Chapter 19
Chapter
Nineteen
“No way! I can’t drink that,” Carina said, horrified by the thick blood in the cup he’d set in front of her.
Everything inside her screamed for the nourishment, but her mind struggled with drinking blood. She’d throw up if she even got it close to her face. As her need grew, Carina locked her muscles to keep from grabbing it and chugging it.
Marcus slid into her mind. You’re thinking too hard.
Let’s figure out what we are going to do today.
Perhaps you should call in sick so we can make plans.
The sun is bright today. Immediately, it will prickle at your skin like a bad sunburn when the rays touch you.
He continued talking to her, holding her attention away from the thick liquid that eased her discomfort.
When the cup clicked down on the table, she stared at the empty container.
“You tricked me.”
“And I’ll do it again. The first time is the hardest. How do you feel?”
“Less shaky,” she admitted.
“Good. That’s B-negative blood. You’ll have to remember that one and compare to see what you like better.”
“Blood types taste differently?” she asked, staring at him in fascination.
“They do. You’ll see. They also vary between warm and cold. The best is direct from a human, but that won’t happen for a while.”
That idea rattled her a bit. Confused, she asked, “Why, Daddy?”
“Seeing you drink from someone else may take me a thousand years to permit. I’m guessing you’d rather I didn’t rip someone’s throat out because you were so intimate with them.”
“No. I don’t want you to do that. Well, unless they’re a bad guy. Then I really don’t wish to be close to them.”
“Your fangs serve two purposes. Drinking and killing.” He stopped and smiled at her. “Fangs up, Little girl.”
“Darn it. I’m having a tough time remembering not to let them down. Especially when we’re talking about B-L-O-O-D,” she spelled, hoping not saying the word would help her control herself.
“Elevator,” Marcus whispered. “Fixed.”
Carina’s tongue traced over her normal teeth. “That worked. I only have to picture something I hate?”
“I don’t know. Let’s experiment.” Marcus swatted her bottom.
“Hey! I’m being good.”
“Fangs.”
“Shit! Again. Ouch!” she yelped when her tongue whisked over her sharp canines. “Fucking elevator!”
“No fangs. I believe we’ve found a solution for you,” Marcus said with a fond smile.
“I can understand dealing with them when I’m around… red stuff, but why when you spanked me?”
“When I caress you, your teeth descend. Feeding and making love are both arousing activities. Spanking and sex appear to be linked in your mind.”
“Nuh, uh,” she protested vigorously, shaking her head as she avoided his knowing gaze. “Let’s focus on the real problem. I can’t fang out at the hospital. Someone will try to stake me.”
“There is a solution to that,” he suggested.
“What?”
“You never return. Is your job rewarding?”
“I detest it. Every minute I’m there, I hate it. I deal with the worst of the tangled messes. The employees are awful. They’re afraid I’m going to find out it’s their screwup. Meanwhile, the patients are struggling to pay sky-high bills.”
“Then you don’t go back.”
She stared at him in disbelief. “I have to earn money.”
“You don’t, really. You’re my mate and my Little girl. Taking care of you makes me happy.”
“I don’t want to be a leech. I like working.”
“Then, you can start with Darius. He needs help. He’s already impressed by your skills. If you flash your teeth at Nightfall, it’s no big deal. And you won’t have to wake up at five during the week.”
“I do hate to get up in the morning,” she agreed.
“You would need to quit your job at the hospital within the next ten years anyway. Remember, people tend to notice we don’t age after a while.”
“Oh, yeah. You warned me about that”
“Have you looked at yourself in the mirror today, Carina?” Marcus asked, smiling at her.
“No, why? Don’t tell me I have blood smeared on my face.” Carina groaned at the sensation of her teeth descending again. “Fucking ele.…” She stopped when Marcus pressed his finger to her lips.
“No more cussing. My Little girl will not talk like an uncivilized barbarian.”
Carina wasn’t sure what a talking barbarian sounded like, but she wasn’t going to argue with him. She opened her eyes wide in shock when her butt tingled. He was showing her exactly what the consequences of continuing to use bad words would be.
