The Fury of the Night
Chapter 8: Leather, Lace, and Cotton Candy
The fast and furious ride to Santa Carla was exhilarating for all of them. The boys had played deadly games on the bikes with no fear of reprisal or injury, and both Raven and Star had thoroughly enjoyed it. Paul had brought his bike close to David's at one point and Raven had reached out an arm to Star. Paul, seeing her game, edged his bike closer yet. Star had been surprised, but then smiled and reached out her own arm to have it clasped firmly by Raven. They rode like that for a minute, then David surged his bike ahead, leaning in over the handlebars. Raven moved with him, tucking her head down behind his broad back and tightening her hold on his waist. The shine of headlights coming toward them reflected up from the road and she heard the load motor of a big truck coming fast. David urged the bike even faster. Raven could feel adrenaline radiating off him and lifted her head to see what he was about.
A semi was barreling toward them about ½ a mile away, and Raven felt the bike abruptly shift as David leaned slightly to the left. They were now in the oncoming lane racing head-on towards the truck with the bike's throttle wide open. Her own adrenaline surged and she caught David's maniacal mood.
"Yesssssss!" she yelled over his shoulder, "Gooooo!"
David felt a surge in his chest as the mad fever of the wild thing on the back of his bike matched his own and growled in delight. He felt her shift her weight and felt her hands move from around his waist to grip his shoulders. The truck was growing large in front of them and the driver was beginning to lay on his horn as he noticed the single headlight cutting through the darkness coming straight for him.
Marko came up fast only a few feet behind David's bike but remaining on the right side of the dividing line and Dwayne and Paul had both taken to the shoulder on the oncoming lane's side. Raven looked at their positions and knew they were forming a cattle chute of sorts, not giving the driver of the truck a choice on where to go.
The horn's blast was constant now and they all answered in yelling whoops and wild cries.
David felt Raven's weight shift again, coming solidly against his back yet higher and knew what she had done, making his enjoyment of her deepen further yet.
Raven stood on the high rear foot pegs of the bike, leaning her slight weight into David's back to balance. She lifted her arms into the air above her head and narrowed her crimson eyes into the glare of the oncoming lights, letting out a war cry that rose high in the night air and mixed with the shouts of the others and the blast of the air horn from the truck. David felt her cry vibrate through his body and snarled in defiance at the huge conveyance that was moments away from smashing into them.
At the lost possible fraction of a second, he leaned hard to the right and then the huge body of the truck was zipping past, mere inches away. The yells and calls of joy intensified as the truck's brakes locked up, sending it skidding sideways in the road.
David had felt Raven's hands coming down to grab onto his shoulders even before he made the move to lean the bike, so in synch were they. He now felt her body slide down his back and her arms once again come around his waist. He let out a wild laugh that was joined by her own as he eased back on the throttle. The other boys caught up to them and there was a barrage of cursing accolades tossed David's way. Raven felt him chuckle as he shouted insults to his lost boys, teasingly calling them pussies and challenging them to up their game. She smiled at the fact that he could loosen up with them as well as rule them righteously. Tightening her thighs against him slightly, she ran her hands up and down his sides beneath his coat, then slid the fingers of one hand beneath the waistband of his jeans. He reached down and briefly squeezed her fingers, tipping his head slightly back towards her as he growled softly, "You're amazing, Pretty Bird."
Pedestrians scrambled to get out of the way as the boys took charge of the city streets, zipping in and out of traffic and yelling as if they were marauders. A few people yelled back, but most were just glad to have not been ran over by the raging metal machines. They parked on the edge of the boardwalk, the boys dismounting, jumping in the air and smacking into each other, still elated over the game of death that David had won. Their constant energy was contagious and delightful and Raven watched as Marko spun Star around and around in circles while she laughed.
Raven dismounted and Paul was immediately at her side.
"That was fuckin' awesome! You guys are both insane!"
"Over the top; over the fuckin' top!" Dwayne added as he joined them, slapping a hand lightly to David's back. David got off his bike and immediately reached for Raven, pulling her into his side.
"My talisman." he grinned, as she put her arms around his neck.
"My death-defying daredevil." Raven grinned back, standing on her tiptoes to place a kiss on his cheek.
"Boardwalk fun and games or shopping first? Which do you want?" he questioned.
