Buzz & Blow

by Alex Carreras

  “Do you approve?”

  The candlelight from the votive candles situated in the middle of the modern, metallic-looking table created shadows that danced over the handsome vampire’s features. Asher fought the impulse to kiss Niko on his full lips, the urge so strong it was hard to keep his butt planted firmly in his seat. He didn’t want to come off too easy but playing hard to get had made him single longer than he cared to admit. It was painfully obvious that it was time to get a boyfriend when he started to contemplate moving in a few of the feral cats who live in the alley behind his apartment building, just so he could have someone to talk to.

  “It’s great,” Asher assured him, inhaling Niko’s musky, manly scent. “How did you discover it?” What Asher really wanted to know was how many other men had Niko brought to this place with the hopes of getting a quick slurp from their veins, amongst other things. Asher had to admit that Niko looked like a player, but hoped he wasn’t, because he knew that Niko could most definitely play him.

  Niko leaned in close, eyes dancing. “I’ve known the proprietor since my days in Havana. He’s a good man.”

  “How long has he been changed?” Asher asked. The man standing behind the bar wiping a glass with a small cotton towel appeared flushed, as if his blood hadn’t yet made the cellular shift to undead.

  “A while, but his Latin blood still runs hot.” With a slight lift of his chin, Niko caught the attention of the waitress. “He’s the one who suggested the job at Kuts when I arrived in Sangre.”

  “You glad he did?”

  “Carlos would never give bad advice. It’s against the bartenders’ code of ethics.”

  Asher eyed the portly man, intrigued by his imperial-like presence. His lips curled up in acknowledgment as he continued to wipe the glass. “He owns the bar and works behind the bar?” Asher asked. “That’s unique.”

  “It’s what he’s always done.”

  A stiletto-wearing waitress appeared and took their drink order. She was the same mocha color as Niko, Asher noted, and wore it equally well.

  “How about you?”

  “What do you mean?” Asher redirected his gaze.

  “Have you always been a hairdresser?”

  “As long as I can remember,” Asher answered honestly. “My parents were hairdressers, and they apprenticed me. Beauty is in my blood, warm or cold.”

  “And how did you find your way to Sangre?”

  “Jerrod set up shop. He contacted me — I was in Boston at the time — and asked if I was interested in moving. The timing was right, so here I am.”

  “Were you two ever—”

  “Lovers?” Asher finished. “No. We are not compatible in that sort of way. He can be . . . prickly.”

  “I’ve seen that side of him,” Niko said with a curt nod. “He definitely has a bite to him, and he isn’t afraid to show it.”

  “You do too,” Asher risked saying. “Saw that first-hand when you were talking with the police earlier.”

  “I remained cool.”

  “On the surface, yes. But underneath I saw someone who’d fight to the finish.”

  “For my friends, my family, absolutely. I won’t deny it.”

  The waitress arrived and set down their drinks. Niko thanked her with a smile.

  Asher touched his glass but didn’t drink, moving it across the sleek surface of the table. “That’s not a bad thing. Means you’re passionate and noble. Great traits in a man.”

  “I sense those things in you also.” Niko lifted his drink to his lips but stopped short, his hand suspended and his eyes searching Asher’s. “Were you worried for me tonight?”

  “Present tense, not past tense.”

  Niko drank through a subdued chuckle, the dark, red liquid swirling in the bottom of the glass. “Don’t be,” he said resting the glass on the table. He winked, and that sexy smirk stayed on his moistened lips.

  Needing to douse the raging flames burning his loins, Asher drank the cool concoction of synthetic blood and vodka swimming with ice cubes and two large olives. It slid over his tongue and down his throat, each taste bud coming to life.

  In the beginning, the synth-blood had tasted more like liquid copper, but with the onset of technology backed by the American dollar and the United States Human Vampire Alliance or USHVA, the sustaining nectar was very close to tasting like the real thing. Almost.

  They sat in a companionable silence until Asher asked the question that had been niggling away at him all night. “Do you think your cousin . . . Mario is involved in those murders somehow?”

