Captive Fantasy

by L. Rosario

  "Becca, this is Valentino,” she added, though it was hardly necessary.

  Despite the fact that she'd just been unconscious for close to an hour, Becca slid off the bed and floated toward Valentino. She held out a hand. “Hello. Lovely to meet you in person."

  Valentino shook her hand and shot a quick look toward Sera, who shrugged. “Thank you,” he said to Becca.

  "You're much more gorgeous in person than on the website,” Becca went on. “Though so is Raphael."

  Sera moved forward to put a halt to the conversation. “Becca, not now.” She gripped her friend's shoulder and received a hostile glare in return.

  "Did you bring him here to feast off of him?"

  Sera removed her hand and shook her head. “An hour ago, you told me that if vampires did exist, I wouldn't make a good one, and now you're accusing me of bringing Valentino into my lair to feast on him like some animal. Make up your mind, Bec. You either believe in us or you don't."

  Becca's green eyes narrowed. “I don't know what to believe, but I know that something weird is going on.” She turned back to Valentino. “Have you seen Raphael?"

  "Yeah, I have."

  Sera watched Valentino closely as he spoke. His gaze shifted and met hers, and she knew without being told that they needed to speak privately. Now.

  "Will you excuse us, Becca?” Sera had a hard time taking her eyes off Valentino. “Valentino and I need to talk privately."

  Becca arched a brow and propped her hands on her hips. “I don't think it's a good idea for you to be alone with him. You might bite him or something."

  Valentino spoke up before Sera could tell Becca to mind her own damn business. “I'll be quite safe,” he said. “But thank you for your concern."

  Becca whipped her head around. “What if she attacks you?” She moved toward him and gestured at his bare upper body. Despite becoming a vampire, he still bore the scar of Sera's first bite. It wasn't as ugly as it had been, but it stood out against the golden skin of his neck. Most likely, it would never completely go away.

  "You've already got marks,” Becca said. “Are they from her?” She turned to pin Sera with an angry look before Valentino could defend himself. “I thought you were little miss prude? You've actually bitten him?"

  "None of this concerns you,” Sera told her.

  "So you have,” Becca concluded. “During sex?” Her tone shifted from accusatory to really curious. “So that's how it happens? You drink and fuck at the same time?"

  Sera had had enough. She grabbed Becca's shoulders and physically moved her back toward the bed. “You need more rest, I think."

  Becca fought her as best she could considering Sera had decided to employ a little vampire strength. Hadn't Becca wished for a demonstration? “I don't need to rest,” she protested.

  Sera pushed her down onto the bed. “Well, do so anyway.” She turned toward Valentino and caught him attempting to hide a smile. He failed, so he ducked his head and let the fall of his hair hide it for him. She took a step, but Becca's frantic voice stopped her.

  "Where are you going?"

  Sera glanced back at the bed. “I'll be right next door, and I swear, you won't come to any harm.” She reached down and brushed a thick lock of red hair from Becca's forehead. “No one wants to hurt you, Becca. You have to believe me."

  "But I'm mortal and full of blood. Isn't that some sort of temptation?"

  "Most of us do pretty good fighting temptation."

  Something flashed in Becca's eyes, letting Sera know that her friend probably wouldn't fight too hard against a sexy, male vampire. Thank God Constantine was locked away somewhere. He never could resist easy prey.

  * * * *

  "She's something else,” Valentino said about Becca once he was alone with Sera in her room. She rolled her eyes and wrapped her arms around his waist to hug him. He hugged her back and kissed the top of her head. “What's this for?"

  She shrugged and the movement brushed the silk of her shirt over his bare skin. “Can't I hug you?"

  Valentino tightened his arms around her back. “Yeah, you can.” They embraced in silence for a few more moments, then Sera started to squirm. He loosened his hold, and she stepped out of his arms. She ran her fingers through her hair and fixed her gaze on his chest. He suspected something was on her mind, and he knew he was right when he saw her teeth hook over her bottom lip.

  He reached out to tap the tip of her nose. “What's wrong, baby?"

