Her Vampire Obsession

by Richardson, Lesli

  It smacks me in the head what he means. “Because you’re a vampire and can compel them, or because you’re rich enough to buy them?”

  “Yes.”

  Ah… I face forward, my mind once again swinging back to totally freaked out.

  This is moving way too fast. Isn’t it? Is it me, or my blood, that he’s falling for? He hadn’t even fucked me yet before he bought an entire apartment building?

  How does he go from wanting to die to wanting…me?

  I’m not just freaked out—I’m terrified. Because this feels like it could go atomic-bomb levels of bad if it explodes.

  * * *

  Dexter

  “It’s a very beneficial deal for Green’s pack,” I add. “Immediate employment for any who need it. Safe emergency housing. Assistance ferreting out any other Data-X labs and destroying them. Not to mention, providing a lucrative contract for Wolf Ridge Brewery.”

  That’s run by Garrett Green’s father, Phoenix pack Alpha Emmett Green. We will prominently feature their products, which will help smooth any ruffled fur Garrett’s father might have regarding my project.

  It also means that, yes, I am choosing to support the younger Alpha, even though the two cities are separate packs. Garrett Green is the future of wolves and only wants what’s best for them—protection and survival.

  I can help him provide that.

  It also means I can help prevent challenges to his position as Alpha before they even happen. We’re not so different. Garrett has already proven himself an intelligent and wily businessman. He’s hungry in a smart way, without being greedy.

  That he feels concern for Eilidh as a friend and as an Alpha means I wish to keep him as happy as a vampire can keep a reluctant business partner.

  The world is quickly moving on in a way that makes it increasingly difficult for either of our races to remain hidden and threatens the existence of all of us. Banding together is a logical and necessary next step.

  I’ve had limited success making contacts and alliances with shifters from my base in Atlantic City. The wolves long ago abandoned the urban canyons for more rural areas.

  There are other shifters who sometimes hide within the cities to stay lost, their scent overwhelmed by the sheer numbers of humanity, and vehicle emissions, and other incidental sensory camouflage. But other than a few rare exceptions, lone shifters never seek me out.

  Not that I blame them. I certainly wouldn’t, if I were them.

  The cities are usually the domain of the vampires. Except for Philadelphia.

  They’d planned a war against humans, and an informant let me know. My people eradicated all fifteen members of their nest in a surgical strike of military precision. To the informant, I provided safe passage out of the United States and adequate resources for them to start over in South America.

  That was twenty-eight years ago, and no other vampires have settled in Philadelphia since.

  I have business interests all over the world, especially in the UK. I have secure residences all over the world, too, but Scotland will always hold a fond place in my heart. It’s also where I visit Robert’s grave, take him his favorite wildflowers, talk about my life, reminisce about our adventures. We only had twenty years together, but they were magic, and breathtaking, and the only reason I’ve held on as long as I have was my promise to him to do so.

  It wouldn’t have been a Tucson sunrise I greeted. It would’ve been a Scottish one. My plan was to get the Tucson project up and running as one last personal victory, put principal players into position to keep my empire running, and then return to Scotland. After drinking one last toast to my love, I would have lain on his grave and awaited sunrise.

  But now…

  I am so glad I waited. No, Eilidh’s not guaranteed to be mine, but as long as she’s alive, I now have a purpose, a mission.

  A renewed sense of wonder about the world.

  My beautiful enigma.

  At Club Toxic, she directs me around back and into her reserved spot, which is the only one open. The Audi is still the least expensive vehicle there, but it can hold its own in appearance.

  I open her door for her and help her out. The blue wig again tonight, and a black Club Toxic tee with the logo in neon green, and black jeans that hug her rounded curves and make me seriously wonder how I’ll keep my hands off her.

  Or keep from murdering anyone who looks at her too long and hard.

  I grab my things, but she takes her tote bag from me. “I’ll stash this upstairs at my desk for now.”

  I follow her to the back door, where she punches in her code. I open the door for her, though, and the one at the base of the stairs, after she punches in her code there, too.

