Caramel: Book 3 of the Lord Emperor Vampire Series

The first part of this chapter was so difficult. I don’t know if it works..desperately need the Loyal’s opinion on this. Marcus will be covered in the next chappie. Oh, I expect to get raked over the coals on this one.

K:
Q: btw how old is Claudia?
Don’t you know never to ask a woman’s age? Since she doesn’t care, she is 126 years old. So yes, she was conceived while Claudius was still stuck with Hades. (An act of rebellion on his part, maybe hmmm?)

Q: Everybody seems to hate Hades.
Is it a motto or a proverb? I can’t remember - Be careful who you step on going up, cause you’ll be meeting them again on your way down. (probably badly paraphrased) Hades didn’t take that into consideration. He has been at the top of his game for 400 years and no one has been able to challenge him. Now that he stepped down voluntarily (which people seem to have conveniently forgotten) all past trespasses are being thrown up (ewww) in his face. For the most part, Hades will now just have to smile and wave.

Q; When are the girls arriving?
Haruka is already in Von Drachenfeld. Ping will be arriving on Thursday. It is only Sat. night right now.

Brittany: thanks for the increase to the fan base. Mauh!

Mihara (welcome)
Q: What happened to the burn!
Now that X knows what it is and has a basic medical treatment, he treats it as a part of his usual daily routine. Ie, just like brushing his fangs. He did that in Cake and is never mentioned again, but you know he has gotta do it. So much kissing going on, oral hygiene is a must. Same with the burn. He gets up, does Armor *snicker*, goes and burns, takes a shower; goes and eats in the kitchen. Unless something more dramatic is going to occur, it falls to the background. (p.s did I mention I’m lazy?)

Bambigirl
Q: Where is Hades from?
Hades original name is Cillian (keel yan) You were calling him sillian weren’t you. Haha so was I and I would giggle madly over Cilly. Cillian is supposed to be Irish, meaning war/strife or bright-headed. He’s a blonde, so he’s bright-headed.. The scenario goes as follows, 12 year Cilly is herding his flock, along comes this hunting party that he notices but basically ignores only to become the object of fascination to Liam. At 17, there was a raiding party that kills his entire clan and might have killed him is Liam hadn’t swooped in and saved his bacon. He is turned into an eternal teenager and basically then begins to live all over the world in different countries, learning different languages etc. etc. etc. In short, he is a true student of the world. When he isn’t acting like an ass.

Again, thanks for the ‘ohmygod’s and “Baaaahh’s, oh Loyal R&R, few but true: Jenna T. HallowsEve (welcome); Rosei; Astra; k.; Laur; Rosemary; and cria31 (welcome)


Chapter 102: Wolfhound

Not again. I concentrated on breathing. I wasn’t going to feel this again. He wasn’t going to make me feel this way again.

“Let’s start the bidding at $500.”

“$500.”

“$550.”

“$575.”

“$1000”

I told him…I told him that I wouldn’t feel this despair again. I breathed harder. I wasn’t going through this again. I felt a burning at my eyes. I blinked. Tears. Damn it.

“$1100.”

“Come on Ladies, this is a talented, beautiful young man. You are purchasing 24 hours of his time.”

“$1500”

Oh god. I was going to get bought by a stranger.

“$2000”

“$2500”

“$3000”

The bidding had petered off to two women. I blinked. The tears in my eyes gave the spots focused on me a rainbow halo. Crap. I turned around and wiped at my eyes. I saw Hades looking at me strangely from the wings. He took a step forward but Liam snaked an arm across his chest and pulled him back. I couldn’t handle a concerned Hades right now. I tossed my hair back and turned around to face the audience again. I couldn’t fake a smile.

“$3500”

“$4000”

A strong voice sounded from the back of the room. I brought my hand up to shield my eyes as well as shelter to blink back tears. “$10,000”

Everyone turned around to look at the new bidder. He was tall, just a inch shy of 7 feet. He was darkly tanned and exotically beautiful. His blue hair was pulled up into a long tail but it still brushed the back of his calves. He was dressed immaculately, just the same as every time I saw him. Lanseng. He stepped forward into the ballroom. He got a little closer. His naturally red eyes were camouflaged by blue colored contacts.

“$10,000….going once….going twice.”

“$15,000.” Father stood up staring over at the Seer.

“$20,000.” Lanseng returned easily.

