Page 16 of The Sins That Bleed

Roses are Red

VALESKA

B efore the door has even finished closing behind Rai, I’m in the bathroom in the back, hands braced on the sink as I look at myself in the mirror with disgust.

Not from what just happened or his cruel words—I’ve faced many men who spit vitriol at me and treated me as an object they can fuck.

I’m disgusted because I enjoyed it. My legs are still shaking from the force of my orgasm as his warm cum drips down my legs.

I should clean it off, but I can’t bring myself to.

I’m torn between being grateful and disappointed that the window he fucked me against is only one way.

Part of me wanted the patrons in the club below to see me unravelled by that man, but the other part of me, the selfish part, is happy to keep it between us.

I’d have had to pay the cleaning crew triple if people started fucking in my club more than they usually do.

The bloodlust had been so strong that I couldn’t move even if he commanded it. One brush of my fingers on him and I’d have drained him dry, ruining my plans. I need to feed soon before I take it out on someone else, because that’s bad for business.

Sometimes it sucks being responsible.

I push away from the sink so I can clean myself off, hiking up my dress and turning to the full-length mirror. I rotate my leg to see his cum dripping down and my mouth waters at the thought of what we taste like mixed together.

I’m unable to help myself as I swipe a finger through the juices and suck it off. I moan at the combination of my sweet to his salty. I continue cleaning myself up this way until there is nothing left but his dried initials.

He’d claimed me.

My desire returns as though it had never been doused so I drop my dress, before I start reaching for another orgasm whilst watching myself in the mirror, and wash my hands clean. I exit the bathroom and listen for his heartbeat.

Nothing.

I ignore the disappointment that crashes into me. We hate each other so I should be glad he’s gone but I’m not. He’s stolen something from me like he said he would; I just hadn’t expected it to be a chunk of the walls I’ve built around my heart.

Why do I have to be attracted to men? So unfortunate.

I head out the side door to find Sunny and Nico—I can recognise his heartbeat now so I know he didn’t leave with his partner. I’d be surprised if he leaves at all. I find them dancing together to the beat of the song playing but not in a sensual way. They’ve decided to have a dance-off.

I chuckle as I watch them, matching each other’s energy and making the other smile.

A stab of jealousy hits me out of nowhere that I’ve never experienced that free feeling with someone I might want to be with, and I never will.

I’m cruel and harsh, wearing the skin of a monster while I bare my teeth at the world.

I am all sharp edges, the jagged pieces ripping into everything I touch.

But Sunny, she deserves the fucking world, and I hope Nico could be the one to give it to her. I blame her for making me a hopeless romantic, for getting a sense of longing when I see others together. She’s made me read so many romances now that it’s tarnished my view.

No man will ever live up to fictional ones written by women.

I head over to them to interrupt and say goodnight, my reason for staying is already on his way home. “Goodnight, Sunny, have fun and don’t do anything I wouldn’t do. You know how to get me if you need me.”

She squeezes me as she chuckles. “Looks like you’ve done enough for the both of us tonight.”

There’s no way to hide the scent lingering on my skin from her, and we’ve shared enough stories about our sex lives that we both know all the depraved things we’ll do to come. I turn to Nico’s tall frame and hold out my hand. I might like his aura, but I don’t let just anyone touch or hug me.

He dutifully takes my hand and shakes it. I give him a less-than-friendly smile as I pull him down to me and say, “Do anything to hurt her, petite fille, and I’ll gut you like a fish and leave you for the rats to feed on, compris?”

I lean back to look at him and see he’s wearing a shit-eating grin. “Understood. I wouldn’t dream of it, Lady V.” He throws me a wink for good measure, but I can tell he’s serious.

Smart man.

“Well then, goodnight to you both.”

I make my way back through the club to my elevator, accompanied by Zyon in silence.

It’s a good sign that there is nothing to report, all is well for once.

I ignore the raging thirst that’s now burning in my throat.

The scent of Rai wrapped around me like smoke is intensifying the feeling in the confined space.

The soft ding of the elevator announces its arrival and I shed all human mannerisms as I make my way to the part of the skyscraper containing my private quarters, aching to quell the monster clawing at my core.

Zyon accompanies me to the doors before bidding me a goodnight and retiring to his suite.

There’s no need for him to stay once I’m up here in my castle in the sky, and I like to give him enough downtime to have some fun. Slipping inside, I lean back on the doors I’ve closed behind me, taking in the dark Gothic architecture that belongs in a historical building, not a modern skyscraper.

It’s the only part of my previous life, the one before I became a vampire, that I hold onto.

