“What types do you like?”
“Not the blockbusters. I love the Brattle Theatre nearby, especially when they have old movies playing. Also, the Harvard film archive has some good old films. “
That was a surprise. “You like old films. Seems a rare choice for someone as young as you are.”
“Yes. I’m typically not into what’s playing in the theaters. All those action-packed, special-effect movies don’t do it for me. Give me some obscure indie film, or one of the classics like Casablanca or Gone with the Wind, and I’m in heaven. As long as I have a big container of buttery popcorn in my lap.” She raised a brow. “That’s essential for the experience, no matter how unhealthy it is.”
I laughed at her mock serious tone. “I’ll take your word for it.” Mia was enchanting, reminding me of an older soul in her youthful body. “Why don’t we see what’s playing at the Brattle Theatre?”
She squirmed in her seat with a small smile. “I know what’s playing there tonight.” Her smile brightened, reaching her eyes. “The Addams Family. It’s not technically an oldie, but it’s a goodie. With it being Halloween tomorrow, it’s a great week for movies.”
That film with the family with dark humor. “I’ve seen it. We could go if you’d like.”
Her smile brightened. “I’d love that. I watch it every October, and going to the movies is better than watching it in my tiny studio.”
How wretched. I hadn’t lived in such a cramped space in decades. Not since I’d made my money and moved into my house.
Mia was a delight, so easy to talk to. I thought it might be a challenge to even have a conversation with her after how rattled she was at the ball, but once we discussed what was clearly one of her favorite topics—movies—she gushed about her favorites and asked about mine. All too quickly, the dinner seemed to pass. We lingered long after she’d finished her chocolate cake, and we drank every drop of wine.
After dinner, we walked to the Brattle Theatre, and I bought tickets for the last show that night. Since we had an hour to kill, we walked around Harvard Square, meandering in and out of bookstores and remarking on books we’ve read or wanted to read, until it was time to return for the movie.
Once we were settled in the theater, I sat back for the showing. I’d walked down to this theater alone many times. How odd to be here with a blood courtesan. I often took them to dinner before we returned to my place. After all, it was courteous to feed them before they fed me. A restaurant was the extent of our “date.”
Yet, I enjoyed Mia’s company and wasn’t rushed to return to my place to feed. She was content with a medium container of buttered popcorn on her lap.
She glanced over at me with a sheepish look. “I know I shouldn’t indulge like this. It’s so unhealthy and fattening.” After a shrug, she added, “It’s my guilty pleasure.”
“We all have our—cravings.”
There was no way to undo when a vampire couldn’t control the hunger. It often ended with a human corpse.
Why did my mind race from sex to death? Oh, so often they were intertwined for a vampire.
No, that would never happen with Mia. I wouldn’t hurt her—and I’d never let another vampire touch her. Why were these dark thoughts clouding my mind? I rolled my shoulders back to shake it off and enjoy the evening.
Keep it light. Focus on the seduction.
With a suggestive brow raise, I added. “At least, you have a way to work off your indulgence.”
She blushed, glancing away, and then shot me a quick look with a naughty glimmer in her eye. “Maybe later.”
Oh, that mix of innocence and sass was killing me. My fangs ached to pierce her throat, to taste her secrets. I’d be the first vampire to discover that bliss. Then I’d sink deep inside her and find ecstasy…
As the movie played, I found myself distracted by her instead of what was showing on the screen. Her scent alone was captivating, and her closeness taunted me. When our thighs touched, which wasn’t accidental on my part, heat rose within me. It took all my restraint not to tell her we were leaving and head back to my place where I could sink my fangs into her delectable neck and bury myself into her warm body. Instead, I reined in my desires to regain self-control, forcing myself to take things slower. I took her hand in mine, settling on her lap, but could not resist running my fingers in languid circles on her thigh.
After the movie, I skipped calling James to pick us up. I would rather walk back home with Mia.
On the way, she pointed out some of the houses she found remarkable. “Look at the details on that one.”