“$25,000.”

Lanseng bowed slightly toward Father then turned his full attention to me. I felt something warm wash over my shield. Comfort. /He has given you a mortal wound, Azrael, you are bleeding out on stage. Little Brother Blood Emperor, come to me. I will allow you to grieve over this betrayal in safety./ He raised his arm and held out his hand to me. /You need not fear me. I am forever your faithful servant./

“$25,000 going once….going twice…”

I nodded.

“$50,000.” Lanseng brushed past Father walking to the stage.

“$50,000? Going once….going twice….sold.”

A volunteer stepped forward gesturing toward the stairs off the stage. Lanseng met me at the edge of the stage and offered his arm as support down the three steps. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a certified cheque. The volunteer took it. “Sir, This is for $60,000.”

“I want his cello. Please deliver it to this address.” He pulled out his card and handed it to the girl.

“But it’s already been….”

“$700 or $10,000. I think your fundraising committee will see the benefits of my offer. Come, My Lord.”

I just wanted out of here. I don’t think I cared how I got out of the convention center, I just wanted to be gone.

‘Now that is a hard act to follow, but we are going to try. Next item donated for auction is a spa day for two….”

I just followed the swaying blue hair in front of me. Lock it down. Lock this feeling away. Lanseng came to a halt and I almost walked into his back.

“What do you think you are doing?” Claudius had to crane his head back to match Lanseng’s impassive gaze.

“I am bringing the Blood Emperor to his Lady, then I am taking him out of here.” Lanseng bent forward and whispered into Father’s ear, “I have this son barely under control. You should concern yourself with your missing kinder. The last time he went on a rampage, he ended up on the stone of punishment. That would be a kindness if he is allowed that sort of free rein mayhem again.”

“I can take Azrael home.”

“I will send your lover to you when he arrives, Black Death. Until that time, I will remain at my Lord’s side.”

Claudius paused then stepped aside.

“He just left?” I was surprised that my voice sounded normal. Internally, it felt like my sandcastle wall of control was being eroded away by a continuous rushing stream of hurt. “He said nothing?”

“Azrael…Marcus is in the wrong.” Claudius made a move forward then halted. We were still the center of attention. “He watched you play, muttered something under his breath and just left.”

“Then Carnage isn’t for me?”

“No. I have raised Marcus better than this. This is something he asked of you. None of you have had an interest before. You give it to him, and you are spurned for it. That in itself is unacceptable.” He turned and gestured for some of the Loyal to follow him. Marcus was left in his hands.

Spurned? I’ve been spurned. This is what this hellish feeling is called?

Claudia looked over at me, her eyes were red. “That was absolutely breath takingly beautiful. I didn’t know you could play. I’m so emotional lately.”

“I hear pregnant women get that way.”

“Pregnant?” I heard Genny’s voice rise.

“Good one, Azrael.” She transferred her clipboard to her other hand and pulled me to her. She kissed my cheek. “Marcus couldn’t keep his eyes off you. Go find him. ”

“My Lord.” Lanseng gestured me forward. We were out and down in the limo quick as bunnies trying to cross the interstate. I sat in the comforting darkness in the back as the car pulled smoothly away from the curb. Then I realized that I had abandoned Hades and William.

“The Ancients are capable to getting themselves home. No, I am not reading your thoughts, Azrael. My Blood are the masters of subtle expressions. You are an open book to me.”

I looked over at the tall Seer. His manners were impeccable. He was polite and kept his station, but he had always set something in me on edge. It was like he was a predator disguised as the family housecat. Pet me, love me. Bite and scratch. Sorry, rub rub rub, foregive me, I’ll be good -- go for the jugular. “You knew this would happen.”

“Yes.”

“You could have prevented this.”

“No. It goes against my code of ethics to interfere. If you had come and questioned me, I would have given advice based on what you desired.”

“You think I desired to be left behind again?” I looked out the window at the night sky. 24 hours. We only had 24 hours and I fucked up everything between us in a mere 20. I got hit with another wave of heart pain. I closed my eyes. When will it end this time? I barely survived the last time.

Lanseng continued speaking in that soft calm voice. “That is the core of your feelings for Sir Marcus -- that fear of abandonment drives everything you do for him. It is not good to live in fear, Angel of Death. You have suffered terribly by his hand because of this.”

