A/N: I felt like posting twice so here you go. Enjoy!
Disclaimer: I own nothing but I thought about Jezebel.
Chapter 3
The moon was heavy and full tonight, and despite the breakneck speed at which he drove, I was enjoying the thrill of the ride and the anticipation of finally being alone with the gorgeous creature beside me. The wind whipped his hair around his face, and there was a slight smile on his lips. He had been looking straight ahead, but now he turned to look at me.
"Not scared of my driving?" He asked, the smile widening into a mischievous grin. My heart skipped at the sound of his voice; his smile deepened. I was reminded of his comment about enhanced senses, but he was waiting for an answer.
"Not at all, it's pretty exhilarating," I said.
One blond eyebrow arched,
"Are you a thrill seeker, Jezebel?"
"I don't think so, but I do like the exposing myself to new things."
With a sidelong glance he said, "Would that include dating a vampire?"
"We're dating?"
"Yes."
"OK. Well I don't date much so this is a vast improvement."
"Why is that?"
"I'm a slave to my profession, Eric, and traveling all over the world doesn't leave much time for dating. Plus, I've only been in Louisiana for a few months. Between working at Fangtasia and trying to build a life here...." my voice trailed away.
"You have had lovers, yes?"
"Is that your way of asking if I'm still a virgin?" I asked with a smirk.
"How old are you?"
"Twenty five!"
"So, what are the odds?" he said and winked at me.
I grinned back, "Hey, you never know!"
He just looked at me. At least he didn't roll his eyes.
"OK. Not so good. Sorry Eric, you'll only be my first when it comes to being with a vampire."
He locked eyes with mine, "Then I'm pleased to have that honor."
"Obviously I won't be your first when it comes to anything. You've dated black women, right?"
"I like women," he replied, "If I'm attracted to a woman the color of her skin isn't of any significance to me. Other qualities take precedence."
"Oh? Such as?"
"I enjoy beauty but I also like a good personality. The latter sustains my interest far longer than the former."
"Uh huh," I said, "I bet it would take a good sprinkling of the former to attract your attention, right?"
He laughed out loud, white teeth flashing; I really liked the sound of it.
"Maybe, but not always. Then again, there are other qualities a vampire would find more attractive depending on the human."
"Oh? Like what?"
The conversation had taken an interesting turn; I wasn't sure where it was headed, but I was intrigued about the prospect of learning something about Eric and vampire culture.
Then he said, "Flavor, for instance," and looked pointedly at me.
"Flavor?" I asked incredulously.
"Yes. Some humans are far more attractive than others because of their scent. Your scent is very compelling to me, I wonder why?"
"Must be crossed with fairy," I laughed.
His head turned sharply, "Fairy?"
"It's just a saying that runs in my family. My great grandma always swore we were part fairy on the Caucasian side of the family. She was a beautiful quadroon and her father was Irish, direct from Ireland. They say I'm a much, much darker version of her. She was kind of magical, a real wise woman."
"Is that so?" He said.
I could tell that this had sparked his interest; his gaze sharpened, and somehow I was having that mouse trapped by the cat feeling again. I figured I had better distract him.
"So you're saying I'm more like fine wine than soda pop?"
I could not believe I was having this insane conversation about my blood.
His eyes widened and he burst out laughing again.
"Jezebel, you're highly entertaining. It's what I like most about you."
"Great to know I inspire humor," I said sourly.
He reached over to cup my chin, "You also inspire admiration and desire," he said, his voice deepening.
"Ha!" I said.
"Would you feel better if I said I find you beautiful and interesting?"
"Maybe," I said, somewhat pleased.
"You are beautiful," he said softly, gently caressing my cheek before his hand returned to the wheel. He continued speaking, "I like the catlike slant of those big brown eyes and I greatly desire to test the softness of your lips. Your dancer's body is a little more voluptuous than some, but even more delectable for being so. I like your gracefulness, especially when combined with the blatant eroticism you express when you dance. Watching you has made me very impatient to have you," he finished huskily.
He glanced over again, "Besides, you have a great personality!" He winked.
It was my turn to laugh out loud.
"I didn't know vampires had a sense of humor," I said.
"Depends on the vampire," he grinned, "When you've lived as long as I have you tend to see the absurdity in most things."
"Is that cynical or what?" I said.
"More like factual; human nature hasn't changed much over the centuries."
"Human nature? I thought we were talking about your sense of humor versus other vampires'."
"Yes, humans amuse me."
I rolled my eyes and decided to ask the question about the time he seemed to be inhaling my scent.
"Eric? The first night we met I could have sworn you were taking in my scent."
He smiled wickedly, "You noticed that?"
"Yes," I said. "It was very disconcerting. You made me come with you to the booth; I was very self conscious about being hot and sweaty and you seemed to be enjoying it."
He picked up my hand and turned my wrist over, saying, "We vampires rely a lot on scent and I have a nose for rare vintages," as he kissed it.
A little shocked, I looked at him. "You all don't have much in common with humans anymore, do you?"
He smiled tightly, "Not really, but it would frighten far too many if they knew that as fact. We look like you, but we are not like you." Looking over at me he asked, "Are you frightened yet?"
I stared at him, "Are you trying to frighten me?"
"You are safe enough with me," he replied.
"I noticed you said safe enough, why the distinction?"
