by K. M. Liss
"I can look after myself you goose, I was in shock yesterday. I'll be just fine. I coped when my parents died in that car crash, just after I turned, didn't I?” She reminded him.
“I know, and I'm sure you will, but it helps to have a second pair of hands on the job.”
“Fro! Do behave. Honestly. This is my cousin remember.”
“Half cousin,” Saba reminded her.
“Why do you keep saying that? What does it matter what portion of a cousin I am?” She asked in an irked tone.
“It matters to me.”
“Oh for God's sake! You are so odd at times. I hope we get along in Milan.”
“I'm gonna make sure we do.”
“Well I'll make an effort too then. So, shall we go?”
They made their way out of the caverns and emerged into the fresh air of the city. Saba carried her bag across his shoulder and hesitantly picked up her hand. She squeezed it tightly in return.
He gazed at her perfect profile and licked his lips. He would have Sevi for himself. Now that her brother had gone, he had no reason to hold back pursuing her. He had always wanted her. From the early days of their adolescence, he had a yearning deep inside. He needed her love.
She took a quick peek at her 'half' cousin. He was looking at her again, in that way. She smiled with satisfaction. It was so easy to hook men. She almost didn't have to try. She'd make him wait for a while. He'd be grovelling at her feet and begging for her in a couple of weeks, if she could last out that long. The man was so fucking hot he could set the street alight. She'd always had a secret fascination with him. He was a touch rough and couldn't speak a word of English but she'd fix that. It was comforting that he was real family. She'd turned him herself as Vincenzo said he'd felt odd doing it. Her blood and vampire DNA ran in his veins. Their Ristorian heritage was a shared bond.
Each had their own agenda. But they had the same goal in mind.
They smiled coyly and secretly at each other as they made their way to Raffaele's hired car. The brand new black Mercedes that was parked on the deserted street.
“Do you drive Sevi?” He asked hopefully.
“Sadly not. I didn't ever need to learn in London, the transport system is more than adequate. Besides it was far too busy there, the roads were gridlocked day and night.”
His hopeful heart dropped like a stone.
Oh fuck it.
“Well neither do I. How I got this car here in one piece I'll never know. Hold on tight my love. It'll be a hell of a trip to Milan.”
“Oh super! Now I have a vampire learner driver on my hands. Could life get any better?” She giggled nervously. “Maybe I should sit in the back for safety?”
“No you fucking well won't! I need the moral support up front. Driving a car is the most frightening experience ever.” He roared with laughter and she joined in enthusiastically.
Chapter 3
She awoke from her short nap with a scream. Pigs were tearing at her clothing and her hair. The same old dream was haunting her over and over. Raffaele's sickening end being the obvious cause of it. One day she would set right the wrongs that had been done to her loved ones. But now was not the time. She needed to think deeply and fully about what should be done. The Giannis were a force to be reckoned with and by now they would be fully aware of her opposing allegiance and would probably be expecting a reprisal. She might have to leave it for some later time when they would be more likely to become careless and unsuspecting. She gazed around the room and tried to calm herself, for now she was safe and well and in Milan in her new home, at Vini and Saba's. This was Vini's old room and she felt a closeness to him here. She could still smell him on his clothes and possessions which she could not bear to remove. After three weeks, everything still lay exactly where he had left them although her things were mingling in amongst them now. She picked up an old photograph of him and a deep burning came to her throat. His cropped dark hair and similar features stared back at her.
Vini my love. I will avenge you. Be patient.
She kissed it and put it back on the shelf.
She had to admit she liked it here, apart from the constant procession of females wandering around the place half naked. Saba was certainly popular. She'd kept him at a distance, taunting him, and making his eyes burn with a deepening need for her. She revelled in this. Seduction was her forte. She would dispense with these vampire whores soon, once he had had his wild fill. Then it could begin. Their new start. He didn't know anything about her. How good she could make him feel. She smiled to herself at the prospect of how good he could make her feel too.
