“How about you?” Tory asked Ray. “Was there a boyfriend in Washington?”
Sadness tugged at the corners of Ray’s lips. “There was once. He died.”
“I–I–I’m so sorry I asked,” Tory stuttered. “It’s none of my business. I apologize.”
“No worries.” Ray shifted uncomfortably and rubbed under his nose with his right index finger in a quick jerky motion. “James was who turned me, but unfortunately for us, his immortal life proved to be anything but. His mentor, and our mutual friend, reached through his rib cage one evening and pulled out his heart. Fed on it right in front of my eyes.”
The table was left speechless after Ray’s horrific retelling of the death of his partner. An ice-cold shiver raced up Tory’s spine as he pictured what Ray had endured.
Ray slapped the surface to the table with both hands causing the others to jump in their seats. The votive candles flickered. “I’m the life of the party tonight.”
“No, no, no,” Tory said, the words rushing from his lips. “We invited you here to get to know you, good and bad. It’s to be assumed that vampires have had a hard life. If we knew what we know now, we probably would not be sitting here.”
Niko drained his drink. “How about another? I’m buying this round.”
They nodded in agreement, and Niko went to the bar.
Asher looked at Tory, then to Ray. “You appear to be the youngest in the group. Your energy is new. Still taking shape.”
Ray chuckled. “Calling me a mess?”
“Just saying that you’re scattered.” Asher’s tone was cautious. “Did James live in D.C.? Is that why you went back?”
Tory listened intently, saddened but still riveted by Ray’s life story. He waited, wondering if Ray would answer Asher’s questions or tell him to fuck off, but hopefully in a kinder fashion.
“Yeah.” Ray paused and finished his drink in two deep swallows. “It was the anniversary of his death. Every year I feel compelled to visit his crypt. A small part of me believes that one day James will be resurrected, but I know that’s impossible. A vampire’s heart consumed by another vampire is impossible to survive.”
Asher exhaled slowly. “Yes. Most certainly.”
“I know that,” Ray stated again as if saying it one more time would finally make him accept it. “I don’t know why I torture myself every damn year. Just a glutton for punishment I guess.”
Tory reached out and found Ray’s hand that was fisted on the table. He took it and squeezed. “It’s because you loved him, and there’s nothing wrong with that.”
Ray lowered his head but didn’t speak.
Tory searched himself for comforting words. “What and why we do things aren’t always revealed until much later in life. Do what you must.” Tory shrugged his shoulders. “And if that’s visiting the mausoleum of your lover, then so be it. No one’s judging you.”
“You are a very understanding and insightful soul, Tory.”
Ray’s words brought a smile to Tory’s lips. “Yes. Sometimes. But most of the time I’m impatient and shallow,” he joked.
“I can vouch for that,” Asher seconded.
Calling from the bar, Niko asked Asher for help with carrying the drinks. Tory suspected it was Niko’s way of allowing Tory some private time with Ray. Jumping off his stool, Asher raced toward Niko but not before shooting a knowing look in Tory’s direction.
“You have a great friend in Asher. I can tell he really loves you.”
“I’m lucky,” Tory said. “And although we like to poke a stick at Jerrod from time to time, he’s great too. They’ve really taken me under their wing and made me feel at home here in Sangre.”
“Home. That’s a nice word.”
“I believe it’s more of a feeling than a word.”
“Obviously you possess this feeling.”
“Obviously you don’t,” Tory returned.
“I’m trying to make it here.”
“Do you like your job at Killer Kuts?”
Ray nodded. “I do. The guys are great. The money’s good. Nothing to complain about.”
“When I first moved here I was a vampire out of water,” Tory admitted. “Had an acquaintance or two but no true friends until I walked through the doors of Everlasting. Sometimes it takes time to feel like a part of a community, to make a place your home. Sangre is unique not only for us but for humans too. It’s nice for vampires, to feel free so we don’t have to hide and feel like mutant freaks. I imagine it’s nice for humans too. They don’t feel like the next thing on the menu.”
Ray laughed, the sound silky smooth, like deep, dark chocolate hitting the back of Tory’s tongue. “I remember that feeling.”
