The Elixir Maidens: Crimson Read online

  Chapter Three

  Two nights later, Sondra sat in the front passenger seat of Richie’s car as he drove along the country road toward Andrew Netherby’s home and forge. Greg’s boyfriend owned a spacious ranch about an hour’s drive outside the city. It was the perfect place for Richie to introduce Sondra to everybody without crowding them into his suite at Burgundy Peak. Though she’d already seen Ruby and Hagen in passing, she had yet to meet Greg, who had moved in with Andrew. Though he hated getting gushy, Richie had to admit Greg meant a lot to him. When they’d met, Greg had been eleven years old and alone on the streets of Rome. The boy had just run away from the abusive choir school where he’d been living, forced into the life of a castrati. Richie had raised him as a son and helped him to explore his extensive musical gifts without the terror he’d been accustomed to. When Greg reached adulthood and asked Richie to make him a vampire, he had done so willingly.

  Though he felt Greg and Sondra would get along well, he couldn’t help worrying a bit. More than anything he wanted his vampiric child and this woman with whom he was so taken to like one another.

  When they arrived at the house, Richie held the cake he’d baked in one hand and took Sondra’s hand in his other. He glanced at her brown hair flowing down her back and the lovely curve of her backside in her jeans and said, “Did I already say you look beautiful?”

  “You can never say it too much.” She smiled and squeezed his hand.

  “Then I’ll say it again. You look beautiful.”

  He brushed her mouth with a kiss before the front door opened and Andrew smiled in greeting. Richie was not a small guy, but even he couldn’t help being impressed by Andrew’s stature. At six feet four inches, the armorer was built like a body builder with biceps the size of an average man’s thighs. Lucky thing he was basically a nonviolent vamp.

  “What kind of cake?” Andrew asked, glancing at the plate.

  “Chocolate and caramel,” Richie replied, handing him the dessert and turning to Sondra. “This is Andrew. Andrew, Sondra.”

  “A pleasure to meet you.” Andrew bowed from the neck in a courtly gesture. “Please make yourselves at home. The others are in the kitchen. I need to check on my dogs.”

  “You have dogs?” Sondra asked. “I love dogs.”

  “I’ll let them out, then. We weren’t sure if you’d like them. They can be a lot to take.”

  “No, I’d love to see them.”

  Andrew nodded and disappeared down the hall.

  Placing a gentle hand on Sondra’s lower back, Richie guided her toward the kitchen. Hagen and Ruby sat at the table eating veggies and dip while Greg stood by the stove, stirring a pot of stew.

  “Guys, this is Sondra,” Richie announced, then pointed to each of the men. “You know Ru and Hagen already. This is Greg.”

  “Hi.” Greg offered her a warm smile and extended his hand.

  Sondra grasped it. “I’ve heard a lot about you.”

  “You, too. This is a momentous occasion, Sondra. Richie never brings home girls to meet the family.”

  “Really?” She turned to Richie and arched a sleekly groomed eyebrow. “That means I’m special, then?”

  “Have you had more than two dates?” Ruby called between mouthfuls of raw carrot.

  “Yes.”

  “Then, hon, you’re more than special. You’re phenomenal.”

  “Cut it, Ru,” Richie growled.

  Sondra grinned, and Richie was happy to see she looked at ease among the group.

  “Is there anything I can do to help?” she asked, glancing around the kitchen.

  “Yeah. Come here and help us eat these before I finish the whole damn bowl of dip,” Ruby said.

  “Why not? You already ate all the cheese and crackers,” Hagen teased.

  Ruby narrowed his eyes at his boyfriend and flashed his fangs.

  “Don’t worry. You’ll work it off tonight.” Hagen winked.

  “Excuse me?”

  “He’s insinuating you’re getting a fat ass,” Greg said, his back turned so that Ruby couldn’t see his mischievous smile.

  With a growl Ruby flung a tomato across the room and struck Greg in the back of the head.

  “Hey!” Greg spun. “Don’t play with the food.”

  “They’re not usually like this,” Richie explained to Sondra, who stifled laughter.

  “Usually they’re worse,” Hagen added.

