Beneath The Surface

Beneath the Surface By

Sandy Lynn Triskelion Publishing www.triskelionpublishing.com Published by Triskelion Publishing www.triskelionpublishing.com

15508 W. Bell Rd. #101, PMB #502, Surprise, AZ 85374 U.S.A. First e-published by Triskelion Publishing First e-publishing: October 2005 ISBN 1-932866-28-0 Copyright © Sandy Lynn 2004 All rights reserved. Cover art by Triskelion Publishing PUBLISHER’S NOTE: This is a work of fiction. Names, characters places, and incidents are the product of the author’s imagination. Any resemblance to persons living or dead, business establishments, events or locales is entirely coincidental.

Dedication I would like to thank my wonderful CP’s, Jess and Ferra, who gave me a kick in the butt whenever Gareth and La refused to cooperate. I would also like to thank Heather for her help. Without you I wouldn’t have been able to find the music that allowed me to lose myself in the story. Dan, thank you, as always for being a guy I can ask any number of questions, no matter what they are. You rock, and help me with ideas more than you know. Gail, thank you for helping me make my story the best it could be. Last, but certainly no least, I would like to thank my wonderful husband, Apollo, for only looking at me as though I were crazy when I started yelling at my characters, but never actually asking me if I had lost my mind.

Chapter 1 Looking at her reflection in the mirror, Lalita’s head bobbed up and down to the techno music blaring into the room. Turning this way and that, she examined her outfit. Her waist length, midnight black hair hung freely down her back. She moved, taking a step closer to the mirror to inspect her make-up. The dark blue mascara brought attention to her sapphire eyes and tonight her lipstick was blood red. Her inspection continued, shifting lower as she once again stepped back. The long, low cut, black dress she wore that night resembled a spider’s web more than it did a dress. It was only thanks to her black lace bra and panties that she wasn’t completely exposed. Lalita looked at the slits that ran up each side nearly reaching her hips. Black, thigh high hose and four-inch spike heels made her legs look longer than usual and a black choker with a single blood red ruby dangling from the center completed her look. I love the twenty-first century! Not only does the technology rock, blending in is so much easier, she thought as she smiled at her image. Her fangs gleamed in the soft light. With a nod of approval, Lalita headed for the door. She smiled at the people she passed in the building, uncaring of what they thought of her and basking in the freedom of being able to wear such skimpy clothing to go out. When she reached the street, Lalita turned and walked the five blocks to the exclusive Goth club that she loved, Club Strigoi, ignoring all the stares, car horns and catcalls that people gave her the entire way. She wondered if she’d see Gareth at the club. Will he notice me tonight? Smiling, she thought of the leader of the small clique she just entered. She longed to run her fingers through his light brown hair, to see if it felt as silky as it looked. Her pussy grew wet as she imagined his warm brown eyes growing dark with desire. She hoped he would want to put his hands all over her when he saw her tonight. He was the first human in over a century that she lusted after so badly, but he still hadn’t made a move on her yet. These days the mere thought of him was enough to make her horny, and she was growing tired of taking cold showers and having to settle for a vibrator instead of Gareth. In no time she reached her destination. Walking past the line of people waiting to get into the club, she smiled brightly at the doorman as she entered the club. Once inside, the music wrapped around her, caressing her skin like a talented lover. Lalita winked at a burly redheaded bouncer, laughing when he approached her. “Damn, La, you are looking hot tonight!” “Thank you, Bram,” she said placing her hand on his chest. “How about you and I leave this place and see what kind of trouble we can stir up?” she asked teasingly, her blood red fingernail making a serpentine path down his chest to his stomach where she rested her hand. His green eyes sparkled with humor. “One of these days you’re gonna tease the wrong man. What are you going to do when someone takes you up on your offer?” Lalita tilted her head and looked at him through her lashes. “That’s easy. I’m gonna get laid,” she said with a smile. “Besides, there’s teasing and teasing. And I never tease a man that I’m not willing to take home and get sweaty with.” Lalita rose to her tiptoes and kissed Bram’s cheek. “Don’t forget, I want a dance before you leave.” Bram shook his head, smiling. “How could I forget? Tonight is gonna be anything but dull,” he told her.

“Why? What’s so special about tonight?” “The way you’re dressed, I’m gonna be busy all night breaking up fights.” Lalita smiled as she slid her hand lower, feeling the man ’s hard cock. “Well you certainly do know how to make a woman feel desirable, don’t you?” Bram shook his head and lowered his head until his lips were a breath away from her ear. “Get going, La. Before I decide to say ‘fuck work’ and take you in the bathroom.” “Just say the word, Bram.” Laughing and blowing him a kiss, Lalita walked toward the table where her friends waited. She felt the stares as she moved across the floor, and couldn’t help feeling another wave of desire wash over her as she saw Gareth watching her approach. Was that my imagination or did I see a flash of desire in his eyes, she wondered drawing closer to the table. “So, what do you think of my outfit?” She asked Melissa. “Too much?” She turned around slowly, a seductive smile curving her lips when she caught Gareth’s eyes feasting on her body. Gareth looked delicious as always. His brown hair was all over the place as though he’d woken up and dressed without bothering to brush it. Unlike some of the other men in the club, he didn ’t use eyeliner to emphasize his eyes. His black shirt contrasted his pale flesh beautifully, without making him look sick or chalky. The thought of feeling him buried inside her was enough to tighten her nipples and send a flood of warmth between her legs. “Not on you, La,” Melissa said with a smile, ripping Lalita away from her inspection of Gareth. “Dang girl, can you get any closer to coming out naked?” Heath asked, pulling Lalita into a tight hug. “You look good enough to eat,” he told her, winking as he wrapped his arm around her waist. “Thank you, Heath.” “You do look good tonight, La,” Gareth said. “What’s the occasion?” For you to finally take notice! “No occasion. I just felt like wearing something sexy tonight.” “Do you want to dance?” Heath asked her, his arm still around her waist. “Sure. We’ll be back,” she told the group with a wink. ***** Gareth watched Lalita walk away with Heath and had to fight the urge to growl with displeasure. “Mona, Tiff, would you go get us another round?” Melissa asked the women still sitting at the table. “And grab some water for La.” Both women nodded their heads and left the table. When they were gone, Melissa turned to her brother and asked, “What’s wrong this time?” “Nothing,” he told her, his voice as tight as the fist he kept hidden beneath the table. His fist tightened even more and his eyes narrowed as he watched Lalita and Heath dancing. There should be a law against them dancing so closely… “This is me, Gareth...” Melissa turned to look in the direction of his stare. When she looked back at him, Gareth noticed her smile out of the corner of his eye. “What?” “You’re jealous.” “Don’t be ridiculous. I don’t get jealous.” “You are so jealous. Why don’t you ask La to dance? Everyone knows she’s hot for you.” “If she’s so hot for me, why is she dancing like that with Heath?” Gareth turned his gaze to his sister as Lalita grinded her practically bare ass against the other man’s groin. Melissa rolled her eyes. “Because he asked her to dance,” she sighed. “And if you ask her to dance, she’ll dance like that with you. Why don’t you just fuck her and get it over with?” “Mel!” “Look, what’s the use of being the leader of our little group if you can’t enjoy a few perks? And if I’m not mistaken–and believe me I’m not–La really wants to be one of those perks.” “Yeah and just how do you propose I explain biting her?” Melissa rolled her eyes again. “Gareth, you can be so dense sometimes. Hello? You met her in a Goth club. Look around. Half the people here are vampire wannabes. She’s into that stuff. Have you seen the way she’s had her teeth modified? Her fangs look much more realistic than most of the other people here. For all you know she could get off on the fact that you bite her. She might even want to bite you back,” she teased. “You know I can’t let her drink from me. I can’t risk turning her.” “Then just make sure you don’t bite her. You’re both consenting adults, you should really take advantage of that before she decides that she’s tired of waiting for you to make your move.” “Why hasn’t she made a move on me if she’s so deep in lust with me?” His tone betrayed his annoyance. I would think

if La wanted me half as much as Mel seems to believe, she would have given me some sort of sign by now… Melissa sighed again. “You are so dense. Why do you think she wore that dress? And, dear brother, the last three times women came on to you while La was around, you shot them all down and made this big speech about how you hated women that were too pushy.” Gareth shuddered when he remembered the women his sister was talking about. All three of them had been human, like La. But unlike her, the others had made him feel nothing but disgust. With Lalita, he felt as though he were around another of his own kind. His senses picked up that something special about her that he didn’t notice around humans. Perhaps she has a bit of a Sorceress in her. She can’t be a Vampire, he decided with a shake of his head. No Vampire would ever embrace this life and all of its cliché’s as passionately as La does… The song was finally ending and Gareth searched the crowd for Lalita and Heath once again. He was relieved that she was no longer grinding her beautiful ass against the other man. My life would be so much simpler if she were a Vampire… He bared his fangs as a pasty man with dark blue hair and a piercing through his lip danced with Lalita as a new song began. “If you don’t like it, go cut in,” Melissa said with a smirk as Mona and Tiffany returned to the table carrying six goblets. “Wow, will you look at La! I wish I had the guts to dance with a man like that.” Mona laughed. “If she dances any closer to him they’ll be having sex!” Gareth had to fight back a snarl. He didn’t need to have anyone reminding him of how close Lalita danced with men. Her hips, flexing in time with the primal music, mesmerized him. Lifting the glass and taking a sip of the cold water, Gareth finally gained control of his rage. Until the blue-haired man was joined by another man, a blonde, and they sandwiched Lalita between them. Pushing away from the table, he strode to the dance floor without saying a word. Reaching the trio, Gareth pushed the blue-haired man away from Lalita and glared at the blonde until the man backed away from her. For a moment she just stood there, completely still, watching him, a look of disbelief on her face. As a new song started, she closed the gap between them. “Since you scared off my dance partners, I guess you’ll have to dance with me,” she told him. Before he could either accept or decline, she pulled him closer and started dancing. The way she slid her body against his set him on fire. How can men dance with La and be able to keep their hands off of her, raced through his mind as she turned her back to him. Her body moved across his, and all Gareth could think of was taking her to a secluded corner and finally sinking his teeth, and cock, into her... As if she weren’t teasing him enough with her thong covered ass, Lalita turned around to face him. She put her hands on his chest and wiggled her hips against his groin. Unable to resist the temptation any longer, Gareth wrapped his arms around her, each hand cupping an exposed ass cheek. Pulling her hips tight against his body, he rubbed his hard cock against her barely covered pussy. He smiled when he heard her sharp intake of breath. Her hands slowly slid down his shirt and pulled it out of his jeans. Gareth hissed with pleasure when Lalita’s nails scraped against his flesh. She teased him, her fingers swirling around the hairs that surrounded his nipples. Lowering his head closer to her ear, he whispered, “You’re playing with fire, La.” ***** Lalita smiled up at him, without ceasing her exploration of his upper body or her suggestive dancing. His bare skin felt heavenly beneath her fingertips. And even if they weren’t actually having sex yet, feeling Gareth’s hips brushing against hers in an imitation of the act sent small lightning bolts of pleasure through her body. “Maybe I like playing with fire,” she told him, rubbing her hips against him even more suggestively. “Maybe I want to see how hot the flames are.” “Do you think you can handle the heat?” “The hotter, the better.” Pulling her hands from their position on his bare flesh, she linked them behind his neck. Without waiting to discover if she was moving too fast, she pulled him closer to her until their lips met. She nibbled on his lower lip and groaned when Gareth’s hand tangled in her hair and his tongue slid into her mouth. His tongue played with hers, his amazingly sharp teeth scratching at her lip. Lalita pulled back, afraid that he would sample her blood. When she looked into his eyes, she was amazed at how dark they were.

“Don’t tease me, La. If you’re just playing games, walk away from me now. Otherwise...” She stood on her toes again, and silenced Gareth with another kiss. “Games are fun,” she told him huskily. “But I’m not playing games with you tonight, Gareth. Come home with me. Let me prove just how serious I am.” Baring his long teeth, Gareth growled, “Let’s go.” As they moved toward the exit, the blue-haired man she danced with earlier approached them. “Hey, baby, what’s your hurry?” Lalita rolled her eyes. Why now? Why does this have to happen now? “What do you want?” “You weren’t just going to leave us hot and bothered, were you?” he asked her as his buddy, the blonde, joined him. “I never promised you anything,” she told him, her temper growing. “It’s not my fault you got turned on. All I did was dance with you.” “Like hell you did. If you’d gotten any closer to my dick, we’d have fucked on that dance floor.” “Then I guess it’s a good thing we didn’t get any closer. Besides you’re not my type. I prefer my men to have bigger...teeth,” she told them with a smile as her eyes raked over his lower body then returned his glare. ‘Blue’ took a menacing step toward her and Lalita’s spine stiffened. Her eyes narrowed and she didn’t need a mirror to know that her face had grown scary as she bared her fangs. She pushed Gareth back as he tried to step in front of her. Growling inside her head, her voice mimicked her displeasure as she spoke tersely. “I fight my own battles.” She was relieved when she saw Bram walking over to see if the men blocking her path were bothering her. When he reached the group, Lalita’s glare immediately disintegrated, and she smiled brightly at the bouncer. Giving him a playful wink, she stepped back and allowed Bram to do his job, thankful that she wouldn’t have to use her powers to get the men to back off. It didn’t help that she was so horny she wasn’t even sure if her powers would work correctly, or more importantly, discreetly. “Well, looks like that’s out,” Gareth said in disgust as the two men were thrown out of the club. “They’re probably standing outside waiting for us to leave.” “Then we won’t leave,” Lalita said with a wicked grin. Turning, Lalita led him over to the restrooms. “Stay here,” she told him before she slipped into a third door marked ‘Employees Only’. She looked around the room, taking note of the worn green couch that looked ready to fall apart, the small table in the middle of the room, and the set of lockers along a side wall. It took her only a few seconds to scan the room and assure they would be alone. Opening the door, Lalita pulled Gareth inside and locked it behind him. “Now, where were we?” she asked, stepping closer to his body. Inside the room she could still hear the music, but it was muffled enough to allow them to speak without yelling. “La, maybe we shouldn’t...” She leaned up and took his ear between her teeth, allowing one of her fangs to slide across the flesh without piercing it. “Mmmmm... I believe you were promising me one hell of a burn,” she told him huskily. Lalita’s lips trailed down to his neck, her tongue tasting his flesh as she moved. “La…” he pushed her slightly away. “Gareth, if you’ve changed your mind just tell me. But don’t turn this into anything else. Either you want me or you don’t.” “I want you, Gods do I want you!” Licking her lips, she looked down at his straining jeans. “Then what’s the problem?” She backed up slowly until she felt the small table pressing against her ass. Jumping up slightly, she sat on the edge of the table and gestured for Gareth to join her. He approached her hesitantly, stopping just a few steps away from her. Unhappy with the space still between them, Lalita pulled him the final few inches, wrapping her legs around him as she did. “So what’s the problem if you want me? I want to feel you inside me; I want to know if my fantasies were right…” As she spoke her hand caressed his jean covered erection. Gareth shook his head, his voice came out slightly rougher when he spoke. “When you put it like that, there is no problem.” Lalita moaned as he leaned down to kiss her. She wished his fangs were real instead of cosmetically enhanced as she traced one with her tongue. The things they could do if he were like her... She was torn from her thoughts as his hands cupped her breasts and his hips grinding his hard cock against her covered sex. Lalita’s hands quickly went to his jeans, unbuttoning them as fast as she could and pulled them down his legs. Pulling slightly away, her eyes feasted on the thick, very long cock she just freed. Her mouth watered as she wondered what he would taste like.

With a growl, Gareth pulled her back in, his tongue thrusting into her mouth. Oh my Gods! she thought, moaning into his mouth again as Gareth mimicked her by caressing her sensitive fangs with his tongue. He’s killing me! She felt his hands skimming down her barely covered body to the high slits of her skirt. Just as he shifted her annoying thong to the side, it happened. La! Are you alright? Who’s killing you? Where are you? Kalynda asked, her thoughts filled with concern. Tell me where you are and I’ll come right over. Don’t you dare! Lalita sent the thought to her sister. Oh Gods! she moaned in her mind as Gareth’s finger slid inside her wet pussy. She repeated the moan aloud for him. Get out of my head! I so don’t need to be thinking about you right now! Not until you tell me what’s going on! Kalynda said, sending an image of herself, hands on her hips with the thought. Gods, do you really want to be in my head while I’m getting laid? Lalita gasped as Gareth added another finger to the one thrusting into her. Ew! We are so gonna have to have a long talk later… Much later! Lalita felt the connection between her and her sister close. “Oh, Gods,” she moaned. “Gareth, please, I want you now!” she moaned as his fingers had her body tensing, bringing her closer and closer to an orgasm. Thankfully, he seemed as impatient as she and with only a little shifting to protect her delicate dress, he buried himself deep inside her with a single thrust. “You’re so tight,” he moaned against her neck. Lalita felt as though she were going to explode. Her head fell back and her eyes drifted shut as she gloried in the feeling of his cock sliding in and out of her body. Every fantasy she had paled in comparison to having Gareth actually inside of her. Her fingers gripped the tight flesh of his ass, pulling him tight against her with every stroke. “Damn, I’m not ready for this to be over, but I can’t seem to control myself with you,” he mumbled, his breath teasing her neck. Lalita’s only answer was a moan. As he slid in and out of her, filling her completely, she felt her body tightening. The orgasm that threatened to tear her apart set her blood on fire just as Gareth ’s lips began to suckle her flesh. Moaning with pleasure, her nails dug into his flesh as her body went up in a blaze from her orgasm. Forcing herself to release one of his firm ass cheeks, Lalita quickly gripped his hair when she felt the pressure of his teeth increase slightly on her flesh. She pulled his mouth away from her just before his teeth buried inside her. “No…biting…No…drinking,” she panted as Gareth emptied himself into her with a growl. When she released his hair, he again lowered his head to the curve of her shoulder. He nodded his head against her as he gasped for air.