She left her room and wandered into the living room. It was late afternoon and the apartment was silent. Saba was on an assignment. He was much sought after as a fashion model. He had appeared on the cover of Vogue a year ago and ever since that the work rolled in faster than he could schedule it. The sight of him, in a three thousand euro suit, with his hair slicked back and his light brown eyes staring sexily back at her from his souvenir copy, had caused her to sigh and ache with desire. Not many men could do that to her. It was usually the other way round.
She had found her equal in terms of looks and sex appeal, after Raffaele of course. Saba had a slight edge on him in the looks department, but Raffaele had the ultimate in sex appeal.
Saba's coarseness was a touch annoying. But to be fair, he was a simple farmer at heart. Picking fruits and vegetables didn't equip you with the finer skills of life. He had left his schooling at sixteen to help on the farm. His mother had died suddenly and his father had to cope with a young daughter alone. He needed Saba out in the fields. She had felt guilty removing him from his family, it was her mother's half brother after all, but he had begged her for the chance to escape such a heavy and dull physical life and she finally relented. How could she not? Thankfully he had made arrangements for a replacement and that had worked out well.
She sat looking out of the window, awaiting his return impatiently. He would be back soon. She had a little something up her sleeve tonight. Something to get his juices flowing in an unstoppable torrent.
She fingered the satin material of her short black mini dress and checked her appearance in the mirror. She was looking as good as she could. She tutted to see a chip had appeared in her deep red nail polish and tottered off on her high heeled mules to repair it. That done she sprayed herself with another big dose of Issy Miyake and settled down on the chaise longue in the living room.
Fifteen minutes later he appeared, bounding in the apartment in his jeans and snow white T shirt.
Mmmm, so fresh and masculine and damn gorgeous.
Absentmindedly, she licked her lips slowly and sensuously.
Oh Saba... you are a sex god of the highest order...
His eyes burned shocking yellow at the sight of her draped over his chair.
“Ah, there you are Saba. I am so glad I caught you. Your delightful neighbour downstairs has invited me for a few drinks at his place tonight. I am just waiting for him to call,” She announced in a calm and measured tone, watching his face for the expected jealousy to appear.
“Not Luigi surely? You can't be serious Sevi?”
“He is a charming and attractive older man. Perhaps I like sugar daddies my cousin... And besides, I simply adore his bright red Lotus. I may ask him to take me for a spin in it before we start to drink. I am sure he is an accomplished and experienced driver. Probably accomplished and experienced in other matters too.”
“But he's a human for fuck's sake. Grey haired and fifty odd years old! Sevi, no... I won't let you go. Ugggh, it makes my skin crawl.”
“You won't let me go? Ha ha, that is most hilarious darling! Do I interfere with your love life Saba? Of course not. Actually I may stay at Luigi's tonight. I feel the urge to be a little, ummm... Naughty...” She announced the word with emphasis, licked her lips and laughed in a deliberately sexy and deep manner. Then she shot him a wicked come hither look. “So don't wait up for me. And Sabato, just think... You can take
advantage of my absence and invite your herd of rampant females to visit. Perhaps you could do them all in one go so I don't have to wait to use the bathroom every morning. It's becoming quite tiresome to have your bedmates lying in my bath for hours on end.”
“Sevi, please! I don't want my herd. I thought we could do something special together. Go feed in town. Find someone each at a bar. We haven't done that yet, have we? Fed together, I mean. It's so rousing to suck from an intoxicated human. Then maybe we could drive out to a nice spot I know to look at the stars.”
“A feed together and a look at the stars? It sounds just like a dinner date! What has got into you? You are usually far more interested in feasting on and looking at your latest bed companion than slurping blood cocktails and star gazing with me.”
“I'm bored with all of them. Haven't you noticed? There hasn't been one here for the last... Now how long is it....? Ages and ages... Well, at least two days.”