"Shopping pretty please. Then fun and games." she impishly smiled back.
"Mmm. The word 'please' coming from your mouth…" Raven saw the teasing sparkle in his eye and sighed,
"My Night King, do not distract me further from the task at hand." David grinned and turned, gesturing toward a main street at a right angle to the boardwalk.
"Let's shop."
She was surprised when the other boys followed them, thinking they would race off to other pursuits, but they closed ranks around her and Star.
"Shopping for clothing cannot be much entertainment for you; I can do this on my own. Star can come with if she likes."
"No way! We want to be with you." Marko promptly answered, turning to walk backwards in front of her.
"We can't leave you unprotected in the 'big city'." Paul comically frowned, making her laugh.
"Don't want you to be taken advantage of by the tourist gougers." Dwayne smirked.
"All right then. Come along. But no fussing when it takes me an hour to decide on a pair of pants." she frowned in mock severity.
"Yeah! Woo-hoooo!" Marko exclaimed and jumped back around, catching Star's arm and dragging her with him.
"I don't suppose there is a bank still open anywhere nearby? Or is too much to ask for any hope of that?" Raven asked, turning her head toward David.
"You have no need of money. I will provide you with anything you need or want." David answered confidently. His coffers were as bottomless as her own and he wanted to give to her.
"That was not the answer to the question I asked, however it is most generous of you and greatly appreciated." She smiled.
"One street over. I'll go with you. These yahoos can stay here and cause trouble until we get back." David replied, looking at the other boys who nodded at the command. "Get Star something to eat. Maybe she'd like to do some shopping as well." He reached out and caught Raven's hand and held it securely in his leather gloved one as they crossed the street.
"It's kind of you to take care of her needs." Raven said softly.
"She is my responsibility. I take care of my own." He replied shortly.
"Of course you do. She knows her time is growing short. Any measure of care given her will not make her choice harder. Or easier, for that matter. But it does make her existence as she is a little kinder."
David looked at her as they continued to walk. "I'd not deny her anything to keep her comfortable or safe. My temper has just grown short. I've never had one take so long to choose."
"It's doubly frustrating to not be able to see her fate when other visions can come so swiftly and sharply, I'm sure." Raven said quietly.
"True. And I'm not known for my patience." David replied wryly with a small grin.
Raven squeezed his hand. "What are you known for?" she asked teasingly.
David brought her hand to his lips, brushing a kiss over her knuckles.
"Having a weakness for beautiful creatures of fire and death."
She laughed merrily as he held the bank door open for her.
"You have no weakness; but in case that was intended to flatter me, you should know that flattery will indeed get you far." and poked him lightly in the ribs as she slid past him.
The main bank was dark and closed, leaving only a solitary window with a lone cashier behind glass and a guard who looked to be half asleep but who snapped to alertness at the sight of the two who had entered. The woman/?girl was small but she had such presence; there was something about the way she moved that made him feel as if he were standing in her territory instead of the other way around. And the boy didn't seem like much of a boy at all. He was broad-shouldered and lean-muscled and looked dangerous, as if he were a coiled rattlesnake waiting to strike.
The teller watched the black-haired woman approach the glass while her blond companion stopped a ways back. The woman's eyes sparkled in the bright overhead light and were the most beautiful shade of soft gray.
"I need a card cut." Raven spoke clearly, looking at the young teller.
"I'm afraid we can't do that after hours. You'll have to come back tomorrow." the teller replied, surprised at the request. It wasn't a well-known service.
"Sure you can. Look up my account and you'll see why." Raven answered smoothly.
"Even if I could, I don't have access to the…"
"You'll be given access to the card press. Let's start by looking at my account." Raven spoke firmly, placing her hands on the ledge and interlacing her fingers calmly.
The teller was taken aback by her commanding tone and also by the way she seemed to know details about the credit card making process that the general public did not know. She took a quick look at the guard and saw him watching the blonde boy closely, which made her feel a little bit better, glad at least she wasn't alone with the two.
"Name?" she asked, fingers poised over the keyboard.
"No name. By number. Listen carefully and get it right. I don't like to repeat myself." Raven spoke in a low tone. "At the bottom of your screen there is an area marked 'special entry'. You'll type it in there."
