by Jana Denardo
Stopping him, Arrigo traced Luc’s lips with his finger. “You’re ready?”
“I want to try. I want to feel you,” Luc replied, his voice low. “I’ve wanted this for a long time. Just been afraid.”
“I won’t hurt you.” Arrigo rubbed Luc’s back.
“I know. It’s not that. It’s all the junk I have in my head, from Father O’Brien, from Da. It’s way too… I don’t want to be listening to those shitty voices. You’ve helped me to accept what I am. I don’t care what they think about me. Besides, if I’m going to hell, it’s because I’m a blood-sucking vampire.”
Arrigo snorted. “Hades doesn’t want us.”
Luc rolled his eyes. “And you know what Hades wants?”
“Once I knew for certain what all the gods wanted. Now the only place my gods exist anymore is in Caesar’s Palace.” Arrigo pouted. “And I never talked that much to Bacchus in the first place.”
“So long as you don’t talk back to that talking fountain where someone we know can hear you, it’s good.” Luc flicked a finger against Arrigo’s butt.
“Just for that, I’m going to make sure everyone hears me.” Arrigo nipped Luc’s neck, licking the pearls of blood there. Luc shuddered under his touch.
“You would too.” Luc reached between Arrigo’s legs and stroked him. Arrigo hardened under his touch. He and Luc had talked about this before. Luc appreciated Arrigo’s past offers to bottom for Luc to let him see how it was. Arrigo said he didn’t mind going either way, but Luc hadn’t been ready, so he hadn’t taken Arrigo up on the offer.
“I would.” Arrigo tipped Luc’s chin up. “You’re sure?”
“More than I’ve been about anything.” Luc knew that said volumes. When had he been sure of anything other than he was a loser? He finally believed he wasn’t, and that was all down to Arrigo.
“Good,” Arrigo murmured, slipping his hands under Luc’s shirt. He pulled it over Luc’s head and dropped it in an easy motion. He circled Luc’s nipples with his thumb as he nuzzled Luc’s neck.
Luc’s erection strained against his jeans, aching. He needed to see Arrigo naked, to taste his skin. Luc fought to keep his fangs retracted as Arrigo sucked on Luc’s Adam’s apple. He didn’t want Arrigo to call it off if he lost control. He slid his hand under Arrigo’s shirt to run it over tight muscles and a patch of fuzz over his belly. Hotter than the bayou in August, Luc yanked Arrigo’s shirt up roughly. He squirmed out of it, taking a step back.
Arrigo wiggled out of his pants and boxers, then kicked them aside. Luc studied him, wanting to know every part of Arrigo: lean muscle, as perfect as the statues of the gods he had in the living room, a collection of scars that had to be from his mortal years, a body Luc wanted to feel against his.
Luc snaked his own clothing down over his shaking legs and then froze. Nerves clenched him up, but he melted when Arrigo caressed his side.
“Are you okay?” Luc nodded, not trusting his own voice. He kissed Arrigo, feathering up Arrigo’s rigid shaft, the skin warm and damp. He didn’t exactly know what to do next, so he hoped Arrigo would take the lead.
Arrigo pressed Luc back against the bed, easing him to the mattress. He wrapped himself around Luc, his hips flexing against him. As he kissed Luc, devouring him, Arrigo’s hand stroked their cocks together. Luc pushed into Arrigo’s hand, tangling his own fingers in Arrigo’s hair. He pulled the ponytail holder free and flipped it away. Arrigo only looked sexier with his long hair spilling everywhere.
Luc groaned as Arrigo rolled them onto their sides. Arrigo massaged Luc’s ass before turning his attention to playing gently with Luc’s balls. “You’re killing me,” Luc laughed. “I don’t know how long I can last with you doing that!”
“That won’t do.” Arrigo disentangled himself from Luc and squirmed across the mattress, so he could open the nightstand drawer. “Need the lube.”
“Do we need… um, you know? Condoms?”
“Vampires can’t actually catch the diseases we could when we were mortal, so no.” Arrigo wiggled the little bottle of lube. “I’ll be as gentle as I can. If I’m hurting you, say something.”
“’Kay,” he said, his throat tightening. No, he couldn’t panic now. He wanted this more than anything. Before a lifetime of fear could stop him, Luc took the lube from Arrigo and slowly slicked up Arrigo’s shaft. He was rewarded by a soft groan and the way Arrigo’s breathing hitched as Luc’s fingers worked.