  At that moment two mastiffs bounded into the kitchen and jumped at Sondra, knocking her into Richie.

  “Sit!” Andrew bellowed. The dogs dropped onto the floor, their stubby tails swishing against the cobblestone floor.

  Sondra rubbed their wide heads.

  “Still like dogs, baby?” Richie asked.

  “Yeah. Nigel has a Great Dane. These dogs are so cute.”

  “Cute.” Greg raised his eyes to heaven. “You’d have to be accustomed to a Great Dane to call these bruisers cute. By the way, who’s Nigel?”

  “My Creator.”

  “Should have brought him along,” Ruby said. “Made it a full family party.”

  “He’s in France,” Richie answered for her, knowing she usually seemed uncomfortable whenever her Creator was mentioned. Her attitude about Nigel was making him more curious than ever, though he didn’t want to pressure her into discussing her Creator in depth before she was ready to. He wasn’t experienced in serious relationships, but he knew trust was an important factor. With Sondra he wanted to do everything right. She made him feel like no one ever had before and for the first time in his life he feared losing a good thing.

  * * *

  After dinner, a tour of Andrew’s forge, and several games of pool, Sondra and Richie said good night to the others and headed home.

  “Did you have a good time?” Richie asked during the drive.

  “I had a great time. They’re really nice.”

  “Good.” He glanced at her with a sexy look that never failed to enflame her desire. “I notice you brought your laptop and a rather large bag. An overnight bag, maybe?”

  “That was just in case we decided to spend the night together again. That way I wouldn’t need to rush back home in the morning. My work would be with me.”

  “I like a woman who plans ahead.”

  “Yeah?” She leaned closer and kissed his cheek, then playfully ran her hand along his inner thigh. Her hand curved around the bulge in his jeans and squeezed.

  “Are you trying to cause an accident?” he gasped.

  “No. Just whet your appetite.”

  “If I get any hornier, we won’t be waiting until we get back to Burgundy Peak.”

  Grinning, Sondra wriggled a bit in her seat, excited by the thought of such spontaneity.

  He growled deep in his throat, a lustful, vampiric sound that quickened her pulse and aroused her animal desires.

  Several miles down the road, Richie stopped at a motel.

  “What are you doing?” she asked.

  “Getting us a room. I can’t wait.”

  “Richie!”

  His smoldering gaze held hers and she found herself nodding, as if entranced by his beautiful eyes. In a way he did have her under his control. With a word, look, or touch he could turn her into a ravenous sexual beast.

  A short time later, Sondra and Richie stood in a small yet quaint room with a micro bath attached.

  “Hmm,” Richie said after opening the plastic shower curtain. “Scarcely big enough for one, let alone two.”

  “You’re the one who was so hot you wanted to stop here instead of driving back to your nice, big suite at Burgundy Peak.”

  “Or your house.” He cast her a questioning look. “I’ve never been there.”

  Sondra sighed and glanced away. He was right, of course. Eventually she’d have to invite him over. In truth she’d love to have him spend time with her at home, but the possibility of Nigel stopping by… Why the hell was she allowing her Creator to rule her life? If she liked Richie, Nigel would just need
to accept it.

  Funny how sounding firm and rational seemed so easy when Nigel was miles away.

  She could invite Richie over and if Nigel came by all she had to say was she had company. Nigel would get the hint.

  “Come over the night after tomorrow,” Sondra said as Richie took her in his arms and began kissing her neck. She ran her fingers through his hair and moaned softly. “I’ll cook for you for a change.”

  “Umm. Sounds good.”

  She shrugged off her coat and he removed her sweater. Using the tip of his finger, he traced the tops of her breasts visible above her black bra. He tugged down one lacy cup, bent, and took her nipple between his lips.

  “Oh, Richie,” Sondra purred softly, arching against him, trying to force more of her breast into his mouth. He accommodated by sucking harder and lashing her berrylike nipple with his tongue.

  After a moment, he pulled back. Her nipple popped free of his lips. A chill rushed through her when the cool air brushed the saliva-slicked nub. Richie walked behind her and tugged her close to his chest. One arm wrapped around her waist while he used his free hand to gently pinch and stroke her nipples.