Raven's eyes danced in merriment as the girl behind the glass began nervously scanning her computer screen.
"Y…yes. Here it is. Number?"
Raven recited the number slowly and clearly and stood patiently as they both waited for the computer to pull information from many sources together.
The screen flashed after a few moments and the teller's eyes grew wide. She leaned into the screen and Raven watched in amusement as her eyes moved from side to side, rereading what was displayed a second time. She lifted her eyes and said with an unsteady voice, "I've never done one of these before."
Raven wanted to sigh dramatically and in her head she did, causing David to look at her with a lazy half-smile.
"Perhaps not, but you know how. Just follow the steps as you were trained. We're in no hurry." She thought the words might take pressure off the teller and make things go more quickly, but the screen display was causing the opposite effect.
"AMEX CENTURION" "NO LIMIT" and beneath that:
"MEET ALL CUSTOMER REQUESTS IMMEDIATELY" and "FULL CLEARANCE GRANTED TO PROCESS"
"I…I've got it." the teller said in a small voice and began to enter information on the screen. "It'll just take a few minutes to load the card press and I'll have it right out for you." she then said more confidently.
"Of course." Raven nodded her head at the young woman and turned toward David who was lounging in the only chair with his legs stretched out casually before him and crossed at his ankles. She admired the way he was sprawled out, so confident, with one hand resting over his groin, the other behind his head.
"It'll just be another minute; she has to press the card." Raven spoke, crossing over to him. The guard continued to watch David warily, as if he might strike out and consume the beautiful girl or himself, though the girl was obviously familiar with him.
David opened his arms to her and she sat on his lap with a smile.
"Mmmm." he breathed into her ear as he held her. "Can't she make it a little longer?"
Raven kicked up one leg as she laughed and let him pull her into a tight embrace.
"Tell me if my 'manhandling' of you is too much." he said suddenly, becoming serious. "I seem to be taking for granted that you are not opposed to my touch, and we have only been in each other's company for less than 24 hours."
Raven pushed herself up and looked deeply into his eyes. Reaching out, she placed her palm against his cheek.
"David, I have never once in my existence accepted touch that makes me feel as yours does." Small blue flames flared across his cheek and she shifted her body so they would be hidden to the guard's view. "I did not see this happening between us; this 'drawing together', and it was a bit disconcerting last night. That makes it no less marvelous to me. I find myself not only unopposed to your touch, but wanting to seek it out. And are you not the splendid Night God who touched me earlier and made the very earth crack beneath where we stood? Time, whether it be less than 24 mortal hours or a century past an eon, is irrelevant to me. You, however, are very relevant."
David's eyes were locked on hers as she spoke and now they lowered to her magnificent lips. Raven fought with all her might to contain the fire that was trying to burst fully from her as his mouth claimed hers. One of his hands grasped the back of her neck and his gloved fingers tangled in her thick hair as he held her head to his fiercely. The other clutched her thigh and ran up under her skirt. He entertained the thought of taking her then and there. The guard and the teller could be disposed of more than easily and there had to be an office he could take her to in the back. An office with a big wide desk he could throw her upon and….David caught himself and pulled back from the kiss, noting her brief moan of displeasure. "I'm like a beast in rut." he scolded himself. "She deserves better than to be taken like an animal, and in frail human surroundings without the most basic of comforts, like a bed. She deserves a time of her choosing, and in a place of uninterrupted safety with every creature comfort that she could want. My Beautiful Bird will have anything she wants…."
The guard had let out a couple of fake coughs already to try and break up the overly-amorous display the two were involved in and just as he started to step forward and tell them to cool it, they broke apart. He relaxed and stepped back, then took a handkerchief from his back pocket and quickly cleaned his glasses. It had looked there for a moment like there was electricity in the air; some sort of bright blue flash. "I need to have these checked." he thought and turned briefly to watch the teller return to her window.
"Miss, your card is ready." Raven took a deep breath in and willed herself to maintain control. She tilted her head at David and playfully leaned her forehead against his.
"Heaven help us…" she whispered with a giggle and rose gracefully from his lap.
"It's much too late for that." he replied in his gravelly rasp and swatted her playfully on the back of one flawless thigh. He stood suddenly, momentarily startling the guard, and casually stretched his arms out to his sides, loosening tight muscles while moving to look out the doors.
