Pursued: A Vampire Blood Courtesans Romance Read online

  PURSUED

  LISA CARLISLE

  Contents

  Introduction

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Author’s Note

  Blood Courtesans

  About the Author

  Tempted by the Gargoyle

  Darkness Rising

  Dark Velvet

  Knights of Stone: Mason

  Knights of Stone: Lachlan

  Knights of Stone: Bryce

  Links

  Copyright © 2016, Lisa Carlisle, and Michelle Fox incorporating the world created in the publication ‘Blood Struck’ © 2013 by Michelle Fox under the brand ‘Blood Courtesan’ republished as “Reborn” in 2016 and used under license.

  This book is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. By purchasing this book, you have been granted the non-exclusive and non-transferable right to access and read it. No part of this text may be duplicated, reproduced, reverse engineered, transmitted, downloaded, or stored without the author’s permission. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of the author.

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events or locales is entirely coincidental.

  Cover designed by Monica La Porta.

  Created with Vellum

  Pursued

  By Lisa Carlisle

  It was only meant to be three nights...

  After watching my mother die, becoming a blood courtesan is key to my future medicine. With loans racking up, all I have to do is pretend I want the money for tuition, and I’m hired. No one can know the real reason for wanting this job.

  But it isn’t as easy as it first seems. On my first night as a courtesan at a ball in Salem, I meet vampires for the first time—and flee.

  Vampires are not easily dissuaded. And one in particular, Renato, offers me a proposal I find difficult to resist. He has a dark, smoldering appeal that lures me in. Plus, I might gain the insight I seek.

  I’m supposed to provide a service and will be paid well for it. But my feelings complicate our arrangement—and endanger my life.

  It was only meant to be three nights, but can I walk away now?

  Welcome to the shadow world of blood courtesans…where vampires are real and blood is a commodity.

  It's not supposed to be about love...until it is.

  PURSUED is part of the blood courtesan series, starting with REBORN, Myra's story. See the full list of books here.

  CHAPTER 1

  Mia

  I paced outside the office, waiting for the Madam to call me in. I never pictured myself doing this. For an uber-perfectionist student who had little experience with men, the role of blood courtesan seemed a mismatch. Instead of striving to maintain my GPA, I’d be seducing a vampire with body and blood.

  Madam Lucia’s office was in a restored Victorian house off Massachusetts Avenue—or Mass Ave—in Cambridge. Outside, the Friday afternoon traffic had already clogged the roads.

  When the door opened, a tall, blonde woman welcomed me into an office filled with polished cherry wood and objets d’art. I caught a whiff of perfume that I guessed was as expensive as her outfit—a charcoal pantsuit with a silky orange scarf and spiked heels. Her hair was pinned in a perfect French twist and pearls dangled from her ears. She scanned me from the head down, making me fear my basic black dress with heeled boots wouldn’t pass inspection. My friend had told me to dress sexy, yet professional, something I wasn’t sure I’d pulled off.

  Madam Lucia motioned to the seat in front of her desk. I exhaled. At least she hadn’t said, thanks, but no thanks.

  “You’re Marianna Rhodes, correct?”

  “Yes. Please, call me Mia.” Nobody called me by my legal name, except in formal situations. I’d adopted my mother’s nickname for me long ago.

  “Mia,” she repeated and wrote a note. “Let’s get started. Why do you want to be a blood courtesan?”

  She gave me a long, appraising look that made me want to squirm. I stifled the urge.

  “I’m in college now and then going to medical school. Tuition is expensive.” I left out the other reason. She’d slam the door in my face, no doubt.

  “I see,” the Madam said. “Many of our courtesans are college students. If you’re popular with my clients, you’ll earn plenty of money for school—and other expenses.”

  That would be a tremendous relief. Tuition and loans were huge stressors for many people my age. And with my aspirations to become a doctor, I would be racking up the bills for many years to come. I’d received financial aid, but I didn’t get a free ride. Nobody truly did in life as there was always a price to pay. Which is why I told myself this job was no different than a business transaction—a service for money.

  “Do you know what will be expected of you?” she asked.

  I did. Only I wasn’t sure how to say it politely. “I believe I would be assigned to a vampire who paid for a service.”

  “No need to be evasive.” She gave a wave. “You would be offering your blood to a vampire who has paid to drink it. You would likely provide sexual favors to the same vampire. Would you have a problem with any of that?”

  Although I wanted to squirm under her scrutiny, I kept my feet planted beneath the chair. “No.”

  As if sensing my discomfort, she said, “I don’t tolerate the term blood whore.” Her tone underscored how serious she was about it. “This isn’t that type of business.” She raised both arms with a flourish. “You’d be a courtesan. Offering a service that includes a precious commodity. Your blood. Your essence.”

