Big Red coughed. “Ah, she’s not ready to go, she just got here.”
“And what pray tell, would you possibly be going to do with her?” Ruben asked with an eyebrow arched, his tone dropping back to that threatening vibe.
“She’s payment for her owner’s debt.” Big Red smirked, carelessly choosing to ignore Ruben’s tone and instead showing off that she was his newly acquired prize.
“Payment?” Ruben asked in an even deeper threatening drawl.
“Scott McGowen, her owner, has racked up quite a bit of debt with me…which he can’t pay, so he has agreed to give me his Kitty Kat for the night, to do with whatever I like.” He twiddled his fat pudgy fingers around and waggled his eyebrows making Kat almost hurl. She heard Ruben growl softly.
Kat fought her bonds and muttered behind the gag in anger, extremely annoyed now that Ruben had somehow managed to cut her off from her power, he was a vampire wasn’t he? How was he able to do this. Ruben squeezed her thigh in warning again making her wince. Contact? Was it through contact that he was able to nullify another’s power?
“Enough Kat!” He waited for silence from her, expecting her to obey his command, which she did with a hateful glare. Ruben calmly turned back to Big Red and continued the conversation like it had never been interrupted. “I see…and that’s why the warlock?” Ruben glanced over to the bound warlock who was looking quite miserable.
“Yeah well, we know she has magic.” Big Red answered nervously, he was starting to feel like there was something going on between these two on the couch.
“Quite…you don’t actually know what she is though, do you?” Big Red looked blankly at Ruben. “No, I didn’t think so. What is the debt?”
“One hundred and fifty thousand.”
“That’s one hell of a night’s worth.” Ruben exclaimed, his tone harsh. He couldn’t help but glance around at Big Red’s men and wonder if they were all intending to join in. His jaw clenched tight as he considered just killing them all right now.
“Well, it wasn’t going to clear all the debt.” Big Red grumbled. “More like a down payment…”
Ruben stood up and straightened his suit. “Well, consider the debt paid in full and I’ll be taking the merchandise with me.”
Merchandise? Does that cheeky fucker mean me?
“Now wait a minute!” Big Red went to stand up but Ruben stepped up to him and pushed him back in his seat and brought his face close to Big Red’s, snarling at him and showing his fangs. As he pressed his hands on the arms of the chair, locking Big Red’s wrists to it painfully.
“Unless you want to end up dead, of course.” He snarled in Big Red’s petrified face.
Kat watched him intently, he was definitely a man who expected everyone to obey him…okay so it wasn’t just her, that made her feel a little better. He was obviously a dangerous and powerful man to cross.
Big Red shook his head and said nothing holding his breath and sweating profusely. Ruben straightened up, taking a handkerchief out of his pocket and wiping his hand as he indicated to one of his men who came round and picked Kat up over his shoulder. Ruben stepped over and lifted her head with the tips of his fingers under her chin, brushing her long hair aside as she flailed and growled out muffled insults. She guessed he was over six feet tall, as he had to bend down to get eye level with her.
“Trust me.” He said to her and walked off towards the elevator. “Pleasure doing business with you, Red. You’ll see the money within the hour and tell Mr McGowen to contact me if he wants to see his merchandise again.”
…………….
As they got into the elevator and the doors closed Ruben glanced sideways at Kat and the massively muscled man holding her.
“Untie her feet so she can stand and walk.” He ordered of his men, who scrambled to do his bidding. One took out a switchblade and deftly cut the ropes from her ankles while the one holding her bent down and gently put her back on her feet.
She found herself standing facing Ruben, he reached up and took the gag out of her mouth and smiled at her, he lifted her chin with the index finger of one hand and peered briefly at her neck like he could see the collar round her neck before letting her chin go.
“No funny business, please.” He said as she stared at him perplexed.
“Why did you take me?” She asked as the elevator opened to the underground carpark and they quickly made their way to a couple of black Audis.
