Chapter 35
Sugar
Sugar sighed with boredom. Vibrations was packed to the rafters, and he’d already run out of virile specimens to flirt with.
Denny refilled his glass. “Doin’ okay, Sugs?”
Since Denny kept Sugar’s glass full, he was the only one allowed to call him “Sugs.” All others would be throat-punched forthwith.
“I’m fan-fucking-tastic.”
“Which is exactly how you look tonight. If your sweet ass needs a mustache ride, just give me a holler.”
Sugar hated Denny’s vintage porn-star style, but the man had a talented tongue. He was considering the offer when an unfamiliar voice sounded from behind.
“Hello, beautiful. Where have you been all my life?”
Sugar stared into his wine glass. “Hiding from idiots like you.”
“A wise decision.” The stranger took the seat next to Sugar.
After such an anemic pickup line, Sugar expected to be underwhelmed, but the man draped over the adjacent bar stool made him swoon.
And Sugar swooned for no one.
Long and lean, he perched there like temptation wrapped in swagger. Knee-length hair spilled in raven waves. A sparse goatee framed a sexy pout. But it was the eyes that held Sugar captive—polished steel, deep and sparkling with danger.
“I don’t believe we’ve met.” One gloved finger traced the curve of Sugar’s jaw, unhurried, while the silver gaze traveled to his jugular, a hint of fang behind the pout.
“What do you want, vampire?”
“Just a taste. Then more.” He took Sugar’s hand and brushed a kiss across his knuckles. “You smell like ripe strawberries and broken men.”
Sugar yanked his hand back, scowling to disguise his lustful shiver. “Fuck off. I’m meeting someone.”
“Who?”
“None of your business.” Sugar set his jaw. He knew this guy’s type backward and forward. All mouth. No backbone.
“I can hear your blood rushing through your veins.” He licked his lips. “I’ll bet it’s sweeter than candy.”
Sugar shot him a death glare over the top of his wine glass. Instead of running like every other man, this one didn’t even flinch.
Interesting.
“Didn’t I tell you to fuck off?”
“You did.” He hopped off the bar stool. “Enjoy your evening, gorgeous.”
Disappointed, Sugar lifted a finger at Denny. “Rum when you get a chance.”
“Anything for you, Sugs.” He came back with two shots.
“Are you trying to get me drunk?”
Denny lowered his voice. “Your mystery man is coming back. If you’re not interested, send him my way before you eviscerate him.”
The charismatic vampire stood this time, as if ready to make a quick exit, leaving a foot of space between them.
“Back so soon?”
“I got so lost in your eyes, I neglected to ask your name.”
Sugar pressed the rims of both shot glasses against his mouth and tipped them—slow enough to make him notice, neat enough that no drop spilled. He knew exactly what the move implied, and the flicker of heat in the stranger’s eyes let him know the message landed.
“My name is Sugar.”
The creature grinned. “Fits you like a glove. I’m Snake.”
“Fits you the same,” Sugar said with a haughty pout.
He put his lips to Sugar’s ear, sending thrills down his body. “Leave with me. I’ll make all your dreams come true.”
Sugar let the silence stretch a bit before finishing him off.
“I would make you scream for your mother.”
A subtle flinch in his bottom lip. A glint of fear in his silver gaze. Still, he made no attempt to halt his seductive efforts.
Refreshing.
“Can your boyfriend get in deep enough to satisfy you in the way you crave?” Sugar could almost taste his honeyed voice. “I can.”
“Keep trying, lover, but you will find I am not so easily snared.” Sugar swiveled on his bar stool and pushed Snake away with one high-heeled boot to the chest, then turned back to his wine, buzzing on the inside from the heady game of cat and mouse.
And Sugar was the cat.
Snake sat and ordered a whiskey along with another glass of Prosecco for Sugar. When it arrived, he dropped a sugar cube into the bubbly depths. “Sweets for the sweeter.”
His scent intoxicated. Sugar wondered if his dick was as big as he’d hinted. “You don’t know when to quit.”
“Only cowards quit.” Snake shot back a devastating smile that showed off his needle-sharp canines. Sugar shivered.
A dangerous man was a beautiful thing.
“Sorry I’m late, darling,” said a familiar voice to his left.
Ormond Caine. Clumsy in bed but beautiful—and compliant. One snap of Sugar’s manicured fingers, and he’d cartwheel across flaming coals.
