by D N Simmons
Xavier wondered if Darian was still busy watching the semifinals of the tournament. He looked at his platinum Solex watch, diamond dots marking each quarter hour. He shook his head. The time was 2:42 A.M. The tournament was long over. At three, he was planning to leave. John could handle the rest. He had appointed John Fallon to take Gary's place in the strip club section of the establishment. He could tell John didn't want to get on the stage to strip for the hysterical mortals who wanted to see a vampire in the buff, but Xavier had been most insistent. He watched the crowd react wildly to John as he relaxed more and more for his audience. It became apparent that he enjoyed dancing for cash. Xavier shook his head, laughing as he watched John seduce the human crowd, teasing them with the last bit of clothing he had on, the piece that covered his genitalia. When the crowd began to chant “take it off”, John teased them a bit more before submitting. But now that the strip section of the club was also closed, John had to resume his regular duties as manager. He also didn't seem to mind the extra few hundred dollars he had stuffed in his pocket.
Speaking of the devil, John walked up to Xavier, who was by now, feeling very mellow. He sat down on the bar stool next to Xavier, surveying the energetic mortals.
“It seems that they never get tired, doesn't it?” he asked.
Xavier nodded. “Yeah, it does. They love the nightlife after the grueling work day, I suppose it's the only thing that makes them feel alive,” he said softly. “That is the one thing we have in common with humans, we both love the nightlife.” He finished his drink and placed the empty glass on the bar top and rose slowly, taking his leather jacket off the back of the seat. “I'm going home now. I'll leave all of this in your hands. Remember to remind Jennifer that she has to cover for Annette until she returns, okay?”
“Yeah, Xavier, I won't forget.”
Xavier looked at him and grinned. “You enjoyed stripping, didn't you?”
John blushed slightly, then nodded . “Yeah, I did. At first, I didn't think I would, but it's pretty exciting to be up there, everyone loving everything about you. Shit, I even did a personal dance for these two chicks in the back who wanted to know what it was like to touch a vampire,” he said, smiling, eyes staring forward suddenly as he remembered the moment with the ladies.
“Well, I hope you didn't let anything get out of hand. Did they want you to feed from them?” Xavier asked, looking at John suspiciously.
“Well, yeah, you know how these mortals are these days. We're like a new aphrodisiac to them, they can't get enough of us. I think we have successfully replaced heroine, crack and cocaine!” John said with a chuckle. Xavier couldn't help but laugh.
“But I behaved myself, I only took a little, just enough to give them a thrill.” John smiled.
Xavier nodded, pleased. Telling John “good night”, he put his coat on, heading toward the parking lot. He climbed inside his sports car and drove home.
Xavier looked at the night sky, the stars shining brightly against the dark clouds. He could see the sky so clearly, better than any mortal would ever be able to see it. To him, the night was beautiful, he felt it was the best time of the day. He arrived at the mansion, entered the huge garage, stopping on the second level. The four walls of the double-decker garage were all glass. Darian had wanted to be able to see the cars, even before entering. Xavier had told Darian he thought it a bad idea to tempt thieves. Darian had paid no heed to the warning. They were burglarized shortly after that discussion. A foolish band of mortals had thought it would be easy to get in and get out, with as many of the high priced cars stored in the two-story garage as they could. What they didn't know was that the huge two-story mansion with sixteen acres of scenic landscaping was owned by a powerful master vampire who had no qualms about killing humans.
That night, all six vampires staying with Darian at that time, Xavier, John, Tony, Annabelle, Miko, and April and the man himself, applied their own brand of justice. They feasted greedily on the five mortals who had dared to enter their territory. After he'd parked, he went inside the house which was luxurious. Crystal chandeliers hung from the ceilings, handmade carpeting covered the floors. The mansion had been built in the 1930s from a classic design. The arched doorways were decorated with carved rose vines. The rooms without carpeting had dark, hardwood floors which were hand polished. Darian's mortal servants lived on the premises, protecting the coven during the day, as well as completing daily house chores. They earned room and board, and a handsome salary to boot.
