A Man of Honour. Ch 1
Disclaimer: All publicly recognizable characters, settings, etc. are the property of their respective owners. The original characters and plot are the property of the author. The author is in no way associated with the owners, creators, or producers of any media franchise. No copyright infringement is intended. NB Certain scenes and dialogue taken directly from the episode 'The Ringer' written by Josh Pate. Again, no copyright infringement intended.
Characters: Mick & Coraline.
Rating: M Very high-level sex scenes; some coarse language.
Dedication: for my beloved, who believes that Mick and Coraline deserved a happy ending.
"... these wounds won't seem to heal
this pain is just too real
there's just too much that time will not erase ..."
"My Immortal" by Evanescence.
A Man of Honour. Ch 1
"I'll love you forever."
"Forever?" I echoed.
They were the words I'd been waiting to hear. And I suddenly realised that I'd been hoping Mick would say those words since the moment I first laid eyes on him at my party. In all the long centuries of my existence, I had known many men. A few of them had even been as physically beautiful as Mick, and yet there was a light in Mick that had been missing from my life for far too long.
I was drawn to Mick the way a moth is drawn to a flame.
He had watched me as I wandered among my guests at the party. I had even paraded back and forth in front of him to make certain that I had his attention. He and his friends in the band had been exchanging comments about me and I heard Mick say that he wouldn't kick me out of bed for eating crackers. I was impressed by his confidence and the fact that he wasn't intimidated by either my money or my beauty. Most men – vampires included – were intimidated by both; but Mick was a true alpha male. And it had been far too long since I had had a man like that in my life. Mick's sense of self clearly wasn't dependant on wealth or hereditary titles or illusionary power – political or otherwise – but he was a tough man. A survivor. I understood that survival instinct and admired it.
In that moment, I decided that I wanted him.
So I decided to have a little fun. I beckoned him over. He sauntered towards me and thrust his hands in his pockets. I looked up at him and said sweetly, "Can't you guys play something that'll get this snore on its feet?"
Mick laughed and said, "Like what?"
"I don't know, like Winony Harris or Little Willie John or just something with a little bit more rhythm?" I watched his face intently to see how he would react to my suggestions.
With a slight smile, he said, "Well, gee, I don't know if this crowd would like the devil's music."
"That's why I want you to play it."
"How about 'Good Rockin' Tonight'?" Mick suggested.
I rose from the chair, aware that Mick was watching my every move. "How about 'Ain't That Just Like A Woman?'? I think that that would be much more shocking. Don't you?"
"On one condition," he stated confidently.
I liked his nerve, putting conditions on his compliance with my request, considering that he was really nothing more than hired help. So I played the game. "My name is Coraline."
"I didn't say what the condition was."
"That's always the condition." I kissed him lightly on the cheek and walked away.
For the rest of the party I carefully ignored Mick and instead concentrated on playing the perfect hostess to my guests. When Mick's band played 'Ain't That Just Like A Woman?' it caused a slight stir among my few human guests, but the jaded vampires were more amused than offended.
The party finally began to wind down a couple of hours before dawn. I appropriated a bottle of champagne and went to find Mick. He was packing up with the rest of the band.
I caught Mick's eye. "You wanna get wet?" I asked and then turned towards the pool.
He took a few steps towards me and stated firmly, "You don't even know my name."
I turned back to face him and asked in a dismissive tone, "Do I need to?" But the truth was that I did know his name. I had made it my business to find out. And yet I couldn't afford to let Mick see how much he affected me. How much I longed for his touch. How the sound of his voice flowed over me like a caress.
"Maybe you should come to one of my real gigs," he suggested, trying painfully hard to impress me.
"This was one of your real gigs." I turned my back on Mick to indicate that he should unzip my dress. "Will you give me a hand?"
I heard his heartbeat quicken.
