The Vampire's Masquerade

by Kiersten Fay

  Her pulse leapt. More?

  “…but a commitment is something I can never offer you.”

  Her heart sank, and she wasn’t sure why. It wasn’t as if a relationship with a vampire could ever work out in the long term. Could it?

  At the same time, she felt just a little sorry for him, because it meant he might never experience a deep, long lasting connection that came with loving, truly loving, another person.

  As long as she’d known them, she recalled her parents being so desperately in love with one another. If soulmates really existed, then they surely had been. Their love had been wonderful to behold, glorious and pure, and had shaped her very concept of the idea of love in general. She naturally longed for the same ironclad connection. The same indestructible link. Since they’d passed away, she felt bereft without it.

  She wasn’t going to find it here. Not that she was surprised by the fact. Far from it. He was an unnaturally strong, long-living creature who had forever to waste. And she was essentially his lunch. She didn’t figure love mixed well in such an uneven food-chain relationship. Little bunnies didn’t fall for big bad wolves—not smart bunnies, anyway. Of course, nor did they hop willingly into the wolves’ den—

  “Is that going to be okay?” he said, pulling her from her thoughts. “Considering your breakup, well, I’d feel like a shit if I didn’t make my intentions clear.”

  She took another sip of wine. “So, you’re not looking for a relationship, I appreciate your candor, but then what do you mean by hoping for more than one night? What does that look like to you?”

  “I’d call you if I’m feeling...lonely.”

  She ran her finger along the rim of her glass. “Do vampires such as yourself get lonely?”

  His eyes narrowed slightly on her movement, as though he couldn’t figure out if she was teasing him. “I was lonely this past week, thinking of you.”

  Her heart tripped. “And what if I get lonely?”

  “I’d give you my private number.” No hesitation. “We’d meet here, or at your place, if you’re comfortable with that, or at the club. Spend the evening together.”

  She dipped a finger in her wine and then sucked the liquid off her finger. He audibly swallowed, the reaction giving her a thrill. “And what if I say no?”

  “I’d take you home, no more said.”

  She strolled around the room, pretending to take in the artwork. He was offering her great sex for as long as it amused him. It sounded so crass, so...intriguing.

  “So we’d be like FWBs?” When he arched a brow, she clarified, “Friends with benefits.”

  His smile was downright wolfish. So why didn’t she feel like the little bunny?

  “You could call it that,” he said. “Or you could say I’m offering myself as your temporary rebound.”

  Could she let him use her like that? She’d be using him too. They’d be using each other. Could that be so terribly wrong? Actually, there was something liberating in the idea. They’d have their fun, and when it ended, there’d be none of the customary scars.

  The alternative? Go home alone, sulk over yet another failed relationship, beat herself up over her terrible taste in men. Instead, Lex would make for one hell of a distraction.

  Moreover, she wouldn’t have to try so hard to be what he wanted. She wouldn’t have to worry if he’d be the man she needed him to be, because this was a temporary arrangement with a defined end. Heck, they wouldn’t even have to talk if they didn’t want to.

  She sent him a coy smile. “So when do we start?”

  He grinned devilishly. She shivered at the wicked promise in his eyes. Her body reacted with a powerful surge of lust, heat radiating through her core. Her nipples budded under the fabric of her dress.

  As if attuned to her body, his gaze dipped to her breasts. He stalked forward and brushed his knuckle over one tender mound. “I too am eager to get to the benefits part.”

  She sucked in a breath at the shocking pleasure. “That so?”

  “Mm,” he replied, watching as his own actions caused a flush to spread along her skin and listening as each exhalation kicked her lungs into gear. “You were a wild thing that night,” he muttered. “Do you always make love with such abandon?”

  She’d like to have blamed the alcohol for her behavior, but she hadn’t been more than buzzed, and something told her it was this vampire who brought it out in her. “Try me and see.”

  She wasn’t sure if she’d moved, or if he had, but in a heartbeat, their lips crashed together in a hungry kiss filled with carnal urgency. Fingers coiling through her nape, he clamped her in place while he expertly invaded her mouth. His kiss was hard, demanding, and filled with sublime heat.