“No time to explain right now, baby girl, but I promise I will soon.” As he indicated for her to get in the back of the car. Once she did he followed her in and sat down next to her.
.
In the car Ruben was on the phone sorting out the transaction for the money to Big Red, obviously talking to his accountant or something, Kat thought. Her hands were still bound behind her, but after a while of being ignored while Ruben was on the phone she looked up at him catching his eye, his eyebrow raised a little in question as she grinned and brought her hands round the front of herself, rubbing her wrists, as she dropped the ropes on the floor at her feet.
Ruben surprised her by smiling widely at her as if he was pleased and amused by her antics. She looked away from his intense soulful gaze and out the window. It was pitch black…where were the street lights? She realised then they must be driving out of the city central. Ruben hung up the phone and put it in his pocket.
“Well, I knew you were just biding your time, tell me…why didn’t you just break the bonds back at Big Reds?”
“I wanted to know what was going on first.” Kat answered, rubbing her wrists.
“Were you going to kill him?” Ruben gave her an intense look, his eyes almost seemed to glow.
“Yes, I still might…the dirty bastard.” Kat still couldn’t believe it but she was more pissed at Scott, what gave him the audacity to think he could go off contract like this and hand her off to someone else?
“Well I got there just in time then.” He regarded her with an amused expression. She couldn’t help but feel hot under that gaze.
“Why is that?” She frowned at him, giving him a stare back, which only caused him to smirk on one side of his mouth and raise an eyebrow at her like he was issuing a challenge.
“Because you can’t kill Big Red, I need him alive.”
“Hmm, why should I care about that?” Kat asked genuinely interested as she blinked at him innocently.
Ruben regarded her quietly a moment as she looked at him questioningly. He was so attractive, but then pureblood vampires were, weren’t they. He blinked and looked away. “No mind.”
Kat smiled widely, her green eyes sparkling in amusement. “Did you just try to enthrall me?”
Ruben looked back smiling…always smiling. “Perhaps, but it doesn’t work on you it seems…my other power did though.” He said smugly, his ice blue eyes sparkling with delight.
Kat frowned at him. “What was that? That’s not a normal vampire ability.”
“No, it’s not.” He leaned in close to her, sliding his back along the seat and bumping her shoulder with his. “Want to know a secret?” He whispered playfully, looking sideways at her. She gritted her teeth against the heat that was stirring in her belly at his touch.
Kat stared at his eyes, he had the most amazing beguiling eyes. “What?” She breathed as he turned his body to face her and once again put a hand on her thigh as he placed his other arm up on the back of the back seat, behind her, corralling her in.
“I’m not just a vampire…I’m part warlock.”
“Oh shit!” Kat muttered. That was a very dangerous combination, no wonder he was an Overlord in the city. The power he would have at his disposal was more than a match for hers. She bit her lip and looked out the window. He raised the hand from her thigh and grabbed her chin turning her face back towards him.
“Don’t fear me.” He said in a deep seductive tone.
“I don’t.” Kat said as she met his eyes calm and unafraid.
“Good, I want us to be friends.” He smiled beautifully at her, his eyes taking in every inch of her face.
“Yeah, I got that much.” Kat smiled and downcast her eyes.
“Kat, look at me…I’m serious…I want you on my side.”
“Who doesn’t really, once they know what I am…” Kat said as she flicked her eyes back up at him. She noticed his eyes go dark and tighten a moment like that statement had angered him but then he smiled again.
“I don’t know what you are…I mean it…I don’t want your obedience. I want your friendship and loyalty to be by my side.” Kat stared at him. “It may take a while, but I’m willing to put the effort in, if you are?”
“Why?” Her voice was a hushed whisper of disbelief.
“Because I like you, can’t you tell?” He beamed his toothy smile at her. “And, I couldn’t bare seeing you abused by that dumbass human any longer.”
“Well that ‘dumbass human’ may have something to say about your ‘friendship’.”
