The Vampire's Masquerade

by Kiersten Fay

  Brian was still sitting but a few tables away. Any minute now he’d notice what she was doing. Any minute he’d realize his mistake and tell her he was wrong for ever bringing her here. Would he become jealous as the vampire had predicted?

  The vampire palmed the small of her back and jerked her body closer still. Her ass hung on the edge of the stool, the line of his zipper teased her core. She rolled her hips. He let out a rough sound that buried her in purified want.

  Her legs wrapped around him, her heels digging into his calves. At the same time, her hands grasped his hair, their tongues dancing a furious tango. He gripped her exposed thigh, running his hand over her overheated flesh. The tantalizing sensation tore a small whimper from her.

  Breaking their kiss, he pulled back with a bewildered expression. They were both panting, staring at each other like they’d just experienced something miraculous.

  Expression turning fierce, he snatched her hand and pulled her to stand. “Come.”

  As he led her through the club like a man on a mission, embarrassment caught up with her. She worked to right her skirt, which was slightly askew, as her legs struggled to keep up with his long, purposeful stride.

  It wasn’t till her outfit was finally in order that she realized he’d escorted her into an elevator. In an instant, her mind diagnosed her situation. She was about to be alone with a strange vampire who was preparing to have sex with her in an undisclosed location. She should be frightened. She should be protesting. She should stop this before this went any further.

  Or she could...not.

  Her body thrummed with excitement and desire, the likes of which she had never experienced before. It was like she’d just taken a hit of the most addictive drug known to mankind, and was promised more.

  Before the elevator doors closed, she glanced at where Brian was seated, fawning over the peacock.

  He never once looked her way.

  2

  The vampire’s private room was more like a posh apartment. Well-lit and decorated in a clean, modern style, it had high ceilings, beige carpeting, and a large open floor plan. Soft music played from a stereo as she sat on a comfortable couch in the seating area.

  He stood behind a built-in bar, busy making their drinks. They had removed their masks and she allowed herself to take him in fully. He was gorgeous, but not in a classically handsome kind of way. His jaw was just a bit too large and pronounced for that, and there was a bump in the bridge of his nose that made her wonder if it had once been broken, though it didn’t diminish his looks.

  And, oh, those eyes.

  Captivating and lively iridescent pools. She could dive into those exotic depths and swim around for days. She’d heard vampires could hypnotize humans with either their voice or their eyes. So why did she feel no fear of him? Was she already under his spell?

  He met her gaze, and though her heart skipped, she refused to look away. She felt in control of herself, but how would she know?

  He crossed toward her and offered a flute of white wine. She accepted it, pretty impressed by the lack of tremor in her hand when their skin touched.

  She took a quick sip. It tasted wonderful. “Thank you.”

  As he sat on the couch beside her, his gaze swept over her face, as if she fascinated him. For some reason, he wanted her, though there’d been plenty of other available, easier, more beautiful women for him to select. She wasn’t a fool. He’d picked her out of the crowd. Focused all that considerable charm on her. Maybe he craved the challenge she appeared to pose back up in the club. Not that she’d been all that hard to get in the end.

  Finally she took her gaze back and sent it around the room. “So this is an Ever Nights’ private room?”

  “Not exactly. This is my apartment.”

  Her eyes snapped back around. “You live here?”

  He nodded.

  “As in permanently?” The place didn’t exactly appear lived in. There was some art on the walls, a couple ocean landscapes and a sparkling lake at sunset. There was a rubber tree plant in the corner next to a full-length mirror, and a large thin vase by the front door that housed an array of tall dried twigs. That was as far as the decor went.

  “It’s just one of my residences. I only stay here on occasion.” Translation: when he wanted to be secluded in the company of vulnerable human women?

  The full weight of her situation slammed down on her. She’d allowed herself to become totally alone with a strange vampire.

  Even the friendly ones could be deadly.

  So how could it be that she felt no danger from him?

