Infamous: (A Bad Boy Romantic Suspense)

by Noir, Mila

  “So, there is one other thing Lord Ellory wanted me to do before he gets up. He’d like me to invite you to dinner. Just you and him. No Dimitri. He’ll be occupied,” she said, eyeing me from a little table where she had a laptop propped open.

  “Sure. So long as I don’t have to dress up. I am over formal wear for a while,” I said, lying back, feeling sleepy again.

  “It will be here in the house, in the dining room, at nine p.m. You can find it by just following the hall to the kitchen, then turning left instead of right.” Her voice was soft, soothing. From my droopy eyes I looked over and saw the sunlight flowing over her, making her look a little like she was made of translucent scales. Her eyes sparkled and shifted in color now, and I wondered if that was because of her changeling nature or my imagination.

  “I’ll try not to get lost,” I muttered, before drifting off.

  At least I’d finally met someone more normal. You know, relatively.

  I woke up as a clock struck nine, feeling actually rested. I found a note propped up in front of me. It was from Tina.

  It was lovely to meet you, Emma! Don’t forget, it’s a left at the kitchens instead of a right. And don’t let Robert intimidate you, he’s a softy, really. –Tina

  I walked down the hall trying to keep track. I made a cautious left and did, indeed, find myself in front of two large doors that looked as though they led to a dining room. Only one way to find out. So I pushed them open.

  Dining room, my ample fanny. It was like a ballroom, huge and echoing. The table that extended down the middle could have fit over a hundred people, easily. It was decorated in a kind of faux Greek or Roman style, with white columns and statues of muses or whatever. It didn’t really seem like Robert’s style, too ostentatious.

  “Ridiculous, isn’t it? I wouldn’t have chosen this, but one of the other family members insisted at the time. I wish I’d stood my ground.” And there was Robert, next to me, out of nowhere.

  “It seems a little over the top for you. You’re more…austere,” I said. He gave me a look, then shrugged.

  “I suppose I am a little severe. I have to be. I’m responsible for a lot of people.” He led the way towards one end of the comically long table. Dinner had been set up, complete with shiny silver tureens, platters, and plates.

  “Dimitri tells me you’re sort of a vegetarian. So I had some things made specially. The curry soup should be excellent.” He pulled out my chair. I felt like a lady in an old novel, except with the ability to vote and not wear corsets.

  Robert sat across from me and ladled out the soup. It really was excellent, with coconut and Thai basil. He sipped from a crystal wine glass with red liquid in it that might or might not have been wine. I didn’t ask.

  We ate for a while without saying anything. I watched him in the soft light. He was bigger than Dimitri and his features were bolder, less delicate. His nose in particular was prominent and should have overwhelmed his face. Instead it was balanced by the dark brows, the high cheekbones, and the strong chin. His eyes were really the most incredible dark blue. I wondered again if there were ever any ugly vampires.

  “You must be wondering why I asked to dine with you alone,” he said, sitting back and looking at me.

  “Well, I know you don’t like Dimitri a lot, so that part doesn’t need explaining. But I guess I was wondering what you wanted with me. You don’t have to get to know me to guard me or whatever. Which I appreciate, by the way.” I was chewing bread, feeling laid back and relaxed-ish.

  “Dimitri wasn’t wrong in the car. I’m very…interested in you. You’re very attractive, Emma,” he said. I coughed.

  “Uhm, thank you?” Whatever I’d been expecting him to say, it wasn’t that. How did I have two vampires interested in me? What was my life turning into?

  “You were very brave in front of the council. A bit cavalier, maybe, but brave. Not many people, alive or undead, would speak to them that way.” He smiled, remembering, I supposed, my asking them not to make me un-alive, amongst other things.

  “I wasn’t always this outspoken. Before that night in the alley, I was pretty quiet. Shy, even,” I admitted. Although, was I? I had been content to sit back and let other people be bold and outgoing. But was I truly shy or just pretending? Because that was easier than putting myself out there? Sobering thought.

