Blood Struck (7 page)

“Not to mention I could see competitors claiming unfair advantage.” I paused, struck by a thought. “There are human CEOs right? The corporate world isn’t run by an oligarchy of vampires is it?”  If true, it would completely change how I read the business case studies in my textbooks.

He laughed. “No. We aren’t that proliferate.”

“Can I ask you a more personal question?” I wanted to address some of the concerns I had about blood courtesans.

Kristos crossed his arms and leaned back in his chair. “I can’t promise to answer.”

“That’s fair. Okay, here’s the thing, you’re attractive, you’re rich, what do you need to pay me for? Can’t you just get a girlfriend or something?”

“That’s an easy one. Would you want to be married to every meal you ate?” He pointed to my plate. “You can eat and the meal is done. A girlfriend is a meal that nags and demands attention. Worse, it’s like agreeing to eat only bananas for the rest of my life.”

“You have a point, but no girlfriends, ever?” That puzzled me. Did vampires not fall in love?

He waved a hand. “Every so often I have had a relationship. We are not immune to the laws of attraction, but it’s difficult to date a human.”

“Yeah, what do you do when you’re sick of bananas?”

“Hire another courtesan.” He shifted in his seat. “Sex and feeding are so entwined for us that it’s just easier to keep it at a business level. Otherwise, we are forever cheating on our significant others and,” he waved a hand, “then it’s just too much drama.”

“What about other vampires?”

“Yes, it happens. Not so much for me. I find female vampires to be overly aggressive. They gain so much strength, they lose the vulnerability that I find attractive. Vampires are all hard edges and I like soft curves.” He reached over and ran a finger along my forearm, the simple touch causing me to flush.

“That’s an insightful comment coming from a guy.” I picked up my knife as an excuse to break contact and cut another piece of chicken.

“I’ve had a lot of time to think about these things.” He watched me with an amused gleam as if he knew how nervous he made me. “So what about you?”

“What about me?” I asked, confused.

“Your boyfriends.”

“Oh. None.” Realizing that wasn’t an answer that would jive with my employment application, I hastened to add, “None to worry about.”

“Any long term relationships?”

His gaze probed mine and I tried to look nonchalant. “Oh sure.” If you counted long term crushes from afar. I’d spent about a year in unrequited lust for a guy in high school. It never went anywhere because I was a debate team geek complete with braces. In college the braces had come off, but mom’s chemo started taking up more than my spare time. I’d barely noticed anything except how far behind I was in my classes.

“Come here.” He held out a hand, waiting while I put down my silverware and set aside my napkin. Standing, I let him pull me onto his lap, straddling his legs with mine. “By the time I am done with you, I will know all your secrets, carnal or otherwise.” He kissed the spot on my neck where my pulse jumped, pressing his tongue against it. An electric arousal shivered through me and I gasped when his hand grazed my nipple, causing it to harden.

Cradling my head, he kissed his way up my neck to my lips. I moaned at the increasing sexual tension. Between his legs, a hard bulge pushed against the softness of my thighs.

He pulled away, hands settling on my hips. “Doctor Martin has made me promise not to feed tonight, but I do plan on a sip as well as other wickedness. Is that acceptable to you?”

I nodded as nerves swirled in my stomach threatening to overthrow my meal. Finding my voice, I said, “Kristos?”

“Yes?”

“I need to tell you something.” I stared down at my hands, wringing them with anxiety because I knew what came next and feared it. I suddenly lost faith in myself. What had I been thinking? Pretending I knew anything at all about sex was a special kind of lunacy. The lie felt wrong.
I
felt wrong. He deserved to know the truth and I wanted to stop making up a past that didn’t exist.

“I can see something is bothering you.” He took my hands in his secure grip and gave me a reassuring squeeze. “Try not to worry, I know what it’s like to be a new courtesan and I will be very gentle with you.”

“It’s not that,” I said. “Or, it’s not
just
that.”

“What is it then? Are you menstruating? We can work around that you know.”

I shook my head. “I’m a virgin.” Worrying my lip, I waited for his response.

He was silent for a moment, then, “Really?”

There was a delight I didn’t understand in his voice and I risked a look at his face. He was smiling and appeared to be very pleased.

He gave a little tug of my hands, trying to capture my attention.“What an unexpected surprise.”