  It helped that Ever Nights had an exemplary reputation for keeping the peace within its walls. They had very strict rules geared toward safety. Just to attend tonight’s function she’d had to read over them. Number one rule? Consent was a must for any extracurricular activities on the property.

  Over the last ten years there had been little to no violence reported, save for a single gruesome incident several weeks ago that had plastered front page news. But that had been an attempt at sabotage by a jealous, vindictive competitor. Justice had been swift and severe, dealt out by none other than the VEA (Vampire Enforcement Agency).

  “Are you nervous?”

  She jumped at his voice and then blushed at her reaction. She might be nervous, but there was excitement too. She attempted a smile. It felt thin. “I’ve never done anything like this before.”

  “Never would have guessed that.” There was a light-hearted teasing to his tone, but then he grew serious. “Look. If you want to go back up to the party, we will. Just say the word.”

  She could tell he wasn’t giving her lip service. If she wanted, she could return to her seat at the bar and try not to notice Brian working his charms on other women while she sipped wine all night.

  Like Hell.

  A better idea? Experiencing a single unfettered night of wild passion with a sexy stranger who she’d likely never see again.

  The vampire waited patiently for her answer, giving her time to back out. There was no chance of that happening, as long as they could agree to a few rules of their own…

  After taking another taste of wine, she asked, “Do you mind not…you know....” She curled her index and forefinger in front of her mouth, miming fangs.

  He laughed before giving her another sexy half grin. “Only if you want me to.”

  “Would it hurt?”

  He shook his head. “Just the opposite.”

  She’d heard as much through a couple of adventurous women in the office. She’d also heard how addictive such a thing could be. Had seen some of the dens where humans lined up to offer themselves up as a snack just for the erotic high.

  “I don’t think I want that.”

  He shrugged. “Then it won’t happen.” His thumb curled under her chin as he met her gaze. “Why don’t you tell me what you do want?”

  She hesitated, opening her mouth to speak.

  Nothing came out.

  What did she want? She didn’t exactly know. She’d never had a casual one-night stand before. She didn’t even know where to start. Should they kiss again? Should she just start stripping down to her undies? She glanced around, trying to decipher where they’d do it. The couch? The floor? She supposed one of the closed doors led to a bedroom....

  Seeming to understand her indecision, he took the lead. Closing the distance between them, he put his arms around her.

  “Is this alright?”

  She nodded.

  Slowly, as if not to frighten her, he lowered his lips to hers. Connection. This kiss was different than the previous ones. There was less fire, sure, but so much more steam. His hard, demanding lips swept over hers with an intensity that was contagious. It infected her heart first, making the organ thump, thump, thump, then her nerves, making them sizzle, and finally her skin, brushing every inch with a tingling fever.

  Then he turned up the heat, applying more pressure and flicking his tongue over her lips. She gasped. He pl
unged, and their tongues met, clashing and twining together. After a moment, he laid her back against the couch, his palm leaving a hot trail down her side, over her hip. She became acutely aware of how high up her skirt had ridden when his strong grip found her backside, easily slipping past the fabric and kneading her there with a light pressure.

  Her ribs worked to hold back the explosion of her pulse.

  As if unconsciously drawn to it, his lips traveled to her neck where he lightly sucked on her flesh.

  Her heart nearly broke free of her chest; desire now a wild unquenchable beast within her.

  He pulled back as if to gauge her response. Whatever he saw in her expression encouraged him to take her lips once more with carnal excitement. This kiss was passion ignited; fire and heat and sizzle come together for a maelstrom of chaotic lust.

  His rough palm returned to her ass where he squeezed her flesh with a delicious pressure. At the same time he groaned, sucking her bottom lip between his teeth.

  Her body shook with ferocious need. She never knew she could be so mindlessly turned on.

  Then his seeking fingers inched along the cleft of her rear toward her center. Continuing past the paltry fabric of her panties where he met her heat directly.

