turned in circles, gripping his hair in his hands. As he turned, he glanced at the broken fountain and saw something glint in the light of the moon.

No.

He walked over to the shard of cement, seeing the familiar token. He bent down and picked up his pendant, which was covered in blood.

Chapter 1

Kate stared out the window of the sedan, watching the trees whiz by, and counted another mile marker. She had tallied at least thirty in the minutes since her abduction, knowing each green sign shuttled her farther away from rescue. She touched her forehead, where he had hit her earlier that night. The blood had stopped flowing from the cut his ring had ripped open, and the wound was completely healed, with Julian’s blood making her whole once again.

Her other hand was still, not responding to the squeezes he gave her. Tears of grief and despair drenched her face, and her shoulders trembled, remembering the fatal bangs of multiple gunshots. Haunting her was the memory of Mazzie, her best friend of more than ten years, lying on the floor, dying from the injuries she sustained while trying to protect her.

You shot her.

It was her or me. I did what I had to.

Julian will find you and rip you limb-from-limb for what you’ve done! Stop the car and let me out! Now! Let go of me! She yanked against his grip on her hand.

He won’t find you where we’re going, Kate. He let her go and ran his palm down the back of her head. She slapped his hand, and his fingers caught in some of the curls as he jerked his hand away, taking some of her hair with him.

Stop touching me! she screamed, her cry in the confined space hurting her own ears. How could you do that to Mazzie? You were her friend. How could you shoot her? I have to go back and get her help! There might still be time! Please!

Stop screaming, and stop asking me to go back! She’s dead! No way to help that. I told you, she told me to get you by any means necessary. So I did, he said, bringing his hand to his nose, sniffing the strands. She shuddered as she watched his eyes almost roll back in his head. He placed the hair around the neck of the rearview mirror, and it dangled down on each side like a charm. You wouldn’t have left with me on your own. He has you wrapped around his dead finger.

You’re crazy! Julian will not stop looking until he finds me! She balled her hands into fists and looked at him out of the corners of her eyes.

Kate, getting hysterical again isn’t going to help you.

She lunged at him, beating him with her fists. Grabbing his head in her hands, she slammed his skull against the driver’s side window hard, trying to knock him out. The weaving car skidded to a stop, and she shoved away from him, turning and frantically reaching for the door latch. Throwing it open, she hurried to escape, but he grabbed her hair and yanked her into the seat. When the door bounced back, she kicked it open and flipped to face her abductor.

Let me go! She shoved the heel of her hand up into his nose, hearing it crunch.

He screamed and released her, and she bolted from the car.

Julian! Julian! She ran back in the direction from which they had come as fast as she could, screaming for her love to save her. Help me! Baby! Please!

Heavy footsteps pounded behind her, and she stopped when she heard the metallic click of his gun being cocked.

You don’t understand! I’m trying to save you! Evangeline told me what was going on and how to best help you.

Evangeline wants me dead! She’s using you! Look at what you’re doing! You’re pointing a gun at me! Put it down!

I don’t want to have to hurt you or hit you again to get you to cooperate with me.

She raised her arms to the sky in surrender and turned, meeting his eyes, which glinted with madness and something else she couldn’t quite figure out. Blood poured down his chin, dripping onto the pavement.

You have to come with me. He stormed over to her, looking over her body with clear lust in his eyes. He took her by the arm and leaned in to her ear, his voice dropping to an almost feral growl. You knew I wanted you. You had to know. It was so obvious. But him, Kate. Him, you let close. Let in. But not anymore.

She remained silent and kept her eyes on his shaking hand holding the gun. His index finger was on the trigger. He backed up, waving his hands as he continued his tirade about his desires for her. Terrified he might shoot by accident, she dropped to the asphalt in a ball, with her hands covering her head, getting out of his immediate line of fire.

He continued his incoherent, rambling rant as he paced. She watched, huddled down, as his voice ratcheted up to screaming, and then he suddenly went silent. She quaked in fear, seeing him bloody and breathing fast. He stalked back to where she was, squatted down beside her, and tapped her shoulder with the gun. Get up.

Please!

I said, get up!

She struggled to stand and fell to her knees twice before he grabbed her by the arm, jerking her to her feet. Her hands were striped red from the gravel that scraped her when she fell.

When she stood, he put the still-cocked barrel against her temple.

Her words came out in a pleading rush as her knees buckled. Please! Don’t kill me!

I don’t want to hurt you. He sighed and rubbed his hand over his bloody face. You don’t get it. If you had just cooperated, none of this would have happened. You think I wanted to slap you? Hurt you? Why would I do that? I love you, but I’ll do what I have to do to keep you. Just like when you were on the phone with that asshole, and I had to take matters into my own hands before you said too much. That other bitch shouldn’t have been there, but she was, and I dealt with her.

Please take your finger off the trigger! she begged as tremors raced through her body, and stars flashed at the sides of her eyes. You’re scaring me!

He glanced at the gun and leaned in to kiss her forehead before lowering it. His chin dripped blood down onto the bridge of her nose, and it slid down the side, to her cheek. When he looked back down at her, he took a handkerchief out of his pocket and wiped his face before pressing it against his nose to staunch the bleeding.

Motioning the weapon at her and then the sedan, he said, Go get back in the car.

She stayed put, trying to think of what to do, how to escape, or any other choices she might have. She realized with horror she had none, and she was at the mercy of an already unstable man, driven insane by an equally insane vampire.

I’m in control, and you’re going to obey me from here on out. Go get in the fucking car. Now!

She trudged past him, trying to remember how many shots were fired and how many may still remain. Wishing she had paid more attention to Reese’s warning and Mazzie’s instructions, she got back into the car.

With a sound of finality, the driver’s door shut, sealing her in with her captor once again. She flinched when he placed his hand on her knee and squeezed. Scrunching her eyelids closed, she screamed in her mind for Julian. She begged him to hear her, hoping their blood sharing would carry her words to him, even though she doubted everything she thought was true about vampires.

Don’t worry, Kate. Everything will be fine now. I’ll protect you from him and yourself.

*

Yes, Mazzie, Reese soothed, cradling her head in the nook of his arm. Open your eyes, sweetheart. Come back to me.

She held his open and flowing wrist to her mouth, with both of her hands locked tight around his forearm, as she pulled his life-force into her. Blood-covered bullets rose from inside her chest and arms and rolled to the ground. Her skin began to heal as she drank, and the wounds were soon sealed with no evidence of injury.

Julian stomped back into the foyer. I don’t have time for this, Reese! I must go! Now!

Reese’s head flew up, and his eyes lit in an instant. Then go. Jaw set and body rigid, he flicked his eyes towards the door, and Julian flew out into the yard.

Jumping up and running back to the house, Julian stopped in the doorway.

Reese looked at Julian, fires still blazing. Youth. Only care about your own desires. We will find your love after I save mine. You can wait the short time it will take for this to finish. You don’t know where you’re going, anyway!

Reese, Mazzie mumbled. He shifted his gaze to her, softening his glow. What’s going on? Where’s Kate? She swiped her hand over her wet mouth, and her eyes moved from the blood on her sleeve, back at him. Oh, no, you didn’t.

Yes, I did.

Why?

You know why. He lifted her up to his lips, and his head descended to hers.

She put her hand on his chest