Page 25 of Blood as Sweet as Roses

She hurries over to the bar at the end of the lounge, and comes back quickly with a bottle and a wineglass on her tray. Before she can serve it, I snatch the bottle and pull out the cork with my fang.

The blood is extremely sweet, with a strange, tangy aftertaste.

I wrinkle my nose at her. “What type of blood is this?”

“Um…it’s mermaid blood…” she stutters nervously.

“Jesus Christ,” I hiss, glaring at the bottle, which I now see has a shimmering shell on the label.

“I’m sorry, sir,” says the server.

I wave my hand dismissively, and she hurries away. Everyone else is giving me a wide berth. Grouchily, I sink into my throne, taking another swig of seablood.

It’s actually not terrible, once you get used to it. In a matter of a minute, I’ve downed most of the bottle.

I must be distracted, because I don’t even hear the telltale, hummingbird flutter of her heart as she approaches. Instead, a tiny cough alerts me to her presence beside my throne.

Paige.

Tonight, her black hair is down, flowing around her shoulders in waves. She wears a flowery dress, with cutouts around her bodice, and a pretty gold necklace.

She looks up at me shyly, her cheeks rosy, her brown eyes soft and submissive.

They tug at something inside me. An urgent, insistent need.

“Good evening,” I say to her.

“Hello,” she replies, fiddling with her necklace. Humans are always moving. Their bodies always humming, teeming with energy. “I…I didn’t see you here last night.”

“I had some business to attend to,” I reply, grimly.

“Oh,” she says, genuine concern in her eyes. “Was it about the other vampire? I heard she was staked.”

“She was.” My voice is hard, but where it might have scared another breather away, she actually leans in closer.

“I’m so sorry. That must have been difficult.”

She’s so strange. I regard her curiously as I take another swig of blood.

“I thought I would come see…if you need me again tonight,” she continues.

Her pulse quickens slightly, likely because she’s fantasizing about all of the things I could need her for.

But while I would love to trade this distilled mermaid swill for her delectable, fresh blood, I’ve been feeding from her far too often lately.

It would be wise to allow her a few nights to replenish.

Her chests rises and falls as she waits for my reply, so sweet and patient.

She would do anything I asked her to. And the thought makes me hard and…decidedly impatient.

I did promise her I would punish her, didn’t I?

I’m not quite in the mood for that tonight, but…

She said she enjoyed being watched, didn’t she? And looking around at the packed, celebratory lounge, I think we have an ample audience for a little show.

I bring the bottle to my lips, and finish it off in one, powerful gulp. Then I turn my gaze back to her.

“I won’t drink from you tonight,” I tell her. “But if you’d like…you can serve me in another way.”

Her throat ripples as she swallows, the skin there so tender and soft. I can smell the desire rise in her, see the submission in her eyes.

“Yes,” she whispers, breathlessly. “Yes, my king. Anything you want.”

“Good girl,” I growl.

She quivers at my words. If she continues to be good, I’ll reward her with pleasure beyond her wildest dreams.

I lean toward her, and whisper a question in her ear. Her quickened heartbeat answers before she does.

“Yes, I would. I would like that,” she whispers back, her voice barely audible.

“Good,” I reply. Then I nod to the floor in front of me. “Kneel.”

Her breath hitches, and she quickly obeys my command. The sight of her on her knees is wonderful, and my mood immediately improves.

I reach down, and unbutton my dress pants. I pull them off smoothly, kicking them to the side. I’m wet and hard already, from watching her from this vantage point.

Paige’s heart beats eagerly in her chest, her eyes wide and her cheeks flushed. When I saw the way she looked at me in my office, I guessed that she would enjoy this. And clearly my guess was accurate.

I spread my legs wide against the arms of my chair, exposing myself to her. She looks up at me, a begging expression across her heart-shaped face.

I’m aware of the other vampires and living humans watching us, their eyes glinting red and purple in the neon lights of the club.

“Show everyone how well you serve your king,” I tell her.

She leans forward, putting her trembling hands upon my thighs.

Her tender, sweet mouth finds my clit. She licks and sucks me gently, slowly, as she explores me.

I take the back of her head in my palm and press her into me more firmly.

She moans at my taste, a precious sound that amplifies my own desire.

It’s exquisite, watching her on her knees, submitting to me, feeling her lips and tongue caress me. The eyes of the other vampires, seeing me claim her, gives me a rush of power and dominance.

She looks up at me, her eyes wide. “Are you enjoying it, sir?”

“Yes, sweet one,” I reply, taking her jaw in my hand and caressing her chin. She leans into my touch, her eyes fluttering softly. “You’re doing very well.”

She shines under my praise, a radiant smile lighting up her face. Her tongue comes up to lick her lip, savouring my taste.

She looks perfect like this.

But there’s something that would be even more perfect.

I think I’m going to give her a present.