The Elixir Maidens: Scarlet Read online

  Andrew nodded, cupped the back of Greg’s head, and drew him closer for a kiss. Leaning into him, Greg relished the sensation of powerful muscles beneath the damp T-shirt. He placed his hands on Andrew’s lean waist and stroked upward, splaying his hands across pecs that were as hard as the steel his lover worked.

  When the kiss broke, they held each other’s gaze before Andrew resumed making lunch.

  They brought their food to the table and ate, then Andrew gave a tour of the spacious house. When they reached the bedroom, Greg sat on the king-sized bed and ran his hand over the plain brown comforter. Everything about the house was ultra-masculine, understated but classy, sort of like Andrew.

  “Do you have to get back to work right away?” Greg asked.

  “Not this minute.”

  “Good.” He stood and pulled Andrew’s T-shirt out of his jeans.

  Andrew raised his arms so Greg could peel off the damp, dirty garment. Almost overcome by lust, Greg ran his hands and lips over Andrew’s bare torso, relishing his hairy chest and the incredibly sexy scent of the forge clinging to his warm flesh.

  “I need a shower,” Andrew said.

  “Later.” Greg unbuttoned Andrew’s jeans and unzipped his fly. His thick penis, already semi-erect, popped into Greg’s eager hands.

  Greg pushed Andrew onto the bed, positioned himself between his legs, and took his cock into his mouth so swiftly that the armorer gasped with pleasure. While Greg sucked and licked, Andrew buried his hands in his hair, kneading his scalp and holding him closer.

  Greg’s fangs scraped against the swollen staff. His tongue laved the head and teased the little eye before he slipped the very tip of a fang into it. Andrew’s desire leapt off the scale. He tried to stifle wild cries of pleasure, but stopped when Greg’s psychic voice told him, I love it when you get vocal. Go on. Let me hear you. Willingly, Andrew obliged. With a savage growl of fulfillment, he came.

  His eyes closed, he allowed himself to enjoy the aftermath of pleasure and the softness of the bed until Greg returned and lay beside him. Gazing at his lover, he thought how lucky he was to have finally found the right person to possibly share his life.

  A moment later, he gave Greg an affectionate squeeze and reluctantly left the bed. “I really need to work. Can you stay longer?”

  “Yes.”

  “Great. You can come with me to the forge, but you’ll probably be bored. Feel free to wander around the house.”

  “I’ll make dinner,” Greg said.

  “Sounds good.” Andrew walked to the adjoining bathroom where he washed up. Back in the bedroom, he pulled on his clothes while Greg’s appreciative gaze swept him. He leaned down and kissed Greg, caressing his bare chest, and said, “I’ll be back in a few hours.”

  Andrew spent the afternoon working on an order for a guy who’d been one of his best clients for the past five centuries. While he worked, his thoughts often wandered to Greg. He’d been thoroughly surprised -- and pleased beyond words -- when the singer had showed up at the forge.

  Certain Greg had been giving him the brush-off, he’d spent the earlier part of the day depressed. Now he realized Greg didn’t want to break off their budding relationship, but his actions the previous night still perplexed Andrew.

  No doubt they still had much to learn about each other and in time Andrew hoped there would be no secrets between them.

  With the day’s work finally done, Andrew walked to the house, eager to be with Greg again. Even before he entered the house, Andrew’s keen sense of smell detected the aroma of burgers and fries. His stomach rumbled. He couldn’t decide which was greater, his hunger for food or his thirst for Greg’s sweet blood.

  When he stepped into the kitchen, Greg greeted him with a seductive smile and a wink of a rich brown eye. “Just about time to eat.”

  “This time I really do need a shower first,” Andrew said.

  “Don’t be long.”

  “I won’t.”

  In the bathroom, Andrew showered quickly, towel dried his short hair, and pulled on jogging pants and a fresh T-shirt.

  When he returned to the kitchen, Greg had dinner on the table.

  “I’m starving,” Andrew said. Nothing like a day at the forge to give a vamp an appetite in every direction. He added pickles and ketchup to his burger, then took a big bite and savored the taste. “It’s good.”

  “Thanks.”

