“I’m fine. Just a business problem I have to attend too. I’ll drive you home first,” he said tersely.
He didn’t say a word on the way home. He kept his eyes glued to the road, his right hand on the steering wheel, the other brushed back and forth across his chin. Whatever was bothering him must be big, she thought. He was totally distracted. The car flew down the road and whipped into the parking lot of her apartment building.
“I’ll wait until you get in safely.” He came around to the passenger side and opened the door for her, just as he always did.
He gave her a quick peck of a kiss and bid her “Goodnight.”
She stood in the door way totally confused as the Ferrari sped off into the night and disappeared from view.
Chapter 19
Dorian was furious. He’d had to control himself with Jennifer in the car or she would’ve seen him transform into what he really was. Full blown rage caused his eyes to turn red-rimmed and his fangs to become visible. Looking in the rear view mirror, he saw the reddish hue already appearing on his bottom eye-lids.
“Damn him!” He pounded his fist on the steering wheel so hard he put a dent in it.
He’d gone into the dungeon monitoring room for a supply of blood and “beeps,” which were blood purifying pills. They were used when the vampire’s ingested any kind of food. It virtually disintegrated the substance from their unique blood. He’d been ravenous as well and noticed his body temperature beginning to drop while Jennifer was eating the sundae. And he’d consumed a miniscule amount of whipped cream.
He’d downed the blood, taken the pill and rinsed his mouth out with ice water. And that’s when he saw it. The lights on the panel beneath each room were all red, just as they should be. Except one; the room he and Jennifer had been in. The light indicator for that room was green! Which meant someone had turned it on, someone had been watching them.
“Malachi,” he whispered aloud. It had to be him. Perhaps he’d even convinced the others to watch as well.
He was supposed to be his best friend for God sake. Well this time he’d gone too far. He’d already invaded his bedroom, a place he didn’t allow anyone other than Barbara who cleaned it each day, and only when the door was unlocked. Jennifer was the only one he’d ever brought into his private suite.
He went back to Taylor and Van Ness, sure Malachi would be there.
An engineer who was working with Dorian on the current project ran up to him. “I think I found the glitch.”
“Not now.” Dorian didn’t even look at the man. He strode toward Malachi’s office with his head down. He knew he’d scare the mortals if they saw his face right then.
Dorian shoved the door to Malachi’s office open. There was no one there.
“Oh. Mr. Taylor. I didn’t realize you were here tonight,” said Shane, Malachi’s assistant.
“Where is he, Shane?” Dorian fought to control his anger. It was becoming increasingly difficult.
Shane’s eyes went wide with fright. Dorian was looking directly at him, and he knew damn well he saw the red color of his eyes. Shane, like Ian knew exactly what his employers were. Still he knew it disturbed them when they actually witnessed their true nature. “He . . . went home for the night.”
Dorian pushed Shane aside without a word and headed for Malachi’s house.
He pulled up to the palatial mansion, a two story pale yellow home, with a multi-colored tile roof and enormous etched glass doors. He rang the door-bell frantically until he saw movement coming toward the door.
Rose, Malachi’s live in maid answered the door. “Good evening Mr. Taylor. Is Mr. Van Ness expecting you?”
“No. He’s not.” His voice was strained, making it clear that he was in no mood for questions. He’d thrown on a pair of sunglasses in the car before coming up to the house. He couldn’t very well avoid eye contact with everyone. It wasn’t his intention to scare or hurt anyone, except Malachi.
He burst into Malachi’s bedroom and there he was, sprawled out naked on the bed. Two female vampires, Theodora and Bianca were pleasuring him.
“Dorian, come join us,” Theodora rose gracefully from the bed and came to him. “Ah, I’ve missed this.” She slid her hand between his legs and squeezed.
“Get your fucking hands off me.” Dorian grabbed her by the wrist and flung her across the room.
She got up fast and stood facing him once more. Her eyes were wide, and obsidian black in color as was her long hair. Her skin still held a hint of the bronze exotic beauty she’d been when she’d lived.