“That’s a Queen Anne. See the scalloped décor. That was built in the late 1800s.”
“What about that one?” She pointed to another.
“Stick style. It’s a variation of the Queen Anne, but with distinctive details. Note the asymmetrical design.”
She glanced at me, seemingly impressed by my knowledge, and prompted me for more details on the architecture and history of the area. As we meandered back, I pointed out tidbits. After all, I’d lived and invested in this region for decades.
“Did you know those who settled in this area?”
“No.” I furrowed my brows. “I moved here later.”
“When? And from where?”
She eyed me with a curious expression, eager to hear more. That was a tale I didn’t tell, so I changed the subject back to the architecture.
Back at my place, I took her coat. My fingers lingered on the warm skin at the crease of her elbows. Her blood rushed through her veins. My gums twitched as my fangs lengthened.
In the living room, I refocused my thirst and poured us each a glass of Chianti.
“I enjoyed our evening.”
She glanced at me. “Me, too.”
“It’s too bad we couldn’t have started out this way. You had a rather jarring introduction to the world of being a blood courtesan.”
“How does it usually go?”
“It depends on the event. At a ball like the one in Salem, many guests scope each other out. They talk. They dance. It’s too bad I didn’t reach you and asked you to dance before that cretino did.”
“I agree. I wish you’d reached me sooner.”
I walked over to the stereo and played music. Nat King Cole’s Nature Boy filled the space.
Eager to continue with our arrangement, I said, “It’s not too late for a dance.”
Mia
Renato bowed before me, like a gentleman of an era long past. “Shall we dance?”
“I’d love to.” Not sure what I should do, I did some sort of semi-curtsy.
He opened his arms, and I stepped closer, clasping my hand in his. The moment our hands clasped, a jolt of excitement rippled over my skin. He dropped his other hand to my lower back and pulled me closer, while I placed my hand on his shoulder. I moved awkwardly at first. It wasn’t like I slow danced often. The last time was at my cousin’s wedding in upstate New York a few years back.
The sudden closeness of our bodies and all the places we touched sent heated awareness coursing through me. His smell was alluring—clean soap and male musk. Although he towered over me, his face was enticingly close to mine. Sure, we’d spent the last couple of hours sitting next to each other in the movies, but this dance was far more intimate.
And we were alone.
The song was slow and intense, and I wasn’t sure how to dance to it. Luckily, he was a skillful dancer and led me beyond my stiffness. By the time the next song played, I grew more comfortable as my movements mirrored his. Then came on Dean Martin singing Sway and I was lost once again in the more upbeat tempo. Renato was patient with me, and wouldn’t let me give up.
“Don’t think. Give in to the music. It will guide you.”
With a shrug, I listened to him and tried to let go. The dance turned out to be fun, and sensual. If this was the way I experienced my first vampire ball, as Renato had suggested, the night might have had a quite different outcome. This was a more tempting version than the terr
or of being a vampire’s dinner. My body responded with every sense firing on hyper-drive. If we’d had this dance at the ball, I would not have run out of the ballroom. Not with the heady desire spreading deep within as I fantasized where the night would lead.
When I envisioned becoming a blood courtesan, I never would’ve pictured going out on a date. Dinner, a movie, and dancing were normal dating activities. One difference was that my date would want to drink my blood before the night was through. A shiver ran through me. That part still made me anxious. So much could go wrong…
Why think about that now and ruin the dance? Everything had gone well so far. Our conversation flowed naturally during dinner without any awkward silences. The meal was delicious, and the full feeling with quality food rather than quick bites on the run satiated my hunger. Renato seemed to enjoy the movie as much as I had. He’d laughed out loud at Wednesday’s deadpan lines while I tried not to sigh at Gomez’s adoration for Morticia. Who wouldn’t want that kind of love?
But that was in the movies. I’d never heard of anyone having something like that in real life. Certainly not if your date paid to have your companionship—and more.