Arrigo bore him back against the mattress, finding Luc’s mouth again, kissing him hard. Luc caressed Arrigo’s back as Arrigo’s fingers teased and explored him, outside and in. Arrigo took hold of Luc’s hips. His heart thundered at the wide tip of Arrigo’s shaft pressing against his ass. He tried to relax, but he couldn’t swallow back the gasp as Arrigo pushed into him. A sharp pain ran up his spine, and Luc fought to not pull away.
“Luc? Do you need me to stop?” Arrigo circled his thumb against Luc’s hip.
The pain dissolved into a soft burn. He pushed down, trying to take more of Arrigo in. “It’s fine, just need to get used to it. I’m okay, Arri.”
“Okay.” Arrigo kissed him softly, then started a rhythm with his hips.
Luc hadn’t known he could be so filled, that being this stretched could feel so amazing once that initial burst of pain faded. Arrigo’s cock brushed something inside of him, making Luc’s senses spiral out of control. His muscles quivered, and he was barely aware he was uttering soft sounds. Luc slipped his hand between their bellies so he could stroke himself, bucking against Arrigo’s hips. He needed as much of Arrigo in him as he could get.
Arrigo buried himself deeper inside of him just before he sank his fangs into his neck. As his blood flowed into Arrigo’s hungry mouth, Luc’s control stripped away. He dug his heels into the mattress as his back arched. He came, covering his belly in warm stickiness. Arrigo licked his neck as he pounded into him faster now. Nearly senseless, fangs down, nicking his own tongue, he felt Arrigo’s cock pulse as he orgasmed.
When Arrigo finally pulled out of him, he collapsed against him on the bed. Luc wrapped his arms around him. For long moments, they said nothing, content to lie in a warm ball of spent flesh.
“That was amazing,” Luc managed finally, when what he wanted to say was I love you. He was too afraid to say it. It might be too soon. He simply didn’t know. “God, that was good.”
Arrigo smiled. “Wonderful.”
“I’ll get better at it.”
“You were fine.” Arrigo picked up Luc’s hand, kissing the back of it. “And you and I have all the time in the world.”
Luc chuckled. “I shouldn’t compare myself to you. You have what? Two thousand years of practice on me.”
“Give or take a few decades.”
“I have a little catching up to do.” Luc slapped Arrigo’s chest lightly.
“I am really going to look forward to that attempt.” Arrigo smirked.
Luc snorted. “We can play catch up a little later.” He stifled a yawn. “I need a nap.”
Arrigo tucked in tighter against Luc. “Sounds like a wonderful plan. I think I like it when you do laundry.” Arrigo chuckled. “I’m going to let you do it all the time.”
Luc considered his current blissed-out state, then said, “You have a deal.”
Chapter Thirty-Four
LUC PUSHED the piedish to the edge of the table, nothing left on it but a few crumbs left over from the lemon meringue. He’d be in trouble when he got home. He was supposed to go back to the condo from Shifty’s once he was off duty. Technically either Siobhan or Arrigo should be with him, in case his control slipped.
Luc thought it necessary after several weeks of working on control. He didn’t feel like biting everyone he saw. He had restraint, and he took advantage of Siobhan and Arrigo being called away on Chiaroscuro business. He was supposed to stay at Shifty’s, but Luc doubted it would hurt anything if he spent a little time with Lily. He felt guilty about not getting to see her or help out with the k
ids. When Lily left to deal with customers, Luc pored over the practice tests in his GED book. Siobhan had given him homework.
Lily swung back over with a pot of coffee. Luc held up his hands. Some things were too strong for his new taste buds. Coffee was one of them.
Lily put it back and walked over to sit with him. “You’re feeling well, Luc? You look a little pale and tired.”
Luc touched his cheek. He knew his new condition hadn’t really made him suddenly pale, but weeks of no sun had cost him his tan. “It’s the new job. I’m like you, late shift all the way.”
“It’s nice seeing you again. I missed you stopping by.” Lily smiled at him. “It’s nice to have a friend around, especially at this time of night in this neighborhood.”
