The Unnamed Paranormal Story (PG)

[Shelley Munro]

You've met our hero and heroine in another thread. Now here's the first line of our story...

A shifter and a vamp walk into a bar.

[slinkydennis]

Immediately Lissa zones in on the evil thoughts coming from the vampire. He is stalking someone.

Lissa glances up and tries to see where he is looking so she can warn his next victim. When finds him in the crowd, their eyes lock. Oh God! He's looking for me. The Shifter that Lissa hadn't even noticed stepped directly in front of him, breaking their vision of each other. She hurries and goes to the back where she can get in the safe room. How did they find her. After all this time, why now, when she just finally started living again.

[CharmedGirl]

Which spelled big trouble for Jake Saxon because not only was it the Phoenix that they'd walked into, but he hated vampires. Every last one of them, although there were some good ones out there. Ones that kept to themselves, and didn't go past taking a pint of blood from a willing human instead of killing them for their pleasure.
"Hey Jake, give us two beers. Any kind will do." Kyla, the werewolf shifter said as she siddled over to the bar with her vamp campanion following in her footsteps. Jake watched the vamp out of the corner of his eye as he grabbed two glasses and started pouring. He couldn't help it. Vamps made him totally nervous.

"What are you doing with that guy, Kyla?" Jake asked, nodding towards the vamp behind her, curious to know how Kyla had gotten mixed up with a vamp. He thought the woman was a lot smarter than that. "You do know what he is, right?"

Kyla looked behind her at the vamp, then to Jake and then at the vamp again, her dark brows furrowing in complete confusion. As if trying to discern what Jake was trying to say without him having to actually spell it out for her. In which case, he did.

"He's a V-A-M-P-I-R-E, Kyla."

"I know Jake. He's new in town and wanted someone to show him around so I volunteered."

"You volunteered?" Jake asked, sounding outraged by her stupidity. Vamps weren't just dangerous to humans, they were dangerous to all supernaturals.

"He's an old friend from my hometowm. He was turned by a vicious vamp a couple of months back and needed help so I told him to come find me and I'd help."

[Shelley Munro]

Jake took another look at the vamp. He'd know more if he could touch the vamp. A icy chill slipped down his spine. Not gonna happen. Maybe Kyla was right, and he was an innocent caught up in a mess of someone elses making. He slid the beers across the bar and took the money Kyla handed him in return.

Yeah, he'd play this by ear. His gaze slid over the vamp as he moved on to serve another customer. He caught the smirk on the vamp's face, and his suspicions stirred again. This wasn't an innocent visit. The vamp was after something. The question was what. He paused as another thought flitted through his mind. Or who. Maybe the vamp was after a particular person...

Shelley

[CharmedGirl]

And the only person a vamp couldn't resist was someone like him. Someone with extraordinary abilities. Of which the only other person like him that he knew of was Lissa, the cute redhead that worked at the flower shop two doors down from the Phoenix. No way was going to allow a vamp to get his sleazy hands on her. Lissa was all his, if she'd only give him the time of day.

They were friends from a distance, saying hello as they passed each other on the side of the street.

"I'll have a vodka twist." The sexy voice said and Jake turned to see the mysterious owner of the husky female tone.

His dark brown eyes widened in surprise, never having seen Lissa inside the Phoenix before. Normally, she was terrified of the place. He knew of her gift, knowing how difficult it was for her to be in close proximity to anyone. That's why she liked working at the flower shop. Not that he knew personally, he'd been told that by a close friend.

"Coming right up." Jake replied, looking her over and thinking she looked good enough to eat. When she raised a reddish brow he grabbed a glass from under the counter, and mixed the ingredients he needed.

"So what's bring you to the Phoenix tonight? I've never seen you in here before."

"Thought I'd check out the night life. I hear it's good to get out and meet new people once and a while or so everyone keeps telling me."

[Shelley Munro]

Ooh! Good addition. :)

She wasn't telling the truth. He could see it in the way her gaze scanned the faces at the bar, see it in the nervous tic at her jaw. Jake fought the urge to touch her as he handed her the Vodka Twist.