Raven crossed to the window where the teller was and happily noticed the black metal card she was rubbing with a cloth. The teller then laid it on the marble counter where it made an audible clunk.
"Would you like a card case?" she asked Raven, smiling.
"Yes. And a thousand in cash in leather." Raven replied quickly. She watched as the teller placed the card in a small fitted titanium case and then quickly counted out a thousand dollars with bills to Raven's specifications. She placed the cash in a slim leather wallet and slid it and the card across the counter. Raven slid the card case into the wallet as well and the teller asked before she could stop herself,
"Do you think that's wise?"
Raven's head snapped up and she felt David tense up behind her. She was not used to being questioned.
The teller shrank back a little from the icy glare of those previously soft gray eyes. The air suddenly felt very cold.
"I..I mean…do you think you should carry them together like that? For safety reasons?"
Raven leaned slightly in toward the glass and with a sharp smile said, "Oh, don't worry, little Dahlia. It's quite safe." and with that she turned and breezed through the door David was already holding wide.
After the door had closed, Dahlia almost fell back against her chair in relief. There had been something so odd about the customer. Such confidence and such a commanding manner, even for someone who had the wealth to have a Centurion card stamped upon request. She sat down, letting her eyes wander over her desk randomly. The girl's companion had troubled her too. He had kept his distance from the counter, but she'd had this odd feeling that if he had wanted to, he could have crossed the small vestibule in an instant, crashed through the bulletproof glass with one of his gloved fists, and casually snapped her neck. He had looked so dangerous. But he'd been so handsome as well….
Dahlia tapped on the glass to get the guard's attention then spoke loudly,
"Twenty more minutes and we're out of here." She smiled when he gave her a thumbs up. Leaning down to remove her grocery list from her purse where it rested on a shelf by her feet, wanting to review it now instead of when she got to the store, she jerked back as something in her purse jabbed her finger.
"What the hell?" she thought and put her hand more slowly in the side pocket, probing for whatever had stuck her. She grasped the small metal rectangle and pulled it out, holding it up before her. The clasp on her nametag had broken right as she was coming on for the night and as it was busy when she'd taken over the counter, she'd thrown it in her bag and forgotten all about it. "Another thing to take care of tomorrow." she thought wearily and dropped the tag back in her purse. A small bead of blood had formed where the pin from the tag had wounded her and she pressed a tissue to her fingertip. "Stupid thing. It was kind of nice not having people know my name for a change." She started to lean back in her chair and suddenly sat up straight again with wide eyes as realization came to her.
"But she knew my name. She said 'don't worry, Dahlia, it's quite safe'." At that, a cold chill went down her spine and she shivered involuntarily. She tried to push all thoughts of the encounter from her mind, choosing to focus on her list, and when the last minute of her shift ended, she already had the alarms set and the key in the lock. Then she and the guard, who had decided to make an appointment with the optometrist the following day after thinking he had seen electricity in the air, headed into the night.
Raven tucked her hand into the crook of David's arm as they casually strolled back up the street, enjoying the way he slowed his stride for her. When a small group of young boys charged out of an alleyway with reckless abandon and would have ran into them both, David slid himself smoothly in front of her, snatching one of the youth up by the scruff of his shirt and pointing a gloved finger in his face.
"Watch where you're fucking going." he growled at the boy. The boy's eyes were wide as David set him back on the ground and the youth took off after his friends on trembling legs.
"You thoroughly terrified him. He'll have a nightmare tonight about your eyes." Raven spoke matter-of-factly catching a glimpse of the young boy's mind.
"Hmm." David said, tilting his head toward her. "What about you; do I terrify you and will you have nightmares about my eyes?"
She laughed and tucked her hand firmly back in the crook of his arm.
"I fear you about as much as you fear me. And if I do dream of your eyes, it most assuredly won't be a nightmare." Her response made him smile as they rounded the corner and spied their comrades. The boys were grouped around Star as she sat at a small table taking the last bites of her meal.
"Any arrests or citations in my absence?" David joked.
"Nope. We're sorry. We'll do better." Marko quipped with a wink at Raven.