Growing up in northern France, it was commonplace to see complex stained glass decorating the windows, spires and towers decorating the outside, every building projecting its character for everyone to see. I miss it.

But this feels a little like home.

The entrance hall is a shadow, with columns and carvings lining the walls, barely lit to provide an ambience that screams money and danger, like a rose with its thorns.

Beautiful and dangerous. The only sound is from my feet as I let them click across the floor to the wide staircase that will take me to my room.

Exhaustion pummels into me with every step I take up, not from physical exertion, but mental. When you’ve been alive for centuries, it gets heavy. So many people rely on me to keep them safe and provide them with a job so they can feed their families, and then there’s Sunny.

My sweet Sunny, who’s become the most important person to me. I’d do anything for her, to annihilate the motherfuckers who forced her into my path. I don’t regret meeting her or changing her, I only regret how it happened and hate the people responsible.

I throw the double doors to my room open and kick them shut. As soon as the doors encase me into my room, I remove my dress, placing it gently on the bench at the foot of my enormous four-poster bed—all dark wood wrapped in wine-red silk and chiffon, red roses wrapped around the frame.

The silky-soft sheets are calling my name, but I move to my balcony, grabbing my infusing pipe and my lace robe on the way.

Slipping my arms through the material but not bothering to do it up, I step onto the balcony.

I leave the doors open and let the wind flow over my exposed skin, the chill a delicious sensation as it nips at my flesh.

I stand at the railing, the only thing stopping me from plummeting to the earth, as I look out over my city.

Lit up and bustling with life as humans go looking for a good time or to get into trouble.

Usually, I’d be out there with them, but the agent has burrowed under my skin and the thought of letting someone else touch me after tonight would only end up with them losing their head.

I hold my pipe to my lips and drag in a deep breath. The flavour bursts onto my tongue as the smoke hits it, tumbling down my throat and into my lungs. I close my eyes, revelling in the sensation as my body lights up with the high, an ache building between my legs with it.

Something about Rai has unlocked a craving in me that can’t be satisfied. How can I still want him when he’s already made me come tonight?

I drag another cherry-flavoured lungful in, and another, and another, but it still won’t go away.

“Fuck!”

Frustrated, I slam my fists down on the balcony edge and watch a little of the stone crumble away. I need to pull myself together before my home becomes another victim of my rage. I storm back into my room, determined to get him out of my system.

I stand before the large mirror in the corner of my room, its carved black frame reaching floor to ceiling, and scrutinise my reflection, searching for any sign of what has changed.

My hair is messy from the wind and where Rai had pulled the pins from my hair to work as nipple clamps.

If I’d known he was into causing pain, I would have shown him all the toys I keep for pleasure.

My eyes travel down and take in my taught nipples, my smooth stomach and thighs that are moonlight-pale, all the way to my toes, painted cherry-red and still encased in my heels.

I look like a queen. My mouth stretches into a grin at the thought, but quickly diminishes when all I can think about is how Rai would react if he could see me right now.

An idea forms and I search for my phone. Spotting it on the nightstand, I grab it and snap photos in front of the mirror. Strategically placing my robe in some and opening it up in others to put myself on display, crouching and kneeling to get different angles.

I have his number. I’m sure he’ll wonder how I got it, but I’ll deal with that later. I fire off a text, deciding I want to get under his skin like he has mine. Haunt his every thought and dream, like he possesses mine.

Valeska: Roses are red,

Violets are blue.

Let me be your sin,

And I’ll repent for you.

…

Rai: Who is this?

I don’t bother answering his question, instead, I send a photo that will tell him exactly who it is.

I pick the one of me on my knees, they’re open and I’m on complete display for him except for my face, which is covered by my phone.

I can’t bring myself to drag this out with how wound tight I feel, aching for release.

The lighting makes it difficult to see much, but a slight adjustment to the exposure would give him a better view.

I wait and see what he’ll reply but nothing comes.

When I don’t see the dots appearing to tell me he’s typing after a couple of minutes, I give up.

He’s either ignoring me or fucking his hand.

I can’t stand the thought of him getting to come again without me. The urge to turn up at his apartment tugs at my body but I suppress it. I’ve given enough of myself to him tonight, I’ll take care of myself like I always do.

I head into my dressing room and open the drawer that contains some of my toys.

I select the thickest vibrator I have and take it back to the mirror.

I sit in front of it as I switch the vibrating cock on and discard my phone on the floor next to me, tracing the toy over my nipples and down my stomach, over my thighs, until it finally hits the spot I need it most. I watch myself and sink into my depraved thoughts.

I don’t stop until I’m exhausted and dragging myself into bed, falling into oblivion.