“He was and is into making money detective and before you ask, he’s very heterosexual. The point of my work is to invite criticism and provide in shadowed detail something that I find all humans crave.”
“That’s a very interesting way of stating the meaning of your dark art, Aleks.”
Aleks chuckled. Sparring with the good detective was entertaining but he was growing thirsty. “I provide entertainment and joy, nothing more and nothing less.”
“Do you have relationships with your models, Aleks?”
Somehow the question surprised him. Detective Jax Steele might prove to be formidable but was he an advisory or something else? “Allow me to be very clear here, Detective Steele. I’m a man who hungers for all creations that are delicious and desirable and yes, have I had relations with some of my students if you will? I have. As I’m sure you’ve found out in your investigation about me, I’m bi-sexual in nature if you need to place a label on my sexual orientation but in truth, I seek out beauty and extreme sensuality in all creatures no matter the sex or color. When I find such a being, I’m very attracted to them and yes, I partake in enjoying their bodies and their minds not only for artistic purposes. I assure you that they enjoy what I can give them and some hunger for more.” Aleks moved to within three inches of Jax, allowing the heat of his body to wrap around the man. He could sense Jax’s growing curiosity and his insatiable need.
Jax closed his eyes, his grip tightening on the crystal. He shook his head back and forth as if forcing the cobwebs of raging desire back from his mind. “I didn’t mean to insinuate that you were doing anything inappropriate.” He turned his head toward a selection of photos grouped together in a large bin yet his breathing remained ragged, hoarse.
Aleks knew that the detective was on edge. His mind raced with certain possibilities. He wanted a taste of the handsome officer. Even the scintillating thought of taking a man in his position was dangerous. He never tasted someone of any means or position in the cities he lived for a reason. Anonymity was an absolute. He’d learned that the hard way. “I understand that Jax.” The velvety pulse of his voice traveled down the length of Jax’s body and for a sheer moment, Aleks knew what the stunning man wanted and what he refused to allow himself to enjoy. He brushed his fingers across the heat of his neck, allowing his fingertips to relish in the feel of Jax’s skin, rugged and yet somehow laced with a delicious creaminess that was somehow difficult to find in America. This time it was easy to read his mind. Shimmers skated down his spine.
Jax shivered. “I need to know, Aleks.”
There was no doubt he was taking a significant risk with the man but his own raging desires threatened to consume his rationality. Aleks was quite frankly as starved as he’d ever been for a man and wanted nothing more than to sink his cock and his teeth into his tender flesh. Nearly blinded by his insatiable hunger, he pressed his body, his cock into Jax sending trickles of heat dancing across their combined skin as the moment became a quiet hint of things perhaps yet to come.
Jax moaned, his scattered breathless voice barely audible and the tiny pulse just heard above the slight strains of jazz music ebbing from the distant stereo.
Aleks could easily place a trance over the man but he knew instinctively there was simply no need. The hunger raged within the man welling to the surface and begging for release. He slid his hand down and across Jax’s waist, easing Jax’s ass into his throbbing cock as he slowly lowered his head sending a single dart of his tongue over the sizzling heat of his flesh. Aleks froze realizing the utter taste of the man something he hadn’t experienced in too many years. There had only been one with some a sweet ambrosia and the beautiful delicious creature was long gone. He shivered as the memory became bitter sweet and brushed his hand down the back of Jax’s thigh. It was at that moment a sudden thought stilled him. No, it can’t be. Blinking, he resisted the thought. He couldn’t go through this again.
Jax breathed in and out, his breathing labored as he closed his eyes.
Aleks wrapped his fingers around Jax’s hip bone and pulled the man tightly against his erection, caressing as he nipped Jax’s earlobe, drawing a single drop of blood. Savoring the taste of the man, the beast within woke and hungered. “Jax… Tell me what you want and what you crave.”
Jax swallowed as his hand fluttered out, the glass shaking in his grip. “I…um…I…”
“Tell me what you desire.”
