Forever Desired

By Ariel Marie

He'd waited an eternity to find her.

Athena captivated her audience every night. Her husky voice, sensual moves and megawatt smile, packed the nightclub where she sang. It was her name on the lips of her audience. Everyone wanted a piece of her—even him.

One song and Sorin was enthralled by the beauty on the stage. Her voice awoke a part of him he had thought to be dead long ago. She had no idea of the power she wielded over him with one glance, one smile and one kiss.

Never one to pursue a human before, he couldn’t ignore the hunger that burned for her. Only she can satisfy him, but he will first need to protect her from the ones who want him dead.

Forever Desired is a novella featured in the Vampire Brides series. All books in the Vampire Brides series are standalone and can be read in any order.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Ariel Marie
• Release date: Aug 17, 2019
• ISBN: 9780463401149

Ariel Marie

Ariel Marie is an author who loves the paranormal, action and hot steamy romance. She combines all three in each and every one of her stories. For as long as she can remember, she has loved vampires, shifters and every creature you can think of. This even rolls over into her favorite movies! She loves a good action-packed thriller! Throw a touch of the supernatural world in it and she's hooked! She grew up in Cleveland, Ohio where she currently resides with her husband and three beautiful children.

Book preview

Chapter One

I t’s amazing how flawless your skin is. I’m so jealous you don’t need as much makeup as the rest of us, Olivia grumbled.

Athena Chambers grinned and finished putting on the final touches of her makeup. She never did like to cake on the layers.

It was always shared with her that she was a natural beauty and didn’t need to wear it, but in her line of business, it was mandatory.

She was a nightclub singer in one of the most exclusive hotels in Las Vegas, the Turin.

She had moved to Sin City with a few hundred bucks in her pocket. She’d settled into a small apartment that wasn’t much and had planned to look for a job waitressing.

A few days after arriving in Las Vegas, she’d seen there was a search for a singer for the Murazzi, a trendy nightclub located inside the hotel. It required the vocalist to be comfortable with performing all genres.

Something had resonated inside her when she’d read the flyer.

Athena had grown up listening to all forms of music. With her many octaves, she could sing them all.

Never in her wildest dreams would she have thought she’d nail the audition on the first night.

Luck had definitely been on her side that day.

It’s not easy being beautiful. She dramatically placed the back of her hand to her forehead. She turned around in her chair with a painful expression on her face.

Laughter filled the dressing room.

You’re an idiot. Olivia snorted, throwing a makeup sponge at her.

Athena chuckled, batting it away.

She had grown close to her band members. They spent plenty of time with each other rehearsing and preparing for the shows.

A knock sounded at the door before it opened a crack. The stage manager, Alfred, poked his head inside the room.

Hey, Alfred, Athena called out with a smile. She grabbed the brush from her table and ran it through her long, dark tresses.

Ten minutes, people. The crowd is packed tonight, Alfred warned.

Thanks. Athena nodded, dropping the brush, and stood from her chair. She shook her head and watched her hair flow around her shoulders.

Perfect.

She tightened the ties on her black silk robe. The hotel provided her with an impressive wardrobe that played to the girlie-girl in her.

What woman wouldn’t want to have an endless supply of expensive heels and dresses?

We know they are all here to see Athena, Liza muttered.

She and Olivia were Athena’s talented background singers.

Athena had become a popular singer with a mass following. It had all begun when Alfred had posted a few live feeds on the internet, and her popularity skyrocketed. To Athena’s surprise, the views of her singing hit the millions.

Now, there wasn’t a show that wasn’t sold out.

Athena still wasn’t comfortable with her newfound popularity. Her social media pages were bombarded with fans, all trying to get a piece of her.

If only her family could see her now.

While she’d been growing up, her parents had tolerated her singing but stressed to her that performing would never be a career that would pay her bills.

Lewis and Anita Chambers believed education was the most important thing in a young woman’s life. It was expected for Athena to attend college after high school.

Not that Athena disagreed with them, but singing was her true calling.

She had tried to do as her parents wanted, but her heart just wasn’t in it. After her parents had died, her sister, Santina, didn’t waste any time in making sure Athena knew she was a disappointment to their parents.

It had been a few years since she had last spoken with Santina. It was a shame their relationship was in the shape it was.

They are in Vegas enjoying the town and what the Turin has to offer. I just happen to sing a few songs people love to sit and listen to. She shrugged and walked over to the privacy screen so she could change out of her robe.

She tried her best to push the memory of the unanswered call she had placed to her sister before she’d boarded her flight to Vegas.

Well, whatever, Alfred snapped.

Behind the safety of the screen, Athena rolled her eyes. He always became frantic at the start of a show.

Be ready in five minutes, he said. I hear the owner is doing a walk through tonight.

The door clicked shut. Athena slid her robe off and paused.

Wait, she breathed. She peeked her head from around the dressing screen and took in the girls putting the finishing touches to their outfits. Did he say the owner would be doing a walk through?

Yup. Liza’s eyes were wide. She glanced at Olivia, and they both visibly swallowed hard.

