by Abella Ward
Gavin straightened his tie and flipped the tail back and forth for a moment. It was the first sign of any sort of vulnerability that Aria had seen in him, and she was surprised by the desire to take back what she had just said. She pressed her lips tightly together to keep her apology on the inside. She hadn't said anything that bad. Had she?
"So when you say you're a virgin," Gavin looked up at her, his eyes capturing her at once, "is it because you've never had sex, or because you've never had sex with a man?"
"The first." Aria became aware that she was fiddling with the hem of her skirt, making it ride up her thigh. She smoothed it back down. "That's why Sonya and I broke up, actually. I wanted sex, and Sonya's more traditional. She wants to be married first. We decided that it was going to ruin our relationship, so we took a step back and became best friends again, rather than girlfriends."
Gavin grunted. He pressed a button in the roof, and the two side windows rolled up. The glass all around them was tinted and the inside became dim. When the king moved closer, putting his hand on her thigh, Aria's heart rate spiked. She swallowed hard, trying not to let her dirty thoughts show.
"So you're a virgin who doesn't want to be a virgin?" he growled, the husky quality of his voice making something tighten inside her. "I can help you with that."
Aria stared back into his eyes, heart thumping and pounding all over the place. This wasn't how she wanted it, was it? She wanted someone who actually cared. Or did she? She had never thought that virginity was something all that special. Never cared one whit about hers, other than to wish she had the full experience. She swallowed hard.
"I, uh, I don't…" Her cheeks warmed, embarrassed at the way she floundered. "Didn't you hear what I said? I don't think arrogant, self-centered jerks are attractive."
"Good thing I'm not an arrogant, self-centered jerk." Gavin wrapped his arms around her waist, pulling her into his lap. His lips caressed her neck, making her moan. "I'm a vampire king that will show you what it's like to have a lover treat you right."
Aria moaned again. Her body screamed at her to say yes. And so what if this was a business relationship? He was hot. He was there. He was looking at her like nobody had ever looked at her. And the tingles of pleasure were already bursting inside of her…
"Yes," she whispered. "I want you."
Gavin chuckled into her skin as he kissed it. His hands roamed her body, tracing every curve delicately as if she was made of finely spun glass. Her mind flitted around, wondering what she was doing until she grabbed all her thoughts and forcibly shoved them away. She had decided what she wanted, and she wasn't going to second-guess herself.
This had been a long time coming.
Both of the king's hands reached under her dress. With a sharp tug, he tore her underwear. The cool air smacking her made Aria gasp. Gavin kissed her again, this time letting his fangs scrape her skin.
"Undo my pants," he ordered.
"Can't undress yourself?" Aria gasped back, hardly able to hold onto her mind as his huge fingers played between her thighs, never hitting her target, always teasing.
Gavin nipped her collarbone, grinding up against her, hands moving up her body under the dress to grasp her breasts and press her back against his chest. "Do as I say."
Aria obeyed. It was difficult to reach his zipper when she was sitting on his lap, but somehow she managed to find it and do as he wanted. She pushed his pants to his knees. The length of him pressed against her; fires flared, but her stomach twisted.
"You won't fit," she blurted.
"Yes, I will. Your body was designed to relax and swell to take in somebody like me. That tightening you feel? It's your womb lengthening, getting ready for me."
"Oh."
His hands were back on her thighs, pulling her tight against him. The heat of their skin together sizzled, making her whole body feel like it was about to burst into flame. She reached behind herself to grasp his neck, tugging at his hair as his mouth continued to do its work on her bare shoulder, his fingers finally reaching their target.
A shock went through her, making her cry out. She writhed under his touch, eyes rolling into the back of her head. Blurs of buildings and trees passed by outside. The tinted windows grew steamy, further hiding what they were doing inside their sanctuary. Gavin continued to do his work; when she was breathless with pleasure and desire, he pressed himself against her. The sensation was better than she could have imagined. Her nails dug into the leather seat, holding her breath as he entered slowly.
