by Jamie Craig
Reaching forward, Gideon pushed down the elastic waistband with one hand and freed Jesse’s cock with the other. He used his hold to tug Jess closer, but stopped shy of his mouth, inhaling the musky scent of his skin.
“God, you smell good,” Gideon murmured. Slowly, he began pumping Jesse’s length. “Almost as good as you taste.”
Jesse put a bracing hand on Gideon’s shoulder, his fingers digging into Gideon’s flesh as he compulsively gripped and relaxed his hold. Jess whimpered on the down strokes, almost as if Gideon was pulling the strangled sound from his throat with each jerk of his wrist.
Jess wouldn’t last long; of that, Gideon was certain. With a wicked grin, he reached between Jesse’s legs, tracing a path across his balls to the soft skin behind them, all the way to his tight hole. Jess moaned and spread his legs farther. Gideon almost laughed. Like he needed the invitation to his ass anyway. Deliberately, he pressed two fingers deep into his passage.
“Oh…Gideon…” He gasped, his back arching. When his fingers brushed against Jess’ prostate, he tensed, his ass clenching around Gideon’s hand. That was the sign he was waiting for. He tightened his grip, squeezing Jesse’s cock harder and jerking his wrist forward. “Gideon.”
Jesse exploded in Gideon’s waiting mouth, his hot come splashing against his tongue, a few strings clinging to his lips. Gideon held him there until Jesse’s cock stopped trembling in his hand.
Without letting him go, Gideon slid gracefully to his feet, pressing their bodies together as he slammed his mouth to Jesse’s. Jess parted immediately, and Gideon thrust his tongue inside, sharing the sticky fluid. The kiss was greedy and loud, though Jesse’s moans were louder, and Gideon folded his free arm around Jess’ back, molding himself around the other man.
Jess’ hands snuck up Gideon’s back to grip his shirt. He clung to him like he didn’t plan to let anything separate them. Heat seeped from his skin and into Gideon’s, and his willingness, his eagerness, was communicated through every inch of his tense, damp body. Gideon deepened the kiss, pushing what was left of the come over Jesse’s tongue. He felt the muscles in Jesse’s jaw and throat work as he swallowed.
It occurred to Gideon when they finally parted and Jess was leaning his sweaty brow against Gideon’s cheek, that it was their first real kiss. There had been plenty of caresses that night in the alley and afterward, but that had been under the effect of whatever poison was in the warehouse. Those didn’t count. This…this long, hungry, sensual exploration was the real deal.
He grazed his lips over Jesse’s cheek, closing his eyes as he got lost in the hot breath on his neck and the vibrations still pulsing through Jesse’s body. Maybe his fears that pushing their relationship to a new level would spoil their friendship were silly. He cared about Jess as much as he wanted him, and if that kiss was any indication of what was to come…
Gideon stopped the thoughts before they took root too deeply.
Time would tell. The true test would be in a week. Only then could he dare to hope that Jess would fit into a life they both wanted.
Chapter 6
Jesse’s excitement for the date didn’t fade, even as his apprehension grew. He wasn’t nervous about whatever Gideon had planned—though he was painfully curious—but he couldn’t stop thinking about what it meant. He didn’t have to be told it was a test, and if he failed, that would be the end of whatever it was they had.
He felt he’d passed the first part of the test. It was difficult to avoid touching himself; it felt like he was constantly aroused. A single glance from Gideon made him hard, and any contact—no matter how incidental—made him ache. But Gideon was all business, and Jess had to constantly remind himself that they had work to do, a case to solve, and he couldn’t spend hours and hours thinking about Gideon.
Well, he could, and he did, but he shouldn’t.
Jess couldn’t even believe he was in the situation to begin with. No matter how much he’d hoped, no matter how much he privately fantasized, he never thought it would actually happen. He knew Gideon didn’t love him—not like he loved Gideon—but it didn’t really matter. Gideon valued him, and respected him, and above all, wanted him. How had that happened? When had that happened?