“Everything all right?” he asked.
“Everything is perfect.”
I tilted my head back to look at him. That might have been a mistake. Because when my eyes caught his, some sort of terrifying, exhilarating sensation rushed through me. Hunger burned through his gaze, but it wasn’t like Gideon’s, which had repulsed me. Renato’s drew me in, making the surroundings vanish. His eyes weren’t a single shade of brown, but many. It reminded me of polished mahogany with various hues blending into each other to create a smooth, unified finish.
Although we were still moving with the dance, everything in the living room had stilled around us. I swallowed, waiting for what would happen next. An unfamiliar heat simmered inside me. Excitement grew like volts pulsing through my veins. With all that blood flowing through them, would he be as excited by my response?
By the way his gaze lowered to my mouth, I ventured the answer was yes.
He dipped his head, and in those tortuous few seconds of anticipation, I trembled, overcome by this sudden need.
When his lips touched mine, he put me out of my agony. A gentle sigh escaped me, and I softened in his embrace. We explored each other’s mouths with slow, sinuous movements. He deepened the kiss, and I responded with unfamiliar passion, an intensity in myself I didn’t recognize. Our need grew more frantic as we embraced each other. No kiss had ever leveled me this way before, making me forget everything else, except how I wanted him.
Wanted more.
When he pulled back, his eyes were full of dark hunger. They dropped to my parted lips. My chest heaved as I caught my breath. His gaze dropped lower still, lingering on my throat, as a low, feral groan rumbled from him. My blood thundered through my veins. I’d swear he could see it rushing like a tsunami beneath my skin.
He kissed me again, harder this time, holding the back of my head as he sought pleasure. His lips moved from my mouth over my cheek and down my neck. They hovered over my skin in a way that made my legs tremble. I tightened my grasp on his shoulder blades, as his muscles clenched under my hands. My heartbeat quickened, and my breasts heaved as I began to pant. I knew what he craved, it was the whole reason I was here. To be so desired was an instant rush that sent a new shiver of excitement through me. Yet, with that instantaneous knowledge, I froze.
“Are you ready, Mia?” he murmured as his lips slid along my skin.
This was it.
Taking a mental step back, I reminded myself to note every aspect of the bite and the transfer of blood. My blood would sustain him, continue his existence, and that fascinated me. After what had happened to my mother, I had to consider all areas of blood research. What she suffered from was a mystery. Who knew better about blood being key to survival than a vampire? Other researchers focused on this—the existence of vampires fascinated them with enough questions for a lifetime. Or several. Yet, it wasn’t as if vampires crawled out of the woodwork to volunteer for medical research studies.
Here I was, volunteering as a medical guinea pig for my own research.
You can do this. I tried to give myself the pep talk I needed to push myself to speak.
“Yes.” I tilted my head. “Yes,” I repeated. Could I sound any more eager?
He reared his head back slightly, enough for me to see his extended fangs. On the next inhale, I froze. Waiting.
Renato bent down so his fangs brushed my throat. I reached for him, clinging to his shoulder blades. He bore his mouth on me, piercing my flesh. I cried out at the pain of the sudden intrusion. Soon, it passed, and the pain turned pleasurable.
He pressed his body to mine as he sucked harder. Every point our bodies touched sent tingles of arousal through me. His hands traveled over my body as he drank. When he cupped a breast and stroked my nipple, I dropped my head back and sighed. Closing my eyes, I sank into the experience.
Although I’d told myself to note the details of this blood exchange analytically as any good researcher would do, that thought was swept away by unexpected desire that flooded my veins. When I heard a moan of pleasure fill my ears, I was surprised it came from me.
Renato’s hand slipped under my dress, stroking over the tights that covered my inner thighs. Shivers of delight rose, intensifying between my legs. Wanting, waiting.
