Page 25

TWENTY-FIVE

Ashley

He sounded like Micha and that was all it took. My pleasure crested, tipping me into an orgasm that washed over me in waves of bliss leaving my legs convulsing. My skin flushed as I cried out, my back arching, every roll of pleasure threatening to snap me in two until my vision blurred.

Isaac seized my hips, shoving his cock in so deep it could’ve torn my lungs. His muscles tightened and I felt him thicken and twitch before he groaned as he filled me with his cum.

He slid his cock from my pussy and rested his head on my chest, breathless. Then he reached for my hair, massaging my scalp before taking one of my curls in hand to caress it.

As he twirled it around a finger, I remembered Micha’s care when he’d forced me to shower in his office apartment. For as hard as I’d tried to ignore my feelings, I couldn’t anymore.

Maybe it was due to the intensity with which Isaac handled me, ravishing my body with a raging passion that nearly drowned me. Or maybe it was the familiar nickname he used for me, or the similarity with which he played with my hair.

Either way it didn’t matter. All that mattered was that I realized I wished it’d been Micha in bed with me and my heart cracked in two. The similarities were just too much for me.

Tremors started racking me as the tears began to flow down my face in a rush. My hands were still bound and my arms growing numb to the point I was losing feeling. There was nothing I could do to wipe away the evidence of what Isaac would surely take as a betrayal.

Issac lifted his head to eye me curiously before bracing himself on his forearms. “You’re hurting.” he said. He raised himself up and unfastened the belt, letting my arms drop.

Red marks were etched into my wrists as I rubbed the life back into them. Then, I began wiping away the tears.

Before I could finish, he leaned in and kissed and licked away the droplets. “Those belong to me,” he stated. “Tell me what is wrong.”

A fresh batch of tears fell from my eyes that he scooped up with his finger to suck on. “I think I’m just overwhelmed. It's been a while.” I gave him a halfhearted smile. It had been quite a while since I’d had sex. Not even a hook up.

“I don’t usually have this effect on women. At least not in your scenario,” Isaac said, rubbing his thumb on my cheek. I could only guess what he meant by the statement, my first thought going straight to him leaving a string of broken hearts in his wake.

After I cleared my throat, I said, “I’m overwhelmed. This is a big change for me in many ways.” I gave him a small smile. “My whole life changed; I left everything behind.”

At least, I was trying to.

He held a hand out to me. “Come, we need to shower. After, I’ll have you make a list of the items you want from your apartment. They’ll be retrieved for you.”

Sliding from the bed, I snatched a sheet and moved to wrap it around me. Isaac grabbed it and flung it to the floor. I sighed. He was the moodiest vampire I’d ever met.

On the way to the ensuite, he paused by a computer screen on the wall and tapped the button for housekeeping.

* * *

Over the next few days, we fell into a routine. Isaac, or perhaps an employee of his, had gone to my apartment and got the items I wrote down that I wanted with me. It wasn’t much, just a few pictures, a sentimental stuffed animal, and some jewelry.

Isaac was gone during the day, but not without checking up on me. He’d given me a new cell phone but after he realized I would absolutely not use it, he took mine, disappearing with it for several minutes before handing it back to me.

It didn’t take much for me to know he’d had to have installed spyware and restrictions on the device.

Between examining every inch of the penthouse and discovering cameras everywhere, watching streaming shows on television, texting with Andy and Karissa, I kept as busy as I could. Knowing I was being observed was an uncomfortable feeling, but I was used to the surveillance at Ipomoea and Angels, where every breath taken was cataloged. Granted, it was a bit different when you were somewhere you considered private. I’d have to learn to live with it.

When it was time for my scheduled shift at Angels, Isaac had his driver bring me. Mason escorted me to the door, letting me know my patron would be here later to pick me up. After I thanked him, I headed for Matthew’s office.

“How’s it going?” Lily asked me excitedly, accosting me in the hallway.

Giving her a hug, I answered, “It’s going well. How are you?”

“Tell me all about it—is he buying you presents? Does he have a big dick? I think they all do.”

My face heated and I glanced down at the floor.

“He does! Oh, girl, you’ve got it bad, don’t you.” Lily was waiting for me to say something else, to confirm her wild beliefs.

I resumed walking. “I was a little surprised at all the arrangement entails but it's not bad. It will take some getting used to.”

Lily looked hopeful. “But he’s kind to you, right?”

The question made me wonder what her own sponsor was like. She was here all the time, it seemed, so I knew hers wasn’t as possessive as mine. She could experience difficulties in other ways, though, for all I knew.

“He is. Really, it's going as well as can be expected. I’m adjusting.”

The office door opened. “Ashley, come in. Hi Lily.” Matthew stood in the doorway, taking up the whole frame. “Go back to work.” He winked at my friend.