Chapter 2 After a few minutes, Gareth pulled out of her. He wasn’t sure why she had stopped him from drinking from her, but now wasn’t the time to ask her about it. He was too embarrassed that he had lost control. The last time I lost control with a woman was almost three centuries ago! And even then he hadn’t lost control so quickly! He smiled as Lalita stood up and wobbled a bit. He pulled his jeans back up, tucking himself inside them once again as she tidied herself up a bit. When they were both presentable, they walked over to the door. “Disappointed?” he asked, hand on the knob before he could stop the question. “Definitely not,” she purred, leaning in to kiss him again. When the kiss ended, Gareth’s body stirred to life again, but he pulled away. He knew he needed to drink from someone before he did something he would regret. He opened the door and waited for her to exit before he followed. His arm wrapped around her waist, he guided her back to their table. “Have fun…dancing?” Melissa asked with a smile. Gareth shot his sister a look that she ignored. He followed her gaze to Lalita’s neck, a smile lifting his lips as he realized why Melissa made the comment. She had a mark where he’d sucked her flesh to prepare her for his bite. “La, why don’t you come to the bathroom with me and let my brother rest for a few minutes. He’s not as young as he used to be,” she teased him. The two women disappeared from the table as Gareth sat down wondering where he could get a small snack. Looking out at the crowd he shook his head. After La, no one else looked appealing. “What’s wrong?” Mona asked, sliding her chair closer to his. “Nothing,” he lied as he felt himself growing hungrier. He could almost smell the blood flowing beneath her pale flesh. “Oh, please. Here,” she took her wrist and made a shallow cut with a sterling silver bloodletter. “Don’t act like you’ve

never drank from me before.” His hunger would not allow him to refuse her gift. Gareth brought Mona’s wrist to his mouth and licked the small stream of blood. He wanted to pierce her flesh with his teeth and greedily drink from her, but knew he couldn ’t. The small amount he would get from the shallow wound would at least allow him to wait until he got home to feed. He sucked at the scratch, drinking all he could get. “Thank you,” he told Mona, already beginning to feel better thanks to her generosity. “Anytime, Gareth,” she told him huskily before she brought the wound to her own mouth and licked it. “What’s going on?” Melissa asked as she and Lalita stood in front of the table. Looking up at the pair, he wanted to groan. He didn’t need to read his sister’s mind to know she had seen him drinking from Mona. Sparks were shooting from her eyes and her arms crossed over her chest showed her displeasure all too well. Turning his eyes on Lalita he was a little shocked to see her calmly sipping water from her wine glass, looking bored. It was as though she didn’t believe he did anything wrong by drinking from another woman, even though he had been buried between her silky thighs only moments before. It’s just another sign that she must be a human. If she were a Vampire, no excuse would be good enough for such an intimate gesture with another woman. “Nothing. Excuse me.” Standing up and taking his lover’s hand, he led Lalita back out onto the dance floor. “Twice in one night, what’s the special occasion,” Lalita asked him with a smile, her hips moving against him in an imitation of the intimacy they had shared. Teasing him, she grinded into him then pulled away as they danced. “Do I have to have a reason?” Taking a deep breath, he noticed something different. She smelled different. Looking down at her neck Gareth grew angry. Damn Melissa! he thought as he stared at the make-up covered area on her neck. “No, you don’t. But will you tell me what it is anyway?” Turning around she rubbed her ass against him. “What can I say, I just wanted to feel you in my arms again,” he flirted. “Really?” “Really,” he said, pulling her closer to him. His senses continued to scream at him that she was one of his kind, despite her behavior. “Are you sure you aren’t really a Vampire? It would explain the power you have over me,” he said against her hair before pressing his lips to the other side of her neck, the side without the stench of make-up. “Mmmm… Wouldn’t that be awesome? Meeting a real Vampire, or better yet, having sex with one,” Lalita responded, her voice sounded almost dreamy. Gareth could hear the smile in her voice. “Besides, I have a reflection, which your sister can attest to. Real Vampires don’t have reflections, do they?” she asked, batting her eyelashes. Yes they do. A Vampire would know that. “Yeah, it would be great, but unfortunately, you don’t hear about female vamps nearly as much as you hear about the males.” Gareth fought the sigh. Less than one percent of the human race could fool his ‘senses’. She must simply be one of those rare humans that can fool our kind. But the question is how is she doing it? The only explanation he could think of was she must have magick in her blood. ***** As they danced, Lalita sighed as she felt her sister trying to make contact with her again. La? Are you, uh, finished? Sigh. Yes Kalynda. What do you need? We need to talk. Meet me at your place in thirty minutes, Kalynda told her in a no-nonsense tone. Fine. You are determined to ruin my night aren’t you? Kalynda laughed. Of course. You’re my little sister; it’s my goal in life to make you miserable. Her tone sobered. We really do need to talk. Fine, Lalita sulked. I’ll be there. “As much as I would like to stay and finish this conversation, ” Lalita’s hand trailed down to caress Gareth’s growing erection, “and take care of anything else that pops up, I have to go...” “I understand,” he told her, leaning in and kissing her neck a second time. “Will you come out tomorrow night?” “Maybe,” she answered playfully. “Do you think you’ll be able to play longer tomorrow night?” he asked against her neck as though she had answered in the affirmative. “Well, that all depends.” “On what?” Gareth asked, giving her his complete attention. “On whether or not you’re a good boy.” Pulling him closer, she sucked his lower lip into her mouth then slowly released it. “You want me to be a good boy,” he asked skeptically.

“Maybe. What fun is it if I tell you?” Lalita let her body slide across Gareth’s one final time, moaning deep in her throat. “Let the games begin,” she said with a smile before heading for the door. Crossing the room and heading for the exit, she looked over at Bram and decided to walk over to him on a whim. “Sorry, sweetie, I have to go. Rain check on the dance,” she asked, cuddling up to the big bouncer. “Sure, but something tells me you’re not going to need it.” “What do you mean? You know I love dancing with you, Bram,” she pouted. “Yeah, but by the way your boy, Gareth, is looking at me...” his voice trailed off. Turning she saw Gareth standing exactly where she left him. If looks could kill, poor Bram would be a mere splatter on the floor. “Don’t worry about him. He doesn’t own me, you know.” “I thought you...” Bram’s nose twitched, then his eyebrow arched in question. “I like him. Gods do I like him. I’m sure you don’t want me to start listing all his finer qualities. But he does not own me. Just because we had some…fun,” a very large smile tilted her lips, “doesn’t mean I can’t still play with my friends.” To prove her point, Lalita lifted to her tiptoes and gave Bram a kiss, on the corner of his mouth. For good measure, she slid her tongue over the slight break that formed as his lips parted slightly. “I’ll see you tomorrow night, Bram,” she told him silkily, her hand caressing his cock as she walked away. “La, are you trying to get me killed?” he asked, voice strained. “You’re too fun to play with, why would I do anything that would take you away from me?” “Then please, for the love of... If you don’t leave now, I think Gareth is going to try to kick my ass. Do you know how bad that would be?” “Fine. Party pooper,” she pouted. “I’ll see you tomorrow night,” she called back, blowing the bouncer one final kiss before she exited the club. Walking back to her apartment, contentment practically rolled off her in waves. Bram was so much fun to play with, to tease. But the real highlight of her night had been the time she spent in Gareth’s arms. She wanted to sigh when she heard the faint footsteps behind her about a block away from the club. They were incredibly soft and would have gone unnoticed by human ears, but thankfully, her senses were more acute. She froze and let out an audible sigh. “Is there something you…guys need, or are you simply having fun following me?” Very slowly, Lalita turned to face the blue haired guy and the blonde from the club. “We weren’t finished back there. You’re little bouncer boyfriend isn’t here to stop us this time,” ‘Blue’ sneered. “And what makes you think he was there to protect me?” Lalita asked, tilting her head slightly to the left. “And just what do you think you could do to the two of us that would make us need protection? ” The blonde’s body shook with laughter. “Are you concealing a weapon somewhere?” The man’s gaze raked over her barely covered body “No,” she smiled, showing her teeth. “I never conceal my weapons anymore.” Before either man could move, Lalita moved at an increased speed and stood behind the men before either could blink. “And now look, you made me use my powers. Not a good move when I’m already hungry...” The men twirled to look at her behind them. “How did you do that?” “Do what?” she asked innocently. “Now, where were we?” ‘Blue’ grabbed her by her arms and shoved her roughly against the wall of a building. When she remained silent, he asked, “What’s the matter, did you run out of cute things to say?” “Are you sure you want to do this? Because there’s still enough time for you to just walk away,” Lalita’s voice grew slightly husky as her desire for blood grew stronger. “What are you going to do to me, little girl? Looks to me like I’m the one that’s got the upper hand here.” “Then I guess I should warn you looks can be deceiving.” ‘Blue’ had a firm grip on her arms, pressing her back against the cold, hard bricks until they were biting through her dress. She held perfectly still, not because of his strength, she could easily break free from his grasp. If he ruins my dress on this wall he’s dead! He smelled her neck then licked her from collar to her ear. Lalita had to fight to keep herself from pulling away from him, shuddering from his caresses. Of course if it were Gareth… She didn’t even have to finish that thought before her pussy was flooded with moisture. “Dude, don’t you think you’re taking this a bit far?” the blonde man asked. “You’ve made your point; now let’s just get out of here.” “No. I’ll teach her to tease a man then walk away…” Lalita looked at the blonde and with a predatory stare told him, “Leave, now. Unless you want to share your friend’s

fate.” She flashed her fangs at the blonde, and to her satisfaction, he quickly retreated. “Pussy,” ‘Blue’ said with a sarcastic chuckle. “Now, what were you saying? Oh, yeah, you were trying to scare me. So, what exactly do you plan on scaring me with, little girl?” “Watch out, I bite.” She made no move to loosen his hold on her wrists or step away from the building he was pushing her up against. “That’s it? That’s supposed to scare me enough to make me leave you alone?” ‘Blue’ threw his head back and laughed. His neck completely exposed to her, Lalita smiled. If the man had seen it, he would have run as fast as he could to get away from her. “Don’t say I didn’t warn you,” she said only a second before her sharp teeth sank into his skin piercing the large vein. The man’s laughter stopped instantly as he gasped in pain. Lalita’s mouth filled with warm blood, but her face screwed up in distaste. She drank only as much as she needed, not a single drop more before releasing him. “Gods, eat some real food every now and then. You know grease and sugar are not two of the recommended food groups. Try a nice salad for a change,” she told him, wiping her hand across her mouth, praying that she would have something– anything–in her fridge to combat the disgusting aftertaste the man had left. “You, you bit me!” the man said his hand going straight to his neck and paling when he drew his hand back and saw the drops of blood. “You think? Gods, warn a man you bite, and he’s still shocked when you bite. You know, if you make me late to meet my sister, I’m going to be very upset. The woman still lectures me like I’m a child sometimes.” Lalita glared at the man as he held his neck. “What kind of freak are you?” he shouted. Shaking her head, Lalita sighed. Ignoring him, she turned and resumed walking back to her apartment. “I’m going to tell people what you did…” he threatened. For the second time that night, Lalita stopped and turned to face him. “Go ahead. Tell anyone you want. There are a hundred witnesses that saw you inside Club Strigoi. Do you think any one of them would as much as blink at your accusation? Darling, half the people there expect to either bite or be bitten. Well, you got your wish.” Turning on her heel, Lalita continued on to her apartment. She still had a foul taste in her mouth, but on the bright side she doubted the man would try to assault another person any time soon. Soon, she found herself reliving the memory of Gareth’s arms once again. By the time she finished climbing the stairs she was humming a tune. “Just where have you been? I told you to meet me in thirty minutes!” Kalynda asked standing in the open doorway. “Chill out,” Lalita said brushing past her sister and going straight to her stereo. She turned it on, and looked back at her sister in disgust. “What is this? You don’t just walk in to another woman’s house and change her music! Even if she is your sister. That just isn’t kosher!” Lalita turned her attention back to her stereo, putting it back on her favorite station, before quickly changing it over to one of the CD’s. Her music blaring out of the speakers, Lalita danced her way over to her refrigerator. She pulled the door and looked around. Unable to find anything appealing, she closed the door then walked over to the counter, grabbed a knife and sliced an apple into quarters, all without missing a beat of the music. “Why do you have to listen to this...this...this! I feel like my brain is going to melt out of my ears at any moment! La, I can barely hear myself speak!” Then chill. And you can stop shouting anytime you’d like. I’m not deaf. “You could have fooled me, with all this loud noise you listen to all the time. Why exactly haven’t your neighbors complained yet? You aren’t using your powers on them are you?” Kalynda’s eyes narrowed suspiciously. Nope. Soundproofing, Lalita told her sister proudly as she took a bite of the apple. Oh, Gods this is good! At that moment she couldn’t remember ever tasting anything so sweet. Mmmmm… “Will you cut that out and talk to me? Goddess, does everything make you think about sex?” “Spoil sport. And no, not everything makes me think about sex. I have absolutely no desire for sex now, with you standing here. And thanks a lot for that. Not! Do you realize I so could still be at CS, maybe even on my way back to Gar… a guy’s place by now? You totally ruined my night. This guy was totally into me tonight, Kaly. ” Lalita stomped her foot for emphasis. “Ok…First things first.” Kalynda walked over to the stereo and cut it off. The sudden silence caused Lalita to miss a step as she moved around her home. “Now that we can hear...” Kalynda glared at her, but Lalita shrugged it off. “I have a few questions. One, why are you devouring apples like that? Two, do you realize how dangerous it is for you to have sex with a

human? He was human wasn’t he? Three, could you have found a sluttier outfit?” Lalita decided to answer the questions out of order. Holding up a hand she raised a finger for each point. “One,” she raised one finger, “My snack left a bad taste in my mouth. But don’t worry; it was only some guy intent on raping me, so it was alright to bite him. Three,” she held up three fingers, “I think I look sexy. And two,” she lowered a finger until only two remained. “Yes, sister dear, I understand how dangerous it can be to have sex with a human. But I didn’t bite him, and I stopped him before he could bite me. Don’t give me that look,” Lalita quickly added as her sister’s arms folded over her chest. “There’s something special about this guy.” “You always think there’s something special about your flavor of the week.” “He’s different. If he were a vampire, I would so be all over him. Wouldn’t that make dear old mom and dad happy,” she sat down in her favorite overstuffed chair. Slouching down she sighed. “He is everything you would ever want in a mate.” Seeing Kalynda’s disbelieving look, she quickly amended, “Well, everything I could want in one. If I wasn’t so sure he was a human, I’d be tempted... Gods, would I be tempted...” “What makes you so sure he’s human?” Kalynda asked sitting down carefully on the sofa. “He has a sister. I know for a fact that she’s human.” Kalynda nodded her head. “A vampire would have changed her...” “Exactly.”

Chapter 3 After a few minutes of what she considered well-deserved sulking, Lalita finally spoke again. “So, what so all important that you made me walk out on the most fun I’ve had in over a decade?” “You always think you’re having the most fun ever,” Kalynda scolded. “If you’re going to keep treating me like this, I can go see if a certain guy is still in the mood to play. Speak, or leave. Or better yet, stay quiet so I can leave.” “Fine, I won’t warn you that ‘dear old mom and dad’ are coming for a visit.” Lalita’s eyes grew wide. “Do they have some kind of radar or something? Why do they have to make their ‘Once-adecade’ visit now! What? Could they feel that I was actually happy?” “Probably,” Kalynda teased her. “You are so not helping. The last time they were here...” she sighed. “The last time they were here they threw out my boyfriend and threatened to turn him into the main course if he ever showed up again.” “Which one was that?” “Max,” Lalita answered. “Wow, I’m impressed you remember their names...” “Sis, you really shouldn’t let how he looked fool you. The man was an absolute animal in bed. Honestly, I don’t think I actually remember much about his, um, ‘performances’,” Lalita said holding up quotation marks as she said the last word. “But, oh man, did he have one hell of a talented tongue.” “Oh. My. Goddess. I am so glad I didn’t eat before I came to warn you. I swear I think I’d be standing over your toilet. That man looked so nasty...” “Mmmm...you so would not have ever thought that if you had ever played with him.” Lalita stretched slightly in the chair. She was growing horny again just thinking about Max and his so talented tongue. Would Gareth be talented? Or would he be more of an ‘I don’t do oral’ guy? “One, ew! Two, you’re my sister; of course I’m not going to play with him. Three, did I mention ew!” “I so need to get laid…” Lalita said sighing. “You just…for the love of… Do you ever think about anything but sex?” “Of course. There’s also teasing, kissing, torture and blood.” “You just had sex! And I’ll thank you not to break into my mind again unless someone is really killing you!” Kalynda got a look of distaste on her face. “Do you know how long it took me to get those images out of my head?” She shivered. “I didn’t mean to call you. This guy just totally makes me lose control. Gods, why can’t he be a vampire?” “You could always change him.” “No, I can’t.” “Why not?” Kalynda asked leaning forward. “You know why not. Chanda would skin me and use me for a throw rug if she found out I changed a human.” “But that’s no reason to let Mr. Right get away. She’ll get over her obsession someday.” “No, she has a point. You never know how a man is going to take to ‘the change’. This guy is perfect now. If I change him, he could, well change. In more ways than one,” Lalita gave her sister a pointed look. The women sat in silence for a few minutes.

