Desires Unleashed (6 page)

“A
r
e you going to lie there all night? No pun intended, but you look like a corpse.” He watched Darian's shoulders shake slightly from laughter. Xavier walked over to his lover and pounced on his lap. He received the reaction he wanted when Darian's lips parted in a beautiful dimpled smile. Xavier was always fascinated that Darian could look utterly harmless and dangerous at the same time. His dimples always made him look like a mischievous boy. He placed his hands on the sides of his lover and master's head, peering into his green eyes. A dangerous thing to do unless your goal was to get sweaty fast.

Darian rested his hands on Xavier's thighs. “You are quite beautiful, my little
inamorato,
(male lover),” he said, running his fingers through Xavier's long, dark brown locks, gazing into his gray eyes. “You have not fed. I think you will have a treat tonight. That is, if our little rat doesn't scamper away. Then your treat will have to be postponed until tomorrow night.” Darian found the whole situation comical. Every once in a while, he would run into a mortal that would surprise him with their bravado or stupidity. Either way, he found it entertaining.

“Aren't you worried about the law prohibiting vampires from killing innocent mortals?” Xavier asked jokingly. He knew full well that Darian would work inside the law when, and only when, he chose to do so. He knew that Darian preferred to handle his personal affairs...well...personally.

“A thief is not innocent. The word innocent is always taken out of context where mortals are concerned. Everything for them is taken to the extreme.
Good fortune
used to be an act of a God, some divine intervention; now it's just a
lucky shot. Hero
meant someone who sacrificed their own life for the lives of others. Now it means someone who just happened to survive, no matter the manner of that survival.”

Xavier seemed to ponder this. Sometimes Darian could be so cynical in his reasoning, that often he wrote off his rants as just those of a man who had seen too many years. Then there were times like these, when he actually made sense. Xavier supposed Darian made sense most of the time, if not all of the time in his ranting; he just never paid enough attention to notice. The room was silent. Now it was Darian's turn to wonder what was on the mind of his lover.

“What are you thinking about?” Darian cocked his head to the side slightly as he gazed at him. His fingers tightened on Xavier's thighs.

“I'm thinking I should get off of you right now,” he said with a chuckle. He playfully tugged at Darian's grip and rose off of his lap. It was evident that Xavier had been enjoying where he had been sitting. He marveled at how Darian could control himself so well; he simply wrote it off to Darian being an older vampire, thus having more self-control overall.

Darian sat up, rose from the sofa in one fluid movement, walking gracefully across the room to his desk to finger through his employee files. He was going to have to call the next in line of mortal employees to maintain the club during the day. He found the name of Annette Balfour. Quickly, he scanned his mind to see if she was a person he would recognize. He did, smiling. Annette was indeed a beautiful, sexy woman. He wondered why he had not yet seduced her;
he would have to correct that.
He thought it would be interesting to have a female as a day time assistant manager. It would definitely be a change from the mortal men who always thought they could pull one over the resting eyes of the boss and “hightail” it out of town before nightfall. He leaned over his desk and buzzed his secretary.

“Yes, Master?” asked a soft feminine voice.

“Annabelle, I want you to contact a Miss Annette Balfour. I want to meet with her tomorrow night.”

“Miss Balfour was scheduled to work tomorrow night Master, bin that has been switched to tonight. She should be in by seven. Shall I send her to your office when she arrives?” asked Annabelle
, a member of
Darian's coven. He considered whether he would still be occupied with eliminating the soon-to-be ex-assistant manager when she arrived, deciding the dirty work might be done by that time, he responded.

“Yes.”

“As you wish, Master.” Both ended the connection. He looked at Xavier and smiled.

“So, is that your choice? What if she doesn't have accounting skills?” Xavier asked playfully.

Darian made an offhand gesture. “Doesn't matter. If she can count, it won't be a problem.” His gaze traveled over Xavier from head to toe, taking him in, savoring the vision of him like a groom on his wedding night looking at his bride in her lacy underwear. “We have matters to attend to before the opening of the club. I want you to arrange for the truck to deliver the
Synblood,”
Darian said. Xavier nodded and left the room to head to his office to make arrangements for the synthetic blood delivery.

According to most vampires, synthetic blood was the humans way of saying “look what we've done for you, now you can stop eating us!” What they failed to understand is the differences between synthetic blood and human blood is in the taste as well as the pleasure, not to mention the strength and nourishment one gains through feeding. Only another vampire can understand the pure joy of feeding. One who can feel the pleasure of the blood flowing through their veins while feeding from a mortal whose heart pumps the blood to their hunger, their need. Many vampires refused to drink the synthetic blood and opted to feed on willing humans.

These humans are known as vampire groupies; they hang out at vampire owned establishments, waiting to be “chosen”. They give the vampires an endless supply of blood. Other vampires, like those who resented being turned, rejoiced in the drinking of synthetic blood, even if it meant enduring the loss of pleasure, strength and proper nourishment gained in the traditional manner of feeding.

Darian felt that these were the kind of vampires that should never have been chosen for such a gift. They were weak, still clinging to their lost mortal existence. For them, the synthetic blood was the last string tying them to humanity. Some vampires, like Darian and Xavier, chose the more traditional way of feeding. They hunted still, but their hunting nights were few and far between. Their main food source came from the vampire groupies. One good thing came from the
Exposure
and that was the predictability of mankind. Thousands of humans lined up to feel the vampire's kiss. But even more of a treat than a willing human, was a willing shape-shifter. It appeared that the bite from a vampire was pure ecstasy to both humans and shape-shifters. Shape-shifters were considered the true delicacy. They were stronger, more resilient and, needless to say, they tasted better.

