Fire & Flesh

by Kerri Carr

  “Oh, how I want you.”

  Staring into his eyes, August was blood crazed. Just the smell of him ignited her fury for his blood. She wanted to feel him running through her. Suddenly, she wanted to know what it was like to be one with him again.

  Slowly, taking her hand, Everard walked to the red velvet armchair, never taking his eyes from hers as she hazily followed him. He sat down and pulled August into his lap. Placing a slender finger underneath her chin, Everard guided August’s face to his before consuming her in a passionate kiss. He nipped at her throat playfully and she gasped at the sensation. Then August tore her lips from his and drove her fangs deep into his bare slender neck.

  It started instantly, the low thrum of his heart against hers as she drew the blood to the surface lapping at the sweet, thick nectar that flooded her mouth like a red fountain.

  A flash took August back to the time when they had been mortal, and she could see him upon his bed with her beneath him as he thrust into her as they made love. Another flash took August to Paris on the night of her change. For the first time, she properly saw how confused and crazed Everard had been that night.

  August saw myself as a young mortal girl sitting by a dresser writing in a journal that she so loved, her free hand caressing the swell of her belly as she wrote. August was smiling. Another image after that showed her lying upon the Rue Chavern's floor screaming wildly, lashing and thrashing as she was turning, her chiffon nightgown stained red from between her legs as their child bled out of her as August died.

  Everard’s heart was weakening, and August knew that if she held on any longer that she would kill him but he did not protest. It was then that she felt his gentle hand on her head, then guiding her as she retracted her fangs to peer into Everard's eyes. For a long moment, he gazed into August’s eyes before leaning up and placing a gentle kiss upon her lips, licking the blood away.

  “You belong to me, my love,” Everard whispered into August’s ear. “You always have.”

  THE END

  Another bonus story is on the next page.

  Bonus Story 21 of 44

  WE WERE THREE

  It’s been two years since graduation. Hard to believe the three of us are still going strong. It seems we’ve beat some sort of odds here where so many others have issues with a successful relationship between just two people. Here we’ve made it work for this long with flying colors and are still that fearsome threesome. We’re just awesome like that. I am officially the luckiest girl in the entire world, right here.

  If I’m going to tell this story right I’d better start at the beginning and that would definitely be “The Graduation Party”. Cash’s folks really did things up for us that night and the place looked more like a prom than a party. That romantic air though, probably helped nudge along some feelings that had been brewing beneath the surface of our inseparable friendship more and more in that last year. We were happy, the three of us as friends, so none of us wanted to tamper with that tight bond and think outside of our perfectly fine constant party of three.

  We were just freed from our four year’s hard work and dues paying in college, and we were shining stars on cloud nine out to enjoy the night meant to celebrate just that. Toasts had been made and cocktails downed, we were well fed on hors d'oeuvres, and were laughing our heads off with all of our favorite people, dancing the night away.

  I was out on the patio with my long time friend Charlotta when Andrew asked if he could talk with me for a moment. Immediately I knew something was off and thought maybe a relative was sick or that he was going to spring on me that he was moving away—he was that serious.

  *****

  Andrew sat me down and seemed to take things in for a moment, catching his breath. My sleeveless metallic and shimmering jacquard frock embellished with beaded flowers near the collarbone, with its princess seams and flared skirt with pleat accents, a Teri Jon by Rickie Freeman, was shining under the lanterns. It helped to keep up my glow and confidence from within. I sat up straight and intently tried to read him caringly, as he seemed to be sweating something.

  “Holly, I—” and he rethought for a moment, “I don’t know how to say this so I’m just going to say it.”

  “Okay.” I said, my eyebrows raised. I nodded, ready to be there for him.

  “I fucking love you Holly.”

  “I fucking love you, too, babe!” I smiled back and felt the excitement of the evening, such a glorious time for all of us.