The morning of the Big Date—which had already reached nearly epic status in Jesse’s mind—Gideon wasn’t in the office. Or his apartment. But he did leave something behind for Jess to find. A midnight blue silk shirt and a pair of black pants waited for him on the kitchen table. Beside them was a new pair of shoes. On top of the shirt rested a thick black collar, clearly designed for a human neck, and a short leather leash, next to a cock ring. There was no note, but Jesse didn’t need it.
He ignored the gifts throughout the day. Or tried to. He tried to focus on his research, but he was counting down the minutes and quickly realizing it was going to be the longest day of his life. He listened for Gideon’s return, but he was left alone for the entire day, with nothing but his thoughts, his books, and his hard-on. Finally, before sunset, Jesse abandoned his research in favor of his new clothes.
Jesse began with the cock ring, wincing slightly as he slid it down his shaft. It was going to be a long, long night. The shirt fit perfectly, as did the pants, as though Gideon had had them tailor-made. Jesse closed the collar around his neck last, admiring himself in the bathroom mirror.
“You look good enough to eat.”
He jumped at the sound of Gideon’s voice, whirling to see him lounging against the jamb of the open bathroom door. The remark about vampires without reflections sneaking up on unsuspecting humans died long before it reached his tongue, however. He could only stare as he drank in Gideon’s appearance.
A black cashmere sweater stretched over his broad shoulders, hugging where it tapered down his muscled body. It was paired with leather pants Jess had only seen him wear when they’d had to go out undercover, but they molded over his hips like a second skin, revealing the definite bulge of his arousal. In his hands dangled the leash Jess had left lying in the other room, the thin leather strap gliding through his fingers as he toyed with it.
“I figure since I ruined so many of your other clothes, the least I could do was get you some new ones,” Gideon said. “Are they all right?”
“They’re great.” He ran his hands down his chest, smoothing the shirt over his skin. It was probably one of the finest things Jess had ever worn. “Thank you.” His fingers itched to run over Gideon’s sweater, to feel the ripple of his muscled chest beneath his hand. He couldn’t deny himself the contact and his fingers drifted from Gideon’s shoulder to his waist. “You look pretty good yourself.”
Gideon’s grin was wolfish. “Good enough to eat, I hope.”
“Yes, absolutely,” Jesse murmured, pressing his body against Gideon’s.
Gideon ran his hand up Jesse’s arm, the leather leash snaking along behind to send a cascade of shivers down Jesse’s spine. His gaze flickered from Jesse’s to the collar, and then lower for a fraction of a second. “From the scent of you, I know you followed at least one of my instructions.” His eyes were black with desire when he lifted them again. “What about the others?”
Jesse swallowed. “To the letter.”
Shaving had been ridiculously difficult. First, wielding a sharp razor blade in the vicinity of his balls made him nervous—what if he nicked himself? Second, every time he thought why he was shaving, his cock jerked, increasing the chances of nicking himself considerably. It would have been infinitely easier without the erection, but he didn’t want to violate the first instruction in order to achieve the second.
“Though it wasn’t easy.”
The clear whisk of metal as Gideon snapped the leash into place made Jesse’s chest hitch, but he kept still as the hand that had held it now slid down his chest, not stopping until it reached the waistband he’d only just finished closing.
“I should probably check to be sure,” Gideon murmured.
His deft fingers undid the button and zipper, cool
against Jesse’s heated shaft when they reached inside. Jess gasped when Gideon reached down to cup his sac, stroking the smooth skin, and his eyes fluttered shut when a rumble of approval came from Gideon’s chest.
“This has been the longest week of my life,” Jesse admitted. “And it didn’t help not knowing what you had planned,” he added, looking to Gideon hopefully.
He appeared thoughtful as he traced the cock ring with a single fingertip. “I didn’t realize you needed schedules for dates, too,” he teased.
“No, I suppose I don’t need a schedule,” Jesse said, striving to keep his voice normal, even though the simple touch was making his head spin. “It would be nice, is all.”
“Oh, it’s going to be better than nice. The club we’re going to is one of my favorites.”