“You know, Kaly, you sure know how to kill the mood...” “You’re my baby sister, La. I live to kill your moods.” ***** How could she do that? Gareth fumed from his seat in the club. How could La walk away from me and into the arms of that bouncer? She’d even kissed him before she left! I’m the only man she’s supposed to kiss! “Calm down, now,” Melissa ordered from his left. “I am calm.” No I’m not, he silently admitted. He wanted to taste that bouncer’s blood! That would teach him not to touch his woman! “If you’re calm, please, start referring to me as ‘Madam President’.” “If you’re through, Madam President, I believe I’m ready to leave.” “Why can’t you just admit that La has gotten under your skin?” Melissa sighed. “Look, if you’re angry about that whole Bram thing, you know she teases him every night. You’ve seen her do it at least a hundred times in the past.” “I may have seen her tease him a hundred times, but never before had she left my arms to go tease another man,” he told her, his voice as sharp as his teeth. He felt his lust for the bouncer’s blood grow stronger. He didn’t dare admit that every time he saw his La pressed up against the other man he wanted to rip her away. Wanted to press her close to his body and show her just what he had been hungering to do to her… “Get a grip on yourself. And lose the attitude with me, buster. If it bothers you that much, you should tell her.” Gareth looked at his sister as though he had never seen her before. “Fine. But don’t say I didn’t warn you. Honestly, first you get mad because she dances with someone else, then you get all pissy because she teases Bram. Are you sure you aren’t really twenty-three? Let me ask you something, in all the time you spent with her, did you tell her that you liked her? Did you mention the two of you maybe could start dating?” He continued staring at her blankly. “I didn’t think so. So, you know, you can’t blame her for not reading your mind!” Melissa shook her head and took a long sip of her soda. “Lighten up or I will go home with the next man that asks me to dance, because I am so not going anywhere with you as angry as you are.” “I. Am. Not. Angry.” His jaw was clenched so tightly Gareth could taste blood where he scratched his lip. He was only thankful he hadn’t pierced his tongue. Again. It was Melissa’s turn to stare at him. “Fine, go home with whomever you choose. I’m leaving before I decide to do something I’d regret.” “But you’re not angry or anything...” Standing up he asked, “Are you coming or not?” “Fine. But I better not here any whining about La.” “I do not whine.” “Yeah, and you’re not angry either.” Melissa strode past him on her way to the exit. Maybe he should tell La that he wanted to date her? Maybe he should let her know that her flirting makes him want to rip innocent men’s heads off… No, he thought shaking his head. That would merely give her more power over me. She enjoys flaunting her power over men the way she enjoys flaunting that hot little body of hers! And she already had enough power over him without him adding more… ***** The following night Gareth sat at the group’s usual table waiting, impatiently for Lalita to arrive. The loud music, which he typically found soothing, did nothing to ease his tensions tonight. Damn her. He wondered if she would neglect to show up simply to torture him. That woman was going to drive him crazy! When she finally did arrive, he had to fight the instant surge of lust that rose from his blood. Even from this great distance, he could see her perfectly. Tonight she wore a black bustier and leather mini-skirt. The fishnet stockings and black stilettos made her long legs appear longer and Gareth ’s mouth watered from the sight. Her long midnight hair flowed loosely and her nails and lips were as black as a raven’s wing. The outfit made her look, not like some Goth chick out for a good time, but like a delicious dessert. Creamy and forbidden. Gareth’s hand balled into a fist as she walked over to the redheaded bouncer and teased him. Watching her, his anger mounted as he saw her fondle the man’s cock and whisper in his ear. He wanted to jump up, rip her clothes off, and bury himself deep inside her before her next breath. “Excuse me,” a young voice broke into his fantasy of thrusting into La’s willing body. Turning slightly Gareth looked at the girl. She was indeed young, no more than twenty-two. Most would call her pretty,

with her slender figure, shining brown eyes and smiling lips. Her hair was a light shade of blonde, but his keen eyesight spotted the barest hint of dark roots. “What?” “I’m sorry, this is going to sound so lame, but, would you like to dance?” Gareth smiled as Lalita walked to the table just in time to hear the girl ’s invitation to dance. He was pleased to see that she had worn no make up that night to conceal his mark, though it had faded more than he would have believed. He wondered if he simply hadn’t made it as dark as he thought he had. Sitting down next to him, in his sister’s usual seat, Lalita smiled at the woman. “No he would not. Actually, he may want to dance, but not with you.” Leaning back in his chair, Gareth was ready to enjoy a good catfight. It’d been too long since he last seen one. ***** Lalita couldn’t believe what she was hearing. She couldn’t believe that this girl thought she could simply walk up and take Gareth away! She had taken more cold showers than she cared to count since her sister left her alone in her apartment the previous night. She had even pulled out her favorite toys, but nothing seemed to help her craving for him. “I think he can answer for himself.” “Why? I’ve already answered for him. Now why don’t you toddle off and find someone a bit more your speed.” “And who are you? His girlfriend?” Yes! She wanted to scream. But she couldn’t. Gareth made her no promises the night before. “No, I’m not his girlfriend. But I am his lover,” she added smugly, showing off her lethal fangs. “Well, if you’re not his girlfriend, he can answer for himself. And you really do need to go speak to the person that did your teeth, honey. They don’t fool anyone.” Lalita saw red at the woman’s audacity. Her teeth did not look fake! How could they when they were very real, very deadly! “Maybe I should show you just how dangerous they are,” she threatened in a low voice. “Sorry, I’m not into women. Now, about that dance...” Lalita was poised to hiss and attack the woman when Gareth responded behind her. “Sure, why not.” As she watched, stunned, Gareth–her Gareth–took that woman out onto the floor. Lalita’s anger grew almost incontrollable when the clearly bleached blonde looked back at her and smirked. Lalita sat at the table, digging her nails into the wooden tabletop. What did she care? It was just a dance. It isn’t as though we are in a relationship, she tried reasoning with herself. Yeah, just a dance. The same way he simply danced with you last night, a sadistic voice inside her head commented. Forcing her body to relax, she countered the thought. We made no promises last night. Just enjoy it for what it was, a little bit of fun. Finally easing her grip on the tabletop, Lalita couldn ’t help but notice that now there were eight crescents about a quarter inch deep marring the surface. Closing her eyes she took a few deep breaths. She came here to have fun, by the Gods, she’d have fun! Standing up, Lalita strode purposefully to where Bram stood, his gaze roaming over the crowd for any signs of trouble. “Back again so soon?” he teased. “You owe me a dance,” she told him stopping in front of him, one black nail resting in the center of his shirt. “La, I’m working...” She turned to one of the bouncers at the door and smiled at them. “Would one of you boys mind doing me a favor?” she asked in a seductive voice, her head tilted slightly and a pout on her lips. When they nodded their heads, she continued. “Would one of you watch the floor so Bram can dance with me? I’d be ever so grateful.” Lalita bit down lightly on her lower lip. When both sets of eyes instantly lowered to her mouth, then farther down she knew she had them. She just needed to put one final nail in the coffin… “I’m sure I could find some way to thank you...” “Sure,” one replied eagerly. “No problem, we can watch the floor for him. Take as long as you need...” “Thank you.” Smiling, she turned back to Bram. “You owe me a dance.” She pulled the bouncer into the crowd and started dancing with him, her body moving to the techno beat, every movement designed to tantalize him, to tease him. Resisting the urge to smile, Lalita felt Bram’s hands on her body, pulling her closer. She moved back until she was so close that no one could attempt to step between them as they danced.

People all around them stopped dancing, mesmerized by the couple’s dance, but she barely noticed them. The only thing on her mind was the music. She let it envelop her, controlling her movements as she swayed and twisted her body against her partner’s. When the song ended, and her concentration was no longer centered on the music, Lalita noticed two things. Bram was sweating and there was a crowd staring at them. “What?” she asked the bouncer as they moved with the music, this time her movements were much more sedate. “La, if you weren’t such a damn good friend, and I thought for one minute that Gareth wouldn’t try to kill me right here, we’d be fucking right now.” “I don’t understand,” she told him, confused. “It was just a dance.” “No, darlin’ it wasn’t. You’ve never been more... Shit, I can’t even think straight. I swear, La, I’ve never wanted to bend you over and fuck you so badly...” “Then what are you waiting for...” she asked, stepping closer to him. “Bram, we’re friends, we’ll always be friends, so why don’t you and I go into the other room and get...friendly?” Raising her mouth to his, Lalita was pleased when he kissed her back. Gods, the man can kiss, she thought as his tongue tasted her lips. As it brushed against her super sensitive fangs, she sighed. He’s a fabulous kisser, but he isn’t Gareth, her body cried. Bram pulled away from her and looked into her eyes. “Tell me you didn’t think of Gareth once during that kiss. Tell me that, La, and I’ll take you into that backroom right now and fuck that sweet body of yours until you pass out.” La wanted to look away, to hide her real feelings from him. The previous night she would have been able to tell him honestly that Gareth hadn’t crossed her mind because he wouldn’t have. But she respected Bram, loved him too much to lie to him. “You are one hell of a kisser,” she told him, without breaking eye contact. “But?” “But I can’t tell you what you want to hear.” She took a small step back from him. “Gods, I wish I could. I wish I could lie to you and let you take me in the back room and make me forget all about him and the last twenty-four hours. Hell, I bet you could make me forget the last twenty-four years! But I love you too much to lie to you.” Bram kissed her again, much more gently this time. “Thank you for being honest. I love you too, La. But it wasn’t meant to be for us.” “Please don’t tell me that this ruins everything. Tell me you’re still my friend…” Looking up at him, she felt the hot tears threatening to spill from her eyes. “Of course not, La. I will be here for you always. ” Pulling her tight to his chest again, Bram comforted her. “You couldn’t get rid of me if you tried,” he told her pressing a soft kiss to her hair. ***** Gareth wanted to rip the other man’s arms off. Only a handful of times in his past had he wanted to do as much harm to another living creature as he did at that moment to the bouncer dancing with his woman. Grinding his teeth together, he watched as their dance turned more and more sensual, more and more sexual. His own partner forgotten, he joined the crowd that stared at them. But unlike the rest of them, he continued to stare when their dance became more sedate. The loud bass of the music mixing with the laughter and flirting surrounded him, preventing him from hearing what the two discussed, but his blood boiled when he saw the other man kissing Lalita. He became even more furious when he saw her kissing him back! How dare she try to give someone else that which belonged to him! The crowd moved around him, surrounding him until the couple was blocked from his sight. When he could see them once again, the man had his arms wrapped tightly around Lalita’s body and he was pressing a kiss against her hair. The other man chose that moment to look up, staring at Gareth, he leaned down, and whispered into La’s ear. The music faded to nothingness, so complete was Gareth’s focus on the couple. His upper lip curled into a snarl, and he was ready to walk over and interrupt their interlude. His hands clenched into fists as he imagined what it would feel like to wrap them around the other man’s thick neck. He would glory in ripping the bouncer apart. With his fangs he would rip through his flesh until anyone standing nearby would be sprayed, his blood coating everything within reach. Only then would he grab Lalita by her beautiful hair and pull her away with him. The caring lover of the previous night would be gone as he reminded her of what it felt like to be in his arms. He would show her a much more realistic version of caveman desires. He would thrust into her tight body until she promised to never as much as look at another man again! “There you are. The crowd must have separated us,” the blonde told him, weaving her arm through one of his own.

Gareth wanted to groan as Lalita chose that moment to look over at him. Why did she have to wait until that blonde woman was hanging all over him to look in his direction? Before she could say a word, he turned and stormed off the dance floor, his young dance partner eagerly following him. When he sat down, the blonde sat next to him. He was quickly growing tired of Lalita’s games. He looked at the blonde for only a moment before turning away. As his sister approached, he wanted to groan yet again. He wanted to slouch and tell her that it wasn’t his fault that the girl was clinging to him the way she was. But, since that did not fit his image as a leader, he sat there, back straight and unflinching under her angry gaze. How much more embarrassing can tonight become, he wondered, wishing he had stayed inside his own home that night. It was bad enough his own sister caused him to feel guilt and shame, but now he got to keep seeing Lalita and that bouncer dancing inside his head. “Move,” Melissa said her voice hard as she looked the blonde. “Another jealous lover?” the blonde asked in a bored voice, as she examined her nails. “His sister. And if you want to walk out of this building without a limp, you’ll move now.” Realizing her mistake, the blonde quickly shifted to the place on his right. “Who is she?” Melissa asked him. Gareth shrugged. He had never stopped to get the girl’s name. Let her introduce herself, he thought grumpily. “Diane. Pleased to meet you.” “Whatever. Where the hell is La?” His sister’s easy dismissal of the girl amused him until she had mentioned Lalita. “With Bram,” he answered tersely. “What the hell is she doing with him?” “Go ask her. But don’t be surprised when you interrupt something. They looked...cozy.” “Gods, what do I have to straighten out this time?”

Chapter 4 “Oh, you mean her?” Diane asked, pointing to Lalita as she walked toward the table alone. “I’m going to call it a night. Night, Mel, wish we’d had a chance to hang before I left.” Is that bouncer leaving with you? Are you two going to go someplace to be alone? Are you going to let him fuck you the way I did last night? Gareth’s eyes narrowed slightly as he pictured Lalita in the other man’s arms, her stripping for him... He had to force back the roar that wanted to escape his throat at the thought of her infidelity. Melissa sighed. “Damn it! You and you, follow me.” She pointed first at Lalita then at Gareth. “I don’t think so,” Gareth responded trying to maintain his cool appearance. “Did I ask you a question?” Melissa asked, placing her hands on her hips. Uh-oh. Hands on the hips, this is not good. He knew she was beyond angry when she did that. “Mel, this can wait. I’m not in the mood for games tonight,” Lalita told her. Could have fooled me, the way you were all over bouncer-boy just a few minutes ago… “Good, because neither am I. Now, I want you people up and following me this minute. And by the Gods, I will pull you by your ears if I must!” When Diane started to stand up as well, his sister turned her wrath on the newcomer. “You are not invited. Sit.” The woman instantly obeyed, though she looked as though she would have liked nothing better than to protest. Melissa walked without looking back to see if they were following her. She pushed her way through the crowd until they were at the back room where he and Lalita had been so intimate the previous night. Gareth was the last person in their little train, and under different circumstances he would have enjoyed the view. He would have smiled as he watched Lalita’s sweet ass swaying from side to side, tempting men as she walked past them. “Inside!” Melissa growled, holding the door open. Once the trio were inside the room, and could be heard without having to shout, she continued speaking. “Neither of you are leaving this room until you settle whatever’s going on between you two. Agree that you are together or agree to be fuck buddies. I don’t care. But you will agree before you leave this room.” “What makes you think I care what your brother does?” Lalita asked, tossing her hair back. “I saw the look on your face when that girl was hanging on him at the table.” Gareth felt a corner of his mouth twitch as he fought, unsuccessfully, to keep from smiling. Busted, he taunted inside his head. “Don’t you get that look on your face,” Melissa said without turning to look at him. “I saw the way you looked when she danced with Bram. Like it or not people, you two have to come to an understanding. I’ll be waiting outside for your decision.” Melissa turned to leave.

“Mel, you know you’re super cool right?” Gareth watched as his sister smiled. “But if you think you can keep me in a room against my will, you are sadly mistaken.” ***** Lalita was not in the mood to humor her friend. She was exhausted, mentally and emotionally; and she still had to make arrangements for her parents’ visit next week. She groaned inside her head. Maybe she should just ask Bram to pretend to be her boyfriend. She was sure they couldn’t find anything wrong with him! “La, you’re going to do this. You two were ready to start throwing punches tonight, over dances! I don’t care what happened between you two, but settle it or there will be hell to pay. And no, I don’t mean from me,” Melissa said glaring at her. “Do you think Bram and the other bouncers will put up with both of you throwing tantrums? Is it fair to them to force them to?” The mention of Bram stole Lalita’s anger. She at least owed it to him to try to work things through with Gareth. Even if it is just to say they’d had fun and now are going to move on. “Fine,” Lalita said. Without waiting for Gareth’s answer or to see the look on Melissa’s face she turned and walked toward the old faded sofa. She sat down, amazed at how comfortable and sturdy the ratty looking thing actually was. “There will be no living with you until I talk to her will there?” “Of course there will. It won’t be peaceful, but you’ll still be alive.” “Fine.” Gareth leaned against the table in the center of the room. The two sat in silence for several minutes after Melissa left the room. “Well?” Lalita said unable to stand the silence any longer. “What do you mean ‘Well’? Start talking.” “I’ve said everything I need to say.” “You haven’t said a word yet.” “Go ask your groupie. I’m sure she’ll remember exactly what was said, even if you can’t,” Lalita said her anger growing. By the Gods! She was glad she had the luxury of keeping her teeth long, positive that at that moment she couldn’t retract them even if she’d wanted to. “Groupie? Oh, you mean when you answered for me about that stupid dance. Gods, La, it was a dance! What exactly was the big deal? I didn’t realize what I did was so important to you,” he smirked. “It’s not. The big deal, Gareth, was that if I hadn’t shown up you wouldn’t have given her the time of day!” Lalita rose to her feet, her body primed for an attack. “Then maybe you should have kept your mouth shut and I wouldn’t have danced with her. I won’t be told what I can and can’t do! I am not a child!” he growled. “I wasn’t telling you anything.” “Then you shouldn’t have tried to act like my mother!” “Sweetie, if I wanted to act like your mother, I wouldn’t have fucked you last night,” she told him in a deceptively sweet tone. “At least I didn’t give the whole damn club a show!” he threw back, his fangs showing through parted lips. “Who gave the club a show? I was just dancing. Gods, Gareth, it was merely a dance, what is the big deal?” She threw his own words back into his face. “You were the one that made it clear that last night didn’t change anything between us, so why shouldn’t I have a little fun?” “A little fun? A little fun! Going to the Zoo, enjoying your favorite dessert, that’s a little fun. You were…” He closed his mouth and looked away. “I was what? You gonna call me a slut? You want to say I’ll ‘do’ any man? Do you think I care? Do you think that’s something I’ve never heard before? Try again.” Lalita refused to look away from him. It would destroy her if he agreed; if he said she acted like a whore. “That’s not what I was going to say.” “Then what were you going to say?” “Does it matter?” “Hell yeah, it matters!” Lalita took a step closer to him, allowing her anger to carry her. “Tough. Learn to accept that things won’t always go your way.” Eyes narrowing, the urge to slap him became almost overwhelming. Her blood boiled, she wanted–needed to do something to vent before she lost all her control. She approached him until she was close enough that she could reach out and touch him. “Fuck you!” She swung her open palm, but before it made contact with his cheek, he had it in a firm grip. It wasn’t hard enough to hurt her, but the grip wouldn’t allow her to pull her hand back either.

