“Shower,” Cailte purred. “Oh, I liked that.” He stared, still utterly fascinated, at the cascade of water flowing from the wide, round head that hung suspended above them in the tiny glass room. “I thought you would,” Ario chucked, his body still tingling. With a stupid grin on his face, he shut off the water and reached for a large towel sitting on his bathroom counter. “Even the Romans could not produce such wonders as this.” “Hmm,” Ario murmured, making motions for the giant to move toward him. “I am teaching you, young one.” Cailte chuckled, wrapping his arms around his lover’s waist and pulling him to his wet body, ignoring the towel Ario held. “You should pay attention.” “I am paying attention, old, dusty one.” Ario smiled. He felt relaxed, truly relaxed, for the first time in years. “Well, I have been paying attention as well, lover.” Cailte gently pulled the towel from Ario’s hands and began to pat his lover dry. “Is it a custom to remove the body hair here?” His hands moved over Ario’s groin, soaking away tiny silver drips of water while touching the still bloated base of Ario’s hairless cock and gently cupping the equally denuded balls while his free hand ran over Ario’s face. “A habit from my youth.” Ario blushed, staring down at Cailte’s body, partially denuded of hair by his hand. “And you decided to share?” “I am not used to red hair.” Ario repeated his comment from earlier before reaching for a second towel. He reached up and wrapped the towel around Cailte’s head. “So you removed it?” “Yes.” He shook his head and looked down. “I apologize for my actions.” “Growing back is going to itch like a son of a bitch,” Cailte complained. Ario could not help the smile that filled his face. His Cailte was so accommodating, he thought, stepping back and briskly drying off the man. “One grows used to it or one continues to shave.” Ario sounded smug, he knew. In response, Cailte spun him around and swatted his full ass, just once. “Respect your elders.” Cailte chuckled, watching as Ario twisted around to look down at the light pink mark that rose on his ass before fading away. “If they do something that warrants respect.” Ario snorted, using the towel he had dried Cailte off with to dry his long hair, a wicked grin pulling at his lips. “I thought that I earned that respect, lad.” Cailte laughed outright. “In that pallet on the floor and in this shower.” “Mmm.” Ario nodded as he strode from the room, a still-dripping Cailte on his heels. “Perhaps.” “Perhaps, he says,” Cailte muttered as they bypassed the guest room and entered the master bedroom. “Oh, hey!” He stopped at the door and just looked around. Ario’s bedroom was an indulgence for him, the only place where he chose to drop his Japanese minimalist design scheme and just go with what felt right. What felt right was the huge, cast-iron head- and footboard on his California king-sized bed. The bed was heaped with so many pillows they spilled off and onto the dark, carpeted floor. Instead of a dresser, there was a huge walk-in closet. “Nice room,” Cailte breathed, and Ario turned to watch him walk over to the huge bed and press down on the mattress. Cailte’s eyes took in the ceremonial katana sets on the walls and the low bench that sat against the far wall across from the bed. “Thank you.” Ario dived into his closet and emerged quickly, wearing a loose pair of boxer shorts and a button-up cotton shirt. “Now if you are done dripping on my floor…” He walked over and grabbed the towel that was still around Cailte’s head and began to dry his massive body once more. “I like it that you’ve dressed, lover,” Cailte purred, reaching around Ario and pulling him up against his still nude body. “One of the best things in the world is to be undressed by your lover.” Cailte ran his hands through Ario’s damp hair as Ario’s motions with the towel slowed, then stopped completely. “I have never been undressed by a lover.” Cailte paused in the unbuttoning of Ario’s shirt to stare in open-mouthed amazement at his longhaired lover. “Never?” “Never.” Ario blew out a breath that ruffled the strands of hair hanging in his face. “Why?” Cailte tilted his head to the side, his purple eyes curious. He pressed the palms of his hands to his lover’s chest, feeling his warm skin and the beating of his mending heart beneath his hands. “I guess they thought I wasn’t worth it.” His eyes closed, and he leaned into Cailte’s touch, enjoying the press of skin against him. “Then they were fools,” Cailte snarled, his eyes narrowing at the thought of Ario’s previous consorts. “How dare they…?” “Hey!” The warm palm caressing the rough stubble on his face stopped Cailte’s tirade before it could really begin. “Hey,” Ario repeated, a small smile spreading across his lips as he stared up at his new lover. “I never really complained.” He sighed, looking a bit sheepish. “I mean, I did what I had to do, and you know…” He blushed. “That is no excuse!” “But I really didn’t care about them,” Ario insisted. “So it didn’t matter to me who stripped who so long as the job was done.” “You truly cared for none of them?” Cailte asked, running his hands over Ario’s chest. “Truly?” “Not all of them…” Ario paused in his speaking, his eyes going a bit hazy as if he was lost momentarily in thoughts of the past. “But the ones I… I endured for, they were the ones that frightened me the most.” “Because you cared,” Cailte divined. “You… you frighten me.” “Because you care?” The grin that spread across Cailte’s face was too big to be hidden. “You care about me, little Ario.” “I am willing to have sex with you,” Ario began, but the kiss that was pressed to his lips stopped any more words from spilling forth. And Cailte took advantage, thrusting his tongue deep into his lover’s sweet mouth, diving his tongue along his back teeth and tickling the roof of his mouth. “I want to feel…” Ario didn’t realize he had spoken out loud until Cailte drew back, just a little, his eyes sparking with hope. He moaned as Cailte bent low and paused, breathing him in, his lips barely touching those of his lover. “I — I —” Ario stammered, shuddering at each soft press of lips, his heart racing, his palms sweating, his knees growing weak. And hope — horrific, beautiful, derisive hope — was once more building rainbows in his mind and pressure in his chest. “Ario?” Panting from their near kiss, Cailte breathed his name. His hand surrounded that most precious face, holding it so their gazes locked. “So you feel me?” he demanded, pressing against Ario’s growing erection, tearing a moan from his throat. “Do you feel me, Ario?” he all but growled. “Yes.” The word was muffled as Ario buried his face in Cailte’s neck, inhaling the rich scents of soap and musk. “I feel you. Kami-sama, do I feel you.” And then there was no stopping Ario. He leaned back as Cailte pushed his shirt from his body to flutter to the floor at their feet, and then he reached out and took his lover — his lover — into his arms. He moved backwards, Cailte following closely as they moved to the bed. “Here.” Ario shivered as he tugged Cailte. “I need you here.” “Gods, take what you need, lover,” Cailte growled, reaching out and lifting Ario completely off the ground, surprising him by his show of strength. Cailte deposited him on his back on the bed. Ario’s boxers were torn from his body and tossed aside as he scrambled to his knees. “I want this,” he breathed as Cailte joined him, getting so close that Cailte’s cock pressed high above his navel while his own pressed against Cailte’s warm thigh. His arms went around the taller man’s neck, and he pulled his lover’s mouth to his. “I will have this.” “Without pain or fear,” Cailte whispered in his ear before suckling at the lobe, drawing a growling moan from Ario. Then it was all about exploration. Ario’s hands roamed over the pale flesh set before him like a present, and he treated Cailte like the gift he was perceived to be. He squeezed the hard, rounded shoulders and arms of a man who had wielded a sword for years. His chest was a feast of hills and valleys that were warm and firm to the touch. Cailte’s pink nipples responded to his touch, growing even harder as he lowered his head and sucked at them. “Whatever you want, lover mine,” Cailte gasped, moaning as his head dropped back, leaving himself open and vulnerable to whatever ministrations Ario wished to visit upon him. “Lay down.” The command in Ario’s voice was clear as his green eyes dilated, his lashes at half-mast. “I want to see what my diligence has awarded me.” Chuckling, Cailte allowed himself to fall back on the bed, his hair fanning damply around his head. He spread his arms wide and thrust his hips up, the glistening tip of his pink cock waving gently as he moved. “Hopefully, I’ll get more than a rub-off. That was nice in the shower, lover, but now I am hungry for something more substantial.” “The warm-up,” Ario promised as he closed his eyes and let his magic flow to the surface of his skin. He had not done this in so long just because he wanted to — he was almost giddy just from gathering the power. He felt his skin tingle as he leaned over Cailte, noting that his lover’s breathing had hitched when he called upon his magic. It seemed that whatever force existed within his lover was compatible with his, and that would make this loving all the more special. He started by running his magically armed hands up Cailte’s thighs, watching as the man moaned and spread his legs further, giving Ario access to all his most vulnerable spots. “Perfect.” Ario paused to toss his hair behind his shoulders so that it would not hamper his movements as he again ran his hands over his lover’s corded thighs. “You are perfect, Cailte mac Ronan.” “Not so much, love.” Cailte’s voice was reedy as he answered. “Not perfect. Just perfect for you right now.” “Yes,” Ario agreed, lowering his head to breathe on Cailte’s cock, his erection throbbing in sympathy as it jerked and a thin, clear spurt of precum rolled down his length. “Just perfect.” “Well?” Cailte lifted his head to glare down into Ario’s eyes. “Are you gonna suck it or talk to it?” “Both.” And Ario just sucked the whole thing down his throat… without gagging. “Taranis’ left nut!” Cailte cried out, eyes wide in amazement, and Ario had to pull off his cock with his laughter. When was the last time he had laughed in bed? “I’m not complaining, lad,” Cailte urged. “I am not complaining. It was a compliment to