Dwayne was teasingly taking jabs at Paul's arm and Paul suddenly spun around getting him in a headlock. The two wrestled playfully until David told them to stop, at which point they both turned, looked at each other, and charged David, tackling him back against the cinderblock wall.
Raven had sidestepped quickly and now she climbed to stand on the bench where Star was seated. She looked down at the girl who was taking the last sip of her soda and watching nonchalantly.
"Does this happen often?" Raven asked, one eyebrow arched in merriment.
Star looked up at her and answered with a grin.
"I can't take them anywhere. But boys will be boys…."
Raven couldn't help but laugh.
"Indeed they will, Starlight. Indeed they will." She turned her head back to where David now had Paul and Dwayne both by the neck while they struggled in vain. Passersby took one look at the wild boys seemingly trying to kill each other and gave them a wide berth, which made the whole scene more amusing.
Star continued to look up at Raven even after the latter had turned her attention to the boys. She had taken note of the pet name Raven had bestowed upon her but did not mistake it as a sign of affection. Primal instinct told her this being of fire did not have "friends". The most she could hope for would be to avoid her wrath during her stay, she thought, turning just in time to see David throw first Paul then Dwayne to the ground and smile triumphantly up at Raven.
Marko whooped and jumped down from the table where he had been cheering for first one then the other of the boys. He now moved to taunt Paul and Dwayne as they got to their feet and the three of them were soon shoving each other teasingly, the two older boys not downtrodden in the least at having been bested by their leader.
David stepped up to Raven and placed his hands on her small waist, lifting her easily and bringing her down to him.
"To the victor belong the spoils." he growled, nuzzling her neck playfully, then held out a hand to Star. "Ladies, let's shop."
Star looked at David's outstretched hand in surprise for a moment before accepting it, and he helped her rise then ushered her into Dwayne's care. He then gestured to the street ahead of them and said to Raven, "Where you lead, we will follow, Midnight Bird."
She smiled and they headed up the street, a tight little gang all of their own. She popped in and out of a few smaller shops, collecting t-shirts, camisole tops, and a few colorful silk shawls as she went, the boys carrying her bags.
"There is a place just ahead I think you will like very much if you care to take a look." David spoke, gesturing up the street.
"Yes; I'd love to." Raven replied. David took her hand and led her further along the crowded street, stopping outside of one of the larger buildings on the row. Raven tilted back her head to read the unobtrusive sign above the tinted doors: "Rebel Leatherworks" and then gave David a blinding smile.
"Yes!" she exclaimed in excitement. He held the door open for her and followed her inside. The others entered after them, quickly fanning out to inspect the merchandise. They were obviously familiar with the store. Raven took the briefest of moments to simply inhale the fragrance of fresh leather and quickly survey the layout. This was no tourist trap, she realized. This was an authentic dealer of fine leather goods of all kinds. One side of the store was organized with male clothing, while the other contained rich goods for women. Raven gave an excited smile to David and headed immediately into the women's section. He caught her mood and grinned, turning toward where the boys were inspecting the wares and moving towards them, leaving her to her purpose.
Raven was delighted to find leather pants, vests, and skirts that fit her small frame perfectly. She did not linger long over her choices; she knew what she liked and what suited her purpose. She chose quickly and well. She added a pair of boots, a long leather duster much like the one David had worn the previous night, and a couple of shorter jackets, one in black and one dyed a startling dark red.
The overseer of the store had happened to be in the back office reviewing receipts from the day and when he came out and saw two clerks, their arms piled high with some of his best merchandise heading toward the counter, he immediately stepped up to investigate. The goods the store sold were of the highest quality and were priced to match. He noted the red leather jacket that lay atop the pile and knew it's price tag read well over 3 thousand dollars. He quickly estimated there to be at least 20 thousand worth of merchandise and scanned the store quickly to spot who the customer was. He was puzzled; he did see the blond boy and his friends who came in occasionally and were big spenders, for all that they looked like street ruffians, but the clothing that had been selected was for a woman, and a small one at that.
Raven at that moment emerged from a dressing room and every eye in the store was instantly drawn to her. She had on a back leather vest as a top; the zippered front drawing attention to her perfect chest and leaving her pale leanly muscled arms bare for inspection. A pair of tight black leather pants with zippers here and there rode against her curves, accentuating the fact that she was all woman.
