The Vampire Pendant by Sheri Whitefeather Page B

shopped, too, buying clothes that complemented the pendant. Her credit card bill would be astronomical when this was over, but it was worth it.
    She rode to Beverly Hills in a long black Lincoln Continental, with the windows rolled down and the wind rushing through her pale blonde hair. She couldn’t believe how pretty she felt. Every moment was an awakening, an adventure, a short-lived dream come true. A wish, she thought, as the pendant shone in the sun.
    After she checked into her room, she flopped onto the canopy-draped bed and sighed. She was in the main building, and her accommodations featured classic wood furnishings and a luxurious marble bathroom.
    Tessa smiled to herself. She was going to order room service for lunch and dine at the famed Polo Lounge for dinner. Then she would strut into Bar Nineteen 12, named in honor of when the hotel first opened, and sip cocktails until she got wonderfully tipsy.
    Heavens, this was exciting. So exciting, she had plans to get her cherry popped. Yes, sir. She was going to find a man at this hotel and have a glamorous affair.
    At twenty-five, Tessa was still a virgin. But that was about to change. This was her moment, and she was going to live it as if there was no tomorrow, enjoying every illicit turn it took.
    At dinnertime Tessa dressed to the nines, putting on a sleek black dress that plunged deliciously low in front, showcasing the antique pendant. She slipped on a pair of classic black pumps and gazed at herself in a full-length mirror. She’d styled her hair in a deliberately sensual way and done her makeup with a touch of naughty flair, making her eyes smoky and her lips glossy.
    Tessa was downright hot. She twirled around, then lifted her dress and looked at her pussy. She wasn’t wearing panties and she’d shaved herself smooth for the occasion.
    Imagining the affair she was going to have, she rubbed her clit. She actually stood there, getting off in front of the mirror.
    She used to shun mirrors and now she was masturbating like a little tart. She kept her eyes open and watched herself come. She even licked her fingers afterward.
    Needing to cool off, she went into the bathroom and splashed a bit of water on her face. She washed her hands, too, but the naughty feeling remained. Wouldn’t it be wild if she got fucked tonight, if it happened right away? Giddy with the thought, she relished the creaminess between her thighs.
    Ready to greet the Polo Lounge, she headed for the restaurant. It was everything she imagined it would be. She ordered a glorious meal and savored every bite, including a decadent dessert.
    By the time she entered Bar Nineteen 12, she was all aglow. The bar offered indoor and outdoor settings. She chose to sit on the patio because it presented a view of the garden. Scattered amongst its lush beauty were the bungalows, the most luxurious and costly accommodations at the hotel. Clark Cable and Carole Lombard used to frolic in the bungalows. Liz Taylor frequented them, as well, with six out of her eight husbands. The celebrities who stayed in the bungalows were endless. Tessa couldn’t afford to rent one, but she was fascinated by their golden-age history. She loved everything about this hotel. She especially loved that Greta Garbo used to live here.
    Feeling cheeky, she ordered a cocktail named after Garbo. The sinfully rich concoction consisted of Crème de Menthe, orange juice, grenadine, French vermouth, and brandy. Tessa used to liken herself to Garbo because the actress had uttered the famous phrase, “I want to be left alone,” in an Oscar-winning movie, and later became a reclusive woman. All Tessa had wanted up to this point was to be left alone, too.
    But now, during these two magical weeks...
    She glanced around the patio, wanting people to notice her. And sure enough, someone did. A man seated at a corner table watched her with an intrigued and interested expression.
    He looked to be in his mid-to-late thirties, and with his sleek