Whenever Darian had human servants, it was primarily for day time protection and very little else. He might have sex with them but it was rare. He hired mortals who were menacing and strong, with little or no family ties, to scare off would-be groupies who wanted to look at a vampire sleeping, or slayers. For slayers, Darian had zero tolerance. He had caught four slayers since the “Exposure” who had attempted to destroy him. To these idiot mortals, he did one of two things: either killed them instantly, or placed them in a tournament. But never, ever did he turn them over to the police. Xavier passed two human servants in the hallway and nodded a greeting to them, which they returned. He entered the extravagant bedroom he shared with Darian. The king-sized canopy bed was draped with sheer black curtains and covered with black satin sheets. The room smelled of orchid incense. The floor had white carpeting, a daring move, with the constant amount of traffic in and out of the bedroom. The armoire and dresser were made of solid black marble, as were the frame and pillars of the four-poster bed. The high arched, roman style windows, reaching from ceiling to floor, were covered with thick, black velvet drapes to keep out the sun. Darian didn't sleep in a coffin, he enjoyed the comfort of waking up in a bed every evening and Xavier had to agree. Darian also thought the notion of resting in a coffin was a bit outdated. Coffins were only to be used for traveling during daylight hours or in some sort of emergency.
Xavier could hear sounds of water splashing from the bathroom. He headed in that direction and opened the door, allowing steam to escape from the room. He leaned against the door frame and crossed his arms over his chest. He looked down at Darian sitting in the huge, round, marble tub that was built into the floor, it was big enough to swim in. Darian was pouring handfuls of scented water over his muscular chest.
He looked up at him and smiled. “Home already?”
“Yeah, well, most of the fun sections of the club were closed. All that was left was the dance section, and the mortals were filling the place up with the most delicious scent,” Xavier said as he twirled into the bathroom, arms outstretched. Darian lowered his head and chuckled.
“You're drunk.” He smiled, the cute dimples in his cheeks made Xavier blush.
“Yes, I had one of Tony's concoctions, the patented 'contender'.” He smiled gaily.
“I could have had a 'Contender',” Darian joked mischievously. He poured more handfuls of the hot water over his muscular arms.
Xavier watched as the water flowed over Darian's soft skin. He sat down on the edge of the tub, looking down at his lover.
“Mind if I join?” he asked as his hands came up to unfasten his shirt, working slowly on the buttons.
“Not at all.” Darian submerged himself under the fragrant, soapy water, and came back up. Water trailed down his body, his long, wavy, jet-black hair plastered to his face and chest. He looked at Xavier, who was removing his shirt and leather jacket at the same time. He stood up, unbuttoned his pants and pulled them down. His semi-erect penis sprang forward. Darian laughed outright, moving away from the edge of the tub to allow Xavier access into the heated water. Xavier climbed into the water and moved closer to his lover. Darian opened his arms wide, taking Xavier into his embrace, pressing him back against his chest. He tilted his head and kissed Xavier's temple lightly. Darian truly loved Xavier and would do all that was in his power to take care of him. He didn't feel that way about many people, even some of his own offspring, but he felt that way wholeheartedly about the one lying comfortably and safely in his arms. Dar
ian lifted a handful of water, pouring it over his lover's chest. He watched the water run in rivulets over his nipples to settle into the ridges of his muscular stomach. He tilted the other man's head back, pressing it to his chest, planting delicate kisses alongside Xavier's cheek and mouth. Their tongues met in a gentle kiss.
“I met someone today,” Xavier said when they broke the kiss.
Darian looked at him, his long, thick, straight, black lashes brushing his cheeks as he looked down into Xavier's eyes.
“Who?” His hand continued to pour warm water over Xavier's head and body.
“A beautiful, enchanting woman. She was with Annette the night of the accident. Oh, Annette wishes she was here right now, but unfortunately, she's laying in a hospital bed. Her arm's broken, and she has a few cuts, stitches and bruises here and there.”
Darian frowned slightly. “Did she like the flowers?”
“Oh yes, she did, and she also had her eyes set on me. I think she would have been willing for that threesome,” he chuckled.
“What of this other woman you met tonight?”