“Don’t you miss me, Dorian?” she teased. “Remember how you used to love to whip me until I bled? You can screw me and hit me until I’m black and blue and I won’t so much as bat an eyelash, let alone tell you to stop.” She mocked him.
He knew without a doubt, she’d watched what went on in that room as well.
How very cruel she was. Although, he couldn’t deny what he’d done with her. He’d had brutal sex with her and hit her many times, often leaving welts and bruises as she begged for more. Luckily, a vampire’s wounds healed within hours.
He hadn’t practiced that sort of heavy BDSM in a long time. Even before Jennifer had come into his life, he’d started to question his sexual nature. And as he did, he found the beatings, whippings and violent couplings with the females among them less satisfying. He wanted more. More of what he didn’t know. Now he did.
Theodora was a vicious bitch. To think he’d been with her at all disgusted him and filled him with self-loathing. She scared him too. If she truly desired him, she’d move heaven and earth to get what she wanted.
She sighed. “Oh, relax, Dorian. You’re not that great a lover. You can have your little farmer’s daughter. I have so many others to choose from after all.” She grabbed his hair, pulled it callously and kissed him full on the mouth.
He pushed her away so hard she went flying across the room and landed at the foot of the bed. She didn’t approach him again.
Bianca was silent. Her body was draped across Malachi’s. She openly fondled him while her cold and emotionless eyes fixated on Dorian. He’d never had sex with her and was thankful now that he hadn’t. She was as hard and cold and void of feelings as Malachi; Malachi who hadn’t spoken a single word since Dorian had entered his bedroom.
“Bianca. Theodora. Leave us.” ordered Dorian.
They looked to Malachi. He nodded. “Do as he asks.”
As soon as the women were gone, Dorian flew at him. He wrapped his hands around Malachi’s throat and pushed him down on the bed. His face loomed above his, his eyes smoldered, his voice was harsh. “Tell me why I shouldn’t cut out your miserable fucking eyes right now?” Dorian hissed.
“You can’t kill me, so what purpose would it serve?”
“It’d punish you for what you’ve done. Why, Malachi? Why would you do such a thing?”
“Come now, Dorian. I’ve watched you many times in the past and so have the others. You never minded before. And now all of a sudden you do? You lied to me Dorian. You said she meant nothing to you, that you’d take care of her when you had enough. But that is not the truth is it? I observed you in that room when you thought you were alone with her. And I saw something. You treated her differently than you’ve ever treated any of the others. You have feelings for this girl.”
Dorian tightened his grip on Malachi’s throat and bared his fangs. “And if I do? That’s my business not yours! The others don’t seem to care. Only you, who call yourself my best friend. Up until now, I’ve merely existed. And it’s been a lonely existence at that. Why can’t you be happy for me?”
“Because Dorian. I’m in love with you,” Malachi said quietly.
Dorian was speechless. He released Malachi and stared at the vampire he’d known for almost a century. Realizing this creature had taught him very well about killing, sex and how to survive, but he’d never taught him how to love.
Dorian knew what love was when he’d been human. He’d experien
ced it in his devotion to his mother and sister, the kind of love in which one is willing to lie down their very life for another. He knew full well that Malachi was incapable of such strong feelings.
So, what madness did he speak now? He’d told him he couldn’t be with Jennifer because of e.Vampire.com’s rules. Suddenly, it all became clear. Malachi had used the rules as an excuse to hide the real reason he didn’t want him to be with Jennifer. He was jealous!
“I . . . don’t know what you expect me to say here, Malachi. I told you right from the beginning that I was not a homosexual. Do you remember your answer to me then? You assured me you were not.”
“I’m not a homosexual. How I feel toward you has less to do with sex than it does with how you make me feel. I was falling fast into the abyss, becoming like some of the oldest among us. I felt nothing. All was meaningless until you made my heart come alive once more and have every day since. I wanted you that day and still do. Your beauty, youth and grace held me captive from the moment I laid eyes on you. I understand your loneliness more than you know Dorian.
