So, a lot of life happened between the first chapter and now. Suffice to say, updates will be infrequent but I'll try to make them as hefty as possible. There's a lot more rewriting that I want to do with this story than I originally thought too. I appreciate your patience!

Adele stepped off the bus and raced back to her apartment. She has gone one block up before realizing she hadn't submitted her midterm paper. Clutching her bag to her chest, she sprinted up the sidewalk to her building. Fumbling with her keys, she made it into the lobby. Now a crucial choice had to be made, three flights of stairs or the elevator. The elevator was on the top floor, she had only five minutes to spare.

Taking the stairs two by two, Adele darted past her front door and her two housemates. She made nearly a crash landing at the kitchen table as she nicked her laptop from the couch while running by. Adele opened her laptop with such fury it just about fell backwards. She was shaking, this was half of her grade for a class she needed to graduate. She'd be damned if it kept her from her diploma.

She looked at her watch, 60 seconds. Why hadn't they sprung for the faster internet? Logged in. Course opened. File attached. Submitted. She had 10 seconds to spare. Adele slumped over and let her forehead rest on the cool glass of the table.

"Was the date that bad?"

"Must've been."

Her housemates stood behind her, wondering aloud. She shot them a glare from the corner of her eye, "I forgot to submit my paper."

"I thought you finished that days ago?" Erin asked, sitting down at the table.

Adele shucked her coat, "I did, and I was going over it last night and I thought I submitted it."

"Oh, I know what happened," Karsten snickered.

"You do?"

"Yeah, Adele probably got another call from her mystery man!"

"That's definitely it!" Erin agreed.

Adele's head shot up, her face flushed, "Oh my god, no it's not!"

It was in fact. Since returning back to school, Adele and Dane had been talking frequently. She was loath to admit it, but Adele would get a rush of excitement when a message from him would appear. They video-called while he traveled between shows too, which pitched her excitement into the stratosphere. For as much fun as she was having, Adele still had her reservations. Her mother didn't raise a fool, and so Adele understood there was the possibility that she was one of many women.

For now, she would enjoy her no-strings-attached connection with Dane and do her best to bat away any what-ifs that would pop into her head.

"Wow, you are really bad at lying," Erin laughed.

"Even if she wasn't, I can hear her put on her 'flirty' voice from my room," Karsten added.

"What, are you eavesdropping?"

"Having Were hearing is both a blessing and a curse," Karsten sighed dramatically.

Adele rolled her eyes as Erin patted her arm, "So, you gonna catch the next bus for this date?"

"I don't think I have it in me. I'm too jittery now from the stupid midterm paper. Would it be super rude of me to postpone?"

"Haven't you two rescheduled this date like twice now?" Erin asked, "Do you even like him?"

"I don't know, I thought I did but then…"

Karsten chimed in, "Mystery Man came into the picture."

"Ugh, why do I feel bad about this?! I'm not trying to marry the first person I meet."

"We'd be celebrating our seventh anniversary by now if that were the case," Karsten said jokingly wistfully.

"Maybe you're just old fashioned at heart?"

"But, I don't want to be. I'm a modern woman! I should be seeing three guys right now."

"Dude, you're thinking way too hard about this," Erin shook her head, "Just go out with Darren and have a good time. Like you said, you're not trying to marry him."

Adele nodded, "You're right."

"Aren't I always?"

"No," Karsten laughed.

"No one was asking you."

Karsten shrugged and left for his bedroom. Looking over her shoulder, Erin leaned in close, "So, are you ever going to tell me about MM?"

"MM?"

"Mystery Man!"

"Not while the both of you treat him like some sort of mythical figure. But, also, when there's something to tell you'll be the first to know."

"I better be!"

Erin bid her farewell and left for work. Adele watched Erin's short, but strong frame disappear into the living room. Her blue pixie cut stark against her camel colored coat. Adele pulled out her phone as she walked to the couch and flopped over the arm. Darren lived closer to the cafe where they were meeting. As she composed her text, Adele hoped that he hadn't left yet.

AS: hey, i ended up missing my bus. next one is in 30 min. can you still meet up?

