The scratch was shallow, only half a drop rose to the surface, but he took it from her. The guilt of this action was still consuming him while her lay besides her. He reasoned with himself that it was an accident, unintentional, a sincere mishap, but it still happened. Their night was going exceptionally well; the time at the art gallery was at the same time peaceful as it was in building anticipation within them. By the time they were back to the hotel there was a real effort on both their parts to maintain their composure long enough until they were alone. Then, when they were finally alone, it was selfish want from each of them that ruled their actions; each wanting to aggressively please the other. He won, initially but even he wasn't immune to her desires to please him. There was nothing in the suite that was sacred; any and all surfaces were at their disposal, even his desk. He'd cherish that memory the most every time he was seated there; seeing her kneeling on the surface, hair tussled and sticking to her sweaty back as he held her hips while he took her from behind. Her cries for more mixed in with those of their pleasure she was feeling were like a sweet melody that would sing in his ears every time he would sit there from now on to work. Scarlett was so quiet now. Her peaceful sleep was so deep that he'd murder anyone that disturbed her. The guilt inched back into his mind as did the taste of her crimson. The demon he harboured awoke with a vengeance after he tasted her; he had to leave to quench his rising thirst once she was sleeping. He'd have to tell her; he'd expect no less from her should she ever do anything of that magnitude, but there it was, his beauty was perfect to him. She was ever mindful when she spoke, and from what he gathered during the evening, she seemed to worry that she wasn't enough. Vladimir realized that she knew, sensed, that she was limited in what they could do together because of her being so frail but he also perceived that she was afraid too. She had so much love to give him that even if she was physically limited, her heart was all he wanted anyway; he had to make her realize it.

Scarlett stirred herself awake from the dream she was having; locked in her lover's arms making love. There she could do anything and last as long as she wished but it was just a dream and the real thing was so much better. She felt the covers were being tightened around her and Vladimir holding her; it was so much better than a dream. "Morning or is it still?" She tried to recall the last clock she looked at to gage how much she's slept and seemed to remember three in the morning but then she also recalled that there was more activity after that. Every sore muscle chimed in then, as well as spots that were still tender from being sucked on ruthlessly. She smirked. It was a very good night. "Please tell me you won't be sending me shopping today. I don't think I could make it." She inched herself around to look at him and then noticed his eyes, "Oh…" and frowned slightly. She took it personally, it sparked the insecurity of her being a blip or not enough.

"None of that now love, I needed to go out after you fell asleep. I was quite spent." He smirked knowing full well what thought crossed her mind. His hand went to her bare belly to stroke it softly. "You are well?" She nodded and he felt slightly better; he didn't hurt her as far as she could tell. It would be easy, he thought, not to say anything and she'd never know but he knew what a slippery path lies and deception were. "I was concerned because I scratched you at some point and drew blood." Her now sleepy look gave way to one of concern. "It's healed but I was very upset that it happened. It wasn't as deep as the one on your finger but I was not pleased with myself." There was a long pause from her; she didn't seem disturbed.

Scarlette had no clue where he had scratched her, or when, nothing outside of what hurt felt like it was one. She considered for a few moments the 'what if' of what could have happened; it didn't seem so horrible to her as it would alleviate the idea of her deciding should he ever ask her. "You resisted...that's all that matters I guess." There was a conversation that needed to happen; a herd of elephants seemed to enter the room. "You're determined to never hurt me even if I wanted you to, one day?"

The question was inevitable; he had wished to ask her time and time again but the gravity of such a request was one of great concern to him. "I don't know if I can ask you to go through hell for me love. I don't think I could send you through it even if it meant we could be together for eternity, to know I caused you such agony for my selfish want." He inched above her to peer down at her lovingly. "If you wanted to one day then it would be agony for me to have to watch over you, knowing that I caused your suffering and not knowing if you'd feel the same way about me when you woke or if you'd then resent me." There was some understanding in her look but also one he couldn't quite put a finger on; disagreement? "Not everyone wakes up Scarlett. For whatever reason, sometimes it just doesn't work and we can't figure out why. I can't risk that happening to you." There was a whirlwind going on within her and Vladimir knew full well this was a lot of depth for her to process soon after waking. He wanted to show her that she didn't want him biting her; he then thought of lunging at her neck and stop short of sinking his teeth into her flesh. But no. Even he couldn't gauge how much that'd frighten her and break the trust he worked so hard to earn. "No going out for you today, I want you near me. You will have some guests from the papers come later, after lunch. They wish to do a follow up on what I had read you the other day." There it was, the angry little crease in her forehead. He smirked. "I will be with you in the room the whole time and they are only allowed one picture that I must approve." He lifted himself off her slightly to admire the view of his beauty beneath him. "I will pick something out for you to wear," He licked his lips, she was making him hungry again for her love. "and it will be removed once we are alone again so I can enjoy you." His eyes traced back up to hers. "As you were falling asleep you mumbled something about not being enough," Her heart thumped a few strong beats; he found a soft spot. "You are love. It's taking me two centuries of learned control not to take you now and the effort I'm exerting is quite considerable, you are that desirable."