“You would because you’re virtually unchanged.”
“I’m over one hundred years old, not including my mortal years. I find it funny to be considered chicken.”
This time Tory laughed. “What I was trying to say is, I don’t remember if I ever felt hunted, or afraid of a vampire. My boyfriend was the one who changed me, and I trusted him implicitly. It sounds like you had a similar relationship and experience.”
“I did.”
The drinks arrived, and Asher and Niko placed them on the table. Tory noticed that the drinks had multiplied. “Shots?” he asked.
“A gift from Carlos,” Niko said. “He says we need to liven up the joint. It’s dead, even for the undead.”
Tory didn’t hesitate. Picking up the small shot glass filled to the rim, he toasted, “Salud!” before tilting it back. The others followed suit as Tory felt the instantaneous effects of the intoxicating liquid. He watched as his friends shouted “Salud!” and downed their shots, garnering the attention of the fellow bar goers. Carlos clapped his approval behind the walnut bar that ran the length of the room, a wall of spotless mirrors behind it.
As the night progressed, more concoctions found their way onto their table. And after the music was turned up and a space of the bar cleared for dancing, all chaos broke loose. Between the mind-altering cocktails and deep bass slow jams, Tory’s bump was met with Ray’s grind, the two bodies in perfect sweaty sync.
Tory’s hands explored Ray’s sinewy back.
Ray’s hands explored Tory’s twerk.
And somewhere between five-too-many, and Usher’s Yeah, the kiss Tory had been dreaming about since landing eyes on Ray’s juicy lips finally happened.
It had been over a century and a half since Ray had kissed a man, living or dead. He just couldn’t after James died. After his one and only attempt of kissing a man, Ray pulled away before coming anywhere close, because he felt as if he was about to cheat on the man who he had considered to be the love of his life.
How do I forget about a man I loved just because I can no longer hold him in my arms?
Ray asked himself this question too many times to count. Even after such a long time, Ray could feel James’s spirit surround him. He remembered the touch of his lips, the taste of his tongue. When Ray inhaled, he could still smell James’s spicy cologne, a unique blend of sandalwood and orange. Almost nightly, he had to fight back the tears that threatened to spill, but most of the time they came anyway.
Grieving for one hundred and fifty years really can get to a man.
But then he met Tory. Cute, compact, sweet and sassy, the man who resembled a boy who fell into the top drawer of his mother’s vanity chest was the complete opposite of James, the soldier and Statesmen. Granted the eternally youthful vampire was slender and sexy and easy on the eye, but it was his kind words and gentle spirit that settled in Ray’s soul, catching him off guard.
Lips touching lips, Ray didn’t feel an ounce of guilt as he kissed Tory, hard and deep. Electricity surged between them. Claiming the twink’s mouth, he took every inch that Tory gave. Ray’s heart slammed double-time to the beat of the music, blood rushed in his ears. He was vaguely aware of people dancing around him, and making a spectacle of himself was never on Ray’s list, but at this instant, he couldn’t ha
ve cared less. It was time for Ray Williams to join the living, even if he wasn’t technically alive.
Tory didn’t know who kissed who first, but at this point, he didn’t really give a damn. All he knew was he was being kissed. And twirled. And felt up. And it felt good.
Coming up for air, Ray asked, “Would you like to come back to my place? It’s only a few blocks away.”
Tory couldn’t catch his breath. “Yes,” he managed. “Now?”
“Yes,” Ray said, nodding. “Now.”
His inhibition completely gone, Tory reached between them and ran his hand over Ray’s impressive bulge. “I can see where there is a sense of urgency.” He hoped he didn’t just slur out all those words, but if he had, Ray was able to understand judging by the look on his handsome face.
“I can take that as a yes?”
“Yesthhhhh.” Okay, he did slur on that one. “Yes,” Tory repeated. “But first I have to tell the others that we’re leaving.”
Ray took Tory by the hand escorting him off the dance floor toward Asher and Niko talking to a few guys Tory didn’t recognize. He waved. “We’re calling it a night. Hope you don’t mind?”