"Jezebel, being with me could be as safe as you want to be or as dangerous as you imagine it to be. I want to have sex with you but I also want to taste you."
He was looking at me very intently and he was still smiling, but now the smile had fangs.
My eyes widened. Of course he noticed.
"Are you scared now?" He inquired softly, those fierce blue eyes locked with mine.
Startled, I looked away. "No," I said, even so I could hear the slight tremor in my voice.
"I won't hurt you," he said, softer still, "I promise you will experience nothing but pleasure in my arms. You are free to say no; I won't ask again."
I looked over at him. The fangs still showed, but the choice was mine.
"I don't want to say no," I whispered.
He nodded and turned his eyes back to the road.
"Eric? I have to ask you something else."
He glanced over at me, brows slightly lifted.
"That first night, outside of my scent, what else attracted you to me?"
"You mean outside of wanting to take you the moment I saw you?"
He looked over at me again; I was looking at him skeptically. There was a touch of amusement in his eyes. "Ahh, you think I'm indiscriminate where my lovers are concerned, right?"
I nodded somewhat guiltily.
He shook he head. "Jezebel," I was surprised to hear his tone turn deadly serious, "There's a huge difference between being a meal and being my lover. Of the many humans who parade themselves before me nightly, some I taste, most I reject; but only a small number ever have a chance of making it into my bed."
I stared at him. Given what I'd heard about vampires and their feeding habits this came as a real surprise to me.
"Wait," I said, "don't you guys always want to have sex when you feed? I thought the drinking of blood and the need for sex was closely related."
He smiled without humor. "I assure you I can feed without getting aroused. There are a lot of myths about vampires out there, many we would just as soon leave exactly as they are."
"Wow, that's interesting," I said, and he shrugged.
"Now back to you," he continued, "I was watching when you auditioned and I liked what I saw: your beauty, poise and confidence were all very attractive to me. I liked you even more after our short conversation the night I introduced myself to you."
"You mean the little chat that felt like a job interview?" I interrupted.
"Yes, very perceptive of you. I wanted to feel you out see if you were as interesting within as you are without. Happily, you didn't disappoint me," he grinned.
"Oh gee thanks," I said.
He turned his head, his eyes boring into mine as his tone got serious again. I decided right then and there that I preferred to stay away from this side of his personality.
"A long life can get really tedious if you surround yourself with tiresome people. This is why most fangbangers have no hope of ever getting far with me. They're caught up in the whole vampire mythos. Many of my kind are quite happy to indulge those fantasies; I prefer to make money off of them."
"It's very profitable, right? The bar is packed most nights, and worse those evenings when you sit on that throne."
He nodded, "Yes. Give them what they think they want and never underestimate the power of marketing. They want dangerous and mysterious? I'm happy to provide it for them."
You had to admire Eric's pragmatic approach to dealing with our fascination with vampires.
"Eric, you are dangerous and mysterious!"
"Indeed," he commented dryly.
"Great! You're more than just another pretty face," I said, and he roared with laughter.
He reached over and caressed my cheek, "Jezebel, I am going to enjoy spending time with you."
I smiled but my heart skipped a beat. Damn, there was that grin again; I just know he can hear it.
Pretty soon we turned off the road, and a few minutes later, we reached a clearing on which sat a large two-story bungalow by a small lake. The big harvest moon reflected off large paned glass windows, which looked tinted. Eric stopped the car by the entrance and got out. He came around and opened my door, his hand extended to assist me out.
Human guys could learn a lot about handling women from this man. Then again, he probably spent a few lifetimes figuring out the female psyche, and that combined with a predator's natural tendency to study its prey was a deadly combination. Oh boy, this was not a reassuring train of thought. He was watching the play of emotions as they flew across my face, so I gave him my hand. Between one second and the next I was on my feet and this close to him. The man's supernatural nature was very evident this evening.
Barely breathing, I raised my head and looked into his eyes, which got a reaction. Eric cupped my chin and his mouth descended to cover mine. Suddenly I couldn't think; my entire universe wholly centered on the mouth that was tenderly, but very thoroughly, plundering mine. Every kiss I had ever received paled in comparison. Hoping I wouldn't spontaneously combust on the spot, I found myself eagerly pressing against him, returning the kiss with rapidly increasing heat. When he finally lifted his head, I stood there, pressed against his broad chest, totally awestruck and bedazzled. I didn't have to look up to know there was a smile on his face. Vampire or not, any man is pleased when a woman loses herself in his kisses that deeply. Eric was no exception.
"Wow," is all I managed to croak.
He said nothing but bent his head again to plant soft butterfly kisses along my jaw line and neck. It was one of my favorite things. A wave of pure unadulterated lust hit me like a Mack truck. My hands dropped and curled into tight fists at my sides. It felt like I was about to start gasping for air.
"Eric, have mercy," I whispered shakily. He smiled against my lips, planted one last kiss and stepped back.
I shook my head and took a deep breath, "Where are we?" I said, trying to regroup. My voice betrayed me and cracked. Damn.
He smiled widely.
"This is where I plan to have my way with you."
"Oh? This is yours?"
"Yes. Come."
A/N: Methinks someone's about to get lucky! Anyway, please keep reading and sharing your thoughts. Viking love requires some lovin' in return so all reviews are welcome.