"Relax," Gavin whispered in her ear, stroking her in languid movements. "I won't hurt you."
Aria both believed him and didn't – the first time was supposed to hurt, wasn't it? And yet, as Gavin inched deeper and deeper inside of her, it didn't. The sensations spread through her body, making her feel full and stretched, but there was no pain to mar her pleasure.
Once he was fully inside, Gavin kissed her neck and moved his hands to her hips. "Move with me."
Aria obeyed, swiveling her hips in small circles as Gavin's guiding hands encouraged her. Her skin seemed to shrink around her, tingles forming in the base of her skull. Her eyes slid shut, blood rushing to her chest and neck as she let Gavin move her. His hand slid between her thighs again; he began rocking his hips upwards and she was soon gasping and crying out with every motion. It was all too much, too deep… This was going to kill her…
She wasn't sure what happened when she reached her climax. Darkness drew over her eyes, her head spun, and the next thing she knew, Gavin was helping her back onto the bench, handing her a bottle of water.
"Are you okay?" he asked, eyes worried.
"What happened?" she croaked.
"You screamed and collapsed. I thought I'd killed you."
Aria rolled her eyes with an effort. "It wasn't that good."
"You still blacked out."
"Um…" she shook her head. "Probably because I'm low on blood. Not because of…"
The most mind-blowing experience she'd ever had.
Gavin frowned. He shrugged and pulled his pants back up. "If you say so. Try to rest. It's a long way to Paris."
Aria stared at him as he leaned back against the seat and closed his eyes. Her body was still tight and aching, trembles running up and down her legs. Swallowing, she moved to the opposite window and smoothed her skirt over her knees and looked out of the window.
I'm not a virgin anymore.
She waited for some rush of emotion to overwhelm her. Shame, maybe. Euphoria. Even just being numb. Something to acknowledge what she had just done. But there was nothing, only a vague sense of satisfaction. She twisted her hands together. Maybe once they were in Paris she'd suggest they do this again…
She smiled as she leaned back against the seat. Yes. Paris. She'd have more of an emotional reaction to this there. Wouldn't she?
Chapter Four – Gavin
Paris. Gavin dressed in his favorite navy-blue suit, frowning as he did so. He and his retinue had arrived late the previous night and had been welcomed by Queen Monique's greeters and shown to these quarters. As soon as they were alone together, Aria had climbed into bed with him and slept with her head on his shoulder. He hadn't expected her to suddenly become so warm to him.
He was used to women wanting a quick bit of fun and going on their way. From the way she had reacted the first time he had drunk her blood and the conversation they'd had about her desire for sex, he expected the same to happen now. Not for her to climb into bed with him just to sleep, not for the smile to light up her face when he woke her the next morning. Had he made a mistake in thinking she just wanted the experience? What if she wanted more?
Maybe he was reading too much into this. After all, she had made it clear that she wasn't going to sleep with him unless he wiped out her father's debt. Maybe she was looking for extra cash. She was probably going to leave as soon as soon as they returned to his kingdom since her father's debt was paid now.
He'd miss her. But he'd get over it. H
e had been alone for centuries, other than the odd woman every now and then to take the edge off. He could survive another few centuries. He nodded, satisfied. She was just happy that she no longer had to stay with him.
Aria waited for him in the main room and smiled shyly. She wore an elegant blue number that was classy and stylish. He nodded at her as he left his rooms. He didn't bother checking to see if she followed, knowing that she would.
A small, bald vampire met him just outside the door and showed him to the queen's study, where they would be discussing their business. Monique was a dark-haired, sallow-faced woman with a temperament that was like arsenic-laced candy. Sweet and deadly. The study was draped in gold with red velvet-cushioned furniture. A wide smile crossed her face as Gavin entered the study.
"Queen Monique." Gavin bowed to her. "You are looking radiant as ever."
"And you." Monique giggled as she curtsied.