  He released her only so they could undress completely, then he tugged her into his arms.

  “You know what I want?” he asked close to her ear.

  “Tell me.”

  “I’d rather show you.” He guided her onto the floor.

  On her hands and knees, she gazed at him over her shoulder and asked, “What’s up?”

  Chuckling, he stroked his hand over his thick erection. “Looks like I am. I want to take you from behind, Sondra. You okay with that?”

  A slight smile touched her lips and she tingled with desire at the idea of being claimed like an animal. “Yeah. I’m all right with that.”

  “Good.” He positioned himself on his knees behind her. Grasping her hips, he eased himself into her hot, wet passage. One hand moved up her back, stroking with long sweeps of his palm. When he reached her head, he grasped a handful of her hair -- not hard enough to be painful, but just enough to make her feel completely in his power.

  Sondra’s pulse raced and her fingers bit into the carpet. He began thrusting, his steely cock rubbing her in all the right places.

  Tightening his grip on her hair, he growled, “I’m not hurting you, am I?”

  “No. Oh, Richie, I love how you touch me. I love it when you fuck me!”

  A sexy, masculine sound -- something between a chuckle and a growl -- rumbled in his chest. Kneading her scalp, he thrust faster. Sondra closed her eyes and wriggled her hips with pleasure. He released her head only to grasp her hips with both hands again, controlling her every movement. After several more short, fast thrusts Sondra came, her entire body throbbing. Sinking to her forearms, she panted, little ripples of pleasure coursing down her spine.

  Richie eased his still erect cock out of her and pushed her onto her back. He loomed over her, taking her nipple and as much of the surrounding flesh as he could into his mouth. His fangs gently scraped her flesh as he sucked deeply, then licked and nipped his way to her other breast.

  “Oh, yes. Keep touching me, Richie. Please,” she panted, her eyes closed and her hands running through his hair and over his powerful shoulders and arms. He covered her belly with kisses, then licked her ribs and the sensitive flesh beneath her breasts. Without breaking the skin, he ran his fangs over her hip. Grasping her leg, he growled with lust and lapped her inner thigh while his long, slender fingers caressed the ticklish place behind her knee. Sondra jerked at the sensation and giggled, though at the same time her body heated with rekindled passion.

  He lifted her legs over his shoulders and rolled his skilled tongue over her clit.

  Sondra trembled with need. Her heart pounded out of control and she cried, “Richie, you’re going to kill me!”

  Uttering an indiscernible sound, he continued licking and tugging her swollen flesh. He left her clit momentarily to thrust his tongue inside her. It swirled and caressed before returning to her plump nub and lapping her to a quaking, breath-stealing climax.

  While she still throbbed in ecstasy, he thrust into her, his long, hard body pinning hers to the floor. He kissed her deeply, his tongue mating with hers so that traces of her lust mingled with his own delicious taste.

  Sondra moaned and clutched handfuls of his hair. Their fangs scraped each other’s tongues and that bit of blood was all they needed to fling them into orgasm. They cried out in pleasure, their bodies straining and hearts pounding in unison.

  * * *

  Two nights later, Sondra was setting the table for dinner when the phone rang. She picked up and said, “Hello?”

  “Sondra? How are you, love?”

  Her pulse raced and she willed herself to calm down. Nigel was on the phone. Not right there in person, ready to clash with Richie. “Nigel. Fine. I’m good.”

  “You sound upset. Is something wrong?”

  “No. Of course not.”

  “I thought you might like to go to dinner tonight.”

  “No! I mean, I have a date. Here. Soon. It’s --”

  “All right.” He chuckled. “You needn’t explain. I do understand about those things, you know. Perhaps we could meet another night?”

  “Yes. Great.”

  “Would you like to go to Burgundy Peak tomorrow night?”

  “Burgundy Peak?” Great. Richie’s hotel. “I thought you and Zigor weren’t getting along?”

  “Just a difference of opinion. Besides, those transvestites are no longer performing there.”

  “They’re not transvestites.”