I entered and he shut the door behind me and then leaned against his desk, his arms crossed. “I trust the arrangement is suitable? Have you had any issues, anything you’d like to discuss? Concerns?”

Shaking my head, I replied, “No, everything is good. I’m sure you’re aware it's a huge change. Isaac hasn’t done anything I didn’t expect, on some level.”

Matthew glanced at my neck and made a face like he’d just sucked on a lemon, reminding me of the rumor blood had been stolen from him. He must not be terribly fond of vampires, I assumed. “That’s good to hear. You look well. You are free to perform the duties of your shift in the main room. No private services, remember.”

“I do. Thank you.”

Kayla met me halfway. “There’s a guy asking for you. He’s at table fifteen.”

“Okay, I’ll go over there.”

She kept pace with me. “So? How is it? Did you guys bang?”

My hand dragged down my face before I glanced at her and said, “Why are you all obsessed with sex?”

“You did,” she laughed, “it's written all over your face.”

Everyone here would smell it, too. These creatures had super powered senses and now that I did have a Keeper, as Isaac would be referred to by many, my status would be broadcasted like I paid for a commercial in Times Square.

“Look at the business we’re in and ask yourself about sex again. Everything is sex. You wouldn’t even be alive if it wasn’t for your parents getting freaky.”

“Oh my God Kayla, okay. You’re right but I don’t need that visual.” We stopped at the edge of the main floor.

She shrugged. “I’d get a patron if it wasn’t for Andy. I mean, I’d change my status to available in case anyone asked. Vampires do it better.”

I couldn’t help it; I giggled. “You’re not wrong.”

Kayla’s shoulder touched mine. “I need to get Andy bit. Can you imagine?”

Yes, I could. We’d both slept with the man. “You forget who you’re talking to.”

“Oops. Anyway... I think you know that guy.” She tilted her head in the direction of table fifteen. Samuel.

“Yeah, I do. How’d he know I was here?” Oh yeah, he could smell me. Or maybe he saw me walk in?

Samuel was sitting, patiently waiting for me, his blond hair standing out in the low light. “All right, I’ll see you later. No sending vamps after Andy, please,” I said, grinning at my friend.

Kayla’s eyes shone. “But maybe his dick will grow bigger?”

I barked out a laugh and waved her off, my chest shaking from laughter. There was nothing wrong with Andy’s equipment. She obviously knew it, having slept with him how God knew how many times, after how long they’d been together now.

As I weaved my way through the tables, I felt watched. Many of the customers were checking me out but they were separable from a singular gaze prickling the baby hairs on the back of my neck. No matter which way I turned, taking the long way to Samuel, the feeling of observation never let go, dark and insistent.

Pausing, I swiveled my head, searching the faces. My heart stopped before it leaped up my throat, and I grabbed the back of a chair.

Micha .

He was here; here with two men I didn’t recognize, sitting at one of the lower tables with leather armchairs surrounding it. He was dressed as impeccably as always, one long, lean leg resting on a knee and a glass of red liquid in hand. His companions were dressed as finely, but neither held a candle to his elegance. With distaste, I saw one of the girls, named Kelly, alternating between the men, hanging all over them.

Poisonous jealousy welled up inside, making me want to cross the floor and rip her away from the table. It was a foolish notion seeing as there was nothing I could do to change anything that had happened. My feelings were completely unreasonable.

Even if Micha came over and got me, told me he was sorry and brought me back to Ipomoea, I’d already been bought. If I broke the terms of the contract I’d signed in blood, I’d be fired—and likely worse to ensure I kept my mouth shut.

No one would tell me what happened to the girls that violated their signed agreements, no matter how hard I pushed. The wide eyes and adamant shakes of heads let my imagination run wild with all kinds of scenarios.

Micha sat there, smiling at his companions, drinking his drink, without a care in the world. He appeared at peace, comfortable. He knew I was here. There was no way he didn’t.

And yet he refused to meet my eyes even though he had to have felt my stare. I kept up my vigil, my eyes smarting with tears until he bit his lip and stared into the contents of his glass while smoothing an invisible wrinkle from his pants.

“Ashley,” Samuel’s voice purred. “Please, join me.”

He slid an arm loosely around my lower back, apologizing to the customer who’s chair I’d held a death grip on. The person had been invisible to me, all my attention on the man who’d shunned me.

“Thank you,” I rasped, as I tried to collect myself.

After I was seated, I poured myself a tall glass of water and gulped half of it down. “How have you been?” I asked.

He took a sip of what I knew was a blood and wine mixture, brushing imaginary crumbs from the table before setting his glass down. “I’ve been well, thank you. I see you’re moving up in the world.”

“You mean smell. Yes, I have a patron now.” He hadn’t asked but still I said, “It’s going well.”