“Go check yourself out in the hall mirror.”
Whirling on her heel, Carina walked to the ornate gilt mirror.
The ornate suspended chandelier above flickered to life, illuminating her reflection.
She stared at herself. Oh, my god. Who is that?
She was beautiful. Radiant even. Her skin glowed with vitality.
The points of her teeth poking out of her mouth were adorable.
Her sparkling brown eyes radiated happiness and secrets.
“What’s going on? I don’t even have makeup on. Is this a trick mirror?”
Carina raced to the hallway bathroom and flipped on the bright lights. “I’m gorgeous here too. What is going on? I look so different.”
“You have always been lovely, Little girl. But it appears becoming a vampire agrees with you. And those fangs.…” Marcus shifted the erection that tented his pants. “They’re fucking delectable.”
With one last incredulous stare at her reflection, Carina spun to face him and wrapped her arms around his neck. “Delectable?” she repeated and then yelped as Marcus threw her over his shoulder.
“Abso-fucking-lutely.” He tugged her soft shirt over her head. “I’d forgotten my goal of making love to you in every room in this house. How about if we start here?”
Carina reached out to unfasten his belt buckle. “How many rooms are there?”
“Thirty-seven. We should reach our goal by the weekend.”
“It’s Monday afternoon. That gives us only four and a half days. Thirty-seven divided by four and a half.…” Her voice trailed off as she did the math. “Eight times a day?” She looked at him with raised eyebrows.
“Good point. We should get to the last room by Thursday.” His wickedly sensual smile made her heart beat faster. “Remember, you’re a vampire now. You’re stronger and more energetic than a mere human.”
“And quicker?” she smirked.
“Yes. But we’re not going to speed through anything. I plan to take my time.”
When Nightfall opened on Friday night, Carina had settled into her new life.
Her Daddy had refused to allow her to work, insisting her body and mind needed a few more days to adjust. He’d even given the estate staff the entire week off as a paid vacation.
She’d thought his generosity was to give the two of them quiet time alone.
“Give me your hand, Little girl,” Marcus commanded as he cracked her car door open in the parking lot.
She’d automatically reached up when a delicious scent reached her nose. Marcus didn’t budge an inch when she’d lunged, trying to get out. He simply locked his fingers around her wrist and slid into her mind to bolster her control.
“Ma’am? Are you all right?” the trusted human guard asked.
“She’s good, Brad. Simply a bit hangry. Would you return to the booth and close the door?” Marcus suggested, holding her by his side with an ease that made Carina furious. Why was he standing between her and the most alluring aroma she’d ever inhaled?
When the door closed with a click, the scent dwindled. As her mind cleared, Carina looked back at Marcus. “What was that?”
“Brad. I’m afraid Nightfall employees are off-limits, Little girl. No bites allowed unless they have signed up to serve as the clan’s blood harem.”
“That was his blood calling to me?” she asked, shaking her head to get rid of the lingering allure.
She couldn’t believe she’d almost lost control.
He’d smelled so yummy. She should be ashamed, but hunger lingered inside her.
Running her gaze over the secured area, Carina figured she could break the glass in a snap.
“No, Little one. Remember, Daddy has made anyone else off-limits to you for snacking.”
She turned to glare at him. “Fine!”
He led her to the stairs. “Remember how we’ve worked on constructing your mental fortress? Let’s do some repairs.”
Carina was embarrassed by the state of the careful walls he’d helped her build for self-control. She’d ripped through all of them in a fraction of a second. “Maybe I should go back home.”
“No, sweetheart. You have to learn to control your urges. You’re safest here with me. If your will power begins to slip, call for help.”
By the time they reached the main floor, Carina felt less wild. Marcus glanced at her before opening the door. Carina tightened her grip on Marcus’s hand and nodded.
A blizzard of enticing scents flew at her as the barrier opened. Carina locked herself in place as she struggled to withstand the temptation. As overwhelming as the torrent of enticement impacted her at first, the urge to feed decreased after several seconds.
