by L. Rosario
She seemed so damn fragile, though that wasn't exactly an accurate description at the moment. Right now she looked pretty dangerous.
She licked her lips and focused on his throat again. “I want your blood, Valentino."
His blood?
She went on in her dark, sultry tone before he could speak. “I want to taste the flavor of it on my tongue.” She licked her lips again and leaned closer to sniff at him.
He stiffened and moved his grip to her shoulders. “Sera?” Something was wrong here. Hell if he knew what it was, but his instincts were literally screaming in his ear.
Chapter Seven
Sera had just entered the danger zone, but knowing it didn't make it any easier to back out. The feel of Valentino's smooth skin beneath her palms, the rapid beating of his heart, the smell of him, the knowledge that he was full of warm fresh blood ... all of it added up to make it damn hard for her to walk away right now. She had never felt so hungry. Maybe years of suppressing her true sexual desires had somehow suppressed her hunger for blood as well, and now that Valentino had ripped the lid off the former, the latter wanted to come out and play as well.
It would be so nice to lean into his hard body, place her mouth at his neck, and bite—
"Sera?"
His voice broke through to her, and she lifted her gaze to his. He looked concerned and maybe a little bit scared. She didn't want to scare him. In fact, that was the one thing she hated the most about being a vampire. The fear she caused in others. “Don't be afraid."
He blinked and cupped her face. “I told you I would give you anything you wanted, so if you want me to bleed for you, I will."
Oooh, that sounded nice. She licked her lips and pressed closer to rub her breasts against his chest. “You have to promise not to be afraid."
He seemed unsure as he nodded. “Maybe we should move back to the bed?"
It didn't matter to Sera where it happened as long as she got to drink this man's blood. Soon.
He took her hand, and she followed him to the bed like a good little girl. Once there, he turned to her and settled his hands over the straps of her dress. “Can I take this off?"
"Yes."
He didn't give her time to change her mind, not that she wanted to. He stripped the good for nothing dress off her body and left it pooled at her feet. He reached for her bra next and arched a brow. She nodded, and lacy garment drifted to the floor.
"I might risk a lot by asking this, but I need to know.” He talked while staring at her exposed breasts. His hands were at his sides, and his chest rose and fell in great gulps of air. “Why are you letting me do all of this now? Where did the shy Sera go?"
Did she dare tell him that her hunger had consumed that other personality? Would he understand, or would it only bring the fear back into his eyes? She chose the safer route and lied. “I guess you just make me comfortable."
He lifted his gaze and narrowed his eyes. For several moments he stared hard at her, but instead of calling her out, he nodded toward the bed. “Care to lie down?"
Sera flicked her gaze toward the expanse of red satin. “I would prefer it if you lie down first.” She wanted to be in control.
With a nod, Valentino walked around the bed and stretched out on top of the red coverlet. He propped his hands behind his head and bent one knee. “Now what do you want?"
Sera stared. Valentino's physical perfection almost made her forget about his blood. The white shorts, doing little to hide his state of arousal, stood out against the blood red fabric, as did his shiny golden skin and dark chocolate hair. His gaze never wavered from her face as she continued to gawk at him.
"You can touch me if you'd like,” he said softly.
Sera swallowed hard. Tearing her gaze from the man sprawled on the bed, she reached down for the zipper of her boot.
"I'd like you to leave them on, but it's up to you."
She glanced up and nearly fell over under the impact of Valentino's wicked smile. She took her hand away from her boot and walked around to the side of the bed. A tiny part of her brain tried to remind her she was naked in front of a man, and that this wasn't something she normally did, but she shoved the annoyance away. When Valentino held out a hand to her, she took it and allowed him to pull her across his body. His smile grew with every inch of her skin that touched his.
He wrapped his arms around her and held her close. “Are you always so cold?"
"Maybe you're just too hot?"
His laugh shook her, and he angled his head up to kiss her forehead. “Silly."