D: Yeah, just let me know when you're on your way

AS: will do

D: ;)

Adele watched as the winter sun began to fall behind the horizon. She wondered if, once the sun was fully gone, she'd receive another message that would make her heart race. Even a simple "hi" was enough.

While she waited, Adele contemplated changing outfits. Turning from side to side, she gave herself a once over in front of the floor length mirror by the front door. She played with the skirt of the black babydoll mini dress. Maybe she'd switch to something short sleeved but longer? No, she liked the way this one made her legs look. Paired with the short, heeled boots she had legs for days. Not to mention with the addition of her sheer tights, the outfit was coy, but flirty. No, this was good. All black, including her leather jacket, but she was never one for color anyway.

Gathering her things, Adele shouldered on her jacket and checked her makeup in the mirror. Her impromptu run thankfully didn't call for any touch ups. "I'm heading out." She called down the hall towards Karsten's bedroom.

"Okay! Text me if you need a fake emergency."

Adele chuckled to herself as she left their apartment. Her bus came rolling up the street just as she made it to the stop. She hopped on and tapped her transit card. Settling into a seat by the rear exit, Adele let Darren know she was on her way. Her mind wandered as the bus meandered the familiar route. She had been considering a weekend trip down to New Orleans. Dane and the band had a show slated for the following weekend.

Checking her phone again, there was no reply from Darren. He was usually quick to answer. Adele mentally shrugged it off. He was eager to meet up so she figured he'd be there. The bus ride passed quickly and soon she was walking up the block to the cafe. Her drink ordered and a table secured, she waited for Darren to show. She felt her phone buzz with a notification as she grabbed her drink from the pick up counter. Adele smiled. It was a message from Dane, which contained his usual evening greeting followed by a request to call her. Odd. Usually they didn't talk on the phone so early in the evening, but Darren hadn't yet replied to her message so Adele had some time to kill. Replying back, Adele's phone was ringing within a moment.

"Do you just find me that irresistible?" Adele laughed.

"Is that so hard to believe?"

She could hear the smile in his voice, "So what's up?"

"Are you in Baton Rouge this weekend?"

"Yup, all weekend."

"Would you care to get a drink with me tonight?"

Adele's stomach churned with excitement and then followed by guilt. She didn't want to ditch Darren. Weighing the two options, she thought back to her conversation with her roommates. "I'd like that a lot."

"Great," she could hear the smile in his voice again, "Send me your address and I'll send a car for you. Should be there shortly."

"See you soon."

They hung up and Adele texted him the address of the cafe. In a matter of moments, Dane replied with an Uber link which tracked her incoming car. Adele finished her drink and returned the mug to the coffee bar.

Exiting the cafe, Adele checked her phone again. No Darren but her car was about to round the corner. The little icon on her screen made the turn and Adele surmised it was the black SUV pulling up to the curb. She checked the license plate against the one on the app. It matched.

The driver stepped out. Adele's jaw nearly dropped at the sight of the full suit and tie the driver had donned. It certainly wasn't an off the rack one either. He smiled as he opened the back passenger door and waved her forward.

"Ms Stackhouse, I presume?" his Irish brogue thick on the words.

"That's me."

"Wonderful," he replied, "I'm Maxwell."

As soon as she was situated, Maxwell sped off to her destination.

"So, Maxwell, where are we off to?"

"The Lydia, more specifically Chasseur at The Lydia."

"Oh." It came out as a gasp of surprise.

"You didn't know?" Maxwell asked, glancing at her through the rear view mirror.

Adele shook her head and laughed, "No, I guess I didn't look that far into the trip. I feel underdressed."

"Nah, love, you'll fit right in."

The pair continued to chitchat as Maxwell weaved through the downtown traffic with ease. Soon they pulled up to a sprawling Gothic building. The Lydia was once a church, whose parish had fallen on hard times. Despite their best efforts, the building was purchased and soon converted into the state's first vampire hotel. While vampires love a good pun, irony was second best. The rectory was turned into Chasseur, a highly sought after bar.

