“Let’s take these clothes off,” she purred.
He allowed her to undress him and then climbed into the tub. This time, he had no complaints when she washed his hair and scrubbed his skin but his silence was unnerving, especially after what they had done together. He was just staring into space. She needed to bring him out of it, bring him back to her.
“Move over, Jake,” she said slipping her robe off.
She climbed in opposite him and handed him the sponge. He didn’t take the hint at first but when she dunked the sponge in the water and then placed it on her leg, he got the idea and began to wash her. She had never had a bath with a man before. When she had been human, baths had not been taken for granted and they certainly were not used for recreation. She had shared a bath with three sisters and a brother, taking turns to dirty up the water, with the youngest going last. Skin-stripping soap would turn the water into a near-toxic sludge and they would all dread their turn.
Louisa turned around and leaned against his chest while he continued to wash her body. It was relaxing but she was more than a little turned on. She wondered if either of them would have made a move on each other if Ben hadn’t spiced up their life. She had been wandering the streets like Sleeping Beauty before meeting Jake, dead in more ways than one.
“I don’t just want to drink his blood,” Jake said so quietly anyone with human ears wouldn’t have heard him.
“You are attracted to him,” she replied.
“He annoys me. I want to fight him and drink him dry but I also want to rub him all over myself or roll in his scent like a puppy,” he said.
“I wonder what it is about him that does that to you?”
“I need to see him again,” Jake said burying his head in her neck.
“Yes, tonight,” she said.
Spinning around, Louisa sat on his lap pressing her lips to his. The thought of seeing the biker once more wasn’t the only thing that excited her. Jake had grown hard as he talked about Ben and she wanted to take advantage of that. He grabbed her waist and positioned her on top of his length, pulling her towards him. He was too slow, too teasing and she needed more. Her sexual appetite was fully awakened now and she needed to feed it as much as she needed blood.
She took control, squeezing her thighs around his waist and rode him hard. Arching her back and pushing him deeper inside she cried out as the pleasure grew into a crescendo that was close to pain. She wished she could sink her teeth into human flesh but it didn’t matter. Her climax came like a train bearing down on her, driving her forward and obliterating all thoughts.
Jake scooped her up, wrapped her in a towel and placed her on the bed. It had been a long time since anyone had taken care of her and it felt good. She pulled his glistening body against hers before he could leave. Louisa kissed him slowly conveying just a little piece of what she felt for him.
“Let me clean up the bathroom and then I’ll bring in some O neg,” he said.
“I’m a lucky vamp,” she grinned.
The daylight couldn’t penetrate the light-proofed apartment but when Louisa woke she knew the sun was up and shining because she felt weakened by its very presence in the sky. Jake was curled up beside her but instead of snoring he was moaning and twitching. He looked as if he was having a bad dream and she wasn’t sure if she should wake him. Vampires needed uninterrupted sleep to feel rested, especially when they were young, but he didn’t look at rest.
“Jake, wake up,” she said shoving him gently.
“No,” he moaned.
“Jake!”
“What?” he gasped.
“You were having a nightmare; it was disturbing me,” she said.
“I couldn’t find Ben,” he replied rubbing his face like a tired child.
“He’s at his tattoo shop; now go back to sleep,” she said and turned over.
Jake was already snoring by the time she smoothed her hair flat on the pillow. Ben had disturbed her in more ways than she could imagine. Jake wasn’t particularly complicated, and he’d settled well after his death, apart from being incredibly chatty and feeling the need to ask a million questions per hour. There was something about Ben that called to them both and she just hoped that Ben felt the same way.
Humans were supposed to be weak but they held the power. You had to treat them well to enjoy the best blood because the minute they became unhappy or sick was the minute their blood became unpalatable.