Jax shuddered, his body nestling into Aleks’ chest.
Aleks stroked Jax’s thick erection through his jeans and inhaled. The scent of sex and a familiar yet distant smell filtered into his nostrils. “Let me pleasure you.” His voice raspy, Aleks’ canines pulsed past his gums. This mortal would belong to him.
“No, I...I…” Unable to finish, Jax shook his head. His legs shaky, Jax eased away and stared across the bank of paintings hanging on the far wall. He edged toward them studying each one carefully yet his body betrayed him, quaking back and forth.
Aleks followed watching Jax’s eyes turn glassy as they moved from one to another picture. Sighing, the moment was lost but the understanding lingered and the reason for Durac’s presence was solidified. “I see you enjoy my paintings as well.”
Jax said nothing for several seconds until he finally turned and cocked his jaw. “You’re a man of many talents.”
What was it exactly that Jax was seeing? It was interesting that Jax could hide his thoughts to some degree from him but certainly not his emotions. Fascinating. The quiet pause sent shivers into Aleks. He hadn’t experienced such need fluctuating inside a man in far too long. The utter taste of Jax’s fear and trepidation was too delicious to resist. “Tell me.” His low range emitted authority and possession and at that very moment Aleks wanted nothing else but to possess the man he would have as a lover. While the detective was clearly putting up every roadblock, pushing his advances away mentally and physically, Jax’s interest was peaking. “Come with me, detective. I want to show you something. This may help you understand what I do. I can tell easily enough you’re very curious.” It wasn’t a request and both of them knew that instinctively. Aleks moved to where few visited and fewer returned.
Jax said nothing as he followed.
Yet Aleks was well aware of his questions. Leading the detective into the very soul of his kinky world, his need roared. Tamping back the beast he sauntered toward the very heart of his soul. He had carefully designed the space to accommodate his seductive and very secluded tastes and those of his lovers and while he had only selected two before to see the dazzling space, he realized what this would mean to Jax and that he was risking his very life showing an unknown man his world. He sighed as he unlocked the final door and led them both into the darkened space. Lifting his hand, a warm glow filtered into the room highlighting what had been his life for two centuries. Aleks glanced across at his beloved toys and smiled. The other room held props only. His torture chamber of sorts had taken him years to select and perfect. What he needed was a suitable mate.
“Why did you bring me here?” His voice strangled, Jax barely inched into the room.
“Two reasons dear detective. To show you what you crave to know and learn and to enable you to see what I’m about.”
“I don’t understand.”
“Yes, I believe you do.” Aleks moved forward into the room and turned. “Yes Detective Steele, you do. You want to learn about this lifestyle so you can solve this heinous crime, do you not?”
“I have no idea what seeing equipment meant to torture people has to do with the case other than if you are the murderer. Are you a sadist, Aleks? Are you capable of slaughtering people?”
Aleks folded his arms and laughed. “You have a lot to learn Detective and the question is one you’re required to ask me. You know instinctively I’m not a killer. I value human life. I value what man can show me. This monster you seek is no doubt a sick man, or person. Can you tell me more of what he or she has done so that I may guide you in the black arts?”
“Black arts?” Jax ventured further into the room. Licking his lips, he gazed across the entire periphery until he glanced into Aleks’ eyes.
“You mentioned the killings were sexual in nature.”
“I did but I’m not at liberty to tell you anything, Aleks. You must understand that.”
“I’m not asking you for details of the individual cases, Jax. I’m asking you why you believe the heinous murders are sexual in nature and why you believe they have something to do with me? While you seem to assume there may be a connection with the two men who were killed and my art, there’s something more you’re seeking answers for. I’m showing you my world and what I crave to satisfy your curiosity.”
Jax walked further into the room, moving between the tables meant for discipline and confinement. Brushing his hand across the steel leg of St. Christopher’s cross, he shivered visibly before jerking back.