She could keep no secrets from him, she knew this, but even she was betraying her deepest fears to him now. It was a relief on some level but terrifying on another. "What do they want to know, I mean, there's nothing to know about me." Her frown returned. "It feels like I'm losing myself one piece at a time and there wasn't much to start with." Vladimir hissed at her. He disagreed but she couldn't shake the feeling. "Can we go somewhere less busy, like Switzerland, where no one knows us or cares who we are?" He gave her a nod. She felt slightly better. "I hate asking for anything when you have given me so much."

Vladimir hissed again. "There are too many eyes around here anyway, it makes it very tedious to hunt." He was glared at but he just smirked down at her and leaned in to give the side of her neck a good lick before he let her rise and scamper off to the bathroom; he stayed in place to watch her. She'd be stunning as an immortal he thought; her perfection preserved for eternity did sound appealing but the cost of it was unthinkable. He debated, should she insist, that Stephan might be asked to do it; there would be no harm if she hated him for eternity but then again, who knew what could happen in the fires. He rose and got himself ready and outside before she remerged. Her meal was due in a few moments and he needed to double check to see if all the furniture rearranging he did during the night before was sufficient. The curtains would need to be open and he would need to be in the room so he placed his desk in the most sheltered location. The spot where the interview would happen was also ready; it was too sheltered but still afforded a splendid view outside. He started working and at his desk after a little time Scarlett emerged from the bedroom. She froze and looked around stunned for a few moments.

She hated asking but it had to be done but that wasn't the most stressful thing that morning, it was hearing V use the word 'hunt'. It was a chilling reminder to her what he was and made her mindful of what was going to be happening later that day; her interview, now that was stress. She knew she could lie to do it, she had been doing so to Liz so it wouldn't be that hard. She wandered out of the bedroom and stopped. V was at his desk that was relocated and the rest of the room had been all moved. "Okay." There was a knock on the door before it opened and the fella with her food pushed in a trolley with her brunch, he paused, looked around and then without missing a beat went to where the table was and set out her meal; this must have not been the first time the furniture was magically moved she figured. Scarlett went to where V was and stood by him while her food was being set out. "I'm scared I might say something wrong or they will make something up over me not understanding a question clearly." He guided her down to his lap and she welcomed the closeness. "Is there something you would want me to stick to or…" His finger went to her lips and it was followed by his lips.

The attendant was patiently waiting for S so he could uncover her waiting meal: Vladimir would never rush a taste of her lips though. "If you are not clear what they are asking of you, you will question the question. Do it enough times and they will think twice about trying to confuse you. Should they get too nosey or if a sense that you disapprove of the question then I will warn them once and if they overstep then I'll have them leave." He heard her stomach rumble and that was his signal that their private moment was over; he would never let her hunger for anything. "Now go have your meal and I can ask you some practice questions later if you like but I do believe you will be fine." He lifted her off his lap and gave her rear a light patting; he wished he could give her a more firm pat but as he had observed earlier it was still flushed from their lovemaking hours before and hurting her was never an option.