  “Since when are you an expert on the matter?” he said, an annoyed edge to his voice.

  “Nigel, I don’t want to get into this.”

  “You’re right. It’s silly.”

  The sound of a car in the driveway preceded Richie’s delectable scent.

  “Nigel, I need to go.”

  “Goodnight, love. Enjoy your evening.”

  “I’m sure I will.” She hung up, glanced down at her snug red dress, and smoothed her hands over her hips. Before Richie had a chance to knock, she opened the door.

  “Hey.” She smiled.

  “Good evening.” He kissed her cheek and handed her a bouquet of red roses.

  “Oh, they’re beautiful.” She held the soft flowers to her nose and inhaled their sweet scent. “Come into the kitchen while I put them in water.”

  She turned, but Richie grasped her waist and nibbled her ear.

  “Richie!” She giggled, writhing against him as his wet tongue tickled her.

  “What’s for dinner?”

  “Baked macaroni and cheese with salad on the side.”

  “Mmm.”

  She glanced at him over her shoulder. “I’m afraid I’m not as great a cook as you are, but I think you’ll like it.”

  “I’m sure I will. I know I love the cook.”

  After putting the flowers in water, Sondra gave him a tour of her Cape-style house.

  When they reached her bedroom, Richie playfully flopped onto the bed. He folded his arms behind his head and crossed his booted feet at the ankles. “Comfortable bed. Firm.”

  “You’re subtle, aren’t you?”

  “Nope. Never has been one of my qualities.” His eyes darkened with lust. “I want to fuck you before dinner, Sondra.”

  Almost overcome by passion, Sondra had no intention of arguing. She immediately began undressing. Richie’s intense blue gaze swept her as she tossed her dress aside and slipped off her underclothes. Naked except for thigh-high stockings and black pumps, she leaned against the door and stroked her breasts.

  “I want you to fuck me against the wall, Richie.”

  “Oh, baby,” he murmured.

  Richie stood and hurriedly discarded his clothes. With his sleek body bared to her starving gaze, he strode toward her, his cock swollen with desire. His fangs shone slightly against parted lips and his eyes gleamed.

  Br
eathing deeply, Sondra rubbed a hand between her legs. She trembled with need, already wet and ready for him.

  “Sexy wench,” he said, grasping her shoulders and kissing her deeply.

  Their tongues lashed one another while their hands roamed over each other’s bodies. She reached down and grasped his shaft.

  “Umm,” she moaned and rubbed him vigorously.

  “Give me your hand,” he ordered, grasping her wrists. He guided her arms around his neck.

  The tip of Richie’s cock circled her pussy. Sondra’s heart pounded with anticipation. Grasping her buttocks, he eased into her, filling her with his thick erection.

  Sondra gasped and moaned. Her fingers bit into the hard muscles of his shoulders.

  “Hold me tight,” Richie ground out. “Harder!”

  He lifted her and she wrapped her legs around him as he pounded into her, pressing her back against the wall.

  “Oh, Richie! Richie!” she cried.

  With a vampiric growl he buried his face in her neck. The combination of his fangs and cock penetrating her at the same time hurled her into a throbbing, quaking orgasm.

  Several short fast thrusts later, he came, his hot, powerful body pinning her tightly to the wall.

  “Richie,” she panted, her eyes closed and face pressed against his shoulder. She relished the warmth of his body and the strong, steady rhythm of his heartbeat.

  “I love you, Sondra.”

  “I love you, too.”

  Chapter Four

  To Sondra the next three weeks seemed to fly by. She and Richie saw each other almost every day. In spite of the stress of trying to keep Nigel and Richie apart, she had never felt so happy in her life. Richie was everything she had ever dreamed of in a partner and more.

  She’d even grown accustomed to the idea of him being a female impersonator. It didn’t hurt that he gave her free rein over his sizeable makeup and jewelry collection. The night of the ’70s party at Burgundy Peak, she joined him in his suite while he prepared for the show.

  “I almost wish we wore the same size clothes,” Sondra said, holding a beautiful silver and black gown against her body and gazing at herself in the mirror behind his door. “This is pretty.”