I cannot claim to feel love as intensely as you can and for that, I envy you. And yet when I’m around you, it is then and only then that I feel anything at all. I’ve hoped all these long years that I could fill that void for you, as you’ve filled mine. It appears I was wrong and now I cannot bear the thought of losing you.”
“I’m sorry, Malachi. You snatched me from the brink of death and gave me a new life and for that I will always be grateful. But, I cannot put you above her. Please don’t ask me too choose, I beg you!”
Malachi kissed him chastely on the cheek and whispered menacingly in his ear. “You misunderstand, my friend. I’m not asking you to choose. You have no choice. I will never let you go. I will do whatever it takes to keep you with me, even if my actions cause you to hate me.”
At that very moment, he knew the true depth of his feelings for Jennifer. He’d fallen in love with her. And Malachi knew it even before he did.
Dorian scrutinized Malachi’s face for any sign of compassion, of understanding about his feelings for Jennifer. His eyes revealed nothing. He was as he’d always been, beautiful and as cold as they come.
Jennifer was in danger. How long they had before Malachi decided to kill her, he didn’t know. However, he did know it was inevitable.
“I feel sorry for you, Malachi. You say you love me, but I don’t think you’re capable of it. When one truly loves, they put those whom they love before themselves. They are willing to lay down their lives for them. Can you say that? That you’d give up your life for me? No! You cannot. You use threats to hold me to you. That’s not love. That’s possession. If you dare hurt one hair on Jennifer’s head, I will kill you myself!”
“You shouldn’t make idle threats Dorian.”
Dorian walked to the door, looking back only once. “That’s not a threat Malachi. It’s a promise.”
He got into his car, shaking all over. He had to keep her safe. That apartment she lived in had no security and was in a very poor neighborhood. He had to get her out of there. He picked up his cell and called Ian.
He answered on the third ring, sounding as if he’d been sleeping.
“I’m sorry to wake you, Ian, but I need you to do something for me.”
“Of course, what is it?”
“I need you to keep a close eye on Jennifer during the day when I’m not able to. And start looking for high security apartment buildings. I need to get her moved out of that wretched place she lives in.” He heard the urgency in his voice and imagined Ian, who was attuned to his every mood, noticed it as well. What would he do without him? Ian might very well be the only one he could trust.
“Sir, is Ms. Reese in some sort of danger?”
“Yes she is. And I can’t have her stay at my house for obvious reasons.” If she ever stumbled upon the hidden bomb shelter where I take refuge from the sun, it would be disastrous, he thought.
“I understand. Consider it done.”
“Oh, and don’t forget to send the e-mail I wrote for her today. Of course, you’ll need to improvise when she answers it. Nice touch on the last one, by the way. Inconsiderate ass? You’ve managed to imitate me quite well.”
“Sorry about that.”
“It was meant as a compliment, Ian. That’s exactly the type of response she’d expect from me.”
“Thank you Mr. Taylor. No problem. I’ll take care of everything. Shall I rent it under the corporation?”
“No. Use my personal account to pay for everything. She’ll need a vehicle as well. Take my Mercedes and park it in whatever space the apartment building assigns her. You may as well get back to sleep. You’ll have a busy day tomorrow.”
He’d chosen the Mercedes because it was not only well-made, but easier to drive than his other cars. The streets of Miami were hard to navigate, especially when you weren’t used to them. They were congested and had many one way streets.
Admittedly, Jennifer was also a bit of a klutz and a tad absentminded as well. He smiled. He found her clumsiness and lack of sophistication utterly charming.
“Yes, Sir. I’ll phone you when everything’s done. I know you won’t be available until tonight, but I’ll leave a message.”
“I can’t thank you enough, Ian. We’ll get her moved out of that horrid place tomorrow night. I have to tell her first.”
He wasn’t sure how she’d react to him taking control of her life. She’d never asked him for a single thing since they’d met.
