Integra slumped farther into the lush leather couch, shifting her shoulders ever so slightly, to regain a comfortable composure. She placed her palm against the bind of the small paperback and pressed down.

Desperately, attempting to stretch the book so she could continue to read with one hand in peace.

Unfortunately, every time she placed her elbow onto the arm rest and she was comfortable again she would flip a page and the entire book would flip closed upon her hand.

"Christ," she murmured in a harsh whisper as she threw the book across the couch in frustration and leaned her head into her hand.

After a moment she sighed loudly and straightened her glasses and was leaning across the couch to retrieve the horrid paperback when she noticed it was no longer there.

Before she could even say his name she heard the deep laugh radiate within the room. Her eyes narrowed in annoyance, apparently Alucard had returned from the mission earlier than she'd expected.

"Now."

She simply stated holding her hand out in front of her. She did not attempt to discern his location, but merely waited for him to appear before her.

A shiver slithered down her spine and suddenly the book was in her face.

Integra's gaze fell to the gloved hand extending from the the wall behind her.

"Good evening, Master."

His deep baritone voice rumbled silkily against her throat as she took the book from him in silence.

"Good evening, Alucard."

"What're you reading tonight, Master?"

She paused for a moment staring seemingly nowhere, when she finally responded.

"Don't be clever Alucard, you bloody well know what I am reading."

He chuckled darkly from her left; she turned to face the now lounging vampire sitting next to her. His elbow placed lazily upon the back of the couch as his red eyes, beneath a tousled mess of black hair, mischievously bore into her own.

"But of course, although, You could have just asked me to tell you the real story."

Integra would not humor him by responding to his statement. She already knew the real story, that's why she was reading the fiction. Perhaps she could discover another way to see Alucard - so she could find some way to not want to put a bullet in his head every time she saw his face. So far, the book was not helping. Integra cracked open the book once more and tried to ignore the parasite to her left. She could almost feel the devious grin as it split and spread across his face and fought the impulse to roll her eyes. She heard him slide closer to her and felt his deft fingers curl a strand of her long fair hair behind her ear. Then she felt the softest contact of a nose against her throat, nudging her ever so slightly. This time she rolled her eyes. It was going to be a long night.

"Alucard,"

He made a small deep noise of acknowledgment, not removing his face from her slender throat.

"I'm reading."

His haughty laugh filled the room and vibrated against her throat.

He then placed the softest of kisses, at a languid pace, to that sweet space where her throat and shoulder connected. Licking her longingly afterward, the insufferable beast lingered at her throat, attempting to summon those primal urges in her that so relentlessly plagued his own mind.

Integra remained unfazed and patiently waited for him to halt his relentless worship of her throat.

"Perhaps I should just show you what happens in that book, Master."

Integra had needed to strain her ear to hear him this time, as he whispered his title for her. His voice had deepened considerably during the statement as his focus shifted from his the base of her neck towards her ear.

His words had all been superfluous sound to his own ears, as his true focus was set on the prize of her submission, which he so arduously worked for.

He nuzzled the back of her ear with his nose, a sudden impulse to nip her ear over taking him in his impatient quest. She heard his dark laughter again, but this time it was as he watched her quietly place the book down and begin to turn to him.

"Count."

"Countess-"

His own fervent desire to taste her overpowered his need for flowery dialogue, which so often was his want in these situations.

His familiars began to swirl heavily around him as a familiar impulse to melt overpowered the No Life King.

But Integra inspired a desperate hunger in the haughty Count, leaving him once more, a mere victim to him mortal master.

xxx.