Dangerous Cravings: Disdain

by Kate Hill

  “A final word, Alana, if you taste my blood, you will regret it.”

  “Is that a threat?”

  “No. Just a warning.”

  “You’re very weird, you know.”

  “So I’ve been told,” he said, and before she could respond, he kissed her.

  Never had she felt such a demanding kiss that was at the same time incredibly gentle. His tongue explored her mouth with slow, tender strokes while his hand cupped the back of her head, holding it firmly. Usually during such a deep kiss it was impossible to avoid at least a slight cut from fangs, but he was adept at avoiding such an error. Alana wished he’d slip so she could at least try his blood. She could only imagine how wonderful it would taste.

  He broke the kiss. “Don’t even think about it, Alana, or we can end this right now.”

  “If you’re going to read my mind, it’s only fair that you let me read yours.”

  His finely-drawn lips curved upward in a taunting yet sexy smile. Using the tip of his finger, he traced her lips. “Such a pretty mouth.”

  Her tongue flicked out, licking his finger.

  The tips of his fangs gleamed against his slightly parted lips. She wondered how they would feel sinking into her flesh. The thought made her clit ache. A quiver of desire darted through her.

  She allowed her gaze to drift from his tempting mouth to his chest. The mat of dark hair against his pale flesh gave him the look of a superb gothic stud -- beautiful as a piece of artwork, yet powerful.

  All her life Alana had been attracted to both men and women, though she had few relationships. Never one to enter a romance on a whim, she needed to feel powerful attraction to whomever she chose for a companion. Disdain was only the second person she had slept with, and her first man. While Stella’s ultra feminine appearance had captivated Alana, Disdain’s raw masculinity now aroused her just as much.

  She lingered over the well-defined muscles of his shoulders and arms. Unable to resist, she splayed her hands across his chest, relishing its hardness beneath the cushion of hair. She swept her palms over his pecs, then traced his nipples with her fingertips before outlining his chiseled abs.

  His hand rested against her stomach, warming it. Slowly, he caressed her ribs before cupping first one breast, then the other and squeezing gently. He tugged her tight-fitting shirt upward. Alana sat up and lifted her arms, helping him remove the shirt which he tossed aside.

  For a second his gaze fixed on her breasts, scarcely concealed by the black mesh bra. Leaning closer, he covered one of her nipples with his mouth and used his tongue to tease it through the bra.

  Alana drew a sharp breath and wove her fingers through his hair, pressing his head even nearer. His saliva damped the mesh, molding it to her nipple. The sensitive bud hardened and her heart raced with every swipe of his skilled tongue. When he began sucking her nipple, she moaned and arched against him, completely lost in sensation.

  “No, don’t stop,” she murmured when he pulled away, but she needn’t have worried. He moved to her other nipple, giving it equal attention.

  Panting, she stroked his hair. Silken tendrils slipped through her fingers. Her clit ached and moisture from her pussy dampened her panties. She quivered with raw passion.

  Disdain finally left her breasts. His eyes dark with passion, he tugged off her skirt and flung it onto the floor.

  His chest rose and fell a bit quicker than before and his erection was clearly visible, even through his loose jogging pants. The thought of feeling him deep inside her sent another thrill of desire racing through her. She wondered how he would feel, if he would be a rough or gentle lover? At the moment she was so aroused that either way would be fine, as long as he gave her relief soon.

  One of his large, warm hands caressed her inner thigh. He grasped her crotch, his palm kneading her clit while his fingers stroked the length of her slit through her damp silk panties. While he caressed, he held her gaze. Though she longed to close her eyes, she couldn’t bring herself to look away from him. The intensity of his expression turned her on along with his touch.

  Only when he lowered his head and used his fangs to bite off her panties, did she shut her eyes. Grasping her legs, he tugged them over his shoulders. His tongue flicked tenderly over her clit, then he began licking with rhythmic upward strokes that sent her desire off the scale. Stella had often pleasured her in such a way, but she found she couldn’t compare the two. Though both pleased her, they were simply too different.

