A Guide to Vampire Hunting: ...and other failures (Alchemy Inc. Book 1)

by Janus Alexander

  Suddenly a feral smile crossed his lips and allowed a tiny bit of his inhuman speed to seep into his movements. He became a tornado of slashing razor fine blades. Kristoff watched as Amelia lost some of her confidence and struggled like a mouse trapped in a meat grinder. But the dance, there was a dance to it, sank in and soon she was caught back up to him, protecting from all sides, pushing him back. Kristoff tried to decided if he should back off a bit and let her breathe, but when he made a quick feint to her side she threw her right arm in front of the oncoming blade that went for her cheek with the same speed. Just as quickly she then threw her left gauntlet up so hard into the hilt of the blade he had going for her arm, that the knife flew from his hand.

  Kristoff paused and tipped his head in recognition, then waited for her next move. Amelia paused smirking back. He shook his head to himself wryly - mistake.

  Amelia found herself quickly on the floor, the other knife to her throat and Kristoff’s mouth seconds from hers. He felt the predator’s blood as wild as any maddened animal coursing through his veins, and his mouth pulled into a wicked grin.

  “Never stop to admire your work. The - narcissism as you put it - will get you killed. You have not won until someone is dead.”

  Amelia narrowed her eyes. “I almost had you. Admit it.”

  “Almost, but you didn’t. Instead I have you.”

  “Yeah yeah, “ Amelia shifted beneath him. “Let me up. Let’s go again. I’m going to win this time.”

  Kristoff just grinned and kept her right there on the floor with the blade to her neck. “No. I think the evening is over.”

  “That’s because you might lose if we go again, and you couldn’t possibly lose.” Amelia challenged with a smirk up at him.

  He shrugged tauntingly. Where his skin pressed to the slip of skin of her stomach bared from her fall, he could have sworn his blood burned hotter where their flesh touched. “I won, fair and square. Did I not?’

  “I thought I was doing better but obviously you can still best me.” Amelia huffed, deflating.

  Kristoff sat up for a moment trying to get ahold of himself, but the feel of her chest rising and falling beneath his weight froze him. He settled his legs around her hips straddling her, he could sense that his eyes were trying to spark to light. Kristoff closed them to hide their glitter and tried inhaling rhythmically to calm his beast. But every breath simply drove the fresh scent of her skin and healthy sweat through his sinuses. Keeping his eyes closed he fought not to fall on her and devour. “You are getting better, you’ll just never be me.”

  Amelia snorted and shoved him in his taught stomach. “You arrogant asshole!”

  Kristoff’s hold snapped at the challenge, keeping his eyes slit to hide the glow, he stared down at her and crossed his arms over his bare chest. “Since you’re such a sore loser, how about I give you a consolation prize.”

  “Fine, give me a re-match.”

  Her tone only stoked the fires of his need to dominate. “No, on second thought, I won. So I should get a reward.”

  “I don’t know what you’re thinking but stop thinking it.”

  Kristoff bent and hovered around her face, then turned his head and slid his lips along her jaw down to her neck straining not to lick the junction there where her sweat glazed the curve. With a groan he buried his face in her silky hair. “We’ll call this even then, I won, you worked hard. A reward for us both…Just a kiss…” He felt a purr rumbling in his ribcage as if the beast inside him approved.

  Amelia’s lungs labored in excitement beneath him, and she gave a small whimper instinctively arching into his touch. “Kristoff,” she murmured, seeming to be unable to take hold of herself either.

  He suspected, as he smiled into her dark locks, fighting as they had had turned her on too. He waited tensely for her to signal what she wanted, and prayed to the god of his father that it would lead to them writhing in ecstasy on the floor.