“I think maybe I will,” he growled, causing her pussy to instantly drip with moisture. Gareth stood up to his full height and stepped closer to her. Even though she knew he was only a human, that he couldn ’t really do anything to hurt her without a weapon, Lalita couldn’t stop herself from taking a step back. His grip on her wrist prevented her from retreating. It allowed her to take no more than a step or two away from him, but she continued to back up until her back was against the wall. Shit! Gareth captured her other wrist, held them both above her head and against the wall then pushed his knee between her legs, separating them slightly. Damn he’s strong for a human, she thought as she tried to tug her hands free. She had to fight her body’s reaction to him as each time she moved with her struggles, her willing body shifted across his knee. That only made her hungrier for him. “No where left to run, La,” he told her, his voice calm and low. “I wasn’t running,” she denied, her voice shaking. “Liar.” He brought his face close to her and the tip of his tongue traced her shoulder. Lalita felt his smile against her flesh as Gareth nibbled on her neck. “Do you know what it felt like to see you dancing like that with another man?” He bit down a little harder on the sensitive spot just below her ear. It wasn’t hard enough to break her skin and allow him to taste her blood, but it caused a shiver of desire to run down her spine. One he clearly felt. “I don’t want you,” she lied huskily as her body practically quivered with need. He shifted slightly until both of her hands were clasped in only one of his. Still holding them above her head, Gareth leaned down slightly until his face was level with her breasts. Before she could protest, or offer to help, she felt his free hand beneath her skirt, lying on her upper thigh. One minute his hand was resting innocently on her flesh, the next she heard ripping. She didn’t have to be a rocket scientist to know that he had just torn her thong away from her body. The cool breeze on her hot flesh told her that. “You don’t want me?” he asked in a mesmerizing voice, holding up the ruined underwear. Lalita didn’t have to look at them to know they were noticeably wet. She couldn’t deny her body’s reaction to him, so instead she simply remained silent. She attempted to glare at him instead of look at him hungrily, begging him with her eyes to fuck her. “Nothing to say?” Gareth asked as he pulled her skirt up, bunching it at her waist. She had to fight back a moan as his fingers caressed her bare pussy. “You shaved,” he commented with a smile. Lalita stared at him unwilling to look away from his stare. His smile never wavering, Gareth stroked her folds, spreading her moisture over her pussy. With each stroke, his finger slid a little farther between her lips. Lalita couldn’t hold his look any longer. She closed her eyes, praying that she would be able to keep her hips from arching closer to his hand as he pulled it back slightly. She failed. A moan escaped her lips when he rubbed her clit with a light pressure. Lalita spread her legs farther apart to allow him better access to her dripping sex. She wanted–needed–him closer, ached for more than just his teasing touch on her body. “Are you sure you don’t want me?” he asked so close to her ear that she could feel the warmth radiating from his body. “Then maybe I should stop...” As Gareth withdraw his hand Lalita’s eyes flew open. “Don’t make me bite you,” she threatened huskily. “Sweetheart, you’d have to catch me before you could bite me. You, on the other hand, are caught. What’s to stop me from biting you?” He nibbled on her shoulder again, increasing his pressure again. If he bit her any harder, he’d taste her blood. Lalita tried to suppress the erotic desire the thought conjured. No, you must remember that that would be a bad thing, she reminded herself. But that didn’t stop the flood of pure lust ripping through her loins. “I have a feeling you’d enjoy it more than you care to admit.” “Gareth...” she whimpered as his fingers left her body. “Make up your mind, sweetheart, either you want me or you don’t,” he told before continuing his assault on her neck. “But if you want me, you have to tell me,” he added. Damn you, she thought. She should have known he wouldn’t make this easy on her. For a moment she considered remaining quiet, not telling him how much she wanted him. It was clear from the look on his face, his actions that he already knew and just wanted to torture her. But Lalita knew the only person she would be hurting by remaining silent would be herself. Gareth might feel some disappointment, but that would be all. Especially with Ms. ‘Blonde

From a Bottle’ so eager to jump on his lap when he returns to the table… “Last chance, La,” he told her, beginning to pull away from her. “Damn you,” she glared at him as he smirked. She struggled against his grip again, trying to pull her hands free so she could hit him. “You know I want you.” “But I want to hear you say it.” “I just did.” Gareth simply watched her, clearly waiting to hear the words. Lalita sighed. “Fine. I want you. Are you happy?” “No. We’ll have to work on that sometime,” he replied. “But not right now.” ***** With one hand, Gareth unbuttoned his jeans, unwilling to release her just yet. He was enjoying having Lalita at his mercy, not that he would ever hurt her. He knew it was merely the caveman instinct, the instinct to grab Lalita by her hair and drag her back to his cave. The one that demanded she acknowledge that she belonged to him and him alone. Now and forever. He jerked his jeans down to his thighs and guided himself to her soaked sex then pulled her leg up to his waist. With one stroke, he buried himself completely inside of her, groaning at how wonderfully tight she felt around him. For a moment he simply stood there, enjoying the feeling of being buried deep inside of her. When he finally thrust into her, his movements were hard. This would be no gentle coupling. This was a man staking claim to his woman! He was thankful for the solid wall at her back, allowing him to thrust hard and deep into her willing body. Lalita moaned and struggled against his hold on her wrists. Gareth merely tightened his grip and continued to thrust into her. Lowering his lips to her neck, to the same spot that still bore his mark, he sucked the flesh into his mouth. Careful not to pierce her skin, he made the mark darker. He wanted to make sure everyone that saw her knew she belonged to him. Her moans came faster, merging into one long sound. Forcing himself to release her neck before he became tempted to taste her blood, he felt Lalita’s pussy tighten. It contracted around him, pushing him closer to his own release. With just a few more strokes he felt his balls tighten and his cock begin to pulse inside of her as he experienced his own orgasm. Gareth stood there, still buried inside of her, his weight pushing her against the wall as he rested his head on her shoulder and released the leg he held tightly against his waist. “Mine,” he said forcefully his forehead still resting on her flesh. “All mine.” Thank the Gods she’s human. If she weren’t, he’d be worried about getting her pregnant. The Gods knew he couldn’t seem to be able to keep his hands off of her now that he’d been given a taste of her. “What?” she asked dazed. Gareth lifted his head and looked in her eyes, meeting her dark blue gaze. “You are mine.” ***** Lalita couldn’t believe she heard him right. Part of her wanted to jump for joy that he was staking such a claim on her. But the part of her that gloried in the twenty first century balked. How dare he try to claim her! She belonged to no man! “No man owns me,” she told him, her modern side winning the battle. “Make no mistake, I may not own you, La. But you are mine. Shall I prove it to you again?” he asked with a smirk. He twitched his hips slightly against hers, reminding her that he was still buried deep inside of her body. “Let go of me.” Lalita resumed her struggles to get free. Gareth simply watched her as she struggled to free her hands. “What exactly are you trying to prove here?” she asked ceasing her struggles. Getting mad wouldn’t help. It was time to use her brain. Think La! “I’m not trying to prove anything,” he told her calmly. “Then why won’t you release me?” Lalita wanted to whimper when his cock slid out of her body and he shifted his legs slightly, taking a commanding stance. “Because you haven’t agreed that you’re mine yet.” “And if I don’t agree?” “I have all night, La.” She wanted to growl. She wanted to find a way to prove to him that he couldn ’t order her around, but the task was made harder considering part of her wanted nothing more than to melt into his embrace and thrill in his claim. That leaves only one option. Lalita wasn’t looking forward to what she had to do, but she would allow no man to stake any form of ownership on her. Even if she wanted him to. It’s the principle of the matter, she tried convincing herself. Lalita smiled and tilted her head in invitation, and just as she had hoped, Gareth leaned down to kiss her. As his tongue

stroked her sensitive fangs, she had to mentally shake her head. I’m sorry, she thought as she shifted. Closing her legs and pulling one leg back, she kicked him as hard as she could, without causing any permanent damage, in the shin. Gareth jerked back from her, his expression a mixture of pain and anger. “I’ll catch you around sometime, Gareth.” Straightening her skirt, she walked over to the door. Walking through the door and past her friend, she refused to stop for any questions. The last thing she needed right now was to be asked what they had agreed upon. Her back straight, Lalita made her way through the crowd, looking for Bram. She spotted him hauling a man out of the club. Lalita walked as quickly as she could to catch up to him. She didn’t want to have to try to track him through the club again. “Damn, I hate it when a man doesn’t know how to take his liquor. Go sober up!” he said as he tossed the man roughly out of the door. She watched as he turned on one of the men watching the door. “We do not allow drunks to enter! If they aren’t sober when they try to come in, tell them to go somewhere else, or make them stand in line until they sober up. Do not allow another drunk into this club. Am I clear?” “Sure, Bram. Sorry about that man.” Lalita stood there staring in confusion. This was a side of her friend she had never seen before. The other bouncer looked afraid of him! “La, I didn’t know you were behind me…” “I’m heading out. I just wanted to let you know.” Bram’s nose twitched, and he smiled. “Glad to know you and Gareth have kissed and made up.” “Not really.” Bram’s eyebrow arched and he stared at her, his expression growing angrier. “La, did he...” “No, he didn’t. I let him. I wanted him to. It’s just everything’s so complicated. And right now I need some time away.” “I never thought I’d see the day that you went running from anything. Damn, La, I need to write this on my calendar.” “I’m not running from him,” she said a little too forcefully. “Look, the stuff I have going on...it’s not just him. My parents are coming by soon, and Kaly is on one of her kicks again...” Bram nodded thoughtfully then ruined the effect as his face broke out in a smile. “You’re running from him. Try that shit on someone that doesn’t know you. I think you deliberately searched for a man to piss your parents and sisters off last time they came for a visit.” “I did not! I can’t help it if the guy I happened to be interested in at the time was the complete opposite of everything they hold dear...” Bram laughed. “We’ll be here when you’re ready to come back, La. Don’t stay away too long. You’ll be missed.” Lalita hugged Bram and smiled as she looked up into his face. “You’ll just miss the way I keep you hard as a rock,” she said, her hand slipping down his body to his erection. “Try to have fun without me,” she teased and gave him a lingering kiss on the cheek. She left the club quickly, unsure of how long Gareth would be delayed by her blow to his shin. She knew the blow to his ego wouldn’t allow him to simply walk away. Moving as swiftly as she could without using the increased speed that came naturally to her people, Lalita returned to her building. She hurried as she climbed the stairs, and didn’t stop until she was inside her home, behind a nice, safe, closed door. In the silence of her home Lalita allowed herself to admit what she had denied to everyone else. Gareth scared her. Not because of who he was, the leader of a Goth clique. Not even because he had fangs, she found those sexy. Even his amazing strength didn’t scare her. She was certain he would never intentionally hurt her. Gareth was too gentle, too nice, despite his image. She rubbed her wrists where he had captured them. His grip had been firm, but not punishing. She knew he would have stopped immediately at any point earlier if that had been what she wanted... Lalita took a few steps away from the door. He scared her. But why? The answer was scary in its simplicity—because he was perfect. He was the man she’d dreamt of since she was a little girl, the man she was never supposed to be able to find. The one she could never tell most of her family about. Heading for the kitchen, she admitted that she wasn’t sure what she would do once inside the room. She merely wanted to have something to do to keep herself from going crazy. “I can always start fixing those cute snacks that freak my parents out,” she told the empty room. She smiled, feeling a little better now that she had something else to occupy her thoughts.

Halfway to her kitchen, she heard a knock on her door. Sighing she thought, it’s probably Chanda. Her oldest sister would want to make sure she’d found out about their parent’s visit before it was too late. Returning to the door she opened it without bothering to see who was on the other side. “Come on in,” she called as she headed for the kitchen once again. As the door behind her closed, the hairs on the back of Lalita’s neck stood up. “Thank you. Now, where were we before you kicked me?”

Chapter 5 If he hadn’t been so angry, Gareth would have laughed when Lalita turned to face him. Her eyes were wide with surprise, her entire face rosy with a blush. He made an effort to rest casually against her door, as though he had not a care in the world. “Are you even going to apologize?” he asked. “For what?” Closing his eyes, Gareth prayed for patience. “For kicking me. You left a bruise, and I do not bruise easily!” “Then maybe the next time a woman tells you to let her go, you will.” She turned her back on him, heading for the open kitchen. “I would have released a woman. But you’re not a woman. You’re my woman.” “No, I’m not,” she told him from the refrigerator she was digging through. “I agree with Mel, La. We need to figure out what is going on between us before some innocent bystander gets hurt.” “Puh-leese,” she drawled. “I don’t fight for petty reasons. And there is no more petty reason than over a man,” she said giving him a chilling look. “I’m wounded. Are you even going to offer me something to drink? A tour?” he asked, looking around. So far, Lalita’s home looked nothing as he had imagined. He looked over the large blue couch, the floral area rug done in shades of blue, and the dark wood entertainment center. There were no pictures on the coffee and cream walls, nor on any surface he could see. “You really are being a rather rude hostess.” “You invited yourself to my home and now you call me a rude...” Lalita sighed. “Would you like something to drink? I have water, water, or water.” “Water’s fine, thank you.” He watched her fill a glass from the dispenser on her freezer door. When she handed it to him, he was amused that she took great pains not to touch him. Gareth sipped his drink. He wasn’t really thirsty, but he wasn’t sure what other tactics he could use to delay her from kicking him out of her house. He mentally winced at the phrase. He hoped she never had a reason to kick him again. She’s strong for a human… “Now, what about that tour?” he asked with an innocent smile. “You really do seem to have a lovely home. It’s nothing like I imagined.” “And just what did you imagine?” she asked walking past him and into a small hallway. Gareth followed her. “Black paint. Dark purple accents. Lots of chrome. Maybe some chains hanging from the walls. Whips, handcuffs... You know, the usual things you see in the movies.” “What movies do you watch?” she asked disdainfully. “Alright, you wanted a tour, you get the nickel tour. You’ve seen my living room and kitchen, this is my guest bathroom,” Lalita waved her hand across the opened door. Gareth looked in, noting that this looked a bit more like the Lalita he knew. The burgundy walls looked elegant, and a lace shower curtain barely covered another curtain of the same shade as the walls. “This is my guest bedroom,” she said waving to another open door across from the bathroom. This room reflected the same tastes as the living room. This room had one wall covered in tasteful floral wallpaper, and the other three walls were painted a light green. The shade blended so perfectly that Gareth had a feeling it was mixed by someone that had been given a sample of the paper. Even the closet doors had been painted the same shade of green. The double bed, with complimenting floral comforter, was against the wall of flowers and had a dark cherry nightstand on either side. The only other piece of furniture in the room was a matching dark cherry dresser, complete with mirror above it. “And my office,” Lalita said, continuing down the hall. Gareth stepped inside this room, feeling a bit of awe. She is definitely a technology enthusiast! He saw two desks completely set up, with the works. Each had its own computer, one even had dual monitors. The room was a dark green that reminded Gareth of something you would find in a forest. There was a chrome filing cabinet in one corner and not a single stray piece of paper could be seen. “What do you do?”

“I’m in website designs. I help design web banners, graphics, that kind of stuff.” “I’m impressed,” he said, voice filled with awe. “Ok, you’ve gotten a drink, you’ve seen my home. Leave.” “But you haven’t shown me your bedroom yet,” he told her with a smile. “And I’m not going to.” “What’s the matter? Are you afraid to show it to me?” he taunted. “No. I said you were getting the nickel tour. This concludes the nickel tour. You have to have at least the fifty cents tour to see my bedroom. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m really very busy.” “I think you’re scared. It’s this room right?” Gareth took a step closer to the only closed door in the hallway. “I’ll just take a quick peek, then shut the door back.” “Damn it, Gareth,” Lalita said, trying to catch him before he opened her bedroom door. Before she could reach him, he had the door open and flipped on the light. Gareth’s jaw dropped. The walls were painted black and there were dark purple curtains hanging where he assumed her windows would be; there was even a matching bead curtain leading into what he assumed would be her bathroom. The walls were bare, with the exception of a single rosary hanging on the wall beside the curtains. The room had no carpeting, not even an area rug. The only piece of furniture to be found was a large bed in the center of the room. One that looked amazingly like a… “You sleep in a coffin?” he asked, too stunned to do more than stare. “Do you have a problem with my bed?” Lalita entered the room and crossed her arms over her chest. “You sleep in a large coffin...” he repeated. From the sheer size of it, Gareth would bet her ‘bed’ could fit three people, easily! For two it would be more than enough to do anything. “And? What’s the big deal? It’s not like I’m asking you to sleep in it.” The more he stared at it, the more intrigued he became with her ‘bed’. Stepping closer, he examined it more thoroughly. It had a beautifully dark cherry finish, and he knew it must be polished regularly, since it gleamed even in the meager light. It was even set up on a matching wooden frame. How would the inside look? Would it have a silky interior? Does she sleep on the wooden base, or is there some form of mattress inside? What would it be like to make love to La inside of it, he wondered. He’d never had sex in a coffin before. Gareth couldn’t stop his chest from vibrating with laughter, though he managed to muffle the sound. A vampire actually having sex in a coffin. Priceless, he chuckled. It would definitely be a memorable occasion. One that would be practically impossible to top! “Are you done gawking at my bed? Will you leave or do I have to kick you again?” “I want to see the inside,” he told her turning around. Glaring at him, her eyes narrowed to mere slits. “And if I say no?” “Then I’ll pull the top off anyway,” he told her with a smile. “Come on, you can’t have a coffin for a bed and not expect people to wonder what the inside looks like.” He approached the bed until his hands were resting on the smooth, glossy lid. “I don’t mind people seeing what the inside looks like. I mind you seeing it. I did not invite you to my home. I did not invite you into my bedroom. And Gareth, so help me, if you take the top off of my bed, I’ll make you forget all about the pain in your shin. You’ll be too busy prying my heel out of your ass to give another thought to your shin! And keep in mind these are a pair of my favorite shoes, so that will only make me madder!” Gareth looked down at the lid beneath his hands then back at Lalita. Every cell in his body told him that she meant it. Putting his hands up in the classic ‘I surrender’ style, he took several steps back. “Fine, I’ll wait until I’m invited.” Gareth exited the room. “Don’t hold your breath.” “I’m wounded. You aren’t very good for my ego, La. I can see I’m going to have to show you just how persuasive I can be.” ***** Lalita followed Gareth out of her bedroom, carefully closing the door behind her. As she watched him she shifted between feeling highly annoyed at the man and completely tingly. Kalynda chose that moment to break into her head. La, honey, Mom and Dad are here. They want to come see you tonight… They weren’t supposed to arrive until next week! Lalita got an image of her parents throwing Max out of her apartment and threatening to dismember him if he ever came near her again. She even saw the chilling smile they wore when they promised no one would ever find his body parts... Then their anger as they ranted at her for daring to stoop to ‘being with’ a human! Great. Could her night get any worse? Kaly, can you stall them?

Maybe, but I doubt it will work very long… I’ll take every minute you can get me. Lalita sensed her sister’s sigh and her irritation. Alright. I’ll warn you when we’re on our way. Thanks, Sis! she sent back with as much gratitude as she could. “Gareth, you need to leave. You’ve had your drink. You’ve seen my home. Leave.” “There you go being rude again.” He walked over to her and took her into his arms. Trying to fight her body’s instant reaction to being pressed tightly against him was like trying to win a war single handedly. Impossible. Before she had time to reinforce her defenses, he kissed her. His tongue demanded entrance to her mouth and she obliged, moaning as he caressed her fangs. Lalita’s hips were pulled tight against Gareth’s and she could feel his cock, hard and ready for her through their clothes. His hands cupped her ass and she whimpered when they released her. A few seconds later she felt his fingers begin to knead her bare bottom. She was instantly reminded of her lack of underwear as she felt cool air blowing across her wet pussy. Arching her hips into him, she knew that it would take only a matter of seconds for him to enter her; that it would take only as long as Gareth needed to pull his pants down. His hands wandered around her body to stroke her wet folds. Lalita! She jerked away from Gareth, her ardor instantly gone. “What’s wrong?” he asked concerned. “N-nothing,” she stammered. Lalita Ellenora, you better answer me! Don’t think I don’t know what your sister is trying to do. She’s trying to stall for you and I want to know why this instant. M-mom, I didn’t know you were in town so soon. I wasn’t expecting you until next week… Mmm-hmmmm, she saw her mother’s scowl. Don’t try to play innocent with me. Why don’t you want us to come visit your home? You have a man there, don’t you! Damn! Don’t you talk to me like that! Yes ma’am. Sorry ma’am. No. No, there’s no man here. Lalita prayed she sounded convincing. Good, we’ll be there in five minutes. Her mother closed the connection and Lalita panicked. “Damn, damn, damn!” She swore as she paced. “Well, I think we were doing pretty well myself,” he said sarcastically as she straightened her skirt. “Ok, quit the B.S., what will it take for you to leave this minute?” She watched Gareth walk over to her entertainment center and lounge against it. “Anything I want?” “Yes... No... Maybe. What?” she demanded. “Why’s it so important?” Glaring at him, she answered his question, instinctively knowing he wouldn ’t answer her or move until she did. “My parents are on their way. I need you to be gone.” On his skeptical look she bluffed. “I saw the clock. That was one of the reasons I didn’t want you in here in the first place.” “Fine. Here’s what I want in return. You. Tomorrow night. Just you and me, discussing what’s going on between us, maybe more,” he winked, a half smile curving his lips. “There isn’t anything to discuss,” she insisted. “I wonder if your parents will like me,” Gareth asked with a smirk. “I hope they aren’t old fashioned...” Lalita glanced at the clock. She had four minutes to get him out of her apartment. Damn, girl, think! She looked at the clock again. Three minutes. “You win! Tomorrow night, you, me, talking. But just talking.” Gareth stayed where he was. “Damn it. Fine, we’ll see what happens. Will you leave now?” “I’ll be here at eleven sharp.” Gareth strolled to the door as though he had all the time in the world. “Fine.” Gareth finally left and Lalita sagged down to the couch with relief. She would worry about tomorrow night when it happened. Almost exactly two minutes after Gareth left, she heard knocking on her door. “Gods, if you tell me you left something, I swear I’m going to...” she opened her door. Her tone changed from angry to falsely innocent at once. “Hi Mom, Dad... Come on in.”

