by Rena Marks
He bent his head to suck on a nipple through the negligee. I could feel the warm wetness of his mouth and wanted my bare breast sucked. I squirmed beneath him and he chuckled.
“Quit teasing me,” I muttered hoarsely.
“You sure?” he laughed.
“Of course.” I snapped, my control almost gone with frenzied need.
With one hand he ripped the fabric from my body and plunged deeply inside me, stretching me and filling me at once. I moaned. It was sheer ecstasy.
He began to thrust, and I met him, stroke for stroke. I wrapped one hand around his back, scratching him lightly with my fingernails.
I could tell his climax loomed by the change in his breathing, and the rhythm of his strokes. Once more, I stretched my neck in front of him, feeling the pull of my ligaments.
Being so close to climax, with the scent of my racing bloodstream just beneath my heated skin was more than he could resist. He tensed and groaned and I felt his warm breath on my neck before he bit.
The tingling pain triggered my release and spread through my body like hot lava. I clung to his suddenly dampened body as we rode the waves of pleasure together.
I loved the feeling of mingled sweat and exhaustion, combined orgasms, musky sex and shared closeness afterward.
* * * * *
Julian was out for the count. I made sure the drapes were fastened securely so no light could enter. The bed had been moved away from the window previously as a precaution. That was definitely a benefit to being a human servant. I could rearrange my own furniture at will with my new strength. No waiting for friends to help, no struggling by myself anymore.
I showered and made my breakfast. I read the paper and cleaned my house for the few hours that Julian needed to sleep. Normally, even if a vampire has the special ability that Julian has of only needing to be “dead” for a few daylight hours, they still have nothing to do when the sun is out since they can’t stand directly in its rays. Being bound to a human, though, was to Julian’s benefit.
By staying in contact with my skin, he could walk through sunlight. It was a scary risk to take. Suppose I forgot and let go of his hand? He would fry immediately. I hated it and he loved it. I guess after not being in the sun for centuries, I’d want to take walks in the afternoon too. It did allow us to get back and forth to Bang, where he could hang out without the sunlight.
I made myself a second breakfast. I was ravenous today. I heard the shower start and knew he'd woken. Suddenly he appeared, standing before me in a towel and nothing else.
“What would you like to do today?” Julian asked.
“Hmmm. Well, you’re already dressed for what I have in mind.”
He smiled. “And afterward?”
“Sounds like there’s something you want to do.”
“I’d like to take a walk in the park. In the sunshine.”
I knew it.
I ran my hands down his perfect chest. I trailed down the spiral of hair that would have led down his pants if he’d had any on. Breathing deeply, I reached for his hand and led him into my bedroom straight to my window. Opening the drapes while still holding onto his hand, I let the sun hit us full blast. We stood in the window, me clothed and Julian nude. I watched as he raised his face to the sun, his eyes closed. I studied the profile of his flawless face.
He was absolutely beautiful. Dark, thick lashes swept like lace against pale cheeks and full red lips begged to be kissed.
I was aware of the amount of trust it took for a vampire to hold still in the sunlight, with just the touch of his human servant keeping him alive. My heart swelled with love for him and I had the sudden realization that he was mine. All mine. Forever.
I touched his bare shoulder, feeling the curve of hard sleek muscle beneath my fingertips. Need arose, hot and sweet, making me melt inside I was surprised at first, until I remembered. I was his human servant and my skin craved his. The need was constant until satiated.
There was a dangerous element to making love in the sunlight. We had to have continual contact. But it was what Julian wanted. No, it was what he craved. He’d been deprived of sun for centuries. I was access to the sun for him. It was such a small gift I could offer.
I reached to a dresser drawer with one hand and pulled out a scarf. I tied our wrists together quickly, our palms facing each other, our fingers entwined.
He pulled me by my bound hand to stand before him with my back to the window. He raised my hands and placed them around his neck, then deliberately pulled the scarf from our wrists. I sighed and it made the side of his lips pull upward. I linked my fingers behind his head.
He looked into my eyes as he unbuttoned me slowly, button by button, taking his time. Finally, he pulled the two halves of my blouse apart. I was bare beneath. I watched his eyes darken as he stared at my breasts. Placing his hands on my waist, he leaned before me and tasted my skin. He took a nipple into his mouth and I moaned with pleasure, arching my back and thrusting my breasts outward. His tongue was perfect as he swirled over and over my nipple, seeking to give me as much pleasure as possible.
His hands gripped my waist as he lifted me to sit on the window ledge. He knelt before me and lowered his mouth to the center of my body. He traced a sensuous trail between my breasts down to my navel.
“What is it you need, Anjelia?”
“You,” I gasped. “I need you, your skin covering mine. My body craves you.”
“As mine does you, my sweet.”
He stood and I kept my hands on his chest, gently pushing at him to walk backward. When his legs hit the back of the bed, I shoved more forcefully. He was out of the sunlight now, and we didn’t need direct contact. He was on his back, his legs hanging off the bed. I straddled him and lowered myself to him. His fingers dug into my hips as my body welcomed his.
