All Souls’ Night: A Midnight Doms Boxset

by Renee Rose

  One, he’s hot. Like smoking hot. Two, wicked awesome fangs. Three, obviously richer than god. But where does the cozy, cashmere sweater come in? Aren’t vampires supposed to wear all this gothic stuff? Why does he look like he’s one article of clothing away from ordering a coffee with way too many fancy names?

  The excitement bubbles up in me until it escapes as a giggle. Finally, someone found some fangs that look freaking real. Maybe if I’m nice enough, he’ll get me a pair! Squealing, I launch myself at him and tackle him to the couch.

  “Yeah! They looked exactly like that! Where did you get them?”

  Damiano’s brows draw together in confusion. “They’re my fangs. I didn’t ‘get’ them anywhere. It’s part of the whole being turned package.”

  I sit back up, my hips shifting a bit until I’m mostly straddling his waist. I wave my hand about as I roll my eyes. “Yeah, yeah, I’m centuries old and want your blood. Spare me, I have a backstory too. But seriously! Where did you get them? I would absolutely love a pair!”

  His frown deepens as his palms skim my thighs. They linger on me for several minutes as various expressions flit across his face. Smiling, I shift down to get closer to his expression and he groans. It’s at that moment I realize exactly where and how I’m sitting on him. His hard length pulses underneath me, straining against the jeans.

  Mortified, I try to scoot off him but his fingers grip my thighs hard, locking me into place. Damiano’s eyes are closed, as is his mouth. The muscles at his jaw tick ever so slightly at the powerful grinding he’s doing.

  I skewer my bottom lip with my teeth, not caring at all about the pain. Instead, I focus on how amazing he feels beneath me. I’ve straddled plenty of guys, but none have ever felt this powerful. Slowly, I inch my hand over and skim his bottom lip with my fingers. He opens his mouth slightly, his eyes narrowing into slits as he watches me.

  Easing a finger inside, I run it along the length of his fang, stopping when I get to the pointed tip. It feels like real teeth. A shiver zips through me, and Damiano grips even tighter. Ignoring the bites of pain in my thighs, I press my index against the sharp tip. It pushes through my skin, drawing up a small welling of blood.

  “Santo cazzo Madre di Cristo,” he mutters, his eyes flying open.

  Within a blink, he scoops me up into his arms and presses my back into the couch. I open my mouth to speak, but he’s already there, his lips rough and strong against mine. He slides his tongue past my lips, wresting a moan from me. His hold tightens on me; his entire body presses into mine as if molding us together, making us one.

  Strong hands thread through my hair and grip my scalp. I’m helpless against the onslaught of his lips and tongue. Unbidden, my hips rise to meet him, grind against him, anything to get rid of this ache building inside me. My skin is feverish against his cool hands, and yet they don’t keep me from burning even hotter.

  “Cara, we must stop this.” Damiano pulls away from me, and already I miss his lips. His knuckles brush against my cheek, and I lean into his touch. “You have to understand that what I am is real. I’m not some fictional character you’ve built up in your mind. I am a predator. Give me an inch, and I’ll take a fucking mile.”

  Tsking softly, I smile up at him. “What was that about language?”

  “Dio Santo,” he chuckles, leaning his forehead against mine, “you really want to school me on language? Perhaps I should give you the punishment for me, yeah?”

  “Or you could just kiss me again and all will be forgiven?”

  “Minx,” Damiano whispers against my lips before sliding his along mine.

  Sparks explode over my skin and settle low in my belly. Groaning, I arch up into him, wanting more, needing more. His strong hands skim my sides, touching me, yet not touching anything I need him to. With a grunt, I grab his hand and place it on my breast. Relief flows through me. His hand, though cool, sears through my clothing, burning me up with his touch.

  My relief is short-lived, however, as he quickly pulls back from me. His eyes are obsidian, with just a hint of blueish green around the edges. He wants me just as badly as I want him. So, what’s the problem?

  With a growl, he gets up from the couch and starts pacing, his hands agitating his hair. Confusion fills me. Isn’t this what he wants? Most of the guys who let me use their couch are more than happy to take my body as payment. What’s so different about Damiano? As a vampire, he should be the first to want to pounce, not the last.