Maxwell appeared at her door, and helped her out. Adele tipped him and bid farewell. Following the stone pathway towards the bar, she saw Dane standing outside. He smiled and walked towards her.

"I would've met you at the car," he said by way of a greeting.

"Ah, but where's the fun of the anticipation?"

Dane laughed, "I suppose you're right. I was very much looking forward to seeing you."

"Me too."

He leaned down and kissed her cheek, "You look lovely by the way."

"Thank you," Adele felt her cheeks flush.

"Shall we?"

Dane stuck his arm out, which she took. They strolled into the bar via a private entrance. The host greeted Dane by name and took them to a secluded booth in the back. As they walked through the bar, Adele could see why everyone who was trying to be someone wanted to come to Chasseur. It was more of a lounge than a bar. The lighting was only amplified by the small candles on each table, which were covered with thick, high quality table linens. Conversations were pockets of murmurs that she and Dane passed through. The decor was distinctly chic, mid-century down to the starburst mirrors that dotted the hallway to the bathrooms. It was hardly the college bars she was used to where she'd knock back shots of plastic-handled vodka with her roommates.

"We…uh, are now offering Sanguine Spirits and the owner wanted me to personally tell you how much he appreciates your patronage over the years," her words came falling out as if she was trying to say them quickly. Adele could sense the young server was star-struck.

Adele glanced at Dane, whose face was inscrutable. Now that synthetic blood had been on the market for over 20 years, companies had begun looking for new revenue streams. Many tried to infuse different liquors and spirits into the synthetic blood with varying success. The science behind vampire drunkenness (or any other inebriation) was murky at best. Some felt the effects of alcohol in the synthetic blood. Others either felt nothing or worse became ill. All groups could feel the effect through regular human blood though. However, most companies wouldn't even entertain the idea of using human blood in a bottled product.

One company decided a "natural" approach was best, and Sanguine Spirits was born. Each night, they provide a bar with five humans, who are stringently tested and vetted, to consume one type of alcohol. Each participant would then provide a single serving of blood at a time to an interested vampire via an IV collection. Of course as soon as the hospitality scene realized there was a workforce willing to provide this service, many backroom offerings began to rise.

Nevertheless, Chasseur prided itself on providing this legitimate, and well branded service. Or as legitimate as a gig job can be. A server soon came by with a flight of four drinks already poured, which sat in an opaque caddy. She set the drinks down with some effort and a decent clunk in front of Dane.

"Tell him thank you," Dane said as he looked at Adele, "I hope Mr. Renault is as hospitable to my date as well."

"Oh yes, of course!" The server's cheeks flushed, "What can I get you?"

Adele glanced at the menu, but was unable to decide on the spot, "A vodka cranberry."

The server nodded and was off in a flash. Adele glanced at the flight and then to Dane, "I've never seen this in person before."

"Neither have I."

"I find that hard to believe."

Dane's brow furrowed, "How so?"

"I mean, you're a celebrity. Don't you get extravagant things all the time?"

"This is a little above that," Dane laughed, "I didn't realize Renault was able to get a license for this."

"I thought all the available ones were gone within minutes," Adele paused, "Well, might as well not waste it."

Dane nodded and turned the caddy to show Adele the labels on the side, "Which one first, do you think?"

Adele's eyes scanned the writing: AB negative/30 year single malt whisky, B negative/small batch tequila, A negative/craft lager, O negative/ vodka martini.

She picked up a glass, which was warm to the touch and handed it to Dane, "Might as well match me with a vodka cocktail."

"Oh that's a dangerous game we could play," Dane grinned.

As if on cue, the server appeared with Adele's drink. She raised her glass for a toast, "To new friendship."

"Here, here," he replied and clinked their glasses together.

The pair finished their first drink quickly as they chatted. Feeling tipsy already, Adele agreed to match her drinks to his. Next came the tequila, which Adele took as a shot. It warmed her from the inside out. She felt flushed and light.

"So was this your plan? Get me drunk and in your bed?" she laughed.

