Disclaimer: I do not own Moonlight or any of its characters. All credit goes to CBS and Moonlight.
Characters: Josef; Emma [original character]; Beth.
Rating: M Some coarse language; very high level sex scenes.
The Second Time Around.
Six months of tears had all but washed away the handwritten words on the paper. Yet it didn't matter, because the words were indelibly etched in my memory. How many times had I read the note? Dozens of times? A hundred times? Still, the memory stung as painfully as it had the very first time I had read Josef's note on that beautiful summer morning in LA.
Six months ago.
Half a world away.
Another lifetime.
I had asked myself every single day since if Josef might have asked me to stay if I had not taken the Black Crystal; the party drug he had said had 'unearthed a less than charming side' to my personality. And he had been so right. Even so, Josef had been kind and generous; he had insisted on paying my hotel bill and even paid for my first-class ticket home to Sydney.
But in the end he had still let me go without hesitation.
I'm not stupid – well not completely anyway. I didn't want Josef to turn me. I knew that our relationship – such as it was – would never be exclusive. And that a vegan and a vampire was a match made in hell. Yet the heart has a will of its own, and I was very willing to settle for as much of Josef as he was willing to share with me.
But it seemed clear that Josef didn't want me at all.
Not that I could blame him after the way I behaved. Vampire or not, Josef was still a man and it was in his nature to enjoy what I had offered so freely – and without commitment. Consequently, the bitterest pill to swallow was that I had no-one to blame but myself.
My melancholy mood was just hitting rock bottom when the phone rang, jarring me back to the present.
How strange that such a brief telephone conversation could turn my whole world upside down in a matter of moments.
Josef Konstantin – the man who had seemingly consumed my every waking thought for the past six months – was travelling to Sydney on business and for some inexplicable reason I had just agreed to allow him to park his freezer in my small apartment for the duration of his stay. And with his usual arrogance, he had obviously expected my complete subservience to his will since he had already organised for the delivery to take place.
Fuming, I reached for the phone to call Beth. At least then I knew I would get some straight answers. Beth was extremely apologetic for giving Josef my address, but she reminded me how single minded Josef could be when he wanted something. And apparently in this case, the something that Josef wanted was to see me!
Over the next two days, my emotions ran the gamut from love to annoyance to anger to frustration and by the time I reached the airport, I was an emotional wreck trying very hard to appear cool, calm and collected.
Standing and watching the parade of tired passengers searching the crowd for loved ones or tour guides – or simply looking slightly bewildered – I was nervous of how I would react when I came face to face with Josef for the first time in six months. But when he finally appeared carrying his large suitcase my only feelings were those of concern. Josef looked ill – really ill. The trip had obviously been a difficult one. Yet he smiled warmly when he saw me, and walked slowly over and embraced me as though we had only seen each other the previous day. And in a lightning bolt epiphany, I realised how fast six months must seem to pass for a vampire of Josef's age; whereas for me each day without him had seemed to drag on forever.
My attention was jolted back to the present as Josef softly kissed my lips, then held me at arm's length and said, "Emma, it's so nice to see you again. I've missed you."
I heard the sincerity in his voice and so many emotions surged through me all at once; then laughter and tears formed a jamb in my throat. Speechless, I just looked into his eyes and finally forced out the words, "We really need to find a taxi and get you home!"
I left Josef standing in the shade while I found a taxi.
Once we were settled in the back seat, I took stock of Josef's condition. He looked pale and weak. I wondered how long it had been since he'd last had a drink or slept in a freezer. The drive would be at least a half-hour depending on the traffic and the competence of the taxi driver. So I made a snap decision. Quietly slipping out of my seat-belt, I sidled across the seat and pulled my hair away from my neck in an open invitation.
Josef's eyes hungrily focused on my throat but then he met my gaze and mouthed the word: Here?
I nodded.
Josef looked uncertain, so I leaned close and whispered, "Kiss me on the neck. Please!"
He reached up and placed one hand gently on my neck, then lowered his head until I felt two points of pressure against my throat. I steeled myself for the momentary pain, but this time felt only a euphoric rush.
Despite myself, I moaned with pleasure.
And the taxi driver said sharply, "Hey mate, this my taxi – not a hotel!"
Josef lovingly licked my neck and murmured, "Duly noted." Then he looked at me and mouthed the words: Thank you, I do feel better now.