“Good girl. Well done,” Marcus praised her.
Beaming at him, Carina celebrated pleasing him. She wanted him to be proud of her. A guest walked by, and Carina picked up not only his personal blood scent but something else familiar. Where had she smelled that before?
Titus, Marcus supplied for her.
You called? The bartender’s amused voice joined their conversation.
That guy smelled like you, Carina blurted, scanning across the nightclub to meet Titus’s gaze.
His quick grin confirmed Carina’s statement. He did. And he was delicious. Can you see the marker on his inner wrist? Here. I’ll have him raise his hand for you.
Carina’s attention flipped back to the partier who’d walked past. Once on the dance floor, the man raised his hands over his head to show the usually yellow glowing orb was now a deep-red blood moon.
I understand the demand for the upgraded role is quite high as the perks are extremely satisfying, Titus shared.
Not quite sure what Titus was implying, Carina met Marcus’s gaze. His eyebrows waggled as he pushed an echo of her earlier orgasm into her mind.
Oh! Instantly, Carina understood. Torn between being embarrassed by Titus’s sensual conquests and turned on by Marcus’s reminder, she searched for a way to change the subject.
Want a Carina? Titus called, lifting a glass for her.
She smiled at him for helping her out and headed for the bar.
No alcohol, Titus. Sober, the temptation is challenging. Marcus laid down the law, holding her in place.
What if I say I want a drink? Carina asked, rebelling.
Your Daddy will spank your bottom bright red. Or is that a reward? Titus suggested and laughed when he spotted her face turning that exact color.
“Does he know everything?” Carina hissed, speaking to Marcus directly to prevent Titus from hearing.
He’s a Daddy, Little girl. He knows and is teasing you because he’s jealous.
As Marcus’s thought finished, a wave of longing came from the bar before Titus clamped down his emotions.
The bartender turned to interact with the crowd of flirting women and men clustered in front of his station at the bar.
Suddenly, his comments didn’t embarrass her anymore.
Faced with his fervent desire, she hoped he would find his Little and have a sliver of the happiness she’d discovered with her Daddy.
“Carina!” Karla appeared in front of her to wrap her arms around her waist. Karla’s neck loomed way too close to Carina’s mouth.
Thankfully, Marcus flooded Carina’s brain with extra control so she didn’t attack as her fangs descended.
She sent a thankful glance at him as she tried to avoid hearing and seeing Karla’s jugular vein pulsing a wanton call for attention.
Marcus pressed a hand to her lower back, silently warning her.
Carina covered her lips as she greeted her friend. “Karla!”
“No way!” Karla crowed and tugged Carina’s hand away. “You’re wearing vampire teeth. Those are so realistic. They’re handing out cheap ones at the door. Wait. Check them out!
She grabbed something out of her purse and fitted it into her mouth. “Ta-dah!”
Carina stared at the plastic fangs now adorning her friend’s teeth. She giggled with happiness. Marcus had taken care of covering any lack of control she faced. “You look so scary! Does everyone have them?”
“They do. Come dance with me. Nightfall has created a vampire ball in here. The whole crowd is so excited. People are talking about coming in costume next time. I don’t think they’re ever going to escape the vampire allure that started tonight.”
“I bet the owners will be fine with that.” Carina glance over her shoulder at Marcus to get permission. When he nodded briefly, she turned back to Karla with a huge smile showcasing her new teeth. “Let’s go dance.”
Keep your eyes open. Run fast to the observation level if you feel your control slipping.
Yes, Daddy!
Almost drunk on the scent of blood pounding through the dancers’ veins, Carina raised her hands over her head as she enjoyed the addictive rhythm. Marcus’s growing arousal filled her awareness as she grooved to the music. Her body moved sensuously to the beat as she seduced him.
I’m so going to spank that ass.
Daringly, she turned her back to him and wiggled her assets just for him. Teasing him was definitely worth a red bottom.