  Asher watched Niko’s reaction closely. Other than a small dilation of his pupils his masculine features gave away nothing. If Niko was lying, he was good at it. He leaned against the back of his seat. “Mario’s been in plenty of scrape ups and some questionable things in his past, but never murder” — he paused, an eyebrow arched — “as defined under today’s law.”

  “I wouldn’t judge him, or at least try not to, because I could see where an offered drink could escalate into a draining to the point of killing.”

  “Sounds like you’ve been there.”

  Although Niko looked like someone Asher could trust, he’d been wrong about others before and didn’t want to end up on some watch list at city hall. He refrained from making a comment. “I’d hate to be in his shoes,” he said referring to Mario. “Like many of us suspected of a crime, it’s always guilty until proven innocent.”

  “We’re creatures who live off of blood, hate getting a tan, can send a human into a trance-like state and make them do what we want if we apply ourselves, and are technically dead. So if you really think about it, you really can’t fault mankind for being a little suspicious because we do sound a bit scary.”

  “I’ve paid taxes for over two hundred years, so I think I deserve a fair trial, don’t you?”

  “Now that you put it that way.” Asher would never tire of Niko’s throaty, masculine chuckle.

  “I’m sure once Mario either turns himself in or the cops find him, it’ll work itself out, and he’ll prove his innocence.”

  Niko twisted his lips to the side and gazed around the room. The bar was filling up quickly, and the sound level was forcing them to scoot closer to each other. Polishing off his drink, Niko said, “Are you hungry. They have a great menu. Everything from nachos smothered in goat cheese to a very rare chop that’ll leave you with a mild hangover.” He ran his tongue over his top front teeth. “Delicious.”

  Asher felt a shudder run over his body. He was tempted but was too nervous to eat. “Sounds like something I’d like to try another day.”

  Niko stood by the table, his swift movement nothing but a blur even to Asher’s vampire vision. “I was hoping you’d say that,” Niko said.

  “Oh,” Asher cleared his throat. “Is this date over?” Asher began to stand but got his foot stuck on the leg of the chair. He stumbled against the table, the glasses on the table rattled. “I had a good time.” And a short one.

  “It’s just getting started.”

  Asher felt dizzy. And horny. Really, really horny.

  Niko placed a hand on Asher’s shoulder and squeezed. “I got my Harley parked at the shop. Stay here, and I’ll come back to retrieve you.”

  Before Asher could agree, Niko was gone.

  To calm his escalating case of nerves, Asher ordered a shot of Synth-meister and downed it just in time to hear the purr of the motorcycle engine idling outside.

  With a quick “thank you” to Carlos and the waitress, Asher raced out the front doors of the restaurant, jogged down a set of stairs and climbed onto the back of Niko’s Harley. He wrapped his arms around Niko’s waist, and hugged tightly. The engine roared to life as the vibration of the American classic purred between Asher’s legs. The sensation and Niko’s muscled, rippled body threatened to make him lose his load then and there.

  Collecting his thoughts and reining in his raging hormones, Asher tucked in tighter and shouted, “Ready!” over the eng
ine.

  They shot like a bullet down the street, rushing by darkened buildings. Wind ruffled Asher’s hair and tugged at his shirt. He pressed his face against Niko’s back imagining his smooth skin just under the cotton of the T-shirt.

  Asher couldn’t believe this was happening to him of all vampires. He always played it safe and did what was expected of him, but quite frankly, now doing the unexpected, Asher was discovering it could be a lot more fun.

  For the duration of the trip, Asher closed his eyes and lived in the moment in case the experience never came again, or he had to wait centuries to take a ride on a motorcycle manned by a light skinned, one hundred and seventy pound, mixed race hunk of hotness, who had only one thing on his mind, to have sex with Asher.

  Changing gears and throttling down, Niko dipped the Harley low to take a right turn onto a street lined with majestic royal palms. A gust of salt air mixed with exhaust filled Asher’s nostrils as they slowed to a stop in front of an apartment building that resembled an old hotel that perhaps had once glimmered like a diamond, but now had the dull glow of a string of pearls in need of cleaning. Its chipped paint façade and weathered wooden balconies only added to its old-world charm.