  “Look, I—” I begin.

  “We can’t do this,” he mutters, spearing me with a glare. “You’re not even supposed to know about us. I should just wipe your memory and take you home. Where do you live?”

  Squirming, I look anywhere but at his face. I guess it was going to come out at some point. “Well, the thing is—”

  “You don’t have a home, do you?” he questions flatly before beginning his pacing again. “Of course you don’t.”

  “Look, it’s not my fault that you dragged me to this palace. I was content just spending the night in that crypt.”

  “With John? You know, the vampire who actually tried to murder you?”

  Standing up, I plant my hands on my hips, giving him back the same glare. “You don’t know that. Maybe he just wanted a snack. He could have just taken a little and left me be.”

  “Oh, just taken a little?”

  He prowls back towards me. My heart leaps to my throat as I watch his lethal, sinuous steps. Each movement brings him closer to me. I back up as much as I can until the couch bumps the backs of my knees. With nowhere else to go, I slump back down, but that doesn’t stop his pursuit. He stands there, hands gripping the back of the couch, caging my head in between them.

  “And how much do you consider a little? How much is too much?”

  My mind races, trying to remember what I learned in health and science class. How much could a person lose? A pint? Two? “People give blood all the time, and live. It’s not that dangerous.”

  Damiano’s head dips low as his nose slides against my cheek and over my ear. “Yes, cara, but typically those taking the blood are humans, not monsters that live off it, get off on it.” He blows a cool breeze against my earlobe and I shiver, completely unable to help myself. “Do you know how delicious your blood is?”

  I try to move, but with the first shift of my head, Damiano circles my neck with his strong fingers, pinning me in place. Heat pools low within me. Every breath sends my chest scraping up along his forearm. Exquisite agony. His movements smooth and controlled, he eases my head to the side, exposing my neck to his hungry gaze.

  “And would you offer me that same deal? Sleeping in my room in exchange for ‘a little’ blood?”

  My whole body trembles. Fear and excitement war within me. Is this really going to happen? Am I actually going to let him drink from me? Before I can even finish the thought, my heart and mind already know what I’m going to choose.

  “Of course!” I say.

  “Then you’re an idiot.”

  Damiano flicks his wrist and tosses me down onto the couch before he walks away, just enough to give us space but he’s still near me. My whole body aches for him. I just want—hell, I don’t know what I want, but I feel like whatever it is, he can give it to me.

  “I’m not an idiot. You can’t blame me, can you? You open up this whole world to me, a world I’ve fantasized about since I was a girl, and I’m an idiot for taking you up on your offer? How about you’re the idiot for even offering it to me?”

  I cross my arms, refusing to look at him. So many emotions swirl through me. Anger is the top one, though, and it’s strongly warring with my lust.

  “Fine. You want to see how it is? You want a taste? Tomorrow night, I and several other vampires are celebrating Halloween by throwing a masquerade ball. You can stay here tonight and join me for the party tomorrow. Then we will see if the reality really lives up to your fantasy. Who knows, maybe you’ll come out of this alive.”

  My
gaze leaps up to his face. Is he serious? Is he really going to let me join them? Melodrama aside, I can’t believe my luck! And of course I’ll make it out alive. But, if I don’t, what a way to go! My heart pounds in the silence. Here he is, offering me what I’ve wanted since the first time I heard about vampires. But what’s in it for me? He doesn’t seem to want my blood.

  “What’s the catch?”

  “Well, my little Cinderella, the catch is, this is a one-night only deal. You will go with me to the masquerade. While we’re there, I will have my complete way with you. Give you a taste of this forbidden life you’ve dreamed about. But after that, we’re done.”

  I jump up from the couch, but Damiano raises a finger, cutting me off before I can speak. “There is one rule, though.” His eyes smolder as they look me up and down. “You will give me your complete obedience. You will obey me the instant I say something. Failure to do that, and I will take you home and send you on your way. Do we have a deal?”