Her mother glared at her as she walked past and Lalita looked back in confusion. There was no way they could know exactly how much they had interrupted. “I thought you said there were no men here?” her mother said nastily. “And there aren’t. Do you see one here?” “A technicality, Missy.” Lalita rolled her eyes. Whatever response she was about to give was lost as her father walked in with a big hug. “La, baby, tell me the truth do you see anything wrong with the name Tony?” “None, Daddy,” she smiled. “See, I told you.” “Lawrence, I am not going to be called Olivia for the next thirty to fifty years! Choose another name.” “I told you, my name is Tony. Short for Anthony, Anthony Rigone,” he said, answering Lalita’s question before she had the chance to ask it. “And I wasn’t too fond of the name Lawrence either. Give it a decade, it’ll grow on you,” he smiled. “Besides, you have no choice it’s my turn to pick our names.” “Lawrence...” her mother’s tone was laced with warning. “I told you, it’s Tony. Sweetie, you redecorated! It looks very nice, but I liked the old look, what was it, some dark purple with all the silver accents. What happened?” Lalita looked over at her sister pointedly as Kalynda sat down on the sofa. “Kaly decided I needed to ‘redecorate’. I told her I’d think about it, then came home the next night to this. It isn’t bad...” she stressed. “Of course, I would have killed her if she’d used pink…like the samples she showed me.” Her father nodded and put his arm around her. “She said people would feel more” —she stuck her hands up to form quotation marks–“comfortable in a room like this. She redid my guest room too.” “Change is good, it keeps you young,” her father teased. “She confiscated the spare set of manacles.” “Kalynda! You will give those back to Lalita this minute!” he roared. “Daddy, I think she has more than enough ‘toys’.” “Kaly, sister dear, those weren’t mine.” Their mother blushed a dark red and Kalynda’s face took on a look of horror. “Ew! I could have lived my life happily never knowing that about my parents! That is so gross!” Lalita stared at her sister. “Well, hearing about my family members using…Ew! I’m gonna need some serious therapy after this!” Lalita laughed. “Sure, laugh it up. Now I know where you get your freakiness from.” “I want to know who this man is that Lalita is dating,” her mother said, trying to take control of the conversation. “Olivia, give the girl a break.” “Law…Tony, you do remember the last boyfriend that we met don’t you?” The smile on her father’s smile disappeared. “Your mother has a point. Tell us about him.” Lalita sighed. Damn, what had that man done to her? She’d never sighed this much before Gareth came into her life! She blocked her thoughts. There was no need for them to hear his name. As it was once her father became serious, there was nothing that would change his mood until he found out exactly what he wanted to know. “He’s not my boyfriend,” she told them lamely. “Lalita Ellenora! You let a man do that to you without the benefit of being in a relationship with him first? ” With her father’s remark, two more sets of eyes landed on her neck. She knew her mother was not pleased when she pursed her lips. She walked over to a mirror, to see how bad it was. Touching the mark, the ghost of a smile formed on her lips. Gareth was certainly trying his damnedest to make sure people thought they were together. “Answer me young lady!” her father practically shouted. “Dad, you’ve seen me with marks worse than this...” “Yes, all given to you by a man you were in a relationship with! Never once have your mother and I seen you act this way without the benefit of a relationship! I understand that such things are generally accepted in today’s society, but damn it, Lalita, we raised you better than that!” “Calm down, Daddy. The guy wants to be in a relationship with me.” Her hands flew to her mouth. Why did she have to tell them that? “So what is the problem?” her mother asked. “The problem is that I will not be owned. I didn’t enjoy having men try to own me when I was growing up and I certainly

don’t appreciate it now. He’s entirely too cocky.” “I want to meet him,” her father said. “No.” He glared at her. “No, Daddy. You and Mom will not meet him. There is nothing serious between us, so the answer is no.” “It seems to me, after what happened with that other guy–what was his name? The one with all the tattoos... It doesn’t matter,” her mother decided with a shrug, adding her thoughts to the conversation. “It seems to me after we threw him out you said there was nothing serious between the two of you. Are you sure this isn’t more serious than you’re letting on and you simply don’t want us to meet your fellow?” “No mother. There is no future with Ga... this guy. No, it’s just not going to happen. Besides, I already know you wouldn’t approve of him.” “And since when have you been inside our heads?” Lalita sighed. “I know you both disapprove of my lifestyle. I know, Daddy that you are a bit more open to it than Mom is, but I know you still don’t like it. Well, this guy is into this lifestyle too. He’s had his teeth done, and...well, I just know it won’t ever work between us. Can we change the subject now?” “Why can’t you find a nice Vampire and settle down, maybe have a few children...” her mother asked. “I don’t want children. They’re cute and all, but at this point in my life, I just don’t want any. I may never want one. And I don’t want to find a ‘nice Vampire’.” She wanted Gareth. Her heart screamed at the thought of settling with anyone else, now that she’d met the man of her dreams.

Chapter 6 Gareth was smiling and whistling happily as he entered the home he shared with his sister. “What are you so happy about? Did you find her?” Melissa asked without looking up from the couch where she was sprawled. “I found her, Mel. You won’t believe it but she actually sleeps in a coffin! ” he told her, still shaking his head in amazement. “Neat!” “My sister, the freak...” “So did you finally work things out with her?” Melissa asked, visibly stretching before she sat up. “Not yet. But I’m going back to her place tomorrow night, and we will work things out.” “You mean you’re going to make her see things your way,” his sister corrected. “I’m sorry, I wasn’t aware that you wanted details of my plan,” he teased. “No. Thanks, but I’m quite happy being as ignorant as possible about your sex life. ” Her teasing expression was replaced by one of sadness. “Will we still be this way when I look old enough to be your mother? Will you still treat me like your baby sister?” Gareth looked at his sister and the sadness in her voice tore through him. The memory of how they came to be together washed over him. Gareth was on vacation in Philadelphia. Walking through the streets late one night searching for a meal, he stumbled on her. He had been beyond shocked when she tried to sell her body to him. Instead he took her to a small late night diner and bought her a meal. After a bit of convincing and persuasion he discovered her name was Melissa. Another half hour and one large slice of apple pie later, she told him she had run away from home. He found out where her family was and convinced her to go home. Standing, he offered to take her and promised to make sure no harm came to her. As they walked, Melissa opened up to him a bit more. He grew determined to set up a trust for her, to pay for her schooling. Even from the brief time he spent with her, he knew that she was a smart girl that was filled with promise. He would not allow that spark inside her to die because she wasn’t lucky enough to be born into a family of privilege. As soon as they entered the small house, he nearly choked from his disgust. Clothes and trash littered the floor as though no one had cleaned the room in weeks. When he met the girl’s stepfather he took a dislike to the man immediately. She had explained on the way how her mother had recently died, leaving only her and her stepfather. Any expectations of seeing a loving, caring reunion, in which her stepfather professed his fear and concern for Melissa during her absence was destroyed when the man approached her then slapped her across the check. The action merely added fuel to Gareth’s disgust and anger. “How dare you leave me? Look at this mess! How can you expect me to live like this? This dump isn’t fit for a pig to live in. I expect this house to be spotless before I get home tomorrow!” Gareth bit back a growl, his fangs lengthening in his mouth as the man berated the girl.

Melissa simply huddled on the floor where she had fallen from the force of the man ’s blow, her hand covering the dark red welt left on her cheek. As though noticing Gareth for the first time, the man hovered over Melissa and snarled. “How dare you whore yourself out to the first man you meet! Your mama was a whore, too. I shouldn’t be surprised that you followed in her footsteps!” His words caused Gareth to lose the tenuous hold he had on his temper. Before the man could finish raising his hand to slap her again, Gareth had him by the throat, three feet off the ground. His fangs fully extended, he warned the man, “If you touch her again there will be hell to pay.” Then he threw him through an open doorway, and against the wall in a neighboring room. He saw Melissa crawl over to a corner, crying as she curled herself into a ball. “Don’t be afraid of me, little one,” he told her gently. But his rage was still too fierce to allow his fangs to retract. “I promise you have nothing to fear from me. You never need to fear me.” She only cried harder, “Please don’t leave. Please. I’m not afraid of you, I swear. Please stay!” she begged. “He’s going to beat me when you leave,” she sobbed. “He’s going to be so far beyond pissed that someone protected me!” She hugged her knees, trying to become as small as possible. “It’s why I ran away… Please don’t leave me.” For the first time in almost two centuries, his heart broke. Pulling away, his voice was filled with sadness. “Little one, I must leave. But I will return tomorrow night. I swear on my honor, by the Gods, I will return for you tomorrow night.” He turned to see her stepfather standing just inside the doorway, holding the wall to steady himself. Gareth approached the man, taunting him with the sight of his fangs. “If you harm one single hair on this child ’s head while I am gone, I promise you whatever hell you believe exists will become a paradise compared with what I will do to you!” Gareth then bit the man’s neck and drank from him. Taking care to seal the wound, he made certain the other man would have no mark on his body as proof to his assault. “I will be back tomorrow night. Eight sharp, when I arrive, you will sign papers giving me full custody of this child. If you refuse, I will make you wish you were never born. I will make you beg me to allow you to sign those papers. Have I made myself clear?” Her stepfather nodded, his eyes wide as his hand went to his neck. “And just so you don’t try to run, I’ve tasted you. I will be able to find you wherever you go,” he promised. He walked back over to Melissa and knelt down. His voice, his tone immediately gentle once again. “I will be back for you tomorrow night. Pack only what you want to take with you, what ever has any special meaning for you. I will provide you with everything you’ll ever need.” He looked back at the man standing against the wall, but it was clear he still spoke to Melissa. “And if he so much as raises his voice to you, tell me when I return and he will pay for it.” “You’re going to believe whatever that little bitch tells you?” Gareth narrowed his eyes. “I will always believe whatever my little sister tells me. So I suggest you be very careful in how you treat her while I am gone.” The next night at eight sharp he was on the doorstep, papers in hand. He flashed his fangs at the man once again and Melissa’s stepfather willingly signed over all guardianship rights to her, along with final adoption papers that released her into the care of Gareth Masters, the girl’s older brother. After they left, he took her to a restaurant to eat then spent the rest of the night shopping for clothes that would fit her. Gareth pulled himself back from the memories. Her bastard of a stepfather tried to have the adoption overturned, but with Gareth’s connections and wealth, the man had only wasted his time. “You’ll always be my baby sister, Mel,” he told her returning to their conversation. “If not for you, I don’t know what I would have done these last twelve years. When will you let me change you? I don’t want to lose you.” “Gareth, I love you. You’ve already done so much for me. But I’ll be changed only if or when I fall in love with a Vampire that I want to spend the rest of my life with. Barring any life threatening accidents, of course… Gareth I can never repay you for giving me so much, more than I’ve ever dreamt possible, but I can’t let you do that for me.” “I understand. I don’t like it, but I understand. Let me know if you ever change your mind, Mel. You deserve to be changed more than half the scum I’ve met in my lifetime.” “You don’t have to like it, Gareth. And I promise, I’ll let you know if I ever do change my mind.” “You better, little sis. You better,” his throat tight with emotion, he pulled his sister up from the couch and into his embrace. “Of course you do know that I will kill any man that ever hurts you, right?” “I know. And I wouldn’t have you any other way, big brother.” ***** Wandering around her apartment nervously, Lalita lectured herself on how to act while Gareth was around. She would put an end to whatever was going on between them that night. Her parents had reluctantly agreed to visit with her sisters while she took care of things, but they would be back to spend time with her in a few short nights. Strolling restlessly into her bedroom, she stripped her bed. Pulling the soft cotton sheets from her custom fitted mattress,

she opened one of the secret compartments on the bed’s large stand and scanned the requisite satin sheets. Smiling, she grabbed the darkest purple set. She carefully tucked the sheet in so that it fit the bed correctly then added a purple crushed velvet comforter. Lalita had only just finished putting the lid back on the top when there was a knock on her door. Heading for the door, she glanced up at the clock. It was eleven. She straightened out her black shirtdress and walked to the door. “Come on in,” she invited Gareth, holding the door open. “I almost expected you to not be here. Or, at least, pretend not to be home.” “I told you we would discuss matters, so we will. Would you care for some water?” She would give him no chance to question her manners that night. “No, thank you.” “Would you like something to snack on?” The lust she saw in his eyes clearly told her exactly what he would like to snack on. It had her listed as the main course for the evening. “Not just yet,” he told her with a grin. “Then let’s sit down and get this over with.” Lalita went to the couch and sat down, thankful when he followed her. Her gratitude fled the moment he sat down next to her. He sat so close to her, she was practically on top of his lap. “Ok, I’m listening.” She sent up a quick prayer that he didn’t know just how nervous she was, that he wouldn’t know how much she did not want to end things with him. No. I’m ending this and that’s final! “I was hoping you would be the one to begin, since you’re the one being so stubborn about the whole thing.” “Don’t you think that’s a little ‘Pot calling the Kettle black’?” “Not at all. I’m not being stubborn, I’m being persistent.” Gareth stretched his arm over the back of the sofa and curved it around her shoulders. “Fine. Gareth, we don’t have anything in common...” “You mean other than the fangs, Club Strigoi, the kind of music we like, friends and the animal attraction to each other?” Lalita closed her eyes, praying for patience. “We don’t know anything about each other...” “I know you sleep in a coffin. That you are a website designer, that you enjoy teasing men, water is your drink of preference, and that you have one hell of a tight ass.” “You aren’t going to make this easy on me are you?” “Nope. You may as well agree with me, it would save us both a lot of time and stress. Plus, if you just go ahead and agree now, we can skip the tedious arguments and go straight to the fun stuff...” Gareth winked at her. “Gareth, it won’t work between us we’re too different...” “Give me one example.” You’re a human and I’m a Vampire! Lalita was thankful that she managed to keep that scream inside her head. “You can’t can you?” She looked away from him. “La…” “There’s nothing between us but this attraction, Gareth. And the Gods only know how long that will last. Why don’t you just go let that bleached blonde be your toy? I’m sure she’d be up for whatever games you want to play.” He leaned closer to her. “Sounds like someone is feeling jealous,” he told her, his warm breath sliding over her ear. “Jealous? Me? Of what exactly?” She turned to look at him. Big mistake, she thought as she stared into his beautiful brown eyes. “I’m not sure. All I did was dance with her. She’s not my type. I like women that are a bit more, sensual. A woman that can make a man sweat just by walking past him but has eyes only for me... What’s between you and that bouncer? I don’t like the way you’re always touching him, fondling him. The kissing him part will definitely have to stop too,” he added as an afterthought. “This is my point exactly! Gareth, you don’t own me, you cannot control what I do! I haven’t even agreed to be in a relationship with you and already you’re trying to control me! This is why we wouldn’t work out!” Gareth smiled and leaned in the final few inches until he was kissing her. He wasn’t demanding, he simply sucked on her lower lip then released her from the kiss. “And that is one reason we would. Don’t tell me you didn’t feel that.” “All the way to my toes,” she whispered. Realizing she had spoken out loud, Lalita’s hand flew to her mouth. “Too late, I heard that.”

“I take it back. My toes are asleep, that’s what I feel.” “Liar.” Gareth sat back against the couch and slid away from her. Before she could stop him, he leaned over and grabbed her bare foot, forcing her to turn slightly sideways, facing him. His hands were on her ankle briefly then with firm but gentle movements he massaged her foot. He worked on her ankle for a few minutes, then shifted his attention down to heel. He’s killing me, she moaned inside her head, careful to keep the thought guarded so none of her family tried to rescue her again. As his hands continued to make soothing circles on her foot, relaxing her, Lalita unconsciously leaned back against the arm of the couch, her eyes closing in bliss. “Feel good?” he asked. Where would be the harm in complimenting him? “Oh, Gods, yes! I can’t remember the last time I had such a nice foot rub.” “I’m glad. What about this?” he asked, as he worked the tension from each individual toe. “Mmmmmm.” She felt his fingertips graze over the sensitive arch of her foot, back to her ankle, then up higher to her calf. He is lethal. Whatever woman does manage to finally snare him will be the luckiest woman in the world, she thought sadly. Her heart began to ache. No, I can’t think about that right now. “What are you up to?” she asked, cracking one eye and looking at him. “Nothing,” he replied innocently. “You said your foot fell asleep, that’s why you felt something when I kissed you. I won’t let you use that excuse again,” he grinned. “Ah, I see.” “Just sit back and enjoy, La. Trust me, you’ll know when I make my move.” “You don’t give up do you?” “On something I want? Never.” “Then you, sir, have met your match. I will not succumb to your charms again.” She heard Gareth laughing and smiled, allowing herself to completely relax and enjoy his hands on her body for the last time. When he reached her thigh, she was sure he would make a move and lift her skirt to see what her panties looked like, or if she had even bothered to wear any. Her body grew restless as she imagined his hand sliding between her legs to stroke her smooth flesh. His finger would slide between her lips and slip into her weeping center. Instead of granting her any relief however, he would pull back out immediately, his finger instead moving up to smear her cream around her clit. Gareth would stroke and circle the sensitive nub until she was ready to scream, ready to promise him anything to have him buried inside of her, to feel his lips on her flesh... Lalita felt her thong growing wet with her fantasy as the real Gareth shifted in his seat to rub her other foot. “You should stop,” she protested. “It isn’t right for you to rub my feet when we both know nothing else is going to happen.” “Shh. Just enjoy. No pressure, no strings, just me rubbing your feet.” His hands never faltered as he spoke. “If nothing else happens, then so be it. I enjoy watching you, La. Seeing the pleasure on your face, touching your silky skin. I want to do this. And you can’t tell me you aren’t enjoying it.” “It just doesn’t feel right to let you do so much for me. Not when I know that as soon as you walk out that door, whatever’s going on between us will be over.” “I insist,” he said as he slid slightly closer and eased the tension from her calf. Lalita had to bite her tongue not to groan with pleasure. Gods the man has some seriously talented hands! Her only regret from their time together would be that she wouldn’t get to find out exactly how talented they are. Her mind replayed the times that they had been intimate, only twice in reality. Both times were fast and hard. Though she wished she could know what it would be like to have him to herself all night, even if only just once. But no matter what she knew that she would never trade away the memories she did have. As his hands approached her thigh, Lalita knew their time was almost up. “How do you feel?” “Wonderful,” she said with a smile. One hand left her leg, but the other never stopped its soothing movements. “That’s good to hear.” Gareth shifted away from her once again.