"Hardly," Dane replied, who was feeling quite nice as well, "Although, from our last encounter you didn't seem to need much coaxing into my bed."

"I regret not taking the opportunity," Adele murmured.

Before he could reply, their server came by with the whisky. The complexity of flavors were lost on Adele as she was one: not a whisky drinker and two: in that sweet spot of drunkenness.

"What if that opportunity were available again tonight?"

Dane's words made her whole body tingle with excitement. She looked up from her drink, her eyes half-lidded, "You want to get a room at the hotel?"

"Already have one, the penthouse in fact," he grinned, fangs visible.

Embolden by the liquor, and her desire for Dane, she leaned in and kissed him, which he eagerly returned. Pulling back, Adele scooted as quickly as she could out of the booth. She held out her hand towards Dane. He smiled, threw some cash on the table and took her hand.

They passed through the bar quickly and were soon in the reception area of the hotel. Their footsteps echoed against the marble tile as they walked. Dane led her to the private elevator for the penthouse. After what seemed like an eternity, the doors mercifully opened with a familiar ding. As the doors closed again, Dane pulled her close to him and kissed her hard. His tongue passed through her lips and me her own.

He kissed whatever exposed skin he could find, which elicited soft gasps from her lips. His hand roamed her body as hers entangled in his hair. The doors opened again and they were at the penthouse. Not wanting to waste another second, Dane picked her up bridal style and in a flash they were laying on a couch in the sitting area.

Wordlessly, she rose from the couch. Dane watched her intently. She toed off her boots and turned to fully face him. Slowly, for his benefit, she began to pull the skirt of her dress above her thighs. Soon she revealed a pair of sheer, black lace underwear. She held the material just above her waist and gave Dane an innocent look.

"You wouldn't torture me by just stopping there would you?"

"If you want something, ask for it," she replied with a coy smile.

"Take the dress off."

His words cut through whatever extra teasing she had planned. He wasn't asking, he was telling her. The tone of his command stirred something deep within her. Soon the dress was up and over her head, and Dane saw she had a matching bra as well. In her estimation, this particular bra made her tits look so good. Dane agreed.

Returning to the couch, Adele straddled his hips. She leaned in close, "Seems unfair, you get to see so much of me and I've seen none of you."

"I agree, but I think I ought to give you the same level of excitement that you've given me."

Dane deftly switched places with Adele. She barely felt like she moved. In one swift motion, he looped his fingers in the waistband of her tights and pulled them and her underwear off. He dropped to his knees and slinked his arms around her legs. Dane pulled her closer. Placing a light kiss on her thigh, Dane worked his way upward and inward. His nose nuzzled the soft and delicate skin as he kissed and nipped his way to his destination. His stubble tickled and scratched her, which Adele found deeply arousing. Dane's mouth danced around, but never touched, her clit. His teasing caused Adele to squirm with frustration as she tried to maneuver her body to meet his lips.

"Impatient are we?"

"You're a tease is more like it."

He chuckled and continued his torturously slow pace. This time around she felt his fangs brush and scrape across her skin, which was quickly soothed with a kiss. Her airy gasps became whimpers as each touch caused electricity to spark across her skin. Her hips made shallow, ineffectual thrusts. Dane eventually took pity on her and took her clit into his mouth. A relieved moan passed her lips, which was all the encouragement he needed. Her whole body felt hot as she was subjected to his tongue's intense ministrations. His attention was unabating, a benefit of not having to breathe. Adele felt that familiar pressure deep within her approaching the precipice. His name came out as a choked whisper as her body went stiff and she saw stars.

Dane sat back, quite pleased with himself as he wiped his mouth. Adele gave him a lopsided grin.

"That was a lot more than just some excitement," she said dreamily.

"I was over eager perhaps."

Adele laughed and reached for him to return the favor. Dane had other ideas. He took her outstretched hand and picked her up instead. Pressing his lips to hers, Dane walked them to the bedroom. He gently laid her down on the plush comforter and began to undress. Adele watched as he pulled his black, cashmere sweater over his head. His body bore the history of his human life, scars of a former warrior. Soon his trousers and boots were shed. He joined her further up the bed and pulled her into his lap so they faced one another. Dane reached around her back and unclasped her bra and tossed it to the floor. He cupped the soft flesh as he tweaked her nipples, which caused Adele to squirm and moan.