“I’m expecting it.” He pulled away from her and sat forward for the rest of the journey, neither of them saying a word as he seemed to occupy himself once more on his phone.
As they pulled into the driveway of the old three storied mansion, Kat looked out the window at the sudden light as the front of it was lit up with several security lights and stared at the house with awe.
“Welcome to my home.” Ruben said warmly as he purposely leaned over her and opened her door which was on the house facing side of the car. She was intoxicated by the smell of him for a moment as he grinned at her, his face mere inches from hers, almost knowing. She frowned at him, her eyes dropping briefly to his soft pale lips before she came to her senses enough to concentrate and got out of the car. She had to keep a clear head and Ruben at such close proximity did not help.
He got out the same side and grabbed her hand. “Come…let’s get a drink and I’ll show you around.”
Kat looked down at her hand as Ruben tugged gently on it, leading her forward. With this contact she knew he had control over her power, like a switch he could turn it off, yet for some reason she wasn’t worried.
Why do I feel so at ease in this Vampire Lord’s company?
.
As he led her inside she noticed other vampires sitting around conversing with one another. They all stopped and stared as Ruben entered with her. He stood on the step leading down into the grand lounge area from the large marble foyer and pulled Kat up beside him. She stood confidently staring back at the vampires, her hands in the pockets of her leather jacket and she planted her feet a foot apart.Ruben smiled as he saw the vampires all staring. He knew how hot the woman next to him looked, how delectably delicious and her scent would be sending them crazy as they tried to figure out exactly what she was. Wearing tight dark blue jeans and a tight black singlet, with her black cropped biker jacket, teasingly showing that inch of flat stomach. Her long beautiful golden blond hair cascading down her back in soft waves, and her large expressive green eyes sparkling with confidence and a dangerous fire.“This is Katarina de Basille, she is my guest.” He announced her, making it very cle
Kat’s eyes went wide. “Are you serious, what are you going to do? Because as soon as he sees me you know what he’ll do, don’t you?” “What?” Ruben arched a perfect eyebrow at her. “Order me to kill you.” Ruben’s eyes narrowed. “That’s why you will be in chains and gagged when he gets here.” Kat stood up. “What the fuck!” Her eyes blazed intensely as she glared at Ruben in a challenge to try it. Ruben saw the shadows in the room shift slightly in his peripheral vision. “Relax, Katarina. Please listen to me and trust me. You don’t want to have to kill me, do you?” Kat shook her head, relaxing a bit as he crooned softly and calmly to her. “No, of course not.” “Well, if Mr McGowen sees you incapable of acting on his orders he won’t give them, will he?” “But I won’t be incapable…” “Does he know that?” Kat shrugged in answer as Ruben leaned forward, placing his forearms on the desk. “The fact that Big Red thought binding your hands and gagging you like a warlock was going to work, I
His thoughts were interrupted by a knock at the door. He looked down at Kat as she flinched at the sound and sat up, looking bleary eyed and a little startled. Ruben had been contemplatively stroking her hair lost in his own thoughts. “Did you fall asleep?” He asked amused as he was captivated by her sleepy dazed expression as her large eyes blinked up at him endearingly. “I think I dozed off, yeah, it is late.” Kat answered apologetically. “Not for vampires…” He chuckled and called out. “Enter.” The door opened to reveal the same vampire in the suit, he hesitated and choked on his words at the sight of the young blond woman sitting straddling the Lord’s lap. Ruben smiled at the reaction, it was certainly going to create a stir having her here. Kat moved her leg over to the side and sat sideways on Ruben’s lap so she could see the room better. She saw the same man that had entered earlier and wondered if he was some sort of assistant. The man got control of himself and finally fou