  “So wet for me.” His voice broke low and rumbled along her every nerve. “You’d come in a heartbeat if I kept this up, wouldn’t you?”

  Her body was already quivering with the promise of release. The forbidden nature of this liaison was heightening her arousal by delirious degrees.

  He broke contact, stepping back with a sexy smirk. That roguish expression sent her heart into barrel rolls. He may have stopped touching her for the moment, but things were about to get intense. If that look had anything to say about it, this was panning out to be a night she’d never forget. Hopefully one she didn’t regret.

  He held out his hand to her. “Come.”

  She took his hand and stood, a bit flummoxed by his commanding tone, but also eager to see what he had planned.

  He led her toward the full-length mirror. He stood behind her as she faced it. “I want you to watch me make you come.” He found the zipper at her hip and unzipped her skirt. The fabric piled around her heels. He helped her out of her blouse next.

  Now bared to his gaze but for her undergarments, her nerves returned.

  “Mmm. Black silk,” he said in a gruff tone, running the back of his finger over the strap on her shoulder blade. “This is gorgeous on you.”

  She shivered, those nerves dimming for him once more.

  “You have a beautiful body,” he told her as his hands traveled over her exposed flesh: her sides, her stomach, her hips. He kissed her lightly on the shoulder, his talented hands trailing up her torso to cup her breasts. The action brought her flush against him, and she could feel his power all around her. Thick cords of muscle flexed deliciously as he coiled one arm around her body as if to hold her in place while his free hand explored breasts, lightly pinching one nipple till she whimpered, then the other.

  “You like what I do to you.”

  It wasn’t a question. She met his gaze in the mirror, then her own. Cheeks flush, eyes hooded, she appeared drunk...lust drunk.

  “The things I want to do to you. For you. Are you ready, Little Dove?” The gleam in his eyes promised nothing but pleasure.

  Her breath caught with a zing of sizzling anticipation.

  “You need me to make you come.”

  At length, she nodded.

  He dipped his head and grinned, his lips softly brushing her shoulder. “I need you to say it, beautiful girl.”

  “Please,” she muttered. “I need you to make me come.”

  Something like a groan rumbled out of him. He slipped his fingers past the fabric of her panties and found her core; hot, swollen, needy. Her head lulled as she moaned at the initial sensation of his foreign touch.

  “Christ, you’re so ready,” he muttered with wonder, expertly stroking her sensitive folds.

  “Oh, god!” she cried, shards of bliss assaulting her senses.

  “How long can you hold out, I wonder?”

  Already her body shook, bombarded by dizzying pleasure, primed to shatter. Waves of ecstasy pounded the walls of her resistance.

  Then his wicked fingers found a rhythm that had her eyes rolling back in her head. Her head fell back against him.

  “Mm, so close. Let me hear you scream.” His thick finger circled her clitoris.

  She did scream then. Wild, white-hot, bliss surged in her veins. Blinding ecstasy took root at the base of her brain, building, growing, and finally exploding through her entire body. She tossed her head back and cried out to the ceiling as assaulting pleasure lashed her over and over, mercilessly, rendering her a mass of pure, erotic, quivering, sensation.

  Her knees buckled under the weight of nirvana. The vampire hooked his free arm around her torso and held her upright against his body.

  Slowly, breath by breath, she came back down. Her chest thundered, skin warm and feverish. Yet she felt refreshed. Desired.

  And hungry for more.

  3

  “Are you enthralling me?” She turned to face the vampire.

  “Even if it wasn’t prohibited in the club, I’ve no need for that sort of trickery.” His sexy grin transformed into a sexy smirk.

  Somebody was certainly pleased with himself.

  For good reason. He brought out something wild in her. Tonight she could be anyone she wanted. She could become a more confident version of herself, a more desirable version. She could get what she wanted without feeling judged. Tonight was about freedom, excitement, exploration. She was utterly free to express herself in ways she never had before. Plotting to unravel him as thoroughly he’d shattered her, she mirrored his expression. He blinked, a crease forming between his brows.