your skill!” This time Ario rested his head on his lover’s thigh as his laughter overcame him. Every time he looked up into that pleading face, he had to chuckle just a little bit more. “Ario, m’love?” “Mmm, yes?” Ario giggled, looking over at his lover’s extremely large, swollen balls. They looked like fun… “If I ask nicely would you… Never mind!” Cailte paused in his imploring as Ario leaned over and sucked first one and then the other ball into his mouth, laving the wrinkled skin of his sac with his wet, rough tongue. “You keep on doing what feels good.” Cailte’s head dropped back to the pillows as Ario rose up on his knees, his ass waggling in the air as he set out to pleasure his lover. He sucked and nipped at the balls, bring his hands into play to push Cailte’s thighs wider and to heft the mass of his scrotum in his palms. Ario worshiped his lover’s most vulnerable spots, caressing them, teasing him, and giving them just enough roughness to cause an ache and not true pain. Soon he had to hold Cailte’s hips still as the man began to writhe on the bed. “Mine!” Ario intercepted him as Cailte’s hands went to his leaking cock, stopping the man before he could get more than one good stroke in. “I’m dying here, lad,” Cailte whined, lifting his head to stare down at him again. “Please?” “You only had to ask.” Ario’s voice was husky in his desire, and he used that as a sexual weapon as well. It worked, because Cailte’s eyes all but rolled in their sockets as he closed them worshipfully. He gripped his lover’s cock by the base, and after giving it a teasing lick, swallowed the whole thing down. Cailte moaned, his hips thrusting upwards shallowly. His hands went to Ario’s hair, gently rubbing at his scalp, showing his appreciation with his caresses. “So beautiful, m’lover,” he drawled, and Ario had to agree. He looked up the long line of Cailte’s pale body, noted the closed eyes, the lips barely parted in his passion, the way he seemed to give his whole being up to this act. Slowly he lifted his head, his tongue playing with the length of his lover’s cock, nibbling at the foreskin with his teeth before he swallowed it deeply again. As he did this, he slid his fingers inside his mouth, collecting the slick mixture of his saliva and his lover’s seminal fluids before he lowered his fingers below his lover’s jerking balls to his tight, puckered opening. He circled his finger around Cailte’s anus, looking for a positive reaction. And when his lover only moaned louder and spread his legs farther, Ario took that as permission to continue. He slid his finger into his lover up to the first knuckle and watched as the man jerked and began to curse in some language Ario could not understand. He recognized his name, and as he searched out and pressed on his lover’s prostate, Cailte began chanting his name louder and louder. “Right there, lover,” Cailte was gasping as Ario swallowed him to the hilt and began to play with his gland. “Mmm, right there. Keep doing that.” So Ario played with him, swallowing around his thick shaft as he fucked him slowly with his finger. Soon one finger became two, and when Cailte demanded more, Ario pulled away. “Ario?” Cailte asked, sitting up a bit as Ario slid his fingers free. “Just getting something.” Ario smiled, watching as Cailte’s gaze moved to his red cock, the tip glistening with his precum. “Hurry back.” He dropped his head back to the pillows and began to fist his cock, running his fingers under the foreskin as he lifted one foot to rest flat on the bed, spreading himself even further open before Ario’s stunned gaze. Ario all but ran to his closet to pull out a bottle of massage oil and a condom. He considered the condom for a second, then tossed it back into the dresser. He was clean, and he doubted that a man as old as his Cailte, not to mention magical, would have any diseases to pass on. He returned to see Cailte getting into his jerk-off session, his hips thrusting up into his fist as his free hand ran over his chest, tugging at his nipples. “Keep going,” Ario all but panted as he moved to the bed, popping open the bottle of oil as he drew closer. “I like to watch.” And he watched as Cailte arched his hips into each pump, as his silvery, slick precum slid down his shaft and fingers. A cherry-red flush began to flow up from his shoulders and neck until his whole face was nearly glowing in heat. Cailte licked his lips and tilted his head toward Ario. “Come… here.” And Ario was on him in a flash, spreading oil over his fingers before dropping the bottle beside Cailte’s hip. He brushed Cailte’s hands away and held his lover down as he slid two fingers in deep. “I — I take this… oh, gods, Ario… to mean… Uhh, to mean that… you… gonna fuck me?” he ended in a rush, both his hands tangling in Ario’s hair and pulling him down for a kiss. Cailte ate at his mouth. He nipped, licked, and suckled and did everything he could to convey the pleasure he was feeling to Ario. “For a little while.” Ario pulled back far enough to say before lowering his head and latching onto a nipple, biting and sucking as two fingers became three. Soon, Ario was slicking up his dick and pulling back to line himself up with Cailte’s reddened hole. “Easy, now.” Cailte soothed both of them, wrapping one leg around Ario’s waist and spreading the other out to the side. “I havena done this for some time.” “You will feel no pain at my hands,” Ario assured him, flexing his magic to the loosened hole, ensuring that Cailte would feel nothing but growing desire from this taking. And then he was sliding in, cursing softly under his breath as the tight, silken heat of his lover’s ass enveloped him. “Cailte!” he moaned as his lover’s leg tightening around his waist, drawing him closer. He forced his eyes to remain on his lover’s face, noting the flush had gotten deep and that he was panting and open-mouthed, but there was no pain painted across his face. He pulled out shallowly and then slid back in, gritting his teeth to resist the urge to just slam deep into Cailte’s heat. But he moved slowly, pulling out and sliding in, inches at a time until his full length was buried in his lover’s ass. “Gods, big dick.” Cailte opened his eyes to smile up at his lover. “Stretching me out, lover. Filling me up.” Ario’s answer was to grip Cailte’s cock, which had softened a bit during his entry, and stroke it hard. Cailte’s erection came back with a vengeance, and he was soon grinding down on Ario’s hard dick. Ario tried not to hold his breath as wave after wave of intense ecstasy ran through his body. He rocked his hips, trying to keep a comfortable tempo, but his lover was blowing his control with his expressive face showing nothing but bliss, with the way he sweetly submitted to him. The way he left his body open and vulnerable to his erotic attack, the way he openly showed his pleasure in loud grunts… it was all too much for Ario. Sooner than he wanted, he found himself increasing his tempo, and he slammed rapidly in and out of his lover’s body. “Harder, lover!” Cailte was groaning, his head pushing back deep into the pillows. “So deep, so good!” Moaning, Ario rose enough to move one hand to grope for the bottle of oil. He managed to pop open the top again and spray oil over his fingers. He bent over and pressed his fingers to his ass, sinking them deep. “Gods, I felt that,” Cailte gasped, his eyes opening wide as he lifted his head to see behind his lover. “Ario, what are you doing?” In answer, Ario pulled out of his lover and moved to straddle his chest. “Need… I — I — so empty!” he gasped, dropping his head so that his nearly dry hair flowed free, hiding his face. “Want you inside…” Before he could say any more, Ario found his world spinning as Cailte rose and put him on his back. Then his fingers were being pulled from his body and replaced with Cailte’s much longer ones. “Kami!” Ario all but screeched, his magic flaring as fire flowed up from his ass, to his cock, and through his body. “Yes! Hii! Hii! Yes!” “Fuck me,” Cailte moaned before twisting his fingers deep. “From top to bottom, love! I love a versatile man!” And before Ario could say more, he felt the broad head of his lover’s cock at his ass. He flexed his muscles, making his hole kiss his lover’s head before Cailte gave a shove that got the head through the ring of guardian muscles. Instead of pain, Ario felt nothing but a deep, growing hunger and an emptiness that demanded filling. He wrapped his legs around his lover’s waist and pulled. He felt his body open for the hard invader and could only scream his gratitude. He clenched down and felt the hardness that would not give as Cailte moved steadily inside of him. Finally, after a small, brilliant bit of eternity, Cailte’s full length rested deep within him. “Fuck me!” Ario moaned, his head going from side to side on the pillows. Shivers wracked his body. “Fuck me now!” “I’ll fuck ya, boyo.” Cailte began to grind his hips from side to side, caressing the nerve-rich walls as well as brushing his length against Ario’s prostate. Ario was beyond words. All he could do was feel — feel the thick cock sliding through his body, the excited nerves sparking off fire with each slide of that throbbing dick, his body flushing hot and then shivering as bright lights filled his eyes. This was magic, he was magic, and as long as his lover’s cock was moving inside of him, he could do anything! He was screaming and crying and laughing, and it all felt so damn good! He felt the pressure build, an unencumbered tension that tightened each muscle of his body. But there was no pain. It was just pleasure, pleasure, pleasure. Cailte!” he called to his lover, his nails scraping across his back as Cailte pulled out and slammed his full length home. And then Ario was gone, crying out as the tension in him broke, as his hard cock began to shoot forth his hot seed, as his ass clenched on the hardness that had given him so much joy and delight. He was coming! He could feel a gush of wet heat as Cailte exploded as well, but that was only an addition to his satisfaction. He was coming, and there was no pain, there were no tears, there was only heat and ecstasy, and… and… and his heart was melting. And at the center of this emotional storm that had taken him over was the purple-eyed, red-headed lover he had found. In the middle of it all, holding him together and spreading him across the universe with his loving, was Cailte.