Tracing her fingers along the various scars, Adele studied his topography. She left a trail of wet kisses along his collarbone and neck as she teased him by rocking her hips to grind against his erection. A soft groan escaped his lips. Dane's lips met her neck, he kissed and nipped at the soft skin. His fangs left red marks along the way. Her movements became more urgent, coaxed on by feeling her own wetness on his cock. Adele wanted him badly. She had played this scenario out a thousand times when she was alone and in need of release. Never did she think she would have Dane in the flesh. Nor did Adele dream to know him as she did now.

"Dane…I need you," she whispered, her words muffled against his shoulder.

He kissed her hard once more and laid her against the mattress. After a few moments of repositioning, he claimed her. Adele gasped as he filled her completely. Instinctively, she looped one leg around him. Beginning a steady rhythm, Dane looked at her and smiled. For this moment she was his, a thought that had been running through his head ever since he met Adele. Dane was drawn to her unlike any human before. There was something magnetic about her. He closed his eyes for a moment. Taking in what laid beneath him for too long would have him undone too soon. Adele was flushed and well sexed, her breasts bouncing as he moved inside her. It was all too much. His hand reached down between them to stroke her clit once again. She shuddered against his touch, which made him even more aroused.

Adele wrapped her arms around his neck, one hand stroking his hair. She whispered things he would later reexamine when he was alone and wanting her again. Her breathing had quickened and become more erratic. Dane could feel her body tensing around him as her heartbeat drummed in his ears. He wanted to taste her, but they hadn't spoken about it and now wasn't the time to start that conversation.

"I'm…close," she whimpered, "Bite me, hard."

"Are you sure?"

She could only nod, which gave Dane all the assurance he needed. He felt her body begin to shudder as her breath hitched. Placing his hand on one side of her neck, his fangs pressed against the other. Once she went stiff, Dane bit down. Something between a moan and cry escaped her lips as his fangs pierced her flesh. Adele was overstimulated in the best way. It felt almost like an out of body experience. She could only twitch and writhe beneath him.

The rush of her blood into his mouth sent Dane over the edge. He'd never tasted anything like it before. A string of curses in old Swedish were muffled against her neck as he came. Releasing his fangs from her neck, he collapsed next to Adele. Dane instinctively curled around her body, holding her close. Wanting another taste, he lapped at the blood trickling out of the puncture marks.

Adele didn't say anything for a while as she came down from her high. Dane continued to hold her, the coolness of his body was soothing. After he had his fill, he swirled a couple drops of his blood into the wound. They laid together in the peaceful quiet of the afterglow. Dane gently rubbed her arm, which was interrupted only by a kiss on her shoulder. Eventually, her breathing and heart rate normalized.

Turning to him, she smiled and kissed him gently. She cupped his face, running her thumb over the flush that had come up on his cheek.

"Go start the shower and I'll be over there in a moment," Dane suggested.

"Sure."

Adele made her way to the bathroom through the walk-in closet. She felt around for a switch on the wall. As the lights illuminated the room in a warm glow, her eyes first went to the large soaking tub. It sat in front of a floor-to-ceiling window that overlooked the river. She'd commit any number of crimes to have this in her own bathroom. Pausing at the mirror, she took in her appearance. While free of any bite marks, she was rife with fang scratches and suck marks. He's quite the possessive lover. To her relief, none of them would be visible even with only a t-shirt on. As she padded her way to the shower, she was pleasantly surprised by the heated tile under her feet. She adjusted the temperature and stepped in. The water sluiced over her body, rinsing off the semi-dry blood from her skin and hair.

The gauzy shadow of Dane approached the semi-frosted shower door. He stepped into the shower without a word. Moving behind her, he took some shampoo into his hand and began working it into her hair. He rinsed and conditioned her hair. Once the conditioner was out of her hair, Adele turned to face him. She smiled, and began washing Dane's hair. Pressing her body against his, she had to reach to get to the back of his head, which caused Dane to laugh. As she washed the shampoo from his hair, Dane's head dipped and kissed her.