  *

  Amelia closed her eyes to block out the look of hunger Kristoff wore and how it made her burn an aching flame all over her body like a raw nerve. But she wasn’t sure she trusted his intentions, no matter what she’d considered, she wasn’t the kind of girl for one night stands and he blew hot and cold. Amelia couldn’t decide if overall, this was a prize - or a punishment - he could always tease her then suddenly back off leaving her hot and bothered like last time. Kristoff’s breath seared the prickling skin of her neck and she felt him blindly throw his knife into the back wall. Mindlessly she reached up to cradle his head to her skin, twisting his beautiful tousled locks around her fingers. Taking this acquiescence so far as his cue, Kristoff slid his long fingered hand under her own head cradling it where it lay on the floor from being pinned. He turned his head gripping her hair tight and pulled her lips to the side to meet his own. The slight sting of her hair pulling her scalp was an aphrodisiac of its own and Amelia opened her mouth hungrily to meet him.

  At that moment, Amelia realized she was lost, the feeling of consuming each other like this, after the adrenaline of the fight, was intoxicating. It was the stiff push and pull of two warriors struggling for dominance - both against and toward. Amelia felt one of Kristoff’s hands slide down her side to then burrow up, behind and under her shirt to caress along her spine. He pulled her closer and Amelia breathed the soft smell of sandalwood, amber and musk in - some expensive cologne he bought. In that moment she knew she’d follow him to hell if he asked her to.

  And knowing him, he might.

  Chapter 14

  Finding little resistance, Kristoff responded by sliding his palm around brushing a light caress over the stiff points of her small breasts. Amelia shivered. Without logical thought, she laced her arms around Kristoff’s neck and held on, chasing the taste of his mouth as ravenously as he had hers. Seemingly secure in the position she herself had taken in their embrace, he untangled his hand from her hair, and then moved first one of his knees, then the other from beside her hips to fall between her thighs, where he settled into the cradle of her hips.

  One of Amelia’s hands left their tangle in his silky locks and she traced her nails down his bare back continuing on to stroke his whole body. Kristoff, at her touch, rocked his hips hard into her seemingly to point out just how interested in her he was, then, grabbing her by one thigh, he tucked her leg behind his back, opening her body to him further.

  Amelia gasped, it felt like she was going to burst into little cinders when his hard length brushed her juncture. Kristoff rolled his hips again, and Amelia groaned into his mouth. “We don’t know each other that well….” Amelia pointed out. Kristoff smiled sensually and went to nibbling on her neck, and lapping the sting of his teeth away with his tongue. Amelia let out a strained sigh, and helplessly pushed her hips into his and slid her leg smoothly down along his still covered leg.

  Kristoff in return grasped the wandering leg and pulled her thigh back around his hips. In response, Amelia curled her other leg up, and wrapped it comfortably around his waist. His fingers slipped through the top of her sweats and glided down her bare skin.

  The feelings were too much and Amelia strained into him and whimpered, trying to get as close as possible. Amelia growled, as the hand beneath her sweat pants began to drive under her panties. “Let’s get this straight, I don’t do casual sex.” Amelia warned.

  Kristoff reached up with his unoccupied hand and started pulling the neckline of her tank top down to reach more of her chest. “I don’t either.” He started pulling her breasts free of her bra.

  “Arrh.” Amelia groaned and snarled, frustrated with him and his slow exploration. She clasped him around his hips digging her nails in and using her legs to savagely clutch his hips closer. “Did you actually listen to me?” She growled breathlessly.

  Kristoff glanced up at her from her own cleavage. “Well, I don’t think this is all that casual.” Then started pulling her pants and panties down with his thumb at the same time he went back to his struggles with her bra. “Rath
er, it’s not for me…” He countered glancing back up at her earnestly, almost nervously, breaking whatever dominant character he had going on.

  Amelia shimmied, to help him with her bottoms “No, no. I mean…Wait, What did you say?”

  Kristoff sighed, and finally stopped moving, briefly propping his elbows on either side of her head to look down at her. “I’m serious, I’m not interested in just this night - I want more.”

  “Isn’t this kind of…sudden?”

  Kristoff glanced down and went to bite at her breast while continuing to stare into her eyes. Then laving the spot he’d hurt, he strained out held breath. “Are there a particular number of dates we must have been on before I can tell you I’m falling for you?”

  “But that’s it! You can’t be falling for me!” said Amelia to the top of Kristoff’s head, as he slid his hot mouth down to her stomach all while shoving the tank up and towards off. Amelia exhaled a quick harsh breath and then fought to draw another. “I mean, we never dated at all…” Her panties and pants were already a lost cause. She wasn’t sorry.