  Part of what drew me to this role was my fascination with blood, but I wouldn’t dare admit that to her. Some might call my obsession macabre. Let them think what they wanted. I had my reasons. They wouldn’t understand why unless they’d gone through what I had with my mother. If I could gain any insight as a courtesan to prevent what’d happened to her to anyone else—so be it.

  A few hours with a vampire might stave off years of suffering.

  So, they could suck it.

  Inwardly, I groaned. Considering who the clients were, that’s exactly what they’d be eager to do—suck.

  “As a courtesan, you’ll offer more than your blood and your body,” she continued. “Some of these vampires have been around for decades, others centuries. They’re bored. Think how disinterested you’d be living out your existence for eternity.”

  I considered it. Hopefully, immortality would not include endless required reading, exams, and essays—part of my everyday life.

  “Consider yourself an entertainer as well. A distraction to the monotony.”

  I nodded. “Okay.”

  She raised her index finger. “But, don’t get any foolish romantic ideas of anything more. I see so many young courtesans falling for a vampire, thinking he will take her away for a happily ever after, and then crumbling when they realize they’re no more special than the girl before or after her.”

  That would not be a problem with me. As far as I saw this gig, it was a means to get what I needed—not the road to romance. “Understood.”

  “And how did you find out
about this opportunity?”

  “I heard about it from a student.”

  “Who?”

  “Sarah Talbot.”

  “Ah, yes, you’re the one Sarah told me about. So many interested candidates lately…”

  Eek. That wasn’t good. The more candidates, the less likely the chance I’d get the job, if that was what you’d call it. This did seem like a strange sort of job interview, where I wasn’t sure how to answer questions. Hopefully, she wouldn’t ask where I thought I would be in five years or which historical figure I’d like to meet or any of those inane questions interviewers asked.

  “Sarah has made a pretty penny with repeat business. What exactly did she tell you?”

  “I was looking at medical opportunities on campus, on bulletin boards where they post fliers for paid volunteers.” Or guinea pigs, as many people called it. “Sarah’s in my bio class. She told me she knew of a better opportunity that I’d be perfect for. Then she explained what she did as a blood courtesan.”

  “She saw something in you that made her think you would be a good prospect. Obviously, your looks and your figure work in your favor, but we need more than that. You need to have the right mentality. We don’t need to advertise for potential candidates, as we recruit by word-of-mouth. It takes a special kind of person who can tolerate an experience that’s not quite an everyday one. If you’ve undergone those medical studies, some of which I’ve heard can be quite intense, then I imagine what’s expected wouldn’t be too difficult for you.” She glanced at the paper on her desk. “Are you a virgin?”

  The direct question startled me. “Um, no.” Once again, I wondered if this was the answer she wanted.

  She raised a perfectly arched eyebrow. “So, you’re experienced with men?”

  I doubt anyone would call the few clumsy times I had sex experience. “Not exactly.”

  She didn’t blink while waiting for me to elaborate.

  “I’ve been with one guy a few times.”

  A wry grin spread across her face. “By the look on your face, I’m guessing it wasn’t extraordinary.”

  “Not really.”

  “You’re practically untouched, which will raise your initial price. You’ll learn how to seduce a man—and maybe enjoy the experience yourself.” As she jotted notes, she said, “Do you have any questions or concerns?”

  I couldn’t think of any—which meant I’d probably think of a dozen the second I left. “I don’t think so.”

  “Perfect.” She put the paper into a file. “If you’d like to start, we can do so today.”

  I got the job? Nice! I tried not to sound too eager. “That sounds great. What do you need from me?”

  “Paperwork. And then there’s an orientation. We’ll get you up to speed before your first time out.” She glanced at a calendar. “Hmm. We have a rather exciting event tomorrow night. A Halloween ball. We could push things through quickly if you’re interested.”

  “I am.” Excitement and anxiety filled my stomach, as though I’d swallowed a swarm of bees. I didn’t think I’d leave this meeting with a start date as soon as tomorrow. Not that I was complaining. The sooner, the better.

  “All right. I’ll get the papers for you to review and sign. One thing I want to emphasize is that this is more than an exchange for blood or sex. Think of yourself as an entertainer. Some vampires want a meal and arm candy. Others might want a short-term companion. Many vampires request one night. They might want you to go to a hotel room with them tomorrow night, in fact. Others want a quick drink in the corner of the ballroom. Most want more than the quick exchange, however. They like to draw out the experience. After all, when you live for an eternity, why rush each meal? Savor it. If a vampire requests you, I will update you on his preferences. Or her. Are you open to females?”

  I had little experience with the opposite sex let alone with my own. “I’d prefer to start with men.”

  “Absolutely. If we decide to continue a working relationship, we can be flexible. The first time is typically a make-or-break experience. Many courtesans find their roles exciting, but others decide it’s not for them. Typically, it’s because they are tense during their first encounter, ruining what could be a pleasurable experience.”

  Crap, with the way I overthought things and my rather unspectacular previous experience, I could slip under the failed courtesan category. No, I wouldn’t think that way. I had to have an open mind and look forward to this as a new adventure in my life.

