VAMPIRE: PARANORMAL: Out For Blood (Vampire Alpha Shapeshifter Romance) (New Adult Paranormal Fantasy Short Stories) by Miranda Powers Page B

here.
    She could hear his panting as he slowed with exhaustion. Diana had not even broken into a sweat and forced herself down harder and harder until he let out a deep breath, a guttural sound and then his whole body seemed to relax. She felt him shrink as it lost its tension, it slid out.

 
     
     
    Chapter Two
     
     
     
    Diana lay in her four poster bed looking at the fading darkness outside as the autumn day roused itself from its overnight damp slumber. Why on earth was she dreaming about the vicar? And in such a way? It troubled her. He was indeed an attractive man, but she had no intention of acting out her dream.
    Soon it would be light. In the distance, the church clock chimed six. This was a day she was not looking forward to. She pulled the white silk sheet up over her face.
Perhaps I can hide in here.
    The creaking sound of the great house waking seemed louder today. A murder of crows outside on the lawn were awake and having a family dispute.
    Her mind went over the options again. The simplest was to go out and not be home at three o’clock when Richard and William would both arrive, separately, to claim her. Diana knew this would only put off the inevitable. Sooner or later she would have to face both men and make a decision. The trouble was; she didn’t know who she wanted or indeed if she wanted either of them.
    If I choose Richard, will I have to go to India with him? I don’t think I want to take my son, Michael, there. I hear there are a great many diseases and dangers in that country. And it is too hot.
    If I choose William, we will have to move to Devon for him to run his estate which means leaving Eylebourne Hall in the hands of an Estate Manager. It’s better than India, but I don’t want to go.
    I could choose neither. That may be the best option. But Richard is my son’s father though he does not know. At least I don’t think he knows.
    As each minute ticked by it seemed like a lifetime. Eventually, the October sun crept over the windowsill.
    A knock on the door was followed by its opening and Ann, her lady’s maid, came in with a teapot and cup and saucer. Ann poured out the tea as Diana sat up in bed and pulled the linen nightdress up around her shoulders. It wasn’t the most elegant of nightdresses, the silk one remained in the wardrobe. With no man to excite, what is the point of wearing it out? That was Diana’s opinion. Though wealthy she was careful with expenses.
    “Thank you,” said Diana taking the China teacup from her.
    Ann bobbed a curtsey. “Should I draw your bath M’Lady?”
    “Yes, please.”
    Ann scurried off into the bathroom.
    Diana still mused over her options but found she could not make a final decision on the man who would benefit from her favours. She did manage to decide that she would stay and face both of them at three o’clock.
    Ann came back into the bedroom and busied herself getting her Mistress’s clothes ready for the day. “M’Lady, would you like the blue or the burgundy dress today?”
    Diana thought about impact. The burgundy would have an element of risqué in it; not quite the ‘scarlet woman’ but something along those lines. She decided on the pale blue; it would give her a cooler look. She would wear the darker blue shawl around her shoulders. It may not be wise to excite these two men who are rivals even if they don’t know it, she thought. Her shawl would cover her ample décolletage.
    The memory of her dream about the vicar still hung around in her mind making her aroused yet worried.

 
     
     
    Chapter Three
     
     
     
    Jane, her son’s Nanny, brought the boy, now four years old, into the dining room. He wore a blue velvet jacket, short pants and an enormous smile.
    “Good morning Mother,” said the boy.
    “Good morning Michael,” said Diana.
    Jane bobbed a curtsey.
    “Jane, I’m going to be busy today. Please make sure Michael is kept amused and this afternoon I have distinguished visitors. It would please me greatly if