Asher smiled and his left brow hitched upward. “Why would we mind? On the contrary, we’re delighted.”
Niko fist bumped Ray. “See you at work, Bro. Have fun. Play safe.”
They cut through the crowd, Ray leading the way, his wide shoulders making it effortless. Ray enveloped Tory in his hulking arms as they walked the few short blocks to Ray’s apartment. Standing outside of the building, Ray passed his hand over the doorknob prompting a click. Opening the door entirely, Ray said, “After you.”
Passing over the threshold, Tory was bathed in fluorescent light. He squinted. There was nowhere to go but up, a flight of stairs was the only option. Carefully he maneuvered each step, his head spinning. “No wonder you have such a great body. These steps are a killer.”
“Your body’s rockin’ too, boo.” Ray swatted at his cheeks, the vampire following Tory closely behind, only a step away. “How do you keep in shape?”
“Gym,” Tory returned. “And sometimes I transition into a border collie and participate in agility training classes at the neighborhood kennel. It’s fun to work out in packs.”
“Never thought of that. I need to give it a try.”
“You should.” Tory stumbled up the last two remaining steps onto a cheaply carpeted landing. “It’s great for the back and shoulders.”
They walked ten feet in the dark until Ray clapped, illuminating the space around them. Tory took it all in. “This place is amazing.”
Ray’s apartment was a loft with exposed brick walls and wooden beams; black pipes ran along the ceiling. Comfortable but still stylish furniture dotted the vast area creating intimate spaces throughout.
“Glad you like it,” Ray returned, shrugging off his denim jacket and tossing it on a nearby couch. “Would you like something to drink?”
Tory searched for a kitchen but didn’t see one. “No, thanks.”
Ray indicated with his chin toward the south end of the loft. “Bedroom’s over there behind the Chinese screen. Forgive the messy bed. I wasn’t expecting company or I would’ve tidied up.”
“No worries.”
“Make yourself at home. I’m off to get a beer.” Ray turned and walked, and out of nowhere, appeared a kitchen. Tory knew he was drunk but hallucinating?
“It’s the newest in vampire kitchens,” Ray explained as if reading Tory’s thoughts. “It only appears when you need it. In a blink of an eye, your state of the art kitchen appears out of thin air. Cool, huh?”
“Very cool.”
His stomach beginning to somersault, Tory went to the bedroom and sat on the edge of the California king-sized mattress and began to remove his shoes.
“You okay?” Ray’s baritone startled Tory. He looked up into dark eyes with flecks of amber. “You seem—”
“Nervous?”
“I was going to say anxious, but that’s the same thing.”
“It’s been a while since I’ve—”
“Had sex?”
“Are you going to keep doing that?”
Ray chuckled, his muscular chest rising and falling under his tightly stretched, black T-shirt. “I apologize. My mother always said I was her impatient child.”
“Mine too,” Tory shared. “She said I’d rush through life if I wasn’t careful. Guess she was wrong.”
“Maybe that’s why we chose to become immortal?” Ray mused. “So we could have all the time in the world.”
“Funny,” Tory said, continuing, “I don’t feel like I do. I made the change at twenty-one, or twenty-two — it’s been so long, I no longer remember. Anyway, I guess it’s because I appear to be eternally young that I can’t help but feel that I need to hurry up and accomplish my goals before I get too old. Funny isn’t it? You’d think that feeling would’ve left me a long time ago.”
“No one said being ageless and eternal was going to be easy. Brings on an entirely different set of problems.”
Ray took the space beside Tory, his generous thigh flush against Tory’s. He clutched a bottle of beer in his right hand. “Would you have turned if you knew what you do now?”
“I’ve asked myself that question many times.”
“I did it for love,” Ray said.
“I did it for excitement, “Tory said. “I like to believe that it was for love, but deep down I wanted an adventure.”
“Did you get one?”
“Yep, and I have a feeling that many more are on the horizon.” Tory took the beer from Ray and placed it onto the floor. He wrapped his arms around Ray’s lean waist, his scent intoxicating. Tory peppered kisses on Ray’s cheek, the beginnings of stubble prickling his lips. “You feel so good, so strong.”