“Better late than never.”
Sugar kissed Ormond’s cheek. How angry would he be when he finally noticed the seductive vampire sitting much too close?
To his surprise, Ormond grinned when he finally noticed Snake.
“Snake Vinter? It’s been ages. How are you?”
“Ormond Caine. Pleasure, as always.” Snake nodded, pushing even closer to Sugar.
“You two know each other?”
“Snake helped me get started in the pirating business. My mentor, so to speak.”
“How’s that leaky boat?” Snake asked.
“All patched. Got myself a crew and a big mission lined up.”
“I just purchased a real beauty with an engine that purrs like a kitten. No crew, though. Flying solo means more booty.” Snake winked at Sugar. “Nice to see you.” He sauntered off, but Sugar knew he’d see him again.
Like three days later, when Sugar was back at Vibrations, perched on the same bar stool.
A dark figure sidled up beside him, and long fingers dropped a pink sugar cube into his glass.
The wine foamed and dripped down the side.
Sugar ran his tongue over the wet rim while regarding the vampire through narrowed eyes.
“Where’s the boyfriend?” Snake asked.
“Somewhere.”
“But not here.” He traced a finger across Sugar’s throat. “How could Ormond leave such a pretty little rabbit out here alone to be snatched up by a wolf?”
“If you’re insinuating that I’m the rabbit, you should run.” Sugar brushed Snake’s hand away. “I’ve stripped men of their skin for less.”
Snake chuckled. “I sense the power inside that delicious exterior, but I enjoy making you irate. Your nose crinkles up in the most adorable way.”
Sugar had dressed like a slut just for him: leather pants cut low enough to reveal half his ass crack, paired with a pink silk shirt unbuttoned and tied at the waist, and high-heeled boots that went up to mid-thigh. A parade of men approached, but he’d sent them packing.
Snake got to stay.
For a little while.
Sugar kept the game going for another month before finally succumbing to the vampire’s sultry charm.
Same bar stool, same drink, same long fingers slipping in a sugar cube, but a few things had changed.
Snake was clean-shaven, hair neat, boots polished.
Not a superlative effort, Sugar decided it was enough.
Besides, Snake was the first man who kept coming back for more.
“How much longer are you going to torture me?”
Sugar stared. “I think I’m finished.”
“Finished abusing me, or finished with me altogether?” Snake actually quivered.
“I haven’t even started with you.”
“Is that an invitation?”
“No.” Sugar licked a trail from Snake’s collarbone to his ear. “This is.”
“I’d like more of that.” Snake made a portal, picked Sugar up off his bar stool, and jumped through. They landed in a large, unmade bed.
Sugar wrinkled his nose. “This place is a hovel. Where are we?”
“My ship.”
“It’s disgusting.”
“I’m a pirate, not a housekeeper.”
“So, hire one.” Sugar picked up a pair of dirty underpants with the tips of his fingers and tossed them to the floor.
“Those aren’t mine.” Snake leered. “Never wear knickers.”
It wasn’t what Sugar expected, but the heat between them threatened to burn him alive, so he looked past the filth. “Prove it.”
“Oh no, pet,” Snake said. “You’re not rushing me after all this waiting.” He smiled. “I need to taste the lips I’ve been dreaming about for weeks.”
Sugar felt emotions he didn’t recognize. “And then what?”
“Everything.”
· · ·
Eyes closed, Sugar could almost feel that first kiss. He longed to sink back into the memory, but the drugs Meridian pumped into his veins were fading, pulling him out of Snake’s warm bed to face cold reality.
“I gave your lover one hour. Thirty minutes have already gone by. I guess saving you isn’t high on his to-do list.”
Sugar tried to throw a punch, but his wrists and ankles were shackled to a wall. Anger drove away the last remnant of drowsiness when he recognized the room they were in: Meridian’s sex dungeon.
“Don’t be an ass. Snake’s coming for me.”
“He’d better bring me what I want!”
“You mean Horatio? What exactly do you want with him?”
“My reasons do not concern you.”
“If you want him for sex, forget it. You’re not his type.”
Meridian crossed the room in three strides. “Bitch, I’m everybody’s type. Even yours.” He stood so close, Sugar could see the edges of his freaky contact lenses.
“Flatter yourself much?”
“What’s the matter, princess? Afraid you’ll enjoy it?” Meridian put his hands on the wall over Sugar’s head. “You’re almost… pretty.”