  She glanced through her lashes. “Why didn't you say it back?"

  He had no idea what she was talking about, and before he could say as much, she tossed up her hands and stalked away from him. At that moment he realized how much easier it was to seduce a woman than to actually figure out her mind.

  Sera sat on her bed and glared at him. “You said you saw Raphael?"

  "I take it we've changed the subject now?” Better safe than sorry. Her glare was the only answer he got. “Yeah, I've seen him, and he's fine. In fact, he's handling this a whole lot better than your friend."

  "Maybe he believes in vampires?"

  "I told him what you were, so seeing all this shouldn't be a surprise."

  She shot off the bed and flew toward him. Her agitation knocked the oversized shirt off one creamy shoulder. She didn't stop to fix it. “You told him? Who else did you tell? And why would you do such a thing?"

  Valentino grabbed her around the waist. “Whoa. Calm down, for God's sake. Can we finish one conversation at a time?"

  She huffed and yanked the shirt into place. “Fine."

  Valentino maintained his grip on her waist and walked her back toward the bed. As he tried to get her to sit down, she flipped out again and started smacking him on the chest.

  "Don't you dare think you're going to calm me down with sex."

  "What?"

  She balled her fists and hit him hard between the pecs. “In fact, I might never sleep with you again."

  He let her go and stepped out of reach. “Obviously we need to talk about something before I tell you what happened after you left the study. Care to tell me what that something might be?” She moved toward him, and he retreated. “Stay where you are."

  She glared at him some more and crossed her arms. “Tell me what, if anything, I mean to you."

  Awareness dawned on Valentino like a new day. He reached up to brush his hair back and also to stall for time. So this was the problem. She'd said she loved him, and he hadn't said it back. Now she looked at him as if he were something he'd scrape off his shoe. Nice, real nice.

  "Well?” she snapped, when he'd obviously stalled a second too long.

  "If I say it now, you'll never believe me."

  She seemed confused for a moment. A short moment. “You don't know that."

  He nodded and tried to silence the chuckle he could feel building. “Yeah, I do know that. You'll wonder for the rest of your life—which is a really long time, I might add—if I said it because you forced the issue. That doubt will eat away at you until you can't stand it, or me, anymore."

  She shook her head and took a little step toward him. He didn't retreat this time. “That won't happen."

  "Sera, baby.” He took hold of her waist again and pulled her closer. She braced her hands on his chest so that only their lower bodies touched. It was enough to set him on fire, and the blush bleeding into her cheeks let him know she burned as well. “I'll say it when you least expect it. How does that sound?"

  She trailed a finger up his chest to trace the line of his collarbone. Her touch was so light it almost tickled. “When will that be?” She focused on her hand, not his face, so she missed his smile.

  "If I tell you, it won't be unexpected."

  She was quiet for awhile as she continued to trail her finger over him. From his collarbone, she went toward the hollow of his throat, then up over his adam's apple. “It doesn't count if you say it during sex."

  Valentino dropped his head back as her finger traced the line of his j
aw, then delved into his hair to find his ear. God, who knew one finger could feel so erotic? “I'll keep that in mind."

  She had all her fingers buried in his hair now at the back of his head. Her grip wasn't gentle as she forced his head up to look him in the eyes. “You do realize that telling me you'll say it when I least expect it, means you love me. If it didn't, you'd have no reason to say it at all."

  "Nice of you to realize that.” He dipped his head and caught her parted lips. He could still taste the lingering flavor of Rick's blood on her tongue as it thrust forward to meet his. The sooner he got her out of here, the better, because the only taste he wanted in her mouth was his.

  He made love to her mouth for awhile and then dug his hand in her hair to ease her face away. She sighed and licked her lips as her eyes drifted up to meet his.

  "We need to talk,” he reminded her.

  "Can we talk in bed?"

  All the blood in his body shot right to his cock. “Jesus, Sera.” He shoved her away and reached for the front of her shirt. He fumbled with the buttons, but was careful not to do any damage. It slithered to the floor, leaving her naked and trembling. He wanted to drop to his knees and worship her.