  Kristoff stopped and dropped his forehead onto her belly as if put upon. “Do you want me to explain to you in five hundred words or less that you I find you clever, beautiful and stimulating? The first woman I’ve ever wanted to consider being serious with, and one I hope to see myself with further?” He huffed in exasperation.

  “OK. Now that’s cleared up… ” Amelia snickered, “Just had to make sure this wasn’t some sort of horny hunter thing. Now, why don’t you tell me what else you like about your new goddess…” Then she grinned widely and arched her neck up so she could give a sharp bite to his lower lip.

  He growled like a taunted tiger, then glared. “I think you’re messing with me.”

  “Nah.”

  Kristoff smiled toothily and began running his fingers lightly through her small patch of crisp dark curls. The marauding fingers began to pet deeper around her clit moving to her center and back to drag the moisture forward and slick the little button.

  “Ah…ahhh…” Amelia panted, feeling his deft interplay with her cleft below. She purred and struggled against the taught sensation. He was taunting her with the suggestion of his fingers inside, but not following through. Then as she tried to collect herself to become the aggressor, his finger slid in to stroke along her humming inside and Amelia groaned. “Stop teasing…Yes!” She hissed out in a reaction to the pleasure when he pushed in deeply and pulled back. Amelia pressed her hips up into his grip as another finger joined the first and his touch grew insistent. Amelia felt her body tighten like a spring before ecstasy surged through her. She gasped out, grabbing for Kristoff and dragging her fingers through his hair. She pulled him harshly by his hair to her mouth. “Are you coming back up here, or are you trying to piss me off.” She growled into his mouth.

  “I would never want to disappoint a lady,” Kristoff drawled as he rose back toward her lips.

  Amelia pulled one hand loose from Kristoff’s hair, and ran it hungrily down his side to yank at the little string holding up his pants. Kristoff in response rolled himself into her fingers tauntingly, proving how readily affected he really was.

  “Sit still!”

  “Do you need help with that?” He snickered.

  “Do you always have to assume I can’t do anything myself?” Amelia snapped. Frustrated, she grabbed the stubborn string and yanked the knot free, then, annoyed, she went ahead and pulled the whole thing loose from his pants and threw it across the room. With the string gone, Amelia started trying to shove his pants down over his hips with one hand, while trying to use her other hand to hold him tight to her mouth.

  Kristoff shifted off her briefly to stiffly tug the pants off himself. “Didn’t I tell you you you jump into action then get crippled by the confusion of the rush?”

  “Shut up,” Growled Amelia, wrapping her hand around his thick girth to try to get him where she wanted him.

  He shoved her hands away to take matters into his own hands. His body notched to hers. “See? Too. In. A. Rush.” And he slid home with a sharp thrust.

  Amelia cried out, one hand gripping his ass to hold him tighter, the other holding him close by his long hair. Kristoff turned his head and buried his face in the soft curls at the base of her neck. His breath came in hot rythmic pants and his own hands scrambled to pull her tank top fully free. Suddenly, Kristoff propped himself up on his hands and paused to look at her searingly. His eyes seemed almost glowing with the intensity burning from them. “You are more than I thought I was looking for.”

  Amelia couldn’t help her blush. “I think thats a good thing…”

  He dropped quickly back down, and forcefully returning to his harsh affections. “No. It’s perfect.” Then he captured her mouth and slid his hands under her ass to surge deeper. The words, an aphrodisiac themselves, sent Amelia curling her hips up into his body, and clawing his back and shoulders for purchase as their connection pulled her under, crashing like a powerful storm wave on a once placid beach. Amelia threw her head back and gasped out a silent scream as Kristoff grew quick and jerky trying to stave off his own completion. But when Amelia’s head snapped down and she bit hard into his neck to keep herself from bursting apart completely, he gave in. Kristoff tensed solid and cried out his own release.

  Struggling for air, he dropped his head to Amelia’s heaving chest riding the euphoria out. Amelia, wrung from the inside out dropped her head to the wooden floor allowing her fingers to mindlessly stroke through the inky waves of his sweaty hair.