It’s rare that he tours the hotel, Olivia said.

Who is he, and why would he be coming to the show? Athena asked. She usually didn’t get nervous about singing in front of an audience, but knowing someone rich enough to own the luxury Las Vegas hotel she worked in was coming to see her perform, it gave her butterflies.

His name is Sorin Ludovici, and he’s an enigma. Not many of us have seen him, so I don’t know why he’s walking through. I don’t think I’ve ever seen him. I’d probably stroll past him and not realize who he was. Olivia shrugged.

I’ve seen him, and he’s one handsome devil. Liza sighed.

Athena ducked behind the screen and began putting on her dress. She’d have to remind herself to look up the owner on the internet later. She’d only been working at the Turin for about six months and was still learning about the hotel.

The Turin was located in the middle of the Las Vegas strip. It offered the best money could buy. Everyone knew that people came to Las Vegas for the nightlife, dining, shows, and to gamble. The Turin offered the top-of-the-line for everything and was known for their enhanced amenities.

Athena was quickly growing into one of the more popular performances around. The Murazzi was known for its beauty, dining, and entertainment. Many people flocked to the Turin just to go to the nightclub.

Three minutes. Someone pounded on the door.

Okay, Athena groaned, sliding her feet in her four-inch heels. She walked from behind the divider and stood in front of the full-length mirror.

A whistle cut through the air.

Look at you, Liza gushed. She stood behind Athena with envy plastered on her face. I wish I had your curves. That dress is beautiful.

Thanks. Athena smoothed her hands along her hips and brushed off an invisible piece of lint. Her form-fitting black dress molded to her body and showed off her narrow waist and wide hips. It had a low-cut neckline that dipped down to her navel.

Body tape was her friend to help hold the material in place.

Her performances were sensual in nature, and she always had fun with them.

When she sang, all eyes were on her. The Las Vegas audience was much different than the ones back home.

It’s time. The door rattled from a heavy fist.

Athena turned and smiled at her backup singers. Showtime.

They exited the dressing room and headed toward the elevator that would take them up to the club.

The back hallways were bustling with servers rushing back and forth from the kitchen to the main floor. The kitchen of the Murazzi was world renowned. When people visited or stayed at the Turin casino, the Murazzi was one of the attractions in the casino that drew them.

There you are, Nathan’s exasperated voice sounded behind them.

Athena rolled her eyes at her male background singer. Nathan had a pet peeve about tardiness.

We’re only thirty seconds late. She sighed.

She and Nathan had met and instantly hit it off creatively. He was an amazing song writer who preferred to stay behind the scenes. His voice was out of this world, and he could easily headline his own show, but he preferred his current position as a background vocal.

He brushed past her and waved them to follow. You’re still late. I had to wait for you three, he tossed out over his shoulder.

Thirty seconds, Nathan. Olivia laughed.

They made their way behind the stage. Athena was instantly hit with the energy of the Murazzi. Classical music floated through the air as part of the intermission between the previous show and Athena’s.

Okay, ladies. We are going to have a great show tonight. The band is already out there, Nathan directed.

Let’s do this! Liza pumped her fist in the air.

The three of them disappeared around the curtain, leaving Athena alone.

This was her normal routine. Each night before going out in front of the audience, she needed a few seconds to gather her thoughts and channel her alter ego.

When performing, she became a sensual siren, much different than the shy woman she was.

She sent up a quick prayer that their set would be successful.

The butterflies in her stomach grew, and she wasn’t sure why.

This was weird. She performed three nights a week and was used to being in front of an audience.

Maybe it was the thought that the owner of the freaking hotel may stop in.

Sorin Ludovica.

Saying his name in her head sent a chill down her spine.

Get a grip girl, she snapped. For all she knew he was some old, rich, balding man just checking on his property.

She closed her eyes and took some deep breaths, forcing her nerves to calm down.

Ladies and gentlemen, you are in for a treat tonight, a smooth voice filtered through the microphone.

The voice belonged to her pianist, Nick, who helped arranged the music with her and Nathan. The classical music could no longer be heard. A slow and tempting beat began. The vocals of her background singers pierced the air. Their perfect harmony would tease the crowd, drawing them into its web. The tempo started a slow rise, building the anticipation of the crowd.

Tonight you will be amazed by the sensual siren who will be coming to the stage.

Cheers and claps went around the room. The air in the place was electric and was why Athena loved doing what she did.

Athena Chambers had grown up in the Midwest as a shy, young black girl who loved to sing. She’d sing anywhere she was given the chance and had dreamed of being able to perform in front of a large audience when she grew up.

She would have never imagined she would have packed her bags and landed in Las Vegas, the City of Sin.

But here she was.

Standing behind the dark curtains was a girl who just wanted to use her voice to entertain people.

Now, without further ado… Nick gave a dramatic pause.

Her muscles relaxed, and she felt herself transition to Athena the performer. Her heart rate slowed to the normal pace, and her breathing was even.

Athena.

Her eyes flew open.

Showtime.

Chapter Two

"M r. Ludovici, it’s an honor to make your