My eyes downcast, I said, “I thought you would be mad.”

He frowned. “Why?”

“Because Madame Rouge made it sound like virgins were bad.”

He waved a dismissive hand. “For her, maybe, but not for me.” And then he was kissing me, hungrily claiming my lips, his hands massaging their way up my spine to the back of my neck. Deepening the kiss, he gripped the hem of my shirt and broke contact to lift it over my head. Tossing it aside, he bent down and kissed the top of each breast, tongue slipping under the fabric of my bra to tease my nipples. The sensation was so intense, I had to hold onto his shoulders to keep myself upright. A hunger I’d never fed, came alive and full of craving.

“It’s okay then?” I frowned, not trusting his quick acceptance.

“More than okay,” Kristos said. “Unless you want to stop?” He went still and looked at me.

I shook my head. “No, I don’t want to stop.”

“What do you want?” His gaze searched mine and I had that feeling again of being in a freefall.

“You,” I whispered utterly charmed by this debonair vampire and his easy way with my body that quickened me with desire. “I want you to be my first.”

“Good. I want to be your first too.” He unhooked my bra then and peeled it off me, smiling wolfishly as my breasts came into view. Hefting one globe in each hand, thumbs caressing the tips, he said, “I can hear your heart. It beats faster when I touch you.” 

Caught up in the effect of his touch, I had no response other than a hitch in my breathing.

“Tell me, has any man made you feel this way?”

I shook my head.

“Just me?”

I nodded.

“Say the words, Myra.”  He then tugged my hair until I lifted my chin up, exposing my throat which he covered with kisses.

“Just you,” I gasped.

At that, he leaned down to suck a nipple while continuing to play with the other, his tongue stroked me with a light, feathery touch. Then the pressure increased as he suckled the tip, which stiffened in response. When he flicked his tongue across my nipple, I moaned and arched my back, pushing my breasts into his face. The sensation in my breast bordered on pain without leaving pleasure. The feeling left me unsatisfied and wanting more.

He released me with a laugh. “And you think you don’t like whippings.”

Confused, I looked at him. “What?”

“That, my dear, was a thorough tongue lashing.” He moved to my other breast, taking the nipple and areola in his mouth with a hard suck. The bristles of his facial hair scraped my tender skin and his tongue showed me no mercy. As before, he stroked me until my nipple hardened into a nub and then he whipped his tongue across it, in hard, short strokes. My first whipping and it felt so good.

My hips spun in small circles and I threw my head back with a heavy sigh. My fingers had gone numb from holding onto him so tightly.

“I think it’s time to retire to the bedroom, don’t you?”

I nodded and then on impulse, reached down to kiss him, tentatively parting his lips for a French kiss. He tasted like salt and wine. His fangs were sharp as razor blades, threatening to nick my tongue with every pass. I came up for air. “Thank you.”

“For what?”

“For being so kind.”

“Kind enough to almost get you killed.” There was a hint of bitterness in his voice.

I shrugged. “Kind enough to take care of me. To put up with all my bumbling mistakes and lies.”

“Are you saying we’re even?”

“Yeah, I think so.” I went to kiss him again, finding I craved his touch. He met me half-way and took control of my mouth as he stood up. Cradling me in his arms, he swept me out of the dining room and down the hall.

Chapter Seven

Dark wood panels lined the walls of Kristos’ bedroom. The hint of red in the cherry wood stain the only color as everything else was black from the duvet to the carpet. Kristos set me down on the bed and tugged at the waistband of my jeans until the button came undone. He eased them past my hips, peeling them off and tossing them onto the floor. With a smoldering expression, he hooked his thumbs around my underwear and took those off as well. I was now naked with nothing to hide behind.

“Your skin is amazing. Like porcelain.” He traced a finger over my collarbone. “And then you blush.” His finger ran between my breasts. I looked down to see a red flush creeping over my sternum.

“I always hated how much I blushed,” I said, breathless.

“And now?”

“You’re convincing me of its charm. Bit by bit.” I smiled up at him, drinking in his dark good looks, giddy with the idea of what would come next. I was going to lose my virginity to a vampire and the idea no longer scared me. Quite the opposite in fact, I found it titillating now that I knew the fire he could ignite in my senses.