"Want to go out to dinner tomorrow night?" he blurted. Aw, hell. Now that was real smooth.

[GracieO]

Not the smoothest pickup line, Jake. But full marks for finally getting around to asking. She took a mouthful of the Vodka Twist and ran through her options. They were pretty simple—yes please, no thanks, or maybe after you stake that vampire who's eyeing me up for dessert.

She didn't have to look at the vamp to know he was interested in more than her cleavage, and it didn't take a Ph.D to see the little shifter with him was as gullible as a two-year-old desperate for ice cream.

The question was what precisely was he after? Other than her humble self, of course. And why? Because, much as she hated to admit it, she couldn't see past the block in the guy's mind. A block he sure as hell hadn't been able to put there. She only knew of one person who could've done it—and that meant she was in a whole lot of trouble

[CharmedGirl]

"Wow, that was real smooth and just the way to make a girl feel wanted when you blurt it out like that." Lissa teased, and letting him know she was reading his thoughts.

Jake flushed red, embarassed by the way he'd asked her and knowing that she could read his thoughts so clearly. Normally, he was a smooth kind of guy but around Lissa he became awkward in not knowing what to say half the time.

"Sorry, I didn't mean to blurt it out like that. It's just being around someone like you is hard on a guy."

"Being around someone like me, what's that supposed to mean?"

"Someone with your gift." He said, lowering his voice so only she could hear. He didn't want everyone to know what she could do, just like he didn't want everyone to know what he could do. It would only make people fear the two of them. "You can hear thoughts, and some of mine come through loud and clear when you're around."

Now it was Lissa's turn to blush. She didn't know anyone knew what she could do apart from her friend that owned the flower shop. Plus, she was embarassed that he knew she'd picked up on his thoughts before on how smooth his delivery of the dinner question was.

[Shelley Munro]

She opened her mouth, desperately wanting to fill the awkward gap in the conversation. She shot a quick glance in his direction and froze. He wasn't looking at her. He was looking at something behind her...

[CharmedGirl]

or perhaps someone. That would be closer to the truth. And it was someone that made him unhappy to have in the bar.

Lissa took a quick glance over her shoulder, and suddenly she felt a little dizzy as if someone had slipped something into her drink. She looked towards the drink, then at Jake with furrowed brows, trying desperately to convey a message without words being spoken.

"What's wrong?" Jake asked, still watching as the vamp headed towards her with Kyla not far behind.

I feel funny like someone slipped something into my drink funny. Lissa said, communicating mind to mind so no one else could hear her. She'd been able to speak telepathically ever since she was little and she hoped it would work now.

"No one has touched your drink since you've been sitting there. I've been watching you the whole time."

Are you certain?

Jake nodded, it was the only assurance he could give her as the vamp finally approached and touched Lissa on her left shoulder.

[Shelley Munro]

"You shouldn't be here," the vamp said, with an edge to his voice. "I told you to remain in hiding."

Lissa stiffened, and slowly turned to face the vamp. "Do I know you?" A memory tickled at the back of her mind, yet it didn't crystalize and flitted away before she could grasp it.

Under normal circumstances she could read the minds of both human and supernaturals, but this vamp's thoughts were distinctly cloudy. She shrugged irritably, dislodging his hand from her shoulder.

"Ha-ha," the vamp said. "Roger wants his pet back. You should have stayed hidden."

"Lissa." Jake's deep voice pulled her attention to him. A frisson of awareness distracted her for an instant. She liked him. A lot. "Is everything all right?"

"Of course."

"Did you not hear me?" the vamp said, starting to sound snippy now.

Lissa turned around and glared at the vamp. "Bite me," she snapped. "I don't know what my sister has done now, but it's nothing to do with me."

[CharmedGirl]

"That's where you're wrong, sweetheart. It has everything to do with you and you know it. You know Roger will send his goon squad out after you sooner or later." The vamp said, trying to make Lissa aware of Roger's intentions towards her. The older vamp wanted her, and there was nothing she could do to stop him if it wasn't for the vamp before her.

