Blood Kisses (Nightwalkers Book 1)

by Sieverding, H. N.

  "She thinks murderous vampires are sexy, so God knows what expectations she has for you, young man, but as a hardcore rock person like you might like that kind of stuff. You probably do that kind of stuff with your groupies all the time." It was apparent by Gramps’ tone that he didn’t like Caleb, nor did he want him dating his granddaughter. He looked back at Caleb, now holding a book in his hand that had been out of place. "My granddaughter’s a good girl. She went to college—she's educated and successful. She’s not into all that sex and drug orgies you rock stars are."

  "I don’t have orgies." Caleb’s expression didn’t change during the conversation, but it was clear that he didn’t like what Gramps was saying. "And I have no problem with Ashleigh’s love of vampires."

  "Oh, really?" Letting out an annoyed sigh, Gramps glanced at Ashleigh, who was staring down at her feet. "And Spencer introduced you two?" Gramps studied Robert, who had a slight scowl on his face. "Do you work for the same security company as him or something? Or are you one of those drug dealers? Spencer looks like a thug, and so do you."

  Caleb glanced toward Ashleigh then forced a smile for Gramps. "You know Spencer?"

  "Yeah." Gramps answered for Ashleigh, who was biting her lip nervously. "He comes every week and doesn’t read a damn thing. Just comes to gawk at my granddaughter."

  Ashleigh laughed as she turned to her grandpa. "He’s trying to make sure no one’s—”

  "He’s courting your lady, that’s what he’s doing." Gramps pointed toward Ashleigh with the book in his hand. "But my little girl is too silly in love with this rock star of hers."

  His words made them all laugh, but Gramps wasn’t smiling. "I don’t approve of your profession, but if you make her happy…" He watched Ashleigh snuggle close to Caleb as she stood next to him, both of them sharing happy smiles. "That’s all that matters. And don’t you dare go cheat on her with your groupies because this old man will make you regret it."

  "I’ll remember that." Caleb tipped the brim of his hat down slightly, a cocky grin on his face. “And I wouldn’t do that to her.”

  Ashleigh ignored her grandfather and turned to Caleb. "So, when are we leaving?"

  "Soon." Caleb nodded as he turned to her, wrapping both his arms around her again. He started to kiss her, forcing Gramps to retreat to the counter.

  Once they started, they didn’t stop. Caleb pushed her up against the book shelf near them gently, his kisses light and playful.

  "I think…" Ashleigh’s breath was quick as she pulled away slightly, but not enough to allow but an inch to lie between their lips. "I need to get something at home."

  Chapter Seven

  As she turned the key, Caleb was holding her from behind. He had her long hair swept back and was kissing her neck. Robert didn’t seem affected by the behavior and walked in front of them to open the door. When they went inside, Robert shut the door and stayed outside on the porch, taking out a cigarette.

  Ashleigh giggled as she kissed Caleb, trying to walk him in the direction of the bedroom. The sound of voices made her stop. "What is that?"

  "Forget it." Caleb covered her mouth with his, pushing her in the direction she had been headed.

  She quickly pushed his hands off her, grabbed his arm, and pulled him toward her bedroom. Ashleigh went to open the door, but movement in the room across from hers caught her attention.

  "Oh, yeah!" Caleb laughed as he raised a fist in the air, his coat sleeve falling down and showing the leather bracelet he wore. "Fuck that bitch!"

  Ashleigh was very surprised. "Whoa." An awkward giggle escaped her lips as she covered them.

  Natalie was on all fours on the floor, her new boyfriend behind her on his knees. His belt was wrapped around Natalie’s neck, his hand holding it like a dog leash as he fucked her. She and her boyfriend both looked up sharply when they heard Caleb’s loud voice.

  "Submission poses. All right." Caleb wasn’t a quiet person, and even after Natalie and her boyfriend had scrambled to their feet and covered their naked bodies, Caleb still didn’t stop laughing.

  Grabbing him by the front of the shirt, Ashleigh pulled Caleb toward her and kissed him. This shut him up quickly, and his arms went around her waist as she struggled to open the door behind her. Finally, she was successful, and they both disappeared into Ashleigh’s room, the door slamming shut.