He moved to take off his shirt, but I held up a hand. “Wait. Let me.” I stood and took over, pushing the small buttons of his dress shirt through their holes. His muscles flexed whenever my fingers brushed against his skin. I eased the shirt down his shoulders, pausing to kiss his chest and inhale his scent.

With a grin, I sucked his bottom lip into my mouth, nibbling until he groaned, hands going to caress my breasts. I rubbed my nipples across his chest, delighting in the sensation of his smooth skin on my aching tips.

“You’re an adventurous virgin.” His tone was amused.

I gave a shy smile. “You bring it out in me.” Not waiting for a response, I kissed my way down his neck to his chest. Slowly kneeling, I planted my lips on his stomach and then tugged his belt free. Unfastening his pants, I let them fall to the floor, waiting for him to step out of them and kick them away before removing his boxers.

His underwear gave me pause. It was the point of no return and I found myself nervous. What we were about to do marked a huge personal transition and I lingered on the threshold, fingers barely touching his waistband.

Sensing the shift in my emotions, Kristos put his hands lightly over mine and together we took off his boxers. His cock sprang to attention the second it was free. It was long and large and I both feared and craved it.

“Don’t worry, Myra. It will fit.”

I bit my lip, embarrassed by my innocence.

Kristos pulled me to my feet. “Are you okay?”

Eyes focused on the floor, I merely nodded.

“You seem upset. Is something wrong?” He lifted my chin with an insistent finger, gaze probing mine, full of concern.

“What if I’m not enough?”

“You are already more than I could hope for.” He touched my throat and then leaned down to suck the skin of my neck into his mouth, rolling it with his lips. Pushing me back on the bed, he nuzzled my breasts in turn as his hand wandered to the nexus between my legs. “Spread your legs for me, love. Let me touch you.”

I complied and he stroked my core with a gentle finger, making me shiver.

“Try not to worry. Just let go and trust me.” He paused to look up at me, holding my gaze until I nodded under the weight of his attention. His eyes had a knack for making me feel as if the world was spinning while I stood still.

Kristos nuzzled my breast, lips closing softly over my nipple, his tongue probing and caressing it into a hard nub. Desire shot through my body as if my nipple was the ‘power button’ for my sexuality. Wetness gathered in my center, coating his hand, which had never stopped touching me.

He gave me a wide grin that told me my response was just what he wanted and promised more. Turning his attentions to the other breast, he lashed the nipple into a stiff peak. Between my breasts and the stimulation of my overheated core, my hips began to circle as the energy of desire pooled between my legs with no place to go. The need for a release mounted and I looked at Kristos with wide, pleading eyes.

He chuckled. “You win.”

“Win what?” I asked, my voice a breathy pant.

“The title of hottest virgin I’ve ever met.” He ran one hand over my stomach, smiling as it trembled at the contact. “You’re so ready and I’ve barely touched you.”

I bit my lip, uncomfortable at the compliment.

“I wouldn’t do that. It makes me want to bite.” He smiled wide, revealing fangs at the ready. Removing his hand from my core, he put a finger to my mouth, tugging my lip out from under my teeth. “Taste yourself.” He pushed his finger into my mouth. With hesitant swipes of my tongue, I licked and a salty, musky flavor hit my taste buds. It was me, I realized. It was all my desire, all the pent-up need his touch had made tangible.

“Are you going to feed from me now?” I asked, suddenly tight with the wrong kind of tension. I was afraid of what I was about to do. Lost in unknown territory with a guide who could make me purr with his touch alone or rip my throat out with sharp, pointy teeth.

He pursed his lips and looked at me for a moment. “Not yet. For us, sex is like picking fruit. Green on the vine is bitter. I want you at your ripest, fullest moment.” He kissed my shoulder and fondled my breast. “When you come for me, then I’ll drink. Just a small taste, love. You’ll hardly miss it.”

Kristos pushed me back on the bed and then pulled my hips down to the edge of the mattress as he kneeled between my legs.

“Will it hurt?” I propped myself up on my elbows and looked down at him as his gaze focused on my wet center.

“No more than a sting, but you’ll be way past feeling anything but pleasure.” Hooking my knees over his arms, he spread my legs wide and covering my core with soft, fluttering kisses. Just as I became accustomed to that, his tongue parted my folds and flicked the sensitive nub there.