Lissa went still, trepidation coursing through her body. She'd witnessed first hand some of the things Roger's goons were capable of. She'd been victim on more than one occasion. She had the scars to prove it.

"Come on, Lissa. I'll take you somewhere safe." The vamp held out his hand to her, and all she could do is stare with disdain. How could she trust him? He'd betrayed her once before, thinking she'd been her twin sister Delilah because they were identical in both looks and mannerisms.

"Like the last time you took me somewhere safe, and instead tossed me to the wolves." Lissa shivered, remembering what the wolves were going to do to her. They were going to eat her alive, or so they said.

"That was a mistake. I thought you were Delilah."

"And when you figured out I wasn't?"

"I came to get you."

"And then as I recall, I ended up in this town far away from everyone I know with little except the clothes on my back."

"You're lucky to have even had those." The vamp said with a smirk, knowing that she was next to near-naked when he'd taken her to the wolves because that was how she'd slept. Because during summer is what too hot to sleep in anything other than a light cotton T-shirt and panties.

"And you're lucky to still be standing." Lissa threatened as she stood up to leave. She couldn't take being surrounded by so many people anymore.

[Shelley Munro]

"Is he bothering you?" Jake asked.

"Butt out," the vamp said, seeking Jake's gaze. "This is none of your business."

Jake avoided his gaze, knowing better than to let the vamp bespell him with a look. He reached over the bar and gripped the vamp's foreman. Immediately images bombarded him, thoughts of the vamp naked and on the bed with Lissa. "I don't believe you're here to warm Lissa about Roger. I think you have something else in mind..."

[Shelley Munro]

The vamp's hand shot out and grabbed Jake's wrist, his fingers biting painfully. Jake tried not to react, but the curl of the vamp's lips said everything. He thought he had the upper hand, but with the contact of their flesh, Jake had all the info he needed.

"Break it up," the werewolf said in a rough growl. "This is my regular pub. I don't want to get kicked out because you couldn't behave in a civil manner."

"My, what big words you use," the vamp mocked. He stared at Jake for a fraction longer then released his arm.

Jake walked to the far end of the bar to serve a beer, his mind busy thinking the entire time. He had to get Lissa away from here before the vamp made his move. No way, no how could he let the woman he cared about become a bargaining chip for the vamp, someone to throw away when it suited him.

No. A plan. A hiding place just for the two of them.

Yes, he had a place in mind that would work. Now all he had to do was persuade Lissa.

[Shelley Munro]

Lissa. I need you to stay after closing. Jake kept pouring beers while focusing his thoughts on Lissa. Even though he knew it was a bad idea he couldn't resist glancing over at her. That red hair. When the sun hit it just right he always thought of fire. His hands itched at the thought of touching her hair. Hell, he ached at the idea of touching the rest of her too--

"Jake! I'll have another drink please." Color bloomed in Lissa's cheeks when she glanced at him.

Uh-oh. Busted. I'm sorry. Will you stay after closing? I need to talk to you about the vamp.

"That's not all you want to do," she muttered.

Jake accepted payment for several beers then started mixing her drink. Can you blame me? You're beautiful. Might as well tell her the truth. I'd like to kiss you. I'm serious about that date.

Lissa met his gaze for a long moment before nodding. "Yes."

"Yes, what?" Jake asked hoarsely.

"Yes, I'll stay, and I'm thinking seriously about a kiss too."

[Shelley Munro]

Jake swallowed, his gaze on her lips. She watched his throat work and literally felt his visual touch. Heat rushed through her, hitting all the high points on the way. Lissa coughed. "What time do you close?"

"In ten minutes."

She leaned closer. "How are you going to get rid of our friend?" The faint jerk of her chin indicated the vampire, now sitting with the werewolf.

"The boss is coming back to cash up. He doesn't stand for any nonsense from customers."

Lissa leaned across the bar, close enough to get a whiff of his spicy aftershave. Nice. "He'll be watching for me."