“Club?” Gideon didn’t like people, and he didn’t like buying overpriced, watered-down drinks, and he didn’t like loud music, and he especially didn’t like dancing. Jesse suddenly became certain that Gideon’s favorite club was one that he had never visited before, and probably one that he wouldn’t want to visit alone.
Gideon’s gaze was unwavering. “A vampire club. Called Sangre.” He paused, and his hand stilled. “This is your last chance to back out, Jess. Humans don’t go to Sangre unless they’re escorted by vampires. And they only go for pretty much one reason. Once you’re inside, there’s no turning around.”
Everything from his groin to his throat clenched. He was on the brink now, and if he had the courage to jump, Gideon would be waiting for him at the bottom of the fall. Or he could back away, go back to the relative safety of watching the vampire from afar. Gideon waited patiently while Jess turned both options over in his mind, but ultimately, there was only one option truly worth considering.
“I’m not going to back out.”
Gideon removed his hand from Jesse’s pants, reaching up to grip the back of his neck. He pulled Jess closer until their mouths were faintly touching and murmured, “Just remember. You’re there with me. Whatever else happens, I’m never going to let anybody hurt you, Jess.”
Jesse inclined his head slightly. “I know.” His trust in Gideon was implicit, a solid, unmovable object in his life. “I’ve always known that.”
Gideon’s lips parted, and he tugged Jess the rest of the way in order to capture his mouth in a slow, lazy kiss. His leather pants scraped across Jesse’s exposed cock, making him ache for even more contact, but for now, Jess was content to savor the kiss he’d wanted all week long.
“We better go,” Gideon said when they finally parted. His voice was rough, and his fingers caressed Jesse’s nape as he dragged them away. “Otherwise, I’m going to tie you to my bed and this whole plan will be ruined.”
Jesse didn’t have any problems with a plan that included tying him to the bed, but he didn’t voice a protest as Gideon led him out of the bathroom. He tucked himself back in his pants quickly as they walked. He was zipped up by the time they reached the door, but Gideon didn’t seem interested in releasing the leather rope.
“Are you going to hold onto that all the way to the club?”
The glance Gideon shot back at him was inscrutable, his eyes so fathomless that they arrested Jess in his spot. “You’re mine,” he said simply. As if that was all the explanation Jess needed.
Jesse nodded, hoping his face didn’t reveal the swift flood of bliss through his body. He was Gideon’s. He never had the courage to state it, and now he didn’t need to. Gideon’s announcement and his silent acquiescence was all that needed to be said.
As he followed Gideon to the car, he almost forgot entirely about the leash. What did that matter in the face of the fact they were going to a vampire club? He wasn’t having second thoughts, but what he had agreed to was finally sinking in.
The ride was quiet but not uncomfortable. Gideon tuned the radio to something classical, and he hummed along as he navigated the dark streets. The leash remained loosely looped around his hand, and every time he turned a corner, it tugged a little at Jesse’s neck, just enough to remind him that it was there. By the time Gideon pulled up to their destination, though, Jess was already accustomed to it.
A uniformed valet came around to Gideon’s door, opening it for him to get out. “Stay in your seat,” he murmured to Jess as he finally released the leather strap.
Jesse nodded, his eyes tracking Gideon as the other man walked around the front of the car. He glanced quickly at the front of the club, realizing he had walked past the building several times and never noticed it. It was entirely inconspicuous. How many times had Gideon visited it? What did he do while he was there? Jess didn’t think he’d get a chance to ask during this trip, but he stored the question away for later.
Gideon opened the passenger door, but Jesse still didn’t move.
The night masked Gideon’s features from study, but his voice when he spoke was soft. “Out, boy.”
Jesse’s heart thudded. This was it. If he obeyed this order, he would have no choice but to obey them all. He stepped out of the car, stepping out of the way as the valet slammed the door behind him. The club still looked like an abandoned building, but he heard music now, and a certain energy radiated from the walls. Something intoxicating and frightening. Or maybe that was just Gideon.