  "Hey." Playfully hitting Natalie in the arm, her boyfriend was out of breath. "Doesn’t that guy look exactly like Caleb Mason from—"

  "From Armageddon. Yes, I know." Natalie crossed her arms over her chest angrily. "Go shut the door. And lock it this time."

  Caleb had shoved Ashleigh onto the bed, both of them having stripped off their clothes near the door. He pulled her bra off her shoulders before she hit the mattress, his lips immediately leaving hers to go to her breasts. There was no foreplay this time, Caleb not wasting any time before he dove right in.

  Once he was inside her and pounding her into the bed, Ashleigh couldn’t control her loud moans of pleasure, something she didn’t want carrying over to the next room or through the open window.

  Her hand reached over to the end table, trying to feel around for the remote to the radio. It slipped from her fingers. Caleb looked at it, but only briefly. As his mouth covered hers, the loud sound of music filled the room. Ashleigh had no idea how it turned on, but she didn’t think much about it because she was so caught up in making love to Caleb.

  His CD was in the player, and his angry voice filled her ears as his gentle lips caressed her skin. She could no longer hear her own moans or the sound of their heavy breaths. It seemed like the music was growing louder. Ashleigh glanced toward the radio. Caleb was kissing her neck, and her hands were playing in his now messy hair. She could see the volume knob move, but her eyes didn’t linger.

  Caleb had stolen away her breath, repeatedly beating on her tender spot and making her wail with pleasure. A few more minutes passed, and Caleb reached his own end. He now hovered over her, the music slowly getting lower and softer.

  He stared down at her, his voice breathless and soft, but sharp as it cut through the, now almost silent, room. "Ashleigh?" Caleb rubbed the tip of his nose and cheek against hers, his lips close to her ear. "Can I bite you?"

  Ashleigh’s voice was shaky "Caleb, I—"

  "Please?" He gazed down at her breasts as he playfully ran his fingers over the surface of her skin. She saw him lick his lips, his very intense blue eyes falling upon hers. Even though he wasn’t wearing his makeup, his eyes were beautiful, his lashes thick and black.

  "Do you love me, Caleb?" Her voice still carried her fear, and he could feel her naked body shake beneath his.

  "I love you." He kissed her lips. "More than I've loved anything."

  "I love you, too."

  He leaned forward and gave her a few very deep and heavy kisses before pulling away and hovering over her. "Do you trust me?"

  "Yes." Her teeth began to chatter despite how tightly she was trying to clench them. She remembered what Spencer had told her about the second bite. "Can you do so it doesn’t hurt?"

  "No." Caleb smiled warmly, his voice soft but firm.

  "Why not?" Her voice came out whiney, like a child’s.

  "Because I can’t." He reached into his mouth and pulled out his false front teeth, revealing his fangs. He ran his tongue over them now that they were exposed.

  Her eyes looked off to the side again. She was trembling, heat burning her vision as she tried not to cry.

  Then, he asked again. "Can I bite you?"

  Closing her eyes as tightly as she could, Ashleigh sucked on her bottom lip as she held back her tears. "Yes."

  She felt his fingers playfully dance over the surface of her skin, the tease of his touch maddening. She just wanted to get this over with, and he was wasting time touching her in ways he knew turned her on.

  She felt him move down her body, his movement making her jump slightly as the music quickly got louder again, the pounding of the beat ma
king her head dizzy and her ears buzz. His hands followed his descent. She felt them move down her torso then pause at her hips.

  She could feel his fingers tap to the beat of the music, bouncing playfully off her small love handles. With every second, she tried to close her eyes tighter, clenching her teeth as she prepared for his bite.

  Her eyes shot open when she felt him part her legs, something she was not expecting. Then, he bit down, his teeth sinking into the flesh of her inner thigh. She let out a blood curdling scream, but it couldn’t be heard over the loud music. One of his hands held her leg down and the other held them apart, his lips taut and forming a seal around the wound so none of the blood dripped down her leg.

  As the time passed, she began to get light headed, the tenseness in her muscles slowly letting up. When Caleb felt it, he pulled away from her.

  "Feel okay?" He climbed up her again, gazing into her tear-soaked face. Lovingly, he moved a few strands of sweaty hair that clung to her face, his tongue leaving his mouth to lick off her blood, which painted his lips.

  Her breaths were deep and labored, her dreamy eyes having a hard time focusing on him. "I’m gonna pass out."

