Any references to movies or actors do not belong to me but to the production companies, I claim no right to them, they are simply there as a reference. All characters in this story are of my own creation. The city and place names are real. This is the start a vampire fiction, my first attempt. Please read and review as any constructive critisism would be really helpful. Thankyou for reading.

Stranger's Kiss

Chapter One

Wintertime in the south of England was nothing very glamorous at the best of times, lack of snow being a major contributor to this fact and an abundance of rain put the icing on the proverbial cake. Tonight however, the sky was crystal clear and dusted with stars, millions of tiny pinpoint lights scattered in the heavens. The air was keen with the promise of a sharp frost in the morning and already the railings along the pavement glittered with a faint trace of ice.

Catelyn drew her coat tighter around her slender frame as she walked swiftly down the deserted street. She had finished her shift at the cinema only five short minutes ago but the cold December winds drove her pace faster than normal, icy teeth biting into the warm flesh of her hands.

It was still a few weeks before Christmas but already the spirit of the season had flooded the streets with tinsel and lights, so proudly displayed by their owners in the windows and on the walls of the houses she passed. Her own house was no different as she had spent much of the previous week putting up her own decorations with the help of her friend Laura, a pretty and vivacious red haired girl who worked with her at the cinema. They had both started work at the cinema on the same day a year ago and had remained firm friends ever since. She also shared Catelyn's love of over the top Christmas decorations and so now her living room resembled the inside of Santa's grotto. Catelyn smiled at the thought and absentmindedly checked her watch. It was just after eight pm. Her favourite hospital drama program was on tonight and she hated missing it. Catelyn was a great lover of over the top story lines and romantic endings, something which Laura had often teased her about saying she wished her life was a movie and that she knew Catelyn was simply waiting for Richard Gere to do his Pretty Woman act and carry her away in a limousine.

Knowing she had precious little time left until her TV program started, she approached a small alley that ran along the back of the park. Catelyn hesitated under the streetlamp there; her common sense screamed at her to take the long way home, well lit and on the main road. 'It's just once, I'll be fine,' she reasoned to herself while her feet unwittingly began to move over the soft earth and dead leaves that formed the darkened pathway.

Horror stories ran through her mind, tales of the park after the sun had set. People said that prowlers lurked in the many darkened bushes, drug users hung around the public toilets, leaving dirty needles and pieces of foil strewn over the filthy floor and the number of rapes and attacks that had been reported in the park over all the years it had stood there should have been enough to send her running for the main road.

But whether by dark force or unknown design, she could not resist the pull that had hold of her. Slowly and without pause, her feet drew her down the alley and into the depth of the shadows. As soon as the lamplight faded away, the darkness engulfed her. The silence pressed against her so that only the sound of her heartbeat could be heard, a dull thudding in her ears as her blood beat softly through her veins. Mysterious rustling in the trees made her head turn sharply, her eyes making dark shapes from the shadows there. She felt the beginnings of cold fear begin to course through her veins as her imagination went into overdrive.

Her heart began to race, her breathing quickening until she felt dizzy with panic. She did not want to be here. She should not be here. Yet she could not move her feet from the path she was on, however much she wanted to run back to the road, back to light and the sounds of traffic. Here was only silence, save for her own life force beating in her ears and the cold, damp smell of leaves rotting beneath the bushes.

A movement to one side, deep in the shadows caused her to pause momentarily before instinct kicked in and her legs picked up the pace. Fear now blinded all other thought; she must leave the park as quickly as possible! She was in danger!

As she ran, she heard heavier footsteps following her along the path behind her. Her chest seemed to ache with the scream she knew was building there but it would never have the chance to surface. The next moment, a crushing weight slammed into her from behind. All the breath evaporated from her lungs as she fell into the rough surface of the pathway, grit and stones grazing her hands as the dust flew into her eyes, stinging and blinding her at the same time. Rough hands grasped at her and turned her over, forcing her to face her attacker. He was largely built, his face pitted with scars and stubble grew thick across his lower jaw. She screamed, her breath finally forcing through as her survival instinct roared inside her and she shoved roughly at the hulk's massive chest.

"Get off me!" she screamed, her legs scrabbling furiously to find some purchase on the loose stones of the pathway as his legs pinned her thighs and his eager hands pulled at her coat and blouse, buttons popping as he ripped her clothes.

The stench of his lager breath slammed into her, making her gag and retch.

"Stay still sweetheart and this will all be over," he grunted, fumbling with the fly on his trousers.

A sudden icy fear filled Catelyn down to her toes; she had to do something now or this was going to actually happen to her!

"I SAID GET OFF ME!" the guttural roar of anger tore itself from her throat as rage surged through her limbs. She managed to shift one of her legs out from underneath his and sent it crashing into his crotch with as much energy as she could muster. It wasn't as hard a blow as she would have liked but the strangled grunt that came from him told her it had hit home soundly and he released his grip on her.