If push comes to shove, you would do well to give the alien exactly what he desires. It may open up an opportunity to escape at a later time. Never feel guilty about giving in if it buys you some time.

His hair exploded from his braid, and like a living thing it began to rub and caress at her body. She stared in wide-eyed amazement as the alien loomed over her, his mouth spread in a wide grin. She slammed her eyes closed, not wanting to see her death coming, but instead he began to whisper to her.

“This will not hurt,” he assured her as he moved closer. She could feel his heat, feel his presence, and that only seemed to frighten her more. “None of that,” he whispered, and she squeezed her eyes shut as she felt a finger touch her cheek.

He could be checking the tenderness of her flesh, a cynical part of her screamed, but he did nothing more.

She very carefully opened her eyes to see his solid black ones staring into hers. He smiled a little, and she whimpered as she felt his hair began to move. The silken tendrils carried his heat and his scent as they began to slowly trace the muscles of her body from neck to toe.

“You feel divine.” He bent forward and sniffed at her, his antennas shooting straight up. His breath smelled of lemons, and she wondered if that would be the last thing she smelled before her life was snuffed out.

But he was correct; he was not harming her in any way. In fact, the caresses of his hair were quite pleasant. It almost hurt her to admit that to herself, but she was deriving more pleasure from the caresses of his hair than she had from her last full sexual encounter with her ex.

“There.” He was nearly purring. “Relax and let me see if what I studied about human anatomy is true.”