  With the drug of passion still galloping through her bloodstream, she fisted his shirt with both hands and ripped it open. Buttons flew in all directions, bouncing off the walls and furniture.

  “Shit!” he exclaimed on an exuberant laugh. He gazed down at her with a mixture of excitement and disbelief.

  Her palms explored his hard torso. She guided him backwards, pushing him toward one of the armchairs. Seemingly interested in what she had in mind, he allowed her to take control. She worked to remove his belt and undo his slacks. When his knees hit the chair, he obediently sat.

  Going to her knees, she freed his shaft and then immediately swallowed him down.

  “Fuck!” His hips jerked, sending his cock deeper into her throat. Using her tongue to massage his length, she slowly retreated before plunging down once more. He jerked again, almost as if he couldn’t help it, but he seemed to be putting in an effort to keep still, letting her do what she pleased. His skin on her tongue was like silk grazing steel. When she drew him deeper still, a rough, wild sound rippled through his chest.

  “You are a bit of a surprise, Little Dove.”

  When she swirled her tongue around his tip, his fingers dug into the arms of the chair while another groaned expletive sailed out of him.

  “Holy fuck, woman. As much as I love what you’re doing to me, I need to fuck you.”

  She wasn’t ready to stop. She liked the power of rendering him mindless with lust. Taking him to the root, she sucked hard.

  “Ugh.” His muscles coiled like a spring under stress. “Vixen.” He gripped her by the shoulders and pried her off him.

  Her mouth left him with a resounding pop. She licked her lips, all but ready to devourer him again.

  “Christ have mercy,” he breathed. With a swift motion, he brought them both to stand and then lifted her over his shoulder. “I can see I’m going to have to take control of this situation lest you unman me right here in my own living room.”

  She laughed as he carried her to the bedroom and then dropped her lightly on the mattress. Looming over her, he shrugged out of his tattered shirt, revealing a masterpiece of rock-hard abs and thick corded muscles.
He shoved his pants down, displacing that gorgeous cock she wanted more of.

  “If I didn’t need to fuck you so hard right now, I’d let you have your fill,” he said, catching her eyeing his shaft.

  She grinned. “So then what are you waiting for?”

  His eyes narrowed at the challenge. His hands hooked the backs of her knees and yanked her toward him, her body gliding easily over the soft sheets. That was all the warning she received as he slammed inside her.

  Though she was slick and ready, he was a large man, and there was the barest twinge of pain at his invasion. She grimaced slightly.

  “God you’re tight.” He froze, fear flashing in his eyes. “You’re not…. You can’t be a virgin.”

  “’Course not,” she assured him. “You’re just a big guy, if you hadn’t noticed.”

  His body practically sank in relief. Then his hips rocked forward.

  She gasped.

  “Sorry,” he said, his arms shaking with the effort to keep still as he held himself over her. “Does it hurt?”

  “No,” she sighed. “That was good. Do it again.”

  He did. Pleasure tumbled through her. She rolled her hips with him and let out a sound of contentment. “You feel good, vampire.”

  “You feel incredible, Little Dove.” He pressed further inside her, filling her to the brim.

  “Oh!” she moaned. At the same time, he groaned and set into a slow pace that carried her closer to the edge with each measured thrust. As her moans grew longer, his breaths grew heavier.

  “Are you good?” he asked.

  “Yes. Don’t stop.”

  His movements found a frantic pace that hammered her into a pinpoint focus toward reaching that invisible realm of ecstasy and bliss. With his thrusts, the bed thunked against the wall, marking their tempo and adding another layer to the sounds of their passion. Together they found that perfect rhythm.

  “Oh, god! Yes. Don’t stop!”

  He grunted out something unintelligible and continued to piston his hips. His fingers threaded through her hair and he guided her to his lips. This kiss was a million times sexier than the other two combined. This kiss was not just hot. It was wild and out of control. It was hard and demanding, and profound. It was consuming.