Page 6 of The Vampire’s Prey

Is she just a meal though? I scent the air again and find it disturbing that I can’t smell her. Sure, I can smell her skin, her shampoo, her body wash, but I can’t smell her. She’s smiling and laughing, and it looks genuine; however, I’m not getting any scents that lead me to believe she’s actually feeling those things. On the one hand, it’s refreshing not to have the cloying scents constantly washing over me. Even the geishas were a lot more subtle in their emotions. But nothing?

Something is amiss here. It takes a moment, but I finally figure out what it is that’s drawing me to her. I can’t translate her. I can’t pick out anything she’s giving off and make it tell me anything about her. What I can tell is that I am affecting her, even if she won’t admit it to herself. I keep seeing the small glances she steals my way. It’s cute actually. She’s trying so hard to deny herself. To deny me. If only she knew that I ensnared her from the first moment, and now she will not be free until I will it.

Enough. I can feel my body demanding blood. I know it won’t be satisfied until I’ve fed on my little enigma. Since that is not in the cards tonight, I have to get something on tap. I can’t let myself lose control. Especially not around her.

I ease out of the booth and head back over to her. One last time. Just one last scent. As I get closer, the heady mixture of her skin mixed with the vanilla she’s wearing makes my head swim. Just a few more steps, and I can claim her.

“Want the special, Adrian?”

I blink and look over. Green stands there, blocking the view of my conquest. She’s still fixing drinks but giving me a very concerned look. Hell, what must I be broadcasting to get her involved?

“Thanks, but I just came over to say goodbye. I’m going to grab my coat and head out.” I’ve got to nip this thing in the bud now.

“That might be for the best. Weren’t you telling me you have to get up early?”

I take her cover graciously. “Yes. Exactly that. Bye, Green. Bye, Rapunzle.” She scrunches her forehead in a deep frown and narrows her eyes. I chuckle at her attempts to be fierce. If only she knew what a dangerous creature I actually am. It’s cute though. I always love it when my dinner has a backbone. Tonight, I’m going to consider her the winner of this round. Next time, it will be my turn.

As I make my way over to the coat room, I see Tiberius still manning the area. Groaning at his eat-shit grin, I try to push past him.

“Still striking out?”

I give him the middle finger as I make my way to the dungeon. “Fuck you, Tiberius.” His chuckles follow me as I make my way down the stairs.

As usual, the area is thick with the smell of sex and blood. My previous hard on jumps back up with a vengeance. The writhing bodies call to me; they bring my mind back to a particular blonde morsel with legs for days and an ass that won’t quit. She should be down here with me, under me. But no. I let her stay up there and work. Perhaps it is safer but for whom? I cannot stay denied for too long.

A quick glance over to Lucius and Selene put my mind back where it needs to be. Lucius opened up this haven to me without even knowing me. I owe him a whole lot more than taking a worker off the floor when they need her the most. When it comes to satisfying the needs of the whole, I can usually put aside my own needs. Tonight, however, that’s proving to be a very difficult task.

My head swims with the heady mixture of pain and pleasure. Moans, screams, sighs all meld together in the most decadent harmony. My body sways to the beat of the Florentine floggers nearby, and every inch of my body tightens in regret. Damn my morals. Damn the high road. She should have been down here with me.

I have to get out of here before I cannot control myself. Luckily, I’m leaving town tomorrow for a week to visit my family. That should be enough time to get my head back in the game.

Just a visit or two with my favorite bake-onnas should be enough to level me back out. Even as I think this, I know that I won’t be able to shake the sassy blonde from my mind. Until I finally conquer her, I can’t move on. She will be mission number one when I return home. I smile as I make my way up to the bar. A man with a plan. That’s how I like it.

“I’ll take what’s on tap.”

“He’ll take the special.”

I turn and see Lucius making his way up to the bar. Why is everyone insisting I try the special? Is it unicorn blood?

“What’s on tap is fine, Lucius.”

“I insist.”

Without waiting for me to answer, the bartender moves away from the taps and gets some blood from a different area.

“Who am I to deny you, Lucius?”

“Exactly.” His smile is predatory, but I can sense a hint of mirth behind it. At least he’s not completely strong arming me. It’s not like he’s my sire or anything.

“I’ve got to ask. What’s so special about this blood? Even Green offered it to me.”

“Let’s just say, it’s got a little extra kick. I think you’ll feel much better if you have some.” He sits next to me on the bar stool and stares me down. “I’m worried about you. I know you’re not mine to care for, but this is my club and my home. Anything that poses a threat to me and mine makes me concerned.”

I throw my head back and laugh, getting dirty looks from some of the people deep in their scenes. Sobering, I hold my hands up in an apology. “You’re worried about me? Because I don’t partake every night?”

“But it’s not even every other night, is it? You’ve been at my club off and on for months now, and I’ve never even seen you show interest in anyone. I know you still consume blood because I see you here night after night. By the time you’re done, you leave behind a slew of empty cups. Is it the selection? Do none of the plethora of club members stir you? None of my workers?

My mind goes straight back to the one worker I can’t have at the moment. I shake my head to clear my vision. No. I cannot lose control. Not here and especially not around Lucius.