He was so long, I could feel his strength deep inside me.
I leaned forward, teasing his lips with a breast. His tongue rasped over my nipple, and then took it into his mouth to suck with just the right amount of pressure, making me gasp again.
“Julian,” I moaned.
He thrust his hips upward as his tongue attacked my nipple, bringing me immeasurable pleasure.
He rolled over, keeping his fingers locked on my hips so we’d stay connected deep inside When I was flat on my back, he took my left leg and swung it over his left shoulder so my thigh crossed his chest.
It felt amazing. Slick and wonderful and I begged him to go faster. He gave small grunts of pleasure as he complied with my wishes.
“Please, yes. More,” I gasped as the sensations spiraled out of control. My inner sheath clenched uncontrollably around his swollen flesh as my orgasm shuddered through me.
He released my leg and we collapsed on my bed, my body still open wide and gasping around his throbbing cock, his head down and buried in my neck. My hands stroked his bare, damp back.
“You still want to go out in the sunshine, don’t you?”
“I haven’t been in the sun for centuries. I am hoping the novelty will wear off soon, I know you can’t stand it.”
“I just worry about it so much. What if I forget and let go of your hand? I’ll watch you burn before my eyes, before I die myself.”
“You won’t forget, my sweet. And I certainly won’t forget. We’ll be fine, it’ll be safe.” He soothed and kissed my forehead.
I rose and shut the drapes so he could get up.
We cleaned up and dressed, then stepped off the back porch. My hand clenched his. There was a trail through my back yard, a walkway through parks and open space in the neighborhood. We strolled along the curvy path, looking like any normal lovers except for my death grip on his hand. I wondered if Julian was able to tan now that he could be in sunlight.
“What are you thinking, my sweet?”
“How much I love you. How sorry I am that I wasted years avoiding you when I am so very happy with you.”
Julian stopped me and turned me to face him.
; “I love you, Anjelia. I have always loved you. I will always love you. But will you still love me years from now when you realize you cannot have children? When you cease having a normal human life? When it is traded for the violent, bloody life of a vampire?”
His face was the usual mask he wore when he held his emotions in check.
I simply smiled. “I had a normal human life. I was miserable. It was violent and bloody also. My life is perfect now, as it should be. And there may still be blood involved but there are other benefits.”
“Then I would like to know—Would you marry me?” he said on a whisper.
I was shocked for a moment before I spoke. “We can be married?”
“It won’t be recognized by human law, and vampires don’t marry. Let us compromise and marry our cultures together anyway,” he smiled. “If you would like to.”
“I would love to,” I responded, and he bent to kiss me as the sun shone down at us.
I heard laughter and a rubber ball rolled across the path. A child of three or four came running to retrieve it, his blond little towhead gleaming in the sunshine.
I tried hard not to look at the chubby little legs as he ran sturdily on them. I didn’t want Julian to notice me watching him.
I didn’t want to notice if Julian watched him. It was something we'd never know between us.
* * * * *
It was Friday and my monthly council meeting. We made it through the normal city business and were in the midst of a break. I looked at Councilman Grove warily. He had been too quiet. He wasn’t able to bring up the usual issue of Bang’s during this meeting, for we’d declared a limitation to the number of times he could bring up the same issue that everyone knew I’d veto.
He was beginning to gain weight again. He was twenty pounds heavier than the last time I’d seen him.
He made no mention of our last council meeting, and I was fine with that.
He looked pained. I could tell he couldn’t wait to get something off his chest. Then before the meeting convened, he asked Barbara a question. In a concerned sort of way that was as fake as the hair color on his head.
“Madam Mayor, I have a question before we get started.”
“We’re not yet televised, Councilmember.”
“Oh, that’s all right. It’s off the record, anyway.”
“Proceed.”
“I’m wondering how it affects our council if one of our members becomes involved in an issue that is brought up nearly monthly.”
Barbara looked as puzzled as the rest of us. “Please rephrase the question. I don’t understand.”
“Specifically, if our very own Councilmember Romere is involved with the citizens of the bar and grill, Bang’s, how does that look? Does it appear, her involvement with them may be the reason she was appointed to a city council position?”
“I appointed Anjelia Romere myself. Just what are you implying, Councilmember?”
“Madam Mayor, I’m not implying anything. However, the relationship is public knowledge. I’m simply saying that this is a view that will be voiced, and we should be prepared.”
I looked around the room. Some heads were nodding and the others were swaying.
“Yet, Councilmember Romere’s personal relationship is her own. I have never heard any mention of anyone’s personal relationship being an issue.”
“We’ve never had to deal with this type of relationship before.”
There was silence at this statement, because that was true also. Several heads turned and looked at me waiting for my response.
“That statement was inappropriate. We’re bordering on prejudice here.” I managed to speak without any inflection in my voice. Which was good because normally I couldn’t do that. I was easy to fire up, especially where Grove was concerned.
“That’s a valid point.” Mayor Flagstaff added. “We may need to rethink this issue privately since we’re out of time and the cameras are about to start.”