“It’s been fun talking to you.” Luc glanced at the time on the cell phone Arrigo had given him. He’d been here talking to Lily for over an hour. It was closing in on three thirty. He should probably get moving, but he didn’t like seeing her in this twenty-four-hour diner with nothing but the cook in the back. “I have to get home soon. Want me to stay around for a little longer?”
“If you don’t have to run off, it would be nice to talk.” Lily smiled at him. “It’s so boring here at this hour.”
“I can imagine.” Luc wished he didn’t feel so bad about being here. It was starting to sink in how all the normalcy in his life was gone. The longer he spent with someone completely normal, it was so much more obvious everything he had lost. Luc knew he shouldn’t focus on losses, having gained just as much. Stronger, braver now, he was on the path of something new, and he ought to be excited.
“There’s something different about you. It’s more than just a new job.”
“I’m getting closer to being ready to take my GED.” He couldn’t control his huge smile. He earned his moment of pride. “Also, I’m dating someone. Guess I’m happier than you’ve ever seen me.” He hadn’t ever thought about it that way, and the truth of it startled him a bit.
Lily grabbed his hands, squeezing them. “That’s fantastic. I’m so happy for you. I hope it’s everything you’ve ever wanted.”
Luc smiled at her. “So far it’s pretty damn good.”
“I’m so glad. I know what it’s like to have a bad relationship. You’ve been nice to me and the kids. I know life’s been rough for you, so seriously this makes me smile.” Lily let his hands go.
“Thanks. It’s been rough for you too. Something good needs to happen for you and your kids soon.” Luc wondered if he could get Arrigo or maybe his friends to find a better job for Lily. It was something he should have thought of earlier, but he had been too messed up with all the changes in his own life.
As if thoughts of Arrigo summoned him, his ringtone sang out of Luc’s phone. “Sorry, I need to take this.”
Lily nodded and went to clean the countertops.
“Hey, Arrigo.” Luc braced for being yelled at.
“Where are you? Are you all right?”
“Yes, sorry, I’m at the diner near the Alibi. You know the one. I wanted to visit Lily. I know I should have told you I was coming here.”
“It would have been nice. You know you’re not supposed to be roaming around alone.” Arrigo didn’t sound angry, more worried.
“I’m fine. I’ll go catch a bus soon.”
“There aren’t many at this time of day. I’m about ten minutes away. I’ll come get you.”
“I’ll be outside waiting.” Luc hung up, wondering why Arrigo was in the area. Was it about Eleni? No, Arrigo would probably have told him. Suddenly Luc didn’t want to go outside. “Sorry, hon, I have to go. It’s been nice.”
Lily trotted over and threw her arms around him. “Don’t be a stranger this time.”
“I’ll do better,” he promised.
Once outside, he walked down the block to stare at the Alibi. He’d be able to see Arrigo from there. Luc wanted to go inside. He wanted to make them all pay for the shit they’d done to him over the years. His fangs peeked out, and now he knew why Arrigo didn’t want him to be alone. He could easily rip their throats out. He turned away heading back for the diner, feeling like a monster.
Hearing someone running up behind him, Luc started to turn. Pain blossomed upside the back of his head before he went down, his book skittering away. The street went dark.
Luc groaned, feeling himself being dragged. He couldn’t have been out long. He fought to get his feet under him, but someone shoved him. He sprawled into the bar. A foot found his ribs before he could get out of the way. Luc yelped, flipping over. Henri and Travis stood over him with a couple of Henri’s other idiot friends, all of them wearing the hungry look of starving coyotes.
Rubbing his sore head, Luc felt the wetness clinging to his hair. “What the hell is wrong with you?”
“Did your boyfriend toss you out already?” Travis kicked at him, but Luc rolled to his feet before he could land the blow. Travis’s eyes widened, then went hard as bone.
“Knew you’d end up back here, couillon.”
Luc whipped around, facing the bar. He’d missed seeing his father there, finishing up closing time. “I ain’t back here. I was at the damn diner.” So stupid! He should have realized if his family saw him at all, there would be trouble. Luc had expected them to be closed up and gone by now.
“Yeah, sure. What happened? You don’t suck cock good?” Henri laughed, shoving Luc hard.
“Nah, bet that mouth does just fine, looks like a woman’s, don’t it? Maybe he doesn’t take it up the ass good.” Travis grabbed a pool stick down off the wall, twirling it before jabbing it at Luc. “We should find out.”