"Never fear. I have a plan."

Half an hour later, Jake led her out the back. Taking her hand, he walked up a set of stairs and then another. They came to a door, and he released her hand. Shame. She felt so much better when he was touching her.

He opened the door and tugged her out onto the roof.

"Where are we going?" Lissa dug in her heels because the roof was uninspiring and ugly, with only the air conditioning units to break the stiff breeze.

"Trust me." Jake grinned. "We're going to go to my apartment via rooftop." He glanced down at her heels. "You'll have to take off your shoes."

Lissa gaped at him. How could he be so pretty yet stark-raving mad at the same time?

[Catherine Bybee]

"Take off my shoes? You're kidding, right?"

Jake toed off his shoes and leaned down to untie hers.

Dumbfounded, she could only watch as one of his hands gently lifted her calf with a little squeeze. "You're not kidding."

He stood with both sets of shoes in one hand. Lissa looked deeper inside his head and invisioned them both walking on air between the buildings.

Her jaw dropped open and she shook her head.

[CharmedGirl]

Then words jumbled so quickly out of her mouth she couldn't stop them.

"That's not possible." Lissa said in disbelief. There was no possible way they could walk on air. Well not that she knew of anyway. It was definitely not a talent that any of her family members possessed. Her sister was a telepath, though not very strong while her younger brother was a telekinetic, stronger than any other in her family. And as for her mother, she was a firestarter. Not someone to be messed with unless you wanted to barbecued.

"What's not possible?" Jake asked, looking at her with concern. He didn't know a lot about her gift, except one thing. She was very good at it and could pick up anything, even from someone that was on the other side of the room from her.

"That we're going to walk on air." She sounded so ridiculous that she tossed him a majorly confused look when he laughed at her. Then she started to walk away.

"Okay, hang on for a second." He pulled her back against him. His rock hard chest warm against her back. Immediately, she relaxed. No one had ever made her feel this good before. "It's more flying like Superman than walking on air."

[Shelley Munro]

Larissa let Jake take her hands. Heat spread down her arms, through her torso. It was weird. Tingly yet not unplesant.

"Stand on top of my feet," he whispered in her ear.

"I'm too heavy."

Jake snorted. "Go ahead."

"Going somewhere, perchance?" the vamp asked from behind them.

"Perchance?" Lissa muttered. "Who the heck says perchance these days?"

"Can you fly?" Jake asked the vamp.

The vamp stared at him, his long hair flying in the breeze. "No."

"Good," said Jake. "Now, Lissa."

Seconds later they were hurling through the air, off the edge of the building. Lissa screamed, sure they were going to topple to their death. The vamp cursed and Jake laughed. The husky sound vibrated at her back. They continued traveling through the air until Lissa could no longer see or hear the vamp.

"Where are we going?"

"There's a group of paranormal detectives. They'll help us. They've wanted me to work with them for ages."

"This is all my sister's fault," Lissa muttered. "The only good part about this whole mess is that I met you."

Their controlled flight through the air suddenly faltered. Lissa let out an alarmed squeak.

Jake laughed. "Sorry about that. I should have told you not to tell me things like that while I was flying." He nuzzled her neck, his warm breath echoing the strange tingling that was still going on and making her feel alive. She couldn't wait to kiss Jake. Well...once they were safely on the ground that is.

"Can I ask you a question?" she asked finally.

"Sure." His breath wafted across her neck again. "Ask away."

"Why did we have to take off our shoes?"

[CharmedGirl]

"Because those stilettos you were wearing would have made a nice dent in my feet otherwise."

That made Lissa laugh. She couldn't help it. She only wore the heels because they showed off how good her legs were, how long and sleek they were. She'd also worn them because they added an extra four inches to her height which was always a good thing when dealing with men of Jake's size. What was he like six foot two?

"I don't think that's the reason at all." Lissa replied, her soft voice whispering against his neck. "I think perhaps you have a foot fetish and wanted to feel my naked feet up against yours."

"Hmmm, you may be on to something there but there are other parts of yours I'd rather feel naked up against me than your feet."