Aleks smiled as he enjoyed Jax’s reactions. “What I’m saying to you detective is that the majority of men and women interested in the illustrious forms of S and M aren’t killers. This art is about trust and a high level of it Jax. I certainly don’t know what has been done to your victims but I suspect they have nothing to do with this lifestyle.”
“Have you had any threats lately, Aleks?”
The question was another one that caught him off guard. “Why should I have threats detective?”
“Because of what you do.”
“What I do? Should I grow angry because of your insinuations detective? You’re not a stupid man.” Aleks inched forward and moved directly in front of Jax, blocking his view of the spanking bench. It was time to push the envelope. The man would not come easily into his fold. He turned his gaze down toward him, slicing his eyes across Jax’s face. Aleks took a single finger and traced it across the heat of his neck, circling over and across as he inched forward. There was no doubt that Jax was turned on by the growing bulge throbbing between his legs.
Jax sighed and licked his lips as his lashes fluttered open and closed across his cheek.
Aleks lowered his head and pressed his lips against Jax’s, darting his tongue across the seam of his mouth. Tasting the man sent an electric shock into his system. For his kind there were few humans that mattered and fewer of his kind still that would risk everything for a chance at a life with a single person. There were far too many complications involved to seek out a human unless they were exactly the correct mate and one who could produce needed children for their race through a surrogate. Hissing, Aleks hadn’t thought of the old ways in long enough he’d forgotten many aspects of his teachings. Or perhaps he’d run far enough away that humanity was returning. Either way what he was considering was dangerous and yet he couldn’t resist. Feathering his fingers down Jax’s shoulders, Aleks brushed them over Jax’s taut nipples and down to the carve of his waist. Aleks forced his tongue past his lips to taste the very essence of his life as Aleks drew Jax’s body in tightly against his.
Jax shivered, his legs quivering against Aleks’.
Aleks glided his hand down to cup his cock, throbbing easily against the tight material. The taste was like no other man he had ever had before, musky yet a touch sweet. Tangy. His raging need nearly swallowed his system and he could easily take the man both sexually and for food. As his canines ruptured from his aching gums and his blazing cravings forced him back from the sensual kiss, he grunted, willing control. If he took the man now, Jax would forever be lost to him. Aleks knew he could be patient with this one but he grazed his hand back and forth across his shaft relishing in the feel of his massive erection and sighed. “You’ll be mine one day detective and whether you know that now or not, you shall be and together, we will grow into forever.”
Chapter Seven
Jax sat outside his house in the dark, nestled into the jeep for a long time shaking. He leaned his down to the steering wheel, tapping his forehead gently against the hard leather and wondered what in the hell was wrong with him. Even at that moment he tingled from desire and for a man. Mortified, he began methodically beating his forehead against the wheel praying to God the entire event had been nothing more than a terrible nightmare. Had the man’s hand been firmly grasping his cock? Had they actually kissed? The vague rumblings of nausea welled within him forcing a deep ragged sigh. Holy shit he was going to barf. Fumbling with the door, he barely managed to get it open before he retched bile onto the gravel driveway. Stars fluttered across his vision as the ragged and almost violent heaving nearly dragged him out the door.
He hung his head low as his stomach revolted from what seemed like years of food and drink. The now bitter taste of cognac added to the vile taste of his vomit and together the disgusting fragrance was too overpowering. Hissing, Jax willed his stomach to stop reeling as the beads of perspiration dripped down from his nose popping tiny droplets onto the ground. He could almost swear he heard every pulse from his heart and blood cells racing through his system. Damn it he was pathetic!
Leaning back onto the headrest as his pulse slowly began its decent into a calmer state, Jax brushed his mouth with the back of his hand. Generally calm and collected in every situation, his shaking hands pissed him off. This was ridiculous. How could he have gotten himself into the situation? He felt another rumble in his stomach and was determined to make it inside the house. Grabbing his cell phone, Jax bolted out of the car, leaving his briefcase in the car. There was no need to try and do a damn bit of work as he felt kicked by a mule.