  “I am sorry you experienced that. Those particular vampires are…not my favorite. They skirt the line of our rules, which we’ve developed for reasons. Not least of which being that many of us don’t enjoy hurting people, even though we have to eat. There are other ways to do it. And we’ve worked hard to make rules everyone can abide by.” He had steepled his fingers, which I noticed were long and strong looking. I suddenly wondered what they felt like on bare skin. Mine, specifically. Uh oh.

  Robert continued to chat about the rules of vampire society, which included not revealing themselves to humans (obviously), not draining the living, not turning the living without permission, and not interfering in human affairs. The latter interested me.

  “So, you mean, no vampires in human politics, that kind of thing?” I said, drinking some wine. It was good, smooth, with notes that I would never be able to identify because I’m not that kind of person.

  “Yes. We had some ill-advised experiences with dabbling in things back during the Inquisition. It didn’t end well for anyone,” he said.

  “Why is it always the Inquisition? What was it about that time that made it some kind of nexus for weird shit?” I mused.

  “Religious fervor. Fear. Heightened emotions. And a lot of people had been poisoned with rye mold,” he said.

  “Well, I’m glad it’s been over for several hundred years. It sounds miserable.”

  “It was, but those times had their charms as well. There were fewer people. Less industry. More open spaces and places to be discovered. People were more superstitious, of course. Which actually made things more difficult for those of us of a supernatural persuasion. People believed in things like us back then. Nowadays we’re myths and legends people are fond of, but explain away if they happen to encounter us. Usually.” He looked at me pointedly.

  “I didn’t really have much choice. It was pretty obvious vampires were real after what I saw, and I’m not really good at pretending things aren’t real that are.” Which sounded convoluted to my ears but there it is. I had seen what I’d seen and it couldn’t be taken back.

  “I’ll make sure you’re safe, Emma. Those vampires won’t bother you again.” His voice was intense. It made me shiver.

  “I hadn’t realized I was in so much danger from them, really. I thought Dimitri scared them off.” I looked away from his gaze, which seemed to bore into me.

  “Normally that would be true. But we’ve had reports. There are houses that are less inclined to listen to the council than others. And they are very nervous about a human who can’t be mind-wiped. And others are less nervous and more…curious. Which is much worse.” He stood up and offered his hand. I gulped and took it.

  “Well, then, I extra thank you for the protection. You didn’t have to. You don’t even know me,” I said quietly, feeling small and suddenly afraid. He led me to a balcony that overlooked the grounds. In the night it was hard to make anything out, though there seemed to be gardens and some kind of lake in the distance. The moon was large and round overhead but not very bright. I suddenly thought about werewolves and shivered.

  Robert gently turned me to face him, looking at my face in the dim light.

  “You’re very unique, Emma. Not because we can’t control you or influence you, but just you. You’re very…honest. And real. You’re not playing any games. It’s refreshing to me.” His hand touched my cheek and stroked. It was a kind, soothing gesture and I turned my face into it.

  I looked up into his eyes, then down to his mouth. It was softer now, almost full looking. I reached up on tiptoes and gently brushed his lips with mine. I could taste the wine on him. Then I remembered Dimit
ri and stepped back, feeling awkward and stupid.

  “Emma,” he said, then swept me into his arms. The kiss this time was deeper, more insistent, but not hard or pushy. There was passion in it but also control. His lips were slanted against mine until I opened them and let in his tongue.

  He picked me up easily, like I weighed nothing, to press me against him. I put my hands on his shoulders, then his face. His hands swept down to the small of my back. He smelled good, a bit like wood smoke and citrus.

  Before I knew it, we were back in the dining room and he was sitting me on the table. He broke the kiss and pulled back a little, resting his forehead against mine.

  “It’s been a while since I was with anyone, Emma. I don’t dally the way Dimitri does,” he said softly.

  Dimitri. Damn. I was sort of with him and hadn’t talked to him in maybe a day, and now here I was making out with another vampire. One he hated, in fact. What kind of girl was I turning into?