She pushed hard at his chest, shoving him aside onto the path as she scrambled to her feet and tore off into the darkness of the park, not caring where she was going as long as she could put the distance between them.

After a few seconds, Catelyn heard his angry cry and his feet pounding towards her. Cold dead fear took a second hold of her heart. She was going to be raped and killed, just another statistic for the police to file away. Why had she been so stupid as to think it was safe to enter the park after dark? Why had she ignored her common sense? She had never ever done anything like this before so why the hell had she done it this time?

At this point, her thoughts so clouded and scattered with fear, she did not notice where her path had taken her and she slammed into something solid. Hands caught softly at her elbows to stop her falling as her own hands automatically grasped strong arms; she gasped as she realised she'd run into another man! Her first instinct was to push him away from her, thinking it was another stalker but his grip on her arms was gentle and she raised her eyes to his face. An odd mixture of fear and curiosity swelled within her. His eyes were liquid darkness, reflecting the soft light from the moon rising above the trees behind her, arresting her heart even as the beats sounded in her ears. Her mouth dropped open as his six and a half foot body towered over her tiny five foot two inch frame.

Crashes in the bushes behind her brought her overwhelmed senses back to the present and her current predicament.

"Don't worry, you're safe," he whispered, his deep and surprisingly pleasant tone warmed the fear that was chilling her to her marrow. A huge wave of relief washed over her as her vision blurred with grateful tears. She moved behind him as her attacker came thundering towards them.

The tall dark stranger drew her into his arms and pushed her back into the shadows of a large oak tree. Her attacker drew level with them, his pitted face breaking into a twisted smile as he caught sight of Catelyn hiding behind the stranger's long dark leather coat.

"You don't want no trouble mister. Just you let me have the girl back and there won't be any reason for me to knock you senseless," he wheezed, slightly out of breath after chasing her. What happened next came as a blur to Catelyn. She knew the stranger moved away from her, leaving her in the shadows of the big tree and saw him launch himself at her attacker, gripping him by the throat, a deep, angry growl coming from low in his own. Yet all the while, she could still feel his presence around her. Protecting her? She did not know the answer. She watched as the stranger threw the larger man to the ground with surprising strength. Her attacker cried out in pain, back away hurried as he stared up in seeming horror at the stranger. He got to his feet as fast as he could, running as if the Devil himself were behind him, back to the darkness of the park. The stranger came to her once more, no more than a breath away from her own body.

Silence drew around them again and Catelyn grew aware of her heartbeat once more as it pounded softly in her ears, her breath gradually slowing as her fear drained away from her limbs. Trembling, she rested her forehead against his chest, feeling the warmth of his body flowing over her, his arms enveloping her. A tear slid down her cheek, then another, then more, silently unstoppable as the realisation of what had almost happened dawned on her fully. Over her head, the dark stranger soothed her fears with calming words as he gently stroked her hair.

"You have no more to fear. The danger has passed."

The deep timbre of his voice seemed to slide over her skin like warm melted chocolate. The tight knot of anxiety in her stomach was eased, replaced by a sudden, strange rush of desire. She raised her tearstained face and looked up at her rescuer properly for the first time.

Her senses did a quick checklist and came back with the unanimous vote that this man was definitely desirable. His eyes, no longer pure pools of darkness, had become a deep liquid dark chocolate colour. His dark hair was shoulder length, tousled and framed his face like a work of art. His chest seemed like an iron plate, strong and broad as his shoulders. Her gaze moved to his firm lips, his lower lip sensually full and hinting at the hidden pleasures it could bestow to a woman. The thought very briefly occurred to her that she would like to be that woman.

The dark stranger began to chuckle softly.

"Such thoughts for so sweet and innocent a mind as yours," he softly cupped her cheek and brushed his thumb over her lips. Catelyn stood transfixed, her shimmering blue eyes mesmerised by his quiet confidence. Her breath seemed in suspense as his eyes fixed on her parted lips, each iris becoming a seething pool of dark fire.

He bent his head and swiftly captured her mouth with his own. Catelyn stopped breathing, caught unawares and surprised by his action but any rational thought was quickly dissipated as his lips burned a searing dance over her mouth. Her heart raced against his chest as the hard contours of his body pressed her against the tree trunk, his hands snaking around her waist and turning her insides molten. She parted her lips for him, surprising even herself and slid her hands up and around his neck, pulling him even closer to her.

Logical thought and rational behaviour had disappeared in the heat of his touch, their lips teasing each other, tasting, searching until at last he broke away from the kiss, as breathless as she, a faint smile tipping the corners of his fine mouth.

"So much passion in one so sweet…and you do taste so very sweet Little One." He bent his head and pressed his sensual lips against the side of her throat where her pulse beat strong just beneath her warm skin.

Catelyn still remained silent, shocked at the events of the evening and shocked even more at her own acceptance of this stranger's touch. Never before had she kissed a man so passionately and wantonly. But then again, she had never met a man who was so darkly desirable.