“Come to think of it, yes. You have been rather quiet in your room lately. What's up cousin?”
“Half fucking cousin... In fact hardly a cousin at all. I insist you call me Saba all the time. No more cousin this and cousin that.”
“What a dreadful mood you are in. I am so glad I have my naughty plans for this evening. I can't stand all this moaning and sulking.”
“You aren't going. I won't let you.”
“Oh do behave cousin. I am going to leave now and call on my date.”
She stood up and turned to the mirror leaning forward to take final stock of her hair and makeup and then wriggled seductively, pulling down her skirt a touch from where it was riding almost up to her bare backside. She turned and he swooped in front of her. His eyes were alight with a blazing yellow desire. She could hear his heavy breathing and could see his hard arousal. She smiled inwardly, he was so ready. And he'd already dumped his 'boring' women too. She didn't need to do anything about that at all. This was so sweet! Her teasing and taunting had worked well over the last few weeks. He wanted her and her alone.
She couldn't blame him. After all, she was quite a prize.
She was a master at this game. Or should that be a mistress?
“Wish me a good evening then,” she added leaning forward to kiss his cheek.
His hands took hold of her head. His lips suddenly brushed hers and he kissed her with a wild passion that made her head spin. He groaned against her mouth and wrapped his arms tightly around her, deepening the kiss, his eager tongue probing her mouth. She pulled away with great difficulty after indulging herself for more than a few heated seconds of blissful sensations.
Christ Almighty, he's so hot, and now, so am I...
“Really Saba! A kiss on the cheek would have been adequate enough.” She edged around him and made for the door. He whipped in front of her with speed and agility, barring her exit.
He growled deeply with displeasure at her control and sarcasm. “You're staying right here. I want you.”
“You do? Why is that? You have so much female company. Why do you need me?”
“You know why. I've always wanted you. Since we were human and young.”
“Oh, I see. You had a childhood crush on me, did you?”
“No, well yes... But right now I want to fuck you to high heaven.”
“How sweet a sentiment Saba. Would you like to rephrase that more eloquently?”
“I can try, I suppose.” He picked up her hand and kissed her open palm.
“A beautiful start. Do continue.”
“I have deep affection for you. I want us to sleep together very much... Please?” His eyes searched hers in such an appealing way she almost jumped on him there and then.
“No.” She managed to say calmly, smothering a smile.
“WHAT?”
“I have a date with the luscious Luigi and his even more luscious red sex machine. Now move your ass honey and let me out. We shall talk tomorrow about this crush of yours. If I am not too tired after my planned human exploits.”
His face was a picture of surprise and deep anger mixed with glowing desire as she pushed him aside roughly and left the apartment with a confident and sexy stride on her vertiginous silver high heels. She'd pushed his buttons hard and now he was at her feet. This last stand of hers was purely for show. To leave him moping around, swearing his head off in a rage, burying his face in his pillow in horror, thinking of her fucking an older human, in favour of him, was quite amusing. She was going to bind him to her strongly. To do that, she had to prove to be very hard to get. Females fell at his feet in droves. It was about time he found one that wouldn't.
And now for lucky Luigi. She was about to make his day. What a surprise he would have to find her on his doorstep asking for a quick lift to town to collect something of vital importance. Hopefully she wouldn't give him a heart attack en route. This dress was much too short and he was a little on the overweight side. Of course he would never refuse her request and she could entertain him for a while and perhaps feed in his car when they returned.
She knocked and posed in the doorway waiting for him to answer. The door opened and she smiled at him, her eyes catching his and drawing him in instantly.
“Who is it Lou?” A female voice called from inside.
Oh damn! A woman. This could make things difficult.
“It's my new neighbour, from upstairs,” Luigi called back, eyeing her lustfully.
A small grey haired lady came into view behind him.
His mother, hmmm... Okay, it's still redeemable.
“Luigi, I am so sorry to bother you and your, err mother, I need a lift to town. I have left my credit cards and keys in a store there. Could I beg a favour of you?”
