Page 1 of Big Enough to Bite (Harmony Glen #3)

Chapter One

Mari

I ’m not much for joining in, which isn’t the greatest attitude when I’d like to feel at home here in Harmony Glen. I’ve been looking for a home for a very long time. However, vampires are not welcome in most places, so hiding my nature has become a habit.

This town is different. There are dozens of monsters living here with humans. There’s no need to hide. Gabe, the fox man, who owns the local hardware store, told me that the giant in town is a mason who can help me with a little project.

I listened to the directions to Sam Reus’s house, but I already knew where he lived.

I’ve seen him in the park at night. I’ve seen him around town, too.

He’s hard to miss, and my canines ache whenever he’s near.

I’ve lived a long time, and I’m always in total control of my vampire urges, but the giant makes me want to lose control.

It is strange to walk down the street in daylight and not worry about being stoned or worse. Maybe I’ll never get used to it.

His warm, earthy scent reaches me before I see him. The gate into his garden is open, but I stay on the sidewalk side of the threshold.

“I guess the stories about vampires burning up in sunlight are not true.” He crouches over a flower bed, delicately planting a begonia with bright red flowers.

The garden is a stunning array of plants and flowers, ornamental grasses, and trees. Every bed and path is perfectly organized yet organic. A table sits under a very high pergola. There are four chairs, one of which is giant-sized. Behind is a lattice covered in morning glory in full bloom.

The size of his shoulders takes my breath away. His biceps bulge in the cut-off shirt, and he makes my mouth water. “That is a myth. I can’t be burned by a crucifix either.” Even though he hasn’t turned, he knows it’s me, and I find that more than interesting.

Once the begonia is planted and the mulch around it is gently pushed around its base, Sam stands, wipes his hands on his jeans, and faces me. “Mari Shepherd, I’m happy to meet you.”

Keeping my place just outside his gate, I feel a flood of pleasure because he knows who I am. Stupid. “Sam Reus, it’s nice to meet you as well.”

“Will you come in?” He stretches his arm out, indicating that I should sit at the table.

I step into the garden. “Thank you.”

Once I sit, he does as well. It’s rare to meet a gentleman these days.

“Is this a social call, or do you need something? Would you like something to drink? I have iced tea.” Pausing, he cocks his head.

“I knew a vampire once in Belgium, and he liked wine. I have a few bottles of Merlot if you’d prefer that. ”

“Thank you. Nothing right now, but I do like wine very much.” I tuck away the information that I’m not the first vampire he’s met.

“Too early?” His lips draw into a straight line, as if he’s thinking of what else he can offer me.

“Not at all. I can drink wine any time. I’m not affected by alcohol like most people. I’m just not in need of refreshment, though it’s very kind of you to offer.” My cheeks feel warm. It’s been over a hundred years since I’ve blushed or felt shy around a man. What is going on here?

He smiles.

My heart, which generally only beats once or twice a minute, thumps twice in succession.

For a long moment, we stare at each other and neither of us speaks. It’s oddly intimate.

Three young people ride their bicycles past the garden, laughing and talking.

It snaps us out of our silence. I look at my hands in my lap and tug on the black lace cuff of my blouse.

While the myth of burning up in the sun persists, my skin is very sensitive, and I generally keep it mostly covered when I go out on a sunny day like today.

“How can I help you, Mari?” His voice is soft and inviting.

A bit too inviting.

My canines ache, and I run my tongue over them.

Getting myself under control takes a breath.

“I need a stone wall built in my backyard. I want a flat part at one end where I can sit and meditate.” I pull a piece of paper out of my pocket and hand it to him.

“I’m told you’re a mason. I’ve drawn the idea out. ”

The drawing is on letter-size paper, but in his hand, it looks like a note card. Yet as big as he is, his fingers are deft and gentle as he unfolds my drawing. “This is interesting. I’ve never seen anything like it.”

“Can you do it? I mean, do you have time?” I don’t know why I feel as if I’m holding my breath. It’s silly to want him to agree to my project so vehemently. Yet, I do. I want Sam to come to my house and build something special for me.