She had been only in her teens when she was turned into a vampire and had always used her youthful beauty to her advantage. Gavin never liked her. He had no choice but to do business with her, though. Her kingdom, seated around Paris, was almost as powerful as his own, and in the end, he had to interact with her far more than he would have liked. But such was being a ruler.
He took a seat across from the queen. Aria lingered at his elbow. He wanted to tell her to sit with them, but Monique was notorious in asserting her superiority over humans. In his own kingdom, he wouldn't stand for it. But he wasn't in his kingdom.
"So, this must be your newest little human chew toy," Monique said, looking Aria up and down. "I prefer the fatty ones, too. Their blood is always so sweet."
"Excuse me?" Aria's voice was a growl. "Did you just call me fat?"
"Aria. Not now." Gavin gave her a stern look. "Monique, I assume there is a reason why you asked me to come here."
"Ah, yes." The little vampire squeezed his knee. "And you were so good to come. I want to discuss a proposition to make our kingdoms stronger. Oh, not just our kingdoms, I should really clarify. It will strengthen our food supplies which will make us all stronger. We all know humans have been weakening over the years, and I have just the plan to bolster their stocks again."
Gavin frowned. He was interested in what Monique had to say, but he could also sense the fury rolling off of Aria. Perhaps he should send her off before the talks continued. Humans didn't like to be talked about as if all they were good for was blood. He turned towards Aria, intending to send her off, but Monique continued, oblivious.
"What we need is to control their breeding. The strong ones paired with strong ones, the weak ones—"
"What the hell are you talking about?" Aria exploded. "Controlling our breeding? We're not animals. You can't just decide to create a new breed of human. That's sick. You're sick."
Gavin gripped Aria's wrist and shook his head. "Be quiet. These matters do not concern you."
Aria's eyes narrowed at him. "They do concern me. If I went around saying that vampires should be cut up and ground into medicine, it would concern you. That's exactly what this little witch is doing."
"My, my," Monique said, her voice amused. "Is this how your subjects speak to you?"
Gavin got to his feet and pulled Aria in closer to him. "Do not speak again or I'll have you locked in your room."
She glowered back silently.
The king released her, turning back to the queen. "Your proposal is interesting. But I very much doubt it would work. The costs alone would be exorbitant, and there is simply no controlling humans to that extent. They have minds of their own, and if we vampires tried to implement such a program, we'd certainly have an open rebellion on our hands. They're sentient beings, not toys."
"Hmmm." Monique's eyes gleamed. She rang a crystal bell and leaned back. "I thought you might say that. So I took the liberty of selecting a mate for your little human here."
What? Gavin tensed. A hot feeling squeezed his chest, and he had to work to stop himself from snarling out at the queen. She smirked as the doors opened again. Two vampires led in a handsome, muscular man. He was dressed in little more than a loincloth, cuffs on his hands, his head bowed in submission. Monique stood and walked behind him, wrapping her arms around his waist. Her gaze went to Aria and she smirked.
"Do you like my little pet here? You wouldn't mind breeding with him, would you?"
Gavin turned. Aria's eyes were wide, a pale flush in her cheeks, horror on her face. But was that all there was? Was there desire as well? Anger and jealousy flooded him. He seized Aria around the waist and pulled her towards the door. Monique rose a brow at him, and he snarled at her.
"This conversation is over."
Aria was silent as he headed back towards their room. She had said she wanted to go see some of the famous Paris sights, but after that, he was inclined to just take her home. He didn't need to deal with this. The anger built the further they got from Monique's study.
When they were back in their rooms, he turned on Aria. "What were you doing?"
"I was calling her out for her—"
"I meant with him." He narrowed his eyes. "I saw the way you were ogling him."
Aria blinked. She stepped back from him. "You're angry with me because that… woman pulled out a man to breed me with?"