  “It’s okay, Emma. You aren’t cheating on him or anything. Dimitri doesn’t do exclusive,” Robert said, nuzzling at my neck. He had a point. Dimitri had made it really clear we were casual and that monogamy was not his thing. Still, it seemed like getting involved with his archenemy might be more than even his freewheeling ways could take.

  “I don’t want to hurt anyone,” I said. That seemed to be it, really. Because I also knew that if Robert wanted to sleep with me now, I was going to do it. I’d already decided, probably even before dinner. I wanted him and I was going to get the things I wanted while I still could.

  “Should we go to your bedroom or…?” I said, and he smiled. He took off his jacket and threw it aside. Then he pulled me to the edge of the table and cupped me through my pants.

  “Too far.”

  “Good point.” His hand moved to the waistband, then dipped inside and traveled lower. I closed my eyes as he found my slick bud, long fingers moving deftly over the skin. I groaned.

  “It has definitely been too long,” he said gruffly, then had my pants off in a swift move. I wasn’t wearing underwear and was naked from the waist down. I spread my legs while keeping eye contact. He smiled and I gulped with anticipation. His face looked hungry, not for blood, but something not far off.

  He kneeled in front of me and looked up, raising an eyebrow. I nodded and he pressed his face to me. His tongue was sure and fast, darting in, circling, claiming. He didn’t try to tease, he simply took. And I was ready to be taken.

  His tongue was pressed firmly to my clit, quickly finding the right spot and rhythm. I rushed towards orgasm, hot and hard, swept up in sensation. It broke over me and I yelled.

  He was inside me in a quick, thick thrust, holding me up against him and going deep. I didn’t want to compare, but he and Dimitri seemed to be about the same size. Which was to say: considerable. I felt very full and shuddered. He took his time, not going fast or slow, but simply working my hips against him in a steady, hot rhythm that I could feel everywhere.

  “Emma, you are beautiful. I can’t take it. It’s been too long and I can’t…” We looked at each other, locking eyes, feeling each other connect.

  When his fingers found me again, I yelled, coming sharply, convulsing and arching against him. He came soon after, with a soft sigh in my ear.

  I peeled myself away from him, panting. My head felt light and my body felt warm and good, deep down. It had been quick but special. A different kind of connection than I had with Dimitri. I might be in love with Dimitri, or just a very deep like, but there was something here with Robert, too. Some kind of connection I hadn’t expected. Could you fall in love with two men at once?

  I guess I was going to find out.

  Later that night, while I was in bed and emphatically not sleeping, I thought I heard a strange snuffling sound outside my door. It was like a large dog was sniffing wetly. I cautiously got up and opened the door but…nothing. I locked it when I closed it again just to be safe.

  Even later I heard a knock and then Dimitri’s voice, a little slurred. “Emma? Open up, please!”

  I got up and let him in. He’d clearly been drinking a bit. He didn’t seem incredibly drunk but definitely not sober. He walked around the room at first, looking at everything that wasn’t me. I was tired and not really up for whatever weird confrontation he probably had in mind.

  “What do you want, Dimitri? I was about ready to go to sleep.”

  “You slept with him today, didn’t you.” It wasn’t a question. I crossed my arms.

  “Yes, but you know that. And you also made it clear that we are free agents, so don’t get weird on me here,” I said.

  “I don’t care that you slept with Robert,” he said loftily. I gave him my most skeptical look. “Okay, I care a little. Mostly about whether he’s better than me. What can I say, I’m shallow.” I rolled my eyes.

  “He’s not better, Dimitri. He’s…different. And before you ask, I have no idea who’s bigger. I didn’t measure,” I said. He laughed a little at that, looking rueful.

  “I know, I’m ridiculous. You’re not my girlfriend, you can sleep with who you want. Even him,” he said.

  “That sounds like you giving me permission. This was my choice.” I sat on the bed, yawning. It was a relief he wasn’t going to have a big snit. I wasn’t up for a vampire temper tantrum.

  Instead, he sat down on the bed next to me and looked me over with a knowing smile. His hand stroked my back and he placed a kiss on my neck.