Scarlett sat down and let the waiter push in her chair and then lift the dome off of her plate; the presented meal was splendid and she gave him a small smile with a nod. Juice was poured for her and then he left; they knew not to linger to watch her eat unless told to. Vladimir sat working and Scarlett busied herself with finishing what was put out for her to eat. She considered the interview again; it wasn't going to be as bad as she thought it would be if he'd be making sure they watched themselves but she was curious as to what they could possibly ask her that was so important that they insist on one. "They will ask how we met. I really don't want to tell them anything, it's none of their business." She took a few bites of her food. V was listening but still working and when she glanced over she saw him smirking slightly. She recalled the night, how scared she was of him when she was first alone in his presence; it was her body's natural response to him that was warning her. He knew his effect, he knew he had to get past it, he knew he had to make her see the man before she'd meet the monster. She loved the man, he was who she'd have always hoped to meet and fall in love with if she had ever permitted herself the luxury. "I'll just do what Liz told me to do...try to make them think I don't care about them and appear board?" V was still smirking; she was amusing him she figured. She finished up her food and went over to the open blinds overlooking the city below. It was another beautiful day; she would miss this place but it was too busy. She permitted herself to dream of where they could go, how it would be; them doing whatever they wanted anytime of the day. She felt V's arm slip around her and her body being pressed into his, the glitter of the reflection bouncing back off the window made her smirk. He was hers.

"You do as you like love." Vladimir knew he only had a few moments before he'd be pulled away from her so he just held her close. "What are you thinking S, you fell so quiet just now." He inhaled her scent and noted how his scent was deeply blended in with hers now, it made him feel fulfilled, it made him want to always have her smell like him.

"I was thinking I want to posses you just like you do me." He huffed behind her and she felt him turning her around to face him.

"You did, before I did my love." Vladimir wished the day would be over and they could just be alone for the night; his appetite for her was insatiable it seemed but he knew she, her frail body, needed rest. "Make up a watered down story, they will like it more if you seem unwilling to go into details. They will no doubt want details about me but outside the one you can embellish me as you wish love, I'll be curious as to how you will do it if you choose to." Vladimir slid his fingers on her neck and firmly, but carefully, tugged her head back as if he was lifting her chin up as if he was going to kiss her. "Nothing of the French coven. I'd be weary about naming anyone. Say 'friends' and if they ask you who they are you can say that they enjoy their privacy." Her arms were still holding him and he then ran his fingers down her throat over to her shoulders to push off the fabric covering them off so it fell so most of her chest was exposed. "See how you possess me now...that phone could ring and I'd ignore it." Vladimir dropped his lips down to her throat, he could feel her head turning with his hand still in her hair, offering her neck to him. It made him stir, he growled on her flesh and he felt her heart beating quicker. "I could only have possessed you if you allowed it my love...you have given me the greatest gift in my existence, you must always know that." His arm slipped back around her and he raised her feet an inch off the floor and had her sitting on the edge of his desk; his other hand still grasping her hair tightly. She steadied herself, her fingers on the edge of the desk as his lips continued down to her breasts. "How'd I'd like to take you like this Scarlett, how'd I'd like to make you feel nothing but pleasure all day and night."

She felt herself surrender to him, there was no question of her resisting as she had been aching for him once he touched her. 'Yes', was all she could whimper. Her ideal existence was being reshaped, modified to include so much of this. Her hands slipped off the edge of the desk so she was now fully laying on his desk, in a quick glance she could see several phones and she swore she could feel them buzzing. He was ignoring them, his lips were already on her nipple and pulling on it with his lips and sucking it softly. "Please," she was gasping now and both her hands were in his hair keeping him at her breast; his hand in hers tightened slightly. "I want.." that's all she could get out before he had her panties ripped off and her feeling his tip push into her. Their need was desperate but he was being careful still, pumping her slowly as he buried himself deep inside of her. When he was fully inside of her she felt his lips rise from her now pert and well suckled nipple to watch her. His fingers tightened a little more making Scarlett cry out another 'yes'. More phones buzzing in her ear made her grin as he watched her then roll her eyes back; how she loved him, feeling him move inside of her.

"You will remember this moment, when you are speaking to them." He could feel how close she was; he was ready to unleash himself within her. "You will still be feeling me, your breast will be a little bit sore," His hips moved quicker as her breath became more ragged. "You will be thinking about how you were laying here." Scarlett cried out his name as her legs wrapped around his waist tightly and he couldn't hold back a fraction of a second longer and spilled himself deeply within her with a long low growl before coming to rest over top of her. His lips kissed over any skin they were near and he made his way back up to her lips, his hand leaving her hair finally. He whispered ever so softly to the panting woman beneath him, his beauty, "I will be thinking of your warmth gripping me and my essence deeply buried within your core my love." The rush of blood to the surface of Scarlett's skin was making her glow, he wanted her again and was very slightly remis at possibly having hurt her. She pulled his lips to hers and kissed him so deeply that he stirred again; they both hungered for each other desperately.