“Why did he leave?”

“I will not answer that.”

A sad smirk looked back at me from the car window’s reflection, “You know or you don’t?”

“Let me re-phrase that, Azrael. I cannot answer that as I do not know. My visions are sight and sound. I cannot read the thoughts and intensions to others. Each of us within the Blood have Seer talents to different degrees. Such as you and your brothers. They can do things, you cannot. The same as you can do things, they cannot.”

That didn’t make me feel any better. Feel. I brought my hand up to my chest. I felt a void where my heart should be. Marcus…do you know what the hell do to me? I told you how I felt. You had to know. You’re like a little boy holding down a fly and ripping off it’s wings. Ripping off my wings. Lock it down. The back of my eyes burned with tears again.

X cries. Sex cries. Not me. Not me.

Come on. Get cool, get frosty.

The limo came to a halt. I blinked back my emotion and looked out the window. Where the hell were we? Lanseng moved forward and picked up a zippered knapsack. He set it on the expanse between us. “No, tears are not your way. Open it.”

I dragged it close and pulled the tab open. Daggers and guns. I looked up the mysterious Blood. Lanseng. I knew next to nothing about him. He appeared at the engagement announcement and basically that is most I or the brothers have interacted with him…until now that is. He refused a room at Von Drachenfeld and struck out on his own. Once he had a place to live, he sent word via William with the address and a telephone number. Riot reported that Lanseng contacted the Loyal through him almost daily. So far, the information that the Seer have given the Loyal has been accurate. Plots, schemes and assistance when it was desperately needed were uncovered or delivered.

But there was something about the way he watched us. It wasn’t unnerving or creepy. It was also something that couldn’t be ignored. I recalled X’s feelings of white and blue hair intertwined on a bed of orange roses. This body was wanted.

“No.”

Okay that part of him was creepy. “No, what?”

He cocked his head sideways, his pale blue hair cascaded forward in a whisper. The blue colored contacts centered on me. “I am not so general in my desires, Azrael. I am in this world at this time to serve a purpose. There are other Seers who are stronger and more experienced than I. It was agreed amongst us that I would be sent to serve this Hasmallim.’

‘Now, as I said, tears are not your way. Those are. Down that alley are werewolves. They have been preying on the human homeless. Do not kill any humans. Hunters have this little pack under surveillance but they had no intension of moving. They are trying to find their main lair. They think all this destruction is a new pack. It is only these three. They have locked themselves into bloodlust. Kill them and ease the ache in your soul, Angel of Death.”

Hmmm, he effectively side stepped that question. “How will it end with Britta the Elder?”

“Do you really want to know?”

“I woudn’t have asked.”

“Lycan Blood will be split.”

“Can you be more mysterious?”

“Yes.”

I let a wry chuckle slip out of me. I felt calm as I buckled on my forearm sheaths. I had moved to two, just like Father. There was my wing harness. I shrugged into it and then checked my Glocks. I tucked them into the harness. Lanseng held up a flat clip to gather up my hair. I pulled it back out of my face and turned offering him my back. His hands stroked along the side of my head pulling back some strands that had fallen out of my grasp. There it was again, that warm brush of comfort bumping my shield. He snapped the clip closed then I felt the heat of his body as he moved closer. I flicked my eyes to his hand that he extended past my shoulder. He had a small flat dagger and sheath that I normally clipped to the waistband of my pants in the small of my back.

“May I?”

He was asking for more than arming me.

I stilled for a moment. Lanseng had hit the nail on the head. I lived in fear. I existed in an atmosphere of fear. I did everything Marcus wanted and he still walked away from me. A ball of anger flared up I my chest were there was nothing before. Fear. I nodded at Lanseng. I closed my eyes as one hand moved my tail forward across my shoulder. A soft kiss pressed to the nape of my neck. Finger tips traced down my spine, skimming over the slickness of the blood red silk shirt. A shiver ran through me. Lanseng slid his hand down into the back of my pants. One finger stroked down the start of the crevasse of my buttocks as he clipped the sheath there. His hand stilled as he leaned forward against my back and kissed the back of my neck again.

“I am your faithful servant. I will serve in whatever capacity you desire, Angel of Death.”

“You have seen us as lovers?”