  “Up for another round? Just to make a real comparison?” he asked. Suddenly I was wide awake as his hand came up to cup my breast. Was this actually happening? Was I about to have sex with two men in one night? As Dimitri slid behind me, massaging my breasts, the answer was a clear yes. I was definitely going to sleep with two guys tonight.

  My pajamas were off without a thought and I was on all fours. Dimitri stroked his hands down my back, over my spine, down to my buttocks. He pulled my hips back and guided himself home. It was a familiar sensation, him inside me. Full and hard. My body seemed more than happy to be having so much sex. The more I had, the more I wanted to have.

  “I missed you, Emma,” Dimitri said from behind me, thrusting. I groaned. We moved together well, working each other, building, hitting all the right body notes. When he reached around and stroked me, I clenched down and we both came, shuddering.

  I collapsed on the bed and Dimitri came down beside me, drawing me into his arms. I let him; it was nice to be held.

  “I could love a girl like you, Emma. I really could,” he said so softly I wasn’t sure I heard him. Then I was asleep, dreaming about warm rain showers and strange snuffling sounds I could never quite find.

  The next few days went by in a kind of endorphin haze. All the sex was clouding my brain and making me feel perpetually kind of high. It was hard to find a problem with it but there was no way it could last. Something was bound to go wrong.

  While I waited for the other fang to drop, I spent a lot of time with Tina during the day, having mostly normal conversations about mundane things. I was starting to get a little stir-crazy, though. I was in Venice but I hadn’t seen any of it. Seemed a shame.

  “I know, but it’s not safe right now. The other houses are gathering soon and we should be able to get this all sorted. Robert is very convincing. But until then, you’re vulnerable,” she said as we sat eating green-apple-flavored licorice.

  “I guess. It’s just hard for me to know what the actual threat is. All I hear are vague allusions to it. It just seems so…unreal somehow,” I said. “Also, this candy is like crack. Where do you get it?”

  “Oh, I get it flown in from Japan. Special order. Delicious, right? I could live on it. Literally,” she said happily.

  “I mean, couldn’t you and I go for like…a walk or something? Just see the city a little?” I asked.

  “Maybe. I can be pretty intimidating in some of my other shapes, but they can’t actually do much damage. When I shift, my mass is the same. I might look
bigger and stronger, but I’m still me,” she said.

  “Sort of like how some animals puff up a tail or their fur to look bigger and more threatening.”

  “Exactly.”

  It bummed me out that I was traveling like I’d always wanted, only not seeing anything. I mean, if it meant I stayed alive, it was worth it. But it still sucked.

  I spent some of my time reading. The library in the Ellory Estate was impressive. Robert seemed to be a modern mystery buff, which was amusing. I was tempted to just turn off my brain but decided I should use my time a little more productively. So I read up on vampires.

  Some of the books were so old they were practically in Chaucerian code, so I didn’t bother. I also obviously couldn’t read the books in anything other than English. There were a LOT of those, especially in German. Which just reminded me of what happened in Hamburg, so I put those aside pretty fast.

  The history was pretty dry and mostly concentrated on medieval times. Vampires had been a lot wilder then, sometimes decimating whole villages and no one really noticed. It seemed that quite a few “plagues” were actually vampires run amok. Easier to explain away cholera than an entire town of people with drained corpses that sometimes got back up, I guess.

  After that, they got a little more careful because people had begun to catch on. They’d figured out how to actually hurt vampires, and the vampires weren’t really keen on being burned or stabbed or beheaded even when it didn’t kill them. And sometimes it did, and that put a real cramp in the whole eternity thing.

  I found some first-person vampire accounts that were pretty harrowing. Some of them clearly enjoyed killing, while others had more of a Louis from Interview with the Vampire brooding thing going on. They actually felt guilty about feeding. Which was sort of worse. Purely predatory vamps were scary, of course, and did some horrible things. Like the one that had deliberately wiped out an entire orphanage because he could, or the one who had gone around the ditches after World War One and fed on the wounded who might have otherwise lived. They simply had no remorse or empathy. They were true monsters and I could kind of accept that.