  I pause for a moment. “When you say you’ll have your way with me—”

  “What I mean is, I’ll have you screaming my name so loudly that vampires counties over will hear it. Now, do we have a deal?”

  I swallow, my pulse flooding my ears. I’m about to make a deal with the devil, and damnit, I don’t actually care if he drains me. One night is worth it. Nodding, I hold out my hand to shake his.

  Instead of grabbing it, he slides up to me, gently gathers my fingers into his, and kisses the back of my hand before turning it over to scrape his fang across the pulse point in my wrist. Flames lick at my skin, however, it’s over far too soon.

  “I have some calls to make before sunrise. The doors are sealed and will only unlock with my fingerprint.” He points to his right. “Kitchen is in there. Feel free to help yourself to anything.” He then points to his left. “Guest bedroom with bathroom is over there. Any questions?”

  “Can I see your coffin before you go to bed?”

  His lips quirk up into a smile. “Wherever you’re getting your information, it’s highly outdated. We don’t sleep in coffins anymore. Besides, feather beds are way more comfortable.” Damiano sweeps into a low bow. “Until tomorrow night.”

  As I watch him pad away, my stomach twists and turns, my insides in complete knots. Mostly, it’s anticipation. However, there’s a small part of me that’s afraid of what will happen. It’s not going to be just him, but other vampires as well. Will they be as considerate as Damiano? One vampire feeding on me, I think I can handle, but several? They’d drain me for sure.

  Wait, maybe he’s bringing me there as a snack? Is that what vampires do? Like it’s potluck and everyone brings a human to share? A chill zips down my spine and I wrap my arms around myself. That’s silly, though. If he wanted to kill me, he could have just done so at the cemetery. John certainly had no qualms about it.

  Yawning, I reach over and grab my corset, and head to the bedroom. I’ll check out the kitchen tomorrow morning. As it is, I don’t have an appetite right now. Too many things are churning through my mind to let me be able to eat.

  Slipping into the room, I’m surprised by how nice it is. It’s not the most decorated space, but the four-poster bed looks soft and inviting. And white. Maybe it’s that way on purpose? Maybe he’s less inclined to tear out someone’s throat if he has to clean up a big mess. And with white linen, any spot of blood is a big mess.

  The bathroom stands adjacent, but isn’t anything to write home about. The only thing missing is a mirror. But then again, that makes sense. Vampires don’t have a reflection. It would be nice if they considered the humans staying with them, though. I’d kill to see if I look as wretched as I feel.

  Since the adrenaline has worn off, the activities of the night have been catching up with me. Eying the tub, I notice a few jars of salt on the rim. A soak would definitely help. I fill the tub and dump two of the jars in before settling down into the warm water. Dear Gaia, but it feels like heaven to my sore muscles. Without my phone, I have no clue what time it is, but it must be getting late. I can hardly keep my eyes open.

  Resolving to soak only for a few minutes, I let my mind drift, not even realizing I fell asleep until water tickles the base of my nose. With a start, I slide up and drain the water. No sense dying now when I finally have a shot at being with a real life vampire! And to think, all my life I thought it was just a lovely dream that would never come true. Getting out of the tub, I wrap myself in a towel and head back over to the bed. Within moments of lying down, I drift right back off to sleep.

  Chapter 4

  Hard. That’s how I wake up. Groaning, I palm my erection, my brain going a mile a minute. I didn’t think I could dream when I slept, however, this raging hard-on is making me wonder about that. I can’t even remember ever waking up with morning wood since I was turned. Frowning, I grip the base of my cock, the sensation shooting sparks of pleasure though my balls and up my spine.

  It’s that little minx. My life was perfect until she showed up. Absently, I stroke my length, my mind drifting back to Dahlia. How I wish it was her hands wrapped around me, bringing me relief. Or better yet, her mouth. Dio mio. What am I even thinking? Any part of her on me would be a blessed relief.

  With a frown, I release myself and lie back with both hands behind my head. What I need right now is clarity, and I’m not going to get that by getting myself off, much less getting off to Dahlia. I don’t need my brain forging those pathways. That would be dangerous.

