Page 2 of Big Enough to Bite (Harmony Glen #3)

Chapter Two

Sam

I first saw Mari walking through the park at night. It was her singing that drew me in. Nothing could compare to the beauty of her voice. She sounded like an angel. Of course, she’s a vampire and not an angel, but I was lured in by the sound, and watched and listened from a distance.

Not in a stalkerish way. I was there first after all. I often visit the wooded park at night to gather mushrooms and other wild ingredients.

When she moved off, as tempted as I was to follow, I stayed put.

The next day, I asked around town and learned her name.

I’ve been half hard since the moment she stepped up to my garden. I love the sound of her voice with an accent that is both familiar and distant. I want her to say my name again and again.

Her yard backs to the cemetery. I study the ground and think about her drawing. “You want to block the view? Why did you buy a house next to the cemetery if you don’t want to see it?”

“I don’t want to block it, only to delineate the line between my property and the dead. Contrary to popular belief, I’m not undead or dead in any way. I find the tombs peaceful, and I’d like my meditation spot to be just there.” She points to the back corner of her property.

I walk to the spot and imagine her with her beautiful, dark eyes closed and a peaceful expression while she meditates. The idea that she hears my blood flowing should have disturbed me, but it aroused me even more than being in her presence.

Clearing her throat is a nervous habit. “I’m sorry I said that about creating a family here. I don’t want to sire an army of vampires. What I am is not a gift, it’s a curse. I would not wish it on anyone.”

For some reason, that makes me sad for her. “So, you have no family who will be joining you here?”

She walks to where she wants her wall and stares out into the rows of headstones with her arms wrapped around her waist. “I have no family. I saw you watching me.” She stretches her fingers, then lets them rest on her ribs.

“You could have said hello and introduced yourself. I assumed you didn’t see me, and I didn’t want to frighten you.” Now I feel like a stalker, making excuses and justifying my being there.

With a half turn, she meets my gaze. “As I said, vampires have excellent senses. I smelled you in the woods and let you think I didn’t see you.”

“Is that how you hunt?” I’m not letting her think she can intimidate me.

She rolls her eyes. “I hunt rabbits and other animals. They don’t require guile. Only silence and speed.” She lets out a breath. “Do you have time to build my wall?”

I like her. The way she talks, and I think she was teasing me. Spending time in her yard won’t be a hardship. “I’ll make time. Tell me what you need?”

Her pupils dilate, and without taking her gaze from me, she walks along her property line.

“I…I need the wall to run along here. It should be three feet high. This corner section should be higher, perhaps six feet, and round. It must have a flat top where I can sit and meditate. I want a wall that keeps it private but is open toward the house and the cemetery. That way it’s private but not stifling.

All of it should be aesthetically pleasing. ”

My imagination goes into overdrive picturing her sitting atop a tower with her eyes closed and her mind focused. “I’m sure we can make it very pretty.”

“We?” She steps back.

“You’ll want to pick the materials, and you’ve already drawn the idea. I’ll consult you as I go to make certain the project is precisely what you need.” I can’t help wondering what else she needs that has nothing to do with a stone wall.

“Fine.” She fists her hands at her sides and strides toward the house.

In three steps, I catch up to her. “Why do you seem annoyed with me?”

“I’m not. I have to get used to monsters and humans being nice and not running away from me.

I’ve spent most of my life in hiding in one way or another.

Vampires are not popular, even with monsters.

” She looks out toward the busy town of Harmony Glen, where various creatures and humans go about their daily business.

“This is a special place, Mari. I came after the Great Revelation, and it was the best decision I ever made. I think you’ll like it here.” I hope she will, because I want to get to know her better. If she didn’t seem so jittery, I’d tell her exactly what I want, but it’s too soon.

Staring at me, she bites her lip. “Do you know why vampires are not good at making friends, Sam?”

“Is it the drinking blood thing?” I smile.

She stops in front of me with her hands on her hips. “That part is not a myth. Blood is how I survive. You’d do well to remember that.”

With one finger, I ease a curl away from her face.

“If you were a danger to the community, I doubt you’d be hunting rabbits at night.

But if you want to bite me, we can talk about it.

” I actually can’t remember the last time I flirted.

