Page 1 of Necking with a Vampire (Halloween Temptation #1)

“Are you sure this guy is legit?” Peter asked his best friend.

“Totally!”

Alex had good judgement. Usually. But this time, Peter wasn’t so sure. The sketchy black van did not fill him with confidence.

“So you didn’t take me to some black market blood dealer?” Peter asked.

“Just because he pays in cash doesn’t make it any less legit.”

“Yes it does!”

Usually, the bloodmobiles were bright red or white. This one said Blood Donation in bright red letters, but the rest of it was pitch black. Even the windows were tinted back.

Peter had followed Alex to the edge of campus, down the well-worn paths he’d walked every day, but had slowed when they reached the trees.

The creepy copse of trees was infamous. The college had labelled it a park, but everyone knew the real reason it wasn’t developed like the land beyond it.

During orientation, every freshman was told a different story.

The small forest was cursed. Any attempt to build on it led to accidents. Fires. Deaths.

Some people claimed it was an old gravesite, protected by the spirits of the restless dead. Others said it was a ritual site going back many thousands of years. One professor claimed it was one of the world’s anchor points - a place where beings from other planes could cross into ours.

Which one was the truth?

Peter wished it was a gateway to another world, but if he had to put money down, he’d say the site was cursed. Too many credible accidents and disappearances were linked to it.

And as Peter would like to remain accident-free, he always kept his distance. Even from the annual Halloween party held next to it - the one time of the year the place felt welcoming.

But that was still one month away. So for now it was being its usual creepy and uninviting self.

Peter slowed his walk to a crawl.

Wait, he knew that van. It was infamous. Another subject of the freshman rumor mongers.

“Is that the vampire blood merchant?”

“Bro.” Alex rolled his eyes. “Vampires aren’t real.”

“They should be,” Peter muttered.

“You’ll never survive your residency placements if you don’t get over your fear of needles,” Alex said.

“I know, I know!”

“And you said you wanted help dealing with it.”

Peter grit his teeth and said, “I know.”

It was a real problem. He appreciated Alex trying to help. How could Peter ever be a nurse if he couldn’t stand the sight of blood or needles? Fainting during their dissection lab had been a real wake-up call.

“Besides, you’re practically a vampire yourself. Don’t judge!”

“Because I have night classes!”

“You shouldn’t be so judgy of your fellow vampire,” Alex said. “I thought you’d find it more relaxing to be with your kind.”

Peter groaned.

“Trust me bro!”

Famous last words.

Sitting outside of the van on a fancy, padded camping chair was a man who looked just as sketchy as the van Alex was taking Peter to.

Worse, he was watching them.

Black leather jacket, faded skinny jeans with legs for miles. Short, curly black hair framed bright, intense eyes. Lounging, he looked like he didn’t have a care in the world. He didn’t make any attempt to convince the few passersby to give blood.

The rumored vampire was looking at them intently, frowning. How could someone make frowning look hot?

“Bonus, he’s hot, right?”

Was Alex a mind reader!?

“Shh,” Peter said, looking around furtively even though they were basically alone. “Not so loud!”

“If you never tell anyone you’re bi-curious, how can you expect to experiment?” Alex said, exasperated.

“That doesn’t mean you should-” Peter cut himself off. This wasn’t the place to argue, and continued, “I’ll do it when I’m ready. When I’ve found the right person.”

“Well he looks like your type. A mix of goth and vampire.”

The man was still watching them. Had he heard? He stared at them, unblinking. His eyes were unsettling. Even under the dim light of the streetlamp, they shone with reflected light. If he had a tail, the tip would be flicking from side to side, like a cat ready to pounce on its prey.

“Wait, Alex, what if-” Peter hissed.

But Alex shrugged Peter off and marched ahead. Straight into the jaws of the lion.

Peter may wish that vampires were real, but he knew the difference between fantasy and reality. Those were just malicious rumors made up because the man only collected blood at night. In reality, he had to have a day job or something.

He hurried to catch up with Alex. He should be more worried about the needles being sterile than the vampire thing. The creepy woods were getting to him.

The man stood. Stretched. Wow he was tall. A half-head taller than Alex and Peter.

“Well, hello. Here to make a donation? Or can I offer something more for two handsome young men?” His voice was pure butter. It practically melted in Peter’s ears.

He didn’t give them that fake customer service smile Peter hated. Just a slight quirk of the lips, like something about Peter amused him.

Oh no. Alex was right. He was exactly Peter’s type.

“That’s right,” Alex said. “This is the friend I told you about. Peter, this is Draven.”

He WHAT!?

“Ah yes, the one with the… minor issue.” Draven said.

Minor? Peter had been struggling to overcome this for years!

“Not to worry,” Draven continued. “I’m well accustomed to being a man’s first time. It’s a pleasure to finally meet you.”

Oh no , Peter thought. I’m in danger.