  “Thank you. When I’m through in the forge, usually the last thing I want to do is cook -- at least in the kitchen.”

  Greg grinned. “You’re insatiable.”

  “When it comes to you.”

  Andrew was glad that seemed to please the singer.

  “You weren’t kidding when you said you loved music,” Greg said. “You have a fantastic collection of classics. You’ve never learned to play an instrument or sing?”

  Andrew shook his head. “I spent almost all my time in the --”

  “Forge?” Greg smiled.

  “Yes. Besides, I have no talent for music, but I can’t get enough of listening to it. Especially your voice.”

  “Andrew.”

  “Sorry. Am I embarrassing you?”

  Greg cast him a teasing look. “Definitely. Don’t stop.”

  Throughout the meal their playful conversation warmed and amused Andrew. Afterward they washed and dried the dishes, then Greg asked to see more of Andrew’s weapons and armor. Andrew brought him to a spacious room that he’d added onto his house as a place to practice swordplay as well as display his favorite pieces of armor and weapons from his personal collection. Greg was quite knowledgeable about swords, and Andrew appreciated his open admiration for the work so close to his heart.

  It took little time before they decided to engage in fencing practice where Greg revealed considerable skill. His moves were graceful and incredibly strong for such a slight vamp.

  After several hours of intense practice, they decided to take a break.

  “That was fun,” Greg panted, returning the borrowed sword to Andrew who put the weapons away.

  “You’re excellent with a blade,” Andrew said.

  “Richie is a great teacher.”

  Again the thought crossed Andrew’s mind that Richie might be more than Greg’s Creator. Jealousy sparked inside him when he imagined Greg with another man. Crazy as it might be, he wanted the singer all to himself.

  “I’m sure he is, but you also have natural talent.”

  Greg smiled coyly. He stepped closer to Andrew, unzipped his jeans, and curled his hand around his cock. “I definitely know how to handle a sword.”

  Andrew groaned with pleasure and thrust his hips into Greg’s expertly stroking hand. All thoughts except those of satisfaction left his mind.

  Still rubbing Andrew’s cock, Greg leaned closer and kissed him. Andrew grasped his lover’s face and hungrily plunged his tongue into Greg’s mouth.

  “Mmm,” Greg moaned, his tongue meeting Andrew’s thrust for thrust. Their fangs clicked before Greg bit his lover’s lower lip.

  The taste of blood pushed their desire to fevered heights. Longing to feel Greg’s flesh, he unzipped his jeans and caressed his velvet-skinned cock.

  Their lips parted and Andrew ran his tongue along the side of Greg’s neck before he sank his fangs into it. Greg gasped, his hand tightening on Andrew’s cock. He stroked faster as passion grew.

  “Andrew, oh fuck!” Greg gasped, his sexy voice sending quivers of desire down Andrew’s spine.

  Teased beyond their limits between the blood sharing and cock stroking, they exploded.

  Releasing each other’s cocks, they leaned heavily against one another, their breathing ragged. They stepped apart and Greg glanced down at his shirt, damp with Andrew’s come and sweat from their fencing practice. Andrew’s clothes didn’t look any better.

  “We need a shower,” Greg said.

  “Take off your clothes and I’ll put them in the washer while we clean up.”

  They quickly discarded the
ir clothes and walked naked to the laundry room.

  “Greg?” Andrew said, dumping the clothes in the washer.

  “Yes?”

  “I’m glad you came tonight.”

  “So am I.” Greg kissed him, then playfully slapped his ass before heading for the shower.

  * * *

  Greg left Andrew’s around two o’clock. Since he and the Maidens had an early performance that coming night, it was a convenient excuse for why he couldn’t spend the day. Having an order to fill, Andrew wouldn’t be able to make it to Burgundy Peak for several days, so even though they were eager to see each other again, they made plans to spend New Year’s Eve together. The Maidens would be giving their final performance before taking a much needed vacation, and Andrew promised to be there in time for the show.