By the grace of God he managed to make it inside. Slamming his hand against the wall switch, he squinted as the piercing light sliced through his eyes. “Fuck!” Jax stumbled into the kitchen, jerked open the refrigerator door and grabbed a beer. Twisting off the top, he carelessly pitched the metal into the sink, concentrating on the subtle ping as it hit the ceramic side. Leaning against the counter, he took a long pull on the cold malt as he stared at the back wall. The sounds of the refrigerator cutting on and off in an aimless pattern was somehow comforting. Clicking and spinning noises mixed almost perfectly with the ragged beating of his heart like a frenetic disco beat. It was at that moment another violent wave of nausea skated across his system. He barely made it into the small hall bathroom before the dry heaves forced him to his knees.
And from somewhere the utter amazing realization that he could barely deny flowed into his brain sending visions of a single moment in time flashing like the GAF view master he’d so loved as a kid. The somewhat dull yet entrancing colors had always captured his attention and his imagination soared. A single tear edged past his eyelids. Wiping furiously, he scuttled back from the toilet, his back slamming against the cabinet. Jax remained still for several moments remembering the taste of Aleks’ lips, tangy and inviting.
“No…no!” He struggled to stand as another vision reminded him of what he was supposed to be doing. “The painting.” Shuddering, he tried to focus. “Of course. Where the hell is my bloody mind with this?” The painting was not damning but the memory of the shadowed tattoo was something else entirely. Was it a carving of something perhaps ancient? Perhaps the piece of art was almost a cathartic piece to the puzzle. It was definitely put there to tease the police. Why the hell hadn’t he taken a closer look at the thing when he was there “Oh you bet.” Suddenly Jax knew the killer was laughing at his entire department for being so stupid. He scrambled out of the bathroom and grabbed his beer.
The damn carvings had to be a detail that mattered. The distinct colorful tattoo was nothing that he’d ever seen before and while crude in nature, it was indeed also a sign and way too coincidental and while his instincts said that Aleksandr was probably not the killer, he was dead in the middle of everything. Perhaps there was a vendetta against him because of his art. That would certainly make sense but why target two people that obviously didn’t model for a living? There was no doubt in his mind that it meant something that pertained to the murders. He was too busy with his head stuck up his ass to pay close enough attentio
n while he was in the studio. Yet the vision of the almost Indian like carving was one he would not soon forget.
His laptop was well used and certainly not very powerful but he’d gathered information about too many murders in the past three years to put it out to pasture. He rubbed his hand across the silver case and smiled. “Old faithful.” Flipping on the switch, he also turned on music for comfort.
***
Aleks stood staring out the window and allowed the memories to flow. Stretching his jaw, his canines ached with need. The burning hunger that raced through his body was heightened by the moments with the sensuous detective. He tipped his head back and stared into the soft warmth of the moonlight. He would be well fed that night but somehow having such a wildcat in his bed was not the same. Famished, he gazed at his watch. It wouldn’t be long until she arrived. Glancing down at the picture, he shook his head. What the good detective could never know was that he never forgot his subjects. Each one of them tasted too fine, too delicious.
He stared at the boy yet a man and thought about just how skittish he’d been during the shoot. In truth, Aleks has wanted Greg Barnes to pose with another boy but he’d been too jittery and completely ruined the first shoot. The single reason Aleks had given the kid another shot was the way the boy cooed up to him. Pathetic after his earlier behavior but then again, Greg reminded Aleks of someone from his past.
As he pressed his finger between his lips, he remembered the taste of the boy fondly. His blood had been silky sweet and Aleks had almost taken him sexually as well but refrained given he boy’s pension for hysteria. “Oh sweet Greg, monsters do exist in this bleak world and it doesn’t matter where you hide or how far you run, there’ll always be the one that will go to the ends of the earth looking to steal your very soul. It’s best that you didn’t find out how many horrors there truly are lest you forget about your level of humanity. In truth, it’s best that you were taken before it was too late.” Sadly, there were only so many he could resist and fewer he could save.
Surrender Page 10