He slid back, taking away his delicious musky scent and some of his heat, but he didn’t move far. He only moved far enough away to spread her legs and settle his lanky frame between them.

“Nice,” he assured her. “I like the coloration of your skin. It is not as common as mine.”

And his fingers were running over the sensitive flesh of her inner thighs, making goosebumps pop up on her skin, making her legs twitch.

“So different than the females and males of my acquaintance,” he informed her. “So much nicer. Your body speaks to me.”

And he went on, slowly rubbing circles on her skin, his fingers going higher and higher until they encountered the elastic barrier of her panties. “All this beauty, and still you insist on covering it up.”

He shook his head as his hair rolled up her thighs, making her gasp at the new sensation before the tendrils slid underneath the cotton of her panties. His hair tugged, and, as if cut by miniature blades, the material parted and fell around her body like a tiny decorative draping.

“You have hair here as well,” Valan pointed out, running his finger through her trimmed pubic patch. “It is not as soft as the hair on your head, and it seems to serve no further purpose than ornamentation. I understand the protective aspects of it in your primitive ancestors, but now it is not necessary. Yet you do not remove it. My hair is a secondary protective device, and I have complete control of its movements and its sensory absorption. My hair has evolved along with my species into a useful appendage for protection and defense. Yours does not even share this component.”

She could have said something funny about seventies porn bush, but decided to hold her peace until she discovered what he was going to do. It would not do to piss off the alien with the razor hair.

“Utterly fascinating,” he breathed, his eyes almost glowing as he leaned in closer, his fingers now parting her hair and examining her groin closely.

“Labia majora,” he muttered, and Kilana gasped as his hair wrapped around her thighs and lifted them into the air as far as her bindings would allow.

Looking down, he tsked at the impediment to his explorations and two tendrils slashed across the bindings, severing them from the footboard so that he could heft her legs higher and spread them further.

Kilana moaned at this show of violence, but other than closing her eyes, she did nothing.

“Your clitoris should be hidden here.” His words were soft, almost as soft as the finger that now spread apart her labia and exposed her clit and her vagina to his clear view. She bit her lip as the cool air caressed her there, right before the heat of his body signaled to her that he was moving closer.

“Fascinating,” he muttered, his warm breath against this sensitive flesh making her whole body shudder, and damn if it didn’t shudder in arousal. “Such wonderful colors — pinks, browns, creams… Your mate was a fool to give up such a wonderful place to play.”

Then his fingers were caressing her, gently running over her opening before he pulled back. She opened her eyes to see him rubbing the moisture of her growing arousal between his fingers, a fascinated look on his face.

“Self lubricating.” He grinned, looking up to see her eyes open. “You have a wonderful design,” he informed her. “Most of our organs are internal and are so plain compared to this!”

Like an eager child, he dove down again. This time his fingers separated her labia to fully expose her clitoris in its hidden cowl. He placed the tip of one finger there and looked up at her. “If what I have read in your books and viewed in your pornography is true, you will really enjoy this.”

And then his finger began to vibrate.

“Oh! Ohhh! Oh oh oh oh oh!” Kilana could not keep her mouth closed now! In fact, everything opened wide, her eyes, her mouth — even her thighs spread further as his finger vibrated. Her hips thrust upwards, seeking more even as her mind began to scramble. This fucking alien had vibrating fingertips? Sweet Enola Gay!

Her head dropped back and a loud, keening sound rolled from her throat as her whole body started to shake. The electricity running from her clit was almost too much. It itched, it burned, and it had her climbing up the wall to orgasm faster than her best vibrator.

She could feel her juices seeping from her exposed pussy, and she wanted him to spread her more, to press harder, to give it to her totally, to fill the emptiness that had taken up residence within her heart.

She was hungry and tense, and his fingers just stayed there, sending jolts through her whole system. Her spine was melting, her body sweating, and her teeth clenched as she keened her pleasure, and still it was not enough.

“I can smell you so much better now,” he leaned over to whisper, and she whimpered in response.

“Your nipples are hard,” he added. “I can see them through your shirt. I want to see them.”

Tendrils of his hair were flowing upwards again, sending her nerve endings screaming at their points of contact before they slid under the thin tank she wore, and that, too, became so much confetti beneath her.

“Yes,” he breathed, his eyes glowing darkly as he stared at her chest. “Such wonderful mounds of flesh.”

One hand left her thigh, cupped her breasts, first one and then the other, pressing at her nipples and making her back arch further. Her whimpers were growing into wails, and all of his touches were translating ecstasy directly to her swollen clit.

“They make you react?” He tilted his head to the side, then grinned harder. “I want to try something else…”

“Oh, dear GOD! Yes!”

He lowered his head, and Kilana screeched as he pulled one nipple into his mouth and turned on suction hard enough to pull the brass off of a doorknob.

“Hmm?” he moaned, closing his eyes and sucking harder, his slit tongue surrounding and tugging at her erect nipple before his tongue, too, began to vibrate.

“Gonna come! Gonna come!” Kilana chanted, her head whipping from side to side on the pillows, tears running down the sides of her face.

This was erotic bondage of the most perfect kind, and it was tearing her mind apart.

“Come, release, orgasm.” He nodded after pulling off of her breast with a pop, his finger lightly caressing her wet skin. He eyed the swollen red nipple and bent forward to almost lazily lap at it with his split tongue. “That is my purpose in this.”

Then he began to slide his finger up and down her clit, finding the spots that made her scream and contracting on them until she was bucking hard in his grasp.

“There are many places here,” he noted, “that make you gush your fluids. That is a clear invitation.”

He sat up, nibbling on his bottom lip before he pulled away the hand kneading her breast and repositioned it between her legs.

“I intend to make you fly,” he whispered, then pressed one finger deep inside the wet heat of her.

“Yes, yesyesyesyesyes!” she groaned, crying as her toes curled, as her hands gripped the silk binding them and pulled, as her body offered itself up as a sexual sacrifice to the greatness of his foreplay skills. “Yes!”

He pressed upwards, controlled and humming, his head leaning to the side as he carefully thrust first one finger, then two deep inside her, twisting and turning until…

“Valan!” she screeched, her hips thrusting upwards against the hold his hair held on her quivering limbs.

“Found it,” he noted, and then those fingers began to vibrate, as well. “This is your g-spot. It was designed to catapult you to orgasm.”

Kilana froze, her whole body going stiff as the orgasm that had been building within her exploded. The glory of how he was playing her body was so great it was almost pain, and she could not move, could not speak, could not think as it tore through her like a wild beast.

“Ohh! Your muscles clench,” he muttered as the vibrating of his fingers grew faster.

The orgasm would not end! Her inner walls were clenching like mad around his fingers, her clit felt like it was on fire, and the waves of release were flowing so rapidly she thought she would never be able to move again.