  On the drive home, Greg mulled over how silly it was to keep from spending an entire day with Andrew. Unless he wanted to give him up -- which he didn’t -- sooner or later he would have to reveal his problem. Alone, far away from Andrew, it seemed like such a simple thing, to say I have nightmares because of childhood abuse. Yet when faced with his lover, he wanted nothing more than to hide that part of his life. Not only did he feel as if he should have gotten over his issues long ago, but the thought of discussing his past made him physically ill.

  You’re a big chicken, Greg.

  Shaking his head, he focused on the Maidens’ next show. He could scarcely wait to slip back into the Scarlet persona. She was collected, confident, fearless. Everything Greg would never be. If not for Scarlet, he wouldn’t have had the courage to even start seeing Andrew.

  Maybe it was Scarlet Andrew had initially been attracted to.

  But it’s you he wants to be with now.

  When Andrew made love, it was with Greg the castrati, not Scarlet the painted, seductive drag queen.

  It was too much to think about now. Eventually, he would tell Andrew everything, but not now. Not even soon.

  Chapter Four

  Andrew worked extra hard to complete his orders because he hoped to arrive at Burgundy Peak a day or two earlier than planned. Though he and Greg spoke on the phone, he missed being with him and could scarcely wait to see him again.

  On December 30th he arrived at Burgundy Peak in time to catch the end of the Maidens’ show. Scarlet’s gaze met his as soon as he walked into the club area. The sexy singer looked surprised, but smiled and blew him a kiss when the song ended.

  Andrew blushed a bit, since most eyes in the club darted in his direction. He wasn’t used to being the center of attention, but it felt good knowing Scarlet thought him special enough to single out during his performance.

  When the show ended, Andrew accompanied Greg to his room.

  “Why didn’t you call and let me know you were coming early?”

  “I wasn’t sure I’d be able to make it, and I thought I’d surprise you. If it’s an inconvenience, I have my own room --”

  “Don’t be silly.” Greg kissed his cheek.

  Though Andrew sensed his lover was glad to see him, he also felt there was something Greg wasn’t telling him. Perhaps he should have called first.

  That moment of uncertainty faded quickly when they reached Greg’s room and dove into bed. Afterward they worked out in Burgundy Peak’s basement gym, then had dinner.

  Andrew fell asleep content that night, Greg snug in his arms, but awoke several hours later alone.

  * * *

  After lying awake for most of the night, Greg realized he desperately needed to sleep, and it just wasn’t happening while sharing a bed with Andrew. He rose, dressed quickly, and headed down the hall toward Richie’s room. As he approached, the scent of two females mingled with Richie’s, all three intensely aroused.

  With a sigh, Scarlet turned down the hall. There would be no crashing on Richie’s sofa today. The last thing he wanted was to interrupt one of his Creator’s orgies.

  He went to the hotel’s office to see if there was an empty room he could rent for the day, but with New Year’s Eve there were no vacancies.

  Greg thought about spending the day in his car, but he detested sunlight. Reluctantly, he returned to his room, surprised to find Andrew in the midst of dressing. Their gazes locked.

  “Where are you going?” Greg asked.

  “To look for you.”

  “I was just… I need to go --”

  “Greg, answer me honestly. Are you seeing another guy? If you are, it’s absolutely your business. We haven’t known each other very long and neither of us have made a commitment, but I would like to know if there’s somebody else.”

  “There’s nobody else.” Greg approached, placed his hands on Andrew’s waist, and tried to kiss him.

  Andrew turned away and held him at arm’s length, staring into his eyes. “Something’s up with you. Why don’t you want to sleep with me?”

  Greg chuckled. “I’ve slept with you a number of times.”

  “No. You’ve fucked me a number of times. There’s a difference.”

  “I don’t get what the problem is. I like privacy. That’s all.”

  Andrew dropped his hold and shook his head. “Privacy. I can understand that. But I get the feeling that’s not the whole story.”

  “You want to pick my brain?” Greg said, his annoyance rising. “You’re older and more experienced. If you have so many questions, I’m surprised you haven’t tried some psychic bullying already.”