Lissa didn't know what to say to that, so she didn't say anything at all. Besides, he'd surprised her. Which was something. It wasn't everyday someone could surprise her when she could pluck the most privy of secrets from someone's mind.

[Shelley Munro]

"You're lucky we have a vamp on our trail," he whispered.

"What? We're not going to stop and get to the good stuff like they do in the movies and romance novels?"

Jake snorted. "You crack me up, sweetheart. This is the real world where finding safety comes before romance."

The grin on Lissa's mouth faded. "Am I your sweetheart?"

"Yeah," Jake said. "And once all this is settled we'll do all the normal stuff. Dates and kisses and cuddles."

A spurt of amusement rippled through Lissa. "Just kisses and cuddles?"

"Let's see what develops." Jake angled his body toward a big warehouse, and they made a perfect landing...on sharp gravel.

"Ouch," Jake muttered, wondering why the hell Catherine had made him take off his shoes too. He scooped up Lissa, loving the feel of her in his arms. Yeah, they might get to the good stuff sooner rather than later. He rapped his knuckles in a code on the sturdy metal door, repeating it a few seconds later. Sequences of three knocks.

The door cracked open, and Lissa saw one brown eye.

"Jake," someone said. The door opened wider. "Hey, mate. Where are your shoes?"

"Long story," Jake said, carrying Lissa through the door. It slammed shut behind them, and he set Lissa down.

"About time you joined us," a mocking feminine voice called across the huge warehouse. A familiar voice.

Slowly Lissa turned around to face her twin sister, Deliliah. Fear and betrayal pummeled her in the chest. "Jake," she whispered, appalled. "What have you done?"

[Catherine Bybee]

If there was one person in the world Lissa never wanted to see again, it was Deliliah. Yet here Lissa was, standing face to face with her sworn enemy.

Jake's hand was still cradled around her waist and Lissa twisted out of his reach and turned to glare at the both of them. "You son-of-a-bitch." She pointed her finger at her sister. "And you..." Every ugly thing she'd ever wanted to say stuck in her throat like the aftertaste of fish.

Lissa lunged forward and swipped her shoes from Jake's hand.

"Let me explain," Jake said.

Lissa slid on one shoe, then the other.

He moved closer and Lissa stepped down hard on Jake's naked foot. (that's why Catherine removed his shoes) He hopped back with a curse.

"I'm outta here."

[CharmedGirl]

http://www.coffeetimeromance.com/images/CoffeeWriteWinner.gif



Lissa had no trouble getting passed the three or so people that lounged around the huge warehouse where she'd been taken.

However, Jake was different. How could he have tricked her so easily? Hadn't she known by now that she couldn't trust anyone but herself. For some reason, she thought him different. But now she guessed not. He'd done what everyone else in her life had done and betrayed her to the one person she hated more than anyone else in the world.

"How could you?" Lissa whispered, her body shaking with fear because she felt trapped. She looked at Jake when he whirled her around to face him, staring at him with utter fury slashed across her face. "I thought you were different, but no you are just like every other man choosing some two faced," Lissa searched for the right word, but couldn't come up with anything that wasn't a cuss word. And she knew better than to say those. "...witch over me."

"I think you meant to say another word that rhymes with witch that starts with a B, sis." Delilah said, knowing how much Lissa hated her. She'd heard it all before.

"Not another word, Delilah or I'll shut you up forever." Jake warned, still looking at Lissa whose beautiful face showed so much emotion he knew she hated him a lot right now. And who could blame her. He'd handed her over to her sister knowing how much they hated each other because of a vamp who wanted Lissa under his control. "I know you're hurt and confused right now, but give me a chance to explain."

Lissa didn't know what to do. She wanted to believe in Jake, but how could she? She pulled her arm from Jake's grasp and turned on her heel. She couldn't listen to him right now. In fact, she couldn't be near him right now otherwise she'd do something she'd regret like kick him where it hurts and he'd never be able to be a father.