“Would you like me to continue,” he asked, one hand on each thigh. “Yes, it feels absolutely heavenly,” she moaned, unwilling to end their time together so early. “You’ll have to slide down a bit.” Without thinking, Lalita instantly complied, moving until she was lying on the couch. “I’ll have to move your skirt a bit. Just tell me when to stop.” Keeping her eyes closed, she told him to stop when she felt her skirt brush against the top of her thighs. He instantly stopped and his hands went back to massaging the newly exposed flesh on both thighs. Once again Lalita quickly lost herself in a fantasy. She could almost feel his tongue on her skin, his teeth nibbling as he followed the curve of her leg to her aching pussy. By now, she was dripping wet, and he had yet to touch her, other than to give her an innocent massage. She felt his mouth move to the other leg, inching its way up her body and had to struggle to keep her hips from arching up in invitation to him. She heard him ask a question and nodded her head. She hadn’t heard what he asked, but imagined it was something along the lines of ‘Would you like me to continue?’ or ‘Are you alright?’ Biting the inside of her cheek, her fantasy grew more real and erotic. His mouth continued to nibble closer and closer to her dripping pussy. She felt his nose nudge aside her lace thong and his tongue glide over her bare flesh. In a distant part of her brain she could still feel his hands on the top of her thighs, trying to massage away tension that she knew could not be rubbed away. She went willingly back into her fantasy. Gareth, his hands occupied with her massage, had become resourceful, using his cosmetically enhanced teeth to tear through the flimsy lace covering her body. His tongue delved into the moist slit and with one long stroke licked her from dripping hole to her clit. Once again, Lalita had to force her body to remain still and her eyes closed tight. She didn’t want to loose her fantasy, and she knew the smirk she’d see on Gareth’s face if her hips bucked. He would smile and smugly say he was merely giving her a massage, but if she wanted, he’d be happy to do much more. She bit down on the inside of her cheek as she felt his tongue enter her, imagined him growling against her flesh in pleasure. His tongue thrust into her body several times, then moved up to circle her clit. Lalita tried to hold back, tried not to feel the orgasm that was building as Gareth’s tongue circled and teased her mercilessly. She knew she needed to end her fantasy and finish her discussion with the real Gareth before he made a comment about her quick, shallow breaths and her twitching muscles. But she couldn’t seem to stop the fantasy, she didn’t want to. As she felt the first wave of her orgasm wash over her body, that same distant part of her brain told her that his hands had stopped rubbing her muscles.

Chapter 7 Gareth ceased any pretense of a massage as he teased her clit. His hands gripped her thighs as Lalita’s muscles trembled beneath him. Growling against her, he drank the cream from her body. As soon as the tremors passed, she sat braced on her elbows, looking down at him. He had to force down a smile as he looked up at her from between her legs. She looked so cute, all sweaty, turned on and annoyed. What more could a man want? He lost the battle with his smile. Looking up at her as innocently as he could, he asked “What?” “Gareth Masters, you know damn well what! I told you before that nothing was going to happen between us.” “Then why didn’t you stop me earlier?” His smile became stronger as she blushed. “You were fantasizing about me, weren’t you? That’s why you didn’t stop me, you thought it was part of your fantasy.” Lalita refused to answer his question but her blush grew darker. “Is it so wrong to admit you have wicked thoughts about me, La? When you’re around, all I seem to have are lustful ones. I want to spread you out in front of me like a buffet, to taste everything your body has to offer.” He emphasized his remark with another long stroke of his tongue from her still wet pussy to her sensitive clit. “I knew you’d taste good, but I never imagined how good, La. Now that I’ve had a taste of you, I feel like a starving man at a banquet. I can’t get enough.” He sucked her clit into his mouth, fondling it with his tongue. Lalita let out a hiss and her eyes drifted shut again. She lay back against the couch, her hips rising to meet his eager mouth. Gareth devoured her again, wondering if he would ever get enough of her. He let out a sound of pain, anger, and frustration when her hands tangled in his hair then jerked his head up, away from his feast. “I…said…nothing else…was going…to…happen,” she said, breathing hard. “And I told you I would do anything in my power to persuade you to see things my way.”

“No, you didn’t. If you had, I would never have allowed you to start that massage in the first place. ” Lalita shifted her body backwards, releasing her grip on his hair once she had moved enough that his face would no longer be buried between her legs. “It was all some ploy, wasn’t it? Get me to relax, let my guard down, then boom, you pounce.” “Then I should have warned you. I told you I wanted you. And I didn’t pounce! As a matter of fact I asked you if you’d like me to continue nibbling on your thigh. You nodded your head!” Lalita blushed again. “You…You owe me two pairs of underwear!” she threw back. “What makes you think you can just go around ripping a woman’s panties off?” “I didn’t rip a woman’s panties off. I ripped your panties off, how many times do we have to go through this? And if it’s that big a deal, I’ll buy you some fucking underwear. I’ll replace the two pairs I tore, then I’ll buy more for you to wear around me so you can’t bitch when they get ripped!” “I don’t want you to buy me underwear,” she shouted, pulling as far away from him as possible before getting off the sofa to pace. “Good, we can eliminate that barrier then. Do you know how sexy it’ll be to know you aren’t wearing anything under your skirt? That I can just reach my hand up and touch your hot pussy whenever I want to, ” he replied, deliberately misunderstanding her meaning. “That’s not what I meant and you know it!” Gareth stood up and approached her. His mind beginning to lock onto the primal part that just told him to fuck her until she realized there would be no other man for her since she seemed so unwilling to accept his logic. It said that he needed to make her beg for him to enter her, to coax his name from her lips as she shattered from the intensity of her orgasm. “You want me to leave you alone? Fine. Here’s how you do it. Look me in the eyes, La. Look me straight in the eyes and tell me you didn’t enjoy every minute I spent between your legs. Tell me now!” Gareth stood his ground, waiting for her to look at him. His heart prayed that she wouldn’t lie to him; his ego swore if she did he would never touch her again. He would walk out of her home and never once look back. “I can’t,” she confessed, still without looking at him. “Tell me you don’t want me. Tell me you don’t want me to pick you up and carry you to that freaky bed of yours and make love to you all night.” Lalita’s shoulders shaking slightly as she shook her head. “I can’t.” She finally looked at him. “Gareth, I would love nothing more than for you to carry me to bed and spend all night making love to you. But in the end, when you leave my apartment, the minute your foot steps outside of my door, it would be over for us. We have no future together.” “Then I’ll just have to change your mind,” he said, putting a finger against her lips to silence any protests. “But until then, we’ll just take it one night at a time.” Scooping her up, he carried her to her bedroom, pleased that the door was open so he didn’t have to put her down until they got to her bed. Gareth stared at the top of her bed. He wondered if she’d be offended if he took her to the guest bed. As though reading his thoughts Lalita answered his unspoken question. “The answer is no. It’s my bed or no bed,” she challenged. No bed was tempting, but he wanted to take his time this time. Yeah, tonight will take much longer. By the time I’m done with you tonight, you’ll never look at another man again. Shrugging as nonchalantly as he could, he lifted the top. Pausing he was grateful when he discovered it came off completely. Placing it in a corner, he went back to the bed and looked down. “Satin sheets?” he asked with a smile. ***** Lalita watched Gareth and wondered if she had known this would happen; that they would end up in her bedroom. Was that why she changed her sheets? Because she had subconsciously wanted him in her bed tonight? Gareth pulled her close and leaned closer, like he was going to kiss her. At the last minute, he shifted to the side and nibbled on her neck. “I love your neck,” he murmured against her skin. His hands cupped her ass, pulling her tight against him. Biting her a little harder on the neck, he caused a moan to escape her lips. Gods, if he were only a Vampire! Gareth bit her again in a different spot. Before she lost control of herself again, she grabbed a handful of his hair and pulled his head back away from her. “No biting.” “You like it when I bite you,” he grinned. “No biting. No drinking from me. Those are my rules, Gareth.”

“Remind me to ask you about that later. Now, will you let go of my hair before you rip it out and make me bald? There are other ways to get my attention.” “But none seem to capture your attention as quickly. Well, nothing that involves me not grabbing your head,” she told him playfully as she unbuttoned his pants and used the tips of her fingers to play with the tip of his cock. “See, full attention with no pain involved,” he teased as she continued toying with his erection. “Yes, I see, but I think it would hard to have a conversation this way.” “Is that why we’re in your bedroom? To have a conversation?” “Good point,” Lalita smiled. She shoved his pants down to his thighs and lifted his shirt. “Someone certainly seems to have changed her mind about wanting to play. So what would you do if I walked out right now?” “Simple, I’d go to my closet, pull out Vibey and have a party for one. ” She nibbled on his neck. “Why, you thinking about leaving me hanging?” She nipped his ear. “Hell no. But I do want to see your toy.” Making a noncommittal sound in her throat, she finished pulling his shirt off and dropped it to the floor. She scraped her teeth over his flat nipples, enjoying Gareth’s hiss of pleasure and looking up into his face as she took one between her teeth and bit down on it. “La…” he groaned. She continued to tug his jeans down his legs until they were resting around his ankles. Without looking away from his eyes, she dropped to her knees and bit down gently on the head of his cock. With deliberate slowness she stuck her tongue out and licked the moisture from him before slipping it just inside her mouth. Her tongue traced the outline of his shaft. She took one of his balls into her mouth and sucked on it gently before releasing it and beginning again on the other side. Taking his full length into her mouth, she smiled around his erection when she heard him groan. Speeding up her movements she sucked him back into her mouth before he could completely escape. Feeling his hands grip her hair as his hips thrust into her mouth, she scraped her teeth lightly against his cock. That pushed him over the edge. With a groan, he shot his load deep into her throat. When Lalita looked back up at his face, she saw Gareth’s eyes were closed and his features betrayed contentment. With one final swipe of her tongue, she pulled away from him. Standing up she said, “If you think I’m taking your shoes and socks off, you are mistaken.” She smiled at him, filled with feminine confidence after his loss of control. “So, what are you waiting for? Climb on in. Or does my bed freak you out?” she asked teasing him. Pulling the short dress off her body, she allowed it to fall to the floor and rest near his shirt. With a combination of practiced grace and her race’s agility, Lalita climbed into the bed. Posing herself on the bed, she luxuriated in the feel of the soft velvet beneath her bare skin, caressing her back like a lover’s hand. “See, it doesn’t bite. I do that,” she smiled, allowing a hint of her fangs to show. This was a role she loved to play. Temptress, tease… She loved watching Gareth’s eyes glaze over as though he couldn’t get enough of her even though he just came inside her mouth… She watched the indecision play across his face. She’d seen the reaction a hundred other times but for some reason she hadn’t expected to see it on his face. She wondered what he would do. Some ran, some pleaded to go to another room, or offered other suggestions, like the roof, or the floor. Depending on how horny she was at the time she’d either accept them or make the man leave and pull out her favorite vibrator. Would Gareth accept her challenge, or would he too balk at the thought of lying on her coffin shaped bed? Sitting up, she prepared to climb off the bed and get dressed before she sent Gareth on his way, but his smile stopped her. “Don’t you dare think about moving one single inch,” he said. To her shock, he sat down on the edge of her bed and removed his shoes and socks. Lalita watched hungrily as Gareth finished pulling his pants completely off, then climbed into the bed, crawling to where she laid, waiting for him. Every movement made her want him more. His strong, sensuous movements were graceful, reminding her more of a large cat than a man. She had before never believed it could be so exciting, feeling like prey. She carefully remained exactly as she had positioned herself watching intently as he moved slowly towards her, adding to her anticipation. Lalita wanted to grab him and pull him closer, to take control of the night. But somehow she managed to resist the temptation. After what felt like an eternity, Gareth was finally beside her, lowering his lips to hers. The kiss was different from any other they had shared. It was full of passion, but there was no demand in it. Slightly

confused, she pulled away and was about to ask him about it, but his mouth covering one taunt nipple erased the memory of whatever she had wanted to say. Arching her back, she tried to press her breast closer to his mouth as he suckled her. Just as she was beginning to think she couldn’t take any more and remain whole, Gareth kissed his way to her other nipple and tortured her body more. Once he had given both nipples the same loving treatment, he kissed a path down her stomach. “What are you doing? Gareth!” Her voice cracked as his tongue slid through her folds and flicked her clit. “Someone interrupted my playtime earlier,” he said. Another flood of desire filled her as his breath fanned across her wetness. He took her clit into his mouth and growled. The sound made her entire body begin to vibrate. “Relax, La, we have all night.” “Gareth, I’ll give you until the count of three to get your head back up here and fuck me before I grab another fistful of that thick brown hair of yours. One... Two... Thr...” Gareth grabbed her hands in his own before she could get a hold on his hair then moved up her body. “I can see we’ll have to work on your patience.” “My patience is just fine when I haven’t been teased half the night.” Shifting, he continued holding both her hands, now in only one of his own and kissed her. Moaning into his mouth, she felt him position himself at her entrance. As he thrust into her, Lalita’s tongue rubbed against his fangs, her motions mirroring his. As soon as he released her hands, they went straight to his hips. Gliding over his flesh, she left nothing untouched as she enjoyed the feel of his flesh beneath her fingers. Time ceased to exist as Gareth thrust into her body. The only thing she felt was pleasure; it was the only tangible thing left in her world. When his strokes increased, her fingers gripped him more tightly, encouraging him to continue. “Gods,” she moaned as she felt her body beginning to tense as her orgasm moved closer. Gareth moaned in his throat and nudged her head to the side. His lips fastened on her neck, his teeth grazing against the skin without breaking through her flesh. His suckling only made her grip his body harder. A scream was ripped from her throat as an orgasm tore through her body, making her feel as though her body had burst from such intense pleasure. She heard his groan against her flesh the same moment she felt him explode inside her. She lay on her bed, covered in their mingled sweat with Gareth lying on top of her and sent up a prayer of thanks. Thank Gods he’s not a Vampire. If he were she would be in serious trouble… ***** Gareth reluctantly rolled off Lalita and onto his back. Pulling her closer into his embrace, he waited for his heart to slow down to its normal pace. Each time with her only gets better… How could she expect him to simply walk away from her? “What do you want in a man, La?” he asked, stroking her back absently. “I guess I want what every woman wants. An Alpha-Beta,” she teased. “I’m serious. You said we can’t be together, I want to know why.” “You want to discuss this now?” “I’m serious, La. Tell me. Please,” he added as an afterthought. “I’m serious too. I want a strong man, one that’s Alpha enough that I won’t scare him when I decide to spice things up. A man that will laugh when I go to the club wearing practically nothing but my underwear because he knows no matter how I dance with other men, no matter how I act, he’s the one that I’m going to be cuddled up to when I go to bed. Hell, maybe he even gets some pleasure out of my teasing other men. Knowing that he’s going to get what they’re drooling over.” “You’re not much on modesty,” he teased. “Life’s too short for me to worry about what people think of me because I happen to know I’m beautiful and sexy.” Gareth nodded, he understood her point. “I can do that. And the Beta part?” She straddled his hips and leaned down to nibble lightly on his lip. “Now who’s being immodest? I want an Alpha, but I also want him to have just enough Beta in him that he won’t try to control me or what I do. I need a man that will accept me for all that I am, that I am not, and know that at the end of the day bossing me around isn’t going to do anything but piss me off. “Of course, if he wanted to play games in the bedroom occasionally, where I had to follow each minute instruction,” she sucked his lower lip into her mouth, traced it with her tongue then released it. “Well, that would be a different story.” Both Gareth and his cock stirred again. “A different story? That’s a story I’d like to hear.” Lalita rubbed his growing erection with her pussy. “I do seem to have your full attention once again.” “Tell me, La.”