David stopped his perusal of a jacket and found himself staring at her in simple appreciation. The black mane of her hair and the black of the leather were in stark contrast to that pale perfect skin. Her teeth flashed against those rose-pink lips as she smiled at something Star was saying and the overhead light was making her eyes that were now gray shine almost silver. Lust flared within him as he watched how her body moved in it's natural rhythm as she moved toward the counter. She was sin incarnate and he wanted her.
Raven had been conversing with Star, asking her if there was not anything in the wonderful shop she wanted and had been nodding in understanding when Star had answered truthfully that she did not care to wear leather, preferring to dress herself in lighter fabrics. The girl had told Raven of a smaller shop a few doors down where she preferred to find her clothing and necessities and Raven had assured her they would make it their next stop. A couple of loud wolf-whistles from across the store made her turn her head in that direction where she found the boys looking her way and smiling. She laughed lightly and then saw David standing still as a statue watching her. The emotion he was feeling crossed easily into her, and she gave him a wicked little smirk and in turn eyed him from head to toe, sending him an image of two nondescript bodies crashing into each other in fiery passion. She watched as his eyes narrowed and those dimples flashed and then turned and walked towards the counter.
The store manager was captivated by the small girl moving gracefully towards him. She was of uncommon beauty and moved with a grace that would be envied by most runway models. She looked so young; as young as the dangerous looking boys who were moving toward the counter as well, and indeed just like them he picked up something unsettling about her.
One of the clerks was ringing up Raven's purchases while the other removed security tags and neatly boxed and bagged her items.
"I'll wear these out." Raven spoke in her melodic tones, turning her back as she indicated the security tag attached to the waist of the leather pants she wore.
"Of course." the clerk said, moving to remove the tag quickly.
"And this one." Raven said, turning back towards her and holding open the vest slightly to give access to the tag. The clerk moved to take the device off, her fingers momentarily brushing against the pale skin of Raven's chest. She sucked in a breath and withdrew her hand quickly at the feel of the cold flesh.
Raven, amused, looked deeply into her eyes and said in a low tone,
"Chilly tonight, isn't it?"
The clerk mumbled something in agreement and then hastily turned to complete totaling the purchases.
The manager had moved close to intervene in case there was some issue when the girl heard the total of her purchases, or in case she tried to pay with a check or some other scam. It didn't happen often, but he was wise to his business and would not tolerate such things. The boys that were loosely grouped around the woman had obvious access to money; perhaps they were picking up her tab.
"$26, 432.19" the clerk spoke. Raven had removed the credit card case and now popped it open, placing the black Centurion card on the counter. The cashier frowned, having never seen such a credit card before. There was no name stamped on it; no identifying marks of any kind. She looked to the manager in confusion. He looked startled as well, then moved quickly forward to pick it up and place it in the scanner. The machine gave a small beep and a light shown green in a few seconds.
The manager gave a huge smile to Raven as he returned her card, thanking her profusely for her patronage and saying he hoped to see her again. She politely nodded and turned, proceeding David to the door as the boys took up her packages and bags. Once they stood outside on the sidewalk, Raven looked up at David.
"It's not me he wants to see again. It's my Amex." and let out a giggle.
"You underestimate your own charm, Little Raven." David said with a smirk. "Boys, put those somewhere safe. We'll pick them up later. Take Star and head for the boardwalk. We'll meet you there in a while. There's one more store I have in mind for My Raven." and with that, he took her hand and proceeded to lead her down a side street that opened into a cul-de-sac of little shops.
"Wherever are you taking me, my most gracious host?" she asked merrily, choosing to not peek into his mind.
"I thought perhaps you would be in need, or in want, of some softer garments…" he said, drawing to a stop in front of a shop where a tasteful sign read "Fine Lingerie for the Discriminating Woman". Raven's eyes snapped to his, which were dancing merrily.
"How is it that you know my desires but I have yet to discover yours?" she smiled up at him.
"I should think my desire painfully obvious, Little Bird." he smiled back down at her.
Raven's smile widened as David whisked her into the shop. They were approached by a saleswoman who looked a little nonplussed at David's intense presence. She greeted Raven warmly though and told her to browse at her leisure.