He unzipped my dress slowly and I sensed his reaction as he realised that I was completely naked beneath. His heartbeat raced and I could tell from his scent that his testosterone level had abruptly risen even higher than normal. As I wondered what he would taste like, I closed my eyes. Even the briefest contact with him swayed me more than I cared to admit. I was used to being in complete control and Mick shook my self-assurance to the very core. Both to taunt him and to provide myself with the necessary physical space to regain control, I dove elegantly into my swimming pool.
I swam a lazy lap before returning to the side of the pool.
Smiling up at Mick, I said, "Are you going to join me or not?"
"I don't have my swimming trunks."
"You don't need any in my pool." I emphasised my point by turning onto my back and doing the backstroke across the width of the pool. I knew full well that I looked stunning in the moonlight. And if Mick was the man I thought he was, he wouldn't need another invitation.
By the time I reached the far side of the pool, I heard Mick enter the water next to me. I regained my feet and turned to face him. He looked like a man who had been drugged. I allowed myself the luxury of taking a good look at him. He was so beautiful, like a magnificent sculpture brought to life. Droplets of water rolled down his shoulders and clung to the hair on his chest. I fought the impulse to reach out and touch him. For his part, he simply stared at me; so I sighed and turned as though to move towards the steps to leave the pool.
My movement snapped him out of his apparent trance.
He took my wrist gently and gathered me into his arms – then he pushed me against the wall of the pool and kissed me, gently, almost hesitantly at first but then with growing passion. He pushed his hips forward into mine and for the first time I felt the impressive size of his very hard cock against my belly. I dug my nails into his back and he moved his attention to my neck. For a moment I actually expected him to bite me and then I abruptly remembered that Mick was a human, not a vampire; yet forgetting that fact – even for a second – was a mistake that I couldn't afford to make twice.
Humans are fragile creatures.
Even men as strong as Mick still need to be handled with care.
While Mick continued his torturously sensuous attention to my neck, I coaxed his right hand to my breasts and wordlessly encouraged him to give equal attention to my erect nipples. Then I let my hand snake between our bodies and I took his cock firmly in my hand. With one arm around his neck and the other holding his full attention, I felt Mick's entire body stiffen in response as I began to slowly stroke him. He groaned softly – a sound that sent delicious shivers up my spine – and returned his lips to mine. As his tongue caressed my lips, I fought for self-control because I had already felt my fangs elongate. Then I opened my lips to allow his tongue access again and simultaneously felt Mick's hand slip between my thighs.
Even as I parted my legs to allow Mick easier admission, I also sensed that dawn was very, very close. And on top of that, I had to play this game very carefully and stay in control. I needed to allow Mick to chase me until I caught him. Reluctantly – as though I suddenly felt coy – I pushed Mick away from me. Ignoring his protests and pleas, I left the pool without looking back and disappeared inside my house.
I had given him a taste that he wouldn't soon forget.
He would come around sooner rather than later – of that I was sure.
*****
Four nights later, Mick arrived as if on cue. He looked so happy and expectant in his best suit. I carefully hid my pleasure at seeing him again and instead set my face in an expression of cool disinterest.
I opened the door but blocked his entry.
Clearly confused, Mick said, "Why did you leave the other night? We were just starting to have some fun."
He attempted to kiss me but I turned away as though he was being outrageously presumptuous.
"What night?" I frowned slightly as though Mick had suddenly started speaking in a foreign language.
Mick's gaze shifted from me to take in the candlelit room, and then he noticed the elegantly dressed vampire who looked very much at home in the armchair while he slowly sipped a martini. The vampire was boring but handsome, and he was adequate as a lover when I had an itch that needed to be scratched. Beyond that, he suited my current purpose so I had been spending quite a bit of time in his company.
Mick's eyes met mine. He looked hurt and disappointed, which distressed me; but I reminded myself that the end justified the means.
"I get it – that's fine," Mick stated coolly. Then he turned on his heel, thrust his hands into his pockets and retreated down my driveway.
In silence, I watched him go.