  Asher slid his arms from around Niko’s torso, and finger-combed his hair. “I’ve never been to this part of town.” He stretched his spine and looked around. “It seems light years away from where I live.”

  “Let me guess,” Niko began. “Modern high rise. Twenty-four-hour gym and a doorman.”

  “Bruno . . . and the gym is fabulous.”

  Chuckling, Niko released his straddle and stood to help Asher dismount.

  “There’s definitely a rush to one of these,” Asher said, referring to the ride on the motorcycle.

  “I think so,” Niko said. “This is my tenth one. I have two more, one vintage, one crotch rocket, in storage.”

  “All on a barber’s salary. That’s pretty impressive.”

  “I’ve always been thrifty, but have been known to indulge once in a while.”

  “I’ve indulged too much over the years, but since it looks like I’ll be sticking around forever, I really should start thinking about my retirement.” Asher was only half joking.

  “Practicality never hurt,” Niko replied. “For mortals or the immortal.”

  They walked into the apartment complex, after passing through a set of ornate iron security gates that led to a courtyard, with a tiled fountain bubbling in the middle. It was quiet and serene, the soothing sounds of the fountain and the waves in the distance lulling Asher into a state of intoxication. He felt mildly hypnotized by his surroundings but mostly by Niko’s eyes that swirled with colors resembling a turbulent sea.

  Asher followed Niko into an arched walkway, dried leaves rustling in the corner.

  “Here we are.”

  Niko opened the door, allowing Asher to pass over the threshold first before stepping inside and closing the door behind him. There were candles already burning, illuminating the modestly sized room. Asher gazed around, surprised by the comfortable décor. He wasn’t sure what he’d expected, but a well-worn, oversized brown leather sofa, textured pillows in muted colors, and oil paintings of pastoral scenes hanging on every wall were certainly not it. Actually, the relaxed but still elegant surroundings were more like Asher’s taste, not a Harley riding barber with a ghetto edge.

  Asher took a few steps forward into the center of the room. “This is nice,” he said. “Gorgeous even.”

  Niko’s chuckle was throaty. “Sounds like you’re surprised. Didn’t expect me to have such good taste?” he said it with confidence.

  “I didn’t put much thought into it, but you do have great taste.” Asher narrowed his gaze at a pale blue painting, the subject, lilies in a field. “That’s a—”

  “Monet,” Asher finished. He pointed to another. “That is also, and the one on the far wall is Renoir. I love French Impressionism.”

  “I do too,” Asher said, truly impressed.

  And when he was getting lost in the painting, he felt Niko step behind him sliding his strong arms around Asher’s body, pulling him into an embrace. Asher’s breath hitched, and his heart thumped loudly. Asher hadn’t felt this nervous around another man in years. It was like he was a virgin again, and he was on the brink of his first sexual relationship. If he weren’t so delightfully overwhelmed, Asher would have felt embarrassed by the way he was acting. He settled into Niko’s hold, pushing his buttocks into Niko’s hard bulge. “You’re so” — craning his neck and closing his eyes, Asher searched for the word — “excited.”

  “I can’t wait to taste every inch of you with my tongue,” Niko said, trailing heated kisses along Asher’s neck.

  “It feels like you’ve already started.” Asher mentally punched himself upside his head for making such a moronic comment. Why was he so nervous?

  Spinning Asher with the elegance of a ballet dancer, Asher was now faced with Niko’s endless dark eyes. They kissed hard and wet, their searching tongues tangling. Asher felt himself being guided in the direction of what he figured was Niko’s bedroom. He felt weightless, as if he was floating. He opened one eye just to check. Yep, feet still hitting the floor.

  Making their way into the darkened bedroom and stripping off their shirts along the way, they fell in a heap onto the bed. Asher ran his fingers over Niko’s sinewy back then reached down and filled his hands with his lover’s firm ass. He squeezed hard. “You have the best butt,” Asher said through panting breaths. “Absolute perfection.”

  Niko flexed. “Better to thrust with.”

  Chills ran along Asher’s skin, the thought of getting fucked by Niko, intoxicating. Niko tore at the button of Asher’s waistband and unzipped. “All I can think about is this cock.” With long fingers, Niko unleashed Asher’s erection. He sighed with pleasure before taking fast licks, lapping away pre-cum from Asher’s slit. “You’re so tasty,” Niko said.