  “I hope this isn’t going to be awkward now.” Amelia murmured, talking more to herself than him.

  But Kristoff raised his head to look her straight in the eye. “It bloody well won’t be.”

  “Why not?”

  “Because I said so.”

  Amelia rolled her eyes, “Yes Masterrrr.”

  “And don’t you forget it.”

  She hit him.

  Chapter 15

  Amelia didn’t know how long the two of them just lay on the floor intertwined, breathing simultaneously. Eventually the wood floor grew uncomfortable and her well-used muscles complained. Amelia shifted beneath Kristoff, and he immediately sat up, brushing her hair back from her face as he did. He crouched on the balls of his feet on the wood and watched her. Amelia sat up, taking his naked form in. “Uh, why don’t you put on some clothes,” she said blushing.

  He did his traditional eyebrow raise, “Because someone ruined them by pulling out the string that holds them up entirely.”

  Amelia coughed lightly in embarrassment. “You, surely, have other clothes.”

  He grinned wickedly. “Sure, in my bedroom…You could come and pick out a pair of pants for me.”

  “Does that line usually work?”

  He shrugged.

  “I could just get to the point and tell you I’d think we’d be more comfortable continuing this in a bed.”

  Amelia meanwhile was gathering her clothing and pulling it on. “No, I’ve got to get home.”

  “I see no reason why you can’t sleep here.”

  “I just,” Amelia said. “I think… I think I need space to think about this. I mean, I can’t keep taking money from you if I’m sleeping with you, now can I?”

  Kristoff stood up and stretched his hard sleek body. “Our business relationship is apart from whatever we do on our free time.”

  “Do you really think that? Or is it what you want to believe?” Amelia rebutted.

  Kristoff narrowed his eyes, “You’re pushing me away.”

  “No.” said Amelia warily.

  Surging to his feet, Kristoff walked over to where Amelia was pulling on her tank top. “Yes, you are. Too worried about how this might affect your ultimate vengeance. Or are you being a coward?”

  Amelia whirled on him, “I’m not a coward, you’re making a complex situation much simpler than it is to accommodate yourself.”

  He crossed his arms over his naked chest, stil
l uncovered and ruining Amelia’s sanity. She suspected he was doing it on purpose. He cocked his head to the right, and regarded her. “You know what,” he said. “I think you’re right. You need to go sort yourself out. But this doesn’t mean you won’t be at the warehouse tomorrow at 5pm sharp, and it doesn’t mean you will avoid me. For someone worried that we would be awkward after having sex, you seem to be the one making it so.”

  “Yeah, so. It’s still awkward. I’m going to go.”

  “I’ll take you,” he said, moving toward the stairs leading to his rooms.

  “No need. I’ll metro.”

  “I suppose if I insist - to do the gentlemanly thing - you’re just going to make this worse, aren’t you?” he asked bitterly. Amelia jerked her head in the positive. “Then I’ll walk you out.”

  “No, I’ll just go.”

  “You can’t just go, this is a secured residence and you have to be accompanied by a resident in and out for safety,” he snapped. Then he strode off quickly, presumably to find a pair of pants.

  Amelia waited nervously at the bottom of the stairs wondering if she was being a bit of a bitch. But she had more to lose if this went south. She was a poor girl from the burgs and he was a rich playboy in town briefly. There was no happily ever after from that. Just an unknown waiting period for heart break. Besides, with where he went clubbing and how he dressed she really doubted he was ever without a little company in every city.

  Finally Kristoff came down the stairs in a pair of warm looking flannel pajama bottoms and one of his ubiquitous plain tees. Silently, he motioned Amelia to the door of the elevator in his apartment and she got on. The ride down was tense, he never spoke but he did stare into her eyes in the mirror with a veiled look of challenge. Once they got to the lobby, he walked her to the doors to the building and held the door open.

  “Look…Kristoff…” Amelia turned back briefly as she started into the night. But she was cut off. Kristoff grabbed her by the lapels of her motorcycle jacket and pulled her into a torrid kiss. It was violent and dominating, teeth and heat, and over too quickly. Leaving Amelia sputtering as she forgot what she had planned on saying.