Sera ducked her face into his neck and inhaled the flavor of his skin. He didn't smell like anyone she'd ever been this close to before. The earthy aroma she had detected the first night seemed stronger, but the smell of fresh cut grass was gone. Maybe he had used a different soap tonight?
"So what now, baby?"
She nuzzled his neck before answering. “Now I want blood.” With that, she opened her mouth, and sank her teeth into human flesh for the fist time in nearly three centuries. It shouldn't have surprised her when Valentino jerked with pain and tried to throw her off. She was out of practice, after all.
She pulled her fangs free and soothed his neck with her tongue. “I'm sorry."
"It's fine.” His voice was lower than normal and his hands moved lightly up and down her back. “Do it again."
With pleasure.
Sera shifted her position to squeeze her knees tight to Valentino's thighs. Pressing her hands into his shoulders, she slid her fangs into him again. This time, her bite was gentle. He sighed, and his blood began to flow into her mouth.
Oh, sweet heaven, he tasted divine. Either she had really forgotten what it was like to drink directly from the source, or there was something incredibly different about Valentino's blood. Never before had she experienced such sweetness. He was like a liquid serving of dessert.
Sera altered her bite to sink her fangs deeper. She hadn't used them in so long it actually hurt to tear at Valentino's skin. He whimpered a little, and the sound made her pull back and lick her lips. He blinked at her as she sat up. The look on his face was a sexy mixture of pain and expectation. She ignored the expectation. “Did I hurt you too much?"
He shook his head and grabbed her hips. “I can take it.” He pulled her forward a little and moved his hips. “So now what?"
Clearly he wanted sex, but Sera believed he wouldn't take it without her consent. Stalling sounded good. She glanced at the wound on his neck. She'd been messy, and it was bleeding. The strange color of his blood drew her closer.
"You're blood isn't red.” She flicked her tongue out and his body stiffened as she licked a few drops away. It still tasted super sweet, even outside the body. She swallowed and scraped her fangs over the wound. More blood pumped out, making her moan.
His fingers flexed on her hips. “I'll give you all the blood you want, but please give me something in return."
Sera lifted her head enough to see Valentino's face. “It's been a very long time since I've had sex, and you are not small.” That was likely the understatement of the millennium, but she doubted he needed her to stroke his ego. Of course, the pictures on the website might be fake. Though he felt large.
"I swear to God, I won't hurt you.” He sounded ready to beg. “If it's too much, just say stop, and I stop. It's that easy."
She knew she could trust him. With a little nod, she eased off his lap. Immediately, he began to peel his tight shorts down. She looked away as he shifted his hips off the bed, and his chuckle brought heat to her face. Let him laugh. She refused to stare like an idiot. No matter how desperately she wished to. Her vampire hearing picked up the provocative sound of the shorts hitting the floor. Oh dear.
He reached for her and clasped her hips to guide her back across his lap. “Look at me."
Sera met Valentino's gaze as he lifted her hips to position the head of his penis at her opening. She swallowed and braced her palms on his chest. He closed his eyes and eas
ed her down on top of him. His movements were slow. Very slow, and she felt every thick inch of him slide deeper and deeper. Eventually she simply couldn't take anymore. “Stop."
He did, and his eyes flew open. “You're almost there, baby."
Sera glanced down to see a healthy length of Valentino not imbedded inside her. She couldn't possibly take it all. Maybe if he weren't so thick.
"It'll be easier if you're on your back,” he said.
She nodded, and he rolled her over with an impressive maneuver. Still buried inside her, he settled between her thighs and gave her a little nudge. She gasped as her body took another increment of hard cock.
He brought his face close, until his lips barely touched hers. “Bite me."
Sera hadn't expected that. She looked into his strained face and then at his neck. “Now?"
Valentino nodded. “Put your mouth on my neck and hold tight.” He lifted off of her and braced his weight on his hands. “Can you reach, little vampire?"