  “Look, I want you to know that you can always count on me, like always. But we’ve graduated now—we’re supposed to all be moving on and finding jobs and running off and getting married and starting families and…” We both started laughing, it’s a lot to swallow, but true. We were expected to work on growing up at this point. He went in again to get to a point, and I stared at his blue eyes and cute little stubble mustache look and grinned at the sight of him, just loving this man to the core.

  “I want you,” he blurted out.

  At that point I remember my heart stopping and my smile faded with pure shock. I almost opened my mouth enough to try and talk him out of it when he interrupted.

  “Don’t say anything,” he went on, “I just can’t ever imagine ever wanting to be with anyone else, I love you too much. Please don’t freak out. Don’t tell Cash, just take some time to think about it.”

  This was taboo. Our mere existence survived on the friendship between the three of us and I couldn’t imagine tainting that or hurting Cash, ever. I wouldn’t even let my mind wander into that territory. As I steamed up in thought, almost mad at Andy and stuttering, I noticed his eyes dart around the now empty patio and out of nowhere he just leaned over. I got this feeling he was going to kiss me but it wasn’t awkward.

  He grabbed my waist and with his lips brushing up against mine he said, “I’m going to fucking kiss you,” and in that moment a rush ran up my spine, tapping into a lust buried so deep under what was right, all the way down to something I must have wanted all along and never knew—and he did. Up to that point it was the hottest kiss of my life.

  *****

  Frozen in time, Andy had to take my hand and pull me up.

  “C’mon, seriously, don’t freak out. Just think about it. Let’s just have a good time,” and then he led me back inside. I could feel myself two shades pinker as I walked in and him giving my hand a squeeze in his made it only a little better. It took a few distractions and laughing fits brought on by my beloved pals, but it wasn’t too long before I was able to shake the whole scenario and try to get back into party mode.

  Cash was busy being life of the party for most of the night, but when one of our songs came on we hit the floor. Oh, what a night and the electricity was surging through me. I was in a dreamland and felt like a diva of the night; just having such a good time and then there we were, laughing our heads off and catching our breath to this old slow jazz song.

  “It’s the best part of our life,” Cash sang out in sing-song fashion as he twirled me. “The world is our oyster,” he sang teasingly and dramatically pulled me close like we were on some kind of dance show.

  “Cynthia and her crew were at it again tonight,” he said with an eye-roll.

  Gosh those girls would never stop. For years they seemed to have nothing to talk about to Cash, who they were obviously all obsessed with, except to poke at him with asking when he and I were going to just drop the show and admit we were doing it… annoying! (To say the least.)

  “I got’em,” he said with this spark in his eye and I could tell he was up to something. I gave the question, do-tell eyebrow raise. “I told them I would ask you out just so they’d back off. I don’t think it was what any of them wanted to hear.”

  “Yeah, I bet not!” I laughed. With a quick glance out of our little dancing powwow, I saw the girls eyeing us and fake-slapped Cash on the shoulder. “You’re serious?!” He chuckled with this villain grin. “You’re playing with their fragile hearts,” I reminded him and with t
hat he swung me around again and started back in with the sing-song talking.

  “So?” and he looked on with sincerity, I couldn’t tell why he was giving these girls such a show and sensed some kind of game. But Cash wasn’t a game player like that. “With Andrew’s approval, of course.”

  Just the mention of Andrew’s name was hard to hear at that point and I wanted to tell Cash everything that had happened but it wasn’t the time. It was only because of what Andy had just told me that I thought nothing could surprise me, and felt way off guard in general. I just stared at him trying to read if he was serious. That was when he looked me in the eyes like he never had before.

  For four years I had looked into the eyes of this guy and he had never looked at me like that. Softly, he said, “I thought maybe… we could try it.”

  And I nearly passed out. Seriously, I got light headed and flushed and weak and backed away politely letting him lead me off the floor so I could sit down. I totally left him hanging there like a sad puppy and went to the loo, but I just had to go and take a moment to myself.