He leaned in, speaking in my ear, “If you ever want out, let me know.”

“What you’re suggesting could get you in a lot of trouble,” I warned him.

He huffed and then smirked. “I have many resources; several high up. Don’t underestimate me. You need something—it is done.”

His offer made me uncomfortable. He clearly had no issue with disregarding the rules and sending things into chaos. While I didn’t know much about Isaac yet, I had the feeling he was well-connected due to his obvious financial status and the way he carried himself. He was top tier even if I was ignorant of the finer details.

Matthew was an archangel, with multiple businesses. Angels was a major club in many large cities, and he owned them all. I’d seen the people that came to visit him, cleaned up after their parties and even sat with many of his exclusive guests.

None of these people played around. You didn’t want to mess with them. “I appreciate your offer, but I’ll have to pass,” I said. Gazing at him curiously, I asked, “Why do you want to help me so bad?”

Samuel lifted a hand, cupping my chin and dragging his thumb along my lower lip. I shrank back, freeing myself from his touch as the lights flickered. The distinctive sound of glass breaking cast a silence over the space before voices resumed murmuring. I heard someone laugh in the background.

Then Samuel chuckled. “Interesting. Interesting, indeed.” He leaned back, a self-satisfied smile covering his face.

“What if there’s something I want?” He asked, arching a brow. “Maybe I’ve wanted it for a while.”

My cheeks blushed. “Samuel,” I started, “you’re nice, and you’re handsome, but you know I’ve been claimed.”

He was a nice guy and highly attractive, but he wasn’t what I wanted. For myself, the chemistry just wasn’t there, and it wasn’t a thing that could be forced.

He scoffed. “That’s an archaic regulation. I’m willing to overlook your status; in fact, I already have.”

“I just don’t feel that way about you.” There were predetermined ways I was supposed to let down a customer in these types of situations, but I felt more familiar with him, having spent time outside of Angels. I was supposed to lead him on, but I found myself skirting the rules.

Samuel winced, the gesture appearing artificial to a degree due to his lack of tension. “You haven’t given me a chance.”

“Come on, wouldn’t something have happened that night at the bar if it were gonna?” He stood up suddenly and moved around the table to sit beside me. “What are you doing?”

He grabbed me by the waist and placed me on his lap, my hands hitting his chest for stability. “Don’t do this, they’ll kick you out,” I pleaded.

I tried to wiggle my way from his lap, but he held me firm. “I just want to make sure, pretty girl. One never knows what they may discover.”

“No,” I snapped, but it was too late. His mouth covered mine as he pulled me in and I shoved at him, thinning my lips and trying to get away.

The room plunged into darkness, the lights lowering before everything went black. Still, Samuel pressed his face to mine. “Let me in,” he insisted, clutching my neck.

Snaking an arm out from under his, I went for his eye, shoving a finger against his closed lid. Suddenly, I was yanked from his grasp and when I kicked my legs out, I met dead air. Alarmed voices raised around me as candles were lit and cellphone flashlights turned on.

I found myself seated at an empty table beside where I’d been hosting Samuel just moments before.

“The situation has been contained,” I heard Matthew’s voice call out. “Please enjoy your evening.”

The lighting flickered back on, and a murmur spread through the crowd before all returned to normal. My phone dinged and a notification from Matthew appeared on the screen requesting my presence in his office.

Feeling slightly disheveled and with my head spinning, I ran a hand through my hair and straightened my dress. When I stood up on shaky legs, I glanced around the room. Everything appeared normal, but Micha and his guests had left. Samuel was gone as well.

Disappointment filled me as I threaded my way past the customers and to the office.

“The disturbance was centered around you,” Matthew chastised me.

“One of our guests got handsy very fast and I tried to push him away. It happened before I could send a signal,” I defended myself. We were supposed to raise our hand like we needed help in a classroom in these scenarios, not stab a guest in the eye. When that failed, we were to yell for security. I’d done neither.

His jaw ticked. “You are aware that your history is not secret to me, right? I know you have a penchant for not following the rules. If I didn’t have such a lucrative contract with your sponsor, I’d be letting you go for disturbing our guests’ peace. This behavior cannot stand.”

“I honestly was taken completely by surprise, I’m sorry. He tried to kiss me, and I’ve committed to Isaac. I know he’d be angry, and I just wanted to protect our bond.”

Matthew’s eyes softened. “I was unaware he assaulted you, I’m sorry you had to experience that.” He made a humming sound and then continued, “I appreciate your acknowledgment of the sanctity of your joining. Consider this a warning. I am going to have to send you home for the evening; for the comfort of our esteemed guests. I’m sure you understand.”

I nodded. “I do think that would be best. It ruined my mood; I need to rest.”

Closing the door behind me, I pulled out my cellphone and tapped out a message.

Please come get me. I need to go home now.