  She placed a hand on his shoulder and pressed down. “On your knees,” she ordered him.

  Valentino cocked a brow. “What's with the Mistress Seraphina act?"

  She applied more pressure to his shoulder, and he gave in to sink to his knees. Her gaze followed him down. “I'm trying to learn to be more assertive.” The stain on her cheeks indicated she still had a ways to go before she mastered her shyness.

  Valentino lightly clasped her hips. “I'm yours to command, mistress."

  Her lips parted, and her fingers dug into his shoulder. She stared down at him, clearly at a loss as to what to say or do next. God, he adored her.

  "What do you want?” He was close enough to her pussy to feel the heat of her arousal. Mixed with the heady fragrance, it was enough to drive him mad, but he'd wait for her to take the lead. He did, however, lower his face just enough to feel her curls brush over his chin. She tensed and let out a little gasp.

  "I want that,” she finally said.

  "You can do better than that, Sera."

  She tightened her jaw and stared at some point across the room. “I want you to use your mouth.” More color stained her cheeks. “Please."

  "Where do you want my mouth?"

  She looked down, clearly exasperated. “I want it,” she paused to lick her lips. “I want it down there.” She gestured with the hand not digging welts in his shoulder.

  He should take pity on her, but it was too fun to make her squirm. He brushed his chin over her again. “Here?"

  She nodded and gripped both his shoulders now. “Valentino, please. You're being cruel."

  "Am I?” He lowered his gaze, and his hands to her pussy. With his thumbs, he spread her lips apart to expose her clit. She inhaled sharply and drew blood with her nails. The smell filled the room and made his nostrils flare. “Never let it be said that I'm cruel to women.” He bent forward and sucked her clit deep into his mouth. She shuddered and moaned out loud.

  Kneeling might work great for women, but Valentino wanted better access. Moving his hands back to her hips, he glanced up her body to find her watching him. “Turn around, bend over the bed, and spread your legs."

  Her eyes widened, but she did as he asked. She visibly shook as she braced her hands on the shiny comforter. Still on his knees, he simply scooted up behind her and spread her open for his tongue. She cried out and filled his mouth with the sweet taste of her cum. Relentlessly, he licked and sucked at her until her knees buckled and she begged him to stop.

  He sat back on his heels and ripped the front of his pants down away from his cock. Taking hold of Sera's waist from behind, he guided her down astride his thighs and watched her body take him inside. She had yet to stop convulsing from her orgasm, and her muscles gripped and released every inch as it slid deeper and deeper. She lurched forward and took hold of the edge of bed with his name spilling from her lips.

  "Just hang on,” he told her.

  He heard the comforter snag under her nails as she obeyed. He waited for the last pulse of her climax to fade, then he lifted her up and slammed her back down. She shrieked and the comforter tore some more. Over and over, he pounded her down on top of him, and finally she lost her hold on the bed and reached down to grab his knees. Sweat beaded down the center of her spine and he strained forward to lick it away. She shivered under his tongue.

  "Val..."

  "Hmm?” he hummed against her spine as he licked away more sweat. He could feel her vagina tightening.

  "I want to feel your teeth.” The words were barely a whisper, but she'd managed to say them, and he couldn't refuse her.

  With one final lick, he scanned her pale back and then latched onto the back of her left arm. He bit into her muscle, and she climaxed with a soft cry.

  Chapter Twenty-eight

  The room came into focus for Sera as she drifted down from her high. Valentino's bite on her arm weakened and then disappeared all together. He shuddered one last time underneath her before dropping his forehead against her back to let the throbbing and twitching of his cock subside. Each pulse made her catch her breath and forced her to fight the urge to ride him all over again.

  "I don't think I can move,” he said against her.

  Sera didn't think she could either. “We still need to have that talk.” She flexed her fingers around his knees and noticed how badly she'd wrinkled the delicate silk. Oh dear. The pants were likely stained beyond repair, too. The thought brought fresh heat to her cheeks.

  Valentino encircled her waist with one arm. “Grab the comforter."

