He looked me up and down, his tongue tracing the inside of his bottom lip.

“Right, then, let’s be off. You’re driving.”

Without another word, he climbed into the passenger seat of the pickup.

Left with no other option, I got in the driver’s side and pulled away, heading for the highway. Minutes ticked by, but I didn’t know what to say. The silence was unnerving. He didn’t speak, but I felt his eyes as they moved over me. Finally I couldn’t stand it anymore and blurted the first question that came to mind.

“What’s your name?”

“Does it matter?”

I glanced to my right and met his eyes. They were so dark brown they could have been black. There was that cool note of challenge in them again, almost a silent dare. It was disconcerting, to say the least. All the other ones had been perfectly willing to chat.

“I just wanted to know. Mine’s Cat.” I exited the freeway and turned onto a nearby gravel road leading to the lake.

“Cat, hmmm? From where I sit you look more like a Kitten.”

My head jerked around and I shot him an annoyed look. Oh, I was going to enjoy this, all right.

“It’s Cat,” I repeated firmly. “Cat Raven.”

“Whatever you say, Kitten Tweedy.”

Abruptly I slammed on the brakes. “You got a problem, mister?”

Dark eyebrows rose. “No problem, pet. Have we stopped here for good? Is this where you want to shag?”

There went that pesky flush again at his bluntness.

“Um, no. A little farther up. It’s prettier there.” I steered us deeper into the woods.

He gave a low chuckle. “I just bet it is, luv.”

When the truck stopped at my favorite rendezvous spot, I glanced over at him. He sat exactly as he had been, immobile. There was no way I could go for the surprise in my pants yet. Clearing my throat, I gestured toward the trees.

“Don’t you want to go outside and…shag?” It was a strange word, but much better than fuck.

A quick grin lit his face before he responded. “Oh no. Right here. Love to do it in a truck.”

“Well…” Damn, what now? This wouldn’t work. “There’s not much room.” Triumphantly I began to open my door.

He didn’t budge. “Plenty of room, Kitten. I’ll stay here.”

“Don’t call me Kitten.” My voice was sharper than romance dictated, but I was seriously aggravated. The sooner he was truly dead, the better.

He ignored me. “Take off your clothes. Let’s see what you’ve got.”

“Excuse me?” This was too much.

“You weren’t going to shag me with all your clothes on, were you, Kitten?” he taunted. “Guess all you’ll need off is your knickers, then. Come on. Don’t take all bloody night.”

Oh, I was going to make him sorry. I hoped this hurt like hell. With a superior smile, I looked back at him.

“You first.”

He grinned again with a flash of normal teeth. “Shy bird, are you? Didn’t peg you for the type, what with walking up to me and practically begging for it and all. How about this? We’ll do it at the same time.”

Bastard. It was the filthiest word I could think of, and I chanted it in my mind as I warily stared at him while unbuttoning my jeans. He nonchalantly loosened his belt, unbuckled his pants, and pulled out his shirt. The action revealed a taut pale belly that was hairless until it met his groin.

This was way further than I’d ever let things progress before. I was so embarrassed, my fingers shook as I peeled off my jeans while reaching inside them.

“Look here, luv, see what I have for you.”

I glanced down and saw his hand close around himself before quickly looking away. The stake was almost in my hand, all I needed was another second…

It was my modesty that did me in. When I turned to avoid seeing his groin, I missed his hand clenching. His fist moved unbelievably fast to connect with my head. There was a flash of light followed by shooting pain, and then silence.

S OMETHING SEEMED TO BE DIGGING AT MY brain. With agonizing slowness I opened my eyes, squinting at the unshaded lamp nearby. It made the sun seem pale in comparison. My hands were above me, my wrists ached, and the pain in my head made me immediately lean forward and throw up.

“I thawt I thaw a putty tat.”

The mocking voice caused my pain to dissipate in a rush of terror. When I saw the vampire close by, I shuddered.

“I did, I did thee a putty tat!”

Finished with his Tweety Bird imitation, he grinned unpleasantly at me. I tried to scoot back and realized my hands were chained to a wall. Both my feet were also cuffed together. My top and pants were gone, leaving me in only my bra and underwear. Even my trademark gloves were missing. Oh God.

“Now, then, luv, let’s get down to business.” The bantering left his tone and his eyes hardened into pools of dark granite. “Who do you work for?”

This surprised me so much, it took me a moment to answer him. “I don’t work for anyone.”

“Bollocks.” He bit the word out precisely, and I didn’t have to know what it meant to guess he didn’t believe me. I hunched when he moved nearer.

“Who do you work for?” With more menace.

“No one.”

My head snapped back as he slapped me. Tears came to my eyes, but I held them there. I was going to die, but I didn’t have to grovel.

“Go to hell.”

Immediately there was another ringing in my ears. This time I could taste blood.

“Once again, who do you work for?”

Spitting it out, I blazed up at him defiantly. “No one, ass-munch!”

He blinked in surprise, and then rocked on his heels and laughed so loudly my ears rang. Regaining control, he leaned in until his mouth was inches from my face. Fangs gleamed in the light.

“I know you’re lying.”

His voice was a whisper. He lowered his head until his mouth brushed my neck. I held myself rigid, praying for the strength not to plead for my life.

Cool breath blew on my skin. “I know you’re lying,” he continued. “Because last night I was looking for a bloke. When I spotted him, I saw the same lovely red-haired girl who’d been rubbing on me leaving with him. I followed, thinking I’d sneak up on him while he was occupied. Instead, I watched you plug a stake in his heart, and what a stake!” In front of my stricken eyes, he dangled my modified weapon triumphantly. “Wood on the outside, silver on the inside. Now, that’s made in America! Poof, down goes Devon! Yet it didn’t stop there. You plopped him in the trunk and drove to your truck, where you chopped his bleedin’ head off and buried him in pieces. Then you went home whistling a merry tune. How in the bloody hell could you do that, hmm? You don’t work for anyone? Then why, when I take a deep whiff here”-he put his nose against my collarbone and inhaled-“do I smell something other than human? Faint, but unmistakable. Vampire. You’ve got a boss, you do. Feeds you some of his blood, right? Makes you stronger and faster, but still only human. Us poor vamps never see it coming. All we see is…food.”

With one finger, he pressed lightly on my jumping pulse.

“Now, for the last time before I forget my manners, tell me who your boss is.”

I looked at him, knowing his would be the last face I ever saw. Bitterness briefly coursed through me before I pushed it aside. There would be no complaints. Maybe, maybe the world would be a better place for what I’d done. It was all I could wish for, and so I’d die telling my executioner the truth.

“I don’t have a boss.” Each word was poison. There was no need to be polite. “You want to know why I smell like a human and a vampire? Because that’s what I am. Years ago, my mother went on a date with what she thought was a nice guy. He turned out to be a vampire, and he raped her. Five months later there was me, premature but fully developed, with a whole slew of funky abilities. When she finally told me about my father, I promised her I’d kill every vampire I found to make up for it. To ensure no one else suffered what she had to. She’s been afraid to leave her home ever since! I hunt for her, and the only thing I regret about dying now is that I didn’t take more of you with me!”