“Yes, and as friends. Mark this, Azrael. I will not abandon you. I will follow you down any trail you chose no matter how bloody. There is no place you can go, where I cannot follow.” Lanseng shifted and brought his lips right to my ear. “You called Marcus your puppy. That is what he is…young, spoilt and undisciplined. I am your hunting wolfhound. I will seek out your enemies. I will hold them at bay. If you will it, I will kill them. I will never leave your side, Angel of Death. I desire to be in your bed, but I can be satisfied with a pat on the head. You need only command me.”

I pulled away from him and opened the car door. I could hear the growls and snarls from deep in the darkness. I snapped down my crystal vision and focused in on the noises. There were three werewolves. Turned humans, half breeds. One of the homeless they had run to ground was down. His life signs were faint. Three others huddled together against the concrete footing of the underpass. They had nowhere to go. I flicked my sight up, and saw two Hunters up in reconnaissance position. One had binoculars. The other had a rifle.

I heard the Seer shift behind me. I knew what he just offered. I wasn’t stupid.

I pushed the intercom button. “Two hunters on the roof of the building to the left. Detain them. Do not harm them. We don’t need to get involved with the Regency over some marauding werewolves.”

The Loyal piled out of the front of the limo with their objective in mind. I waited until the two Loyal disappeared into the building. I didn’t need a trigger happy Hunter taking me out before I got to the werewolves. Tears worked for Xavier. Tears worked for Sex. Blood worked for me.

Lanseng shifted again. I could feel his heat at my back but he didn’t touch me again. He was waiting for my response. Tick Tock.

“Stay.”

I moved out of the limo running toward the carnage being played out before me. Werewolves aren’t like full bloods. They have been bitten and turned by a pure Lycan. Usually the resulting werewolf is brought into the pack, unless the Lycan was killed. A first generation werewolf is not as strong as it’s maker but there is a semblance of a mind in the beast. If the werewolf starts turning other humans to start it’s own pack, the resulting generations are more animalistic. Base humans are worse than any thing in the animal kingdom. They kill for fun. Werewolves are social animals, they want a pack. These three ahead of me, a second gen and two thirds were not out to make a pack. They just wanted to kill.

/YOU ARE IN MY TERRITORY!/ I pack called them.

That startled them enough to turn in my direction. The three homeless had the presence of mind to get the hell away from here. I kept running forward. I pulled my Glocks out and targeted the furthest werewolf. I fired off five shots. I got it in each leg and in the neck. He dropped like a stone but wasn’t dead. He always wasn’t going to be joining in the fight.

I fired at the other third gen but my element of surprise was gone. He hopped and shuffled and the bullets just richoceted off the pavement. I was barely able to holster them when they split up right and left and went into attack mode. I snapped my daggers down and slashed at the left werewolf as he jumped at me. I cut his muzzle to the bone from nose to the start of his ear. I called on the fighting talent Sex had ripped away from the Hunter back in Tokyo. I was able to jump up and kick the blood werewolf in the ribcage as hard as I could. He yelped and spun away from me landing on the hard pavement about ten feet away and slid probably another five.

I gave a cry as the other werewolf attacked from behind and bit at my right shoulder. This one was the second gen. I had dropped my right dagger when he bit me. I stabbed blindly behind me with my left. I stuck him good. He let go of me and dropped off my back. Unfortunately, he took my dagger with him. I grabbed at my shoulder and pivoted. The werewolf was shaking it’s head trying to get my dagger out of his eye.

Pain meant you were alive. There was no use wishing for something I didn’t have. I would just have to work through it.

My dagger when clang to the ground. /Do you think you can interfere with us and live, Hunter./

My estimation went up. He was a first generation.

“I’m not the one missing an eye.”

/You’ll be one of us by the next full moon./

“Been there. Done that. Got the antidote.”

/Liar…Jimmy, get the fuck up and over here. We just found you your bitch./

“By the by, I’m not a Hunter.” I let my eyes burn as a deadly smile crossed my face. I got my fangs on.

/Vampire./

“You could be my bitch, but to tell you the truth, I’ve got too many of them as it is. All sex and no work makes, Azrael…well bitchy. Let’s dance.” I glanced my fallen daggers. I willed them to me. Shit. One flew by my head at mach 10. I caught the other one, spun on my heel and wiped it back at the first gen. It buried itself in his throat. Blood spewed everywhere. I pulled my left Glock and shot at the last Lycan just as he leapt at me. The bullet shot through his open maw and exited the back of his skull . The force of the body knocked me over. I cracked the back of my head against the road. Fuck that hurt. My Glock spun out of my hand.