  "Wanna try it?" He put his wrist to his mouth, biting down on his own skin. His nose wrinkled as he winced in pain. "Here." Blood flowed, Caleb looking at it with a pained face. She could tell it hurt, and by the way he was acting, he didn’t like the feeling. "Taste it. It’ll make you feel better." Gritting his own teeth, Caleb’s words came out forced and slightly shaky.

  She placed his wrist to her lips, sucking slowly on the blood that pumped out of his wound. Her sleepy eyes watched his face, Caleb’s breath quickening as he watched her drink from him. He looked slightly afraid and nervous, his tongue making several passes over his lips.

  Her eyes closed as she drank, the feeling of his blood inside her making her whole body feel tingly. When his wound started to heal on its own, she could no longer get any blood. She slowly pushed his wrist away from her, her fearful eyes staring into his.

  "We can do this together next time." Caleb forced a smile, but he was shaky, something Ashleigh had never seen before. His hand reached up to her face, his touch light as his normally strong voice trembled. "I’ll take care of you."

  Sitting up abruptly, a loud hissing sound escaped his lips, a very pained expression on his face. Holding his head, Caleb quickly got off her, his movements so fast they were a blur. Now, he was standing at the foot of the bed. "I’ll be right back." His body disappeared, Ashleigh quickly looking around because she didn’t see where he had gone.

  "Caleb?" Ashleigh searched the room, her hand reaching down to grab the remote for the radio. She winced when she moved, the wound on her leg still tender and bleeding. Her blood had soaked the sheets.

  Making a sour face, Ashleigh got up and walked over to the bathroom. She washed the wound and covered it with a bandage she had gotten from the cabinet above the sink. When she was finished, she freshened up in the bathroom before returning to the bedroom.

  Caleb still wasn’t back. This disappointed her, so she quickly redressed and stripped the mattress. Instead of getting new sheets, she covered the bed with the comforter and tossed the stained linen into the garbage. Looking at them made her angry, so she just wanted them gone.

  Her head felt funny, a discomfort pulsing through her veins. She wasn’t sure if it was because she had drank Caleb’s blood, or if it was her imagination blowing it out of proportion.

  The sheets filled the garbage can in the bathroom, so Ashleigh took out the bag and put in a new one. She left her bedroom and walked down the hall, where she saw Natalie sitting on the couch in the living room by herself.

  "Hey." Ashleigh let the bag fall to the floor as she managed a small wave in Natalie’s direction.

  "About what I was—"

  "I don't want to know." Ashleigh let out a soft laugh and motioned for Natalie not to press the subject.

  "Thanks." Natalie frowned, but Ashleigh could see there was a smile hiding underneath. "There’s some left over pizza in the fridge, if you want some."

  "Okay." Ashleigh picked up the bag again and walked into the kitchen, marching out the back door. She tossed it in the garbage can near the shed then came back inside. She peeked into the living room, but it was still only Natalie. "Have you seen Caleb?"

  "Isn’t he in your bedroom?" Natalie gave her a confused look.

  "Yeah." Sighing, Ashleigh walked back to her room, but Caleb wasn’t in there. "He’s not there."

  "What?" Natalie laughed as she stood up, "Come on, he is too." Clasping her hands together excitedly, all of Natalie’s bad mood seemed to have disappeared. "You can’t give me that tease and then let him leave without meeting me."

  "You can meet him as soon as he comes back." Ashleigh went to the kitchen again and pulled out the box of pizza that was still warm. She checked out the front window, but Robert wasn’t there anymore. "Hey, where’d Robert go?"

  Natalie shrugged her shoulders. "I haven’t seen anyone besides you and Caleb."

  "Hmm." Ashleigh plopped down on the couch, taking a piece of pizza out of the box she had set on the coffee table. "Why aren’t you at the store?" She took a bite, her cat jumping into her lap for attention. Ashleigh pushed the cat’s tail away that was hitting her in the face.

  "I want to meet Caleb." Natalie giggled, playfully hitting Ashleigh’s leg. "Duh."

  Ashleigh took out her phone and dialed his number. His phone went straight to voice mail. "Damn." She opted to send a text message instead.

  Where r u?