“It’s my pleasure, Mr. Taylor.”
Dorian paused before answering. “You can call me Dorian from now on,” he said softly.
“Okay,” Ian sounded puzzled at the request. “Have a goodnight Mr. Taylor. I mean . . . Dorian.”
As soon as he said goodbye to Ian, he drove over to Jennifer’s apartment. He spent the whole night sitting in his car watching the building, staying until just before dawn. No-one came near.
Chapter 20
Jennifer woke up late. She’d never even heard the alarm. “So much for my early mornings,” she muttered to herself. She moved quickly around the kitchen, put the coffee pot on and took a cup before it even stopped its brew cycle. Since she’d met Dorian, her routine of rising at dawn was fast disappearing. You can’t stay up half the night and expect to be up with the birds, she thought.
“Aw, shit!” She noted the red, angry marks the hand-cuffs had left on her wrists. It would’ve been damn near impossible not to notice them.
Diligently, she applied make-up to the circular streaks of red. If anyone saw them, they’d know exactly what had made such marks.
Blushing, thinking of what she and Dorian had done in that room, she put on a long sleeve, button down blue shirt over a light silky camisole, a black skirt and black open toe shoes with straps. They hid the light marks on the tops of her feet from the restraints on the cross.
She made it to work just barely on time.
“Good morning, ladies.” She greeted her co-workers who were already hard at work. She gasped when she looked at her desk. An ominous amount of case files, each one bound in white binders and thick with paper sat on and beside her desk. Jennifer knew files containing this much paper were most likely close to their statute of limitation date, making them urgent.
“Morning Jen. A word of caution, Mr. Marshall is in an extremely foul mood today,” Suzanne whispered.
“More than usual?”
Suzanne nodded. “Oh yeah. I’d steer clear of him if I were you. I’ll talk to you at lunch.”
Julie didn’t seem to care about her boss’ mood. “Why in the world are you wearing long sleeves today? You’ll be roasting by noon time.” Julie stood next to her desk, looking down at her.
“It’s air conditioned in here and I felt like wearing this top today.” She pulled down on the shirt cuffs.
Jennifer looked closely at Julie, unsure of what she really knew about kinky sex and e.Vampire.com. Just what sort of things had she do
ne with Ian and other guys for that matter?”
“What are you looking at me like that for?” asked Julie, a little defensively.
Jennifer really wanted to confide in someone about Dorian. Who better than Julie? She wouldn’t judge her and might even make her feel better. At the moment, she was feeling a little ashamed of what she’d done with him.
“Follow me to the break room,” Jennifer said quietly.
Getting up from her desk she said she was going to get a cup of coffee.
Once in the room, Julie wasted no time. “Okay, Jen. Tell me quick before he catches us.”
Jennifer pulled up her sleeves and held out her arms. Even through the make-up, the lines of the cuffs showed through.
“Oh no way!” Julie grabbed hold of her hands. “You’re been a very bad girl, haven’t you?” Julie pretended to be shocked.
Jennifer didn’t smile. She looked down at the floor and said nothing.
“I’m sorry, Jen. I was just kidding. So, you let him hand-cuff you.”
“Yeah, I let him . . . do that. And oh, by the way, I let him tie me to a cross and perform oral sex on me, she thought, but didn’t dare say that.
She’d never tell a living soul about that, ever. That was private and was something that would stay that way, something only she and Dorian would share. “It’s just that I don’t know how I feel about it. Have you ever let a guy do that?” Jennifer asked.
“Yes. I’ve been cuffed. I’ve done a few kinky things in my day.”
“Like what? I mean, if you don’t mind telling me. I don’t know where to draw the limits with him and I was hoping you could help me. Not that I’m saying you’re a slut or anything,” she finished quickly.
Julie laughed. “Don’t worry about it, Jennifer. I’ve done some things, nothing really bad. Actually, other than Ian, I’ve only done the whole bondage and discipline thing with one other guy. Both were like me. We like to play. That’s all. None of that hard core shit.”
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