  “I don’t want to bully anybody.” Andrew glared, stepping away. He pulled on his boots and headed for the door. Pausing when he reached it, he glanced at Greg over his shoulder. “It doesn’t take a psychic to know something’s up with you. I’m going to level with you right now. I like you. A lot. I don’t make a habit of one-night stands or shoddy relationships. Before doing that, I’d rather jerk off and get my blood from a bottle. I’m hoping we can possibly have something real together. If you don’t want that, let me know.”

  “Shoddy relationships?” Now Greg was really mad. “I got news for you, bud. I’m not into butt-fucking in a back room with somebody I hardly know, nor am I into biting anything that pumps blood.”

  “When and if you’re ready to be honest with me, call. Until then, I’m checking out.”

  “Wait a minute.” Greg grasped his arm, but released it when Andrew’s intense gaze met his. He dropped his hold and watched him leave, slamming the door so hard behind him that Greg was surprised it didn’t fall off its hinges.

  Shit. It seemed like he wasn’t the only one with issues.

  Had he just screwed up the best relationship of his life, or simply gotten rid of another headache?

  With a sigh, he undressed and sank into bed. Andrew’s scent filled him, clinging to the sheets and pillows, making him long for the armorer’s powerful embrace and breath-stealing kisses.

  “Fucking damn,” Greg breathed, closing his eyes tightly. “What have I done?”

  * * *

  That night, after their performance, Ruby and Richie convinced Greg to join them in the club for the New Year’s Eve bash. Truly, he didn’t feel like celebrating. All he could think about was Andrew.

  He sat alone at a table, drinking beer and watching others have fun. Ruby and Hagen were dancing. Across the room Richie flirted with a waitress. Many other vampires and a few mortals mingled, waiting for the New Year’s Eve countdown. Even Zigor, Burgundy Peak’s sullen owner, appeared to be having fun as his wife offered him a sip from her champagne glass. She whispered something in his ear that made his lips turn up in a slight smile. When the Maidens had first arrived at Burgundy Peak, Greg had thought Zigor one of those completely miserable ancients with a power problem. Now, feeling as rotten as he did over his argument with Andrew, Greg realized he probably looked and acted worse than the stern club owner. At least that’s what Ruby had told him.

  As if sensing Greg was thinking about him, Ruby returned to the table while Hagen headed for the restroom.

  “I’ve got three words for you,”
Ruby said, dropping into a chair. “Wake up, fool.”

  “I’m not in the mood for your shit, Ru.”

  “It’s not shit. You need to go call that blacksmith --”

  “Armorer.”

  “Whatever. You need to talk to him. Kiss and make up. Tell the dude the frickin’ truth.”

  “This is none of your business.”

  “I guess it’s none of mine, either,” Richie said, straddling the chair beside Greg.

  “No.”

  “The hell it ain’t,” Richie stated. “You like this guy a lot.”

  “So?”

  “You like him enough to fuck him, but not tell him about a few nightmares?”

  “Richie --” Greg said in a warning tone.

  “No. I’m not finished. You’re moping around here like your best friend just got staked through the heart because you don’t want to be honest with a guy who pretty much told you he wants something serious with you.”

  “He poured out his heart,” Ruby said. “And you stomped on it.”

  “Ru, isn’t there enough drama without you adding to it?” Richie snapped. “Hagen’s out of the john. Go dance with him.”

  “But --”

  “Ru,” Richie said in an authoritative tone that nobody, even his best friends, argued with. Ruby left in a huff and Greg also stood to leave, having no desire to listen to one of his Creator’s lectures, but Richie grasped his arm and forced him back into the seat.

  “I’m not a novice anymore that you can just snap your fingers and I do what you say, Richie.”

  “Shut up and listen. I don’t know anything about love at first sight or that crap. I’m sure as hell not the sort of guy who wants to tie myself down with anybody, but I know for a fact that some people need one mate they can depend on. Ru’s like that. Hell, even that sourpuss Zigor is like that. I know you, Greg. You want somebody in your life.”

  “That’s crazy.”

  “Is it? Then explain why when you have those nightmares you come to me?”

  “I don’t have to. I -- wait a second! I can’t believe you’re throwing that in my face. That’s low, you fucking bastard --”

  “I’m not throwing it in your face. I’m trying to make you see the truth. You’re my vampiric kid, Greg. My little buddy. My --”