  Sera didn't ask why. She took hold of the smooth cover and then suddenly fell backwards. She landed spooned in front of Valentino. He put his lips to her ear. “The bed would be better, but I don't think I can walk.” He dragged the comforter over them and snuggled closer.

  Sera wiggled her ass against the dwindling bulk of his erection and gave a little sigh. “This is just fine.” She closed her eyes and contemplated drifting off to sleep, but Valentino gave her a tight squeeze.

  "Hey,” he said in her ear. “We have things to talk about."

  Sera didn't open her eyes. “So talk."

  "Dr. Reynolds was able to determine some very interesting things about me."

  That got her attention. She shifted onto her back and pulled Valentino's arm across her belly. She tried to make her head comfortable on the wood floor, but failed. Valentino smiled and worked his other arm behind her head. She settled onto the bulge of his bicep, careful where she put most of her weight. “This will put your arm to sleep."

  "I'll live."

  "What did the doctor find out?"

  "In spite of what some might believe, I am a vampire."

  "Yes, I know.” Sera reached over to touch a finger to his lips. “I felt the bite."

  He smiled. “Did it feel good?"

  She snatched her hand away and lowered her gaze. “Stop teasing me."

  His chuckle filled her ear as he nuzzled close to her. “I like teasing you. You should know that by now.” He kissed her ear and then pulled back. “But in all seriousness, I'm not the normal kind of vampire."

  Sera propped herself on her elbows and looked down at Valentino. He rolled onto his back and laced his hands together behind his head. He looked like he was waiting for her to ask, so she did. “What kind are you?” Who knew there were different kinds. Not her.

  "I'm the kind who shouldn't drink human blood.” His brown eyes twinkled up at her. “Fancy that."

  Sera didn't understand. “You've already had human blood though. You told me you fed from that woman."

  He nodded. “And I did, twice, to be exact."

  "I didn't need to know that."

  He took an arm out from behind his head to reach up and cup her cheek. “She didn't taste as good as you."
<
br />   Sera sat up completely and twisted to face him. “Women don't like hearing things like that."

  Valentino dropped his hand down to her waist, and then further still. “All right, I'll never tell you how good you taste, ever again."

  She swatted his hand and scowled at him. “You know what I mean."

  He smiled again and propped his arm back under his head. “Yeah, I know what you mean. But back to the good doctor. It seems it's your fault.” He winked at her. “My aversion to human blood, that is."

  Sera pointed at her chest. “Me? What did I do?"

  "You made me, baby. Your diet of synthetic blood, mixed with whatever the hell used to flow in my veins, has turned me into a vampire that can't get full on mortal blood. I can drink it, and it won't make me sick, but it won't satisfy me either.” He shrugged his shoulders and gazed up at her. “To be honest, I've been hungry and miserable since my damn fangs grew."

  "I don't think you'll find any synthetic blood in this house.” But he needed to feed. Sera frowned, wondering if the queen could somehow help them.

  "Hey?” Valentino rolled over, propping his head in one hand while reaching out with the other to take hold of her. “I have what I need right here, as it turns out."

  Sera stared at their joined hands. “Meaning?"

  Instead of answering, Valentino lifted her hand to his mouth and turned it wrist up against his lips. He licked the tracing of veins visible through her pale skin, and she dragged her gaze toward his. “Let me bite you, Sera."

  Her insides clenched, and her lips parted, but not a single sound came out. Valentino chuckled softly and scraped his fangs along her wrist. She gasped and sucked her bottom lip into her mouth. She couldn't let him do this. “I haven't had synthetic blood since I got here. What if you can't drink from me?"

  "I've already bitten you tonight, and I feel fine.” He looked up with his mouth still pressed to her wrist. “So, may I?"

  Sera could only stare.

  "I'll take that as a yes.” He opened his mouth and sucked gently at her skin before piercing her vein.

  She nearly collapsed from pleasure, but Valentino took only a tiny bit of blood and drew away before she wanted him to. She blinked at his smiling face. “Why did you stop? Did it taste wrong?” She pulled her wrist away, staring down at the small wound.