  He clutched the hem of her dress and dragged it just above her waist. Then his hands dove to mold around her exposed cheeks, squeezing with a pressure that tore a moan from her.

  “Wait, I don’t want to spill my drink on your carpet.” Amazingly, she’d retained her grip on her wine, just barely.

  He took the glass and carelessly set it on a nearby sideboard. The liquid sloshed. Then there was no space between them. Skirt bunched at her waist, tongues dancing together, her hands fluttered over his massive body, noting how fluidly his muscles moved under her touch. While she appraised his sculpted figure, he kneaded her backside. With a firm grip, he yanked her to him, making a low growling sound. The move forced her to her tiptoes. As if to take her even more off balance, he snatched one leg and hooked it around his waist, then ground his crotch against her core. His actions were surprising, and so damn hot. She could tell how aroused he was. Sweltering heat bloomed inside her, unfurling. His body danced against hers. He could make her come like this. She was already so close.

  Her hips rolled, begging for more, her body close to combusting. His strong fingers squeezed her ass even harder, and he let out a low growl in response.

  Going a bit mad, she fisted the hair at his nape and demanded, “Don’t you dare stop until I scream.”

  “Wouldn’t dream of it.” His voice was that of a beasts—deep and rough and hungry. It would have been a bit terrifying if she wasn’t soaring on a current of blistering pleasure. His hips ground faster, his big body looming over her. His thick fingers dug into her rear almost to the point of pain, but it felt oddly rapturous, like the harder he squeezed the better it felt and the higher she soared.

  He buried his face in her neck and lightly nipped her tender flesh.

  She screamed as a scorching-hot orgasm ripped through her. “Yes!”

  “Fuck,” he groaned as if he were about to follow with his own release, but then suddenly they were on the move. Her back found the wall. Lex set in with a fever, kissing a hot line down her jaw, over the side of her neck, to her shoulder and back again. The sensation had unrecognizable sounds erupting from her.

  Why was he still dressed? She needed her flesh against his.

  As she did the night of the masquerade, she gripped each side of his shirt and ripped his glorious chest free.

  “I can see I’m going to have to invest in some new shirts with you around,” he said, but didn’t sound put out at all. He sounded turned on.

  She fisted a hunk of his hair and placed her lips next to his ear. In a sex-kitten voice, told him, “I need you to fuck me, Lex. Right now.”

  Groaning, he twirled their bodies away from the wall. For a moment the world was a blur. Then she was falling. Soft cushions broke her fall. The couch. He knelt over her, grappling with his belt and zipper. She shoved down her panties before helping him remove his ruined shirt. His hands returned to rid himself of his pants, and her dress found the floor next.

  Then at last, blessed skin on skin! He felt amazing, strong, out of control. Perfect.

  Not yet entering her, he slid his erection over her heated sex, driving her wild with desperation. He felt so good, but she wanted so much more. Cupping his neck, she dragged his mouth toward her breast. Obeying her directive, he took one straining nipple betw
een his lips and sucked. She cried out, arching her back.

  “Fuck,” he exclaimed again. “You’re going to make me come before I even enter you. Are you ready for me?” As if to check, his hand dipped between her legs, his thumb circling her swollen clitoris. She let out another ragged moan, her hips undulating with his movements. “You’re so wet, beautiful girl. But I think I want to see you come again before I take you.”

  She was almost there. Already she cried out with each clipped exhalation. “Lex...oh, God. Don’t stop.”

  “That’s it, baby, let go. When I fuck you, I want to hear you roar.”

  His naughty words drove her over the edge. Her body tightened as pleasure speared her, her lungs working out a scream.

  “There it is,” he said, his talented thumb continuing its ruthless assault. And just when she was about to descend from the height of her pleasure, he entered her. A deep, roughened groan rippled from his chest. Perfection. Another scream tore out of her. She’d gone from empty to feeling so filled up, it was almost too much. And yet, not nearly enough.