Her entire being was pleasure and ecstasy, and hot, kinky, orgasmic sex that appeared to have no end.

“Pl — ple — please,” she whimpered, her eyes closing as the world began to grow dark.

Then he was pulling out, the vibrating slowing as he began to pet her labia and the strained and swollen muscles between her thighs. Even her asshole was clenching, so hard was her orgasm… or was it orgasms? She couldn’t tell.

All she knew was that she was slamming herself down on his retreating fingers and making sounds like a hurt animal as his hair caressed her one last time before lowering her back to the bed.

“That was beautiful,” he breathed, leaning over her once more to examine her eyes, heavy-lidded and damn near closed. “You are beautiful. And I can’t wait to consume you.”

Her afterglow receded abruptly. Reality slammed her in the face as she recalled her reason for being in this position in the first place.

“Damn — you,” she panted, her heart still racing as the lassitude of the aftermath of great orgasms pulled her toward slumber. “You — had to… remind me.”

But he was cuddling her close, and the world faded away as she gave in to the siren pull of sleep that called to her.

Cocooned, utterly replete and slightly afraid, she found herself falling asleep in the arms of the alien who wanted to kill her.

“Oh, God, yes.” Virgil closed his eyes and gripped his dick harder. “Mmm.” His strokes were tight and fast, sending tingles and bursts of fire spiraling through his veins.
The wet glide of skin against skin filled the small bedroom with sounds that complemented the moans pouring through his throat. The combined sounds drove his senses higher as sweat beaded, then dripped down his body.
One hand ran across his hairless chest, teasing a swollen nipple and making the muscles of his stomach tighten as sensation threatened to overwhelm him.
“Yes,” he purred as he imagined her, his Barbra, bent over him, her eyes sparkling as she presented her ass to be fondled, her pussy to be filled. God, he loved a big ass on a woman. The new saying was “more cushion for the pushing,” and Virgil found it hard to disagree with that notion.
God, Barb’s ass would be perfect, the cheeks wobbling as she thrust back against him, eager to have him slide his hard cock deep into her creamy center. He stroked faster as he imaged holding her sweet pink pussy open and taking a long slick taste.
She would taste like musk and woman, he decided. She would smell like the lemon and vanilla perfume she used and the hair that covered her private little mouth would be trimmed neat and soft as cotton.
He paused to slide his foreskin over the plum-colored head of his dick, looking down to see the knob disappear under the cowl of skin and reappear as he tightened his fist again.
The whole head was glistening, like it would be as his Barb pulled it from her mouth. Yes, his dream Barb was now on her knees, looking up at him, her eyes wide and innocent as she delicately sucked his dick deep into her mouth. She would smile, her lips stretched by the thickness of his cock, and she would pull it out with a small pop before allowing her tongue to run under his foreskin, teasing his slit before sucking the whole thing deep into her mouth again.
She would hum and choke a little as she tried to take him all down her throat. The sensation would send fire though his balls, over his back, and up his spine.
Yeah, she would choke on it, and spit would run down her chin. She would start to get deliciously messed up as she slobbered over his dick, growing more desperate as her own desires began to rise.
Her full, round breasts would bob as her gyrations become frenzied. She would rub them against his legs as she mewled helplessly up at him.
“Yes, Barb,” he whispered, imaging her spreading her thighs and presenting her swollen pussy for him to care for.
And he would care for it well. He would spread her lower lips as far as he could get them, and he would slam his dick deep inside her silky heat.
He tightened his grip on his cock and stroked faster, beating his meat hard, grunts leaving his throat as he bottomed out completely. His free hand left off teasing his nipples and dropped low to tug at his balls.
God, that felt good!
And his Barb, yeah, his Barb would be screaming, throwing her hips up, trying to get more of him deep inside as he took her balls-deep. Her nails would score the skin of his back as he pounded her. Her tits would bounce with every thrust, temping him to bend down and take a large, rosy nipple into his mouth, to suck, to nibble, to lave with his tongue.
God, she felt so good!
His hand moved faster and faster, and soon his hips were thrusting harder, his ass clenching, his thighs burning as he felt his release beckoning him.
But he needed more.
Faster he pounded himself, picturing Barb’s startled face, her mouth dropping open in surprise as just a little fear entered her eyes.
Yeah, that fear was a tasty delight to be realized.
She would fear him but her lust would override that fear. She would start to scream, to beg, to call out his name.
Virgil, Virgil, Virgil…
“Barb!” he shouted as his cock pulsed then exploded, sending spurts of his rich, creamy seed flying over his stomach.
“Yes, Barb,” he moaned, working his rapidly deflating cock, still running out his orgasm, extending his release until he was nearly too sensitive to touch.
“Mmm, Barb,” he whispered as his eyes slid shut. He knew he should get up and at least attempt to clean himself up, but his muscles were a weak, trembling mess.
If the ancient hunters thought to attack him now, there would be no escape for him. But he hadn’t had an issue with those people in generations. Maybe the last of them had died out.
He didn’t know for sure, but they had not bothered him for what seemed like eons, leaving him time to do the things he always wanted, like pay court to his beautiful Barb.
He brushed sweaty strands of hair from his forehead and relaxed into his pillows. He would rest a bit and then he would shower. He would be seeing his Barb soon, and he wanted to make a grand impression.
Life was going to be pretty easy from here on out, Virgil thought. Pretty easy indeed.
* * *
“God, yes!” Barb screamed to the empty bedroom. “Fresh batteries!”
Indeed, the Buzz Cock Three Thousand buzzed merrily away at ridiculously high speeds, proving its name to be accurate as Barb ran it along her clit.
Completely waterproof, the vibrator was the perfect sex toy for the busy woman on the go. Well, she might not be on the go, but she definitely planned on coming before she went anywhere. And the being she wanted to go with was a short, muscular fireplug of a vampire named Virgil.
God, knowing he wanted her, knowing she held power over that being, delivered almost if not more punch than her artificial dick.
Virgil with his tempting green eyes, with his long wavy hair, with his scruff of a five-o’clock shadow, his sometimes stutter, and his need for an inhaler. God, she loved nerdy boys. But a nerdy vampire, a vampire she could lead around, just a little, and teach. Yeah, that sent a liquid rush of dominance through her pussy and down between her thighs.
He wasn’t a virgin, but with the way he behaved around women, he had to be close to one. Being the person to show a centuries-old vampire the proper way to get it on was the height of arrogance, but she was up for the job.
She hissed as the vibrating head of the fake cock rubbed against her clit. “Not so hard,” she told herself as she began to circle the device over her pussy. She relaxed back in her tub of hot water, letting the heat sink into her body, her little toy buzzing away.
Yeah, her vampire was hot. If she closed her eyes, she could just picture him. He would be all innocent and shy. His large green eyes would widen as she reached out and gripped his cock. It would be uncut, she mused, considering how old he was. And it would be…
Hell, this was her fantasy. He would be at least nine inches long and thick enough to hit her every spot. Oh, yeah. She closed her eyes and the vibe slid along the lips of her pussy. She moaned at the stimulation, the sound echoing though her bathroom. Yes, he would fill her completely and tightly.
She spread her legs as far as they could go and slid the tip of her fake cock just inside. She hissed as the sensation shot upward through her stomach and tightened her nipples further.
The feel of the heat of the water mimicked the heat she imagined in his body, and her muscles strained in their desire to take the vibe in deeper. She raised her knees until her feet rested flat on the bottom of the tub, sending a thrill of submission through her.
She would submit to him a little, but she would have to teach him.
Sliding the vibe out of her quivering pussy, she directed it to her clit once more. “Yes,” she moaned, imagining his head sinking between her thighs. “Lick it, baby. Just lick up and down. Oh, yeah.”
She mimicked his tongue in her imagination by siding the head of her vibe down, teasing her labia as well as her swollen clit. She could feel her body let down its juices as she lost herself in her sordid fantasy.
Yeah, he would lick and suck at her. He would look up at her from between her spread thighs, seeking approval. She would grant it by tightening her hands in that sexy, tousled hair of his and slamming his face deep into her heat.
His hands would slide up her thighs and pull at her nipples. She let her free hand do that, hissing at the pleasure-pain she received by twisting and pulling at her own flesh. It added to the tension building within her. She whimpered, the sound raising her desire higher.
But would he want to explore? The Virgil in her mind did.
Her hand left off tugging at her nipples to slip down and around her thighs. She caressed her hot skin, licking her lips at the softness of it. She loved her body. Her body was perfect for her. And now she was going to reward it for being so sensitive and needy.
She let her fingers glide between her thighs and then slip back further. Her fingertips tickled at her perineum before they gently circled her anus.
“Ooh,” she moaned, pressing the vibe hard against her clit. Her hips jumped and water splashed, but she ignored it. The sensations were too delicious. She could feel the muscles tighten in her legs, feel her heart racing, feel her breath rasping from her mouth. She was fucking herself good, and it was the best thing ever.
Virgil would not shy away from exploring and pressing into this new aperture, so she allowed her fingertip to sink inside. “Virgil.”
The burning stretch was so pleasurable that she called out his name. Her hips slammed upward and her back arched as she gave in to the ecstasy of her own touch. The vibrator was tingling her clit, burning it, and the finger in her ass was touching on nerves that sent fire shooting through her whole body.
But it was not enough. Her clenching pussy felt so empty. She slid the vibe down on a trail of her own slick moisture and sank it deep into her pussy.
“Virgil!” she screamed again as the vibration awoke sensations in her pussy that she had never felt before. Never had she been so aroused!
The vibrations traveled back so she could feel the rapid movement on the finger in her ass and that sent more tender nerve endings in that hole aflame. Then she began to thrust with both finger and toy, and her world began to tilt.
The tension within her tingled as she fucked herself, her finger and the toy moving faster, taking up an unholy rhythm that had her screaming out for release. And then her muscles locked and tightened. Nearly mindless, she tilted her hand so that the base of her palm hit her sweet spot at the tip of her inner walls and stimulated her clit at the same time.
“Oh, oh, oh!” Her whole body shook as the restraints on her orgasm snapped. Hell, they exploded. She could feel the waves of extreme pleasure wash over her as her pussy clenched around the toy and her ass tightened around her finger.
Her silky smooth walls tightened and clamped down, sending her head back as she screamed, almost drowning her as a wave of water created by her spastic gyrations washed over her.
“Oh, God, coming.” She moaned as her orgasm swept over her, blinding her with its heat and intensity, and then it gently receded. The coil in her body set itself to be sprung at a different time, hopefully with a hot, flesh-and-blood man between her thighs.
She slowly pulled the now irritating vibrator from her overly stimulated pussy and eased her finger out of her ass. She turned off the toy and tossed it aside, her mind filled with images of a sweaty vampire looming over her.
That was fun, she thought as she relaxed in what was left of the warm water. But the real thing would be so much better. But for now, she was relaxed and in control, biding her time until she could ply her seduction and have her vamp right where she wanted him.
Yeah, her time was coming and coming soon.