CHAPTER 4

E
l
ise lay sprawled on her bed, the head of one of her Pride mates resting in her lap. They were laying naked together as most shape-shifters do. To lay in that fashion proved that one was comfortable and trusting. It strengthened their bonds. She ran her fingers through his hair, twirling her fingers around the dark silky curls. He looked up at her with his gray eyes and smiled.

“What are you thinking about?” Sergio asked. “I see that far off gaze in your eyes and I know you're not even here.” His Italian accent threaded through each word, making him sound both sexy and commanding. He raised his hand to cup her chin in his palm.

“Nothing, just random thoughts.” She sighed. “I want to go down to the club tonight,” Elise said almost dreamily. Sergio frowned and sat up straight on the bed. He was annoyed that a perfect moment was ruined by her lust for Darian. He knew that was the only reason she wanted to go to the club. His feelings toward Darian were as cold as the arctic winds. He felt that Darian used her to feed his own lust and hungers. He believed vampires were the type you didn't get attached to, especially not that one. Elise noted Sergio's frown at the mention of the word “club”, correctly assuming that he suspected it was
Desires Unleashed
and that his emotions were based on jealousy. She did not want to hear his ranting. She controlled the Pride and she didn't have to answer to anyone.

Elise looked at the sour expression on Sergio's face. She knew the numerous phrases which often followed that expression. 'He's not right for you', 'he's just using you', 'he's a vampire, you're a shape-shifter, he'll never respect you', and 'vampires only respect other vampires.' She'd heard it all before. They didn't know Darian. He was different. He made her feel like a lady, all the while taming
the leopard inside. Many of the other leopards were against her having an intimate relationship with a non-Pride member, let alone a vampire. She paid them no mind. Darian would protect them, he would protect her. Not to mention the fact that Darian had saved their Pride member, Daniel, from possibly being sentenced to death six months ago. He'd been caught in the woods, hunting on non-sanctioned grounds. To Elise, Darian had proved himself to be a worthy lover.

“I know what you're going to say and I don't want to hear it. You can save it, Sergio.” Elise climbed out of the bed with a smoothness only a feline can accomplish.

“The only reason you don't want to hear it is because you know it's true!” Sergio retorted. “You belong with your own kind, Elise. This affair you have with Darian is wrong. It isn't proper!” Elise flashed him a look that nearly stopped him, but he continued. “Look, I'm sorry, but you know I'm right. Elise...” He rose from the bed, his tall, naked body glowing in the starlight. Elise watched as the muscles in his thighs flexed with his movement. He walked over to her, gently cupping her cheeks, tilting her head upward so their eyes met.

“Elise, you don't need him. Yes, it's true that he saved Daniel but it's no reason for you to keep repaying him. Your place is here with us, with me. He can't offer you true companionship. Not like I can. I am your true mate.” He leaned closer to her, his lips brushing hers lightly. Thei
r
eyes closed as the heat of the kiss grew more passionate. As soon as it began, Elise broke away, moving from Sergio's grasp. Anger flared in his eyes. He turned away, not wanting to say anything that might hurt her feelings. That, he didn't want to do. He only wanted her to see that Darian was not what he seemed. He wanted her to see the truth that was right in front of her eyes. The truth that
he
was there,
and
had been there for over twenty-five years, waiting for her to accept him as her mate. He was Second to care for the Pride, but he longed to be he
r
equal within the Pride and above all else-her mate. He watched her as she walked into the bathroom. He heard the shower and knew she was bathing her soft,
c
reamy delicate skin. Sergio walked into the bathroom. He leaned
ag
ainst the door frame, crossing his powerful arms over his thick,
m
uscular chest. He was six-foot-four-inches tall, olive complexion, gray eyes and short, curly black hair. His chin was clean shaven. His long, dark lashes curled at the very ends. Sergio knew Elise desired him. Not only could he see her desire, he could smell it.

“Do you want me to go with you? You know what! Better yet! I think I will go with you.” Without waiting for an answer or permission, he turned, starting for his bedroom. He knew he was pushing it, but he always felt that Elise was worth it and
t
hen some. He hated that she was so enthralled with a vampire.
E
specially Darian, whose reputation spoke for itself. Many who knew him compared him to a mob boss. He always seemed to be so well connected. The S.U.I.T. never seemed to hang around and monitor his popular establishments.
Desires Unleashed
didn't seem to get any undercover investigations the way other supernatural owned businesses did. Sergio was quite certain that
Desires Unleashed
was more than just a dance and strip club.

When their Pride member, Daniel, found himself in trouble with the law six months ago, Sergio urged Elise to take himself as her mate and protector of the Pride. He felt confident he could handle the situation himself. Instead, she decided to go to Darian. With his political connections, he arranged to have Daniel released in their care. The whole act angered Sergio. Not only had she sought outside help, but in doing so, she made him appear incompetent. He was more than prepared and he had earned his place as the dominant male in the Pride. Sergio took a quick shower, making sure he used a shampoo that wasn't too strong, but just the right scent to entice
E
lise. If he had to woo her away from Darian, then he would do so.
H
e opened his closet and fished through his extensive wardrobe. He had not realized how many articles of clothing he had. Some things inside his closet he had not worn since the 1980s. He pulled out a checkered pink and orange shirt, wondering what the hell he had been thinking when he bought it, let alone wore it. Furthermore, why had he kept it?