“Oh, that's right.” He smiled, looking up at Darian, head tilted against his chest. “She's gorgeous. Light green eyes, full luscious lips, smooth brown skin, incredible figure, she was delicious to look at. She has a smile out of this world, and she's funny. Let me tell you what I read of her mind.” He proceeded to tell Darian of her thoughts about them being predators. Darian smiled and chuckled. He listened as Xavier told him more about his conversation with Natasha.
“You were pouring the charm on kind of thick, don't you think?” he accused lightly.
“Well yeah, but you would have too, if you had seen her. But I guess, you're just too smooth, women throw themselves at you. All you need to do is pretend that you're going to look their way and you've got panties thrown at your feet, you lucky bastard!” Xavier said playfully, splashing water into Darian's face as he laughed.
“I wouldn't go that far, I do have to put a little effort into seducing the ladies,”
“Picking out the right designer suit doesn't count...Well... Doesn't count for much. Face it, you've been blessed with a face for billboards, and a body to boot,” Xavier said. Darian smiled, he thought the same of his young lover.
They bathed each other in the tub then Xavier reached over and pushed a silver button, turning on the shower heads mounted in the ceiling. Warm sprinkles of water rained down, rinsing off the soap and residue from them as the water drained from the tub. Darian held Xavier in his arms, kissing his shoulders, his hands caressing Xavier's stomach, and pecs. His fingers teased Xavier's erect nipples as he pressed Xavier's back firmly against his chest. Darian's hands trailed down Xavier's stomach to his fully erect penis, encircling the base. He began to lightly stroke the smooth hardness, causing Xavier to moan. A small tremor ran through Xavier's body as his eyes closed, letting his muscles relax, reveling in the pleasure.
Releasing Xavier and turning the shower off, Darian rose to his full height of six-feet-three inches, lifted his lover in his arms and carried him to the bed. Using telekinesis, he drew the curtains away from the bed, allowing him to lay Xavier down on the satin sheets. He looked down at Xavier's body, catching his breath at the sight of his beautiful lover's naked form. He climbed in next to him, leaning forward, pressing fervent kisses on Xavier's soft lips. Darian pulled away slowly, reaching into a drawer to retrieve a small glass vial filled with fragrant oil. He poured the contents of the bottle into the palm of his hand then rubbed both hands together. Kneeling beside the prone man, Darian started to rub the warm fragrant oil into Xavier's chest, giving him a soft, soothing massage. He kneaded the hard muscles underneath the soft flesh of Xavier's arms, legs, and shoulders, as Xavier moaned and squirmed in electrifying pleasure.
Xavier raised his hand to caress Darian's long, silky locks, sliding his fingertips down the length of his lover's hair. Darian caught his hand, kissing the palm, before trailing soft, moist kisses along the sensitive skin of his inner arm. Xavier moaned in anticipation as Darian reached for Xavier's erect hardness again, stroking it slowly in a smooth rhythm. Xavier arched up, crying out as he felt himself rising to the height of passion.
Darian withdrew his hand, smiling wickedly at his lover. Pressing his hand on the other man's shoulder, he urged him to roll onto his stomach. Darian covered Xavier's body with his own and began to plant soft, tender kisses on Xavier's shoulder blades, moving lower to the rise of his buttocks. Darian's tongue found his lover's inner passions causing him to cry out, his back arching as his hands gripped the sheets. His eyes closed tightly as his mouth opened, panting. After several minutes, Darian rolled him over onto his back. He gently tortured Xavier with grazing nips of his teeth, before satisfying their mutual longing by pressing his lips to Xavier's in a passionate kiss. Darian's tongue teased and tasted before he withdrew, lowering his head to plant a single kiss on Xavier's neck.
Xavier moaned deeply, pressing himself closer to Darian as his lover's hands slid under his legs, placing his calves around his waist. Darian reached for the bottle of oil he had used earlier and poured more into his right palm. He rubbed it on himself, groaning softly with the pleasure of the act. He poured the remaining oil over Xavier's opening, while inserting his fingers to assure for an easy entry. As Darian moved forward, Xavier felt his hardness penetrate him, his arms encircled Darian's shoulders, his legs tightened around his lover's waist. He felt the indescribable pleasure spreading throughout his body as Darian began thrusting into him. He moaned loudly with each thrust, nails digging deeply into his lover's back, drawing blood. The scent of the blood mingled in the air with their lust, heightening their passion.