“Tell you what? That I wouldn’t mind playing those games in the bedroom with you? That I think you could possibly be the first man that would be up for it? ” She positioned herself over his hard cock then slowly sank down onto it. “There’s no doubt in my mind that you’re Alpha enough for me, Gareth.” Leaning down she kissed him. “But you wouldn’t be happy with that, you would want more, and that’s why we’ll never work out.” Gareth opened his mouth to say something but she stopped him. “Do you really want to argue about this, or can I ride you until we pass out?” He thought about it. “No contest. It’s been entirely too long since I’ve passed out because of sex.” He watched her smile then ceased to worry about the future as she rocked back and forth. She lifted herself until only the tip of his cock remained inside her, then slid back down on top of it so slowly Gareth knew he would go insane. He placed his hands on her hips and tried to increase her pace. “Now who’s the impatient one? I thought you told me we have all night?” “Woman, you are killing me,” he groaned as she brought her hips down more forcefully on his cock then lifted herself off of him so slowly. She continued like that for a few strokes and Gareth knew then that he was going to go crazy with her, but at least he would enjoy the trip. Without her, his life would never be the same. It would never feel as satisfying. “Then I guess that makes us even,” she told him huskily before her lips latched onto his ear. “La…” he growled as she teased him, speeding up her strokes then slowing down to an almost painfully slow speed. Shifting slightly so that she was once again over his face, she kissed him. Her tongue slid across his fangs so sensuously, it was almost as though she knew how much pleasure it gave him to feel her tongue caressing them. How intense it made his pleasure… Gods, it’s almost as though she is Vampire…Gods I wish she were! Working her way down to his throat, her pace finally increasing steadily as she once again suckled his neck. Copying her earlier action, he pulled her head away, though he didn’t jerk her by her hair. “No biting, no drinking.” “Spoilsport,” she said as she rose above him, grinding her hips against him harder. Gareth kept one hand positioned on her hip and moved the other to tease her clit. He groaned when she threw her head back and moaned, her movements growing harder, faster. He felt her tighten around him, her tight pussy milking his cock only a few seconds before his own orgasm shot through him, releasing his come deep into her body. Lalita lay down on top of him and sighed. “I’m so glad we did this. And see, my bed isn’t so bad after all, is it? Go on… admit it…you know it’s comfy.” “La, right now, with you in my arms, a bed of nails would be heavenly.” When she pouted he chuckled. He sucked her lower lip into her mouth, tracing it with his tongue. “Yes, it is a very comfortable bed. But I still think it’s freaky,” he added before they both fell into a peaceful sleep. ***** Gareth woke up and immediately noticed two things. The first was that he was not in his own bed. The second, Lalita wasn’t beside him. He climbed off her bed and pulled his jeans on before leaving the room to go searching for her. He found her in her office, in front of one of the computers. “You weren’t in bed,” Gareth told her, wrapping his arms around her. “I have a website design to work on.” “La, don’t give me the cold shoulder. I know you better than that.” “I’m not trying to give you the cold shoulder. I’m just focused on this right now.” Gareth looked over her shoulder and saw the theme she was working on. It had a scantily clad woman surrounded by clichéd objects used to represent vampires. “What is that supposed to be?” “What does it look like?” she asked irritably. “It looks like some kind of clichéd vampire theme.” “It is a vampire theme.” “Do you believe in Vampires? That they really exist?” he asked, deciding to test the waters before he spilled his secret. “I believe that a lot of things really exist. If Vampires do exist, I’m sure they have a good reason for not sharing that fact with the rest of the public.” Gareth nodded his head thoughtfully. At least she believes. That will make it easier for her to accept the truth when I tell her. But would she let him change her? Should he even ask? What would he do if she said no? “I mean, even with today’s Goth crowd, it wouldn’t be very easy to blend when you smell like death or had that icky

grey pallor.” Gareth closed his eyes and counted to ten. They were going to have to have one hell of a frustrating conversation to get her over her misguided beliefs. “La…” “Gareth, I’m not going to be much fun until I get this done.” “Maybe I should just leave then? We can talk about things later, when you come to the Club tonight.” “There isn’t anything to talk about.” Lalita said, without looking back at him. He chuckled. “I’m going to get dressed. I’ll say goodbye before I go.” Nothing to talk about, he laughed to himself. Would that be similar to her ‘nothing else will happen between them’ stance? He could only hope it would. Gareth walked back into her bedroom and noticed that it was close to dawn. He would have to use his people’s accelerated speed to get home before the first rays of light peaked over the horizon, but tonight had been worth it. If asked, the only thing he would change about that night would have been waking up in La’s arms instead of alone. Hell, if she had been there, they would have had a bit more fun instead of him preparing to go home. He would love to find out just how patient she really was. He quickly dressed and went back into Lalita’s office to say goodbye, surprised when she offered to walk him out. At the door, just before he stepped out, she gave him a lingering kiss. “I’ll see you tonight, La.” “Goodbye Gareth,” she said, her voice filled with sadness. He turned to question her, but he was too late. The door was already closed and he needed to hurry if he wanted to make it home in time. Walking away from her apartment, Gareth promised himself that he would ask her about it as soon as she arrived at the club that night. ***** Lalita stood with her back against the door, willing the tears back. This was the price she paid get for becoming involved with a human. No matter how much it hurt, she needed to end it now before she fell for him any more. She tried to convince her heart it was the right path, but it refused to stop breaking. Shaking her head to dismiss the dreary thoughts, she went back to her computer with a heavy heart. After a little effort, she was finally able to lose herself in her work. The thick, dark drapes were closed tightly against the damaging sun, allowing Lalita to work well into the morning. It was only when she was so tired she nearly fell asleep at her computer, her head almost falling onto the keyboard, that she got up to go to her bed. As she lay on her bed, Lalita noticed just how large it was for the first time. Though she was exhausted, she had a hard time falling asleep. Every time she moved so much as an inch, the smell of Gareth and their lovemaking, taunted her.

Chapter 8 Lalita glanced at the clock. It was almost midnight. Typically she would be getting ready to go to Club Strigoi right about now. She would be picking out an outfit that screamed ‘fuck me’ and fixing her hair, painting her nails… Instead, she sat on her couch wearing a white shirt and cutoff jean shorts watching a black television screen. La? Kalynda asked timidly. I’m sorry, La is not home right now, but if you leave a message after the beep she’ll be sure to get back with you as soon as possible. Beep. That is so not funny La. Mom and Dad want to know if that guy is still hanging around, and well, after much… persuasion…I finally got them to let me be the one to ‘call’ you. Is he there? Who? That guy you were doing… Is he there? No. So you broke up with him? Yes. La, you’re scaring me… I just want to be alone. Lalita closed the connection with her sister before the woman could try to look deeper inside her head. She continued to stare unblinkingly at the black screen when her mother burst into her head. Lalita, we’re coming over! Whatever, she answered before shutting her mother out as well.

She didn’t care that her mother would rip her a new hole for being rude or locking her out. She didn’t care that her bed wasn’t made, the top wasn’t on her bed or that she hadn’t even brushed her hair. She just continued watching the black screen, growing more and more depressed. When she heard banging on her door she simply yelled, “It’s open.” “Lalita, baby, you know you shouldn’t leave your door unlocked. It’s dangerous.” She didn’t answer her father. “Lalita! How dare you lock me out of your head? I swear I’m more than half tempted to turn you over my knee this instant!” Still they got no response. She didn’t even move when Kalynda pushed her over. She simply fell sideways onto her couch, her eyes never once leaving the screen. “Sweetie, you do know the TV is off, don’t you?” Kalynda asked skeptically. “I’m not watching the TV.” “Then why in the name of the Gods are you staring at it?” her mother asked annoyed. “Because.” “I’m calling Chanda,” her dad announced. “Maybe she’ll be able to talk some sense into her. Those two were always pretty close.” Sometime later she heard her oldest sister walk into her apartment and heard the conversation going on behind her. But Lalita couldn’t seem to make herself care now that she had pushed Gareth out of her life. “What’s going on? What’s the emergency? Other than La’s apartment. Gods who decorated this room?” “I did.” Kalynda said, annoyed. “Oh. It’s beautiful...really.” “Yeah, right. Do you really expect me to believe you?” “Kaly, chill. I would love to have my living room look like this! But it’s just so...un-La, it’s the opposite of La, you can feel the absence of La in the design...” “Cut it out you two. Chanda, your sister has been staring at a blank television screen for almost a half hour that we know of. Only the Gods know how long she stared at it before we got here.” Suddenly, Chanda was kneeling in front of her, cutting of her view of the screen. “La-le, what is going on? Why aren’t you dressed?” “Just watching something,” she told her sister. “What happened?” Chanda asked soothingly. “Nothing.” “What do you mean why isn’t she dressed?” Kaly interrupted. “You do see the clothes on her, don’t you?” She asked sarcastically. “Kaly, shut up. If you knew the first thing about your baby sister...” she took a deep breath. “Look, I’ve hung around Lalita tons since she got into the Goth crowd. I’ve seen how much your refusal to accept her decision has hurt her, even if she won’t ever say it to any of your faces. You’re her family, damn it! Gods, you two are her parents!” Chanda said, turning her anger on them. “But she feels like she can’t even talk to you because you always have something shitty to say about how she’s living her life. Just because she’s the baby of the family doesn’t mean you need to treat her like she’s twelve! Lalita didn’t even bother to get dressed. And if you knew anything about her, you’d know that she’s neither wearing a dress nor anything that would make her feel remotely sexy. Which means, she’s in a bad way. She’s in a very bad place right now, so will you all just shut the fuck up, and yes mother, you’ll get your chance to ream me for my language after I find out what’s wrong with my sister!” Chanda turned her attention back onto her. “La-le, ignore them. Forget they’re even here. It’s just you and me. Talk to me,” Chanda said in her most soothing voice. “He noticed me Chanda. He finally noticed me...” “Gareth?” She nodded her head. “But this is good news, right?” Lalita shook her head. “What do you see, La-le?” “I can see him at the club. That bleached blonde all over him. She’s practically on his lap, if she had her way she’d be fucking him right now, in front of all those people...”

“You actually see this happening? Did you form a bond with him? Did you drink his blood? Did he drink yours? Talk to me baby-girl, talk to me, La-le.” “No. There’s no bond. But I don’t need to have a bond with him to know that’s exactly what’s happening right now.” “Wow. That has to be rough. Go on,” Chanda continued in the same soothing tone. “I want to rip each and every hair from the top of her head. I want to claw out her eyes and rip her limb from limb, Chanda.” Lalita stared at her sister, knowing that of all her family, Chanda would understand how significant those statements were. Of all her family only Chanda realized how much she hated fighting. “Yikes. Did you and Gareth finally hook up?” “Yes. No. Yes, we hooked up. And he wanted more, but...” Lalita’s eyes filled with tears. “But he’s human. And how can I ever be with a human, Chanda? I can’t try to change him, what if it happens again? What if I have to kill him like you had to kill...” Lalita shook her head again. “Don’t worry about me,” she said tears falling from her eyes. “It’s just immature, little La going through another one of her silly phases. The only thing that makes this guy different is that she was stupid enough to fall for him. Just another worthless human that she’s gotten herself involved with. That’s what you’re thinking, right?” She watched Chanda’s mouth open wide. “I would never...” “Not you…them.” She turned and for the first time since her sister and parents walked into the apartment, she acknowledged their presence. “That is how you feel isn’t it? Stupid, immature Lalita who spends too much time on silly human nonsense.” “La baby, we would never say that!” Her father approached her, kneeling beside her sister. Suddenly the floodgates were open. It didn’t seem to matter that she had never before been able to truly express herself to anyone but Chanda. Still feeling the loss of Gareth from her life, it didn’t seem to matter if her family finally knew how she felt. She just didn’t seem able to hold it all inside any longer. “No, Daddy, you wouldn’t. But you don’t have to say it. It’s in everything you do, everything you say. I can see it on your face whenever you visit me. I know you’re ashamed of me. I know you wish I could be just like every other proper Vampire girl. Like Kalynda.” “Lalita, we have never been ashamed of you,” her mother said, coming around to sit beside her on the couch. “We’re proud of you. How many other parents can brag that their youngest daughter has made quite a name for herself thanks to the Internet? Or that their baby blends in so perfectly with her friends that they would never guess her secret? “Baby, we are so proud of you.” Her mother wrapped her arms around Lalita and pulled her close, exactly as she always did when Lalita was a child and feeling afraid or sad. “But we’re your parents. No guy is ever going to be good enough for you. For any of our daughters. I don’t care if he’s a powerful ancient Vampire, I would still be able to find countless things wrong with him. “I’m so sorry, honey, if you ever thought we were ashamed of you. Perhaps we should spend a little time here, getting to know you, the adult you’ve become. Maybe even check out this club, this ‘crowd’ of yours?” Lalita shook her head. “I’m never going back. I can’t.” Now that her family knew his name she couldn’t seem to say it enough times. “Gareth will be there, and I couldn’t handle seeing him with another woman. I couldn’t stand knowing he―” For the first time in almost two centuries, Lalita buried her head in her mother’s chest and wept. Olivia rocked her back and forth, rubbing her back until her sobs had eased. “I’m sorry I ruined your silk shirt,” Lalita said with a sniffle as she pulled away from her mother’s embrace. “No, my darling girl. You didn’t ruin anything. Now, tell us about this young man. Maybe together we can figure out a way for you two to be together.” ***** After she told her parents about Gareth they looked at her like she were crazy for letting him walk out of her life. The look got worse when they found out she had practically pushed him out the entire way. “Honey, he sounds perfect for you!” “He’s not. He wants to control me, to control every little detail about me.” “And yet, this Bram fellow is still in one piece...” “Bram’s one of us. Gareth couldn’t hurt him if he tried. Gods I wanted so badly to be able to fall for him. Bram is the kind of Vampire you always wanted me to get involved with.” “But?” her mother asked. “But, the only thing I feel for him is a really deep friendship. He’s one of my dearest friends. I love him. But I’ll never be in love with him.” “Dearest, did I ever tell you about how your father and I met?” Lalita looked at her sisters and shook her head. “You always steered clear of that conversation, Mom,” Chanda said, settling down on the carpet in front of Lalita with a

large glass of water in her hand. “Will you tell us now?” Kalynda asked, sitting in a chair she pulled over from the kitchen table. “When your father and I met, I was nothing more than the youngest daughter of a blacksmith. My daddy was never rich, but he worked hard. My sisters...” “I never knew you had sisters, Mom!” Kalynda interrupted. “My sisters were all given good matches. One married the third son of a minor Nobleman, another married a warrior with a well-known reputation, and another married the man that would someday take over our father’s position as blacksmith. But as the youngest, when it came time for me, there wasn ’t much left. All the most desirable men to take as husband were already wed, and Father didn’t have much left for a dowry. “Then one night your father was passing through and claimed his horse had thrown a shoe down the road. Everyone ignored anything suspicious about him sleeping all day, believing he was Nobility. Everyone knew the Nobility was strange creatures anyway, filled with strange habits. And he was such a perfect gentleman.” Olivia’s eyes rested on her husband, love still shining from them. “Imagine my surprise when I found out he approached my father for my hand. My father wanted to say no, but he saw how captivated I was by him, and he didn’t seem to care about the lack of a dowry...” “How romantic,” Kalynda sighed. “It was. When I found out he was a Vampire, he gave me the choice of remaining human or being turned. I knew I wanted to spend the rest of my life with him, that it was worth any risk to be with him, worth any losses I would suffer. ” Olivia looked into each of her daughter’s eyes. “I’ve never regretted my decision.” She looked at Lalita. “Don’t let anyone, not even your father and I, or your sisters, stop you from being with the man that you feel is right for you. Don’t live your life full of regrets because you let your other half slip away. It doesn’t matter if he’s human or Vampire, changed or not, if you two have even half of what you’ve told us about... Lalita, you must fight for him for you’ll never forgive yourself.” Lalita pondered her mother’s words long after they left. She didn’t want to have any regrets. The truth was that though she felt a bit of sadness when her parents threw Max out, she had never been truly bothered by his loss. Could she be with a human? Yes, her heart sang. She would tell him the truth, and when the time was right, it would be his decision whether or not to make the ‘change’. If he does, she would be there beside him every step of the way. If not, she’d cherish the time they did have together, however long or short it may be. Lalita went to bed, her heart feeling infinitely lighter than it had when she had woken up that evening. ***** Gareth couldn’t believe Lalita hadn’t shown up the previous night. He had waited all night for her, but never once did she walk through the door. Even the bouncer, Bram, seemed to notice her absence. “I guess she really meant it, Mel.” “Meant what?” “She told me when I left her home, there would be nothing else between us. Maybe I should have stayed until we worked things out...” “Why don’t you just go to her? Go to her apartment, camp outside of her door until she shows up or opens the door and make her talk to you.” Gareth shook his head. “I have my pride. I am not going to go and beg her!” “I didn’t say beg, exactly...” “If she doesn’t want me, well, there are other fish in the sea right? I’ll just have to find another. Besides she was way too freaky anyway. She and I would never have worked out, we’re too different.” “Mmm-hmmm. Give me one example of just how different you two are.” “She sleeps in a coffin, I prefer a traditional bed myself. She loves to dance, I don’t. And I absolutely hate those silly clichés about vampires while she revels in them. Shall I continue?” “Wow. I thought you two were perfect for each other. La certainly had a way of balancing you out. Making you have fun...” “Well, you were wrong.” “So now what? You just going to roll over and play dead? I thought you were made of sterner stuff. So who are you going to play with now?” Gareth looked across the room at Diane, who was at the bar waiting to pick up a drink. “Not her. Are you sure you’ll even be able to get anything from her? Her body has to be at least half fake. I’d be willing to bet it’s more than half fake, though.”

“Mel, you know, it’s really great if you like my...playmates. But it is not a requirement.” “You can’t even call her your girlfriend, can you? I bet you’ll never be able to refer to another woman as your girlfriend or your woman again, will you?” “That’s really not the point here.” “No, the point is, even though you won’t admit it, there was something more than ‘playtime’ between you and La. Fine, you want to throw all that away, it’s none of my business. But I know you were thinking about changing her.” “Why would you think that?” he asked, trying to sound innocent, as though the thought had never crossed his mind. “Because I saw it written all over your face every time you looked at her. Even before she joined our little group.” Melissa stood up and walked away as Diane approached the table with goblets filled with soda in her hands. “I brought you a drink. I hope diet is ok?” “Thanks.” It was perfect if she wanted him hanging over the toilet throwing up for the rest of the night. Gareth tried to drown that voice, that side of him that could only find flaws with Diane. La would have brought him water, or at the very least a clear soda. Only because that’s what she drinks, he thought nastily, unwilling to be charitable to the woman that broke his heart. He would be willing to bet that Diane brought him the same drink that she got for herself. Did that make her a bad person just because she didn’t know he couldn’t drink soda? No. La would have brought you water because she would have noticed that was all you ever drank, his heart told him. He had to admit, Diane didn’t exactly seem to catch the details of what went on around her. Shut. Up. Gareth screamed at his heart. He felt it break. He had no one but himself to blame for his screwed up his life. She had warned him from the very beginning that they didn’t have a future. “So do you want to dance?” Diane asked playing with her straw. Who uses a straw in a Goth club, he wondered a look of distaste marring his features. “Not really.” “Cool.” She sat beside him, sipping away at her straw. Gareth couldn’t help making another comparison between the two women. If he’d said the same thing to Lalita, she would have smiled and said ‘later’. Then she would have gone out on the floor and danced with everything that had balls until he joined her. She would not have said ‘cool’ and sat beside him like some dependant little…thing. “You’re not drinking your soda. You don’t like diet do you? You were just being nice, weren’t you?” Diane pouted. “Actually, I don’t really drink sodas. Allergies,” he quickly added before she could question him. “Wow–that must suck. Are you one of those guys that’s allergic to, like, everything?” “Not everything, but a lot of things.” “I guess that makes you really picky about where you go...” “A bit.” “I bet you know all the best places around that will cater to your every...desire.” Diane put her hand on his thigh. “Tell me, Gareth, what kind of fetish do you have? Do you like to bite? Are you into bondage and spankings?” She licked her too thin lips. He wondered why he hadn’t noticed how thin they were before? Gareth sat there watching her in amazement as his cock practically yawned when her hand slid further up his thigh until she was settled right next to it. “Diane, what are you doing?” “Nothing,” she said in mock innocence. “Would you like me to move my hand? I’m not making you uncomfortable, am I?” Yes! “You’re fine.” “No, she’s not. She’s got exactly five seconds to move her hand before I break every single bone in it.”

