Page 1 of Stranded with a Wounded Vampire

Chapter 1

Willow

It might seem odd, driving to an alien vampire’s remote mansion on a Tuesday afternoon, entirely uninvited, but that’s how I roll.

Windows are down, sunroof open and I’m singing along to my favorite songs as I wind through twisty roads. Trying to keep focused and not let nervous anxiety cause me to do something crazy, like pull over, turn around and go back from whence I came.

I’m making bold decisions today and will not be deterred.

This out-of-the-ordinary trip is necessary because I’ve become obsessed with Bruce Bloodworth and I need to get to the bottom of those heated glances he threw my way.

Most people would avoid this Korn who recently moved to our small town, but not me. And I need to know—was that sex appeal that radiated from his body in waves real or imagined?

Because I consistently wake up hot and bothered, thinking about him.

I turn my lights off at night, trying to sleep and…I imagine those luscious lips again and that peek of fang. And I end up reaching more often than usual for my sex toys to provide relief, but it’s never enough. I suspect only his touch will do.

I met Bruce only once, at the grocery store and now he’s all I think of. That Korn who moved to our town is someone I want to strip naked, climb on top of and shove my tongue in his mouth. Yep, I’ve got it bad. And I was only in his presence for a few minutes, but that’s all it took.

The navigation app alerts me to turn left onto a smaller road, which I do.

I’m not used to needing directions considering I’ve lived in this small town my entire life. I know this county along the Appalachian trail like the back of my hand. I was born and raised here with zero plans of ever moving away.

Although if that hot vamp, Bruce Bloodworth, whose house I’m driving to, ever wanted to take me away to his own planet to meet his family, I’d certainly be up for that kind of adventure.

My phone rings.

I sigh and tap the screen.

“Willow. Willow? Where are you?” a sharp, agitated female voice grouses.

“Mom, I told you I was leaving this afternoon. I’m out delivering cupcakes to a customer in the hills…and I’m bringing a few donuts along this time. It’s my job.”

“Your job is here with me, at the bakery. You slipped out without even a proper goodbye. This is your business and I’m supposed to be helping out, not running the whole damn show.”

I let out another sigh. My mother is a little overprotective considering I’m an adult now and we don’t even live together. “Mom, you’re the manager.”

“Not full time.”

“I pay you for full-time work. You’re the one who wanted to come out of early retirement to join me on this.”

“Fine, but I don’t like the idea of you being out alone on a delivery so far out in the hills. You’re my only child and you know I cannot abide the idea of anything bad happening to you. Have you noticed there’s a rainstorm on the way?”

“What? No.” I glance out the window, seeing rain clouds that are just now approaching in the distance. Darn it. I reach out and press a button, closing the sunroof. “I thought the forecast was no rain.”

“You were wrong. Why are you even out that far making such a mysterious delivery? Are you trying to visit that alien who lives on the mountain top?”

I bite my lip. Why did I tell her that I’d met him at the grocery store last week? Mistake number one. I should’ve kept that information to myself. “Maybe…”

“Willow…”

“It’s sad that he’s cooped up there alone. Someone has to show him some kindness and welcome him to the neighborhood.”

“Normally, you would be right, but this is not a typical situation. He’s a grown male from another planet. That Korn probably bought the old Masson house specifically to be alone. He likes the fact that it’s hard to get to and thirty minutes out of town. It’s not right for you to go out there and knock on his door when he’s trying so hard to stay away from meddlesome humans.”

A growl rumbles in my throat. I am undeterred. And the last thing I need in my life is another of my mom’s long-winded lectures. “I can’t hear you. You’re breaking up.”

“Willow,” she sputters. “You have to listen to me.”

---