“Of course. Just a moment and I'll be with you. Come in and wait please.”
She stood sweetly smiling at the suspicious older lady, whilst Luigi did whatever he had to do. He arrived at her side a long minute later with neatly combed back hair, a change of clothes and reeking of expensive cologne.
They finally left the unhappy mother behind and left the apartments. It was a shaky start, but now they were off. She cast a glance up at their apartment window and was overjoyed to see Saba watching from above, his hands pressed against the glass. She gave him a discrete little wave and watched as he backed off in disgust and torment as Luigi unlocked the car, opened her door, and helped her inside the very low slung seat, holding her offered perfect little hand.
She really was a complete bitch at times. But then again, she was a vampire. She couldn't be 'nice' too often. It just wasn't healthy.
He stood looking in the mirror. He raised his fangs and bit into his bottom lip just enough to draw blood. He watched as the droplets of blood ran down his chin and dripped onto his spotless white t-shirt.
Fuck her... Two can play at that game.
He changed his clothes, tended briefly to his appearance, not that there was anything that could be improved on, and left for the club. He liked it there. Mixing with his fashion mob, talking about those ridiculous designers, bitching man style with the other male models and having a few drinks. It was a pleasant way to spend an evening. He'd get a sweet little human to play with tonight. There were lots of eager women, dying to get their sweaty hands on him. That was one of the things he liked about humans, apart from their blood, their sweat. Vampires didn't perspire. Ever. No matter how hot it was. Their skin radiated dry heat. He liked the taste of human sweat and their tears. The salty flavour was something else. If he could get a sweating, crying, hot human babe in his bed, he'd feel a whole lot better. And he could feed as well.
What a bright idea. Why hadn't he thought of it before? Food and entertainment in bed.
As he drove along in his very own new car, a modest black BMW convertible, he couldn't stop his mind from wandering back to her. His obsession. She moved the earth beneath his feet. She always had.
He'd parked rather well he thought proudly, standing back to admire the closeness to the kerbside and the perfect centring b
etween the car in front and behind. He was obviously a natural. Who needed lessons... or even a license? He strode off towards the club feeling very pleased with himself.
Fucking easy, this driving stuff.
It was just after seven when he made his way inside the bar and a sea of eyes began tracking his every step. He was used to it. He knew women almost fainted at the sight of him, and a lot of men too in his business although he wasn't inclined in that way. He spotted a model friend of his, Carlo, and made his way over to say hello. He was feeling hungry, and the smell of blood in the bar was overwhelming. He stood talking for quite some time but soon it became too much. He needed a drink to calm himself and fill his stomach for a while.
A tall and slim brunette he knew vaguely, from the agency he used, caught his eye across the room as he ordered his extra large glass of House Pinot Noir at the bar. He downed it in one large gulp, to calm his growing hunger, as the bar tender watched stunned, and handed him his change.
Ah yes, Esther... Now she's my type exactly.
He regarded her for a moment. She had ample cleavage, was a touch on the skinny side, had a mass of curly hair, and wonderful brown eyes. A similar build and look to Sevi, apart from the lighter hair colouring.
Why am I selecting human women that look like her? That's enough! I'd better find someone else, less similar.... Actually, no, she'll do. I like what I like.
He made a beeline straight for her and her eyes opened wide with surprise.
“Esther my love. How are you?” His eyes raked her up and down shamelessly, focusing on her chest for far too long. He finally dragged his gaze back up to her pretty, if rather flushed, face. She was almost hyperventilating and didn't reply for an awkward moment.
“I'm good Saba,” She finally managed in a gasping voice. “What about you? Thing's okay...?”
“More than okay. Especially right now.” He leaned in close and breathed up and down her neck, and then nipped her ear human style, inhaling her perfume and underlying scent. She'd had a few. He could smell the alcohol in her blood. She sighed shakily with pleasure and heat radiated from her like an open fire.