*****
Ben woke up with a raging headache and a thirst that reminded him of the time he’d woken up in someone’s greenhouse after a really amazing party that he had no memory of, whatsoever. This time, however, he remembered going back to Jake and Louisa’s basement apartment and the great time they’d had in the sack. Louisa was a cool chick, literally, her skin was like cool ivory and it was crying out to be laced with ink. Jake was an odd one; Ben couldn’t figure the guy out and that was why he couldn’t get him out of his head.
After downing two glasses of water, a mug of coffee, and his roommates’ fresh orange juice he made his way down to the shop. Immersed in his work, the day went quickly but that didn’t stop him from checking his phone for messages every ten minutes. When he was clearing up after his last appointment, a text came through and his heart raced with a surge of adrenaline. It was them, just like he knew it would be.
They arrived not long after dark and he let them into the shop. Jake looked nervous but he wasn’t sure if it was the smell of antiseptic or the memory of what went on between them that caused it. Louisa was the same: confident, cool, charm that made him feel much younger than he was. She had some kind of teacher vibe she rocked with smooth sophistication; it made him hot and nervous in equal amounts.
“So, Jakey, are you going to go tribal?” He asked, winking at the guy.
“No, not today,” Jake replied looking back at Louisa as if waiting for confirmation.
“No, I want a little something,” she replied.
“I have just the thing,” he said.
He had been thinking about it all day and one design had called to him. It was a delicate cherry blossom that would look lovely draped over her shoulder. Her dark, shiny hair would set it off and her pale skin would be the perfect medium for it. He flipped the book open and her face lit up. He was good at helping people choose the right design, and tonight was no exception.
“I love it,” she said.
Jake paced while he prepped the area until Ben shooed him out. He needed to concentrate and the man’s nervous energy was definitely a distraction. Louisa remained so still during the process that he felt the need to meet her eye more than once. She was like a statue: cool, calm, and not relinquishing even one drop of blood. She was the perfect client, and the design was stunning.
“It’s beautiful,” she said.
“Just like you,” he grinned.
He was fine with cheesy lines and it made her laugh. The soft tinkle of her laughter was unnerving but he couldn’t say why. She leaned forward and kissed him full on the mouth. He took the opportunity to slide his tongue in and explore her mouth. She pulled him into her and the kiss deepened and somewhere at the back of his mind he felt a change. Something was different about her.
He tried to come up for air but she pressed her tiny form against his and air was no longer a necessity. He lifted her skirt; she wrapped her legs around his waist and he stopped to unbutton his jeans. As he pulled away to fumble with his zipper, he saw blood on her lips. She licked it away and tried to distract him with another mind-blowing kiss but he pulled away.
“Wait!” He gasped.
He turned to the mirror. There was blood around his mouth and his lips were leaking. Something had not only pierced him but sliced a small cut above his upper lip. He turned back to Louisa who had her hand clamped over her mouth. Jake stepped in and stood by the door and then licked his lips when his eyes came to rest on Ben’s bloody face. It was then he remembered thinking that the guy had a serious overbite situation the day befo
re. He was no longer sure he could trust his memory.
“You two are freaking me out,” he said wiping at his mouth.
“I’m sorry, your kisses are delicious,” Louisa said through her hand.
“Are you wearing braces?” He asked Louisa.
She laughed and he relaxed. Jake was still eying him up from across the room like he was a juicy steak and Ben didn’t know whether to be worried or just let it all happen. He was still about to burst out of his jeans so whatever was going on couldn’t be too bad. Ben laughed and Jake raised one eyebrow at him.
“So, what happens now?” Ben asked, pulling his zipper down.
“I’m thirsty Jake, it’s my turn,” Louisa said.
“I have beer in the fridge,” Ben said.
Louisa laughed again and he turned to look at her. Her hand had fallen away, and he saw what had caused the damage. It wasn’t braces. Her canine teeth were long, sharp, and hot. He knew he shouldn’t feel that way, but he liked danger and she was danger wrapped up in sexy as hell skin.