When his hand finally reached me there, I gasped. He stroked me as he fed and soon I was pressing myself against his hand, wanting more. Yanking my tights down in a quick movement, he reached inside my lace panties. He touched my naked flesh, exploring me with long, gentle strokes. Pleasurable sounds escaped me. Luckily, he had a big house, because in that moment, I didn’t give a hoot who heard me. His movements intensified and I ground against him, matching the pace. The buildup was too much. I both reached for it and shrank back, afraid of it swallowing me. I muttered contradictions like I can’t and don’t stop while I clung to him and begged for more.
But it was too late to stop. Everything soared ahead, and I lost control. My body seemed to shatter like a broken mirror, and colorful fragments shot into different directions before they rained down in slow motion. I lost track of time as the sensations ebbed.
He licked my neck before he pulled away from me. His eyes were tinged with red, looking feral.
“Your scent, your taste. It’s driving me wild. I need a moment.”
He stared off into the distance with his jaw squared for a long moment, clutching his hands into fists, as he appeared to struggle for control. I stared, somewhat dazed as I came back to earth and readjusted my clothing.
When his gaze returned to me, he asked, “Are you all right?”
I’d forgotten about myself as I watched him but gave myself a quick body check. Still breathing. Heart still beat. Aside from the tremors fading away between my legs and the wetness in my panties, I was fine. Better than fine. Still floating.
“Yes—I never—not like that…”
“You’ve never had an orgasm before?”
I shook my head, averting eye contact. “Not with someone else.”
“You felt wonderful. Tasted exquisite.”
Coming back to my senses from those overwhelming sensations, I touched my neck, seeking the puncture wounds, and was surprised not to touch blood.
“The wounds are closed. I sealed them.”
“How?”
“A vampire’s trait.”
Something I took a mental note of. Saliva had healing properties. I wished I had a swab so I could take a sample.
He cupped my chin with both hands and kissed me. It was deep, intense, and tinged with the distinct taste of my blood. I sighed against his mouth.
When he pulled back, he said, “Thank you, Mia. That’s all for tonight.”
Pulling myself out of a daze, I muttered, “What?”
“I’m going to leave you now.”
He wasn’t going to conti
nue seducing me? I was more hot and bothered than I’d ever been and fully expected the vampire who’d paid for my services to go for what he’d paid for.
Plus, I wanted him to.
“But…”
I didn’t know what to make of him or what he wanted. Maybe he didn’t sleep with his courtesans, just drank from them.
“You don’t want to—?” Have sex. Why was I such a prude? Just finish the sentence.
“Oh, I do. Very much so,” he said, while his eyes gleamed with dark heat. “No need to rush this all at once and overwhelm you.”
It figured, the time I desperately wanted to spend the night with someone, he showed consideration, mastering restraint.
“We can continue this tomorrow.” He walked out of the room, but stopped at the threshold. “If you decide to stay another night.”
When I woke the next morning, it took me a moment to recognize my surroundings and recall I was at Renato’s house. The soft, queen-sized bed covered with a fluffy down comforter was nothing like the futon I was used to. The room was dark, compliments of what must have been blackout shades. When I checked my phone, it read nine-thirty. Luckily, I didn’t have an 8 a.m. class this morning, which would have been torture. It was Halloween, which unfortunately wasn’t a school holiday. I had to drag my butt to class.
The events of the night before returned to me. I checked my neck in the mirror of my private bathroom. No visible puncture marks, but a couple of faint red marks remained.
I took a quick shower before I headed into the kitchen. It was designed in a modern style with black granite counters and custom cabinetry. French doors led out onto a deck with a wrought iron table and potted plants. If it wasn’t too brisk, I’d sit out there with a cup of coffee.
There was a box of Cheerios on the counter with a banana.
I know it’s not buttered popcorn—but hope this will do. If not, help yourself to whatever you’d like.
~Renato
I smiled, remembering my date with a vampire. It had gone much better than I’d thought.
James entered the kitchen. “Good morning, Mia. Can I get you anything else?”
Pursued: A Vampire Blood Courtesans Romance Page 5