  Sighing, I close my eyes again. One night. What the hell was I thinking? Would she be satisfied with just one night? Would I? I have to be. There’s no place in my life for a mortal. Never again. A sharp pain pierces my heart as the image of my beautiful Alessandra drifts behind my eyelids. It must be loneliness. Man isn’t meant to be alone. But I’m a vampire. What does that mean for me?

  Ignoring my painful erection, I get up and head to the shower. Maybe that will get this vixen with copper hair out of my brain. I crank on the water and stand under the scalding spray. Instead of clearing my mind, it feels like thousands of hot tongues licking me all over. Would Dahlia’s tongue feel that hot?

  I shake my head and soap myself down. This will be a hell of a long night, if my cock is any indication. Stepping out of the shower, I quickly towel off and start pulling on my clothes. As I go to button up my shirt, a loud noise comes from the living room. What the hell is she up to?

  Flinging the door open, I ease my way into the living room and stop short. There’s Dahlia, a bed sheet wrapped around her body like a mix between a toga and a sari, strutting across my living room with a few of my starched, folded napkins, holding them like a fan. On the TV, Masquerade from Phantom of the Opera is playing while Dahlia tries to mimic the moves, singing loudly, but surprisingly on key. Thank goodness these outer walls are soundproof. The neighbors—and consequently, Dexter—would have my head otherwise.

  I stifle a chuckle. There’s no way she realizes how ridiculous she looks. I lean against the wall and watch her, her ungraceful movements worming their way into my heart. With every move she makes, the sheets shift, exposing more and more of her flesh. My cock pulses behind my pants, demanding I grab her and take what’s mine.

  Swallowing hard, I choke down my baser urges and slip into the kitchen. Just as I thought, only two napkins remain on the dining room table. Reaching out, I slide my fingers across the stiff edges and smile. Only someone like Dahlia could see a napkin and turn it into a fan.

  Easing back into the living room, I watch her for a few more minutes, my eyes tracking her every movement. Each twist draws the sheets even closer to her form, revealing her plush, supple body underneath. My fangs start descending as I keep watching her. How easy it would be to take her down and feast upon her. Would she struggle? My cock leaps at that thought. Given her reaction at the cemetery, I’m sure it would be a delightful tussle.

  With each beat, I move closer, my fingers inching towards my prize, but she’s a slippery minx and keeps sw
irling out of reach each time I get near, especially now that she’s caught sight of me. Enough of this. Blurring my motion, I grab onto her, hardening even more at her squeal. I cradle her head and neck as I lower her to the floor. The musk of her skin mingles deliciously with the citrus of the guest shower gel. Closing my eyes, I inhale deeply, drawing her essence into my being.

  Her chest heaves beneath mine, brushing her nipples against me. My cock leaps forward, just begging for her hot core wiggling beneath. Lips trembling, she looks up at me, her eyes wide. Brushing aside all my cares and worries, I lean down and partake of her luscious mouth. Groaning, I tilt her head back and lick the seam of her lips, demanding entry.

  With a soft sigh, she opens, and I waste no time in plundering her sweet opening. The taste of strawberries and cream explodes on my tongue. Delicious. I lean in further, deepening the kiss, then a loud knock on the door interrupts us. Swallowing an expletive, I reluctantly leave her side. She lies there, eyes pinned on me, silent. The only sound is her ragged breathing.

  Her soft lips are slightly swollen and red, beckoning, begging. Soon, I’ll have her writhing under me, but now is not the right time for either of us. Looking down, I glare at my erection, willing it to take the hint and back down. With an uncomfortable groan, I adjust myself and head over to the door. If my timing is correct, it’s the packages I ordered.

  After speaking with the man and handing him a tip, I bring both parcels inside and head back over to Dahlia. Curiosity shines in her eyes, but she strangely remains silent. Chuckling, I set the parcels on the couch and motion for her to come to me. She rises from the floor and the rest of her sheets pool down around her ankles. For a moment, she just stands there, naked as the day she was born. A growl rises from my throat, one I thought I hid rather well. Obviously, I didn’t. Her mouth splits into a wide grin as she strikes a sexy pose.