A Single Drop of Red

“You can’t scent me?” It wasn’t a matter of personal hygiene. We broadcast a very noticeable aroma when aroused, feeding, or angry.
“Sorry.” She tapped her nose with a forefinger. It was a dainty and slightly snubbed feature. “It’s so damned cold my olfactory senses are numb.”

I realized now she was speaking nasally as if she had a bad head-cold. Odd, I’d never been so bothered. Perhaps that was the difference between Old World vampires and the New. Or maybe it was from residing in a seacoast city?

“If you were holding a handful of garlic, I couldn’t smell it.”

“Something I’d never do,” I answered. “Apology accepted.” I nodded as if understanding. “So…I’ll be going now.”

Nevertheless, I didn’t move. There was something intriguing about her accent. It had a Southern twinge but with a foreign echo. All right, I admit it wasn’t just the accent. As much as I love Meredith, it was also pleasant being around a female of my own kind for a change. The way that scent was wafting around me and coiling down to nestle against my globes was a sensual enjoyment also.

Watch it, Vlad.  Don’t let them start tingling too much.

Encouraged by my lack of motion, she went on hopefully, “You sure I can’t interest you in a little business transaction?” She nodded over her shoulder. “My flat’s just around the corner and it’s better than this biting wind.”

That word, plus the one she’d used previously, clued me in. Her accent’s English. I didn’t wonder why a British vampire was in a Southern city. After all, wasn’t I Transylvanian and here also?

“Sorry. I’m spoken for. No, really,” I went on as she shook her head and looked disbelieving.

“Damn. Not only are you one of us, and the best bit of eye candy I’ve seen lately, but you’re also faithful? Your woman’s one lucky lady.”

“I agree,” I said with a complete lack of conceit.  “A lady I truly love, though I admit that you, my dear, are quite tempting.”

I meant it.

“Flatterer.” She said it in the same tone she’d have said bullshitter. She went back to business. “So how about it? She’ll never know. I certainly won’t tell…”

She took a step closer. Her breasts, remarkably large for someone her size, brushed the cashmere of my coat. The cold made her nipples peak. I could feel them stabbing through the fabric. I moved nearer so they crushed against me.

Vampire musk swept over us in a wave. She was aroused and it wasn’t only business now. The old Chemare charm was at work even without my intending it.

“You smell so delicious.” I bent, brushing my cheek against her neck, sniffing as I moved upward.

Mmm. As fragrant as a freshly-cut vein.

“Perhaps I could have just a nip? To stave away the cold?”

“I don’t give away free samples.” She laughed, knowing that was a joke.

“I wouldn’t expect otherwise.” I extracted two more bills. Glad I’d just given myself my “allowance” for the week. With an extravagant motion, I tucked them into the low-cut neck of her sweater.

She pulled open my coat, reaching for my zipper. I caught her wrist.

“Blood. That’s all I need.” I couldn’t bring myself to say that’s all I want because I wanted her, then and there, oh yes. But I’d made a promise. Damn it.

She shrugged, pushing back her hair. “Bottoms up.”

“No bottoms. Just necks.” I let a fleeting vision of what was under the hem of that little skirt flash through my mind. “Just a few swallows will suffice.”

She was a temptation but I managed. She didn’t react as my fangs penetrated her neck, only gave a slight sigh. I was as business-like as she. Her blood flowed freely, indicating she was feeding regularly and she could share with no problem. When I straightened, she looked up at me.

A single drop of blood trickled from one fang. I flicked out my tongue to lick it away. Her forefinger was quicker. She wiped it, then stuck the finger into her mouth, sucking away the smear.

“It’s supposed to be the other way around, you know. I entice the john, then drink my fill and send him on his way with a mind-swipe.” Her lips pursed in a pout. “I’m having all kinds of bad luck tonight. You’re the first man I’ve seen all evening, and…”

“…I turn out to be one of our kind.” I repeated what she’d said earlier. “Sorry.”

I wasn’t, really, but one had to be polite and appear empathetic.

“Don’t apologize. Just let me have some of your blood, too.” She smiled, an enticing curve of red lips.

I was always a sucker for a flirtatious smile.

“Just enough to take the edge off my appetite.”

“Strictly speaking, that’s forbidden,” I reminded her.

I considered what I’d done business. After all, I paid for it, but if I let her have a drop of my blood, it wouldn’t be business at all…well, not a transaction, though I’d definitely mean business.

“Consider this an emergency.” Her gaze was teasing as she said it. “Pickings are slim right now. Because of the weather.”

She sidled closer. Hands on my lapels, she leaned against me, pressing her mound against the general area of my cock. I was covered by layers of clothing but both of us felt the reaction, and I didn’t try to tell myself that minor zing was simply static electricity.

“Besides, I won’t tell the domnul if you won’t.”

“There’s a meal waiting in the alley.” I nodded behind me. “If you’re desperate.” I hoped she wasn’t. “Though I really wouldn’t advise it. She’s on something and unless you’re used to the new stuff…”

She shook her head, putting her finger between her teeth and chewing on it while looking up at me. It was such a coy yet enticing gesture, I couldn’t stand it. In a moment, I was going to get bit or fucked. I chose being bitten.

“Oh, what the hell…I’m feeling generous, since it’s only a few days past that sacred holiday.”

After all, I was the domnul. I could grant permissions, indulgences, whatever I wanted. I gave myself permission to let one of my subjects, a subject in dire need, mind you, bite me. Copying her gesture, I swept back my hair and tilted my head.

“Be my guest.”

Again, she launched herself at me. Hands on my shoulders, she climbed my body, wrapping her legs around my waist. I put my hands under her buttocks, steadying her.

Damn, the girl was heavy…and strong, even for a female nos, her body knotted with muscle.

To an onlooker, it appeared we were having the most blatant sex imaginable, though we were still shadowed in the shelter of the alley’s entrance. Little could anyone know we were having something more…a communing only two vampires could reach, even strangers. The piercing of my neck by her fangs didn’t hurt. Rather, I was abruptly thrown into the throes of the most unbelievably ecstasy since I’d bedded Meredith’s twin, Valerie.

I’m sorry, Merry, but it’s true…

Jolts of electric-like spasms wracked my body, I was inundated by that delicious female nos scent.  It only lasted a few moments but Sweet Unspeakable Name…what minutes they were! Then, she was sliding down my body, landing on her feet.

“Thanks.” She brushed her hand across her mouth, wiping away any residuals, then licked her palm.

“M-My pleasure.” I hoped she didn’t hear my stutter. For a single moment, I felt as if I’d actually been unfaithful to Meredith, though I hadn’t responded or done anything other than stand there as she fed. My body sensed, it wanted, but I didn’t give in. A technicality, but we live by a good many of those.

I looked up at the sky. Still dark but I wasn’t quite certain of the time. I had to find an open grocery and get that damned melon.

“Now that we’ve both been sustained for a while, I guess I’ll be going.” I aimed myself for the Z4.

“Wait.” Her call came before I’d gone two feet. “I’m Marcia. If you and your ladyfriend every call it quits… what’s your name?”

“Vlad,” I called over my shoulder as I went around the car and opened the driver’s door. “Vlad Chemare.”

“But…that’s the domnul name.”

“That’s right,” I agreed.

“Go on, you joker. What’s your name?”

“Vlad Chemare.”

“You’re the domnul?”

I nodded.

She looked disbelieving. More than that…angry? “You’re joking. Right?”

I shook my head and slid into the driver’s seat. “I assure you, my dear, I never joke about that.”

It was a great exit-line.

“Oh, shite!”

That was all I heard as I threw the car into gear and sped away.