“Oh, you don’t want me to stop. Your body does not want me to stop, Ario.”

“Please?” he whined, almost beyond caring. All of this felt so good, and because it felt so good now, later it would be so very, very bad.

“But I want to touch you,” Cailte whispered, licking the ear before transferring his kisses to Ario’s neck. “And as a good host, you will strive to give me what I want.”

Ario writhed in indecision, but his conditioning was winning out over his common sense. He could feel his body begin to make itself ready to receive and give anything, lips, cock, or any information that the man lying over him wanted.

“And now, I want some answers, you windy bit of allure.” Cailte’s words were given with a soft kiss to his neck. “So when you were cast out, they cursed you?”

“My cousin.” Ario turned his head to the side, giving in to his earlier training and opening up all that he was for possession. “My cousin cursed me before Grandfather cast me away.”

“This cousin does not sound like a gentleman, no?” Cailte’s hand on Ario’s chin moved his head back to Cailte’s intense scrutiny so that the purple eyes bored deeply into his.

“No,” Ario agreed. “Not a gentleman.”

“And this curse…” Cailte nipped at the side of his neck.

“Causes me pain,” Ario gasped.

“By touching? ’Cause, lover, you don’t look to be in pain right now.”

“Sex,” Ario moaned, closing his eyes as shame gripped him. “I cannot experience orgasm without pain.”

“Now that is a right arsed thing to do.” Cailte reached down under Ario’s shorts and cupped Ario’s swollen cock.

“No!” Ario bit back his scream as the hot roughness of a hand not belonging to him gripped his cock.

But Cailte silenced him with his mouth. He lowered his head, pressed their lips together and swallowed down Ario’s cry, giving him his tongue in exchange. And, helplessly, Ario sucked at that appendage, spreading his legs as waves of white fire washed over his body.

“Yes,” Cailte murmured, reluctantly breaking the kiss. “I can break curses, Ario, m’love. Any curses.”

Ario opened his mouth to comment, when those purple eyes closed and Ario felt a warm rush of magic roll through his body.

“Mmm, a big one, Ario.” Cailte pulled away from the kiss, licking his bottom lip. “You are well built, lover. Feels good in my hand, in my mouth… in my ass.”

Ario moaned, his hips rocking helplessly as he felt magic the likes of which he had never felt run from Cailte’s fingers through his body.