“Try not to fall in love with me.”
Meridian erupted in a girlish giggle. “Feisty little bitch.” He stole a kiss, catching Sugar off guard.
Judging from Meridian’s expression, he was just as surprised.
“I… slipped.” He stepped back, wiping his mouth. “Gross.”
“Afraid to use a little tongue?” Sugar wagged his through open lips.
“I’m not afraid of anything. Especially you.”
Sugar had the ability to smell fear, and Meridian was positively reeking.
Delicious.
“You’re terrified of me. I can hear your knees clacking together.”
“Big talk from a slut who’s shackled to a wall!”
Sugar gave Meridian his most devastating smile. “But if I wasn’t, do you want to know what I’d do to you?”
Meridian stared, eyes narrow, mouth tight.
“First, I’d tie you up exactly the way you bound Lord Remington, tight enough so the ropes bit into your skin.
See that cute little flogger? The black one with the fringe?
I’d use it on your ass until your cheeks were as red as your hair.
Once you were properly humiliated, I’d shove my cock so far up your hole, you’d feel me in your throat. ”
Meridian flushed and bit his lip, but didn’t break eye contact.
How far can I push him?
“You might be a king, little boy, but I know what you really want. To be owned. Taken. Raw-dogged over and over by a parade of sexy men until you’re covered head to toe in sticky, hot spunk. Isn’t that right?”
Meridian gasped and took a step backward, teetering on his platforms. “I don’t want that! You do, whore.”
“You want it bad.” Sugar rocked his pelvis. “Leave my hands tied, unzip my pants, and bend over. I’ll fuck your tight ass until you weep with satisfaction.”
“I don’t… bottom.” He chewed a fingernail while staring at Sugar’s crotch.
“But you will for me.”
Another long pause. “No. I’m a top.” He spoke louder. “A Dom-for-hire with a year-long waiting list. You’d be lucky to get with me!”
“I find BDSM a little tedious, but I do love a good ass fuck. Tell you what—if you can get it hard—I’ll let you have at me.”
“Ha! I knew you craved my dick.” He slid open a wall panel. “I’m going to film this just for Snake. He’ll die from jealousy.”
Sugar counted five cameras around the room. A tiny green light winked on as each one powered up. Meridian took a bottle of lube from a shelf and headed back toward Sugar.
“Once I’m hard, I’m going to give your vampire boyfriend a show, just so he can study my technique.” He smirked. “Bet he takes notes.”
Sugar choked back a laugh. With his ass to the wall, Meridian didn’t have access unless he unshackled his legs.
And when he does, I’ll drop him with a swift kick to the balls.
Or would he?
The idea of wrapping his legs around Meridian’s slender hips and taking his cock in deep didn’t gross him out like it should.
Things were more interesting when I wasn’t so fucking happy. Damn Snake’s eyes!
Sugar flinched when the dungeon door cracked open. Meridian was too busy yanking his limp dick to notice, even when it latched with a loud click. Hoping it was Snake using a type of vampire magic he wasn’t aware of, Sugar kept Meridian distracted.
“I don’t think you can get it hard.”
Meridian stroked so fast he worked up a sweat. “Patience, princess, I’ll be digging into your anus soon enough.”
The cameras’ green lights winked out one after the other. “Hurry up, you red-headed bitch. I don’t appreciate waiting. Jerk faster.”
“Spoken like a true whore.” He licked his lips. “See how big it’s getting? I am going to stretch—” Meridian collapsed to the floor with his hand wrapped around his limp shaft.
Sugar gasped when Dagger materialized.
“Hi, Sugar! I here to rescue.”
“Dagger! How in the fuck did you knock out Meridian?”
He pointed to the pouch at his waist. “Big glove. Saki idea.”
Dagger found a ring of keys hanging on the wall. Once free, Sugar grabbed him in a bear hug. “My sexy little hero. Let’s get the fuck out of here.”
Dagger slid back one of Meridian’s wrist guards and removed a strange contraption from his wrist, along with Sugar’s switchblade.
“What’s that?”
“Master key.” Dagger handed Sugar his knife.
Sugar’s jaw dropped. Dagger had more courage than anyone he’d ever met.
“Watch me be funny.” Dagger turned on the camera and waved into the lens. “Remember me? Look what I have.” He held up the key. “Mine now.”
Sugar put an arm around Dagger and blew a kiss to the camera.