  She moves through the space comfortably, without worries about the predators she works for and with. I know she might not fully realize just how rare she truly is.

  I wait for her while she stows her things and dons her name tag and apron. Then she gives me a kiss. “I need to get to work.”

  I kiss her one last time, taking my time and making sure she’s nearly melted by the time I finally release her. I want my girl’s mind on me while she’s working.

  She wobbles a little as I smile. “Enjoy your shift, love.”

  “That was mean,” she whispers.

  I smile. “I know.” Downstairs, the nightclub is packed, the dance floor crowded, the air warm and full of sweat and lust and barely constrained hunger. I find myself averting my gaze as nearly every human woman I pass turns toward me with blatant invitations in their eyes.

  On another night, I might have picked the first one and gotten things over with, just to satiate my basic hunger.

  Not tonight.

  Eilidh peels off to head to the bar while I make my way to the coat check room. Maximus is standing guard and steps aside to let me pass with a respectful nod.

  When I head down to the dungeon, I see a few vampires are already playing with their selected dinners. There’s a male vampire fucking a male human in a sex swing while a female vampire feeds from the human’s neck. Next to them, a shirtless male vampire is flogging a female human against a St. Andrew’s cross. I hear a soft female moan from one of the curtained alcoves and realize more play is going on there, too.

  No, the first time I scene with my girl, it’ll be in private, so I can focus on and savor her, and not worry about anyone else lusting after her. I want her in cuffs and my collar, to make her crawl naked across the floor as I watch her willingly come to me. I want to feel the heat of her forehead through the top of my boot as she formally bows in front of me.

  There’s an entire encyclopedia of kinky things I want to do to and with her, and I absolutely will not share her with anyone.

  I spot Lucius and Selene standing by the bar and talking with Theophilus, so I walk over.

  “Ah, there he is!” Lucius says. “Come, let us go talk.”

  He leads the way back to the suite Eilidh and I used the other night. It’s just the two of us, and I set my things down next to the dresser as he closes the door behind us.

  “And how is Alpha Green?” he asks as he sits in the chair.

  I get right to the point and summarize the meeting. “Everything looks good,” I say in conclusion.

  “I appreciate you doing this. With the eyes of law enforcement on me, it’s far better coming from you and keeping me as a silent partner.”

  “You need to tightly control your nest,” I caution. “And operate your businesses beyond reproach, from a legal standpoint. We cannot have scrutiny from the authorities.”

  He waves away my objections. “California was an aberration.”

  I arch an eyebrow at him.

  “An aberration in the past,” he says. “I have no interest in drawing scrutiny.” He picks an imaginary piece of fluff off his slacks. “It is getting more difficult to remain undetected. While I will admit to past business practices that skirted the edges of legality, this modern age has made that untenable, at best. Damned comp
uters and the Internet, anyway. Cell phones. Things I thought would make life and communication so much simpler have completely complicated and threatened our very existence.” He sighs. “I do not wish a repeat of Philadelphia. I feel somewhat responsible.”

  “You should. You sired the idiot.”

  He waves that away, too. “He was young, only two hundred, or so. I never should have allowed him to fledge from the nest and go out on his own when I did. It’s difficult to find the kind of loyalty such as I have with my other sired.”

  I snort. “You were the victim of an attempted coup.”

  “Attempted being the keyword. Far from the first, as you well know. Which is why I forbid my sired from turning anyone without express permission. If anything, I wish to thin the herd, as it were. I want only a trusted core group surrounding me.”

  “And as more vampires move to the area?”

  He grimly smiles. “As you saw with Tonio the other night, they either pledge allegiance and act accordingly, or they can burn. Tucson can become a safe haven for vampires and shifters, if we play this right. The vampire capital of North America. We can weed out violent, predatory humans, dropping the crime rates and making it a destination spot, a developer’s wet-dream.”

  “That’s the hope.”

  “I heard you made another real estate purchase. An apartment building.”