  “Remember this is a business. I run it as a professional, and I expect you to act like one.”

  I nodded. “Of course.”

  I tried to picture myself at a vampire ball. My anxiety grew with all the what-ifs that came to mind.

  “What do I do if a vampire asks me to go with them?”

  “You do nothing,” she declared. “They talk to me.”

  Full of confusion, I bit my lip, wondering how this arrangement worked.

  “You’re there to titillate, tease,” she added. “Make them salivate with wanting you. Encourage them so they come to me willing to pay top dollar. Basically, the better you do your role, the more money you earn. Understand?”

  “Yes.” I nodded with determination despite my inner uncertainty. How could I master the art of seduction by tomorrow night, when I was utter crap at even flirting?

  “Don’t worry, you’re new. That’s your draw right now.”

  Clearly, my determined look wasn’t fooling anyone as she saw right through me. Or she could read minds.

  “Don’t worry about it yet,” she added. “They will already be eager to meet you. They all want to be the first to taste fresh blood.”

  If that was supposed to make me feel better, it didn’t. Still, I wanted to do this. I forced a smile. “Okay.”

  She put some papers before me and summarized what each section covered. Still, I pored over every line, making sure I wasn’t sealing my doom agreeing to something for life and signing it with my blood. It read like a standard work for hire agreement with either party able to walk away at any time with a 24 hours’ notice.

  “Any questions?”

  “Not so far.”

  “It’s not like you’re selling your soul to the devil,” she said with a laugh. “Very few blood courtesans walk away. The money is too good.”

  Getting used to it might be a bit more of a challenge for me since I had zero experience in one of the tasks required and little with the other. Sure, I knew vampires existed, but they didn’t come up to people and blatantly ask to suck their blood. As far as I knew in my sheltered view, the whole blood exchange was hush-hush.

  As for the other task, I didn’t see why people got all crazy about sex. My love life was lacking, which I’d rationalized was due to my school ethic. I’d been so focused on grades and ensuring I could get into a good school that I didn’t have time to date. Since I’d graduated as valedictorian in my class, it had served me well, leading to scholarships that helped with the high cost of tuition and living costs in the Boston area as compared to New Hampshire where I grew up, but many loans still piled up. With medical school ahead, the stack would continue to rise. My obsession with grades rather than boys meant I’d never had a boyfriend. A male friend and I ended up having sex to shed the virgin label, which had started to seem like a curse at twenty-one. Talk about awkward. Since it had been our first time, we tried a couple more times. They, too, were clumsy—somewhat icky—experiences. Nothing special about it.

  After I’d signed the paperwork, I asked, “Should I bring my—um—condoms?” No way was I playing Russian roulette with having a disease or carrying a vamp baby, if that was even possible.

  “Good question, but no. One good thing about vampires is you don’t have to worry about birth control. They can’t get you pregnant or pass on diseases.” She glanced at the clock. “I have another appointment.” She turned her gaze to me. “Come back tomorrow at noon. We’ll get you ready for the ball.”

  That night, my m
ind swirled with what ifs the way bees swarmed around a hive. But the following day, I was too busy to think of my concerns. Madam Lucia escorted me to a room down the hall from her office, which seemed like a day spa. Several women milled about getting courtesans ready for the evening. I wished I had more time to chat with them, but we didn’t get much beyond small talk as we greeted each other in passing from one station to the next. The afternoon whizzed by as a different woman gave me dos and don’ts and prepped me for the night ahead. Act demure. Appear interested in what they say. I was waxed, plucked, cleaned, groomed, and measured while various clips from old movies played in the background. They’d point out the subtle way an actress could turn up the seduction factor with the perfect gaze. I practiced parting my lips and looking up through half-lidded eyes like Marilyn Monroe, but I looked more like a zombie than a seductress.

  One of the women said, “Forget it. There isn’t enough time to work on this before tonight, and it will look forced. Just be yourself.”

  Madam Lucia strolled in with the subtlety of a hurricane, with a flowing maroon dress and black scarves billowing behind her. With a clap of her hands, she said, “Let’s look at some outfits.”

  As they searched through closets to find something suitable for me to wear, I stayed back. Fashion was not my strong suit. Since I was a college student on limited funds who didn’t want to acquire more debt, I tended to shop at secondhand shops. I favored long sweaters over leggings, comfortable clothing for my many hours hunched over books in the library.

  “Ah,” Madam Lucia declared with a clap of her hands. “This is perfect. New and bright, like sunshine—a brand-new day.” She pulled out a yellow dress and held it before me. “Yes, this works great with your dark hair and fair complexion. The vampires will be drawn to you. Try it on.”

  Since she didn’t present me with a location to do so, I began to undress, feeling self-conscious but knowing I had to get over that quickly. After all, what I was planning to do with my body from that point on would require me to be a little more open.