  Disdain’s hands cupped her buttocks, holding her steady though she tried to squirm with pleasure. He licked and sucked her clit until she thought she couldn’t endure another second, then he lapped lower and slipped his tongue into her pussy. It explored her thoroughly but with such tenderness that she couldn’t believe this was the same man who generally played the part of a monster.

  He began licking her clit again. After only a few strokes, she exploded in climax. Gasping and moaning, she thrashed her head on the pillow while he licked and sucked her stimulated flesh until the last tremor rippled through her.

  For a moment she lay still, catching her breath. She felt him slip away, but seconds later, his body covered hers. She opened her eyes and held his gaze, loving the sensation of his bare flesh against hers. His erection pushed against her, his steely legs entwined with hers.

  He nudged her thighs apart with his knee. Obediently, she opened to him, her pulse racing with anticipation.

  The tip of his cock pressed against her slit. Watching her through half closed eyes, he filled her warm, slick pussy with his cock. She accepted him with some discomfort, her fingers biting into his shoulders. He moved very slowly, giving her all the time she needed to accustom herself to his length and girth. When he was buried to the hilt, he held himself still, the muscles of his powerful arms taut.

  Alana relaxed slowly and began to enjoy the sensation of him buried within her. She glanced at him, noting the lust gleaming in his eyes. He was breathing rather deeply and the pulse in the pit of his throat throbbed quickly.

  “All right?” he asked, his voice husky with passion.

  She nodded, smiling slightly.

  Disdain kissed her, his lips moving against hers. He licked her upper lip then began sucking on it while thrusting his cock inside her, his movements slow and controlled. His lips returned to her neck, where he licked and nuzzled her flesh, his thrusts quickening a bit.

  Passion built inside her, not only from the delicious movements of his body, but because of his obvious consideration for her. She hadn’t expected Disdain to be a tender lover and it was a wonderful surprise.

  Her entire body seemed to catch fire. She panted, clinging to him with her arms and legs. “Yes, Disdain. Oh, yes!”

  He growled, a deep, sexy sound and again his mouth covered hers, his tongue circling her lips. His thrusts became shorter and faster, driving them to the summit of passion.

  “Oh, yes! Yes! Disdain, don’t stop. Please don’t stop!”

  Several more thrusts and she exploded, squeezing him with all of her strength. She throbbed around him, gasping, her heart pounding. Six more fast thrusts and he joined her in ecstasy, a savage cry bursting from his lips.

  He collapsed upon her and she stroked his back, unable to keep a smile of total satisfaction from her lips.

  After several moments, Disdain stirred a bit.

  Though she hated the thought of leaving his bed and the comfort of his embrace, she asked, “Do you want me to go?”

  “No,” he murmured, tugged her nearer, his chin resting against the top of her head. Moments later, she knew by the slow, even rhythm of his breathing he had fallen asleep.

  Smiling with contentment, she closed her eyes and surrendered to the drowsiness that touched her kind by day. Before she drifted off, she couldn’t help wondering how such a nasty tempered man could be such a tender lover. He cradled her close, as if even in sleep he couldn’t bear to let her go, and she couldn’t forget the hunger in his eyes that extended be
yond simple lust.

  It seemed the ice vamp had a heart after all, and that heart was craving affection in a way she had never imagined. Tomorrow she would learn more about him, for she didn’t doubt this was the first of many wonderful nights to come.

  * * *

  Father.

  Disdain snapped awake, his heart pounding, a soft, smooth body wrapped in his arms. A terrible feeling gripped him before he remembered making love with Alana.

  Her head rested against his chest, her arm and leg draped over him. It had been ages since he’d fallen asleep with a woman in his bed. The sensation was painfully good. He knew he wouldn’t be able to fall back to sleep.

  He gently disentangled his body from hers. Possessed by the deep sleep many vampires experienced by day, she didn’t awaken, but uttered a soft moan and snuggled against the pillows.

