Page 44 of Pucking Vamps
He’s wearing a frilly chiffon shirt like me, though our colors are mirrored. His is black like my form-hugging dress pants, while mine is a deep brown like his slacks. Our accessories comprise a Venetian Mask each—because a ball wouldn’t be authentic without masks—and a brooch with his Clan’s crest. It resembles a mansion in the woods on a misty night.
“Do you need help with that?” Leander asks, chin tipped at my head which I am drying with a fluffy towel. “Let me do it for you.”
I open my mouth to tell him I am perfectly capable of drying my own hair, but he’s already snatched the soft towel from me thanks to his vampiric abilities. Plopping into the cushioned chair in front of my mirror, I sigh and let him take care of my hair.
He’s thorough. And he’s great at giving head massages, rubbing my scalp and sides at all the right places in all the right ways. By the time he’s done with me, there is a pleasant zing across the surface of my skin. I’m still nervous, but some of the tension has left my shoulders. When I look at my reflection, the resting frown has tapered down to a slight slanting of my eyebrows.
“You’ve got magic hands,” I breathe out, hanging my head back so I can meet his eyes.
They smile from above me, preceding the fond uptilt of his full lips. “It is not the only magic body part I possess, I can assure you of that.”
Giddiness floods my chest, sending off heat to my belly. “Oh, I know. Trust me.” I swipe my tongue along my bottom lip, loving the way those green depths glow a little darker.
I want him, and I’ve been wanting him every day, but pretending to be overly tired and busy was the only way to preserve my own sanity while I try to figure out my feelings. I thought putting some physical distance between us would help me knock myself out of my infatuation for him, but honestly, it’s done nothing. I really have it bad for him.
“It is unfortunate we were both so busy lately. I do look forward to the show we are putting on at the ball. If you would still like that, of course. If you do, I will make it so good for you, Hayden, you won’t ever forget it.”
I make a growly sound, grab him by the neck and crash his mouth into mine. Ah fuck it, a kiss won’t kill me. His huge cock might, though. Tomorrow. I’ve got so much pent-up sexual frustration, I don’t think I will be satisfied with just that. Especially if it’s likely my last time with him, you bet I’m making the most of it.
Leander opens for me, letting me take charge. His tongue follows the lead of mine, flicking it and chasing it as I taste every corner of his mouth. His hands roam my neck, then my chest, lingering where my hard nipples poke through the flimsy fabric of my luxurious shirt. I moan, and he takes the opportunity to plunge his tongue into my mouth. It’s as if his switch flips as the kiss deepens and we battle for control over it. He wins, a shock of desire racking me as he shoves his hand inside my pants and gives my straining dick a firm stroke.
“Be patient, Hayden. Don’t instigate anything and you’ll be rewarded.” His fingers secure the cock ring he’s holding around the base of my shaft. It’s a new one to add to my growing collection.
As soon as his hands are gone and my aching erection is left alone, I consider begging him to fuck me here and now. My body is on fire. My hole clenches, needing the fullness only he can give me. He senses my desperation, those sinful lips arching up in dark satisfaction.
“You are truly beautiful when you are desperate for me like this. But I mean what I said. I promise the wait will be worth it,” he whispers, his breath crashing against my ear and unleashing titillating shivers across my entire body. “I will stretch and breed your pretty hole, making you feel oh so good every guest will be jealous of you.”
I groan, adjusting myself. “Yeah, keep saying stuff like that and expect me to behave.”
“I know you can. For me,” he praises, making my head spin. He pulls back and circles the chair until he’s standing in front of me. He produces a golden-black earring and holds it up. It’s cross-shaped, with a moon hanging off the tip, just like the one he’s wearing. “You’ve been so good, so perfect.”
His words hit me in the chest. Hope erupts, but also fear, because he doesn’t mean them in the way that I need. He’s referring to our arrangement, maybe the sex. I will make the ball a success; I will save him from an arranged marriage he doesn’t need. I know that he knows that.
“I know. I deserve the biggest reward yet, don’t I, vampy?”
He purrs, kissing my neck and letting me feel his fangs. “Indeed. So I am letting you have part of it early.” A sudden sting and a click, then the weight of the earring hangs off my newly pierced lobe. “It suits you so well, the gold matching the flecks you carry in your eyes. It’s like it was made for you to wear.”
Oh shit, I’m gonna combust. It’s like he knows the exact words I need to hear. He reads me so well. I know he doesn’t mean any harm behind it, I know he’s not aware of just how desperate the yearning in me is. For him. For there to be a real us.
Pushing him away, I clear my throat. “You need to stop talking. Like right now.”
He pecks me on the lips. It’s so easy and casual, so… domestic, my heart threatens to burst out. God have mercy on me, I’m a goner if he keeps this up. The small gestures that I think he doesn’t even realize he’s doing will be the end of me and my flayed nerves.
“Very well. I will abstain from teasing you until we arrive. Though, know that it is as torturous for me as it is for you.”
I roll my eyes, but feel giddy all the same as I push him away and stand up. “Uh-huh. I bet you can’t wait to tap this piece of ass.”
“Your ass is not your only good trait, Hayden. It is but one of many. I adore your energy and the passion you carry inside you, the way your smile brightens up your face. But shall we go now? Montgomery is already waiting with the car,” he says and saunters his way out of my room, leaving me staring after him with my eyes slightly wide and my heart pounding in my ears.
And one of those ears? It’s now adorned with something of his that I don’t think I will be able to return when he inevitably asks me to.
Chapter 18
Leander
Seeing my heirloom earring grace Hayden’s lovely head does something funny and curious to my insides. I don’t think he realizes the meaning behind the gesture. He couldn’t. He’s not versed in vampire culture yet, but I will teach him everything he needs to know once this fiasco is over.
There is no rush. My mate is not going anywhere. I won’t let him.