Darian began to pump faster as he felt himself approaching the point of no return. The pleasurable sensation started at a low, boiling heat deep within his groin, then like a volcano, it shot throughout all of his limbs, and he thrust hard one final time, biting his bottom lip. Unable to contain his ecstasy, he cried out. Xavier's entire body tensed along with Darian's final thrust, echoing Darian's cry. His grip tightened around his lover as he felt the searing release erupt from their bodies. Darian collapsed on top of Xavier, bodies entwined as they kissed softly. Small tremors still rippled through their limbs as they relaxed in the afterglow. Darian looked into Xavier's eyes, smiling.
“You know that I love you, don't you?” he asked Xavier cocked his head, and smiled warmly. “Yes, and I love you.” He kissed Darian deeply for several moments, before the older man rolled reluctantly to the side. Putting his hands behind his head, he stared at the opening in the four-poster canopy bed, looking at the chandelier. He smiled. He looked over at the window and saw the first sign of the morning coming through. He looked at Xavier, who was already fast asleep. He chuckled and climbed out of the bed to close the heavy, thick, black-velvet drapes. He knew that the other vampires were tucked safely in their own bedding. Once the room was enveloped in darkness, he climbed back into bed and pulled Xavier's body to his, resting his head on the other man's chest as his arm held him close. He closed his eyes and let the sleep take him.
CHAPTER 16
Natasha woke up in the little, white hospital bed, the light from the bright sun burning her eyes. She raised her hand to shade her sensitive eyes from the heated rays. She looked around the room and she saw her roommate sitting up, eating breakfast. The little grey haired old lady was grinding the mushy food in her mouth. She looked at Natasha and smiled, her dentures had been removed, exposing a mouth full of pink gums. Natasha shivered mentally as she thought about that being her fate in the next fifty or so years. The young never wanted to age. She smiled back at the lady.
“You look better today, how are you feeling?” she asked the woman.
“Oh, darling, I'm feeling a lot better, but how about you? You laid there and whimpered all through the night. Kept saying something like, 'don't drive'. Were you one of those young gals hurt in that terrible car accident that was all over the television news?” sh
e asked.
“Yeah, I am. Wait a minute, you said that I was talking in my sleep? That's funny, I don't recall ever talking in my sleep. I also keep having these weird dreams. One right after another. They were really strange. I don't normally dream unless I forget to take my medicine or something and that only happened once. But this is really weird. I know I sustained a concussion in the accident, that may have something to do with it.” She looked at the old woman sitting there, watching her babble. “I'm sure you don't have the faintest idea of what I'm talking about do you? Don't worry about me, I'll probably get better once I get out of here.”
“Why do you say that?” asked the petite, elderly lady. Her thinning gray hair resembled a tangled mop. She looked to be about sixty-five years old or so to Natasha.
“Well, I hate hospitals, hate them. I get all anxious when I have to go to them. I keep thinking someone else's illness is going to jump out of their body into mine. I know it's ridiculous, but come on, it's a hospital, all sorts of germs and unidentified viruses are floating around. To me, it's a war zone in here!”
The elderly woman laughed until tears ran from her eyes, slapping the side of her thigh. Natasha sat there stunned for a moment, she hadn't meant to be comical, that was just how she felt. Then she thought about how she must have sounded to the other woman, who had seen so many years pass.
The thought of such a young woman having a fear of hospitals was just as endearing to her as it was absurd. The elderly woman took a napkin from the table and dabbed her eyes with it.
“Ohh, that was precious. Sweetheart, I've never heard of anyone becoming ill in a hospital. All the dangers are out there, honey child, all the crazies and creepy crawlies are out there. I mean, can you believe that all these dead people are walking around drinking our blood, and these monsters that turn into animals? It's like the normal world has been warped into some kind of horrible horror movie!” she said, obviously upset about having to live in a world with the supernaturals. Natasha couldn't blame her. Until last night, she had felt the same way. But there was something about Xavier that was more humane than most of the men she'd ever met. Considering that, she was willing to take a peek over the other side of the fence, hoping her curiosity doesn't kill the cat, the cat being her.