  The bathroom was peaceful, a silver motif in this one and for a moment I just enjoyed the scent of jasmine soap, but then I couldn’t help but notice the woman in the mirror waiting for my attention.

  I was thinking, Did this really all just happen? Did my two best friends just come on to me in the same night? Who I adore? Who I love? Who any girl would die to have the attention of for even a moment? I remember feeling tragic. Sick. Torn.Upside-down. I wasn’t prepared for any of this. I sighed out a big sigh and just thought about the two of them, their smiles… And then I had this idea.

  I watched a grin form on my face in the in the mirror. “I won’t have one of them,” I said to myself out loud, “unless I can have both of them.”

  *****

  “Ha!” I felt like I had outsmarted the evening and with my head held high I prepared to re-enter the party. I quickly reasoned that with everything that happened, and once we all had talked about it, that my decision, which at the time was just my way of skirting any decision at all, would be to not choose. Yes, as simple as that, and they would have to figure it out from there with the ball in their court.

  I heard laughter as I strolled down the hallway, and headed to the lounge where it was coming from to find a big group of my friends all looking more grown up but only because they were serving up scotch. Andy and Cash were both there.

  We lounged with our drinks and I felt like I had something tucked up my sleeve and the only way to clear the air was just to do it. When it was just the three of us in this one area all cozied up and laughing I blurted out, “So…Cash asked me out tonight.”

  Cash got white in the face and Andrew looked confused, only I laughed. Cash chimed, “I said with Andy’s approval.”

  “Wait, what?” Andy said, honestly dumbfounded, “but…” He looked to me to for some kind of direction, perplexed.

  “Yeah, Andrew professed his love for me, too,” I divulged, “out on the patio like, an hour before.” The two of them looked at each other with wasn’t horror or relief but something oddly in between, searching for where this could go.

  “Don’t worry,” I broke things up, casually lounging back with my glass and taking another sip, “I’ve already made up my mind.”

  “Oh, really?” Andy asked playfully, and we all laughed. Same three. Same laughs. There should have been this awful tension but with us all three there, there just wasn’t.

  “Do tell,” Cash inquired so formally.

  “I just simply won’t have one of you,” I remarked and it started to sound like a game.

  “Princess!” they both said in unison, and we all chuckled. Andy looked a little disappointed really, but Cash was deep in thought. He stood up and looked out in silence.

  “Okay, so what if?” he said and we listened. “What if we move forward in life just like everyone expects, just like we’re supposed to, but in our way. What if we reinvent things on our own terms? What if we dare, guys?” And he looked on to us, continuing his speech. “What if we dare to let love in?”

  It sounded crazy. I mean in a striking way, like a new business idea that’s so great, but will just die a dream. But then, all of a sudden, Andy spoke.

  “I’m in.” Then he looked at me intently, “I love you, Holly, and Cash if you’re serious—I mean, are you saying you love her?”

  Cash knelt down on one knee and looked at me, “I’m crazy about her.”

  “Then,” Andy said, “unless you’re screwing around I say let’s do it. Not like, ‘it’ I mean, you know, like try this idea.” We all cracked up laughing which was a good thing because that surely was in the back of everyone’s mind on how that whole thing would go.

  Now it was my turn, “So, wait, you guys are actually both saying that you love me so much you want to take things to the next level? Like relationship wise? I have to admit it only sounds fun and I can’t bear the thought to lose you guys so making plans together seems perfect. I just… I just can’t believe this is happening.” After a pause, I smirked, “It’s kind of hot,” breaking the ice and we all smiled. “So…what do we do next?”

  Cash was the one who answered. “We move in together."

  *****

  Not much seemed to change in the coming weeks after graduation. Cash and Andrew’s dads had known each other since school themselves and when we approached our parents about moving, the two agreed to spring for our place, and of course saw it as an investment as well.