  "Right here." Caleb came from the hallway, waving his phone at her playfully. His hair was perfectly brushed up to the center of his head, his small Mohawk perfect, as if he hadn’t been through a heavy make out session.

  He walked over to Ashleigh and sat down next to her on the couch. He grabbed her hips and made her stand before pulling her over and placing her on his lap. "Hi." His arms wrapped around her waist, his face nuzzling into her soft, black hair.

  "Hi." She turned her head slightly to look back at him, a piece of pizza hanging in her hand as she giggled.

  He gave her a quick kiss on the cheek then moved her off his lap. "Ooo…pizza." He grabbed a piece from the box and quickly ate it. He was in a playful mood again, his hand resting on Ashleigh’s knee as he chewed. He glanced at Natalie, who was staring at him with a dazed expression on her face.

  Ashleigh laughed, looking from Caleb to Natalie. "Natalie, this is Caleb."

  "I know who you are." Natalie sat forward on the couch, leaning over so she could get a better look at Caleb. "I love your songs."

  "Thanks." Caleb smiled her way then turned back to Ashleigh. "Hey, babe." He dropped his half eaten piece of pizza in the box. "You ready to go? We should probably leave now."

  "Can Natalie come too?" Ashleigh put her hands on her knees excitedly, a giant grin filling her face.

  "No." Caleb’s answer came out rude, his arm reaching around her waist and holding her to him. His actions were playful as he cuddled her. "Don’t you want to spend time with just me?" He rubbed his nose against hers, a sweet tone to his voice. He tickled her sides, making her laugh. "This is my biggest concert of the season."

  Natalie was motioning quickly with her hands for Ashleigh to say yes.

  "I know." Ashleigh laughed, brushing the whole thing off like it wasn’t bothering her. "I can’t wait." There was a dreamy look in her eyes as Caleb cupped the side of her face, stroking her cheek with his thumb. Her voice came out breathless and love struck. "I’d go anywhere you asked me too."

  Ashleigh was walking with Robert because as soon as they got there, Caleb had to get to rehearsal, which he was very late for. He took her back to the green room where some of the band members’ family and friends were waiting. Whenever Ashleigh had stayed with Caleb, it was on his time off, and she didn't see much of the band members except for Kris, who was like Caleb's shadow, so she didn’t know anyone.

  "Charlot
te." Robert walked up to a very beautiful woman, her very straight, black hair long and shining with a silky sheen. She looked like a celebrity and was dressed like one too. She was darker skinned, but had brilliant green eyes. "This is Ashleigh."

  "Hi, Charlotte." Ashleigh forced a smile, but her nervousness wore thick on her face. She was wearing plain clothes and felt very awkward here. Being among all these famous people was harder than she thought. "I've heard a lot about you from Caleb." She didn't mention Kris, who's only comments about Charlotte included the word “whore.”

  "Hey." Charlotte stood up and gave Ashleigh a friendly hug, something Ashleigh wasn’t expecting from a stranger. "So, Caleb finally dragged your butt out here, eh?" Pulling away, she took Ashleigh’s hand in hers. "I’m glad to finally meet you. I’m Sam’s wife. I’m also one of the makeup artists for the band." She motioned to Robert. "I’ll take her from here."

  Seeming slightly sick, Ashleigh walked along with Charlotte, looking like she wanted to bolt. "I’m a little nervous around all this stuff."

  "It’s okay. I was too, at first." She paused at a dressing room with a large sign hanging on the door advertising the band’s name. "Let’s go in here and talk. The boys will be busy all night, and we can’t go out and watch the rehearsal." Opening the door, Charlotte motioned for Ashleigh to enter. "You want me to do your makeup?" She playfully ruffled Ashleigh’s hair. "Maybe give you a new cut or something?"

  “That’s okay, I don’t need a—“

  "Sure you do." Charlotte sat her down in a chair near the sink. "Now, let me see." She studied Ashleigh for a few seconds then smiled. "I have the perfect cut for you." Charlotte put a cape around her then began running the water. "Caleb told us you were an editor for New Castle."

  "Yeah." Charlotte pushed Ashleigh’s head back, the warm water running over her hair.

  "Do you get to edit any of Victoria’s books?" She grabbed a nearby bottle of shampoo and squirted it in Ashleigh’s hair. "I just picked up her new one. Love it."