"Humans are ruled by their hormones—"
"Don't even start." Aria put her hand on his chest and shook her head. The pale flush that had been in her cheeks darkened. "I don’t go around sleeping with every person I think is attractive. And don't you dare get mad at me for something somebody else did. I don’t need that in my life."
"You and I have an agreement," Gavin said, ignoring her words. "You belong to me—"
Smack! He didn’t even see her hand until it slapped across his face. Gavin jumped, startled.
A look of horror flashed over Aria's face, but she quickly schooled it away. She stepped back from him. "I don't belong to you. I belong to me. And if I want to have sex with some over-buffed caveman, I will. You don't own me!"
Gavin opened his mouth, but she turned on her heel. She marched away from him, head held high. An awful, sick feeling sank into his stomach. He wanted to go after her but didn't know what to say.
What does it matter? She's leaving as soon as we get home.
He turned away and repeated that to himself. It was true. He didn't own her. And it was a good thing, too. He didn't need someone that temperamental and hot-headed in his employ. So she had good blood. He could find a million others like her who would be more than willing to be with him and not demand anything back.
He didn't need her… He closed his eyes, breathing deeply to calm his mind. I don't need her.
Chapter Five – Aria
If he'd just apologize, she would forgive him in a heartbeat.
Aria stared out the window, her arms folded over her chest as the French landscape zipped by. Getting mad at her because of something somebody else did was bad enough, but Gavin was acting as if she should be apologizing to him. Yeah, slapping him had been a mistake – and she had apologized for it – but she wasn't going to back down on everything else. He had no right to be angry with her over Monique's caveman – as if the vampire queen saying she chose a man for Aria to 'breed' with instantly made her a guilty party.
She certainly wasn't going to apologize for being angry that he said she belonged to him. Like she was his property. Like it was her job to keep his ego intact.
Gavin sat across from her in the limo, looking poised as ever, also watching the scenery. She hated seeing him like that. As soon as she opened her mouth to talk to him, he'd be cold and distant, like he had been since the whole incident happened. They had spent two days in Paris, and every minute she was on her feet, at his elbow while he talked trade and other diplomatic things that she had no interest in. At night, he'd gulp down a mouthful of blood and send her away.
It was almost as if now that he'd taken her virginity, there was nothing else about her that interested him. Aria had
n't expected any sort of deep commitment. She hadn't even expected to start dating. But it would have been nice to at least be acknowledged. Maybe sleeping in his bed that first night they were there had been too much. But he hadn't protested.
"Are you still mad at me?" Gavin asked suddenly.
"Yeah. I am."
Gavin growled. "Why?"
She narrowed her eyes at the king. "If you're seriously asking me that… You know what? This is over. As soon as my father's debt is paid, I'm out of here."
Gavin's eyes widened. "What?"
"What, what? I want nothing more to do with you." Tears pricked her eyes and her stomach churned. "You acted like a decent person until I spread my legs for you. Then all of a sudden humans aren't people, they're just your trade resources. We're nothing more than hormone-driven animals to you."
"I never said that."
"Yes, you did. You got mad at me because of Monique's breeding program, and I never heard you say anything about not participating in it."
Gavin folded his arms and turned his face away, chewing the inside of his cheek. The fact that he wasn't denying it made it that much worse. Aria's fists clenched. She wanted some sort of reaction from him, something to show that he understood where she was coming from!
"Well?" she demanded. "Don't you have anything to say to me?"
"I think you've said it all."
Aria swallowed down bile. What else had she been expecting? Her father's debt would be paid in two years. She'd have to find a way to make this bearable until then. But, for the moment, she wanted to be as far away from the king as possible.
"Stop the car, I'm getting carsick. I need some air."
***
Four Months Later
The universe hated her. There was no other explanation for everything that was happening. Everything from finding out her father owed Gavin a massive debt to… this moment. Aria stretched out on her plush couch, phone to her ear as she waited for her father to pick up. Her natural weight was helping to conceal it for now, but it wouldn't be long until Gavin found out.