Still studying my drawing, he nods. “May I see the space?” There’s a hint of an accent that finds its way into his voice. I hadn’t detected it before.

“Of course. When would you like to come over?” My hands tremble, and my body is awake in a way it hasn’t been in ages.

Handing me back my sketch, he stands. “I’m free now.” His blue eyes have a hint of green at the center, and his ginger hair falls over his eyes.

I rise and step back several paces. He’s so large that to look him in the eye and not crane my neck, I need the space. “Right now?” The shock in my voice and the way it rises at the end isn’t at all like me.

“Unless you have other obligations, Mari. I can come by another day. Tell me what’s best for you.” His voice is soft, as if he’s speaking to a scared kitten that he wants to reassure of its safety.

Am I safe? He’s not a threat. I mean, not many creatures are a threat to me unless there’s a mob with torches marching down the street. I calm myself. “Now is fine.”

His smile nearly topples me as the effect goes right to my clit. My senses go into overload, and I hear the sound of his blood rushing through his veins. It’s like the sweetest music. His scent floods my nostrils, and I have to close my eyes. When I open them, he’s staring.

“I’ll just grab my notebook and a tape measure.” Still focused on me, he doesn’t move for a long moment.

My heart pounds two, then three times. It’s hard to look away from his handsome face and the way his Adam’s apple bounces in his throat. My lust for blood rises, and I force my gaze to the grass.

Sam clears his throat and walks to the giant-sized door that leads into the house.

Glad for the moment to get myself under control, I step to the garden gate.

This kind of attraction to someone I’ve just met has never happened to me before.

I’ve longed for blood, both human and monster, but this is something else, something more.

I close my eyes and push aside the sounds of the bustling town.

I can hear everything from the cars streaking down the highway in the distance to the conversation between two ladies in the street two blocks away.

I smell their perfume, their blood, and the diaper of the baby with one of them.

Even the dog that’s running through the park chasing a squirrel assaults my senses.

“Are you alright, Mari?” Sam whispers.

Opening my eyes, I find him waiting in the open doorway at the other end of the garden. He has the notebook and tape measure in his hand and his gaze fixed on me.

It takes me a moment to push away the cacophony invading my senses. “I’m fine. Part of being a vampire is learning to push aside the things that assault my senses.”

Crossing to me, he cocks his head. “I don’t think I understand.”

As we walk down Main Street toward my house, I do something I never do. I talk about myself. “Vampires have extremely heightened senses.”

“Can you give me an example?” He keeps his gait slow so that I don’t have to run to keep up with his long strides. It’s thoughtful and more telling than he probably realizes.

“At the other end of Main, a Sasquatch is telling an Orc about his date last night. It didn’t go that well.

” I point to a tree near the center of town.

“There’s a calico cat in that tree, and she’s tormenting a squirrel.

I hear the blood charging through your veins, and whenever you look at me, your pulse speeds up. ” Why did I say that?

On a low chuckle, he says, “Because you’re very beautiful, Mari. I’m sure every male you encounter has a similar reaction.”

“Most people are a little afraid of me. Fear has a scent, and I don’t sense that from you.” We turn left on Verdant, which runs to the cemetery, where it turns and skirts the park.

His lips curl in the sweetest smile. “I’m not afraid of you.

Giants can’t be turned into vampires. At least that’s what I’ve always been led to believe.

In fact, no magic or curses work on giants.

People fear vampires because they don’t want to become like them.

I don’t have to worry about that. Besides, you hardly seem the type to force your gifts on others. ”

“Gifts…” It puffs out with all the sarcasm of the ages. “What makes you think I wouldn’t turn all the people into vampires? I could start my own family right here in Harmony Glen.”

At my front walk, we stop and he waits for me to lead the way. I go to the side of the house and walk him into the backyard where the cemetery is in full view.

He scans the large yard and the land beyond.

“You hunt in the park and fields beyond at night. I’ve seen you.

You’re not hunting humans. You need blood to survive, but you don’t take it from the people of Harmony Glen; you find it in rabbits and other small game.

That hardly sounds like someone planning on creating an army of vampires. ”

When did I become so transparent? Why don’t I mind that Sam sees me?