He approached her, and she kissed him, dropping her kisses lower until he felt the sharp sting of penetration. It wasn’t painful, and he was somewhat distracted by someone’s hands pulling his clothes off.
Hands were on his body as well as lips and teeth but he was no longer sure whose hands were where. His own lips sought out Jake’s and he discovered that the guy’s overbite was pretty sexy. He lifted Louisa’s body, once more, and she slipped onto him with ease, her core slick with desire. An image flashed across his brain before he shut down all thoughts, an image that was both disturbing and erotic; it was a scene from Lesbian Vampire Killers.
*****
When Jake saw the blood around Ben’s face he froze. The predator in him was alert and ready to pounce and the part that told him this was wrong had shriveled into insignificance. Jake wanted Ben; he wanted his scent all over him, he wanted his blood like a child wants candy, and he wanted his body wrapped around him tighter than his own skin. He was addicted and that would be a problem if the frightened look on Ben’s face was anything to go by. Jake couldn’t let him go.
Ben looked back over at Louisa and something clicked. He stepped closer to her and Jake was behind him running his hands over the man’s body, peeling clothes off, ripping them if they showed resistance. He grazed his teeth on the delicate skin on the back of Ben’s neck, drawing blood so he could lick it off. Ben moaned, and a ripple of pleasure ran through Jake. Louisa’s face came into view and she had never looked so beautiful. Her face was bright with pleasure, her teeth were elongated and sensuous.
Ben reached for him and pulled him closer while still straddling Louisa. They became a mound of arms, legs, teeth, and writhing pleasure. The only reason he knew it was Ben’s hands that were working his manhood was because they were warm and flowing with life. When Jake reached his climax, he closed his eyes and fell back against the bodies on the floor.
No one moved. Ben’s chest rose and fell; Jake was relieved to see they hadn’t killed him but he was a bit of a mess. His clothes were strewn across the previously pristine floor and his skin was covered with bruises, cuts, and smeared blood. He wasn’t sure if they had taken too much blood but the happy look on his face said he would die contented if they had.
“He’s asleep, relax,” Louisa said when Jake felt for his pulse.
“I know, I just wanted to make sure we hadn’t hurt him,” Jake replied.
“He’s so much stronger than I thought he’d be,” she said.
“I think he knows what we are,” Jake said.
“If he does, then this was the last time,” she replied in not much more than a whisper.
“Why?”
“We’re not supposed to play with our food,” she said pulling on her clothes.
“I’m not leaving him like this,” Jake said.
“No, but I think I should hide this,” Louisa said lifting her shirt to reveal pale creamy skin where the tattoo should have been.
“Oh,” he said.
“Well, that’s a shame,” Ben said, and the pair turned to him. “I know what you are, your teeth tore me to shreds.” Ben rubbed his face where the lacerations had left a wake of dried blood.
“Usually when we drink from people they forget about us,” Louisa said sitting back down.
“I’m not going to tell anyone, if that’s what you’re worried about,” Ben laughed. “I’ve got a business to run and getting sent to the psych ward for raving about vampires won’t do it any good.”
“That’s settled then,” Jake stood up and pulled Ben to his feet.
“Not really,” Louisa said and the sadness in her voice was like a knife in his chest.
Ben wobbled slightly before grabbing the counter to steady himself. Jake resisted the urge to smell the man’s skin again. He needed to put some space between them or he’d end up being completely hooked on him. His behavior was already starting to remind him of a junkie and Ben certainly had goods that he wanted.
Louisa looked at him and he figured the intensity of her stare meant that they had outstayed their welcome. Jake pulled on his clothes, glad that they had fared better than Ben’s ripped garments.
“So, you’re heading out now?” Ben asked.
“We need some time to think; if anyone found out you knew about our species then things might get a little sticky for you,” Louisa said, stroking his cheek.
“Sweetheart, things already got sticky, but it’s up to you,” he replied and stood back.
“See you around, Ben,” Jake said, his eyes lingering on the man’s still-naked body before Louisa grabbed his arm.