  Unable to resist, he brushed her lovely cheek with the back of his hand, then drew back, stunned by the emotions she stirred. No matter how many centuries passed, certain memories were burned into his mind. Being with her made them even more vivid than usual.

  For some unfathomable reason she seemed genuinely interested in him. When they’d made love, he had experienced simple physical pleasure, but also something deeper. They had looked into each other’s eyes and shared their souls, something he had never thought to experience again.

  Father.

  That small voice echoed in his mind. Woman and child. Lost forever.

  There was only one way Disdain knew to gain a few hours’ peace, to exist without caring about past, present, or future. He had promised himself he wouldn’t succumb to the silver’s wicked call until he’d fulfilled his obligations at Burgundy Peak.

  Drawing a deep breath that he nearly forgot to release, he walked to the dresser and rummaged through the bottom drawer. Tomorrow was the students’ night off, therefore a slight indulgence wouldn’t intrude upon their training. By the time he had to teach, the effects would be worn off and he would have the reprieve he desperately needed.

  He found the black case and for several moments his fingers caressed its metal lock.

  This is wrong. Exercise a little restraint.

  Closing his eyes, he could almost feel the blissful numbness and the sensation of total freedom that awaited him inside the case. Twice he placed it back in the drawer before finally opening it. Glancing at the glass vials inside, he noted that all but one were empty, and that one didn’t contain nearly enough of the glittering substance to be of much use.

  Panic gripped him. Had he been insane to think he could go a full two months without it? Why the hell hadn’t he left enough for an emergency?

  Emergency. Fuck it, Disdain. This is not an emergency. This is simply a moment of pleasure.

  Pleasure was what had gotten him into this position in the first place. If he had only tossed Alana out last night and kept to the strict code he had sworn to live by, this wouldn’t be happening. He could have held the cravings at bay, but no. He had to surrender to her. He couldn’t resist her hands on his body or ignore the protective feelings she stirred within him.

  God, why are you blaming her for your faults? Everything, from the very beginning, has been your fault.

  One only had to glimpse into her mind to know Alana was a good woman. Good people always seemed to suffer most. Disdain understood better than anyone the horrors she’d endured at the hands of vampire hunters. In spite of that, she hadn’t turned bitter, but was still willing to reach out to him when he’d treated her with the same coldness as he had shown everyone else.

  He didn’t deserve her, but fuck it, he wanted her. Desperately. If he could only forget the past, but he didn’t want to forget it. Not completely. Damn. He didn’t know what the hell he wanted, except for the silver.

  Within moments he dressed, then cast a glance at Alana. He hoped she would continue sleeping. Without further hesitation, he left the room and hurried out of Burgundy Peak. Ignoring the discomfort of daylight, he slipped into his car and began the long drive to Massachusetts.

  By the time he arrived at his destination, his eyes were stinging badly, even with sunglasses to shield them. His skin also burned a bit, but the physical discomfort was nothing compared to his emotional anguish. He disgusted himself, both for how he felt and the actions he was about to take, but in a few moments, nothing would matter.

  Disdain slammed to a stop in front of an old farmhouse. He pounded on the front door for several minutes before the owner answered.

  “What the fuck do you want?” snarled a thin, clean-shaven vampire, his blue eyes squinting painfully against the sunlight. “It’s the middle of the fuckin’ day.”

  “I know what time it is.” Disdain pushed his way inside. “I don’t have much time, Nick, and I want to do business.”

  His host slammed the door shut, then leaned against it, scratching his balls. “Look, Disdain, come back tonight.”

  “I can’t.”

  Nick yawned, his sleep-blurred eyes narrowing. “Are you trying to tell me you used all that shit from last month already?”

  Disdain’s pulse quickened and his fists clenched and unclenched in his attempt to refrain from throttling the slighter man. “What are you, my mother? I don’t have time for chitchat. Just get me the stuff.”

  Nick’s eyes seemed to clear instantly and he pushed himself off the door. “Maybe you should think about cutting down a little.”