I was probably very young and awkward. The idea of her sinking her teeth into my neck is making me uncomfortable in the best way.

It might be my imagination, but I would swear her fangs grow longer. Then they went back to normal. It must have been my eyes.

“I don’t drink human blood.” She swallows hard and climbs the steps to her porch. The gray Cape Cod has a tidy yard and cobbled paths that lead to the front door, the backyard, and the wide back porch.

Rather than chase her, I ask, “Do you want more of this path to lead to the meditation tower? Will you need stairs to the top?”

Turning, her eyes are wide. Standing on the deck, she’s almost my height. She looks at me directly. She does that thing with her tongue and her fang again. Dangerous and sexy. I may tear right through the zipper on my jeans. Everything about this vampire is sultry and perfect.

“Do I make you nervous, Mari?” Having her at eye level might ease her concerns. People often find my size off-putting. I’d hoped she might be different, but something is clearly bothering her.

“I’ve lived for more than one hundred and fifty years. I don’t get nervous.” She lifts that adorable chin of hers and stares at me. Something dangerous and arousing flashes in her eyes, and she licks her fangs again.

I have to stifle a groan as I watch her mouth with renewed interest. Stepping to the outside of the rail, I lean in. “I’m glad to hear that. I hope we can be friends.”

With a sigh, she shakes her head. Taking a chair from the human-sized table, she pulls it to the edge of the top step and sits. Pulling out the drawing again, she says, “I think you’ll do a good job, Sam. If your garden is any indication, you are very meticulous.”

“Thank you. I enjoy growing things. I also enjoy going into the park to forage for herbs and mushrooms. When you walk in the park, I’ve heard you sing.

Your voice is beautiful.” I sit on the steps and look at her drawing while trying not to be too aroused by this alluring vampire who doesn’t drink human blood.

Deep sorrow fills her dark eyes, and she stares over my shoulder. “In another life, I was an opera singer. Now I only sing for myself and play a few instruments to get my fill of music.”

I can understand why, as a vampire, it would be challenging to maintain a public career in an era when social media makes information instantaneous. “Have you considered teaching music?”

“I taught for a while in Vienna in the 1920s. I enjoyed it, but then the rumors started, and it was safer to disappear.” She shakes her head.

“What is it about you, Sam? I have never told one person so much about myself. Is this some kind of giant magic? Do you have a spell that makes those around you tell all their secrets?”

As much as I want to know all of hers, I know she’s exaggerating. “No magic here. I think people tell me things because I listen, and I seriously doubt you’ve told me even a fraction of your secrets, Mari. Though I’m here for them whenever you’re ready.”

“Why?” She narrows her gaze at me.

“With your keen senses, I think you probably know why.”

There’s a moment when time seems to stand still as she stares into my eyes. Then, as if the spell were broken, she sits back, slaps her hands on her thighs, and lets out a breath. Standing, she puts distance between us. “When can you start on the wall?”

I’ve never wanted any moment back more than the one where she sensed my desire, and I have no doubt of hers. Even if my vampire will never act on it, I saw it in those nearly black eyes. “I can get it measured out and start digging the footings tomorrow.”

“We haven’t agreed on a price.” She keeps her gaze over my shoulder.

“As we’re neighbors, I’ll only charge you for materials.”

“How do you make a living in town if you don’t charge your neighbors for your work?” She finally looks at me again. “I must pay you for your work.”

“Money is not an issue for me. However, if you feel you must, then decide what’s fair and I’ll accept the payment when the work is finished to your satisfaction.” I rise from the steps and pick up my notebook and tape measure. “See you tomorrow.”

“Thank you, Sam.” Her voice is so soft, I almost miss it.

I stop with my hand on the top rail that runs around her deck. I’m on the ground, but it’s a perfect height for me to lean on. “I’m happy you’ve come to Harmony Glen, Mari.”

“That’s a nice thing to say.”

It’s the truth. I’ve never had this kind of reaction to anyone I’ve just met.

I don’t know if anyone can break through her fortress of wariness and secrets, but I’m sure going to try.

I smile and give her a second to return the expression.

When she only watches me, I let out the breath I’ve been holding and head back home.

This isn’t going to be easy, but it’s going to be fun.