I shoved the werewolf off me. The freakshow was just starting. A Lycan is a Lycan. It’s not human, it never was. But a werewolf was someone’s son somewhere down the line. The change back to human after death is…well morbidly fascinating.

Hot searing agony ripped into my slide. “Never turn your back on your enemy.” My head was ripped back my by tail as the first gen pulled my dagger out of my side to bring it up to my throat. I called for my blade. I brought my leg up and kicked the werewolf in the face then rolled to the right. This time I was able to slow the blade and catch it. Blood was pouring down my side into my pants.

I turned and faced him. He had shifted back to human form. He was medium sized of. medium build and totally unremarkable. You could pass him in the street and never know the crazy assed killer he was. The dagger had just nicked his neck. It was bleeding but not enough to do real damage. “Show me your true form, Vampire. You’ve seen mine.”

I grinned bloodily at him and willed out my wings. His eyes widened and he stepped backwards. “Holy mother, full of grace…” I don’t even think he was aware that he was praying.

“I am Azrael, the Angel of Death.”

“I only did what my maker ordered me to do. I couldn’t fight this curse. Please…have mercy. Mercy.” He dropped to his hands and knees. I willed my other dagger back to me. He pressed his forehead to the roadway. “Forgive me, Angel. I only did what she told me to do.”

“She?”

“The Lycan who turned me. She told me that my territory was between 5th and West Ave. I was to clean out all the homeless in my area. I was supposed to make an example out of them to make sure that the humans would fear the night.”

Lycan. This would be the Northern Pack, under Britta the Elder.

“Why would you want the humans terrified?”

“It would bring the Hunters…and the Hunters would bring the Vampire. She wanted the Vampires attention.”

“All the Vampires, or just one?”

“She never said….I beg you…”

“What is her name?”

“Elek.”

Elek? Elek. Why did that sound familiar? Haley said something about it. Wait…that is just like Zsigmond, no, it’s a level above Zsigmond. Haley said he was too small to be my Elek, my protector who hunts down my enemies. Britta the Elder was sending Elek’s against me. Haley said the Female Alpha Pack would rip me to shreds. Damn it. The Lycan were on the move.

“Angel…”

“You are a stupid pawn, but you are stained with the blood of the innocent. You cannot be allowed to roam free.”

The first gen raised his head, his cheeks were stained with tears. “I understand….please forgive me.”

“I am in no position to offer you forgiveness…but I can offer peace. Since the Lycan turned you, you’ve been a slave to your blood needs. It pounds through you, every minute. Your dreams are blood.”

“How do you know?”

“I told you, been then, done that. Change. What I need to do, I can’t do to a human.”

The Hunters were being herded toward us. Not good. I flipped my daggers over so the blades rested along my forearms. I knelt before the werewolf. “Find the peace you desire.” I crossed my forearms in front of me then punched forward and ripped my arms wide. My blades cut through his neck. Blood splattered me and the body of the werewolf fell over. The head rolled off a few feet then the body began to change back.

I got up and walked over to the first Lycan I had shot. He had lost control of his form. He was just a wounded human. I flared my wings as sad and tormented eyes looked up at me. “Peace….”

I pulled my Glock and shot him through the head. I grimaced from the knife wound that was still sluggishly bleeding from my side. I walked over to the downed homeless man. He was mortally wounded. Even if he wasn’t, he had been bitten by a werewolf. I picked him up and touched his forehead. I scrolled his memories. Happy memories were few and far between. I brought him back to his childhood, running in the sunshine flying a box kite that he had made with his grandfather. I dropped fang and drank him dry. I held him. In his fading, he recalled how great it was to have his grandfather hold him. “You find peace as well, Leo”

I laid his body on the road and closed his eyes.

One more thing to do. There was a twisted rebar laying off to the side of the road. I picked it up and looked at the concrete pillar. I took a firm hold of the bar then rammed it as hard as I could into the pillar. It sunk in like the concrete was warm butter.

“What they hell do you think you were doing?” I looked at the Hunter with the binoculars then walked past him to pick up the werewolf head. The body returned to normal human. The severed head did not. Britta set a trap. I had to return a message.