Chapter 9 Dressing carefully that night, Lalita wanted to do her best to remind Gareth of exactly how much he desired her. She chose a sheer black top with a black lace, half-cup bra underneath that only barely concealed her nipples. The complimenting tight black leather miniskirt made her feel sexy. She added a black lace garter belt, thigh-high fishnet stockings and five-inch black stilettos for good measure. Her nails and lips in blood red, Lalita was ready to go fight for Gareth. To finally give in, eagerly, to his persistence. Walking through the doors of Club Strigoi, she felt a change in the air. For the first time in her memory, Lalita wasn’t completely drawn in by the beat of the music. She had only one goal. To find Gareth and make up with him.

“La, we missed you last night.” “Hi Bram. Is Gareth here?” “Yeah, your boy is at the usual table,” he said, shooting her a strange look. “Thanks.” She began to walk away but Bram stopped her by grabbing her hand. “What, that’s it? No kiss, no coping a feel, nothing?” “Bram, I love you. But I think we both know that I’ve fallen head over heels for Gareth. It’s scary, but I’m going to take things slowly. When the time is right, I’ll tell him about our people, and hopefully he’ll want to make the change.” “Lalita, darlin’, are you sure we’re talking about the same man? Gareth Masters?” “That’s who I’m talking about,” she told him, confused. “I think you should come with me.” Lalita wanted to decline, but there was something about the way Bram looked at her. She followed him through the crowded dance floor to the back room. “La, darlin’,” he said once they were in the somewhat muted room. “I need to make sure we’re on the same page. You are going to talk to Gareth Masters about being ‘changed’?” “Eventually.” Watching in complete confusion, Bram threw his head back and laughed so hard that his entire body shook. “Just what do you find amusing?” she asked, her hands on her hips. “Gareth...Masters...changed...” Bram wheezed out as he continued to laugh almost hysterically. “Bram, dear, I will come over there and knee you so hard in the nuts that you will be able to tell me what your balls taste like if you don’t tell me what is so damn funny this instant!” Bram took one look at her, and after another, smaller, fit of laughter, decided she was serious when she took a step closer to him. “Alright...Just give me...a second...” he told her, trying to visiably control himself. After a few minutes, Bram’s laughter finally calmed. “La, darlin’, you will never be able to change Gareth.” “Why not? You don’t think he’ll go for it? I’m sure I could change his mind if I set my mind to it,” she said, adjusting her already short skirt so that it was a little shorter. “I’m sure you could. I have no doubts that you could make him beg to be changed... ” Bram’s eyes lingered on her raised hemline. “But that still doesn’t make it possible.” “He had a spell put on him so he can’t be changed? There are ways around that. My sister, Chanda…” “Girl, I’m gonna be blunt. Gareth is Vampire. You can’t change him because he’s already one of us.” Lalita felt the blood drain from her face. Bram’s shoulders shook with laughter again. “You mean to tell me I almost lost the man of my dreams because he wasn’t a Vampire, only to find out he is one?” Her blood was boiling. “And why the hell didn’t he tell me this himself? Do you know how much time and trouble he could have saved the both of us if he had just thought to mention that one small, insignificant fact? Do you!” she shouted. “Not to burst your bubble, doll, but it doesn’t seem to me that you mentioned it to him either.” “Don’t try that logic with me. Why would I tell him? I thought he was human!” “Why didn’t you ever ask him?” Lalita glared at Bram. “What Vampire do you know that has a human sister? Why would I believe he was anything but human as well?” Bram shrugged. “I have a good friend that is about as clichéd as you can get when it comes to Vampires. She loves to flaunt the myth, live the lifestyle it seems. Would you believe she were a Vampire if you didn’t know her?” “That’s called blending in. And what’s wrong with having a little fun?” “Nothing. Just like there’s nothing wrong with a Vampire having a human sister.” Rolling her eyes, Lalita looked away. “Fine, if you’re going to use unconditional acceptance against me...” “Look, if you want to be with Gareth, it shouldn’t matter if he’s human or Vampire. Do you want to be with him?” Nodding her head she answered, “With all my heart.” “Then don’t worry about anything else. Go after him. And if I were you, I’d make my move quickly. I’ve already seen a couple of sharks beginning to circle him.” Through clenched teeth she asked, “Is one of them a bleached blonde?” “Yup. She’s the one that’s with him right now.” Lalita strode out of the room, more determined than ever to set things right between Gareth and herself, and to make that snotty little upstart think twice before looking at him again. Ignoring the music and the glare from dancers she simply shoved out of her way, she made a beeline for the table Gareth always sat at.

Approaching the table, she felt her anger flaring hotter. She saw that blonde with her hand on Gareth’s thigh. It looked like she was trying to rub his dick through his jeans. Oh no she isn’t! “Diane, what are you doing?” “Nothing,” she said in mock innocence. Innocent my ass. She knows exactly what she’s doing! Lalita fumed. “Would you like me to move my hand? I’m not making you uncomfortable, am I?” Yes! Lalita screamed inside her head as she waited to hear Gareth’s answer, her arms folded over her chest. “You’re fine.” She had had enough. “No she’s not. She’s got exactly five seconds to move her hand before I break every single bone in it.” Both heads whipped around to stare at Lalita. “La...” Gareth gasped, his eyes devouring her outfit. She didn’t have time to smile or gloat inwardly about his obvious approval of her outfit as she noticed the previously limp cock next to Diane’s hand beginning to grow harder. “I’m sorry, am I interrupting something? I’m sorry, Diane, did you not hear me? Or has the bleach gone to your brain? Remove your hand,” she said again, when she saw the woman had not yet moved. “If I count to five and your hand is still on his leg, or still touching him at all, no bouncer in this place will be able to get to me before I make sure you are in serious pain. ” Holding up one hand, she began to count. “One,” she lifted her middle finger. “Two,” she lifted her index. “Just who do you think you are to be issuing orders like that?” “Your worst nightmare. Three,” she lifted her ring finger. “Whatever. You’re not even his girlfriend,” Diane taunted. “Why don’t you ask Gareth if I am or I’m not?” Her foot tapped in agitation. Her mention of his name seemed to remind Gareth that he was a part of this conversation. “The last time I checked, you were trying to push me out of your apartment, telling me we could never be together.” Great, of all the times he had to pick to actually listen to me, it would be that time! Lalita took one look at the smug expression on Diane’s face and reminded herself that he was worth swallowing her pride for. But that didn’t mean she had to make it easy on him either. “And the last time I checked after I said that you carried me into the bedroom.” “You ignored me! You shut the door in my face, and you didn’t show up last night.” Gareth stood up and braced his hands on the table, looking so furious he was positively delicious in Lalita’s mind. Lalita wanted to gloat that Diane’s hands were now nowhere near his body, but instead she continued to argue with Gareth. “I was working! I shut the door; I didn’t shut it in your face. And I wasn’t here last night because my family was at my apartment. Not that I even agreed to come here in the first place! ” Her body reacted to each statement as though it was a caress, like some version of foreplay instead of a very public argument. “You didn’t not agree!” He leaned farther over the table. “You didn’t give me a chance, you giant, walking ass! You told me you’d see me here then decided I would be here because you commanded it!” By this time there was a crowd watching the couple avidly. Gareth glared at her. He stood straight up and crossed his arms over is chest. “If I’m such an ass, why would you want to be with me?” “Fine, you know what, you’re right. Why would I want to be with someone that’s just going to latch onto the next thing in a skirt that crosses his path? Why would I want to be with someone that is so pompous, arrogant, and stubborn, that he can’t even see when a girl is trying to kiss and make up? Fine. You want her; you can have her. Enjoy... I just hope she’s worth it.” Turning Lalita stormed away from the table. She looked at Bram where he stood watching her, and the scene. “I can’t beg him. No, that’s not right. I could, I really, really could beg him right now, easily. But I won’t. I’ve never begged a man for anything. And a little girl asking her daddy for something doesn’t count!” she added when Bram opened his mouth. “Since I’ve been on my own, I’ve never once begged a man to do anything. If he doesn’t want me enough to even try to fight, then its better that we aren’t together. We would have driven each other crazy anyway...” When Bram opened his arms, Lalita practically dove into them, willingly accepting the offer of comfort. He was beginning to stroke her back when she was yanked out of his arms and a fist went flying into Bram’s jaw. “Don’t ever touch her again. If I ever see your arms around my woman again I’ll break them.” Lalita pulled away from Gareth and went to check on Bram. “Why the hell are you checking on him? You’re supposed to be kissing me for coming after you.”

“You hit him! What the hell’s wrong with you?” “He had his arms around you!” Gareth shouted as she automatically stepped in front of Bram. “Now you’re going to protect him too? Un-fucking-believable. I should have stayed at the table. At least there I would have been around a woman that is more than happy to enjoy my company.” “Why don’t you go back over there? I’m sure if you tell her to, Diane will even swoon as you tell her of you heroic deed.” Lalita lifted her arm to her head and made an exaggerated example of a woman swooning. She was thankful when Bram caught her before she could hit the floor. “Don’t make me tell you again to keep your hands off my woman, bouncer-boy,” Gareth growled. “If you touch him again, I’ll make sure you regret it.” “So what, you think it’s alright for you to be able to threaten any woman that tries to touch me, but if a man has his hands all over you, I’m just supposed to sit back and watch? You’re out of your mind!” “I seriously must be to have fallen in love with you!” she screamed at the top of her lungs. The entire place had grown quiet. No one moved on the dance floor, people were simply standing around staring at the trio. “You’re in love with me?” Gareth asked, his voice too loud in the now silent room. “I told you, I’m out of my mind,” Lalita quickly replied, embarrassed at having caused such a public scene. “Maybe we can continue this in the back room...” Nodding, Lalita quickly followed Bram, feeling a wave of relief when they were finally no longer the center of attention. “You two have some serious issues to work out,” Bram said as soon as the door was closed behind them. “And I really don’t want to see how you work them out.” Bram shook his head as he exited the room mumbling, “Damn, and I just had that room cleaned...” “You’re in love with me?” Gareth asked her again stepping closer. “I told you...I’m crazy. Hell, you even said it yourself.” “That wasn’t a no, La.” “I know it wasn’t a no... But it wasn’t a yes either, so you can just get that shit grin off your face,” she told him. “Lalita, why do we have to go through these games? I like you. But does everything have to be a battle?” “You like me? You like me? Please, you feel so much more than ‘like’ for me.” “Now which of us is the one with a big ego?” Gareth smirked. “Yeah, because you punch all the guys right? You may like Mona. You may like Tiffany. You so feel more than like for me. I’ve never once seen you punch someone for flirting or holding Mona or Tiff. So you may as well just admit it.” ***** Gareth watched Lalita. Since he had seen her standing at the table ready to do serious injury to Diane, he’d had a hard time keeping his hands off of her. His eyes strayed once again to the top of her stockings. He could easily see the satiny black ribbons that held them up. The only barrier between him and her tight pussy would be her underwear. He would just have to make her mad by ripping yet another pair. The outfit that she wore that night screamed ‘fuck me’ and he was more than willing to oblige her. But first he wanted her temper flaring again. He wanted her blood to run as hot through her veins as his was. He wanted her to be anything but shy and embarrassed right now. “Fine. I am totally and completely in lust with you,” he said, provoking her. “Lust! You are the biggest asshole I’ve ever met! I don’t know why I even came here tonight. Leave it to you to complicate things more than they need to be.” Lalita moved, storming toward the door, but stopped just shy of it. “You know what?” She stalked over to him. To his surprise, when she reached him she grabbed a fistful of hair and yanked his head down. Gareth opened his mouth to demand she release his hair, but was silenced when her tongue thrust into his mouth. His groan of pain quickly turned to one of desire as she stroked his fangs. He felt his already semi-hard cock grow harder inside his jeans as she alternated between playing with his tongue and teasing his teeth. Releasing his hair, she stepped back and he swore she was the one wearing a shit grin. Almost as though she knew what she had done to him with that kiss... “Now that you know what you’ll be missing out on tonight... Later.” She sauntered over to the door. “Excuse me,” Gareth said, grabbing her arm and pulling her slightly back. “You aren’t going anywhere. You cannot be serious about doing this to me then walking away.” He gestured to the erection straining to get out of his jeans. “You, sir, are not going to tell me what I can and cannot do. I mean, it’s not like we’re in a relationship or anything, so I’m under no obligations. I mean, you do only ‘like’ me. So I’m sure that after I leave you’ll be able to find a girl or two that will be willing to help you out with your...little problem.”

“Little!” Gareth continued to hold her arm but stepped closer. For every step forward that he moved, she took one backwards until she was pressed against the doors. “There is nothing little about me and you know it La.” “Fine, don’t get your boxers in a bunch.” Gareth pressed his hips against her, smiling when he felt her ach towards him, slightly. “You want me.” “I never said I didn’t.” “You never said you did either. I want to hear you say it.” “Yes, Gareth, I want you. I desire you like I’ve never desired anyone else. But I’m not going to act on it. I’m not going to do anything as long as you insist all you feel for me is ‘like’ or ‘lust’. Sorry, babe, it’s all or nothing with me. I humiliated myself out there, telling you how I feel without knowing if you feel the same way. I can live with that. But I’m not going to let you trample all over my heart either.” “So you admit that you’re in love with me?” He had to be sure. I want all or nothing too La. Tell me you’re in love with me. Tell me that and I will gladly turn you into the creature you are so fascinated with. “Yes, Gareth, I admit it. I’m completely in love with you. Now let me go.” He shook his head. “Never. From the first time we danced together you were mine. I’m never letting you go La. We’ll fight, we’ll disagree, but we’ll always be together. Like it or not, you belong to me.” Before she could protest that she belonged to no man, he swooped in and kissed her. His tongue caressed her fangs, in his mind he smiled as he wondered how much louder, more sensual her moans would become when they became as sensitive as his were. Gareth’s hands moved down the sides of her body to her skirt. He pulled the hem up, knowing he would never be able to wait until they reached her apartment to be buried inside of her. His fingers glided from her hip down to her mound, his eyes opening when he discovered she had neglected to wear underwear that night. Gareth slid his finger in her dripping pussy and moaned deep in his throat. He couldn’t wait any longer to be have his cock deep inside her. “I got tired of you ripping them,” Lalita told him huskily before pushing against his chest. Gareth’s hands went to his jeans and he quickly freed his pulsing erection then tried to step closer to her. “Stop it, La,” he said as he watched her smooth her skirt down. “I am. I told you, I’m not settling any more. No matter how much I may want to.” “La, you know how I feel...” “No, Gareth, I don’t. All I know is that I make your dick hard, and that you enjoy fucking me.” The look on her face said it all. She was going to make him say it. “You’re going to make me say it, aren’t you?” Her eyebrow arched. “Say what?” Gareth sighed. “You’re going to make me tell you that I’m in love with you. That I have been for a while now.” “Yup, I’m going to make you say it.” “I just said it!” Lalita shrugged and straightening her skirt again. “Fine, damn it. La, I love you. I’ve loved you since the first time you wiggled your ass in my face, when you joined our group. I love your wacky sense of humor, your style. And yes, damn it I even love the way you make men drool. But I will not put up with you groping them any more!” “I won’t be told what I can or cannot do. Not even by you.” “Fine. Would you please stop putting your hands all over other men?” he asked through clenched teeth. “Why Gareth, all you ever had to do was ask. Consider it done,” she said in a silky sweet voice. “Now get your ass over here.” Gareth closed the gap between them, pulling her skirt up until it was around her waist once again. Tilting her head up for a kiss, he happily obliged as she wrapped one long leg around his waist and opened herself to him. As he kissed her, Gareth’s hands went to her ass, cupping it, lifting her slightly so that she could wrap her other leg around him as well. When both legs were around him, he slid into her, his eyes closing with pleasure as he realized this would be the last time they were able to have sex without any protection until they decided on whether or not they wanted kids. He thrust into her, knowing this would not last nearly as long as he would like. Both of their passions had run too high for it to be more than a quick release before they went straight back to her apartment to continue at a more leisurely pace.

Lalita moaned in his ear, her nails biting into his arms as she met him stroke for stroke. His mouth went to her neck, to the spot that he always marked. Her right hand released his arm and tangled in his hair. “Bite me,” she moaned huskily into his ear before she kissed and suckled on his neck. Gareth didn’t have to be told twice. He had hungered for a full taste of her since their first coupling. He lifted his mouth slightly off her flesh then pierced her flesh with his teeth. He felt a second’s panic as she mirrored his action. Then her blood flowed into his mouth. She tasted as sweet and spicy as he had known she would. He drank from her neck as greedily as he had drunk from her pussy when she came from his tongue. As he drank from her and felt her drinking from him, Gareth’s strokes grew harder, faster until they were both screaming from pleasure. As the orgasm finally subsided, he realized that he was still buried deep inside of her, both his cock and his teeth. His teeth slid out of her flesh and he helped the wound on her neck to close a bit faster, again feeling her mirroring his actions. Gareth carried her over to the couch and sat down, their bodies still joined. He cleared his throat. “Why didn’t you... I think you blend in better than any other person that I’ve ever met. It definitely makes the ‘I want to spend the rest of my life with you’ conversation easier, especially since I plan on spending centuries with you.” He kissed her neck, teasing her flesh with his sharp teeth and causing her to moan again. “It’ll also make things much easier when we move you into my house. Now we can definitely get rid of that freaky bed of yours, which just became doubly freaky now that I know you’re Vampire.” “No way. I love that bed! We’ll just have to take the time to take it apart and put it back together in your bedroom. Wherever I go, my bed goes. And it’s not freaky, it’s fun and very comfortable.” “La, I am not sleeping in a coffin the rest of my life. I’ve never even slept in a coffin before until I fell asleep at your place!” “You didn’t fall asleep in a coffin then! Just because it looks like a coffin doesn’t mean it is one. I paid a lot of money to have that bed custom designed!” “It looks close enough that it’s freaky.” Gareth watched Lalita’s face grow angry, before she smiled. “Well then, it looks like we’re just going to go back to my apartment and my big comfy bed so I can change your mind.” She kissed him, teasing his fangs. I finally understand why you never told me that you were a Vampire… I never told you because I thought you were human as well. Sometime, definitely not tonight, but sometime you are going to have to tell me how you came to have a human sister. Agreed. But definitely not tonight, he chuckled. Their kiss ended and both quickly straightened their clothes. Gareth suppressed his jealousy as Lalita smiled at Bram the bouncer as they left Club Strigoi and made their way quickly back to her apartment and her bed. On the way, Lalita stopped and looked at him. “You need to go to the drug store before you come to my apartment.” He looked at her in confusion. Then his eyes widened as he realized what she was talking about. “You better start praying now that I’m not pregnant! I am so not ready to be a mother!” Gareth smiled as he looked at her flat stomach. I’m not ready to be a Dad either, but if the Gods will it… He mentally shrugged. “I heard that!”