Ray found Tory’s mouth. He kissed, soft and gentle. As seconds ticked by, their passion escalated into a frenzied pitch as they fell onto the mattress, hands racing over each other’s needful bodies. Tory arched under Ray’s touch. Moans fell from Tory’s lips as Ray forced his tongue deep into his mouth. Ray angled over Tory pressing his weight against Tory’s chest. “Take me,” Tory mumbled. “Devour every last inch of me.” Ray’s hands traveled down Tory’s chest, continuing to his swelling cock.
Ray pulled back from the kiss. “You’re big for a little guy,” Ray said, breathless.
“Never had any complaints before,” Tory said with pride.
Ray’s fingers blurred in Tory’s vision as the vampire unfastened Tory’s belt and jeans’ button. Ray paused for a quick kiss before unzipping and taking out Tory’s cock. A cry of lust bubbled up Tory’s throat as Ray engulfed him fully. Fisting the sheets, Tory pumped into Ray’s hot, moist mouth. Ray hummed his approval. This is heaven, Tory thought, and he never wanted it to end.
But it did.
“What’s the matter?” Tory asked, looking down at Ray. His eyes were blurred with tears. “Is there something wrong.”
Ray moved off of Tory and rolled over onto his back before sitting up. “No.” He blew out and rubbed his hands over his face. “Nothing.” Ray’s voice made Tory’s blood turn to ice.
“B–b–but something has to be?” Tory stuttered.
Ray stood but didn’t attempt eye contact. “I think you should go.”
“What?” Tory propped himself onto his elbows, feeling ashamed at his nakedness. “I thought we were having a good time?”
This time Ray’s eyes found Tory’s. “You thought wrong.” His jaw pulsed and a vein throbbed down the center of his forehead. “Now get dressed and get out.”
CHAPTER FOUR
“Why do you look like that?”
The last thing Tory wanted was an interrogation. He marched past Asher, who had a confused look on his face, and started rearranging an already perfectly arranged stylist station. “Like what?” he answered coolly.
“Like a baboon scrambled your face and tried to put it back together again.
/> “Probably because I’ve had very little rest and cried in my lair all day long.”
Asher rushed up beside Tory. “But I thought you were going back to Ray’s for some—” He waggled his eyebrows.
Tory waggled them back but with less enthusiasm. “I did, but when we started to get hot and heavy, he freaked.”
“Why?”
“If I knew the answer to that, would I look like this?”
“Maybe it was because he had too much to drink and wanted you to leave so he could puke in peace?” Asher made a feeble attempt at a smile. “That’s it. You’ll see that I’m right.”
Tory pushed his face only inches from Asher’s “You’re wrong. W–R–O–N–G.”
Asher pulled back. “I know how to spell wrong. And you’d better suck on a breath mint before your first client, or she’ll pass out from the fumes.”
“Good,” Tory spat back. “I hope she does. It will save me from hearing about her lackluster love life. You’d think she’d have made the decision to divorce her stupid pathetic excuse of a husband after five hundred years. Men!” Tory shook his head busying himself with the bottles and cans on his station. “Who needs them.”
“I do.”
“That was a statement, not a question.”
“You know who else needs men, or one man in particular?” Asher said. “You. That’s who.”
“Look, you’ve tried your hand at cupid, and it was an unmitigated disaster. I say you retire before you put any more energy into it.”
“Nothing I do is a disaster.”
“Then how do you explain Mrs. Ramuzzi’s last haircut.”
Asher pointed his index finger at Tory; a look of fury darkened his blue eyes. “You’d better apologize for that last remark, or I’ll turn you into a baboon for real.”
If Tory didn’t think Asher was serious, he wouldn’t have considered Asher’s request. “Sorry,” he mumbled.
“Apology accepted.” They both took a deep cleansing breath. “Look,” Tory began, “I know that you meant well but let’s forget about the whole dating thing for now. Quite frankly, after last night I’m exhausted and want to get on with my life without any drama.”
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