She shook her head and gripped his shoulders to pull him back down. She wasn't sure if the nickname was a tease, or if he really knew what she was. She'd ask later. Settling her lips over the wound, she licked him a couple of times then touched him with her teeth. “You taste so good."
"I can't possibly taste as good as you feel.” He gave her the rest of what he had to offer in one thrust.
Sera tore into Valentino's neck as he filled her completely and unmercifully. His blood pumped down her throat, and his cock burned the walls of her passage. Each thrust coaxed a soft moan from her throat.
His lips brushed over her ear. “Am I hurting you?"
She didn't know how to answer. Part of her brain registered the pain of being filled by something entirely too large, while another part begged her to let go and give into the glorious sensations coursing through her body. The feel of fresh, warm blood on her tongue helped her decide which half to listen to, and she shook her head in response to Valentino's question. “Feels good,” she panted.
He growled in her ear and thrust deeper and harder.
Dear God, she could feel him all the way to the bones of her lower back.
Taking her mouth from his neck, she dug her nails into his shoulders and arched to meet his next thrust. The friction of his movements burned, but she didn't want him to stop. Not when she felt the stirrings of an orgasm. How heavenly it would be to come around this thick invasion. A drop of blood dripped from his neck onto her lips, and she lashed her tongue out to lick it away. Another followed, then more as Valentino increased the tempo of his movements.
"You're close, aren't you, baby?"
Sera nodded, not caring that he couldn't see her. His blood continued to drip onto her lips, and she fed without having to make any effort whatsoever.
There'll be no going back now, her inner voice hissed. You've tasted heaven again, and you won't be able to pretend you don't enjoy it.
No. After tonight everything would go back to normal. She'd have her little bags of blood to erase the memory of Valentino's taste, and she'd never come here again. Time would pass, as always, and she'd shove this moment to the very back of her mind. She'd store it there with the rest of the memories she never took out. In time, she might even forget.
"Oh Jesus...” Valentino breathed in her ear. “You have to finish before I do, so tell me you're close."
She clenched around him as he thrust again, giving him the answer he sought without speaking a word. His thickness stretched her so wide, she barely felt the contractions of her orgasm, but she had no trouble feeling the hot rush of his release as he let go inside her.
Too soon it was over, and Valentino collapsed on top of her. His neck and the wound were out of reach, so she buried her face in the lovely fragrance of his hair. The strands were like silk against her cheek and nose. “Please tell me I didn't hurt you."
He shook his head against her cheek. “Just give me a moment to catch my breath."
Sera would gladly hold him all night, if that was what he wished, but she kept the sentiment to herself; along with the fact that for the first time in over three centuries, she felt at peace. A scary condition to be in considering the man on top of her was a male prostitute and she was a vampire.
Even Dr. Phil couldn't make this relationship work.
Chapter Eight
It took longer than usual for Valentino to recover, but eventually he lifted his head from the curve of Sera's shoulder to look her in the eyes. She blinked, and there was no mistaking the darker shade of blue staring back at him. Her cheeks held a hint of more color as well and the realization that his blood was responsible for these changes was a bit too much to process.
She was a vampire. Shy, reserved Sera was a frickin’ vampire.
"You probably should have mentioned what you were the first time we were together.” He kept his voice pitched low so the microphone on the camera couldn't pick it up. This he did not want to hear about later. Hiding the bite marks would be enough of a challenge.
She frowned. “I've never been sure how to bring such a thing up."
He braced himself over her and shook his hair out of his eyes. “A quick flash of fangs would have sufficed.” He looked at her full lips for a moment, then back into her eyes. “Can I see them now?” He'd already felt them, after all.
She curled her lips back into a smile that only revealed the sharp tips.
"Kind of sexy,” Valentino mumbled, and Sera's smile grew. He met her gaze. “We'll keep this between us, okay? Not sure how my boss would feel about you ingesting my blood.” Dr. Reynolds would probably go through the roof before running a series of uncomfortable tests.