  “Maybe you should think about shutting the hell up and getting me what I want.”

  “Or what?”

  His hand shot out and grasped Nick’s throat, his fingers biting hard. “Or I’m going to take it.”

  Though Disdain heard the man’s heart pounding and felt his pulse beating hard in his throat, Nick spoke calmly, “Didn’t you learn your lesson last time? Too much too fast --”

  “How do you think Dark Rhythm would feel about learning that one of their best chemists has been selling their merchandise on the streets instead of keeping it within the club?”

  A look of fear flashed across Nick’s face, but he disguised it quickly. “Go on and tell them, Disdain, but that would only give them a heads up as to where you are, and if you must know, they’ve been looking for you. You can tell them whatever you want, but in the end who do you think they’re going to believe, a member in good standing like me or a fucked up silver slut like you?”

  Disdain’s teeth ground and his grip tightened even more on Nick’s throat.

  Dark Rhythm was a private organization that hunted humans, in particular vampire hunters. Disdain was one of the few non-members privy to the group’s secrets. For centuries he had trained their warriors in psychic defenses. The organization had introduced him to the only bit of peace he had felt in several millennia. He wasn’t indebted to them, however. In many ways, quite the opposite. Dark Rhythm never did anything for the sake of an individual, but only for the whole of vampire kind. Their ways disgusted him, as did the ways of humans. Like Dark Rhythm, he had learned to live only for personal gain.

  He knew well enough that if they were searching for him, he would need to be careful. This would be the last time he could do business with Nick, so he needed to gather enough supplies to last until he found another chemist.

  A wretched laugh bubbled up from his throat. At the rate he was going, he might not need another chemist after all. Over the past several months, he had begun to recognize the signs that he was almost at the edge again.

  Nick grasped Disdain’s wrists, his expression frightened.

  Disdain released the man abruptly and Nick choked a bit, rubbing his neck. “Don’t worry. I’m not going to kill you, but you are going to give me what I want.”

  “Fine. Whatever.” Nick hurried to the kitchen, then down the cellar stairs, Disdain at his heels.

  “How much?” Nick asked.

  Disdain removed an envelope bulging with money from his coat -- the students’ first tuition payment from Zigor. Fifteen thousand dollars. He would be given t
he final payment of an equal amount when the classes ended.

  The chemist slid his hands into elbow-high rubber gloves and opened a barrel filled with glittering silver powder. Disdain felt light-headed at the sight. His entire body tingled like he’d just taken blood. He stared while Nick carefully filled several glass vials with the powder, then carefully packed them in a box. Disdain snatched it.

  “If you don’t slow down, you’re not going to last,” Nick warned.

  Disdain curled his lip. “Immortality is an illusion, even for our kind.”

  Without further conversation, he hurried out of the house, hopped in his car, and sped away. Though he hated the idea of driving all the way back to New York City in daylight, he couldn’t risk zoning out while this far from Burgundy Peak. Last time it had taken what seemed like ages for the silver to kick in. Once it did, the high lasted for several hours during which absolutely nothing mattered. He couldn’t risk being late for class the following night, so it was best to endure the effects and the pleasures of the silver while fairly close to his place of business.

  Several weeks ago, he had located an abandoned factory. He needed someplace empty where he would be safe from other vampires looking for trouble as well as hunters. Zigor kept his territory fairly free of both, therefore Disdain felt safer in New York than most of the other places he traveled to.

  By the time he reached the factory, his heart was pounding. Thoughts of the past mingled with the present, of the feelings resurrected last night in Alana’s arms. Why had she chosen to sleep with him, of all people? Why did she look at him with tenderness and caress him like someone she cared about instead of just some guy with whom she was satisfying physical urges? He could handle sex, but emotions…

  Sitting on the filthy floor in the factory’s lowest level, he opened the black case and then the box of silver powder. Not yet touching the contents of either, he drew a deep breath and released it slowly.