The fine silk of a light lavender camisole felt like the brush of an angel's wing and Raven held it to her cheek in delight for a moment before holding it up to see it's size. David watched with pleasure as she admired the garment and spoke lowly.
"It suits you. You must have it."
She grinned in appreciation and replied softly, "So many choices; it's difficult to choose for myself."
He answered quickly,
"Perhaps you will allow me to choose for you."
Raven looked up in surprise, but then quickly decided to do just that. He knew her so well already in such a short time.
"Yes; please." She smiled.
David motioned to the saleswoman who came to his side quickly. He handed her the lavender camisole and commanded, "The matching bottoms as well."
"? Size" she asked.
"Extra small." he answered confidently. He then ran his eyes over the displays, leading Raven by the hand to one after another with the saleswoman trailing behind.
"This, in the pale lemon." he ordered, pointing to a silk chemise. Around the store they went, David in total control as he picked and chose the most exquisitely delicate pieces for her. Everything he chose was something she would have chosen for herself, and yet she did not feel him in her mind looking for her wants. He was choosing simply by what he felt she would like and to a lesser extent what he wanted to see her in and she was delighted by it all.
The saleswoman had finished boxing the purchases and rang up the total and as Raven reached to take her card from the pocket of David's jacket that she wore, he reached out and stopped her with a firm hand.
"This is on me. Because even if I never get to see you in even one of these things, it will give me great pleasure to imagine you in them." and at that he pulled a well-worn billfold from his back pocket and pulled out a card that looked to be a twin to the one Raven had and dropped it on the counter.
The saleswoman, having overheard his words, felt her heart flutter even though the young man was easily 25 years her junior. Noone had ever spoken such suggestive yet sincere words to her once in her life.
Raven felt her insides shift. This was such a gentle pleasurable gift that had been totally unexpected. As a creature of the night, she had no need for fine clothing or any other material comfort but she did take pleasure in them. She made her own purchases and was content with them but had never had anyone else lavish her with so much.
David tucked his wallet away and gathered the boxes, leading her back out to the street where the crowd was thinning as the shops closed for the night. Raven couldn't help herself. Reaching out, she grabbed one of his arms, bringing him to an abrupt halt. She looked up at him raptly and raised herself up to bring her lips to his. Her kiss was full of what she wanted him to know: the strength she felt in him; her trust; her pleasure when their moods matched and flowed together; her thanks.
David eagerly accepted her lips upon his, and when her feelings bled into his mind he dropped all the packages on the sidewalk and grabbed her to him. They kissed long and deeply and when they separated, steam rose from both their lips. He looked down at Raven and ran his hand gently across one of her cheeks, tucking an errant strand of hair behind her ear.
"Mmmm." Raven moaned quietly, "The pleasures of this world are intense."
"Yes. They are." David agreed quietly. He then looked down at the packages strewn around and knelt to pick them up with Raven's help.
"You make me forget myself." he smirked.
"Likewise." Raven replied with a grin as they stood together. "Where to now?"
"We'll tuck these away with the rest and then go find the others. Have a little fun." he answered and flashed her a devastating smile.
She let him lead her almost back to the boardwalk, then down a dark side alley close to where the bikes were parked.
"Up there." he nodded to a rooftop. David leaped effortlessly up and Raven landed softly beside him, noting the pile of her previous purchases tucked neatly in a corner. They placed the boxes they carried with the others, then holding hands, jumped easily down to the alley.
The infectious joy and energy that was always present on the boardwalk caught them as they stepped onto it and entered the swirling crowd. David put an arm around Raven's shoulders pulling her near his side and she secured her own arm around his lean waist as they moved through the gaity. It wasn't long before the boys and Star were seen at a booth where Dwayne was trying to win Star a stuffed animal by knocking down a stack of bottles. They knew of course that the game was rigged, and Dwayne was making it seem as if he were really trying. The cocky man running the booth was sure he could sucker these young boys out of several more dollars and stood watching as one ball after another went zipping past the bottles. David and Raven stopped to watch and add their cheers.
"C'mon, buddy. You can do this!" David encouraged, clapping his leather clad hands loudly.
"Knock 'em down! Come on, ya got it!" Marko piped up.
Dwayne continued to miss purposefully, pretending to grow more frustrated. When he was down to his last ball, he held it out to Star.