“Cailte!” he struggled to say but his body arched even higher, a moan tearing from his throat as he felt his magic rise to meet that of his would-be lover.

It was a heady thing, the way the two magics melded and combined, twisting around each other, warming his whole being until Ario could feel a sliver of cold deep in his abdomen.

“The curse.” Cailte was speaking as he gripped Ario’s dick harder, the heat almost scalding. “That cold spot is the curse. I can feel it. Nasty bugger.”

Ario could not answer because as Cailte spoke he could feel his magic surrounding the cold spot and pushing at it.

“Together, lover,” Cailte whispered, his free hand reaching up to pull one of Ario’s hands from his waist. He twined their fingers together as Ario felt him give a magical push, and their magic combined once more. “Together,” he whispered, and suddenly Ario felt it damn easy to take that combined stream of heat and slash at the cold spot deep within his soul.

There was a pinch and then a painful explosion as the cold burst into shards that the combined magic melted before they could do more harm. But with the disappearance of that spot, Ario’s eyes widened, and his mouth dropped open.

“Ah!” he growled, his whole body stiffening. Fire raced down his spine as his balls rose high against the base of his dick. Odd noises and uncontrollable sounds were pouring from his mouth as his toes curled and his cock swelled to its hardest.

“Gods, yes,” Cailte breathed, pressing his palm against Ario’s cock, tightening his fingers around the shaft, pressing and rubbing that hardness faster and faster. “Give it up, lover. Give it up!” he urged, his hand tightening around Ario’s. “Come for me!”

“Can’t!” he whimpered, fear holding back the force of the release he had just fought to achieve. He’d felt the cold spot disappear, but dare he trust it? “I cannot!”

“You can!” Cailte groaned, leaning down and biting one nipple, the pain shooting straight down his chest to Ario’s balls. “You can do this, Ario! Take this, Ario! Take it! Trust me, lover. It’ll be so good… so good. Come for me, lover. Come for me!”

“Ca — Cailte, Cailte! Cailte!”

As if the commands were the final force to push him over, Ario’s eyes snapped shut, and his roar nearly shattered the window glass as his hips thrust up against Cailte’s hand. His cock began to spurt as his release tore through his body, his seed wetting Cailte’s fingers and dampening his shorts.

For the first time in years, Ario climaxed without the painful, tearing sensation that had prevented him from getting close to anyone. For the first time in years he climaxed, and the tears were not from loneliness and loss. For the first time the tears were for ecstasy, pleasure and triumph. For the first time… it seemed like the first time.

His scalp began to itch and his skin burned as his fur totally retreated, his white main sliding up to become a head filled with snow white hair.

When the transformation was complete, he would have fallen, had not strong arms reached for him.

Tavin opened his eyes and looked up, his dark gaze going to the pale green eyes that looked down at him.

“I’ve got you,” the softly spoken words warmed his heart, chasing away that cold that had began to from in his heart and spread outward, freezing his soul.

That warm green gaze held him anchored to reality, anchored to his emotions, preventing him for weeping and wailing at his lot in life.

“We thank you,” Tavin pulled his eyes away from those of his lovers to turn his head and glare at the group of elders who chose to come out and welcome back Santa’s Reindeer, the saviors of their herd. “Your sacrifice—“

Tavin turned away, turned them out.

It was all well and fine for them to come out this morning, they all had homes to return to, away from this accused cold.

It was one final stipulation that those chosen had to remain in the North where Santa could protect the nearly powerless deer from the dangerous humans.

Of course, Tavin felt it was just a means of control, so that he would not loose his prized beasts of burden.

And the elders showing up and laying on the thanks pretty thick was annoying at best and hypocritical at most, in his opinion.

So he turned them out, turned away from them and tried to let his anger flow away like the pillows of white breath that poured from his mouth as he panted.

It took the last of his magic to change him back and now he was feeling the cold and wet of the freshly fallen snow so there was none to keep his body temperature regulated.

“Don’t let them get to you,” his lover chided as a thick blanket was wrapped around his shoulders.

Tavin closed his eyes, snuggling in deep. The blanket smelled of wood smoke and fresh herbs, the scents he most associated with his lover.

So the elders droned on, but Tavin found himself escaping into the warm arms and the scent of his lover.

He barely noticed being hefted in his strong arms and carried away.

There was another pulse of magic and suddenly Tavin knew he was home.

He opened his eyes and looked up into the green orbs that glowed for him, expending magic for him, and he smiled.

“Still not speaking?” his lover appeared amused. Tavin shook his head, content to snuggle into those protective arms and forget his cares.

His lover, his Blaka was beautiful.

The tall elf had a fall of black silky hair that stopped mid back on his muscular frame. His ears were sharp proud points that wiggled as he smiled down at him. And his eyes, oh those beautiful merry eyes were the colors of magic itself. They were sparkling emeralds that glinted in the firelight of their cottage. They were all he needed to see to know that he had endured yet another year and would live to do the same once more.

Blaka kept him grounded, kept him going, loved him unconditionally though he was trapped and rather unlike most other shifters that the dark elf had known.

“That’s okay, Love,” Blaka’s voice echoed with the tingling of bells, a powerful voice that would manipulate if he chose to do so, that could bring pain or pleasure at its possessors whim.

But Blaka chose to do neither of these things.

He just—well—he loved Tavin.

“A bath I think,” he continued as he carried his grateful burden into the bedroom where another fire had been lit, where the blankets were pulled back from the bed to expose warm flannel sheets, where he could forget all about his long night. “And then. Blaka continued, “Maybe a bite to eat to replenish your strength” He lowered him to the bed. “I think—“

His words were cut of as Tavin marshalling his strength, pulled his lover to him.

Food and bathes be dammed. He needed something much more real. He needed—

“Are you sure, love?”

The incredulous look on his face must have been amusing, because Blaka snickered as he leaned down and gave him

The first brush of Blaka’s lips against his were pure magic.

His soft full lips pressed firmly against his before his tongue invaded his mouth, conquering him and pulling whimpers of surrender from his throat.

Tavin raised his hands and tinge his fingers in Blaka’s hair, tugging and massaging at his mouth as the kiss grew more intense.

Night’s Stars, he loved the taste of his elf—sweet herbs and musk.

He pulled away slowly, their lips slowly parting, and looked up into that beloved face.

His heart pounded in his chest, his soft pants being breathed in by his lover.

They stared at each other, green eyes to black for one short eternity, before Blaka lowered his head and took his mouth again.

Tavin fought his way free of the blanket that still covered him, pushed it aside as if it didn’t matter. He had all the heat he needed right there, in his arms. And he wanted full body contact.

As if reading his thoughts, Blaka broke away from the kiss, a wicked smile on his lips, as he sat up.