In the darkness, Gideon found the end of the leash without fail. He turned on his heel and strode toward the front of the building, walking a pace ahead of Jess, and nodded at a large, black vampire seated by the door. The other vampire nodded back, rising from his stool to pull open the door. He never even gave Jesse a second look.
The first thing he noticed about the club’s interior was the temperature. Most clubs Jess was familiar with were stifling, crowded places that left little room to breathe. Sangre was comfortably cool, in spite of the throngs of people that dotted the large, open room. Large fans overhead kept the air circulating, and the music that he’d detected outside made the atmosphere pulse. Not from a band, though. Huge speakers were scattered around the perimeter, filling the space with sound.
It might be full of vampires, but Sangre felt like a living creature. Jesse’s heart sped up a little bit faster.
Gideon began leading him through the crowd, taking him past long, low couches populated with writhing bodies, and nooks where no light escaped, only the occasional cries and whispers. It took little time to realize vampires outnumbered humans by a ratio of almost ten to one, and even less to understand why he knew the difference. He wasn’t the only one wearing a leash. At various points, groups of men and women were congregated around a single collared person, who was usually naked.
Jesse’s mouth went dry. No wonder there was no band. The humans were Sangre’s entertainment.
Gideon hadn’t gone through any of the rules with him, or given him a single hint of what to expect. Was that part of the test? Jesse wasn’t sure, but he thought it was best to err on the side of caution. He kept his mouth shut, and except for the occasional frantic glance around the club, he kept his eyes on the back of Gideon’s neck. Despite his heightened senses, his excitement, his terror, and the growing ache in his groin, he couldn’t help but notice how nice Gideon’s shoulders were.
Gideon came to a stop at the bar, but Jess hung back as he ordered a pint of blood and a double whiskey. As they waited for the order to be filled, Gideon turned around and leaned against the bar, his elbows resting on the edge.
“So?” His gaze was glittering. It was difficult to tell in the dim lighting if that was a trick of Jesse’s overactive imagination or a result of being so near to his demon. “What do you think?”
Jesse didn’t respond immediately. It’s nice, his typical non-answer, was entirely inappropriate. This place wasn’t nice by any definition of the word. Scary? Loud? Thrilling? All true, but also probably not the answer Gideon wanted.
“It’s not anything like I expected,” Jesse said, not bothering to raise his voice over the music. He decided to go with honesty. If Gideon didn’t want an honest
response, he shouldn’t have asked. “It’s…a bit intimidating. But exciting. I’ve heard of places like this, of course, but I never thought I’d get a chance to see one from the inside.” He smiled a little sheepishly. “That’s not the only reason it’s exciting, of course.”
Gideon’s lust-filled eyes raked over him, until Jess squirmed. “There aren’t many rules here,” he said. “Do as I say. Don’t speak until spoken to.” Their drinks arrived, and Gideon picked up the whiskey first and handed it to Jess. “That’ll help you relax. I haven’t seen you this tense since we got cornered by that mob down at the pier.”
Jesse accepted the drink gladly. This would probably be much easier if he was a bit buzzed, though he didn’t want to get drunk. He didn’t want to have the temptation of blaming alcohol later for this. He needed to be fully aware of everything he did, everything he agreed to.
He downed it in one gulp, closing his eyes as the artificial fire spread through his veins. When he opened them again, Gideon was standing much closer, and he seemed much larger, and the club seemed a little darker. “Thank you,” he murmured.
A strong hand came around and cupped Jesse’s ass, tugging him against Gideon’s broader frame until their cocks rubbed against each other through their pants. Gideon licked a trail from Jesse’s chin to his ear, stopping to whisper, “There is no safe word here, boy. For the next few hours, I’m going to fuck every hole you have, and then share you with whoever I see fit so that they can fuck you, too. I have every intention to feed from you at least once, and if it suits my mood, I’ll allow anybody who asks to have a taste, too. You won’t argue, you won’t hesitate, and most of all, you won’t stop until I tell you to. Do you understand?”