I picked it up and headed back to my makeshift flagpole. I hung my message. My side was sore but the wound was closed and angry red. I could live with that.

The two Hunters were young. Reconnaissance was usually for the newbies. They were both green as they stared at the piked head. I dissolved my wings. The flash and glitter of light caught their attention back to me. I snapped my fingers in front of their faces to make sure they really were paying attention. “Have Lady Regent call me tomorrow at 2 pm.”

“Who are you?” The smaller of the two stammered out.

“Carver.”

“This is Blood Emperor, Xavier Von Drachenfeld the First. Bow in the present of greatness.” I blinked at that new final addition.

The Hunters didn’t match the strength of my Loyal. They were forced down to their knees. “You’re a monster!”

Carver drove the Hunter head first into the pavement. “Don’t kill them. They’re young and ignorant…and we don’t need the Hunters coming after us as well.”

I crouched in front of the downed Hunter, reached out and pulled his head up to look into my blue flame. “You call me monster, yet you were content to sit in safety and watch four of your fellow human beings die in a most horrific fashion. There are times, I despise the Hunters. Remember, have the Lady Regent call me at 2 o’clock tomorrow.”

“Why would the Lady call you, Vampire?” Considering we was pressed close enough to the pavement to count ants, he put enough venom into his words.

I returned quietly, “Because little Hunter, once upon a time, I was her son.” I stood up and looked down the darkened road. The Seer was standing beside the limousine, patiently waiting for my return. He didn’t pace. He didn’t fidget. He just waited. He stayed.

Haley had said that the female could pack call from anywhere. Those who heard it would response. Let’s find out. /ELEK! Your werewolf has failed you. Claim him before midnight, if you cared for him at all./

I listened carefully but didn’t hear any sort of response. “Lycans will be massing here, little Hunters. It would be in your best interests to be gone before that happens. Get the cleaners here for one o’clock. If they cared at all for what they made, the pack should come and collect them. If not, we’ll take care of it.”

I walked past them heading toward the car. The Loyal dropped the Hunters and got my back. There wouldn’t be a clear shot for them even if they were foolish enough to try and take one. I couldn’t disarm them. I just called all the Lycans to that spot. They needed to be able to defend themselves. I glanced over at the other Loyal…Edge. “Follow them. Make sure they get back to their checkpoint safely.”

“As you command, my Lord.” He vanished into the darkness. I heard the snick snick snick of running feet fading away from us. Lanseng waited until I got into the limo then climbed in after me. Carver shut the door then crossed to the front. The limo purred back to life and we continued on. The back of the limo smelled like whiskey. I glanced over at Lanseng and he was dampening a handkerchief with the amber brew then turned to me.

“You are well blooded, my Lord.” He used the material to wipe my face clean. He paused, folded the material to a clean spot and cleaned my neck, working his way down my chest. I caught his hand as he brushed at my left nipple ring.

“I have been fucked around enough today, Lanseng.” I pushed him down on the seat. He eased back without hesitation. He had taken off his colored contacts and I saw his red irises watch me lay across his body. I brought my bloody hand up and stroked his flesh, running my fingers across his brow, around his eye and down his cheek. I left behind a trail of blood. I marked the Seer as mine.

“Then fuck me, Hashmallim. I live to serve.”

“Do you have any idea what you are offering me, Lanseng of the Blood Collective?”

“I offer this body to you to do with what you please. I cannot gentle your Darkness, Angel of Death, but I am content to live within it.”

I raised myself above him then did a slight push up so I could get to his lips. He tasted of blueberry saltwater taffy. Ha ha. Must have been because of the hair. I nipped and sucked as his lips. He submitted beautifully. My eyes had returned to normal on my walk back to the limo, but I could feel the flare of my feeding begin to take hold. “Your eyes are stunning, the color of jade and the blue of a well burning flame. Tears do not become you, Angel of Death.”

“Blood is my tears.” I shifted my weight and brushed at the marks I left on his face. “I have bled enough. I will cry for him no more.” I tasted his sweet tangy lips. I had a man made out of candy. I dropped fang slightly and pierced his lip. I lapped at the small cut, enjoying the Seer’s taste. His eyes seemed to grow darker as I felt his length grow against my thigh

“What do you wish me to do?” His melodic voice deepened and turned husky.

I ran my thumb over his bottom lip.

“Stay.”