And I was gratified to see that some of the colour had returned to his face.
***
A good day's sleep in the freezer had done Josef the world of good, and he bounced back from the jetlag remarkably fast. He was so well, in fact, that he suggested that we spend the evening at the opera.
I checked my reflection in the mirror before presenting myself to Josef and I was pleased with the effect my brand new, emerald green evening gown created. It was not my usual style yet it was perfect for the opera. Ankle length – although sleeveless and backless – it still concealed more than it revealed however it had a sexy edge to it. I slipped on one of my black, elbow length gloves, but held the other in my hand as I walked into the living room.
Josef's smile when he saw me made the ludicrously expensive dress worth every cent.
He stood as I walked towards him but I motioned for hit to resume his seat on the sofa. I still wasn't sure about vampire etiquette, so I sat down next to him and simply offered him my exposed wrist and smiled.
"Emma, I can wait – really."
"But you must be hungry. And you won't enjoy the opera if all you can think about is having dinner."
Josef held my wrist gently and kissed my arm just below the elbow. Then I felt the sharpness of his fangs and the strange, exhilarating pleasure of his bite. It was over in a matter of moments and Josef gently wrapped a fine bandage around my wrist before helping me to put my glove on to cover the wound.
Then Josef ran his cool hand lightly up my arm all the way to my shoulder. His touch, as always, was electric. I looked into his eyes, and he caressed my face lightly before bringing his hand to rest on my neck. Then he leaned down – appearing to move almost in slow motion – and began to brush my neck with his lips. I threw my head back to allow him greater access and a low moan escaped from my throat unbidden. Josef's kisses became more intense as his hand drifted slowly down to caress my décolletage. My lips longed to meet Josef's lips and my breasts were aching for his touch, when he suddenly withdrew completely and said calmly, "Our limousine will be here in five minutes. Are you ready to leave?"
It took me a moment to comprehend what Josef had just said. I blinked at him stupidly and said, "Do you have any idea what you do to me, the way you touch me?"
The four-hundred year old vampire silently regarded me with a look of complete innocence stamped on his youthful features.
"Josef, you do know that torture is a criminal offense, don't you?" I asked quite seriously.
"Anticipation, my sweet Emma," he said, slowly smiling, "is half the fun."
***
Even though I had been to the Sydney Opera House more than once, I had never arrived in such style before. I had also never been escorted by such a handsome man before and I noticed the envious glances thrown my way by so many of the female patrons, and a few of the men too.
Once we were inside, Josef continued his solicitous attention to me. He brushed my hair back off my face, and lightly placed his hand on the small of my back as we walked through the lobby. After we were seated he leaned down to whisper in my ear and let his fingers skim my upper arm. He somehow even managed to accidently brush his muscular arm across one of my breasts. And his timing was exquisite. Every time that my heartbeat had almost returned to normal, he touched me again.
By the end of the performance, I had no idea what we had just witnessed. I doubt that I would have noticed if Pavarotti had taken the stage, because the entirety of my being was consumed by my desire for Josef.
On the way home in the limousine, Josef chatted happily about the calibre of the performance while all I could think about was getting back to my apartment and seducing Josef as quickly as possible.
As soon as we entered my apartment and I closed the door, I pressed Josef against the wall and kissed him passionately. I was grateful that he met my kiss with equal passion. Then he scooped me up in his arms and carried me straight to my bedroom. Within moments we had helped each other out of our formal clothes and were blissfully naked in each other's arms again.
Josef covered my face and neck with kisses and then slowly ran one hand from my knee up the inside of my thigh to my core.
I immediately parted my legs in an unmistakable invitation. I was aching to have Josef inside me and when he slid two fingers into my wetness I thought I was in paradise.
Josef ceased kissing me long enough to whisper, "You're ready for me then?"
"Josef I've been wet for hours and I think you already knew that!"
In one smooth movement, he embraced me, rolled us both over so he was lying on his back and supporting my weight with his hands on my hips, Josef gently entered me. It was as though the pain I had been feeling for the past six months was nothing but a bad dream I had finally woken from.
I had forgotten what a wonderful lover Josef was. His ability to give me pleasure was completely off the scale.
All of a sudden the cynical, self-protective part of my nature reared its ugly head and I sharply reminded myself to keep my emotions under control; after all, to Josef I was simply food, someone who could provide a place to park his freezer and a reasonably good fuck. You are truly nothing more than that to him, Emma! I told myself sternly.