Scarlett eyed Mia cautiously but not one corset seemed to be present in the numerous things she brought with her. What V had selected for her to wear covered almost every inch of her skin but was light and wispy; it muted out her curves and features but oddly enough it was very feminine. She also considered all the marks on her body from the night before and a few hours ago that needed to be concealed. She was still turning in the full length mirror inspecting it when she considered V's other intentions of the outfit; he didn't want a repeat of the 'show' of the gala but he wished to show them a more relaxed appearance of her. She watched Mia putting away the rest of what she brought into her closet, she was all smiles; the success of the gala dress put her on the top five designers list for Paris. There was another lady there before Mia to do her hair, Scarlett didn't catch the girl's name but she had done up her hair in an intricate of twists and curls that she didn't dare touch it. The process of getting her ready was making her nervous again; she wasn't sure what to expect now but she knew she mustn't be scared or at least look it. She went out into the main room when Mia was done so V could see what was done to her; he approved it without a word spoken. She hated the lenses in his eyes a little bit more now; he was hidden from her. She went around to be near him and rest her rear on V's desk as he talked with Mia before she left; it was all in French. His hand was on the inside of her knee quick enough as they talked and she dared to glance over to what he was showing her on the screen of the computer, it was her in the various poses that were captured at the gala. Scarlett found it hard to believe that it was her in the images that were being scrolled thought. Mia was nodding away at all of them, ecstatic. It made Scarlett recall that night and it was when she felt V's hand on her knee squeezing it softly did she realize that there were tears welling up in her eyes. There were a few more words between Mia and V before she excused herself and they were alone again. He pulled her down into her lap to sit sideways and hold her; she needed more close time with him after they had made love earlier and their time was cut short by the hairdresser. "You made me look like a princess V, I just never thought I'd ever look like one or ever be loved so much."

Vladimir titched at the woman twice softly. "You were always beautiful my love and luckily for me you hid it from the world before I found you." She held him and he cradled her closely. As he held her he didn't want to admit it to himself but there it was, as much as he liked it when she showed how fragile she was he felt that he could be just as fragile to her; a very rare luxury. What he also thought was how he'd need to get her out of Paris. While she was getting ready he was watching the news sources along with the chatter in the dark web and noticed a few phrases that alarmed him, /I'd make her feel what a real man could do to her to make her scream./ /Keep an eye on the friend, they might go out again, the security isn't so much that we couldn't handle./ /She'd be more apt to leave if the papz layers off a bit, let's distract them./ "We will be leaving France tonight love, Liz will be made to join us." She only nodded but held on to him. "Do you want to know where?" She shook her head and didn't let go. "No one must know of our departure then, it's always best to keep people guessing on our comings and goings h'm?" She nodded; it seemed she just wanted to be held and he wished to oblige her. When the knock came on the door Vladimir called out for them to enter as he spun the chair they were in so their backs were facing them; he wanted just a few more seconds holding his treasure. "Set yourselves up, we won't be much longer." He felt Scarlett smirking on his skin then she lifted her head up to look at him, then reached for the little case of lenses and handed it over. "I'm glad we made good use of my desk today, I'd be remiss otherwise." The fresh lenses went in quickly and then his hand went to her breast to stroke her tender bud first and then to her thigh to tickle his fingers up it to her covered sex. He just purred in her ear and pecked her cheek. "Off you go love."

Scarlett got up and leaned down to kiss V on the lips quickly. She too was glad they had a chance to make love that day because otherwise she'd have to wait to arrive at their destination if Liz was accompanying them. She looked over to the two women that were waiting where they were made a place for and wasn't sure what to make of them, they seemed harmless enough. Scarlett sat down eyeing both of them, "Can I offer you two refreshments?" She decided there was no reason for her not to be hospitable as she motioned to where the tray of various drinks were. They both shook their heads. "Let's start then."

Yes yes... I totally fail at getting chapters out in a timely manner...tell me something I didn't know.

ANYWAY Ch 12 was getting to be a monster so I had to hack off the top so most of it is Ch13

Enjoy