Still he looked at her, his gaze never wavering from her own, his arms still around her waist while her hands rested softly on his strong shoulders.

"Th…thankyou…si….sir, for your help tonight," she eventually found her voice, her hands now trembling once more although now made all the worse from the desires his kiss had enflamed in her. Looking down, she noticed that her coat was ruined and her blouse remained torn open from where that monster had tried to violate her. Hastily, she pulled the sides together in an attempt to cover her modesty, fully understanding that she had hardly behaved like a modest lady only a few short moments ago.

An understanding light showed in his dark eyes and his smile returned, genuine and reassuring. "Let me walk you home, to make certain you are safe."

Catelyn nodded, thankful for the escort. The stranger withdrew his arms from her waist. But even as she silently and briefly mourned the loss of his touch, he slipped his hand into hers and gently pulled her away from the tree and back towards the pathway that lead to the park entrance. The evening still had not lost its hold on her. She should be crying and hysterical at the rape that almost was. Instead she felt oddly numb, save for the hot sensation that pooled low in her belly when she remembered the stranger's kiss.

"What if we run into that man again?" she whispered, only thinking now how quickly the man had run from the park, as if he were frightened.

The stranger smirked in the semi darkness as they came to the gate entrance, guarded by two bright lamp posts. Catelyn breathed a sigh of relief at the sight of light once more.

"He won't be troubling anyone anymore. Put him out of your mind Catelyn."

The soft reassuring tone soothed her strained nerves and once again, she felt a surge of gratefulness that he….

….he knew her name? How was that possible?

"How do you know who I am?" she asked, as they crossed the street and approached a house opposite the park. The stranger didn't answer until they stood beneath the porch light by the front door. For the first time, Catelyn noticed his appearance more clearly. His magnificent eyes were indeed the colour of dark chocolate, framed by thick, dark lashes. He was darkly beautiful but almost ethereal.

"Your badge says My Name is Catelyn," he finally answered her, pointing to her works name tag still attached to the front of her crumpled blouse. Catelyn looked down and felt foolish; her cheeks flushed red with embarrassment.

"You thought perhaps I could read minds?" he chuckled softly, finally releasing her hand and stepping back from her. Her inner voice screamed a silent protest at the loss of his warmth. "I must bid you goodnight. Sleep safe and well."

He turned and was halfway down the path before she called out to him.

"Wait, please!"

He stopped and took a few steps back towards her, his dominating gaze reaching deep inside her as if searching for something.

She swallowed and his eyes were inexplicably drawn to her throat once more, resting on her pulse point. He absentmindedly licked his lips.

"You know my name; can I at least know yours before we part ways? I would like to be able to thankyou by name for saving me from that monster."

He smiled at her once more.

"My name is Taine, and no thanks are needed Catelyn. Just remember…" he paused and moved closer once more, "…there are worse monsters than that in the city. Goodnight."

He sped down the path as she fumbled to get her keys from her handbag. When she looked up again, he was gone.

She shrugged, dismissing any silly notions that were running through her fevered mind and opened her front door, inhaling deeply as the rich tasty scent of beef stew assailed her nostrils.

Once inside the dim hall, she dumped her keys and coat and made her way through the entire house, ensuring all the windows were fully closed and putting on as many lights as she dared. The events of the past hour churned inside her.

She had almost been raped and for what? Because she was stupid enough to take the route through the park, even though it was notorious for being dangerous after dark? Because she wanted to get home to watch TV? What program was worth risking her life? It just didn't make sense to her that she would willingly do something so obviously stupid. The question still puzzled her as she locked the last of the windows in her bedroom.

Once she was satisfied that she was safe in her own house, she made her way downstairs to the kitchen, the rich scent of meat and gravy getting stronger all the time. Despite her very real scare, her appetite had come on with a vengeance and the beef stew that had been simmering in the slow cooker since early that morning was a welcome sight indeed. She lifted the lid of the pot and breathed in deeply, her nerves calming. Stew always made her feel better; it was one of the great winter comfort foods and always reminded her of the stew her mother used to make for cold winter nights when she still lived with her parents. Pulling a dish from the cupboard, she gave herself a generous helping, along with a thick slice of crusty bread and sat at the dining table with her book and a large glass of red wine. Most thoughts were lost while she ate, except that Taine's face kept protruding into her mind. She paused at least twice, taking a deep pull of her wine as her memory brought up images of his deep brown eyes, his dark wild untamed locks, his lips that seemed to promise pleasure with every mouthful like the sins of a dark chocolate gateau; the sensual chocolate of his eyes, the cool creaminess of his skin and just a hint of wickedness in every taut muscle that she had felt beneath her fingertips as she had slid her arms around his neck.

It was only after she had polished off her meal, dabbed up the last of the gravy with bread and settled back to sip at her wine, a realisation hit her like a bolt out of the blue. The thought was disturbing and intriguing and pervaded her mind like an unwelcome guest.

"How the devil did he know where I live?"