At first it was sweet and gentle. Still feeling a little tipsy and frankly very horny, Adele deepened the kiss. Her tongue made its way into his mouth. She could taste the metallic tang of her blood. Reaching between them, Adele began the familiar pull-slide motion as she took his dick in her hand. Dane groaned as his head lulled back for a moment. She kissed him again before kneeling down. Looking up beneath her eyelashes, Adele kept eye contact with Dane as she took him into her mouth. Dane's eyes fluttered closed as he braced himself against the tiled wall.

"Fuck," he murmured.

Adele's head continued to bob along. Everything felt ethereal between the sound of the water running, the heat, and Dane's moans. She began to touch herself until he unceremoniously pulled out. She looked up at him, puzzled. His eyes were dark and heavy lidded with lust. Dane pulled her to her feet and then had her against the shower wall. He kissed her all over as he picked her up. She shuddered with delight as he entered her.

This time was more urgent. They've had a taste of each other and now they wanted more. The sound of their wet bodies meeting and Adele's breathy moans echoed through the room. She felt consumed by him and she loved every literal and figurative bite. They finished shortly after and slid to the shower floor so Adele could catch her breath. Dane pushed aside her hair and swirled some of his blood into the new bite mark. After another moment, they stood. They laughed and sprayed each other with smaller, secondary showerhead as they washed up.

They dried off and donned the fluffy, white hotel robes. As she entered the bedroom, Adele saw that Dane had changed the sheets.

"Where'd you get the new sheets?"

"It's a vampire hotel," he shrugged, "Some of us like to eat in bed."

"Oh, duh," Adele laughed.

Dane grinned and held up a small booklet, "Room service?"

Adele's stomach grumbled by way of an answer and after all the liquor she had some food would do her some good. They put the order in and lounged on the bed, awaiting its arrival. Neither spoke of anything in particular and eventually fell into a comfortable silence.

"I heard an interesting rumor the other night."

"What's that?" Adele asked, looking up from her phone.

"You're Eric's child."

A chill ran down her spine as her entire body went on high alert, which Dane no doubt could sense even without a blood bond. She felt panic rush through her veins. Paranoia soon followed. Was getting to know each other and the sex all a ploy? To what end? This was one of her worst fears come to pass. Adele was frozen in place.

"What makes you say that?"

"There's always been rumors that Eric was fiercely, if not deadly, protective of two humans. His mate was an easy assumption, but no one could figure out the second. It was hard to believe he would hold any reverence for one human, let alone two," Dane paused, "But then when I met you with him, it became clear."

"And now what?"

Dane gave her a puzzled look, "I don't follow."

"Very few people know the nature of our relationship or that we even truly know each other. It's very prized information to have so I can only assume there's a reason you've brought this up," Adele's voice was thankfully even, she didn't want to convey even a modicum of unease. She felt naked and vulnerable.

"Oh!" Dane's eyes widened as the realization slammed into him, "Adele, no, it's not like that. I assure you. I didn't want you to think you had to hide this from me."

Adele sat up, playing with the sash of the rob, "You must understand that's hard for me to believe."

"I do," Dane paused, "And I understand if you're wary."

"No, I'm not. Well, not necessarily. It's just…what about me made you want to talk to me after the show?"

Dane smiled, "I like humans more than your average vampire. I think you're much more interesting than my kind gives you credit for. But, I was drawn to you that night. From the first moment I saw you, I wanted to know you. Like a moth to the flame."

"And when you couldn't glamour me, was that my siren song?"

"It certainly piqued my interest, but it was hardly the reason why. I was already enamored by your beauty."

Adele blushed. Dane scooted closer to her, pulling her into an embrace. He kissed the crook of her shoulder.

"I promise to guard this with my life and you, if you'll allow me to," Dane whispered.

"Are you asking me to be yours?"

"If you'll have me," he grinned.

"I would like that very much."