  Before he could come up with a response, and in a blink of an eye, Niko had removed Asher’s shoes, pants, and underwear. Asher watched as the vampire with the smooth, cocoa-colored skin stripped bare standing by the bed. Asher knew his jaw had come unhinged, but he couldn’t help staring at Niko’s long, arching dick. It was probably the most beautiful thing he’d ever seen, and he’d just seen two Monets and a Renoir. Niko stepped closer, his mammoth cock swaying with each step.

  “Take it,” Niko commanded. “You know you want to.”

  He was right.

  Asher sat bolt upright and had Niko down his throat in record time. Rocking back and forth in a gentle rhythmic motion, Niko fucked Asher’s eager lips. The sounds of Niko’s pleasured mews and Asher’s own slurps filled the quiet room. Now using both his hands, Asher pumped the steel-hard shaft traveling Niko’s entire length. Niko bucked against Asher’s manipulations.

  “That feels so good.” His words come out like a growl.

  Over and over and deeper and longer Asher continued, unable to get enough of the vampire’s cock. Asher relished every prideful second, content in the fact that he was pleasing his man. Feeling Niko’s fingers curl in his hair, Asher shot his gaze upward. Fang’s glowed against the darkness and Niko’s eyes burned red. Excitement met with fear and surged through Asher’s veins. Niko was a virtual stranger to him, and the obviously powerful vampire could just as easily kill him as make love to him. It was part of Niko’s appeal, Asher rationalized; what made the man taste just that much sweeter.

  “Baby,” Niko grunted. “If you keep that up I’m going to shoot my load.”

  Asher tore his lips from Niko but kept pumping with his hands. “Do it,” Asher rasped. “I want it.”

  Niko shook his head. “No. I’m saving it because I intend on fucking the hell out of you.”

  Niko was so powerful, so domineering, and Asher liked it.

  Quivering with anticipation, Asher crab-crawled onto the bed making room for Niko. “Do it now.” He didn’t mean to beg, but he couldn’t help it, Asher w
as that desperate to experience what pleasures Niko could show him.

  Swift and stealthy, Niko was on the bed and had Asher rolled onto his shoulder blades, his legs splayed in the air. “I usually enjoy more foreplay but. . .”

  “Fuck foreplay,” Asher said, “and fuck me.”

  Angling his cock, Niko pushed into Asher’s taut bud with one quick thrust, forcing all the air from Asher’s lungs. Niko stilled for only a moment before starting his slow ride, allowing Asher’s anus to accommodate his girth. Catching his breath, Asher bared his teeth and pumped with his ass. “Fuck me good,” he hissed, lips stretched.

  Leaning in, Niko’s pointed tongue licked along Asher’s neck and pulsing jaw. “You feel like I imagined, soft and silky.” He pushed in further.

  Asher hissed, fighting back tears of joy and pain. He could feel the vampire expanding inside him, pushing Asher to his limits. “Harder,” he pleaded. “Faster.”

  Doing what was asked, Niko extracted his cock entirely then rammed in hard.

  “More,” Asher said biting his lip tasting blood.

  Lost in the rhythm, the two lovers elevated each other to a frenzied pitch.

  On the brink of orgasm, Niko reared back, and a guttural groan ripped from deep within him. “I want to drink.”

  Asher hadn’t shared that part of himself in a long time, but if he was honest with himself, he wanted to drink from Niko’s veins, too. Asher pressed his left wrist to his mouth, turning it inward, piercing the delicate flesh. Lifting it to Niko, he offered, “Drink when you shoot your load, and I will do the same.

  Niko nodded as he continued to fuck. And judging by the distortion of Niko’s features Asher knew he was going to shoot fast.

  Placing his lips directly on the small wound on Asher’s wrist, Niko sucked. “I’m coming,” he said through thirsty slurps. Asher’s brain exploded into what felt like a million shards of glass as Niko took his offering. Warm juices filled Asher. It was as if he was floating through space and time as Asher’s cum overflowed his anus, the sticky nectar racing over his ass and thighs.