Sera nodded and squirmed beneath him. “Do you mind?"
He pulled out of her and rolled away, keeping his eyes on her face the whole time. “Why don't you take your boots off and slip under the covers for a little bit?” He didn't want her to leave him. Not yet.
She shook her head and scooted to the edge of the bed. “I should go.” She glanced over her shoulder. “Could you let me get dressed without staring at me?"
Ah, shy Sera was back.
Valentino nodded and closed his eyes. “I promise not to peek."
The bed shifted, and he listened to the sounds of Sera slipping back into her clothes. Her boot heels clicked across the floor, and he slit his eyes open just as she reached for the door. “Hey.” He shot off the bed and caught her before she could finish her little escape.
"I said I need to go."
Valentino pulled her into his arms, but she kept her gaze focused on his chest. “I'm not going to see you again, am I?"
She jerked her head up and the answer swirled in her eyes. The color had shifted back to the clear, icy blue. She licked her lips and shook her head. “It's for the best if you don't."
"And if I say I want to? Does that matter?"
"Don't do this,” she said softly. “Just let me leave, okay?"
Valentino released her and stepped back. For several moments she stared at him, and he silently begged her to stay, all the while knowing she wouldn't. With a little noise that might have been a sob, she turned away and yanked the door open to run out of his life. Once the sound of her retreat faded away, he closed the door and leaned his forehead against it. It was wrong to feel such a loss, but for some reason he had formed an attachment with Sera, and the thought of never seeing her again burned more than the wound on his neck.
Maybe she'd change her mind? Maybe she'd miss the taste of his blood and come back for more? Maybe he'd find a way to rewind time and alter what they both were? Yeah ... maybe, maybe, maybe.
* * * *
Sera drew to a halt in the center of the main floor as Becca stepped in front of her.
"Where are you racing to?” she asked.
Sera prayed there was no blood on her lips. “I'm done ... I mean ... um ... I'm heading home."
Becca cocked her head and slid her gaze from Sera's eyes all the way to her feet then back again. “You lo
ok odd. Are you all right?"
Sera nodded and grabbed her friend's hand to pull her with her as she headed for the exit. “I'm fine. Just tired."
Becca giggled at that, but made no comment as she followed Sera out of the club and to their cars. The silence didn't last. “Did you do it?"
Sera dropped her keys, cursed, then stooped to pick them up. “Um ... yeah.” She fumbled to unlock the door but finally managed. She looked toward Becca and forced a smile. “See you at work tomorrow night?” Before Becca could do more than gape, Sera slid into the driver's seat and slammed the door. The old Mustang roared to life and she peeled away from the curb without a backward glance.
Dear God, what had she done!
She licked her lips and tasted Valentino. She swallowed and tasted Valentino. Even sighing brought the taste of him back. She needed to get home and drown herself in some good ole fashion synthetic blood. Her stomach twisted at the prospect.
"Well, get used to it,” she said out loud. “I don't plan on losing control ever again."
The shrill ring of her cell phone nearly sent her off the road. After taking a deep breath and checking all her mirrors, she reached over to pop open the glove box. She pulled out the phone and flipped it open. “Hello?"
"Welcome back, Seraphina,” an all too familiar voice purred in her ear. “I've missed you."
Ice cold shock slithered down her spine, and she pulled off the road to park in front of a small barber shop. She turned off her car and gripped the wheel as tightly as she gripped the phone. “What do you want, Constantine?"
"For a moment I was afraid you wouldn't recognize my voice."
Sera gritted her teeth. She didn't believe for an instant that it was a coincidence to hear from her maker on the very night she had tasted human blood again. But why? Constantine had made it very clear he wanted nothing to do with a “weak, pathetic excuse for a vampire” the night he had literally kicked her out of his home. If he had called only to gloat, she wasn't in the mood. “I'll hang up if you don't tell me why you called."
"Careful, my pet, I am the only one in this little relationship powerful enough to issue threats."