Baited Blood by Sue Ann Jaffarian Page B

grin.
    Using both hands, Notchey playfully made a grab for the bottle, but Madison deftly hopped out of his reach. After folding himself into a slight crouch, he leapt at her with surprising agility, trapping her against the front fender of the car. He grabbed the water bottle and tipped it over her head, with her own hand still grasped around it.
    “Old man, my ass.” Notchey laughed and released the bottle. He didn’t move away but kept her pressed against the car.
    Madison shook her head, soggy and chilly in the morning air, sending a small spray at Notchey. They were both laughing when Notchey clutched her waist in his hands and brought his mouth down hard on hers. Dropping the plastic bottle, Madison grasped his shoulders in her hands and responded.
    Ignoring the early morning cold that nipped their sweaty bodies like fire ants, they kissed deeply before Notchey pulled back. He stared into her face as if seeing a stranger, then broke away from her. Without a word, he opened the passenger door for her and started around the car to the driver’s side.
    Madison walked the few steps to the passenger side but didn’t get in. “What’s going on, Mike?”
    He didn’t look at her. “You’re cold and wet. I need to get you home.”
    “Oh, no.” Her voice was thick with hurt and aborted passion. “I’m not buying that. Every time we get close, you do this. You break it off and act like I have a contagious disease.”
    He glanced at her, then looked away. “Get in the car.”
    Madison slapped the palm of her hand against the roof of the car. “No! Tell me what’s going on.” She shivered. Reaching into the car, she grabbed her warm-up jacket and slipped into it. “See, I’m all warm now. So what’s the problem?”
    Notchey looked around. It was shaping up to be a very gray day with possible rain. The overcast sky matched his foul mood. There were fewer cars in the parking lot than usual, the threatening weather keeping many of the morning runners home warm in their beds. He wished he’d done the same.
    “Why can’t you just leave it alone, Madison,” he said to her over the top of the car. “I won’t kiss you again. Fuck, I won’t touch you again if it’s going to lead to this shit.”
    In spite of herself, Madison started to cry. Steeling her shoulders, she sniffed back the tears and strode around the car to Notchey. “One minute you want me, the next you act like you’re disgusted by me. Are you still hung up on why I was arrested in Boise? I told you that was a long time ago, and I never once turned a trick.”
    “I said forget it.” He turned to climb into the car, but she stopped him.
    “No, Mike, I won’t forget it.” She grabbed his sweaty tee shirt and hung on, keeping him from getting into the car. “What is going on?”
    “You really want to know?”
    “Yes, I do.”
    He broke free of her grip and spun around, his face distorted in anger. “You may not have done tricks then, but what about now?”
    Madison staggered back from the naked ferocity in his voice. “What in the hell are you talking about?”
    “Now, Madison. I’m talking about now. Your new clothes. A new car. Fancy nights at Samuel’s.”
    “I paid for those new clothes with my own money.” Her protest fell on deaf ears.
    “You just fucking Samuel, or is Colin getting his share, too?”
    Madison couldn’t believe her ears. She took a step toward Notchey, her face hot with indignation. “There is nothing going on between me and Samuel—or Colin. I work for them, and we’re friends. That’s it.”
    Notchey shook his head. “I’ve seen the way those two look at you, Madison. I’ve seen vampires look at women like that before. They’ve had you, and they want more. You’ll belong to them until they’ve had their fill. Then they’ll toss you aside like garbage.”
    “You’re insane!”
    “Am I?”
    “Yes, you are. You’re certifiable . If you don’t believe me, ask the Dedhams.”
    “Vampires will lie