"Kiss it for luck?" he said and smiled when she complied. His face turned into a mock-serious scowl and drew back his arm. This time, the ball seemed to disappear from his hand the second his arm came forward and there was a loud bang as the glass bottles exploded in every direction. The booth worker let out a small scream and the boys cheered.
"What the hell?!" the worker exclaimed, taking stock of the bare stand where the bottles has been firmly held in place by weights a moment ago.
"Yeah!" Dwayne exclaimed. "Finally! Which one do you want?" he asked Star, pulling her to his side.
"That one!" she exclaimed, pointing to a big stuffed puppy with sad eyes.
"She wants that one." Dwayne said to the worker. The man looked at the boy and started to argue, not wanting to lose one of his best prizes.
"Now wait a minute; I don't know what you did but she's not getting that. You can have one of the smaller…." and before he knew what had happened the young boy had him by the front of his shirt and had dragged him halfway over the counter.
"She wants the dog. Give it to her. Now." Dwayne ended on a snarl. The worker had never been so terrified. The dark eyes that stared into his were almost black and there seemed to be barely controlled rage in the boy's face.
"Sure. Sure. Whatever you want." the man stuttered and turned to get the toy as Dwayne turned him loose. The other boys and Raven were laughing in glee in his discomfort as he handed the big dog to Star who gave Dwayne a kiss on the cheek for his efforts. They all turned then to move on down the boardwalk, stopping at this booth and that, collecting little prizes as they went. Raven was charmed as David casually tossed a huge stuffed frog he had won shooting targets to a little boy passing by with his parents. The other boys did the same thing, she noticed. She was distracted by a smell in the air that called to her and she laughed out loud when she realized what it was.
"Seriously?" David laughed down at her, catching the image in her mind.
"Yes. I don't know why." she laughed back and caught his hand, pulling him along until they stood before a cotton candy booth. He threw some bills on the counter as the young girl handed Raven a paper cone of pink cotton candy. She daintily picked a piece from it and popped it in her mouth, her eyes closing in joy as the flavor came alive in her mouth.
"Mmmm." she moaned blissfully, closing her eyes in mock ecstasy. She pulled another piece loose and playfully held it to David, who opened his mouth. She placed the candy on his tongue and watched his sensuous lips close around it.
"Sweet. But I can think of sweeter things." he said suggestively, grabbing her hand and licking her fingers.
Raven giggled and they turned toward the rides, Raven sharing her cotton candy with Star as they walked, seeming to settle into a casual teasing mood with the girl.
"What shall we ride?" Raven asked, as they picked the candy from the paper.
"Everything." Marko whispered, having snuck up behind them stealing the candy cone.
"Everything." David said, knocking Marko forward good-naturedly and putting his arm around Raven again.
They worked their way down the midway, beginning at the roller coaster and ending before the ferris wheel. David took Raven by the hand, intent on having her to himself on this ride. He put his arm around her as they were lifted into the night.
"Vapid entertainment." he said into her ear as they rose.
"But not without it's charms." Raven said, grinning and leaning her head back against his arm.
"Do you need to feed?" he asked, watching her beautiful eyes reflect the lights.
"Yes. I'm afraid so." she replied almost wistfully. "It's not absolutely necessary but safer if I do. Perhaps just the two of us could find a meal to share?"
"Of course. I know a place not far where there's usually always something tasty. I'll send the boys elsewhere." David answered quickly. Their car stopped at that moment at the top of the wheel, and Raven turned to her side, leaning more into David. He took her hint, and pulled her to him, running one hand through her hair and the other over her leather-clad hip. He didn't try to kiss her, just held her against himself, sensing that was what she wanted from him. He put his chin on top of her head and they simply rested that way, enjoying the quiet moment as the ocean wind whipped about them. He didn't let loose of her, even when the ride resumed and held her tightly until it stopped. Tucking her hand into his, he escorted her from the platform, and when the boys and Star gathered around them, he told them of his plans to take Raven somewhere private to feed with instruction for them to gather her belongings and make arrangements to have them brought to an area near the cave. He then instructed them to drink as they needed and to look after Star.
With Raven's small hand in his, he led her back to his bike and they tore off into the night, an evenly matched pair of deadly things with blood and carnage on their minds.