  “Are you alright?” he asked. “Did I hurt you?” Even as he spoke, he pumped his hips, as if he couldn’t help himself. His size was a lot to take, but she’d been more than ready.

  “No,” she panted. “You feel so good.” Her hips rolled for more.

  With that, he surged forward, setting into a steady rhythm. She threw her head back, her nails digging into flesh, scoring her pleasure in red, raw lines along his shoulder blades. He grunted out a heavy exhalation as if he loved it. His pace increased, and she could only hang on as her body tripped toward another release.

  As his hips pistoned, he buried his face in the crook of her neck, snarling against her flesh. The sound was a shot of pure aphrodisiac. She screamed as another, more intense orgasm raked her.

  “Yes! Yes! Yes!” She cried his name again, pleasure erupting, washing over her every nerve. Wonderful, agonizing ecstasy taking over, ravaging her lungs and scrambling her brain. It was too much; it wasn’t enough.

  His orgasm followed directly after. His grip on her tightened, one more pump, then another. His muscles stilled, then shuddered. His warm breath fanned out along her skin as he relaxed atop her and caught his breath. She loved the weight, her body wrapped around his.

  She ran the tips of her fingers along his back, over the scratches she’d carelessly made in the heat of their lovemaking. Vampires healed unnaturally fast. The marks would soon be gone.

  Finally, he rolled off her and lumbered to his feet. Still drunk on her back-to-back orgasms, she sat up on the couch and swayed slightly. As he headed away, she took in the glorious view of his ass with what had to be a goofy smile. There wasn’t any part of him that wasn’t magnificent.

  A few seconds after he disappeared, she heard the sound of a shower running, and again, that feeling of uncertainty returned. What was she supposed to do now? Stay here till he returned? Would it be weird to join him? Would it be weird not to?

  The door was ajar. If he didn’t want her in there, he would have closed it, right?

  Decided, she padded through the door after him. Already steam was filling the small space…yet the shower stall was empty. Lex was gone.

  He reappeared through a second door that connected another room, carrying a set of towels. He placed them on the sink counter and then tested the temperature of the water before stepping under the spray. All that tanned skin and corded muscle turned glossy under steaming rivulets. It didn’t matter that she’d just orgasmed like seventy-billion times, lust returned to her in full force.

  He met her gaze and, with a half-grin, held his hand out to her. She took it, and he lightly tugged her under the warm stream, kissing her under the water, his roaming hands mapping out his intent. By the time they got around to actually washing themselves, he’d gotten her off two more times.

  She was almost delirious from the overload of pleasure and understandably exhausted when Lex shut off the shower. Yet, amazingly she grew aroused once more watching him towel off, terry cloth brushing all that hard damp skin.

  As suspected, he could tell.

  “You’re trying to kill me,” he teased.

  She flushed. Damn vampire senses.

  He closed the space between them, head dipping to claim her lips. This kiss was soft and slow, tender, but it revved her libido all the same.

  He pulled back. “If we don’t stop, you’ll be sore.”

  She thought about what happened next. He’d take her home, or maybe call her a cab. She wasn’t ready for this to end.

  “If we stop now, I’ll die.”

  His lips twitched. “Well, we can’t have that.” When he took her lips this time, there was nothing slow about it.

  9

  A vengeful slice of light assaulted her eyelids, the morning sun breaching the cracks in the blinds. She turned her head seeking refuge behind her pillow. Just another few minutes of rest—

  Reality whipped her awake. Her eyes snapped open.

  She was still in Lex’s bed.

  She’d stayed the whole night!

  That wasn’t supposed to happen with a one-night stand. Though they were a bit more than that, weren’t they? FWBs. Friends could spend the night together, couldn’t they?

  Soft sheets tangled all around her body—sore, just as Lex had predicted. Yet she felt great. She’d just experienced the best sex of her life...was there more to come? She smiled and stretched, wondering if vampires got morning wood like human males did.

  She frowned when she found the other half of the bed empty.