  “News travels fast in this town.”

  He smiles. “Remember the old days? Running through battles and ripping out throats? Drinking our fill under smoky skies as villages burned around us?” He sighs. “Easier, simpler times, then. We quietly ruled the world without worries, save the sun, and those of our kind who had delusions of grandeur.”

  A sour taste hits the back of my tongue. “I prefer not to remember. I never had a love for the kill the way you and my sire did.”

  “No, you did not.” He sighs. “I always disagreed with your sire’s particular…predilections.” He shifts position and leans forward. “Do not let your immutable past color your potential future too darkly, nephew. Claim her quickly. You know this is right. If you wish to turn her, I’ll even help, if you’d like. Do not lose her. Not when you don’t have to.”

  My stomach rolls and it takes me a moment to calm it before I feel safe enough to quietly speak. “I appreciate the offer, Lucius, but we are not at that stage yet, if ever. I will let her set the pace.” The thought of losing her to time and age guts me, but if I were to participate in her dying far younger simply to satisfy my selfish need to keep her…

  It would drive me utterly and completely mad, I know it would.

  “Oh, there is one more matter,” I say. “I want to buy the entire supply you have.”

  He arches an eyebrow. “Of?”

  “You know what of.”

  That would fetch a considerable sum.”

  “Then give me the friends and family discount. You know my deal will make you a lot of money with zero risk and outlay on your part. And no more bleeding her, even if she asks.”

  He studies me for a moment. “Five hundred thousand. Even though I could easily make twice that selling it by the glass.”

  “Done. Take it off-tap tonight. Immediately. Except for me.”

  “And how do you plan on storing it?”

  “As soon as my apartment is ready here, I’ll be in touch.”

  He tips his head to me. “Very well.”

  “Oh, I will need to borrow some implements and rope.”

  He points to a closet. “You should find everything in there that you’ll likely need.”

  “Thanks.”

  We return to the dungeon, where the scent of human arousal and blood are much stronger down here, to the point I can’t help the way my mouth sharply waters. I follow him over to the bar, where he speaks to the bartender. The man nods and glances my way.

  Lucius smiles at me. “Would you like a glass of your particular vintage now?”

  “Yes,” I practically growl.

  Once I have a glass, and Lucius has a glass of red wine, we walk over to the thrones, where Selene is currently perched and watching a knife play scene. It’s just for sensation, not cutting, but the male bottom smells thick of subspace and need as the male vampire traces intricate Celtic designs across his back.

  It triggers…something in my brain, a memory that teases close to the surface before diving away again.

  “Dexter?” Lucius asks.

  I pull my thoughts to the present. “Nothing. I have a puzzle I’m working on and haven’t untangled yet.”

  “Her ring?”

  I glare at him. “What do you know of it?”

  “That it feels like I should know what it says, and I do not, and it irritates me.” He sips his wine. “I think it’s a clue to her…issue.”

  “We’re in agreement.” I want to go up to the nightclub, but I know if I do, I’ll be at risk of causing a scene. The last thing I wish to do is interfere with her working.

  I mean, since I haven’t convinced her to let me totally take care of her yet. Once I do, she will not have to sling drinks for humans and vampires.

  She will rule my empire beside me, and she’ll never want for anything again in her life.

  25

  Dexter

  Lucius has a chair brought over for me to sit on the platform with him and Selene, and we talk. Maybe an hour after our arrival at the club, Eilidh makes her way downstairs.

  As soon as the door from the stairwell opens, I know she is there.

  I sense her energy, her presence.

  When I turn, her gaze immediately meets mine. Every human escorted down here tonight since my arrival, and many of the household humans, have eyed me with longing invitations in their gazes, and I’ve ignored all of them, save the server who brought me another glass of my now private vintage.

  I feel borderline drunk and wonder if this is what it’ll feel like when I feed from her. I’ve had more blood tonight than I have in a while, but I feel like I could drink her taste forever and never fully satiate my thirst.