Abruptly, Josef stopped thrusting and gently lowered me down to support my own weight. I opened my eyes and met his gaze. His hands slowly and tenderly drifted up my arms to my shoulders and then down my back.
He smiled, yet I thought I saw a trace of sadness behind his eyes.
"Emma," he began softly, "I didn't thank you properly for allowing me to have a freezer installed here. The lack of a freezer was not an insurmountable problem but having one certainly makes my stay more pleasant." Josef put one cool hand behind my neck and pulled me down to meet his lips. His kiss was slow and deep and it made my head spin in the nicest possible way. He held me close as he ran the tips of his fingers up and down my spine. His gentle touch made it difficult to think. "I truly appreciate your willingness to feed me too, sweet Emma," he whispered in my ear and I smiled.
Josef resumed thrusting in a very slow rhythm and I closed my eyes.
When he spoke again, his voice was so quiet that I wasn't completely sure if his words were merely in my imagination. "And if you truly consider this to be fucking, then I'm insulted!"
My eyes sprung open. I sat up hastily and looked at Josef. He met my gaze but his expression was unreadable.
"Do I have any secrets from you?" I asked.
Josef's only response was to smile slightly, lift me just above his hips again and begin to thrust powerfully, and the overwhelming pleasure immediately erased all conscious thought from my mind.
Just as I was teetering on the brink of an earth-shattering orgasm, Josef stopped dead.
"Why ... did ... you ... stop?" I managed to gasp.
"We need a change of location, I think."
"Why?" I moaned.
Josef smiled slightly, sat up and wrapped his strong arms around me. Then he shuffled forward and climbed off the bed, still holding me. I put my arms around his neck and wrapped my legs around his hips. He carried me easily into the bathroom and stepped into the shower. Before I could ask what he was planning, the shower was running steaming hot and my back was pressed against the cold, hard tiles.
The mix of sensations was overwhelming – cold, hard tiles at my back, Josef's cool, muscular body pressed against my front and hot water running over both of us. I wondered if we were safe but Josef murmured that he had good balance.
By then I didn't even question the fact that he has responded to my unspoken thought.
I simply accepted it.
Then out of the blue I recalled the last night I had spent in LA with Josef and my most appalling display in the men's room at the jazz club. Josef had taken me with my back to a tiled wall there, as well. I immediately stopped moaning and felt a chill, in spite of the hot water.
I suddenly felt sick to my stomach.
"Emma," Josef murmured, "Don't think about the past. Be here with me now – in this moment!" His lips found mine and I kissed him hungrily. Then – shocking both of us – I bit Josef on the shoulder. Fortunately he laughed. "I thought you're supposed to be a vegan!"
"I – I don't know what got into me-" I stammered. But Josef silenced me with another kiss.
I tried to shift my hold on Josef in order to caress his muscular back and almost lost my grip entirely. He quickly adjusted his stance and drove his cock even deeper into me. On the verge of orgasm again, I tilted my head and offered my neck to Josef.
And his timing was superb.
I felt the euphoric rush of his bite at the precise moment that I felt the overwhelming pulsations of my orgasm. Then everything went black.
I woke up to find myself in my bed, wrapped in a towel, with Josef lying next to me with a towel wrapped around his waist. He looked concerned.
I tried to make light of it by saying, "Wow, I didn't know I could pass out from too much pleasure!"
"I shouldn't have bitten you, Emma. Twice in one night was too much."
"Well if worst came to worst, you could have turned me!" I laughed.
Josef frowned at that. "It's not a joking matter! You could have been hurt!"
I reached out and touched Josef's face. "I'm alright – I trust you, Josef."
"Perhaps your trust is misplaced." Josef climbed easily off the bed and went to the window. He stood with his back to me. And without turning to face me, he spoke again. "Emma, why did you leave LA without saying good bye?"
My mouth went dry and the words caught in my throat. Even though I desperately wanted to confess the truth, that despite Beth's warning I had fallen in love with Josef and it had broken my heart when he didn't ask me to stay, all I heard myself say was: "I always hate saying goodbye's."
Josef turned then and looked me right in the eye. "Next time you speak to Beth, ask her what she threatened to do to me if I didn't let you go. I believe stakes and incinerators were mentioned."