“I suggest making it soon because calls are sure to be starting.” There it was, the smirk. Back on his face, back in his voice.
“Then let me add something to this very personal and private issue. If there is any question on this subject, it is to be referred to me and me only. If I hear one whisper of anyone voicing their opinion to the media, I will make your life a living hell.”
All eyes in the room widened at the Mayor’s threat. Barbara was not the kind of person to threaten or blackmail. Further, she was putting her political career on the line to take the heat for appointing me.
I stayed after the council meeting to speak privately to her.
“How much of a problem is this for you? Would you like me to resign my position?”
“That depends, Leah. How much of your father’s daughter are you? He would never have backed down from anything.”
“I’m not my father and I’m thinking of you. How much heat do you have to take?”
She nearly smiled. “Child, I’ve taken heat over and over throughout the years. I’m still mayor, aren’t I? I took heat over appointing your position, didn’t I? We’ll wade through this mess. I’d watch Grove and his followers, though, if I were you.”
“I’ll watch them.”
“Are you happy, Leah?”
“Yes, I am.”
“That’s all that matters, then. Yes, we’ve all known what Bang’s consists of, even though we’ve played dumb. Are you all right with it?”
“Being with the vampires is no different from being with humans, Barbara. They’re just less judgmental.”
“Grove will definitely try to get to you through them. Are you ready for it?”
“I’m fine with it. But I don’t want you in the crossfire.”
“Anjelia, do you know why I appointed you to a council position?”
“No.”
“I knew your parents would raise a fair and level-headed daughter. The council needs that. Grove has corrupted too many heads. And I’m too old to worry about my position. If they could get rid of me, they would have already. But I’m still Mayor. If the day comes that they manage to change that, I’ll move on.”
“Fair enough. Thanks for the advice.”
“You’re welcome. Next meeting?”
“I’ll be here.”
I hugged her briefly and had to force myself to let her go. She was the last tie I had to my parents.
Grove was in the coffee shop the next day. His coffee was in his hand, so at least he was on the way out. He was with another man, middle-aged, his forehead looking overly large because of the lack of hair. His mustache was extremely thick, probably compensating for the bald spot six inches higher. In fact, it looked like the entire top of his head slipped down and was stuck there above his lip. His teeth were on the small side and, as he smiled, I saw more gums than teeth. But, the teeth I could see were an indistinguishable, off-color from years of smoking.
The new man looked at me appreciatively.
As if.
I stared at Grove, refusing to look away. To his credit, he acted like the adult and nodded to me.
“Romere.”
“Grove.”
The slimy, weasel-looking man with him held out his hand. I clasped it briefly, the sweat on his palm nearly making me flinch. I broke my hand from the shake and wiped it on my jeans, no longer caring that he was watching.
“I’m Mikey Simoney,” he said as he waggled thick eyebrows that needed trimmed.
“Leah Romere,” I said coldly.
He was looking at a finger on my left hand. “No ring?”
I showed him my left middle finger. “Not on this one, anyway.”
He guffawed. “A woman with spirit. I like it. No ring on the finger next to it, either. I like that even more.”
“Then you’ll love this.” I leaned forward, thrusting my cleavage out. His eyes lost focus as he stared at my breasts, probably trying to imagine them naked.
I pulled my neckline out from my skin revealing Julian’s marks.
I smiled sweetly and left them there, hips swaying as I walked away to the coffee line.
But my victory was short-lived. I had gotten to the front of it when I noticed that no one was standing near me. I was sorely tempted to sniff myself but fought the urge I looked around. There was a definite space between me and the next person in line and no one would meet my eyes.
I looked down and saw my neckline was still cockeyed and my marks still bared. I adjusted my top and ordered my coffee.
The woman next to me still stared. Her blonde hair was touched with too much peroxide, and her skin was so tanned it gave the dried appearance of leather.
“How could you be with creatures like that?” Her voice was quiet with no inflection but wonderment in it. She wasn’t being nasty.
“Like what?” I asked.
“Dead creatures. Letting them drain your soul through the blood that The Divine has given us. Satan spawned them to walk among us.”
The nastiness started.
“I not only allow them to feed from my precious blood, but they’re wondrous in the sack,” I confided.
Her already thin lips tightened. “Come to one of our meetings. Learn the light. You’ll see that you’ve been wrong in allowing them near your holy vessel.”
I'd never heard of a vagina being called a holy vessel.
She fished a card from her purse and handed it to me. She was with an organization called Human Hierarchy. I flipped it into my back pocket to save for later.
I noticed my coffee was done, and I stepped up quickly for it. The werewolf serving it rolled his eyes at me. I smiled. At least he could pass as human, I thought. Vampires had it worse.
Chapter Seven
Julian called me just to say he wanted to hear my voice. Each time he called, it sent a tingle deep into my belly. We always ended our conversations with me telling him I loved him. He would assure me that he loved me even more. I felt like a giddy schoolgirl. Our happiness and engagement lasted for months. Well, for six months actually.