  I climb down from the platform when she walks over. Then I pull her into my arms and kiss her, leaving no doubts to anyone who she belongs to. Or who I belong to, either. I grab her ass and pull her hips against mine, letting her feel how ready I am for her.

  “Staying out of trouble?” she breathlessly teases once I finally end our kiss.

  “Of course. Just waiting for you to finish so we can play.” With my bulge notched between her thighs, I grind against her again and love the way she bites down on her lower lip.

  “I’ve had four different requests to come downstairs with vamps.”

  The growl rumbles free before I can stop it. “Who are they?”

  She snorts. “Yeah, like I’m telling you. Sir,” she adds, bouncing onto her toes to kiss me again. “I’m no idiot.”

  “You aren’t available for that.”

  “I know, but I’ve made over two hundred in tips so far tonight.” She taps a pencil tucked behind her right ear. “Don’t worry. I got this.”

  “She really is amazing,” Lucius says from his throne. “Blue, my dear, can they spare you for the rest of the evening upstairs?”

  “Not really, Mr. Frangelico,” she says. “The line’s all the way down the block, and we’re hopping upstairs. I was asked how busy it was down here, so thought I’d take a minute to check in.” Her gaze returns to me. “And say hi.”

  “She is adorable, is she not?” Lucius says. “Blue, you may call me Lucius while you’re working, if you wish. I’ve told you that.”

  “Thank you, Mr. F, but I’d rather set a good example for the staff and customers.”

  He looks at me. “Nephew, help?”

  I grin. “I’m the only one she has to call Sir, and even that’s by her choice.”

  Lucius sighs melodramatically and looks to Selene. “Any advice, dear?”

  She grins. “Blue’s got a point, Sir. Sorry.”

  Lucius looks at me and shrugs with a what c
an you do? kind of resignation, making me chuckle. “I have to say, uncle, I like this new, mellower you. It suits you.”

  He reaches over and squeezes Selene’s hand. “My queen has been a rather interesting influence on me. Ironically, I can afford to embrace a softer stance with her by my side. Mostly because she’s terrifying as fuck, as they say.”

  After one last kiss, Eilidh returns to the nightclub and I retake my seat. Tonight, I don’t mind watching people playing or having sex, because I no longer feel the familiar, painful emptiness. There’s no twisting pang in my soul.

  I’m no longer alone.

  Throughout the night, the dungeon picks up and the debauchery intensifies. I watch two of Lucius’ men, Augustus and Tiberius, sandwich a young man between them and DP him as they each feed from his neck. I watch Theophilus fuck a young woman into bliss as he snacks on her, and then passes her off to Maximus, who has a turn fucking her face before getting his own taste. There are mostly male vampires, with a mix of male and female bottoms, and two different female vampires, who are definitely tops.

  It’s lustful carnality and something that, only a week ago, I would have been unable to stand by and observe so placidly without feeling grief.

  At home, I have a special hotel suite right off the casino floor where I can take people, quickly feed and fuck them, and then they can awaken there later, courtesy of the house, their bill completely paid if they’re a hotel guest, or sent away after a fresh breakfast if they’re just there for the casino.

  I never leave them with a memory of who they were with—I always plant in their mind before leaving them that they are very, very drunk, and while they will remember they had a fantastic time, they will have no memory of who that someone was. I also never take someone who isn’t single, unless their partner is with them and also attracts me, and I can take them both.

  Lately, the suite’s remained unused, my needs most easily sated with bagged blood and my own right hand.

  Tonight, as the clock closes in on two a.m., which is last call in the nightclub, a few more vampires make their way downstairs with the last of their nightly chosen. When Eilidh returns to the dungeon at 2:17, my cock’s hard and my need is high. I’ve already been back to the suite and confirmed everything I wanted is there. I take her hand in mine and bid Lucius and Selene a good night as I lead her to our awaiting sanctuary. I’ll have approximately three solid hours before sunrise, and maybe another hour or two after that before I’ll be forced to close my eyes.