“Are you insane? I’m leaving. Get the fuck out of my way, you crotte.” Luc tried to push past one of the guys he didn’t know well; J.T. was his name, maybe.
“Like to see you make us.” Henri grabbed Luc’s arm, whipping him around toward the pool table.
J.T. and the other loser helped Henri, their combined weight enough to muscle Luc onto the table. Screaming obscenities, he fought to keep them from pinning him down. He was afraid of his new strength, terrified to test it. Siobhan and Arrigo had drilled it into him he could easily hurt a Normal, but if he didn’t do something, he’d be the one hurt.
“This is going too far, Henri,” Da said.
Henri shot him a look. Luc saw something he never thought he would on his father’s face: fear of the monster he had created. Da wasn’t the only one. To hell with holding back his strength. Luc could rip their throats out. He wanted to kill them so badly, he felt his control strip away. Travis tossed Henri the pool stick and tried to yank on Luc’s jeans. Luc kicked him so hard Travis flew back several feet. His head hit the floor, bouncing with the sound of a splintering coconut.
Jumping up, tossing off the other two men like they were children, Luc grabbed the pool stick from his brother and broke it. For a minute everyone simply stared at the broken stick—except for Travis moaning on the sticky barroom floor.
“What the hell?” Da said in the same moment Luc moved. He hit Henri with the stick, dropping his brother to the ground.
The front door banged open, and Arrigo and Siobhan ran in. Luc snapped his head up, clenching the pool stick harder. It would be so easy to kill them all right now, but he didn’t want to have their blood in his mouth. The mere thought made his stomach flip.
“Luc?” Arrigo took a few steps into the bar.
Luc shot him a look before swiveling around to face his father. Da took a few steps out from behind the bar. “Do you really want to try it?” He tossed the broken pieces of stick aside. “I’m leaving. No one had better follow me. I’m done with all of you.”
Luc kicked Henri before stomping his way over to the door. Arrigo stepped aside to let him out. Siobhan stood out on the cracked sidewalk. She offered him a sheepish smile. Arrigo slammed the door behind him and jerked a hand toward his car up the street.
Luc followed them to the vehicle. He didn’t say a word as he slipped into the
back seat. Arrigo and Siobhan piled in. Arrigo didn’t speak until he had the car in gear and headed down the street.
“What the hell happened?”
“I went outside to wait for you. One of them slugged me in the back of the head and dragged me into the bar.” Luc dug his fingers into the car seat. “I didn’t think they’d do anything that fucking dumb.”
“And why exactly did you come here without me or Siobhan?” Arrigo peered into the rearview mirror, looking at Luc.
“You two were tracking down a lead. I didn’t think there as any harm in seeing Lily, and there wasn’t,” Luc insisted. “I had no problems at the diner. It was nice seeing Lily. I didn’t think Henri would be around or that he could sneak up on me.” Luc leaned against Siobhan’s seat, his face close to hers. “I know you’re probably mad at me, but I think I did pretty good. I didn’t hurt them even though I really wanted to.”
“Not the point,” Siobhan said. “Though you did well.”
“You did look like you were ready to kill your brother when I walked in,” Arrigo said, speeding up on the nearly empty street.
“He was gonna help rape me with a pool stick. Even Da wasn’t sure what to do about Henri. Mais, he’s lucky I didn’t tear his head off. But you saw me, no fangs.” Luc sat back. “Stronger than I thought I’d be,” he added, shocked and proud at the same time.
“That’s what we’ve been telling you for weeks.”
“I know.” He sighed. “And I’m sorry I went off on my own without telling either of you. I thought it would be okay.”
“And I suppose that’s true,” Arrigo conceded.
Luc decided he’d better change the subject now while he was ahead. Worse, he might start thinking about the bar and what nearly happened. He was okay so long as he didn’t think about it. If he allowed himself to remember, terror ran through him. “Did you find anything?”
“Yeah, a drunk mage causing problems not far from here,” Siobhan said.
Luc nodded and fell silent. Arrigo and Siobhan did too. Luc knew they were still angry with him. Arrigo dropped Siobhan off at the apartment she was renting now at the Vdara, and maintained his silence until they were inside his condo. Luc turned to him. “I’m a grown man, Arrigo. I know I still have a lot to learn, but I don’t need a babysitter.”