  Her bleary gaze took in the clock on the nightstand. It was nearly eight in the morning. Oh, shit. She didn’t have a change of clothes with her, and she couldn’t walk into the office wearing her dress from the night before. She was going to be so late!

  She shot upright. What if Lex had already left for his job? That’d mean she was without a ride...

  And her phone was still dead.

  Only now did she realize the dangerous predicament she’d put herself in. Alone in a vampire’s home with no car and no phone and no one knowing where she was. “I’m such an idiot.” She never took risks like that.

  So why had she with Lex?

  She recalled how safe she’d felt with him. How kind and chivalrous he’d been. He’d offered to take her home even though he’d clearly wanted her to stay. It had been impossible not to trust him after all that. But would she feel the same today?

  Slipping out of bed, she entered the bathroom and found a tube of toothpaste. After finger-brushing her teeth she battled the rat’s nest that was her hair till it was somewhat tamed. Then she returned to the bedroom and donned her dress, which had been left neatly folded on top of his dresser.

  Once again, her underwear was mysteriously missing.

  The man has a problem.

  As she exited the room, the scent of food met her. She found Lex in the kitchen, frying something. For me?

  “Morning,” he said without looking. “I hope you like eggs.”

  She sidled up to the breakfast bar, taking a seat on a stool. She couldn’t help but mirror his words from last night. “I can see I’m going to have to invest in new underwear with you around.”

  “I don’t know what you mean.” His lips curled at the corners. “How are you feeling this morning?”

  “Good. How about you?”

  “I think you very nearly broke me.” He sent her a heart-stopping grin.

  She pretended to examine her nails. “You’ve got to be fit to keep up with me.”

  “I’ll have to work on my endurance.” That familiar hunger lit his expression.

  “Now hold up. Don’t start looking at me like that or we’ll never leave this house.”

  “Hmm, that doesn’t sound like a bad idea.” He chuckled, returning his attention to the eggs just as the sharp scent of something burning invaded her nostrils. “Dammit.”

  Carrying the hot pan to the trash, he dumped the batch in the
bin, where several eggshells resided, and then returned it to the stove. After adding a little more oil, he retrieved two eggs from the almost-empty carton next to him and cracked them into the pan. They sizzled on contact. As the shells joined their fallen comrades, he muttered, “I figured eggs would have been easy.”

  “Uh, have you gone through all of those?”

  With the spatula, he poked at the yolks. “Don’t worry, I have a backup plan.”

  Other groceries were spread out over the counter: milk, orange juice, bread, butter. Next to that, a still full grocery bag. “Did you...did you go to the store?”

  “I realized we didn’t have anything for human consumption here. It never occurred to any of us. There’s a small market nearby. It was a quick trip.”

  “We?”

  “I share this house with a couple coworkers.”

  “Oh? And where are they this morning?”

  “Double shifts, I think.”

  “You didn’t have to do all this. I normally just have a bagel and coffee or something simple like that. ”

  “It’s my pleasure. This is the first time I’ve had a reason to use this stove. As you might have guessed, I don’t ordinarily have mortals over for breakfast.”

  She tried not to let that delight her. He could mean that he usually sent them home before the sun came up.

  While the eggs cooked, he set a plate of blackened bacon in front of her. “I, uh, hope you like them extra crispy.” Next he poured her some orange juice. Dutifully she took a sip, which made him smile.

  It was as if he looked up well-balanced breakfast in an encyclopedia.

  There was something extraordinarily heartwarming about that.

  “Thanks.” She bit into a piece of bacon. Ca-runch. “Mmm,” she lied, grinding the leathery meat between her molars.

  He cringed at her expression and turned back the stove. After a few minutes, he scooped something that resembled eggs, which were oddly browned, onto a plate and handed it to her. Picking up her fork, she tentatively took a bite, chewed, and then...ugh...swallowed. “Yum.”

  Easily seeing through her, he threw his hands in the air. “Well, I tried. Just because I still consume human food doesn’t mean I can cook it.”