"You might want to rethink your actions before you do anything so drastic, Lissa, because he is the one that will father your children." Another familiar voice spoke, and then everything went black.

[Shelley Munro]

Oh dear....hmmm.....Shell is going away to think some more :)

[Shelley Munro]

Good grief! What was that horrid smell? Lissa groaned and her nose twitched. She turned her head in an attempt to avoid the stench that was making her eyes water.

"Go away," she mumbled. Her eyes flickered and a face swam in front of her eyes.

"Stop being such a wimp," a familiar voice said.

"Go away, Delilah."

Lissa opened her eyes properly and focused on the man she'd thought had died five years earlier. Her grandfather.

"What? I thought--" She broke off and rubbed her eyes. When she looked again, a tremor shook her limbs. She wasn't seeing things. And, she noted, Delilah wasn't surprised in the slightest. "You knew," she said in an accusing voice.

"Don't blame Deliliah," her grandfather said. "Or Jake for bringing you here. It's a miracle you've escaped the vamps for so long. You need our help. It's time for you to join us in our fight against the vamps."

"You all lied to me," Lissa said. "Kept secrets from me."

Footsteps sounded on the concrete floor. Tap. Tap. Tap. They approached toward her and she looked up. A pair of long legs clad in jeans. She skipped the groin region because, after all, her grandfather was present, and she was already rattled. Her gaze traveled up farther, across a broad chest until finally she reached Jake's familiar face. "I've never lied to you," he said. "It's true that I think you'll be safer working with your sister and grandfather. Strength in numbers. I think you should think about their request to join them. But the fact is I love you. I want that kiss you promised me."

[CharmedGirl]

"I don't think so." Lissa said to Jake. She couldn't believe he thought she'd still want to kiss him after what he'd done. "What I think is that I'm going to walk out of here and no one is going to try and stop me or follow me."

Jake threw her a you-have-got-to-be-kidding look. There was no way he was letting her out of his sight. Not with the vamps wanting her the way they did. Besides, if she didn't care about her own safety, then it was about time someone did. Someone that didn't want to manipulate her into anything.

"And if someone does follow or try to stop you, what are you going to do?"

"What I do best, of course. Fry every single one of their brain cells." Lissa threatened, knowing she could do exactly what she said because she'd done it before. No one owned her, and she wasn't going to remain someone's prisoner. She was so her own woman.

Silence filled the room, and everyone including Jake took a step back from Lissa. Suddenly they were all worried that she was a human version of a stun gun. Which in some ways she was, except she could cause permanent damage to someone's brain where as the effects of a stun gun only lasted a little while.

Lissa raised herself up into a sitting position, and then made to stand.

[Shelley Munro]

"No, damn it," Jake said. "I'm not letting you get away with this. If you're honest with yourself, you know you can't do this on your own. The vamps have practically declared war, and we need to stick together if we're going to send their asses packing." Jake reached for her, his touch sending a zing of pleasure through her despite the spike in her temper. The hand moved, petting her, his touch calming her ruffled mood. "Please, Lissa. At least give us a chance to explain our thoughts and plans."

It seemed as if everyone took a collective breath, awaiting her decision, while Jake kept on with his petting, soothing the agitation right out of her.

"Lissa," he prompted her.

"You'll include me in your decision making? You won't spring things on me?"

"I'll be the first to admit I didn't handle this situation well," her grandfather said. "with Deliliah being undercover, and me having to go away... We failed you, " her grandfather said. "We have a lot to make up for."

"The vamps aren't going to leave me alone, are they?"

Jake didn't let up on his touching, and she found herself moving closer. Oh, he was good. "I'm afraid not."

She didn't have any other choice. Frankly, she'd kind of become used to having Jake around, hearing his seductive thoughts. His touch. Oh, yeah. She did like the way he touched her.

"I'm glad about that," he whispered in her ear. "Because I love to touch you."

Lissa took a deep breath. "All right," she said finally. "I'll give this situation a go."

"And the kiss?" Jake whispered.

Lissa grinned up at him and winked. "We could try that too."

THE END.