They walked in the shadows remaining silent all the way home but Jake wasn’t sure he understood what was going on in his companion’s head. Louisa had encouraged him; hadn’t she enjoyed herself too? If Ben could be trusted to keep silent then what was the problem? He didn’t really want to ask but in the end he didn’t have to.
“If the Vampire Council found out they would insist that we turn him or kill him,” she said when they reached the apartment.
“Why? Is he so much of a threat?”
“Maybe, but you also have to remember what state he was in when we’d finished with him. His face is going to take days to heal, and we both drank from him. Humans are weak and delicate; even if they do come in fine packaging, they’re still blood bags,” she replied.
“He’s not just a blood bag and you know it,” Jake said.
“I know, but to them he is and so I think we should keep our distance, let him heal. Remember, he was your first live donor and that might cloud your feelings,” she said giving him a hug. “It really is a shame about the tattoo; it was beautiful.”
“It was,” Jake said dropping to the sofa like a lead weight. “I didn’t know it would disappear.”
“Vampire healing; there are chemicals you can put in with the ink to make it last longer but it wouldn’t last more than a few days, a week at the most,” she said.
“So, no more Ben?” He asked, needing clarification.
“No more Ben for a while,” she said sighing.
She went to her bedroom and closed her door. He had been unofficially uninvited to sleep in her room but somehow he understood, she needed space and so did he.
*****
When she made the decision to stay away from Ben, she knew it was the right thing to do. If he so much as slipped out the word “vampire” in the wrong company, his life would be at risk. She liked him, a lot, but she knew she had to give him up for his own sake. She could see the devastation in Jake’s eyes and she would have to live with that. It had taken him hours of agonizing just to be okay with his feelings for the biker and then she took it all away. She felt like the worst maker ever…well maybe not the worst, her own maker held that title.
Watching Jake mope around for the next few weeks was going to be tough, but it was better to have some separation anxiety now than a dead and not rising human. Ben would get on with his life and Jake
would move on, eventually. She had taken him to all kinds of places to get him interested in human blood but he drank without enjoying a drop and she couldn’t help but feel guilty seeing him like that. It didn’t take long before trouble found them anyway, she should have known it would.
“What was that?” Jake asked holding his ears.
“Car crash, that’s metal on metal,” she said jumping up.
They ran to the door; Jake nearly tore it off the hinges in his nervous state. She pulled him back so she could go first just in time to see a van screech around the corner. A twisted wreck of metal and rubber lay on the ground and underneath it was a human. She ran towards the man who was barely breathing and seriously injured.
“Jake, help me,” she cried.
“Is that…?”
“Yes, we need to get him inside,” she said lifting what would have once been a motorcycle off the man.
“A hospital, he’s human,” Jake said.
“Too late for that,” she hissed.
They lifted him gently and carried him inside. A note was pinned to his chest, not the shirt that was soaked in blood but the tattooed skin. Jake removed the note carefully but it was the least of his injuries. Louisa’s fangs were out for action because of the heavy scent of blood and she used them to pierce her wrist. He was in a worse state than Jake had been and she didn’t know if he had any chance of making it but she would do her best.
“Who could do this?” Jake asked his voice hitching to a sob.
“The Council,” she replied ignoring Jake’s concern.
“Drink Ben, come on you can do it,” she said.
“It’s all our fault,” Jake said.
“I know. I’m sorry,” she said and heard the wobble in her voice as it threatened to crack.
He was in a critical state for two weeks but when he began to heal he healed fast and he seemed to have the same need for constant chatter as Jake. For her sanity, she removed herself to the bedroom for peace but it never lasted long. They would come in like excited teenagers, eager to engage her in conversation, a bloody cocktail, or some naked play time. Her life had changed but, for the most part, it was better than she could have imagined or hoped for.
Ways in the Guardian: A Menage Romance Book Collection Page 48