“You don’t have to talk,” the voice was like ghostly fingers, caressing all of his exposed skin, tugging at his nipples, caressing the head of his cock. “I know what you want. You just lie there.”

That said, Blaka whipped the pale red tunic that covered his chest over his head, flinging his hear back in a wild fall of silk as he tossed it aside.

“I know what you need.”

He rose to his feet and with long slim fingers, seductive sensual fingers, he began to pull open the ties to his loose black pants.

Tavin watched, his heart slamming against his breastbone, his cock a rock hard throbbing ache as his lover teased him as he exposed his perfect body for his viewing.

“You just lay right there,” Blaka purred, bending over to pull the pants free, his shoes discarded by the door, Tavin supposed.

But when he rose up, Tavin felt his breath catch.

Mother Night his elf was magnificent.

His skin was a rich deep earthen brown that covered muscles that were firm and solid. His chest rippled as he moved, his pecs broad his nipples an oddly beautiful rose color. There was a thin trial of hair that led down from below his navel to surround a rich darker brown cock that rose proudly from his body. Even as he stared hungrily, licking his suddenly dry lips, a pearly bead of pre-cum beaded to its head.

Then his lover was over him, his hands gripping his hips as their cocks, oh that felt so good, pressed against each other.

“You like that?” Blaka hissed, bending down to nip at his lips, his neck, to trail biting kisses across his chest.

Tavin could only grunt and arch up in response. He needed friction. His lover’s hot body, his soft skin, his tight wiry muscles above him, was driving him insane.

His legs parted of their own accord, giving Blaka the space he needed to nestle closer, to reach between them and fist their cocks together.

“Yes,” Blaka hissed as his head fell forward, surrounding them with a curtain of black silk. But it was his hips, those sinewy, snaky hips that began to gyrate in counter point to his hand strokes that had low groans pouring from Tavin’s mouth.

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“But-but — That’s –” Barb stepped back, her eyes wide as she stared at the nerd who had suddenly gained a lot of cool points. “Really?”

“Really.”

“Do you drink blood?”

“Yes,” he answered, exasperated.

Now Barb had stars in her eyes as she stared at the man lying across her dressing room couch. “Do you sparkle in the sun?”

“Spark — what?”

“Sparkle!

“Oh, no you didn’t!”

Barb’s eyes widened as Virgil forced himself to his feet, his eyes wide in horror as she stared in sheer amazement.

“What?”

“No, you didn’t just compare me to a poorly written emo jackass who needs to be written up for domestic violence!”

“But –”

“But what, Barbra!”

“I thought –”

“That what? Being a vampire would automatically make me cooler or something?”

“Well…”

“Well, what! What you see is what you get!”

“But…”

“You’re the same way you were when you were changed. I have asthma; I wear glasses because I’m nearsighted as hell. I stutter when I talk to women, and yes, I am a nerd! My amazing magic ability is that I don’t die. And I don’t sparkle in the sunlight. I combust.”

“Oh.”

“Now you sound disappointed. What? You think the whole universe is going to change for me just because I’m undead?”

“Well, most vampires, I assumed, were rich and…”

“Have you any idea how expensive it is to get someone to create a fake identity? How dangerous? Let me get something straight, Barbra. I am poor. I work very hard to make ends meet, and my options are rather limited — you know, that pesky thing about having to work nights to avoid a major case of sun poisoning? And let me tell you something. It gets expensive having to reinvent yourself all the time. De Vampre? My last coordinator’s idea of a joke.”

“But I thought –”

“What? Because I am paranormal, I suddenly become some bright and beautiful thing? No, Barb. What you see is what you get.”

“So… no riches squirreled away?”

“In this economy?” He rolled his eyes. “Please, woman.”

“But you’ve seen so much of history…”

“And most of it sucks. I was poor during the industrial revolution. Trust me, when you’re one of the faceless drones trying to work for a tuppence just to get some rotten, moldy bread… and don’t even get me started on the rats.”

“That doesn’t sound too glamorous.”

“Glamorous?” He sounded incredulous now. “There is nothing glamorous about history.” He sighed. “I ran from the Nazis, I worried about God burning my immortal soul. I lived through world wars and conflicts. I saw people die in the streets when a simple meal and some clean water could have saved them, and I watched the rich and the unconcerned walk over them like they were so much garbage. So yeah, I’ve seen a lot, Barbra. And most of it was not pretty or glamorous. Most of it was harsh and dangerous and disgusting. So please don’t compare me to a teenaged-looking pedophile with delusions of grandeur and a god complex. What I am is much more complicated and real.”

“So… no strength of a thousand men?”

“How about the strength of one man who works out a lot? Well, maybe three men, but I’m not one to brag.”

“You work out?”

“Hey, I was a fat kid when I was turned. Thank goodness we can work out and alter our appearance. I lived near Baden-Baden… lots of wonderful bakeries.” He sighed in what had to be fond remembrance. “My mother was a baker.”

“And the perfect complexion…”

“Thank God for Proactiv Solutions.”

“And… can you turn into a bat?”

“Can you?”

“No.”

“Well.” He threw his hands in the air. “There you go.”

“No wolves, either?”

“Only if I have a lot of faux fur and a hell of a lot of makeup.”

“I am so disillusioned.”

“Tell me about it.” He chuckled.

“What?”

“My main talent is that I won’t die easily. How about that? I may not be able to sparkle or fly you through the night skies, but I can competently speak fifteen languages, I can cook very well, I have hundreds of years of experience in pleasing my sexual partners, and I can take a bullet for you and then walk it off. Sound good?”

“Well –” She grinned back. “– it’s not sparkle in the sunlight and toss cars around with your bare hands good, but it sounds pretty damn real to me.”

“So, can I have a real date now?” he implored, clasping both hands under his chin, tossing his hair out of his face, and giving her the best wolf-puppy eyes he could manufacture. “I already took a knife wound for burgeoning love.”

She tried to hold in her smile, she really did, but at his antics it broke free, and she found herself giggling like a teenager. “Okay. A real date with food and wine and… You can eat, can’t you?”

“Yes.” He reached out and took her hands in his. “Blood just doesn’t have enough proteins to sustain us. I eat small meals and don’t even get me started on the bathroom process. It ain’t pretty.”

She laughed. “Need more fiber?”

“Need you to kiss it and make it better,” he corrected, bending over the few inches that put his face at perfect kissing position.

“Well, you are my hero and all.” Her heart rate increased as he moved his pastry-scented self closer to her.

This close, she could see the stubble on his face and see that his skin tone had nothing to do with a tan from the sun and…

She leaned up and pressed a kiss to his face.

“Oh.” She ran her hands over the broad planes of his shoulders, pressing the muscles and noting to herself that he felt warm and hard, like living marble. “It’s a start.”