  They dropped a cool 7.8 mil on 39 million dollar Penthouse One at 33 East 74th Street in the Upper East Side of Manhattan—which I now call home. I’ll admit I had my doubts and was a little whiny at first, because of not having any say in choosing the place. I would have gone for something higher up from the ground, but once I walked in, I shut up pretty quickly.

  The place is a dream! It suits us all and has been perfect. I dearly love the wrap-around terrace facing both Madison and 74th street, and especially adore being one block from the park.

  Our nearly 200 grand a month mortgage payment was covered until we could pick up the payments, and the guys have been doing a pretty good job of that for over a year now. I am no stranger to the fact that I am the luckiest girl in Manhattan living in a mansion with my two boyfriends, who insist I worry only about keeping myself happy and leave the finances up to them.

  Andrew works as a top lawyer and is damn good at it (and damn sexy in the suits I help pick out for him), and Cash has carried on his pops legacy with investing.

  I spend my time staying healthy and happy, connected, working out schedules, making dates, surprising the boys and shopping. There is lots of shopping. I don’t go on shopping sprees, I’m too particular, but I do love to feel good and take good care of my beloved wardrobe. I shop for inspiration. What I might find out on a shopping trip may very well tell how my next week will go.

  It was, in fact, only a few hours after we’d unpacked on our first day at the Penthouse before I rang for a car and was off to Saks. Scoring a demure sleeveless Red Valentino round neck flared dress in a 1960’s inspired cherry floral print, with side slash pockets (I love side slash pockets) was all I needed to spark spontaneity into play.

  With thoughts brewing in my mind of how I could wear this sensational little dress, I went ahead and picked up silk panties in pink and a pair of soft pink heels before leaving. Before walking out, I texted the boys, asking if they’d be up for a picnic in the park to celebrate.

  Andy said they could swing it and asked where and when. I told him to bring a sheet or something for a picnic blanket and that I’d pick up some lunch, describing a little meeting spot easy to find. In the next 45 minutes I got a car over to a market, grabbed some French baguettes, brie, pate, olives, strawberries, chocolate macaroons, and wine, then stepped off to the bathroom to change. I put on my perfect cheerful and flirtatious picnicking getup, letting my hair down and brushing the soft curls lightly.

  Carefree and on time, I
strolled with the paper sack in my arm up and over the hill, on the path to where I’d described. There were two handsome men who spied me from where they sat lounging on an open blanket.

  Cash blushed and Andy spouted “Oh, shit!” He stood up and continued to gush over me, “Girl, I believe the city becomes you! Damn!” Andy pointed at me eyeing Cash as if to say ‘Look at what we got for a date here!’

  I grinned and was floating on air, setting up our little picnic in the sun, fully aware of how my legs were positioned on the blanket. I loved the feeling of being flirtatious with my two fellows, although this hadn’t sunk in yet, nor become official in ways beyond words so far. Here I was though, getting us closer to exploring that change.

  We savored our foods and sipped on our wine in this fresh sensation of our new day. Like magic, a sensual mood seeped in on our afternoon. The laughter and chatter was usual but there was something else growing here. Something that we hadn’t talked about. Something new that living apart hadn’t allowed us to face, and knowing that we were headed here, we all just sort of figured things would work out once we got here. Well now we were here, and none of us had any clue how things were going to go.

  Sure, some things had been touched on, mentioned, like both Cash and Andy divulging that with this whole venture, neither one of them had any interest in each other like that—it just didn’t bother them if the other was there. They were that close. Well, I didn’t have any idea how to handle the situation but here I was in my cherry dress feeling like I was figuring it out.

  “This is so great,” I sighed. “Just finally being here. I love this park, I love this city, and I love you guys, and I love our new place!”

  Cash asked, “Yeah, pretty sweet isn’t it? As sweet as life right now. I’m glad you like it, Holly. I was so worried you’d just hate it or something!” The sun’s light was turning from day to afternoon.