As Ruben led them into another room Kat saw it was like a board room. It was situated next to his office and she wondered if this wing of the house was reserved for business activities. She sat down in a chair pulled out by Ruben, which he had made the point of pulling round the table to sit next to his chair which sat at the head of the large wooden table. Both the other vampires looked at each other perplexed and amazed. This really was completely out of character for Ruben. He was acting like a possessive fool.Ruben waited a moment as the others settled, leaning back he reached out and again put a hand on Kat’s thigh. She looked at him with a wary glance knowing he was controlling whether she could use her power or not. She wondered if perhaps he didn’t trust her to behave with decorum, she had to admit if it was her, she wouldn’t trust herself…“That’s becoming quite the habit.” She muttered under her breath.“Do you wish for me to remove my hand?” Ruben’s eyes locked on to hers
“Do these vampires just mooch around here all night?” “Mooch?” Ruben laughed. “Actually yes…annoying isn’t it.” “Why don’t you just get rid of them?” “I wish I could, baby girl…but alas I am stuck with them here.” Being their Lord and master. “Vampire society?” “Quite.” He grinned. “You’re going to have to fill me in on that…” “And I will when the time is right…for now, what do you want to drink?” He clicked his fingers and a vampire in a black waiter’s suit appeared. “How about a gin, with lime and soda.” Kat asked. “And my usual…” Ruben said to the vampire butler who bowed his head and left. “Lord Luisetti, please give us a moment with your beautiful companion.” Another vampire approached. He was slightly older looking and had a female vampire on his arm. Kat assumed they were a couple. “Katarina was it?” “Just call me Kat.” “Oh how quaint.” The female said. Kat frowned, she felt like she had just been insulted somehow. Ruben put his arm around her waist and pulled her i
In the room she stripped off the dress and her boots as Ruben chucked her one of his t-shirts, since she had been bra-less in a dress that revealing. He clenched his jaw watching her change in front of him with no reservations or self-consciousness. His eyes feasting on her flesh, the perfect roundness and curve of her breasts, waist and buttocks.“Baby girl, for fuck’s sake.” Ruben scrunched his eyes shut for a moment and shook his head, trying to stop himself from jumping on her, he had to adjust himself and calm down.Kat smiled at him, blatantly aware of his reaction and crawled into his bed and watched as he got undressed and got into the bed next to her in nothing but his boxers that were quite obviously strained tight over his rather well sized package. Kat smirked to herself as her eyes flitted across it.“You talk about me?” Kat said amused. As he sat up with his back leaning on the headboard, Kat moved to lie on her side.
Ruben woke the next morning to find a gorgeous blond woman in his bed, his arms wrapped around her and her naked body pressed up against his. He smiled to himself and delicately worked his arm free from underneath her and propped up on his elbow. He looked down at her sleeping face and carefully brushed a couple of stray strands of hair away. What have you done to me, demon? He muttered to himself as he stared at her. He knew exactly what she had done and he knew it the moment he had first seen her in a bar a week ago. He was in love with her. It was extremely rare for vampires to find soul mates, even rarer for that soul mate to not be a vampire, but then he wasn’t full vampire either, so who knew how these things worked. All he knew was that he was inexplicably drawn to her, like a moth to a flame. He leant down and gently kissed her lips, slowly and lingering for just a moment until her eyes flickered open. He leaned back on his elbow and smiled at her. “Good morning, gorgeous gi
“We don’t really match.” Kat said looking in the mirror in the bathroom at her new clothes as she combed her hair through with Ruben’s comb.Ruben came up behind her and put his hands on her shoulders as his thumbs brushed the back of her neck, easily looking over her head into the mirror at their reflection. “You think we should match? That’s too cute…” Ruben chuckled sexily.“Not matchy-match!” Kat growled. “But an expensive three piece suit doesn’t really go with leather pants and jacket, now does it, no matter how expensive and designer this outfit looks?”“You think we should have a more cohesive look?” Ruben looked a little stunned. “A united front?”Kat looked away from the mirror and folded her arms, huffing. “Something like that.”Ruben let go of Kat’s shoulders and closed his eyes for a moment. As he opened them Kat saw